Saying I love you with jewelry designs

One thing Debbie (my friend and co-instructor) and I learned from doing workshops is not everyone is enamored of hearts or the color red. So when Art Beads gave me a chance to look at their Valentine collection of beads and components, I went looking for alternatives. These picks will also be perfect for Mother's Day or special gifts.

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Sue Beads Lamp work Beads Giveaway

Artisans who make lamp work beads have my utter respect. They really help us make beautiful jewelry. So I was thrilled when Sue Beads offered this yummy strand of hand made beads worth $24 retail for today's giveaway. They look good enough to eat!  She calls this design Lily Pond Swirl.

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TUTORIALS - How to make different kinds of chain jewelry

Are you looking for ideas to jazz up your chain work? Sometimes all it takes is to use more than one strand. I just love this gorgeous (and clever) design and tutorial from Ornamentea.

It's called the "How do I love thee bracelet.." - perfect for Valentine's Day. There are red heart charms and numbers for the inspiration came from Elizabeth Barret Browning's famous love poem (#43) among her collection of Sonnets from the Portuguese.

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Cubic zirconia fan wire wrapped necklace is finally finished!

Remember the tutorial on how to use large bail forming pliers? The design I showed as an example of how to use this great tool was not complete at the time.  I actually didn't have the right sized sterling silver chain on hand. So I couldn't show the finished piece.  Well, here it is finally complete and in my Etsy store!  (This is a Life Collection piece where 100% of net proceeds will go to cancer research).

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The all clasp necklace chain

At first glance, this necklace looks like a large link sterling silver chain. Look a little closer and you will see it is made entirely of spring clasps! What a totally cool idea as you can remove chunks to alter the length. There is also no more groping for the clasp to undo the necklace.

Indeed the designer, Ron Gilad calls it the Endless Necklace because there is "no beginning, no end, just closure." The cost is $95.

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Niobium earrings for hypoallergenic ears!

I am sensitive to nickel so shucks, only the good stuff for me - sterling silver and gold. I am lucky as some women are so allergic to metal, they can't even wear those. They are invariably disappointed at not being able to sport earrings....until they come to our workshops. We offer niobium ear wires which really work. Niobium is the metal used in pacemaker devices.

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Killer Spiked Cuffs

Jewelry is usually for adornment. Jewelry sometimes does double duty - like medic alert bracelets. What about personal protection? Joomi Lim has got wicked spiked cuffs your self defense instructor never told you about. Put these on and the pepper spray in your handbag and you're all set to go down some dark alley. Wait, team it with last year's killer diamond ring and you'll have a formidable pair, plus the spray!

No? Well, they might just enhance your rocker chick look! Or wear it as PMS jewelry. You'll be guaranteed extra personal space! Lots and lots of it.....

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