New Designs Coming-any special requests?!

I am designing some new earrings and smaller pendants that will be ready in time for holiday 09. I thought this would be a good time to get any special requests or feedback from my readers on what you would like. I have some exciting ideas and I would like to hear yours. This is your chance to have input into my design process. You may leave a comment below, or email me directly at Sandy@TobyandMax.com.

Just a few more days to enter my Sterling giveaway!

If you haven't entered yet, scroll down a couple post to "Do you Want to Win This" and go to the comments below that post and tell me what is your favorite piece. Its easy, and if you want to check out all my pieces to know which is your favorite just go to my website www.TobyandMax.com and take a look.

Great People in Panama!

I just love this guy. He always has a big smile and his vegetable stand is one of many in the farmers mercado building. I buy pineapples (pina's) from him and he picks just the right one to cut into either that day or the next day, whatever I request. The best pineapples I have ever had for $1-1.50. And mangos, I love those mangos, depending, I get either 4 or 6 mangos for 1.00! And avacados, .25 cents each!!!

I just love the people here, they are always smiling and friendly and eager to help. FOR EXAMPLE; I bought a small lamp the other day at a pharmacy (farmacia) gift shop and it didn't have a light bulb in it. It must have been the manager that was helping me cause he was dressed in a nice suit and went into his office and brought out a light bulb for me to try. (I am sure he took it out of one of his own lamps). "Good, can I buy the light bulb?" "No" he says (it really wasn't the right type of bulb, it was more of a spot light), "I need a light bulb for my lamp" I say. Now mind you, I am trying to speak in espanol, which is not a pretty picture, and I am smiling and moving my hands and trying to get the point across, and he disappears. Umm, he was gone so fast, where did he go? My lamp is there, so I wait looking at other stuff in the store for maybe 2 minutes, and in the door he comes with a huge smile and a brand new light bulb, in the box, in his hand!!! He shows me the receipt, .30 cents. He had gone down to a store a few doors down and bought one for me!!!!! Oh my, I was astounded!! What service, but what a lovely thing for him to do! And he looked even happier than I did!

Did I mention, I just love the people here!!

Question for Dog People...

I am thinking of making a new cuff bracelet design that says "Be the Person Your DOG Thinks You Are". I have it on a link bracelet now, but have had several requests for it to be on a cuff, so I thought I would ask you; my friends, collectors, dog lovers, etc.
Would you like to see this added to my collection?? Please comment below. And if you mention CONTEST, it will also enter you in the contest for my sterling Protect Me pendant. Hard to beat that deal!!!

Want to win THIS?!! .......Be part of my first Contest!

This contest is closed, but there is a new contest started 7/23/10 that will be going on for about a month. Check my blogs current post for info.


This is a substantial piece of Sterling. Not the light weight, can't tell if you have them on, (or lose them) neck charms that are so common now. I made this pendant first in clay, forming the wings into a beautiful sculpture. Then on the back I stamped the words "Protect Me". You can use this as a talisman for protection, a reminder that you are not alone, or just as a beautiful piece of sterling art. It is almost 1" across and quite thick. Reminds me of those lost treasures that are found at sea, when the trunks are opened and all the silver and gold coins fall out.

You can win this "treasure" by simply leaving a comment below telling me what your favorite Toby and Max piece of jewelry is. If you need to visit my website to browse all my designs click here to go to www.TobyandMax.com BUT, DON'T FORGET TO COME BACK HERE TO THIS BLOG POST to leave your comment. (COMMENTS are listed at the end of this post, click, and you can read all the comments left or you can click on the Jump to Comments Form and leave your comment.) AND, BE SURE TO include your first name and your email address or some way I can contact you if you should win the contest. Also, just to make it a tad more interesting please put the name of the state or country you are currently in.
Contest is over the end of August, so enter now, and I will notify the lucky winner shortly thereafter.

ALSO, if you can't wait, or want one for a friend, then now is the time to buy, as I have just put them on sale. 25% off only for the length of the contest. Click here to go to sale.

I have to share my new find!!

I blogged about her on my travel blog www.SandyBeginsHerAdventures.blogspot.com , but am posting here in case you missed it there. Isn't she cool!
I love her face. She is carved wood, (except the wings are metal) and she is from Guatamala. I bought her here in Boquete, Panama at the store I blogged about before Casa Colonial. She is such fun to have around. I put her on a little table in the corner of my livingroom and I am going to put a spot light on her as soon as I figure out how to get one to work.
I didn't notice the golden boots till I got her home! She has a few fingers missing, but I think that makes her more interesting and handmade looking. She is about 2 feet tall.
Oh, and she has some cracks in her; but don't we all!

What do you believe in? as for me....

click here

Lets travel together to Panama!

