Year: 2013

I have been feeling a bit nostalgic for my old beads.

There are lots of beads that I used to make, that used to be really popular, and that I don’ make anymore.  I moved on, started making new beads, and I didn’t look back!

Today’s bead is the Fish Bead.  These used to be one of my best sellers at the Rundle Street Markets!  I have made them, and similar ones, for exhibitions.  They still make me smile.  And I have had orders for 2 of them this week, which is what started me thinking about my old beads.

We went to the beach yesterday and finally found some heart shaped rocks!  I was a happy girl indeed.

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has ever bought a piece of jewellery or beads from me.  I am truly grateful, and I could not even imagine life without you.

I have listed 12 new products in the online shop, including some new bracelets.

Plus, if you are signed up for my newsletter you will find a special deal that is just for you (hint: it’s a great deal, you should sign up now)!!

http://www.aussiejules.com/shop

 

 

 

Tee hee, usually I stick with the same bottle of wine/beer etc when I’m making jewellery, but for something different, I have decided to mix my drinks in this latest collection.  It’s a Banrock Station wine bottle and Coopers Sparkling Ale beads!  The Banrock Station wine bottle beads have been embellished with a mix of frit (which is smashed up glass), and fine silver.  This collection will be listed in my shop by the end of the weekend (weather permitting)!

 

 

I’m so grateful to my Dad for making me the perfect storage for my glass rods.  It helps to have all the colours organised, makes it easy when I need to find a particular colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have this idea for a new earring design that required me to buy a new tool!

Can you tell by looking at it what it does?

It’s a tube cutter!  I can put sterling silver tube in there, set it to the right length, and then hold it in place easily while I saw through it!

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put the necklace and the bracelet together to make this gorgeous necklace that can be worn in so many ways!

 

  

 

When I started making jewellery, everything I made was from op-shop jewellery that I had found, pulled apart and put back together!  It was more of a financial than an artistic decision back then (er, it was a lot cheaper to buy a necklace and pull it apart than to buy new beads)!

These days I make my own glass beads.  I’ve been making beads for the past 7 years, and there are times when I make jewellery and it doesn’t work (er, that means it doesn’t sell)!

When that happens I feel like I have a few options.

1. Persist.  The right person may not have been into the shop to buy it yet!
2. Move.  Put the pieces into another shop!
3. Sale.  At the end of the year I actually do put a lot of my prototypes and older pieces on sale!  Stay tuned for that.
4. Renew.  Take the old jewellery, break it apart, and put it back together in a different way!

So, for example, I took this bracelet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I took this necklace:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I ended up making this extremely funky and cool new necklace that will be perfect for summer!

I have been a bit obsessed about making my own silver chain recently.  Made from recycled sterling silver, the organic nature of this chain has a huge appeal for me.  I like the recycled chain with my recycled glass beads.  A great story.

Here’s how to make silver chain in 10 easy steps:

1. Wind silver wire around a round object many, many times
2. Cut individual silver “links”
3. File the ends of the silver links so you get a clean joint
4. Solder the first link
5. Solder the next link, continue soldering links until you reach the desired length
6. Using 2 files, shape the links into an organic/leafy shape
7. Place the finished chain in a solution of vinegar and salt to clean the oxidisation
8. Tumble the finished chain in a tumbler for an hour
9. Dry the chain
10. Add a tiny clasp and wear it!