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Q-Elite Style News November 2010
Every piece of jewelry has a story. It may be an heirloom, gift, vintage find, or a $2 bracelet purchased on the beach. The story is as important as the jewelry itself because the story relates the emotions behind the piece and its heart-value. The ring on my left index finger was my mother’s anniversary ring. It is amazingly modern for its age. A jeweler once told me that the pavé diamonds were out of style, and she could restyle the ring for me. She was already melting old chains and ring bands to create a custom cuff for me, a piece that has its own story, too. It was easy to choose the nondescript chains to melt down; altering the ring would have removed all of its character and a lifetime of memories. I wrote this introduction before the announcement of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which was celebrated with the ring that had been Princess Diana’s. Prince William was quoted as saying that this was a way for his mother to be present. Every piece of jewelry has a story and an emotion whether you are royalty or just plain folk.
Not Your Grandmother’s Necklace I learned to crochet from my mother, who learned from my paternal grandmother. As I applied that skill to yarn over the years, I never imagined that I would be crocheting with wire. Wire is such a fascinating material, especially when worked into interlocking loops to create a choker or bracelet. Their web-like nature has texture and depth unlike other forms. The texture is further enhanced with the addition of dichroic glass, gemstones, and beads, like a tapestry created with beads instead of threads. Several of those creations are in the Gallery at www.qbydezine. Lately I’ve been crocheting the gemstones directly into the wire. The texture is gorgeous and different from the tapestry pieces. And the effect is multiplied when several strands are intertwined as in “Loving the Green”. The greens of the amazonite, Australian jade, serpentine, and kiwi agate play off each other and the crocheted sterling silver. See “Loving the Green” and other crocheted creations in Gemstone & Wire Jewelry in the Gallery. New pieces are added every week. Shop the Gallery at www.qbydezine for your signature piece and for holiday gifts for everyone on your list.
Quote of the Month: “Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume.” Jean de Boufflers
SERPENTINE –A GEMSTONE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE This lovely gemstone is usually a shade of green, and therefore often misleadingly called "jade" or "new jade". However, serpentine is softer and less dense than most real jade. It is waxy, with a greasy to silky luster. The color is sometimes spotty, but more frequently is a very pale green. It is not clear how this gemstone was named "serpentine". It is possible that the mottled colors and patterns on some types resemble snakeskin; or it was named because it was thought to protect the wearer from snake bites. The history of serpentine as a gemstone intertwines with that of jade, since the two were so often mistaken for each other. In gemstone mythology, serpentine is thought to restore self-confidence, dispel fear and enhance meditation. This lovely gemstone is found in the British Isles, China, South Africa and the U.S.A., and it is sometimes identified as Afghan jade, green jade, new jade, lemon jade, and olive jade. The beautiful, very pale green beads in the necklace, Loving the Green, are serpentine.
FORWARD a COPY to your friends and family so they can enjoy the benefits of Q-Elite.
NEW GLASS ALERT Visit the Gallery in www.qbydezine.com to see the newest functional glass art and pendants. Last month the Delightful Vases were introduced, and since then several have been added. The Winter Sky was inspired by my memories of snowy evenings when the dark purple sky is a backdrop for snow and stars. Autumn Daze with its green, russet and black, is an ode to the transition from summer to fall. New pendants featuring fine silver bails will be added shortly. Sterling silver does not survive in the kiln, but fine silver does, so it is the feature player in several designs. The silver designs are fused beneath a clear layer of glass, and in a very unique design, the silver is on top of the glass to provide a different texture. It’s all very lovely, very exciting, and very wearable!
For the STORY BEHIND THE DESIGNS and other musings, visit the Q-Blog at http://www.qbydezine.com/
ENJOY!
Q
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Q-Elite Style News October 2010
Too busy to stop . . . My kiln has been working overtime. When I have an inspiration and think through the engineering part of the design, I can’t wait to get started. Sometimes other work, tasks, or just life itself gets in the way. So, once I can initiate the project, I get into what I call “production mode” and keep a rigorous schedule to complete the projects on my list. I get an incredible feeling of joy and satisfaction when I hold the finished piece. Last month I introduced the Autumn Leaves plates that I hand painted with glass enamels. This month, Q-Elite features dichroic glass rings and my new line of Delightful Vases.
