Happy New Year!

I had so many people comment about the "new" version of the alphabet bracelet while the Christmas special was up (I've had this style for about five years) that I've decided to leave this photo front and center for a while longer!

I do carry this solid sterling version of the alphabet bracelet - the one I wear almost every day - with the luminescent pearl clasp, encircled by granulation dots of silver to mimic the braille. I also have other gemstone clasps available in place of the pearl. Simply and timelessly beautiful!

Anticipation

by Kelli Pope

" The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings." Dave Weinbaum

As the year comes to a close, I usually find myself looking forward to some "down time". Months of art shows, private showings, and making jewelry during the Fall and over Christmas usually leaves me longing for time out of the studio. While things will be less hectic, I am anticipating new projects in the new year. Early this year, with the very gracious help of Mary Ann Carroll, and some private lessons with a local potter, I made some of my own ceramic beads. It was SO much fun. I was lucky enough to be at the potter's when they opened the kiln after firing the last of my beads. It's like that feeling of seeing all the gifts under the tree on Christmas morning when you're a child. WOW!!!! It was SO cool!!!

I knew I was hooked, and would have to create more. And I knew I could do better. These are my first runs.

"All glory comes from daring to begin." Eugene F. Ware

I've said all year, my goal was to purchase a kiln, and start that new adventure. Unfortunately, as often happens, life got in the way, and I did not get my kiln. But I anticipate it will be a purchase in 2011. Until that happens, I have a WONDERFUL friend who has agreed to fire my beads for me. So instead of "down time" this winter, I'll be making beads, and will finally, finally, finally get to play with some of the beautiful patinas I purchased from Shannon LeVart. Can't WAIT to see the creations, that now, I can only imagine.

" Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." Maya Angelou

May you all have a very successful 2011.

DSK Jewelry's Goals for 2011

I'm going to list all the countries that I can think of right at this moment where DSK Jewelry resides. ^_^

United States (naturally!) ;D I always get excited when it's an order from my hometown Kentwood, Michigan. I had 3 girls who when to my former high school EKHS order my jewelry. I was SO happy and just e-mailed them to chat lol.

You know geography was always one of my favorite subjects in school. : )
I think I would make my professor proud.

Canada United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Hong Kong Japan Taiwan South Korea Vietnam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Denmark Romania France Spain Finland Nepal Singapore Belgium Hungary Switzerland Sweden Norway Egypt Brazil Austria Germany Poland India Netherlands Brunei
Malta <-- Near Italy ^_^ Shout out Lara! Italy Greece Dubai Saudi Arabia

I didn't know 1 thing about Malta until Lara ordered jewelry one day :D She's such a sweetheart and newly engaged! Congratulations Lara! Thank you for sharing your culture with me via e-mail :) There are so many more of you that I really would like to thank. I'm so glad to learn from you about yourself, your country and your culture. I know Morgane from France is waiting for me to collaborate with her on a few jewelry pieces ^_^


I want to thank all of my customers from all over the World. You are truly my inspiration.

Minh and I would like say thank you to all those who sent us holiday cards & amazing gifts! :D I'm always so giddy to receive mail from you all. You sure do know how to make me feel special!



I really want to get a large World Map and put pins on every country where DSK Jewelry "lives"
I got the idea from Mary Kate & Ashley's shows/movies haha when they would travel. I think one of them would throw a dart at the map and travel to that destination. Cliche much? lol

Now where can I find a big world map and a big cork board? Maybe Office Max? Do you have any suggestions?
I think this will be one of my 2011 goals.

I know I'm missing some countries on this list of mine, but I will update this post as I think of them :)

My goals for DSK Jewelry 2011
-World Map! -Launch www.dskjewelry.com already!
(I can imagine some of you rolling your eyes..Steph you empty promise maker, you ::shakes fists::) lol

The website "frame" is finished ladies & gentlemen :D I am glad to say : ) I just need to take amazing photos and post them! I want to start the site with just my top 10 seller, and then go from there. I have all these "plans" yet I fail to implement them in 2010! Why? Why is something always holding me back?

I just am so comfortable with my blog that I find myself not motivated to work on the new site. The blog style really does help me manage & control the number of orders I receive each day. I almost cannot handle my jewelry work load right now (I'm very grateful and flattered)! That's why I haven't been updating. I've just been trying to finish orders and packages. I just have too many! (which is beyond wonderful, but I have come to realize I need to reorganize and get the help I need.) Time just flies right out the window. I want to have the time to enjoy every aspect of DSK Jewelry.

I know not having a "store/gallery" style shopping site makes it a bit harder for shoppers to shop (I'm sorry!). I am going to get it up for you. I just really have enjoyed knowing more about you girls and guys through blog via comments & e-mails.

I noticed this past Christmas that many of my shoppers were Mom's, Dad's, and Grandparents. I really appreciate your e-mails and I hope I was able to help you place your orders.

