Tulip-Mania

When one of my Earrings-of-the-Month club members told me that, though she typically wears shorter earrings, she wouldn't mind if I made one of her pairs a little bit longer...I thought, "Perfect. Why not this month?!?"

So, for her IN FULL BLOOM-themed piece, I opted for a longer look - sterling and brass three-dimensional tulips handwired with a faceted amethyst and two different colored and sized purple glass rounds. She loved them.

The club is almost full, but if you are interested in receiving a one-of-a-kind pair of artisan earrings once a month, let me know. I think I have one or two spots still available.

Email me at constantmotioncamilla [at] gmail [dot] com.

EcoChic Designs Earrings-of-the-Month Club: April 2012

It's time to ship off earrings to my earrings-of-the-month club members.

This month I was inspired by the plethora of Spring blossoms that abound everywhere from the hiking trails to the grocery store. Some of the pieces features these sterling-over-bronze 3D tulip petals since tulips have been my favorite flower since I was a kid. My fascination with tulips began at the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. You can imagine why...

Other pieces have sterling lotus elements. I hope the gals who receive these are pleased...I know I had fun creating them.

In case you're wondering, I'm offering a monthly delivery of a handmade, one-of-a-kind pair of earrings. You tell me your preference of style and length; I create and surprise you, letting you know what inspired me.  For more information about the club, feel free to email me at constantmotioncamilla at gmail dot com.

The Evolution of a Ring

If there are two things I am passionate about - besides my family, food, and jewelry - they are flowers and creative people.

My all time favorite blossom is a parrot tulip; but I have never been able to find piece of parrot tulip jewelry that I liked. So I decided to commission a parrot tulip ring from my very talented friend Paxton Mobley. I picked up my ring yesterday and it has only left my finger while I was cooking and when I went to bed! I love it.

Here's the creative evolution...

I sent him this photograph.

We went back and forth with a few sketches. This is the one we settled on.

Then he worked his magic with wax and silver.  And here is the final product...ta da!

It's exactly what I wanted. And that it was handmade by a fantastic artist makes it all the better.

Check out more of Paxton's work at his website. Click here.

Tulip + All Shades of Denim = All Mine

Everyone has seen pink tulips and red tulips, yellow tulips and white tulips; there are even green tulips.  But the only shade of tulip that doesn't seem to exist is blue.  Even tulips with 'blue' in their names - 'Blue Ribbon', 'Blue Champion', 'Blue Parrot' - are more purple than blue or are a deep indigo.

Still I decided that I needed to make a blue tulip necklace to keep for myself and I wanted to use all the shades of denim that I could muster so it would pair nicely with another favorite of mine - comfortable blue jeans.  Here's what I created...

A heavily-plated sterling silver (over brass) tulip bead cap is handwired with faceted iolite rondelles, a denim-colored freshwater pearl, recycled teal glass, hematite rounds, and hefty faceted nuggets of aquamarine to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes in the rear with a sterling silver lobster clasp...and it's mine, all mine!  But if you like these colors, let me know, and I'll happily create a similar piece just for you.

Tulipa 'Burgundy Lace'

'Burgundy Lace' tulips are a rich wine color with magenta highlights.  Fabulous colors.  But my favorite part of this tulip is its delicately fringed petals.  They inspired this piece and I used crystal-encrusted druzy nuggets to add texture to this necklace.

A heavily-plated sterling silver (over brass) tulip bead cap is handwired with magenta jade, cabernet freshwater pearls, recycled deep red glass, garnet rounds, Swarovski crystals and hefty faceted nuggets of burgundy druzy agate to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes in the rear with a sterling silver heart-motif toggle.

Click here to purchase this necklace on etsy.com.

Tulipmania - Tulipa 'Sweetheart'

I have been afflicted with tulipmania since I was a child, lived in Holland, and visited the Keukenhof Garden in Lisse with my parents.  Granted, I had this false vision that tulips were gigantic - skewed by the fact that I was only five-years-old and a petite five-year-old at that - but their elegance and beauty are unmistakable; I have loved them for years.  I love the textures, the colors, even the names:

'Aperitif'

'Apricot Beauty'

'Flaming Parrot'

'Oriental Splendor'

'Pink Diamond'

'Pink Impression'

'Salmon Parrot'

'Scarlet Pimpernel'

I've had a bunch of these tulip bead caps for awhile, but was waiting for inspiration to strike. It did. So finally, I went to work, creating these completely unique pieces.

Here's the first one...

A heavily-plated sterling silver (over brass) tulip bead cap is handwired with bronze freshwater pearls, chocolate jade, recycled yellow glass, smoky quartz, and citrine chunks to form this one-of-a-kind necklace. It closes in the rear with a sterling silver lobster clasp.

Click here to purchase this necklace on etsy.com.