Dichroic Baubles Expressive hands? Express yourself with my latest creations—dichroic glass rings. The chunky modern design features three layers of glass. Dichroic glass, invented by NASA as a coating for space capsules, reflects light and color, adding sparkle to your every gesture. The dichroic glass art is mounted on an adjustable wide silver plated band that has the look of a band far more expensive. The band circles entire around your finger and is open underneath the dichroic glass art, making it more comfortable and hiding the fact that it is adjustable. These beautiful art rings are the perfect accessory for upcoming holiday parties and events, or just to give your spirits a lift on a cold cloudy day. Since they are adjustable, they make great gifts for your BFF, daughter, mother, or any other fashion-forward lady on your gift list. See the Dichroic Glass Art Rings in “Glass Jewelry” in the Gallery at www.qbydezine .
Quote of the Month: “The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished.” Benjamin Franklin
GlassmakingGlass is a magical substance that is created both by nature and by man. One of my favorite gemstones, obsidian, is volcanic glass, and pumice is a type of glass so airy that it floats. The invention of man-made glass was thought to have occurred in Mesopotamia (the region that is now Iran and Iraq) during the 3rd millennium BC. Silica, or silicon dioxide, is melted at a very high temperature to form glass. Other ingredients may be added like lead for brilliance or fluorides to make it opaque. Early glass was formed into beads, inlays in burial objects, and core vessels. Glass fusing and slumping was the earliest method of creating objects from glass. By 200 A.D. the Romans were producing glass objects, and developed rods and canes that produce intricate patterns that are called milifiori, which is the basis for much of the Murano glass. In the earliest days of glass, only the very wealthy could afford fused glass objects. Around 50 B.C. glass blowing was invented, and this discovery opened the door to easier and faster production; as glass blowing became the method of choice, glass fusing tapered off and remained a minor technique until glass studio artists in the 1950’s embraced and re-invented glass fusing. Today, glass artists may specialize in one technique or utilize fusing and slumping, glassblowing, and flame working to create art. If you have the opportunity to visit the Corning Museum of Glass, you will see the most exquisite glass creations that embody the most incredible technical and artistic beauty that defines the magic of glass.
Elegance in a Small PackageIn September I finally had a chance to use the drop ring mold that I had bought last spring. After I made my first Delightful Vase, my brain exploded with ideas. Creating the vase presents a challenge of how to fuse designs for both the inside and outside of the vase. At 2 ½ inches tall and 4 inches wide at the rim, the Delightful Vase makes a much larger impact than its measurements suggest. I measured them several times because they look a lot larger. My favorites are created with glass frit between layers of transparent glass. The frit fuses as dots that stretch during the slumping to provide an appearance that looks like a watercolor painting. For other designs, the wide rim is my canvas. The Delightful Vase is the perfect vessel for a small bunch of flowers, bath oil beads, candies, nuts, or displayed for its joyful beauty. All of the vases are food safe. Available in a range of colors, the vase adds a shot of color to a neutral homescape. The Delightful Vases can be created in custom colors to fit your design needs. You can find Delightful Vases in “Jewelry for Your Home” in the Gallery at www.qbydezine .
ENJOY!Q
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Q-Elite Style News September 2010
It’s hard to let go . . . . . . . The change of seasons from summer to autumn is the only one about which I am ambivalent. I cling to any vestige of summer, wearing my shell jewelry with impunity well into October. (I do this year round anyway!) And yet I love the crisp autumn air. The golden tones in the leaves inspire me to create with reds, oranges, and yellows. If you are a fan of the glowing tones of fall, see the crocheted beauties, Autumn Sparkle and Ancient Wisdom or the lovely hand painted Autumn Leaves plates.
Fall into Autumn I’ve always loved to wear chokers even though the recommendations for necklaces for my face shape and neck length warn against this style. They make me feel wild and dangerous, the very antithesis of my real life. Last Summer and Autumn Sparkle are two new chokers inspired by the transition from summer into fall. The blues and greens of summer are echoed with grossularite (green garnet) blue sodalite, and creamy tones of Botswana agate in Last Summer, a choker crocheted in non-tarnish silver artwire. Autumn Sparkle features the golden tones of tiger’s eye and picture jasper with a sparkle of Czech glass in amber tones on a crocheted choker of non-tarnish gold artwire. Also new for autumn is Ancient Wisdom, a crocheted bracelet with a lush tapestry of tiger’s eye, picture jasper, and sparkling Czech glass. Enjoy this new season! Shop the Gallery at www.qbydezine for your signature choker in Gemstone and Wire Jewelry.
