June Giveaway, Vintaj! and a much deserved Vacation

Congratulations Liz of Mad Bush Farm ! You will have these lovely pink earrings in the mail to you shortly. Although, not sure how long it will take to get to you in New Zealand! Enjoy them.

My eSMArt friend and teammate, Teri, is a Vintaj representative. These lovely brass pieces mixed with raw copper look fantastic together.

Teri is a great friend and designer. Besides her jewelry on Etsy she authors a blog, Hubpage, and is on Twitter- follow her!

A bit more about Teri: She has a jewelry design business with her best friend and business partner Saundra. They incorporated as a business in 2003 and have been slowly growing their inventory AND their skill sets ever since. In 2008 they began their online webpage and Etsy storefront, and are working on promotions with the eSMarts Etsy Team and a local Louisville group. They have in home shows, hostess jewelry parties, have a booth at fairs and festivals, and offer jewelry trunk shows.

Don’t forget if you see something on Vintaj – Teri is the person to contact to get a great deal for you!

I am on vacation this week! Yaaa! My last week off was a year ago… we usually take a winter holiday but because of Fred’s health issues we skipped Florida this year. Boy, has that caught up to me. We are doing absolutely nothing this week…. it is great to have no plans. Here is what I managed to do with some of my time so far:

Clear faceted quartz, chalcedony, garnet and opalite in silver

Amethyst rounds with opalite and silver

Fluorite, pink candy jade, amethyst done in silver

Vintage Jewelry Finds and new Celtic Carnelian Necklace!

I am so taken with these lovely vintage earrings! They are the perfect aqua color and one single clear rhinestone in each. These are from the 1940’s and are in pristine condition! I’ve already worn them myself!! They will be added to my Bonanzle site so look for them there. They are screw back earrings so anyone can wear them!! I’m calling them “Aqua Elegance”.

This lovely little pin is from the Victorian Era roughly circa 1860 and was known as “Mourning Jewelry”. Made popular by Queen Victoria after her loss of Prince Albert. You can read more about it on BellaOnline -Romanticism – Mourning Jewelry and Tiffany & Co.

This is my newest necklace – Celtic Carnelian. I purchased some lovely Carnelian beads from a bulk bead buy. Keep an eye out for this on in my Etsy store.

Don’t forget to post a comment as that enters you to win my June giveaway

I've just gotten word that I have been accepted to receive and review Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong!! I'm excited to be able to obtain a copy of her new book hot off the press!! If you are interested in taking a look feel free to follow the link.

Vintage! MyGemStoneBox new additions!! MyGemStoneBox on Etsy a new piece and Full Editor Status on Bella!

I adore these new pieces that I found today! They are all listed on Bonanzle.... stop by and check them out!

The first and second pieces are unsigned, but lovely vintage pieces.

The third piece is an older Avon vintage snowflake brooch.

The last, but certainly not the least, is my favorite~ a Weiss vintage brooch with beautiful raspberry and emerald rhinestones.

We had a lovely day looking for my new treasures and enjoyed the summer like weather.

Don't forget to leave a comment and enter to win my April drawing!

I listed a new piece at Etsy this week.... This is one I am very proud of and I think I can say it is technically my best piece. I take great pride in this one, my design and my technique have greatly improved. See what you think:

And last on the list for tonight, I have been promoted to Full Editor Status on BellaOnline. I completed all the requirements and now have full access to the site!

Sold this on Etsy this week:

It's been a good week!!

eSMArts Showcase

Best of the best stars on eSMArts Team

Marvelous, Mystical, Malachite & Marketing tips~

This was my new addition today at my Etsy store. A gorgeous stone, Malachite is worn by many to detect impending danger. This beautiful green stone offers bands of varying hues and is believed by many to lend extra energy. It is believed that gazing at Malachite or holding it relaxes the nervous system and calms stormy emotions. Malachite is said to bring harmony into one's life. It is also believed that malachite gives knowledge and patience. Malachite is used as a children's talisman to ward off danger and illness. It is attached to infant's cradles.

Marketing tip:

Contact your local area Welcome Wagon or Welcome to the Neighborhood Group! Ask them if you can leaving mini catalogs, fliers, business cards, discount coupons, freebie mini gifts, etc with them. They are always looking for additional items to place in their Welcome Bags!

Needles aren't always bad....

Especially when they are in Rutilated Quartz...how interesting and intriguing! While most varieties of transparent quartz are valued most when they show no inclusions, some are valued chiefly because of them! The most popular of these is known as rutilated quartz. Rutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal with golden needles of rutile arrayed in patterns inside it. Each pattern is different and some are breathtakingly beautiful. The inclusions are sometimes called Venus hair. This is soon to be a new edition on my Etsy site! It is gorgeous!

Today's marketing tip:
Time to think about back to school...more specifically ~College Campuses.
Dorms & Housing Students are always looking to spend money. A lot of college students are also looking for an extra income so target them with the Business Opt too! Drop off fliers and business cards to the College Student Center. Most colleges usually have bulletin boards, tables and other things where you can leave your information at for FREE. Plan ahead!

I've Got The World On a String...and more marketing tips!

Lapis Lazuli....what a beautiful gem. With the gold flecks throughout it reminds me of seeing the earth from outer space. Lapis is said to evoke knowledge, wisdom, perfection, protection, and creative expression. This was my new edition today on Etsy. Just a reminder...my "Catch the wave bracelet" will be going on sale soon! Be on the lookout!

Today's marketing tip:
Small Home Town Newspapers- we have a few called "The Bargain Buyer" and "The Valley Breeze". Be sure to inquire about getting your ads on specific pages in the newspaper or flyer that target the group of people most likely to buy from you. If you sell bridal jewelry, ask for the section announcing weddings and engagements. If you sell animal related jewelry ask to be printed on the pages selling pets or livestock. Big newspaper city ads are usually more expensive and most times the payback is not as great.