Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

May your new year be filled with love,
laughter, and of course...jewelry!
Happy holidays everyone!

Holiday Sale!!

Receive 15% off my entire Etsy shop
through November 29!!

Some items also include free shipping!

My entire Artfire Studio includes
15% off AND free shipping!!
In order to receive the discounted price,
you must enter this coupon code:
HOLIDAY15
The discount will then be automatically
calculated at checkout.

The sale runs through Black Friday and
on into Cyber Monday too.
I hope to see you there!

~~~~~~
I hope everyone in the U.S. has a wonderful
Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

I'm looking forward to watching
the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
while visiting family.

I suppose I'll be stuffing myself silly
like the turkey I'll be eating!



And oh my, the desserts...pecan pie, pumpkin pie,
pumpkin cheesecake, fresh apple cake...
I can't wait!!

 Happy holidays everyone!

Do You Know How to Properly Store Your Cats?!

I saw this on "The Daily Tail" blog and
had to share it with you all!

photo courtesy of The Daily Tail

You have to visit the blog to see the more pictures
of how you can properly store
and organize your cats too!
Hilarious!

A Most Decadent Jewelry Giveaway!

CAUTION:

Gorgeous jewelry photos are posted here.
You might want to sit down.

~~~~~

Do you adore jewelry dripping with luxurious gemstones?

Do you want to feel like a princess?

Does decadent jewelry make you drool helplessly?

If you answered yes to any of the above, 

then you HAVE to enter this giveaway!

Holly of Bijoux d’Odalisque on Etsy (and my team 'captain' of the newly re-established Luxe Gemstones Etsy Team), is having a giveaway on the Belle de Couture blog.

The winner will walk away with THIS:

{This is a red topaz concave faceted oval briolette with a handmade wire wrapped bail. It weighs 28.4 Carats and is absolutely flawless. It hangs from a delicate, gold fill chain that has two tiny faceted red corundum rondelles hand linked near the toggle clasp. The chain is 17.5 inches long. The red topaz pendnat measures slightly over one inch long (including the bail). Retail Value = $298.00}

But don't bother entering because

I'M GOING TO WIN IT! 

(I should be so lucky)

:p 

Hurry on over to the Belle de Couture blog and enter!

Etsy Front Page!

To my surprise and delight, a treasury in which I was featured
appeared on the front page of Etsy this evening (Nov. 8)!

 

I am grateful to StudioSeventyFive
for including me in such a gorgeous treasury.

