Shop Handmade

Give one-of-a-kind holidays gifts. Shop local. Shop handmade. I'm offering a 20% discount at my etsy store, EcoChic Designs.

Use coupon code SHOPHANDMADE.

Any orders placed by December 12th will arrive wrapped and ready for giving to that lucky someone - or yourself - in time for Christmas. Thank you and happy holidays!

Shown is my Chrysanthemum Choker. Originally $80. It's only $64 with the coupon.

Chrysanthemums symbolize optimism and joy. The Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthemum’s petals to represent perfection, and Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation. It’s said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.

An artisan sterling silver chrysanthemum button is the focal point for this one-of-a-kind choker. The button is handwired with recycled purple glass, rough rainbow fluorite nuggets, smooth fluorite rounds, hematite, two-tone Czech glass, and sterling silver cones, closing in the back with a sterling silver lobster clasp.

Bridal Commission

I finally, finally finished a commission for a bridal party - three bracelets and three earrings made with beads that the bride had picked up during her travels. I can't post photos because these are a surprise. Shhhhh! The wedding is on New Year's Eve in Hawaii. But I will say that working with a bride to create a memento of her special day for her lovely gals is always a pleasure! Thanks for the order, Lina. I hope you all enjoy them.

Love Links

I just got a commission to create three delicate jade bracelets for a wedding in December - in Hawaii! And I found the perfect clasps for them: sterling heart box clasps from one of my favorite stores on etsy Oakhill Silver Supply. If you're in to making jewelry, you must check them out. I'll post photos of the bridesmaid pieces when they are done.

Wings of Sunshine Necklace and Earring Set

A friend of mine, who is very active with fundraising for leukemia and lymphona research through Team in Training, asked me to create some jewelry for her to raffle off. I drew inspiration from this quotation by Jeffrey Glassberg, the author of several books about butterflies: 

"Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life.  And everyone deserves a little sunshine."

Faceted milky chrysoprase, blue chalcedony nuggets, rough prehnite barrels, smooth prehnite nuggets, and green aventurine teardrops are handwired with sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. A hefty hammered butterfly is the focal point of the piece. Matching earrings feature pink amethyst rondelles, sterling silver butterflies, milky chrysoprase and hang from sterling silver French wires.

Just Smurfy

I love to barter, especially when it's for something that I absolutely can not do. I can NOT sew. So, Pia made us Smurf hats and I made her a Smurf necklace!

A sterling Smurf-gnome is handwired with bright blue agate, faceted blue onyx nuggets, blue chalcedony, smooth recycled blue glass, and milky aquamarines to form this one-of-a-kind necklace.

Enjoy, P!

Kazuri Beads

Years ago a friend invited me to a Kazuri bead party. Click here to read the whole story about Kazuri beads. The short version: these are made by women in Kenya, giving them gainful employment through a marketable handicraft. Kazuri, in Swahili, means "small and beautiful."

I picked up several great beads that evening, but I held onto them, waiting for inspiration. I finally used one in a pendant that a customer saw at the TREAT YOURSELF craft faire yesterday. But she didn't want a pendant, she wanted earrings. Luckily, I had a matching bead at home.

So, I handwired the Kazuri beads with hematite to create these beauties. Hope she likes them.

A Successful Show

My first jewelry show was a success. Three hours. Only one sale. But I did get a commission for earrings and another commission for four necklaces. And I met ten other local artists. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Do you MOO? I do.

A blogger-gal I know who always seems to have her crafty fingers on the pulse of what's new and hip introduced me to MOO a few years ago. I have ordered all of my business cards and jewelry tags from them ever since. If you don't MOO, you should. Awesome quality and top-notch customer service. Check out their website.

Here are the new cards I just ordered because we're switching internet providers and I'm losing my sbc email address. Boo. Still, it's an excuse to get some cute new cards.

Chocolate Bracelets

Do you remember those candy bracelets from when you were a kid? I loved those. I don't know if I liked that candy; I kinda doubt that...it looks like chalk. Or if I just like the idea of wearing something that you could also eat. I've always loved dual-functioning things. Whatever the case may be, I created a grown up version, except that you don't actually eat these.

Totally unique bracelets are handwired with sterling silver and close with a hefty Hill Tribe sterling hook and eye clasp. These one-of-a-kind pieces have all the shades of chocolate - from tiger's eye to smoky quartz and bronzite to recycled rootbeer glass beads.

I'll be displaying these pieces and more at the TREAT YOURSELF Craft Faire. Saturday, August 6th. 2-5pm. Casanova Oakknoll Community Center. 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey.

