Red at the Coast Collective

Hello everyone!  I am pleased to announce that I will have four pieces in this year's Red show at the Coast Collective!  They even chose a picture of my earrings for the show's poster, which is absolutely thrilling!

The show runs until February 26 during the Coast Collective's regular Wed-Sun operating hours and features work by a large number of artists in a whole variety of mediums.  It's a great place to buy unique locally handcrafted gifts for your sweethearts for Valentine's Day.  Or to pick up something for yourself if, like me, red is one of your favourite colours.

I have four pieces in the show, which they've displayed beautifully.  I'll be posting pictures from the opening on my instagram (@whisperedreams) if you want to check those out, but for now, here are the pictures of my pieces which I submitted for jurying purposes.

First, the earrings as seen in the poster:

They're made with tarnish-resistant brass wire and cherry-red miracle beads.

Next up is another pair of earrings.  I'm really excited about these because they're the first finished piece I've made with a new tool, a jig.  It lets me make a greater variety of wire forms than I could with just pliers and pens or dowels.  They're a flirtatious and romantic pair of chandelier earrings:

They're made from tarnish-resistant brass wire, glass bead drops, and Swarovski crystal bicones.  I look forward to making all sorts of snazzy things on my new jig in the future, so keep your eyes peeled!

I also included a necklace and bracelet of the beaded pearl variety, in my hematite-black seed bead and burgundy glass pearl colour scheme:

The bracelet for the show is actually a little different than the one pictured here, because I decided to make one with a heart-shaped clasp.  With the hearts, I call this design Dark Romance.

I hope you can make it out to the show to see my pieces in person, as they really are lit beautifully.  The rest of the show is gorgeous as well, with a whole variety of mediums represented.

Next post should feature a bunch of bright colours as I get ready for spring.  I already have some beautiful violet miracle bead freeform coil earrings I need to photograph in some nice sunshine, and hopefully I'll manage to put together some items in a floral theme.  Follow me on instagram for more frequent updates!

On Photography

As stated, now that I have completed my lovely new website, this blog is going to include more info about my design process, etc.

One of the things I'm working on right now is coming up with new and interesting ways to photograph my pieces.  I don't have a light box, so lighting is always a challenge when trying new things, so for now I'm keeping it fairly simple.

As you may have noticed, I recently found some charming heart-shaped clasps.  I decided to try echoing that for a photo of one of my harlequin necklace and bracelet sets:

I think it worked out pretty well.

In an effort to make things seasonal, I also decided to try photographing some pieces with a paper snowflake I had cut out.  The piece itself ends up being a smaller portion of the photo, but I hope the symmetry of the snowflake pulls the eye to the center.

Here's a snowflake with an iris seed bead and dark grey glass pearl bracelet with a heart clasp:

And here it is with my candy cane coil earrings:

I think the lighting on the earrings worked out better, though the bracelet looks a bit sharper.

I also tried a few other variations with the candy cane coils.

The first is the earrings within a heart made from candy canes:
 

I think next year I will try and get some red and white candy canes (no green) and maybe a bit shorter, but I think it's a cute idea.

I did have one small red and white candy cane, so I tried to lay it next to the earrings on their card:

It works to get the idea of candy cane colours on the earrings across, but I like the candy cane heart better.

Finally, I tried hanging them on the scarf of a cute snowman I bought at a local craft fair.

It's cute, but I think maybe they get a bit lost.

Overall, my favourite of the fun photos is the snowflake one.  Which do you like best?

All of these items are available at my Etsy, along with several others including a lovely donut wrap with a beaded chain($59):

And for those of you in the Victoria area, if you don't want to shop online at Etsy, the Coast Collective's annual Gifts and Wishes show is on until December 23rd this year, and I still have several pieces available there.

If I don't post again before the new year, I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year!

One Day to go for 10/10/10!

There's only one item left to be revealed in my 10 items over 10 days with a shop wide 10% off celebratory launch event over at my Etsy shop (coupon code WEBB10).  The event is to celebrate the launch of my new website at www.whisperedreams.com, so if you haven't checked it out yet, please do!

So here's a quick summary of the pieces I've posted since my last blog entry.  All the prices I list are in Canadian dollars and before the 10% discount.

The first are a pair of candy cane coil earrings which can be worn seasonally or year round as a subtle way of showing off your holiday spirit ($20):

The next is the honey-golden and earthy seed bead and caramel glass pearl sweetheart bracelet with a heart-shaped clasp ($20):

The following day I posted a sleek and simple sea glass design in non-tarnish silver-plated copper wire ($20):

Day 7's piece was a flirty and feminine sweetheart beaded pearl bracelet in pink seed beads and white glass pearls with a heart-shaped clasp ($20):

I posted a lovely gold seed bead and white glass pearl necklace with a filigree clasp on Day 8 ($39):

And today I posted a matching sweetheart bracelet in gold seed beads and white glass pearls with a heart-shaped clasp ($20):

So please check in at my Etsy shop tomorrow for the 10th and final item of this celebration event, and if you want your orders to arrive in time for Christmas, remember to order soon!

