Daily Handmade Jewelry Showcase: Fabulous Designs in Black and Red!

Welcome to another Daily Handmade Jewelry Showcase! Five days a week, I take you for a look at four amazing jewelry pieces created by very talented independent jewelry designers.

I'm Bob Edwards, and I began making jewelry more than 40 years ago - at the age of 14! I've been making and selling my silver jewelry for more than 30 years now. I simply love jewelry!

As I always do, we're going to focus on several outstanding handcrafted jewelry pieces made by Etsy artisans! I chose these pieces based on color, design, and workmanship. They're all attractive, very fashionable and a great value.

So ... Let's get this show started ...

This first piece is a necklace made by O.V. Gillies Designs! This jewelry artisan personally makes and designs every item she sells; her shop is filled with beautiful necklaces, earrings, oxidized silver jewelry and more. Most feature gems, pearls, art glass or crystal.

Olga works in her home studio located on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK. Her creations are influenced by her surroundings and she offers many pieces that show the inspiration behind her jewelry!

This necklace features a large black Swarovski crystal at the bottom; above, a cluster of red coral rounds. Each coral bead is wire wrapped and attached to the oxidized sterling silver chain. This coral & crystal necklace is only $52.00 ...

This lovely pair of vintage style earrings were made by Malves1009, also known as ... Elegant Vintage Inspired Jewelry by Michele! This fantastic New Jersey jewelry artisan loves to make new jewelry with both new and genuine vintage beads and other antique jewelry parts; lots of crystals, pearls, art glass and antiqued brass metal components go into her fabulous designs.

This wonderful jewelry designer made these cool Black and Red Earrings with fire - red faceted glass beads, black crystals and antique finish brass components.

Buy these pretty dangles today as a gift - or treat yourself! They're just $13.00 ... or spend some time browsing her amazing earrings, the necklace gallery, bracelets or her rings!

The beautiful necklace you see on the right was made by Kristy, the North Carolina jewelry designer and owner of CocosGreenhouse! Her shop's specialty is Handmade Bridal and Vintage Style Jewelry, and you'll find a great variety of necklaces, earrings and bracelets offered in her shop. Many of these styles are appropriate for wear to a wedding or other formal occasion. There are also styles for everyday wear featuring cameos, nature inspired themes and more!

This jewelry artist's Off With Her Head Necklace was made as a tribute piece to the new Alice in Wonderland film! It has a lot of style going for it ... a chain of red rose beads is suspended between two black hearts, with another black and a red heart dangling to one side. A second chain runs across, below the rose bead chain. This unusual and very fashionable necklace is a 16" length; chains are silver tone; the hearts are rubber. This necklace is available exclusively at CocosGreenhouse; only $29.00!

I rarely review jewelry for men, because there isn't a lot of it offered on Etsy. This morning, I was searching for handcrafted jewelry items to feature in my daily post and saw this amazing pair of fused glass cufflinks by Mandy Treptow. Of course I decided right away they would be included in this post. I work at home, and rarely dress in a shirt and tie; but if I did I would want these cufflinks ... they're just $20.00!

These were made with a layer of opaque black glass is fused over a clear base, with red lines forming crosses in the center as a focal point. The backs are silver plated spring bar cufflink backs.

Mandy is an artisan based in London, England. Most of her work is in glass but you'll also find other art in her shop. She makes beautiful fused glass Cufflinks, and there is a nice selection of jewelry items in her Necklaces/Rings/Earrings section.

Please visit these four artisans today and have a look at what they're offering. Handmade items like this are always a great value; when you shop on Etsy with artisan shop owners, there is no middleman - you're buying directly from the maker! Support an artist ... Buy Handmade!

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in handmade silver jewelry and custom made silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided all content and links in the article including this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Daily Handmade Jewelry Showcase - Tuesday June 29, 2010

Welcome to my Daily Handmade Jewelry Showcase! Today I've chosen four fantastic examples of "alternative" handmade jewelry designs I think you'll love as much as I do!

