Spring 2012 Color Inspiration

Hello Gemstone Lovers:

As I mentioned in my post about autumn colors, Pantone is a pretty good place to get some insight into new colors and trends.  So it was back to Pantone to check out their picks for Spring 2012.  Need a way to boost your mood?  Get a new outlook?  Update and look forward?  Then try adding a few of these hues into your accessories to up-date and change-up.  Naturally, I love the fact that one of the colors mentions a mineral by name, Sodalite Blue.  Might have to do a post on just that particular stone ...

I'm a little bummed that they didn't present the colors in that nice color-block format that they did for fall, since it was a nice, easy way to pick out some Lunar Blue items for our own color rainbow match.  So I made my own color blocks for matching! (This was harder than it looks.)

This palette has a lot in common with the autumn one, which is no surprise, since people don't want to have to buy all new clothes and completely repaint the interiors of their houses in order to feel "in sync" with the world.  The major difference seems to be that these are turned up a notch - a little brighter for the light colors, and a little darker for the contrasting colors.  It all seems to be more enriched compared to the cooler seasons behind us.  Again, not a surprise, since people want to add a little punch to their environment and dress this time of year. 

I particularly like the purples, pinks, and sage green colors in this group.  Certain hues of amethyst, rose quartz, peridot, and turquoise will match perfectly.  So will smoky quartz, picture jasper, yellow jade, and the deeper side of both lapis lazuli and sodalite.  A great selection of fun stones to work with!

Celebrating 100 Online Sales!

Hello Gemstone Lovers!

Lunar Blue Designs had its 100th online sale on Etsy March 21!  While our total sales passed 100 quite some time ago, this is specifically a celebration of our online sales, and reaching our first goal of 100.  Thank you to everyone who has supported our business and growth - customers, fellow jewelry artists, local crafters, our financial supporters, blog/twitter/facebook followers and so many others!

We will continue to present our pieces at craft and art shows, and have plans to appear as vendors at conventions and develop workshops, as well.  We also hope to have more personal events, like our home jewelry galas.  These have been a source of a lot of fun and success for us, and those who attend really appreciate the personal service (as well as the free refreshments and informative presentations).  Still, our online store remains the cornerstone of our business, and to have our 100th sale there brings us great joy!

If you would like to support us, but can't make a purchase at this time, remember we LOVE to have followers for our social sites, like this blog, twitter, facebook, and more.  We also have a newsletter (see bar at right) that you can sign up to receive for free, that contains interesting tidbits of gemstone information as well as coupons and discounts.

Thanks again!

Art Friday - Here We Come

As a child, I loved going to craft fairs.  I was enthralled by the colors, textures, sounds, and reflected lights from fabric, paper, glass, and metal.  There could be nothing better, I thought, than being the person selling wonderful treasures at a craft fair.  It must be a great feeling, making something beautiful, something unique, and then having someone take it home to enrich their life.  Wow.

So it's a little dream come true - Lunar Blue Designs will be a vendor at Downtown Boston's Art Friday this very Friday, June 3, from 11am to 6pm.  It is located right smack in the middle of all the action in Downtown Crossing, right next to the orange line stop, and only a block from the Park Street green line stop.  Amy and I have gone to browse several times.  There are all kinds of vendors selling jewelry, sculptures, paintings, purses, scarves, belts, and even organic honey.  Not to mention that the area always has great street carts with yummy food, and local music talent plying their trade.

And it is supposed to be a gorgeous day!  I just checked the weather - high of 74 degrees, sunny, and no chance of rain.

If you are looking for a Father's Day gift, we'll have gemstone key rings available for both men and women, as well as bolo ties for people who like a little southwestern flair in their fashion.  Our malas make great gifts for meditators of any gender.  And of course we'll have a selection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces.  Amy will be taking custom orders for malas, both 108 bead malas and smaller wrist malas.  So if you don't see what you like, or if you want to create something special, you can work directly with her.

Looking forward to Friday!

Haiku and Jewelry - A Poetic Fit

To start this post - a quick reminder that everything green ships for free from our Etsy store through St. Patrick's Day!

Over on RioGrande's blog, The Studio, they are running a little contest that combines haiku and jewelry.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to try my hand - the act of designing and creating jewelry seems rather poetic as it is.  And you already know how I feel about the stories in the stones - there are tales to be told by the gemstones and jewels in our lives.

