Handmade Sale This Weekend

Well, I know I've been away for a while...but I'm back now and rarin' to go! It's been a very stressful couple of months, with my mother's death and settling the estate, packing up her house, etc. But I'm finally seeing the light at the end of a loooong tunnel. So it's back to work! Just before all this happened, I joined a fabulous team on Etsy called Team Treasury, otherwise known as "Teamt". We make treasuries as often as we can catch them, and must feature at least 6 other members. This group is so active, they've been on the front page many times! More about that later. This weekend, as part of the Etsy Weekend Deals, we're doing a giant sale starting Thursday at midnight, through Sunday. Please check out some or all of these shops! They are a talented group and have many items to offer. In my own shop, I'll be offering 15% off all items! If you're thinking Christmas already (Yikes, it's getting close, isn't it?) then stop in and take a gander at loads of options for family and friends. And isn't it time to buy something for yourself? You deserve it! Here's a list of the teamt members:

Team Treasury Weekend Deals, September 25-27:

 http://www.sarahjohnafana.etsy.com/

10% off all framed and unframed prints and photographs,

and 10% off all notecards

http://www.schemata.etsy.com/

10% off entire shop

http://www.ixela.etsy.com/

10% off all jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets,

brooches, earrings)

http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com/

15% off entire shop

http://www.brownbagvintage.com/

15% off first item, 20% off two items, 25% off three

or more

http://www.linenme.etsy.com/

20% from all scarves in my shop

http://pipinghotpapers.etsy.com/

10% my entire shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.fiveforty.etsy.com/

10% off everything in my shop

(excluding shipping)

http://lachiffonniere.etsy.com/

15% off entire shop

http://annymay.etsy.com/

10% from all armwarmers in my shop

http://www.bovinebubbles.etsy.com/

15% off (excluding shipping)

http://www.nancywallisdesigns.etsy.com/

10% off everything in my shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.smallearthvintage.etsy.com/

10% off entire shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.edenswake.etsy.com/

Take 10% off purchase of one item,

or 15% off purchase of two or more items

(excluding shipping)

http://glassetc.etsy.com/

10% off any of my plant stakes

(excluding shipping).

Many other items already discounted.

http://www.handamade.etsy.com/

10% off for Apple jacket, coffee cup sleeves,

tote bag, Doll. (excluding shipping)

http://www.jensancandles.etsy.com/

My deal is 15% off all items in the store.

http://ww.vintageaimee.etsy.com/

 10% off entire store.

http://www.trendyknitting.etsy.com/

15% OFF entire shop

http://www.juicygraphics.etsy.com/

20% off everything in the store –

prices reflect discount

http://www.catherinereece.etsy.com/

 10% off everything in store

http://www.mandag.etsy.com/

10% off from all the items in the shop

(excluding shipping) – prices reflect discount

Gettin' Busy!

OK, I know...no excuses! I'm just not as good as I'd like to be about keeping up with this blog. However, I've revamped some things in my life....always subject to change, it seems...and it looks like it may be working towards my goal of having more time for creative thinking and writing.

I struggled with being snowed under with custom orders for so long that I almost forgot what it was like to sit down with a pad of paper and pencils and actually design something new! I have decided that I don't really like operating under deadlines - too much pressure, too much repetition, and way too much complaining! (By me!) So I'm really cutting down on my custom orders, and if I do take one, I'm allowing myself a time span to finish it that I can live with.

The exciting thing for me right now is making pieces for the "Gathering", ISGB's annual conference in Miami. If you remember, back in April, I announced that the piece that Patty Lakinsmith and I submitted was accepted for the convergence exhibit. So now we're designing pieces, following that theme and some new designs, for the show. Patty and I will be sharing a table. In fact, part of my excitement in all of this is finally getting to meet, in person, the good friend I've met on line, and had the pleasure of working with in designing pieces via the internet (ain't technology great?). Can't wait!

Meanwhile, I've discovered this really cool rock shop practically around the corner from my house. Though I don't use a lot of beads and stones in my designs, I've gotten addicted to both, and have made many trips to that shop for inspiration. Here are a few I've just finished.......

using tumbled Obsidian (aqua colored stone), a "sea opal" (multicolored) and a tumbled agate.

Well, that what's happening...I'm getting busy with fun things...finally!

Toodles,

Unique Art Jewelry

I know that when I'm searching for unique gifts for family members, finding just the right gift is difficult. Malls offer so much of the same thing, in very large quantities, that it's just plain tiresome and boring. And - most of what I find isn't made by hand. Since I don't have time to make something for everyone on my list, I go to the venues that offer handmade creations. While looking for some unique items last night, I found these items that really peaked my interest. Take a look....and let me know if you're as impressed as I am.

Salsa Lampwork Cha Cha Bracelet by Patty Lakinsmith

Blue Galaxy by Simply Unique Jewelry

Hot Pink Dichroic Fused Glass Set by Dichroic Dazzle

Carnelian Silver Cuff by Alibali Jewellery

Except for Patty, whose shop is on Etsy, all the other members are part of the Artfire Jewelers Guild. Check out their blog at Artfire Jewelers Guild or the web site.

