Famous Jewelry Collections: THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Monday, April 11, 2011

THE BEADING GEM'S JOURNAL

Magpie Gemstones' Fabulous $145 Tourmaline Gemstone Giveaway

Posted: 11 Apr 2011 04:17 AM PDT

I am definitely hyperventilating just looking at the picture. This fabulous tourmaline giveaway is from Szarka (Dianne) Carter of Magpie Gemstones. Tourmaline is a much sought after gemstone because it comes in a wonderful array of colors. The most prized colors are green and deep pink - watermelon tourmaline (see my past post below).

I've never been able to afford more than tourmaline chips. But one lucky winner is going to receive these Grade A tourmaline tear drops - 42 of them all! These are drilled end to end and are 9mm long by 7.5mm wide. A conservative market price for them is $100. The gorgeous pink Grade AA tourmaline cabochon measures 20 by 15mm and 9mm thick and is valued at a minimum of $45. The combined value of this giveaway is at least $145!

Impression Jasper Cabochon necklace

I first came across Szarka some years ago through her inspirational jewelry blog and have since featured her designs as well as her wonderful video tutorials.

Wild Horse Turquoise (actually a magnesite) necklace

She has been a wire work and gemstone artisan for almost 2 decades and it shows. She was born in Alberta but is now based in Texas. Her blog also tells the story of how she went full circle from studying geology, to social work, to selling crafts and gemstones from a customized pink school bus all over the US to her business today.

Tiger Eye Tree of Life Necklace

Shown here are a few of my favorites from the many featured on Szarka's blog. She says it's a place "where I hide the jewelry my fingers make from the images of my soul."

Kingman Natural Nuggets leather necklace

Her journey as a wire artisan has taught her many things. She adds, "Wire is the ultimate way to discover humility. If I approach it with a feeling of smugness or surety it teaches me quickly that it is in charge. If I cajole, beg and hope it will do what I want it to, most times now it will listen. Not always though. It is kind of like life."

Turquoise Heart Necklace

Giveaway
To enter this fabulous giveaway, all you have to do is make a comment below. Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower or also on Facebook Fan page or Twitter. Please say so in the comments. The giveaway ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, April 18, 2011. I will pick a winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to come back and check! Good luck!

Past Posts featuring Szarka's Work and Tutorials

More on Gemstones

For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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Using Up Your Beading Wire Scraps for Earrings

Posted: 10 Apr 2011 03:30 PM PDT

I usually like to cut a generous piece of beading wire when working on the project. The leftover bits are saved for future designs. One way to reuse them is with this Cluster Earrings tutorial by Bead Studio.

What's different about this design is the knotting at the bottom of each dangle rather than crimping. The use of a short piece of straw to help with the knotting is also clever.

Got lots of beading wire bits? Then check out this gorgeous necklace tutorial that might make you cross-eyed with all the crimping!

More Tips, Tricks and Tutorials

For more tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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