Free Jewelry Giveaway (Expired) - Silver & Gold Maple Leaf Earrings

Fine Silver and Gold Maple Leaf Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Enter now for a chance to win the earrings shown above!  The details on how to enter are below.

Fine silver tiny Maple leaf earrings with 14K gold filled ear wires. I used real Maple leaves as the mold for the fine silver to capture the tiny detail. The silver and gold contrast adds to the organic look of these nature inspired earrings.  These are delicate, lightweight and very comfortable.

Tiny Maple Leaves Silver and Gold by York Avenue Studio

I used Art Clay Silver overlay paste and literally painted the leaves with silver. After firing at 1200 degrees, the leaves are now .999 fine silver. I soldered the 14K gold filled wire with gold solder to the silver leaves. These have been tumbled with steel shot for over an hour and are sturdy, yet light and dangle so sweetly with a very nice shine.

Fine Silver Maple Leaves with 14K Gold Filled Ear Wires

Before I list the ways to enter the drawing for the Silver and Gold earrings, I'd like to introduce you to my favorite item that I offer in my shop:  The Silver Love Wrap Ring with Custom Words Names and Special Meaning.

$15 Little Love Wrap Ring by York Avenue Studio

Above is the smaller version of the Love Wrap Ring without custom words.  I use heavy 12 gauge sterling silver to create these handstamped rings one by one.  Perfect to say I Love You to someone special. 

Below, is the Original Love Wrap Ring:




Silver Love Wrap Ring by York Avenue Studio

 Sterling Love bypass ring, the perfect gift as a Friendship ring, Promise ring, birthday or anniversary. Personalized for your special reminder or meaning.
This ring can be customized with any name, word, initial, date, etc.  Any message can be stamped on the outside and inside of the band. Upper case as well as cute lower case letters. I also have Greek Uppercase. Perfect for Sorority sisters. You can also request symbols like hearts and stars.

This everyday band looks chic, a little rustic and heartfelt. This is a very comfortable ring that will not catch on clothing and won't ever need to be taken off! The band is slightly adjustable, too




Latitude Longitude Coordinates Ring by York Avenue Studio


This ring is also perfect for Latitude and Longitude, perhaps the location of your first kiss, a special location with friends or family or a vacation spot or maybe an engagement proposal.

I find it so amazing how many ways this ring has been personalized. That is why I love making these rings!

Could you think of something special to have written on a ring?  A gift for someone close and special or a treasure to keep for yourself?  I'd love to hear your ideas.  Here is the link to my shop where you can read more and order a ring with your ideas:  Love Wrap Ring


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Here is how to enter the drawing for the Free Jewelry Giveaway:

1.  Follow my blog and comment below that you are a follower.  You will be entered if you leave a comment.  Current blog followers need to leave a comment to be entered, too.
2.  Anyone that mentions the giveaway at checkout when placing an order will be entered again for more chances to win.
3.  Like my Facebook Page and you will be entered if you leave a comment below.  Here is the link:

York Avenue Studio's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/York-Avenue-Studio-Handcrafted-Gemstone-Jewelry/138653009529987

4.  Post on your Facebook about York Avenue Studio, maybe mention the Giveaway or let others know about the Custom Love Wrap Ring.  Leave a comment below and you will be entered.

5.  If someone mentions you in their comment below, you both will be entered again!

Details of the Giveaway:
This drawing will be done by random.org and is for US residents over the age of 18.  Unlimited times a person may enter.  I will hold the drawing on July 23rd which means the last entries must be in before midnight on 7/22/2012.  One winner will be randomly selected and I will contact the winner and announce them on my blog. Please be sure that your email contact info is available, either in your comment or privately emailed to me.  I must be able to reach the winner by email and confirm that the delivery address is US.  The earrings in the photos are the exact pair that will be sent.  The retail value of the earrings is $50.00.

Tiny Maple Silver and Gold Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Good Luck!  I look forward to reading the comments and selecting the winner!
Regards,
Kathy

Discovery! Natural Rainbow Hematite Gemstone

Rainbow Hematite Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Never heard of this gemstone?  A client mentioned that she had seen some beautiful jewelry years back made with Rainbow Hematite, and she had always wanted to own some.  I had to look it up because I had never heard of or seen this gem before.  Instantly thrilled, I found a supplier and ordered some pieces that were rough, not finished.

