Woohooo!!! It's the Repeat Customer Appreciation Sale at Giftbearer!

This special offer is for repeat customers only, so if you have not purchased from me yet and have been coveting that special piece of jewelry now's your chance to become one!

Between now and Mother's Day buy anything from me at regular price and then buy again and on your second purchase you'll get 20% off on anything in my store.

If you have previously bought from me at least once before it's even simpler; you are eligible on this purchase; just convo me and let me know and I'll adjust the price on the item or items you'd like your discount on. I'll check my list of previous purchases and then notify you as soon as I've made the reduced price adjustment.

During this time there is no limit to the number of items you can buy at 20% off!

Some of you regular readers already know her but for those who are just coming across my blog and my story the dog you see on my banner is Carmella, a former shelter dog I adopted who is the first in the US to ever be fully cured of Distemper through a cutting edge treatment.

Although cured, she continues to need special care due to a compromised immune system. I hope to pay off her $2,000 vet bill.

She is a very special dog and I want to give her everything she needs.

***A Very Heartfelt Thank You To All My Repeat Customers...and Those Soon to be***

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com

Seedpods and Sowing Seeds

I've been catching up on some things I haven't had time to do while I was looking for a vet to finish Carmella's NDV treatment. Updating the blog for the art jewelry team I run, The Art Jewelry Collective, posting about the latest trend among jewelry supply companies to cut corners in response to the failing economy, and working closely with my Website Committee chairperson to arrange for what we need to do to get our new e-commerce site up and running in time for holiday shoppers. This is a big deal especially because sales on Etsy have slowed, not only for me but for others as well, and we really have to ramp up our marketing strategy and have everybody pull together to make this season profitable for all. We will be fighting increasing gas prices, higher food costs, lay-offs, and foreclosures; all events that cut deeply into the budet of our potential buyers.

It would be the easy way out to do the same as the supply companies are doing but I won't and I will encourage my team to stay strong and believe in themselves even at times when one can hear a pin drop. I am wearing a little thin with the latest dry period myself, but I know that the last time this happened I began to make my most expensive line and lo and behold somebody bought two high-end bracelets within just 2 months of each other. I'm sure there were some who thought I was nuts for taking such a risk, but it paid off in the end because although I have jewelry in price-ranges from $8.50-$900, it was not the line at the lower end that people wanted (although I made that line with the same standards of workmanship as the other).

With a little thought and planning I feel that I can do that again this year with my new pictorial line and the seedpods I'm currently working on, and if the team follows my lead and comes up with their own exciting and daring designs they too will see the fruits of their labor. Once the website is completely built and up and open for business then all members will need to throw the skills they have into the common pot to advertise and promote it. Then we may be pleasantly surprised at the kind of sales we bring in. Our street team is growing larger and larger and there is alot of manpower there to be tapped into if each member gives of themselves.

My seedpods are coming along, although right now they are very delicate with their paper lantern-like covering. They need to be coated with 15-20 layers of fine silver (metal clay) slip and must be fully dry between each coat so that previous coats don't flake off. The drying time is what is the most time-consuming. Right now I have 3 coats on them.

You can see them from several different perspectives here, from the side, from the top, and head-on. If you have never seen metal clay in its un-fired state it looks alot like spackle or plaster.

The wet slip is applied with a paintbrush over an organic item from nature such as a leaf, stick, or pod. It is best to mix in just enough water to make a mixture that's about the consistency of thickening pudding or slightly thinner depending on what you're trying to cover. You want it to be thick enough to adhere well but not so thick that the surface is too lumpy or loses the detail you want to maintain of the object.

If you want to fill gaps and perfect the shape of the piece you're working on you will need it thick enough so that it does not roll off the gap; just the right thickness to fill it in as it dries. Using a hair dryer can help dry your object faster, but if your slip is fairly thick it may still need to dry for a few hours or even overnight to be sure it is dry underneath as well as on top where you can see it. Often it looks dry but moisture can sweat through and still come to the surface over a period of time if you're not careful. As the water dries the layers compress and it seems as though you've made little progress, as each layer when dry is quite thin, but after about 3 or 4 layers you will notice the piece taking on some weight.

Doing hollowforms can be tricky and takes practice, and firing them can be challenging, the deeper they are the more diligent you must be in making sure all sides are heated fully. Some people use several microtorches at the same time to do this if they do not have a kiln. When firing on a stove on top of a metal grate or screen the piece must be turned periodically. If you're adding other parts to it, multiple firings are necessary to ensure durability.

