Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Easter is a great fashion holiday where florals and pastels spring forth.  Celebrate the holiday season with a beautiful Christian cross necklace and save 15% plus free shipping!

All Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan necklaces featuring beautiful crosses are on sale through April 4, 2010.

You’ll find over 30 one-of-a-kind necklaces (some include matching earrings) created by Betty (my Mom). She’s always on the search for beautiful crosses and this collection features everything from a bold white “faux” turquoise cross to a Tudor-style cross with bold red Swarovski crystals.

Here are a few of my personal favorites and links so you can learn more.

Courage

  Sterling silver and garnets

Dedication

Silver cross with brown heishe shell beads

Crown of Kings

Amethyst and silver

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

Even snow on the ground won’t stop me from preparing for Spring! Pulled out all the garden catalogs, ordered more plants and today I’m featuring two great handmade jewelry designs that shout Spring!

Pink = Spring for a gardener like me. And nothing compares to the bold pink of Candy Jade.

Fetching in Pink is a handmade pink Candy Jade necklace with matching earrings and bracelet from the talented Sandra Lee.

Sandra loves to make matching pieces so this Fetching In Pink set includes earrings (left) and a wonderful bracelet. You can wear them together for a traditional coordinated look or separately for just a splash of Jade.

April Remembered is a lovely enameled floral pendant accented with Swarovski crystals on a silver chain. Betty created this design and says she' hopes someone who loves flower will wear it with pride.

I have another half dozen brand new necklaces waiting to be posted in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store. Subscribe to the ROSJ blog today and you’ll be the first to know when they are available.

Win a Pair of Earrings

We’re counting down to 1,000 Facebook fans for Rose of Sharon Jewelry. We’ve passed the 900 mark and are eager to give away a beautiful beaded watch from the A.F.F. Jewelry collection. Just become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/rosjewelry to be eligible to win. All fans are eligible for the drawing so do your part and pass it on!

I’ll use Random.org to pick the winner! It’s a lot easier than writing 1,000 names on little slips of paper and then drawing from a hat!

With one word – HEARTS – you’ll save 15% on any purchase from the Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan line. Every women deserves extraordinary jewelry so we thought we’d help out with this rare ROSJ sale (ends 2/15).

Ladies, Share this post with your boyfriend or  hubby and tell him which original piece you want! Don’t be shy! Or better yet, set up a Rose of Sharon Jewelry wish list (easy and free) and show him your favorites.

Here are just 3 great choices for Valentine gifts from the Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan line available only in our online store.

The elegant Shall We Dance necklace features a beautiful handmade sterling silver flower from Thailand.

Pretty pink lampwork beads are a beautiful choice in this lovely necklace by Sharon. Pink Parfait is a great choice for Valentine’s Day.

Capture the Sun is a wonderful bracelet made from all natural (no dye) rough tumbled citrine beads. If she loves bracelets, she’ll never forget this special gift.

Don’t forget all Rose of Sharon Jewelry designs are shipped in an eco-friendly purple gift box. All you have to do is add a bow and a card.

P.S. We can ship PRIORITY MAIL at no extra charge. Just tell us in the comment box when checking out.

Need a great original handmade jewelry gift at more budget friendly prices? Check out the A.F.F. Jewelry Line at Etsy. Nothing over $75!

Our apple tree was laden this fall so Mom was busy thinking of ways to use them up. I found this recipe in an old Country Living Magazine. Mom made two batches since late September and I’m hiding a half-pint for Christmas morning.

I thought I’d share this today so your family could enjoy this homemade Apple Butter on their morning toast or favorite muffin. The recipe is not overly sweet which I prefer; however you can add 1 more cup of sugar if you have very sour apples or just like it sweeter.

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

12 cooking apples (Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, firm sour)

14 cups peeled, cored and sliced

2 cup sugar (white)

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp ground Allspice

• Put apples into a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Stir in sugar and spices.
• Cook on high for 4 hours. Stir and uncover.
• Cook uncovered on high for 2 to 2 ½ hours more until apples are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Cook 1 hour (or up to overnight).
• Process with immersion blender, food mill, potato masher until all chunks are gone and you have a smooth butter.
• Ladle into half-pint freezer containers.
• Keeps for 3 weeks in the refrigerator or up to a year in the freezer.

Makes 4 half-pints.

Don’t forget to leave a comment after you made your first batch!

Dear Santa, Please come to the Fullen home on Tuesday December 22nd. Kael, Orion and even non-believer Hunter will be waiting for you to come down the chimney.

