Dabbling in Jewelry and Gemstones

The Stunt I pulled today.

2011-07-22T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Telengana issue has disrupted the life of the common man in Hyderabad. Just this month of July, I already saw two calls for general strikes (called ‘bandh’). Protestors shut down schools, colleges and disrupt public transport. They force commuters from going to their workplaces, and close down (or break) toll booths. Shops and institutions close down their doors, fearing riots. All this takes a toll on my business as well.

Take for example, my client Greta. A bride to be; needs her Bridal earrings for her wedding in 2 weeks time. Another client of mine: Caroline. Going away on vacation, so needs her parcel to reach her on time. How am I supposed to ship put their parcels, if there is constant agitation on the roads? In addition the Post Office keeps its shutters closed as well.

So today, when the lady behind the counter at the Post Office told me that they are closing up due to yet another ‘strike’, I lost it! Seriously! I pointed out that I took quite a risk in getting to the Post Office. Then I asked her very very politely if nothing could be done? For the sake of someone’s bridal jewelry? She said that the lady who sits on the computer (International Express Shipping) did not turn up (probably agitation on the road). I said that if she has the system up and running for me, I will weight out the parcels and print out the receipts myself.

So I went behind the counter, got the International SpeedPost System running and made sure that all of my 13 parcels went out today!!

Ah, the length at which we have to go to have things running in this country.

I think I will take my Darjeeling tea break now; after the stunt I pulled, I think I deserve it.

Satin Lace Seller

2011-04-28T22:29:00.001-07:00

Me: "Hello? Is this ABC Lace Store? Is the owner Mr. XYZ there?"
XYZ: "This is Mr. XYZ."
Me: "Oh, hi there! Did the 3" satin lace I ordered in as yet? You said that it would be in within 2 days....if you remember?"
XYZ: "Oh yes, Madam, I remember. But I have not been coming to my shop for the last 20 days because I have been sick."
Me: (mentally) But I just saw you 4 days earlier and were perfectly hale and hearty!

Its been 4 months now and the lace never came in. I had to import the satin lace, a simple simple item, from USA.

Life in India.
100% true incident.

Etsy Purchase from Shari - luvs2create2

2011-04-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to tell you all that my Custom tags from Shari of luvs2create2 on Etsy came in over this weekend. I opened the parcel today early morning as the sun was coming up and it felt like Christmas morning with the gorgeous gift wrapping.

Shari customized all my tags to match the Navy blue velvet boxes that I use for my Bridal orders. Just look at all those tags!! Aren’t they lovely?

Shari also does all kinds of Custom Bridal works, Save the Tags, wedding Favor Tags etc. Please check out her shop Paper and Other Oddities on Etsy.

My Cubic Zirconia and Sterling Silver Shell Pearl Necklace hit the Front Page on Etsy!

2011-04-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

My Cubic Zirconia and Sterling Silver Pearl Necklace from my Bridal jewelry shop hit the Front Page of Etsy yesterday.

Big Thanks to Jessica Torres for curating this gorgeous treasury!

My Cubic Zirconia and Sterling Silver Earrings hit the Front Page on Etsy!

2011-04-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

My Round Cubic Zirconia Cynthia Earrings from my Bridal jewelry shop hit the Front Page of Etsy on 28th March!
Big Thanks to Kristi McMurry for curating this gorgeous treasury!

My Amethyst Beads hit the Front Page on Etsy!

2011-04-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

My Amethyst beads from my Gemstone shop hit the Front Page of Etsy! Yay!
Big Thanks to Melinda Milkshake for curating this gorgeous treasury!

Hunch vs Etsy

2011-04-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

During my B-school days, I came across "Customer-mapping" / "taste mapping" again and again. In a sentence it is a tool to analyze the customers, where they come from, what their buying preferences are. The idea is to "predict" the future buying trends and in a way predict the market.

Remember the "what you dos" and "who you ares" on credit card forms or magazine forms? Well, they are used to "chart" or "map" customers. And also draw correlation between seemingly unrelated activities. For example "bar fights are mostly started by men wearing cuff links." Or "Women over 40 buying Red Chanel lipstick mostly carry a Blackberry". (These two are just sentences I conjured up, NOT industry based data....but you get the picture). Although these may seem as unrelated activities, you will be surprised to hear how important data like these is to big companies.

Why I am talking of all this with regards to Etsy? Because Caterina Fake joined Etsy in Aug 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterina_Fake
And she launched "Hunch" "a site that is building the "taste graph" of the internet, mapping every user on the internet to every entity, and their affinity for that entity" in June 2009.
When all the hullabooloo with Etsy becoming a "social" network etc started, I just knew that Etsy will become another "hunch" like site. Don't ask me....how I just had a a"hunch"...heeehaw.

Look at the Hunch homepage : http://hunch.com/
See how similar it is to the new Etsy homepage : http://www.etsy.com/31
(you need to log out if you are already logged in).

Etsy says that "We need a homepage designed specifically for new visitors, with a new design that is clearly aimed at keeping them on the site." The new site will throw items at them that is based on the taste test.

As individual sellers, I am not sure how much it will help us. For example, I want ALL new visitors to be bead buyers and T shirt seller wants T-shirt buyers and a soap seller wants soap buyers. But the new home page may or may not throw out beads or T-shirts or soaps right?? To be honest I am not sure if supplies will be suggested AT ALL!! I have noticed that Etsy NEVER features a Supplies seller, or supplies in the finds or any Storque article. In spite of the fact that supplies are by far the biggest earners for Etsy.

So it is my honest opinion that the new page benefits Etsy as a whole, and is not beneficial to us individual sellers.

New Designs for my Bridal Store

2011-03-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy making jewelry for my Bridal store!
These are some of my new designs.

1) Oval and Teardrop Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings Studs - Bianca E11

2) Dandelion Round Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - Selena E6

3) Oval Faceted Cubic Zirconia and Genuine Freshwater Pearl Sterling Silver Earrings - Greta E2

I also worked on some simpler jewelry which would be great for gifts to bridesmaids.

