Some new Silver Forge earrings have arrived at Gataker’s Artspace in Maryborough. Gataker’s is a community artspace which displays the work of local and regional artists and craftspeople – they also have musical performances in their courtyard, and every month they open one Saturday night for music, wood-fired pizza, coffee, art and artisans. If you’re up around Hervey Bay way, stop in to 311 Kent Street, Maryborough!
Random.org did the work, and drew the third Silver Forge Newsletter giveaway for me. The winner for April was Ryan. Hooray! Congratulations – the prize is a pair of these seafoam cube Czech glass earrings!
There are now only two pairs of these lovelies left, so if anyone else loves them and needs a pair, better get in quick! 🙂
Next month’s prize will be a pair of smoke grey faceted Czech glass earrings.
If you love these, and wish you had a pair, you can either subscribe to the newsletter for a chance to win them, or if you can’t wait, head to the shop and buy some now! 🙂 (Subscribers will also get a chance to buy them at a discount next month).
Happy days!
Using the random number generator at random.org, I drew the second ever Silver Forge Newsletter giveaway, and the winner for March was Lesley. A big congratulations to her – the prize was a pair of these fanta orange Czech glass sterling silver triangle spiral earrings.
Just around the corner is next month’s giveaway – one lucky Newsletter reader will receive a pair of these seafoam cube Czech glass earrings.
If you’re subscribed to the newsletter, it could be you! Good luck!
‘Winged Grey and Gold Horse’ (articulated decoration and photograph by Emma Kidd)
Pegasus ACT – Riding for the Disabled is a not for profit community organisation situated in Canberra, Australia.
Started by local horsewoman Bid Williams in around 1973, and having an interesting history for the last 40 years, Pegasus provide equestrian activities for people with disabilities with the help and support of volunteers and the local community.
Their programs assist both children and adults, physically, emotionally and socially. Apart from being fun, horse riding helps to improve co-ordination, balance, muscle development and fitness. It also boosts personal confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, leadership and trust.
Pegasus (photograph by Heide Smith)
Pegasus are unfortunately struggling with a financial crisis, and may be unable to stay open past September 2013 unless they receive an increase in public donations, and a much needed boost to their funding from the Government.
Being from Canberra myself, I was happy to find that an Australian Etsy team I’m part of are doing some fundraising for this worthy cause. I will be listing two pairs of earrings, the proceeds from which will be donated to Pegasus.
Head on over to the Etsy fundraising page, and check out the earrings and all the other items that are being sold as part of the fundraising campaign. Who knows what handmade treasure you might find, and be able to purchase to help?
Thanks, Pegasus, for your tireless and wonderful work!
The time for the inaugural Silver Forge Newsletter monthly giveaway has arrived! I made the draw using the random number generator at random.org, and this month’s winner is Elizabeth. A big congratulations to her – a pair of these sterling silver triangle spiral earrings went in the mail today!
If you’re sad you missed out, don’t despair. You can always pop over to the shop and buy yourself a pair. (All my lovely readers can have a 10% discount, just for being you! Use coupon code NEWSLETTER10 at checkout.)
If that doesn’t float your boat, just wait for this month’s giveaway, which is a pair of these sterling silver fanta orange Czech glass earrings.
I’m looking forward to seeing who the winner is for March! Don’t forget to tell your friends to sign up too. They’ll love you for it!
I made these domed earrings for Gracie for her 18th birthday last month.
Happy birthday, sweetheart!
The end of another month is drawing near, so I wanted to remind you to subscribe now for your emailed monthly copy of The Silver Forge Newsletter (if you haven’t already!)
As well as a page of richness and marvels (ok: some pretty pictures and mildly entertaining items), one lucky subscriber will be drawn each month to win a special something. This month’s giveaway prize is a unique pair of one of my more popular themes, a pair of sterling silver triangle spiral earrings.They’re fresh, interesting and simple enough to be worn every day; and so comfortable you’ll hardly know you’re wearing them until someone comments on their amazingness!!*
You only have until 28th Feb 2013 to sign up in time to win these beauties, so get cracking, won’t you. Good luck!!
