Hope everyone's having happy handmade holidays - if not presents then food at least, yes? Now that the big day is over, I can finally share the bits and bobs that emerged over the past couple of weeks.

Some of my own personal gifts this year:


From left to right:

1) Earrings for my mum - when I saw these Swarovski crystal drops I immediately thought of her. Her favourite colour, you see.

2) Nesting necklace for my cousin Janice - who is expecting a little one in a few more months. She recently went on a shopping spree too :P

3) Long dark drapey necklace for WG - who laments having "few cool possessions" and not being able to carry off most things. Incidentally, this is the first piece of a new collection I have in the works... stay tuned.

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I was also tasked to come up with some pressies on specific budgets... LOL. Well, I thought I rose to the challenge reasonably well... :X

After endless discussion about size, colours and style, and the subsequent component hunting, these impossibly petite earrings emerged:


Also in the set is this necklace with complementary colours and floral theme:


Girly? A little out of my comfort zone, perhaps. But there was also this bracelet that I enjoyed working on, because from what I understood, the recipient likes the sort of colours and style to which I'm quite partial myself.


So autumny and woodlandy. Made with smokey quartz, warm-hued quartz rounds, a variety of Czech glass leaves and flowers and antiqued brass findings.

Meanwhile, presents for office colleagues were on another Santa's list:


On the left, bookmarks with various gemstone and glass charms. I don't know how many people still read physical books in this iPad age, but I know I do and am always scrabbling around for bookmarks that are not old receipts or paper napkins. It doesn't help that I usually happen to be concurrently in the middle of 289 books and magazines.

On the right, a small selection of bobby pin pairs that I also ended up adding to the Fiorissimo collection (which includes pairs and trios). I really love those resin flowers - everything about them is a delight from the soft, un-gaudy shades to the well-made, petal-perfect details.

And now it's back to work. Had to take a break the past 3 days but really gotta hit the ground running tomorrow.

This is one of my favourites of the lot. The varying shades of teal green coming together in rough wavy patterns, all in a pear-shaped stone, were impossible to resist. Highly polished with beautiful banding reminiscent of stormy seas, this ocean wave jasper needed nothing more than a simple, coiled loop bail and oxidised sterling silver components.


Ocean wave jasper, like its sister ocean jasper - and discovered not too long ago near the main ocean jasper mine in Madagascar - comes in a multitude of colours like white, brown, green, blue (rarest), pink and red. Not all together of course, usually in combination. For me, the easiest way to tell them apart is that the patterns on ocean wave jasper resemble, well, ocean waves, and the orbicular patterns on its sibling look like something you might see under a microscope. Apart from that, I guess it just a technicality depending on the part of the Madagascan coastline from whence they came.

Jasper in general is fine-grained, opaque quartz from the large family of chalcedonies. Then again, there are a whole range of jaspers that came about depending on the way silica minerals permeated the sedimentary base rock - the part my inner geologist finds most fascinating. Broad groups include the dendritic, brecciated, orbicular and scenic varieties, commonly given locality or descriptive names, each type and each specimen a testament to the diversity of nature.

The name "jasper" comes from old Anglo-French "jaspre" or spotted rock. These so-called spots or speckles usually come about as a result of geological processes on the base sediment: tectonic forces could produce fissures that break up the rock and allow different mineral solutions to seep through, while wind or ocean waves could produce gentle undulating patterns. Much like what we see on ocean wave jasper here :)


Jasper is known as the "supreme nurturer" and is said to bring calm in times of stress. Ocean wave jasper is apparently useful for balancing, healing and renewing, and has detoxifying properties.

O, chrysoprase. You're another one of those things whose colour a digital camera usually has problems reproducing.

The latest addition to the ANIMA | MUNDI line is the Ferngully necklace featuring a large asymmetrical Australian chrysoprase pendant and oxidised sterling silver components, which always work so well with the bright minty green. The paler feathery inclusions here add a bit of texture and organic appeal.


The most valuable of the chalcedony minerals (which include carnelian, bloodstone and the wide variety of jaspers and agates), this stone gets its characteristic colour from traces of nickel in its cryptocrystalline structure. It is also this extra fine crystal structure that gives good quality chrysoprase a smooth gel-like translucency.

Although Queensland, Australia is the major source of quality chrysoprase, it's also found in Brazil, Germany, Poland, Tanzania and the USA. I should also point out that if you come across "lemon chrysoprase", it's a trade name for magnesite, a completely different mineral.


Depending on the exact shade of green, I think chrysoprase can feel either quite soothing (watery paler greens) or refreshing (vibrant apple greens). As a crystal, it's said to be excellent for relaxation, induce meditative states, calm compulsive behaviour, promote hope, unleash inner talent and stimulate creativity.

So much work for a little green stone!

