Creations by JAE

Got the creative bug back!

2009-03-02T11:09:00.008-06:00

I have opened an ArtFire shop! Here, I am showcasing my 'Signature Collection' as well as my newest and best creations. Please check it out at http://creationsbyjae.artfire.com Interested in joining a neato community like ArtFire? Click here!

Moving on to my newest creations, all finished within the past week. The first is a necklace made from Azurite and Malachite combined with copper chain. It really has an earthy feel, reminds me of looking at the Earth from space. It's a longer necklace at 23 inches, and totally cute and casual!

Next, I took a filigree butterfly and cut it in half, preserving the wings. I then wired black tourmaline rounds to the wings to make a body on each half. These have to be my favorite earrings to date! I love flutterbies!

My latest project was just finished on Saturday. I took a beautiful green piece of beach glass that Diane of MyGemStoneBox sent me from Rhode Island and finally learned how to cage it to make a beautiful pendant! I used square copper wire to cage it, and hung it from a length of brown leather cord. The cord is adjustable to make a long or short necklace. Turned out just darling!

Lets hope the creative bug keeps going for me! })i({

I've been featured on Found-Handmade!

2009-02-21T16:55:00.002-06:00

Just received an email late this afternoon that Found-Handmade, a wonderful blog that finds handmade items to showcase. I have been selected to be featured! Isn't that fantastic news? I can use all the exposure I can get!

Visit my selection of featured items from my ArtFire shop! Visit http://found-handmade.blogspot.com/2009/02/creations-by-jae.html to see the yummy goodies and also to leave a comment pretty pretty please! })i({

Winner of One World One Heart Giveaway

2009-02-12T06:36:00.003-06:00

I have a winner in my OWOH giveaway!

I used a random number generator at random.org to select my winner for this year's giveaway. Join me in congratulating #206, Lilly from Sampa, Brazil as the lucky gal to win my earrings! Yay!

View Lilly's profile at http://www.blogger.com/profile/10524602149251062130 to find out a bit about her.

I thank everyone for leaving a comment, I had 251 comments left for me, and I got to see all sorts of neato blogs! This is a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with bloggers from all over the world, and I look forward to doing this again next year! })i({

Meet Dani Garcia of DG Designs!

2009-02-11T18:40:00.007-06:00

Dani, one of my dear friends and a fellow eSMArts member, allowed me to find out a bit about her! Read on to see what she has to say about jewelry, selling, and life in general!

"Welcome. My name is Danis Garcia and I am in independent jewelry
artisan living inthe Texas Hill Country just outside of San Antonio.
I started making jewelry years ago, mostly for myself and
family/friends but it blossomed into a full time love of creating
after my 4 children were grown and doing their own thing.

I also love creating that one truly unique element for some of my
jewelry designs by custom wrapping stones, shells and other materials
with sterling silver, copper or gold filled wire as well other handmade
findings. You can find some of my work online at
http://dgdesignstx.etsy.com.

I am also a retail/wholesale jewelry supplier with a huge show show
schedule that covers most of Texas. My online store for jewelry supply
is http://dgdesigns.artfire.com.

Currently I am learning to make pendants and other elements in glass
and precious metal clay.

Visit my blog, http://dgdesignstx.blogspot.com, and read a little more
about me and take a peek at some of the things happening in my life."

Dani works with her daughter, Toni Garcia and they are the best of friends.
She is hopelessly in love with her husband Henry, and they celebrated 25
years of marriage this past December.
She has three grandkids, Jeremiah, Christopher and Kendal Marie.
She is a member of the San Antonio Bead Society, eSMArts social marketing
team, Texas Artisan Promotions, and SRAJD.
She strongly believe in the concepts of paying it forward and bartering.
Justice is dealt with by the Karma Police.

Thank you Dani for the great interview!  })i({

20% OFF all items in my Etsy shop!

2009-02-11T11:44:00.003-06:00

I'm now having a 20% OFF sale in my Etsy shop for ALL items! Please go to http://creationsbyjae.etsy.com for details and to shop your hearts out!

Please please wait for a revised invoice before paying with PayPal. This will make things much easier for everyone! Otherwise you will get a PayPal refund. ;)

Enjoy shopping, and remember, do your part for the economy and my food fund! })i({

And the winner is...

2009-02-09T08:33:00.006-06:00

I have the winner of the Team Challenge for January! Our favorite design is Joyce Bevil's 'Daisies and Lace' dress with a total of 4 votes! Second place goes to Jill Milan's anklet, and 3 people tied for 3rd: myself with my 'First Flower of Spring' choker, Wilma Travis's 'Spring Pinks and Greens' bracelet, and Anna Lee Husband's 'Springtime Imagery Study' earrings.

The theme for this challenge was 'Springtime Pastels' and we had many truly fantastic designs entered!

All entries are beautiful and here's a list of those who participated and their designs:

Jamie's First Flower of Spring Choker
Elayne's Groovy Spring Flowers Bracelet
Wilma's Spring Pinks and Greens Bracelet
Diane's Candy and Pearls Necklace
Jann's I Love Pink Set
Lois's Carnelian Carnival Necklace
Jamie's Springtime Branches Choker
Anna Lee's Springtime Imagery Study Earrings
Jill's Entry Anklet
Wezz's The Mermaid's Blues Necklace
Joyce's Tulip Garden Dress
Joyce's Pastels for Spring Dress
Joyce's Daisies and Lace Dress
Theresa's Garden Trellis Bracelet
Joella's Spring is Sprung Bracelet Heather's Think Pink Bracelet
Van's Turtle Medicine Wheel Goard If you want to see these designs for yourself, please visit my Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/creationsbyjae and look for the January Team Challenge 09 album! })i({

Jamie's First Flower of Spring Choker

Elayne's Groovy Spring Flowers Bracelet

Wilma's Spring Pinks and Greens Bracelet

Diane's Candy and Pearls Necklace

Jann's I Love Pink Set

Lois's Carnelian Carnival Necklace

Jamie's Springtime Branches Choker

Anna Lee's Springtime Imagery Study Earrings

Jill's Entry Anklet

Wezz's The Mermaid's Blues Necklace

Joyce's Tulip Garden Dress

Joyce's Pastels for Spring Dress

Joyce's Daisies and Lace Dress

Theresa's Garden Trellis Bracelet

Joella's Spring is Sprung Bracelet
Heather's Think Pink Bracelet

Van's Turtle Medicine Wheel Goard

If you want to see these designs for yourself, please visit my Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/creationsbyjae and look for the January Team Challenge 09 album! })i({

New listing on my Etsy shop! Also made a sale!

