Falling Acorns

So I've decided to start making some seasonal jewelry pieces.  I love Autumn and all the colors that go along with it.   The oranges, the yellows, the reds and yes, even the browns are all beautiful.  The only thing is, I don't own many articles of clothing in those colors besides brown and maybe a little red.  So what better way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe than with jewelry, right?  Right?  Right.

I have created these acorn pieces with gorgeous antique copper acorn bead cap and Swarovski Oviline Rondelle beads.  The copper really grabs that Autumn feeling and the green just accents it so well.  This is the necklace on an 18" antique copper snake chain.

The earrings are the same Oviline green with the antique copper acorn bead cap as the necklace.  They are hanging from arched kidney loop ear wires.

See how the beads really capture the light? 

The set is $35.

Doesn't that just scream Autumn?  Yes, is the answer!

I have also made this gorgeous Crystal Copper set. 

This set is a beautiful Crysal Copper Swarovski Rondelle Crystal bead with an ornate bead cap in natural brass.  It hangs from a 24" natural brass chain.  The earrings are the same color crystal bead just smaller and they hang from arched kidney loop ear wires in natural brass.

Just look at that color and tell that doesn't say "HELLO FALL"!

This set is also $35.

All the beauty of silver for less...

I recently had a friend from college contact me about a necklace for a teacher friend of hers.  She didn't want to spend much more that $20 but she wanted the silver look.  I told her that I could do a washer necklace for her in Nickel Silver instead of Sterling Silver.  And instead of using a Sterling Silver chain I could use a Sterling Silver Plated chain.  It still has the shine and luster of silver but it only costs a fraction of the price.  Nickel silver actually contains no silver at all.  It is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.  


So instead of a piece that would cost about $30 using Sterling Silver, I was able to give her the look she wanted for only $20.  I think it looks great and it's thicker and stronger than Sterling Silver and his has a nice high gloss shine to it. 

Brag Bracelet

This is a Brag Bracelet I made for my Mother. She has 12 grandchildren. It's difficult to fit all that stuff on one piece of jewelry and not have it weigh a ton, unless you use a really tiny font. Each blank has the name of a grandchild along with the corresponding birthstone bead. This item is done in brass and gold plated base metal materials. It can be done in sterling silver, copper or antique brass as well.

Your Pet Can Look Fabulous Too!

Are there any pet owners out there who would be interested in dog tags for their dogs (or cats or iguanas or whatever kind of pet you have)? Something LIKE this one...it could say whatever you want...*this is not my work*

Here is another idea for a pet tag. It is done in a bezel (a metal tray pendant, they come in many shapes and sizes), designer paper (again, many to choose from) and sealed/finished with resin. It can say anything you like but this example shows the pet's name and contact information. *this is just an example...this is not my work*. This would be $12-$15 depending on size and shape of bezel used.

Little Fairy Princess Pendants

I will now be offering these fairy pendant charms. I can do them in hot pink/orange, light pink, chartreuse/turquoise, blue/green, sea foam, dusty blue, blue zircon and purple. They would be cute all alone on a chain or paired with a small round blank with an initial or heart stamp. The pendant alone is $15. It would be on a sterling silver PLATED chain. Add the small round stamping blank and it would be $25. I think they are adorable.

Sterling Silver Prices...

The price of sterling silver has gone up.  What this means is that I will no longer be offering sterling silver chains for stamped necklaces and bracelets.  I will be offering many different choices of sterling silver PLATED chains instead.  This makes it possible to have several choices of chain and longer lengths without the expensive price.  There are so many styles of chain out there that are sterling plated and they are quite beautiful.  

These chains are made from either solid brass or copper or an alloy of both. The base metal is electroplated with a silver plating consisting of approximately 30% silver. 

So when ordering a stamped necklace, you can pick from a few different styles of sterling plated chains.  

However if you still wish to have a sterling silver chain it is still available.  But I will have you know that I will have to charge more for it.

I hope you all understand.  I'm trying to make my products reasonable for anyone to purchase. And I believe it's the personalized, custom, stamped piece that people really want...not the chain it's hanging on, right?

Thank you.

Can I pick your strings?

I just made my first guitar pick key chain and I think it turned out really cool!  The letters are what the customer wanted but it can be personalized any way YOU like!
It is made from an aluminum guitar pick stamping blank so it's lightweight but very durable.

A key chain like this costs $12.

Be the Ball

Do you have a Happy Gilmore in your life?  Or at least someone who likes to golf?  Why not get a personalized golf ball marker just for him, or her.  These markers are made of nickel silver and they are a thick gauge so they have a little weight to them.  They can be personalized with anything you like.  Help keep your golfer in line, or least help him mark his spot.  They cost $8 each.

I WANNA ROCK!!!

