Judy Evans' Collection

Say Hello To Mosaic Switch Plates

2011-01-14T07:57:00.000-08:00

Designing jewelry has been my passion since 2003 – I loved creating one of a kind jewelry. However, good things end and better things start! In January 2010 I made the difficult decision to discontinue the jewelry side of my business and put that time and energy into mosaic light switch covers.

I've been doing this for a year now and know that I made the right choice. They have been well received at craft shows and boutiques as well as in my online shops.

A new websit for Judy Evans' Collection has been created, http://www.judyevanscollection.com/, and I'm still tweaking it. Please check it out and let me know what works and what needs improvement. I'm photography challenged so I know that part is weak, let me know what photos absoultly need to be re-done. After awhile it's hard for me to be objective so I need your help. Any other imput will be appreciated too. Also, please let me know if it loads too slow on your computer.

Here are a few photos of some of the switch plates I've done for customers. I know, these photos could be improved!

Do You Have Electricity?

2010-01-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

If you have electricity then you may have noticed how boring plastic cover plates can be. Most of us have the basic biege or white switch plates and they're probably a rocker or toggle style.

Mosaic switch plates are unusal, unique and undoubtedly decorative. They are such a great way to add color to your room.

Some of my handmade mosaic switch plates are dressy, others are bright and colorful.

Some are whimiscal and others add formality.

Some blend with your decor and others stand alone.

They're great for any room in your home - family room, bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, kitchen, etc. Notice in some of these pictures how they add to the wall grouping and how the plain white switch plates look so boring?

I'm in the process of making some with brightly colored glass that would be great for a child's room. Another one that I'm working on has cute little doggies on them - great for dog lovers!

Mosaic light switch plates can be made to order and are available in any style - toggle, rocker, outlet, dimmer, etc.

There are a few of them on my website, http://www.judyevanscollection.com/; however there are a lot more that are either not photographed yet or are still in the making. New ones will be added soon, so please check back often.

I've Been Wanting To Do This For A Long Time!

2010-01-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

In July 2009 I took a mosaic class while visiting my daughter April. We loved the experience and both came away hooked on mosiacs.

Our instuctor, Laurel Skye, is an amazing artist. She lives with her mosaics, however her home is also a museum, store, and workshop. Everywhere you look there are objects transformed from their original use to a piece of art. Mosaic'd shoes, a bathtub like you've never seen before, masks, clocks. And you should see her floors - they're beautiful and certainly not boring! And when you least expect it, you see more - like the mosaic mannequins wearing hats!

Most of us couldn't live in this surrounding, but it works for Laurel and her daughter Kiah.

April & I made trivets in her class. Something simple that allowed us to learn technique. We learned how to cut glass & ceramic tiles, prime, use mastic, grout and finish off mosaic projects.

We completed our trivets in class and could hardly wait to do more. My first project on my own was a switch plate cover.

I loved the switch plate cover so much that I decided to add it to my line. Judy Evans' Collection now has switch plate covers! Next time I'll show you pictures of them. For now I'll just let you see my trivet and my very first switch plate.

To learn more about Laurel Skye and see pictures of her home, please visit her website http://web.me.com/laurelskye

Part 2 - Something New From Something Old

2010-01-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another pair of earrings that I re-modeled to add more sparkle. Kyanite is the featured stone and it's just beautiful. The soft blue is translucent with specks of brown.

As you can see from the picture of the original pair below, I added a wire wrapped dangle of Swarovski crystals. They look so plain without the Swarovski crystals.

I really like how the crystal dangle finishes off the earrings and adds sparkle to the kyanite.

Something New From Something Old

2010-01-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

The beginning of a new year always motivates me to think about how to make my business more successful. This year my focus is to update some of the jewelry I've had for a while that hasn't yet sold.

I started with earrings for two reasons - they were sitting out on their display rack and they're easy to remodel. Necklaces and bracelets won't be as easy to change because I'll have to totally re-do them, so earrings it is!

The earrings on the right are the old ones that I remodeled. I added wirewrapped freshwter pearls and Swarovski crystals to each chain link to give them a cascading look.

Each dangle is wirewrapped. I like the way wirewrapping looks and it keeps the dangles secure.

The earrings on the left are the remodeled pair. I loved the wirewrapped clover leaf on the bottom, so I enhanced it to look like chandeliers. I wirewrapped Swarovski crystals to each loop of the clover.

I'll post more of the re-do's later. I spend more time photographing and updating my webpage than I do actually making jewelry. Creating beautiful jewelry is much more fun!

Shopping Day

2009-12-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

Today I have an appointment with the dentist. Not something I'm looking forward to, but it must be done! I hope he uses gentle hands!

