Time To Check The Maille

Abbi Caricco of Lunachick Designs specializes in chainmaille and sterling silver wirework designs with gemstone accents. She puts the power of intention into each piece she makes to enhance the mood of the wearer, and seeks out the most unusual gemstones she can find.

These features combined make for many aesthetically pleasing designs. I have always loved Chainmaille; it’s amazing how wire jump rings can create such a strong yet flexible mesh when linked and intertwined, perfectly structurally sound, like the architecture of a bridge when you look up from underneath. The numerous patterns, using both positive and negative space to accentuate their juxtaposition keeps her work fresh and intriguing, and her choice of stones really compliments the metalwork.

The weaves the artist uses range from Byzantine,

to European 4-in-1, (as shown in the first picture at top),

to Japanese Honeycomb (love this one),

to Full Persian (another one of my favorite weaves).

These Athena Earrings have a large round bloodstone bead dangling from the bottom of a strip of Full Persian weave.

Abbi uses a wide range of materials for jump rings including rubber, titanium, stainless steel, Aluminum, and Sterling Silver.

Her style is a cross between, Pagan, New Age, Goth, and Industrial, and the results; absolutely mesmerizing!

To see more of the artist’s work and treat yourself or a loved-one to something really special he or she will treasure for years to come, go to: http://lunachick.etsy.com/ and her supply shop,
http://www.lunachickfindings.com/ . Also, check out her blog at:
http://lunachickdesigns.blogspot.com/

Reaching for the Stars…One Bead At A Time

Patricia Vener has lived a fascinating life spanning several careers; an accomplished and published writer, and retired ballerina, she also holds a Masters Degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY. She worked as an astronomer and still teaches astronomy as an adjunct professor for University of Maryland University College.)

Her earliest influence was the beadwork and textiles she saw in a Native American exhibit at the local museum on Rochester New York as a young child. Captivated by color and texture, Patricia became interested in Color Theory, inspired by the work of Impressionist painters and such Art Nouveau artists as Alphonse Maria Mucha, Paul Berthon, among others.

Given her background it is not surprising that she chose bead-weaving using tiny glass seed beads as her jewelry specialty, an array of techniques in which mathematical precision is an asset, and patience is a virtue, although her work clearly shows a sense of grace without being overly geometric or constrained.

Using Peyote Stitch, right-angle weave, and a number of netting stitches, the artist typically creates a woven flat base upon which she builds, layering it with various embellishments for texture. Many of her necklaces are elaborate bead-woven collars that celebrities and other VIPs would die for if they only knew about them.

In “Complementary “, ruffles around the neck are reminiscent of Victorian coiffure, while the brightly contrasting purple and orange color scheme and circular centerpiece look distinctly African-influenced. I particularly like what she’s done with this one, blending design elements from two so disparate cultures together within the same piece. Materials include; Seed beads, bugles, triangle beads, malachite chips and a vintage rhinestones. This necklace will appear in a print ad in Ornament Magazine during the months of October, December and March.

“Angle Waves” is a lovely pair of earrings in brown and very pale pink with a zigzagging pattern which evokes a feeling of excitement and liveliness, culminating in a spray of fringe at the bottom. They retail for a very reasonable $25.00!

“Red Sky at Night” http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5176357 incorporates exquisite sunset colors in a Russian Peyote Stitch woven in a dramatic V-shape. These epitomize elegance and grace and would make a gorgeous gift for the holidays.

Patricia’s business, Silver Dragon Creations has two web-presences; on on Etsy and the other, a free-standing website. Those of you who have only seen her work on Etsy are really missing out on a treat, as she currently has most of her best work on her other site although she is working more of her elaborate pieces in gradually.

She belongs to the International Jewelry Designers Guild as well as the local Baltimore Bead Society.

Beadwoven jewelry has historically been under-appreciated mostly due to lack of public education about its value. Jewelry like this is worth a lot more than the traditional mark-up normally placed on other styles. It is a skill that takes years to master, so money spent on it is money well-spent. Part of its value is because often this type of jewelry is not mass-produced as you might see in jewelry that is casted, fabricated with a torch, wire-wrapped, or strung.

To see everything and to purchase please check out http://silverdragon.etsy.com/
and see more of her masterpieces here; http://vener-art.com/handmade-beaded-jewelry.html

A wide variety of payment options exist, and she currently offers free shipping inside the US.

Hemlock Wreath Reflecting Mountain Stream-Bracelet

This new piece is now available for purchase in my Etsy store. Buy that special gift well before the Christmas rush. This bracelet is one=of-a-kind, has a sterling silver box clasp on it with three leaves carved in it, fits a 6 1/2" wrist. Fine, water-clear quartz briolettes seem to drip from the ends of branched fringe which shimmers with a matte blue-green irridescence.