Black Spinel - Outstandingly beautiful, Incredibly Classy

Remember, in my last blog, how I talked about all the Spinel I purchased in Tucson?  Remember how I said I had been dreaming about it?  Well I have completed the designs I was losing sleep over and thought you might like to see them.  I must tell you that for me there is almost nothing as fulfilling as being able to find the materials I desire to create with and then being able to actually execute the patterns that color my dreams!  

Black Diamonds - For when the occasion requires understateded elegance, a touch of glamour, and unparalleled sophistication  -    Necklace - Spinel, Sterling Silver 

Black Diamonds is the reason for the beginning of my obsession with spinel this season.  I saw her in a dream (yes, I sometimes see pieces in dreams - it is just one of the ways I see the designs I make).  I saw her as a contemporary version of the jewelry worn back in the days of the "Roaring Twenties."  I have always thought that the jewelry of that period was elegant, glitzy, and timeless.  She comes to life when you put her on.  She just beams!

 GiGi  -  Perfect for when you need attitude with a little chic  -  Necklace - Spinel, Swarovski Crystal, Pyrite, White Bronze

GiGi, on the other hand, was hidden in the midst of some other beads, waiting to be discovered.   The Swarovski crystal  'just happened'  (I think on purpose) to be next to these faceted gems and seemed to wish to be a part of this delicate, yet feisty piece.  She can be worn a few different ways - long as a single strand, or wrapped twice or three times.  Oh and any way you turn, she catches the light and sparkles.

Black Orchid -  Like any rare beauty she promises to capture the attention of all who gaze upon her.  It is how she draws attention to 'who you are'  that is absolutely magical  - Necklace - Spinel, Pyrite, Sterling Silver / Crystal

Black Orchid is exactly what you would expect.  She is mysterious, exotic, mystical, and drop dead gorgeous!  She is a dream.  I saw these beads and knew they had to come together in this distinct way.  I find it is so magical when a 'Black Orchid' reveals herself. 

                                                     Black Orchid Bracelet - Spinel, Sterling Silver and Crystal Magnetic Clasp

The Black Orchid bracelet is a powerful and dazzling piece on it's own.  It shows how amazing spinel can be.   Know that I live for these designs.  The ones that appear to be so simple are always the most complicated to create and absolutely captivating once the designs are realized.  It is that I am allowed to participate in this process that takes my breath away!

The pieces shown in this blog are one of a kind.  Call 301-565-0277 or write elaine.beads@gmail.com for prices.  

Shopping for Beads

Have you ever wondered where the beads I use in my designs come from?  Which comes first, the beads or the design?  Oh -- and most important, what does the picture above have to do with beads?  Well, this time of year is a good time to give you a window into one of the ways I gather beads.

Each year about this time I shop at the world’s largest bead, rock, gem, and mineral shows which take place in Tucson, Arizona.  These shows take up all of Tucson from the convention center to side lots at gas stations, church basements, school auditoriums, and every hotel ballroom, lobby, and suite there is. 

Now -- why the opening picture?  Because, every morning in Tucson looking out a window where I stay, this is what I see -- cactus at sun rise! I think of this view as my gateway to the beautiful and unusual beads that will become parts of future pieces of jewelry -- a window to endless possibilities.  

In the interest of full disclosure I am going to show you what a day of shopping in Tucson is like. Each day shopping is from 10 am to 6 pm without a serious break. Tucson is the one place where I can shop with bead venders and artists from around the world.  Knowing that I'll be going into unchartered waters, I get my lightest weight carry on with wheels (beads are too heavy to carry when one is going through a show with 400 plus venders), a shopping bag/purse/back pack, my most comfortable walking shoes, my laptop, show registrations, money, and I'm ready. Oh. And it really helps to have a wonderful friend who turns over her home and car to you while you are in Tucson!

Geared up and ready to shop!

   Some badges can be used at several shows.

This year there were 38 shows, most running simultaneously.  Above is the entrance to one show that had over 900 exhibitors / venders with  wonderful beads.

This is my favorite tented show with over 409 exhibitors.  This is a good example of the outside looking calm and quiet while the inside is bright lights, dazzling gems and beads, and hundreds and hundreds of wholesale buyers shopping.

Booths can look like this in a tent…

Or this in a hotel lobby…..stone beads

Or gem stone beads in a ballroom……

Some great Spinel was found here.  This vender is from Hong Kong and comes to the states only once a year for this show.  

And believe it or not baltic amber like this outside in an individual tent

This year at the top of my list was to find a beautiful gemstone called Spinel, it is transparent to opaque. It may be colorless, but is usually various shades of red, blue, green, yellow, brown or black.  I was only interested in the dazzling black so I wouldn’t even look at the other colors for fear of being distracted.  

Spinel is sometimes referred to as “ black diamonds” because of the fire in it when it is of good quality and cut well. The best I am told comes from Thailand so of course Black Spinel from Thailand is what I was in search of.  I have been dreaming about it and have this great design, a multi strand necklace in mind.

