Winter Flowers

Inspired by the subtle shades of winter, I made these Czech flower beads the focal point of my rustic copper earrings. The flowers are a granite color with hints of green and blue, and accents of rusty brown. Accompanied by copper ovals that are also in a floral motif, wasabi green rondelles and darkened copper wire that I have loosely wrapped around the flowers for a casual look.

We are coming into the time of year when a warm weather vacation would be a welcome change. I love this Ralph Lauren crochet outfit, and it would be perfect with my winter flower earrings.

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

On the Fringe

The title refers to the earrings above and not to the state of my mental health, although some may argue that it could apply to either one of those or to both. I use 20 gauge pins that I purchased with balls on both ends, that I have twisted around my own hand forged bronze hoops. The twisted wires have been slightly flattened with my hammer and then lightly patinated with verdigris for an even more rustic look. Maybe one day I will work up the courage to fire up my torch that was a Christmas gift and is still in the package. Then I could make my own ball pins, but for now I am still buying them. On the fringe?

The earrings were inspired by a design on Etsy from The Purple Lily Designs.

Headin' for the Beach by bohobeader featuring a denim trousers

Lucky Brand boho tunic
lordandtaylor.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied denim trousers
farfetch.com

Roxy sandals
swell.com

Western straw hat
nrsworld.com

Vince Camuto sunglasses
$120 - kurtgeiger.com

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

Japanese Garden

Amazing bicone shaped lampwork beads by Paul Spencer called for a bold, yet simple approach. My design has an Asian influence, reminiscent of a Japanese garden with rich colors, high contrast and simple lines. The copper dangles have been hammered and then layered with Guilders paste in Inca Gold to give them more dimension.

Lime Green by chrysalis-hco featuring big buddha purses

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire
Chrysalis for the Curious Blogspot

Texture

Blue Zircon Earrings

Mixing and layering textures is one of the more fascinating elements of designing jewelry. It may be a little tricky, but definitely worth the effort to add so much more interest to any piece. 

Blue zircon briolettes, neon apatite rondelles and rubies pick up the pink and blue highlights in these heat patinaed copper teardrop earrings. These delightful metal clay components, with their rich brocade texture, were made by Kristi Bowman. 

Texture by bohobeader featuring anna fields

More rustic copper earrings from Gloria Ewing on Etsy and Artfire.

Country Chic

Hammered Copper Earrings

Warm weather signals lots of outdoor activities, art fairs, bar-b-ques, graduation parties. . .  you get my drift. Comfortable and fashionable clothes with one of a kind jewelry are in order for these casual events. 

I made these rustic copper earrings with hammered sheet copper, to which I applied a heavy patina. Then I added snippets of copper bezel wire, African copper heishi beads and tiny little aluminum eyelets for contrast.

Country Chic by bohobeader featuring plastic sunglasses

For more rustic copper earrings, check out my shops on Etsy and Artfire.

Carefree Copper Earrings

 

Copper Arrowhead Earrings

We've waited a long time this year for an elusive spring to arrive. Now that June is nearly upon us, I think it is safe to say that it's here. Time to put away the sweaters and expose some skin. Nothing puts me in the mood for spring and summer like brightly colored earrings! So I used large Czech glass rondelles in orange/pink with accents of teal, along with these wonderful copper arrowhead components from Kristi Bowman for a striking combination.

Carefree by bohobeader featuring a beach bag tote

For more carefree spring and summer earrings, click here or here.

Santa Fe Earrings

Santa Fe Earrings

One of the places that I would love to revisit, Santa Fe has a very distinctive character that is unforgettable. The cultures of indigenous people, Spanish missionaries and frontier Americans were blended together in a facinating quilt of their heritage. The artists of the many pueblos in the Santa Fe and Taos area are know for their pottery, much of it designed and fired using the same methods as were used hundred of years ago. Contemporary artisans of all kinds are drawn to the "Land of Enchantment" and artists colonies have become well established and internationally renowned.

Terra cotta ceramic components in my earrings are from Pajego Art House . They capture the southwestern mood when accompanied by burnt yellow seed beads, turquoise sea glass, with gun metal and brass accents.

shop til you drop by bohobeader featuring t by alexander wang

T By Alexander Wang / Mango jeans / BC Footwear strap sandals / Leather handbag / Vivienne Westwood bandana scarve, $62

See more of my southwestern earrings on Etsy or Artfire.

Rustic Indonesian Glass

The art of glass bead making in Indonesia dates back to at least 600 AD, with most of the oldest beads discovered near East Java. Indonesia is strategically located for trade, so the beads were used as currency. They were coveted for their protective powers, many people believed these beads could keep evil spirits from harming them.

These colorful glass beads add so much character to handmade jewelry and I like to use them often. This earring design uses rustic blue Indonesian glass beads in a triangular shape with hand forged oblique copper hoops, Greek bronze coated flake shaped ceramic beads and orange Czech glass.

Saturday Sweater by bohobeader featuring soaked in luxury

Quiksilver / Soaked in Luxury , $71 / H&M , $45 / Kenneth Cole Reaction platform boots / Bottega Veneta hobo handbag / Christian Lacroix cinch belt

To see more of my rustic earrings click here or here.

Daydreaming of the Tropics

My defense mechanism for dealing with post holiday slump, frigid weather and tax headaches is to daydream about a warm beach in the tropics. That perfect place in my memory where I am relaxed and rested, where there is someone to oblige my every whim. I can take all the time I need to dress up and do my hair, or just spend the entire day in a swim suit and feel the warm sand between my toes. Who wants to share my fantasy?

These earrings are designed to capture some of that care free tropical mood. Bright lime green colored leaf drops by White Clover combine with blue sea glass nuggets, turquoise and copper in an asymmetrical arrangement.

Una margarita por favor by bohobeader featuring beaded dresses

Matthew Williamson beaded dress / Jimmy Choo turquoise heels / ALDO / Melissa Odabash wide brim hat / Christian Lacroix round sunglasses, $210

To see more of my earrings click here or here. Follow me at Chrysalis for the Curious.

Going Tribal

African Krobo Bead Earrings on Etsy

 



My earliest pieces of jewelry were slightly southwestern in style. It is the tribal element in southwestern that is so appealing to me. Along the way I have discovered other tribal styles including Hill Tribe silver, Peruvian ceramic, Asian mala, Indonesian glass. I love them all!

 

My personal favorite for variety, vivid colors and imaginative use of shape are the African beads. Primitive hand painted Krobo beads are captivating and full of personality. Brass beads are cast using the same method for a thousand years and maintain that ancient character. Large and small trade beads (originally from Europe) in bright colors have circulated within tribal Africa for hundreds of years.  These amazing African beads are now becoming more readily accessible, and they inspire me to go more and more tribal.

Gloria Ewing

 

 



Rustic Copper & Trade Bead Earrings

Saturday Morning by Gloria Ewing

 

Yellow Sweater $390 - Henry Christ, Boot Cut Jeans $100 - Rock Revival,

Ankle Boot $155 - Mimco Rebellion, Scarf $330 - Etro, and Hobo Bag $395 - Brahmin