Category — Creating

I haven’t done a giveaway for several months because I have been just as crazy busy as the rest of you with summer and trying not to kill my kids.
But, summer is over, and fall is just around the corner. I think fall is my favorite. I always debate between spring and fall, but I think that the fall clothes and boots I get to wear have decided it for me. Fall is the winner.
Speaking of fall and winners,
I have found the coolest leaves to use in some new jewelry designs.
I’ve posted them in my shop along with lots of other fall goodies.

They are made by painting an actual leaf with metallic paint, and then plating that metal form with either sterling silver, 24 ct. gold, or copper. Then they are antiqued or polished or given a green patina.
They are stunning, yet natural and simple and they feel almost weightless on your neck.
It’s the perfect thing to add spunk to your fall wardrobe.

You want?

To win, just leave a comment on this post and you’re entered. If you link to this post on facebook, you’re in for three entries.
(These necklaces range in value from $35 to $135.)

Contest ends Tuesday, August 31st at midnight. Winner announced Wednesday.
Check out the new stuff for fall HERE.

This summer, more specifically, August 7th (Saturday) I am hosting an Artisan Fair at our studio. Think boutique, only better. Ok, so it’s the same concept except you don’t have to say the word “boutique”. Don’t know why, but I am not a fan of that word.

I wanted to do this because A) I’m tired of driving a million miles to sell my wares B) I don’t know of any really good boutiques in my immediate area C) I think it will be really fun!

I already have a hand full of vendors lined up, but we need more! Do you or someone you know create things that you want to share with the world?
If so, click on that ‘e-mail me’ button on my side bar and tell me what you want to sell. Include photographs if possible. I’m hoping to put together a collection of awesomeness and I need help!

For some reason, I have it stuck in my head that I need to get 50 entries in one of these giveaways. I don’t think I can rest until this happens.
So.
I am going to combine the two most entered giveaways and let you choose one of two prizes.
First up- Scrabble tile pendants! A set of TEN. In your entry, you tell me three words that describe your personal style and I will hand pick ten of these beauties to send your way, complete with three necklace options for mixing and matching. I have lots more than are pictured here, so tell me colors you like, interests, etc, so you’ll be sure to get something you like.

If that’s not your cup of tea, then how about something personalized? In silver?
You can have your name, your favorite quote, your mission statement (you have one of those, right?) anything you like stamped into this silver pendant. I will also include a charm bead (pearl, birthstone, etc.) to make it even cuter. The possibilities are endless!

A comment is an entry. And, if this contest gets 50 entries, I’ll give both prizes away. Go!

(Lots of new stuff in the shop now and even more coming after this weekend is over! Click HERE to see)
Contest closes Wednesday. Winner announced Thursday.

I am holed up in my basement, in my ghetto craft room, making little treasures to sell at an upcoming boutique. My fingers are blackened from working with silver, and my nails look like a mechanic’s. I have my laptop and a Netflix account to keep me company.

I have lots of things finished, but more in my brain. Hopefully, someone will love something, buy it and take it home with them. I’m displaying everything on this orange tree that I forgot to water and subsequently killed. I couldn’t stand to throw it out, so I spray painted it bronze and hot glued fake blossoms all over it. It’s a springy kind of jewelry display, no?

It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of work. I’m just lucky to have such a fabulous assistant.

um, yeah. she’s just taking a break…

April showers bring cute flowers… in the form of these pins!

I take teardrop shaped semi-precious briolettes and wire them together to form daisies. My favorite thing to do with them is wear them on my hats.

It adds just a little bit of color and spice. You can also wear them on your jacket, or a scarf. I love these things, you guys. And I want you to have one of your very own.
You pick the color… there are even more in my shop.
As always, a comment is an entry. Contest ends on Wednesday, winner announced on Thursday.

I must have a thing for fish. They are good luck, did you know? Click HERE to see my former favorite fish bracelet. I wear it all the time. It’s a happy little thing. I say it’s my former favorite, because I have made one I love even more. It has it all, whimsy, a sterling silver fish, magical labradorite (my fav!) and a message to keep your head in the right place.

Saturday included:

Teaching a photog class, which was lots of fun. Perfect weather for shooting outdoors, and fun people in the class.
Here’s my favorite shot from today, it was taken in the back of a building between several garbage cans and other unsightly articles. There is something captivating about her expression here. She was a great model.

We also took the boys to see How to train your Dragon. Such a cute show. I even cried.

