Initial Bracelets & Mother's Day

These cute little bracelets are proving to be quite popular and from them I was inspired to create a new take on an old concept.  The mother's bracelet.  Or, in this case, the grandmother's bracelet.

Since I began my business 3 years ago, I've received a multitude of orders for Mother's Bracelets.  You've seen them, I'm sure.  Some are very blingy with crystals, some with gemstones, some in sterling silver.  I made myeself one for my 4 kiddies in sterling silver and gold fill. Whatever the overall look is, they all have the block letter beads in common.

 They look great but since the price of precious metals has increased over the past couple of years, so has the cost to make them and they have become an investment piece, costing upwards of a couple hundred dollars depending on how many names are included and materials used.  Over the past year I've noticed a dramatic decrease in requests for such pieces.  The concept is still a popular one though--moms and grandmoms alike, wish to represent their favorite little people in shiny, happy bling.  And so I've found a way to do so in a more affordable way.

Each child is represented by a sterling silver initial stamped tag and birth month crystal charm.  Prices vary depending on the number of charms.  A single tag and charm bracelet starts at $20.  Up to 8 tag/charm combinations can fit on a 7" bracelet which would cost $64--a far cry from hundreds of dollars.  Another great quality about this style of mother's bracelet is that it can easily be added upon for a growing family.

All of the metal used is sterling silver so it will last the test of time.  I punch the tags myself out of sterling silver sheet metal.  I stamp each 1/2" round tag and add the hole for hanging.  The chain is sterling silver cable chain that is 2.4mm thick.  All the findings are sterling silver.  I hand wrap each 4mm bicone Swarovski crystal in sterling silver wire.  I will make the bracelet to 7" but upon request I can make it smaller or larger to fit individual needs at no additional cost.  Should you like to inquire about how you can order a bracelet for yourself or someone special, just send a line or two to:

hillcrestjewelrydesign@comcast.net

and I'll get back to you.  All US orders enjoy free shipping.  International orders are welcome--please e-mail me for shipping rates.  Your HJD purchase will arrive in a ribbon tied, cotton filled gift box ready for gift giving.  Please allow at least 2 weeks for production and shipping (International orders may take longer).

 I'm going to give this bracelet to my mom for her birthday.  She hasn't seen it yet so you're getting a sneak peak at it.  Shhh, don't tell her, it's a surprise.  I'm also going to make one for myself for mother's day.  By the way, wouldn't this be the perfect gift for a mom or grandmom for Mother's Day on May 9th??

A Tribute to the Day of Green

Happy St. Patty's Day!

My Appologies

I just removed the popout player located at the bottom of my blog page.  I really enjoyed the music that I had on there until I heard a disturbing sound bite that I assure you I did not intend to be part of the musical repertoire.  I have listened to this popout player countless times and have never heard this before today nor do I know where it originated from.  I just wanted to appologize to my readers for any offense that this might have caused.

Sincerely,
Heather

March Giveaway

Hi All!

One of my fellow Busy Moms of Etsy is having a March Giveaway on her blog.  She's got some great supplies in her etsy shop and is giving away glass crackle beads this month.  Hop on over to check out her blog and see the beads.   http://evelynstreasures.blogspot.com/

Hope you're having a great springlike weekend where you are.  ~Heather

New Bling Update

Just a quick peek at the new collection.  I'm at a loss for a name for the collection though so I could really use your help.  I only have these 3 made so far but plan to make more of this style with various stones.

Feel free to send me your thoughts by clicking comments below.  I'd love to hear your ideas.

In the meantime I'm up to my eyeballs with custom orders, office duties and preparing for an in-home jewelry show this weekend.  ---and of course the kiddies keep things busy too.  Hope you're all doing well and surviving what feels like the never ending winter (at least here in PA).

~Heather

Sterling Wrapped Gemstone Necklaces

Another new collection to show you this Monday. I love the rustic beauty of combining fringed edged, up-cycled corduroy ribbon with sterling silver wrapped gemstones. Each of these three pieces contain a Chinese Picture Jasper stone and as you can see in the pictures, each stone has different hues and patterns. All are stunning, if you ask me, but I am a bit biased. I'll admit that.

The other thing that I love about this particular stone is that each stone has a variety of colors that will easily fit in with a broad array of wardrobes.

These particular necklaces hang at approximately 21 1/2" and are secured with a hook clasp. All metal is sterling silver and hand forged/hand wrapped. The pendants are approximately 37mm wide by 30mm high. I have yet to post these on etsy as I'd like to debut them officially at my Valentine's Jewelry Party this Saturday. I plan to make more of this type of necklace with various other gemstones so if you like this style keep your eyes peeled for the Sterling Wrapped Gemstone Collection. I want to make matching bracelets as well but have yet to actually do so.