I plan to "kick it up a knotch" this year as Emeril Lagasse would say. ;D
Old school Food Network ftw!

Susan picked the LV Neverfull MM Ebene & The Bubbi Necklace from my DSK Giveaway, but I still have another surprise gift on New Year's Day! ^_^
I'm giving away an Everything Bracelet to one of my DSK customers to show my appreciation.

I took this picture earlier around 5pm. We had such beautiful clear skies today. The sun was out and bright :D It was such a treat, except I stayed indoors all day lol I just love looking out :)
I'm quite excited for New Year's Eve because this is Minh and my first year living in this condo with this view of the Space Needle. I believe they are going to be shooting fireworks from the Needle ^_^
New Year's Day will also be our 3 year anniversary together (Minh and I)!
I will be sure to record the fireworks!

Minh and I have recently started making "DSKSeattle: Day in the Life Videos."
You can see snippets of our life with our two puppies Timmy, and Wally. A tour of our office, and just random bits of Seattle :D

I'm a fan of the fabulous Lorraine and her daily videos. I've been following her for a few months now and I just feel like I know her! haha I've exchanged an e-mail or two with her in the past and she's just a really awesome person. Minh always makes fun of me in the morning when he catches me login to Youtube to see if there's a new Lorraine video lol. He goes, why do you get so excited to watch someone go to the grocery store? And he continues with, "someone should make a video of me" and so I did :D

He's starting to get the hang of it and is actually doing some of the taping :)
It's a fun vlog we do together and we have created a shared Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/DSKSeattle

We're both somewhat embarrassed to share these videos, but the laughs we have together making them is well worth it :D
It's going to be weird now that our families are probably going to be tuning in after I mention it on this blog... fml sometimes. But what can I do? I wish there was something called kin-block (totally made that up) where you apply the application and it denies family members from reading your blog or following your life via web. haha

We have about 4 videos up right now starting with the Day After Christmas which I am posting here.


You can watch if you like :D

One of my readers left a comment that Minh and I both thought was hilarious. She said something along the lines of, wow I didn't think your voice would sound the way it does. lol
I do have a goofy Michigan accent/ semi-annoying/annoying voice. But it's the only one I got!
I didn't know I had one until a few Seattle people noticed some of my words.

Minh's never been into the whole social networking until recently. I'm glad he can share a bit of my world now :D His law blog is growing and I'm glad he can share his bankruptcy law knowledge with anyone who cares to learn. :D

I hope 2011 will bring lots of great things for all of us :D
I'll see you next post!

p.s. I felt like being emo today so I wore my emo black turtleneck to express my emo-ness in my Costco makeup mirror.

-Steph ^_^

Jewelry Insider's Top Ten Blingy Bits of 2010

It's been a year full of surprises my fellow jewelry hounds. From diamond dentures and bug jewelry to gold parties and Gaga, the "Year of the Tiger" was nothing if not 'unusual'.

So as the last days of 2010 take their final bow, it's time to do what we media folks love to do best: Look back. And make lists.

Here is a smattering of some of my favorite jewelry moments combined with some of yours - because without you guys, I'm just all alone in the universe writing about Lindsay Lohan's jail jewelry and diamond dog collars as if it actually MEANS something. 

So my heartfelt thanks to you all for joining this shiny place of jewel-filled sarcasm, schadenfreude and joy for yet another year. Here's to more days of diamond diversions!

10. The 'Ears' Have It

If 2009 was the year of the statement necklace, 2010 brought the sentiment to the ears. The trend started with the smashing success of Courteney Cox's Golden Globe teardrop triumph and continued throughout awards season. Look for swinging chandelier shapes and shoulder dusters to continue to shine well into 2011.

9. Baseball Bling

In the year's 4th most popular post, I got to the bottom of those weird rope necklaces all the baseball players were wearing last season. I was surprised as anyone to know that jocks not only get emotional about jewelry - they believe it has super powers. And I thought I had issues...

8.  Pink Diamond Shatters Price Record

So. There's this dude, Laurence Graff. And he has piles of money. What does he do with it? He gobbles up the world's most valuable diamonds like pints of Chunky Monkey. His latest acquisition was a 24.78-carat piece of pink perfection that sold for a record-breaking $46.16 million. And now back to our regularly scheduled budget deficit....

7. Neil Lane - Jeweler of the Year

My jeweler of the year award has to go to Neil Lane. He's always been a red carpet staple but his monopoly on celebrity weddings in 2010 was staggering. He designed Anna Paquin's bridal jewels, Nicole Richie's wedding band, Jessica Simpson's newsworthy ruby rock - along with the bling for the entire Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. AND he launched a bridal line with Kay Jewelers to reach the mere mortal market. Just call him the  Kim Kardashian of the jewelry world: He somehow seems to be everywhere. And he's taking it straight to the bank.

