Snips & Snails

80's Cartoon Swap

2012-02-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned before, since I've discovered Craftster's Swaps, I've been addicted. As organizer of my first swap, I received an amazing 80's cartoon themed package from the amazingly talented shdwstrm.

She sent me: my favorite candies and chocolate covered smarties which are only sold in Canada, Smurfy embroidered towels, lots of smurf magnets (which include the fabulous and favorite Sassette, the beautiful redheaded smurfling), and two amazing paintings- one of She-Ra and one of Greedy Smurf.

She-Ra is hanging proudly in my dining room for all to enjoy. Greedy adorns the walls of my Smurfy kitchen. I've been collecting the smurf glasses since high school and I've been adding smurfy things to my kitchen ever since. Thus, the embroidered smurf towels and magnets are welcome additions to my growing smurfy kitchen collection.

Many other members came up with the neatest creations for their partners as well which you can see in the swap gallery.

I made Shdwstrm some jewelry- a bamboo elastic bracelet and bamboo pendants of her favorite characters and a ring, a my little pony key chain, a free-hand ThunderCats rubber stamp, Strawberry Shortcake memo board, and a the boardgame Battle for Etheria based on Wizard Kings by Columbia block.

I'm very proud of the boardgame and I've had this idea for awhile. My husband helped me make the map based on a map we fo und online of Etheria. He drew that into the map creator.

I really enjoy joining the swaps. I like researching someone interests and catering to their tastes. I love that these swaps encourage me to try new mediums and challenge me to go outside my comfort zone even within my preferred crafting mediums. I don't think I would have tried stamp carving otherwise.

Making Bracelets

2012-02-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

I recently started making colorful enameled byzantine chainmaille bracelets. So far, I've made one in blue and another in pink. Next, I'm going to make others using alternating colors. I want one in yellow and orange.

I'm really happy with how the handshaped clasps turned out.

I also made a Tudor bracelet using the historical portraits of Henry and his wives because I've always wanted one.

And, I made my first metal stamped cuff. This aluminum cuff reads "Friendship"

I've been busy trying out lots of jewelry making techniques and hope to be adding a whole series of new items to my Etsy shop.

Spectacular Spider-Man

2012-01-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

To follow up on my Kissing Smurfette post, here is the picture my son and I made using the picture he chose from his Spider-Man coloring book and all the bits and broken toy piece he found.

Here is a close up of all the pieces and parts he found, headless Spider-Man, plastic dog, domino, puzzle pieces, clay leaf, random Spider-Man arm, a bottle cap . . . I'm so proud of my little guy. He's so excited about our new piece of artwork.

Kissing Smurfette

2012-01-23T06:22:00.000-08:00

I found this great tutorial on craftster by sheepBlue called Junk in the Flamingo Trunk. Basically, you use a bunch of found objects or whimsies and glue them onto a canvas around your stenciled silhouette. Cover the silhouette and spray paint over all your whimsies. It looks amazing, so amazing that I had to make my own using Smurfette kissing a smurf.

Here are few close ups. This was a great way to use bits and pieces that I've been saving because they are cool but have not real purpose like my I.D. bracelet I wore in middle school engraved with my name, a drum key from when I had a drum set, broken chains, Little Mermaid pen topper, Scarab's bear that has seen better days, misc game pieces, random charms, buttons, keys, broken toys, beads, as well as many other bits and pieces.

I had so much fun that my son is going to make one too. I picked up some red spray paint for his Spider-Man silhouette picture and he's going through his toys finding all the broken bits. We have a surprising number of arms.

More are his creation soon.

Origami Yoda

2012-01-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

My husband has been reading The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angelberg to our six and eight year old boys. I was really impressed with the two books because it addressed social skills in elementary and middle school age children in a way that would entertain and reach children. It addressed everything, disabilities, poverty, bullying and so on.

Inspired by husband's and the boys' new love for Yoda origami style, I bought my husband a tiny little wooden box with a tiny and very detailed origami Yoda under the glass.

The Yoda in a box was created by Phillip Gray of FoldsBoz12. Phillip is a 12 year old boy. $3 of each sales goes to charity and the rest is used to get more pattern books and origami paper.

If you are looking for great origami cards, you should check out Phillip's Etsy shop.

Classic Santa Bamboo Tile Bracelet

2011-11-29T16:27:00.000-08:00

Check out my new collection of classic Santa that fill this bamboo bracelet.

The 9 tiled bracelet is woven together with elastic cord.

New Goodies Preview

2011-11-17T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some new goodies I'm listing in my shop. After having so much luck with the Chainmaille celtic crosses and the great feedback I've gotten, I've decided to try more chainmaille pieces like this bracelet.

I love using the enameled wires because I like lots of colors and you can do so much with color, celebrate your sports team, school colors, wedding colors, match specific outfits.

I like getting things that are orange and yellow because that is the combination of mine and my husband's favorite colors.

I like the quality of chainmaille because it holds up so nice and feels comfortable against the skin but allows for movement as well.

I've also been branching out into sterling silver. I've made a few sterling silver wire wrapped rings.

The first ring was, of course, using my favorite glass flower bead. I can tell a noticeable difference between the sterling silver and the nickel silver. Nickel has a bit of a grayish tint to it, especially in contrast with the shiny sterling.

I'll be adding more sterling pieces to my shop as well.

Check out my shop this week for these new listings.

Fill A Trick or Treat Bag Craftster Swap

2011-10-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've become addicted to Craftster Swaps and I love sharing all my goodies like the amazing items I received in the DC vs Marvel Swap and the Pirates of the Caribbean Swap.

I would share more but I can't without giving away Christmas surprises.

I joined the Fill a Trick or Treat Bag swap. My partner was very happy with the classic horror movie theme items I made for her. I made a jewelry set of Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and a couple pairs of orange earrings and some cards and a wire bookmark.

I also stitched this Frankenstein and Bride tote using the pattern designed by LadyB eta. I included some of her favorite candy because it can't be a treat bag without candy and some other little store bought extras that you can see in the gallery.

She made me these amazing items. I'm still gushing over the bag. It has the greatest vintage style children trick or treating images which are some of my favorite Halloween designs. I'm not sure how she knew that but I do love those old fashion card images. Around the midsection of the bag is a pom-pom like trim with orange and black stripe upper lining and the straps are nice and thick and sturdy. I love this bag. I'm going to use it as a purse.

Inside the bag, there is a great autumn colored crocheted trivet, set of four handmade napkins which match the bag, two kitchen towels (my son almost stole the spider one), a candle, pumpkin ice tray (which I'm going to use for soap making), a beautiful glittery black skull bangle, and last but not least the neatest little handmade fabric rose brooch.

If that wasn't enough, Sarah also made a candy corn hat from my wist list. I wore it today on this cold fall afternoon and got so many compliments from random people while others just smiled. I love a hat that spreads joy!

Also pictured is a sticker set, pencils, a cat memo pad, Ghirardelli caramel and chocolate candy, a snickers bar (my ultimate weakness), and a huge bag of twizzlers.

She also included two handmade bags with my boys names on them full of skittles, starburst, chocolate eyes (which the boys were all over. Sarah must understand the boy mind.) and a crocheted bat for each boy.

DC vs Marvel Swap

2011-10-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

I've recently become addicted to Craftster swaps. I've joined quite a few, and I've been happily creating for my various partners and receiving some of the most amazing items.

I joined a DC vs Marvel swap and received the most creative artwork. My partner created each family member their favorite DC superhero.

My partner should be receiving her goodies soon so I'll have to keep it a secret but till then, check out our DC vs M arvel swap gallery to see the other great items that everyone has made.

And, for today. . . just soap making pictures

2011-10-20T05:06:00.001-07:00

Making Fun Soap

2011-10-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

I've been stocking up for craft fairs lately making lots of fun novelty soap. I love the little duck soaps; it's nice they are stuck in a little duck boat. And, my kids love them and they are cleaning while they play.

My husband picked out this great flex mold of R2D2 at the comic book store. We hope to add Han Solo in Carbonite to our collection too.

I love the transcluent blue R2D2, but they look even better using the solid color white soap with the green and blue dye. It brings out the detail better.

I also ordered small gingerbread and candy canes molds, a 3D santa mold, and more oval molds to make more duck soap.

I'll add more pictures when I play with those molds soon.

Maybe soon, you'll see the wonderful candles my husband has been making.

Look I got a New Toy

2011-09-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my new light box. It came with two lamps, a camera stand, and different colored pieces of fabric that I can velcro inside. I love how everything folds down flat after I'm finished.

Celebrating My Birthday

2011-09-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, long time no see! Now that summer has come to a close, life got super busy. My husband started his new job, we enrolled the boys in a new school, we moved to a little country house, and I've been busy teaching four sections of English. During that time, we also celebrated my 29th birthday with a little getaway at the Eureka Inn, little Bed and Breakfast in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Here was my birthday cake I got in the mail from a family member. The crocheted cake covers a floral print tin filled with fortune cookies. Nestled on the top of the cake in the center of the rose is a little electric candle. It's the coolest birthday cake ever!

As for the other birthday festivities, my husband and I enjoyed walking through Jonesborough's historic downtown without the kids, checking out the local scene and walking through the antique shops. We found the cutest little sugar bowl.

At a glance, I didn't know much about the little bowl but I did know that across the adorable piece of English bone china was a cross stitch pattern.

