Such a long time

I really should make a goal for myself to blog at least once a week - to keep me motivated and inspired.

The past year has brought about a lot of changes in my life. Besides my recent marriage in 2008 (Okay, so not so recent) - my mother introduced me to her boyfriend Curtis, my old roommate from years ago moved in with my husband and I for one day then moved in with someone from the internet, created a second store on Etsy, been published, have a full time job outside of my home now, besides my on call work on the weekends, and now my husband and I have embarked on a life style change: losing weight.

We joined http://www.SparkPeople.com and have been logging our daily food, calories, exercise, etc. 7 weeks in, and 22 lbs down. Hubby's lost 16 lbs.

Being the foodie that I am - life style change in the kitchen scared me. I'm a cook. I am not happy unless I'm cooking. Creating master piece food presentations is what drives me. But, surprisingly, I've found that I am enjoying cooking more, now, then I was before. This change is challenging me, and my true abilities to cook. I'm no chef by any means, and would never claim to be. But food is the heart of my family - it's where people gather, and chat, and make memories.

So what's on the menu? Buffalo shrimp and chicken with grilled cherry tomatoes and pineapple. Holy hell, delicious!

Truman, one of our cats, is having ear surgery on Monday. He scratched his ear or did something that caused this blood bubble to form. The vet tried draining it, but it just keeps filling back up. So, next step is surgery. Makes me nervous. He's such a good boy, such a gentle cat. I'd be devastated if something ever happened to him.

Well, that's all for tonight. Off to watch Idol and put the buffalo flames out in my mouth! Enjoy my latest - Alien Slit Throat choker necklace!

And the winner is...

And the winner is...

...www.minniemaes.etsy.com !!!!! You will be receiving the romantic valentines day heart bracelet featured on my blog!

And the runner up is... piccoladonna2006 - you will be receiving a romantic vintage style earring set! 

I apologize in the delay for me posting. I am currently in NJ while my father is in the hospital, and will be here at least a week, possibly more. I will have your goodies in the mail for you as soon as possible, by the weekend.

Thank you all for participating in my give away!

Valentines Day Give Away!

The most romantic Holiday quickly approaches! Valentines Day!

So in the spirit of the holiday - I am doing a romantic woven bracelet give away. The bracelet is comprised of cracked glass beads - round, oval, and diamond shaped - with three sterling silver wrapped red hearts. The piece is finished with a silver plated heart toggle. Such a romantic piece! The winner will be drawn on February 1st! Once I contact the winner, please let me know what size wrist you have as I will adjust the bracelet to fit you specifically!

Now, how this game works. Go to my shop here: Angel Heart Beads and view my shop - post here on my blog the link to your favorite item and why, with your email address (so I can contact you if you win!)

And that's it! Pretty simple!

And because I'm in the mood to share, I will be sending a runner up a free pair of romantic style earrings. So, in effect, there will be two winners!

Ready? Set? GO!

Wedding Photos

Here they are! Photos from my Wedding on October 25, 2008!!!

The Holidays are coming!

So you know what that means, right? TIME TO SHOP!!!

Today I am promoting some wonderful Etsy shops in hopes to help fellow artists make a few sales for the Holiday season.

First up is Sarah from the shop "Fancy" - her eye for color coordination, and whimsical style are perfect stocking stuffers for any jewelry buff out there. Take a look around, her prices are great, and her product is beautiful. Fancy's Shop

This artist is truly amazing. Her work is deep, and soulful - with just a touch of unnerving mystery. Aunia Kahn's pieces are both inspiring and beautiful. If you know someone who is as emotionally poetic as Aunia's pieces, these would make the perfect gift. Aunia Kahn's shop
You can also reach her at this URL www.auniakahn.com

All I can say about this artist is - OMG CUTE!!! Fairy Cute's store is such a pleasure to look at. I wish I had a little girl to buy for. This is PERFECT for your little princess for Christmas. Her prices are reasonable, and her product is GORGEOUS. Fairy Cute's shop

The Mint Conspiracy is sure to never disappoint. I, personally, own one of her Petunia creations and it is one of my most treasured plush stuffies I own. The quality of workmanship is amazing. The colors are vibrant, and lets face it - they are damn cute! Mint Conspiracy's Shop

