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CHRISTENING BRACELETS
My doctor and friend in Costa Rica, Arnoldo Fournier, became the grandfather to twin baby girls, Elana and Julia, on his 65th birthday. I made these tiny bracelets for the babies, and they arrived in San Jose just in time for their christening.
The bracelets are done in a tiny Bysantine weave and fasten with sterling magnetic hearts.
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HONG KONG NIGHTS
Have you recognized the GRAFFITI pendant in this beauty? Sandra Miller calls this one "HONG KONG NIGHTS" and that name transfers very well to this necklace. I love the Bali silver, the different gold tones of the Botswania beads, as well as the glossy black onyx. They all come together to make this a very versatile piece of jewelry. Each strand of this necklace is attached separately to the large "S" clasp so they can be worn in a number of combinations. The short length is
16", the longest is 18 1/2".
The matching earrings are on beautiful Bali silver earring bases. The drop is onyx and a beautiful lampwork bead called "Dragon Breath," which is echoed in the necklace.
Necklace and earrings
~ $255.00 ~
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NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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LEAF PEEPING -- NOIR
The beautiful polymer clay pendant made by Eugena Topina was the inspiration for this necklace. I wanted a black necklace for myself and diligently collected the beads and materials I might incorporate into it. It rather took on a life of its own and became what I call a "3-in-1," as either strand can be worn independently or both may be worn together. I couldn't resist adding a bit of "bling" with some gorgeous Swarovski rondelles. The other materials are vintage lucite and black onyx.
Thanks, Eugena!
Sorry, this necklace is not available
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DOWNS SYNDROME AWARENESS BRACELET
My nephew, Drew, was born with Downs Syndrome. He has, throughout his life, been a blessing to our family and a delight to everyone with whom he has contact. My sister Mary asked me to design an awareness bracelet for her. The basic bracelet is Argentium Sterling Silver in the Full Persian CHAINMAILLE weave.
21 gold filled rings represent the 21st chromosome which is affected in Downs Syndrome individuals. Three Swarovski channels are sapphire, which is Drew's birthstone. (The number 3 is significant in that it represents the division of the 21st chromosome into three, rather than the usual 2.) The puffy heart charm is, of course, LOVE...all for Drew!!!
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A COPPER'S WORTH
One of the HUGE advantages of being a jewelry designer is being able to design things for myself. I really like these two layering pieces but needed a killer piece of jewelry to wear with it. I love being able to use the Graffiti pendant, and the copper hues in the gorgette blouse gave a big push in the direction to take the color of the necklace. Is it Fall yet???
I can't wait to wear it!
"Jan - this piece is exquisite - the blouse isn't too ..."
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MOOD INDIGO
"MOOD INDIGO" maybe, but my husband, who is irreverant about most things, calls this necklace "THE BIG KAHUNA." On April 4, 2006, I wore it to a dinner at the White House, and it was a huge success.
The CHOKER necklace itself is a graduated Euro 4-in-1 chainmaille weave and lies flat on the neck. The gorgeous focal is a vintage crystal, an Article 6208, 40mm, and is Heliotrope in color...probably a little more purple than the photograph...and is no longer available from Swarovski. This magnificent crystal is flanked on both sides by strands of lovely Sterling Silver Bali beads and purple Swarovski crystals. The mesh weave on the necklace itself holds three lovely diamond-shaped light lavender Swarovski charms.
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
"jan i want to see a photo of you wearing the big Kahu..."
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MASQUERADE
With all the glitter and glow, what else can this be except a MASQUERADE? The 3" focal piece is, of course, GRAFFITI by Sandra Miller, and the dichroics are exquisite in fuschia, purple, amber, and even tiny bits of chartreuse! I echoed the shape and base color with the satiny black onyx rectangles, and played VERY loose with Swarovsky Aurola Borealis crystals in rose and amber. Other materials include Czech fire-polished glass, black onyx, Bali silver and pewter beads.
The long strand of the necklace is 18" with a total drop of 3 1/2 inches of the focal piece.
$215.00
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THE FISH BASKET
The International Jewelry Designers Guild conducted a "challenge," in which we were asked to photograph things within our own environment, convert the photo to black and white, and use it as an inspiration to create a necklace. I photographed a "fish basket" my husband bought in Thailand that has been adapted into an occasional table. In my photo, as well as several others I took, I noticed that the focus was "above the horizon," and I endeavored to make that happen in my necklace. The "mouth" of the fish trap was also off center in the photograph, and, as I love asymmetry in my jewelry, I followed through on that, also.
