Over the weekend keep an eye out for our new Ask the Experts feature wherein you will find some very interesting articles about jewelry and jewelry techniques.
For everyone who loves timepieces and anything to do with time, like I do, I have a fabulous sneak preview coming up, courtesy of Fay Cullen of the quintessential FayCullen.com at www.faycullen.com , our Antique, Vintage, and Estate Expert. This first column from Fay is awesome and I sincerely thank her for her thoughtful contribution to SPJ!
The other is from our Custom Jewelry Design Expert, Laurie Stetzler of Laurie Stetzler, Design Jewelry Works at www.lauriestetzler.com describing the technique of lost wax casting. Laurie is a multi-talented jewelry designer and artisan who you will soon become familiar with through our articles here at SPJ and Fashion Jewelry and Jewelry Collecting at BellaOnline, a gallery in our Designers Showcase, and our Shop for Designer Jewelry feature.
There's lots more to talk about but the dogs need their goodnight walk...
'Til Tomorrow
Susan
Friday, November 2, 2007
Fabulous Finds, Just in Time!
"Lost, yesterday, somewhere between Sunrise and Sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever." Horace Mann
There's something about watches, and actually clocks as well that intrigue me. I can't explain my attraction to timepieces of the jewelry and home decor kind, but I have collected watches and clocks for years. It's not like I'm a slave to time, and often fly by the seat of my pants, however, I do hate being late for appointments and my businesses make adhering to a schedule imperative. But like many people, I seem to sense what time of day it is. Although I always wear one of my watches I never look at it or the clock to see what time it is—only to admire its beauty.
Time is a concept referring to the perceived flow of actions and events from the past to future, or to its measurement. I suppose that time and its fleeting quality as in "time waits for no one" fascinates me for the power it holds over all our lives. Everything in one's life can change in the space of seconds, for better or worse. The passage of time changes our perspective, our priorities, and our attitudes—sometimes in subtle ways that either help us to grow, or take the wind out of our sails for a spell.
Most of us bemoan our lack of time to do the things we want to do in life like spending more time with those we love, or working at our passion to make our dreams come true. Echoes from the past play in my head as I write this. "What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours", sang Dinah Washington in a song that punctuated my childhood growing up in the fifties and sixties. I've been trying to squeeze the most out of those 24 little hours ever since!
So on this timely note, here are some absolutely gorgeous timepieces I have come across in my recent Internet travels to indulge in, or like me put at the top of your Wish List:
Nordstrom's Bali watch is stainless ssteel and ceramic with diamonds, a mother-of-pearl dial and Swiss quartz movement. See it at www.esqswiss.com
From Gucci's Signoria Collection I fell in love with a square-faced stainless steel number with black mother-of-pearl dial. I found many places to buy this watch, some at better prices than others. The bracelet's fluid curves are composed by multiple interconnected horsebit-shaped links that boldly juxtapose the square and graphic case. It perfectly represents Frida Giannini's ability to reinvent iconic Gucci luxury into a confident and modern vision.
I'm kind of in the Gucci and horsey mood today... so another watch, particularly if like me you love all things 'horse', is the Horsebit Cocktail watch. It's adorned with diamond pavé or semi- pavé, four delicate horsebits clasp the watch's slightly convex case, creating a jewel-like silhouette. Pair it up with Gucci's Horsebit Cocktail ring, and the two precious pieces create the consummate vision of opulence, one that gives nod to the storied Gucci style. This set was also designed by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and is stunning. It will probably take up permanent residence on my Wish List but I can always dream can't I. Check out www.gucci.com
Another watch line I always check out is Movado. Their "Ono" with diamonds is exquisite and can be seen at www.movado.com
Discover La Dona de Cartier at http://www.cartier.com/en_na/LaDona ! Not a big fan of music on websites but I love this one and SPJ, too, of course! From the remarklable watches to pens encrusted with golden alligators I was swept away!
