100 Hearts!

This morning I woke up, and while it's my dear J's birthday, it felt like much any other day to me.
Then I looked at my Etsy and realized I have 100 shop hearts.

100!

I'm so amazed and happy with this revelation I've decided to share my joy. My shop is offering a special gift to anyone who makes a purchase over $15! A surprise gift made just for you!

Today is a great day, even if it is slightly dreary outside. Here's my favorite new piece of art I've made, which will be posted on Etsy soon enough :)

Contest!

I've decided to get the ball rolling in February with a V-day contest!

When you enter there are only three steps:

1. You can enter by either commenting on this blog, my Facebook page, or by convo-ing me on ETSY. 
2. When you've contacted me, please let me know who your favorite Jewelry Company, Designer, etc,. is so that I can see what your favorite style is (and gain inspiration myself!).
3. Spread the word! Tell a friend, family member, co-worker about my Etsy page, or post about me in your blog, on your facebook, twitter about me, etc,. Just get the word out and let me know what you did!

The winner will be randomly choosen (from a hat!) in 2 weeks (February 14th, Valentine's Day!), and I will post the winner's name on here.

What will you win? Your choice of a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings make especially for you by me! This will be a custom piece, made just for you! It can match a dress you own, emulate a piece you've loved forever by don't own, or simply be a surprise that I make for you!

So get the word out, and good luck! (that beautiful boy to the below is my kitty Simon!)

Long Time No Post

I've been a bit busy...that's an understatement actually, I've been incredibly busy!
I finally moved into my new house, so I have a wonderful craft room that I've been filling to the brim with all my crafty things from my old house's tiny closet. Isn't it funny how no matter how much space you have, your crafts seem to expand to fill said space? Yeah, I'm having that problem...Though it's both a blessing and a curse :)

I am posting more and more items by the week, and starting to really get into making more intricate things. I'm especially excited to be starting metal and stamping work in the next month or so. Antiquing metals and working with solder is fascinating to me. I'm so inspired by work that is intricate and using things like that.
These wedding bands below are by Etsy artist fabuluster. The duo who create these rings are just amazing. Having an original idea like that just makes me so in awe. Anyway, enough geeking.

Here's a picture of one of my newest pieces, which I fondly like to call Parijat, the coral Princess.. I'm experimenting with new textures, colors and 'flavors' in jewelry, so everything in my Etsy is a bit...eclectic right now to say the least.
A lot of people I've noticed have a cohesive theme going on with their shops. I'm not sure if I'll ever have that, but I'm not sure I'd want to either. I really enjoy exploring new ideas and ways to make beautiful wearable art.

There's more new items at my Etsy, so feel free to browse and offer your opinions on them, I love feedback, and constructive criticism!

Hope you have a fabulous start to February coming up here soon!

Sundays are the best, until around 4pm

That's when you realize that it'll be Monday all too soon. Alas, Mondays are not as fun as Sundays....I have less time for Etsy!

Posted a few new items up on Etsy over the weekend, and am pretty happy with how they turned out. The earrings on the right are one of the items I posted ust recently. They're fun and gorgeous and really elegant.

On a more personal note, the second bank signed on the contract for my house, so if all goes according to plan, I should have a house by October 30th! I'm so excited. I'll have my very own craft room, complete with a work desk and closet to store everything. Much better than working on a table where I have to clean everything up whenever we have company.

The Northern California Renaissance Faire in 2009 has been fun so far. I went for the 2nd weekend, and will be going back for the 5th and 6th! I'm planning on finding a cloak and two new skirts before I go back.

From 2008's Ren Faire. Me at the garland booth with Ahnah, one of the garland employee's munchkins.

New Items Up

I went on a jewelry making FRENZY this weekend, and made something like 10 new items. Posted five of them online on Etsy, go see!

I really like how this one in particular came out.

The green glass glows very effectively in the sunlight. It was a rainy day unforunately, so the lighting for the photographs wasn't exactly what I wanted...but it still came out well if I do say so myself.

Sent off 3 items on Thursday, and 2 of the people have contacted me to say they not only got their items, but love them! I'm so excited that my skills are making people happy.

I would like to point the spotlight on another Etsian for a moment.

Neatothings has a really awesome shop, and I've gone there several times for supplies, and just to look around! My current favorite item from that shop is the Megadestash Kit, which is just FULL of goodies. Go have a look!

The above kit was used to make these earrings, which my entire family raved about. I'm going to have to make more, I think my sister's friend is going to snatch these up before anyone on Etsy has the chance!

It's fall, so I'm going to start making crocheted items soon. I'm thinking I'm going to focus on hats and scarves and little fingerless gloves, as I love them so much myself. I have over 30 scarves and 10+ hats at home, but no fingerless gloves! Going to have to make a bunch, and then save at least one pair for myself :)

I love this design on Etsy by Etsyian LoveFuzz! How cute is that beanie?

Trades Galore

I'm working on a trade with Idelissa (make up for me from her, and a bracelet like the one in my last post for her daughter!) this weekend, and tonight just made another trade!

This one is with themermaidsbraid on Etsy. She is a Mother who takes the time from her adorable kids to handspin wool, knit beautiful hats, and generally be crafty. Take the time to pop over to her shop and view the beautiful yarn that is there!

We traded yarn for some items that were on my shop, that are now gone (as technically, they were sold!). That makes 4 'sales' for me!
Here are the two skeins of yarn that I'll be getting, and hopefully be making some gorgeous items out of!

This wool is a gorgeous blueberry color, and I'm sure it'll make a beautiful scarf, or maybe even a pair of hand warmers!


The next wool is so pretty, and handspun with two different kinds of fiber; a vintage purple thread and a white satin viscose.

I'm sure both yarns are going to make lovely items, and I'll more than likely return to Etsy to sell them!

Alright off to bed with me, incredibly tired, even though it's only midnight....how strange!

Featured Etsyian!

I was the featured Etsyian on Elan Vital Anthology's blog this week!

So exciting to be working on my craft, and networking, and making friends all at the same time.

I received some sample makeup packets from Idelissa, another Etsyian. The makeup is super soft, light, and completely matte, which is perfect for me because of my oily skin! I am incredibly light skinned, so her 'fair' shade is perfect for me. She's going to mix up a custom batch of Fair makeup for oily skin, and I'm going to look awesome!

This weekend's plans:

Ship out Elaine's Bracelet, start working on more natural jewelry with seaglass and shells as the focal pieces, get the S key fixed on my keyboard (I have to pound on it to get it to function!), and invest in some clear resin to make pendants out of the fabric pieces I mentioned in my last entry.

I'm excited for this labor day weekend, what about you?