If you absolutely love these pieces and can't wait for the party or me posting them on etsy, send me an e-mail and we'll get you hooked up. Reference item #HJD1934 $44 each. PA sales tax where applicable.

Did You Know??

• Picture jasper is named so because the patterns in the stone resemble a small landscape?
• This stone can also be found in Angola, Algeria, Asia, Germany, Peru, Idaho and Oregon?
• It is thought that picture jasper helps promote global awareness by bringing the wearer closer to nature?

Lesson over.  Have a great Monday! ~Heather

Rosary Pieces

Happy Sunday!

Some of the latest creations from the HJD studio/former dining room/ office:

Some time ago I was given bits and pieces of old family rosaries. A little lesson into my personal history here. I was raised in the Roman Catholic religion. I never really embraced the religion and always considered myself to be a Christian. Plain and simple. I can appreciate some of the Catholic traditions though and if you see me in a Catholic church these days, you might even see me genuflect. I do not attend church regularly although I feel I have a deep spiritual side and that works for me.

I also have a great appreciation for that which endures time. Vintage pieces inspire me. It's not just the fact that they're "old" it's the history of the piece, where it came from, who used it and for what purpose. I have so many memories of my grandmother sitting in her green wing back chair, Bible in her lap, rosary in her arthritic hands, reciting prayers as she made her way around the rosary, one bead at a time.

So, when I was given these time worn pieces of vintage rosary I felt so inspired to use them in my jewelry creations. Some pieces are more sentimental than others and with the family history I will be using them in jewelry pieces that I will be keeping and wearing and hopefully passing down to my girls someday. Some of the rosary bits I have a large amount of and will use them in pieces that I will sell.

This particular piece, pictured above and below I will be keeping for myself. But I just wanted to share the beauty of the medal and connector piece. I believe them to represent the Mother Mary and the Seven Sorrows. I think they're sterling silver. I polished them up enough to show the detail but I really like some of the black tarnish to accentuate the beauty of the artistry that went into making it. They may possibly have been made around 1900. If anyone out there in blogland has any knowledge of these pieces and would like to share, I'd love to learn more about them.

I've also used black wood rosary bead sections in this necklace to give it some length and moss opalite roundels because I love how the colors of the moss opalite pick up the black of the rosary beads and will go nicely with a cream colored sweater I have.

This is the back of the medal pictured above. I've also tied up-cycled cream colored corduroy ribbon to the portion that goes behind the neck. It's so comfy, no clasp and large enough to just slip overhead.

And so, since these lovely creations are made using bits and pieces of rosaries, I've named these necklaces: The Bits & Pieces Rosary Collection. Look for more pieces to be added as they are completed. How fitting that I share these with you on Sunday!

~Heather

Valentine's Day SALE!

I am having a Valentine's Day Sale in my etsy shop from now until Feb. 8th, 2010. All of my 4Heart pieces are marked down 10% as well as a few Valentines-ish bracelets. Check out the SALE section for more details. http://www.heathermgannon.etsy.com/

Please place your order by Feb. 8th to ensure delivery in time for Valentine's Day. Your purchase will arrive in a cotton filled jewelry box, tied with a pretty ribbon, ready for gift giving. Free USPS priority mail insured shipping to all US locations.

I'll be posting these little lovelies on etsy in a few minutes but I just had to give you all the heads up on the SALE! I'm thinking I need another necklace like these but with the word "LOVE". What do you think? Any other suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts, just click on comments.

~Heather

New 4Heart Pieces

Happy Sunday!

I just wanted to pop on here real quick and share with you some brand new pieces in the 4Heart Collection. Some of the pieces I posted last time are already sold so make sure if you see something you like contact me right way as each piece is one of a kind. I will be posting these for sale on etsy in just a bit. Remember, I donate 20% of each sale to the American Heart Association. Perfect for Valentine's Day or to show your support on National Go Red for Women day, Feb. 5th, 2010. Thank you to all of you who have shown your support for this great cause.

By the way, if you have a facebook account check out my fanpage. I post on there daily (more often than blogger).

