Big Labradorite, Tiny Iolite, Blooming Apatite and a Turquoise Hug!

Ive been going bezel crazy lately!! Some of my newest editions are a mix between big statement pieces, and tiny everyday styles.

I couldnt get over the flash in this gorgeous oval labradorite cab, it's so striking against the brushed and oxidized finish silver in this necklace.

These tiny 5mm Iolite stones have the softest watery blue shade. It was impossible to capture it on camera :-( These are the newest edition to my line of Studlettes Earrings.

This Flora necklace was just a dream to make. I hand sawed each petal and soldered them together, forming them to mimic the natural curves of a flower blossom. The middle is a beaded wire bezel set teal apatite.

Finally, a simply, everyday necklace, Little Hug . Named this way because the turquoise hugs the side of your chest where your heart beats :-)

Of course these are all available in my shop!

Don't forget, spend $50 in shop and get a free pair of Tiny Sprouts!

Freebie Time!!!

Everyonce in a while I have freebie sales - and now is one of those times! This time around Im offering a free pair of my Tiny Sprout earrings ( $15 value) with any purchase of $50 or more!

Each "Sprout" is hand made, hammered lightly, and tumbled to a sturdy and shiny finish! To get a pair of these, just purchase the listing for my Tiny Sprouts in the Sale section and wait for me to send you a revised invoice before paying with paypal :-)

Sale only applies to my etsy shop, and ends Oct 5th!! Get em while they are free- they go up to the retail price of $15.00 after the 5th!

Featured On Etsy Front Page Sept 26th 2008!

I was soo lucky today to be notified by some of my lovely etsy/blog friends that my Aurora Ring Trio was on Etsy's front page!! How exciting! Thank you Lisa, Carolyn and Yasmin for notifying me!!!

Fave Tool Of The Week Sept 23rd 2008

Fave Tool Of The Week time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm loving showcasing all my pretty ( and not so pretty) tools! The tool Ive decided to feature this week is an oldy but a goody, it's my handy dandy half round pliers! Perfect for forming rings, bending wire, smoothing out a kink... I use these all the time, and coudn't work with out them!

They've had beeter days, but they are priceless!!

Busy Busy Weekend!

I was delighted and lucky enough to have 6 sales this weekend ( combination of etsy sales and in person sales! ) I thoroughly enjoy it when I sell items that I love myself! I love all the pieces I make if I didnt they wouldnt be for sale. BUT that doesnt mean I'd wear them all. Some items are things that just dont suit my colour preferences, or they dont fit ( like rings, bracelets), but they were still made with love! Other times I'll make something new, a new design, and it just doesnt nessesarily suit my style. Ive heard of jewellery designers who say, " I only make what I would wear myself," but I guess I just don't follow that rule. I suppose my rule is, "I only make what I love, and would want someone else to love..."

Check out some of these pieces that sold this weekend - these happen to all be pieces I would wear :-) These are listed as made to order in my shop!

Pearly Girl ( sold one in bright green)

This has been relisted in shop :-)

Double Trouble Bangles ( I sold a custom order of these - 5 goldfilled ones)

These have been relisted in shop :-)

Leaflets - Morganite

(Sold these to a girlfriend - these have always been a favorite of mine!)

Still listed in shop!

Here's hoping my little string of sales can turn into frequent sales!!

A little something for everyday!

I just listed these simple, rustic heart stamped posts, that are perfect for everyday wear! They are approx 5mm and are slightly hammered and oxidized! Check em out!

Heart Buds

Some new lovlies for fingers!

I've been addicted to stacking rings lately! Ive been on a tiny cab buying spree; 5mm and 6mm citrines, ambers, garnets, amethysts, peridots.... well you get the point! I love the idea of these stacking rings being worn together, or seperate! Im toying with the idea of making some of these in 14k goldfilled as well...

Anyways, hope you love em as much as I do!

Raspberry Ring Trio

Harvest Ring Trio

Client Pictures!