(I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the holiday spirit.  I got a cute little snowman decoration at a local craft fair, and he offered to model my candy cane coil earrings for you!)

(I think he looks rather good in them!)

I'd also like to remind everyone that Thursday, December 1st, I will be at the Coast Collective for my shift at their annual Gifts and Wishes show and sale.  The sale started November 23 and runs until December 23 and showcases a lot of beautiful art by local Vancouver Island artists.

I'll be there (probably shopping, haha) so you should stop by to say hello and to ask any questions you might have about my jewellery or my process or anything else that may interest you.

Gifts and Wishes 2016 and new pieces in Etsy

Gifts and Wishes 2016 has begun at the Coast Collective's beautiful new purpose-built location on Wale Rd!  The show runs from November 23 to December 23 during the Coast Collective's regular hours (Wed-Sun, 11-5) and features work by many Vancouver Island artists.

I will be there on December 1 from 11-5 if you want to stop by and talk to me about my art.

The Coast Collective is also running a promotion on their Facebook, so be sure to check that out before heading over.  Sounds like you could win a free art print!

Speaking of promotions, my 10 items over 10 days with a shop wide 10% off (coupon code WEBB10) is in full swing at my Etsy shop!

The pieces for days 2 and 3 can be worn as a set.  It's a harlequin style beaded glass pearl necklace and bracelet with heart clasps, making it a great gift to show your loved ones some warm fuzzies!

The necklace is $39 (-10% with WEBB10) and the bracelet is #20 (-10% with WEBB10), and if you buy more than one piece at a time, you'll save on shipping. 

Be sure to place your orders soon if you want them to arrive in time for Christmas!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, everyone!  I hope everyone is having a spooktacular time today.  To add to the harrowing delights, I have a picture of my Halloween bracelet being modeled by my new hand model:

What do you think?  He said he was dying to be a model.

Ready For Halloween?

Hello everyone, just a quick post today to let you know about a new item up in my Etsy shop.  I've made a bracelet that's perfect for Halloween:

This is one of my beaded pearl style bracelets with silver-core orange seed beads and Tahitian-style black glass pearls.  It's 20cm or nearly 8 inches long, and closes with a golden lobster claw clasp.

I have it up in my Etsy (here's the actual listing) for $20 (Canadian).

It's a fun and sparkly bracelet that lets you show off your Halloween Spirit without being overly big or cartoony, so you can easily wear it to the office or to school.

If anyone is interested, I can make one of these at necklace length.  But if you want it in time for this year's Halloween, you'll have to get in touch soon.

I'll have more news about my website very soon, and a celebration for its launch.  Until then, hope everyone's having a wonderful October, and getting into the Halloween spirit!

Gifts and Wishes 2015

Well gentle readers, it is now time to announce my final confirmed Christmas show of the season.  For the second time, I will be participating in the Coast Collective's Gifts and Wishes show which is a gallery-style show running from November 25 to December 20.  (December 20th is also the Coast Collective's final day in its present location, so if you haven't been out to Havenwood, I recommend you check it out before they move to the Holiday Inn Express on Wale Road.)

I was there on Wednesday, and it's an absolutely gorgeous show this year!  There's a huge variety of stuff, from what's shown in the above poster to pottery, gourd art, metalwork, glass art, watercolour paintings, acrylic paintings, handcrafted bookmarks, art cards, and completely adorable monster stuffies...  I will be there again on Saturday November 28th and on Sunday December 13th.  I'll be bringing home-made pinwheel cookies this Saturday, and if I am feeling ambitious I'll make traditional Bavarian Christmas cookies for my December shift, if baked foods bribery works to get you to swing by.

Baked goods are not what I'm selling, however.  So without further ado, here are some pictures of the jewellery you can find at the gallery show.

For fans of my pearl and seed bead jewellery, I included a couple necklace and bracelet pairs in some favourite colours.

First up is my classic harlequin design, which someone recently pointed out to me could also be called a ying yang design since it has the curves and balance of black and white.  (bracelet $20, necklace $39)

And for those wanting warmer tones, I have the rich caramel pearl and coffee-brown seed bead combo (bracelet $20, necklace $39)

To go with the pearl necklace and bracelet sets, I have some of my freeform coil earrings.

I have a nice winter pairing of silver-plated copper wire and snowy white glass pearls ($20):

I have a silver-plated wire and greyscale ombre set that would go beautifully with the harlequin/ying yang nelckace and bracelet set ($20):

And I have a pair of silver-plated copper wire with lavender miracle beads.  These ones feature smaller/tighter coils.  The miracle beads never quite come out in pictures.  The best one is the second from the top on the left-hand earring.  The beads seem to have a glowing layer around a bead in the inner core.  Or maybe a shadow layer around a glowing inner core.  Anyway, miracle beads have a bit of an optical illusion going, and I love it, but it doesn't photograph.  ($20)

In warmer tones I have an elegant brass wire with creamy white glass pearls for a sense of classic, old-fashioned luxury with a modern twist in design ($20)

And for those liking a bit more colour, I have brass wire with white and caramel glass pearls ($20)

The final pair of freeform coil earrings features copper wire and white glass pearls for those who like to play with a less common metal in their jewellery ($20)

I also have some of my new triple drop earrings at this show.