The best part of the day will be going to a new supply store. As mentioned in an earlier post, I'm adding a new line to Judy Evans' Collection. I placed an online order, however it won't arrive until late next week and I can't wait to get started. I hope this store has what I want, as I can't seem to find sources that aren't an online store. I want to touch and feel what I'm getting before I make a major purchace.

Hopefully very soon I'll have pictures of my new items.

Have a great day!

Newborn Pink Pearl Bracelet

2009-12-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

This custom bracelet is getting mailed today. The baby's mom ordered it from me at the Nutcracker Boutique for her newborn baby. It's so tiny and feminine! The sterling silver beads are hollow and the filigree design is beautiful.

Did you notice the petite heart shaped chain? It will give grow room for her.

New Year's Resolution

2009-12-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

It's been more than 5 months since I've posted anything here. I was pretty busy getting ready for the holiday craft shows and boutiques, however that's not a good reason. I could come with all kinds of excuses but it doesn't alter the fact that I've let this blog dry up.

That will change - my New Year's Resolution is to post regularly. I hope readers will return and follow me.

I'm looking forward to the New Year. I have some interesting things that I'm going to add to Judy Evans' Collection - not jewelry but something for your home. If you have electricity, you can use my new handmade products!

It will take me a while to get them made, and as soon as I have pictures I'll let you get a sneek preview.

I'll be back real soon with pictures of a custom baby bracelet that I made for a custom order. I finished it today and will ship it tomorrow. I hope she likes it!

Bead Shopping

2009-07-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Santa Monica today for some bead shopping. Time to start thinking about holiday jewelry - I know, it's only July!

Will also be looking for crystals for my own necklace to wear at my son's wedding in September. I've only designed one other necklace that was personally for me and that was when my daughter brought back a glass centerpiece from Chile.

I'll let you know what I come home with ~

So Many Online Places To Buy Jewelry & Plate Stands

2009-07-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

Out of all the online selling venues I've seen, I like 1000markets.com the best, and coming in a close 2nd is etsy.com. I also have shops on madeitmyself.com and shophandmade.com. However my domain name points to 1000markets.com shop because the overall feel is clean and professional. 1000markets.com is relatively new and is expected to be the number one online shopping site for handmade items. My personal opinion is that it will be Numero Uno very soon!

I just re-designed my 1000markets.com site hoping to make it easier for customers to see the variety of items available for sale. Wish there was a way to determine the best layout, I suppose the amount of sales is the true determining factor. I'll have to wait and see if Mrs. Joe Public buys more jewelry and plate stands because of the new look!

Here are the most recent necklaces listed in my shops ~

A lot of my jewerly is named for special people in my life. Sara's Marcasite Necklace is named for my great-niece. This reminded me of Sara because it is simply a STAR - Just like her!

The Purple Moon Necklace features a Swarovski button that is amazing. The color is primarily purple, however depending on the light it has blue and amber also. It's stunning!

Bracelets For Special Ladies & Little Girls

2009-06-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Personalized jewelry is a great birthday gift. Come see what's available at my website ~

Mother and Daughter Jewelry

2009-06-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Look what I just listed on Judy Evans' Collection. Personalized jewelry for mom's and daughters!

This one is for Lauren my Great Niece
And this is for Erin, her mom

How To Store Jewelry

2009-06-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

As I was cruising etsy.com I ran across a few great ways to store your jewelry.

The first one is from Jewelry Holders For You. Marla and her husband Frank make these great jewelry racks that hang on the wall. They're made from hardwoods and will hold up to 100 pair of earrings. These are functional as well as beautiful.

Ginny at Timberline Treasures specializes in handmade bags, purses and pillows sewn from Pendleton blanket weight wools and western & cabin tapestry fabrics. This beautiful jewelry tote bag is from Pendleton blanket weight wool. This would be great gift. I love the colors and the way it’s constructed.

Here's a jewelry pouch from Greenwillow Crafts. It's small enough to tuck in to a small space in your suitcase. It's padded and easy to use - plus it's really cute. Makes a great girl friend gift!

Handmade Lariat Necklace - What Is It?

2009-06-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here’s a necklace that is the most versatile piece of jewelry! It’s a lariat and it doesn’t have any type of clasp because you wear it like you would a scarf.

Tie it, wrap it, long or short – the choice is yours and you can wear it with any neckline!

The first picture shows all the colors of this lariat and the rest of the pictures show you how to wear a lariat necklace.

What's Your Pleasure When It Comes To Jewelry?

2009-06-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Do you like big & bold?

How about small & petite?

Do you prefer jewelry that's barely noticed or do you want it to demand attention?

Is your style eclectic and you like variety?

Or are you pretty consistent with your jewelry?

I’m getting pretty good at identifying a women’s style. It’s interesting to observe my customers at craft shows and boutiques and ask these questions.

