Nap Time Special

NAP TIME SPECIAL!  Today I am taking these rings down to a local store at my toddler's nap time (sometime around 1), but if you come to my house today before I deliver them, you'll get a $2 discount! They are marked at $14--you can get them for $12!  The turquoise is a size 7.5, the sunburst is size 9 and the round rhinestone is a size 8.  First come first serve! I should be home all morning!  Great as a 'cocktail ring' or to add some sparkle to that Christmas dress!

Recent bird nest necklace I made.  I now have chains available for pendants.

newest batch

I delivered this batch of rings to "Some Things" in town recently.  They are there for your shopping enjoyment! I also have some beautiful Christmas rings made of vintage glass buttons with Sterling Silver or 14k Gold fill wire. 

Charmed, I'm sure.

Custom stamped charms!  I'm expanding my jewelry line to now include custom stamping! I made these as a gift for a cousin who recently got married.  'His' and 'Her' initials cozy up on each side of their new shared last name.

I have charms in Sterling Silver; gold, copper or antiqued silver plated pewter.  I carry sizes 9mm-1 inch disks. Other sizes and shapes available by special order (please allow 3 weeks for special order shapes and sizes).  Since this is a highly customized order, please contact me to hammer out the details. 

Sterling Silver charms $6, $8, $10 each (9mm, 11mm, 13mm)

 Here is a sample of a necklace I wear, with the initials of my children stamped on 9, 11 & 13mm sterling silver charms.

Here is an example of a 15mm, 1 inch and custom order rectangle.

4.0x24mm brass heart  and "Love" letters, stacked $12. NOTE: These are to be used as a base for round charms as this metal is too hard to be stamped on.

Here is an example of the 13mm in Sterling Silver.  The edges have been hammered to give it texture.  This is an option on all charms.

Price includes stamping and link. A chain is available for an additional charge. 

You name it! necklace

My friend, Stephanie, wanted to know if I could make her a 'mom' necklace! Sure!  At least I can try.  After making a few prototypes, this is what we came up with.  This necklace is made from all sterling silver components with glass 'birthstone' beads in honor of her children. It hangs slightly below the clollarbone.  What do you want me to spell? Love.  Bliss. Hope.  The name of a loved one? You name it!  This measures approx. 2 inches wide.

Here is another example I made recently from artistic wire in silver.

In Process-Pay Pal

I am in the process of adding "Add to Cart" purchase buttons through pay-pal to my site.  If there is something you'd like to order--and I don't have a pay-pal button on it yet, just e-mail me and I'll get it done!

Limited Time Only

For Christmas, I decided to celebrate and purchase 14k gold-fill wire!  I have only a small amount available, but if you are interested in having a piece made, just contact me and we'll work out the details. 

Ring a Ding Ding!

Here is a sampler of rings I have displayed in town at "Clarie's Mercantile."  This shows the variety of rings that can be made.  If you're in town, stop by and check them out! I also have a similar selection at "Some Things" in town.  "Some Things" is also carrying a limited amount of Christmas rings made of Sterling Silver and 14k Gold-fill wire with gorgeous vintage glass buttons!

Claires-Mercantile 

Some-Things 

Loopy Necklace

I wanted to make a gift for my sister-in-law, and after some internet browsing, I adapted something we saw into this version of a necklace.  It has four circles of spiraled non-tarnish silver wire and hangs from a silver chain.  My sister-in-law has four in her family, so I made this with the 'Mommy and Daddy" circles and two "children" hoops.

It can also be made in Sterling Silver--every component will be made of sterling.  The necklace is designed to rest at the collarbone and is approx. 16 inches.

Loopy Wire

non-tarnish silver $20.00 USD sterling silver .925 $42.00 USD

My Ring #3

This is the ring I wore to church today.  It is one of my favorites (do I say this about all of them?) because it goes with so many outfits!  I tend to over-accessorize (gasp! Shock, I know!), so when I have on a big necklace, dangly earrings and a shiny bracelet, this ring works well because it tends to be more subtle than others.

It is an antique button and it made of transparent glass.  The top is smooth, but the underside has little round bumps that make the pretty pattern show through the top when the light hits it just right.  Today is one of our first rainy, grey days of the fall, so there is not much sunshine out today to cast light through my ring, but trust me, it is pretty!

I purchased this button in an antique shop in Sister, Oregon.  It was my only souvenir and cost me a whopping $.15.  Yes, fifteen cents.

So, the next time you take a trip somewhere, try picking up a dainty button at a local antique shop; I can fasten it into a ring for you and you will be able to remember your special vacation every time you wear it!

Ring #2 I wear

This is the ring I wore today.  It came from the dish of buttons that I inherited from my husbands grandmother after she passed away.  When I looked in the jar, I had a hard time choosing which of the beautiful trinkets to fashion into a ring--so many great possibilities!  When I saw the cheery orange color of this one and the fun flower type shape, I just knew it was the one!

I don't wear much orange, but being in Oregon State Beaver and Dallas Dragon country, the color orange comes naturally with the territory.  Also, since the orange is somewhat transparent, I can get away with wearing it with my bright salmon GAP capri's (which are quite exciting in themself)!
Stay tuned for next week when I share about another one of the rings I wear!

A New Post: Ring 1. Grandma's Button Jar Ring

Since I have moved my 'jewelry business' over to a website, I am going to try and use this blog as....a blog!  Big shocker, I know.  My goal is to write once a week.  I am going to start by sharing about the handmade rings I wear.  Each ring is unique and tells its own story.

This story is about the ring I wear the most--the ring that got this whole jewelry business idea started.

