Category Archives: Earrings

Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants, Wire Work

“. . . just a stringin”

. . . as the song says. I guess the word was really “swingin’” in the song, but that doesn’t fit with today’s entry. Stringin’ is what I’ve been doing all afternoon. Tomorrow I’m having a jewelry show at the nursing home where my Mom lives. While the women “inmates”, as Mother calls the residents, seem to really enjoy spending a lengthy span of time trying on and thinking about the pieces, most of the men simply roll (literally) right on past my display. I guess I really should have cookies for them! While only a few residents actually purchase anything, they do have a great time and some ask me to hold pieces until they have money. One 99 year old woman spent well over an hour selecting her jewels last time and then told me what she wanted. I asked if she had money for it in her room and she told me “No, Charge It.” “Do you have a credit card?” I asked. “No, Charge It!” she said again. Eventually, I was able to convince her to put it on layaway and she has never asked me about it again. Some of the pieces I’m taking are shown in the photos below. Perhaps the staff will also enjoy looking. space  Ralph   PICT0452purple pict0453  briolette  
Earrings, Metal Work, Wire Work

Overdone Reversal

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I do not like to make earrings. For years, I’ve mostly made only those that matched a customer’s necklace, but lately a reversal of that phenomenon has occurred. Two things dawned that perpetuated this reversal. First, my friend and wholesale vendor, Szarka (www.magpiegemstones.com) encouraged me to purchase Lindstrom tools for wirework saying they would improve my efforts and ease the hand strain. Unlike many vendors, who may recommend something because they sell it, she doesn’t even have these for purchase; so I took her advise. A good many dollars later, I had the precious tools. My justification was that if the guys on the ranch could have a hydraulic squeeze chute at the barn then surely I could have some good tools. (I only purchased 3 tools and we’re not going to compare cost of tools vs chute unless it becomes necessary!)  With new tools in hand, I started working on earrings. It was actually fun, the ideas kept flowing and Szarka was right about the value of the right tool.

The second thing that encouraged this reversal is that someone purchased 3 pairs of the new designs. (No that doesn’t even pay for one tool!) Thinking that there may be potential in creating earrings, I’m on my way. The problem may be that I’ve OVERDONE this reversal of my previous behavior. I just keep making earrings. I guess I’m like my Father who never made just one something in his woodworking shop. He made several and then Mother wondered what to do with them all. The picture at the bottom shows a mere fraction of what I’ve created in the past few days. I’ve even run out of ear wires. I guess I’m just going to have to go out looking for people with holes in their ears and show them the new designs. The good thing is that at least I’ve been working with less expensive copper. Perhaps I’ll be more frugal when I’m using sterling silver. Anyone out there need earrings?

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