What's Old is New Again!

It's the start of something brand new!

Culture Shock Jewelry Original Design

Culture Shock Jewelry is working hard to bring

new and exciting designs to all our wonderful customers. 

Dreamcatcher Keychains

It's been a while since we've utilized all of our social media accounts, 

but we're still working hard on bringing you gorgeous jewelry and authentic

Aboriginal art - Moccasins, Dreamcatchers, Pouches and more!

The Blue are my first pair of moccasins!

We've got workshops and tutorials coming you way!

 

 

Awesome Etsy Treasuries!

My Latest Picks on Etsy:

A Treasury that included me and some of the members from my Etsy Team:

I've also been checking out a lot of BNR/BNS or Buy and Replace/Stay Treasuries. The shops that provide supplies seem to do really well, but from experience and feedback, jewelry is a hard sell. They do seem like a really great way to get exposure and support fellow artists and crafters.

Now you may be asking yourself what the heck is a BNR/BNS? These treasuries are designed to help Etsy shops make sales. If you puchase from a BNR, the item you purchased is removed from the treasury and is replaced with an item from your shop.

This continues until they reach a goal of 10, 15 or however many sales. If you purchase from a BNS, the sold item is replaced with an item from the same shop. The curator of the treasury keeps track of your name and will add you to the next BNS treasury. This also continues until they reach a sales goal.

There are BNR/BNS teams on Etsy and many of these treasuries circulating on a daily basis. It helps if everyone included works together to promote these treasuries, this often produces a lot of sales! Regardless if you have an Etsy shop or not, check them out! There's usually good conversation going on, so you can always get to know new people!

Happy shopping!

Gossip Girl Returns along with the Fashion!

I was very excited this week to be watching the first episode
of Gossip Girl since February. I am a huge fan of the fashion
on this show, and am always excited to see what the girls and
guys will be wearing next.

I can only imagine what the closet of Serena van der Woodsen

would look like. But there is one item in particular that stood out

to me in this past episode. A locket that Serena was wearing.  

Blake Lively as socialite Serena van der Woodsen.

During the episode Serena passes the locket on to
her cousin Charlie.   

Kaylee Defer as Charlie Rhodes

What was really exciting for me is that I have just 

introduced locket and watch pendants to my shop! 

An opportunity to add a little Gossip Girl fashion to my
wardrobe? Yes Please! And here is your opportuniy for your
own! I've only got a few listed in my shop, but the rest of my
photos can be viewed on Culture Shock's Facebook page.

 Looking for an excuse to buy more than one?

 A girlfriend of mine just ordered a collection of them for her
bridesmaids and since I am also planning my own wedding
I know how quickly the expenses add up. I am offering free shipping
(in the US & Canada) when you purchase 5 or more lockets. Just be
sure to send me your requests either through Etsy, Facebook or Email.
You can click Here for my contact info.

Regardless of the reason, you'll want to snatch up one of these

goodies quick! And remember, I'm always open to customization
so if you need a shorter/longer chain or maybe a large quantity
feel free to start a conversation!

Spring is in the Air

Have you heard the great news?!

Culture Shock Jewelry is having a Spring Sale!
 All you have to do is enter code: SpringSale11
and Voila! Instant 25% off your purchase before shipping!

You can use your discount here:
Etsy Shop
or
Facebook Page
For Facebook purchases, be sure to leave a comment or send an

email to CultureShockJewelry [at] gmail [dot] com

Spring Scarf $15

Weave Inspired Pendant $15

Victorian Inspired Ring $10

Be sure to act soon, this sale won't last long.

Team Treasury

Another wonderful example of team love. My fellow team member
Diana of Lunaessence Artistic Jewelry and Handbags compiled

these wonderful pieces!

Accessory Love - Scarves

Something that can be worn during any season in hundreds of different styles and a multitude of colours is the scarf. Now it's no secret to most that I am a huge scarf lover, I even offer a selection of them in my shop from time to time.

My spring/summer scarves.

