And the winner is....!

Thank you for your patience!   It was wonderful having so many people comment on the blog and sign up for a chance to win the $25 gift certificate to Laren Dee Designs on Etsy!

I know people often worry when they sign up for something that appears to be a good deal and FREE, that there will be some strings attached.   Well, you are right to wonder, ...and I must say, this offer DOES have strings attached!  But only those of the best kind!   

If you've been reading closely, you realize that when the winner of the $25 gift certificate makes their purchase in Laren's store,  offers from Laren's anniversary celebration event immediately kick in!

The winner will receive a pair of gift earrings with their  purchase if made June 30th or before.    The winner/buyer will also be automatically entered in Laren's Grand Prize Drawing!  (Details above and on Laren's Etsy shop page.) 

So, here we go.... The winner of the $25 gift certificate to Laren Dee Designs is:

Shanon Gibbs!

Congrats to Shanon!   Our best to Laren!   And thanks to all who participated!   

Even if you didn't win the certificate, the other great offers from Laren are available to you all month!  

Enjoy!

~Sharyl

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Winner Announcement Postponed to p.m.

I know we are all anxiously waiting to know the winner of the gift certificate to Laren Dee Designs!   I was hoping to post the winner this morning, but I'm  trying to verify some information before I do that.  I expect to make the announcement before the day is over.   

Thanks for hanging in there!  

Happy Friday!

~Sharyl

Guest Feature: Laren Dee Barton, Celebrating her Store's 1st Anniversary in a Big Way!

I don't even think I know the exact date my store opened its "online doors!"   On my first anniversary month, I remember mentioning it in some sort of mumbling way on my blog, that I had been in business "about a year now."   Yep, that was pretty much it.

But our guest today, Laren Dee Barton, knows how to celebrate life in bigger, better ways, and she's including all of us in her celebration too!   What could be more fun?!  

If you have any question about Laren being an artist in many forms, just take a look at the slide show that appears on her "About Laren Dee Designs" page on Etsy!   Not only is the jewelry there intriguing and beautiful, but so are the photographs, the arrangement of items on the page, and the overall presentation.

"Girl Pirates, Ahoy There!"

And here we begin to learn the secret that Laren has a multi-layered past that has involved many experiences, quite a few  having to do with art, all overlapping and coming together now in her jewelry design business!

As Laren says, 

"With a lifetime of arts and crafts experiences in my home and as a prior owner/designer of a full service flower shop, working with beads and wire feels very natural to me. 

I've been a business professional and an ordained minister, a spiritual teacher, counselor and author. I devoted years to giving of my time in order to help women find personal healing in their own lives. I am most proud of that work."

Today, she and her art are on a new journey!   Let's take a look at where they are at this moment in time! 

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On June 2, 2012, Laren open her store, Laren Dee Designs  on Etsy!   This June, she's celebrating with an all-month anniversary celebration!   Details follow at the end of the page, so keep reading--wonderful, wonderful opportunities to win!

Meanwhile, I want to show you a few of my personal favorites from Laren's store.   There are many to choose from, although I keep finding one and then another favorite missing these days, so don't wait too long!

Most of you know I love long, dangly earrings, Czech glass crystals, brass, the color aqua, and handmade ceramic beads.  So why didn't I think to make these earrings?   (I dunno!)   But no worries, because Laren was inspired to do so!  She also had the good taste to use Marsha Neal Studio Beads!    

Chocolate Clay Ceramic Beads with Glacier Finish and Czech Beads in Antique Brass Wire-Wrapped Earrings

It might seem a bit arrogant or self-serving for me to include this pair.   So forgive me,  but how could I not?    Basically, I have to love someone who takes my metal components, matches them up with lovely handmade lampwork (by Dreamscapes Studio, Ontario, Canada), and turns out an extremely stylish design!

Lentil Bead Raku Lampwork Focals with Gold and Blue Beaded Copper Earrings 4.5 Inch Length

I often associate crystals with Laren's work, because she has used really beautiful glass cut crystals in her work  since I have known her this past year.  (I admit I'm partial to them too!)   But I've also seen her jewelry designs expand to include lovely lampwork and metal findings such as beadcaps, accent beads and special clasps--details that really make her work seem special and one-of-a-kind!

Puffed Hearts Lampwork and Copper Leaf Motif Toggle Bracelet and Earring Set for 7-8 Inch Wrist

Her wireworking skills and designs involving stones have also expanded, and pendants such as this one below are some of my favorite pieces in Laren's store!

Purple/Lavendar Sea Sediment Jasper with Antique Brass Wire Wrapped Tassels with Ribbon Necklace

I love jewelry that looks like it comes from another culture, and this one feels just right to me!    So impressive!   Look at the colors, the types of beads, all the stringing, and those wonderful beadcaps!  Once again, nice job, Laren!

Mediterranean Torsade Necklace Artisan Crafted

So those are some of MY favorites!   I'm sure you will find your own!   Share with us in the comments section if you like, when you apply for the drawing.   Details below!!!

GOOD NEWS:  

A $25 Gift Certificate is going to be given away on this blog to be used at Laren Dee Designs!   

REALLY GREAT NEWS:

The winner of the gift certificate is also eligible for the One-Year Celebration Gifts and Activities mentioned above!

Not required, but I invite you to:

• Follow Laren's blog!
• Friend her FB page!
• Visit her on Pinterest!
• Take a look at her store!   
• Spread the word through your own blog or FB page!     

What you MUST do:

• To be entered in the drawing for the $25 gift certificate, please leave your name and contact information in a comment on this blog.  As always, if you don't want to make your contact info public, you may leave a 2nd message with your email address.   I will not publish the contact info if you have left two separate messages.   Otherwise, I assume you don't mind if I publish.

--Thank you to Laren, for being our featured guest!  

--The rest of you have until Thursday night, June 13, 2013 at 11:55pm Central time to enter the drawing!   

--Let the fun begin!

~Sharyl

LarenDeeDesigns' Shop Announcement

JUNE 1st - 30th, 2013, ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EVENT - While supply lasts, buyers will receive one gift-with-purchase pair of earrings handmade by Laren, with their paid order of a minimum of one (1) item per order, from Laren Dee Designs' shop. Gift earrings will be shipped with buyer's order in the same package, to one address.

Buyer will automatically be entered in LAREN DEE DESIGNS' Grand Prize Drawing and be eligible to win a Alaskan Handcrafted Cedar Jewelry Ring Box (2"x2"x1.5") with a Lampwork and Crystal Bracelet handmade by Laren. Drawing will be held July 1st, 2013. Prize value $50.00.

Winner will be notified through email and notice provided publicly on Facebook and this Shop Announcement page. Prize will be shipped immediately to winner with tracking information provided. Signature receipt will be requested for delivery verification.

THE FINE PRINT: Please see Shop Policies before purchasing any item.

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Image Credits:

Green balloon:   http://www.wpclipart.com/recreation/party/party_balloons/balloon_green.jpg

June 2:  http://www.wpclipart.com/time/calendar/06_June/calendar_June_02.jpg

"Girl Pirates, Ahoy There!" from  Laren's "About" page on Etsy.   Used by permission of Laren Dee. Barton.

Photo of Laren from her blog, http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com/ used by her permission.

All photographs of Laren's jewelry are from Laren's Etsy store.   These are copyright protected and used here with permission of the artist.

Green arrow down:  http://www.wpclipart.com/blanks/arrows/arrows_glossy/arrow_glossy_down_sea_green.jpg

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Life Happened...

You know the saying,... 

"Life is what happens

 while you are busy making  plans."   

Yeah, that was me last week.  

No one major crises,

just life didn't go the way I had it planned,

and things like keeping up with my blog, 

Facebook, email,..... they didn't happen.

If you were waiting for something to happen,

sorry about that.

Today, I thought the LEAST I could do 

would be to share some photos 

I took a couple of weeks ago.    ;-)

I'll try to catch up on more things next week.