After several shows and tired feet I was able to identify a handful of venders, in different shows,who had exquisite Black Spinel in different shapes and sizes.  Spinel, you too will dream of when you see the finished pieces. 

Isn’t it the best!  You know how every woman should have a little black dress?  Well, I think every woman should have a black necklace that can go from the boardroom to the ballroom. Watch for the pieces that come from the Spinel I found.

Then there are Mother of Pearl beads I needed to copy a design of mine for a client who lost the original piece and wants a duplicate made.  Of course I bought enough to create a couple more designs. 

A trip to Tucson would not be complete if I didn't get pearls from my favorite pearl vender!

Ok I couldn't leave these behind.  Look how beautiful they are!

I also scouted out materials I have not worked with and new findings that can give designs an even better finish then what I have been using.  This all sounds reasonable doesn’t it?

A most exciting find was this fabulous Druse, especially the pieces that have a layer of 18K gold applied through a process called vapor deposition just to give them  more pizazz.   I knew I had to bring this back for those who like a little something over the top.   Below is one finished example.

What do you think, did I make the right decision ?

Remember the question at the beginning of this blog about which comes first the beads or the design?  There is no one answer.  Sometimes it is the design, as with the spinel.  There was the dream, and now that I have found the beads I saw in my dream I will create the necklace. and other pieces.

On the other hand, when I saw this druse I knew immediately what I would do with it. The pendants said how they wanted to be presented to the world as i held them.   I work at keeping an open mind so I don’t miss any of the designs as they come through, nor the wonder of how they come to me.

At the end of the day, just as I think I can not look at another beautiful bead or gemstone… there are bands of fire, amazing, spectacular colors  shooting across the sky. A subtle reminder of Who really is the best at design.  I will never be able to top Mother Nature’s designs but oh how I do appreciate a flare for the dramatic. Sunset in Tucson.

The Birth of a Bead

In April of last year I  was in Kigali, Rwanda to access the jewelry industry there and to write a manual for the country of Rwanda on how to make beaded jewelry.   While going from market to market and asking every person along the way where I could find artists making jewelry, a taxi driver  said you might want to see  Inema Art Center.  So we went to the Center and I met Innocent Nkurunziza this phenomenal  artist / painter /  teacher /  community organizer- You can find out more about him and the work he and his brothers do at the Center if you google him. -  I was fascinated with beads he had designed using the formula for paper beads but applying it to new and different materials.  Here was someone who thought out of the box.  I was so impressed with his work that I invited him back to the US to my studio to share with him techniques, materials, and marketing tools he might have a use for at the center.  

In my studio Innocent is on a mat on the floor busy creating the first of the new Nkurunziza Beads!  The brown is the natural bark that he paints and cuts into shapes to make beads.

This is what the Fig Tree Bark looks like after Innocent paints it  

Well he made it and he brought with him Fig Tree Bark (I had not seen it used for beads before).  It was a great week of exchanging ideas, exploring new materials and looking at new ways to market the art work inclusive of beads, finished jewelry, paintings, and other hand crafted works.  All done by the women at the Center, orphan children he and his brothers work with, and art created by Innocent and his brothers.  (Such a gifted family)  The icing on the cake for me was when he painted a piece of Fig Tree Bark with one of his abstract designs, cut the bead pattern he wanted out of the bark and made these beautiful Beads -  WALLA!!  I witnessed the birth of a new bead the  Nkurunziza Bead.  

These beads and this wonderful artist validate one more time for me that if you stay open and pay attention as you move through life you are bound to find the most marvelous things and the most extraordinary people.  

Innocent's beads / Elaine's design - Thunder Blue

Jewelry to take your breath away

The intoxication of the Holiday Season is palpable in the air! I breathe in rich memories of holidays gone by and exhale creativity.  These pieces, inspired by  Christmas lights, the warmth of a fireplace, or my children’s garland gracing my Christmas tree every year, embody the memories that keep us linked to our past, yet inspire us to embrace  our tomorrows. Breaths, memories caught in time, through beads and design.

I have gathered beads from all corners of the world, to create artful and exquisite pieces-

Freshwater Kasumi Natural  Pearls from Japan

Pieces designed to take your breath away.......

What Holiday memories linger in your mind and take your breath away?

Red Opal Ammonite over  200 million years old

Enjoy the wonderful new colors of rubber which haven’t been seen in the U.S. before! (I previously identified them as neoprene but they are actually rubber.)

European Rubber

Do you know what else takes my breath away? Jewelry inspired through my memories that have now become a part of your memories. As you post yourself wearing “pieces of love” from my previous collections, the memories flow back to to me and a new memory begins.

Looking forward to reading all of your happy memories! And thank you… your style, laughter, hugs, smiles, and  joyous tears  support me as they take my breathe away.

Happy Holidays!

Elaine