Congratulations Anna from Connecticut – the lucky winner of our May Jewelry Drawing winner. The prize for May was a handcrafted blue heart purse charm key chain.
Thanks to all of your for your entries in our summer month drawing. Join our newsletter to receive information about June’s drawing.
Indigo Heart Blue Flower Purse Charm Keychain
Beaded Bracelets – Beaded Bracelets Are the Perfect Gift
by SWCreations
Beaded bracelets are no longer the simple threaded bracelets they once were. These fine pieces of handcrafted jewelry are in high demand as their hand crafted beauty shines through. Everything you can imagine is available, including button jewelry bracelets, crystal bracelets of every color, charm and bead bracelets, gemstone bracelets, clustered beaded pieces, earthy bracelets, and double strand bracelets. These fine quality hand crafted jewelry items are stunning and one of a kind. You don’t want to buy something that’s manufactured when you can get a unique piece.
Now if you are looking for a special gift for someone you know, handmade bracelets crafted out of any of these styles will be wonderful! Beaded jewelry gifts are very popular all the time! Consider the personality and usual dress of the person you are shopping for. Do they like a lot of drama? If so, then consider beaded jewelry that has a lot of flair, such as charms or various colors. Are they more sophisticated? If so, choose something elegant, like a single strand in sparking, shimmering crystals. Perhaps your gift recipient loves to wear unusual buttons. If that’s the case, consider a button jewelry style bracelet!
Consider now, on the other hand, that you are shopping for yourself! Obviously, it is easy to shop for oneself! However consider a few things when choosing between the many beaded bracelets. The first thing you should picture in your mind is whether or not this beaded jewelry will match what you want to wear with it. Will it match one outfit or multiple outfits? Think about what colors you like to wear. Do you like busy jewelry, or a peaceful, subtle, calmer piece? Use these considerations to choose your bracelet. Also, how big is the bracelet compared to your wrist? Jewelry extenders are also available to extend the length of your bracelets or other jewelry items.
Beaded bracelets are always popular and never go out of style. The artistic pieces available today will be most impressive to nearly anyone. You can get just about any style and many colors and unusual sequences. Quality handcrafted jewelry in the form of a bracelet is a piece that will last a lifetime. Handcrafted beaded jewelry is an item that sometimes becomes a family heirloom as well. These fine pieces are works of art that can enhance your appearance when you wear them, as well as become a conversation starter!
Button Jewelry – Button Jewelry is the Perfect Unique Gift
by SWCreations
Button jewelry is a surprisingly attractive type of handcrafted jewelry that you can get today that is custom designed and look like designer pieces of art. These items make incredibly thoughtful quality handcrafted jewelry, and those you give them to will be impressed with their quality. You can get button items crafted in the form of bracelets and pendant necklaces. These items, when combined together in the hands of a fine jewel and artist, make incredible gifts for those you love, and certainly are conversation pieces for those who own and wear them!
Giving button jewelry as a gift is unique in itself, and the recipient will be amazed at how unique this item is. Handcrafted jewelry such as this is not common and will be appreciated. The first item that you can give is a button art necklace, which is presented in the format of an articulate looking pendant on a chain. They can have many colors and patterns, and come in a limitless variety of styles. Shimmering sterling silver is often used as is glimmering gold. Some show more of an artist’s hand while others are more sophisticated and simple. These pieces of quality handcrafted jewelry are sure to be treasured for years to come.
As unique as button jewelry is in the form of a pendant necklace, crafted in fine quality, a bracelet made out of buttons and other accessories of artistic merit is also a great gift. When giving a bracelet, you will be able to see that there are many more artistic expressions in this piece of handcrafted jewelry. As a gift, a bracelet is something that someone can wear to accentuate an outfit, so if you know the recipient wears a lot of a certain color, consider getting a bracelet that will go along well with that. The many parts in a quality handcrafted jewelry piece usually flow well in a color theme.
