Jasper Gorditos

Green Line Jasper Earrings

Sometimes I feel the need to get back to the stones. Much as I love to play with sheet copper, wire, lampwork and Czech glass, my first love was natural stones. The pretty faceted gemstones are nice, but I feel a real connection with jasper. Jasper was referred to in the Bible, so I guess I am not alone in finding it appealing. Jasper has been sought after for thousands of years, not just for it's natural beauty but it was believed to have a protective power.

My fat little (gorditos) jasper earrings are two shapes of green line jasper, stacked atop one another with waxed linen cord wrapped around the adjoining point of the stones. I chose a wine colored waxed linen cord and seed beads to accent the earthy tan jasper stones.

Tiny little copper ball charms hang from the bottom of each earring that repeat the ball of the ear wire, and lend to an overall organic look of the blended shapes. There is something about oxidized copper with jasper that naturally blends together, and I think that is does in this arrangement.

Jasper comes in so many colors, all with that wonderful earthy quality that I love. These came from Cherry Tree Beads. There are so many jasper varieties that it is difficult to name them all, and they are usually very affordable. That means I have way more than I should have, but I can't stop myself.








Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Hammer Therapy

Copper Earrings with Labradorite

When I have a bad day and get discouraged because sales are slow, I can't find what I need to make something, or two components on my brand new computer fail within a month of each other, I pick up the hammer. No, not to inflict injury on Etsy, harm myself for being disorganized, or take a whack at the computer demons; instead I vent my frustrations on copper.

The earrings pictured above are a smaller scale chandelier design, stamped and hammered, then heated to get the glowing patina. I really like the combination of labradorite with copper, and these faceted brios are the perfect size to wrap and use as dangles with the trapezoid shaped copper bodies.

Arabesque Copper Hoop Earrings

These big and bold hoops began with Arabic shaped blanks from Supply Diva on Etsy. Again, I hammer the bijeezis out of them and heat them to add some warm color. The wire wrapping with tiny copper rounds was kind of an experiment. I knew it would be difficult to hold the wire in place on a curved piece like these hoops, so I added some Permalac to see if it would hold the wire in place and not show. It worked!

I feel so much better now.


Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Amazon Handmade

Pits and Palms

Palm Jasper Earrings

Rugged looking palm jasper marquis shaped stones with their pitted surface in earthy tan and charcoal gray tones have that ancient appearance that I adore.

I thought it would be an interesting blend of textures to combine the pitted jasper stones with primitive ceramic drops from Jana Bližňáková of Happy Fish Things. Add to that, some copper wire wrapping and waxed cotton cord with seed beads in black and turquoise that pick up the colors in the artisan ceramic drops.

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Amazon

Ashes and Embers

Ashes and Embers Earrings

Imagine a volcano erupting with super heated magma and gases in red, orange, pink and yellow spewing into the air, and hot lava flowing down the side of the mountain. Flakes of volcanic ash falling from the sky like withered rain drops. The lava cools gradually to a dark charcoal gray and black stony crust.

The embers and ashes of the volcanic lava are the inspiration for my rustic stacked earring design. Beginning with textured drops, from Natalie McKenna of Grubbi Ceramics on Etsy, in bright pink orange and red, with shadows of black. Slivers of glowing red Greek ceramic and warm pink Indonesian glass complement the colors of the ceramic drops.

Ashy gray brown recycled glass with a matte finish like volcanic ash give a little contrast to the composition. The dark shadows of the ceramic drops capture the cooled black lava. Add a few accents of copper, and wrapping with darkened copper wire, with my own handmade ear wires and there you go, Ashes and Embers.












Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Mali Clay Earrings

African Tribal Earrings

I am captivated by ethnic beads. So these handmade African black clay beads from Mali were irresistible to me. Their shape and pattern are simple but bold, so I used copper beads and spacers, with a bit of bright red vulcanite to accent the earthy clay focals. The copper and vulcanite are also handmade in different parts of Africa from recyclable materials. I think it is the slight irregularities and imperfections that I find so appealing in the African beads, and I use them frequently in my designs.

My hammered copper dangles seem the perfect shape to blend with the African beads. I hammered a texture onto them and added a darkening patina to get that aged look. When I need heavy copper blanks, I know I can find unique shapes at SupplyDiva on Etsy. The owner, Laura, has set up a workshop in Mexico to train women in metal work but also in other skills that they can use to be independent and productive.

