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Earwires, and More Earwires!

When I design a pair of earrings, I always try to match an earwire that I think coordinates with the overall style of the earring. Lately, I have tried to incorporate more choices, including post styles, and always offer a switch-a-roo if the buyer has another preference.

Although, I have to admit, on occasion, I've tried to talk buyers out of a switch because I thought they were going the wrong direction with the design of the earring! Not sure if this is appreciated, or not!

Anyway...from top to bottom, here are a few examples: simple post, slipless earwire, perfect balance earwire, handmade earwire. Of course, the handmade earwire is the most unique, but also time consuming and therefore often a more pricey choice. And I'm often asked if the "slipless" earwires are uncomfortable...I don't think so, the wire is very thin, but the twist helps them from backing out.

Personally, I prefer leverbacks. They don't take away from the design of any earring, are lightweight, and won't come undone or slip out. Handmade earwires with a long length of wire at the back are also a favorite choice of mine.

What's your preference? Take my poll on the right hand side, and let's find out.

Thanks for your participation!

Garnets and Carnations

With all the holiday flurry, it is easy to forget that January birthdays are right around the corner...

I'm listing a few special jewelry pieces with garnets over the coming week. Here is an example of gorgeous, icy, rock quartz with a cluster of garnets gathered beneath. Check them out in more detail here.

I haven't figured out how to make carnation jewelry yet!

Bali vs. Turkish Sterling Silver

I'm often asked, "What's Turkish sterling silver?" Most of my jewelry uses Turkish sterling silver, and while most people are familiar with Bali (or Balinese) sterling silver, many have never heard of Turkish. Continue on if you are curious too...

First of all, Turkish sterling silver beads are handmade in Turkey, as the name implies. Bali sterling silver beads are handmade in Indonesia. Different artisans = a different type of bead. Turkish sterling silver beads are simply of a higher quality, in my opinion. The workmanship is excellent, with fine details and consistency from bead to bead. Turkish sterling silver also tends to be a bit lighter in weight, which is a nice design quality for jewelry. For example, a necklace made of all Bali sterling silver beads would feel like a lead weight, while a necklace made of all Turkish sterling silver would just have a nice heft to it. Turkish sterling silver also tends to be a little shinier, and does not need to be polished as often to maintain that shine. The down side is that it is pricier than Bali sterling silver.

Using Turkish sterling silver beads will take your jewelry designs to another level of quality and handmade craftmanship. Here are two great photos of Turkish sterling silver designs...and have a look at my Etsy shop for more examples. Just search on the word "Turkish" within my shop.

Jewelry Home Party a Success!

Last weekend was the long awaited jewelry home party... It was a lot of work, but so much fun! I had been preparing all week - polishing, pricing, and packing up to go on the road (for the first time) with my wares.

I have to say it took more preparation and organization than the parties I have had at my own house. If I forgot something, I was just going to have to do without it!

Thanks so much to all the friends and neighbors who came to enjoy the afternoon. My mom was a wonderful hostess. And I would not have survived without my friend, Sandra, who is so fast and accurate at adding up numbers! I hope everyone is enjoying their purchases, or looking forward to giving it as a gift over the holidays. I also really appreciate all the custom orders for soap and jewelry.

Here are a few pics from the event: 1) the very reliable table guard, Gray C., 2) me, working till the very end, and 3) it's showtime!

The entire event went very smoothly. If I had to share one lesson learned, it would be this: invest in some tubs with lids for traveling and organizing. I used an assortment of shopping bags, and they were a little difficult to handle and/or limited my ability to locate items and unpack quickly.

Hope your holiday craft party has been a success. Leave a comment and let me know.

Have a joyful holiday season. Merry Christmas, everyone!

It was an Honor

A few weeks ago, Sara's Texture Crafts featured my soap and papermaking in her "Crafts of Texture" blog. I had actually done the interview a month or so earlier, so re-reading it was like it was new all over again, even for me. I was thrilled, and it turned out so nicely! Please visit my featured interview and leave a comment.

This is a great way for extra exposure about your craft. When all of us bloggers support each other, we can be a powerful force. Blog away...

Immediate Headache!

Trying to describe bracelet sizing has always been a monkey on my back! And I think, it sometimes causes confusion to the point where people don't buy a bracelet, for fear that it is too large, too small, etc. And on top of that, what would the most popular bracelet size even be??? Seriously, it is more complicated than fitting a pair of shoes!

So, I'm looking for a few brave people who are willing to take a flexible tape measure and SNUGLY measure in front of their wrist bone -- >> See survey at right. And here is why...

I do not measure my bracelets from end to end. This is a very deceiving and inaccurate measurement. A 7 inch end-to-end length bracelet with small beads would be relatively large, while a 7 inch end-to-end bracelet with large beads would be very small. Large beads "eat up" the interior circumference of a bracelet as soon as you fasten it. BEWARE of end-to-end measurements only!

So all of my bracelet listings give an interior circumference measurement. Then I will tell you what sized wrist it will best fit. For example, a bracelet with an interior circumference measurement of 6-3/4 inches will best fit a wrist that measures (snugly with a flexible tape measure in front of the wrist bone) 6-1/4 to 6-1/2 inches.

Take my wrist measurement challenge! Let's find out the most frequently occuring wrist size. This will help bracelet designers tremendously...we want to fit YOU!

I was on the Front Page of Etsy!

It happened last weekend. I was just hanging out in my own shop (is that pathetic?), and noticed that the views on my soaps were going up and up. One soap in particular, my Gardener's Soap, had views that were growing exponentially by the minute! So I started looking around and found this soap on the home page of Etsy! What a thrill -- it was directing all kinds of traffic to my whole shop. I managed to capture a screen shot of my moment in the spotlight.

Have a great weekend everyone!