Support Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness With AJDJSS

Sadly, most everyone has known someone who's been diagnosed with breast cancer or who's been a victim of domestic violence. Even if you don't, there's no denying that we all need to come together in a show of support.

Throughout October, the Artfire Jewelry Design Jewelry Supply Shop Guild will be participating in a promotion to benefit Breast Cancer/Domestic Violence Awareness. Many guild members are offering special discounts, free shipping and other specials to help raise money for these very worthy causes.

In my studio, I'm offering 30% off any item containing the colors pink (breast cancer) or purple (domestic violence)--that includes all shades of both colors, and there are many to choose from. Just two examples are shown here. In addition, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the pink pearl and Swarovski two-strand will given to this cause, as well as 20% of all additional pink/purple sales.

Also, add some color and excitement to your day by checking out special offerings from other Guild members. Take a look at all the participating shops and specific items at: http://ajdjssguildevents.blogspot.com/. You can also make cash donations via Paypal directly from the AJDJSS blog. It's so easy...and so important. Visit my studio at: suzannestevens.artfire.com. If you purchase one of the special items, I will send you an updated invoice/cost, so please wait for that update before you pay! :)

My sister-in-law is and mother-in-law were both breast cancer survivors; unfortunately, I can personally testify to the dangers and horrors of domestic violence. It takes courage and strength to fight these battles, and all who fight them deserve our prayers and support.

Don't wait--get involved. You (and so many others) will be glad you did!

Sugabeads: Creative Jewlery, Quality Supplies, Really Cool Gal!

A bit ago, I promised a feature on Sugabeads, another Artfire seller, talented jewelry maker, jewelry supply seller and cool friend. Well...a few minor emergencies later and I'm here to fulfill that promise.

I've known Jaclyn for several years. We first 'met' on an eBay jewelry group. She later began a group of her own and, for awhile, I was a moderator for that group. Tranquil Beading Oasis is on hiatus at the moment, but Jaclyn has kept putting her creative talents, and her knack for choosing the highest quality, best jewelry findings and other supplies, to work on her Artfire studio. Named, of course, Sugabeads. So...without further adieu (and be sure to take advantage of her great offer to readers of my blog), heeeeere's Jaclyn!

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Sugabeads (sugabeads.artfire.com), aka Jaclyn is just a small town gal who watches far too much TV, has a huge love for any critter, enjoys history, genealogy and yes, BEADS.

I didn't grow up creating but in my late 20's I wanted to look into beading. Because of the small town I lived in there were no beads available (that was back when the dinosaurs roamed and the internet was just for Al Gore). When the net arrived it opened up alot of great opportunities! BEADS everywhere!

I always dreamt of having something I could call my own. A bead business seemed perfect! Not only did it offer up lovely items to the other beaders of the world but I could borrow an item or two for my own creations as well. Although I do enjoy creating jewelry, selling beads is my main focus.

Selling supplies has its own challenges just like selling jewels. It is hard work, alot of spare time spent listing and preparing photos (I refuse to use stock photos!). There is ALOT of competition out there. High fees to pay for selling low cost items, promoting enough so buyers can find you in this vast sea of supplies and all the little details that go along with any small business.

One of the things I hope makes Sugabeads stand out is a friendly, old fashioned way of serving the public. I like to treat folks as I would like to be treated when I'm a customer.

I'm still working on growing and expanding. It's a challenge when life has other ideas. Like what's for supper, uh-oh time to go to work or OMG look at the DUST on the furniture!!! ;)

And although I won't be retiring to Balmoral Castle (ah yes, Summer there but Winter in Hawaii!) anytime soon I enjoy what I do and will keep on working to have more to offer my customers.

Speaking of offers!!! I'd like to offer Suzanne's present followers FREE shipping on their first order at ARTFIRE (Artfire only please) that is over $20 dollars. Just use the code SUZANNESBLOG at checkout and orders over 20 will have FREE shipping! This offer is good from til

Thank you so much for this feature in your blog Suzanne!! You are just the sweetest lady ever!

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Be sure to check out Jaclyn's studio on Artfire, THE online site for unique, handmade gifts, at: sugabeads.artfire.com--and take advantage of her great offer!

Hang On...Sugabeds ISComing

I've decided to do a more 'in-depth' feature on Jaclyn from Artfire's Sugabeads, so the post I reportedly was to write today, won't be written until Friday or Saturday (and after tomorrow's eye surgery).

Please stay tuned. You won't want to miss Sugabeads' great jewelry supplies, her gorgeous handmade jewelry and her story (or, what she'll let me tell LOL!).

In the meantime, you can check out her studio at http://www.sugabeads.artfire.com/. Or simply visit http://www.artfire.com/ for an almost unending selection of the best and the brightest unique gifts and handmade crafts and artwork that will blow your mind!

Supply Closet Offers Unique Beading and Craft Supplies

The Artfire Jewelry Designers and Jewelry Supply Sellers Guild Guild of the Week for Sept. 7 is Supply Closet. There are several online jewelry and craft supply sellers from which I regularly shop, and I'm definitely going to add this one to my (very short) supplier list.

