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My Etsy Shop
I'd like to share my passion and love of jewelry through my own creations in my Virago Creations Etsy Shop and my book recommendations.
In addition to my own jewelry creations for sale, I also sell some unique vintage jewelry making supplies.
BAMBOO TILES
Sustainable and Versatile
What is Bamboo? What appears to be a sustainable wood, is really just a grass! Varying in height from dwarf, one foot (30 cm) plants to giant timber bamboos growing to over 100 feet (30 m), it can be found in many different climates. You'll find bamboo growing in jungles to high mountainsides and even outside my door, here in the high, dry desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico!Bamboo is both functional and decorative. In many parts of the world, bamboo is food, fodder, a construction material and is used for making a wide variety of objects from kitchen tools, to paper to dinnerware.
In addition to the commonly found six colors, I have ten additional colors available in both my Etsy shop (http://viragocreations.etsy.com) and my eBay store. I have developed a thermo-infusion technique to permanently color the tiles with my own EXCLUSIVE CUSTOM colors - Pumpkin, Spiced Pumpkin, Salmon, Purple, Peacock Blue, Baby Pink, Dark Pink, Pine Green, Brick Red and Turquoise.
Bamboo is an organic material, so the color on Bamboo Tiles used for jewelrymaking and crafting may vary slightly from one piece to another and from front to back of each piece. These are very light weight and perfect for organic jewelry styles.
I offer SIX sizes - Mini, Regular and Super Size plus Stick Tiles with 2, 3 or 4 holes.
Bamboo tile pendants can be casual or more formal by the addition of gold or silver spacers, bead caps, pearls, coral, turquoise or gemstones. Decoupage techniques can be used to decorate the tiles with paper. The holes make it easy to embellish using wire techniques. Some artists have purchased my tiles and painted their own pictures on the tiles.
Great For ATP * Earrings * Bracelets * Pendants * Collage * Decoupage * Embellishment on Altered Books * Shade and Light Pulls * Holiday Tree Decorations
Take a look!
Different Sizes of Bamboo Tiles
Here are four sizes of the rectangular Bamboo Tiles that I have available in my Etsy shop. I also carry the Bamboo Sticks.
Pink Patterned Bamboo Tiles
Four PINK PATTERN Bamboo Tiles. Drilled lengthwise with two holes, these measure 1 5/8" x 7/8".
Part of the charm with hand altered creations is that each one is unique! The patterns on the front and back will be different. Some resemble animal stripes, while others look similar to Asian calligraphy or organic, leaf-like patterns.
My eBay Auctions
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Pearls & Nuggets
Pearls of Wisdom and Nuggets of Info
CORALThe power of coral supposedly increased when exposed to the full moon and was thought to preserve against lightening and tornadoes.
Coral was thought to quiet the waves and make the sea calm. Coral reefs protect the shoreline, so that idea wasn't completely wrong!
According to ancient lore, Perseus placed the severed head of Medusa in a bag on a heap of seaweed. The head's power passed into the seaweed, which turned as rigid and as shriveled as stone. The Sea Nymphs were delighted - taking armfuls of it back under the sea and bringing fresh seaweed up to be turned to stone (coral) by the head of Medusa.
The Romans believed coral to be a potent charm, and hung branches of coral around the necks of their children to protect them from harm. They also crushed it and mixed it with wine, as a cure-all tonic to be imbibed after their infamous debauches.
During the Medieval period, coral was used as a cure for sterility and as a charm against the evil eye.
Italian men presented coral jewelry to their beloved as a token of love and fidelity and to signify that they were engaged.
A Southwest Native American husband might present red coral jewelry to his wife so that she might bear him many children.
A note about metaphysical and healing properties of crystals and stones: Please consult your doctor or other health care practitioner if you have a health problem. While a particular stone may have been used traditionally as a cure and may have curative energetic properties, see your health care practitioner for all ailments. Any healing and metaphysical properties information is not intended to replace proper medical care, or to be a prescription, and Virago Creations and Audrey Parker are not responsible for its use or misuse.
Artisan Jewelry and Your Creative Wedding
by Louise Coulson
Artisan jewelry is jewelry designed and created by the artisan. Artisan jewelry can be can be either fine jewelry made with precious metals and precious stones or bridge jewelry made of semi-precious stones and semi-precious metals such as sterling silver and gold-filled wire. Each piece is either one-of-a kind or limited edition. The jewelry can be created just for the bride or for the entire wedding party.
A bride spends a lot of time planning every phase of wedding and gives infinite attention to detail with the gown. Jewelry is essential to the entire presentation and should enhance, but not overpower the gown. Uniquely designed artisan jewelry will give the bride a unique opportunity to present herself and her wedding party beautifully. The artisan can create jewelry to match the colors and theme of the wedding and the gowns and hairstyles of those in the wedding party.
When you meet with your jewelry artisan, take pictures of your gown and the gowns of your attendants. You will also need some samples of your colors. It is also a good idea to give the jewelry artisan an idea of the size and coloring of each person who will be wearing the jewelry. You will also need a description of the hairstyles that will be worn by the members of the wedding party.
The jewelry can be custom made for each individual with unique shapes and colors, with an eye to later wear ability. The entire ensemble of jewelry worn in the wedding can be well coordinated so each person has something unique but not clashing with the other members of the wedding party.
To be sure that you and your jewelry artisan are both envisioning the same thing, you may want to ask for some sketches of the planned jewelry before you proceed. You will probably have to pay for this because design and sketching are a huge part of the job and your artisan will have spent a good bit of time working on your behalf.
