Photos are getting better

I think that the photos are getting better what do you all think

New and beautiful

There are many new items posted on the website www.totaldelights.com but the one that to me is the most striking is the pair of earrings that Deb made and the photo of them, in fact I placed them on the home page. The photo is great and shows the earrings off so well, That I had to place them on the front. I love to change things around on our front page because I feel that reflects who we are always changing. We have so many flavors to our designing. That I hope that everyone will be able to find things that they like.

Magical moments

This fun handcrafted bracelet is made with 3 beautiful lampwork beads that have great swirling in them. Then gold freshwater coin pearls and plum pearls. Handwired with sterling silver and Swarovski crystals 7 in of magic. Will soon be found on www.totaldelights.com

Red again

You gotta love the Red Hats.

My passion for pearls part 2

So you all already know that I have a passion for pearls and this handmade bracelet is no excemption. It is made with the most wonderful cranberry red freshwater pearls and then a Bali sterling silver bead framed by black swarovski crystals and I am going to have a hard time parting with this one. It will soon be posted on www.totaldelights.com so come by and check it out.

Dragonfly bracelets

So this is one of the latest dragonfly bracelets, that was recently ordered and just shipped out. To date these bracelets have been our best sellers. These are wonderful handcrafted bracelets that we offer made to order with a birthstone color.

We also offer a copy of the waterbug poem/story with the purchase of these bracelets.

The Water Bug

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more. "Look" said one of the water bugs to another,"one of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?" up,up,up it slowly went.... Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. It's friends waited and waited but she never returned. "That's funny!" said one water bug to another..."wasn't she happy here?' asked a second...."Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third....no one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.....Finally one of the water bugs gathered it's friends together. "I have an idea, how about the next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk, promises that they will come back and tell us were he or she went and why!" 'We promise they said solemnly.One spring day not long after the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening he had broken through the surface of the water and fallen into the broad and free lily pad above.When he awoke, he looked about with surprise....He couldn't believe what he saw. A startling change had come over his body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled he felt an impulse to move his wings.... The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from his new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself above the water. He had become a DRAGONFLY! Swooping a dipping in great curves he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the newatmosphere.By and by the new dragonfly landed happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why he was right above his old friends the water bugs! there they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before. Then the dragonfly remembered the promise. Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water...... "I can't return!" he said in dismay. "At least I tried, But I can't keep my promise. Even if I could go back not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess that I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too.Then they'll understand what has happened to me, and where I went," and the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air......Author Unknown

Red Hat fantastic

So Deb has our done herself this time with his new Red Hat necklace come and check it out at http://www.totaldelights.com/

As promised

The Red Hat collection is now up on http://www.totaldelights.com/ it is just the beginning there is much more to come.

Do you know any Red Hats?

The Red Hat Society is where there is fun after fifty (and before) for women of all walks of life. they still believe silliness is the comedy relief of life and, since they are all in it together, they might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, they share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes them next. To us this seems like a wonderful group and we are going to start to design jewelry for them. There is the fun and funky costume jewelry out there but this group even though they may be fun and light hearted still deserves to have some handcrafted jewelry that is quality and will last and still make a statement about who they are. So to you Red Hats out there we tip ours to you. You will find the Red hat collection at www. totaldelights.com next week.

a little gold

So a little gold is in order for the day This set is made with cherry quartz and freshwater pearls, swarovski crystals and brass spacers and then a gold vermil clasp. The matching earrings are made with the same things except for gold filled wires. This set will be posted in the next few days on www.totaldelights.com

Passion for pearls

So it's out I have a real passion for pearls, just about every shape and color. They have always been a favorite of mine when in high school I bought my first "real " piece of jewelry. You guessed it a pearl ring. I still have that ring. But for me pearls are the best, you can wear them out to dinner, dressed to the nines, or with a pair of jeans. And today they do come in every shape and color. And the picture above is some pearls I just got in the mail today. But I had to take a picture before dividing them with Deb. Check in at http://www.totaldelights.com/ and see the wonderful pieces made with pearls and more. But don't forget to check back in the weeks to come and see if you can spot the pearls that are pictured above.

