My Christmas Earrings

As there are many feet of snow, I am going for a blue and white decor here for Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Etsy :: Elizabethjewelry :: Sterling silver cabachon earrings Aquamarine

Mother Daughter Look a like contest

Would we win? This is THE Elizabeth of Elizabeth Jewelry!

America's largest Christmas Bazaar

Anybody wanting two for one tickets to the Worlds Largest Christmas Bazaar please email me at mollyrahe@elizabethjewelry.com with your mailing address and I will send you some for free! This event is here in Oregon:  Click on a photo to see it larger

Elizabeth jewelry will be there showcasing the one of a kinds along with the best sellers!

Carnival Necklace

I adore this colorful 18" 14K gold filled necklace. It is available in my Etsy shop.

Voting

I feel such a sence of duty, obligation, freedom, joy, headache, right and responsiblity about voting. I am going to go spend some good time in my prayer closet and then do the deed. tonite.

wire wrapped eyepins

Jewelry designers ~ How long does it take for you to wire wrap 10 eyepins?

Thanks for voting! Amazing! It takes 10 minutes or longer for exactly 50% of polled people to wire wrap the 10 eyepins.

That is EXACTLY WHAT I HAD ESTIMATED BEFORE THE POLL!

Big news regarding this will be announced in the next 6 months!

O.K., I fell for the cuteness!

I don't normally go for the super cute, but I found these photo's on National Geographic, and fell in love! Please tell me what you think of these fuzzy lovable animals!

Paul Newman - We will miss you!

I have never considered myself a "fan" of any celebrity or actor. I have never written a fan letter to anyone. I did not have boy posters up on my wall as a teenager.

Yet last Saturday Morning, I found myself in tears over a perfect stranger. I could not believe that I was crying over someone whom I had never meet, only watched on the screen. It felt so silly, but I could not help it. 

Yes, he was know for his ama

zing generosity, his huge heart over the less fortunate, his passions in life, and his famously dazzling good looks. 

But untill 4 years ago, Paul Newman was just a distant blip in my radar. A name I certainly knew, and thought well of for sure, but nothing to get emotional about.

Four years ago I was in the library, looking for a movie for the kids and I to watch. A few really, as my husband, Marty, was away on a business trip for a week. He often goes away for a week at a time for work. We are close, and really miss him a lot. He is a great fun big kid that we all enjoy and look up to. So I come across a movie, "Cool Hand Luke". My eyes go large as I take in the picture on the video cover. Silently, I show my kids the video. They both stare. Finally, Betsy says " I 

did not know Marty acted?" Cameron says "No way! That totally looks just like Marty!". I agree. We check out the movie. At home, I study the character Luke, and notice his behavior, his cadance of speach, his attitude. Marty 100%.

Apparently I married a young Paul Newman and did not even know it....

Yes, I can see the differences. Paul has a different chin, his nose is slightly straiter, etc.... but the simularities are still there. The same height and build. The same hair. The same facial structure. The same piercing blue eyes, and my favorite, his smile.

So when Marty got home from his trip, we showed him the movie. He did not see so many simularities in how they look, but more so the his attitude. HE LOVES Paul Newman, gets a real kick out of all his movies. 

The kids and I then took it upon ourselves to borrow every movie available at out library (that is a lot) that Paul Newman has made. We generally only view then when marty goes away for a work trip. We are much happier with the "Original" version of Marty, but somehow, watching Movies of Paul Newman gave us some kind of substitute when Marty, daddy, was away. A reminder of someone we loved, and knew loved back.

Marty had just gone away on a business trip last Friday. So that night, we all cuddle up in out bed and watch "The Long Hot Summer". That is the one in which he falls in love with his wife, Joanne Woodward. The kids and I fall asleep before it is over. Right at the part where Ben Quick takes over

 in the general store. In the morning, I go to my computer to check my email, and see that Mr. Paul Newman has passed away. So I cried, and called Marty. Or tried to call as Marty left his cell phone in the cab.... 

I was 20 minutes late to a trunk show as I could not stop crying long enough to put on my makeup.

It is like when Betsy cries at the end of "Cool Hand Luke", or any of the many movies in which a character that Mr. Newman plays dies. She gets all upset, and yells at her dad "Why did you have to die?" She KNOWs the difference, she is 12, but the emotions are the same.

