Stalactite Ring

I have to admit, I am rather smitten over this stalactite statement ring by Devon Leigh from Neiman Marcus.  

It's 18 karat gold plated brass with a slice of stalactite and even some silver tone beads.  Not the fanciest materials, but nice and it sure works for me.  Sadly both my birthday and Mother's Day have passed, but you know, I can still hope for Christmas.

What have you been looking at recently?  Post a link and tell us about it!  See you tomorrow.

Searching for Statement Necklaces

I've been researching "Statement Necklaces" and have found some good ones over on Neiman Marcus's website. (Still searching for the ones that use flamework glass though!)

This one is by Oscar de la Renta and is called a "Bead Bib" For $790, you receive metallic engraved beads, metal bugle beads, glass crystals and acrylic beads with a hook clasp and silver hardware over rope. It's possible that I would be disappointed, if I saw it in person. This is pretty, but I'd like more soul.

I'm searching for websites containing jewelry with more of a handmade artisan appeal.

Can you help me out? Please post ones that you enjoy and would show me "Statement Necklaces" (with flair!)

See you Sunday. Right here at http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Design Trend: High Impact Jewelry

Hope this Friday the 13th is a lucky one for you... Here's a fun blog to start your day off right.

Periodically, I enjoy looking at Neiman Marcus's website. I like to see what clothes they are showing at a relatively high price point and what kind of jewelry is in their seasonal collections.

Right now, they have a category called "high impact" which I think is perfect for all of us glass artists. I think many of us make high impact jewelry, without knowing what others call it.

So head over to their jewelry section here. You'll have options- necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings.

I am now wondering whether any of you are already making high impact jewelry ...and how about commenting and including a link to it. We'd all love to see what you make. Nothing like a little pre-weekend chance to market some of your work. TGIF everyone.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll be teaching bobblehead Christmas ornaments tomorrow at Flametree Glass and will take Saturday off as always. But! I will be back Sunday morning to start off the new week. See you then. http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Neiman Marcus Christmas Wish Book Is Out!

If I had my choice, the term, "bah humbug!" would be outlawed. Yes, I'm one of those crazy Christmas lovers.

It's not the gifts that I'm to receive, nor is it exactly the buying of gifts...(I'm one of those who loves handmade- both giving and receiving). But it's more the magic and child like joy of the holiday that I love the most.

So I have to say, I'm always delighted when the
Neiman Marcus Christmas Book makes its debut. You see, they work really hard to find some very unusual as well as down right gorgeous items to place inside of it.

Before writing this, I wondered if I should just focus on the "sublime" items. Yes, jewels abound, high tech gadgets and things that you will probably never need in all of your life. But instead, I chose some objects that appeal to me.

The double page of blues really caught my eye. I love the deep jewel like colors and the interesting pattern on the blouse and the textural qualities of the funky jewelry.

And what I would really delight in are the cupcake cars that are pictured below. Oh what a hoot!
This car originated at Burning Man, (another item on my bucket list-maybe someday I'll be the oldest person in attendance) and was designed as an art car that tops out at 7 mph. Oh how I'd love to toodle over to the grocery store in this sweet little vehicle and putter around the neighborhood giving little children and fun adults a nice ride. It only retails for $25,000.
Maybe it's time to start buying lottery tickets?

So give it whirl and stop by the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

And I'll see you tomorrow. Right here, http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Musings On The Importance of Name & Reputation

Every so often I visit the Neiman Marcus website.  Sometimes it's just to dream over some of their clothes and other times it's to see what they are offering in the jewelry section too.  (I drool over some of it.)

I was thinking about it this morning and their Glamour Heart Pendant by  Baccarat.  The tag line says, "Baccarat: A long-standing tradition of excellence in exquisitely crafted crystal and glassware."

This little Valentines Day necklace has the following features "Ruby full-lead crystal, Sterling silver, 1 1/8"H x 1 1/2"W & Handcrafted in France."

This little baby retails for $225.00

I wanted to contrast it with this cute, but relatively unknown winged heart that I'm offering for Valentines Day.

•  Two colors of glass

•  Will add Sterling if requested

•  Handcrafted in Atlanta, Georgia

•  Glass from 2 Continents, not just one.

•  Name of actual artisan known

This little baby retails for  $19.00

Okay, so it's not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but I think my slightly quirky heart measures up just fine.

And I know that I need to build my name  and reputation.  Because honestly I think Bacarrat's product is beautiful, but our lampwork hearts and other offerings are creative and wonderful in our own right.