2009-02-02T10:49:00.008-06:00

I listed a new item in my Etsy shop this morning, my first January Challenge entry for the eSMArts team! Please check it out at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20529775 and let me know what you think of it! I tried something different for this design, and I think I like it, the more I look at it. Stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult for sure!

The listing has already been picked up by CheapTweet. If you want to vote for it, go here and click on the 'Cheap!' button!

On another positive note, I woke up this morning to a sale! My Monet Bling Ring is packaged carefully in its envelope and waiting to be mailed to MA this afternoon! Woohoo!!!

My friend and fellow teammate Wilma has been chosen for an Etsy treasury! Check out the treasury here and check out all the cool 'Aquafied' items, including Whimsey's 'Swirling Seas' lampwork beads. They are gorgeous and I want them bad!!!

Enjoy the eye candy and let me know what you think! })i({

One World One Heart Blog Giveaway Event

2009-01-31T19:30:00.011-06:00

The One World One Heart blog giveaway event is a chance for bloggers from all over to meet, mix, and mingle. We have the chance of a lifetime to interact with bloggers that we would never ordinarily meet! It also gives us the opportunity to win prizes from each other!!! I love prizes! Why don't you hop aboard the Love Train?

I have decided, rather at the last minute, that I am going to participate in the 'One World One Heart' blog giveaway. For those who don't know how it works, I am donating an item to the event. Leave me a comment, being sure to give me a link to your blog or your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you're my winner! You have until Thursday, February 11th at 11:59pm CST to leave a comment here with the requested info in order to enter the drawing. I will then use a random number generator to choose the winner!

My entry this year is a lovely pair of large silver-plated Czech pressed glass wire-wrapped hoop earrings. They measure 2 1/4 inches or 5.6 cm in diameter. Good luck and I look forward to
meeting tons of new bloggers! })i({

I'm a new member of SRAJD

2009-01-31T07:15:00.003-06:00

An exciting announcement!!! I have been accepted into SRAJD, or the group Self-Representing Artist Jewelry Designers.

This is such a great opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the world's best jewelry artists and really get my name out in the jewelry community! I'm looking forward to seeing all I can do for this group and what they can do for me.

If you're interested in applying for membership, please click here. })i({

My Lemonade Award

2009-01-29T09:17:00.011-06:00

I received the Lemonade Award from Elayne of ChezChani, one of my fellow eSMArties and a wonderful person. Thank you for thinking of me, you have really brightened my day!

The Lemonade Award is awarded to sites that show a positive attitude and gratitude.

Here are the rules for the award:
1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

I choose these bloggers to win the Lemonade Award:
1. Susan of Perfectly Twisted
2. Anna Lee of SassyDLite and GaHooleTree
3. Dani of DG Designs
4. Diane of MyGemStoneBox
5. Teri of S&T Creations
6. Lois of A Beaded Affair
7. Margot Potter of The Impatient Crafter
8. Wezz of Cyberwezz
9. Van of Coastal Artist
10. Perri of Shaktipaj Designs

Have fun with this! I could nominate 20 more, but alas, it's in the rules...LOL! })i({

Etsy Teams Newsletter

2009-01-19T17:27:00.010-06:00

I am way behind in writing blogs, but as usual, I do several at the same time. Sorry folks, so much to write about, so little time!

Our Etsy street team eSMArts has a mention in the last issue of the Etsy Teams Newsletter! Woohoo!

I wrote the following post for the newsletter, and although it came out a week late it still helps promote us as a whole!

Read on...

'"eSMArts January Happenings

eSMArts is hard at work for the New Year! There is a fantastic January Challenge in the works with a theme of pretty pastels, just in time for spring. eSMArts members are asked to work with pretty spring colors and fix up a wonderful project (or two) for the team to vote on at the end of the month. Maybe this will brighten up those dreary winter months!

eSMArts is also working hard to fill up the team etsy shop with a contest! Team members are listing inexpensive items (around $20 or less) through the end of this week and then doing a Twitter/blog blast to encourage customers to send a direct twitter message or blog comment. Customers who do so will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 eSMArts gift certificate compliments of Lois Linquist (A Beaded Affair)!"'

Yay to us!!! })i({

You Touch It, You Buy It Study

2009-01-19T15:20:00.011-06:00

Coming across Yahoo! News last Friday was a very interesting article, titled "Study: You Touch It, You Buy It". It's written by Andrea Thompson from Livescience.com.

I am copying the article here, with proper credits given to its author and such! Read on...

"'You've heard of "you break it, you buy it," but what about "you touch it, you buy it?"

A new study suggests that just fingering an item on a store shelf can create an attachment that makes you willing to pay more for it. Previous studies have shown that many people begin to feel ownership of an item - that it "is theirs" - before they even buy it. But this study, conducted by researchers at Ohio State University, is the first to show "mine, mine, mine" feelings can begin in as little as 30 seconds after first touching the object.

Participants in the study were shown an inexpensive coffee mug, and were allowed to hold it either for 10 seconds or 30 seconds. They were then allowed to bid for the mug in either a closed (where bids could not be seen) or open (where they could be seen) auction. The participants were told the retail value of the mug before bidding began ($3.95 in the closed auction; $4.95 in the open auction).

