Now Showing....Cool Jewelry!

Lately I've been finding some good marketing ideas from new Indie etailers I've come across on Etsy. It's cool to see how some of these stores are making products with unique ideas and concepts. This time it's jewelry from Now Showing Studios on Etsy. Melanie, the genius behind the designs, has taken the idea of movies and combined it with jewelry to create a really cool product. She's taken snippets from DVD movie rental cards (the ones that are behind the cases when they get rented out) and transforms them into some really neat pieces.


She has them separated by genre in her shop. Like Anime, horror, Cartoon, Sci Fi etc and you can find necklaces, earrings and bracelets. She adds coordinating beads and things to make the pieces even more one of a kind. Especially the necklaces.





This is the necklace I picked out and in case you can't figure out the snippet, it's from the Power Puff Girls. I just thought it was cool :-). I like how she uses bits and pieces so you have to sometimes think to figure out what movie it's from. Some are kind of obvious like the one below...and if you can't figure out what movie it is I can't help you.

I also was lucky enough to get a pair of earrings and some of her bracelets. The bracelets I got are memories gone wild for me...she uses those black rubber bracelets that I had a ton of in the 1980s..love them! And the earrings I got were from a Hello Kitty movie...each one is a side of her whiskered head :-).

There are just so many jewelry stores on Etsy now and it's almost mandatory that you come up with your own unique ideas to help you stand out from the crowd. I like what Melanie has done with this store. It's very unique and it's a clever idea. The pieces range from $15 to $30 and if you have a movie buff to buy for this Christmas, this might be that unique gift you're looking for! You can click the links in this post or just click on the Now Showing banner in my Shop Shop Shop section and you'll be taken straight there. Happy shopping!

Serrelynda

Finding unique and orignal jewelry designs can be hard or it can be easy. Etsy, as you know, is my top top choice for finding one of a kind or at the least, very original pieces. Sometimes, I find a shop that has designs that really do stand out from the crowd. Serrelynda is such a shop.

Serrelynda's designs incorporate unique antique and vintage findings with bronze, oxidized brass and oxidized silver. Most of these pieces are things I have never seen before. The bracelets and necklaces are extremely unique and no two are the same. To me, it's the vintage bits and pieces she uses that make all the difference. Plus, her profile says shes a stay-at-home-mom with a 4 year old...just like yours truly...except I can't come up with jewelry like this :-)

This bracelet is perhaps one of my favorites from her shop. This Cloisonne (I love Cloisonne) Moon and Star Filligree bracelet, has really antique Cloisonne from Baghdad marked with the year 1937. I have alot of Chinese cloisonne in my home (from my mother) but this is not your run of the mill/dime a dozen type of enamel work. The oxidized brass works so well with the cloisonne pieces, it's like they were two lost souls who finally found each other...ok I'm being sappy but this is just a beautiful piece! This bracelet runs for $28, not a bad price considering the antique cloisonne.

Another piece that I love is this necklace with the two opposing Griffins. It's so medieval and it just seems to be a show stopper.....as well as a major conversation piece. Who wouldn't ask you about this if you were wearing it? Serrelynda oxidized the brass herself (which I wouldn't have a clue how to do) and to me that just says I put my blood, sweat and tears into my work. $42 for this original necklace and I guarantee you'll be the talk of the party wearing this one :-)

Serrelynda does make earrings too. They are beautiful but not as intricate as her necklaces and bracelets. However, you don't want to overdo your jewelry ensamble. The earrings are simple in design and will go well with they other pieces she sells. If you're wearing an over the top necklace or bracelet, you want to go easy on your earrings. Not every piece of jewelry should make a huge statement. Simple earrings go well with intricate necklaces. I like these Bronze Moonglow earrings. The warm colored beads against the bronze are just striking. $12 for these earrings.

Serrelynda has many many other pieces, this is just the tip of the iceberg. So if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, Serrelynda has pieces that range in price from $10-$42. I would be shocked if you didn't end up either buying something or just hearting alot of pieces and hearting her shop!

Almost the New Year and New Stuff for Me :-)

Ah yes, Christmas is over. The frantic shopping, wrapping till 1 am on Xmas eve and baking those dam, I mean wonderful cookies all month long. But, at least we all have some new things to show off right?


Over this past month, I've won some blog contests, gotten a special discount code and of course gave my husband (and Secret Santa) some Indie items that I wanted. So all in all I had a nice Xmas season. Here's a little run down on some of the delightful things I got this past month.





















I received a nice 50% off discount via a blog giveaway to Nyblaque's Etsy store. Nyblaque is an Etsy jewelry store in which I found a most unique necklace that just kept getting my attention. It's call "Cornucopia" and as you can see by the picture it is such a cornucopia of things. Framed by this simple ebony wood rectangle, the simple golden circle is bursting with a variety of autumn colored gemstones.

