DLPom Jewelry Giveaway: Trio of Interchangeable Leverback Earrings

There is nothing ordinary about this jewelry giveaway!

A pair of interchangeable leverbacks can sport my purple amethyst lotus drops, Bali sterling silver diamonds, or the ring drop freshwater pearls. Three pairs in one! All sterling silver findings.

This giveaway is hosted by my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions.

This giveaway is open to adult, U.S. residents only. It ends on Monday, August 11 at 11:59 P.M. Central Time.  Be sure to check back daily for the most chances to win!

Just enter through Rafflecopter below.

TIP: Try refreshing your screen if the Rafflecopter box does not show.

Best of luck!

Thanks for participating!

~Dana
Website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join the Jewelry Giveaway: Mixed Metal Pearl Earrings

I purchased some copper washers awhile ago and wanted to make some mixed metal link earrings.  This pair is what resulted!  I added an ivory, cultured pearl drop as a striking contrast to soften the look of the hard, textured metals. 

These casual earrings have several articulation points for maximum movement.  They will twist and turn to catch the light.  Even though the repeating pattern is one of circles, the earrings are quite long and linear, too.  They measure about 2-1/4 inches from the top bend of the earwire.  All sterling silver and copper!  If left unpolished the copper will age to a warm patina over time.

This is a limited edition of just 5 pair - so you will not see anyone else wearing these!  The pair for the giveaway is No. 1.  They are hand engraved by the artist (me) and numbered on the back side.  The other pairs will be for sale in my Etsy shop, Coil and Flame...just in case you fall in love with these and don't win them!

This giveaway is open to adult U.S. residents only, and ends on Monday, July 14th.  Be sure to check back daily for the most chances to win!  Just enter through Rafflecopter below.

TIP:  Try refreshing your screen if the Rafflecopter box does not show.

Best of luck!

Thanks for participating!

~Dana
Website


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Green Jewelry in Prehnite, Prasiolite, & Peridot

The three "P's" of spring green jewelry:  Prehnite, Prasiolite (also known as green amethyst), and Peridot!  Prehnite, with its opaque, green hue is a neutral stone with casual appeal.  Prasiolite has brilliant clarity for an elegant touch.  Peridot, the darkest green of the three stones, can swing either way depending on the cut of the stone and design of the jewelry.

Here are the spring green jewelry examples from my shop:  The first is a sterling silver washer necklace with a prehnite briolette, hand wire-wrapped in 14 kt gold fill wire. 

The second is an elegant pair of rectangular, prasiolite earrings in sterling silver. 

Finally, a cute little padlock pendant with a peridot cabochon. 

I'm ready for spring!  Happy shopping for spring green jewelry!

~Dana

http://www.dlpom.com/

Coil and Flame on Etsy
DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

Summer Lentil Lampwork Jewelry!

These blue and green lentil-shaped lampwork beads just spoke to me the other day, and I had to turn them in to something summery, fun, and one-of-a-kind.  The earrings are really quite simple - suspended from rope rings and my own hand-formed and hammered earwires.  The matching bracelet is spectacular...I'll leave that for my next jewelry post.  Happy shopping at my original bead shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy.

Summer Shore Lampwork Earrings in Sterling Silver on Etsy

~Dana

Christmas Shopping...Already?

Have you started? Have you finished?

I can't even bring myself to think about it yet. The temperature is still in the triple digits, and I want to give Halloween and Thanksgiving a fighting chance.

Still, many are talking about shopping for the holidays. And everywhere I go, Christmas trees and aisles of decorations are everywhere.

So, if you are in the mood for a little holiday color, maybe you might like these selections from my shop:




Until next time,

Dana @ DLPom & Soap Sense

Drumroll...

And the winner is...



Comment #19 by SentMyWay!

I'll be sending you an email shortly about how to claim your earrings!

Dana @ DLPom

2010 Collection: Shades of Silver

Introducing a new collection of jewelry, celebrating all the different hues of oxidized sterling silver!

Silver doesn't always have to be bright and shiny. In fact, different metal colors in the same design can actually compliment the piece and make it more well rounded, eclectic, or even antiqued like a vintage piece. And jewelry with interest is all the rage right now!

Oxidized sterling silver can occur 3 different ways. The first is just with time and exposure to air. Have you ever uncovered sterling silver that you haven't used or worn in awhile and it is darkened beyond recognition? Time and air have done a number on it! This process can be accelerated by the acid from your skin that has been left on the sterling silver.

The second way is with a boiled egg. Huh? Yes, I said boiled egg! If you boil an egg, mash it, and put sterling silver in a plastic bag with the egg, the silver will darken within minutes.

