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!

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.

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!

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

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.

Jewelry Creations from Silver Canyons

I want to introduce you to another wonderful artist who makes handmade jewelry, Silver Canyons. Nicolle is a very adventurous designer who loves to try new techniques and incorporate them into her unique designs.  I love the touches of color she adds to silver by utilizing epoxy enamels or fired cloisonne enamels. You'll find many beautiful jewelry designs with applied color, from bracelets to earrings  at Silver Canyons.  You'll also many classic designs with beautiful gemstones and lamp work glass beads.  Be sure to visit Silver Canyons and browse the neat collection of artisan crafted sterling and fine silver jewelry, you'll be pleased with what you see!

The Winter Challenge

Welcome to the EtsyNJ Team Tuesday blog hop! This is our very first edition.
Here in the Northeast, some weeks we are are stuck in out homes for days on end... too much snow, or rain, or too cold, too windy.
It can be a real challenge if you have children to keep them away from the boredom monster.  Here are a few fun items I've found on Etsy that may help you win the battle.

The Enchanted Cupboard is full of great wooden playthings... And there are dolls and playsets for girls AND boys. Check out the astronaut !

How about some crochet or knit playthings? There are many shops you can visit: Made by Melissa,  Creations by Danielle, Chimera,  and Snoodle Studio just to name a few.
If your children are creative and love crafting, be sure to visit DribsNDrabs for scrapbooking supplies.
Remember, shop local, shop handmade!