Look for our new designs, color mixes and more details in 2011...

Tonight we are taking a little break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and sharing a few upcoming happenings for the JLynnJewels website.  Can you tell we are looking forward to sharing our NEW things?  We have some beautiful new jewelry collections that will feature new color mixes, focal shapes, charms, and lots more. 

This past November, Bead Trends asked us to do an Earring Tutorial for creating our popular Snowman Earrings for their new Bead Blog.  Since I've been teaching jewelry design for many years and had such a blast sharing the "how-to's" in an onlin format - I decided to add a few Jewelry Making Tutorials on our website too.  Remember if you are a beading hobbyist or budding designer, good jewelry design starts with learning proper techniques and then lots of practicing.  Of course you'll need supplies...so we'd thought we share some online retail stores that make it affordable to purchase things in small quantities too - Fire Mountain Gems, Art Beads, and AuntiesBeads for starters).

One of my favorite components to use in jewelry designing is Bali beads and caps which can be purchased retail at Aunties Beads (they have well over 200 Bali items that are reasonably priced) - check out these highly detailed findings at one of my favorite categories "Bali Bead Caps".

One last favorite...Grace Lampwork Beads - if you'd like to create something unique and special, check out these very detailed hand-torched lampwork beads offered at Art Beads in the Glass/Lampwork Category "Grace Lampwork Beads" - they are SO colorful and full of life - and worth the extra pennies you'll pay for the quality.

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday break and we look forward to sharing more things in early January!

Gifts from the Heart - Happy New Year!

As another year draws to a close with a New Year on the horizon - I'm taking a moment to think back and count my blessings this year - hope you take time too.  And those blessings - whether they are personal, business, friendship, achievements or promotions - all have one thing in common...the people that helped you reach that particular success or milestone.  Remember...No-one that achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others...it's been said that only the wise and confident, acknowledge help and support WITH gratitude - so I'm taking this time to send a big THANKS to all the people that have helped me along the way (family, friends, business associates, customers, acquaintances).  So...take time to do the same and no matter what you're celebrating over the next two weeks...be safe, happy and enjoy your time!   2011 - let's hope it's another healthy and happy one!

For me personally - I'm ending another year with lots of wonderful thoughts about 2010 - people, places, things and designs...and especially my new found lampwork and jewelry friends via Facebook.  I am so thankful for the many inspiring people in my life - from family & friends to customers, stories and all the inspirations I see from nature.

As for JLynnJewels - in 2011, some new designs will be featured in the national magazine "Bead Trends".  We are thrilled and excited for this new opportunity!  Look for new collections and tidbits of information on our Facebook biz page - become a fan to take advantage of our special offers and sale :) - we can be found at "J-Lynn Jewels" - or go to our main website and click on our Facebook link.

A big part of our business comes from working with our customers one on one - and it's so meaningful for both of us.  I'd like to share two of my very last special orders for this year...the first one is from our September Inspiration Photo winner (Shay Burrows) who will be giving to this to one of the special ladies in his immediate family.  It features a beautiful USA Artisan Lampwork bead from the "Watercolor" collection and has two cascades to form a weighted Lariat on a Silk Cord - all Sterling Silver with Swarovski Crystals and a few Czech Glass frosted beads.

Interestingly enough - a few years ago I started a recycling of vintage jewelry program called the "Green Granny" (named after my own Granny who passed away in the late 80s - click on the link to learn more) - each year it grows in popularity simply by word of mouth.  I wanted to share the very last Green Granny project of 2010 - one of my customers had her Moms Wedding Lampwork bead necklace which I took apart and redesigned into 7 different pendants and earrings - one for her, her sister, sister-in-laws, daughters, and nieces in the family.  My customer just shared with me how exicted she is to be able give these for Christmas.  You see the original set was her Moms who died shortly after Christmas in 1999.  She told me that everytime she wears them her Mom will be in her heart and mind...and that she plans to wear them often :).  The nice thing with these types of projects is that one necklace can go a long way - even with all these pendants and earrings completed...there's still enough beads left over to create additional jewelry pieces in the future if our customer so wishes. 

Green Granny designs are not only full of heart...but are economical too because we are utilizing beads and components that come directly from the original necklace - so all our customers pay for are findings, wire, and design time.


Here's a before picture - very pretty set but only suitable for one person and as a result was sitting in a drawer unused...

 


















And here's the "after" picture...3 large bead pendants, 4 smaller bead pendants all with Vintaj Antiqued Brass, along with some coordinating earrings. 

Sometimes the best gifts are those that can be shared and come from the heart.  This year...and all throughout the year - think about the many things you can give that have meaning and remind you of something or someone special.


Happy Holidays and wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and properous New Year!
~J-Lynn

Holiday Give-Away - FROSTY!

We're doing a HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY...visit our Facebook Biz page at "J-Lynn Jewels" and post a comment on our Giveaway post to be entered in our random drawing this Friday :) here's the link...
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/J-Lynn-Jewels/135485981953
Snowmen Earrings are 925 Sterling Silver with Swarovski Crystals and come in your choice of "scarf" color.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Feeling the Holiday Spirit?

Wow...the days are just flying by for me!  It's not that I've been neglecting my new blog...it's just that the days have been so busy, I haven't had time to stop and think - much less write.  Well - this morning I'm taking a quick break to fill you in on some special creations - as well as - NEWS from J-Lynn Jewels!

First off - I really enjoy designing and creating special pieces for my customers...and I will definitely keep accepting custom orders for as long as I can!  Just yesterday I completed a few - one of which was an Expression Necklace (picture below that was for a local couple) - these come in a variety of themes (support, causes, hobbies, sports, family & lots more) - they look absolutely fabulous on too with the sparkle of Swarovski Crystals, charm dangles and Sterling Silver of course.  It's touching to hear all the stories about who the gifts are for...and the meaning behind them :)

AND...the most exciting news to date for me - for the firt time ever I submitted several new designs to BEAD TRENDS magazine before Thanksgiving.  Well...I recently learned that FOUR of my designs will be featured in the May, 2011 print publication/magazine!  So today between orders, I'll be finalizing the supply lists and instructions in order to share these beautiful inspirational pieces with you in the Spring!  You'll have the choice of ordering something similar from me...or if you're a fellow designer, creating something similar for yourself :).   I look forward to sharing the details and PHOTOS with you when I'm given the green light from Bead Trends!

Lastly...I'll definitely be working right up to Christmas Eve LOL...however, usually by the 23rd I'm focused solely on the special ladies in my immediate family.  I have lots of fun coming up with something that matches an outfit or possibly some clothing pieces they may be receiving ;).  With special designs and creations running through my mind - I just had to share some designs that feature amazing focal pieces from some of my Artisan friends.  Unfortunately, I don't have room or time to list them all - but these three are special...and I currently have several unfinished projects on my design table featuring their work. They are...Marie of MoreSkyeJewels (Wood focal tiles), Amanda of Searshore Glass (Boro Beads), and Martha of Menagerie Studio who creates these beautiful shabby chic style focal pieces.  Here's a picture of a gorgeous heart necklace I completed last week (focal piece from Menagerie Studio).

Well - keep up the holiday spirit and enjoy all the little and big to-do's that you are doing (or in my case a long list of things yet to be done...like Christmas Cards and finishing up my shopping!).

Keep WARM if it's cold where you are...and if it's NOT cold...well - please don't brag about it ok?

Happy Holidays!!!