Shop Early For Christmas ~ Christmas Selections by Sparkle Thots

So much to do, so little time! Its less than 15 weeks down to Christmas. Minus off the shipping times (which can get real crazy in the lead up) and you have even less time to shop for everyone on your ‘nice’ list. So why not start your Christmas shopping early this year? Shop from our selections by 31st October and you enjoy a lower price on your items. Purchase 5 or more items and you get a further price break.

Surely that is incentive enough for you to start your engines?

I’m still updating the section but it is filling up nicely. Brides, (especially fall brides!) you can also make use of the bulk quantity price break to get something special for your bridal party. Customise the necklaces with their respective birthstones or in your wedding colours. Contact me for details!

** On a down note : Baby K is sick right now. Orders might be delayed by 1-2 working days depending on how fast she recovers.

Becoming Superwoman!

Time sure has a way of creeping up on you. There has been an influx of orders in August (am not complaining!) and it has kept me really busy. Especially for the last couple of days. I’m really glad to see the last of the paid orders packed and ready to ship tomorrow (ok, a couple more hours) but now, my idle hands feel strange. So send the orders in.

My worktable looks like a huge mess right now with supplies strewn all over as I alternated between completing orders and being overwhelmed by the creative muse. The stash has been restocked with goodies and I hope to release them soon. They are going to be just great for weddings and for Christmas. Yes, Christmas. Can’t believe it is but 16 weeks till then. Didn’t we just usher in the new year?!

Pine — Longing For Winter

Ah well. I really got to get myself to sleep right now before the new day dawns and my two rested kiddos kill me with their boundless energy. I haven’t had time to edit the SALE listings in Etsy so if you had your eye on something in that section, you got a couple more hours to grab it. Also, the charming pinecone necklace is back in stock. Might as well get a headstart on your Christmas shopping eh?

** Stock is running real low on the Super necklace. The gold version has completely sold out. So grab the silver ones whilst you can.

Duet — Beautiful Together

I often say that beads inspire me. And this is never more apparent to me than in this latest offering. I was fiddling with some new supplies that were lying about on the worktable when it struck me how lovely the dainty polymer clay rose would look when set in rose gold. I am going through a rose gold phase (like I said before, rose + pink, what’s there not to like!) and given the chance, I’d wire everything up in it. But, I do know sometimes the colours clash and it would be a total waste of good material. Not to mention I don’t have a lot of rose gold wires in the first place.

One thing led to another and the result stunned me. And I think you’d agree, they really look beautiful together. In fact, within a couple of hours of launch, the beautiful pairing saw them in a couple of treasuries. Yay.

Enjoy. Some of these are already in store. All are made with rose gold filled wires which get their pretty blush colours from the mixing in of copper. Pure gold is too soft for wire work and the addition of other metals allow wire work to be done with it.

Happy browsing!

** On a side note, if you are totally in love with any of the rose gold items, please get them soon. The wires aren’t easily found and as much as I love them, I’m not too sure whether I’d be importing another batch. You have been forewarned. Also… there’s another giveaway going on right now. I’m not sharing where in this post but if you scroll on to our tweets… you just might find out where!

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It has been a crazy couple of weeks (maybe even longer) and I miss blogging on a regular basis. I hope to kickstart the regular posts again with today’s Floral Monday. I thought it would be apt to focus on Orchids, Singapore’s national flower being the Vanda Miss Joaquim seeing that we just celebrated our 45th birthday and that the first ever Youth Olympic Games is being held here… right now.

Take time to browse through these lovely images of the orchids, as flowers, cut arrangements and as gorgeous bouquets.

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]]> http://sparklethots.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/16/floral-mondays-orchids/feed/ 1 http://sparklethots.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/12/love-rose-gold/ http://sparklethots.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/12/love-rose-gold/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:13:55 +0000 Ruth http://sparklethots.com/blog/?p=2567

❤ Ribbons Ring — Rose Gold ❤

So much to share about this ring that I don’t quite know where to begin.

It is no secret that I love pink, I love roses and I love the warm, blush colour of rose gold. It has been a fantasy to work with this metal for a while but most of the suppliers I have approached only carry the ‘plated’ version. Whilst it does have the same lovely shade of blushing roses as this rose goldfilled version (not to mention a whole lot cheaper), I wasn’t quite convinced I wanted to try that.

