Sunday, December 31, 2006

The Redwood CollectionThe Redwood Collection is the embodiment of the


The Redwood Collection


The Redwood Collection is the embodiment of the majestic and the rugged. California Redwood s awe-inspiring magnificence is captured in these pieces, making them perfect for those who appreciate the strong and bold. This collection is available in matching sets of fine silver or 22K yellow gold rings, necklaces, and cufflinks for him.

Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.

jbrana@johnsbrana.com (John S Brana)

The beaded centerpiece for necklace is finished!Cyndi L

gettin? hitched Today, the boy and I are running off


gettin? hitched
Today, the boy and I are running off to Vegas to elope. Be back soon… (Yes, I’m serious.) The boy and I on Day 5 of that epic 8-Day first date, April/May 2004. Us, earlier this month.

2006 Jewelry Arts Awards I'm rather late on the draw


2006 Jewelry Arts Awards
I'm rather late on the draw on this one, but the 2006 Jewelry Arts Awards, a competition sponsored by Lapidary Journal, have been announced. Take a look at the winners - there's some incredible stuff over there. My personal favorites are the Milk Way Cuff, the bracelet by Petra Luz, the Sweet Freedom necklace, the peapod rings, and the amazing tiara.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Turquoise (Part 13)Nevada.--Nevada has been a major producer of turquoise


Turquoise (Part 13)
Nevada.--Nevada has been a major producer of turquoise since the 1930's, and until the early 1980's, the State was the largest producer in the United States. It is estimated that over the years, 75 to 100 different mines/prospects produced sizable quantities of turquoise. Production varied from a few thousand dollars worth of material at some of the properties to more than a million dollars at others. To date, total production of rough turquoise is estimated to be in the range of $40 to $50 million.

Turquoise from Nevada comes in various shades of blue, blue-green, green-blue, and green. Some of the turquoise may contain iron, if it does, its color is pale green to yellow-green to yellow. The material can be solid colored or spider webbed with either brown or black webbing; the spider webbing may occur in any of the different colors or shades. Some of the blue material is represented as the finest pure-blue turquoise produced. It can occur in thin veins or seams or as nodules, with single nodules reported as large as 150 pounds. The quality varies from hard solid material that takes a good polish, to soft porous material that can only be use as feed stock for treatment, enhancement, or stabilization processes.

Associated with some of the turquoise deposits are........

In our next issue we will learn about Turquuoise, please visit our Beading Newsletter Archives section located at the left hand side of our homepage or simply click here.

blog@houseofgems.com (House Of Gems)

Some new digital art work tooCyndi L

ATTN: any US military vets/spouses of vetshttp://www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtmlThe Department of Veterans


ATTN: any US military vets/spouses of vets
http://www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtml

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronic data from the VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of VA policies. This data contained identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability ratings. Importantly, the affected data did not include any of VA's electronic health records nor any financial information. The employee's home was burglarized and this data was stolen. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

kaytee

Friday, December 29, 2006

Distinction!I received my M255 exam result today; 89/100!!! This puts


Distinction!
I received my M255 exam result today; 89/100!!! This puts my overall score at 92.25 which is a distinction!

Time to celebrate with an Indian takeaway... mmm...
Nikki

Add My Blog To Your Personal PageStephanie Jean

Weekly ScheduleAndrew

Maneki-neko These are a few of my collection of about


Maneki-neko
These are a few of my collection of about 40 or so "beconing cats"-- the bottom two "families" and the top left kitty are New Years decorations. The top right "fat cat" is a very popular new version-- s/he comes in many sizes and colors.

And how does this relate to anything about beading or crafts? Well, it's in answer to a question by a fellow beader... and Yahoo wouldn't let me post on the group.

kaytee

Thursday, December 28, 2006

ambrosial aubergineWhen mini robot posted about a pair of Scorah


ambrosial aubergine
When mini robot posted about a pair of Scorah Pattullo booties last month, I appreciated her passion but didn't think I would lust after them in quite the same way (despite being a Hopeless Addict of boots in all shapes and sizes). At the time I chalked it up to the printed glitter stars. Stellar though they undoubtedy are, zippy patterns don't usually do it for me (and anyone going for glitter had better strut it with a confidence comparable to Ziggy Stardust). However, look what happens when you add a wash of purple...



