March 2013 Giveaway

Ohm, Swarovski Crystal and Mood Bead Earrings 

February has come and gone which means it's time for another giveaway!
Enter for your chance to win at JGBeadedJewelry.com (see "Giveaway" category for details and/or Facebook.com/JGBeadedJewelry (see about on the Facebook page for entry details)

The February Giveaway winner is Margaret Z. - congrats!!

JG Beaded Jewelry offers many unique gifts, crystal suncatchers, rearview mirror car charms and decorations, handcrafted jewelry and more. Stop on by and enter the giveaway, it only takes a minute or two!

Free Shipping from JG Beaded Jewelry

Rasta Bracelet With Black Onyx Hearts

*The "February Giveaway" item is a Mood Bead and Swarovski Crystal Bracelet - it's not too late to enter.
See details at JGBeadedJewelry.com or on my Facebook page!

Crystal Suncatchers, Prism Crystals, Rainbow Crystals, Crystal Car Charms, Decorations and Ornaments

Prism Crystal Suncatchers ~ Hanging Window Crystals

and

Rearview Mirror Crystals and Car Charms

www.JGBeadedJewelry.com

and 

www.etsy.com/shop/JGBeadedJewelry

Working with crystals is one of my favorite crafty pastimes and lately I have been crystal crazy. I swore that I'd limit purchases for a while, but when I got the call that my crystal guy was in town, I was out of the house and on the way to meet him within 15 minutes! I was glad that I did because I came home with over 80 colors, shapes and sizes of faceted crystal beads to embellish the crystal suncatchers with. When I  pulled out the prism crystals to create a few pieces with I realized that my color stock was dwindling...so I made a call to order up more! Yes, I'll be the first to admit that I am addicted, but in my mind it is not a problem. There are much worse things to be addicted to! Besides, if it isn't hurting anyone (for instance not having food for my family or money for bills) and makes everyone happy (me and happy recipients) then no harm is done - right? Right!

So anyway, now my prism crystal collection ranges from clear with Aurora Borealis hues (pictured above), clear, light/cobalt/sapphire/teal blue, light purple, green, pink, red, light topaz and dark topaz (golden) in several different sizes. The 20mm and 30mm crystals are perfect for rearview mirror car charms, but I wouldn't recommend anything bigger unless you don't mind cracking the windshield on sudden impact (yikes)! I had a lady order a 60mm crystal suncatcher only to ask if she could return it for a smaller size because it was too big for her car! Of course that was no problem, but I would have recommended a smaller size if I knew what she was intending on using it for. Honestly, once you go bigger than the 30mm crystal, they are much better to hang in a sunny window, the sun porch, the office, the nursery or anywhere you'd like a little visual stimulation. Right now, I have three in the window that gets the morning sun and it brightens my day when the rainbows are showing their colors on the walls and floor. My cat looks at them for a while then pounces and that makes me laugh even more.
If you don't want the rainbow effect and just a colorful crystal window decoration, I would suggest any other color prism crystal besides the clear with Aurora Borealis coating, as that gives off rainbows to the fullest.
Did I mention that I love to do custom orders? Yes, you pick the crystal color, gemstones, beads, charms or whatever your heart desires and we can work together on coming up with something suitable for you. I'll email you a picture and if you like it then it's yours. If you don't then someone else can have it and we try again!
Crystal suncatchers are a great gift - even for a guy! It doesn't have to be shiny as I have many beads and gemstones that are perfect for men. You can find my crystal suncatchers and rearview car decorations and charms at www.JGBeadedJewelry.com or in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/JGBeadedJewelry
I accept PayPal and Money Orders on my website and Etsy accepts PayPal, Credit Cards, Gift Cards and e-checks. If you wish to use a credit card and see something on my website that is not listed in my Etsy store, please send me a message as I am happy to make a special listing for you. I am pretty quick at responding so you shouldn't have to wait very long.
Keep in mind that I can ship anywhere with a personal message from you if you are in a hurry to get a gift somewhere fast! All orders and customers (you) are important to me and I will ship your item(s) as fast as physically possible (usually within 24 hours or less) and email you the tracking information.
In the past, international orders were shipped via "standard mail" but once the package leaves the US it can no longer be tracked, therefore, I have changed my shipping policies to ensure delivery. The downside to that is that it costs quite bit more but if I can save money on shipping, I am happy to refund the excess amount. If you are willing to have your international order shipped standard mail, I am happy to calculate exact shipping charges, but please note that I cannot be held accountable for lost packages. I have not lost one yet and would like to keep it that way (knock on wood)!
Well, that's it for now folks...
Shine on!
~Sharon / JG Beaded Jewelry
I love to give stuff away! Enter the FREE GIVEAWAY at JGBeadedJewelry.com and/or Facebook.com/JGBeadedJewelry

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Everyday is Valentine's Day!

