Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has had or is having a great day today!

Last week I posted about my entry to the Happy Mango Beads Valentine's Day contest 'Bead My Valentine".

Today the winners were announced...

And the best in show award goes to none other than Dawn Marie Douchette for her intricate and romantic necklace. So beautiful, so delicate. Congratulations, Dawn! Now I can say, I knew her before she got famous!

I, too won in the gemstone category for my ' A dozen Roses for my Sweetheart' bracelet. So exciting, I am thrilled, I won a $25 gift certificate to Happy Mango Beads!

You can see all the winning entries in the different categories, and all the entries are posted on FaceBook by Happy Mango Beads, they even have all the entries in a cool video.

Be(ad) My Valentine! - My Entry

Not too long ago I posted about the Be My Valentine contest being sponsored by Happy Mango Beads.

Today I would like to show you the piece I entered...

I call it a dozen red roses for my sweetheart!

What do you think? 

What do you get for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day? 

Be(ad) My Valentine!

The happy people from Happy Mango Beads have just announced another beading contest (and it is not just for jewelry) for Valentine's Day inspired projects.

The categories that you can enter are...

Loves me like a rock - gemstones

Rose are red, violets are blue - flowers

I heart you! - hearts

Unchained Melody - chains, metal

Love Shack - wood, glass

Love makes the world go 'round - ethnic

Puppy Love - animals

Second Time Around - recycled, re-purposed

Peace & Love Man! - hippie, funky

Love thy Mother (Earth) - natural, organic

yes, there is a category for everyone... but only one entry per person. So get your creative caps on and let's get started, I plan to enter too! All entries must be in to them by midnight February 11, 2011. You will find all the information you need right here.

And the best part of these contests organized by Happy Mango Beads is that they do not require that you be a customer of their wonderful store or that you use beads from their store, but check out the store and I know you will love to shop from their interesting and unique collection of beads.

A Walk down Ruby Lane

As many of you already know, I have been selling my jewelry at my shop Sundancegems on Ruby Lane since November of 2004. I have enjoyed every minute of it, and I wish I had more time to devote to my jewelry making, but that will come (as I pay off my mortgage?!). I named my shop after the neighborhood in which I live 'Sundance', in case any one was wondering, and added the 'gems' to tell it apart from the more famous Sundance!

I thought I would invite you to a weekly stroll through the cobblestone streets of Ruby Lane to discover quality antiques, art, vintage jewelry and collectibles, and artisan jewelry from all around the world. This then is what I hope to be the first of a series of weekly blogs walking down Ruby Lane and meeting my neighbors.

First to Sundancegems to check out my new additions this week. Last week, with Valentines Day in mind, I added this pair of earrings with a pair of handcrafted Cathy Dailey heart with star charms dangling from the bottom of smooth sponge coral nuggets. I love Cathy's work and use them often in my jewelry.

Let me now introduce you to some of my neighbors...

Holly Cottage Designs - where Judith celebrates the feminine style. My favorite among her new arrivals this week are the fiery red and black earrings. Judith's designs feature beautiful lampwork from artisans around the country.

Graceful Earth Jewelry - Sandi creates jewelry from the earth to grace your spirit. Her moon drop flower earrings would make such a sweet Valentines Day gift. Sandi loves to create with beautiful beads from the earth.