After Cyber Monday Sale!

Here is a code to use at my Etsy store for all my blog readers and followers!

AFTERCYBERMONDSALE

Use this up to Jan 1st 2011 for any item(s) in my store at a 20% discount!

Enjoy the holidays and enjoy discount shopping on my handmade rosaries and jewelry.

Land & Sea Collection and more wonderful Vintage!

I’ve begun this Land & Sea Collection to use the sea glass my husband and I have found on the beaches nearby. I figure this would be a great marriage between gems from the sea and my gemstone beads! The price point should be relatively low like $15 so I anticipate they should be popular! They will be available at Etsy and Artfire.

The brooches and bracelet in this photo is from my antique adventure today. My mom and I have found a great local place called Stillwater Antiques in Greenville RI. What great pieces. These will eventually make it to my new Artfire shop. Keep an eye open for them soon!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10
Originally uploaded by mygemstonebox

Antique silver pin
Mexican silver
Amethyst crystal

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10
Originally uploaded by mygemstonebox

Hobe Brooch and earrings

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10

Brimfield Antique Show 9/11/10
Originally uploaded by mygemstonebox

This was one of my favorite finds at the Brimfield Antique show yesterday. What a wonderful time we had....the weather was perfect, 75 and sunny!

Watch for this item and others on my Bonanzle Vintage MyGemStoneBox site....coming soon!

D

Stepping it up a notch

 

I have been studying the work of a wonderful artist I found on Flickr...VaniniDesign. Vanini is from Bulgaria and has a wonderful oneness with her creations. To see examples of her work, check out these sites: Vanini on Etsy and http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaninidesign/
Here is my "attempt" at the highest form of flattery..... my versions of VaniniDesign-style earrings!

I love her ability to have the metal "flow" and the colors of the fine gems "flow" making a truly one of a kind piece of jewelry anyone would love to call their own.

Keep up the exquisite work Vanina!  You are an inspiration to those of use learning to be "one" with the wire and gems.

Gemstone charms

007
Originally uploaded by mygemstonebox

New at MyGemStoneBox........be on the lookout at Etsy, coming soon!

Boy suspended again for wearing beads

I've been following this news story and thought it was worth sharing. Not once, but twice Raymond was suspended from this New York school for wearing his rosary to school honoring this deceased brother and uncle..........

SCHENECTADY- Raymond Hosier was suspended again Monday morning. He wore his Rosary beads to school again. The 13-year-old says he expected he would be suspended again.

Raymond arrived at Oneida Middle School around 7:50 a.m. His mother, Chantell, waited in her car to see if her son was going to be sent home. Ten minutes later, Chantell was called into the building and she came outside with her son.

Last week Raymond said the assistant principal told him to take off the purple Rosary beads he's been wearing all school year. Raymond refused and says he was then told to tuck the beads under his shirt, but he didn't want to do that either.

He says the same thing happened again Monday.

"I went in the office and got my late pass,” he said. “I was walking out and he told me to tuck them in and I told him I wasn't going to tuck them in.”

Raymond says he wears the beads in honor of his deceased older brother and uncle.

The district's policy is prohibits beads in school because they may represent gang affiliation.

The American Center for Law and Justice says it is preparing to file a federal lawsuit against the school.

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1574067.shtml?cat=300


Join me in prayer for this brave young solider of Christ.

Testimonials from happy customers at MyGemStoneBox:

I wanted to share these with you..... I'm so excited about the feedback I'm getting:


I bought the copper & chalcedony bracelet.....
Thanks Diane. I got it yesterday. It is beautiful.
I will enjoy it
-Wendy

Diane,
I got it! And love everything dearly. Thank you so much for your creative endeavors. YES indeed! Very happy. As always looking for more.
-Marlene

Yes my grandmother and mother loved the rosaries. Thank you soo much. My grandmother was actually hoping that someone was going to get her a rosary.
-Lesly



Dear Diane,

I just picked up the rosary from the post office as we were away for a few days and my mail was being held. I do not know how to express to you my excitement upon opening the box. It is extrodinary and was just what I had in mind. The colors of the crystals are so vibrant and the sterling cross and chalice are just perfect. I absolutely LOVE it, and I am sure that my grandaughter will too. When you ask her what her favorite color is, she will tell you "A Rainbow of Colors" grandma. So I can't wait until she sees her beads. I want to thank you so much for all your help and hard work by creating this SPECIAL gift for me to give to her for her communion!!!

-Diane Nicholas



Hi Diane,



The rosary arrived and I love it. Thanks so much, and I will have to look around your websites for something for myself now...thanks also for the discount offer!

-Debi

Keepsake Rosaries to celebrate your special day!

 

I have been very busy with new orders for these Keepsake Rosaries. They are the prefect gift for many occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, Memorial Day, First Communions and Confirmations.

Contact me anytime to help design your special piece. I use Swarovski crystals that represent the birth months of those persons represented on your special rosary. These are wonderful heirloom items that can be passed from generation to generation.

Custom orders for jewelry, rosaries and more!

 

I have a wonderful new customer, Marlene. She purchased the bracelet shown above and commissioned a necklace and earrings to match.  While I was working on those designs, she purchased my Blazing Sunshine Pendant too!

I’m waiting on two orders for custom rosaries-both are for two rosaries each so I will be busy making those and packing for our Florida trip. We are taking a much deserved beach trip to Cocoa Beach one of our families favorite vacation destinations.

Enjoy the Easter season and yes, spring is in the air.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from jewelry making since my dad’s passing. I just haven’t been in a creative mood. During that time I have been reading up on different techniques to use on copper and other metals. Etching and cold connecting have caught my interest and I will be experimenting with both of those very soon. I’m hoping that I catch spring fever and that will translate to some “happy projects”. I’ll share pictures shortly. Enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day and may the luck of the Irish be yours.

