Featured artists from my Flickr group Jewelry Collectors Showcase and introducing MyGemStoneBox Vintage! on Bonanzle

I have choosen to feature two very unique individuals~ they both have contributed greatly to the wonderful photo pool we have going. First is Susan from My Sassy Glass here is a bit about her: “I started fusing glass almost three years ago and fell in love with this medium. I specialize in making one-of-a-kind pendants. I really love to experiment with glass and putting pieces of glass together in ways that I have never seen done before. Working with glass is like photography in that it's like Christmas when you open the kiln to see what you have... just like when you develop a roll of film. I love it!"

Next is Tashina, she is 17 and focusing on her jewelry business, Dragonfly Key, before going to college. She is also writing two books and makes sim clothing in her free time. Great to see someone at that age have so much passion and drive! Good luck to you my dear!!

Keep an eye out for my next update on the studio.... it's looking good!! I can't wait until it is finished.

I am experimenting with a new venue~ Bonanzle

I'm thinking that this site will be for MyGemStoneBox Vintage! All my handmade items will stay with Etsy and all my new collector pieces of vintage costume jewelry I will offer on Bonanzle. Here are some of the types of items that I will be featuring (Trifari, Coro, AJC, Renoir just as a starting point!)

Don't forget to leave a comment as that will enter you automatically into the drawing for a pair of MyGemStoneBox's one-of-a-kind earrings!!

eSMArts Showcase

Best of the best stars on eSMArts Team

Meet my friend Theresa of Studio618- eSMArts Team!

I'd like you to meet my friend "Stu" or Theresa, of Studio618 specializing in handcrafted jewelry & Judaica Gifts. Her style and designs resounds peace, love, friendship and blessings. I love her clean lines and tasteful creations. I would consider her work and designs "simple yet elegant jewelry" which is a tag line that is near and dear to my heart! Here is more about the great artist in her own words:

"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."

Stop in and say hello to "Stu" and tell her I sent you!! Enjoy this truly talented artist.

Egyptian Facets Bracelet new on Etsy, The Foundry and eSMArts team store

This is the third piece in my "Daydream Facets" Collection.

Veil Nebula Bracelet is the first, Faceted Fantasy is the second and both are still available here on Etsy. This piece features a large 27 x 19 mm Brazilian cherry flame quartz gem surrounded by lovely copper... in three colors~ gold, silver and natural. The wire design is called Egyptian mystery and has been used in jewelry for centuries. The gems used for accents on this piece are round faceted cherry quartz and Opalite faceted rondelles.

I was scheduled to do a show yesterday at a local school, but I was not feeling well and had to cancel. I've done this show for the last two years and it was "my first ever show". I learned a lot from it but I'm working on getting into "bigger and better" venues. One I am exploring is a local show called "The Foundry" held by The Foundry Artists Association held the Pawtucket Armory 172 Exchange StreetPawtucket, RI 02860

Friday, December 5th, 12-8pm

Saturday, December 6th, 10-6pm

Sunday, December 7th, 10-6pm

Thursday, December 11th, 12-8pm

Friday, December 12th, 12-8pm

Saturday, December 13th, 10-6pm

Sunday, December 14th, 10-6pm

Local RI Esty artist Kim Vredenburg is featuring her wonderful glass lampwork beads (I've used them in my Celtic Carrousel Earrings) Best of luck Kim!!

Don't forget to visit our eSMArts team store! Many great items still available for Christmas giving. All proceeds from the sales of these items go to replace one of our team members stolen computer.

The items in our shop are donated by the caring and wonderful members of eSMARts towards that end.

Etsy teams: eSMArts is featured!!

I thought I would share with you my latest newsletter:

As summer winds down there is a chill in the air in the evening and we begin to prepare for fall. The leaves have already begun to change color here in RI.

In my last newsletter I announced that I have taken on the responsibility of Social Marketing Director for the team eSMArts on Etsy.

Well, Etsy administration has taken notice of our efforts! This is a huge opportunity for my team to grow and makes sales! I invite you to take a look at the article currently running on the homepage of Etsy about my team!!!

THE STORQUE

The Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild (eSMArts Guild) is a global collaborative of mixed media artisans intent on further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.

I am very proud on our team leader / founder, Ms. AnnaLee Husband for her insight and hard work to get us this feature spot so quickly as we are very young in terms of team "life".

Martha Stewart promoted Etsy in a big way back on Fri Feb 29, 2008 on her show:

Etsy on the Martha Stewart Show
February 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm · Filed under Marketing, Press · By Kate Black

Rob Kalin from Etsy was one of the guests on Martha Stewart’s Leap Year show today!
The focus was on artwork made by members, including CubistLiterature & DesiraPesta — the shirt Rob’s wearing, The Black Apple — doll & painting, The Sweetest Pea — stuffed monster on the left, and ToyBreaker — screenprinted ties.

And Rachael Ray also featured Etsy :
Check out what she had to say on You Tube!

Regardless of the fact we are currently experiencing a few "growing pains" I am very proud of each and every member. We all make a difference~ together!!

Other "artsy" endeavors...and Marketing tips

As I was rewriting my profile for my Etsy store, I gave some thought to sharing more about myself with my online family and visitors alike. Before my jewelry there was art... before my 30's or 20's...there was art. All my life I have drawn, painted, crocheted, made quilts, tatted, knitted and have tried various other mediums. Of all these, jewelry making is by far my favorite. I love the feeling of taking a mass of beads, gems and wire and making something that someone will proudly wear! There is nothing like hearing the "ooohh and ahhhs" of a satisfied customer.

Here are some other artsy creations....My room divider \ Photo display ~I painted the rose trellis freehand.

My Wedding album... I designed the album and painted each flower on paper individually then cut them out and arranged them on the photo page. Labor intensive...but I love it!

