Jewelry by Jai Johnson

Cross Pendant and Heart Pendant

2009-12-10T07:14:00.004-06:00

Wow it's been a busy month! Since I found out I was losing my web hosting I've had for 12 years (company shutting down), and I learned I'd have to make other arrangements, I decided to do some major changes. Instead of having one main jump off page, now I have all separate websites.

The jewels shown here are from my new jewelry company TornadoGems.Com. I'm creating a line of jewelry in keeping with the tornado style I so enjoy. When I first started making my tornado beads, I felt I was locked into beads. By opening up my mind and heart to the idea, I've since discovered many other gems can be created using the same technique!

For instance, the Tornado Gems cross pendant as seen here. This pendant is shown in silver with citrine gemstones. But it can be created in any metal color, with any gemstone, pearl or crystal accents.

The neat thing is, even though I make each pendant the same way, they turn out looking slightly different each time, since I allow the wire to "go with the flow", so to speak. :)

Each Tornado Gems cross pendant is custom created according to the order received and the customer's preferences for metal color and accents. So even though the overall design and size is the same, each ends up being a one of a kind creation. Two customers could order the same exact cross, yet each will appear different due to the hand-fashioning of the pendants.

Another fun design I've created is the Tornado Gems heart pendant. Once again, this can be created in any metal color with any accents the customer chooses - gemstones, crystals or pearls.

This week I'm working on a dangle earring design (I already have a simple drop earring design on the website) and a hanging charm design (which will be similar to the slide bead charms on the website).

I'm also pondering an oval or circular wreath shape design for a pendant.

Some other fun things added to the site this past week....you now have the ability to WIN a free Tornado Gem Slide Bead Charm or pair of drop earrings! Each month in 2010, we're giving away the winner's choice.

We've also set up an Authorized Dealer program, and a Virtual Jewelry Sales Representative program for those who aren't ready for the Authorized Dealer program, but who'd still like to earn money by helping us get our new jewelry out to the public. :)

And somewhere in the middle of all of this, I should be getting ready for Christmas! I haven't done a thing yet. Although I am making a slide bead necklace for a family member...and I have started that process, in between orders from customers. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to do the "holiday stuff" - though I have a feeling I'm not the only one out there who does this!

InJoy,
Jai

The Tornado Gems Collection

2009-11-30T08:46:00.002-06:00

It has been one BUSY month! My newest jewelry is now available at AllyJs.Com. I've been working all month on a new collection, the Tornado Gems Collection. All of the new jewelry in this collection is still not up, however the Tornado Gems Slide Bead Charms and necklace chains are now available.

The gemstone slide beads are available with any gemstone, (pearls too!) and are created in a small size (approx. 5/8") and a large size (approx. 1"). Each slide bead charm is handmade and is interchangeable.

I have a viking knit handmade necklace chain option available (bracelet chain too!), but the charms will also fit the popular chains along with other charms such as Pandora and Troll Beads. These are a great way to add your favorite gemstone to necklaces and bracelets, as well as create a birthstone compilation for moms and grandmothers.

Each charm is handmade, one at a time. The viking knit chains are also handmade and are very labor intensive, but well worth it when complete!

The photos I've shown here are of a grouping I made with a Christmas theme - garnet gems (red), genuine emeralds (green) and pearl.

The charms can be worn one at a time, or mixed with others to create colorful looks to match your favorite outfits. Custom ordering for individual beads with your gems of choice and metal color is available at AllyJ's.

There's also a Christmas sale you can take advantage of until December 15...you can save $50 on a set! Click here for the details.

The "O" Ring Jewelry Tutorial

2009-10-24T18:48:00.003-05:00

And yes! Another new tutorial makes it's way out of the studio and into the jewelry tool boxes of many. :)

This lesson teaches you how to make a fun and easy "O" Ring...using a simple hardware component you might not have thought of. And if you or your better half is a "toolie"...you probably have hundreds of these laying around. :)

Read more about the O Ring Tutorial here and check out my rings page on my website for some finished rings.

We've also added a newsletter signup to the new website - each month, one lucky subscriber will win a free piece of handmade jewelry!

And because site traffic is expanding daily, we've added a way for you to advertise your website on our site as well - for a very inexpensive rate! Check out our advertising details here.

Sword Pendant Wire Jewelry Tutorial

2009-10-18T13:08:00.002-05:00

I've just finished my 3rd wire jewelry tutorial. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a woven wire sword pendant. Here's a description of this tutorial:

This lesson teaches you how to make a unique and powerful woven wire sword pendant. In this tutorial, I will demonstrate the making of the sword pendant in the center photo.

The sword developed from the dagger, when the construction of longer blades became possible, from the late 3rd millennium BC. Swords are very powerful and are symbolic of solidarity, defense, clarity, honor and force. The sword is mostly known for its symbolism of protection, with honor and justice embodied in the blade. Metaphysically speaking, the sword symbolizes the power of the mind, and encourages the wielding of trained intellect to bring about the results we seek in our life. I’ve always been attracted to the sword, and tend to be drawn to artwork which includes a sword. The sword is often seen in the work of many of my favorite fantasy artists.

Once you have completed the tutorial, you’ll have a unique design you can add to your wire jewelry offerings. The design can be adapted to include different types of bails (this tutorial shows you how to make a tornado bail topper for the sword), various beads and gemstones, and a mix of wire colors, making each one unique.

Get your copy of my woven wire sword jewelry tutorial here.

Woven Peapod Wire Jewelry Tutorial

2009-10-18T13:05:00.003-05:00

Recently I became obsessed with learning how to make a woven peapod. I spent TWO MONTHS figuring out how to do this, and since I couldn't find any tutorials on the topic, I decided to write one myself!

You can get a copy of my woven peapod jewelry tutorial here.

Peruvian Weave Encased Stone Pendant Tutorial

2009-09-30T06:19:00.002-05:00

This lesson shows how to make a Peruvian Weave Pendant using wire, with a stone encased inside the weave. It also shows you how to make an easy, attractive woven bail for the top of the pendant. Once you have completed the tutorial, you’ll have a basic and very versatile design you can add to your wire jewelry offerings. The pendants are easy to create, are quick sellers, and make fabulous gifts. The design can be adapted to include different types of bails, added beads and gemstones, a mix of wire colors and different shapes of stones, making each one unique, yet if you need to make the same design over again, it can easily be done. In addition to pendants, you can use this technique to make earrings, a bracelet centerpiece, and even rings and brooches!

PDF Download • 49 Pages • 94 Photos

Materials Needed:

36.25” of 22 gauge Soft Wire
6 feet of 28 gauge Soft Wire
One 30x22mm flattened oval bead or cabochon
One 3mm round bead

Tools:

Chain nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
1/16” mandrel/steel rod, coiling gizmo, or clothes hanger wire to coil around
Ruler

In this tutorial you will learn how to make the pendant with the moss green Jasper center stone - center photo in the image. Other pendants shown are variations using the same technique.

Purchase the Peruvian Weave Encased Stone Pendant Tutorial Now

My Bathroom Smells Great....thanks to a 15 year old bar of herbal soap

2009-09-22T10:49:00.001-05:00

My Bathroom Smells Great!
Thanks to a 15-year old bar of herbal soap…

Granted, I spent about three times as much for this bar of soap when I purchased it from a local crafter at our flea market 15 years ago. The soap was $3.00 per bar, as opposed to the 75 cent bar I might have picked up at Wal-Mart. Yet I haven’t had to buy any kind of “smell good” for my dressing area since.

This is just one of the few benefits of buying a handcrafted item – quality. It’s good. It’s better than good. It’s made by someone’s HANDS, rather than by a machine. It’s tested by a real human being, individually, with careful thought and attention to the littlest detail.

This little bar of soap has personality. It’s different. From the special packaging to the scent, it reeks of uniqueness. (no pun intended)

It offers a fond memory, this little bar of soap with its spicy, tantalizing scent. I’ll never forget my trip down that flea market aisle. One booth had tons of remainder and slightly damaged health and beauty items…the stuff you see in every major chain store in the country…and at discounted prices. But the alluring scent from five booths away is what grabbed my attention away from the bland and familiar and made my legs keep on moving.

I sauntered past the discount booth. I stopped when I found the incredible scent, coming from a booth full of large, rectangular bars of rough-looking soap, each bar wrapped like a miniature gift in a colorful piece of tissue paper. And that’s when I met Julia and her husband. They explained the process each bar of soap goes through before it appears in its final form. They told me about the various herbs they use, why they used them, and what each herb does for yourself and your environment.

Soon I left with five bars of soap and an education on herbs and their properties. I was on a budget, and at $3 a bar, that’s all I could afford that day. I could have left with 15 bars from the other booth. But I wouldn’t have had near the sensual experience as I had with those five bars from Julia.

So here I am, 15 years later. All but one of the bars of soap have been used (and all lasted 4 times longer than chain store bought soaps). I saved the fifth bar, because the next time I attended the flea market, Julia was gone…her booth replaced by someone selling slightly damaged big-box store items. I saved the bar because I wanted to remember Julia and my experience at her booth that day. I wanted to recall my mini-lesson on soap making. I wanted to remember her joy, her passion.

I also saved the bar because I wanted to prove a point. Being an artisan myself, I know handmade items are far superior over the mass-produced things offered in the majority of our stores today. But I wanted to prove it to myself another way. So I saved the soap. It’s labeled “Workers Soap”. It still has its spicy scent to this day. After 15 years, I can open the drawer the purple-wrapped bar resides in and be taken back to my day at the flea market when I met Julia. In an instant, I can go back 15 years, and smile.

What a memory. What a product!

Being a craftsperson, the thought that I helped to support and hopefully further the dream of another hard-working original artist makes me feel really good. I’d like to believe that Julia’s future absence meant she moved onto bigger and better things…perhaps she eventually opened her own store, where quality, uniqueness, and creativity were rewarded, despite the fact a person could get mass-produced soap for a few less pennies in that monstrous building on the hill. I’d like to believe her business, her hard work, and her creativity helped to feed her children and helped to provide a roof over her family’s head.

In reality, Julia probably went out of business due to a lack of support. Her booth certainly wasn’t near as crowded as the other one on that fall day. In reality, most people probably chose to shop at the chain stores where they’d save a buck, but inevitably ended up with goods made by children and older, underpaid workers in sweatshops in Third World countries.

Chain retailers have expanded dramatically over the last twenty years. Home Depot and Lowe's, barely a blip on the radar screen in 1986, now control half of the hardware and building supply market. Barnes & Noble and Borders account for more than half of all bookstore sales. Every sector is now dominated by a couple of chains, and Wal-Mart dominates them all, capturing one of every five retail dollars we spend.

Julia’s not in that picture. She isn’t making soap for Wal-Mart. She couldn’t. It has to be made so cheaply, and in such large quantities, that it’s just not feasible.

As chain stores have exploded, thousands of independent retailers have lost their livelihoods and laid-off hundreds of thousands of employees. One study I read found that every new Wal-Mart store opened actually eliminates many more other retail jobs than it creates.

Studies have shown that on average, 65 to 85 cents of each dollar spent at a chain store leaves the local economy, with a large portion of that money being shifted overseas. The United States is buying $162 billion more from China than we are selling to it. A large percentage of these purchases are made by U.S. companies that build products in China and then ship them to the United States, like Wal-Mart's suppliers.

Despite a well-publicized "Made in the U.S.A." campaign, 85 percent of Wal-Mart’s items are made overseas, often in Third World sweatshops paying 13 to 35 cents per hour with up to 96-hour work weeks.

And that, my friends, leaves people like Julia out of a job, unable to feed her children, and unable to put a roof over her family’s head. Sure, she can get government assistance – food stamps, for instance. Which you and I are paying for via our tax dollars…which seem to keep rising year after year.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have some great-smelling, long-lasting, high-quality soap I can enjoy, than pay higher taxes due to individuals being put of out business by others making a choice to get more for less.

I’d rather have less stuff, with more meaning, which creates fond memories, and something cool to talk about. I’d rather have something different than the next 20,000 people I run into on the streets. I’d rather have something better quality, something filled with passion and creativity, something with a little love in it – which a machine in a factory just doesn’t possess.

