The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 11: "Create a Companion Look"

But first, Here are our fabulous "eight" EtsyMetal Team entries from last weeks'

"Pick-a-Place" theme!

Last weeks TV challenge was to make a piece of jewelry that was inspired by one of Michael Kors favorite places....
For our challenge we asked that you use one of your own personal favorite places for your inspiration. I think this will open our creative doors and the love of making even wider!

For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as shown below)

#1~ Shannon Conrad “The Wine Dark Sea”
Inspiration location: Oregon Coast, USA.
Shannon says, “I chose the Oregon Coast (where I grew up). Flashy Labradorite always reminds me of the stormy sea. I topped the Labradorite with a piece of carnelian because there is nothing like watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Lastly, I added a couple of decorative balls to represent the beautiful rocky coastline. ”
Please see Shannon’s Flickr here!

#2~ Catherine Chandler “necklace”
Inspiration location: “Australia”
Catherine says, "I designed this necklace based on the design aesthetic I was witness to much of the time while I was living in Australia. It was inspiring and greatly affected my own design aesthetic and the way I work. I created this necklace using pieces of scrap silver and wire for the links. I have been wanting to use these pieces of scrap silver for a necklace for a couple years, but could never figure out exactly what to do with them. The necklace has been given a matte finish and hangs beautifully and comfortably on the wearer."
See Catherine’s Flickr here!



#3~ Victoria Takahashi “Pieces of Earth”
Inspiration location: Washington Coast, USA.
I am directly inspired by the Washington Coast. It is a place where I can sit and truly have my mind and all the chatter quiet down. It is my meditation. Whether I am sitting and looking at rocks for days on end or just to randomly curl up and take a nap with the sound of the waves in the background... The fresh air and the salty smells of the ocean...blissss....
Sterling Silver, Beachstones, Oxidized, Fabricated.
Please see more of my EMJC-PR challenges here on my Flickr!




#4~ Delias Thompson “necklace”
Inspiration location: Greece
Delias says, "I chose Greece which happens to be my favorite place in the world. I love how old and new collide and live in harmony. In my piece I mimicked the granulation that you will often find in old world style Greek jewelry a long with a hammered surface to symbolize the more modern influences."
Please see more about Delias here!

#5~ Sara Westermark “ring”

Inspiration location:
Inspiration location: Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, USA.
Sara says, "I used concrete to incorporate the small industrial grade garnets that I found.”
Please see Sara’s Blog!

#6~ Rachelle Stromberg "Embrace"
Inspiration location: Ocean City Beach
Please see Rachelle’s Flickr here!

#7~ Nina Gibson “necklace”
Inspiration location: Los Angeles, CA. USA.
Nina says, “The Palm Trees of Southern California serve as my inspiration for my Project Runway Jewelry Challenge. The necklace features a row of palms decorating a slightly curved strip of sterling silver. A 'road' of copper is riveted to the silver along the bottom edge.
Please see Nina’s blog here!

#8~ Thomasin Durgin “bracelet”
Inspiration location: City Park
Tomi says, “I made a bracelet inspired by the old, giant magnolias in the city park where I walk my dogs. This Silver and Copper cuff was pierced, sawn, soldered, riveted, and forged.
Please see Tomi’s Flickr here!

We have “one” inspired guest designer submission this week!

Cory Howard "Glacier Ice"
Cory says, "I was watching a program on TV where these spelunkers climbed down into a crevice in a glacier. It was the most awesome place I had ever seen! Everything was sparkling and translucent and luminous. I have wanted to go to a place like this ever since! It made me think of all the amazing places we have on this planet. Some of which you'd never think about existing but they are there and you can see them and experience them and I think that's amazing!

**guidelines for guest participants:**
Please read this every week as there may be small updates and changes. The pieces you submit must be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Then post your links in this comment area, and cross-post this blog post to your Blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And tag them with "EMJC-PR.” Currently we will post your name with a link and a picture of your piece on our blog. Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, Pacific Standard Time.
Thank YOU! We can't wait to see what you will come up with!

Video Snippet for next weeks 6.11

"Create a Companion Look" challenge!

Designers!

This weeks TV challenge was to create a companion look

that compliments and enhances

one of their best designs from a previous challenge......
So, for our jewelry challenge, you should do exactly the same!

Make a "companion piece that compliments and enhances" one of your best designs from a previous season 6 challenge.

