New Collection - Chain Rope Necklaces

For my new collection, I use the repeating half knot sennit (also called spiral knots) to create an effect similar to the chain rope necklace that is quite common.

To create the effect similar to metal, I have chosen antique metal threads that are quite delicate but beautifully woven in amazing colors.


These threads are over 70 years old and are available in very small quantities only. I have chosen the following 3 colors for this first design - green with dark bronze; gold, and red with silver.

The design is meant to be casual and modern looking. I don't want macrame to be the focus of the necklace but being a part of the overall look. Ribbons, metal and threads work hand-in-hand. As usual, the ribbons allow flexibility of how you want to wear the necklace.

The half knot sennit section connects with the long ribbons which can be thrown around to the front and become a second tier of the necklace. At each end is a tassel made of metal chains which will give weight to both sides of the necklace, allowing you to gently tie a loose knot but still keep the necklace in place.

The first of this collection will be available at my etsy store this Sun. Come back and take a look:
nikisha.etsy.com

A sneak peek into my new collection

Sorry my friends for not being here last week. It has been hellish at my day job (at the ad agency) and things just got pushed out so much in my personal life from M-F. So weekend I was playing catch up with a lot of things.

I did manage to get a few designs in place for my new line :)

I'm going to present a new collection this coming weekend at my etsy store that leverages techniques from the Macrame world. I do want to progressively incorporate it to my line of jewelries so the first set will not be as extravagant and classic but more skewed to contemporary designs and the macrame effect is more subtle.

Exclusive preview will be available soon. Stay tuned. I'm going to post it by mid-week.

Macrame - old school or a great inspiration?

When I mention macrame, I got frowns as responses.

I can understand the reaction. I don't like the hippie-style macrame like friendship bracelets...etc. Since I've discovered macrame elements in Vivien Tam's collections many years ago, I know it could be a good fashion statement if used appropriately. And recently I ran into an macrame book and I thought I'll give it a shot.

Macrame is a form of textile-making using knotting rather than weaving or knitting. Its primary knots are the square knot and forms of hitching (full hitch and double half hitches). - Quoted from Wikipedia.

Macrame can be used to create lace-like feature in bracelets or necklaces. I like it when it's created by threads than wires because it's a lot softer and romantic. And depending on the thickness of the threads, it could look strong and geometrical as well.

To show the variety of what macrame can do, here are two very different example:

(Left) GaelicKnotStudio on etsy (Right) afrigoddess on etsy

And funny enough, don't they somehow ressemble these?

Yes, I have some high hopes for macrame. I'll be playing around with it and hopefully post my first one soon on my esty store. So stay tuned.

Mint Obsession

I got these really cute beads from the Fashion District awhile back and fell in love of the minty color immediately. I mean, everyone knows me as a green frenetic but it's not easy to come across really cute mint green color accessories. So I decided to make not 1, but 2 different pieces this week.

Sea Urchins - White + Mint necklace #1

As you probably would notice that I love ribbons. So why not use them as the necklace instead of only as a mean to tie the necklace on the neck (like my Nostalgia flourite necklace)?

Besides, you can wear it long or short. This is how to do it -
1) Double the necklace around your neck so both ends are a loop.
2) Throw one end through the other at the length you want - I measure it so that the base of your neck should be where the green beads are
3) Make sure that the sections of green beads hook onto each other into a knot as shown in the 1st picture which will fasten the necklace.

Neat huh?

Minty Cream Puff - White + Mint necklace #2

What's better than a circle of deliciousness around your neck?

Well, I'm not the only one crazy with Mint this week, check out Etsy Finds and see what Mary has in store for you with more shades of Mint!


More of my crazy mint obsessions...

Relaunch of my blog

Finally I took some time to tweak my blog and planning on rolling out a series of editorial changes. It takes a lot of effort to execute this but I know I owe you all this.

Let's talk about the upcoming content, then about a new offer for my readers ;)

From now on weekly -
The blog will be updated with info of my etsy shop postings and interesting stories on the creative process / how-to, my inspirations, techniques, and references for indie lovers.

Starting from August on a monthly basis -
I'll be getting some help from my friends in the fashion world to bring to you latest trend updates and some tips on mix-and-match of your outfits and accessories.

August will be a sneak peak into the Fall/Winter fashion trends. I'll be posting soon about September so stay tuned.

You can follow me on my blog or pop by anytime you like. But you can also email me if you prefer to receive a monthly concentrated dose of update.

***Now here comes the offer!!***

Send me you email address and you will receive a 30% off discount on any ONE item in my etsy store.
If you send me both your email address and mailing address, you will have a choice of receiving this cute pair of studs or a button size pin (see samples here).

There is no end date to this offer. I'll be posting this up from time to time but feel free to refer your friends and I'll throw in free shipping for your next order!

You can email me at bunnynikisha@yahoo.com

Martha Stewart Weddings - DIY Wedding Crafts with Etsy

Yes you heard it right. Martha Stewart Weddings is doing a DIY Wedding Craft showcase with Etsy.


And I just uploaded my Ophelia necklace on it! Please vote for me and pass it to your friends :D

Just click on the link below.
http://contributors.marthastewartweddings.com/portal/index.html?ctrl:id=window.default.ContestWindow&ctrl:type=render&ctrl:windowstate=maximized&op=vpic&user=1148237&ccomm=36776&offset=3&cPicId=92703

For folks who are interested to join...

What you need to do:
Share photos of handmade wedding-day details you've made,
from centerpieces to veils to save-the-date cards.

How to do:
Upload a picture and description of your special wedding craft here.
http://contributors.marthastewartweddings.com/portal/index.html?ctrl:id=window.default.ContestWindow&ctrl:type=render&ctrl:windowstate=normal&op=mpics&user=1148237&ccomm=36776&offset=0

What do you get:
If you are one of Martha's fav, your pic will be showcased on the site, and get a chance to have your craft featured on ''The Martha Stewart Show.''

Deadlines:
Begins June 28, 2009 and ends on September 1, 2009. Winners will be announced October 15, 2009.

Hurry up people!

Who needs matching sets? #2

Following my first post on "Who needs matching sets?" I am releasing #2 on my second series -

Something fruity...

From 1st to last:
Blueberry Night - Purple Sandstone Bracelet
Blueberry Fields - Purple Sandstone Necklace with Ribbons
Shall we pick some berries - Bead work Necklace
Snowflakes - Cracked Crystal Bracelet
Grapes - Earrings
Grape Vine - Bracelet
Pink Berries - Jasper Earrings

Visit my store at:
www.nikisha.etsy.com

Who needs matching sets? #1

Recently I've been more conscious that a lot of you may be looking for matching sets for your jewelry accessories. But I don't want to give you only a matching set - creative girls like us want to play mix and match as well. So I created series instead.

Let's take a look at Series#1...

Ocean inspired...

From 1st to last:
Dreams of Fish - Agate Earrings
Dance of Fish - Agate Necklace with coral
Children of the Seas - Chalcedony Neckalce with coral
Bracelet of Mermaids - Agate Bracelet
Mirror of the Sea - Chalcedony Earrings with coral

Visit my store at:
www.nikisha.etsy.com