FREESHIP50

Chrysalis Too, my shop on Etsy, is being cleared of inventory! This is your chance to save on tribal jewelry, southwestern jewelry, and boho style jewelry as I either sell it or move it to my web store, Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry. Use coupon code FREESHIP50 to get free shipping on any purchase of $50 or more in my Etsy shop!

The selection is still very good with 111 items remaining. Many items have sold in the past three weeks, and as items expire, for the most part I am not renewing them. I may keep a few pieces in the Etsy shop, just so I can inform Etsy followers of my move and hopefully spread the word as the transition continues.

Part of the reason for the move is the decline in Etsy generated traffic. Etsy traffic was the basic reason most artists sold there. Artists, myself included, would much prefer to spend their time creating rather than promoting. At one time, Etsy was an excellent platform for shoppers who were seeking out original work from artists and crafters. Since 2014, traffic has steadily decreased, while fees continue to increase. Where search criteria algorithms were once accurately sorting handmade items, they have now been altered to flood customer searches with imported, mass produced merchandise. It's not difficult to realize why customers lose patience having to view thousands of supposedly "handmade" jewelry pieces and components to find the authentic "handmade" ones. Predictably, they give up after 5 or 10 pages of items that do NOT really fit their search criteria.

So until my wish for a truly "artist friendly" selling platform emerges, I will spend my time promoting instead of creating in order to direct people to my web store, and build a following there. You can find me at three locations online (subject to change), and on social media as well.

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Amazon Handmade

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Facebook
Chrysalis.HCO on Instagram
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry on Ello

My thanks to all of my loyal supporters!

Gloria Ewing

Tribal Gemstone Chokers

Peridot Apatite Sterling Silver Choker

Yes, it is possible to design chokers with gemstones and Sterling silver and still maintain a tribal character. There are more to come, but I wanted to share some of my favorites for spring. The choker pictured above has tiny little ball dangles in the front portion, with peridot, apatite and green onyx faceted gemstone beads. I love the combination!!!

Labradorite Nugget Peridot Prehnite Choker

A three strand choker with nuggets of labradorite, faceted prehnite, and peridot with tiny Hill Tribe silver tube beads. The chain is a heavy but small stamped Hill Tribe silver rolo style chain. The brilliant blue stone is apatite, and two other nugget accents are labradorite and citrine.

Five Indian repousse silver charms lend their ethnic personality to this choker in a variety of gemstones in blues and green. Shades of dyed jade beads are mixed with faceted amazonite in a pleasing color block design. In the front of the choker, I use contrasting pink coral beads in between the Indian silver charms. This choker is sold, but I have the materials for a variation if you are interested.








Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy

#ethnicnecklace #tribaljewelry #gemstonechoker #silverrepousse

Beauty in Imperfection

For those who don't follow the trends, who are always seeking to unearth something fascinating, I can relate to you. I look for the unusual. I like to find beads and findings, whether they are new or old that tell me a story. I find that the imperfections and the irregularities tell me much more than any shiny polished bauble could ever tell me. Each little chink or scratch is an experience of the past, or possibly a reflection of its creator, just waiting for the right person to appreciate its history. I feel much the same way about people. If you're not "running with the herd", it is more likely that you prefer to come to your own conclusions about life. That means you have the capability to reason rather than accepting a popular view because it sounds good. You go beyond the surface, and that makes you a much more interesting person to be around.

OK, back to jewelry. I spend countless hours finding old vintage African beads and artisan findings that fit that aesthetic, but it is really more like a treasure hunt. Sometimes it will be something with an appealing quality that I just happened to find first. Sometimes it will be something that everyone else has already seen and passed over because they could not see its potential.

The important thing to me is finding new (and old) beads with personality that will add to my work. Finding new people is equally as important to me. Two of the pieces pictured in this post are from a new friend and talented artisan, Laura Bailey Taskey, whose work with rustic copper speaks to me. She is an independent artist who reflects her life in her work.

It reminds me of a quote from the movie Frida when Lupe is explaining Diego's attractiveness to women: "He finds beauty in all your imperfections, it's irresistible."





Gloria Ewing



Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

Dear Santa, Bring Me Something Beaded!

With Thanksgiving on the late side this year, the shopping season seems to be shorter. It's all in our heads, of course, because we have the same amount of time in any given year. But Thanksgiving is the trigger and if it falls late, then shoppers are suddenly frantic to get all their shopping done in time. If online shopping is your thing, do not despair! There is still plenty of time to find the perfect gifts for all the special people on your gift giving list.

There is still a small window for custom orders as well. If you have something in mind that blends with my style, please contact me and I would be happy to give you an estimate and timeline. If you have a budget, just tell me what you would like to do and I will work with you if possible.

Let someone close to you know that you took the time to find them a handmade gift. Giving handmade gifts is personal. It says you are paying attention to the tastes and preferences of your loved ones. It really does say that you care.

Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry
Chrysalis Too on Etsy