Another distraction and lull that affected my designing, was learning techniques for integrating hand formed silver and copper components into my line of jewelry designs.  I pretty much, took a few months off to take classes, experiment, and practice making my own bezels, clasps, ear ring findings, head pins and other components.   After several classes with Dan Haga and with the support and encouragement of beading friend, Karen Landis, I’m ready to put to practice these new techniques.  I’m excited to add new dimensions to my designs and can’t wait to really get geared up and beading again!

Interested in learning more about cold connections?  Check out Kim St. Jean’s new book, Mixed Metal Mania.

Copper, Brass, Silver and All That

In the food world, in the retail world and in your personal jewelry business world, presentation is everything! With spring in the air, it ‘s a great time to revamp or establish a “store front” look for your art show booth. Recently, a friend and I were discussing “display” techniques, what works and what doesn’t, so I decided to share my experiences. After several years of art shows, I’ve discovered that every show is different and everyone’s display needs a different touch. However, every display should be consistent when considering its convenience, professional look, and customer ease for shopping at the jewelry booth. A few other basic rules for effective displays include being unified with theme and color, good visual presentation, and keeping it uncluttered. A good set-up for a jewelry booth will look like and give the feel of a permanent display in a gallery or boutique.

The first and foremost feature of any booth will always be the jewelry! It’s important to design a display that will enhance and make the jewelry pop! Although, an effective booth will catch the customer’s eye from across the room, the elements of the display should never fight with the jewelry – the customer’s attention should always be drawn to the product. In planning a well coordinated booth, choose items that match your art style, compliments your jewelry, and are easy and efficient to use.

When selecting colors for table coverings and display stands, coordinate them with your business cards and banners to create a more unified look. Matching your display with your product, not only exudes professionalism, but helps establish and set the tone. It’s also important to use colors that work with your product style so that they don’t fight each other. My jewelry shows nicely with silks, linens and velvet. These fabrics are rich, elegant, and special, as is the feel of the artistic style used in my designs. My first and favorite table coverings were white sheets used as a bottom cover on my tables, going all the way to the floor – and keep them straight, please! Over the white sheets, a black tablecloth that dropped about 12 inches on all sides of the table – keep it balanced and straight on all sides! My jewelry is showcased on white and black velvet neck display stands. It’s important to put dark necklaces on light necks, and light necklaces on dark necks so they pop!

Bringing tables up to at least 42″ brings your jewelry closer to eye level and saves the customer’s backs! To prevent a stagnant, boring look, create variety by adding some height. Pretty boxes, wire racks, risers, etc. keep the eye moving and make for a more appealing display. In my display, I use two sets of wall cube shelves which range from 6 inches to 14 inches. Starting at one end of my table with the smaller cubes, I line up the six cubes, leaving 24 inches between the two larger cubes in the center which is topped with a narrow shelf connecting them and adding height along the back side of my tables. I place my most distinguished pieces on necklace stands along this make-shift riser. Of course, if I’m doing a trunk show or a low keyed show, I will use my black velvet lined storage trays as the main display and use only one set of cubes.

With a black and white set-up, which does look very professional, it’s still fun to pull in a little color. The purple and green from my business cards and banner provide my basic color theme to brighten up and add pizazz to the display. Using matching hang tags, earring cards, a candy dish, a registration book, pens, and even a coordinated clipboard for signing credit cards gives continuity to the booth and speaks loudly about your professional dedication to your business. It says you are a “real” business and not a temporary craft show display. A coordinating table runner across the end of the table with the candy and registration book looks sharp. My “sale” signs and special prices for baskets items are created on the computer using a logo from my business card and displayed in a 5×7 frame, again from the dollar store.

When working a seasonal exhibit, it’s nice to add a bit of festive color to spice up your booth. At Christmas, I have a red lame tablecloth topping white sheets with white furry fabric on top. For signs I use these awesome candy cane name card holders which add a very festive look to the display. All of these items were purchased off season at major discounts. Planning ahead saves money!

Often, venues are not so well lit! It’s a good idea to bring extra lighting to make your pieces sparkle and pop. Lamps that are simple and blend in with your display work nicely. It’s smart to bring along extra extension cords and power strips, just in case. Always prepared to NOT have access to electricity, and learn to compensate! A friend shared a tip: she purchased small clip on battery operated lights from a dollar store. They work fine in a pinch – just be prepared with extra batteries!

