Winter White Frost

Hoarfrost in Northern Canada by Nathalie Lesage

A couple of weeks ago, as my husband and I ventured out to Alberta to run errands in a larger city center before Christmas, I was delighted to see Hoarfrost or White Frost in the trees lining the road.

It was a little bit eery and magical at the same time, and I took lots of pictures for inspiration :)

And these are the Winter White Frost Earrings I've designed...

White Frost has such a cool look, with its white needles and lines, I wanted to recreate that texture and feel in the Sterling Silver sheet metal that I've cut and used in this design.

Using a couple of different hammers, I've manually created this texture which reminds me of the frost, and I've used an antique finish to bring out the details.

These earrings feature a gorgeous chunky pair  of faceted "blue flash" Rainbow Moonstones, which capture the eery bluish light of the frost in the early morning light... it's a bit difficult to capture on camera, but you can see some of that blue flash in this image:

These are a really gorgeous pair of Moonstones, loaded with beautiful feminine positive energy...

I have not yet listed these on my website, as I'm taking a bit of time off for the holidays, but you will soon be able to purchase them on my website: Nathalie Lesage Jewelry.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year... 

May all your wishes come true in 2015!!

Nathalie

Winter Moon

On Saturday, I had the chance to participate in a local Arts & Crafts Sale. It was wonderful to meet local women and their families, and get their feedback on my work.

I haven't had the chance to participate in such events too often in the past, but I do my best to join in the fun as often as I can. There's absolutely NOTHING more precious than receiving real-time, face-to-face feedback from potential buyers.

And inspired by their feedback, and by the beautiful Winter Moon that greeted me on Sunday morning, I have designed these pretty Tanzanite Earrings:

Tanzanite Earrings inspired by the Winter Moon

The women that I spoke with mentioned that they loved gemstone earrings, but that they preferred shorter, more delicate designs (shorter than 2" in total), and it dawned on me that a lot of the earrings I've been making lately were longer than 2". 

It really doesn't take much to get over 2" in length, counting the ear wires.... So I listened to them, and came up with these lightweight little hoops :)

Soft Lavender Tanzanite Gemstones are a beautiful go-with-anything neutral shade

Yesterday morning, when I woke up, I opened the bedroom window's blinds, and found this bright  (almost) full moon, greeting me, and the sky had beautiful painted wisps of lavender, light blue and pink. It was such a beautiful sight. 

I knew right there and then that I had to make earrings inspired by that gift from nature.

I really had a great time meeting everyone at the show on the weekend. If you don't normally do Arts & Craft Sales, I encourage you to go out and meet women and ask for feedback on your designs. Sometimes, they see something that we don't...

You can find these Tanzanite Earrings here on my website...

Thank you for your time! Have a wonderful day :)

Nathalie

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

Halo Earrings in Wintergreen

I've been reluctant to use and share my new ceramic components. But at the encouragement of friends I am revisiting them and warming up to them a lot more! It's like when you think something is going to be one way and then it ends up being something else. But then you realize that what it actually came be to be is just as great or even better...

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself with talk of winter when last week I was admiring the autumn leaves? It's cold and more cold is moving towards us from Canada according to the weather reports.

I am bundling up in my winter coat and will be digging my gloves out today!

I think this set would look great with a big fluffy white or pale blue-green sweater & jeans.
Casual, rustic.

For this set I have used a set of my own hand fused fine silver rings. I have hammered on one side to reveal a smooth silver surface on the other. I love smooth silver - and often turn the hammered side away.

The ceramic beads and dangles are handcrafted (Cindy's Art & Soul).

How do you see Winter? White and fluffy or maybe red & green? Or maybe neither of those? Maybe you are headed to the beach for a swim? What color is your winter?

☮ Cindy
Art & Soul Jewelry 

PS
Don't forget to check out this months Earrings Everyday Blog Challenge inspiration! Please join in the fun! Anyone can play and I think we'll see a lot of participants this month. It's going to be a lot of fun! You can check out the link over to the left of the page ---> or click here to go there now! 

Luminous Knots

In the winter, I'm often drawn to darkly luminous colors and finishes. One of my favorite combinations is burnished copper and peacock pearls. Here I've combined rustic copper knots in a chestnut patina from Shannon German of Miss Fickle Media with large, freeform pearls in a rich oil slick coloration and smoky gray glass seed beads.

I picture them with a funky plum gown and soft taupe accessories:

luminous winter by lunebijoux featuring a purple dress

These will be available in my Etsy shop later this week.

Holly and Berry Earrings

When it comes to the holidays my decorating and dressing up take it's cues from the beauty of nature during the winter months.  I'm drawn to evergreens, pine cones, holly, snowflakes and frosty ice as seasonal motifs.  These earrings reflect that holiday mood without being too Christmas-y, which appeals to me as I'd probably wear them throughout the wear.  The berries have some plum undertones making them read less traditional. 

The leaves and berries were sculpted from polymer clay and paired with brass in warm golden hues.  You can find them in my Etsy shop.

And speaking of what I'd wear for the holidays, I'd like to love to wear this outfit for the candle-light service on Christmas Eve.  I don't know if I could get away with the printed pants, but they sure have caught me eye.

Merry & Bright by Humblebeads