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!

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!)!!

I'm In Love!

I'm excited to share a few of my favorite necklaces from the incredible shop of Kelly Meeker Designs. I discovered her jewelry while researching ideas and inspiration for my own creations and immediately fell in love with what I saw. Her use of beautiful gems and natural elements coupled with delicate findings and wire work is truly gorgeous. I love her cascading necklaces, especially those featuring coin pearls. Her designs are a true inspiration to me.