There's always Dior Christal if you still haven't found something you like. Have you seen the magazine ad with Sharon Stone wearing it. Beautiful!
I love the color gray and Raymond Weil's 'Geneve' is sheer brilliance and lives where lots of other treasures live—at Bailey Banks & Biddle. It can also be seen at www.raymondweil-usa.com
Less pricey but ever gorgeous, I guess you could say Guess watches by Marciano are something wonderful. I like the Black Croc Band Watch Polished silver–tone steel round casing accented with Swarovski® crystals. Twistable second counter. Mother of pearl face with crystal insets and multi-function dials. Glow in the dark hands. Genuine leather wrist band with black croc embossed upper and buckle closure. Marciano exclusive.
10 year limited warranty
50M/165Ft water resistant
It's less than $150 at www.shopmarciano.ca
'Til tomorrow
Susan
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The best laid plans...
Those of you who know me a little already, know that jewelry is not my only passion. I have dedicated much of the past 3o years to dog and cat rescue and orphaned wildlife rehabilitation, particularly song birds, along with animal charity fundraising and working with other animal welfare groups. One of my ongoing projects for the last 10 years since I moved to the country, is providing sanctuary to feral cats. I give them a cozy home and work with these completely wild cats in an attempt to socialize them. If they are young enough they are adoptable and we find good homes for them, and keep the ones who are not adoptable. I also work with a couple of agencies and my township to have ferals who live outside, neutered and spayed to keep the colony from growing.
On Saturday morning, Joey, one of my 'stay with me forever' feral males, a gorgeous big Tahitian pearl gray with intense green eyes the color of emeralds, exhibited signs of FUS and was rushed to the Vet. He was hooked up to a catheter and I.V. and had to be transferred to an emergency clinic and closely monitored over the weekend. On Monday he was transferred back to my Vet and still was doing poorly. On Tuesday the catheter was pulled to see if he could operate on his own and he came home where I monitored his every move. Unfortunately Joey's body was just not meant to last. He was euthanized on Halloween day. We took him as far as he could go, and there was no hope.
The weekend had been planned to stay put in one place—at the computer adding previously prepared content to SPJ for the big Grand Opening on Halloween. I had worked on my material for months and all I had to do is just pop it in and the site would be done. Well, my heart was just not in it over the weekend. That's the difference between creating a commercial website for the purpose of making money and creating a website as a personal statement and labor of love like SPJ. I could not focus and I make no excuses for the site not being complete, but thought perhaps an explanation was in order for those of you who have Showcases on the site and others who were patiently waiting to see the completed site.
Today is a day of mourning. I feel sad that Joey did not make it, and miss his soft meow. He was a wonderful boy full of trust, and a love we had carefully and not so easily built into a bond during the last 9 months since he came in out of the cold. He felt betrayed in the end as I had to trick him into the crate that took him to his final destiny. Joey was a very soft natured wild cat, and it was the first time he ever hissed at me. Cats have a sense about things, an uncanny intuition about what's going to happen. He lies outside now in my rose garden, buried deep in the earth, embraced in the arms of the natural world where he always belonged.
And me, well, tonight I am sitting back down at the computer, and tomorrow, and the day after that... You will love SPJ as we grow and become the ultimate jewelry shopping guide and most importantly, a celebration of wearable art for jewelry lovers. Thanks for joining us for the journey!
On Saturday morning, Joey, one of my 'stay with me forever' feral males, a gorgeous big Tahitian pearl gray with intense green eyes the color of emeralds, exhibited signs of FUS and was rushed to the Vet. He was hooked up to a catheter and I.V. and had to be transferred to an emergency clinic and closely monitored over the weekend. On Monday he was transferred back to my Vet and still was doing poorly. On Tuesday the catheter was pulled to see if he could operate on his own and he came home where I monitored his every move. Unfortunately Joey's body was just not meant to last. He was euthanized on Halloween day. We took him as far as he could go, and there was no hope.
