Friday Freebie Happening Now on Facebook!!

Who's ready for another giveaway?? Today for my Friday Freebie I'm going to let go of something very special to my heart. Since the Lord blessed me with a wonderful trip to the beach last week with my sister, I made a special spoon bracelet with a piece of sea glass that I've been holding on to for a long time. A beautiful piece of Seafoam green. I've wire wrapped it in sterling silver and added a cute little sterling sand dollar charm. I used one of my favorite patterns "Narcissus" flatware from the late 1800's. So share this with anyone and everyone, twitter, pinterest, or whatever you want to do. The rules are the same. Like my page, you're in. Increase your chances by sending others to my page with a comment that you sent them. They have to like my page and not just the post. The drawing will be at 8:00 pm tonight. Good luck!!

Mel's Treasures Facebook Page

My Day Off - Pool Party Birthday Cake DIY

I know this is normally my jewelry site but I'm on my day off and I want to step away from the jewelry fro a break.  I hope you don't mind.
I did this about 5 years ago but my newly addiction to Pinterest has inspired me to blog a DIY. I found the recipe for the cake in a Women's Day magazine that summer and we were having a pool party for my daughter so I thought this would be sooo cool!    I used to make all kinds of cakes for my daughter because she just loved something unique and I loved being creative.  I've made Barbie cakes and numerous shapes, etc. but this one was the biggest hit.  Please remember that 5 years ago I was not as good with photography so the cake doesn't look as great in the pics. 

Here is the pic of the completed cake.  I'll start with what you will need.

Cake, any size and it's easier if it is already iced.  I cheated due to time and went to Food Lion and bought one already decorated in the colors and edging. 

2 boxes of blue jello

Decorations of  your choice.  I found the beach party toys in the little girl's barbie section in Wal-Mart.  Be creative!  Make it  your own with your cool ideas.

Chewing gum (I used fruit stripe)

Rings (you can usually fing these in the candy section at just about any store but I found mine at the dollar store)

Gummy Bears

Twizzlers or licorice

small paper plate

knife and scoop or spatula

Start with making your pool. 

There are two ways you can do it.  With both ways you will need to make the jello the same.  Use the jigglers recipe on the back.

This is how I made mine:

1. Decide what size you want your pool to be.  It doesn't have to be deep in the cake because it's more visual anyway.  About an inch deep is all you will need.   I used a small paper plate and cut around the outside edge with a knife.  Once I had my guideline, I started in the middle of my circle scooping out small portions of my cake.  You can be real particular and make the bottom of your pool perfectly smooth but it really doesn't matter because if you get at least an inch down, you won't be able to see it.   Once you get your hole cut out for the pool, put your cake in the freezer or fridge while you're mixing up your jello so it will get nice and chilled.  (If it is too warm, the jello doesn't do as good.)  Mix up your jello using the jigglers recipe on the back of the box.  Put in fridge just long enough to chill it but not long enough to set up.  About 10 mins.  Just check it because that part is kind of foggy.

Take your cake and jello out of fridge and pour into your hole.  You probably will have some jello left over if you made a small hole like this one but you can always put it in the fridge and eat.  Better to have some left over than not have enough! 

Place back in fridge until it has completely set.  Overnight would be great but when I did mine, I didn't have that much time.  At least a few hours.

OR...#2 you could make the jello in a dish the shape you want your pool to be in, let it firm up and cut the hole and sit the jello down in it.  I was afraid it would break up when I tried to transfer it so I didn't. 

When it has set, take it out and decorate.  I use chewing gum for the diving board, twizzlers as the edging, and the sand was made with yellow sprinkles.  You could also use those little umbrellas that you put in drinks.  I was out at the time.   

You could also use teddy grahams and made bathing suits on them with icing. 

Voila!  You're done!

Note:  I do remember that it was a really hot day and we didn't have a cooler for the cake so we had to eat it pretty much as soon as we started the party. 

Good luck and feel free to post me your pics or ideas when you make yours.





Rings created from Decorative Baby Spoons

I have had so much fun designing these rings.  I use small baby spoons and hammer the ladel and then slightly heat them up to make them easy to bend.  Then I carefully forge them around a ring mandrel and then polish with my foredom.  I like these because they are bigger than the usual spoon rings and don't really look like silverware. 

New Silverware Designs

 I've been working on some new jewelry designs using some new pieces of vintage silverplate silverware I found at various antique sales.  I'm having so much fun!  In the first picture I created a gorgeous bangle from vintage sugar tongs.  I've been creating spoon jewelry for over 10 years and I have never run across this pattern. It is Nils-John silverplate.   I curled the fork ends around and charms could be added for some extra bling.   I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to keep this one for myself since this is a one of a kind piece. 

More to come, so stay tuned!

Love you to the moon and back..

