I’ve been busy, busy, busy! Pics below of some new designs, including my mini Wild Women, and new Rock ‘n Women. I’ve been making wild women for a few years now…found two pins at a yardsale, and bought them. I took one apart so I could figure out how it was made, and began making larger ones for my GrandGirls, a few friends, and the Nieces and Grand Nieces. Those were probably close to 6 inches or more, and were meant as little wall hangings, or window sun catchers. They were made of glass beads, so would catch the sun nicely.
The new Wild Women are much smaller, around 2 (the smallest one0 and 3 inches long (the larger ones), and make perfect necklaces. I did simple finishes with leather neck pieces, some knotted, and some not. A few of them have added beads on the leather.
Wild Women Pendants on leather
Wild Women Pendants around 2 inches each
Coral, tiger's eye, brass, and Lampwork glass body bead Wild Woman
Copper, and bloodstone Wild Woman
Lt. Bone and brass Wild Woman, Rt. copper and bloodstone Wild Woman
Lt. Bone and copper, Rt. Bone and brass Wild Women
Shell, mother of pearl, pearl, and silver craft wire Wild Woman
The next group of photos are my Rock ‘n Women. They are truly a labor of love. My sister and I are rock hounds, and pick up rocks where ever we are. Both of us have…well…a LOT of varying sized rocks from all over the US, and Canada. I decided to do something with them, and made Denice’s first Rock ‘n Woman out of one of her cherished Lake Michigan stones…a very cool round, green stone. I was on a roll then, and made more…am making more of them.
They were challenging in that I had to figure out how to wrap these small ‘body’ stones securely, while figuring out a means by which I could could add a head, arms and legs. The hands came later. lol…As a matter of fact, I added hands to Denice’s Rock ‘n Woman today. Hers didn’t have hands! They measure from 2 1/2 to about 3 1/2″. These are unfinished, but I only need to add leather necklaces, and handmade clasps to complete them…piece of cake!
Rock 'n Women
Rock 'n Woman
Rock 'n Women
Rock 'n Women
I’ve been perfecting my ring-making skills, and adding a few twists to them as well. Some are a tad ‘fancy’ with very tiny peridot, and amethyst seed beads framing a couple of peridot stones. Lots of fun!!
Simple copper and brass Rosette rings
Rings using various techniques
Faceted Peridot, brass, and tiny peridot and amethyst seed beads
I finished the crosses you may have seen in a previous post. They were oxidized, then hand polished, and strung on either chain or leather necklaces. I even wire wrapped some beads onto the larger cross. Made nice pendants.
Crosses
Hammered, oxidized, hand polished, finished with black suede cord, and handmade clasp
Cross wire wrapped with red malachite, finished with suede cord and handmade clasp
The next three pieces are a combination of wire wrapped stones and chain. I’m really enjoying the look of brass and bronze when using certain colors of stones. The brecciated jasper (donuts and round beads, and bloodstone donut necklace was done with an oxidized steel wire. Phew! That’s some HARD wire to work!
Jade and brass Necklace
Brass, carnelian, and citrine necklace
Brass, carnelian, and citrine necklace
Brass, carnelian, and citrine necklace
Brecciated jasper, bloodstone, and oxidized black steel wire necklace
I’m really liking this concept of working within a ‘frame’. I make various sized and shaped ‘frames’ from wire…hammered, or not…some of which are oxidized for depth, and then wire stones within and on the ‘frames’. Lots of different results…as you can see. I’ve begun experimenting with some free-form shapes, and am looking forward to incorporating the beads within the frames.
Rock in a drop. Copper and stone strung on a suede cord.
Largish tree of life with small nest and bird within the limbs.
Largish copper heart wire wrapped with faceted red jasper beads.
And that’s what I’ve been doing with my days this past month!
Peace…Lu
LuRocks Jewelry 