If you're local to Monterey, stop by.

Sweet Inspirations

With our move half done - we are officially out of our old house thanks to my rockstar husband - I can begin to focus on the TREAT YOURSELF event I have this weekend. Three days to get ready. Ouch. I just hope I can find everything in the stacks of boxes littering my new home. TREAT YOURSELF is a local craft faire that features artisans peddling their wares, paired with a sweet treat. Shopping and sweets, what more could you want?

And since I'm also prepping for the class I'm teaching this trimester about chocolate, I looked no further than my chocolate stash for some sweet inspiration. The colors on the Vosges Black Pearl Bar screamed "Pick me, pick me!" And so, I did.

I'll be displaying pieces in all shades of chocolate with some spicy wasabi in there. Here's a green amethyst briolette handwired with recycled green glass and sterling silver to create a one-of-a-kind necklace.

If you're local, I hope you will stop by the TREAT YOURSELF Craft Faire. Saturday, August 6th. 2-5pm. Casanova Oakknoll Community Center. 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey.

"Forever Tied" - Wedding Love Knot Bracelet

I created this bracelet for my cousin's bridal shower that, unfortunately, I didn't get to attend because we had a back-to-school swim party for the boys' school. But my mom played courier and M got this...a one-of-a-kind bracelet, featuring three sterling silver love knots (one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future) and lapis purple freshwater pearls that match the bridesmaids' dresses.

MaddyMaze Studio will be at TREAT YOURSELF

I just received paperwork from Angie at MaddyMaze Studio who will be joining us with her tote bags, zipper pouches, and wallets. So adorable!

Check out her etsy shop - MaddyMaze Studio - ahead of time. And we hope to see you at Casanova Oakknoll Community Center next Saturday for TREAT YOURSELF.

Saturday, August 6th, 2011
Casanova Oakknoll Community Center
735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey
2pm - 5pm

Love Knots

I won't post a photo of the piece until after the bridal shower this weekend, but I created a bracelet to celebrate my cousin MNM's upcoming nuptials. I used three sterling silver love knots and lapis purple freshwater pearls to match the color of her bridesmaids' dresses.

love knot n : a stylized knot used as an emblem of love

When I taught a class about dragon stories last year, we delved into the cultures that had these stories in their literary traditions, eating a traditional snack and doing a craft each week. One of these was the Welsh; we looked at and created our own Welsh love spoons.

The Welsh love knot has multiple variations each with their own meaning. I like the simple meaning of the knot: as a married couple you are tied to each other in love. In this one-of-a-kind piece for M, I opted to use three love knots - one of their past, one for their future, and one for the present.

Hope she likes it!

Learned Stitchworks will be at TREAT YOURSELF

As we gear up for the TREAT YOURSELF event, I will be introducing you to some of our crafters.

 

Karen Learned of Learned Stitchworks will be showcasing her dog collars, leashes, harnesses, and accessories.  Karen writes: "I have a love for sewing, pets, and grandchildren."

Thanks for joining us, Karen, we look forward to seeing your stuff on August 6th! In the meantime, feel free to peruse her website: learnedstitchworks.com.

TREAT YOURSELF
Saturday, August 6th. 2-5pm. Casanova-Oakknoll Park Community Center. 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey.

Chocolate Swirl Necklace

This simple necklace really shows off the beauty of a piece of chocolate-colored recycled glass. I handwired the glass with a piece of swirled, deep purple charoite and an oxidized sterling round bead. This pendant hangs from an oxidized sterling chain and closes with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to see more photos of this piece or to purchase this from my etsy site.

Mint Chocolate Necklace III

I rarely create completely symmetrical pieces. My 7-year-old says, "Mommy, you need to practice your patterns. This is right, right, wrong..."; and when we were at the Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival he made a point of showing me another jeweler's pieces: "See, Mommy. This necklace-maker understands patterns - right, right, right. Do you understand?!?" Yes, I understand.

These nuggets are so visually interesting, I went with a symmetrical design so as not to distract the eye.

A micro-faceted smoky topaz, recycled chocolate glass, and deep garnet hang at the focal point of this necklace. Hammered smoky quart, rough minty fluorite, and smooth smoky quartz are handwired with sterling silver to complete this one-of-a-kind piece. It closes in the rear with a twisted sterling toggle and green aventurine.

Click here to purchase this piece or to see more photos of this necklace on my etsy store.

Mint Chocolate Necklace II

And another one...

