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...

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

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!

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.

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.

Farewell 2009...Hello infinte opportunity in 2010!

It's been a great year, but as the midnight hour approaches my mind has inevitably wandered off in a million directions. It's impossible not to reminisce about everything that has happened in 2009, but mostly I am trying to imagine the possibilities and opportunities that 2010 will bring!

I'm hopeful. I am happy...and I feel blessed.

I believe positive thinking can take you a long way in life, and that it is possible for you to write your own story. Although I admit that I am not without the occasional doubt, for the most part I am an immensely optimistic person.

So, that being said, I'm ready to write my own story for 2010! I won't share all the details yet, but I'll keep you posted on how it plays out! :)

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin

XOXO, Jen

Sometimes I just can't believe how fast time flies by. I always have good intentions of blogging, but never seem to follow through. I think the biggest problem is that I have no concept of time! I often get tied up in a project and before I know it, hours have passed in what seemed like mere seconds. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing...but what I can tell you is that I love creating things. I love art...making jewelry...painting...ANYTHING creative.

Anyway, as summer comes to an end and fall begins, I am feeling more inspired than I have in months. I'm not sure why...maybe it's something in the air! :) The past two or three weeks I have been working on quite a few new pieces. I'm learning some new techniques and really enjoying experimenting with metal and soldering. One of the main things on my agenda in the coming days will be to restock my Etsy shop. It's been a little bare for a few months. I've had several people ask what happened to all the jewelry. This is kind of a 2 part answer! LOL ;) First, the jewelry in the shop was sent to artSHAK studio + gallery in Southport, NC. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I am now selling my jewelry there...anyway, I'm very excited to share that it has been doing really well! Since January, I have been sending a new shipment every 3-4 weeks. I have sent close to 100 pieces since January! Back in April, we spent 5 days at Oak Island, and I stopped by to deliver quite a few pieces. I snapped a couple of shots of the gallery while I was there!

(My mom in the green and Linda, one of the owners.)

Okay, the second reason my Etsy shop is empty, is because I've been a little slack this summer! :) I have felt like a kid on summer vacation! ;) I spent most of the summer reading by the pool! I know, I'm terrible...but I read some great books! Anyway, as summer comes to an end, as will my slacking off...maybe! ;) You know, it was kind of a weird summer for me. I don't really know why...and I can't really explain it...hmmm. It was nice though. A little cooler than most summers here in the south. I went to Myrtle Beach in August. I haven't been there in years. Boy, it was hot the week we were there. It was the first time I had been there since they tore down the Pavilion. It's weird, and a little sad. Man, I could sure go for some ocean time now!!! ;)

I bought a new digital SLR camera a few months ago. It is really amazing...I've been playing around with it. This is the first camera I've ever had that isn't a point and shoot deal! When I purchased the camera, they gave me coupons for free classes. I can't wait to take some of them! I could definitely use the help! I did get a pretty cool shot if the moon a while back...

Speaking of classes...a few months ago I came across another artist's website...her name is Victoria Lansford...and I can not wait to take one of her classes. In the mean time, I'm going to order the DVD's! ;) I have to admit, I have been playing around with the torch and wire, with the russian filigree technique...but then again, I've always have been the type to have at it and ask questions later! ...but I'm still going to order the DVD's! ;) I wish there were some classes offered here, in Charlotte!!! :) Especially the locket class and the repoussé class. Here's a sneak peak of what I've been making...

I haven't decided what I want in the center of the flower yet...and haven't quite decided on the necklace either...heck, by the time I'm finished, it may not even have a pearl on it! I even stamped a "G" on the back of the flower for me! One day maybe I'll invest in a personalized stamp! :)

We need more classes in Charlotte, geared towards jewelry making and metalsmithing! Maybe I just haven't found them??? The truth is, I wish I could go back to school and get a degree in metalwork...I have tons of books, but there is only so much you can pick up through reading.

Anyway, enough rambling for now...

...still updating! LOL :)

May 20, 2008 - Bust Magazine: For Women With Something To Get Off Their Chests



On May 20, the June/July 2008 issue of Bust Magazine hit the stands. Jennifer Gardner Designs was featured in a Co-op Ad along with other Etsy sellers. The "Serenity" necklace was featured in this advertisement, which can be found on page 31.

May 11, 2008 - Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion

On May 11, June/July 2008 issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion hit the stands. Jennifer Gardner Designs was featured in a Co-op Ad along with other Etsy sellers. The "A Little Drop of Sunshine Will Make the Flower Grow" necklace was featured in this advertisement, which can be found on page 5.

Updating my website....

Today I've been taking some much needed time to update my website (Jennifer Gardner Designs).....

I added several pieces, added the first few pieces to my new Wedding Jewels Collection, and updated the company news...

I'm still working on it, but this is a sneak peak! :)

On May 6, Volume 7 of Craft Magazine hit the stands. Jennifer Gardner Designs was featured in a Co-op Ad along with other Etsy sellers. The "Roses are Red" necklace was featured in this advertisement, which can be found on page 158.

Jennlyn54 (aka Jennifer Gardner Designs) was featured in Etsy's Gift Guide. My In a Roundabout Way Earrings were featured in the Wedding Category of the Gift Guide. The items in the Gift Guide are handpicked and "curated" by Etsy staff.

On June 1, the Summer 2008 issue of Venus Zine hit the stands. Jennifer Gardner Designs was featured in a Co-op Ad along with other Etsy sellers. The Serenity necklace was featured in this advertisement, which can be found on page 76.