Suddenly La Femme Ziggy is transformed into a vision of deepest, most opulent plum. Starry shoes like these are the only embellishment necessary for such a violaceous ensemble, and momentarily (as often happens in fashion fantasies), 300 doesn't seem an exorbitant amount for the kind of booties Cinderella might wear to a rave. This is a transient delusion though. I suppose that is why purple is known as a royal hue and us plebs are forced to stick with less grandiose shades...

eurobrat_nixe@hotmail.com (Adeleine)

The French Vogue Interview Translated Here is my interview in


The French Vogue Interview Translated
Here is my interview in French Vogue translated. And while I do speak French, of course it was originally done in English so here it is. They took some stuff out so I just posted my full answers without any of the editing. I hope this doesn’t feel a tad too involved but what the [...]

Add My Blog to Your HomepageI've just discovered the cool


Add My Blog to Your Homepage
I've just discovered the cool feature that allows you to easily add my blog RSS feed to your personal homepages! Get the latest news about Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry right on your personal page!

Scroll down and look for the buttons like and simply click to add my stories to your personal homepages. I've got feeds for My Yahoo!, Google and MSN!

best,
peggy

info@peggyli.com (plcpeggy)

Spreading Your Wings Through a Beading ChallengeOne of the things


Spreading Your Wings Through a Beading Challenge
One of the things I things I like about belonging to online message boards and beading groups are the challenges that get tossed out. Many times, I've stretched my wings to create things that I wouldn't otherwise!

Take this month's challenge on the Michael's board. The challenge was to make something that represented what you are thankful for. At first, I thought "now how the heck do I do that???" but I had a whole month to think. And for this one, I really had to think outside the box!

One of the criteria for the challenge is that you must use at least 70% product available at Michael's (makes sense, it's their board!), so I went shopping at Michaels. In the jewelry department, I found some very cute pewter frames that looked like they'd make perfect charms.

My plan was to shrink some photos of my family and friends and place them in the frames, and then use a UR Charmed Pendant Necklace to display them. I also wanted to add a few extra wire charms to represent other things I'm thankful for. I was a little thrown when I opened the charm package and found the frames were actually a linked bracelet...but I just took out my trusty pliers and took it apart. ;-)

Added my photos, a few jump rings, wire charms to represent love and music, and voila! something very personal that looks pretty great, IMO.

So, my words to the wise this post are to use challenges if you are stuck in a rut, or even if you are just looking to stretch your creative genius a bit. Not all contests are big, huge productions...the Michael's one only requires that you use product available in the store and post your entry by month end. Winners may get prizes, or they may just get recognition and oohs and ahhs from fellow beaders.

Regardless, it's a fun thing to do. Join a challenge today!

Beading Help Web Editorial Team

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Wedding Jewelry ~ The BridesmaidsThe Bridesmaids will be wearing Genevieve,


Wedding Jewelry ~ The Bridesmaids




The Bridesmaids will be wearing Genevieve, done in Jet AB & white pearls, matching triple hand-coiled bracelet & earrings (not pictured) Simply smashing ladies! For more information on these products, go to www.jeanetteshanahan.com

jeanettedesignstudio@gmail.com (~jeanette design studio~)

Scam Alert Cyndi over at Mazel Tov has the latest


Scam Alert
Cyndi over at Mazel Tov has the latest on a company called VendorPro who sends flattering emails to artists and tries to sucker them out of a $340 sign-up fee.

