Latest Publications

Offering me a great deal on some bootiful jewry

Then we have the plethora of Minglish (mangled English) versions that whilst phonetically pretty good, are pretty ordinary spellings, such as jewree, dueree, djioulery, jooleree. So if you have a website selling jewelry, how should you spell it?

First, consider your target market, and how do they spell it? If you are US based, use Jewelry. If you are outside the US…. I’d still use Jewelry instead of Jewellery, unless you are in The UK, Australia or New Zealand because more of your clientele are going to use US spellings, rather than international spelling. If you are trying to ensure that no matter where your website clientele are they see their own spelling of jewelry, you could try something like what this site is doing  - wholesale Jewelry. They use site programming to detect what country the user is in, then show the end user the spelling correct for that area.

Now if only Google had regional search engine robots, as well as regional search engines, then this creativity would be rewarded with higher rankings on relevant terms in those countries, rewarded for using the most popular spelling for that country.

Of course, regional search engines such as Badu will see the different spelling and reward it, as would search engines like web wombat… But Google runs all its search bots from the one IP, in the USA, so its only ever going to see the US spelling. Some sites, just spatter all possible spellings everywhere on their site - which though it makes the site owner appear dyslexic, is not such a bad idea as it give your site a chance of ranking for all the different spellings. So, its up to you, choose the course that best suits your business model.

Just don’t use Minglish… as I write this I’ve just receive an email offering me a great deal on some bootiful jewry, and there is a good chance I’m going to pass on that offer.

Mid Century Plastic Jewelry

“Mid Century Plastic Jewelry” is a soft cover book published by Schiffer in 2005. The author, Susan Maxine Klein, and photographer, Jori Klein, have done a remarkable job of packing the book with details of the evolution of plastic costume jewelry from its beginnings in the early 20th century to the present time. They also discuss manufacturers, early plastic mediums, styles, colors, and include a price guide. One of the best features of the book is the hundreds of stunning color photographs of gorgeous colorful jewelry that are included.

On the dust jacket inside front cover there is a brief biography of Susan Maxine Klein which reads: “Susan Maxine Klein started in the antiques business working for Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago. She spent five years as Senior Manger of Client Auctions for Sotheby’s, Chicago. For three seasons she worked as a production assistant on the HGTV television program “The Appraisal Fair”.

From her extensive knowledge and experience she has pulled together this comprehensive guide that is a “must have” jewelry reference for costume jewelry collectors. Reading through the table of contents gives an overview of the wealth of information contained in the pages that follow.

Part one examines how costume jewelry, particularly plastic jewelry, originated and the manufacturing and distribution process. The focus is on the Rhode Island costume jewelry industry, which was the hub of 20th century growth. Parts two through four introduce the top manufacturers, Coro, Trifari, Lisner, Kramer, and others, with a focus on the colors and styles they created. There are lots of fabulous photos grouped by color, which magnifies the bold and flashy spectacle of Susan’s collection. Then Part five discusses the care, condition, and repair of plastic jewelry.

As the interest in costume jewelry grows I expect this book to be a staple in any collectors’ library. In my opinion “Mid Century Plastic Jewelry” is an entertaining and valuable research guide for serious and casual costume jewelry lovers everywhere.

Be sure you check out the decoupage bracelet

Projects from the editor of BeadStyle magazine Cathy Jakicic   Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry  is one of the newest publications from Kalmbach Books.  Cathy says the idea for Memory Jewelry came after she attended a scrapbook event with a friend of hers. While there, working on a beading project, she began to realize how these 2 creative endeavors were alike. The scrapbooking group was fascinated by her project and how she designed and constructed it.The result is over 25 jewelry creations that are inspired by special occasions, divided into 4 categories: milestones, hobbies, vacations and remembrances. Yes, we all know the endless varieties of charm bracelets and pictures in small frames on pendants and keychains. But Cathy’s projects go far beyond these common theme designs.

MILESTONES

Be sure you check out the decoupage bracelet; who thought of creating a way to remember wallpaper or paint. The handmade birthstone jewelry was very personal and I liked these much more than pre-made, pre-formed standard pieces.  Yes, the mini memory book pendant was a bit too trite for me, but other scrapbookers might love the concept. Creating beads from special paper, such as gift wrap, or napkins from your baby shower was another neat idea others might like, but not exactly my cup of tea.  Cathy describes a reward bracelet—-I liked using this for myself, adding a bead for each POUND lost on my diet, and maybe a slightly larger one for every 5 lbs.  That is a prime example of how you may look at one of her designs and immediately see a new and innovative way to turn it into your own project.

HOBBIES

Cathy described a project to commemorate a child’s recital….while that didn’t particularly appeal to me, it did spark my own creativity, as I thought about how I could take a program and use it to create a memory keepsake. I also like the pop culture project; I may have to use this to create a design for my best friend, who is dedicated movie buff. I could use movie posters and create a unique bracelet and earrings, with a slightly large set for a necklace. I think this could also work for books or album/CD covers. Oh, all of us remember our grade school art work being displayed on the refrigerator door (wonder what they ever did before refrigerators?). Cathy has a neat plan to co-op those into pendants.

