Pictures do not do this justice...

...but I am still plugging 
away processing pictures from today's photo shoot!

Delectable doll part jewelry by Vintage Venus

I think I have a girl crush...

 ...no really, this is my new favorite fellow Etsy jewelry designer.

Race you to her shop...

All images are from Vintage by Venus on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/venussoberanes

I am doing my happy dance because...

...Rachel is the proud owner of the  "Floating Spheres Necklace" a transformation piece recently listed in both my Etsy Shop and Art Fire Studio. 

Thank you for buying handmade!

Hot Find for "Everything Goth" : clothes, shoes, accessories etc

 

Rivithead - gothic clothing and so much more!!

A definite must see...

prices range from splurge to "it was worth selling my kidney" . 

Both dress and boots are under $100 each.

Atlanta Artisan Cooperative's

 Jeweled Midnight Garden Deep Lapis, Garnet Shadows Asymmetrical Collar

I have recently learned of two artisan cooperatives in Atlanta: At The Collective and the beehive. This is exciting news for those out there who like me need exposure and are relying solely on web based shops for their livelihood.

Vivid Parisian Blue Swarovski Crystal Cameo Pendant

 

I need to explore further and will update as I learn more. Please comment if you have experience in this market:)

A Dozen Chocolate Roses : MandiesCandies - ArtFire Edibles

An out of the box idea for Mom...

A Dozen Chocolate Roses: MandiesCandies - Artfire Edibles

These roses are red with green leaves but can be done in the color of your choice. Milk chocolate and dark chocolate are also available with green leaves. The colors are white chocolate flavored.

These are available in chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, mint chocolate, and mint white chocolate. Please specify which flavor you would like when placing your order. These are also available in white chocolate flavor but for any color (red, yellow, pink, green (light and dark), orchid, orange, blue (light and dark).

Sugar-free (plain milk chocolate and no colors) is also available but please contact me for the price on sugar-free.

They are always packaged with care! These are shipped Priority Mail!

I have copied this listing...please click on the link above (title) to order. 

$15.00 for a dozen or chose your own quantity.

What a great Mother's Day Value for the Mom with a sweet tooth!!

Cultured Pearls vs Fresh Water Pearls

Cultured Pearls

 Pearls are recognized in the jewelry industry as gemstones. Incredibly, they are the only type of gemstones to develop from an actual living life form. Pearls consist of approximately 85% of mineral calcium carbonate aka nacre. The other 12% is made of organic material and the remaining 3% is just simply water. 

Today, natural pearls are so rare and difficult to find. Most pearls used in the industry are not nature made but cultured.  That means it is man with human intervention.  To make a cultured pearl, a tiny irritant is set in into the oyster. Over a period of time, the oyster coats the irritant in many layers of organic minerals and proteins. These layers are known as “nacre”. It is the material which gives a pearl their beautiful shine and luster. Nacre chemical compound consist of a combination of crystalline and other naturally organic substances. Layer of nacre accumulated and surrounds the irritant, eventually forming what we see as a pearl.

The main difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is the 1^st is formed by chance while the latter is made through human manipulation.  Almost all pearls sold today are cultured. Subsequently, natural pearls are more expensive. The only was to authenticate a natural pearl from a cultured pearl is by way of x-rays, which will reveal its inner layers.

What is the major difference between a pearl composed of freshwater and cultured pearls? The simple answer is that freshwater pearls are in fact the same as cultured pearls. Also, most pearl buyers use the phrase “cultured pearls" as an industry trade lingo to describe “Akoya” pearls.  

Therefore, it is note worthy to recognize that when you are in the market for your next pearl purchase that freshwater pearls can be also being identified as cultured pearls or vice versa. It is also important to understand that strand freshwater pearls will never have anymore value than a strand of equivalent quality “Akoya pearls”.