Ancient times...

To remain in ancient times...

This is a copper brooch I made recently, inspired by medieval penannular (can you say: pennanular?) brooches that were worn just about all over Europe in the Middle Ages. They were very popular in the first centuries AD in Ireland. Pennanular means 'almost round'. The design is as simple as it is brilliant: you stick the pin through the fabric, push it through the opening and turn the brooch, and it is caught in the fabric safe and sound!

I love the curvy lines, and the way the whole shape reminds me of the Vescia Pisces and a bow and arrow...

This is a commission piece, but I'm soreley tempted to keep it for myself! ;-)

Celtic Inspiration

This weekend I was inspired by the Dutch Celts!

These grave goods from Drente in the Netherlands are on display in the 'Hunebed Centrum' in Borger: gold and silver torcs, amber necklaces found in graves from around 450 BC...

The craftmanship is amazing, especially considering they were made about 2500 years ago.

I wonder what they will inspire me to make next.
Click on the pictures to see them in detail!

The funny thing was, that the dolls in the Celtic exhibition wore exactly the same moccasins I bought at www.medievalmoccassins.com in California some weeks ago...small world!

Scrumptious Spinelles

Some gemstones 'speak' to me more than others. For instance, amethyst will always be among my favorites. In my late teens, I liked black onyx (but at that time, I liked anything black;) And I never cared much for hematite. Just doesn't do anything for me.

Recently I have found a new favorite: the spinel. I never knew it came in such an array of colors!
It has a lovely clear energy when faceted. And it has a fascinating history!
Did you know that the famous 'Black Prince's ruby' in the British royal crown is actually a red spinel the size of a chicken egg? Click on the picture for its amazing history!

So, today I made this pendant with some lovely shiny spinelles ranging in color from silvery gray to soft pink. Oh, so romantic!:-)

Copper Spiral Ring

Another copper commission piece done! I'm on such a creative high, I was even making jewelry in my dreams tonight...:-)
Spirals are a recurring theme in my jewelry...I like them not only for their shape, but also for the archaic feel and symbolism...the theme of life, death and rebirth, the spiraling path is a motif you see in prehistoric and celtic art across Europe.

The gold necklace in the picture is a stunning example of this: it dates back to the 12th century BC and was found in a tomb at Lakithra, Kefalonia (Greece). I saw it in the Argostoli Archeological museum and was amazed by the craftmanship. It's so delicate and perfect. Click onthe picture to see it in detail. Wire artists will immediately recognize the double coiled spirals still used in designs today (the 'Egyptian' coil)!

Click on the Newgrange entrance stone for more on spirals in prehistoric art!

Big commission

Well, the size at least...
Just finished this copper set for a lovely Dutch lady who wanted something BIG - she got it! I hope it doesn't turn out too much...the pendant is nearly 3 inches long and not very subdued. But then, neither is she;-)

Harvest Jewels Too

Well, the sky is still gray, but I managed to take some better pictures of my latest creation...

Why blog in English?

If you've noticed where I come from, you might wonder: why does she blog in English? Why not write in your native language?
Well, for one, I've felt very comfortable expressing myself in English from a very young age on. I've even written my entire first novel in English. THEN translated it back into Dutch, so I could send it to a Dutch publisher. I'm that weird.
Most Dutch people speak English and manage to write in English more or less anyway, and as the wire jewelry world currently consists mostly of the US and UK (with a very few exceptions), the choice was quickly made...come on, you Dutch jewelry makers! Get wrapping!
But don't hesitate to send in a comment in Dutch! Or French! Or German! Or Swedish! I don't promise I'll respond in like manner, however...

Harvest Jewels

The weather is gray and overcast today, a perfect time to make more earrings...so I did!
My lovely new Harvest jewels don't photograph well in this weather, though...but here's a sneak preview anyway!

I love wire jewelry!

My first blog! Now I can rant about the things I love (or not) without troubling my loved ones;)
Let me introduce myself: I'm Wendy, I live in the Netherlands and one of the things I'm passionate about (besides writing, harp playing, celtic music and my job as a therapist) is jewelry making.
I mainly work with silver wire. I love silver wire!
You need to get to know your wire intimately if you want to get it to do what you want it to do.
Let me explain.
The first time I handled it, it seemed to have a life of it's own, it bended in ways I didn't anticipate and didn't want. Damn, another kink. Yikes, the design looks stiff and decidedly un-flowy. Aargh, now it's gone stiff and broken.
But the longer I stayed with it, letting my fingers work with it instead of trying to force it, I noticed it became almost fluid, and I could let both the malleability of soft wire, and the way it gets stiff with handling work to my advantage. Go with the flow. Very Zen. It's alive, I tell you. And I love it!
To see more of my designs, visit my Etsy shop or my website InspiredbyLegend!

Anyone want to share their experiences with wire? I'd love to hear from you!
Love, Wendy