It’s easy to identify someone who always wears big & bold by their make-up or hair style because hair and make-up are usually pretty much consistent from day to day – not always, but usually.

I’ve learned that someone with no jewelry on doesn’t mean that they don’t usually wear it. I know I’m not the only one who’s left the house with a bare neck, ears or wrist. It’s these ladies that are more of a challenge for me to identify. However I’m learning to make the right call with these women too. Sometimes I’m wrong, but more times than not, I get it right.

Occasionally someone will say that their mood determines what kind of jewelry they wear. Personally my style is eclectic although it’s not usually my mood that dictates my choice of jewelry, it’s usually what clothes fit me best that day as I’m always trying to look thinner than I actually am! Sometimes a strong necklace looks better with what I have on and other times just a modest pair of earrings work best. I’m comfortable in both and love to mix it up from day to day.

I consider my line of jewelry to be eclectic and always love it when ladies try something on that is a bit different than their normal look. I encourage everyone to push the envelope just a tad. It’s very rewarding to hear from a customer that has purchased something that’s out of the norm for them and thank me for suggesting that they step outside their comfort zone.

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone & Choose A Different Necklace!

2009-05-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

When you're looking at jewelry do you always seem to gravitate to one particular style? If so, I have a challenge for you - step away from your comfort zone and go into a place that's a bit different from your norm. Look at necklaces in a whole new light and select something that puts you outside your comfortable place. I'm not suggesting that you take a giant leap and go crazy, just straddle the comfort zone line and push yourself to experiment with a new look.

Do you wear the same necklace every day with every outfit? If so, I have to ask, "Would you wear the same clothes every day?" I don't mean the occasional 'wearing today what you had on yesterday'. I mean "Every single day do you wear the same clothes?" If your answer to this is "No!" than my next question is "Why would you wear the same necklace every day?"

When I ask these questions at my craft shows and boutiques I usually get 1 of 2 answers.

The number one answer is "Because I'm lazy and it's easier to wear this necklace all the time." I'm sure it's lovely, but it most likely isn't really noticed by your friends and family because they always see it, and people tend not to notice things when they always remain the same. If your necklace doesn't complement your clothes and it doesn't get noticed for it's own beauty, then it's really not doing you or your outfit any good. Adding color to your wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to coordinate clothing. Looking attractive and pulled together is critical to feeling good about yourself. And ladies, it really isn't that hard to put on a necklace that complements what you're wearing!

The number two answer is "Because my husband/daughter/mother gave me this necklace." OK, sentiment is very important and I'm not going to suggest that you don't wear it. I am going to ask you to consider wearing your special necklace along with another one that complements what you have on. Layering jewelry is very fasionable and this is a great way to give you the best of both worlds - comfort because of your sentimental necklace and confidence that you have a well coordinated outfit.

Let's say that you're wearing a pair of jeans with your favorite blouse or t-shirt. If you usually wear the same sterling silver or gold necklace then I challenge you to wear a necklace with color. This is a way to make your jeans and blouse/t-shirt into an outfit instead of individual pieces thrown together.

Adding color with jewelry to your jeans and an every day blouse/t-shirt pulls it together to create a pleasing outfit without looking dressed up. Look around and you'll notice that many women are wearing necklaces with color. Don't be scared, you can do this!

If your comfort zone is wearing the same necklace all the time you're probably not likely to wear big bold jewelry, and you may not be comfortable wearing things that get a lot of attention. However, tune in to the ladies who are wearing smaller quieter necklaces with color. Take a lesson from the ones that you admire. Their jewelry most likely complements what they have on and I doubt that the spotlight is shining on them and an anouncer saying "Look at her!" If they did it right (and it's not hard to do it right!), their necklace truly complements what they have on.

So ladies, are you up to this challenge? Try it, you really have nothing to lose and complements to gain! I'd love to hear from you, please share with us the comments you receive.

Tune in next time for more jewelry tips.....

What To Do With A Cake Stand

2009-05-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's obvious that a cake belongs on a cake stand. And you're probably familiar with using them for cookies, muffins and other bakery goods. Small plate stands are also used for other food items like cheese balls, crackers, candy and other tasty dishes.

But, it's not all about food when it comes to using cake plates. They make unique and functional decorator items that can be used in every room of your home.

Your guest bathroom is the one room that visitors have complete carte blanche to view in private. How you decorate this room gets noticed! In this picture I set some lovely bath products on a beautiful plate stand for guests to use.

A plate stand is really very functional on a small counter because the added height allows you to make better use of counter space.

Did you notice that I called it a plate stand instead of cake plate? Don't serve dessert in the bathroom!!!

