Folksy Friday - Roses

Today's Folksy Friday is all about roses. I have just found some pretty pink ones that have cropped up from no where in my garden so thought I would look for more from the clever people on Folksy.

Mini Rose Stained Glass Window

from Diomo Glass

White Rose Print

by Passionate About Photography

Handmade Soap Rose and Rose Petals

by Bubbles and Bliss

Gothic Rose

by Ahh...Fleurs de Perles

Shabby Rose Mannequin with Cast Iron Stand

by I Love Vintage

Rose Bracelet

by BeaDelicious

The First Day of Summer!

Finally, the first day of summer! It's a busy time of year especially at Cluny Grey. As I sit and make jewelry, I can't help but think how each piece will look with a sundress or tanned skin or a halter-top. Although jewelry really isn't "summer" or "winter" the way clothes are, certain materials, such as coral, lend themselves to a summery, even beachy feeling. For example, the top bracelet, above, is made with the new Swarovski colour (which I love) called cyclamen opal, but it evokes the beach with the swirling wave-like pattern of its lampwork beads. The next bracelet, made of rainbow moonstone and triangular-shaped freshwater pearls seems perfect for a white or patterned sundress. And, of course, the bracelet below, made of blue coral, would make anyone think of the beach because of its ocean-themed beads and charms: shells, dolphins, starfish.The two last bracelets feature cloisonne. The Swarovski bracelet with its sea-blue crystals (Capri blue) has cloisonne eggs with silver trim instead of the usual gold. The bottom bracelet has just one cloisonne bead, but it is gorgeous and looks terrific with Swarovski crystals in Pacific opal - all the elements of this bracelet are 14k GF.

Enjoy these summer days, and don't forget our FREE SHIPPING!!!!!

See Through Spirals

Some of you may remember seeing my Silver Spirals post about a new range I am developing, well this is another part of the collection. Made from clear plastic with hints of colour these are really cute little earrings.

The latest addition to this collection will be revealed soon.

Chloe

xx

Fashion Colorworks 2010. Final !!!

Fashion Colorworks 2010 Beading Contest is coming to the end! 10 finalists are already juried, and People's Choice Award voting is open! Make you choice, score finalists and help us choose the winner!

All entries are awesome, but strong jurors scored those beadworks best of all. The next stage is starting, when the winners will be determined, including People's Choice Award Winner. Choose your favorite!

     

     

     


Fashion Colorworks 2010 Beading Contest - Finalists

Boudoir Beautiful contest

Boudoir Beautiful contest, you can vote here:
Boudoir Beautiful Contest


If you want to vote for me, go directly here:
Noble Luster Necklace

Thank you! :)))

Summer and the Sea

I've had a short vacation which I thoroughly enjoyed. My family and I went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a few days. The waves were awesome and the weather hot, but agreeable nonetheless. It was a special thrill to see my grand-daughter view the ocean for her first time. The noise of the waves was so loud that I'm sure she felt rather daunted by the sea, but she adored the sandy beach. Outfitted with her bikini, a cover-up, sunscreen, a hat, and the new beach bag I bought her, she used her shovel and pail to play in the sand and spent her time digging holes and examining pieces of shells which she found immensely interesting.
Needless to say, I didn't make jewelry during this vacation. However, I have done a few custom pieces since I've been back and have barely been able to get a couple of pieces of jewelry made. Top, is a mother of pearl bracelet with a cloisonne butterfly accented by gold. And yes, that is orange mother of pearl!
Below is an agate bracelet with yellow calcite and a sharply faceted citrine nugget enhanced with a pretty little artist's lampwork bead covered with flowers.

The salvation bracelet above features black onyx, genuine ruby and sapphire, rock crystal, a genuine emerald, and citrine along with a freshwater pearl cross. This is a smaller scale bracelet than some of the salvation bracelets I make and is perfect for anyone, young or old.
Finally, the coral necklace features large sealife sterling silver beads from the Karen Hill Tribes and sealife charms, a turtle, a sand dollar, a shell. The blue coral is accented with some of my best artist's lampwork beads. The second strand, a sterling silver chain with charms, can be detached from the main part of the necklace and worn alone.

I'm trying a new template; drop me a line and let me know how you like it. I will probably be changing it more soon.
DON'T FORGET OUR FREE SHIPPING!!!!!!

My Friends Bags and Purses

My friend Zoe has been making hand bags and accessories for quite a while now. Each one is handmade and there are no two quite the same.

She tends to use retro gothic style fabrics and then adds finishing touches such as lace, ribbons and handmade buttons.

These are a few of her items which can be seen here and here

Folksy Friday - Oranges and Lemons

This is my first Folksy Friday, all things orange and yellow perfect to get ready for summer (although you wouldnt believe it at the moment!)

                                           

                                           

                                          

1. Four Glass Yellow Flower Coasters by KJ Designs 

2. Orange Flower Hair Grips by Lauras Jewellery

3. Orange Fern Shoulder Bag by Kryshees

4. Yellow Shakespeare Corsage by Nellie and Elsie

5. Yellow Duck Button Earrings by Make a Wish

6. Orange Hand Printed Purse by Sabine Cornic

Fashion Colorworks 2010. Entries

Just about a week to go! It's not late yet, the contest continues, and you can submit your entries for the Fashion Colorworks 2010 Beading Contest. June 15 is the last day. We are looking forward to seeing your amazing beaded objects at the contest!

     

Fashion Colorworks 2010 Beading Contest - Entries

Polished by fire

You never know where you are with new materials! Glass beads are the main media to design beaded jewelry, and the technology for glass beadmaking is among the oldest human arts, dating back 3,000 years. Glass beads have been dated back to at least Roman times. Perhaps the earliest glass-like beads were Egyptian faience beads, a form of clay bead with a self-forming vitreous coating.


Fire polished beads from the Czech Republic are a faceted glass bead. Czech fire polish beads are made in an area called Jablonec nad Nisou. Production of glass beads in the area dates back to the 14th century and this area is well known for the manufacture of high quality glass beads. Czech fire polished beads have become so popular in recent years, primarily because they are the highest quality manufactured faceted bead available. This has helped make them one of the most favored glass beads by jewelry makers and beadworkers alike.


Thinking of summer themes, I decided that I need a light, bright, and not expensive necklace because this season is funny for outdoor activities, summer vacations, and nature scenes; summer is just the lovely season itself; and glass faceted beads seemed to be a good choice. Looking for beads, I stopped by Artbeads.com, that has... mmmmmm... unbelievably rich inventory! Using right angle weave technique, stringing and looping, Czech glass beads and Toho seed beads 11/0, I designed the necklace I like. It took me just a few hours! The only problem is how to photograph the necklace because of sparkling beads. It's not named yet, could you help me please with that?

Disclosure. Being a reviewer of Artbeads.com products and a participant of its blogging program I received Czech firepolished beads free of charge. This post reflects my honest opinion; and Artbeads.com is not compensating me for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Business Decision of the Week

This year I decided that I would try and concentrate my efforts on my jewellery business Zazu Jewellery.
I decided to attend craft events like I did last year but I have to say the majority have been absolutely appalling for numerous reasons.

So, I decided after carrying out a survey that I would use the money I have been spending on events and use it to advertise through Google, get a brochure printed and get some flyers made up to promote my jewellery parties.

I am also re building my website which will include new ranges including Sterling Silver, Wedding rings, jewellery, accessories and favours.

So where will you see Zazu Jewellery this year? We are going to try and attend a market in London once a month, jewellery parties can be carried out in the comfort of your own home and we plan to extend our stockists and galleries around the country.