Erin Jane Designs » Designing

Arizona!

Erin Jane — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:22:34 +0000

I am back from a fantastic buying trip in Tucson this year. It was warm, sunny and filled with family, friends, laughs and of course loads of gems! Such a great trip.

The sun was shining everyday and the sunsets in Arizona are hard to beat.

After long days of shopping, drinks outside by the fire were perfect.

Once my shopping was complete…

I had a couple days to enjoy the sunny Southwest.

Now I’m back and overflowing with inspiration and designs ideas. I dove right in and am in the very beginning of creating some new designs! Can’t wait to share! Geez, just look at those colors. Ahhhhh!

Trouble

Erin Jane — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:04:59 +0000

I’ve been working on these little bezel settings for some cushion cut faceted topaz I got. Boy did they give me trouble. The process is just a few steps, but each step takes about 1 million years. Any jewelers out there have any tips on creating cushion cut bezel settings a little quicker? Maybe I should do them in wax. I’m still procrastinating experimenting with wax – so it might be a good excuse.

For some reason, there isn’t a cushion shaped bezel mandral, so hand shaping these little guys is more insane and time consuming than you would ever think. At least it is for me. I’m still super excited to finish them up and set them though! They are going to be beautiful rings. They have to be after all that… : )

Loot

Erin Jane — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:04:32 +0000

I’ve been back from my gem show trip to Tucson for a couple days and am still unpacking, organizing and trying to catch up. Needless to say, I’m a little behind on posting pictures of all my LOOT from the gem show. My new cabs are about all organized and I’ve been gazing at this a lot…trying to stay focused on my current orders, but these sure are tempting to get into. Can’t wait!!

I did finally get a whole lot of pictures posted to my Flickr account. I’ll show a couple of my favorites here too! I have even MORE, but I thought I’d save some surprises, you know?

Green Amethyst Faceted Coins

Green Tourmaline

Faceted Smoky Quartz Teardrops

Umba Sapphires…more like YUM-ba!

Mexican Fire Opal

Freeform Quartz – smoky, lemon, and rose

Faceted Aquamarine Ovals

Oh, Tucson, I miss your blue skies and Prickly Pear Margaritas. Until next year…I think I’ll start resting up now.

Gem Show Update!

Erin Jane — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:18:17 +0000

I finished up my second day gem shopping today. Whew! Exciting and utterly exhausting at the same time. I was really, really hoping to have some more photos to share today, but I got pretty wrapped up in tracking my spending : ( and cataloging stones before it got too dark for more photos. But, here’s a little preview. More to come!

Do you see these gorgeous lovelies?! Some of my favorites so far. Irregular rose cut sapphires and tourmalines. And, on the far upper left, rose cut diamonds. Just a few : ). Spendy little suckers.

Tomorrow is Day 3. And, definitely the final day for me. My brain, nor my bank account can handle much more!

Getting back in the swing of things…

Erin Jane — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:43:20 +0000

Isn’t it crazy how quickly the holidays are coming?! They sneak up on me EVERY year! I don’t know how I’m so easily fooled year after year. I decided to try and back stock some popular gift items to get ready for the holiday rush this year. Some days are just good for the kind of work that you don’t really have to think about – and I had a few of those this week : ).

I also have a bunch of sketches that I’m ready to start working on next week, so I really feel like I’m getting back into the swing of things! Yay! So, get ready for new designs next week!

Aren’t these rose-cut studs festive? I took this photo right before I set the stones. The colors together were just too pretty. I have a feeling I’ll be making a lot of these : )!

The beginnings of a shop update

Erin Jane — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:52:52 +0000

Well, haven’t I been quiet?! I’ve been keeping up with orders and working on some custom designs. And, feeling pretty yucky physically, so my energy has been low and blogging sounded too hard. Plus, when you hurt, it’s hard to sound happy and upbeat. Not to worry – I have a Dr’s appointment on Monday and hope to get started on the path to recovery.

Yesterday I felt particularly good and decided to work on some new designs that have been waiting patiently for me in my sketchbook. Next week I will be doing a big shop update and putting some things ON SALE! I think if you have a SALE, it should be in all caps. I think it’s actually a law. Anyway, here are some items that are ready for the tumbler for some polishing before I set their lovely stones. Lots more than just these guy coming too!

We will be having an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in Seattle and I plan on enjoying it as the summer dies down and it’s time to start thinking about fall. Yikes! But, in the meantime, lots of sun, swimming, gardening and enjoying summer.

Custom Rings

Erin Jane — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:32:45 +0000

I’ve been working on some custom ring orders and they have been so much fun. All just lovely ladies to work with and I’ve been having a blast. Thought I’d share some photos from the past few days…

The stones are (clockwise from the top): Green Sea Glass, Arizona Turquoise, Aqua Chalcedony, Smoky Quartz

Bezels all done ready for backplates and shanks…

Even though the rings are all for different people - I was loving how all the colors just looked so beautiful together

Backplates on, sanded, cleaned, ready for shanks…

Finished settings just out of the tumbler ready to hold their new stones…

All done!

I still have to finish the Turquoise ring, but here are the other 3…

Smoky Quartz Ring for Michelle

Aqua Chalcedony Ring for Erin

Sea Glass Ring for Erin

I love that Erin found some sea glass and asked if I could set it for her. It turned out beautifully. Do you have a found object you’d like to wear on your finger or around your neck?

Shop Update with Aqua Chalcedony, Smoky Quartz and more!

Erin Jane — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:42:57 +0000

I have a few new lovelies to share with you. I’m really starting to love my new camera and have been getting some great shots of my jewelry. I have almost as much fun photographing them as I do making : ).

Black Lotus Necklace

Crescent Earrings with Smoky Quartz

Aqua Chalcedony Ring with Brushed Silver

I have a GLORIOUS White Chalcedony ring coming. It will have a 14K gold bezel and sterling setting and band. I wanted to finish it yesterday – but I just didn’t have time, so look for this beauty soon!

Bummer on the Bench

Erin Jane — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:08:04 +0000

I’ve been busy with production work and haven’t had much time for new designs, but I had this sweet little Watermelon Tourmaline slice that I was dying to set, make a necklace out of and list today. I guess I got too excited….I broke the stone while I was setting it and I’m still sad : ( Wouldn’t it have been cute??!!

Personalized Sterling Silver Money Clips

Erin Jane — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:25:56 +0000

Father’s Day and wedding season has put money clip making in full swing! I finally got some stamps so I can add initials to items to personalize. I love initials on men’s accessories. It makes it feel like an heirloom.