January's Birthstone - Garnet

No wonder the saying 'slower than molasses in January' is so true. You ever try and pour cold molasses? When I think January, I think cold, then I think garnets!

Garnet is January's birthstone as we all know, but did you know that garnets come in a range of colors? Here are examples of some. I found examples of all of these different garnets online. Click on the picture and it will take you to the site for more gemstone information.

Almandine - Deep, dark, rich red to purplish red to orange red (probably the most common)



Demantoid - Medium green to slightly yellowish green



Hessonite - Brilliant yellow to yellowish brown (one of my favorites)



Pyrope - Deep, dark, rich red to slightly purple red



Rhodolite - Shades of pink through reddish lavender (absolutely stunning)



Spessartite - Medium orange to reddish orange (sometimes called mandarin garnet and makes me stupid happy)



Tsavorite - Medium, intense green to slightly yellowish green (now ya know why emeralds are the alternate birthstone for January)



Uvarovite - Bright green (most of the examples I found for this garnet were all druzy's)




Now I know you are all wondering "Where can I get garnets?"

Rings & Things
Faceted Fan, Tip Drilled (Rhodolite Garnet)




ArtBeads
Green Grossular Garnet Roundelles




Beadin Path
Garnet Graduated Faceted Marquis Briolettes



I know you have ideas running thru your head right now. Not only is garnet the birthstone for January, but garnets also represent romantic love and passion, making them perfect for your valentine!!

A year in review - Repurpose project

I have been blogging here since February 2009, not even a year yet. I have been welcomed with open arms, met some great people, joined three blogging groups, Rings & Things, Art Beads and Beadin Path, and grown so much with the support from all of you. I wanted to do a 're wind' and look back at some of my favorite posts. So that is what I am doing this week. Not only am I going to post some of my favorite entries, but will also include some from my list of favorites as well.

Hope your year was happy and the new one to come even more so.




From April, 20, 2009
While I was at my moms we went thru box after box of 'stuffs' she has collected over the years. I need a month to show you everything I brought home with me.

Back in the 70's my mom use to make costume jewelry Christmas tree wall hangings. She would push the twinkle lights thru holes in the cardboard and it would light up. The twinkle lights would reflect off of all the rhinestones and quite honestly could put someones eye out :)

Any one remember these? I found this pic on line - Glorious I tell you! I am so digg'n her hair too. Man, I miss the 70's



While we were diggn, we found a box of odds and ends. Costume jewelry left over from those christmas tree days. I squealed when I saw it.




This morning over coffee the idea hit me, I came up with this.

Paisley crazy

The purple coins are dyed crazy lace agate from Sedona Stones.






And yes, I am wearing it :)




Edit - I submitted this bracelet to Bead Trends for the Nov 2009 issue. It was chosen!!!
Here are pictures of the spread:

Not Knots!! or How memory wire saved my life

I am going into a busy busy time. I have something every weekend from now till the week before Christmas. On top of that I have product in five stores and have to get them ramped up for their holiday shopping.

I don't have enough time!!

I need something quick that will bulk out my inventory, give my customers a choice and work in a retail setting as well.

Something that I can crank out without looking like it came off of an assembly line.

*think* *think*

One thing I get quite a call for and haven't been able to provide to my customers are elastic bracelets. I cant' tie a knot to save my life. I have gotten some great tips from my readers when I reached out for advice on just this very problem a while back, sadly, my fear of elastic has kept me from trying any.

While at Walmart yesterday, I did a quick stroll thru the craft department (one of the few Walmarts that still has a craft dept.) and I saw memory wire. Me and memory wire don't have the greatest history. I used it years ago, when I first started making jewelry, and didn't understand the principles of it and became very frustrated. I thought I would try it again. I got a 5' coil for $2.67. It was worth the risk.

This morning I played around with a couple ideas when the flood gates opened. Out of that 5' length of memory wire, I got six bracelets! They are fun and versatile. No clasp to worry about and no knots!