Booth set-up takes about 20 minutes, once everything is inside, but I plan for forty-five minutes in case of problems or distractions. My jewelry travels in trays inside a black fabric jewelry travel bag and my display items are stored in a black trunk organizer. Using a small handtruck, it takes two trips to the car because of the tables. I keep everything packed in the order that I need them, white table skirts on top, black runners, cubes, etc. An emergency bag is always handy, equipped with safety pins, duct tap, Downy Wrinkle remover, lint brush, extra sales tags, batteries, light bulbs and Alleve.

This plan works well for me but I’m always eager to learn about new tricks and creative new ideas for displays. The more convenient it is to set up, the more appealing it is to me. I like simple, elegant, and lots of sparkle!

Since this first “retreat” experience,  my art interests and connections have extended, including metalwork, beading, wire work, precious metal clay, cold-connections, and fiber arts.  This year, in planning a summer “art retreat,” I’m blessed to include so many new and old friends that are experts and share an interest in these various mediums.   I’m seeing this retreat as a meshing of mixed media skills and networking with other artists, a time to focus on whatever inspires us, an opportunity to learn and develop skills and mediums, or  an environment to just “be” and enjoy the mountain views while enveloped by the artistic energy among the group.

Rainbow Obsidian with Silver Butterfly

While deciding on your New Year’s resolution for the upcoming year, choose a gemstone to get you off with a tangible start. A stone that you can wear, touch or see every day will offer a physical reminder and provide energy to help you attain your goals and accomplish any life-changing behaviors you hope for in the future. Crystals and gemstones have been used for thousands of years for their healing and energy. In learning about the various gemstones, I have discovered that each is unique in owning its energies, mystical powers and healing properties which are referenced in many ancient and modern sources. Each gemstone/crystal has different energies and affects each of us differently. In finding the perfect stone, you try to find one that connects with the energies of your body. You do not choose your crystal, but your stone chooses you so start by picking up various crystals/stones. You may feel a particular appeal to a certain stone, maybe the color or texture. Hold it in your hands. You may begin to feel the temperature of the stone change, as well as, feel a strange sensation yourself. “Trust your instincts” – close your eyes and take a deep slow breathe. Feel the stone, feel its texture, shape, and temperature. Does it speak to you? Whenever possible, try to get natural or rough cut stones and always, avoid fake or dyed stones.

But what about those New Year’s Resolutions? Listed below are ten popular resolutions along with suggested gemstones that can help you achieve your goals for 2011.

1. Plan to do more traveling? Choose from an amethyst, aquamarine, chalcedony, garnet, herkimer diamond, jet, malachite, tigers eye.
2. More exercise in 2011? These stones provide energy and stamina: calcite, carnelian, herkimer diamond, garnet, quartz, spinel, tigers eye
3. Loose weight, don’t we all choose this one? Good choices for this resolution are Blue Peruvian opal, green tourmaline, moonstone, picasso marble, rose quartz, spinel (healthy weight), sulphur, unakite (ideal weight)
4. Quit Smoking? Blue Topaz supports the process of overcoming an undesirable habit or addiction. The body often rejects the effort to change a habit, but the energy from Blue Topaz helps the body aligns itself with the new health plan and accept the need to get rid of self-destructive habits, including smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Others to consider: Black onyx, amethyst (esp reduces withdrawal symptoms), ametrine, obsidian, peridot, petrified wood, rutilated quartz, sugilite (esp immune system problems from substance abuse)
5. Enjoy Life More. Poppy Jasper helps you gain a positive outlook. It makes you feel happy when you wear this stone. Or maybe one of these: amethyst, amazonite, aventurine, blue lace agate, blue quartz, carnelian, chrysoprase, moonstone, pyrite, rainbow crystals, rose quartz, smokey quartz
6. Quit Drinking Amethyst, Black Onyx and Tiger Eye. Others to consider: Black onyx, amethyst (esp reduces withdrawal symptoms), ametrine, obsidian, peridot, petrified wood, rutilated quartz, sugilite (esp immune system problems from substance abuse)
7. Get Out of Debt. Iolite helps with money problems – whether it be managing money, getting out of debt, re-aligning finances and helping you to gain financial independence. Others gemstones known to promote luck and fortune are Tiger’s Eye, Bloodstone, Cinnabar, Emerald
8. Learn Something New. Depending on where you are in life: For Memory consider using alternative healing and using gemstones like Amazonite, Citrine, Emerald, Hematite, Pyrite, Rhodonite and Unakite. For Mental Clarity use gemstones like: Amber, Emerald, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Pyrite, Rainbow Fluorite, and Spectrolite. For Concentration use: Carnelian, Hematite, Petrified Wood, Rainbow Fluorite, and Red Jasper.
9. Help Others. Botswana Agate instills a greater feeling of optimism and hope and increase your awareness of how to help other people with their needs. Charoite – Can help you overcome negative emotions and develop clairvoyance for helping others. Other stones to consider: Tanzanite, Tree Agate
10. Get Organized. Dumortierite – Can help you to be more organized, self-disciplined, and realistic. Others to consider: ammonite, mother of pearl, flourite

This New Year’s Eve, try something a little different to jumpstart your new year’s resolution, try adding a gemstone to bring you extra luck, energy and beauty!  Happy New Year!

