Honored and grateful!

Thanks to everyone who is supporting Be a Light Jewelry with your purchases!  I just received a plaque to recognize outstanding contributions to support students from the Renton Technical College Foundation. It is so nice to be recognized and have work validated.

Be a Light Jewelry enthusiasts, THANK YOU! Proceeds from your purchases help support the Renton Technical College Student Emergency fund.

Happy Spring!

 Even though the world is a mess...there is such a feeling of renewal every spring....time to put on some spring colors and try some new jewelry!

This spring has some new cork, wood, and other fun earrings from Be a Light Jewelry.  Please explore my etsy store and contact me if you have any questions.

A week of learning....

 There are so many layers to managing and promoting a one-woman small business. I am trying to do as much as possible with as little spending as possible. This week I worked on trying to learn more about building my presence on Instagram, and in the process I discovered https://linktr.ee/, where you can easily combine all your sites on one easy page.  Very handy! Here's what I made, to use on Instagram, etc:  https://linktr.ee/lizfalconer

I also went in mad circles trying to find and use a FREE "follow this blog" app for this blog site; I was so happy to find Follow It.   You too can get posts by email: please submit your email on the right side of this page. Hopefully the posts will inspire more than clutter your life. 

After that, I wanted to allow folks to sign up for my newsletter (which is still just a concept...first one will come out later this spring, but I hope to gather some wonderful folks to send it to).  After signing up on two different sites and then discovering that they are only free on a very limited basis, I remembered a tool that I use so often it almost has become invisible in my life: Google.  I created my own Follow Be a Light News form and added it to this blog.  I plan to create my newsletters with a Google template as well...I hope you sign up so you can see the results!

When I send an order, I try to make it special. This year, I received a wonderful daily calendar as a gift from my friend Stephanie, "Today is going to be a great day."  I love it because it isn't too syrupy (I have a low tolerance for syrup) and it has wonderful drawings, all done by women artists.  This year, I am selecting and putting one past day in each order I send out. I love the serendipity of deciding which one might best inspire the wonderful people who buy my items, whether I know them personally or not.  It's a lot more fun than throwing them away...akin to upcycling. Here is one of my favorites, by Theresa Berens.

Thanks for reading these  bits and pieces of my "building" journey.  Please feel free to leave your comments and ideas below.

Journey of the Heart

 Last week I stopped in to Four Sisters Holistic Remedies in Renton for the first time.  I have passed by the shop many times but hesitated to go in....not being sure of myself regarding holistic, remedies, and what to expect. Shops like that sometimes intimidate me. It turns out I need to grow up!

I was pleasantly surprised to find so many items that are so aligned with my passions and interests.  Crystals, rocks,  beads....all sizes and so many colors. Beautiful candles too....I know some of the tall, noble-looking ones were created by a colleague of mine, Step. They have their own supply of jewelry items so I decided against trying to sell them more. 

Finally, I picked up 2 heart-shaped agates.  They are so smooth,  with beautiful lines.  This morning, I wrapped them in wire.  There were a few hiccups and frustrations but that's where the learning happens.I was challenged with wrapping this shape, and also wanted to let the natural colors show and be part of the pieces.  The colors seemed to call for gold wire, and so that they could be easily seen. I put them onto choker-style necklaces.  

I will be going back for more items to inspire. Let me know what you think; suggestions are welcome! I'll be taking these to my pop-ups, not listing on Etsy. 

I call them Journey of the Heart.

(Front)

(Back -- although you can reverse if desired)

Which style do you like?

 Am I just so in love with making these that I can't think straight, or are they all WONDERFUL?  I am working with three different color combinations of mixed-color wire, and combining silver and gold metal components. All very lightweight. 

Please let me know which one/ones you like in the comments below, and I'll make more.  (I only have one of each at this point, which I will be taking to upcoming markets...

Tahoma Living is a new partner!

 I am so excited that Tahoma Living has agreed to stock my jewelry.  They are a small, neighborly gift store in Maple Valley. Susie and Aaron have been great to work with. I stopped in an took a picture of the display:

From their website:

Tahoma Living opened doors in March 2021, born from the idea that we could source products primarily from local artisans and small businesses thereby creating a stronger community and lifting each other up in a very meaningful way. Tahoma Living now carries products from more than three dozen Washington based vendors.  Visit today to find the perfect gift!

Address:

23714 222nd PL SE, Suite F

Maple Valley, WA 98038

Store Hours:11am to 6pm Daily

Exploring Spirals

I saw a pair of earrings online made with multicolored wire..WHAT???!! Never heard of it. I of course then searched and found some (on Etsy) and began working with it.

Exploring spirals. So fun and therapeutic!

Bought clothes. Had to make jewelry to match.

Saturday was SUNNY after a week of all-day FOG.  I visited Esme and Elodie, new women's boutique in Renton. My friend Karen told me it was dangerous...she was right. 

Great shop, reasonably-priced clothing that is comfortable and easy to wear. 

I asked about the possibility of having some of my jewelry stocked. We discussed the the possibility of a pop-up. Fingers are crossed that something will work out! In the meantime, here are my pairings for two tops: 

Making these made me realize that I had not combined blues, greens, and pinks together in one piece before  The sleeves on the top led me to that.  And I wanted something sophisticated, uncomplicated and light to go with the stripes. 

I will be making more of the earrings and necklaces to take to the Renton Night Market and other pop-ups.  As always,  affordable prices. Message me here if you'd like to order for yourself!

Welcome!

Welcome! This is the blog for Be a Light Jewelry, where I am sharing new items, jewelry adventures, and enthusiasm.  You can find my online shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeALightJewelry and also at Four Corners Merchants, Tahoma Living, and The Rose Gift House and Coffee. 

As soon as I got this mountain pendant charm, I loved it. It reminds me of my Dad, who was an avid mountain climber.  He took me to the top of Mt. Hood when I was 11.  I remember complaining the whole way, and he climbed behind me and calmly repeated,  One foot in front of the other. Keep Going.  

This necklace is available at Etsy, and I'll. also be bringing it to markets for as long as they last. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1165659067/mountain-necklace-beautiful-mountain