These four designs all have a lot of planning, thought and work behind them. They definitely are NOT traditional jewelry pieces, and that is what makes them beautiful ... they are all unique pieces handmade by artisans, not in a factory!

Jewelry is an ornament - worn by a person. Taste in jewelry design is a personal thing ... we all have different likes, dislikes and favorites. But great design transcends personal taste ... I feel these four handmade jewelry pieces do just that!

These amazing handmade jewelry designs are all currently for sale on Etsy ...

Glass has been used in jewelry making for thousands of years. Artisans learned long ago how to mold and manipulate glass into beautiful objects that are useful, long lasting and beautiful. Today there are huge factories making beads and cabochons from glass for use in jewelry making ... and there are also artisans who work in glass - making single beads

and glass cabochons one at a time, the traditional way. RadicalGlass is an Australian glass artist that is carrying this time honored art into the present with her red hot fused glass pendant designs!

Here's an example of her work ... take a look at this very cool Strike From The Left Glass Pendant! Lines of bright color - in red, white and yellow - streak across the surface like a midnight meteor shower on a jet black sky. I love the slightly off square shape - which shows me this IS a handmade piece!

The pendant is fitted with a silver plated bail. The leather cord is not included. Only $15.00!

This next piece is an awesome sterling and fine silver cuff bracelet ... made by PeacesOfIndigo. This handmade jewelry artisan usually works in fine silver and sterling silver, making beautiful personalized jewelry and handmade rings, pendants and more featuring hand written inspirational and romantic quotes.

The body of this man's bold custom sterling silver cuff is sterling silver with a fantastic hammered texture. The cross connecting the four names is also sterling silver; the four ovals are fine silver. The ovals were rolled out with fine silver Precious Metal Clay. The artisan inscribed the ovals with the four names, then fused the entire bracelet together in her kiln. Finally it was oxidized to bring out all the wonderful texture and detail.

Have one of these masculine and very attractive silver cuff bracelets made just for you - or your husband - only $155.00!

These Rainbow Firescaled Hammered Copper Stick Tab Earrings are just SO unique ... made with copper sheet that has been heated with a torch to intentionally cause firescale - something metalsmiths usually do everything they can to avoid!

This process is unpredictable. The jewelry artist never knows exactly what will happen; but the result is a metallic rainbow of color. The process can be duplicated; but the earrings can't; every pair of these earrings by SilverSmack is truly one of a kind.

These rainbow firescaled copper dangles are on silver ear wires; the copper dangles have been sealed to protect the rainbow patina. Buy them for just $20.00!

This outstanding sterling silver and garnet coffin ring is a fabulous design! This ring is set with garnet, and that sort of fits ... the blood red color is just so appropriate!

This jewelry artisan has added awesome detail to this handmade silver ring ... roots snake up from the bottom of the setting to embrace the coffin shaped gem; and the open back setting allows light to travel through the stone.

Made by IdleHandsDesigns, this ring is also available in black Onyx, light green Peridot, champagne Topaz, dark purple Amethyst, dark green Spinel or your choice of light blue or dark blue Spinel. Made to order just for you - in your size. Order one of these fantastic coffin rings - for only $173.00!

When you buy handmade jewelry from these artisans, you're getting something very special! Wear jewelry that is unique - or made just for you! Please visit each of the shops above. They all have much more handcrafted jewelry to offer, and I know you'll enjoy checking them out!

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in handmade silver jewelry and custom made silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided all content and links in the article including this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Daily Jewelry Showcase!

I've decided that it is time for a new focus on my blog ... and I'm excited about it! Each day I'll showcase four jewelry pieces chosen from my fellow Jet Team member shops, and I'm also going to include a piece or two from handcrafted jewelry I find in an Etsy search! Here's the first in this new series ...

I love handmade jewelry! I've enjoyed making jewelry since I was 14 and made my first piece in Metal Shop class ... a copper tie clip for my Dad.

