Archive for January, 2010

Branding

When we receive jewelry submissions, we certainly don’t expect professional packaging. Still, it is always fun to see all of the business cards and packaging that some of our designers use.

We received some earrings attached to this business card for Tamara Kriedeman, and I loved the design so much that I photographed it to share with you here.  All of her contact info was on the other side, which I forgot to photograph, but you can get the gist of it from this image. Picture 4

Charlotte Valantine

Describe your jewelry style: Minimalist and Mixed media. I like my jewelry to be classy enough to wear to church, but with a little indie flair.

What is your 'must-see' TV show? Pushing Daisies, Better Off Ted, Chuck, and 30 rock.

What is the strangest skill that you possess? I can fit several quarters in my belly button like a vending machine. Sadly, no candy comes out.

Out shopping.

Here are some things I found while out shopping. I liked how the starfish used beads to give it texture and how the earrings used concentric circles made of seed beads.Picture 7Picture 8
Picture 4

Charlotte Valantine

Describe your jewelry style: Minimalist and Mixed media. I like my jewelry to be classy enough to wear to church, but with a little indie flair.

What is your 'must-see' TV show? Pushing Daisies, Better Off Ted, Chuck, and 30 rock.

What is the strangest skill that you possess? I can fit several quarters in my belly button like a vending machine. Sadly, no candy comes out.

Etsy Roundup – January Garnets

Deep red garnets are the birthstone for January and these Etsy designers have used them in a number of creative ways.  Let these 4 pieces inspire you to add some sparkle to your winter wardrobe.

Garnet

1. Sorbet Necklace by thebijoubabe

2. Celosia Earrings by karensugarmansdesigns

3. Red Garnet and Sterling Wrap Linked Bracelet by thebigbluebead

4. Silver Wire Wrapped Ring with Garnet, Ruby and Vintage Button by IvyTalagaDesigns

Jeri Huish

What is your jewelry style? Eclectic. I like mix-and-match elements and an asymmetrical look. I wear lots of neutral-colored clothes so I make jewelry with bright, stand-out colors.

If we looked into your craft closet, what would we see? An avalanche of photography, sewing, beading, card-making and quilting supplies would spill out and bury you alive. I'd take some emergency supplies if I were you.

If you were a mad scientist, what would you invent? Negative-calorie Molten Chocolate Cake.

Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/JeriHuish

Etsy Roundup – Let it Snow!

Even with the holidays over, I still love the cold months of winter.  I love the snow on the mountains, soft cuddly scarves and steaming hot chocolate. This week I noticed so many beautiful snowflake jewelry pieces – each as lovely and unique as the snowflake itself.

Snow

1. Pink Snowflake by SabiKrabi

2. Coralline Earrings by Mathanalai

3. Snow Bells Ring by LillyQueen

4. Snowflake Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Bracelet by GlistenDesigns

Jeri Huish

What is your jewelry style? Eclectic. I like mix-and-match elements and an asymmetrical look. I wear lots of neutral-colored clothes so I make jewelry with bright, stand-out colors.

If we looked into your craft closet, what would we see? An avalanche of photography, sewing, beading, card-making and quilting supplies would spill out and bury you alive. I'd take some emergency supplies if I were you.

If you were a mad scientist, what would you invent? Negative-calorie Molten Chocolate Cake.

Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/JeriHuish

Charming Resolutions!

This year, instead of forgetting your resolutions by March, remind yourself of your goals all year long with a charming little resolution bracelet. Wear it all year long to keep your goals in sight, or build your bracelet throughout the year, adding a charm each time you reach a goal. Here are some charms I found online for building my resolution bracelet: Picture 31.  (Cheese) Make my own cheese and yogurt at least once! I know, it is odd, but I have been wanting to do it for a year now.

2. (12, book) Read 12 books. I miss reading. It is about time I made time to do it again.

3. (Passport, Space Needle) Travel. I never travel except for family occasions, and while I’d love to travel the world, I am going to start with some smaller goals: Get myself a passport and explore the state of Washington.

4. (paw prints) Get into a routine of walking my dog every day.

5. (camera) Color correct and share my personal photos. I have all sorts of photos from family gatherings sitting in folders on my computer, untouched and unshared… sitting…rotting away.

6. (shovel, seed packet) Plant a garden. It’s going to have to be a balcony garden, but at least I have a balcony now!

7. (guitar, flute) Start playing and learning to play my instruments again.

8. (snowboard). Make it down the bunny hill without falling once.

9. (Dancer). Take a Dance class

10. (Spatula, ladle, egg beater) Make everything from scratch. By 2011, I want to be boxy free… no more store bought cake mixes, brownie mixes, or pancake mixes, etc.

11. (tennis racket) Make exercise fun. I want to get healthy through an active lifestyle and by playing hard like a kid. Gyms just don’t motivate me.

12. (watch) Manage my time better. I’m fairly confident I have the time to do all the things I want to do, I just need to be more disciplined with how I use my time.

Those are just some of the charms going on my bracelet. What charms would you put on your resolution bracelet? Share your ideas!

Charlotte Valantine

Describe your jewelry style: Minimalist and Mixed media. I like my jewelry to be classy enough to wear to church, but with a little indie flair.

What is your 'must-see' TV show? Pushing Daisies, Better Off Ted, Chuck, and 30 rock.

What is the strangest skill that you possess? I can fit several quarters in my belly button like a vending machine. Sadly, no candy comes out.