@HyperspaceHippo - Voyage of the Hyperspace Hippo: Creating a Gift

Many of you know that I often spend my twitter time re-tweeting the hand made copper jewelry pieces you post on Twitter. In fact, that's how many of you found me in the first place, when I tweeted a piece you posted. I've always thought it was a win-win situation for both of us. If you post a piece from your shops and add the words copper, copper jewelry, hand made copper my Social Oomph search engine notifies me. Most mornings and some evenings I'll go through the lists and re-tweet at least a few of the pieces I like. Every once in a while I get to help someone with a copper project or answer questions about wire wrapping or copper wire. One night a couple of weeks ago was one of those occasions. I met @HyperspaceHippo.



@HyperspaceHippo had a simple request for some solid copper lobster clasps. Not easy to find in solid copper, I had found some in 3 sizes for my shop but hadn't added them yet. We tweeted back and forth a bit to find out what she needed and I told her that I would post them for her. She also needed a small length of chain and a couple of jump rings to go with the clasps for a very special project. I don't carry chain or jump rings yet but I had them in my personal stash that I would share with her. So, off went the package and I thought that was that, until this morning.


I love waking up to find a mention on Twitter. @HyperspaceHippo has written an article about the project she needed the supplies help with Voyage of the Hyperspace Hippo: Creating a Gift 
What a very special loving gift she created. It's truly an honor to have met her and helped with this gift. Sales aside, this is really what Twitter should be all about. Making friends, creating relationships that, even though online, have the power to touch you. @HyperspaceHippo did that today.

Solid Copper Lob Clasps 5/$2.79

Filiagree Puffy Heart $2.99

Just Joined a Great Team - Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST Team

I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined the best supply street team at Etsy. Here are a few things from the team members. If you create it they have everything you could possibly need to make it. Check out all the ESST Member shops for all your creative projects.

While shopping, don't forget to check out all the new wire, findings and beads available at A Beaded Affair

So, Where do You Store Your Copper Jewelry?

A Copper Jewelry Box of course!

These beautiful boxes are the work of Ana Maria Enciso.

"In my work I seek to recover the folklore and joy of the Andean people."

"I was born on April 17, 1952. For 24 years I have dedicated myself to

metalwork in the city where I got married to an able smith, from whom I

learned the art of working with silver and plaques. Today we have a

small family business, in which my children are also involved, and... Read the rest of the story here http://www.novica.com/itemdetail
/index.cfm?pid=118131

This is from the site Novica -

NOVICA unites you with more than 2,000 extraordinary master artists around the world. Read about their lives, explore their

fascinating cultures, and select from more than 30,000 handcrafted works

of art.

...in association with National Geographic.

Even if you aren't searching for something for your home this site is full of eye candy from artists all over the world.

Basic Copper Smithing and Flame Painting

Can't wait to play with this, although in the clip he mentions 6000 degrees as the temperature of the flame, I found this great video that is a copper wire groupies dream. "Basic Copper Smithing and Flame Painting" is available through a number of different venues. I located it first on Total Vid and the reviews give it high marks for brazing but low marks for flame painting, something I really wanted to get ideas about. There is a short clip on the site to give you an idea of quality too.






This next site won't teach you how to smith but it is sure pretty to look at. Coppersmithing by Sian


And finally for today," Art of Coppersmithing:A Practical Treatise on Working Sheet Copper into All Forms" in paper back by John Fuller on Amazon.com.

Basic Copper Smithing can also be found on Amazon for purchase.


Now, my next goal is to find lessons on Flame Painting. I can just imagine wide copper cuffs that look like that first picture.



Visit A Beaded Affair for copper wire and beads, Bead Store Quality at Gem Show Pricing. Discounts start at $50.00.

Didja know? Copper is Antimicrobial

Frequently I find myself surfing the net rather than doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Who doesn't right? Often, copper is my first search and this morning I found an article that might be of interest to many of us.

Search for copper and you get either jewelry, as it should be or electrical/industrial information. This morning, I got all kinds of industrial information and just scanned through, but this article and web site caught my attention. Copper.org. Could it be that there is really something to wearing copper jewelry that can make us healthier? Check out this article at Copper.org.

Historically copper has been used for its antimicrobial properties "The Hippocrates Collection, 460 to 380 B.C., to which the father of medicine contributed, recommends the use of copper for leg ulcers related to varicose veins. Pliny, 23 to 79 A.D., used copper oxide with honey to treat intestinal worms. The Aztecs gargled with a mixture containing copper to treat sore throats." From Copper.org

In light of this, if my cat gets worms, I'm not sure I'd grind up some copper to add to their food, but it does make me wonder about the jewelry we make and the claims some have made about its ability to help with arthritis, a claim that has been made for thousands of years. Studies have now been funded to find out just how many health benefits there may be from copper and it's alloys, including brass and bronze, two other alternate jewelry metals including its antimicrobial properties.

Seems to me, if I can kill germs by wearing a beautiful piece of copper, I'm in. Maybe there is more to our jewelry than we first suspected.


