Barbara Briggs Designs News

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A word about my jewelry. As you peruse the photos below, you'll notice that the collective body of work is quite eclectic with many different genres. Some pieces look totally unrelated to others. Perhaps it's because my personal sense of design and taste is all encompassing and multi-faceted. I'm inspired not only by my enviroment, but also by the materials I work with. Those elements dictate what I create. I've always believed that varieity is the spice of life. Just as I like to wear a myriad of different fragrances and enjoy a vast variety of cuisines, my "style" follows suit. Everyday presents new ideas. Shall I work with metals or polymer clay or resin or felt and fiber or do I want to stitch beads, etc.,. Am I in the mood for cutting edge modern, vintage, or something in between? My creative world can change on a whim. So enjoy the show. And check back often to see what I come up with next!

 

It took a good thirty hours of beading, but I’ve finally finished my right angle weave lariat rope necklace and I’m very pleased!  Beaded loops are stitched at each end and I’ve attached  sterling  silver “S” hooks which allow me the versatility of changing the focal beads that dangle at each end.  At the top is Gail Crosman Moore’s  lampworked glass pendant which I acquired from Kate Mckinnon during one of her sales…thank you Kate!   I love the organic earthiness of its shape and the colors are absolutely delightful.  I've made a polymer clay abstract floral pod to go with Gail's art glass.  I know I’m going to enjoy wearing this very versatile piece.  I will be offering this lariat design as a beading kit.  Check my Jewelry Kits page for more information.

 

 

 

 

No need to go Scuba diving to gaze at sea life...this "Shell and Spines Cuff" looks as if it were just plucked from the sea floor! The cuff is stitched in right angle weave using three sizes of Japanese seed beads. Dagger beads in three colors create the urchin spines and Swarovski bicone crystals run up the center row of each spiny section. A 27mm Swarovksi Crystal AB rivoli is embellished with keishi pearls, Swarovski crystal pearls, and Czech fire polished crystals. The polymer clay Opihi shell button closure fits through a branch fringed loop of tiny seed beads. If you'd like to make this cuff, look for this beading kit on my "Jewelry Kits" page. Or If you prefer that I make one for you, it may be ordered in your choice of colors for $595

Valentine's Day is almost here and Brio Gallery in Galena, IL has requested some heart themed pieces for the holiday. I'm having great fun going through boxes of components I've made and collected. The "Bronze Love Pendant" shown here is made of bronze metal clay. Inclusions are embedded in resin at the heart's center and beneath is a peridot CZ. A river stone dangles on Argentium silver wire from the tip and several beads and found objects dangle at the top of the heart. I've attached a decorative and versatile necklace extender to one end of the heavy 19" sterling silver cable chain which adds another 5" to the length. The extender is handwoven in Ndebele stitch with seed beads from Japan and is detachable. You may order a pendant similar to this for $248. And if you happen to be in Galena, IL, stop in at Brio Gallery. They carry over one hundred one-of-a-kind pieces of my work. Believe me ....it's worth the trip!

 

"Heart to Heart" is the title of this bracelet. Elements made of pure fine silver and bronze metal clays, a wrapped wire orb, river stone, glass, and a handwoven beaded ring bead adorn this piece. Order a bracelet similar to this for your valentine - $395.

 

 

 

Sarah Moran's beads are so wonderful that I had to make something to go with my cool and hip "Swing'n 70's" bangle. I've created a nifty "Pinwheel" pendant which spins with wild abandon! I love these pieces and their wonderful shades of lime, avocado, and orange. Did you know that Frank Sinatra's favorite color was orange? I stitched six tiny beaded beads in various shades of orange and green, added one of my large textured fine silver metal clay beads along with silver disks, rings, and coils, and placed them all on a hammer textured sterling silver bangle. The pendant swings on hammer textured 16 gauge square silver wire and I've slipped it onto my handmade "Links" chain. I simply can't part with these two pieces, but don't worry...I still have a small stash of Sarah's beads in great colors and shapes and I'll be making more pieces using them!