Thank you so much!

~~~~~

Don't forget to visit my ArtFire Studio where you can receive 10% off
your order of $30 or more by entering the listed coupon code!

This offer will end November 29, Cyber Monday,
so drop by and visit soon!

See you there!

ArtFire Studio Reopening and Coupon!

Hi everyone!

I have reopened my ArtFire Studio!

To celebrate, I am offering 10% off all orders of $30 or more
now through November 29 (Cyber Monday).
Use coupon code MB-10.

I hope to see you there!

Tonight's Sunset, Nov. 5, 2010

originally uploaded by msbellee.

I just love a good sunset. :)

Colors Make Me Smile

This week, the talented ladies of the Etsy's Best Kept Secret team are posting on their blogs about how color influences their work. I have to admit, for me personally, the colors found in gemstone and pearl jewelry just can't help but make me smile. The world is so diverse with its color palette, it boggles the mind with the possibilities. But rather than use a variety of colors in my jewelry, my use of color is usually based on the stone sitting in front of me and what I or someone else might wear it with. Basically, wardrobe has the most influence on the colors I choose to use in my pieces.

 

Take for instance the earrings above. When I make a piece of jewelry, I look at the color of the stone first and try to envision what someone might wear it with, how many different styles it will work with. My jewelry tends to be more simplistic and classic. I try to create pieces that can be worn with a variety of things and in various settings. The soft aqua in the chalcedony earrings is a beautiful pastel shade and the style of earring lends itself to coordinate with office attire, weddings, or an evening out at your favorite restaurant. I might not wear them to work out in, but they are versatile and that's what I try to create.

The deep blue in this kyanite necklace is a rich, royal blue. The style of the necklace is more on the casual side, yet this could be worn with jeans and a blazer or a little black dress. The color of the stone goes with just about anything and the mixed metals  allows the wearer to choose either gold or silver earrings. I love mixing metals for that reason. It opens the door to choosing the color of metal one wants to wear to make the outfit different each time.

My jewelry usually uses more monotones or I try to use shades from a single tone as opposed to putting a variety of colors into one piece. In my own life, that's what I tend to wear so usually that's what I end up making. 




I will occasionally add accents of color into a piece, but I'm usually hesitant to, thinking that might limit how often and with what the piece can be worn rather than a piece of a single color being worn with a multitude of things.

My use of color is based more on what the stones might coordinate with in someone's closet. I'd rather have a piece of jewelry I can to wear a lot and not be limited in its wearability.

There are occasions when I do want something special, something that reflects a particular style I might not wear every day. Sometimes I want something that stands out or that goes great with a special outfit. Something like this.

The pink amethyst enhancer can be removed from the pearl strand and worn with a chain, giving the piece an entirely different personality. As it is in the picture, the combination of the pearls along with the shape and color of the stone suggest this would be perfect for a wedding. But on a chain it could be worn with a black leather jacket, worn over a sweater, or worn with a lace camisole and a suit to the office. Just because it's pink and is a pearl enhancer doesn't mean you have to save it for a wedding.

And speaking of pearls, why do most people think pearls are for special occasions? Pearls are one of the most versatile things you can own. They come in so many different colors giving you endless possibilities for creating with them as well.

When hearing the word 'pearls', most people think of the traditional white strand of pearls. But that's just not true anymore....

Pearls offer a huge variety of options not only in color, but in form as well. (Forgive me for getting somewhat off topic, but pearls are just one of those things that I wish people would be more open to wearing every day. They deserve it!)

We are all different in the styles we wear and the jewelry we choose. For many, jewelry reflects mood and personality. It also reflects lifestyle in some cases. I hope I can create jewelry that reflects simple elegance and can be worn often, not being restricted to just wearing it with one thing. 

Color adds beauty to our lives. The colors found in gemstone and pearl jewelry can bring a smile to someone's day when they get a compliment on their piece. "Oh where did you get those earrings?! The color is so beautiful!" I know I smile when I get a compliment. And I hope my customers do too!

See what the other members are saying about color! Brandi of CatiesBlue writes here about it. Visit the team blog to find the links to our members' blogs where you can learn more!

See what the other team members say about how color influences their work:
Brandi from Caties Blue
Anna-Karin from Black Daisy Designs
Jo from gemheaven
Joanne from JoJoBellKatja from Katja Adams Designs

Barney's Famous!! ;)

My wonderful Barney has been featured as
the Etsy Pet over on the Lillyella blog.
He'd love for your all to come and meet him!

He sends you all some
big, slobbery doggy kisses! 

XOXO

I'm Back! And Introducing Etsy's Best Kept Secrets

Hi everyone! I've finally returned from my blogging hiatus. (It's about time, huh? If you know me at all, you realize this is nothing new!) I hope you have all been well and enjoyed your summer.

The boy and I spent our summer in the mountains at my mother's. We had a great time but it went by way too fast.

Summer is now gone and it's finally beginning to feel like autumn (I thought it would never cool off). Before you know it, Christmas will be here and it will be a new year. Time just flies....

~~~~~

I have some new pieces in my shop I'd like to share with you as well as news about a new team I have joined. (I'm very excited to be a member!) First I'd like to show you what I have made recently.

Tourmalinated quartz and garnet necklace.

Pink amethyst circle earrings.

Amethyst and dotted circle necklace.

Garnet and hammered oval earrings.

Green onyx necklace.

Rhodolite garnet circle necklace.

More new pieces will be coming. I have some lovely pearls to knot for necklaces. It's been a while since I knotted. Everyone needs a classic pearl necklace. Look for some here and in the shop soon!

~~~~~~

The Secret is Out!

I'm excited to tell you about a blog that was recently created this fall by our new team called Etsy's Best Kept Secrets. We will be featuring all forms of creative media, not just jewelry, and not simply our own work. Our group was born in spring 2010 out of a passion for art and all things creative. I hope you will come visit and follow us. New things appear there all the time. Remember, Christmas is right around the corner. You might find something there that would make the perfect gift!

Featured Artist on Crown Town Handmade!

Crown Town Handmade has featured me on their blog as their first Artist Spotlight!

Thank you so much! I'm so honored and feel so fortunate to be included in a group of such wonderfully talented artists.

Crown Town Handmade is a group of crafty and vintage entrepreneurs in and around the Charlotte, NC area. We develop our online businesses together, craft with one another, and inspire a DIY spirit in our community.

Below are the members of our group and a link to each member's site. Please stop by and visit them all!

• By Emily
• Chimi & Changa
• Creative Love
• Elouart
• Flames Within
• Flower to the People
• Hey Miemie
• intenyears.
• Jessica's Jacket
• Lilac Paisley
• Lollipup
• Mason and Virginia
• Michele Nassaney
• Monkey and Squirrel
• Musette Made
• MsBelle
• MyissaG
• Our Little Love Nest
• Rachel Taliaferro Art Jewelry
• Sharon Dowell
• Shy Siren
• SkwrrL* Collective
• Stitch Machine
• The Poor Bunny
• Things She Carried
• Tissy Designs
• Touch of Gray Designs
• Tucker's Art
• Tuckor
• Verabelle
• Yvonne Yoga

Thank you again Crown Town!