Giving button jewelry as a gift is something that the recipient is sure to cherish for many years to come. Because the gift is so unusual, they will remember you very well every time someone asks them where they got it as well. This makes the bracelet a special gift indeed. Handcrafted jewelry always assures that the item is unique and made of fine quality. Giving a piece of quality handcrafted jewelry is a loving gesture which will be remembered for a long time.
Beaded Earrings for 6 E-Personalities
by SWCreations
Beaded earrings are a wonderful gift for the elegant, eclectic, energetic, eccentric, earthy, or eloquent person in your life. There are many personality styles out there, and just as many earrings made out of beautiful beads! Elegant earrings are the first. Beautiful, gentle colors made in many dangling styles to suit even the most equally elegant outfit are available for purchase. These earrings are always designed in a large array of shapes and styles to match nearly any style outfit or level of elegance.
Beaded jewelry in the form of earrings is especially great for the eclectic earring collector. Some of the designs you can find among beaded earrings are incredibly unusual, and are perfect for that one person you know who tends to walk away from the beaten path! You know this friend. She is always wearing bright colors and making bold statements in her accessories. She probably adores artwork as well. The colors available in this type of handcrafted jewelry varies so much that you are sure to find the perfect item! An energetic person is always likely to wear quality handcrafted jewelry that is made out of dangly beads, because energetic people are always expressing themselves flamboyantly!
Beaded jewelry gifts are always in season, and even more so for the eccentric person you know. This quality handcrafted jewelry is also appreciated by the earthy friend or family member that you know. These people truly appreciate things that are handmade. The eloquent person in your life is sure to appreciate the fine quality of this type of handcrafted jewelry and express that back to you when they thank you for this gift. If you are getting beaded earrings for yourself, you are sure to find the colors, styles, shapes, and unique features attractive and never boring.
Beaded earrings are a great gift for yourself or someone you know who is of nearly any personality. This quality handcrafted jewelry is carefully created by loving hands of the jewel and artist, creating a unique set of earrings each and every time. Whether dangly, earthy, sophisticated, fancy, wacky, or fun, you will be sure to love this style of handcrafted jewelry. It never goes out of style, so you will have a set of earrings to weather all of the changes in fashion! Get a few color sets that match a multitude of colors, and you’ll have earrings to last a lifetime!
Jewelry Extenders – Attractive Jewelry Extenders Lengthen Beautiful Pieces
Author: SWCreations
Jewel extenders in the past have often been plain and without an attractive appeal. However, today’s extenders are perfect for fancy pieces of jewelry of all kinds. The clasp style of these extenders varies greatly so that it will match any handcrafted jewelry you might own that is just not quite long enough to sit well on an outfit perfectly. Sometimes when you receive beaded jewelry gifts, you might find that it’s not quite long enough, so adding an extender to the quality handcrafted jewelry makes it fit just right. Extenders are perfect for beaded jewelry of all kinds, but especially necklaces.
Today’s jewelry extenders are impressive and very highly attractive. They are almost like beautiful beaded jewelry themselves, and add a little something special to that too short necklace you own. Whether for every day wear or a special event, an extender that itself is a fine piece of quality handcrafted jewelry is best. You can find extenders in a variety of beadwork, including freshwater pearls, glass beads, cubic zirconia, and Swarovski Austrian crystals. These can make a fine addition to your beaded jewelry. This is a very cost effective way to make your jewelry fit just right.
There are a surprising number of jewelry extenders you can get as well. You can get just about any type of extender. You can buy extenders for bracelets, which is great because everyone has seen a tiny bracelet that is simply too small for some wrists. Another good type of extender is anklet extenders. Anklets are so attractive, so it’s really disappointing when you have one that’s too small. Gold anklet and necklace extenders are also available at a very reasonable price. Of course, necklace extenders are the most popular form, and are very helpful when you have a fine piece of quality handcrafted jewelry that isn’t quite long enough.