“Now Carry On!"

Etsy Metal Finds

Who says white is not a good color for winter? I always hope for snow - and white is the color that reminds me of it. I love bright whites, warm whites, creamy whites and every shade in between.

Winter White

1. Seed Heads Blue Petite Purse by Me Plus Molly

2. Organic Nesting Bowls by Eco Chic Hand Knits

3. Porcelain Mixed Nuts by KG + AB

4. Dirty Snow Cowl by Corrugated Fiber

Product Review - Firescoff

I recently had a rose gold project that I was really excited about doing, but I was also concerned because I know rose gold can be quite finicky and it tends to change into an ugly color when oxidized. So I branched out and bought a small bottle of Firescoff, since it claimed to protect the color of metals.
After I tried it, I realized it did! My rose gold didn't even need pickling!
What it is: a ceramic flux spray, that replaces flux, firecoat and pickle. It cleans up with just warm water.
To use Firescoff, you just need to heat your piece up slightly (the directions say to around 250 degrees F.) A tip I learned was that you can put a drop of water on your piece and heat it until the water boils off. This means you have the right temperature.
Next, spray a even mist over the entire piece. When you put the fire back on it you will see it bubble up into a white powdery coating. If you can still see the sheen on parts of your metal, you may want to spray again.

As soon as your soldering is finished, you can just clean the rest of the white coating off with water. Voila! No need to pickle, and the rose gold color is still the same as when I started.
Firescoff isn't super cheap for the size that you get, though. So, stick to your regular method for silver and other metals that do fine in a pickle. But for certain projects, it's good to have on hand!

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 10: "Pick-a-Place"

But first, Here are our fabulous "eight" EtsyMetal participant entries from last weeks'

"Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine" theme!

LAST week our participants were asked to design and make a piece that was sparkly shimmery and shiny show stopper that was appropriate stage wear bling. Well to simplify this for the jewelry challenge needs, we narrowed it down to simply making a piece that

Sparkled, Shimmered, or/& Shined!
See below for this weeks fabulous entries!

For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as seen below)

#1~ Thomasin Durgin “Bling”
Tomi says, “A modern pendant featuring a large, glittering Swarvorski crystal surrounded by a sterling silver oval with a bright, polished surface. As the crystal swings back and forth it catches the light and separates it into tiny rainbows. My friend describes this design as "bling", whatever it is, it certainly took me beyond my comfort zone.” Please see Tomi’s Flickr here!

#2~ Shannon Conrad “Vintage Glass Cocktail Ring”
Shannon says, “Vintage faceted Czech glass has been bezel-set upside down. The ring band was created by soldering two strips of low-dome Sterling Silver wire together and then adding the beaded wire detail. Please see Shannon’s Flickr here!



#3~ Rachelle Stromberg “Sparkle”
Rachelle says, “I wanted something very sparkly so I bezel set a 23.5 x 19.5mm very pale faceted Amethyst in Sterling Silver.” Please see Rachelle’s Flickr here!




#4~ Alisa Miller “necklace"
Alisa says, “I handmade Brass sequins on a Sterling Silver backing.
Please see more on Alisa’s Flickr set!



#5~ Sara Westermark “earrings”
Sara says, "London Blue Topaz and Rhodolite Garnet earrings in oxidized Sterling Silver.
Did I mention that I absolutely love to do tube settings?"
Please see Sara’s Blog!



#5~ Nina Gibson “earrings”
Nina says, “The feathery earrings do have shine. Using the feather motif, I've attached six pieces of hand cut patterned brass feather or leaf shapes to strips of sterling silver as if they were sequins, pinned with a bit of fine silver. They move freely on their pins and catch the light nicely. I am letting them dangle from ear wires so they can swing with the wearer's movement.
Please see Nina’s blog here!



#6~ Beth Cyr “Bling”
Beth says, “14k palladium white gold and 4.5mm diamonds set in 18k palladium w.gold.”
To read more please see Beth’s blog here!




#7~ Stacey Hansen “ring"
Stacey says, “I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to combine some modern metalwork with my new rose cut gems.This ring was fabricated from scratch and features two green amethyst gems.” Please read more on Stacey’s blog!




#8~ Victoria Takahashi “Vegas Baby!”
"These earrings are made of oxidized, fabricated Sterling Silver and sunshine yellow Cubic Zirconias. They reminded me of a Vegas Showgirls costuming with the giant fans, I also like the art deco feel to these."
Please see more of my EMJC-PR challenges here on my Flickr!