Long before I even thought of making jewelry, I was a fiber artist. For sometime I've had a stash of tiny felted wool balls in dozens of colors just waiting for the perfect project and this is it! My "Double Pagoda Blossom Drops" are embellished with hammered silver plated bead caps, several Lucite flowers from Germany, tiny seed beads, crystal pearls, and rhinestones. At 1 5/8 " in length, they are on sturdy 20 gauge sterling silver ear wires. Each pair of felted earrings is unique and may vary in design and embellishment. A pair similar to this may be ordered in your colors - $79

Here's another pair of felted earrings titled "Chinese New Year Drops". They seem rather festive to me with their deep red enameled and Lucite flowers and copper and bronze colored seed beads against the black wool felt. The felted wool balls are sandwiched between two hammer textured silver plated bead caps and are suspended on 20 gauge sterling silver ear wires. These drops measure 1 3/4" in length. Order in your favorite colors - $69

At right, these "Iris-Burgundy Pagoda Blossom Drops" measure 1 1/2" in length. They have Lucite blossoms from Germany, Czech fire polished crystals, Swarovski crystal pearls, and tiny seed beads. The felted wool orbs are nestled between two sliver plated hammered bead caps - $69

At left, these "Moss and Plum Drops" sport two lampworked beads by Stephanie Sersich. The seed beaded wool felt orbs are my favorite shade of green! They are nestled between deep plum lucite flower beads at the base and
my handmade bronze metal clay bead caps adorn the top . They swing from sturdy 20 gauge sterling ear wires - $79

At left brown felted wool "Sputnik Drops" dangle from chain and ball posts. Matte bronze bugle and silver lined gray seed beads and charlottes embellish these lightweight orbs. They are 1 1/2" in long. Order them in you choice of colors - $69

At right is a pair of purple felted wool "Outer Limit Drops". They are 2" long and swing from sterling silver chain and ball posts. They sport novel lampworked beads made by Stephanie Sersich . - $79

This is the "Beaded Bronze Links" bracelet. My handmade bronze metal clay rings link to beaded rings to create a fun and colorful piece. It is finished with a lovely beaded toggle. I've just added this piece to my Jewelry Kits page. Check it out! If you don't bead and would rather have one ready made especially for you, order this bracelet in jewel tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels or your favorite colors - $325

 

 

I'm having great fun creating beaded beads! These tiny tri-fold delights measure 22mm x 16mm and are made with a variety of Japanese and Czech seed beads in various shapes and sizes. Swarovski pearls and crystals add the finishing touch. I'm setting them aside in my cache of elements and various other treasures just waiting to adorn bracelets and necklaces I have floating around in my mind.

 

Serpents have long been revered and believed sacred in Egypt. I believe these bejeweled little fellows would have been favored by Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. These tiny serpents are made of polymer clay. One is tucked in a brick stitched lidded basket of Delica beads accented with two bi-cone crystals. The other dangles from a 12mm Swarovski Crystallized rivoli bezeled with Delica beads and charlottes. Suspended on sturdy handmade 20 gauge Argentium sterling ear wires, they are very lightweight and measure 2 1/2" in length. I love these earrings and have worn them everyday since I finished them! They always fetch compliments and/or comments. Of course, they are one-of-a-kind, but you may order a similar pair for $298 in your choice of colors. Please email me with your request.

 

 

This graceful piece is titled "The Princess Collar" and it is befitting, I think. Created with Japanese bugle beads, Delicas, seed beads, and embellished with 4mm fire polished Czech crystals, a Crystallized 16mm rivoli and pearls, finished with handmade sterling silver "S" clasp, this gal feels like a princess when I put it on! I am offering this design as a beading kit (check my Jewelry Kits page). For those of you who don't bead, but would love to have your very own princess collar, you may order it finished in your color choice for $450.

More than a week was spent creating this bracelet...and that doesn't count the time spent making the silver bead, clasp, and toggle! Tubular peyote weave worked in spiral stitch puts me in a hypnotic trance. You stitch around and around and around and then, "oops!", you realize you've added the wrong bead several rows back and the pattern has been thrown off! The spiral crawled along at one-half inch per hour which doesn't a lot for time spent un-weaving mistake(s). BUT, I'm extremely pleased with the end result! It's luscious, big and bold...a real statement piece that receives compliments every time I wear it! The materials used in this bracelet are Czech crystals, Japanese seed beads, pearls, and it is finished with a textured fine silver metal clay 22mm bead and toggle clasp. I have too much in time and materials to part with this bracelet...and I like it so much that I can hardly bear to take it off my wrist! However, I'm working on a similar concept that incorporates this spiral. I'm writing step-by-step instructions and taking process photos, so when the bracelet is finished, it will be offered as a kit on my "Jewelry Kits" page. Check back for availability. You can see a larger photo of this bracelet in the 2009 PMC Guild Annual #3.

