Giving is better than receiving

This Christmas season, I received a couple of custom orders for gifts from new clients.  It's always nerve racking for me to take on custom orders even though I LOVE them.  I love to work through a piece of jewelry that will truly be one of a kind - a piece that someone thought about specifically for a loved one and just needed a little help from me to get from point A to point B.  It's an amazing feeling when it works out how you both hope it will.  


Yesterday, on Christmas Day, I was lucky enough to be rewarded with a photograph of a beautiful, young girl.  A girl who loves natural stones and all creations of the earth, such as trees and the moon and her native country of India.  After talking with her Aunt, we came up with a fantastic idea for a Tree of Life pendant that would be made specifically for this amazing girl.  I researched the trees of India and found a perfect fit.  I created a tree just for her that was based off of the Cannonball Tree found in India.  Even though I was very happy with the tree, I still worried, as I always do, that she wouldn't like it, or it would be the wrong size.  Just normal jitters, I suppose.  Yesterday, I received a picture of a beautiful, smiling girl, wearing the necklace I made just for her.  She had an amazing glow on her face that brought joy to my heart and a tear to my eye.  


Later yesterday evening, after all the festivities had settled down at my house here in Dallas, my dear friend, Laura, sent me a note thanking me so much for the jewelry she had received as a Christmas gift from her mother.  She was overjoyed and clearly expressed her love and gratitude for the gift.  Now, Laura and I have been friends for several years, but I've never met her mother, nor knew her name.  It took a while, thinking about it to realize which order must have been for Laura, but I figured it out. :)  A lot of online sellers get frustrated when they have to do more than take someone's money, make a product and ship it.  But I took time to help this mother through Etsy and how it works.  Even with PayPal having issues and hurdles being thrown our way, we figured it all out and the jewelry made it to its destination in time!  And not only did it make it in time for a Christmas gift for my client's daughter, it made it in time for my dear friend to open at Christmas with her mommy.  Priceless!


Anyway, I know I've been going on for a while here, but I wanted to put some joy into the world today.  While it wasn't my personal best Christmas ever, I had a part in at least two good ones and that makes up for a lot.


Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, etc.....


XOXOXOXOXO,
Jamie

Tree of Life

I love making these trees.  Each tree is so unique.  Given the same supplies, my creation would be drasticly different from the wire wrapper sitting next to me.  There is so  much room for creativity.  

You can even make them as personal and meaningful as you wish.  This tree of life pendant is named after my mother since she is my reason for life. My favorite colors are showcased in this pendant using fresh water pearls and fire polished crystals. The crystals are an amazing, shimmering, deep green and the pearls are both natural white and others are died a vibrant purple.

Big or small.  Beaded or simply metal.  The possibilities are endless!

Introducing: Create Your Perfect Hoop Earrings with The 7th Crow!

Design, Create, Build your perfect pair of hoops! These are the earrings every girl needs! Simple, elegant, lightweight! Great for grab and go earrings! 


These simple hoops are hand forged using your choice of sterling silver, silver filled (with copper), gold brass, or copper jewelry grade wire.  They are hammered for strength and beauty.  Size is also your choice.  Whether you want a dainty 1" pair, a bold 3" pair or anything in between, I can create what you need.  I am happy to accept custom orders as well!  Teardrop shaped hoops are also an option in the shop.

How does Build Your Own Hoops work?

1.  First, pick your hoop shape, size and color.  (If you want a basic, everyday wear, extremely lightweight pair of hoops, you can just stop here!)  
2.  Then, should you want to jazz up a basic pair of hoops, chose any add-on options as found in additional listings that you might want.  I am currently offering oxidization or antique finishes, wire crochet detailing, or a spiral wrapped detail.  Have fun with this step!  Mix and match metals and finishes if you want something unique!
3.  The price of the simple hoops is as listed, and each add on listing will add to the final price of the hoops (which will be totaled in your shopping cart).
4.  Since "Build Your Own Hoops" are custom made to order, please allow up to 3 business days for your creation to be completed and shipped.
5.  Finally, have fun! Mix and match colors and add ons! This is your way to have your favorite every hoops exactly how you want them! Search no more!

If you decide you want more than one pair, let me know prior to purchase, and I'll create a custom listing for you!


Ready to shop?  Click HERE!

Silver vs. Gold vs. Other Metals

So, it's all over the news how expensive real gold is now.  It's really shocking, actually.  Sterling silver isn't cheap either, but it's still affordable generally.  There are several "other" metals out there like brass, copper, and many more.  I am just curious to know from  you all, what you prefer for your jewelry.  Does the metal matter to you?  Are you more of an "only silver" person?  Or an "only sterling" person?  My mother, for example, is allergic to all metals but real gold.  


Anyway, I just wanted to take a quick poll to see what you all think.  Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.  :)


Thank you!  

Good Husband = Repaired Camera

Hip Hip Horray!!!  My camera is back in business!  I have close to 20 new pieces to photograph and list.  Stay tuned.................................

Hello, Fire. I'm Jamie.

I have entered the world of soldering.  I am having a blast.  I hope this doesn't count as "playing with fire" because as a kid, my mom always told me that "if you play with fire, you'll wet the bed".  

Here is a little sneak peek of what I've been up to.  I hope to have these listed in my Etsy shop very soon!

The winning pair!

Here are the earrings made special for our giveaway winner!

CLICK HERE to see more jewelry by The 7th Crow

  

Jewelry Giveaway!

Do you like free stuff?  Do you like free jewelry?  Do you know someone who likes free stuff?  Especially free jewelry?  Then have I got the contest for you!!!

What does the winner receive?  

A pair of Czech glass wire wrapped hoop earrings!

Sample:  

What do you have to do?   

Simply leave a comment on this blog post telling me briefly about your favorite memory regarding jewelry, and you will be entered into the drawing. Pass this on to your friends and family, and if they mention your name in their comment, then not only are they entered to win, but you'll be entered again!  The more people you share with, the more times you are entered into the drawing.  **Note:  You don't have to be a part of their shared memory.  They can just note that you referred them somewhere in the comment.

It is as simple as that!  

* All entries must be received by noon on Wednesday, August 3, 2011.

* The winner will be announced on Thursday, August 4, 2011 after noon.

* The giveaway is for a pair of hand crafted, wire wrapped hoop earrings in silver toned wire.  The hoops will be hand wrapped with Czech glass beads.

* If I do not receive contact (via the7thcrow@gmail.com) from the winner telling me where to send the prize within 48 hours of the announcement, another winner will be chosen.

* The winner(s) will be chosen at random.

Bead Market, New Listings

Sunday I went to  The Bead Market in Ft. Worth, Texas.  I try to go to any markets that come near me here in Dallas.  This was the biggest score I've ever made at a market!  I have been swimming in my new loot for days now and the new creations are pouring out of me now.  So, if you like stones, get ready for a lot of new items that will be listed in the coming weeks.  I've got some amazing Agate, Quartz, Jasper, Lava, and much more!

Here are a few new listings:

Black and White and Silver, Oh My!

Turquoise Jasper Briolette

Purple Agate Drops