Welcome to Ailleas Designs

Unique and handmade earrings and pendants...
but more than just jewelry - affordable art you can wear.


I have always loved working with three-dimensional art, and my fondness for bold, unique jewelry made my decision to embark on jewelry design a natural. I started this enterprise upon my return to the United States following eight years in the UK. Indeed, the name Ailleas is a tribute to my former home of Scotland, the word ailleas meaning jewel in Scottish Gaelic.

Every piece starts as a length of either sterling silver or copper wire and a collection of both gemstone and high quality glass beads. I take great pride in my creations - and I hope you will find them pleasing. If you see a design you like but it's copper and you'd like silver or it's silver and you'd like copper, please don't hesitate to drop me a line. I'd be more than happy to create the design just as you would like.

All my earrings are packaged with clear rubber safety cuffs. I highly recommend wearing these to assure that you don't lose your new jewelry. All measurements given, in both millimeters and inches, are approximate.


Martha Gates-Mawson

Designs

Pendants Pendants
I have created pendants in both copper and sterling silver, some petite, some big and bold. You will find descriptions of each piece, along with the various components, and measurements. Please note, my copper pieces are made with pure copper. In time, these pieces will take on a lovely bronze-like patina. All measurements, given in both millimeters and inches, are approximate. 		Sterling Silver Earrings Sterling Silver Earrings
I use traditional sterling silver wire. I found the finish to argentium sterling silver to be a bit less bright than the traditional wire. As a result, you may find that your earrings require a little polish from time to time, but I think it is worth the effort in order to have the bright finish of traditional sterling.
Copper Earrings Copper Earrings
There is an inescapable warmth to the look of pure copper. Bright with reddish hues, it takes on a rich, bronze-like patina over time. My copper designs are earthy, often accented with beads in deep reds, browns, and greens. 		Short and Sweet Short and Sweet
For those who think that less is, indeed, more, this portfolio showcases some of my smaller earrings. While short on stature, they maintain the same great quality of all my earrings, copper and sterling silver alike.