Monday is my office day spent catching up on emails from over the weekend, making follow-up calls, planning the rest of my week, writing my blog post and planning out my social media posts for the rest of the week, or at least that is my intention!

If you have been following my Facebook page for CKS ventures and my blog, you will have noticed that I missed today.  And actually more like 3 since I wrote this and got it posted!  I guess I can’t beat myself up too badly for being behind  a couple of days.  Monday was spent buying a new (used) car.  For about the past month or so we have been toying around with getting a new car or trying to get our first Smart car fixed.  It is a 2009 with 130,000 miles.  To have a mechanic fix it is was going to run us about half the value of what the car was worth.  I was having a hard time justifying that.

I was going to buy a friend of ours Mercedes SLK metallic silver convertible but it too was having some computer / electrical issues that kept coming back after being fixed.  He decided he did not want to sell to friends. So that fell through!  He would have sold us his BMW X5 even though it is a beautiful vehicle I decided it was not the vehicle for me!

Over the weekend I had been looking at vehicles online.  I was looking for a sporty convertible (preferably red) that was not going to cost me a fortune.  I have never been one to spend a whole lot of money on cars.  Nor am I a car person.  I like small cars that get good gas mileage and are sort of fun looking!  A red Mercedes convertible is my dream car, but as of yet I’m not willing to pay the price!  As I was searching I came across a cute, hot, little Fiat 124 Spider Abarth.  It is a car that I never really considered but I liked the look of it.  The one I spotted was not red but white.  It did have some red on the interior.  It was a convertible, 2018 with only 7,300 miles and under $30,000.  I was hoping to find something under $20,000, but you know the old adage, you get what you pay for!  Which I find to be true in most cases!

I took a trip to the Fiat dealership in Greensboro where it was located.  I test drove it and immediately liked it. I haggled about 2 minutes on the price.  With everyone checking out prices online, the price on used cars is what it is, or at least that was what I was told and since I had done the very same thing I couldn’t argue!  I told the sales guy that I needed to discuss with hubby.  I called hubby on the way home.  He told me to go for it.  I called the sales guy back.  The sales guy gathered some info from me to run my credit.  He called me back a few minutes later and wa la, I bought a car.  It was a quick and painless experience!

I am now the proud owner of a Fiat 124 Spider Abarth!  We went back to pick it up.  I drove it home with the top down.  It was a nice ride!

How does all this relate to my jewelry business?  It doesn’t!  Other than did you know that amethysts are considered ideal for personal protection?  Amethysts protect you and should be worn if you drive or spend most of your time in a vehicle. Amethyst helps to repel physical accidents as well as motion sickness.

Despite amethysts primarily known for their protective qualities, they do have additional healing properties.  Amethysts are helpful in cleansing the mind and clearing it of negative thoughts. This includes the negativity of stress and anxiety. Amethyst healing properties are especially useful in regards to work-related stress, because the stone is also associated with abundance; therefore relieving stress while emanating prosperity.

Amethyst tassel necklace has a peridot, citrine, aquamarine and amethyst gemstone chain.  Peridot is known as the stone of compassion, citrine helps to activate creativity and self-expression, and aquamarine is the stone of courage and protection.  Beautiful gemstone “gemma” necklace can be found at www.cksventures.com.  Use code amethyst for 10% off.  but hurry it is one of a kind!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Admittedly, the timing of writing this particular blog post the day after Mother’s Day is a bit ironic.  But I found the subject of contraceptive jewelry quite intriguing.  Could wearing a specialized watch, earrings, bracelet, necklace or ring help prevent an unintended pregnancy?  One day soon woman may be donning jewelry as a form of birth control.  Or at least that is the hope of a group of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Credit: Mark Prausnitz, Georgia Tech

Contraceptive patches are already available as a form of birth control, however not attached to and worn as jewelry.  Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have been experimenting with special patches containing contraceptive hormones that are attached to the backs of jewelry.  The idea is that hormones would be absorbed through the skin and subsequently into the bloodstream.

