Now and again I use uncut rubies and sapphires in my beaded jewellery but most of the time I use semi-precious stones. It’s the jewel colours that draw me in, particularly the spectrum from green through to violet. Stones from left to right: Tourmaline, fluorite, iolite, peacock pearls, amethyst. When they’re facetted or teardrop-shaped the excitement is even greater. Sometimes I just get them out and look at them. I have a gleeful pirate moment which can help during a dreary January day.
For the last couple of years I’ve been making more and more pieces using silver clay but before I had children semi-precious beaded jewellery was very fashionable and at one point I had small collections in three or four galleries around East Anglia. Tiny garlands made of gemstones are still popular but I make less of this kind of work.
I miss the beading process though. It’s repetitive but incredibly satisfying. Gems are added one by one to the chain. There’s a tutorial here. It’s like a favourite recipe or knitting pattern – familiar, therapeutic and when it’s finished the feeling can be better than chocolate.
I’m going to use the stones in these pictures to make a something this week. I have the time to do it, which is a real treat. I’ll keep you posted.
It would be lovely if you join in with Splash of Colour this week – I think we could all do with a post-Christmas boost. The flickr pool is here. Drop me a line and let me know if you’re not on Flickr but would like me to include an image and link in the end of week mosaics.
If you’re joining in then add your blog to this list and link back here so everyone can come and see your colourful images.
And you know you've got me hooked on the semi precious gorgeousness now too!
We went and looked at the jewellery collection in the V&A yesterday. Oh my goodness. How have I missed the wonderful May Morris pieces before?! Understated and beautiful amidst case upon case of gold and diamonds – also beautiful, but in a very different style.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow.
They're lovely, so uplifting on a day like today.
What a beautiful colour scheme the stones are, I look forward to seeing what you make with them 🙂
Such beautiful little gems and a lovely 'lift' for a January morning! Looking forward to seeing what you make with them.
I know what you mean about just getting them out to look at them, I do that with yarn too. 🙂
It's hard to believe it's the third SOC already, spring is just around the corner.
I'll get my post up in the next couple of days.
Vivienne x
hello emma just popped over here from your old blog – first visit in ages, have had a string of disasters including slipping on ice and breaking my wrist 2 wks before xmas – and i have to just say happy new year and thank you for your lovely creative inspiration. this is def going to be the year i treat myself to a piece of your beautiful work!
What beauties xox I will be posting my splash of colour soon xox
Happy new year Emma!
Such lovely colours, just up my street!
Cant wait to see what you do with them.
Clare x
Oh they're lovely. Will look forward to seeing what you make with them.
K x
In need of the post Christmas pick-me-up – my photo's up. I knitted them especially for Splash of Colour!!
Wow, the colours are so delicious! I sort of want to put them in my mouth… Looking forward to seeing what you do
Happy new year to you Emma! Going to try my hardest to find some colour – although it will probably be indoors as it's looking pretty grey outside here!
Very pretty!
Love those sparkly precious stones. Hoep you had a good christmas and new year. Enjoy your 'me time'. x
Hi, thank you for your lovely comment. You are not too late.. please leave me your email… it could be you! ;0) I've added some images to the flickr pool too! Lou xx
Love those jewel tones myself. I have been using the same colors in my fabrics lately 🙂
Hello Emma! So So beautiful colours! I'm happy I found your lovely blog! Thank you for sharing our links!
Best wishes from Crete! Teje
My two favourite colours — green and purple — in a single picture. Can't wait to see what you are going to make.
Hello, I've just discovered your blog and your beautiful photographs. Particularly like the montage of pics and would love to attempt same on my blog. Would you mind if I asked you how you create the montage effect in Blogger? Thanks. All the best.
I am loving the idea of you as a pirate !!!! xxx
"a gleeful pirate moment" – how funny – and true! I had a lovely moment in a jeweller's in Turkey, some years ago, when I was replacing a stone in a ring with a (very small) diamond. The jeweller took out a paper filled with diamonds and poured them out on the table – it was astonishingly lovely – and alluring!
A Happy New Year to you and yours. I was very tempted to have a go at your tutorial but time caught up with me. I have bookmarked it for future ref.I look forward to seeing what lovely creation you will make with your new assortment.
Beautiful colours! I agree with Rachel, "a gleeful pirate moment", that's funny 🙂
Well ship ahoy me hearty and a Happy New Year to the land lubbing Pebbles.
Oh, Mrs P. I lurve these colours too and agree that sometimes just having a rattle and stare is all you need to quench a beany thirst. I am going to come and see you this month. And that's a promise. LOL,Ax
Thanks for stopping by my blog, will have to get my camera out and join in – joined the flickrpool ;o) Bored of white now and can't wait for Spring!
How lovely. I was in London last week and bought some lovely semi-precious beads. I'm looking forward to having a play soon. 🙂
HAPPY NEW YEAR EMMA!!!!! Thanks for the lovely message…. I would love to meet you too sometime and cake would be wonderful! Lovely delicate photos you have published this time round as your splash of colour. I have just published mine: taste has no boundaries in my family! :O))))))))
Keep meaning to say how great the Splash of Colour idea is. Greatly needed in this grim weather and economic climate! About to have my own 'pirate moment' with some fabric! Happy New Year and keep up the good work.
I loved seeing your close ups of the beautiful gems catching the light – I can see why you enjoy working with them (and just looking at them). I'm sure I would too. Wishing you a wonderful, happy and creative 2011. Helen x
Such lovely gems Emma, I look forward to seeing what you create with them. I hope to get a Splash of Colour post on my blog sometime this week. Everything is so grey now the snow has all but disappeared!
Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!
Jeanne
x
I used to sell lots of silver rings with semi precious stones so I always have a soft spot for the little beauties. I think I need a splash of colour more than ever at the mo, it's so dreary out there.
: )
What a dipstick I am Emma. I kept thinking it's been a while since Emma posted. Thought I'd better go and email to see if you're ok and then I saw a comment on Vivenne's blog, followed the link and then realised the problem. I've forgotten to change the link to your new blog. Oh so much to remember in this modern old age of ours.
After a quick read through of your posts I have to say wow about the necklace, especially the wee rocket – perfect. Sorry you've been poorly, too many are getting this horrible bug and hopefully all this colour is keeping you chugging along to Spring. Promise will be in touch about PMM when the committee have had their meeting of two.
Happy New Year by the way to end this long ramble.
X
Those are gorgeous Emma — just beautiful. I can't wait to see what you make with those stones.
Thanks Emma,I found you after reading Anna's post!
oops, I made a mistake Emma,#24 needs to be deleted….so sorry.
I love the watery beauty of these stones! Makes me feel contemplative and moody, in the best sense of the word.
I go to the Splash of Colour group all the time for a nice infusion of color energy. I haven't had anything particularly colorful to post to the group of late, but I will soon.
love your splash of colour group, how beautiful they are, i love to find colour in all things, thanks for hosting!