I'm a Winner!

I always knew I was but now I have confirmation!

Seriously, not that full of myself. But, I am a winner. I won A trinket treasury's giveaway during Vanessa's Halloween Party. I got my prize or should I say prizes over the weekend.

I literally went out in the wind and rain to get my package. This is how excited I get to something in the mail especially when it's a surprise. Do you think it's a little pathetic? Maybe just a smidgen, huh? I was excited okay. I couldn't help myself.

I was not disappointed. This was the first thing I pulled out, and I have to admit was really hoping I would get...

Then what could be in this cute little box she made...

These adorable ornaments that I know just what to do with next year...

This one is my favorite. He may be my new bff...

OMG! How fantastic is this! I can't not wait to build him the perfect little house...

These are fantastic and may make it into some jewelry shots next Halloween...

Finally, there was an Inchie kit. It is a sweet little set to make Halloween collages...

There was more but my thievin' kid ran off with them. Doesn't she know these are my goodies?! Just kidding. We plan on making collages next weekend together. Good thing I have the pics I want set aside.

I also won Get the Bean's giveaway. I haven't gotten that yet, but I'm really looking forward to getting my pound of coffee. I'm such the coffee lover. Guess which flavor from Get the Bean I'm getting?

Featured

I have discovered a new show on Fit tv for my exercising journey. It's just perfect, too, since my ankle is still too sensitive to do the workouts I would normally do. It's called Shimmy, and it's about bellydancing. I discovered it quite accidentally, but I'm glad I did because it's fun. I think I'm going to start recording the episodes so I can do them at night after Steve has left. This way I will only get minimal smirks from K who no longer questions what I do. She just assumes her mother is weird all the time.

Today I have a couple features of Etsy artists. I haven't done one of these in a while. Most of the features I do are from people I have either traded with or bought from, just so you know. My first feature is of the shop, erinandjanet. They are an amazing shop filled with beautiful photography. I like to highlight photographers from Etsy because I don't think they get the accolades they should. I traded for the Dead Tree photograph and the Broken Railway one:

I noticed they have lots of new pieces in their shop like In the Pines. Love that one. You can get your photograph in most any size and with a white border if you choose to do so. Janet is just fabulous to work with. A very lovely person.

Another lovely person I have traded recently with is ezrascousin. Such a talent and just the nicest person! I love her shop and her capelets though I'm not quite small enough to wear one. If you are into a vintage look, hers is the shop. Her crochet work is just amazing! I love the two pieces I got. One is a cloche-style hat and the other is a scarflette. I really wanted a capelette, but as I said before, I'm a big German girl. Go check her out!

Off to work on more photos for the shop and actually make something new today. Until tomorrow, my lovelies!

Just another day

How are you this fine autumn morning? Well, it's not really fine. It's actually cloudy and very dreary out and more like spring than fall, but I can pretend it's a nice day.

Hope you're weekend was better than mine. It was just hell on wheels. Probably not quite that bad, but it seemed like it. Thanksgiving wasn't even what it used to be.

Who's decorated for Christmas all ready? I have this dire urge to decorate. I've had this urge for a month now. Here's the problem. Can't get to my Christmas decorations because someone took it upon himself to clean the tiny room where they are stored and hasn't finished yet. Oh, did I mention it's been three days? I went out this morning and dug some of my outdoor decorations out of his nasty old shop. I can't find the rest. He'll have to find them because I WANT to decorate!

Had a sale over the weekend so I was able to meet my monthly goals. Maybe this little bauble in the pic will push me over the top. Gotta love this necklace. Sterling silver circles and beautiful blue chalcedony beads. I just adore it, and it can be found in my shop.

What I Want and a Little Rant

I have spent the last two days working on my photos because someone told me that they weren't good enough, and no, not Trunkt. I all ready know that my pieces do not match their style though they are a lovely site. I loved my pics before, but like I said last time, I've always wanted to use that fancy black background that you see in all the books. Let me know what you think of this pic. These are my Sterling and Bronze Cascading Earrings that can be found in my shop.

So, the whole pics not good enough thing made me realize as a designer who specializes in uncommon jewelry metals that I have to have everything else, i.e. pics, descriptions, style, better than everyone else because it isn't always going to be the metal that sells the product. I'm determined to have the most awesome pics, the most awesome packaging(which I'll have to show a pic of sometime), and the most awesome everything else. I have to for my business to survive. I want my business and my jewelry to be KNOWN(not yelling just emphasis). I love each and every piece I create or else I couldn't put them in my shop. I want them to be craved, wanted, and desired. Is that so much to ask for? It's a shame copper gets such a bad rap.

