PhoenixFire Designs – The Blog

I’ve been busy making both new items, as well as new versions of previously sold items. But I’ve been lax about posting those updates here in the blog. (Though I’ve posted some on PhoenixFire Designs Facebook page. It’s a good resources to get more up-to-the-minute updates.

But onto the nice, shiny pretties!

Click any image to go to it’s page for more information and purchase details. Many more items also available at PhoenixFireDesigns.etsy.com. And, as always, I also take custom orders!

It’s been over a year since I’ve offered one of my award-winning agate slice trees but I’m happy to report, I have one up on the shop right now!

A stunning amethyst purple agate geode slice is the base for this wire wrapped tree of life pendant featuring green and purple fluorite in sterling silver wire.

This pendant is handmade using painstaking wire-wrapping techniques. This is an even more complex piece from my normal ones as I built a tree “growing” up an agate slice base. Non-tarnish sterling silver plated wire frames and encircles the slice and is used as the roots, trunk and branches of the tree.

The leaves are in the complimentary gemstone, fluorite. Formerly called fluorspar, fluorite has a wide range of colors and is a beautiful stone because often more than one color occurs in a single piece. I’ve selected a purposefully staggered color of stones ranging from the palest green to the deepest amethyst purple to give the piece vibrancy and beautiful spread of color.

This pendant is approximately 2.5″ H x 1.75″ W not including bail. This is a bold, statement piece. Keep in mind that this is a natural stone and is not a perfect oval. Part of the charm of this piece is that it is truly one-of-a-kind by Nature.

I’ve offered a handful of agate slice trees in the past but it’s been about a year since one was available. They are labor-intensive to make and thus a rare item on the shop. If you like it, please do not wait as duplicates are not possible due to the unique nature of the materials used. This piece is literally unique and absolutely one-of-a-kind and of course you will receive the exact pendant shown.

With the colors and tones used (the deep purples very much like amethyst) it would also be a great gift for someone born in February. Amethyst is the birthstone of February and this definitely has that kind of colorway and feel to it!

Available for purchase HERE. While it lasts!

These gorgeous earrings feature a cluster of genuine precious gemstones. Ruby, Emerald and Yellow Sapphire are nestled around Amethyst briolette teardrops. All set in sterling silver.

I started with a beautiful semi-precious amethyst briolette in a faceted teardrop shape. I used a sterling silver, ball-tipped headpin to form the base of the earrings. Then I added a cluster of genuine, precious gems also on ball tipped sterling silver headpins fill in above the amethyst.

There are four precious gems in the world and this piece has three of them: Ruby (the birthstone of July), Emerald (the birthstone of May) and Yellow Sapphire (the birthstone of September.) All three precious gems are in the form of lovely micro-faceted rondelle gemstones.

These earrings are just really pretty and the quality of the stones is very nice. All findings are sterling silver. These earrings will match just about anything in your wardrobe with the deep, rich range of colors. They’re dainty but still noticeable and can be worn with anything.

They measure approximately 1.25″ from hook to tip.

This is a one-of-a-kind pair. I bought one set of matching plum amethyst briolette and do not have any more on hand. I absolutely love these earrings and hope you do too!

Available for purchase HERE.

A classically simple, dainty pair of earrings in 14k gold featuring a rainbow of genuine gemstones.

I started with a 14k gold filled, ball tipped headpin and then strung six genuine gemstones on. All gemstones are high quality, micro faceted rondelles. The French hooks are 14k plated and thus hypoallergenic for those sensitive to some metals.

The gemstones used in the piece starting from the bottom are:

* Ruby – one of four precious gemstones and the birthstone of July

* Imperial Topaz – a very rare form of topaz, these are pale yellow in color. Topaz is the birthstone of November and is semi-precious.

* Green Tourmaline – Tourmaline comes in a variety of colors and this one is a lovely olive tone. Tourmaline is semi-precious.

* Blue Topaz – Another semi-precious stone, blue topaz has a crystal clear blue sky color. It’s an alternative birthstone for December.