So an actor that reminds me and my family of my husband has sadly died. I have never been a fanatic, and I hope this does not seem too wierd. It seems a little wierd to me. But I seem to remember my mother crying over John Lennon. 

We humans are a bundle of  strange and complicated emotions. Mr. Newman charity's has inspired us too. I have always hoped one day that I could offer my line of jewelry as a 100% to charity business, like Newmans Own.  I want to do this before I grow super wealthy, we just want  to be able to support ourselves with one income. Marty is going back to school to get his engineering degree to make that possible. 

"I picture my epitaph," he once said. "Here lies Paul Newman, who dies a failure because his eyes turned brown."

Film Critic Pauline Kael wrote in 1977 about Mr. Newman, "His likeableness is infectious; nobody should ever be asked not to like Paul Newman."

A Late, Great Movie Star - The New York Times

Bachelorette Meredith Phillips models Elizabeth Jewelry

Elizabeth Jewelry gave Meredith her first modeling job! She is just so beautiful! Yes, these pictures are about 6 years old! I did make all the jewelry worn.

Pumpkin

My sleeping Kitty

Multnomah Days Show

My wonderful customer wearing a sterling circle set I hand hammered. $31.95 each piece.

It was 104 degrees when this picture was taken! WOW that was a hot day!

Jewelry featured on AOL StyleList!

Indie Designer Interviews: Elizabeth Jewelry - Stylelist

I am thrilled to find that Elizabeth Jewelry has been featured on AOL's StyleList! Very excited! Pleaase check out my interview.

What were you doing 20 years ago?

20 Years ago I had just graduated from Beaverton High School. I was enjoying a sultry summer in Knoxville, Tenn. My mother had just moved there and wanted my company. So I scored a basement apartment in a grand mansion on five acres on a lake, complete with pool, tennis courts, manicured gardens, a pro tennis player living in the cabin near the lake, and a groundskeeper named Ted that took care of the many Pot Belly Pigs. The owner of the house was rarely there, she spent her time divided up between her 5 houses spread throughout the world. She was known as "The Pig Lady", as she had a fondness for them that extended far beyond simply having them as pets. She had her entire house decorated with them (except for the basement apartment, thanks be for that).

Everything that was a "thing" was piggy. There was pigs woven into the carpet, pigs on the fabrics of the furniture, curtains, tableware. The skillets were shaped like a pig. She had pig nick nacks and pig shaped doorknockers. It was simply facinating.  Aside from the pigs, that estate was easily the most luxurious place I have ever lived. 

So I went to work for Monet Jewelers that summer. I learned so much from that company, and it helped shaped some of my policys I now employ in Elizabeth Jewelry, My own company. Such as the lifetime unconditional guarantee, and quality first. I was just a sponge for new information. I loved it!

This Friday I am going to my 20th High School reunion. It is hard to imagine that I am that old. I still feel 18. Only wiser, and there are no pigs in the yard. 

Pumpkin ~ The Art Cat

Just look where her paw is going! My cat has gotten into the habit of slowly walking across my bead table. She carefully puts each paw into a cubby hole, often where the beads are. Amazingly, there has been no spills! 

New EARRING COLLECTION

Send me a email if you want these before they hit the stores in late July

Alien Flower

Does anybody know the name or anything about this flower? It is growing in our back yard.

100% charity Auction - Baccarat crystal

Baccarat France Crystal Stamped Ashtray great quality! - eBay (item 150262055169 end time Jun-28-08 16:06:56 PDT)

Cecily Ink - Great Portland Paper Products

Cecily Ink founder Alex Wijnen has always loved paper. It’s a medium that has inspired countless wedding invitations, gifts and custom cards for family and special occasions. As a graphic designer and owner of her own design studio (Defteling Design), printed paper has been her business for more than 12 years.
In 2006 Alex created the Fresh Style Card File as a holiday gift for her graphic design clients. The response was simply overwhelming: clients clamored for more of these beautifully functional card boxes for their family, friends, and colleagues. A new business was launched.
The name Cecily honors Alex’s grandmother Ceciel – a name that has been passed down through a family filled with strong, creative women. Design-savvy, hip and bright, Cecily Ink’s products are a reflection of Alex’s Dutch heritage and years growing up in Northern Europe.
Cecily Ink was born from a life-long passion for modern, elegant design and everyday beauty. A personal favorite is the Fresh Style card file. You get 12 exquisite handmade cards for only $25.00. Apparently it is actor Dennis Quaid's favorite too!