I still have not heard back from Dr. Norwood regarding the anticonvulsant for Carmella and whether he made contact with Dr. Sears or Dr. Muller.

On one of the Distemper messageboards there's a woman from Texas whose dog has had the NDV given to treat the body but now he needs to have the part Carmella just had; in the CNS. I've been in contact with her and am trying to get her hooked up with Dr. Muller so that he can talk her vet into it locally. She doubts that she can travel to Atlanta, but may do that if there is no other choice and her dog gets worse. She thinks her vet can be talked into it if Dr. Muller explains that it was not any harder than doing a spinal tap, however I had one or two vets I thought would say yes eventually and they didn't. Had I not found Dr. Muller when I did I may have only had two choices; Indonesia or the Phillipines (and there would have been no way I could have come up with the money fast enough for such a trip). Even so, I would have traveled within the US just about anywhere if that's what it took. I hope that this dog will make it and end up another success story like Carmella. Apparently Dr. Muller is out of the office until Monday, but I hope he'll get back to this woman and her local vet soon.

Carmella has been very feisty today and wanted to wrestle so I figured I'd indulge her so that she'd get tired and calm down. She was tackling my foot and chewed a hole in my pants leg. Luckily these pants aren't new or I would have been pissed.

I took some more pictures of her tonight in the kitchen, most of them of her with her mouth gaping in one position or another, or of her chewing on her rawhide chew stick.

After about an hour, finally she was exhausted and crashed. She sacked out below the oven, her right paw jerking.

Even so, I think I notice a slight little bit of improvement! Usually when she has been asleep for a long time it is really severe, but tonigh I see a slowing down of the movement and some pauses in-between. It goes through periods now where it is not as severe. If so, then we are already about 3 1/2 months ahead of predicted! Keeping my fingers crossed that the improvement continues! Be sure to watch Carmella live on Carmella-cam!

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com/

Calling Dr. Brantly...

The past few days have been spent waiting on pins and needles for the two vets to make contact. Dr. Sears left several messages for Dr. Brantly on his voicemail and so have I. Dr. Sears left both a home phone and cell number and has been anxiously awaiting his call. At this time Dr. Brantly's office is closed for the day and still no word from him. I've been staying close to the phone just in case he might call with some new insights after speaking with Dr. Sears and maybe with any luck, word that he's ready to go ahead and do this thing!

Dr. Sears wrote me to say that the fear that Dr. Brantly had about an antibody reaction was very unlikely, as it would require damage to some membranes; alot more than just piercing through with a needle at the base of the skull into the spinal canal. He reported that a dog who was treated after 8 years who had been known to have Distemper as a puppy and assumed OK without more than the shot in the body did not show neuro symptoms until later in life did not survive when it finally was done at the paralytic stage, so having it done before symptoms are severe is better. He is anxious to speak with Dr. Brantly and communicate what he knows from his experience in treating the disease.

I really need to start making some more jewelry, as although I made sales to two buyers over the past few days of these sparkly, precision-faceted genuine gemstone stud earrings, I've got a long way to go before the vet bill is paid off.

In case you readers are interested in these, I have more pairs of Amethyst but the Rhodalite Garnet is sold out now. If you'd like more than one pair please convo me on Etsy and I can put up a listing with the number you need. There are about 10 pairs of Amethyst still available.


Amethyst- $18.00/Pair

Rhodalite Garnet (Sold Out)

If there's enough interest in these simple stud earrings I'll start to phase in more choices in stones and set some more of them to offer on Etsy.

Well, I'm off to make more jewelry. Be sure to keep checking my shop to see what new pieces come out! There are bound to be many exciting surprises; always fresh and interesting! Put Giftbearer on your list of places to buy jewelry from, and help Carmella get well with your purchase!

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com/

Full of Surprises!

Southwest Heirloom Santa - $25.00
Santa sculpture doll measures approximately 18" tall including the stand to which he is permanently attached. Instead of a traditional Christmas tree he has with him a stuffed felt cactus! Embellished with bugle beads, a variety of fabrics, tiny lights, and faux fur.

Won't your holiday guests be surprised and thrilled when they walk in and see Santa greeting them just inside the front door! Quite a conversation piece, your parties will be THE latest hotspot once the word spreads about your clever home decor.

