Gemstone Jewelry With a Twist...

Not all metals are created equal...

I often hear the question, "What is Tibetan Silver?"

This question is not as easy to answer as you think. An Ebay article written by a jewelry maker in 2007, will lead you down the wrong path. She draws her information from a clinical trial performed by Tierra Cast. Sadly, the test is predictable as Tierra Cast is competing w/GIANT Asian manufacturers. The information is not only outdated but blatantly biased.
The first misconception about Tibetan Silver is that it is .925 Sterling. While it is comprised of pure Silver, it is definitely NOT Sterling Silver. In fact, most Tibetan Silver available today only contains a small amount of genuine Silver. The remaining parts can be any base metal even tin!
In addition to Sterling, Hill Tribe, and Bali, Fairy Dust Studio uses only quality Tibetan Silver with COPPER as the base metal and is COMPLETELY lead free. Over the years I've built relationships with my trusted sellers and have even swab tested those that I questioned. PandaHall is one of those sellers. It is just not worth the risk to roll the dice. As a consumer I want to know everything I can about what I'm working with.

Prior to 2009 the majority of Tibetan Silver on the market contained some amount of lead! However, in the last two years even the most dastardly of dealers' Tibetan Silver contained no traceable amount of lead (THANK GAWD).

Tibetan Silver has many qualities that Sterling does not. It does not tarnish, and shines up nice with a silver polishing cloth. Further, it is a cheaper alternative, and wearable for those w/a Sterling allergy. I actually prefer working with it as it is more durable. Cheap imitations will easily break.
Regardless of the pro vs con opinions, be safe and informed when purchasing anything that comes in contact w/your skin, or children.

Listia Baby!

Once in a while, selling my pieces actually destroys my creative process, so I have to step away for a bit. In this case, I had a friend request a matching necklace to the bracelet I had given her...that is all it took. Situation rectified with a quickness, and here we are once again.

Recently, I found Listia, a site where people list items they wish to give away and the public bids w/credits...NOT cash! Some sellers even offer free shipping. Naturally, when I spied all of the Clinique, Lancome, Tommy, MAC & Sephora, it was a wrap!

http://www.listia.com/auction/1915670

I've listed 4 pieces and a stuffed purse auction. So far the bids are low, but I like what I see and may stay a while. Have a look at what Fairy Dust Studio is giving away!

How do you earn credits? Well you list your free stuff of course!

Check this Ed Hardy bag out! It's stuffed with all kinds of goodies!

What's H.O.T. for 2011?

It's true that a classic piece of jewelry can be timeless.  However, a girl needs more than one classic piece of jewelry.  Wearing one piece too often ~ has been known to bore even the best of us!

It seems the "Fashionistas" met all the way back in June to decide what styles would be trending for the winter of 2011.  Apparently, big and bold is where it's at this season.  Sound familiar?  That's because big and bold was also trendy last season...now how often does that happen?

Metals are also in as well.  Not so much on the gold front, rather silver and darker metals ~ 

Now, personally, this has a touch of Steampunk style and I have to admit...I like it!

But wait!  Don't forget the fringe!  That's right folks, the powers that be insist these pieces will be rockin the catwalks this winter~

The fashion world has simply gone mad. There is no doubt in my mind that these will be show stoppers in Paris, Milan, and New York.  But tell me...are you going to sport this necklace to the office, or dare show up at the club with that god awful hair clip?

Now, anyone that knows me, knows I'm all about making a statement. I would rather that statement be one of class and ALWAYS in good taste. Looks like Fairy Dust Studio won't be rolling with the trendy crowd this year ladies and gents ~ Maybe that's a good thing?

Winner of "Vote for Me Giveaway"

True Random Number Generator     Min:        Max:          Result:  37       

I want to thank you all for voting for me! Keep on the lookout for the next giveaway. I will email #37 this evening after I return home. Again, thanks everyone!

I'm blushing...

All you creative thinkers can take heart. Even in this volatile economy, all you need is a desire, a gift and stick-to-it-tive-ness to pursue your dreams.

I’ve found still another artisan who has all those qualities and her creations will make you stand up and take notice.

