Don’t forget that we make all sorts of custom jewelry … including Mother’s Jewelry. We have a great selection on our site, but we also do a lot of custom work for moms, so be sure to keep us in mind. There is plenty of time to design something and have it ready for mom’s special day!!

Above is a sample of custom work that was done for 2 grandmothers. They each had their favorite colors, and these were designed using vintage beads and sterling silver.

We are excited that our new April items can be viewed and purchased through Artifacts Gallery’s online shopping. Check them out by clicking on “shop online”.

Our sterling and vintage crystal necklace in seaglass colors for $42 at Artifacts Gallery in Lynchburg.

I know that a lot of us are trying to better utilize our money with the economy and all, and I am also trying to make better use of my space. I tend to be a packrat (self confessed, that is), and at times I need to push the reset button and go through things … both in my home and for my business.

I am getting ready for a yard sale that we are having in May, so I am in the process of decluttering. When I checked my email a few minutes ago I had TWO emails waiting for me that dealt with the subject. I wanted to share them with you to renew and give you fresh inspiration to declutter this spring.I make jewelry so that I can have fun, make others feel good by having that perfect piece and also to earn a little bit of extra money.

I am actually enjoying going around my house looking for things that we don’t use that I can turn into cash via ebay or our yard sale (or even being able to pass items along to those in need).  I hope that these articles and tips help you with your quest to become clutter-free (it is a constant battle for me).

Check out the site Small Notebook for great ideas on how to pare down your belongings.

Today Money Saving Mom also had some wonderful ideas for simple clutter control and making decisions.

I hope that these websites and their tips will help you around the house and in your business … I know I need to tackle the project of organizing my jewelry and business supplies soon. My jewelry area is currently a mess, and maybe I will be brave enough to show you pictures of both before and after my attempt at organizing it all … we’ll see!! Thanks again for stopping by The Bauble Market.

Well, last week was Spring Break, and I decided that I would take a book along that would potentially help me along with my small business(s).

I currently have The Bauble Market, which is my jewelry business (I almost hate to call it a “business” because it is a lot of fun for me!!), and I promote it by taking special orders, selling on etsy, having my jewelry in galleries and promoting my website.  I also have a new little side venture arising in the near future, so I have been dwelling on and thinking about that.

I took along the book Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin, and I settled in aside of the pool to see what awaited me inside. Honestly, I felt like I was reading a “can’t put it down novel” because what she said was of such great interest and value to me. If any of you have a small business (she focuses on crafting, yet I feel that a lot of what she says applies to any small business owner … especially if you are just getting started), I would HIGHLY recommend her book.

She talks about getting started (even legal jargon put in a “womanly” way … my husband bores me to tears when he talks about an LLC business, but Kari did not), what to focus on, getting the word out, having a great website/blog, utilizing social media, keeping track of your things (money, inventory … etc.) and a WHOLE lot more.

I kept a pen and pad with me the entire time to jot down her words of wisdom. I truly felt as though I was being let in on some trade secrets by eavesdropping in on a conversation between experts. If any of you are thinking about starting a small business or even have one in the works, I would really recommend her book (local friends, feel free to borrow it from me!!).

It is not often that I would feel that my blog and a book review would go hand in hand, but this time it’s a win-win for all! I hope that you will check out her book and learn from it as I have … I am so excited to implement some of her ideas! Thanks, Kari!! Check out her book here.

After taking several months off, I finally buckled down and made some new items to take to Artifacts Gallery in Peakland Crossing. I really like several of them (well, ALL of them), so I hope that you enjoy looking at them!

Vintage pink beads in glass, crystal and rose quartz are accented by new sterling silver in this necklace.

Vintage amethyst crystal and glass beads are twisted around a sterling silver oval and hung by a sterling chain.

These beautiful faceted vintage glass buttons are so sweet when combined with sterling silver.

Vintage crystal beads and sterling silver comprise this sweet set.