The weekend had been planned to stay put in one place—at the computer adding previously prepared content to SPJ for the big Grand Opening on Halloween. I had worked on my material for months and all I had to do is just pop it in and the site would be done. Well, my heart was just not in it over the weekend. That's the difference between creating a commercial website for the purpose of making money and creating a website as a personal statement and labor of love like SPJ. I could not focus and I make no excuses for the site not being complete, but thought perhaps an explanation was in order for those of you who have Showcases on the site and others who were patiently waiting to see the completed site.
Today is a day of mourning. I feel sad that Joey did not make it, and miss his soft meow. He was a wonderful boy full of trust, and a love we had carefully and not so easily built into a bond during the last 9 months since he came in out of the cold. He felt betrayed in the end as I had to trick him into the crate that took him to his final destiny. Joey was a very soft natured wild cat, and it was the first time he ever hissed at me. Cats have a sense about things, an uncanny intuition about what's going to happen. He lies outside now in my rose garden, buried deep in the earth, embraced in the arms of the natural world where he always belonged.
And me, well, tonight I am sitting back down at the computer, and tomorrow, and the day after that... You will love SPJ as we grow and become the ultimate jewelry shopping guide and most importantly, a celebration of wearable art for jewelry lovers. Thanks for joining us for the journey!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
SPJ Update
Halloween draws near, the occasion of SPJ's Grand Opening and other ghostly and ghoulish events that eerily take place throughout the world on the evening of October 31st!
Trick or Treat? Well, let's just say SPJ is a work in progress, the Halloween Grand Opening symbolic only of the fact we have set in motion silver studded wheels and an earnest set of expectations for ourselves and this website. We have created a fledgling site that built upon will sprout wings and beckon to jewelry lovers everywhere to come and take a peek. Halloween then is the time we begin that process of growing, and aspiring to become one of the most popular destinations for jewelry lovers around the world!
Starting Halloween and in the ensuing weeks, new content will be added daily, new features will debut, we invite designers to join our Designers Showcase and Designers Shops, and new shops will be added to our Fabulous Shops Showcase. And, there's lots more!
So, when you take a look tomorrow on Halloween evening, I'd say around 7 or 8ish, I hope you will get an idea of where we are going with SPJ, and join us for the ride! Because, it's all about the journey, and there's lots more traveling to do!
Best Regards,
Susan
SPJ
Trick or Treat? Well, let's just say SPJ is a work in progress, the Halloween Grand Opening symbolic only of the fact we have set in motion silver studded wheels and an earnest set of expectations for ourselves and this website. We have created a fledgling site that built upon will sprout wings and beckon to jewelry lovers everywhere to come and take a peek. Halloween then is the time we begin that process of growing, and aspiring to become one of the most popular destinations for jewelry lovers around the world!
Starting Halloween and in the ensuing weeks, new content will be added daily, new features will debut, we invite designers to join our Designers Showcase and Designers Shops, and new shops will be added to our Fabulous Shops Showcase. And, there's lots more!
So, when you take a look tomorrow on Halloween evening, I'd say around 7 or 8ish, I hope you will get an idea of where we are going with SPJ, and join us for the ride! Because, it's all about the journey, and there's lots more traveling to do!
Best Regards,
Susan
SPJ
Friday, October 19, 2007
What's New at SPJ and Dynamite Discoveries
I've been busy getting the site all ready for the grand opening on Halloween. Can't wait to have it all decked out with interesting information about jewelry, some new designers in the showcase, and lots of other great features. Once we have officially launched, my blog will be a regular daily feature but until then I check in when I get a moment.