I am spending some time in Panama, Central America, in this small, quaint little town in the highlands surrounded by coffee plantations. yum yum. I would love to have you join me. Here is my travel blog: www.SandyBeginsHerAdventures.blogspot.com. You can leave me feedback, suggestions, or if there is anything in particular you would like to know about.
Hasta Pronto, (see 'ya soon!)

"I Will" do and be many things

I Will ..... be more outgoing.

I Will ..... create art.

I Will ..... be brave.

I Will ..... eat less.

I Will ..... be the best I can be.

I Will ..... succeed.

I Will ..... travel more.

I Will ..... Survive.

You decide what special empowerment this unique pod shaped pendant will give to you! To me it represents many things, growing, learning, exploring, and living brave everyday. The words "I Will" are stamped on the back. Approximately 2" long. 

ON SALE right NOW!
click here for more pics

Cat Lovers - I know you are out there!

What a cutie!! All sterling pin a little over 1" tall with a tie tack pin back. How many cat lovers do you know that would enjoy a little gift from you? and its on a BIG SALE! Don't ask me why, sometimes I just want to put something different on special. Now $35.00, regularly $55.00.

See, I don't only love dogs, I love cats and their people too!!

more info click here

Congratulations Graduates, and always "Believe in Yourself"

This is a gift that has a great meaning behind it. (Literally, the words are on the inside so they are private for the wearer). This gift will be appreciated forever. And it's made right here by hand, in the u.s.a.!

"Believe in Yourself" shown above for women info click here

And for a larger version that is a heavy duty man size (plain on the top) click here

Thinking Graduation??

This handly sterling keychain is so appropriate for someone starting out in lifes new adventures. "God Bless" on the front, and "ME" on the back!!!! A nice momento of meaning to give a loved one. Looks great when we wrap it up in a cute box with ribbon with a note enclosed with your personal wishes. (All included in price.)

click here

Remember seeing Lupines when you were a kid?

I always enjoyed the fields full of beautiful blue wavy lupines while I was growing up in Napa Valley. This week I traveled there to visit my mom and the lupines were blooming everywhere. I rolled down the window and drew in the sweet fragrance of grape soda!! Thats what they smell like to me, it was wonderful.

Graduation time is coming!

We have several very special solid sterling bracelets that make the perfect gift for graduation day! Giving these special pieces with affirmative phrases is a wonderful daily reminder to your graduate that their future is a time of hope and dreams! Click here to see several bracelet designs.

And for a truly wonderful link bracelet that has several words of wisdom on both the front and the back of each sterling link click here. (shown at top).

To make your gift giving easier for those graduations that are far from you, we will happily wrap your gift beautifully and send a card with your special message directly to your graduate. (what a nice gift to receive and actually wear during graduation!)

Your MOM should have one

Solid Sterling made in the USA. An appropriate gift for Mom and for good friends, don't you think?!! Use code BLOGMOM for 10% off before May 1st!!

Click here for info and purchasing for quick delivery.

Delicate sterling flower with 4 sided bronze wired heart dangling below from sterling earwire with gold plated ball accent.The components are my original design & made by bending and cutting metal and stamping in designs with a hammer one by one. Finished pieces are then oxidized and polished several times to bring out the luster of both metals.Very refreshing and comfortable to wear with the subtle movement. Approx 2 inches long. Lovely to give as a gift if you can bear to part with them. $44.50

To order or for more pics click here

New Dog & Cat Jewelry coming soon....!

I will be posting alot of new dog and cat designs to this site, so stay tuned !!

X Marks the Spot! (of my heart!)

Large, bold, sterling heart pendant that I hand-stamped and then soldered a brass X (that I cut out with a jewelers saw--much like a hacksaw) and a 3D dot! X does indeed mark the spot of my heart, or yours, should you decide to purchase. Espresso brown adjustable cord with 2 brass matching beads that tie together nicely with the pendant. Also available on black cord or chain. Only a very few of these are available. Heart is almost 2" long!

For more info click here

Dog Lovers Special Valentine

"Be the Person your DOG thinks You Are". Handmade ONE at a TIME, hammered, stamped, soldered, polished, oxidized and polished again.A much loved classic design, very few made. (This is my last one from my private collection.) Brass Bone on the front with the the words: "kind", "wise", "gentle" stamped on the back. SOLD! Some lucky dog lover will be receiving a nice gift! Thank you.

And to see all the NEW designs just listed (they are so cute!) click here.

Valentines Gift for your best bud!!

A very pretty 3D heart with wings are atop this cuff with "I Am Blessed To Have A Friend Like You" on the inside. It's a really sweet bracelet - your friend will love you for it! (even more than she already does).

Click here for info and purchase sale price

Caring and Sharing when it counts the most....

The letter below is so meaningful to me. This is why I do what I do. To hopefully make a difference in peoples lives. Thank you Betsy for your kind heart and giving soul.