Early bird

Ok so it is time for a new coupon and are you ready, better make sure that your sitting down. . . . Ok so I'm messing with ya, but it is time for a new coupon and the deal is FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50.00. now you add that to the fact that your items come ready for giving and what more could you ask for to really get a head start on you shopping. Just type in, you guessed it early bird at check out and you will be on your way to enjoying the season stress free and finished early. http://www.totaldelights.com/ There are 83 days left till christmas but more like 70 if you shop online. check out this countdown till christmas site http://www.christmassantaclaus.com/clock.asp

I have been struggling with taking a good photo as of late and for selling jewelry goes that isn't good. I just made a new light box and I hope that will help. I need to get a light source from the top worked out and then I hope that it will be better. But for now things will just have to do. The above necklace is new and has yet to be posted on the website that will be done in the next day or so, I guess this is then a seek peek at the new things to be posted

The black and gray necklace is made with ceramic hearts and Bali Sterling Silver, The black rounds are actually Swarovski pearls they are called mystic black and have the glossy look instead of the pearl finish.
The pink necklace is made with a beautiful pink dicrohic glass pendant and is very hard to do justice in a photo. It also has sterling silver and chinese celestial crystals.
The bracelet is made with red bend jasper and blackstone the center has a bold Bali sterling silver bead that is framed by the beautiful beads.
These all we be listed soon on www.totaldelights.com check in and see what else is new.

Total Delights

Total Delights

Total Delights

Total Delights

Total Delights: Citrine

Total Delights: Citrine

Gift wrapped and ready to give

The other day I talked about sending orders out already for gift giving. I just posted the above photo on the website and have made some other changes. We are excited about this and we hope that it will help with sales for the holidays. The other changes are some gemstones listed on the home page and links to the page that you can find these stones. I hope that this will help people find things that they might be searching for or make them want to look around at the differnet stones. I also posted about the coupon for fall. But don't worry if you can't buy before the 1st of oct we will be running another one. Don't forget to stop at http://www.totaldelights.com/ for all your holiday shopping.

New things to come

The first picture is a new turquoise that is going to be great to create with. Can't wait how about you. Make sure you check http://www.totaldelights.com/ in the weeks to come to see jewerly made with these great stones.

These are some of the new beads that we are going to be making new jewelry from. We are so excited to get them in the mail and start creating.
The second picture is freshwater pearls they are a beautiful rose pink color
Thethe third picture is Mookaite a great stone for fall designs and we can hardley wait.

The last stones are called Indain scenic jasper and it is a new stone that we are going to have alot of fun with the fall trends is anything with chocolate brown so these are going to be fun.

The following are social bookmarking sites and if anyone uses these please mark our website.
http://www.simpy.com/
http://www.blinklist.com/
http://ma.gnolia.com/
http://www.shadows.com/
http://www.furl.net/index.jsp
http://www.wists.com/

Summer nights may be gone but this beautiful necklace isn't, you can find it at www.totaldelights.com it is made with Black onyx, yellow turquoise, blackstone finished off with Bali sterling silver it is 18 1/2 inches.

would you like this

The time is coming for thinking about Christmas shopping. And we are going to offer to have the items bought to arrive ready to give. I wanted to know if this is something that you would like. Do you think that it can help with sales . We are so excited for the shopping season to begin. We hope that things will be very busy and that we will have the chance to build a customer base. I know that we have a great website and that we have a great product. We also like that we have a wide variety of items. Sometimes when you go to a site they make wonderful things but the only down side is that they have their favorite way of creating. I call it everything the same favor. But the one thing that we have going for us is that Deb and I love to create in many different styles and we have very different tastes so you can find something for everyone at www.totaldelights.com