We found a neat artisan community hidden in this little historical and very green, earth friendly town with a great farmers market. It was a great trip.

Now back to your regularly scheduled crafting.

Debbie of StationaryCreations

2011-08-11T10:42:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this wonderful little card shop, Stationary Creations. Debbie of Stationary Creations is another member of TeamCatholic.

She creates hand stamped and embellished stationary, notecards, and handmade soap.

She has a little bit of everything: Get well soon, Wedding, Back to School, Religious celebrations, camping/hiking, beach themed, military themed, thank you, birthdays, tea cups, friendship tea, anything under the sun, something for everyone.

On the right is a beautiful set of of embossed lighthouse cards that I fell in love with. They are nice neutral cards that I can use for almost anything. I love the subtle little border around the lighthouse.

She also makes some of the most beautiful embellished religious cards, perfect for celebrating the special milestones in the Catholic church.

To help make it through the heat this summer, she also has the cutest little card set of a dog in front of a fan, makes me laugh every time I see it.

As I said, Debbie has a little bit of everything. Check out her shop.

Follow up on the Pirates of the Caribbean Swap

2011-08-06T08:12:00.001-07:00

To get a better look at the sketch, here is the scan. I was truly blown away by it.

The sketch, in the embellished frame, has a nice home among the wall of lighthouses, Outer Banks vacation pictures, a picture of me hang gliding, and a long map of the shipwrecks off the coast of the Outer Banks.

Pirates of the Caribbean Craftster Swap

2011-08-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

I just received all my loot from The Pirates of the Caribbean swap that I joined on Craftster. This was my very first swap. You can check out the PotC swap gallery here.

Each person is partner with someone else who joined that particular swaps theme, and they make pirate themed things for their partner based on their questionnaire and wist or pinterest list.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive my package. It seemed like a never-ending box of goodies.

In the first picture, you can see the four cloth skull and cross bones napkins, a black pirate flag, an embellished frame with a pencil sketch inside, and a octopus embellished mirror compact. I certainly got lots of loot. My partner also made me a costume with a white puffy shirt and a corset.

I am really super excited about everything!

It's unfortunate the photograph doesn't do her sketch justice. In the center is Jack Sparrow, half his face is a skull. On the side is Davy Jones and Calypso and on the other side is a mermaid. I love mermaids. Stretched cross the bottom is a octopus.

I had fun coming up with ideas for my partner too. She liked the Davy Jones and Calypso love story. I made her some character bamboo tile necklaces, an octopus adjustable ring, a set of ceramic coasters of her favorite characters, a Pirates of the Caribbean needlebook, and a cross stitch portrait of Jack Sparrow.

Feeling Smurfy

2011-07-30T09:45:00.001-07:00

The family is very excited about the new smurf movie, okay, it may just be me but still.

We've been seeing commercials for the movie on Disney and Nickelodon all summer long, as well as, the build-a-bear smurf promotion. I want a smurfy friend!!!

We are planning a movie night next Friday. To celebrate, my six year old made me this wonderful Lego Smurf which will look wonderful with my smurfy glasses collection.

He created all by himself from the curve of his hat to the tips of his toes. I'm so proud of him.

Making Coasters Tutorial

2011-07-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw this craftster's quickies tutorial showing how to paint coasters and plates using porcelain paint pens, I've been dying to make some coasters with the boys.

I am not the greatest sketch artist so I picked up some tracing paper and traced a little ladybug onto a coaster which I colored in with my black porcelain paint pen. A word of advice, if the direction say shake the paint pen, leave the lid on it. I have a nice little droplet stain across my shorts.

Seeing how successful I was with the finished coaster, I let my six year old son design his own. He drew Jack Skellington and Spider-Man. My friend, Meg, drew the nifty little designs on the other tiles in the picture.

I was happy with all the designs but since Bailey didn't want to join in, I decoupaged a set of coasters using one of his art projects from school. One blue construction paper, he drew four trees that represented the different seasons. I'm not sure what type of paint was used but I think it was washable because some of the brown was spread across the tile while decoupaging. However, I still think it turned out great. The brown gave the tiles a nice Monet effect.

It was very simple. Here is how we did it.

You'll need:

4x4 white ceramic coasters
scissors or paper slicer
decoupage medium
rubber roller
Acrylic Sealer
foam brushes
rubbing alcohol
felt or acrylic feet or adhesive cork

The Creation Process:

1. As mentioned in the video tutorial, clean the tiles with rubbing alcohol. Dust can leave ripples under the paper.

2. Cut the picture to fit on the ceramic tile and decoupage the back with foam brush. Put the picture onto the tile and use the rubber roller to flatten out the picture. It's very important to get the image as flat as possible. Ripples in paper will harden. Allow time to dry.

3. Decoupage the top on the image using the foam brush, move back and forth, then up and down, and then back and forth again. Make sure your brush strokes end in the same direction on each tile. Allow time to dry. Depending on the type of paper, you may need to use the roller to flatten out the ripples in the paper as you are decoupaging the top.

4. Once the top coat of decoupage is completely dry, spray tiles with acrylic sealer. I used Krylon Glossy Clear Acrylic Sealer but matte finish would also work. Make sure you spray outside or in a well ventilated area. Do not dry the tiles in high humidity. The tiles should take about 24 hours to dry. I sprayed the tiles outside and then brought them inside to dry. It is blasted hot outside.

5. Turn the coasters over and attach felt or acrylic feet or adhesive cork to the bottom.

Once you do this, you might have the urge to cut up all the scrap paper in the house, like I did.

And as one of my friends pointed out earlier, these would make great gifts, especially grandparents who always love things from or about the grandkids. Family photos would also work on the coasters.

Bamboo Tile Necklaces - Custom Images

2011-07-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

Recently, I learned how to create my own collage sheets using PhotoElements. With the images from the collage sheets, I can put the images of my choice on the bamboo tile necklaces.

I'm pretty excited about it. I plan on expanding the bamboo tile necklaces series to include custom images, maybe some family photos.

I already included some of my own favorite Iconic images like St. Therese of Lisieux dressed as Joan of Arc and Mary breastfeeding.

I also plan on including some of my favorite propaganda pictures like Rosie the Riveter, favorite authors like Austen, Plath, and Shakespeare as well as other historical figures.

Summer Break-Day 5 of the Star Wars Craft Book

2011-07-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Jakob and I decided to make soap today before making The Star Wars Craft Book's Han Solo in Soaponite project. Using the oval soap molds that came in my little basic soap making kit, we made R2 in blue soap.

To make the soap, I melted the clear glycerin blocks of soap and added a couple of drops of the blue dye. Poured the soap mold oval half full, let the soap cool slightly and Jakob stuck the figure into the soap. In hindsight, I should have only filled the mold about 1/3 so you could see R2 from both sides.

Then, I melted and dyed more glycerin blocks and filled up the rest of the oval mold. Here I am getting ready to pour the mold from Jakob's point of view. He wanted to take pictures too.

Encouraged by our success, I used the rest of the soap making ingredients using molds from the kit and ones I had around the house. The kit came with hearts and oval molds but I also used a discarded boardgame insert and thin teddy bear push mold ice tray.

Now, I'm looking at different shaped molds I could get like animals, spider-man faces, and gummi bears and kits to make your own molds.

After we were finished, Jakob wanted to play in the sink with his new R2 soap. What a great toy! It cleans while he plays.

Holiday Road Trip and Jakob's Clay Mummy

2011-07-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

After a nice vacation this holiday weekend to the beautiful mountains of Tennessee and Virginia to visit with some family, we are back home. We visited the Natural History Museum, Gray Fossil Site, where the boys got to walk through a working excavation site. On our way back home, we stopped at the Wilderness Road National Park in Virginia.

While visiting Jonesborough, Tennessee, we discovered a charming little historical downtown that we plan to revisit in the near future.

One store downtown caught my son's eye. It was a little store called Paranormal Technology and what was interesting about the store was their life size mummy wearing sunglasses in their front window.

I promised to make a pocket size mummy for him once we got home, a promise he did not forget, and this morning, he promptly reminded me of that promise.

After breakfast, I gave him the rest of my sculpey clay and told him to make a mummy while I took a shower. He made a neat little person with large blue circles for eyes and a strange little teal robot.

We bake the clay at 275 for 12 minutes. After it was baked, I had to glue his two legs and head back on with hot glue, but the clay figure had a real nice shape. Jakob drew a little face on the robot using a thin sharpie.

He asked me to do the gauze because he was afraid to mess him up and he didn't want to get sticking. However, he specifically asked me to not cover the mummy's face because he worked very hard on it.

For the wrappings, I cut strips of fusible interfacing, or at least what I think was fusible interfacing, into long thin strips. I'm sure tissue paper would have worked also. Then, I painted the inside of the strips with decoupage. I wrapped the mummy the best I could. Then, painted a top coat of decoupage onto the finished wrappings.

To dry, I had to prop the mummy using Jakob's pinch pot he made in school. He gets it out every time we use clay. He's still very proud of it.

Copper Cuff and the Alice in Wonderland bracelet

2011-07-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

I'm really proud of the bracelets I've made this week. I'm somewhat particular about my bracelets because I'm fond of elastic and comfortable bracelets. If I can't wear it while wrestling children, it's unlikely I would wore it. Thus, I've been inspired to design something that is both artistic that can be worn daily.

