monday

Yesterday was a full day. Packaging up several sales from the weekend took up some serious time. Then 3 custom orders, plus 3 new pieces to list on Etsy. Whew! I was out cold when my head hit the pillow!
I finally figured out Click-n-ship. Well, sort of. I can at least print labels. I haven’t quite figured out how to pay online for my postage yet. It’s a learning experience that’s for sure!
I still think that using Paypal is easier. But in case I don’t have one generated through paypal, like if it’s a trade, then I can at least still print postage in another way.

I found an excellent bubble mailer seller on Etsy and just got my first order from her. They shipped lightning fast!

The Beading Tree

I’m still waiting for my new pillow gift boxes from BoxBliss.
It kills me to have to spend my earnings on supplies like boxes but in reality, it’s all about the packaging. I have always been a firm believer in this. People will appreciate the time spent on a beautifully packaged gift. What would you rather see when you rip open that bubble mailer? A little plastic ziplock baggie holding your jewelry OR A beautiful paper laced gift box or handmade origami box with Amy Butler paper?

I’m back! Get ready for a heavily pictured post!

I’ve returned! I know, I wasn’t gone that long! But it felt like an eternity without computer access for 2 days!
I had a nice time at home. I was feeling all nostalgic watching my sister graduate high school. I didn’t cry. Phew! I’m not a pretty crier.
Before I get into the trip pics, wanted to share a few other things with you.
1. Bead Porn- got some “goods” over the weekend! Excited to get into the studio!I received some chain from a first time order from Kathy Domokos @ AD Adornments. It’s incredible. I love it! I also got the 2 carved bone Cicadas from AD Adornments. Some polymer beads from Pam Wynn, who now has opened her very own Etsy shop! Check it out! Some strands of beads, Jasper, jade, and chalcedony, and some Czech glass pebbles.

2. Also, last week I received some pretty paper lace from Brooke Williams. Check out her shop Brookerpie. Here’s a pic of the 2 colors I received. I love this look on my packaged jewelry.

Had such a good time at home. I took lots of pictures of mom’s chickens. Here’s a little video clip of the 2 month old babies she got back in May. They are getting so big, but still sound like babies. They were adorable!
http://www.youtube.com/get_player

Mom also has a few quail. I’m not sure how many. They are so small and fast. They are separate from the chickens in their own area of the yard.

And here is a pic of the Quail’s eggs. Don’t they look kind of like beads? They are so teeny tiny.
p r e c i o u s

You can see more of my trip pictures here. I didn’t want to totally bore you! I hope I can get up into the studio tomorrow – have a good Saturday night! I think I need a glass of Thirsty Owl.

Have a good night! 🙂

a different look

It’s all about the hair.
I’m going for a different look.
what do you think?
I think it’s better.

Don’t forget! BLOG SALE: 30% off any one item in my shop! Til tomorrow Saturday June 28!
Enter BLOG SALE in the notes to seller section. I’ll send you a revised invoice!
Extra special deal, FREE SHIPPING TODAY AND TOMORROW!

It’s growing on me…

I’m not super fond of my new cut. It’s growing on me.
She thought she’d do an “edgier” version of my tried and true do.
hmmm.

Thursday

Reminder: Blog Reader sale continues. Take 30% off any one item in the shop til Saturday June 28. Type BLOG SALE in the notes to seller section. I’ll send a revised invoice! 🙂

So as you know, yesterday I had my little interview with the girl from the paper. It went well. She asked all the typical questions…how I got started, what inspires me, what do I like to use, where do I sell my stuff. I have to send her some pictures to use in the article. I’m not sure which pieces to pick. Something that relays well in black and white I guess!

No studio time last night. The search continues for the perfect Graduation gift for my baby sister. It’s harder than I thought it would be. Any ideas??

I think I’m having a hard time in the studio lately because I’m not sure what people are looking for. If you have time, answer some of these questions for me. Maybe it will help me focus in on a certain style or color.
*What would you like to see more of in the shop: Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings, or non-Jewelry items

*What colors do you look for in jewelry designs: Blues & Greens, Reds,Orange, and Yellows, Khaki, Browns & Greens, or Black, White, clear?

*Do you like: Long Necklaces, Shorter Chokers, Medium length pieces? Short earrings? Studs? Long dangles? Chandeliers?

*What’s your preference? Brass, Silver, Copper, Silk, wire?

* Do you lean towards: Pieces with chain, Chunky pieces, Simply strung beads, wire-wrapped beads, delicate small beads?

Remember, any sales made Friday or Saturday will be mailed on Monday morning.
Have a good Thursday Ya’all.