Bracelets, Bracelets, Oh, No, More Bracelets!I'll start with carnelian, and


Bracelets, Bracelets, Oh, No, More Bracelets!
I'll start with carnelian, and the wonderful faceted orangey carnelian nuggets that I mixed with a carved flower of carnelian, lampwork beads, sterling silver and a bit of turquoise. The second strand has little charms hanging at intervals from the second strand.
I also got some great tourmaline faceted nuggets and decided to use those with these boro lampwork beads and vermeil. The chain is 14 karat goldfilled, and the other gold accents are vermeil (24 karat gold over sterling silver).
I really love sunstone, and peach is just about my favorite colour, so of course, I'm always trying to get my hands on good sunstone. This bracelet has 3 strands (one is a sterling silver chain). The wonderful lampwork beads are by Irene Collier.
I've been working on many different things this week, but I am still entranced with the Babylon Collection and have been making drawings that I may experiment with later this week. The basis for this collection is my love of lapis lazuli - especially when it is paired with gold. The lapis lazuli one sees on the ancient art in Egypt (beards are often rendered in lapis in sculpture) mixed with gold is opulent, the way you imagine rich gold and gemstones when you're a child. The museum in Cairo is like being lost in a fairy tale. One gets the same feeling at the University of Pennsylvania's small museum when viewing the Middle Eastern art with its lavish gold and lapis from Mesopotamia.

See the jewelry at Cluny Grey Jewelry . A few of the pieces may be on auction at Ebay this week: check for Cluny Grey or under the user name chloemarie99.
jewelry jewellery The Jewelry Blog carnelian gold lapis bracelets tourmaline sunstone sterling silver beads lampwork beads beading turquoise

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

Lady in Red ~ Art GlassFaceted glass & czech flowers


Lady in Red ~ Art Glass
Faceted glass & czech flowers with Swarovski crystals and art glass bracelet with a pretty pink glow. All hand-coiled, Sterling.

jeanettedesignstudio@gmail.com (~jeanette design studio~)

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

life, up and down A friend passed away. Not a


life, up and down
A friend passed away. Not a super close friend, but a friend nonetheless. Still unemployed and not liking it. People keep telling me that not a lot of companies hire over the holiday season. Am preferring to think of it in those terms rather than thinking I’m an incompetent twit. Working on revamping my entire portfolio [...]

Enter Your Jewelry Designs In ContestKa-Gold-Jewelry artist David Weitzman is


Enter Your Jewelry Designs In Contest

Ka-Gold-Jewelry artist David Weitzman is holding an intriguing contest for all jewelry designers. Jewelry designers submit their designs and the winner receives a rendering of this design in 14 karat gold! (Or if he/she wishes, 5 implementations in sterling silver).
What I love about this contest is that the designer is urged to submit a symbol that is special to him or her in some way whether it is a religious or cultural symbol or one that is unique to your website or one that has a personal meaning known only to you! You can submit your special design, website logo or the custom jewel you have always dreamed of.
The winner is selected by user s votes. So even if you don't submit a design yourself, you can participate in the contest by going to the Ka Gold Jewelry site and voting for one of the designs that you see. The contest is an ongoing contest and every two months a winner is declared.
To see the current entries and vote for your favorite, go to
Ka Gold Jewelry ContestTo see the contest rules and enter the contest yourself, go to Ka Gold Jewelry Contest The model will also be sold at Ka Gold Jewelry(if the submit person agrees) and it will be said that it is his design - a great way for jewelry designers to receive publicity and get your designs and name before a larger audience.

And while you're there...Ka-Gold Jewelry is a site I love to browse because they have some of the best information about symbolic imagery that I have seen on any jewelry site on the net. Check their Articles for some facinating information about symbols used in different cultures and eras. But watch out! You could stay on this site for hours!
Don't forget to check Cluny's New Fall Collection!
jewelry jewellery jewelry contest gold jewelry design symbols religious symbols weblog gold jewelry sterling silver jewelry The Jewelry Blog

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

More For FallI felt Fall today. A breeze in the


More For Fall

I felt Fall today. A breeze in the humidity, an undercurrent of something cool in the air, the trees dancing gracefully to that rushing sound - yes, it's Fall here. For those of you not in the South, I will point out that I have been known to come home from teaching a night class in October and was so hot that I jumped in the pool. So Fall seems a little early actually.
On to Fall jewelry: I have decided that the gemstone that with the most "Fall" feeling is jasper. The bracelet above features red picture jasper, ocean jasper, and a couple of pieces of agate (another great Fall stone). This is "Listen to the Leaves" and it will go up for auction on Ebay tomorrow (Wednesday) night (late).