I also made a couple of new jewelry items to post in my shop tomorrow. They’re labradorite, which is my absolute favorite. These stones are magic to behold. They look like a gray storm cloud until it moves and then there’s a sudden flash of blue or brilliant green lightning within the stone. Gorgeous. Can’t get enough of it.

Best part of the day though, might be right now. The house is quiet, the boys are all bathed and sleeping in their beds, and as I sit at my little red desk typing this post, there is a soft, warm puppy asleep on my right foot. I might just stay right here all night.

The soldering is pretty rough, but for a first try, I’m stoked.
But the question is, would anyone ever wear something like this?

#20 Katie who said:

Katie Warner { 03.03.10 at 9:59 pm }
Oh I really want to win! (And I am a first timer so I get three chances!)

Hi Katie! Have a look through the shop and e-mail me your selection and the address you want it sent to.
Thanks for entering everyone! As always, there will be another drawing next month.

I’m too busy keeping the new puppy from peeing on my floor to choose/photograph/post about an item for this month’s giveaway, so I’m hitting the easy button and letting you choose.
The prize is a $35 credit toward anything in my shop your heart desires.
A comment is an entry. A link to my shop is another entry. And, just for kicks, if you are a new commenter, your entry counts for three!

Contest ends Friday.

Yesterday, I was at the post office. I spend a lot more time there than I like, but I have packages to ship from Etsy sales, so it’s a good thing.
I have gotten friendly with one of the postal workers there. You know… I noticed her new hair cut, I ask about her new baby and whatnot. Yesterday, she asked me about my frequent shipping, what I sell, where I sell it, etc.
When I said that I have an Etsy shop, she looked at me like I was speaking in tongues.
Has everyone in the world not yet discovered the wonder that is Etsy?

If not, please, let me introduce you to your new favorite place to shop online.

There are so many creative and talented people in the world, and Etsy is a place where they all come together to share their creations.
As you may have already noticed, I have an Etsy shop. I sell jewelry there mostly, but every spring I make and sell bird feeders from dried gourds too. I have sold photography and a few other things as well.
It’s such a great feeling when someone in the world buys something I made with my own two hands.

It’s the best place to shop for unique gifts and artisan made anything.

Here are some of the treasures I found today:

This hat.

This bird.

This journal.

This tea pot.

This box which I have no idea what I would do with it, but I want it anyway.

This pillow. (I really love this)

…just to name a few.

un

deux

I made five million scrabble tile pendants for the art boutiques I was in during the month of November and I only sold four million, so that is what I am giving away this month!
The winner will receive a collection of TEN cute little scrabble tile pendants with two different necklace options for mixing and matching.
I would like to send some that you’ll like, so in the comments, leave me 3 words that describe your personal style.
I will hand pick them just for you!

A comment is an entry. A comment with a link to show me that my button on your blog is two entries.
Contest ends Monday-ish.

(This is one of my favorites…so cute on a brown, leather cord)

EDIT: So, because some people had two entries, instead of using Random.org like I usually do, I printed out the comments and put them all in a bowl, then closed my eyes tight and pulled one out. The winner was #12 who said:

Anne { 01.07.10 at 7:49 am }
Just found your website. Have a butternut squash roasting right now, am getting ready to browse the rest of your site. My entry is a haiku:
Define me in three?
Broad strokes capture minutiae?
Fun, Organic, Cool

I loved the haiku entry too! Anne, e-mail me your street address and I will send your prize.
Thanks for the entries everyone. As always, there’s another giveaway next month…

What is it about cake plates? Why do we love them so much?
I saw this idea at one of the boutiques I did this month and I just thought it was so clever. I am making some for Christmas gifts this year as well as one for myself.
So easy to do!
I shopped around a bit and found some really cute/inexpensive plates in two sizes, as well as the candle holders. The glue I used is called Amazing Goop. It claims to form a super-strong and totally permanent bond. Still, I think I’ll hand-wash only.

I glued the large end of the candle holders to the underside of the smallest plate…

Then I glued the smaller plate assembly to the center of the large plate and voila!

You can even add embellishments to the tops for an extra touch of preciousness…

How cute are these for serving cookies or chocolates or even something healthy if that’s your bag?
If you wanted it to be a true cake plate, just don’t do the tiered thing, and use the wider side of the candle holder as the base.

I can’t wait to give these at Christmas. And, um, if you get one from me, please try and act surprised.