I must mention something I’m rather happy about.  In the past couple of months my jewellery has been featured in three Etsy treasuries.  For those who don’t know, an Etsy treasury is a collated list of favourite items that have been curated under a theme by Etsy sellers.  It’s a bit of a privilege being featured in a treasury – especially for jewellery makers, as there are literally millions of pieces of jewellery on Etsy.

As you can tell, I’m a bit chuffed.

The treasuries are:

Black Jewellery from Australia, curated on 9 July by Alofashion, a Melbourne-based designer of headbands and more.  It features my wonderfully stylish and understated faceted black onyx necklace with a sterling silver toggle clasp – perfect for office or catching up with the girls wear.

Big in Japan, curated on 2 August by Shop Style Vintage from Baton Rouge in Louisiana. This treasury showcases my lustrous hand knotted Japanese Akoya pearl necklace, along with some wonderfully eclectic Japanese made and styled items.

And last, but definitely not least, the wonderful Maddo has featured an item she favourites in her lovely Fade to Grey treasury, curated on 7 August.   The particular necklace features a hand made pendant in hammered sterling silver and is adorned with white and black (well, they’re dark grey) pearls.  It’s a stunner and she has very good taste.

Here they all are:

In other news, I’ve recently been interstate (again), although this time was tinged with sadness when my husband’s brother passed away just three days before his birthday.  He had been ill since earlier this year, but it’s never an easy thing to deal with.

On our return to Tasmania we’ve commenced a building project to convert a barn-style shed into our house and I’m also on the hunt for clients as a freelance communications specialist (my other life), particularly in the area of writing, editing and proofreading.

One thing I can say about life right now is that it’s not dull.  I just can’t wait to sit down and finish some stone set pendants I started about two months ago!  Patience is a virtue.

I’ve been working with Samara for a couple of weeks now, answering questions and writing about myself for this feature.  She’s been so supportive and has enjoyed my story (and work) enough to go ahead and publish the bio, with photographs of my work.  I’m honoured.  I’m worthy.

So without further adieu, dear readers, why not pop across to Samara’s blog and have a read.

Today I worked with metal clay and made three pendants – one using a mould I made from one of these shells gathered from a local beach.

This is the shell – you can see there’s still some silicone stuck to it:

The inspiration

I used the end of the shell to press into silicone and ended up with this mould:

The end of the shell in silicone

The silver clay was pressed into the mould, then popped out and dried on a sort of dome shape, before being sanded to smooth out the edges, fired and blackened.  I actually made two shells, but one has fine cracks through it.  I’m thinking of selling it as a second as it’s still really interesting and quite sturdy.

The two shell pendants

So this shell has been on an adventure and will soon be worn around someone’s neck.

Three stages of a pendant

Here’s another silver clay pendant I made today, also available on my Etsy store.

It’s kind of an off-centre pseudo retro pendant, once again oxidised and finished with a satin buff.  It’s entirely unique – just like the person who’ll one day wear it.

Until next time, peace and love xx

I photographed my new Akoya pearl set first (I decided to sell it as a set because I have limited stock of Akoya pearls and they are just made for each other) and put it straight up on my Etsy store.

Japanese Akoya pearls and sterling silver necklace and earring set

It was certainly very good timing, as within a few hours of listing this set it sold to a woman in Melbourne who knew my shop in Sydney Road and who has purchased Bella Moon jewellery in the past.

Apparently she’d been watching my Etsy store in the hope of purchasing a gift for a friend’s upcoming birthday.  When she saw this set it was just what she’d been looking for and bought it on the spot.

Lovely black Akoya pearls on sterling silver leverbacks

The beauty of how this first sale happened is, for me, the fact that she is a former customer who’s returned, albeit online and not off the street.  Either way, return business is an extremely positive sign.

The item was posted to her within 24 hours, so hopefully she’ll be very happy with it.

Japanese Akoya pearl tin cup necklace on sterling silver

Apparently, it seems, I’m a rule breaker.  I confess to being an innocent rule breaker, but I guess ignorance is not a form of defense in this case.  Thankfully someone notified me of my rule breaking before someone else came and broke both my arms, or something equally as tragic.  It’s like this:

Facebook Promotions Guidelines, last revised May 11, 2011, rule #three states:
You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism.  For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant. 

