New jewelry just arrived @ Maddi's Gallery...

Early today I stopped by Maddi's Gallery and dropped of a few new pieces of jewelry. The new pieces are available at their East Blvd location!

12 new pieces are now available!

While I was there I purchased 2 new Christmas ornaments! I love them! ...why but mass produced stuff when you can buy handmade!?! :)

New jewelry will be arriving @ artSHAK studio + gallery...

I just shipped a package of new jewelry to artSHAK studio + gallery in Southport, NC!

21 new pieces will be available!

They will be holding their annual Holiday Meet the Artist/Open House Event November 14, 2010. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by! :)

XOXO - JEN

New jewelry...

I have quite a few new pieces ready to list on Etsy and share! :) I love making jewelry, but have to admit I despise photographing it! I guess that's why I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to listing new pieces!

I have a few new wire-wrapped pieces, but mostly I have been experimenting with other techniques...forging, stone setting...

The thing I like best about making jewelry is that there is always something new to try. Although I would LOVE to go back to school and get a degree and learn the ropes in the classroom, for now, I'm left to my own devices. So, I just try to keep adding a new skill. I have to admit sometimes it can be challenging and frustrating, and it would definitely be easier if I had an instructor showing me the way, but teaching myself has it's advantages too...I guess! ;) LOL

Last week I worked on fine silver fusing. I know, you would thing as long as I've been making jewelry and using the torch, that I would've tried this ages ago, but I guess better late than never! :) Of course, you know me...I never start on a small scale...so, I've been making a chain. I have to say fusing is a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I've soldered 26 and 28 gauge sterling with know problem, but boy, it's easy to totally melting the fine silver! :) Any tips any of you would like to share?

...but the chain is coming along nicely. I'm actually going to use it as a charm necklace and filling it with handmade charms! So, I can't say that I will work with fine silver that much on this large of scale in the future, but I will definitely use it for wire wrapping foundations...and at least I can say I know how to do it! :) LOL

New jewelry just arrived @ artSHAK studio + gallery...

New jewelry arrived at artSHAK studio + gallery last week.

There are 21 new pieces available...3 necklaces, 17 pairs of earrings, and one new ring!

These new additions are a little more simply compared to most of my pieces...a little understated, yet they are all still crafted out of high quality gemstone beads and pearls.

So, if you are in the area, stop by and check it out! :)

artSHAK studio + gallery
822 N. Howe Street
Southport, NC

New jewelry...

A few new pieces arrived @ artSHAK studio + gallery (in Southport, NC) yesterday...

More pieces will also be making their appearance Tuesday, @ Maddi's Gallery in Charlotte's South End/Dilworth area.

If you're in the area, stop by an check it out! :)

(A sneak peek will be available soon!)

Still making flowers...

I'm still making flowers....LOL I finished this necklace the other day...

It's 30"...the chain is made of 7mm FWC pearls...it is an asymmetrical necklace, this handmade flower/leaf clasp sets on one side and a sterling ring is on the other side, that has been hammered to match the ring below the flower...

The necklace is meant to be worn a little crooked...

New...Spring inspired...

I had a wonderful time playing around in my makeshift studio this week! I made quite a few pieces...

I've been really inspired lately...perhaps by all of the green and Spring flowers! :)

Not quite finished with all of the pieces, but here's a sneak peek!





I've never really had a "collection" of similar pieces...I have made some similar pieces, but not enough to be considered a collection! ...but I enjoyed making the sterling flowers so much, I think I may create a whole collection of flower jewelry! :) Now for a name for the collection! LOL ;)

XOXO - JEN

New jewelry will be arriving @ artSHAK studio + gallery...

Just shipped 21 new pieces to artSHAK studio + gallery, in Southport, NC!

Today's horoscope...

Today my horoscope said: "In the workplace, your ideas and actions alone seem to make a big difference to the general atmosphere."

I guess my imaginary co-workers do get a kick out of me talking to myself! :) LMAO

Valentine's Craft Attack....

This past Saturday, my mom and I went to Amelie's Bakery in NODA, for the Valentine's Craft Attack. It was sponsored by the Hornet's Nest Crafters Team on Etsy.

We had a great day browsing through the wonderful art and it was fun to finally meet some of the other crafters I have been chatting online with! :)

Jennifer Gardner Designs...now back @ Maddi's Gallery...

Jennifer Gardner Designs first appeared at Maddi's Gallery in 2007. After a long absence, my jewelry is now available again at their Southend/Dilworth location.

Maddi's Gallery

1530 East Boulevard Charlotte, North Carolina 28203

Phone: 704-332-0007

For more information, visit their website:

www.maddisgallery.com

Lots of new jewelry...

I've been working on a lot of new pieces of jewelry...

I can't wait to share them!

I have felt really inspired lately...so far, I've stuck to my resolution of working on a piece of jewelry everyday! I have been a little slack taking pictures though! :) LOL Can't wait to share pictures of the butterfly necklace I'm working on! ;)

A little random, but the weather in Charlotte, NC is crazy. Yesterday and Tuesday, it was in the 70's and sunny, today it's in the 30's and raining. Only in Charlotte, right? LOL I did get a chance to enjoy our warm days at least! :)

My Year of Jewelry...day 8...