Millefori beads are so colorful and go with so many different things … these vintage glass ones are paired with sterling silver or 14k gold fill.

I am so excited that Artifacts Gallery in Peakland Crossings now offers online shopping of our items made with vintage beads. Check them out at http://artifactsgalleryinc.com/shoppingcart/index.php?manufacturers_id=27 and see what is new in the shop!!

A bracelet that was made using vintage amethyst and clear crystal with sterling silver.

This necklace was made using a vintage glass leaf and victorian glass beads with sterling.

Blue vintage crystals paired with sterling make this necklace sparkle and shine!!

We hope that you will take a look at the online gallery for Artifacts, or better yet, stop in. Just be sure to tell Suzanne that The Bauble Market sent you.

Here at The Bauble Market, we enjoy coming up with custom pieces such as this keyhole necklace.  If you have a special piece in mind or want us to “tweak” one of our existing designs, just let us know … we love working with our customers to create something unique.

This is a specially commissioned necklace and earrings set. I had this posted in gold, but I was able to make it in sterling silver and to a specified length. It is made using vintage beads.

The dangle is made using a vintage keyhole for a dresser … pretty cool, huh?

Here is the happy recipient of her Christmas gift … it looks great on her!!

She wrote a sweet note, which said … “I got my necklace…I must say it is even prettier in person. I love it…now I just have to wait until Christmas to “open” it and be able to wear it. Keep up the great work…I may just have to come back for another piece. (I’ve already got my eye on another one.)”

In early December, I participated in a Holiday Stop & Shop that benefitted the Family Alliance here in Central Virginia.  It was a fun day of meeting new customers and networking with other vendors while supporting a great cause! Here is their website for more information … www.familyalliance1.org, and enjoy some of the photos from the event.

My daughter helped me with the event, and she took this photo for me.

Here are some of the pieces I had for sale including lots of earrings.  All of the pieces I had on display were made with vintage beads and are one of a kind.

 Necklaces and bracelets are always good choices for gifts, and I enjoy providing a variety of colors and styles for customers to choose from.

I had given away a $50 gift certificate in Stone Blue Productions 12 Days of Christmas contest (www.stoneblueproductions.com), and the winner (sweet Lindsay Marie) came and used her gift certificate. She was looking for something red for a Christmas party, and she wore her set that evening. It was fun to meet her at the event.

We here at The Bauble Market wish you a very Merry Christmas, and we hope that you enjoy spending time with friends and family as you celebrate Christ’s birth.

We are SO excited to have our new gift certificates in hand.  I designed them myself (my first attempt at anything in illustrator), so I am pretty pleased with them.  Gift certificates are available in any amount, OR you can give a gift certificate for a certain item (such as a necklace and earrings set … I will let the giver know the total amount once the piece has been selected … this is a GREAT way to do a custom order).  Contact us at info@baublemarket.com or (434)851-2224 if you would like a gift certificate. We can send them to the giver or the recipient.  The front and the back of the certificate are shown below.

A history of The Bauble Market is included on the back of the gift certificate so that your recipient will know a little more about what we are all about.

Again, just contact us for a gift certificate … perfect for Christmas, birthdays, a bride (imagine giving her the ability to have a custom piece for her wedding!), you can give one just because.

I have always wanted to set up on the market in downtown Roanoke, VA, and their Dickens of a Christmas celebration was the perfect time. They had food, family fun, a parade, vendors and more … it was so much fun (although we FROZE outside for 6 hours … meeting the people on the market made it all worthwhile, though).  Here are some photos from this fun event that took place on Friday, December 11 from 6pm-10pm.

 Here I am all set up outside at the Historic Downtown Market in Roanoke, VA.  It was SO cold!!

Real men aren’t afraid to be out in the cold helping their wives sell jewelry (and allowing her to take potty breaks and fetching things like hot chocolate and yummy spinach, tomato and blue cheese pizza from her favorite bakery … thank you sweetie!!).

Here I am donning 5 layers of clothes, but I was happy … it was a fun night!