Here's the description straight from Nyblaque's listing:



"This design was my expression of a cornucopia...filled with labradorite berries, mandarin garnet oranges, carnelian pumpkins and lemon quartz squash..bursting out of the horns' copper, brass and oxidated alumunum twisted and soldered handmade 20m "ring". Captured in a 35mm tiger ebonywood picture frame. "


It hangs from a very delicate chain and is a rather heavy pendant. I don't care how heavy it is though cause I think it's one of the best pieces I own. I can safely say, I have the only one :-) Now, this piece was originally priced at $50 but I was able to get it for $25 with my discount. I know this type of piece takes a long time to make, just look at the work that went into it, but I see this as a unique style for Nyblaque and I hope to see more of this style in the future.























I had also recently won another blog giveaway (it's been my lucky year what can I say) and in this one I received this necklace that I call my New Year's Eve ball, but it's actually called "Ice Princess" by Vandiva on Etsy. The necklace is on a very long chain, which is not usually my style, but when paired with a turtleneck sweater, it looks just right. The pendant is made of lead crystal, accented with pearls, clear crystal and opalite beads. The retail value of this piece is $49! I have actually had a piece of Vandiva's in my Etsy favorites for awhile called Rain Cloud which you can find on the first page of the shop. If you like chunkier styles, then I would recommend you take a look there.












This next Indie item, well it's not something I would've have bought for myself no matter how much I wanted one. My husband would've killed me if I bought one, so what better place to ask for one than in a Secret Santa! And, it's my Butt Freckle! Here's mine, ain't she cute lol. Butt Freckle is another wonderful Etsy store filled with, well these Butt Freckles. Tiny little friends with a lil charm (or freckle) on their backsides, as you can see in the next picture (butt freckles on Butt Freckles will vary). Butt Freckles range in price from $4 to $22 for xtra large ones. The purpose of said Butt Freckle? No purpose, you just have to have one cause they are so dam cute.








Lastly, I had this one on my Xmas list that my husband got to shop from. I had first seen these Flapper Hats on Rare Bird Finds and just thought they were gorgeous. The variety of colors, flowers and the like just made for a unique, conversation piece of a hat. You can find these Flapper Hats at Melissa Happy Stuff on Etsy. The hats cost $30 each and let me tell you, if you go and look at her sales..it's just pages and pages of these Flapper Hats. They are selling like hot cakes over there. The photo on the right is the exact one that my husband got me. The colors are perfect as they match the coat I wear.


So, lots of good stuff right? I'm very happy and very satisfied with all of these great Indie items. What did you all get for Xmas? Let me know.

Coming up soon here on Products..my list of the Best of 2008 (based on my product reviews during 2008).

Scrabble Anyone?

Lately, I've been on this recycled Scrabble Tile kick. There are so many artists that are turning old Scrabble tiles (or small Scrabble Tile sized tiles) into unique, creative pendants. There are so many uniques images and artwork that you have a plethora to choose from. Of course alot of these pieces can be found at Etsy stores. Here are a few that I have gotten pieces from..some are having some good sales right now so you could get a head start on some Xmas shopping if you wanted to. :-)

Sun Petals' shop has a really good mix of Vintage, abstract and artistic images on her tiles. Right now there are over 20 different Vintage images ranging from classic Alice in Wonderland to birds and ladies. I personally like the more abstract images with just simple colors and some less abstract images like this flower that's just to be seen at a different angle. The flower can only just been seen and the focus is on the stem and leaves. I just like it and I'm going to get it.. The colors are something I don't often wear in jewelry.

In this photo you can get a good feel for the variety of images that Sun Petals has. Right now she is having a Holiday sale. You can get 4 pendants of your choosing with chains and gift tins for $30. Or you can get just one pendant w/chain and gift tin for only $7.95. Or, just the tile pendant for $5. Go on, get the 4 pack..you'll kill 4 Xmas birds with one shopping trip.

Another Etsy store where you can get these tile pendants is Jesse Janes. You can also get some good deals there too. Halloween tiles are just $3 right now. All other Scrabble tiles and Bamboo tiles are Buy 2 get one Free (chains are sold separately). I recently got this cool Halloween pendant called Pumpkinhead. I'm getting alot of people telling me it's cool. I take that as a compliment. I feel I am cool with the things I get from Indie etailers

:-) Jesse Janes has all kinds of artwork from Vintage to abstract to kitchy sayings to cute animals to holiday images.

Here's an abstract piece that I really like and the other photo is a grab bag photo of various Jesse Janes tiles.

The last Etsy store that I have found that sells tile pendants (now these aren't old Scrabble tiles but they are in that nice square shape) is Bee Dazzles Pendants shop. Bee Dazzles uses her own artwork (which you can buy the original artwork, prints or stationary at her other stores). I really enjoy browsing thru Bee's work, especially the nature/tree themes..the colors just pop out at you but are so tranquil in their combination. Bee's square tile pendants range from $11-$16 and you can get them in Mini (1 inch) or Large (1.25 inches).

