Jewelry Making Supplies

The color of this blue druzy caught my attention and I bought it along with another druzy piece. When the order arrived, I fondled the blue piece, feeling the rough crystal side. I saw Lake Powell in a memory. The inspiration for “Rainbow Bridge Over Lake Powell” came from this memory. In 2002, my Mother and I were on a 3-week road trip. She had always wanted to see the Rainbow Bridge so we took the boat cruise to see it. As we traveled the 50 miles down the lake, the contrast in colors was spectacular. The surrounding desert was painted in dazzling white, subtle apricot, rusty iron and melted gold. The lake was sapphire blue and the waves were topped in white foam. Every mile brought more amazing views. The Rainbow Bridge is a sight to see. The movement of wind and water carved the world’s largest natural bridge. Considered sacred ground by the Navaho, they do not walk under it. They believe that rainbows represent the Guardians of the Universe. I chose to use copper, sterling silver and gold-filled wire for this creation. The colors mimic the scenic desert surrounding Lake Powell. The spirals signify a spiritual journey, the Cycles of Nature and the Cycles of Life. My Mother was 79 and moving into the winter of her life. I was 49 and approaching the autumn of my life. The waves at the bottom of the stone show the rough waters of Lake Powell. Thanks for the opportunity to challenge my creative energies. This was fun.

My original thoughts when I read about the "druzy contest" centered around my favorite media; sterling silver wire wrapping, the colors of stones that look best in that media and the shapes I like to work with. That all changed as I looked through the selection of stones available. My original thoughts lost focus and the uniqueness of the stones took on my attention. I made my selection of two stones I found interesting and held possibilities in my mind. It was when the stones actually arrived and I held them in my hands and examined them that the true inspiration came. When I saw the brown 'kite' or 'diamond' shaped stone, I immediately thought of a stingray as it settled under the sand. I also knew that there are many types of stingrays that inhabit all sorts of environments so I began researching stingrays. "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia", held my answer. I discovered the Southern Stingray. It has a mud brown, flat diamond shaped body. It lives in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It's habitat was important because the druzy looked like sparkling, glittering diamonds of sand. So I had it! "Southern Stingray under Caribbean Sand" was the name for the piece. By the way, this is a friendly stingray, nonvenomous and playful. Now I was left with the particulars in designing the piece. I made a few sketches trying to incorporate a bail into a tail; deciding which part of the stone was the face and how to make eyes and gills out of wire. The pictures are the results. I present to you the "Southern Stingray under Caribbean Sand".

I named my piece Magical Mushroom because they seem to be just that, magical. Mushrooms appear out of nowhere, there one day and gone the next. It is that ability to appear in the unlikeliest of places that inspired me to create my pendent. I first became aware of the magic and beauty of mushrooms when a group of them grew in my front yard. As I began to take pictures of them, the ideas started to flow. I imagined butterflies after a long flight across the yard, resting comfortably, their little legs comforted by the cushiony top of the mushroom. I imagined small flowers using the mushroom as a safe haven, protected by the dome like top. I also could picture the grass only aiding the small mushrooms in their ability to help all the little things that seem to go unnoticed. I wanted to capture not only what sparked my imagination, but also their simple yet complex forms, mystical all on its own. It was very important to me to convey that ability to appear as if it were the home to so many, much like the real mushroom had appeared to me. I wanted it to be like you were touching and seeing an actual mushroom, which is where the Druzy came in. It seemed to capture all the same qualities as the mushroom which inspired the whole piece. It is amazing to me that something that is considered a fungus can be so much more. Mushrooms can be a resting spot for a butterfly. They can be a home for a flower. Mushrooms may even bring inspiration to an artist who needs it. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure, mushrooms are magical.

Given my preconceive notions about what type of druzy I might like, this stone was not in my wildest dreams. Once I saw it however that changed. I found it interesting and even more so when it arrived and I saw it in person and could hold it, feel it in my hand and examine the textures. East to West it looked like a smile and North to South it looked like a fruit. Next was the question, "What type of fruit?". With it red border and grainy white center, it had to be an apple. One thing was certain and that was that this stone emitted feminine energy. The stone was my inspiration and I wanted it to remain the focus of the piece and not the wire. There are so many types of apples. I started to think of those I knew, like empire, delicious, macintosh, spartans etc. I couldn't decide on the type but I thought that maybe this was a candy apple so the type didn't matter as much due to the red candy coating and was deciidng how I'd like to wrap it. With the apparent feminine aspects, it was more than a candy apple and needed to have flowing, curved wires. It was then I realized that this was Eve's apple. The bite that changed everything and was a story long told and well known. It was tempting and seductive. It was the "Forbidden Fruit" from the Tree of Knowledge, the one apple that was not to be eaten by man. That fit the piece and especially the stone. The wrapping just flowed with the curves and the applle-like appearance emerging. I present to you the "Forbidden Fruit".