My first bracelet is an adjustable cuff made from a pre-made copper framed adorned with speckled blue beads and glass pearls.

It reminds me off pirate treasure and the foam off the end of the ocean waves. This bracelet is now available in my shop.

My other bracelet was inspired by my bamboo necklace collection. I wasn't sure what to do with the horizontal images from my collage sheets, so I decided to combine them onto one bracelet.

Copper wire links the sides of each tile individually, giving the bracelet movement.

Since the bracelet requires an exact size and it's sized perfectly to my own wrist, I am keeping this one. Plus, I love it. I may only take custom orders for a bracelet like this one.

Plushy Skeleton

2011-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

I put the Star Wars Craft Book aside for a bit to check out some of the craft books at the library like Plush-A-Rama: Curious Creatures for Immature Adults by Linda Kopp, a book I would really like to add to my collection.

In this book, I found this neat Skeleton plush project that I used to make Jakob his skeleton buddy. Jakob loves skeletons and Jack from Nightmare Before Christmas.

Many of the monsters from the book were made from felt which I discovered was very easy to use. There were no patterns in the book. The majority of the projects were very free form, which was nice for me as I learned to use my sewing machine.

My little skeleton came out a little too cushy for most skeletons but it only makes him extra cuddly.

Chewbecca killed by Starlings

2011-06-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Jakob and I were very proud of our milk carton Chew ie bird feeder we made. We filled it with birdseed and proudly stuck it in the crux of the tree, anxiously awaiting a little birdie visitor, wondering if the appearance of the feeder may scare the birds away.

I'm not sure if the birds were afraid or just hungry but they destroy poor Chewbecca, ripping the painted craft sticks off the carton. They ripped out his teeth, the savages!

Bad Starlings! Bad!

Bamboo Tile Pendants

2011-06-22T07:21:00.001-07:00

I've been making floods of new bamboo tile necklaces. I just love making them. And, I think I've made over a hundred. I've really perfected those copper coiled necklace clasps.

My husband snapped some pictures of me working on them. Here I am rolling the tiny pictures onto the tiles.

Check out my shop throughout this week for all the new listings.

Lego Spider-Man and Kirby Cross stitch Patterns

2011-06-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you liked the pouches I made, you are welcome to the patterns. If you make them, I'd love to see the pictures of your creations. ENJOY!

Finished Cross stitching Kirby and Lego Spider-Man

2011-06-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

I decided their little plastic case for the boys DS games was too difficult for little fingers to use. Who am I kidding? I barely was able to snap the case shut so instead, I replaced their case with a little personalized game pouch.

Jakob picked Lego Spider-Man and Bailey picked Kirby. I found a picture online, imported it into PCStitch Pro, traced the images, condensed the colors used, and added their names. After I finished the stitching, I used my sewing machine to complete their pouches. I'm still learning to use my sewing machine so there was lots of trial and error. My seam ripper and I are very good friends now.

The boys are very happy with the end results.

Summer Break-Day 4 of the Star Wars Craft Book

2011-06-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Today, Jakob and I made the Chewbacca bird feeder using a milk carton and painted craft sticks.

Selina Fenech's Fantasy Artwork and Jewelry

2011-06-16T05:52:00.001-07:00

I've won a necklace from Selina Fenech!!! Selina was having a contest on twitter and the winner picked out a cameo necklace of their choice. I chose Underwater Secrets which came on a beautiful black double strand beaded necklace.

For those of you who don't know this, because you haven't been to my house, I'm a huge fan of Selina Fenech. I discovered her years ago when searching for interesting cross stitch patterns. I've followed her story through her cancer recovery, her travels, the building of her business, and most recently her wedding which included jousting.

Not only does she share her life with her fans, she allows her fans to peer into her creation process through her newsletters, livejournal, and facebook Sketch Fest album where she shares her works in progress, giving her fans a little peak. Currently, she's working on a young adult novel called Memory's Wake.

I'm very fond of her mermaid and fantasy art, and I'm looking forward to the new ideas she keeps cranking out. I'm the proud owner of the original "Impossible Love" print, her most popular print "Motherhood" in black and white, and the large "Stolen in Her Sleep" print hangs proudly in my living room.

I get so many compliments about the picture of the beautiful girl in the solid white dress but I always ask, "do you see the goblins?" Most don't at first glance. One of the reasons I love the picture so much is that it reminds me of one of my favorite poems, "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti. As my house gets bigger, I hope to add more of her beautiful artwork to my collection. There are many more fairies, mermaids, and goblins I'd like living in my home.

Thanks again Selina for the beautiful necklace.

Feeling Nostalgic

2011-06-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

After making finger puppets with my boys, I started thinking about when I made finger puppets when I was little. Fortunately, I still have all the finger puppets I made when I was little. They were hiding in my hope chest.

I made a grandmother with a rolling pin, a little girl with a flowery blue and yellow dress, prince charming, a mole, a little boy with a starry black shirt, the white "rabbit", two babies, a vampire, a chick, a squirrel, and a teddy bear dressed like a girl.

When I was about eight or nine, my Grams took me to Dee's Crafts to get me some summer activities. Together, we picked out a finger puppet fun craft book, Finger Puppet Fun, showing you how to make puppets from wooden dowels. She took me through the store, helping me pick out the supplies: wooden pieces, acrylic paint, raffia, bits of ribbon, little bits of fabric and lace, beads, doll hair, pipe cleaners, a bag of feathers, and other little tiny things.

I think this is where I discovered my fascination for miniatures. I was really excited about the tiny little clock that I used for the white rabbit. But, I made a mouse instead of a rabbit, because I think I somehow combined the drunk little tea party mouse with the white rabbit. But in my defense, he looked like a mouse in the book with big rounded off ears. And, if you look close at the picture, I wasn't that good with roman numerals. I glued the clock upside down.

I made little puppets and performed plays all summer long. Good memories!

Summer Break - Day 3 of the Star Wars Craft book

2011-06-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

In an effort to get the boys creating their own crafts, I had hand-sewn a bunch of little finger puppets using the Cantina Characters Finger puppet pattern from the Star Wars Craft book. The pattern is really simple, it's sort of like the top half of a gingerbread man cookie cutter.

Using scissors, felt, fabric glue, and markers, the boys had free reign to design whatever puppets they wanted.

As you can see in the picture, Jakob made a white mummy with purple eyes, an orange Spider-Man with white felt spiders on him, the yellow one drawn with black marker is Robin, an orange C3PO, and, my personal favorite Wonder Woman.

To make the Wonder Woman, he borrowed my statue to get the details right. He came up with the entire design, picked the colors, cut out the shapes, glued then on in place all by himself. He wasn't sure how to do the hair so he folded black felt like an airplane around the back part of the puppet, genius!

He made Wonder Woman for his aunt who gave him all the felt and crafting supplies for his birthday. He was very careful matching the colors and getting each detail.

Tomorrow, Jakob says he wants to learn to cross stitch. I wonder how fun and productive it is to teach a six year old to cross stitch.

Summer Break-Day 2 of the Star Wars Craft Book

2011-06-09T08:09:00.001-07:00

The Emperor Appletine doll project that Jakob request was very unsuccessful. The idea was interesting though because it was a nice science project having the boys watch how the carved apple face wrinkled and turned brown. However, I didn't realize that would take about 5 hours, even after I put him out in 80 degree weather. It's hard making little ones wait.

While we waited, I started making the Jar Jar felt puppet while we watched Phantom Menace and Star Wars: A New Hope, drinking our Jawa Jive Milkshakes.

Once the apple finally dried, I learned something very important. Apples are heavy and cannot be supported by a body made of pipe cleaners. We should have stopped after making the Emperor's Head because that worked.

And, the clothes instructions for the doll was not very instructive: "Wrap black fabric around the body glue (or sew) into place." What? Many of the projects for the plushy characters have nice little patterns to follow but not for the clothes. Many of the clothing instructions suggest cutting the fabric over the body.

But Jakob loves his new Jar Jar doll, even if the clothing and the design for the arms were based on my own gestimation. There were no instructions for the arms. I ended up folding the pieces of felt and sewing them together, then to the body. In hindsight, I probably should have put pipe cleaners inside the felt arms.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to find more projects that they can do on their own instead of having to watch me sew together their new toys after we eat C-3PO Pancakes. Yummy! Maybe while they craft, I can finish their cross stitch Kirby and Lego Spider-Man DS game pouches.

Summer Break- Day 1 of the Star Wars Craft Book

2011-06-06T08:28:00.001-07:00

Today was the first day of summer break and the boys and I cracked open their new Star Wars craft book, okay our new Star Wars Craft book.

My 6 year old painted his rocks like R2D2 and C3PO all by himself as I sewed together his C3PO finger puppet. I'm happy he wasn't too concerned that the thread didn't match.

As his rocks dried, he picked out the huge eyes and red and blue pipe cleaners too represent the cords on C3PO's belly. I thought it was cute how he was concerned about such small details.

Tomorrow, he plans on making the Emperor Appletine Doll. I'm actually looking forward to making the Cantina Band from wooden spoons and, of course, the Grievous puppet. Grievous is cool.

I like the felt puppet project. The book gives you a basic pattern and you can make any character you want, Stars Wars or others. You can change the characters up using different materials, adding clothing, or by changing the patterns shape slightly by adding felt remnants.