The study, detailed in the August 2008 issue of the journal Judgment and Decision Making, found that on average, people who held the mug for longer bid more for it - $3.91 to $2.44 in the case of the open auction and $3.07 to $2.24 in the closed. In fact, people who held the mug for 30 seconds bid more than the retail price four out of seven times.

"The amazing part of this study is that people can become almost immediately attached to something as insignificant as a mug," said study leader James Wolf, who began the work while he was a graduate student at Ohio State. "By simply touching the mug and feeling it in their hands, many people begin to feel like the mug is, in fact, their mug. Once they begin to feel it is theirs, they are willing to go to greater lengths to keep it."

Retailers have been using the try-then-buy tactic for years, said Wolf, who is now an assistant professor of information systems at Illinois State University. For example, car dealers routinely send prospective buyers out on test drives, and pet shop owners encourage people to play with the puppies in the window.

Understanding the attachment this tactic can create could make consumers aware of their own susceptibility, Wolf said.

When testing out new cars, for example, and "going in there knowing that you are going to feel like raising your price, maybe you can be better prepared not to make a hasty purchase that you'll regret later on," he said.

The study was funded by Ohio State's Jensen-Wallin-Young Fund and by Illinois State's Caterpillar Scholars Fund."'

Click HERE for the original article! Fascinating, isn't it?

Please leave me a comment about what you think of the study. Is it valid, do you think it's true? Give me your opinion please! })i({

MomFuse shows the love...for ME!

2009-01-19T14:59:00.005-06:00

Nicole, a member of eSMArts, a wonderful graphics guru, fantastic mom, and of course the editor of MomFuse, featured me as the 'Etsy features artist' on the MomFuse website this past Saturday. This is an honor for me and very touching.

Nicole is one of those people who tries to do everything that everyone wants and more...I wanted to let her know how much I really appreciate her taking the time to write about ME, of all people!

Visit her article about me here. Leave a comment, or 2. Tell your friends! ;) And while you're at it, browse their wonderful site! Click the button below to get her Valentine's Day gift guide and find out more about their 14 days of giveaways!!!

Thanks so much Nicole! })i({

Yummy! That wonderful, addicting drug...CAFFEINE!!!

2009-01-15T10:59:00.002-06:00

The most caffeinated cities in America are...Tampa, Fla., Seattle, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles! Hmm, big surprise! The least caffeinated American cities are Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif., Atlanta, San Diego, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas.

Read the article for lots more interesting tidbits and goodies! ;) Click here! })i({

Learning more about Theresa, of Studio 618

2009-01-09T20:45:00.016-06:00

For the past 20+ years, I’ve been working as an architect. My projects range from small residential remodeling to multi-million dollar corporate headquarters and public institutions. After years of being on the more technical side of architecture, watching my designs being built by the construction trades, I longed to use my own hands to create. This gratification comes in the form of jewelry-making. Now I have the best of both worlds, from macro to micro scales, offering design and technical challenges that keep me up at night.

I joined the Etsy artisan community in the mid 2008, and it opened a whole new experience to me. The benefits of buying from independent handmade artists are tremendous. Since marketing is not my strength, I joined one of the Etsy teams - Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild. The goal of this team is “further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.”

Our members consist of artisans across the globe, working with all art medium.

My jewelry is available through the team shop http://esmarts.etsy.com, at local art shows and through my online store http://studio618.etsy.com under the name Studio 618. My blog http://studio618.blogspot.com reflects my creations, my various interests, issues important to me, and much more. So come on by, say hello, and let me know what you think.

As an additional note: Theresa is one of the most helpful and kind people you would meet in eSMArts or anywhere for that matter. Her jewelry often reflects her religion, judiaca and is simple yet elegant. I really wish her the best success and can't wait to see what she does next! })i({

Esmarts Gift Cert Grab - Friday 1/9

2009-01-08T19:56:00.002-06:00

The Esmarts Team Shop at Etsy was created in the spirit of "PAYING IT FORWARD". The Team has jumped on board and loaded it with scrumptious new listings for you to peruse. In that spirit we'd like to give a bit back to all of our readers and buyers by running a contest on Twitter and our blogs. All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment mentioning the contest here on A Beaded Affair, the Esmarts Team Blog or Direct Message @abeadedaffair on Twitter and you might win the $10.00 Gift Certificate in the drawing on Saturday which you can use in the Esmarts Team Shop . Gift Cert donated by A Beaded Affair at Etsy. Take a chance, have some fun, enter our contest and win $10.00.Just a few of the new items donated by the talented members of EsmartsContest runs from Noon Friday January 9 (that's tomorrow folks) til Midnight.On Saturday we will announce the winner here!!!This weeks donations by Creations by Jae, dgdesignstx, SandTCreations, The World of Wezz, Chic Hats and More, Gahooletree, Studio618 and Wilma's Whimseys. Visit these Etsy shops for more exciting hand crafted goodies.

When you snooze you lose. If you didn't check out the Esmarts Team Store on Tuesday you missed donations by M5 Creative Corners which sold right away.

One more note, Coastal Artist has reduced the price on 3 of his prints to $20.00 just for the contest. Don't wait, leave a comment and check out all the fabulous items at Esmarts Team Store and win the Gift Certificate.

Are you on Twitter? Share the love and Tweet about the contest for us. The more the merrier.

Cheers

Interview with eSMArts Team Owner Anna Lee!!! Must Read!!!

2009-01-05T10:17:00.026-06:00

I had the pleasure, and honor, of interviewing the eSMArts team owner/leader, Anna Lee (AL) Husband, for this blog feature. It's the very first time I've interviewed anyone for my blog! I am so pleased that AL makes time to help mentor me and encourage me to be more involved with the team as well as with my passion for jewelry making, despite her super-busy schedule. She's a fantastic lady, full of spunk and zeal. Without further ado, here she is!!!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family/friends. What do you do for fun? Are you married, for how long, how many children do you have?

