Happy Monday!

Well I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! Mine was quite relaxing and only semi-productive (which is what I needed after the craziness of the previous weekend).

I got some time in with my sister and her kiddos, I bought a couple of books to read, planted some flowers and caught up on a guilty pleasure (Ghost Hunters) via You Tube.

My sister and I went to the Sex and the City movie on Saturday night and it was everything we hoped it would be! We laughed, we cried, we laughed so hard that we cried! I highly recommend it (especially if you're a long time fan of the show!).

I also got the chance to stop by Anthropologie on my way home from work on Friday night. My boss' place was being photographed for an article that's going to appear in the fall issue of Chicago Home and Garden magazine and he needed me to drop something off there on my way home. Since Anthropologie isn't far from his place...I decided to stop by and browse a little bit. Needless to say, I was there for about an hour but I did pretty good and only ended up purchasing one thing (a mug that was on sale). I managed to take a few clandestine pictures while there and I thought I'd share...


Linens galore...I wish I could afford to buy them all!!




They had brilliant colors throughout the place. My kitchen would be set if it was red or yellow!



I LOVE these chairs...now I really wish I had a patio...




Their jewelry is beautiful...and I love the way they display it (it was pretty much all gold though!).

So what did you do this weekend??

New JLC Studio Items!!!

Okay...I promised I would show some of the new items I introduced at my show this past weekend and here you go! These are the mussel shell dangle bracelets that were a HUGE hit. They are now available in my Etsy shop so check them out! There are coordinating earrings (which I'll list soon...). The bracelets and earrings are made from Chinese mussel shell drops which are strung on delicate silver chain and make a beautiful sound when worn. They are available in twenty different colors ranging from red to blue to black to natural. They are my most favorite item I've made to date and it seems that most people agree with me (my favorite colors are the purple and the dark pink). What do you guys think??

Show Madness

So my very first handmade show was fabulous!! I didn't do too bad for my first time out and my new shell bracelets and earrings were a huge hit!! My wonderful sister helped me to prepare everything, set up and sell...thanks sis!! I shared a tent with a couple of fantastic Chicagoan's and met a lot of really cool people. Here are some pictures of my table as well as me and my sis, check out my Flickr for more!! Aside from the fact that my sis and I got massive sunburns, the show was awesome!!

Table set up before the show began.

Posing for the camera...I'm on the left, my sister's on the right.

A close up of the display, kind of hard to see here but the shell bracelets and earrings are on the top rows. I hope to get them listed in my Etsy shop before the end of the week!

Here's a pic of the earring cards featuring pressed Czech glass earrings.

Our tent...check out the fabulous table skirt my uber-talented Mom made for me...she's the best!!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who came out...you're all the best!! Also, thanks to all my blogger friends for the well wishes and support!

Next up on the agenda is a home jewelry party at my sister's house. Those of you in the area will be receiving (or have already received) an Evite invitation to the event so keep your eyes peeled and check your inboxes! Thanks again to my fabulous Sis...couldn't have done it without ya!!!

Workin It...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...I took the last few days off of blogging to work on jewelry...it was actually pretty nice to be able to just forget about the computer for a while and concentrate on my craft (this is the first time I'm even turning my computer on since last Thursday!)! But I'm back!!! I got soooo much done this weekend with a lot of help from my sis and I thought I'd share a little "sneak peek" at the new items we've been creating.

First off...I'm super-excited about the custom gift boxes we've been making which will be for sale at the show this weekend!!! They're like the cutest things ever (not that I'm biased or anything) and feature Amy Butler paper with coordinating gros grain ribbon ties. We're going to be offering them in square earring and bracelet boxes as well as necklace boxes (I don't have a picture of those yet!). Here's a little taste of the many (many, many) boxes we worked on this weekend:


Aside from the boxes, I got about fifty different jewelry pieces made including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I'm especially excited about the shell elements I've been using...they totally add a huge pop of color to my line and I've been wearing them non-stop! Here's a little peek (sorry about the picture quality-hee hee):



I also received the "map" of the Antique Market and a little bit more info on where our booths will be. It looks like we've got a great location-right next to the entrance to the indoor exhibits (we'll be set up in tents in the spaces highlighted in pink).



