Be sure to pick up the matching silver tablet so you can stamp personalized messages, little sweet nothings, or words to uplift, like “courage” and “strength.” This silver tablet fits perfectly inside the envelope! As an alternative, you can also hand write a note on paper, and slip into the envelope.

Wear your envelope on a charm bracelet, on a beaded necklace, or simply thread it onto a romantic silk ribbon!

Say it in silver!

For the first time in Nina Designs history we’ll be exhibiting at two shows during Tucson 2012.

GLW Holidome Show
Booth: #727 – 733
Address: Holiday Inn, 4550 South Palo Verde Rd Tucson, AZ 85714
Date: Feb. 2 – Feb. 10
Description: Our booth will be filled with exciting new styles and all your favorites – charms, links, earrings findings, silk, leather, and more! You’ll also find our new bronze styles.

GJX Show, Downtown Tucson
Booth: #2309
Address: 198 South Granada Ave., Tucson AZ 85701
Date: Jan. 31 – Feb. 5
Description: At this booth you’ll find only sterling silver and gold vermeil styles, with a focus on higher end and pricier items, like fancy clasps, large gold veremil pendants, and handmade chain.

SHOW TIPS:
1 – Bring a few photocopies of your state resale license, or stickers with all your information on them.
2 – For California customers, we suggest bringing copies of your BOE-230.
3 – Check out our On The Road blog series for more handy shopping tips.

NOTICE: With most of our office staff in Tucson this year, there’s a potential for delay in order processing in the office, from Jan. 31 – Feb. 10, 2012. Our office will be open and taking orders, but there could be delays to our usual order processing times.

An iPad2 16MB & WiFi is a wonderful tool for jewelry designers to sketch jewelry designs, organize jewelry photos, and shop for silver charms and jewelry findings at Nina Designs. And, with both the iPad and the Kindle Fire you can watch movies, read books & mags, download fun apps, play games, and upload/share photos and videos. After all, even jewelry designers have to rest sometime, and have fun! Tell your friends and family so they can join in the fun.

Alvarez discovered her love of art early. “When I was a little girl, I liked to draw, and today I have a lot of fun designing and creating jewelry. I think it awoke the latent child artist in me.”

She adores her job. “The silversmith’s art runs through my veins and I love it…For me, my art is a fusion of fantasy and reality.”

She struggles with the high price of silver. “The rising price of silver is seriously affecting my work.”

And she relishes being a Mom. “Motherhood is greatest challenge in life and my greatest satisfaction.”

Sound familiar anyone?

While I won’t be celebrating a white Christmas this year, one holiday to-do I am crossing off my bucket list is cooking The Beloved Holiday Dinner for my family. My late grandmother made so many memorable meals, but since her passing this honor has been passed to various older couples in my family. This year my cousin and I are excited to refresh the menu and share our twist on the traditional Christmas feast. We hope to make it a night to remember.

We’ll start by sprucing up mashed potatoes with our favorite ingredient – truffle butter. Oui! Oui! We’re also replacing plain old baked yams with crispy sweet potatoes fries tossed with whole roasted cloves of garlic that melt in your mouth. We’re most excited about losing the traditional roasted turkey for a tasty moist chicken instead. Whew, we’ve got some work to do! Although my family is very supportive, we’re starting to feel the pressure. We want this holiday dinner to be perfect with a renewed and delicious menu. Keep your fingers crossed. I’ll let you know how it goes in the New Year.

The entire staff of Nina Designs wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays. May you all enjoy a memorable feast with friends and family!

Winter Wonderland of sterling silver charms!

It’s all about her Nana commissoning Erin to make charm necklaces out of her coveted charm bracelet that chronicled her life’s adventures from Mexico to Germany. Erin made one necklace of each of Nana’s girls using one of Nana’s charms and filling in with Nina Designs bronze jewelry charms. I won’t give anymore away. You really must read it for yourself. Learning about each woman, and how Nana and Erin lovingly tells the story of each through jewelry is so, so special.

Here are some of the sweet charm necklaces. To see more go to Treasures Found. To start telling your story through jewelry, shop Nina Designs.

A charming gift!

For one of Nana's girls

Jean Yates, from Snap Out of It, Jean! There’s Beading to be Done, discovered what fun braiding soft, supple leather cord can be, and how beautiful the result.

Carmi Cimicata, of Resin Crafts and Carmi’s Art Life World, used the bronze butterfly wing pendant as a frame for her resin craft. I love the look, and am so tempted to try this for myself!

And, Gaye Fields, of Gaye Fields Jewelry, paired the same butterfly wing and the same leather cord with handmade ceramic and glass beads with stunning effects, and an entirely different look.

Discover the possibilities of bronze jewelry!

Jean Yates

Gaye Fields

Carmi Cimicata

We have new design challenges and exciting contests planned for Facebook this upcoming year. We will be giving away many valuable prizes, so stay tuned!