We have “one” sparkling guest designer submission this week!

Cory Howard made a Sterling Silver and faceted Morganite ring!

**guidelines for guest participants:**
Please read this every week as there may be small updates and changes. The pieces you submit must be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Then post your links in this comment area, and cross-post this blog post to your Blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And tag them with "EMJC-PR.” Currently we will post your name with a link and a picture of your piece on our blog. Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, Pacific Standard Time.
Thank YOU! We can't wait to see what you will come up with!

Video Snippet for next weeks 6.10
"Pick-a-Place!" challenge!

Designers! This weeks TV challenge was to make a piece of jewelry that was inspired by one of Michael Kors favorite places....

BUT, for our jewelry challenge, you should use one of YOUR personal favorite places for your inspiration. I think this will open our creative doors and the love of making even wider! And please share a picture of your place if you have one!

So "Pick-a-Place and Carry On!"

Upcoming Art Shows/Festivals

October 23, 24, & 25
Sara Westermark - Fall for the Arts, Lake Gaston/Littleton, NC


October 24-25,2009

Kathryn Riechert - Fine Arts For Ocala - Ocala, FL



Metalriot - River Arts Fest - Memphis, TN

Etsy Metal Finds

If you've been reliving your high school days every Wednesday night, watching misfit kids and quirky teachers perform over-engineered show tunes and top 40, then these finds are for you! I've found myself looking forward to it every week. You can catch up on episodes here.

Glee.

For the aspiring performer:

Mechanical Musical Piano from Hindsvik Vintage

Some healthy "Boy versus Girl" competition:

Boy Meets Girl Sake Cups from Simply Pretty Prints

All the single ladies:

"If you liked it, you should have put a ring on it":

Acrylic Inverted Suspension Diamond Ring from Plastique

For the Cheerio Cheerleader:

Whistle Necklace from The Pudding Store

OCD?

Get rid of those germy germs:

Mojito Soap from Dirty Loves Clean

For the real pregnancyl (or the fake one!):

Don't Touch Maternity Tee from Mama Mia Apparel

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 9: "Sparkle, Shimmer and Shine"

But first, here is our fabulous "six" EtsyMetal

participant entries from last weeks' "Wedding" theme!

LAST week our participants were asked to design and make a piece that would be fit for a bride to wear on her special day, whether it be fancy or casual it’s up to you! Hmmm, maybe your bride dislikes white? Or maybe she or he loves to be traditional...

For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (As seen below)

#1~ Kathryn Riechert “earrings”
Kathryn says, “I made these earrings using sterling silver and freshwater pearls. I used my new tiny stamps to add text to the earrings. They say, 'AND THEY LIVED' 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER'. The earrings are super shiny and have lots of movement.” Please see Kathryn’s Flickr here!

#2~ Thomasin Durgin “Not your Mothers Pearls”
Tomi says, “I chose pearls because they are traditional, and designed a modern sterling silver pendant made of three individual pieces strung on a steel cable necklace. The pendants are removable and can be worn in any configuration. Just one of these pendants strung on a simple silver chain would make the perfect complementary bridesmaid gift, and they will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop.” Please see Tomi’s Flickr here!

#3~ Victoria Takahashi "I do”
This necklace I built like I build my mobiles, I start with an element and work around the first initial thought. I started with a focal point and I wanted to use pearls, then it collaged itself together rather seamlessly this time for me, it just wanted to be. My necklace quietly says to me, “Will you keep me and cherish me until death do us part?” I say, “I do.”
It is all hand fabricated, then oxidized Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearls with a large clear faceted Quartz drop, it is inscribed on the back, “until death do us apart” Please see more of my EMJC-PR challenges here on my Flickr!

#4~ Nina Gibson “Rustic”
Nina says, “I have been intending to make a set of wedding rings for some time now and bought these rough, uncut diamonds a long time ago. I love them and have finally put one into a ring that could be an engagement or wedding ring or both!” To read more about these rings and her own personal engagement story please see Nina’s blog!

