THE YEAR IN PICTURES ... at jQ jewelry designs

Looking back over the past year, I've both purchased and created some wonderful items in my little corner of Etsy World! I'd like to share some of my favorite purchases created by very talented Artisans, as well as several of the jewelry designs I'm most proud of.



Felted Wool Crocheted Scarf



                    

I haven't made a lot of purchases on Etsy, or anywhere else this year, but I fell in love with the jewel-tone colors and unusual shape of this scarf from blackcatboutique.  She called it the Medusa, and it's a great layering piece that goes with so many things. Is is a scarf or is it a necklace?  Both ... depending on my mood!



Felted Wool Brooch



I've been looking for just the right felted wool brooch for a couple of years now. I even tried to felt one myself. Abysmal!  When I ran across this beauty in a Shop participating in one of the Promotional Frenzy BNRs, it was love at first sight.  This flower circle design created by SensoryFelted is whimsical and the colors amazing.



Pippit's Christmas Gift

This is also one of my favorite purchases in 2010, but must remain a secret until my dear friend opens it Christmas morning. I'll post the real thing then ...



Fabulous Electroformed Lampwork Bead


I'm slightly obsessed with Electroformed lampwork, and I'm sure you can see why from the beautiful hand-torched glass bead I found on Etsy not so song ago.  No link to the artist, though. There are some secrets I cannot divulge and sources that I'm too selfish to share!

                                                                               

Beautiful Oregon Sunstone Nuggets

And now ... on to my Favorite Creations designed by Me!





 Pagoda by jQ jewelry designs

Inspired by Japanese architecture, where pagodas are often made with five levels, the result is a piece of Art to be cherished always!  You may see this design here.

The Neutrals by jQ jewelry designs

This finest quality gemstone and silver bracelet is designed with meticulously faceted Fire Opals, Champagne Citrine, Bi-Color Quartz, Whiskey Quartz and Cognac Quartz. These beautiful transparent gemstones are all sparkle and shine in a harmonious mix of finely faceted cuts. Additional photographs are available here. 



Stormy Waters by jQ jewelry designs



Displaying amazing flash, this Labradorite is among the most beautiful it has been my pleasure to work with. This clasp is certainly focal-worthy, and I wouldn't hesitate for a second showing it off by wearing it on the side or top of my writst! See more pictures of this design here.



Glitterati ... Rare Schiller Oregon Sunstone

                                                                                                      

This year I started creating double strand bracelets and have loved using the highest quality gemstones in these luxe designs.  This particular bracelet is designed with gem quality pink, red and green examples of this ethereal gemstone. This gem is very special to me and I currently have four pieces using variations of this glittering stone.

2010 also brought about a very big change in the way I used photographs of my jewelry designs. I began to use split-screen photographs that depict a second photo that compliments the colors and most importantly, the mood  of each piece. I have enjoyed the process, even though time consuming, and love the results.  Four favorites are pictured below ...



Forest Floor features Grossular Garnet in warm, earthy tones and includes a stunning Labradorite Box Clasp

 

 Imperial Rosé - Sumptuous gemstones sparkle with the subtle, alluring colours of Dom Pérignon and Moët



Industrial Revolution is a bold, urban design



The Chihuly in sterling silver and vibrant dichroic glass

 

 

All designs may be found at jQ jewelry designs in the Currently Available or Sold sections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FALL GEMSTONE PREVIEW at jQ jewelry designs

The Shades of Fall
jQ jewelry designs Fall 2010

Fall is on its way, and it's definitely my favorite season of the year!

Reminds me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears - "It's not too hot and it's not too cold ... it's juuuust right!" After the unusually high temps we've had in Atlanta this summer, it can't arrive too soon for me.

Grossular Garnet ... all the shades of Fall's changing leaves!


I went to a Gem and Bead Show this past weekend.  I hadn't actually planned to attend, but on a last minute whim, decided I felt like going after all ...  definitely the right decision!  The gemstones were particularly beautiful and the variety of high quality stones was the best I've seen outside of the Tucson Shows, on a much smaller scale, of course.

Mexican Fire Opal

In the world of Opals, Mexican Fire Opals are unique.  I got my hands on some especially beautiful strands with the full range of colors from white, to yellows, oranges and the cherry reds.  Plenty of warm glow and fiery play of color in these bright 7mm faceted beauties.  Reminded me of the showy colors of Fall leaves that the trees in my back yard will have in another month.

Rare Vintage Swarovski Crystal

Ahhh, vintage ... I just love vintage jewelry components! Ran across some really old, rare and collectible colors & effects, as well as shapes. If you see these fabulous crystals anywhere ... jump on them! You can get clues as to the age of Swarovski crystals from the packaging. It has changed several times over the years, both the inner and outer packages. For instance, the ones marked KS Swarovski are older than the DS Swarovski packages, but both indicate that the particular crystals are indeed old.  Some vintage may be found in packaging that says Swarovski, but these examples wouldn't be nearly as aged.

DS Swarovski packaging indicates Vintage status

Moss Aquamarine ... earthy and organic

I snapped up this unusually large, 8-9mm Moss Aquamarine.  It's the very best shade of blue/green/grey and is loaded with little mossy pebbles,  giving the stone a moss-like appearance.  These tiny inclusions are actually trace elements of iron.  This strand really knocked my eyes out!

Amazing sterling silver box clasps in Labradorite

A Silver vendor at this show had a huge selection of sterling box clasps.  Labradorite is one of my very favorite gemstones, and I splurged on some substantial single and double strand styles. These stones all show an exceptional amount of color play that I could almost see from clear across the room ;D   I chose two different shapes with green & gold coloring that blend beautifully with the Grossular Garnet.  I may be forced to keep one of those bracelet designs for myself!

