PhoenixFire Designs – The Blog

Thought it might be interesting to share some photos of pendants being made as well was their final images. The in-progress shots are just quick shots from my cell phone, so forgive the low quality. But, as you can see, last week, I had a whole batch of trees I was working on. These were made over two days for orders, restocks and swaps.

And here are what some of those finished pieces look like:

Here is another tree in progress with it’s finished version

As you can see, it takes a lot of tools and time to make a completed pendant! I put a lot of love and care into each of my pieces and I hope it shows when you receive it.

You can shop for these and other pendants HERE in the shop!

I had a customer contact me in regards to a pair of 14k Gold Vermeil and Peridot Bali-inspired earrings I had made and sold. She really loved them and wanted another pair just like them. In addition, she wanted a bold, matching necklace and bracelet. We discussed her vision and I showed her my ideas and off I went!

I recently finished the set and I think it’s stunning.

This is a big, beautiful, set featuring very high-end materials. Vermeil is pure gold over sterling silver, making it beautiful and wearable. The peridot is all micro-faceted and in a stunning, rich, Spring green color. Together, they are just exceptional. Every piece of gold, from ball-tipped head pins, the detailed spacers, to clasps to chain is real 14k vermeil gold or better. The giant focal pendant is 23k vermeil gold!

This amazing set is an example of a luxury custom request. The buyer wanted something truly special and I was excited by the chance to create something so lovely. If you’re interested in your own custom order – be it high-end like this, or something within a budget – please don’t hesitate to contact me. I love creating unique, personalized creations!

Someone I did a craft swap with wanted a miniature book necklace. I looked around for some tutorials and inspiration and found this so I decided to give it a try.

(Click any image for larger)

I think it turned out pretty cute!

I normally do wire wrapping (especially my tree of life pendants) but I had a customer ask if I could make a pendant that was like a peacock feather but in the same style as my trees. I really wasn’t sure how that was going to work but I gave it a go and here’s what I came up with.

(Click either for larger)

I used 26 gauge non-tarnish sterling silver plated wire and tiny, Japanese seed beads in several colors. I tried to get the general color pattern of a peacock feather but of course, it’s a little abstract. I know if it were actual seed bead work, it could be almost photo-realistic, but this is supposed to be more wire style.

I think it came out pretty good. It was a lot of work and lots of little fiddly bits due to managing all the seed beads at the same time. But I’d love some thoughts on it too since it’s something different for me. Feedback, suggestions, etc. appreciated!!

I love making custom pieces based on customer specifications. In this case, a special Family Tree as a Christmas present. This was the birthstones of the family as a gift to the customer’s wife, all set in 14k gold fill wire.

Birhtstones featured are:
May – Chrome Diopside (as alternative to emerald)
June – Lavender fresh water pearls
August – Peridot
November – Citrine

Have something special in mind for someone you love? A Family Tree or a Mother’s Tree? Maybe you want to honor and celebrate those who have passed with a Memorial/Remembrance Tree. Let me make something beautiful and one-of-a-kind for you as well!

Still time to shop and receive your handmade jewelry for the holidays!! Listed a lot of new items in the shop the past few days, so please take a look. Don’t forget, I also customize!

Don’t forget you can also “Like” PhoenixFire Designs on Facebook!

This year, it’s more important than ever that I have a good holiday season in the shop. With being laid off and with $10,000 in medical bills, my sales are the only thing keeping our head above water. I appreciate your support. Even if you just want to blog, link, tweet or post about the shop on fb, that helps too.

Thanks and happy shopping!

Because everything I make is made by hand, it allows me to fully customize and personalize pieces. One of my favorite things to make are custom pendants that incorporate birthstones for Mothers and Grandmothers.

This piece features the birthstones of March (semi-precious blue topaz in substitution for aquamarine), July (precious Ruby), and August (semi-precious peridot) all together in non-tarnish, sterling silver plated wire.

From the happy customer:

As the recipient of this piece, I can attest to its amazing quality and beauty. One that left even my husband speechless. This is going to be one of the most meaningful and breathtaking presents I am giving this year.

This makes for a treasured, heirloom piece that has deep, personal meaning and brings joy to the wearer. I made a custom birthstone tree for my own Mother and she never fails to smile when someone compliments her on it and she can say it represents her daughters.

If you’d like a piece made especially for you, with birthstones of family members, or in memorial of those who have passed, just contact me. I’d love to make something that makes you smile and reminds you of your loved ones too.

I love making things that are wholly unique; pieces that are envisioned by my customer and not necessarily something I would have thought of or would have made on my own. I also love when I can make something truly personal and meaningful for my customers.

This piece is sea opal and garnet; the birthstones of her and her husband together in a tree. Opal is the birthstone of October and garnet is the birthstone of January. She wanted it in gold, so I also ordered some 14k gold fill wire. I think the result is just stunning.

This is my “medium” size tree, making it larger than the standard pieces and coming in around 1.75″ in diameter.

Have something in mind that’s custom or unique just for you? Love my trees but want a special family tree, memorial tree or other combination you haven’t seen before? Let me know! I would love to make something beautiful and special for you as well.

Your choice of glass pearls in birthstone colors lined in a row and strung on delicate sterling silver plated wire to form a simple, yet modern family necklace.

Perhaps you love my custom birthstone bird nest pendant but have too large of a family. Or, maybe you want to celebrate an extended friends and/or family. If you need more than 4 birthstones together in one piece, this is the perfect option for you!

You can choose between 5 and 12 pearl colors in any combination you would like. The first example shows five pearls (September, July, May, April and February.) The second example is actually the inspiration for this style. A customer needed nine pearls and asked if I could put them all in a line for her. (The months are November, September and October in that piece.) It was such a great idea, I decided to offer it to everyone!

Available custom made just for you in the shop HERE!

I’ve been wanting to make a pair of phoenix/fire color earrings for awhile. And the nice thing about making jewelry is that I also get to make custom pieces just for myself sometimes too. This was my first time making something just like this but I think it came out really lovely and I hope to be able to offer some in this style (but maybe in different color schemes as well) in my shop soon.

For now, look how pretty! Lemon quartz teardrop briolettes and micro-faceted rondelles in garnet and shaded citrine. All set in sterling.

So lovely. And I’m just so pleased with the colors and how they look worn as well. Like I said, this pair I made for myself to learn the technique and figure out the logistics but hopefully soon I can offer some my shop as well.