Tribal Designs in the Shop

As I mentioned recently, I'm really loving the tribal trend that's popular lately! And I've been looking for ways to add this trend to my shop. I went on a creative streak and added 4 new tribal products to my shop. And even had to make some of these for myself!

Tribal Necklace (choose your chain length)

Tribal Dangle Earrings

 Tribal Post Earrings

Tribal Design Magnets

 And as some of you noticed, I wore my new necklace to the wedding last weekend :)

Are you liking the tribal trend?

Wooden Photo Pendants

I haven't been doing a good job with keeping up on blogging lately, but I have been busy behind the scenes. I've been working on new items, like the ornaments I shared on Monday, and these adorable photo pendants!

I carried photo pendants when I first started engraving and for some reason let them expire out of my shop. Thanks to the request from a fellow blogging friend, Sharla at Beaded Tail, I reintroduced these pendants this week. And I've upgraded to a new design and chain style.

I currently have the baby/person pendants available in my shop and will be adding pet pendants as well. Sharla had her beautiful Sadie engraved and I just love how she turned out!

Christmas is just around the corner and these little pendants make great gifts! Contact me for special shapes or sizes.

Triple Arrow Necklace

It's amazing when and where inspiration will strike. I love seeing things made from other materials and figuring out how I can make them from wood. I did just that recently while visiting the Bubby and Bean Blog. Melissa was wearing a beautiful necklace and I just knew it would look awesome made from wood.

 

During the design process, I ended up making 3 different designs in the triple arrow style. I started with a simple design, which I'm calling Plain. Then made one with lines to separate each arrow, which I'm calling Basic. And a third design with more detail, which I'm calling Tribal. I love how each one is the same basic design, but have such a different look.

I also love how Melissa gets out and models. (Isn't she cute!) But the rain has been keeping me inside and I wasn't able to get out and get any photos. So I tried using a house plant by a window. You're allowed to laugh at my attempt at modeling...lol! I just wanted to show how long the necklace hangs, so I guess I got that accomplished even if I look goofy in the process.

I got this new design listed in my shop last week and have a few other new designs I hope to list sometime soon. Things have been a little hectic, so I haven't gotten as many new items listed as I would like. Anyone want to volunteer to come take photos, edit photos and list new product for me :)

Finding Time to Play

I've been having a lot of fun lately learning new techniques and looking for new items and ideas to add to my shop. One thing I've been playing with is jewelry. So far I've just been making samples and keeping them for myself :)

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My challenge piece for the month of February was one of my first jewelry pieces...and it made me want to create more! I bought a few basic jewelry-making items like jump rings, chain and pliers and got my creative juices flowing.

This banner-style necklace was the next item I made. I thought it was fun and can be customized in so many ways! I've even thought of using hearts instead of triangle pendants.

I've seen other pieces similar to this made out of metal and stamped and I thought...why can't I make this out of wood! It took a few tries to get the circles the size I liked, but I love how it turned out! I thought I could make these in both a premade option as well as a made to order option.

And my next attempt is to make one out of colored acrylic!

I also made a pair of earrings to match one of my pendants. I like how the set looks together!

The only problem is, the jewelry category on Etsy is SO saturated! So I'm trying to decide if I should list these or sell them in sets or what. I'd love to take them to shows with me, but the friend I share a booth with makes jewelry, so I don't want to step on her toes too much either. But I sure am having fun coming up with new designs :)

Treasury Thanks

It's time again to thank the wonderful individuals who have added me to their lovely treasuries this week :) This might just be my favorite post to do each week! I love finding myself in treasuries...and I love returning the favor by featuring these curators here :)

~So help me in thanking them by stopping by the treasuries they curated as well as their shops!~

Karen of MysticWynd featured my Keepsake Box in her Skinamarinky Dinky Dink, Skinamarinky Doo treasury! I've noticed that a lot of people have been adding my wedding items to their favorites, and I think they should be adding this Beautiful Bracelet from Karen's shop as well! Wedding season is just around the corner!

And Linda of lindab142 featured my Personalized Wine Bottle Stopper in her Valentne's Day Gift Ideas treasury! I think Linda added this Beautiful Turquoise Necklace to her shop just for me! I love that it is simple and bold all at the same time!

