Pearl Re-stringing before and afters

Since it's the start of a new year and people are thinking about renewing, refreshing and updating, I thought I'd post just a few before and after photos of jewelry that I restored or re-strung this past year. I offer professional pearl re-stringing services and also repair some other types of beaded jewelry.

BEFORE                 AFTER

For more information about my jewelry repair or re-stringing service, take a look at my website.

Sue

Autumn Inspiration

All these items and more are available on-line at suerunyondesigns.com or in my Etsy Shop.

Sue

Polished

It's fun to play with new toys.  I got this rock tumbler for my son for Christmas. We finally broke it out today and used it to polish a batch of gemstone and spiraled metal wire post earrings that I made.

This is the metal shot that you fill the tumbler with. It does the work of polishing. It has different shapes to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Look how they gleam!

Sue Runyon Designs is featured in Copper in the Arts!

I am happy to announce that I am one of the artists being featured in this month's on-line newsletter for Copper in the Arts.

Copper and amazonite spiral stud earrings

Don't forget to sign up for Newsletters!

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In my newsletter I share information about new items, sales, drawings, jewelry trends, jewelry tips and more. My readers tell me they look forward to receiving it.  You can scroll down and click on any of my past newsletters here.

cinnabar and amazonite bracelet

Thanks,

Sue

NEW item

Not everything in my shop is handmade.  Sometimes I just run across nice items from my suppliers that I know my customers would like. That is why you'll find magnetic converter clasps, chains for pendants, donut bails and prayer boxes on my websites. Now I'd like to show you my newest convenience item:  jewelry polishing cloths.

Since I sell a lot of pearl jewelry, I needed a special cloth that would allow me to polish up the ear wires, clasps, chains and other tarnished components without damaging the delicate pearls. These are not impregnated with abrasive jewelers' "rouge." They are a soft, lint-free cloth with a a bit of a texture. They'll easily take off light tarnish from silver and fingerprints from gemstones.

The great thing about these is that you can wash and re-use. I'm selling them in sets of two so you can have one in your jewelry box and one in your travel kit--or give one to a friend.

$6.50 for two polishing cloths

Find these on-line in my Etsy shop or at Sue Runyon Designs.

Now accepting wholesale inquiries

Sue Runyon Designs is now accepting wholesale inquiries. For more information visit the wholesale page on my website.

Thanks,
Sue

One of my Favorites

multi-gemstone necklace with brass spacer beads

Black Friday / Cyber Monday SALE!

Yes, it's true. I am having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale with savings of 10-15% Starting Thanksgiving Day and running through Monday night. This INCLUDES items that are already on sale!


Receive 10% off of ANY purchase by using the Code: THANKS10 at checkout.

-- On my website type the code into the Promotional Code box at checkout and you'll automatically receive the discount. If you are using this opportunity to redeem a gift certificate, please contact me--my shopping cart will only take one code at a time, but I'll be happy to refund the difference. --

-- If you are shopping at my Etsy store, type the code in the "Message to Seller" box at checkout and I will refund the 10% to you via Paypal (Etsy does not accept discount codes). --

And how do you get 15% off?

Order $40 or more and use the code: THANKS15

-- follow the same directions as above --


And remember I always send a small FREE GIFT with any purchase over $50.

Any purchase over $100 always receives a free upgrade to Priority Shipping (choose the First Class Mail shipping and I will automatically upgrade you--this will not be reflected in the receipt at checkout).


You will find items in both my ON-LINE STORE and in my ETSY STORE. If you would like items from both stores, I can move items from one store to the other and reserve them for your convenience. Contact Me.

New Designs in Copper

The price of gold has hit an all time high this week and silver isn't far behind. Thankfully, copper is a great, affordable alternative. The manufacturers of jewelry components are realizing that designers need more options in copper and brass and are coming out with more gauges of wire, sizes of beads, charms and other findings for us to use.

I'm designing a new line of copper jewelry. Most pieces haven't been photographed yet, but I took a couple of quick snapshots of a few pieces to show you the coming attractions. There are many more.


