Lacquered Paper Heart Earrings – paper anniversary gifts

I know it sounds obvious, but I’m just going to be self-serving and point out that Paper Jewels make wonderful first anniversary gifts – since the traditional first anniversary gift is made with paper. Well. You don’t have to spend a lot. You don’t have to sweat it. Paper jewelry makes a wonderful present.

lacquered paper heart earrings for a paper anniversary gift...these heart earrings are shown in aqua and green

For example, the pretty heart earrings shown here can be made in her favorite colors. So – hearts for the one close to your heart. Paper, because first year anniversary gift = paper gift. Customized color choices. You see how easy this can be?

Paper annive4rsary = first year anniversary. May you have decades more 🙂

How to open a ball chain clasp (connector)

This is something I take for granted – I use (and wear) a lot of ball chains, the simple chains that are used in the military to hold dog tags – and out in the jewelry world, to also hold dog tag pendants. Plus a lot of other necklaces and pendants.

It’s like a lot of things – it’s not hard to do – once you know how. But if you aren’t used to them, they’re probably maddening! They don’t have a typical clasp. Instead, they have a connector as shown in the sketch below.

how to open the connector on a blall chain necklace

Each end of the ball chain has a simple “ball”. That ball slips into the opening on the connector and presto, your chain is closed! To open the chain, simply snap the ball out of either side of the connector. It sounds complicated – it’s not, really. Take hold of any ball chain and play with it. Twist the ball out of the opening, or snap it, or coax it any way you like. Once you try it, you’ll see what I mean. Sometimes they’re a little snug, and harder to open – but it’ll work. Really.

And you’ll always be able to open a ball chain from then on. Once you know how, you really know 🙂

And if you do need help, drop me a note – we’ll figure it out!

Personalized kanji dogtag necklace says Caleb

Or Kaleb. And I should correct myself right now: I believe this is katakana, rather than kanji. But many of us in the West are so used to thinking of Japanese writing as “kanji”, that we use that as a sort of blanket term. Of course ther is more to learn!

I wasn’t sure if I had shared this necklace – I think it’s a good example showing that a personalized kanji necklace does NOT have to be “girly”. This is a dogtag necklace. This is (in this version) a black dogtag neckklace. Very guy-friendly 🙂

 dogtag necklace that says Caleb in Japanese kanji or katanana

Really I just wanted to point out that you can choose to personalize a dogtag necklace. And it can be guy-friendly. And if not in time for Christmas, well certainly for his next birthday!

Or just because 🙂

New BOGO sale – in time for Christmas presents!

Wow it’s been a while! I’m back and loving my Paper Jewels customers who’ve been with me through changes and ups and downs. You are appreciated!

Now just take a quick second to visit corporate gifts ideas if you are looking to expand your gifting.

As a way to jump back into the wonderful world of lacquered paper jewelry, I’m announcing a new BOGO sale. For all this week – Sunday, December 10, 2017 through midnight on Saturday, December 16, 2017, you can buy any Paper Jewels – and get your second item free! You get to choose what your freebie is, too. It has to be equal or lesser value to the item you purchase, and if you need these for Christmas gifts, you probably want to check and see what’s available NOW – my stock is getting low(ish). But I’m always ready for custom work and special orders and really will try to get your Paper Jewels ready in time for Christmas.

You could check these out, I have a pair ready to go:

katakana or kanji paper earrings that say Chikara, or Power
Interestingly, I’ve had two customers order these as gifts for their besties! I guess Woman Power is a pretty cool thing to be thinking about right now. (Damn straight!)

Of course they can be customized with your favorite color, and I can use golden earwires rather than silver. It’s up to you!

P.S. If you were even thinking “hmm, maybe I should sign up for the Paper Jewels mailing list”, this would be a good time. Because I am going to be featuring a lot of new work in 2018 and that will def include some great BOGO sales and super special Deals of the Day! Just saying. You can join easy peasy by sending me an email – just say sign me up! (No, I won’t send you a ton of spam. A brief email, once or twice a month. Tops.)

May your Christmas be wonderful, or whatever holiday you celebrate – and let’s make 2018 a wonderful year. Seriously. Let’s do it.