My spouse of 30 years David is wonderfully supportive of my addiction to hobbies, crafts and creating artwork. Our daughter Kate, who lives near us in a full time health care residence because she is now totally disabled, visits us for holidays and special events like her birthday. David and I spend most of our free time together with our young Airedale Terrier Amy (http://amytheairedale.blogspot.com) at our home in Oshawa, Ontario.

I am Team Leader and Founder of the Etsy Social Marketing Artisans (eSMArts) street team and yahoo group where I have a small family of online friends. We’re all independent artisans who feature our items for sale on Etsy and who got together for support, inspiration, friendship and connection.

At eSMArts we’re trying to develop strong social marketing ties with one another in order to drive web traffic to our sales sites. We’ve each donated creations to our team store (http://esmarts.etsy.com) where all sales support worthy causes. Visit our blog for more info on my talented friends: http://esmarts.blogspot.com!

In my free time I love the outdoors, entertaining, cooking, travel, music, movies, TV, spectator sports, computer games, golf, gardening, cycling and well just making things!
What inspired you to get started making this gorgeous jewelry? How old were you when you started?

As a child I was instantly drawn to the beauty of shiny and pretty stones. I kept special boxes of my lovelies as soon as I could walk. I loved to play with just about any type of crafty endeavour or toy, so when I was 8 or 9 I got a rock tumbler that I was obsessed with. I polished nuggets, made primitive jewelry and kept an extensive rock collection. I guess I’ve never met a gemstone, crystal or rock that I didn’t like.

In my teens I borrowed cookbooks from mom to learn how to bake and cook. Mom (an oil artist) dabbled in virtually every medium so I read with interest her library books to learn basics of embroidery, knitting, crochet, crewel and the like. When mom learned how to sew so did I, and throughout high school I often made my dresses and pant sets (this WAS the early 70s!). My dad (a jazz musician by night) stressed musical training for all three of us kids, so when I wasn’t making something I was likely practicing the piano or flute.

Throughout my 20s and 30s I kept busy with work, home, family, university etc. and only returned to my first love, gemstones, in 2002. I started beading only because I wanted designer level shinies at a fraction of the retail price. I receive compliments on my jewelry continually so in 2003 I decided to display a few showcases of my creations in my retail bicycle shop (http://oraclecycleworks.com). Positive feedback from customers helped me begin to take jewelry making seriously.

What are your favorite materials to use when making jewelry?

I enjoy making pretty things and unique adornments using all gems, metals and materials. But unlike some artisan jewelry makers I started working with precious stones and sterling silver wire because I began making items for myself to wear for work, play and formal. So my creations had to look professional. I have to admit that I am hooked on Thai Hilltribe silver and tend to use it in almost all my silver creations.

I am self taught, but have continually been amazed at the amount of good free information there is on the web regarding handmade jewelry techniques.

I now find it easier to work with gold wire than its silver counterpart although I am very fond of coiling effects using oxidized silver wire. I no longer do any pure bead stringing as stringing bores me to tears. Just about any other technique or genre intrigues me and keeps me interested. I’ve never made the same design twice as repetition does bore me. I enjoy the challenge of fresh, new designs and custom commissions the most.

I’m enjoying PMC and really get a kick out of creating mens/unisex creations, bead crochet (which I rarely have time for these days) as well as creating ornate bridal jewelry and bridal hair accessories too.

Who inspires your designs now? Who do you look up to in the jewelry-making world?

Linda Trent’s clean crisp lines were my first inspiration on Etsy and her talents prompted me to make the leap into online jewelry marketing. Passementerie first caught my eye when she had an Etsy shop and Magdalena Borejko is a huge favorite of mine too. I recently began to follow Iza Malczyk’s wire work and no doubt over time my own style will evolve as some combination of all these. I follow the work of several emerging design houses.

What techniques would you like to master in the future?

I strive to hone my wire working skills until they are the absolute best they can be (this may be a life sentence!). I plan to set up a glass studio in the near future and to develop solid glassmaking skills. I am a huge fan of lampwork glass and borosilicate beads. Metalsmithing is also near and dear to my heart. I know silversmithing basics but will take a good silversmithing course or two. The designer in me dreams of venturing into the world of fabricated pieces.

Do you have any advice for new jewelry-makers and people trying to get an Etsy business going?

Great photographs are the key to online sales so learn how to take them – invest in photo training and good equipment. Regardless of your current skill level, strive for perfection. Develop a few signature pieces using the best materials you can afford. Study your favorite artists and their techniques. Take courses if necessary or buy tutorials but hone your skills. Above all, market yourself feverishly and shamelessly both on Etsy and off. And don’t forget to smile – enjoy the journey! 

Where can we find you?

My flagship online outlet is called Gahooletree (http://gahooletree.etsy.com) where I feature luxe gemstone and pearl formal and bridal creations. Email: tiger_eye@rogers.com

We recently opened SassyDLite (http://sassydlite.etsy.com) an off price discount outlet for sale items where I can also experiment with offering fun and casual designs created at times with base metals (copper, brass) and more affordable materials like semi precious stones, swarovski crystals and shell pearls.

I offer studio overstock of gems and findings for sale online at Gahooletree Supplies (http://gahooletreesupplies.etsy.com) and there’s plenty more information about my jewelry business in general at http://oraclegemdesigns.com, http://gahooletreedesigns.blogspot and http://sassydlite.blogspot.com.

Again, I really want to thank Anna Lee for taking the time to talk with me, and for being so patient with me. You ARE appreciated! })i({

Happy New Years!

2009-01-01T20:11:00.003-06:00

Myspace Comments

My New Year's Resolutions:
1. Lose some weight (I'm not telling how much!!!)
2. Go to the YMCA twice a week
3. Sell one item per week
4. Do 1 show
5. Learn silversmithing
6. Move out of my parents house! I know, it's sad to live here at 26, but it had to happen for a while.
7. Learn to budget my money appropriately

What are yours?