Quote of the Month: “Believe in yourself, your neighbors, your work, your ultimate attainment of more complete happiness. It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in Autumn.” - B. C. Forbes
Technical Information – Sodalite
Sodalite is a blue stone with creamy white veins from the white calcite. This lovely blue stone is also known as Canadian Blue Stone and Canadian Lapis, even though it is also found in Namibia, Brazil, Italy, and other countries. It is composed of sodium aluminum chlorine silicate and is almost identical with that of lapis lazuli, except that lapis contains sulfur instead of chlorine. The name sodalite is probably derived from its sodium content, although some say it is derived from the Latin solidus ("solid") since it was a solid used in glass making. Sodalite should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic machine, and steaming is risky. This stone can be cleaned in warm, soapy water, and rough handling should be avoided. In ancient cultures, sodalite was often used as a replacement for lapis lazuli and was discovered in ancient tombs and ruins in various ornamental forms. In gemstone mythology, sodalite was thought to dispel fears and to promote a clear, insightful mind. Since it is thought to have subtle, soothing energies and help you to see the wisdom of adopting a simpler, less hectic lifestyle, sodalite should be in every modern woman’s jewelry collection.
Autumn Leaves We have the dubious blessing of living on a wooded lot. The summer provides a lush screen of privacy. The autumn season provides fireworks of color. I chose a few examples of maple leaves and sat down with my enamel paints to create the autumn leaves plate and bowl, taking my inspiration for the design from leaves layered on the ground. The plate and bowl are food-safe, so they can be used to hold nuts, snacks, candies, or other foods. The autumn leaf colors will add a sparkle of warmth to your table. See Autumn Leaves and other functional glass art in the Gallery at www.qbydezine.com ENJOY! Q
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Q-Elite Style News August 2010
Q by DezineJewelry for You and Your HomeSusan Burkart, Artisan/Owner
Shopping Therapy I purchase most of my jewelry and glass supplies via the internet because the closest full service wholesale suppliers for glass and jewelry components are a considerable distance from my house. However, one of the jewelry suppliers conducts a road tour and stops nearby two or three times a year. In June a jeweler friend and I, armed with our re-sale certificates and a handful of hard-earned money, went to the show. Imagine a ballroom filled with racks of beads—gemstones, crystals, pearls, silver, copper, glass. My first impulse was to run to the closest rack and gather up the gemstones in handfuls and let them drop through my fingers. As I flitted from table to table, caressing amethysts, obsidians, and pearls, designs flashed in my mind. One of my newest creations, Mermaid Queen (in Gemstone and Wire Jewelry in the Gallery) was inspired by the lavender Swarovski pearls that I purchased. I left with a pirate’s booty of freshwater pearls, lovely lavender kunzite, sterling beads, amethyst, and sparkling Swarovski® crystals. Shopping therapy---gotta love it!
Dog Days Jewelry Yes, I would be delighted to create jewelry for your dog, but this is about how you can accessorize during the steamy, sultry “dog days” of summer. You know those days—you pull your hair up off your neck, put on your lightest clothing, and forego makeup because your face is already glowing with sweat. The right accessories can give your outfit and your spirits a lift. Earrings like “Picture This”, a simple gold swirl with a picture jasper bead, and “Concentration”, which combines turquoise, freshwater pearls, and rainbow fluorite, are just the right length to provide interest and motion. Glass earrings on posts like “Pink Dreams” and “Red Light” will draw attention without tickling your neck. Gemstones, glass, and crystals always feel cool against your skin. And never underestimate the power of a bracelet as a key accessory. “Ice Castles I and II” are similar but not identical bracelets that can be worn alone or as a pair. They feature simple and cool crystal quartz square beads intermixed with faceted fire-polished Czech glass. They remind me of ice cubes, which is certainly a cooling thought when the temperatures are well above 80 degrees. Browse the Gallery at www.qbydezine to find the perfect accessory for the dog days of summer.
