My First Treasury

So I just figured out how to make an Etsy Treasury... I just might be addicted!  Here's my first attempt.  Still trying to figure out how I can show it with pictures here...

And we're back!

Sorry everyone... I know it's been two months and two days since I wrote my last blog post.  I've been a bit busy since then, but I have lots to report, so I promise that from now on posts will be more regular!  Quick summary of events that led to massive blog neglect:
*I was laid off from my "real" job
*My husband was in the hospital
*I was diagnosed with all sorts of lovely ailments (hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, early signs of arthritis in the knees)
So you would think that with all this time on my hands, I would be doing nothing but blogging and crafting.  But I've been doing a lot of stressing instead.  The job market here is brutal!  But enough whining!  I've done a little bit of Halloween preparation:

| Festive Halloween Medium Zippered Pouch |

 

AND!!!  My Swing Station Studio pieces are now going to be shown in TWO shops!  They'll still be at Mama Said Sew here in Fort Collins, CO, and now at the Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos, NM!  I'll have lots of little pouches and box purses at the FLAC for their upcoming Fall Fiber and Fashion show, and then continuing through their Affordable Arts show in November.

And as if I haven't spread myself thin there, since I still have my shop on Etsy, I am also in a show in Broomfield, CO, Nov. 13th.  It's called Santa Cellar, and it's a fun holiday themed show, that I am really excited to be a part of.  Except for the fact that I have a tiny inventory now and need to make so much more!  Yikes.

I've also got new designs, recipes, and so much more to share with you!  I've got a newsletter coming out soon, so if you'd like to be on the list, sign up here!  It will give you access to sales, discounts, updates, and maybe a giveaway or two!

| Bright Orange Pumpkin Small Zippered Pouch |

I wish I had invented sticky notes.

Because my house, my phone, my desk, my car, everything is covered with them.  They float around like little colorful bits of a broken rainbow, I find them in every pile of books, trash, laundry, dishes...  And it would be cool to look at them and think, "I made that," instead of "Oh crap, I forgot to do that... and that... and that..."  Also, I'd be rich.  I think the majority of my sticky notes say the same thing, reminding myself of new designs I want to make, new tags I want to label my items with, etc., etc.  So I'm going to save myself a sticky note today, and instead of reminding myself to blog, I'm going to just do it.  Look at me go!

Ok, so I've had a little sugar.

But I'm being productive!  Look, today I'm featuring Omni Presents! 

Omni Presents makes handmade, beautiful new age and spiritual jewelry.  Like this unique colorful czech glass necklace.  Omni Presents has a great selection of jewelry options, including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, including this stunning summer turquoise butterfly necklace.  And the pieces are very affordable, as well.

Another perfect summer necklace:  the seaside confetti shell necklace.  This is so understated and sophisticated.  And that's no stone... that's a handpainted shell!  I love it!

I love the positive energy surrounding this shop!  Each lovely item is gift-wrapped, with a little hand charm that reads "handmade," so you or your lucky friend knows they are supporting a real artist.  Who could resist?

This piece feels so earthy.  This necklace features a lingam stone, which is found only in the Narmada River.  Very unique!  And what's great about this store, is the jewelry is sorted into five different categories, such as "Bliss Baubles" and "Goddess Gear," with each collection designed to inspire the wearer to feel happiness or balance. 

An avid jewelry maker and adorer, Omni Presents states:  "I am...passionate about new age techniques such as meditation, color therapy, and crystal healing. Therefore, I decided to combine my...passions and create a collection of handcrafted regalia for adults that is not only beautiful but also serves to increase energy and enhance the spiritual health and well-being of the wearer through the materials used."  I really enjoy pieces of art that represent something to the artist, and especially when that sentiment is reflected in their art.  Enjoy!

Omni Presents can be found on Etsy, Twitter, and Facebook.  She's also got a great blog!

Staycation!

So I've been incredibly lazy this week.  Wednesday was my birthday, so my husband and I took Wed-Sun off from work to have an extended staycation at home.  And it has been awesome!  And not very productive.  I have been ignoring everything except laundry, which had been ignored too much before this week and left me with no clean clothes.  I also had a duplicate assignment for my BEST feature this week, and that took a couple days to get sorted out, and BAM!  It's Saturday.  We're hiking Dinosaur Ridge in Denver tomorrow, so I better get something done today! 

So now that I've made the lamest excuses for not getting my blog written on time (too much free time??), here's a big apology to Alexander's Designs... so sorry this is so late!!!

I guess we share something... Alexander's Designs is also on vacation this week!  I think they're actually at a festival, and probably being productive... So here's a look at a few items they've sold (not to tease you with things you can't have :) ):

This is sooo pretty!  This spectrolite (blue laboradite) bracelet is gorgeous!  I also love this little birdie glass pendant!  Very cool.

This is my favorite!  A vintage key (so mysterious), and a beautiful Czech glass bead make this a treasured piece:

So now that you have seen the variety that Alexander's Designs offers, a little bit about Jenny and Skip Alexander!  A husband and wife team, the Alexanders specialize in "Ugly Glass," which they make (!), and jewelry featuring glass, sterling silver and precious metals, lamp beads (which they also make), Swarovski beads, and gemstones.  Completely self-employed, the Alexanders get to focus on honing their glass and jewelry craft and state: "We hope everyone enjoys wearing our creations as much as we have enjoyed creating them."  I look forward to visiting their shop when it's open again!

