2013 Gift Guide: For the Jewelry Lover

Welcome to the second installment of gift ideas that feature handmade and small business. I'm hoping everyone will consider supporting the artisan community this year and to make the search a little easier I've been putting together a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy. Don't forget to stop by your local craft fairs and small businesses to support them as well this year!

My top 5 for the Jewelry Lovers

1. For the Labradorite lovers. Sara at sarawestermark knows how to display these incredible stones in a way that allows them to speak for themselves. Using recycled silver and traditional metalsmithing techniques Sara is creating one of a kind pieces that are worthy of being passed down. 

2. For the those who are into something a little more edgy check out these resin and silver pieces by Andi Cavanagh of studiomess. Wood grain with nuts and bolts cast in pink resin and set in sterling silver?! This piece is perfect. That's all there is to say.

3. If your special someone is a little more nature oriented Maggie Joynt of MaggieJs has an incredible collection featuring the simple pebble. As an avid collector of natures treasures myself I am drawn to the simplicity of these pieces that transform the often overlooked pebble into something much more elegant and precious.

4. Bright, bold, and so much fun. Any of the plants, animals or insects created by Dafni of lacravatteduchien are pretty much guaranteed to brighten up the day of anyone who wears or sees them! 

 

5. Looking for something big, bold, and elegant? Nikki Rees of NRjewellerydesign has it covered. Her pieces feature colorful stones set in sterling silver with simple details that really make them stand out.

 I usually enjoy saving the best for last (are you shocked that jewelry is what I consider to be the best!?  No, not you. You've figured me out). However, many jewelers have early deadlines for holiday shopping especially on orders that may need sizing, so I'm bumping them up. Make sure to look for holiday shipping and ordering deadlines! If in doubt send them a message. They are a friendly bunch.

OK, time for the shameless plug! The Eyelet Lace Collection has been the most popular in my Etsy shop this year and it's one of my favorites as well. A little childhood nostalgia presented in sophisticated manner.

 

Still not sure what to get the jewelry lover in your life? Don't worry, Etsy has your back. Give them a Gift Card and let them find the perfect piece.

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides:

For the Host/Hostess
For the Kids

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

2013 Gift Guide - For the Host/Hostess

Tis the season! I hope everyone will consider supporting the artisan community this year by shopping handmade. To make it a bit easier I'll be putting together a series of gift guides featuring works from makers on Etsy (as well as a shameless plug for myself at the bottom). First up, a little something for the people who make the holidays a destination. Those few who work extra hard to spread around the holiday cheer.

My top 5 for the Host/Hostess! 

1. They love to entertain, so give them something to use at their next soiree. A fantastic cake stand perhaps? This one from Jeanette Zeis of vesselsandwares is the perfect gift for the host/hostess that goes the extra mile and offers a room to the weary travelers. Not quite right? Vesselsandwares has more color options, styles, and products available like salt cellars, cream and sugar bowls, platters, and more.

2. Headed to a cocktail party? Give them something fun they can use at the event with a set of letterpress coasters. This set from powerandlight states the obvious and offers up a pun opportunity when accompanied with some holiday spirits. I see what you did there.

 

3.  They sent out the invitations, cleaned their place from top to bottom,  set out a huge spread, remembered all the food allergies, had vegetarian options, and maybe even strategically invited a sweet co-worker and a funny college friend that might just be perfect for each other... they are tired. Let them know you appreciate the thought and hard work. Give them something to help them relax. This organic DIY Chai Tea set from purposedesign may require a bit of extra work, but the pay off from that perfect cup will be well worth it.

 

4.  Help them get ahead of the game with a variety of herbs to season their next holiday meal. This collection from SmartSeeds includes 7 heirloom and GMO free seed varieties perfect for a sunny indoor window ledge. Add a set of handmade planters for a really fantastic gift.

 

5.  Contribute to their holiday decor with ornaments that will be hung for years to come. This sweet trio from SlashofBlue is well made, affordable, and simply adorable. I should know, I purchased a set for my yearly ornament last year. 

 

Speaking of ornaments (heads up, shameless plug ahead), every year I create a new ornament for my own Etsy shop. This year I went with something minimal in copper with a bright green dyed Aventurine bead.

 

Not as organized as your holiday host this year? Don't fret. Etsy offers gift cards that can be emailed or printed right away. So if you're reading this from the couch while enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and feeling a little bit bad that you didn't bring a side dish or six pack, head on over to Etsy and surprise the cook with a great big thank you!

Check out my other 2013 Holiday Gift Guides: 

For the Jewelry Lover

For the Kids

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

On the Bench

My inner procrastinator (OK, maybe it's my inner slug) has been getting the best of me lately and once again I've put the blog on the bottom of my list. Lets be honest, I haven't even been making lists! What I have been doing is starting a bunch of new work (hmmm... maybe I'm not such a slug after all). The finishing is coming along a little more slowly (yep, definitely falls under procrastinator). So I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I've got started on my bench as well as the pieces I've recently finished. Who knows, maybe this will motivate me to get more of them moving along!

First off, I had the opportunity to visit the Los Angeles Jewelry District this summer, I found a great deal on cabochons at a bead shop while visiting some family, my local bead shop had a huge sale, and I discovered a seller on Etsy (TigerBeadStore) that is local, so I'm swimming in great material! These are the beauties I scored in LA:

I also discovered that I love making cuff bracelets and started using them as a bench warm up, which resulted in this:

And that's not even all of them! Luckily I had the time and discipline to sit down and actually finish some a while back:

I've also been sending work out to galleries and such here and there and my favorite collections (I know, I know, a mother shouldn't play favorites, but what can I say) have been dwindling on Etsy. So, I started some new eyelet lace pieces:

OK, a lot of new eyelet pieces! Some of which I finished!

On another note, this year marks my 5 year anniversary! Yep, it's been five years since I discovered that metalsmithing was my passion and decided to continue my journey. To celebrate that I was able to find my dream job I'm having a big sale in my Etsy shop. Many of the finished pieces above are available and I'll continue to add anything new that comes off the bench! There is no way I could continue to work in this field without the support of so many of you. So hooray for the jewelry and Art lovers out there!

Thanks for reading!