Crafted with Love and Care

Each pair of earrings is meticulously handcrafted using recycled copper sheet and adorned with vibrant red enamel. The intricate cut-out detail adds a touch of whimsy, making them a truly one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. The sterling silver French ear wires ensure comfort and style.

More Than Just an Accessory

These earrings aren't just a fashion statement; they're a piece of art. The kiln annealing process gives the enamel its vibrant color and lasting durability. Each pair is unique, with slight variations in the design adding to their charm.

A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Whether you're looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift, a birthday present, or a special treat for yourself, these earrings are sure to bring a smile. They come beautifully packaged and ready to gift.

Caring for Your Treasure

To keep your earrings looking their best, avoid contact with harsh chemicals and store them in a cool, dry place. With proper care, these earrings will continue to spread love and joy for years to come.

Ready to Spread the Love?

Click here to purchase:  https://kathybankston.com/products/handmade-red-enamel-heart-earrings

A Secret Message Hidden Within

What makes this necklace even more special is the secret message etched on the backside: "Life is Short..." This subtle reminder serves as a daily inspiration, encouraging you to live life to the fullest.

Handmade with Love

This necklace is not just a piece of jewelry; it's a wearable piece of history. Handmade in Texas, USA by artisan jewelry maker, Kathy Bankston ensuring the highest quality and attention to detail. The sterling silver chain features black onyx accent beads and a hook style clasp, making it both stylish and functional.

A Perfect Gift for Any Occasion

Whether you're looking for a gift for a loved one or a special treat for yourself, this Picasso Ammonite Fossil Necklace is the perfect choice. Its timeless beauty and unique design make it a truly unforgettable piece.

Key Features:

• Genuine, untreated Picasso Ammonite fossil
• Handcrafted sterling silver pendant
• Secret message etched on the backside
• Sterling silver chain with black onyx accent beads
• Hook style clasp
• Handmade in Texas, USA

Order your Picasso Ammonite Fossil Necklace today and experience the beauty and elegance of this extraordinary piece.

Click here to learn more.

Are you looking for a unique and stylish accessory that captures the beauty of nature? Look no further than these handcrafted copper oak leaf earrings! Each pair is a work of art, meticulously crafted with attention to detail.

Why choose these copper beauties?

• Unique and eye-catching: The intricate details of the oak leaves are sure to turn heads.
• Hypoallergenic and comfortable: The niobium ear wires are gentle on your skin, making these earrings perfect for sensitive ears.
• Lightweight and easy to wear: The lightweight design ensures all-day comfort.
• Rustic charm: The oxidized copper patina gives these earrings a beautiful, aged look.
• Handmade with love: Each pair is lovingly crafted ensuring the highest quality.

How to style your copper oak leaf earrings:

• Casual chic: Pair them with your favorite jeans and a simple tee for an effortless, everyday look.
• Boho glam: Layer them with other delicate necklaces and bracelets for a bohemian-inspired ensemble.
• Elegant evening wear: Dress them up with a little black dress or a flowing gown for a touch of natural beauty.

Shop my collection of handmade copper jewelry for more stunning pieces!

Click here to see my Copper Jewelry Collection

Why Copper?

Copper is a natural material that is both durable and beautiful. It's perfect for coastal environments as it's resistant to rust and corrosion, ensuring that your wind chime will last for years to come. Plus, over time, the copper will develop a rich patina, adding to its unique character.

Handmade with Love

This wind chime is crafted entirely by hand, from start to finish. Each pebble is carefully cut, shaped, and strung onto a copper chain. This attention to detail results in a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Gentle Chimes, Peaceful Vibes

The gentle tinkling sound of the copper pebbles creates a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. It's the perfect way to unwind after a long day or enjoy a peaceful morning on your porch.

Perfect for Coastal Living

The simple yet elegant design of this wind chime complements any coastal decor style. Whether you have a modern beach house or a classic cottage, this piece will add a touch of sophistication to your space.

A Thoughtful Gift

This handmade copper wind chime also makes a wonderful housewarming gift for friends and family who love coastal living. It's a unique and personalized gift that they're sure to appreciate.

How to Care for Your Copper Wind Chime

To ensure your wind chime lasts for many years, it's important to protect it from harsh weather conditions. Avoid hanging it in areas exposed to strong winds, snow, ice, or hail. 

The Perfect Finishing Touch

This handmade copper pebbles wind chime is a beautiful and functional addition to any coastal beach house. Its unique design, durability, and soothing sound make it a must-have for anyone who loves the beach.

If you have any questions or would like to order a custom wind chime, please feel free to contact me.

Click here to see:  copper wind chimes

Have you ever heard of Wild Horse Turquoise? If not, you're in for a treat! This unique stone, with its mesmerizing blend of browns and whites, is a true gem of the American Southwest. And today, we're diving into the world of handcrafted jewelry featuring this captivating material.

A Closer Look at Wild Horse Turquoise

While often mistaken for turquoise, Wild Horse is actually a form of magnesite. Its striking appearance, reminiscent of a paint horse, has earned it the nickname "Crazy Horse Stone" or "Appaloosa Stone." Found in the rugged terrain of Arizona, this stone is a testament to the beauty of nature.