The patches are comprised of three layers.  An outer adhesive layer holds the patch on the piece of jewelry.  A middle layer holds the contraceptive drug and an outer layer skin adhesive helps to transfer the drug to be absorbed into the skin and ultimately into the bloodstream.

To date contraceptive jewelry has not yet been tested on humans.  The product has only been tested on pig’s ears and on hairless rats.  Researchers applied the patches for 16 hours then removed them for 8.  Thought the hormones levels dropped upon removal of the patch, researchers claimed that the patches still produced the necessary amounts of hormones into the bloodstream to remain effective.

Experts believe the potential for contraceptive jewelry is huge.  Having more options in family planning is perhaps the biggest benefit.  Beyond having several choices there are two other major benefits.  Discretion and compliance.  Discretion is valuable in cultures or where moralities differ.  Contraception is most often times a private decision.  Contraceptive jewelry can be worn without anyone knowing the reason for your choosing to wear a certain piece of jewelry.

Credit: Mark Prausnitz, Georgia Tech

Compliance comes into play where women might be more apt to wear jewelry than to remember to take a pill.  The key to compliance is having a good contraceptive method that women want to and will use.  Because most women wear some type of jewelry having a contraceptive in jewelry it becomes part of a woman’s daily routine. This technique could help to facilitate compliance with a drug regime.

Researchers are hoping not only could this new way of administering drugs be used for birth control but also for other medications.  And, not only for women but men too!  Whether you think this is a great idea or not it still faces two major hurdles.  Will the patches even work on humans and will women and men actually want to use them?

It will take years of more testing before we know whether contraceptive or medication jewelry would actually work on humans and whether it would be an acceptable method of administering drugs.  What do you think?  Would you use it?

ENJOY!!

cheryl

I am so excited to be designing and creating jewelry again!  I am all about producing  jewelry that is a bit uncommon and unique.  That goes for the gemstones I use too.  I seek out gemstones that have odd shapes, sizes and textures.  Even though I do use gemstone beads especially for accents, rarely will I use faceted and polished gemstones.  I like the raw and rough gems much more! One such gemstone is spinel.  More specifically, spinel in white marble. I picked up a few of these years ago from Rare Earth Mining Company.  To my delight, as I am familiarizing and getting reacquainted with my gemstones I found an additional 5 spinel in marble gemstones.  I am working on incorporating these beauties in some new jewelry designs.

spinel in white marble

The name spinel comes from the Greek word for spark.  Spinel is known as a gemstone that symbolizes flames. The name has also been said to come from the Latin work spina for spine or thorn, because spinel is often found as very sharp crystals. Spinel comes in many colors.  The most common being red and blue.  It can also be green, blue green and occasionally violet and very rare and highly valued black.

In spinel’s most vibrant red state it is a dead ringer for ruby. To the untrained it is often times mistaken as such. Compounding its identity crisis is the fact spinel and rubies are frequently found occurring together naturally in nature.  Most gem quality spinel is found in Sri Lanka, Burma, India and Russia. Spinel can also be found in Australia, Italy, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sweden, Turkey, Ceylon, Thailand, New Jersey and New York.

Spinel is a stone of revitalization. It can help to re-energize all aspects of you!  If you are a workaholic it is an excellent stone for you as it can replenish your low energy. It can help to release stress and anxieties.

The stones energies will help you to find new ways of thinking and help you to face all of life’s challenges. It will make you more persistent and determined. Spinel is said to help rid your body of toxins and wastes, both in the physical and energetic sense.

Spinel will strengthen your intuition and bring a balance to your emotions.  It can boost your creativity and give you mental clarity.  In stimulating your creativity it will help you move past your fears and insecurities while increasing your intellect and allowing you to harness your personal power.  It is certainly a stone we can all benefit from. If you love rubies but they are unobtainable, opt for red spinel.  I will never tell and no one will know the difference!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

As a entrepreneur jewelry artist I am constantly trying to refine and better my art.  Over the past several years I have experimented with many different mediums in my jewelry.   I have used found objects and vintage items.  I have torn apart jewelry and watches and used bits and pieces from the old to make new!