So I ask myself this year, before the holiday shopping season begins, how can I achieve these goals? How can I contribute to a holiday with more meaning, and offer fond memories filled with love this season?

I can stay out of the chain stores, for one. They’re good at enticing…good at manipulation…and good at getting you to buy mass-market produced things - which won’t be appreciated - and will more than likely be thrown away or end up in a Goodwill store or garage sale in under six months. Think “disposable”.

I can seek out original, living, “real” artists online, or in my community at places and events which sell the handiwork of local artisans and craftspeople. By directly supporting the makers of the products I buy, I will be spending my money in an empowering way.

I can visit Etsy.Com. Etsy.com supports local economies by making it possible for artisans to make a living. They have a “Shop Local” link right on their front page – you type in your location, and it brings up artisans in your area.

Whether you uncover a piece of cool pottery, pet toys, handmade clothing, original paintings, herbal soap, baked goods, sculpture, home décor, or artisan jewelry, each artisan creation offers enduring value to be treasured. Each offers personality and uniqueness. Each offers a memory you’ll be able to recapture at any time – even 15 years later.

Jai Johnson is an independent jewelry designer, artist, and photographer living and working in Jackson, TN. Visit her main website at http://www.MicheleJanine.com

Emerald Branch Earrings

2009-09-22T10:34:00.001-05:00

Visit my website to see my new Emerald Branch Earrings. Be sure to check out my blog post about emeralds as well!

Ribbon Pendant

2009-09-19T17:42:00.003-05:00

Please stop by my new blog on my website at JaisJewels.Com to see my new ribbon pendant!

Please visit my new jewelry blog

2009-09-18T07:42:00.001-05:00

My jewelry blog is now a part of my website. Please visit and bookmark my new jewelry blog here on my website.

Thank you!

--Jai

http://www.jaisjewels.com

And Divine Harmony Earrings to match the pendant

2009-09-09T12:04:00.003-05:00

I'm just having a blast with this cherry quartz! LOVE LOVE LOVE these huge beads. They are so gorgeous, especially when paired with the olive green tourmaline. Here I've completed a pair of earrings to match the pendant I also finished this week. I couldn't add as much of the tourmaline and pearls, as I didn't want them to be too heavy. Now, they're just beautiful, sleek, elegant, and interesting. :)

Purchase them in my shop here.

Divine Harmony ~ Luscious Cherry Quartz Pendant

2009-09-08T06:37:00.003-05:00

I finally had a chance to work with this cherry quartz. I LOVE THESE! Rondelle shaped, they are huge and faceted and an absolutely gorgeous shade of deep pink. I paired tourmaline in deep, rich olive colors (with a tinge of pink) with the stunning bead, and accented with freshwater pearls. I wove silver wire with great precision to frame the focal bead, and added a tornado bead at the top.

The precision wire work paired with the freeform of the tornado bead wire work is representative of my life. That perfect, woven frame is how I'd like my life to be. Yet it often ends up in a tornado as represented by the top bead. I'm sure some of you can relate. It's tough when things are going along fine, and then they spiral out of control. It's wonderful, though, to take that situation, and turn it into something of beauty...a keepsake...and heirloom to remind us that even though we have tornado moments, beauty can still come from within them. :)

Purchase Divine Harmony here.

RISEN ~ Citrine and Pearls Cross Pendant

2009-08-31T10:40:00.003-05:00

It was supposed to be smaller....

...than the last. But I got a bit carried away. Adding more wire...playing with gemstones and pearls. Okay, so it is a bit smaller. But not what I intended. :)

I've named this pendant "Risen". The sunshine colored genuine Citrine gemstones reminded me of the dawn of a new day. The beautiful golden and coffee brown colored freshwater pearls remind me of the upcoming fall season. Fall is in the air here in TN.

Because my bail turned out way too small (except for a delicate chain), I made a new bail. The tornado bead/bail is accented with those glowing freshwater pearls. Antiqued, hand woven silver wire pulls it all together into a unique, one of a kind cross pendant. I'm sure whoever the new owner is will enjoy it - it will become a family heirloom. This pendant and others in my new line of art jewelry are available on my newly designed website at http://www.JaisJewels.Com - hope you'll stop by and take a look!

New Jewels: Copper Necklace/Earrings & Silver Woven Cross Pendant

2009-08-26T08:29:00.003-05:00

A few new jewels off the workbench this week. The first is a copper necklace and matching earrings, featuring a woven bezel, turquoise focal stones, and the necklace chain is handmade as well, one link at a time. I love the warm color of the copper against the cool, rich blue turquoise. I added some amethyst crystal rondelles for even more interest. I named the set SANITY, as working on these pieces gave me sanity during a complicated, stressful time. :) The necklace is available here and the earrings here.

Then I tackled a cross pendant. I designed my pattern first. This pendant is fairly large, but I can do the same pattern for a smaller pendant simply by decreasing the length of the base wires. I was actually working on another pendant based on an inspiration photo of the Alaskan glaciers. The cross idea kept pounding away, so I finally gave in and made it, with the same components and based on the same photo (shown below).

The cross features labradorite, blue topaz, and freshwater pearls and the base is hand-tinted stained silver wire.

The cross pendant is available here and is titled MIRACULOUS, because those glaciers and their beauty are certainly a natural miracle. I'm waiting to finish the other pendant based on this photo, as the wire I have on hand is too thick for the necklace chain. Until the correct wire arrives, that pendant will wait patiently on my work table. :)

New jewels: Copper Necklace & Earrings w/ Turquoise and Garnet

2009-08-16T07:22:00.004-05:00

I got back in the studio for the first time in months this weekend, and made some new jewelry.

My favorite is this copper pendant/necklace and matching earrings. While I've worked with wire for years now, I wanted something new and different I could do with it. I decided to try braiding very thin wire to create a "frame" for the stones/beads. This necklace and earrings features turquoise beads and genuine garnet, all secured by hand weaving this thin copper wire. Even the necklace chain/clasp and ear wires are hand made from copper. See more photos of the necklace in my Etsy store and the earrings here.

The pendant above features a peace stone jasper marquis shaped bead in braided brass wire. And the pendant below turned out very elegant...it's a vintage sapphire blue glass stone, also encased in braided brass wire. The pendant is very demure, and measures 1" in size. Perfectly classy! See more photos of the peace stone jasper pendant here and the sapphire pendant here.

Please visit my 365 Blog

2009-06-24T11:06:00.001-05:00

I am currently making new blog posts on my 365 Blog. Hope you'll stop by there! --Jai

Designer Spotlight Feature

2009-02-25T07:23:00.002-06:00

I've been featured this week in the designer spotlight at My Shopping Connection...hope you will stop by and take a look! Click here to read the feature. :)

Also, my husband is very sick. I would appreciate your prayers and good thoughts. As a result of taking care of him and his needs, I am behind on getting everything up for my show opening March 1 at http://www.artjewelryshow.com. The show will still open on that date with the jewels I currently have ready, but new jewels will be added after the opening. In fact, the show will run through May, with new jewels being added consistently during March-May. If you sign up for the newsletter at the site, you'll be notified and also receive a discount coupon code for newsletter subscribers only.

WYNDQUEST Lemon Ice Quartz Amethyst and Pearls

2009-02-14T18:40:00.003-06:00

This week I finally finished this lemon ice quartz and amethyst parure, which I titled Wyndquest.

Though what we desire may seem as elusive as the wind,
it is our soul's duty to pursue that which we are truly passionate about.

I am truly passionate about making jewelry. I love this set. I adore it. It turned out fabulous, and I'm so happy! Each link is hand-fashioned. It took forever, but was well worth it.

The amethyst against the lemon quartz , accented with freshwater pearls, make for such a striking combination. It would be a lovely set for any special occasion.

All three pieces are available in my Etsy shop here.

MERMAID'S ROSE GARDEN Turquoise Garnet Moonstone and Pearls Necklace

2009-02-10T09:16:00.003-06:00

Surrounding the mermaid's secluded sea
Blooms a rose garden full of beauty...

See necklace details here.

Revelation Heart Pendant makes Semi-Finals at JewelryLessons.Com

2009-02-05T05:32:00.002-06:00

I was excited to find out yesterday that my heart pendant/necklace titled REVELATION had made the semi-finals in the 2009 Valentine's Day challenge at JewelryLessons.Com. Thanks to Eni Oken for hosting such a fun contest! It was an honor to be included among such talent.

Revelation is available for purchase here.

KISS Amethyst Moonstone Ruby and Pearls Set

2009-02-02T07:22:00.003-06:00

A kiss is the autograph of love...

Whenever I think "kiss", I think of the colors I used in this set...red for heat...purple for powerful, and white for innocent and pure, emotions and feelings which can all be present in a single kiss. :)

Kisses of ruby red crystals are suspended among genuine amethyst gemstones, rainbow moonstone, and whispers of freshwater pearls in this necklace and matching earrings. See more photos of the necklace here.

For the earrings I dangled the ruby crystal, to give them a little movement.

The earrings are available here.

Red Eyed Tree Frog Figural Brooch

2009-01-31T12:26:00.003-06:00

I worried the entire time while I was making this red-eyed tree frog brooch. Worried I'd run out of malachite beads. I was running soooooooo low on them. I posted about it on twitter the entire time I was working on it.

My eyes were so tired last night, I couldn't finish him. But I was dying to know if I had enough beads to make it....

I was praying this morning. It went something like this: "Dear God, please let me have enough malachite beads to finish this frog. If I don't have enough beads, I know I'll find myself in the car on the way to Hobby Lobby to see if they have any. I know if I get up to Hobby Lobby, I'll end up taking our grocery money and spending it on more beads, because, as you know, God, I have a serious addiction to beads. If anyone can work miracles, YOU can. Please work a miracle for me!"

As I was continuing to weave beads through his body and legs this morning, I found 4 beads with misdrilled holes. They had to be put to the side...they couldn't be used. To say I was holding my breath as I got to the end is an understatement!

When I finished, I had 4 beads left...the 4 that were misdrilled that I'd put off to the side. Tell me that's not a miracle! I've never had the *exact* amount of beads to finish a project!

I love red eyed tree frogs. They bring happiness and joy to one's life. This one can bring happiness and joy to your life. All you have to do is be the first one to go here and purchase him. He is a one of a kind.

Dragonfly Brooch with Garnet, Citrine and Pearls

2009-01-28T11:56:00.002-06:00

This lovely brooch was inspired by a local lady who collects dragonfly jewelry. She asked me if I had any dragonfly pieces...and now I do!

The frame (outline) of the dragonfly was formed with wire. I added his color with the gemstones and pearls.

His head is actually a deep amethyst crystal rondelle, which blends in exquisitely with the deep red/purple of the garnet stones. His eyes are vintage black onyx tiny crystals.

The dragonfly brooch is available here. :) It's the first figural brooch I've made in this technique.

From past to present...a look back...and what's in the future

2009-01-28T10:17:00.003-06:00

Just this past week I was searching disks for any photos of my seed bead jewelry, made from 1999-2001. My old computer with all of the photos crashed and burned....but I know I have some on disks somewhere. I had no luck finding them. And then, out of the blue, a collector posted a photo of this set, which I made in late 1999 or early 2000:

I love the style of seed bead and filigree work, made famous by great designers such as Miriam Haskell and Stanley Hagler. I started working with the style in 1999, at first with brooches, and then with necklaces. This was the first necklace and earring set I made using the seed beads and filigree.

I made less than 50 seed bead jewels. All are signed JAI with a signature tag applied on the back. So if you see that tag on a piece of this type of work, it was made by me.

I stopped working with the seed beads in 2001. I've tried a number of techniques since then, as evidenced by this blog and the archives. For a period of time I stopped making jewelry altogether, and spent a few years painting and exploring various other forms of artistic expression.

At the end of 2008, I returned to jewelry design full-time. I feel my explorations in the art world have influenced my newer works. I now find myself thinking of things I would normally think of when painting - specifically a lot of thoughts are centered around color and contrast.