A rough minty fluorite nugget, faceted chrysoprase, and smoky quartz round hang at the center of this piece.Green aventurine, smooth smoky quartz nuggets, recycled green glass, and chocolate are hand-wired with both bright and oxidized sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes in the rear with a sterling lobster clasp.

Click here to purchase this piece or to see more photos on my etsy site.

Mint Chocolate Bracelet II

This chunky bracelet features both colors of a mint-chocolate chip ice cream. Yum!

 

Fluorite, recycled green glass, pale green chalcedony, smooth smoky quartz, hammered smoky quartz, and oxidized sterling silver are all handwired with sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind piece. It closes with a sterling silver heart toggle.

 

Click here to purchase this piece or to see more photos on my etsy site.

Mint Chocolate Bracelet I

This chunky bracelet features both with deep smoky quartz, bright Russian amazonite, sparkling bronzite, and a pale green chalcedony. All are handwired with sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind piece. it closes with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to purchase this piece from my etsy site.

Mint Chocolate Necklace I

Though mint-chocolate chip is not my favorite ice cream flavor, I've always like the combination of colors: pale green with deep, rich brown. In preparation for the TREAT YOURSELF Craft Faire, I decided that mint-chocolate would be the theme of my items.  All unique, all one-of-a-kind with similar gems. If you like this color combination, keep your eyes peeled. There will be more coming...

A teardrop prehnite with deep brown inclusions hangs at the center of this piece. Milky chrysoprase, smoky quartz, minty fluorite, and recycled green glass are hand-wired with both bright and oxidized sterling silver to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes in the rear with a twisted sterling silver toggle.

Click here to purchase this piece or view more pictures on my etsy site.

Six gals. Six dresses. Twelve One-of-a-Kind Pieces of Jewelry.

One of the things I love about making jewelry is creating something that is completely unique for that person. One-of-a-kind. I just received the photos of the bridesmaids dresses for the wedding jewelry I've been commissioned to do.

Six gals. Six dresses. All different. One has a cascading ruffle; one has a flower on one shoulder. Three are strapless - or as Dylan calls them 'the dresses with the low boobs'. It's best not to ask where he comes up with these things! - two are halters and one is single-shouldered. I ordered some sterling silver findings to complement each dress. But all will have deep purple peacock pearls, soft ivory pearls, and glimmering golden citrine. What fun!

Introducing Janice of Tudy's Treasures

As we gear up for the TREAT YOURSELF event, I will be introducing you to some of our crafters.

Janice of Tudy's Treasures will be showcasing her homemade jewelry and homemade notecards.

A lifelong resident of the Monterey Peninsula, Janice writes: "I love to bead and watch my daughter play volleyball."

Thanks for joining us, Janice, we look forward to seeing your stuff on August 6th!

TREAT YOURSELF
Saturday, August 6th. 2-5pm. Casanova-Oakknoll Park Community Center. 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey.

Treat Yourself

It's on!

TREAT YOURSELF, an afternoon of locally-crafted artisan products with sweet treats.

What: Grab your gal pals. Shop, socialize, and relax while supporting local crafters.
When: Saturday, August 6th. 2pm - 5pm.
Where: Casanova-Oakknoll Park Community Center. 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, CA.

For more information, contact me. ecochicdesigns at sbcglobal dot net.

Bridal Bling

I just received an email from my cousin whose wedding is fast-approaching. As a present from me, I had offered to make her bridesmaid's presents. She said, yes.

So, I'll be working with M over the next few weeks on designs and colors to create six one-of-a-kind EcoChic Designs pieces that match her bridesmaid's dresses and style.

How fun!

Orb Earrings II

These stunning earrings feature heavily textured sterling silver orbs, tangerine recycled glass beads, carnelian, and corrugated sterling silver beads. All are handwired with sterling silver and hang from sterling French wires.

Click here to purchase this from my etsy site or to see more photos.

Surf Zone Earrings

Surf Zone Earrings - blue recycled glass and bluberry quartz are handwired onto sterling silver and dangle from sterling earring wires. The blue veins in the blueberry quartz remind me of the way the water churns in the surf zone just off the shoreline.

Click here to purchase these through my etsy site, or to see more photographs.

Bit O'Honey

I've, sadly, never had a Bit O'Honey candy bar. My mom was a sugar Nazi; so there's no mystery why I am the way I am with my boys - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right? But of all the candies I watched my friends eat, the Bit O'Honey intrigued me the most. I liked the name. I love honey.

When I came across these voluptuous citrine nuggets, they reminded me of bits of honey. So I made a necklace-earring set with them.

