Ruby Lane's Creative Hands Newsletter - January 2011

In This Issue

• Ruby Plaza Promotion: Sell for Only $9/mo. Through 2011!
  
• Video: Happy Valentine's Day from Ruby Lane
  
• Symbolic Jewelry - Their Significance
  
• Holly Cottage Designs: How I Found my True Love
  
• Fine Artist: Eleonore Esau
  
• Glass Impressions on Ruby Plaza
  
• Send Us Your Video & Get Paid
  
• Shop with these fine jewelry artisans on Ruby Lane.
  
• Join Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza on Facebook and Twitter
  
• Share Creative Hands With A Friend
  

RUBY PLAZA PROMOTION: SELL FOR ONLY $9/MO. THROUGH 2011!

This promotion has been extended! Are you looking for a venue to sell your home decor items (both contemporary and vintage) ranging from furniture and accessories to lighting, bedding and window coverings? Or perhaps you, or someone you know sells new and vintage fashion and accessories, and/or jewelry. If so, spread the word - as now you can try out our sister site, Ruby Plaza, just launched in April - for only $9 a month through 2011 with no set-up fee!

Through December 31st 2011, Ruby Plaza is making it easy and affordable for sellers to join Ruby Plaza. Already over 700 shops have joined us with over 150,000 items added to the site.

There are no contracts, no cancellation fees, and the only expense out of your pocket is $9 a month.

Spread the word!

For more information visit www.rubyplaza.com, then under SELL, choose Open A Shop. We hope you'll join us!

VIDEO: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM RUBY LANE

Click here to see a special Valentine's Day video from Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza, or go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?=

SYMBOLIC JEWELRY - THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Your first piece of symbolic jewelry could have been given to you at your Christening to mark your birth.

Symbolic jewelry represents or signifies a special occasion, accomplishment, celebration to honor someone, achievement, awareness of a cause or stand, Religious medallions, Diploma's Numbers, Sayings, Keys are examples of symbolic pieces of jewelry.Many are engraved with special and personal inscriptions, including the date to commemorate the occasion.They speak volumes when given--"I am proud of you", "Welcome to the World, Oh Precious One, "Congratulations on Your Achievements/Graduation", "You've Reached A Milestone".

One of my dearest and most cherished pieces is my first tooth that is encased in a gold setting and is worn as a charm on my bracelet.

For the person giving it to you, it symbolizes for them what you mean to them, how proud they are of you, they stand by you and support you, they honor you.

Jewelry can have an expression or meaning to the wearer that is unique to the individual.

Key jewelery has become very popular over the last two years and is here to stay, as any classic and timeless piece of jewelry. There are so many beautiful styles available; they are made from a variety of metals, some set with a single gemstone, while others are so elaborate and set with diamonds, and many semi-precious stones.

If you are considering to acquire one for yourself, or as a gift for someone, besides looking at the aesthetic beauty of them,
discover the meaning behind this beautiful symbolic piece of jewelry.

A small word, with only 3 letters, but it certainly has many definitions and meanings.

This little word is not one to be disrespected since it signifies; Greatness, Supremacy, Importance, Being Number One.

If you play an instrument or sing, you can be off or on KEY.

Have you ever been to KEY Largo or KEY West?

When was the last time you tried a delicious piece of KEY LIME PIE?

Who was the KEY note speaker at your last conference?

Do you know anyone who plays a KEYboard instrument?

As you can see, this mini word, has more of a purpose than being a device made of metal that opens or closes doors.

The KEY can symbolize the KEY to one's heart, the KEY of life, hard work is the KEY of success and so on. As well, a KEY can represent new beginnings as you open the door to new opportunities.

Two of my favorite expressions include : "A soul-mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys and keys to fit our locks" ~ Richard Bach

"Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others" ~ William Arthur Ward

You may wish to show your gratitude to your real estate agent by giving her a key pendant as a thank you for finding you your dream home, your significant other to symbolize unlocking the key to your heart, a friend who has reached a milestone.

When a person wears a symbolic piece, it is a part of who they are--it can be a collage of their life. They are
conversation pieces, especially if the symbol is unique. A story begins to unfold as you relive experiences and share your stories with people.

Good memories, shared memories--a reflection of your past, present, future--eternal in your heart.

