Ever since I can remember (long before I started designing jewelry)  I have been frustrated by the tiny clasps on jewelry. Seriously, how are we supposed to get these hooked?  Especially since they are on the back of our neck. 

I used to move the mechanism to the front and look in a mirror. Not an ideal situation.. and sometimes this does not work. Even having a spouse or significant other that can perform the task is not a great alternative. Is this person always handy when you are getting dressed?  Do they have delicate fingers to perform this task? Way too many variables. What happens if you are single (as I was much of my life?) Do you call a neighbor over? or wait to put on your necklace until you get to work?  Silly, right?

Once I started designing my own jewelry, I knew that larger, easy to use clasps were essential. Huge toggle clasps, Gigantic lobster clasps and easy to use hook clasps create less stress and make the task of donning  jewelry fun again. The styles here are examples of what I use instead. The clasps at the top are the typical smaller lobster clasps you see on most jewelry.

Next time you purchase jewelry,  Pay attention to the size of the clasp.

Shop for my designs 

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Get First Look at newest designs, tidbits and legends about gemstones, jewelry care tips and of course.. COLLECTOR ONLY specials and discounts.

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Yes, it’s true. I love to solder. Next to hammering it is my favorite jewelry technique.

Of course it was not always so. I have destroyed many a piece of silver during my early days.  Life has gotten much easier since I have broken the code on this process though.

Here’s a piece that was one of my first soldering jobs.

Not only did this take about 10 times longer that it would today, but the finished product is one that any fellow jeweler would take apart in seconds.

Why not redo this beautiful dichroic cabochon, then and create something more to my skill level??  Because every time I wear this it reminds me of how far I have come.

Yes the sides are  rough. I heated this piece so MANY times that part of the bezel melted! This design has enough solder in it to set at least 4 more gemstones.  I just kept adding solder each time when some of the joins did not ‘join’

As with any skill, practice, practice and more practice is required. Now all these years later I am proud of the designs I can offer to my customers. Soldering has become routine. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely! But they are fewer and fewer as time passes.

I have learned to use soldering as a gauge to my ability to work.. 

If I am soldering several pieces and all goes well (or at least 90% well) I know that my time at the bench is meant to be.

On the other hand, if my soldering projects are just not gelling for me.. (some of the piece doesn’t solder or a variety of maladies… I know that it is now time to clean up and go do something else!.. Watch TV, read, go for a walk, have a drink… whatever!  Just DO NOT stay at the bench.

Shop for my complete design collection here.

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Do you love the color pink? Is it your favorite color? Then you are most likely loving, nurturing and compassionate!

The color Pink conjures up images of cotton candy, bubble gum, and little girls! This combination of red and white is a popular color for branding women’s products such as cosmetics or cologne.  Furthermore, today pink is a power color for women. Does anyone remember  pink cadillacs that Mary Kay cosmetics awards to their top performers? This tradition continues today, although the shades of pink change periodically

Pink is a happy color.  Have you ever been tickled pink?  Light pink hues are considered romantic, tender, sweet and innocent.  HOT PINKS change the perception to exciting, wild, sensual and playful!

[tweet_box design=”box_03″ float=”none”]

“Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude” 

Miley Cyrus

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Finally here are fascinating facts about the color pink:

• Being ‘in the pink’ means in good health. However, this phrase originated in English Fox hunting traditions. A rider was not granted the right to wear the red colored jacket (called pinks) until he demonstrated superior horsemanship.

• Getting a Pink Slip means being terminated from a job. The phrase originates in vaudeville. When the Booking Office issued a cancellation notice to an act, the notice was on a pink slip.

• The pink ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of hope and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

• In Japan, the color pink has a masculine association. The annual spring blooming of the pink-blossomed cherry trees (the Sakura) is said to represent the young Japanese warriors who fell in battle in the prime of life (the Samurai).

• Pink Collars once referred to jobs only held by women. Thank goodness times have changed!!!

Pink gemstones include rhodochrosite, rose quartz, pink sapphire and morganite.  I use rhodochrosite frequently in my designs.

A shout out to all compassionate, tender, sensitive and empathetic Pink Lovers.

The rest of us need you in our lives.

The post Color Affects Us: PINK appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

A collection is defined as a group of similar things that you have deliberately acquired, usually over a period of time.

My jewelry designs for the most part are grouped into collections. When I first began designing, I played around with anything and everything. Then I began to notice patterns in what resonated with me.   Sometimes this is as simple as absolutely loving a particular stone or design and creating a collection around that.  Other times it is about a story or event in my life that affected me personally. I want to recreate the feelings in my work. Either way, a collection is the way I express myself through jewelry.