At the end of 2008, I gave some serious thought to what direction I wanted to go with jewelry design. In order to create a recognizable style, I knew certain things would have to be constant in my work. I decided these three things would be constant in my work from now on out: gemstone chips, pearls, and wire. There may be other components added in from time to time, such as lampwork beads as shown in the Winter Berry set above. (available here)

And larger gemstones such as the 375 carat yellow quartz stone shown in the Profusion necklace, above and below. (available here)

I call my new type of work "clustering". As I work, I form a cluster of beads into a design, using wire as the transport medium to get the beads where I want them to go, and make them stay where I want them to stay. The finished pieces of jewelry remind me of life: life is a big cluster of a lot of tiny experiences, forming a total visual picture of our selves...who we are...what we believe in...how we behave...and what we do. With each bead I place on the wire, I add more and more to the cluster, just like each experience...each moment...each memory...we have in life adds more to the story of who we are, and how our lives are shaped.

This is my life. It is a cluster of life experiences. My new pieces are designed to reflect a completed - yet still evolving - picture of life.

Indulge...earrings...blue topaz, aqua, pearls

2009-01-24T20:10:00.003-06:00

Today I finished these earrings...they match nicely with the pendant I posted yesterday.

Of course I didn't have any more vintage aquamarine rhinestone findings - I used the only one I had in the pendant. So they're a little bit different. I chose some aquamarine crystals, and they are so rich in color.

In keeping with the same color scheme of the pendant, I used the glass blue topaz gemstone chips and freshwater pearls...all based on the same gold filigree as the pendant is, but in small scale, of course. :)

I think these earrings, and the pendant, would make a lovely Valentine's gift for someone. I was thinking today...I wonder if all those out there buying gifts for Valentine's will be running into the stores right before the big day buying some small, dainty and delicate jewel? Nothing wrong with that, but some of us like a little more *substance* to our jewels. :) And some of us really would appreciate the thoughtfulness of choosing a one of a kind creation. By a real artist. Seriously! How special would YOU feel if you knew the gift you received was truly a one of a kind...that no one else would ever have that same, exquisite jewel except YOU, and that it was handmade? And that the one you love picked it out?

2009 is a time for changes. It's a time for doing new things and making bold moves. It's time to step out, be a little different, explore the unexplored. You can begin now. Just think about it. And then just do it. :)

What to do with a vintage aquamarine finding I've been saving for 4+ years???

2009-01-23T19:15:00.003-06:00

Four years ago, I went on an adventure. I hopped in my little 1995 Ford Probe and took off to Florida in it. By myself. I drove straight through and was scared to death! But I made it! I was going to visit some of my jewelry buddies, specifically my vintage jewelry friends. One day we went to Barb's house. Not only did Barb have this AMAZING studio and office, she had the most wonderful collection of vintage beads and components I'd ever seen. I was in heaven!

While I was there, of COURSE I had to buy some things from her. My oh my...what trouble that was...making decisions from all these glorious parts and pieces. The things I could do with what she had...

The items I purchased from Barb are so exquisite, I have stretched them out over the past 4 years, and gradually integrated them into my work. In this pendant, I finally integrated an AMAZING vintage piece with luscious aquamarine marquis rhinestones. I acquired some more of the blue topaz gemstones, and they went so well with the vintage component, it inspired this 4" pendant.

Of course I added freshwater pearls. All are hand-wired onto the gold plated filigree (multi-filigree, actually) base.

This pendant is bold....yet lightweight enough to be very comfortable. It's romantic...and peaceful...

And sparkly enough for the fabulous evening out or party. I've named this piece INDULGE and it's available here. :)

Win This Carved Ivory Heart Necklace with Rose Quartz and Cranberry Pearls!

2009-01-23T14:12:00.003-06:00

You can win this beautiful necklace just in time for Valentine's Day:

All you have to do to register to win this one of a kind valentine heart necklace is visit this page, and follow the instructions to qualify for the giveaway. There are many other fabulous prizes as well.

I have really enjoyed reading some of the comments entrants have made about why they want to win this necklace, which is part of the entry process...leave a comment stating which prize you'd like if you're a winner - there's going to be *3 Winners* chosen. Here's what some folks are saying about this one of a kind, designer necklace:

My favorite gift is the Carved Ivory Necklace w/ Rose Quarts & Cranberry Red Pearls. Absolutely gorgeous!

I would love to win Carved Ivory Necklace w/ Rose Quarts & Cranberry Red Pearls because it is soooo beautiful!

I really love the ivory necklace. Its so pretty and girly Plus its totally unique! Hope I win!!

I like the Carved Ivory Necklace w/ Rose Quarts & Cranberry Red Pearls the best.

Carved Ivory Necklace w/ Rose Quarts & Cranberry Red Pearls ~ it’s feminine, delicate looking, and perfect for Valentines Day!!

I would really like to win the Carved Ivory Necklace w/ Rose Quarts & Cranberry Red Pearls. It’s beautiful and creative.

So what are you waiting on? Go over and get your entry in to win this stunning, original necklace!

Michelle Obama...her colors...her jewels

2009-01-21T07:05:00.003-06:00

The first lady's color choices of dresses are all the talk in the fashion world today. I love this yellow and green combination. It offers HOPE...it shows a sense of renewal is taking place. Perfect.

Yellow is a color which awakens joy and happiness and brings on euphoria. YES. We need a lot of that! Green is the color of freshness and renewal. Double YES. Read more about the colors you wear and how they can affect your life, your health, and your emotions in my free online ebook, Healing With Color.

For the big night...more yellow in a paler shade, which actually looks white in many photographs. White is a symbol of peace, purity and salvation. Blended with the pale yellow, it brings happiness and joy along with it. I think the good ole USA needs a dose of all of it...I know I will gladly take it. :)

And then there's her pearls. Wonderful. Awesome that she chooses pearls as a staple in her jewelry. Pearls symbolize purity. Spiritual transformation. They symbolize honesty. Wearing them breathes LIFE into the soul. They give a person self-confidence. And best of all, they're affordable...so anyone can tap into the elegance and power of pearls.

From the traditional pearl necklace, to a stunning jewel mixing pearls with other precious gemstones, pearls are a favorite, and always will be.

Simply Spring

2009-01-19T18:30:00.003-06:00

Some of my friends over on Twitter have been talking about being tired of snow...so I thought they might be ready for a little Spring. :)

Yes, this one is for you, my snow-bound friends. Glorious golden yellow citrine in the center, surrounded by lovely pale green new jade and freshwater pearls.

I designed this necklace short enough so it can be worn with polo style shirts...such as to work where you can't necessarily wear a big collar like this...but when you want to wear a little cluster of something special with that polo. Of course, it will look just as elegant with a sundress. :)

See how lovely the Spring colors are?

This necklace - simply titled SPRING - is available here.

A Valentines Day Surprise...

2009-01-19T14:45:00.002-06:00

Oooh...someone is going to be sooooooo lucky this Valentine's Day, as someone will win this beauty....

Details on how to enter to win this, as well as other fabulous prizes in a stupendous Valentine's Day giveaway will be posted later this week. :)

I enjoyed Mona's lovely video Valentine's Day extravaganza on the Jewelry Connection yesterday. Got to see lots of gorgeous jewels and learn about many terrific designers.

This morning I created and ordered thank you cards to send to my customers. And I worked on uploading new designs to my other website, JaiCards.Com.

And I began working on something else...and hopefully, in about 6 months, you'll be seeing a whole lot less of me. No, I'm not going anywhere, but I hope about 33 pounds of this weight I gained during my serious depression 2 years ago will be leaving me. I'm blogging it over here if you're interested in following my progress.

Now I'm off to the studio to try to get something new and cool accomplished today.

Video Slideshow of my jewelry

2009-01-17T07:35:00.003-06:00

This morning I created a video slideshow of my jewelry. Hope you enjoy!

Click here to view full size. :)

PROFUSION Yellow Quartz Iolite and Aquamarine Collar Necklace

2009-01-16T08:30:00.002-06:00

And here is a week's worth of work...titled PROFUSION...

Ever since I held this amazing faceted 375 carat yellow quartz gemstone in my hand, it screamed COLLAR NECKLACE. I knew it would make an amazing centerpiece.

How to fashion it was quite challenging. Sure, I could have bought a pre-made collar finding and simply added the stone to it. But I like to form my own shapes, and since the stone is uniquely shaped, I wanted to fit the base of the necklace to the stone.

So I formed my own base around the luscious lemon-y colored stone, and then began the process of selecting the gemstones. The color choices of stones were hand-selected based on a memory...and a wonderful one, at that. I was remembering a trip to Hawaii almost 17 years ago, and standing on a dinner cruise ship, staring out over the darkening ocean waters, with the glowing moon in full shining down upon the sea. It was one of those moments I'll treasure always. :)

For all of you who write and ask me what I was "thinking" when I design a piece...just so you know, I don't "think" when I'm designing...I remember and I feel the memory. Thinking is for office work. FEELING is for jewelry design. :)

So as I worked, I pulled the colors of the ocean and the glowing moonlight into the necklace, using gorgeous violet blue Ioilite, totally awesome Aquarmarine, glittering citrine, and a plethora of freshwater pearls paired with metallic blue glass pearls. Oh, and I almost forgot...hidden throughout the necklace are flat round opalescent glass beads, just adding to the glow and pulling all of the blue and yellow colors together.

Making this necklace was well-worth the week of time I spent on it. And just think...I have two more of these gorgeous yellow quartz stones to use in something else. Now you have even more to look forward to. :)

PROFUSION is available here.

"A" is for....

2009-01-16T06:39:00.002-06:00

I tried out a new idea this week...making an initial pendant using my gemstones and pearls.

I think it turned out really neat...my problem now is figuring out how to do the "M" and "N" type letters, where there is no center point on top for the pendant loop. Possibly hang them at an angle with the loop coming off the tip on one side of the letter? Still playing with the idea...:)

This pendant is available on Etsy. :)

Allyson is BLINGIN' IT OUT this week!

2009-01-14T07:21:00.004-06:00

Allyson has been busy in the studio this week! Look at all this amazing bling she's made:

See all of her jewelry in her very own category of my Etsy shop. :)

Fevere Heart Pendant

2009-01-11T07:42:00.003-06:00

For the passionate...for the lover who feels the intense heat every moment they're with that special person, and every moment they're not.

This heart pendant is made with genuine opals...which I couldn't capture the beautiful glow of them of no matter how much I tried. And deep red garnets. And pearls. And in the center, a large, faceted vintage aurora borealis crystal.

I've named this pendant FEVERE, reflective of the intense, smoldering fire-like glow, and it is available here. :)

Sinuosity necklace

2009-01-10T08:16:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I was waiting on wire to arrive to continue on with a fabulous collar necklace I'm working on. While I was waiting, I began playing with some other stones and created this necklace:

A delightful gemstone festoon pendant, filled with beautiful flourite, accented with simulated blue topaz chips, and glowing with dyed silver freshwater pearls, leads your gaze to the dramatic peacock chrysocolla teadrop stone.

I made the necklace on a curved base, and finished it out with black rubber cord and o-rings.

Since I never waste a bead, I integrated some of my simulated blue topaz chips I had left into the design.

It lays perfectly on the neck, with the pendant falling beautifully, right where it's supposed to. :)

Sinuosity is available here.

Two hearts...two different kinds of love...

2009-01-08T07:11:00.003-06:00

Two hearts...two different kinds of love...

FALLEN...featuring Carnelian, Ocean Jasper and Pearls

Ah, the sweet sensation of falling in love...it's amazing. You know...when you have those moments of your heart seeming to fall to the floor when you see THE ONE...and you want to burst with almost uncontainable joy. That's the emotion this original heart pendant portrays.

Nestled in the center of the elongated heart rests an earthy ocean jasper polished stone with hints of coral, orbs of white, and bands ranging from terra cotta to peach. Genuine carnelian gemstone chips, full of the colors of autumn leaves on a sunny day, cluster around focal stone. Woven throughout the glowing gemstones are genuine freshwater pearls. All are interwoven with brass wire into a colorful, handcrafted creation. FALLEN is available here.

VIVIFY...featuring Coral and peacock pearls

Perhaps you're more reserved about love. More cautious. You feel the quickening heat, but there's some parts of you that you wish to keep under lock and key for a while, allowing them to move out slowly, steadily. However, your heart has been touched, and bursting forth are all sorts of emotions you can't quite contain. Then this is the heart pendant for you.