So there you have it! A blend of handmade components from Mali and Mexico assembled in a tribal earring design.
















Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Apostle Island Earrings

Apostle Island Earrings

Ever since I moved to Minnesota long ago, one of my favorite places to go for a long weekend getaway is Lake Superior. In three hours I can be on a rocky beach looking for surf tumbled rocks and driftwood, or just soaking up the sun and the cool breeze. One of my special destinations on Lake Superior destinations is the Apostle Islands. They are located off the shore of Bayfield in northern Wisconsin, still a short trip from my home. These islands are special to me for their rugged beauty and peaceful charm, so much so that I have named a recent collection of jewelry for them.

All of the pieces of my Apostle Islands Collection are a blend of hand faceted gemstones with rustic copper components. For this earring design, I formed sticks of hammered and heat patinated copper to blend with aqua fluorite cubes and apatite square cut beads. Simple and rustic, as is the place for which they are named.

Lake Superior Photo by Damon Ewing

Lake Superior has many moods. In August you may find it smooth as glass; visit again in October and you may see its surly side with powerful wind and crashing waves.

The waters of Lake Superior are usually a deep blue, but every day is different and under the right light conditions it can also be a beautiful shade of green.

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Artisan Lampwork and Pewter Earrings

Artisan Lampwork and Pewter Earrings

Sometimes jewelry components just scream out at me that they need to be together! That is the case when I can find just the right lampwork beads, with a crusty or "old world" look to them. Not any lampwork will do, but when I find the right ones, their voices call out to be matched with time worn style of pewter charms from Vincent and Nooma at Inviciti.

In the top photo, the rugged looking bicone shaped lampwork comes from Karen Hruza and her shop, Bead Fairy on Etsy!

Tribal Arrowhead and Lampwork Earrings

These gorgeous lampwork focals are from another of my favorite lampwork artists, Leah Deeb and her Etsy shop Beads of Passion!














Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

"Squiddish"

Squiddish Earrings

Squiddish seems an appropriate name for these long dangling earrings that remind me of some sort of undulating ocean creature. Most of you probably recognize the gorgeous rustic ceramic connectors as the work of Petra Carpreau of Scorched Earth. I am a huge fan of Petra, and always find it a challenge to come up with different ways to use her ceramic components in my jewelry designs.

To the watery blue green ceramic connectors, I added my own dangle links made by hammering heavy gauge tin coated copper wire with the ends flattened enough to punch holes through them. I like to make them in varying lengths leaving a slight curve in them so they have a more interesting look when they hang from the earrings.

For a different touch, I use black jump rings and wire wrapping to pick up the touch of black glaze on the ceramic components. Tiny Czech drop beads, in green luster repeat the tones of the ceramic bodies. This is my first design using the black wire and I think it adds an extra element of dimension to these earrings.







Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

or Adiós a los Franceses

Mexicans celebrate this day as a victory in battle against French occupation after the Mexican-American war. Americans are more likely thinking of the first great party opportunity of spring? Whatever your reason, it's a day to be festive and colorful and just have a little fun.

I chose bright orange carnelian as a contrast to the verdigris brass shields for my Cinco de Mayo earrings, along with tiny tube beads of green turquoise stone. The wonderful shield components come from Dime Store Emporium on Etsy. They actually come with three holes, but I punched in a couple of extra. Don't do this if you are concerned about the patina remaining totally intact, because it did chip a bit.

© Igorr | Dreamstime.com - Tequila And Lime Photo

My husband and I are aficionados of añejo tequila, aged at least one year in oak barrels. You don't need a lime with this smooth fragrant tequila, but the lime looks great in the photo.


Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Shaman

African Shaman Earrings

Images , oral traditions, and historical descriptions show women as invokers, healers, herbalists, oracles and diviners, ecstatic dancers, shapeshifters, shamanic journeyers, and priestesses of the ancestors. In western Africa, the sorceress Kulutugubaga has the power to heal all and bring the dead to life. (from Woman Shaman by Max Dashú).

My earrings were designed to evoke a Shaman mood of mystery and spiritualism, using striped African barrel beads, African brass trade beads, and primitive pewter charms from Inviciti. Handmade black glass with stripes of ruddy red and white blend beautifully in color and character with the dark patinated pewter drops. A powerful combination, as the Shaman is a powerful position within a tribe, emanating strength and recuperative power for those who depend on her.