Debbie, owner of Craftymoose is a self-taught mixed-media artist who makes a wide variety of things but specializes in French beading and mixed-media art dolls most of which include beads and wire. The work has a folk-art feel to it, and all pieces are one-of-a-kind. I just love her beaded french flowers! Absolutely gorgeous work!

French Beaded Ring of Beaded Roses - $40.00
Made with Czech glass seed beads, some of which are vintage, about 60 years old. Each component was completed and then attached to a 7 inch ring. There is a loop attached to the back of the ring so this may be hung on a wall or in a window.

This hummingbird is also very pretty and would be splendid to hang in the window or above your bed or over your desk. This piece caught my eye because I am currently exploring creative ways of filling in wire frames. She has done a great job here of rendering this little creature and even has the markings and shading down!

Beaded Hummingbird Suncatcher – 14.00
Hummingbird hand-formed with 20 gauge black wire. His wingspan is 5" and he is a little over 5" long. Czech glass seed and bugle beads in different finishes were used to bead the body & wings. The head is beaded in metallic green & ruby transparent and the chest in peach with a pearl finish. The wings are done in crystal clear, topaz & copper.

Go check out her Etsy store. You never know what you might find...or what you might miss if you don't.

To see more by this artist go to:
http://craftymoose.etsy.com/

To read more about her and her activities, read her blog:
http://craftymoosecrafts.blogspot.com/

Why Not Make Your Point~In Style!

Bushisms Blank Notecards (Set of 4) - $6.00
cards are made of a 110lb bright white cardstock and measure approx. 4.25" x 5.5"
The set includes 4 bright white envelopes and come packaged in a resealable clear cellophane bag.

Michael P. Gresh, owner of Darjeeling Paper Ltd. and co-owner of DemiGod Studios makes all kind of paper products, but his specialty is his hand-bound journals, created entirely by hand. The covers are made from 100% recyclable material, and the cover finishes are made of an acid-free and lignen-free paper.

Michael's products speak for themselves. One can plainly see that they are expertly crafted and beautiful aesthetically, from the choices of paper and fabric he uses, down to the precision binding of the books. The embellishment is under-stated, but well-placed where it counts to give his line a polished and professional look.

4x4 Green Hand-bound Hardcover Journal - $17.00
Finished with a "faux-distressed" cardstock and features a handy interchangeable nameplate on the cover, measurements; approximately 4-1/8" x 4-1/8". The interior cover pages are made from a black linen stock, and it has 108 bright white blank sheets.


4x6 Paisley Hand-bound Hardcover Journal - $27.00
Book measures approx. 4-1/8" x 6-1/8". The interior cover pages are made from a black linen stock, and it has 108 bright white blank sheets.

Michael started Darjeeling Paper, Ltd. as a way to showcase his paper goods, and to distinguish his works as a new product division of DemiGod.

He designs hotels as his “day job”, but plans one day to open up his own brick and mortar store.

Bright and Colorful Notecards - Set of 4 - $6.00
Cards are approximately 4" x 5 1/2" and are packaged together in a re-sealable cellophane pouch, along with four blank white envelopes. Shipments are mailed in a stay-flat cardboard box.

Darjeelingpaper currently accepts PayPal only, but no worries; you can pay with your credit card through PayPal even if you don’t have a PayPal account. Purchasing couldn’t be any easier! Just click on Buy Now to get to the buying form, choose the “PayPal; credit card without a PayPal account” option and you’re all set!

For more beautifully crafted paper products go to:
http://darjeelingpaper.etsy.com
http://www.darjeelingpaper.com
http://demigodstudio.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist, read his blog:
http://darjeelingpaper.com/blog

Enchanting Journey

Gift from Pandora’s Lover - Beautiful amethyst necklace - EAST – purple - $132.00
Measures approximately 18 inches, including clasp. The pendant portion measures about 2 inches.

Andee Harston of Celticgoddessjewelry, a Buddhist pagan of Celtic heritage, lives in Orlando Florida and loves to draw, paint, sculpt, make jewelry, and do photography. She is influenced by spiritual learning, nature and goddess and Celtic imagery.

Andee’s jewelry has a definite spiritual, New Age feeling to it, taking you on an enchanting journey. You will find crystals, pieces made with rough stones, sterling, and pewter spiritual symbol charms, and much more.

