Oxidized Sterling Silver Wire

I bought some oxidized wire a few times, and then I found a nifty way to do it myself. Oxidized sterling silver, is basically tarnished on purpose, so it comes out mostly black or dark gray. I followed a tutorial online that uses boiled eggs instead of liver of sulfur (which I haven't tried). Here's a link to the tutorial: http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/basics/reference/oxidize.htm

I found this really easy to do. And it's non-toxic, which is a plus. I discovered the key was to really mash up the hard boiled eggs after putting them in the plastic bags with my silver. However, it gets egg on Everything- so prepare to wash your stuff afterward. I decided to put in wire and some other findings instead of finished pieces. Above is a pic of a bracelet I made with oxidized wire along with a pic of the tarnished wire and findings.

Back on Track

Last weekend I took the certification test for interior design (the NCIDQ). I am so glad it's over because studying was taking so much of my time. I'm getting back in the groove and making jewelry again. Here are a few of my latest listings. More to come soon! See more at www.erinposeyjewelry.com. Buy at www.ergodesign.etsy.com.

My Interview on Kim's Crafty Apple Blog

See my interview on Kim's Crafty Apple Blog! I talk specifically about my art background and my Etsy shops. Kim makes beautiful quilts. She has a shop on Etsy, too: kimscraftyapple.etsy.com. My Etsy shop: ergodesign.etsy.com

Garnet for January

I think garnet is such a beautiful gemstone. It is also the birthstone for January. My best friend's birthday is at the end of the month, and I've given her a number of garnet jewelry peices. I hope she likes garnet as much as I do! I have many lovely garnet items in my shop. I think this gemstone works as a neutral because it complements so many different skintones. You can really wear it with any other color! See more on erinposeyjewelry.com or on Etsy at ergodesign.etsy.com.

LOVE A SALE?!

Tis the season for looking for deals! I've recently marked done some beautiful bracelets, as well as holiday jewelry. These bracelets are some of my favorite pieces that have been kicking around for a while. Also, the red and green pieces I've mentioned in a previous blog about Christmas jewelry are on sale, too! As always, Shipping is Free for US orders! www.erinposeyjewelry.com and www.ergodesign.etsy.com.

In Stock and Ready to Ship!

Special Gifts are waiting for you at www.erinposeyjewelry.com! All items are in stock and ready to ship! According to the USPS website, the deadline for shipping First Class and Priority Mail in time for Christmas is Saturday, December 20th. I'm offering Free First Class Shiping for U.S. orders! So let's get shopping!

Christmas Jewelry

Looking for some jewelry to reflect your festive mood? Look no further than erinposeyjewelry.com! I have a few red and green pieces like the Holiday Potluck Bracelet and Holly Berry Earrings shown above. I also have some other wintery items, like a pinecone necklace and snowflake earrings. You will also find some earrings that feature green beads or red beads. Earrings. I wear my green onyx earrings constantly!

Green Eyed Beauty Necklace

It's pretty simple to string beads. In fact, it can be a fun project for kids- string some beads, add a clasp, and you've got jewelry! In an attempt to set my jewelry apart from all of the many, many choices out there, I like to add something special. These three necklaces feature beads that have been strung in an alternating pattern along with a little cluster of wire wrapped beads on one side. Asymetrical necklaces have become increasingly popular. Here is my take on that style. These necklaces and others can be found at my website: www.erinposeyjewelry.com. Remember all jewelry ships for Free for U.S. orders!

Charming!

Here are some jewelry pieces with extremely cute charms! These charms are brass stampings that have been plated with Sterling Silver. The diving birds are a pretty common style- I think what makes them unique here is pairing them with clusters of blue lace agate that have been spiral wrapped with sterling silver wire. The other pair features snowflake charms with ice flake quartz (which looks crackled) and smaller aquamarine beads. I think it has a soft snowy look! I'm going to list a new necklace soon with a love birds charm, faceted clear quartz and peacock blue pearls! Check my website for that, too! http://www.erinposeyjewelry.com/

Free Shipping on All Jewelry!