If you are already a fan you  know that these collections tend to evolve with time. What seemed so important to me a year ago, now tends to land in the background. I am already on to some new idea for a collection.  Isn’t it Fun to be a designer?

Inside the Mind of a Jewelry Designer …  (my book about my journey into creativity) goes into more detail on many of my collections… highlighting processes used and photos.

[tweet_box design=”box_02″ float=”none”]”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” Henry Ward Beecher[/tweet_box]

 Two of my favorite, and enduring collections are the Dare to Dream designs and the Sacred Spiral designs

Dare to Dream is the collection that embodies our desire to dream. Our wish is to allow our dreams to permeate our existence, grow, expand, morph into even bigger dreams and become reality. Every design is a limited Edition of ONE.  The fusing process is like our dreams. It starts with a concept (in this case my idea for the piece) and then it takes its own leap into the final design; one that I could not have imagined or predicted. Dream Big and Take the Leap forward!

Sacred Spiral  Collection: The Spiral is an ancient symbol representing growth and evolution. It has been found in cave carvings, shells and even in the milky way. A spiral starts as a smaller, tight circle and expands quickly all the way to infinity!  Just like the spiral, each of our actions;a quick smile to a stranger, holding the door for someone, a kind word to a friend. These seem like a small gesture but the ripples of joy created is infinite.

[tweet_box design=”box_02″ float=”none”]”A Small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  Margaret Mead[/tweet_box]

As you probably have guessed, I am designing a brand new collection as we speak. I am excited about the designs. Check the web site or Facebook page for more updates.

Enter to win this Pendant: Now through August 16.  Good Luck!

The post Evolution of a Jewelry Collection appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

If someone had told me 15 years ago that I would be salivating over sheets of metal and hammers I would have [tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]laughed out loud!

Yet here I am … getting excited over my collection of hammers. This is one of my favorite ones. The surface creates a soft almost satiny texture on my Copper, Silver or Brass metal.

But the fun only starts with this hammer. Currently I have over 25 different pieces ranging from ones that texture.. styles that form, and some that just plain flatten a rivet. Talking to other jewelers, I am aware that mine is a small collection compared to many. We are all Hammer Hoarders!

Aren’t tools supposed to be a man’s toy box? Truly times are changing. I know women who love to hammer. This includes not only jewelers but also those in the construction business.  There is such a feeling of strength, control and accomplishment that a hammer brings to us.

The use of simple hammers dates to about 2,600,000 BC when various shaped stones were used to strike wood, bone or other stones to break them apart and shape them.  This evolved into stones attached to sticks with strips of leather or animal sinew. 

The hammer’s archeological record shows that it may be the oldest tool for which definite evidence exists of its early existence.

[tweet_box design=”box_01″ float=”none”]”The world is more malleable than you think. and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape.”       Bono[/tweet_box]

In addition to sheets  and coils of copper, brass and silver, I also am the owner of a bench vise,  drill, Lots of pliers, two saws and so much more. Here’s the picture of my workbench to give you an idea. Do you see the tool chest in the back? it is filled with all my supplies.

The best part of this is the FUN I have creating (and sometimes recreating) my jewelry designs. Each time I sit at this bench, the rest of the world melts away. All the ‘issues’ of the day or week dont seem to matter at all. This passion is truly a gift and I appreciate it so much.

Here’s hoping you find some of this inspiration when wearing one of my designs.   Alene’s Adornments.

The post The Secret Life of a Metal & Hammer Hoarder appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Purple Rocks! [tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]

Why? Because 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.

Is purple your favorite color?  If so you 

• have a great imagination

• are compassionate. You love participating in humanitarian projects.

• love to inspire others with your creative and positive approach to life

OK, there are a few less than terrific traits too ..you

• tend to be idealist and impractical.

• can appear scattered  [tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]People who love purple are sensitive and compassionate[/tweet_box]

Amethyst is a natural example of rich deep purple. I adore working with this gemstone.  Here are a few of the designs I have created using gorgeous amethyst

Now go out and find some purple to wear!

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Gold jewelry has always been coveted. Even though gold prices have come down over the last 2 years, they are still over
double the price of 10 years ago.[tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]

Today, gold is $1267 an ounce.  Compare this with Silver at $17.75 an ounce!

I really feel that wearing beautiful baubles enhances our self image. In the past I eagerly wore gold designs. Now that I create my own pieces, I gravitate to silver and copper.

in 2007, when I first began designing, I took multiple classes to improve my skills. My instructors had us experiment with copper metal before creating the finished design in silver.