I also gave the boys each a cardboard house to paint. I took pictures of their houses this afternoon, but they both informed me that they are not done yet.

My six year old is making a black and red Spider-Man house. My seven year old painted his cardboard house yellow and pink for his GoGos.

He's probably going to want furniture for his house too. Anyone have a great kid's tutorial for tiny dollhouse furniture? I'm thinking of using cereal boxes or clay.

Being Mom

2011-05-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

Being Mom on Mother's Day is always lots of fun. My wonderful husband gave me a breadmaker, and the boys' classes have been preparing fun little things for me.

My oldest, who is in first grade, had planned a Mother's Day tea where the kids read a poem which made me cry (not a difficult task) and presented the mothers with potted little flowers and pictures of flowers.

My youngest, who is the kindergartener most likely to be a superhero, gave me pages and pages of handmade flowers.

I've actually been accumulating lots of pictures of flowers through the years which are hung proudly in my bedroom and around the front door next to the kitchen, as you can see in this picture.

It's great to be Mom!

Crafting Support Groups

2011-05-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

And now, a little personal crafting time. . .

After putting cross stitching aside for awhile, here is what cross stitch project I began working on.

I've been getting inspiration from some of my favorite facebook cross stitch groups like I cross stitch and I'm not ashamed of it, HAED Addiction, Cross Stitch SAL, and Counting All Cross Stitchers.

These groups allow people, all over the world, to post pictures of what they've created or what they are working on, share tips, swap/sale charts, start/join round robins, and do weekend stitch alongs.

Web groups are great for crafters, like me, who can't attend or don't have local stitch circles. I've often found too that cross stitching is very popular in England for those in my age group.

Do you have a favorite group or site that gives you encouragement, support, and inspiration? Let me know. I'd love to hear about it.

Celebrating the Moments

2011-05-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

My family has been celebrating many things this past week. My brother-in-law was hired on as a lecturer after receiving his doctorate. My husband graduated with a Masters of Social Work, passed his licensing exam, and found a local job as a counselor.

Staying local means I will be able to continue teaching English at the University. I should be hearing how many classes I'll be teaching this fall any day now; such is the life as an adjunct. And, I love it!

Once my husband heard about his job, (which wasn't a huge surprise because he is awesome.) I bought him a special little statue of his patron saint to add to our family altar.

The painted wooden peg doll St. Francis was created by StLukesBrush, a fellow member of Team Catholic. I love Peg Dolls, and I was very impressed with the amount of detail: the contours of his clothing, the folds on his hood, and white birds at his side.

I also got him a personalized tie for graduation. Since he was interning at the Juvenile Justice department this semester, he often went to court wearing a suit and tie. He once said that wearing ties always made him think of his dad going off to work when he was little.

Originally I was looking for a tie with an astronaut, because often he joked that once he's finished with school he's going to astronaut school. Instead, I found a beautiful personalized World Map tie which reminded me of his collection of maps from the National Geographic and vacations made by rabbitstop.

After graduation, we had a nice little reception at home with the family.

2011-05-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

I just finished the bridesmaid jewelry for my cousin's wedding. Her colors are mint and chocolate. I ended up making five sterling silver disc necklaces and dangling disc earrings.

The silver discs are 3/4" circles, stamped with the word "DREAM" in a half circle and the tree of life in the center. After stamping, the disc was then domed which cradles the little czech glass flower.

When I was looking for the flowers for the discs, I found lots of flowers that inspired a whole series of flower earrings and charm embellishments. I created chandelier earrings and simple one flower earrings in black, avocado, turquoise mint, ruby red, purple, and navy blue.

I also have a few more surprises up my sleeves. I've been playing with lots of new and old beads and vintage findings, charms, and embellishments. All of which will look wonderful paired with stamping and wire work.

It's That Time of Year Again, Summer Crafting with the Boys

2011-04-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Every year, I try to get some new projects ready to for my boys in hopes of keeping them busy and entertained without being plugged in to a game.

At the same time, these projects will continue the boy's familiar classroom route so their transition back to school isn't so difficult and leaves little to no gaps in their education.

I found the perfect project book for my six and seven year old boys, The Star Wars Craft Book. It is full of fun activities that my six year old has been flipping through and pleading to start now.

He's a big fan of C3PO and desperately wants to begin the whole series of felt finger puppets and painted rock pals.

Throughout this summer, I will share with you all the things me and my boys will create from this awesome book. I'm looking forward to creating a Dagobah Terrarium, Ewok Flower Vase, Bossk Bean Portrait, Han Solo in Soaponite, sock and felt plushies of Yada, Chewie, Jar Jar, Banthas, and Tooka Doll, and my personal favorite, a General Grievous Finger Puppet.

I don't think there is one project in this book we aren't planning on making. And, I'll have plenty of pictures. The boys and I are going to have a eventful summer.

On a personal note, the semester is drawing to a close. My students have a final left, grades are due a few days later, my husband graduates with his degree in social work and starts his job as a counselor in June. Things are moving very quickly for our family. I'm celebrating in every moment.

Metal Stamped Jewelry

2011-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that I've listed my first metal stamped piece, The "Teach" Necklace.

Last year, around Christmas, I bought myself a little Christmas gift, a metal stamping started kit. Since then, I've been practicing, playing with my lovely little stamps, and expanding my stamp collection.

I have a nice little stamp collection now that includes: 1/8 inch alphabet, small heart, cross, tree of life, and the thumbs up. The thumb reminds me of the facebook like symbol. I've had to pace myself because, when it comes to stamps, I could go completely bonkers. Just ask to look at my rubber stamp collection.

The "Teach" Necklace silver plated chain measures 16 inches. The 3/4 inch copper disc is domed and stacked on a 1 inch dome hammered and textured nickel silver disc.

I'm very happy with how it turned out. I plan on creating many more so check back often.

Who's Your Favorite Disney Princess?

2011-04-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

I know this is slightly off topic but I felt the overwhelming desire to introduce my new favorite Disney Princess, Rapunzel.

I apologize in advance if the picture already spoils parts of the movie for you because as you can see, she no longer has those beautiful flowing locks of golden hair.

Other than the powerful and playful young damsel holding a cast iron skillet, what I liked the most about the story is how Disney altered the tale, giving a legitimate back story about why this young girl was locked in the tower in the first place and why she chose to stay.

But more importantly, the action of leaving illustrates a natural rebellion children confront in order to move from childhood into adulthood which is why Rapunzel chose to leave on her eighteen birthday to see the beautiful lanterns released in the sky.

So, who's your favorite Disney Princess? I'm also very fond on Ariel's rebellious nature, Tiana's ability to take care of herself, and Belle's inability to conform to societal customs.

Now, if I only had a little girl, I'd adorn her little head with Disney Princess ribbons. I don't think my superhero loving boys would go for it though.

Just in Time for the Lenten Season

2011-03-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

This week, I'll be listing lots of religious iconic bamboo tile Necklaces.

I have images from The Station of the Cross, Saints, and The Resurrection of Jesus.

For a preview, check out my flickr account.

2000 Fan Appreciation Giveaway - Win this Bunny

2011-03-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to facebook and join in the fun!

Kid-N Around Creations is sponsoring a giveaway where you can win this bunny pair bamboo tile Necklace. Hop On Over.

Lori of Kidnaroundcreations is hosting a whole series of giveaway for her 2000 Fan Appreciation. Check out the event on her facebook page as well and check out all the prizes.

Etsy Finds- My Recent Purchase- Repurposed Spiral Bound Goldenbook Journal Sketchbooks

2011-03-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, when I first joined Etsy, I found a shop called This Handmade Life that had smurf magnets which I bought because they would look perfect in my smurfy kitchen because as many know, I am very proud of my collection of smurf glasses.

The smurf magnets were made from the pages from an old children's books. The shop had many other goodies using the same recycle, repurpose philosophy.

Recently, I purchased a couple of books for my boys from This Handmade Life, Dinosaurs and Return of the Jedi. My youngest draws many of his favorite toys and characters and like many parents, I just don't have the wall space and his beautiful pictures sit in piles.

The Return of the Jedi book was a great alternative to getting rid of all of his artwork. Plus, when he draws, he feels that he is adding to the story. He loves telling little stories about C3PO. Yesterday, he told me, "I'm writing, drawing, and publishing my own book." What a clever little guy.

My oldest wasn't as interested in his dinosaur book until today when we were at the doctor's office. After reading the story about dinosaurs, he decided to practice writing his words by describing dinosaurs and drawing pictures of the types of dinosaurs. He was very proud of what he had created.

I was happy with what these little books did for my children; it encouraged recycling, drawing, writing, and reading.

I keep looking at the different types of books in This Handmade Life's shop thinking about all the different uses for a little repurposed spiral bound golden book: scrapbooks, photo albums, journals for spelling words, doodle books to use during church, gifts for parents or grandparents full of the boys' illustrations- what a great idea for Mother's and Father's Day- the list goes on and on, as do I.

Have a great week everyone!

Spring Fever

2011-02-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

The majority of the bamboo tile necklaces are now listed in my shop.

Each mahogany bamboo pendant is strung on a 16 inch waxen linen black cord with coiled copper ends and an S clasp.

Pictured is one of my new favorite necklaces, Three Little Bunnies. It reminds me of the warmer weather we will be having soon, free of snow and the allergies that many in my family suffer from this time of year.

