Winner!

Congratulations to Renee, number 4! She's the lucky winner of March's giveaway. Be sure to check back next week for the new item up for grabs in April!

Spotlight: Madrid Necklace ($58)

As one of the most powerful, populated cities in all of Europe and the most influential in its' own country, one might expect Madrid to have a showy, dominant looking coat of arms and flag. I did, at least. While researching Madrid as the namesake for my newest summer necklace, however, I found that their city emblems portray a standing bear at a tree with red fruit.

No swords? No crazy medieval helmets? After a little more digging, I found that the city of Madrid was founded by the Moors in the 9th century and was known as "land of the bears". Turns out that the tree pictured on both the coat of arms and city flag is called a Strawberry Tree, and is native to the area. The bear and the strawberry tree shield is thought to date back to 1212, when it was first used at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. (an important battle for Spain during the Crusades) Little red beads, strawberry tree...Madrid is even more of a perfect name than I had thought! The thing that I love about this city (and what makes me want to visit even more than I already did) is the fact that they honor their history. Not just with the symbols of their city, but also the city itself. There is a lot of emphasis and importance put on preserving the historical buildings and streets throughout Madrid and I most definitely respect that. In a culture where most of our history gets torn down to accommodate the new and modern, I appreciate a place that restores and preserves their past. I hope you like the newest addition to my International Collection:

the Madrid Necklace.

Materials: glass beads, gold plated 5 strand clasp

Only a few more days to be entered into the Giveaway for March! You have until Thursday, the 25th at midnight to be entered to win! Just click on the giveaway button to the right, comment on the post, and that's it! Good luck!

Spotlight: Rancho Palos Verdes Necklace ($42)

Materials: Clear quartz, chrysoprase, peridot, serpentine, glass, ceramic, and acrylic beads, gold plated chain & toggle

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes lies south of the heart of Los Angeles, on a gorgeous peninsula with spectacular views of the Pacific. A couple of fun facts: the affluent suburb is the home of the Trump National Golf Club (in case you were curious as to what it looks like...wow!) and many scenes of Pirates of the Caribbean movie were shot right off the coast and on their bluffs. It truly is a gorgeous area, which is why I named this gorgeous necklace after it! (And for those of you who aren't familiar with Spanish, "verde" means green.) It is almost entirely gemstone beads, and this is the ONLY ONE available EVER so if you love it, you need to snatch it up before it's gone!

There's still a giveaway going on so don't forget to add your comments to be entered to win!

Over the past few days I have been working on updating my Etsy shop, making new items, and getting my taxes together. All fun, except the taxes. My sister was here for a (very) short time last week and was able to get a few new pictures taken of my jewelry, so you should definitely head over to my Etsy shop and check them out. I have a couple of new necklaces going up later this week so check back often! Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway for the Cleopatra Earrings! This month's drawing will end Friday, March 26th so don't wait!

Giveaway: Cleopatra Earrings ($12)

Materials: gold plated laser cut fans, jumprings, earwire

This month's giveaway is an amazing pair of chandelier earrings called Cleopatra. For those days when you don't feel like doing anything at all but laying around on your chaise lounge, getting fanned with palm fronds by loyal servants, and eating grapes on the beach. (Or when you wake up: sitting on a plastic chair, getting splashed by the kids, eating raisins by the kiddie pool) Either way, these earrings are great for whatever luxurious (or realistic) plans you have this spring and summer.