1) Swarovski Crystal Faceted Champagne Golden Shadow Briolette Wire Wrapped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - Bella E11

2) Coin Pearl Wire Wrapped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - GemE5

3) AAA Amethyst Gemstone Faceted Onion Briolette Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - GemE4

4) Tanzanite Purple Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings - Edlyn E1

5) Tanzanite Purple Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Necklace - Edlyn N1

All of these designs are currently in Sterling Silver, but can also be customized to Gold filled.

Hearty Spinach Pilaf - Indian Style

2011-02-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

I was wondering what to make with the bunches of spinach my DH got from the vegetable market (again!). I just had made stir fried spinach and a variety of spinach curries and was dying to try something new. Browsing the internet, I found variations of Spinach Pilaf (Indian style) and immediately started on one for dinner. This has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite dishes, its rich and hearty, and chock full of nutrients, without being overtly greasy or heavy.

This is my version of Palak Pulao / Indian style Spinach Pilaf. Please give credit if copying.

Ingredients

White rice - 1 cup
Onion - 1 diced
Fresh Spinach - 2 bunches or a large bag from the salad section, coarsely chopped
Peas, fresh or frozen - a handful
Cashew nuts, raw - a handful
Ginger paste - 1/2 tsp
Garlic paste - 1/2 tsp
Black peppercorn - 6 pieces or fresh cracked pepper
Salt - to taste
Sugar - a dash
Canola oil - 1 tbsp
Butter - a pat (optional)
Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp (optional)

Procedure

Heat oil in a non stick saucepan. Stirfry cashews till golden brown. Reserve for later.
In the same leftover oil, put in Black peppercorns, Ginger paste, Garlic paste and onions. Add a dash of sugar and salt. Stir and cook covered till onion is soft.
Add spinach, cook till just wilted, about 2 mins on high.
Transfer all the contents to a blender/ food processor and blend with splashes of water till mixture becomes a slurry.
In the same pan, add rice and water, additional dash of salt and cook on high, till rice starts boiling.
If you are cooking on an open pan, rice generally needs 1.5 to 2 times the water. If you are using a packaged rice, water requirement will be on the box. But, it is wise to put in less water than required at this point, since the spinach slurry also contains liquid.
Add the spinach blend to the boiling rice, stir well.
Making sure that the rice is still boiling, lower the heat and cover with a lid.
Keep checking often, and stir occasionally so that the bottom does not start to burn.
The mixture is a thick stew like consistency at this point.
Add peas when the rice is almost cooked. Add garam masala, if using. Stir.
Adjust salt at this point. Consistency of rice is creamy, almost like a risotto.
take away from heat. Cover and let rest for 10mins. Residual liquid, if any, will be absorbed.
Stir in fried cashews. Put on a pat of butter and serve hot.

This pilaf is tasty as is, but would be fantastic as a side-dish as well. And you get to snuck in spinach. I also ate this for lunch the next day it was delicious as a leftover.

Heart in the Coffee

2011-02-18T06:12:00.000-08:00

Hi darling, I got you your coffee.
- Oh, I see you did not stir my coffee?
[Takes spoon from my hand and briskly stirs the coffee]
Oh no!....you stirred away the heart...the heart!!!
- Huh? There was a heart in the coffee?

My Feature on Curation Nation Blog - Talkin' Tuesday!

2011-01-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

I am so tickled to be featured on the Curation Nation blog this week. Curation Nation is a team of some very talented artisans and sellers on Etsy. The team is 83 members strong now and makes beautiful treasuries on Etsy. I am also a proud member.

Talkin' Tuesday features 9 Fierce Facts and one line that is completely fictional. Get involved by guessing which one of the 10 items listed is the impostor. It is open to everybody, so what are you waiting for?

Head to the Curation nation blog and put in your guess!

BIG SALE

2011-01-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to announce that I have launched a 28% sale on my Gemstones store and a 20% sales on my Jewelry store.

Please visit:
GEMSTONES: http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudiosupplies
Please Use Coupon Code: 28OFFJAN at checkout for 28% discount!

BRIDAL JEWELRY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudio
Please Use Coupon Code: 20OFFJAN at checkout for 20% discount!

Car that runs on water

2011-01-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

"Honey, we are building a new concept car at the University"
- "yeah?"
"Yeah....a car that runs on WATER!!"
- "Wow, isn't that great?"
"Yes, the idea is that the car will use water since that is so abundant".
- "Well, I will give you a car that runs on water. It is called a 'STEAM ENGINE'."
"Huh?"
- "Why do you guys want to reinvent the wheel??"
.
[Pause]
.
"Well, do you know how a steam engine runs?"
- "On steam"
"And how do you make the steam?"
(My DH is on professor-mode now)
"Do you know what the first law of thermodynamics says? It says....blah...blah...."
- zzzz.....zzzzz.....zzzzzz
"Oh Boy!!"
- zzzz.....zzzzz.....zzzzzz

Don't you have a HUSBAND?

2011-01-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

I am on the balcony getting my towel. The neighbor and her kid, about 10 years old, is waiting down for the school bus to arrive.

"Hi Som Auntie!"
- "Hello darling! How are you?"
"Okay. Where is your baby?"
- "My baby? Hmmm....Oh! That is the Auntie from upstairs! She's had a new baby".
"Why don't YOU have a baby? Don't you have a HUSBAND???"
- {Speechless}

.

Tour of my Home - Free for ALL!!

2011-01-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

This is when I just moved to India after staying in USA for years. My DH was off to his new job and I was alone at our newly-moved-in apartment. It was a pleasant morning. I was lounging on the sofa in my living room, with a cup of my favorite brew of tea watching CSI Miami on my new flat screen TV. I left the front door open to let in the beautiful soothing breeze from the East. What a blissful morning. Ah....

All of a sudden, three middle-aged ladies, reasonably well-dressed, appeared with a smile at my door and just sauntered in. I froze shock-still on my sofa, tea mug in my hand, my feet still up, mouth agape, wondering what the heck did just happen? The smiling ladies saw me, ignored me completely, and kept walking inside, towards my bedrooms, unfazed.