© Melbyika | Dreamstime.com - Himba Woman Photo











Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

"Esnorkeling"

Caribbean Copper Enamel Earrings

I can't help it! Those of us who haven't already been on a winter getaway are yearning for warm sunny beaches and clear blue green waters where we can play and forget for a time that winter is not yet over. My husband and I like the Riviera Maya, south of Cancun, where there are so many old Mayan ruins and beautiful places to go snorkeling, or as the natives tend to say "esnorkeling".

My earring design captures the colors of the Caribbean with tropical blue recycled glass, rugged turquoise and gorgeous enameled copper drops by Cathleen Zaring of BlueHareArtWear on Etsy. I used bronze accents and copper wire to wrap the stacked beads and blend the textures together.

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Storm Clouds

Storm Cloud Earrings

When the clouds begin to build and turn darker and darker gray, many would find their mood turning as gloomy as the sky, but not me. I find the energy of the storm somehow refreshing and stimulating. Furious rain and wind somehow tap into my creative core and ideas begin to swirl about, ripe for elaboration. My gray birds eye rhyolite earrings reflect that frantic force of the swelling storm with their natural edges and soft gray and green markings.

I have a weakness for this stone in its red/brown variation and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it has other color combinations that are equally appetizing. These stones in soft gray and celadon green are luscious mirrored images. Wrapping the stones part way with darkened copper wire, I decided to finish the wrapping with pale green waxed Irish linen cord and complementing seed beads.





Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Primitive Patinas

Blue Peacock Patina Copper Earrings

Over the past couple of years, I have taken a break occasionally to create rustic hammered copper pieces. I play with joining different shapes and textures, using different weights of copper sheet, and of course there are the patinas. My goal is to develop my own style of applying colored patinas that is unique and appealing, so I play a lot. In the top pair of earrings, I use blue and green patinas over a darkening patina for a peacock effect. The colored patinas were purchased from Shannon German of Missficklemedia, who also sells tutorials on the subject.

Ruddy Red Patina Copper Earrings

On this pair of hinged copper earrings, I have combined red and yellow patinas over a darkening layer. The colored patinas go on one over another while they are still wet, so that the colors will run together a little. After the colors are dry, I applied a thin layer of Permalac to seal them.

Working with metal can be a welcome change from my usual direction with earrings. I like to mix it up, and I think it's important to maintain variety in my jewelry. Each pair of earrings should all be easily identifiable as mine, but I want each design to have its own character as well.

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Color Infusion

Color Infused Agate Earrings

If the "spirit of the season" is eluding you, maybe some color will give your mood a boost? When I am wishing I had more energy, and I am just not into it, bright colors are my natural antidepressant. My earrings this week are made with colorful hammer faceted sky blue and lime green agate stones from Beads of Cambay, combined with faceted orange carnelian and copper accents. The oxidized copper wire wrap extends down the back of the stones for reinforcement, because the small holes in the stones will only allow for 24 gauge wire. My ear wires are hand formed from heavier oxidized copper wire, continuing the rustic character of the design.

Agnes Land "Turmalin" 2008


Whether or not you are a fan of abstract painting, you cannot argue that the colors in this piece are uplifting and motivating. Much as I adore earth tones, sometimes I just need to break away and infuse some vivid colors into my work and this is the perfect inspiration for me.





Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Minnehaha Falls

The frigid wonders of winter were my inspiration for these icy cold water colored chandelier earrings with Sterling silver. I chose aqua Roman glass, apatite nuggets, rondelles of green prase, apatite and more Roman glass to echo the watery hues of the frozen falls. Combined with exquisite Sterling silver chandelier components, the wire linked glass and stones are intended to capture the feeling of rushing water, stopped suddenly forming the ice crystals.


"With what deep murmurs through time’s silent stealth

Doth thy transparent, cool, and wat’ry wealth

Here flowing fall,

And chide, and call,

As if his liquid, loose retinue stay’d

Ling’ring, and were of this steep place afraid;

The common pass

Where, clear as glass,

All must descend

Not to an end,

But quicken’d by this deep and rocky grave,

Rise to a longer course more bright and brave. " . . . The Waterfall by Henry Vaughn


The beauty and wonder of a spectacular waterfall will draw people any time of year, but Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis may attract even more people in winter than it does through the rest of the year.

If you live in Minnesota, you learn to appreciate outdoor activities as much in winter as you do in summer. Creative people in Minnesota think up all kinds of events to get you out of the house in winter no matter how cold it gets.






Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Sands of Giza

Sands of Giza Earrings

In their quest for immortality, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were compelled to build these awe inspiring monuments to serve as their tombs. Other theories suggest they were actual places of residence for the pharaohs after their earthly death, because they may have thought of themselves as gods. It is speculated that pyramids could have been astronomical observatories, or archives to preserve valuable information for future generations. They may have been built "just because they could", to demonstrate to potential enemies that Egypt was superior to their neighbors and dare not be challenged. Whatever the reason, the pyramids of Giza are still with us after 5,000 years and iconic as they were intended to be.

My earrings echo some of that desert mystery in the distressed pewter charms and their raised pyramid pattern. These rugged ancient looking drop charms are from Vincent at Inviciti, who has developed his own distinctive style of patinas for his cast pewter components. The coin shaped beads are called green line jasper for obvious reasons. I love the sandy color of these beads and they combined beautifully with rustic apatite rondelles. I prefer to mix the metals because it adds contrast to the distressed pewter and soft colors of the stones. The wrapping wire is antique brass, and the ear wires are handmade from oxidized copper.

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Indiemade
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Hammered

Hammered Copper and Green Agate Earrings

What could be a better accompaniment for hammered copper trapezoids than hammer faceted trillion shaped green agate stones? Brilliant sea green agate stones (probably color enhanced) have been hand cut with a hammer and then tumbled to soften out their edges. The agates have a matte finish as though nature did the tumbling. On both sides of the agate trillion, I have added rustic onion shaped Peruvian blue opal briolettes that have a milky blue green color. All of the stones are wrapped in oxidized copper wire in a casual style that blends well with the hammered bodies. Simple and fun earrings for fall.

Abstract by Suzan Buckner

Suzan Buckner's abstract acrylic on wood captures that same whimsical primitive character as my earring design.







Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Roman Glass Mania

Roman Glass Stacked Earrings

The aged look of Roman glass, with its scaling and irregular shapes, is attractive to me and I have used it often the past year in my earring designs. The aqua and yellow green you see in these earrings are among the most common colors, but every once in awhile I get ahold of some cobalt blue that is more unusual. Much of the Roman glass available for jewelry making is found in excavations along the "Silk Road" trading route through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Another major source of Roman glass is Israel, along the Mediterranean shore and in the Judean desert.

My earring design is a simple stack and wrap with tubes of Roman Glass in aqua and yellow green, separated by copper spacers and rusty orange Czech glass accents. I thought they would be more interesting with the colors reversed from one another, so that part was intentional and not a result of my lack of sleep. The wonderful ancient looking ribbed copper metal clay drops that I have wrapped at the bottom are from Kristi Bowman. My handmade oxidized copper ear wires finish off the design.

Images of Roman women always looked so serene. Hard to imagine their survival often depended on their ability to manipulate the people around them. Politics behind the scenes, probably not so different then than it is now?




Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

Walking on Sunshine

Sunshine Earrings

It's one of those songs that gets stuck in my head, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, from 1983. I don't really want to like that song, but it won't go away and it's so upbeat that I can't help but feel better after I hear it. So now that we have to start saying goodbye to summer, it seems fitting to do a slightly schmaltzy summer theme as the inspiration for my earrings.

Yellow polymer clay focal beads in sunshine yellow from Beads by Earth Tones with Hubei turquoise in tubes and rondelles capture the colors of summer and the upbeat mood of the song. I use rustic copper flattened ball head pins and my own copper ear wires that I have wrapped with bronze wire and tiny copper tube spacer beads.

I dare you to listen to this youtube video just once and you will hear this song in your head for the entire day.




Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

Earth Maiden

Woodstock Earrings

A bit of a flashback to the late 60s, these fringe earrings would have fit right in at Woodstock or Monterrey. Earth Maiden is just my idea of a potential Earth Mother figure, who is still being groomed for the position, sort of an apprentice type situation. You can almost smell the green meadow where dancers twirl about in a carefree frenzy, until the next morning when they wake up dehydrated, sunburned and covered with insect bites. Earth Mother and Earth Maiden will be there to nurture the wayward souls.

These earrings started out with the turquoise deerskin lace and the darkened copper ring and grew from there. I added nylon cord in blue and green, and the seed beads in chartreuse and turquoise with accents of African red orange seed beads, resulting in a tribal Bohemian fringe design. I make the ear wires from 19 gauge copper wire and oxidize them for that primitive look that is characteristic of my work.



Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire
Chrysalis Too on Etsy