Vintage found object made into necklace

I have used resin, fabric and leather samples.  Fur, metal alloy, brass, copper, sterling silver semi-precious gemstones are other mediums used. I have experimented with it all and more that I am sure I am forgetting.  Having done all this and after 5 years of doing next to nothing with my business I am becoming a bit clearer in the direction I will be taking next.  Drum roll please…..

I will continue to “experiment” with different mediums as that is part of my nature.  I am easily bored and like to try new things.  Not just in my jewelry business, but in life in general.  Why do you think that currently I have my jewelry business, I am planning to expand that with a line of gemstone and essential oil perfumes and diffuser jewelry.  I bartend at the Durham Bulls Baseball Athletic Park and King Street Bar.  And if that isn’t enough I became a REALTOR® this past year!   Did I mention that I am easily bored?  I am digressing.  It seems I have a problem staying focused as well!

After much thought, I have decided to continue to keep my Etsy shop www.MAEartisanjewelry.etsy.com with my original MAE jewelry. Eventually, everything in my Etsy shop will be $20.  I am in the process of taking things off and adding new items.  My Etsy shop will carry my less expensive items.  Jewelry will primarily made of non-precious metal of copper, brass and silver alloy.  And will include other mediums such as fur, feather and leather.  It will include recycled jewelry made into new.

It has always been my desire to create quality, unique, art jewelry that is affordable by all.  My Etsy shop will be just that!  My CKS ventures website will carry gemstone jewelry and jewelry made with sterling silver and gold filled.  That is not to say there will not be some cross-over in both materials and items.  but for the most part jewelry found on the Etsy site will not also be on my www.cksventures.com website.  Or (eventually) that is the plan!

My blog will primarily be about jewelry.  It will be about making it, wearing it and where to get it!  Occasionally my blog will also include little tidbits and insight into my other ventures of bartending, real estate and modern, green living.  And most likely there will be times that I will share the antics of my beloved, precious three little fur babies (kitties).

All my little ventures was one of the reasons I recently rebranded myself and changed my business name from dollie enterprises to CKS ventures.  I hope you will continue to follow us in our “ventures’ through life.   I am continually adding new items to both www.cksventures.com and to www.MAEartisanjewelry.etsy.com.  Check out both to see what is new.

Until next time,

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Happy Earth Day!

I am busy preparing for the Last Friday Art Walk in Hillsborough, NC.  I will be at King Street Bar showing my work.  For more information on the Art Walk visit https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/art-walk I will be at #6 on the map. They say a messy bench is the sign of a creative person.  Well, if that is the case I am about to be very creative.  Look at the disaster on my bench!

a sure sign of creativity!

It has been a challenge for me to find the time to get back to my bench.  I so miss it!  Since becoming a REALTOR® in January, I have been extremely busy with getting that business started.  I am struggling to find time to get back to the bench.  I will somehow figure it all out!  Seeing how I want to have a successful show this Friday with some new jewelry pieces this blog may be a bit on the short side.

Earth Day got me to thinking whether or not I could be as environmentally friendly as I could be in my jewelry designing and metalsmithing.  I am by no means perfect in my everyday life when it comes to being environmentally friendly but I do my best to do what I can.  I continue to switch out products laden with chemicals for ones that are earth friendly and more natural.  I recycle, and I do try to be less wasteful!  But what am I doing in my jewelry business?  Am I using Sustainable materials when I can?  Am I purchasing raw materials that are sustainable and ethically sourced?  This led me to do a bit of research to see what I might find.

I buy a good share of my metal and much more from Rio Grande Jewelry Supplies.  This is an article on their blog that they wrote a couple of years ago on their commitment to Sustainability.  I think they do a great job of explaining what sustainability means exactly in the jewelry industry.  They are not (by far) my only source but they are one of my greatest sources.

Article From Rio Grande’s Blog

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Modified on: Mon, 18 Jan, 2016 at 4:27 PM

We believe sustainability is a social pact with future generations. Sustainable means meeting our present needs without compromising the needs of our children.

How do we go about accomplishing that? In part by offering products that are made from materials that are recycled/recovered or made from renewable materials. We also encourage manufacturing processes that minimize environmental impacts. More than 85% of our gold is recycled and the majority of the balance comes from American gold mines.

