In the Christmas spirit

Christmas is a special time of year where we all are trying to find the perfect gift for our loved ones.  Sometimes the ones closest to us are the hardest to buy for.  That's one reason why I love creating hand stamped jewelry.  Each personalized charm is a reflection of you.  I want you to tell your story with the A Charmed Life Designs charm necklaces.  This Christmas I had a special request from a friend of mine that has been blessed with 8 of the most wonderful kids I know.  This one tells her story....

My New Favorite!

I've got a new favorite piece this month that I thought I would share with you all.  I wish I could take the credit for the design!  My client really liked my Eternity Circle Charm necklace and my Wax Seal charms.  After just a couple of minutes we figured out that if we got a larger eternity circle charm the wax seal charm would fit in the middle.  She added two birthstones to give it some color and a little jingle.  On a 30" chain it really turned out awesome!  Let me know what you think!

Holiday Open House at the Becker's

School's Back in Session!

For those of us in the southeast school is back in full force.  My twins just turned 12 and have opened a new chapter in their book of life....middle school.  My 7 year old is now in the second grade and was cautious his first couple days of school.  First time he's been on the school bus without his big brothers.  After two weeks he is now enjoying his new found freedom.  Like most moms the first day of school is the best day of my life.  After putting all three kids on the school bus, my husband and I spent the day together.  I couldn't help but to skip around with a big smile on my face. Again, like most moms, the kids are settled in their school routines and I am back to missing them during the day.  I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures of my boys today.

Braided Leather Bracelet

I make a lot of necklaces but just recently I had a request to customize our braided leather bracelet.  The stamped heart on the bracelet is hand stamped with strength, courage and wisdom on it.  I was asked if I could stamped a name on the back of the heart. Very rarely do I ever stamp on back of the charms.  When I strike the stamp with a hammer, depending on how hard I hit it, there may be an indention that shows through on the other side.  In other words, it wouldn't look very good.

My client suggested stamping her niece's initial in the middle of the heart.  Well, as you can see, it turned out beautiful. Thank you Liz from Guelph, Canada

Dog Tags for Mom

My cousin, Ashley, has triplets.  They are about 15 months old and are the cutest, smartest little people ever!  She has 2 boys, Gianni and Tanner and 1 girl whos name is Ella.  Ella has found her place in the world and that is being in charge! She is hilarious!

So Ashley calls me and says she wants some dog tags.  One with her and Todd's wedding date on it and the other with the babies birthday on it.  It turned out so cool that I had to show everyone.  I will definately be adding this one to my website!!

Gifts For Girls

One of the hardest things to do is try and find that perfect gift.  With spring right around the corner there are lots of opportunities to buy a gift for someone special. A friend of mine called me yesterday and needed a gift for an eleven year old girls birthday.  Her idea was a monogram necklace with a princess crown charm.  PERFECT!

 Having the round charm monogrammed with her initials gives her gift that personalized touch that you just can't buy off of the shelf at the local Target or Sassy's. For only $32 you just can't beat the quality of the necklace. It is made of sterling silver with a pewter princess crown. 

Easter, First Communions and Mother's Day are just a couple of reasons to give personalized hand stamped jewelry as a gift. You just can't go wrong!

http://www.acharmedlifedesigns.com

Wax Seal Jewelry

I'm not going to lie to you, this is not the easiest thing I have ever done but when the wax seal charm is done, it's gorgeous!  Many clients ask me if I make them myself... Of course I do! I want to show you how the process works.

I use a PMC that when heated to a certain temperature will turn into pure silver. I use these wax seals to stamp the clay. This is what it looks like before I torch it.

I am particular about the shape so before I torch it I will file it to make it more rounded.  Then I put it on my block and fire it with my torch until it turns a glowing orange.  It will cool faster if I pick it up with my jewelry tweezers and dip it in a cup of water. 

I take my wire brush and burnish it to clean it.  I use my files to file it more until it turns out how I like it.  The worst part of the whole process is giving it that vintage look by oxidizing it.  WOW does it stink!  I use Liver of Sulphur in a very well ventilated area!

Punch a whole and add a ball chain and you've got a gorgeous wax seal charm! Because each wax seal charm is made by hand no two are alike which makes your a One-Of-A-Kind.  How cool is that?

Happy Valentines Day!