Handcrafted Jewelry with a Wild Spirit

I am passionate about creating unique, handcrafted jewelry that celebrates the beauty of natural materials. Our Wild Horse Turquoise collection is no exception. Each piece is meticulously crafted, with a focus on detail and quality.

Introducing our Wild Horse Turquoise Dangle Earrings

These stunning earrings showcase the beauty of Wild Horse Turquoise. The stones are set in handcrafted sterling silver settings, oxidized for added depth and beauty. The earrings dangle gracefully from handmade sterling silver ear wires, making them the perfect accessory for any occasion.

The Process Behind the Beauty

To give you a glimpse into the creative process, let's take a look at how these earrings are made:

1. Selecting the Stones: I carefully choose the finest Wild Horse Turquoise stones, ensuring each pair is unique and eye-catching.
2. Handcrafting the Settings: I handcraft the sterling silver settings, shaping and forming each piece with precision.
3. Oxidizing the Silver: To enhance the depth and contrast of the silver, I oxidize it, creating a rich, aged patina.
4. Polishing the Final Piece: The final step involves polishing the silver to a lustrous finish, highlighting the beauty of both the stone and the metal.

• Unique: Each piece is handcrafted, ensuring that no two are exactly alike.
• High Quality: I use only the finest materials and techniques to create jewelry that lasts.
• Ethical Sourcing: I source our materials responsibly, supporting artisan gem cutters and minimizing our environmental impact.
• Personal Touch: When you choose handcrafted jewelry, you're choosing a piece with a story.

Shop our Wild Horse Turquoise Collection Today!

Ready to add a touch of Wild West elegance to your jewelry collection? Explore our full range of Wild Horse Turquoise jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and more.

Click Here:  Wild Horse Jewelry

This unique piece is a testament to artistry and craftsmanship. I started with a hand-drawn design, meticulously cut it from a sheet of copper, and then hammered it to create a textured, organic look. The delicate layers are soldered together, and the copper is oxidized to enhance the depth and beauty of the design.

The snowflake hangs gracefully from a 20" copper bead chain, completing this one-of-a-kind necklace. It's the perfect accessory to add a touch of winter wonder to any outfit.

Key Features:

• Handcrafted from start to finish
• Unique, hammered texture
• Oxidized copper for added depth
• 20" copper bead chain
• Diameter of snowflake: 1.8"
• Signed on the back
• Handmade in Texas, USA

Perfect for:

• Winter weddings
• Holiday parties
• Everyday wear

Note: Each piece is handmade, so slight variations may occur, making each one truly unique.

Order yours today and add a touch of winter magic to your wardrobe!

Check out my Copper Jewelry Collection today!

Amethyst: The Stone of Serenity

Amethyst is a type of quartz that is known for its beautiful purple color. It is said to promote calmness, balance, and inner peace. Amethyst is also believed to help with insomnia and headaches.

Why You'll Love It

• This necklace is perfect for everyday wear or for special occasions.
• The amethyst beads are beautiful and unique.
• The sterling silver chain is high quality and durable.
• The necklace is a great value for the price.

Click Here to Shop Amethyst Jewelry Collection Now

I hope you love this necklace as much as I do!

Thank you for your support!

Kinetic Elegance: A Gift that Moves

My one-of-a-kind copper kinetic mobiles are more than just decorations; they're captivating works of art that dance and twirl with the slightest breeze. Each mobile is meticulously handmade from recycled copper sheet and wire. The organic shapes boast a brushed finish, their subtle curves catching and reflecting the light, adding a touch of dynamic beauty to any space. Imagine this mesmerizing mobile hanging in your home, captivating your guests and serving as a constant reminder of your love's ever-evolving journey.

The 360-degree rotation adds to the mobile's mesmerizing quality. As the air currents shift, the mobile comes alive, its copper components swirling and twirling in a captivating display. This constant motion is symbolic of the ever-changing nature of love, a relationship that deepens and grows with each passing year.

A Touch of Serenity: The Gift of Tranquil Beauty

For a more grounded and calming aesthetic, consider gifting a handcrafted copper wind chime. The wind chime is a testament to the beauty and simplicity of nature. Each rectangular dangle sways gently in the breeze, creating a soft, tinkling sound that adds a touch of serenity to any outdoor space. Imagine this wind chime gracing your porch, patio, or garden, its calming melody a constant reminder of the peace and tranquility you share with your loved one.

Every wind chime is meticulously crafted by hand, ensuring each piece is unique. The warmth of the copper complements the natural surroundings, while the handcrafted nature of the piece speaks to the time and dedication invested in your relationship.

Seven Years of Copper: A Gift Built to Last

Copper is the traditional gift for a seventh anniversary, symbolizing warmth, love, and domesticity. By gifting a handcrafted copper mobile or wind chime, you're not only celebrating your love story but also presenting a gift that is built to last. Copper is a durable material that develops a beautiful patina over time, ensuring your chosen piece will become a cherished heirloom, a constant reminder of your enduring love.