Supply Closet offers not just beads, but findings and a wide array of wonderful ceramic sliders just perfect for all kinds of crafts. Take a look at just a few of the items available:















Visit Supply Closet at: supplycloset.artfire.com.

For all your handmade items and supplies, visit Artfire.com, THE online marketplace for the best, most talented and most unique crafts and supplies on the internet.

Tomorrow I'm going to feature Suga Beads, one of my absolute favorite seller of jewelry supplies and beautiful handmade jewelry. And a darn cool person to boot! :P

Creatuve Critters & Luv to Sparkle Ride the Artfire Crazy Train

Lately, I've been a bit remiss in my blogging. For my part, I guess that's fine, but I do like to promote the talented artisans that ride the Artfire Crazy Train! Many times in these instances, I wish I could post a photo of each item in each artist's shop. Sadly, I have only a weensy bit of patience post a few photographs, so I try to choose photos I really, really like and that I think any reader might like, too!

And so it goes with Michelle who is responsible for bringing Artfire, the online choice for unique gifts and treasures, the whimsy that is Creative Critters. Adept in several different media, Michelle works with polymer clay, cloth and yarn to create adorable figures, cute and cuddly dolls any girl would love, jewelry and plush and clay figures from World or Warcraft. Just look at the photos below and visit Creative Critters at http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=396308















Who Doesn't Luv to Sparkle?

Luv to Sparkle is definitely an Artfire studio for the young, and the young at heart.

From Maricopa, AZ, Luv to Sparkle uses resin, metal, stickers, glitters and other materials to create fun, fascinating and colorful necklaces, bracelets, hairpins and other jewelry. Although many of this artist's pieces are childhood themed, anyone with a youthful outlook on life (or anyone who wants one), will find something in this studio to make them smile. Just visit: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=27349&op=new&body=1

Doing Wrong When You're (Trying to) Doing Right?

Over the past two days, I'd been having a discussion with my stepson on Facebook about health care reform. I am for it, he is against it, and that is O.K. This country is all about freedom of beliefs and the ability to speak out as you wish.

He is also a fundamentalist Christian. I believe in Christ and try to follow all his teachings to the best of my human-inflicted abilities but, at the moment, I do not regularly attended any church. I find that 'organized religion' of late has been more about fomenting hatred, intolerance and even violence...things I simply cannot abide in any form or for any reason.

I mentioned to my stepson that Christ admonished us to care for the poor and the sick. He responded by saying that 'that was a strange thing coming from someone who thinks Christ is a liar and/or insane."

Needless to say, I was deeply offended and even more deeply hurt by this comment. Neither of those statements are true in any respect. He went on to proselytize to me and as much as tell me that I would go to hell when I died if I did not 'admit my sins and accept Christ'.

Jesus and I are on pretty good terms. I'm the first to admit I'm not perfect and don't make any claims that I am. We all have our feet of clay, and I'm no exception. On the other hand, I also deeply respect the religious beliefs and faiths of all people: Jews, pagans, Muslims--you name it. If your faith allows you to stand straighter and be a productive, caring and compassionate member of the human race then I respect and applaud you for it.

My stepson claims he did this because he 'loves me'. Love, especially in the Christian sense (as I was taught to believe) means respect for others beliefs, tolerance and the ability to rationally and objectively disagree.

Today I'm trying to again follow Christ's entreaty to forgive (as a note, many other people throughout history have espoused similar philosophy, Gandhi, M L King come to mind, and I respect them, also), but it is very difficult. Hopefully, in time, I will be able to do this.

In the meantime, I'll continue to do my best to be a generous, kind and loving individual and follow that philosophy of life to the best of my ability. Being a flawed human, it's all I can do.

Can't See Straight, So Why Not Have a Sale???

O.K., I've been a little AWOL all over the net the past week or so (did anyone notice? ;) ). The reason why is both annoying and frustrating. A blood vessel hemorrhaged in my left eye, leaving me unable to see clearly.
Oh, I can still putter around with my jewelry and, even better, my clay, but it takes me awhile to finish things and headaches come easier than usual (usually, I never get headaches...sigh...). It's also a bit difficult to look at a computer screen for too long, although that's getting a bit easier, thank goodness!
As a result, and in an effort to force myself to keep up some kind of online presence, I'm putting my entire Artfire studio on sale for 25% off until September 15. I chose that day because I'm having surgery on the eye in question on September 10 and, given that my eye sees its way clear to behave afterwards, I should have 100% of my vision restored by then.
This also gives me an excellent chance to, hopefully, clear out a few items from my studio and make way for new things that I'm itching to make (or, at this point, to finish). I've got lots of ideas for both Halloween and autumn and winter and Christmas and...well, you get the idea!
So, now's a good time to have a look and perhaps pick up a unique, one-of-a-kind gift for you or someone you care about.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping and praying for good outcomes (and trying to not think about the surgery too much)!
Visit my studio at http://suzannestevens.artfire.com and look for other unique, OOAK gifts and treasures at artfire.com.