On a side note, I am no longer a garden serial killer. I picked my first cantaloupe from my garden yesterday, and my largest pepper is almost ready. I'll have to remember to take a pic before I eat them. lol. Can I just say how proud of myself I am? It's the little things in life...

Mod Has It

I swear I'm going to do better at blogging. At least, it has only been a week since my last update. lol.

Got two new earrings to show you. These are my mod squad earrings. Both have been constructed from hammered copper wire and soldered together. They both have the same basic design but use different shapes. One pair has retro white plastic flower beads, and the other has retro baby blue plastic flower beads. I so enjoy these. They weren't hard to make, there isn't much to them, but they are just so much fun. Both can be found in my shop.

Nothing much going on around here. Need rain so if any of you are getting any send it this way. Last I heard we were 7.5" below average or something like that. I have also decided that I am very ready for school to start. I like staying up late, but I'm not at all on any kind of schedule. This is bad for me as I need schedules to survive. Oh, and I'm creating my own website which is taking a while but is going to beautiful when it's done. Well, tomorrow perhaps there will be an edition of Home Improvement Roundup.

Finally

It has been such a long time since my last blog post. I do apologize. It seems the summer is not a great time for keeping up with things, and that there is more to do now than before.

I have so many new things in my shop. In fact, I even accomplished an enamel piece for the challenge last week. I am quite proud of it. The challenge was to create something from your favorite decade. I chose the Art Deco period. The neckpiece/choker was created from copper wire and specially cut copper pieces. I enameled every other copper piece in red and black for just that special touch, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

The earrings in the picture are my latest. I actually became inspired by a pair of headlights that I saw in the latest car show that showcased the upcoming models. I created them from copper sheet that was wirebrushed and highly polished. I really like the satiny texture it gives. A "strand" of turquoise nuggets runs down the center. They and my Art Deco piece can be found in my shop.

Other than that, not much going on. House is working on falling down, broke my toe, made a garden pond, still painting my mother's house. Basically, just a relaxing summer.

An Apology and Something New

My apologies for not keeping up with my blogging as well as I should. I thought summer vacation was when you were supposed to take it easy. I haven't even been making all that much for my shop.

The CREST trunk show is drawing near. I'm both excited and a little scared. It's very cool going to the Labs to have a quick peek around, but I have never been away from home without at least a friend. I feel like a little kid. lol. You can check out what the Labs say about the trunk show here. There seems to be a discrepancy in the time, but what can you do?

By now you are probably wondering about the earrings in the picture. These are my brand new earrings created for the challenge. This week's challenge was to create something inspired by the wedding of the princess of Brunei. THere were lots of great pics to get inspired by, but for some reason, these were what called to me. They are soldered spheres with garnet rondelles at the top and bottom. More garnets hang from the inside of the sphere. They can be found in my shop.

It's here and other things

It's here! It's finally here! Today is the last day of school for K. No more getting up so early. No more having to here whining and complaining. Hooray! I thought this day would never come. It's a shame it only lasts until September.

I had a terrific weekend. How was yours? I went to some auctions and got a few things that I wanted/needed. Added a new elephant to the collection, got a table for my "sunroom" when it's finished, a new coffeetable, a whole bunch of plants for my yard, and a really beautiful crystal/glass clock that I paid next to nothing for. The topper is the absolutely gigantic potato vine that I got. I love it. It's going to look beautiful hanging in my yard.

As I said last week, I will be relisting a few things as they expire on Etsy. Today it happens to be the hammered oval chain that you see in the pic. I really like how soft yet chunky this chain is, and it is what a few of us call a booby tickler. lol. This is because if you wear a semi low-cut shirt it will drift inbetween the girls and probably get lost if you are like I am. It's a great everyday chain or could be dressed up for the evening out. That's what I like about chains. It can be found in my shop.

WooHoo!

Boy, it's been a long week, and I am so thankful that the weekend is finally here.

I hinted at a surprise a couple of days ago(I got sidetracked). Well, now to unveil my big news. We closed on our house on Tuesday so now it not only is officially ours, but now it officially has a mortgage. Only a ten year mortgage because we bought the place so cheaply, but it is still ours. Now if I want to take out a wall, I will have no problem with it. So, in light of my big news, I'm going to have a sale in my shop through the weekend. Get everything 25% off when you, my lovely blog readers, mention "House07".