I jumped up and ran after them, yelling "Excuse me,...um...Auntie, do I know you?". They did not respond or stop; just kept walking through the dining room towards my Master bedroom. I was panicking by the second, completely bewildered. They 'seemed' harmless, but I did not take this complete invasion of my privacy lightly. So this time I yelled louder "Hey, where do you think you are going??" and stood my ground right in front of them. The three ladies stopped. They seemed to be noticing me for the first time. Then they just turned back, and went back the way they came in, and out of the front door, their smiles still in place.

I did not see the three ladies again. I don't know till date what they wanted, why they did not speak.....the entire episode weirded me out to be honest. And yes, you guessed it right, that was the end of my keeping the front door open to let in the beautiful soothing breeze from the East.

Pikola Net Connect

2011-01-21T23:47:00.000-08:00

Tring....tring....
"Hello? Is this Pikola Net Connect?"
- "Yes, Madam, How may I assist you?"
"Your login/ logout page has disappeared, so I cannot access the internet any more"
- " We don't have a login/ logout page, Madam."
"Eh? I have been using the login/ logout page for the last 6 months to connect to the internet. That is the page where I put in my User name and password..."
- "We don't have any such page Madam".
"Maybe you call it something else? I logged in just this morning and now it is gone."
- " No Madam, Pikola Net Connect has no such page".
"How do people access the internet then? How did I get to the internet for the last 6 months?"
- " I don't know Madam, I am not saying that you are lying".
"What?? I sure hope not! Is there anyone else you can help me?"
- " I don't think so Madam".
"Please connect me to your Manager, maybe he can help me".
- "My Manager is not around Madam".
"Huh? Can he call me back?"
- "I will see what I can do."
"Look it is clear that you are not helping me here. I am paying my good money to access the internet and now I can't. Surely there is a tech assist team or someone who can help me?"
- "We can't help you Madam"
"Wow!! You can't help me, and you are not connecting me with someone who can? When will your manager call me back?"
- In 5 mins Madam.
"In 5 mins huh? Are you sure? I think no one will ever call me to resolve my matter".
- "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"You got to be kidding me!"
- "Have a great day, Madam"

Needless, to say I never got a call back from Pikola Net Connect, from the manager or anyone else. Its been 6 months. The login/ logout page mysteriously re-appeared after a couple of hours. They do call me every time my bill is due without fail, sometimes call me every hour with a reminder. Way to go Pikola!!

"Pikola Net Connect" does not exist, my sad internet connection company does, and so does their pathetic customer service.

Got Milk?

2011-01-21T03:16:00.000-08:00

Some random guy at my door. "Yeah? What do you want?" ...."Milk".

:-|

New Series - My Crazy Life.

2011-01-21T02:41:00.000-08:00

I have decided to come up with a New series called "My Crazy Life". I will write about things that I have experienced in India or USA or anywhere else. They may be interesting, funny, poignant or sad, but they will be all 100% true. Watch this space for more to come!

XOXO,
Som

Suppliers are being discriminated against on Etsy

2011-01-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

January's Jewel Garnet was featured in today's Etsy Finds. So good to see that even Vintage got a section.

Surprise, surprise, not a single spot for Supplies?!

Received 2741 results for Garnet under Supplies. Not a single 'pretty enough' to be featured??

What about Rubies?
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-red-hot-rubies-4447/
Emeralds?
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-emerald-city-8265/
More garnets from last year?
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-garnet-depths-6713/
0 supplies featured.
Notice a trend??

Suppliers are the top sellers on Etsy and surely Etsy gets a major part of its income from the strong contribution of Suppliers. This is from Craftcount as of 5th Jan 2011.

Etsy sends out the Etsy finds e-mails everyday. Isn't it justified for Supply Sellers to be featured once in a while? Somewhere? Anywhere??

Why are Suppliers never featured?? What about featuring an actual gemstone when Etsy writes about a gemstone?? When I pointed this out to Etsy Admin Christine in July 2010, I got no response. Till date.

There has been so much of discussion on the fora, but nothing is ever done to feature, support or acknowledge Suppliers.

Etsy: PLEASE stop this discrimination. Or stop suppliers from selling altogether on the site.

Happy Holidays!!

2010-12-26T22:42:00.001-08:00

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011! May you have the happiest of times with the best of company, family and friends!

Love from India,
Som

Holiday Sale - Black Friday through Cyber Monday

2010-11-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Please use Coupon Code 2010GIVETHANKS10OFF to receive 10% off on all items in my Etsy store for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, the 29th of Nov.

This sale is on in both my Etsy stores:
Gemstones: http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudiosupplies
Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudio
The same coupon code is valid in both my stores.

Some of my new Bridal necklaces:

Swarovski Pearl, Pear cut Cubic Zirconia Asymmetrical Brooch necklace

Swarovski Pearl, Pear cut Cubic Zirconia Bridal necklace

I just received these gorgeous Mystic Quartz gemstones yesterday and these will be listed in my gemstones store tomorrow.

Blue Mystic Quartz Faceted Hexagon / Star beads

Pink Mystic Quartz Faceted Heart beads
Pale Green Mystic Quartz Faceted Teardrop/ Pear beads

My Guest Post on the Curation Nation Blog

2010-11-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

Today I have a guest post on the on the Curation Nation Blog. I wrote a small article with screen shots of how to factor in your Etsy and PayPal fees into your profit so that a truer number is reflected. I have created a simple model on MS Excel.

I hope that you will find this useful, so head over there and take a look!

Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Colors

2010-11-16T05:47:00.000-08:00

These are the crystal and pearl colors that Swarovski offers. All my Bridal designs can be customized to any of these colors.

Hippo for Christmas hit the Front Page on Etsy!!

2010-11-16T05:40:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share that the treasury I curated hit the Front Page on Etsy!! Congrats to all that were featured! This is a first for me, so please click and comment and share the love!

