Charm, and charm again...

Hello again!
Last time I was here I wrote about charm holders, showed you a few I liked... and I will admit I have been thinking about them since. So I wanted to share with you my endeavors. These are simple wire constructions, and some of you may consider this elemental. But I am one to use what ever technique suits the piece - however complex or simple...

I had promised charm holders to 2 friends with birthdays in October. (Check your calendar, you read that right. I am 2 months late on this.) So I sat down to work... It took some fiddling until I got the shape I wanted. This is from a 6" piece of wire.

1. & 2. Create crossed circle app. size.
3. - 5. Using large end of rd pliers, bend ends back in "U". Curl ends up in opp. direction with small tip of pliers.
6. Finished shape.  7. Hammer time!

Bali silver bud, tiger eye, quartz, "Strength" copper link, carnelian, turquoise. 

 

Garnet, Green Girl studios link, tiger eye, quartz crystal, jade, garnet charm. 

I had another idea - for my Mother in law, and my Grandmother in law... a heart shaped pendant with the grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's birthstones. They are MAD for birthstones...

Bottom pix: First is 18 ga with 22 ga wrapped bail. Center is 12 ga with wrapped bail. Third is 20 ga with loop/bail within the wire shape itself.

I think these have potential. I do plan to use more 22 ga wire and wrap the centers closed for security - on the smaller gauge pieces at least. the 12 gauge wire isn't going anywhere! The birthstone crystals are on order, and then these gifts are complete! ( The third heart is for my Aunt in law. Can't leave anyone out!) Copper chain to complete the necklace and then... its a wrap! Or time to wrap, at least!

One more. This one is mine! 

Have a great weekend everyone. I have my last Kids ceramics class to teach on Saturday, then I get to head to Middle Earth on Sunday. The Hobbit. In Imax. Sweet.... After that - assorted holiday tasks! Enjoy!

Jenny 

www.jdaviesreazor.com

Charmed, I am sure...

I have a pile of things on my work table to do, fix, alter, repair... One is a charm I made for my sister when my nephew, her firstborn, was ... well, born. It has his name, a star, and his birthstone (aquamarine) as well as a link of 4 stones - he was born on the 4th.

She has taken to wearing multiple charms on the same necklace, creating her own talisman, a power bundle that she can carry with her in the corporate world. I am reworking the original charm that sparked the idea, so it will hang better with others.


This got me thinking about charm holders. I have a "mojo" piece I made for myself - incorporating personal symbols of  my art, materials I use... (sea glass, gems, river stone, Antique doll arm, bone game piece " Happy in her studio", paintbrush. Currently missing - ceramic shard from Marsha )

And I took a browse over at Etsy to see what I could find. I was mainly looking for empty charm holders - thinking the fun is in building your own unique collection. Here is what caught my eye.

Amanda Davie - a FB friend of mine - has a great line of charm holders and charms. She has eclectic taste, a little Romantic, a little Boho, a little quirky. I love it!

Cindy at Hill Country Silver had great pieces in a variety of finishes. 

Beadspoint is a supply shop that I wasnt familiar with before now - but the lotus really caught my eye. 

Janne of Gothic Closet has such cool stuff. I love finding new artists on Etsy!

Leona/Lee's Whimsy has a very diverse shop, but I did like this one - with the Alphonse Mucha image! 




I think I may experiment with some charm holder designs in the future. I love the idea of building a necklace over time with items of meaning and significance. I think I need to make more. I may even feel a tutorial coming on...

Thanks for stopping by...
Jenny
www.jdaviesreazor.com