My favorite is the piece listed above; Gift from Pandora’s Lover, using rich purple Amethyst beads and a bali style pendant. This substantial necklace would be a beautiful addition to anybody’s jewelry collection.

The Baltic Amber earrings below are also absolutely gorgeous in several different shades of honey, from a translucent warm sunshine yellow, to transparent medium, to a deep cogniac.

Earrings - Baltic Amber, yellow jade - solar plexus chakra - $15.00
Sterling silver and are created with Baltic amber and yellow jade.

Copper Goddess Earrings - Rainbow moonstone - pagan ritual wear - $29.00
Measure approximately 2 1/2 (without earring hook) to 3 inches long (with earring hook) and similar earrings can also be made in sterling silver. Copper is also attributed to increased communication, channeling, cleansing, and purification, increasing self-esteem and freeing the wearer of mental burdens. Rainbow moonstone has a gentle and calm energy. It enhances creativity, compassion, endurance and inner confidence. It is a stone that brings balance and harmony to the wearer.

Bracelet - Dragonfly garnet jewelry silver pewter – $25.00
Measures 8”, Silver Pewter Dragonfly Link Bracelet with a Bali Handmade Clasp with Garnet Cabs

Her customers have left her 8 pages of glowing feedback:

“A very intricate and beautiful piece, went over very well as a gift.”

“***recommended*** superb quality, great seller all around.”

“Prettier than pictured earrings! Nice workmanship and beautiful beads. The smokey quartz is perfect! Nice and clear! thanks so much for the fast ship and all the free goodies! great seller and one of my favorite people on Etsy!”

“What a great gift this will make for Christmas! (if I don't keep it for myself!)”

“Absolutely GORGEOUS necklace! I'm starting a new collection... Andee's jewelry! She's a gem! Thanks again.”

To see more and to get some great gifts go to:
http://celticgoddessjewelry.etsy.com

and read her blog:
http://buyindie.blogspot.com/

Natures Mimicry

Autumn Earth Mandala Art Quilt - $80.00
Hand-dyed fabrics by the artist; measures 13 inches across

Indigoluna based in Silverton, Oregon has been a fiber artist for 15 years, having done one kind of art or another all her life, her work has appeared on the cover of the 2005 Quilting Arts Calender, in Artella Magazine, Art/Quilt Magazine, Fiberarts Design Book 6, as well as many juried shows.

You can tell by her style that she has grown up with a love of nature. As a child she walked in the woods, picked wild mushrooms, and played in the blackberry bushes, captivated with the tree-covered landscape and taking in all the beauty that was around her. She mentions in her Etsy profile studying moss. Take a look at this art quilt devoted to exactly that.

The Secret Life of Moss - Art Quilt Collage - $95.00
Photographic printed transfer on cotton fabric; 8 X 10 art quilt embellished with yarn

Many of her pieces are inspired by natural forms and even the textures look almost like they came from the bark of certain types of trees or based on the fur of animals.

Her colors incorporate a lot of greens, reds, yellow, orange, and blue used together to give a rich depth to her pieces, and they are almost all punctuated by beautiful textures, with lots of frayed natural torn-looking edges and layering of one type or another. These business card carrying cases are really clever and quite beautiful! She has several currently available, but I really love this one.

Magic Pop-Up Business Card Carrying Case - $16.00
Cards fit snugly down inside and when you pull the beaded ribbon, they pop up like magic!

She is energized by trying things that are uncharted to see if they will work. This one below is fantastic and I’m sure she had to think outside the box to complete it!

Fiber Art/Mixed-Media Vessel - $85.00
Triangular vessel was created from the artist’s hand-dyed/rusted fabrics fused to Timtex and embellished with funky fibers, copper mesh and carnelian beads. It stands 10 inches high.

For those of you with a miniscule amount of money to spend, you can still have a tiny piece of art from Indigoluna for a very reasonable price; in fact she is nearly giving away these inchie lapel pins. They are so well-made and are created from beautiful and unusual fabrics you can’t find just anywhere. Yes, they are small, but fine! At this price you can afford to get a nice gift for your boss and all the office staff.

Beach Trip Quilted Inchie Lapel Pin - $10.00
1.5 inch square quilted mixed-media pin embellished with beaded wire dangles

See her Etsy store here:
http://Indigoluna.etsy.com

and to learn more about the artist, read her blog:
http://indigoluna.typepad.com/indigo_luna/

It’s Beginning to Smell A lot Like Christmas!

