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

Jewelry for Patriotic Events

Personalize a scrapbook

The Jetteam Goes Boho

The Jetteam is a team on Etsy whose team members design and create a wide variety of artfully crafted jewelry styles.  A hot trend for 2014 is the Bohemian style, which is well represented by this team of artisans. Here is a collection of some of those designs.  Click on any of the pictures and you will be taken to the entire group where you can see many more selections as well as visit individual Jetteam member shops.  Happy browsing!

Boho Chic Collection curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

SRAJD Jewelry Designs at Their Finest

I am proud to be a SRAJD member.  SRAJD stands for Self-Representing Artists in Jewelry Design, an International organization composed of jewelry designers who create and sell their own jewelry.  Purchasing from a SRAJD member means that you are buying directly from and supporting the artist.

The SRAJD members who sell on Etsy are featured in treasury entries of jewelry designs that have been included in treasuries by other Etsians.  Here are a few of the designs.  I hope you will browse through the entries and enjoy them.  Then visit the shops represented here and see what else the artists have to offer in their jewelry selections.

SRAJD Treasury Entries curated by SRAJD Featured Designs on Etsy

I created a slide show of some of my summer jewelry pieces.  I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, then visit my shop on Etsy to see these and many, many more lovely jewelry selections.  Enjoy!

A free slideshow by Smilebox

Destination: Beach

As May draws near and thoughts began to turn toward summer and its fun activities, one activity that almost everyone enjoys is a trip to the beach. So to help swing your thoughts and mood in that direction, I have curated a treasury full of wonderful "beachy" items from many talented artisans and sellers on Etsy. Please take the time to visit this treasury, leave a comment or two, and look over some of the featured items.

Destination: Beach

Jetteam Members Have Necklaces, Too!

Necklaces curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

Different lengths, different textures, different colors, different styles. That's what makes the Jetteam so amazing. We have diversity and we can help you find just the right necklace for the right occasion. Here's a link to even more: https://www.etsy.com/pages/jewelryonetsyteam/necklaces?eref=

Jetteam Members Have Bracelets Galore!

Bracelets curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

Like bracelets?  The Jetteam has 'em.  Plenty of bracelets in all designs, styles, colors, and sizes to choose from.  You can see a nice collection of bracelets here:  https://www.etsy.com/pages/jewelryonetsyteam/bracelets?eref=

Mother's Day Gift Ideas from the Jetteam

Mothers Day curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

No matter what lady in your life you are shopping for this Mother's Day, the Jetteam has a wide variety of gift ideas that will give you plenty of ideas to choose from in all price ranges. You can see all the Mother's Day gift suggestions here:  https://www.etsy.com/pages/jewelryonetsyteam/mothers-day?eref=

Jetteam Team Page is Live With Plenty of Goodies

Beautiful Blues curated by Jewelry on Etsy Team on Etsy

The Jewelry on Etsy Team (Jetteam) has a wonderful collection of pieces from its members curated into fabulous sections that highlight various colors, styles, special occasions, and types of jewelry all created by the amazing Jets.  This first collection showcases pieces in beautiful blues.  It can be seen in its entirety at this link:  https://www.etsy.com/pages/jewelryonetsyteam/beautiful-blues?eref=

JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team: Death Toll Rises from Philippines Typhoon Haiyan -JETs Continue Fundraising Effort

JETs Jewelry on Etsy Team: Death Toll Rises from Philippines Typhoon Haiyan -JETs Continue Fundraising Effort

I Would Like to Present . . .

A good friend and fellow Jetteam member on Etsy is Norah Downey, owner of the the shop Silver Initial Jewelry http://www.etsy.com/shop/silverinitialjewelry.  Norah's unique, one-of-a-kind initials are crafted by hand making use of eco-friendly, recycled silver made with wax seals, many from as early as the 1800's.  Her designs are personalized and can be used as pendants, key chains, charms for bracelets, and many more uses.  Both men and women can enjoy wearing one of these designs.

One of my favorite designs is this one, which just happens to be displayed with my initial!

This piece is displayed very beautifully as a silk wrap bracelet.

The crafting of these beautiful initials comes from a very interesting history of wax seals. Most of us are familiar with the use of wax seals to seal letters, many of those between lovers.  Norah had eloquently described the history of wax seals in a section of her shop. You can read that history here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverInitialJewelry/about/

                                These are just some examples of wax seals.

Norah has several sizes of initials ranging from petite ones . . .

to extra large ones . . .

If you are planning a gift for someone special in your life--or yourself--consider one of these lovely initials.  It will be an extra special treat.  Silver Initial Jewelry by Norah Downey

Cleaning Copper Jewelry

With the price of precious metals, especially gold, so high, many fashion-conscious people are turning more and more to other metals for jewelry.  Copper and brass are two of the most popular.  But as you probably know, copper tarnishes very quickly and soon takes on a dark appearance.  Here are some tips for cleaning copper using familiar household goods.

1. Cut a lemon in half and add a dash of salt to cut side. Rub the lemon over the jewelry piece. You can also add a dash of salt to some lemon juice (enough juice to coat the piece). Dip the jewelry into the juice and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse the piece off with water and dry it thoroughly with a polishing cloth.

Copper Disc with Crystals

2. Rub your jewelry with a small amount of ketchup or tomato juice. Rinse well and dry with a polishing cloth.

Jasper and Copper Necklace

3. Combine equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste and rub the paste on your jewelry. Rinse and dry.

Green Mosaic Turquoise with Copper Bracelet

4. Sprinkle some Worcestershire sauce on your copper piece. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

Pearls of Wisdom for June Birthday Buying

I love pearls.  They are such a classic gem, worn for so many different occasions and appropriate for almost any time.  They are ageless, too.  Pearls have been worn for centuries, at least as far back as the Roman Empire.  The only gem that comes from a living sea creature, the pearl is the number one gem choice for the June birthstone.  While natural pearls may be bought at an extremely high price, most pearl jewelry today uses cultured pearls that are created in oyster farms.

Pearl and crystal earrings in my Etsy shop

A very lovely alternate birthstone for June is the moonstone.  If you love to see a play of color in gemstones, then you will enjoy the flashes and glints of silvery blue that moonstones radiate from their milky white surface.  When the stone is moved back and forth, it almost seems as though the silvery blue rays move also.

A necklace in my shop with moonstones

The third birthstone alternative for June is the Alexandrite gemstone.  The Alexandrite is a charming, unusual stone, changing in its colors almost like a chameleon.  In natural daylight it appears bluish green while under artificial light it appears violet in color.  Natural Alexandrite is very rare and expensive, so most Alexandrite birthstones are manmade and it is very difficult to reproduce the color changing ability of the natural stone.

Here is an Alexandrite ring I found in another Etsy shop.

So if you are shopping for that special person with a June birthday, you have several gems to choose from.  A hard choice to make since all three are beautiful in their own way.  Happy shopping!