JTV Blog

Jewel School Newsletter May 2012: New Jewel School Studio Debuts at June Workshop, Projects and More

The Insider by Julie Evans, Jewel School Buyer

Hello Jewel Schoolers. June promises to be a trailblazing month as we stretch our wings with a three day workshop in our new classroom building on June 21 through 23, 2012.  (By the way, it is not too late to register for this exciting three day workshop. Download the Jewel School June 2012 Workshop pdf here: Download Jewel School June 2012 Workshop pdf for more information on attending this event.) It is always special when we can spend time with our customers, face-to-face. Jewel Schoolers are so great at helping each other during the workshops. In addition to classes with Jewel School favorites Dale Armstrong, Patti Bullard, Fernando Dasilva, Sandra Younger and Julianna Hudgins, we’re teaching our first ever lampworking class. 

Local lampworking artist Carol Crye takes working with beads in a new direction. Learn how to make your own glass beads with a torch and add creative dots, flowers, and other bumpy la-di-dah beauties. 

We still have seats available in most classes for all the designers.  The dates are June 21-23 at our Knoxville, Tennessee location.  Work with top designers in metal, glass, wire and knots. For more information, email us at customerevents@jtv.com and we’ll send you photos of the projects, costs, and hotel discount information.   

Summer fun for us is checking out the new kits our guest designers will be bringing to the Jewel School Shows. It’s a little bit like Christmas all over again!  Lauren Andersen has new chain maille kits from Beadalon and Jackie Truty is bringing 7gram Art Clay™ World USA silver kits and project kits from Art Clay World USA.

Rock Hounds, here’s an alert for you!  Anie Piliguian, inventor of the Jool Tool, is introducing new kits in June for silversmithing, intermediate lapidary, master stone accessory, polishing accessory, and The Ultimate Kit, a must have for anyone enticed by the magic of the Jool Tool.

Anne Dilker specializes in the beauty of the ancient art of braiding and she’s on tap for new Kumihimo color kits in June.  Sandra Younger is working hard to get us back in stock with The Knotty Do It All Board (Made in the USA) with a DVD  kit. Sandra’s unique way of tying perfect knots is so popular we can’t keep it in stock and we appreciate all she is doing to deliver more of them to us.

Patti Bullard keeps on showing us more cool Wubbers and we always look forward to her show appearance.   Dale “Cougar” Armstrong is bringing her wire wrapping kits and the new DVD’s are in inventory now.   Bracelet basics and  Pendant and Earring Basics are already popular with jewelry makers devoted to Dale’s style of perfection and design with no glue or soldering. 

Also in June, Fernando Dasilva will gift us with oodles of fashion inspiration worthy of your jewelry designs. He brings a little bit of high fashion and Hollywood to the studio every time he visits Jewel School.  Speaking of fashion, have you made anything in the tangerine color of the moment.  We’ve got beads with the tangerine look that is so popular in spring and summer clothing.

Please keep sending us your pictures of your work to jewelschool@jtv.com.  We enjoy hearing from you and seeing what is in vogue with Jewel Schoolers!

See you in Jewel School,

Julie Evans

A Little Something Extra from Jewel School

Every now and then it brings joy to our soul if we can do a little something extra when creating beautiful jewelry.  We have some absolutely beautiful designer cabochons for your wire wrap projects.  Their uniqueness pushes the price up higher than usual but if you are making jewelry to sell or if you have already started on your Christmas gift giving, they are worth a look-see.  The link will take you to the Jewel School cabochon inventory and it is worth the few minutes it takes to focus on the possibilities. 

Jewel School Customer Spotlight

We’re giving a shout out this month to one of Kim Prentiss’ facebook buddies. Manuella Clark is pictured left at the 2011 Jewel School Customer Workshop holding some of her beautiful jewelry designs.

Manuella is an inspiration to the Jewel School family.  Not only is she beautiful (a former Pi Kappa Phi sweetheart) and outgoing, she’s revving up her creativity and will be opening a shop in the Clearwater-Tampa area later this year! It will feature her designs along with other beautiful and unique gifts.  The shop will be in a building that once sported pastel painted fish and butterflies and a funky name but is finding new life, blessed by Manuella’s vision!  

 

Below is a before picture of the shop and the artist’s drawing of her new business.

Married for almost 52 years to her beloved Frank, Manuella Clark is the heart and soul of Jewel School’s mission to never slow down, lose the creative edge, or wonder what something might have been.  She just does it, tirelessly!  

We love you Manuella!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Month of May is All About Gold at Jewelry Television and JTV.com

Gold lovers, May is YOUR month at Jewelry Television and JTV.com. Our jewelry line up includes solid gold jewelry, gold over sterling silver, and many other gold jewelry options that can make owning new gold jewelry affordable. With gold prices soaring, the Jewelry Television team has worked hard to bring you the best possible pricing for bold gold looks as well as classic styles. Look for exciting new gold jewelry styles in our Color & Karat Event on May 1; Gold Kickoff event on May 4; Morganite on May 6; Moda Italia: The Best of the Vicenza Gold Fair May 13 & 14; Stratify on May 16; Best Friends Diamond Weekend May 19 & 20; Semi-Annual Tanzanite Event on May 18 - 20; and our ever-popular Memorial Day Red, White & Blue Tag Sale May 26-28. Gemstone collectors, keep an eye on jtv.com for special selections of Chrome Diopside, Tanzanite, and Royal Kalahandi Iolite, just to name a few. 

Jewelry Television's mission has always been to "open the world of jewelry and gemstones to everyone," and our JTV.com Learning Library catalogs many fascinating articles by industry leaders including JTV co-founder Jerry Sisk and articles from the prestigious GIA (Gemological Institute of America). You can learn more about The Wonders of Gold and Gold Alloying, as well as scan fascinating educational materials on gemology, gemstone treatments, gemstone and jewelry history and lore, and much more in the JTV Learning Library, only on jtv.com! Click this link to go to the JTV.com Learning Library. 

And speaking of gold, did you know that Jewelry Television offers a gold exchange program called JTV Gold Exchange? With so many "gold buying" programs out there, we wanted to be sure our customers were getting the best price possible for their broken and unwanted gold jewelry--so we created our own program just for you! Best of all--it's as simple as 1, 2, 3. #1: Request a free gold packet. #2: Send in your gold. #3: Receive our offer. It all takes place in just days. Click this link for more information: JTV Gold Exchange.

April 3, 2012 review from a customer on the JTV Gold Exchange

"I dropped my gold packet off in a Fed-Ex drop-box on Mon. at 4PM, and I was watching the video of it being opened the very next day! I wasn't expecting alot of money, maybe 1/6th of the current RETAIL value. I figured selling my old, broken gold to JTV would get me just slightly more than a pawn shop, and JTV is certainly more reputable, but I was very surprised and happy to be offered twice what I expected!!! I accepted the offer immediately! Don't hesitate, they give you plenty of options to decline their offer and get your gold back." - SparkleWhileYouCan, Gettysburg, PA  

Read More Customer Reviews on the JTV Gold Exchange here. 

 

Jewel School Monthly Newsletter: June 2012 Workshop, New Jewel School DVD's, Upcoming Guests

The Insider with Julie Evans, Jewel School Buyer

Hello to All from Jewel School! We’re so excited to share with you the good news!  Dale “Cougar” Armstrong will be releasing her new Jewel School DVDs on Sunday and Monday, May 20 and 21, 2012.  So many of you have told us about watching her first DVD over and over again because it is chocked full of valuable nuggets for working with wire and even selling at craft fairs and other events.  It gets better!

In her new DVDs, Dale will release your inner fashion maven and empower the designer genes to make it today and wear it tonight. Isn’t that what we’re all after, creating new looks as quickly as we change outfits!  As only Dale can do it, she will show you how to fashion wearable wire art in contemporary style. Dale loves teaching and so generously shares her years of experience. She’ll have a pendant and earring DVD and a bracelet basics DVD. 

Other reasons to update your Jewel School calendar abound!

• Wednesday and Thursday - May 9 & 10 MARGOT POTTER returns with a leather, suede and findings kits.
• Sunday and Monday - May13 & 14 JULIANNA HUDGINS reveals a new dapping kit and a mini hammer and block kit.
• Sunday and Monday - May 13 &14 STEPHANIE EDDY brings her ½” Viking knit tool, book and 2 new color wire kits.
• Wednesday and Thursday - May 14 & 16 New guest BRUCE BARLOW delights us with beautiful cut cabochon parcels.
• Wednesday and Thursday - May 23 & 24 KATIE HACKER features charm kits and Katiedid kits
• Wednesday and Thursday - May 30 & 31 LEAH debuts the square wire from Parawire .
• Sunday and Monday - June 6 & 7  DALE ARMSTRONG gives the EuroTool a workout.

