About Holly Cottage Designs

Our Service Pledge To You:
Your order will be carefully packaged and shipped within 24 hours of receipt of payment. When you open your box I want you to be not just satisfied, but truly delighted with the beauty and heirloom quality of your purchase. If this is not the case, returns will be cheerfully accepted. I'm in the store every day and promise to respond to all correspondence without delay. I appreciate your business!

About Us
Hello and welcome to Holly Cottage! I'm Judith Rudolph and I design and make all the jewelry you see in my store.

My jewelry designs focus on exquisite artisan-made lampwork glass beads and freshwater cultured pearls, complimented with genuine semi-precious gemstones, gold vermeil and sterling silver findings, and authentic Swarovski crystals. I constantly search out high quality, unique components and take great care with every detail in designing and crafting each piece.

Up until the launch of my Ruby Lane store, Holly Cottage products were sold only through fine shops, including museum gift shops and other stores that feature quality artisan-crafted work.

Holly Cottage is located on the beautiful coast of Maine and is home to myself, my husband, and our four pampered pets. My rose logo photo was taken in our front yard. The view from my studio workshop stretches out across our backyard gardens, over a wildflower meadow, and down the hill to the village wharf. Although tiny, the wharf is home to a builder of graceful sailing yachts, independent lobstermen and local boaters. No wonder I feel inspired to create beautiful things!

I value your business and work hard to ensure that you're delighted with your purchase.

Thanks so much for looking! Judith

See my articles in the Ruby Lane Blog under The Buzz and the Creative Hands Newsletter, June 08.

Professional Associations:
• Self Representing Artist-Jewelry Designer (SRAJD #1206)
• Maine Made (click on "my favorite links" to see their great website)

SOME QUOTES FROM MY CUSTOMERS:

Judith, I got your earrings today. They are really pretty. I can't wait to wear them! I'll keep checking back with you for new items.
Kathie, California

I couldn't believe it could be even lovelier than in the picture,
but it is. What a colour!! Going to a concert this evening and
will wear it then. To be honest, I am wearing it now :)
Pam, Scotland

Hi Judith, I received my beautiful earrings today AND the
pendant. How nice of you to spoil me!! I can't wait to wear
them. Barbara, Arizona

It was a true delight to find the beautiful packages from Holly Cottage waiting in our mail/delivery basket!! HOW BEAUTIFUL your creations are -- and wrapped so beautifully too. Hillary, Iowa

I received my necklace and really love it. It’s very beautiful, elegant and modern at the same time. That lampwork bead is gorgeous! I would also like to say that your photography is excellent - a true representation of color, size and quality.
Carla, Montana

Received my earrings and love them, thank you. Will keep checking back. Lee, Florida

Received my earrings today and I love them! I am sure I will receive many compliments when I wear them. Already received one from my husband. They are truly unique! Thank you for making the special order. Warmest Regards,
Angela, Florida

I received the package on Wednesday and was so thrilled!! I love everything and will definitely be ordering more in the future.
Thanks again. All the best,
Adele, North Carolina


ABOUT LAMPWORK BEADS
Holly Cottage Designs feature artisan-crafted lampwork beads from some of America's finest glass artists. For those who may not know about these fascinating works of art, here's a brief description of how they are created:

Lampworking is an ancient process which originally used wax or oil lamps to melt glass, hence the name "lampwork." Today's bead maker has replaced the oil lamp with a torch. Each bead is created from the inside out, by first heating glass rods to temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. Molten glass is then wrapped around a steel rod called a mandrel. Each and every bead is individually created and the designs are limited only by the artist's imagination!

CARE AND FEEDING OF PEARLS
Pearls are much softer than other hard gemstones and can be easily scratched and damaged by metals or chemicals. Here are some tips to help you keep them as beautiful as the day you first received them:

Store them in the soft satin bags that come with your Holly Cottage Design jewelry to protect them from scratches. Some plastic bags may emit chemicals that could harm the surface of your pearls.

Never clean your pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner. Vibrations can shatter them. Do not use chemical cleaners, especially those containing ammonia and bleach, which will destroy their luster.

Remove your pearls before applying perfume or hairspray. Chemicals can discolor or damage your pearls.

Wipe your pearls with a soft cloth after wearing. Sponge the surface of your pearls occasionally with mild soapy water, then rinse. The acidic oils and perspiration from human skin can damage the surface of a pearl. Your pearls will also appreciate an occasional bath if you live in a dry climate.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR PEARLS ARE REAL?
Cultured and natural pearls can be distinguished from imitations by a very simple test. Take the pearl and rub it (gently!) against the edge of a tooth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel slightly rough, like fine sandpaper, because of the texture of natural nacre. Imitations will feel as smooth as glass because the surface is molded or painted on a smooth bead.