Etsy Purchases

2010-11-14T01:22:00.000-08:00

Check out these gorgeous tags I received from the very talented Curation Nation teammie and friend Shari of luvs2create2.

Also received these beautiful flowers from HandmadeFlowers.

Bijoux d'Odalisque Giveaway!

2010-11-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

Holly of Bijoux d’Odalisque on Etsy is having a giveaway on the Belle de Couture blog.

***ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN THIS AWESOME NECKLACE***

{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}

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

BRIDAL PORTFOLIO - ELIZABETH

2010-10-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

I received these gorgeous pictures from my beautiful bridal customer Elizabeth! Wow! There is a world of difference between making jewelry with pearls and wire and then seeing how someone wears them and brings them to life. I get so excited, and somewhat emotional whenever I get these mails showcasing the jewelry that I made.

(Pictures by http://www.bellapictures.com/)

Elizabeth wanted a pearl and rhinestone Flower Necklace. She liked my double stranded pearl necklaces but wanted a simpler version. I made this single stranded version of my best seller brooch necklace. I used a smaller Cubic Zirconia component that I generally use for my chandelier earrings. I used all Swarovski pale ivory pearls. The CZ component can be worn at the left or the right (as Elizabeth choose to).

She also wanted a matching bracelet and earrings. More pictures of the jewelry can be found here .

Elizabeth also got these chandelier earrings, but choose to go with the plain Swarovski pearl studs to keep with the simpler jewelry.

Wedding pics: Copyright Elizabeth Brown 2010
Taken by: http://www.bellapictures.com/
Jewelry pics: Copyright Som's Studio 2010

Launched My Bridal Store Today

2010-10-01T14:36:00.001-07:00

I am very happy to announce the launch of my Bridal store on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/somsstudio

I hope that you like my designs as much as I enjoy making them.

What is Cubic Zirconia?

2010-10-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Cubic Zirconia or CZ is is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO₄). Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since 1976.

Rhinestone or paste or diamante on the other hand, is a diamond simulant typically made from glass. Glass is silicon dioxide, also known as silica (from the Latin silex), is an oxide of silicon with a chemical formula of SiO₂. The availability of glass rhinestones was greatly increased when around 1775 the Alsatian jeweler Georg Friedrich Strass had the idea to imitate diamonds by coating the lower side of glass with metal powder. Hence, rhinestones are called Strass in many European languages. Crystal rhinestones are produced mainly in Austria by Swarovski and in the Czech Republic by Preciosa and a few other glassworks in northern Bohemia. In the US, these are sometimes called Austrian Crystal.

I have been using CZ and rhinestones in my Bridal jewelry for many years now. Both are very attractive and provide diamond like sparkle. The CZ I currently work with is by far one of the best stimulants that I have used, primarily due to the incredible faceting of the stones.

(References: http://en.wikipedia.org)

Curation Nation Natural History Treasury Challenge: Winner

2010-09-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to bits that I was chosen the winner of the Curation Nation Natural History Treasury Challenge!

Due to being the winner, these gorgeous Center Drilled Maroon Garnets from my Etsy Supplies Store were chosen as this week's featured item on the Wednesday Item Treasury Challenges. These beads have been featured 19 treasuries as I write this...and counting!

Being featured brings a lot of exposure and traffic to our online stores. You could be featured in an upcoming Wednesday Challenge too! The featured Wednesday item is picked from the winning shop of the Saturday challenge. Everyone is invited to play - these challenges are open to all, not just to team members of Curation Nation. Please check out the details on the Curation Nation blog.

Making a treasury following the simple rules is really very easy. So please make one and drop a comment on the Curation Nation blog. Just tell them that Som send you.

BRIDAL PORTFOLIO - JENN

2010-09-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to have received some professional pictures from my gorgeous bridal customer Jenn! Wow! What a beautiful wedding and what fabulous pictures!

(Pictures used with permission from Danielle Aquiline Photography.)

Jenn wanted a pearl and rhinestone Flower Necklace. She also requested that the pearls used on the side be smaller than the ones I used in the Cubic Zirconia component for a sparkly yet delicate look. I made her necklace using genuine Freshwater pearls, Cubic Zirconia components and solid sterling silver parts. The Cubic Zirconia and pearl component was based off an earlier best selling design, just replaced the central Cubic Zirconia with a genuine freshwater pearl. More pictures of the necklace can be found here.

Keeping with the delicate angle, I included these petite pearl earrings as a thank you gift!

It’s such a great experience making jewelry for brides!
Thank you Jenn!

A gift from Jamie Bowers of Viola and Jean

2010-09-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

I received these gorgeous earrings as an unexpected gift from my customer Jamie Bowers of Viola and Jean. What a pleasant surprise!! These earrings traveled all across the globe and I immediately wore them although was still in my PJs. They were so lightweight and comfortable that I wore them all evening too.

These playful earrings are a slight different take on her Cinderella earrings. Jamie describes them as "The color combination has the distinct feeling of sunset. A Baroque white pearl starts the tassel made of Gunmetal and Silver Chain with Tundra Sapphires in red, orange and taupe, a deep yellow Tourmaline and Tiger Eye, finished by a silver pearl hung from handmade earrings hooks. They’re perfect for flagging down a ride and finding glass slippers. Never feel stranded again."

Thank you so much Jamie, for this wonderful gift! I will cherish these earrings forever!

Rooted in Love

2010-09-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

A very special customer of mine had a concept called "Rooted in Love". She wanted me to make pendants reflecting this concept, so I picked up my pen...em...my mouse and set to work.

Earlier prototype.

Final design of "Rooted in Love"

Final design of "Mini Rooted in Love"

I gave these designs to my manufacturer, who cast them in sterling silver to make these lovely pendants.

Final design of "Rooted in Love" cast in Sterling Silver

New Concave cut Gemstones are just in!

2010-09-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

I am super excited to receive a whole bunch of specialty concave cut faceted briolette beads that are just plain gorgeous!

