"Misty Veil"

"Misty Veil" pendant with prasiolite
Originally uploaded by Jewellia

This pendant is part of my new Misty Veil collection of gentle and easy to wear gemstone jewelry. You can check ot the rest in my Etsy shop or on my website, www.jewellia.com!

Also, don't forget to sing up for my new newsletter! You can do it right here, on the left, or go to my website and do it there. You'll get an email confirmation!
The newsletter will start on January, and feature lots of cool things, like gem of the month and jewelry care articles. All the readers will also get exclusive (and rather large) discounts!

My MOO cards!

My MOO cards!
Originally uploaded by Jewellia

Got my new MOO cards in the mail! Look how cute and pretty they are. :) I really like them.

Embroidered necklace - in progress

Embroidered necklace - in progress
Originally uploaded by Jewellia

So this is a bead embroidered necklace I've been working on for quite some time now... The stones are onyx and serpentine. Not sure how to continue from this point, though. Should it be symmetrical or asymmetrical? What do you think?

"Hearts"!

"Hearts" hammered sterling silver ring
Originally uploaded by Jewellia

Wow, that giveaway was fun! I think I'll make it a habit to do a giveaway or some kind of a monthly promotion thing for my site on the beginning of each month. What do you think?

And this ring I custom made for a wife of my collegue. It's very cute, and he told me she loved it!

Giveaway winner!

It's time to announce the winner!
First of all, I want to thank everybody who responded and posted wonderful comments in my guest book on my new site http://www.jewellia.com! I appreciate your feedback and advice!
And the winner is... Elisabeth from Stevensville!
I'll contact you via e-mail for shipping details!

Pearl earrings giveaway!

Pearl earrings
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

All you have to do to win these sterling pearl earrings is to go to my new jewellery website, http://www.jewellia.com/, and leave a comment in my guest book. Please let me know what do you think of my site, and if any changes are needed!
I will randomely select a winner from everybody who posted, and announce the name tomorrow! He or she will get them free, anywhere in the world.

Jewellia website opening!

Tomorrow I will be opening my new website for my jewellery, Jewellia.
To celebrate, I will hold a giveaway for a pair of errings tomorrow, Monday 13 Oct, on this blog! Don't forget to check in!

"Caudalie" bracelet

"Caudalie" bracelet
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

Caudalie is a French term used to define the time that the aftertaste of wine persists in the mouth; generally, the greater the length, the better the wine.
I bougth the clasp a long time ago - it really caugth my eye! I was waiting to do something equally pretty with it, I hope it works...
In this bracelet, garnet rondelles in two subtle shades and cuts on sterling silver headpins compose the length of the bracelet, along with sterling beads and a decorative sterling clasp in the wine theme.

"Warrior Queen"

"Warrior Queen"
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

The shape of this unusual pendant reminded me of a shield, and the overall sense of power of this bold piece made me name it Warrior Queen.

"Flutter" silver pendant

"Flutter" silver pendant
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

The first thing I've made on my new desk. :) Sawn, pierced and polished by hand, sterling silver 925.

Also, I'm finally done watching the BBC miniseries on Geiman's "Neverwhere". I really loved this book, and the film was true to it to the letter, but it was a really low-budget production, and it showed. The music score was horrific, and the cating was dissapointing. I really enjoyed the villains, Crupe and Vandemar (can't remember is the spelling is correct), and the Marquise, even though he wasn't all all like I pictured him. :) Richard and Door were entirely non-descript.
I would recommend it to the book readers, as it's a nice visualisation, but that's it.

"Catherine" necklace

"Catherine" necklace
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

This is a part of my new luxury collection! It features large smokey quartz focal and drop briolettes, green amethyst (prasiolite), citrine, peridot, and spessartite garnet rondells. A decorative sterling toggle clasp completes the design.
This is my take on something really regal (and expensive :)). I like how the colors turned out, very autumn-like.
Also, this will be featured on my new website! Yep, I've finally taken the plunge and started building a website. I hope it will be ready soon, and... I'm planning to host a giveaway to celebrate the opening! So stay tuned. :)

My new workbench!