Thank you ladies for featuring me this week :)

Cat Lovers Giveaway

Are you a cat lover? Or do you know someone that is? Then this is the GIVEAWAY for you!!!

Deb of StoryBeader is giving away not one, not two, but three awesome kitty items!!!

Necklace

Earrings

Beads to create with

See all the details and enter the giveaway HERE.

Good luck :)

Friday Features - Live~Laugh~Love

One of my favorite quotes/sayings is:

Live~Laugh~Love

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I've always loved this saying and have it adorning my home anywhere I can :) I'm particular that the wording be in this order for some reason and will only buy things that have the words this way. (OCD...Yup!) Luckily Etsy knows just what I like :)

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Today's finds are all about Live~Laugh~Love

Stamped Live Laugh Love Custom Silver Metal Thick Cuff Bracelet

by Serenitystorms

LIVE LAUGH LOVE- choose custom colors

by AppleBlossomPrint

Word Art Wood 3D Cutout 'Live, Laugh, Love' set

by mrcwoodproducts

Live Laugh Love Charm Necklace

by TheVintageChain

Making Connections

At a show I did earlier this Spring, I met a fellow Omaha Etsy Team member named Jenny who runs Black Magic Studio. Her shop is full of beautiful jewelry including beading, wire wrapping and silversmithing pieces. She saw my pendants and thought it would be fun to make a necklace out of one of them. I loved the idea and couldn't wait to see the results. She listed it in her shop this weekend: I love how it turned out! Who knew my simple engraved pendant could turn into such a beautiful work of art! I love the wood beads with the suede flowers...I think they complement each other nicely. And they all tie in well with the butterfly pendant. I hope this piece does well and Jenny and I can work together again. What connections have you made lately?

Giveaway Winner

I want to thank everyone who entered the Flip Flop Necklace Giveaway from Elegant Arts! And thanks again to Laure for offering such an awesome giveaway!!! Using random.org, #48 is our winner! Congrats to Square Kitties!!!

I will be emailing you for your mailing address so Laure can send your super cool necklace!!!

Thanks again!

What Matters Most

As I've mentioned in a couple of other posts, my grandparents are getting ready to move from their farm house into an apartment in town. The apartment will be significantly smaller and my grandparents have acquired quite a bit of stuff over the years. My grandma decided to have a garage sale, but she let us grandkids go through things first before she sold anything. My mom had mentioned a few things that she wanted to keep, so the other day I went to pick up her things so I can store them until they visit again. There was an old trunk sitting out and I asked what was in it. I'm no pirate, but this really was a treasure chest!!! In it were old cards, photos, letters, and other memorabilia my grandma had kept over the years! There were baby cards from when my mom was born! My grandma's wedding corsage was in there! And even my grandpa's old football uniform! What treasures indeed!!! Grandma wanted to keep some of the items, but here are the ones she let me have that day: (Grandpa's graduation photo, his high school diploma, his elementary diploma, his varsity letter and one of his military photos)

There were other items I could have taken that would have been nice, or might have been worth some money, but those things didn't matter to me. I took what mattered most...the memories!!!

P.S. - Don't forget to enter my necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Reorganizing...Yet Again

Organization must be a never-ending project! I think I reorganize my supplies and room at least 2-3 times a year! Back in January (yes, January!) I bought a new computer desk and shelf for my scrapbook room. I loved my old desk, but it was just too big and I needed more room for supplies instead. I bought the new desk and shelf thinking I would get it put up during a slow time...HA!

About a month ago, I finally decided that a slow time wasn't coming and I just needed to get it put up! The piles were starting to get bigger and I was forgetting where things were! Something had to be done!

Here's the new look:

I miss my old desk, but I love the new shelf! And with my new desk being smaller, clutter doesn't pile up as easily. There's nowhere for it to pile up, so it gets put away quicker :) And the new shelf holds my most used supplies, so I can just grab a tote and get to work!

How about you...do you ever feel like you're done organizing? Or is it a never-ending task for you too?

