Now carrying broken china Christmas tree ornaments!

Recently one of my Twitter followers asked me if I had ever considered offering my broken china pieces as Christmas tree ornaments. She said she could picture them beautifully decorating a Christmas tree. That's all it took for me to go rummaging in my boxes of broken china to find some large Christmas pieces that I could make ornaments from. I now have four ornaments completed and I'm very pleased with them. I'm selling them for the fantastic price of $19.99 each! I did an online search for broken china Christmas tree ornaments and could not find any so if you'd like something totally unique on your tree this year and would like an unusual gift for someone, these will be perfect!



You can find all four ornaments available for sale on my website at www.marjoriescracked.com. They will only be available until Christmas.



Custom orders from your own china gladly taken!

The Irish Tenors

Tonight I had the privilege of seeing The Irish Tenors in concert at Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. And what a show it was! I've been a fan of theirs for almost 11 years now and have closely followed them as a group and each of the tenors individually. I've seen many concerts over the years and have seen a lot of changes in the group. Although I was always sad to see the changes when they happened and in many ways miss the old days, the group as it stands today is simply outstanding.

Anthony Kearns, the only original Irish Tenor still with the group, performed a gorgeous version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". I've always thought he had a voice that was clear as a bell and he's only improved with time. This song is on their new Christmas album and for me was one of the highlights of the show.

Finbar Wright, who replaced John McDermott many years ago, sang "When You Were Sweet Sixteen". I've always loved Ronan Tynan's version of the song, but Finbar's version tonight was amazing. He made it sound so romantic. Finbar has a truly wonderful stage presence and he made this song his own tonight.

Karl Scully is the newest member of The Irish Tenors (he replaced John McDermott, who came back to the group after being replaced by Finbar Wright to replace Ronan Tynan....it's a long story!) Anyway, Karl is a wonderful part of the group and has a voice like an angel. With only harp accompaniment, he sang a lovely, moving version of "My Lagan Love".

The boyos had a great time singing Irish medleys and fun Christmas songs. They really got into "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and we all had fun along with them. They received a rousing reception at Count Basie and I wouldn't be surprised if they were asked to come back again next year. I certainly hope so. This was the first show of their Christmas tour so check out their schedule at The Irish Tenors website and if they're anywhere near you this Christmas, you owe it to yourself to catch their show. The Irish Tenors, both past and present tenors, never cease to amaze me with their talent and will always have a place in my heart.

Fur Free Friday

Today, November 27, 2009 is the nationwide Fur Free Friday. Although it is not a very pleasant subject to discuss, it's a very necessary one. Unfortunately, so many people are still unaware of the cruelty that abounds across the world towards defenseless animals. Please remember to keep fur, leather, sheepskin, sealskin and duck & goose down off your shopping list and do all that you can to remind others.

Here's what my favorite animal organization, In Defense of Animals, has to say (since they say it much better than I could):

Over 50 million animals are mercilessly killed and skinned every year to make fur products. The victims of such violence are either raised in filthy, tiny wire cages for their entire miserable lives before being anally electrocuted or bludgeoned to death, or they are trapped in hideously cruel leg-holds and snares in the wild. Killing animals for their fur by any means or method is horrific and morally unacceptable. To continue to inflict so much pain, suffering, and death unnecessarily at a time when there is no need to use fur as a source to make clothes or trinkets is simply unfathomable. There is now a profusion of other synthetic or natural fibers that can do the job both functionally and with a fashion sense in mind. We must convince shoppers to remain steadfast in their decision to never buy fur as well as effectively encourage others to make the same choice. While many companies have pledged to go fur-free, other popular brands continue to profit handsomely from animal suffering.

The necessity of Thanksgiving time

A lovely young boy I once knew grew up to be a 23-year-old man who recently decided he no longer wanted to live in this world and so he took his own life. He was such a gentle, shy, polite little boy. I think he was 12 when I last saw him. To think then that he would be ending his life a mere 11 years later would have been unimaginable. How could this happy little boy have gotten to such a point in his life?