And just to rub it in, it reiterates:
You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.

and again:
You may not use Facebook’s name, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, or any other intellectual property in connection with a promotion or mention Facebook in the rules or materials relating to the promotion, except as needed to fulfill your obligations under Section 2.

Section 2 basically says that if you do hold a promotion on Facebook (that is one not involving liking a page), you must make sure you mention clearly that your promotion is not related to Facebook in any way, shape or form and do it through Apps or a canvas page or tabs page.

Not having the time to explore what these other mechanisms are, I’m afraid my official promotion can no longer be.

That doesn’t mean I won’t send a gift as promised to my esteemed fans of significant numbers, but you have to contact me personally by email through the contact page on my business website: bellamoon.com.au or via my blog’s contact page, which you’ll see in the tabs above.

Just remember, it’s not a Facebook Like Promotion.  It’s just that I’m very nice.

Image source: Oglobo

From start to finish the show was bright with energy, colour, light, movement, comedy, thrills and all the things you’d hope for in a circus performance of the Cirque du Soleil calibre.  Even the audience interaction, which I hadn’t expected, was highly entertaining.

Image source: Denver Post

So often the difference between expectation and reality is vast, but this performance met – exceeded in some cases – everything I’d hoped for.

The performers’ skills sometimes defy belief – I mean, how can a person get flung off a large seesaw, do several twists 30 or more feet in the air (the distance is a wild guess, but it looked extremely high from where we were sitting) and land on a not very big padded mattress.  How can four performers control elastic bands while flipping, twisting and bouncing and then land on a little trapeze bar high in the air with such grace and perfection?  How can a man ride a bicycle upside down, backwards, while sitting on the handlebars?

Image source: Bloomingmind.org

Okay, I do have some answers – lots of training, great choreography, very tight (and highly important) teamwork, plus, in some cases, an insanely strong stomach.  Oh, and don’t forget those lean and very fit bodies.

I must say though – experiencing the creativity and fun at work is very inspiring.  Particularly the colour and movement.

For one who works with a lot a very monochromatic palette it may just be what I’ve needed to add a little more vibrance to my work.  Hmmm … enamelling could be fun.  Stay tuned (but don’t hold your breath).

Until next time dear friends, may you experience a little magic xx

This morning I finally managed to coax my daughter into putting on some earrings for me to photograph.  We didn’t have much time before she raced out the door, but now I have three earrings being modelled by Maya for my Etsy store.

Here they are:

It’s quite amazing what a difference a person makes.  And such a lovely one at that.  Watch out for more of Maya modelling my jewellery.

Update: Facebook Like Promotion

It’s been one week since I started my Facebook drive for more Likes.  I’m aiming for 200 and have jewellery gifts for likers number 100, 150 and 200.

I started with 55 likes and that has climbed over the past week to 69.  So it’s off to a slow but steady pace.

A big thanks to the lovely people who have shared the link and encouraged people to know my jewellery.  I still need your assistance though!  Please share my Facebook link and encourage your friends to like my page.

This is not just about feeling loved, but about sharing my beautiful jewellery with the world!  I’ll be honest here – I’m running an online business so I need for people to know about it and this is a powerful way to spread the word.

Ciao from Bella Moon until next time.

Be well, be happy and be loved xx

New and relaunched dangly earrings by Marti

There is something about sexy dangly earrings that makes my heart sing and my knees go weak.

I guess this is one of the reasons  I tend to make (and wear) them a lot.

Earrings are probably one of the most versatile additions to your wardrobe and a striking, visible pair of earrings can focus one’s attention to your face, which is made even more beautiful by your lovely dangles twinkling in the light.

I’ve recently made some new dangles and decided to relaunch some designs I had at my shop in Brunswick that were popular with my customers.

Enjoy the view and keep your eye on my Etsy shop for the whole shebang (some pictured above, some individuals in the slideshow) to appear for sale soon.

Facebook Promotion Update – Counting to 200

I’m counting on you, my dear readers and friends.

