stivesjewelry
Mercerville-Hamilton Square, New Jersey |
All Items
Announcement Welcome! Please also visit my website at www.stivesjewelry.com. My fine craft jewelry of sterling and argentium silver, gold filled, base metals, semiprecious stones, crystals, leather and glass uses a variety of techniques including traditional wire wrapping, beading and stringing. Everything in my shop is handcrafted by me in a smoke- free home. Most of my silver earrings can be converted to clip-ons, using a silver-plated earring component. I can also convert earrings to stainless steel earwires or nickel free silver leverbacks. Please ask!
Announcement
Welcome! Please also visit my website at www.stivesjewelry.com. My fine craft jewelry of sterling and argentium silver, gold filled, base metals, semiprecious stones, crystals, leather and glass uses a variety of techniques including traditional wire wrapping, beading and stringing. Everything in my shop is handcrafted by me in a smoke- free home. Most of my silver earrings can be converted to clip-ons, using a silver-plated earring component. I can also convert earrings to stainless steel earwires or nickel free silver leverbacks. Please ask!
Reviews
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Anonymous on Mar 11, 2011
5 out of 5 starsGorgeous necklace! - absolutely love it! Excellent communication! Many thanks :)
About
I Love Making Jewelry
My studio is the happiest room in the house! I imagine chefs feel that way about their kitchens! My journey into jewelry started with a triple strand necklace of peacock colored pearls I admired on someone else. In 2005, I purchased beads, tools and supplies and taught myself the basics of making jewelry while recovering from major back surgery. The long days (and nights) of recovery gave me hours to study, create and experiment. I nailed the necklace, and soon, other pieces. I then attended classes and studied with nationally renowned instructors in beading and wire wrapping. My interest in a variety of techniques provides for a diverse inventory, however wire wrapping is my favorite. Even so, I will always have a peacock pearl necklace in my inventory in homage to my beginnings. I have also taken an interest in the metaphysical qualities of stones and crystals and how their energy may impact our own body's energy. Ask a woman why she tried on five different necklaces to find the right one and it's usually because it "felt" or "looked" like the right one. I am curious about both. I have a BFA in Theatre from UW-Milwaukee, and in my 20's, I enjoyed a successful career as a stage manager. This was followed by 17 years working for a major healthcare philanthropy as I raised my son. I grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin, and currently make my home in Central New Jersey with my husband and son. Life is such a crazy ride!
Let me explain a little about the techniques I use.
Wire wrapping is using wire of varying shapes and diameters (square, round or half round, for example) and straightening, binding, twisting, manipulating and sizing a piece into its final design. There is no glue or soldering used in this technique. I gravitate toward a precise, structured design, however, as you will see, I force myself to occasionally create free-form, asymmetrical pieces. Dale "Cougar" Armstrong is my primary wire wrapping instructor who encourages precision and inspires creativity. She is extraordinarily generous with her knowledge and I am forever grateful for her teachings and inspiration.
Beading is connecting tiny glass seed beads in varying shapes (round, square, teardrop, tubes, hex, for example) with thread in different patterns to create a piece of jewelry. I have taken several beading technique classes as well as being self-taught. Getting the middle of a project to look right is always the easiest. The greater challenge is finishing off a piece so that the beads are secure and your structure is hidden.
Stringing is the simplest and most often the "gateway" technique! As the name implies, drilled beads are strung on a stringing material and finished off with a clasp to form jewelry. I string only on 49-strand woven steel wire using only sterling silver or 14K gold-filled finishing
Shop members
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Jeanne M Stives
Owner, Artist
I began making jewelry in 2005 using stringing, beading and wire wrapping. I’ve started learning about stones’ energies and incorporating energy aspects into my classic wire wrapping. I grew up in Wisconsin and currently make my home in New Jersey.
Shop policies
For people with metal allergies, I can convert earrings to stainless steel earwires or leverbacks, or nickel free silver leverbacks. Please ask!
Accepted payment methods
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept returns and exchanges
I don't accept cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Returns and exchange details
Payment
Custom orders require payment in advance and the item will be shipped after work is complete. I will send you a photo prior to shipping.
The State of New Jersey requires me to collect 6.675% sales tax from its residents.
Shipping
***PLEASE NOTE*** I take great care with your treasure, but I cannot be responsible for any pieces lost or damaged during shipping without insurance. I highly recommend the few extra bucks for peace of mind. Thanks for your understanding!
Custom orders require payment in advance and the item will be shipped after item is complete. I will send you a photo prior to shipping.
Arrangements can be made for pick-up if you are local, saving you shipping costs.
Additional policies and FAQs
One of the perks of purchasing directly from the artist is having a custom fit. I will size jewelry free of charge before I ship. Please include the appropriate body measurement with payment. If a significant amount of materials are needed to size the piece, these costs will be added to the purchase price. If you would like adjustments or resizing after you receive the item, there will be a small fee, depending on the item. You will be responsible for shipping the item to me for adjustments and repairs. Not all of my pieces can be sized, so it will be important you provide me with accurate measurements so I can make and send the proper size. Plus I really dislike anyone paying more for shipping than absolutely necessary!
CUSTOM ORDERS
I love doing custom orders. If you have any requests, such as wedding parties, a special outfit, birthstone jewelry, specific metaphysical properties, or whatever, please contact me. I will check availability of supplies, and get back with you with a price and ship date. I require payment in full to begin work on a custom piece.
CUSTOM ORDER RETURNS
If your jewelry arrives with an obvious defect, I will do whatever is necessary to correct the problem. However, if the item is built to your specifications, and is true to my description and photos, you will not be refunded until I resell the item. The intent of this policy is not to be unreasonably punitive, but simply to cover my investment of time and materials on custom work. Oftentimes it can be difficult to find a new buyer for a returned custom piece.
WHOLESALE
I do welcome wholesale business. Please convo me to determine if I have the stock and/or supplies and time to provide the number of pieces you would like. I will then be able to give you a price and a ship date.