gemma{factrix}

Naut-y

I took a look at some of the recent pieces I've made, and many have a decidedly nautical theme. Funny how you don't notice these things until you see them all together. These, of course, are the most obviously sailorly:




They're made from vintage lucite knot beads and sterling hoops that I made. I was very much into oxidized patinas for awhile, and I still love that look (as evidenced by the bangles I'll be photographing and posting tomorrow), but bright sterling has been calling my name lately. I especially love it with this twisted wire.

This ring is more subtly oceanic in theme - the twisted sterling ring reminds me of rope, and the brass takes the naut-y-ness (hehe) up a notch:



Today I finished up the Cobalt necklace, which is long and slinky and sexy. More than three feet long, in fact, and I picture it worn over a simple tank and jeans, or a beach coverup - slipped over the head, casual, perfect with beach hair and a tan. Look for the pieces here, on Gemmashop(I put all permanent collection pieces there), or here, where my one-offs are housed. Hope you like 'em!

Love,
B

Major Shop Update!

I've been busy! Tons of new pieces in the shop this week. Hope you like them!







There are more on the way to the shop as I type. I especially love some of the pieces I created today - most had a subtly nautical theme - twisted wire, bright polished surfaces. I'll make a dedicated post for that collection later, and will show you my new Mother's Day earrings. First pair of the season.

Happy Monday (mine will be spent making sure I've got everything I need in order to vote on Tuesday. Can't wait!)!

B

Cyanotype Pinbacks Are Here!

My cyanotype pinbacks are here! As promised, I'm offering them exclusively via this blog, to you, my wonderful readers. You can peruse them by looking on the right hand side of the page - see 'em? You can purchase them right here - from this page! Hurrah for Paypal.

These particular cyanotypes were made using spaghetti - makes a nice modern silhouette, don't you think? I hope you like them! I've only got 6 available - cyanotypes are one of a kind things, and buttons made from cyanotypes? Even more so. Don't worry - I've got more fun pinback buttons and other limited edition items that I'll be offering here on the blog only, just for you.

Love,
Brooke

Squared

I made this ring for myself last week and have decided to make it a staple in my Etsy shop. Hope you like it!

Love, Brooke

Cyanotypes!

I love cyanotypes. I made this one with specially treated photo paper. The fern leaves create a lovely silhouette, don't you think? I love the blue tones. Each one of these is different, something inherent in the cyanotype process. You can't do this digitally, folks. ;) I made several with ferns, some with spaghetti noodles (dry, of course, silly). The noodles made great straight lines across the paper. Very modern. Those cyanotypes I'm turning into pinback buttons. I plan to make these available in the shop in the coming week. Be sure to check here, as I'll be certain to update you when I'm listing them, as there are only a few of the fern cyanotypes available. Sun is required to create these photographs, and we don't see much of that here in Ohio in February.

P.S. New poll up on the site tomorrow! Promise.

Love,
B

Ants in My Pants!

Soooo...I promised you the Bridal Collection on Monday, yeah? Well, I couldn't wait. I finished a few of the key pieces this weekend and they're up in my Etsy shop! I'm planning to offer them on Etsy, and, especially for retailers who'd like multiples of each, on my personal website. The website *will* be updated with the GEMMAbridal collection on Monday.

Not quite..

Well, I intended to be allll better today, but it looks like I was a bit overambitious, there. I did, however, put on pants with an actual waistband, and a shirt on right side out, which is more than I can say for the past several days. I should be back in the studio tomorrow, though my Friday shop update will have to be delayed until Monday. I'll have three new pieces going up, all in my brand-spanking-new bridal collection. Sneak peek:

The forthcoming Round We Go Earrings, in progress:

Dotted Hoops in a larger size than my previous ones, tumble finished to perfection:

Look for them on Monday!

B

Happy Tuesday; or, the Creeping Death

Sometime yesterday evening I contracted a wicked bug that left me entirely immobile until..well, now. I'm full of Vick's 44, some OJ, and vitamins. Hopefully I'll get back into the studio tomorrow. I only have a few days left until the big move, and orders to fill before that's done. Usually, if I'm ill, I can still make it in, but the little hobbling around I did today was truly that - slow and feeble, with much holding onto the backs of chairs and doorways. I'll leave you with a photo though. This piece is part of my bridal line which be be unveiled at the end of the month:

Here's hoping I wake tomorrow free of this ick!

Brooke

Chained.

With the launch of my new website, I've been slowly turning my etsy shop into a home for tutorials (forthcoming! of course I'll let you know when they're in the shop), handmade supplies, and the like. I added some new chain today, hand patinated, layer by layer, resulting in a gorgeous verdigris finish. Hope you like it.



Love, Brooke

A Little Bird Told Me...

...that it's arrived in the shop. The Brownbird Earrings are here:

So are the Heartline Bangles in both their bright and oxidized finishes, as well as a new necklace that I didn't mention yesterday (yay, surprises!); the Gaze Necklace:



I love this necklace. The peach aventurine is perfectly creamy, and the chain is a bit different from your everyday cable. I made the clasp, hand and heat-forming it, then hammering it.



I feel like I got the details on this simple piece just right. Hope you enjoy it - and all the pieces.

While you're over at the shop, take a moment to take the new poll, won't you?

>

Thanks and Love,
Brooke

Site Update Tomorrow!

Lots of new stuff in the shop tomorrow {okay! okay. it's 12:42, so technically today}! As promised, two new jewelry pieces:





And! Tomorrow is Monday, which means a new poll will be ready and awaiting your vote.