I'm 54 now ... and I still get excited every time I make a new piece. This of course leads to an appreciation of jewelry as an art form, and so ... I love OTHER artist's handcrafted jewelry designs, too! This is why I enjoy writing jewelry reviews every day ... and why I'm beginning this series.

On the left are the four pieces I've chosen to spotlight in this article. These pieces are all currently for sale on Etsy. They are all fabulous in their own way, and I liked them so much I thought they all deserved to be shown and featured here!

First is the beautiful Hearts of Romaine - brass collage necklace made by Jean of 3squares. This artisan jewelry piece was made with a collage print in brilliant color; the print is sandwiched between a brass plate on the back and a layer of mica over the front of the print.

The top frame is brass with a hand applied heat patina. The eyelets are tube rivets that don't just look great ... they hold the assembly together. The pendant hangs from a brass chain with a lobster clasp.

This necklace would be a fantastic gift to that special someone in your life ... they'll love this handcrafted heart necklace! Priced at $40.00 ...

This original design Goddess Necklace is a fantastic handmade pendant in sterling silver, and you'll find it in just one place - Metalicious! This artisan's handmade silver jewelry is very contemporary in design, with a sophisticated yet playful edge.

The pendant drops in a graceful curve ... with sections of sterling silver tube graduated from large to small at the bottom. It will arrive at youe door ready to wear on a 16" sterling silver snake chain.

Goddess is one of a line - of Bubble Jewelry. Buy it today for $75.00!

The talented artisan at SenseofStyle made this red hot pair of Fire Sunset Earrings with art glass lampwork beads, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver component parts. I love the pattern and color combination! It does remind me of flame; this is very appropriate, because lampworking - the technique used to make these glass beads -is done in the open flame of a torch.

The central bead is an orange, red, and yellow combination on a clear base lampwork glass bead. The artisan added Swarovski bi-cone crystals for sparkle - red on the bottom and deep orange at the top. These dangles hang one inch from hook style earwires. These red hot dangle earrings are perfect for summer wear! Get them now - Only $10.00 ..

This Sapphire Puzzle ring in Sterling Silver - Handmade to your size from NellyVanSee is simply gorgeous. If you're a puzzle ring collector, you're going to want one of these!

This is a four part puzzle ring, made with nice thick sterling silver wire. On the front is a bezel set sapphire cabochon. This artisan offers this handmade puzzle ring in any size, ever quarter and half sizes.

This ring can also be ordered with other options, like different gemstones. And it is very reasonably priced ... just $120.00!

I hope you enjoyed looking at these wonderful handmade jewelry items. These artisans all deserve your attention! I'll feature four more beautiful handcrafted jewelry pieces tomorrow ...

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in sterling silver jewelry and custom made silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided all content and links in the article including this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Semi-precious Gemstone and Silver Jewelry at JemsByJBandCo

What could be better than handmade gemstone and silver jewelry ... at reasonable prices?

That is the focus of this shop ... making beautiful gemstone jewelry that is affordable and a great value! Everyone loves to save money in tough times ... and we also want to look our best! This collection features gorgeous bracelets, a nice selection of pretty earrings, fashionable pendants and lovely gemstone necklaces. This handcrafted jewelry makes it easy to accent anything you have in your closet; the wide array of colors in this jewelry will help you coordinate your wardrobe with your jewelry, and you'll look great doing it!

This first design is a colorful, eclectic design bracelet. Simply Southwest features turquoise, aventurine, wood, amber, carnelian and quartz beads, giving it a really interesting appearance ... there is nothing boring about this bracelet, thats for sure!

The varied colors and textures are beautifully accented by the silver beads and toggle clasp; this chunky design could easily become one of your favorite bracelets, because it will match just about anything you wear! Although this bracelet is 8", it will fit an average sized wrist. Buy it today for just $32.00!

