Why Adorn Mother on Mother's Day

The Origin of Mother's Day goes back to the era of ancient Greek and Romans. There are strong ties to the pioneers such as 1872 activisit Julia Ward Howard who wrote a famous Civil War song, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in protest to the killing of so many sons who fought in battle.


Julia Ward

Then there was Anna Jarvis the Founder of Mothers Day in U.S. In 1911 she was so distraught at the negligent attitude that so many young adults held towards their parents and fought for a resolution to have the second Sunday in May to be celebrated as Mother's Day.

Anna Jarvis

In the UK "Mothering Sunday" was celebrated much before the U.S. or Canada. Mother's Day as we now know it is not even a hundred years old. Today the festival of Mothers day is celebrated across 46 countries, many on different dates, but still celebrated!

This is one occasion that none of us can afford to miss, Mother’s Day is something everyone can relate to. People across regions, religions, castes, cultures, genders and financial status have emotions binding them to their mothers. There could not be a more universal celebration than this one. Any and every celebration is incomplete without the ritual of giving gifts. This is true for Mother’s day as well.

So Why Give Jewelry to Mom? Because it shows you cared enough to give her special thought before the day of Mother's Day. You were thinking specifically about what she might like in color, in style, in design and contrast. Women think about these things and to know you didn't run out at the last minute to buy flowers because you "had too" makes her feel special!

If you didn’t know, the Jewelry on Etsy Team, better known as the "JETS", can personally work on just about ANY item, style and color you are wanting for Mom on her special Day!

Here are some Fine Samples!

Happy Shopping!!!

This one is from Pam of cooljewelrydesign

These would look fabulous on any Mother's ears. Designed by Jill of BeadingMommy













This piece is a definate showstopper! Designed by MacKenzie of MacKSwank

Cher of DesignsbyCher has her own unique style to beautiful flower jewelry.















This bracelet is so filled with rich purple amethyst beads. Created by Pam of AbacusBeadCreations

I fell inlove with these fun and wonderful contrast of colors in these dangly earrings by Kerry of WanderingJeweler

















So it is with great respect, devotion, admiration and unending love that this Mother's Day, we honor your Mother's with beautifully created jewelry from those who also love their craft and their own Mother's!

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Created by AdroitJewelers

Summer JET Team Challenge on ETSY

Our Jewelry on ETSY team is having a Fantastic fun filled summer challenge contest of pretty little sparklies to adorn women's ankles!

That's right...Anklets!!! There is copper, sterling silver, pearls, garnets, turquoise and semi-precious gemstones in abundance to literally knock your socks off and make you want to adorn one of these gorgeous beauties around your leg. What better way to show off that $30 pedicure you just got!

Just look at one of the many wonderful entries in this contest of artisans

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We have tonnes of prizes and a gift certificate to give away, just for your vote!

This is one of several beauties that the JETs are giving away.

Is blue topaz your thing? Would you like to win this beauty by nikhajewelry?

Blue Topaz Quartz and Pearl Necklace in Sterling Silver Wire...
by nikhajewelry
$27.00 USD





Check out the JET team blog and see how easy it is to win!
jewelryonetsyteam.blogspot.com/

Good luck & Happy Voting!

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Inspiration

One day I came across this photo on Etsy that showed a picture of puppy feet. I think it sold $35 for a 8x10 print. It was really cute and I thought to myself "what a great idea". Then I sat back and thought about how many of us "artists" get our creative inspiration from our pets.

A new scientific study shows that petting your dog or cat can have a great calming effect on your mood. Scientists were able to conclude that the hormone oxytocin is released, triggering feelings of happiness, stress and depression relief, as well as an increased feeling of trust. The chemical also plays an important role in social memory and helps facilitate pair bonding, which is crucial for humans.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful English Cream Golden Retriever named Lyric. She is just over 2 years old and my very first dog. I am also blessed with two siamese brother and sister cats who let me stay in their house and sleep in their bed, Lily and Milo (Mr. Milo).

I create my jewelry pieces all over the place, not just in my studio. I sometimes sit outside on my patio or at the kitchen table, or maybe on the floor while watching my favorite show or even at the beach down at the cottage, but always, I have one or all of my pets at my side, watching everything I am doing. What they don't know, is that I am also watching them as I am so inspired by their nature.