Do you have someone in your life who is a musician?  Or someone who just loves music?  Why not get him (or her) a personalized key chain or pendant in the shape of a guitar pick?  It is made of heavy gauge pure aluminum.  This means it is mega durable and lightweight.
It is thick so it won't bend.  Keep in mind it is only about the size of a quarter so there is a limit to what can be stamped on it.  The font is small, 1/16" but it is legible.   It would be similar to this one.  *Please note that this is not my work...it is for reference only*  A key chain or pendant like this one costs $12.

Teachers Rule

I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong, but I am up to my eyeballs in Teacher Appreciation key chains.  But it's a good thing.  I had no idea it would be so popular.   I'm glad that so many people want to show their child's teacher their appreciation.  I know it's just a  key chain but it's the thought behind it that really matters, right?  I mean, we're entrusting our childrens' futures in their hands.  Like the quote says, "from tiny seeds grow mighty trees"...teachers are the sun, water and food to our little seeds that we drop off at school every morning.  Without them, those little seeds would never sprout.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Thank you teachers out there for all that you do!!"

Tree of Life or Family Tree pendant

I made a prototype last week of a family tree pendant made out of Vintaj brass and glass beads. I didn't get any response from it.
Since then I've made another one made from Sterling plated wire and Swarovski crystal beads wrapped around a rhodium plated pewter ring. Each fruit on the tree would represent a family member and can be customized to birthstones or whatever color one wants. The colors shown in the silver piece are from a bead mixture pack called "earth" and I thought it was fitting.
A pendant like this would cost $12. Add a chain for just a few more dollars.

Peas in a Pod

We've all heard the expression " they're like peas in a pod". Why not showcase your little peas with one of my custom wire wrapped peas in a pod pendant? They can be personalized by number and color of peas. They are shown here in a few different shades of green Swarovski crystal pearls.

Whether you have one little pea, 2, 3, 4 or more, you can get a custom piece to show them off.

These pendants start at $8 and go up with each pea added.  Add a chain for just a few dollars more.

My latest key chain

I just finished another key chain. I like the simplicity of it. Stainless steel can be a bit difficult to work with though because it's so hard and tough. I have to hit the stamps pretty hard in order to make a mark. And if anyone knows me they know I'm a little accident prone. Whacking that hammer that hard that close to my fingers makes me a little nervous. I have slipped a few times and started cursing at the hammer and bench block and then have to quickly hold my tongue as my kids are often in the next room. However all my fingers are still intact after making this piece.  A key chain like this costs $10.

We have a WINNER!!!

Congratulations April R.   You won the giveaway contest!!  I contacted you via Facebook so we can get the details worked out!!  Thank you all for your interest and support.

Patriotic Key Chain Idea

So I'm thinking of making some patriotic key chains.  They would cost $10.  They would be on either a silver or red aluminum disc and have your preference of patriotic saying like, "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN", "GOD BLESS AMERICA", "IN GOD WE TRUST", etc.  They would be embellished by 3 Swarovski round crystal beads strung together and a small pewter flag charm.  I haven't made any yet because I want to get some feedback first.

The components of the piece are above.  

Would you be interested in something like this?  Or know someone who would be?  

Any and all comments are welcome.

Teacher Appreciation Key Chain

In honor of my son's teachers, I decided to make each of them a key chain for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I know I could've just bought them a nice coffee mug or picture frame but why would I do that when I can custom create something specifically for them?

It is a 1½" aluminum disc, a ¾" copper disc with a copper tree charm, a silver plated apple charm, a glass leaf bead charm and a red Swarovski crystal round bead all on a clippy key chain ring.

Around the bottom layer of the aluminum disc is states, "from tiny seeds grow mighty trees".

Around the copper disc it states, "teach love inspire".

The embellishments I think speak for themselves.

I think this is a great gift for any educator.  It's just a little reminder of why they do what they do.  I thank all you teachers out there!

This item costs $12.  If were to be done in all sterling silver then it would cost $25.

Wire Wrapped Bangle

I just finished my first bangle bracelet.  I have a customer who wanted to get something for her Mom for Mother's Day.  However she wanted it to showcase all of her children as well as their spouses and all 7 of her grandchildren.  We decided on a bracelet because it just seemed like way too many charms to hang on a necklace.

We ran into a few hurdles though.  The cost was rising due to the fact that we were going to need so many stamping blanks.  We were looking at a bracelet that cost over $100!!  I just couldn't do that.  That's just way too much, in my opinion.  So we worked out an idea to have each "family" each stamped onto one of 4 blanks.  I had to use my smalled font to get this to work but I was able to do it.
The bangle itself is made from 14 gauge sterling silver wire which I formed into a bracelet shape and fashioned a twirly "s" hook on each end so that the bracelet can be fastened when worn.
I also added a round Swarovski round crystal bead in garnet for just a little pop of color since she said her Mom really liked deep red.

I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I really enjoy the unique look that the wire wrapping adds to the piece.  It's a great technique because you really can't mess it up.  There's no template.  You just do it how you think it should be done.

This item costs $65.

