Craft Show in Avon By The Sea, NJ ~ July 14, 2012

Hi Beadheads!

 If you plan to visit the Jersey Shore the weekend July 14th please visit To Be Me Jewelry in Avon, NJ. There will be a Craft Show on the Boardwalk in Avon By The Sea  ~ 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Rain date will be July 15th.  I love that Avon has a rain date...it's fair to the vendors. Many towns that offer craft shows do not give rain dates and do not return the fees to the vendors.

To Be Me Jewelry will have sea glass jewelry, lampwork bangles, and the famous Thought Waves Necklaces. All of my jewelry is handcrafted with good vibes. You will be able to pick great buys in sterling silver and gold-fill earrings, bracelets, necklaces, bangles.

Coastal bangle

starfish earrings!

 Turquoise...oh yeah!

 Hoops....YES!

 Beach jewelry!

How 'bout some red sea glass, blue sea glass, green sea glass???? Well ~ come see me and find out what I have for YOU!

Watermelon Bangle

OMGoodness...Although, it's only June, designs are being sketched and created for the fall and holiday season. I'm thrilled to say I am in love with working with fall colors and of course deep read and green. Wearing classic colors for the holidays put me in the spirit. Don't you agree? What is your favorite color for the fall and holidays?

Since you have to wait for the unveiling of a new season ... let's zone in on this sweetie of a bangle. What name shall I call this bangle....of course...the Watermelon Bangle. Not very original but it fits!

Designed with lampwork beads and sterling silver, a handful of pink glass beads. The lampwork beads are handcrafted with a torch and put in a kiln for endurance. No two lampwork beads can be exactly alike. Beautiful bright colors just for the hot summer months. So...measure your wrists and order your Watermelon Bangle. This is a limited edition.

How do you like this bangle?

Please go to ToBeMeJewelry for ordering online.
Take care Beadheads!

Memorial Day ~ Proud to be American

Thank You!

If you see this please say a little prayer.

Memorial Day is not only for sales....

We are one.



New Pewter Beads

In the decade of designing my jewelry at To Be Me Jewelry I ALWAYS incorporated only sterling silver and goldfill metals. This weekend I found quality pewter beads. I was blown away with these beads. These beads look like sterling silver! As you all know the prices of silver and gold has sky rocketed in recent years. It's difficult for the small business jewelry artist to "stay alive".  I decided to try these new found pewter beads and see how it goes. I actual think you will not be disappointed either.

The photo below is  my Just Bebopping Bangle designed with glass beads, pewter beads, core and handcrafted clasp sterling silver. To purchase this bracelet please go to To Be Me Jewelry .

What do you think? Like it?

The Anticipated Thrill of a Craft Show!

Ahhhh....I feel it in my bones...oh wait a minute ~ I mean soul! I think the old saying, I can feel it in my bones is for weather. Yes, it's the anticpated thrill of selling my handmade jewelry at craft shows. I just finished filling out a few applications and plan to mail them today. As soon as I get accepted I'll let you know the scoop.

There are a few different pings of "thrill" when I get ready for a show. One of them is I really LOVE making my own earring cards. Since most of my shows are at the Jersey shore I take my photos around town. My friend, Diane also gave me a couple. Thanks, Diane! I then put the photos at the bottom of the earring card. It's a form of branding. One show, The Ocean Grove Craft Festival has a great deal of tourists. Let's face it, when on vacation we all pick up little "trinkets" to bring back to friends and family. What's better then To Be Me Jewelry's earrings with a Jersey shore photo on it? Good thinking, right?

I make the earring cards using card stock paper 8 1/2 x 11 in. Using the Word program or another type of program I have I design the earring card. I duplicate the design to make 10 cards on each sheet. I use a cutting board to cut to the preferred size which is a business card size. I use to make these on business card paper. I cut down my cost (a lot) by using card stock paper and cutting it myself. Every penny counts, beadheads - every penny costs.

Here's the skinny....and one of the pings.

P.S.  One of the cards has a photo of Madame Marie's blue fortune telling booth. A landmark to the shore area. Bruce Springstein wrote a song, 4th of July, Asbury Park  (Sandy) paying homage to Madame Marie.  Cool.

Take care my beadheads ~ enjoy the coming of summer ~ get those flip-flops on and bebop!

Perfect Mother's Day Gift or Perhaps Just For YOU!

I don't think there is any jewelry that I dislike. I wear my jewelry by the "mood" I'm in or where I'm headed out the door. How about YOU? There are times in the heat of summer that I find wearing light airy jewelry makes me feel cooler. This Peridot Gemstone Necklace is the trick for summer days.

Vivid green semiprecious gemstone peridot sparkles against sterling silver chain. Tiny gemstones add to the handcrafted hook closure. Peridot is a traditional birthstone for August and is known for it's healing properties and to bring good luck to the wearer. Handcrafted. Available in 16 and 18 in. lengths. The Peridot gemstone is 6-8 mm or 1/4 in. (dainty).
You may purchase this at To Be Me Jewelry  $34.00

Have a great day!

