Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Collections at ArtFire make it easier to locate a great vintage fashion find. We are honored to be included in the collection below. You’ll find Betty’s beautiful handmade necklace and earrings in vintage white faux pearls featured.

Our ArtFire store features our New Life Jewelry Art collection filled with creations with vintage components, rosaries and mixed media designs.

Check out the Get Your Gift On collection for great vintage fashion choices.

 

Today is the 75th anniversary of the end of prohibition. This afternoon’s post is my favorite Hot Buttered Rum recipe. Perfect to warm the cockles of your heart and raise a glass to celebrate the season.

Hot Butter Rum Batter

Not low-cal but high in flavor! Keeps up to 3 months in freezer.

1 pound butter

1 pound brown sugar

1 pound confectioners' sugar

1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Blend in brown sugar and confectioners' sugar. Remove from heat, and whisk in the ice cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into a plastic container, seal, and freeze.
2. In a coffee mug, measure 1 tablespoon Hot Buttered Rum Batter and 1 fluid ounce of rum, then fill cup with boiling water. Stir, and sprinkle top of drink with nutmeg.
3. Sharon recommends: adding a dab of butter or a shot of whip cream to top it off!

 

Cheers!

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Holidays are for splurging on calories and budgets. These rich, sweet macaroons do both and are guaranteed to please coconut lovers.

Here’s my favorite macaroon recipe from the almond paste manufacturer, Odense, for you to try this season.

Coconut Almond Macaroons

Yield Yield: 35 cookies

Time 20 minutes to assemble 18-20 minutes to bake per tray

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup egg whites, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1-7 oz Almond Paste, grated

Sharon, note: Do not use marzipan, a presweetened almond paste.

2 cups powdered sugar

14 oz package sweetened flaked coconut

Optional: Melting chocolate, to drizzle over baked cookies

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or Silpat® non-stick sheet

In large bowl, beat egg whites and extract until firm, but not dry.

In a separate bowl beat grated Almond Paste, sugar and coconut until the texture of small crumbs.

Gently fold mixtures together.

Drop tablespoons of dough 1 inch apart onto cookie sheets (small scoop with wire release works well).

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly browned on bottom and firm to the touch. Cool cookies on wire racks.

Leave plain or decorate with melted chocolate if desired.

 

Enjoy!

 

Don’t let a limited budget stop you from giving a fabulous gift of jewelry. Here’s 3 great handmade beaded  watches for under $20 from Rose of Sharon Jewelry.

Just in Time Watches 

 

Pretty in Pink – this watch features bold pink faux pearls with delicate translucent opalite beads. The square face is modern and fun! $19.99 at Etsy.

 

 

 

The tumbled brown agate beads provide a soft neutral look for this lovely oval watch. $19.99 at Etsy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These beautiful Fluorite tumbled beads are naturally beautiful and look great with the antiqued silver look of the round watch face.

 

 

 

Watches are an interesting form of jewelry combining practical needs with fashion looks. Check out the entire line of handmade watches and other affordable handmade jewelry from our A.F.F. Jewelry Collection at Etsy.

Special Subscriber Offer

Want to save $5 on your next purchase from our Etsy store? Simply convo me and tell me you are a Rose of Sharon newsletter subscriber and I’ll give you $5 back on any purchase through December 15th.

Please Note: Etsy has no way to accept discount coupons so this $5 will be an immediate refund after paying for your order via PayPal.

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Women undergoing chemotherapy endure a lot. Loss of hair  assaualts our sense of self and dignity. Scarves a great way to feel pretty and healthy. Today I’m sharing an older post featuring beautiful vintage scarves from Paula Horlick of The Vintage Scarf.

Scarves come in all sizes and shapes. Paula would be glad to help you find the right one for wearing wrapped around your head.

A beautiful vintage scarf with its colorful and timeless versatility is a fashion must for women of all ages. With her modern fashion sensibility, owner Paula Horlick of The Vintage Scarf understands the power of accessorizing with a scarf from the 1930s to the 1980s.

With a twist and a knot, you can quickly and effortlessly turn a bad hair day [or a no hair day] into an eye-catching hairdo or transform an ordinary T-shirt and jeans outfit into a personal fashion statement. 

Busy mother of 3, full-time student and wife, Dawn keeps her hair away from her face with a long vintage scarf with pink/coral stripes and blue borders.