I've only got one more day of work to get through this week before I have three days off!!! I NEVER take vacation, and, of course when I do finally take some days off it's to WORK! Typical ;) I hope to catch up on all your blogs during the time I have off so look for me in blogland girls!!

Busy Little Bee...

I've been a busy little bee lately in my own shop, getting ready for my upcoming show at the end of this month!!

I've ordered a ton of supplies which I will be feverishly turning into jewelry and I've taken some time off at the end of the month to be able to concentrate on new pieces! I've got a number of new designs which I will be introducing at the show (and hopefully posting to my Etsy shop after the show-right now, all my inventory is going toward the show!).

I've also been working on setting up my display and have had my table set up in my living/dining room for the last month. It's almost there...I've just got a few more necklace and bracelet displays coming...

I just ordered my vinyl banner which will be going on the front (or behind) my table, I'm not quite sure what sort of set-up I'm going to be dealing with but I'm prepared to "Make It Work"!!! I should be receiving it next week and I'll be sure and post a picture of it when it comes! Here is the design...I'm super excited about it and can't wait to see it!! It's going to be 42" Wide x 24" High...

Last but not least, I received my Amy Butler fabric which my mom is making into a table skirt for me! Hopefully we can figure that out this weekend and get it done (right mom?).
Here is the fabric!

I'll definitely post pictures of the show after it's taken place so stay tuned for that! Wish me luck!!! I have a feeling I'm gonna need it!

Weekly Win It-JAC Jewerly-Winner!!!!

Congratulations to our winner in the JAC Jewelry Weekly Win It:

CINDY!!!!

She is the lucky winner of the beautiful pair of Biwa Stick Pearl Earrings from JAC Jewelry!!

There were six entries in the JAC Jewelry contest.

Thanks again to Janna for taking the time to do a wonderful interview and share a little more about her fabulous pieces as well as offer up a special prize for JLC Studio readers. Don't forget to check out her Etsy shop!! You're the best Janna!!

Weekly Win It - jaC Jewelry!!!

Today's Weekly Win It artist is another fabulous jewelry maker (and also a JLC Studio sponsor)! I'm so excited to introduce you to Janna from jaC Jewelry!

Janna makes one-of-a-kind, absolutely beautiful pieces featuring a number of different materials. She specializes in making custom pieces and really enjoys creating jewelry on request for any occasion! I absolutely love her pieces and am very impressed with the delicate quality I see in everything she has to offer!! My favorites are the items she makes using gorgeous and unique pearls (that's why I'm super-excited for today's give-away!!). Let's take a look at how Janna got into making jewelry and learn a little bit more about her shop and her inspirations!

Your jewelry pieces are absolutely gorgeous, how long have you been creating your fabulous pieces? In 2004, while on vacation visiting family, I went to a bead store with my aunt, and walked out of there with a big bag of beads… I came home and made my first piece from those beads immediately.

I made a few more pieces after that, but did not get absolutely addicted to jewelry-making until a year and a half ago, during my (now) husband’s first deployment overseas. Now, I’m hooked and don’t plan on stopping any time soon!

Where did you learn your craft? Have you ever taken any classes or had any training? I have not taken any classes – I started with a strand of beads, beading wire and a clasp, and just went from there, much the same way I learned how to crochet. Back in college, I was in Barnes and Noble once, and saw a beautiful afghan on a cover of a crocheting book. So, I said to myself: “Oh, that looks neat – I am going to make one!” I bought that book and figured out how to crochet an afghan. It would have been much easier to start with a scarf, but I made my first scarf after I made six or seven blankets. Unlike crocheting books, I have yet to own a book on jewelry-making. I learn the best by doing, so I am constantly experimenting with different techniques and continuing to hone my jewelry-making skills!


What are your favorite materials to work with? Favorite type of jewelry to create? I make my creations with gems and semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, and gold-plated and brass findings. Freshwater pearls are my most favorite (especially keshi and biwa stick pearls). I have pearls in every single shape, color and type that you can possibly imagine! However, I use all types of stones to be fair to the other beads. :)

Also, I absolutely LOVE Bali sterling silver beads (especially frame beads) and toggle clasps!