The next bracelet is primarily leopardskin jasper and has matching earrings. Most of the leopardskin jasper beads - and especially the round ones are huge! I think that this is about as chunky a bracelet as you would want to wear. The carved bead is red aventurine as is the heart charm (really the aventurine is more of a peach colour - the peach colour in the jasper beads.

The blue lace agate bracelet I did simply because I was so attraceted to the faceted rectangular and diamond shaped beads. Although I did add charms, this is one of the few gemstone bracelets that I've made lately that doesn't have any lampwork beads.

These jewelry pieces will probably all be on Ebay auction tomorrow night: look for Cluny Grey or check for seller id: chloemarie99 .


Jewelry Designers: Don't forget the ongoing contest at Ka Gold Jewelry!!! See previous blog entry for details.

jewelry beads jewellery bracelets earrings fashion Weblogs gemstones beading designinggems sterling silver jewelry The Jewelry Blog

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

Monday, December 25, 2006

Citrine, Kyanite, Pearls, and a Little LampworkingI haven't posted for


Citrine, Kyanite, Pearls, and a Little Lampworking




I haven't posted for a while since I've been busy in Washington, D.C. taking a lampworking class among other things. I drove my daughter's-in-law 2 cats there (about 900 miles) so that they could all be together since they are back in the US for a while. I've been busy trying to find blue topaz that is a decent colour, but affordable, and trying to resize a bracelet with huge chrysocolla beads so that it retains its original look. But I did do a couple of things.
The first bracelet celebrates citrine since citrine is the birthstone for November. Aren't the dragonfly beads great?
The pearl necklace/torsade came from an idea I had when I was in Bailey, Banks, and Biddle in St. Louis buying a watch for my husband. (Thanks for the inspiration B,B, & B).

Finally, the earrings are the most marvelous sterling silver woven rectangles from the Karen Hill Tribes that have kyanite coins hanging in front of them. The basketweave in the silver is wonderful.
I will post again soon, I promise! I am also trying to get new pieces on the website as soon as possible - check Cluny Grey Jewelry.


jewellery bracelets lampwork
lampwork beads
beads
beadwork
beading
gemstones
silver The Jewelry Blog
Ebaysterling silver jewelry
earrings
fashion
weblogs
accessories
design jewelry necklace choker pulsera rannerengas pearls kyanite citrine

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

Swarovski Rocks! I really stayed away from Swarovski crystals when


Swarovski Rocks!

I really stayed away from Swarovski crystals when I first began making jewelry, and what a mistake that was! I am trying now to make up for lost time. Working with the crystals is such a delight visually since the flawless crystals sparkle and flash so much that I find myself pushing them around on my workspace the way my cats push their toys around the floor, toying with them, holding them for a moment, then walking away from one only to pounce on it later as though I'd never seen it before.


The top bracelet is made with aquamarine crystals - huge ones, the new Swawrovski Cosmic crystals - and sterling silver Karen Hill Tribes dragonfly beads.
I love bangle bracelets, and I really, really like this one. The Hill Tribes silver of course, then some Bali silver and then the huge Cosmic crystals in the 12mm and 16mm sizes. I am thinking of keeping this one if I don't sell it this week.
Copper Cosmic crystals and copper coins pearls suit my monochromatic tendencies and although I made this bracelet with sterling silver, the next one in these colours will be with gold. See Swarovski and Pearl Bracelet.
Large round Swarovski crystals in a green colour go perfectly with this natural abalone that I just got in. This bracelet really should be seen live to get its full effect.
I'll be posting a few pieces of jewelry on Ebay this weekend if I have time (see user id: chloemarie99 or do a search for Cluny Grey); otherwise, I'm getting them on the Cluny Grey website as quickly as I can.

jewelryjewellery pearls bracelets sterling silver sterling silver jewelry fashion shopping Swarovski crystals gemstones beads handmade beaded jewelry beading jewelry blog The Jewelry Blog weblog jewelry making jewelrymaking bangle bracelet

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

i?m still around! Hello! I got back from Vegas Sunday


i?m still around!
Hello! I got back from Vegas Sunday night with the beginnings of a raging cold. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent swilling Nyquil during those few conscious moments. I’ll be back on Monday, with my article on the Evans Group!