#5~ Shannon Conrad “Friendship, Love and Loyalty"

Shannon says, “Since this challenge was about repurposing a wedding dress, I decided to re-work a classic symbol of marriage. This piece is based on a Claddagh - a traditional Irish wedding ring. The hands and the crown were hand fabricated - sawed from Sterling sheet. The crown features fine silver balls and 2 bezel-set Rubies and one Pearl. The heart was sand-cast from a vintage plastic bead.” To see more views of this necklace, please see Shannon’s Flickr!

#6~ Beth Cyr “Eclectic Bride”

Beth says, “I used Sterling, Fine, and Argentium Sterling Silver, 14k Gold”To read more about this piece, please see Beth’s blog here!

We have 2 familiar designer guest submissions this week!

(left) Tiffany Nelson says, “Amethyst cabochon set in Sterling Silver accented with a Sterling leaf, vines, and pods. A cut out swirl in the back allows light when possible.”

(right) Jo Hollingsworth says, “I went back to my roots in ceramic sculpture and crafted this little pot out of hammered Sterling Silver. And if I was getting married tomorrow, this would be featured front and center. It's graceful, warm, and comforting to the touch, not to mention a bit unexpected - it's very, very me. And in the end, that's the whole point, right?”

"Thank You Tiffany and Jo for your wonderful submissions!

**guidelines for guest participants:**
Please read this every week as there may be small updates and changes. The pieces you submit must be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Then post your links in this comment area, and cross-post this blog post to your Blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And tag them with "EMJC-PR.” Currently we will post your name with a link and a picture of your piece on our blog. Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, Pacific Standard Time.
Thank YOU! We can't wait to see what you will come up with!

Video Snippet for next weeks 6.8
"Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine!" challenge!

Designers! It's so exciting! This week’s sPR challenge was to make a stage show stopper! A sparkly, shimmery, shiny outrageous piece to catch the attention of everyone!

"So to streamline this for our means, This weeks challenge is to, make something that will simply be Sparkly, Shimmery &/or Shiny, and then add a little extra push out of your comfort zone just to make it a little extra special."

I cannot wait to see your glittery eye catching creations!

Please see the video snippets for more ideas to inspire you.
Mr. Bob Mackie has a definite vision in mind, do you?
“Now carry on!”

October 15 - 18
Danielle Miller - Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands - Asheville, NC




October 17 -
Maggiejs - Apple Harvest Festival - Waynesville, NC



October 17-18

Kathryn Riechert - Chastain Park Arts Festival - Atlanta, GA




Sara Westermark - Autumn with Topsail - Topsail, NC

Etsy Metal Finds

As the grayer skies and the distinct chill in the air begins to roll into our towns, my kids beg me to help them carve up some gourds and put them on the front porch and I start to want to find refuge in a bowl of butternut squash soup with something warm and fuzzy to curl up in. This is the season for squash.

1. Saffron Bow Knot Scarf by Thrush

2. Squash Cards by Essimar

3. Butternut Squash hand-pulled linoprint by Little Bird Designs

4. Yellow Harris No More Bag by Breagha

Tool Review - Guardian II Kiln Controller

I can honestly say this is one of those tools that changed my life. It wasn't one of those 'necessities' to get started in doing my own casting, but it has made the entire process so much more efficient that it sure seems like a necessity now! There are 4 different settings for programs. I usually just need two. One program is for regular castings and another is for flasks that include stones - a 14 hour burnout that would painful if I had to adjust the dial on my own to achieve the correct temperatures. It also made it possible to have the burnout occur overnight. Since I only have a small window and fan - it means I'm not breathing any of those nasty toxins.

I haven't started experimenting with enamels yet, but I'm confident that this would help with enameling as well. The cost is quite a lot to shell out at once, but I know it has paid for itself many times over. There are several different kinds of controllers - you can check out more info on this one here.

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 8: "Wedding"

But first, Here are our fabulous "eleven" EtsyMetal participant entries from last weeks'"Blue" theme! LAST week our participants were asked to design and make something Blue!
And if so inclined they could make 2 pieces.

For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as seen below)

#1~ Shannon Conrad "Rings Necklace"
Shannon says, "Like the designs created for the challenge, I wanted to create something simple and classic and versatile. This piece is made up of 40 hand cut copper circles in 2 sizes have been enameled in 8 different colors (7 shades of blue + white). The enamel was etched for a matte surface. The circles are connected with hand cut 14gauge rings that were given a brushed surface. The necklace measures 42 inches and can be worn as a long chain or doubled for a different look. See more of this necklace on Shannon's Flickr!