This set is comprised of an assymetrical necklace and earrings made with organically-shaped gemstones that remind me of bits of honey.

Citrine nuggets, onyx, recycled clear glass and calcite are handwired with sterling silver to create this one-of-a-kind necklace that closes in the front with a sterling silver lobster clasp; the earrings are made with citrine nuggets and recycled glass and hang from sterling silver French wires.

 

Click here to purchase the piece from my etsy site, or to see more photographs.

Orb Earrings I

I love these earrings. The sunny shade of yellow makes me smile; and the movement of these earrings is so much fun.

 

These stunning earrings feature heavily textured sterling silver orbs, yellow recycled glass beads, and textured  sterling silver beads. All are handwired with sterling silver and hang from sterling French wires.

 

Click here to purchase these from my etsy site, or to see more images.

Calling All Crafty Gals!

I am working on a gals' night out full of locally crafted artisan products called TREAT YOURSELF. Shopping + Dessert! C'mon, you can't refuse.

Jewelry. Paper bling. Knitted lovelies. Handcrafted candles.

Looking for people to display and peddle their wares. If you're interested, contact me for details. Email camillammann at sbcglobal dot net.

Cacao Pod Necklace

In preparation for my history of chocolate class next trimester, I hunted high and low for a sterling silver cacao pod pendant. I finally found one...and it is amazing. Made by Gayle Friedman Designs in the Washington, D.C. area, she let me pick if I wanted a vertical or horizontal orientation and if I wanted it bright silver or oxidized. I opted for horizontal and partially oxidized for the pod but bright for the seeds.

I handwired the pendant with rough smoky quartz nuggets, smooth smoky quartz nuggests, chocolate jade rounds, smoky quartz rounds, and oxidized sterling silver to create this one-of-a-kind choker. Then I made matching earrings with rough and smooth smoky quartz and oxidized silver.

Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival

Tomorrow my husband's art will be on display at the Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival. MannMade Creations. Original oil paintings by Jake.

And since the festival seems fairly laid back, Jake asked if I wanted to put some of my jewelry on a table in his booth. His rationale: my jewelry pieces are, after all, Mann-made creations. Mine are just made out of stones, glass, and silver...and you wear it on your body instead of hanging it on your wall. True enough.

So, tonight, I'll be putting together a selection of EcoChic Designs - MannMade Creations - to have at the Carmel Valley Art and Wine Festival. Stop by if you're in town!

11-5, Carmel Valley Village. We'll be in booth #7 on Del Fino Place.

Swirled Glass Hippie Chic Choker

Remember when I went to the Art Glass Center in San Jose with some girlfriends? Well, I finally got around to doing something with the pendant that I had made.

I decided to do something "hippie chic" with knotted hemp and recycled glass beads. But since I haven't done those knots since I was in college in Berkeley, I had to relearn the process. So, after lots of trial and error, I finally figured it out. Phew...

Here it is. The swirled glass pendant was torched and twisted by me. And the hemp was also twisted and knotted by me. I think I'll go back to working with sterling silver wire. It's less time consuming.

WestEnd Celebration: Sand City's Street Party

Very proud of my husband! Jake submitted an application a few weeks ago to be one of the artists at the WestEnd Celebration in Sand City in August.

It's a gigantic street party with music, art, jewelry, dance, and more. All the local shops open their doors and the festivities spill out onto the street.

And he was just notified that he was selected to display. It should be a blast.  So, if you're local, come on out and see some new MannMade Creations.
Click here for more information about Sand City's 10th WestEnd Celebration.

Maker Faire Bay Area 2011

Though this post has nothing to do with my jewelry, it is a post about creations and creativity. My family and I were instantly intrigued by the Maker Faire and its tag line of "Build. Craft. Hack. Play. Make." How can you go wrong with that motto?!?

We attended Maker Faire 2010, wide-eyed and clueless, and left thoroughly overwhelmed, but we were determined to go again. This year, slightly more seasoned attendees, we invited our good friends the Novaks to join the fun, skipped the main parking lot, entrance, and loooong lines, and hit the kid-crafting zones before the faire was at its full 8000 bodies for the day. Next year we'll add to our plan 'bringing in our own lunches', and we'll be golden!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Lisa Pongrace and Greg Solberg's ACME Muffineering. Electrical muffin cars. Seriously. I saw them and started scheming about baked goods races. Maybe for my 40th birthday. I imagine a dozen of my closest friends racing those muffins around a track somewhere. Okay, it's farfetched, I know. So I can dream it. Can I build 'em? Or pay someone to build 'em?!? Maybe Riley will do it...

