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.

Welcome....

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog!

I'm Jen, crafter, jewelry artist, painter...I love anything to do with art! As you know, I'm new to Blogger, but I also have a blog at Yahoo 360. In the past, I haven't dedicated much time to blogging, but I hope to keep this more up-to-date! I hope to share my work, ideas, and many other things that strike my fancy! However, let me warn you upfront, my spelling and grammar is atrocious! :)

First, I would like to introduce myself! Like I said earlier, my name is Jennifer...I live in Charlotte, NC, and have my entire life! I'm 30, a Pisces! I LOVE the beach. I have a BA in Business, and I love to create...anything and everything! I am always trying something new...which leaves me thinking, "gosh, I'm so unfocused!" The truth is I keep trying new things, because I think one day I will have an epiphany and find that one thing/medium that sticks out; that one thing/medium that I know immediately, is my favorite, and the one medium I want to focus on. So far, I haven't found it! I love it all! Maybe there isn't that "one" special thing...maybe, there isn't just one thing that will stand out....maybe the key is finding something you like...and just developing your skills for it! Who knows!!! :)

So, I'm making jewelry! Funny thing is it is the one thing that I never imagined myself doing! In fact, it was one thing that I thought I would have NO interest in! So, how did get started??? Well, my aunt took a class on beading...she invited me to go to a local bead shop a couple of times...finally I broke down and bought a few supplies and she showed me the basic techniques. I started dabbling, and that was it; I was hooked! :) I should have known I would like it, because I have always loved gemstones and rocks! Yeah, I was one of those kids that walked around picking up rocks and stuffing them in my pockets! LOL I think every drawer and cabinet in my parents house had at least one rock in it when I was little! :) Not to mention, my dad took me to the gem and mineral shows when I was younger, and several of my science fair projects in school were on rocks and minerals!

I am self taught...although I am signed up for a jewelry class fall semester, that focuses more on the metalsmithing side of jewelry. I'm really looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the craft! I have been making jewelry for a few years...I can definitely see the improvements in my techniques...along the way, I've learned a few new things. Most recently, I've started working with PMC, or precious metal clay! I've also dabbled a little in lampwork...I would like to take a class in it...self-teaching hasn't proved too affective thus far! LOL :) Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how the class goes! It starts August 20.

I've been selling my jewelry online for almost a year! I started out on Etsy...I joined August 8th, last year. I still sell on their! (http://www.jennlyn54.etsy.com/) In November 2006, I started showing pieces in the first gallery...it was in NY. I'm no longer with them, lets just say their business practices are lacking in several areas!!! (So, I want name any names!) In March 2007, I applied to show pieces at Maddi's Gallery here in Charlotte. Diane loved my work, and my first pieces were added at the gallery in April. I also created a website...http://jennifergardnerdesigns.com/, to show some of my work! Anyway, that's my story thus far! It has been an exciting journey! I've learned a lot and met a ton of really nice people! So, we will see what the future holds! LOL :)




Well, that's about it for now! I'll write again soon!


---



XOXO