6. Black Diamond Blitz

When Howard Stern awarded his 'Tiger Woods Miss Mistress' winner a black diamond ring for her trouble back in March, I feared one of my favorite stones would be forever branded the 'other women'. But Sex And The City II (despite being one of my biggest disappointments this year - see #5 for more) gave black diamonds a glittering close up - and the stone is now a must-have for red carpet divas and regular folks alike. I'm giving it my 'most likely to succeed' award. Stay tuned.

5. Diamond Disappointments

Not to be all Debbie Downer and all...but there were some MAJOR jewelry/fashion bummers this year.

Exhibit A: The Oscars  

When Kathy Ireland's questionable interviewing skills are the only thing worth squawking about - you know you've got a bummer year on your hands.

Exhibit B: Fashion Week: Spring 2011: 

Where. Was. The. Jewelry?

Exhibit C: Sex And The City II: 

My favorite New York women finally jumped the shark. Aiden? In Abu Dhabi? "I Am Woman" karaoke? C'mon!


Exhibit D: Angelina Jolie. 

The world's most stunning actress (a la Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn) can't seem to wear anything but black and diamond studs on the red carpet. And Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts are stuck in the muck with her. Help me, Housewives of Beverly Hills. You're my only hope.

4. Where's The Beef?

Lady Gaga wore a meat dress. 'Nuff said.

3. Kanye West's Diamond Dentures

In the third most popular post for 2010, we learned that replacing your teeth with real diamonds might help people forget you're an egomaniac for a week or so. 


2. Chelsea Clinton's Engagement Ring

More people read my post on Chelsea's engagement ring than any other entry in the history of the blog. Despite the fact that I (and all of my other fellow jewelry hounds) STILL haven't found a decent picture of the thing. Hat's off to you, Chels, for keeping us all well out of your business. And for making my Alexa rating skyrocket.

1. The Sapphire Heard 'Round the World.

Hey. Did you hear? Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. Shocker! Seriously, though, you're going to have to endure many a royal wedding post in 2011 - cuz there's gonna be major crown jewels on display. I'm already hyperventilating.

But perhaps the most important repercussion from all this nonsense, is the resurgence of the Lady Di ring silhouette and sapphires as a popular stone for engagement rings. I hope the trend continues, because if there's one thing I've learned in 2010 - you don't have to break the bank to get a great piece of jewelry these days (JewelClub, anyone?). And that includes engagement rings.

OK. I think I hear the champagne calling my name. (It happens.) I hope you all have a safe and shining New Year. In the meantime, weigh in with your favorite jewelry moments from 2010! As always, I love to hear from you. (Janet - that means you!)

See you on the flip side!

A Forever Message...

by MaryAnn Carroll

With the year ending and a new one beginning, I want to thank everyone who has followed our blog, participated in both our giveaways and our Call-to-Create challenges.  One of our members, Mary Jane Dodd so often shares a part of herself and her wisdom with others.  In 2010 many of her pieces were created with a message that the owner will wear and share with others each time they put it on.  For the new year, here is a compilation of messages that might touch you as we approach 2011.

Happy New Year...

2 Ruby Necklaces

Ruby Ivy 14K Goldfilled 18" (45cm) Necklace
Crystallized Swarovski
$38
*2 Available*

Jewelry Libations for New Year's Eve

Cocktails and jewelry - what a winning combination. As I was recently pondering what jewelry to break out for my favorite champagne-drenched holiday this Friday (wait for the Carrie Bradshaw moment...), I couldn't help but wonder (there it is...): Why is it that jewelry and luxury libations have such a glittering partnership?

First, there's the cocktail ring. The jewelry category emerged in the roaring 20s during Prohibition at illegal, booze-filled ‘cocktail’ parties. Women went big with fashion statements at these underground soirees, flashing their oversized, colorful baubles along with their newly exposed knee caps.

Cocktail rings generally have an oversized center stone of 3 carats or more and are typically worn on the right hand (any finger will do). But as we jewelry hounds know, there are plenty of costume options out there that won't break the bank.

But there's another drinkable jewelry look emerging from the shadows lately - champagne diamonds. From light champagnes, to burnished browns and rich cognacs, these natural diamonds offer a selection of tones and hues to compliment every style, taste and tolerance level.



An informative piece in the New York Times reports that the stone made its debut in the late 1990s when it was discovered in Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Australia, but is only now gaining a strong following - including from yours truly and a bevy of Hollywood's leading ladies.

If you really want to tie one on, how about a double shot with a champagne diamond cocktail ring like this one for almost $400 off retail? 'Tis the season!

And be sure to check out the champagne diamond treasure chest on Jewelry.com for more bubbly bling - it's jewelry that's perfect for teetotalers and the tipsy alike!