This second piece in the ANIMA | MUNDI collection is a delightful play of contrasts: check out the unusual rectangle shape, elongated but with banding going along the short side. And what banding it is - translucent shades from the deepest royal purple to lavender and palest white, arranged by mother nature a distinctive chevron pattern. Quite scrumptious.

Much has already been said about amethyst as it has been used and treasured since antiquity. I've seen a couple of variations on its legend, but I like this one best: one fine day, a lowly mortal angered Dionysus, the god of the grape harvest, wine and winemaking, who vowed death by tigers on the next human who crossed his path. But this unfortunate victim happened to be a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst, who happened to be on her way to worship the goddess Artemis. Artemis turned Amethyst into a pillar of clear crystal quartz to protect her from the violent attack. Dionysus was moved to tearful remorse and wept wine over the statue, staining it purple. But whichever it was, the Greek origin of the word ["amethystos" means "not intoxicated"] probably played a historical part in its being considered an antidote to drunkenness and plastered all over wine goblets. Or maybe it was the other way round, who knows.


The birthstone for February, amethyst is found in alluvial deposits or geodes (the sight of a large open one glittering with purple crystals inside always has me in awe), with major sources in Brazil, Zambia, Uruguay and Madagascar. It comes in violet, purple, lilac, mauve and pink varieties and is the highest prized form of quartz (silicon dioxide), a large family that also includes citrine (yellow), ametrine (purple and yellow), rose quartz (pink), rock crystal (clear), smoky quartz (brown), tiger eye (chatoyant) and even aventurine (aventurescent).

Amethyst is purportedly an extremely powerful and protective stone with a high spiritual vibration. Extremely beneficial to the mind, it can be calming or stimulating as appropriate. It helps one feel more focused and in control of their faculties, facilitating the decision-making process. Amethyst also aids in enhancing memory and improving motivation, and is helpful for insomnia, bringing about restful sleep and promoting dream retention and understanding.


Which finally brings me to the OOAK Dreamtime necklace, chevron amethyst on oxidised sterling silver, only in my Artfire studio :)

And so I launched my ANIMA | MUNDI collection with the long Waverider necklace last week, without really having time to blog about the first piece here.

Amazonite is really one of my favourite stones to use. It's a variety of microcline (or potassium aluminium silicate for you nerds like me), a feldspar mineral that may come in white, yellow, pink, grey, green, blue-green or colourless. I find it weird that it's named after the Amazon River although it hasn't even been found there; most significant deposits are in India, Canada, USA, Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Namibia.

As beads for jewellery and accessories, I've seen amazonite in various shades of aqua, green and even yellow and pink, some with white to brown or black inclusions, with the more saturated colours being more desirable I guess. But really, when you say amazonite, the opaque, aqua colour, perhaps with wispy paler inclusions, is the type that most readily comes to mind... like this giant specimen below:


As you can see, it's got a more muted and subtle hue than turquoise, and in my humble opinion, goes just fine with about any type of metal. However, amazonite is not a very hard mineral (rates 6 on Mohs scale), so care should be taken when wearing it. Best to be used in earrings or necklaces where there's minimal contact with anything else.

In the Waverider necklace, a 48x48x7mm flat heart briolette of amazonite has been paired with gunmetal-toned oxidised sterling silver. I particularly love how the inclusions resemble frothy waves in a churning sea, pounding towards the shore (of some fantasy tropical beach, where else). It's a bold-sized piece, paired with suitably larger-link sterling silver chain - so if you have it on and fail to elicit even a single comment, I will give you a refund! No, I'm just kidding, but I might just smack everyone you meet that day and then buy you a drink :P



Now for some hokey metaphysical info you might be interested in (or not). Amazonite:
- is known as the stone of self-expression
- acts as a filter against geopathic stress
- has soothing and calming properties
- is most protective against microwaves and other electromagnetic pollution

Betcha never knew!

I've been so busy this week that I'm going to have to do a post and run here...

This is the first batch of pieces for my new ANIMA | MUNDI collection, which is comprised of big, bold and beautiful statement necklaces that celebrate the Soul of the World, the abundance and grandeur of our one and only home - Planet Earth. Yes, the spirit of Tellus is rearing her head :)


The stones in this collection are really pieces of our world in miniature, each being completely one of a kind and selected because I see something special or unusual in it. I hope they speak to you in a similar way.

There are more to come, and more bloggy info on each piece. Appearing exclusively in my Artfire studio from next week.

Toodles and have a wonderful weekend~!

A couple of new necklaces for this week, inspired again by faraway places, sunny climes and slices of history.

