Emin Jewelry - Handmade Wearable Art

Something new with my oldest wire wrapping~

2011-02-08T13:18:00.006+09:00

I started with these swirl shape wire wrapped pieces several years ago. After so long time trying different styles and techniques, I found out these are what I should continue......

P.S. When I come back to gemstone jewelry, I found out that silver is much more expensive than before!!!!

Flower, flower, and flower!!!!

2010-03-15T13:24:00.006+09:00

I bought some beautiful beads at Tokyo jewelry show on January but didn't have time to create anything until last weekend.

Amazingly small pale garnet rondelles and iolite rondelles. A super shiny big amethyst and lovely semi-transparent ruby !!!

For Autumn - Fancy leaf necklaces ~

2009-09-25T19:59:00.005+09:00

Again I remembered my fancy leaf design, and this time I made two.................

This color combination is so "spring". Pink tourmaline in different shapes shades from light to hot pink. The other color series is lemon quartz, green tourmaline, peridot, green mystic topaz and green amethyst.

The second leaf pendant is with very cool colors. I planned to use only blue hue stones, but light blue stones like sky blue topaz or aquamarine doesn't match good with the mystic blue quartz and labradorite. Finally I used light violet color amethyst instead. Iolite is such a nice stone that it can almost fit every color : )

Chain is sterling silver, but leaves are crocheted with non-tarnish wire. I hate cleanning silver pieces, especially those crocheted ones.

This is my Creative Autumn ~

2009-09-14T20:45:00.010+09:00

This piece is my first creation in my creative autumn. Cheers for the end of this drowsy summer.

This cuff is from my mesh cuff collection. Another "huge" piece created for the "Pirate" theme. Like the first Pirate cuff, this one is also two-tone. but this time I used black artist wire for the base mesh in order to achieve greater contrast.

The wrapping surrounds the stone is more complicated compared with other pieces. One side is completed wrapped with curves.

Here are two pairs of small wrapped earrings, also my signature design.

Repeat something old when there is no inspiration.......

2009-07-11T22:26:00.011+09:00

I have to say, for me, summer is not a creative season. Until now it is not so hot in Japan, but one month continuous rain flowed away all of my wish for making new designs. And I know that my inspiration will evaporate in the hot weather that is coming soon.

Luckily there is still something that I can do ------repeating some signature or old designs with a different look.

It is always quite difficult for me to find a good color combination for blue topaz. So I made the pendant all in blue--------sky blue, royal blue, navy blue ,Swiss blue..........Consider that I couldn't see sunshine in one whole month, this is already the best combination I can find.

These earrings............... I love them, although there is no difference from the pair I made before except that the side is wrapped with smoky quartz instead of light pink tourmaline.

I wish my creative autumn will come soon..............still there is one month and a half.

Almost forgot my blog!!!

2009-06-27T08:48:00.010+09:00

I almost forgot my blog these days. My mind is not on making jewelry recently. I don't know why. Maybe I need a break.............

Mystic green topaz, another beautiful gem that I failed to capture its beauty with camera. Even that, they look so nice.

Again, my "green"fluorite looks blue. I love the blue color, but I want the picture to justify the gems. I really should buy one new camera, more professional one.

love these colors!!!

2009-06-08T14:58:00.005+09:00

I can't describe how much I love this color combination!

Those concave cut pink amethyst briolettes are sooooooooo stunning. I really don't need to make complicate design. Those stones are lovely, and simple design just fit them.

Not the question is if I should create one match necklace.

Oceano Cuff

2009-06-04T10:04:00.008+09:00

I don't wear jewelry. Recently don't even wear small earrings. But if I choose one piece to wear, I will choose this cuff.
I love the faceted stone. But its back side is not flat. It really spent me quite long time to find solution to fix it on a cuff.
Because there is customer never reply to my conversation to tell me her wrist size, I decide to make this one with adjuster so that it can fit almost both small and big wrists.

Custom Wrapped Silver Necklace with Amber!

2009-05-26T12:05:00.008+09:00

The customer liked the round shape larimar necklace in gold filled. But finally the custom piece becomes an wrapped briolette shape amber in sterling silver :)

I wrapped two pendants. Both of them turned out quite good.