 

From Matinee Sirens to Hip Moms

In the 40s and 50s, scarves were an important fashion accessory worn around the neck, over the head and even on a wrist.Keeping your hair under control in the wind required wearing a scarf. Hollywood’s beauties Rita Hayworth, Leslie Caron, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly frequently wore scarves on- and off-screen. The elegance, drama or whimsy of a scarf can be seen even in black and white films! Fashion rules were pretty rigid then. But today, we let the breezes blow and appreciate the movement and color a scarf can bring to our hair and complexion.

 

 

 

 

Scarves Are All About Fun

Today’s vintage scarf lovers know it’s all about having fun with a unique fashion accessory. Vintage scarves come in a variety of shapes and lengths perfect for twisting, wrapping, folding and looping. Dawn really had a great time playing with this rectangle scarf from The Vintage Scarf as you can see from our series of pictures.

Dawn starring in “Kung-Fu Mama”

 

 

A Personal Gift with Lasting Style

Vintage scarves make wonderful, personal gifts. “Today, a new customer was looking for a birthday present for her friend who is a music major,” shares Paula. “I had a scarf that is all about music. A beautiful brown scarf with fringe. The design had music notes and Beethoven and Mozart figures on it. The perfect and unique birthday present!”

Add Pizzazz for Under $20.00

Paula’s collectible scarves range in price from $9.99 to $19.99. A great fashion deal – especially for a one-of-a-kind accessory. Her online store is conveniently divided into color categories. However, if you spot something you love, don’t wait to order these one-of-a-kind accessories or it might be snatched up by another savvy scarf lover.

Scarves take no time to incorporate into a busy Mom’s wardrobe.

 

 

 

 

Fashion with a Past and a Future

Owning a vintage scarf is like owning a piece of history. Two years ago, while trying to find the right online business Paula received a vintage scarf from her mother. “I looked at this scarf and it was so beautiful. I thought of the history behind it and the name The Vintage Scarf popped in my head. The rest as they say is history,” laughs Paula. The “art of scarf wearing” is alive and well thanks to Paula’s hours devoted to collecting, cataloging and ironing over 700 vintage scarves (whew!). While a scarf from The Vintage Scarf may date back to the early 1930s, the era’s quality and Paula’s thorough examination means you’ll be able to pass this heirloom on to another generation.

 

 

 

 

When you shop at The Vintage Scarf, you’re dealing with a passionate businesswoman who is interested in making certain you are completely satisfied with your purchase. She isn’t selling you a swatch of cloth, but a treasure that someone has tenderly cared for.

Enhancing the Enhancement

This black onyx and gold scarf clip ($9.99) adds an heir of elegance to even a basic scarf.

Paula also offers vintage scarf accessories such as clips and buckles to expand your wearing options. You can dress up a simple scarf to enhance its charm. Scarves are perfect for all seasons. Stop by Paula’s shop today and see what beautiful OOAK vintage scarves she has for you.

 

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Need to know how to tie a head scarf? Head over to YouTube and you’ll find several great videos to inspire you.

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Looking for unique, inspiring and artist holiday gifts? Check out the world-famous Getty Museum gift shop online. Here are my top 5 favorite gifts from their newly revamped web site.

 

This pocket paint set ($12.95) is a great gift for the aspiring artist. This set is easy to carry for impromptu painting sessions for adults or children.

 

 

 

 

I love giving science-based gifts and this volcano making kit ($12.00) looks like a great project for a rainy Saturday afternoon. In fact, I may get one for myself – I mean my grandson.

 

 

 

 

This shimmery vase was created by glass artist ($110.00) Peter Vizzusi in a classic Venetian style.

This is a limited edition signed heirloom gift and requires 4 week lead time.

 

 

 

I Read Banned Books combines my love of jewelry and books. It’s certainly a statement bracelet ($20.00) and  a portion of your purchase goes to support the American Library Association of Intellectual Freedom.

Learn more about Banned Book Week from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2.

 

The history of Greece can be seen in these miniature  terra cotta vases ($18.00 each).
A perfect gift for the collection, these were inspired by the extensive Grecian art collection at the Getty Villa.

 

 

Don’t forget The Getty museum tickets and memberships also make great gifts for families visiting or living in the greater Los Angeles area.