During the Middle Ages, topaz was believed to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.  The Greeks believed topaz would increase physical strength and make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it to improve vision.  The Egyptians wore it as a good luck charm to protect them from injury.  Some also wore topaz to protect them from snake venom and other poisons, believing that topaz changed color if it was near poisoned food or drink

Modern day properties for Topaz, along the same lines, are strength, releasing tension and balancing emotions.  Topaz is also used to enhance spiritual connections and feelings of happiness.   It is said to dispense worries and lighten the hearts of the wearer, even brightening the day of anyone who sees it.  Topaz was one of the 12 stones said to have been set into the Breastplate of Aaron, representing the tribe of Simeon.

Citrine, similar in properties and physical structure, was believed to be droplets of sunlight fallen to Earth and considered sacred to the god, Ra, in ancient Greece. The Romans, also, believed the brilliant yellow stones were sacred to their sun god, Jupiter.

Citrine offers its wearers the properties of clear vision and truth. It stimulates clarity of thought, inspires generosity, strength, and inner confidence.  Wearers of the “sunshine stone”  are believed to be endowed with every earthly pleasure because the citrine also brings the favor of the gods in nearly every ancient custom.

Energized by the sun, the topaz is the perfect stone to light a spark to the short, dreary days of November.  So, if the sparkle of sun warms you and inspires your creativity, why not wear either of these gemstones to warm, comfort and inspire you this month?

Opals date back to prehistoric times and were said to bring good luck.  This belief continued through to the Middle Ages as the opal was often given to knights to carry for good luck by their “ladies-in-waiting.”  Queen Victoria (1837-1901) was said to have worn opals throughout her life and often gave them to her friends and to other Royal Family members.

The Roman scholar, Pliny (23-79 C.E.), described opals as “having a refulgent fire of the carbuncle (ruby or garnet), the glorious purple of amethyst, the sea green of emerald, and all those colors glittering together mixed in an incredible way.”  The Romans loved the opal for its beauty and its ability to ward off evil and provide its wearer with protective powers.  Other legends claim that opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning.  Cleopatra is said to have worn an opal to attract the attention of Mark Anthony.

Regardless of the history and lore that travels with the beautiful opal, it is a real treasure to bestow upon those born under Zodiac signs of Libra and Scorpio.  Its history of charm and luck, along with its characteristics of faithfulness and confidence, makes it a perfect gift for any occasion.

A bit of care is needed, as it is a soft stone, easily damaged by changes in heat and pressure.  Be sure to remove opals before washing dishes, bathing, or swimming due to the severe temperature changes and chemicals in the water.  Because opals contain some water, they should never be stored in vaults, especially if dehumidifiers are used.  When opals get too dry, they are prone to cracking or “crazing.”  To keep your opal from drying, it may be helpful to immerse it in luke-warm water for several hours from time to time.  For cleaning, it’s best to softly rub the opal with a tissue or a soft cloth.  Never use chemicals, abrasives, toothpaste or ultrasonic cleaners – only a mild soapy luke-warm water solution and a very soft brush.

Mark Antony, Pliny, Josephine & Napoleon, Queen Victoria – who was the owner of the world’s most famous opal, “Burning of Troy?”

Sapphires have been around since ancient times and carry with them, many metaphysical properties and powers. Historical findings state that it was once believe that the Ten Commandments were written on sapphire. Sapphires, often worn by kings, were believed to bestow upon the wearer, the power of wisdom. It was the gemstone of Apollo, the Greek God of prophesy. When approaching Apollo’s shrine in Delphi, seeking his wisdom, worshipers were said to wear sapphires.

Legends tell us that a poisonous snake put in a container made of sapphire would quickly die, thus the sapphires’ infamous reputation as a medicine to be ingested as an antidote for poison. Sapphires have also been used to help relieve colic, rheumatism and mental illness. The are believed to stop bleeding and cure disorders of the eye.

