Rustic Gemstone Jewelry

Available at ChrysalisToo on Etsy!

Your first impression might be that "rustic gemstone" is sort of an oxymoron, that the terms are a bit contradictory? My gemstone jewelry uses cut stones in a rustic style of design, combining them with artisan copper or Sterling silver. The pieces are range from dressy to casual; there is something for every occasion. And by the way, any of the gemstone selections would make a great holiday gift for that someone special on your list this year!!!

Earlier this year, I began a collection of rustic gemstone jewelry, all using copper and gemstones entitled The Apostle Islands Collection. This piece features cube cut fluorite stones with apatite. I am in love with this concept and continue to add to this popular collection with new varieties of gems. Soon to come, chrysocolla and more sunstone pieces.

A simple earring design of hammered and heat patinated copper with cube cut fluorite gemstones.

This style lends itself well to customization. These pieces work well with copper, and also with Sterling silver. So if you have an idea for a personally customized piece with your choice of metals, I would love to hear from you. I have a good selection of chalcedony, labradorite and garnet, citrine, green amethyst and more.

This beauty is a combination of sunstone with labradorite with wonderful artisan copper focal piece. I just received a shipment of small faceted sunstone beads and briolettes, so if this is one of your favorites. contact me for a custom piece.

Contact me at: Chrysalis.HCO@comcast.net









Gloria Ewing

Chyrsalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

African Tribal Jewelry

The word "tribal" has become so common in jewelry that it has lost some of it's meaning, or at least changed its meaning. I think many jewelry designers use the word "tribal" in their descriptions because it is a good buzz word, more than because it is an accurate description of what they have created. The word has come to mean a free spirit, rather than a member of a tribe. Either way, I love tribal style jewelry and clothing and will never outgrow it. When I create a tribal jewelry design, I do it with my own contemporary spin while respecting the traditional approach of native Africans.

This collection happens to be African style tribal jewelry. With the recent availability of more authentic African beads, I cannot resist making chunky tribal jewelry pieces. Most of the beads I use are handmade in Mali, Kenya and Ghana. Selling these beads provides income for families in poor and war torn regions of Africa, another motivation for me to continue exploring new types of clay, metal and glass beads in the future.

The brass turtle pendant on the right, is an adinkra symbol used by the Asante people in Ghana. The Asante are accomplished weavers and the adrinka symbols are used in their hand woven textiles

The necklace on the left is dyed oxbone, with Masai white glass beads and large Mali clay spindles.

The next collection I have in the works features authentic Berber components from northern regions of Africa, particularly from Morocco. I spend numerous hours finding sources for the best quality, yet still affordable, beads and focal pieces. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with the Tuareg pieces I am planning, and they will be ready in time for holiday gift buying too.







Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

The Vintage Collection

Vintage Collection Necklaces

My path in designing jewelry has had many twists and turns. It has now been 10 years since I began this adventure. It never ceases to amaze me how much there is to learn, and how many generous people have gone out of their way to be supportive of my vision.

I still want to try everything, and I hope that never changes! Along with that desire to continue learning new skills comes a gradual change in style preference. 10 years is plenty of time to grow and develop a distinctive and very recognizable style, and I am fairly certain that I have achieved that goal. Throughout this evolution, I remain hypnotized by the beauty of natural stones, and have introduced more artisan made components including a few of my own. I am never content to learn a new technique using the same methods as someone else, but instead I always look for a way to adapt a new material or technique with my own quirk or wrinkle.

This collection of vintage pieces in my web store, Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry, represents some of my growth in design. Each piece makes a statement, some are more bold and some more simple.

Vintage Collection Bracelet

You will find gemstone bracelets, Bohemian style bracelets, and tribal bracelets at affordable prices during this promotion period. A great time to find a special piece of handmade jewelry just for you!

Vintage Collection Earrings

Earrings from The Vintage Collection include designs with lampwork glass, Sterling silver, handmade hammered copper components, and even leather.










Gloria Ewing

Primavera Primativa

The Spanish translation just captures the mood I want so much better than English can describe it! Literally it means Primitive Spring. It's finally springtime, and I wanted to offer some of my ethnic style jewelry pieces in bright spring colors that will energize and inspire my viewers (all 7 of you). Maybe an infusion of color and a bold tribal style will give you and your spring wardrobe a boost?

Hilltribe copper medallions against vivid blue turquoise stones in varied shapes and colors in this luscious statement necklace.

All of these rustic stone and glass pieces and more are available in my Etsy shop, Chrysalis Too. Tribal and primitive jewelry made with authentic African beads, recycled glass beads, handmade components from talented artisans, and many that I have made myself. My beginning as a jewelry artist was in creating southwestern style jewelry, and I have never lost my affection for it. But I have branched out into ethnic jewelry with more of an African flavor because of all the handmade beads now accessible from there. I also have a selection of minimalist pieces featuring gemstones and gold vermeil for the purist tastes.

Definitely a Mexican southwestern vibe in these colorful beaded earrings with ceramic Guadalupe charms. This design was inspired by the statue of Guadalupe in front of the Cathedral Basilica St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. The photo below is from my 2010 trip to Santa Fe, NM.

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Moooooving Sale!!! 40% OFF Tribal Jewelry

Guess what? I'm moving. That is, I am reducing the number of online sales outlets for my jewelry to two. Recently I opened a website called Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry, that has become my primary focus for introducing new collections of my handmade original jewelry. My approach will change to have a more coordinated series of collections in my new web store, offering themes and pieces tied together in their character and color palette.

So after 4 years, I have reluctantly decided to close my Artfire shop, Chrysalis Jewelry, with this Huge 40% Off Sale to clear out some beautiful pieces and make room for new ethnic flavored jewelry designs that will be listed in my web store. So help me decrease my Artfire inventory, and score some great jewelry for yourself or for Mother's Day, which is just around the corner. No coupon necessary, all the prices have been adjusted to the 40% sale price. But you must hurry for the best selection. This sale will only be on for a VERY limited time. Thank you for your support!

40% Off Sale at Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire


Gloria Ewing

Garam Masala in Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine

I've been wondering for awhile whether or not the time was right to submit a jewelry collection to a magazine? Which magazine? I don't keep up with the trends, and I don't often read jewelry magazines even though I know there are some great ones out there. So I talked it over with people whose opinions I valued. Most of them thought it was worth the effort, and even if my submission isn't accepted the first time (or the second) that it would be a good experience. I agreed with them, but generally procrastinated waiting for just the right ideas to come along. It would likely have been another year until I worked up the courage to actually send some pieces for submission.

Then out of the blue one day, I have a message in my Etsy shop from Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine asking if I had an interest in publishing some of my work? Well, that answered my question of which magazine! I was startled and excited and a little afraid it would turn out to be a scam. It wasn't a scam!!! Belle Armoire was really asking to publish my work, and they wanted me to do a technique based article featuring my selections. My article called "Garam Masala", based on my collection of mookaite jewelry, is now in the March 1 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine.

If there is a lesson here, it is persistence. I'm saying that because there were countless people along my personal journey that thought my choice to be a jewelry designer was frivolous. You know that look on their faces that says, "When are you going to grow up and get a real job?". Although being published one time in a beautiful magazine does not mean fame and fortune or financial stability, it is a definite affirmation that I am on the right track. If you are wondering whether you can succeed at designing jewelry, I would advise you to believe in yourself, try out new techniques, and ultimately develop your own recognizable style. Work hard, and don't be afraid to be different!

A special thanks to Petra Carpreau and Maria Scott, whose artisan components helped to make my bracelet notable!!!

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy