Paracord Bracelets

Paracord, or survival, bracelets are a fashion trend among guys and gals of all ages.  These bracelets, made with several feet of paracord, superstrong military spec #550 test paracord, are a fashionable and popular way of symbolizing strength, honor, and the belief in American production. There are reports that some people unraveled  a bracelet in an emergency and used the cord to get out of some difficult situations.

The bracelets can be personalized in so many different ways by using different colors or combinations of colors, adding charms or school or other logos, or weaving them using one of many different weaves.

There are many other uses for the paracord weave in addition to bracelets. Because of their strength, they can also be made into dog collars, key fobs, belts, and necklaces.

The basic, and most widely used, paracord weave is the Solomon, or Cobra, weave. It is a very simple weave to learn and can incorporate two colors very easily.  Here is a video tutorial that I found very helpful in making a basic paracord bracelet.

If you are interested in learning about other weaves and perhaps trying them out, this web site has some wonderful tutorials with clear instructions on many different styles. http://www.boredparacord.com/

Here are some of the paracord designs that I have in my Etsy shop. Two of them use the Solomon weave. The third one uses a different design called the digi-cam weave.

I have also added charms and school logos to these bracelets, but you can let your imagination go wild with the many different add-ins you can use to make this type of bracelet your very own. By the way, guys really like these bracelets, too!

You can find these bracelets for sale in my Etsy shop in the team spirit section.  I can custom make one for you in your choice of colors and with a favorite logo or symbol if you wish.

Amethyst for February

Rich purple, the color of royalty, is the color of the gemstone amethyst which is February's birthstone. Members of the Jewelry on Etsy team have this stone well represented in their shops, so if you or a friend or loved one are celebrating a February birthday, be sure to visit these shops to see the many amethyst selections available.

Amethyst for February curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

What Are You Giving Your Sweetheart for Valentine's?

February is the month for love. It's a time to forget the cold, icy days of winter and warm the heart of that special someone who you love with a special gift that says "I love you", "I adore you," or "You're very special to me." Flowers, candy, cards--popular gifts, yes. But how about a gift that will last, one that she can look at and remember the occasion and the special person who gave it to her? How about a gift of jewelry? Yes, you can go to the local jewelry store and plop down a few thousand bucks for a diamond ring or bracelet. Don't have a few thousand? Consider your artisan jewelers--those who make handmade jewelry and who make it with love and careful attention to detail. Perhaps it will be a one-of-a-kind piece. How very special that would be! Here's a few ideas to get you started. These are pieces from my Etsy shop that were designed especially for Valentine's Day. But there are well over three hundred pieces of jewelry for you to choose from if the traditional heart-shaped jewelry isn't to
your liking.  Just visit my shop at www.NancysCrystalFantasy.etsy.com.


 
Swarovski Heart Necklace Pendant by NancysCrystalFantasy on Etsy


Lampwork Hearts Bracelet Pink and Green by NancysCrystalFantasy


Red Crystal Heart Bracelet Valentines Day by NancysCrystalFantasy


Red and Silver Hearts Bracelet Love by NancysCrystalFantasy

More Exciting Summertime Pieces from the Jetteam on Etsy

I've posted several blogs with lovely jewelry pieces from the very talented group of jewelry artisans on Etsy known as the Jewelry on Etsy team.  Here's yet another collection, this one featuring bright, colorful summer pieces from the team members.  Browse to your heart's content, and don't forget to visit their shops for many more exciting goodies.

Summer Brights curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

Perky Peridot - August's Olivine Birthstone

Peridot and Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Since I have an August birthday, I have a particular fondness for the lovely olivine green shade of the peridot gemstone, which is the primary birthstone for August. The vivid green touched with a shade of gold makes it perfect for a summer gemstone to coordinate with the lighter shades of clothing typically worn during those hot months.
The history of the peridot dates back as far as Egyptian jewelery from the early 2nd millennium B.C. The stones used at that time came from a deposit on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea, about 45 miles off the Egyptian coast at Aswan. The peridot is also a thoroughly modern gemstone, for it was not until a few years ago that peridot deposits were located in the Kashmir region; and the stones from those deposits, being of an incomparably beautiful color and transparency, have succeeded in giving a good polish to the image of this beautiful gemstone, which had lost its popularity in previous times. The ancient Romans were fond of this gemstone, largely because of its radiant green shine which does not change even in artificial light. For that reason they nicknamed it the "emerald of the evening". Peridot is also found in Europe in medieval churches, where it adorns many a treasure, for example one of the shrines in Cologne Cathedral. During the baroque period, the rich green gemstone once again enjoyed a brief heyday, and then it somehow faded into oblivion. The peridot is mentioned throughout the Bible, and early Christians considered it sacred. Today still, Catholic Bishops traditionally wear a ring of peridot and amethyst as a symbol of purity and morality. This gemstone has three names: "peridot", "chrysolite", from the Greek "gold stone", and "olivine", for the peridot is the gemstone form of the mineral olivine. In the gemstone trade it is called "peridot", from the Greek word "peridona", which means something like "to give richness". The peridot is one of the few gemstones which come in one color only. The rich, green color with the slight tinge of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. From a chemical point of view, peridot is an iron magnesium silicate. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron actually present. The color itself can vary from shades of yellowish green and olive to a brownish green. Peridot is not particularly hard - only 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale - but it is easy to look after and fairly robust. Peridot is a stone of lightness and beauty. Only spiritual or clear-minded persons should wear peridot. The person with too many earthly problems will not be able to understand the beauty of the peridot. The very spiritual can wear peridot in a necklace with the stone at the base of the throat to feel its soothing effect. Used in a necklace, peridot is a protector against negative emotions. Peridot has been known to have healing effects on the gall bladder and liver.

The JETs (Jewelry on Etsy Team) Have Been Busy

The members of the Jewelry on Etsy Team are such a talented groups of jewelry designers and creators. Here is a page full of representative selections from their shops. Hope you'll visit and look around. https://www.etsy.com/pages/jewelryonetsyteam

Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

More SRAJD Member Beautiful Jewelry Selections from Etsy Shops

SRAJD Treasury Entries curated by SRAJD Featured Designs on Etsy