Smoky Quartz Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Hearts

Lemon Quartz Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Hearts

Rock Crystal Quartz Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Hearts

Pink Amethyst Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Pears

Prasiolite or Green Amethyst Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Pears

Lemon Quartz Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Pears

Beer Quartz Concave Cut Briolette Beads - Pears

I received some other regular gemstones too, as requests.

Rainbow Moonstone 3-D Teardrop Briolette Beads

Tanzanite Rondelle Beads

White Topaz Faceted Pear Teardrop Briolette Beads

White Topaz Faceted Pear Teardrop Briolette Beads

All of these gemstones will be also be available at my gemstone store on Etsy starting tomorrow.

Colors of the Sapphire Gemstone

2010-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Think Sapphire. Think Blue? Think again!
The Sapphire gemstone can be blue, green pink, yellow, and a whole lot of other colors!

Sapphire is a mineral called "Corundum". Chemically Aluminium Oxide. Interestingly Ruby is also the same mineral/ chemical compound. Color is what distinguishes ruby from sapphires. Rubies are red and sapphires are either blue, or another color such as green, orange, pink, yellow, purple, colorless or black.

Sapphire when used by itself generally refers to the blue variety. In its highest quality, this blue sapphire is more expensive than other varieties.

Padparadscha Sapphire is a pinkish orange color and is the rarest and most prized of all fancy (non blue) sapphires. Most Dealers agree that pink and orange hues must be present to be a true padparadscha.

Pink Sapphire is the most highly prized next to the padparadscha.

Other colors include Orange, Yellow and Green.

Colorless Sapphire or White Sapphire is made by heat treating light colored sapphire and is a popular diamond substitute.

This week's treasury challenge by Curation Nation is : Sapphire. Details of the challenge is here. This is my take on the "Colors of Sapphire".

Reference: Gemstone Buying Guide: How to evaluate, identify, select & care for colored gems by Renee Newman GG

Tourmalinated Quartz or Black Rutilated Quartz Gemstone

2010-09-07T02:37:00.000-07:00

I received the most spectacular Tourmalinated Quartz or Black Rutilated Quartz gemstones from my supplier today. These will be also be available in my gemstone store on Etsy from tomorrow.

Tourmalinated Quartz or Black Rutilated Quartz Gemstone is basically rock crystal quartz which contain rutiles as inclusions. The chemical composition of rutile is titanium oxide. The needle like rutiles form beautiful and unique matrices, because of which they are sometimes called as 'Venus hair' or 'Angel hair'.

Rutilated Quartz is another healing stone and is believed to aid in dealing with depression and loneliness at the same time enhancing creativity, potency and self-healing.

Peruvian Pink Opal Gemstones

2010-09-06T23:40:00.000-07:00

I received the most gorgeous gemstones of Pink Opal. I think these are my new favorites. All of these will be available in my gemstone store on Etsy from tomorrow. Today, you and I get to exclusively feast our eyes on these.

Peruvian Pink Opal is found in the Andes Mountains near San Patricio, Peru. The pink color is derived from trace amounts of quinones. Some stones contain fernlike dendritic inclusions that show depending on the cut of the stone.

Pink Opal is the birthstone for October, the lucky stone for Libra. Opal is a powerful healing stone and is associated with the energies of Love, Healing, Power and Good Luck.

SNEAK PEEK

2010-09-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been gone for a while and for good reason too! I have been working around the clock on my new Bridal line of jewelry. This is a sneak peek to what is to come soon.

All of these have been made using very high quality Cubic Zirconia components and Swarovski pearls in pale Ivory and White. All hardware are solid sterling silver.

More pictures can be found here.

I have been featured in two Treasuries!

2010-07-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to receive two different convos saying I was featured in a treasury! The first one is called "metals and stone..." by expressions123. The Mystic Silver Blue Quartz gemstone beads from my store are featured here.

The other treasury is called "It's Black... It's White...... It might be Gray...." by curator paperNplastic. The white moonstone round cabochon is featured in this one.

Suppliers are rarely featured in treasuries so I was really surprised to be featured in not one, but three treasuries this week. Thank you ladies!!

BRIDAL PORTFOLIO - GLADYS

2010-07-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

I received some professional pictures from my beautiful bridal customer Gladys! Doesn't she look lovely?

Gladys wanted an ivory pearl and rhinestone bracelet and earrings set for her romantic gown. She also requested the set to be made using gold metal. I made her jewelry using Freshwater pearls, Cubic Zirconia components and gold filled and gold plated parts.

I had a great time interacting with the bride and making this jewelry! I hope that you like them too! A million thanks to the generous bride for sending me these pictures! Thank you Gladys!

Please check out my other Bridal pictures here.

Lost At Sea, Are We - a Treasury on Etsy by Polestar

2010-07-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to find the Mystic Silver Tanzanite Blue Quartz Gemstone from my Etsy store featured in this gorgeous treasury curated by the very talented Etsy jeweler: Polestar. Please click and comment on the treasury to make it hot!

J. Beth Design - Be You, Be Free

2010-07-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

I get super excited every time a customer of mine shows me a picture of what they have created with my beads. So , when I received a message from the very talented Johannah of J. Beth Design, I had to share her creation with you!

Johannah bought these gorgeous faceted 3-D Teardrop Emerald Briolette Beads.

She made these lovely Lucky Charms earrings with those briolette.

Johannah describes that Emeralds are the birthstone for May and is said to bring good luck. She hand-shaped the hoops and added the deep rich faceted Emeralds and Thai sterling silver hammered charms.

Johannah is not only an artisan jewelry designer, but her jewelry is a little unconventional and abstract. Be you, be free amongst the wonderful collection of J. Beth Design!

My Necklace from Sleepy Moon Design also arrived!!

2010-07-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

The vivacious Ngan of eNVe Designs has a regular featured artist column on her fabulous blog, where Zoe of Sleepy Moon Design was featured in June.

Zoe was giving away this Green Onyx Suspension Necklace to one lucky winner! And guess what? I won!! I just received the necklace all the way from Canada.

