I created a public event on Facebook today. I need a product name or title for a new bracelet. It is a wire-wrapped bracelet featuring onyx and Czech agate glass beads. It is a weekend event. Come take a look and let your creativity shine. There is a prize in it for the winner.
https://www.facebook.com/events/329664003806919/

The new jewelry items are not yet listed on the website, but they are still available for purchase. Serious customers will be sent a PayPal invoice. Leave a comment below this post or email me if you are interested in making a purchase. Thank you.

Hannah

These are my second pair of asymmetrical earrings, what fun! They are made with white coral, dolomite "Mountain Jade", Czech glass beads, and sterling silver. I decided to keep them for myself before I completed the pair. It's a good thing to, because if you look closely at the photo you'll see that one of the white coral beads looks more off white than its friends. I only noticed it while editing the photos, it's really unnoticeable with the naked eye.

I'm going to share a secret with you now. It's about how I take my photos. I didn't always do it this way, but I stuck with it after comparing the results.

For back drops I use a flat plate (first photo) and a medium sized round bowl (second photo) from the "Corelle" company. They were purchased individually at Wal-Mart. These two are kept separately from our main dishes--they are solely for picture taking. I take photos indoors anytime of the day or night.

I would place the back drop on the kitchen counter near the stove. My lighting is the kitchen light from the ceiling (the long tubular florescent light bulbs) and the light from the stove vent or stove hood. I rarely have to do much editing besides cropping and resizing. When I do have to do extra editing, I would use the brightness setting and increase the mid tones only or use all three settings. I recently learned in The Zibbet Forum, that increasing the contrast really helps make the photo pop (especially on a white back drop). I tried increasing the contrast with these earrings and that really helped (I had to really experiment with these earrings).

I try to take photos of every item that I make to keep for reference and to add to my online portfolio (photo gallery) as some items sell before being able to list them online. I edit photos so that when viewed on the a computer monitor or mobile device, the colors are as true to the actual products as can be. I believe I have achieved this after viewing the photos from several computer monitors and mobile devices.

Dolomite "Mountain Jade" is most challenging. The beads that I have are "coral pink". I would describe them as a shade of dark bubble gum, dark hot pink, or maybe just dark pink. It can look a shade darker when in low light, almost coral red. If you are not into girly stuff, don't worry, because it's not too pink. Thankfully, the crystallization in this Asian marble does stand out. It's pretty and I often pair it with the white coral. Increasing the contrast here helped to bring out the true color of the beads. The beads were dyed to enhance their natural color. I'll be making a pair to list for sale. What do you think would go well with these earrings; a matching bracelet or a matching necklace?

I like the clarity of the photos when the bowl is used as the back drop, so I think I'll use it more often from now on.

Oh! "PicMonkey" and "Picasa" are great for editing photos.

The anklet in the photo is titled, "Classical Romance". I think it is or is becoming the most Favorited item based on the comments and Likes it has gotten.

I like anklets. I like making links and chain with wrapped loops, and I like sterling silver. I thought it would be fun to turn this item into a series. I would use the same color beads and add different elements with each new design, while keeping it simple and elegant. Will you join me on this quest? The series continues after every sale. I make One Of A Kind pieces of jewelry, so once something is sold I don't make the exact design anymore.

<----This anklet SOLD on July 10, 2012. It is going to be in a wedding. Yes. A lovely bride-to-be is going to wear this anklet on her wedding day.

It is time to continue the Classical Romance Series with style #2. In this design I used small sterling silver beads as the embellishment. A pretty dangle will be positioned near the clasp when completed.

If you are interested and would like the anklet on the right customized to your anklet length or size, you may comment below or send me a message with your desired size. At this point the finished piece would be around 10 inches.

My aim is to keep the price of each piece at $23 (or below $30). Style #2 is $26, because I added more sterling silver.

Visit my Facebook Page to see the status of this Classical Romance.

Took some supplies to play with on a recent road trip. This is how I do it, I see beads and findings that I think will fit well together and just start experimenting with different looks, the look I'm comfortable with is the one that wins. Tammy Jones, explains it best...http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2012/07/13/be-a-player-the-value-of-playing-for-creativity-and-jewelry-design.aspx. I made two pairs of earrings and some Hijab stick pins from this stash (photos below).

Updated on 8/3/2012

Hi! Today I want to talk a little about memory wire or Remembrance wire. Memory wire is sold in different sizes of coils or loops, ring size, bracelet size, and necklace size. The coils are wrapped tightly and form one big spring. When the coils are stretched they spring back to their original shape, hence the name; memory wire. Memory wire is a jewelry supply used in bead stringing. The range of designs one can make with memory wire is limitless from the simple to the mind boggling. Memory wire is hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant.

I took some new pictures of the cotton cord lariat necklaces. Lariats are necklaces that do not have a clasp, they go on by overlapping one side over the other. You can have the sides at even lengths or wear them long and short. These cotton cord lariats can be worn in the choker style.

I think I know what you are thinking. Are you thinking that these are ideal for bookmarks? Yes, you are right. In fact, I intended to market them as bookmarks, but a customer at an open office event thought that they were cute lariats and got so excited about them...the one she bought was purple or lavender and I don't have pictures of it...I think they make cute lariats too, don't you?

Hannah's Gemstone Jewelry (HannahsGems) blog interviews and featured articles. Links open in a new window. If links do not open then copy and paste the URL to the address bar to view in your browser.

Submitted in The On Fire For Handmade (links to the Facebook page) Great Finds "Tantalizing Turquoise" on Friday 22 February, 2013. Voters have one week to place their votes. Place your votes here ---> http://ht.ly/hX76R.