Back in May, I was contacted by this lovely lady, named Leslie, who was getting married and wanted me to do her bridesmaids jewellery. Of course I was thrilled! Over the next couple of months, I catered pieces to fit each one of her bridesmaids personalities and dress. It was an amazing experiance, as Leslie was a dream bride to work with; Easy going, detailed, and gave me full artistic freedom!

So July came, and I sent off her pieces for her upcoming nuptuals in August, and asked, if she had time once things had settled down, if she could send me a pic or two... Well today I opened up my email, and there were 9 wonderful shots from Leslie's gorgeous New York wedding!! I just had to share a couple of my faves...

The stunning Bride( wearing my necklace and earrings) and Groom!

The Gorgeous Bridesmaids, all wearing my necklaces!This was a great opportunity for me, and I can only hope to work with another lovely and easy going bride to be as Leslie!

Fave Tool Of the Week Sept 14th 2008

Im beginning to look forward to ever week when I can write about my fave tool of the week! My boyfriend and I have figured out, that I am definatly the handy person with the tools, and own many many more than he ever will hehe. My dad loves coming over and checking out my new tools to play with - But I get the feeling if he could steal any of them, it would be this one ....

My flex Shaft! The most handy tool for sanding, buffing, drilling, cutting, polishing, etc etc etc!

Im thinking this is alot of peoples favorite tools, Am I correct ??

New Bridal Piece!

Ive been trying to expand my tiny wedding section on Bella-Bijou.com . I dont do a ton of wedding jewellery, since most of my wedding commisions are just that - commisions, custom orders. Occasionally I get an idea for a great piece that would look great on a bride, and this is one of those pieces! Check out my Cascade Necklace made with freshwater white pearls, wire to hang like petals, through a handforged sterling ring.

Of course, it will be available in my etsy shop aswell!

Win a pair of Earrings @ HeartHandmade!

What the chance to win a pair of my Dimples Aqua Chalcedony Earrings ? Check out www.hearthandmadeblog.com and enter to win! All you have to do is post a comment, answering the question at the end of the post, and you could win!

Best Of Luck! Be sure to let me know if youve entered :-)

Switching Over....

Some may notice lately that Ive been retaking alot of my photos, with a nice grey linen style background. I feel that the greay background is really giving my photos so POP, but of course, wanted some opinions! Check out the same item, photographed both ways :

The New Photo :

The Old Photo :

What do you guys think ? Do you like the simple grey backgrounds ?

Fave Tool Of The Week Sept 7th 2008

Seems like the time flies between these Fave Tool Of the Week installements! This week its my trusty ring clamp! I find this tool absolutly nessesary to hold things for filing, burnishing, stone setting etc. Infact, if you look closely you'll see that there is a pearl stud earring in it that im setting at the moment!

Ive used this handy tool in all sorts of my designs, like these rings :

New Business Cards!!

Soooo exciting! I *just* recieved my new business cards from http://www.gotprint.net/ and I love them! They came with a glossy UV coating, and lovely rounded edges!

What do YOU think ?

Dreaded Blue Screen of Death...

Oye, so I had to install a windows update the other day, just to have my computer not turn back on :-( I can only get as far as this awefull blue screen that says its trying to "dump physical data to disk" Whatever on earth that means. I can't get past this screen. Some say my harddrive might have crashed, others say it could need ram, I say this makes me very very sad. All of my family, and business pics, and documents are on my laptop!!! EEEKKKKKK! Here's hoping my wonderfull computer tech friend gives me some good news tomorrow, and can save some of this!

However, this will of course mean, that I will need to buy a new harddrive, and ram, at the very least ( and hopefully not a new lap top!!!!) Sooo, that means I need to make some sales and save some $$$$. To get the ball rolling, I will be offering anyone who uses the coupon code "CRASHED" in the checkout at http://www.bella-bijou.com/ or in the notes to seller in my etsy shop ( please wait for revised invoice before paying ) http://www.bellabijoujewellery.etsy.com/ free shipping+ 10% off!!!! This is one of the best deals Ive had, and Im hoping for it to be successfull :-) Sale ends Sept 6th 2008

Thanks to all out there reading this blog, and thank you in advance to all those who purchase items in the next few days! Sale does not include custom orders.