Kitchen counters easily get crowded and using a plate stand is a way to better utilize limited counter space. Fresh fruits and vegetables are lovely to look at, and keeping them handy reminds us to eat them more often.

At the end of the day this is a great place for men to drop their wallet, coins and whatever else they carry in their pockets.

Place a plate stand in a handy place, here it's on my husband's bedroom dresser. It's a convenient place for him, and he knows where to find everything in the morning rush to get out the door.

And ladies, here's an idea for you! Whether used on your bedroom dresser or bathroom vanity, a small plate stand is a great place to put your jewelry at the end of the day. It's a much safer place to temporarily set your earrings, necklace, rings, watch & bracelets - and it won't get swept into the sink or fall on the floor never to be seen again!

Whatever you call them - cake stand, cake plate, plate stand, pedestal plate stand, tiered cake plate or footed plate stand - really they're all the same.

It's what you do with them that puts your personal stamp on it. Be creative and, as they say "Think outside the box!"

All of the plate stands shown here are available to purchase, however they're not all on my website.
If you'd like more information about them, please email me at judy@judyevanscollection.com.

What Is A Cake Stand?

2009-05-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Cake stands are sometimes called plate stands, pedestal plate stands, tiered cake plates and footed plate stands. There are probably many more names that I can't think of at the moment. Whatever you may call them, they're pretty, functional and always versatile. Sometimes a glass cover is used to protect the food placed on these cake or plate stands.

Cake stands aren't just for birthday cakes anymore! Depending on thier size, they can be used for many things. They show off the usual dessert items: muffins, pies, cup cakes and of course beautiful layered cakes. However, they also make a great display for everyday food like fresh fruit and veggies on your kitchen counter.

Try using a beautiful plate stand in your bathroom with potpourri, guest soaps and even paper hand towels for guests. They make a great addition to your bathroom counter because they're elevated. The height allows better use of what is many times limited counter space in guest bathrooms.

Plate stands are multi-functional and can also be used for candles or a place to drop your mail. They're a lovely decorator piece on your bedroom dresser or bathroom vanity to use for your jewelry. They're especially good for the lady who wears the same jewelry every day, because she can set it on the plate stand at night and know where it is in the morning when she's ready to put it on again.

I've shown you a few pictures of empty plate stands that are very colorful and fun to use. In my next post I'll show some pictures of creative ways to use your plate stands.

I'd love to hear some ideas from you. Do you even have a plate stand? What have you used it for?

Employee of the Month

2009-05-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Do you have staff that go above & beyond their job description?

Is there someone on your staff that's loyal to you through the good times and the bad?

Someone who regardless of your mood, is always upbeat and friendly?

Well, I have 2 employees that is all of the above! They take care of things when I'm away and are always happy to see me when I return.

To celebrate these two special associates, I want to tell the world how much I appreciate their support. Today we are celebrating Bailey & Cody. These pictures were taken when they were on their afternoon break.

Cody, our big hairy dog.

Bailey, our golden retriever.

More Palm Springs Jewelry

2009-01-08T05:13:00.000-08:00

Here's more handmade jewelry made from my Palm Springs crystals. If you read my previous post, you know that I found some amazing ready-made elasticized bracelets in Palm Springs, CA. They were beautiful as they were, however they definitely weren't my style.

The shop owner was making some great deals, so I bought several with the intention of re-making them. I took apart the bracelets and created totally new and different jewelry.

These 3 pieces that I designed using my Palm Springs crystals can be seen in more detail on my Judy Evans' Collection 1000 Markets website. These crystals are absolutely beautiful. The finish on them is highly polished and very shiny. There are many, many facets that catch the light and really sparkle. I wish I'd bought more bracelets because I could really have fun with these treasures.

As you know I name jewelry after friends and family members who have impacted my life. Monica & Marty are 2 such people.

Monica & I go back about 30 years. There were 6 of us who got together about once a month. Cheryl was our foundation and the rest of us, Monica, Karen, Bev, Debbie & I looked to Cheri to keep us connected. It seemed that we were all different, yet very much alike. We were all young mothers at the time, some of us working full time, some part-time and some were stay at home moms. I admired these women because they all had strengths that I didn't. I still remember sitting in restaurants for hours sharing problems, laughing and sometimes shedding a few tears.

Monica was a single mother facing many of the challenges that many young single moms deal with. Her ability to overcome obstacles was amazing. I admire her tenacity and strength. This group of friends is a part of me even though some of us are not as strongly connected as we were many years ago. They helped me in more ways than I can count.

Monica's necklace and earrings are primarily black crystals with a few light yellow thrown in. There are several different types of Palm Springs crystals used in these pieces - round, small teardrops, and 2 sizes of diamond shaped crystals. The variety of shapes and sizes are interesting and add a unique look to the necklace.