Bag Ladies, Too, is a  division of henriDesigns in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina. Very close to where the Biltmore house sits in all its splendor, with a view of the blue ridge mountains. The artistic mind behind this handcrafted handbag company is a mother and daughter team. You can find their shop at   Etsy :: Bagladiestoo :: Bag Ladies, Too

I adore the extremely well made handbags they make. Details like magnetic clasps and double stiching and fully lined with loads of compartments. They are also very affordable high quality beauties!

What Joy! At the Portland Gift Show

last Weekend was the Portland Oregon Gift Show. We attended as exhibitors with both our sample line and one of a kinds. We had a blast! There was so many wonderful people there, the booths next to us were all just the most lovely people. We bought, sold, traded ( You can be guaranteed Jelly Bellys in your package everytime you order!). All in all a very fun and successful event. We will be at the October show!

This is a great article I found on how to target the best market for people with disposable income:

Targeting Tweens & Teens

Blue Kitty Miniatures

There is another Artist that is showcased on Etsy that I am honored to be in company with.

Carol, the creative mind behind Blue Kitty Miniatures, creates the most amazing tiny creations. They are not only very lifelike and realistic, but are just delightfuly cute as can be! These make for great collectables, as there is quite a following for her pieces. 

They can be used for a dollhouse as a very special feature, or for a  gift for a special friend. I for one, want the Herbal Magic Book!

Made With Polymer clay - many of the

m are closely based on real life cakes and her source of inspiration is always recipe books and cake shops. Collectors in America, Canadam Hong Kong and all over Europe have purcahsed these lovely miniatures. Her work has been featured in specialist Dolls House magazines. Please visit her shop at: Etsy :: BlueKittyMiniatures's Profile

Claydame

It is wedding season again and I am pleased to offer my top reccamendations. If you are anything like me, you love to give 

unique high quality gifts that 

reflect the couple's style yet dont need to be put 

on a high interest charge account. 

Last month, when my friend's wedding was fast approaching, I looked online to their wedding registry. I saw plenty of widgets and bland "Made in foreign country" tableware, and was about to run to the mall using at least $7.00 in gas, when I had a last minute thought! Why not try the awesome gang at Etsy? It is all handmade and I bet you might even find someone willing to mail it asap.

Well, I really lucked out! I found an awesome top notch clay artist by the name of Claydame,(Sandra). Her style is so very classy and natural. I can't imagine a more well recieved gift. There is an organic feel to her pottery that undertones the well made substance. The green vase I bought is a beautiful neutral that will go with everyones decore. This is the kind of well crafted pottery that is passed down to many generations. I can imagine the bowl holding candy that a grandaughter always knows is there under the lid. The vase will hold many hand gathered flowers lovingly picked from the backyard to adorn the kitchen table every birthday.

In short, Claydame's Pottery is the safest gift you can give for weddings or birthdays this summer. It is just simply a style that most people would pick out for themselves and enjoy. You wont believe how affordable her prices are either. Go visit her shop here today! Etsy :: claydame :: Handmade Pottery by Sandra

Good Day Oregon - On The Go With JOE!

Yesterday Elizabeth jewelry was featured on our local Morning news show! Good Day Oregon KPTV Channel 12 in Oregon had their feature reporter on site at my studio from 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M! Joe and I discussed the jewelry I made for the Portland Rose festival Princesses. We had a total of 6 interviews and about 4 teasers. It was great fun, even thought I had to be up by 4:00 A.M! 

Joe was instruncted by me on how to make the earrings! It was very funny, and all you jewelers out their know how funny it can be when you are trying to teach someone how to wire wrap for the first time! He was insistant that it could be done without pliers! I wish we had footage of what went on behind the scenes! 

You can see the link to it at :Elizabeth Jewelry - On The Go With Joe News Story - KPTV Portland  I am still hoping they will put up the footage of the show, maybe today!

Portland Rose Festival Princess Jewelry

This is the jewelry that the Princesses will be wearing to their many appearances. You too can wear jewelry that is worn by royality!! Sold at :Etsy :: Elizabethjewelry :: Elizabeth Jewelry

My Work Space

Pumpkin and I