Rich, dramatic red genuine coral gemstones are accented with deep, dark, metallic peacock freshwater pearls in this smaller heart pendant. The stones and pearls are interwoven with golden brass wire into a handcrafted creation full of intense contrasting color. VIVIFY is available here.

Delicious LEMON MENTHE Gemstone Cluster Earrings

2009-01-05T19:17:00.003-06:00

They almost look good enough to eat...

These were inspired by food. Lemon cake and chocolate mint candy, to be exact. It's just amazing what can inspire a piece of jewelry. :)

The earrings are made with lemon jade teardrops in the center, malachite, and freshwater pearls.

And they dangle deliciously from the ear. :) Available on Etsy.

Gorgeous bangle bracelets by Allyson!

2009-01-05T16:27:00.002-06:00

My daughter Allyson has ventured into a bit more glitz with her incredible beaded bangle bracelets - full of sparkle and COLOR! The bracelet shown above has rich shades of topaz and amethyst. Earthy, but at the same time sparkly enough to carry one out on the town for an evening. See more photos here.

This second bracelet is an absolute FAVORITE of mine because of these incredible teal blue crystal beads. It reminds me of an ocean I'd love to be sitting beside right now! See more photos of this bracelet here.

And then we have this lovely medium green and aqua blue bracelet. Totally soothing. Totally brilliant. Perfect for day or night wear. See more photos here.

See all of Allyson's creations in her section in my store here. There's plenty of earrings to choose from...feathers and hoops and dangles and sparkling crystals...all fun and stylish. :)

Revelation Gemstone Heart Pendant

2009-01-03T18:44:00.005-06:00

Revelation 4:2-3

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

Revelation 21:21

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

REVELATION is a special, one of a kind heart pendant inspired by the three passages above.

I placed a white jasper coin shaped bead in the center of a heart. Then I surrounded this snow-white stone with carnelian gemstones.

I didn't have any emeralds...so I added malachite (a green gemstone) around the outside edge of the heart. I then added 12 pearls, to represent the 12 gates.

I wove the entire heart - including the bail - with brass wire to represent the golden street of the city.

And then I appropriately titled the jewel, REVELATION. Revelation can be purchased here. It is also featured on my website - which I redesigned this week. I hope you like it!

InJoy,
Jai

The Winter Berry Cuff Bracelet

2009-01-02T10:48:00.002-06:00

And this completes the suite of Winter Berry jewels...

Now I think I'll do something with different colors. I have some heart pendants to get ready for Valentine's Day, so perhaps some red is in order. :)

Winter Berry Suite of Jewels

2008-12-31T18:59:00.004-06:00

I have made my last jewels in 2008. Not the last forever...just the last I'm making within this year. :)

I've given this set of jewels the title of Winter Berry. The colors of chocolate brown and purple look like these berries we have on some bushes here, and when I was photographing a cardinal the other day, I really got a good look at the berries. Everything just kind of fit together after that moment.

The necklace and earrings (shown here) and the bracelet (I'm still working on) all have these gorgeous lampwork glass beads with a chocolate brown color, along with lavender and pale blue.

I've wireworked and clustered the entire design using silver wire.

The accent beads consist of genuine amethyst chips, synthetic blue topaz chips and freshwater pearls. The necklace is adjustable, and has a lovely drop section with dangles.

The earrings - of course - match the necklace. And the bracelet I'm working on will match as well. The bracelet is cuff style, with a clasp.

As I've made this set, and a few pieces previous to this, I've been making some decisions about which direction to go with my work.

Several years ago, during a poor sales period, some well-meaning advice came from a variety of sources for me to make "smaller, more affordable" jewels. I did that. And here at the end of 2008, I notice loads of smaller, more affordable jewels that didn't sell are filling my office and studio. Why? Because my true talent lies not in mass-production of repetitious similar designs...it lies in the production of one of a kind designs which take a major effort and hours, along with a lot of components.

As I look back at photographs of the jewelry I've made and compare them to what has sold and what has not, it's clear that my larger, more intensive designs were the ones most appreciated. Very few of them are here - most have sold. All of my Haskell style wirework with seed bead pieces are gone, as are all of my glitzy, large rhinestone creations I used to make.

While I love jewelry making, it is a business for me and I do have to sell what I create in order to support my family. It's a job - just like many of you go to regular jobs, this is mine. Only mine doesn't go from 9-5 or 8-8. My day starts at 5 am and ends at 10pm. There's not a waking moment I'm not working - even if not physically working on a project, my mind is working on the creation...or the photos...or the marketing...etc.

Therefore, I've made a resolution for the new year. Gone is the simple stuff....the smaller...the more affordable. Instead, you'll see more complex, time-intensive, and substantial works of art jewelry, which I will still try to keep affordable, but they won't be simple and they will take more time to make - and they will be more expensive than what you've seen me produce the past couple years. And they'll also be better received, as they are what is truly me. :)

Happy New Year to everyone - may we all enjoy a happy and prosperous 2009, doing what we truly love to do. --Jai

A little heat for a cold day....

2008-12-28T17:23:00.004-06:00

Feel the spark again and again...

We only had one of these gorgeous, hot dichroic beads left in our bead collection here, and I decided to turn it into a pendant today.

Strands of gold wire are intricately woven around the focal bead.

Blackstone beads and two black onyx crystals are nestled among golden dyed freshwater pearls...

Accenting the glimmering focal bead with just enough heat to keep you on edge. :)

Available on Etsy.Com. Like all of my others...this is a one of a kind. Definitely one that will warm up a person on a cold winter day. :)

The world needs more loving energy...

2008-12-27T13:09:00.004-06:00

Since the heart is a symbol of love, and I feel the world needs more loving energy, I decided to create a grouping of heart pendants. This is the first in a series of...um...I don't know how many. :) Could be two...could be ten....could be 100.

I used a silver base wire for this pendant. I formed the wire into the heart shape, and hammered it flat with my new hammer I got from my son for Christmas.

Then I affixed a lovely pale blue chalcedony bead into the heart...

And then I proceeded to weave glittering synthetic blue topaz gemstone chips...

Along with amethyst gemstone chips in varying shades from lavender to dark purple...

Along with freshwater pearls, all around the focal bead. The result is a cluster of gems forming the shape of the heart, which can be worn as a lovely pendant on any chain of your choice. :)

This pendant is available for sale here. It is a one of a kind design.

Ta da! The 2008 JAI Christmas Tree Pendant is complete!

2008-12-24T20:30:00.002-06:00

Each year on Christmas Eve, I make a Christmas tree jewel. Sometimes I've made a brooch. Sometimes pendants. This year, I've made a pendant. I only make one Christmas jewel each year, and I always make it on Christmas Eve. This is the 2008 Christmas Tree Pendant:

Strands of silver wire are intricately woven around a genuine peace stone jasper teardrop...

The focal stone is full of hues of pale lavender, soothing sage green and soft white.

Genuine translucent rainbow flourite gemstone chips - ranging from pale green to turquoise blue with purple hues - and dyed peacock metallic freshwater pearls accent the focal stone with a bed of beautiful color.

This lovely pendant is 2 3/8" x 2" in size.

Buy this pendant here...it is a one of a kind, freeform design...there is only one available. :)

Amethyst & Red Jade Ring...Teal Blue Chandelier Earrings

2008-12-24T13:06:00.002-06:00

My daughter Allyson made these pretty teal blue and pearl chandelier hoop earrings this week. I love this color blue...and I love the movement of the earrings.

I finished this woven wire ring last night. It has an amethyst teardrop for a centerpiece, and is accented with red jade and freshwater pearls. It only took about 3 hours...LOL...2 hours of trying to do it using another technique and getting frustrated, and then 1 hour of working it in a freeform technique. I've decided I like freeform better. :) You will probably see more of that type of work from me in 2009. It's time to let go of control and allow the jewelry to form itself. :)

Now I'm off to the studio to make my annual Christmas tree jewel. On Christmas Eve each year, I made either a pendant or brooch. This year, it will be a pendant. Here's my pendant from a couple of years ago --> Click here. I have no clue how I'm going to fashion my Christmas tree jewel this year...or what color stones...or even what color wire. Whatever the muse says when I get down to the studio will rule. :) You'll see tomorrow...as I will upload it here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Time froze. His breath caught in his throat, and he held it there...

2008-12-22T06:31:00.005-06:00

When he saw her enter the room, he froze, his glass of champagne poised at the edge of his lips. The overhead lights sparkled off of the golden liquid, illuminating his view. She's an angel, he thought, as he watched her sleek lavender dress move in concert with her every step.

Her raven hair gleamed as it cascaded down her shoulders. As she moved closer, a breeze swept through the veranda doors, gently pushing her mane away from her face. And then he saw her eyes. Her gaze met his, and his hand began to shake. Cool beads of sweat exploded across his forehead as her lips parted and she offered him a smile. Time froze. His breath caught in his throat, and he held it there, not wanting to allow it to escape, lest the moment should disappear. For at that very instant, heaven was within his reach.

This pendant gives me such a romantic feeling, I allowed my muse to take over and venture into a little romance writing. It's been years since I've written along that line...just those short couple of paragraphs made me realize how much enjoyment I got from it in the past, and how much I miss it.

Last night, I was teaching Allyson some wire techniques. We actually both worked on this pendant, so this is a collaboration between us. The amethyst rests in the center of the teardrop, which is accented with lemon jade and freshwater pearls. The color combination works well together, and I love the neatness mixed with freeform on this piece. I love clustering beads - there's just something so romantic about the look...romantic yet bold. :)

A lovely award...

2008-12-19T06:30:00.002-06:00

I woke up this morning to find out a lovely award has been given to me by The Filigree Garden. I featured her lovely Copper Dahlias Necklace on http://the20jewel.blogspot.com this week. Thank you so much for this very touching award!

Scrimshaw in progress #6: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-16T17:36:00.004-06:00

And it is done. Hamster portrait scrimshaw art on tagua nut:

In this final photo, the hamster pendant is shown on top of a color pencil drawing. Scrimshaw uses many of the same techniques as color pencil. Stippling, cross-hatching, and other varieties of line work are often used in creating the scrimshaw etching in the material.

Now that I have the "feel" of this tagua nut and how to work with it, I'll do some more of these! I have 9 more nuts here...now it's just a matter of deciding on the next subject. :)

This golden hamster pendant is for sale on Etsy.

Scrimshaw in progress #5: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-16T14:30:00.003-06:00

Ta Da! The hard part is done, and my little golden hamster is totally scrimshawed and colored. Now comes the fun part...making a sculptured soldered setting around the edge. If this goes wrong, it could ruin the whole project, so keep your fingers crossed it works well. I've never done the soldered edging on this material, so I'm hoping it can handle the heat okay. Here goes...

P.S. Please excuse my ratty old towel I'm photographing this piece on...it's on my work table...the final photos will look much better! :)

Scrimshaw in progress #4: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-16T12:28:00.002-06:00

And he's progressing along! His golden fur is filled in. My signature is added. Now it's time to attempt to "pinken" his paws and nose, darken some more shadow areas, and then re-darken the black areas which will tie everything together.

Scrimshaw in progress #3: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-16T10:43:00.002-06:00

It's a new day, and I'm etching away this morning, creating the hamster's golden fur on this tagua nut scrimshaw pendant. This is a constant process of etch, add paint, sand with steel wool, and start over again. Each section has to be gone over multiple times in this manner before the color is deep enough for me. After I finish the golden fur, I'll go back and darken areas which need it, add highlights if necessary, and then it will be time to turn it into an actual pendant. I think before I go further at this point, I'm going to add my signature. Back to the work bench...stay tuned for more later!

Scrimshaw in progress #2: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-15T19:26:00.003-06:00

The little guy is starting to take shape now. My eyes are watering so bad, I think I'm going to have to stop for tonight though. Tomorrow I'll add more of the terra cotta coloring where needed, and then start on his golden color.

This tagua nut is about 2 1/4" long and I'm using needles and a knife to stipple and carve the design into the material. I'm using acrylic paint for the coloring.

