Let's talk Shoes.....My Favorite Subject

With the Fall season just around the corner, shoes go from colorful to nude, edgy to Ladylike. Pointy-toe heels are still around although I've never been a big fan. Although I used to love the 3 inch heels, these days I prefer the shorter kitten heel.....much easier to walk in at my age. While shopping for shoes last week, I noticed that strappy is in high fashion along with platforms for extra comfort. The short booty is still around....I'm happy to see...along with higher boots that have buckles or other hardware for a tougher, edgy look. Nude hues complement the earthtone clothing colors of the Fall season along with black and grey. I'm leaving for a two week trip to Italy next week. I can't wait to see the Italian shoe fashions. I don't think I've ever gone to Italy without buying at least one pair of shoes.....I'll report my findings and spending at the end of the month, when I get back. Ciao

Clickjacking Problems on Facebook

Facebook has recently won a court case against some hackers from what's called a "clickjacking" virus. It has come from several directions...Those notifications you get about a video or the flirting pages you get redirected to is the virus. The virus downloads into your Temp files when you open a window. So be careful not to click on the "like" buttons for those adds to the right on FB for now until it is resolved. Since the win for Facebook, the hackers have been all out full force trying to "clickjack" computers. You can read more about it on blog sites such as PCWorld, Social Media Examiner, and Mashable. I know people are blaming FB but it's not them causing the mess.

I met with one of my great customers yesterday. I actually met her when I was having a test done at the hospital last year and now we have become friends. She bought some pieces to give as gifts and treated herself to a new bracelet. While we were chatting, she mentioned that she didn't think she could wear big, bold jewelry pieces (she's a tiny, petite thing). I told her that I used to feel that way too until I realized that you don't need to be of a particular physical stature to wear bigger statement pieces. You just need the right attitude and a smile, because people will turn to admire the eye-catcher you are wearing. When I started wearing bigger pieces, I found that people started complimenting me on them and now I feel more confident when I wear them. As long as there is a sense of balance and proportion (length is very important) then you can enjoy the big bold pieces that are so popular right now. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Garnet is the official birthstone of January.

The deep, glossy red color of garnet resembles the juicy seeds of a pomegranate, which is perhaps why its name is derived from the Latin word for pomegranate seeds, granatum. In Greek mythology, a pomegranate was often given as a gift of passion and associated with eternal love. In ancient history, travelers wore garnet gemstones because they were believed to light up the night and provide protection from nightmares and accidents.

In the middle ages, garnet was commonly believed to guard against poison. Royals would often drop a garnet gemstone into a glass of wine to ensure they were not poisoned to death. Garnets were also worn by the crusaders as an aid to safely find their way home. Eastern European folktales speak of garnets being worn around the neck to guard against night-wandering vampires.

Garnets were also used in burial jewelry and carved signet rings to proclaim royalty during the Bronze Age (300 BC).

Garnet symbolizes a quick return to a separated love, fertility and feminine life force. Legend states that Hades gifted a pomegranate to Persephone before she left his domain to ensure a speedy and safe return. When she did return, the fruit transformed into a handful of the red gemstones.

A garnet stone is often gifted to a loved one before they embark on travel. Garnets are commonly believed to aid in the healing of broken bonds of love. Garnets are also known to aid in the treatment of melancholy and depression by acting as a heart and blood stimulant.

Garnet is thought to be extremely beneficial in the realm of business. The stone can attract people to the wearer, which can help provide personal and business success. It is especially beneficial to people wanting to start home businesses.

Garnets are found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. They form under extremely high temperatures and pressure. Garnet deposits are found in Africa, India, Russia, South America, Madagascar, Pakistan and the United States.

Clean garnet stones with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse the stone well after washing it. Ultrasonic treatments may be used for most garnets, except the demantoid variety. Steam cleaning garnets may cause color changes from the heat.

Protect garnet from sharp blows, extreme temperature changes and harsh chemicals.

Come See my Lastest Designs

Here is an updated list of shows I am participating in. Come see my lastest designs and start your holiday shopping.

Nov 19 - Gwynedd Mercy Academy HS, 1345 Sumnetown Pike, 6-9pm

Nov 21 - private home show

Nov 22 - St Rose of Lima, 428 S Main St, North Wales, 8:30am - 3pm

Dec 4 - St. Stanislaus, 493 E Main St, Lansdale, 5:30-10 pm

Dec 5-6 - Epiphany of Our Lord, 3040 Walton Rd, Plymouth Mtg, Sat 9:30-4, Sunday, 8-2pm

Do you know what makes crystals shine?

Wear Sparkling Crystal Jewelry for the Holidays
‘Tis the season to sparkle and shine. I love the look of crystal jewelry at this time of year. Although there are several nice crystals on the market, my favorite is Swarovski Crystals. I use Swarovski Crystals almost exclusively in my jewelry designs. Whether I spotlight one brilliant crystal bead as a focal or weave many into a design for maximum dazzle, a crystal jewelry piece is always a surefire way to enhance that holiday outfit.

Many Swarovski Crystal lovers believe that the raw material used in their manufacture occurs naturally, like rock crystal. However, Swarovski Crystals are not a natural crystal but are man made. They are made at the factory in Wattens, Austria, using a basic formula perfected by Daniel Swarovski and his three sons in the earlier part of this century

Do you know what makes crystals shine? When crystals are made, the more precisely the faceted edges meet, the more dazzling the crystals appear. Swarovski Crystals are fired using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand, and then cooled slowly to avoid stress and inclusions. The factor that sets Swarovski Crystals apart is the superior quality of the cutting and polishing. Crystals are more expensive than glass because crystal quality is dependent on the production method and the processing of the raw material. Both factors play a major role in determining its brilliance and the measure of its value.

Busy Fall Schedule

I've been very bad about posting any new material here. But I do have a very good excuse. The Jewelry business has been keeping me very busy.....always a very good thing. Also, I've been working on my Fall Events Schedule. October is manageable but my November calendar is getting full. Here is a list of events I will be participating in. I hope to see lots of old friends and make lots of new ones.

September 19 - Copper Partridge (Sellersville) Anniversary Celebration
September 20 - Sellersville Gallery of the Arts, Downtown Sellersville, 12-5 p.m.
October 3-4 - Skippack Days, Downtown Skippack (tentative)
October 30 - J&J, Horsham
November 1 – Father Judge High School Fall Craft Show; 3301 Solly Ave., Philadelphia; Sunday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
November 7-8 – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School Holiday Craft Fair, Doylestown; Saturday, Nov 7th 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov 8th 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
November 13 - Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Christmas Shopping Night; Upper State Rd, Montgomeryville, Friday 7-10 p.m.
November 14-21 – Chalfont Holiday Craft Boutique, 181 Park Ave, Chalfont (off of Limekiln Pike); Weekdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 19 - Gwynedd Mercy Academy Shopping Night, Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, 6-9 p.m.
November 21 - Private Home Show
December 5-6 – Epiphany of our Lord Christmas Craft Show, 3040 Walton Rd., Plymouth Meeting; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.