Quote of the Month: “Humor is mankind's greatest blessing.” Mark Twain.
The Best Necklace for Your Face Shape
We may be attracted to a necklace because of its color or the materials, because it is elegant, glitzy, or funky, or because it is the latest trend. The next time you look at necklaces, consider how the shape, type, and length can flatter your face shape. Here are a few tips for flattering your face with a necklace. If your face is round, try a longer, looping necklace or one with large focal components to create a “V” and draw the eyes down; this helps to lengthen the look of the face. Chokers, collars, and princess necklaces tend to shorten the neck and will add width to the throat. If you have an oval face, you can wear almost any shape or style of necklace, as long as it is in proportion to the individual, whether petite or plus-size. Soft curving shapes such as pearls will accent the soft curves of an oval face. Oblong or rectangular faces are flattered best by chokers (16-18 inches), collars (9-17 inches) and princess (17-19 inches) necklaces because they break up the vertical lines. Large beads at the base of the neck and circular neckwires help to shorten the look of an oblong/rectangular face. If your face is heart-shaped it will be flattered by short necklaces with curves to diminish the point of the chin and reduce the appearance of length in the jaw line. Heart-shaped faces are flattered by chokers, collars, and princess length necklaces. Also ideal are triple-strand chokers or large beads at the base of the throat to balance the face, or a bold pendant on a short chain to create a visual stop directly under the chin. As you might predict, square faces are enhanced by necklaces with length and curves that will soften the strong jaw line. If your face is square, the princess, matinee (20-25 inches), opera (26-36 inches)and rope (37 inches or longer) lengths are ideal, and necklaces with a large focal component form a "U," shape which gives the appearance of a longer face. The triangle-shaped face need curves to soften the strong jaw line and make the face appear more oval. Pearls or designs with a rounded shape tend to be very flattering for this face shape. If you only wear one type of necklace, or you are in a style rut, the next time you are shopping, try on styles that are recommended for your face type and see the difference it can make.
Ocean Lady
I love the city, country, mountains, and but at heart I am an Ocean Lady, most inspired and content in and around the ocean. I have shell collections from many beaches that will someday be incorporated into jewelry. This spring I returned from our vacation in Bonaire with marvelous inspiration from my scuba diving adventures and sea glass that I collected on the beach. I’ve been experimenting with the sea glass--fusing, engraving, wire-wrapping; new exciting pieces will be added to my website this month. I have also been experimenting with enamels and decals. See the photo below of one of the newest pendants featuring 22k gold ocean life. For Ocean Life pendants, shop the Gallery at www.qbydezine .
ENJOY!
Q
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Q-Elite Style News July 2010
Q by DezineJewelry for You and Your Home
Susan Burkart, Artisan/Owner
Training the Brain CellsI love to learn new things, and I try to add at least one new skill to my personal and professional repertoire every year. Last year I learned how to ride a motorcycle. I often think that I don’t have time, but somehow I make the time. I have a prioritized list of skills and activities that I want to try but sometimes an opportunity arises for an activity to jump ahead of the others. Last week I attended a glassblowing class that had just enough hands on work to whet my appetite for more. Last month I added enameling on glass to my skill set, and you can see the fruits of my labors below and at www.qbydezine. For many skills I am self taught, drawing on expertise from books, DVDs, and friends. It’s a journey that starts with a few baby steps and a big leap!