This pendant swings, Baby! Think Op Art, 60's colors, and psychedelica! I've titled this pendant "Mod Rose Hip". It is beaded over a wood core and encases a Swarovski crystal rose colored rivoli at its base and a peridot crystal rivoli at the top. I used brick stitch to add Delica and seed beads to the body. Embellished with two rows of Swarovski bicone crystals at the base, it dangles on a 30" sterling oval link chain finished with a toggle and clasp closure. You may order this pendant in your choice of colors for $348.

Ultimate versatility is a fitting description for this piece. This necklace measures 21" from end to end, but it also functions as a bracelet when wrapped thrice around my wrist. That's what I call fashion mileage! And because the toggle/clasp is diminutive in size, I can easily add or subtract charms or simply wear it on its own. The chain is handwoven with metal plated glass Japanese Delica beads. The toggle and clasp are made of pure fine silver metal clay. The basic handwoven chain with toggle/clasp in a 21" length is $268. It may also be ordered in other colors of glass beads.

Charms are extra and prices will vary by materials used and complexity of design. This particular crystal charm drop is $150 and is composed of an 18mm Swarovski bezeled jet crystal at the top. Attached underneath is a 10mm vintage Swarovski dentelle. And a bronze metal clay heart dangles at the very bottom.

This bracelet is composed of six Ndebele and Peyote woven beaded beads with a bit of free-form stitching thrown in just for fun! Japanese and Czech seed beads, crystals, and tiny fresh water pearls were used in this design. The beaded beads glide along a heavy sterling silver square snake chain and a fine silver metal clay 3-D charm dangles at the center. A sterling silver bezel clasp inlaid with faux ivory polymer clay in which a tiny 24k gold star is embedded completes this piece. Bracelets similar to this may be ordered in your choice of colors for $595.

Barbara Becker Simon's book "Metal Clay Beads" is wonderful. The instructions for making metal clay beads are explicit and the photos are pure eye candy. You may also be interested in the book "Making Pure Silver Beads with Metal Clay" by Linda Kaye-Moses. This book is full of information, ideas, projects, and photos. I'm thrilled that both artist's have chosen photos of my work to appear in these publications.

 

This is a free-form bracelet which has a fine silver metal clay button closure, a fine silver cylinder bead, and teeny cupped silver disks accenting hundreds of Swarovski and Czech crystals, seed beads, fresh water pearls, carved orange jade, lampworked and dichoric beads, amethyst, carnelian, and quartz faceted briolites, and vintage German pressed glass. You may order a bracelet similar in style in your choice of colors for $525. Bracelets with fewer beads and smaller in scale start at $295.

I love the delicate and airy look of this Blossom necklace. It is created entirely with PMC and fused fine silver wire. The brushed silver blossoms and links are accented with 24k gold foil fused to the silver using keum boo technique. This necklace measures 16" in length and lies gracefully at the base of the neck. Necklaces similar to this one are available by special order starting at $695 and may be ordered in longer versions.

These one-of-a-kind sterling silver bangles hold all manner of goodies - lampworked glass and semi-precious stone beads, fine silver and bronze metal clay beads, carved bone beads, and the bangle on the left holds a large bakelite die. Prices range from $295 to $525 depending on the amount and value of elements used. Lampworked beads are from my personal collection and colors and sizes are subject to availability. Please specify wrist size when ordering.

This heart pendant combines textured fine silver, polymer clay, eleven teeny brass rivets, and a resin filled center that contains a sweet little sea shell and a tiny fresh water pearl. It is suspended from a heavy 24" length of sterling silver chain that I have patinaed to achieve the look and feel of a medieval treasure. A hammered bronze ring and sterling silver toggle clasp finishes this unique very necklace. You may order a pendant similar to this for $395.

More polymer clay madness! Wonderful little creatures perch atop these faux marble polymer bangles. A tiny tree frog clings to vines atop the bangle in the forefront. Sterling and fine silver metal clay charms, as well as bronze and brass rings, a pearl, and a polymer bullet shaped drop dangle at the bottom. A bangle similar to this may be ordered for $425. A cute lizard grasps the other bangle and sports a large pearl dangling from a sterling silver wire hoop. A bangle similar to this may be ordered for $265 in your choice of colors.