Peggy Li Creations redesign!I'm so excited to announce updates to


Peggy Li Creations redesign!

I'm so excited to announce updates to the design of Peggy Li Creations! Now you can page through my handmade jewelry designs and have the option to enlarge multiple insets. I've also added a visual cross-sell feature for each product page, so mixing and matching your PLCs is even easier.

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

peggy

info@peggyli.com (plcpeggy)

Sunday, December 24, 2006

What's the Buzz?Pretty, pretty bee. :)Jenie


What's the Buzz?
Pretty, pretty bee. :)


Jenie

Chat It Up 1/20/07 I’ve been invited as a special


Chat It Up 1/20/07
I’ve been invited as a special chat guest at Jo Linsdell-Feliciani’s web site where she runs weekly writers’ chats. Jo is a UK writer living in Italy, and she blogs about all things Italian as well writes articles and e-books about life in Italy. My chat room appearance is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2007 @ 12pm [...]

Back in Action! I finally got the chance to sit


Back in Action!
I finally got the chance to sit down in my new studio and actually makesomething last night. It's very soothing to have an entire room devotedto art: no one's tripping over you and you're not tripping over yoursupplies.

I didn't have a whole lot of time, but I started on a set ofinterchangeable gemstone charms to go with a sterling chain bracelet. Ialso made myself something for once - another of the chain braceletswith two charms: a sterling lotus charm, to remind me to slow down andappreciate the beauty around me, and a faceted garnet bead, which is myhusband's birthstone and makes me think of him.

Photos when I get enough time to do them. I have a big conference andtwo major meetings coming up at work and they're occupying a lot of myattention these days.

Distinction!I received my M255 exam result today; 89/100!!! This puts


Distinction!
I received my M255 exam result today; 89/100!!! This puts my overall score at 92.25 which is a distinction!

Time to celebrate with an Indian takeaway... mmm...
Nikki

Saturday, December 23, 2006

I Blame Kelis? Publicist And The Marketing Firm That Sold


I Blame Kelis? Publicist And The Marketing Firm That Sold McDonalds The Idea
Much like my fellow High Snobiety Chicks with Kicks columnist Lois of Trendy Nation, I am a fan of Kelis. I like her attitude and I mostly enjoy her music. But I still can’t figure out how every time I encounter the singer it is in some sort of tacky and tragic circumstance. How is [...]

I Blame Kelis? Publicist And The Marketing Firm That Sold


I Blame Kelis? Publicist And The Marketing Firm That Sold McDonalds The Idea
Much like my fellow High Snobiety Chicks with Kicks columnist Lois of Trendy Nation, I am a fan of Kelis. I like her attitude and I mostly enjoy her music. But I still can’t figure out how every time I encounter the singer it is in some sort of tacky and tragic circumstance. How is [...]

Are You Done Christmas Shopping?Lamentably I am not.Believe it or


Are You Done Christmas Shopping?
Lamentably I am not.

Believe it or not, I could still order from Eddie Bauer and get it in time for Christmas (as late as 11:00 am EST on 12/22 for guaranteed Christmas Delivery). Now through January 3, they're having their Ultimate Winter Sale, with savings up to 50% on select styles.



Shopping for yourself? Enjoy free standard shipping on orders of $100 or more now through 12/25.

Rebecca

Millets FarmI just wanted to share some piccies from today's


Millets Farm
I just wanted to share some piccies from today's outing to Millets Farm - I can't believe it's September, it feels more like summer!

20060921-00001



MORE PHOTOS!


Nikki

Friday, December 22, 2006

NEW! Awareness Colors & Categories As most of my ...Stephanie

Princess Margareth?s Royal Jewelry pulled in $17,3 million Whoahoahoahoa! It’s


Princess Margareth?s Royal Jewelry pulled in $17,3 million
Whoahoahoahoa! It’s hard to find words for the news that late Princess Margareth’s Jewelry, which is just being auctioned by Christie’s in London, drew $17,3 million only on its first day. This amount is shocking even for the auctioneer itself: Christie’s predicted a value of about $15 million for the whole collection. Now, that not [...]

