My Minimalist Side Emerges...

I have a friend that is new to Etsy. He's a graphic artist and he does fabulous work. He also is a minimalist. The proof is right here in his newest project, a 2010 desk calendar. Go to CHANCELLOR DESIGNS Etsy shop now to see more...

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

From now until Cyber Monday, you'll find all sorts of sweet little discounts, promotions, and deals tucked in and throughout the Etsy Shop. We'll list just a few of them here to get your attention. Also, follow us on Twitter to see them first!



Winter Wine Charms



OOAK Hidden Rooms Necklace



Mermaid Earrings



Valentine Wine Charms



OOAK Chardonnay Citrine Necklace

Jazz... How Do I Heart Thee

I used to have a CD entitled "A Jazzy Christmas". Not sure where it is now, but I'm pretty sure that it consisted of all the greatest jazzy holiday instrumentals known to man. I need to find that thing. After all, I'm already hearing holiday tunes when I'm out and about shopping for supplies for all of my new holiday themed projects. I better get with the retail program.

Jazz might be, in fact, my favorite style of music to jump start a creative crash session. Why is that, do you think? I've read all about how classical music is a great mind-exerciser and how it's ideal for creativity. And I do enjoy some classical. But jazz... how do I heart thee? Let me count the ways!

1. Jazz has layered texture that my brain translates into visual composition - When I hear jazz, I 'see' jazz in beads and stones and as a wearable design. Each instrument plays a design that I feel compelled to layer out and build on.

2. Jazz evokes moods - I remember the first time I saw Phantom of the Opera (the new one). I had my stones out ready and willing to make something lovely. I played off of the romance and grandeur of the music and came up with something utterly stunning that evening. I realize the soundtrack wasn't packed full of jazzy tunes, but my creativity reacts to jazz the same way it did to that movie. A mood rises to the surface of my consciousness and it must be translated by my fingers when I hear jazz.

3. Jazz makes me feel like the most elegant version of myself - Thus the "Epitome of Elegance Me" takes wild chances with color and texture and design techniques that she wouldn't were she not feeling so whimsical. That's the reason I was adamant about having most of the music at my wedding (only 3 months ago) be predominantly jazz... because it draws out the most glamorous me there is.

4. Jazz causes me to dream about what the past looks like redefined - Most of the jazz that I love most is from years gone by. And because I was not around when those songs were written, I'm aware that the world was another place then. But I, in this day and age along with my modern influences, have the pleasure of reinventing a bit of history in a visual context. I've thought, at times, about naming pieces based on the song that inspired them. The problem with that is there are so many different songs that may merge together to help me discover a design. Or maybe the song inspires 10 different designs over a period of a month. Should I really name each piece "When I Fall In Love 1", "When I Fall In Love 2", "When I Fall In Love 3", ect. Yeah, I didn't think so either.

So I'll ask the question again... Jazz, how do I heart thee? I guess I heart thee x four tonight. I could probably go on and on and on. But, unless you love jazz with the same intensity that I do, you may already be wishing I'd go back to musing about jewelry and gemstones and holiday shows. Oh, the creative process! It amazes me so.

AMAZING 48 HOUR SALE - THIS WEEKEND!

On this Saturday & Sunday, for 48 hours only, you will be able to get any pair of earrings for a flat 25% off the retail price!

Just log on to the Chrystalyn Shop (click the photo) and stock up on authentic gemstone earrings to your heart's content. All shop prices for earrings will reflect the 48 hour sale price between the hours of 7AM pacific time on Saturday until Monday at 7AM. Remember, many pieces are one of a kind so shop early for the best selection. Buy as much or as little as you like. But no matter what, make sure you enjoy the discount!!!

Gift wrap available free of charge upon request during 48 HR SALE.

$20 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR YOU!

Get a $20 Gift Certificate for online shopping just for buying this week!

Spend $75 or more from now through December 5 and get a $20 Gift Certificate to use at the Chrystalyn Jewelry Etsy Shop. Wouldn't it be great to get that gorgeous bracelet for your mom and still have a little something left over for yourself?

This offer ends soon, so get it while you can!

Let's not forget about the wine charms!!

Don't forget about wine charms! They're in sets of four and are authentic gemstones. Each set is $15 per set. If you're local, you can still check out the wine charms & ornament tree over @ Monica's Vintage Inspired this week...

Want custom??? Choose color combos, stone medleys, or theme for a set.

All Occasion Ornaments

You've not seen anything until you've seen the beauty that is Chrystalyn Jewelry handmade ornaments. Some are demure while others are downright feisty. No matter what your style, they are affordable. Prices range from $7 to $15. I'll be posting the rundown on them very soon.

Be on the lookout...

holiday- you dare say the word!

i am getting things up and running for the holiday season. i'm arranging some marketing materials as well as some new techniques. i am, yes again, revamping my website. if you've not already realized it, i am a lover of the trial and error method and thus much of my life consists of said method. i wouldn't have it any other way. so back to the website. you will now find the shopping link very useful on www.chrystalynjewelry.com. the page itself features a feed that allows the most recently uploaded pieces from my etsy site to be showcased. you click the link and you're ready to go! you'll also notice a few new links as such as custom, testimonial, & bridal. the testimonial link is all about customer appreciation. there will be photos of clients in their pieces as well as quotes. the custom section is an invitation to design w/ chrystalyn jewelry and also makes reference to repair work. and finally, the blog page is an actual page rather than a link to a page. w/out leaving the site, you have access to the most recent jewelry blogs @ your disposal. alright, enough jewelry plugs for now.

i am also excited to say that i'm going to be rockin' it roadtrip style to kansas in a few weeks. if you or someone you knows would appreciate chrystalyn jewelry, please feel free to get them in touch w/ me. i'm more than excited @ the prospect of seeing some new clients...

continue to watch for details about events where chrystalyn jewelry will be appearing. one already confirmed is redding's november holiday shophop. on saturday, november 15 from 10am to 7pm, i'll be out @ monica's vintage inspired on athens showcasing my ingenious ornaments & wine charms. please come out and help us jumpstart the coming holiday season!!!

wine charms & ornaments!

holiday is right around the corner and chrystalyn jewelry is so excited about the new things we have to offer this season! we just started doing wine charms (aka wine markers) and they are lovely. they're made from the same authentic gemstones that chrystalyn jewelry is known for. we're also adding to our holiday repertoire by way of ornaments. we had a few posted last year on the website, but there are now both more designs as well as color schemes.

and finally, chrystalyn jewelry is going to be doing a few events this holiday season and they'll be posted as they're confirmed. if you'd like to host a jewelry party, please email for scheduling...

chrystal

wine charms & ornaments

holiday is right around the corner and chrystalyn jewelry is so excited about the new things we have to offer this season! we just started doing wine charms (aka wine markers) and they are lovely. they're made from the same authentic gemstones that chrystalyn jewelry is known for. we're also adding to our holiday repertoire by way of ornaments. we had a few posted last year on the website, but there are now both more designs as well as color schemes.


and finally, chrystalyn jewelry is going to be doing a few events this holiday season and they'll be posted as they're confirmed. if you'd like to host a jewelry party, please email for scheduling...


chrystal