Read on in the newsletter because there’s an update on our June workshop with hot designer-instructors, a little something extra for your workspace, and a very useful project from Art Clay™.

Don’t forget to send us your images of your latest work to JewelSchool@jtv.com . We use as many images on the Jewel School shows as time permits.

Thank you from your Jewel School family!

- Julie

Join Jewel School in June for a Little Higher Learning!

It's official!  Jewel School is proud to announce that June 21, 22, and 23 will be our official grand opening of the Jewel School Classrooms here in Knoxville TN.  Artists that will be here in person are:

-          Dale Armstrong

-          Patti Bullard

-          Carol Crye (Lampwork Artist extraordinaire!!  Her DVD’s coming soon)

-          Fernando Dasilva

-          Julianna Hudgins

And a few more surprises!!

This is a fee based workshop with an opportunity to work closely with top designers. Here are thumbnails of some of the projects:

   

Space is limited to 150 persons, so please send us a note to customerevents@jtv.com or leave a message on our toll-free line at 1-888-515-0202 and we’ll get you registered.  

Art Clay Project: A Rolled Leaf Pendant

The Project this month comes from our friends at Art Clay™.  Jackie Truty will be with us for the live Jewel School shows on June 6 and 7.  She sends along a great way to learn how to make use of leaves in your Art Clay designs.  The leaf motif works beautifully in so many ways on earrings, pendants, bracelets and especially rings.  Here are the directions for making a Rolled Leaf Pendant.  Enjoy and we’ll see you in Jewel School soon!  

Download Project-Rolled Leaf Pendant

Something Extra! 

If your pliers seem to be everywhere except when you need them, consider one of the simple wooden racks for your pliers.  They keep pliers positioned and ready for use and it is easy to lay your hands on the perfect tool for your project.       

The Designer Wire Rounder is a smooth addition to the work table.  It has a small cup bur at its tip that rounds wire ends from any gauge wire including the ever-popular Artistic wire.  It’s made in the USA! 

We have a few of the Knotty-Do-It-All Kits remaining and more on the way for June when Sandra Younger returns to Jewel School.  It is one of the most wildly popular kits we’ve sold this year. There’s an instructional DVD inside and making perfect knots has never been easier.  Sandra even shows you how to make a necklace or bracelet without end caps!  

Jewelry Television and Vanna K Introduce New Jewelry Line

Please join Jewelry Television Host Sharon and Vanna K on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 6-8pm Eastern for the debut of Vanna K for Bella Luce®. Vanna K jewelry designs have been featured in numerous fashion magazines and worn by well-known celebrities.  Recently, Vanna K was awarded the prestigious 2011 JCK Jewelers Choice Award by more than 12,000 jewelers nationwide. You can shop the exclusive Vanna K for Bella Luce® jewelry line now on jtv.com.

Known in the industry as the "crowned queen of unique micro pave engagement rings" Vanna K's tag line is "Every Queen Needs Her Crown." Here at Jewelry Television, we couldn't agree more, Vanna K!

We had a moment to ask Vanna K a few questions for our blog readers and her responses are posted below. Enjoy! 

JTV: Why did you decide to translate your Vanna K Diamond collection into Bella Luce®?

Vanna K: Vanna K is known in the fine jewelry industry for its extraordinary quality, unique design, and of course, its tremendous sparkle.  In order to satisfy our growing fan base and their demand for
affordable designer jewelry, after much thought, we decided to design a platinum-plated sterling silver collection exclusively designed for JTV, called Vanna K for Bella Luce®.   This partnership with JTV is so fitting because of course, Bella Luce® is known for its high quality simulated stone which has unmatched sparkle compared to any other simulated stone on the market. I’m so excited to be here at JTV and have the opportunity to share my newest designs with the JTV family and audience, which I know is so loyal and yet very discerning.

JTV: What are the signature elements of your collection?