Zoe Stewart of Zoestewartuk lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and sews a variety of things including aprons, stuffed creatures made from Scottish Tartan with hypoallergenic stuffing, T-shirts, and occasionally vintage items.

Her specialty is these really unusual elongated hanging hearts that go on a hook for decoration and to make the room smell good. Stuffed with either Lavender or Heather, these create a nice ambiance throughout your home. It has been known for a long time that scent evokes emotion, and Lavender in particular tends to make people feel comforted.

Pink and Green Polkadotted Heart- $24.00
Measures approx 42cm in length and approx 15cm across

Pretty in Polkas- $30.00
Made of 100% cotton, for ages 4-7

This huggable creature just might make little ones no longer afraid of “monsters under the bed”. He’s friendly and doesn’t bite, and he can even be used as a pillow.

Henry- $24.00
Made from Scottish Tartan, and measures 25cm tall by 25cm wide
These will make great feel-good gifts around the holidays.

Check out what else she’s got at:
http://zoestewartuk.etsy.com

and to learn more about the artist see her blog:
http://zoestewart.blogspot.com

Working Together To Meet A Need

Ring Sling - $59.00

Tested to hold up to 200 lbs, and set of instructions included on how to use the sling to carry your baby in 5 different positions.

Ellebelleonetsy is an online Etsy store located in St. Petersburg specializing in baby and children’s items. Very rarely does one see a microenterprise business arrangement here in the US in which 5 people come together, agree consistently enough to stay organized, and work so well as a team to create and market their work. This group of mothers is an excellent example in which people unselfishly threw their best skills into the common pot to tackle a need, put their heads together to meet it, and as a result, share in the rewards.

Stacey whose day job 3 days a week is in Human Resources creates slings, tag blankets, and the embroidered objects, her mother, Tressie, a realtor in Illinois who crochets, and friends; Ann, who is employed part-time at target and sews quilts, Karie, who works part-time for her father’s mortgage company, and makes chalkboard placemats, chubbies, and nursing covers, and Jennifer who works full-time for a large financial company and makes dresses. Interestingly they all work outside their craft in very traditional jobs.

Etsy Widower Embroidered Tshirt - $25.00
American Apparrel 50% cotton, 50% polyester, choice of colors

All 5 of these women started out making things for their own children and even though each only had one or two unique specialties, collaborating, they found, was more fun than doing it as solitary proprietors, and in no time their Etsy shop was full of useful and clever items.

Complete profiles on each of these partners are on the website http://ellebelleonline.com in the artist profile pages.

Cherries with Lime Pillowcase Dress -$36.00
Choice of sizes; 0-6 13”-4T 25"

“I've always loved all kinds of crafts” says Stacey, “but I've found that I get a greater sense of accomplishment from creating things that are useful as well as aesthetically pleasing. For me, the vast array of already beautifully designed fabric choices makes creating something half as difficult.”

Pink Polka Pillowcase Dress -$27.00
On Sale! Custom-made in sizes 0-6 13" - 4T 25

Ellebelle sells some of their products in stores... ironically none of them local because people have contacted them via Etsy to sell in their brick and mortars (stores). “We've had the most success selling at local upscale malls when they host craft events. We've tried traditional craft shows, edgier urban shows, as well as Family and Baby Expos and although they've been fun and profitable in their own ways, we do the best over all at malls.”

Rainbow Chubbies - $6.00
Interesting handmade crayons in unusual shapes

Because each collaborator brings different skills and experience to the table there is a lot of learning inside the circle that takes place. They tend to draw more from others inside the small group than from other artists in the field. “Working with each other brings "Ah-Ha" moments all the time” she says.

Stacey also admits that their children are a big motivator and inspiration. “We've all crafted at some level prior to having our children, but they bring purpose to what we do. I started Elle Belle because I received a sling as a gift and it made being a first time Mom so much easier for me and being a baby easier for my little one. She loved it and so did I. I wanted to share the experience we had with other Moms and I also knew I could make a sling better than the ones I used. My heart skips a beat when I see a Mom in the mall carrying their baby in one of my slings. I feel like I actually made a difference.”

The cooperative’s biggest ticket item sold was a quilt made of T-shirts commissioned by a woman for $450 while set up in a mall. “We had displayed a quilt made from baby clothes and she asked if we could make one from T-shirts she had collected from rock concerts.” It was an unusual request compared to the items they were used to making but the women were up to the challenge.