Right now, I am offering Free Shipping on all jewelry in my etsy shop! This offer applies to U.S. residents only, however my international shipping rates are pretty reasonable, too. Check out my website: http://www.erinposeyjewelry.com/, and my shop: http://www.ergodesign.etsy.com/!

Announcing NEW WEBSITE: ErinPoseyJewelry.com!

With the help of my darling husband, I have launched: ErinPoseyJewelry.com! Hurrah! I am very pleased to have a website of my very own :) The website organizes my jewelry into collections: earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and special occasion. Each piece of jewelry is linked to my Etsy shop. I may eventually make this website into its own shopping site. Please come visit! And please enter any comments into the comment page. I would appreciate some feedback.

Cheers!

White Elephant Sale!

On Friday evening I will have a table at the White Elephant Show at Noland on Staples Mill Rd in Richmond, VA. I will have jewelry and boxes for sale. So if you are in the area come on by! Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity and the local chapter of ASID. For more info on the show and ASID, click here: http://asidva.org/

Jewels for Mom

I have some terrific items for Mother's Day in my Etsy shop: http://ergodesign.etsy.com/. Perhaps a lovely and unique pair of pearl earrings. I make them in silver and gold. Also, I have a variety of beaded bracelets. Shipping on earrings $20 and up is free within the US. Come shop!

Showcase Day- Monday 4/21/08

What is Showcase Day, you ask? It is the day when I will have a spot on Etsy's main Showcase. I have prepared by getting some half-way decent photos together of my newest loot. (Jewelry). Here are some picture of the new stuff. So come on over and have a look at my shop on Showcase Day, this Monday 4/21/08. There may be something special there waiting for you! :)

Cover Art

A pair of my earrings can be found in Step By Step Wire Jewelry Magazine, Winter 2008 issue. In fact, my Spaqua Cluster Earrings are on the cover! Inside, I demonstrate how I make them. If you're not inclined to make them yourself (I hope you're not), then you can buy these earrings, or something similar from my online shop at www.ergodesign.etsy.com.

Texas Tapestry

A few fabulous things on Etsy.

B R A C E L E T S

Amazon Agate Bracelet
Crazy about COPPER Bracelet

I've gone a little bracelet crazy. That's my favorite jewelry item to make at the moment. Above are some of my new ones. I also have a rockin' green and copper bracelet that refuses to take a good photo. The bracelet above uses a bead wrap technique to link each bead together. The second bracelet uses wire links -some links hold beads, some are just coiled with wire. I find both of these styles are more adjustable than bracelets that are strung on wire. And adjustability is important with bracelets since wrist sizes vary from person to person. I tend to make bracelets on the large side so they can be sized down. Really, I make them to fit me so I can wear them around the house until the next creation steals my fancy!

Poster Contest Winner in the house!

So, there was a contest on Etsy... The contest involved designing posters of products available for purchase on Etsy. The posters (a total of 60) will be printed as marketing material for the website. And lucky me, my poster is one of the winners!

I really enjoy graphic work. In design school I got to create logos for my interiors projects. And my presentation boards (being nearly 2-d) needed to have a clean and "readable" quality. In this poster I tried to create movement and balance within my strict color selection. It took awhile to find things that were photographed in just blue and white. And the right blue!

TAGS!

I've started making collage gift tags to sell in my Etsy shop. The first set sold in 2 days, an auspicious beginning! I'm using cardstock, decorative paper, stickers (sometimes), and stamped lettering. So far I'm making 3" x 3" tags in sets of three. More to come!

Birdies

Birds are so in right now. Who knew? I've got a few bird related collages on Etsy at the moment. Here is my latest picture frame. Here I've used a light blue background and accents of orange. I used some letter stamps to add the word "Sweet" above the area for the picture. The exclamation point stamp helped form the "paths" for the butterflies. There are some French ephemera stickers, too. I like French, I studied it in high school, so it's my go-to foreign language. Although I don't remember a lot of the language now. C'est la vie.