Vanna K: Vanna K for Bella Luce® is a “platinum plated sterling silver” creation which translates to a big bold look of platinum for a fraction of the price. All Vanna K for Bella Luce® pieces are made with extraordinary quality; the same quality that women have come to love in my Vanna K platinum and 18 karat gold collection.  The  Vanna K for Bella Luce® collection is no different in craftsmanship.  For the first time, the Vanna K brand is being offered in sterling silver. For many years, I resisted the call to create a sterling silver line, but we simply could not resist the growing demand of our customers.  And we wanted to offer this for the first time to the wonderful viewers of JTV.  

JTV: Why the created sapphire as a symbol? 

Vanna K: Each Vanna K for Bella Luce® piece has my signature “Vanna K” stamp on it, signifying that this is a genuine Vanna K design.  And another fun fact to my collection is that each piece has a Bella Luce® sapphire simulant set directly into the metal and placed next to the Vanna K stamp.  My selection of the sapphire as my trademark color is personal and symbolic.  I wanted to add my own personal and emotional touch to each piece with this Bella Luce® sapphire simulant. I chose the sapphire because my inspiration to design jewelry stemmed from my father, who is an expert artisan and designer himself. Of course, we all know that the sapphire is the birthstone of September, which is my father’s birthday. 
Additionally, my very first jewelry that my father gave me were a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings and I continue to cherish those earrings until this day.  So the sapphire has a very special place in my heart.

 

 

 

Green Moissanite Jewelry Event with Charles Winston on Jewelry Television and JTV.com

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about having our first, “Moissanite Fire Event” on JTV. This series of shows on Saturday, April 14^th starts at 2AM and ends at 8PM (All times are EST) on Jewelry Television, but you can always pre-shop the Moissanite Jewelry Event on jtv.com.

We are launching many debut Moissanite jewelry items. One that really stands out are the items with the GREEN Moissanite. I consider this color of Moissanite extremely “RARE.” Why do I consider it rare? Because Charles & Colvard, no matter how hard they try, cannot recreate the color green. The green Moissanite was an accident that is highly unlikely to ever repeat itself. Therefore, there is a finite amount of the green Moissanite and JTV has committed to 100% of the green Moissanite stones that Charles & Colvard have on the shelf! 

Green Moissanite is the most beautiful green you have ever seen. It is not “emerald green”, rather the softer green that one may find in a diamond or green sapphire. Combine the magnificent color with the fire that Moissanite is known for and you have a rare, gorgeous stone that is so limited in quantity, I cannot guarantee we will be able to make more than a few styles with this color!

Two of the item numbers for the green Moissanite are for a ring (MSF122R--pictured left) and a pendant (MSF122P). They are both 8mm round Moissanite jewels set in .925 NICKEL-FREE, sterling silver, plated with the EXCLUSIVE metal, Platineve®. There is a third item with the green Moissanite, but I will leave that as a surprise for the show.

One more item I am particularly looking forward to sharing with you is my first BVB item on JTV! We made this special item exclusively for JTV, brought in a healthy quantity….and worked our fingers to the bone to get the pricing as low as humanly possible. The BVB is so spectacularly priced, I cannot tell you the item number in this blog for fear of selling it out before I arrive at JTV this weekend. However, I assure you, we have enough to make it through the first few hours of programing. Therefore, I urge you to tune in to the 2AM or 9AM shows to make sure you can get in on this phenomenal deal. 

One other special feature of the BVB item is the use of my limited edition mark on Moissanite Fire items…which are my initials built into the design. Now, even when this item is out of the packaging, everyone will know it is a “Charles Winston.” This signature Charles Winston “CW” built into the item is engraved within filigree style work on the back of the item (the undergallery.)

Another new item I am excited about bringing is a new cross pendant with a 5mm round, white, Moissanite jewel. My crosses are always quick sell-outs, so please, if a cross is your desire, you must hurry and claim yours!

We have a plethora of new rings, earrings and pendants. There are so many BRAND NEW, DEBUT items to fill the 8 (possibly 10) hours of programming. I assure you, every single hour will have something to amaze you.