Marty is one of my YaYa Sisters. If you remember the movie, "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood", you'll remember that it's a story of friendship that prevails through thick and thin.

I'm fortunate to have my own YaYa Sisters, Marty, Pat, Del & Janet. We see each other frequently, either one on one or altogether. When together we call ourselves "The YaYa's".

Like the women from the movie, Marty is strong, brave, loyal and a wonderful friend. She too was a single mom and raised 3 beautiful daughters. Marty is the kind of grandmother I admire. It's a joy to see the way her grandchildren show their love for her.

Marty's bracelet uses the round crystals in a dark orange. If you're familiar with Swarovski crystals, this color is called Indian Red. An oval Palm Springs crystal is in the center and smokey quartz and sterling silver comeplete the bracelet. A sterling silver chain is used to make this an adjustable size and there's a small dangle of 2 Swarovski crystals in Indian Red, a small smokey quartz bead and sterling silver spacers that finish off the chain.

I'm grateful that I've had these women in my life. I've always said that family and friends are my most valued asset.

Palm Springs Jewels!

2009-01-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Christmas my family (husband, daughter, son and his fiance) spent a couple of days in Palm Springs, CA. Part of the time was spent shopping in Downtown Palm Springs and I came across some elasticized bracelets that were made with beautiful crystals. The colors were amazing and they sparkled like crazy!

The shop owner was making some incredible deals and I bought several bracelets with the intention of breaking them down to use the crystals in my own creations. I enjoyed cutting the elastic stretchy thread that held these together because I've never liked stretch bracelets, they always seem to be of inferior quality to me (just my opinion, I know some people love them!)

I could hardly wait to get started, but since it was only a few days before Christmas and we were having the Evans' family at our house on Christmas day, there were more urgent things to take care of. Making jewelry would have to be put on a back burner.

However - Christmas eve was a quiet day because the rest of the family was off visiting friends and other family members. So, while food preparations were on the front burners, I took the crystals off the back burner and started a necklace.

I named it for my friend Chris because she has a way of lighting up the room, just like these crystals. The crystals are amazing because they're shaped like a traditional diamond with a hole drilled in the top. When strung on wire they overlap to give an unusual shape and the facets pick up the light and sparkle like crazy! The crystals used in this necklace are purple (my favorite color by the way), dark green and a lovely amber.

Now that the holidays are offically behind us, I started creating again. Using more of what I call my Palm Spring Crystals, I created a few more pieces.

Denise I's Pink & Lavendar Bracelet uses the Palm Springs round crystals with some Swarovski white pearls. This feminine bracelet reminded me of Denise.

Debbie J's Bracelet & Earrings use pink Palm Springs Crystals in much the same way as Chris's necklace. I added Swarovski white pearls and sterling silver beads to give it a unique look. I like the look of pearls and crystals together. Debbie J has several pieces of my jewelry and I'm so glad she likes my style.

I still have more Palm Springs Crystals and will be working with them soon. But for now I have to take care of other items that are on the front burner!

Happy New Year Everyone!

My Blog Has Moved

2008-12-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

My website and blog have moved to 1000 Markets. Just go to http://www.judyevanscollection.com/. Here you'll see my new website with an all new format. You can click on the tab "Blog" above the pictures and it will take you to my new blog. Or you can go to the bottom of the pictures to see my blog. Either way, it's all together in one place.

1000 Markets is a new venue for creative artisians. Here you'll find upscale quality products made by artistic folks who love what they do. It's a great place to call home for people who love to create and sell their products. Customers love it because it's such an easy place to shop for handmade items. I'm sure you'll enjoy browsing the many markets that are available. Please visit 1000 Markets, you'll be glad you did.

And don't forget to check out my new site and blog. I've added lots of new items. There's even a place for you to leave comments on the website as well as the blog. I'd love to hear what you think of the new format. Please let me know what you like and what I can do to improve it.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.

Judy

What A Great Week!

2008-10-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

This has been a fun week for me.

For those of you who are familiar with etsy.com, you'll appreciate the pleasure of being in a treasury. I was featured in "Thinking Pink For Fall" by Tigerlilystudio. Her treasury features items that when sold, donations will be given to the Susan G. Koman Foundation for breast cancer.

My Breast Cancer Bracelet is on the right hand side third from the top.

Please visit Tigerlilystudio to see some beautiful pillows, pillowcases and other fabric items. http://www.tigerlilystudio.etsy.com/

I also sold a plate stand this week that's been a favorite of mine. It's called Zanzabar and has received a lot of attention, both from visitors to my website and customers at the various craft shows that I've participated in.