In Remembrance & Welcome new baby!

View Full Album

Above:

To all my family and friends here is a snapshot of life on the pond and all those people and things that Dad loved. We said goodbye on Jan. 22nd.

Below:

Welcome new baby Ladouceur! My Great-nephew is 8 lbs and healthy!! His name is Jayvon (not quite sure if this is spelled correctly or not!!) I think he looks just like his mom, Janessa and his sister, Jahzayla. We said Hello on 2/2!

The maxim, "Where one door shuts, another opens," is quoted, most famously, in the 21st chapter of Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes's classic, "Don Quixote."

Hugs,

D

I miss you dad~

Eugene Leo Adam
January 22, 2010

Eugene Leo Adam, 67, a resident of Smithfield for the past 16 years, died Friday surrounded by his loving family after a courageous two-and-a-half year battle with cancer. He was the devoted husband of Rosemary (Longtin) Adam. They were married on Oct. 26, 1963.
Born in Manville, he was a son of the late Leo Oliver Adam and Yvonne (Courtemanche) Adam. He was a lifelong resident of Manville and formerly resided on Church St. before moving to Smithfield.

Mr. Adam was employed as an auto body repairman for several area firms including Roy’s Auto Body in Manville and American Auto Auction in Taunton, MA.

Eugene’s family finds solace in the knowledge that he passed away peacefully overlooking his favorite fishing spot and beloved Hosta garden at his home in Smithfield.

In addition to his wife of 46 years, he is survived by two daughters, Diane Geisel of Smithfield, and Lisa Ladouceur of Woonsocket, three adoring grandchildren, Janessa and Brandyn Ladouceur, and Richard Adam Sparfven-Geisel, and a great-granddaughter, Jahzayla Ladouceur. He was the brother of Claire Arruda of Manville, Emile Adam of Johnston, Lucille Krupski and Celine Glandville, both of Woonsocket. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10:00 am in St. James Church, Division St., Manville. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Miriam Hospital Oncology Program, PO Box H, Providence, RI. 02901. Arrangements are by the Menard Funeral Home, 71 Central St., Manville.

Winter past-time here on the pond

 

Rich just celebrated his 16th birthday this week and his new favorite past time is ice fishing. It has been cold enough for safe ice- the ice is about a foot thick.  He pulled this from the pond this afternoon.

There is talk about a pending tournament, I’ll keep you all posted!

China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs

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January 12, 2010

China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs
By EUGENE HOSHIKO and ALEXA OLESEN
Associated Press Writers
For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap.
Despite the risks, manufacturers in factories ringing this city on China's east coast say their top priority is profit. So offering cut-rate goods often means using lower quality materials, including cadmium, which is known to cause cancer.
"Business is business, and it's all up to our client," said He Huihua, manager of the Suiyuan Jewelry Shop at International Trade City in Yiwu, a sprawling wholesale mecca where sellers pitch their wares in hopes of landing a lucrative export contract. Read more here


After reading this AP article “China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs” it should incense all of us! We have passed laws to protect ourselves and our children after learning "the hard way". Here we are fifty years later fighting the same battle only this time, the perpetrators are KNOWINGLY exposing people to a heavy metal. Here is a bit about Cadmium and what it does to the human body:

Cadmium has no constructive purpose in the human body. Cadmium and its compounds are extremely toxic even in low concentrations, and will bioaccumulate in organisms and ecosystems. In the 1950s and 1960s industrial exposure to cadmium was high, but as the toxic effects of cadmium became apparent, industrial limits on cadmium exposure have been reduced in most industrialized nations and many policy makers agree on the need to reduce exposure further. Ingestion of any significant amount of cadmium causes immediate poisoning and damage to the liver and the kidneys. Compounds containing cadmium are also carcinogenic.
(Wikipedia)

In a reaction to this blatant disregard for human life a NY Senator is calling for a cadmium ban in kid’s jewelry & Wal-Mart is pulling jewelry cited in the AP report off the shelves. (Idaho State Journal).

I’m concerned as a jewelry maker that I’m not purchasing this “junk” and incorporating it unknowingly into my designs! How can I / we be sure??

Speaking from knowledge obtained on my day job, I handle compliance concerns regarding the flexible packaging that we print, laminate and convert- we have strict guidelines for direct food contact packaging as well as packaging for children’s products that they be compliant with CONEG Model Legislation. The sum of the concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium in these products do not exceed 100 parts per million by weight and that these metals are not intentionally added to these products.

Comparably, China has regulations limiting cadmium to tiny amounts in fashion jewelry and children's toys. Fashion jewelry should not contain more than 0.1 percent cadmium. In materials for toys, cadmium should not exceed 75 parts per million, or 50 parts per million for clay and paint. We are talking about cadmium in the realm of 90 percent!! Why is there no one responsible??

At a minimum, those artisans that buy components and resell them have a duty to request from their supplier an MSDS sheet. (Material Safety Data Sheet) That document, by law, lists any hazardous or toxic substance contained in the product being purchased. If we all become more vigilant it will become more difficult for products like this to infiltrate so easily. This is only one small step in what really needs to take shape. Again, speaking from my quality management background there lacks a system to test and hold suppliers accountable for their products.

Haven’t we learned anything from the toxic toys covered with lead paint that we were buying our children as gifts a few years ago?? Where is our government on these issues and holding those that deliberately break the law accountable??

Welcome Moms United In Business Friends!!

 

I wanted to take the time to wish all my new friends from MUIB a hearty hello!  I’ve added a blog roll over on the right for the amazing blogs authored by these women.  Please take a moment to take a look at the wide variety of topics covered in depth here.  Please check back frequently as we are a busy group and post often!!

Enjoy and Happy New Year!!