You may have noticed that bright and shiny new cuff in the picture. That is my challenge item for this week. This week's challenge was to create something inspired by your first job. My first job happened to be a cashier at a local mom and pop grocery store, and every spring we would sell flowers. So, I created this copper cuff with three handcrafted copper flowers. There is a very light patina on the flowers to give them a more antique feel. I really love how it turned out. It reminds me of a corsage. It can be found in my shop and is called In Bloom.

Have a great weekend everyone, and stay safe! Now I'm going to go take a nap.

Summer All Year

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I've had my glass of milk, and I'm ready, well almost, to get the day started.

I am so excited. I decided to look up some summer art programs for K this morning and happened upon a silversmithing class in my area. How exciting! This is the first I have heard of this class, and I've searched far and wide for a class. I would really love to take this class, and K would love to take her class. So, now the key is to find out how to afford both classes which were actually cheaper than I thought they would be.

Here's that ring I told you about. It's rather cute, don't you think? I love the width of it, and the carved flower really sets the copper flower off. Plus, since it is a cuff ring, almost anyone could wear this comfortably. It really is like wearing summer all year. It can be found in my shop.

Come back tomorrow because if all goes well I may have a little surprise for you. Wink, wink.

The weekend, collections, and a jaguar

Oh, boy, what a long weekend! I hope everyone had an enjoyable one.

Saturday I actually got to go yard saling. I love to go to yard sales. We went all over the countryside. Of course, I didn't find anything but one little elephant planter. K and Steve found a computer, ionizer thingy, and toys. They had the car jampacked, but alas, none of it was for me. Just once I would like to have a day where they find little, and I find everything. lol. Sunday it just rained. Rained all day. Blech!

So, this week I will be relisting a few things in my shop. Today it happens to be my jaguar bracelet. It happens to be one of my first pieces of my special sterling silver filigree. I really love that smokey quartz jaguar. He's really very pretty.

Okay. Here's the idea I stole from Debbie over at Craftymoose. Well, not really since she said to do it in her blog post. Collections. What do you collect? Let's see.

1.Elephants. By far my biggest collection. I love elephants. Trunks up or trunks down. Doesn't matter. You can see a few of them in my pics. A very few. At last count, I had almost 200, and I've added a few since then. Most of them are small or on the verge of being tiny.
2. Horses. I have collected horses since I was a child, but I have become very picky as to what horses I collect now.
3. Paint. Yes, paint. It's a very weird addiction that I cannot stop. I buy paint, like wall paint, all the time. I'm very weird.
4. Mirrors. I didn't even realize that I collected mirrors until I started doing this list. Another of my idiosyncrasies. I really believe that it is because I have never lived anywhere that had enough mirrors. Not that I like to look at myself all the time, but it would be nice to at least see if I just look horrible before I go out.

Creativeversary

This week was the Creativeversary for the Creative Challenge. A full year of challenges. So, I decided to revisit the first challenge that I ever posted- black and white. It was a little challenging back then and it is still challenging now. Black and white can be so elegant yet it can be tacky if not used in the right way.

Luckily, I had just the most perfect cabochon from Willow Glass. I fell in love with this cab when I first saw it and have been holding it for just the right project. From day one of the challenge, I knew what I wanted to do, but that proved easier than actually accomplishing it. With my new found skill of soldering, I created a bezel for the cab and attached it to the cuff. I added a little chain around the cab to give it a vintage look. The cuff itself has a nice texture to it. Seems I like texture more than shiny. All in all, I think I like it. lol. It looks better on than it does just sitting there. It can be found in my shop.

I didn't get to finish the ring I was talking about, but it will be finished soon so check back. I really like it, and it isn't even all together yet. Plus, I had a sudden moment of inspiration for another piece that I hope I will be able to make they way I see it. Oh, and I plan to go on a yard sale trip this weekend. Hope I find lots of interesting stuff. Check back next week for all that and more. lol.

A rescue and new piece

One day closer to school being out! That is what I keep telling myself when I am tired of getting up in the morning. That's what I keep telling K too.

Well, yesterday I went to paint my mother's house and discovered my brother had rescued a turtle from the backyard. Of course, being my brother, he just put it on the porch. I offered to take him to the woods since I live in the middle of nowhere. So, K and I walked him into the woods near the river. It was so cute. I wish I had had my camera. You could almost see him jumping up and down. When I last saw him, he was heading deeper in the woods. Farewell, dear turtle!

