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