I received an email from Wire-Sculpture.com about a Druzy pendant contest and immediately was drawn in. I love Druzy and felt I HAD to enter this contest. I ordered a small, black Druzy and upon opening the package, I saw is was sleek, modern and elegant, all at the same time. I honestly didn't have a clue as what to do with it or how to wrap it. I wanted to keep the pendant as simple as possible because that beautiful Druzy had to be the main focus. The wire was there to enhance and hold it in place. I sat myself down, got out my box of wire and let the wire take me where it wanted to go. I knew I didn't want it to look Victorian because of its modern aspects, so I kept the swirls to a minimum. It took me 3 days. Not 3 days of wrapping, but 3 days of starts and stops. I started 3 times and had to put it down because it was beginning to look like a spider. That's when it's time to step away. Finally, my Muse and the wire took me in the right direction. I simply love its elegance. It's all Sterling Silver and I will wear it with pride. I call it Midnight Fantasy. Midnight because it is jet black - and Fantasy because the sparkles in the center attract your eyes just like the twinkling stars in a midnight sky. A night sky loaded with stars has always left me thinking of dreams and fantasy.

Uneven texture, sparkling shades of burnt orange, reds and yellows in this Druzy made me think of bubbling molten fires in an active volcano and my inspiration for the theme of this necklace.
Earth’s most active volcano is Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii. This breathtaking powerful force of nature is so much more intriguing because of the romantic Hawaiian legends.
Visitors to Kilauea are warned to never take lava stones as souvenirs home. Misfortune and bad luck will follow them. The eccentric Goddess of fire, lightning and dance, Madam Pele, who lives in Kilauea, is angered by those who steal from her. She creates unmerciful havoc for them.
Non-believers who have ignored the warnings, after experiencing Pele’s wrath, have mailed lava back to Hawaii with instructions to return them to Pele with offerings of coins or flowers begging her for forgiveness.
Not always vengeful, Pele is known to mingle with visitors, appearing occasionally as an old woman with a small white dog. Those who have met her and given her respect have been known to be spared when her fiery tantrums have erupted.
I named this necklace “POWER OF PELE”.

When I looked at the stone on the computer screen, my first thought was “a marriage” and then other words were jumping in from all directions: like groom and bride, pure love, home, union, good and bad, beautiful and ugly, love and hate, elegance, pride, etc. Shining crystals, like diamonds emerging from the black stone. It seemed to me like the black “skin” was broken for the reason to show the beautiful inside.
For the final decision about the title I decided to wait, till I would receive the stone. When I opened the package, I felt disappointed. The color “white” in reality was light beige and “shining” was matted. It looked “old”. I thought about it for a while holding it and concluded that the stone REALY was like a marriage.
During our life we meet our partner and fell in love. This is the time when we shine, we bond to each other, and we create a union. There are moments of joy, disappointment and sadness in our life. There is time when tears of joy or sorrow are sliding from our eyes like small crystals. However, the strength from being together is helping us to overcome the difficult moments.
No matter what, the love, the bond, the union stays FOREVER. Therefore I decided to create “Window to Happiness” for other people to enjoy and seek their own happiness.
Well, one more thing. What kind of successful marriage it would be without a little of humor, therefore my family (Cabochon) has a “Circle of Trust” from Swarowski crystals and black onyx. Whole piece is made by me from sterling silver wire without using any glue or solder.

During my life there have been many things that have influenced my art and my thought processes. In Art History classes in College one of my favorite periods was Ancient Egyptian art and artifacts. I find myself drawn to the deep blues of lapis, and the strong contrasts with gold. When I received this druzy, the deep blue screamed lapis. I went to my bead chest and pulled some lapis beads and compared the color...BINGO!! We have a match! The next selection is easy; every lapis has to have gold just like King Tut would have. Now that the metal is decided on it is time to really look at the druzy stone and see what it says in the way of design. Turned one way it looks like an eye, like the Eye of Ra but that is much better to put into a stone and doesn't translate well into what I was thinking. I wanted to make a separate cabochon from a frame piece. Something King Tut or his Royal family wouldn't turn away. Then it hit me, I would put Swarovski crystals and lapis beads in both pieces. The Swarovski in clear and two shades of blue will carry the crystals in the druzy throughout both pieces. They would work with the druzy to twinkle and sparkle and grab attention. Of course the lapis beads need to be in both pieces. With King Tut in mind I have named my piece Egyptian Blue. I think the King would approve, I know I love the piece but I think I am a bit prejudice, imagine that… :) .

