Featured: Jewelled Trellis

Our featured studio this week is "Jewelled Trellis" aka Robin. The mission statement for this fabulous studio is "that everyone deserves to be jewelled". "Jewelled Trellis" specializes in gemstone and vintage glass jewerly inspired by history and made for the woman of today.

Robin began her work as a jewelry designer when she wanted a special piece of jewelry with a certain look and she just couldn't find it. Because she was unsuccessful in this endeavor she decided to design the piece herself, and so the journey began.

Robin loves to design perfume bottle pendants made of vintage glass to my own period reproductions to stunning semi-precious stone collections.

When you visit "Jewelled Trellis" it is quite apparent that Robin is inspired by vintage designs. She admits that she has gotten inspiration from some of the greatest woman in history like Catherine the Great, Elizabeth the First, Cleopatra, and Isabela of Spain.

Btw, Robin is a wife and mother of 5 children. Her 3 daughters have been wonderful in sharing their own ideas about jewelry designs and her 2 sons have been helpful with wrapping up the pieces that have been sold. It's so nice to hear that "Jewelled Trellis" is actually a family affair.

Here is a picture of this family affair. How "cool" to see them dressed in period attire.





Now let's take a look at some of the fabulous pieces showcased in "Jewelled Trellis".

Earrings:

Pendants:


Bracelets:

Necklaces:

You are invited to leave a comment in support of "JewelledTrellis" and Robin at the end of this article.

If you have any questions for Robin please contact here through her studio: http://JewelledTrellis.artfire.com

Featured: Beads, Beads, Beads, and yes, Beads

A bead is a small, decorative object that is usually pierced for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under 1 millimetre (0.039 in) to over 1 centimetre (0.39 in) in diameter. Beads can be woven together with specialized thread, strung onto thread or soft, flexible wire, or adhered to a surface (e.g. fabric, clay).

Beads have been around for as long as anyone can remember, with the first beads ever made dating back at far as 100,00 years ago. Beads were even used as a type of currency at one point in our history. Since that time, beads have progressed into an entire culture all their own, with many people creating their own beads out of various materials, selling them, or creating jewelry with them.

Beads have had very important meanings for many societies in the past. Some believed that beads brought great fortune and wisdom to those who wore them. Some were used as prayer beads, or as we more often refer to them, rosary beads, to help people recite their prayers in the order they are supposed to be said. Many believed that beads offered protection from evil, and carried them around to stay safe.


Through history, beads have been crafted from various different types of materials. The first beads were made from stones and pebbles, shells, and teeth. Later materials that were used to create beads include clay and glass. To this day, most of our modern beads are still made from clay and glass materials. However, some of the other materials that are also used today to make beads are plastic, acrylic, lucite, fabric, natural gem stones, metals, shells and even paper.


The way we make beads now has not drastically changed since the first beads were made, and most of the materials used throughout history are still the exact same materials we use today. While we have advanced the tools and methods we use to make our modern day beads, they are still reminiscent of the originals methods and tools that were used thousands of years ago. The end result of our work today on beads closely resembles historical beads, as well.

Now, we don’t necessarily believe that beads have any special sort of powers as our ancestors believed. But they do have the power to make us feel stylish when we wear them. We do still use beads in similar ways to create beautiful pieces of jewelry, for religious reasons, and for many other decorative purposes. Though our designs may be a little more bold and intricate, there are a vast amount of similarities between our beads and beads throughout history. Modern technology may have changed the way we do many things, but the art and culture of bead making will probably always stay true to its roots, even as the technology we used in our bead making continues to advance.

The following Ajdjss Guild Studios have provided the beads showcased in this feature--starting from top left:

1. SWbeadshop, LAJewwelryDesigns, LaDeDaCreations

2. DeStashNotTrash, SupplyShop, RougeRiverBeads

3. BeadsbyHaffina, VintageBeadlady5, DeStashNotTrash

4. Ariel'sDad, VintageBeadlady5, AllEarringsandSupplies

5. SWbeadshop, SWbeadshop, PickleValentineVintageBeads

6. RoyalMetals, SWbeadshop, PickleValentineVintageBeads

7. FiredanceBeads, bwdesigns, libertydoll

8. kitschbeads, RiversEdgeGlass

Featured Studio: Rivers Edge Glass

Featured Studio of the week is "RiversEdgeGlass" aka Barb.

As soon as you come to this shop you have to be drawn in just from the wonderful banner and avatar. It certainly grabs your attention and paves the way to the fabulous lampwork beads that are showcased here.

Barb has been working with glass for the past 4 years creating her fabulous lampwork beads in her own home studio in Michigan.

Barb prefers to use Effetre and other soft glasses for her lovely creations. Each of her lampwork beads are kiln annealed for strength and durability.

When you visit "RiversEdgeGlass" you will have the pleasure of seeing lovely lampwork beads with big holes, pandora style beads, bead sets, buttons and you find some lampwork tools and supplies too.

Right now Barb has a wonderful special going on in her studio for a number of her lovely bead pairs. If you buy 2 sets you will receive another set for free--WooHoo--a great deal, indeed!

Here are some of the bead sets in this special:


Wouldn't they make great earrings?

Here are some lovely bead sets for sale:



Here are some beautiful lampwork buttons:

Here are also some lovley lampwork beads with larger holes:

I really am always at awe of all the talented artisans in our guild. However, Barb and other lampwork bead artists are the ones I really am so really amazed by. The work that goes into creating one of these beads is really quite difficult. Anyone who has taken a class to learn this skill knows exactly what I mean.

Kudos, to you Barb, for your skill, for your talent, and for your fabulous beads.

Please join in support of this wonderful artisan and her studio by commenting here.

Any questions for Barb? Well, contact her through her wonderful studio:

http://riversedgeglass.artfire.com/

Featured Studio: Aridan Fashions

This week the Ajdjss Guild features "Aridan Fashions" aka Kelle.
Kelle has many roles in life, she is a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. However, the role of artist burns brightly in her heart.

You can certainly see this when you visit "Aridanfashions".
Here is where Kelle showcases the jewelry pieces that are created from her heart.

"Aridanfashions" is filled with beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that are lovingly created with gemstones, pearls, lampwork beads, Czech beads, and more.

Kelle is quite an accomplished artisan when it comes to her jewelry designs. She uses a variety of jewelry making techniques such as bead weaving, stringing, and wire work too.
Her inspiration for designs comes from all things sparkly, bright, and colorful. She also has a great appreciation of for the rich warmth of fall colors.

Kelle takes great pride in her work. It is her vehement desire to provide quality handmade jewelry pieces that are affordable, that evoke a sense of wonderment, and have great visual impact.

Let's take a peek at some of the quality handmade jewelry pieces that are showcased here in "Aridan Fashions".

Necklaces:


Bracelets:

Earrings:


Come visit "Aridanfashions" to see the whole collection of wonderful jewelry made from the heart of a true artisan.

You are invited to support Kelle an "AridanFashions" by leaving a comment for her here.

If you have any questions for Kelle please contact her through her studio: http://aridanfashions.artfire.com/