Chain is wrapped with shaded small orange sapphire rondelles. These lovely stones are really beautiful!

Below the wrapped pendant are orange garnet and citrine briolettes.

New Scarf !!!

2009-05-19T23:17:00.008+09:00

I don't have custom jewelry orders these days, so I have time for crocheting!

I love this pink scarf, it is so puffy! The handmade pink flower pin fits the scarf so good.

This is my style, soooooooo cool! Recently I really spent long time to learn how to make flowers. I used two very special and gorgeous Japanese yarn for this scarflette. One is super soft black puffy yarn with Sequins blended inside, the other is shinny golden color yarn. Unluckily my camera failed to capture the beauty of them. The biggest challenge now is writing description. Still I am struggling to find the correct terms for each material :(

Moonlight Necklace

2009-05-15T11:19:00.007+09:00

This necklace was originally created to match the topaz cuff. But finally I oxidized it and left the cuff in white silver.
I am exploring some new techniques with mesh background recently. I gave up using heavy gauge wire as frame. I still don't know if this is a good choice or not. For earrings I can greatly reduce the weight this way. But for necklace, I am still not sure to add frame or not. The center triangle part is not solid, it is a Little bit flexible. I want the necklace to look delicate rather than bold. I love many bold silver jewelry designs but I finally realized that it is not my style.

New Piece for Theme "Royal Wedding" - Swiss Blue Topaz Sky Blue Topaz Moonstone Sterling Silver Waved Filigree Mesh Cuff Bracelet

2009-05-09T19:26:00.008+09:00

I made the previous two pieces for May's theme "royal wedding " too early. So I created a new one.

The base is mesh design which I use a lot recently. The main stone is a 16mm Swiss blue topaz briolette, surrounded with sky blue topaz and moonstone rondelles.

I believe moonstone will look better in oxidized silver, and I have one oxidized silver topaz necklace can match. But I finally decided to leave is not oxidized.

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuge Projects - Crocheted Red Ruffle Summer Shawl & Gradient Silver Grey Blue Poncho

2009-05-07T10:31:00.013+09:00

I spent more than 24 solid hours on the blue poncho. About the red one, I just couldn't count how long it took me for completing it.

This silver one is really beautiful, just it can hardly be seen from the photo.

May's Theme - Blue Moon Iolite Sky Blue Topaz Moonstone Antiqued Silver Earrings

2009-05-02T21:27:00.012+09:00

Finally found sometime to complete my "blue moon" piece.

Because five quite big stones have been used in the design, I tried to reduce the weight from the wire wrapped part. No solid wrapped frame, no heavy gauge wire, these earrings are still exquisite.

These earrings are made from pink tourmaline, moonstone and bi-color mystic topaz. My camera again failed to capture the right color of the pink tourmaline. My tourmaline briolettes are with some pale red color, very very pretty. The pictures show very hot pink color, really annoying : (

More Flowers, But Not Wired

2009-04-22T10:39:00.011+09:00

Now I really own a flower shop .

This 'huge' hat flower (or brooch) is made from silk, cotton and linen petals. In the center there are several fresh water pearl. Of course I didn't made the hat and it is not for sell : )

This lovely brooch is made from silk, linen, lace, glass pearl, secured with a metal pin. I love the color combination of ivory and rose pink. This one is made from silk, mohair and pink fresh water pearl. The mohair petals are so puffy, lovely!

Narrow and long ruffle scarf. Made from pink cotton yarn. The ruffle on the neck is pretty.

I am so happy that I found the beautiful blue rose pattern lace. I added light grey linen lace around it. Super soft and smooth. I love the feeling wearing it. I don't know how to name the color of this poncho. Maybe lavender ? The lovely puffy yarn is from Italy. It is perfect to be worn above a one-piece.

No scarf sold out until now. But I sold several these pretty sun gloves : )

Cherry Blossom - Sakura necklace

2009-04-15T20:33:00.007+09:00

Recently overwhelmed by making scarfs, but still I managed to create something for the season of sakura.
Pink tourmaline, green amethyst, green mystic quartz and phrenite in oxidized silver.

