The original article was on one page, but I had to scan it in sections.
How cool is that!!??
Wishing you the best!
Friday, August 12, 2011
In the News!
The White Bear/Vadnais Heights Press featured me in a Creative License article on Wednesday, July 20th on Page 3B.
The original article was on one page, but I had to scan it in sections.
How cool is that!!??
Wishing you the best!
The original article was on one page, but I had to scan it in sections.
How cool is that!!??
Wishing you the best!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Just wanted to write a quick note.
I've been taking care of my dad for the past few weeks as he is having health issues.
I've been making some new jewelry (not as much as I'd like, of course), and haven't had time to take pictures or post them to Etsy, or write on my blog, or actually do much of anything else.
Dad is slowly doing better, but he has a ways to go.
Your prayers are so appreciated.
Wishing you God's joy and peace in all you do.
Laurel
I've been taking care of my dad for the past few weeks as he is having health issues.
I've been making some new jewelry (not as much as I'd like, of course), and haven't had time to take pictures or post them to Etsy, or write on my blog, or actually do much of anything else.
Dad is slowly doing better, but he has a ways to go.
Your prayers are so appreciated.
Wishing you God's joy and peace in all you do.
Laurel
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Real Stones
It's hard to believe sometimes that I've been making jewelry for 15 years. Trends have come and gone over the years, but stones have been my one constant.
Stones connect us to the earth. I'm looking at my watch band right now which is composed of Picture Jasper rectangles, rounds and rondells. No other stone evokes the brown, sandy earth like this stone with it's spots, lines and coloring that look like mountain scenes and natural landscapes. Last fall on a rockhounding trip, I found a creek bed filled with fist-sized Picture Jasper stones. I loaded my collecting bags with more rocks than I could lift on my own. Stashed in boxes in my porch, they wait patiently for the rock saw and grinding/polishing wheels to reveal the depths of their beauty. In time, they will be cut down to free-form pendants, wire-wrapped as focal pieces or links.
How can you tell if a stone is real?
Short of gathering rocks in the middle of stream beds and fields, you have to know your rocks and your suppliers. For example, when I first started making jewelry, I quickly discovered that a white rock called "Howlite" that has gray lines throughout can be died to resemble Turquoise and Lapis. "Turquoise Howlite" is still on the market today. It can be a cheap alternative to Turquoise for those that only want the turquoise color and don't care that it is not truly Turquoise. Howlite is a real stone. I've used it in the white variety. If you doubt the quality of the beads, check the label or ask the supplier. Joann's and Michael's carry Turquoise Howlite. I don't use it because it confuses people and diminishes the real stone.
Another stone I learned about early on is African Turquoise. This stone has mottled markings and a more earthy look. It is a dyed jasper. I used it early on because it is pretty and has a pretty name, but it is not Turquoise. Again, I stopped using it over years ago.
Fire Mountain Gems is a huge presence in the beading/jewelry-making industry. Their website has great pictures of stone beads of all kinds and descriptions. The best thing about Fire Mountain Gems is their "Enhancement Code Guide." For example, IMIT means the stone is an imitation; ASBL means the stone was reconstituted and stabilized with a clear resin which helps prevent color change. "N" means the stone is natural. It's worth knowing what each symbol represents. Here's the link: http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=GMSTNNHNCMNTGD
Mother-of-Pearl is naturally tan; the white version has been bleached. Pink, green, purple, blue, orange Mother-of-Pearl has obviously been dyed, as have a large portion of colored Freshwater Pearls.
Rose Quartz fades in the sunlight. Much of the Rose Quartz on the market today has been dyed to enhance the color.
Goldstone, Blue Goldstone and Green Goldstone are manmade materials: Glass with copper inclusions. There is no "real" goldstone stone.
Most enhanced or manmade stones are reasonably priced. Can you tell a stone is real based on it's price? Not always. I have a friend who goes to Tuscon every year and buys her stone beads from reliable sources. You can find many premium stones in Tuscon for much lower prices than almost anywhere else. My friend passes on her savings to her customers: real stone jewelry for reasonable prices.
If you're ever in doubt as to the quality of your stones, ask the seller: they are required to know about enhancements to their stones and pass that information on to the buyer.
The latest "Faux" Turquoise on the market includes two stones: Chalk Turquoise and Magnesite. Neither one is real Turquoise. I do not use them. And if I ever do use them, I will explicitly indicate that they are not natural.
Thanks for asking!!
Stones connect us to the earth. I'm looking at my watch band right now which is composed of Picture Jasper rectangles, rounds and rondells. No other stone evokes the brown, sandy earth like this stone with it's spots, lines and coloring that look like mountain scenes and natural landscapes. Last fall on a rockhounding trip, I found a creek bed filled with fist-sized Picture Jasper stones. I loaded my collecting bags with more rocks than I could lift on my own. Stashed in boxes in my porch, they wait patiently for the rock saw and grinding/polishing wheels to reveal the depths of their beauty. In time, they will be cut down to free-form pendants, wire-wrapped as focal pieces or links.
How can you tell if a stone is real?
