firefly jewelry: March 2011

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Guess what I am giving away at the 2011 Ultimate Blog Party? This little pretty, one of my customer favorites.

The I love you to the moon and back hand stamped necklace with custom personalized name disc.

Product detail:

The I love you to the moon and back necklace has a 7/8th of an inch sterling silver, 925 disc that has been hand stamped with the words, i love you to the moon and back, and also includes a 5/8th inch custom sterling silver name tag, that can fit up to 6 or 7 letters. The discs hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain and is adorned with a beautiful freshwater pearl that has a fancy tip finish.

Head on over HERE to enter for a chance to win. {See below for special offer}

*****Special offer for blog friends: FREE SHIPPING enter code UPB11 at check out and click below on the image to head to my shop. Happy Shopping******

La Dolce Vita

Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Sharon Massey Jewelry

Since when does someone use rust as

part of their jewelry design?

Metalsmith Sharon Massey has decided that

rust is a necessary component of her vision.

She creates jewelry that celebrates the old,

the worn, the layers of history that

reside in her surroundings.

Rust fits perfectly into this vision.

It reflects the idea that things gain more

personality and character as they age.

Her work is made primarily of non-precious

materials - things like iron wire and

cotton muslin. The structures of her pieces

are based on ornamental patterns

of ironwork as found in bridges, buildings

and other symbols of industrial life.

It's softened with cloth that is manually

inserted into the metal, and

then to celebrate the discolorations

and the flaws inherent in all things,

this artist uses self-initiated rust.

It's a vision that she defines

simply and eloquently on her site:

My work is a response to things I find beautiful. . . I am drawn to rusted steel, peeling paint, and faded fabric—images in a state of decay that suggest layers of history and personal stories. Living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a rich source of inspiration for my work. The history of the steel industry in Pittsburgh is evident throughout the city, which is why steel and iron are the primary materials in my work. I appropriate the ironwork designs that I see everyday, and I allow my pieces to rust, hoping to give them the aged quality that is so attractive to me. . . I’m not interested in merely recreating these things—that would be easier with a camera. I’m trying to capture the essence of the beauty of Pittsburgh, make it tangible, and share it through jewelry.

The more we ponder her ideas, the more we

appreciate her work.

This bracelet is a perfect example of her

use of iron wire, white cotton muslin and rust,

with the techniques she

uses to create her pieces.

We especially admire that while it

looks as though it would be heavy

and dense, in reality it's lightweight -

as are all of her pieces.

These Pink Cuffs are made with

similar materials. We like their daintiness

and subtle colors.

This necklace is called, My Version of a Pearl Necklace

and it includes pearls, silk, and gold.

Here we see a brooch that features the

concave side of her pieces - and it's

equally intriguing. Entitled Cameo Brooch

it also uses iron wire, cotton muslin, rust,

silver and gold.

We appreciate and admire

jewelry that features unusual materials

used in unconventional ways to express

a point of view.

We find it to be inspiring.

Enjoy!

You Capture: Vibrance

Will asked me to make a Star Wars Battle droid last week and tape it to the doorway and minutes later he came out in costume dressed as Annakin Skywalker ready to do battle. Let's just say the droid lost. To be 5 again!

Photobucket

5 minute Easter Wreath

This is so simple a child could do it, and sometimes projects need to be that easy. All you need is a grapevine wreath, plastic eggs {I picked up some speckled ones from Michael's} and a hot glue gun. All you do is randomly hot glue the eggs to the wreath and that is it. Could it be any easier? I saw a similar wreath for over $20 at Pier One and I made this one for under $5 since I recycled a wreath I had and used a 40% off coupon for the eggs.

Happy Crafting!

Nirit Dekel Jewelry

Flameworked glass is amazing.

The process of sculpting glass by twirling and

melting slender rods of glass by hand over

an open flame has produced some of the most
exquisite pieces of jewelry we've ever seen.
We specially love designs featuring intricate details
that look as if they are painted on the glass.

A glass artist we admire is Nirit Dekel.
Using an extensive color palette,
her designs range from intense to delicate.

Here are a few examples

of work that Nirit creates.

We love the intense icy blues

in these pieces.

Metallic embellishments on these beads
provide a lovely sparkle.

This necklace makes us feel like we've just

ransacked grandma's jewelry box.

All these ruffles are so dainty and sweet.

We love the contrast these

transparent beads bring to this piece.

Luscious colors and elaborate swirls

produce jewelry with grace and charm.
The artist creates a lovely vase-shaped bead
that adds additional pizzazz to her designs.

This artist creates richly textured

work with intriguing details,

and each piece is prettier than the last.

