Handcrafted Sterling Silver Twist Hoop Earrings

These earrings are made with sterling silver patterned wire. They are nice and light, so they're very comfortable to wear and will go well with just about any style clothing, from casual jeans and a tee to a stylish business suit. The earwires have a simple but secure closure.

They're a bargain at $21.99!

These pretty hoop earrings are available only at Jewelry24Seven! Find them here ...

Handcrafted Silver Twist Hoop Earrings

Handmade Black Onyx Swarovski Red Crystal and Sterling Silver Earrings

Handmade Black Onyx Swarovski Red Crystal and Sterling Silver Earrings

Handmade by Terry at Jewelry24Seven.com, these fabulous earrings are made with top quality black onyx, Swarovski Crystal set sterling silver rondelles and sterling silver components. These fashionable earrings will look amazing worn with almost anything in your closet, and are perfect for an evening out! Reasonably priced at $54.99, you'll get 10% off at checkout - and free shipping!

Silver Olive Leaf and Berries Ring by WearableByDesign on Etsy

I love this beautiful Silver Olive Leaf and Berries Ring by WearableByDesign on Etsy!

WOW! We have over 5,000 Facebook Fans!

That's right ... more than 5,000 people have clicked the "LIKE" button on our Facebook page!

To celebrate, we're offering an EXTRA 10% off all silver jewelry on our site, Jewelry24Seven.com or at our Etsy store Jewelry24Seven.etsy.com. To receive this discount, simply type in this code: JEWELRY24SEVENFAN during checkout.

And when you shop at our site Jewelry24Seven.com you'll receive this discount in addition to our volume discounts. As an example, if you spend $150, you will get 15% off as a volume discount, which would make your total $127.50. Then you would get an additional 10% off (or $12.75) making your total $114.75. Standard shipping is always free, so this works out to be a pretty sweet deal. Sorry, but volume discounts are not available in our Etsy store, only the 10% discount applies.

A big "THANK YOU!" to all our new friends who have visited our Facebook page!

Charm Bracelets - Traditional and More Popular Than Ever!

Many people like to celebrate distinctive events, including birthdays, anniversaries or other significant events. Holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah are marked with the giving of presents that hold significance for the giver and the recipient. One time-honored tradition is the gift of a charm bracelet – a means to mark highlights in a noticeable way all the time and to have the memories with you whenever you wear it.

Regardless of who gives the charm bracelet, the initial charm is usually a "Baby’s First Birthday" charm to mark the arrival of a long-awaited person, usually a daughter since these bracelets are usually worn by women. Other charms can be added over time to signify occasions that ought to be respected, from the first day of school and First Communion to Bat Mitzvah and Sweet Sixteen. Charms representing faraway locales are often added as commemorations of an amazing vacation. For example, one might include a charm depicting the Eiffel Tower as a memento of a holiday in France and a palm tree to summon up the Hawaiian Islands.

Another kind of charm bracelet is based on a sole subject like a hobby. For a person who likes to garden, an appropriate gift is a flower-themed bracelet made up of charms that look like miniature garden tools such as watering cans, spades, flower baskets, small flowers or the sun. Additional charms can be attached on other occasions, expanding on the theme. A person who likes the cold weather might appreciate a charm bracelet that features several diverse snowflakes. A charm bracelet with a Christmas theme might feature the "gifts" from the long established Twelve Days of Christmas, right down to the maids a-milking! A patriotic charm bracelet would include American flags, the Statue of Liberty, stars and other symbols of national pride; likewise, someone attracted to world history or geography might sport a charm bracelet with flags from across the globe.

Other people prefer charms that are personalized with their name, an initial or a heart-felt message. It’s a fashionable practice nowadays to put on a stylized charm bearing the name of one’s pet – your pooch’s name on a dog bone, for instance. Individual letters can be engraved in a series of single charms to spell out an idea or a motto, the name of a hometown sports team, a fraternity or a sorority, or a favorite or motivational quotation.

A very recent supplement to the charm bracelet line is a chain bracelet with fabulously hued beads "strung" on like customary bead bracelet. The most treasured of these charm beads are made with incredibly detailed multi-hued glass surrounding a metal core that is most often sterling or gold. Other charm beads are made of precious metal - sterling silver or gold set with gems or patterned metal like decorative sterling silver beads from Bali. The beads are chosen individually and new ones may be selected whenever an occasion presents itself. The order of the beads can be adjusted to fit the wearer's frame of mind or complement an outfit, since the beads can be configured in any order.

No matter what you decide to celebrate or when you begin to build it, a charm bracelet is a marvelous way to keep your sentiments right at the end of your arm where you can instantly recall a happy occasion, loved ones or anything else that is dear to your heart.

Article ©2010 Written by Terry Salimbene, co-founder of Jewelry24Seven.com, a popular retail jewelry website featuring handcrafted silver bracelets. Terry is a jewelry designer and maker located in NYC with more than 30 years experience in the jewelry business. This article may be published on websites and blogs as content as long as all links and this author's statement remain intact.

Enough of a break ...

During the summer, it gets very hot in my office and I just didn't feel up to writing every day. I have been working, but sort of put the blog aside for a while ... these things tend to happen now and then. Of course eventually its time to get back to the old routine ... and so here it is - this is my first post in a couple of months!