Free Software to Make Bead PatternsAngel's Accessories Jewelry Blog


Free Software to Make Bead Patterns

Angel's Accessories Jewelry Blog

i?m still around! Hello! I got back from Vegas Sunday


i?m still around!
Hello! I got back from Vegas Sunday night with the beginnings of a raging cold. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent swilling Nyquil during those few conscious moments. I’ll be back on Monday, with my article on the Evans Group!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Rose by Any Name:Ruusu, Levantado, G lA unique bracelet that I'm


Rose by Any Name:Ruusu, Levantado, G l

A unique bracelet that I'm not sure how to classify. It's from the Raj Collection, but features rhodochrosite as well as lapis, turquoise and lampwork with vermeil. Rhodochrosite is rather expensive, rather soft (Moh's hardness between 3.5 and 4), and because it has perfect cleavage, it is rarely faceted since it is so difficult to cut. Most rhodochrosite comes from South America - Argentina, Peru. However, in 2002 Colorado named rhodochrosite its state mineral; while found worldwide, some of the best samples of the stone have come from the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado.
The name comes from the Greek word rhodo for rose.
See this at Cluny Grey Jewelry as well as other unique bracelets.



The Jewelry Blog jewelry jewellery bracelet rhodochrosite lapis bracelets turquoise gold

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

Peggy Li Creations as a Cool Moms PickPeggy Li Creations


Peggy Li Creations as a Cool Moms Pick
Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry is a Cool Moms Holiday pick. As Seen at Cool Mom Picks

Also, be sure to check out my own Holiday Gift Guide as well as my Shipping Info for the holidays! Please place your orders early!

Peggy

info@peggyli.com (plcpeggy)

Jewelry Photos for the New Site Here are a few


Jewelry Photos for the New Site
Here are a few more photos that will be on the new site:

091106_002b

091406_141b

091406_129b

Sadly, one of the first areas I packed was the jewelry workspace: it's unessential for life in the next three weeks, so into boxes it went. All the jewelry for the new site is with J. If I want to make anything, I'll just have to sketch the idea and hold it until we get unpacked.

Three New Items Added to Web SpecialsStephanie Jean

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Peggy Li Creations as a Cool Moms PickPeggy Li Creations


Peggy Li Creations as a Cool Moms Pick
Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry is a Cool Moms Holiday pick. As Seen at Cool Mom Picks

Also, be sure to check out my own Holiday Gift Guide as well as my Shipping Info for the holidays! Please place your orders early!

Peggy

info@peggyli.com (plcpeggy)

Beadfest PhiladelphiaJust got back from Beadfest Philadelphia, which was actually


Beadfest Philadelphia
Just got back from Beadfest Philadelphia, which was actually held in Reading, PA in a weird old factory. (In case you ever happen to find yourself in Reading, make sure you eat at Judy's on Cherry. It's delicious.) I spent a couple of days teaching classes and demonstrating for Beadalon, but I did get a chance to see a little bit of the show.

I thought I'd put some links here so you can take a little tour and see some of the things that caught my eye. I'll add more later.
Jangles - Jennifer makes super fun ceramic beads and toggles.
Heather Wynn - Adore Heather's polymer clay bird pendants. See page four of the thumbnails.
Linda O...Oh Linda - Cool leather cuffs like the one on the cover of Hip to Bead.
UBead2 - I love Chris' clever Carpe Beadem bumper stickers.
Joan Miller Porcelain - Check out these darling beady dolls.
Beadtrust - Interesting, unusual stones and beads.





katie@katiehacker.com (Katie Hacker)

Peggy Li Creations on the third season of "Medium"I'm so


Peggy Li Creations on the third season of "Medium"

I'm so excited that this season of "Medium" will have Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry! The first bunch of pieces I've sent will be for the character of Ariel.

The pieces being used are:
Tiny Charm Necklaces
Lovely Labradorite
Key to My Heart Necklace
Butterfly Metamorphosis Necklace
Fire Opal Earrings
Pastel Dot Earrings
Asiana Earrings (without the coral)
LA Sunset Earrings
African Trade Glass Earrings
Vive La France Earrings

I'll be watching the show this season to check it out and I hope you do, too!