It was sold to someone who was giving it as a surprise birthday gift. There were quite a few emails going back and forth regarding shipping time and the surprise factor! I'm eager to hear from the purchaser what the reaction will be from the recipient. I really enjoyed this sale because the purchaser went all out in order to make this something special.

This plate was always noticed and drew customers to my space at the craft shows. Now I have to come up with some other plate stands to attract people. In the meantime here are a few that get their share of attention.

This is my Cats, Cats, Cats Plate Stand. It is so bright and fun!

These are actually 2 plates the complement one another. They can be used individually, side by side, or stacked as shown. They have an elegant and formal feel and are really beautiful.

And the last feel-good for me that happend this week was being remembered by another vendor.

I was on a forum last night chatting away and all of a sudden there was a post that said

"JudyEvans--I KNOW YOU! I met you at a craft fair at the Dept. of Child Support Services a couple years ago. At least, I am almost positive I did, didn't I? I was selling cards, and I remember your luscious jewelry! I was working there at the time and I think you had a friend or relative there and that was why you were there...."

Now how weird is that? This message was from the gal Peaseblossomstudio who sells handmade journals & note cards. All of her items are her own designs, she is truly an artist. Definitely worth looking at, http://www.peaseblossomstudio.etsy.com/

Don't you love it when someone remembers you? What an ego boost that was!

Jewelry Meme!

2008-10-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

I love jewelry and thought it would be interesting to hear about your jewelry style. Let's have some fun with these 3 simple questions.

Ready?

Let's Go - leave your answers in the comments ~

1. What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?

2. Do you wear the same jewelry every day, or do you wear something different?

3. What's your jewelry style? Chunky? Petite? Colorful? Simple? Conservative? Bold? Eclectic?

Crickett’s Answer for Cancer

2008-10-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Surviving My Daughter by Bonnie Julius

"On June 14, 2006, my life changed forever after a call from my daughter, Crickett. A lump discovered in her breast was believed to be cancerous even before tests confirmed it. ………"

As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I'm honored to have jewelry from Judy Evans' Collection included in a wonderful website that was created in memory of Crickett Julius, who passed away in October of 2006, 4 months after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 39.

"Early on, we designated a “Power room” in Crickett’s home where “Power hour” was held daily. This involved family and caretakers gathering to meditate, talk about how they were feeling, read cards and emails from well-wishers, and just have a peaceful hour with Crickett, ending in prayer.…….."

These excerpts are from a true story that will soon be posted on Crickett's Answer for Cancer website. It is written by Crickett's mother Bonnie Julius, from her perspective as Crickett's mother.

Bonnie, and Crickett's cousin and good friend Carole Trone, are co-founders of Crickett's Answer for Cancer. Carole will also have her story featured on their website.

Bonnie and Carole are dedicated to helping women who are fighting breast cancer. Their goal is to ensure that women with breast cancer have access to wigs, mastectomy products, facials, mastectomy massage, and other pampering services, as a way to feel feminine and beautiful despite losing their hair and/or breasts.

Please visit Crickett's Answer for Cancer. There you will have the opportunity to purchase items especially created to support breast cancer awareness. Your donations and/or purchases will make a difference in the life of a woman with breast cancer.

Shown here are only a few of the many fine things you'll find. Below are the artists and their websites who created the featured items shown here.

Jenny - http://www.infusionglassworks.etsy.com/

Cindy - http://www.sewmanycreations.etsy.com/

Roxana - http://www.roxies.etsy.com/

Judy - http://www.judyevanscollection.com/

There are many more items and creative artists featured on Crickett's Answer for Cancer. There wasn't room here to feature them all, so please check them out.

Bonnie was kind enough to allow me a preview of her beautiful story from a mother's perspective. If Bonnie and Carol's stories are not yet posted when you visit their site, please return to Crickett's Answer for Cancer. You'll be glad you did!

"......Crickett’s Answer for Cancer stresses a committed and compassionate response to courageous breast cancer patients in our community. It not only celebrates the life of my daughter, Crickett, but also hopes to help women like her feel supported. We hope that Crickett’s story fosters these qualities in other women fighting the fight."

You Name It!

2008-09-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I name jewelry for ladies who have touched my heart. Some of these ladies are still active in my life. For others, even though I often think of them, we don't touch base often enough.

I have enjoyed naming jewelry for them, and the feedback I've received indicates that they too like feeling special!

Close friend, working friend, soccer mom or neighbor - we all have ladies in our lives who are special to us.

If you would like to honor your special lady, here's your chance to name a piece of jewelry for her. My jewelry is one of a kind, no one else will have one like it! Unless I have a custom order (such as a bridal party) I will never duplicate my jewelry. It is my policy to give all my customers a one of a kind original - just like your special lady!