~~~~~

until next time....

Show Me Your Twirlies!!

Wanna be a model?
 
Here's your chance!!

I would love to see pictures of you wearing my Twirly Slide earrings. Everyone who sends me their best modeled shot will receive 10% off their next purchase in my shop!

Just contact me via Etsy convo if you have a picture.
I will send you my email so you can send me a picture!

I know there are a lot of Twirly Slide earrings out there, so come on! Send them in!

Thanks! I can't wait to see your pics!

until next time.... 

Enlightened on Etsy Front Page

 Yesterday I had the honor of having a treasury
I curated appear on the front page of Etsy.

I was so thrilled and happy for each of the sellers represented here.

The shops represented in this treasury are all so deserving of your attention. Each of them have such unique and beautiful things. So please visit them and see for yourself.

Alexandra Grecco

Sparkle Thots 

Maisy and Alice

Elegant Rose Boutique

Sarah Moldovan

Sadie Olive

Sraige

Tinybeardk

First Light Photo

Raquel Masri

the Still Life

JoJoBell

Paloma's Nest

Carolina Soma

Paapuu

The Tempting Tart

I hope you find something you just can't live without!

Have a great day!

(pics to come of a day on the lake from this past holiday weekend)

until next time....

Free Shipping Weekend!

Free shipping through Memorial Day weekend
ending Monday night at midnight!
~~~~~~~~~

Stop by my shop and check out some of these
new pieces I have just recently added!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day! 

I will be off to my mountains. Yay!


Until next time....

Giveaway Winners Announced

The winners have been announced for the Daily Joy blog giveaway.
Congratulations to Amber G, Katelyne S, and Jennifer P!
Way to go ladies!

Thank you to everyone who entered.
I hope you all stop by my shop sometime!

~~~~~~~~~~

I just wanted to leave you with a picture of
a custom order I finished yesterday. 

The set consists of my Sister Moon hand textured disc earrings and a matching necklace adorned with a labradorite briolette. I like these a lot and plan on bringing them back to the shop. The original necklace did not use a stone, but I like it both ways. And I believe I will offer two different sizes of discs for the necklace. I'll use both the smaller size as in the earrings as well as the larger size in the original necklace. 

I love astronomy and have always been fascinated by the moon. I've spent countless nights gazing at it. These are my interpretation of our sister moon. I hope you like them too.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Until next time....

Spring, New Items, and a Giveaway!

It's been a busy spring so far (and a hot one too). It cooled off a bit today and we're having a little rain so hopefully that will wash some of the pollen out of the air. It's been absolutely terrible.

The pollen is all over everything, even that little ladybug in the picture above, and it's everywhere you look. I've been sneezing, have watery eyes, feel itchy all over. This is the only thing I don't like about spring. Other than the allergies, it's my favorite time of year with all its gorgeous blossoms. I love how everything turns green and comes to life once again.

The boy is enjoying the season too.

He got a new wave board that he's really pretty good at,
better than his regular skateboard.

And he's not been as bothered by the pollen. 

It's not nearly as bad since he's been having allergy shots!

I'd say it's been a good spring so far.

~~~~~ 

New Items in My Shop

I also wanted let you know I have added
a few new pieces to my shop.

Rhodochrosite Briolette Earrings in 14k Goldfill

Green Kyanite Briolette Earrings in Oxidized Sterling & 14k Goldfill

Green Kyanite Necklace in Oxidized Sterling & 14k Goldfill

And these two pairs of earrings are coming soon.

Black Rutile Quartz Briolette Earrings in Sterling

Green Rutile Quartz Briolette Earrings in Sterling

Look for them in my shop soon!

~~~~~

Get in on the
GIVEAWAY!!

Head on over to the Daily Joy blog
and get in on the new giveaway!!

Three pairs of Twirly Slide Earrings will be given away!
The winners have their choice of sterling silver or
14k Goldfill. Find all the details here.

These are such fun earrings and would make a great gift.
So what are you waiting for? Go!

Good luck to everyone who enters!

~~~~~

Last, I want to share with you some other pieces.
(Then I promise I'll hush!)

A cute pair of mini Twirly Slide earrings
using petite peridot briolelttes.

I just loved these.
They're on their way to England!

And these earrings were a special customer request.

Beautiful crystal quartz in a lovely puff diamond shape.

Pretty enough for a bride.

I frequently create custom orders, so if you have a piece of
jewelry you'd like to have made, don't hesitate to give me a shout!

~~~~~~

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Until next time....