In ancient times, couples exchanged gifts of sapphires believing that sapphires represented sincerity and faithfulness. For this reason, they were a popular marriage gift.

Keep checking my blog for the “Sapphire” giveaway, later in the month.

On Saturday morning there were six participants in the Kumihimo class.  After a brief history of Kumihimo weaving, the girls attempted to untangle the cords in their kits, measure them out and begin warping their looms. Once the looms were set, it was easy sailing and everyone finished the class with a black kumihimo cord adorned with a black and silver pendant.  The cords could be used with any of the various additional slides found in the eclectic selection offered by The Gift Gallery.  The class was repeated again in the afternoon.  The cords were quite a hit and it looks like we’ll be sending more looms and making some cords to sell along with the other store slides.

The trunk show featured my latest designs, which were coordinated with the Pantone Fall 2010 fashion color chart.  The selections ranged from simple pendants on chain to big, bold, funky necklaces designed to make you stop and look. I’ve included a slide show at end of post to show a few of the items, now available through the Gift Gallery.

In between Kumihimo classes and munching on the Java Jack brownies, I had a little time to shop.  The Gift Gallery is such a unique store full of items from all over the world, but most impressive, was the hand painted glassware by Lois Lavery, who with her husband, David, own the store.  She paints an entire line of glassware, from wine glasses to vases and will even personalize at the buyers request.  There are lots of items for children as well, and my favorite is the traveling toy box, personalized with the child’s name and tractors, puppies, flowers, or whatever you want.
It was a good feeling to shop, guilt free, at The Gift Gallery.  They carry a huge selection of Fair Trade products and purchasing any of these items gives back to the communities where the items were made, whether it was the grass handbags and baskets from Cambodia, the Nepal Earth Diva or Sari Silk handbags, the recycled Cambodian rice totes, the recycled sterling silver Carousel beads on hand wrapped silver bracelets, or Ellie Pooh stationery. It felt good purchasing items and knowing you were helping to improve conditions for women, artisans and farmers worldwide.

“It was square — a span [22 centimeters] long and a span wide — and folded double. Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” (Old Testament, New International Version, Exodus, Chapter 39, vs. 9-14)

Due to my intense interest in the folklore and history of gemstones, not to mention a curiosity for the many uses of gemstones in health, energy, luck, and healing, I’ve decided to spend some time researching various stones.  This will be the first of 12 monthly posts related to a specific gemstone AND a monthly give-away.

Peridot is birthstone for August and the stone given to celebrate the 16th year of marriage. It is a great stone to start with because it’s been around for thousands of years and has quite a history. It comes from the actual core of the earth, which is why it is often found in lava fields. Peridot is basically an olive green but the shade of the green depends on how much iron is in stone, so the color may vary from greens with a yellowish tone to a darker, more brownish green. The most valuable is considered a dark-olive green color.

Ancient records indicate that these stones were used as early as 1500 BC. The Egyptians carved talismans from peridot and one of the few stones that could actually be searched for at night.  Miners searched for the gemstones after dark, as well as, in the daytime because of their natural nighttime glow. The miners would mark the spot at night and return the following day to collect them.

Legends also tell us that peridot was a favorite gemstone of Cleopatra and that some of the “emeralds” worn by her were actually peridot.  In the Bible, the armor of Solomon and Aaron, Moses’ brother and the High Priest of the Israelites, was said to have peridot among the 12 stones to help protect them from wounds and death in battle. In the middle ages, Europeans brought peridot stones back from the Crusades to decorate church plates and robes.

Throughout history, there have been many legends claiming peridot has strong magical powers. One such legend says that if the peridot is set in gold, “it will develop its full potential as a talisman and will have the power to dispel terrors of the night- fears and bad dreams.”  According to Marbodei as mentioned in De Lapidibus, however: “If it were to be used as a protection from the wiles of evil spirits, it has to be pierced and strung on the hair of an ass and then attached to the left arm.”

Peridot is quite well-known for its mystical properties and has been long considered to be an aid to friendship and supposedly frees the mind of envious thoughts. It is said to protect the wearer from the evil eye. Other legends credit peridot with bringing happiness and good cheer, attracting lovers, and strengthening the eyes. Pliny wrote “peridot is dull during daylight hours but will glow like a hot coal by night.”

To enter, make a comment to this post and your name will go in the hat for this month’s prize, a stunning pair of Swarovski crystal earrings  – peridot color, sterling silver posts, and peridot nugget dangles.  The drawing will be August 15th, 2010.  Be sure to include your first name and last initial in the comment.