Happy New Year!  I haven't put these earrings  in my Blood Moon Rising shop section on etsy.com yet, because I wanted to preview them here.    As always, these earrings are Kauai made.  I will try to have them there by tomorrow if anyone wants to view details about them.  I made these earrings with that comfy sterling chain I spoke of in a previous post, so you know that a matching necklace is coming soon. 

The pearls, cz accents and genuine Swarovski crystals under the pearl butterflies convey pure elegance.   In honor of  The Vampire Diaries, I would like to think that after the character of Damon broke the sire bond with Elena, he would give her earrings like these for Christmas.  Christmas gifts between Elena, Damon and Stephan have not been shown in this CW series, but of course, I always imagine what gifts these characters would put under their Christmas trees. 

Back to these earrings.  Some consider the word elegant to be a word that describes the character of Damon, played by +Ian Sommerhalder.  That's why I used these sterling hooks with cubic zirconia accents to give these earrings a little more sparkle, along with the tiny Swarovski crystals at the base of the butterflies.  The butterflies symbolize Elena's transformation and growth as a vampire, and the character of Damon clearly stated that he'll take her as human or vampire.  He loves her either way.    But butterflies have wings, so they also symbolize Elena being released from the sire bond by Damon. 

You know what they say: 
"If you love something, set it free..."

Until next time,
Susan

So I made these Jesus earrings a week ago.   Yes, another item that is Kauai made!   I do list name jewelry on my etsy.com page, which is under Tabby's Intuition, but I don't have any name jewelry posted there yet.  This was a custom order that I did using 18 gauge round argentium wire with low lead Austrian crystal accents.  I also made the argentium earwires.  Argentium is great for people who are allergic to copper, because sterling has copper in it.  Argentium has sterling and geranium, and the sterling is a higher silver content in argentium.  I haven't heard of anyone being allergic to argentium yet.  I've just notice that the heart on the right needs to be turned up...now I've fixed it!  Pictures show what the eye doesn't immediately see!

Another great alternative metal is niobium.  It comes in various colors, and is considered very hypoallergenic.  When I make earrings with this metal, I will post it here.  I have very sentitive ears, and I haven't been allergic to niobium.  I like the dark colors like copper and black colored niobium.

Now, a word about the mid season finale of The Vampire Diaries!  I am inspired again to make a piece of jewelry in honor of this episode.  I don't know if I will make it based on the character of Stephan finding out how "together" Damon and Elena are, or the conflict between his own heartbreak and loyalty for his brother that Damon has for the character of Stephan.  Of course, when I make it, I will post it here!  Then it will be in my Tabby's Intuition etsy.com shop.

Yes, and here she is, our JRT after knee surgery about one month ago.  This was the first night of her surgery, which went well.  She was in pain here, as can be seen on her expressive face.  Now she is still hopping sometimes, but she is mostly using her left foot by running and jumping like she used to when she was younger.  

More Later,
Susan

So I made two things with silver filled wire in the last two days.  I am calling this the Mother and daughter Trees of Life in honor of The Vampire Diaries.  The smaller one is itty bitty, and the smallest tree I have ever made.  I would like to imagine that Katherine Petrova would have found a way to get the smaller tree to her baby girl who was given away at birth.  The amethyst chips on the bigger tree are a darker shade of purple.  Before making these trees, I had only made the trees in argentium.  The birthstone of February, amethyst is thought to have protective properties. 

I am liking the pearls that encircle the bottom of the bails of these trees, but future trees may have other beads or even snapsets.  The fun part about making these trees is twisting the branches, adding the leaves and gnarling the roots.  There is also something spiritual about finishing a tree.  I like all the trees that I make, but the purple ones are my favorite.  The first tree I made was a copper amethyst tree.  A photo of this trees appears on my hangtags and will also appear on my banner for when I do craft shows, although after today, I don't know when I will be ready to do another one. 

I have noticed that delicate chains are in vogue right now.  At a recent trade show, I bought a few feet of the most comfortable delicate chain that I have ever worn.  I haven't posted anything on etsy.com using this sterling chain, but when I do, I will post it here.  Both of the chains in these photos are sixteen inch chains.  These Trees of Life hang very close to the throat.    I want to make more of the itty bitty trees with different colored leaves.  

...and every three thousand years, the Tree will produce a single peach.  Whomever shall eat from this fruit shall have eternal life....