More New Briolettes

In my ever widening search to find the best beads for my bead store, I came across these beauties.


Lovely Pink Amethyst. This is a very pretty, almost delicate looking stone. These gems are a pale pink color.


These gems are a Sky Blue Chalcedony faceted briolette. Gorgeous color.


Labradorite. My favorite.


And Green Amethyst faceted pear briolettes.

For more detailed information on any of these beads, visit Tiger Beads.

Tiger Beads is also having a SALE ON ALL WOOD BEADS. They are 25%OFF for a limited time. I have a very nice selection available. Stop by if you are interested.

A Commission

One of my customers asked me to modify a pair of earrings she saw that I made. She likes pineapple quartz so this is what I made for her. We were both very pleased with how they turned out.

Just Another Wednesday

Been busy today listing new beads and jewelry in my Etsy stores. Each listing takes about 1/2 hour more or less with photos so it is a slow process. I listed a new geisha necklace and a pair of new earrings at Testagrossa Designs. And I listed 3 new bead strands in Tiger Beads: gorgeous chunky amazonite, a nice faceted re jasper, and some new sugilite beads. I have more to list, I just need to find the time.

I'm ordering some new pressed glass beads with beautiful metallic finishes that should be here in a few days. I also have many 1/2 finished jewelry projects that I will list once I finally get them done. I am also ordering some supplies so I can start making wire wrapped rings soon. I have been wanting to do that for a while.

That's all that's going on for now. I wish I had more creative time. It feels frustrating having my time so limited. I want my skills and my businesses to grow and it is a slow grow with having to work another job. I'm sure there are many other artists that can relate to my story.

I did send my first charitable check out yesterday to Friends for Life. That felt good. I donated a portion of my jewelry sales from the last quarter of last year to them. I had hoped I could have sent a bigger check, but next time it will be more.

Friends for Life

Just wanted to let anyone that might be interested in coming to my Home Jewelry Show this saturday, that 10% of all jewelry sales will be donated to Friends for Life. Friends for Life is a local non-profit that relies solely on donations to do their good deeds. They help the needing animals in our community find homes, and many other good services. Please go to their website to learn more about them.

Labor Day Weekend

Just finished up a 3 day weekend. Went to Chapman's Gem and Mineral Shop on saturday. I haven't been there for years. I was actually surprised that the place was still open. It is a big funky gem shop with a museum of rocks and raw gemstones. And both to buy in their retail area. It was fun to go again.

My husband has been working with me to design a business card for my Etsy jewelry site and my Etsy bead site. We are almost done. It will be 1 card printed on 2 sides. The designs look great. We are almost finished. I am looking forward to having a new card. It has been a while.

Today I joined the group Etsy for Animals, http://www.etsyforanimals.com. This a group of artists on the Etsy site that are donating a portion of their profits to an animal organization. My charitable organization is Friends for Life www.dogrescuers.org. I will probably continue to donate to this organization until the end of the year. So far my sales have been slow so I want to continue to collect for them as the year continues. Remember, 10% of all of my sales gets donated to Friends for Life.

I am planning to do a big studio sale for my paintings in about 2 weeks. I am planning on selling my watercolors for 40-50% off my gallery prices. I really want to find new homes for these works of art. If anyone is interested, you can contact me and send your email. You can also get a look at some of my available work at www.MaryAnnTestagrossa.com.

That's all for now. Made a couple of pairs of earrings this weekend. Hope to get more creative work done on wednesday.

Donation to Friends for Life

This saturday night is a fundraiser for Friends for Life at the First Street Gallery from 7:00 until 10:00 PM. There will be food and drinks and a silent auction, all to raise funds for animal rescue in our local area. I was asked to donate a piece of my jewelry to the silent auction and this is what I just finished making. It is a combination of my polymer clay and bead work. The image is a geisha, permanently transfered to the clay by a heat transfer method. The necklace measures 16" and has freshwater pearls and garnets that match the coloring in the geisha pendant. It is finished with a simple pewter toggle clasp.