Blogging for jewelers and metalsmiths made easy! (and for those interested in jewelry and gemstones)

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The complete prize package, item photos and detailed descriptions will be announced on the Esmarts Blog shortly.

Our contest begins November 14th so check the Esmarts Blog for the full list of Sponsor Shops.

Sponsor Shop banners will be displayed at the top of the Esmarts blog (both left and right sidebar).

Simply click the banners to visit each of our Sponsor Shops.

How to Play:

Check the Esmarts blog for contest details and a list of participating eSMArts Sponsor Shops.

• Visit each participating shop to find images of our santa.
• Make note of the url where you find our santa pictured!
• HINT: santa images are not embedded yet. They won’t be online until the contest start date of November 14, 2009.

Here’s how to complete each entry:

1. find 3 Santa images that you haven’t previously submitted.
2. Email the urls along with your name & address to esmartspromos [at] yahoo.ca to be entered.
   
3. Find new/unsubmitted Santa image urls and enter as many times as you like!
4. Entries will be validated to ensure that contestants are submitting fresh Santa spottings.
5. Remember that 3 new Santa image urls equals ONE additional contest entry.

• Contest runs November 14-28, 2009 (close is November 28/09 at midnight eastern).
• Drawing takes place November 29th
• Winner will be announced here November 30th
• Prize package ships December 1st, 2009.

check back for hunting hints and tips!
and Happy Hunting

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Thank you Mary Anne!!

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What items of interest spark your desire to collect and create jewelry?

I am an eclectic Aquarian…. let’s start right there!  I love the “odd and unusual”, but take comfort in the “tried and true”. My collection of jewelry and gemstones began with the former. As a little girl, I can recall having a shoebox at my Nana’s house that accommodated all my "treasures". A wonderful golden topaz stone is an item that stands out in my memory. Of course it was a rhinestone, but to me it was a thing of wonder. How it sparkled in the sunlight. I never did outgrow the amazement derived from the glitter of light through a faceted gem that breaks into a wonderful rainbow across the room! I now have a studio instead of a shoebox that houses all my treasures, including those that I create.

Items from Ireland and religious symbols resonate with me due to my heritage. My great grandmother hailed from Ireland. I grew up directly across the street from the Catholic Church I attended as a child, St. James, so all those things play into my “tried and true” category.  One of my favorite items to make is a Keepsake Rosary. I love the link this makes between family and religion. Birthstone colors from all family members are employed in creating this one of a kind family heirloom piece. I take custom orders for these on my website, at Etsy and on ArtFire.  The Irish in me loves Celtic knots, Trees of life, spirals and weaves, in addition to chainmaille- again, all can be found on my website, at Etsy and on ArtFire.

As of late, my focus is on that of mixed metals. I have begun fashioning my own copper pieces using different hammers for textures, letter stamping, hole punching and lots of filing. I have incorporated patinas using liver of sulfur giving the pieces an old or antique feel to them. Speaking of antique I do collect and sell vintage rhinestone and costume jewelry. You can find those here at Bonanzle.

As with any of my designs, gemstones are an integral part. A sprinkle here and there, while others have a bold focal piece. So many gemstones…..so little time!

Join me at BellaOnline to discuss your take on my question:

What items of interest spark your desire to collect and create jewelry??

Coming soon!!!

Keep up to date on this event at our team blog!

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eSMArts is spreading the love with a bundle of unique, handmade delights to warm your

holiday! One lucky winner will receive a bagful of hand made
artisan items donated by members of eSMArts Team~!

For details visit:
http://www.esmarts.blogspot.com/

and join in the fun~!

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Thank you to my dear friend Anna Lee for these wonderful iolite gemstones that look amazing wrapped in silver. The color blue is very much like periwinkle with flashes of violet. They sparkle and shine thanks to the exceptional faceting.

Ancient mariners used iolite as a compass to guide their way to sea. They noted that it would show different hues of blue-violet when held to the northern and southern skies. Ancients believed that it could unlock creativity in an artist.

Iolite clears the third eye chakra. It is a stone of vision and creative expression. Iolite is especially compatible with amethyst and lapis.

This is my first attempt with beading the ladder stitch. I’ve chosen a lovely purple glass pearl along with a traditional white glass pearl and Aurora Borealis or “AB” Swarovski crystal bicones. The AB coating is iridescent, & gives a pale rainbow effect with blue and pink highlights. The colors work wonderfully together.

These new pieces will be added to Etsy and ArtFire in the very near future!

Here is the newest addition to my Bonanzle store. I really love this piece and have worn it as a pendant. It almost could be a flower or a snowflake…. just a wonderful brooch.

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I have been following the story from Staffordshire very closely as it is completely fascinating! One of the largest caches of gold, silver and gemstone treasures is in the process of being unearthed

For Terry Herbert, the unemployed metal-detecting enthusiast who made the discovery on July 5 while scouring a friend’s farm in the western region of Staffordshire, it was “more fun than winning the lottery.”
IBN LIVE

From the Birmingham museum, the Staffordshire treasure, much of it still encrusted with dirt will go to the British Museum in London, where the artifacts will undergo months, possibly years, of study by archaeologists and historians. A court ruling this week declared the finds to be treasure, meaning that they belong to the British crown, which is expected to offer them for sale.
NY TIMES

Take a look here at the Flicker photos(click the photo above)…… some pieces are still covered with dirt! Amazing!!

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My aunt’s and uncle came to visit for a small Labor Day party for my Dad. His brother and three sisters spent the afternoon in the yard just exchanging banter and re-living their childhood. I had invited my Aunt’s to bring with them any jewelry they wanted to share with us (mom and I) any “treasures they might have tucked away”. It was such fun to listen to the tales and enjoy the food!! My Aunt Claire presented us with this Wedgwood Demi….I was floored! I had never seen a Wedgwood set before!! I was so excited!!

We enjoyed the food and conversation and when the men departed to to look at and talk boat motors that was our time to break out the goods!!

My Aunt Lucille brought this…. it belonged to my Memere, her mother. I don’t know who made it for her, but it was constructed of safety pins, pearls and beads!!! Nothing like I had seen before!! We were all intrigued!! 

My aunt’s gave me this piece among many others (more than I could have hoped for!!) to add to my ever growing collection. This weekend  was a special time, my dad was feeling good and his family was all around. A big thank you to my wonderful husband, Fred, for all the cooking and on-going support!!

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Sold this today!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18808353

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