Three Handmade Brass Chains with Stones – jewelry making diary

I wanted to make an anklet with the natural carnelian stones which I got recently – 4 mm, highly polished, in different shades or orange. Lively, energetic, transparent, just lovely. Made it with the idea the loops to be a size similar to the stones’ size. Thought it would create an interesting effect – a chain with empty and full loops. Started and liked how it looked.

Handmade brass wire chain with orange carnelian stones

While making it, I suddenly felt like crafting a similar chain with brown tiger eye stones, too. Thought they would go well with the yellow brass. Stopped making the carnelian chain, started this one. Made five links and said to myself: “Nice and earthy. It is okay enough. My mind is at rest again. I can now go back to the orange lovelies”.

Handmade brass chain with tiger’s eye stones

Then continued crafting the carnelian chain. But as I was twisting, cutting and filing the wire, again a new idea came. I just needed to see how this type of chain would look with the intense blue 3 mm synthetic turquoise stones I had in the drawer just next to me. Also, they were smaller and I was interested the contrast between their size and the loops of the chain. So I started trying this new idea. It was okay, too. The contrast in colors and sizes really added interest.

Handmade turquoise brass chain

And here I am now, with three unfinished chains.

Three unfinished handmade brass chains held in hand - one with carnelian, one with tiger’s eye and one with turquoise stones

I will continue to work on them simultaneously. This is how I always make stuff anyway. I draw this way. I read books this way, too. I suppose this is one of the reasons I am never bored.

Update

These chains ended up in the form of anklets. The one with turquoise stones became a bracelet for a person dear to my heart. Here:

Handmade chain link bracelet made of brass and turquoise stones on person’s hand

Ask me anything:

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

Fun Experiment – Rustic Copper Circle Earrings

I had a lot of fun making these copper earrings with a rustic vibe.

It all started with a spool of thin copper strip. Wanted to cut a circle with only scissors intended for cutting metal sheets. Cut a square, then cut its angles, then the angles of the new shape and so on until something resembling a circle appeared. Hammered it to work harden it. Then made another one.

Then I thought organically spread holes would look interesting on the circles. Drilled the holes of two different diameters. Then I thought the big wannabe circles would look better not flat but domed. Got a cheap wooden cube for shaping soft metal (the poor people’s version of the gorgeous steel cube with concave domed holes which is an essential tool for real jewellers).

Now I liked these shapes. Filed the edges until smooth enough to not feel sharp to my fingers. Because I did not intend to use them as weapons after all.

I wondered what I could do with them. Tried different ideas. Did not like them enough. Thought a bit and tried one last thing which worked. Then made fitting ear wires from sterling silver. The earrings became simple, noticeable, fun, okay enough.

Then, of course, the patina. Oxidized them with my recently favorite way – the unpretentious, non toxic ammonia fumes. They give the copper such a lovely golden brown tint!

So here are some photos:

Tried them on my ears and was amazed how light they were – you might even forget you’re wearing them if not for the dangling effect. Close to weightless.

So the earrings became super imperfect but delightfully charming. Made them available for purchase at my Etsy shop here.

If you’ve read the whole post up to now I hope explaining my crafting process was interesting to you! Reading, watching, trial, error. Then repeat.

Until next time 🙂

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

Wavy eyes pencil drawing – and video

Drew some wavy eyes today.

Had a rare moment of some very quiet time. Sat on the balcony to enjoy. Sun shining, birds singing, the green leaves of the trees trembling in the light wind. Even the dog was barking not as much as usually.

Drew a spiral. Then waves. And of course, not surprisingly, foresaw eyes hiding in the waves. Had to show them so I drew them.

Thought that shading of the drawing would be fun to watch so here’s a video:

Used 3B and 5B pencil for drawing and shading. It became a bit messy. Felt the need for eraser at some times but forced myself not to use it. Wanted to draw freely, not paying attention to mistakes, not overthinking. It was a very nice experience.

Here’s the final artwork:

pencil drawn sketchy artwork of trippy wavy eyes shaded in 3b and 5b pencil

Thanks for reading/watching!

See more of my eye art here

Find me on Instagram here and on Pinterest here.

Celtic Flower Earrings in Copper Wire and Aquamarine Stone

I made these earrings recently. They are small and simple, shaped like tiny Celtic-style flowers. Used copper wire and 6 mm soft blue aquamarine stone.

I followed this lovely tutorial to learn the flower shape, and it was a fun process. If you’d like to see more of my wire flower experiments, check out this post, where I tried out different styles and materials.

I used stainless steel ear wires with golden color, ready made.

These little earrings are now available in my Etsy shop. Only difference is the ear wires. I made more comfortable ones from enamelled copper wire.