NBC's Official Medium Website.

info@peggyli.com (plcpeggy)

Warm-up For Sleeve Length Fashion LabIn preparation for the upcoming


Warm-up For Sleeve Length Fashion Lab
In preparation for the upcoming Friday Fashion Lab, I've been thinking about sleeve lengths. How do you like this Gap Lightweight fleece peacoat? (I like the blue. On sale for $49.99)
Gap Lightweight fleece peacoat
Are we getting back to pushed up sleeves?

Rebecca

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Great Idea: Pooling ResourcesAmy from MotherLoad: The MomAdvice Blog, and


Great Idea: Pooling Resources
Amy from MotherLoad: The MomAdvice Blog, and host of this week's Festival of Frugality, offers this creative solution to the Frugal Holiday Finery dilemma:

I have worked out a deal with a girlfriend where we trade clothes for all of our special occasions. Usually she has the shoes, purse, and shawl and I supply a knock-out dress that I have found thrifting. Pooling our resources has saved me from spending tons of money for these one night occasions!


Obviously, you couldn't do this with just anybody; for size, shape, coloring, and personality considerations. Nevertheless, the idea has potential.

Tell me, do you have anyone in your life that you could approach about such an arrangement?

Rebecca

Style Icons of The Historically Inclined Fellow blogger La Femme


Style Icons of The Historically Inclined
Fellow blogger La Femme has a post in which she casually mentions that her favorite style icon at age 14 was Veronica Franco a poet and courtesan in 16th Century Italy. And indeed she sounds like a very formidable woman indeed. I mention this because I too was homeschooled for a year in middle school and [...]

Trying again to upload pix.... "Admiral Bragg" and Pamkaytee

Monday, December 18, 2006

Men?s jewelry design winner by GIA Gopal Roy, an India-based


Men?s jewelry design winner by GIA
Gopal Roy, an India-based jewelry designer has won th Schuetz Design Competition with his entry of men’s jewelry design. Roy’s winning entry features two white gold rings joined with yellow gold bars capped by bezel-set round diamonds. The center stone is an Asscher-cut ruby with two long diamond baguettes set on each side. The contest [...]

Chat It Up 1/20/07 I’ve been invited as a special


Chat It Up 1/20/07
I’ve been invited as a special chat guest at Jo Linsdell-Feliciani’s web site where she runs weekly writers’ chats. Jo is a UK writer living in Italy, and she blogs about all things Italian as well writes articles and e-books about life in Italy. My chat room appearance is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2007 @ 12pm [...]

Back in Action! I finally got the chance to sit


Back in Action!
I finally got the chance to sit down in my new studio and actually makesomething last night. It's very soothing to have an entire room devotedto art: no one's tripping over you and you're not tripping over yoursupplies.

I didn't have a whole lot of time, but I started on a set ofinterchangeable gemstone charms to go with a sterling chain bracelet. Ialso made myself something for once - another of the chain braceletswith two charms: a sterling lotus charm, to remind me to slow down andappreciate the beauty around me, and a faceted garnet bead, which is myhusband's birthstone and makes me think of him.

Photos when I get enough time to do them. I have a big conference andtwo major meetings coming up at work and they're occupying a lot of myattention these days.

Enter Your Jewelry Designs In ContestKa-Gold-Jewelry artist David Weitzman is


Enter Your Jewelry Designs In Contest

Ka-Gold-Jewelry artist David Weitzman is holding an intriguing contest for all jewelry designers. Jewelry designers submit their designs and the winner receives a rendering of this design in 14 karat gold! (Or if he/she wishes, 5 implementations in sterling silver).
What I love about this contest is that the designer is urged to submit a symbol that is special to him or her in some way whether it is a religious or cultural symbol or one that is unique to your website or one that has a personal meaning known only to you! You can submit your special design, website logo or the custom jewel you have always dreamed of.
The winner is selected by user s votes. So even if you don't submit a design yourself, you can participate in the contest by going to the Ka Gold Jewelry site and voting for one of the designs that you see. The contest is an ongoing contest and every two months a winner is declared.
To see the current entries and vote for your favorite, go to
Ka Gold Jewelry ContestTo see the contest rules and enter the contest yourself, go to Ka Gold Jewelry Contest The model will also be sold at Ka Gold Jewelry(if the submit person agrees) and it will be said that it is his design - a great way for jewelry designers to receive publicity and get your designs and name before a larger audience.

