New Website Up and Running

The new site is up and running and better than ever. Much easier to navigate and lots of new designs.

Check out the new category - Knotted and Braided. I have been dilegently learning Kumihimo - Japanese braiding. It's fun and creates wonderful braids for very unusual necklaces and bracelets. Very different.

Enjoy shopping!

Ruby's Passage to India

Wow, I just got back from my 1st trip to Southern India and what an experience. Wonderful people and fabulous jewelry and fabrics.

I brought back the most gorgeous silk and chiffon materials for my new line of handbags. They are in the making and will be up on my website very soon. The color combinations are exciting - like a closet full of saris'. Spicy oranges and reds, cool blues and sea greens and soft browns. Something for everyone.

Paper Beads - Who Knew?

You know once in a while you should go through your storage, you never know what you'll find. I came across some old origami paper I had tucked in a book. The page was on jade, and I have no idea why I bookmarked this page, but obviously I gave up on origami.

I rolled the paper into tube beads, finished them off with sealing wax and wala - very interesting beads for a new necklace. Since I found it on a "jade" page,I decided to use jade and aventurine beads to pull it together.

Now that I have pulled everything out into the middle of my studio, I think I'll spend a little more time hunting.

Back from Tucson and Cookin'

Back from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, and it was cookin'. All the new materials, tools, and gems you could ever hope for.

I bought wonderful gemstones that you will see in my sterling silver jewelry online at www.rubysransom.com. Stones such as sunstones, Australian mokaite, rose de frances, Imperial jasper, bi-color citrine, Rutilated Quartz, Watermellon tourmaline, Apple green jade (jadeite), Lemon Citrine, Mexican opals, Deadrite,and Ruby Zorisite.

All of them yummy and in beautiful and unusual colors and sizes. I bought a new material called Wirelace that is delicate and in many colors and sizes. Beautiful tiger beads to match up with my African bead selection.

I am also going to start working with a mixture of textiles and stones. The fabrics are gorgeous, and will give my customers such a new and different look. Not anything they will find at their local department store or jewelers. This is for those who appreciate handmade and quality jewelry crafts.

So, what are you waiting for - go take a look.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

I am on my way to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show this Thursday. I have scoured the trade booklet to make sure I see all of the vendors on my list. This will be my first show, and I don't want to miss anything.

I am looking for new stones and findings primarily that will give an extra lift to my jewelry pieces. It's what makes handmade jewelry special. The show is in every conceivable building in Tucson, and I will not be able to see the whole show. I would have to stay 2 weeks to see everything, but at least I have a plan.

I like the excitment of trade shows - meet other buyers and designers. It's creatively stimulating.