Incorporated into this design is chainmaille in the Box Weave, a vintage 30mm Swarovski crystal, vintage Lucite, Bali beads and spacers, a lovely assortment of black and glass beads, and two distinctive sterling silver chains.
~ SORRY, NOT AVAILABLE ~
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POPPY-SICLE
Click on photo to see detail
What a story there is behind this piece, as well as a collaboration among my artist/designer friends!!
It begins with this gorgeous poppy pendant by Sandra Miller, my long-time friend and some-time mentor. Along comes Lesley Jones, who inspired and encouraged me with my Chainmaille...and Kari Bryde, who has helped me define the elements of design in both my ideas and my art.
This single strand necklace combines beadwork, wire wrapping, and Chainmaille--in the Helm weave--and is the first work in a series I will be doing involving all these mediums. The sparkling silver and the frosty sand-cast glass beads are the perfect compliment for the focal.
The necklace is 18" with a
2 1/2" drop on the focal piece.
~ SORRY, THIS PIECE IS UNAVAILABLE ~
"Absolutely stunning Jan. Such a unique way to incorpo..."
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TWISTED TWICE
This 18" Sterling Silver chainmaille necklace in the DOUBLE SPIRAL 4-IN-1 weave, is a joy to wear. Even though it appears heavy, it is soooo comfortable...to say nothing of being a real eye-catcher! The big toggle clasp is capped with black baroque pearls, and is truly the finishing touch.
~ $280.00 ~
~ CUSTOM MADE ON ORDER~
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SHIBUMI
I was told the Japanese word SHIBUMI loosely translates as "elegant simplicity," and that is certainly the case with this CHAINMAILLE necklace. The weave is the BYZANTINE, both ancient and beautiful. The necklace has been lightly oxidized, then tumbled and polished to perfectly match the large Bali toggle clasp. Definitely SHIBUMI!
The ancient art of CHAINMAILLE has been revived for use in crafting jewelry. The art involves the intricate weaving of tiny metal rings into beautiful patterns.
This necklace is 18" long.
~ $280.00 ~
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LADYE FAIRE
This striking bracelet is woven in the European 4-in-1 pattern...one of the weaves most reminiscent of the CHAINMAILLE worn as protection by the Knights of medieval days. Ahhh, but our "LADYE FAIRE" needs no more than a light, sensuous band of sterling silver CHAINMAILLE around her delicate wrist to protect her, even though it has the power to "stop the show." This lovely bracelet is completed with a simple clasp, also in polished silver. Slinky, sexy...a real treat to wear!!!
This bracelet is 8" long.
~NO LONGER AVAILABLE ~
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COWGIRL UP
Click on picture for entire description
The rings upon rings in these pieces remind me of the twirling lassoes I saw at the Prescott Rodeo...and who would be twirling those ropes but a COWGIRL?
These bracelets are crafted in the HELM weave, one of the very basic -- but beautiful -- weaves in CHAINMAILLE. One of the fascinating aspects of the HELM weave is the "floating" ring that is not attached to any other rings but is held in place by the parallel chains.
The top bracelet is a combination of Sterling Silver and Gold Filled rings with a small gold lobster clasp; the bottom is of Sterling Silver with a silver toggle to keep it secure. Each is 7" long.
The earrings are also Sterling and Gold Filled rings. They are small and light-weight; the tiny focal is a
3-in-1...very delicate and elegant.
Each piece has been tumbled for strength and polish.
~ The bracelets are each $130.00 ~
~ The earrings are $30.00 ~
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KAITLIN'S SONG
Click on picture for entire description
I recently met Kaitlin, and she touched my soul. She is a lovely young woman who loves horses, pearls, and pink. She sees beauty through a child's eyes, but has a grace and wisdom far beyond her eighteen years. She is delicate in her beauty, but positive, deliberate, and athletic in her movement. How can I possibly incorporate all of Kaitlin into a necklace?
Well, I have designed four intertwining strands of beads and silver to represent the many parts to the life of an eighteen-year old...school, plans for the future, friends, family, and--of course--boys. There are the large, smooth, polished turquoise stones (because she loves turquoise, too) and the pink, freshwater pearls, to symbolize the difference between external appearance and internal turmoils. Some of the silver Bail beads are textured and intricate and some are smooth, and there is sea glass you can't quite see through. There are two sets of bangles--unexpected--one offset of center in the front, the other i...
