Hello and welcome to Gaslight Gems!


We are a one of a kind (OOAK) jewelry online shop. While the shop's not quite ready to open, you can still find out about the successes and frustrations of our current projects.

One Of a Kind means that we create one piece and that its not going to be duplicated. It makes the bracelet, earrings and necklace even more special as you're not going to find it on a store shelf.

We strive to create one-off pieces that are affordable. While there may appear to be two similar pieces, there's a small detail that sets them apart. Mass production is a great way for everyone to enjoy a style. But as a jewelry maker it gets repetitious and dull to keep making the same piece. Another downside to mass production is that custom or one of a kind things these days seem to cost a small fortune.

You might be wondering more about our Inspiration. What are striving for is Neo-Victorian. This means that all pieces have been created in the modern age and are not antiques. You might spot some touches of Edwardian influences, the dark grace of Gothic style can be seen.

Quick Links: Our Concept | Our Inspiration | F.A.Q.s | Our Pricing Policy | Our Returns Policy | Credits & Resources

Well its the middle of May and I'm working on three Cellini spiral necklaces and I've learned two new spiral stitches; Russian and Dutch.

One on the Cellini spiral's below I'm working on is for a Christmas gift. Its never too early to get your Christmas crafting done.

This one is titled Strawberries & Cream Swirl. Its going to have a fuchsia dyed agate triangular pendant on it.



My very first attempt at Dutch spiral is going well so far! I did pick up a book on various bead stitches, but sadly it was very confusing. But I did find this wonderfully simple tutorial on Dutch Spiral @ The Beading Banshee in their free tutorials. Both will be added to the list of tutorials and resources Master post.




This is planned to be a Hogwarts Founders Series Rowena Ravenclaw. I have some nice metal winged pendants that I think would look very good with this. Currently I'm using 2 Bead Landing Blueberry Pie Hanks. I'm hoping that they'll be enough. I've just finished achingly sorting them into bead pots.

The Russian Spiral stich is gorgeous when its done, but sadly mine is not as good as I'd like it to be. I'd like to do that over a regular Spiral Cellini stich just so see how pretty it could be. I'm just afraid that it might be too much

I know that it is quite late and ladies should be getting their beauty rest, but adventure keeps me up late sometimes.

I have sold my first 4 pieces! Not the first four that I've ever made, but the first four that I've sold. I'll post pictures of those later. I have two more pieces pending sale.

I've been rather hesitant to upload any more of my work as I did see the notices that the LJ Scrapbook is getting an overhaul as far as the coding goes from my understanding. I'd like to hopefully customize it and make it look nice as it would match with the rest of the journal.

There are even more 80 Days stops coming, The Sandwich Islands(Hawaii) Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, Russia (again), Holland(Netherlands), Morocco and I'm sure many more stops to come.

The Rue Morgue brings out more ghoulishly gorgeous gothic pieces, we'll see what other things we can dig up.

And on that note, as it draws closer to the witching hour, its time for this adventuress to get to sleep.

Under the Cut you will find the Credits, Articles, Patterns, Resources, How To's & Tutorials for Beading and Beading related items. More will be added as they are found.

( So Many Beads...so little time. )

Well now that Christmas is over I can post the collages of the set made for atomicpagan for her Solstice Present. Considering the amount of time that I had to get the materials and make this set I'm really pleased with how it came out. Sadly when I was taking the pictures for the set before wrapping it up I didn't see how blurry some were, appologies for that. If you'd like to see the images are under the cut to spare Flists.






( Forever Summer Set )

Its not from lack of working. Its from working. My job requires long hours and I've been a bit busy lately, but not to fear as the holiday season is coming and hopefully going I hope to pick back up on making things. I have to admit that I have gotten frustrated on the last few projects as they haven't turned out quite like I imagined them.

I'm attempting to make these earrings as a Christmas Present:



However instead of so many colors I'm going to use greens and 3mm glass ABs.

The Project requires that I have flat teardrop findings for it. As I couldn't find those I picked up some wire and project and will be required to solder it to complete. I have my Third hand, cordless soldering iron, and flux.

I will try to post a picture of them when done.

EDIT: 01/09/2012 Image of finished earrings:

( Click for more info )
* Indicates where Substitutions can be made in the pattern.

