Getting Off The Learning Treadmill

When we’re at school and university it’s like we think we’ll feel relieved once the barrage of information and learning stops, that life will be so much more pleasant once we can stop learning all the time.

Ha, what an idiot I was to think such a thing! Not only does the pace of learning pick up once you start working (at least that’s how it was for me) but every so often you find that picking up a new skill enhances your life so much that you just keep wanting to learn more stuff!

Anyway, getting back to the point, working with my hands to create jewellery is a skill that I really enjoy and am grateful for (obviously I still have a ways to go). It lets me make little gifts like these moss agate earrings for my mum. I made a necklace using these beautiful little briolettes and micro-faceted rondelles a while back and I always meant to make her matching earrings. Well here they are. They’re a beautiful colour green and I hope she’ll like them. I like sending gifts that are not expected, a bit like happy unbirthday gifts.

Citrine Necklace “Laura” with Dragonfly, originally uploaded by www.virtudej.com.

Ah more Spring things! This time, it’s lilac’s best friend- pale yellow.

Citrine shows up in all shades of yellow from the palest and most see-through to deepest amber.

Actually this faceted nugget reminds of the Jurassic Park gemstone that they find near the start of the film, well here I have teamed it with a little dangling dragonfly- much more stylish!

Oh it’s lovely to see all the spring flowers and feel the warmth of spring coming… With that in mind I made a couple of pieces this morning with Light Amethyst.
This is the necklace, it uses a large (20mm x 17mm) faceted pendant and little amethyst heishi beads.
Because I used one of my gorgeous toggle clasps, it is designed so that the clasp and pendant are worn to the front.
I also added a little dragonfly charm.
I’ll be adding it into my shop later and it’s going to be a one-off

Platinum Pearl Earrings, originally uploaded by www.virtudej.com.

Well my goodness it’s that time of year again!

In case the weather wasn’t enough to tell you then TV certainy will. One of my favourite shows “Bones” just had their Christmas episode and the main character, Dr Temperance Brennan was wearing some lovely drop earrings. She wore them a few episodes ago so I set about making my ownn version.

Here they finally are, and I used the new Swarovski “Platinum” pearls- they have a gorgeous soft sheen that’s not quite golden, but not silver either- lovely! So say hello to “Temperance”…

Fuchsia & Black Bracelet, originally uploaded by www.virtudej.com.

Ah the 80′s! Back in the 80′s fuchsia was one of those bold signature colours. This jewellery blends that shade of shocking pink with deep burgundy Garnet and black Onyx to bring it up to date and make it altogether subtler, but still on-trend.

I kept it simple and just alternated a pink with black and used some of my faceted black onyx beads. Swarovski crystals finish the ends and I’m currently in love with hammered hoops so there’s one of those in there too!

Just because the 80′s in back in vogue doesn’t mean you have to make the same fashion mistakes…!

More
details. Available from 8 Nov 2009.

Citrine Bracelet “Melina”, originally uploaded by www.virtudej.com.

Most people associate Topaz with Novemebr, but Citrine is also a traditional gem for this month. This is probably because the two gems are very often mistaken for each other, but I’m just guessing.

If you know someone who has a birthday this month then consider a Citrine gift- it’s a very pretty gem and ranges in colour from very pale and watery yellow through to darker amber hues.

Just lovely, and just the thing to add a touch of colour to your outfit!