Thanks for looking. Until next time!

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

Jade Chips Copper Anklet

Today I made this copper chain anklet for myself.

Handmade copper chain bracelet with natural green jade gemstone chips

Wanted to use these jade chips which I have for some time now. Still hadn’t put them to proper use. They are very beautiful seen from up close.

Made the chain trying this new link. It is actually pretty standard but the loops are larger. Which adds interest when you see the connected links.

Finished it with my new favorite type of clasp, what a surprise (I think I am going to overuse it anyway). Made it from 18 gauge copper but I wonder if it should be made of higher gauge, having in mind that it’s on the leg.

Here are some more photos of the anklet:

It’s comfortable. Now let’s see how it holds up to heavy wearing in summer weather. Won’t put it off when bathing, too. I’m particularly interested in how the copper will react with my skin and how it will change.

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

New Bracelet: Garnet and Golden Colored Copper Wire

I’ve just finished a new bracelet, and I wanted to share a little bit about it. This piece was something of an experiment — I decided to work with colored copper wire for the first time.

Handmade bracelet with coils and garnet stones made of golden colored copper wire

Wanted to test how colored wire holds against heavy wearing. After a bit of searching, I found the warm golden hue which I wanted. It has such a soft glow to it! I thought it would go well with the garnet stones I had recently picked up.

The other reason I chose this wire color is more practical. I suppose that over time some of the coloring may wear off with use. Since the base is copper, I wanted a tone that would still look good and will not be very noticeable even if the wire begins to show through. This warm golden finish felt like a candidate for a safe choice – not too far from the copper underneath.

The garnets are beautiful. The 4 mm faceted ones are a deep, dark red. Even close to black. The smaller, irregularly shaped chips are a bit lighter and translucent. I think this is because the thinness of these pieces lets more light pass through.

I created coils from 20 gauge wire and used them as a repeating element in the design. The pattern I ended up with is: coil, faceted garnet, coil, chipped garnet. This adds more interest than using the same shape of stone for each link.

For the clasp, I tried something new: a spiral with a hook. It was my first time making this kind of closure, and I’m happy with how it turned out – functional as much as the simple hooks but way more interesting. Used 18 gauge wire, slightly hammered, for crafting it.

Handmade clasp element made of colored copper wire with spiral and hook

This bracelet is very comfortable and lightweight. I love it so far.

Let’s get to wearing my newest test subject.

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

My Next Try at Herringbone Wire Wrapping – Dragonblood Stone Earrings

This week, I continued learning a particular jewelry technique: herringbone wire wrapping. I’ve admired this elegant, woven style for a while, and recently decided to give it a shot. Using 20 gauge (0.8 mm) copper wire and a pair of natural 6 mm dragonblood stones, I made a pair of herringbone-wrapped earrings.

At first, it was a bit tricky—getting the wire to lay evenly and wrap tightly around the stone at both sides took some practice. But once I got into the rhythm, the pattern started to flow, and the look came together almost well. The rich green and deep red tones of the dragonblood stones contrast perfectly with the warmth of the copper, giving the earrings a natural, earthy vibe.

I adore copper’s natural color but this metal oxidizes very quickly in the air and with skin contact, too. So I artificially oxidize it with ammonia fumes and protect it with Rennaisance wax. This is the oxidized copper wire structure:

I finished the bottom part by folding the base wire towards the back. This was maybe not the best idea because this piece of handmade jewelry could be a bit lighter otherwise. It’s not heavy now but I love my earrings to be super lightweight.

Check out the variability of the stone’s color. I just love dragonblood jasper!

For maximal comfort I made ear wires from sterling silver wire and attached the herringbone weaved elements on them. So these are the finished earrings:

I’m like how they turned out, though a lot more can be wished. This definitely won’t be my last time experimenting with herringbone wrapping—I’m already thinking about trying it with other stones and maybe even mixing metals. Stay tuned for more!

Ask me anything:

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

My Designs on Scarves! A Little Experiment with Threadless

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share something which excited me recently – it’s a little experiment, really. I’ve always been curious to see how my designs would translate onto different products, and I finally took the plunge and ordered some scarves from Threadless. I chose the 25in x 25in size, which seemed like a versatile option. These are all scarves that I myself am going to wear.

Three folded scarves- red with eyes, purple and trellis with abstract flower and weird pink eyes with green botanical elements

It was so exciting (and a little nerve-wracking!) waiting for them to arrive. Seeing your art on a physical item is a completely different experience than seeing it on a screen. Here’s a close-up of the three designs I chose:

1. Indigo Dreams:

This one is an abstract floral pattern, and I really wanted to capture a painterly feel. I used a palette of dark, intense indigo blue, violet, and sunny yellow. I was hoping the colors would pop on the fabric, and I’m so happy with how it turned out.