Scrimshaw in progress #1: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

2008-12-15T16:52:00.002-06:00

Thought I'd share a little in-progress work. This is a tagua nut - also known as vegetable ivory. I'm attempting a scrimshaw design of a hamster portrait on the nut.

I have outlined the figure, and darkened shadow spots with black. There's already hundreds of tiny black dots and etch marks on this pendant, and they have been filled with black. I'm getting ready to start the colored parts next. I'm working from dark to light as far as color is concerned. It's going to be a pendant, framed in sculpted silver solder when complete...and hopefully it will turn out good! I'm relatively new to scrimshaw work. This will be the 4th pendant I've made so far in this technique. The process is excruciatingly LONG...but I love challenges and need to work on my patience anyway :) , so I'm going for it!

A little Christmas Glitz and more...plus cotton ball silencers!

2008-12-15T12:54:00.004-06:00

The above necklace is the piece I wore to our Christmas banquet last night...a deep emerald green glass teardrop stone in a silver sculpted solder frame dangles from a hand-wired pearl and ab crystal neck chain...see more photos of this necklace here.

Here's something I made for a bit of fun. Cotton ball earrings...snowy white...a perfect conversation starter. And if you get tired of hearing the conversation, just pop the cotton balls in your ears to shut off the noise. :) More photos here.

Allyson made these WHOPPER hoop earrings, with wired on ruby red crystal beads for the ultimate in holiday glitz! See more photos of these stage jewels here.

And then we have this sweet pair of chandelier cobalt blue crystal earrings...also made by Allyson. They swing, they sparkle, and they shine. What more could a girl want? :) More photos here.

Now I'm off to the studio to work on something my hamster collectors will surely love. It's a scrimshaw hamster portrait on a tagua nut. I started it about 2 weeks ago and Christmas stuff kind of took over my life. I'm bound and determined to get more work done on this artistic pendant ToDaY! :)

Some new jewels...fresh...hot from the studio!

2008-12-12T07:10:00.003-06:00

I found this cool little store in the mall recently called Earthbound. Why is it cool? Because they have this great big tray of polished and tumbled gemstones! That was the PERFECT something for a jewelry designer to stumble on in the mall! I picked out a couple of neat stones to set. This first stone is a lovely teal blue color - with little orbs and interesting striping. I have no clue what kind of stone it is, but I loved the blue color so much, I just had to get it.

This pendant is available here (at my sale pricing of only $22 which expires December 31!).

This is a gorgeous tumbled and polished Citrine gemstone. I love yellow/golden colored stones, and this one is loaded with glorious, sparkling yellow. I hear yellow is the *new* color for the upcoming season too. :) You can get this pendant here (once again...at my sale pricing).

I got a little fancier with the pendant above. I decided to add some woven wire work into the design for the bail. This is a teardrop shaped tiger eye gemstone, and I added some freshwater pearl dangles at the bottom. This pendant is available here.

And my daughter Allyson has been making more earrings! She's also venturing into some other things...she made a bracelet yesterday which I'll photograph today. This first pair of earrings features amethyst crystal beads combined with creamy freshwater pearls in a chandelier hoop style:

You can get the above earrings here.

Then she dug into my favorite stash of rare beads/crystals and she designed this swingin' dangles with beautiful olive green/topaz combo colored crystals. She added freshwater pearls, and formed the earrings using golden jump rings. You can get these earrings here.

And she is going nuts with these BIG OLE hoops too. This is a double wave silvertone hoop and she's dangled amethyst crystals and onyx crystal beads from the bottom for a fun, but dramatic look. You can get these earrings here.

And the sun is finally out today here in TN. HOORAY! Now maybe I can get some better photographs in my studio!

The Faces of Kittens Bracelet in polymer clay

2008-12-10T05:32:00.004-06:00

Oldie but goodies pulled out of inventory to add to my Etsy store this week...I designed this cute as can be polymer clay bracelet several years ago. It features black and white kitten faces in the linked design. Isn't it just too sweet? :)

More fun feathers...and some exciting hoops as well!

2008-12-08T10:24:00.003-06:00

Yes, my daughter's been at it again...seems she is spending more time in the studio the past few days than I am ('cuz I'm busy putting it all up on Etsy!). Here's some fun hoop earrings she made:

And more feathers in dramatic red...

Have you connected with me on Twitter yet? Come on over....see the latest jewels as they go up!

And now...I *am* going to the studio to make something new and exciting myself. :)

The most unique Christmas Tree Pendant you'll ever see...

2008-12-07T09:10:00.001-06:00

On Etsy now!

A 12 Year Collection...

2008-12-07T08:13:00.002-06:00

I am listing my entire collection of jewelry I've made in various styles over the past 12 years on Etsy! And now you can follow my newest listings as they happen (or at least some of them...) by hooking up with me on Twitter! Latest updates appear in the sidebar here on my blog...or you can follow me directly here: http://twitter.com/jaisjewels

Come Tweet with Me! :)

The pendant featured here for the PARAKEET LOVERS is available on Etsy now!

This ring sooooooooo needs a good home...

2008-12-06T09:16:00.002-06:00

It would make someone a LOVELY Christmas gift...

Beautiful Aquamarine Blue Glass Ring.

100 Up!

2008-12-05T10:27:00.003-06:00

I just reached 100 items up on Etsy. My daughter thinks by the time I get done listing all of my jewelry from the past 12 years, I'll have 1200 pieces up. I think (hope!) she has overestimated...I think it will be more like 300. This was the 100th listing...some of you may remember this special necklace I made for a butterfly challenge years ago. Click here to read about it on Etsy. I love Etsy, btw. Nice to be in the company of other true artisans and away from all the mass produced stuff. :)

I'm in a blue mood today...

2008-12-04T19:49:00.003-06:00

But some beautiful jewelry comes out of blue moods...

This magnificent beauty features this spectacular 45mm turquoise gemstone as the focal point. I accented it with two dyed turquoise jasper donut beads (framed in silver solder like the focal), turquoise howlite and freshwater pearls...all hand chained.

And then I discovered a hidden treasure in the jewelry box! Years ago, I had acquired these exquisite vintage glass stones. Well I found one, hanging precariously in a sorry excuse for a wire wrap pendant I'd made (like 12 years ago!). Needless to say, that pendant never saw the light of day... Today, I "re-discovered" the stone. And it is SMASHINGLY gorgeous! So I had to give it new life. Now it is set in hand-sculpted silver solder and hangs beautifully from a pendant bail. Take a look:

Look at that RICH aquamarine blue color! PHEW. I may have to keep this one for myself. Merry Christmas to me...Merry Christmas to me...:)

Tropical Aves & Flora...the Rebirth of a Polymer Clay museum quality necklace

2008-12-04T08:31:00.004-06:00

I know many of you who have followed my blog since the beginning will remember this incredible necklace. Each bead formed from polymer clay, hand carved, then "painted" with hand-tinted liquid polymer clay...multiple firings for each bead...as they had to be worked on one side...one part...at a time to set the polymer clay. This necklace was made in 2005. It's still here today - here are some updated photos to show you how lovely it looks after all of these years:

Reviewing these photos makes me wish I could still work in polymer. I loved the medium. Sigh.

As of today, the necklace...which took 184 hours to make...is now up on Etsy.Com. Click here to see the listing and review more photos. Click here to see the original adventure of this necklace. Some of the old photos are gone from my first post in its evolution, but the others are still in each blog post. Enjoy. :)

Light as a feather...

2008-12-03T14:42:00.003-06:00

My daughter, Allyson, age 15, has been making quite the coolest earrings lately...we can honestly say these are "light as a feather". :)

All of these are available in my Etsy shop in the Earrings by Allyson category.

It's been a peacock kind of day...and a Schnauzer one too!

2008-12-02T18:17:00.003-06:00

My first challenge for the day was a peacock chrysocolla jasper ring. I've already made a pendant out of one of the five stones...and I just had to try another ring. For this one, I actually did a woven wire ring base, which took up quite a bit of my day. It was wonderful though...sitting there listening to KLove and allowing the beautiful words from the songs they play to fill up my soul.

Since I was on a roll with the peacock stones...I opted to create a matching pair of earrings. They turned out lovely, and are a great match to the pendant.

And finally, I decided to turn this lovely porcelain cameo which features the elegant Schnauzer in grey, into a pendant. Hopefully someone with this breed of dog will choose this for a Christmas gift this year. :)

These jewels are not on my website yet, but they can be purchased in my Etsy shop.

Uh oh...I've made a ring....

2008-12-01T06:46:00.002-06:00

Uh oh...this is not good...I've figured out how to make rings too. I *love* rings! Now there will probably be lots of rings coming out of the studio. This one is a HONKER though, because I used a piece I already had soldered and it was just whatever stone I grabbed to see if my idea would work. Now *I* like big rings...but I think for the "masses", I'd probably be better off going just a tad smaller. LOL this one is 1 1/4" long and is a size 8.5. It fits my middle finger on one hand...my first finger on another hand. It's a fabulous knock-you-out piece (literally...you pop someone in the nose with this and they're goin' DOWN! Ha!). The stone in this one is Russian Jade.

I also completed another bird pendant - this one is a Sun Conure. It turned out very elegant!

Plans for the week include some more rings as well as some earrings in addition to pendants, of course. :)

Pretty as a peacock...elegant as a black cat....patterned by nature

2008-11-30T06:59:00.003-06:00

Beautiful colors of teal blue, green and black present themselves in this teardrop peacock chrysocolla jasper pendant I just completed.

A friend of mine suggested I try a scrimshaw silhouette...so here it is, an abstract, elegant, black cat design. I used mostly stippling work on this pendant, and only black for the color. My Tagua nut slices arrived this week, so next week I hope to have a scrimshaw design completed on one of them. My first challenge? A hamster portrait. Well...I have a lot of hamster miniature art collectors...perhaps they might enjoy a hamster pendant? :)

And here we have an oval fossil coral bead. I got a whole strand of these and the patterns in each bead are different, making each unique and one of a kind. I love the colors - very earthy and rich.

All of these are available at JaiArt.Com.

December 2008 JaiArt.Com Newsletter

2008-11-28T08:42:00.001-06:00

The December 2008 JaiArt.Com newsletter is now online and ready for viewing: Click here to read the newsletter.

More scrimshaw...a Scarlet Macaw parrot pendant

2008-11-26T09:23:00.002-06:00

This design was created on the same style of flat bone bead as the previous design I shared. Only this one was quite a bit more challenging! I chose one of my favorite subjects - a parrot. This is a Scarlet Macaw. Trying to execute this design on a 1/2" wide space was very hard on the eyes and hands. There are hundreds...maybe thousands...of tiny dots and etch marks. Color was adding in layers and worked into the impressions as I went along. I think it turned out very good for my second scrimshaw. I am still working up more designs on some of these bone pieces and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my tagua nuts, so I can have a bigger work space! (even a one inch piece would be heaven compared to this 1/2" one! LOL)

A little scrimshaw....

2008-11-24T13:38:00.003-06:00

I've still been playing with some vintage finds in my studio. This first piece is one I'm very excited about! This is a piece of ivory colored bone...it is a flat necklace bead in a unique shape, and I have several of them off of a vintage necklace. I decided to try a little scrimshaw work (something I've always wanted to do!). Using a needle, and by making several stippling marks with the needle, I fashioned a falling heart design on the material. Then I filled in this impressions with both red and black paint. This took several times....several dots, several applications of paint...to get the design to take shape. This is my result:

It framed up nicely with the silver solder. I'm very excited about this, because I've been wanting to somehow integrate my own art onto the pieces of jewelry I'm making with the sculpted solder frames. Of course, most scrimshaw is usually done on ivory - and these pieces may be ivory, but I'm not sure, so I'm just calling them bone. I've also ordered some tagua nut slices to try this technique on. They are larger than these, which are long and skinny, and have a very small workspace. I can't wait until they get here! In the meantime, I'll keep working with these bone pieces and see what other designs I can create, based on their odd shape.

I also finished some other pendants this weekend using neat vintage things I found in my studio.

The pendant shown above has a large, unpolished turquoise nugget stone. I added a bone bead at the bottom, which has chips of turquoise and coral embedded in the bone. Then I accented that with red jade beads. It's a very chunky, natural looking piece of jewelry.

