Double or Nothing: Jewelry Giveaway - Round One

I have decided to host a jewelry giveaway every time my followers here on Free Time Crafts doubles!  My first giveaway starts now!

To enter:

Follow my blog and comment here that you would like to be entered.  

Leave an email address where I can reach you.  Worth one entry.

ENDS APRIL 1st, 2010 at Midnight, as timestamped on comments.

For extra entries (each in a new comment):

1. Post about this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, your Blog, etc.  Leave a link.  If you post in more than one place, leave each link in a new comment.  Each post is worth one entry.

2.  Comment here with a suggestion for future blog topics, including tutorials you'd like to see me post.  Each suggestion in a new comment is worth one entry.

3. Visit one or both of my shops (Etsy or 1000 Markets).  Comment here on a piece you especially liked or on how I could improve my shop.  Each new comment is worth one entry.  -OR- Make a purchase and comment here.  Every $5 spent is worth one entry (shipping charges included) and you are guaranteed at least 2 entries.
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21 followers giveaway:  A pair of chip loop earrings, as shown below.  Earwires are handmade from sterling silver wire.  Color to be determined by winner!  Available colors include green malachite, blackstone, brown tiger's eye, lapis lazuli, aventurine, green turquoise and red tiger's eye.

Turquoise Blue Chip Loop Earrings

Brownstone Chip Loop Earrings

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Next Rounds:

42 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven bracelet or bangle set.  More details to follow, but colors most likely to be chosen by winner.

84 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven necklace and/or pendant.

168 followers giveaway:  Beadwoven jewelry set (necklace & earrings, brooch & earrings, necklace & bracelet, etc.).

For more ideas as to what I will be giving away by style, you can visit my beading gallery at DeviantArt!  New designs are uploaded almost weekly!

Amazing Glass Jewelry Artists

I was perusing new jewelry submissions on DeviantArt when I came across some awesome glass jewelry that made me wonder what else was out there.  I'm not talking about glass beaded jewelry, but handmade glass jewelry - fused, dichroic, furnace, etc.  Here are 6 amazing artists that I've chosen to feature:

3 Wishes Studio with Crabby Earrings

Suzoom with Rocky the Brittany Spaniel Pendant

Kerribeads with Black Arabian Focal Bead

Beaded Art Jewelry with Summer Sky 2 Necklace

GlassFancy with Spring Flower Pendant & Chain 

FormFire Glassworks with Aqua Interlaced Discs Necklace

Each artist here has a variety of pieces available in his/her shop - so check them out for more designs (links above).  I have only chosen 6 artists from Etsy and 1000 Markets - there are many more talents out there with beautiful and intricate designs.  Searching for other artists is worth it as you never know what precious find you will make!

Paper Jewely Artists on 1000 Markets

In this month's theme of "unique," I continue with my second paper jewelry showcase!  I had a hard time finding 6 unique paper jewelry artists on 1000 Markets, which I wasn't expecting since Etsy had quite a few and I got to pick and choose.  I have done it, however!  So, without any more ado, here they are:

Taylor's Eclectic with Purple & Blue Dangle Earrings

Not Just Quilling with Sunflower & Butterfly Watch

People's Bank Building with Origami Star Necklace

Auryndesign with To The Moon Sea Stone Necklace

Sharon Macleod Jewelry with Five Bangles in Fuschia & Khaki

Ever So Dear with Butterfly of Dreams Brooch

Each of these artists has as wide variety of items in their shops, some designs incorporate paper into non-jewelry items, and some designs have other mediums.  It's worth it to check out their shops for more (links above) and to do your own search at 1000 Markets!

Sunshine Blog Award - Accepted & Passed On!

I interrupt my regularly scheduled blog posts to make a happy announcement:  I have been given the Sunshine Blog Award by T.Rusk4u.  I am honored and get a new blog to follow from an old team mate (check out her blog, too)! 

I'd like to nominate the following blogs because of their inspiration to me, willingness to share, promotion of handcrafted goods, and fun reads (and hope you will check them out, too!): 

Windy River

Cabin + Cub

Giver's Log

AMIDesigns

Blueberrymoon

The Craft Floozy

PlanetJune

Elfster

Handmade Charlotte

The Blooming Wildflowers Project

Growing Up Creative

Merriment

Congratulations, all, and Happy Blogging!

The conditions when accepting this award are as follows:

* Put the logo on your blog or within your post.  
* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.  
* Link the nominees within your post.  
* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.  
* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Paper Jewelry Artists on Etsy

I checked out a book a couple weeks ago from the library on paper jewelry.  I wasn't very impressed with the projects for a couple reasons - they were too ephemeral and not very pretty for the most part.  I like jewelry to last and to look good.  So, I wondered what others had created in paper jewelry (other than rolled paper beads which I think usually look less than elegant), and these are 6 fine artists from Etsy that I found in the search!

Gasometri with Sushi Roll Earrings

Handmade Haven with Green Kimono Earrings

Funny Sky with Brown Paper Turtle Earrings

Squishy Sushi with Japanese Paper Bangle

Papermode with Rainbow Hoops

Twirled Treasures with Blue Niagra Necklace

Each artist has a wide selection of patterns and/or designs in his/her shop - so go check them out (links above)!  And remember, these are only 6 of the artists I found on Etsy.  My next post will feature some talented paper jewelers from 1000 Markets, so check back for more amazing designs!

Unique Resin-Based Jewelry

I stumbled across a truly unique piece of resin jewelry the other day (don't worry, it's shown below with the others!), and it made me wonder what else was out there.  We've all seen resin-based jewelry - it's usually a lovely or cute image covered in clear resin and set in a pendant or a ring.  I'm not showing you this type of resin jewelry - I'm showcasing some more creative artists.  Utilizing recycled materials, using unique molds, and taking that extra step to create some truly beautiful and whimsical designs!

Hootie Bees with "Frog Bottlecap Necklace"

Fashion Candy with "Portable Fish Tank Necklace"

Aknie Girl with "Octopus" (choice of ring or pendant)

Sunshyne Silverwear with "Silhouette Spoon Pendant"

WG The Looking Glass with "In Ruins" (choice of ring or pendant)

LP Jewelry Art with "Phases of the Moon Necklace"

Each of the artists showcased here have many pieces available in their shops, including some work that isn't resin based.  Visit their shops to see what else their talents have created (links above).  There are many other talented resin artists out there, so search through Etsy or 1000 Markets for resin-based jewelry that calls to your tastes!

Truly Unique - Cheap Date Jewelry

This month I'm moving on from beadweaving artists (mostly) to showcase some truly creative and unique jewelry.  First up is Cheap Date Jewelry (I even love the store name!) with her Guitar String Line.  She collects old guitar strings from bands to make this awesome jewelry collection.  Rockin'!

Brass Guitar String Hoops

Guitar String Hoops

Bronze Guitar String Ring

And if this isn't for you, or you prefer color, check out her Blooming Line.  She has a wide range of color and pattern in both earrings and rings.  My personal favorites are the aqua studs shown below.

Aqua Bud Studs

Green Bud Studs

Coral & Gold Cocktail Ring

Her other jewelry is just as chic and modern.  Cheap Date Jewelry has a wonderful sense of design - you are sure to find something of hers to fall in love with!  Check out her store at 1000 Markets for more.