It's a Long Way to the Top... If You Wanna Rock and Roll!

Yesterday two long boxes showed up in the mail addresses to me. They were wine boxes.

I thought to myself, "wtf, I didn't order any wine?"

Then I saw they were from Australia, and was even more perplexed, until I realized they were from a very good friend of ours that moved across the pond a year and a half ago.

He is probably the only person I know who would ship booze to the other side of the world! 

BUT, it gets better. Two and a half years ago, this friend and I went to see AC/DC when they played in town, both of us being big fans. 

Well, these weren't just any Aussie wines he sent me, they were AC/DC brand wine!! 

Who knew?

I miss that crazy goof terribly, and wow did this make me bust a hearty belly laugh out, like old times :-)

He sent me a bottle of  You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato, and Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon - what a riot! I wish someone had been home just to snap a shot of the look on my face when I opened these both up. I mean, seriously - AC/DC and nice wine wasn't my first thought of a match made in heaven.

Secondly, who sends wine in the (international) mail? LOL

Thirdly - check out those labels - how awesome are they!?

What a hoot!

But I can tell you tomorrow night, when the clock strikes 12, and I put 2011 behind me, I will not only be toasting to a new year, but to great friends.

Friends who's presence is felt as strongly from other corners of the world, as they would standing right next to you.

I can't think of a better way to end the year :-)

Cheers to you, and yours.
I wish a Happy and Healthy New Year to each and every one of you!

I'll leave you with one of my favorites :

Because....

I think it would be a great way to end off 2011... I am extending the 20% off sale until Friday, Dec 30th 9pm PST!!!


I am so wonderfully thankful for all those who have supported me in 2011. I think the perfect way to end the year might be to treat yourself to something special ;-)
Don't forget the Last Chance section will be gone for good come 2012, so snatch those pieces up now for a super great deal!
Use Coupon BOXINGWEEK2011 to get 20% everything :
www.bellabijoujewellery.etsy.com
www.bellabijoutoo.etsy.com
www.bella-bijou.com

MIA

I have been totally missing in action on this blog as of late.
I apologize!
You see, I have the dreaded day job, which is retail, which gets pretty darn hairy come Christmas.
Long days, grumpy people, and Christmas songs playing all day long for a month kind of get to you. So for the last few days I have taken a bit of a break from the world.
A couple days off from the day job was needed.
A few days of minimum internet usage has proved a nice break.

I mean, despite normally pushing myself to the brink of super human capabilities, I am still just a human, right?
I needed that reminded that there is only so much one person can do :-)

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and took some quite time with your loved ones. If you don't celebrate, I hope you took a few days to love life and appreciate it.
My Christmas was a whirlwind of driving and traveling and visiting, but also a nice break filled with yummy food, a few glasses of red and white, and plenty of laughs.
That's what its all about right?



PS - My Boxing Week Sale is still going strong! Take a whopping 20% off everything in all stores until tomorrow night.
www.bellabijoujewellery.etsy.com for one of a kind
www.bella-bijou.com for exclusives not found anywhere else
www.bellabijoutoo.etsy.com for the catalog line

A little Birdie Told me...

That's right, it is that time of year again!
Take 20% off everything with discount code BOXINGWEEK2011
Between Dec 21st-28th.
Shop One of a Kind : http://bellabijoujewellery.etsy.com
Shop BellaBijouToo : http://bellabijoutoo.etsy.com
Shop my Website : http://bella-bijou.com

*sale does not apply to custom orders, previously purchased items, or the cost of shipping.


On a personal note - this year has not been the easiest for me. Loss, job/financial uncertainty, and  health concerns have all touched me this year. I have struggled to keep my chin up.
I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has taken 30 seconds to write a sweet comment on a blog post, or on my facebook page.
Thank you for supporting my dream.
Thank you for helping me support my family.
Thank you for wearing my art.
Thank you for being your beautiful selves and putting a smile on this face :-)

Lets hear it for a new year, new hopes and dreams, and much happiness to you all!

Free From the Earth

Occasionally I will witness a tiny sapling, 
all by it's lonesome,free itself from the Earth against all odds.

In times when I feel low,
or weak about my own personal strength,I remember these little shoots of life,

green with tiny blooms,
pop up in the oddest of places,
the coldest of weathers,

the hardest parts of the Earths crust,
and I remind myself strength comes with persistence,
and the will you have from within. 



Free From the Earth Necklace has been built out of Sterling Silver. I have set a juicy orange Carnelian in silver, with petals around it and leaves growing from it. Tucked in these leaves is a 3mm gypsy set faceted Amethyst gem. Finally, a single droplet of faceted glowing green Prehnite finishes off the pendant. Completely oxidized then brushed for depth.
Necklace comes on 17 inches of oxidized sterling silver chain, and pendant measures approx 40mm.

You are free to be... whoever the heck you wish yourself to be!


In the shop, now!

Some serious...

Present wrapping has been going on in here!

:-)

Didn't Order Before the Xmas Cut Off Date?

Well, I might just have a solution for you!

Every year I get a few folks who don't quite get their orders in before the cut off, and over the last couple years, this is what I have come up with. Since I never want to guarantee Canada Post will deliver in time for the holidays this time of year, I have created a graphic that can be printed out on any home computer, or your local photo printing lab.
After you order your items, just let me know in the notes to seller when checking out, etsy convo or an email, and I will whip up a 4x6 sized image of the item you purchased, that you can then print out and give to the lucky recipient. This can of course be done for anything that was already purchased as well, just in case ;-)

So, it could look a little something like these :

Your graphic will be customized to whatever you purchase,sized to 4x6 inches to fit into a christmas card perfectly, and you can expect it emailed to you within 24 hours of your purchase. 

So have no fear, if you worried you may have missed out on that special Holiday gift order, knowing you can hand them a personalized picture of their special gift that was handmade just for them, and is on it's way!

Happy Shopping!

Ready To Ship Shopping Guide

In case you were wanting some of the items I normally offer as a made to order item, but didn't get your order in already, I happen to have several items in my inventory ready to ship :-)
As usual, everything in my One of a Kind shop is ready to go, and now these guys on my website are as well!
Please see the guide underneath the pictures for sizes and links

a. Dew Drop Necklace in Garnet

b. Skeleton Key Necklace

c. Pebble Necklace in Amethyst

d. Halo Lariat

e. Aqua Necklace

f. Pebble Necklace in Sapphire

g. XOXO Studs

h. Square Stackers in Size 7

I. Written in the Stars Hoops

j. Fools Gold Hoops

k. Copper Dimple Bangle Set of 3

L. Dimple Hoops in 14k Gold Filled

m. Fern Copper Cuff

n. Lotus Hoops in 14k Gold Filled

o. Lotus Hoops in Sterling 

p. Written in the Stars Ring Size 7

q. Honeycomb Earrings

r. Aqua Earrings

s. Skeleton Key Ring Size 7

Custom Love

A few custom orders I have done in the last couple of weeks :-)

Rosy Disposition Ring in Labradorite (isn't that Labradorite heavenly!?)

Story of a Lady Ring with White Topaz

Cat Cameo Ring

Did I mention I love custom work? It is always fun putting someone's vision and my style of metalwork together to make something pretty!