Sneak Peak!

The photo above is part of the stash I dropped off with Allison today.  If you’re interested in ordering before I get them posted on Etsy, feel free to contact me using the link at the top of this page.  I’m really proud of this batch of goodies and this is only the beginning of it.  Pieces from the top:

• Botswana Agate Chinese Knot Lariat
• Seraphinite Single Stepping Stones Necklace
• Blue Sapphire Statement Necklace
• Botswana Agate Single Stepping Stones Necklace
• Moss Agate Chinese Knot Lariat

Really, I just want to get as much done as possible before I go on maternity leave.  I suspect it will start once the baby drops because he’s already sitting so low that once he does, general and overall movement will be even more difficult.  I’m not as spry as I was with Hui.1 at this point in the pregnancy, and I suspect once Hui.2 starts getting into birthing position, it’s going to be a lot worse.  So need to get pretty photos and Etsy stocked well before then, as well as some pieces for future collections.  Yes, I am a very busy Hui Hui.  But at least the family and I had a nice day exploring the Downtown Glendale area.  We stopped at Porto’s for a break after meandering around Brand Avenue and Hui.1 decided it was a good time for quick snooze.  I decided it was a good chance for me to play with my photography skills and take some live action shots.  The bracelet below is a special super duper sneak peek at the new goodies I’ve been working on.  I haven’t been able to take a photo like this since Hui.1 was 3 weeks old and the lighting was perfect and I snapped the photo of our hands with me wearing my Perfect Ring.  More photos below.  I feel all happy and nostalgic now.  Oy, new baby hands coming soon!  Better get working on those super duper secret squirrel projects before I get no sleep!

3 weeks old and helping Mommy sell jewelry

Baby, Mommy, & Daddy hands

At First Blush

Click on photo to shop now!

Mixing metals can be tricky, but nothing screams chic more than the silvery gleam of sterling silver against a blushing hint of pink gold.  This is by far my most favorite chainmaille bracelet because it’s lightweight enough to wear all day.  I made it exclusively for my engagement photos, so it would tie together the matching necklace in sterling silver and my rose gold engagement ring.  Yes, I am a romantic at heart.

This bracelet consists of a combination pattern of 14kt Rose Gold Filled “roses” with sterling silver stations of byzantine.  Typically, the byzantine weave shows off its central connecting rings, but this pattern is flipped over on its side to shake things up a bit.  The result is a beautifully and well thought out pattern that’s a perfect addition to every woman’s jewelry collection.  Different metal combinations are also available, so don’t be afraid to ask!

 

 

The Single Strand Necklace

I just found Cynthia Sliwa’s new blog after noticing she was MIA from her old blog on JCK Online.  This particular blog post makes me very happy about my new Stepping Stones Collection.  Cynthia is an image consultant I discovered a few years ago and she loves blogging about jewelry.  She actually helps the common folk digest the jewelry trends of the fashion world.  I’m impressed with her archive of old photos from old fashion magazines and how up-to-date she is on the current ones.  It’s not easy trying to assimilate such a wealth of information and shiny photos.

The necklace pictured above is a perfect example of this single strand necklace phenomenon and I’m currently marketing it as a statement necklace instead of a full-blown collection since most of the stones utilized are too soft or delicate for bracelets and sometimes you don’t need a matching pair of earrings.  With that said, I think I’ll dig through my stones and find some that are suitable for a new statement necklace like this one.

Designing on a Whim

A birthday present for a dear friend made on a whim.  I had just bought some aquamarines from the local bead show and realized her birthstone is aquamarine.  Admittedly, I remembered when I noticed she “favorited” my tweet with a photo of the epic loot.  And with the release of the Chinese Knot Collection, I knew this would be a wonderful set for her.

I haven’t designed on a whim like this for a very long time.  I’ve missed the thrill of that “OMG” moment when everything comes together so perfectly.  Sometimes I think I need to set aside at least a day a month to kick everyone out of the house so I can have a day to lounge in my studio.  But life doesn’t always work out like that, so moments like these are even more valuable and unpredictable.