Unfortunately, a quick internet search has revealed to me that global suicide tolls exceeds war and murder. And that doesn't even take into account the attempted suicides. Every 4 seconds, someone in this world ends their life. And unfortunately, the rate goes up around the holiday season. There has also been an increase in suicide of young people aged 15-25.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that one has to be thankful for. No matter how dark things appear around us, we must seek out and concentrate on the good things that are still there. Sometimes things happen to us that make it hard to perceive any good in the world. It's at those times that we must try even harder to cast the gloom aside. Life changes constantly and each day is a new beginning. We must grab hold of those new beginnings when we are at our lowest.

Personally, I have so much to be thankful for this year. I have a beautiful daughter who is healthy and well. My mom, who went through a frightening medical adventure last year at this time, is doing better. I have a warm home and good food and live in a safe neighborhood. I have two pets who give me constant love and I have many friends who have been so supportive of me. I'm at a good place in my life. Looking back, I can remember times when I felt that my world would never be good again. But things change and if love has been lost, love can be found again. And if friends have betrayed you, new friends will come along. And no matter how long dark clouds hover over you, the sun will come out again. This Thanksgiving, reflect on all that you have to be thankful for. And if those things are hard to see right now, trust that your future will be better. And give yourself a chance to know that future and to enjoy all that's ahead for you.

A blessed Thanksgiving to all of you.

Pet memorial jewelry

I'm constantly trying to think of new ways that people can enjoy my jewelry. The most requests I've received from customers is to make jewelry from a mother's or aunt's china or from a particular pattern of china that has some meaning to them. I've heard many stories from customers as to the reasons they'd like their jewelry made. But this year, I've received a new one.



I can't go into too many details since the jewelry is being made as a Christmas surprise. I'll tell more of the story after Christmas. But for now, I can say that the customer's relative had lost her cat this year and the customer wanted me to design jewelry from the saucer that the cat ate from. I thought this was a most wonderful gesture to make.

I'm a cat lover myself and have two buddies who live with me. I've lost many cats over the years and I think the hardest part after the loss is getting rid of the cats belongings. There is nothing harder to throw away than the cat's dishes and yet, I could never keep them to let another cat use. Maybe it's just me but the dishes were a particular cat's and only that cat's. But to keep the dishes always felt a bit foolish.

So what better way to retain part of something that reminds you of your precious pet than to make jewelry out of it?! This Christmas, my customer's relative will be given a gift that will hold special meaning for her and her alone.

So if you're looking for a unique way to commemorate the love of a beloved pet, consider having broken china jewelry made from their pet dishes. If you'd like further information on how to proceed, please contact me.

Latest custom orders

I recently finished up two custom jewelry orders for customers and sent them off. Both customers were very happy with their jewelry and gave me some lovely compliments. It's always so encouraging to hear back from satisfied customers and know that my jewelry has made someone so happy.

I promised not to use names in this blog since these are for Christmas gifts and I would hate to ruin anyone's surprise! Sometimes customers ask me to handle the design myself and really don't have any preferences. Both of these customers were very specific in what they wanted and I think they made some great choices. The jewelry above is part of a five-pendant order for family members designed from her mother's china.

Here is is all packaged up and ready to go!

So if you're interested in having your own heirloom broken china jewelry designed, contact me and we'll begin the process! Any china, porcelain or crystal that you have can be made into lovely jewelry. So begin a broken china adventure with me!
You can contact me through my website.














The jewelry below is also for a customer who wanted jewelry designed from her mother's china. I know that both orders had great sentimental value to the customers and will be treasured by them and their family members for many years to come. It was a pleasure creating these!

Featured on A Bead A Day!

Lisa Crone, who writes the fabulously informative "A Bead A Day" blog, has very kindly featured my work on her blog! How nice is that?! I'm quite honored. Lisa has a very popular blog and being a part of it is pleasing me no end. Here's the link to the feature:

Featured Designer: Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry

She really did a wonderful job, didn't she? Thanks so much, Lisa!

If you're a jewelry artist, or just love the beauty of handcrafted jewelry, follow Lisa's blog. She's very informative. Here's her own blurb: Appreciating the individual beauty of beads and the unique works of art they are used to create!" And that she does!

Perfect pendants for Thanksgiving

I have some broken china pendants that I designed that would be perfect for Thanksgiving. They are designed from a Childhood Almanac Plate Collection
"Giving Thanks" November by Sandra Kuck. Look at those sweet faces! The original plate showed the two young girls praying and giving thanks in church. These pendants are available on my website. Please click on this link for more information as to size and pricing.