Next is a red floral cinnabar bead. I added a freshwater pearl at the bottom to make it a bit more flirty. :)

Here's something for the dragon lovers....a green cinnabar carved bead with a dragon motif. I've been hanging onto this bead for over 10 years!

And finally, a carved bone face bead. The design is rather primitive and very cool looking. :)

It's an "Other" Day

2008-11-20T19:12:00.002-06:00

There's nothing I enjoy more than digging through vintage parts, pieces, and components, and looking for something I can use to reconfigure into new jewelry. That's what I spent my day doing today. This first pendant features a rare vintage mosaic of a lion, with mother of pearl eyes. I'm not sure what the material is...it feels like plastic to me, but the top is actually layered on top of black. It's very lightweight. I was really worried about soldering it, because I thought heat+plastic=mess! However, this took it very well...so I believe it's different than "regular" plastic. It turned out beautiful! The lion used to be an earring and the earring back was long gone, leaving a mark where it had been glued on. I couldn't let this beautiful lion go to waste...and now he has a new life. :)

The second piece I made has a large oval emerald green faceted glass vintage stone. I believe this was out of a bracelet original. I bet it was one fabulous bracelet too, because this stone is large and gorgeous! Definitely an elegant and glitzy showstopper.

The next pendant features a stone I've had for over 10 years. It's a vintage triangular-shaped harlequin glass opal. I love this stone...and I was waiting for just the right moment to give it new life. Today was the day for this one too!

The pendant below features a vintage piece of abalone shell in an abstract shape. It has a very unique look, and I love the way it turned out!

And finally, I had to create a pendant using this black cat porcelain cabochon. It looks a lot like my own black cat, Pistol, especially since it has green eyes like his.

All of these jewels and more are available on the NEW http://www.JaiArt.Com website.

Turquois nugget pendant, amethyst pendant, & another hummingbird design

2008-11-20T05:33:00.004-06:00

I finished a few more pendants yesterday. The first shown here is a turquoise nugget pendant. Both this one and the amethyst pendant are smaller stones. Rather than place the pendant bail on the back top edge, I put a ring on top and hooked that to the bails, creating a dangling pendant with a little movement.

I think this works better for the smaller stones, as the bail can overwhelm the pendant when the stone is small. This will also be a good way to do smaller stones for earrings. I don't make a lot of earrings - or smaller stones for that matter - because they're actually harder to do and take more time than the larger ones. Yet because they're smaller, people expect them to be priced lower. With earrings, it seems folks want those even lower prices...however...I *do* have to make *two* which = double the work involved for a pair of earrings. :)

This Hummingbird is interesting...it's poised over purple iris flowers and the finish on this cameo is matte finish, which is different than my other cameos. This is a rare cameo from West Germany.

Scarlet Macaw Pendant, Olive Jade Pendant, & Pink Jasper Pendant

2008-11-18T19:05:00.003-06:00

Here's three more pendants, fresh from the studio! The first is a Scarlet Macaw parrot pendant. I love these birds...they are full of all of the colors of the rainbow, and are such fun pets! The Macaw is depicted here on porcelain china, and framed in silver solder, for a unique, one of a kind pendant.

This second pendant features pink jasper, with gray inclusions that look like a landscape scene. There's a slight glare on the photo, but when you look closely, it's almost as if you're standing on a hill and can see a mountain, trees, and pathway through them all. That neat little "swirl" of solder at the top happened completely accidentally...and I liked it, so I left it alone, as it looks like the face of a bird coming over the top of the stone.

This third piece is a light olive jade stone, with cream colored inclusions. My daughter said she can see a face in it. I think she was talking human face. Yet I see a fish shaped face in the ivory inclusion...do you see it? :)

These are all available at http://www.jaiart.com. InJoy, Jai

Jasper: The Gemstone: Its power, qualities, traits, history and colors

2008-11-18T11:42:00.009-06:00

Red Jasper

Lately in my jewelry making, I’ve found myself particularly drawn to a variety of colorful jasper stones. Maybe it’s because they’re readily available here where I live. But more so, I think I am drawn to the interesting patterns in the stones.

Since I love to learn new things, I decided to do a little research on these stones, which I really didn’t know too much about.

Autumn Jasper

I gathered a lot of information about Jasper. One of the things which jumped out at me – and may explain why I’m suddenly drawn to these stones – is the information that Jasper is used to help bring about CHANGE.

Now I don’t know about you – you might be completely satisfied with your life and everything in it and think no changes need to be made. But for me, change is something I’m ready for now. I won’t even get into the entire list of what needs to “change” in my life – let’s just say it’s a lot. I’d like to also see some changes in our world, in others, in the way people behave and act and treat others. I’d like to see certain changes in the lives of my children, my friends, my family, even my church!

So maybe…just maybe…by making and wearing jewelry with Jasper as the focal stone, changes might subtly happen. And if others purchase and wear my jewelry featuring a Jasper stone, changes may begin to happen for them as well.

Another thing I’ve learned about Jasper is that it’s a slow working stone, therefore it’s considerably more effective when worn for a long period of time. This does nothing for my patience factor, which generally runs more toward being impatient. It makes sense though, because the down-to-earth stone is known to be a methodical and meticulous worker of practical solutions. It is a stone that fosters and nurtures, and its energy is suitable for keeping one grounded. It is a stone that balances energy, making it stabilize and helping to heal things – a process which usually doesn’t happen overnight.

Sesame Jasper

Jasper is a stone of power and protection. Because it works slowly, Jasper provides constant, slow, and deliberate energy, which is especially attractive in times of needed change, yet without the chaos a total upheaval would cause. These days when it seems everything is moving along at such unbearably fast paces, it’s refreshing to know there’s a stone out there which can slow things down for you – just by wearing it. Because of its powerful grounding properties, the stone is an excellent choice to have against your skin when you’re under stress.

Once considered a warrior stone, Jasper fosters courage. It’s a fabulous for working with shy or timid people, as Jasper gives a person the strength to speak out and become independent. It prepares its wearer for any conflict - either physical or emotional.

And all Jasper stones have protective energy – it’s stone that will protect you from others, as well as protect you from yourself, keep you from making mistakes. It will keep you on the right track. Anyone facing issues of choice between two opposite forces (good and evil) can benefit from wearing this stone, as it will lead you in the right direction.

After this incredible gemstone brings about changes, brings you power, and serves you with protection and courage, it then reminds us we are not here only for ourselves, but to also bring joy and guidance to others. It’s a stone that teaches us how to nurture. In fact, the stone is capable of so much, it seems its power is never-ending. That speaks of loyalty to me…which is yet another quality the stone brings about in the lives of those who wear it regularly. Not only is the stone solid, constantly working for you, and loyal in its efforts, it also brings out those qualities in those who share its space.

So where did it come from? How long has this wonderful stone been around? There’s lots of answers to this – I’ve seen a variety of historical references. But there’s one in particular which resonated with me and that’s because the image created here is synonymous with extreme beauty.

Referenced in the New Testament, Jasper is listed as one of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. I’ll quote from the New International Version of the Bible:

Revelation 4:2-4

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

Revelation 21:10-12

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 21: 18-20

18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

Notice the reference to Jasper being as clear as crystal – Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of quartz. Because the stone contains up to 20% foreign material, the color and appearance of the stone is rarely uniform and doesn’t have the appearance of a “crystal quartz” stone, although I often see clear crystal-like inclusions in different varieties of the stone. Jasper is usually multicolored, striped, and/or spotted. In other words, it has variety – just like us!

Also notice in Revelation 21:19 how it mentions the first foundation of the city walls – JASPER. It is a solid, strong, protective stone…certainly capable of being a good foundational stone to the city walls.

I don’t know about you, but the more I learn about this stone, the more I like it. The qualities it possesses are things I desire in my life. And I haven’t even begun to speak of the multitude of colors this stone can boast! Jasper is an incredibly versatile and beautiful stone. It is found in all colors including: red, brown, pink, yellow, green, grey/white and shades of blue and purple.

Picture Jasper

The organic material and mineral oxides it contains give the stones interesting patterns, bands and colors. Many of these patterns resemble landscapes with mountains and valleys, often referred to as “picture jasper” (above).

One of my favorite jasper stones is called “Fancy Jasper” (below). This jasper varies in color from forest green to burgundy and gold and is useful for general healing and well-being. Fancy jasper brings a lightness to situations, enabling one to lighten up and enjoy life a little more, despite whatever crisis might be occurring elsewhere.

Fancy Jasper

While Jasper stones all have the same underlying qualities, each color of Jasper has additional, specific traits when used alone. You can learn more about specific colors, and how they affect your life, in my free online ebook, Healing With Color.

Medically, Jasper stones have been known to help heal and cure disease, as well as help protect against pain. This is a fact I find very interesting. Especially since I have planter fasciitis in my right heel, and have been suffering with it for almost 6 months. Since I’ve been working frequently with the Jasper stones over the past 30 days, and I’ve been wearing them myself, I’ve noticed an extreme reduction in the amount of pain I’m feeling in that heel! I haven’t changed anything else…I haven’t received treatment for it, I haven’t lost any weight in the last 30 days nor done anything different physically. The only thing which I’ve done different is make more jewelry, and make it with Jasper as a centerpiece. Take that information for what you will – I’m not going to question it, as I’d rather live pain-free.

And here’s one more interesting tidbit about Jasper gemstones - they can help restore a lost sense of smell. So if you once again long to be able to experience a whiff of coffee brewing in the morning, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, a Thanksgiving Day turkey, or the smell of pine from the Christmas tree, get yourself a Jasper pendant and wear it every day. You just might wake up one day and find something you dearly missed has returned again to bless your life.

New website design

2008-11-17T17:07:00.001-06:00

Please stop by and check out the new website design at http://www.jaiart.com! I've been working really hard on it the past 2 days.

Also, everything in my "old" shop here:
http://www.shoppalstores.com/jewelsculptures/
(which is where jaiart used to forward to) is going to be going away. And I don't have room on my regular site (where jaiart forwards to now) to put all of this inventory. So .... all that being said, if you see something at the above link you would like, now's the time to get it! If you'd like to make me an offer on something, feel free...I'll be happy to consider any offers.

NEW! Porcelain Pendants: Dogs, Cats, Birds

2008-11-16T08:44:00.003-06:00

I received a great stash of porcelain china cameos in this week, so I spent my day yesterday working with them. I made the following pendants: African Grey Parrot, Chocolate Lab, Irish Setter, German Shepherd, Siamese Cat, and a fantasy design of a woman holding two Macaws on her arm.

New gemstone pendants & porcelain china art pendants too!

2008-11-13T20:19:00.005-06:00

First I got on a green kick...this first pendant is Magnetite and Yellow Turquoise...it reminds me of being deep in a forest.

This next one is a Tree Agate stone, with beautiful pine green mixed with snow white, like a pine tree in winter...very refreshing!

This third green pendant is Russian Jade...very lacey...with a more olive green coloring.

And then I needed a little contrast, so I framed up this red Jasper stone. It's VERY striking.

This is a fancy Jasper oval stone with deep lavender, light gray, and a dash of blood red.

And this one I can't even pronounce... Dumortierite, also called "blue denim stone"...definitely versatile and will go with anything from blue jeans to a nice suit.

This next blue stone is lapis blue dyed jasper. Another very striking pendant!

Now we get to the art pendants...I LOVE these porcelain art cabochons...they are just like fine china (but I don't have to cut and sand these myself!). The first one features a blue hummingbird with a red throat, among gorgeous pink and white flowers.

And the final pendant...a white tiger (with blue eyes!) - He just looks so ROYAL...I love him!

A Trio of New Pendants

2008-11-10T21:17:00.002-06:00

Actually it was a quadruple of new pendants...however this first one sold before I could ever get it up online...

Turquoise teadrop pendant - above.

Chow Chow porcelain pendant - below.

Rich Autumn Jasper....

...and powerful Amethyst (another teadrop).

New DOUBLE pendants...earrings...