I'm going to take this blog in a new direction. We'll have to see how it shakes out, but ... I'm planning on a series of articles about - no surprise here - handmade jewelry! Not anyone or any specific artist like in the past; although I may spotlight one or two here and there. More of a general series with articles that appeal to a wider audience. I've been writing articles for blog syndication, and some of them would work very well here; and of course I'll write exclusive content just for this blog as well. So here's to new things, a new direction and and a new season ...

I think things are going to get very interesting around here! Bob:J24-7

Daily Jewelry Showcase: Beautiful Handmade Amethyst Jewelry by Etsy Artisans!

Almost every weekday I write a review of four handcrafted jewelry items made by Etsy jewelry artists. The Etsy site is fantastic for artists; it gives them a place to display and sell their creations.

I'm a jewelry artist, and so I like to write about ... jewelry! (Surprise!)

Featured in this article are four artisan made jewelry items that are all currently available for purchase from these shops. These amethyst beauties may be limited in availability or even one of a kind, so buy now ... or you may be disappointed! I always try to show different pieces here, and today I'm showcasing a pair of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and a ring ...

Amethyst comes in a wide range of colors from pale violet to rich, dark purple. It has a long history, and was originally named by the ancient Greeks. This has always been a prized gem.

This gorgeous gemstone is fairly hard and durable, so it is well suited for rings and bracelets. Deep, well saturated purple stones can be quite valuable and are usually found in high end jewelry set with diamonds. This gem is commonly set in either silver or gold.

Amethyst jewelry comes in many styles ... from traditional to trendy!

This means you'll find it fits in very well with your wardrobe ... whether you are spending the day at the park in jeans and a tee shirt or going out for a formal dinner, there is amethyst jewelry to fit the occasion!

Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

Maureen, the jewelry artist at MCRDesigns has many of her beautiful creations on display in her Etsy shop, and its a colorful variety! Most of her items feature some sort of gemstone, art glass, vintage lucite or shell, like mother of pearl. This pair of earrings was made with 28 individually wire wrapped faceted amethyst beads; some or all can be removed, giving you many options!

These awesome hoop earrings were created by this talented jewelry designer with hand forged sterling wire. They have a fantastic oxidized patina.

These amethyst and silver hoop earrings are all sterling. They're very well made; if you like oxidized silver and amethyst you can't go wrong with these beautiful hoops!

Own this amazing pair of amethyst and silver earrings ... for just $32.00!

This next piece was made by Phyllis, the jewelry artist / designer at SendingLoveGallery on Etsy. Her fabulous shop offers amazing values on handmade gemstone jewelry. I saw this cool amethyst bracelet in her shop this morning and was really impressed with the color of the stones. It really is a strong, vivid purple, and I think anyone who loves amethyst will appreciate this piece.

The bracelet is made with center - drilled amethyst points that measure 1/2" - 3/4" long. The double strand gives the bracelet the appearance of a massive cluster; it looks like purple fireworks for your wrist!

This is a very stylish bracelet. It always will be! Amethyst jewelry has been popular for thousands of years; you could find this in your jewelry box 20 years from now, put it on and get compliments. This fabulous bracelet is only $49.00 ... truly a bargain!

Next I have a Rough Amethyst Crystal Necklace made by Leah, who offers original designs in her Etsy jewelry boutique - Michon. This jewelry artist offers affordable jewelry active women can put on every day; these pieces are designed to be very easy to wear and will match almost anything you can pull out of your closet!

This pretty pendant necklace showcases a rough amethyst crystal point. The amethyst is simply drilled at the narrow end. Silver wire securely holds the crystal; this simple design shows off the uncut crystal perfectly.

The wire wrapped stone is suspended from a hand formed and fused fine silver circle. The pendant will arrive at your home ready to wear on an 18" sterling silver snake chain. This unique amethyst necklace is very reasonably priced at $40.00!

This cool wire wrapped ring really is pretty! This sterling silver and amethyst ring was made by the talented artisans at BeadHeavenInc. This shop features a growing selection of wire wrapped gemstone jewelry, including pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings. The prices in this shop are very affordable, and the items look fabulous - all very nicely made and finished.

Only a wire artist can make a ring that looks like this. This fantastic artisan made ring features spirals, amazing wire wrapping and a beautiful 8mm amethyst bead. The amethyst is a true purple color. This is a really nice ring!

This ring can be made for you in any size on request. Order one for only $28.00!

These artisans all love what they do, and you can see that in every piece of jewelry included in this review. Handmade jewelry really is different from commercially made jewelry. Artisans believe in making things that last a long time and are of the highest quality. Each of these shops has a lot to offer - unique, beautiful jewelry you won't see anywhere else. Visit them all and support an artist; nothing compares to handmade!

Robert Edwards is a proud member of the Jewelry on Etsy Team - JET. He is a jewelry designer and metalsmith in New York City with over 30 years experience in the jewelry trade, specializing in handmade silver jewelry and custom made  silver chains. This article may be reproduced provided all content and links in the article including this author's statement remain intact. ©2010 Robert Edwards