Pinterest Awareness

What's all the craze about Pinterest you say?
Call me a pin-head, but I like to have the ability to look up recipes, photographs, craft ideas and otherwise entertaining things quickly without having to look through millions of websites through a search engine. It's a great way to find websites that you may never stumble upon otherwise and easy to share your passions and cool finds.
Many independent artists and big companies have jumped on board to promote their products, although that is not supposed to be the objective. If you are trying to promote yourself, keep in mind that you should also have other "boards" about things that appeal to you. If you only upload only your items for sale, you may not get very many followers and your friends who follow you out of love just might begin to get annoyed. At least on Facebook they can hide your page without you knowing or hurting your feelings but not on Pinterest. So, word to the wise, don't go overboard.
Most of the bloggers are writing about copyright infringement, but we've heard it over and over. So...my question is how long it will take for the mean horrible people to add malicious links to images that will have you screaming about viruses on your computer?! We all know about viruses on Facebook and you have to be smart enough not to click on things that just don't seem right or have an interesting catch phrase. There are already images on Pinterest that have links bringing you to some random other product to buy and it is just frustrating. Don't these people have anything better to do with their time? I just don't get it.
Needless to say - I'm feeling a little weary about clicking on images of interest on Pinterest.
Oh, and if you want to see what I've spent my valuable time doing - you can find me here: http://pinterest.com/jgbeads

Happy Pinning!

Bloodstone is the March Birthstone

Bloodstone is one of the birthstones for March (along with aquamarine) and means "sun turning" in Greek. From what I gather from other rock hounds, it is a very overlooked stone although jewelry made from bloodstone is worn by both men and women due to the earthy color. The deep-green chalcedony (which is a form of cryptocrystalline quartz) is flecked with red spots which resemble blood. Bloodstone is also called heliotrope and is mined in the United States, Brazil, Australia, China and India. It is believed that bloodstone has many healing properties such as aiding in poor blood circulation, helps to mend a broken heart, heightens creativity and brings good luck. Quality bloodstone does not always make it to the jewelry market as finely powdered bloodstone is used to made traditional medicines in India as well as other places to this day. Bloodstone is associated with the zodiac signs Aries, Pisces and Scorpio.

Check out the "Bloodstone Beauties" treasury of handcrafted gemstone jewelry on Etsy brought to you by JG Beaded Jewelry.

Giveaway from JG Beaded Jewelry - Crystal and Mood Bead Sun Catcher

Welcome to March! That means it's time for another giveaway from JG Beaded Jewelry.
Perhaps the first thing in order is to announce that  Melissa G. was the "February Giveaway" winner of the Mood Bead Crystal Suncatcher and she won through Facebook.
Onto the next announcement on the list...
The March Giveaway item is a stunning rearview mirror crystal light catcher! These have been very popular with the winners, so why not keep giving them away?! This one is a favorite of mine and is made with a quality mood bead in the middle that has thermo-sensitive liquid crystals that change color with the temperature. You'll be amazed at the range of colors -  I just love them and hope you will too! The mood bead is surrounded by Austrian Swarovski crystals in the colors of aurora borealis amethyst purple, green tourmaline and topaz. The silver rice and daisy shaped beads are metal and everything is wire wrapped together with sturdy silver wire. There is a loop on top and stretch cord is attached so you can easily hang it in your vehicle. It is absolutely perfect for the rearview mirror, but can be hung anywhere that makes you happy!
If you would like to enter the drawing, there are two simple ways to do so.
1. "Like" JG Beaded Jewelry on Facebook.
    *If you share the current giveaway, you are entered twice.
2. Enter at JGBeadedJewelry.com. Your personal information is safe, as it is never shared, sold or given away under any circumstance - this is taken very seriously. Besides, no financial info is requested, just your name, address, email and phone (although you are not likely to get a call!).
    *If you are a Facebook fan & register on the website, you are entered twice.
    * If you are a Facebook fan, "share" the giveaway post & are registered on the website - you are entered three times!
If you don't win the current giveaway, don't fret as your name is automatically entered into the next drawing!
Side note: random giveaway's DO happen on Facebook, so as long as you check the page, comment, like posts or pictures - you won't be left out! You see, I LOVE to give stuff away even with the current conditions of the economy, it's my way of spreading the love, bringing joy into other's lives and making new connections.
With that said...ready - set - go - ENTER!!!! Good luck everyone!!

Crystal Suncatcher with Mood Bead Giveaway from JG Beaded Jewlery

It's that time again for another giveaway. First off, congratulations to Jewel F. our January winner of the Beaded Sun and Glass Bead Metal Bookmark! This time around it is a handcrafted prism crystal suncatcher with a color-changing mood bead (yellow, green, blue and purple), Bali style beads, copper color Swarovski crystals and silver chain. Length is approximately 6 3/8". It's simple to enter by either becoming a fan on Facebook or registering to win at JG Beaded Jewelry.

Handcrafted Jewelry by GemsCrystalAndWire.com - Featured Artist

JG Beaded Jewelry is pleased to introduce our “Featured Artist" -- Bette Luksha-Gammell, owner of GemsCrystalsAndWire.com from North Port, Florida.
At only five years old, Bette embarked upon her journey in the art of jewelry making, inspired by her mother who encouraged her creativity. Her mother would have her choose and order materials from catalogs. Bette liked to work with cabochons and cameos that she would cement into vintage settings.

