Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tough Love

I recently went to the shooting range with a friend.  I think he was shocked that I did so well.  Ok, I was a little shocked myself when I hit the target 75 yards away 4 out of 5 times (really shocked since its been forever since I've been). 

Anyway, while I was waiting for my turn I started looking around and couldn't help but notice all of the shiny shell casings lying around.  I kept thinking of what all I could do with these. 

Since then I've been squeezing in some time with power tools (all I'm going to say is when those cutting discs for a dremel shatter you'll find pieces everywhere, even after you think you've gotten them all).  These's are a couple of the pieces I've finished for what I'm calling "Tough Love".



Stay tuned, there's more to come (as long as I manage to keep all of my fingers where they should be)...

Monday, July 18, 2011

Go Team! Jewelry

I've had people telling me for a while now that I needed to make some things in team colors.  My concern was that it wouldn't look as good as I'd want it to be.  After reading the comments left on my giveaway at Lemondrop Vintage I decided to give it a try.  Here's a small sample of what I've been working on.  There are more team colors in the works and if there's one you'd like to see let me know. 






So, what's your favorite sports team?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Giveaway Winners



The two giveaways I was sponsoring on Lemon Drop Vintage and Adore By Nat are both over and I just shipped out these lovelys to the winners.


Ariel will be receiving the Down By the Seashore Necklace



Pink Rose Bobby Pin
Tamanisha picked Pink as one of her bobby pins.



Yellow Rose Bobby Pin
Yellow was her second color choice.

I hope they enjoy them as much as I did making them.  What would like to see in my next giveaway?


Saturday, July 16, 2011

Spotlight on Scratch and Sniff

This week I'm sharing a cute shop named Scratch and Sniff with you.  It is full of cute silhouettes that you can even have customized.  Here are just a few of these colorful pieces of artwork.

Fashion- Dachshund Vintage Silhouette


SALE-Angels in the Sky- Poodle Silhouette Cut Out


Stormy Seas-Portuguese Water Dog Vintage Silhouette


Letter S- Westie Vintage Silhouette


Not only are these silhouettes really cute and different they're also very affordable.  So, go check out this great shop.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Feature Friday! with Gift For Ever

This week I'd like to share with you Koula's shop Gift For Ever.  Her shop is filled with jewelry and decor that you'll never find anywhere else.  These are just a few of the unique handmade items you can find.

Cow Brooch and Pendant


Pig ring


Boy Stud Earrings


1 Snail Bookend

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Love Drop

I just discovered Love Drop.  If you haven't heard of this before, its a charity that helps out one family at a time, $1 at a time. 




The Love Drop team is at it again! Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, the Aubin family, who was struggling financially after the passing of their dad, and this month they're ready to do it again and help out another person :) They've given out over $45,000 in the past 6 months, and show no signs of stopping. If you know of anyone yourself that could use their help, make sure to let them know.

This month they're heading down to Atlanta to help Felicity, a little 4-year-old girl who was just diagnosed with brain cancer. Felicity had immediate surgery and is currently undergoing aggressive radiation treatments for the remaining portion of her tumor. We want to raise $5,000 for her family to help cover mounting medical costs, as well as the future expenses a new baby on its way will bring. With your support and generosity, we can really do something special for them!

Here are three ways you can help:
Give $25 towards medical bills <-- Click this link to contribute $25 towards Felicity's radiation treatments. It'll help them out a ton!
Give a gift or service- Gift cards are always helpful. Places like Target, Wal-mart, restaurants, etc would definitely help them out. Services too - especially those you can offer yourselves, or from your company.
Join our blogger network - Blog about our Love Drops each month like I am :) It's easy, it's rewarding, and it REALLY helps spread the word (which in turn helps our families). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
Thanks so much guys! Here's to a great month of paying it forward!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Has Anybody Else Noticed...

I recently discovered Artfire.  I've been playing around with a studio on there.  It seems like the changes that Etsy has been implementing lately are based on trying to be more like Artfire.  Like having all of the details of a new listing on one page when adding an item.  I'm still not sure if I like the layout and ins and outs of Artfire vs. Etsy.  What I do like is that the home page is random instead of selected so there's a better chance of actually being on it.  Has anybody else tried Artfire?  What has your experience been like?

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Looking for your input...

So I'm working on a few different things.  One of them is some jewelry that you can wear with your outfit to games this fall.  I'm going for something that is beautiful but can still go with a casual outfit of jersey and jeans.  As a USF alum I'm partial to the deep green and gold.  What I need to know is what are your favorite team's colors?  What do you like to accessorize your game day look with?  Necklaces?  Bracelets?  Earrings?  A scarf or cowl to ward off the chill in the air?  Something cute for your hair?


PRESS BOX South Florida Bulls Melange Women's NCAA Tee Shirt, Green

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Blowout Sale for the Fourth of July and my Etsyversary!



Two years ago I decided to open a shop on Etsy.  It's been a fun learning experience in not only ecommerce but crafting as well.  I've learned more about crochet, expanded on my jewelry making skills, and even learned to knit.  It's also made me venture out to new ideas and dream up even more ideas that I want to create. 

To celebrate Soozie's Cutie Patooties 2nd birthday on Etsy and the Fourth of July I've decided to have a blowout sale.  So, for all of my readers I'm offering an incredible 40% OFF coupon (BLOWOUT)! 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Feature Friday! with 2 Sisters

This Friday I'm introducing you to Colleen from 2 Sisters.  Her shop if full of wonderful jewelry that is handstamped and completely personalized.  Here are just a few samples of the eclectic mix she creates.

Custom Coin Pearl Handcrafted Handstamped Silver and Crystal Necklace-Choose Your Color


From Caterpillar To Butterfly Handstamped Personalized Inspirational Copper Necklace


Love Text Handcrafted Handstamped Personalized Teeny-Tiny Charm Necklace


I Pick You Silver Handcrafted Handstamped Personalized Loving Couple Necklace

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Inn at Christmas Place

Last year for my sister's birthday we took our Dad to visit family in Virginia.  On the way we stopped in Pigeon Forge so that my Christmas obsessed sister could stop at the Christmas Place.  If you're not familiar with this place, its a one stop wonderland of Christmas.  There's an entire store full of decorations of every shape, size, style, and theme.  Mrs. Claus' Candy Store.  A restaurant named the Patridge and the Pear where it seems like every dish on the menu has either pears, cranberries, or both.  And an entire hotel hosed down with the Christmas theme.





The lobby has the ginormous and gorgeous tree with Santas and poinsettias scattered around.





The Christmas suite with a balcony comes with holiday linens, wreaths everywhere, a fireplace, and your very own Christmas tree.




I think I may have mentioned the wreaths everywhere?


And I really did mean EVERYWHERE...



There's even a Glockenspiel in the second lobby. 




And if posing with the giant Santa isn't enough for that Christmasy feeling you can have a real Santa come and tuck you in at night (I said no thank you, hey you gotta draw the line somewhere).

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Some new jewelry and accessories for summer

I've been making new jewelry for the shows that I've been going to lately and I've finally gotten around to taking pictures.  I'd love to hear what you think about them...















Now I just need to find a model for some real life pictures.