Enjoy what's left of the weekend! ~Heather

Hearts Galore

I love the color red and it's a good thing too because Valentine's Day is right around the corner. What better way to celebrate this day of Love and get through these dreary winter days, than with a PARTY!! So I've decided to have my 1st ever Hillcrest Jewelry Design Valentine's Party, the day before Valentine's Day. I have many new pieces that I'll be debuting for the Spring Collection, some oldies but goodies that are marked down, and several new pieces in the Four Heart Collection that will make the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

I'm already working on setting the mood around here. I've got some interesting display ideas going on and plan to light lots of little votive candles. Of course, I've rearranged the furniture for the bazillionth time and I've turned my Christmas tree into a Valentine's Tree. All the Christmas decor was taken off and replaced with anything heart related, raffia bows, and red berries. Oh and I whipped up a heart shaped tree topper. The best part about this tree transformation has yet to come but I'm working on it. I'm making vintage inspired Valentines that will decorate every nook and cranny of the tree. As customers finish selecting all kinds of pretty must haves, they can pick a Valentine off the tree. Inside each Valentine will be a mystery discount. One Valentine might say "10% off 1 regularly priced item" and another Valentine might say "Buy 1 regularly priced item, get 50% off the second regularly priced item". I'm excited and I hope my customers have fun with it. I'm also going to have lots of yummy candy, cookies and cakes that are Valentine's Day inspired to snack on between trying on bling.

By the way, will someone kindly remind me to snap a few pics during the party? I'd love to share it with all of you and I always tend to get wrapped up and forget about that.

The 4Heart Collection is growing. For those of you who don't know what this is, let me share with you. I started the 4Heart Collection as a way to create specialized pieces, of which a donation would be made to the American Heart Association from each sale. Back when my oldest 2 kids were little, I volunteered on the planning committee for the local Heart Walk. Like so many others, I have an extensive family history of heart disease and have been profoundly impacted by the ability of research, technology and patient care that can improve and extend the quality of life of those affected by heart disease. When baby #3 came into the picture my volunteering days ended but my participation in fundraising and walking never did. I still wanted to give to the cause. This is my little way of doing so.

I named the collection 4Heart after my 4 kids who will forever be in my heart and for the American Heart Association. A little play of words and you'll understand that I am giving back and contributing 20% of each 4Heart sale For Heart. Get it? The pieces in the 4Heart Collection are all one of a kind. They may be similar but each one differs from the other. I like to include something red in each piece as well. Sometimes I use a red Swarovski pearl (love the Bordeaux color), a red crystal, a red colored gemstone, or a red glass bead. I make simple pieces and more elaborate pieces. Sometimes I make the piece in sterling silver and sometimes I use leather cord and copper. With all this variety comes a variety of price points as well so there something for everyone.

In addition to the 4Heart Collection being the perfect Valentine's Day gift, it is a great way to recognize National Go Red Day. This year, the American Heart Association has established February 5th to be National Go Red for Women Day. You can show your support by wearing red on Feb. 5th. That's why I always like to include a little something red in my 4Heart pieces. Go Red for Women, reminds us that heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women in America. It's not just a man's disease but because it has been associated with men for so many years, often times the signs and symptoms of heart disease go unnoticed in women.

So on that note...I've included a few pics of my latest 4Heart pieces. These are currently for sale in my Etsy store, while supplies last. http://www.heathermgannon.etsy.com/

If you're in the Berks County, PA area on Feb. 13th and would like to join our Valentine's Day Jewelry Party, send me an e-mail at hillcrestjewelrydesign@comcast.net.

~Heather

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday season. It's been busy here as usual and now the time has come to look forward to see what the new year holds for us.

First off, nothing new with the kids. They never stop going, going, going. At the moment all are healthy (knock on wood) and aside from the typical teenage angst, all are relatively happy. :)

Potty training continues to be a struggle but I must take the blame for that as I am not consistent. I definitely need to buckle down and help my child with this as she will be 3 on the 23rd. Geez! Where'd the time go?

Last month hubby and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! It's been quite a journey --marriage that is, over the years but I am happy to say it's all been worth it. My guy is amazing and we've both grown so much over the years. Here's to many happy years ahead.

Business is good. I'm getting ready for tax season and organizing, tweeking and revamping pretty much everything. The biggest noticeable change is in the appearance of my etsy shop. I recently joined the Busy Moms of Etsy Team, http://busymomsofetsy.ning.com , and have met some wonderful ladies and received some much appreciated advice. In particular, advice on improving my photos. Boy do they need it. The past few weeks I've been learning more about photography and my camera and have been working on the quality of my pics. Every day I try to add new photos to my products on the etsy site. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the lighting and detail in the new pics. http://www.heathermgannon.etsy.com/

I have a few custom orders in the works as well and will post those pics as they are completed. But in the meantime here's some new bling:

Have a healthy, happy and productive 2010! ~Heather