I finally found a good source and took the plunge to order some. I felt like a kid in a candy store the day the order came. So precious, so beautiful, I was hesitant to use it for fear I will not do justice to it. But I think,.. for such a sentimental piece, I had to take the plunge. I made one for myself. A ‘pinkie’ ring of sorts. And I absolutely love the warm hue.

Cartier first popularised (I think they were the first!) the notion of rose gold as an interpretation of love. In the 1920s they launched their Trinity ring. A band of three interlinked rings, in white gold (platinum to express friendship), yellow gold (pure gold to symbolise purity) and rose gold (to interpret love). Perfect for sentimental folks like me. And an apt notion for the Ribbons ring. Because we all want to remember special moments, of love shared.

And that is how the Ribbons ring is complete. All three rings (925 silver, gold filled and rose gold) can be found at our Etsy store’s RING section.

❤ Read on to the end for a special giveaway announcement! ❤

Last year, the weather in Singapore was all hot and icky. It made me really really wish that babyK was out. At least I wouldn’t feel so warm. Or be so forgetful (so I thought). With that train of thought, I sat myself down at the crafting table. I was inspired by the old idea of tying a ribbon round the finger to remember something and thus handwrapped the first of many Ribbons ring.

It had a runaway success, with features on Etsy Finds and many blogs. Till today, I get lil notes from customers saying that they adored the ring for the significance. A large percentage of customers get the Ribbons ring as gifts for their bridesmaids, others as gifts between close friends. Recently, one ordered a ring as a gift for a dear friend from whom she was going to be separated.

I’m inspired and touched by all the reasons and the significance you have placed on it. And I continually am humbled by the things (events / people) you remember with the lil ribbon.

Thank you.

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And to commemorate the launch of the Ribbons ring to Sparkle Thots Jewelry, we are having a ‘Celebrate the Special Moments’ contest. Just share what you’d like to remember and you’d be in the running to win your very own Don’t Forget Ribbons ring (in goldfilled wires).

Get one extra entry if you twitter, facebook, or blog about this giveaway. Just remember to add @sparklethots to your post so that I’d be aware of it!

Giveaway ends 10th August. Winning entry will be drawn at random. Do remember to check back to see if you are the winner.

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Given my infatuation with rings and all things wedding, I cannot quite understand why this post is only appearing now. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not getting married (what with two kids?!) nor planning any other wedding but I just love to read about weddings and all the details that go on behind the scenes. To me, they are a great source of inspiration. And I do hope Sparkle Thots would be readily identifiable for romantic chic jewellery that go from wedding day to all occasion. Because love is forever. Not just the wedding day.

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… and they lived happily ever after.

Come back tomorrow for a second installment of rings. If you aren’t tired of them yet.

and unabashedly so.

image, a colour palette as seen via With This Ring.

What else are you loving this Tuesday?

I hope they’d brighten up your day. Their beautiful coral colour just perks up whatever arrangement they are in. Whether they are the ONLY flowers in the bouquet or playing a part for the larger whole.

Aren’t they gorgeous??! (Click on ❤ the to get the sources, and in many cases, to see in more detail how they were part of some really fantastic deco)

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❤ **stop by for a great resource on selecting flowers for weddings

… and if you got the time, drop by Sarah Chen’s site for a really amazing first birthday party. Held in the honour of her beloved Ellie. All I can say is, she’s one lucky babe! (oh, she used coral peonies as part of the deco too!)

If you are following @sparklethots on twitter, you would have realised that I was busy shifting back to the work room. It is great to be 100% back at work in the study cum office room. Besides allowing me to simply close the door on the mess of beads, it is great to not have to cart everything in and out. There finally is place to have a erhmm, creative space.

The lighting is lovely too. I might change the miserable photo set up location (I used to take all the product shots off the speaker unit of a mini-compo. HAH). Still considering. Plus the macbook has a place to sit and play sentimental music all day long. Ok, when I am working.

I am happy as a lark.

And oh, did you know, we are celebrating our Etsy-anniversary. 10% off purchases (excludes PIFs and sale items, and shipping). Mention <bdaytreat> in message to seller on checkout to enjoy. Valid till 21st July. Have fun shopping!

** Above featured earrings, Olivia — First Of May will be on sale soon. Goldplated brushed teardrops with off white carved shell flowers. All findings used are gold vermeil. Sweet, romantic and oh so sentimental.