This week on Ebay



I put some jewelry up on eBay today. Haven't done that in months, or maybe years, so we'll see what happens. You might be able to get some good deals with these.

I put up three of my soldered glass pendants that feature my original collages. These are based on the concept of Alice in a Steampunk Wonderland. I create the collages, then scan the originals and have them printed on professional grade printers. I then sandwich the print between glass and use a stained glass technique to soft solder them together. This solder has no lead or nickel so is safe for jewelry.

I also put up two rings that I made this week on President's Day weekend. They are made of coins. I think they're fun. If I get much interest, I'll offer custom coin rings - any size, year, coin, etc. I think they would be fun for special anniversary gifts or birthdays. Even a shower gift could have the bright penny ring as part of the gift wrapping. Kids would love these too, I think. 
So, if you're interested, please make a bid by Sunday February 28, 2010.

Escape from the Ordinary

I was supposed to be working on some rings this week. But the Esc key pendant that I started a few weeks ago kept bugging me. So, I let the plans drop to heed the call of the Muse.

This is a sterling silver square that I textured with a hammer and other items of destruction. The sawed out circle has a brass collar. The focus is the Esc key from an old computer. My way of recycling. The keys are very high for jewelry, so I had to saw the plastic key in half. And the shape of the key is difficult for this type of bezel setting. I will try a different method for my next computer key. There's a copper "scrap" with two tiny 1.5mm Cubic Zirconias in a burnished setting. I love the way they sink into the copper and contast with it.

I will put this on a simple brown suede cord.

Wearing this, I will state my desire to escape from the ordinary that surrounds me. My jewelry, too, I hope will escape from that. Some people find comfort in the common, but I feel stifled and bored with it. So, I'll continue to listen to the Muse. I'll work on more designs to recycle computer keys, so that I can offer a line to my customers soon. I know my customers are always looking for a way to state their uniqueness. Soon, we will all escape from the common.

Art of the Day - "Give Live Love Soda Can Tie Tack Lapel Pin Upcycled " by Amethyst Lobster - "Give Live Love Soda Can Tie Tack Lapel Pin Upcycled " by Amethyst Lobster

Last week on EBSQ the theme of the week was Recycled-Content Art. They chose one of my recycled soda can jewelry pieces for the Art of the Day on Friday, Sept 07, 2007. I LOVE EBSQ! They are the best!

If you're an artist, I encourage you to join. It's worth the annual fee to get encouragement and inspiration from the community there.

Give Live Love Cola Tie Tack Lapel Pin Upcycled - Amethyst Lobster Unique Jewelry



Give a hand! I just wanted to make sure you see what I just added to the site. These tie tacks or lapel pins are VERY limited edition. They are recycled from limited editon Christmas soda cans. So, when they're gone, they're gone. There is a glued tie tack pin on the back, with a secure clasp. There are no sharp edges, these are formed to a soft foam backing during the cutting process. Measure 1 3/4 inches tall.

I've also made them on a stick pin. I'll be adding those to the site soon. Let me know if you need more than one or two, because I'm afraid they might run out quickly.

Santa was on those cans too! But you'll have to wait until next Christmas season to see what I did with Santa!

Now, why am I talking about Santa! It's almost St. Patrick's Day!
Get out the green! (And the beer!)

art for housewives

Check out the cool site art for housewives.
They linked to my recycled can earrings today. There are LOADS of cool links on there!

This bracelet is a sampler of materials I often use. It includes a plastic guitar pick, a stainless steel snap, a vintage Indian head wooden nickel, threaded with sterling silver wire and embellished with a flower made of ocean jasper faceted briolette beads, a charm made from an American Express magnet, mixed metal rivets and jumprings. The clasp is a silver metal magnet. I made this bracelet for the EBSQ Art Jewelry Show Contest, although I've made others similar, I had to be sure to add wood, stone and metal to this piece. It was a fun challenge and I plan on making more with these elements.

Since each piece is unique, I will be allowing for customization in the bracelets. I think this is a great way to incorporate little tiny treasures that we all hold onto and never know how to keep them close to us. Like a quilt made of fabric scraps from our childhood clothes can trigger such precious memories, I think a sampler of found objects bracelet can do the same.

Let me know if you have a "scrap" of the past to put into a custom bracelet.

I currently have this bracelet on HOLD status, because I'd like to see if it places in the contest, before I set the price! I'll also have a custom bracelet listing soon in The Chelsea Collection at Amethyst Lobster. Click here for the page of this particular bracelet, titled Found Object Wood, Stone Metal Bracelet.

New Products for Holiday Show

I've been busy the past few weeks getting ready for a 2 day holiday show here in town. I was challenged to come up with some designs that would allow the local children to buy for family and friends, without spending too much. The challenge was low cost, quick to make in quantity and yet absolutely COOL!

Here's a sneak preview (show is on Thursday and Friday this week)of some of the handmade products. I like them so well that I plan on adding some similar items to the website!

Just click the thumbnails to see a bigger picture!













As you can see there's pirate skull crossbones, mermaids, snowflakes, recycled soda pop can charm pendants, guitar pick earrings and more!

Antique and Vintage Button Bracelets

There is something so special about buttons. Maybe you have to be a button person to understand. Anyway, here are some bracelets I made - mostly today - from vintage and antique buttons. I'll have them on the site soon for sale. Thanks to my sister Patty, who is the Queen of Buttons!


Carved Brown Bakelite Button Bracelet



Carved Applejuice and TEAL Bakelite Button Bracelet



Antique China Buttons Bracelet Pink and Green CUTE!



Silver Amethyst Antique Button Bracelet



Antique Gold Button Bracelet Sorry, this one I'm keeping for myself! I LOVE it too much to let it go!



Antique Flower Buttons Jade Bead Bracelet