Long Weekend Sale

Hello All! Just a quick note today to mention the sale I have on right now! Spend $50 or more in my etsy shop or my website, and recieve 10% off!

Purchases through etsy will have the 10% refunded via paypal.
Purchases on Bella-Bijou.com must use coupon code CCOMF08 for the discount at the checkout.

Sale Expires Dec 1st!!

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Shipping Reminder!

In order to receive your Bella-Bijou goodies for gift giving at Christmas, please use this guideline.

[2008 Holiday Shipping Schedule]

[Canada]: Made to Order items must be ordered & paid by Dec 3rd:

Ready to go items must be ordered & paid by Dec 8th.

[USA/International]: Made to Order items must be ordered & paid by Nov 30th:

Ready to go items must be ordered & paid by Dec 3rd.

**Rush shipping will be available at an additional charge**

As always Bella-Bijou Jewellery is package in a cotton lined 100% recycled jewellery box with bow and Bella-Bijou sticker. Items can be sent directly to your lucky recipient, and receipt mailed to you upon request, at no extra charge.

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Pansies

Busy Hands = Happy Mind

In the wake of dealing with a death in the family, Ive sunk myself into work. I had a few days off from the dreaded day job, and have tried to be productive. Ive found it very comforting, and distracting. Here's some of the new items I have come up with in the last couple days.

Lost At Sea

Blue Boulder Studs

Twist Of Fate

Black and White Stackers

Sphere Studs

I've been on a metal kick lately, but I have a bunch of colour infused pieces to list & post tomorrow. Its amazing how the inspiration comes in waves. I don't even think I thought about these designs, they just came from my hands...

Heavy Heart

Today with sadness I list one and only one thing on my Love List.

I LOVE - My dear grandpa, who passed on suddenly & unexpectedly last night. My heart is heavy, and filled with wishes of more time spent with him. My eyes are puffy, and filled with endless tears. I miss you already Grandpa :-(

♥ Love List ♥

Inspired by the wonderful Lisa of www.lisaslovelies.blogspot.com ( check out her recently "Gratefull" posts) Ive decided to post the little things I love, the things that somehow can make your day go by with one extra smile! So here goes :

I LOVE ~ getting mail (especially packages!)

I LOVE ~ a good belly laugh ( doesn't everyone?)

I LOVE ~ rinsing off items once they come out of the tumbler and seeing them all shiny for the first time.

Photo Tutorial On Jump Ring Soldering

I didn't quite have time to do the video blog on soldering jump rings today ( I know I know, its still coming!) But I thought I'd do a quick photo tutorial :-) This tutorial is assuming you arlready know the basics of silversmithing, and is just simply the way I do it, and certainly not the only way!

Materials you will need :

Soldering surface ( I use a kiln brick, some use charcoal etc)

Jump rings ( see my video blog on making them!)

Solder ( I used medium sheet solder in this tutorial )

Small Butane Torch

Flux ( I use Batterns)

Pickle & Pickle Pot

Copper tongs ( for your pickle - don't use steel!!!)

paint brush

Step One

Place your jump rings on your soldering surface, make sure the ends are snug right up next to each other (solder must touch both ends of the metal!) These are 14mm sterling silver 18 gauge jump rings.

Step Two

Use your paint brush to apply flux to your piece. Your solder wont flow if you skip this step! (sorry for the blurry photo , at this stage I'm finding out its kinda hard ot take photos while fluxing lol)

Step Three

Place your solder pieces on the joint you are wanted to close. Try to use pieces of solder that are relative to the size of joint you are closing. Too much looks messy, too little won't hold.

Step Four

Heat up those suckers! Warm up the whole piece first, before concentrating your flame on the joint. The solder wont flow if the rest of the silver isn't the right temperature. Move your torch flame around in a smooth motion on the slow side around the piece.

Step Five

Enjoy your newly soldered shut jump rings!

Step Six

Drop those babies in your pickle until they are clean! Then finish as desired ( I tumbled these )

Still Alive!

I know its been a little while since Ive posted anything new, but I guess I feel like I havent had anything interesting to say! Ive been very busy trying to prepare for a jewellery party, which I can honestly say Im not that prepared for inventory wise. ( I always stress myself out soo much for these things!) I haven't had time to make new items really since, Ive been busy with Make To Order Items that have sold ( yay sales, I hope they keep coming!) I did however make this new ring the other day, which I'm in love with! I adorned it with little 14k gold nuggets on the side, and the gorgeous pink amethyst sparkles so beautifully!