Hi Sandy,
My name is Betsy. I live in TN, just outside of Nashville. I have worn your silver cuffs for a few years now. My very favorite is "It will be alright." I used to buy these from Femail Creations but they quit carrying them. I thought all was lost. You see, I would give them away to women I would see who were having a hard time. I gave my first one to my mother when she lost her best friend about three years ago. When I had to go to rehab and leave my four daughters for a month, she gave the cuff back to me. While in rehab I met a dear woman who was really struggling. I gave her the cuff and told her to keep it as long as she needed it and then pass it on to someone who needed it more. I came home and ordered many more over the next couple of years, wearing them and then giving them away. I had given my last one away when they quit carrying them. My mother gave me one I had bought to replace hers and I have worn it for the past year. When I found your website with your cuffs, I almost died!!! I immediately bought another one for my mother. I also bought three others that I loved. I stack them on my left arm and don't wear anything else. My daughters love my cuffs. I also wear my "One Day at a Time" cuff every day. I just bought the men's version for a friend of mine who is celebrating 17 years in recovery on Friday. Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful cuffs and tell you what they have meant to me!!!xoxo betsy

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Toby and Max Jewelry, Oscar Noodles the Poodles and Corky!!!!!

All our best wishes to everyone who has loved us throughout the years and shared in our giving words with their friends. Our family, both dogs and people, wish you everything you desire, and a world full of hope, contentment, strength and wisdom to be yours not just for the holidays, but for everyday forward...

May we all help a little to make the world a brighter, more loving, gracious, and giving place to live in, to share, to enjoy and to inspire.

xoxo from all of us here at Toby and Max. We love you too...

I have many requests for these words

I have had so many requests for this phrase that I decided to add it to my line. A plain and simple truth. More info click here

New..."Stay Strong"

A new design that speaks for itself. This piece has a bumpy texture and looks very nice stacked with other bracelets. For more info...

New DogBone bracelet with Pearls and Flowers!

                                           

A great combination! Flowers, pearls, and Dogbones to wear! Bones and circles are sterling silver and flowers are bronze. Two small hearts, one in bronze and one in sterling with my name stamp and made in USA on it. I can put as many pearls on it as you would like. I have some very beautiful pearls in all kinds of colors! Nice round ones in brown (or coffee latte as I like to call them) and pink and a beautiful burgundy garnet pearl, rich goldens and copper and a 'sea mist' teal color. I also have some real big fat round beautiful whites for the traditional in you. This bracelet is easy to size larger as I can add an extra flower, or loop. This piece is brand new and is not on my website yet, so if you want it for yourself or a dog loving friend just email me and I will make it for you and ship it right out. $120.00 with up to 4 pearls Sandy@TobyandMax.com

This Holiday Don't Forget Your....

Let them know they're special! Says "Thru Thick & Thin" on the inside! Click here for more info

TIME HEALS Pendant is Forever

Its all in the timing. A nice reminder that the old saying is true,

time does make things better, or at least gives you a little breathing room. Beautiful 2 piece sterling pendant with TIME HEALS handstamped on one side, and what looks like an old clock or hourglass piece on the other.
Click here for more pics and order

Sterling silver hangs 1 1/2" long. $89.00

Dog Therapy -- PRICELESS!!

Who calms you down with a big smile and happy face when you get home from a hard day? Who sits next to you and listens to all your woes with no interruptions, just understanding. We all know, it's your DOG. Our Dogs give us comfort, and help us to heal. And they are certainly cheaper than a therapist! And so much more fun too! $79.00 BEFORE 10% DISCOUNT BELOW!


"Dogs are cheaper than a therapist" sterling silver cuff.
Click here for more pics.
And for you folks that need some 'dog therapy' a 10% discount when you put "BLOG" in the coupon code when ordering!

Say it like you mean it! ...... LIVE BOLD

Very cute all sterling earrings with an always popular 'Fleur de lis' design on the front and the words LIVE BOLD stamped on the back. Earrings hang about 1 1/2", sterling square is just under 1".
Makes a great gift for that hard to buy for friend. $49.00 Click here to see

I love little boxes! How about you?

I just felt like making something different. Sometimes when you work with metal and stamps all the time, you just get an itch to get out the paintbrush and color away! I just found these really cool boxes with hinges! and they are bare-naked wood before I begin.

I had so much fun working on this box. It is not finished as you can probably tell. I thought, 'what should I put on my box', well, my favorite things of course! I love flowers, and I love bees. Well, bees that don't sting me, but thats another story. I am allergic, but I know we need to help the honeybees now as they are having trouble keeping themselves alive and healthy with all the contaminants around. Well, I am chattering here, but I had fun coloring this box, and then I etched out with a sharp wood tool the words before I went back and blackened them. I was disappointed you really can't see the carved out wood part. The bee was a large rubber stamp and then I hand painted the flowers. Sometimes it is just fun to take a breather and do something different!