Happy Friday!

I can't help but smile when I see these faceted citrine earrings. The flower and the warmth and sparkle of the stones could brighten up even the dreariest winter day.

The holidays are fast approaching! I wish I could buy an hour a day to do everything I need to do~ I'm happy to say I have been very busy this year and thankful that so many people appreciate handcrafted work. I want to share a site I just found that is just stunning. http://www.anandakhalsa.com/ This artist is too awesome for words! Some of the most gorgeous things I've ever seen - I'm tempted to have a "Merry Christmas to me" moment right now. Her jewelry is something you must see to believe - go check it out!

I'm live!

If you have been to Rosemarybeads in the last half hour you will see a big difference! I have a newly updated site and I can also now take credit cards on my secure server! Shoshanna Love from Aeolidia.com designed the site and it's just spectacular. I can't stop looking at it :)
So here are a few new pieces to show off with my new lovely gray stone background. I'm liking it ..what do you think?

Happy *early* Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful to be busy this holiday season! It's also the 2 year Rosemarybeads anniversary.
Been working hard getting my new site finished and getting some new things made! Tentative date for the debut of the new site is Nov. 30. It would be great if I could get it done before Christmas. I have to hurry for a number of reasons and this optimistic date is giving me a goal to shoot for. I will send a newsletter when the new site is live so be sure to sign up!

Time is flying!

I can't believe it's Oct. 22 already! We're going cub scout camping tonight at the lake. My son is beyond excited! Hubby is staying there with Sean and I am staying home with the puppy dog so I am beyond excited to have some time do some jewelry tonight! I have to catch up on orders plus I have a party, 2 shows and a store to stock up. Wish I could buy an extra hour a day! Here are some new things that haven't made it to the site yet...

As Seen In...

Honored to be seen on 2 sites currently: Style Bakery Designers on the Rise and Wickedly Chic Venus Envy. How cool is that?!

Something new...

Some new things for my Premier Line! I have been asked to create some upper end pieces for something I'm working on for the future. The bracelet on the left is unusual and gorgeous blister pearls with garnet, labradorite, and peridot. If you turn it over you can see the pearls are embedded into the mother of pearl shell. Sooo pretty! The bracelet on the right is called Golden Lotus and it's made with beautiful coin pearls, gold, peridot, tanzanite, and amethyst on the dangle. I'm having so much fun with these and letting my imagination go that I'm sure there will be more to come! :)

New! Talisman charms

I added a new piece yesterday that I especially like. It's a simple charm necklace but it is also a powerful talisman! It's a sterling silver ball chain with an Egyptian ankh (love and long life), a cresent moon and star (love, wisdom and well being), a faceted garnet (luck) on a ring (circle of life) along with a Rosemarybeads signature "Ro" tag. Very simple yet very meaningful. Wear it alone or layered; sure to become a wardrobe staple.

Some stones are notoriously hard to photograph as they look darker than they are, however this piece features a pretty wine colored faceted garnet. Other talisman charm necklaces will have different charms and stones. Check back soon to see :)

Fleurs and FInds Boutique

Just got back from Fleurs and Finds Boutique in N. Raleigh. Dotty has so many cool and gorgeous things there it's too hard to decide what to get! I decided on this rich pumpkin colored scarf and these great long beads! The scarf is rayon but looks like silk; it's about 6 ft long and 2 ft wide so it can be used as a shawl or as a scarf around your neck this winter or even as a belt! She has several gorgeous fall colors in stock (off the top of my head I remember sage, mustard, turquoise, lime)... and they're only $15.99! Stop in and see them or give her a call.

The beads are 5 strands of mixed seed beads and each one is over 5 feet long!! I'm 5'5" and they're about my height. You can wear these as a belt or double it up and wear it as a lariat! That's $8.99 for over 30 feet of beads! She has blues and harvest browns like the one I got. Oh and I didn't mention the beaded purses, furniture, jewelry, flowers and so many other great things!
Fleurs and Finds: 11125 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh 919-844-7946.

Katrina Relief Fund

I, along with hundreds of other Indie Shops across the US and Canada, am participating in the Craft Revolution/Etsy Crafter's United Fund. Donations of handcrafted goods are displayed on this site http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=3146 and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, which is providing hot meals to victims and rescue workers, as well as providing other much needed assistance such as shelter, medical needs and even therapy for victims. Please visit the site and particpating shops and help the victims of Katrina.