It's exactly what

we love - intricate, vivid
and eye catching.

Enjoy!

Love, Peace, Flip Flops Hand Stamped Necklace

Maybe if I post this necklace it will bring some warmer weather to Michigan. It has been so cold here.

The Peace, Love, Flip Flops necklace is a 7/8th inch sterling silver disc that has been hand stamped in script font. The necklace also includes an adorable sterling silver flip flop charm, both charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain. If you would like to upgrade to a sterling silver snake chain it is an additional $4, please just leave a note at checkout and you will receive a invoice via pay pal.

Happy Monday friends!

Childhood toy you had to have...

When I was a kid my Mom had to basically camp out at Toys R Us to get me a Cabbage Patch Doll. I had one just like the above picture. I saw on the news that they are being released this summer again.

What was that one childhood toy that you had to have and did you get it?

P.S. One toy I never got was Barbie high heels.... my Mom said they were too dangerous maybe this is why I like shoes so much.

Mary Donald Jewelry

Every so often an artist's writing

and their work mesh seamlessly to provide

a clear picture of who they are

in relation to their work.

Mary Donald is such an artist.

That's how I felt while
meandering through her website.
Viewing her images - and seeing

her point of view ever more clearly,

it was rather interesting to observe
the progression of her work over the
course of more than a decade.

She uses a broad range of non-traditional
materials from wood and paper to
rubber and plastics. And while re-use has
become popular, it's the uncommon use
of common (and rather mundane)
materials that inspires us.

Her thoughts are described

in part as follows:

. . . I collect a variety of materials and even detritus plus remnants and miscellany from natural and other resources, carrying it back to the studio where it’s examined and then used to create body adornment, objects and sculpture. It’s hard to say sometimes, exactly, what this work is all about. It’s about so many things and nothing at all; I’ve come to think of it as a meditation on aesthetics, with a particular regard for the natural world. . . I've discovered a kind of poetry in every day materials, images and objects that often seems absent in traditional jewelery. The subversive act of rescuing materials destined for the dumpster motivates me further . . . it satisfies a curiosity regarding the material world, a penchant for experimentation that sustains my creative impulse and a sensitivity to the natural world.

Our favorite pieces

revolve around her use

of rubber and plastic that
were destined to be trash.

Let's take a look at the pieces that

cause our most intense reactions.

Here is a gorgeous bracelet made
using mixed plastics with oxidized silver.
It looks so light and airy.

This lovely brooch is also made with mixed plastics.
It has a sophisticated flair.

These organic cuffs are made with rubber, nylon and

nylon-coated steel cable.

And here is an intriguing
bracelet made from discarded rubber.

We find Mary's work to be inspiring, creative and imaginative.

Let us know what you think.

You Capture: Youth

Youth: This is what it is all about isn't it? Nothing but fun happening here.

Photobucket

The Edible Easter Garden from Wonka Yummy Good!

If you are looking for some fun and yummy treats for those Easter Baskets you have to check out the yummy treats from Wonka. Not only is the packaging fun but what is in side is yummy too. I happen to love gummy candies but also love the Wonka Exceptionals Scrumdiddlyumptious Chocolate eggs. You can find these yummy finds at most Walmarts and CVS stores but I saw some at Kroger too just today.

Wonka's Springy Double Yummy Gummies are just that yummy! They are available in orange, lemon and strawberry flavors. They are in adorable spring shapes and have a fruit and soft mallow flavor. These would be so cute in any Easter Basket.

Just-Picked Wonka SweeTARTS Candy Carrots. The packaging is so cute they are sweet and tart and wrapped to look just like a carrot.

Wonka Exceptionals Scrumdiddlyrumptious Chocolate Eggs are a creamy milk chocolate with toffee, crispy cookie and crunchy peanuts.... they really are Scrumdiddlyumptious and my personal favorite. Also available are the Chocolate Waterfall Eggs which are a combo of milk and white chocolate.

So go ahead and fill up those baskets with some yummy, fun treats!

And the winner is...

The winner of the giveaway from my shop is Jasey of Crazy Daisy and Jasey said she would like to win the Blessed Mama necklace. Congratulations Jasey! Thank you to everyone who entered!

La Dolce Vita

Least favorite subject in school

The other day I was thinking about my least favorite subject in school and it definitely was woodshop and metalshop, both classes I go C's. Oh how I dreaded those classes but they were required. But the funny thing is now I make jewelry for a living and spend a lot of time working with metal and tools.

What was your least favorite subject in school?

You Capture: Emotions In Black and White

When Will bowls after he throws the ball he gets so excited and does a lot of jumping and dancing. I guess you could say he likes to bowl. Do you like to bowl? After a few throws I get really bored.

