From Rusted & Old to Gifting Gold!

Anyone will enjoy these cool vintage-y antique wine stoppers made with old gears from a meat grinder and vegitable chopper.   Topped off with neat retro knobs and even a fence post topper...

I think they turned out pretty cool!

         

                

                        

 

  

Who woundn't want one?

The Pourfect Gift!

Sometimes it's hard to know a person's taste in jewelry, unless you know them really well.  But for those distant family members, the semi-friendly co-workers or old friends that you just don't see unless you are home for the holidays who still manage to give you something...you think...Yikes!, what in the world do I give them?   

Well fear not, I have the solution...Bw*SiLvEr handmade Wine Stoppers! They are great for functionality or just as decoration (they don't have to be wine-o's to like a cool wine stopper) 

  Each is made with it's own unique-ness, featuring cool wire wrapping, authentic beads and stones, antique drawer pulls, door knobs, and some coming soon made our of old clock parts and gear cranks (has a great rustic feel).   

The possibilities run wild, and the best part is they are handmade, from the heart, ready to give and simple yet tasteful gift idea. 

I only have a few listed so far on my Etsy just to see how they do.  They are VERY AFFORDABLE and comes in a cool handmade paper mache box with a cut out "window" for easy gifting. 
 

Think of:  Mom, Grandma, Great Aunt Gurtie, Lisa the Accounting Clerk, your favorite Secretary, long time friends Joe & Janet Smith, Step-Family Members or your friendly neighbors....DONE!  Easy & cheap - yet refined!

                 

...I'm still rummaging antique stores, garage sales and etsy to find more vintage hardware and cool stones to make my next ones...

Please comment!  Anyone in particular you like?

Organized Chaos

When it comes to working...I'm not the most organized, but I do know where everything is when I need it. 

This is the way I work most of the time, and thanks so my handy hubby, I have a nice custom made bench to do all my jewelry workings in the garage. 

 I love it because it's a high bench (as I'm a pretty tall gal) and I have all the placement I need for my tools! 

                        Lovely!                       

 

Not to mention that my new buffer is amazing as well!  It's so great to have two finishing options instead of just my tumbler...which also rocks! 

Ooh the possibilities...

Custom projects currently in the works:

- "House" Charm (for a charm bracelet)

- His & Hers Serendipity Wedding Bands

- Hero Cuffs

- Vertical Birthstone Pendants (long and flat w/ hand stamped names)

(pics to come...)

I Love Getting New Stones

Got some HOT new cab stones from an awesome gemstone website called dailygemstonedeals.com (bases out of San Antonio, TX) where they are almost giving away beautiful precious stones for all your jewelry making needs!

Most of the stones on the website are Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, and even some fancy cut Diamonds and Aquamarine stones.  Once I emailed the owner about an order, she started showing me even more stones they didn't have posted on their site. I found interest in the more natural looking stones, and got all of these stones for an exceptionally great deal! 

You should definitely check them out if you are in the market for some cheap gemstones for your craft.  The place is closing their shop so they are egar to sell their stock!  Hurry and grab some, they sell out quick!

 

                        Turquoise                                                  50 pc. Onyx Mixed bag

                                                                    

Jade, Lapis & Sardonyx

Hematite

1AM Pledge & Giveaway

 FaberUna is a huge supporter of the handmade industry.  They've helped support and spread the good word of all the handmade artists from around the globe.  If you've never heard of them before, you NEED to check it out!  If you're looking to buy handmade items, selling handmade items, or just enjoy browsing through all that is handmade, they have it all for you to see... 

In light of all the handmade and artistry word spreading, they are also having a 1AM Pledge and Giveaway for anyone who makes the pledge.  The 1AM pledge has a simple purpose behind it: to promote the idea that everyone can at least purchase one handmade item a month.

All you have to do is pledge and once we receive 1000 participants, they will randomly pic someone to win a brand new iPod Shuffle! Everyone can enter, crafters and non crafters alike.   The promo runs for 2 weeks, and you might think 1000 sign ups is a big challenge, but FaberUna had over 5100 visitors last month, with a total of over 30,000 page views!  

Whoever has the most supporting comments about their handmade craft, gets a FREE subscription to ReadyMade Magazine!  

