Skyfall

So, is anyone else as excited for this movie as I am?

Seriously, James Bond movies hardly ever disappoint.

Especially when it comes to Bond girls and the standard fancy dress they have to wear.You know the one I mean; it's always at some sort of gala, event, casino, etc. 

Like this black number worn by Eva Green in Casino Royale.

And speaking of black numbers, the dress worn by Bérénice Marlohe playing Sévérine in Skyfall is probably the best Bond-Girl dress I've seen. 

Seriously? Wow. 

Apparently they were trying to make her as naked as possible...

Swarovski has always had a huge presence in film and the link between Swarovski and James Bond is a perfect example. They have been very closely linked through fantastic collaborations for 35 years, and Costume Designer, Janey Temime, is continuing this legacy with Skyfall.

"We applied the crystal tattoos, with over 60,000 Swarovski Elements, onto very fine tulle for the arms, neckline, back and sides of the dress accentuating Sévérine's exquisite figure."

I can't even begin to imagine the jewelry this movie is going to have...

Swarovski has also created a jewelry line inspired by the movie. Most of the pieces are covered with Jet Hematite and Clear Crystal components with rhodium plating.

The Bond Love Knot Ring with Jet Hematite and clear crystal Pointiage.

You can look at more of the jewelry available here.

Dexter

I'm not sure how many of you watch Dexter, but it has become a staple show for me. Along with Breaking Bad, Revenge and The Walking Dead. I'm not a comedy show type of person, apparently...

I mean, look at that face!

Yes, I know, creepy. But trust me, if you haven't given the show a chance yet, please do so. 

I've been re-watching the 6th season, in preparation for the Season 7 premiere, and I couldn't help but notice what amazing necklaces Lietenant Maria Laguerta is wearing... 

She simply can't catch Dexter... Poor woman...

Lieutenant  Laguerta is always wearing a crucifix, with a few simple necklaces thrown over. 

And sometimes, a beaded number, or maybe some pearls. 

 As a jewelry designer, you're always looking out for more ideas, and sometimes you find it in the strangest places. 

If you want to watch the show please click on the link here.

Peyote Stitch Rings

 I love making these. 

1. They're no hassle
2. They take very little time
3. And they can be made in any range of color. (Basically whatever seed or delica beads you have at your disposal.)

This Purple Ring with the feather accent took me about an hour and a half. Trust me, peyote stitch bracelets takes up to 12 hours to do, depending on the person.

This Teal and Pink Ring with the daisy accent took about an hour. I love incorporating the chain with the stitch, because it adds a little extra to the pattern.

This tutorial will be helpful when making your own. :)

Peyote Stitch Tutorial

Multistrands

I recently learned how to make multistranded necklaces. 

These have become my new favourite thing to do!

They don't take too long, and I make them at a length that they can be worn as a long or short necklace. 

It works out swimmingly, and makes the necklace really adaptable for any situation. 

 And you can literally do them in any colour, with many different accents.

This Queen's Necklace from Urban Outfitters is outstanding! I love the color combination. 

Urban Outfitters Jewelry

Right Angle Weave

A couple of posts previous, I talked about a Russian designer who does very intricate bead work. 

One of the first bracelets I made using these techniques is this;

This bracelet was made using the flat right angle weave stitch.

I used 4 mm pink bi-cones and size 11 seed beads. 

The toggle clasps are gold plated. 

(I bought a whole package of these guys, and they've seriously been my favorite toggle clasp. I've made way too many gold pieces because of these.)

Below is a tutorial on how to make a piece of jewelry using the right angle weave. 

Right Angle Weave Tutorial

Dichroic Glass

Dichroic Glass is really a very beautiful thing. 

You can literally make anything you want out of it, and in any different style.

One designer who really gets dichroic glass is Nancy Giere.

Nancy Giere Pendants

She makes the most amazing jewelry!

Nancy Giere Rings

Dichroic glass is made from layering many layers of metals or oxides which are then vaporized by an electron beam in a vacuum chamber.

I recently made a ring using a dichroic glass piece made by my metal working instructor, Brent.

The pink dichroic glass cabochon is really interesting. It reflects different colours depending on the angle you are looking at it from. 

You can kind of see it here, how it turns into an orange colour.

Please check out Nancy Giere's website!

Nancy Giere's Website

Vancouver Fashion Week

Last semester, Nicole, Mel and I had to do a joint project with some of the Fashion kids that were showing their own clothing line at Vancouver Fashion Week. 

We designed jewelry to go with each outfit, and then had them in an actual fashion show. 

It was a great learning experience, especially for me, since I want to go into custom work like this. 

These are Melis Nur Kurban's creations. 

To see more about the show go here. 

Melis Nur Kurban Vancouver Fashion Week