When I saw this set I said to myself ... I want to feature THOSE! I have always loved a black and white combination ... the contrast is amazing, and ... both colors match anything! This would look equally good worn with red, blue, yellow or green ... or of course ... with black! The offset squares also contrast with the concentric curves, giving this set a very unique appearance. The chain is included ...

The artist calls this set Etched - Black Onyx Pendant Necklace and Earrings Set for obvious reasons; and the name fits perfectly ... this necklace and earrings set could be on its way to you for $38.00!

Malachite is a popular gemstone for two reasons ... the fabulous green color, and the natural banding - which is unique to every stone, almost like fingerprints. This pretty stone is actually a copper ore; most malachite is found near metallic copper deposits, and when crushed and heated copper can actually be smelted from this stone!

This artisan combined these pretty malachite coin beads with clover-like sterling silver ear wires to create these pretty malachite earrings.

They're perfect earrings for anyone who loves green! Only $28.00 ...

My last choice for today is the Moonbeams - Lampwork Glass and Sterling Silver Bracelet! Blue, green and black are a great color combination; the large lampwork glass beads will definitely be noticed. You'll get lots of compliments while wearing this bracelet!

The larger Bali style beads are silver plated. The smooth round beads and the toggle clasp are sterling silver.

This bracelet measures 8" end to end, but will fit a slightly smaller wrist due to the large beads. Buy it for just $30.00!

JemsByJBandCompany is a well established Etsy shop - it opened in 2006. This artisan has a supply shop called BeadersBooty; if you make jewelry you should check it out!

This artisan is an active blogger! See what's new here: http://www.jemsbyjb.blogspot.com/

Here's a look inside this artisan's shop ...

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in sterling silver jewelry and custom made silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided the ETSY Mini, all links in the article and this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Beautiful Beaded Jewelry at GrandmaMarilyns!

It is ALWAYS a pleasure to review GrandmaMarilyn's shop! Why? Well ... Making things with your hands is never easy. It takes a lot of hard work and practice to become good at anything, and when people do ... it is a true accomplishment. That's why I appreciate this artisan's talent so much ... the handmade jewelry she creates is labor intensive and unless you know what you're doing ... it won't look right!

Grandma Marilyn's is arranged in categories to make shopping easy! There are lots of handcrafted bracelets to check out; you can browse through this artisan's handmade earrings category, or find a handcrafted necklace in her necklaces gallery. You'll also find several of this jewelry artist's handmade pendants and sparkling handcrafted rings to choose from!

I usually choose her amazing woven seed bead bracelets to review, so this time I'm featuring some of her other jewelry. There is a good range of styles here; these pieces represent that!

This is an adjustable bracelet with a LOT of sparkle - and style! It would be a fantastic bracelet to wear to a very dressy occasion like a wedding; or on a date when you want to look your best!

Made in a pretty, very feminine style with topaz color Swarovski crystals and topaz color Japanese seed beads. The chain portion serves as an extender, making the length adjustable. This topaz crystal bracelet will fit any wrist from 6 1/4" to 8 1/4".

Give this pretty bracelet a new home ... its yours for just $25.00!

These gorgeous Copper Luster Earrings certainly are sparkly! Made with Copper Luster Czech Fire Polished crystals and Miyuki silver lined gold seed beads, they have a luxurious, rich appearance that will beautifully accent your finest dress.

If you love these earrings ... and want more ... you can have it! This jewelry designer has a matching Copper Luster Bracelet just for you ... and if you buy the set, you'll get 10% back!

These fabulous earrings are priced at just $20.00!

These Green Cube Earrings are really pretty! The cubes are top quality 4mm Miyuki glass beads; they're accented by gorgeous emerald /aqua color Japanese seed beads, hand woven around the cubes with a right angle weave by this artisan!

This sparkling green pair of earrings also has matching pieces available. The Green Cube Necklace and the coordinating Green Cube Bracelet were actually made first; the three make a fantastic set. Buy two and receive 10% back; Buy all three pieces, and receive 15% back via PayPal. The earrings are only $15.00!

