Angelite Gemstones

Angelite semi precious gemstones are my new favorite rock. Ok, the blue african jasper might be tied for that position but Angelite is perhaps the softest looking gemstone I think I have ever seen.

It is such a powdery look to it. If a cloud were blue then that would describe these stones. They are exquisite!

Angelite is believed to enhance telepathic powers and bring the wearers closer together thru the mind. And to communicate with angels and how it got its name.

It is a fairly rare stone that was a million years in the making.

For inner harmony and to help bring a sense of oneness to yourself and those around you, try some Angelite.

Here is one of my creations using the semi precious gemstone:



More gemstones later...

Cheryl

Long time no Blog

It has been a busy 6 weeks since my last blog. I am really going to try to post more often things have just been hectic and not enough time to do much except create jewels and mail them out. It has also been a time of beautiful creations, a cherished son returning home from college, birthdays, a supreme court IDEA case, and the never ending and fun search for unique and beautiful jewelry components.

I made what I feel to be such a stunning piece. I call it the Nonagenarian because the glass jewel is 90 years old. It is a really lovely piece.

I have also been making cameo necklaces. I found some really pretty ones that are new and some awesome ones that are antique. That is the new one of my favorites. The butterfly cameos are exquisite.

I have not designed with the next one, I hope to get them soon. Been waiting impatiently for their delivery!

Going out to get a Christmas tree today. It has seemed odd to not have one yet. We typically get one the day after Thanksgiving but this year my son asked me to wait for him to come back home since he is on the decorating committee. So I waited. It will probably seem a lot more like christmas once the scent of the evergreen tree fills the air and the twinkling lights make my other son's face light up with the wonderment of the spectacle.

A joyous time of year. Blessings for good tidings to be had by all.

Happy Holidays...
Cheryl

Brass Filigrees

I have obtained quite a few brass filigrees and I am in the process of creating with them. I have posted a few. This is one of my favorites:



And I have finally learned how to get a nice aged look to the brass without chemicals or a lengthy process. The brass has such a nice sheen to it. I still like some of the oxidized brass I get from one supplier. Mostly because I like the shape of the filigree. This flowery filigree is one of my favorites.

Here it is used with a stunning zircon glass jewel:



Thats all for now !
Cheryl

Prices and Jadeite

I had an intersting "convo" - shortand for the conversation feature at etsy, basically an internal email system. This person convoed (is that a word) me and said that she wanted to buy some things but was scared because my prices were "by far much lower than other filigree artisans" (her words).

Well my first reaction was to be the snark I am and say I could make them higher if she would like. Instead I just answered that I base my prices on the cost of the matterals and how much time it takes me to make a piece. I guess I don't really get this. I mean you go to Target and see an item and you go to Walmart and they have the same Item for less do you question it ? Or do you say YAY and buy it saving some bucks? Or do you go back to Target so you can spend more for the item?

Granted the items aren't exactly the same in this instance, but I do make a quality product, using only quality components and since my pictures now reflect this even more (YAY) I suppose this will remain a mystery to me unless of course I inflate my prices or raise my per hourly wage :-) For now I am happy with what I make in both workmanship and price.

She didn't end up buying from me....

Another convo was informing the about a piece I had made using Jadeite. Telling me it wasn't jadeite but perhaps Nephrite. Was very informational tho, and I do like to know what stones I am using. The mystery of the stone is still a mystery however. The wholesaler insists it is Jadeite. He also sells Nephrite and does usually know his stones so short of a geological testing I have no idea who is right. The person who informed me tho did seem fairly knowledgable. Maybe I will keep it Jadeite with a Nephrite disclaimer ;-)

This is the piece in question -


If anyone knows I would like to know !

Thats all for now ....... jewels to make !

Cheryl

I love my Camera !

It is easy to use and the pics are awesome ! I have been so obssessed with taking pictures (and editing pictures) that i forgot to blog ! (Like I need an excuse).

I have redone about 1/3 of the pictures and the difference is amazing !

Maybe once I am done I can focus my attention on the blog. Or cleaning out my pool. Or making new jewels (ok I have still been making new ones, thats my biggest obesssion).

Back to the camera and editing !

Cheryl

Great Pics coming soon ....

It has been a ruff week after taking my son to college. Hard to believe only a week has passed... he is having the time of his life, loves Evergreen and is thoroughly enjoying the social aspects of it. Since he took my camera or should I say HIS camera to school with him it forced me to get a new one.

I asked the people at Etsy to post what camera they use so I could get an idea of the pics produced and decided on a Canon SD1000. This camera produced BY FAR the best pictures of anyone's that posted. The photos are crisp and clean and not a blur to be had. I even got a really great deal on one at Ebay ... yes I love Ebay !!!

Will be a major improvement in the jewel pictures!!! I can't wait to get it ! Will be nice to take pictures and not face dissappointment over the quality of photos. It is pretty sad to create a piece of lovely jewels then have the camera demolish that beauty, but that won't happen anymore ! And I hope the better quality pictures produce more sales, too ! It is such a nice feeling knowing someone is wearing what I think are beautiful jewels that I created.

IN the meantime got some new glass and some new czech beads that I am looking forward to creating with. This week hasn't been a good one for creativity but I can slowly feel that urge coming back! The ideas for new jewels are itching to be made into reality again.

And that urge to make glass beads is still burning strong, plan to work on learning that, too! So much to do, so little time.....

Cheryl

Distractions

I have a good excuse this time for not blogging lol

My son leaves for college tomorrow and It's been hectic to say the least getting him ready. I have made a few new things, listed some on etsy and have alot more list. I had wanted to get more pictures done today but the weather hasn't cooperated. I will have to get a new camera now that Gerald is taking his to college !

Today is a day of mixed emotions. I go from crying to almost giddyness.

Gerald and I leave in the morning to take him to Evergreen State College.
I will be coming back alone.

I hate to see him go, feels at moments the most unbearable thing I have had to face, even worse than autism. At other times I am just so pleased and proud he gets the opportunity to have a decent education, meet new people and experience dorm life and life in general outside the 4 walls of this tiny little town.

I know I will miss him greatly. He is not only my son, he is my friend. And my jewelry critic !

He has become a man I am proud of and I want for him only good things in life because he truly deserves to have great things happen to him. He is one of a kind. A compassionate loving soul like no other.

So tomorrow after almost 19 years my son will be going it alone, as will I....

Cheryl