I don’t really have a favorite type of jewelry – I love making all of it! I started with necklaces, moved on to bracelets, and then finally earrings. I like to wear everything equally; maybe that’s why I like making it all!

You create customized bridal jewelry for the entire bridal party…when did you start offering this service and how did you get into it? After designing and making wedding favors, place cards and thank you cards for my own wedding, I thought it would be a great idea to offer customized bridal accessories to match a wedding theme. With encouragement and sage advice from my wonderful husband, I created a website and started selling both “regular” jewelry and my wedding creations! One of my objectives is to create versatile designs that people are able to wear with multiple outfits, styles and occasions. Specifically with bridal designs, my goal is to create versatile pieces that the bridal party will be able to wear long after the wedding, and this aspect appeals to the brides, as well as bridesmaids. My latest bridal order will be traveling to Canada for the wedding!


Do you sell your jewelry at places other than Etsy? Yes, in addition to Etsy, I sell my jewelry on my personal website (jacscreations.com) and home parties. I also take the jewelry to offices around the winter holidays. Several months ago, the owner of the beauty salon I go to generously offered me to have a show there, and that was great! I also do custom orders on request. Whenever I work on jewelry designs, I always imagine them a part of an outfit, so I thought it would be great to make pieces on request for people who want them to match certain outfits or colors. As it turns out, sometimes it works the opposite way - one of my friends is a huge fan of jaC jewelry; she buys necklaces from me first, and then buys outfits to match them!

Where do you get inspiration for your beautiful designs? Most of the time, I buy the beads and findings that I think are gorgeous, without any idea for a design in mind. Combining several colors is as far as I will go when coming up with ideas for designs. Then, I put them together and discover that the most unexpected combinations look the best together!


This is fabulous!! I'm always interested in finding out a little more about a fellow jewelry maker! I'm very impressed with Janna's wonderful jewelry (and totally wish I could enter this weeks give-away!). What is the give-away, you ask? It's this beautiful pair of pearl and crystal earrings!!!! They're absolutely stunning!

This weightless pair of earrings is so fantastically summery! They are made with white Biwa stick pearls (my favorite!), sterling silver components and Swarovski crystal bicones in clear, two shades of yellow and two shades of blue. They measure 2.25" from top to bottom (1.75" without the ear wires).

In order to enter to win these fabulous earrings, leave a comment on this post!!! Check here for contest rules and regulations.

Janna is also offering free domestic shipping for 10 days, beginning today, to any buyer that mentions JLC Studio! Just drop a note in the notes to seller section that you saw her creations here to take advantage of this offer!!

Thanks soooo much Janna for participating in the give-away as well as being a terrific sponsor! You're the best and so sweet too!

Check out My Give-Away!!!

That's right! I'm doing a give away on a fellow Etsian's blog. Check out Texas Tesla's blog to enter the contest!! It runs until this Friday! I'm also running a special promo during the contest but you need to check out her blog for details!! Here is a sneak peek of what is being offered up!
Giallo Sun Earrings

Thanks Texas Tesla!!!!

Weekly Win It-Pretty Sweet Designs-WINNER!!

And the winner is:

MELISSA LEWIS OF OFF THE WALL!!!!

Congratulations Melissa!! I will be sending you an email with details about claiming your wonderful earrings from Pretty Sweet Designs!


FYI-I entered in the number of entries (less two for one anonymous entry and one entry by Pretty Sweet herself!) into the Random.Org integer generator at precisely 9:00 p.m.

Thanks to everyone who entered (a record breaking 48 entries!!!!) and don't forget to enter this weeks give-away!

Weekly Win It-Pretty Sweet Designs-CLOSED!!

I'm really excited to introduce this weeks Weekly Win It featured artist, Pretty Sweet Designs. Help me to welcome Judith, a fabulous jewelry designer who makes gorgeous beaded jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
As a fellow jewelry designer, I'm really impressed by her color combinations and the way she utilizes delicate chain and sparkling beaded charms to create her designs. Judith has a great Etsy shop and is usually running some sort of promotion or deal (way to work it girl!). I'm so excited that she has agreed to answer some questions about her inspirations and let us have a peek into how she creates her one-of-a-kind pieces. Let's get started, shall we!?