That story actually goes well with my newest piece. A brand new hammered copper cuff with leaf cutouts is currently available in my store. I am pleasantly surprised the leaves turned out looking like leaves. lol. I am always amazed when things look like how I wanted them to look. The light hammering gave this cuff the little extra specialness I was looking for. Stop by and check it, as well as my other pieces, because they could all use a little love.
Until tomorrow...

The Long Weekend

Hope everyone had a marvelous Memorial Day weekend! I spent the weekend working and watching the Jaws marathon and the Miss Universe pageant. Very exciting stuff. lol.

The Miss Universe pageant. I love the costumes. It's like everywhere is Las Vegas. Some of the girls need to work on their costumes next year like Miss USA who dressed up like Elvis. Don't get me wrong I love Elvis, but I just don't know if he has a place at the Miss Universe pageant. And, what's up with the judges?! There were like 3 judges out of 10 who actually knew anything about fashion or otherwise. Other than that and Miss Brazil flaunting her busom, it was a marvelous pageant. I about fell out of my chair when Miss USA fell, but she did a great job shrugging it off. The evening gowns left something to be desired. Personally, I think Miss India's was the best. I really loved it. Now to wait for the Miss America pageant. We should think of a pageant to have between the Miss Universe and Miss America pageant because the wait is just too long.

As I said, I was hard at work this weekend. The necklace you see pictured is one of those pieces I worked on. It is one of my collar necklaces but with a little twist. Brushed copper leaves dangle from hammered copper wire that is wirewrapped to the collar base. It is designed to be a stiff necklace, which I think most people don't like, but I think is needed sometimes in the jewelry world. The hook clasp is attached with a couple of large copper links. It can be found in my shop.

Own a Galaxy

Running a bit behind this morning because my computer wants to be stupid. Yes, it really is the computer being stupid. lol.

Check out my new bracelet. LOVE it! Sorry I'm yelling, but I can't help it. I adore it. This is probably my most favorite bracelet I've made in a while. It is a bangle so this first one is pretty limited in who can wear it, but the great part is that I can make more. It is a soldered copper wire bangle with dainty iolite rondelles strategically placed along the wires. It's like owning your own galaxy with all the little moons and planets. Really truly adore this one. I think I might make another one in garnet and maybe some earrings if I can do it. It is available in my shop.

I had the most fabulous review written about me yesterday. Beadinggem has a blog called The Beading Gem's Journal. She found me on mybloglog and asked if she could do a review. Of course I said yes. It is short and sweet and really very flattering. So go check out her blog. She has lots more reviews on there for you to read as well.

Oh, and I just realized this is my 100th blog post on blogger! Hooray for me! Let's hope there are lots more interesting posts.

New Pieces

Well, there's a new American Idol and somehow I just don't care. Why is it that they make such a big deal about it? Btw, I boycotted American Idol when they kicked Melinda off. Now, let's see some jewelry because I really just don't have anything else to say. lol.

I've got a couple of pieces to show you this morning since I couldn't do my blog post yesterday because somebody lost my notepad from my computer. The first is my newest pair of earrings. I've been wanting to make something like these for a while now, and I just decided that now was the time. The blossoms earrings are constructed out of two separate pieces of copper sheet and bent into the blooming position. Copper chains dangle labradorite and moonstone briolettes. I love the contrast of the moonstone and labradorite even though the labradorite I had not planned on using. When I first started making these, I thought they were just going to be horrible, but they turned out better than expected albeit not according to design. In fact, I rather like them. I keep shaking them when I walk by where they are displayed.


My next piece shown is my Creative Challenge piece for the week. I am quite proud of this necklace even if it looks somewhat simple. The challenge for this week was to create something inspired by your high school experience. I chose to use my Geometry class as inspiration as it was the only Math class that I got higher than a D in. In fact, I actually scraped out an A one quarter. lol. The large square links are formed from copper, hammered, and soldered into place. Yes, I actually soldered it all by myself. You may find this amazing, but I just can't seem to solder. Perhaps that has changed. I added a couple of double links to give it a little more character. It's very chunky, but lots of fun to wear. I wish I had a model because this is one of those necklaces that could benefit from being shown on a model.

Both pieces are currently available in my shop so check them out. Until next time, my lovely readers...

Off to a Running Start

Yes, I am here. Yes, I am still alive! I have felt so disconnected lately.