2008-11-08T19:17:00.003-06:00

Are you getting tired of seeing my river rock pendants? I'm not. I can't explain it...you just have to see it in person and FEEL IT...but these pendants are so neat. It's like the naturalness of the stones meet the slickness of a sparkling city night. It's hard to explain...it's a FEELING these pendants have. They keep you GROUNDED. They can be worn with anything from sweats to dresses. Just so versatile... :) Today I got explorative and completed a double river rock pendant design. It was tricky, but I finally got it to work! Check it out:

And I love this next pendant...it's dalmation jasper with a turquoise blue/green hue, mixed with inclusions of white and black. VERY SHARP. It framed up beautifully in the solder.

Now these next two were a real challenge. First, the earrings. It's very hard for me to make earrings...to get them identical. Most often, I give up and just let them look different. But that's what's fun about this...the striving...the challenge to get it just PERFECT. Yet, we as humans, are NOT perfect and the jewelry I make reflects that. I think that's one of the beautiful things about handmade jewelry...it's REAL.

This part was the challenge. I got inspired by the river rock pendant...the double stone design worked well, so I thought I'd try it with these yellow jasper teardrops. Oh man, was this one difficult! But you know what's interesting about working with solder? You cannot control it (or at least *I* can't and don't want to, really)...so it forms its own shape and style. This piece mysteriously formed itself into looking just like a pair of acorns I picked up off the carport yesterday. Once I saw that, I knew the design was done. My subconscious had spoken with imagery, and the solder listened. :)

Hope you like these! I picked up some more gemstones today...so I'll have new ones coming all week long, as well as some porcelain art cabochons I've been holding off on revealing...'cuz they are just soooooooo beautiful and I don't want to let them go!

Injoy,
Jai

New Pendants...Gemstones...Lion...Hummingbird Earrings too!

2008-11-06T21:08:00.002-06:00

Fresh from the studio! First shown here is a pair of peace stone jasper earrings, each featuring a hummingbird silhouette created with silver solder. Freshwater pearls provide a nice accent.

Here's another favorite piece of art jewelry - this pendant features a porcelain china cabochon set in a soldered frame. I love these porcelain art cabs - they turn out beautiful when finished!

This is a really cool gemstone - actually it's filled with WARM colors of a deep terra cotta red and a golden yellow. The marquis shaped stone is Brazilian Agate and is 30 carats!

And one of my all-time favorites - dyed turquoise jasper...in the oval shape. This one has a deep sage green with a little turquoise, purple and light blue. A nice oceanic mix. :)

It's Election Day...and here's my new jewels for the week so far

2008-11-04T11:13:00.003-06:00

It's election day here in the USA. I hope whoever wins will focus on the American people, and focus on promoting the talents and products created by us HERE in the USA and stop the focus on all of the imported, cheap, low quality stuff. Sorry, but as an independent artisan and jewelry designer for the past 10 years, I have watched people pass up the work of real, live, US working artisans and instead hop into the discount stores and buy cheap, imported, mass produced items.

When that happens, the people in the US who are working their butts off to create, market, and sell their products are overlooked, and fall into dire straits. I, for one, never thought I'd end up having to be on food stamps. It was incomprehensible to me that could happen - after all, I have a college degree, am intelligent enough to run an online business for over 10 years, and work 12-16 hours a day. It just doesn't make sense that I would not be able to earn enough money from all that I do each week to put food on our table. However, I have watched people come in the local art gallery here (now out of business) where paintings and other beautiful artistic work was on display and for sale at VERY reasonable prices. Then I would watch those same people walk out without making a purchase of say...a $200 painting that they expressed a like for while they were there. Instead, they'd go into a local "decor" store that has prints/reproductions that cost as much or MORE in many cases, and they'd walk out with one of those. Thank you....you have just chosen to support imported crap mass produced by machines or people who are way underpaid in adverse working conditions. You may have just advanced slave labor. And then you look shocked when the local artist down the street is on food stamps and having her utilities cut off.

So I hope whoever wins this critical election will do something - ANYTHING - to help those who are here in the USA working and trying everything they can to make it in this country. Now don't get me wrong - I know there are those who don't try and who just sit on their butts. I'm not one of them though, and I honestly think this and this and this and this and this and this and this deserves something for my efforts.

So - that probably unpopular opinion now put aside...let's get one with the new jewels I've created in the past few days! All of these can be purchased here, if you're interested. And just think how cool it will be to be wearing a pendant different from the lady sitting across from you at work or church or dinner...since each IS a one of a kind creation. :)

The first pendant here is a Peace Stone Jasper oblong shaped pendant. It has a nice, soft, pleasing sage green color, with soft white and darker inclusions in the stone. The bezel frame is silver colored solder, and was created using my original freeform solder art technique. (By the way, just in case you're wondering, the solder I use is 100% environmentally safe, is made right here in the USA and all of my stones and art cabochons I use are also from the USA.)

This next stone is called a Sun Rock Jasper. It's a cool rectangular shape, and has deep brick red, khaki and black swirls of color.

This is a fancy jasper cabochon with again, deep brick red, purple, and a deep sage green mixture of color in a large oval shape.

And my final piece for the day...a pair of lovely parrots for my bird lover customers! We have a blue and gold Macaw and a Scarlet Macaw on this porcelain china cabochon.

CUSTOM River Rock Solder Art Pendants

2008-11-02T08:48:00.003-06:00

I now am offering CUSTOM river rock pendants. Each rock is labeled with a number & a letter. Choose the rock which resonates with you and I will turn your selection into a one of a kind pendant just for you! Pendants are created as soon as I receive cleared payment - put the number/letter of your rock selection in the notes section of your payment. It will take 2 business days to make your pendant, and then it will be shipped to you FREE.

Your river rock is set in hand soldered artistic frame with a silverplated bail. The pendant will make a beautiful, natural addition to your jewelry collection. Your pendant size will be just slightly larger than the size of the rock you choose from the above photo, and it ready to slip onto a favorite silver chain, jewelry wire, ribbon or cord. I also offer a 17" steel cable neckwire in my other listings.

Wearing a river rock pendant brings a piece of the earth’s organic history to the present day in a new and beautiful way. These neutral colored, natural stones are shaped by acts of nature and worldly circumstances. The rock’s rounded shape comes from years of tumbling in rivers and oceans. The hues and shades of color presented are indicative of the artistry of the ages, as it forms a kaleidoscope of nature’s pallet within itself. Each freeform stone is hand selected for color, size and feel and framed artistically with solder to create a unique look - no two are ever the same.

The rock pendant is a subtle reminder that the Lord is My Rock. Psalm 18:2 reads: The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. When you look in the mirror and see your pendant, you are gently reminded that you don’t have to handle things alone. You have a partner in this world - a friend who will never leave you. When you feel fearful, you can clutch your rock with your fingers, and know that you are safe, for He is a shield for you. You feel the strength of the stone in the cool metal as it rests against you, and you are reminded that His strength is always with you. With Him and His presence in your life, you can handle anything which comes your way, and you will always have a place of refuge.

~Click HERE to order your custom river rock pendant~

I have also added a steel cable neck wire to my inventory...this wire is perfect for wearing with your river rock and other solder art pendants I make, and it's interchangeable with them all! Click here to order your cable wire necklace.

German Shepherd, Ruby in Fuchsite & River Rock Pendants

2008-10-31T07:52:00.002-05:00

Here's a few new gems....fresh from the studio:

Terra Cotta River Rock in hand-soldered frame

Gorgeous Ruby in Fuchsite designer cut gemstone (40 carats!) from India

And one of my faves...a German Shepherd portrait on porcelain

A Jewelry Show Featuring One of a Kind Designs...

2008-10-30T12:57:00.003-05:00

My work below will be featured in an online jewelry show this Sunday. Information about the show and times is listed below...hope you'll stop by!

I’ve discovered the beauty of solder. The way the heat makes it flow into glorious patterns and shapes reminds me of life...the way it rises...the way it falls...the way it levels. The centerpieces I choose are each encased in a heavily soldered frame, created by solely by me and gravity, making each one truly a one of a kind creation.

Although I'm setting several different types of material in my solder art pendants (broken china, gemstones, porcelain cabochons), I'm particularly drawn to the river rocks I've been using as centerpieces recently. I've always had an affinity for rocks and stones of any type. I've been collecting them since I was a child. These neutral colored, natural stones are shaped by acts of nature and worldly circumstances...which I happen to feel a "closeness" with, as I, too, have been shaped by my worldly circumstances. The rock’s rounded shape comes from years of tumbling in rivers and oceans. Who I am comes from years of tumbling through life. There's a likeness there - between myself and the stones. I have found others feel the same way, and although it might be subconscious, they also see the similarity between themselves and the pendants they choose to purchase. It's as if they feel a kinship with a particular stone when they see "the one".

River Rocks, while natural, are also very colorful. The hues and shades of color presented are indicative of the artistry of the ages, as it forms a kaleidoscope of nature’s pallet within itself. Each freeform stone is hand selected for color, size and feel, then framed artistically with solder to create a unique look - no two are ever the same.

I am thoroughly enjoying my new journey into this realm of solder work, experimenting, designing, and trying to control something that doesn’t want to be controlled. Sorta like LIFE, you know?
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Show Information:

Location:		www.nowlive.com/showid/63074
Notes:		Date: Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 Time: 12pm PST, 2pm CST, 3pm EST or 9pm if you're in Europe Event: The JoolTime Yahoo Jewelry Making Group will be featuring a jewelry show of one of a kind designs! Information will be provided on each piece by the designer and it will be a really fun occasion full of color, dimension, and texture! Please join us in the broadcast room on November 2nd for this wonderful display of talent! To interact with the broadcast room via real time text messaging, webcams, and mics you will need a user id available at www.nowlive.com/support. To simply watch and listen, no user id is required.

Solder Art Jewelry: River Rocks

2008-10-29T10:44:00.002-05:00

Neutral colored, natural river rock stones are shaped by acts of nature and worldly circumstances....gee...sounds sort of like us, doesn't it? I've completed these four pendants so far.

Solder Art Jewelry

2008-10-23T04:47:00.004-05:00

I’ve discovered the beauty of solder. The way the heat makes it flow into glorious patterns and shapes reminds me of life...the way it rises...the way it falls...the way it levels. Here's a few pendants I've made so far. The first three are broken china pendants. The second two are gemstone pendants.

This all began because I'm selling some china on Ebay. I came across a piece with a crack - I didn't want to sell it because of the damage, so I went looking for something else I could do with it. And alas, I found one could turn it into beautiful jewelry!
Working with the solder is quite interesting. I've seen other soldered-edge jewelry...some with plain edges...some with beading. Very *uniform*. I guess I'm not experienced enough with solder yet...but "uniform" is not even in my soldering vocabulary. So I decided to stop trying to control it, and just let it go where it wanted to go.

It's almost like a hot knife on cake icing...as you're putting icing on the cake, the hot knife melts it so fast, although it might go where you want it to, it won't hold a shape. So you add a little more...and a little more...and soon you have something that looks like a wavy, chunky mess, with peaks and valleys and swirls and curls - but not uniform.

The good thing about the wavy non-uniform application is this - it looks FABULOUS as jewelry. It kind of reminds me of the gold nugget jewelry I used to love so much when I was a kid...only this is silver color. Each time I inspect a piece, I see a new pattern or shape in the self-made silver frame. The most exciting thing is that each one is different....unique in its own right. And that is something I definitely find appealing, as I've never been one to enjoy churning out jewelry that all looks the same. After all...*we* are each unique individuals - shouldn't our jewelry be the same?

IRISH BUTTERFLY Olive Jade Brass Filigree Necklace

2008-09-01T19:34:00.004-05:00

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond. ~Irish Blessing

Here's the necklace I created on my day off today. I call this the Irish Butterfly necklace. I had this pretty olive jade round bead and I was dying to do something creative with it! I didn't have any plans to create a butterfly...it just turned out looking like one. :) I've been listing to this song "I am Free" the past couple of days, and to me, a butterfly is a symbol of freedom. So I'm not surprised this developed, as that's what was on my mind while I spent time in the studio today.

InJoy,
Jai

Want to try to make your own? You can pick up supplies on Ebay. You'll need an olive jade bead, some filigree, a freshwater pearl, and some brass chain to hang it from. Of course, you can always buy this one...but if you're feeling creative, you might want to try to make your own.

