These 4 metals are my raw materials! (along with my gemstones of course). When I first began my jewelry designing journey, I worked exclusively with Copper and sterling silver. We were trained on copper since it’s value was much less than silver, yet it reacts very similar to silver when heated or textured. I fused silver to copper as an experiment and fell in love with the process and the result.

As you can see from this example, the vibrancy of the copper melds so well with the richness of silver. I still use this technique often in the creation of my jewelry designs. As I gained confidence working with silver, I created more and more one of a kind pieces. Many are considered heirloom designs.

This design highlights my love of texturing and especially my love of gemstones. This druzy quartz is pure white. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. It really is a gorgeous piece of art. My journey took me inevitably to gold. First I experimented with Gold Fill. I created many designs combining gold with silver. Another Stunning combination.

This year my journey continues with the addition of steel. Yes I said steel! I am mesmerized by the brilliance of 18k gold on steel that has been blackened. Truly statement jewelry at it’s finest. I have spent hours getting up to speed in working with this new metal. It requires many changes to my routine. Now I feel more comfortable with the process. You will see LOTS more designs in the near future.

I invite you to follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs.

The post A Tale of Four Metals appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Lately I spend my time creating new Pendants. Endless design ideas are floating around in my head. I adore bringing them all into reality. Keep in mind that each pendant is handmade and ONE OF A KIND.

While there are a few designs that I keep in the line and create in multiples, they each are still individually hand wrought. each one has it’s own unique marks that make it special.

My collectors group. (Yes you can JOIN … and it’s FREE) see the newest designs first. JOIN HERE and get 15% off you first order! Since each design is one of a kind, I encourage you to show off your purchase by wearing it as often as possible. Then keep it in a safe place to pass along to future members of your family. These designs make great heirlooms.

Visit my shop today to see all designs.

Want to become an Alene’s Adornments Collector?

It’s Free. Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

The post Pendants Anyone? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

I have the honor of being chosen as one of the top 40 artists to watch this year. ArtsyShark selected my designs. How exciting is this?? The feature on their site is available here. Please comment there. I appreciate it. Here’s a preview of the story.

I love designing with gemstones and metals. Early in my training I worked in copper. Even though this was supposed to be a transition metal before working with more valuable metals, I ended up falling in love with the way copper can be shaped, heated and formed to create color and depth…. more at Artsy Shark

If you wear handmade and one of a kind designs, visit my shop to see the designs.

Want to become an Alene’s Adornments Collector?

It’s Free. Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

The post Featured Artist; ME appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

This vibrant color makes us feel luxurious and rich! Purple combines the energy of red and the calmness of blue. It is furthermore associated with spirituality and the higher self. Purple’s elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it.

Historically purple is considered the color of royalty. Purple was expensive and as a result only the wealthiest people could afford purple garments. In fact, Queen Elizabeth the First had forbid anyone except close members of the royal family to wear it. To get one ounce of purple fabric, the mucus from 336,000 spiney dye-murex snails had to be harvested.

I love working with amethyst. Yes it happens to be purple. More than that though, it speaks to me somehow. It always has. Even before I became an old woman

My Amethyst collection is called BURIED TREASURE. Take time to explore all the designs I have created!

Shop All my Designs Here

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Passionate about Purple appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Purple is well known as the color of royalty. Want to know why? In ancient times the only way to replicate purple dye was by harvesting thousands and thousands of murex sea snails . As you can imagine this was not an easy task. It was time consuming and expensive. Only the very rich royalty could afford it. Since purple was relegated to royalty it was only fitting that deep rich purple amethyst gemstones would be their choice as well.

Now of course we all have access to amethyst and purple. Wear some purple today and feel like royalty.

Shop my Amethyst designs today

Want to know more about amethyst? Here’s a video with more fascinating facts and tidbits.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Love Purple? You Might be Royalty! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

My friend Peggy is elegant. There is really no other way to define her! She even makes wearing blue jeans (yes the old fashioned kind) look classy. Her hair and makeup are always perfect. (How DOES she do that?) Ever since she moved to Montana I have watched her absorb some of the rustic environment.. AND maintain her classic demeanor. She is clearly the best dressed person for any event.