This is a swing-hinge flower pendant which I've made of fine silver metal clay accented with 24k gold metal clay. The petal top swings wide to expose a locket filled with lace textured polymer clay upon which a partial love poem has been embedded. Whether suspended from a long chain or dangling on a neck ring, it is one of those pieces that just seems to go with everything...a nice weighty piece that has received many compliments! Not for sale...I'm keeping this one!

 

Lately I feel a need for color and motion in my jewelry. This neckpiece is titled "Gypsy". It truly makes a statement! Everything is kinetic about it. The pendant swivels, the box enclosed alabaster disk spins, and the colorful dangles sway with every motion. This pendant is comprised of sterling silver, bronze, copper, brass, fresh water pearls, Swarovski and Czech fire polished crystals, coral, alabaster, and two tiny dice. It measures 4" in length and is suspended from a hammer textured sterling silver neck ring adorned with two faux ivory serpents. I love it! I am taking orders for neckpieces similar to the one pictured. Because the beads used in this piece are from my private collection and subject to availability, no two neckpieces will be exactly alike. Prices start at $345 for a neckpiece similar to the one pictured.

These sculptural earring stands will hold one pair of your favorite earrings. They are made of steel and polymer clay and are $24 each. They may be ordered in your choice of colors. The stands are about 4" to 5" in height. What a nice way to display those earrings you love! They also are very affordable gifts!

And this is a multiple earring stand which can comfortably hold up to eight pairs of dangle earrings. The stand measures about 6.5 inches in width and 7 inches in height. It is shown in silvery black but you can order order one in whatever color you'd like for $48.

These bangles are made of sterling silver. The beads are made of fine silver metal clay and lampwork glass beads. They are made to order in your choice of color families (i.e. brights, earthy, pastels, etc.,) and are priced at $525 each. Please specify wrist size when ordering. Lampworked beads are from my personal collection and colors and sizes are subject to availability.

I remember a time in the late 1950's when my father, who was an extremely artistic man, went on a bit of a tangent with Contact paper. He covered table tops, counter tops, he even covered a refrigerator in wood grain Contact paper! Lately, I'm reminded of this because I too seem to have gone on a tangent except I'm using polymer clay as my vehicle! My studio tools were all rather mundane so I decided to turn them into useful works of art. They are certainly more fun to use now! Here is a selection of tools I've covered in polymer clay. All are textured and accented with beads, pearls, script, and exotic creatures.

This is an assortment of Charm Bangles and Clasps made of polymer clay and fine silver metal clay. The faux cinnabar polymer bangle at the bottom left is hand carved. The faux ivory bangles have embedded designs and the bronze toned bangle at the top right was created in Mokume gane technique. Three of the bangles feature charms which I have made of fine silver metal clay, sterling silver, bronze, and polymer clay. The two clasp components at the lower right are made of sterling silver and feature a faux ivory polymer clay inlay with embedded designs. Bangles and clasps may be ordered in your choice of colors. Prices for charm bangles range in price from $250 to $495 depending on the amount of silver used and intricacies of design. Plain bangles start at $110. Clasps with hooks are priced at $45 for a 1/2" size, $55 for a 3/4" size, and $65 for a 1" size. Please visit my Bracelets and Components pages for information regarding ordering.

 

The December 2007 issue of Bead & Button featured my article on creating Metal Clay Focal Beads . Look for it if you're a silver metal clay enthusiast. This photo shows several oblong metal clay focal beads and a beaded "Sea Flower" bracelet featuring a round metal clay focal bead. The clasp and toggle are also made of metal clay. See my article on Metal Clay Toggle Clasps in the April 2007 issue of Bead & Button magazine if you'd like to learn to make those as well!

 

 

Several of you have requested that I post a photo of myself. I thought it might be far more interesting to post a photo showing something other than just me. This is the "Swing Shift" jazz trio comprised of our friend and fabulous guitarist, Dario Napoli, myself on vocals, and my husband, Steven, who is also a wonderful guitarist. This photo was taken at one of our final performances. "Swing Shift" disbanded when Dario moved back to Italy in 2009. We specialized in Gypsy and Latin jazz, and classic standards ala Ella Fitzgerald. Together we created many wonderful musical memories. We hope to reconnect someday and pick up where we left off...good music and lots of laughter!

The following link is for anyone who enjoys music. BLUE NIGHT RECORDS has some very nice CDs featuring acoustic guitar and jazz mandolin. Check it out!

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