I put together a section of love gifts on JGBeadedJewelry and can drop ship direct with a personal message for you - just let me know if I can help you. That's all.
~S

Sharing Time, Knowledge and Love!

Valentine's Day is approaching fast! Although I'm not really one for "Hallmark Holidays" I do believe in showing the one's I love that I care ~ everyday!
Yesterday a few of my son's friends (who always call me mom) were at the house trying to get my son to finish his chores so they could go play basketball. While he was lollygagging around I asked the boys (teenagers) what they were giving to their mothers for Valentine's Day. I got a few giggles and a basic quizzical look upon their faces so I asked if they would like to make something for them. I showed them a few possible things they could make and between checking their iPhones for text messages and Facebook posts, they managed to tell me what color beads they'd like to use. I pulled out what I had and gave them free range of choosing their favorites. I have never actually taught a class for money, although while working in a bead store I've shown many people (who have never made jewelry) basic methods and some of my personal tricks that I've come up with over the decades to making jewelry that is simple but sturdy.
When I took out the tools that they'd be using one of them said "that's a lot of tools"! Funny thing is that I only took out the round nose pliers, flat nose pliers and wire cutters as I figured that was all they needed for basic wire wrapping. At this time, the iPhones were pushed to the side!!
We started off by attaching a silver bail to the crystal. It seems that at times I take such a simple step for granted because it comes so easily for me, but watching the guys trying to get a grip on the crystal while putting on the bail proved to be a bit challenging (and comical - shhh!). Granted that this was the first time and while cheering them on I also told them that it gets easier as with anything you set your mind to doing. Finally, step one was accomplished and they moved on to figuring out the bead patterns and slipped them onto the wire completing step two! Now for the more difficult act of wrapping the wire into a loop...I showed them how I do it but explained that everyone holds their tools different and they would need to do what is comfortable for them while mentioning that if they didn't succeed the first time, I have plenty more wire and they can do it until they were satisfied with the results.  Each was to chose the length of chain they wanted to attach to the crystal suncatcher. After the lengths were decided it was time to put the chain through the wire and  wrap up the loops which is when the wire cutters came into play. I was holding the chain tight to make it easier to cut but at one point I realized that I might get clipped, so I gave it to them so they could figure it out! No better way of learning than receiving instruction but doing it yourself!!
When the crystal suncatchers and earrings (both embellished with crystal and glass hearts by the way) were completed the boys were amazed at how nicely they came out! They did question me about how I said it wouldn't take very long though! My response was that next time they will already be skilled and should be able to do it quicker, but quicker isn't always better when making something from the heart.
                           ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

THE SWEET PART OF THIS ACTIVITY was the priceless conversation that was going on as one of the boys was talking about how one was for his mom's car and should be about 6 inches while the other was for his sister's bedroom window and needed to be a little sorter. The other one was hoping that the colors he picked were perfect. As I listened without sound, I could honestly feel the love they had while considering each piece with precise calculations. I thought to myself about what great kids they were and how wonderful it is that my son has chosen to have good-hearted people as friends - my heart grew ten times it's size! This is reassuring to me being a single parent as I have tried so hard to make good choices, set good examples, be honest and be oh-so-ever involved in his activities in this ever-changing world we live in.
The reminded lesson of the day is to appreciate the good things in life and share the love!

Free Mood Bead Bracelet!

FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY TIME!

Welcome to my FREE GIVEAWAY! This time I'm giving a beautiful color-changing mood bead and Swarovski crystal bracelet to one lucky winner at the end of February. Easy to get in on the action by heading over to Facebook/JGBeadedJewelry and clicking "Like" or to JGBeadedJewelry.com and filing out a short form. Don't worry, no spam is sent and your info is completely safe - that's a promise!
The January winner was from the website this time - Vincent K. so congrats to you! "The Crystal Rearview Mirror Ornament" is on the way!
I've been adding lots of new items to my site, so pop on over and check them out. There is also a category for Valentine's Day Gift Ideas - lots of cool things at incredible deals!
~My Best,
Sharon/JG Beaded Jewelry