And the Holiday shopping begins!

Beginning yesterday (Thanksgiving 2011) every item in my ArtFire Store is on sale.

No coupons needed! no jumping through hoops merely choose, click and you are finished!

I've also taken the pledge to "Shop Small Businesses on Saturday" too. You too can get involved.

Have an American Express card? Register it on the Small Business site and you can get a $25 credit on your purchases!

Making Elegant Ear wires that are interchangeable

For years I've made ear wires to go on my earring designs. I use a simple elegant design that is interchangeable with different dangles. Instead of offering a "set" with one pair or ear wires and multiple choices of changeable dangles I thought you might like to make your own ear wires.

These are not the best photos, I make jewelry and make no claims to being a one handed photographer :)

Here is a photo showing the different dangles I wear on my interchangeable ear wires.

 Tools list.

2 pieces 3 inch round wire. You can use 20g to 24g. Just remember if you use 24g they must very light weight dangles. The ear wires on the far right side top are made with 24g round. They are dainty looking-but with heavy dangles can tear the ears. (Think of piano wire and an assassin)

My favorite too. A 3-step plier. Notice the back side is flat -not concave. I labeled the steps, as this is the way you'll make your earrings. *Remember the flat side will always be the -back-**

Place one end of your wire so it just shows above the first step on the pliers. This will make it easier for the other side to meet up with it.

Bring your wire around Step1 until it meets the tip to form a circle.

This is how your wire should look after you remove it from the pliers.

Next place your wire on -step2- of the pliers. Notice how my loop now touches the flat/back of the pliers?  Keep your loops on the back side and you won't turn your wire the wrong way.

Once again, bring your wire around to meet itself and form another loop.

 Step 2 of your earrings. This larger loop will be the bottom of the ear wire where your dangle will go.

Step 3. Place the loops next to the back of the pliers as above. I recommend placing both ear wires on at the same time so your earrings are identical in length. Wrap the wires around the third step in the pliers.

Your earring is almost complete.

Here you can change it up a bit .I "tipped" the end to give it a more professional look.

Variation:

I used the smallest tip of my round nose pliers in place of step 1, then step 1 on my pliers in place of step2 and finally step 3 for the ear lobe bend in the wires. This also gave me extra wire, which I sometimes clip off or leave long depending on the dangles I put on them.

You can also use a variety of items to make the ear lobe loop. An extra large Sharpie works great too.

As an added bling to your ears you can put a small crystal charm on the smalles loop.

Your next step is to use either a de-burring tool or sand paper to smooth the rough edges before placing them in your ears.

Labor Day Thank You Sale!

I'm having a Labor Day Weekend sale in my ArtFire shop with 20% off all bracelets!

If you've always wanted that custom Girlfriends-Mothers-Sisters-Generation Bracelet now is the best time to get one for yourself or for a special person in your life.

Regularly priced at $21.00 it will now hold  a sale price of  $16.80!

This sale applies to ALL bracelets in my store including Sterling Silver and Gold Fill.

Remember to use coupon code WRISTBLING  upon check out to get your sale price!

Hurry this sale will end on Tuesday September 6,2011.

Wow!!!! 2500 FaceBook fans!!!!

I can hardly believe it myself...

Quite a few give aways ago I asked "Do You Trust Me?" So many of you did that I was astounded.

Well, it applies here as well.. Only I know what the prize will be, but I can promise it will be a good one!

All I will say is this:

The winner will receive an item made of Sterling Silver & Gold Fill.

*******Please read all rules below********

1. To be entered sign up is on my Facebook Fan page. You must post in the comments section where you see the logo header above.  You may post comments on my blog-but they won't count as an entry.
2. You must put in your wrist size (not the size bracelet you wear), ring size,-AND- length of necklace preferred. Total of 3 measurements.
3. There must be a way to contact you should you win. If your FB page is tightly secured and I can't send a message I will regrettably be forced to redraw a new winner.
4. Comment posts without the above information will be deleted-to help keep a proper count.
5. You have enough time to find that elusive tape measure, because the winner will not be drawn until Saturday!

Have fun and SURPRISE!!!!!! 

2400 FaceBook Fans Part II

   I thought for a bit and decided that since the number 2 was in my 2400 fans there should be 2 bracelets to give away.  Two distinctly different bracelets celebrating my distinctly different fans!

This bracelet is a square knot wire wrapped bracelet in copper.  It will be custom made to size, so please state your wrist size as your post along with a name to contact you on FaceBook..