Jewelry extenders are a great option to lengthen just about any form of jewelry on a chain and using an extender of equally fine handcrafted jewelry quality is important. Since you can get an extender for your necklace, anklet, or bracelet in just about any matching material, why wouldn’t you get that inexpensive extender and enhance your handcrafted jewelry and its appearance when you wear it? Extenders are made of the same materials, whether it is beads, pearls, gold, or even find items such as cubic zirconia or Swarovski crystals! Extenders make your beaded jewelry and non-beaded jewelry work well for you!
Beaded Anklets – Beaded Anklets Great Gift for Others or Yourself!
Author: SWCreations
One very popular piece of jewelry that’s always popular and less common is the anklet. It adds a little something special to the warm weather wardrobe that a necklace simply cannot do. There are a lot of styles available to get when you are shopping for beaded anklets. When choosing an anklet for purchase, you will need to consider several types, including designer anklets, beach anklets, and the various sizes of anklets. These sizes are 8-9 inch, 9-10 inch, 10-11 inch, and 11-12 inch. It not a bad idea to measure your ankle or the ankle of the person for whom you are buying the anklet prior to purchase. When choosing beaded anklets for designer wear, consider the personality of the person who will wear this anklet. Are they into art, or do they enjoy solid colors? Do they like a huge variety of colors, or prefer monochromatic color schemes? Choices vary greatly depending on these factors. Some anklets are designed with cute little dangling charms while others are plainer. Some of them even feature artistic-looking beads to enhance their beauty and charm. Quality handcrafted jewelry such as this is hard to find, and you’ll want to give the very best if this is a gift item. Another anklet type to choose is the beach anklet. These are ideal for a day by the pool or ocean. When lounging in the sun, these swivel and snap beaded anklets won’t fall off and will stay securely attached to the ankle. Brass and nickel are ideal materials to make the swivels out of so that they withstand the environment that they will be in. This type of beaded jewelry is very popular and makes great beaded jewelry gifts! There are many color combinations to choose from, and the use of Swarovski crystals is an option on these. No doubt anyone wearing an attractive beaded anklet at the beach will get a lot of attention when they have on the anklet that matches their personality well. Giving the gift of quality handcrafted jewelry is easy when you choose beaded anklets! Whether your recipient is more into designer choices or is more of a beach-lover, they are sure to love this item. If it is for yourself, you are sure to love the quality and craftsmanship that go into each and every one. Beaded jewelry is a jewelry trend that never dies. It is one of those universal styles that are always in, so you’ll never have to worry about your piece going out of style.
The zircon is a type of mineral that belongs to the family of nesosilicates. Zirconium silicate is the chemical name. Green, brown, red, golden yellow, and colorless are the natural color of Zircon. The Matura diamond are colorless minerals that has the gem quality and are very popular as a substitute for a diamond. They are not be confused with the cubic zirconia which is a synthetic mineral with a totally different chemical composition.
Zircon came from the Arabic word zarqun which means vermilion, the persian word zargun which means golden colored. The yellow zircon is commonly called the hyacinth which is a word originated in East India. During the middle ages, people called all yellow stones as hyacinth, however today, this term is only used to describe or identify the yellow zircons.
The traditional birthstone for December is the Zircon.
If not for its presence in the crust of the earth, Zircon is a great and remarkable mineral. They are primarily found in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. The least abundant type of zircon is the Large zircon crystals. Zircon is one mineral that is found worldwide and is a very common accessory. These minerals can be found in Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Quebec, United States, Italy and so on. The largest producer of zircon which accounts to 37% of the world’s total production, Australia is the leading country in zircon mining. The zircon can be found in a wide variety if colors. They can be seen in black, colorless, hazel, yellow, brown and red. Below gem quality, zircons can be changed by heat treatment. It really depends on the amount of heat beig applied to the mineral. They can be changed to blue, golden yellow, and colorless.