The third and final way (that I know about) is with liver of sulphur. This can either be a liquid or solid chemical that is
dissolved in water. When it is heated and touches sterling silver, the darkening effect is almost immediate.

But sometimes what you get is a surprise. Oxidized sterling silver can be pitch black, gunmetal gray, copper, or any number of green or blue shades I like to call peacock hues. Usually after oxidizing the silver needs to be tumbled or rebuffed to bring out the complete beauty of the metal.

The four designs pictured here are just the beginning. The first necklace and earring set have been designed with faceted, rock quartz and kyanite. I named it "Tyrrhenian Sea," inspired by the Italian coastline.

The second set features crystal clear round rock quartz, named "Mystic Morning," reminiscent of early morning dewdrops. The stones in both sets are gem quality. Click the pictures to get full descriptions and to SHOP!

Later, check out my Etsy store, DLPom, often for new listings.

Win a Pair of Earrings from my Etsy Shop!

After thinking and pondering and considering what type of earrings to make for this giveaway, another Etsian in a chat room gave me a grand idea! ...Let the winner of the contest choose a pair of earrings from my shop! And that is exactly what I'm going to do. Here are the details:

The winner will be chosen by a single run of the random number generator found on this website. The comment number under this blog post that matches the random number generated will win. For example, if the random number generator gives me "14," the 14th comment will be the winner.

The winner may choose any one (1) pair of earrings at DLPom listed for $20.00 or less at the end of the contest. Shipping is FREE for a maximum prize value of approximately $25.00.

A comment under this blog post can take one of the following forms for up to four (4) chances to win for each person. Enter a separate comment for each to maximize your chances. All comments that do not match one of these formats will not be published. "Anonymous" comments will not be published. For each comment made, please be sure to leave your email contact info so I can let you know if you have won when the contest ends at midnight on Saturday, July 31st.

1. Follow me on Twitter. Leave your Twitter name and link in a comment.

2. Follow my Blog. Leave your name and blog or profile link in a comment.

3. LIKE my Facebook fan page. Leave your name and Facebook link in a comment.

4. Visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment about why you like a particular item. (I'm assuming you'll do this to get familiar with my earring selections anyway!!)

Contest is open to those in the U.S. and Canada 18 years or older. (Update: 7/19 - Please be sure to follow #4 carefully!) Good luck to everyone!

I've posted a few pics of the earrings that you could choose if you are the winner...but there are many more to choose from, plus any new ones I list through the end of the month!

Questions about the contest? Please convo me on Etsy and I'll get an answer to you as soon as I can.

~Dana @ DLPom

And the "Name It To Win" Winner Is...

Drumroll...

Elaine R is the "Name It To Win" soap winner from the blog giveaway contest that ended Saturday, June 10th, 2010. Her name contribution for my necklace design was "Desert Sky." Elaine has 3 days to respond to my email to claim her soap!

Everyone had very creative name contributions. Thank you all for participating! I chose Elaine's name because I also get a "desert" feeling from this piece, and the blue/orange combination is reminiscent of a sunrise or sunset desert sky just about anywhere across the southwest region of the U.S.

There will be a matching pair of earrings also listed with this name in my Etsy shop. Watch for both pieces to be listed on Monday...and stay tuned for my next blog giveaway. Can everyone say "earrings?" Let me know if there is a particular style or stone you would like to see for the earring giveaway.

Dana @ DLPom and Soap Sense

Tweet Earring Contest!

Follow me (DLPom) on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DLPom

Then, just RETWEET my contest tweet!

25th RETWEET wins these earrings from my Etsy shop, DLPom: http://twitpic.com/223sag

Winner will be announced on Twitter. Good luck!

AND WE HAVE A WINNER...DRUMROLL...

@Glambert2169 on Twitter!

Contest Closed!

Hand Formed Earwires 101

Ready to shift from manufactured earwires to hand formed earwires in your earring designs...read on!

Every beader who tackles earring design eventually gets tired of manufactured earwires over and over again. With the exception of leverbacks, and possibly the twisted wire "no slip" french earwires, it is easy to create your own and give your designs a little more uniqueness! And, it is actually cheaper if you buy wire in bulk by the foot!

You would be surprised at how easy it can be. First, you'll need some 20 gauge or 21 gauge wire. I use sterling silver...always. I prefer dead soft wire, but half hard will also work if you have some extra strength in your hands to bend it.