Setting about creating the perfect earring for her meant combining these two elements into something that could enhance an earlobe. Voila the Copper and sterling diamond shaped earring with cultured pearls and Swarovski crystals. Classic AND Rustic!

Want a pair ? Shop here.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts

The post Rustic Elegance; The Peggy Earring appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

When Photographing Jewelry that is….

Yesterday was the first day I was able to experiment with my new Photo box. What Fun! Trying something new is always a little scary isnt it? I had been using the same photo equipment for the last several years. It was good but because it used flourescent lighting (with bulbs that were not replaceable with LEDs) I ended up doing lots more work in the editing to get my jewelry to look just as amazing in a photo as it does in person.

I did a lot of research and finally found this gem for just under $100. It is portable, features a dimmer and adjustable LED lighting. Now photographing is fun! Even Kitty Button had to check it out. She gave me her approval.

Here’s another image taken in the new photo box.

Shop Today at Alene’s Adornments

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector

Provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

The post Image is Everything! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Creating and designing jewelry is my passion. And I love it when you, as my customer, are excited to wear your piece knowing that it reflects your own personality.

• Handmade jewelry is unique. You will not see your design every time you attend an event or go shopping.
• Handmade designs are created with love and passion. Don’t you love knowing this?
• Handmade designs are finely crafted. The designer takes special care to make sure each design meets his or her high standards
• Handmade designs are the perfect heirloom jewelry. Moreover Your selection can be passed on to your children and grandchildren
• Handmade designs carry the mark of the designer.

Food for thought when shopping for jewelry! Visit my Online Store today.

Become an Alene’s Adornments Collector today.

Just provide your Email and first name to Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

The post What’s so special about handmade jewelry? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

When you put on a certain color in the morning… does it make you feel energetic? empowered? calm? Do you tend to gravitate towards certain colors in your home and wardrobe?

How about the jewelry you wear? are you attracted to certain gemstones and colors?

Blue is one of my favorite colors! It is associated with open spaces… like the sky and the ocean.  Furthermore blue is a friendly color. Did you know that almost everyone likes some shade of blue! Furthermore corporate America embraces blue as well. Business (power) suits, ties, company logos … and the US FLAG all use blue. The key feelings associated with blue are: calmness; confidence; unity; intelligence; conservatism

If Blue is your favorite color you :

• are Reliable, trusting and conservative

• love to be needed & tend to rescue others to gain the love

• are approachable and friendly

• prefer to stay within your comfort zone

• most of all you are spiritual and devoted to family and God

As a result gemstones in blue (lapis, sapphire, chrysocolla and turquoise) aid in relaxation and open the flow of communication.

Check out my blue designs today

Become a Collector.  Why? Because you get First-Look at new designs, gemstone legends and tidbits, jewelry care tips plus collector-only specials and discounts.

The post The Color BLUE; Calming and Stabilizing appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

We’ve covered a lot of ‘turquoise’ ground over the last few weeks. Previous blogs told us about the legends surrounding this gem, the origin of the name, locations where turquoise is mined, colors or turquoise.. and lots more.

Now it’s time to learn a few do’s and dont’s to take care of your precious turquoise jewelry !

• Turquoise is a porous stone. Even if it has been stabilized special care is required to keep the gem looking fresh and new.
• Always put on your turquoise jewelry AFTER you have applied perfumes, sunscreen or makeup. Your design will absorb any of these products and affect the color and stability of your jewelry.
• Remove your rings before washing your hands. Any soap absorbed into the gem will alter it’s color.
• Do not add turquoise jewelry to an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Never wear your turquoise while swimming, especially in a pool. Prolonged time outdoors, like a day at the beach is a great time to leave the rings and other turquoise designs at home (or in the hotel room)
• The best way to clean turquoise is to dab the gem gently with warm water. then use a lint-free cloth (similar to a screen cleaner cloth) to pat it dry.

Follow these simple guidelines and your turquoise jewelry can be worn and them passed to future generations!

The post Care and Feeding for Turquoise Jewelry appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.