Come on Spring!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T04:20:00.000-08:00

My husband was very happy with his Valentine's Day gifts this year.

I gave him a mini werewolf pipe cleaner figure made by Chenille Macabre and a skeleton card made by Ginger Dead.

Hope your Valentine's Day is lots of fun too!

A Wayward Tale on LexGo.com

2011-02-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

My husband's novel, A Wayward Tale, was mentioned on LexGo.com's Bluegrass Bookshelf.

Bamboo Tile Pendants

2011-02-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Coming soon:

Bamboo Tile pendants with Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, vintage travel ads, and Classic Peter rabbit style bunnies images

Each pendant is decoupaged onto a beautiful glossy dark mahogany tile.

Once I am finished with the pendants, each pendant will be strung onto a black waxen linen cord with matching copper coiled clasp. Each necklace will cost $10 which includes shipping. If you see something you like, please let me know I'll make my a reserved listing.

I'm so happy with how they've turned out. I kept the White rabbit for myself. I like the cards who are painting the roses red pendant too.

More designs and pictures to follow . . .

End of the Year Sale

2010-12-30T05:28:00.000-08:00

Selected items in my shop have been marked from $3 to $15. And, as always, shipping is still free.

Here is the list:

Kimono print Sterling plated Bezel pendant on a Steel Ball Necklace - Regular $12, now $9

The Quilter Necklace Cross Stitch Pink Pinwheel - Regular $17, now $12

Glass Pearl Bangle in Blu e- Regular $13, now $9

Briar Rose Choker- Regular $35, now $20

Asian Bird and Cherry Blossom Ceramic Earrings- Regula r $8, now $5

Cleo's Necklace- Regular $50, now $40

Mommy and Me Green Glass Pearl Bangles- Regular $17, now $10

Honeysuckle Pink Glass Pearl Ba ngle- Regular $13, now $9

Two Inch Bea ded Hoops in Pink- Regular $20, now $15

Two Inch Beaded Hoops in Green- Regular $20, now $15

Two Inch Beaded Hoops in Red- Regular $20, now $15

Copperhead Road Necklace- Regular $50, now $40

Beaded Christmas Tree Ornament- Regular $15, now $9

Two Inch Beaded Hoops in Purple- Regular $20, now $15

12 Plastic Coated Wire wrapped Nest Pendants- Regular $30, now $15

Flower Power Flat Glass Beaded Bracelet- Regular $12, now $8

Two Inch Beaded Hoops in Champagne Gold- Regular $20, now $15

I'm discontinuing the beaded two inch beaded hoops, so those listed are the last available. However, I will be continuing to make the more popular 1 1/2 inch beaded hoops.

HAFTeam Secret Santa Gift by All About the Buttons

2010-12-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

This year, I participated in the Secret Santa gift exchange run by my Etsy team, the Handmade Artisan Forum team (HAFteam).

Before Christmas, I received this amazing gift from Allaboutbuttons.

It's a little bear sitting on a chair surrounded by crafter's tools and supplies, reminding me of my own favorite chair.

The chair's theme is so perfect for me. It's a wonderful gift to give another crafter. It's so original. I've never seen anything like it.

At the top of the chair, there is a little crochet hook attached to a ball of pink yarn. Around the bear, there are little spools of thread, a bobbin, a safety pin, rickrack, buttons, a yellow bead, a thimble pot with a yellow ribbon flower inside, clothing clasps on a vintage card all attached with glue or thread to the quilt.

I love the little decorative chair and bear. She will make a wonderful addition to my Boyds Bear, Steiff, and Attic Treasures family.

Thanks again All About Buttons!

My first attempt at Chainmaille

2010-12-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

I created this aluminum chainmaille cross after I talked myself into purchasing the tutorial and kit from EyeCandyChainmaille in my last HAFteam gift idea blog entry.

I have two more crosses to make. I'm so impressed with how they turned out, I'm considering branching out into chainmaille, maybe even make my own jump loops of various diameters.

Now, I have my eyes on this wire coiling tool and lots of colored aluminum, copper, gold-filled and silver wire, as well as a metal stamping kit. There are so many things I want to learn.

University of Kentucky Tie Tacks

2010-12-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

After many requests, I started making University of Kentucky tie tack pins.

They make great stocking stuffers or co-worker gifts for that sports fan.

Check out my shop for other University of Kentucky items. Matching wire wrapped or adjustable rings and barrettes are available upon request.

Matching UK Cuff links, push pins, and magnets are also available and ready to ship: http://www.etsy.com/shop/helenapuck?section_id=7429045

A Wayward Tale: Part One by Hilary Hartman - my husband

2010-12-12T17:13:00.000-08:00

This past year, my husband, Hilary Hartman, participated in National Novel Writing Month and published a western.

A Wayward Tale is part one of his western about the character, Jake Bailey, a Civil War veteran from Kentucky making his way to California but ends up in Wayward, Arizona.

It is a great, well researched novel. And, yes, I'm bias. He is my husband. But, as an English professor with a literature background, I wouldn't tell him it was good if it wasn't.

My husband is a very brilliant man, who can do anything he puts his mind and heart into. This spring, he graduates with a Masters in Social Work and plans to use his skills to support the common good.

He has a Bachelors in English with a minor in History and a Masters in History. He knows writing as well as historical research with a solid foundation in human behavior; what more can you ask for in a talented writer! He is a man of many talents.

Another Wonderful Gift Idea from the HAFteam team

2010-12-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

Here is another great gift idea, aluminum cross ring kit by EyeCandy Chainmaille of the HAFTeam.

With this kit, you get keyrings and enough rings to make three Crosses in your choice of colors: Red, Blue, Purple, Green, Yellow (Goldeny), Violet.

Remember when parents or grandparents would give kits for Christmas so kids would have a chance to be creative over the break.

Adults are no different, especially crafty adults. They want to be creative over the break too and try new crafting techniques. I love trying new kits, especially over mediums that I've never tried. This is a great gift idea for other crafty person, especially if that crafty person happens to be me and wants to try out chainmaille.

Have a Merry Christmas, 13 more days. And for everyone semi- local, I hope you are enjoying the snow.

For more kit ideas, check out the treasury inspired by EyeCandyChainmaille's kit: DIY Kits Gift Ideas for that Crafty Person.

HAFteam Gift Ideas

2010-12-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

Here is another great gift idea from the HAFteam, especially if you are shopping for me.

This zebrawood bangle was made by JewelrybyJanelle50. She is an extremely talented wood turner who uses beautiful quality pieces of exotic wood to create the most beautiful pieces of jewelry from bangles to hair sticks. The wooden wire wrapped hair sticks I sell in my shop are made by Janelle.

And from now till December 30th, she is running a 40% off sale.

Rose Red Brass Ring or How Fairy Tales Are Constantly Adapted to Modern Culture

2010-11-30T05:57:00.000-08:00

The name of this ring was inspired by the fairy tale, Rose Red, sister of Snow White.

Rose Red is a head strong spitfire, the direct foil to her shy and gentile sister Snow White.

Understandably, Rose Red makes an appearance, a rather grand appearance, in the popular graphic novel Fables, a comic book series about the fairy tale characters who flee their mythological homeland and try to blend into a modern American city in order to avoid the Adversary.

Much like her legend, Rose Red is still very much the same girl, headstrong and at odds with her sister Snow White. The first series of Fables begins with the "murder" mystery of Rose Red. Who killed her? Is she really dead?

Helen Janow Miqueo of HJM Art - Christmas Gift Idea

2010-11-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a great gift idea especially if you are shopping for me.

This beautiful 5"x4"x3/4" miniature painting of Mary and Jesus was created by Helen Janow Miqueo, HJMart.

It is ready to hang, no frame necessary, because it is created on back stapled gallery wrapped canvas.

I love this interpretation of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Icon. It will look great on the wall or on a little home altar or just anyway in my house.

Did I mention that makes a great Christmas gift for me?

Repurposed Ponytail Holder Beads Add Color to Wire Wrapped Tree Ornaments

2010-11-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

Don't want to put your Christmas tree up this year or is there just not room this year? Those college dorm rooms are just not big enough to accommodate a full adorned tree.

Whether you need a tree substitute or you are looking for that special yearly ornament, I've created just the item for you, a wire wrapped tree ornament.

This ornament can be hung on a tree or on a door and adds a colorful celebration in the midst of your Christmas decor.

The metal frame Christmas tree measures 7 3/4 inches tall, 4-5 inches wide and is strung with re-purosed beads from ponytail holders on gold tone wire.

I remember one year when my husband and I didn't have room for our tree because of campus housing, my father-in-law made us a stained glass tree for our table. And, I still cherish it.

For the UK Fans

2010-11-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

I made a whole new series of items using my new University of Kentucky fabric.

Check out my shop listings for Wildcat magnets, push pins, and cuff links.

I have two different sets of University of Kentucky Cufflinks, blue with white lettering or white with blue lettering.

*Buy both pairs of cuff links and get a free UK Magnet set.

*Buy 2 push pin sets get the 3rd set free. Leave a comment indicating what free set you'd like in Message to Seller.

I can also make barrettes and wire wrapped rings using the same UK fabric. Tack pins are coming soon. Beaded blue and white headbands and hoops are also available in my shop.

Annual Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church Holiday and Craft Bazaar

2010-11-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

Meg and I had a great time at yesterday's Christmas Bazaar. I think it was a huge success.

