More Acorn Stories

My wonderful customers love their acorns. The acorn has many meanings , and I love being able to share some of the special stories my customers tell me.  Here is the latest:


I plan to give an acorn pendant to my lifelong best friend....After losing touch for many years, we recently reconnected -- both turned 65 this year and both have major health issues (she goes in for heart surgery next week -- my heart surgery was a few years ago). We've seen each other through many things over the decades.

You'll love this part: our nickname for each other is "Acorn" because we used to love walking through the acorn-lined streets on our way home from Jr. High School...50 years ago.

A few weeks ago in search of a gift for her, I Googled "acorn charm" and there you were,
I was SO THRILLED to find your treasures!

The acorn holds many lovely metaphors, but I thought of a new one:
In times of sunlight and warmth, nature creates acorns to be buried by creatures for precious winter food, or buried by nature for the germination of new life...

Now that it's winter for my friend and I, the acorn takes on new meaning. A true friendship kept buried for a season is brought back to life for nurturing new chapters of friendship during seasons' change.

Thank you , P, for sharing your story.  The New Year is a great time to cherish and renew our friendships!

Meet reclaimed NJ!

I met this most amazing artist a few years ago.  Ben Wurst proudly creates cherished objects from salvaged wood.  An avid outdoorsman, naturalist, artist and photographer, Ben puts it all together with his woodworking. From simple rustic ornaments to tables, they are all carefully crafted with masterful details.

Rather than trying to rewrite his story, I will just send to to read what he says very well in his Etsy shop.

If you love nature and discovering the wonder in simple treasures, you will love what Ben creates.


View his website and blog here.

Treasures Handmade in Maine

I have to introduce you to some of my favorite copper crafters, Mollie and Joe. This couple is just too talented, and downright cute too.  They hammer away in Maine, turning copper into treasures for their two shops: Rough Magic Creations and Rough Magic Holidays.

I just love their copper ornaments. Friends have received them over the past years and they are always joyfully accepted.  Take a look at these birds!  They are just perfect for any tree, don't you think?

You will find great home decor as well as jewelry. Isn't this oak leaf sculpture just stunning? What ever gifts you need , this is a perfect place to find something wonderful that is genuinely handmade, in Maine with lots of love.

Small Business Saturday

Thanks to American Express for raising awareness about how important small business is to our economy.  If you are near Hopewell, New Jersey, I'd like you to stop and visit my friends, Beth and Will.
Will opened the Brothers Moon in 2000, and it's been going strong ever since. Beautiful gourmet dining plus lunches.  Will is one of NJ's top chefs and features local farms as much as he can.  So when you dine there, your money is spread throughout the local community.
You can find them on Facebook too.

I actually met his wife Beth first in jewelry design class.  She has her studio around the corner.  I can't tell you enough about her jewelry.  She uses fascinating combinations of gemstones, enamel, sterling silver and gold.
Here is just one necklace I snapped last time I went for a visit.  The large focal piece is enamel with a garnet gemstone accent. A one of a kind statement!  You can visit her online but you will have much more fun if you go in person.  Don't forget to stay for dinner at the Brothers Moon!

Black Friday Shopping

The day has arrived and deals abound! I'm sure you realize not all Black Friday deals are really deals.  You know my passion for handmade and in particular jewelry.  A tip: know your source. There is a pirate's ship full of jewelry out there which claims to be "handmade" but it's not.

Here's a great black Friday offer that I know for a fact is genuinely "handmade in USA".  Madelynn Cassin Designs is a super workshop in New Hampshire run by one incredible woman.  Here is her super black Friday special, a beautiful tourmalated quartz gemstone ring in sterling silver.
Of course there are many more wonderful rings and other jewelry in Madelynn's shop.  I've bought several pieces from her, the quality and craftsmanship is alway top notch.

You can learn more about this interesting variation of quartz here.

If you really like this gemstone, I made some cool sterling silver earrings that you might like too.

Happy shopping!

Sensational art jewelry

You should meet one of my favorite jewelry artists, Laura Stamper.  Incredibly creative one of a kind jewelry, I could own each and every piece that she makes.  Here is the newest ring in her online shop.
I hope you will take some time to explore her creations, they are truly remarkable.

Shop local, Jersey style!

Just a little reminder to shop local. You'll make a difference to a real person, who may just be your neighbor!

Caberet Pink

Do you have the winter blues? This will cheer you up!

Featured!

Thinking green

Inspired by bright chartruese

Turning the page

It's that time again. We all make promises for the new year we don't always keep.  2012 was very chaotic for me, so I and hoping that 2013 will be more settled.

Map by TheMapShop

I need to be more organized and focused. I am so curious about everything, and having all information on the world wide web at my fingertips doesn't help.  I tend to be distracted by a cloud passing by in the sky. 