She was taught about the value of money at an early age and was raised knowing that handmade gifts were the best, as a part of yourself was in the making!  Bette used her allowance to purchase supplies, and her mother started a Christmas club account. In November when the check came in, half went into savings and the other half was spent on gift-making supplies.

Later on, Bette's work evolved into stringing beads, working with seed beads, wire, chain maille and  micro maille. Her favorite materials are Argentium Silver, gold-filled wire and Austrian Swarovski Crystals, but she can still be found using stunning cabochons, her original element of choice. While creating chain maille pieces, Bette prefers to use Artistic Wire, allowing her the ability to add color to the designs.
GemsCrystalAndWire.com can be found in several places on the web. Check out Bette's ArtFire store which has the largest stock of her creations, and her Blog for an 'interchangeable' earring tutorial. You can also find Bette on Etsy and Facebook.

Do you have what it takes to be the next "featured artist"? Go to JG Beaded Jewelry or our Facebook page and use the contact form to submit your site - be sure to include your name, company name, website, email, something about yourself and your work. All submissions will be considered for publishing!

Enter the next giveaway from JG Beaded Jewelry - it's simple!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from JG Beaded Jewelry

Valentine's Day will be here soon! Before you go spending your money on corporate greeting cards and gifts, consider making one of your own. Handmade items mean so much more to the recipient! If you are looking to adorn your sweetie with a little bling, perhaps we can help you. JG Beaded Jewelry offers unique jewelry, accessories and gifts made with hand-picked beads and materials from around the world. You will find many one-of-a-kind gifts for $10 and less. You can also find jewelry for men too!
We offer free shipping options in the US - visit us for details.

Handcrafted Lampwork Beads and Jewelry by Sweetwater Designs - Featured Artist

JG Beaded Jewelry is delighted to feature Deborah Lambson, a skilled bead and jewelry creator and owner of Sweetwater Designs. Deborah discovered the ancient art of lampwork several years ago and has been entranced and intrigued ever since. The glass beads are created individually using a dual fueled torch, pencil like rods of glass and clay dipped mandrel (so that the hot glass bead will readily come off of the steel mandrel.) She said that “working with molten glass is rather like working with honey and it can take some time just to master the art of a round bead”.  She is most inspired by nature and loves to create something that mimics nature in some way…through movement, line or texture and she prefers subtle colorings to heavy handed primaries.  Although, she has noticed that time spent in Israel has influenced her color decisions. The sights and sounds of the lovely little country are being absorbed into her work and she is beginning to introduce more of those primary colors into her designs. Deborah has jewelry displayed in galleries and shops in Canada and can be found online at Sweetwater Designs for jewelry, or GreenBird Studio for loose beads so you can design your own fabulous jewelry! You can also visit her website Sweetwater Designs.  JG Beaded Jewelry wishes her much success!


Would you like your shop to be featured in our blog? Go to JG Beaded Jewelry or our Facebook page and use the contact form to submit your site - be sure to include something about yourself and your work. All submissions will be considered for publishing!

Genuine Turquoise and Coral Necklace by JG Beaded Jewelry

This handcrafted beaded gemstone necklace was made using genuine quality turquoise with antique silver fancy bead caps surrounding crimson color coral beads. Each of the seventy beautiful turquoise beads are individually handmade and are unique in shape color.
The necklace is very sturdy as it is strung on strong bead wire. It is closed with a genuine Bali sterling silver clasp that has soldered jump rings to help avoid the necklace falling off! It measures 19 3/4 inches around and can be worn by man or woman.
Visit JG Beaded Jewelry for more gemstone, crystal and bead jewelry, accessories and unique gifts. 

January Give Away - One of a Kind Sun Bookmark by JG Beaded Jewelry

The announcement of the "January Give Away" is a week late, I know...and I can tell you my reasons and give you excuses - but I won't. Let's just say that my new year resolution is not to stress and take one thing at a time and we'll leave it there. With that said, it's time to get back to our regularly scheduled programming by announcing this month's give away item! This silver metal bookmark measures five inches and is embellished with a sun pendant, orange and yellow glass beads from India, a white/light blue with yellow flower millefiori square glass bead all wire wrapped together and hung on double silver chain. Simply place the bookmark in the book and the embellishment will hang down the spine of the book at approximately 4 inches. This is 100% unique and made with love in beautiful Northern California.

There are two ways to enter the drawing, either by being or becoming a fan on Facebook or by signing up on JG Beaded Jewelry. Either way, one lucky person will be randomly chosen and announced on the site and Facebook (no purchase is necessary to win). You will not receive spam by signing up for the give away on the website, only an occasional notification of special offers, which you can be removed from at any time.

The winner of the "Rear-View Mirror Crystal Sun Catcher" from the "December Give Away" was Jaden P., a registered user on www.JGBeadedJewelry.com

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to send a message at your convenience! You will be responded to as soon as physically possible! Best wishes to you and yours ~ JG Beaded Jewelry

Happy New Year!

Hello 2012! May you find what you are looking for in the year ahead, but don't look too far, it may be right in front of you! Best wishes for much success, love, health and happiness. Live everyday like there is no tomorrow!

Happy New Year!
JG Beaded Jewelry