Back by popular demand! One of my favorites and a saying that I have told my children for years. I love you to the moon and back. This can be customized numerous ways but most customers prefer this one. I left out the "I" on this one because sometimes more than one person will be giving the gift or some people just prefer to leave it off. Of course, I can always add it. The stars are additional charms I add with the children's inital. You can add as many as you would like. Each one is $5.00. The total cost as you see it here is $42.00. If you are interested in ordering one, please feel free to contact me at mel@melstreasures.com or go to my website at http://www.melstreasures.com/ and if this is for Christmas, all online orders have to be submitted by December 15th.

New Design Challenge~Bezel Setting

I cannot believe the Holidays are already here again!  I have 32 orders for custom jewelry designs and starting to panic just a little bit on how I will get them done.  Take one day at a time..(I tell myself this daily)!  I am so thankful for the orders and cannot believe that I have made it another year with my business.  11 years and counting now.  Wow! 

One of my newest design challenges have been soldering mixed metals and silver bezels and rings.  I have finally progressed to making family trees and charms with birthstones that will fair the worst wearer.  If you're like me, you forget to take that necklace or bracelet off when swimming, sleeping or showering.  These will definitely stand the test of time.  It is a bit more of a process, though.  I first purchase a tube of sterling silver.  Then slice the pieces based on the thickness of the stone.  Buff and smooth the edge, then solder to the silver.  Clean, polish and tumble the piece, then set the stone and press the silver all around the stone to insure it will not come out.  Then more polishing and another tumble.  Here is a picture of one of the first ones I did. 

Also the family tree.  I have ordered some extra polishing tools to attach to my foredom so that I can get in the nooks and crannies to get the smooth shine through out the piece.  This was my first family tree.  The prices are $6.00 per bezel (stone setting) plus the price of the silver charm with stamping or the family tree.  If you would like one, feel free to email me at mel@melstreasures.com and I will quote you a price for the entire piece.  I will stop taking Christmas orders around the first week of December.  I ended up working all the way up to Christmas Eve at 9pm last year and missed my Christmas Eve dinner with my in-laws and was so tired I didn't even feel like socializing so I plan to be closed on Christmas Eve this year. 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Mother's out there.  I didn't get to post on or before Mother's Day due to trying to complete orders.  I had prom, Mother's Day, weddings (still have more of those) and online orders to complete.  Needless to say, I was burning the midnight oil.  No complaints here.  I'm very thankful for every one!  Here is a follow up to some of the orders I completed.  I really enjoyed the expressions from the local customers when they picked them up.  It is such a treat to have people that appreciate the hard work that goes into each piece.  Thank you again for all of your support.  I have some new design ideas swirling around in my head so I hope to get those in play soon. 

Spring Has Sprung! Bright New Jewelry

 I have finally got back into the swing of things and decorated the store.  I have bright new "Color Fusion" pendants with silk necklaces, Lampwork Easter Egg charms, Purse charm~key chains, crystals and so much more to go with that new Easter dress.  I'm currently working on Prom and Bridal jewelry and getting orders in for Mother's Day.  If you haven't been by, you need to stop in and see all the beautiful new colors.  The Color Fusion necklaces were a hit at the Farmer's Market this past weekend so I have been working very hard to get more made.  Some of the popular colors are lime green and orange.  The sunflowers with the yellow in the middle are so cute!  Come by and check them out and if you're not local, just drop me an email and I'll get yours right out to you.
I also have to mention my sister's pocket bags.  She makes some of the most gorgeous bags with customized pockets and uses top quality fabric including real leather.  She owns the fabric store which is where I'm located and you can come in and pick your own fabric and design and she'll make it up for you.  They are the best!!

To Market, To Market..... New Fused Glass Pendants

This is just a few of my new fused glass pendants I've been working on for the "Farmer's Market" opening April 9th.  I've been working on a complete new line of jewelry and this is my "Color Fusions" Collection.  I have also created earrings to complete the sets and will upload those on my next post.  I love the new fused glass I found and wish I could get more.  There are a limited amount of these I can make with this glass.  Gorgeous spring colors that remind me of bright Easter Eggs.  They have an iridescent finish on them that really stands out.  If you would like one, come by and see me at the market on April 9th from 8:00am to 1:00pm or if you are not local, feel free to email me with an order.  The largest pendant (orange in picture) with a leather cord is $38.00, the medium size like the blue and yellow in pic are $32.00 and the smallest in green is $28.00.  I do have lots of other colors and beautiful dochroic glass that can be substitued.  I can also substitute the leather cord for a sterling chain, ribbon necklace or many other options.  Hope to hear from you soon!!  These won't last long.

Spring Bangle featured on Divapreneur Homepage

Thank you to Divapreneur for featuring my bangle on your homepage!!

There is a little story behind these pieces...