Here's what I used:

Vintage Italian Lucite Marbled Red w/ White Rounds 12mm 20pc *- A Beadin Path
Glass pearls- Walmart
Bright Sterling Silver Twisted Jump Rings, approx 8mm - Sedona Stones
Round banded agate
Square banded agate
Czech Fire Polished Bead Jet 6mm - Art Beads
Faceted jasper roundelle
Sterling beads
Faceted AB Czech crystal
Repurposed black crystal
Black seed beads

Spice jasper round beads approx.12mm -Sedona Stones
Sterling daisy spacers
Glass pearls - Walmart

Coral
Dyed Magnesite
Sterling daisy spacers


Re purposed wood beads
Sterling barrels
6mm howlite - Rings & Things



Round Snowman Head (Limited Stock) (White) Glass Bead *- Rings & Things
Re purposed plastic beads
Seed Beads

Thanks for stoppin by!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things and Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Still playin with vintage lucite from Beadin Path!

I had to get some necklaces done to do an inventory swap with one of the art stores that has my designs.

I like to keep my displays fresh, and I swap out my inventory every six weeks or so. Lately it hasn't been difficult at all to be creative with the generous promotional strands of vintage lucite I received from Beadin Path. Being a design partner with Beadin Path means that Heather picks several promotional strands of beads from the inventory at Beadin Path and sends them to me about once a month or so. I am sent the beads to review and also to help promote through my blog. I don't receive any pay for these beads, and none is needed. The creative challenge that is posed to me each month is more than enough!

Of the necklaces I made this morning, this one I really like. I almost didn't take it in, and kept it for myself. Luckily, I held back enuff of the vintage lucite beads to make one for myself!

I used Antiqued brass 5x3mm chain from Firemountain Gems
Vintage lucite cube beads, 10mm Smoky Quartz from Beadin Path
Facted magnesite nuggets, a gift from a friend of mine
22 ga copper wire from Rings & Things
Hammered copper link from Cherry Tree Beads







It just feels like November to me. It is the perfect length and weight. Would look great over a light sweater peaking out from under a blazer on a casual nite out.

Beadin Path Design Partner - Vintage Lucite Bracelets

I have had the best time playing with this lucite from Beadin Path! I can't get enuff of it. At first, I honestly thought I could do nothing with it. I have worked with stones for so long as the bulk of the design, I didn't know if I could incorporate the lucite. Boy was I wrong. I can't believe how inspired I am to create with these.

These side drilled little translucent orange ones are really growing on me. The way the light shines thru them and the way they 'wobble' in the design due to their drilling. Makes every piece - 'jewelry in motion'



Ok, I confess - I LOVE THEM ALL!! These 16mm jonquil beads are beautiful, bulky, bold, like an encore on your wrist, people will want to see it again and again. They go with literally anything. I love how copper brings the warmth out in them. I may be partial to them because jonquils are my favorite flowers.




I am having the best time playing with this lucite!

Fall color trends 2009

Happy Fall!! It got here so quick!! If anyone finds where my time went, could you let me know???



I wanted to give you a taste of the fall colors for this year, as found at FashionTrendSetter.com. The colors are so warm and delicious - like a berry pie. They really are very appetizing!

I see lapis and mookite, amethyst and citrine, carnelian and rhodinite!! They are all here.

Rings & Things has a perfect fit:


Pendant, Gemstone, Tip-Drilled Teardrop, 65x45mm (Rhodonite)
I LOVE this pendant!!!




Bead, Gemstone, 12mm Faceted Rondelle (Carnelian)





Art Beads has some great selections!






8mm Lapis Lazuli Faceted Coins












Mookaite 6x3mm Disc

so many colors for this years trend are right here in this strand!!!






Bead In Path offers great accents to these gemstones



Vintage Lucite Clear w/Purple Specks hoop w/Top Hole 35mm 8pc.


















Vintage German Glass 10mm Topaz Triangular 15pc.









So many beautiful choices for your next creations! What will you make??

