Brisbane Pearl Threading Workshop!

My lovely Brisbane-ites, join me for a crafty morning, Saturday 21st February at Newstead, as I teach traditional pearl threading and you create your own knotted pearl strand.

If you love pearls, beads and jewellery, this workshop is a must. Perfect for beginners, makers wishing to learn a new skill, or those wanting to add a new service to their business. The workshop will equip you with pearls, thread, clasp, beading needles and gimp to create your first necklace, as well as a kit to take home in order to practice the new techniques. The workshop will provide you with step by step instructions, wholesale contacts and resource list, tips and tricks, as well as details on charging out re-threading to clients. 

I encourage you to bring along any pieces you would like advice on, whether it's Grandma's pearls or a broken strand of beads. After completing the workshop you will have your own strand of traditionally knotted pearls, and the know how to thread pearls and beads like a professional.

An additional selection of pearls and clasps will be available for purchase on the day.

Places are limited so Book Now!

I'm so excited! Can't wait to share my years of experience with you. xx

Sweet x 2

This little bit of two year old sweetness is my little mountain goat. She is quite at home sitting on the table and can often be found climbing anything and everything. She also likes to sit at my bench, and will climb up on my chair the moment I vacate it and pretend to file or sweet up the lemel (metal filings).

Nature's Play

This bit of uncut octahedral Fluortie sweetness was new in the shop yesterday afternoon and sold last night. It is available for order though, and I should have more in stock as soon as I get a chance to make them.

The Process - from sketch to finished piece

The 'Joy' Pendant and Earrings are the final pieces in the 'Sentimental Collection' and they are now in the shop. For those not familiar with the process of making jewellery, I thought I would run through the various stages of creating these pieces. If you are anything like me, you may enjoy a peek behind the scenes of a jeweler at work.

Initially, there were several designs sketched in my sketchbook as I slowly built on my ideas for a doily inspired collection featuring drilled and punched details. I developed a set of stacking rings, a pendant and necklace, a pair of hoops, and of course the 'Joy' pendant and earrings.

The next step is to start realising these drawings in metal. This means sketching out the designs on sheets of metal and saw them out, filing and shaping them, and then in this case, drilling and punching them. Because I planned on making more than once of each piece, and in order to keep each piece identical and lower production costs, I made 'Masters' for each piece from copper. These masters were then sent away to be professionally moulded and cast in Sterling Silver and 9ct Rose Gold, before being returned to be hand finished.

This is how the castings return. They have the remains of the sprues on them, where the metal was poured in to the moulds, and a slightly rough textured finish. The next step is to saw and file off the sprues, emery (jewellers sandpaper) the surfaces and hand make the findings necessary to complete each piece - such as the ear wires and jump rings. These fittings are then soldered on and the entire piece is polished - first using a goats hair polishing wheel with tripoli compound to remove the scratches remaining from the emery, then a cotton polishing mop with rouge compound to create a high shine finish.

You can see the pieces in the middle have had the sprues removed and have been emeried. They have also been stamped 925 on the reverse - which is the standard mark for Sterling Silver and means that the piece is 92.5% pure Silver. They are now ready to have their ear wires, jump rings and pearl posts soldered on.

Wires, posts and bails in place, the Silver pendants and earrings are ready for another touch of emery before being polishing. First though, I check that the pearl posts are the right length and trim them down to size to fit the half drilled round Freshwater Pearls.

Ta-dah! The finished product. Polished, a satin finish applied with a fine emery, and pearls glued in to position on the posts with a two part epoxy. 

I hope that gave you some insight in to the process of a piece of cast jewellery from start to finish, and that you enjoyed this peek in to the workshop. I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have. 

If you have ever fancied trying your hand at making your own silver and gold jewellery, there are some great courses out their run through private schools, TAFE's and Universities. For me, nothing beats the satisfaction of designing and creating a piece of jewellery.

New in the shop - Center of the Earth Necklaces

'Center of the Earth' Necklace

New from the workshop, a collection natural Amethyst geode slice necklaces.

Accompany your favourite dress and sparkly shoes with this darling piece! These unique necklaces are the perfect accessory for those wanting unusual jewels with simple, natural beauty. These gorgeous gems also make the perfect gift for someone special in your life. 

Available in three gem widths-

Small: 2.5 - 3 cm, $30

Medium: 3 - 3.5 cm, $35

Large: 4 cm +, $40

The 'Center of the Earth' necklace features polished and drilled slices of natural amethyst crystal, threaded on to a solid Sterling Silver 45 cm cable chain. Each piece is unique. You may or may not get the piece pictured in the photograph.

This necklace comes beautifully gift wrapped in a navy drawstring bag, wrapped in vintage sewing pattern tissue paper and tied with string.

New in the shop - 'Gladys' Necklace

The next piece in the 'Sentimental' Collection has been released and is in the shop now. The Gladys necklace features five sterling silver scalloped pieces on a cable link chain. Inspired by crochet and doily bunting, the Gladys is a beautiful everyday or special occasion piece. It would look perfectly peachy with a vintage dress, or a floral t-shirt and cardigan. 

Each item in this collection is unique to Christina Lowry Designs. Crafted by hand, each component has then been professionally moulded and cast, and then hand finished by myself. These pieces are customisable and are also available in 9ct and 18ct Yellow or Rose Gold. 

Please email me with any queries you may have: christina-lowry@hotmail.com

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Still looking for a Valentine's gift? Express postage available on all pieces in stock, just email me to arrange.

New in the shop - 'Beryl' Necklace

'Beryl' Necklace $40

I'm pleased to let you know that the next piece in the Sentimental Collection has just been listed in the shop. A sweet, doilie inspired scalloped pendant, in either Sterling Silver or 9ct Rose Gold, on a Sterling Silver chain. 