In choosing the materials to be used in the jewelry, you will want to consider the individuals and the clothing they will be wearing, but you will also want to plan the jewelry to look best with the lighting you are using in the wedding.
**** See Part 2 of this article ****
Part 2 - Artisan Jewelry and Your Creative Wedding
by Louise Coulson
Crystals come in dozens of colors and some are subtle enough so that each piece of jewelry can be a little bit different from the others and blend. A bridesmaid with blonde hair and blue eyes might look best in the palest of blue crystals while your red haired bride's maid would look wonderful in the light peach crystal.
If your wedding is in natural daylight, freshwater pearls will be a beautiful choice. These can be accented with crystals for a little sparkle. Freshwater pearls come in a subtle range of colors that can be matched to the coloring of your attendants.
Just as a general guideline, you really need only one piece of statement jewelry; the other pieces can accessorize that piece. If you have huge earrings, your necklace should be simpler and if you have a large cuff bracelet, you probably don't want a heavy necklace. Sets of two pieces are nice and you might even get away with three matching pieces, but matching earrings, necklace, bracelet, ring and tiara is just a little too much. Working with common techniques and materials should help the pieces coordinate nicely.
If you are wearing your hair down, you will want a larger earring. Hoops are usually a little too casual for such an event, but a stylish pair of chandelier earrings will look beautiful. If you are wearing your hair up, you might plan for a smaller earring, but still have a bit of a dangle so it will have movement. If your hair is worn up and you have a small earring, you may want to use a larger necklace if the neckline of your dress will accommodate it. Your jewelry artisan can create a tiara to suit your hairstyle and also to hold your chosen veil.
***See Part 3 ***
Part 3 - Artisan Jewelry and Your Creative Wedding
by Louise Coulson
You will see your wedding jewelry in the pictures for years to come. These pieces become keepsakes in the family and can be passed down through the generations. Choose these pieces with consideration toward the tradition you are setting and the timelessness that the jewelry symbolizes.
About the Author
Louise Coulson has had a checkered career as a teacher, weaver, jewelry artisan and website developer. She and her husband have moved from one construction project to another for 38 years, hence the checkered career. She uses her background as a weaver as the basis for her jewelry designs. The wire is woven, twisted, coiled and braided to create one-of-a-kind or limited-edition pieces. Her eBook, Website ShowCase is an artisan's guide for website development, maintenance and marketing. She is webmaster for the wireweavers.com and the jewelryspectrum.com websites.
Amazon Books
500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewelry (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009) 
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
500 Necklaces: Contemporary Interpretations of a Timeless Form (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
500 Brooches: Inspiring Adornments for the Body (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
500 Bracelets: An Inspiring Collection of Extraordinary Designs (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Jewelry Designers 1
The Jewels of Miriam Haskell
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $49.50
European Designer Jewelry/a Schiffer Book for Collectors
Amazon Price: $58.36 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $79.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Bulgari
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $75.00
Jewelry of the Stars: Creations from Joseff of Hollywood
Amazon Price: $33.11 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $44.95
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Jewelry Designers 2
Shamelessly, Jewelry from Kenneth Jay Lane
Amazon Price: $43.76 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $59.95
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Miriam Haskell Jewelry (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $59.95
Bejewelled by Tiffany 1837-1987
Amazon Price: $49.00 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $70.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
Tiffany Diamonds
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $50.00
Van Cleef & Arpels
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $110.00
Jewelry History 1
Forties And Fifties Popular Jewelry
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Popular Jewelry of the '60, '70s, & '80s
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
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Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book
Amazon Price: $15.96 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $19.95
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American costume jewelry, 1935-1950 (Italian Edition)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
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Popular Jewelry, 1840-1940
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
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History of Jewelry 2
BLING BLING: HIp Hop's Crown Jewels
Amazon Price: $23.65 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $27.50
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Jeweled Garden: A Colorful History of Gems, Jewelry, and Nature
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $50.00
Modernist Jewelry 1930-1960: The Wearable Art Movement (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $44.07 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $69.95
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Art Nouveau Jewelry
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
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Jewels: A Secret History
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $25.95
Collecting Jewelry
Collecting Costume Jewelry 101: The Basics of Starting, Building and Upgrading (Identification & Value Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Collecting Costume Jewelry 202: The Basics of Dating Jewelry
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
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Cameos: Classical to Costume (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $59.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $59.95
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The Bakelite Collection
Amazon Price: $40.46 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $59.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guides)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $30.00
Collecting Jewelry 2
Secrets to Collecting Jewelry: How to Buy More for Less
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $19.99
Antique Jewelry With Prices
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Collecting Rhinestone & Colored Jewelry
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Collecting Plastic Jewelry: A Handbook and Price Guide
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $16.95
Abcs of Costume Jewelry: Advice for Buying & Collecting (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $29.95
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Jewelry Links
History of Jewelry
- Antique Jewelry Online
- A great site that explains how culture and fashion affected jewelry design during different eras and the major characteristics of each period's jewelry. The Gemstones section has profiles of popular gemstones, including the metaphysical properties and attributes accorded in legends and ancient lore. The Materials section identifies the different materials used to make jewelry.
- Virago Creations Etsy Shop
- My jewelry designs being sold in my Etsy shop.
- Tudor Jewels
- Accurate replicas of Tudor jewelry from the Court paintings of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, featuring jewels, dress jewels (ouches) and hair decorations.
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- The collection covers fashionable dress from the 17th century thru present day. The V&A collections also include accessories such as jewelry, gloves and handbags.
- The Inside Story of Costume Jewelry 1840 - 1950
- The history of costume jewelry from 1840 thru 1950 from the Guyot Brothers jewelry site.
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