Deb's shop is so fun and colorful. Her fishy bags are a total hoot. Her prices are great, and she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet on Etsy. She is a forum regular, so stop by and say hi to her sometime. If you know of anyone who loves the movie "Finding Nemo" - they will LOVE owning one of Deb's fishy bags! Deb's shop

Do you know someone who loves to sew? If so, then this shop is a great place to buy a custom made pin cushion. These cushions are so colorful and cute. You can't go wrong for the seamstress in your life with one of these! The Blue Daisy's shop

~*~*~*~
In other news, BJ and I have been working our fingers to the bone the past few weeks! He has new puzzle piece jewelry up for sale, as well as new guitar pick jewelry. His creations just keep getting better and better. As for me, I've had a ton of custom orders, which is just fabulous! I love doing custom pieces for people, I think it's more personalized, and truly feels wonderful at the end of the day when they say "that is exactly what I imagined!". I love it. So of course, please stop by our shop from time to time and check out our newly listed!

Angel Heart Beads

New Etsy Mini!

Lots of shopping going on here. Trying to get BJ to not buy anything for himself this time of year is like yanking teeth! The boy doesn't know when to stop shopping. hehe I have been busy buying Christmas presents with what little money we have (talk about massive bills) and doing trades on Etsy! I am definitely up for doing Trading for the Christmas season! This is my Trade Friendly section: Trade Friendly

My bunnies are almost 1 year old. Well, sort of. January 25th the little furry monsters will be 1 year old. Honey Bear and Sir Flopsalot (the parents) will be two years old this coming year. They are so much fun. The two boys Mischief and Peanut are *so attached* to me. We don't keep our rabbits outside in hutches - they are all indoor bunnies. We have to keep Peanut and Mischief separated from the other four because Sir Flopsalot has "domain" over the three girls and is very territorial - so the three boys would fight. The four bunnies stay in a large floor play pen that is probably 5ft x 4ft - while the two boys have a hutch. We bring Peanut and Mischief out daily to let them run around the house. They follow me like lost puppies. No matter where I am, they have to be with me. If I'm on the couch - they jump on the couch and stay there. If I'm in the kitchen, they are follow me into the kitchen. I've never met two rabbits that are so in love with their human owner. I guess a lot of that has to do with that they were hand raised (the four babies) by me and my husband. Female rabbits, I've found, are just naturally more independent - but all the boys have been extremely attached to us.

Here is a really cute picture of Mischief and J.C. (JC is a girl) at just a few months old. They are all so soft and fuzzy - lion head bunnies, dwarfs.

Other then bunnies, I finished a custom order this week for a lady in TN. She was such a pleasure to work with, and I am really happy with how the piece came out. It reminds me of winter, ice, and snow. Very magical and majestic piece.

Other then all that - BJ has been frantically working on the puzzle jewelry, I've been working on tile and glass pendants. I will end this entry with my Etsy mini and I hope that it posts!

Etsy Buy Handmade AngelHeartBeads

Vote for your favorite!

It's that time, and yes, I'm hosting my very first blog contest! Please review the below lovely Etsy crafters and vote on your favorite. The winner will receive a lovely necklace made by moi, Angel Heart Beads! 

The contest will end on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. Tell all your friends to come by and vote for their favorite pet!!! :) 

Here are your choices!: 

#1:  www.CutthroatBodyArt.etsy.com    Fur Baby Morgan

#2:  www.weberphoto.etsy.com   Nicole Worthley's fur babies

#3:  www.nicherndesigns.etsy.com   Bunny

#4:  www.mommysyellinggirl.etsy.com   Mommy's Yelling Girl fur babies

#5.  www.getpalmd.etsy.com Miss Morrison

#6.  www.recycledideas.etsy.com   Recycled Ideas puppy

#7.  www.weirdbuglady.etsy.com Ninja

#8.  www.UglyGerbil.etsy.com   Ash

#9.  www.juliebcreative.etsy.com Zoey

#10. www.CanesGalactica.etsy.com   Galaxy and Magellan