Robots. Last year I really like the tiny robotic bugs. This year, the PR2 caught my fancy. This one did a high five, a low five, and a double knuckle bump. I'm not quite sure what I liked about it, but it was cool.

Crafts and Stories. Not that we have to leave our home to craft. We have bins and bins - no joke - of crafting supplies. But we had a blast with the hot glue guns, found objects, recycled plastic pieces, and all the makers' displays - from knitted DNA to Victorian paper-cut birdcages to go along with Hans Christian Andersen's "The Nightingale."

Giant Bubbles and Hula Hoops. There are bikes to ride, swings to pump, strings to pluck, and things to pound. Maker Faire is a kinetic kids' heaven...and I do mean "kid" in the loosest sense possible. Danya, Stella, and Dylan stayed on the Holistic Hooping lawn for a long time while Craig, Jake, and Riley played in the ToolShed. Then I was reminded, yet again, how two sticks, some string, some soap and water can result in tons of fun.

There were definitely things I wistfully walked past since this was a family day. But if I had my druthers I would spend some time in the Homegrown Village. There was cheesemaking, pickling, and more that I would have liked to have seen. Maybe Maker Faire 2012 will have that in store for me.

Mint Chocolate Necklace II

I recently got some rough chrysoprase nuggets -  bright opaque green and rich brown matrix - that remind me of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I paired one of the nuggets with Russian amazonite, bronzite, green aventurine, and oxidized sterling silver chain to create this one-of-a-kind necklace that closes in the rear with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to view more photos or to purchase this piece.

Watermelon Chunks Necklace

Another one-of-a-kind watermelon tourmaline creation...

For this neckace, I handwired deep pink chalcedony ovals with matte recycled green glass, pale fluorite nuggets, and watermelon tourmaline with some repurposed sterling silver chain links. There are some moss agate rounds where the necklace closes in the rear with a sterling silver toggle.

Click here to purchase this piece or to view more photos of this necklace.

Deep Ink Necklace

I came across these hefty, beautiful pewter beads by Green Girl Studios and immediately snatched up some ocean-themed ones. I made this Deep Ink necklace because I love octopi and I love deep, regal purple.

A pewter octopus bead hangs at the center of this piece, handwired to a sterling silver bubble with a small hematite round and a larger purple fluorite round. Recycled inky purple nuggets, amethyst nuggets, oxidized sterling silver chain and more hematite rounds complete this necklace that closes in the rear with a sterling silver lobster clasp.

 

Click here to purchase this piece or see more photos on my etsy site.

Juicy Watermelon Drops

Every now and then I come across a gem that just makes me swoon. For awhile I was enamoured with deep-sea hued kyanite, then it was bright pumpkin-y carnelian.

But I recently came across watermelon tourmaline and was instantly smitten.

What's not to love?! Watermelon + Tourmaline. Food and jewelry colliding. My mind immediately began thinking about what I would pair with this succulent gem.

One of the things that so appealed to me about this gem: it is two-toned, rich green and lucscious magenta. When I agonzied over which color to use - either pink or green - I decided that I wanted to use both colors to create this one-of-a-kind piece.

I handwired a deep pink chalcedony oval flanked by watermelon tourmaline drops and frosted Burmese rubies onto some repurposed oxidized sterling silver chain. There are some green glass beads where the necklace closes in the rear with a sterling silver toggle.

 

Click here to purchase this piece or see more photos of it on my etsy site.

Initials in Trees

Though not particularly tree-friendly, carved initials on trees seem to shout to the world: we're in love!

So, for a friend's 11th anniversary present, I made her a necklace with a charm from Bonbon Charms - custom sterling charms by Erica Clements out of Eugene, Oregon.

Handwired with sterling silver branches, recycled green glass, and moss agate, I created this one-of-a-kind necklace for Pia. The piece closes in the front with a vine-wrapped sterling silver toggle. Happy anniversary to the Garneaus - P+B - with much love!

If you're interested in a carved initials necklace for yourself, let me know: camillammann at sbcglobal dot net.

Mint Chip Necklace

I recently got some rough chrysoprase nuggets -  bright opaque green and rich brown matrix - that remind me of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I paired one of the nuggets with bronzite, Peruvian opals, prehnite, recycled green glass, and oxidized sterling silver chain to create this one-of-a-kind necklace. I have a few more chunks of chrysoprase, so keep your eyes open for a few more mint chip creations.