This wire-sculpted druzy is named Sedona after Sedona, Arizona because it reminds me of my first and only trip to Sedona in 2008. The crystals in the druzy represent Sedona’s energy vortexes. Many individuals hike to the identified vortex locations in order to feel that energy. The Swarovski crystals represent that energy moving from the crystal part of the druzy through mother earth. They are placed between the red adventurine beads that denote the beautiful and unique red rock of mother earth that is everywhere present in Sedona. The 14K Gold -filled sculpted spacers (18 gauge) denote all the golden sandy trails around the red rock. The bale for the cabochon is in the form of a dream catcher. It catches all of the dreams and desires from those who go to a vortex and express their wishes in the hope that they will come true. Here the mystery and beauty of Sedona unfolds with earthy color and sparkle. The druzy is wrapped in 22 gauge 14K gold-filled square wire. A 14K gold-filled chain was added to make the necklace more comfortable in the back and adjustable.

This wire-sculpted druzy is called Creativity Blossoming. I believe that our creativity is Divinely Inspired. Through the deep dark thoughts of our subconscious come creative ideas. This druzy cabochon represents the unfolding or growth of creativity. The black triad of the druzy represents the subconscious before tapping into the creative source. The crystals in the center of the druzy are the unfoldment of new creative ideas, bursting into the conscious thought. The crystals sparkle as one feels the joy of having this new idea. Many times creative ideas go through challenges before the final picture unfolds. This is demonstrated by part of the bale having twisted wire and smooth wire. They are wrapped around the strong thought. The thought is the heavy wire-18 gauge sterling silver. The diamonds or black onyx beads represent putting the creative ideas into a sequence or pattern. This is done on a step-by-step basis. The black onyx round beads connected to the diamond shaped onyx beads show the flow of unfolding ideas. The Swarovski crystals are the ideas after they have blossomed, giving a clear picture of the results. Thus we have a creative piece of art. The druzy is wrapped in 22 gauge square sterling silver wire. A small chain was added to make it adjustable.

I browsed the Druzy cabochons and saw several I liked. However, the one that plucked at my heart strings was the one that reminded me of the blue green waters of Hawaii. A lovely lagoon with a sparkling waterfall. The water was so crystal clear that you could see all the way to the bottom. The year was 1970. My husband had been drafted into the army and was serving in Vietnam. We had only been married for 11 months when he left for the army. We didn't have a honeymoon, nor did we get to celebrate our first wedding anniversary together. While he was overseas, the army offered him R & R, so we jumped at the chance to see each other in Hawaii. R & R stood for "rest and relaxation", but we were there for a Rendezvous and definitely some Romance. This memory is one of my favorites and now I have the Rendezvous & Romance pendant to remind me of the wonderful time we had.

My daughter just got back from a trip to the ocean with her boyfriend's family. I was looking at the pictures of her trip when my shipment of my druzies arrived. I received a rectangle Druzy, one druzy that looked like an eye, and this druzy. I was very excited about this one; it looks like a sail from a sail boat. In my mind’s eye I could see the sailboat flying across the water like a leaf in the high wind. I am handicapped and I see the sailboat as a vessel that will take whisk my pain away. I used twisted silver wire looks like swirling winds around the sail. The clear Swarovski crystals on the ends of the wires behind the sail look like water droplets or ocean spray as the sail comes splashing thru the waves. The Swarovski clear crystals mimic and accent the crystals in the druzy. The wave in the druzy itself looks like the fluttering of the sail while catching the wind. That is why I have named my piece Sailing Away.

Reading about the "Inspired Druzy Contest" in my inbox, my curiosity got the better of me. So, I went to Wire-Sculpture.com to see what a "Druzy" is. I had no idea, they are really beautiful. The one I ordered that night, happened to be one of the pictures that were on site and it just "jumped up and grabbed me". Boy, was I hooked. Since looking at the pictures, they and my project have occupied most of my time. The how to design and create my first completely original piece is something I never expected to do. My skills are not up to doing justice to this great stone. Talking it over with my daughter, incouraged me to give it a try. It has taken me about two weeks of thinking about it to actually do my prototype in copper, so I would know what ideas and/or techniques would work best and it is stilll just about all I can think about! As to my inspiration? The druzy itself!