Fads. Trends and Classics

Fads, Trends or Classics
They say that every woman should own a basic black dress, Why because of the versatility of it.
The many functions that it can be wore to. Mixed with a jacket to make a different look, add accessories and you have possibly more looks. So to the subject of this article fads, trends or classics. Just what does that mean for todays women and her jewelry. What does she want to have in her collection, the latest fad, this seasons fashion trend or the really classic pieces?
So lets examine all three. First fads,
A fad refers to something that becomes popular in a culture relatively quickly, but loses popularity dramaticallySo is there a place for fads in your jewelry collection. Yes but I recommend not spending a lot on the pieces. Those pieces that everyone is wearing. And yet they’re maybe that one piece of fad jewelry that you love. That you can see yourself wearing over and over. That’s the piece that you want to invest more in especially if you’re sure that it won’t end up in you daughters play clothes chest. . Now not all fads become trends, And thank goodness that many don’t, if they did just what would the goodwill store’s sell. We have all had our share of fads, the things we look at later and think just what was I thinking. The picture we wish was never taken. Thank goodness those jewelry fads don’t stay with us too long. That something else moves in to take its place. It is arguable that a fad that remains popular for a significant amount of time typically loses its significance in current popluar culture as it evolves and becomes accepted into a society's everyday culture as trends (e.g. televison, internet, music, video games.) One fad that moved to a trend and I believe has now made its way to a staple of jewelry designs is the Y necklace in 1995 you could see it on the necks of many celebrities, so then everyone wanted one. But soon the Y necklace is being made from every type of material, chains, crystals, gemstones and many more. So now you have a fashion trend.
The current trends in jewelry are deep, warm, regal hues, also clear crystals and even natural elements like wood, which was big in the summers hottest styles. And the current trend in metals is toward warmer toned metals. Bright and Shinny metals give a modern look, while the browns of antiqued metals give the dreamy feminine look. The other trend is mixing elements velvets with cottons. Multi-strand chains with different styles and sizes of chain. Ribbon, natural fibers and even yarns will make the fashion trend this fall. One of the biggest trends in handcrafted jewelry was the chandelier earring. They are being slowly replaced by some longer, leaner styles. The stiletto earring will be the thing this fall. To me trends are the pieces that go with more than one outfit that have the versatility to be worn day evening. But more than anything I believe that trends in jewelry are made more by you than anyone or anything. Your personal taste, determines what is a trend for you. The pieces that you own that if broke, you just have to replace. The look that says you that your friends when they see, say Susan would just love that. The fashion forecasters may decide the colors of the new designs and the type of fabric that those designs are made in. But they can’t decide our personal tastes. So what is a trend to you, is it the thing that you have to have because everyone around you has one or is it the style that suits you. Something that you feel better wearing. The design that you love and want in every color, and material that it is made in.
And now to classics to me these are the pieces that as they say never go out of style. The simple diamond post earrings, a knotted string of pearls, you get the idea. These are the pieces that you invest in that you plan on handing down to your children the ones that you grandmother and mother left to you. They are the ones that are given for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas and any other special occasion. Your first diamond is something that a woman never forgets. I just gave my girls their first diamond. A diamond pendant that was made from my mothers wedding ring that was left to me. This is the classic piece that will endure though all the fads and fashion trends that may come and go. They will go with those pieces because we love them and they have that special meaning in our lives. I have heard it said that a woman will spend a little money for the fad, even the trend. But the classic piece is the investment that she will have and enjoy. Wear with pride and know that she is always in style. So the bottom line is fads, trends and classics all have a place in your jewelry collection every woman has the right to feel good about herself and the things she wears. Remember to have fun and enjoy your treasures.

About the Author: Diane Brixey is a self taught jewelry artist and co owner of the website http://www.totaldelights.com/ Her work can be viewed there and she can be contacted though emailed at doubledee@totaldelights.com

What is the secret of Swarovski Crystal Pearls? The unique Swarovski Crystal Pearl technology. Each Swarovski Crystal Pearl is created around a crystal core, hence the name Crystal Pearl. This crystal core gives the pearl its ideal weight and combined with the Swarovski Pearl coating it causes each Crystal Pearl to glow from within. The pearl coating developed by Swarovski is applied around the crystal core in pearly layers.
Why are Swarovski Crystal Pearls so Valued? The optical and haptical perfection. The high specific gravity of a raw pearl made of crystal gives the Swarovski Crystal Pearl the same weight as a cultured pearl. A Swarovski Crystal Pearl feels good to the touch and as a piece of jewelry, it offers that sensual experience valued by pearl enthusiasts.
Swarovski pearls are of highest quality. The weight and precision-centered holes ensure that when the pearls are skillfully hand-knotted, the strandage is balanced and hangs softly. The special coatings on the pearls are lead-free, resistant to perfume, sun rays, perspiration and wear.
Swarovski Crystal Pearl Colors

