Back By Popular Demand

I willingly admit to being among the introverts of the jewelry designing arena. One of the most difficult things to do if you're an introvert is promote yourself. I have tried to find a way to promote my jewelry without promoting myself but it just can't be done. People are curious about the person behind the designs. They ask me "How does a mature blonde haired woman (obviously of northern European decent) decide to design truly tribal jewelry? The only answer that I have is that I have always loved ethnic art and clothing, and this feels like a very natural extension of my early tribal infatuation. Tribal is the style that best expresses who I am on the inside.

Now add to being an introvert my reluctance to become a full fledged computer nerd. Rarely, am I able to sit down and read detailed instructions and then construct a digital something "by the numbers". It goes against my grain. This character flaw does however result in lots of trial and error, and occasionally in missed opportunities. A very good friend recently pointed out to me that some pieces that I pinned on Pinterest were still being re-pinned frequently. She was asking me if I noticed the numbers, and frankly I had to say "no". So this board on Pinterest, entitled "Sold, But Not Forgotten", is the start of my effort to keep on top of these cyber indicators and put them to good use. Thank you, Norbel, for giving me the heads up on this!

Blue Krobo Bead Bracelet

I have had so many requests to repeat many of these pieces. So, depending on response from customers, I will revisit some of these designs. My plan is to do variations on some of your favorites. You will notice that the above photo is a variation of the bracelet included in the collage. Slight differences, but the same basic components and the same tribal character. I would truly appreciate feedback from anyone with ideas or requests related to this post.


Gloria Ewing



Chrysalis Too on Etsy

Black Friday Sale - One Day Only!

Aqua Terra Agate Necklace


Hmmm . . . Black Friday, do I get up at well before dawn, shower and wrestle my clothes on to go shove through 500 overly caffeinated bargain hunters for the 20 available pieces of the latest and hottest electronic gadget that everybody has to own? I don't think so! When the alternative is to sit here in my pajamas, with a cup of my favorite coffee, and browse the internet for more "off the beaten path" gift ideas, guess which one I choose?

To commemorate Black Friday, I am doing something I rarely do. I am having a sale!!! Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY13 in my Etsy shop today only for 15% off with a minimum $30 purchase. My jewelry is all handmade, meaning it is designed and assembled by me. It is definitely one of a kind and distinctive in its style.

Visit my shop, Chrysalis Too on Etsy!

More Curious Bracelets

Turquoise Apatite Bracelet with Copper Focal

As bracelets are my favorite jewelry piece to make, and my recent bracelet post did so well, I decided to do a follow up. The bracelet above is designed around a copper metal clay focal piece by my friend, Kristi Bowman, using turquoise and apatite. I use different shaped accent beads of solid copper and a mala prayer bead from Nepal, added several dangles of turquoise, apatite, coral and Czech glass.

The bracelet below is a result of a sudden impulse to clean off my beading table. Rather than hunt down the proper containers for all these stragglers, I put them to good use in a multi-stone mixed bracelet with some rustic copper components. I am considering a few different names for this piece, maybe Goulash, Dim Sum, or Smorgasbord? Any of which sound better than "Left Overs". Every once in awhile I will design a multi-stone piece because people seem to like the seeming randomness of them. Of course, they are not random at all and it takes time to put together a pleasing arrangement. But this is the first time I did one to clean off my bead table. I may have to make it a regular event.



Mixed Stone Rustic Copper Bracelet

More curious bracelets on Etsy and Artfire.

Curious Bracelets

Teal Lampwork Bracelet

Time to break out of my winter color pallette and let loose with some bright spring colors! These are two of my asymmetrical bracelets designed in spring colors.

A deep teal lampwork focal bead is featured in this bracelet with aqua recycled glass, Czech glass and green seed beads, with a little touch of ceramic and copper findings.

A freshwater pearl bracelet with three different colors and shapes of pearls along with Czech glass and copper to enhance the wonderful yellow and teal tones of the gorgeous lampwork focal bead.



Teal and Yellow Lampwork Bracelet

Handmade lampwork beads by Alaska Boro Beads.

Happy 2013!!!

Seems a good time to reflect on where I've been (as a jewelry designer) and where I hope to go.

In my "evolutionary process", there have been some distinct benchmarks. The first was a stage of stubborn independence. I was certain that I could teach myself to make jewelry without a class, a magazine or a tutorial. How hard could it be? This initial stage was marked with some successes, but also some failures that could easily have been avoided with a bit of outside instruction and a dose of humility.

The between stages leaned more toward my developing style. I still felt that taking too much instruction would limit my approach to design. If an experienced instructor were to show me a technique, I would be likely to accept it as the only way to do something instead of at least trying to create my own techniques. This is certainly not a recommendation! As I said earlier, there are definitely some pitfalls to this way of thinking. The many learning experiences have helped me to develop a recognizable style.

Now I concentrate on broadening my pool of resources. More ethnic beads are available than a few years ago when I started beading. Many talented artisans are selling their handmade components, which I like to use whenever posible because they add so much character and diversity to my pieces. I have begun to make a few of my own metal components that blend well with my more primitive tribal style designs. I hope to grow in that area during the coming year.

What the next stage may bring is anyone's guess. To see more of my tribal contemporary jewelry click here or here.