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4/24/2015

Think Big or Think Small?

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So, I have struggled to "think big" in the way that most business consultants advise.

I often read blogs that tell me how to improve my business. One thing they all seem to recommend is "Think Big".

Jewelry that matters - word.

The problem is, I've never wanted to have a big business. All I have ever wanted was to be able to make my work for a sustainable amount, delivering it to people who truly want it and appreciate it.

Jewelry That Matters

I have no desire to have any employees, or a big space, or even fame. I'm really happy just sitting at my bench, carving metal. listening to music, knowing the piece I'm working on will be worn by a person who loves it.

If I could think big, it would be to find a way to enable others to see that every person has something to contribute to the good of mankind. When any one person is supressed from contributing, then it is a huge loss, not just for that person, but for you and me and everyone else.

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So, how can I let others know this, when I am just a mere jewelry maker? Maybe I need to think small. As small as a word, that I can engrave.

Words hold great power, especially when they are written. Let's start small and if one person becomes more accepting or a little kinder, then our world will be a better place.

The Power of Words

I am dreaming of Words, mostly on metal, in the form of pins, charms, pendants and earrings.

What's your favorite quote, phrase or positive word? Would you wear it? Let me know, maybe I'll add it to the collection.

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4/16/2015

NY NJ Gem Show Finds - Stones to Set

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This past weekend I went to the NY NJ Gem Show, held in Edison NJ. There are very few gem shows in the northeast. I am lucky this one is a short travel distance from me. I go every year and always find a few treasures.

Blue stones ready for custom made jewelry. Lapis, turquoise, Shattuckite and Herkimer Diamonds.

My favorite colors are blues of the water and sky. There are three Lapis stones here that I find magical. I can't wait to set them into something beautiful. There are also two incredible turquoise triangles that will make a great pair of earrings. The rough, raw turquoise I will use for rings. The two stones on top right are Shattuckite from Congo. In the center is a sprinkle of clear Herkimer Diamonds (quartz) that are only found in New York state.

Earth Tones stones ready for custom made jewelry. Cross shaped pearls, amber, Dinosaur bones, Royal Imperial Jasper and Picture jasper.

Here are more earthy colored stones. I couldn't resist them. The two cross shapes are cultured pearls. They will be perfect for something to add to the Crosses and Saints Collection. In the center are sprinkles of warm Amber from Poland. An interesting Dinosaur Bone stone is top right , in reds and gray. The two large oval stones on bottom are brown Picture Jasper and a Royal Imperial Jasper from Mexico.

Do you have any ideas for what I should make to set these stones? Let me know if anything here speaks to you.

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4/9/2015

New Jewelry in Crosses and Saints Collection

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Four new silver crosses

It must have been all the chocolate Easter candy I've been eating this week. I was inspired to make four new crosses this week. They are all the same size, but each has a different design on the front. I think my favorite is the one with all the spirals. As with most of my handmade jewelry, I think these are appropriate for man or woman.

Mismatched Vintage Saints Medals

I also made more earrings for the asymmetrical earring a day challenge. One mismatched pair resulted from my cleaning up two tiny little Catholic medals. I handcrafted little posts with rings in sterling silver. I think they are so cute. I love to make jewelry that has meaning and I think I succeeded this week.

You can find all of these crosses and earrings in the Crosses and Saints Collection. Better yet, just click on the photos below to go directly to the item page.

Vintage Saints Mismatched Earrings

Ancient Spiral Cross

Rustic Sunburst Cross

Silver Cross Necklace

Rustic Stamped Cross

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4/1/2015

Asymmetrical Mismatched Earrings Challenge

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Now that 3 months have gone by, I think it's time to tell you about a challenge I joined for 2015. The challenge is called Earring a Day 2015. It's a 365 challenge which means the goal is to create one per day for a year. I've already failed at that - but now my goal is to make 365 by the end of the year.

The challenge is to make a single earring each day. Why a single earring and not a pair? Because there should be no duplicate. Two of the earrings will create an asymmetrical pair.

I have a category in my shop, under the Earrings section, called Asymmetrical Earrings. This is where you will find all the earrings I make for the challenge. Some are sold in asymmetrical pairs and some are sold as a single earring. Be sure to read the full description orcontact me if it is not clear to you.

This challenge was created by Victoria Takahashi, a very talented artisan jeweler who runs a shop named Experimetal on Etsy. Please check out her shop and other artisan jewelers who have joined the challenge. You can create your own "pair" of mismatched earrings by browsing all our shops.

Shop for my earrings in the Asymmetrical Earrings Section here on my site.

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Think Big or Think Small?

Jewelry That Matters

Imagine

The Power of Words

NY NJ Gem Show Finds - Stones to Set

New Jewelry in Crosses and Saints Collection

Asymmetrical Mismatched Earrings Challenge

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Mary Lu Wason

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