#2~ Thomasin Durgin “Mine”
I cut and polished this lovely piece of parrot wing chrysocolla last weekend, it was my very first lapidary experience. Chrysocolla itself is quite soft, but this is agatized and extremely hard, it took some time to cut. It reminds me of a little planet. I bezel set the stone on a textured adjustable cigar band and gave the piece an antique patina. See Tomi's Flickr!


#3~ Sara Westermark "Blue Enigma"
Sterling silver, three 3mm sapphires, 5mm blue topaz I did something very characteristic of my work for this challenge. I wanted the piece to feel dressy, but still be flexible enough to be worn everyday. The organic pierced and textured centerpiece contrasts with the parallel clean line boarders and tube set bezels. I"m going to make a set of earrings to go with this series too. See Sara’s blog here!



#4~ Nina Gibson “ring"
I used a beautiful, marquee shaped, light blue, vintage glass cabochon with some lovely swirls. It is set into sterling silver. I set it horizontally to make it more modern and gave it a plain rectangle silver band. For fun and a touch of whimsy, I stamped "blue" on the inside of the band. See Nina's blog here!





#5~ Mike Stromberg "Blueb Tube"
Sterling Silver, Plastic Test Tube, Synthetic Blue Sapphire, Blue Glass Micro beads.
See Mike's Flickr here!




#6~ Victoria Takahashi "baby blues"
This is an enamelled piece of copper on the inside and the feather is stitched to it.
Then I have bezel set a piece of slide glass very-very carefully.
The blue feather is an immature tail feather from a baby Stellars Jay from one we found in our yard this summer. Sadly 2 of the 3 did not make it and the 3rd was last seen in my neighbors yard, alive! This pendant is to honor the two sweet little babies...
To see my past EMJC-PR submissions here!





#7~ Beth Cyr “necklace”
Sterling Silver and Lapis Lazuli.
See Beth's blog here!

#8~ Rachelle Stromberg "Winter Garden"

Blue zircon and sterling silver.

See Rachelle's Flickr here!

#9~ Kathryn Riechert “cuff”

This cuff has 5 hand cut copper flowers that have been enameled with a few shades of blue glass. Yellow glass beads sit in the center of each flower. And, yes, the flowers can spin. The ends of the cuff each have a word stamped into place. One side says 'FROLIC' and the other says 'THRIVE'. See Kathryn's FLickr here!

#10~ Alisa Miller “brooch”
Sterling Silver, Blue Glass beads.

See Alisa's blog here!

#11~ Stacey Hansen "earrings"

Oxidized, Fabricated, Sterling Silver and etched Enamel.

See Stacey's blog here!

Well it seems our 2 guest submissions have made 2 pieces each and this week we are proud to share these photos with you.

Top Left: Cory Howard “Stalagtite necklace”
Top Right: Cory Howard “Gremlin necklace-Trudy”

Bottom Left: Jo Hollingsworth "True Blue pendant"

Bottom right: Jo Hollingsworth "True Blue earrings"

*Guest Participants~please read and follow these guidelines:

The pieces you submit are pieces that are made specifically for that weeks show.

Please tag your photos this week with "EMJC-PR6.8-wedding"

Also post your links in this comment area, then cross-post this to your blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc.

Currently we are beginning to post your pics on our blog.

Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, PST.

And please don't forget to cross-post back to our blog as we extend the same courtesy to you!

We can't wait to see what you will come up with!

Video Snippet for next weeks 6.8

"Wedding" challenge!

"DESIGNERS!"

This can be a really fun one!

Make a piece that would be fit for a bride to wear on her special day,
whether it be fancy or casual its up to you!

Hmmm, maybe your bride dislikes white? or maybe she or he loves to be traditional...

some thoughts to chew on....

"Now get to work" as our infamous leader would say!

October 10
Maggiejs and SaraWestermark - Church Street Festival, Waynesville, NC



October 15 - 18
Danielle Miller - Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Asheville, NC

Etsy Metal News 10.5.09

Industrial Lunar Champagne Diamond Ring with 18k and Sterling Silver by sarawestermark

Congratulations to Sara of sarawestermark who recently hit 800 sales in her shop! Fantastic, Sara!

Kathryn of KathrynRiechert has a project in the October 2009 issue of Jewelry Artist (Lapidary Journal) magazine. Go to your local newsstand and pick one up now! To see a photo of the article, click here.

