Holiday Trinket 2015

Apologies for being a little (more than) tardy for my yearly holiday trinket creation...  But, better late than never :-)

Ta Da!  A minimalist, tall and skinny Christmas tree made in European Vertebrae with graduated sizes of rings, in various materials and colors, complete with its own decoration of dangling rings!  Plus a tree topper with a Rosetta-edged whirlybird and a wire wrapped bead cap.

OK, let me guess what you're thinking, "That's not much of a tree"...  Hey, there's nothing wrong with ad hoc mailling, specially when my hands are still hurting from wrestling with those thick niobium wires, not to mention it's a great way to recycle, improvise, and learn something new at the same time.

So, what have I learned in making this tree?  Quite a few:

1.  The dangling rings in the middle of the "tree trunk" add colors, dimension, and movement.  They are forgiving in AR, so great way to incorporate the orphan rings!

..................::: ooOO:::..................

2.  Got any bead about the right size to fit in one of the big rings?  Put a wire thru the bead, wrap a single loop on each side, and thread thru the big "tree trunk" rings, for extra bling!

..................0O0..................

3.  Then there's the tree topper.  Well, I cheated a little on this one ;-)  If you had visited this blog from back when I first started mailling, you may have seen my Rosetta whirlybird bead from 2010, and the wire wrapped bead cap from even before my chainmaille days.  I've been saving them for the right spot to shine, and here they are!  String them together on top of a white flower bead, form a double loop on each end, and there is the adorable angel with the fluffiest ruffle collard!!

Well, what can I say, imagination has always been my best friend, LOL!

♥ Happy Holidays, everyone ♥

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sharon H.'s Custom Designed Jewelry Set in Ghenghiz Cohen Chainmaille Weave

Not much can be compared to this puppy; nothing ever even come close :-)

When Sharon told me she found a couple of pieces in my studio catching her eyes and would like to have something made to match the B²+1 Maltese Cross earrings, I thought, "Wow, that would be pretty!"

..........

Well, it's way more than pretty, it's awe inspiring!!

It's substantial, sparkly, eye-catching, ...  100% spectacular!!

The cross focal is 3 inches long including the crystal dangles, 2 inches across, nearly half inch thick, built with mostly 14 gauge SWG round wire rings in bright aluminum and jewelry brass, with the hidden "queen ring" of the B²+1 unit in 12 gauge that called for some serious muscles out of this old lady, LOL!!

Ah, but the end result is a mesmerizing, three-dimensional texture that is extremely sensual to the touch, if you don't mind me saying so.  I seriously pat myself on the back for this most fabulous chainmaille motif I've ever created!!

  Yup, you probably have to be a chainmaille diehard like me to fully appreciate this level of euphoria!  But I won't lie, those big and shiny Swarovski gold and silver crystals are the magical touch that really made the whole thing pop!  By the way, I'll share a little tip just in case anyone ever runs into this:  Apparently Swarovski doesn't make Aurum 2X bicones in 8mm, only up to 6mm, now you know :-)

To match the brilliance of this gorgeous necklace, Sharon picked out the same Ghenghiz Cohen weave for the matching bracelet, but with an upgraded size of my Moon Rise toggle clasp for closure.

I must admit, for as many Moon Rise toggles I've made, each one is still an adventure to create, specially when it's made with thicker and harder metal than pure copper.  What we see here is actually the 4th one that finally fit the bill just right, hence the saying, "No two are exactly alike!" :-)

For more views of the necklace and bracelet, they are currently available in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

V
V
(())(())(())>>o<<(())(())(())
^
^

Forged Heart Pendant

Following my original design of S-hook clasp, I went on to experiment with more complex versions.  One of the variations was the whimsical ducky clasp, which is a stylized ducky outline complete with a pointy tail, folded wing, and a long beak that easily catches and releases to function as a clasp.

Alternatively, when I bring the beak closer to touch the duck body, then turn the duck side way, it becomes a shapely heart!  Additional bending and forging of the wire creates the varying thickness in the final heart shape, reminiscent of calligraphy but with metal.

Since I can never stay with just one color, this newly re-purposed clasp got a rainbow dip in the anodizing pool, so to speak (hahaha, I crack myself up!)

OK, so it's pretty easy so far.  Finishing the heart clasp on a necklace is a different story.  Deciding where to add the crystals, how to hang the pendant, what kind of neck ware, and how does it clasp, etc etc...  The devil is always in the detail.

But I must say I'm pretty happy with the results.  Every little part fits together finally and nicely, making it a one of a kind necklace that's dainty in scale but bold in presence.  Icing on the cake?  This beauty went straight to a dear friend the second it's listed ;-)

To order your very own Forged Heart necklace, please visit the listing my online studio www.DaisyKreates.com.