This last example for today is a bold and bright Wonderdome ring. This is a piece of handmade jewelry everyone will notice! The faceted metallic finish iris/green beads will reflect sparkling light every time your hand moves and this eye catching ring will grab their attention! The band is woven from fine Transparent Light Green Matsuno seedbeads. This ring is a size seven, but this artisan can adjust the size for you! Marilyn can also make this ring in other colors. Just send this friendly artist a convo!

This fantastic ring is ready to ship ... order it for just $29.00!

Handmade jewelry made with beads is more popular right now than it has ever been. So stop by GrandmaMarilyns and shop for something fabulous! This artisan has created many, many pieces - and all different, one of a kind creations. Marilyn makes fine quality handmade jewelry with the best component parts! Not only that, but you'll save shopping at direct from the artist prices. GrandmaMarilyn's is a great place to find a gift ... so remember to add her shop to your favorites!

If you want to keep up with GrandmaMarilyn - it isn't easy - but you can try!

You'll find her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/GrandmaMarilyn

Marilyn and her daughter have two other Etsy shops ...

Crafting books and supplies

Kitchen towels, pot holders etc

Here's a peek into GrandmaMarilyn's Etsy shop ...

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in sterling silver jewelry and custom made silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided the ETSY Mini, all links in the article and this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Handmade Gemstone, Crystal and Pearl Jewelry at GlitzGlitter

The biggest problem I have when I write a review for a shop like GlitzGlitter is ... I really have a hard time choosing only four handmade jewelry items to feature! When I wrote this, there were 555 handcrafted jewelry items in this shop, and it keeps growing ... it truly is an amazing collection!

This artisan likes to use a lot of color in her jewelry. And I love the way she does it; bold, bright and very stylish designs that are simple, classic and fabulous!

You'll find lots of gemstones, art glass and crystal here. Many pieces also feature pearls. Browse through the Wire Wrapped Earrings for dangles with briolette gemstones and crystal; Sterling Silver Earrings featuring art glass beads; 14k Gold Filled Earrings made with beautiful lampwork glass beads, pearls and gemstone beads; and this artisan's pretty Copper and Brass Earrings, dressed up with freshwater pearls, art glass and gemstones.

This artisan offers handmade Gemstone Necklaces, Glass and Crystal Necklaces, Bracelets and pretty Wire Wrapped Rings; while you're browsing be sure to visit the Sale section!

This first pair of very fashionable chalcedony briolette earrings are wire wrapped with oxidized silver wire. These pretty dangle earrings feature aqua blue chalcedony briolettes; the color is just gorgeous, and is perfectly contrasted by the darkened silver wire.

These dangles hang from hand forged shepherd's hook ear wires.

The chalcedony briolettes are faceted for sparkle. Chalcedony is a semi translucent stone; not transparent, but not opaque either. These seem to have an inner glow ... they could be yours for just $27.00!

This pretty necklace was made with Czech pressed glass beads in a beautiful long oval shape. The beads were etched by this artisan to give them a frosted finish ... they remind me of sea glass!

Hand wrapped with antique finish brass wire, attached to antiqued brass cable chain and finished with an antique finish brass lobster clasp, this very pretty and colorful necklace is a fabulous accent!

This 18" Frosted Spring Green, Aqua and Grape Antiqued Brass Necklace would be a really nice gift ... even for yourself! $26.00 ...

Most people think red when they picture garnet. Actually garnet is a very colorful family with orange, brown, red and even a couple of green varieties. This glittering garnet briolette necklace is made with hessionite garnet, in shades ranging from a dark toffee to a pale honey color.

The briolettes in this necklace were each securely wrapped with 14k gold filled wire; then attached to 14k gold filled cable chain, and finished with a 14k gold filled lobster clasp. This lovely, sparkling necklace is 19" in length; you could be wearing it for $230.00!

Here's a necklace that'll add some bright color to your look this summer! The Lime Green Chalcedony Rough Faceted Sterling Silver Necklace has a more organic, natural look that shows off the beauty of these gemstones very nicely.

