Snagged an Etsy Treasury!

I was able to snag a treasury last night and I filled it with some of my favorite things from some of my favorite people/ vendors. It looks pretty snazzy and has rec'd some great comments, stop by & give some love ;-)


I've added the link, but it expires Sunday night 9.14.08.

I got the coolest thing on Etsy!

A couple of weeks ago I pulled up the Etsy homepage. I like to see the treasury that made the front page. Yes, I prefer this to going somewhere to shop, I haven't been to a mall in years. Anyway, towards the bottom the newly listed things scroll by. I saw this photo



I was instantly intrigued, not even sure what it was from the thumbnail. Clicked thru & actually went oooooo and fell in love. Purchased it right away. Now the details, this is hand thrown stoneware from Marsha at DovecoteDesign. It's a jewelry bowl. Marsha has created a bowl complete with a column to put your rings and holes around the edge for earrings. I absolutely LOVE the color, she calls it rutle green. I call it gorgeous. It came lightening fast, packed so well that it could have been drop kicked & it would have made it to me safely. And it now resides on my dresser holding my adornments. Lovely. And I think this would make an awesome gift for someone! Here's photos from the listing, used with Marsha's blessing:




Now can you see why I fell in love with it! Isn't it awesome? Mmmmmmm. Check out her store, DovecoteDesign to get one of your very own. I've got my eye on a few bowls in this same color. ;-)

Treasury

My pink amethyst necklace is featured in an Etsy Treasury. This always makes me so happy. It's in good company in a treasury filled with pinks & browns. Lovely! Thanks Kat. ;-) Please stop by & give it some love. (Yes.....everytime I've typed the word 'treasury' I've made it a link.....shameless promotion I say!)

Here's the pic:

Museum of Science

This is the last week of summer for us as school starts next week. So we've been trying to cram in some fun stuff. I knew there was a MOS in Ft Lauderdale, but that's almost 2 hours away & with gas prices being what they are, probably not going to happen. My oldest LOVES all things science. A Mom at Karate told me yesterday that there was a MOS in West Palm Beach. So this morning after a couple of errands, we headed down there. I grabbed my camera on the way out. Not because I wanted to schlep it around all day (days like this I wish we'd bought the smaller, lighter model), but I really was hoping to get a pic of my little one with his hair all standing up from the plasma thing. It does it on slides so I thought this would be funny. Things to do next time.....bring extra batteries for the camera or charge them & feed the kids first because they have nothing to eat there.

Took us a little over an hour to get there. VERY COOL PLACE! We were there for over 5 hours, couldn't tear those kids away. Next month the "Grossology" exhibit comes so I'm certain we'll go back. My batteries were so dead that the photo of the mastodon bones didn't come out right. But I did get two photos, they creep me out but they're really cool.....in the light of day. They have an ancient Egypt exhibit, complete with mummy.



Creepy but cool huh? The signs said that they couldn't tell if it was a girl or a boy without causing harm to it. But they do know that it's a little over 2400 years old, and it was well cared for because there's gold on the face (you can see it close up), and that it probably died from the crack in the skull & the fracture in it's leg. They said it was about 5 years old but it was small. Like the size of a 2 year old today. But what's REALLY creepy.....I was sitting next to it for a really long time while the kids were exploring & you can actually see it's hair. Not sure if you can in this pic....






So all in all it was a really fun day & we can't wait to go back. Next time I'll check the batteries! They had so many cool things in the Egypt exhibit. There were containers, forgot what they're called, that they used to put the organs into. There was a sarcophagus. A mummified raven. And a really old necklace with lapis in it. And a lapis scarab, they believe from a piece of jewelry.

I enjoyed the gem & mineral exhibit and the underwater exhibit- fish I've never seen before. But the little one picked out all of his friends from "Nemo" LOL.

Just wanted to share this before I went to bed. Hoping that this little guy won't show up in my dreams tonight.

A Fresh Coat of Blog Paint

After years of the old template- it was time for a change on the blog. I really wanted 3 columns. So....here it is. Not quite finished but I've looked at HTML & CSS until my eyes are crossed, so it's time to give it a rest. The new template, the 3rd column added~ that's the part that made me buggy~ without losing any significant data. I'm a happy girl & I'm off to bed. ;-)

A great trend

I got gas today and it was only $3.89. I never thought I'd refer to that as "only", but just a couple of weeks ago I paid $4.18 so I think this is a great trend. And milk is really high too....$4.49. We need a cow.