Tools:
~ Memory Wire Cutters (Yes get them. If you get another type of cutter you'll damage the cutters not designed for cutting memory wire.)
~ Round Nose Pliers (This is for bending the wire in a nice uniform shape) if you don't have these Flat Nose Pliers work just fine.
~ Bead Mat/Flush/Side Cutters *

Supplies:
[1] Package Memory Wire (approximately 2 Coils)
[12] 10mm Glass Peridot Mesh Silver Plate Beads *
[24] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish
[2] 8mm Glass Round Jade Beads
[13] 6mm Glass Round Peridot Beads
[13] 4mm Glass Hearts Green Citrine Beads
[1] Lobster Claw Clasp
[1] Charm (Sterling Silver Plate Baby Block Stack w/ jump ring)
[1] Silver Head Pin *
[2] Memory Wire End Caps* (This is for a Professional Finished look)

Pattern:
After you determine the approximate length of your bracelet, cut the appropriate length of memory wire, add extra length for margin of error. Bend over one of the trimmed ends making a loop. You may have to try and closed it a few times with a pair of pliers, the ends tend to want to spring back.

Layout your beads on a Bead Board:
[1] 8mm Round Jade, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish, [1] 6mm Glass Round Peridot Bead, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish, [1] 4mm Glass Hearts Green Citrine Bead, [1] 10mm Glass Peridot Mesh Silver Plate Bead, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish, [1] 6mm Glass Round Peridot Bead, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish, [1] 4mm Glass Hearts Green Citrine Bead, [1] 10mm Glass Peridot Mesh Silver Plate Bead and so on until you have the 12th 10mm Glass Peridot Mesh Silver Plate Bead in place. Repeat with the last 4mm Glass Hearts Green Citrine Bead, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish, [1] 6mm Glass Round Peridot Bead, [1] 4mm Copper Silver Plate Stardust Finish and finally ending with 8mm Round Jade.

String the beads in sequence from bottom of the coil and push the beads to the top. Otherwise, if you start from the top and push the beads down to the bottom, the bracelet will be backwards. This is very important if you are using number beads (ie. Star with the 12 and work your way in reverse/backward numerical order). Once the beads are strung clip any excess wire and make sure to allow for enough to make an closing loop.

The easy part is opening your jump ring and threading on the charm and the eye of the Lobster Claw Clasp. If you're not sure what the eye is see image below.




Close the jump ring and attach the lobster claw to the bracelet.

*Substitutions:
My pattern is easy to follow if you desire to use number beads you can replace the "Glass Peridot Mesh Silver Plate Beads" with Number beads. If you choose to use number beads here's what and how many you will need: [5] #1 beads (#s 1, 10, 11, 12), [2] #2 beads (#s 2, 12), [1] #s 0, 3-9

If you'd like to use a cute or stylish bead to mark the time you can do that. You will need Head Pin to do that. Slide the bead on the Head Pin and trim the head pin allowing for enough room to roll the end of the head pin over. Before you close the loop, slide the Lobster Claw Clasp's eye onto the Head Pin loop.

Wow, this month has been the busiest yet for production. I am pleased to announce that I have completed four, yes four of the 80 Days Around The World Collection. All four sets are from ort cities in Greece; Ithaca, Kalamata , Malta, & Rhodes. I've been a busy little bee too doing all of my paper work ad invoicing as well. I can say that all four sets are under the $100 mark. Each of the sets has a matching Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings. I will post pictures for each set individually as there are three pictures for each set.

I also am rather proud to say that I came up with my own little maker's tag. Its going to be 20 gauge wire G and a Swarovski Bicone in Indicolite] (for the more posh pieces) and a silver lined turquoise glass seed bead for the regular stuff.

I'm putting off invoicing...So back I go!

The last few months have been busy due to work. But I have managed to Squeeze in some beading.

June's project:

( Aqiysenes' Necklace )

July's Projects:

( Caribbean Blue )



( 7 Inch Turquoise Bracelet )

Just in the nick of time! I've been a bit slow about updating this but I've been a bit slothy of late. Its picking up at work and my time is going to be getting less and less.

I am proud to show you two new creations and a developing a Collection that I am considering starting. First the creations.

( Amber Lilly )

( EyeD Lanyards )

The Collection is based on Jules Vern's Around the World in 80 Days I am considering making a collection of necklaces and charm bracelets of the following Major Cities; London (2 differing designs), Paris (2 differing designs), Rome, Venice, Cairo, Tibet, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Moscow, Dheli. Currently that is all that is planned and again like most everything else I design there will be just one of each city above. London and Paris each have two separate and different designs.