So here are my two little haiku offerings ...

gemstone bead demands
the company of sterling
wisdom bows and nods

these stones are silent
yet there are stories inside
design is language

That last line "design is language" really resonates for me.  Design is how we interpret the stories in the gemstones, and give those stories voice.  Might be corny, I know, and yet I still believe it.  :)

Image:  Gorgeous triple strands of peridot, crystal, and glass mingle with sterling silver in a celtic celebration. Available on our Etsy site.

Lunar Blue Feature and Free Shipping on Green Items

That's right, free shipping on everything green on our shop! Thank goodness for a party day in the middle of March. Just when you think spring is coming, wham! - another storm hits the east coast. The least we can do is offer a little free shipping in honor of St. Patrick and his great legacy of green beer and shamrocks.

If you haven't yet checked out The Mind Body Spirit Marketplace, do so! Today they're featuring Lunar Blue Designs, including a picture of one of our malas. Check out the excellent blog, too.

Thanksgiving Coupon Savings and Preparing for Winter

Blue Quartz and Crystal Earring

Hello Gemstone Fans!

We are approaching our first "Black Friday" at Lunar Blue Designs. I assume the name is given by stores that hope they will use this day's sales to put themselves in the black for the year, rather than in the red. Or perhaps they are referring to the grueling traffic. To avoid that crazy weekend road hassle, check out our gemstone items and do your holiday shopping online.  :)

To celebrate Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, we are offering a 10% discount for the 24 hours of Friday, November 26, 2010.  Just make your selection on our Etsy site, and then put the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY10 in the proper box before you check out.  Simple, and a great way to save on the item you've been keeping an eye on.

Crackle Ice Glass
and Crystal Necklace

Our seasonal theme for this holiday is "Winter Ice" and we are happy to be able to list several items composed of glittering icy quartz and glass, blue crystal and chalcedony, all brought together with shimmering sterling silver.  Although half the globe has a warm time in December, those of us in the northern latitudes can't help but identify this time of year with snowflakes, the shimmer of icicles, and lacy frost on the windows.

So enjoy your Thanksgiving (for those in the US), and take a peek at our Etsy store for icy wonders perfect for a gift giving time of year.

Jennifer


Image Credit:  Top image, Crystal and Crackle glass necklace.  Bottom image, crackle quartz earrings with Swarovski crystal and sterling silver.  Listed in our Etsy Store November 2010.

Our First Launch Party

Hello Gemstone Fans:

We had a very successful launch party this past weekend in Boston.  We are considering having additional parties at other locations since everyone had such a good time at this one.  But we'll have to see what is in the cards for the next few months.  We are also considering an on-line launch party, possibly with an open chat room, free giveaways, discounts, and other fun stuff.  So stay tuned for info.

The activities at our launch party included two guessing games with prizes, a presentation on the interesting aspects of peridot (some of which I've been blogging about), a presentation about the nature of spiritual and contemplative beaded pieces (did you know 2/3 of the world prays with beads of some sort?), great food and libations, and everyone left with a suncatcher as a free gift.

We were pleased that many of our guests chose to make purchases at the launch party.  Although we try very hard to make sure our photographs show the beauty and quality of our work, there is nothing like being up close.  In person, the jewelry has a depth and personality that is difficult to capture in a photo.  Holding and touching a piece of gemstone jewelry allows one to feel the textures, weight, and appreciate the luminous nature of antiqued sterling silver. 

One item purchased was from our line of sterling silver and gemstone keyrings.  This particular piece was perfectly placed with a man looking for something classy, high quality, and streamlined.  Another purchase was a necklace, bracelet, and earring set.  I was very happy to see this set find a home.  The pendant bead is so unique - weighty, very smooth, and with an excellent display of colors characteristic of high quality brecciated jasper.  The more simple bracelet and earrings create a coordinated look without taking away from the staring role of the pendant.

Another favorite that I was pleased to see caught someone's eye was a pair of earrings composed of yellow spider web jasper, orange amber (ambroid) and garnet with sterling wires and spacer beads.  Spider web jasper (also called crab jasper and dragon vein jasper) has such a unique glow, and these stones have an interesting yellow-green-red set of tones.  The deep sparkles found in amber make an interesting juxtaposition, complemented by dark red garnet heshi beads.  I'll be talking more about all these gemstones, especially a series on amber/ambroid, in future posts keep your eyes here for further developments.

All in all, an excellent kick off for us, and a lot of fun for our guests.  We look forward to our next event as we continue with our plans to unfold Lunar Blue Designs on Etsy, in social media outlets, at workshops, and more parties!

Jennifer

Images - All images are from Lunar Blue Designs - Sold.  See post text for details.