The sparkly surface looks man-made, with gleaming rainbow colors.  The colors are vivid and there are several colors all grouped tightly together, it almost seems impossible that such a gem is natural.  Bright pink and electric blue, peacock purple and greens, amazing colors!  The gem reflects light when held one way, and seems to appear dark gray or black when turned slightly.  The top and bottom both have completely different colors and it was very hard to decided which side to call the top.


The material is very brittle, flakes of glitter come off easily and the gem seems very easy to chip and break.  I sanded the edges smooth to fit a bezel with 600 grit, very softly and slowly.

I decided to make earrings, which would be less stressful for the gems, less chance of being bumped on tables, less wear and tear like a ring would receive.

Inspired by a tutorial from Marilyn Mack, I decided to fabricate a multi gemstone collage.  Her tutorial, “Atlantisite Serpentine Pendant” is available on the Interweave site shop.


Recently, I am finding that my designs have a pear-shape.  Without doing this intentionally, I noticed that the pieces I like the most have this same shape, like a mini-pear.  Rounded near the bottom, sloping up and curving off center a bit.  Somewhat like paisley shape.  For these earrings, the same thing happened.  As I put the gems around the Rainbow Hematite, my eye picked up the familiar pear-shape again.  I decided to turn it upside down and for earrings, this looked very nice with the larger wider portion at the top tapering down.

My design is a little Southwest with some Art Deco mixed in.  I selected some gems to compliment the colors:  Ruby, Amethyst, Aquamarine, and Tsavorite Garnet.  I drew a sketch, laid out the gems, and made a few adjustments.

A couple of days work, and Voila!  The green Tsavorite Garnet really lights up and plays off the Ruby and Rainbow Hematite.  The subtle Amethyst and Aquamarine look perfect as complimenting colors.  The Rainbow Hematite is gorgeous all by itself, and I didn’t want to distract from it.

I made post earrings with puffy squares in a line, which have a patina with glints of blue and red hues.  Overall, the design has an organic rustic look.  Nature inspired, these earrings look like a leaf dangling from a branch, bursting with Spring color. 
I’d love to hear your comments about Rainbow Hematite.
Kathy

Moonstone Magic Harnessed

Moonstone is a gemstone in the Feldspar family.  The name conjures the image of moonbeams and wispy clouds that glow and shimmer from within the stone.  The Opalescence and milky hue of this gem have long been admired and coveted as powerful, passionate and magical.  Beauty lies within….

The association with the Magic of the Moon lends itself to the imagination and all the possible special affects this stone might bestow on those that possess it.  Could you imagine what powers one could have if the powers of the Moon could be harnessed in a gem?  The mind wonders…

I love the name Moonstone.  The other Geological name Hecatolite doesn’t really “feel” positive.  Moonstone, that is a great name especially for jewelry!  Did you know Moonstone is an alternate Birthstone for June?  Traditional Birthstone for June is Pearl, as well as Alexandrite.  Lucky are those with June birthdays!!

Moonstone possesses an actual phenomenon.  Adularescence is when light scatters within a stone between the natural flat layers within the gem.  A marvel of nature as the stone forms in the right conditions with the right minerals.
My favorite color of Moonstone is White with blue flashes.  I’ve seen this color called Rainbow Moonstone.  Other colors include peach, green, blue, gray, brown.  Photographing Moonstone is tricky, catching the light just right, the result will be different on bright days v. cloudy days.

I would love to hear your comments on Moonstone, whether you own this gemstone, your favorite color or piece of jewelry and maybe a little story of what the stone means to you!  Have you harnessed the Magic of Moonstone?
Please, comment below.

Snowflake Jewelry - Frosty Fun Fashion Must Haves

All designed by the Metal Clay Heads Team on Etsy, this snowflake gallery offers a variety of styles to fit any budget. Take a look and find your favorite and grab them before they are gone!



The Metal Clay Heads Team is an amazing group of artists that design and create jewelry with top quality materials, extraordinary skill and take care of their customers like family and friends.

You are sure to find your next treasure in one of their shops on Etsy.

100th Follower Half Off Coupon Code for Fine Silver Feather Earrings!

In anticipation of reaching 100 followers on my blog, I am celebrating by offering a super special SALE on my Fine Silver Feather Earrings.  The special is for a limited time.  I will make as many pairs as needed for this offer and keep the offer open until the end of July 2011.  My goal is 100 pairs ordered.  I also will be forwarding the proceeds of this offer to a special family that recently lost their home to a foreclosure and are split temporarily while looking for another place to live together.  They are in my thoughts and my heart goes out to them. ♥

Fine Silver Feather Earrings by York Avenue Studio

For only HALF the regular price of $30, each customer will receive a pair of Fine Silver (.999) Feather Earrings with sterling silver ear wires for only $15, shipped FREE to the US.  For other locations, please see the shipping chart at the bottom of the listing in my shop.  You may also order them at full price, of course, and more proceeds will go to the family.