The church volunteers were extremely accommodating, helping with the tables, getting everyone extra chairs, and making sure everyone had the opportunity to eat lunch.They even delivered.

The organizers of the show made sure there was a great variety of sellers. At each turn, there was something new.

Overall, it was one of the most well organized shows I've been to. I plan to come next year also.

There were over 60 sellers which were set up inside each room, throughout the hallway, and filling the entire gym. I really enjoyed looking at what everyone had to offer. I met lots of very nice artisans and we shared information about the different shows and products we make.

And, did I mention I'm finished Christmas shopping?

I met the nicest lady who, to my surprise, lived down the street from me. I do hope to see her and her candles and burners at Asbury Seminary's fair this December.

From her, I bought a burner started set which included a burner, 6 tea candles, and 8 different tart scents. My husband loves it too. Peppermint stick smells are filling the whole house.

Which reminds me, I really should have taken more pictures of everyone's set up. I learned so much checking out everyone's displays. Here is a picture of my friend and craft fair buddy's angel pins in the pretty beaded bowl.

My friend Meg also makes covered pocket notepads made from recycled paper, wallets, and the neatest flower pens. I have a yellow one :)

Annual Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church Holiday and Craft Bazaar

2010-11-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

Come see me Saturday, November 13, 8:00am - 4:00pm at the

Annual Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church Holiday and Craft Bazaar.

New Hair Accessories

2010-11-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

I've been having a good time finding things to create using fabric covered buttons. Initially, I was creating rings and tacks which later branched into making hair accessories and cuff links. Check out my new bobby pins.

So far, I created bobby pins of various Curious George expressions, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, fall leaves, and pink plaid ladybugs.

To add to the new series of hair accessories, I also started making headbands, mainly because I wanted me a headband that matched my Give Peace a Chance Necklace. Which is why I came up with this little peace sign headband using smaller turquoise magnesite peace beads.

I also have other wire wrapped metal headbands adorned with seed beads or bugle beads.

Upcoming Christmas Bazaars

2010-11-09T16:38:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this past couple of weeks preparing for the local Christmas Bazaars.

This past week, the ladies group from my church was hosting a bazaar where each seller brings their items and the volunteers from Thurs.-Saturday sell the items. There was a very nice turn out. I picked up some goodies myself: pecan pie, homemade fudge and peanut butter candy, and friendship tea mix.

Now, I'm addicted to this wonderful tea mix; it taste like a combination of tea, tang, with a touch of nutmeg. Please let me know if you have the recipe for this mix because I love it and I don't want to wait till next year to have more.

This Saturday, November 13 · 8:00am - 4:00pm. I will be set up at the Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar.

I have a couple new displays that I'm looking forward to trying it out, along with my bell tree full of magnets and two small foam trees I'll be using for my push pins display.

I've been busy gathering up everything, making as many $3-10 earrings as possible and making new fabric covered button hair clips and wire wrapped headbands, lots of University of Kentucky ribbon elastic headbands as well as other UK items like fabric covered push pins, magnets, and cuff links.

Come see me and the rest of the 60 vendors at the Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar. But if you can't, I'll be giving everyone a full report with pictures of the displays.

Free Spirit 30 inch Necklace

2010-11-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

I love the look of lots of different shapes and colored beads strung together which is what I had in mind when I designed this necklace.

The glass, acrylic, and stone beads are strung and wire wrapped onto separate sections of 20 gauge copper and linked together with S links with black seed bead in the center.

There is no clasp and measures 30 inches long.

This necklace is perfect for that eccentric artist or that person who, like me, lives in corporate casual suits and is dying to add a little color.

My New Vintage Dress

2010-10-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Around my birthday, I fell madly in love with this dress which I purchased from Fuzzymama's vintage Etsy Shop.

The dress is mostly one-size-fits-all, reminiscent of empire-waist maternity wear with it's cloth scarf-like belt sewn onto the waist.

There is a loop around the collar so you can tie the other scarf around the neck, stewardess style but I am wearing it around my head like Rhoda Morgenstern. As you can tell from the back view, the scarf is very, very long and flowing.

Likewise, the sleeves are billowing too and have elastic around each cuff, which is perfect for those of us with short little arms.

Now most people would assume that I would be saving this dress for a Halloween costume. However, while I will be wearing this dress around Halloween with my Give Peace a Chance necklace, my initial intention was to wear it to class, and by class I mean the one I teach at the University. After some pleas from my husband, I decided against it but I will continue finding reasons to wear this beautiful dress.

Until then, Have a Happy Halloween, find something fun to wear, and watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

Seahorse Lover - Cutting Boards by Tom Roche

2010-10-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

I've been oohing and ahhing over Tom Roche's cutting boards ever since he designed the gnome for my father-in-law last Christmas.

Last November, I interviewed Tom for the Handmade Highway. Check out his interview here.

So, after I saw this beautiful seahorse listed in his shop last week, my husband promptly bought it for me as a surprise and today, I have a new beautiful seahorse cheese board.

When I was 18, I got a seahorse tattoo on my leg which looks pretty similar to the Tom's cutting board and the seahorse cameo earrings that I designed.

I have loved seahorses ever since I was very small. There is just something wonderfully magical about the mermaids' underwater mounts.

Introducing a new series of tibetan charm silver plated adjustable ring

2010-10-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

So far, I've made Hail to the Bus Driver, Seven Swans a' Swimming, Jeremiah on a lilypad, and Knitwit adjustable rings. I had fun coming up with names.

The pictures turned out a little big darker than I hoped so I may be updating the pictures.

I started making these rings mostly by accident. When coming up with ideas for all the charms I bought, I stumbled upon a stash of adjustable rings I was originally planning on using for plastic cabochon and fabric covered button rings. However, I found that the fabric covered buttons had the perfect backing to make wire wrapped rings, and I never decided on the plethora of cabochons available.

Noticing that the pads on the adjustable rings were just the right size for the charm, I started making these rings. I cut the loop of each charm and hand sanded the snipped area. Lots more charms are available.

Halloween Ceramic Mummy by Cinstreasures

2010-10-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Today's Etsy find is the Light Up Hand Painted Ceramic Mummy by Cinstreasures.

What makes this mummy so unique and wonderful (other than the beautiful painting) is the light peaking in between the bandages.

I've always been a fan of ceramics and I have fond memories of when I tagged along with my stepmother at her ceramic painting classes when I was a kid. And, every now and then, I got to paint my own ceramic piece. I still have my tiny children figures wearing teal rabbit suits.

Halloween Cards

2010-10-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

With Halloween around the corner, my boys and I have been busy making cards.

I raided some of the dollar bills at Michael's for the neatest Halloween themed stamps; then with the rest of my birthday gift card, I bought braids and a set of 200 flat cards and envelopes in the greatest color combination.

With the help of my friend Crystal of Scrapper Mom, I cut my cards and scored them using a popsicle stick as suggested by my friend. Without Crystal's help, I never would have known how simple scoring would be with just a stick.

I'm not much of a papercraft artists but I do love making cards; mostly because I love stamps. I have a pretty extensive collection which I always end up sharing with my boys too.

Speaking of kids activities and Crystal, check out her DIY Pinata activity.

HAFteam Wednesday Feature

2010-10-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

The semester has been keeping me busy but I haven't forgotten about the wonderful members of the HAFteam and my much over due Wednesday feature.

Today's feature is Tiny Aquarium Ocean Shadow Box by Artistic Will. The jellyfish in the center makes me think of my little boys who love to run around the house pretending to go Jellyfishing with Spongebob. Each little whimsical creature has such personality.

This little aquarium full of detailed little quilled sea life reminds me of the aquarium I wanted when I left for college.

Knowing that I couldn't haul a tank back and forth, I decided on a pretty little paper weight that looked like a couple of fish swimming in water.

Because it wasn't so much a tank of fish to take care of that I wanted but rather the beauty and peacefulness of a colorful aquarium to fill the colorless dorm room.

Much like the paper weight, this little 5x5 aquarium is a self contained, no hassle aquarium. It's encased in glass and as describe in the listing is "built as a shadow box with layers, sealed with acid free black tape and held together with metal clips"

However, Artistic Will also creates the most beautiful handmade paperweights inspired by nature as well as personalized artwork, announcements, and string art.

Christmas Shopping on Etsy

2010-10-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

I just got the neatest gift in the mail today that I ordered for my mother-in-law from mischyfpaws, a Schnauzer tote and towel.

Mischyfpaws is an adorable Etsy shop that sells personalized embroidered totes, lease bags, towels, stockings, and other goodies all inspired by your pet.

Thanks again Mischyfpaws. This is one happy customer!

New 1 1/2 inch Fabric Covered magnets and the Bug Collector Series

2010-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love fun, festive ladybugs?! I love ladybugs and penguins because they always make me think of my little boys.

My youngest is bug crazy; he loves his tube of plastic bugs. He walks around with a spider on his hand reenacting the Peter Park turns into Spider-man scene.

Together, we've made so many ladybug craft projects from plaster of pairs painted ladybugs to painted ladybugs made from a potato stamp.

In dedication to my two little boys, I started a Bug Collector Series consisting of ladybug rings, push pins, and magnets.

Other fabric covered magnets are also available, like the Blustery Day Pooh and Piglet Fabric Covered magnets.

