March-ing On

We are moving forward into Spring. We have had a wild ride this month with snow, wind, power outages and whatever. In the middle of it, I placed an order for some beads from Rings&Things in Spokane and they were at more door in a mere three days.

Have you ever ordered from them? They are great.  You can find them at www.rings-things.com. They are relatively local for me...in Spokane, WA which is the eastside of the state; I am on the westside. Their products are good and reasonably priced. I received a kit for making resin pendants with everything I need for the fraction of a price if I was buying the pieces separately.

Being a person of color, I love ethnic jewelry and they have a great selection of African trade beads and that is what I bought. I have made one bracelet so far and can't wait to dive into the other beads.

Check out http://www.rings-things.com.

Colors for Spring

Yesterday it snowed and rained most of the day... and it was cold.  Today I went outside and cut back some trees that were shading my garden spot. I am a jeweler but my first "lust" is gardening...weeding...pruning....clipping and mowing.

I came in and turned on HGTV because decorating is another passion of mine.  And I was cruising around on my email (cleaning up files) and read one of my favorite jewelry blogs. 

Look at the link below:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr.aspx?pg=20911&ca=4

Spring colors...how cool is that!  Now I can choose beads in the spring color palette from my stash and get to beading. Wahoo!

Funny Video

This is so true!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0aT2JA4sn9U

The dustbuster bead pick up is a great idea. I haven't tried that one yet.

Online Shopping

When I do my online browsing and shopping, I look for things that are either in my hobby interest (books, gardening, yarn, knitting, gemstones and a glass beads) or I look at clothing.  I love to drool over items I cannot afford, like anything Oscar De La Renta, or a certain Dooney Bourke bag I have had my eye on. Or I look at boots.  I love boots and have bought several pair online.

I love to  look for jewelry especially if it is handmade, vintage or antique jewelry.  I love old Mexican Taxco silver and copper pins.  I often look for something slightly quirky and unusual or something really old and often Middle Eastern or African in design.  I don't purchase many pieces, as I love to buy the components and put it together myself.  I make some for you....some for me.

Since becoming a jewelry artist, I no longer am drawn to commercial jewelry.  I still think it is lovely but I would rather have that  handcrafted piece that is "one of."  I love hammered silver clasps and chunky gemstones.  I also love edgy pieces like my "silver" washer bracelet with large silver lobster claw clasp with one red coral bead.

I still want to know your favorite online items.

Looking for Feedback

When you are shopping online what do you look for:

1.  Clothing
2.  Shoes
3.  Books
4.  Handbags
5.  Jewelry

Let me know?  I will let you know what others have said.  This is very unscientific.....just my own curosity.

TK

Feeling the Love

Valentine's is one month away from today. I know you fill the pinch from the holidays but that was LAST year and this year is now. Live in the moment. Show your love with hearts and flowers, chocolates and beautiful scents.....delicious meals and delicious wine.

Show your affection with a bauble. You don't have to spend alot if you use handcrafted sites such as Etsy or Artfire. In fact, check out my page Http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/BluJeanBeads.com or my sister's shop: Http://www.Etsy.com/shop/Ashar. You will be able to find a gift that speaks to your heart's desire. 

Look for simple heart jewelry at simple prices. That will make it even more beautiful.

Something like this may please your fancy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45503883/freshwater-pearls-white-sterling-silver

Or this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66381691/garnet-and-gold-necklace-choker-elegant

BluJeanBeads has whatever your heart or hers desires.

Ciao

Valentine's Day Is Coming Already

I was at the department store that houses our pharmacy and I noticed all the Valentine's candy, valentines, little sweet gifts and sentiments.  Didn't we just celebrate Christmas and Hannukah?  I think I remember....I still have my Christmas trees up as today is the Epiphany (Celebrates the day the Wise Men showed up); the final day of the the Christmas holidays for me.

Things are moving just too fast. My Etsy teams are asking what stock I have for Valentine's day.  I think I have something that will do on my site: www.Etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads. I remember making some beautiful little enamel heart earrings. 

I also have a pearl necklace with a sterling silver heart locket that is very sweet. It would look lovely around the neck of the one you love or around your neck if you are a bride to be. 

Children love hearts so I have a variety of millifiori heart earrings that would be darling on a little girl and some crazy foam heart earrings that are edgy and fun.

So yeah, I guess I am up on this next holiday.....Are you?