Ruby Lane's Creative Hands Newsletter for May 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Happy Mother's Day!
  
• SHELLY MERRY of Throwin' Stones
  
• Share Creative Hands With A Friend
  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mothers Day is celebrated this month in the US and other countries around the world as is Mothering Day in the UK. It is a day set aside for honoring Mothers for their love and nurturing spirit. Take a moment and browse our many wonderful jewelry artisan shops on Ruby Lane for a truly special gift for Mom.

SHELLY MERRY OF THROWIN' STONES

Welcome to my shop, Throwin' Stones! I have been selling jewelry on Ruby Lane since September of 2004.

I have been surrounded by creative and talented women all my life. My mother has never been afraid to try anything from refinishing floors, tiling and recently building a patio and she, along with my aunts have a great talent of sewing, cooking and sketching. My younger sister is also a talented graphic artist and has a keen flare for design. Fortunately, for my husband and children I inherited the cooking talent, but I have always loved color and design and found that outlet when I discovered cake decorating. I was a stay at home mom with four children and stumbled across a book by master cake decorator, Collette Peters and soon began cake decorating from my home. I began decorating elaborate wedding cakes and even entered a contest or two, but I started a full-time job when my youngest started school and with that and wedding cakes I was overwhelmed and the cakes were put on the back burner.

As my children began to grow up and didn't require as much attention I had a little more time on my hands and the creative bug began to bite again. I developed a great interest in digital photography and have had a photograph chosen to be published in a book among other amateur photographers. I began watching a television program with a guest gemologist/jewelry designer and he expressed so much enthusiasm and passion for gemstones, rare, as well as the more common and well-known stones a genuine interest was sparked. He provided a wealth of knowledge and a contagious enthusiasm so I decided to make a trip to the craft store and purchased a few jewelry craft books, stones and wire and made a few pairs of earrings just a short three years ago.

As I made more earrings and gave some to family and friends their compliments and encouragement was the deciding factor to try to sell a few online. My interest in jewelry making increased and was a great change of pace from my day job that lacked any creativity; administration, computer tech, and data base management. The company I worked for began selling off piece by piece after the passing of the owner's son and soon my position was terminated so I took the opportunity to delve into jewelry making even more. I am again a stay at home mom and am able to focus more jewelry making.

The majority of my work revolves around genuine gemstones, sterling or gold-filled wire and occasionally solid gold. I try to keep a range of prices attainable for any budget and a variety of styles for any personality.

I have been inspired by many amazingly talented jewelry artisans, fashion, nature and much more. Sometimes a piece will come together just by a fortunate accident of stones being laid side by side and voila! I hope I can throw a few stones together, inspire and create pieces others are able to enjoy.

Take a moment and visit Shelly Merry at Throwin' Stones

SHARE CREATIVE HANDS WITH A FRIEND

Did you enjoy this issue of Creative Hands? Do you know others who would enjoy receiving it? We invite you to forward this issue to those you know who also appreciate and enjoy arts & crafts.