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 These fun and easy earrings are made of Swarovski chatons, they are crystals with the traditional style cut of a diamond and come in a range of sizes. I used the very popular 39SS, which is just over a 8mm and set them in a setting made from Rullas and seed beads. I also used a larger stone, a 55SS and a 60SS. I also included instructions for connecting them to give you multiple design options! Try them out today, they only take about an hour or less if your more experianced!
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    As I posted a couple weeks ago, my fave bracelet "Bubbling Over Pinks" was entered into Fire Mountain Gems Seed Bead Contest and I was waiting to hear the results! Well, I won! Not only was I a finalist I exceeded my expectations and won a Gold Metal! I am so thrilled and honored and I can't wait to get started on another piece or maybe I should send them my Cellini Spiral for the next contest. Fire Mountain also had my bracelet photographed by a professional photographer and may be used in their catalog or even in their national advertising! That would floor me!
 I have entered my "Bubbling Over Pinks" peyote bracelet in Fire Mountain and Gems.com contest! I was selected and have had my bracelet examined and photographed by Fire Mt. I should be hearing any day now.....
I am hoping for just a finalist spot, that will get me some free advertising but if I win a medal level (Gold, Silver, Bronze) I get a gift certificate from Fire Mt and that means free beads!!!! Wish me luck! Oh that dreaded economy and this recession, they really chap my hide! I have only done one price increase in the last 3 years and I have in some cases dropped my prices on some items. I am feeling these tight economical times but I will hold off on increasing my prices as long as possible. All my suppliers are raising prices on findings and of course shipping as well. I will still hunt for those deals so I can keep my prices the same for now but I may have to raise them in the coming months, but at the most it will be $1-2 per item. These are one of a kind pieces that you will not find other places, made my hand with some items having multiple hours of labor for which I make around $3-5 an hour. I am just a regular person so I have no buying power to get a better deal on my supplies. I hope everyone will understand when the day comes for my to increase my cost. On a good note, the postal increases will not effect USA customers as I am trying my best to keep your shipping free. For my international customers I am sad to say that the price increases hurt you the most. Canada will be between $7-8 but Australia UK, France and Germany it will cost around $12-13 If your from yet another country please contact me for shipping costs.
Starting tomorrow there are a ton of new items coming, thanks for reading, liking and hanging with me, I have great fans! "Man, I love those earrings but they are too long." and "What a cute bracelet but it is too big for my little hands" are common things I hear from people. I string these all by hand, one bead at a time, I can make them any size I want, any color I want so I can make them to fit your wrist no matter the size and yes, I can make them in red, or blue or any color you like. Custom items are not a problem, just ask! I am happy to adjust, re-string or make another item from scratch to make it perfect for you. I have tons of beads in stock and most of the time can make a special one of a kind items in your fave color or just the right size for you in a matter of hours, not days, hours! Even if you request something I dont have all the items for, I have local shops or online suppliers I can get materials from in as little as same day (if local) and even only 3 days from online wholesalers. Need a special item for Mothers Day, there is still plenty of time but I can have it done and shipped in as little as 4 business days even if I have to order supplies online. Another bonus, I wont charge extra! I will price the item the same as if it was something I made leisurely one day while beading. Only thing I ask is if I have to order supplies is a 50% deposit. I have tons of items and I will change anyone of them to fit your needs or make that bracelet fit that tiny wrist of yours, just ask!
PS, I also have handmade gift boxes that I will make to match your items and add a message in a gift tag as well and ship it directly to your gift recipient all for only $1.49! What a great deal! PSS, did you know that I will exchange items, fix items and clean items for the life of that item? All you need to do is shoot me a message and I will make arrangements to clean, adjust or repair any item any time! I want you to enjoy your jewelry for years to come! Hope to hear from you soon! I have been very bad on my resolutions, one of which was to post to my blog more often. I have been very busy making new jewelry and sales are picking up not that tax returns are getting into bank accounts. I even had one of my very first(and a fave on mine) stitched bracelet sold to Norway! That was a cool treat that happened this week and makes 4 countries I have sold thing in now! I think it is safe to say I am international now.
