Fused glass Christmas Tree tealight holder

I tried out glass fusing for the first time 2 years ago but I haven't taken a chance to explore it any further. So for the past couple of months I've been playing with glass... a lot! 🥰 For the moment I'm figuring out the basics of fusing glass on my own with books and websites. I'd like to take a class at some point, but for now I think there's enough info out there to pick up the basics.

So here is one of my first fused glass creation, Christmas tree decorated *Russian style* meaning with lots and lots of colorful ornaments 😁 Most of the ornaments are made of dichroic glass cabochons (different test pieces made by me as well) and the tree is attached to a tealight holder so a little tealight can be lit behind it.

 To see more of my fused glass creation click here

 

 

Melted silver pendant free shape silver casting. Jewelry design by Arctida.

Making silver jewelry is a lot of fun but recycling old jewelry pieces and scraps (meaning melting silver) is even more fun 😍 Here is a pendant made of a couple of broken pieces and failed experiments that I had. The technique is called silver casting, basically you melt silver and pour it into something that will give the silver it’s shape or pattern. For my pendant tree branches and dried pees were used.

 

 

 For more of my fine silver jewelry click here

Elsie - Rock Crystal Quartz open ring Argentium sterling silver ring. Handmade gemstone jewelry by Arctida.

I love making all kind of jewelry but I have to admit making rings has been my least favorite part. Don't get me wrong, making a ring for my self or simply learning a new technique has been fun but making it for a customer is a different story. I was always so nervous if it would fit right. Anyhow to overcome my fears I decided to try stuff outside my comfort zone and that is what I've been doing for the past year, making lots and lots of new rings with different techniques.

So here is the first ring of many to come. Rock Crystal Quartz and Argentium sterling silver ring. I actually combined two different techniques in this one, both soldering and fusing were used to make this ring.

Deira - Personalized jewelry Birthstone necklace Statement necklace. Handmade gemstone jewelry by Arctida

Back in 2008 I've made a long statement necklace with combination of 7 different gemstones for myself (Deira). In the beginning I wasn't planning to have this design for sale but I started to have custom request from friends and coworkers who've seen it and wanted their own version. Usually people would choose the Birthstones that would have a connection to their family-members or gemstones from some special event/place in their life. So I thought I'll show you some of those that I've had a chance to photograph :)

 

If you wish to order your own Personalized Birthstone necklace, you can order it my Arctida webshop.

Adeola - Green necklace green Quartz emerald green Agate 14K gold filled necklace. Handmade jewelry by Arctida.

The Spring is here and so are all the greens around us :) Did I tell ya that green is my most favorite color in the world, so you can imagine how happy I get when everything around me is green... Anyway I realized that I forgot to blog about one of my pretties and as it happens it is emerald green :)

So here is one of my custom orders, an interpretation of my previous design - necklace *Adeola*. The new *Adeola* was created with green Quartz briolette and emerald green Agate rondelles wire wrapped in 14K gold filled.

Fiona - Green necklace emerald green lime gemstones wire wrapped in 14K gold filled. Handmade jewelry by Arctida.

Yes, the spring has finally arrived to Stockholm as well! and to celebrate all those wonderful greens what we all have been waiting for so long, here is my new green necklace. I used different shades of yellows and greens, ranging from pale lemon yellow to rich emerald green. The gems that I used are: Emerald green Quartz, green Agate, Peridot, Citrine and yellow green Labradorite all wire wrapped in 14K gold filled.

 To see more of my gemstone jewelry click here 

 

 

Leia - Bridal white Keshi pearls earrings in Argentium sterling silver. Handmade wedding jewelry by Arctida

For not so long ago I’ve made a pair of earrings for a friend’s wedding. She wanted to have simple, sophisticated, modern pearl earrings different from classic design of bridal pearls. She thought that they should be easy to wear, discreet and match almost everything so that she can use them more then just on her wedding day.

So I came up with these... Getting jewellery that matches the dress, the hair and the flowers can be difficult, and like in this case, it shouldn’t take to much attention. A pair of bridal earrings should give the bride a hint of her own *flavor*, describe her personality, the earrings should be an ingredient that spices things up! (IMHO) These earrings are for the bride that wants a bit more, not just a simple design. Nothing on the human body is symmetrical, just like these Keshi pearls. That’s why they give that interesting and eye catching look, but are still subtle and not too outstanding. Perfect for a wedding, where bride wants all eyes on her, not just the dress, the jewelry, the flowers or the arrangement. Because after all the bride is the main attraction, don't you agree :)

 

 For more of my bridal jewelry click here

Sterling Silver Chainmaille Bracelet. Handmade unisex minimalism jewellery by Arctida.

Last week EST challenge's theme was "Simplicity" hosted by Kirschbits.

I love to explore new techniques and styles in jewelry making and then mixing them together. Recently I have started making chainmaille jewelry. Chain maille is an ancient art of weaving together individual rings to create simple and elegant jewelry. I love how diverse each wave looks just because I connected the rings slightly different!  Anyway for this challenge I decided to try one of the simplest waves and make a minimalistic bracelet. No gemstones, no fancy clasps, no oxidation… just shiny silver rings connected to each over. Simplicity at its best don´t ya think? :)

Custom bridal jewelry set. Floating illusion pearls necklace and pearl earrings in Argentium sterling silver. Handmade Wedding Jewellery by Arctida

It has been a treasured item for thousands of years. Bridal jewelry is definitely an important aspect of bridal wear. Finding the perfect dress you have always dreamed about is one of the most fun and important tasks a bride will endeavor. Finding the perfect bridal jewelry for the bride to accessorize with that dress is also fun and essential to completing your look.

There are many different styles of jewelry, so there is something that will appeal to everyone. But if you feel you want to have a classic look, a strand of pearls is a timeless choice. One of the great things about sets of pearl jewelry that are custom made for your wedding is that they can be adapted to fit in with all of your desires, whims and fancies.

Here is an example; this set was a custom order for my friend’s wedding. It consists of so called floating illusion pearl necklace and classic pearl earrings in Argentium Sterling silver.

If you are interested of ordering one bridal set especially made for you, just contact me :)

For more of my bridal jewelry click here

Deira - Artisan necklace Amethyst, Crystal Clear Quartz, Peridot, Ruby, blue Sapphire, Smoky Quartz and sky blue Topaz wire wrapped in 14K Gold Filled

~Deira ~
Handmade contemporary coiled gemstone necklace wire wrapped in Gold filled with multi gemstones - Amethyst, Crystal Clear Quartz, Peridot, Ruby, blue Sapphire, Smoky Quartz and sky blue Topaz.

This necklace was originally made for my own private collection back in 2008. But after getting a request for the same model from two co-workers and a neighbour, I thought that maybe this design wasn’t as boring as I thought from beginning and decided to list it in my shops :)

I can also make a Personalized Birthstone necklace with gemstones of your choice, just contact me so that we can discuss your custom design