In addition to my participation in the shop I will be donating 30% of the sales from my site www.Rosemarybeads.com to the Red Cross through the month of September.

Above is the necklace and earrings (3 pairs) I'm donating to the Craft Revolution/Etsy site. The necklace is .999 Thai silver/Greek Leather, $29 and the earrings are $17, shipping is free in US. They will be there as soon as they can upload them. Thanks for your support!

So cool!

Something new! Ruby briolette wrapped to the Chinese symbol for luck. So pretty.
What's new?
My site is being revamped (yes again). I've seen the mock ups and it is going to be fabulous! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my website www.Rosemarybeads.com I'm going to be having a grand re-opening sale for my subscribers when the new site is launched.
I am also up and running at the cool new online boutique www.Individualfashion.com. This site has a totally different and fresh look which I am really happy about. Let me know what you think! Other stuff...I have been busy getting some photos retaken and making some custom orders. I'm going to be the featured designer at Grechen's Closet Oct. 20-Nov.3 so stop by and see my there!
Upcoming events planned so far:
Oct 1: Style Bakery Designers on the Rise
Oct. 20 Grechen's Closet Featured Designer
Nov.5 YMCA Craft Show Cary, NC

Pink Champagne and Chocolate

Isn't that a great visual? Sitting on the veranda of the Hotel de Fere sipping a flute of Champagne and eating a chocolate truffle...well that is what the colors in this necklace reminded me of anyway! I haven't been to the Hotel de Fere yet...but plan to one day! Meanwhile let's enjoy the jewels...

Monday Monday

Got some new things up on the site finally! Here is one necklace that's new. Really realy nice quality round freshwater pearls wrapped to silver rings. So gorgeous for a wedding! Or anything really... pearls will always be in fashion! Check out the new stuff & have fun! See you Thursday at the designer jewelry night at Fleurs and Finds in N. Raleigh! :)

Couple new things...

I am now at Fleurs and Finds in North Raleigh come check it out! I have mostly earrings for now...and I made most of them for the store so they aren't on my site. Here are a couple new pieces to see...the turquoise, sodalite, coral and lime pearls in this necklace are stunning together! And the pearl earrings are my current favorites. I love this style, length and color. In fact I like them so much I think I'm keeping these :) But if you'd like a pair for yourself just let me know!

Wednesday

Spa Fresh Magazine used one of my earrings in their article about the healing power of turquoise! All the different colors of turquoise are really gorgeous... goes to show you how everyone has such different styles. These are turquoise rondelles with tiny fine silver (.999) flower beads. Read everything you wanted to know about facial cleansers and spa treatments, along with spa cuisine (looks great I love scallops!)http://www.spafreshmag.com/

Busy busy!

I am getting ready for Fleurs and Finds accessory show, August 25 at 7:00. http://www.fluersandfinds.com/newsmanager/templates/fluers.aspx?articleid=2&zoneid=13. Also getting my newest pieces made and photographed...so much to do! I thought I woould start adding some websites I've found while surfing around that I like...I'll start with www.pollyscakes.com. These cakes are nothing like the run of the mill cakes we all know and love...these are spectacular! Really cute and original! Have your cake and eat it too!

Green Amethysts

Be the first to see! I got these beads at the gem show...rare and beautiful natural sage green amethyst tear drops and ceamy coin pearls accented with silver, gold and peridot. It's just phenomenal! I haven't got this onto the website as of right now but will in the next day or 2. This one is going into the premier collection! :)

More

Went back and got more of these pearls they're just too great to pass up! Now I need to make a necklace and earrings to match...:)

These are cream colored, very beautiful keishi pearls.
Here's a definition I found: Keishi pearls are accidents of the pearl's culturing process. They form from oyster mantle that is attached to the mother-of-pearl bead that is inserted into the oyster. Keishi, always irregular in shape, occur in Japanese and South Seas culturing processes. Usually they are silvery, white or black in color; occasionally a fancy colored one is born.

New Stash!

Just got back from a gem show...got some great new pretties at great prices which I will happily pass on to my customers! Can't wait to start creating with these... check back soon to see what I come up with! :)

New silver

Had a few minutes to create some pretties last night! Just got some great new silver straight from Thailand and couldn't wait! These are the new bracelet creations using coral, amethyst, and peridot.

