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Archive for February, 2009

What an Exciting DAY!!

February 23, 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Today, I opened up our newspaper The Spectator, and there on the Style page, were pictures of 5 of my pieces of jewellery-large pictures. It was very exciting to see them. Michele Steeves who is the Style Editor, included them today on her feature page. My Spring Open House was mentioned as well. These pictures are from a series done by Greg Fess, a professional photographer in Waterloo.. Outstanding work pays and I have had nothing but positive comments.
Michele Steeves received an invitation to my Open House and asked for jpgs for publication. Thank you Michele. Support for one’s work is inspiring and priceless. To find the article and pictures, google www.thespec.com and click the Go section or click the link on the right.

I was in Nova Moda Boutique the other day. I am happy to announce that spring is coming. Danielle Sobot is starting to receive her spring lines and the styles are looking great. She carries a number of Canadian designers. Drop in and have a look. The address of the boutique is on my Events page.
Now back to work.

Posted by Stephanie @ 12:18 pm | Comments

ONYX

February 19, 2009 | Filed under: onyx

Onyx, which is a variety of chalcedony, is one of the most versatile of gemstones. It comes in many colours but is best known and most often seen in black. It is a hard stone (measuring 7 out of 10 on Moh’s scale’s) and can also be carved and used to make decorative pieces such as boxes, and inlay work.
Onyx is cut into many different shapes with differing finishes which makes jewellery designers happy. My gallery has 4 images of jewellery with onyx and you will see several different shapes and finishes. The necklace with squares and circles is made up of onyx with a smooth, polished surface. The other pieces show onyx, in several different shapes, that is faceted with a shiny finish. In my collection of onyx gemstone, I must have at least 10 or more different shapes. There is even onyx with a matte or unpolished surface.
Black has always been a mainstay of fashion and as a result onyx figures prominently in many jewellery collections. Alone or combined with other colours, with silver or gold, it is a dramatic and beautiful gemstone.
Among many other attributes, Onyx is said to be strength-giving and to provide support in difficult or confusing circumstances. It is a stone of vigor and stamina. Very useful!
I am very fond of this stone and pair it with amber, and jade or other coloured gemstones, or just with very decorative silver pieces. You will see several pieces during my Spring Open House featuring this versatile gemstone, on its own or with a supporting cast.

Posted by Stephanie @ 5:22 pm | Comments

Spring Open House–Just a few weeks away!

February 17, 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized

I am working on my jewellery collection for spring. I have also sent out my invitations for my upcoming Open House (March 5,6 & 7) via snail mail and email. This year the invitation has been professionally designed (by my son-in-law) and looks wonderful. If you have not received one, do get in touch through my contact page and I will post it or email it to you. The images on the invite provide just a snippet of what you can expect to see during my open house. I have found many gemstones in new colours and new shapes so it will be well worth a visit.

Posted by Stephanie @ 1:33 pm | Comments

TURQUOISE!

February 16, 2009 | Filed under: turquoise

Turquoise is a stone that is best known for its blue, somewhat like a deep Robin’s egg colour. Some of the best quality in this colour is known as Sleeping Beauty. It has no matrix (veining and marks throughout the stone) and can be thousands of dollars for premium strands. But there are also many other shades and variations of turquoise which are exciting and interesting to see and in a good range of prices. Iron ore near rough turquoise in mines results in green tones, and the presence of copper results in blue.

It has been used for centuries, even thousands of years ago, for jewellery, amulets and accessories. It is considered one of the longest-used gemstones with beads found dating back 5000 years.

A fairly soft stone, it is enhanced and stablized to retain and enrich its colour and harden it to prevent crumbling. Untreated turquoise is a fragile and porous stone which can undergo changes in colour. Treat turqoise like you would your pearls-no cosmetics near it and the last item to be put on.
Turquoise is the national stone of Iran. It gets its name from traders who brought the stones from Persia (modern Iran) via Turkey centuries ago. The best quality turquoise comes from Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, and the southwestern U.S. Native Americans are well known for their beautiful creations and that jewellery is particularly prized.

This fine stone is available in many shades, shapes and sizes, I am happy to say. It is often associated with spring and summer fashions but it does work all year. I love turquoise and always have a number of pieces available. My gallery has two necklaces in turquoise. One is apple green turquoise from Arizona with an outstanding turquoise focal piece. The other is the more traditional blue (from China) colour focal piece with black obsidian pieces. Not too long ago I purchased a beautiful strand of vintage American turquoise which I have been using sparingly in earrings and bracelets. I think that now it is time to create a larger piece. In my spring collection you will see quite a number of pieces of turquoise jewellery in a good range of styles and prices. It will be fun.

Some more interesting information about turquoise-considered a protective stone and has been therefore used for amulets, enhances intuition, dispels negative energy, instills inner calm, an aid in communication, beneficial to overall being and soundness of one’s mood and emotions. There is much more…..

Now don’t you think that everyone should have a piece of turquoise jewellery?

Posted by Stephanie @ 11:34 am | Comments

Gallery Update!

February 14, 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized

My gallery has now been updated with images of my new pieces of jewellery. Please have a look. My pieces come in a variety of prices.

Earrings generally range from $16 to $75.
Bracelets can be found from $30 to $200.
Necklaces are from $45 to $300+
Pendants go from $30 to $100+

There is a good range in the pricing with the more expensive pieces being one of a kind. Hope that you enjoy seeing the new Pieces.

Posted by Stephanie @ 11:07 pm | Comments

JADE!

February 10, 2009 | Filed under: jade

Jade is going to be a very popular stone this season.  Most people think of Jade as being only green but it actually comes in a variety of colours, naturally or through enhancement. And because it does, jewellery with jade will complement anyone’s spring or summer wardrobe beautifully.

Jade comes in 2 forms-nephrite which can be creamy white and in shades of green, and Jadeite, which is much more valuable and occurs naturally in colours, such as green, lavender, yellow, reddish brown, and red (natural red is extremely rare).   On my Gallery page, you will see natural lavender Jade earrings and a bracelet.  The jade stones in these 2 pieces have not been enhanced and the colour is just so beautiful and very subtle. 

To achieve more intense and consistent colour,  jade can be dyed or heat treated.  This allows for beautiful shades which are more affordable than naturally occurring colours. 

Jade is thought to bring happiness and fortune.  Specific colours are said to have their own attributes, for example, lavender jade alleviates emotional hurt and bestows inner peace.

Jade is also the official gemstone of British Columbia and Alaska.

I will have a number of pieces available in jade in different colours at my Spring Open House in March.

Posted by Stephanie @ 4:07 pm | Comments

Hillfield-Strathallan College Online Auction-Now going on!!

February 2, 2009 | Filed under: Uncategorized

The HSC fundraiser auction has now started online.  You can see all the great offerings at https://www.hsconlineauction.on.ca/  I have donated a sterling silver necklace with large pieces of phantom quartz and emeralds.  Have a look and see what appeals to you.  This necklace has an extension which means it can be worn as a collar or at a longer length.  The picture unfortunately does not give an idea of the size.  The quartz is about 20 mm in size.  Many items have generously been donated including gift certificates to Hanley’s shoes, the Oyster, as well as some fine pieces of jewellery.  The proverbial, there is something for everyone, can be spoken here-if you are a sports buff, like theatre, good food and the list goes on. 

I had a phone call from someone who received a bracelet that I had made, as a birthday gift.  It certainly made my day, as the caller said that it was the loveliest bracelet that she had ever received.  It was kind of her to phone and let me know.

Posted by Stephanie @ 9:41 pm | Comments


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