The Office

Reminder! Sale in the Shop- Blog readers only, get 30% off any one item until Saturday June 28! Enter BLOG SALE in the notes to seller, when checking out. I’ll send a revised invoice.

Nothing new today. I was busy last night packing up some orders to go out. I made a necklace but it was really dull. I’ll have to try to rework it. So instead, I thought I would blog about my favorite Television show of all time. The Office. The American version. Hil- ar -ious! It’s on hiatus for the summer but you can watch full episodes online here. If you haven’t seen it, you have to watch. I would suggest watching a few of the season 1 episodes before you jump on into season 4. A stellar cast includes Steve Carell, John Krasinski (*yes I have a total crush on him!), Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, Rainn Wilson, and many many more! The writing is so funny. There is no laugh track which I think is the best part of the show. Sometimes I have to watch episodes twice to catch all of the jokes within the show! I’m babbling. Here’s a clip of some popular recent Quotes from Michael (Steve Carell). Watch and Enjoy! Have a good Wednesday! Today is my interview for the paper. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning!

oh and you have to watch this one too. This is the Jim and Pam story set to one my favorite Sia songs!

Eurto’s in the Hizz-ouse

Normally I don’t like Mondays. But yesterday was a good Monday. I must say, I was quite pleased with this week’s Monday. I sold a pair of earrings to the lovely Heather Wynn, and then sold the super red pendant necklace that I was hesitant to list a few days ago. I was thrilled to see someone that loved it and wanted it for their very own. I look forward to making more jewelry in this style!
THEN, I got an email from a woman who works at the local newspaper. She picked up my Moo card at a local cafe, and wanted to know if she could do a profile on me in this local artist/crafters insert in the paper! I’m meeting her for lunch on Wednesday to do the interview! How cool is that?? Hopefully I’ll be able to either scan the article or be able to see it online so I can share it all with you!

In honor of such a good Monday, I’m having a sale! For Blog Readers only. Take 30% off any one piece of jewelry in my shop. Don’t pay til I send you a revised invoice! Enter *Blog Sale* in the Notes to Seller section! Sale ends Saturday, June 28.

Oh by the way, I’ll be out of town Friday through Saturday. All orders will ship Monday June 30. Going home to see my little baby sister Graduate from High School! OMG! 😉

Attention Bird Lovers!

ATTENTION BIRD LOVERS!

CHECK OUT THE NEW PENDANTS AT
SWOON DIMPLES!

They’re going to go fast, so snatch ’em up while you can!

Another cool find on Etsy, these adorable little bird cage pendants from Creative Elements! Perfect for the ever-so-popular Storytelling/multi-media jewelry…these will add just the right touch!
I’d put something inside, like these little eggs from Spool Design.

Lamp work glass birds: Green Glass Cafe

Bracelet Mania

BRACELET MANIA!

Sneak peek of this weeks bracelet listings… coming soon to an Etsy near you!

Getting ready to go to a nice birthday bar-b-que! Beautiful day for it and for a nice competitive game of Bocce Ball later. J is home, and I can’t tell you how much I missed him! Today I made a batch of excellent chocolate chip cookies to take to the party. They always turn out fabulous. Must be my secret recipe. [The recipe I got from the back of the Hershey’s chips bag!] It’s fool proof. Always amazing turn-out.
Hope you’re all enjoying your Sunday!

Saturday

I’m all alone this weekend. J is out of town painting at a lake house. Poor J! Must be so tough for him! =)

Here’s what I did, in list form:

1. Got up @ 7:45, drank coffee, and surfed the net
2. Ate some strawberry pop-tarts, got dressed.
3. Went to Bead shop, bought these lime green beauties, and some seed beads, some copper bead caps, and some cool Czech glass that was 20% off. Then
went to George’s landscaping and bought impatiens, coleus, some wacky purple leafy thing, and some lime green wacky green plant, potting soil, 3 plastic pots.
4. Came home, planted said flowers into said pots.
5. Weeded a flower bed.
6. Went to the grocery store, and bought stuff for lunch and stuff for dinner.
7. Came home, made lunch. Ate on the front porch. (See pics below of planted flowers).

8.Went to the studio. Built this custom necklace for Stefanie M. using seed beads and ceramic beads that she made and sent me.
Made earrings (2 pair) one using copper bead caps.
Made bracelet using lime beads. (*i have a feeling no one will like this color but I’m going to list them anyway)

9. Took photographs, edited photographs, and am now blogging.
Coming up:
10. Dinner: chicken sausage, couscous, tomato and cucumber salad
11. Strawberry shortcake
12. a movie- probably something really girly and sappy that J would hate. =)
13. ahhh, bed.