The muse behind 'Serengeti, II' are Catherine Steele's complex lampwork beads which she had entitled, 'Colors of Africa.' Catherine does this style occassionally and they sell out as quickly as she makes them available. They are jaw-droppers! To have been able to purchase a set of 'Colors of Africa,' I had to do them justice by surrounding them with gorgeous Chalcedony & Carnelian stone, Swarovski crystals in faceted round, bicone, Cosmos, rondelle shapes in a variety of coordinating colors to the magnificience of the lampwork beads. I have also used two stunning long teardrop, faceted cubic zirconia beads in deep red along with esteemed furnace glass beads by David Christensen.

For this piece, I used two Hilltribe sterling tube beads which seemed to me to be in keeping with the tradition of the Masai style of the Serengeti along with the Thai tribal beads (like oragami woven baskets). The piece hopes to have a more tribal, yet elegant feel and look and is finished with an ornate Bali silver toggle clasp. I made a similar piece to this, using beads from 'Colors of Africa' for a co-worker & friend who just went on safari in South Africa. People from all walks were drawn to her bracelet & she passed my website out to dozens and dozens of people at airports, hotels and lodges. Catherine Steele has really captured the colors of Africa in her extraordinary lampwork beads.

The watch-face is a Geneva Elite, silver-plated, modern design and works beautifully with the glorious beads in a design intended for both casual and elegant wear ~ able to punctuate your wardrobe! Dare to wear Art!

The bracelet-watch is approximately 8 1/4 inches in length. Resizing to about 7.5 inches is possible at no extra charge.

'Gabriel' is another perfectly elegant bracelet-watch intended to go with everything - from elegant evening wear to chic bluejeans. Similar in style and design to 'Charlemagne' and 'Lavender Ice,' it incorporates some absolutely stunning Thai Hilltribe sterling silver - edgy & chic wire-wrapped curve beads and a gorgeous hammered sterling puffy heart bead.

Central to the piece are some of the more amazing lampwork I have beheld in a long time. Made by Melissa of 'A Bead is Born,' she entitled them, "Meteor Showers,' - purples, fuchsia, blues against a base of black. Some gold sparkle for texture. Starry, strarry night effect. When I saw them I swooned to remember the 'birth' story I am often telling my 5 year old, Gabriel. It was a time, years ago when I longed for a baby. I would look to the winter night sky and ask the stars to send me a baby. I was nearly 40 and time was running short. These lampwork beads remind me of the magical time of longing and even better, the manifestation of my vision and my wish. Hence, the name of the piece, "Gabriel." My hero.

Pardon my flowery tanget. 'Tangent' is my middle name!

"Gabriel" also uses four of David Christensen's furnace cube beads in purple & fuchsia. These beads cost a fortune, but are well worth it for their allure and quality. I have also used two of published clay artist D. Jean Vainio's beautiful roses in pink, topped with Tanzanite Swarovski. Swarovski cubes and huge round beads are also used along with vintage lucite clear and pink flowers. Two teardrop cubic zirconia are used in a lovely purple shade along wtih clear quartz and black Chalcedony stone briolettes. 'Gabriel' is made with only high quality beads & components. A black Swarovski star punctuates the loose theme of the starry night sky along with a smaller Hilltribe silver star, dangling of the silver hammered toggle clasp.

The round watch-face is a Geneva Quartz and is silver-plated with a white dial, made with Japanese movements for years of long dependable wear. The bracelet is about 8 1/4 inches in length and can be resized at no charge.

'Charlemagne' is a perfectly elegant bracelet-watch intended to go with everything - from elegant evening wear to chic blue jeans. I wanted to design a versatile piece for the Autumn and followed the muse largely provided by the deep olive sculpted clay roses by published clay artist, D. Jean Vainio. Her roses, among all the rest, are immaculately wrought and perfect and when topped with a tiny Swarovski crystal, are absolutely glamorous.

I used two of Catherine Steele's signature floral lampwork lentil beads - formal and beautiful raised floral beads in black and ivory with a hint of green in the leaves. I paired them with two of Thailand's Karen Hilltribe white silver wired beads which are utterly glorious. They are heavy, 99% pure white silver (versus the normal 92.5% commonly used)! I have already put in an order for several more since I can see many, many more designs using them. In any case, these white silver curve beads lend the overall piece the cool, elegant look of a regal style. Hence, 'Charlemagne.' A French king and also a gorgeous Persian cat I once had the great pleasure of knowing.

In any case, I used very elegant cubic zirconia facted tear drop beads in 'champagne', clear aurora borealis Swarovski rounds & bicones, Swarovski pearls in creamrose, capped in plain Hilltribe silver beadcaps, faceted sea opal flowers & faceted briolettes, clear vintage lucite flowers. The lampwork beads are capped in lovely, ornate square silver beadcaps. Two Hilltribe folded flowers and a beautiful hammered toggle closure in sterling silver complete the piece.

The round watch-face is a Geneva Quartz and is silver-plated with a white dial, made with Japanese movements for years of long dependable wear. The bracelet is about 7.5 inches in length and can be resized at no charge. Price: On Sale: $145

'Lavender Ice' is designed around the beautiful floral lampwork beads by skilled glass artist, Catherine Steele. I consider this style of bead to be Catherine's signature style - so poised and regal and lush. There is something so whimsical, yet formal in her style. I have had these lavender florals in my lampwork stash for some time and this week the design finally came to me. I wanted to stay within the limits of lavender and clear with only a touch of fushcia to match a subtle curl of pink found in the flowers of Catherine's lampwork. When the Karen Hilltribe white silver wired beads arrived in the mail this week, my design had met its match. These beads are heavy, 99% pure silver (versus the normal 92.5% commonly used). They are utterly gorgeous! I have already put in an order for several more since I can see many, many more designs using them. Placed at the end of the bracelet, these curve beads stay perfectly inline with the contour of one's wrist. And, they lend the piece an overall cool, elegant look of ice. 'Lavender Ice.' Exquisite, if I don't say so myself! If I did not own so many of my own creations at this point, this one would be a keeper!

In any case, I used very elegant cubic zirconia faceted tear drop beads in purple, lavender and lavender aurora borealis Swarovski rounds & bicones, Swarovski abstract polygon, Swarovski pearls in creamrose, capped in plain Hilltribe silver beadcaps, faceted sea opal flowers & faceted briolettes, light purple vintage lucite flowers in two shades & two small purple flowers by published clay artist, D. Jean Vainio. The lampwork beads are capped in lovely, ornate square silver beadcaps. Two Hilltribe rosebuds in white silver complete the piece which just sparkles and sparkles and seems almost alive! Did I say, 'exquisite' yet?

The round watch-face is a Geneva Quartz and is silver-plated with a white dial, made with Japanese movements for years of long dependable wear. The bracelet is about 7.5 inches in length and can be resized at no charge.

Sold out!  Thank you!