P.S. - Two days left to enter my necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Best Wishes

One of my recent Alchemy bids was for a unique and special guest book. The buyer really liked my Mr. & Mrs. Custom Wedding Name Guestbooks, but had a really long name. We worked together to come up with a great idea of using stickers on the outside of the album to add the Mr. & Mrs.

Another special part of this book is the sign-in area. Not only do guests leave their name, but they have plenty of room to write a special message to the new couple! I thought this was a great idea and will make the book even more special :)

It makes me smile every time I get to make an album for someone knowing it will hold a special place in their lives for a long time to come :)

P.S. - Don't forget to enter my beautiful necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Necklace GIVEAWAY and Artist Interview

Last week for my Friday Features, I featured this beautiful Flip Flop Necklace. Laure, the owner of Elegant Arts, thanked me for featuring her necklace and offered to do a giveaway for this necklace!!! How awesome is that!

I also interviewed Laure as I always love to hear the story behind Etsy shops and get to know the artist behind the work better :) Here's what Laure had to say: 1. How did you get started making jewelry?

I started collecting gemstone beads before I even made my first piece of jewelry…I did a lot of international traveling in my 20s and my souvenirs were always beads – some I still work with today – now in my 40s…I was afraid to make anything with them until I learned that you can always transform something you made previously to a new piece if you ever fall out of love with it…I took a few jewelry classes at local bead shops to learn the basics and then had my first trip to the Tucson Gem Show where I was able to take classes from renowned wire artists…I also saw all the beautiful stones available worldwide…I made some vendor connections there that I still enjoy today and I try to venture to Tucson every other year or so…

2. Do you do any other crafts?

I love learning new crafts but I admit I am hooked on jewelry…Occasionally, I enjoy making silk flower arrangements for friends and for personal use…I love combining unusual colors together – changing up the scale and the look of arrangements and wreaths for the various seasons…

3. What is your favorite part of jewelry making?

Spreading it around…I love giving jewelry as gifts and I enjoy hearing the feedback from customers who purchase my pieces…I want people to be happy with their purchase and I will do just about anything to make sure that happens…

(We're sure glad she likes sharing!)

4. Where do you find your inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration comes from fashion...the overall fashion trends may inspire a tendency towards longer necklaces or chunkier bracelets and chandelier earrings… some fashion/costume jewelry that I see inspires me to put together something similar but with my classic spin…I try to make pieces that are timeless…

5. Do you sell on any other venues?

I have a lovely shop at 1000 Markets…I find this venue the most visually attractive…here is the link:http://www.1000markets.com/shops/elegantarts

6. Do you have a blog, facebook, twitter, etc? Share your links with us.

I have a blog that I confess, I don’t keep up to date on 1000 Markets but here it is:http://www.1000markets.com/users/elegantarts/blog_posts

I have a Facebook Page with no fans…I am just learning how to do a business page so this needs work.

And I have a Twitter account with no followers …I need to make the time to get these accounts in full swing but I’d rather make jewelry!!!

7. What is your best business tip for my readers?

As a shopper myself and a seller too, customer service is sooooooo important…treat all your customers like they are special and you may just set yourself apart in this challenging economic environment…some may notice you “went the extra mile” and some may not but you will be proud of the service you have provided and the care you gave to their purchase…

8. What is your favorite piece in your shop right now?

This is a tough question…my pieces have so many personalities and my favorites change by the hour!!! I am a BIG fan of summer and this piece is a recent design that I think “speaks” SUMMER…It is an easy Go To piece that will go with just about anything you put on…I love the colors and the smooth surface of the Amazonite pendant…not to mention the not-so-subtle message to Follow Your Bliss…life is short…make each day count…

Now onto the GIVEAWAY!!!

To enter:

*Mandatory: Visit Elegant Arts and leave me a comment telling me your favorite item.

*Optional: For a second entry, become a follower of my blog. Then leave a comment telling me you're a follower. Current followers please leave a comment as well.

*Include your email address in your comments. (Feel free to type out the "at" and "dot" to avoid spammers getting your email!)

*Contest ends Wednesday August 11, 2010 and the winner will be announced on my blog August 12th.

*Winner will be chosen using random.org

*Contest is open world wide. I will email the address of the winning entrant and Laure will ship the necklace directly.

Thanks for stopping and have an awesome day!!!