*(Disclaimer: amazingness may only be present in the eye of the beholder).
‘One flower for you’ (Fine Art Photography by Andrea Caroline)
Let’s Ova-Run Cancer, a fundraising organisation started by Leanne French (an ovarian cancer survivor) and some of her friends, is holding its second annual fundraising auction which starts tomorrow. The funds raised go to Ovarian Cancer Australia to help research and fight this disease.
In Australia, three women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer and the Pap test does not detect the disease.
More than 1300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year and 800 women will die from the disease. Approximately 75% of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and is difficult to treat successfully.
At the moment, only 43% of women with ovarian cancer will be alive five years later. But if ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, women have an 80% chance of being alive and well after five years.
The Ovarian Cancer Australia website has lots of information about the disease, including the symptoms to watch out for.
I have donated two pairs of earrings to the Ova-Run fundraiser. Why not head over to the Ova-Run website and check out the many fabulous items in the auction while you’re there! Registration is now open. All you need is a valid e-mail address and away you go. Bidding starts at 7am EST, Monday 25th February 2013 (that’s tomorrow morning!). The system is a lot like Ebay and is easy to navigate.
This cause is close to my heart, as some years ago I had my own ovarian cancer scare when one of my ovaries was removed in an emergency procedure due to a torsioned cyst. It turned out to be a fortuitous operation, as there was a pre-cancerous tumour inside that cyst. Five years of monitoring blood tests and ultrasounds saw me still in the clear, for which I am extremely grateful. You can understand why I am glad to have the opportunity to help fund research to help people who have been less fortunate than I was. I plan to donate 10% of all sales from my shop during March – let’s get behind this worthy cause together!!
Czech Glass beads (also known as Bohemian Glass or Druk beads) were created in Bohemia as early as 250 BC. Handmade glass beads have been found in graves excavated from the 10th century. In the 13th century, glass factories were opened in the northern mountains. In the 16th century, a cottage industry of glassmakers providing glass beads to the larger jewelry factories began in the Bohemian cities of Jablonec, Stanovsko and Bedrichov.
In the 19th century, no doubt spurred on by the industrial revolution, manufacturers developed special molds and machines to produce pressed-glass beads. Czech bead-making suffered setbacks because of the two World Wars, the Great Depression and Communist rule. Today, the industry has been revived, and Czech bead makers are again among the world leaders in bead manufacturing and exports.
Czech glass beads are available in a variety of colors and finishes. They come in opaque and solids, transparent, metallic and two-tone.
How are these beads are made today? Well, glass cane rods are heated to a molten level and put into a pressing machine. The hot glass is then pressed into molds. A needle is inserted at the same time to produce the thread hole of the bead. After the pressed glass is molded it slowly cools. At this point, the beads are connected by excess glass around the edges. The pressed glass beads are placed into a tumbling cycle that will break off the excess glass. The beads will then be sent through another tumbling process that will smooth out imperfections and polish the beads.
I love working with Czech Glass beads, not only because of the never-ending array of beautiful colours, shapes, sizes and opacities, but because of their fabulous history! I also love that they are glass, which as a natural substance has an elegance and timelessness about it.
At the moment, I’m having to restrain myself from buying a stack more Czech Glass beads to add to my already sizeable stash… willpower!!
Which is your favourite of the Czech glass beads in these pictures? Do you wish The Silver Forge had other colours available? (Encouragement to fulfill my shopping dreams will always be appreciated! 🙂 )
Congratulations to Maegan, who won The Silver Forge $50 Gift Certificate giveaway on Etsy Stalker. Maegan has chosen the Sterling Silver Zigzag Aztec Pendant and Earrings Set, which will be on their way to her in Fahler, Alberta, Canada shortly!
One of my favs in this style. Enjoy! Thanks so much again to everyone who entered. Stay tuned for another Silver Forge giveaway coming soon!