Have a wonderful New Year everyone! })i({

You Wear WHAT?!? Interesting Jewelry Trends

2009-01-01T13:08:00.016-06:00

I've been browsing my groups and forums, trying desperately to catch up with all the goodies that everyone is talking about! Lately, I've noticed a lot of talk about...let us say...unique...jewelry trends! I thought I'd share some of them that I find really fascinating!

MyWiredImagination is a seller on Etsy. She does some lovely wire-wrapping and other work, but one item of hers in particular is something to look twice at! Check out these interesting, and slightly creepy, custom pendants and rings made with rejected prosthetic eyes!

Another company that has been talked about is Ashes to Glass. They make beautiful lampwork beads intended to hold the ashes of a loved one. In addition to that, they make beads to hold the ashes of your pets called Petglash. It's definitely a unique idea, and many people would love to be able to have their deceased loved one or pet with them all the time.

Then we come to LifeGem. This company can take either the cremated remains of your loved one or a lock of hair (for those who choose burial, or even for those who want a special gem from someone living) and using a special process, creates a certified, high-quality diamond from the carbon remains. These diamonds are molecularly identical to a genuine diamond. It's a fascinating process. They can even make them with your pet! Visit their website for a video showing the process and to request more information! These are not cheap, but may be worth it to have that rememberance of someone you love. There are several color options available as well!

One of the most fascinating jewelry ideas is by Jared Gold, a Salt Lake City designer who specializes in the unique! His creepy creation is a Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Brooch. This is a live critter! The giant roach is encrusted with Swarovski crystals and comes complete with a tiny 'leash' so that you can attach it to your clothing and let the lil bug wander around. Ewww... With proper care they can live for up to a year. Cost: $80.

My last interesting jewelry trend for today is made by a very creative jewelry artist named Margaux Lange. She sells on Etsy, and takes parts from Barbie dolls and makes them into earrings, pendants, tie tacks, etc. I can't believe how professional they look! Definitely interesting jewelry for a party, great conversation pieces! })i({

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-25T06:48:00.002-06:00

Myspace Comments

Kreativ Blogger Award

2008-12-23T19:52:00.004-06:00

I have been awarded the 'Kreativ Blogger Award' by Yvonne of Bluebonnet Jewelry Design. Thank you for thinking of me Yvonne, you're a super sweetheart! ;)

These are the rules:

1. The winner may put this award on their blog.

2. Please put a link to the person that presented you for this award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to all their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

I nominate:

1. Susan of Perfectly Twisted Wire Jewelry
2. Susan's crazy critters and their blog 13CatTales
3. Bev of Bev's Jewelry
4. Mei of WireBliss
5. Elayne of ChezChani

There's a million blogs I want to nominate, but the rules say only 5! I could come up with 20 more...so if I didn't nominate you please remember that I was thinking of you! })i({

Which reindeer are you?

2008-12-21T09:49:00.001-06:00

You Are Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy.

Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong

Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

})i({

New relists and items for the day, don't forget about our eSMArts team shop!!!

2008-12-19T06:55:00.002-06:00

5 items relisted and 1 new item listed in my shop this morning! What work at 6:30am!!!

Relisted:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17172868 Pastel Crystal and Butterfly Chain $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17151703 Swarovski Snowmen Earrings $12
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149932 Blueberry Quartz n Chips Necklace $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149475 Black Pearls n Chips Necklace $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149132 Black and White Spiral Rope $22

New item:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=18876123 Springtime Hoop Earrings $10 (Made to match Springtime Butterfly Necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17176651 $26)

Thanks for looking! Vote for my CheapTweets at http://cheaptweet.com/search?q=creationsbyjae })i({

PS - Do not forget our team shop at http://esmarts.etsy.com for a great variety of items at incredible prices!!!

4 items relisted in my Etsy shop, and I made a sale!

2008-12-18T14:26:00.002-06:00

I made a sale today! It's one of my favorite pairs of earrings, Pink Jade Star Earrings. Sad to see them go, but glad they have a new home!!! ;)

I also relisted 4 other items in my Etsy shop today. Please check them out!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17146497 Grape Leaves and Pearls Bracelet $25
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17146147 Butterfly Tile Necklace $20
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=18043534 My Favorite Blue Jeans Earrings $25
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17038243 Fluttery Butterfly Dangle Earrings $15

})i({

I just LOVE the attention!!!

2008-12-17T12:07:00.010-06:00

My friend Helene AKA glass0beads has been just wonderful to me the past couple days. I really enjoy talking with her, and helping her out with the technical aspects of this crazy internet marketing when she needs it. In return, she has mentioned me in a couple of her blog posts! (To the left, Helene's 'Hearts and Teardrops Earrings', just lovely, and available on Etsy!) Visit her store at Glass0Beads.etsy.com (#0, not letter)

We all love some publicity, don't we??? I'll take what I can get!

Her first post was titled 'Notes to Self - Footloose and Fancy Free' where she lists some great websites to visit, including mine!!!

Her latest post is 'A Great Christmas Season' and she gives kudos to some of our eSMArts members, myself too! She includes some really nice pictures of different items.

Please, please check out her blog at Glass0Beads.blogspot.com (#0, not the letter) and see what the wonderful woman has been up to! })i({

Goodies I personally selected from our eSMArts team members, YUmmY!

2008-12-16T19:26:00.003-06:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
esmarts

Christmas Gifts Abound!!!

2008-12-16T12:32:00.009-06:00

I've been working like crazy to finish Christmas gifts for my family and friends. I'm ready for it to get here and be done with, I feel so stressed out about it!!!

I thought I'd show some of what I've made and maybe get some compliments! Shameless self promotion it is!!!

First up is my mom's gift, which I'm particularly proud of! I love it, and wish I could keep it for myself. I think every woman should have some pearls, and I combined some gorgeous white round freshwater pearls with her birthstone, sapphire. Sapphires were purchased from my favorite gemstone supplier, GaHooleTreeSupplies. Visit at http://gahooletreesupplies.etsy.com for all sorts of goodies!

Next is my stepdad's gift. He's one of those guys that actually wears jewelry, so I made him a masculine 1 into 4 spiral chainmaille bracelet in a golden color.