Earthy TURQUOISE JASPER Brass Filigree Necklace Set

2008-08-30T16:14:00.017-05:00

Timeless elegance abounds through earthy dyed turquoise jasper beads and a large faceted matching jasper gemstone pendant, featuring subtle hues of lavender, creamy blue and sage green topped with intricate, dark brass filigree to enhance the colors even more. Hand-chained links also feature brass corrugated accent beads. Dangling pierced earrings complete the set. Purchase, see additional photos & get more details here.

Here's a selection of filigree, brass findings, and turquoise jasper on Ebay if you want to try your own design:

How about some new jewelry?

2008-08-26T14:34:00.003-05:00

I've been playing in the studio again...hope you like these jewels. Both are on Ebay this week. The first is a soft lilac Lepidolite necklace & earring set.

Go here to bid on this set.

The second photo depicts a playful, sparkly & sexy pair of earrings, featuring rare Czech rhinestone buttons & double linked delicate brass vintage chain.

Go here to bid on these original earrings.

Check out Allyson's new card designs...

2008-08-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

Posted today: http://365daysonsouthdixielane.blogspot.com/

Send a Sentiment...

2008-08-08T14:11:00.001-05:00

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she pulled the mail out of the box and tucked it under her arm. She reached deep into her purse, feeling for her keys. She knew exactly where she'd go when she got inside, and what she'd do when she opened the bedroom safe. This was the last day she'd ever have to feel the pain again. The husband who was so cruel, the friends who acted like she didn't exist, the boss who didn't appreciate her efforts, the parents who were too busy and the brother who hadn't spoken to her in years...they would all disappear in that final moment. And the pain would subside - finally.

She fumbled for the house key as tears filled her eyes again. The mail slipped from under her arm and tumbled to the floor, scattering across the porch. She uttered a curse under her breath as she stooped to gather today's bills off of the cold, gray concrete. A large white envelope gleamed in the midst of long, skinny ones with windows. Blue ink leapt off the paper, setting this piece of mail far apart from the computer printed statements. She picked up the envelope and stepped over to the glider. Easing onto the cushion, she stared at it, debating on whether to open what appeared to be a card, with her name, handwritten.

She wedged her house key under the edge of the envelope seam and gently slid it across the top. Carefully, she removed the card from the confines of the bright, white paper. "We all have those days when we want to throw up our hands and give up, but we don't. We get up, we dust ourselves off, and we keep going...because we know someone out there believes in us and our abilities. I Believe In You. Keep Going! You Can Do It!" It was signed by a long-time coworker.

Her heart swelled, along with more tears in her eyes, and suddenly she felt the weight she'd carried on her shoulders for so long begin to lift. Someone cared!

A tear trickled down her cheek. She sniffled, then took a deep breath before standing. Slowly, she inserted her key into the door lock and walked inside, leaving the rest of the mail on the porch floor. But the card - the precious card this person had taken the time to select, to sign, to handwrite, and to mail - went with her, into the kitchen, through the living room, and back to the bedroom. She tossed her purse onto a chair, and she leaned over the bed, opened the card, and read it again. Someone cared.

A moment later, she stood in front of the open closet door. When she reached for a hanger for her jacket, her gaze landed on the dark metal safe back in the corner. She paused for a moment, then grabbed an old robe off its hanger. Folding it carefully, she leaned inside and draped the thick material over the safe. As she stepped back and pulled the closet door shut, she whispered, "Someone cares."

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A few dollars, plus a few minutes of your time, can make a huge difference in someone's life! An inspirational note, an encouraging word, a bit of humor to create a smile, or just a simple card to say hello can touch someone more than you'll ever know. Take the time, invest a little, and show you care. Send a sentiment today. ~ JaiCards.Com

My 365 Blog...

2008-07-26T18:04:00.002-05:00

If you're not watching my 365 Blog, you're missing a lot of creativity! Go check it out! --Jai

A name plate for my husband

2008-07-20T06:06:00.002-05:00

I bought this wood plaque last week to make a name plate for my husband to put in his office. I finished it yesterday. While I'm pleased with how it turned out, I probably won't try to do a human in this small of an area again...it was very difficult to get his features right! Animals, birds, flowers...yeah, I can handle those! But doing the human face in 2 1/2" was pretty difficult!

I picked up some smaller wood pieces in round, oval and teardrop shapes last week to burn some pendants. I haven't completed any yet, but probably will try to do a couple this week on my days off work. I also picked up some 16x20" pieces of cream colored mat board to attempt a few larger fire paintings.

I've been updating my photo blog daily and I'm having a ball taking pictures. All of my photos are available in my shop as prints and greeting cards, and I also have a section on my website now to sell the images for royalty-free stock photo use. Hope you'll stop by and take a look at my 365 photo project, and visit the links to others who are doing this same project along with me.

InJoy,
Jai

Roses are red...or are they?

2008-07-16T06:45:00.003-05:00

Well Blogger wouldn't let me upload a photo this morning, so I've grabbed the link from my website. This is my latest fire painting....a single rose. See the detailed photo on this page of my site.

Also check out my custom digital pet portraits I'm now offering and the sample one on the page. I just finished that commission piece yesterday. The owner was THRILLED! The owner's comments:

OH MY GOD!

WE LOVE IT!

CHEWY LOVES IT!

It's so life-like - it looks like he's going to come out of the

screen, and you got the subtle red highlights in his hair, and his

little grey whiskers - I just LOVE it!!!!

:)

InJoy,
Jai

A photography project

2008-07-13T19:43:00.002-05:00

An online friend started a project to take 365 days of photos in the area she lives in. Myself and several others are jumping on the bandwagon and joining in on the project. I've set up this project on a different blog here: http://365daysonsouthdixielane.blogspot.com/

Hope you'll bookmark it and see what neat things we can find to photograph in - literally - our little corner of the world!

InJoy,
Jai

P.S. If you set up a 365 days photo project for your space in the world, send me the link here and I'll add it to my link list! Put "365 project" in the subject line to make sure I don't miss your email!

New art for Halloween - BOO! A hamster scares the family cat

2008-07-12T14:39:00.002-05:00

Perfect for HALLOWEEN...a hamster wearing a witch hat jumps out and scares the family cat in this original illustration. This one is also completed using pyrography on mat board. See all of my fire paintings here.

InJoy,
Jai

Marketing Miracle Phrases now available in EBOOK form

2008-07-12T08:17:00.004-05:00

The revised edition of my book Marketing Miracle Phrases is now available in EBOOK form as well as print format. Please visit my storefront at Lulu.com to preview and purchase either version. Also available as ebook downloads are my books Create Miniature Carved Paintings (in polymer clay) and Preparing Your Home For Sale, 159 Tips & Tricks. More titles coming soon!

--Jai

New painting for kitten lovers! Fire painting - pyrography - woodburning

2008-07-11T16:24:00.005-05:00

It's only fitting with the new kittens I have at my house to use the cat/kitten subject as a theme. :)

This is another original "fire painting" (pyrography; woodburning) completed on mat board. This is the larger than the ACEO's I did last week - this one is 9"x11" in size. Also, I added a bit of color to the eyes, nose and mouth using Prismacolor pencils. I think it turned out very well! And my daughter's boyfriend actually said it "hey, that's really cool!"...so I guess I did okay (compliments are RARE coming from him...LOL).

--Jai

Kittens! New inspiration!

2008-07-11T07:31:00.002-05:00

How ironic is it that as I'm working on a fire painting of an adorable kitten, our outdoor female who had babies about 6 weeks ago brings them up to the house finally? Yes, after 6 weeks of about giving up on ever seeing her family, she finally brought them. I walked out onto the carport yesterday to a kitten party! They are scared of me still, but I sat out there really quiet and waited on them to come out from their hiding place. This is a photo of Bootsie's little family.

She took them away last night, but hopefully she'll bring them back again so I can get more photos for inspiration for my art. I just LOVE kittens...they are so cute! Click on the photo to see a larger version.

We have given them names, too. The tiger faced one behind the others is Niko (nee-ko). The white and black one is Oreo. And the blonde/orangy colored one in front is either going to be Rowdy (that one is definitely the most rowdy in play) or Peaches. We haven't decided for sure yet.

--Jai

Jewelry by Jai Johnson

Cross Pendant and Heart Pendant

The Tornado Gems Collection

The "O" Ring Jewelry Tutorial

Sword Pendant Wire Jewelry Tutorial

Woven Peapod Wire Jewelry Tutorial

Peruvian Weave Encased Stone Pendant Tutorial

My Bathroom Smells Great....thanks to a 15 year old bar of herbal soap

Emerald Branch Earrings

Ribbon Pendant

Please visit my new jewelry blog

And Divine Harmony Earrings to match the pendant

Divine Harmony ~ Luscious Cherry Quartz Pendant

RISEN ~ Citrine and Pearls Cross Pendant

New Jewels: Copper Necklace/Earrings & Silver Woven Cross Pendant

New jewels: Copper Necklace & Earrings w/ Turquoise and Garnet

Please visit my 365 Blog

Designer Spotlight Feature

WYNDQUEST Lemon Ice Quartz Amethyst and Pearls

MERMAID'S ROSE GARDEN Turquoise Garnet Moonstone and Pearls Necklace

Revelation Heart Pendant makes Semi-Finals at JewelryLessons.Com

KISS Amethyst Moonstone Ruby and Pearls Set

Red Eyed Tree Frog Figural Brooch

Dragonfly Brooch with Garnet, Citrine and Pearls

From past to present...a look back...and what's in the future

Indulge...earrings...blue topaz, aqua, pearls

What to do with a vintage aquamarine finding I've been saving for 4+ years???

Win This Carved Ivory Heart Necklace with Rose Quartz and Cranberry Pearls!

Michelle Obama...her colors...her jewels

Simply Spring

A Valentines Day Surprise...

Video Slideshow of my jewelry

PROFUSION Yellow Quartz Iolite and Aquamarine Collar Necklace

"A" is for....

Allyson is BLINGIN' IT OUT this week!

Fevere Heart Pendant

Sinuosity necklace

Two hearts...two different kinds of love...

Delicious LEMON MENTHE Gemstone Cluster Earrings

Gorgeous bangle bracelets by Allyson!

Revelation Gemstone Heart Pendant

The Winter Berry Cuff Bracelet

Winter Berry Suite of Jewels

A little heat for a cold day....

The world needs more loving energy...

Ta da! The 2008 JAI Christmas Tree Pendant is complete!

Amethyst & Red Jade Ring...Teal Blue Chandelier Earrings

Time froze. His breath caught in his throat, and he held it there...

A lovely award...

Scrimshaw in progress #6: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

Scrimshaw in progress #5: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

Scrimshaw in progress #4: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

Scrimshaw in progress #3: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

Scrimshaw in progress #2: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

Scrimshaw in progress #1: Hamster Portrait on Tagua Nut

A little Christmas Glitz and more...plus cotton ball silencers!

Some new jewels...fresh...hot from the studio!

The Faces of Kittens Bracelet in polymer clay

More fun feathers...and some exciting hoops as well!

The *most unique* Christmas Tree Pendant you'll ever see...

A 12 Year Collection...

This ring sooooooooo needs a good home...

Beautiful Aquamarine Blue Glass Ring.

100 Up!

I'm in a blue mood today...

Tropical Aves & Flora...the Rebirth of a Polymer Clay museum quality necklace

Light as a feather...

It's been a peacock kind of day...and a Schnauzer one too!

Uh oh...I've made a ring....

Pretty as a peacock...elegant as a black cat....patterned by nature

December 2008 JaiArt.Com Newsletter

More scrimshaw...a Scarlet Macaw parrot pendant

A little scrimshaw....

It's an "Other" Day

Turquois nugget pendant, amethyst pendant, & another hummingbird design

Scarlet Macaw Pendant, Olive Jade Pendant, & Pink Jasper Pendant

Jasper: The Gemstone: Its power, qualities, traits, history and colors

New website design

NEW! Porcelain Pendants: Dogs, Cats, Birds

New gemstone pendants & porcelain china art pendants too!

The most unique Christmas Tree Pendant you'll ever see...