International Jewelry Designer & Artisan Directory
If you visit the site often you'll find things a changin'. For one thing, I have aborted the idea of a slide show for the Directory and will be linking to the designer's websites. The other contact info will disappear. What started out as an old fashioned idea to encourage dialog between designers and jewelry lovers by listing only telephone numbers has slowly become 'new fashioned'. First I broke down and decided emails should be listed, and now I've turned the Directory into a place I think many designers would like to found. However, it's not a "Top List" or anything of the like. Please don't ask to be listed. I have a long list I've been saving for a couple of years just waiting for an opportunity to be compiled into such a Directory format. If I exhaust my list I'll put the word out for new entries. Until then, hope you all enjoy watching the Directory grow! As mentioned throughout the site, there are other opportunities for designers to promote their work.
Dynamite Finds ~ Yes, I was in the mood for a little dreaming! ~
Found some gorgeous gold jewelry at http://www.onlygoldusa.com/
Paloma Picasso's Sugar Stack Collection at Tiffany's
House of Taylor ~ Absolutely stunning collection of baubles http://www.hotj.com/
International Jewelry Designer & Artisan Directory
If you visit the site often you'll find things a changin'. For one thing, I have aborted the idea of a slide show for the Directory and will be linking to the designer's websites. The other contact info will disappear. What started out as an old fashioned idea to encourage dialog between designers and jewelry lovers by listing only telephone numbers has slowly become 'new fashioned'. First I broke down and decided emails should be listed, and now I've turned the Directory into a place I think many designers would like to found. However, it's not a "Top List" or anything of the like. Please don't ask to be listed. I have a long list I've been saving for a couple of years just waiting for an opportunity to be compiled into such a Directory format. If I exhaust my list I'll put the word out for new entries. Until then, hope you all enjoy watching the Directory grow! As mentioned throughout the site, there are other opportunities for designers to promote their work.
Dynamite Finds ~ Yes, I was in the mood for a little dreaming! ~
Found some gorgeous gold jewelry at http://www.onlygoldusa.com/
Paloma Picasso's Sugar Stack Collection at Tiffany's
House of Taylor ~ Absolutely stunning collection of baubles http://www.hotj.com/
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Preview Launch at SPJ Featuring Designers Showcase
Finally done! Whew! Well, sort of done. SPJ has been published complete with the Designers Showcase live on www.susanspassionforjewelry.com , and I for one am thrilled. It is a work in progress, of course, and lots to do before the Grand Opening on Halloween when it will be brimming with jewelry information, articles, more showcases, more everything.
I would like to personally thank the 10 jewelry designers who have participated in our Designers Showcase. They are, Dionne McGraw of Beryl Blush Blonde, Jaime Byrd of Byrd Designs, Randi-sue Deckard of Designing Diva, Elaine Haydon of Elaine Haydon Jewelry, Louise and Don Coulson of Kingfisher Designs, Sheela Rayala of Kuukivi, Jennifer Kennedy of Quarry Jewelry, Sue Lindsey of Rapt Elegance, Molly Magdalain of StarStrings, and Rhonda Reagan of Stunning Details. Each of them in their own way was very supportive of my efforts to get this site launched and I sincerely appreciate their pep talks and patience.
Between the computer glitches, a few problems I created for myself, it has been a project that was perpetually 'coming soon'. I liken it to a 'shaggy dog' story. I sometimes wondered if I would ever get the showcase finished. But now this part is done I feel relieved and anxious to add the material I have been preparing to complete and flesh out the site. I am thinking you will like the final results—and it will be available for viewing on Halloween! Talk to you tomorrow and thanks for visiting Susan's Passion for Jewelry at http://www.susanspassionforjewelry.com/
I would like to personally thank the 10 jewelry designers who have participated in our Designers Showcase. They are, Dionne McGraw of Beryl Blush Blonde, Jaime Byrd of Byrd Designs, Randi-sue Deckard of Designing Diva, Elaine Haydon of Elaine Haydon Jewelry, Louise and Don Coulson of Kingfisher Designs, Sheela Rayala of Kuukivi, Jennifer Kennedy of Quarry Jewelry, Sue Lindsey of Rapt Elegance, Molly Magdalain of StarStrings, and Rhonda Reagan of Stunning Details. Each of them in their own way was very supportive of my efforts to get this site launched and I sincerely appreciate their pep talks and patience.
