The Wild Tangent

Review of EZ Beaders Braclets by Bead Gallery

Amber — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:22:55 +0000

So I have been meaning to do this review for a while. When I first found these I was super excited it offers non-metal smiths the ability to make bangle bracelets. They come in a two pack for $2.98 and come in silver, gold, or copper. These are sold at Michael’s Arts & Crafts. I have made several bracelets using these forms and have used the gold and the silver tone ones.(plated over copper)
Recently it came to my attention that the gold ones plating is degrading. I had several extra and picked it up to use it. I checked the silver ones and no degradation. I also contacted past customers to find out if their silver bracelets had degraded at all and was very thankful when they notified me they were fine.

So fellow jewelry designers beware the silver are great but do not buy the gold ones.

January 2011 Jewelry

Amber — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:41:23 +0000

For the month of January I created all these beauties!

I had tons of fun this January making all sorts of jewelry. I spent a lot of time working and practicing my wire wrapping skills. I finally did a few wire wraps that were really good and though I am still a beginner at wire wrapping I feel that I am really getting it and there will be a lot more wired jewelry pieces in my future. I decided I would post an album for each month this year as a sort of jewelry making journal. I really want to get more jewelry made using the fabulous stones and shells I have found on local beaches. I also am looking forward to trying new jewelry making techniques.
I especially loved making the un-faceted blue topaz ring in copper. It turned out so beautifully! I have more stones like that with unique beauty and properties I acquired at our local gem and mineral store. (Chapman’s Gem & Mineral on hwy 101)

Review Of a Green Dress

Amber — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:44:32 +0000

So this morning as I was trying to come up with a decent blogging topic I happened upon my fabulous new ad and realized a review was in order.

I have been a die hard D.I.Y my whole life but honestly after attempting to create my own ad repeatedly I felt it was time to bring in a pro. I asked two of my colleagues for recommendations on affordable web design. I contacted both and received reply’s. Michelle from A Green Dress replied promptly even though she was very ill at the time. The other recommended person replied as well and proceeded to tell me of a very long waiting list involved and did not include quotes. As usual I did not think a head to what exactly I really wanted and decided to take this time to figure this out. I then did my usual thing which is lost track of time for a few weeks.

Michelle contacted me early last week and asked if I was still interested. I said I was but I had decided that I needed to go with my top priority which was to obtain a web ad that I could send to various sites for advertising purposes. She asked what size in which I replied I have no clue, she simply asked for the page I was planning to advertise on. I sent her the link to an amazing blog called Living On A Limited Income. I had sent some jewelry to the blog owner Kimberley for a review and she had mentioned her fabulous advertising price of $5 a month! She also asked for the link to my website so she could get a feel for it. So the next day I received a prompt email from Michelle on what size ad was needed along with a question of what I desired the ad to look like. So being me I sent her a picture of one of my favorite jewelry pieces, the fabulous cranberry and copper bracelet, and included my motto. I did not give any further information I swear and she managed to come up with not only an amazing ad at a amazing price but a ad that truly fits me as both a person and a jewelry designer! I can not express my overall feeling when I saw this ad for the first time!

So I am recommending Michelle from A Green Dress to any one who needs these essential web services. I will also be using her for my future web design needs as she is affordable and a pleasure to work with. I also want to mention she makes fabulous jewelry out of recycled materials!

What is your favorite type of jewelry contest?

Amber — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:15:40 +0000

I have loved jewelry since I was a kid. My mom always had a lot rings and her her jewelry box was full of sparkly treasures so of course I wanted my own jewels. At first I would save up to buy some from the local drugstore. Then as I started developing my own unique sense of style I scoured garage sales for unique costume jewelry. I love the unique, elegant, and unusual. Now as a jewelry designer I design the type of jewelry that I myself would wear. I love chokers that hang just below the throat. Waterfall necklaces with their multiple layers cascading down. Earrings that sparkle, dangle, and delight. Bracelets that are layered, charmed, or multiple strands. I love rings as well though I don’t wear them as often as I use to.

I think jewelry has a powerful connection to how we feel about ourselves. When we put on our favorite earrings before a interview they give us strength. When we are going out in style the necklace that says wow is our best friend. When we marry we give rings and feel their meaning when we look at them everyday. So how does your jewelry make you feel?

Now you know what I enjoy, so tell me what you enjoy. Comment at the bottom of this page and on the 14th of February three people will be chosen to receive:

1st: Custom Set of a Necklace and Earrings (If you cant wear earrings a bracelet will be substituted.

2nd: One custom Bracelet, Necklace, or Earrings

3rd: An item of choice from the current items on ArtFire.

This time I am doing something a little different. Refer your friends and receive extra entries in the give away. Just have them leave a comment and include your name.

Don’t wear jewelry you say, well enter anyway! Jewelry makes fabulous gifts and all mine comes gift boxed.

JewelrySupply.com Review

Amber — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:35:26 +0000

So this post has been a long time coming. I am glad I made the resolution to be more active in my web pages because how do I expect people to buy my jewelry if I seem to be missing in action. Although, those who come through my face book fan page know that I am very active on Face Book.

