Somerset Place

Handcrafted jewelry can be intimidating for newcomers, but you may be surprised at what you can create using common mixed-media techniques. We feature a wide array of artisan jewelry designs in our magazine  Belle Armoire Jewelry, from those perfect for beginners to those that require more experience and know-how. Here, we have gathered 10 simple yet striking jewelry projects from recent issues of Belle Armoire Jewelry — we hope that you will try your hand at one of these inspiring techniques!

SHERI FOX⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY WINTER 2023

1. Retro-Modern Mosaics

With small tiles, grout, and a store-bought pendant and chain, you can make an eye-catching mosaic necklace like this one by Sheri Fox. In regard to her mosaic designs, Sheri shares, “ … the pieces have a funky, retro-modern vibe balanced by the earthiness of the rough grout lines.”

Learn more about this piece in the Winter 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

JOAN WILLIAMS⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY WINTER 2023

2. Torn & Taped

All mixed-media artists are familiar with collage, and that is primarily how these playful earrings were created. Joan Williams created these landscapes on wooden blanks using torn scraps of washi tape. Beads, basic wire wrapping, ear hooks, and jump rings finish off the unique earrings.

Learn more about this piece in the Winter 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

JOCELYN PRYOR⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY WINTER 2023

3. Faux Cyanotypes

Jocelyn Pryor loves the look of cyanotypes but struggled with making them on a small scale — sometimes faux is the way to go! Painted upon watercolor paper and mounted on brass blanks, these pendants pack the same beautiful blue punch as real cyanotypes. “I feel as though these designs are quite modern yet timeless as well,” Jocelyn shared.

Learn more about these pieces in the Winter 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

MINA ANDUJAR⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY SPRING 2023

4. Laminated Nature

Lamination evokes thoughts of office supplies, but it can be used for artistic purposes as well. These delicate, lightweight earrings by  Mina Andujar are made of nothing more than pressed petals, leaves, laminating sheets, and ear hooks. Simply look to Mother Nature for limitless design possibilities!

Learn more about these pieces in the Spring 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

JESSICA DICKENS⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY SPRING 2023

5. Playing With Clay

If you’ve always wanted to try creating polymer clay jewelry, this design by  Jessica Dickens is a great place to start. Jessica mixed colors of clay together to create a marbled effect and pressed texture into gold clay for some added glamour. The clay is set within a store-bought bangle, making this bracelet perfect for beginners.

Learn more about this piece in the Spring 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

SHARON LEE LOUK⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY SUMMER 2023

6. Buttoned-Up

Antique buttons can be found bearing beautiful imagery, and Sharon Lee Louk knew exactly how to show them off — necklaces! Sharon adhered the buttons within premade or artisan-made bezels, explaining, “I searched until I found bezels as unique as the buttons I was going to put in them.”

Learn more about this piece in the Summer 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

SHARON LEE LOUK⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY SUMMER 2023

7. Newsworthy Style

Vintage newspaper can add a ton of intrigue to a project, and that includes jewelry too. Patty Burns filled a store-bought pendant with vintage French newspaper, and topped it off with vintage jewelry components — it doesn’t get much more simple or striking than that!

Learn more about this piece in the Summer 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

WHITNEY MARSHALL⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY AUTUMN 2023

8. Hand-Painted Pendants

Wear a work of art around your neck by creating a hand-painted pendant.  Whitney Marshall showcases her artistic talents by painting upon small wooden discs and gluing them inside premade bezels. As Whitney shared, “By using a wooden disc as the painting surface […] the wearer retains a closeness with the piece …”

Learn more about this piece in the Autumn 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

ANDRIA BIEBER⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY AUTUMN 2023

9. Moonstone & Copper

When she discovered this copper pendant with a dotted motif,  Andria Bieber was immediately inspired to create a Medieval-style design. Using copper wire, she wrapped faceted moonstone drops and attached them to the pendant with jump rings. “This necklace is a unique statement piece that is simple at the same time,” Andria explained.

Learn more about this piece in the Autumn 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

MARLENE KAZOR QUIGLEY⎟ BELLE ARMOIRE JEWELRY AUTUMN 2023

10. Custom Charms

Marlene Kazor Quigley photocopied her original painting to create the custom charms on these earrings. By collaging the painting onto wooden blanks, adding more dots and details with paint, and finishing them off with beads and ear hooks, her artwork became one-of-a-kind adornments.

Learn more about this piece in the Autumn 2023 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

Tell us, which jewelry project is your favorite?

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