On the jewelry side of life, here's a new pair of earrings. These tabs are etched with vintage text (from the late 1800's) and sterling ear wires were soldered onto the back then smoothed into shape. Added patina, tumbled and polished. Once I get a few more decent photos I'll add them to the shop. Hope you like them!

It's here, it's here, it's finally here!!!!!

I almost wished away the whole summer because I knew it would be almost over before this book came. Such is the way when you pre-order. But last week it finally arrived and I'm so excited.

A Charming Exchange

The photos are delicious. You can see the detail in each piece. The projects are fresh. New (to me) links, one's that I've never seen before. My head is still reeling from all the incredible eye candy.....but the best part....the instructions for the projects are well written and stepped out. Even a jewelry newbie could make beautiful pieces. It's written in Kelly's voice....just like she was sitting there next to you. It's about jewelry, it's about sharing, it's about collaboration (one of my favorite things!), it's about making some awesome pieces of art jewelry. I totally love this book. (It's right up there with Semi-Precious Salvage by Stephanie Lee) I feel inspired and can't wait to get some bench time. If you love swapping, charm swaps, making jewelry....this is a book that you should have. But it won't be on your bookshelf, this is the book that stays on your bench. The one that you grab to have a peek at to get your creative juices flowing while you're listening to your 'tunes' and sipping your coffee. Job well done ladies! You guys ROCK.

Photo used with Kelly's blessing ;-)

Some new things

It's late and I should be sleeping. But instead I'm going through some photos. Took almost 100 pictures off of my camera tonight so I've been tagging and sorting. But here's a few that I wanted to share.



This first one are some inchies that I did for a swap on the BookArtz group. They are 1 inch square. I did 16 of each color & rec'd some wonderful returns. They were fun to do.

These are the the beginnings of the pile of returns that I sent back from the charm swap that I hosted. I wrapped up the packages before I stuffed them into envelopes. They've been received by the participants and everyone is enjoying their returns. It was another fun swap. I had started to make a second set, ended up using some for fill ins, and a few became earrings before I was even finished- I'll have to grab a photo of those too.....I liked those!

Copper and sapphire swarovski crystals for a swap on Adornmentz. The copper was treated to a heat patina then hammered around the edges for texture.

Oh, these are terrible photos. But they are on the other side of the country now so these pix will have to do. For the same swap- copper washers hammered, then married with indicolite swarovski crystals.

And lastly, for the same swap, hammered and heat treated copper together with emerald swarovski crystals. The theme was earrings using swarovski crystals in case it wasn't obvious. Although I don't use them very often, I did really like this design. I'm going to do some more with little gemmies. Iolite, garnet or moonstone- I've got some pretty little rondells of those 3 stones. And all three would be pretty with copper. Notice how there's a crystal on the ear wire too? It was a nice touch to bring the design together, however.....I think I should have given them a LOS dip. Next time.....it was an after thought. I should have the returns from this swap in the next week or so. Looking forward to it!

More pieces out of the tumbler and photographed.....but it's time to me to head off to dreamland.



Be happy!

BookArtz Charm Swap

I almost forgot to post the pic of these charms. We're doing a charm swap and here is a few of my offerings. I'm looking forward to adding some of the charms from this swap to my bracelet that I always wear.....you know the jingly one.





I cut the copper sheet, used my new dividers....straight lines can be a beautiful thing. Then I filed the edges and corners. Drilled holes. Tumbled them. Grabbed some pages from an old book (1920's) and started tearing & burning. The smell of vintage paper burning isn't pleasant. Then I used gel medium to adhere the paper. I scanned this before I added jump rings so that I could get a better scan. Then I added the jump rings & bagged them up. Twenty five of them. Well I made more, but 25 are for the swap.

My oldest had a look at them while I was working on them & said they looked like something from the movie National Treasure. Then I realized that I had made them right after we watched the movie. Sometimes it amazes me where inspiration comes from, when you aren't even paying attention or looking for it. That's the best kind!

Lots of other things going on around here. I do have some pieces that need to be properly photographed. I envy people who have the knack to hang a piece on a tree and have an awesome picture come out.....I still struggle with every photograph. Lighting is my main issue.....and I'm still working on it.

www.BookArtz.com

After taking some time to consider and plan -I made a decision. Although I'll say the walls are unpainted & it's unfinished and unpolished- I'm ready for people to drop on in and become part of the community.





