Abella Galleries with Giveaway

I have another exciting "just for mom" (bookmarkable for you-know-who on Mother's Day) find! Whether jewelry is your passion, or you just want that perfect, unique, accessory, Abella Galleries is the place to visit.

Officially launched online by Elizabeth Rowland in December 2008, Abella Galleries currently features her gorgeous turquoise beaded necklaces and also her understated white stone beaded jewelry. But you'll have to check back frequently, because the ultimate goal of Abella Galleries is to "[provide] jewelry designers, artists, and photographers an opportunity to exhibit and sell their creative works online."

Abella Galleries was inspired by a trip Elizabeth took to Beijing, where she found a small shop offering vibrantly colored blue turquoise bead necklaces. She knew she had to share the natural beauty of this stone with the world, and made it her mission to source out the best turquoise manufacturers from southern China. As her ultimate goal of opening Abella Galleries came closer to fruition, she realized nothing would be more fulfilling than using her gallery to showcase not only her own art, but displaying it along side the creations of other artists from many different mediums. Elizabeth also hopes to expand the gallery to showcase artists from different nations, such as Mexico, China, and beyond.

Abella Galleries' turquoise beaded necklaces come in a variety of shapes and lengths - perfect to suit any outfit or style that you are hoping to achieve. Choose from varying shades of rich green beaded turquoise or vibrant blue beaded turquoise or even combine the two for a look that is all your own. Lengths range from 18" to 36," and layering different lengths is another way to claim your own style. These necklaces are classic, timeless, and sure to be an enduring favourite of your accessories collection!

White stone jewelry rounds out Elizabeth's current collection. Available in 18" lengths, this stunning necklace works well as both an accent to a casual outfit, or as the center piece of an ensemble.

I received the Aegean Barrel Blue Turquoise necklace in the 36" length, and am so excited to begin pairing it up with my different outfits. It, like all of Abella Galleries' necklaces arrived in an attractive black velvet draw string pouch, and I couldn't wait to see what it held. As soon as I opened it, I was in love, and this necklace isn't going back inside! What's great about these necklaces is that they are bold enough to change the look of any of your old outfits and make them new again! I love that they're strung with nylon-coated stainless steel wire, it gives me much more confidence that the necklace won't just fall apart, or give way to Little Man's tugging, as one strung with thread or string might.

I wish I could take a picture that would do it the justice it deserves, but I was unable to get my camera to focus close enough to the necklace. The dark veining throughout the turquoise is such a wonderful contrast to the intense blue of the stone. I wore my necklace for the first time, and my dh did a double take. "Wow, that's really nice!" That's about the nicest wardrobe compliment that you can get in our household, so you know that this piece is eye catching. I also really appreciated the longer length, as I'm able to double-up the strand or wear it hanging lower, to create versatile looks. This is one piece that will be a mainstay of my wardrobe for a very long time!

Buy It: The perfect Mother's Day (or any day!) gift, I highly suggest bookmarking Abella Galleries, or sending a "hint-hint-nudge-nudge" email. (Cont. US) Shipping is FREE for all orders over $100, and gift wrapping with a special note is ALWAYS FREE for any order - just leave a message in the 'notes' section of the order confirmation page! For piece of mind, Abella Galleries also offers a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

Win It: Abella Galleries has generously offered one reader the necklace of their choice!! How can you win? Simply visit Abella Galleries and let me know which necklace is your favourite and why! If you don't include the 'why' your entry will be ineligible to win. Extra entries as always:

Do any (or all!) of the following and be sure to leave me an extra comment for each one that you do or your extra entry won't count (you have to complete the first entry before your 'Extra Entries' can count):
~ 2 Entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link back here and to Abella Galleries (leave 2 comments)
~ Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (leave me the link/your ID)
~ Follow Abella Galleries on Twitter
~ Become a fan of Abella Galleries on Facebook
~ Follow me on Blogger (On my right hand sidebar, click "follow this blog")
~ Subscribe to my feed (email or reader, please verify email) current subscribers count as well!
~ For 6 extra entries, Purchase something from Abella Galleries (leave 6 extra comments, and be sure to leave the email attached to your purchase - I'll be checking!)

Giveaway is open to everyone! (Thank you Elizabeth), and will close midnight May 3rd, 2009 MST. Non-Bloggers welcome, just please leave your email so I can get in touch with you. Also, if your blogger profile is set to private remember to leave your email! If I can't find you, you can't win. I hate disqualifying winners because I can't contact them!! Random.org will pick the winner, and I will contact them by email and also announce the winner on my site. They will have 72 hours to get in touch with me, or a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!!