Japanese Polyhedron Nox Earrings - A Stargate-Inspired Chainmaille Creation

The other day, I was going through my long list of to-do's and one item sticks out again and again is "make more Japanese polyhedron earrings", with a big star marked right next to the note.  Hum....  right, I've always liked the architectural flair of this weave, can be elongated and soft, or very squarish and sturdy, it is fun and sprite-like, versatile and charismatic, shall we have a pair of these in shiny sterling?  With some colorful highlights, maybe?

These may look like the ones I made before, but this new design is a very tight and sturdy structure, each forming a bipyramid of sterling silver on the outer rim and natural titanium on the interior rim, held together closely with rainbow anodized niobium rings.

Oh yes, I made the niobium rings myself from raw wire, they're hand coiled, anodized with multiple colors, cut on my Ringinator, then tumbled to clean up the burs and residues from the cutting process.

I then painstakingly built the bipyramid shape with several different pliers, because the rings interaction was so tight, the sequence of weaving matters a lot.  A missed step often means a marred ring that had to be tossed and replaced :-(

But the results are very satisfying!!  My favorite is the way you can see through the polyhedron to take in the views and colors on the far side!  How neat is that?!

Oh and yes, the long, wing-like dangles are the result of an afternoon of moping around, thinking, sketching, testing, nearly giving up a few times, going back on the net surfing for ideas, heading out to the back yard watching hummingbirds zooming through my patio chasing one another..... then, a light bulb came on:-)

And I'm very happy with them!