I use real feathers as shown in the photo.  The feather is the natural "mold" to shape and provide the amazing detail.  The result is .999 pure silver gorgeous feathers! 

Fine Silver Feather Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I will offer these as shiny silver with a satin brushed finish or with an antiqued silver finish, just let me know your prefererence at checkout.  The length is about 1 1/2 inches and each feather will be unique.  These are high quality, lightweight and very comfortable.  Feathers are very hot in fashion styles and this unique design is extraordinary and sophisticated!

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Please "Follow" my blog and leave a comment below requesting this special 100th Follower Half Off Sale!  I will email the Coupon Code to you, so make sure you include your email address.  If you'd rather just email me for the code and not leave the comment below, that is great, too!  The Coupon Code is only valid for these earrings in my Etsy Shop, York Avenue Studio.  Not valid on any other item in my shop.  These are custom made to order and the proceeds will be donated, please understand no refunds or returns.  Normally, these ship out in a few days, but please allow 7-10 business days to complete your order.  I'll notify you when they are ready to ship!

Pass this special along, use twitter, Facebook, call your friends and family, tell your co-workers!  These earrings will make great gifts for birthdays, teachers, wedding and bridal party gifts, moms, daughters, nieces, aunts, sweethearts, wife, girlfriend, etc.

Order a pair for yourself and order another pair to keep handy for a last minute gift.

Fine Silver Feather Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I hope you enjoy this special and I am very excited that I have so many blog followers and friends to share my jewelry-making adventures!  Feel free to leave a comment, even if just to say Hi! I realize most of my followers make their own gorgeous jewelry, and I appreciate your comments.  I certainly hope to find new followers that will join me and would appreciate fine silver at half off!

I'm also holding a Free Jewelry Giveaway to add to the celebration, click here!
Kathy

10 Days and 10 Grams - Playing in Leaves with Silver Metal Clay

Summer Leaf Collection by York Avenue Studio

When the price of Silver shot up, it seemed like my chances to work with Silver Art Clay were shot, too.  I’d just begun building techniques and skills working with precious metal clay and enjoyed making jewelry with fine silver to the point that it was my focus for future designs.  The price hike certainly busted my big plans, but I have been fortunate enough to still have the chance to work with fine silver, just on a much smaller scale.

First thin layer on leaves

With only 10 grams of fresh clay, I decided to try a technique of painting leaves and for 10 days I have had the pleasure to work with metal clay, enjoy the process of creating fine silver pieces, stretch my design skills to include a pendant with a hinge and just truly enjoy the entire time.  I have some amazing new pieces of jewelry and I am writing this post to reveal the photos of the projects and the stories behind the scenes.

10 grams of silver metal clay is not much, about the same amount as one stick of gum.  I used half the package as slip by adding water and thinning the clay until I could paint with it.  I scouted around my yard for tiny leaves that had nice shape and texture, picturing what they would look like as silver.  I selected a Violet leaf, three tiny Maple leaves and an Elm leaf.  They were small and I figured each leaf would require about 1 gram of silver, give or take.

Thicker layers with some curling as they dried

The technique for using real leaves with metal clay is basic, just paint thin layers and let them dry.  Fire them and finish, voila!  But, along the way, chatting with other metal clay artists, I discovered so many different methods and variations to the process, each idea or tip added even more possible outcomes and results!  It is amazing how each artist interprets the layering and resolves little issues along the way.  My Etsy team, Metal Clay Heads, had so many helpful suggestions and photos of their own leaf projects!  It was like having them by my side along the way, super great members with tons of experience to share.

I started with thin layers, then progressed to thicker paste-like layers.  As the layers became thicker, the leaves began to curl as they dried.  For my projects, this was a good thing.  But I was given a few tips that would help for keeping the leaves flat, if that is what I was hoping for.  There are also many ways to keep the leaves from sliding around or blowing away, and more tips on how to manage the silver that leaked under to the front of the leaf.  Great ideas that I have tucked away for future use!