Beneath a full moon in a star-lit galaxy amid shooting stars, the mothership hovers as a satellite scout soars toward the open portal. The enormous ship is lit from within and without, beaming a welcome through the night. Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. are among my all-time-favorite movies and to me, this beautiful light blue druzy with its crystal-encrusted opening, portrays a warm ship where beings busily prepare for the long-awaited returning scout ship so they can all finally head back to their home galaxy. The full moon is made of a 14mm round natural citrine; the mothership is a 50x28mm druzy cabachon from Wire Sculpture; and the satellite scout ship is an 8x10mm oval swiss blue natural topaz. 3 CZs are interspersed as stars, one 'shooting' behind the satellite. 22ga half-hard and soft half-round wire holds it all together. It's a biggun.

I was instantly drawn to the black eye shaped druzy cabochon. The glistering of the fine crystals appeared like the glint in a person’s eye, silently charming the observer. Its crystal structure also appears as a window into a supernatural world. To enhance the eye I have used facet gemstones and clear AB swarovski crystal within twisted sterling silver to create a sparkling eyelash effect. I perceive the druzy cabochon to be an eye of deep ancient wisdom and knowledge. This is contrasted by the dazzling, youthful feminine beauty of the eyelashes. The gemstones that I have used are amethyst and blue topaz. Amethyst is representative of the third eye charka and its associated gifts of wisdom and intuitive perception. Blue topaz is representative of the throat charka where the piece will be worn and its associated gifts of creativity and communication. The amalgamation of the gemstones and overall design fused together to reveal the mystic third eye in all its splendour.

I had a vivid dream in which I designed a Japanese water garden for this contest. When I woke up I quickly sketched my idea and then searched the website for the druzy cabochon. The druzy cabochon in my jewellery piece is exactly the one I saw in my dream. The concentric layers within the stone looks like the wooden timbers on a traditional Japanese roof and the black crystals look like ornamental tiles. I wrapped the druzy cabochon with curvatures at the top and corners to illustrate the ornate triangular structure of a traditional Japanese roof. The 14k gold-fill and sterling silver used to construct the columns provides warmth to the building that enriches the sense of the orient. The 6mm blue topaz represents the calm source of the river. I twisted sterling silver wire from the source to create a flowing water effect. Within the wire I have placed different tones of blue and clear swarovski crystal, and 4mm blue topaz to represent the flashes of colour seen in rippling water. The three quartz flowers represent a garden beyond the piece that is situated at the riverside. The flowers are blossoms that have fallen from a tree into the river and have floated downstream in the tranquil water. The overall effect takes on the appearance of a traditional Japanese building and water garden.

I have named this Druzie “A Mother’s Tear”. It is a teardrop shape with a quartz center also of a similar shape. My first-born son is getting married soon and I have been reflecting on my life as his mother. The journey was not always easy one, yet one I would embrace again at a moment’s notice. At first glance I saw that the polish on this piece was shiny and reflective. To me, this is representative of the characteristics I see in my son that have been passed on from previous generations before him. Black is a significant color for him because he had dark periods in his life. The two tears I noticed in this gem remind me of the tears shed for and, with my child. These represent tears of joy and tears of sadness. I have chosen to use gold-filled wire because it is more precious than sterling, and my firstborn is worth his weight in gold. I have placed two black Czech glass crystals on the left side, one for me and one for my husband. The gold bead between us signifies how our son was created from our love. The grouping of beads on the right side cascading down the side of this piece represent the accomplishments and milestones he has made on his journey to manhood. I have placed a wire cradling the tears, holding them, as precious memories to be treasured forever.

The shape of this Druzie is that of a tear, which expresses my feelings as I realize with sadness my role as a mother is changing. This has been a time of self-discovery as I have realized there is life beyond motherhood. I have given my children roots, now it’s time to give them wings. I have entitled this pendant “Letting Go”. The blue color of this gemstone has a visually soothing effect on me. The contrast between the polish of the stone and the quartz center represent my conflicting emotions, sadness, happiness, turmoil and yet peace. The quartz center of this piece is a round shape that represents an openness of my heart as I embrace the women my boys have chosen to marry. If you look carefully you can notice there are a few black crystals in this quartz, these are not flaws, but part of the crystal formation and as in any growing relationship they represent the mistakes I am certain to make in the relationships of my future daughters-in-law! There is a subtle light blue line surrounding the perimeter near the base of the stone, which speaks of our faith journey together as a family and the promise we made to each other as a Christian family to “Be There” for each other. There are four visible spirals at the top of this design, my husband, myself and each of our children. My birthstone is at the top right and the two parallel silver wires cascading down and behind the stone represent each one of my children separating from the family as they begin their individual journeys. I pray that our family’s faith, values, traditions and memories will be carried on and incorporated into the life they begin together their with brides.