I now have 60 friends (Likes) on Facebook, but the aim is to get to that magical 200.  Go ahead, Like Bella Moon now and be one of the current promotion winners (numbers 100, 150 or 200 will win pearl jewellery) or be in the know for future promotions, insights into fashion and jewellery and and new designs by Bella Moon.

Cheerio xx

Bella Moon shop on Etsy

New Etsy online store link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaMoonJewels

There have been some changes in the land of Bella Moon.  Due to continued technical issues I have moved my online store to Etsy and am also in the process of setting up on madeit.com.au. I actually set up an Etsy store prior to opening my Brunswick shop, so it was all there and ready to go (albeit with a few updates).

The reasons?  Firstly, my online store setup just wasn’t doing what I wanted it to.  It was slow and tedious to upload images and fill in information, plus the shipping options were very limited.  I also couldn’t put immediate payment facilities in very easily (Paypal etc).  The solution was to go to these established online store environments that work like a dream.

Secondly, the networking opportunities and people involved in online selling was too hard to resist.  Running an online business can be rather isolating, so having forums and other people to bounce off who are in similar situations is worth its weight in gold.  There are some fabulous people out there – creative and savvy and I’m blessed to be meeting them anew.

I still need to find a way to get my Etsy Mini (a link with images of what’s for sale) loaded onto WordPress (my blog host).  Blogger has the capability, but having just moved my blog from there I don’t want to go back again. If anyone knows how to do this, I’d love to hear from you.

Facebook Promotion Update

Just to fill you in on the first 24 hours of new promotion, which is to have 200 Facebook Likes by the end of June.

It has started slowly but surely.  Bella Moon’s Facebook page gained all of three new friends yesterday and a lovely comment from a beautiful woman who purchased a pair of pearl and sterling silver earrings from me recently.

Sierra earrings: white freshwater pearl and hand formed sterling silver ear wires

Jane said: “Beautiful, elegant & contemporary jewellery for all ages, sophisticated and stunning – a must have!”

Jane purchased the Sierra earrings (left).  I currently have three more pairs, which will be available for sale in about a week.

They need a .925 hallmark stamp on the wires – it’s so tiny I’ve had to have it custom made and it’s on its way from America. (Jane is aware of this and, being a local, will have her earrings stamped as soon as it arrives.)

I’m convinced Bella Moon can make it to 200 Facebook Likes before the end of June.  Spread the word people!  I need your support.

Oh, and for the record, if you want to follow Bella Moon on Twitter, feel free to do so.  I’ve just started using Twitter, so still getting the hang of it. Here’s a link directly to my profile:

twitter.com/#!/BellaMoonJewels

Until next time … ciao.

White coin pearls or round pearls could be yours if you Like us on Facebook

Bella Moon has gifts for people who become our significant like numbers on Facebook for the month of June.  Our mission is to gain 200 likes by the end of the month.

Lovely white round pearl earrings on sterling silver hooks

I have three lovely gifts to give away and all you have to do is Like Bella Moon (yes, those three words are a link) on Facebook, then contact me by filling in the short form below and in the comments field, just write either: 100, 150 or 200 (depending on what number of likes you are).

The gifts are:

The people who are lucky like numbers 100 and 150 receive a pair of single 8mm round white freshwater pearl or white coin pearl drop earrings on sterling silver hook ear wires.

Like number 200 will receive a pair of your choice of round white or black freshwater pearl or white coin pearl drop earrings, plus a matching pearl pendant on fine sterling silver chain.

Please make sure you check the number of Likes on my Bella Moon Facebook page before clicking.  The number will change once you’ve clicked ‘like’.

The items will be shipped free worldwide in a lovely Bella Moon gift box.

This coin and freshwater pearl pendant on figaro chain.

Don’t worry if you’re not the three lucky likes.  If you keep up to date with Bella Moon through Facebook, you will hear of all our specials, competitions and gift giveaways in future.  Go ahead, Like us now.

[contact-form]

By the way, I’d like to make the process easier, or just add a Like button to my blog – but don’t know how.  If you can let me know how I could do this I’d be very grateful!