When a product is labeled as “Sustainable,” what does that mean?

• For findings and metals, sustainable means the products are made with reclaimed/recycled metal or with third-party-certified ethically mined metal. Many of the products not listed as sustainable in our catalogs or on our website are also likely made primarily or exclusively with recycled metal, we just haven’t yet established this with certainty.
• For displays and packaging, sustainable means the products are made from recycled or renewable materials and/or are produced with manufacturing processes that employ environmentally sound methods.

We have been working toward improving the sustainability of jewelry-making processes, products and materials for a long time.

In 1968, two decades before it became industry practice, Rio Grande eliminated harmful cadmium from the solders we sell.

We devised a way to reduce the investment material consumed in our casting operation by 20%.

We’ve commissioned regular energy consumption audits of our buildings for many years and currently use 33% less energy to run our facilities than we did ten years ago despite the fact that we’ve continued to grow each year.

We’ve eliminated toxic solvents from our cleaning processes and now use soap and water to clean our products.

The items above are just a partial list. We see sustainability as a never-ending process filled with opportunities to make the future better than the past. It is an effort we can all participate in and benefit from together. Our commitment to you and, more importantly, to all our children is to never waver in this effort, and encourage others to do the same.

For more information on environmental and social responsibility in the jewelry industry, please visit:

• Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (http://www.mjsa.org/)
• Jewelers of America (http://www.jewelers.org/)
• The Responsible Jewellery Council (http://www.responsiblejewellery.com/)

When you purchase from me please know that I am doing the best I can to use raw materials that are sustainable.  I use a lot of vintage, recycled chain. I use recycled leather or leather samples for my leather jewelry and much more recycled materials.  I package all my jewelry in handmade drawstring bags made from recycled upholstery and fabric samples.  Like Rio Grande I too believe that sustainability is a never-ending process.

jewelry packaging made from recycled fabric samples

recycled leather

vintage recycled chain

Make one small change today to protect mother earth in the future!

Back to work on creating for This Friday’s Art Walk.

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Happy Tax Day! Yeah right you say. It is if you have already filed your taxes and are getting a refund. I shouldn’t say already as time is running out. Speaking of refunds, what are you going to do with yours?  Me?  I am saving mine to buy some gorgeous, unique, rare, one of a kind gemstones.  Like the ones pictured here, turquoise in cuprite.

turquoise in cuprite

turquoise in cuprite beads

I love the fiery red orange of cuprite and the serene sea green of the turquoise.  Paired together they make an alluring combination.  Cuprite has a significant amount of copper in it giving it its brownish red, red color. It can be found in locations all over the world but most notably in the USA, Namibia and the Congo.

Cuprite is a gemstone that can boost your willpower and strengthen your resolve. If this sounds like something you could use a bit of keep reading! Cuprite’s energies will help to make you feel vital and secure.  It can help to increase your energy and support your physical well-being. It may even help to relieve stress and keep you calm.

Cuprite has beneficial healing properties for those who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, vertigo and dizziness.  When it comes to wealth, cuprite will attract good luck, good news and prosperity!

Now couple all the properties of cuprite with turquoise and you have a gem that is truly amazing!  Turquoise are either usually more blue or green in color. Often times referred to as being blue turquoise or green turquoise.  More blue means that there is more iron present, while more green means that there is more copper present.  Turquoise is mined in the USA, Mexico, Afghanistan, Egypt, Chile, China, Australia, Israel, Iran, and Argentina.

Turquoise is a purification stone.  It can effectively dispel negative energies and protect you against pollutants or outside negative influences.  Turquoise can help to alleviate stomachaches, rheumatism, inflammation and gout. It can speed up recovery time after illness.  Like cuprite, it

can promote relaxation and calm.  It can help to ensure stress-free days.  Turquoise has long been a symbol of wealth and opulence.

Both turquoise and cuprite can make for some beautiful jewelry.  They will lift your spirits, lighten your emotions and make you look good!  When you look good you feel good.  Head on over to https://cksventures.com/product/zena-ring/ for the gorgeous ring you see here, or for whatever jewel tickles your fancy!

zena ring

ENJOY!!

cheryl

Hello, it has once again been too long!  Life happens and before you know it POOF!  Months have gone by.  I’m not even going to try to catch up with everything, but rather simply pick up from now.