I am totally hooked on stitching and bead weaving bracelets that I keep picking the bigger more complex patterns so they take a lot of time to put together. I have stopped myself and spent more time on the computer this week and created a whole new list of chores for myself. My hubby's work has been slow and having him home has been a big distraction. He is back full time so I am not back full time and getting set to take on all my resolutions and a few new ones. I am also going to work on a new video for the front page, putting a cart on Facebook so you can buy right from there and and I have a ton on new items for the supply store. So, computer work here I come! Stay tuned for new items in jewelry and cards for Easter too. Thanks for stopping by and see ya soon! One of my resolutions for 2012 is to update the blog at least once a week! Oh well, I am going to be a little more realistic and go with every month for sure, maybe every other week. So this being my first post for 2012 I just want to let everyone know what I have been working on.
I have been very busy sorting, pricing, photo-ing and listing a ton of jewelry supplies and beads that belonged to my Aunt. She and her gal pals beaded together for a long time. They would travel to bead shows to buy supplies like handmade glass beads direct from the artist themselves and they also participated in many craft shows selling their creations. When my Aunt and Uncle purchased their farm in the Sacramento area the traveling stopped as did her hobby of beading. With gobs of items now in storage and a niece (me) with a growing jewelry and bead supply business she sent me 5 large boxes full of all her beads, charms and findings. I was so overwhelmed and excited! I spent a ton of time organizing, listing and pricing the items and I have now reached the point where they will be listed on the supply website over the next few weeks. I say that, weeks, not because I am slow or lazy but because there are well over 200 items to list. So I will be doubling the items I currently have! I will also be celebrating with a sale as soon as all the new items are listed so stay tuned and thanks for being patient with me! I hope all your resolutions are working out for you, I am working on getting mine going, just a couple weeks late is all! I want to wish everyone a great holiday and a happy, healthy, wonderful New Year. 2012 promises to be a good year as I am building my fans and my talents. If I did not have my fans and customers, I would not be where I am. I have been blessed with enough sales that keeps me in supplies and in turn keeps me creating new items to sell. While I am not paying the mortgage (yet) with my sales they are as much life blood to me. With the sales I make I am able to continue to buy materials, even better, higher end materials and to advance my talents. This is what I love to do and it is also my therapy. Keeping my mind active and stress down is extremely important to help me manage my Lupus.
Thanks again to all the people that have become fans, friends and customers, I am truly humbled and honored, you all mean a lot to me. Here is to 2012 and building relationships, both customer and client, fans and friends. I hope everyone out there had a happy healthy Thanksgiving. I was so honored to see my Facebook fan page for Desert Star Creations hit 500 fans on Sunday, wow, it really makes me feel good and know that I am making stuff people really like and enjoy. With today being Cyber Monday I am featuring FREE shipping through Wednesday so you still have time to get some work done at your desk and pick up some great handmade unique gifts for all your one of a kind friends! It is also still early enough to request custom items and have them by Christmas. Contact me for answers to any questions, I answer emails same day and ship items within 24hrs Mon-Sat. Thanks again to all the people for making my feel great, still amazed at the 500 fans, cant wait to hit 100
I found this in a e-mail sent to me by a friend (not sure if he typed it up) that sounds like him but he is always forwarding me good ideas. I thought this was a good thought to have this gift giving season. I get my supplies from here in the states but they of course deal with China as do I when I get some of my supplies from Ebay, they are coming from China as well. As a crafter I wish I could buy all my materials that were made right here in the USA but I also think it is possible to limit how much you purchase and find that perfect gift made here and even better, made by hand. Think of this as you go spend your hard earned money this year.
"Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition" As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy? Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. "I’m in! What a great Idea!" |
LauraCheck in here to see if I am able to articulate my thoughts and my creative process. For more info on me, click the INFO tab at the top. Thanks! Archives
January 2020
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