For example,

Here Lily sat outside on this log staring at me as I was working away at a ring I was making and she kept meowing, as siamese sometimes do when they want to tell you a story. I couldn't figure out what she wanted, and she kept staring at my beads and then I realized, she wanted me to make her a necklace. I whipped one up in about 20 minutes and she meowed and nattered away at me, and as soon as I was done and put it on her, she shut up and posed perfectly for this photo and let me carry on with my ring! Inspiration!



Another example is my own Lyric's puppy feet

I mean, the long swirly feathers she has made me think to make this pendant.

Like her white swirling feathers of fur against the dark pads of her feet inspired me with the pendants cool turquoise stone to the warm metal of copper and the swirling swooshes of metal across the stone. Inspiration!














I was getting really bored with the look of some of my photo editing and thought I needed to find some more fun in the pictures other than just all plain white backgrounds. I looked outside at Lyric laying on the cool patio beside a log we use to hold open the gate on windy days. It hit me, and this was the result.

Here is my assistant

More....you got it...Inspiration!












Here is some more

A Reminder to Chill out, go jump in the lake or just kick back and play my guitar. It's not all about Jewelry making you know!!!!

All This inspiring people makes me exhausted!!!!

How Do I Make My Butterfly Wing Jewelry

Check out this JET Blog for more Details

JET, Jewelry on Etsy Team: Jet of the Day: Debra's Divine Designs

JET, Jewelry on Etsy Team: Jet of the Day: Debra's Divine Designs

Rainbow Patina with your Torch

I have had alot of people messaging me after I posted this copper bracelet on my ETSY site, http://www.etsy.com/shop/DebrasDivineDesigns

Here is the Bracelet.

I used my Bernzomatic portable self igniting propane torch.  I love this torch and found it at Home Depot for $40.  It takes a butane can to fill the torch at the bottom, like a lighter (see photo below) The refill can costs $5.  I have used my torch quite a bit and have only had to refill it twice.  The can still feels full!


With this bracelet, I decided as always to torch it to bring out the natural red patina color that comes out of the copper.  This also removes impurities and cleans up your copper really nice.   This time I took it a bit further and actually let the bracelet cool for about 5 minutes and then went back it and started to torch it more, to see if I could bring out some rainbow patinas.   This was the result!


Depending on your piece of copper, some fire with more color than others.  I found that by lightly sanding my copper piece or using a diamond file on it and then cleaning it with a baking soda wash and then NOT touching it's surface with my bare hands, that the colors are more brilliant.   Some will bring out more silver tin coloring, some will be red or blueish.    It depends I think on how "raw" your copper is.   Go here for everything you ever wanted to know about copper  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper

I find there are a few steps to doing this.   This is of course, what works for me.  You may find your own techniques that work for you.  I thought I would share them, since so many people were asking.  

Tools:

• Torch, portable or otherwise with a low flame
• Firebricks to place your objects on (call around BBQ and Fireplace Retailers)  I paid $2 a brick and bought 2
•  Ice water bath or cool water, drop of vinegar in it.
• Copper Tongues (I don't have any yet, so I use an old heat resistant plastic tongue)
• Fire Extinguiser!
• Safety Glasses

Begin Your Torching:

Step 1. Light your torch and slowly work the flame around the outside and inside of the item you are torching as not to "shock" the item.  After about 30 seconds, quickly work the flame around the item until you start to see it darken.  Let it cool on your brick for about 3-5 minutes

Step 2. Once cooler light your torch and slowly angle your torch and hit the surfaces you want to see get patina colors.  Keep in mind that once you hit it with your torch and you see the rainbow flashes appear, when you lift your torch, your piece is still mega hot and will continue to color.  Sometimes you loose the flash color that you thought you had and sometimes it grows deeper in color.  The beauty of copper is that you can just keep hitting it with the torch until you are happy

Step 3:  If you notice your piece turning silver or becoming fire-scaled, dip back into the "pickle" (cold water with a drop of white vinegar).  This will cool your piece instantly and then plop it back onto your firebrick and while wet, go ahead and touch torch to achieve your rainbow patina.  You can't make a mistake.  Copper is so forgiving and you can just re-torch if you don't like the colors.  The best part is...NO CHEMICALS are used and you can boast that to your clients!!!! Fun huh!!!  

Here are some of the results from the video above.  

Umm...where is Spring?

So yeah...this is what I woke up to today!

and more of this

and pan over here to this  

oh...yes...and then this...look at the branches leaning on the fence..they are normally about 5 feet higher than the fence.

I wanna know...which way to the beach!