Dichroic Glass Jewelry

Take a look at this incredible patina/ finish on this copper pendant.  It has been hammered for texture.  It has been annealed for  strength and annealed again and then quenched in cold water to get this russet-red patina.  Finally, it has been polished with rouge to get this shine. 

 This pendant has 2 layers.  The bottom layer has been kiln-fired with blue-green enamel, which is complimented by the red patina of the top layer.  The 2 layers have been cold-connected by rivets in all 4 corners.  The clasp has been wrapped with sterling wire, which has been hammered for texture.  The final step here is attaching the handforged, hammered, sterling wire neckband.  This piece is truly multi- dimensional.  Check out my other creations at my website www.dichroicglassbygail.com.

Fused glass art is so beautiful to have around the house.  I love the way it feels.  It makes the ambience in the room just open up, filling it with amazing light and artistic quality.  I am in love with the piece that I got for my living room. 
 
 My husband like it as well, and we are thinking of putting up another piece in the dining room when we find the right one.

When I was a kid, I used to have play jewelry that made me so happy.  I was trying to imitate my mother’s jewelry tastes and it made me feel like an adult.  What’s funny is that I still have a lot of that stuff and I actually think that my tastes haven’t shifted since then. 

You can say that I was a pretty stylish kid.  The glass jewelry that I wore then has appreciated in value to me, and my friends always ask me where I got it from.  I tell them that it all comes from a memory chest that I have since added to.

Here’s an interesting concept.  I had this piece of fused glass that was “pretty cool”, in my opinion, but it had not sold.  I loved looking at it and was surprised that no one had purchased it.  so, I decided to transform it into a piece of wall art.  I added a piece of 12″ x 12″ brushed aluminum sheet to my “cool cat”and voila—here you have a great piece of wall art, ready to hang on your wall.

Check out my work at http://www.dichroicglassbygail.com

Swarovski crystals are just beautiful and have amazing sparkle.  They will truly dazzle.  These Austrian faceted crystals are the finest crystals made.  They come in just about every color imaginable and the shapes include bicone, round, square,teardrop, saucer briolette, polygon,cosmic, pendant, heart-shaped, flower-shaped, and on and on.  The aurora borealis coated crystals have an added glow that makes them look “on fire.” 

I use these Swarovski crystals to make bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.  A picture does not do them justice.  You really have to see them to fully appreciate their beauty.  Check them out on my website www.dichroicglassbygail.com.   

This necklace is made with semi-precious gemstones, including 14mm aventurine, 12mm red jasper and poppy jasper, and sterling bali beads and sterling clasp.  Included with it are aventurine earrings with sterling earwires that match the stones in the necklace.  This makes a stunning set that will up your “wow” factor.     Check out my website www.dichroicglassbygail.com for many other terrific examples of must-have jewelry and fused glass. 

I have recently added a new category of fused glass wall art to my glass inventory.  This is fused glass art that has been mounted to  a brushed aluminum panel.  This particular piece of fused glass is entitled “Still Life, Vase with Flowers.”  This fused glass piece is 8″ x 12″ and then is mounted to a 12″ x 18″ aluminum panel.  

Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones (if you don’t believe me, check out a well used pearl necklace), so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.

Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you’ve applied your makeup and perfume.

Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).

Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.

Don’t put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.

Glass earrings are all the rage these days.  You don’t have to be high prices for great pieces of jewelry. You can find some lovely earrings online for a low cost.  While trends do come and go, with good care, glass jewelries can last a lifetime; and like gold or silver, glass pieces will be an investment in beautiful accessories.

Has anyone seen my glasses???  Here’s a unique gift idea for anyone who wears glasses (and who doesn’t?), whether for reading or driving or just regular old sunglasses.  This fused glass eyeglass dish is the perfect place to always put those glasses when not using them.  It’s great on the bedside table or for the bath and you will always be able to find them.  It makes a great gift–unusual and so affordable.  Check out my website for the entire collection of fused glass home decor items.