New statement jewelry pieces

It's the perfect season for statement jewelry and I've added several new pieces to the Valerie Tyler Designs Signature Collection that are perfect for a special occasion or for a very special gift.  They're luxurious, completely handmade pieces that are one of a kind and unique.

 Bohemian Mandala Necklace

Circles Necklace

Circle Bar Earrings

Geometric Statement Necklace

New exotic inspired, handmade metalwork jewelry

I've recently introduced some new exotic inspired, delicate and feminine jewelry designs to Valerie Tyler Designs. Here's a sampling of some of the handmade, oxidized metalwork jewelry now available:

Oxidized Sterling Silver Marquise Earrings

Genuine Emerald Teardrop Necklace

Droplet earrings with labradorite

Links necklace with labradorite

NEW Rose Gold Jewelry from Valerie Tyler Designs

I've recently added some new rose gold jewelry to the Valerie Tyler Designs jewelry collection including earrings and necklaces, and even a personalized tag necklace.  Rose gold is one of the hottest metals in jewelry this year with soft pinkish hue and a touch of luxury.

Prices currently range from $22-$29
Clockwise from left to bottom right:

• Rose Gold Initial Bar Necklace 
• Rose Gold Wire Wrapped Hoops
• Rose Gold Earrings

Pyrite Mania!

Oh how I love Pyrite! The gemstone may also be called fool's gold but it's a very wise style choice!

http://www.valerietylerdesigns.com

New Handmade Metalwork Jewelry

Before baby was due I hit the studio and got creative stocking up with lots of new one of a kind pieces and a few new limited edition designs.  The new collection was created with lots of texture, shape and fold-forming and I'm thrilled with how the jewelry turned out.
Each piece was made by hand, using traditional metalsmithing tools and I even did all the buffing and finishing by hand too.  Prices range from $20-$150

Shop at http://www.valerietylerdesigns.com 

 (or go directly to etsy at http://www.valerietyler.etsy.com)

Shop now! Etsy shop closing soon for maternity leave

When you are self-employed you are pretty much in charge of your own schedule for the most part.  We have a baby due any day now and I've gone round and round with when I wanted to close up shop for a maternity leave. 

I think I've finally decided it's going to be next week (if not sooner). I'm not 100% positive when I'll re-open up either so if you have anything you've been eyeing you may want to get it now.   I'm not sure I'll be re-open in time for the holidays either so if anyone has items on their wish list, stocking stuffers to pick up, or gifts to buy you probably want to get them now.

A few favorites from my main line at Valerie Tyler Designs:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ValerieTyler

Disc Chain Earrings

Sterling Cuff Bracelet

Small Sterling Star Earrings

 

 

A few favorites from the Miscellanea Collection:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiscellaneabyValerie

 

Geometric, Diamond Earrings

 

Brass beaded necklace - this is perfect for the holidays!

Personalized brass bookmark - a great holiday gift or stocking stuffer!

 

Spring and Summer Jewelry - Inspired by Nature

This spring I took a few cues from the spring blooms in my garden to create a new collection of jewelry with a range of purple hues.  Iris, Vinca and Hydrangea were a few inspirations. 

 

Jewelry in the new collection include various shades of purple including lilac, lavender and plum with chalcedony, agate and flourite gemstones and garden inspired brass scroll metals. Prices range from $16-$55.

Shades of Purple available at Miscellanea by Valerie Tyler

New Handmade Jewelry from Valerie Tyler Designs - Industrial, textured, forged metalwork

New items from Valerie Tyler Designs Prices range from $18-$180 

Jewelry Giveaway - Highlighting the New Spring Collection

Since my brand new collection is launching I'm doing a special giveaway to celebrate.  This is an extra special contest this time as I'm giving away not one but TWO pieces of jewelry.  The winner will receive both a textured bar necklace and my sterling silver mini hoop earrings.
Click the rafflecopter giveaway below to find out the different ways you can enter (Some you can do daily for more chances to win!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tools of the Trade: Jewelers Saw

Sharing more tools of the trade today! Today I'm showing you what is perhaps the first tool a jeweler ever picks up and learns and probably one of the most important. Some jewelers love it, some loathe it. (I tend to love it) This is my german jewelers saw. It is adjustable and uses the teeny-tiniest little blades. It's what I use to cut my metal whether I'm just creating a basic cuff or a pendant or I am sawing out intricate details. You'll notice the well worn bench block as well as bur-life (which I use to coat the blade to keep it from catching on the metal). 

Fawn Earrings

I've frequently had people assume my silhouettes are laser cut, but in fact they are all entirely hand-cut from sheet metal.

Tools of the Trade: Texturing and Design in Jewelry

Today I'm going to continue my tools of the trade series and share something else I use to create the jewelry you see in Valerie Tyler Designs.  These are some examples of my design punches I use for texturing (also known as chasing / repousse tools) These are very similar to stamps, and in fact I often use steel stamps as well to create the textures in my work. Texturing metal is probably my favorite process I employ in my studio.  There is something gratifying about applying force and seeing metal transformed into something very different from a smooth surface.  I tend to like how a lot of the textures I use mimic natural surfaces like birch bark or small pebbles in a stream. 

Using tools like the ones above I can create pieces like these completely by hand:

Shield Necklace

Pebbles Teardrop Earrings

Sometimes similar textures are created using rolling mills but I tend to prefer the control of creating each mark by hand. 

Snowy Day and a little inspiration

It hasn't stopped snowing all day.  Back in the day when I had to drive back and forth from work this would have bothered me.  Now as I get to sip on my homemade mocha and look out my back window while I get some work done on the computer (e.g. printing orders, adjusting shipping rates for the latest postal increase) and see this it isn't so bad: 

 

See how I was inspired to make this?

Available at Valerie Tyler Designs

Personalized Heart Lockets

I've just stocked the shop with darling, personalized heart lockets.  Yours will come hand-stamped with any initial you choose, making it a perfect sentimental treat! Available in my Miscellanea Collection

Valerie Tyler Designs Jewelry Giveaway - Win a Personalized Necklace - New Blog Contest

I've finally made the leap to a blogspot blog from wordpress, and to celebrate I'm running a giveaway contest. I'm using rafflecopter (something I could never do on wordpress) so there are lots of ways for you to get entries to win including through twitter, facebook, pinterest and becoming a fan of this blog! Write your own blog post about the contest and you can even get 5 EXTRA entries! One lucky winner will win a choice of a sterling silver tiny tag initial necklace or a brass teardrop initial necklace. Both are available in my Miscellanea Collection. Depending on the number of entries received I may even add additional prizes to this giveaway. Spread the word to increase your chances of winning a piece of jewelry personalized just for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Contest Rules: *This contest is open to residents of the US only
*No purchase is necessary to win
*Winner will need to claim their prize within 3 days of winning and give me their name and mailing address so I can send their prize(I will post the winner in a blog post!)
*Contest begins January 13, 2013 and ends February 10, 2013 at 12 a.m. EST

Pretty, Pink, Pastel - Valentines Jewelry Ideas

I'm not always a huge fan of pink. I guess I always want to be a bit "edgier" or "tougher" or something. (as if!) However, I always make an exception for subtle, muted ballet pink. It's almost an earthy, natural tone. It's flattering to most skin colors and sublimely elegant. Here's two of my favorite pieces in more neutral pink:

Gemstone Statement Necklace - Raw Pink Quartz

It's elegant, natural and a versatile long length!

Available at Miscellanea by Valerie Tyler

Triangles Necklace with Redline Marble

Available at Miscellanea by Valerie Tyler

What are your thoughts on pink?  Share that or any comment in the comments section below!