This gorgeous Autumn Maple Leaves pendant is the one I just got last night. This one runs for $13 and I can't wait to get it.

This other one is called Tranquility and I must say out of all of Bee Dazzle's artwork, this one is my favorite. This is the one with the colors that just pop at you but, like it's name, it is just so tranquil.

Bee also has heart shaped, bird shaped, flower shaped and fish shaped pendants that are all handpainted.

So, I just gave you an easy way to get some Xmas shopping done fast. The links are there, the rest is up to you :-)

Baubles of Mine

I know, it's been awhile..and I'm sorry. With all my PTO duties, I've been sidetracked. Plus, last week was my 10th Wedding Anniversary and hubby had a beautiful day planned last Saturday.

Anyway, I've been acquiring some new baubles for my ears lately. Be it a purchase or finding a delightful Etsy SNS Secret. I'm really enjoying finding all these wonderful pieces of jewelry and I'm getting some great sales too. Alas, some of these sales are over but if you're an Etsy shopper..you need to peruse the "Promotion" section of the forums. That's where I find out about all these wonderful sales/contests etc. Today is Saturday and starting at 5pm you'll find the SNS sale thread on the Promotions forum.

One of the awesome sales I had found was a BOGO, buy one get one free, on earrings at Lilly Queen's store on Etsy. These one's on the left are Scroll & Berry cluster earrings. Pretty scrollwork and the maroon glass pearls set off the metal nicely. The other pair I bought were these on the right side and they're called Pina Colada. It's pretty white & honey jade on brass. I'm trying to find earrings of different colors, styles etc to go with any of my outfits. Just like a girl, isn't it.

I was able to pick these two beauties for only $9 YES FOR BOTH!

Prices for earrings at Lilly Queen are from $15 to $23. I actually like the simplicity of the designs. The colors and styles are simple, yet classic in design. Nothing too outlandish but just right.

This next pair of earrings I got are from Strands of Light on Etsy. These were a SNS Secret item. For those of you unfamiliar with the SNS secret...you can get one secret item per week and they generally are free or just the cost of shipping. You have to search through the store's listings to find the phrase "SNS Secret" or "Secret" somewhere in the listing. These I really like. The vintage glass beads hang from a copper ring on sterling silver. The glass beads are white with flecks of painted color. They are smaller in person (I was actually concerned they might be too big from the picture) but they are sweet and dainty. These earrings cost $23 normally. Earrings at Strands of Light range from $20-$30. If you like this style that I got, there are a few there right now that are very similar..just different beads.

These dainty lil gold ones come from Amanda Mackay's Etsy Store (she does have her own website with more jewerly). We've got glass pearls, crystal beads and freshwater pearls and gold-plated ear hooks. As you can see the pearls/beads are in varying shades of blue. These are very dainty and very feminine. They are very light on the ears (which I like cause my ears hate me if I wear anything too heavy) and easy to wear. Amanda's Etsy earrings run from $8 to $30 and there are some there now, similar in style (different colors, metals) to these that I have. These were another SNS secret I had found but originally cost only $6.

There are just so many options on Etsy! I spend hours just "window" shopping there. You can always find something new on Etsy.

Pleasant Under Glass

Ok, so I've been on a jewelry kick lately...sorry so sue me :-)

My most recent acquisition is from Under Glass on etsy. And, let me tell you this is one of the most unique jewelry stores I've come across. The necklace I got was this beautiful Snowflake on a blue background. It looks large in the picture but it is actually very dainty. Carol-Ann, the artist of Under Glass, placed the digital image of the snowflake under a thick, glossy coat of resin. The result, naturally, makes it look like it's (sorry bad pun here) Under Glass. The pendant has these black and white stripes around the sides and as simple as they are, they add depth to the pendant. It hangs on a silver plated chain...(I usually prefer Sterling Silver but the silver plated chain is actually much brighter than most of my Sterling. ) There are many other snowflake pendants on Carol-Ann's site that are just as or more intriguing than mine. They run $24 and are really little pieces of art.

And, there aren't just the snowflake necklaces at Under Glass. Carol-Ann makes another kind of series of necklaces called Reliquary Pendants. They are basically glass tubes in which she will place an inscription on and some sort of design on it. Inside there are coordinating glass beads that will roll freely inside. Some hang horizontally on the chain or vertically with some added glitz like the one I have shown here called Garden Girl. The Reliquaries go for $29.

And, it's not just the jewelry that caught my attention. When I got my package in the mail, the presentation Carol Ann makes is just as unique and pretty as the necklace inside the box. Just take a look at how my necklace was packaged. It's this kind of attention to detail, not just in the main body of work, but how the customer receives their merchandise..is truly something you don't normally find in this day and age.