"wow. very nice"
"Beautiful work!"
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RUFF CUT
Several years ago, I bought a number of strands of sand cast glass beads. They collected moss in the back of my cabinet until just recently when I re-discovered them. How I wish I had gotten more!! Each bead is unique, and the rough finish is so different from the faddish
"bling." I also used cast pewter beads, some very nice Bali silver beads, bone, vintage hand carved wooden beads, and some lampwork beads. The shortest strand in this necklace is 18", and the longest is 22".
$185.00
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ORGANI-CLYSM
I love the colors of natural rocks and stones...their subtle variations and hues...their timelessness. Brea Van Putten made some gorgeous lampwork beads in shades she called "organic," and they just spoke to me. I combined them with picture jasper, agate, and Bali silver in this asymetrical design.
$215.00
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ORGANI-CLYSM EARRINGS
I followed through with the asymetry of the necklace by making un-matched earrings. I do think you could wear these forever and no one would even notice.
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EYE'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU
When I saw the green eye bead set Brea Van Putten made, I really wanted to do something fun with it...perhaps because the eye almost matches the color of my eyes...perhaps because...well, who knows. I love the dressy black onyx, the smooth, polished jade, and the hint of pale lavender echoing the flowers in the lampwork beads. A fun, funky, dressy necklace...
$185.00
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LOVE ME OR LEAF ME
I have been designing jewelry for such a short time and was intimidated by Sandra Miller's beautiful fused glass work. I finally got up nerve enough to buy this beautiful leaf pendant from her and try my hand at something a little more complex than the pieces I had done before. What I love about this necklace is the asymmetry of the leaf, and how it keeps the whole from being "boring". I used black onyx, sand cast glass, tigers eye, lampwork, and agate beads, as well as Bali silver. The basic necklace is 18" with the drop of the auxillary piece 3".
~SORRY, NOT AVAILABLE ~
"This is my favorite!:)"
"Hi Jan, I just love what you did with Sandra's pendan..."
"This is absolutely GORGEOUS. In fact, all of your wo..."
"Jan, this is beautiful! It's a lot of fun to design a..."
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DENIM AND FOO
Someone told me the Foo Dog necklace I bought dated from the turn of the last century...someone else told me it probably didn't. Most of the beads were horrid, and the silver Foo Dog was tarnished black, so I restrung it using denim lapis cubes and as many of the vintage beads as I could. I stripped and repatina-ed the focal piece. I love the casual look of the denim lapis, and it really makes this necklace versatile. (BTW, in case you didn't know, the Foo Dog is the ancient Chow Chow.)
The length is approximately 27", and the focal piece has a 3" drop.
$235.00
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TURQUOISE AND TEARDROPS
I thought I had lived in the Southwest long enough to have "gotten over" turquoise, but seeing the Grade A stones has changed my mind. The dealer tried to steer me away from putting them with the freshwater pearls, saying the pearls are too
"dressy" for turquoise. I think not...especially the Grade A focal bead I selected for this necklace. It certainly is an unexpected combination, but that is right up my alley. Turquoise seed beads separate each teardrop and enhance the big toggle closure. I like the way the teardrops are always in motion creating constant change and altering the balance of this necklace.
~ SORRY, THIS PIECE IS NOT AVAILABLE ~
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WHORLS AND PEARLS
This sterling wire wrapped necklace is 18" long with a 1 3/4" drop on the focal piece.
This is truly a necklace only for you. The wrapped wire has resilence, and you will shape it to the curve of your own neck where it will lay weightless and beautiful! The hook clasp is in the front.
The embellishments on the wrapped wire are shells of Hill Tribe Silver from Thailand. This silver is known for its soft glossy finish. The focal bead is another shell capped off with a lovely pearl.
$95.00
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I HEART MY CHOW CHOW
This is, far and away, the best Chow Chow charm I have even seen. It is made from jeweler's bronze and I got it from a store in Russia. As the little Chow Chow suspends from the necklace, his silhouette is heart-shapped...thus the name of this piece. What would I choose to set off this Chinese dog breed but Chinese turquoise? I added hand-made wood spacers and brass beads. The length of the necklace is 22" with a drop
of 1 1/2".
$115.00
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ALL DESIGNS and IMAGES
COPYRIGHT BY
JAN LOCKHART 2005
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