Friday, June 26, 2009

Favorite Publication or Websites - Merry Go Round



It's Merry-Go-Round topic blogging time! This month's topic is to answer the question..."What is your favorite publication(s)? Is there a book, books, magazine, or web site that has become the bible of your art/craft?

I can't say I have one favorite publications or web sites for jewelry making. In the world of jewelry making there are many, many, many different sources for inspiration and information. Also, many web sites, magazines, etc start of being valuable but are now out of existence or has made company changes that affected my use of them.

As some of you know, there are literally thousands of styles and techniques to be found when it comes to jewelry making and design. Funny thing is, they all have a place since self-adornment is such a subjective thing. One persons diamonds can be compared to another persons trade beads.

But there is joy in variety right? So here is just a small variety of book, magazines and web sites I’ve found helpful and inspiring for many different reasons.

Books:


- The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity [10th Anniversary Edition] - A must have for any artist
- The New Beadwork - Love seeing how something simple like seed beads can be transformed in so many different ways.
- The Artist's Resource Handbook - Information, services, opportunities and advocacy.
- Crafters' Internet Handbook (Miscellaneous) - Even if your not an internet guru you can learn a few things from this book.

Magazines:


- www.lapidaryjournal.com - Combines both jewelry and lapidary info. Even has tutorials
- www.beadandbutton.com - Great all around for inspiration, projects, contests and info of all sorts

Web sites:

- www.jjill.com - Love the clothes and jewelry. Very modern
- www.neimanmarcus.com - Helps me keep up with the hottest jewelry and fashion trends
- www.beadshop.com - Beading tools, supplies, beads, classes, and jewelry repair
- www.artbeads.com - Includes Swarovski crystals, glass beads, gemstones, charms, wire, chain, and findings.
- www.firemountaingems.com - beads and beading supplies since 1973. Largest selection of beads and jewelry making supplies at wholesale prices.
- www.sunshineartist.com - Magazine for crafters. Includes listings, reviews, articles, and resources.
- www.snagmetalsmith.org - Society of North American Goldsmiths is the premier association for jewelry, design and metalsmithing.

Some jewelry designers / makers like to tap a certain section or style of jewelry making and make that their signature mark. While I do think it’s important to find your “niche” and to develop a look that customers can recognized you by….I don’t feel that you should limit your self when it comes to learning and being inspired. I find a lot of people lock themselves into a limited section creative and business wise.

Now there’s nothing wrong with that. If you find something that works for you then great…but if I had to look at magazines that only feature diamond and gold jewelry I’d get crossed eyed. LOL. Same with if I had to look at beads…gemstone and seedbeads… without any metalwork to add some flair. So my advice? Be open to checking out different things even if you don’t think it’s your style…you might just discover something new.

So that's my contribution for the Merry-Go-Round project this month. Wonder what the other members of the Merry-Go-Round crew shared? Go take a visit and see. Each month a group of creative folks get together, pick a topic and then blog about it at the same time...give or take a time zone.

Andreanna @ Glamasaurus
Charlotte @ Fancy Picnic
Fabienne @ Easterya
Marian @ Florcita
Wendren @ Wren


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Momfluence House of Gems iPhone Twitter Contest



iPhone Contest Details:

Anyone on Twitter who tweets with the hashtag #HouseofGems between Noon eastern Monday, June 22nd and noon eastern Saturday, June 27th will be entered to win an iPhone 3GS!

U.S. residents 18 years and older are eligible. The winner will be announced during the #houseofgems SiteWarming party Saturday, June 27th at 9 p.m. eastern

Monday, June 15, 2009

House of Gems "Bejeweled Giveaway" sweepstakes



House of Gems and Momfluence has teamed up to have a "Bejeweled Giveaway" sweepstake to introduce House of Gems and give ten lucky blog readers a chance to jumpstart their own jewelry making business or new hobby.


Contest Details:
Have you ever wanted to start your own handmade jewelry store on Etsy or Silkfair, but didn't know where to start? Maybe you already enjoy scrapbooking and knitting and thought beading might be worth a try, but weren't sure about the investment.

Now you can win a bracelet making kit plus $75 in product - a $100 value - by entering the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest. Ten readers across the Momfluence network blogs will be chosen to win!

But there's more! Those ten winners will be able to submit a picture of their completed bracelet to the House of Gems, and one will be chosen to receive a $250 gift certificate, enough product to really jump start your business.

To Enter: Must choose one or more ways to enter

Option 1 - Subscribe to one or more of the House of Gems feeds found at http://www.houseofgems.com/feeds.aspx - each feed subscription counts as a new entry! Once you've subscribed fill out this entry form: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Option 2 - Blog about the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest on your own site then fill out this entry from: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Join us on Twitter Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 p.m. eastern for a #houseofgems SiteWarming party where the 10 winners will be announced!

About the House of Gems:

House of Gems, Inc. (http://www.houseofgems.com) was established to provide quality beads, pearls, findings, pendants, chains and other jewelry making accessories at wholesale prices, directly to the consumer. The people behind Houseofgems.com have been in this business since 1992 and have an extensive network of designers, manufacturers and other direct suppliers to draw upon.

Since they have their own factories,craft shops and import directly, they have the best prices on quality products. Now, with the power of e-commerce they have eliminated the 'middle men', bringing their quality products at low wholesale jewelry prices, directly to your doorstep.