Wow! Long time no blog. My bad!

Wow, I've been a bad blog-mommy. 

Some personal updates before we get to the goods! My fiance and I are a little over a month away from "the big day". Stress doesn't even begin to describe. We still have a majority of the wedding to pay off, so that's a big factor right now in our stress. I did, however, have to go buy a new dress from David's Bridal. The dress is very beautiful and pretty conservative.

ANNNDDD.... we have bought a house. Well, not "officially" yet - but we sign the papers for the house today. A beautiful 3 bed room home, with a fire place, pool, and a dining area that I can only describe as the perfect french cafe. 

Now, onto what's new in the craft world! I do an annual show in Brielle, NJ every fall. The show happens to be next weekend (September 6th) and I am *so excited*. We have so many new beautiful creations, new styles, and if I may say so myself, our technician has dramatically improved from last year's show - that I'm quite positive that the show will be a huge hit. 

Recently I have found an attraction and love for Lampwork glass - and have started a Kidney Bean line - a single lamp work glass Kidney Bean on a sterling silver cable line. These necklaces are so dainty and feminine - I'm having a hard time parting with them! The line has not officially made it's way to my Etsy store as of yet, but hoping by November I will have my line completed with all the beans finished, in all colors imaginable. 

My lampwork obsession has not ended there. I have found a love for taking truly gorgeously hand made lampwork beads in all assorted shapes, designs, and colors, and turning them into OOAK bracelets. 

This piece, I just love... I love the texture of the bumpy lamp work beads, and the contrast of the lavender swarovski crystals. I call this piece, Fall Festival:

http://www.AngelHeartBeads.etsy.com

For those of us clinging to the remains of summer, this piece reminds me of a late summer carnival, with the sky blue and contrasting sunshine yellow. I call this Carnival Sky:

http://www.AngelHeartBeads.etsy.com

I love beads, and love creating jewelry. I even keep the pieces that I deem as "ugly jewelry". Just because it's not necessarily my style - doesn't mean that there isn't a person in the world who wouldn't think that they've found a treasure. 

Aside from my new creations - I have been doing quite a bit of shopping on Etsy (as always). Here are some of the fabulous pieces that I have recently purchased and highly recommend these shops for superior product, fantastic customer service, and prompt shipping:

Devan Carol's shop:  http://www.devancarol.etsy.com

I received this fabulous wool felted ring yesterday. I positively love it. The ring is a fun accessory and the color combination could fair well for both summer, or fall fashions. Devan is extremely accommodating, responds fast to all convo's, and has exceptional shipping time. 

If you're looking for cute, and original tags - shop is fabulous, and the seller is very sweet, helpful, and cheery. You know how you sometimes get a seller who you purchase from then you hear hide nor hare from them? This seller, cornerstore, is a polar opposite of that. They are professional, and prompt.  http://www.cornerstore.etsy.com

This seller is near and dear to my heart. If you're looking for rainbows and sunshine - this shop is definitely a place to visit. I have made multiple purchases from this seller, and even purchased a bulk order or friendship bracelets that have their shop information on the packaging that I am now including in purchases made via Etsy as well as the shows I will be attending as a "thank you" gift. I believe that working together with hand made artists not only helps boost sales for both parties involved, but also gives a greater sense of community. http://www.Makepeacebutrebel.etsy.com

This piece from Make Peace But Rebel, is not a purchase of mine (yet, note the yet, it is hearted and I plan on purchasing!) but it's so well done, I had to share the quality workmanship this shop offers to customers:

And, my final promotion of the day, I recently purchased this beautiful, fluffy, fuzzy friend from a fabulously artistic, talented, and Etsy famous plush creator: Mint Conspiracy. The plushies are so professionally made with care, and are so truly unique - how can you resist this furry little face? http://www.mintconspiracy.etsy.com

As always, buy hand made! Visit Etsy often, and help support this fabulous hand made community of talented artists, and quality product! http://www.etsy.com

Helping to promote other artists

I have compiled a list of some of my absolute favorite shops - come check them out and help to support the hand made community!

http://www.Pixxistix.etsy.com

http://www.Sinister.etsy.com

http://www.JoBearCreations.etsy.com

http://www.LittleElfsToyshop.etsy.com

http://www.peacoxcreations.etsy.com

http://www.mailled.etsy.com

http://www.johnif.etsy.com

http://www.jenngee.etsy.com

http://www.nonasnote.etsy.com

http://www.PandaLoves.etsy.com

http://www.quiltnut60.etsy.com

http://www.fairydreams67124.etsy.com

http://www.Strawberryhill.etsy.com


Meanwhile, enjoy a picture of my baby Eeyore, a dwarf lop that was born on January 25, 2008 to my other two rabbits Honey Bear and Sir Flopsalot. She has one other sister, J.C., and two brothers - Mischief, and peanut. Isn't she too sweet?

Long time no blog!

I apologize for the long over due blog! My life has been a bit crazy. A little insight on recent events that have had me so busy!

- Wedding planning. Oh, my gosh! I never thought that planning a wedding would be so time consuming and tiring! My fiance and I have set the date for October 25, 2008 - and have started the long process of deposits to vendors and setting things up for that date.