Photobucket

Metalsmith Workshop

Who wants to wear a cheap knockoff of Di's engagement ring? Make your very own creation - totally unique!

15 hours Instruction and hands on learning working in silver, copper and brass.
Learn Basic Metal and Stone Setting Techniques then go home with a pendant and a couple of rings you will be proud to wear!
All supplies included in course fee - $250

Saturday March 19 and Sunday March 20 from 9 - 5pm
at R and B Expressions 183 King Street East Gananoque 613-382-4111
or email randbexpressions@bell.net
Hurry, only a couple of spots left!

Suzan Rezac Jewelry

Some artists are renowned for their
meticulous, detail-oriented work.
Suzan Rezac is one of these artists.
She is best known for her
metal inlay work but all
of her various collections of jewelry
exhibit the highest standards of detail,
precision and quality.

Her metal inlay work features a
smorgasbord of metals and alloys,
and each contributes its own
beauty and charm to the whole.
Her jewelry can feature silver,
various carats of gold to achieve
multiple nuances of color,
bronze, brass, copper, and
alloys such as shakudo which is
comprised of roughly
4% gold and 96% copper,
and shibuichi which is usually
comprised of
25% silver and 75% copper.
These alloys are easily patinated
to allow for an increased range of
color and effect.

All of these metals are combined by the
artist and her pieces are often
comprised of several hundred
individual pieces of inlay.
The sheer amount of labor
is astounding.
The results are fantastic.

Her "Wreath" necklace is an excellent example
of the variety of metals that are inlaid.
It features shibuichi,
18K red, yellow and green gold,
shakudo, copper, brass, and bronze.

Her "Hibiscus" pendant/brooch features silver,

shakudo, shibuichi, and 18K gold.

This necklace entitled "Seafloor" is another
of our favorites. It features
shakudo, 18K gold, shibuichi, and silver.

This work is even more amazing when one
considers that each design has to be
created twice - once to create the
negative spaces and once again
to fill those spaces with individual
pieces of inlay.

It's a mind-bogglingly laborious
endeavor and lovely beyond measure.

We're inspired!

All about Luck

With St Patrick's Day in just a few days I wanted to share a few of my Lucky pieces. You can find them all HERE. I don't have a drop of Irish in me but still love celebrating!

The Lucky Necklace. A hand stamped 3/4 inch sterling silver disc adorned with a green crystal and sterling silver shamrock charm .

The Lucky Mom necklace, two 5/8th inch sterling discs hand stamped in lowercase font, adorned with a swarovski crystal with your child's birthmonth.

The Lucky Mom with name tag necklace. A 5/8th inch sterling disc and a rectangle sterling tag, adorned with a freshwater pearl or birthstone.

Favorite Children's Book

In honor of National Reading Month this weeks question centers around reading!

Q. What was one of your favorite childhood books?

A. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

You Capture: Body Parts

Hands and Feet. The little hands that spend countless hours playing and building and the little feet that are oh so cute even though they are getting bigger and bigger.

Photobucket

Kristen's Custom Creations Giveaway!

Kristen's Custom Creations
Specializing in custom hand stamped jewelry

I don't know about you but I can hardly wait for Spring to arrive so let's do something fun and give a necklace away from my shop! One lucky winner will be selected!

To Enter:

Leave a comment and tell me which of the below is your favorite and if you are the lucky winner you will win that necklace!

Extra Entries: {leave a separate comment for each extra entry}

Become a Facebook Fan 1 extra entry. Also leave a status update make it 3 extra entries

Tweet about this giveaway 1 entra entry (can be done daily)

Follow my blog 1 extra entry

The Live Laugh Love necklace, a sterling silver disc that has been hand stamped in lowercase fancy font all components sterling silver.

With God All Things Are Possible necklace, a larger sterling silver disc stamped in upper and lowercase font adorned with a beautiful sterling silver cross charm.

I know I am a Blessed Mama are you? The Blessed Mama necklace is a double stacked piece that has the sweetest bird and is adorned with a beautiful robin egg blue crystal.

Who holds the key to your heart? The Key to my heart necklace has a antique scroll key and can be personalized with names of your choice.

Live life to the fullest and fly free. The Fly Free necklace is hand stamped in lowercase font and has an adorable birdcage stamped.

Special Offer: Please enjoy FREE Domestic SHIPPING by entering code FREESHIP14 offer valid until March 18th 2011. (not valid on prior purchases)

La Dolce Vita

Fine print: Winner will be randomly selected and once notified will have 48hrs to respond. Please leave a valid email address when entering. Contest will close on March 18th at 11:59pm. Good Luck!