This is a custom order. Shaded green tourmaline, pink tourmaline and love smooth rose quartz .This design is one of my favourite. I am planning to make more in different colors once I have free time. This one is in aquamarine, blue chalcedony, sky blue topaz and royal blue kyanite.

New store opened

2009-04-07T20:59:00.014+09:00

...............finally.

I already listed two items in my new store. Here are they:

This is with lovely color, puffy and very very soft. I can't stop touching it. It seems not the right item for current season, but it doesn't matter, I love it : )

I absolutely love this design. It can be worn in many different ways. Two ends of the scarf are connected by a crocheted flower pin. It is made from linen, cotton and man-made silk, perfect for spring and summer.

Here are some more to list :

New Line - Scarf Brooch Hair Pin Bag Gloves

2009-04-01T18:54:00.010+09:00

I am working on my new line recently. Bought yarn, books, tools. Until now there is no one completed project, but several half completed :)

Here are some of my yarn for summer:

Half completed project:

Almost completed scarf:

I couldn't complete them because I didn't buy enough yarn. I had no idea what to create when I did my shopping. So I purchased only one or two balls for each color. Will go shopping again tomorrow and complete them totally. I am also planning to crochet following patterns from the book I ordered.... A lot of work to do recently.

My new line will include scarf, brooch, hairpin, bag, gloves and some other small items. Sounds that I don't have time for jewelry anymore : )

April Theme Challenge - Kaleidoscope

2009-03-27T13:11:00.006+09:00

I can't remember when I made the piece Kaleidoscope, but it was sold last September, the first piece I sold in my new shop opened on Etsy. This month I was asked to re-make this piece again by a lovely customer.

The original one:

The re-made one :

Inspired by Magdalena's Spring Vine Pendant. The center stone is a gorgeous concave cut shaded green fluorite briolette, surrounded by wrapped vine and watermelon tourmaline smooth rondelles. Outside wrapped with faceted garnet rondelles. Cluster above include rubellite, pink tourmaline, red garnet, kyanite, amethyst, iolite.

Yuki Cuff & Aohana Cuff

2009-03-25T12:17:00.007+09:00

I was thinking the wrapped curves look good only in oxidized silver. But this cuff told me that I was wrong. It is so pure so gorgeous that I just couldn't put it into silver black. So I kept it this way.

What a pity that those pictures don't justify the beautiful shinning silver.
Here is the decorated one, again the pictures are not good. The cuff itself is much more gorgeous.

Black Roses

2009-03-21T10:27:00.006+09:00

I love this necklace, super cool!

This amazed me!!!

2009-03-19T20:55:00.007+09:00

The one on the neck must be necklace. The one on the hair???? I really don't know how to call it. This is so beautiful. I found those pictures on one of the biggest Chinese blog sites: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_3df758100100cifq.html

It seems these are some advertisement. I've no idea what kind of advertisement though. The author said that the hair decoration is nearly 5 kg.............Wow!

Custom Cuff

2009-03-16T15:35:00.010+09:00

Custom orders and theme challenge are two most important ways for me to create new designs. I am grateful to those creative customers and fellow artists. This cuff is ordered by a special customer - a 1" wide cuff with ruby red, red, and purple, decorated with flowers.

Different from previous designs, the edge of this cuff is totally wrapped with curves. Both ends are also decorated with many curves. The gemstone flowers and waved flowers are arranged in wave shape.

This time I also gave up the button type clasp. Instead I use hook wrapped with heavy gauge wire to be consistent with the curves on the cuff.

Seeking Inspiration from Root (1) Miao's costume

2009-03-14T10:29:00.011+09:00

Wire artisan guild's theme "Ming Dynasty" reminds me that I've forgotten abundant source of inspiration from my own culture. We have 56 minorities, each with her own unique folk-custom and costume.

"Miao" is one minority from south China which is famous with silver jewelry. Within Miao minority, the styles of clothing and jewelry differ from region to region.

This is the most common one. Girls wear this kind of costume to celebrate their festival.

The following "horn" shape silver decorations are from another Miao region.

For the first time I saw this type "ball" shape hat with a Phoenix on the top. believe that those silver hats are very very heavy and not comfortable to wear. However, in Miao's custom, heavy silver jewelry represent status.

