New Handmade Jewelry Design - Curls with Twirls Earrings

About a year ago I had a dream about my sister TalTal  (it is her nickname in Hebrew "taltal" means - a curl) when she was a young girl. In that dream she had long beautiful curls. When I awoke, I realized that what I was going to create that day would be "Curl Earrings". Under this inspiration I drove to my jewelry design workshop,  and went right ahead and handcrafted them by sawing two flat pieces of silver to curl shapes, hammering them and adding  ear wires. I loved the result. Then I started to think of more designs based on these earrings and followed, but a short while after, moved on to other jewelry designs.

This week I looked at the first design, and decided I could add round spirals to them, so I did exactly that. I have realized I could build up a whole collection with  this idea.
There will be necklacea, pendants, other variations...you'll see (if you will be interested enough - of course!)

Silver spiral earrings, curls with twirls, handmade sterling jewelry

unique silver earrings handmade hammered silver shaped as curls

Double Curl Earrings goldplated sterling silver with Peridot beads

More handcrafted artisan jewelry:
http://etsy.com/shop/riorita

Singing in The Rain

In my Yesterday's post I wrote that I was lucky, never got wet in the rain! Well - today was another story altogether!
I had an appointment at my dentist's, so I grabbed  my umbrella( just in case) and what do you think? I only stepped out of my door, and it started pouring! Torrents!I rushed to my car and slammed myself inside! Luckily I got to my dentist on time. As soon as I rushed out of my car right into the dentist's door - it stopped!


I looked up at the skies. Decided to smile back at them...


The truth is I am very thankful for the rain. All countries in the Middle East have to replenish their water supplies, and this week's  rain is a blessing. 


Between rain intervals, I managed to get to my handmade jewelry workshop which is located outside of town, and handcraft a 14k Gold carved  ring:

I am a new member of the Etsybloggers team. I have chosen three items from shops of my new friends there:

This is MaureenCracknell's shop. Maureen handcrafts Home decor, fun accessories and one of a kind toys, made of natural materials such as wool, felt and more. I found some some amazing felted pillow cases such as this one:

This is Kelly's Orangiesattic Etsy shop

Kelly likes to create and collect unique items which will beautify your home

  I found this gorgeous Homco Flower Power wall hanging in her shop

In Rebecca Dillon's shp Soapdeli
you will find handmade soap made of Shea butter soaps and goat milk lotions, such as this beautiful  unique one.

I guess it smells nice too

My new sterling silver and Opal gemstone ring

I love freeform gemstones. I collect them one by one. Simply cannot resist the temptation. When they are cut into a small freeform shape, I feel as if part of the world is in my little hands. The richness and variety of stones never ceases to amaze me. Lately it has been Australian boulder Opal stones. Last week I was to prepare a necklace for a customer of mine. Instead I felt that  I MUST create this ring first. Of course I finished the necklace and delivered it on time, but the real fun was in making this ring. It may be one of the simplest designs I've made, but sometimes "simple" in collaboration with a beautiful stone does the job. 

Sterling silver ring with Australian Boulder Opal gemstone

Here is some information about Opal stones:
 There were times when the stone was considered an unlucky stone, probably becuase of it's fragility. Cutting this stone is rather tricky because it has a tendency of chipping.
Anyway , the stones I use, are cut with a thick layer of the basic matrix, to give it a stong backing.
The stone contains a high percentage of water, and can deteriorate if entered into hot or cold fluids.Inspite of this, some places in the world use it as a charm for luck.


One can find Opals in a numerous and awesome variety, here are 3 examples:
Harlequin Opal. This stone has a rich coloration with specs of blue, red and yellow. 
Common opal  has a dull white color with a tendency to blue but is  not as flashy as the Harlequin.
Fire opal  has intense red and yellow hues.
I  love to combine them in my jewelry.
If you love Opals too,you should know one important thing about them: 
They  should be washed in pure water from time to time to  remove traces of makeup from the stones. Never wear them while tending to house work.
You may also like the following etsy shops from the Etsy Treasury Promotion Team:
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jashme

Little Red Riding hood

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeeboo

Monkeeboo Girls Line Plaid and Orange Skirt

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BriarFireGoods

Tin Tray Collectable Cow