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 ?