I was recently juried for the local "Farmer's Market" and this bangle and earrings were some of the items approved for me to sale at my table.  I didn't realize how far the market had come with artists and how flooded the market is with jewelry designers until I decided to ask for a booth.  I went through strict judging by other artists and was thrilled to be approved but sad that I cannot do any "beading" for my booth.  Only silverwork, my stained glass pendants, spoon bracelets, hand stamped items, lampwork glass items and hand forged items can be sold there because of other jewelry designers that had been approved before with beadwork.  At first I was a little down because beadwork really helps me fill my table and also allows me to price some items at lower cost for people that are there just looking for a simple trinket or small gift.  After I thought about it a bit, I realized that this gives me an opportunity to expand my creative outlet and have fun with wire work and forging and create unique items that are really heirloom quality and keepers!  So I'm having a lot of fun coming up with creations.  The only problem is I can get my brain to quit designing when its time to sleep!!  Our first day at the market is April 9th.  So needless to say, I will be very busy creating lots of items for my booth! 

This bangle is hand forged with sterling silver and I have included some gorgeous lampwork glass beads and a few whimsical Thai Hilltribe silver insects.  I finished it off with a hand forged clasp in sterling silver.  The earrings are made with the same set of lampwork glass and have been wire-wrapped in sterling silver.  If you would like to purchase this bangle or earrings, just email me.  The bangle is $62.00 and the earrings are $22.00. 

New Stained Glass Jewelry

I've been working on this for a few years on and off and finally just sat down and forced myself to learn how to do this.  After many trials and errors, I think I'm doing a lot better.  A special friend sent me these dichroic cabs and they are just beautiful.  Thanks Deb!!  I know I have a long way to go, but I really like how these turned out.  The pictures are in the order that I created them.  The sunflower has been sold.  I'm not sure if I will let the butterfly go.  I am a collector of butterflies and this is the first one I made.  The other pendants are hot off the bench.  Just made them yesterday.  I got a creative hair and worked till I was just to tired to continue.  Hope you like them. 

Dreamers Into Doers - Martha Stewart

I was thrilled to have my photo of a Mother's Necklace design featured on Martha Stewart's Dreamers into Doer's website.  Thank you!!

Dreamers Into Doers

A Beaded Affair - Lois A. Linquist is one amazing lady!

Almost a year ago Lois was kind enough to write about me on her blog.  The title and link is Have you met Melissa?  I felt honored that she had taken the time in her busy life to do this.  Especially seeing her beautiful designs! 
Now it's time to honor her!  This past year I have followed Lois and  her incredible drive from designing, running a store to publishing magazines.  Let me just tell you a little bit about it all.  This only touches the surface, I'm sure.  She creates some of the most beautiful jewelry including flawless wire wrapping.  I have included a picture of her design here of a beautiful pearl bracelet incorporating a very hard pattern of chain maille (I struggle with chain maille horribly).  She runs a supply store that has pretty much everything you need including gorgeous gemstones, copper findings, pearls and so much more on her website at A Beaded Affair and at her Etsy store .  You will love her products.  In addition to this, she has created a group called Copper Wire Jewelers where designers meet, talk and discuss techniques, offer tutorials, showcase their designs and have the opportunity to submit their designs to an online publication of Copper Wire Jewelers Magazine.  This is her 4th publication!


Lois is doing all of these things while dealing with the pain of recovering from recent back surgery.  I just can't imagine how she does it.  I personally want to thank you, Lois!  You're amazing and you deserve many rewards for all you do. 

Family Spiral Necklace

My family spiral necklaces are one of my special designs.  I love making these.  It forces me out of my comfort zone and challenges me each time.  Each one is carefully made by using a 20guage piece of sterling silver sheet metal.  A spiral is drawn on the metal with a sharpee pen, then cut with a jeweler's saw.  This is not an easy process because you still have to file and cut more out because when you go back to stamp the names, it spreads and overlaps where you have cut.  There is a lot of filing and buffing with this project.  This is when I'm very thankful for my Foredom Flex Shaft.  Each one is special to me.  I add the birthstone before or after the name based on your specifications.  Birthstones can also be left off and a design added in it's place. This necklace is $56.00 with the sterling necklace.  Special bails with Swarovski crystals or cz's can be added for an additional cost.  This is a great gift for that mother or grandmother for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.  It can also be stamped with a special saying or verse instead of names.  Feel free to contact me with your order.

Spoon Jewelry

I went antique shopping for silver plate spoons and to my surprise I found 3 fabulous containers just waiting for me to swoop up.  I can't wait to share my new designs with you.  Here are a few pics from some I created with my last batch of finds.  Hope you like them.  If you're interested in ordering one, please let me know via email.  They go pretty fast when I post them.  Thanks for looking!!

Publication! Copper Wire Jewelers Magazine

I'm thrilled to expose that I have been published in another magazine.  This is an honor to be included with so many other talented designers.  Check out the link.  I'm on page 17.  I plan to create some more bangles similar to these to add to my website for great Christmas gifts.  Check back often for new designs!!  Link to online magazine

New Items at the Trading Post!

I've just filled up my booth at the Northwest Trading Post in Glendale Springs, NC.  If you haven't had the chance to stop by yet, you should.  They have so many things to choose from.  Homemade fudge, sourdough bread, candies, Mel's jewelry (ha ha) and so many more items.  Check them out!!