As you celebrate seven years together, create a lasting impression with a gift that reflects your love's unique journey. Explore my collection of handcrafted copper mobiles and wind chimes, each one meticulously designed and built to last. From the mesmerizing dance of the kinetic mobiles to the calming melody of the wind chimes, discover a piece that speaks to your love story. Browse my collection today and find the perfect copper anniversary gift at Kathy Bankston Artisan Jewelry: https://kathybankston.com/collections/mobiles.

This is my latest enameling project.  I am fairly new to the Champlevé technique of enameling.  I thought it might be nice to keep a little diary of what was done and the colors I used for future reference.  

This clover was cut from 22 gauge fine silver.  

The back side was coated with 2 coats of 1990 Grisaille 

I used 2305 Nile as the base coat

2335 Gem as the main clover color and 2320 Spring in the center of the clover.  

Fired to 1430 degrees and waited 10 seconds past click of kiln to remove

There were three firings on the front, base, and then two separate green firings. 

If I had it to do again I would make the wires follow the edge of the leaves and not the veins.  I would have also done the second coat as 2305 Nile instead of the 2335 Gem so that the colors would be lighter.

Over all I am pleased with the pendant.  It is available for sale on my website:  

Four Leaf Clover Pendant

Thank you for visiting today, please let me know if you have any questions,

Kathy

I think it turned out quite beautiful. 

The chain took quite a while to make as each link is hand cut, fused, cleaned, forged, and shined.  Lots of work in the details.  It is truly a labor of love. 

This necklace is for sale in my shop. Here is a link if you would like to purchase it. 

Click Here:  Handmade Sterling Silver Chain

A quirky little fact about me is that I love vintage jewelry.  Some of my favorites include the old sparkly bling rhinestone jewelry, turquoise jewelry, and of course James Avery!  Take a peek at my shop, Callistes Vintage Emporium over on Etsy. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/callistesvintage

Maybe you'll find a vintage treasure for yourself!  

I was so excited to see my lampwork beads in a publication!  This is my second time.  My red and white enamel lampwork beads were published in the Soda Lime Times January 2017 Issue.  It a magazine that most lampworkers subscribe to.  I'm very honored and excited.  Celebrate with me!

White enamel frit makes very unusual beads.  I love to use them in my jewelry.  Here are a few photos of other colors that I make:

Check out my bead shop for more lampwork beads:  Kathys Bead Shop

It was so much fun to meet everyone, it's very different than selling on line.

This was my jewelry booth set up!  It was a beautiful day!

My husband helped me make this earring display.  It help a lot of earrings and put them at perfect viewing height.

My favorite part of my booth was the seed bead necklace display.  They looked so colorful and pretty swinging in the breeze.  Little beautiful fairy necklaces :)

All in all it was a great day.  Thanks go out to all of you who stopped by. 

WHERE:  Dickinson City Hall Complex 4403 Hwy 3, Dickinson, Texas 77539

WHEN:  Saturday 10/22/2016 10am to 3pm

There should be quite a few local artists with booths as well as food trucks.  It should be a fun day and the weather is supposed to be perfect!

There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours on a handmade sterling silver bezel than having the cabochon crack will you are setting it.  In retrospect I have no one to blame except myself. 

Want to know why? 

Because after going back and looking at the original photo of the Amazonite cabochon that I had purchased the darn thing is cracked in the photos!

Hello Kathy Bankston!

In my excitement  over the gorgeous colors of this beautiful gem I failed to notice the glaring crack in the lower right hand corner.  A seasoned veteran stone setter is surely laughing at me right now!  Heck I even laughed at myself when I realized I had not cracked it - that it came that way! 

I will have to completely chalk this one up as a true learning mistake!

Currently this ring is gracing my index finger as a constant reminder to slow down and pay attention to details.  In the meantime it's still a stunning color and I will truly enjoy it with it's unique crack and all!

Each link of the necklace was hand formed and soldered.  I created a little form to mold the vines around to get them the same shape.  Once formed and soldered I oxidized the links to a dark patina. 

The lampwork finales are made from a deep cobalt blue glass. 

Lots of time went into this necklace.  It turned out beautifully don't you think?

I spent some time today fusing sterling silver rings to make chain.  Fusing is a dance with fire.  You heat the silver waving the flame back and forth, watching and waiting until just the right moment.  You dance the flame back and forth and then, there it is!  It glistens and fuses.  There is an art to fusing.  Done too quickly and you links will fail to flow.  Done too long and you will melt the silver right in two. 

Making a chain is good practice.  By the 30th ring or so you have a system down and it just flows.  I enjoying fusing.  It is fun.  The handmade chain is in the tumbler now.  So I will share the final product with you tomorrow.

Now searching for driftwood has a whole new meaning!  When I get back home I wash each piece and sort it by size.  From there I carefully drill holes in each piece of wood and the sea beans.  I string the mobiles using monofiliment fishing line.  I add my lampwork beads, some recycled copper wire accents and lots of love and the results are a true work of art!

I offer these for sale in my shop:  Driftwood Mobiles I hope that you find one you just love!

Or I hope that I have inspired you to go out and make a few of your own!