Zoe describes this necklace as "made with this bright green onyx gemstone roundels for a bright burst of colour. The gemstones are all in a neat little row that is suspended from a dainty sterling silver chain. I also added some green onyx accents by the clasp.

The suspension necklaces got their name because they remind me of a suspension bridge and its inherent fragility. "

You can see more suspension necklaces at Zoe's Etsy Store here.

I wore this necklace immediately after taking it out of the bubble wrap in the afternoon...and then wore it out to dinner and a movie with my DH! After all it was Saturday night! The necklace is so lightweight and totally non-fussy. I cannot wear heavy jewelry for a long time, but this is one of those all-time wear pieces.

I love how the necklace is finished with two green onyx at the back next to the clasp. This provides for a lovely look when the hair is worn up. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

The onyx is such a beautiful fresh green color that I absolutely love this necklace! Thank you so much Zoe!!

My Necklace from Kasia Blue arrived

2010-06-29T04:07:00.001-07:00

A while back, I won the Kaleidoscope of Colors Give away by Kasia Blue. I requested the necklace in Amethyst and I was thrilled to receive it earlier last week!

Kasia described it as "A delicious array of kaleidoscopic color embraces your neck with my signature Kaleidoscope Necklace. Bring a little color back in to your life.

Made from and array of gemstones in purple hues including deep purple amethyst, iolite, rainbow moonstone, ametrine and purple quartz. All on a Gold vermeil toggle that closes in the front and positioned on a beautifully textured gold vermeil chain that measures about 17 inches in length."

If you want to get this same necklace, it is available at her Etsy store.

Its a beautiful and gemmy necklace and I absolutely love it! Thank you so much Kasia!!

My purchases from Etsy seller AmberEnvelope

2010-04-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share what I received in the mail today - my Etsy purchases from a fabulous seller called AmberEnvelope. I ordered these Trinity Brass Fancy Fleur Drops, Trinity Brass Mara Connector and these Trinity Brass Fold Over Bails.

I need these charms to make silver necklaces similar to this Fall inspired leaf lariat in gold for my current Bridal customer JoAnn. A couple of gemstones and a small pretty charm attached to a delicate .925 Sterling Silver Chain to make dainty lariats.

The quality of these charms are fantastic. Unlike many charms that I received from other sellers, these charms are scratchless and brand new! They must have been stored very well. The charms were very carefully packed in clear cello pouches and bubblewrap and arrived in pristine condition. It also included a pretty hand written note. Amber was very generous to send lots of freebies! I received is Trinity Brass Floral Swag Connector, the Trinity Brass Junia Y Connector and these gorgeous Trinity Brass Leaf Charms.

Amber gave me spectacular customer service and very prompt shipping. I ordered on the 18th, Sunday and it arrived today, the 25th, also a Sunday! I am very happy to have discovered yet another fantastic seller on Etsy.

Please check out a larger collection at their website: www.calhounbead.com

***

BRIDAL PORTFOLIO - JESSICA

2010-04-24T22:50:00.002-07:00

I love receiving pictures from real brides. Its such a great feeling to see what I have lovingly created being worn by someone on their special day! So I was thrilled to receive these lovely pictures from another Bridal Customer of mine: Jessica. I made her necklace, bracelet and earrings using Swarovski pearls, rhinestone components and .925 Sterling Silver. Enjoy!

Check out my other Bridal pictures here.

Wow! I won the Kaleidoscope of Colors Giveaway by Kasia Blue

2010-04-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the Kaleidoscope of Colors Giveaway by Kasia Blue?

I am absolutely delighted to share that I won!! I choose the necklace in Purple. I still can’t believe that I won! :-)
Thank you so much Kasia!!

BRIDAL PORTFOLIO - TABATHA

2010-04-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to uploading the wedding pics that I received from my beautiful bridal customer Tabatha! Isn't she the most gorgeous of brides?

I made her bridal jewelry, jewelry for the mother for the bride and also for her bridesmaids. Her colors were chocolate and sage green. For the bridesmaids, I used white Coin pearls, a green gemstone called prehnite and a chocolate colored gemstone called smoky quartz to make necklaces and earrings for her bridesmaids. I also used a fancy sterling silver "ball and chain" chain for the necklaces.

For the bride and her lovely mom, I used Swarovski pearls as the primary component along with a hand-set rhinestone filigree part. I used pale cream pearls for the bride and pale mocha for the mother of the bride.

I had a fantastic time making this jewelry! I hope that you like them too! A million thanks to the generous bride for permission to use these pictures! Thank you Tabatha!

Giveaway by Ms Belle: Artisan Crafted Jewelry

2010-03-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

Ginger Wagner of Ms Belle: Artisan Crafted Jewelry is an incredibly talented and successful jewelry designer on Etsy. She was also featured by Etsy as a featured seller. Ginger uses the highest quality stones, beads and findings to bring you good quality, affordable elegance. Her pieces are simple, that flow and move.

The giveaway:
Ms Belle has chosen a fantastic necklace as a prize for one lucky winner!! This piece will instantly add spring to your wardrobe!

The necklace is a AAA quality, green amethyst, faceted teardrop briolette measuring 15x8mm. All metal used is 14k goldfill. The length is approx. 19 3/4 inches and it closes with a trigger clasp accented by corrugated goldfill beads. This necklace is a $58 value! Ms Belle will gladly customize the length for the winner.

Please read this for details on how to enter:
http://kateandoli.blogspot.com/2010/03/focus-onmsbelle-and-giveaway.html

20% Discount Storewide

2010-03-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

I just launched a heavy 20% discount storewide on all AAA grade gemstones and pearls! This is an incredible deal for all gemstones lovers. It would be a good occasion to stock up or to experiment with new gemstones that you generally do not purchase. Please do not miss out on this opportunity!

Check out: http://www.somsstudiosupplies.etsy.com/

GIVEAWAY: BellaLu and Me

2010-03-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

BellaLu and Me is a store I have long admired on Etsy. So when I spotted this giveaway organized by "I Do" Budget Weddings I just had to blog about this.
THE GIVEAWAY:
Laura has been so generous in giving one of my lucky readers a pair of Golden Drop Earrings, made of freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.