Baya Gatter of Eternal Fine Jewels

HOLLY COTTAGE DESIGNS: HOW I FOUND MY TRUE LOVE

I admit it. I'm a girly girl. Even though I grew up with no sisters, just one brother and four male cousins who lived with us, I never became a tomboy. Glitter and frills were my thing. I liked nothing better than rifling through my mother's jewelry box and playing dress-up.

After I finished school and started work, I became known for wearing interesting necklaces. I loved the way they made my outfits unique and I searched high and low for unusual pieces to wear. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 50 but there was no stopping me after that. I had acquired another jewelry obsession!

Ten years ago I married a man whose daughter is a lampwork artist. I was mesmerized by her beautiful work and taught myself to make earrings with her beads. I loved my career as an editor but when we moved to Maine six years ago, I took an early retirement. I began making and sell­ing pressed flower cards, photo mats, and other gifts with pressed flowers from my garden. My business was called Holly Cottage, after the name of our house. I thought it would be fun to add earrings with encased floral lampwork beads, so my step-daughter created some for me. Soon, they were outselling all the other items and I branched out into necklaces.

I quickly discovered that designing and making jewelry was my true love, and I abandoned the pressed flowers. My business became Holly Cottage Designs and I sold my jewelry to an art museum store and a few gift shops along the Maine coast.
Meanwhile, the internet had come into its own and I decided to give it a try by opening an online shop for my jewelry on Ruby Lane. It's been four years now and I've never looked back.

What a joy and a privilege it is to be doing something I love, working at home, and meeting wonderful people from all over the world (my cyber customers!) The tag line for my business is "Artisan Jewelry that Celebrates Feminine Style!" And I've learned that there are women who are proud to be girly girls everywhere, all around the globe!

Judith Rudolph of Holly Cottage Designs

FINE ARTIST: ELEONORE ESAU

Eleonore Esau is particularly fascinated by texture – textures formed by layers of time and experiences. Each layer is built upon the hurt, hopes, aspirations, challenges, victories and defeats, tears and joys of the previous layers, and attests to the resilience of the human spirit. As each new stratum is built upon the experiences of the previous one, the whole blends into one fascinating totality. Her work expresses her conviction that there is inherent beauty and worth in all creation; from the loftiest mountain peak to a lowly scrub bucket, if we make the effort to discover and understand it. Her wish is that through her painting she might convey to you, the viewer, in some small measure, the beauty of the Creator and the created that surrounds us wherever we go.

Canadian artist, Eleonore Esau is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Manitoba Society of Artists, and the Assiniboia Group of Artists Collective and has exhibited frequently in juried shows with these groups. In 2007 she was awarded the People's Choice Award at Art Expo Manitoba. As well, she has been featured in a number of solo exhibitions in Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. She was invited to exhibit in "Art @ Governor's" in the Governor's Mansion in Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island, British West Indies. Her work was chosen to be included in the Traveling Show of the Federation of Canadian Artists in British Columbia, the FCA in Calgary, and also in the "Common
Ground" Traveling Show sponsored by the Manitoba Society of Artists in conjunction with the Alberta Society of Artists. Her work can be found in corporate and private collections across western Canada, the U. S. A., Germany, Grand Cayman Island and the United Kingdom.

You can purchase Eleonore's work from Garry Street Gallery on Ruby Lane

GLASS IMPRESSIONS ON RUBY PLAZA

Retired teacher/librarian has become enterprising and started a small at-home business based on activities I have enjoyed for years. I started knitting at 8 years of age and now am sharing with others my unique handcrafted items often made with hand spun and hand dyed yarn. Many patterns are original and I especially enjoy felting as the finished item can't be destroyed.

For the last 22 years I have handcrafted many unique pieces made from stain glass that were sold in my two antique stores in Texas. The stores have closed but the stain glass pieces that were so well received by customers are still available. Especially valued were my angels in stain glass that ranged from 3 ft tall to 4 inches small. Those angels hung in my store front windows bringing many people into the stores just to get a better look at them.

Now the times have changed so I am joining the Internet crowd and opening my shop. Hope everyone enjoys the visual experience of viewing the many crafted items.

Catharine Parker of Glass Impressions

SEND US YOUR VIDEO & GET PAID

Many of you already know that Ruby Lane & Ruby Plaza accepts blog articles from shops, and credits your shop $35 per accepted article which we post on Notes from The Lane, Twitter and Facebook. We have developed a sizable number of shops who contribute regularly! We are expanding this program to include video - so we invite shops to send us video links that showcase your shop for publication consideration.