How did you get started making jewelry? I have always loved arts and crafts since I was little. I love making and doing things with my hands --- cooking, drawing, painting, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, etc. I have even tried refurbishing furniture! I can’t knit though. But I love assembling things. My favorite shops are craft stores, hardware stores (yeah it’s odd), and fabric shops.
I have been making jewelry since I was a kid. I used to make those beaded plastic bracelets when I was little. But I really got into it right after college when I started working. I would see pieces at the mall and I knew I could make my own if I just put my mind into it. And that I could make my own designs. I just started making jewelry and gave it away to my coworkers and friends. Then people started asking me to make some pieces for their friends and family. I came across Etsy last year and gave it a shot and started selling my work online.

Do you have any training or have you taken any classes? How did you learn your craft? I’ve never taken any classes or training on jewelry making. All I know about jewelry making is mostly from looking at different types of jewelry and figuring out how to do them. I guess you can say I learn from trial and error. But I have also learned a little from reading. I still consider myself a beginner and there are still a lot to learn.

Pink Charm Necklace

How do you come up with your jewelry designs? Where do you get your inspiration? I get my inspiration from everything around me. It depends on my mood what I come up with. Sometimes when I’m in the middle of doing something, a design will just pop up in my head. Then, I have to look at my beads and supplies and figure out how to make it. Sometimes it takes me 5 minutes to do a piece, sometimes it takes hours!

Where do you do your work? I have a little cluttered corner in our living room where I do my work.

Charm Bracelet (Caramel)

What is your favorite item of jewelry to make? I love making earrings! It’s something I always wear all the time, so I like making them and having lots of variety. Even my shop has lots of earrings listed in it.

Do you wear your own designs, and, have you ever liked something you created so much that you’ve hesitated selling it? I have a few pieces that I really like a lot that are not listed in my shop. I always wear my designs especially when I’m going out or going to a party so I can express and show off my work. I heard once from a chef to not dare serve what you don’t dare taste or eat. So you always have to taste what you’ve cooked first before serving it to other people. I guess the same rule applies with your work whatever type of artist you are. Why sell it to other people if you don’t wear it or like it?

Trio Cube Earrings

Great advice Judith (I love the philosophy you got from that chef-so true!!) It's wonderful to find out a little bit more about a terrific self-taught jewelry designer!

So...here's what Judith is offering one lucky JLC Studio reader in this week's give-away: Yellow Marble Earrings

These are sooo pretty (I wish I was eligible!!!). Just leave a comment on this post to enter for a chance to win this awesome pair of Yellow Marble Earrings! Please check here for contest rules and regulations. (If the winner is in the U.S., there will be free shipping. International winners will have to pay a small shipping fee (per shop profile).)

Pretty Sweet Designs is also offering a special promo for JLC Studio readers...if you place an order between now and April 13th, she will take care of shipping for you (on orders totalling more than $15.00)!! Just mention this blog post in the special notes to seller to take advantage of this offer. Visit the Pretty Sweet Designs Etsy shop to get your shop on, and don't forget to take a look at Judith's wonderful blog as well! Thanks again Judith, you're "Pretty Sweet" (ha ha, couldn't help myself!)!!

Wickedly Chic!

So out of the blue today, I got a convo on Etsy letting me know that my Desert Rose Necklace has been featured as one of the Daily Ditties on the Wickedly Chic website!



If you haven't had a chance to check out this site, I highly recommend taking a peek! It's an on-line magazine run by a group of women who love all things Indie and post their weekly finds from independant business owners. Thanks for including me ladies!

New JLC Studio Items!!

Here are some new items I just posted in my shop last night...Anyone else find it easier to make items than to photograph, select the photos, come up with a name for an item and describe said item in your on-line shop?? I think that involves both sides of the brain and sometimes I find it difficult to switch over from one side to the other (at least in one night)! Anyhow, here are some that I managed to make and post all in one night!!!

Ice Drop Earrings

Juparana Moon Earrings

Blue Exotica Drop Earrings

New JLC Studio Jewelry!!

I just posted new items in my Etsy shop! Check 'em out if you get a chance:

Vyara Rose Necklace

Blue Wave Drop Earrings

Peach Cloud Drop Earrings

Aquamarine Drop Earrings