Spring/Summer Travels!

If you know me personally, you know that I'm a travel-aholic.  If I had the funds, I'd travel all over the world.  I absolutely love to meet new people and experience fascinating cultures.  With that said, its official, I'm heading to EUROPE!  Yes, my friends, all over Europe for 3 weeks!  I can't begin to tell you how incredibly excited I am.  Not only that I get to travel, but that the main goal of the trip is to stock up on new gems, new metals and be insipired to create new designs. 

Many of my current designs are European inspired as it is, but I'm always on the up and up with style, so this trip is a necessity if you will!  One of the cool items on my agenda, is that I will meet with a renowned Polish Artisan, who handcrafts Amber jewelry in Poland.  He's been featured in galleries around the world.  He will personally show me the ropes, his process, his tools, his inspirations.  I am beyond thrilled!  Perhaps this will be my transition to metalsmithing?  Only the future can tell!

While I travel, I'll keep my fans updated on my where abouts and excitements on facebook.  I hope you'll follow along in my joys of travel.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cute-Jewels/160672377292503

I found out some interesting facts while planning my trip.  Did you know, only 37% of US citizens have passports?  In 2010, statistics showed that 50-60% of Americans have never left the country in their entire lives, never.  Wow!  So many people in other countries would die to travel (they can't leave their countries due to rules/laws/government), and we have the awesome freedom to go nearly anywhere we please and we don't exercise it.  Travel folks, the world is so beautiful!  People are so beautiful & kind to travelers. 

With that, here's what I'm listening to right now.  It's got a cool beat, makes me want to do a road trip!
Train - Drive by

New Year, New Designs

Eeek, the cobwebs have spread all over my blog!  I got so immersed in new designs for 2012, that I've neglected posting here.

After the Holiday rush was over, I took time to recollect my thoughts, re-evaluate where I am, and where I want CuteJewels to be in 2012.  I'm getting back in touch with my original creative inspirations that actually founded CuteJewels.  I started making jewelry, as I could never find the exact item I wanted in stores or online.  I wanted simple, but I wanted modern.  I wanted simple silver to wear to work, but I wanted modern to go out on the weekend. 

With that said, I'll share some of the pieces in my ETSY SHOP that are new in 2012.  Many (and I mean many!) more to come soon as I re-connect with my simple modern theme.  Will this mean less gemstones in my work?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Maybe it will be incorporated with much more silver and sleek lines.

This is my new fav.  Its simple, its modern, its dark yet classy.

Simple matte elegance.

I LOVE this color, and the modern contrast of oxidized metal.

Here's the mixture of gemstones to silver sleekness I was referring to! 

Beautiful matte flowers adorned with moss amethyst.

Modern glam.

Simplistic design.

Citrine Gemstone - Lovely for spring fashion

Well... Valentine's is around the corner.

Last, but not least, my new design for a Summer Necklace.  I expect this one to be "hot"!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

While some reflect on the items they are thankful for on Thanksgiving, I actually save this special task for Christmas Eve.  While its not here just yet, I'm already prepping a list of items and people I'm blessed to have in my life.  You my dear reader, are on my list as well.  I'm thankful for the roof over my head, my family of course naturally, but I'm also thankful I have freedom.  This time of year makes me think of all those serving in the armed forces, who are unable to break bread with family.

We've had a long fall season here in Chicago this year.  And while fall is my favorite season, I do look forward to fresh snow on Christmas, which it seems won't happen this year.  I remember being a kid, and waiting for those snow days...just to hear "school is off", and then run with friends in mountains of snow, slip, fall, get up and do it all again with a smile on my face.  Ehh, I've aged!  If it snows, while looking beautifully, I now think of traffic, of possible accidents, of the cold, of slipping and falling on dangerous ice.  When did I age?! lol  I miss being a kid and having a care free life.  Kids now a days don't quite have the same care free time.  Instead of snow ball fights, its facebook quarrels, instead of sitting at a friends house to chat and sip hot cider, its text messaging.  Ahh what I would give to turn the clock back....

Thanks for reading through while I reminisce about the good 'ol days.