The shape of this gem is a reminder of my home. The stone itself is a deep brown with a white marbling effect along the sides and bottom, which represents the change happening in our home as my two children move away to begin their own lives. Our home has been a place where friends are welcome and life was experienced through dreams, debates, and discussions, where memories were made, love shared, and conflicts resolved. The crystal formation in this stone reminds me of a cave, inviting exploration. Finding our selves with more time alone together, my husband and I are in the process of exploring and redefining our relationship with each other. The sterling wires are separated along the top of this Druzie and on each side. This represents a natural separation of children and parents. The wire are bound together at the sides, as the four of us will always be bound by our lives shared and held together with love. There is a wire suspended from the base of the Druzie, the spirals fixed at each side are meant to hold us together through good times and bad. On this wire hang six smoky quartz bead groupings in a chandelier style. These represent the addition of our children’s fiancés to our family and the light they will bring into our lives. The embellishment at the top in various geometric shapes and sizes is reminiscent of the intertwining of our life with their new ones. I realize that life as we know it will never again be the same, however, the future is as bright as the quartz crystals in the center of this Druzie titled “New Beginnings”.

As the hot July and August nights approached I become antsy with anticipation – it won’t be long before our lily ponds, already alive with bellowing frogs, baby fowl and flowering blooms, will take on a new dimension as the shallow outer edges become a vibrant mossy green against the rocky quartz bottom. The druzy I choose reminds me of our pond bottom in late summer when it really comes alive. Early morning is a wonderful time at the pond. I grab a snack and Sunni (the cat) and I go for a walk, water the plants and watch as the sun hits the pond. The damselflies are dancing across the surface and the dragonflys soon follow. Some blend in with the mossy green bottom – others are magnified against the surface. It’s magical, my favorite time of year but alas, all my husband thinks about are the mosquitos. It just goes to show you…one man’s pond scum is another girl’s treasure.

From the elegant heavens above, through to the glistening ocean below. This is what I envision it to be. The darkness of the majestic deep blue space reflecting into the coolness of the bright blue ocean below. This druzy gave me a glimpse of what it must be like to peer through a portal from space to the crystal waves of the ocean. I adorned my druzy pendant with Swarovski crystals and silver beads which represent the vast assortment of stars our Heavens hold. The crystals within this magnificent druzy represent the ocean waves reflecting from the Sun. I was inspired to create this piece the moment I viewed this druzy from the Wire-Sculpture website. I knew exactly what this piece represented to me and what I think about it as I wear this pendant. It is wrapped in Sterling Silver to enhance the reflecting properties of the brilliant blue hues which is within this wonderful druzy. I am excited to share my creation with you and I hope that you have been able to peer through the same portal as I and see the Stars to the Ocean as I see them.

So the assignment was to bring outside inspiration into my work. But my inspiration is always the stone. It begins with the stone and comes from what will work best with the stone. I believe that the beauty is already there, I just need to find the best way to highlight it.
I chose to utilize clean lines that complimented the genital swirl of white found in the black agate of the druzy. Accents at the top of tourmalateded quartz with laser cut silver beads provide the showcase around the bail. This helps provide more weight a balance to the top of my piece and ads an element of whimsy.
Both argentium silver and 14 karat gold filled wire was used for this piece because each complemented the stones and provided a greater versatility for wearing the finished pendant. But the silver was highlighted most strongly around the druzy because of its’ reflective properties so that it would underscore the sparkle of druzy crystals.
I also played on an inside out theme for my piece. Since the druzy center was a high polish black with white accents, I used tourmalateded quartz that was white with black highlights to compliment my druzy. With the simpler quartz stone, a more elaborate decoration was chosen using both the gold and silver to securely hold the stone and add visual interest.
A cubic zirconium was used to bridge the two stones and balance the sparkle of the druzy crystals at the top of the piece with the less reflective quartz.
My explanation may be more analytical then whimsical, but I have achieved the goal of producing a beautifully finished designer pendant - my type of classic. Just as important to me, the beauty of the stones has be highlighted not hidden.