Just too gorgeous! Must make more!

I also had an itch to do some wire wrapping. Admittedly I don't do a lot of it because it is very time consuming and time is my most precious commodity! However I love the delicate way it looks and I am sure more of this will be coming. I tend to go through stages in my designs and I feel this one blooming as I speak.
Some earrings to match of course... These pearls are really spectacular! Hope you like them!

Tuesday update...

Last Saturday at the Fleurs and Finds grand opening went great - thanks to all who stopped by to say hello! It looks like I will be having some of my pieces there soon... as soon as I can get everything worked out and get back up there. I will post here when I am. I haven't been as creative or as prolific as I would like lately. I've been busy working on some medical bracelets and custom orders. I'm also working on getting some jewelry tags made for wholesale accounts. So just some "behind the scenes" stuff right now... however I did manage to get a few pairs of new earrings made and hope to post them this week.

This just in!

I'm very excited to tell you that Dotty from Fleurs and Finds in N. Raleigh has asked me to participate in her grand opening festival on Saturday! She has an awesome boutique filled with unique furniture, housewares, jewelry and gfts. I will be there from 10-4 with a lot of my pieces so come on out and see us! The store is Fleurs and Finds (www.fleursandfinds.com) at 11125 Six Forks Rd. Stop and say hello :)

Vacation woohoo!

I'm off this week. Spending some time with my son. We're going to paint some ceramics today and tomorrow we're going to see Shark Boy and Lava Girl (can't wait lol). I'd rather see Mr. And Mrs. Smith but this is his time.
Taking this week off the jewelry biz too. You can send me orders but they won't be processed or mailed until June 20.
My new site is live as of about 2 weeks ago. Let me know what you think of the new format. Have a great and relaxing week! I know I will :)

Happy Memorial Day!

I know some of you couldn't find me this past week while my site was down...or coming up I should say. Sorry about that! My computer crashed a couple weeks ago and I haven't had time to download the software my old site was on. So I couldn't even update that site. Anyway I'm back now and working hard to get everything up to speed. I'm taking a short break this holiday weekend - we went to the zoo today and walked around for 5 hrs. I'm now crippled and plan to spend some time in the studio tomorrow just sitting!! :) Hope you all have a great holiday!! Ro

I am here!

I haven't blogged since 4/17! I am such a slacker! Actually I have been crazy-busy just haven't been telling you about it much! My bad.

Well tomorrow May 25 is L DAY!!! The day my new site goes live. So please - if you're reading this ahead of time - if the site is down briefly or we are experiencing technical difficulty that's why. Edited 05/30/06 RRT

Sunday am

Been too busy to write! Gotta write quick we're going to the zoo. I love the zoo!! :) I am still working on my new site. There is so much to do. I want it to be very easy to use so I'm taking the time now to anticipate problems and what I need. It might be another month before it's live...meanwhile...I was surprised on April 7 when I had a half page article on medical bracelets and my name and site were mentioned. Very cool! It was actually an article that ran in the Wall Street Journal April 5 and the N&O so kindly picked it up and ran it! You can see it on my "as seen in" page or click here http://rosemarybeads.com/images/tn_N_O_040705.jpg. I was also amazed and very excited when Your Life! Magazine said they were featuring 2 of my bracelets - the (Ruby Jade and Sleeping Beauty) on their shopping page. See it here http://yourlifemagazine.com/shopping2.html. That's all for now...back to work!

Beautiful day!

Well today I had a small piece in the Raleigh News and Observer so welcome to everyone that is clicking the link and stopping by! Here is the blurb thanks to Samantha Smith for a nice write up
http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/story/2258860p-8638625c.html

I am busy at work getting my new site loaded up. It's going to take some time but it'll be so nice when it's done!

If you're a stumbler (www.stumble.com) please feel free to stumble my site and give me a big thumbs up! Let me know if you would like me to check out your site as well!

Check out www.Stylebakery.com Designers on the Rise April 1 for my spot! Also check out my Style Bakery neighbors and good buddies Georgia at www.Adorneya.com, and Michelle at www.Remyandme.com !

Happy Monday!

