My Addictions...Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti: 2013-09-15

Friday, September 20, 2013

I think it is time for a giveaway!

Last week, I posted that I would be having a fundraiser, of sorts, to both raise funds and garner attention for Miracle Horse Rescue (MHR). (You can read that post here) To date, I have sold over 25 pieces of jewelry! Many of my "online friends" have been kind enough to share my many posts to Facebook - THANK YOU! And, many of the jewelry purchases have been from fellow jewelry designers - I am so humbled and grateful for your purchases!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! Funds have already been sent to MHR....but I want to send more!

I also mentioned that there would be Giveaway's...so here is the first one!

Information about Miracle Horse Rescue

MHR is a federally-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization which is dedicated to the preservation and welfare of abused, neglected, and unwanted domesticated horses of all types and conditions. Some of the stories they have shared are simply heartbreaking. As MHR is a very small organization - run by only 2 people who have literally dedicated their entire lives to helping these horses- I want to help as much as I can. For more information, please view their FaceBook page.

My Fundraising Activities

So, from September 13, 2013 through October 31, 2013, I will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my Etsy shop to MHR. To further entice you to start your Holiday shopping or buy something for yourself, I am offering huge discounts! My sale prices will be already be reflected for each item. Here is the low down I am offering:

9/13/2013 - 9/20/2013 - SAVE 30%

9/21/2013 - 9/27/2013 - SAVE 25%

9/28/2013 - 10/11/2013 - SAVE 20%

10/12/2013 - 10/18/2013 - SAVE 15%

10/19/2013 - 10/31/2013 - SAVE 10%

Again - 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this wonderful organization! Please help me to help these gorgeous furbabies!

The Goods

Mary Jane Dodd posted an awesome tutorial on the Love My Art Jewelry Blog for making hoops without solder. I tried it...and I LOVE IT! These are the earrings I will be giving away:

click on the picture for a larger view!

These earrings are made from sterling silver wire, Argentium sterling silver ear wires, and a lovely pair of lampwork beads from one of my favorite lampwork artists - Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads.The earrings measure 1 7/8" from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the earring.

How to Enter

1. Leave a comment on this blog post - equals 1 entry

2. Post a link to this blogpost on Facebook - equals 1 entry

3. Go to my shop on Etsy Shop (link here and PIN an item to your Pinterest Board - equals 1 entry

For each task above, you must leave a separate comment on my blog to let me know! I will choose a winner via Random Organizer sometime on Sunday. Lastly, make sure your contact email is "turned on" or leave me your email address so that I can contact the winner!

My whole reason for this giveaway and my measly attempt at fundraising is to spread the word about this wonderful organization!

More giveaway's to follow! (I'm thinking bracelet for the next one....)

Thank you so much for stopping by today - Enjoy the Weekend!

Patti

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Creating with Cabochons

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting yet another creative challenge - Creating with Cabochons. Any medium.

I have admired the fantastic bead weaving techniques of so many talented designers. Sally was most kind and provided several video tutorials on bezel setting a cabochon...with my arch enemy...seed beads. I have not finished this technique yet, as it apparently requires one to have excellent vision, which even with bifocals, magnifying glasses, and 4 ott-lights pointed directly at my work...do not. However, after several broken needles, lots of choice words, and breaks between each seed bead row, here is where I stand so far:

I WILL finish this and post a pic when ~~hell freezes over~~ that day comes.

I did manage to complete a few more cabochons, using some silver sheet. This cab is a beautiful Peacock Mine Turquoise.

The next cabochon is a Labradorite - small, but beautiful colors in this stone.

A couple of months ago, I purchased some heavy, 8 gauge silver to make bracelet bangles. I had a couple of inches left over - not enough for a bracelet - and played around, added a couple of tiny Lapis Lazuli cabochons, and make the funkiest ring...I have ever had on my hand!

This was probably the hardest project (not including the beaded bezel of course)! 8 gauge silver, wrapped around a ring mandrel, requires annealing after each bang of the hammer!

(Note to self - apply hand lotion and get a manicure before you use the macro setting while taking a picture of your own hand..ugh).

My last project is my favorite. I purchased a most lovely set of lampwork beads and coordinating lampwork cabochon from Sheila Davis (Stone Designs by Shiela on Etsy). The bicone lampwork beads are quite large...and oh so pretty!