Kathryn also won a merit award at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta show. Congratulations!

2009 October Blog Carnival "what would you *love* more than anything to make, right now, if you could?"

Several Of the EtsyMetal folks choose to participate in a once-a-month blog carnival. We converge on the first Monday of each month, writing about the same topic, from our own experience and ideas.

This October; we ask: "what would you *love,*, more than anything to make, right now, if you could?"

Please be sure to stop in and read the posts from all these lovely members:

Andes Cruz Designs - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/

Colleen Baran http://www.SeeSeeBe.blogspot.com/

B.Cyr Jewelry -http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 7: "Blue!"

Here are our fabulous "ten" EtsyMetal participant entries from last weeks'
"Create a Character" theme!
LAST week our particiants were asked to write a short story about a character in a genre,
and then design a piece of jewelry around thier story. Thier choices of film genres were:
"Action Adventure, Film Noir, Science Fiction, Period Piece, Western"

But first, for those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as seen below)

#1~ Stacey Hansen
Science Fiction
Stacey says, "The ring itself belongs to a wandering alien (for lack of a better word.)she does not feel at home in any one place and chooses to explore far away galaxies.thus, the ring is weathered and worn in appearance.at the uppermost point is a star ruby that extends from its hollow base and is used as a homing device when she is ready to be whisked away to the next mysterious world."To read more about this challenge on Stacey's blog.

#2~ Shannon Conrad
Period Piece

Shannon say's, "My character is a young gentlewoman living in London. The year is 1857. The love of her life was a soldier who was killed in the Crimean War. Distraught, she married a "suitable" man and while he provides well for her, it is a loveless marriage. She throws herself into charity work to fill the void. She works tirelessly, helping protitutes to get out of the life and find respectable positions, often in the household's of her society friends." See more pics in Shannon's Flickr!

#3~ Sara Westermark " Modern Victorian Bracelet "

Science Fiction
Sara says, "This is no mere bracelet, it is a time travel bracelet. Each ornamental ball houses an atomic reactor with a fusion generator that acts as a transporter through time and space. The heroine travels back in time to save humans from the brink of extinction, by preventing choices that led to War to end All Wars. It all began with the industrial revolution....." See Sara's blog post here!

#4~Kathryn Riechert
Science Fiction
Kathryn says, "My story is that there is a fantasy world and a woodland fairy race needs to find a new home. They need a very specific environment, and it is one that their princess will create by planting a seed from a magical flower. Of course the princess is on the run and add in all sorts of drama etc. Also imagine that this a film geared towards kids and that it is possibly animated. At any rate, this is the necklace the princess wears and this is the last flower, kept by the only princess, and the blue amazonite seed is the last hope for this race of beings. See Kathryn's Flickr for more pics!



#5~Rachelle Stromberg "Map of the Universe"
Science FIctionRachelle says, "A space ship with human colonists who were in cryostasis and were traveling to a near by planet to start a new settlement went off course when there was a malfunction in the computers auto pilot. They woke 50 years later to discover they were not even in the same solar system and were forced to find a new planet to settle. The only map they have to find there way back to earth is the map of the galaxy in this ring which had been a gift to the captain of the ship from her husband. The ring has been pasted down many generations as they work towards developing the technology to find their way home. See more of Rachele's pics here.



#6~Mike Stromberg "Nano-foll"
Science Fiction
Mike's story, "October 2, 2009 Norman, Oklahoma In an exciting new development from the world of Nanotechnology, leading nanotech research firm Tinytiny Tech along with Mike and Mary Jewelry has developed an exciting new jewelry technology. Nano-Foll Jewelry Technology uses nanotechnology to custom grow jewelry using existing hair follicles. But the most exciting development may be that each piece of jewelry is completely customized to the individual using the dna of the user. Please read the rest of the story here in Mike's flicker.




#7~Thomasin Durgin "Sylvia's Hypnotic Ring"
Film Noir
Tomi say's "Secret double agent Sylvia DeVille eats men for breakfast. Standing 6 feet tall with long, lustrous black hair, her curves are rivaled only by her sumptuous red lips and deep green eyes. She lures dignitaries, rebels, and presidents into her snare and when the time is right, directs their attention to the kinetic ring on her right hand. As the spiral spins Sylvia's victims feel themselves begin to drift away and while hypnotized they reveal their deepest secrets. At this moment men are helpless to Sylvia's desires and directives, and she alone has changed the course of the world many times. The end of the cold war? The fall of the Berlin Wall? The abolishing of apartheid? Sylvia has had a hand in all of these events, and many more. Surely you don't think Americans elected a black president of their own free will. Alas, I've said too much. Here, gaze into my ring…
See Tomi's Flickr for more pictures and video of her ring!