Now...I ask the you support ME!  (as well as yourselves, I guess...kidding....)

1. Go to the homepage and make the promise & sign up. (it takes like 3 seconds!)

2. Go here and leave a note that I sent you there. (bragging & boasting is welcome)

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Are YOU a handmade artisan?  You can do the same for yourself and your supporters, just tell them about the 1AM pledge by posting to your blog, Facebook, etc.

Want to be a featured handamde artist on their website?  Contact FaberUna for info.

Dogs Love Jewelry

At least Ms. Schatz does...

                    

Let's Get Personal!

Timeless accessories with a personal touch.  These are a few custom items I have available in my shop.

Great for any Mom (sister, cousin, grandma, and  best friends included...) take a personal touch, add it to a piece of jewelry, and viola!  Instant Amazingly Meaningful Gift!

A truly awesome Christmas, Birthday, Mother's Day...or any day item!

CUSTOM GENERATION NECKLACE

(Make it personal - Add your kids on one necklace with their individual Birthstones...the possibilities are endless on this design, see the link for details on customizations...)

 STERLING CUSTOM MESSAGE CUFF

(Say Anything and have it forever!  Favorite quote, your lover's name, inside joke or just an encrypted message you live by. Cuffs pictured are of a fallen Marine friend of ours to keep his memory alive.)

Antique to Magnifique

Here's to a custom piece made with an old antique pair of sugar tongs.  Sent to me by a customer to transform into a pendant with a sea glass marble set in the tongs "claw feet". 

I also took the remains of the tongs' handle and manipulated it into a cool wrap ring.  The Art Deco style pattern was too cool to pass for scrap.

The metal of the silver tongs was different than I'm used to, very hard silver metal, but also very brittle if not handled with the proper force.  It took some getting used to, and lots of reheating to get it to the malleable state I'm used to.  Once finished I oxidized the surface and buffed it to bring out the detailing.

I'm very pleased with the outcome, I might even make more if others wanted one...
Any takers?

This isn't the actual pair, but it's more of less what they looked like before I got my hands on them...



Same Jewelry, New Look...

 Pictures make the difference, and better photos mean more sales...

You wouldn't want to buy something with a crappy picture, right?

Here are a few photos of items I have retaken and a few I have fixed up with oxidization, hammered texture, and polishing....

    Curl Cuff Bangle Bracelet (ON SALE!)

Oxidized Sterling Shaker Ring

               

                              Rose Quartz Chunky Necklace

                     Blood Coral Necklace                            

   Golden Pearl Necklace

Hammered Sterling Hooks

                                                                                                    
                                                                                      Pod Seed Earrings

 

Sterling Ridged Hoops (ON SALE!)



                                       Purpink Bracelet    

Blushed Pearl Stems

Larimer Teardrop Necklace










                                              Butterfly Pendant Necklace



Art Show Anyone?

If you're in the HOUSTON, TX area in the next few months, you need to go check out my friend Nathan Hansen's work at the Craft Texas 2010 show....

From September 25 - December 30, 2010

Here's Nate (sorry dude, this was the only picture I had of you on my computer) heehee!

www.nathanhansen.net 

A word about the show: "The exhibition features 51 of the best contemporary craft artists in Texas who work in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and in found/recycled materials.

I have two pieces from two separate bodies of work in the show, one from Devices and one from Relics. Each body of work has its own specific focus (More can be viewed on my website) but in general my work raises questions about the intrinsic values of physicality in contemporary America with respect to sedentary living."

The gallery is free and open to the public every day except Monday

What? 12 Weeks until Christmas?!

October is upon us, and there's only 12 WEEKS until Christmas (aaahhhh!) 

So, in light of that thought of panic, I decided to gear up my stock for the Holiday!

Below are just a few of the new items I will be adding to bwsilver.com and to my Etsy, I have a few "re-vamped" jewelry items that will also be taking a debut on this blog very soon....

 Jasper Love Necklace 

 Filigree Chain Bracelet

 Iridescent Fresh Water Pearl Earrings (these are a STEAL! $12.00)

 Ruby Magnesite Ring (oxidized) Size 6

ALREADY LISTED!  Swirl Horn Earrings