New necklaces

New Fall/Winter necklaces!


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Beyond Artisan Marketplace

If you live in the Calgary area, and would like to go to the Beyond Artisan Marketplace next weekend, I have two VIP tickets ( worth $7.00 a piece) up for grabs for admission! This great show which features several talented local artists and artisans selling their work, takes place Nov 6-8, in Calgary at the Blackfoot Inn. If you are interested in winning these tickets, leave me a comment and I will put all names in a draw, to be drawn tomorrow night at 8:00pm MST. Pin It

Swine flu: H1N1

Today Canada rolls out its mass vaccination for the H1N1 virus, or what is more commonly known as the swine flu. The big controversy is whether or not to get vaccinated. From the recent polls, it seems as though our country is evenly split on those who will get the shot, and those who won't. It's a tough decision. Is the vaccination safe? Is this flu thing overblown? What are my chances of getting this? What about the deaths that have occurred...especially those in young people? Apparently Canada is in its second wave of the H1N1 flu, and we have been told the virus will continue to spread rapidly until most of the population gets the shot. I have an 11 year old at home, who is my main concern....what to do? After hearing about the death from swine flu of a healthy young girl in Ontario yesterday, as a parent I am very concerned!
What are your opinions? I would like to hear from Canadians, as well as those from other countries...what has your country been experiencing? Pin It

Something for all you jewelry designers out there.....

Yesterday I discovered this amazing jewelry pricing calculator on Laura Brackens' website. Laura is known for her fabulous one of a kind jewelry designs, as well as being the founder of SRAJD. Laura has designed a simple to use Excel spread sheet for jewelry designers, where you input a few numbers and within minutes you have a pricing scenario based on several different situations! Material costs, time spent designing your piece, skill level used to make the item and uniqueness of the design are all factors used in this calculator to come up with a price. The calculator will tell you the following:

1) If you have to sell it for less than this, consider cannibalizing instead

2) The lowest you should ever sell it for (but that means bills are due now!)

3) For advertising, incentive or personal discounts

4) A lower-end price where you would still make a profit and stay in business

5) The average price that is most fair to you and to your customer

6) What you may be able to price it at if you have a strong following

7) The price a store may charge for it once you sell it to them

The Jewelry Pricing Calculator is only $10.00, and Laura guarantees that if you are not happy with it, you can get a full refund! Well I am really happy with mine, I have had alot of fun pricing out some of my new pieces for upcoming shows. You will receive it in an email so it arrives quickly. This is $10.00 well spent, and I highly recommend this wonderful tool if you design and sell jewelry.
Please go here to get info on buying the Jewelry Pricing Calculator from Laura Bracken.

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Moonstone

Moonstone...a stone of love. This is such a pretty stone in a milky, iridescent white color with a translucent sheen, that like labradorite, flashes color when the light hits it. Throughout the world, Moonstone is a crystal that is strongly associated with love and passion. It was believed that two people could fall passionately in love if one of them wore moonstone, when they saw each other during a full moon . For lovers wearing Moonstone, it is said that they are able to tell their future life together. It was also once believed that if you hold one in your mouth during a full moon.... you can see your own future. In Victorian times, moonstone rings were quite often given as engagement rings.

Wearing the Moonstone gem is also said to protect those who travel, and is also known as the travelers stone. According to Hindu legend, moonstone was formed from moonbeams, and in India, Moonstone is regarded as a sacred stone, that is said to bring good fortune. It is also believed to soothe and calm, encourage dreams and hope, aid the digestive system, remove toxins from the body and stimulate ones intuition. Moonstone is a feminine stone and is said to aid in fertility, hormonal imbalances, childbirth, menstrual problems and PMS!

This is a necklace I created using different crystals, one of them being Moonstone.

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Hurricane

I have been very busy getting ready for two big shows that I am in during November. The first show is the "Beyond Artisan Marketplace", taking place in Calgary at the Blackfoot Inn on November 6-8. This is one of the bracelets that will be in the show, that I recently finished, called "Hurricane". The stunning focal bead is by Rebecca Werner, from Louisiana, and I have attached the bead to a piece of copper that I hammered for added texture. Then I hand wire wrapped more handcrafted lampwork beads, Bali silver beads, Swarovski crystals and copper beads to create this chunky bracelet with lots of jingle! The focal bead which looks like the eye of a hurricane, inspired me to create a piece that looked as though the wind had picked up different items, carried them through the air and created something random but beautiful! I really liked the combination of pink with the copper, and At the moment, I am enjoying mixing metals such as copper with sterling silver. There is something interesting and warm about that marriage!
Visit the Beyond Artisan Marketplace on Facebook, where you can read Artist Spotlights about the fantastic artisans that will be in the show. Pin It

Airport Security

I am back relaxed and rejuvenated after a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend spent on Vancouver Island. I have a winner for my Hot Rocks earring giveaway, Melissa Lazell, will be receiving her choice of earrings in the mail soon!

