tokens of my affection is on etsy!

This pendant is now available on my etsy shop (see sidebar) with more available made to order.  I will be making some that have another hole in the bottom so there can be something dangly or jingly (my favorite!) added to it.  And I have one that is in progress as a finished necklace.

Now I am off to catch up to my husband and our dog, who have set out on a walk without me!  It's a beautiful day in Richmond.  Hooray for cooler weather!!  xo

tokens of my affection pendant

This is a pendant I finished yesterday.  I love insertions, whether it be rivets, eyelets or clean drilled holes.  This one was meant to have another hole at the bottom to dangle a bead or charm but I accidentally sawed it off when I was cutting the piece from the sheet of silver.

This past June we had a huge yard sale since we moved to an ever smaller apartment and I sold a ton of my things, including all my ledger books that I have bought over the years at yard sales and thrift shops that I used to use all the time for my jewelry props.  Dumb, but I thought it was a good idea at the time since I hadn't made jewelry in so long, plus we made enough money at the sale to purchase a new mattress, so I didn't feel the sting until now, when I am finishing off pieces and saying, hmmmm...  what to photograph it on?  I have some old autograph books I am using (above) and some old books, but I miss my ledger books like crazy now.  Anyway, I have another version of this pendant that says "a token of my affection."  Now the question is to put them in my etsy shop as pieces by themselves?  Or finish them into necklaces?

to begin again

After a year working for the government, several deaths in the family, an amazing pinch-me-I'm-dreaming stint studying couture embroidery in Paris, exploring other mediums in fiber arts, four apartment moves in three years, and helping my husband with his business, I am coming full circle and back at my bench making jewelry.  It's been a pretty long break and probably well needed.  I have ideas, ideas, ideas, and lots of sketches.  The rather washed out photo of wire wrapped pearl and aquamarine chandelier earrings above is a little sample of what I have been up to, beginning again.

There is too much, way too much, to encompass in one post, so this is just a "I'm still alive!" post, with more jewelry to come.  Also I am new to the new Blogger, and it is a doozy, isn't it?  I am embarrassed to mention how long it took me to re-vamp this page from the old.

You can see my work this month in Best of Step by Step Wire Jewelry 2012, page 73.

blue patina necklace

This is a necklace I created some months ago as a submission for a book on use of patina in jewelry.  They only wanted images and I haven't heard anything back from the book company yet so I am thinking it is safe to sell!  I created this beginning with a flat piece of copper, cutting it out into two circle shapes of same size using a jeweler's saw.  I stamped the pieces with a bird and a moon/star.  Then I domed the copper pieces into two rather organic shapes- meaning they were not meant to be perfect and were a tad crinkled on the edges.  Lightly tapping around the perimeter of the domes while held together with the fingers melds them into each other for a perfect fit, mirrored crinkles and all.

Super stinky ammonia is the simple ingredient that produces this pretty intense blue.  Easy as pie.  Lots of info about using it for metal patina online.  I intended to spray a clear glossy coat to seal this but I still haven't done it and months later the color is still true.  I'll probably spray several coats on before I place it at its next stop-- my etsy shop.

Sterling silver chain, a hand stamped silver round (with the patina and stamped textures I love...) and some pretty apatite and gemstone citrine teardrop complete the piece.  Look for it later tomorrow http://jenniferstumpf.etsy.com.

Where Mango can be found every single morning from about 7 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.  Don't tell but I keep the window open for him in this intense heat, and run the AC full blast, just because I love him so much and he loves the window open.  Shhhh....

trudi bird bracelet

Just a quick post since I am heading out to work and I'm running late!  But here is my latest creation-- the Trudi Bird Bracelet, which is currently for sale at http://jenniferstumpf.etsy.com.  It is created from some of my prettiest beads (agates!  prehnite!  apatite! vintage czech glass!  lampwork glass beads! Swarovski crystals!), some of which have been in my stash for quite a while, waiting for me to get the lead out and make something with them!

Awww..  isn't this turqoise bird the sweetest little thing?  He has a sterling cap and a lovely Swarovski crystal perched on his head.  A faceted green agate egg is next to him...  Above is a drilled river pebble and a pretty antiqued round bone bead-- peeking above is a lentil shaped lampwork glass bead purchased years ago from the Greater Washington D.C. bead society bead show and I'm sorry to say I have lost the name of the artist who created it.

Paired with my grand-dad's watch, it makes a handsome piece and is very comfortable to wear at 7 3/4". I'm heading out for the rest of the day and evening-- thanks for looking!!  xo

Beauty Walk- reloaded!

I made a necklace today, incorporating a pendant previously created and dismantled with different elements.  More and more I am enjoying simpler designs with just a hint of sparkle and color, just enough to catch attention but not so much that it is distracting.  The pendant is hand stamped brass and is from the Navajo Beauty Way poem.

I am also loving the simplicity of vintaj wire and chain (this one is 20" with a 3.5" inch pendant drop), which goes so well with a summer tan and does not tarnish as easily as silver (no, it does not turn your neck green!).

Lanyard hooks are so cool!  This piece has two-- one vintage lanyard hook on the 3.5" drop pendant and one as the clasp.  I see all kinds of design potential using these simple but interesting elements.

And I had to post a cute photo of my big boy Mango the Manx, propping his head on his new squirrel toy.  :-)  I didn't plan for the sofa, toy and kitty to be the same color!

For a closer look (at the necklace, of course), check out my etsy shop http://jenniferstumpf.etsy.com.

Boho Bracelet on Etsy!

It's taken me almost a year of life getting in the way but I finally made time to make a piece of jewelry for sale. Woo hoo! This is an eight inch bracelet chock full of lovely earthenware, bone, nut and lampwork beads. Lots of charms to jingle jangle and a comfortable fit with double leather cord band and sterling silver clasp. All the details are besides the point, but it felt very good to make something again. What with tambour embroidery, weaving, crochet and needlework projects stacked to the ceiling, jewelry took a long term back burner! I'm happy to be back. I hope you enjoy this bracelet and you can find it for sale at http://jenniferstumpf.etsy.com. Thanks for looking!