Short of gathering rocks in the middle of stream beds and fields, you have to know your rocks and your suppliers. For example, when I first started making jewelry, I quickly discovered that a white rock called "Howlite" that has gray lines throughout can be died to resemble Turquoise and Lapis. "Turquoise Howlite" is still on the market today. It can be a cheap alternative to Turquoise for those that only want the turquoise color and don't care that it is not truly Turquoise. Howlite is a real stone. I've used it in the white variety. If you doubt the quality of the beads, check the label or ask the supplier. Joann's and Michael's carry Turquoise Howlite. I don't use it because it confuses people and diminishes the real stone.
Another stone I learned about early on is African Turquoise. This stone has mottled markings and a more earthy look. It is a dyed jasper. I used it early on because it is pretty and has a pretty name, but it is not Turquoise. Again, I stopped using it over years ago.
Fire Mountain Gems is a huge presence in the beading/jewelry-making industry. Their website has great pictures of stone beads of all kinds and descriptions. The best thing about Fire Mountain Gems is their "Enhancement Code Guide." For example, IMIT means the stone is an imitation; ASBL means the stone was reconstituted and stabilized with a clear resin which helps prevent color change. "N" means the stone is natural. It's worth knowing what each symbol represents. Here's the link: http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=GMSTNNHNCMNTGD
Mother-of-Pearl is naturally tan; the white version has been bleached. Pink, green, purple, blue, orange Mother-of-Pearl has obviously been dyed, as have a large portion of colored Freshwater Pearls.
Rose Quartz fades in the sunlight. Much of the Rose Quartz on the market today has been dyed to enhance the color.
Goldstone, Blue Goldstone and Green Goldstone are manmade materials: Glass with copper inclusions. There is no "real" goldstone stone.
Most enhanced or manmade stones are reasonably priced. Can you tell a stone is real based on it's price? Not always. I have a friend who goes to Tuscon every year and buys her stone beads from reliable sources. You can find many premium stones in Tuscon for much lower prices than almost anywhere else. My friend passes on her savings to her customers: real stone jewelry for reasonable prices.
If you're ever in doubt as to the quality of your stones, ask the seller: they are required to know about enhancements to their stones and pass that information on to the buyer.
The latest "Faux" Turquoise on the market includes two stones: Chalk Turquoise and Magnesite. Neither one is real Turquoise. I do not use them. And if I ever do use them, I will explicitly indicate that they are not natural.
Thanks for asking!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
April Arts and Crafts Fair at Southtown Mall
Arts and Crafts Fair at Southtown Mall this weekend!
Don't forget Mother's Day is coming in May. Mom probably loves jewelry but rarely buys it for herself.
I have lots of new bracelets and matching earrings this month.
I'll also be having an inventory reduction sale of up to 40% off selected items.
Where: Bloomington, MN, I-494 and Penn Ave.; south of 494 across from Kohls
When:
Blessings!
Don't forget Mother's Day is coming in May. Mom probably loves jewelry but rarely buys it for herself.
I have lots of new bracelets and matching earrings this month.
I'll also be having an inventory reduction sale of up to 40% off selected items.
Where: Bloomington, MN, I-494 and Penn Ave.; south of 494 across from Kohls
When:
- Friday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.I'm in front of the Dress Barn, a good place for jewelry.
- Sunday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Friday, April 22, 2011
New Bracelets
Bracelets continue to be one of my biggest sellers.
Which means my inventory of bracelets has dwindled down to (practically) nothing. I say practically because my inventory in all categories is way larger than it should be to begin with and the chances of me running out of anything is never.
When I saw the spring colors in the nearby Dress Barn at Southdale Shopping Center (shameless plug because this is where I sit during my Bloomington Arts and Craft Show, which is coming up...), I dove right in and started making fun new bracelets in all the bright colors I saw.
I'm also going through all my glass and stone beads, pricing those I don't want and making bracelets and earrings with those I love. So there will be a bead sale in the near future.
Meanwhile, I made it through the blue and green glass, and stone bead flowers. Here's a peek at some of the new bracelets and matching earrings. Except for the Pink Enamel & Flowers and the triple strand in greens, all the designs are simple and clean.
Here are some matching earrings:
Let me know what you think!
Now, after I do some house cleaning, it will be on to the purples, yellows and neutrals.
Thanks for stopping by!
Laurel
Which means my inventory of bracelets has dwindled down to (practically) nothing. I say practically because my inventory in all categories is way larger than it should be to begin with and the chances of me running out of anything is never.
When I saw the spring colors in the nearby Dress Barn at Southdale Shopping Center (shameless plug because this is where I sit during my Bloomington Arts and Craft Show, which is coming up...), I dove right in and started making fun new bracelets in all the bright colors I saw.
I'm also going through all my glass and stone beads, pricing those I don't want and making bracelets and earrings with those I love. So there will be a bead sale in the near future.
Meanwhile, I made it through the blue and green glass, and stone bead flowers. Here's a peek at some of the new bracelets and matching earrings. Except for the Pink Enamel & Flowers and the triple strand in greens, all the designs are simple and clean.
Here are some matching earrings:
Let me know what you think!
Now, after I do some house cleaning, it will be on to the purples, yellows and neutrals.
Thanks for stopping by!
Laurel
Mayfaire's Not-So-Daily Maily: My First Tattoo, Perhaps?
My friend the artist shares insights on being a full time artist.
Mayfaire's Not-So-Daily Maily: My First Tattoo, Perhaps?
Mayfaire's Not-So-Daily Maily: My First Tattoo, Perhaps?
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