Briolette Teardrop Earrings in an Array of Colors

2010-10-12T05:21:00.000-07:00

Here are the teardrop Briolette earrings I've been working on this week. I love all the fun colors. These were lots of fun to make. I also have briolette pendants coming soon.

Give Peace a Chance Necklace, coming soon, well . . . maybe

2010-10-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was fiddling with the most beautiful Turquoise magnesite Peace Sign beads and ended up making this lovely necklace.

I plan to add it to the shop soon but for now, this one is mine.

I even fell in love with the necklace's photos which will appear on my next set of business cards.

Proud owner of two pieces of Jewelry from Risky Beads

2010-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting Risky Beads' necklace, The Downsized Snowman, since last Christmas. Since I was busy buying other gifts, my beautiful little necklace had to wait. So this year, I used some birthday money to buy this little snowman.

I like the story behind the little snowman, the little inside joke about our failing economy, that Lori has printed on the jewelry card:

"these times
they are tough
as I'm sure you know
look what happened
to this guy
no bailout
for snow."

I also love that it's a subtle snowman; it doesn't scream Christmasy or winter, so you can wear it anytime. You don't have to wait till you put on that red sweater for the yearly group family Christmas card photo.

And, I love that the big white marble is not a perfect circle. It literally looks like a chunk of ice, like the snowball my husband put in the freeze last winter to get out and amaze the boys in the nasty summer heat.

Not long after my purchase, Lori created a mommy necklace for me to use in her display photos in her shop.

The discs are stamped with my boys' names and attached to the discs are their birthstones. It is a charming little gift for any proud mommy or grandmother. And, I'm sure after many of my family members see it, they are going to want one too.

Fabric Covered Push Pin and Magnet Sets

2010-10-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

This week I've been listing my new push pin and matching magnet sets.

So far, I've created quite a variety of designs: Blustery Day Pooh, pink plaid ladybugs, Ichthus, Orchestra instruments with music sheets, and purple plaid with a Raggedy Ann face.

Magnets and push pins are a nice little useful gift, great for teachers, co-workers, or just a way to add color to your kitchen or office.

Plus, they are extremely fun to make. I've bought patterned fabric, raided scraps of fabric from my fabric draw, and cut out great patterns from pieces of clothing. For example, the fall leaves push pin set was created using a handkerchief's border, and the Raggedy Ann face came from a small t-shirt.

Fill this year's advent calendar pockets or drawers with these little trinkets. Custom requests welcome. More designs are coming soon, plus, 1 1/2 inch magnet sets.

Win Halloween Marble Earrings

2010-10-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

My friend from Kidnaroundcreations is hosting a product review and giveaway for me. So if you want to win these Orange and Black Halloween Marble earrings, enter here.

Giveaway ends on Friday October 15, 2010

Team Colors, School Colors University of Kentucky Wildcat Beaded Hoops

2010-10-05T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here in Bluegrass Country, in the midst of The World Equestrian Games, we all wear our blue and white, regardless of team or college affiliation.

The University of Kentucky sporting events seem to be a cultural holiday in this area. Local Elementary schools have the UK shirt days; church, school, and other community events consult the UK basketball and football schedules to insure higher numbers in attendance.

Inspired by this cultural phenomenon, my first pair of team colored beaded hoops had to be blue and white. Or as we call it, UK Blue!

Other school and/or team colors are available, but as it is, I am not allowed to speak their names at this time after having spoken of the Kentucky Wildcats.

Custom Requests are welcome!

New Wire wrapped Beaded Hair Sticks

2010-09-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

About a month or so ago, I fell in love with JewelrybyJanelle50's beautiful wooden hair sticks and decided that I would try my hand at making wire wrapped hair accessories.

Here is the first of a line of hair accessories, the Embellished Tulip Wood Hair Sticks using Janelle's beautiful exotic wood hair sticks.

Wire wrapped Headbands are coming soon.

Red Brass Cleopatra Necklace

2010-09-23T05:17:00.001-07:00

When I last purchased wire, I decided to include a include a little sampler pack of red brass since I've never used red brass. Red brass has a beautiful gold tone to it.

Here is one of my first red brass creations, Cleo's Necklace inspired by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and modeled from a similar necklace made in copper.

Coming Soon: Fabric Covered Button Rings and Tacks

2010-09-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

I've been dabbling in creating fabric buttons using some old pieces of cloth around the house.

If you look really close, you can see that one fabric covered button is of Raggedy Ann's face which I made using an old t-shirt of mine.

The pretty orange and red leaf fabric came from a vintage handkerchief. The safari animal print come from an old stretch skirt, and the purple plaid and bear fabric came from the scraps from my fabric drawer.

The ladybug fabric covered button is hand stitched on blue evenweave. Using tiny cross stitch designs on button covers will look quite nice; plus, it's always great to find new uses for cross stitching.

I'm planning on make button rings and maybe a few sets of push pins. Push pins are a great way to dress up that drab cork board.

Check back with my shop for new fabric covered button rings and pin push sets.

Helen Janow Miqueo of HJM Art

2010-09-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of Helen Janow Miqueo. I'm happy to announce that today's HAFteam Wednesday feature is one of HJM Art's newest works of art, Flower Paintings Allium Earth Art, a modern look at a dandelion.

As I mentioned, I've been a fan of Helen's work for awhile. I love the Swirling trees especially the Tree based on Van Gogh's Starry Night.

And, I'm also a fan of Helen's poppies. What I like the most is her vision of nature, almost a new interpretation of nature, which gives a very modern spin to a classic image.

Newest Halloween Earrings

2010-09-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here is another set of Halloween Earrings I've made. These are made from real game piece glass marbles.

More marble earrings of various colors will be added to my shop in the following weeks.

Copperhead Road 16 Gauge Wire wrapped Copper Necklace

2010-09-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Back by Popular Demand, Copperhead Road 16 Gauge Wire Wrapped Copper Necklace.

I'm very proud of this necklace. It took lots of hand shaping, cutting, and hammering. It's a stunning eye catching piece that looks beautiful with a scoop neckline.

Matching bracelet and earrings are coming soon!

Wire Wrapped Halloween Earrings

2010-09-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the newest edition to my 1 1/2 inch hoop earring series, Black and Orange beaded Hoops just in time for Halloween.

I created these earrings because I love the fall and all the colors associated with autumn, harvest, and Halloween.

However, I always hated overdoing the Halloween theme in fashion accessories.

I haven't worn my big clunky bell pumpkin earrings since middle school but I wanted something to wear that was still just as themey without making me look like I was putting on a performance at the preschool.

So, this particular hoop design was created with me in mind. And, what I love the most about the hoop design is the beads are alternating not only in color but also in size, giving a nice contrast.

I've also created an orange beaded pair of hoops but, as always, any color is available.

Don't forget to fan my shop on facebook and check out all the treasuries I've created. I think I caught the treasury bug.

Facebook Fan Page

2010-09-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've updated my pictures with my nifty new camera, got a new banner designed by colourmebeautiful, and now, come join me on my new facebook fan page.

I'm thinking my next step is getting some new business cards that incorporates the red and white poka dot and the wire wrapped choker picture from the Etsy banner.

New Banner

2010-09-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

To go with all my new photos, I decided to get a new banner designed by colourmebeautiful.

Colourmebeautiful also makes the most beautiful, elegant, and elaborate collage paperart cards like the little candle gnome Christmas card.

The Santa gnome is handstamped and coloured in using Copic markers. The embellishments are all hand cut.

Check out more beautiful cards, paintings, gift sets, and spiral notebooks at colourmebeautiful.

New Camera and New Marble Earrings

2010-09-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that I've bee updating my of my shop's listings with new photos taken with my new camera.

For an earlier birthday present, I bought the Nikon Coolpix L22.

I've been retaking many pictures at the sheet covered washstand next to the front window. As you can see from the picture on the left, my new wire wrapped marble earrings are looking beautiful.

Now that the photo part of the shop is getting a little bit easier, I plan to be adding and creating a flood of new products in time for the holiday season.

Have a great labor day week. Oh yeah, and happy birthday to me :)

Cross Stitch Swaps

2010-09-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've participated in a couple of cross stitch swaps, one from a round robin involving a few facebook friends from a cross stitch group and the other was Phat Q uarter, Beefranck's flickr group dedicated to all things created with a needle.

My round robin theme was teddy bears and I stitched Newton, the little bear dipping his cookie in the mug. My friend added her little bear holding a flower. Are they the cutest! I just love bears. They proudly sit on my dining room shelf inside black 5x7 frames.

My friend's theme was snowman. Read her post here. She sent me some beautiful blue linen and I stitched her a this snowman from one of my Cross Stitch Card Shop magazines.

For the Phat Quarter, the theme was movies and each person came up with their own design that represented a movie. I like being a part of this particular group because they were very kooky and quirky. They breathe life and youth into an art form that many view as old fashion, out dated, or out of style.

For the swap, I designed an ET inspired pattern and created a little wire wrapped hanger from a wooden dowel. I used a mix of gray and blue thread to create the moon on the 18 count black aida and left the silhouette of Elliot and ET on the bike blank.

I received a beautiful framed and matted embroidery piece inspired by the movie, Monster on Campus, which was quite a treat having never embroidered nor ever received anything embroidered. Since I'd never heard of this movie, my husband was more than obliged to put it at the top of our Netflick's movie list and added a few other classic B horror movies while he was at it.