The 'Beryl' necklace is the perfect every day piece to wear with t-shirts or business shirts, Summer dresses or a Winter cardigan. Also part of the collection, is a matching pair of earrings and stacking rings, which would compliment this piece and complete any outfit. Designed and made by myself and unique to Christina Lowry Designs.

It might just be time to start dropping hints for Valentines Day and Mother's Day...

New in the Shop - 'Fields Of Green' Ametrine Pendant

'Fields of Green'

When I added this beautiful and unusual gemstone to my collection I knew it would one day become a pendant. I sketched several different ideas before I understood that what was called for was a simple, elegant, modern setting which highlighted the wonderful bands of colour and the clarity this gem possesses.

This gorgeous piece is a work of art between nature and craft and deserves to be worn often, whenever the mood strikes. Casually layered with several chains and charms, or strikingly hung above a plunging neckline, this little luxury will add glamour day or night.

This solid sterling silver pendant is one of a kind piece and was handmade by Christina Lowry. It features a 17 x 13 mm Emerald cut Ametrine in a four claw setting, attached to a solid Sterling Silver 45cm chain.

Now in the shop.

'Hello Darling' - New In the Shop

'Hello Darling'


The initial sketch and the completed crocheted design


Pinned out on baking paper and cork, then painted with PVA glue

Ready to be sent for casting

My attempt at jewellery modelling

From sketch book to crochet, casting to finished piece, this pendant has come to life. 'Hello Darling' is a combination of my love of craft and silver-smithing. This necklace has been designed with craft lovers in mind. The piece is elegant and unique. The beauty lies in the contrasts between the delicate nature of the original crochet and the strength and durability of silver.   

The perfect addition to you favourite outfits, from a Peter Pan collar to a boat neckline, the 'Hello Darling' necklace will flatter and adorn throughout the seasons.

The final piece is the culmination of several steps. The process began with paper and pencil. I had in mind to saw pierce the design from a sheet of silver. Rie suggested trying to crochet it. After a few attempts I arrived at a crocheted version I was happy with and decided to have it cast and made into a necklace. This persented several difficulties that required creative thinking. In order to give the silk thread strength and set the shape, I carefully painted the piece with PVA glue after meticulously pinning it out. Once dry, I sent this still delicate piece off for casting. The casting company came up with a plan with me, as to the best way to make a mold of the thread and burn it out, then fill the cavity with molten sterling silver. This raw casting arrived with the courier and it took a full day to clean it up, polish it and finish the final piece.

This has been an experimental process, and while it has drawn on my experience as a crafter and jeweller, I've never married these two skills in this manner before. Each step was exciting and nerve racking, challenging and rewarding. I was filled with nervous excitement opening the parcel from the casting company. I was thrilled that the raw casting was better than I had anticipated.

I'm taking orders for this piece now, so that they are ready in time for Mothers day. I am also working on a shop update of approximately ten handmade pearl jewellery pieces which will be released by the 1st of May.

Shop Update!

I have been happily and busily at work in the creation of these handmade beads. As a result there are several new colourful necklaces in the shop today. They make a fun addition to an outfit or a lovely gift. They also work beautifully as a feeding/teething necklace for little ones, as they are non-toxic, colourful, smooth and can handle the attention.

You can find them all here.

'Afternoon Tea' Beads

I could not wait to start stringing the beads I made. I wore mine all day yesterday and Emerson has been enthralled by them. Now if she is feeling fidgety while feeding she can play with the beads instead of pinching me. A definite win!

Thanks for your lovely comments about them too. I have put some in the shop if anyone is interested in a set for themselves or as a gift. I can also custom make them for you with your chosen colours and shapes.

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Ornament swappers! I emailed the last of the partner details last night. So if you haven't received an email from me and you think you should have, please email me and let me know.

Don't forget to keep your partner's details a secret until you send them your ornament, then you can reveal your identity (name, blog, email, whatever suits you) in a card or note with your decoration. I would love it if you sent me a photo of your finished ornament/s too, so I can make a mosaic of everyone's handiwork.

I have created a flickr account, so you can add images of your works in progress, inspiration mosaics and your finished pieces. It's here.

Quiltova has created a mosaic of decorations she likes to make the guess work easier for her partner.

Christmas crafting

My heart is set on as many of our Christmas gifts as possible being hand made, so the Christmas crafting has begun. Inspired by Pip's gorgeous necklaces, I spent a couple of hours rolling, making and baking beads yesterday afternoon, for some special people in my life. A rather satisfying way to spend an afternoon. I do think they are looking a bit cute. I can't wait to get some pretty string to thread them on and play with the combinations of colours and shapes. 

There may even be enough beads for a necklace for me...

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PS. November is looking like a creative month indeed, with the inspirational Kootoyoo initiating a month of my creative space. I will be playing along via Instagram. More details here.

Loved

There was a parcel in my letter box yesterday. The fist part of my 1000 Homes of Happiness giveaway win. Inside, wrapped beautifully, was a lovely crochet necklace made by the talented Mel at Loved Handmade. There were also little extra gifts, for Emerson and Cohen. Isn't Mel a bit naughty? Given that the little miss Emerson already has some beautiful bunting in her room, (and as she spends most nights in our bed) I've stolen borrowed this sweet vintage fabric bunting. It's like a big smile above our bed. Cohen loves his gift, which features a plane on one side and a helicopter on the other. He is such a boy that one. Planes, trucks, dinosaurs. He loves them all. And his favourite colour is blue. It's hanging on his bedroom door now and he keeps admiring it.

Feeling loved indeed.

Thanks so much Mel and Kellie!