We have gotten in some beautiful pearls. These are grade A and from my excellent, knowledgeable and all around good person that the majority of gemstones and supplies come from. These beads are called Metal Teal. And they are beautiful. The two lighter pearls that are double drilled silver pearls are a favorite of mine as a string guide. The focal area has Swarovski Crystals, 3mm sterling silver beads and the beautiful Metal Teal pearl. The back part is the same color string with the rich rose color being a glass bead.

A person saw this necklace and loved it. However she prefers bracelets. What a wonderful chance to use the beautiful pearls again. She asked for a three strand bracelet. And the bracelet came out quite impressive. The combination of pearls, sterling silver beads and Swarovski Crystals are a beautiful combination. With the bracelet being three strands a string guide was used. Also the smaller beads that are in the back of the necklace are used in this bracelet. This three strand bracelet looks very nice with work clothes and more formal wear. This creation will bring its wearer many years of enjoyment.

Typically, the claps that I use is simple. Because of the person the bracelet is for and the feel of the bracelet a less simple clasp was used. As you can see a heart shaped clasp was used. This helps secure the bracelet and fits the mood better. The string protectors on each string end add to the durability of the bracelet. This is definitely a one of a kind bracelet and will bring the owner many years of enjoyment.

Pye
8/14/2010

You may now follow Alaska Handmade Jewelry and Alaska Boro on Facebook. Both are on the same Facebook page. If you are on Facebook, here is how you find us on Facebook. Just click on the moose and you will be transported to my Facebook page.

Raven Alaska

If you cannot see the page, please send a friend request. We will be showing new creations of both Alaska Boro and Alaska Handmade Jewelry. We will include other offers as we progress.

Pye
8/8/10

Recently a pair of Mother of Pearl earrings were requested. And while the design of the earrings appear simple, when a piece of jewelry catches a person's eye and it is requested to be made, I never consider it simple or ordinary. In my opinion the regard that the owner of the jewelry has for the requested creation is what makes a piece of jewelry "fine jewelry".

Certainly when including Mother of Pearl in a piece of jewelry gives a special mood and feeling to the jewelry. I have found that many different types of shell are sometimes mistaken for Mother of Pearl. Mother of Pearl has a look to it that will certainly give it away. Perhaps a way to describe this look is that it has a look of depth to it and a very passive sheen of rainbow coloring.

Another give away that a shell is not mother of pearl is looking at the back of the piece. Typically the back will have the look of either the front or just a bit of the natural shell left. Mother of Pearl is presented as a finished beautiful white shell with the expected sheen one finds on the front of the shell. The shell is the area where a Pearl is formed by an irritant being coated with iridescent nacre.

Mother of pearl has the classic look that we all remember from childhood. Yet Mother of Pearl is timeless and modern. It will have a sheen that is the feel of a fine Freshwater or Cultured Pearl.

Pye

7/31/10

If you have read this blog for some time you remember the Classic Black and White Necklace. This necklace evolved from a color changing process helping a person fill her Christmas list with the same design changed to fit each woman she had on her list. The necklace has gone through many color changes and sizes.

Recently we have been working on a request list included a variety of standbys. Some of which were Bird's Nest rings, Bird's Nest earrings and broaches. Several necklaces and other rings were also included, the Red, White and Blue ring is an example of the creative gifts that were taken to the lower 48 as memories of Alaska.

The Classic Black and White Necklace was also requested in another color combination. Because of time limitations, we did not get a picture of the color scheme variation. It was Cranberry, small gold fresh water pearls with Black Diamond Swarovski crystals.

Because of this experience, I thought it would be fun to remake the Classic Black and White Necklace. Naturally there are a few small changes made to it to accent the black and white. Such as a Gun-mill string protector and clasp. So this necklace has returned to availability. If you are interested in it, please use the Contact Us on the middle right side of this site.

Pye

7/25/10

Alaska Handmade Jewelry's brother site Alaska Boro has created another style of boro glass bead. It is a swirl bead and is done in different colors. Here is an example of one of these beads.

This bead is named Orange Sunset. It is one of a series that have been done in the sunset colors of the wispy bead style. This bead is beautiful. It reminds me of the element of fire.

The wispy style of beads by Boro Glass http://www.alaskaboro.com/ is another of the beads that one can look into. Being able to look into the beads and see the different levels of color, shadows and play with light in these beads give the feel that a bit of the elements in their primordial state has peeked through to us.

We are looking forward to new bead creations and hoping that the color of each element will manifest in a bead series.

Pye
7/18/10

Here is my latest creation in wire weaving. It is silver hobby wire wrapped and woven with copper color hobby wire. /the wire used to wrap and weave the bail is a bit heavier than the typical 26 to 28 gauge wire used for weaving. It is nice how the silver shows through the copper color.

Wire weaving looks nicer and is easier done in small areas of a creation. In addition to the weave in this bail playing on ones perception, so does the shape of the bail. This being done with the bail going back through itself. While taking pictures there was a challenge in getting the bail to show its shape, transparency and many colors in the boro pendant. (from Alaska Boro Beads http://www.alaskaboro.com/)

This pendant will be worked into a necklace. The bail will function, somewhat, like a floater that one sees in many necklaces today.

Hope you are having a great 4th of July.

Pye
7/4/10

This creation is one of the few unsymmetrical designs of mine. The coin is a wonderful treat to see. What I can tell you is that this is an Oriental coin that was imported to one of my favorite shops here. The Citrine, Flower Suglite and Amethyst highlight the colors in the coin.

This necklace is unique. So a pair of earrings are needed to complement the necklace. The two Oriental coins used for the earrings are quite eye catching.

This necklace and earrings are one of a kind, you won't see someone else wearing a set of jewelry like this.

Pye
6/28/10

We have been having a good time working on a special request. One of the creations requested that you have not seen is a Red White and Blue ring. This ring is so perfect for this time of the year with the coming of the 4th of July. Actually it is a very nice ring for the whole year.

Another project has been creations with the "Birds Nest" style. As you know I like to explore all types of possibility with a project. The new possibility you see here is the nest as a broach and earrings. Yes, it has been made as a ring too.

Hope you are having a good summer.

Pye
6/15/10

As with any new skill that is being learned one needs to practice to perfect it. This is the case with wire weaving.

There are several things to make sure that everything stays in place. One may use a large bead or a cabochon for the stone. The advantage to using a large bead is that one can help stabilize the bead by running wire though the bead and incorporating it into the weave. With the cabochon there is a flat side that helps in mounting the stone. Then there is the wire.

Typically I have been using a 26 gauge wire. While this is quite thin it works quite nicely in weaving. One uses a very long length of wire. This requires the weaver to have perfected arcing wire. If wire is bent to much or over worked it becomes brittle and breaks.

In addition to this es each artists style. While I have my style in mind one needs perfect that style.

All in all gaining the skill of wire weaving takes some time. I feel sure that gaining that skill will be well worth it.

Pye
6/8/10

This is a painting that I did of a rose that struck my fancy. And, hopefully, you enjoy it. The rose bloomed last year and wishing that the roses were blooming this year, I decided to paint one.

You know about my designing and making jewelry. And now you know that in addition to Jewelry I draw and paint. Many very close friends and family have been getting paintings and drawings from me for years. So, it seems right that they are also shared with you.

One may notice that this painting is signed, Pye 10. That is my artistic name and the year the work was done in. You may ask about the name Pye, it is from one of my favorite books, "One" by Richard Bach.

So, from time to time pictures and drawings of mine may be shared here as well as my jewelry designs.

Hope you are all having a great summer.

Pye

6/1/10