Amidst starting yet another venture, real estate, I am trying to get back to doing my greatest passion designing and creating jewelry.  With that in mind, I am continually buying tools and gems to use when I am finally able to get to creating on a regular basis.  I recently picked up some gorgeous aquamarines.  I can not wait to incorporate these into rings, bracelets and necklaces.  Any suggestions on what you would like to see these beauties in?

Aquamarine has the name and the color of the ocean. Aquamarine comes from the Latin phrase “water of the sea.”  For centuries sailors used it to promote safe journeys and to prevent drowning.  In ancient lore Aquamarines were believed to be the treasure of mermaids.

Today aquamarines are used to calm, sooth and cleanse.  Aquamarines are believed to inspire truth, trust and letting go.  They are a talisman of good luck, fearlessness and protection. Aquamarines make the perfect companion to calm fears and phobias.  Wear as jewelry, particularly in necklaces and earrings.  Place on the appropriate chakras, heart, third eye and throat.  Carry in your pocket! Tuck away in your luggage for safe travels.

Want eternal youth and happiness?  Keep aquamarine on or near you!

ENJOY!!

cheryl

mermaid treasures

Remember how last week I was talking about how when I recently rebranded my business I aptly named it CKS ventures as I wanted a name that would work no matter what direction I took my business? I also hinted that I was about to start yet another venture. Today was the first day of my start of that venture.
My latest venture is real estate. I started real estate school today.

Throughout my life I have entertained the idea of becoming a real estate agent. In North Carolina they are called brokers. Agents, brokers, realtors, whatever! I should look each up and see exactly what the difference is between the names but frankly it really does not matter to me. I think depending what state you are in may depend what you are called! Alright curiosity got the best of me. A realtor is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. … Brokers can work independently or employ other agents. The biggest difference between the three titles is a broker can work on his own, while an agent must work under a licensed broker. After all this in NC they are called brokers. You initially are a provisional broker then a broker and can eventually be a broker in charge. I digress!

I never pursued becoming a real estate agent as I didn’t really want to commit to working nights and weekends. Especially after one of my very first real jobs was working in retail, thus nights and weekends. I still don’t want to “have to” work nights and weekends unless it is on my terms. Yet, as a bartender I have definitely worked my share of nights and weekends! So at this point in my life it really doesn’t matter as long as I can have some control over it.

My real purpose of getting my real estate license is not to necessarily sell real estate however. What you ask? Why on earth would you spend the time, money and energy getting a real estate license if you don’t to sell real estate? Ultimately, I am getting a real estate license to obtain more knowledge so that I can invest in real estate. More specifically so that I can buy single and multi-family homes and rent them out.

Granted, I don’t need a real estate license to do this, but knowledge is power! I also figure that if I can suck it up for the first couple of years, learn the ropes and actually do sell some real estate I can save the money I make to invest in more properties. It can only be a win- win situation for us.
As Ken, my hubby, and I get closer to retirement we would like to have an income stream of some sort that we can live off of. We have been saving for retirement through a 401K but when we retire we want some “passive” income that we can depend on.

Between Ken and I we figure we can initially do almost everything ourselves with regards to investing in real estate rental properties. Ken has the know how to do remodeling and repairs. I am a CPA and will soon be a real estate broker. Between the two of us we can manage our properties. We need to add a good real estate attorney to our team. Our biggest hurdle will be having the money we need to buy the properties and getting financing. If you know of anyone that can help us out in these areas please let me know!
Designing jewelry is still my first love! I know I am going to have to make a few sacrifices to obtain my real estate license and then work for a real estate company before I can go out on my own as a real estate broker. I can do this! I may have to give up bartending so that I have some more time to do this, and my jewelry and my aromatics. Oh, gosh darn! It seems the time may be coming for me to quit bartending. Or at least quit bartending where I am currently working barely making minimum wage.

Ta, ta ‘til next time,
cheryl