I also made my grandmother's gift, which was difficult because I've already made her a Mother's bracelet and Grandmother's bracelet. She isn't the type for a lot of fancy jewelry, so I wanted to make her something with significance. She had 11 siblings, and I came up with the idea of a 'Family' bracelet, with a crystal birthstone representing each sibling and her parents. What do you think?

Finally, my best friend's gift. I hope she doesn't read this blog before Christmas LOL! For her, I wire-wrapped Iolite roundelles onto silver hoops and made a matching necklace with moonstone rounds. Didn't take a pic of the necklace, and it's already wrapped so I will take one later and post it. She has beautiful blue eyes, so I thought the Iolite would compliment them. Turned out fantastic!

Please, let me know what you think of these! I'm quite proud of myself for getting all this done and still having 9 days to spare! ;) })i({

My Christmas Present

2008-12-06T21:15:00.005-06:00

My best friend is a true best friend. She's the type of person that will give you the shirt off her back or her last $5 if you need it. I've never met anyone as kind and caring as MaRanda. And, I'm lucky enough to have her as my very bestest friend!

I've been talking about getting new pliers for, well, a long time now. Sometimes I talk about it more than others. I was trying to decide what brand to get, and how I was going to afford them.

I know Lindstrom are supposed to be the 'best of the best' when it comes to pliers, but I was having a hard time justifying spending that much money on something when I'm not really making money consistently on my sales.

Then, I think I was reading some posts in the WWJ Yahoo Group and they were talking about pliers. A brand I had never heard of was mentioned: Wubbers. What a crazy name. I decided maybe I should check them out in my usual fashion, research a million websites and try to find the lowest price. Like I needed something else to research.

I went to the recommended website, the website of the creator of the Wubbers pliers at www.wiredupbeads.com. So what did I learn?

They have super-long handles! Fantastic! I hate short pliers that dig into the flesh of my palm! As a matter of fact, these babies are 6.5 inches long!
They are great working with all different gauges of wire, from 12 gauge to 28 gauge.
They have a nice matte finish to the jaws of the pliers to help hold the wire but not mar it, and the edges of the pliers come already filed and rounded.
Nice smooth lightly padded handles are great on the ol' tired hands, along with a sleek shape that fits to the palm of your hand.
They have nice leaf springs to pop the pliers open smoothly without effort on your part.
Best of all, they are nearly half the price of Lindstroms, and offer many fine qualities that more expensive pliers have.

I did some price comparasion shopping and found that FDJ Tool had Wubbers on sale! More great news! But, I didn't have the money for the 3 pliers I was looking at specifically; the round nose of course, bent nose, and chain nose. So where does my best friend fit into all this?

She had been standing in the background all this time, quietly watching, asking questions. She had secret conversations with my stepdad, whom I talk with all the time about tools. One night, she hands me some money and tells me to get the pliers.

I was shocked. This was quite a chunk of dough, and it wasn't even Christmas yet. It still isn't Christmas yet!!! She had that look in her blue eyes that said 'Don't even argue with me.' She waited right there for me to order what I wanted.

Some might say it's awful for you to have to order your own present, but I understand. That way she was sure I got what I wanted. Finding the correct item for a beader is a nightmare. We are very specific. I think she understands that.

In any case, I got them in the mail the other day. And man, they are beauties. I played around with some black coated craft wire to see how they work, and they feel smooth, and fit right into my hand. They don't mar the wire. I'm trying to practice not having that 'death grip' on pliers by pretending that my thumb is broken, a tip I read, but it's hard to get into the habit.

I love them! All in all, I can say this is the best Christmas present I've gotten so far! ;) And, I want the world to know MaRanda is the best friend I've ever had, and not just because of the pliers! })i({

(This post is simply an opinion on Wubbers pliers, not an endorsement of any particular pliers, or of any website. I am not being paid or compensated for this blog!)

2 NEW ITEMS in my Etsy shop! Shop Cyber Monday!

2008-12-01T11:42:00.005-06:00

Check out my Etsy shop and the eSMArts team shop!!!

2008-11-29T08:25:00.003-06:00

Reminder to all to please visit my Etsy shop frequently! http://creationsbyjae.etsy.com

I've just listed 4 new items and will be listing new items every morning, so bookmark it and check back often! The new items are:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17948020
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948190
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948411
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948576

The free shipping offer continues in my shop until December 15th on all US and Canadian orders. International customers get one flat rate on all purchases, no additional charges for multiple items are added!!!

Our eSMArts team shop is growing by the minute with items to suit every taste! We have paintings, jewelry, supplies, needlework and whatever your heart may desire for this holiday season. Please Please visit http://esmarts.etsy.com for your Christmas (or insert your religious holiday) season! })i({

In case you haven't noticed...

2008-11-25T18:16:00.004-06:00

I went all out this past weekend after seeing the gorgeous banners that 2 of my eSMArts team members (Jill of Jewelry Elegance, and Elayne of ChezChani) bought. I just HAD to have one!

They had their banners and matching avatars done by Nicole of Dustbaby on Etsy. She does fabulous work! She'll make you a hundred banners to choose from if you want her to. She'll fix every tiny detail to your utmost satisfaction. And all this for a very low rate.

I chose (finally) to go with a blue and white butterfly theme. I got not just one, but 2 Etsy avatars, one which announces a sale. I also got a completely custom picture for my website at www.creationsbyjae.com. This has me so tickled! :) And after seeing our nice lookin' shops, Theresa of Studio618 got her very own!

Please, please, if you are looking for a gorgeous, custom banner for your Etsy shop, website, blog, whatever, go to Dustbaby at dustbaby.etsy.com and shop your little heart out! If you want a completely custom one, convo her! She's fast, she's fabulous! So GOGOGO! })i({

My jewelry display featured in S&T Creations' hubpage!

