Lunar Skies Jewelry & Fine Art: quentin eckman

Showing posts with label quentin eckman. Show all posts

Friday, August 3, 2012

Shouldn't the back be as pretty as the front?

I know that's the case with dresses, so why not jewelry. The back is the part that touches you. These two pendants are part of a group of Chrysocolla jewelry I just listed in my Etsy shop. I'm started adding some words to the backs of my pendants to make the backs a little more interesting. Some of the non-technical characteristics of chrysocolla are: conciliation, reassurance, wisdom, peace and tranquility, intuition, patience and unconditional love. I hope you'll visit my Etsy shop and give these new pieces a look.

The gemstone Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise. It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur especially in areas of the southwestern USA, Chili, Zaire, Australia, France and England. Eliat Stone is a variegated blue and green mixture of chrysocolla and other copper minerals found in the Gulf of Aqaba, near the northwestern end of the Red Sea". Pure chrysocolla is too soft for jewelry purposes but it is often found in quartz deposits which makes it hard enough to polish for cabochons. It is often found mixed with malachite, turquoise and azurite. The druzy form of chrysocolla is a beautiful Robin's egg blue.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry?ref=pr_shop
My Jewelry: http://www.lunarskies.com
My Sculpture: http://www.lunarskies.com/pages1/fineart.html
My Cabochons: http://www.gemalchemy.com
Creating The Hive Artisans Group: http://www.creatingthehive.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

If you sell on Etsy you shuld check this out

Etsy has a new "About" feature for its shop owners. It's very cool and easy to use. Check out my page and let me know what you think about it: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry/about/

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

How To Make A Dragonfly Precious? Opal.

I think this may be the perfect stone for these character pendants. Precious Opal, and Sterling Silver Dragonfly Pendants. These a one of a kind art pieces. I hand forged the silver metalwork to create unique individual pendants. The opal gemstone forms the dragonfly's body. The head is the bale including round silver eyes.Available in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Sunday, May 6, 2012

FInding Jewery by Color Made Easier

I've re-worked my web site. Actually I'm always re-working it, but I've recently made some major changes. One of the changes is a new row of link buttons I've added near the top of each page. Each of these buttons allow you to navigate to jewelry pages by color. I think color is one of the most important aspects of someone's decision making process when they by art, clothing, furniture, jewelry, etc. On any of the Jewelry by Color pages you'll see an assortment of pictures of jewelry pieces representing the color in question. If you click any of the the pictures you navigate to the page on my web site of the corresponding stone. It works just like the stone type links on the left of every page except you get a visual image of the color of the stone first.

I'd love to know what you think about this feature. Thanks for taking a look at this post and thanks again if you take the time to try out the link.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

Monday, April 30, 2012

It's not like jewelry grows on trees, Not Exactly

It doesn't grow on trees, as far as I know, but I've grown another pendant with it's own tree. These tree agate pendants have just been listed in my Etsy and Artfire shops. The big ol' pendant on the left is pictured in both front and back views to show the silver tree that I forged into the surround.

Tree Agate Pendants

Thanks for looking.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Saturday, March 31, 2012

I'm front page news! Well, sort of

One of my sculptures is in the Artfire Daily Collection which is titled "Collect Me Please". There are 11 other item worthy of your collection. I hope you'll take the time to check it out :0)
You can view the actual collection here: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=98fbd55a1d5bdaf9e1d296c27&id=ecbbe8922c&e=69f5cba8fb

Artfire Daily Collecton

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Thursday, March 22, 2012

ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT!

Lunar Skies 20% Off Jewelry Sale ends at midnight on Saturday. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time! Get that one of a kind jewelry piece while it's still 20% Off. Use Discount Code MASLE20 in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry

lunar skies 20% off jewelry sale

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Blue Lace Agate, but is it really Blue?

My newest jewelry creations feature the gemstone called blue lace agate. To me it looks grey with a blue cast. I didn't come up with the name, but I like it. I made the pendants with open backs to allow light to filter through the crystal striations. You can see more views of these pieces in my etsy shop where my 20% Off jewelry Sale continues: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry Use Coupon Code MASLE20 when you check out.

Blue Lace Agate comes from Africa, it was originally discovered in Nambia. A member of the chalcedony group, a type of quartz. Named for the white striations or banding running through blue stone giving it a delicate lacey look.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

20% Off Lunar Skies Jewelry for a limited time

Now is the time to get a great price on that jewelry piece you've been wanting from Lunar Skies hand crafted Sterling silver and hand cut gemstone jewelry. Visit my Etsy shop, pick your favorite piece or pieces, then use discount code MASLE20 when you check out.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Saturday, March 10, 2012

And The Winner Is . . . . . . (Drum Roll Please!)

Pine Ridge Treasures! Pine Ridge shop can be seen here: http://www.zibbet.com/PineRidgeTreasures

Congrats! Go to my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry and pick the $69.00 jewelry creation of you choice. Email: quentin@lunarskies.com

For those who didn't win, I'll announce my 20% Off Jewelry Sale in a day or two. In the meantime email quentin@lunarskies.com to get the sale code for 20 percent off when the sale begins. Thanks again to all who entered!

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

I'll draw a winner today!

The entries to my Giveaway are now closed. I'll use a random generator to pick the winner today. I'd like to thank everyone who entered. This has been more fun than I imagined. Maybe that "better to give than receive" stuff is true (I used to think that was made up by someone who got the better gift :0)

I'll begin my 20% Off Sale in a day or two. Thanks again!