Then, cut two pieces of equal length, 2-3 inches is a good place to start. Use a pen or pencil to make the uppermost bend, and a pair of round nosed pliers to make a hanging loop and provide any extra shape to the backside of the wire. It is best, and makes for more consistent earwires, if you bend and shape both pieces of wire at the same time. The possibilities are endless!

Then, when you have mastered this and want to go a step further, you can consider a small jeweler's hammer and anvil to flatten portions of the wire. Also, a tumbler and steel tumbling shot with a little Dawn dishwashing soap will polish and harden your earwires in about 30 minutes of tumbling time. Any small nicks or scratches from cutting and bending the wire will also be removed!

Finally, invest in a small rounding tool, often referred to as a cup bur. Use it on the exposed tip of the earwire prior to tumbling to remove any sharpness from the cut edge.

I've scattered some pictures throughout of earwires I have formed. Good luck with yours!

DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

Gemstone Mania to Win a Pair of Custom Earrings (We Have a Winner!)

I wanted to do something a little different with my custom earring giveaway this time around. All you need to do is be the first to identify the semi-precious gemstones in the jewelry below. You'll have to figure out where to get hints if any of them confuse you, but check the comments because I may also be giving some clues along the way!

Here's the fine print:

1. The winner's custom earrings may be choosen from any of the semi-precious gemstones and metal findings I have in inventory - see my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions for ideas! I will work with you to achieve a design that you love!

2. You may post more than once if you want to correct one or more of your answers, however you need to repost ALL of your answers, not just the corrections. Your latest post will be considered your answer.

3. Contest ends when someone correctly matches my list of semi-precious gemstone names -or- by Saturday, January 24th, 2009. At midnight on the final day, the recipient with the most correct answers will win, and any ties will be broken by random drawing.

4. Only U.S.A. and Canadian participants, please. Be sure to leave an email or link so I can contact you if you win! I will post in the comments section as soon as I identify the winner!

Good luck!

2009 "101" Tutorials

Watch for the following "101" tutorials planned for 2009:

• Wire Guards 101
• Earwires 101
• Basic Wire Wrap 101
• Wire Wrapped Links 101
• Oxidizing Sterling Silver 101

Happy New Year, everyone!

Etsy Bead Team Theme of the Week: Holiday Sparkle

For the next two weeks be sure to search Etsy for "EBTW" and "Holiday Sparkle" to find Etsy Bead Team sale items! I'm sure this theme is going to inspire some lovely items from our members. It is the perfect time to shop for yourself...I'm thinking "New Year's Eve" jewelry...or, as a gift for someone special!

Sale items from my shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions, include Iced Illusion and Northern Lights.

Both are earring designs that incorporate faceted and ultra-sparkly rock quartz crystals. The first pair is suspended from ornate, sterling silver posts. The second pair swing from my own hand formed sterling silver earwires. Get 10% off either pair by putting "EBTW" in the notes to seller at checkout, and wait for a revised PayPal invoice.

Happy Shopping!

Jewelry!!!

Watch for a new jewelry contest coming soon! Leave me a comment...let me know which pair of earrings from my Etsy Shop I should give away as the prize!

Amethyst Earring Giveaway

The new giveaway is up! Click below to go:

,

Etsy Treasury!

SweetSurrenderCandle was nice enough to let me know I was featured in her Etsy Treasury, Pearls of Wisdom. Thanks bunches! My Vintage Times earrings of Swarovski glass pearls are in great company!

...Neglect

...of my blog! So while I'm flitting around doing other things, I thought I would at least leave a pretty picture of my Rockstar Earrings, just listed on Etsy. If you love turquoise and sterling silver, these might be for you!

The Prize! Blog Contest #3

Remember those iolite earrings I described for Katie, Blog Contest #3 winner? Well, here they are...lucky 7, ink-blue iolite stones on each leverback earring, clustered on a linear chain. Stunning! I hope Katie likes them...

Stay tuned for the next Blog Contest, coming soon.

Blog Contest #3 - Everyone Should Vote!

It is going to be another custom pair of earrings as the giveaway this time. They can be designed from any of the gemstones I have in stock with sterling silver, copper, or brass accents. We will work together to make a truly unique design, just for you!

So what do you have to do? Well, vote of course! Vote for me on Artzee once per day and post my rank as a comment here. For example, your comment can just say, "I voted, your rank was 42." This link will cast a vote for you, and then you will need to look for DLPom in the listing of sites:

Vote Here!

Person with the most posts and correct ranking numbers by the end of the contest wins...ties will be broken by random drawing...contest ends Saturday, September 6th, 2008.

Lucky winners from the past:

Blog Contest #1 Prize
Blog Contest #2 Prize

Good luck!