Zircons are commonly used as as insulator and as an abrasive. It is a gemstone that is seen in a wide variety of colors and characterized by its great brilliance, clarity and fire. Zircon was known as an amulet for people who are travelling during the 11th Century. It is one gemstone believed to protect people from insomnia, diseases and injury. It is also used ensure the traveller for a warm cordial welcome on where he will travel. The zircon, according to ancient civilizations was believed to hold magical powers and used to fight evil. It was used to fight the black death which is the great plague that killed almost all of the population of Europe. The zircon was the most popular prescribed medicine to those people who can’t sleep, to stop poison and aid a proper digestion.
The most rare and the most prized zircon is known as the red gemstone. The zircon, with a well placed knock can be easily broken because it is a brittle stone. However, despite of its poor hardness, the zircon is still a very valuable tock because of its brilliant beauty. It was even mentioned in the book “Arabian Nights” because it is considered to be the favorite gemstone of the Arabs.
Handcrafted Jewelry- Imparting the Special Touch
Author: Suzanne
The desire to stand out in the crowd is common to everyone. This is not unusual, as we all love to be admired and talked about, thus providing reason enough for the growing obsession of things that promise to be unique or different. You might have a pleasing personality and good brains; but it’s more important to let the whole world appreciate your qualities. Always remember, appeal originates through sight. Herein lies the necessity of creating your own style statement.
It’s not just the clothes that contribute to your style. In fact, they must be teemed with proper accessories for that killer look! Apart from shoes, bags, or watches, it’s the kind of jewelry put on that makes or mars your appearance. The perfect accessory for any occasion, jewelry, highlights any outfit. Gone are the days when jewelry was considered the sole possession of women. Men too have shown great affinity for these decorative pieces and are now worn by many to create that ultimate fashion statement. Commonly observed, it seems that the great demand for jewelry across the world has led to the abundance of duplicate or imitative designs and products. Tennis bracelets, pearl necklaces, solitaire earrings- these are possessed almost by everyone. Even the fashion jewelry and costume jewelry sold in the shopping malls are losing their uniqueness on account of being sold on retail. The solution then lies hunting for the right place for your unique jewelry piece.
The best places to look for some truly unique jewelry, especially the handcrafted ones, are antique stores or your grandma’s collection. It might sound a weird notion initially, but these antique pieces hold the promise to set you apart from the rest. Handcrafted jewelry is an artistic creation, where every jewelry item is individually crafted to lend the essential uniqueness for which the product is valued. Handcrafted jewelry is designed as per the changing trends and lifestyles of the contemporary world. These ornamental pieces come in a wide range of designs, catering to the tastes of the buyers who generally prefer to pair them with both formal and informal outfits. Earthy woods, textured brass, semi-precious gems, gold, silver, brilliant crystals, or unusual elements are used to craft some of the most stunning designs.
An essential thing to remember while buying handcrafted jewelry is its theme and style. If you are a person who loves dressing formally, then colorful gemstones, precious or semi-precious stones would be the plausible choice. However, for the younger and the hip lot, trying out new styles would just do the trick. For instance, it would be a great idea to experiment with handcrafted Bohemian style jewelry. Use of simple material with bold designs would definitely help to create a free-spirited funky appearance. Another unique handcrafted jewelry style is the poetry engraved jewelry, where beautiful poetic lines are engraved on gold and platinum. These handcrafted jewelry items are ideal for all ages and are especially preferable for informal costumes.
So give up your common fashion jewelry this season to try out the chic and trendy handcrafted jewelry. The mixing of different styles, in combination with the artist’s vision and creativity, makes every jewelry item one of a kind.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/handcrafted-jewelry-imparting-the-special-touch-296436.html
About the Author:
Suzanne Macguire is an Internet marketing professional with keen interest in trendy jewelry.
Information and Legends associated with Topaz, November’s Birthstone
by Lisa Vella
Topaz is a gorgeous gemstone found in a wide range of colors. Striking shades of red, orange, peach, pink and gold are just a few shades of interest. However, yellow topaz is the official birthstone for the month of November. Commonly used as the suggested anniversary gemstone for the 4th, 19th, and 23rd years of marriage, this lovely stone has actually been quite famous throughout history.
