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Jewelry, Craft, and Fashion in the NewsCostume jewelry has more value if it's a signed piece DetNews.com - Detroit,MI,USA Bling is back -- and couldn't be more appropriate than during the holidays and on New Year's Eve, when a little sparkle adds to the festiveness of the season. Today's fashionistas have even rediscovered the bling of the past, making yesterday's costume jewelry big business and a hot collectible, says Judith Miller, co-author of "Costume Jewelry (DK Collector's Guide)" (DK Publishing, $30). "Costume jewelry is essentially a 20th-century term for jewelry made from non-precious metals, such as imitation gemstones and faux pearls set in silver or inexpensive base metals," she explains in Costume Jewelry. "Costume jewelry was often produced in large quantities, with pieces designed to go with each new season's outfits. Much of it was unsigned and was never intended to last for a long time. However, despite the inexpensive materials used, much costume jewelry is just as beautiful and as highly crafted as its precious counterpart and is now considered highly collectible. The next big things on the Internet for 2008 Taipei Times, Taiwan The New York-based Internet retailer says it is "your place to buy and sell all things handmade." Where Amazon revolutionized online commerce and eBay made its name allowing people to sell off their unwanted possessions, Etsy hopes to tap into the growing trend for hand-crafted and personalized items. With thousands of craftspeople selling everything from clothes and ceramics to jewelry, the site has quickly become an Aladdin's Cave of the Internet. Its innovative sales approach -- such as letting shoppers browse by color or allowing geographical searches to support local suppliers ... Blacksmith crafts knives from railroad spikes The News Virginian, FISHERSVILLE Bruce Hansen is a good listener. ThatÕs how the blacksmith transforms a rusty railroad spike into polished treasure. ÒIt just spoke to me,Ó the 72-year-old blacksmith said of the first spikes he spotted 10 years ago. ÒWhen I saw the spikes, it said, ÔMake a knife out of me,Õ Ó He recalled. ÒSo I did.Ó Hansen twists half the steel into a spiraled handle, and then flattens the rest into a curved blade. On average, itÕs a two-day process. Most of his time is spent busting rust, with just a few hours devoted to the forge fire. ... Handmade Pledge, an Update By Virtual Farmgirl(Virtual Farmgirl) Looks like more than 11000 people took the Handmade Pledge. I'm No. 4423. The idea was to buy handmade for the holidays and to encourage others to buy handmade for me. I'd say the results this year were mixed. I made more things than I purchased, in terms of handmade. That includes hot chocolate and marshmallow filled piping bags tied to candy canes and treats for the nieces and nephews and the snow globes we made as a family. ... Know your pearls: Classic jewelry adds luster to casual and dressy looks Asheville Citizen-Times - NC,USA A strand of pearls might be an old standard, but this classic accessory isnÕt just for dressy occasions anymore. ItÕs time to dig out those strands your grandmother passed down to you, or, if your jewelry box is lacking pearls, itÕs time to start shopping. There is no standardized system for grading pearl quality. But whether youÕre looking for pearls to wear on your wedding day or for any day of the week, experts say there are several factors to consider when shopping: ... The information presented and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewelry-Making.com and/or its partners. |