When we first get involved in making jewelry

Video on demand is a very convenient home learning tool as it is your decision where you want to observe the video and when you wish to see it. Work when you are most energetic and alert.

When we first get involved in making jewelry we often times duplicate an expensive jewelry piece that we saw in the store as the cost was beyond our budget. However, as you become more skilled and experienced at jewelry making you discover that you desire more complex jewelry pieces that stores do not offer. Or if you consider yourself as an artist you want more original jewelry designs to make as duplicating the work of another artist is forbidden.

Regardless of whether you live in a beautiful countryside, or in a quiet suburban residential area, or live in a busy and frenzied city, classes may not be conveniently located near your residence. The joy of attending video on demand service classes in your home is very relaxing and allows you to work at your own pace.

Video on demand online courses are very affordable and more time efficient. There is no need to be concerned about money for the gas tank of the car, travel mileage, and the transportation time.

Build your in-home library with new hand made jewelry ideas and methods. Video on demand will be a wonderful addition to your education and collection of beaded jewelry projects.

No matter how many jewelry pieces we may make

No matter how many jewelry pieces we may make we are always in the process of wanting more education to better our craft skills and talents. We have our original jewelry designs that we would like to assemble. However, imagine what it would be like to have a professional jewelry instructor with a video on demand service to open our eyes to new designs with new ideas or techniques to make our creations unique.

Have you ever felt your think tank to be empty? Taking new classes are essential to our growth. If the current economy is getting you down, not to worry, take home study courses using the knowledge of video on demand service.

Build your in-home library with new jewelry ideas and methods. A video on demand service will allow you to work at your own pace in the privacy of your home and this service is very affordable.

The positive difference of using a video on demand service allows you to access the video course over and over again. At one time I used to enjoy watching a movie once and was satisfied. However, I discovered that when you review a movie multiple times you will observe many more things that you missed the first time, the second time, and even the third time. Jewelry making is the same way. The more often you review the online course the more you will learn.

Artificial jewelry of all kinds is widely available in many stores

Jewelry is indeed one of life’s pleasures. The more, the better, is the phrase that best suits the passion of women for jewelry. Every woman wants unlimited quantities of diamonds, stones, and gold on her dresser. Unfortunately, only a few can afford such a luxury.

For women, who are concerned about the soaring prices of jewelry made of gold or other precious metals, and for those who need more variety, imitation jewelry is the best option. You can get exact replicas of actual jewelry for less than half the actual price.

The best thing about imitation Jewelry is that you usually get a lot of variety in it. Ranging from office wear, casual wear, eveningwear, wedding wear etc, the diversity is limitless. If you match your jewelry with your dresses, you will achieve the most desirable appearance. That is why most of the women today are investing more and more in imitation jewelry, because that way they get a huge variety to match with everything in their wardrobe.

Artificial jewelry of all kinds is widely available in many stores. However, make sure that you choose a piece that looks classy. This season the emphasis is on chunky chains and layered necklaces. You can either buy such pieces from different jewelry stores or make them by yourself by mixing and matching according to your taste.

Charles Lewis Tiffany

Tiffany and Co. Jewelers was founded upon the idea of providing high end goods to people of discerning taste who demanded luxury and quality in the products that they purchased. Tiffany’s products, which include things like beautiful diamonds, silver jewelry, handcrafted silver gifts, tableware and other fine goods continues to attract modern customers, just as they have done since the days Tiffany and Co opened its doors.

Charles Lewis Tiffany - The King of Diamonds

Charles Lewis Tiffany, nicknamed “The King of Diamonds” and business partner John B. Young set up shop in the first Tiffany & Young store in 1837. The famous store, located in New York City on Broadway, the store was original created to be stationary store. Tiffany took over the store, renaming it Tiffany and Co and moved the business towards the high end products with which it is associated today.

Silver Goods and Jewelry

The beautiful silver jewelry pieces from the early days of Tiffany are so classic in their craftmanship and design that many of the original pieces are still sold in some form today. Antique Tiffany pieces that are still in that famous, original light blue boxes can fetch huge money at estate sales and online auctions. The light blue color packaging continues to be the calling card symbol of jewelry from Tiffany & Co.

Some of the goods and products that could be purchased at Tiffany & Co. early in the company’s career include many different silver jewelry pieces, monogrammed sets for dressers, presentation bowls, silver cups and saucers designed for children, silver trays for business cards, men’s dressing sets and silver game pieces. One especially popular item from the late 1800s was the souvenir spoons made Tiffany & Co. and copied by many other manufacturers.

Tiffany Jewelry And Tiffany Lampshades

In 1902, the Tiffany Art Jewelry portion of the store was opened as a means for displaying the jewelry and enamel craftwork of Louis Comfort Tiffany, heir to the Tiffany throne. Louis Tiffany was also the brains behind some of the most famous Tiffany styles, including Tiffany stained glass lampshades. In 1940, Tiffany and Co moved from Broadway to its world famous modern location at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan.

The name Tiffany & Co. is associated with timeless and classic luxury items. Today, much of Tiffany’s business comes through catalog and internet based sales, which have helped spread the Tiffany brand name around the world and made the dream of owning a piece of Tiffany jewelry realizable no matter where you live.

The popularity associated with Cartier jewelry

Lastly, the popularity associated with Cartier jewelry can be due in part to the large selection which is made available to the jewelry buying public. Whether one is searching for an engagement ring or a gent’s watch, it will almost certainly be able to be found in the Cartier collection. Cartier Jewelers not only offer a large product line with regard to types of jewelry but also materials as well. Various metal types and stone varieties can be found with Cartier jewelry and the items which are chosen by the Cartier company purchasers are sure to be of the highest quality.

Why Cartier Jewelry Can Be Priced So High

Some may look at the price tags affixed to pieces of Cartier jewelry and wonder if the item is really worth the price. Most who purchase such types of jewelry would say that it is. Cartier jewelry can be priced high for a few different reasons. First, the name itself attaches an extra beneficial characteristic to the item. Those who purchase and wear Cartier jewelry can tell all of their friends, family members and whomever else inquires that the earrings or ring that they are wearing are in fact Cartier.

Another reason for the high price tag and why individuals will purchase these items at this price is due to the exquisite characteristics surrounding the jewelry itself. Cartier is known for using top of the line metals and jewels which give it the high price tag along with the name. One who buys jewelry from the Cartier collection knows that they are receiving a high quality item in exchange for the expensive cost surrounding it.

Elk ivory is the rarest jewelry component in the world

Elk ivory is the rarest jewelry component in the world. Often referred to
as the “pearl of the west”, elk ivory has been found among artifacts
5,000 years old. Native Americans often used elk teeth as a decorative element
in jewelry and clothing. The first confirmed elk ivory ornaments in the U.S.
were unearthed at the Fort Yates archeological dig in south central North Dakota,
along the Missouri river, dating back roughly 530 years. Elk teeth are still
used in decoration today and can make a unique, one of a kind jewelry piece.

If you are imagining a string of teeth with holes drilled through them and
strung on a piece of leather, you haven’t seen a contemporary, well-made
piece of elk tooth jewelry. “Elk teeth can be a gorgeous centerpiece
for rings, pendants, belt buckles, cuff links, bracelets, and more with stunning
results” says Sarah Buckles Larner, an elk tooth and precious stone
custom jewelry designer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “Just like a
traditional jewelry setting using precious stones, you can use elk teeth with
metals like sterling silver, 14K yellow or white gold, or a combination of
those metals to create a lovely piece.”

Elk hunting is big business in Colorado. Elk are abundant; therefore hunting
season yields plenty of material for a designer or elk tooth jewelry enthusiast.
Sarah’s customers range from hunters with their own elk teeth to clients
that just appreciate the unique style of an elk tooth pendant or ring. “If
a customer brings in their own elk teeth and they are not already cleaned,
they are carefully boiled, cleaned, and then carefully polish of all the rough
edges and buffed to a pearl-like finish. Then they are ready to use”

Once the elk ivory tooth is polished, the color and highlights are unique
to each tooth. Depending on the shape and the polish, the colors range from
a milky white ivory color to dark chocolate brown. When the teeth are polished
it may give you a better idea of the type of jewelry that you would like to
have created. You can use a single tooth to create a ring, a pendant or a money
clip while a matched pair of teeth can be put in a belt buckle, a silver and
gold bracelet or cuff links.

Bakelite-Catalin took up the market slack with its colorful carved jewelry

The best way to recognize bakelite comes with experience. After you’ve seen enough pieces you will easily recognize it. There are also some excellent books on the market that you might find helpful.

  • o BAKELITE JEWELRY - Tony Grasso
  • oTHE BEST OF BAKELITE AND OTHER PALSTIC JEWELRY - Dee Battle & Alayne Lesser
  • o BAKELITE JEWELRY GOOD*BETTER*BEST - Donna Wassertrom & Leslie PinaBakelite has always been known as the material with 1000 uses, and it surely did earn this name. Bakelite is now treasured for its unique, unreproducible beauty. When the Bakelite patent expired in 1927, it was acquired by the Catalin Corporation that same year.

    They began mass production under the name “Catalin. The Catalin Corporation was responsible for nearly 70% of all phenolic resins that exist today.

    Bakelite-Catalin was sold mainly to companies like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bonwit Teller, Woolworth’s, and Sears. Much of the wealthy society fell into touch times during the depression and could not longer afford the Tiffany diamonds or Cartier Jewelry.

    Bakelite-Catalin took up the market slack with its colorful carved jewelry adorned with rhinestones. This jewelry was within the reach of all and its popularity grew from the poorest to the wealthiest in society.

    In 1942 Bakelite-Catalin stopped sales of their colorful costume jewelry in order to concentrate on the nation’s wartime needs. They produced thousands of products found their way into the military.

    By the end of the war new technologies were for molded plastics had been developed. These new products consisted of plastics such as Lucite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Acrylic all which were molded. Bakelite and Catalin become obsolete except in the hearts of collectors who still pursue it today.

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