And while you're there...Ka-Gold Jewelry is a site I love to browse because they have some of the best information about symbolic imagery that I have seen on any jewelry site on the net. Check their Articles for some facinating information about symbols used in different cultures and eras. But watch out! You could stay on this site for hours!
Don't forget to check Cluny's New Fall Collection!
jewelry jewellery jewelry contest gold jewelry design symbols religious symbols weblog gold jewelry sterling silver jewelry The Jewelry Blog

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Not allowed to make jewelry...I just read an article about


Not allowed to make jewelry...
I just read an article about a man who decided to make jewelry as a home based business. He tried to do the right thing and applied for a liscense with his city. They denied him the liscense because the fire department says the gas tanks used in silversmithing are a fire hazard. But it's the same gas used in our gas grills and camping equipment! He agreed to a whole list of safety regulations and they still denied him. Now his city is trying to stop him from creating jewelry as a hobbyist as well. I feel so bad for this guy...

Here's the article if you are interested in reading it.
Jewelry maker denied liscense

Anne

More For FallI felt Fall today. A breeze in the


More For Fall

I felt Fall today. A breeze in the humidity, an undercurrent of something cool in the air, the trees dancing gracefully to that rushing sound - yes, it's Fall here. For those of you not in the South, I will point out that I have been known to come home from teaching a night class in October and was so hot that I jumped in the pool. So Fall seems a little early actually.
On to Fall jewelry: I have decided that the gemstone that with the most "Fall" feeling is jasper. The bracelet above features red picture jasper, ocean jasper, and a couple of pieces of agate (another great Fall stone). This is "Listen to the Leaves" and it will go up for auction on Ebay tomorrow (Wednesday) night (late).


The next bracelet is primarily leopardskin jasper and has matching earrings. Most of the leopardskin jasper beads - and especially the round ones are huge! I think that this is about as chunky a bracelet as you would want to wear. The carved bead is red aventurine as is the heart charm (really the aventurine is more of a peach colour - the peach colour in the jasper beads.

The blue lace agate bracelet I did simply because I was so attraceted to the faceted rectangular and diamond shaped beads. Although I did add charms, this is one of the few gemstone bracelets that I've made lately that doesn't have any lampwork beads.

These jewelry pieces will probably all be on Ebay auction tomorrow night: look for Cluny Grey or check for seller id: chloemarie99 .


Jewelry Designers: Don't forget the ongoing contest at Ka Gold Jewelry!!! See previous blog entry for details.

jewelry beads jewellery bracelets earrings fashion Weblogs gemstones beading designinggems sterling silver jewelry The Jewelry Blog

clunygrey@yahoo.com (Cluny Grey)

babushka chicI'm trying to imagine what my great grandmother (a


babushka chic
I'm trying to imagine what my great grandmother (a Finnish farmer) would say if I told her that in the 21st century, fashionable young femmes would be dressing as if they had fields to plow in freezing temperatures. I smiled while flipping through the latest issue of Teen Vogue and saw that the 'uber cool look' for teens this winter is a stereotypical peasant vision straight out of 19th century Russia. When I was 14 (and experiencing slightly deluded fantasies about the romance of rural Eastern European life) teen magazines dictated that we dress like Britney Spears, and their editorial models wore midrift baring tops, hip huggers and layers of lip gloss. Now, a few years later, fashionettes are supposed to go out plainfaced in drab dresses, long johns and thick woolen socks. True fashion followers will top this off with a babushka headscarf and sack of potatoes. Personally, I like this look- particularly if that bag enters into the equation- however the babushka has got to be traded for a traditional red Laplander bonnet...

eurobrat_nixe@hotmail.com (Adeleine)