2008-11-24T13:07:00.008-06:00

A few weeks ago, my eSMArt teammate Teri of S&T Creations asked for some display ideas. I thought, well, mine is boring but I'll share it anyways. ;)

I was catching up on my blog reading when I saw that she had written a HubPage on jewelry displays and mine was on it! Woohoo! Read the hubpage article here.

My personal display for my jewelry is a large section of pegboard. My stepdad and I spray-painted it black. You could paint it white too, but I liked black because it seemed to make the jewelry stand out more. We also chose a matte finish so there wouldn't be any glare detracting from the jewelry.

After it was dry we hung it on my wall so I could get the goodies I've made out of the big tangle they were in. I purchased A LOT of pegboard hooks and starting hanging. I separated necklaces, bracelets, and earrings/rings. I then spaced the pegs so I could get maximum use out of the board. This is my own personal board so I didn't need them to be spaced out like for a show.

In the midst of hanging I realized there was not going to be nearly enough space for everything to have its own hook. I started combining sets: hanging the necklace, bracelets, and earrings on the same hook. I also put earrings in little zip bags because most of them wouldn't hang well on the pegboard hooks.

I like this display because it shows me everything I have at a glance. In the future, I'll be putting all the jewelry in zip bags to help prevent tarnish and keep them clean. })i({

Read Rena's Newsletter!

2008-11-23T20:45:00.006-06:00

I had written an earlier post about Rena Klingenberg accepting and publishing my jewelry artist story on her website. Just this past week, when I checked my inbox and saw her latest newsletter, I skimmed through it like I always do. Then, I saw that my story and 3 others, 2 of whom are on my Etsy street team eSMArts with me (Wilma and Teri), were featured in her newsletter! What a great thing to happen! What great exposure!

So, please, read her latest newsletter. Click here to go to Rena's latest newsletter.

If you do not get them already, I highly suggest you subscribe. You will find them informative and very interesting. I learn all sorts of little hints and tips and tricks and display options and the like.

Plus, she's a super-friendly woman who takes time to answer her emails, and I know she has to get a whole lot every day! She even tracked down someone's email address for me because they commented on my story. I think that's top notch service and the sign of a professional businesswoman like she is!

Anyways, I will post again shortly, I had to reformat the computer last night and I'm still getting things up to speed. I am also feeling a big out-of-sorts and depressed, hopefully it will get better in the next day or 2. })i({

FREE SHIPPING Offer in my Etsy Shop!

2008-11-20T11:36:00.004-06:00

Extra extra read all about it!!!

I am now offering FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy shop for all domestic and Canadian orders from now until December 15th! International customers will enjoy one flat shipping rate, no additional charges for multiple item purchases!

Hurry and shop now, in time for the holiday season! Tell all of your friends! Tell everyone!!!

Before you know it, this offer will be gone and you will be out of luck! ;)

Visit creationsbyjae.etsy.com for details and to shop your heart out! })i({

Rio Grande is the place to shop!

2008-11-17T22:20:00.004-06:00

Like most jewelry artists, I have a massive collection of jewelry/bead/tool/component catalogs. Some free, some not. Some old, some new. I think I just like to have a collection of actual print and paper catalogs because it gives me something to admire but not actually look at.

Lately, as part of my 'winter cleaning', I have been sorting through my catalogs and getting rid of the old ones and the ones I don't like, etc. I found a magnificent treasure. 2 Rio Grande catalogs that I had ordered almost exactly a year ago. I can tell I must have looked at them cuz some of the pages are dog-eared. OK, a lot of the pages are dog-eared.

Anyways, still inside is the $20 gift certificate that you get when you pay $20 for the catalogs, a system that doesn't quite make sense to me, but I digress. I had never set up the account with Rio Grande as is required after you get the catalogs, and this suddenly caused me a great deal of distress. I had spent $20 on 2 catalogs from a year ago and I had a nice $20 gift certificate and I NEVER BOTHERED TO USE IT??? What if it was too late? What if they said I had to buy 2 more because it had been too long? What if I couldn't use my well-deserved $20 gift certificate???

Me, being a shy person and not into phone discussions, tried to set up my account through the internet since I had my customer number and all. After clicking the link 'Forgot your password or username' or whatever it is, I was able to kinda bypass the system and put in new fresh information. Success, I thought. Then I go to log in, and it gives me a message along the lines of 'forget it we're setting up your account supposedly and will hopefully email you the information you need to log in.' More distress. And it's the weekend! No way to reach anyone!!!

Don't ask me why this bothered me so much, but I wanted to go shopping dammit. Even if I didn't have any money. Everyone talks about how great Rio Grande is. *CRY*

After trying again a few times, I gave up. Yeah, great. And I don't have another $20 to spend on catalogs. &$%#

Today, I get the bright idea to talk to their live help. This is a wonderful thing, great for phone-phobics like myself who don't want to wait around listening to funeral music for 2 hours waiting for a real live person who probably speaks broken English anyways. (No offense intended to those who are not English-speaking or who aren't completely proficient, I simply have a hard time understanding as I don't hear very well on the phone anyways. I also don't understand southern drawls or those weird New York enunciations.) In any case, I speak with, well type with, a nice guy named Mitch or something. I forget his name, but I'm sure it started with an M.

He tells me that my account is in fact still open, and all is good in the world. Now why can't I log in then? Not that I had tried today, but it never occurred to me to try again. He says YES! I should be able to log in now. So where's my email? is the next question I want to ask, but I decide not to get into that. Matt also tells me my coupon is still good but I will have to call the phone number to use it. Ok, I can deal with that. I thank Mike and tell him that everything I have heard about their customer service is true, which I think really made his day cuz he typed back Thank you! Have a good evening!.

Another productive day for Jamie. And the moral of the lesson is - Rio Grande is the place to shop! })i({

So I Saw Snowflakes Today...

2008-11-15T18:47:00.004-06:00

I went to let the dogs out this evening and to my surprise, there were tiny white flakes falling from the darkened sky. I knew it was cold, kind of. I don't think I've really been outside at all today. For the past few days, I've been staying inside, in my pajamas and sweatshirts and slippers, doing some 'winter cleaning'.

