I have been doing so many new things lately with the jewelry... it's exciting and time-consuming!! So I haven't been at my weekly blog posts like I had hoped. But I'll catch up!

I have another great new line of jewelry I will be debuting soon. I think I'm going to keep the name nice and simple and just call it Energy Jewelry. Easy enough! I believe in believing in things! I believe that if you focus the right energy, you will find what you're looking for. Energy is just floating around out there, waiting for you to tap into it. Like they say, the first step in getting something is to believe in it.

My Energy Jewelry line will be mostly bracelets, and will contain colors and gemstones in different "energies". Patience, success, luck, love, hope... I have about 20 different "energies" so far. Right now I am heavily researching gemstone and color properties to put together the perfect combinations for my Energy Jewelry. I will also be infusing each finished piece with its corresponding energy.

These pieces of jewelry will serve somewhat as a channeling device. For example, take the Harry Potter books/movies. Witches and wizards use a wand to "channel" their magic. Now, they don't NEED one, as you'll see the professors don't always use their wand to perform magic. But the children do need their wands, it assists them, it gives them a means to "focus" their spell. This jewelry will be your wand! It will be the device to help you focus and channel your energy to help you achieve your goals. Wear your Energy Jewelry daily and put it under your pillow when you sleep... it will serve as a constant reminder and a constant motivator for you.

Some of these pieces will have my own handcrafted .999 fine silver charms. I am in the process of designing these charms. I'm hoping to have something done this weekend. I have a long Saturday with dog training, but Sunday is a free day! Hopefully by Sunday night I'll have at least one bracelet finished and posted here on my blog and on my website!

One other thing that I've been working on 'til the wee hours of the morning is my photography. I am re-shooting all of my jewelry with new lighting and backdrops and I can't believe how vibrant the pictures are! The colors and clarity are just amazing! As I complete each photo session, I am uploading all the new photos onto my website. So check out the new photos of everything at www.symphonyjewels.com. It's a tremendous difference!

I am also in the process of applying to many local art shows this year. I will update my 2008 show schedule on my website as shows are confirmed.

I also need to find more galleries and boutiques for my jewelry this year. But that is quite time-consuming!! Driving all over Chicagoland, researching the right stores for my style of jewelry and then meeting with store owners and buyers... it's quite a process!! There's one store that I just absolutely love in Lake Geneva called Cornerstone Shoppe. It's my favorite place to shop and has all sorts of wonderful unique things. It's under new ownership and unfortunately she had a massive stock of jewelry at the time I talked to her last year. I will be contacting her in the upcoming weeks to try to get in there by the summer. If you'd like to help my cause, you can call the store and ask if they carry Symphony Jewels' beautiful line of jewelry!! :) Then suggest they need it in their store!

Otherwise, stay tuned, Energy Jewelry is coming soon!!

The Artifacts Collection is a new line of jewelry for 2008. These designs are warm and earthy, a bit more casual, and incorporate neutral color tones, natural gemstones, and darker metals, such as copper, brass, oxidized sterling silver and patinated fine and sterling silver.

Featured here is one piece in the Artifacts Collection. I just love this turquoise stone! It has a warm green color with lots of rich brown veining to give it a very earthy look. Hills Tribe fine silver designs tend to look a bit ethnic, and this Hills Tribe pendant lends nicely to the overall feel of this necklace. One Swarovski crystal and a faceted smoky quartz rondelle hang from an oxidized sterling silver chain. The necklace is brown leather cord with a trigger clasp and 3" extension chain, lengthening this necklace from 15" to 18".

More Artifacts Collection designs can be seen at http://www.symphonyjewels.com/.

I'm finally done with my 2007 holiday shows! It's been crazy with shows every weekend. Haven't had much time for my dogs, my poor husband, or myself! But I had my last show over the weekend and now will be relaxing and getting ready for the holidays. I plan on spending December playing with all of my PMC and perfecting some techniques. Hopefully I'll have lots of neat fine silver pendants and designs to show off at the end of the year.

A little news in my life... I'll be testing my wonderful beautiful amazing German Shepherd for his Canine Good Citizenship and Therapy Dog International certifications on November 30. I'm really looking forward to it and have been working with him on all the requirements. If he's not a total bonehead, he'll pass with flying colors. I've worked with him in manners and obedience since he was a pup, so he knows everything he's supposed to do. Wish us luck!!

Just a quick note about my upcoming holiday shows... I have lots more to talk about, but need photos to go along with the text! I'll write more in the next few days.

I have a very special coupon offer for my public shows for members of my newsletter. Sign up at www.symphonyjewels.com to take advantage of this offer and future specials.

2007 Holiday Show Schedule

Oct 28, Sunday, 10am-4pm
McHenry County College
8900 Hwy 14, Crystal Lake. My booth is located in the gym.

