Rose of Sharon Jewelry

I love the Rudolph Christmas special with the land of Misfit Toys & the lesson that different means special. I’m celebrating some of “different” jewelry from Rose of Sharon.

Sandra Lee’s necklace, Maxine’s Folly was inspired by her twin sister spotting a similar design at a local Houston department store. This is a fabulous one-of-a-kind necklace with an asymmetrical layout and bold stones and lots of dramatic sterling silver.

Maxine’s Folly isn’t every gal’s idea of beautiful but it certainly is different.

Abiding Love requires some imagination to see its beauty. The layout in the picture doesn’t do this charming pearl necklace any justice! The “difference” is we’re not pro photographers but I guarantee this will be a well-received gift or bridal necklace.

If you don’t love Abiding Love, I’ll pay for you to return it to us within 15 days of purchase plus give you a $5 gift certificate for your inconvenience.

Citrine is such a sunny, sparkling gemstone; however, this rough tumbled citrine bracelet has such a different look. It’s organic and freeform and a lot of fun to wear!

My grandson, Kael loves it when Dad spikes his hair. He calls it “Crazy Hair”. I like to think this is a purple bead and pearl bracelet my own version of crazy hair.

All the fun and nothing stuffy in this one-of-a-kind bracelet from our A.F.F. Jewelry collection.

Long and lean and from the Roaring 20s – this black necklace I call Jitterbug isn’t a modern look but it is timeless. Want to set a fashion trend – take one that’s over 90 years old!

Jitterbug is handmade with assorted black glass beads.

There’s still time to order handmade jewelry from any of our online stores.

• Rose of Sharon Jewelry – artisan jewelry, wedding, charm bracelets and cross necklaces.
• New Life Jewelry Art – jewelry using vintage beads and components including vintage wedding necklaces plus handcrafted Catholic rosary beads.
• A.F.F. Jewelry collection at Etsy – affordable, fun, fab jewelry including our Just in Time Watch collection.
• Adornable Anklets at Etsy. Big sale now!

Hope you enjoyed our 15 days of Christmas! Through the end of the year, I’ll be blogging about a variety of seasonal topics and tossing in a special on our handmade jewelry here and there.

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.

Start your holiday shopping now! Snap up specials and spread your shopping out (cash only) instead of charging everything at the last minute. Here are some great Christmas finds to get you in the holiday shopping mode.

Let’s start with some Christmas decorations. This candle holder with large red candle is a great hostess gift or office gift exchange.

Available at Etsy from abathshoppe.

Adding gifts all year round to a “gift closet or box” is a great way to be prepared for any gift giving occasion.

Dog lovers will adore this Puppy Paws Christmas door wreath. What a great way to greet visitors! This will make everyone chuckle and let them know how much you love your canine friends.

This extra-large doggie wreath is created by Whimsical Cottage and available in their Etsy shop.

Crafty folks will want to be gathering all their supplies now. This microslide sized digital art of Victorian Christmas scenes could the inspiration for handmade jewelry, scrapbooking, altered art and more.

You’ll find this and more at Piddix’s Etsy store.

For a truly personal Christmas gift, why not order a custom Christmas poem. A great gift to cherish and only $25!

MzHolly (Etsy store) will write a poem for your loved one.

This one-of-a-kind gift be the most valuable present under the tree!

Nothing says I love you or thanks a lot like a food gift from your kitchen. Homemade goodies can be as fun to make as to receive! Here’s 2 great recipes for giving or keeping.

Cookies: The Universal Love Food

The classic chocolate chip cookie brings smiles but how about something else to drool over. Snickerdoodles are quick and fun to make (just like saying the name).

Snickerdoodles*

• About 18 cookies

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. course salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted  butter (do not substitute salted butter) at room temperature

1-1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp. sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl (Sharon’s time saving tip: put these dry ingredients into the bowl and use a whisk to combine and break up any lumps).
2. Put butter  and 1-1/2 cups sugar into bowl of mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to lowest setting; gradually add dry ingredients.
3. Stir together  cinnamon and remaining 2 tbsp. sugar in  a small bowl. Shape dough into 1–3/4 inch balls; roll in cinnamon sugar. Space balls 3 inches apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers at room temperature for  3 days (if they last that long).

* Recipe from Martha Stewart’s Cookies (2008, Martha Stewart living Omnimedia, Inc.)

When Only Chocolate Will Do

Brownies are a favorite and this recipe is quick and tasty.

Michael’s Fudge Brownies*

• Work time: 15 minutes
• Bake time: 20-25 minutes
• Makes sixteen 2-inch brownies
• Only 134 calories per gooey brownie

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour (4 oz.)

1/2 cup plus 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened Dutch process cocoa

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

5 tbsp. butter (margarine can be used)

1-1/4 cups sugar

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. instant espresso or coffee powder, dissolved in 1 tsp. hot water

One 8-inch square pan

1. Position the rack in lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. (If using a glass pan, reduce temperature to 325 degrees F.) Spray the pan with vegetable oil spray (i.e. Pam)
2. Stir together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder with a whisk. Set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Off the heat, stir in the sugar until combined (texture will remain sandy). Add the egg, egg whites, vanilla and the dissolved espresso powder. Beat with a wooden spoon about 40 strokes, scraping the sides of the pan as necessary. Add the dry ingredients and beat for another 40 strokes, or just until completely mixed.
4. Scrape mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out a little gooey. Cool on a rack. Cut into 16 squares. Brownies may be stored, well-wrapped, for about 2 days at room temperature or frozen for up to 2 months.

Author’s Note: I originally did this recipe with a handheld mixer, and that works fine also. Just don’t over do the mixing.

* Recipe from Chocolate and the Art of Low-Fat Desserts (Alice Medrich, 1994, Warner Books, Inc.) This book is a real gem but hard to come by. If you are a cookbook collector or chocoholic, check out used bookstores for this must-have tome.

Have a gift-giving favorite you’d like to share?Leave a comment and I’ll be in touch.

Perhaps you should make a double batch of these great treats. Keep one and give one as a thank you!