Gift Giveaway

From now until July 15th, you can enter the Gift Giveaway at Celebrate with Style, where you have the opportunity to win some fabulous handcrafted items from a variety of artisans...including my adorable, sterling silver, pink venetian glass heart earrings. It is free to enter, and you can enter as many times as you like. All the info and instructions are on Celebrate with Style

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Newest Hot Designs!

Here are my two latest hot designs still fresh and sizzling ! Both these necklaces were quite time consuming and somewhat challenging. The gold colored necklace, is quite intricate, and certainly a head turner. I visualize this one being worn with that little black dress and heels, for a hot night on the town....very sexy indeed!! Hence I named this one "Wild Thing", a song made popular by a band named the Troggs...mmm not a very sexy sounding band tho. This one is available in my Etsy shop The second necklace is one that I am actually keeping for myself. I do not keep alot of what I make, mainly because I would be broke, I really need to sell these little creations! I love the chunkyness of this necklace, the thick sterling silver chain, and nice graphic lampwork beads, made by one of my favourite lampwork artists, Rebecca Werner. Also the Swarovski crystal discs give it a real nice sparkle. I called this one "Electrical Storm", a song by the band U2. ( Would Bono approve?)

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Modern and Vintage

Last week, I told you about the fantastic vintage Venetian glass beads, that I purchased from a local antique show. They are about 50 years old, and full of color and sparkle. Well, I took apart the old necklace, cleaned them up, and then designed something new using a few of these old lovelies! As you can see in the picture, a brand new bracelet was born! I also used some very pretty large Swarovski crystals in a blue green color,more floral Swarovskis in Erinite, some nice chunky rich smoky quartz, and Bali silver discs. The blue glass heart bead dangle is also Venetian glass, but this one is new. I still have lots of the wonderful old Venetian glass beads to use in new upcoming designs...so stay tuned!

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Vintage Venetian glass

On Saturday, I spent several hours cruising the Spring Antique Sale, in Calgary. It was a great show, and there were some really neat items, lots of cool vintage kitchen ware, books, furniture and of course jewelry! I found a very sweet Made in Japan vintage cheese dish, that looks like a piece of swiss cheese, with a darling little mouse peeking out the top. It will look great with my collection of vintage salt and pepper fruit and vegetable heads! But the find of the day was a string of vintage Venetian glass beads, probably from the 1950's, still as sparkly and shiny as ever. So look out for some new exciting pieces to be created with these little babies! I can't wait to incorporate them into something fresh and exciting.

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Venetian and Murano glass beads

As I mentioned last week, I will be doing a series on the different types of beads that I use in my jewelry designs. This week I am featuring fabulous Venetian and Murano glass beads! Venetian and Murano glass beads are gorgeous beads that are individually handmade by skilled artisans from the island of Murano, near Venice, Italy, using techniques that are several hundred years old. Murano glass blowers and lampworkers produce some of the most beautiful glass in the world. The technique of lampworking is used to make each Murano bead individually therefore no two beads are ever exactly alike! Glass rods are melted and the bead is formed around a metal mandrel, then cooled slowly, and removed from the rod, which leaves the hole for stringing the bead. These usually contain thin layers or flecks of precious metals such as .925 silver, 24K gold or white gold foil, submerged between layers of crystal clear glass, giving wonderful depth and a shimmering effect. Venetian glass beads are light weight, hollow, mouth blown beads that contain swirls or stripes of color. These beads come in many shapes and sizes. Beware of cheaper imitations, and remember you get what you pay for. These will take your breath away! I will have some of my designs featuring these beads, up in my Etsy store this week. Please check them out, the beads are stunning!

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