Or I'll be working on one project and another great idea will pop into my mind, and off I go.  So it's very essential to have a nice notebook at hand at all times.  

Notebook byKatieBlairDesigns

 I'm the mastermind here, so it's up to me to do the creating, the cooking, and cleaning, the accounting, the packing and mailing. the accounting is the task I dislike the most because it's just plain boring. Cleaning comes second.  Maybe I need an assistant, do I have any volunteers out there?  

I do promise to be here more often for you.  I'm so sorry I neglected you last year, I really had too many balls in the air. 2013 will be different, that's the one thing we can all count on!

Globe by RusticRockJewelry

Happy 2012!

I have to say I'm happy it's turned a new year. Some bad things happened to me last year, and I am trying to move forward on a positive note.  I'm going through my bookmarks and finding lots of abandoned or neglected blogs.
One goal is to be here more often, so I said why not start NOW?

Poking around on the internet, I found this really interesting star chart for Aquarius.
My birthday is coming up soon, here are a few things I would just love to show up at my party!

This simple necklace is of course just perfect!

I happen to really love gardens and nature, so this bee necklace in garnet crystal appeals to my love of nature.

This handmade scarf has fabulous shades of amethyst purple, don't you think?  I'm wondering what you might choose for me...

Gifts from the Garden, Atomic Horseradish Sauce

My friend Jeff has many talents. A great artist, master gardener, he is also a talented cook. I always enjoy fresh from the garden gifts, don't you?

According to Greek mythology, the Delphic Oracle told Apollo that the horseradish was worth its weight in gold. It has long been used in Europe as a condiment. The origin of the name is unclear because ironically, it is poisonous to horses.

Today I learned how easy it is to make your own fresh and pungent horseradish sauce. If you don't arleady have horseradish root growing, it's easy to grow. Buy some root at the grocery store and soak it for 2 days in water. Cut it up into pieces 1 1/” to 2' long, and plant it with the wider end up. Sandy soil is best with at least ½ day of sun. Now you will have to wait 2 years before you can harvest your roots.

You will see big leaves, about 3 feet tall, then it's time to dig your roots. Save the crown where the root meets the leaves, these can be re-planted and will grow more roots for you. Wash the roots well and scrape off the outer layer with a sharp knife. You may have some harder parts of the skin which you will have to cut out. Cut the roots into pieces that will pulverize in your blender or food processor.

Jeff likes to use equal parts cider vinegar and vodka. You must put the cut pieces into the vinegar immediately to preserve it's pungency and white color.  The cider vinegar is has health benefits, the vodka helps kills any bacteria that may be lingering. You can also add a bit of salt if you like. As you are pulverizing, also add water as needed to liquify the mixture.

This wonderful pungent mixture will keep for about a month in your refrigerator in a tightly sealed container. If you are adding it to a cooked sauce, wait until the very end, and do not cook it more than 20 minutes. Jeff finds if you cook it any longer than 20 minutes it starts to lose it's zip.

What an easy and wonderful gift from your garden to your friends..... Don't forget to make a cool label for the jar!

How to spend your tax refund, part 1

Maybe you received your refund, maybe you are waiting. But why not spend it on things that will help you save money all year?
If you are getting a big refund, go buy a Prius. I did several years ago. This is my second one. They are fun to drive and hey, let's face it, we will not be seeing $2 gasoline probably ever again.  Have questions? spend some time on PriusChat and see what owners all over the world have to say.

Not ready for a new car?

Ok, how about a travel mug? You can get a free coffee on April 22 at Starbucks with your travel mug. And you also get a discount everyday. Here's a great mug from Lennymud . And if you are having a bad day, it's inspiring too!


 Maybe your grocery store gives you a discount for bringing your own bags. Here's a versatile one I found  on Etsy from Seahorsedesigns. Hand crocheted from 100% cotton, it's washable and of course, very handy!

Of course, we always want to buy something for ourself with that refund, right? You know me, I'm a jewelry junkie, so I am always looking. I happen to love these earrings from peacesofindigo made with eco silver.  Many precious metals are reclaimed, so that there is little waste over the years. Silver happens to be very popular right now.

Be happy, go shopping!

Inspirations

Spring is just around the corner. We've been teased with a few 70 degree days.  It;s time for renewal and assessing directions.  I've been engaged by a book. I can't really say I'm reading it, because it's not the kind of book you sit down and read from cover to cover. "How to be an Explorer of the World" by Keri Smith is c collection of ideas and exercises to give your creativity a kick in the pants.
I often wonder why I have so many things. They is a tray at my workbench of beads and metal parts. And I have other things which may not be significant, like sea pebbles or acorns. But this is all food for the creative process. Keri writes: " The Indo European root of the word 'art' is 'to arrange' or 'fit together' (join).  In this light, art can be pared down to its most simplistic form. We begin by collecting, the playing with the materials or objects."

