Welcome to Jewels of the OBX - The Blog!

If you know my jewelry, you are probably more familiar with my jewelry collection, Jewels of the OBX. I'm very proud of this collection and it will continue to grow - that's why I'm keeping this blog. However, I would like to invite you to get to know all my designs and you'll find them at my new website,
Julie Smith Jewelry.

Thank you for letting me share my passion with you and I hope you'll enjoy wearing my designs.
If you ever have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me!

All the best,
Julie


Monday, March 15, 2010

Jewels of the OBX earrings shown in Beadwork Magazine!


I'm so excited ... my earrings, "Pearl Elegance - Olive," are shown in the just released April/May 2010 edition of Beadwork Magazine! On page 6, I describe the inspiration and construction of the earrings in their feature, "W.O.R.D., (What Our Readers Did)." You may remember, I offered these earrings free with any jewelry purchase during the 2009 Christmas season. In anticipation, many days were spent making them and eventually, pieces in bronze and silver glass pearls.

The magazine contacted me back at the end of last year to say they would be shown in April which sounded like such a long way off, but here it is! Because the winter was so cold this year, it has kept us inside more than usual and I've spent it being productive with designing and working new jewelry pieces. The time has absolutely flown by and now spring is just a week away and we've already turned the clocks up for daylight saving time. Oh, and wait for it ... Easter is just two and a half weeks!

One day, I would like to submit a complete feature to the magazine which is a little more involved, providing a list of materials used and other required items. Beadwork says its fairly painless, which I'm sure is true, but that takes time and, well - there I go again! For now, I'll just enjoy Beadworks' very kind acknowledgement and keep on beading!

See you on the beach!

Julie

"Pearl Elegance" earrings can be seen at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Jewels of the OBX Birthday Earrings updated


It's definite ... my favorite color in Swarovski crystals is Aquamarine. After starting the Jewels of the OBX Birthday Earrings collection, I have completed those for February and now, March. I thought the Amethyst color for February was beautiful but the soft and shimmery blue for March simply sparkles.

As with all my jewelry, I've tried to price them affordably and with the free gift boxing, they would make a great birthday gift. I also offer $20 Happy Birthday gift certificates for my customers to arrive for their birthday each year. If you would like to receive a gift certificate for yourself or for a friend, simply email me at jewelsoftheobx@embarqmail.com along with the birthday month and day (no need for the year !) and I can email it or snail mail, whatever you'd like.

You can see more on the latest Aquamarine earrings at: http://jewelsoftheobx.com/


See you on the beach!


Julie


Saturday, March 6, 2010

A note to bloggers

If you're a blogger on Google's blogger.com, take care using those cute and tempting "Gadgets" that can be added onto your blog. They are outside applications that you are bringing into the security of what is your own authored blog and these applications can be hacked by anyone with no life of their own. While not directly hacking your blog, they can redirect your readers to any site they choose before your blog even had a chance to download. To be fair, the applications could also simply become unavailable; however, a non-threatening "not available" screen will alert readers on their internet explorer page. But, they could also be redirected to some viral site ... you know, one where suddenly pages upon pages of ads explode on your screen.
If you enjoy blogging, my advice is to keep it simple. Leave all the bells and whistles to those who like making a lot of noise and don't really have anything to say.