It's a Bangle Kind of Season...don't ya think?

I've been going bangle crazy! A feeling in the air of warm weather brought me to my flip-flop senses and bangles! I love to wear my bangles in the summer. Here is what's up in my workshop at the moment. Not sure if they will all end up on To Be Me Jewelry  ~ so my dears if you see something in this photo let me know fast.

Claire@ToBeMeJewelry.com



Thought Waves - Petite Necklace

I was bebopping on the net today and came across an e-magazine, StyleBistro focusing on celebrity style, fashion and beauty.  My interest of course was what jewelry they had on.  For instance, Taylor Swift had a necklace on that looked similar to my Thought Waves-Petite Necklace.  Cool. We all love Taylor Swift’s music.  I also like her new style.  I hope she stays true to herself as time goes by.

Well, here is my necklace below.  

Check out Taylor Swift's style on StyleBistro 

Made In Monmouth Show, West Long Branch NJ

A few items that will be at the Made In Monmouth Show on March 31st. One of a kind jewelry by To Be Me Jewelry....me...Claire DeRosa.

Hope to see you!

Made In Monmouth County Show

I am thrilled to be selling my jewelry at the 1st Made In Monmouth Show on March 31st! It's wonderful to see the County of Monmouth, NJ supporting local artisans. Please come out and join us for a fun filled day! Look for me ~ To Be Me Jewelry ~ stop by and do a little chit-chatting.

Info:  Made in Monmouth - Products made in Monmouth County on display and FOR SALE.
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
MAC at Monmouth University
Larchwood Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ

Free and Open to the Public ~ There will be door prizes and children activities
Sponsored by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with Monmouth University, Monmouth Ocean Development Council, Greater Monmouth of Commerce, Northern Monmouth Chamer of Commerce and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce

And...I thank them!!!

Here's a peek of what I will be bringing...

I'm working on more one of a kind sea glass designs...it seems in the past couple of months...I make them...and the designs are sold before I get to show and tell.

See ya!

TBMJ video EARRINGS

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tonight, I will be cooking for Valentine's Day. To me it feels great to just simply stay at home and be comfy and cozy. I am making ...get a load of this...heart ravioli's as part of our dinner. Ice cream Cannoli's for dessert. The hearts are pink...can you stand it!

So, whatever you do may it be a wonderful day!



I Won a Mohair Scarf from Aunt Wednesday's!

A couple of months ago I won a beautiful tan mohair scarf from Aunt Wednesdays. April Robinson is the founder of Aunt Wednesdays and a fantastic fiber artist.  Unfortunately, when I received my scarf  I was preparing for the holidays, dealing with a health problem with a family member...and guess what? I forgot to say ~ April ~ I LOVE MY SCARF! So, I decided to get on my soap box and yell it with a photo of me wearing it. Now you may say,,,ok, Claire...where's your coat? It's been so mild here this winter at the Jersey shore that I didn't wear my scarf yet! Tomorrow, according to the Weather Channel it's suppose to be very cold  and a bit snowy - finally. A good reason today to pull out Aunt Wednesdays scarf and get ready to wear it tomorrow. Check out Aunt Wednesday's online boutique that offers an array of handcrafted crocheted hats, scarves, purses, sweaters, preemie layettes, heirloom christening gowns and many other crocheted items.

My Mohair Scarf....Sweet!

I took this photo by myself in the bathroom! Boy, you think I could have smiled a little!

Thanks, again ~ April~!

Sea Glass Designs

Well, I must say this winter here in New Jersey is quite a surprise! It's been so mild and sunny. I realize the weather can change in a heartbeat but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. The mild weather has inspired me to pull out my sea glass and create a few bracelets. You may find them on my website and I promise my sea glass customers more will come.

Tidal Wave Sea Glass Bracelet

Starfish Sea Glass Bracelet

Moondoggie Sea Glass Bracelet

Tidal Wave Sea Glass Bracelet in dark green

My sea glass bracelets shown here are all in sterling silver with oxidized chain. You may find more info and to purchase visiting To Be Me Jewelry. Nice price too~$38.00 each~Free shipping in the USA.  Made in the USA.

Twinkle Silver Hoop Earrings

It seems that January is my month to rest and take a long sigh. January is a month to take care of the mind, body and soul. I do forget at times to take a break. So here it is beadheads, the end of January and I'm starting to be inspired with swirls of designs in my mind's eye. I love working on one of kind designs but also need to be able to duplicate my work. Here are my Twinkle Silver Earrings being introduced to you for the first time.

Twinkle Silver Hoop earrings - length one inch.  Delicate sterling silver beads handwrapped around sterling silver hoops.

I am in need to design one of a kind sea glass jewelry....this is what presently is feeding my soul. I am working on this project now...so soon to be. Stay tuned...