Yes you can enter both celebrations!

2400 Facebook fans-What can I say?

When I started this FaceBook venture I so wanted to be like a few of the fan pages I saw.  You know the ones that had 1500-3000 fans. I thought oh my how can I ever get there? I promised myself I would never forget what it felt like to be just starting out with 100 fans. And I haven't.  I like to help newly starting pages get more fans as best I can and promote other fans/friends stores through ArtFire Curator Collections and Etsy Treasuries.  This is a great joy for me. Giving back.

My greatest joy in all this? Without a doubt meeting some of the most wonderful, caring, sharing fans many of whom are now my dearest friends. Though we have never met face to face, I would jump to their aid in a heart beat. Those of you who have encouraged me personally as well as professionally I cherish. All my fans on my page are dear to my heart in ways they could never imagine.

How do I celebrate and say Thank You for all you've done for me? In a Giveaway of course!

My 2400 fans giveaway is for a Byzantine chain maille bracelet in multi colors of Anodized Aluminum. I wanted to giveaway something that celebrated every type of fan I cherish with every color I could find. The bracelet is not finished because you the winner will choose the clasp. Hand made hook clasp, toggle, or lobster claw.

To sign up for the giveaway just post your comments below... Please remember to leave a name so I can find you on Facebook- or check back here to see if you won and how to contact me..

The giveaway will run until Thursday morning..

Good luck and thank you my fantabulous fans!

A Tale Of Two Crosses

Those who know me, know I collect crosses. With all the health issues I experienced if not for my faith I doubt I would have made it.

              The cross in this photo my Mom made for my Grandmother many years ago. It is lovingly done using plastic canvas and yarn. I remember helping her cut the canvas to just the right size for those lovely Lillies draping the  Easter Cross. I had to make one, and did. However mine was given to Sister Jean at church, but I always had the best intentions of making one for myself again. We all know what happens to those best intentions right?

               When my grandmother passed away I asked for this cross. It now hangs on my living room wall. I see it each and every time I go out my front door, reminding me to be safe and careful in my daily endeavors. I have always wanted to give Mom something to take it's place, but never found exactly what I wanted . That is until 2 good friends I found on FaceBook peaked my interest and inspired me to get off my rear.

                Thanks to Karen Snyder  and Marie Frazier  we will all three warm my Mom's heart and make her smile once I get to deliver my finished product to her in Jacksonville.  You see Karen makes these gorgeous earrings and rings in a Romanov weave of chain maille. They are daintier than other patterns I've seen -which is why they caught my eye. I kept thinking, now why can't that be made into a cross. I wanted to make one but as usual never got around to it.. (Yeah we all know that story).

       Now, Here is my version of Marie's Romanov Cross. Mine is not to be worn but framed for Mom's wall.  It is 4 inches long. The Swarovski crystals I chose tell the story.. They are Caribbean Blue Opal. Blue was my Daddy's favorite color and the color of his eyes. The Opal is my birthstone.

      I've met so many wonderful friends and artists on FaceBook who share knowledge and ideas and am so proud to know each and everyone of them. More than I could ever say. 

Special thanks to Karen Snyder and Marie Frazier for the untold inspiration and friendship.

Let's Celebrate 2100 fans!!!!

  

 

Those who know me , know I love giveaways. I also love sales too, but giveaways have a way of freeing your soul.

Now that you, my Facebook fans have helped me to create such a wonderful family, I'm inviting you to celebrate with me.

You see 1 bracelet-but 4 different designs.

One lucky winner will be able to choose how they want their bracelet made.

The bracelet will be in sterling silver and will have Swarovski crystals.

You can choose whether to  make it a Mother's bracelet #1

a Classic bracelet with 3 crystals #2

Either of these can be made like #3 being open

Or a simple elegant bangle #4

How to enter?

Just post on my Facebook fan page how much YOU like bracelets! 

You have until Saturday Feb 12,2011 to enter..Winner will be chosen on Sunday!!!

I LOVE My FaceBook FANS!!!!!

I am so thrilled at hitting the 2000 fan mark on FaceBook this past weekend! I am still dancing on the ceiling with utter joy! I've pondered just what I could offer as a Giveaway that would show how much I cherish my fans-many  who have become dear friends.

So I decided with this milestone so close to Valentine's Day why not offer one of my Swarovski Crystal woven Heart Pendants!