Nov 4, Sunday, 10am-4pm
With wine-tasting from noon-4pm
Barrington Park District
235 Lions Drive, Barrington

Nov 8, Thu, 11am-9pm
Nov 9, Fri, 10am-9pm
Nov 10, Sat, 10am-9pm
Nov 11, Sun, 10am-5pm
Arlington Race Track
2200 W. Euclid, Arlington Heights

Nov 17, Saturday, 9am-4pm
Crystal Lake South High School
1200 S. McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake

Summer 2007 Newsletter

Happy summer! I wanted to send out a quick little newsletter. I realized I have lots and lots of news, so I better share it before I forget!

ART FAIR SCHEDULE

Due to the time constraints of my former job, I wasn’t able to sign up for too many shows this year. I have one left for the summer. No year end shows are confirmed yet, so this may be my last public show for the year. It’s a nice fine arts fair in a beautiful setting!

Sunday, August 26
North School Park in Arlington Heights

410 N. Arlington Heights Rd, near downtown Arlington Heights

I’ll have some great little deals for this show too. Buy any necklace and receive free matching earrings. Also, buy 4 pairs of earrings, get a 5th free.


LOCAL RETAILERS

I also have my jewelry in 3 stores now, and I’m actively pursuing more. You can find my jewelry at:

My Girlfriend’s Closet Boutique, 528 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville
4 CCCC’s jewelry store, 2020 Rte. 12, Unit C, Spring Grove
Woodland Grove Gallery, Robert Parker Coffin Rd, Long Grove


NEW PRODUCTS

I have started making my own silver. I have always wanted to carry my own line of silver pendants, charms, beads, jewelry, and I am finally now casting my own molds and creating one-of-a-kind fine silver pieces. Here is a sample photo of one of my pieces. I wanted a necklace that could easily be worn with jeans and a t-shirt, so this funky little casual piece was perfect! This shows one of my handmade silver pendants.

I am also learning how to make my own fused glass. My focus with the glass is to incorporate them into my silver pendants.

FUN NEW STUFF

Those of you who haven’t seen me in a while, most of my inventory is brand new this season. There are a couple of classic designs that are super-popular that I will keep around forever, but most of my current line is new, fresh and, as always, very limited production.

I also started working with a woman who makes all of her own diamond-cut pewter pendants. We’re collaborating on some new ideas… here’s a photo of a rose pendant I requested she make for me. It’s a really neat piece!

HOME PARTIES

Now that I have come home from work to concentrate on my jewelry business, I am actively booking home parties. If you’d like to host a jewelry home party (I guarantee, they’re a blast, everyone loves them!!), here are some of the benefits as hostess:
You and your guests receive 15% of all listed retail prices on all jewelry.
You receive 10% of the total sales (less sales tax) towards your jewelry purchase.
You receive a free pair of earrings, valued up to $20.
You receive $20 towards your jewelry purchase if you have 20 or more guests.
You receive $10 towards your jewelry purchase for each home party booked from yours.

People usually keep it pretty simple. Wine and cheese, or coffee and desserts, or just some chips and dip. One gal kept it practically stress-free and ordered the party size Subway sandwiches.

Now that I’m home, I can do evening or weekend shows. I have available time slots, but people are already planning some Oct & Nov shows to prepare for the holidays. Yes, the holidays are practically around the corner!!

Please come out and see me at my Arlington Heights show. It will be great to see some familiar faces! Wish me nice weather! Thanks for your support!

"Hollywood Here I Come!"

That's the goal, at least! I haven't shared that with all of you yet, but my goal for my jewelry is to see a celebrity wearing it in a magazine or on TV. I'm working on it! Tedious task, it is.

On a smaller scale, I am now selling my jewelry through some local shops. I will be adding more as time goes by and as I meet with more store owners, but for now my designs are currently in My Girlfriend's Closet Boutique in Libertyville, IL, 4 CCCC's jewelry store in Spring Grove, IL and Woodland Grove Gallery in Long Grove, IL. I am working on a Barrington account and some out of state accounts. I will soon be pursuing some other nearby towns and will keep everyone posted on my blog and website.

More news, I recently found a woman who does all of her own handcrafted pewter pendants. She designs her own molds and diamond cuts all of her pieces. Her work is beautiful and I am very happy with these new fun designs using her pendants. This photo shows one of her southwestern flavor pendants with turquoise, fancy jasper, rutilated quartz, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver. I have a couple girlier pieces too... a large oval-framed unicorn pendant with pink opal, peachy-pink button pearls and sparkly peachy-pink Swarovski crystals. Also a really neat sanddollar pendant with sea opal, pearls and crystals, in blue, gold and ivory tones. I'll post photos of those in the near future.

I have one more art show at the end of this month. I'll get that information posted soon too. It's a fun show in Arlington Heights in a beautiful park.

I am also starting to make my own silver pieces. Right now I am mastering the art of molding and cutting & drawing designs on the molds. I cast several new pieces tonight and some of them are super-fun!! I expect to have these available in the fall or winter. My jewelry designs will feature them and I will also have pendants and charms available for purchase alone or with sterling silver chain or suede/leather cord.

I think that about covers it for now! I hope you're all enjoying your summer!