Chat Live with Charles Winston on jtv.com/chat

Please note; I am hosting my first ever, live chat at JTV’s Facebook page on Friday, April 13^th at 4PM. The chat is scheduled to end at 4:30. Obviously, if it is going strong, we will try to pull strings to allow it to go a bit longer, but for now, I am told it is a 30 minute limit. This will be your opportunity to ask me all the questions you want as related to my shows on JTV, Moissanite…or just about anything else you like. These interactive chats are a lot of fun. I have been hosting chats online since 1998….and I can tell you, everyone has a blast.

To join the fun, go to www.jtv.com/chat at 3:50pm on Friday, April 13th to log in. From here, you will be able to chat live with me, look at the items on the web as I discuss them and make an advance purchase! If you cannot access the chat on jtv.com/chat, you can also chat live on Jewelry Television's facebook page at facebook.com/jewelrytelevision. Just select the Live Chat icon and join in the chat. 

The workmanship, styling, and extreme value that I have always brought you in Moissanite continues. I can’t wait to see you on Saturday, April 14 at 2AM – 4AM, 9PA – 11AM, 2PM – 4PM and 6PM – 8PM. All times are EST. Ciao for now!

~Charles~

 

Titanic Jewelry Collection - Jewelry Television and JTV.com Commemorate Maiden Voyage

Jewelry Television is honored to work alongside the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to commemorate the 100 year Anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Titanic. To quote their website, "It is said the best way to respect and honor those who gave their lives is to simply tell their stories," and that is what the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN endeavors to do. 

Jewelry Television has designed the JTV Titanic Jewelry Collection; inspired by the glamorous passengers. (Photo right is Dorothy Gibson, and the rose brooch she inspired in the JTV Titanic Jewelry Collection, jtv.com item number TCJ003 . Photo Credit: Randy Bryan Bigham) Read more about these women and the jewelry inspired by them in JTV's Learning Library here. The museum website states: "The women of the Titanic would plan for months to bring the right fashionable apparel aboard such a luxurious ship. Along with extensive outfit planning came accessorizing: large hats, mink stoles, gloves and of course, the jewelry. Jewelry of that time was depictive of the Art Nouveau and Edwardian eras. Art Nouveau jewelry was influenced by naturalis involving unusual designs within a symmetrical frame often encompassing foliage, leaves, enamel, pearls, crystals and gemstones. Edwardian designs included more formal jewelry: tiaras, brooches, rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets and sautoir necklaces. Many were set with brilliant gemstones, including diamonds, crystals and of course, pearl."  It is our pleasure to present the JTV Titanic Jewelry Collection to you. 

JTV and Titanic Museum "Grandeur in the Smokies" Sweepstakes

Would you like to visit the Titanic Museum and even JTV, both nestled here in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee? Well, we are offering you a chance to so! Enter the JTV and Titanic Museum "Grandeur of the Smokies" sweepstakes now through April 10th, 2012 at 11:59pm Eastern Time for your chance to win the entire JTV Titanic Jewelry Collection, tours of the museum and JTV, a week's lodging, and so much more. Read all the details here.  

Here's a quick behind-the-scenes video of some of the collection: 

Jewel School Monthly Newsletter: Spring Jewelry Making How To's, April's Guest Designers and More

Great News from Jeff Banks, Jewel School’s Divisional Merchandising Manager 

Dear Jewel School Customers:

DRUM ROLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! 

• Who is ready for the 3^rd Annual Jewel School Customer Appreciation Workshop? It is officially on the calendar for September 19, 20, and 21!  Three big days oozing with creativity.  This workshop is the highlight of our Jewel School year.  We love hosting the Jewel Schoolers at our home here in Knoxville, Tennessee.  There’s an all-star cast of designer-instructors coming to the classroom this year and we’re adding some new instructors and new formats.   The really big news is we will have more space and more seats.  Jewel School now has a classroom building!!!

Electronic registration open before June 1, 2012; you will register electronically for your classes and be able to print your schedule at home and bring it with you. Now isn’t that very good news?  Keep reading the blogs and watching Jewel School and checking in with our Facebook page.  We will tell you when registration opens.  As always, we do not charge our customers for the workshop classes. 

• Who is ready for the 2^nd annual Jewel School Design contest? Start getting your designs, photos and details ready.  Details will be coming soon!  

 

• Who is ready for latest new Dale Cougar Armstrong DVD’s? Coming soon in April, stay tuned for more information!