Between the computer glitches, a few problems I created for myself, it has been a project that was perpetually 'coming soon'. I liken it to a 'shaggy dog' story. I sometimes wondered if I would ever get the showcase finished. But now this part is done I feel relieved and anxious to add the material I have been preparing to complete and flesh out the site. I am thinking you will like the final results—and it will be available for viewing on Halloween! Talk to you tomorrow and thanks for visiting Susan's Passion for Jewelry at http://www.susanspassionforjewelry.com/
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Welcome to Susan's Passion for Jewelry Preview Launch
This photo of a gorgeous plique-au-jour bat hovering over a graveyard set created by the photographer, was kindly provided by our favorite antique, vintage, and estate shop, FayCullen.com to mark the Grand Opening of Susan's Passion for Jewelry on Halloween. It is the perfect reminder of how exciting Halloween is going to be this year!
By the way, for those who may not know what plique-au-Jour means: Plique-au-Jour refers to enameling without a backing. It is similar to cloisonne, but typically the supporting metal borders around the enamel are heavier, and because there is no backing the translucent enamels allow light to show through.
Welcome to Our Preview Launch Featuring the Designers Showcase!
10 of my favorite designers are featured today in the Designers Showcase. If you are a designer and would like to know more about how you can get your own Exclusive Gallery at SPJ showcasing 9, 18, 27, or 36 of your pieces, just send an email expressing your interest or telephone 1-877-882-4403 toll free throughout North America, or you may also send a fax request to 705-426-1531 and I will send you the details.
FREE INVITATION!
Debut Designers Showcase: If you have been making and selling jewelry for less than a year I am interested in seeing your work for consideration in our Debut Designers Showcase. I have 6 free invitations available! If this strikes you as a great way to get your designs seen by a wider audience, send me an email including 2 jpegs of your best pieces with pricing and full description of each and a quick note about yourself. First come, first in! I will announce the winners of the free galleries here and you will be contacted to provide jpegs of 6 pieces, a bio and pic of yourself. Good luck!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
October 10, 2007
Designer Showcase at SPJ is nearly ready to go! Finally recovering from a rather nasty backlash from my computer that left me rebuilding galleries. I learned some hard lessons about computer upkeep. Launch was planned last month but at least we'll be 'live' by the scariest day of the year. Ironic! Yes, Halloween, one of my all-time favorite days to have fun, is the Grand Opening of Susan's Passion for Jewelry!
As I prepare the new site, my jewelry making table lurks but a few feet away from the computer. I can't help myself and reach out to touch half-finished pieces, stroke the cool smooth shine of an onyx bracelet in the works, shiver with anticipation to once again play with color and texture and wonderful things from the earth.
I have purposely had to steer myself to my computer every day for several weeks, and put aside my new passion of jewelry making. I have thought about SPJ and planned this site since last year and only recently been able to carve out a time slot for building it. So it is a very important project for me and Silver Spirit Designs must wait.
Must keep the hands on the keyboard and get this done. If I drift over to the jewelry table, I'm done for. There's no stopping me once I start playing with beads!
As I prepare the new site, my jewelry making table lurks but a few feet away from the computer. I can't help myself and reach out to touch half-finished pieces, stroke the cool smooth shine of an onyx bracelet in the works, shiver with anticipation to once again play with color and texture and wonderful things from the earth.
I have purposely had to steer myself to my computer every day for several weeks, and put aside my new passion of jewelry making. I have thought about SPJ and planned this site since last year and only recently been able to carve out a time slot for building it. So it is a very important project for me and Silver Spirit Designs must wait.
Must keep the hands on the keyboard and get this done. If I drift over to the jewelry table, I'm done for. There's no stopping me once I start playing with beads!
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