Happy 2013 !

Happy New Year everyone! Hope the year has started off right for all of you.

The christmas season was busy as usual and I'm very happy that whole gifts made it under the Christmas tree for many this year. Thank you so much to all our loyal gift-ians.
Grandmas are very special and this holiday season there were a lot of requests for meaningful designs for this special lady. Now that all surprise gifts have been opened and oooed and ahhhed over, it's safe to post some of the custom creations.




This is a sparkly bracelet created with vintage Czech glass beads and luxurious 22kt gold components
.Its hard to find beads that match the luster of old Czech fire polish beads but the Swarovski encrusted heart in the center can hold its own.

It's for a very sweet and wonderful grandma from her two grand kids Z and D.












Here we have personalized, hand stamped silver pendants for both their grandmas from three grand kids.









Hope the grandmas are enjoying wearing their Christmas gifts.....I sure had a lot of fun making them!







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Spring Suite--Cameo Flowers

I love cameos...they have a timeless, old world elegance. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of designs.
Traditionally, cameos were carved out of gemstones like onyx or agate. These days we get cameos in a wide range of materials like glass, shell or even resin.



Cameo Flower Pendant




Look at this lovely, red rose cameo.
It it made of resin. The detailing is meticulous and life like.


I did not want anything to detract from the beauty of the cameo, so this is set very simply on a gold base.

Swarovski Earrings

Pair it up with these lovely swarovski dangle earrings and you have a set that is an instant classic.

Spring Suite--Flowers !

The sun is shining, birds are chirping and flowers are blooming....spring is here ! What better way to celebrate spring than with some flower themed jewelry.

Flower Earrings

Take a look at this pretty flower earrings made of light weight resin.The detailing is exquisite.


The translucence of the resin lets light shine through, giving it a glow.

Flower Pendant

Pair it with the matching pendant strung on a simple silver chain, and you have a set that is casual enough for everyday wear and elegant enough for an evening out.

Flower Jewelry Set

Neelakshi's Pendant

Its ready...Neelakshi's unique peace pendant is finished ! It took a little bit of work, what with the weather being so rainy in the San francisco bay area. Resin I find, can be temperamental if there is a lot of humidity in the air. Thankfully this came out well.

First Cast of Pendant

This is after the resin was cast and set. While the pendant is pretty, I could see that it lacked something....maybe some beads or crystals around the edge of the pendant.

Nope, the beads or crystals seemed to make the pendant feminine and soft...not something Neelakshi might find appealing.

Peace Pendant

After racking my brains and raiding my supplies box, this is what caught my eye....hexagon shaped spacer beads that look like grommets.

They add the right amount of detailing to the pendant and make it more edgy and tough...surely Neelakshi will approve !

This peace symbol is distinctive....three swords have crossed to declare peace. It shows that there is hope for a conflict free resolution of all differences.

The grommets have been placed at the hilts and points of the swords to draw further attention to the uniqueness of this symbol.

And finally, the pendant is strung on to a leather cord necklace.....its tough, stylish and different, like Neelakshi herself.



You can read more about
Neelakshi: The Quest for Amrit here

Neelakshi

Whole Gifts Logo

Remember the collaboration I mentioned a couple of posts ago......here are the details.

I have a very talented graphic designer friend, we go back a long way......right up to our school days in Madras. He very generously created this beautiful logo for Whole Gifts.

His name is Asvin and when he is not creating lovely web pages, logos and designs, he is also a graphic novelist.

Neelakshi wearing her pendant

Neelakshi

His latest project in collaboration with Ashok Rajagopalan is "Neelakshi : The Quest for Amrit". Art work is by Judit Tondora and colors by Roland Pilcz.

It is a visual treat, a lot of very talented folks are working together on it and when it comes out, its definitely going to create a splash !



Now, Whole Gifts has been commissioned to create the unique, one of a kind pendant worn by the heroine of the novel, Neelakshi herself.
The pendant and many other cool prizes are being offered to all those who contribute to make this novel a possibility.

You can read all about it and view the prizes here

Whole Gifts sure is excited, the pendant process has started and should be ready in a a few days' time. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished pendant !

Happy Valentines Day !

Vintage Heart Cabochon Pendant

A heartfelt Valentines Day wish to all my wonderful readers. 


Thanks to all those who post their comments and suggestions, do keep them coming.

 Many thanks to all who chose Whole Gifts as their Valentine gift central....we love you very much and look forward to your continued patronage.

Stay tuned for our spring themed jewelry !