Good news! I have my revamped website up! It looks nicer...and once I get some help next month in making it OS Commerce it'll be even better. More on that another time... I sent out my March newsletter today which you can sign up for at www.Rosemarybeads.com. If you sign up between March 7 and April 30, 2005 you will be eligible to win one of several amazing gift baskets! I, along with over 40 of your favorite indie designers are teaming up for a massive giveaway to thank our customers for shopping with us. Take a look at www.Rosemarybeads.com/contest for more details and photos of previous giveaways. I won't spam you or sell your email of course! I just send out a monthly (or less) email with specials and coupons reserved for my customers. Note that you have to opt in - so if you don't receive an email asking you to confirm your signup please check your spam box. I check mine before I delete anything because I always find something I want in there! Have a great week!

Wine and Roses

Made a few new necklaces this weekend www.rosemarybeads.com/necklaces1 Pink will never be gone! It's such a sweet color and this necklace that I call Wine and Roses is delicate enough to go great with a sweater set or a white button up blouse. I've been working on the website quite a bit which has kept me from making as much new stuff as I wanted to...but what can ya do. It's giving me fits! I should just hire someone but I'm too stubborn! Ah well...I've figured it all out so far so hopefully it'll come together. As my boss says "The thing about getting older is you get used to being confused". SO true!!

Sunday night

I took a break from jewelry today to clean my house! You may not know this but jewelry is my obsession and everything else seems to take a back seat... Well except my family of course. But do dishes and laundry or make a pair of earrings that I dreamed up last night...hard choice. NOT! Anyway all is spic and span now and I have tomorrow off (thank you presidents!!) so guess what I've got planned! I recently acquired some great hoop earring findings and some to die for garnet briolettes! I have to find wire small enough to go through the brios before I can make anything fabulous with them though- see the jewelry business is not as easy as it looks! I feel the need to create with leather so that may be the course of my day tomorrow...stop back and see what emerges!! Have a great week!

Tuesday

Wow time flies when you're updating your website! I have been busy working with Bonnie at Birthdesigns.com on a new logo. She's come up with some great ideas so this has been a fun experience. I'm revamping my bridal jewelry so that's why you don't see it up right now. It'll be back soon - I hate taking a page down for maintenance!! I am getting a lot of hits a day from all over the world so I want everything to look great once it's published. I think once it's unveiled in a few weeks Rosemarybeads.com will be even better and easier to navigate. Oh and I have my shopping cart back up! Or I should say - shopping bag! It has been used and it works great and is secure so feel free to fill up your bag with goodies! Valentines day is over :( but Mother's day is not far away. Save your milk money for a mother's bracelet - your mom will cry I just know it!
http://rosemarybeads.com/mothers
.

TGIS!

Had an awesome day off today! I actually made some jewelry rather than playing with the website. I have a couple new earrings up on www.Rosemarybeads.com/earrings1 and two new necklaces www.Rosemarybeads.com/necklaces1. These are a sneak preview for colors coming on strong later in the season...I know it's early to be thinking about fall but I can't resist...blue and brown, and burnt sienna! It seems like I always like my new pieces the best...but I really like the colors in the blue/tan and blue/copper earrings. One of my new necklaces is made with carnelian...how can you not be drawn in by that warm burnt sienna color! The crystal color is Indian Red and it matches the carnelian so well. I really love carnelian with turquoise...I think I'm feeling an inspiration coming on! Let me know what you think of the new colors!

TGIF!

Well the snow never materialized this week. I could use some extra time off!

I forgot to mention that my press release has also launched a couple days ago! I'm pretty excited about it
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb195879.htm

Also new on the site are my medical alert jewelry and my awareness line; Both special to me because I feel like they're good causes. I'm working on my jewelry this week end and will have some fabulous new pieces up very soon. Have a great weekend!

Musings for Wednesday 02/02/05

Had a great day today! I have been invited to be in the April 1 edition of "Designers on the Rise" at StyleBakery.com! No joke! I will post a reminder closer to when I'm there so you can check it out. Here's the link for now http://www.stylebakery.com/stylerecipes/DORoct/jewelry.html.

We're supposed to get freezing rain tomorrow/Thurs which could mean a snow day. I'm sure I could find something to do! Like work on my jewelry orders or maybe my new Awareness line!

Welcome!

It's my birthday so what better day to start my blog! This will be the place to see daily updates and other misc. tidbits about Rosemarybeads. Thanks for stopping by!