Jewelry and Its Designers...Part Two

There is nothing as heart warming as a love story, and Anna is living it.  As a young girl growing up in Italy, Anna was introduced to a fellow from the States who came to visit her family. They had eyes for each other and he promised that some day, when she was older, he would come back for her. Some years later came a knock at the door. It was her Prince Charming and he wanted to take Anna to America. Today, proving that there is true love in the world, Anna and Vito were married, have a grown daughter and are still living happily ever after in Danielson, Connecticut.

Eighteen years ago Anna fell in love again, only this time with beading. It all started when she discovered that she was allergic to all base metals, especially nickel, and could wear only silver and gold.  Loving color so much Anna starting stringing beads for herself and soon became addicted to this newfound passion. All of Anna's jewelry is hand woven, using only the best glass, crystals and pearls. She also uses semi-precious stones and all her metals are sterling silver, gold-filled brass or surgical steel (no nickel anywhere). "My inspiration comes from everywhere and never seems to end... just not enough time to do it all," she says.

Tell me... have you ever seen a checkbook cover done in Delica beads from a loom?  How about beaded rings?  Say, for instance, a Swarovski maroon pearl with a fire-polished Czech glass band. No? I didn't think so. All of Anna's pieces are one of a kind and receive compliments from all that notice her jewelry. Some of her other unique pieces include a bracelet made with Czech crystals featuring Swarovski accents and red seed beads, her black vintage cameo and her earrings of dark red coral with hand-carved flowers. Anna's designs are.. are... what's the word I'm looking for... Gorgeous!  Anna's love for beading shows in her magnificent work... You go girl, I feel the love!

Did you know? Almost anything can be used in the making of jewelry. I say almost because lead can't. Not in England, anyway. English assay offices will not give its "Hallmark Stamp of Approval" on any items containing lead or lead solder. Instead, those pieces are confiscated and destroyed!

Linda Jo, nicknamed "gypsy at heart," is a creative lady originally from the Adirondacks who now lives in Windham, Connecticut.  She possesses a wide range of talents and that's probably one of the reasons she has been selected to lead the local Artisans Co-operative as their President.  Linda Jo, now retired from the mental health field, has taught many classes in various media where, I believe, she learned to think out of the box. Aside from her handmade lavender glass and silver earrings or the earrings fashioned from turquoise bead with silver and wooden beads, I have noticed her handfelted necklaces. Felt? Yup... Handfelted balls along with silver beads, nice muted colors and they,of course, are lightweight. Leave it up to the gypsy at heart! Working in various media Linda Jo also makes scarves, neck warmers, baby hats, and my favorite, which are the handfelted catnip balls and handfelted catnip mice. Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

Jewelry is here to stay. In a 2007 study entitled, "Global Jewelry Consumpton," KPMG India stated that the largest jewelry market in the world is the United States with a market share of 30.8%, followed by Japan, India, China and the Middle East, each with 8-9% and Italy with 5%. The field of artisan jewelry making continues to grow as a profession and as a hobby.  Man, we sure do know how to look good, don't we?

My last piece of must-know information is that the amber gemstone needs to be over one million years old in order to be classified as amber. Some amber has been identified as being 120 million years old!  Okay, you can go now...

Jimmy Halloran is Co-Owner of ConnecticutHandiworks.com, an online retailer featuring handcrafted items made in Connecticut.

jimmy130@live.com  /  860.942.7571  / 

PO Box 26 Hampton, CT.

  06247