Simply go to Judy Evans' Collection to purchase one of my un-named pieces of jewelry. In the comments section of your order include a few words about your special person. I'll name the piece for her and add your words to the description so she can see it. (When she looks at the item in the sold section the price is hidden.) And, I'll include a customized tag with your words in your order. Your jewelry will be shipped in a gift box with a beautiful bow.

These pictures are samples of the un-named jewelry in Judy Evan's Collection.

My Sister Pat P.

2008-09-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

I’m so blessed to have Patty as my sister. When I was little she was my idol. It was her Christmas and birthday gifts that I most looked forward to, and I wanted to be just like her.

Patty taught me that you should welcome adventure and change. In 1976 our brother Bill and Uncle Larry were on a fishing trip in Washington and they happened upon a small resort that was for sale. On a whim they called my sister from the corner pay phone and asked her if she wanted to buy it with them. Site un-seen, she said yes and the rest is history.

They all sold their homes and businesses in California (Patty left a great job as a computer tech – when computers were the size of large offices) and moved to Washington. I don’t think Patty had ever even been to Washington, and certainly didn’t know anything about owning and working a resort! It was a scary thing for a single mom with a 14 year old son, but she had the strength to make a change that had the potential for a wonderful life for her and her son. And it was a wonderful life for them. But how many people do you know who could do such a daring thing?

Patty taught me the value of family. She has the kind of relationship with her grandchildren that I hope to someday have with mine. Patty creates special times to spend with each of them one on one. She has planned very special trips for them throughout the years – just her and her grandson or granddaughter by themselves to New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, Boston, Southern California, cruise to Alaska - and always plans around their interests. Then to make the time even more memorable, she creates wonderful scrapbooks for them to remember the trips they’ve taken. Her relationship with her 2 grandchildren is very touching. Jared & Sara have so much love for their Grandma and they like to sit next to her and cuddle – these kids aren’t little anymore – Jared is 20 and Sara is 14!

Patty has also taught me the value of compassion for others. After selling the resort (they owned it for 15 years) she volunteered as a child advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system. This volunteer position turned into a job with the County Juvenile Services where she worked until she retired. After 3 months of being retired she realized that was not for her and returned to Juvenile Services as a “relief juvenile detention officer”. She not only sees a lot of drama, but she also has a lot of fun. She was actually an actor in a nationwide training film for juvenile detention centers. (Now that she’s a film star I can get her autograph if you want!)

I love and admire my sister Patty. She was, and continues to be a role-model for me. Those of you who have close loving relationships with your sisters can understand my love for her. I wouldn’t be the person I am, if not for having her in my life.

The necklace that you see here is named for her. She likes to go bead shopping with me and I always challenge her to pick out companion beads for centerpieces. I loved this centerpiece but could never find beads that worked. As always, Patty found the perfect match!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-09-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

I’m sure that all of us have been touched by breast cancer, if not personally then by someone close. In one very small way, I show my support for breast cancer research by offering what I call “Breast Cancer Jewelry”. I carry Breast Cancer Jewelry throughout the year and donate a portion of the sales for breast cancer research.

As you all know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year millions of dollars are raised for breast cancer charities. Wearing pink shows your support and helps to remind women that early detection works.

For every piece of Breast Cancer Jewelry sold during the remainder of September and the entire month of October, I will donate 50% of the entire sale price for breast cancer research.

Please visit my site www.judyevanscollection.com to see all the Breast Cancer Jewelry. You can choose from bracelets and purse bling. I have more pieces than is listed in my site, so if you don’t see something you like, please contact me. I’ll either get more listed or personally email you a picture. I will also design a custom piece just for you.

And remember, all my jewelry in the Breast Cancer line is one of a kind – I do not duplicate, so you will have an original piece. And all pieces in the Breast Cancer line will have either a sterling silver cancer ribbon or a ceramic bead with the pink ribbon.

I’ve had many customers who purchase Breast Cancer Bracelets and purse bling for someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Wearing attractive jewelry is just a small way that each of us can show support for breast cancer research.

So show your support – wear pink!

Personalized Bracelets

2008-08-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

Here's an example of one of my Mother Bracelets. These are available as a single strand, double strand or triple strand. I think they're just beautiful - I hope you like them too.

Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and Swarovski Pearls are used along with sterling silver alphabet letters and sterling silver spacers and beads.

This is a single strand bracelet using a sterling silver toggle clasp. You can also have an adjustable bracelet with sterling silver chain and a small dangle at the end of the chain.

This shows the adjustable chain on a double strand bracelet. Swarovski crystals in this one uses two shades of blue and crystal (clear). The pearls used in this Luca & Max bracelet are from Swarovski.

And not to leave our little girls out of the picture - I have some special bracelets just for them. These are perfect for church and special occasions - assuming your little one will let you take it off.