Now, it's not like scarves come with manuals on how they can be worn and
I am often told that people don't know how to wear them. So I've decided
to share 10 ideas on various ways to wear the scarf:

1. Loosely wrapped around the neck.

2. Wrapped around the neck and tied in a knot.

3. For the fashion daring, a bow.

4. Tied over and worn to the side.

5. Done best with a square scarf. Fold in a triangle
and wrap ends opposite ways around the neck.

6. Wrapped around several times around the neck
and tuck in the ends.

7. One of my favourite ways, the slip knot.

8. Wrap around neck and cross over once.

9. Tie the ends of your scarf together and wrap
around your neck twice. (Like the infinity scarves)

10. Head wrap. Ever tie a towel around your
head? Basic idea, but twist the scarf
down towards your waist.

Scarves are a great way to add an accessory to your outfit or add a splash
of colour. Not to mention the practical use of a scarf to keep you warm.
(You could also use your scarf as a shawl for those cool summer nights)
There are a multitude of other ways to try out scarves as well as other styles,
so feel free to experiment.

Hopefully there are enough ideas here for you to try it out for yourself!

 A HUGE Thank You to my models who kindly demonstrated for the camera!

Oscar Glam

I haven't blogged about Hollywood fashion in some time, so why not touch on this past

weekend's event. While I didn't get to watch the Oscars this year, I did keep my eye on 

the winners as well as the dresses that hit the red carpet. Here is a quick run down 

of all the fashion that caught my eye. 

      Halle Berry looking flawless as always in her Marchesa corset gown. I need to check

out her movie Frankie & Alice soon! 

Mila Kunis is on fire with her career, so it only make sense that her dress

would catch as much attention! Her lavender Elie Saab Haute Couture gown
complimented her dark and gorgeous features. 

Natalie Portman looked absolutely stunning in her purple Rodarte gown. And pulled it off
effortlessly even with the baby bump!

Gwenyth Paltrow seems to be winning fashion nods across the web and I can

only agree with the critiques. She looked like a bombshell in her Calvin Klein dress.

It's a shame that James Franco didn't walk the red carpet like his co-host Anne Hathaway, 

but while on stage the pair did look great (yes I have a small crush on Franco) so I had to include a photo of them.

And last but not least, Jeremy Renner in his YSL tux looking smokin' side by side with
Scarlett Johansson in her Dolce and Gabbana lace dress.  

Imagine the day my jewelry is on the red carpet accessorizing the 

stars! Now that would be something! Untll then, I'll just keep

rocking my own jewelry to the more casual events, like lectures, 

volunteering and group meetings.

Etsy Teams

I've finally discovered the community of teams on Etsy. 

I am currently a part of the teams, Native American Forum: Walking The Red Road 

and Lunaessence's Arts and Crafts World Expo Team. 

I've never come across so much support and praise for crafters in one place before. 

Etsy has helped provide a wonderful place for artists to come together and share their sales, joys, triumphs, tears and frustrations. I've asked questions about running my shop, and given advice when I can. Teams are more than just a resource for sellers, some teams

make their groups to anyone with common interests. 

One of my favourite parts of the teams, are the wonderful treasuries they create to support each other. I have seen a wide variety of collections from creative minds from across the continent. Today I was ecstatic to find that I was picked in treasury 

by  Gibson Wire Creations.

So for any seller, that has yet to check out the Community link on Etsy, I would highly recommend that you browse through everything they have to offer. They have teams with common interests, from moustaches, photography, animals, to location, you'll be sure to find something that speaks to your liking.

Tree Spirit

Another Treasury made by me, I hope you enjoy the collection.

Learning Never Ends

My granny and mother are the ones I thank for introducing me to the world of handmade jewelry and crafts. From a small child I began beading bracelets and necklaces for them to sell at local shows. I was always super excited because it gave me pocket money to buy myself items from other vendors. (No wonder I'm such a shopaholic, I started so young!) I remember following the Pow Wow trails in the summer and meeting all sorts of fascinating people. Dancers, Drummers, Singers and other Pow Wow trail followers, I was deeply exposed to parts of my culture.