BookArtz.com is a community for mixed media and altered artists. It's open to everyone and costs nothing to join. You do not have to be a member of the yahoo group to join us. You can blog, visit friends and neighbors, post pictures and be inspired. I think that the community will continue to grow, as the yahoo group did, and before too long it may be a booming metropolis. If you're a vendor and would like an opportunity to advertise to a targeted audience, please let me know. I'm very happy about this and have had some great feedback from people so far. Why don't you pop on over, you do NOT have to be a member to check it out! Hope to see you there. ;-)

Love those pearls!

I'm currently having a serious love affair with pearls. Although earrings are the only items that have been finished and photographed, there are rings, bracelets & necklaces in the works. And today I hope to put the finishing touches & photograph a whole wad of them.

Last night, after I ordered our pizza, I posted a pair of gray peacock pearl earrings on Etsy. And I'm happy to report that they were sold before I went to bed. I love it that others love pearls as much as I do. Pearls just make a girl feel special and with contemporary design.....it's just the icing on the cake. My earrings have been simple, and that's what makes them so versatile.

Mmmmmm, like candy

My postman, Roger, likes delivering mail to my house. He appreciates the mail art that I receive almost as much as I do. I can see why he likes it, after all- his day is spent looking at boring plain envelopes......then he gets to mine. The envelopes are artfully decorated, and postcards always have art on them. Well, as much as I like receiving mail art, I also like getting little nondescript envelopes. I know when they're coming and wait with anticipation so I can bring it in and open it up to lovingly fondle the contents. This is a horrible pic of today's little envelope.



They are all faceted briolettes. Some dark amethyst puffed marquis, pink amethyst pears, swiss blue topaz hearts, garnet ovals and different colored aquamarine drops. I'm still really excited about them, such a nice sparkle. And this time, I drew the design first, THEN ordered the stones. LOL- so many of these already have plans. I hope the pictures of the finished pieces are better than this picture! Since I still haven't put away the silver, I think I'll go see what I can put together.

Metal Pix

Ahhhh......loving the new camera. Didn't get much time to play today but just enough to get a few pictures. Still inside at my desk- but here they are:

These are some sterling stackables that I've been wearing on my thumb for the last month. I love these. The hammered texture makes them glimmer in the light. More of these in process & they will be added to Etsy.

And these are charms that are in process for swaps. Not quite finished.....just had to take pictures for practice sake.

Hey Anne Marie......recognize these backgrounds?

Better Pictures

I'm on my way to better pictures. As soon as I really figure out how to use the camera. Look at these earrings:


Now, this picture was taken with them sitting on my desk. Using the overhead lights, macro setting & the flash. Because it had only been 5 minutes since I opened the book & turned it on for the first time. So I haven't experimented with any white balance settings, or used the light tent, or- gotten to the page in the manual that shows me how to turn the flash off. But, this is the same pair of earrings that I posted on June 7th. (scroll down for the ugly pictures) I was shocked & excited about the detail in the stones- you can't even see that with your naked eye.....well I can't! I never put them up for sale because the pictures were so bad. Originally I was going to keep them, but ya know....gotta support my buying habits somehow!

So.....I'm on my way. And so very happy about it. Just gotta figure out my new toy! Woo- hoo!

Fire!!!

Well the good kind ;-) This past week I've had some long overdue creative time. While I did start painting some backgrounds, I spent most of the time "playing" with my torch. I've made quite a few stackable rings. Some I added a jump ring & added some crystals. Some I added a bezel & a stone. Some I left plain. I've also been cutting & doming discs. I've got a batch I need to tumble, then I think they'll become earrings. It feels good to have had this time, hope it continues. And I need some quality camera time this weekend so I can show you some of the pretties I made.

The painted backgrounds will likely become little notecards & Valentine Postcards for swaps on BookArtz.

My wish for you....

Happy new Year. I'm looking forward to so much in 2008. Here's "My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

That's a song by Rascal Flats, just says what I'm thinking.


Tomorrow our schedule gets back to normal. I'll miss having everyone around but I've sure piled up a lot to do. LOL. Happy new year & may it be one of the best yet!