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.

A new beginning

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the web. My name is Tracy, I live in the north east region of Pennsylvania with my fiance, two cats, and two bunnies. My fiance and I found a common interest together in jewelry design, and ceramic painting. We share so much love for creation that we decided to take it a step further and try our hand at a jewelry business. Here I will be updating our progress on new ideas, creations, photographs of finished work, and of course, of our family. I hope you enjoy your visit, and please do come back often.