And glass painting... these goblets found a home with my Mom.

Marketing tip:

Never compete on price alone. If you do, there'll be no reason for customers to return if a competitor has a better deal. You need to offer added value, whether it's a strong guarantee or better customer service, or discounts to repeat customers... to draw customers permanently into the fold.

Personal Milestone and more Marketing tips!

This week I broke into the 200’s…. hearts that is….in my Etsy store. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Etsy, it is a system set up to show your approval or liking of a certain shop or item within the shop. Does it mean more sales? Not necessarily, but it is nice to know there are more than 200 people that have visited my shop and have liked what they see!

Marketing tip:
On occasion, I have received letters from charitable organizations asking for auction item donations for a worthy cause. Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction plus you will get FREE Advertising & Business Exposure for participating! Or, donate a Product to your local area Radio Station, they have numerous contests and they are always looking for sponsors!

Felt like sharing tonight

I know many of you in the eSMArts team are unaware of this....as I am still quite new to the team... but I have to share some awesome news with all of you. Let’s back up a smidge....my Mom and Dad live next door to me and we are very close. I've included a picture of the yard and view we share. We are very blessed, and give thanks for those blessings regularly. My dad got word last October that he was a victim of cancer. The outlook at that time was not very optimistic nor was it pessimistic...it was 50 /50. He proceeded to endure what seems like endless bouts of chemo and radiation...surgery...more chemo. He really was not the same man at Christmas time last year. Although he is young...only 65 and just ready to retire to his life long dream of fishing and relaxation, he was looking much, much older. After the surgery, the Doctor announced that the tumor was contained and removed, but he did not like the looks of a few "other areas". He did not expand on that, just ordered more chemo and testing and monitoring of his patient. It was at this time the Dr. suggested a new trial chemo drug be introduced in the war against this cancer. After much careful deliberation, it was decided that was what my dad wanted. We supported him whole heartedly. I would be quite remiss if I did not give a BIG, BIG thanks to my sister, Lisa, who was my dads tether through thick and thin. She did a great job with keeping him on schedule with Dr. visits and a whole host of things.
On July 11th we received word from his team of Doctors....4 total, that he is "CANCER FREE" Fred, Rich and I were on our way up to the Saco river in Maine. I can not explain to you the emotion.... I could not talk to anyone, I couldn't speak (there are a few of you family members I'm sure that will read that one and laugh)....I was just so thankful that is going to be well again. It's taken me a few weeks to adjust and be able to express all of this....and I though I would share it with all of you...my friends! NEVER underestimate the power of prayer and filling your life with positive thoughts and positive people.

Marketing Your Jewelry~ tips & ideas

I've decided to start posting a daily marketing tip for my friends at eSMArts. I think that we will more than due justice to the ecommerce side of marketing but if you are like most of us, we go beyond just the internet. I hope these are helpful and get you thinking of other things you can do to "get yourself out there". Now, I have not tried all of these yet myself, but if you have I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Contact local area pizza shops, breakfast diners, coffee bagel shops and deli's to ask them about advertising on their paper place mats! Customers do read those ads!

I posted a new pretty today....come take a look!

Squid School Checklist

Here is a list of information that you should gather together when you decide to put a lens together. One step at a time. You'll see that many of you will already have this info available and some of this may not apply to you.

1) Begin thinking of an introduction.
A good place to start is you profile on Etsy....doesn't have to be long. You can do what you like.

2) A picture to represent you.... your Etsy avatar can be used here as well.

3) Have your Etsy address handy

4) Have your blog address handy

5) If you have a Flickr account, have that address available

6) If you have a twitter address, we can use that too

7) Have our team blog address

8) If you subscribe to Del.icio.us...have your user name available

9) If you want to add a Poll to your lens you can begin to think about what the topic might be.... this will increase interest an may bring visitors back again. For example I've used :
What metal is your favorite jewelry made from?
Gold
Silver
Copper
All of the above
If you think of a good topic that would apply to your work, you can get some useful information that you can act on!

All for now!

Lepidolite- Peaceful pendant

My newest sterling silver wiresculpted pendant...beautiful purple and white with flecks of pink.

Lepidolite was discovered in the eigtheenth century and was originally known as lilalite (from the Hindu word 'lila' meaning play, game). Lepidolite is not technically a gemstone, but a very beautiful purplish type of mica. It is referred to by healers as the Peace Stone.

Some of the uses of lepidolite are:

• Encourages independence for setting and attaining goals inconspicuously


• Protection from outside influences


• Relieves every day stress, and promotes restful sleep when placed near your pillow


• Attracts good luck to those who carry it, and drives away negativity


• When used with rose quartz, it becomes a stone of reconciliation of love

Healing properties of Lepidolite

• Lepidolite can be laid directly on painful parts of the body. It helps with nerve pain, sciatica, neuralgia and joint problems.

Sources of Lepidolite

• Lepidolite is found in Colorado and other parts of the US, and in Brazil.

Update on Heanaite

It came out so pretty.... This was from an earlier blog post. A co-worker got this Heanaite stone and asked me to wrap it for her. I just love it~hope she does too!

Today's focus...Birthstone pendants

Birthstone pendants..... I love making these. Each has it's own character they are one-of-a-kind and although you try to duplicate previous pendants the wire takes on a life of it's own.

Birthstones have been around since ancient times, and in those days were believed to possess some magical force that could protect the owner or wearer of the stone. These birthstones were traditionally linked to the Zodiac.
However, modern birthstones are linked to calendar months, and each month has its own unique birthstone, with its own fabled properties. Many people love to wear jewellery set with their birthstone, as the ancient meanings and associations with these stones still intrigue them.

Read more here: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Beauty-and-Meaning-of-Birthstones&id=35389