 

• Who is ready for Lampwork Art on Jewel School? Or, better yet, who is ready to come to Knoxville and learn from one of our local master artists? We cannot wait to bring as many of you as possible to Knoxville to participate in classes at our new 6500 square foot teaching facility! Our official Open house is June 21, 22 and 23!  FIVE great artists focused on metal crafting and lampwork art!

 

• Who is ready for a new day of Jewel School! We are thrilled to announce our new hours beginning April 25^th. 10 a.m. to noon each Wednesday EDT. We are putting together new products and artists to make this additional time each week very informative, special and fun!

 

• Who is ready to see and have available some of the most beautiful new “GEMMY” bead strands and amazing new focal parcels? We are so excited to be finalizing new relationships to bring your our first ever “Bead market” truck event.  We are bringing a truckload of “WOW” materials straight into our studios with everything priced for sell-out.  Watch for the dates!!! 

 

• Oh, yeah! (One more) – Who is ready to start faceting your own rough? Very awesome new guest – in the works!

Happy Spring Everyone!  We appreciate your business and we value your friendship.

- Jeff

The Insider’s Report with Jewel School Buyer Julie Evans 

April is showering us with many fabulous guest designers!!!  

Celebrating April Fools’ Day with Jewel School is Katie Hacker, host of Beads, Baubles and Jewels on PBS. Katie is here Sunday and Monday April 1^st and 2^nd to share her new pendant kit as well as a new memory wire kit with end caps and cutter!!!

Margot Potter is returning to Jewel School on Thursday April 5^th with a great new chain kit and bunches of inspiration for adding dazzle using components!!

Wyatt White and Lauren Andersen, a dynamic duo of creative energy, will wow us on Sunday and Monday April 8^th and 9^th. Lauren debuts her exciting new chain maille ring kit, tool kit and more. Wyatt, the Beadalon Education Director, will turn on his classroom charm and share some of the highlights from his repertoire of jewelry making skills.  

On Thursday April 12, Cougar’s going to wire us up!  A Jewel School favorite, Dale Cougar Armstrong will channel the wire artist that lives inside all of us !!! She’s debuting her new slim line tool series, a classic look wire kit, and her bail making kit!!!

Sunday and Monday Aril 15^th and 16^th meet Sandra Younger, inventor of a wonderful new cord knotting and design tool. The Knotty Do It All will wow you with how it simplifies knotting and shows you how you don’t need end caps to finish your designs!!!

Sunday and Monday April 22^nd and 23^rd, we are bringing back two fan favorite artists. Patti Bullard, inventor of Wubbers tools and Fernando DaSilva, Beadalon Design Team Member. Patti will have some of your favorite Wubbers featuring new tips as well as new jewelry making kits! Fernando is kicking off spring with beautifully fun new colors of wire mesh and more!!

Sunday and Monday April 29^th and 30^th Anne Dilker is kicking things off with an all new Kumihimo, the art of Japanese braiding kits!!

How’s that for an all-star cast!  Join us Sunday, Monday, and Thursday for Jewel School’s best.

 Hope you are having a great spring break and enjoying the color and blooms of the season.  In this issue, we’re including instructions for making a quick pair of hoop earrings.  They are so easy to make and with the use of the beautiful Artistic wire, you can design one of a kind earrings for every outfit using your spare beads!

Finally, here’s a big thank you to everyone that helped us during the February Beads of Courage campaign. Jewel Schoolers contributed  $8000 that will be used to buy beads for the necklaces of children with serious medical problems. That’s a real act of love!

-Julie

April Project - Quick Hoop Earrings by Christiane Ross

 Supplies available at Jewel School on jtv.com! 

• 1 pair hoop earrings -  I’m using 2-1/2” diameter silver tone from this kit:
• JLWKIT2864- smooth hoops or JLWKIT2865- fancy pattern
• Artistic wire 24-26g – 2x50” lengths
• Small round beads-I’m using 6mm smooth opalite so I need 42 beads - 21 beads per earring
• 1 pair chain nose pliers and 1 pair flush cutters

Cut apx. 50” of artistic wire off the spool. If you want to conserve your wire, you can wait to cut it and work off the spool but you will need to string on all of your beads at once. I prefer to add beads as I go and not worry about keeping track of an attached spool so I cut my wire first.