A Beaded Affair - Copper Jewelry Wire, Beads and Findings

Just a few updates

I am participating in the One World One Heart Blog Give Away and have a lovely pair of earrings up but you can't register here......please go to my other Blog A Beaded Affair to comment for a chance at the earrings. I have had such a wonderful response I am going to add more earrings and have more winners,....just 'cause it's fun.

Oh2122 posted on her blog today an update on the CPSIA debacle. Check it out. Finally some good news.

Jamie over at Creations by Jae is really ready for spring. She just listed a choker on Etsy that just chears me up and shakes out the winter doldrums. Check it out here Creations by Jae.




Wilma of Whilma's Whimsey has been selected to be featured in an Esty treasury today. Check out her Swirling Seas Lampwork beads on the treasury and all the other wonderful items in her shop.






Our very own Auggie Queen-Parker, mia from our Etsy social marketing group Esmarts while she makes a major move had her first sale in her shop over the weekend. I've seen Auggie's work and that's one smart buyer. Visit Auggies shop at The Queen's Jewels.







Get rid of the winter blues, there's new work from the elegant studio's of Ga'Hooletree Designs and they are just in time for the perfect Valentine's Day Gift for your favorite gal. Visit Ga'Hooletree Designs on Etsy for elite gemstone jewelry.




Don't forget to visit A Beaded Affair for high end, hand selected, individually photographed beads and 1/2 round and copper wire for all your jewelry designing needs.

Jewelry Elegance by Jill

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines elegance as that "state or quality of being elegant; beauty... resulting from choice qualities...; grace given by art or practice; fine polish; refinement; -- said of manners, language, style, form, architecture, etc."... and might I add jewelry? Grace, polish and refinement are the hallmarks of Jewelry Elegance by Jill .

I consider myself fortunate to have met Jill a few months ago when we both joined the Esmarts Team on Etsy, the number one online marketing venue for hand crafted art. Esmarts Team members are dedicated to promoting our shops and each other through social marketing. Jill is a strong member and brings style and grace to the team.

Eclectic...

Creative....

Delicate....

Dedicated to perfection...

At Jewelry Elegance by Jill you will find only the finest in gems, swarovski crystal, czech glass, sterling silver and natural copper

A California transplant in Georgia, it's easy to see West Coast freedom mixed with Southern Charm in all Jill's work. A quick trip through her blog, Jewelry Elegance by Jill , reveals a little about her life and loves. Devoted wife and mother of 3, who apparently aren't reading her blog, shame on you guys, Jill is also Momma to fur and feather babies that she adores. You must read Meet the Talker about Nika, an African Gray that keeps the family, apparently including the fur babies, entertained on a regular basis.

It has been my disticnt privilege to introduce you Jewelry Elegance by Jill and I hope you will stop by her shop and have a look around at her extraordinary offerings. You can also find Jill's work at Jewelry Elegance at 1000 Markets and This, This and That also at 1000 Markets.

Interested in selling on Etsy and learning the skills to sell successfully through Social Marketing? Visit the Esmarts Team Blog or Esmarts Team Profile to find out more.

While at Etsy, take a stroll through my shop, A Beaded Affair for top of the line, hand selected beads, findings and copper wire in hard to find 1/2 round and square.

An Affair with Beads

Christmas is coming sooner than we think and it's time to stock up for those Christmas gifts. New beads at A Beaded Affair are just the ticket. Only $6.95 per strand and FREE SHIPPING when you buy any 3 items in the shop.


Copper beads and findings at great prices. High end focal beads too?



What are you waiting for......A Beaded Affair!

Copper wire - 1/2 Round 18 & 20 Gauge, Square in 18, 20, 22 and 24 Gauge


Hand made Artisan Jewelry too!


A Beaded Affair

http://www.abeadedaffair.com/

http://www.abeadedaffair.etsy.com/

Beads, Beads, Beads and Free Shipping

What's new at A Beaded Affair at Etsy?

Beads, Beads, Beads!!!

Bead Store Quality, Gem Show Prices

Each and every day A Beaded Affair strives to bring you the best prices on hand selected, gemstone beads for all your creative needs.

At A Beaded Affair we understand the inherent problem of buying beads online.

"The pictures look great but will the beads I get look that good?"

Ours Will! and Here's Why,

The beads you see in the pictures are the beads you get. We never use stock photos prefering to take the time to shoot the strands you will get in your individual package. I will even re-shoot them for you before shipping if you like. No more guessing, no more dissappointments. You get the beads you see in the picture.

But Wait, There's More......

100% satisfaction guarantee. If you get them and you are not satisfied simply return your beads for a refund of the purchase price. It is that simple.

But Wait, There's More......

We also carry Hard To Find 1/2 Round and Square Copper Wire, solid Copper findings and soon to come Sterling findings all at great prices!

So what are you waiting for? You know you need fabulous beads. Head on over to A Beaded Affair at Etsy and tell them, Lois sent ya!