For hair:

On the clothes:

For hands:

It is said Miao has more than 200 kinds of different costume. I just can not list more in one article.

Smooth Briolettes & Keishi Pearls

2009-03-12T16:09:00.007+09:00

Lovely earrings that I love to wear!

First pair is peacock keishi pear and light color smoky quartz.

I have those smoky quartz in darker color, but I love so much the light shinny color!

Second pair is rose quartz and white keishi pearl.

I prefer the smoky quartz version, but I do love those beautiful smooth rose quartz.

One sleepless night, three pair of earrings : )

2009-03-11T00:43:00.004+09:00

Have made too many flowers recently. Now come back to early wrapped swirl earrings. Nothing new in design, but I tried new color combinations, and I am happy with the completed pieces.

First pair is tanzanite with navy blue iolite.

Second pair is light brown with pink. This pair is my favourite. I love those very very light color smooth smoky quartz briolettes.

Third is risky color combination, but it turned out great!

Another Custom Set for Bride

2009-03-07T23:36:00.006+09:00

Recently have pain in the arm, so only picutres : )
I think my favourite stone is kyanite; favourite color is royal blue!

March Theme - Emerald Isle

2009-03-02T20:43:00.007+09:00

For me it is not emerald Isle, it is fluorite Isle : )

Emerald is too expensive and I just spent a lot for those orange sapphires. Anyway, I think something green will fit the theme well.

The flower is decorated with five super stunning concave cut green fluorite. In the center is a kyanite briolette. The rest part is wrapped with gorgeous green fluorite nuggets and bali silver beads. The flower works as a clasp, so the two ends of the bracelet join together perfectly.
Necklace is with the same flower clasp as the bracelet, and with shaded super stunning rainbow fluorite nuggets! This necklace can be worn with or without the fluorite drop. Its position also can be changed easily.

Way too early for August theme Citrus

2009-02-28T10:36:00.010+09:00

Don't know if Citrus is still August's theme and don't know if I understood the theme correctly, but when I searched on google, I got a lot of pictures of something similar to orange and grape fruit. When I saw those beautiful sapphire, I know I found the right material for theme Citrus. I know I will create flowers with those orange color shaded sapphires, but it is definitely made for theme citrus. This design was in my mind for quite long time. I finally completed the ruffle shape flower with those gorgeous orange shaded sapphire. The base is waved with argentium silver wire, which strongly resist tarnish.Argentium silver is costly but it does keep that beautiful white silver color much longer than common silver. And cleaning is easy too. Above the silver base, I wrapped around 150 small shaded sapphire rondelles. Among the sapphire rondelles there are several pink tourmaline rondelles to add some more color. In the center there is a AAA grade gorgeous rubellite briolette measures approximately 6mm*4mm. For the chain, I used very fashionable seamless snake chain ends with 2" adjustable and a red garnet briolette.

Sapphire flower measures approximately 4cm long 3.6cm wide. Chain is adjustable from 16"(41cm) to 18"(46cm).

The best point of this flower pendant is that it looks different when you watch from different direction.

Custom Rainbow Name Bracelet

2009-02-27T16:19:00.008+09:00

The most luxury piece I've ever created. I got crazy when I completed it. I envy the girl who will wear it. It is full with beautiful gemstones!

The corresponding gems are:
1.Lemon quartz
2.Swiss blue topaz
3.Violet amethyst
4.Deep purple amethyst
5, kyanite and iolite
6,Sky blue topaz and aquamarine
7,Apatite
8,Green amethyst,
9,Peridot and green tourmaline,
10,Green golden quartz
11,lemon quartz
12,citrine
13,garnet
14,pink topaz and pink touramline

The small rondelles on the clasp, starts from the red garnet, clockwise there are: amethyst, navy blue iolite, kyanite, apatite, london blue topaz, peridot, green amethyst, pink topaz, pink tourmaline, The deep blue briolette under the name is iolite, the royal blue briolette is kyanite, the pink briolette is pink tourmaline.

I couldn't count how many carat stone I used because I just kept adding more and more untill the chian is totally covered. I spent one whole day just arranging those stones and wrapping them together.

