Many Faceted

Labradorite Demi-Parure

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This is the first demi-parure I’ve made (which is just a fancy way of saying a matched set.) Set completed in labradorite and sterling silver, in June-July 2015.

“A parure is a full set of matching jewelry designed to be worn together en suite. A demi-parure is a less elaborate suite of jewelry with two or more pieces. The French in particular were known to have delighted in wearing formalized and elaborate suites and indeed, the term parure comes from the French verb, parer, meaning to adorn.”
— Antique Jewelry University

The unset stones.

Stones with bezels and decorative borders.

Bezels with backs cut out.

Cut out and ready to file.

Finished pendant, ready to set.

Finished earrings, ready to set.

Polished and oxidized earrings and pendant.

Finished earrings, with labradorite rondelles.

Finished necklace, with labradorite rondelles and sterling drops and chain.

Detail of finished necklace.

My First Jewelry Sales Adventure

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Pendants and strung necklaces by Many Faceted, Mt. Shasta 4th of July street fair, July 2 & 3, 2012Well, it’s official: I’ve sold my first jewelry pieces!

On July 2nd and 3rd, I had a booth at the Mt. Shasta 4th of July street fair (the Mt. Shasta Boulevard booths come down prior to the 4th, to clear the way for the fun run/walk, and the parade.) Although I have experience working and cashiering for someone else, this was the first sales booth I ran myself, with my own goods featured. It’s a lot of work! (Captain Obvious, at your service.)

Resin pendants, beaded necklaces and earrings by Many Faceted

It took a while to set up, mostly because I had a lot of things to display and arrange. I could swear my inventory grew overnight; I don’t recall there being as many when I put the tags on! (The pictures you see are from the first day; I didn’t have time to take any the second day.) I got a lot of compliments on the colors and decorations at my booth, and some great feedback on my jewelry.

Resin pendants, strung beaded necklace and wirework earrings by Many Faceted Bracelets, necklaces, pendants and earrings by Many Faceted

That said, because the 4th fell mid-week, attendance was low, and I made only a few sales. (My little sister would like everyone to know that she made one of those sales, while I made a lunch run.) However, I now have a lot of inventory to try on consignment locally, and on my Etsy store, now open for business! (NOTE: Only some items pictured here will go on Etsy; if you see something you like, let me know and I’ll gladly put it aside for you!)

Many Faceted at the Mt. Shasta 4th of July street fair Resin pendants and wirework earrings by Many Faceted

Fortunately, I earned enough from my sales to order more equipment for my gemology studies, and my posts will be swinging back in that direction for a while. Next up: a horribly belated account of my unexpected trip to San Francisco to hear a double lecture by one of the world’s great jewelry historians, Dr. Jack Ogden.

Resin pendants by Many Faceted

Launching My Jewelry Business (Part 2)

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Earrings, sterling silver wire, freshwater button pearls, and Swarovski crystals.I’ve been so busy making jewelry, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d have time to post this! As mentioned last post, I will be selling my jewelry at the Mt. Shasta 4th of July street fair, July 2nd and 3rd, from 10 am to 7 pm. I’ll be on the Alma Street end of Mt. Shasta Boulevard — I’m the second-to-the-last booth. If you’re in the area, please stop by!

Without further ado, let me introduce you to my chandelier earrings….

Earrings, copper wire, green freshwater pearls, and green tourmaline beads.

I make the hammered frames from sterling silver or copper wire, and wire-wrap gemstones, Swarovski crystals and glass beads onto the chain and frame. They are oxidized, leaving the recesses dark, and the rest is polished to a bright shine. Each pair is a little different; each frame is hand-twisted and unique. If you see something you like, drop me an email or @ me on Twitter.

Earrings, sterling silver wire, rutilated quartz, labradorite, and freshwater circled pearls. Earrings, copper wire, lapis lazuli, and bronze glass beads.

I also make strung gemstone and beaded jewelry — necklaces and bracelets — but I’ll save those photos for another post.

I’ve had a few folks ask if my Etsy store is up yet — the answer is yes (but there’s nothing in it.) That will change after the 4th of July, and you’re welcome to contact me with custom orders and requests. I will be back to jewelry-making by July 10th; depending on what you want, I may need to order materials.

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