September bead shows - retail and wholesale

I got an email the other day from Megan of Omega Gems letting me know she is going to be at the bead show here in town over the weekend.

*cue Mormon tabernacle choir*

September has to be the BIGGEST month for bead shows - there are a ton of them, and I am going to give them to you now!!!

If you can't make it to one of these shows, never fear! Great Labor Day sales are going on right now, even as you are reading this!! Stop by and see some of my favorites sites and enjoy the great savings they have to offer -

ArtBeads is killing me with a store wide 20% sale for newsletter subscribers - what!?!?! you haven't subscribed yet?!! *puts on mom voice and wags finger* What am I gonna do with you!! Sign up here!

Rings & Things is having a great close out on select CRYSTALLIZED™ items savings from 25% to 75% - what are you waiting for?!!?

Sedona Stones has some beautiful stones on clearance, great fall colors!

BeadinPath has a great selection of items some discounted up to 50%! The only place to get your Lucite fix!

Hope you have a great weekend, and if there is a bead show in your area - GO!!! it is such an experience to be able to see and feel your choices and not look at them on your monitor. It can make you buy more too, so be careful kids!!


Sep 4-6: CA: Gem Faire: Santa Barbara, CA: Earl Warren Showgrounds, Exhibit Hall, 3400 Calle Real

Sep 4-6: FL: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Ft Lauderdale, FL: 800 NE 8th St

Sep 4-6: LA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: New Orleans, LA: Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd

Sep 4-6: WA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Bellevue, WA: Meydenbauer Convention Center, 11100 NE 6th Street

Sept 5-6: KY: Bead Mercantile: Louisville, KY: Fern Valley Hotel & Conference Center
2715 Fern Valley Road

Sep 11-13: CA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: San Mateo, CA: San Mateo County Expo Center, 2495 South Delaware Street

Sep 11-13: MA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Wilmington, MA: Aleppo Temple Shrine, 99 Fordham Road

Sep 12-13: FL:Down the Street Bead Shows: St. Augustine, FL: Elks Lodge., 1420 A1A

Sep 12-13: NC: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Asheville, NC: Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood Street

Sep 13: MN: Rings & Things BeadTour - Minneapolis bead sale: Minneapolis MN: Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (Ballroom A,B,C & D), 3800 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425 (12-5pm)

Sep 15: WI: Rings & Things BeadTour - Green Bay bead sale: Green Bay WI: Suamico Ale House, 2310 Lineville Rd, Green Bay, WI 54313 (12-4pm)

Sep 16: WI: Rings & Things BeadTour - Milwaukee bead sale: Milwaukee WI: Clarion Hotel Airport (Ballroom), 5311 S. Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 (1-5pm)

Sep 17: IL: Rings & Things BeadTour - Chicago bead sale: Chicago IL: Comfort Suites OHare Airport, 4200 N. River Rd, Schiller Park, IL 60176 (12-4pm)

Sep 17-20: CO: Bead Renaissance: Denver, CO: Crown Plaza. 15500 E 40th Ave, I-70 & Chambers Road (exit 283)

Sep 18-20: CA: Gem Faire: San Rafael, CA: Marin Center

Sep 18-20: GA: Down the Street Bead Shows: Norcross, GA: North Atlantic Trade Center

Sep 18-20: NJ: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Edison, NJ: New Jewelry Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave

Sep 19: MI: Rings & Things BeadTour - Grand Rapids bead sale: Grand Rapids MI: Grand Inn & Conference Center (Stars Room), 3221 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (12-4pm)

Sep 19-20: PA: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: Pittsburg, PA: Iceoplex at Southpointe, Southpointe Boulevard, Canonsburg

Sep 20: MI: Rings & Things BeadTour - Detroit bead sale: Detroit MI: Radisson, 17123 Laurel Park Dr N., Livonia, MI 48152 (1-5pm)

Sep 22: OH: Rings & Things BeadTour - Cleveland bead sale: Cleveland OH: Sheraton Independence, 5300 Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131

Sep 24: NY: Rings & Things BeadTour - Rochester bead sale: Rochester NY: RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 West Henrietta Road, W. Henrietta, NY 14586 (12-5pm)

Sep 24-27: OR: Interweave Bead Expo: Portland, OR: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Sep 25-27: CA: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.

