March COUPONS ! ! !

Happy almost March!  The time of year when we all are just a wee-bit part Irish and look forward to Spring.  Green items to arrive soon to the store, including charms, charm bracelets, etc.  In the meantime, sorry, no pretty pictures.  *HOWEVER*, willing to share a coupon code : )

10% OFF your purchase at the store (does not apply to shipping costs!)
COUPON CODE: 0313PATTY12
From now, Feb. 28th, 2013 until midnight (Eastern Standard Time), March 12th, 2013 (or possibly 7am the following day if I fall asleep) - you can enjoy 10% off.  So go head, feel lucky, and check out the items at the store!

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

Mercury Dime Pendant, black waxed cotton necklace

Mercury dimes have a pretty neat history.  They were only made for a short time between 1916 and 1945.  Interestingly, the design created by Adolph Weinman was that of a young Liberty and given the name Winged Liberty Head dime.  However, the common name, the 'mercury dime', stemmed from the confusion of young Liberty with the Roman god Mercury.  The backside depicts fasces (yes, I had to look that up!), which is a bound bundle of wooden rods that represents strength through unity, and olive branches which signify peace.

Makin' jewelry AND learning history. Best. job. ever.

Mercury dime necklace, recently listed on Etsy.  If it has sold, convo me and I can make another!

Mercury Dimes

E-6000, great, but *ufff* it smells bad.  Working with resins and glues and wishing it were 80' outside.  Much better ventilation working on the porch!  But alas, finishing up some pieces.  Then its off to coordinate with stones, chains or beads - it all depends upon the piece!

Mercury dimes turned into pendants and charms . . .

A pair of mercury dimes a client wished to be made . . .

Found a break in the past week to devote some time for inner-peace jewelry making.   Between sicknesses in the house, parties at the school, catching up on laundry (who knew a family of 5 could produce such a mess!), and home projects - I was feeling a bit overwhelmed!  After a quick upload to Etsy, today was spent napping and playing board games with my kids.

Did you know?  According to Wikipedia (hey, if its on the internet, it has to be true, right?) Jet is a "minor" gemstone, in that it is derived from decaying wood under high pressure.  The adjective 'jet-black', meaning as dark a black as possible, derives from this stone.  It is wonderfully lightweight, which makes it terrific if you want stone earrings that are a true black, and not too heavy.  Just worked a custom order with Jet beads... wonderful working with the customer, the creative process, and the final result!

Thank you everyone for entering in the sweepstakes!  Names have been entered into a hat and randomly drawn.  Congratulations to the sweepstakes winner:  Westley Moore!  Was so much fun doing this, I think I'll have a fall sweepstakes!!!

Happy February!  Starting off the month giving out a little love....  15% OFF your total purchase from now until Feb. 2nd midnight (eastern time zone)...  Enter Coupon Code 1321SAVE15