My winter cleaning is an obsessive neat-freak straightening of strange things in my room. Like the bookmarks on my computer. While I have them separated into nice little categories already, I figured that since I had about 100 websites of places to purchase supplies, I should divide them up a bit. So now there's a folder for rosary supplies (which I rarely even make), one for tools, one for soldering information (another area that I haven't ventured into yet), and finally a nice folder for my forums I follow. And that was just in the 'Jewelry/Beads' folder.

I also have folders for 'Jewelry Components', 'Jewelry Design', and a 'Jewelry Wish List'. Within those folders I have to have it nice and neat as well, so in the 'Jewelry Design' folder there are subfolders containing 'Chain Maille', 'Inspiration', and 'Projects/Tutorials'. All are alphabetically arranged and the titles shortened to the simple name of the store/project/inspiration/component/blahblahblah.

I am beginning to believe that maybe I should have some more medication for this issue. It's not really an issue to me but it sure bugs my family. But, I figure I am perfectly happy so they will just have to live with the quirks if they want to remain my family. LOL.

My next cleaning project is the binder of projects, tips, instructions, charts that I have gathered for 4 years. I am going to arrange them by section. With little tabs dividing them. Maybe they will even be alphabetical. })i({

My Story Published on Rena Klingenberg's Site

2008-11-13T18:00:00.005-06:00

I decided to write my personal jewelry story and submit it to Rena last night. It was a hard story to write, very personal and involved. So much I wanted to mention, and just not enough time or space to do it in!

I wrote about my lifelong, very difficult and continuing battle with depression. I think making jewelry has helped to save me. That and lots of therapy. My therapist loves that I do something to keep me busy and give me an outlet for my anxiety.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm high-strung, a perfectionist, obsessive-compulsive. These qualities are not always negative however, as they drive me to make great-quality jewelry. But, they do bring me a great deal of anxiety as well.

I chose not to mention my Etsy eSMArts team in it for the simple reason that the story was about my personal struggle with depression. I hope I did not offend or anger anyone by doing that. They are a great group and very supportive of me, and I wish to thank them for that. I'm a new member in the group, and they took me in with open arms, just as they do everyone who joins. I think this group will be a fundamental part of my recovery with depression.

So while I toot my own horn here as they like to say, I also toot the horn of my group. You can read my article at http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/how-making-jewelry-saved-me.html. You may read about our group at our blog at http://esmarts.blogspot.com and see our wonderful, growing store at http://esmarts.etsy.com.

Other members of eSMArts have submitted their personal stories as well. Please read theirs, as everyone has a story and everyone has struggles, not any worse than mine necessarily but a struggle all their own. })i({

Wilma (Wilma's Whimseys) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/finally-found-what-i-wanted-to-do.html
Teri (S&T Creations) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/teri-b-partner-in-s-t-creations.html
Helene (Glass0Beads) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/a-jewelry-story-lose-weight-save-money-and-travel-to-spain.html

Tutorial - How to Make Right Angle Weave (RAW) Stars

2008-11-07T13:51:00.013-06:00

I've decided that my second post here is going to be something fun and useful, instead of me just blabbering about random stuff. I did this tutorial on eHow, and I thought it would be interesting to put on my blog, and maybe some people don't know how to make these!

Materials needed: 10 top drilled bicones (all the same size and the smaller the bicone to begin with the smaller the star will end up), clear thread (I use Fireline), 2 big eye beading needles (optional, I am personally too lazy to mess with them so I don't use them), scissors, lighter or thread burner or glue (I glue em cuz fire scares me), and knowledge of Right Angle Weave is helpful but not mandatory!

Step 1 - Cut a 12-15 inch length of your chosen thread.

Step 2 (Optional) - Thread one big eye needle on each end of the cut thread.

Step 3 - Thread 4 bicones onto the thread.

Step 4 - Go through the first bicone on the left with the thread on the right, threading from left to right through the first bicone only. Pull tight, and you will have a diamond shape with a bicone at each point.

Step 5 - Add one bicone to each end of the thread. Add a second bicone to the thread on the left.

Step 6 - Go through the second bicone you added in step 5 with the right thread, threading from left to right.

Step 7 - Repeat step 6. You will have a strip of RAW that is 3 units long.

Step 8 -Go through the very first bicone in the strip with the left thread going from left to right and the right thread going right to left.

Step 9 - Pull tight to make a ball.

Step 10 - Square knot the ends together. Carefully burn the ends of the thread to seal the knot or use a dab of glue like Hypo Cement. Snip thread ends when glue dries.

Step 11 - Allow to cool or dry, then use in your next design! They can be threaded on headpins, eyepins, wire, thread, etc. just like a bead.

DISCLAIMERS: I am not responsible for someone getting poked, cut, burned, etc! This is not a project for children as many dangerous supplies are used (fire, hot...needle and scissors, sharp...bicones, tiny). And as always, please supervise your little ones (both children and furry friends) around your workspace to prevent accidents, injuries, and/or a big ol mess! })i({

My Very First Blog Post

2008-11-06T10:38:00.001-06:00

Hello to everyone! My name is Jamie, and I'm brand new to this whole blogging thing. We will have to see how it goes!

My passion is making jewelry. Beadwork. Whatever you may call it, it's been a lifelong obsession for me, since I was 10 I've been stringing tiny beads. Well, there were a few years I didn't really make anything, because I was more boy-crazy than bead-crazy. But then I figured out that beads are so much more fun and so much less trouble than boys! And you can make money with them! Woohoo!!!

I have a sales site at Etsy. Visit creationsbyjae.etsy.com to see the goodies I've got up for grabs. I will be adding many more things in the near future, so bookmark it and check back frequently! I also have a website where I show different things I've made over the years, so check out www.creationsbyjae.com to see what I've made.

I want to welcome all my new friends, and please be patient with me while I figure this whole thing out! })i({