The baubles are found at Fairy Dust Studios and their creator is Michele Hinkle, a mother of 3-yr-old twins and a 10-yr-old. Michele began designing jewelry about four years ago after receiving an invitation from a friend to attend a “jewelry making party.” Her initial designs were simple and very inexpensive but upon studying gemology, it catapulted her to experimenting with quality metals and gemstones. She has aligned herself with a group of fellow artisans at The Beadhive and credits these associate designers with helping to refine her style.

Michele proudly offers her works of art in Coeur d' Alene Idaho using Swarovski Crystals, Bali, Sterling, Hill Tribe, and on occasion, Tibetan Silver. Hinkle’s office is right above one of the only Bali Silver shops in the Northwest and she has her pick of everything new coming into the states. As for the design, each piece is personal and comes from her creative nature, not sketches. She simply sits at her jewelry desk and picks up a stone or two. She then digs into her findings drawer and that's when the magic begins.

Michele enjoys creating and finds designing custom trinkets gives her the opportunity to interact with her buyers to produce one-of-a-kind items."

Arlene Moskwa - Accessory Emporium

Vote For Me~Giveaway~

Well here it is. The day I've been waiting for, for over a month! Artbeads, is promoting a contest called "What inspires me."

I used a picture of a storm rolling into Santo Domingo as my inspiration. This necklace is adorned with loads of Sterling Silver, Larimar, and Onyx. Larimar is by far my most favorite stone to design with. It is naturally mined and only found in the Dominican Republic.

Voting starts today and to kick it off, I am going to give one lucky winner the piece I entered into the contest. Yes, that's right, one lucky winner will walk away with a necklace valued at over $150!! What's better...all you have to do is vote to enter.

Vote Here!

Giveaway ends December 8, 2010. Winner will be announced December 9, 2010. Open to U.S. & Canadian residents.

Don't forget to comment after you vote to be entered in the giveaway.

A Giveaway before the Giveaway!

WE HAVE A WINNER! I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT AND REMIND YOU TO ENTER THE "VOTE FOR ME" GIVEAWAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE $150 DESIGN I ENTERED INTO THE CONTEST!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 46 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I WILL BE EMAILING #46 SHORTLY!!!! I LOVE DOING GIVEAWAYS~ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS!

I've been working diligently in the studio these past few weeks on several projects. Today I had an epiphany! Maybe my readers would like to see where The Magic Happens? Every Artist has their 'Area' where their creativity comes to fruition. Often you can find me here, with either music, or some documentary in the background.

As you can see I've reconditioned an old sewing desk and it work's quite well now as a jewelers desk. I've got gemstones and crystals in tubs, tubes, drawers, and cups. All of my tools are neatly placed in the drawers below. As is my Sterling.

I keep thinking I should refinish the top, only to realize that even with my anvil, I still managed to scratch up the surface. I've recently been considering covering the top with felt, which will not only add a nice look, but keep the crystals and gemstones from scratching if dropped.

So here you have it...Shell's workspace which is forever growing. What you can't see in the picture is the Dremel, and Anvil which I just don't have attached to the side of the desk as of yet :) In the spring, the plan is to move and have a larger space and maybe a new desk...just what I need...more room for beads :)

October

I wanted to give you all a heads up with what's happening in the Studio right now. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My guild Ajdjss will being doing a promotion starting in October with a portion of our sales being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Last week I began creating a number of designs in preparation for this event. I will be steadily adding new pieces to this section of the studio through the month. I will also be designing one specific piece for a new giveaway! As with last time, the entry requirements will be simple simple simple!

The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. Start your Early Detection Plan today.

Wedding Jewelry


Bride's Necklace

I had the honor of designing two pieces of jewelry for my friend's wedding recently. One for the bride and one for the flower girl. The bride's colors were platinum and periwinkle. Her theme was butterflies. She had commented on a similar piece of jewelry I had given away as a gift and I used that piece as my inspiration for her design.

Included in this piece are 10mm White Jade Stones and 8mm Swarovski Pearls in Crystal Lavender.

The flower girl's necklace was a bit tricky as I've never designed jewelry for a four-year-old however, I can now add this to my list of expertise!