Little girl bracelets are all adjustable to allow for growth and will never be made with elastic cord. This is a special piece of jewelry for a special child and quality is all important! This will truly become a keepsake for years to come.

Using crystals of diferent colors is beautiful too. Here is the Maya & Aiden bracelet using sapphire and rose Swarovski crystals with mother of pearl beads.

Color in your personalized bracelet is beautiful and striking, however in this April & Brad double strand bracelet I used Swarovski crystals in shadow crystal (very light grey) and crystal (clear). I think this is beautiful and perhaps a bit more dressy and sophisticated.
Freshwater pearls and a sterling silver clasp were used to create this one of a kind special bracelet.

Whatever your color choice, whether you want a single, double or triple strand - you'll get something special and very custom. What a beautiful tribute to your family!

Please visit my website http://www.judyevanscollection.com/ to view more pictures of these beautiful personalized bracelets. If you don't see what you want, please contact me - together we can create something special just for you!

April E

2008-08-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

This necklace and earrings are named for my daughter April. Read on to see why she is so special!

When I’m with April I’m reminded of how important random acts of kindness really are –

Saying "Thank you" to a waitress filling your water glass, “Bless You” when you hear a sneeze, and eye contact and a smile to strangers as you pass by are just a few of the things I see and hear her do.

Because of April I try to acknowledge and show appreciation to those around me. She makes me realize that these small gestures are contagious; I hope it makes the people on the receiving end feel good.

As a mother, I of course have all kinds of stories about my daughter, however there is one that truly tells what a kind and giving person April has grown up to be.

Many of us have donated to local charities, left old belongings curbside for Good Will, and given money for various organizations at local shops and grocery stores. April took us beyond the convenient donation in a way that shaped lives forever.

When April was teaching in a low income school, she saw families that loved and sacrificed for their children yet struggled financially more than April had ever known. One Christmas she found a way to help these families in a very special way.

We got some gift cards and various gifts for a few of the families. She didn’t want them to know where the gifts came from, so Scott, a good friend of her brother Brad, delivered the gifts to the parents of these families on Christmas Eve.

Brad and April had such fun hiding so they could watch Scott when he delivered the gifts. They so enjoyed seeing the reactions of the parents as this 6’5” teenage stranger handed over presents and wouldn’t tell them who they were from!

To our knowledge, these families never knew who was responsible for their Christmas surprise – that’s what truly defines charity – doing it for the good and not the recognition.

That’s how April is. Mothers are supposed to inspire their children; however in my life it’s the daughter who inspires the mother.

All About Etsy

2008-07-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I had a wonderful surprise - Judy Evans' Collection was featured in a blog! Whitney at http://allaboutetsy.blogspot.com/ discussed me and my jewelry line, and added a few pictures.

All About Etsy is a great blog that talks about many of the wonderful shops found in etsy.com. There's also some great pictures by Whitney and a link to her photo shop. Please visit and and leave a comment for Whitney.

I'm very honored that someone would take the time and effort to promote my website - Thank you Whitney ~

Debra J

2008-07-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

The first person to share has to be Debbie. I’ve known her all my adult life (and remember that I’m old enough to live in a senior community!). Sorry Deb, you're old enough to live here too!

Debbie and I were best of friends before children, during children rearing years, and as empty nesters. During the early days Deb & I did all sorts of crafts. We loved it when our husbands would spend days/weekends dirt bike riding or golfing. That was our time to bring out the paints and paint plaster of paris. (Remember those white things that people painted & stained?) We thought we were sooo talented!!!

We also frosted each other’s hair (now it’s called highlights). Did any of you do that too with the plastic caps that you pulled hair through? Debbie & I were so careful to only get tiny bits of hair rather than big clumps. We were stylin.

Debbie is responsible for getting me started in jewelry design. In the Fall of 2003 Bev, Debbie & I had a girls weekend at Debbie’s home in Las Vegas. We’d kind of lost touch because Debbie hadn’t lived locally in many years. It was so great to get back together again, and like all the other times when she'd been away, we were able to pick up right where we left off.

She could hardly wait to show me her new craft – jewelry making! I was so impressed – I was so naïve that I didn’t think everyday people could do that. She took me to her local bead store and I was hooked. We went back at least 3 times that weekend - here we were in Vegas and we spent our weekend making jewelry & going to the bead store! As soon as I got home, I went to my local bead store. I spent a fortune that weekend.

My husband reminds her that she started something that hasn’t stopped! He blames her for my obsession – fortunately he loves her as much as I do.

Debbie – you are the reason for my passion! I love you dearly.

Customer Testimonials

2008-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

See what customers have to say about Judy Evans' Collection.

Please click # Comments next to 8:00 am on the green screen below.