Top Hat

Grumble...

Yesterday was Sunday; I had plans for all sorts of things. Work on some new pieces, clean the house, etc. One of those things wasn't, however, waking up at 630am to find out that our hot water tank was leaking everywhere. *Grumble* So there I am, calling the plumbing people at 645am, and they tell me they can't even get anyone over until between 12pm and 3pm ( Don't you just love it when they do that ? " Oh we will be there anytime between 8am and 5pm," .... Um thanks).
Anyways, a spot opened up earlier and the plumber was here about 11am. He told me what I already knew - that the tank needed to be replaced. Of course this happens when the landlord is out of town for two weeks. Plumber man tells me that not only does the tank need replacing, but that all the pipes and bits and pieces around it need to be brought up to code. *Extra Grumble*
So we tell plumber dude to go ahead, since we don't want to wait 2 weeks for hot water, until landlady comes home. He goes to get a new tank and shows up 3 hours later to start install. So now its about 330pm, and remember, I called at 645am. He gets to work, and work, and work. Tells us, "One more hour and I'm done guys!" and then it turns into 2 hours, then 3.... The new tank is finally finished at 830pm!! *Super Grumble*

Sigh, what a long day. I got nothing done. Even Plumber man said it was the worst install he's ever done :-S Its all over now, we can shower and do laundry a plenty lol, but not really the way I wanted to spend my Sunday!

Starting the Christmas Shopping!

I stumbled across this wonder seller on etsy yesterday. She makes gorgeous pouches and bags! I have already started talks with her about order some for xmas prezzies for some girlfriends! She answered my convos so quickly, and was extremely helpfull! Here's some of my faves :

Fall Tree in Purple Night - Zipper Pouch with Clip

Sakura Stripes (Beige) - Zipper Pouch with Clip (Square Shape)

Aren't they lovely ? The craftwomanship looks divine, and I love the little clips on the side! So functional! You can shop yourself at www.charmdesign.etsy.com

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Don't Forget!! Spend $50 in my etsy shop and recieve a pair of Toiny Sprouts for free! Only until Nov 15th 2008!!

Congrats All My American Buddies!

President Obama, has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? It has the sound of change, and change, albeit scary sometimes, is a good thing!

[Picture curtosy of Podcastingnews.com]

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On another note, as a celbratory measure, Ill be offering my Tiny Sprouts for free again! On all purchases of $50 or more, you will automatically recieve a pair of my Tiny Sprout earrings! Available at www.bellabijoujewellery.etsy.com only, and until Nov 15th 2008

Some New Pretties!

It's been a little while since I've posted some of my new items, so I thought Id show some off today! I listed these in shop & website yesterday, but they haven't gotten many views yet (on etsy anyways - not sure if they are having one of their "issues") Anywho.... I'm really loving some of the new stuff I'm doing, and was hoping someone else would too! I've been lucky enough to get my hands on some gorgeous AAA grade faceted gemstones ( Swiss Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Peridot and White Topaz to name a few) and I've been addicted to working with them!

Fallen Leaf

Petite Stacker - Swiss Blue

Petite Studs - Amethyst

Amber Daisy ( size 8)



The Petite Stackers and Studs will be made in 4 stone choices. The stackers will be able to be purchased seperatly ( like that one) or all four to wear together! The Amber Daisy ring is probably the most comphy ring ever! Its sooo smooth and tapered, I wanted to keep her, but at a size 8 she is too big :-(

Fave Tool Of the Week Nov 1st 2008

Tumble Tumble...Ahhh, I love that sound! The sound of my tumbler humming away. At first I found it annoying, but then I learned to love it, to know that eventually I would turn it off to look at gorgeous new shiney pieces of jewellery! My lortone tumbler is my Fave Tool this week ( you thought Id forgotten about Fave Tool didnt ya ??) I can only say that I couldnt create like I do, without my tumbler. It work hardens my pieces, like earwires, and posts, and bracelets etc, as well as shining them up to a glorious glow! So without further adieu, my tumbler! ( and yes, she is spinning away in this photo!)