And guess what happened!  I fell in love with copper!  Copper’s rich color is enhanced  when you add heat or other elements. The resulting colors can range anywhere from bright copper to deep red, teal blue, vibrant purple and more.

I love adding in Fine Silver or Sterling silver . What’s the difference?  Fine silver is 99% silver. When working with lighter weight designs, the pure silver is too soft. Thicker alternatives (like ring shanks) work the best. 

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (needed to strengthen this softer metal).[/tweet_box]

The combination of the two colors is explosive.  In fact I decided to copyright the name I use for this process.  Sprinkled Silver is fun to create. Every single design is different depending upon how the metals combine.

A bit of history:

[tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]Silver was used in coinage beginning around 550 BC. IT was also popular for use in photosensitive materials used in photography. .. before the digital age! And of course silver has been used in jewelry over the ages.

Copper was probably the first  metal to be used by humans and is considered sacred to many cultures. Copper has a natural ability to conduct electricity so, when worn, is said to harmonize the body’s energies, clearing any blockages or imbalances.

There will always be a place for gold in our bauble wardrobe of course… But consider copper or silver for your next purchase. I think you will be surprised and delighted by your selection!

The post Is Silver the New Gold? Is Copper the new Silver? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

My signature design process (copyrighted finally!) is called Sprinkled Silver.

Which means what exactly?  I KNOW this is what you are thinking! Sprinkled Silver is my name for the process of fusing sterling or fine silver into copper.

How and Why did I create this process?

The basic answer is… because it was fun!  I have been playing around with copper and silver since I began my journey into metals. Those of you who have read my book, Inside the Mind of a Jewelry Designer already know how I got into this ‘mess’ to begin with.  I was attracted to the metals process and once I took my first class, I was hooked! there is no looking back.  Fast forward 10 years to 2016 .. this passion grows and gets even stronger.

This is why I am so proud of these designs. They really speak to what I love about designing.. Each time I create another ‘Sprinkled Silver’ design, the passion grows.  This short video gives you a peek into the process.

Those of you who share this passion for your chosen field know the feeling already. The fire just grows and grows… and along the way is the fun of creating from our souls.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Feel Inspired Today; Wear a Work of Art.       Alene Geed[/tweet_box]

The post What Is Sprinkled Silver? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

I love working with metal. Can you tell?

Creating my collection of Copper and Sterling Silver PURE METAL earrings requires lots of elbow grease.

First I texture the raw metal. This is usually done by hammering but can be done with a rolling mill as well. The metal must be softened (heated) before starting the texturing.

Since the metal becomes distorted from the hammering, it is vital to texture the metal BEFORE creating the shapes.  Want to know how I discovered this? By doing it wrong several times before the light bulb in my head finally went on!

Next I create the shape using my disc cutters, a saw or metal cutting shears.

Once created I place all the metals on to a board (see image) to determine which components will work together for the individual design. I photograph the board so I can remember it, too! (VERY IMPORTANT)

After that I apply the patinas.

Liver of Sulfur: for an antiqued, blackened effect,

Vinegar and ammonia: for the blue/green color,

Peanut oil: for the rich golden bronze effect

 Heat: for the reddish colors. There are other patina processes as well. These are the main ones I like to use.

Finally: I add a coating to maintain the finish, Form and shape the final pieces, assemble, add earwires and photograph!  and VOILA they become part of my collection.

Is there any way to have more fun than this?

Lots of steps and each one performed with love.

Check out the full collection at www.alenesadornments.com

The post How do I create Pure Metal Earrings? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Tiger Eye (also called Tiger’s Eye) is a semi-precious gemstone from the quartz family. It is easily spotted by it’s luminescent band that resembles a cat’s eye  (or tiger in this case!!)

Mostly you see these in brown tones, but they can also be seen in red tones or yellow tones… all with the tell-tale band.

I love working with this gem. The brilliant ‘band’ seems to move about as you gaze at the gem. Since there are so many brown and gold tones in tiger’s eye, it blends so well with silver metals and sparkly champagne colored CZ’s.  This ring I wear shows you what I mean!

The Tiger Eye was traditionally carried as a talisman to ward against ill wishes and curses. It is considered a balancing stone, reeling us in when we want to go to extremes.  This stone has high energy so wear it when you want to increase your vitality and strength.

Legend says that tiger’s eye helps us be more creative. (cool!)

The Solar Plexus is the corresponding Chakra for Tiger’s Eye.

Check out my web site for Tiger’s Eye and other gemstone designs.  

If you liked this post you may like Amethyst Gemstone

The post Tiger’s Eye Gemstone: Legends and Facts appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.