The first leaf that was thick enough to fire was the little Violet leaf.  I layered my logo cutout on the back, dry clay to dry clay, using slip.  Once dried, I torch fired it and was thrilled to see the result!
I already had a design in mind for this leaf and make a bail with fresh clay, added a genuine Peridot gemstone and carved some leaf, stick and berry accents.  I fired the second time, did some finishing, used some Liver of Sulphur patina gel and was thrilled with the final piece!

Fine Silver Leaf with Peridot by York Avenue Studio

Fine Silver Leaf with Peridot - Back - York Avenue Studio

The next leaves ready were the tiny Maple leaves.  I had a design in mind for the upcoming Metal Clay Heads Team Challenge, which is to use the technique of a working hinge and the theme is Magical or Mysterious.  I put a lot of thought into this tiny pendant and with big expectations that I would have success, I carefully worked on the details and was thrilled that the planning worked out well!

Here is the big reveal with descriptions:

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Tiny Secret Fine Silver Maple Leaf by York Avenue Studio

Along the way, the Elm leaf project went south, and I plopped the leaf back into the slip jar to reuse the clay.  But, I picked some fresh Bella Donna leaves and made them into gorgeous little earrings!

Fine Silver Bella Donna Leaf Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I would highly recommend trying some leaves with metal clay for anyone who is just starting out or for anyone who is stuck without any inspiration for a time.  Making leaves is so rewarding and without fussing over the detail or shape, just letting nature be the “mold”, the result will be beautiful detailed pieces of jewelry for charms, earrings, pendants, etc.  The added bonus is that just a little clay goes a long way!

New Free Tutorial - Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio

New Free Tutorial!  Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio

Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings by York Avenue Studio

This tutorial is a follow up to the Tutorial for Zebra Stripe Polymer Clay Cane.  Using the zebra cane slices, you can make these animal print earrings!






Zebra Stripe Copper Post Earrings by York Avenue Studio



Recycled copper circle earrings with bold black and white zebra print, handmade with my own original design. I created a zebra pattern with polymer clay and used slices of a reclaimed copper tube to fashion these gorgeous post stud earrings. Great care was taken to polish the clay to shine like gemstones and the pattern continues through the back of the earrings, which means there is no skin contact with the copper!

The tiny circles are ½ in diameter and the posts are sterling silver with comfort backings. Each earring weighs 1.5 grams, nice lightweight yet solid sturdy design.

I have these for sale in my Etsy Shop, but for those fellow crafters that follow me, here are the steps to make a pair for yourself!

Materials for Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings

The photo above shows what I started with:

1.  Zebra print polymer clay, which you only use 4 slices
2.  Extra clay, junk clay, enough to fill the copper circle
3.  2 copper tube slices - I will tell you how I made mine in a second...
4.  Sterling silver posts and backings
5.  The greatest tool - a toothpick!
6.  Sandpaper - 400grit, 600grit, 1200grit, 2000grit
7.  Dremel rotary tool with polishing wheel

I started by slicing my copper tubing.  I had saved this 6 foot piece when we had a new dishwasher installed, it was the water line and was tossed out to the curb.  I grabbed it for "someday" and stored it.  I used a little handheld pipe cutter from Lowe's working with leather gloves.  I sanded the edges smooth.

The ridges shown on the sides of the copper in the later photos is my inexperience with cutting pipe.  The tool cuts a groove and as the tool is wound around the pipe, I tightened it and went around again, tighten and around, etc. until the pipe is cut through.  My groove was off a bit, well alot and made several grooves, but eventually cut clean though!  I actually like the "stripes" because they match well with the zebra theme!

Next, I rolled the spare clay (brown) into a log that would fit the center of the circle and with the copper circle flat on the table, smashed the clay down to the bottom, leaving spare above the top rim.  I took the sterling silver earring post, mine has a ball and loop, and pressed it into the clay on the bottom until the ball and loop sunk enough and then covered it with clay, using the toothpick as a roller.  Then, I turned the copper ring on the side and sliced the clay on the top rim flush and flat.  The baked clay will hold the post in place.

The zebra slice is then centered over the post and pressed thru and down to rest on the back.  Trim the spare clay to leave a nice circle on the backside.  For the front, the zebra slice is pressed on and trimmed.

I baked mine at 265 degrees for 25 minutes and let cool.

Sand with 400grit, then 600grit, then 1200grit and 2000grit.  Finish up with the dremel tool.

Zebra Stripe Copper Earrings by York Avenue Studio

I really love the contrast of the zebra to the copper metal.  These are so fun to make and done in no time.  I hope you enjoy the tutorial and spread the word to family and friends who enjoy handmade jewelry.



Kathy