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sonoran Sunrise Jewelry

My newest offering will be available very soon in my Etsy and Artfire shops, and on my own web site. I'm pleased to preview it here. What do you think about this stone?

Sonoran sunrise comes from the State of Sonora (Mexico). It's been on the gem scene now for a only couple of years and has become quite popular. It is primarily green to blueish green and red with a bit of black. The green is chrysocolla. The red is cuprite, and the black is tenorite.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hosting my first Giveaway. I need advice.

Here's my plan so far. Right now I have 41 items in my Etsy Shop listed at $69.00. I want to offer one of them as a giveaway. I plan to create a photo album on my Facebook Fan Page so viewers can easily review which or my items sell for that price. Participants will choose an item, then contact me with their choice. They can have a second choice, or have two chances at the same item by referring a friend, as long as that friend participates as well. I will use a random generator to select from the chosen items, so there will be a winner for certain. If the winning item has been chosen by more than one entrant, I'll use another random generator to select the ultimate winner.

I will also offer to let non winners buy the piece of their choice at a 20% discount at the close of the contest. This would have to be on a first come first served basis.

So here are my questions:
1. Should I suspend the sale of my $69.00 items until the end of the Giveaway? (I'd hate to loose a sale by doing this, but I have to be sure the giveaway winner gets the piece they've selected).

2. How long should the giveaway run?

3. What are the most effective ways to let people know about the giveaway.

4. Are there some obvious flaws in my plan.

Any suggestions are welcome.

You can visit my easy store at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunarSkiesJewelry

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Petoskey Stone Jewelry, Fossilized Coral and SIlver

My latest creations feature the pride of Michigan, Petoskey Stone. These stones can be found on various beaches in Northern Michigan with many of the most popular being those surrounding Petoskey and Charlevoix. Similar fossil corals occur in a variety of locations, however the name Petoskey stone should only be applied to those from Northern Michigan.

Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil, often pebble-shaped, that is composed of a fossilized coral, Hexagonaria percarinata. The stones were formed as a result of glaciation, in which sheets of ice plucked stones from the bedrock, grinding off their rough edges and depositing them in the northwestern portion of Michigan's lower peninsula.

These pieces will be available in my Etsy Shop today.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Sonoran Sunrise, look what Mother Nature did!

I just cut these cabochons yesterday. Sonoran sunrise comes from the State of Sonora (Mexico). It's been on the gem scene now for a only couple of years and has become quite popular. It is primarily green to blueish green and red with a bit of black. The green is chrysocolla. The red is cuprite, and the black is tenorite. This material will make some beautiful pieces.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Sunday, February 12, 2012

So you want to be in an Etsy Treasury? Don't kill your chance!

I've been curating about five Etsy Treasuries a week lately. It's fun, and I get to see many wonderful items. You've probably been told on many occasions that top quality photos are a must, both for selling and for getting featured in Treasuries. There are lots of great post available with outstanding photography tips. But I feel compelled to mention the following because I've not seen it posted before. The picture of your item that shows up in a Treasury is the thumbnail of the first picture you placed when you listed/edited your item. Etsy uses a 1000px x 1000px image for the main or enlarged image in your shop. But the thumbnail it generates is smaller and rectangular (the top and bottom of the image gets clipped). What may be a great image when enlarged and un-clipped may not be suitable for a treasury. I'll use one of my sculptures to demonstrate. If the image I placed in the first spot in my Etsy shop was cropped like the image on the left, the thumbnail would appear something like the image on the right. The primary object in the photo barely appears in the thumbnail. That may keep curators from using you item even if they like it, and it suits the Treasury they are creating.

One solution is to use a detail shot of your item for the first picture. If you've already got a detail shot in among your images, you can just drag it to the first position when you edit your item. As a curator, my objective is to get a front page Treasury, so I'm looking for great pictures, and that means the thumbnail has to be great too.
Thanks for reading this post, and good luck with your Etsy Treasuries.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

http://www.facebook.com/Lunarskiesjewelry.quentin.eckman?sk=app_106171216118819

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Jade and stuff

Below are the newest jewelry pieces I've made. I haven't listed them yet, but they should be available soon. So I guess this is just showing off.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

Butterflies Have Made Front Page News!

OK, so it's not the New York Times, it's still pretty cool. This beautiful collection is on Artfire's front page, and one of my sculptures in in the top row. Check it out, and if you want to tell everyone you know that will be alright with me.
http://www.artfire.com/

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

Saturday, January 21, 2012

New Jewelry from Lunar Skies

I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged! Shame on me . . I guess. It's so hard to keep up when do most everything yourself, but I'll try to mend my ways before the lightning bolt strikes. Below are some new jewelry pieces I've just listed in my Etsy shop.

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Dragonflies and Roses? I supposez!

These are my latest copper and cholla wood sculptures. I've never seen a dragonfly land on a rose bush, but I like the two together. This one is called Dragonflies and Roses (OK, not such an original title). More views at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86700716/dragonflies-and-roses-sculpture-copper

The two below are called Dragonfly at Rest, and Dragonfly & Rose (Variation on a theme). But I think these types of titles get found easier on web searches, so there is method to my madness.
More views: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86699684/dragonfly-sculpture-copper-and-cholla?ref=v1_other_2
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86700250/dragonfly-and-rose-sculpture-copper-and?ref=v1_other_2

My ArtFire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/lunarskies