* Amethyst – Long associated with royalty, amethyst is a gorgeous and rich purple tone. This semi-precious stone is the birthstone of February.

* White Topaz – White topaz is a flawlessly clear crystal stone. It’s used as an alternative to diamond for April’s birthstone. Also semi-precious.

The earrings measure a total length just shy of 1.5″ long. They’re dainty and feminine. They would be a lovely gift for someone who likes rainbow colors, or who is interested in chakra healing and colors.

They would also be a very special gift for a young woman who may not want or need a large pair of earrings but for whom a pair of 14k gold gemstone earrings would be a special gift. It could be a pair of “grown up” jewelry all her own.

I only have the one pair of these at this time as I put them together with the extra gems leftover after other projects. To individually purchase this many stones to make a pair would be quite expensive so this is a great way to get some high quality gems in a lovely little, affordable package.

Available for purchase HERE

The first of my February Trees featuring genuine faceted rondelle Amethyst gemstones set in non-tarnish silver plated wire sold so I’ve made a second. This is all the amethyst I have currently on hand but this exact pendant is ready to ship.

Amethyst derives it’s name from a Greek word meaning “without drunkenness” because it was believed to protect the wearer from poisons. Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone and is a very powerful stone being used for insomnia, protection, wisdom and healing. Amethyst is also traditionally associated with royalty and people of great wealth. It is the birthstone of February.

The pendant is available HERE in the shop.

Or, well, a nest really but who’s counting? Oh wait, I was that day. A friend of mine wanted a custom bird nest pendant made to represent both the kids and the daughters-in-law as well. Which made for SEVEN eggs in one little nest. I have to be honest, at first, I wasn’t sure it was possible. But I pulled it off. And it came out pretty darn cute:

She liked that the nest was a little crowded because that’s really how her Mother-in-law’s home is; full of people and love. So it worked out to be perfect for UK Mother’s day. (Which is celebrated in April rather than May here in the States.)

Where there’s an idea, there’s a will and a way. And this is just one example of how I’m happy to take an idea – like starting with this and making it a seven birthstone egg pendant with a swallow charm that was the perfect, custom gift. So let me know what I can make one-of-a-kind for you!

Stunning amethyst micro-faceted rondelles are set in sterling silver wire to form a beautiful Tree of Life pendant. Amethyst is the birthstone of February.

The Tree of Life is a concept that’s been featured in myth, story and legend literally all around the world. Since ancient times, people have used variations on the theme. Connecting all things – the realms of the spirit, the physical, the Divine and the mundane – the roots of the Tree and the branches touch all things and bring them together in harmony.

This pendant is handmade using painstaking wire-wrapping techniques. Hand hammered sterling silver plated wire frames and encircles the pendant, and then sterling silver plated, non-tarnish wire is used as the roots, trunk and branches of the tree.

The amethyst in this piece is very luxe – high quality with precision facets and cuts. It’s a pure, rich, warm purple all the way through. Amethyst derives it’s name from a Greek word meaning “without drunkenness” because it was believed to protect the wearer from poisons. Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone and is a very powerful stone being used for insomnia, protection, wisdom and healing. Amethyst is also traditionally associated with royalty and people of great wealth.

Measuring approximately 1.25″ wide by 1.75″ high (not including bail), it’s a lovely size both for everyday and special occasion wear.

Available for purchase HERE.

Here’s a custom piece I just finished last night. It was based on another piece that they really liked. I spent about a month ordering supplies from all over the world and waiting for them to arrive. Then I set about breaking down the pattern and figuring out how it all came together. I did it assembly-line style, counting out the groups of pieces I’d need. Once all the parts were ready, I assembled them all into one, cohesive necklace.

Took about four hours of assembly time total.

It was a challenge but it was fun stretching myself into something completely different. Don’t forget, I gladly accept custom orders so please contact me if you’d like something unique of your own. And check out the items for sale on PhoenixFireDesigns.com and PhoenixFire Designs @ Etsy.