Blockhead Radio Artisan's Challenge --VOTE for ME, Please!

Blockhead Radio Live is holding their Artisan's Challenge, and this week one of my necklaces was selected to compete! Please VOTE HERE! Every week 60 different artisans face off in 12 different categories to see who has the best handmade item. The weekly challenge is the previous weeks winners in each category. The winner of the weekly challenge will receive an audio commercial with banner the following week on BHR. "Indian Summer" features leopardskin and poppy jasper alternating between hand-made copper wire spirals. It is listed for sale in my Etsy shop, here. I wish they'd picked another photo to represent the necklace, but maybe it was me who uploaded the wrong one. Here are a couple of other photos so you can take a good look...

Coming soon...how are YOU keeping your business going during this slower period in sales? Want to sound off on how you're making a difference in your bottom line? I'll have interviews and more information coming soon. The great benefit of featuring someone in my blog is that their success and experience can add to my own. When we share our ideas, together we have two. Let's put our heads together and see if we can figure out how to sail these often frustrating waters until the economy picks up again!

We have a WINNER!!

A few days ago I announced a contest to name this necklace that I'm submitting to the Blockhead Radio Live Artisan's Challenge, which begins again on March 23. Check out the comments on the post to see all of the GREAT name suggestions that people offered. It was a hard choice, but I have picked the one that resonates most with me, and what I was thinking about the necklace when I made it.

(DRUM ROLL PLEASE...)

I chose "Indian Summer" by Susan, of Hot Rocks Glass Jewels.

Susan said...
The first thing that struck me were the warm tones that this necklace evokes, with the reds and copper. So what came to mind was "Indian Summer", which is the warm Autumn weather that occurs after the first frost, usually September or early October up here in my neck of the woods. Good luck with the contest, it is a beautiful necklace!

Thanks, Susan! Movement, texture and color are all very important to me when I design a set, and when everything comes together as I think it should, the result is a pleasant feeling of confidence and satisfaction.

In appreciation for her excellent name for my necklace set, I'm giving her a pair of earrings similar to the ones in the set.

Help me name this necklace for a contest...

I'm scratching my head trying to name this necklace for a contest that I would like to enter. Could you help? This necklace features hand-made copper wire swirls, with Leopardskin and Poppy Jasper. I'm entering it in the Blockhead Radio Artisan's Challenge, that I heard about on RoseWorks Jewelry's blog. I've decided to get my mind off of the economy, and on to having fun with my craft, so I'll be entering contests and playing around, getting to know other crafters and enjoying myself. Personally, I've been a little blue due to lack of sales, and I know this is almost a universal feeling out there in the handcrafted arena. I also know that a little positive energy transfused into my business will stimulate my creativity and my spirits.

That's where YOU come in. I thought I'd have a contest to name this necklace, the first I've entered into any public contest. I will post when it's up for vote. The winning name will be posted on my Etsy site, my blog, and will receive a free pair of earrings made with the same materials as the necklace set you are naming, complete with the handmade ear wires and copper swirls!

I'll look through the entries on Tuesday after noon US Eastern time and choose a winner. I'd like to get the contest entry in by Tuesday evening. Thanks in advance for your participation!

Jaspers by any name are just as sweet!

The endless variety and beauty of semiprecious stones gives me a lifetime of possibilities for creating jewelry. One of the broadest varieties is Jasper. My most recent Jasper creation is with Leopardskin Jasper, Poppy Jasper, and handmade Copper coils. And here's what I found out about Jasper, specifically, Leopardskin Jasper...

From Wikipedia, "Jaguar Stone" :
Jaguar Stones are created from a type of mineral known as Leopardskin Jasper -- an opaque tan, brown, and ochre form of impure quartz. This variety of Jasper is most often found in South America, and gets its name from the leopard-like spots covering its surface. The term Jaguar Stone has also been known to refer to stone carvings of jaguar heads created by the Ancient Maya. Not necessarily made out of Leopardskin Jasper, these Jaguar Stones can still be found in Maya temples, including Chichen Itza in modern-day Mexico...

... As one of the oldest known gemstones, Jasper, in all its varieties, has long been thought to have positive mystical properties. Natural healers recommend its use as an aid in the self-healing process. Jaguar Stones specifically have been associated with shaman travel and spiritual discovery, helping their bearers traverse between worlds in order to gain spiritual growth. Among believers, a popular practice is to display a sphere made of Jaguar Stone prominently in the home to promote the flow of positive energy. Also, wearing Jaguar Stones is said to be important to the 1st, 4th and 7th Chakras, and Jaguar Stones are often moulded into jewelry.

And I just thought they were pretty! (I don't give a whole lot of time to the other stuff, but I thought the history was interesting!)

I have two other Jasper listings, one for brown Sesame Jasper with Bronzite and brass, and one for Minty-Green Sesame Jasper. Stop by my shop to take a look!