In this piece I again used 10mm White Jade and Swarovski Pearls in Crystal Lavender. Both pieces are finished with a Sterling Silver Toggle.

And the winner of $50 Vintage Silver and Pearl Earrings is...

http://malloryrich.blogspot.com/

Rich and Mallory Robinson! Congratulations guys! I will be emailing you for your mailing address. Make sure to come back and post about the earrings. I want to thank you all for becoming followers and hope you stick around for next month's giveaway!

True Random Number Generator

Min: Max: Result: 5 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

These could be yours!

Antique Silver and Vintage Peacock Green Freshwater Pearl Chandelier Earrings

This week I will start my first giveaway. But how do you do that with only six followers? I clearly need more followers. So, to enter this first one, all you simply have to do, is follow me! You don't have to grab a button, link back, and you don't even have to "like" me on Facebook. This time anyway ;)

Simply comment that you are following and you are automatically entered. If you have a blog url leave the link and I will add it to my upcoming blogroll.

You can earn extra entries for tweeting "Fairy Dust Studios is giving away Antique Silver & Pearl Chandelier Earrings! http://bit.ly/dsL3sh #giveaway"

You may do this 1x a week and make sure to come back and post a comment each time you do so your entry is counted.

I will keep track of the entries and on September 9th, a random winner shall be chosen using Random.org.

The next giveaway will be a bracelet or necklace, I haven't decided yet. Feel free to hit me up with ideas or something you'd like to win.

What's Hot for 2010?

I've always prided myself on creating hip one of a kind pieces that stand above the rest. As the summer draws to a close, I find myself wondering just what you, my reader is looking for when you shop for jewelry...

One of the biggest hurdles in designing jewelery is actually getting over oneself. I have to confess that for several years, I only designed items I liked. How shallow of me!

This season, the bigger, the bolder, the better. Apparently, "statement" pieces are in! Good to know I'm doing something right!

Chandelier earrings are still hot however, bolder colors are more prominent. You'll see more garnet, and deep hued gemstones.

Dangle earrings stay tried and true this year. Again, it's all about making statements this year.

As always, black and white pieces will prevail.

Darker metals with lighter gemstones, or lighter metals with darker gemstones will also be on scene.

Most importantly vintage pieces are now more popular than ever. Ranging from a piece that has true history to the more modern Steampunk pieces showing up on the market today.

Truth be told, trends vary from person to person. What one forecaster claims is truly "trendy," another one claims isn't. Personally, I try to put my own spin on the current trend. Hey, I never claimed I was a "go with the flow," gal!

SPOTLIGHT Today's Wire Masters~

As evidenced by a few pieces of her work, Bobbie is an amazing artist. To the right is one of her famous Sawrovski Crystal wire wrapped bracelets. Bobbi is self-taught and has been working with wire for over 20 years. You can view Bobbi's work from the links below or visit her Artfire studio MyWiredImagination.

Etsy
Jewelry.com
Facebook

Kharis

ma R. Sommers of Popnicute is another of today's up and coming talented artists. Kharisma's work is pure heaven. She hails from Indonesia where she's honed her skills. Kharisma's designs are fashion forward and couture. Take a moment to visit her links and witness for yourself the magic this artist produces.

You can find Popnicute here:

Twitter

Facebook
Blog

atinalife has be around these parts for some time. Here pieces are classy and affordable. This designer's heart is truly in her work. If you are a fan of wire wrapped jewelry, you definitely need to take a peek at her work. She's homegrown and resides in Iowa, straight from the heart land. Gemstone Jewelry by Joy can be found on Artfire. You can also spot joy on Twitter and on Facebook.

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I've worked on this post for a few days now. I firmly believe in paying it forward in this life and admire all of these artist's work. They've been at this a lot longer than I, and frankly, I'm nowhere near their level of expertise when it comes to wire. I often find myself staring at their Artfire shops in wonder and even drool occasionally! I hope you enjoy their work as much as I do...until next time...bead on!

I'm so in love with this piece. Hand made lampwork by Marie Smith of "Smithmanship." I used 8 mm Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystals, Serpentine & Pink Jade, and Sterling Silver chain. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to make matching earrings either.