While my family doesn't pack up for every Pow Wow anymore, we do participate at events when we can. This weekend up in Moosonee/Moose Factory, Ontario there is one taking place. (I also understand there is a hockey tournament happening!) My mom is up there visiting from Toronto and staying with my grandmother. They asked me to send up jewelry for the sale. I had happened to have a hand beaded basket in my inventory that I knew would get a lot of attention, so I sent that as well.

Now let me share that my granny is a very good business women. She's worked with other well known Aboriginals in Toronto and when she was still living there had made a very good name for herself (especially as a moccasin maker.) So when she saw the basket, her immediate idea was to have a raffle for it. I had valued the basket at $60 and she has already exceeded that amount of raffle tickets for it. Of course I am aware that many people use raffles to fundraise for their events and such. But taking a hot item out of your shop and raffling it off can really improve your profits, and something other shop owners can consider during slower sale periods.

Granny's Work

Most of my business practices come from my mom and granny. We make and sell a fair amount of dreamcatchers and medicine wheels, so along with every purchase we include a little description of what they mean. My granny also purchases Tamarack Birds from the men in her community. These items have a history to them as well, but of course, leaving them on display for their natural beauty isn't always enough. Adding a little ribbon to these tediously handcrafted items give them a little extra. Majority of the bead stores and resources I have now, are the very same from when I little and watched my family make their purchases. Even my customer service skills are rooted from my experience with family. Smile! Be friendly and helpful no matter who is looking at your product (even if they are 5 years old or giving you a hard time)

Tamarack Birds

Dreamcatcher

Although I do feel I have a fair amount of my own experience with selling my product, I still have a lot to learn. My family is not familiar with setting up shop online, which is where I have the most learning to do. As I've shared before, I'm working my way through the countless amounts of information online to make it in the online world, word by word, sale by sale, I know I'll get there!

Featured in a Treasury!

I've been featured in my second Etsy Treasury today! My pieces have been

gaining more attention, and I hope this is cause and effect of my trying to 

promote myself online! Things can only get better from here. I do realize

I've been on a bit of a Treasury frenzy in the past couple of days, this should

subside shortly (maybe!) Untill then, take a look at the other artists featured:

Be sure to leave a comment to let me know that you've stopped by!

Update: My featured necklace sold a couple hours later, I really
did the happy dance all over my room!

A month late, New Year Resolutions!

I've made a promise to myself this year. Read More, Do More. I love to read and my 

ever expanding collection of books can attest to that. This year I wanted to make sure 

I read at least one book a month, and I've been looking for recommendations. Thanks 

to Christmas, I also received a few books that I'm just dying to read: 

Lullabies for little criminals - Heather O'Neil

As well as:

Motorcycles & Sweetgrass - Drew Hayden Taylor

 But the real reason I've written this blog, is to talk about my effort to expand

my jewelry business. I've been telling myself that I'm going to school to learn

how to make a business women out of myself. Well I can hardly call myself that

if I'm not going anywhere with my business. During my "time-off" 

(aka. Recovery from surgery) last year, I was able to get things off the ground, 

including this blog. But once classes began, I became so involved with social

and volunteer activities I pushed my work aside. 

So little by little, I've been making a daily effort to expand my "business."

I ran my very first Craft Show at the Student Centre at the University, 

which I think turned out quite well. A lot of planning, but well worth it!

I've developed a rappoire with a few wholesalers back in Toronto, one who

is even willing to do COD's to me in Windsor. I've also finally updated

my Etsy with a few items, with the promise of more coming soon!

I've also just made my first Treasury on Etsy, that I feel quite proud of

and am completely in love with. (Do you think my fiance will know if I buy

everything I listed?)

Light as a Feather Treasury

I've got lots more I want to do and am doing, but of course, there are

only so many hours in a day. Balance in any life is important!

So for now I continue working on the many things that keep

me busy and hope to hear your suggestions on good books!

Etsy Shop Now Accessible

It's been a while since this blog has seen any updates, 

but I promise there will be more soon to come!

For now, there is access to my Etsy shop through

the links above.

