Valentine' Day is almost here. Are you ready with the perfect gift?
Here are some suggestions from my jewelry collection ready to purchase and make your gift giving simple.

Double Pink Explosion! Gemstone Crystal Necklace

Key to My Heart ~ Brass Crystal Charm Necklace

Pink Explosion! Crystal Charm Bracelet

Double Pink Explosion! Gemstone Bracelet

Pink Explosion! Charm Earrings

Key to My Heart ~ Charm Earrings

Use coupon code on my website BEMINE for 20% until Feburary 14, 2013

I Was Lost and Now I Am Found

Okay, have you ever lost something? You have searched and searched...keys, handbag, cellphone, that one special earring? I was able to help a customer who found me from a my page on custommade.com. She gave me a call and explained what she had lost. One of her favorite sterling silver Swarovski Crystal Elements earrings that had a heart charm for the focal piece. I have learned being in a creative design business to say, "Sure, I can help you!" is a better answer than, "I will try to see if I can replicate your piece." Being an "I can do it!" type of designer always yields better results and I love to challenge myself. She mailed me the single earring and the hunt began.



I discovered upon opening her package that the earrings were sterling silver, the crystals were Swarovski and I had them in stock. I chose to replace them for the new pair of earrings so they were not look worn.The heart charm was a little harder to solve. The crystal were set in a manufactured heart charm. I looked for the charms on eBay and different bead supplies online stores to find a few charms that came close but I would have to buy in bulk and ship from China and I was not willing to spend that much. I considered even using Rhodium and purchased heart charms without the crystals in both materials and gluing but then I hate when the crystals fall off. The sterling heart charms I found were the  perfect matching size and I decided to try wire wrapping  using artisan silver non-tarnishing wire. I planned out the placing of the crystals in the same configuration as the original earring and began wrapping. I took a picture with my phone and sent her a text before I completed both earrings and she loved it! I finished the second one and sent her a final picture.

She sent me a message that I was an "artistic genius". Those were her words, but it made me laugh. Then she said her mom had lost an earring and she was sending me a picture of it to see what I could do to replicate it.

Her challenge  was the fuel for my creativity. I believe for the most part that I can make almost anything or at least figure out a way to do it. Here is the picture of the earring she sent me and then my final results.

Restory ~ The Story Behind The Design

I have a special friend who has been a part of my family's life for many years. My husband is a worship leader and travels all around the world singing in many different settings and when our children were younger many of the roads trips included listing to cassettes (okay I know that ages me) to our favorite "Story Lady", Melea Brock.

Melea Brock She is a story-teller at Right-Side-Up Stories

With the advance of social networking I have reconnected with her and now my children are older and do not listen to cassettes in the car but I have the cd's ready for when I do have grandchildren. She found my FaceBook page and discovered I create jewelry. As an artist herself she commissioned me to create a piece of jewelry for her. Her instructions were simple, "Just do what you do!" Then my questions began, " Did you have any color idea? chain, beads or both? I am still meditating about your idea...

Do you have a word that you are thinking of? I have not tried stamping...but that gives me some ideas.."
She replies, "Story" is an obvious one... but let me think.

I love symbols too--key, lock, heart, book, sheep,..."
This goes on for about 3 months...you get the idea.
Well, I sent her pictures of my design process:

Phase 1

I gathered all of my bold colored gemstones and sterling silver chain and unique Bali handmade sterling beads. She had sent me some of her sentimental sterling charms and I added some I thought would have special meaning...

Phase 2

Worked out the spacing and added the sterling silver chain....

Finished Product

This is what Melea had to say about what the word, Restory means to her.

This word RESTORY is dear to me... as a storyteller and author. The word had deep meaning for me as a follower of Jesus... for He has taken what is refuse, death, pains and wounds, disappointment (and more) and restory-ed me with His magnificent breath-taking Story. His pages laid across the pages of my life... I have come to understand His exquisite Pen with its permanent ink versus my feeble dull-pointed squat of a pencil, with eraser worn down to a numb... He is the Author of Life... mine and yours. Melea J. Brock

Spring Break 20% special savings. Use coupon code SPRING20 when you check out.
New hand beaded turquoise and Sterling silver earrings...




Super fun custom made layered statement necklace and matching earrings in Galactic Blue Crystals.

Get 10% off your entire order.

Discount coupon ends March 15, 2010. Shop early for St. Patrick's Day.

Not for custom orders or wholesale. Use coupon code GOGREEN10 during checkout.

Here is a link to all things green...click here.

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Custom wedding and prom designs. See pictures of some of them below. One of my favorite things to do is design custom beaded jewelry...

Check the entire site for new styles and classic favorites! New SALE items.