White
Cream (Medium Ivory)
Powdered Almond (Matte Finish)
Gold
Maroon
Midnight Blue
Olive Green
Silver
Baby Blue
Pink
Light Cream Rose (Light Ivory)
Apricot
Bronze
Burgundy
Purple Velvet
Moss Green
Dark Grey
Powdered Rose (Matte Finish)
Cream Rose (Cream with Slight Blush Tone)
Antique Gold
Copper
Dark Brown
Mauve
Tahitian
Black
The handcrafted necklace and earring set can be found on www.totaldelights.com

Diane & Debbie's jewerly blog: Something special for Fall

Diane & Debbie's jewerly blog: Something special for Fall

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite Gemstone
Description: Rhodochrosite is commonly found in the form of stalactites and stalagmites. Rhodochrosite gems help to develop inner freedom. The gemstone neutralizes the destructive behavioral patterns that restrict personal growth. Rhodochrosite energy works with you to build healthier patterns.
Color: Solid to Clear Pink
Hardness: 3.5 - 4.5
Source: Romania, Spain, France, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Germany, Italy, South Africa, U.S.
You can find the above bracelet at http://www.totaldelights.com/

Citrine

Citrine
Citrine is one of the most affordable gemstones, thanks to the durability and availability of this golden quartz. Named from the French name for lemon,"citron," many citrines have a juicy lemon color.Citrine includes yellow to gold to orange brown shades of transparent quartz. Sunny and affordable, citrine can brighten almost any jewelry style, blending especially well with the yellow gleam of polished gold.In ancient times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.Although the darker, orange colors of citrine, sometimes called Madeira citrine after the color of the wine, has generally been the most valued color, in modern times, many people prefer the bright lemony shades which mix better with pastel colors. Citrine is generally more inexpensive than amethyst and is also available in a wide range of calibrated sizes and shapes, including very large sizes.Most citrine is mined in Brazil. Supply of citrine is good from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, particularly from the Serra mine, which is producing 300 kilos a month of hammered goods. The Ira’ mine produces an additional 100 kilos a month of hammered goods.Sometimes you will hear citrine referred to as topaz quartz, which is incorrect. This name was used in the past in reference to the color, which is sometimes similar to the color of topaz. Since topaz is a separate mineral, this type of name can be confusing and should not be used. However, citrine is considered an alternative to topaz as the birthstone for November.Since most citrine on the market started its life as amethyst which was heated to turn its color to gold, citrine jewelry, as well as amethyst jewelry, should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat. With this precaution, citrine jewelry will last for many generations.

Technorati Profile

Something special for Fall

OK something fun for all we have a coupon that is good for the website. You just have to type in the words fallfun when prompted at check out and you will receive 10% off your purchases over $50.00. This coupon is good till the 1st of Oct. So now is a good time to make those early Christmas purchases.
The necklace above is called Spicy nights and is made with Leopardskin jasper and Blackstone and Brecciated jasper also Bali sterling silver see more at http://www.totaldelights.com

Autumn jasper: protects against negative energy

Jasper Gemstone
Description: Jasper is a member of chalcedony family. Jasper is used in healing mental stress, aids in grounding and offers protection. Jasper gemstones can align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies.
Color: Multi-colored, Solid. Yellow, Orange, Brown, Green
Hardness: 6.5 - 7.0
Source: Worldwide
The jasper gemstone is a popular gemstone amongst birthstones, daily gemstone and planetary gemstone traditions.
Jasper is the talismanic birthstone for the month of January.
The hebrew, russian and italian birthstone for the month of March.
Jasper is the mystical birthstone for the month of September.
Jasper is the planetary gemstone for the star sign Aries.

You can find the Autumn jasper bracelet at www.totaldelights.com

So we are starting our adventure in this world of handcrafted jewerly and have found it to be a crazy place to be in. The creating of the website was a challenge but at the same time something that we am so proud of that we can say we did it ourselves, We did have some help from some friends the picture on the top of the site was edited and as we call it tweeked by a dear friend that is a wonderful artist that lives in Brazil, this internet thing is really wonderful.