There are also more items

available of mine through my Facebook group, like scarves 

and other items that aren't handmade by me.

Well, that's all for now!

Contest Winner!

A Big Thank You To Everyone who participated in our Banner Contest!

 Of course there can only be one official banner and it is Banner #1! 

However the lucky winner is Sarah D.! She gets to pick any piece of

jewelry from my collection! Congrats Sarah!

Missed out? Join the group for your next chance to win:

http://www.facebook.com/CultureShockJewelry

Rock On!

I've never been the type of jewelry maker to stick with one style of product. I have really 

enjoyed trying out new ideas and working with all sorts of mediums. Looking back to some of 

the very first pieces I've made, to what I have in stock right now, you may or may not find a 

similar style. But I do know what types of beads I enjoy working with best and they are 

semi-precious stones or gemstones. 

Turquoise Necklace from Previous Works

Gemstones qualities have been valued throughout the ages, across continents and by different 

peoples, from our earliest ancestors to the present-day. It may have been the colour of the 

crystal, shape of a gemstone, or a brightly coloured shell that first attracted the attention of 

someone who then bent down to pick it up. 

Somewhere along the way cultures started adoring these stones by wrapping threads around 

them, drilling holes into them and forging them into metal to make crowns, swords and jewelry. 

Today possessing these gems are still regarded with great prestige. 

Gemstones are also said to have certain energies associated with them making them favorable 

to mystics and healers. Stories have been told about famous stones whether it was the luck

they may hold or a curse they inflicted . 

I'm going to show you some my favourite gemstones to work with:

Red Coral

Known by the Navajo, Hopi, Pueblo and Zuni, red coral was used by these Native Americans. 

Apparently known as "Red Gold" these indigenous people believed that  red coral was so 

powerful that blindness could be cured, or stop the venom in a snake bite. 

Any person who wore red coral was also thought to draw on luck or bring the wearer long life. 

Red Coral, Zebra Inspired Earrings

Red Coral and Zebra Inspired Bracelet

Rose Quartz

With a colour unique among gems, rose quartz is probably the most popular of the quartz 

varieties.  Its pink hues have adorned ornaments and jewelry since ancient times. The cause of  

rose quartz's pink tint is thought to be due to tiny impurities of manganese, titanium or iron. 

Neat huh? Who knew they could make such a pretty colour!

Rose Quartz Bracelet

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis stone has always reminded me of the sky. This beautiful stone looks stunning on its own 

and when found naturally can be treated to give many different effects. When I read up on this

particular stone, it seems to have appeared everywhere in history. From the time of 

Gilgamesh and Tutankhamen to ancient Persia. The Greeks and Romans also used this stone

to reward bravery. No wonder I feel great when I wear it ;)

Lapis Bracelet

Lapis Lazuli

Tiger Eye

This dark brown stone is enlivened with yellowish fibers that create the cat's-eye colour. 

Tiger eye is said to attract wealth as well as helping you stay focused and determined.

My mom has always loved this stone which is probably why I have such an affinity for it.

Tiger Eye Pendant Necklace

Turquoise

Little did I know when I first began making jewelry, that turquoise naturally occurs in more

than one colour. While its blue form is widely known and a favoured stone by many

Native Americans it it can also be found in white and brown. This stone is another

gem that has a long history of use. It was mined in the souther parts of North America 

by tribes such as the Zuni, Navajo and Apache. It also naturally occurs in other 

parts of the world including Egypt, where turquoise has been found buried with mummies.

Triple Oval Turquoise Drop Earrings

Turquoise and Red Coral Chip Bead, Memory Wire Bracelet

Even as a child I remember being drawn to gemstones, I even had a rock collection. 

(I still have a few pieces in my memory box). So it only seems natural that I took a liking to

these natural and earthy materials. I even have decor around my home with stones

in them. I definitely wear turquoise the most and I can never pass up the opportunity

to ogle at other crafter's jewelry when they use gemstones. (OK really.. I can never 

pass up ANY jewelry..) So maybe next time you're looking at gemstones you'll

be curious enough to find out what they're all about!