My new workbench!
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

My new jeweller's desk with some equipment already on it (and beneath it). Acctually, I've had it for two weeks now, but I was too lazy to blog, lol! And, on the other hand, too busy making new stuff on it. Silver is so fun to work with, and this desk makes it a real pleasure. I would really recommend anyone who is serious about metalworking to invest in a proper bench - it makes all the difference.
I also bought all the other stuff you don't see in the picture - steel blocks, punches, pincers, etc. My hubby said the all look like torture devices, and he's afraid to be in the room when I'm working. :)

I've been featured!

Check out WaveCloud's beautiful blog to see a feature article about me (and lots of other great artists in her blog)!

Jewellry exhibition

I went to a jewellery exhibition that was held on 1-3 July in Tel Aviv. Lots of artists and supply vendors, really really nice original works. It's sure something to aspire to! :) Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so there are only crappy cell phone photos to show.

Malachite earrings

Malachite earrings
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

These certainly took me a long time to make and even longer to post! I promise I'll do better next time. :) Anyway, these are sterling silver, all hand forged by me in my class, with malachite cabochons. The detail in the back wasn't y idea, but I think it looks interesting and a lot better than simple solid backing.

Old Jaffa

Old Jaffa - sea view
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

My husband and I went for a little day trip in Jaffa on the Passover holiday week. We went to the old flea market, the sea boardwalk, and the beautiful old city park. It was really nice, though my feet were sore for days after. :)

Well, that was a flop...

My little table at the fair
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

I went to a jewelry fair with my dear husband last week. It was nice, rather well organized, with lots of activities for children. However, it wasn't very good for me... I've sold only one necklace and one pair of earrings during the 6 hours we were there. I felt rather down that day... Oh well. Not sure if I'll do it again...

Just some thoughts

"Serafina" necklace
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

Lately I have been thinking about starting my own little website for my jewelry - something very simple that I can maintain myself, maybe on GoDaddy or something similar. I need it to be low cost and low maintenence (yes, I do ask for a lot. :)). The thing is, I'm not sure I have the time and the energy to put into this kind of project right now, as I'm spread pretty thin between family, school, jewelry making and silversmithing lessons.
Do you think that a personal website is actually worth it? Do you think it would help me reach a wider audience?

On a more upbeat note, this is a new necklace I just made, using the beaded cabochon technique. I bought some Lacy's Stiff Stuff for the backing and Nymo thread - such a joy to work with these materials! Very easy to use and professional quality. This one is already taken, but I plan to make more things with cabochons.

Sterling silver ring with malachite

Sterling silver ring with malachite
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

Sterling silver, malachite. I made this during the course of my last four silversmithing lessons. The soldering took me a long while, this was a stubborn one! The design was etched in acid - a very interesting process.

Dragon skin

Dragon skin
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

When I got the amazing green dragonskin jasper pendant, I knew I had to make something to emphasize the connection to dragons. I wanted to work on it for the longest time, but stalled, since it was so much effort, lol! :)
The necklace is made of black agate and onyx stone beads, interspersed with sterling silver Bali beads. Peridot chips are woven with glass and seed beads to imitate dragon scales. The necklace is finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

"Sedna" bracelet

"Sedna" bracelet
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

It was really hard for me to think of a name for this one, but I finally settled for "Sedna", since I wanted something dark-ominous-sea-goddessy-like. :))) Anyway, in Inuit mythology, Sedna is the sea goddess of the marine animals, especially mammals such as seals. She lives in and rules over Adlivun, the Inuit underworld. The legends that speak of her all give different versions of her fate, but all agree that she descended into the depths of the ocean and became the Goddess of Sea Creatures. As such, she became a vital deity, worshipped by hunters who depended on her goodwill to supply food.
The "Sedna" bracelet is made of freshwater peacock pearls and iolites, nested between Abalone shell nuggets, all wrapped with sterling silver wire.