Sep 25-27: MI: International Gem & Jewelry Show: Novi, MI: Rock Financial Showplace - Hall A, 46100 Grand River Road

Sep 25-27: OH: Gemstreet USA: Cleveland, OH: The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd, Berea OH

Sep 25-27: PA: World Gem & Jewelry Show: Oaks (Philadelphia), PA: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue

Sep 25-27: RI: The Whole Bead Show: Providence, RI: Rhode Island Convention Center, Hall A, One Sabin Street

Sep 25-27: UT: Gem Faire: Salt Lake City, UT: South Towne Exposition Center, Exhibit Hall 5, 9575 S. State St.

Sep 26-27: TN: Bead Mercantile: Franklin, TN: The Factory at Franklin, Jamison Hall,
230 Franklin Road
http://www.beadmercantile.com/nashville2info09.html

Sep 26-27: Qld: GEMEXPO: Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland Qld: Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North Street, Caloundra, Sat 9am - 5pm; Sun 9am - 3pm - Kids Face Painting Free! - caloundralapidary@hotmail.com

Sep 26-27: FL: Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show: North Largo, FL: Minnreg Hall, 6340 126th Avenue

Sep 26: MA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Boston bead sale: Boston MA: Hilton Garden Inn Boston-Burlington, 5 Wheeler Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (12-4pm)

Sep 26-27: NC: Down the Street Bead Shows: Charlotte, NC: The Charlotte Merchandise Mart, 800 Briarcreek Rd

Sep 27: CT: Rings & Things BeadTour - New Haven bead sale: New Haven CT: Holiday Inn North Haven (Emerald Ballroom 1), 201 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473 (1-5pm)

Sep 29: NJ: Rings & Things BeadTour - East Hanover bead show: East Hanover NJ: Ramada Inn and Conference Center (Ballroom), 130 Rt. 10 W, East Hanover, NJ 07936 (12-4pm)

Sep 30: PA: Rings & Things BeadTour - Philadelphia bead show: Philadelphia PA: Ramada Inn Airport (Ballroom B, C & D), 76 Industrial Hwy, Essington, PA, 19029 (12-4pm)

August - Peridot

August's birthstone is Peridot - say it with me - Pair-uh-doe.

Peridot is a beautiful stone, the best known gem variety of olivine. Some historians believe that some of the "emeralds" worn by Cleopatra were actually peridot. Peridot is worn not only for its beauty, but also for the belief it is supposed to bring the wearer success, peace, and good luck.

Here are some stunning examples of jewelry I have found online that use peridot, or use a classic peridot color in their designs.

Peridot Stacking Ring Set - BlackLotusDesign



Apple Tree of Life - wearmejewels


Spring Blooming Vine Necklace - SimplyAdorning



Peridot chainmaille Sterling Silver earrings - Cheli



Dramatic Dimensonal Filigree Medallion Necklace with Intaglio - Dawno



Life is But a Dream...Peridot Vesuvianite Green Tourmaline Vermeil Gold Filled Drama Filled Signature Original Draped Gemstone Scrolled Necklace - bellajewels




Now that you have seen these beautiful designs, I know you are itching to get your hands on some peridot, or some peridot colored glass/crystals. Where can you get them??

4-4.5mm Peridot Rounds - On Sale! - ArtBeads



Bead, Gemstone, Chips (Peridot) - Rings & Things



Swarovski Art 6007 Peridot 7x4mm 20 beads - BeadinPath



5 Strands Carmina Glass Pearls, Peridot (026), graduated 6 to 12mm 16 inch SedonaStones




Now I know you are itching to make your own desings using peridot - why not post a link when you are finished and share your work with everyone!