Chalcedony is a solid color stone in the agate family that comes in many colors; black onyx, carnelian and chrysoprase are all types of chalcedony. This is a nice lime green color, and it'll go well with most casual summer wear. The necklace is made with sterling silver chain; order this pretty green gemstone necklace today for $26.00!

GlitzGlitter is constantly growing. This artisan lists new items very frequently; her handmade jewelry is very popular, and she's working hard to maintain a large range of pieces to choose from. Visit often, because you don't want to miss a thing!

You can follow Glitz Glitter on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/glitz_glitter

GlitzGlitter is on Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glitz-Glitter-Creations/162104501619

Here's a look at GlitzGlitter's newest handmade jewelry ...

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in silver jewelry and silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided the ETSY Mini, all links in the article and this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards

Handmade Artisan Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets and Bridal Jewelry at FuchsiaBloomStudio

Handmade jewelry at FuchsiaBloomStudio can be colorful, playful, elegant and artsy!

The artisan who owns the shop and designs the pretty bead earrings, cool metalworked earrings, stylish bracelets, classic pearl and stone necklaces, and lovely bead necklaces on display at FuchsiaBloomStudio has a true talent for making beautiful jewelry.

This artisan has been making her gorgeous handcrafted jewelry for more than 17 years. Although a trained artist, her experience as a jewelry designer began as a hobby - as it does for many of us. Of course once the bug bites, its hard to stop - and that's how her business began!

I chose four items to share from her shop. These pretty styles are a good representation of her creative work ... I think you'll like them as much as I do!

What a fantastic blue color! This artisan's Selena Earrings - Aqua Briolettes and Hammered Sterling Wire are a nice simple design with a load of style!

The aqua color briolettes are glass. They're suspended from hand forged spiral S links, with dyed quartz accent beads at the top. These dangles are easy and comfortable to wear with the sterling silver French hook style ear wires. Other colors are also available - choose from ruby red, forest green, amber, clear, black, or dark warm purple. Fabulous at $30.00 per pair!

Everyone loves glorious red garnet! The color of the garnet used to make this bracelet is phenomenal. Red, bright and sparkly, and the different shapes make this a VERY interesting bracelet!

Made with memory wire, this pretty bracelet will fit just about any size wrist. These are also called wrap bracelets, because they literally wrap around the wrist, adjusting to your size.

Red goes with a lot of colors, so you'll get a lot of wear out of this bracelet! Have it shipped right to your door ... for only $15.00!

These Sterling Silver Wave Earrings really are very unique - actually, they're spectacular! The slight, graceful curves in the thick, substantial sterling silver wave shape dangles lend a sensuous, almost primitive feel to this design, a stark contrast to the precision cut Swarovski crystal components above.

These unusual, one of a kind earrings are 3" from top to bottom - including the French hook ear wires. These may not be everyday earrings ... but when you do wear them, they'll add a ton of sophistication to any outfit! Give them a home ... these fab earrings could be yours for just $35.00!

This pair of chandelier earrings is my last choice today. Again, not really an everyday pair of earrings ... these are pretty special, and you'll want to save them to impress!

Put these Blackberries - Black and Purple Chandelier Earrings on with a slinky black dress and you'll ooze glamour in every direction! Romantic and feminine, these earrings are a combination of Czech crystal and mauve color freshwater pearls. They are available in other colors; see the page above for more information. They're only$30.00!

Most of the jewelry is in the categories mentioned above. But you'll also find outstanding items in the other categories; bridal jewelry, vintage style necklaces, hair accessories and jewelry sets. If you make your own jewelry, you might want to visit her jewelry parts supply shop!

You can become a Facebook fan here: Facebook Fan Page

Follow FuchsiaBloomStudio on Twitter

Check out what Rebecca has for sale today ...

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in silver jewelry and silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided the ETSY Mini, all links in the article and this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards