Elemental My Dear...from Stringing Magazine

from Stringing Magazine comes a new challenge (earth, air, fire, water) Vote for your favorite at: http://www.stringingmagazine.com

Elemental, My Dear
(earth, air, fire, and water)
Stringing Challenge Gallery

• About the challenge: The challenge theme was "Elemental, My Dear (earth, air, fire, and water)" Stringing publishes stringing and simple wirework designs.
• Voting: Voting ends April 6, 2009.
• In the spirit of fairness and friendly competition, please vote only once and from only one e-mail address.

Maybe this will get your attention! A great example from Dori who chose water (ice) as her muse - her entry, named "Titanic's Bane" incorporates pearls, glass, silver and a magnificent lampwork focal by Crystal Gilbreath
http://crystalgld.com

Looking for a Gem & Jewelry Show Near You?

OK - the last thing I need is another blog to keep up!!!!

The lastest offering from "A Fly On The Wall" is GemShows at: http://gemshows.blogspot.com/

This is just a listing site - no reviews - just a monthly list of gem & jewelry shows. Shows range from huge International Shows - to - local Gem & Mineral Society offerings. I have also included a listing of Commercial Show Promoters so you can check on the shows in your neighborhood!

These are shows geared to professionals and hobbyists alike - but - for the most part will give you buying options NOT selling options - there are LOTS of sites that list selling venues already!

Feel free to leave info for any shows (as long as they meet the qualifications listed above) I may have missed in the comments...and I love new followers - and subscribers!

See you at one of the family of "A Fly On The Wall" Blogs:

The Daily Jewel http://dailyjewel.blogspot.com/

GemShows http://gemshows.blogspot.com/

Tucson Gem Show - Live! http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com/

Jewelry & Gem Artisans http://jewelrygemartisans.blogspot.com/

A Fly On The Wall's Views and Reviews http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/

A Little Social Link Love!

Some of my favorite Social Networks:
Eons (for baby boomers): http://eons.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/
Flickr: http://flickr.com/
Friend Feed: http://friendfeed.com/
Linked In: http://linkedin.com/
MySpace: http://myspace.com/
Plaxo: http://plaxo.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/
Vox: http://vox.com/
Xanga: http://xanga.com/
Yelp: http://yelp.com/

Fashion (it is important to keep up with current fashion trends if you are a jewelry designer):
StyleFeeder: http://www.stylefeeder.com/
StyleHive: http://www.stylehive.com/

Social Networks/Forums for Jewelers:
Yahoo Groups has a multitude of Jewelry oriented groups... from Beadingaholics (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beadingaholics) which covers all media to Unique Wire Artists (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UniqueWireArtists) which specializes in wire wrapping to your local metalsmith guilds (here is my local Metal Arts Society - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MetalArtsSociety/). So take a minute to search Yahoo Groups for topics of interest to you!

ArtMetal: http://www.artmetal.com/
Crafster: http://www.craftster.org/
Deviant Art: http://www.deviantart.com/
IndiePublic: http://www.indiepublic.com/
Jewelry Artist Network: http://snipurl.com/dgr44 [www_doxallo_com]
Jewelry Geeks (formerly MetalChasers) http://www.jewelrygeeks.com/
Lapidary/Gemstone Forum from TaoGems: http://gemstone.smfforfree4.com/
My Handmade Registry: http://www.myhandmaderegistry.com/

Ning - is a network of social networks - you can search their networks or start your own...like Jewelry Artist Network: http://jewelryartistnetwork.ning.com/

Most sales sites have a forum:
Etsy http://www.etsy.com/
Artfire http://www.artfire.com/
1000Markets http://www.1000markets.com/


Your favorite magazines also have Forums and other "Community" resources like ArtJewelry: http://cs.artjewelrymag.com/artcs/

...and last but not least - the "mother" of all jeweler's forums - the Orchid Forum at Ganoksin http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/orchid.htm

Learn about making gold chains (Jewelry Television)

Have you done any chainmail or even just a simple two-in-one or two-in-two chain for a charm bracelet? Then you know how much work it is - and if you want soldered links - that could take a whole days work to complete a chain!!!!

So - how are those finished chains made that they can be sold at such reasonable prices?

I found this video on YouTube - it is a fairly quick overview from Jewelry Television.

DTC's 8th Annual Shining Light Awards

The launch of the eighth DTC Shining Light Awards Collection marked an historic occasion: for the first time ever, the competition was opened to South Africa’s neighbouring diamond producing countries - Namibia and Botswana, making the 2009 Shining Light Competition, one that is truly southern African.

This new collection is a statement of bold design expression - each piece captivates the imagination and beauty intrinsic to this prized gemstone. The overall winning piece of the eighth DTC Shining Light Diamond Design Awards Competition in South Africa was chosen for its contemporary minimalism and unique execution in design. Overall Winner, designer Bhekithemba Ngema, a 2008 Tshwane University of Technology graduate, created his ring using 18ct yellow gold and 725 diamonds with a total carat weight of 16 carats, provided by sponsor and DTC client, Schachter & Namdar.

First launched in 1996, the objective of the DTC Shining Light Awards has been to provide support for the future of the South African jewellery industry by helping to develop both technical and design skills of South African designers, as well as an ethos for South African jewellery design.

Swarovski At The Oscars - 2009

David Rockwell Drawings for the Oscars set - see more at: http://snipurl.com/d0tjc [chicago_broadwayworld_com]

From the Swarovski Press Release:

Swarovski Partners with David Rockwell to Unveil the First Glimpse of the Oscar® Set Design Swarovski Crystal helps bring a new and fresh look to the 81st Annual Academy Awards®

Los Angeles, CA, February 16, 2009 - David Rockwell reinvents the set of the 81st Annual Academy Awards featuring custom designed Swarovski Crystal curtains that will create a sparkling rainbow illuminating the grand arch of the Kodak Theatre, a building Rockwell Group completed seven years ago. The curtains will shimmer with approximately 100,000 Swarovski crystals flown in especially from Austria and will stand an awe inspiring 60 feet tall and 100 feet wide. This is the second time Swarovski crystal has graced the stage of the Academy Awards and this year promises to be even more of a stunning surprise with the curtains weighing in at three tons and being comprised of over 6,000 one-meter hand crafted strands.

“We could not think of a better partner than Swarovski to fulfill our vision of not just a curtain, but a frame to capture all the elegance, excitement and high-fashion that is the Academy Awards,” added David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group. “We have collaborated with Swarovski many times and the result is always breathtaking. This is yet another spectacular centerpiece.”

“Swarovski is delighted to support the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences for the second year of what is undoubtedly Hollywood’s biggest annual event,” said Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of Crystal Business. “We are delighted to collaborate with David Rockwell on this magnificent set design which reflects our ongoing commitment to support talent and creativity in he film industry”.

View exclusive behind the scenes footage of the creation of the Swarovski Crystal Curtains for
the 81st Annual Academy Awards on: http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/oscars/oscars09/n-3223.html


Stars in Swarovski

American actress Christina Applegate carried a shiny gold vintage Jackie clutch bag by Daniel Swarovski.

Spanish actress Monica Cruz, the proud sister of Oscar winner Penelope Cruz for Best Supporting Actress, decided on dazzling the audiences with the Allegro clutch bag from the Daniel Swarovski collection.

Actress and model Milla Jovovich complemented her outfit with a silver crystal Reverbe clutch.

More handbags & clutches from Swarovski: http://snipurl.com/d0tqq [www_swarovski_com]

Thinking Green - Do You Think Of Ebay?

Everyone is talking "green" these days here is an interesting site I was directed to from the original recycler - Ebay's "Green Team"!

Ebay was founded on the principles of re-purposing or re-using...I am always finding things I can use for jewelry from the various dealers - from old watches - to vintage items - to scrap - to broken jewelry!

We believe they can—and do. In 2007, forty eBay employees stepped up to help the company make greener decisions. Now, more than 1,000 are working together as eBay Green Team members.

At the same time, 86 million buyers and sellers on eBay have reused over $100 billion worth of products since 1998. By giving used toasters and toys a longer life and keeping sweaters and cellphones out of landfills, they're making a big difference for the planet.

Today, the eBay Green Team is committed to doing even more to help the world buy, sell and think green every day.

Please join us.

http://www.ebaygreenteam.com/