#8~ Victoria Takahashi "The Wisdom of Cat"
Science Fiction
"This neckpiece is a relic from the year 2009 that was excavated from the northern hemisphere of earth around the numerical year 3049. It is a very mysterious piece. It is believed to be a fortune teller amulet of sorts. These are very rare and were regarded as a tool used in magic arts. It is being held in a safe in a unknown place for fear of it being abused. It is rumored that Her Great Eminence has it in her safe keeping.
"Ask us a question if you dare to hear the truth" chimed the cat in a scowling sing song meow...
If you do ask, there will be a consequence, consequence, consequence.......
Is there anything you would have to ask?"
To see more pictures please see my EMJC-PR Flickr pics.



#9~ Nina Gibson "Millies Memories"
Period Piece
"Millie Gray boards a bus bound for Hollywood in 1940. She has no beau in the army training camp to stay loyal to and only her mother to disapprove of her pursuit of her dream of a career as an actress. She arrives with her single suitcase and no one to meet her. After finding an apartment to share with several other girls, she is lost in a sea of young, beautiful actresses hoping for any role in any movie. She can sing and dance and lands several auditions, but has trouble staying off of the casting couch. She finally gets cast as an extra in a war propaganda movie. Excited in her new found career, she shows up on the set and gets into costume. Her military uniform includes a drab olive green skirt, blouse and a tie. The only flash of color on her costume is a chevron brooch with a lipstick red stone. She doesn't get shot close enough to the camera for the brooch to show up on screen, however. On the last day on set, she kisses her fellow extras goodbye, and slips the pin into her handbag to save as a memento of her film career and boards the bus going back home to help her mother with her victory garden. Her grand-daughter, Millie, a successful actress, always wears the pin on her movie auditions in Hollywood, 60 years later." To read more on Nina's blog here.




#10~ Beth Cyr "Spider Queen"
Science Fiction"
Beth says, "Ara spread out her hands, stretching and contracting them. She’d been sitting at her computer too long and her hands were going numb. Out of the corner of her eye she saw it again, the web, but knew if she tried to look at it, it would be gone again. So instead she just looked past the screen out the window at the city lights. How something could be so dark and lit up at the same time she would never understand and didn’t want to. New York City. It was not her city and it never would be. She’d been here a year, living in the cubicle called an apartment (which thankfully had a nice view) and she still didn’t know her way around. She doubted she ever would.
To read the rest of Beth's story here.



And "TWO GUEST" submissions!
Tiffany Nelson chose Science Fiction,
and she writes, "It is a bracelet forged by the moon goddess Elune herself is said to bring strength and protection to the one who bears the mark of the wild, Vesara. She is the only one that can wear the bracelet and her existence is endanger of being erased from history forever by the enchantress, Calinia who wishes to harness the power of the bracelet for herself."


Jo Hollingsworth "Mod Daisy necklace"
Film Noir
She writes, "Our heroine, who has been sent by her country to spy on a suspected traitor, has fallen deeply in love with the man she has been sent to spy on. He is desperately in love with her as well, but she never tells him that she loves him, because she is living a double life as a spy, and she knows she cannot stay.In the Victorian language of flowers, the daisy represents either loyal love or farewell, depending on the type of daisy. During the final scene, our noble spy wears the daisy necklace to symbolize her eternal love for this man, and the tragic fact that she will never see him again."　

"Thank You Tiffany and Jo!!!"





Now for Episode 7: Video snippet "BLUE!"

Designers, this one is self explanitory. Make something Blue! And if you feel so inclined the PR challenge was for two pieces, so be it if you will and you have motivation then make two blue pieces!
"Now Carry ON!"

*guidelines for guest participants: The pieces you submit should be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Please then post your links in our comment area, then cross-post this to your blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And please tag your photos this week with "EMJC-PR6.7-Blue". Currently we post your name with a link to your piece on our blog. If we get more participation from our lovely guests we will start posting pictures of your pieces on the blog too! We can't wait to see what you will come up with! Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, Pacific Standard Time.