I really like how this one turned out

The washer style necklaces seem to be my most popular.  I like how they have all turned out but I really think this one is super pretty.  It has a beautiful sparkle to it that just catches your eye.  I also tried a different chain with this piece.  It is a faceted ball chain and when the light hits it, BAM-it sure does sparkle.  I wish I could capture that in a picture but I'm not a photographer.

This necklace is on an 18" sterling silver faceted ball chain.  It is a 26mm washer in sterling silver.  The flower charm is a erinite Swarovski crystal drop charm.  This item is $28.

Enjoying the nice day AND getting some work done

While my daughter was napping I was actually able to get some work done.  My office/workspace/closet it right next door to the little one's room so banging a hammer against metal is not such a soothing sound for a great napping environment.  So I usually reserve nap time for wire wrapping work (say that 3 times fast) or sanding/polishing/assembly.  However I needed to get cracking on the stampings because I have to get them all done before our Spring Break next week as I do not plan on doing any work during that time.  I grabbed all my supplies, put them in a bucket and planted myself outside on the newly built bench that my husband has made for us.  It was very nice to work outside and actually get some work done!

A place to hang your keys

I made my first key chain today. I like the looks of it. It's simple and not frilly. It's definitely a man thing. This piece is made from a stainless steel disc that is 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  In addition to stainless steel this piece can be done on aluminum, copper or brass. Using any one of these materials will result in a $10-$15 key chain. It can also be done in sterling silver which would cause the price to increase to $25.

This would be a great gift for Father's Day!

The Never-ending project

I just finished another piece.  However it took quite awhile to finish.  There just seemed to have been one thing after another go wrong.  First I had a few other pieces I was stamping all on the same day.  I had them separated and prepped by order.  I had done the other 3 no problem.  Then I got this last piece.  I had the first 3 names stamped...done.  I started on the 4th name and, without thinking, I started stamping the 4th name...from the previous order!!  Doh!!!  I contacted the customer and she understood.  I had to order another washer, which would take a week to 10 days to receive.  This after telling her, "no it won't take that long at all to finish".

So I received the second washer and began doing the stamping.  I was VERY careful NOT to stamp any wrong names...done!!!  I started to assemble the Swarovski crystal drops for the birthstones.  What's this?  I don't have any ruby drops???  What!?!  Oh no.  I have to contact her...again...and tell her it's going to be another wait all because of my lack of keeping an inventory list ability.  Oops!!  She said she understood but I would be ticked off if it were me and she may have been really.

But now...IT IS FINISHED!!!

Etsy

I made my first Etsy purchase today!!  Yay me!  I ordered some supplies to make a key chain for someone who was referred by a previous customer!!  That's good news.  Word of mouth is really something!  Thanks.

I'm making a key chain similar to this one:

I don't have that font but I suppose that doesn't matter.  I can't wait to get started on it.

FYI- a key chain like this one is $10-15.  It's not sterling silver so that makes it less expensive.  It'll be made from either stainless steel or aluminum with a clip ring attached.  I mean really, what man wants to have a dainty, pretty key chain?  They want it to be chunky and masculine and hardy...grrgrrr (sorry, my inner Tim Taylor just came out a little bit there).

Father's Day is just a month away!!

Newly registered to NetworkedBlogs

So I finally have a follow button on my page for NetworkedBlogs.  Why not come by and follow me?  I do a lot of cool things.  Who knows?  I may have just what you're looking for!

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/make_your_mark_jewelry/

I'll tumble for you...

I got my Lortone tumbler today. I can't wait to use it to strengthen my pieces and get that mirror like shine. Yay.

Little bowls of love open lockets

Who says lockets have to lock closed? This is an open locket design using the domed or bowl shaped discs which means the 2 halves sit atop one another but can easily move back and forth. These can also be stamped to your specifications along with your choice of crystal or other embellishment.

love you to the moon and back

A recent customer wanted a special phrase stamped on her necklace.  She and her kids always say to each other, "love you to the moon and back" and that's what she wanted stamped, along with your children's names.  I think this piece turned out really great.  It is stacked with a moon stamp as well as a star stamp.  It also has 2 Swarovski crystal drops in Topaz and Ruby.

My Recent Orders

I have made quite a few necklaces now.  The most popular seems to be a large washer with 4 names and 4 Swarovski crystal drops.  Who knew so many people had 4 kids?

I did make my first stacked charm necklace recently.  I really like the way it turned out.  Embellishing this piece are 2 round Swarovski crystal beads in Garnet and Ruby.

I also made a different style of washer charm.  This one is a washer with a small disc hanging in the center along with 3 Swarovski crystal drops.

So as you can see, there are endless options for your statement piece.

One Word Statements

Are you looking for a piece of jewelry or accessory that will inspire you?  Or push you?  Or just make you remember something special?  I create small tag pieces as well.  The one shown is a "believe" piece but you can choose anything you like.  Some examples are "faith", "strength", "endure", etc.  This piece is embellished with a sapphire Swarovski crystal drop and a Swarovski crystal bicone bead in "clear".  It is a sterling silver rectangle measuring about 1/8" x 1".