You can get this floral scarf here.

2. Red Gaze: This design is definitely a bit bolder!

It features reptile-like eyes with red irises set against an intense red background. I was going for a slightly edgy and captivating look, and I think the scarf really conveys that.

You can get this spooky scarf here.

3. Botanical Eyes:

This is probably the most whimsical of the three. It’s a surreal, seamless pattern of quirky pink eyes intertwined with vibrant green botanical elements. I wanted to create something unique and eye-catching, and I’m pleased with the playful vibe of this scarf.

You can get this weirdly wonderful scarf here.

The fabric turned out to be lovely – not too thin, not too transparent, not shiny and nice to the touch. So the scarves are comfortable.

I’m still learning and experimenting, and it’s been such a fun process to see these designs come to life. I’m so grateful for platforms like Threadless that allow artists like me to explore different avenues for our work.

If you happen to like these designs, you can find them (and other products featuring my art) over at my Threadless artist shop. It would mean the world to me if you checked it out!

Thanks for taking a look! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

See more of my eye art here

Earthy Elegance – Oxidized Copper Earrings With Teardrop Links

These elegant drop earrings are made from warm copper wire, and feature cotter chain-style links, giving them a graceful, flowing movement. Each earring has two hammered teardrop-shaped links hanging from a hammered jump ring, and at the bottom, I wire-wrapped a 6mm natural dragon blood stone—a deep, earthy green with flecks of red, like something straight from the heart of the earth.

Used 18 gauge copper wire for the links, 26 gauge copper wire to attach the stones and 20 gauge sterling silver wire for the ear wires. Cut 5 cm wire for the larger link and 4 cm wire for the smaller link.

I followed this tutorial to learn how to create the chain links, and it was such a fun learning experience! There’s something about working with copper that feels so natural, and oxidizing it gave the earrings a rich, aged tone that I absolutely love. I varied the size of the links, starting from a small jump ring and increasing the size of the teardrop link so the whole shape expands from top to bottom.

For the finishing touch, I originally added round lever-back ear wires, which matched beautifully—but since they’re made of iron, and I have a metal allergy, I decided to make my own. I crafted simple French-style ear wires from silver, then oxidized them to match the warm, rustic look of the earrings. Now they not only suit the design perfectly, but they’re also comfortable to wear.

Here are the earrings with the initial iron hooks. I still like them more this way but comfort is too important to me.

These are mine now:

I flattened the eyes where the elements are connected to the hooks so the design always faces front. The earrings now are truly comfortable to wear. Though they are bit long, the chained links follow my moves so I almost don’t feel them on my ears.

Next, you can see the variation which I put up for sale – with oxidized silver hooks.

I love the mix of textures and tones in these earrings—organic, earthy, and just a little bit bold.

If you’re into gemstone symbolism – dragon blood jasper is believed to be a powerful healing stone, symbolizing strength, courage, and vitality. I, personally, am just a humble appreciator of the impeccable beauty of nature.

This pair is now available in my Etsy shop. Notice that the dragon blood stones in the earrings are slightly different from each other, which only adds to their charm—just like natural stones, no two pieces of handmade jewelry are ever exactly alike. If you love earthy, handcrafted jewelry with a touch of organic beauty, these might just be for you!

Also, if you are in Bulgaria, you can get them at my Handmasters.bg store.

You can just drop me a message here, too:

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram

A Little Wire Creation That Brings Me Joy

Sometimes, I make things just because they make me happy—no purpose, no function, just pure joy. This little wire sculpture is one of those things.

wire sculpture from aluminum, copper and transparent quartz

It started with a simple idea: try to wire wrap a crystal with irregular shape. Then, I took a long quartz crystal (borrowed from my daughter’s stash!) and wrapped it with 20 gauge silver-toned copper wire to create a pendant. This turned out to be harder than I had supposed it would be. Once it was done, I thought it was so messy but I found it beautiful nonetheless.

close-up of the messy pendant with elongated quartz stone

Then I wondered what to do with it because I find it hard to wear necklaces. So I took a piece of 12 gauge aluminum wire and bent it into a simple frame. Then hung the wire wrapped crystal on the frame, and just like that, this tiny, “useless” creation was born.

the hanging pendant structure photographed on a textured speckled artistic background

It doesn’t do anything. It doesn’t need to. I love it anyway.

Ask me anything:

If you’re interested in buying my handmade pieces of jewelry, check out the available ones at my Etsy store. If you are in Bulgaria or want to ask me something, you can also write to me here:

Go back

Your message has been sent

More of my handmade jewelry

Find me on Instagram