Laura sells her fabulous hand made jewelry on her Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaLuAndMe.

International Shipping Video

2010-03-24T01:34:00.000-07:00

Вот так разгружают багаж

This is why I pack my packets in multiple layers of bubble wrap, two envelopes *and a box!

Kaleidoscope of Colors Giveaway by Kasia Blue

2010-03-24T00:35:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out these gorgeous gemstone jewelry created by the incredibly talented Kasia of KasiaBlue? You know how I feel about gemstones...and these are AAA grade, the very finest of all!

This is a sneak peek of the new necklaces that will be available soon at http://www.kasiablue.com/

All priced at $89, your choice of color.

Kasia is inspired by Spring to work with bolder colors again, so to celebrate she has decided to give one of these lovlies away!

Please check out http://kasiablue.blogspot.com/ for details of the giveaway!

Gemstone Giveaway

2010-03-08T21:24:00.000-08:00

Melanie of Whimsical Creations has graciously organized a Giveaway contest for my Etsy store. Melanie makes these super cute polymer clay ornaments. Aren't these pretty?

The giveaway is $40.00 worth of AAA grade gemstones and or pearls from my Etsy store: Som's Studio Supplies. In addition the winner will receive free world wide shipping worth $10.00 or $15.00 depending on location.

My current inventory is full of top-notch gemstones from the famed gem city of Jaipur. I am also offering a discount of 15% storewide, so that people who do not win the giveaway, do not lose out either.

Please visit Melanie's blog on details of how to enter your name for this giveaway. Free gemstones, free shipping...what's there to lose, right? :)

Under the Stars Earring Kit - Won from Vintaj.com

2010-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

Vintaj is a natural brass company that makes beautiful findings and filigrees. I have used Vintaj brass components in my jewelry especially for some of my Custom Bridal jewelry. The Tree of Life charm in this bracelet for example, is made by Vintaj. Cute isn't it?

A while back, I received an e-mail from Vintaj.com. A customer of mine had entered one of her handmade necklaces on a contest and had asked me to vote for her, which I gladly did. I had also commented on their blog. Vintaj has a Daily Giveaway on their Blog, and I was chosen as a winner!! I won this Under the Stars Earring Kit. Isn't it pretty? There are slender brass filigree components along with two blood red faceted glass briolettes. I love that rich dark red color! The kit comes complete with small strips of brass wire. All I need to do now is just attach the component to each other and make a pair of earrings. Now is that simple or what?

The kit arrived very quickly keeping in mind that it travelled across the globe from USA to India. I was also impressed that they used USPS priority Mail International, and that I was asked to sign for the package. As a seller, I appreciate when someone goes that extra mile to make sure that the item reaches the destination. And safely.

I am thrilled to bits because I do not win anything. Ever. Well, now that bit of statistics has changed. Thank you so much Vintaj!

Trip to Jaipur and Re-opening of my Gemstone Store on Etsy

2010-02-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

I know I have been MIA for a while, but all for a good reason. I reopened my Gemstone store! Its been very hectic over the last couple of months, first with a business trip to the famed gem city of Jaipur and then getting the pictures and inventory done.

The trip to Jaipur was extremely successful. I stayed at a hotel called Naila Bagh Palace. The Palace is centrally located in Jaipur on Mooti Dongri Road and very close to Johri Bazar, my main scouting grounds. This palace home of the ex prime minister of Jaipur (Thakur Fateh Singh ji) and has now been converted to a heritage house. The hotel is a large rambling property, with rooms build around a central courtyard that also houses the breathtaking pool. The main hall had a thousand lights dazzling in crystal chandeliers while vintage portraits of Maharajahs and Maharanis grazed the walls and ornate furniture. Musicians performed live at every meal, followed us everywhere we went at the hotel. Little children danced to the traditional Rajathani folk music with heavy anklets and traditional red badhni dhoti and turban. My suite was a really really large spacious bedroom with two walk-in closets and a huge bathroom with marble floor and chrome Kohler fittings. Stained glass windows added multi-colored light on the walls during the day and colorful chandeliers twinkled in the night. The room was magical and I felt like a queen staying at Naila Bagh Palace.

Day 1 and 2 were sheer disappointments, business-wise. Wholesalers and suppliers quoted abnormall prices even for less expensive gemstones like Agates. I guess it had something to do with my American-accented English, and less than traditional clothes. I was depressed.

I finally discovered a wholesaler on Day 3, who gave me resonable rates on all gemstones. I bought the most fantastic AAA grade gemstones from him and my inventory of Rubies, Emeralds and Sapphires from his brother, at the shop across. He also referred me to the most amazing Pearl merchant, perks of 'belonging' to the traders community, I was finally 'in'!

I was quite apprehensive of the male dominated gem industry of Jaipur. The gemstone business area had *no* women to be seen. Period. I took my husband everywhere as my escort. (He is tall, has muscular arms and a mustasche. He can look pretty fierce when he scrowls. But in reality he wont harm a fly...but only I know that. haha.) However, I was surprised at the respect and attention I received everywhere. Maybe it was my professional behavior, my 'fierce' escort or simply the fact that business is business. After all, these men have been doing business for generations!

Thanks to the wonderful trip I was able to reopen my gemstone store on Etsy from a new country. Maybe my move from USA to India was worthwhile after all. Just one drawback of the trip, no sightseeing, no pictures of Jaipur or of the colorful bazars. There was simply no time!

These are some of the pictures of the gemstones that I got from Jaipur. Enjoy!

Photo Credits for Naila Bagh Palace:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g304555-d787236-Reviews-Naila_Bagh_Palace-Jaipur_Rajasthan.html

Ustad Zakir Hussain, Live in Fusion Concert - Hyderabad!

2010-01-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

I had the greatest pleasure of listening to one of the most brilliant tabla maestros of contemporary times – Ustad Zakir Hussain. A sheer genius of classical tabla, his performance on the night of 16th was no exception to his extensive repertoire. The beautiful Hyderabad International Convention Center set stage for the grand evening.