Getting Ready For Fall

When I was in school, Fall Quarter always felt like a fresh start for me. What I love most about Fall is the weather starting to cool down and it’s almost time to bust out those chunky knit sweaters with 3/4 length sleeves.  They’re perfect for showing off chunkier necklaces and lariats, and of course, bracelets.  Oh come on, you know you love to show off your jewelry as much as I do! 😉

I’ve been busy with another top-secret, super duper secret squirrel project that I will promptly announce here once all the pieces are in place.  It’s been making me scurry a bit, but I’m thankful for my husband who has been pitching in around the house more, as well as Amazon.com’s Subscribe and Save program for cutting down my trips to the store.  Wearing all the hats that I do, it’s a miracle I can run around as much as I do.  But I manage to stay sane and my family is still in tact, so i must be doing a good job.  Believe me, family comes first no matter what, or else Hui.1 would promptly complain to Grandpa about it!  But in between catering to his needs, I do find time to take care of myself with yoga and $20 foot massages.  Now if only I could find more quiet time…

And with that, let’s drool over some “oldies but goodies” that will help us transition into sweater weather (click on the photo to visit the shop listing):

Oh, the dreamy mix of textured sterling silver against 14kt rose gold filled!  This is one of my favorite bracelets.  So dreamy and so chunky that makes a woman with larger-than-average wrists feel dainty.

Another lovely gem that’s both regal and sassy all at the same time.  A true “Chainmaille with a Hui Twist” design!  Perfect for frolicking amongst the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch!

A Very Happy Customer

My biggest fan showing off her new ring and pretty postcards. 😉

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The Hui Hui Process of Earring Design

Jesse wanted to go out since we’ll be staying home a lot in the near future.  So I decided on trying out The Filling Station Cafe in Old Town Orange.  It was actually pretty good with a really great atmosphere.  I had a really yummy meatloaf that apparently had a little bit of a kick to it and topped with BBQ sauce that I initially thought was ketchup.  Of course, I tried to get as much of it off as I could be I despise ketchup.  But the remnants of the BBQ sauce was actually pretty good and more than enough to help flavor the meat.  I’ll go back with Hui.1 when I’m allowed to have chocolate.  It was really hard to decide between the cheese fondue and the meatloaf.  But definitely going back for chocolate fondue.  Way cheaper than The Melting Pot and it was a lovely non-yucky summer evening to be eating out on the patio. 😀

Came home and got settled in, then decided to sit down with my teeny tiny rings to figure out how to make new earrings.  I busted out my really awesome garnets and just started playing.  I switched on some Emile Autumn to stimulate some right brain function and just tinkered without any real direction, other than, “Huh, let’s use these pretty garnets.”  I started noting to myself not to buy any more teeny tiny briolettes.  So annoying. 😯  So I started with a pair of very basic, kinda boring earrings.  I carried on, starting the base of another pair, then took a shower, and got ready for bed.  All the while watching Season 7 of Buffy. ♥

And these were the fruits of my labor for the night.

Pregnant brain has really gotten to me, because I don’t know when I decided to COMBINE the two together.  I really think it was this morning, but don’t quote me on that.  I finished one earring before heading to the office at least.  I assembled the other one after I got home.  Now I just need to take pretty pictures and take them for a test run tomorrow.  😉

I really surprised myself with this pair of earrings and how it all came together.  But the intention was there, so that helped a lot.  I haven’t channeled myself like this for a very long time and it felt really good.  As though I still AM capable of this much creative and abstract thought.  I need to remember to write this all down so I can re-create it later.  One artist, I forget who, has a “jewelry cookbook” of designs ready for production.  I have a few designs already written down but I need to be more consistent with it so I can just start whipping out jewelry.  But, I do prefer the slow, tried, and true method of tinkering and playing vs simply cranking out designs.  But it’s good to have notes.  I also need to consolidate my notes.  More organization.  Bleh.

But yay!  EARRINGS!!! 😉

Garnets and Citrines

I’m a hoarder.  I buy beads and use them later.  I’ve been sitting on these beads for at least 2 years.  I needed something special for my friend’s upcoming birthday and since garnets and citrines are her power stones, this was perfect.  See my “Metaphysical Ramblings” post for details. 🙂

Still available for special order.  Please inquire. 😀

Simplicity at its best… always chic

A friend’s gift for her sister’s birthday.  A modern update for freshwater pearls.  Who doesn’t love pearls decked out in shiny sterling silver?  Always chic. ♥

Sterling Silver ~ $35

Can be sized to fit.