Ice Queen - Earrings

This pair of handmade hoop earrings were crafted out of 14K gold-filled wire. They feature carved genuine crystal quartz beads, and are adorned with freshwater cultured pearls that dangle on vermeil headpins.

These earrings measure just under 1 3/4" in length (from the top of the hoop to the bottom of the center briolette) and are 1" in width at their widest point.

My Year of Jewelry...day 7...

Ocean Potion - Earrings

This pair of handmade hoop earrings were crafted out of 14K gold-filled wire. They feature a variety of high quality faceted gemstone beads. The large center briolette is London blue topaz. They are also adorned with aquamarine, peridot, and London blue topaz and sky blue topaz rondelle beads.

These earrings measure 1 3/4" in length (from the top of the hoop to the bottom of the center briolette) and are just under 1 1/8" in width at their widest point.

A piece of jewelry a day keeps the doctor away...

Ok...so I'm running a little behind posting pictures, but my New Year's resolution to make (or at least work on) a piece of jewelry a day is going well! It's definitely relaxing doing something you love! :) Although taking pictures still stress me out! LOL

Still have a few more pieces to take pictures of...

My Year of Jewelry...day 6...

Having a Ball...

This pair of hoop earrings were handcrafted out of sterling silver wire and feature freshwater cultured pearls.

These earrings measure just under 1 3/8 inches from top to bottom and 1 3/8 inches in width at their widest point.

My Year of Jewelry...day 5...

Strawberry Swing...

This pair of handmade hoop earrings were crafted out of sterling silver wire. They feature a variety of high quality faceted gemstone beads. They are adorned with prasiolite (green amethyst), pink tourmaline, and peach quartz.

These earrings measure 2" in length (from the top of the hoop to the bottom of the center briolette) and are just under 1 1/4" in width at their widest point.

My Year of Jewelry...day 4...

Lemon Crush...

This pair of earrings were handmade using sterling silver wire and components. They are adorned with a yellow/pink/green combination of high quality genuine gemstone beads. These earrings feature luscious lemon quartz briolettes, and various shades of pink and green tourmaline beads. They have been oxidized/antiqued to compliment the detail of the wirework.

These earrings are just over 2 1/4" in length (not counting the earwire), and are approximately an inch in width, at their widest point.

My Year of Jewelry...day 3...

Cranberry Crusades...

This pair of earrings were handmade using sterling silver wire and components. They are adorned with a combination of high quality genuine gemstone beads. These earrings feature garnet briolettes, and various shades of garnet and citrine rondelle beads, all of which are suspended using handmade headpins.

These earrings are 2" in length (not counting the earwire), and are approximately an inch in width, at their widest point.

2010 New Year's Resolutions...

I'm still working on my list of New Year's resolutions for 2010!

I have decided on a few though! ;)

1. I want to make this my "Year of Jewelry!" I have set a goal to make 1 piece of jewelry everyday this year...or at least work on something everyday. Yes, things have started out good! :)

2. To dedicate more time to photographing my jewelry and archiving my creations...such as blogging and posting on Etsy! :)

3. To learn more about jewelry design and technique.

4. Not to be such a procrastinator.

5. To continue working towards a healthier life. I lost 42 pounds last year...hope to lose more than that this year. It's a start, right! :)

6. To continue exercising regularly. I started walking on the treadmill last February...I have been walking 5 times a week since then. I feel so much better and plan to continue doing this!

7. Not to be such a hermit! :) LOL Yeah, I've been quite the hermit the past few years. It's kind of funny if you think about it...the stark contrast to my past. When I was younger, I thought the world was ending if I didn't have standing plans for everyday of the week. Now, I enjoy losing myself in creating jewelry, and can't remember the last time I actually had real plans! ;)



I figure this is enough to get me started on a good year!

Wish me luck! ;)

XOXO, Jen

One-year @ the artSHAK!

Today marks one year since Jennifer Gardner Designs first appeared at the artSHAK studio + gallery. Over the past year, around 150 unique pieces of handcrafted jewelry have been displayed for sale at the artSHAK. I am very grateful to the owners, Linda and Thom, for the wonderful opportunity to share my creations!

It has been a great year, and I am looking forward to many more to come!

artSHAK studio + gallery
822 North Howe Street
Southport, NC
(910) 457-1757

My Year of Jewelry...day 2...

A-Tisket, A-Tasket...

Not sure why, but these remind me of this nursery rhyme...with a few adjustments of course! They make me think of a flowers in a basket. So, that's how I'm going to sing it! ;)

A-tisket, a-tasket,
Flowers in a basket...

These earrings are handcrafted out of sterling silver, and feature rhodolite garnet, peridot, freshwater cultured pearls, and vesuvianite.

My Year of Jewelry...day 1...

I named these L'Heure Bleue...

L'Heure Bleue, is a French expression, also know as the "blue hour." It refers to the magical blue light that is cast over everything just before sunrise and just after sunset.

They are handcrafted sterling silver earrings...wire wrapped adorned with genuine sapphire, iolite, and mystic green quartz beads.