So on to my story for the day. We chose to fly out to the Island this trip, due to the short time we had, so of course the airport security is always part of the adventure. It's like opening a box of Crackerjack, and wondering what prize you are going to get. You never know what is going to happen when you are walking through the metal detector. Am I going to set off the alarm....or not? It was pretty smooth going on the trip out, I did not set off any alarms as I walked through the archway, and all the carry on bags checked out fine too. I am careful not to wear a belt, clothing with metal buttons or lots of jewelry when I fly, just because it becomes a real hassle when you have to start undressing in the middle of airport security! However, on the way back home it was a different story. After we checked our suitcases, my name was called over the airport intercom to go to "Baggage Screening". So you know all these thoughts are racing through my head...like" oh my god what is in my suitcase ?!" I know there is not anything in there but I tend to get all panicky, wondering what security has found. So I show up at the baggage screening, and this woman security person hauls my suitcase out, and asks me if this is my bag, and did I pack it. "Yes" to both questions. Then she takes my boarding pass away and not saying a word, continues to go through my bag with her mini metal detector, and her surgical gloves. Upon locating my Phillips Ultra Sonic toothbrush, which is packed away neatly in its case, she suspiciously pulls it out, opens it up, and then runs it through another screening machine...twice! Finally, without saying a word, she puts it back into my suicase and gives me back my boarding pass...I am free to go. ( Why do these people never speak to you?) Next is going through security myself. So .....wearing the same boots, and watch as I did on the trip going to my destination, I walk confidently through the security metal detector, however this time the alarm sounds! So I am scanned, boots off, boots scanned, feet scanned etc. I am given the go ahead and all is fine. My question is... how can you set off the alarm in one airport metal detector,.... and wearing the same things not set it off in another?? I would have thought they were all set up to catch the same level of metal! I know it is all for our own good, but sometimes I feel like a criminal, even though I have not done any thing wrong! Pin It

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Here is a a sneak preview of a necklace that I recently finished for the Fall art shows that I am in this November. This piece is called "Spiraling". I wanted it to convey the feeling of being somewhat out of control...a bit carefree, perhaps slightly rebellious... hence the wild spiraling of the wire around the lemon quartz pendant, even twisting it loosely up onto the loop of the necklace. I combined gold wire with sterling silver components, for contrast as well as lemon quartz, amethyst and Swarovski crystals.

Just wanted to wish my Canadian readers a very Happy Thanksgiving, for Monday, Oct 12. I am heading off to the west coast tomorrow, to enjoy my roast turkey dinner and pumpkin pie as I take in the fabulous ocean views of Vancouver Island! The weather there is supposed to be warmer than our extreme weather patterns here in the foothills of the Rocky mountains, as flurries are in the forecast for this region over the next few days. I am sure I will enjoy a stroll or two along the beach while I am there, breathing in the fresh ocean air, and hopefully I will see some seals swimming in the bay by our place near the sea.

Don't forget to enter my earring giveaway! The draw will be made Monday, Oct 12, at 9:00pm MST.
For details on how to enter click here. Pin It

First Snowfall

Well I guess that's it! Time to do the big wardrobe exchange. That is.... moving all pretty lightweight summer clothes and cute strappy sandals down to the storage closet and bring all the warm cozy sweaters, boots and heavy jackets up to the bedroom closet. Today I woke up to snow on the ground...yes it is a bit wet so hopefully won't last, but we know that it won't be long until there is more on the way! I am not a winter person, I am a summer girl. It looks its going to be a looong winter, so I just have to make the best of it.

Also for those of you that missed Fridays post, please take the time to enter my earring giveaway, by becoming a fan of Hot Rocks on my Facebook page! You have until Oct.12 to enter.

All you have to do to enter is become a fan of HOT ROCKS, go to the right hand sidebar on my blog, and look for the Hot Rocks on Facebook widget, and click on the "Become a Fan" button. Or by going to the Hot Rocks page on Facebook and click on the "Become a Fan Button" at the top of the page, and leave a comment on which pair of earrings you would like if you are chosen the lucky winner! Or You will then be automatically entered for the draw. The draw will be made Canadian Thanksgiving Day, Monday Oct. 12, at 9:00pm MST. Draw will be selected by Random.org. I will contact the winner to get their mailing address after the draw. If you are already a fan of Hot Rocks, then just leave a comment on my Fan Page on the earrings you would choose if you are the winner.

Your choice of prizes are:
1. Contemporary sterling silver earrings with fabulous vintage sparkling Swarovski crystals.OR
2. Sterling silver and faceted ruby earrings with gorgeous hammered earring tops. Both pairs retail at $30.00 each! . Pin It

Featured.....

Today I am featured on On a Roll Cozies blog! Please visit her blog and check out here adorable knit covers for mp3 players and..... apples!! So cool.
**Also don't forget to enter my earring giveaway by becoming a fan on Hot Rocks fan page on Facebook. ( see details in previous post) Pin It

Earring giveaway

Enter to win HOT ROCKS earring giveaway!
I am celebrating Fall and Canadian Thanksgiving, by giving you a chance to win a fabulous pair of earrings. All you have to do to enter is become a fan of HOT ROCKS, by going to the Hot Rocks page on Facebook and click on the "Become a Fan Button" at the top of the page, and leave a comment on which pair of earrings you would like if you are chosen the lucky winner! Or go to the right hand sidebar on my blog, and look for the Hot Rocks on Facebook widget, and click on the "Become a Fan" button. You will then be automatically entered for the draw. The draw will be made Canadian Thanksgiving Day, Monday Oct. 12, at 9:00pm MST. Draw will be selected by Random.org. I will contact the winner to get their mailing address after the draw. If you are already a fan of Hot Rocks, then just leave a comment on my Fan Page on the earrings you would choose if you are the winner.
Your choice of prizes are:
1. Contemporary sterling silver earrings with fabulous vintage sparkling Swarovski crystals.
OR
2. Sterling silver and faceted ruby earrings with gorgeous hammered earring tops. Both pairs retail at $30.00 each! . Please see the photos below for your choices.

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