Of course, I'm only cruising by the tip of the iceberg here. There are many many unique works of art at Under Glass. There are several other types of necklaces and of course, earrings and bracelets. I'm sure you'll find something just as unique as you are.

Beauty Around the Neck of the Beholder

You all probably don't know this, but I was an Art History major in college..yes and now I'm a stay at home mom with a blog. But, I still have my love of Art and when I find something that deals with Art, it tugs on my heart strings.

That's how I felt when I found Heart Works by Lori on Etsy. Lori makes these "Art Pendants" and they are just beautiful. She creates these wonderful works of art by incorporating her love of jewelry with her love of Art. Each pendant makes me feel like I'm in a museum. The miniaturized artworks are surrounded by intricate little "frames" that look just like the painting (of course only smaller). Completely sealed with glass to keep the lil masterpiece safe.

What really got me interested in Lori's shop is that she mentions on her Etsy store that she's done a collection of jewelry for the Boston Art Museum (they still have them up for sale on the museum's website and if you click on the link, it will take you to them). She made them for a special exhibition on the Spanish Masters. You can see how really well done the pieces are by the pictures I have here. These two pictures (Madonna by Cotan and Plate of Pears) are pieces that are being sold at the museum's store. Lori's been making Art Jewelry since 2007 and with this Boston Art Museum gig, I trust her work.

Lori makes plenty of other pieces as well. Like the one that I got called The Bird Has Flown. The artwork is a photograph done by an award-winning Etsy photographer named Irene Suchocki (she was featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition, very impressive). This is perfect for me..it's a little melancholy yet liberating with the bird flying away from it's cage. The necklace is priced at $30 or you can go with it as an A La Carte pendant (although the "frame" is not as intricate) for $20.

And, there are still more Art pendants..by some of the Masters...available on her Etsy store. Like this famous Klimt work, The Kiss and Starry Night by Van Gogh.

The Art Jewelry prices range from $26 to $75 and Lori has other pieces on her site that ranges from $12-$60. For me though, I just love these Art Works! Lori has a regular jewelry site that I've taken a peek at and even her non Art jewelry pieces are works of Art. I just love when I find a really unique jeweler. I have several "personal jewelers" now and Lori is one of them. I you trust me, then you'll be sure to find yourself a wonderful little piece of Art!

Something Somewhere for Everybody

Jewelry is always a very personal choice. In my travels across the net, I've usually found something I like in just about every online Indie jewelry site. Whether it's earrings on one site or pendants on another..there's something somewhere for everybody. Here's some of my recent discoveries that I wouldn't mind having for myself (ahem..my birthday is coming and if any of my teachers are reading..so it volunteer appreciation week :-) )

Silver Dot Jewelry on Etsy is soo lucky..Judy Kaplan, the artist at Silver Dot was just recently featured on Good Morning America. I doubt that I can give her as good as publicity as GMA, but I can try. If you want to see the video, here's the link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4402853

It features several of her pieces..but you won't see the same ones here on my blog. I want to show you some of my favorites from her site.


This necklace features Amethyst (one of my favorite stones) and Smokey Quartz briolettes on a Sterling Silver Chain. I've been becoming fond of the briolette stones and I like the trio of stones. $28.50 is all this one costs. I like how the purple of the Amethyst plays off against the darkness of that Smokey Quartz.




The other piece that I like from Judy's site is this pair of Rose Gold Vermeil earrings with the Smokey Quartz stones.


The pink of the rose gold vermeil is striking against the quartz. Alas, these are reserved for a specific buyer so you can't buy them for me. $17.50 for these lil beauties.

Don't forget, we have our own special code at Silver Dot. Check out the new Coupon Code section in the right hand sidebar. Thanks Judy!

Another Etsy store that caught my eye recently is Kimberly Monaco Designs. I periodically peruse the forums, especially the Promotions forum. Every Saturday evening there are the Saturday Night Specials. And this Man in the Moon Necklace was pictured and I just love it. It's simple yet it just makes a statement.

Just $28!

Another piece I found via perusing the Etsy forums is this glass pendant (limited edition) from Laura at Talisman. There was a post on the forum that she was having a sale because of the evil insurance companies (regarding her daughter) and I wanted to help out. I'm like you though, I can't afford to buy too much at one time..but I really liked her work and the "LOVE" series. I've gotton so many compliments from my teacher friends over at my school. I bought this one on sale so I cannot guarantee you will find one like this at the same price. She was just at a craft show recently so alot of listings were pulled so she could bring them to the show. I'm just fascinated by her work. The uniques melding of colors in the glass is just beautiful. The photo really doesn't do it justice.


The one thing I can recommend is that you do a search thru the jewelry categories at Etsy. You can basically find anything and everything there. I love the unique designs that I find there. If I was only rich!!!!