With all the in-laws and outlaws, the Fullen's often have Christmas early. One year it was the 10th! We figure it’s easier to avoid Christmas overload and conflicts.

For our full family gathering, we cook a non-traditional – usually international – meal. One year, Mexican; the next, Greek. This year is Dawn suggested Polynesian influenced menu with a bit of Caribbean tossed in. That way no one gets turkey burn-out!

Arden’s sister, Sandra always joins us from Houston. She’ll be her on Saturday and we’ll put our tree up together and finish the rest of all the decorations.

While Josh and his brood visit Dawn’s family and have time to develop their own traditions, Sandra, Arden and I fix a juicy prime rib dinner. The best prime rib is Kansas City Steaks which I order from QVC. Expensive, but always worth it.

Another newer tradition is to order the most English muffins in the world from Wolferman’s. The best deal is their 12-package buy where you select your favorite flavors. We love every flavor! The cheddar cheese muffins are wonderful in Eggs Benedict.

Got to run as I only have 7 more days until the Fullen Christmas!

Our A.F.F. Jewelry line at Etsy has lovely one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry perfect to slip into her stocking. Lots of under $50 one-of-a-kind designs to choose from.

Good things do come in small packages. . .

Lucy – glass and stone bracelet - was designed for the bold woman – cool cobalt blue lampwork glass and warm orange carnelian say Wow!

Under $30

True Garnet, handmade garnet and silver earrings, ready to surprise her. Our jewelry comes in a lovely gift box.

Under $27

Pearl Drift, necklace with matching earrings is a great value for handmade one-of-a-kind freshwater pearl jewelry.

Under $36 for both!

• Our last shipping day for Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan line is Dec. 22nd. We’re offering $10 overnight shipping or free standard shipping. See the Rose of Sharon Jewelry site for more info.

I’m a stickler for holiday traditions (even those with Jell-O). My sis-in-law Olivia asked for the recipe so I thought I’d share it with all my readers.   And yes they do need the rum!

Joe Froggers are molasses cookies my Grandma made regularly in the winter. She stored them in coffee cans for us to dig into. A few years ago, I spent the afternoon with her (she was 100 then) making a batch of these spicy soft tummy warmers.

Enjoy! 

Joe Froggers

3-1/2 cup flour – sift together with the spices below

2 tsp salt

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp Allspice

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (use a bit when using pre-grated)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup dark rum (Myer’s Dark Rum or your favorite)

1 cup dark molasses

• Cream together the shortening and sugar.  Sift together the flour, spices and baking soda above. Alternately add the flour/spice mixture with the liquid ingredients (water, rum molasses). Mix until thoroughly blended.
• This is a heavy dough so you’ll get a work out. If you use a mixer, use the paddle attachment.
• Form dough into a ball or log (I prefer the log as it makes the next step easier), cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour and up to 12 hours.
• Roll the dough on a floured work surface into a rectangle (that’s why I use the log) about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cut into 4-inch circles (or your favorite size) and bake on parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Non-stick Silpat sheets work great too.
• Bake at 375 degrees until the tops just start to crack. Here’s where handed down recipes sometimes go astray – I never questioned Grandma’s instructions so grab a drink and watch them.
• The cookies will firm up when cooling and should be soft with a little chewy texture.

Joe Froggers are great shippers providing you put wax paper or plastic between them. They also store for long periods thanks to the rum!

I’ve got to share this recipe with my 12-year-old grandson, Hunter. He loves to cook and he needs to know how great these taste.

According to lore, the recipe dates to the late 1600 in Marblehead, MA where a African American tavern owner made these for his children and patrons. I think these cookies would actually go great with a beer but I personally prefer a glass of milk. Thanks Liv for asking for these! 

Crystal jewelry’s sparkling personality loves a party! A great party dress needs a great necklace where every facet reflects light to make you glow. If you have a party in your future, here are a few Rose of Sharon Jewelry crystal necklaces ready to join you for the night. And for many nights to come.

A Million Sparkles from Sandra Lee is lovely green and pink crystals. And of course, a Sandra Lee necklace cannot go without a pair of her handmade earrings.

Teal Twilight is such a fabulous  party necklace. I created this with freshwater pearls and sparkling silver beads.

A Tudor-style golden cross on a necklace of red Swarovski crystals would be a unique but very suitable necklace for a party dress. This is More than Gold from Betty.

The Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan line has lots of elegant handmade evening wear necklaces ready to join you at your next festive occasion!