Thanks so much Laure :)

Countdown

In exactly one month I leave for vacation!!! I might be starting my countdown a little early, but I love having something fun to look forward too :)

Collage by scatterbox

Jesse and I are going to Southern Missouri to see my parents property where they will retire someday. Right now it's just a piece of land, but I'm excited to see the area and be on the lake! I can't wait for them to be down there full time! They'll be a few hours closer, no Chicago traffic, and they won't have the Michigan winters anymore!

How about you...any vacations coming up? It's never too early to start your countdown :)

P.S. - Stop back on Thursday for a necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

I ♥ This Album

Customer inspiration has struck again! The last Wedding Date Album I made, I used backslashes in between the dates. But this time I was asked to use hearts.

How seriously awesome did this album turn out!

I love it when the customer and I work together to make the perfect album...and this one was a great success :) Thanks Sharla!

P.S. - Stop by on Thursday for a necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Craft Show Dangers!!!

I told you how successful my show was this weekend, but I didn't warn you about how dangerous they can be! Dangerous to your checkbook that is!!! When you're surrounded by awesome artists and crafters...one can be in trouble! And when you have an awesome jewelry maker in your own booth...I guess I was just asking for trouble!

I had bought some beads the other day that I wanted made into a necklace. And since there were plenty of beads, I thought why not get a matching pair of earrings out of them. I was going to attempt this by myself, but knew I didn't have the time for a new and addicting hobby right now. And I knew Dawn would do an awesome job.

I gave her the beads and went to browse around the rest of the booths. When I came back, she was even working on a ring for me!!! How awesome is this ring!!! I love all the colors and the fun, one-of-a-kind look of this!!!

I'm sure I'll be showing you lots of her work in the near future. I gave her some other beads that I want used in some other pieces and can't wait to see them!!!

Dawn is also working on getting an Etsy shop up and running. With 3 kids who are involved in tons of activities, she stays super busy! But look for great things to come :)

And just be aware next time you're at a craft show...danger can be lurking in every corner :)

Silver Elegance

And the winnings keep rolling in!!! Yup...I won another blog giveaway!!!

This time the giveaway was hosted at JOT Giveaways with Beads Story providing the awesome prize! I was able to choose my favorite item from her shop and I chose this lovely Elegance Necklace in Silver!

I love that it can be worn with so many things! The color and design make it great for the day or a night on the town!

Choosing just one item was super hard! Stop by Beads Story and you'll know what I mean! Her designs are absolutely beautiful!

Thanks Anca for the lovely necklace :)

Friday Features-Tax Break

My friend Sharla at BeadedTail is an awesome jewelry designer as well as a CPA. Her cats, Isabella and Angel, seem to think this means Cats Personal Assistant :)

During the last few months, Sharla has been working her tail off (no pun intended...LOL) and we at the EtsyBloggers have been missing her around the forums. So in honor of the passing of April 15th...I give you Friday Features from BeadedTail :)

Touch of the Desert - Turquoise Beaded Sterling Silver Earrings

Fusion - Purple Pearlescent and Dichroic Glass Beaded Sterling Silver Earrings

Summertime - Pink Polymer Clay Flowers and Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings

In the Pink - Rose Quartz and Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Necklace THINK PINK

So glad to have you back Sharla :)

Some Girls Have All The Luck

And lately it's been me!!! Well...with blog giveaways anyway :)

Yup...I won another one!

This time it was a $25 gift certificate to Future Heirloom Designs!!! I love gift certificates because then you get to choose your prize! I chose this lovely Blue Acrylic Cabochon Gunmetal Adjustable Ring!

And of course I have to show you her packaging :) This is always a biggie for me...the presentation. And this one is great :)

I also recently received a $20 credit to NextDirect for voting for their next model. I am fairly happy with the necklace I chose, but wouldn't be had I paid full price. One of the yarn wrapped beads is already coming undone. And the package had a huge tear in it that the box the necklace was in could have easily fallen out of!

This is why I always show how lovely Etsians package their items :) It shows that small businesses take the extra step to make sure each detail is seen to. And the extras they add aren't too bad either :) I received a 15% off coupon for my next purchase with Future Heirloom Designs...now that's customer service!