I've been fascinated by the lamp work beads by artist Ellen Dooley.  I really enjoy pairing her beads with other materials, gemstones and pearls and of course sterling silver.  This blue beads in this necklace were my first purchase , and it took me months before the right combination struck my eye.  These earrings have just a hint of spring.   The colors really pop when you take a close look. You know where to find me, exploring the world!  And I'm asking, what inspires you?

Thinking of Spring!

This is the worst winter I have seen since I moved back to New Jersey in the 80's. It's been cold, so there are piles of snow everywhere!  And all the towns are crying poverty, so snow removal has been abysmal.
This was the scene from my window on Wednesday, lucky me, I stayed home.
I've been working on some jewelry for spring, can you guess what I am making?

It should be in my shop very soon! Stay tuned!

Give the gift of life!

It's the time of year when we focus so much on gifts, buying, giving, how much money we spend.  We tend to forget there are important gifts we can give that don't cost a penny.  Many of us donate money and volunteer our precious time to non-profits, helping others.
Mary, a wife of one of my co workers, Fred, has been in dialysis for many years.  Because she was over 50, they did not think she would ever receive a transplant. The call came last week, and she is recovering well. What a gift they received! I have another friend who is also waiting who may not be so lucky.  Another co-worker is battling leukemia with some success thanks to bone marrow donations. Most states make it easy to be an organ donor by a check off on your license renewal.  Or you can read more by clicking this text. It costs nothing and it can make a huge difference or save some one's life.  And of course, the simple thing that many of us can do time and time again is donate blood.
Remember, the best gifts can sometimes be free!

Creative Horizons

I know a wonderful group of very creative jewelry artisans on Etsy, the JET team. We love helping each other grow our businesses. One of the discussions lately has been about expanding our creative horizons. To think "out side the box" of our usual style, and challenge ourselves to make something new and different. This idea was inspired by several of our members who are always expanding their skills by exploring new a different crafts .

One of these shops is EmotionalOasis.  You will find everything in this shop from beautiful beaded and wire work jewelry designs, to the fantastic fused glass game boards. Here is just one of them.

JemsbyJBandCompany decided to explore the word of fashion and created this very feminine necklace. It  features genuine rose quartz, crystals and pearls on a beautiful silver tone chain.

Peg of AbacusBeadCreations is a prolific artist who must eat, sleep and dream about beads.  Her shop is chock full of wonderful designs for women, and she is branching out to making unisex designs that are great for men as well as women.

Always the adventurer, Nicolle of SilverCanyons loves to try new skills. You will find only a few items in her shop, but a huge variety of designs and techniques, from beaded sterling silver, to enameling and casting.  I really love this textured sterling silver ring.


My challenge was to return to doing extreme fashion design. I love making jewelry that can be worn any day, any time. So to make a bold statement item was a bit of fun.  I found some beautiful vintage lamp crystals in a stunning shade of blue. And look what happened!

 There is so much to see it you search the tag "jetteam" when you visit Etsy.  From earrings to handbags and fused glass, you will be amazed at the wealth of designs you will find.  You can read more about the Jewelry Esty team here.

Passion for Beading

Peg, the designer and artist of Abacus Bead Creations, has a real passion for beaded jewelry.  It shows through out her shop.
It's chock full of great earrings, necklaces, and bracelets which you would expect to see.  I really love the colors in these Black Lip shell earrings with tanzanite crystals.  You'll find beads of shell, pearls, gemstones, crystal, czech glass and resin all in unique combinations.

But you will also find lovely beaded watches which will add a bit of elegance to your look when you wear them.  I love the shades of aqua in this watch.

And if you wear glasses, dress them up with colorful beaded eyeglass holders.  And for the working gals, there are practical and pretty lanyards to hold your work ID.  All kinds of beaded jewelry for your collection and I think you will just love the prices you see! be sure to set aside some time to browse, you'll be very happy with what you find in Abacus Bead Creations.

Sneak Peek

I found a little inspiration a few months ago.  While visiting one of the trade shows, I saw many artists showing monogram jewelry. But it was all the same idea, a disc or oval, with the same basic lettering.  How boring! I figured I could do something a little bit different and create some monograms with character.  Here's a sneak peek at my first one, the letter "C" handmade in sterling silver.   It will look different when it's oxidized and added to a chain.
What I'm wondering is what letters to do next.  I tried to be scientific and to look up popular names but there are too many lists.  (I did find out that Moore is a more common name in Northern Ireland than Ireland.)
So I thought I would ask you for your suggestions.  Please vote in the poll on the right side or leave a comment with the letter you think I should make next. Thanks for your help!