I have been so busy the last couple of days between finishing up all my jewelry orders that were due before Christmas and actually getting ready for Christmas.

December is a crazy month in our house anyway. My husband's birthday is Dec. 15, my daughter's in Dec. 21st. (pictured next to me) and my son is Dec. 25th. Christmas day you read it right.

My gorgeous daughter turned 21 on Sunday. So I have been busy helping her usher in her legality.

My house is all abuzz with holiday festiveness and birthday business.

But I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all my fellow bloggers and jewelry designers out there a very Blessed Holiday.

Christmas Rush

Oh the weather outside is frightful, as the song goes but all of us I am sure are trugging alone trying to finish out holiday shopping. I am done thank god, but just have to wrap everything.
Christmas is always a special time of year for us because my son Vincent was born on Christmas day so on top of all else I have to make him feel extra special and not "jipped" in anyway that day. No small feat I might add. Usually we have the mad rush of openning presents, family comes later, more opening of presents. It has gotten smaller over the years thank god because 8 years ago when I first moved into my house all I saw was a sea of wrapping paper 10ft deep.

Usually after dinner, I clear the table put out the birthday tablecloth and then we switch into birthday gear for my son, who by the way I would have named Nicholas in a heart beat if I didn't have to follow tradition and name him after my husband, If I had had a girl that day trust me she would have been named Noel. The way I look at it it is a sign to be born on Christ's birthday and my son is a very special little boy.
Wishing you all Happy Holidays.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the holiday season fast approaching I have had many sleepless nights working on all my designs trying to get them ready for the holidays.

I am so lucky that I enjoy what I do otherwise it would become so tedious.

I hosted my annual holiday jewelry show last week to the delight of all my friends and neighbors who egearly await my newest creations.

They are my biggest fans and costumers.

I do alot of custom work because my costumers once they get a look at my work want jewelry in every color. Which I oblige them without remorse.

I have to say I gravitate to marcasite alot because I truly think it's elegant and timeless. It has that antique feeling.

I also like sterling silver pendants that I can get "funky" with the beads that I string around them.

Well, please visit my shop for that something special for the Holidays.

Wishing you the very best.

Now that Thanksgiving is over the mad rush for the Holiday season is here.

I tried to get all of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving but of course there is always one or two items that I still need to get.

Today I put up the Christmas tree. Even my tree has an artistic flair to it this year.

This year instead of the proverbial tree base, I put the tree in an urn. Yes, I said an urn. It's gorgeous and up off the floor.

The whole tree is gold and white. So pretty.

Well now there will be no sleep for the next week as I get ready for my Christmas jewelry party friday. Tons of things to design. Everyone anxiously awaits this show. Thank god for friends and family. They truly love my jewelry and it inspires me so.

I will be working on more charm bracelets. and earrings this week like the one's featured in this article.

Well, off to work. Remember if you see anything you like please visit my store at www.JacquelineVDesigns.etsy.com

Getting ready for Cyber Monday

Well as we all are preparing for Thanksgiving and the upcoming shopping madness that follows. I am getting ready for Cyber Monday.

I have been busily adding new items to my shop so that I have a large display for people to chose from.

Yesterday I spent the day making earrings, a charm bracelet and a new pearl necklace which is featured here.

I used coin pearls for this necklace along with 4mm pearls and swarovski crystal and I used a beautiful sterling silver toggle clasp to finish off the piece.

Today being the day before Thanksgiving I am having about 20 guests I will spend the day cooking and then tonight I will work on a few pieces.

To me making my jewelry is very relaxing. And gives my a great sense of joy when it is finished.

Well I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Here's a picture of the new pendant necklace I just finished.

It features a lampwork bead from my Shades of the Ocean collection.

I used a bali head pin and added swarovski crystals and bali bead caps.

It dangles from a gorgeous 3 strand organza taupe ribbon.

Just thought you would like to see what I was up to this afternoon.

Every once in awhile you stumble across something and become obsessed with it, or at least I do.

I belong to ETSY as I have said before and I try to support my fellow etsians as much as possible.

I found these handmade lampwork beads in a variety of colors and became obsessed.

I created a whole collection of them in different shades of browns and taupe.

Some of them look like seashells they are absolutely gorgeous.

You can see them on my website at etsy www.JacquelineVDesigns.etsy.com

Of course I had to keep one bracelet for myself because they are so amazing.

I like working with swarovski crystal also and I like to incorporate different shapes of the same color crystal. I think it adds dimension to my pieces.

Well I was up until 2am last night again.

I think beading is to some as crocheting is to others. It is an insomniacs dream.

In my neighborhood there are a group of us who go out to celebrate each others birthdays, we also play cards once a month (Pokeno) and we try to give each other little gifts for our birthdays.

So of course last night I was up making a bracelet for my girlfriend Carol. It came out so pretty.

I used a Bali bead as the focal point and then surrounded the bracelet with black onyx, sterling silver bead caps and of course swarovski crystal in clear and jet. GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it is so much nicer to give someone a gift that you created yourself. I know she will love it.

Well, I am going to spend another day creating some new pieces. Please check out my etsy shop for my newest pieces.

Have a great day everyone.

Jackie

I always find it so comforting and rewarding when working on my jewelry designs.

I have had this pendant in my possession for awhile but now that Christmas is coming I am trying to design as many pieces as possible for my show.

I don't know what it is about Marcasite but I am addicted to it. It seems to find its way into all of my pieces.

I think it's my romantic side. To me it looks like something you would discover going through your Grandmother's jewelery box. I happen to adore estate jewelry.

As you can tell I tend to do alot with black onyx. I wear black alot and so do a majority of my clients.

Basic black is timeless and elegant. Most of my creations will probably become heirlooms because the design is so timeless.

I like Swarovski crystal alot also. To me it adds sparkle and dimension to my creations.

If you would like to see this design in more detail you can visit my etsy website at: www.JacquelineVDesigns.etsy.com

A Day in the life of a jewelry designer

As anyone who is creative knows, it is a constant joy to wake up each morning feeling full of ideas and haveing that I can do it today attitude.

What's funny and frustrating is gettting your ideas across to others on this planet.

I picke"d up my first bead about a year ago and the rest is history they say.

I taught myself everything there is to know about the jewelry business. How to design, create,and bring my ideas to life.

I mentored with a local jewelry designer in the area to fine tune my skills till I was ready to go on my own. And I create a new piece every day.

I feel so full of life when I am working with my jewelry. The sense of pride to see your piece come to life.

I especially enjoy watching the reactions from people when they say: "Oh, that piece of jewelery is lovely, where did you get it" and I reply " I made it myself" shock and disbelief and then the oh my god I want one please reaction always follows.

I have to say thank god for my family and my friends who have been my biggest supporters.

I sell at least one piece a week locally from someone in the family or friends who need a special something to go with a specific outfit.

Did I mention I love what I do.

The next big find, was a complete accident but opened up a whole new world for me.

I happened to be on the internet trying to create a website to sell my jewelry when I stumbled across ETSY.

I joined immediately and started my own jewelry business.

Not to mention the people are from everywhere around the globe and so friendly.

Please stop by my website at http://www.jacquelinevdesigns.etsy.com/.

Have a great day.

Jackie