- My Nissan Sentra was totaled. Among my very busy schedule, I have unfortunately had the added stress of being temporarily carless. My brother in law was driving my Nissan on Mother's day weekend to see his mother in NJ, and hit a deer. The impact was so forceful, that the entire front end of my car was destroyed along with the computer, and all the wiring. Alas, things are starting to work themselves out, and I am in the process of buying a Jeep Wrangler for cash. This works out in a positive sense, no more loan to pay off!

- Complete store over haul. Photographing, posting, revising, retaking photos, reposting, revising... it is such a long process! I think I have finally figured out how to work my camera, and have a nice set up that allows for very attractive photos.

- New lines of jewelry and an introduction into my decorative painting works. My fiance has established a nice line of jewelry with guitar picks, while I have been making pretties with glass bubble beads, and cha cha bracelets.



My new line of bracelets have been especially fun to make. The color combinations are virtually endless. Plus, they are really relaxing to make. So many of my friends have exclaimed "How in the world did you make that! It looks so complicated!" when infact, it is so simple. Shh, don't tell! :)

As for my hand painted deco art bags - those are especially inspiring for me. I have been painting for as long as I can remember, and while jewelry design my be my most favored passion, I can't deny my painters roots. These mysterious tree paintings have been stuck in my head for months, and I'm not sure why this image came to me. But, it is all I've been able to paint as of late. I believe that my next painted project will be painted Raven's on tote bags. We'll see what happens!





Now, without further ado, here are some recent photos for your enjoyment! Please do stop by my shop to check out the new pieces we have listed. All proceeds are currently going to the Rainbow Bridge Rabbit Rescue fund which will help in the support and cost of spaying and neutering rescued rabbits in the NEPA region. http://www.AngelHeartBeads.etsy.com

Jewelry for the Food Network Stars?

Who doesn't love food? Or in fact, who doesn't love the Food Network for at least one of it's stars? I find inspiration in the strangest places. I have to admit, I'm a total Food Network junkie - and am a super huge fan of Rachel Ray.

While making jewelry, I try to find things that inspire me from the interests that I have. Namely, making "food" from Polymer clay. I have designed a Tomato necklace and earring set for Rachel Ray, which will be promptly mailed out to her this week.

Meanwhile, I have also designed a Cherry pie necklace and earring set for Paula Deen. These two ladies are my cooking inspirations.

Sometimes it's easier to become inspired then one might think. It doesn't have to always be "jewelry related" to make jewelry.

Destashing your habit

Do you ever find yourself sitting in your sanctuary, among piles and mountains of projects, over whelmed by the ever growing stock pile of supplies you have accumulated over the year?

Maybe what we all need is a little reorganizing, and, in the words of T.V. Host Niecy Nash - take a big girl pill and unload the chaos! I have decided to unload beads from my stash that I will not be using. Slowly over the course of the next week or so I will be pulling out my stock, sorting, reorganizing, and selling what I do not need. Fraction of the retail cost, major savings for those in the market for destashes of beads!

I know that I am unable to work in a disorganized studio, so I'm sure there are others out there that feel the same way. Lets make this month the "lets get organized and out of the rut" month so that we all start producing our magnificent creations for all the world to see.

Meanwhile, let me supply your habit. Stop by Angel Heart Beads and grab up some great bead lots. Have a look around, and let me know what you all think of my ever growing store!

Valentines Day is around the corner!

Ahh the month of Love. Valentines Day is just around the corner. Have you picked out the perfect gift for your sweetie yet? I feel that if you're going to buy your lady something for the most romantic day of the year a piece of jewelry - buy it hand made! It says "I was thinking outside of the box" and not just grabbing something mass produced from a chain store. Or, get your hands dirty! Have a piece custom made for your love. Ask a designer if they can accommodate your ladies favorite gem stones with her preferred metal (sterling silver, 14k gold, surgical steel, etc...) and then you can not only reap the benefits from having an original one of a kind of for your Valentine, it will mean so much to her that you used your creativity to make something especially for her!

Never underestimate the power of self creativity. Women, at lease those I have encountered personally, have preferred a thoughtful hand made gift over a gift card, or a store bought mass produced piece of jewelry, or stuffed animal... If you go stuffed animal - buy it hand made! There are hundreds of talented artists all over the web who are more then happy to accommodate your needs for the "Perfect Gift".

Valentines Day shouldn't be the only day you say "I love you"... Pick a random day out of the year, and make that day YOUR special day with your better half!

Polymer Clay

Rob and I have been working with polymer clay as of recent. We've only been making polymer pieces for about 3 weeks. He is focusing on making bears, while I have been working on the food side - polymer cakes, donuts, cupcakes, pies, etc... I'm truly addicted to making "food jewelry". I think they are unique, and they are a treat you don't have to regret on the scale.

When firsting starting with polymer clay we had also purchased the recommended sealer. This stuff was aweful. It destroyed our brushes, and left the beads sticky. That simply did not work. So, we tried a more uncommon avenue... nail polish top coat. This works like a dream! We have also used top coat with glitter in it already, and that gives the beads a nice glimmer.

Attached is a photo of a pair of chocolate cake slice earrings I recently finished. I'm very attracted to "food related" jewelry - must be because I'm a Food Network addict.