Have you considered making a video about yourself and your shop? Do you want to showcase the items in your shop? Do you have tips and information you'd like to share with others about online sales success to help establish yourself as a valuable resource? Do you have a studio that you would like others to view?Do you have a handcraft technique you would like to share with others or a demonstration video showing how to create your handcrafts? Video is fast becoming the medium to communicate with others, and a it's great way to market your shop. And these days anyone can do it!

Here's how it works:

Once you make your video, upload it to www.youtube.com. Then, send us a link to it at marketing1@rubylane.com. Once accepted, we will publish it on our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages to spread the word about your shop. Once published, we will credit your shop $35. Please note that the focus of your video must be you and your Ruby Lane or Ruby Plaza shop.

Here are links to a couple of videos that other Ruby Lane shops have done. These are just examples - we invite you
to use your imagination in doing your own:

Sorren's-Blue Scarlettshard

Vintage Jewelry Showcase

If you're not sure how to get started making your own videos, be sure to check out this step-by-step Make Your Own Videos blog post by Viga Boland of Vintage Jewelry Showcase to see how she made hers.

Kind Regards,
The Team at Ruby Lane

SHOP WITH THESE FINE JEWELRY ARTISANS ON RUBY LANE.

Vintage Fancys ~ Artisan Jewelry

Branch Coral Brass Sea Shell Faux Pearl Drop Dangling Bookchain Necklace

MAGNIFICENT combo of golden vintaged brass, buttery branch coral beads and lustrous faux pearls mingle together in perfect harmony ~ in this ...

Crystalline's Estate Jewelry Artisan Treasures

C Designs Malachite black onyx glass sterling LOADED Charm Bracelet

MUST SEE IN PERSON! I started off using a vintage sterling silver bracelet with a lobster clasp and added rectangle malachite black glass onyx ...

Silvertree

Red Orange Dichroic Glass Flower Pendant, S S Leaf Bail

A modernist interpretation of a tradition theme. The black silhouette of a flying gull against the sparkling orange sky. Blue dichroic bands on either...

Inspiration in Jewelry

Arabesque necklace, 14k and leather

This pendant was created using a photo of an Oakland Ballet dancer performing an especially beautiful arabesque in the Hansel and Gretel ballet. The ...

Strega2

CELTIC QUEEN Earrings Baltic Cherry Amber Jet Silver Celtic Medieval Style

Ancient Celts were extraordinarily fond of jewelry and wore a great deal of it. Women were particularly fond of earrings, and archaeological findings ...

Collection Connection

FREE SHIP! Artisan Mixed Stones Two-Strand Pendant Necklace

Lovely Handcrafted Necklace has two strands of mixed smooth and faceted Semi-Precious Stones and a variety of Freshwater Pearls in blended colors. The...

gemZstones

Unique Red Carnelian And Red Marble Bracelet

If you love the color red you will love this carnelian and red marble bracelet! This bracelet is 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. It is made with red ...

Exotic Gem Designs

Sterling Silver Floating Heart - Necklace

This simple elegant design is completely hand wrought. The heart is a stylized design, made from two pieces rather than one. This to symbolize the two...

Designs by Ali

Designs by Ali Sterling Silver Ring with Metallic Light Gold, Mocca and Dark Red Coral Swarovski Ring

Sterling silver Hill Tribes rectangle woven ring with metallic light gold round and rondelle, mocca round and dark red coral cube Swarovski. The ring...

btwisted Jewelry Designs

Topaz, Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, Ruby and Tanzanite Earrings Sterling Silver

These dangle earrings are comprised of red topaz, pink sapphire, freshwater cultured pearls, ruby and tanzanite. The spotlight is flawless red topaz ...

JOIN RUBY LANE AND RUBY PLAZA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza are now active on both Twitter and Facebook, and we invite you to join us. Both services are free to join and participate.

Follow Ruby Lane on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan of Ruby Lane on Facebook

Follow Ruby Plaza on Twitter: Twitter

Become a Fan of Ruby Plaza on Facebook

SHARE CREATIVE HANDS WITH A FRIEND

Did you enjoy this issue of Creative Hands? Do you know others who would enjoy receiving it? We invite you to forward this issue on to others. Happy reading!