I was honored when I discovered this post

I discovered a post on MagdaleneJewels blog today. It was titled "My Favorites for the End of the Year". She displays an Etsy mini with 10 items she has chosen as end of the year favorites. My 34 inch Fall colors beaded necklace was one of the ten! What a nice surprise that was for me! Pamela Baker of MagdaleneJewels has some lovely jewelry in her Etsy shop. So, I am very honored that she chosen one of my items to be in her ten favorites. I wasn't aware of her post and just happened upon it when I was blog browsing. I absolutely love discovering new blogs. I find some of the most unexpected things. :)

So, I want to add that I'm still running the "After Christmas Sale" and everything in my shop is half off. That includes one of MagdaleneJewels's end of the year favorites, my 34 inch Fall beaded necklace.

Thanks so much MagdaleneJewels! You made my day!

Stumble It!

Owl Necklace

I finally have a few photos of my newest project which includes some "upcycled" beads. In my last post I talked about this necklace and how I had taken beads from two different stretch bracelets and added them to this piece. I was pleased with the outcome. :)

The necklace is composed of mainly new pieces, except for the large beads. Those beads have a nice smooth satin finish and a randomly marbled color. The owl pendant was the inspiration for the design. I've seen so many owl items lately. I just had to make one. :)

Sorry I didn't get a good full length picture of the necklace. I really need a display for necklaces. I have looked, but I never bought one. :( That needs to go on the top of my to do list.

I would love to know what you think. Feel free to leave me a comment! :)

Going Green?

I've been debating this for a while. I know some people who shop on Etsy appreciate recycling efforts. I think most of those people are artists themselves. But...there are others who don't care for spending their money on something they feel is used or even a part of it used. I guess they feel like they aren't getting their money's worth. It is sad that people don't see the purchase as support for other's efforts to help save the earth. That should be a big motivating factor when people are deciding on a purchase.

I have recently been working on some jewelry that includes "upcycled" items. It has been so much fun watching the transformation. I just recently finished a necklace that includes bead from two different bracelets. The necklace is mainly composed of new items though. This was really an experiment for me. But it was great to be able to take two simple beaded stretch bracelets and use those beads to make this lovely necklace. I am really bad about not taking photos of my work. I hate that part. Hopefully I will be able to give you guys a preview soon though.

Just so you have an idea, the necklace is made with the upcycled resin beads from the bracelets, new glass beads, silver metal spacers and an epoxy and silver metal owl pendant. I didn't really understand the fascination with owls lately. But now they're growing on me. :)

I'm going to leave you with links to a few Etsy shops who concentrate on recycling and upcycling in their own unique ways. Hope you check them out and let me know what you think. :D

BeachGlassMemories
Twisted
Greenbelts
EcoStar

Christmas Smiles

If you have a lady to buy for this Holiday season then you have got to check out this Gift Guide on the Southeastern US Team Shops blog!

Amber Leilani who is a fabulous jewelry artists herself, has picked five outstanding pieces from fellow Etsy artists in the Southeastern United States. If you like shopping local, but don't like the mall, Etsy is the place to find simply amazing handmade items. You can even search for items from local artists. Etsy has everything you can imagine! You can even find items from the Southeastern US Team right from their blog.

Amber's jewelry picks are outstanding! I'll say it again, I couldn't pick just one!

Visit the SEUS Shops Jewelry Gift Guide

A Pendant I must share

Swarovski Round Rainbow Pendant - Glamour Collection

I hope you find this pendant as beautiful as I did. I found this at dicopebisuteria's shop on Etsy (of course) and I had to share it with you. This is so unique. I guess that is why I love it so much. It is part of her Glamour Colletion. While reading her shop profile I learned that the artists is Diana Costa from Barcelona, Spain and she is a fashion designer. She says that she loves to make jewelry and I can definitely see that love in her work.

You can see more of her items in her shop on Etsy and on her Flickr Photostream.

But, before you leave me and head on over to her shop and her Flickr photostream, let me share one more unique pendant I found in her shop. This one grabbed my attention at the last minute.

Black and White Triangle Pendant

I received an award - Actually, my blog did :D

This is such an honor. My blog received the Uber Amazing Blog award from Nina at http://NinasWindow.blogspot.com.


Thanks so much Nina! You are uber sweet! Here is the information Nina listed about the award.

Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites that:
* inspire you
* makes you smile and laugh
* or maybe gives amazing information
* is a great read
* has an amazing design
* and any other reason you can think of that makes it uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:
* Put the logo on your blog or post (check)
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that, for you, are Uber Amazing!(check)
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.(going to do that now)
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from. (check)

My blog choices are:
1 - http://sochicandvintage.blogspot.com/
2 - http://livngoodjewelry.blogspot.com/
3 - http://katiesuecrafts.blogspot.com/
4 - http://funkytimeart.blogspot.com/
5 - http://claireeyedesign.blogspot.com/

We'll be doing a Gift Guide :D

The SEUS Street Team has decided to organize a little gift guide project to post on our team shops blog. This should be lots of fun. I love window shopping! Who doesn't? Well, I guess that would have to be my husband, for one. ;)

I'll keep you all updated on our progress with getting this set up. It will be great to see the collections of Southeastern Etsy talent that our members dig up! So Stay Tuned!

Southeastern US Etsy Street Team
SEUS Team Shops Blog

Newest Networking opportunity for Indie Artists in the Southeast U.S.