These necklaces are a long 36" and feature a wide variety of vintage/semiprecious beads and solid brass components, each one wire-wrapped and then connected by heavy antiqued brass rings. Sorry about the heftier price tag but it has to reflect the time that went into selecting the components, placing them in a workable pattern, and then wiring them all up individually. They are also limited edition, which means there are only 2 pieces each.


I love putting together bead mixes, and it's even more fun when you get to choose from vintage beads. And speaking of vintage beads, forget the candy colours and jewel tones in plain old shapes. If you've noticed, I tend to pick out the more uncommon ones, especially those with etched designs and gilded accents. Just like bits of archaelogical treasure.

In other news, I'm dreaming up a new collection ~ of personal affinity and interest, might I add. Am gathering the materials now. Watch this space.

I launched a few more Wrapture Necklaces this week, in addition to restocking existing ones. Simple, classic and affordable - they do make great gifts. Might have still more to come, but necklace fatigue has set in and I'm moving on to other stuff first...

Well obviously they're not meant to go together. I'm at a loss for names right now. It's been a physically and somewhat emotionally draining past few days. I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to next week.

Just a bit of what I've been up to lately...


Nothing spectacular, a remake of the Caliente set I did nearly 3 years back, plus a couple of Swarovski cascades: the Astral Blaze and Sorcielle earrings. I won't deny I was slightly entranced by how sparkly and absolutely perfect those crystals are. If only natural gemstones were that way. But Mother Nature likes to spit in our cereal most of the time :)

Actually I'm quite amazed that to this day, people have been asking for remakes of past pieces, some of them going pretty far back (2006/07?!). And sometimes it's doable, sometimes it's not. There's a reason why I like to work in tiny exclusive batches: I prize individuality over most other things. So while you may find similar pieces made by others (and well, occasionally I make generic things or stuff that could be similar to others'), I'm content enough to know that there were only ever X pieces created by my own hand. I've avoided the wholesale route so far, and regrettably when Trunkt went wholesale-focused, I all but abandoned my account.

And now I need to get out of the house before I die of carbon monoxide poisoning from the nearby truck that's been pumping it out for the past 2 hours...

In between getting back to yoga classes, last week I was also working on this request from someone who liked The Subtle Sky bracelet and wanted a necklace made from a similar mix - but in sterling silver instead of antiqued brass. I substituted the matte gold drops for shiny silver ones, and added a touch of pale taupe to lend some softness and warmth to the light, icy tones. Well over a hundred little charms were made and secured onto the large-link chain base, which was then finished off with one of my coiled clasps. I can honestly say it was impossible trying to work within the budget. But the end result is worth it, and I was also asked to do up some matching earrings.

I got a 17-70mm f2.8-4 macro lens last year to replace the (mostly crappy) standard kit lens that comes with DSLRs... and am ashamed to admit that I haven't really used it much. It's obviously great outdoors when I need to zoom in on something, or close-quarter situations where I need a wide angle to fit everything in. I just always reached for my 50mm macro lens when shooting jewellery or other small objects because I was used to that setup, and it's really the most reliable where sharpness is concerned.

So I used the 17-70mm on these shots of a commissioned necklace today... actually they're not too bad. I can't go all the way up to f2.8, but f4 is decent enough:


Can't tell the difference, can you? I think this lens is going to be a great travel companion - can't wait to take it with me :D

OK, so I finally cut my strand of black rutilated (not to be confused with the tourmalinated variety which contains different mineral deposits) quartz today. It wasn't traumatic... in fact I intend to cut into a few more strands soon. Picked out one with some coppery tinges and paired it with my last faceted olive topaz brio for a simple lariat in 14K goldfill (pictured left below). This 3-footer is the longest lariat I've ever made, but it can be worn in so many different ways. And well, if you know me, you know I love any kind of contrast or asymmetry - these gems exhibit precisely that.


As for the earrings, I've had the London blue topaz brios for a long time and this was my last pair. LBT is, I think, one of those few gemstones that actually work well with either white or yellow metal and just manages to always look expensive. So here's a set in 14K goldfill, something I've not made before.

Both items are now available in my Etsy shop (only one piece each).

The first new piece of jewellery I've made in 3 months is a necklace that was commissioned back in November. This isn't my normal turnaround time, but I have been going through a rut of indifference on the crafting front. Distractions, disillusionment, even mild depression. It wasn't even due to a lack of inspiration - I found myself not caring and just not wanting to think about anything to do with all these little shiny things.

My bad :(

So I didn't really want to publish this until I was certain the client was happy with the design.... but here it is, pictured below with these earrings they were created to coordinate with (to be worn to a wedding! whee!). I'm not very satisfied with the photos, but still:


Featuring the same chatoyant grey moonstone pebbles and bunches of sparkly Songea sapphires, on 14K goldfill and 24K gold vermeil. I love this particular gem combination; it has all my favourite contrasts of colour, form and texture.