Hi there!
Please read through this section as it contains some general information about the jewellery made by 3 C.O.W. Belles, as well as some information to help you to make an order if you feel so inclined.
About the "artist":
I'm not sure if artist is a befitting title for one who enjoys making her own jewellery to match her outfits, though I do love to be co-ordinated :p I've been making beaded jewellery since I was about 7 or 8 years old, and have dabbled in various techniques on-and-off since then. Just prior to starting university, I learned how to combine bead with wire, and that really got me hooked on making jewellery! I soon began making wedding jewellery for friends, including my own wedding jewellery. I also began teaching my friends how to make their own bead and wire jewellery. Now that I have a daughter, I'm sure it won't be long before I start making jewellery to match her little outfits :p
3 C.O.W. Belles Jewellery:
What you see is what you get - my descriptions are as accurate as can be. If you haven't already figured it out, I love Swarovski Crystals (the real deal - bling bling!) and freshwater pearls (these are the real thing too). If it mentions "pearls", then these are fakes that are made from glass. I don't use fake (ie. plastic) crystals though, as they are just too tacky for my liking. Other than these, I also tend to use a lot of seed bead and glass beads. Don't be surprised if crystal or glass beads break/shatter upon being dropped! I never, ever, use plastic (Yes, they don't break if dropped, but they are just plain ugly to look at! *Shudder*).
Making a jewellery order:
As pieces are made to order, you get to choose exactly what you want. I will endeavour to match your descriptions and preferences as closely as I can, but as I am not a business, nor to I own a bead shop, I will only be able to get my hands on whatever bead shops have (and sadly, they tend to run out of the good stuff quickly, and are slow to re-stock!). This being the case, please allow at least 1 week for your orders to be completed. There are a few pieces which are particularly time-consuming to make that may require a longer time frame for the order to be completed, but if this is the case, I have stated so on the product description. Should I not have stock, or am unable to obtain the correct stock for the order, I will notify you to offer an alternative option which will be as close as possible to your original order. Unfortunately, as is the case with a lot of crafts, things that are available today may not be available tomorrow, as manufacturers will delete lines, and add new ones. However, Swarovski crystals and pearls are usually a safe, timeless bet, which is why I also tend to use a lot of them in my work.
All wire jewellery is available in the following options:
- non-tarnish silver wire
- sterling silver plated wire
- non-tarnish gold wire
- black Artistic wire
As to the beads, I normally keep about 40-ish colours of Swarovski crystals in my own personal collection which I expand everytime I go bead shopping (its a dangerous hobby!). I also have pearls in an array of colours, heaps of seed beads, numerous strands of rock chips and glass beads. However, because these are my own private collection of beads and wires, I tend to only have very general colours, and I am not really a fan of earthy tones (I don't tend to keep much in the way of oranges, browns and yellows). If I am required to purchase additional beads and supplies for your order, it may take a little longer to fulfil the order as I will then need to make a shopping trip to grab supplies. I work part-time, so there are only certain days of the week I am able to go bead shopping, but should your order exceed the usual ~1-week time frame, I will notify you as soon as possible.
Bespoke Jewellery:
Get exactly what you want that's a perfect fit! I love a jewellery challenge, and if you want me to make you something specific, I am always interested to see if I can make it work! A lot of my earlier jewellery orders were bespoke orders for weddings to match the bridal/bridesmaids dresses, so don't be afraid to ask if you're keen to get something that is just one of a kind! The picture posted on this page is just one of many bespoke pieces I have previously made. If you would like to keep your costs down, please feel free to purchase your own beads and I will only charge for labour costs.
I have also remade jewellery for friends from a piece that they no longer like the looks of (eg. I might re-use the beads for a remodelled piece of jewellery in a different style). I can also sometimes fix up broken jewellery (including my own pieces!) for a small fee, depending on the damage.
Anything is possible!
If you have any questions or queries, please email: 3cowbelles@gmail.com.