And some day,  

I'll show you the rest of the Spring photos 

I have waiting!  :-)

Let's hope this week is a good one for all of us!

~Sharyl

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Kashmira's Anklet Blog Hop Reveal!

In the middle of working on my niece's wedding jewelry and trying to keep up with my store too, I told myself, "NO BLOG HOPS!"   But then one came along that I just couldn't refuse.    Couldn't refuse because my friend Kashmira Patel of the blog, "Sadafulee, ...Always in Bloom" and the Etsy store, "Sadafulee,"  was hosting her very first blog hop, and because it was so unusual, it seemed "doable," and sounded like so much fun, I just couldn't resist!  What was it?  

I had never made an ankle bracelet before!   There were some helpful suggestions but no hard-fast rules on this one, so I jumped in!   

My first thought was to do something akin to a charm bracelet, but Kashmira suggested we consider mediums other than chain, so I gave that some thought.   I didn't take a huge leap, but a mini-one....

I decided to use some brass chain with a silver ox finish, and to string some sections of multicolored beads.  They are mostly glass seedbeads of various colors with a slightly larger carnelian bead in the center of each string.  To add a bit of interest, I added some colorful aluminum jump rings I've had a long time and seldom use.  I thought they added a touch of visual interest!

Here are a couple of the beaded sections:

They are strung on multi-flex wire, crimped, and covered with 5mm sterling silver plated crimp covers.  I find that size crimp cover easy to work with and the SS adds some shine to go with the colors.

Below you see the beaded sections attached to the short sections of chain.  Each chain section has only 3 links, except for the the longer end section, which makes the length adjustable.  

I made the clasp myself, but those cool textured jump rings are from Cindy Kovar's Etsy store, "Captured Moments" (better known for her pottery cuffs, focals, and beads)! 

Linda from DD from Scratch on Etsy sent me a few of these small silver bells as a gift with my recent order.  As soon as I saw them, I knew I had the perfect use for them! 

I attached them to the centers of the chain pieces and to the end of the anklet.   They add some flair and a bit of jingle as you walk! 

So mine is a simple anklet.   I like the colors, the whimsy, the brightness of it.   I think it would be light-weight and comfortable to wear.   It has a look "just plain fun" about it that appeals to me.    

That said, I suspect I've made my first ankle bracelet a bit too large for most people.  The extender means it can fit an even larger size, but doesn't help make it fit a smaller size ankle.  (A slight design flaw caused by a mathematical miscalculation.)   I'm thinking I might add another section or two and make a wrap around bracelet or see how it would hang as a necklace, sans bells....   ;-)

No matter what, I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this blog hop and thank Kashmira for hosting it!   It gave all of us a chance to try something new!   To see more anklets, please visit these other designers' blogs:

Name	Blog
Kashmira Patel	http://sadafulee.blogspot.com  <--Blog Host!
Kaushambi Shah	Will post on Kashmira's blog
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Shellie Grindie	http://www.creativeeclectica.com/
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Monique U	http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata	http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Susan	http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://www.kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Mimi Gardner	http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com/
Anindita Basu	http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Rita (Toltec Jewels)	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Ema Kilroy	http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Emma Todd	http://www.apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/
K Morgan	www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/   <--YOU ARE HERE!
Cheri Reed	http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Rochelle Brisson	http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.misheldesigns.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Weiss	http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner	http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Lynda Carson Roxanne Mendoza Dagi	http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com/ http://roxidesigns.blogspot.com/ http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting!   Hope you have a great weekend!

~Sharyl

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Sale continues--More new listings!

Hi!  I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!  

Wondering why there is still a peony on this blog entry?   Well, I completed a new batch of components, listed them over Memorial Day weekend, and they sold.  So I made another batch!   I've extended the sale to the end of Thursday, May 30, 2013, midnight Central time, to give myself a chance to list more of these and give you a chance to take a look!   

