Musings

I have been pondering the direction I want to move towards in terms of design. And in doing so, I of course looked at the pieces I've made thus far and designs I'm drawn to in general. In my musings, I have discovered something interesting and somewhat unexpected.

In terms of design - clothes, furniture, architecture, jewelery I buy, I lean towards simple, clean-lined, unfussy designs. For example, modern/modernist furniture designs (Eames, Noguchi, Macintosh), architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Art Deco architecture and the like. And yet, when I create, I lean towards the *pretty*. Not necessarily the simple clean lines, of the above mentioned. They could even be complicated and complex, but *pretty*.

I've never thought that my aesthetic sensibilities leaned towards the *pretty*. I guess it's because I equate *pretty* to *feminine*, and I am so not *feminine*. Anyone who remotely knows me can atest to the fact that I'm not a girly girl at all, especially the Husband. Which is why I'm rather surprised by this realisation.

Starburst Earrings Tutorial

Tutorial: Starburst Earrings
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Introduction:
Learn how to make this lovely pair of earrings made with only one gauge of wire and beads of your choice - I used Swarovski crystal beads.

Material List:

• 2 70cm pieces of 24g round soft wire
• 2 ear hooks
  
• 24 3mm beads
  

Tool List:

• Wire cutters
• Round nose pliers
• Ruler
• Pen or pencil to use as mandrel
  

Number of steps: 12
Number of pages: 10
File size: 1.30 MB

Payment:
You can pay for the tutorial via PayPal by sending US$ 5.00 to llogam@yahoo.co.uk by specifying "Starburst Earrings Tutorial" in the title of the transaction.

Delivery:
The PDF file will be sent to your e-mail address specified in your PayPal account within 12 hours or less upon receipt of payment.

I hope you will enjoy making your Starburst Earrings! Do share your creations with me once you have tried it out!

If you have a question that has not been answered here, please feel free to leave a comment, or to drop me an e-mail.

Brass Starburst

Named 'Starburst' because they remind me of fireworks.

Similar to the Copper Starburst, this pair is made of brass 24ga wire and has 4mm green Swarovski crystals surrounding the hand formed and coiled frame.

Copper Starburst

This sparkly and elegant pair of earrings are made of almost 1.5 m of 24ga hand coiled copper wire. Surrounding the circular frame are 3mm green and red Swarovski bicones. 100% handmade, including the ear hooks.

Blue Skies (SGD25/USD16.85)

I named this pair of earrings 'Blue Skies' after the Irving Berlin song as they are so cheerful and sure to brighten up your day. It features a Swarovski crystal bicone encircled with a closed, twisted metal circle, with a Swarovski crystal round dangling below. They are topped with rhodium ear-wires for those who might have sensitive skin.

Green Eyed Lady

"Green Eyed Lady, lovely lady
Strolling slowly towards the sun

Green eyed lady ocean lady
Soothing every wave that comes

Green eyed lady, passion's lady
dressed in love she lives for life to be"
- Sugarloaf

This elegant pair of earrings with a pair of Swarovski crystal briolettes carefully and lovingly wrapped with non-tarnish silver plated wire, and dangle from a metal circle made of twisted wire. The many facets of the briolettes really catch the light and sparkle beautifully. Ear wires are rhodium.

I know that in this pair, one earring hangs lower than the other, and thus, this particular pair is not for sale. If you're interested in a similar pair, just contact me. You can also specify the colour of the briolette you desire.

A similar pair will cost SGD 29 / USD 20.40

My first ring!

This is my first attempt at making a ring, and the design of the ring is one I found on one of the forums I visited. Unfortunately, I can't remember which one, and so can't give credit where it is due. :( However, I do recall that it is based on a tutorial by beadergoingnuts in Beadingholics

Anyway, I'm completely new to making rings, and therefore need lots more practice before I am able to make them proficiently and efficiently, and most importantly, find my own style.

However, I was so excited about having made my first ring that I just had to blog about it. Here's another shot of it on my ugly and un-manicured hand.