The word topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire. Typically, gem connoisseurs mine it from sources in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia, Australia, Africa, Mexico and Pakistan. The method most often used is surface mining or open pit mining, but sometimes underground mining is also an option depending on how deep it is in the ground. Topaz may be found in large chunks, or in small pieces.
Interestingly enough, the most famous topaz was for years thought to be a diamond called the “Braganza Diamond.” It is also known as the “Prince Regent Diamond” because it entered the court during the regency of Prince Regent John VI. Some describe it to be about the size of a goose egg, and say that John VI had a hole drilled in it to wear as a necklace for special occasions.
The famous “Braganza Diamond” disappeared after the death of King John VI, and no one is quite certain as to where it is today. Some think it may be set on the Portuguese crown. Even though it was discovered in 1797, if were a diamond, it would still be the largest and most valuable diamond ever found, but experts believe based on its color, which had been described as a dark yellow color, and other features that it truly was a topaz.
Those who are interested in seeing genuine topaz gemstones may do so at various museums, including the Smithsonian Institution, American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the British Museum. Their dazzling displays contain both rough and cut stones.
As with most gems that have been around for centuries, topaz have their own powers associated with them. It was considered to heal both physical and mental disorders and even prevent death. As for physical ailments, those with achy body conditions would wear it because they thought it cured or improved arthritis and other bone and joint dysfunctions. In addition to those health problems those who wore it felt it improved various blood vessel and circulatory problems.
Emotionally, topaz was said to drive away sadness and even improve upon intellect, as well as bring a feeling of calm and peace to the hearts of all those who wore it.
On fun piece of folklore associated with topaz comes from the Greeks. They believed it had powers to literally increase strength and actually make those who wore it invisible. However, they were not the only ones to feel it had these magical powers. The Egyptians felt if they wore it as an amulet they would be safe from injury, while the Romans were certain that it improved their eyesight.
Based on its history and beauty, those who wear topaz jewelry designs would most likely agree with St. John in Revelation who said that topaz was, “touched by the splendor of the sun.” It truly is a splendid gem.
Women take fashion very seriously, and many view the clothes and accessories that they wear as the paint with which they create their own artistic story about who they are and who they want to be. We’ve all shopped for jewelry at big chain stores, and been disappointed with the selection and the quality of the piece that we find. If it’s not made out of plastic, it’s been mass produced by a machine in a factory, without quality or uniqueness. If you are tired of wearing the same earrings as everyone else in your community, you must seek out handcrafted earrings that have been made with care.
If you’ve never considered looking for beaded earrings that have been handcrafted by an artisan that takes pride in each piece, you should know that they are often the most stunning part of any outfit. No matter whether you like to dress in flashy, loud prints, or more subdued solid colors, there are handcrafted earrings that will compliment your style and cause other people to take notice. You will be able to wear your earrings in confidence because you know that there are only a few pairs just like it in the entire world.
When choosing your handcrafted earrings, be sure to choose styles that complement your face shape and the length of your hair. If you have longer hair, you will want to choose beaded earrings that have a longer length, so they will be able to be seen when you wear your hair down. These types of earrings typically have longer wire clasps, and will feature at least three or four different sizes and shapes of beads. If you have shorter hair, you might want to choose a lighter style that is only made of one or two types of beads.
Don’t forget that beaded earrings can often be made especially for you by the artists that design them. If you are interested in helping to design your own unique pair of earrings, of have been looking for handcrafted earrings that will match one particular outfit, but haven’t been able to find anything that satisfies you, be sure to contact the artisan about your trouble. In most cases, they are happy to work with you to develop the perfect accessory for your favorite dress or blouse. If you are interested in learning more about the wonderful world of beaded earrings, there are many places online where you can look at the work of handcraft artists.