I had seen oversized sterling silver rings in stores last season and really wanted to get one.  They reminded me of something my mom would have worn on the 1970's. They were similar to these:

I loved the details in the patterns and was on the hunt.  I internet shopped and window shopped for WEEKS, looking for just the right one. I learned about 'filigre' and 'marquee,' expanded my searching and kept looking.  I had saved up birthday money so I knew I could get one once I found "it."  My searching lead me from real stores, to Amazon and then to Etsy.  Esty opened up a whole new world of sterling silver rings for me.  There were so many beautiful handmade rings.  As I looked more, I got to thinking, "I could make that..maybe." 

I did more research into what kind of supplies I would need, watched a few tutorials and then I placed my order.  The money I would have spent on a ring went to buy: a ball peen hammer, rawhide mallet, sterling silver wire and a ring mandrel.  Until I did my research I hadn't even heard of most of those items.

I was hooked.  I wanted to try it all!

When my husband's grandmother passed away, I was able to keep a handful of buttons that she had collected over the years.  They sat, collecting dust, in a small dish on a shelf.  When I saw "Button Rings" on etsy, I knew I had found something I wanted to try.  I dug through the glass dish and found "it."  After a few failed tries on cheap-o craft wire, I was confident I could try with the sterling wire.  I came up with this ring.

It's perfect for me and I just love it!  Oversized with details AND it has meaning.  People ask me if it's a 'poison ring' because it looks like it can be opened, but it's not.  I tell them it's a button that belonged to my husband's grandma.  Even better.

Stay tuned for the story of my next ring.

New Web Site

I have a web site! It is VERY under construction.  I hope to find ways to link and paste and post...but it's a HUGE learning curve for me.  So be patient and enjoy my progress. 

www.happleymade.com

Still here!

I am still here!  Busy, busy with all the joys that come with summer.  I still have rings in town at "Clarie's " and "Some Things."  I also have the opportunity to have two of my pieces auctioned at benefit car show for Gracie Strauss. I am working on getting a web site up (very slow going), but I'll let you know when it's ready!

Bird Nest Ring

These delightful bird nest rings can be made to reflect your own flock!  Up to four eggs can fit in the delicate nest, perched on a wire wrap ring band.  Non-tarnish wire and Sterling Silver available.  Your choice of chalk turquoise or natural shell bead.

Wire

non-tarnish gold $10.00 USD non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD non-tarnish brass $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $18.00 USD

Customized Ring

Here are a few of the new rings I have taken to the local shops in town.  If you have special buttons of your own, I will craft them into a personalized ring.  Or if you are local, come by my house and I'll let you dig through my collection and you can design your own!

Custom Ring Wire

non-tarnish gold $10.00 USD non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD non-tarnish brass $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $16.00 USD

Bird Nest Wire

non-tarnish gold $10.00 USD non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD non-tarnish brass $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $18.00 USD

Heirloom Ring Wire

non-tarnish gold $8.00 USD non-tarnish silver $8.00 USD non-tarnish brass $8.00 USD sterling silver .925 $14.00 USD

it's a wrap!

These particular rings have been sold--sorry! I know they are adorable! But I do have other bead and color options available for you! Non-tarnish wire and sterling silver options available.  Thank you!

Wrap Ring

non-tarnish gold $10.00 USD non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD non-tarnish brass $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $16.00 USD

Swirly Earring

This fabulous earring was made for my sister-in-law for her birthday!  The other earring was later found in a box of Lego's and did not make it into the photo!  I can make a complete pair for you.  In Sterling Silver or non-tarnish wire with black Onyx bead.

Swirly Earring Wire

non-tarnish silver $10.00 USD sterling silver .925 $20.00 USD

Sampling

Here are a few rings I made recently.  They are for sale at "Some Things" and "Claire's Merchantile" in Dallas.  Let me know what custom piece I can make for you!

Now in Gold and Brass!

Now, all rings can be made with non-tarnish gold tone and brass wire!  I've expanded to include those of you who prefer gold and brass tones over silver.    Here are a few rings I made recently in the gold wire. 

Crow Keychain

My sister said I should make keychains for those who don't wear much jewelry.  Due to being busy and slightly unmotivated, I left it as a great idea.  Then I got an e-mail from my friend, Amy, asking for a "Crow Keychain."  With a bit of experimentation and some wire bending, I came up with this cute keychain!  If you'd like a keychain, I could make most any pendant style on a keychain for you!

WOU Bookstore

On May 6th, I will be a featured artist at the WOU Bookstore in Monmouth, Oregon!  I will be making custom "Waiting to Hatch Bird Nest Pendants" and "Leaf Pendants"...just in time for Mother's Day!  I will also have rings, earrings and other jewelry on display.  The event runs from 10 am to 3 pm.  If you'd like to come and see what I have, this will be a good time!

WOU

You can also find me....

"Some Things," our local antique shop, has started carrying my rings!  They are usually found on the checkout counter and I have many styles, sizes and prices to choose from!  

Also, "Claire's Boutique," has some rings, along with a few other crafty items I have made. 

Some Things

Claire's Boutique, next to Center Market 

If you are in downtown Dallas, stop in and check out what I have.

Ring for my Sis-in-law

At Christmastime, I took a box of buttons from my grandmother and her mother to my family gathering.  I made rings for my mom, grandma, sister-in-law, step-sister, niece and daughter.  They each got to pick out buttons that caught their eye and I fashioned them to fit!  What a special memory.  If you have a special button, I would love to make it into a ring for you.  Check out, "Grandma's Button Jar Ring" post for more information.

This is the ring I created with my sister-in-law, using three buttons and gold-tone wire.