Silversmithing

Sterling silver hammered ring
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

The lessons are going great. I really like it, though it's rather hard work, very physically demanding for my weak arms and fingers.
This is what I made in my first two lessons. It's a "bombay" style ring, made of 1 mm thick sterling silver sheet and hammered gently on the outside. Size 14 (US 6.5).
Right now I'm working on a silver ring with a stone cabochon and some engraving.
The only downside is that it is a very expesive venture. I will need lots of jeweller's equipment, including a special desk, a burner and various tools, not to mention the raw materials.

Delicacy bracelet

Delicacy bracelet
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

All these stones set on sterling headpins really took a lot of time to wrap by hand! But it was all worth it. I like the color combination, although I wasn't sure about it at first. The stones in this are amethyst, citrine, iolite and labradorite.

JOY necklace

JOY necklace
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

I had been thinking about this design for a long time. I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
The focal point of this necklace is a large toggle clasp, with a cluster of three faceted ametrine drops dangling from it on. The rare ametrine stone possesses delicate purple color, with just flashes of pale yellow within. All the other beads are amethyst.
I bought the ametrine drops on Etsy, and they are really worth the cost - soooo beautiful. But it is a delicate stone, and needs to be treated with care...
All the components are sterling silver, of course.

I'm in a treasury!

Wow! I've been featured in a beautufil Etsy treasury of Israeli Etsy artists by the wonderful Patrizia Tager of Triz Designs. You can see her work here:
http://www.triz.etsy.com/

And here is the treasury!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=28902

News!

I've got 15 minutes before my class starts, so I'll take the time to love my blog a little. :) And I've got some exciting news! I've been playing with the idea to start learning metalworking. I know it's a long leap from biology to goldsmithing, but jewelry making has become my passion, and I want to extend my skills.

So, I've booked a trial lesson at a goldsmith's workshop. They offer a variety of courses, if I like it. I'm going with my friend on Tuesday, and I'm super excited and a little freaked out!

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Shimmering green

Shimmering green
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

This is my first creation after being sick for a week. I finally had some energy to do something new, and it took me a whole evening. I've used almost all the greens I had, and the last two aventurine nuggets I had lying around.
Now I'm working on white pearl shoulder-dusters, they look fun so far.

Misery

I didn't have the chance to update due to a really nasty case of a flu. Needless to say I haven't touched my jewelry, the only thing I could do is lie in bed watching E! and the Life Style channel. If I watch another True Hollywood Story, I'll go nuts!

Malachite necklace

Malachite necklace
Originally uploaded by Isabeau_bijoux

When I was little and grew up in southern Ukraine, I used to love reading russian fairy-tales. There were some wonderful stories about the people and the landscapes of the Ural mountains, where copper and malachite are mined. My favorite was the tale of The Mistress of the Copper Mountain, about a mountain spirit that guarded its treasures. Since then, malachite has always reminded me of my childhood and those stories. So when I made this necklace, I had to give it a Russian name. :) It's called Olga.

Aromatherapy (ok, maybe shopping-therapy)

I was feeling sort of down lately - thnigs not going too well at the lab, the weather being nasty, lots of pretty (if I do say so myself) jewelry not selling, and the general depression, so I decided to cheer myself up a little. A local health shop is having a sale on L'Occitane products, and I went and treated myself to their olive eye treatment and magnolia perfume. The scent is amazing - so warm, rich and sweet, perfect for winter. I love it already. I tried the lavender one, and it was also good, but very delicate, more of a summer feel, so maybe a bit later.

And yes, that really made me feel better. 

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Decisions

So yesterday I made a new benner and avatar set for my Etsy shop. The old one did do anything for me, and I think these ones are much better and clean-looking. The banner, anyway, I'm still not that keen on the avatar. Here they are.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5119878

 

I also struggle with the shop name. I would like to open a website, english-hebrew for starters, maybe add russian later, but the name "Isabeau Bijoux" sounds too foreign in Hebrew, and it's not my real name. anyway. I thought about "KBN designs", maybe, that should be safe enough. But then I would have to change it on Etsy and on LJ, too.

I'll think about it...

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