Who loves Prasiolite???

I know I do! Prasiolite is actually amethyst that has been heat treated to a lovely green color.

Prasiolite, also called leek-green quartz, is a relatively rare gemstone which comes into being when certain amethysts from the Montezuma deposit in Brazil are exposed to heat of 932 degrees F to be exact. This elicits their green color, as well as the nickname 'green amethyst'. Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale (ranging 1: Talc to 10: Diamond). This is a very durable stone.

Mystic Lore: Intuitive sources say that Prasiolite helps to link the physical and spiritual aspects of life, activating the heart as one's center of conscious. It is said to strengthen one's mind, emotions & will, and to attract prosperity.

I have this pendant and a set of matching earrings soon to be available on my Etsy site...keep your eye out for them!

Marketing tip for today:

Join your local area chamber of commerce! They are always holding local business events that you can participate in. Also, investigate if your area has a tourism council.... I was just sent a post card asking me to submit info on my studio and they offered me a spot on their website and the chance to network with other artists in the area!

Silver Byzantine Rose Design

Although I think my favorite medium is wire sculpting I do love chain maille. This necklace is part of a 3 piece set I posted at Etsy today. I have the bracelet and earrings to match. It took me about 3 evenings to assemble the necklace and an additional evening to put the bracelet and earrings together. For those that have not attempted the Byzantine pattern, it is quite easy once you get the hang of it and it flows quite nicely.


Marketing tip:

If you design and make jewelry to sell to brides and bridal parties consider contacting local area bridal supply stores, bridal gown stores, caterers, tux rental centers, wedding DJ's etc. Ask them if you can leave your business cards & fliers about the great (Company Name) Bridal Gift Registry for them to give to their customers. Offer store owners a free gift or a personal discount for helping you spread the word about your business!

Shabby Accumulations: Mary#links#links

Shabby Accumulations: Mary#links#links

Packaging your "pretties" and more Marketing tips.

I thought I would write briefly about packaging. It is your first "hands on" impression before your customer even see your piece(s) in person. Take this opportunity to create a memorable event with them. It doesn’t have to cost much. I love the design on my business cards and have incorporated that to packaging by simply taking a matching sheer burgundy ribbon and punching a hole into the top corner of the card and attaching it to the glossy black box that I use. How simple is that?

Marketing tip:

Many churches host "Harvest Fall Festivals". Plan now to contact them about getting a table or a booth. A lot of times this will cost you under $15.00 for a space! Besides your jewelry have fliers, catalogs, business cards, party sign up info (if you do home parties) etc. I usually do a contest drawing at these types of events. Make up entry blanks that gather the customer's info so that you can initiate contact with them again...be sure to include a space for email addresses!

My love for dichroic glass and more marketing tips!

I enjoy wire wrapping dichroic glass. One of my favorite places to find beautiful pieces is from
http://www.designercabs.biz/ I urge you to check out this site. Donna Cason has a wonderful selection, great prices and quick service.



Here is a little more about dichroic glass:


Dichroic Glass is valued and prized in the art glass world for its brilliant iridescent play of colors. The coating that produces the wonderful, iridescent play of colors is actually multiple micro-thin layers of metal oxides sprayed on the surface of the glass base. We have the aerospace industry to thank for creating this coated glass and it has been in use for art/beading purposes since the 1990's. Conversely, the glass fusing process has been in use since the times of the Phoenicians (about 4,000 years ago).




Today's Marketing Tip:


Get a license plate made up for your vehicle! If you your state allows it use your normal license plate on the back of your car, put your business named one on the front of the car! You can get one with just your business name on it for about $20-$30 per plate!

Would this interest you....and of course, Marketing tips

I know I'm not the first to make something like this.... I think my grandmother would call these added pieces "skirts". I was playing with the idea of introducing a few of these designs I would call "Impact" pieces. They fit neatly over any stud earring taking you from a business daytime look to a more dramatic night time look. Would you be inclined to use them? I’m looking for feedback. To those of you in my jewelry making eSMArts team, a special question for you.... Would you consider the purchase a tutorial on how to make these earrings? Is this something I should develop? I'm interested in your ideas and feedback! Thanks in advance.

Marketing tip for tonight:
Handout your business cards with a little pizzazz. Take a small zip lock baggy (snack sizes work well) with your Business Card or a flyer, a piece of candy such as hard candy or a lollipop, discount coupon is optional and a "small gift". I use my leftover stones that don't have a home and make up cell phone lanyards. I hand these out to the bank tellers, retail cashiers, even at my son's sport events. Keep a stash of them in the car, this makes it really easy as you go through any drive thru to pass them out!

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.