Sales

~ ~ Black Friday ~ ~

Small Business Saturday

~ ~ Shop Cyber Monday ~ ~

All items in our Etsy.com shop are 10% off + Free Shipping to anywhere in the USA. Use coupon code TURKEY at the checkout from now until Cyber Monday, November, 28, 2011 at 10ish (mst).

Click below on any piece of jewelry. 

 There are even more pieces in our shop.
 Happy Shopping!

Thanksgiving

Happy

Thanksgiving

PS Great deals for the holiday weekend will be posted later for our Etsy store. Stay tuned.

Stay tuned.  

Sales will be posted shortly so that you can shop from our store from the comfort of your home.

New Tradition

This was sent to me via email by a good friend.  I am not sure who the orginal author is, but I loved its message.  I thought it goes along well with my Buying Local post a few days ago.

 
"As the holidays approach, the giant foreign factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Oh.... Yes there is!

"It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in foreign produced wrapping paper?

"Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

"Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

"Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

"Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a foreign-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

"There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big national chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

"How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy/gal?

"Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning crew for a day.

"My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young person who is struggling to get his/her repair business up and running.

"OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

"Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

"Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

"You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that foreigners can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine."

Buying Local

 

During this holiday season, please think about shifting some of your money you will normally spend at chains stores to local companies. A good start would be 10%.

Why?

*local companies tend to donate more to non-profit agencies in the area.

*local businesses tend to have better customer service.

*most food in the USA is picked a week before it gets to the store and has traveled 1500 miles.

*a study in Austin, Texas found that for every $100 a customer spends, $13 will stay locally if spent at a national chain versus $45 will stay if the money is spent at a local business.

*elocal.com estimates that if the average American cities were to make a 10% change in spending to a hometown store, it would bring in $235 million dollars to the community's economy.

So please look at your community. Support a holiday boutique, buy from a local farmer, eat at a mom-n-pop restraurant, check out your neighborhood grocer, have your jewelry fixed by your favorite silversmith (wink, wink)...you get the idea.  Good luck and have a fun journey.

Our Tidbits of News:

~ We had a trace of snow that fell this weekend and it gives thought of the holiday season.  I also went shopping at a holiday boutique yesterday which only added to the atmosphere.

~ We are finalizing a few shows that we will be at during November and December.  Details will be posted in the next day or two.

~ Rene custom-made a beautiful 14k gold ring for a Mason. It turned out so beautiful. However, he sold it before taking any pictures.  Note to us: nothing leaves the house without photos!

~ We have spent the last few years testing out different venues to sell our jewelry and silver.  We are going to focus more on art festivals and we are allready applying for art festivals for next year. Hardly seems possible that it is time for application, but we have the paper work on our desk.  We are hoping to cruise around Utah and be at shows in St. George, Logan, Bountiful, Ogden, Park City and Helper to name a few.  When we get the final word, we will let you know.

~ Our jewelry classes continue to grow and grow.  Everyone seems to have such a good time and wants more. And we are delighted to ablidge.

~ We now have 73 items posted on Etsy.  We are looking to get up to 100 by Thanksgiving and then have special for Cyper Monday.  We are also looking at selling on Artfire.com and perhaps Bonanza.com.

Until next time ~ ~ ~ ~

Jewelry Making Classes

We have some options for those of you interested in jewerly making classes--and wouldn't it be great to hand craft fine jewelry for your loved ones for the holidays??

** Rene will be teaching Small Metals/Jewlery Making (Art 2350) at Weber State University winter semester. Classes will be Mon and Wed evenings from 5pm -- 7:45pm

** Until the first of the year, Rene will be teaching jewelry making classes at our workshop Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm -- 9pm and  Saturdays by appointment
    

** After the new year, classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a possibility for  Saturdays.

All skill levels are invited any of his classes.

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NOTE: We are also able to give demonstrations and one day classes to schools, "girl's night out," church groups, scouts, etc. We are happy to travel to Northern Utah areas. Other areas can be arranged as needed. Please don't hesitate to ask.