Gems on Etsy: How to Cut a Rock

Gems on Etsy: How to Cut a Rock: " I did this post last year on a jewelry making forum,I figured I would post it here on my blog for anyone interested.  I start w..."

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Flickr Contest

Leopardskin Jasper pendant made by Pennee. You an find this pendant in her etsy shop All Wired Up

When I first started cutting cabochons, they were either for my jewelry creations or for people I knew personally. I was always very excited to cut a stone for someone else because their finished pieces would always be so different from what I imagined when I cut the stone. Since we’ve started selling on etsy, there have been so many stones I wonder about what they have turned into.

So a few months ago we started a contest to encourage artist’s to share their jewelry designs with us. Here’s how it works:
1.) Make something out of a stone you purchase from Cabbing Rough
2.) Upload a photo of it to www.flickr.com/groups/cabbingrough You may enter as many pieces as you like.
3.) At the end of the month, each member of my family gets a vote, even my 3 year old son! The photo with the most votes gets a $50 gift certificate to our etsy shop.
4.) This contest runs EVERY MONTH, so make sure you stop back often!
Although I didn’t think of this originally, this contest page has been a great resource for me. Many times I receive emails from customers wanting one of or stones made into a finished piece of jewelry. I now refer them to this flickr page to browse! So if you enter, make sure you have a link to your online store under your flickr profile, not on your photo (against flickr rules)
Flickr Contest

Mooka Jasper (mookaite)

Mookaite is a stone I have worked with quite a bit. I really love cutting this stone because of the possibilities. The shades and patterns can vary so much, and sometimes the patterns create pretty scenes or eyes.

Mookaite is also known as Mookite, Mookalite, Mooka Jasper, or Mookarite. It is found in Western Australia. The Aboriginal word "mooka" means "running waters". It is made up of chert, opalite, and chalcedony.

A New Year

I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I’ve made a few I fully intend to keep.

My first, if you couldn’t tell already, is to make time for blogging. I really enjoy blogging, and I’m looking forward to setting some time aside to babble online about who knows what.

The second is to become more computer literate. I used to be pretty good with this machine, but I’ve failed to keep up. There are many programs I would like to learn for fun, as well as learning more about different internet sites.

To start off my computer learning, I’ve downloaded a free trial of Photoshop CS5 and signed up for a membership at www.vtc.com. VTC is a site with TONS of learning videos for different programs. The course for Photoshop alone is 7 ½ hours. I did finish this lesson, but I now have plans to go through it again and take some notes! The photo up top shwows what I have learned so far.

50% off Sale!!

Next week my etsy store will be closing for a few days and opening with a brand new inventory of stones. This weekend we are offering all of our current inventory at 50% off. This is your last chance to get any of the stones you've had your eye on!

I'm SO excited to be doing this, my shop is ready for a whole new look! Prices in my shop already reflect the 50% off discount (thank you etsyonsale!) To take a look, visit us at www.cabbingrough.etsy.com

Signup for our Newsletter!

I am so very excited excited to invite you all to sign up for the new Cabbing Rough newsletter! These newsletters will be sent out via email and will include articles about what we're working on now, what's coming up next, featured etsy artists, and flickr contest winners. The newsletters may also include special offers and coupons. To sign up, simply use the form below. Your email will NOT be passed along in any way without your permission.

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An Artist to Watch....

Looking at jewelry on etsy is very inspiring to me. It's a wonderful indulgence to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and browse all of the talent on etsy. One of my Favorite shops to browse on etsy is Jewelstreet. Aimee's work just takes my breath away. Her pieces are so unique and tastefully done. My personal favorites are her cuff bracelets.

You can also see Aimee's creations on Facebook