Thursday, December 9, 2010

Jewelry Item of the Week December 9th 2010

Hmmm the way things have been going lately, perhaps I should do an item of the month instead! Been crazy here since Thanksgiving! I have to say, coming down with the stomach flu the evening of Thanksgiving day (after feeding our entire extended family) was not my idea of a terribly successful day! I missed out on most of the left overs too, since I was sick for over a week. I did manage to keep down a couple pieces of apple and pecan pie though!

I did learn a new beading stitch in November and this in one of the bracelets that I made with it. I really like this stitch, I like the contrast in bead sizes and the way its woven together. You can find this in my Artifre shop.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Black Friday Madness

Well apparently the madness has begun lol! I got a text from my 20 year old son at 5:30 am this morning asking me "You not out in this craziness are you?". The answer of course, was no I am sleeping lol! His girlfriend works for target and had to be at work at 4:00 am. He went along to make sure that she got in the doors safely.

Mind you, I have nothing against Black Friday sales and have gotten up before the crack of dawn in years past, if there was something specific that I wanted for a gift. Happens that there isn't anything we HAVE to have this year that is important enough to brave the madness. We have changed our spending habits a bit and are cutting back on the massive gift giving this year. We really do have everything that we NEED, anything else is just gravy.

Having said that, I am running a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale in my shop on Artfire only. The sale will end on Tuesday morning. Just follow this link SilverRiverJewelry and it will take you there. In addition if you use the coupon code BLOG, you will receive an additional 10% off your entire order.

On a side note, one of my tree of life pendants has been featured in a Holiday Gift Guide! You can see my pendant and some other really yummy items here at knotbygranma's blog.

I do hope that all of you who braved the madness came back alive and unhurt and that you were able to get everything that you went out for!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Holiday Shopping!

Well its that time of year again, with frenzied shopping and running around trying to find that perfect gift. Make it easy on yourself and shop from home! Everything is delivered right to your door and its really, really fun to get packages in the mail. You can even buy online and have it delivered directly to the person its for! Yes, I know, you all know this already but sometimes, in the hectic holiday rush, we forget sometimes. Just so you know, I will be happy to gift wrap and send to your loved ones (just make sure your leave enough time for it to get there!). Right now, I am having a Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale (it actually started today, to give more time for shipping.) in my Artfire shop only. The prices have been marked down and the sale price is showing. If you are lo0king for well made, unique, elegant jewelry with a wee bit of whimsy, come check it out!

(I haven't decided if I am going to put the bead shop on sale yet or not, I will let you know if I do)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Interesting Trivia

Did you know that the average American home collects approximately 40 pounds of dust in a year? (thank you Readers Digest). That comes out to about 3.3 pounds of dust in a month. No wonder I can't keep up lol!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Jewelry Item of the Week November 10th

Yes, I know, I am a bit behind. I was away at a bead retreat in Pennsylvania over the last weekend in October and I just managed to get all my beady stuff unpacked this week! (more on this great weekend later) Lots going on as the holidays approach!

This bracelet is made with tiger striped lampwork glass beads made in my home studio and sterling silver. I will give a 10% discount on this bracelet if you mention that you saw it here in my blog. I will refund the 10% after purchase. Simply click on the picture and it will take you directly to the listing.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Bead of the Week October 11th 2010


Cranberry Red Orange White Handmade Glass Lampwork Beads Dots Stripes

Perfect for Christmas these beads are a bright cheerful cranberry red/orange. The spacers are encased in clear for added depth. The focal beads are cranberry, encased in clear with stripes and dots in red and white layered over the clear. Yummy holiday beads!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Simply Gorgeous Collection!

This collection has a set of my beads in it but I think I would post it even if it didn't, its just a completely stunning piece of art! Click on the link to see the full collection!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Jewelry Item of the Week October 7th 2010

Lampwork and Sterling Silver Bracelet Midnight

I really like this piece, its simple, subtle, but still elegant and sexy. The beads glow a midnight blue when the light shines through them. The glass beads are made in my home studio.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Fire Divas Quartery Jewelry Challenge!

Don't forget, entries for this challenge are due by the 15th of October. Go check out the Fire Divas Blog for rules and prizes. Honestly as a jewelery designer myself I wish I could enter since the prizes are seriously to die for! Unfortunately for me, since I am a member of the Fire Divas and make beads myself, I am not eligible to play lol!

Here is a breakdown of the rules for the challenge but you have to go to blog to see the prizes, there are too many for me to list here!