If you haven't seen this movie, check it out. I loved it. It's about a science professor who gets "bitten" while experimenting on an extinct fish that has been through some type of radio active preservation; thus making him revert back to the primitive man, sort of like the Hulk.

I am creating a little cross stitch gallery nook around my chair to hang all my pretty stitched things. I have so much to add. I've been involved in quite a few cross stitch round robins and I've made and been given so many beautiful things that need to be displayed in a central location.

HAFteam Wednesday Feature - Vintage Button Jewelry with lovely7designs

2010-08-18T04:39:00.000-07:00

Today's Wednesday feature is this beautiful 22 inch button necklace by lovely7designs.

I love the many different textures of the buttons made from 40 buttons of ivory, wood, and vintage brass strung onto soft linen/bamboo cording.

The combination of colors creates a nice touch to an already acclectic necklace. It's nice to see repurposed, upcycled pieces done well.

Each button on all of her creations are hand picked for an artistic purpose.

Do you have special buttons you'd like Lovely7designs to create into something interesting? She also creates custom designs.

Wizard of Oz Treasury

2010-08-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this treasury I created earlier today!

Briar Rose Nickel Silver Woven Wire Wrapped Adjustable Choker

2010-08-13T04:58:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to introduce my newest jewelry creation, the Briar Rose Fairy Tale Choker.

The title of the piece was inspired by Sleeping Beauty because it reminded me of the wild roses that grew up the sides of her castle.

The choker is made from multiple strands of braided 20 gauge nickel silver wire and glass seed beads. It's a free form design.

I'm hoping to start a whole series of the chokers, headbands, crowns, and circlets using the similar basic design.

For my original design, I used green and pink seed beads on 22 gauge wire. Like most of my original pieces, I kept it for myself. Since this particular design was very much outside my comfort zone, I tested it before creating and listing the Briar Rose Choker.

I was so happy with my original necklace, I wore it to the movies with a friend of mine when I finally saw Eclipse last week. My husband said it was very sexy too. We may have to pick out a dress to match the choker for my high school reunion.

Review for Crafts 'n Things Magazine

2010-08-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

My mother surprised me with a magazine subscription for Crafts 'n Things a few weeks ago and I've been absorbed by this magazine ever since.

Crafts 'n Things does not specialize in just one artistic medium which I like. Thus, many of the projects are beginner to intermediate level.

Many of the projects are from a specific place like a sample project from a book that just hit the market, a reader who submitted an original idea, or a shop or craft supplier illustrating how to use a product.

For me, the ads really make the book because I love seeing new craft trends. There are so many new products I'd like to try: mosaic kits, knitted socks from a loom, Create-A- Block, fun shape cookie cutters, and badge making starter sets. Even though many crafter, like myself, probably don't need a particular reason to increase his/her wishlist, this book is sure to do the job.

There are contests for six new crafting magazine ranging from plush creation and canning to jewelry beading and wire wrapping. So, there's a little bit in there for everyone even in their sponsored contests.

The projects in the magazine are no different; there is definitely a little bit for everyone whether you cross stitch, sew, scrapbook, create jewelry, papercraft, card stamp, scrapbook, create plush, wreath making, decoupage, like to create jar mixes or cooking, paint, needle felt, create mosaics, embroider, clay sculpt, needle punch, make terrariums, knit or crochet, or just dabble in creating household home decor.

And for an added bonus, this issues has an ongoing owl theme.

Ice Cream Shop Bracelets

2010-08-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

I love my newest four bracelets. They remind me of sweet treats, butterscotch, honey, popsicles, and cotton candy; hence the name Ice Cream Shop elastic cord stretch bracelets.

Recently, a friend of mine is getting out of making jewelry and was kind enough to trade with me. Now, I have lots of beads and findings to play with including the beads used to create the Ice Cream Shop Set.

Throughout this coming week, I hope to have more items listed created from recently acquired beads. For a few sneak peaks, go to my flickr account. Did I mention I'm much happier about the white backgrounds in my photos?!

In non-crafty related news, life continues and the world still spins. My boys are getting bigger and start school next week. We've been busy getting school supplies and enrolling them in the after school programs. I'm polishing up my syllabus for the upcoming semester. My husband and I are going to my ten year high school reunion this September.

Wednesday HAFteam Feature - Candles with Mylingy

2010-08-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

Because who doesn't love a good candle? Today's Wednesday feature is Mylingy's Purr-fect Candles.

Mylingy's candles are 100% natural soy, completely handmade, handpoured. Her candles are available in jars between 26 to 4 oz jars with lots of sizes in between, votives, melts/tarts, and tealights.

700 fragrances are available and trust me, she has everything under the sun from funnel cakes to unicorn horn, as featured on Regretsy.

Stock up this Christmas with lots of candles for everyone. Find fun, fantastic, and fantastical scents at Mylingy's shop.

Can't decide, pick a surprise me candle set. Contact Mylingy for multiple orders. Pick your colors and glitter preference. Customize the candle sets you want.

New Series of Beaded Hoops

2010-08-02T18:04:00.000-07:00

After creating my Night on the Town beaded wishbone earrings, I decided to branch out and create similar beaded hoops.

I'm extremely happy with how the 1 1/2 and 2 inch hoops turned out. I was so happy that I started making them in every color, because once I like something, I want one in every color.

This 1 1/2 inch hoop above is called Neon Pink Lady hoop earrings, named after some of my favorite characters from Grease.

But I have plenty more colors to choose from: purple, champagne gold, blue, multiple shades of green, red, mermaid fin teal. I snatch up as many luster or metallic colored glass seed beads I can find.

If you like the hoops but I missed your color, please let me know. Custom order are always welcome; plus, I love an excuse to get more beads.

Revamping my Entire Shop

2010-07-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

This past week I've been busy creating. My spools of wire, beads, findings among other numerous supplies have been staring longing at me, awaiting to come to life.

After creating lots and lots of new items, I decided to completely reinvent my shop.

So far, I've created better and clearer pictures, created a new banner, and unleashed into the artisan market an entire line of beaded 1 1/2 and 2 inch wire wrapped hoops, more button, pearl, and bead wire wrapped rings, bird's nest pendants and rings, beaded bangles, and a new shop favorite, the Music Lover Music Sheet Sterling Plated Bezel Bracelet (pictured above).

Not to toot my own horn but I'm very proud of myself. My biggest difficultly attempting an online business has always been the photo part of the job. I still have room for improvement but learning photo software is definitely a step in the right direction. I was so excited, I updated almost every picture in the shop. My next step is to invest in a better camera and build a light box but more on that later.

For now, I will have to be contented with bringing my wire to life. Check out my flickr account for a sneak peek at new items listed and not yet listed in my shop.

And as always, I welcome custom orders. I love making special items for people. There's nothing like attaching oneself to a particular design, even if it is something as simple as the number of beads on a bangle.

HAFteam Wednesday Feature - Teddy Bears with iKnitQuiltSew

2010-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I read a story "Do you Have a Teddy Bear Emergency Room" by iKnitQuiltSew, about an injured teddy due to a customer's teddy loving dog.

From one teddy bear lover to another, I was overjoyed to hear that the bear surgery was successful and the toddler involved had his or her beloved toy returned.

Today's HAFteam feature is one of the many adorable handmade teddy bear by iKnitQuiltSew.

She creates many beautiful bears, bear and doll clothes and accessories, booties, hats, headbands, and, of course, some of the most darling quilts.

I do hope I run into iKnitQuiltSew at Art Shows or local craft fairs because I desperately want to give each of her teddy bears a hug test until I can decide on one.

HAFteam Wednesday Feature JewelrybyNaLa

2010-07-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

This necklace was created by the lovely and talented Nancy of Jewelry by NaLa, another wonderful artisan in the HAFteam.

This piece, like many of her designs, has a very vintage antique quality to it due to the bronzed chain, findings, and hardware.

The chain measures 19 1/2 inches long and the 15mm antiqued brass hex nut has the words "intrepidity" and "Fearlessness."

The piece is startlingly beautiful, while at the same time, quirky and industrial.

Check out Nancy's other creations at her Etsy shop, her blog, facebook, flickr, twitter, her own website, and on the boards of the HAFteam.

Introducing My Line of Button Rings

2010-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'd like to tell you there is an interesting story behind this chunky plastic vintage peace sign button wire wrapped ring but honestly, I just don't have one.

However, my husband does call me hippie but I really don't think there is a connection between my husband's pet name for me and this ring. Or maybe that was just too much information.

I found the button among the many plastic button in my re-purposed pickle jar. Buttons are fun to play with. I've used them for card making and craft lace key chain embellishments and now rings.

I originally started making button rings because simply, I wanted one. So, this peace sign ring is the start of the many button and various stone rings I will be making in the future.

Happy Fourth of July Everybody!

Night on the Town Wire Wrapped Wishbone Earrings

2010-07-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

I'm the kind of girl that once I like a item of clothing, I buy one in every color. I guess I am no different when designing jewelry.

I feel in love with the long wishbone style of earrings which inspire the new line of earrings, The Night on the Town Wire Wrapped Wishbone Earrings.

Here they are in pink, pea green, amethyst purple, metallic colors, red and forest green.

More colors coming soon or just pick a color. Custom orders welcome.

Using the same wishbone design, I also made these Rock Candy bead chip Wishbone Earrings.