The economy has been so unstable lately that it seems like we are all suffering. So I decided to start this Ning network to help get a few more eyes on our handmade items. Because I don't know an Indie artist who doesn't like to buy handmade. Do you?

Come join the newest Ning network for Southeastern U.S. Indie artists. This is a great place to meet sellers and buyers of handmade goods in the Southeastern United States! Come network with people from Etsy, SilkFair, and others. Southeast sellers with their own online shops are also welcome and encouraged to come out and join us.

View my page on Southeast U.S. Indie

Everyone is Going Pink!

I got a message today from one of my fellow SEUS Etsy Team members, ClaireeyeDesign, saying she added my Pink Peony photo card to her newest Etsy Treasury. So, here it is. It's all Pink and oh so pretty!!!


This fits right in with our October promotion. Visit the SEUS teams shop blog and check it out.

Handmade for the Cure

The SEUS Etsy Street Team is promoting Breast Cancer awareness month in October. Until the end of the month, select shops will have a special section designated for this charitable cause. The shops will donate a percentage of each sale from this section to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, to help promote breast cancer education and research.

Visit our SEUS Team Shops blog for a list of participating Etsy shops. Please go out to the shops and have a look around and help us support this great cause!

Favorite Schmavorite - All Under $10!!

Ok, I couldn't believe it when I saw the subtitle of this SEUS Team treasury! All these items are under 10 bucks!!! And they are so cute! Check out the treasury and the shops. If you don't, you might miss out on some great deals. Maybe even a Christmas gift or two.

Favorite Schmavorite - All under $10!!

Here Kitty Kitty!

Bad Cat Jewelry invited me and Miss Lizzy to join in the cutest idea for a treasury. She and another Etsian had the idea to feature shops with cat in the name. Sounds like there are lots out there in Etsyland. I had no idea!

So here it is. My Lizzy is representing TopCat Creations at http://thetopcat.etsy.com. We are on the bottom right side. Go out and give us and click, along with all the other kitties!

Etsy is so much fun!

The Cats of Etsy on Treasury West

3 Little Monkeys

No, I'm not posting about monkeys today. Actually, 3 Little Monkeys is the name of an Etsy shop belonging to one of my SEUS teammates, LilSouthernGirl, or Michelle. She has the cutest kids items. Bows, bibs and tutus, and so much more!

Michelle is the Mom of three. That is where her shop name came from. Her nickname for them, her 3 little monkeys. She loves to make kids items. Her love of making children's items came in handy when she wanted to bring in income to help her family and also be able to stay at home with her children, who have special needs. LilSouthernGirl's 3 Little Monkeys shop has been open on Etsy for about five months. And Michelle does craft fairs and flea market sales around MS. Just recently she was in Tupelo.

Here are a few of my favorites from her shop.

Of course, what girl wouldn't love a tutu dress!?


The little piggies were calling out to me. Oink, oink!

My most recent favorites are these cute flannel bibs. The cupcakes look yummy too. Oh, and she will also monogram it for you.

She has so many adorable items that I could go on. But why don't you visit LilSouthernGirl's 3 Little Monkey's shop on Etsy and see for yourself. She has a weekly special and frequently has other promotions and sales. This week her special is her very popular "add-a-bow" nylon band. They look comfy!

Etsy, etsy, etsy...

Here is a very cool video about Etsy. I have taken the challenge from Always-Amy to add this video to my blog. Add this to your blog and help us start a buzz about Etsy! Support the hand made movement!!

It really is a Monster!

I ordered a custom dog bed from StylinPupPillows, one of my fellow SEUS Street Team Leaders. I wanted it so our 5 doggies could get on our bed and watch TV with us. I just couldn't seem to get them to stay off our bed. So, Emma was wonderful enough to make the dog bed to my size specifications exactly. I wanted it to be about the width of a regular dog bed, but the length to go all of the way across the foot of our king size bed.

She decided it was better to ship it to me and let me stuff it since it was going to be rather large. I thought that would be great since I've had a couple bags of poly-fil lying around forever. Whew! Did I ever underestimate the size of this thing! So, this is what I had to get to stuff the bugger.

Yes, it is 10 lbs. of Poly-fil!

And this is what happened when I opened the bag.
It just kept growing!

It took me about an hour to stuff this thing.

And it is perfect!!


Except the dogs wont lay on it! They stay on the floor now... :\

Seasonal Nice

This treasury was created by a nice EtsyFriends Team member, Reesa (ReesasFavorites). Sounds like she had some trouble when Etsy was freakin' out yesterday.

Thanks for including me Reesa!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=8043

Bam! There it is!

Actually, here it is! My latest Treasury West on Etsy, featuring the SEUS Street Team.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=24981

Because I Said So!

Another treasury west snagged on another late night! I need to stop worrying so much and get to sleep earlier! :\

Ok, on a happier note, I have had an obsession lately with Fall colors! Guess it is because I don't tolerate the heat very well. Can't wait for the cooler weather to get here in Alabama. Unfortunately, I think it will be quite awhile coming.:( But, I'm getting my Fall fix on Etsy. Hope you enjoy these SEUS finds!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=24524

A great treasury by NanaSarah

This one was created by NanaSarah and features my Star Lily photo note card.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=24483

Telephone Everyone You Know

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=24330