Natural leaf textured fine silver pendant. Jewelry design by Arctida.

The holidays are over and it is time to get back to blogging :) 

Last year I've started teaching beginner metal clay class and I thought I'll show you what my students can make in my classes. Here is the first one and it is one of the most popular projects for beginners - making a jewelry piece from real leaves. This pendant is made by me as a demo for my students using precious metal clay paste and I've chosen a Mint leaf as a *model* because of it beautiful texture and pretty shape.  

  For more of my pmc fine silver jewelry click here

Olga - Turquoise Kyanite Mint Chalcedony Sky Blue Topaz Citrine gold filled ombre necklace. Handmade jewelry by Arctida.

I've been making cluster gemstone necklaces for a while now and just wanted to show you my latest piece. This one is a custom order for a friend and colleague who wanted a summer inspired necklace :) The gems that I used are: Kyanite, Mint Chalcedony, Sky Blue Topaz, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and Citrines all wire wrapped in 14K gold filled.

 

 and here is some of my previous gemstone cluster necklaces...

Gelida - Mint necklace mint Agate mint Fluorite blue Chalcedony Rock Crystal Clear Quartz sterling silver necklace. Handmade jewelry by Arctida.

As some of you may know I was born and lived for the first years of my life far far up North, hence my artisan name is Arctida :) Consequentially I love almost everything about winter. So here comes another gemstone cluster necklace, this time inspired by winter, frost and ice. Gelida - mint green Agate slice, sea foam mint Fluorite, aqua blue Chalcedony and Rock Crystal Clear Quartz briolettes wire wrapped in sterling silver.

Maera - Blue necklace Turquoise Kyanite Lapis lazuli Mint Chalcedony Sky Blue Topaz gold filled ombre necklace. Handmade jewelry by Arctida.

The summer is almost here and so is vacation time! I can't wait to go to the beach for a swim and so while waiting for the warmer weather I've made a necklace inspired by the beach and turquoise blue water of the ocean. I used different shades of blue gems, ranging from mint blue to rich cobalt blue. The gems that I used are: Kyanite, Lapis lazuli, Mint Chalcedony, Sky Blue Topaz and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise all wire wrapped in 14K gold filled.

 Maera is for sale in my Arctida shop.

Mint necklace, Chalcedony in sterling silver. Handmade mint jewelry by Arctida

This spring, the mint color burst into the world of fashion and immediately took the lead. It is hard to ignore the minty madness when the shops, streets and magazines are invaded by this fresh and airy color. So I couldn’t let this latest trend just slide by since I looove all kind of mint shades :) So here are the first simple necklaces in aqua blue mint and sea foam mint green.

I'm planning to make more luxurious gemstone jewelry in mint shades later during this autumn. So stay tuned :)

Lea - Hammered Rustic Organic Tribal Talisman necklace with Rough Natural Beryl, Labradorite, Sterling Silver and Leather cord

-->So, I’ve decided to try something new here…more of the primitive, organic and ethnic looking style....
The focal pendant is hand formed (by me) from sterling silver wire and hammered for texture. The silver has been oxidized to achieve more of an antiqued look and slightly polished. Inside the loop I placed rough and naturally shaped Beryl. The necklace is threaded with black leather cord and fastens with a lobster clasp and extension chain, which I've finished off with a Labradorite polished rondelle.