I start my wraps on the side of the hoops with the hinged back. I want my wraps to cover the hinge. Pinch about ½” of the wire against the open hinge back with your thumb and first finger of your non dominant hand. This will hold your wire in place as you wrap. Wrap around your earring hoop enough times to cover where the hinge is attached and then three wraps more.  Make sure the wraps are tight against your hoop earring. This was a total of 2 wraps before the hoop part started, 3 wraps on the joined part and then three wraps more. Go back and cut the extra off the end of your wire at the beginning and use your chain nose pliers to tuck the wire flat against the underside of the hoop. If you are worried the wire may come loose, use a tiny drop of glue to secure it.

You are ready to add your first bead. Make sure your weaving wire is pointed to the middle of your earrings. Leave a space in your wire that is half the diameter of your bead or the distance from the hole in your bead to the outer edge. Since I’m using 6mm beads, this is about 3mm for me.  You can use your chain nose pliers to make a 90 degree bend here towards the unwrapped part of your hoop or you can slide your bead down and use the edge of the hole to make the bend while you turn the bead 90 degrees with your fingers.  Bend the wire after the hole back towards the hoop then wrap around the hoop 5 times. Make sure you keep going in the same direction with your wraps around the hoops. You don’t want to change direction after your bead or that bead may come unwrapped.  By making the space in your wire before your bead, you keep the bead holes both horizontal to the hoop base.

**Play with that spacing to see the different effects you can get.

**Also play with the number of wraps. More wraps will make the wire more prominent in your design.

Continue wrapping all the way around the hoop.

**You can create interesting designs by only covering part of the hoops. You can keep the beads only on the front, only on the back or just in the bottom middle!

When you get to the end of the hoop, wrap the wire around the earring to take up the rest of the space. Use the flush cutters to trim off the excess wire and touch the end against the hoop with your chain nose pliers. Add drop of glue to secure the end.

Repeat for the second earring.

Change your wire color, your hoop size and your bead choice for an almost endless variety of styles to complement every fashion.

- Christiane

 

 

 

 

 

Jewelry Television and JTV.com Children's Jewelry Selection Increases

Just in time for Easter gift giving, Jewelry Television and JTV.com are offering more children's jewelry and gifts than ever before! Choose from gold Birthstone earrings and  birthstone charms; 14 karat gold or sterling silver Disney character earrings, pendants, necklaces and charms; Disney character kid's watches; JTV's Imagination Charms Kid's Collection (charms with holes through the middle to slide over the bracelet rather than hanging from a ring); and of course, children's jewelry boxes to safely store your child's precious jewelry. And coming soon--kid's pearl bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and pendants! 

So why not save yourself a trip to the dentist? Skip the loads of candy and give that special child in your life a gift to last a lifetime--fine children's jewelry from Jewelry Television and jtv.com. - Dana Sebby, JTV.com Community Manager (and aunt to lots of nieces who will be enjoying some of these goodies in their Easter basket this year!)

JTV's Laser Inscribed Vault Signature and Heirloom Tanzanite Collections

During JTV's 2012 World Tour: Tanzania we introduced our new laser inscribed JTV Vault Signature and JTV Vault Heirloom collections of loose tanzanite. These special gemstones are hand selected by our very own Jerry Sisk, Graduate Gemologist and JTV co-founder. After he determines the tanzanite is worthy of either the Signature or Heirloom Collections, Jerry brings the gemstone to Joseph, our in-house Master Lapidary. Joseph works his magic on the polishing wheel, bringing out the beauty of each gemstone. You can be sure that your JTV Vault Signature or JTV Vault Heirloom tanzanite will be in the best shape possible when it arrives at your door.

I know you'll enjoy the great video we've captured to tell you more about these incredible tanzanite gemstones. See the many videos about this process on the Jewelry Television YouTube page at this link: JTV Tanzanite Videos  - Dana Sebby, JTV.com Community Manager 

 

How to Find Laser Inscription on Tanzanite Gemstones by Jewelry Television and JTV.com

Jewelry Television and JTV.com present two new tanzanite collections, each laser inscribed with a unique certificate number. The following is  a video on how to find the laser inscription on the gemstone. And to learn more about the JTV Vault Signature and Vault Heirloom collections of tanzanite, read here.