If you see something you like, but would prefer to wait until tomorrow to check out, please leave me a note at the Sharyl's Jewelry ArtFire Store.   I will pick up messages there as quickly as I can, and in the order received, and put your items on reserve for you!       (Another option is to make  your purchase, but ask me to hold mailing it until the sale is over in case you see more you would like to add.)

Here are a some more guidelines to help save you money:

• Most Important:  Use the coupon code at checkout!   It has changed to:    PEONIES20MORE     It will get you 20% off all items in the store while the sale lasts.   Only one coupon code will work at a time, and currently this is the best offer!
• If you purchase your items, then want to add more, please notify me in advance of making your 2nd purchase.  I will deduct the postage for the 2nd order before you place that order.   (It seems to me that customers lose money on refunds.   I'm checking that out to confirm but it's been my recent experience.  I can eliminate those fees BEFORE you pay and that won't happen.)
• Please note: You never pay extra postage for additional components.  Unlike jewelry, even if you have several pieces, they usually fit into one gift box and travel at the lowest mailing rate.   I'm happy to pass that savings on to you!

If you have questions, please let me know!   There is a wide variety of components, both handmade and altered  (flowers, moon/stars, more from the handmade "Creation" series, etc.) I'll be listing today!)    Updates will appear on my Sharyl's Jewelry Facebook page!  

Thanks much!   ~Sharyl

Oh, and one more thing!....

Blog Discussion Topics:

P.S.  I have a few blog topics scheduled for the next 2 weeks, but I'm also wondering......

•  if any of you have ideas for things you would like to see us discuss here?   
• Do you do a type of jewelry-making we're not covering well? 
• Would YOU like to be a guest?   
• Questions you have about this or that we could post and try to answer and/or look for an expert to interview?   

I'd be interested to hear your ideas.   Please either post in the comments section, OR, leave me a message there and indicate you want it to remain private, and I will read but not post.   Thanks for your input!  I want this to be OUR blog!   :-)

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Image Credits:


Peonies photo: Sharyl, 5/13

Question Clip art: http://www.wpclipart.com/blanks/callouts/eyeball_character/.cache/bubble_eyeball_character_question.png

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Memories of Peonies ... and a Holiday Sale!

I think I say this every year, but peonies remind me of Memorial Day, and Memorial Day reminds me of peonies.   

For as long as I can remember, my mother would save up the peonies that would bloom about a week or two too early, put them in plastic bags, and keep them in the frig to prolong their blooms, saving them for our annual pilgrimage from Kansas to the cemeteries in Missouri where our family members were buried.   

I can't describe the feeling, exactly.   Solemn, respectful, but not sad.  It was a happy occasion we looked forward to even as children and later as young adults.  We would clean the tombstones, tidy up any weeds, and put the peonies out in glass mason jars used for canning.   It was a moment to reflect on the names written in stone, how they were connected each other, and how we were connected to them.   Sometimes we would do stone rubbings, take notes, or photograph the names and dates.   I was always very interested in the stories and people, and liked hearing them over and over again, trying to remember, to memorize.

As time went on, the peonies from my grandparents' farm made their way to my mother and my aunts' homes and, years later, eventually on to mine.   I've planted them in separate groupings, so I know the journey of each group.    

Even though we no longer make our pilgrimage to all the cemeteries each Memorial Day, my memories are with my loved ones, here and gone, and of those lovely trips.   

This year the peonies are blooming on the Memorial Day holiday!   I can't think of a year when that has happened, but I've just taken these Saturday evening--the first to bloom!   I'm sure there will be more to come this weekend.   Happy thoughts and memories to each of you!

Sharyl

P.S.  I would love to hear what you do on Memorial Day, family traditions, etc.!  Please share in the Comments sections!  

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Special holiday sale at

Sharyl's Jewelry 

now through Tues, May 28.   

20% off everything in store 

when you use this coupon at checkout:   

PEONIES20     

Sunday Update:

Added new components overnight.   

Expect to add more today.

Feel free to ask me to Reserve any items you may want

until all items are listed.  I'm happy to do that!

Just send a note to me at the Artfire store!

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