Wild West Days

  We’ve been taking a break from the blazing Arizona heat the past few weeks. It’s been a real treat. Cool days with plenty of sunshine. We’re at about 8700 feet so the weather is totally different. I’m loving it, and Tikaan is ecstatic. Here he is enjoying the Yampa River  

   We’re not traveling in a Conestoga, thank goodness. Picturesque though they are, I like my comfy motor home much better.  But if you want to try out a Conestoga, check out Sun Outdoors in Granby, Colorado. They rent out the ones shown above. They’ve been modified with A/C, heat, and a door that locks. Bet the pioneers wished they had had those mods!

     My Etsy shop is on vacation, too, until next week. It should be open on August 24. While I’ve been gone I’ve been needle felting pumpkins and acorns. I hope to have some in the shop soon. 

      Until the, Happy Trails to you!

  

Wire Jewelry

         I've been fascinated by wire jewelry for a long time.  A few years ago I started working with wire and made a number of Tree of Life necklaces.  Next I moved to wire wrapping stone cabochons.  A few months ago I began making pendants, hearts, and other shapes out of the wire itself. 

         There are lots of great resources to teach you how to work with wire.  There's YouTube videos, pdf patterns, e-books and traditional books. The problem isn't finding resources, it's finding the time to make all the beautiful items.  

          Two of my current favorite designers are Nadja, whose shop on Etsy is ImbaliCrafts, and Valeriy Vorobev, who can be found on YouTube and through e-books. I hope to complete a pendant based on one of  Mr. Vorobev's designs soon.  If you're a beginner, it would be easier to start with a tutorial from Nadja or Yvonne Kennedy from Back to Earth Creations.  

           If you're interested in some pendants that are already made, I have five that are on sale (15% off) thru July 16.  Two of them are pictured below. They can be found at Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry on Etsy.  Click the button to the right to be zipped there immediately.   The wire necklaces are in the Sale section.  

           Hope to see you there!

  

Magical Moonstone

MAGICAL MOONSTONE

 

     There's something magical about Moonstone.  The luminous white stone is associated with the moon and its cycles.  According to legend, the ancient Hindus believed that Moonstone held trapped moon beams.  The ancient Romans thought Moonstone's beautiful color came from the stored light of the moon.

                Today Moonstone is considered a stone that can enhance intuition and calm the emotions.

                 It is a "stone of new beginnings", according to Judy Hall in her book, The Crystal Bible.   

                         

 

          Double Heart Earrings

                 Moonstone and turquoise combined with Sterling Silver ear wires (above) or 14 kt gold (below).  

             Moonstone colors include white, as shown above, as well as blue, peach, and cream.

         White Moonstone is said to encourage spiritual growth.  To see more about these earrings in my Etsy shop, click here for the silver ones and here for 14kt gold.  

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On SALE now:  9 Select Necklaces are on sale 

   20% off through June 30.  See them in my Etsy shop

 in the ON SALE section.

 

BRACELET SALE!!!

Need a bracelet for yourself or for a gift?   I'm having a Bracelet Sale in my Etsy shop now through the end of May.  Eight different styles - all for 20% off.   Here are 3 of the 8 styles on sale:
 

I designed and created this one on a loom.  

These two are peyote stitched - leather added on the sides and ends.

To see all 8 click on the I SELL ON ETSY button on the right.  The On Sale section has these and 5 more bracelets - made just for you!

  

STRINGING BLUES

   

    I belong to a beading group that meets once a week here at Sun City Grand.  Recently two of the women were making multi-strand necklaces.  They were very pretty and very different from one another.  When the other beaders saw them, interest in making these long time favorites grew.  Most of us had made multi-strand jewelry before, but not recently.  They're fun and fairly easy.  The only tricky part is getting the cones attached properly.

     Soon the interest grew into a challenge.  Make one (or more) necklaces and bring them to the club in August.  The only requirement is that they have to have more than one strand.   

      I mixed up a blue bead "soup" and got to work.   Here are the two that I came up with. 

       I'm not sure if I'll make more since we're going away for a few weeks.  If I do, I'll make them in different colors.  But who knows???   Maybe being on vacation will be the perfect time to string a few beads.  

 

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COUPON CODE FOR JULY & AUGUST.  

      As a Thank You for visiting my blog, here's a coupon code for 20% off in my Etsy shop:  SUMMER2022 

Use the coupon when you check out at Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry through August, 2022.  

 My shop will be taking a vacation from July 16 through August 12, 2022.  The coupon code can be used before or after this time, until the end of August.  

Moonstone - Birthstone for June

      Luminous and dreamy, Moonstone is one of the birthstones associated with June.  It's one of my faves, as you can tell if you have searched for Moonstone in my shop.  I have 4 pairs of Moonstone earrings in my shop, Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry.   

      Moonstone hearts are paired with turquoise hearts in this pair.  A double treat!

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Moonstone also comes in pink, as shown in these earrings.  Blue and rainbow are other popular colors.

Moonstone is considered to be the most feminine stone and brings out feminine energy. It's associated with hope, sensitivity, and abundance.  Many think it inspires intuition and enhances psychic powers.  Whether it does or not, it is definitely one of the prettiest stones to wear.

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If you want to see more about the earrings or other jewelry in my shop, click the button in the top right corner.  But before you go, write down the coupon code below.  You can use it on anything in Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry during most of the month of June.  My shop will be taking a short vacation from June 20 through June 23.  

COUPON CODE FOR JUNE

  As a Thank You for visiting and reading my blog, here's a coupon code for 20% off:  JUNE2022 

Use the coupon when you check out at my shop on Etsy.  Good on items from Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry until June 30, 2022.  

Goodbye Spring!

 

       You know summer is coming when the snowbirds start leaving and events begin to end.  We haven't had triple digit heat yet, but we all know it's coming.  So this Saturday will be a day to get out and have some final days of fun.

        This Saturday, May 7, will be the last Grand Arts & Crafts Market of the Season.  Since the weather is heating up, the hours are lowering.  It will be from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.  Find Desert Dabbler and the other Grand Stitchers on the club side of the Sonoran Plaza.   Look for my turquoise tablecloth and wildlife inspired jewelry.  New wolves will be there!

      We're suppose to have a tent and 6 tables.   We never know exactly where our Community Association Management people will put us.  The good news, however, is that the area is beautiful and not all that large.  If you're in the Surprise area, come on out.  We'll be easy to find.

      We'll be at the Sonoran Plaza, at the end of Remington Drive, inside Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ.

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If you aren't in the Phoenix area, come and visit me on Etsy.  Click the button in the top right.  But before you go, write down the coupon code below.  You can use it on anything in Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry.  

COUPON CODE FOR MAY

  As a Thank You for visiting and reading my blog, here's a coupon code for 20% off:  SPRING2022 

Use the coupon when you check out at my shop on Etsy.  Good on items from Desert Dabbler Handcrafted Jewelry until May 30, 2022.