Natural Peruvian Blue Opal in a Sky Blue ... colors as crisp as a Fall day

Platinum Grey Moonstone ... Silky Smooth w/ ethereal milky adularscense

High quality Tourmaline rhondelles

Spectacular slices of Bi-color Watermelon Tourmaline

Sometimes a gemstone is so amazing . . . there are just no Words!

All these gorgeous gemstones should be enough to get me started designing some exciting new jewelry for Fall ... well, enough for now!  New designs weekly available at jQ jewelry designs

EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22!

Our Environment: It's a Living Thing

TAKE THIS ENVIRONMENTAL QUIZ TO TEST YOUR 'EQ'

1) The greatest danger facing most endangered species is...A) Hunting B) Capture for the pet trade C) Disease D) Habitat loss

2) Which of the following is not listed as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act?
A) Hawaiian monk seal B) Cheetah C) Bald eagle D) Blue whale

3) The Bronx Zoo once had a picture frame covered by cloth. It was labelled 'The most dangerous species in the world'. If you removed the cover, you saw a ...A) great white shark B) mountain lion C) virus D) mirror

4) Which of the following substances is not biodegradable?A) Paper B) Food refuse C) Styrofoam D) Sawdust

5) What environmental problem is the result of chemical reactions in the atmosphere that involve sulfur?A) Deforestation B) Smog C) Holes in the ozone layer D) Acid rain

6) What chemicals have been banned in most of the world because of their role in destroying the ozone layer?A) hlorofluorocarbons B) Peroxides C) DDT D) Metal oxides

7) Who wrote 'Silent Spring', the first book documenting many of the problems caused by pesticides?A) Henry David Thoreau B) Rachel Carson C) Jaques Cousteau D) Aldo Leopold

8) Which of the following is not a renewable resource?A) Gold B) Fish C) Timber D) Wild mushrooms

9) Which of the following practices produces the most organic water pollution?A) Recreational boating B) Humans bathing in the water C) Paper mills D) Intensive livestock farming

10) 'Ecology' comes from two Greek words meaning...A) Natural life Study of the world B) Study of the house C) Nature study D) Natural life

See answers below -

green energy

1. The greatest danger facing most endangered species is...
The correct answer was Habitat loss
Throughout the world, humans are burning, bulldozing, polluting and building on habitat.
(86% of players have answered correctly)

2. Which of the following is not listed as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act?
The correct answer was Bald Eagle
The bald eagle's population has recovered well, and the species was delisted in 1999.
(25% of players have answered correctly)

3. The Bronx Zoo once had a picture frame covered by cloth. It was labelled 'The most dangerous species in the world'. If you removed the cover, you saw...
The correct answer was mirrorShowing the most dangerous species...humans.
(83% of players have answered correctly)

4. Which of the following substances is not biodegradable?
The correct answer was Styrofoam
Bacteria cannot break down styrofoam.
(90% of players have answered correctly)
5. What environmental problem is the result of chemical reactions in the atmosphere that involve sulfur? Your Answer:
The correct answer was acid rainAcid rain can turn lakes into sterile water where nothing can live.
(78% of players have answered correctly)

6. What chemicals have been banned in most of the world because of their role in destroying the ozone layer?
The correct answer was Chlorofluorocarbons
CFCs are they are also known, were once widely used in aerosol propellants.
(84% of players have answered correctly)

7. Who wrote 'Silent Spring', the first book documenting many of the problems caused by pesticides?
The correct answer was Rachel CarsonCarson, who write in the 60s, was one of the founders of the modern environmental movement.
(49% of players have answered correctly)

8. Which of the following is not a renewable resource?
The correct answer was GoldRenewable resources are naturally replenished in a reasonable amount of time, nonrenewable ones are not.
(80% of players have answered correctly)

9. Which of the following practices produces the most organic water pollution?
The correct answer was Intensive livestock farmingMillions of gallons of manure and other animal wastes contaminate our waters yearly.
(49% of players have answered correctly)

10. 'Ecology' comes from two Greek words meaning... )
The correct answer was Study of the house
It is a word of fairly recent coinage.
(15% of players have answered correctly)

Save the Rainforest

Environment Quiz: Test Your Nature Knowledge

Global warming is old news now, but how good is your knowledge of the environment itself?

1) What is the world's tallest mountain from base to peak?
A) Mauna Kea
B) Everest
C) K2

2) Ozone is made of...
A) an oxygen molecule stripped of 1 atom
B) an oxygen molecule stripped of 2 atoms
C) an oxygen molecule with an additional atom

3) What is the percentage of Earth's water that is freshwater?
A) 3 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 75 percent

4) Acid rain is made of all but which of the following...
A) CO2
B) SO2
C) NOx

5) Americans currently recycle what percentage of our waste, on average?
A) 16 percent
B) 32 percent
C) 64 percent

6) The global average temperature in the past 100 years has...
A) been steady
B) risen 1.3 degrees F
C) risen 3 degrees F

7) The biggest ice sheet in the world is in...
A) Greenland
B) West Antarctica
C) East Antarctica

8) How many states does the Appalachian Trail footpath go through?
A) 7
B) 10
C) 14

9) Which is NOT the longest river in the world?
A) The Nile
B) The Amazon
C) The Mississippi

10) The biggest volcanic eruption since 1800 was at...
A) Krakatau
B) Tambora
C) Vesuvius

Answers: A, C, A, A, B, B, C, C, C, B

If you scored a perfect 10, you deserve an honorary Nobel. If you got 7 or better, your middle name is green. Fewer than 7 right? You should get out more often.