Many museums around the country have fabulous gift shops with gifts that not only the receiver will enjoy but also help the individual museums. Check out your local museums or go online to major metropolitan museum online stores.

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Steampunk is hot in handmade jewelry now. Today’s post shares this innovative mash-up of old and new from 3 great jewelry artists who create it.

So what’s steampunk jewelry? The Steampunk term typically refers to Victorian –era industrial elements blended with a fantasy, science fiction creativity. In jewelry, this means hard elements such as antiqued base metals, hardware and gears, watch components mixed with softer, romantic images.

Steampunk jewelry isn’t for everyone.  I do believe that its popularity is growing as the availability of attractive base metal components is flourishing. It starts small with a antiqued brass filigree and soon you’re riveting gears together!

 Okay, so that probably still leaves you confused. That’s because with all art – the artist gets to intercept the medium.

The best way is to show you photos of the wonderfully creative work of three steampunk jewelry artists marketing on Etsy. Once you’ve seen a few designs, you’ll get the idea.

There are over 27,000 Etsy products listed as “steampunk jewelry”.

 

Steampunk Jewelry by CatherinetteRings

This design has wonderful work which best represents the steampunk jewelry genre.

Gears never looked so great as in this steampunk copper and brass bracelet.

 

Daniel is a full-time steampunk jewelry artist whose work is bold and innovative. You’ll find his Etsy store filled with “not for the timid” jewelry and sculpture.

 

His steampunk robot ring will start conversations whenever you wear it. 

The centerpiece is an actual reptile glass eye used in taxidermy.

 

 

 

Qacreate @ Etsy

 

This cocktail ring created by Qacreate, is one of many in the Etsy store. The mix of watch parts with Swarovski crystals makes this a real conversation piece.

 

 

This pocket watch pendant is my favorite in the Qacreate store and a great interpretation of  mechanical and Victorian images.

This pendant is called The Eye of Time.

 

Explore the Qacreates store where over 100 steampunk jewelry designs are listed.

 

Aranwen’s Jewelry

Watches (even those that work and not just parts) are big in steampunk. This magnificent silver winged cuff by Aranwen @ Etsy has the romantic Victorian influence.

From Athens, Green, artist Vicky’s designs are a blend of Gothic, Victorian, Steampunk – whatever you want to call them THEY ARE FABULOUS!

 

This heart locket necklace is another one that I love. The romantic design features brass and crystal.

 

You’ll find her on-line portfolio at http://aranwen.deviantart.com/

 

 

If you love steampunk jewelry or are a steampunk jewelry artist, my readers and I would love having you post links to your online portfolio, store or jewelry find! You can leave your comment by clicking the left hand link!

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Sept. is Child Safety Month and I’m sharing 5 great safety products that are used at Grandma’s house. Babies love to “dine” on anything and 4 yr olds are very curious so safety is a priority!

Here’s my list of 5 Critical Safety Products

• Locking medicine box – Medicine cabinets are an open invitation to snoop and leaving meds by the bedside is a potential tragedy. I discovered these locking boxes are perfect to secure all my nightly meds by the bed.

 

• Stove knob covers - Quick to install  and keep little hands away. You simply remove the stove knob, add the safety cover, replace the knob and snap close. I’d recommend purchasing extras as back up as we went through 2 sets over 4 years.

 

• Cabinet locks – The best versions require you to screw them  to your cabinet doors/drawers.

Mom and I spent a couple of afternoons screwing in cabinet locks (the doors are hardwood) and I’ve broken a few nails trying to get the latches open – but they are worth the peace of mind. As your child grows, they will learn to master them so always be vigilant!

If you live in a rental, try the adhesive and/magnetic versions. With the adhesive type, YOU MUST READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY to ensure a secure hold.

 

• Chemical lock box – Household cleaning products are toxic  and a common childhood poisoning agent. This extra large lock box (similar to the medicine version above) can easily secure your favorite cleaners for under-the-sink storage.

 

• TV strap – Today’s flat screen TVs are great; however, they are  a new danger for your child. A toddler can now easily pull these lightweight units over. Originally intended as earthquake security, these are a small choice for any household.

 

I’d love to have you share your favorite child safety product in the comments below. This information might just save a life! [Click the link at the left to leave a comment.]

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