Torch-Fired Enamel Beads with Murrini

by Barbara Lewis

Hi all, I'm getting ready for To Bead True Blue and the Tucson Bead Show by torch-firing some enamel beads with murrini.  I am loving the way these beads are coming out.  These 16mm beads are incredibly lightweight because they are hollow.

The green speckling is a result of overfiring in certain areas.  Copper oxides bubble up and break through the surface of the white enamel. The darker areas of the bead are where the oxygen has been reduced during the firing process.  The pink dots are created with a stringer of glass.

More green speckling and smoky hazes on white enamel created by flame adjustments. 

If you're planning on being in Tucson during this big bead event that attracts customers from around the world, please stop in and say "Hello."  I'll be at the Doubletree Reid Park from January 30 through February 8.  I'll also be teaching workshops on how to create your own torch-fired enamel beads and pendants.  More details are available at my website: www.paintingwithfireartwear.com.  You can also register for a workshop there, too!  

examining time and space.

i'm personally attached to the work of allyson mellberg. there's something about her beautiful/grotesque female figures that I feel akin to. they seem forlorn and yet in control. infectious and twinning.

i wrote a mini review of her work over at the hi-fructose blog. 

i'm trying to adjust putting all of my art finding over at hi-fructose so i know this place has suffered a bit from it. i'm sure this will only make me mine deeper to find work that suits and stimulates both places and both audiences. i hope you'll stick around while things around here find their equilibrium.

xo

Book Review: The Jewelry Architect, by Kate McKinnon

by Patty Lakinsmith

I buy very few jewelry making books, and was delighted to receive Kate McKinnon's new book, The Jewelry Architect: techniques + projects for mixed-media jewelry, for Christmas. While I haven't yet viewed the DVD she included, I have been through all 143 pages and found it very inspiring. Possibly inspiring enough that I might actually attempt some of the sewn beadwork projects.

I first met Kate about 5 years ago, when she lived and worked in nearby Pacific Grove. I had stumbled across her excellent blog and saw that she was having an open studio (a rare event, I gathered, given the stern warnings on her website about drop-in visits), so a friend and I made the hour long drive. From the moment I met her she was free with her knowledge, and even helped me to solve a crimping problem I was having that very visit. It was enough to encourage me to sign up for her PMC class, which taught me how to make my own handmade fine silver clasps and more. Her previous books on Structural Metal Clay are valued residents of my bookshelf.

Kate's Ouroboros bracelet features a handmade fine silver (PMC) clasp, lampwork glass
beads (or felt, as you choose), and delightful sewn beadwork.

This book is a delectable smorgasbord of color, material, and technique, which not only enticed me to try some of the projects but to dream up new ones on my own. She offers basic skills in beadwork, metal clay, and stringing that you can incorporate into your own work no matter what style you embrace, and she teaches you how to build it so it will last a lifetime. I value books that can give me a foundation in some area that I may build upon later with my own experimentation.

If you're keen to learn ways to create your own handmade components that will enable you to build lasting, functional, beautiful pieces of jewelry, I highly recommend this book. I follow Kate's blog regularly and own most of her books, and found plenty of fresh inspiration and information in this one.

Kate's book is available at your local bead or book store, or you can get it from Amazon.com.

Celebrity Engagement Blitz

Celebrity engagement news is breaking big today! Here's the scoop:

From "Black Swan" to Baby Momma:

Not only is Natalie Portman engaged to her (gorgeous!) choreographer boyfriend, Benjamin Millepied, they're also expecting their first child. The Black Swan star met her hubby-to-be on the set last year (he choreographed all of her numbers), and the Oscar buzz is building along with her little ballet-dancing bun in the oven.

Portman has been on the red carpet all month promoting the film (and Dior's new perfume), but despite a mention of 'eating a lot' lately - this news is a total shock.

No ring sighting yet, but stay tuned.

Hef's Getting Hitched:

The other shocker today is news that everyone's favorite bachelor octogenarian popped the question to his 24-year-old playmate girlfriend, Crystal Harris.

"After the movie tonight, Crystal & I exchanged gifts. I gave Crystal a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve," Hefner, 84, tweeted. "When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory."

Later, he clarified, "Yes, the ring I gave Crystal is an engagement ring. I didn't mean to make a mystery out of it. A very merry Christmas to all."

What kind of ring exactly remains to be seen, but my guess is Hef will make sure his bunny's got enough 'carats' to keep her satisfied.

But celebs aren't the only folks with romance on their minds. With New Year's Eve around the corner, many questions have yet to be popped. So fellas? If you need a little nudge in the right direction - check out the amazing post-Christmas engagement ring deals on sample sale sites like JewelClub.

And check out my 'Affordable Engagement Ring' guide here for more sparkling solutions.

In the meantime, congrats to the happy couples!