Gemstone & Chain Maille Jewelry

Jennifer Casady makes beautiful handcrafted jewelry that is fashionable and contemporary - while other designs harken back to the days of knights and ladies. She began her jewelry fascination when she was a little girl, while attending gem shows with her parents and grandparents. As she grew older, Jennifer liked going through her mother's jewelry, and listening to her tell stories of where and when she received each piece.


Seafoam shaggy Loops Necklace
A delicate necklace consisting of various blue and green faceted rondelle gemstones. Light Green Tourmaline, vibrant Electric Blue Apatite, warm Green Amethyst and different sizes of Aquamarine
rondelles are wire wrapped on handmade headpins to the airy sterling silver handwoven Shaggy Loops chain maille weave. The section of gemstones and chainmail is connected to a sterling silver chain which is 16 inches in length and has a 2 inch extender chain for your convenience.
$82

Jennifer's father traveled around the world with his job and would buy strands of gemstone beads to bring home. He taught himself how to make knotted jewelry, and made beautiful necklaces and bracelets for Jennifer, her mother, and her grandmother. Several members of her extended family make their own jewelry, some of them for many years.


Light Twist of Fate Bangle Bracelets - Set of 3
By a twist of fate two shall become one, twining closer and closer together until inseparable. Two lengths of 16 gauge sterling silver wire have been twisted tightly together, annealed, soldered, cleaned, shaped, and burnished to an incredible shine, forming a single bangle bracelet that is 2.5mm wide.
$87

Jennifer wanted to try her hand at making jewelry for years, but never had the opportunity. In December 2005, she visited a local bead store. One of the staff members kindly took the time to show her how to use the various beading tools, and suggested several other items she would need to begin creating jewelry. Jennifer had fun picking out strands of gemstones, findings, and tools.


Dark and Light Layers Earrings
The ultimate in opposites attract. Deep, dark sterling silver vies for attention against the stunning brightness of sterling silver, competing against each other in larger and smaller circles layered together. 3/4 inches in length from the handmade oxidized sterling silver earwires, these earrings go perfectly with anything and everything in your closet.
$25

Jennifer made her first necklace and fell in love. Her husband suggested that she start selling her jewelry, and he has supported her wholeheartedly along the journey as she learned to create jewelry and honed her skills. Her jewelry is lovingly handmade and very affordable.

Artist Statement
Each piece I create is handcrafted using gemstones, sterling and gold-fill wire, and sterling silver components (some of which she makes herself). I am a perfectionist, so every item is held to my high standards. If I am not satisfied with how a piece has turned out, I will recreate it until it has become what I envisioned in my mind. Whenever I have a design floating around in my head, I sketch it out on paper to cement the idea.

I use various jewelry techniques to bring my pieces to fruition: bead stringing, wire wrapping, and most recently, the ancient art of chain maille. As with every artist, I absolutely love creating jewelry, and I am continually searching for new techniques to help me learn and to grow as an artist and designer.

My inspiration comes from various sources - the beauty of nature created by God, a conversation with a close friend, a certain color or the sound of music in the background, or simply the gemstones themselves. Each stone is unique, and I want to express that individuality and beauty in my designs.

My style tends to be somewhat conservative, as that is who I am and what I prefer. Jewelry is an accessory, an adornment, something to highlight and frame a woman's face, not to detract from her beauty. I design my pieces to be timeless because I want the owner to be able to wear them today, tomorrow, or ten years from now.

My pieces are created with classic lines and are multi-functional - they wear just as well with jeans or with a favorite black dress, peeping out from under a classic white button-down shirt, or adding an extra visual splash to a business suit.

My husband and I are blessed with my being able to stay at home, so I spend my days raising our two little girls, updating my website and blog, and creating new jewelry.