Famous Jewelry Collections

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Bead Embroidered Statement Jewelry by PJ Valenciano

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST

PJ Valenciano is a Filipino artisan who like many of us started making accessories as a hobby but went on to give up her day job! She said, "At first I was making simple linked up trinkets for myself until family and friends noticed my accessories and started buying from me. Two years later, I found myself resigning from my job and focused on putting up Palamuti (which by the way means ornament in Filipino)."

She started out with wiring and then eventually gravitated to bead embroidery. She adores making what she calls her Amatullah collection. She was initially inspired by Islamic geometric patterns and rose to the challenge of making complicated and imaginative pieces.

Her eclectic statement necklaces are hand sewn using seed beads and German crystals on black felt cloth/suede. One takes her 4 days to make with non-stop stitching for more than 8 hour stretches! PJ added, " Honestly, it was worth it. :)"

Her designs or Palamuti Storytelling Jewels became popular and her business grew. It enabled her to recruit young women from remote provinces to become bead weavers for her collection rather than work as maids in the urban areas. With training, these women are now able to help support their families through the creation of beautiful jewelry. She also sources the materials used from Filipino suppliers.

Her design inspirations now come from many sources. These ideas eventually distill into detailed sketches which later translate into the actual "jewel". Her sketches are works of art in their own right.

PJ Valenciano Design Sketch

PJ Valenciano Final Necklace and Design Sketch

One design that is purely Filipino inspired is the Vinta necklace below. Vinta is one of the names given to a traditional boat used in Mindanao Island. She explained, "A typical vinta is characterized by its sail, the design of which comprises of assorted vertical colors which represent the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community who makes and uses them."

PJ definitely goes with how she feels and is not swayed by what's popular. And it shows.

Black Widow Necklace for Summer

Before You Go:

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips

Monday, November 5, 2012

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Wire Knitz $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway and Free Jewelry Tutorials

Posted: 05 Nov 2012 05:12 AM PST

I knit with wire. Sometimes I must admit using wire on fine metal needles makes me clench my teeth! It also takes a long time to complete a project. That's what happened to Norma Melton, the creator of WireKnitz who made a knitted wire cuff to showoff some beach glass. She was convinced there had to be a better way than to spend hours and hours on a project.

Wheelz Bracelet by Angela Davis

So lots of product development time later, she came up with a highly colored copper based tubular metal mesh for jewelry and other fine art applications. It is an incredibly versatile one as the mesh can be easily folded, stretched, twisted, stitched, shaped, woven and so on as well as combined with beads and other components.

Talk about fast! It literally takes a few minutes to cut a tube and fold over the raw ends to create a basic rolled cuff!


Rolled Cuff Tutorial

I first stumbled onto WireKnitz via Eva Sherman's Etsy store Grand River BeadsnWire. Eva loved WireKnitz so much when she discovered it herself that she now carries in her own jewelry store in Rocky River, Ohio. BTW she teaches classes there too.

Cinched Cuff Tutorial by Norma Melton

Eva confessed she "traded in her architectural career, as well as her bank account for the opportunity to spend all her time among beads." It is not surprising given her previous career that she like WireKnitz so much because the material allows all sorts of sculptural manipulations.

Pinwheel Flower Brooch Tutorial by Eva Sherman

WireKnitz comes in different widths and density of mesh so do ask Eva if you are not sure about the types.

Shown here are some wonderful examples from the WireKnitz gallery and tutorial page. Eva demonstrates how to make a ruffled flower adorned cuff in this video tutorial. She also shows how snap fasteners are attached with a special tool. I couldn't get a clear shot of the finished cuff so you'll have to see the video!

My most favorite thing about this product is the ability to make a Viking knit style piece in next to no time! There are a couple ways to go about it. The first is Norma's wrap around a dowel method.

Convertibles Bracelet or Choker Tutorial by Norma Melton

The second method which uses no dowel is shown in Eva's video tutorial. Her pseudo Viking knit necklace has a Unicorn lamp work bead and it took her just over 5 minutes to make it. It takes way longer to make a true Viking knit necklace! So if you don't have the inclination or the time for doing Viking knit necklace, check out Wireknitz.

Giveaway
Here is a chance to win some WireKnitz from Eva's Etsy store (or her physical store if you live close) so you can come up with your own unique creations.

Please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Subscribers need to click on the post title to come to my actual blog. Scroll down and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank. Please leave an email at the very least so I can contact you easily if you win.

This giveaway is international.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, November 12, 2012. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

Before You Go:

______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips