What's Selling? Hammered Hoops!

My gold and silver hammered hoops are selling on Etsy more than anything else.  I guess it just goes to show how very important and influential reviews are for online selling. Oh and that's another thing, hammered wire hoops make great gifts!  

Hammered hoops are not readily available in a local retail store, and these hoops are a classic jewelry accessory with a unique handmade quality, so a popular gift item. Since I have a thing for presentation, I put a little extra effort into the unwrapping experience for the recipient, which adds to the gift appeal.  

My prices are competitive and I have low shipping prices. Regarding quality, I think people appreciate buying 14K gold filled or sterling silver since they both have long lasting wear and are great for those with sensitive ears.  All of these factors combined have resulted in my hammered hoops being the most popular sale item in my Etsy store.

P.S. They were also a very popular item when I used to sell wholesale to a local designer clothing shop.

Jade Happiness and Beauty Abounds

I have been really enjoying working with Jade these past few months.  After listening to some spiritual information explaining all the qualities and benefits of Jade, it really inspired me to acquire Jade to make some earrings, bracelets and angels. See some of them below.

The primary qualities characterized by Jade are Happiness, Beauty and Purity, hence I see their connection to Lord Buddha and Beloved Kwan Yin.  One of the most unique aspects of Jade is that it never takes on any negative energy and this is a big plus when it comes to working with gemstones and caring for them.  For this reason, it's not surprising that it is an excellent stone to invoke protection.  Jade is widely used in the area of enhancing beauty such as the skin.  

It also naturally manifests in great abundance around the world and in a multitude of colors.  It can be carved or dyed without harming its qualities.  It really is a wonderful stone for all of humanity, and it assists those who are striving towards a higher consciousness.

Swarovski Crystals Shine Bright!

Here are some examples of my sparkle bright collection which could work perfectly for bridal wear or dressy evening wear, or just feeling the inner Goddess you were meant to be.  Most of these are Swarovski crystals which have the most sparkle among the glass crystals. A few are also quartz crystal gemstones. These earrings have simplicity of design with an unmatched sparkle!  Each crystal is complemented by a handmade 14k gold filled ear wire.

What Colour Should I Wear Today?

These handmade earrings are so versatile! They allow me to choose my drop bead of colour.  Here, I have wire wrapped some vibrant faceted Swarovski crystals with side holes. With my unique spiral style wire hooks, made of 14K gold filled wire ("Lifetime Gold"), I have the option of wearing various wire wrapped briolettes as a separate pair or a combination of colours together!  Plus I can make lots more colours too using all kinds of shapes of beads!   I love these ear wires! Oh, and I forgot to mention that they look great just by themselves without a stone.

I'll have to show these to my mother since she loves to match all her outfits with matching earrings.

Gold Crystal Pendant is Full of Meaning

Sacred Symbols:  Circle of Life, Cross: Love in unity with Light, Purple crystal for the purifying ray, Butterfly crystal for metamorphosis of our consciousness... Gold is a precious metal with healing qualities due to its high vibration. It is also aligned with the Sun > Illumination.

This pendant is made with 14K Gold Filled wire, 14KGF cross, 14KGF beads and 14KGF ring along with Swarovski crystals for high quality everyday wear.  Wear this pendant on a little neck chain or  or a long chain, whatever you have.  

Note that 14KGF is not solid gold but it has a thick layer of gold over a brass core (adding strength to wire for manipulating and wrapping) for long lasting wear, unlike gold plated. Some people call Gold Filled  >> "Lifetime Gold" because of the gold's lasting quality.  

More Handmade Gemstone Earrings

Recently, I completed some delicate watermelon tourmaline earrings. They have beautiful faceted briolette drops threaded on a fine gold wire with 14K gold filled accents and gold filled ear wires.  The tourmaline drops and gold filled beads float freely to reflect the light and will slide together to the centre bottom when worn.

I have also been working with rose quartz rose carved beads to make a dramatic pendant and earring set. The large rose pendant is 40mm in size while the smaller rose beads are 25mm.These earrings are made with rose quartz carved rose beads and faceted rose quartz beads with faceted gold plated hematite beads and wire wrapped with 14K gold filled wire. Note that the rose symbol represents the soul and the Divine Feminine.

Overview of Recent Jewelry Product Creations

Video overview of my recent work which is inpsired by many sacred geometries and symbols such as roses, hearts, butterflies, circles, Flower of Life Blueprint, crosses... I love working with rose quartz and other gemstones, gold wire and sometimes shiney crystals too.

Butterflies are Beautiful....Semi-Precious Gemstone Earrings

I am also working on a collection of butterfly earrings in gold and silver tones. I make my own hooks so that they can work with different styles and looks and also so that I can use the highest quality of materials for ear wires....sterling silver wire or 14 KGF wire makes them hypoallergenic and there is no plating to wear off.  The gold does not tarnish or wear off with daily wear.  Note that each of these pairs of earrings have a butterfly charm which represents transformation.  Each earring pair also has a semi-precious gemstone accent:  amethyst (purple), sodalite (blue), agate (bright blue), quartz (clear).

Gemstone Pendants with Wire Bails Are Sure to Make a Statement

I recently wire wrapped these beautiful carved gemstone pendants in rose quartz and the middle faceted heart is opalite.  The bails are made with 14 karat gold filled wire or sterling silver wire. I have yet to post them in my etsy shop but will be planning to do so.  My drive to create new products outpaces my motivation to list items :)

Gemstone Bar Necklaces Can Be Worn Every Day

I have been experimenting with 2 types of bead bar necklaces.  Here are are my most recent creations.  I really like to use the small faceted beads that sparkle in the sunlight. From top to bottom you will see different gemstones: blue goldstone, amethyst (faceted), tiger's eye, garnet (faceted) and pyrite (faceted).  This  style of bead bar has gold filled accent beads which create a continuity with the gold filled chain.  Check out my Etsy Store if you would like one of these necklaces.

Rose Quartz Heart Earring Collection

Here are my recent earring designs with rose quartz hearts, the result of ordering a variety of rose quartz supplies and 14KGF precious metal supplies.  All of these semi-precious gemstone earrings are handmade with 14KGF (14 karat gold filled) hand formed ear wires.  They currently range in price from $25 to $45.   I can list a few in my Etsy Store for you to purchase if you message me.  S&H will be $4 to $8 or local pick up with prior contact.

Rose Quartz Heart Earrings with 14KGF Wire

Beautiful heart shaped rose quartz semi-precious gemstones express the energy of the Divine Mother's Love.  Gold is a precious metal that connects with the Sun, which is the Divine Masculine energy of illumination, and gold is known for its high vibration and healing energies too. The cross is  a sacred symbol for the union of Light and Love.

Back on Track

2017 was close to a wipe out year for a good portion of it, due to serious, but temporary, injuries to my wrist and shoulder, however that is all behind me now and currently, I am working on a business website to launch a signature line of earrings .  My patience is required, as I sort out how to finalize my logo and take more professional pictures of my products with some new software tools.

I continue to enjoy the activity of needle felting and spent November/December making various gifts and decorations with wool.  I started the New Year by having a mini workshop with my daughter and her friend where we made little white ballerina mice :) just for the fun of it!

Thank goodness I was able to keep my jewelry moving through two local designer stores in Edmonton: Salgado Fenwick and Majesty and Friends.

Wholly Handmade Shopping in Sherwood Park

Join us for this late March shopping extravaganza where lots and lots of designers and crafters will be selling their wares.  This event marks the end of the winter snow and the beginning of the spring weather. You are sure to find something unique and lovely for yourself or for gifts.  Shop early to find a special gift for Mother's Day.

Happy New Year, 2017!

I have updated my Facebook cat page, Purring Cat Jewelry, so that it focuses on creative cat designs in jewelry and fibre art. It's a better fit for me than cat enclosures and pet products.

My passion for cats extends to my enjoyment of pet sitting and most of my clients happen to be cats, although I have a few dogs and ferrets that I also look after for Pet Care Givers that go away on holidays.

I just discovered that the Edmonton Catfest is taking a 1 year catnap, so to speak! In that case, I wish to offer my cat jewelry creations online.  Catfest will be back in 2018 and happens at the end of May.

Etsy Edmonton, Handmade Local Shopping!

This was such a fantastic event last year, and this year it's going to be much bigger! 

Hope to see you there to show you my new products, not yet posted on Etsy.

August Maker's Event in Edmonton

Come join us!   Gathering Good Gang market for 3 days! 

Gathering Good Gang Summer Market 

The Free Mason Hall 

10318 100Ave

Featuring 20+ artists and craftsmen, with workshops hosted 

by talented makers and artisans, plus local eats. 

August 26, 4am-9pm

August 27, 10am-6pm

August 28, 10am-6pm

$2 at the door, kids 12 and under are free.

Gemstone Stud Earrings

These gemstone stud earrings have become quite popular. An assortment of these gemstone stud earrings is available at the local designer clothing store, Salgado Fenwick.  They are made in various sizes from 8mm to 14mm and in various shapes such as round and square. I have also experimented with making them in bezel settings.  I source my gemstone cabochons from various locations from around the world.  One of my favourite sources is a supplier in the United States.  I am always on the lookout!   I generally use sterling silver backs and post clutches, but sometimes I also use surgical steel for the larger gemstones and bezels.

Etsy Made in Canada 2016

Date: September 24, 2016

Location: Shaw Conference Centre

Show time: 10am – 4pm

Live music, onsite concession, entertainment and lots and lots of artisan vendors.

This fall will marks the third year for Etsy Made in Canada where you can see lots of artisans sharing their latest creations.  Last year there was a huge turn out!  Due to the  fantastic response, it will be located at the Shaw Conference Centre this year.

Gemstone and Color Vibrations

A discourse about vibration reminded me that everything has a vibration, including color.  Light colors have a higher vibration than the the darker colors, although indigo holds the highest vibration. Indigo is also connected to the 6th energy center or chakra.

Colour is the energy expression of light, and correlates to sound energy...Food also has an energy vibration and so do flower essences, essential oils and gemstones. In fact everything has an energy vibration. 

Amethyst and Quartz Crystals...

The rose has the highest vibration of the essential oils. This is not surprising since the rose is the sacred geometry of the soul.  Flower essences can resonate with your divine patterns and blueprint. 

Gemstones have an intelligence that we are only beginning to understand. They provide a bridge to humanity much like the flowers do. They are part of the kingdoms of nature that are here on earth to assist humanity in remembering and reconnecting to their divinity and all the qualities of divine love.  Crystals are precipitations of light.  Many healing modalities use crystals to assist the healing process.

Red Calcite

Following are the Gemstone Qualities given by the Ascended Masters in some discourses from the Radiant Rose Academy.

Amber: Power

Amethyst: Form & Structure

Apophyllite: Action (making real)

Aquamarine: Stealth

Aragonite: Prosperity Consciousness

Aventurine: Compassion 

Calcite: Breath of Life

Celestite: Unlimited Consciousness

Chrysocolla: Peace

Citrine: Freedom

Danburite: Perserverance

Diamond: Knowingness

Hematite: Unconditional Light

Iolite: Function

Jasper: Truth

Moonstone: Jurisdiction

Rose Quartz: Unity Consciousness

Rhodochrosite: Forgiveness

Ruby: All that is Love

Sugilite: Magnitude

Tiger's Eye: Unconditional Governance

Topaz: Abundance

Tourmaline (watermelon): Oneness

 (Thank you to the Radiant Rose Academy for permission to cite these.)

As we become more conscious and increase the light vibration in our bodies, then we will desire to make higher vibrational choices to support this process.  My jewelry creations are made to support our awakening consciousness.  They are an extension of my interest in energy, healing, color, beauty and creativity.

Blues on Whyte Block Party on Sunday July 3rd

My next event is Blues on Whyte Block Party, which is a family street music festival with several stages of bands playing throughout the day. Lots of food and vendors along the street, and even a pancake breakfast in the morning. Don't miss it!  Sunday July 3rd, 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.