Vintage and Wool Blend Yarns

This was a very enjoyable project. I made this scarf from a Merino wool blend yarn I had purchased and a funky shimmery orange vintage yarn given to me by my grandmother. My grandmother has sent me baskets of yarn lately. I think she was cleaning out her closets. I have some other very interesting colors that I haven't figured out what to do with just yet. I will try to remember and post some photos when I figure something out. Until then, I will just keep you in suspense. ;)



Stumble It!

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!

For Paper Craft Lovers

If you love cards, tags, stationary and all sorts of paper crafts, the newest post to the Southeastern U.S. Etsy Team Shops Gift Guide is a must read. There is a great selection of paper items to be seen. I always love browsing the paper crafts! They are so much fun! And, although I may be a little biased ;), I think the SEUS Street team has some of the best paper craft artists on Etsy.

Please do me a favor and go by to see what I mean. Thanks! Happy Holidays!!
I'm a complete paper junkie!

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

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!!