Wanted to share a very cool video with you:

In the spirit of handmade...the wreath pictured at the top of this blog is handmade by a wonderful artist from:

http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your support and kind words all throughout 2011, see you in 2012!

Fabulous Holiday Season

Yikes, its been a while since I did a blog post.  Excuses, excuses I have many, lol.  In all seriousness, most of November I spent time in the studio creating new pieces, some one of a kind items, some earrings which will be a new staple in my Etsy Shop. 

The past week has been intense to say the least.  A TON of orders got out.  Some pretty cool and interesting international destinations like: Sweden, Spain, Canada, Japan, UK, Afghanistan, Germany.
Both Afghanistan and Germany are to US military bases, but the Germany one is a love story!

A young guy, fell in love with a chick in the US.  Then he was sent overseas :(  They "dated" via Skype!  About a year and a half ago, she went to Germany to visit him briefly.  That's where Cute Jewels comes in!  The guy purchased a fancy cute pair of earrings as a welcoming gift, she loved them...and him :)
Well time has flown, their love flourished.  Awww, I'm getting teary eyed!  She is coming to visit him again in Germany this Christmas.  He has a pretty cool plan.  She thinks this may be the proposal, so he's going to keep her guessing for a few days.  Each day he plans to present her a jewelry gift, as she'll probably think its "the ring".  Patience is virtue he says.  Cute Jewels' earrings are one of those special gifts in the pre-Christmas days.  I'm touched by the story and so glad I could be part of it.

Do you have a cute story you'd like to share?

Lots of new listings

The past month has been intense.  I've been busy creating new designs for the upcoming Holiday season.  Lots of new gemstones, some more flashy earrings for Holiday parties, just lots of exciting items I'm happy to share with you.

Can you keep a secret?  I have 1 big sale a year, and its literally just days away.  The promotion is HUGE!  Its a great time to get those gifts on your list checked off, and of course some *extra* sparkle...so treat yourself too!  All the jazz starts November 23rd.

CuteJewels Shop

MOD - with Vessonite Gemstone

Black Diamond Sparkle

Swarovski Crystal w/Cubic Zirconia

Modern Coral Sterling Necklace

Feminine Labradorite with Gold Flowers

Moss Aquamarine Poppies

Swarovski Silver Night Heart

Intense Blue Flash Moonstone Gemstone

Soap Bubble Effect - Teardrops

Bermuda Blue Swarovski Heart

Rock Crystal Quartz - GLAM

Last, but not least!  NEW Swarovski Crystal for 2012!  Available in LIMITED QUANTITIES!

Fall Designs - Fall Sale

I think I mentioned this before, fall is my favorite season of the year.  The mix of a crisp breeze with the beautiful colors of falling leaves just puts me in a happy place.  Some people view fall as the season of everything dieing, while plants do, I think of it differently.  The freshness in the air is energizing, no more hot heat, no more humidity, just freshness.  This of course has inspired me to create quite a few designs, more than I have in any recent months. 

Check out my new "cute jewels":

Cute Jewels Shop

Apple Pickin'

You know it's officially-unofficially fall when you make a trip out to the countryside to go apple picking.  This Labor day weekend was filled with tons of outdoor events, from bike trips through the cool forest to apple picking in Wisconsin (about an hour north of Chicago).  We went with some close friends, and had an *awesome* time.  Delicious apples straight off the tree (we ate a few as "tasting measure" while picking!), a ride on the tractor, sweet corn on the cob, and most importantly fresh country air.  A city girl needs it too :)

Here's where my corn on the cob came from :)

Very family friendly farm!  Peaches were all picked last month, but tons of apple varieties.

Organic Apples, can it get better than this?

The Gingergold variety was a new one to this orchard, juicy sweet, perfect for eating and baking with.  I'm going to make apple pancakes tomorrow with these!

I think it's no secret I love handmade... so this interesting hand wrought wooden chair sparked my interest.  Despite not looking like it, it was comfortable to sit in.  I can imagine a farmer sitting on it in like 1960, watching his orchard, and kids run around the green grass. 

Honey in the making!  (I love sitting oustide, on a cool fall afternoon and sipping on tea with honey)

Lots of fresh air, lots of fun, with family and friends, its what life is all about :)