Snapshot: Sneak Peek

Quality crochet footbags for the hacky-sacker in your life! Coming soon..

Ahh, Spring

The flowers have blossomed! Pink, my least favorite color, is made tolerable by Mother Nature.

In my mind, nothing signifies the transition to warmer weather better than this. This time of year is so exciting and visually stimulating. It happens so sudden in a burst of life, and leaves just as quickly in a breeze of pink petal snow, so fleeting.

This picture was taken from our balcony.

A Handmade Item...

...is worth much more than the sum of its parts.


An Etsy administrator stated this in the Forums today. I simply wanted to reiterate, because this is what our community is all about.

About Clasps: The poll and the results

The results are in! Thanks to the over 30 people who voted.

Here's a look at what people prefer:

Necklace clasps
Toggle/hook and eye: 43% (14 votes)
Lobster: 34% (11 votes)
Magnetic: 9% (3 votes)
Springring: 6% (2 votes)
Box: 6% (2 votes)
(No votes for Barrel or Clasp-free)

Bracelet clasps
Toggle/hook and eye: 41% (14 votes)Lobster: 23% (8 votes)
Other: 14% (5 votes) .. see comments hereClasp-free: 8% (3 votes)
Springring: 5% (2 votes)
Magnetic: 2% (1 vote)Barrel: 2% (1 vote)

Let's talk about clasps

Happy Friday!

Today I have been contemplating all of those different jewelry findings out there and trying to decide which I like best. In general, no one type of clasp seems to be universal. I've tried many different types for different applications, and my personal preference is to keep it simple.

After being only mildly satisfied with various barrel and lobster clasps, my necklace designs nowadays usually incorporate either a toggle clasp or a magnetic clasp. Both of these enclosures are simple yet sturdy. Although I'm very partial to the toggle, magnetic clasps have worked quite well for my gemstone and wood necklaces, such as this dalmatian jasper necklace, made for both men and women.

For bracelets, I use a toggle clasp. When making macrame hemp bracelets, i use one of the wooden beads as a toggle with a hemp loop, making the clasp part of the bracelet design.

Clasp-free is great too! I think super-long necklaces like this one are fun and versatile. Wrap them 2-3 times around or just let them hang long.

Here are a few different styles of clasp-free bracelets:

Memory bracelets like this ocean jasper and cat's eye bracelet are wound around your wrist while they keep their shape with a sturdy wire frame.

Stretch bracelets like this Hidden Temple Bracelet from 27 Things are simple and stylish.
Beaded crochet bracelets like this Aqua and Black Bead Crochet Bracelet from Brick Mill Studio stretch just enough to roll over your hand while still providing a comfortable fit.
Jewelers and jewelry wearers: what is your favorite clasp, and why? Please take my poll (open until 3/21) and comment below.
Cheers!

Spotlight on: Sunstone

After playing at the mountain in the snow more this season than I have in the past decade, I'm ready to jump into spring.

And sunstone is the perfect gemstone to accompany me there! Naturally bright and sparkling, this gemstone gives justice to its name and flare to any jewelry design.

This sunny little gemstone packs a mental punch! Many gemstones are believed to have metaphysical and healing properties, and sunstone is no exception. This stone inspires optimism and motivation and helps control procrastination. It promotes positive energy and personal power, allowing the wearer to reach a higher state of self-awareness. Your personal goals are important, but often forgotten or neglected. Wearing sunstone jewelry is said to help re-focus your concentration and allow you to live the life you desire now.

As an artisan, I've really enjoyed working with sunstone. The spark and intensity of the natural colors make this stone unexpectedly versatile. It seems to work well on so many levels! It can be paired with other gemstones as an accent, like this Crazy Lace Agate bracelet.
Also looks great with metals! In this ring, little sunstone beads are surrounded by copper in a warm, uniform color combination.


In addition, this sterling silver set from Luna displays the gemstone in a stunning contrast of elegance and vigor.

Sunstone can also lift moods. It has been effective in battling the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Perhaps that's one of the reasons it's the State Gemstone of Oregon!
You can read more about Oregon Sunstone here.

Hand-dyed hemp

New product options from Life Adorned in colored hemp!

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...Earrings: buy now........................Bracelet: buy now..............

Bracelet (sold)

I've recently undertaken the project of dyeing my own hemp fibers and experimenting with color combinations. It's simple, fun, and the color possibilities seem endless!

I've fallen so in love with Ecolution hemp. It's the best quality hemp fiber I've come across. No more scratchy, uncomfortable jewelry that has a "wear-in" period! It's just as sturdy as any other hemp fiber out there, but it's so smooth and easy to work with. I got myself a kilogram of bleached, unwaxed hemp ready for the color pot. WHOA! That's over 1,000 yards for me to play with!