Support handmade! Toodles,

Artisan Jeweler Guild

I've been branching out somewhat and trying a couple of new venues, just to see how it goes. Being on Etsy has been a great experience, and I've really learned a lot, but I decided to spread my wings a little and see what else is out there. So...I joined Artfire. There are lots of things I like about this site, though the sales are slow (aren't they everywhere?), and I'm still learning my way around the site and trying to get noticed. One great feature are the guilds available there and I recently joined the Artisan Jeweler Guild. If you get a chance, take a look at the guild's page and see some of the great artists and their designs. Here's just a small sample of some of my fellow members :

All Wired Up 2

Ava Designs

Marya Jewelry

Brandy Brook Designs

I'll be adding more shops in a short while so stay tuned!

Toodles,

Toodles,

My Artsy Friends - Part one

Ever since I decided to take my work public and utilize the internet, I've been fortunate to meet many talented artists. I'm generally in awe of other artists who find new and creative ways to express themselves, and have decided to start showcasing them and some of their work.

Meet Catherine Marche, of Kalicat - a London based designer who does some exquisite jewelry designs. Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, Catherine travelled extensively during her childhood. She sometimes changed class 3 times in a year, which gave her great faculties of adaptation and the use of several languages. She's one of those artists who finds inspiration from just about everything, including all her travels. Her creativity isn't restricted to jewelry, though...she also provides images for editorial, advertising, book covers and apparel. She works with marketing, PR agencies, design and advertising companies, greeting card publishers and illustrate for web. Talk about talent!

I've chosen a few of her wonderful designs for you to see. Check out her web sites to see more!

http://www.catherinemarchedesigns.com/ http://kalicat.etsy.com/

http://kalicat.dawanda.com/

Elegant work! These pieces are great for any occasion...and don't forget Mother's Day! Be sure to look at her other designs using the links above.

Toodles,

Art Jewelry - Just a little scary!

So, Patty Lakinsmith and I are ready for the ISBG "Gathering" in Miami. We've registered and we're going to share a table. Can't tell you how excited I am - my first time at one of these - because I get to see our creation again on exhibit, and I get to meet Patty in person for the first time.

I've been working on some theme related pieces, and my first, shown below, turned out pretty cool and a little on the "dark" side. It's called Man Eater....and is meant to look like it's taken over the wearer's body. Patty's busy making some more beads for me to use in other creations, so I'm getting ready to get creative.

Anyway, got to get back to the studio....so I'll keep this a running dialoque.

Oh, and by the way - My web site got all funky on me. I've not been too happy with my host service, so I've made the leap to switch to a new one. Of course that means I have to start from scratch to build a new site, but maybe this is a good thing. I haven't been happy with the one I have now, and the program the hosting service uses won't let me easily change it. So I get to create another one, hopefully more to my liking! I'll be off line for a while until I get it done, but hope to focus on it in a couple of days...once the domain name has been transferred.

Tendrils fall across the chest

This bloom sits menacingly on the shoulder.

Toodles,

Art Jewelry Collaboration

I have been so blessed with great friends in my life. You know, the kind you can call on when all you want to do is whine, the kind you can laugh and play with, the kind who encourage you to take risks and hold your hand and give you kleenex if you fail. Now I'm twice blessed! Since starting my on line store at Etsy, I've met some truly wonderful folks. One of them is Patty Lakinsmith, the lampwork artist from California, that I've featured here before.

Not long ago, Patty asked me to collaborate on a piece or two to submit to the ISGB contest called "convergence". The premise was to combine lampwork beads with another media - and she asked ME! I was thrilled to be asked, and we started trading ideas back and forth via email.

Along the way, we discovered a snippet on Utube from "Little Shop of Horrors", featuring the man eating plant singing "I'm a mean green mother". If you haven't seen it...please do! It's hysterical! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLO7IxKwruc&feature=related)

Anyway, it really got us talking and planning. It was wonderful to find out that we both embraced the idea of really thinking out of the box. We wanted to do something that would grab their attention. We traded pictures back and forth, explored ideas...and finally had a finished piece. When we submitted it to ISGB, I don't think either one of us thought we would be chosen as one of the pieces they would use in their exhibit at the Bead and Button Show. But not long after we submitted our pictures, we got the news: We were chosen!!! They liked it! Happy dancing all around!

Mind you, Patty and I have never met in person. But I feel like we've been BFFs for years.

In July we will meet for the very first time, at the "Gathering" in Miami...and Patty will get to see the finished piece in person, also for the first time. I'm so excited....about the piece and meeting Patty after all this time.

So....here it is. We called it "Mean Green Mother Earth". It's supposed to look menacing and like it would attack it's wearer. If you watch the video, you'll know what I mean.

Take a look at those marvelous beads! Patty is one of the best, if not THE best, lampwork artist I've ever seen. I can't get over all the detail on these "heads". If you haven't already done it, check out more of her fab beads at http://pattylakinsmith.etsy.com you won't be disappointed.

See you in Miami!

Toodles