Custom Bridal Set

2009-02-23T18:41:00.012+09:00

A lovely lady ordered these: One pair of earrings, one brooch, three simple necklace for bridesmaids. All with the similar wrapped design and in red&purple.
I've made quite a few pieces with purple and deep pink, but never blended purple and red, although I know it is a good combination. Now I have the chance to try it out......
The first time I felt that I want to record the process of my work. Only several simple pictures, but I'd love to post them here.

1. Wrap the parts. I wrapped three parts: outside frame, inside frame, and some curves between two frames. I didn't make the outside frame good, anyway, I will hide it with clustered stones. I can always find excuse for myself :)

2. Bind the outside frame with the curves.

The curves are not flat. I did it in purpose, my very first design I did several months ago which was not flat because of my mistake though. I didn't leave enough room for those curves and finished the piece in arch shape that time. It seems that it is good to make mistakes, inspirations always come out from mistake : ) I am really good at finding excuse.

3. Bind the inside frame

Now it looks quite good, right?

4. Add gemstones.

The only challenge is to make those stones symmetrical on both earrings. I keep repeating the mistake of making identical earrings instead of symmetrical ones. Luckily I was aware of it at the beginning.

5. Oxidize

Oxidize, and polish...................completed! I hate polishing. I wear mask when I use silver cloth. The powder can kill me.

Here is the brooch. The first brooch I've created....................not bad.

And simple necklaces for bridesmaids:

The best thing is, the owner of those jewelry told me that she will show me pictures while she wear them on the wedding. Can't wait for March............

Grand re-opening of The Wire Artisans Guild Etsy team store

2009-02-14T23:25:00.001+09:00

There is star, and there is dust...............

2009-02-14T14:53:00.004+09:00

Really thought carefully how to make one necklace that fits the theme "Stardust". I joked that I am going to wrap 8 letters - S-T-A-R-D-U-S-T. But it was only a joke. This kind of thing can not be listed in the team store. Then I "googled" some pictures from stardust. Based on those pictures I made the cuff(will be in the next blog post). And I also created this necklace solely from the word "star" and "dust".

It turned out not good, not bad, and quite different from what was in my mind. Anyway this is a fresh design. I've been thinking of creating tassels with small roundels for several months. Now I finally tried to make it and I love the result.

The ideal tassel in my mind is with very tiny micro faceted rainbow moonstone. I hope I can try this idea out in the near future. Maybe earrings instead of necklace. And I am gonna to make them for myself!

First time use mainly onyx

2009-02-04T14:07:00.006+09:00

No doubt black is my favourite color. I like to dress myself totally in black. But I use mostly blue and pink stones in creating jewelry because I think these two colors are more attractive. I don't know why I ordered some onyx facted rondelles recently. Maybe I just want to make something I love to wear.
Still with my waved flowers. Now I feel that I own a flower shop instead of a jewelry shop. Anyway, I love those flowers. I've guessing what other people would love to wear for long time. I almost loose myself. When I take a look of what I've made, I was supprised that I created so many pieces which I DO NOT like. It is time to make pieces which I'd love to wear. I believe there are people who have the same eyes like me. Don't know they can find my shop or not thought : )

Cute & Colorful - Jewelry for girls

2009-01-24T10:04:00.008+09:00

Recently I've had a lot of fun creating pieces which are not artistic but colorful and kawaii. Creating jewelry for young girls is joyful, but I have to control the cost to make the price affordable for them.
1. Black rutilated quartz

2. Green fluorite briolette

3. Argentina Red Rhodochrosite

4. Pink jade

5. Pink amethyst

I made one design for several different necklace in order to decrease the cost. Now still not sure it works or not, let's wait and see....

Back to theme challenge - Affair of the Hearts

2009-01-21T10:11:00.005+09:00

Because I made January's theme half year ago, I jumped directly to February's theme 'Affair of the Hearts'. Nothing new for making a heart shape pendant, but it is a quite fresh design for me. Recently I cannot remember I've created anything else except crocheted flowers.

The pendant is 3.7cm long 3.5cm wide. The center part is waved with super gorgeous AAA grade red garnet faceted rondelles. Then surrounded it with coiled sterling silver curls. The red garnet briolette hanging beside the heart is 8mm*6mm. Chain is adjustable from 16"(41cm) to 18"(46cm).