These colorful and whimsical earrings are also available for purchase in my online studio.

~~~~~ So, why "Nox"? ~~~~~

Well, the fact that I made these on a Sunday afternoon may have something to do with it...  You see, I have a habit of catching the reruns of Stargate SG-1 on TV:-)  No, the Nox episode wasn't on any specific Sunday, but as I was watching the show and doing my "user testing" on these earrings, the way they swing, I see the shiny rings flicker on and off, echoing the little bling on the dangle, they all reminded me of the Nox.  Hence, the name!!

Genie Bottle Pendant in Raven Black

One of my favorite Genie Bottles in monochrome black.

It's difficult to photograph black on black ....

See what I mean?
But this black beauty is totally versatile.  Be it raven black, jet black, onyx black, or black galaxy, it's a little bit of everything, reserved, goth-looking, mysterious, unexpected, still goes perfectly with any outfit, in any occasion, day and night!

I'm glad my friend Joanna asked for one of these; I might not have tried this color scheme on my own, mostly because I already wore so much black, LOL!!!

Took me way longer to prepare photos for this pretty pendant than to make it.  One day I'll figure this one out.

Available as customer through my online studio!!

More pix?  Please visit my online album.

Two Genie Bottles in Classic Golden Mulberry

The smaller, more dainty one, in my original design.

Then the bigger, more showy one, in the second incarnation of my genie bottle design.

Both custom made for my friend Etsuko, in the same color scheme of golden mulberry that is most reminiscent of the "I Dream of Jeannie" bottle.

While I have created quite a few chainmaille genie bottles in lots of color combos, each time I completed one of these beauties, I still find myself falling in love with it all over again!

I wish I had one photo of these two side by side, so you may see how they are similar "and" different...  The next best thing, how about these two photos side by side?

I used the same colors and sizes of AA rings to weave the Whirlybirds, but in different number of rings.  Interesting to see the dramatic changes in the final sizes.

Over the time as I've experimented with incorporating other elements, such as beads, chains, wires, into my chainmaille pieces, one thing becomes clear:  Multimedia is much more than just the materials; it is even more about the techniques, and knowing when to use which material, what technique for their unique qualities and best contribution to the overall design.  Right, so glad that all the time I spent on bead-weaving and wire-wrapping, plus several other more :-) is now coming together nicely.  It's the quickening!!

For complete views of these two pieces, please check them out in

here and here.

.

V

<>

((()))

::

;;

;

*

...

Red Genie Bottle Pendant with Easy Change Clasp Bail

I've been asked if I make my chainmaille genie bottles for uses other than pendants; say like, key fob, zipper pull, ceiling fan switch pull, etc., etc.

Well, I'm a little protective of these babies, for their colors and shine.  The colors from anodized aluminum is sturdy but they can be scratched off against sharp objects; and the brilliant shine on the Swarovski crystals is too precious to mess with.  So, as the way this line of the genie bottles are made, key fob idea is out.

However, I see no reason why it can't be swapped out of the neck chain and be used as ceiling fan pull; or, light switch pull.  With the newly updated clasp bail, you decide how you want to carry your genie bottle!!

The stainless steel lobster clasp is very smooth, easy operation.  It will keep the unique tilt that sets it aside from others.  When used as a ceiling fan pull, the long slender tassels with blingy Swarovski crystals bring oh so much more movement and liveliness!

Want to dress up your favorite outfit, or your lamp pull??  Drop me a note via Contact Me at my online studio www.DaisyKreates.com.

And let the magic begin!!

More views of the genie bottle?  Come visit my online photo album.

.....

How Many Genies Bottles??

Um, not sure, I lost count after 3 ......  Here are some of them...

... from my 2013 collection.

and there were more that I didn't get to photograph before they were "adopted":-)  Let's me think, there were purple, yellow, rainbow, ....

and a few more that have been waiting for their close-ups for a while: chocolate brown, caramel, mint green, peacock feather ....

looks like the photographer (that would be me...) has been the bottle neck, pun intended.... :-)

Hum, as I write this post, one of these babies is claimed...  Hard to keep up!  To custom order your very own, please drop me a note via Contact Me at my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

\/   \/   \/   \/
<> <> <> <>

::(): :(): :(): :()::

Emerald Green Genie Bottle Pendant

Green is not an easy color to photograph, this I learned from the pictures of my Emerald Green Genie Bottle Pendant.

I so hope your monitor/screen shows coloration similar to mine, as my camera and I sure tried our best to deliver the closest emerald green here as on the actual genie bottle.

And I was lucky enough to have found the vintage Swarovski Margarita 16-petal crystal also in emerald green to complete this beautiful genie bottle in a true monochromatic color scheme.

BTW, did you know that emerald also happens to be the birthstone of May?! ....  You're welcome:-)

Never the ordinary.

Be extraordinary.  Be the magic.


To custom order this necklace, please Contact Me at my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

Visit my online album for complete views of the emerald green genie bottle necklace.

Thank you for visiting!!

Japanese Dodecaheron Chainmaille Cufflinks

I've been wanting to make these cuff links for a while.... ever since I saw the beautiful cuff links by Corvus in sterling silver.  Very inspired!!

So I thought, what can I do to give my cuff links a little something extra, something to set them apart from the traditional style, like this?

Well, I didn't come up with much... it's hard to improve upon perfection, which the Japanese Dodcahedron is as far as sphere shape goes.  As you can see, and I hope you agree, the little spunky cuff link is already beyond adorable.

So, if there's not much I can add in the front, how about the back, huh?

I'm a big fan of tassels:-)  Anything that swings, moves, with some sparkles, something shiny!

I like these the best in that the tassels are optional.  You can wear the cuff links with or without the tassels.  Yes, I'm all for having options:-)

Traditional.

Or.... a little extra!!

Your choice!!

These lovely cufflinks are now available in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.  Hope you'll come by for a visit.

As for you DIYers out there, I used the fabulous square wire rings 20-C from C and T Designs for the Japanese balls, with a 6 mm Swarovski #5040 inside to plump it up.  Now you know:-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog!  Would love to hear from ya!!

....

Ninja Star Hair Barrette

I've always like dangles in hair accessories, except there are not a whole lot of these out in the market.  So I set out to make one:-)

Borrowing the idea of my Ninja Star scale flower, I pick red and white for the color combo, then added lots of Swarovski crystals to end of the tassels.

The 1-inch French made aluminum barrette is dainty and smooth, perfect for gathering just a small section of your hair at the back or on the side.

Pretty cool, huh?!

Come check out the complete line of my Ninja Star creations at my online Picasa Web Album.

Want to take home this hair barrette?  This item is will be available soon in my online shop DaisyKreates.com.  Don't want to wait?  Send me a note to arrange for a custom listing.

*

||||

;;;;

...

Three Genies

In classic color schemes, "I Dream of Jeannie" style.

Tracing back to my last year's design, adding pops of gold and champagne, these three genie bottles are perfect accessories for any LBD:-)

Or, how about a black, silver, and gold combination?  With a 30-inch long, stainless steel curb chain, these necklace slide on/off effortlessly, no clasp, no fuss!

Thank you for visiting!  More views available on my Google Photos album.  Hope to see you there too!

.

V

<>

((()))

::

;;

;

...

Genie Bottles Earrings with Red Chainmaille Whirlybirds

Petite genie bottles earrings, in festive red!

Delicately woven with red anodized aluminum and stainless steel rings, these earrings are slender and very light weight.

Measuring at 2 3/4" long, 1/2" wide, the genie bottles are decorated with vintage Swarovski crystals on top, and sparkly dangles trailing below!

Pair these adorable earrings with my red Genie Bottle necklace, and let them bring fun and excitement to everywhere you go.

These beauties are available for custom order via Contact Me in my online studio DaisyKreates.com.

.......