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.