I grabbed this opportunity to deck up in the finery of my Indian attire, a contrast to my usual jeans-Tshirt routine.

The evening opened on the robust notes of Taufiq Qureshi, an ace percussionist and younger brother of Ustad Zakir Hussain. Sabir Khan’s melodious compositions on the sarangi came as a beautiful and serene contrast to Qureshi’s head-banging vigor on the drum-set. Khan’s strings brought tranquility to the soul like the moist drops of rain bringing relief to the parched lips of the earth after a dust storm. Ustad Zakir Hussain joined in gently on the tablas and transitioned the evening to bolder beats. He flitted from one composition to another, his fingers sometimes delicate and whimsical, sometimes forceful and passionate.

The next segment of the evening belonged to Niladri Kumar on the sitar. Kumar’s remarkable dexterity of swift, agile fingers fluttered smoothly between Indian Classical Music compositions and World Music pieces, like Beethovan’s Für Elise to my delight. Kumar mesmerized the audience by deftly creating fusion compositions of western pieces intertwined with more traditional ones. For some odd reason, I was instantly reminded of George Harrison playing the sitar in the famed Beatles’ number “Norwegian Woods”.

I watched as if in a trance, as the evening progressed to the final segment where all four great musicians performed together. The four great weavers sat on the loom of music, weaving Indian, sometimes western melodies, a touch of percussion here, a pull of the strings there....the resultant cloth of fusion music was so colorful, so resplendent that it left me with a deep yearning for more, when the evening was finally brought to an end.

My heart resonated with the soulful music long after the show was over.......an evening to remember for a long long time.

Hoobastank - The Reason

2009-05-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

Technically, this is has a gemstone involved, so I think it is okay that I post this on my blog ;-)

Treasury!

2009-05-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to find out that my Magnolia Flower pin was featured today in this gorgeous treasury curated by the very talented Etsy jeweler:jaC Jewelry. Please click and comment on the treasury to make it hot!

New Improved Banners

2009-05-13T23:31:00.000-07:00

I have to share my new and Improved Banners for my two stores. Took me a while to get these right on MS Publisher, but eventually I got one that I liked.

Here for my Jewelry store:

And this is for my Supplies Store:

And the Phoenix Rises from her Ashes

2009-05-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

I had put my jewelry store on hold for a while while focusing on my gemstones store. Wow, managing two stores on Etsy is quite a challenge, I absolutely detest switching between my two profiles. I wish there was a single profile to access both shops. Maybe I should jot that down under the Ideas section on the Etsy fora.

I have had quite a bit of success of late under the Alchemy section with some 24 odd Bridal orders so far this season. I offer high quality Boutique style bridal jewelry minus the sky-high prices. Running my own Supplies store helps, because I get purchase the materials on a wholesale basis and in turn pass on those savings to the customer. I remember studying Pricing as one of the four Ps of the marketing mix during my MBA days. In today's economic condition, it has become the primary distinguishing factor for many bridal customers. Young brides-to-be look for balance between good quality and low prices. I am lucky to have found many such customers who entrusted me with jewelry for their special day.

So, I re-vamped my erstwhile jewelry store into a Bridal Boutique geared towards offering exceptionally high quality products at a wholesale price.

I have been experimenting with a lot of rhinestone components too. I think rhinestones add glamor to even the simplest of pieces. Just a touch here...an accent there can transform and update the look dramatically.

My absolute favorite are these stunningly beautiful and exceptionally sparkly Crystal rhinestone component that is securely wire-wrapped to a long silver hair pin. This particular flower has a stacked look with two layers of smaller rhinestones embellished with a large center stone. This flower pin will add sparkle to any hair style, and add glamor to any hair color.

Bridal Customer Raves on TheKnot.com!

2009-05-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

I created a set of 6 Bridesmaid's necklace and earrings and one more set for the maid of Honor for bridal client of mine. She was exceptionally knowledgeable about the products and had a clear sense of design. When the client knows exactly what she wants, it is essentially all down-hill from there. :)

The design incorporated Swarovski crystal flat briolettes in Crystal AB color along with Black (Jet) and Crystal AB bicone crystals. The designs were given to me by my customer. I just applied those ideas to metal and crystals.

These are the final jewelry pieces.

Imagine my utter delight when I found out that she has raved about my jewelry on the message board of TheKnot.com! Wow! What an honor! This just made my day!!

Whoo!!

Peridot Necklaces

2009-05-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite color combination is Peridot Green with pale pink. So imagine my delight when Felicia approached me with a request to pair Peridot gemstones with Pale Pink Swarovski crystals along with a genuine freshwater pearl. She needed 6 sets for her Bridesmaids and was looking for a simple drop necklace. This is final result and looks so-pretty!!

Hale Shower Necklace by Anthropologie

2009-05-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished a necklace inspired by the Hale Shower Necklace by Anthropologie. My client needed a necklace similar to the original in a turquoise-y color. This is the final result using Swarovski Crystals and Gold Filled components.

Rush Bridal order and my very first Rhinestone Brooch

2009-05-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

A bride's rush requirement of a Hair pin turned into my first attempt of this rhinestone brooch. I was so delighted to find that this item was also featured on the "Recent custom creations" strip on Alchemy.

I would like to explore these rhinestone components further over the weekend. Lets see where that leads me :)

Charm Bracelets for Bridesmaids

2009-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Charm bracelets are a fun way of instantly personalizing a piece of jewelry. Kim's bridesmaids all have different personalities and different aspects of interacting with her. I was given a detail of the hobbies of each person and then used charms suited to each individual.

The vision was to create a mixed-metal feel, sterling silver with brass charms, in addition of genuine Carnelian gemstones and pearls. Vintage inspired flowers and leaves added a shot of color, and accented the bracelet.

The individual charms came from all over the world. The feather came from France! Yes, ETSY is a Global Market. It is marvelous to tap to the resources available online!