When asked which new techniques Stacey is interested in learning she said, “I would really love to learn to felt! We had a pumpkin decorating contest at work for Halloween and I wanted to felt my little pumpkin so bad! Can you even do that? I didn't have time to try it out because I was getting ready for an event, but next year I plan to have a field of felted pumpkins for sure!”

Coming soon is a super cute line of Christmas pillowcase dresses ready to debut at a show the 5 are doing this weekend, to be listed on Etsy afterwards (what’s left of them anyway). They'll also have the perfect stocking stuffers - Christmas themed Chubbies, and crocheted slippers. “We have a few more local events planned for the rest of the year, so we'll likely just post more of what sells well at those in the Etsy shop.”

Long term, Stacey hopes that their Etsy shop will be the primary source of income for Elle Belle. As much as she really loves doing local events, she’d prefer to have them be supplemental income for the shop instead of the primary.

These friends/business partners have an ideal situation; a blending of meaningful work and social interaction all rolled into one. “We're already accomplishing what I want most out of this business which is to spend time with friends doing something we love and sharing the resulting creations with as many people as we can.” It all goes to show that when you enter into a common vision with others what you gain is way more than you ever imagine.

Find that special gift that you will really use at:
http://ellebelleonetsy.etsy.com

and read more about this inspiring business on their blog:http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Karen Jinks is a freelance mixed-media artist and illustrator living in Cambridge, UK, specializes in stationery, gifts and accessories for weddings and christenings. She also works in collage, and in textiles.

Many of her works are a compilation of snippets of paper and images painted on top of to add dimension and change context. For instance;

See, a mixed media piece using acrylic and collage on canvas, measuring 40 x 40 cm, shows windows and doors superimposed on handwriting in the background. The disembodied images seem to represent transparency or possibly vulnerability. This piece retails for $180.00 and is ready to hang.


Scrapbook/Photo Album
This handmade scrapbook or photo album has an interesting blue texture on its Indian embroidered silk cover and includes 20 pages (40 sides) of acid free ivory cardstock with spacers to allow the book to keep its shape when full. Page size is 25 x 19 cm approx. $50.00


Asia Greeting/Note Card
Original oriental inspired collage printed on to white linen card. Perfect for a birthday or just to say hi! 100 x 210 mm. Plain white envelope included. $4.00


Custom Portrait
Commission a beautiful pencil drawing of your child and capture that moment forever. The artist uses A3 size quality artists’ cartridge paper (white) or ingres paper (colored) and for best results requires one or two large, well focused photographs to work from. $200. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact her before you order.



Original Rose Photo Print
printed on glossy photo paper with lightfast photographic inks, 8 x 10 inches, including white border for framing. $30.00. Beautiful and vibrant!

For her cards, art prints, originals, and other small gifts:
http://kala.etsy.com

She also makes jewelry which will soon be divided into
its own Etsy shop at:
http://upwiththelark.etsy.com/

See more of her paper items and small gifts here:
http://chalkhillstudio.blogspot.com/

Gifts From the Heart

The artist behind SparklyStrandz lives in Friendswood, Texas and has a day job as an occupational therapist , but her real passion lies in creating jewelry, crocheted children’s clothing, tiny picture frames, and a mix of other handmade things, mostly ranging in price between $5.00 and $40.00. Most can be easily customized and made to order.

These Baby Cowboy Booties are just adorable in dark brown and fuchsia, but they can be made in any color, and at a very affordable $12.00 a pair!

Her Swirly wire-wrapped rings incorporate buttons as the focal, and retail for $8.00 each.

Circles and circular chain links have been in style for at least the past 8 months and still holding strong. This necklace ($30.00) and pair of earrings ($15.00) combine hammered silver-plated links that are flattened and textured, with Serpentine, pearls and pressed glass beads. With these two matching pieces you can have an ensemble that will go with just about any earthtone color.

You can find her jewelry, crochet, and other gift items at http://SparklyStrandz.etsy.com , and her own website, http://www.sparklystrandz.com/ also carries beaded pet collars, and rosaries in addition to the type of items she sells on Etsy. She is currently offering free shipping to the US and Canada between now and Christmas. To join her mailing list or read more about her collections you can also go to her blog at http://www.sparklystrandz.blogspot.com