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information

Monday, September 27, 2010

Fat Cat

"Does this make me look fat?"

This is our other cat Drake. They were both rescued from the pound the same day, Drake is about 2 weeks older than Dragon. He officially weighs over 20 lbs now. He is a sweet lovely boy but simply refuses to exercise no matter what I wiggle in front of his nose. But we love him anyway lol.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Spider in the Window

We have this lovely spider in the window. My daughter freaked when she saw it lol. I refused to let anyone bother him/her, he is doing a fine job of catching bugs. And yes, he is on the OUTSIDE of the window lol. That's the neighbors driveway if want a sense of scale. NOT a small spider at all!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jewelry Piece of the Week September 23 2010

The Old Southwest Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring Size 7

Gorgeous piece of turquoise stone hand wrapped in sterling silver for a simple yet elegant ring that can be worn for any occasion.

I like this ring. I might have to keep this ring if it doesn't sell soon lol. That's what happens when you make something in your own size.

As always, you are only a click away from this fine piece of handmade jewelry.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Bead of the Week September 21 2010

Artisan Lampwork Focal Bead Purple Confetti on Blue

Artisan lampwork glass focal bead in purples and blues. A layer of clear, a layer of blue, another layer of clear and a layer of purple. This bead has lots of depth due to the many layers.

If you like it just click on the link or the picture and it will take you where you need to go!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day at the Beach

One of the few weekend days that we actually got to go to the beach. Mind you its not ocean beach, its lake beach but nonetheless it was a very nice, relaxing day. I am going to be wishing for this in the coming months! Oh and lest I forget, here are some goodies I picked up while I was there. Eventually, this will make their way into pieces of jewelry. As soon as they tell me what they want to be lol!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Dragon in the Window

Couldn't resist, he is just so cute! This is one of his favorite spots. A nice cool breeze floats by and he can keep an eye out on the neighborhood. When he's not sleeping lol!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Check Out This Fabulous Deal!

Can you believe this? Artfire is giving away up to 50,000 accounts at $5.95 a month for life! In order to get this deal we need 20,000 people to sign up for it. You can sign up now, (for free as a basic member) and fill out the form for the deal and as soon as enough people have signed up you will be upgraded to Pro (which has a huge amount of great features that make it really easy to customize the look of your studio) at the locked in price of $5.95. This offer is open to Pro studios that have a higher rate also!

Here is the link, go check it out! For $5.95 a month (1 trip to starbucks) I think this is a great deal!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Deep Blue Collection on Artfire

I really like this one. Okay, I really like all of them but this one is just really blue lol! One of my favorite colors. So much talent to choose from. Please go check it out, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and give these wonderful artists some love. (sales are good too lol)
Do keep in mind that this is just a preview, there are a total of 12 gorgeous, deep blue handmade items.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Pink and Grey Collection

Pinks and Greys, I love these two colors together. Go check out these yummy grey and pink items. Remember, these have twelve items so this is just a sneak peak!


Monday, September 13, 2010

Random Trivia Tidbit

If you put a raisin in a glass of champagne, it will keep floating to the
top and sinking to the bottom.

Now I am going to have to go out an buy a bottle of champagne and some raisins and see if this is true lol.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Please Help These Dogs

I know several people who do rescues, some locally and more on line. I admire them from the bottom of my heart, it takes a huge heart and, I am guessing, an iron stomach to help animals that are abused and neglected. I can't even watch the commercial's without bursting into tears, so people who can see and do something about this horrible problem have my gratitude. Animals don't deserve what some humans do to them.
One of the people I know who helps with small dog rescues posted on a board that I frequent. I usually am unable to help except for prayers but I was able to make a small donation this time. I can also post here and ask YOU to help if you can. Anything, no matter how small will help these dogs. They were rescued from a puppy mill and have more dogs coming from a second puppy mill. These dogs have never once, until now been touched with love.
Here is a link to the website, if you would like to donate there is a place on the website to do so. Also, if you are in Florida, these dogs are going to need homes that can show them the good in human beings. Just a thought.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Jewlery Item of the Week Sept 9th 2010

Etched Copper Heart Earrings With Pale Pink Quartz Teardrops

I love these earrings, they have everything I like in a pair of earrings. They are handmade, copper, have an original drawing etched on them and have beautiful, faceted, teardrops made from a the palest of pink quartz. What's not to like?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

New Collection On Artfire

I made this collection featuring the Fire Divas Glass Lampworkers. Go have a look, I am always amazed at what you can do with glass and fire! There twelve total, this is just a sneek peek lol.