Turns out that the residential side of DSL(at least in our area) has no idea what they are doing. The business side of DSL even said so. So, now we have business DSL, and it appears to be working well. Plus, we got it for the same price as our other DSL because it seems for 3 years we were paying for a connection that we never received. I like kickbacks! It feels good to be back on the internet.

I'm glad I had the break though because we started the remodel on my new studio space. Even with only new studs and sheathing in place, I am all ready in love and itching to move in. lol.

How do you like my new piece? This necklace was created to match my evolution earrings. I call it the Venus necklace. The three chains are soft and supple, and I love the look of them around the neck. The moonstone briolette centerpiece has the most beautiful blue flash of color. It can be found in my shop along with the matching earrings.

Boy, that post was all over the place. I do apologize. Hopefully, I will get more into the swing of things over the next couple of days.

Solitary

So sorry I have been gone so long. I hate when "real" life gets in the way. Why can't I just be left alone in my little room with only Etsy and my jewelry? lol.

Well, I'm on time for the Creative Challenge this week. Yay! This week's challenge was to create something using your favorite card game as inspiration. I know this is similar to the board game challenge so it is a good thing that we have changed a few regulars since then. This bracelet(the one in the picture) is my contribution. It was inspired by the Solitaire game. I could sit for hours on end playing solitaire, and I don't cheat- I swear. I don't even cheat on my computer version. Anyway, this charm-style bracelet is encircled by mini copper "diamonds" and has been highly polished and has been finished with a dainty figure 8 clasp. I really enjoy this piece, but then again, I love pieces with movement. With the clasp, it measures 7.25" long. It is available in my shop.

Get this. The Crest Street Team(the one for Maryland, Virginia, and DC) has been invited to do a trunk show at the EtsyLabs. How very exciting! Plus, I'm on the list, which was first come first serve so you don't think I'm extra special or anything) to go. Yay! I'm kind of curious to see what the labs are like. I've never done a trunk show before or actually been anywhere without someone I know. I hope I don't chicken out. lol. It should be interesting to say the least. No travel plans have been discussed as of yet so I have no idea how this will work. Knowing me and my luck, I will be on my own to get there since the rest of the team all lives on the western shore which is approximately 2-3 hours away. I will get there. Oh, yes, I will get there. Now I'm off to raise money for my trip by selling my little heart out and painting my mom's room. See you tomorrow!

Hercule's Mustache

It's Friday. Finally. I figured I would let you know in case you forgot.(Yeah, right.)

Today I'm off to paint my mother's house. Well, not really the house. Just the Large hall, up the staircase, and the second floor. This includes all the trim and the bannisters. Oh, did I forget to mention she has like 12 foot ceilings. Yeah, this should be fun. She figures I'm cheaper than a "real" painter. Guess I am, but I wish I wasn't. lol.

Finally finished my challenge piece for this week. It was actually pretty easy once I thought of a book. Oh, did I forget to say this week's challenge was to use your favorite book as inspiration? I have always loved Agatha Christie's book. She was the queen of mystery. Still is as far as I'm concerned. My favorite character of hers is Hercule Poirot. I thought about doing the little known husband and wife team, whose name I can never remember, but I really prefer Hercule and his little grey cells. The collar necklace in the picture is what came of my inspiration- his mustache. If you look, you can see the swirly mustache he was famous for in the design. I added a beautiful labradorite briolette for fun and to give it a little flair. I think it is fun and elegant. Plus, who would ever suspect that your necklace is actually Hercule's mustache in disguise? lol. Is that maybe a little disgusting?! Anyway, it can be found in my shop in just a short while.

My Ramblings

I have no idea what to write about today so forgive me if this gets a little rambly.

Home Improvement Roundup will continue next week as I have kind of gotten of my schedule. Plus, I have these lovely new earrings to show you. I made the match to my ring I showed you yesterday. I'm afraid that they will be a little hefty for most people, but the first ones should always be how I saw them to be. I will, of course, be offering to make a smaller pair if need be. I think they are just perfect. I held them up to my ears, and other than elbows sticking out of my head, they looked great. Just how I imagined them to be. They will be available in my shop later today.

I have decided to do a jewelry grant contest. Because of this, I have to create a business plan and a new line. I figure even if I don't actually do/win the grant contest I will at least have the business plan. It should be interesting. I have not written a paper like that since high school. I don't even know if I remember how. Plus, having to come up with at least 5 coherent new pieces will be a challenge or maybe that will be the least of the challenge. Either way, wish me luck!
Oh, and don't forget to stop by and wish Stilettoheights good luck as she is going to a show at the "zombie mall" this weekend.