I love larimar

2009-01-11T12:08:00.007+09:00

Two stones are extremely popular in Japan, one is Rhodochrosite, which is believed has the ability to bring "love" to the person who wear it; the other is larimar, been regarded as one powerful healing stone.

I bided this larimar cab from ebay. In this bracelet, the wrapped larimar also works as clasp.

This larimar I bought it ready with silver wire wrapped from Etsy. Above the larimar is sky blue topaz heart shape briolette. The chain is wrapped with semi-transparent aquamarine ovals. I love this necklace, full with beautiful blue stones.

No doubt this is my favourite. a super stunning round larimar cab with my signature wire wrapping. I wish I could find a larimar as beautiful as this one for myself.

The fifth Christmas in Japan

2008-12-25T12:04:00.008+09:00

Got one delayed EMS delivery to the U.S and two non-payment buyers today. I haven't had any troubles in delivery and haven't met non-payment buyer before. All those came to me today! But things are not that bad. I had a great meal with my lovely hubby and got some new ideas in making jewelry.
Recently made several designs with crochet. I used 30 ga sterling silver wire in these hoop earrings.

I wonder where I can find silver wire thinner than 30 ga. I want softer and thinner wire for crocheting. I hardly create crocheted pieces in gold filled simply because I couldn'f find gold filled wire thinner than 28ga.

Here is one necklace. With the new way for crocheting a leaf.

Purple+Blue+Pink is one of my favourite color combination. Those lovely rondelles are amethyst, iolite, tanzanite and aquamarine. And the pale yellow color lemon quartz briolettes fits perfectly in this design.

Simple Style Goes On!

2008-12-20T11:44:00.004+09:00

Recently designed several earrings with quite simple style, easy to re-create, light and comfortable to wear, which are much closer to "Japanese style". Here in Asia, few women will choose to wear something exaggerated and heavy. Generally they prefer to wear classy and delicate jewelry.

This pair is with onion shape blue mystic quartz briolettes and tiny pink seed pearls. Earwires are handmade with 20 gauage dead soft sterling silver wire. Earwire in this shape is available in the market, but I can hardly find any with exactly the shape and size I want. So I simply made them by myself. I love this design and kept one pair for myself :)

The second pair.... Not so many things to describe. I found those lovely tulip shape rose quartz from one supplier. They are so cute that any decoration will be superfluous, so I just hang them with earwires.
I have no idea if Americans will love this kind of design or not. Just a preparation for Asian market.

Hoop Earrings

2008-12-14T13:27:00.007+09:00

I've concentrated in creating intricate pieces recently. Yesterday I made these two pairs of simple style hoop earrings. They look VERY beautiful in person.

The first pair is red garnet. I love those red gems, so rich in color. They look perfectly together with gold filled.

The second pair is with violet amethyst, peacock pearl, tanzanite and iolite. I just love the combination of violet & navy blue.

Those peacock pearls make the earrings look a little bit "naughty". Definitely I should make one more pair for myself : )

Gonna to make more simple style earrings soon....

Multi Gem Clustering Waterfall Sterling Silver Necklace

2008-12-13T16:40:00.010+09:00

This is a very unique design from all my necklaces. I started to make it without having a clue what I was going to create. I just put many gems together and picked the pale color ones which look good in combination.

I firstly made one "equilateral triangle" shape frame with high gauge sterling silver wire. Then adding nuggets and ovals I picked. After that wrapped some smaller nuggets to form the chain and hung the briolettes to the triangle frame.

In this necklace I used Aquamarine, Green Amethyst, Violet Amethyst, Ametrine, Sky Blue Topaz, Pink Amethyst, Rock Crystal and Smoky Quartz. I love the pale colors of this necklace. It would be perfect for wearing in very very hot summer.

Old Design - Amethyst Iolite Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Necklace

2008-12-12T14:15:00.008+09:00

Now this kind of "Free form swirl wrapping" has become one of my signature design. This pendant is created about 1 year ago when I just started selling my jewelry on-line. The center stone is a beautiful deep purple Zambia amethyst briolette. Frame is wrapped with gold filled wire, decorated with small iolite faceted rondelles.