The first are in silver-plated wire with deep indigo freshwater pearls ($20)

I also have another pair of my lovely and elegant favourites with the rose-coloured freshwater pearl drops and brass wire ($20)

And a pair of my new favourites (I'm allowed to have many many favourites, okay?), the gilttery shooting star design featuring gunmetal wire, hematite stars, and Swarovski crystal bicones:

These ones actually sold on Wednesday, but I'll bring in another pair on Saturday, only with silver-plated wire instead of gunmetal.  I figure these guys are great for holiday-season parties, especially New Years.

And last but not least we have some sea glass.  I realize it's more of a summer thing, but no WhispereDreams collection would be complete without it.  I have included two sets.

The first is silver-plated copper wire on white sea glass with indigo pearls.  (Pendant on black cotton cord $25, earrings $39)

The second features brass wires and pale peachy freshwater pearls.  These earrings are a bit different because they more closely echo the pendant design and have the pearl dangles hanging right against the sea glass instead of above or below.  (pendant on black cotton cord $25, earrings $39)

And there you have it!  If you buy lots, I'll make new things, haha.  Hope to see some of you there either this Saturday the 28th, or on December 13th.  Remember, I am bribing you with cookies!

Good Gracious Gifts in Vernon

I should have posted about this much sooner, but this time of the year is crazy for craftspeople, so I did not.  Sorry, devoted Vernon readers! (Hi Mom!)

I am very pleased to announce that since October I have pieces for sale at Good Gracious Gifts in downtown Vernon.  Assuming they haven't all sold already.  But you should all go check it out anyway, because it is an absolutely beautiful store.

Without further ado, here is the collection I dropped off at Good Gracious:

Remember that you can click to enlarge.  That being said, fear not, there are closeups of each section.

First up a shot of the various glass pearl and seed bead necklaces and bracelets:

It's a collection of my best-loved colours from the cool tones of silver and white, dove and iris, and classic harlequin to the warmer tones of cream and dark gold, and brown and caramel.  There's also the sultry and sophisticated design with crimson pearls and hematite-tone beads, and in bracelets for those who want a splash more colour there's icy blue and white, copper and navy, and gold-core green with violet.

There's also a wide selection of freeform coil earrings that go beautifully with these pearl necklaces and bracelets.  Many of them are in familiar colours, including the greyscale ombre one depicted here:

For people who want earrings that are a bit more delicate, I also dropped off three pairs of my drop earring design.  The first two feature genuine freshwater pearls.

These ones have golden brass wire and beautiful drop-shaped freshwater pearls in a delicate rose.  I completely love this particular combo and made myself some to keep.

The next pair features silver-plated wire and oval-shaped white freshwater pearls for a cool and wintry elegance:

The last pair is a bit different.  It features faceted tiger's eye gemstones on silver plate:

I also dropped off a nice selection of sea glass pieces at Good Gracious.  I won't post pictures of all of them, but I will put up shots of some of my favourites.  All of the pendants I dropped off come with a black cotton cord with a clasp in matching metal so they are ready to wear.

I'll start with the silver-plated ones.  The first one features sweeping smooth lines on a piece of white sea glass:

The next is on a piece of deep brown sea glass and features pairs of crimped lines pinning down paired spirals.  It's pretty different from many of my other designs, and I'm rather fond of it.

The next piece features a cute little clam shell charm in a simple framing wrap on a diamond-shaped piece of sea glass:

I also dropped off some brass pieces.  The first one features a fun curlicue design with four spirals for a more elaborate aesthetic than the previous pieces:

The next features one of those beautiful large starfish charms on a rippling freeform wrap in brass wire on white sea glass:

The final stand-alone sea glass pendant I'll feature here is sweeping lines of copper on white sea glass:

I say stand-alone, because I also dropped off three sets of sea glass pendant and earring combos.

I'll show you the silver-plate on white first.  It also features white freshwater pearls:

The brass set is something new for me because the pendant features a drop with Swarovski crystal bicone and freswater pearl dangling from the bottom just like the earrings:

The copper set is in a more familiar design, featuring indigo freshwater pearls:

Eagle-eyed readers with excellent memories will have noticed and recalled there was also a donut wrap in this collection.  It features gunmetal brass, Swarovski crystal bicones, and glass beads, and is also ready to wear on a black cotton cord:

That's it for jewellery for this post, but I feel I should give a photographic shout-out to my faithful assistant while I finished off these pieces during my visit at my parents' house: Jackie the craft-cat.  There she is helping out by keeping my spot warm:

And here she is helpfully lying down on my supplies and inventory sheet, and keeping a paw ready on my pliers:

Craft Cat is much better than Grumpycat in my opinion.  Shall we make her into an internet sensation?  She certainly deserves some recognition after wanting to bat at my wire and being sternly told that she would have to bat at cotton cord instead since the wire might hurt her.  (Seriously, she was crazy keen on hunting down that wire.  I had to be really careful.)

That's it for today, folks.  I'll post again soon about my final venue for the season.