This one is Light Siam and perfect for Valentine's Day with a Crystal AB bicone bail. Now, don't let the photo fool you, this heart has a total of 38 6mm crystals and the bail has 7 4mm crystals.

To make this wearable as soon as the winner receives it, I've also included and 18" Sterling Silver chain!

My giveaways are global and not reserved for the United States... so make sure you enter..

The giveaway will be open for entries until Sunday Morning!

Guess you want to know how to enter right?

Easy!!!!

Merely post on my blog AND my Fan Page   the words "Happy Valentine's Day" 

Let's see how many times we can get those words out there on the net in 3 days!!!!

Remember you must post on both pages to be entered..

The winner can contact me at Bette@gemscrystalsandwire.com  if I do not already have your information on hand..

Good luck and have fun!!!

Where have our Faeries gone?

        A few weeks ago while talking with Karen Snyder  we discussed our lack of creativity of late. Our minds searching for fresh new ideas, were utterly empty. Wire sat motionless,, while jumprings cried at being alone -not joined as one with friends. This just cannot be, we cried! We have highly qualified Creative Muse Faeries! Where are they we wondered....?

         After extensive manhunts of hide & seek we found them to have been stolen! YES! Bring out the crime scene tape-We demand you send in CSI we screamed! No stone will be left unturned...
When all of a sudden there was the faintest of sounds. Is that a cry for help? Are they being held hostage? Trying to follow the sound, we found clothing and shoes...Now we all know any decent faerie would never leave shoes behind- clothes maybe-but shoes NEVER.

It was at this time we noticed the Cleaning Faeries were gone too. With crystals lying hither skither we searched and searched and the giggles (yes it was giggles) grew louder. Our search pattern widened.

Our Faeries were sitting on the beach in Bermuda soaking up the warm sun, listening to island music and drinking Pink Mystical Illusions. Oh, and watching all the tanned male fitness muses in the waves!
Can you believe it? Those lazy Cleaning Faeries enticed our Creative Muse Faeries to go on a vacation right when we needed them the most. And for an unspecified amount of time!

Well, no amount of persuasion has convinced them to return to us. Not even threats with a cast iron skillet. They laughed hysterical tears knowing we could never make good on such a threat.

So this is why we need you, our wonderfully creative fans and friends to help us bring them home.

We have created "The Great Cabochon (Cab) Challenge" and are inviting you to join for a take of the prize.
The Faerie ears are perked and ego is peeved that we'd even consider enlisting your help.

So, can you help us?
You can sign up and see the rules on my page  Or Karen's page- but you only have 2 weeks to help us out.

you see we have a deadline. The Faeries Visa will expire and they'll be lost to us in Bermuda forever.

So...... Cabbers unite!

Please help being our Faeries home and let the Challenge begin!!!

My Heart is Yours Anklet

I will be hosting another giveaway!

 

This  adorable Swarovski Crystal heart anklet is up for grabs..  I will make one to fit if this is not the size needed. I was daydreaming of romance and Valentine's Day while making this little pretty.

This anklet is made of Swarovski Crystal Bi-cones in Light Siam and Crystal Ab, white glass pearls, and a Crystal AB Swarovski Heart.

The lobster clasp is heart shaped and the ends of the anklet joining the clasp are dainty little turtles..

This anklet is currently up for grabs-but- only on my FaceBook fan page and only until tomorrow night January 22,2011   6PM EST... 

And the Winner is

Hubby drew out the winning name for me to make it proper.
Ozzi refused saying that dogs can't pick up tiny pieces of paper..


The winning name is:

Jennifer Twark Gersch !!!!!

Jennifer I've sent you a message via FaceBook..

Congratulations!!

Celebrating 1900 fans on FaceBook

As my Thank You to all my wonderful fans/friends for helping me reach this milestone, I have decided this giveaway will  be a bracelet.

This is a Copper "Butterfly" Bracelet.

Now don't be alarmed. The bracelet in the photo has not been cleaned yet. I didn't want any "shine" to detract from the photo. These bracelets can be difficult to photo for that reason.

The winner will receive a newly handmade Butterfly bracelet in their size, cleaned, polished and ready to wear.

You may also choose to have your bracelet bangle style or with a clasp as shown in the photo.

How do you enter?

Merely respond here on my blog and my Facebook fan page.

Both answers can be the same..

I will hold a random drawing when my page reaches 1900 fans. The winner will be announced here and on my fan page with an email address to contact me with your mailing address and size.

The question you ask?

Which is your favorite Butterfly ?