First, I have to say I absolutely love Jewelry Supply.com it has to be one of my favorite jewelry making suppliers. I have ordered from them several times and every time I have received my order quickly and it has been packaged neatly. No I am not an affiliate of theirs though if they every chose to do the affiliate thing I would love to be one since it is a company that is reputable, honest, and great to shop through. Since they redid their website it is also really simple to find what your looking for.

Okay now I have to tell you my absolute favorite part of Jewelry Supply.com’s website. They have an awesome clearance section. Unlike most website’s who have maybe to pages of clearance items all jumbled together Jewelry Supply.com has 20 categories of clearance items and it is not just the mutant beads in them. In fact their clearance section includes books, pearls, Swarovski crystals and much more. Just for this I check their site before I check any of the other sites.

My next favorite section has to be the $1.99 section. Included in this sale section is displays, (OMG can you believe it) stone beads, such as African Opal 16inch strand, pearls 7-8mm, and more. These guys really know how to pull a beader/jewelry designer in!

So now I need to tell you signing up for their mailer and blog is a great idea. I can actually say I read the newsletter and posts from Jewelry Supply.com because they are fun to read. I usually just sign up for these things so I can get updates on sales. The thing is I read one (it had a title that interested me) and now I always read them. I enjoy the info they put out because unlike most companies you can feel the people behind it. Theirs are not those dry boring posts and emails. Theirs are humorous and informative written as if your speaking to an old friend which makes them a joy to read.

So there is my two cents on this company as always they are one of the first I check with when I need supplies because the prices are reasonable and people who run it are people! So go on by and check them out.

http://www.JewelrySupply.com

Jewely Designer vs. Jewelry Designer = Bad Business

Amber — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:59:37 +0000

I have recently seen a couple of the jewelry designers online get irate after seeing similar work on a different page. These designers have rudely stated on their business page that someone stole their designs. Now first of all there are very few jewelry designers out there who have a completely unique way of making jewelry. For the most part all jewelry designers have learned their craft from books or similar teaching materials. So to go off on your business page about so and so stealing your designs is childish. I personally would not buy anything from some one who showed this kind of behavior. I know a few designers who have created generally new jewelry making techniques and these designers do offer said technique teachings for a reasonable sum. Selling your techniques is completely acceptable. I personally am always willing to share any techniques I have learned during my jewelry design work.

The second case of designer bad business is refusing to share where you have obtained your materials from. There are 10 billion sources online and offline to acquire jewelry making materials. Refusing to aid a fellow designer is selfish and in my opinion rude. Some items are hard to find and I guarantee the business you are buying from would prefer it if you shared. If I have found someplace that was reputable, affordable, and exceptional I am sure to pass it along because ultimately we are all in this together. Just because someone wants your supplier doesn’t mean they will design something exactly like yours and so what if they do. Competition is good for you it forces the designer to make new and better products. So I want to know how do you feel about this topic? Add your comments and you will be entered into a drawing for a free pair of earrings!

*Please note I am not speaking of copyrighted/trademarked items. As in the case of a friend who makes the most amazing pendants I have ever seen he sells instructions on how to create them.

New Years Resolution

Amber — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 06:42:14 +0000

Happy New Year to all of you!

One of my goals this year will be to update my page weekly I have done a lousy job keeping up with this jewelry blog. I think since there is only so much one can say about jewelry that I will also be writing posts about beading, supplies, books, and more. I also hope to get some of my other crafts up on this site in the year to come. So please stay tuned and share with friends!

New Pricing Structure

Amber — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 05:29:18 +0000

Hi Everyone,

After much debate I decided that I need to be true to myself, I have read tons of
books on pricing but none of their formula’s fit me, I create jewelry
because I love it, as long as I can afford to make it I am happy. I
know I can get a lot more for my jewelry but my desire is to make it
available to everyone and that includes people like me who are …low income.

So starting today I have instituted a NEW pricing policy, please note I will continue to use the highest quality supplies. Earrings & Rings $10-$15, Anklets and Bracelets $15-$20, Necklaces $20-$25, Prayer/Rosary $25-$30

The Wild Tangent Jewelry

Amber — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:37:30 +0000

I am happy to announce that you now can purchase my jewelry here locally at Rebellion Tattoo in Arcata Ca. I have to say that Rebellion is unlike any tattoo parlor I have ever been in. Here you will find amazing paintings gracing the walls, a comfortable waiting area, and a calm positive atmosphere. The employees are happy and friendly too . I was very happy to be a part of their unique business as well as other local artists and jewelry designers.

So Come Check It Out

Rebellion Tattoo

145 G St.

Arcata California

New Jewelry to support Fibromyalgia Awareness

Amber — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:28:21 +0000

I am Crazy for Cranberry! Jewelry that is. Cranberry is the official color of the National Fibromyalgia Association or the N.F.A. for short. Fibromyalgia is a seriously debilitating chronic pain disease. I was diagnosed at 29 with this disease. (Please see What Living with Fibromyalgia is Like for more in depth info) There is no cure nor even a known cause. So I am donating 50% of all sales in the Crazy for Cranberry Line to the N.F.A. please help us spread awareness and search for a cure because while fibromyalgia is not a terminal disease, ask anyone who has it if they ever wish it was.

Crazy For Cranberry

Crazy for Cranberry

Crazy For Cranberry