These crafty jewelers have a blog and a website, are on Facebook, and have several other shops, as well!  Check them out!
Alexander's Designs

Beadery Destash
Classically Simple
Ugly Glass
Jenny Alexander

Boo, weather, boo.

I am not a fan of the heat.  Despite being fortunate enough to live in a climate with very limited humidity, Colorado is still too hot for me right now.  Makes me lazy, sleepy, and uncomfortable.  I desperately need to buy an AC unit for my studio... I sweat just sitting in there!  Does not make for a productive day, I'll tell you that.  But enough of my whining!

I'm going to blame the heat on my late post featuring the talented Ardent Reverie.  Just go with it.

I absolutely love this Message in a Bottle necklace!  Such a sweet, memorable, personal gift!  Perfect to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, as bridesmaids gifts... so many great uses!  Delicate and feminine... so perfect.

Other than obvious style and flair this cute crocheted beanie has, and the hundreds of occasions it would be perfect to wear to, it is such a steal: $8!!!  I'm still in shock.  And quite possibly must have it.  Obviously, Ardent Reverie has quite a selection of accessories:  crocheted hats, feathered hair clips (check out the pic below), necklaces, scarves, and paintings! 

This Faitytale Romance feather clip is so fancy and festive... those feathers are such a gorgeous range of greens and blues!  And I know I listed paintings earlier.  These are not what you'd expect...

This painting is fabulous, no?  "Lurie" is stunning.  But what if she glowed in the dark, too?

Seriously cool.  Ardent Reverie is the collaboration of two crazy sisters (their words, not mine!) living in San Diego, and is a great collection of fun accessories for you and your home.  I'll leave you with a great summer accessory:  the Not So Scarf!

 
I love the tassel, the braid... such a perfect, classy summer scarf.  Want more Ardent Reverie?  Need more?  Then check them out on their blog!!

So little time... to shop!

I can't believe we're half way through June already.  This is bound to be my busiest month this year (hopefully... I can't handle much more!), so naturally I also have a very determined cold... that I got at my last show.  So I'm a little behind with blogging and whatnot.  I know I promised cookies and pictures... maybe next month.  I am literally booked until then.  So to keep your mind off the delicious recipes I keep promising and not sharing, I'll give you a little eye-candy instead:

CK Silver!  (This shop name really makes me want to yell, "Hi ho Silver, away!"  I'm such a nerd.)  Anyway, CK Silver is an amazing jewelry shop on Etsy, and is a serious distraction to my busy schedule :)  Featuring collaborative jewelry from the mother-daughter team of Marilyn and Cindy, CK Silver specializes in sterling silver, pearls, semi-precious stones, and Swarovski crystals.  Inspired by the beauty of nature, CK Silver sells earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and has a great "Jewelry of the Month Club" -- now THAT'S something I'd love to get in the mail!

Enough talk!  Gaze...

I love these Spring Bouquet earrings!  So pretty and carefree, yet so classy with rose quartz and freshwater pearls.  If you've read any of my posts about jewelry, you'll know I have a thing for pearls...  like this gorgeous freshwater pearl bracelet:

Did I mention the jewelry arrives in a beautiful gift box?  So you can treat yourself, or your friend, or your mom, or me...

So this is seriously the best idea ever.  This alone makes CK Silver a fabulous shop:  the Pearl Jewelry of the Month Club!!!  Yes, I'm excited.

This is just so great.  They also have a Gemstone Jewelry of the Month Club!  So what's so great about the Jewelry of the Month Club, you ask?  I'll tell you what!  You get to pick the earrings you want!  See the little numbers in the picture above?  You pick your favorite three sets, and once a month, they send you one!  How fun is that?  These Washington ladies have a great thing going here! 

I will leave you with some earrings that remind me perfectly of summer:  refreshing cool ocean blue icicles... enjoy your weekend (and don't forget to check out CK Silver's blog)!

Some people!

Some people have almost no talent (it's sad, but true).  Some people have a little bit of talent (the average Joe).  And then there's Viola of Crochetize.  This lady has so much talent and vision (and patience!  Look at those tiny designs!) that she stands alone.  Viola makes stunning crocheted gloves wearable art:

Gorgeous!  Her gloves, like these black fishnets, make me wish I lived in Victorian times... or a Steampunk future!  

Hello Alice in Wonderland!  I just love these fingerless cobalt blue gloves, especially with the little bow!  And how sweet and romantic are these gloves with the heart cut-out? 

So pretty and delicate!  Viola of Crochetize says she is "hypnotized" by knitting, and I'd say her pieces have the same effect!  Based out of Lithuania, I'm sure she has a lot of romantic influences to be inspired by.  If you'd like to learn a bit more about this talented lady, be sure to find her on her website, her blog, and on Twitter.  And don't forget to order yourself a pair of her beautiful gloves for your next dinner party, romantic date, costume party, or as a gift for a special friend!