Because copper wire is fairly inexpensive, I am able to play with and "waste" pieces trying new designs. I think you'll find my new copper designs to be more playful and casual. I've been using copper wire to hand-craft my own jump rings and to try new creative designs in ear wires and teardrop shaped hoops.

Copper is a beautiful metal that looks good on everyone. It has cool rosy undertones and a warm glow that will really spice up your autumn wardrobe and take you right into the winter holidays with its brightness.

And, yes, if you wear a piece for a long time it will oxidize and turn your skin where it touches harmlessly green, but that will wash right off. Copper develops a beautiful patina over time. Copper has been worn for many centuries because of its reputed healing properties especially in the case of arthritis and joint pain. Current studies do show that it has some small effect as an antioxidant, but wear it for it's beauty.

What is the fashionable dress form wearing this autumn?

Well, not much as it turns out . . .

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a new dress form, which I named Esme, to use for modeling necklaces in order to show scale more accurately. I had a poll on my blog for people to vote on how she should be dressed and what type of backdrop to use.

Most people voted for a plainish, dark backdrop and for Esme to remain unclothed for the most part. Yes, shocking, I know, but people felt clothing or draping her was too distracting. Thanks so much to all who voted. I really appreciate it!

Here are my first post-poll photos. I need more lights and a better camera I think. I'm still getting used to photographing Esme, but she's very patient.

Poppies cloisonne triple strand necklace set

This shows my set-up. I had this tonal, brown, colorwash, leaf-print fabric that seems to work well with other backdrops I use. I covered a sheet of foam core with it and hung it as a backdrop.

Multi gemstone and brass necklace

Dragon and phoenix necklace set

I needed some contrast behind the pendant on this necklace so I pinned on this brocade, but the color is too close to the color of the backdrop. I'll use something else next time.

Autumn black agate triple strand necklace set

This one seems too plain. I think I'll have to re-take it with some clothing. Unfortunately, I'm a size 6/8 and Esme is a size 8/10. Most of my clothes don't fit her very well. But, since the average dress size for women in the U.S. is 14 I thought I shouldn't get a dress form that was too skinny.

I'd love to hear your input. Leave me a comment!

Thanks, Sue

Jewelry Photos: Before & After

When I started making jewelry, friends and family wanted to see it. So I took some photos with my cheap little point and shoot camera. It didn't take me long to realize that there is a real art to photographing small shiny objects close up. One of these days I may know enough about it to write a tutorial, but for now I thought I'd show how I've improved over the last two years and share a few things I've learned. NOTE: I'm still using the exact same camera. Thanks to Gary for the photography tips!

BEFORE

This is actually a lovely set with a carved carnelian dragon pendant and green lace agate and carnelian beads. It's very hard to tell from this photo! I heard that natural light was best so I took this on my balcony when we lived in South Korea and yet it's still dark and fuzzy, the angle doesn't let you appreciate the piece and the composition is static.

AFTER

This is a new set that uses the same type of carnelian dragon bead in the pendant. I've learned to adjust the camera for better light and crispness, to photograph from a low angle, get really close-up and then crop the shot afterwards, to use an intriguing background and props to style the shots, and that I don't need to show the entire set in the first product shot on my website.

BEFORE

Believe it or not, this was a beautiful set using a black lip shell pendant that had Japanese wildflowers decoupaged on it's surface and garnet beads with black pearls. This was my attempt at a detail photo.

AFTER

My new attempt at a detail photo of a different set with a beautiful red jasper pendant--much better results!

BEFORE

This was a beautiful set. It even looks pretty good in this dreary photo. I wish I had gotten a better shot of it.

AFTER

This shot has none of the darkness and cast shadows of the previous shot, you can see every detail so that it looks like you can reach right out an touch it--a necessity when selling on-line where people cannot touch or try things on. Styling the shot outdoors in a natural setting with a touch of greenery makes it more appealing.

I'm searching for a new camera and hope my shots continue to improve.