Monet in the Background –- New Enameled PendantsWhen the enamels arrived, I picked up each jar and studied the name and color. Some sounded tasty like “merlot”, and others were funny like “rubber ducky”. I couldn’t resist measuring out a pinch and adding a drop of paint medium to see what they looked like and get the feel of painting on a strip of glass. They were like watercolors, dilute and streaky. I experimented with blending colors that were further blended during firing, creating a tiny impressionist painting. I pushed the limits by trying yet another new technique-- adding 22k gold dragonfly decals to the enameled glass and a firing again. And when they were done, gilded dragonflies appear to sweep across field and sky. Be sure to check the Glass Jewelry and Jewelry for You Home in the Gallery at www.qbydezine to shop for my latest hand painted pendants and winestoppers featuring dragonflies and ocean creatures.Quote of the Month: “Action is the foundational key to all success.” Pablo Picasso
Shape Matters
Some women are very parochial in their choice of earrings. “Oh, I only wear tiny gold hoops.” or “I’ve always worn button earrings.” When you buy a pair of earrings, do you consider how they flatter your face? While it is fun to wear trendy jewelry, a piece of jewelry will be worn more often if it complements the shape and size of the face. When selecting jewelry, keep in mind that the correct neckline and jewelry can balance a face and emphasize its best features. Which earring style is the most flattering for your face? If you have an oval or diamond shaped face, you can wear any shape or style of earrings as long as the design is in proportion to your face. For real drama, choose triangle shaped earrings. If your face shape is round, square, oblong/rectangle, or heart shaped, remember that opposites attract. For example, dangle and narrow chandelier earrings will lengthen a round or square face, as will any earring style with strong vertical lines. If your face is heart-shaped or an inverted triangle, the best shape is a fan or triangle where the widest part is along the jaw line to give balance. The lucky ladies with the oblong/rectangular shaped face can wear large bold styles like large curved or crescent button styles and wide chandeliers to add width. The Q-Elite August issue will review the best necklace designs and lengths to flatter your face. FORWARD a COPY to your friends and family so they can enjoy the benefits of Q-Elite. For the STORY BEHIND THE DESIGNS and other musings, visit the Q-Blog at http://www.qbydezine.com/ ENJOY! Q
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Q-Elite Style News June 2010
Happy June!I kicked off my summer with a vacation in Bonaire in May. It was the first vacation we have taken in at least seven years—too long to go without a break from the normal routine, although my life is anything but “normal” or “routine”. Tropical environs inspire me. I spent time scuba diving amongst elk horn coral, parrotfish, and Christmas tree worms. Above ground, the flowers, birds, and lizards seemed painted with every bright color in Nature’s paint box. I returned with ideas for new designs in glass and jewelry, and toting a bagful of sea glass and coral that I collected on the beach. Maybe they will be a part of new designs or simply remain as wonderful souvenirs. Whether I use them or not, I returned refreshed and eager to be back in my studio.
Gifts – One Size Doesn’t Fit AllOne size fits all doesn’t work with pantyhose and certainly not for gifts for loved ones. June is a big month for celebrations—graduations, weddings, anniversaries, Father’s Day, and for some of us lucky Geminis’, our birthday. An original handcrafted gift is thoughtful and sets you apart from the crowd. What Dad wouldn’t be delighted to receive the Millionaire’s green money clip or fused glass bottle stopper? The bride and groom would love a pair of Cabernet & Silk iridescent glass plates from the Desserts @ Midnight collection to set the table for a dessert or wine and cheese rendezvous. A necklace or pendant is the perfect gift to celebrate a graduation. Q by Dezine is now offering gift certificates so your loved one can choose from the variety of jewelry and glass art or order a design custom made for them. What could be more special than that?
Shop the Gallery at www.qbydezine for all of your gift needs.
Gift Certificates are now available at Q by Dezine through PayPal. Click on the Gift Certificate icon in the upper right hand corner of the Q by Dezine home page and follow the instructions.
Quote of the Month: “Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love.” Leo Buscaglia
Birthstones by Zodiac Sign – if you don’t like the birthstone you’ve been assigned in the traditional birthstone list, a birthstone based on your zodiac sign might suit you better: Aquarius (1/21-2/19) - turquoise, hawk's eyePisces (2/20-3/20) - amethyst, amethyst quartz Aries (3/21-4/20) - red jasper, carnelianTaurus (4/21-5/20) - carnelian, rose quartzGemini (5/21-6/21) - citrine, tiger's-eyeCancer (6/22-7/22) - chrysoprase, aventurineLeo (7/23-8/23) - rock crystal, gold quartzVirgo (8/24-9/23) - citrine, yellow agateLibra (9/24-10/23) - orange citrine, smoky quartzScorpio (10/24-11/22) - deep red carnelianSagittarius (11/23-12/21) - sapphire, chalcedonyCapricorn (12/22-1/20) - onyx, quartz cat's eye
LAUNCHING NEW DESIGNS ON JUNE 16TH I am so excited to announce that June 16th I will be launching designs that incorporate a new technique and materials. This new line of jewelry and functional glass art will incorporate fused decals, some of whic