fun at Intergem

Yesterday, my friend Judy of Juma Jewelry and I were waiting at the door in time for the opening of Intergem’s spring show. We headed immediately for the wholesale room, to visit our favorite vendors: Sanjay of Shri Impex and Helena of Pearl Concepts. We both walked away with items we needed – small rondelles in various colors, briolettes in mystic quartz and pink amethyst and center-drilled freshwater coin pearls, as well as some things we just wanted – London blue topaz small rondelles, aquamarine briolettes, and for me, my first Tahitian pearl. We also discovered some new vendors, S. I. Gems and Beads, where I got micro-faceted, deep honey colored citrine rondelles and from Divinity Imports, smooth London blue topaz briolettes of incredible size and clarity. I think I can safely say that we had a good day.

Swiss blue topaz smooth briolettes and pink amethyst faceted teardrops

  

moss aquamarine and mystic quartz briolettes

last week’s designs

I finally got around to photographing the pieces I made last week. I’m not completely happy with the end result (my lighting wasn’t as good as usual), so I’m in for a re-shoot, but at least this gives you an idea of what’s coming for spring…

mauve pearl and sapphire bracelet

amethyst and keshi pearl earrings

blue pearl and sapphire bracelet

new design

Last night, I was going to make some earrings to go into the etsy shop. I was tidying my workspace, and while I was putting away some silver beads, I came across these beautiful brushed sterling curved tubes I bought from Singaraja Imports at the last Bead Fest. Immediately, a new design popped into my head and I spent the evening constructing a really cool bracelet of mauve freshwater pearls with red sapphires, citrine, pink mystic topaz and pink amethyst. I was very happy with how it turned out, so happy that I just had to wear it to work today… I made another bracelet in blue pearls tonight, with some touches of aquamarine, blue sapphire briolettes, citrine and peridot – photos to come. However, here is a shot I took in San Francisco a few years ago, on a film (gasp!) camera. It’s one of my favorite shots…

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

p.s. – 14 days to Intergem!

new beads today!

Since I didn’t have to be at work until this afternoon, I took some time to visit a local bead store, beadologie, located in Berwyn, PA. I had fun wandering through the cozy space, filled with tables and chairs for workspace and beads everywhere. I found some fun beads to come up with some new designs for spring: pink crazy lace agate smooth rondelles; 20mm sardonyx discs; tiny center-drilled freshwater pearls in a rainbow of colors (I see a stack of them with a gemstone dangling below);gorgeous teal paisley jasper beads in 18mm squares and smooth rondelles; smooth pietersite rondelles (mixed with brown and bronze pearls) and some funvintage glass beads (not my usual purchase, but I came up with designs in my head right away). The owner of the store, Gina, is very friendly and knowledgeable and extremely easy to talk to. There are a variety of classes offered at the store and Gina also has special events scheduled for First Fridays in Berwyn. Make sure to stop by and get some beads!

making jewelry

Got home a little earlier than usual, so I was able to spend part of the evening making some earrings, while enjoying “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS” reruns. I recreated a few of my new designs, destined for the etsy shop. I also discovered a new reality show, which may quickly become a favorite (and a source of inspiration) – RuPaul’s Drag Race, discovered tonight on Logo TV.

london blue topaz & moonstone earrings