Looking forward to the New Year

I'm hoping to get everything more under control and have a better schedule for keeping up with stuff in 2010. One of those scheduled items is time to write up a new blog post at least once a week. Sorry for neglecting my poor little blog(s).

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, productive, and prosperous New Year!

Nature's First Green is Gold

About two months ago, I got this idea to do an Etsy treasury using items from HAFteam members that had an autumnal feel to them. Either in colors or design. Then I got an idea to continue the theme and keep doing treasuries until I featured every HAFteam shop. We have nearly 200 shops on the HAFteam, so it's taken me until now to finish out the series. 15 treasuries later...

I took screen shots of all of the treasuries (one time I forgot, but took a shot of my poster sketch), so I would have a record of everything. Just in case you've missed any of them.

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower,
but only so an hour.

Or in this case, eight weeks. The complete set of 15 autumn-inspired treasuries.





























Nothing gold can stay...



Footnote: Nobody's perfect! I just double-checked against my member list, and I think I'm missing a treasury somewhere. (I knew the number of shops seemed one treasury too little.) Don't have a screen shot. Mis-numbered something somewhere. So, I created a poster sketch with those missing shops, and some of the items I was sure I had featured, plus a few more.

My Latest Thing (for now)

Anyone that is creative, and has ADHD, knows how hard it is to focus on one particular craft, medium, or project. While I love making beaded items, especially the bookmarks, my true passion is quilting! I have a fabric fetish, lol! I can sit and stare at all the fabrics for hours if people let me. Oooooo, prettyyyyy.


I just don't have the time to work on big quilts right now. But I have this HUGE stash of fabric. (Probably not that huge by most quilter's standards. But enough that I don't have room for my clothes in my closet.) So I came up with an idea to make quilted coasters. I can whip out a set in a day, and I still get to play with all the pretty fabrics. And I get to move on to the next color combination before I get tired of looking at the last one.


I've only made one set so far, but I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out. And I have another set in the works. They are constructed like a traditional quilt: top, batting, backing, and binding. I don't just serge the ends like some folks making fabric coasters do. I actually take the time to cut my own binding, machine stitch it to the front, and then tack it down by hand on the back. Each coaster is like it's own mini-quilt.


So far I've only been doing "whole cloth" fronts, not pieced, but I've got some ideas for pieced ones, too. I have made some ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals) that are pieced. That's what got me onto the idea of quilted coasters. I took the ACEOs one step further than a quilt and added some beads! I got to combine two of my favorite crafting materials. But for now I've switched gears to the coasters. Until I get back to making more bookmarks, that is. Can't stay with any one thing too long...

Etsy HAF Team "Spread the Love" Shops of the Week for September 7-13

It's that time again! Time for the Etsy Handmade Artists Forum Team's (HAF Team) "Spread the Love" campaign. A different member shop is randomly picked for each day. Then we try to promote that shop by whatever means possible. I've decided to make a weekly blog post featuring all of the shops for the coming week.
And now, without further adieu, here are my choices from the shops for the week of September 7-13.


Shop for Monday, September 7: Island Crystal Crafts
Jewelry, candle holders, mini-purses, and beaded ornament covers. From Brunswick.

Flower Power Necklace--




Shop for Tuesday, September 8: Armored Hearts
Custom chainmaille jewelry and wearable art From Howard City, MI.

Egyptian Inspiration Necklace--




Shop for Wednesday, September 9: The Wire’s Edge
Wire jewelry from quality materials (sterling silver, titanium, etc.). From Bethany, CT..

Vivace Cuff--




Shop for Thursday, September 10: Kitzbitz by Jolene
Lampwork beadmaker, glass artist and jewelry designer. From London, UK.

Blossom Lampwork Button Lentil Bead Set (5)--




Shop for Friday, September 11: T.Rusk4U – Handcrafted Jewelry for Every Woman
Handcrafted and affordable jewelry made just for you. From Hillsborough, NC.

Blue Swirls Wire Wrapped Pendant--




Shop for Saturday, September 12: EarthShine
Monster clean. Monster fun. Monster scrubbies and jewelry. From Sugarloaf Township, PA.

Clovis the Colorful Monster Mit, Little Kid Sized, With Scrubbie Bobbles and Drawstring--




Shop for Sunday, September 13: Paperbutterfly Crafts: Bags, Purses, Baby Shoes
Handcrafted fabric bags and purses, and cute knitted baby shoes. From Sunderland.

Little Beaded Bag--




Check out all of these great shops! Give them an Etsy Heart and browse around--you may just find that special thing you've been searching for.

Watch for seven new shops featured next week!

Etsy HAF Team "Spread the Love" Shops of the Week for August 31-September 6

It's that time again! Time for the Etsy Handmade Artists Forum Team's (HAF Team) "Spread the Love" campaign. A different member shop is randomly picked for each day. Then we try to promote that shop by whatever means possible. I've decided to make a weekly blog post featuring all of the shops for the coming week.
And now, without further adieu, here are my choices from the shops for the week of August 31-September 6.


Shop for Monday, August 31: ”Vintage” Beadlady5…”vintage” beads and more
A wonderful assortment of vintage beads, cabochons, charms, and some findings from the 60's, 70's , and 80's. From Staten Island, NY. Visit her other shop filled with unique, original, and eclectic handcrafted jewelry designs: Beadlady5.

Vintage Blue Glass Beads (6)--




Shop for Tuesday, September 1: AJ’s Designs...all thing mixed media
The art she creates are showdow boxes, collages on canvas, journals, art cards, greeting cards, bookmarks, mandalas, and holiday ornaments. From Tulsa, OK.

Christmas Ornament with Teal and Silver Diamond Topper--




Shop for Wednesday, September 2: Eclectically Chic by Emily Lazo…custom design handbags
Custom designed, one-of-a-kind, handmade handbags and accessories. From Kutztown, PA.

Medium Chocolate Faux Leather--




Shop for Thursday, September 3: Shendoe Ceramics
Ceramic figures and objects with a sense of humor and wit, and often with a sense of beauty. From Concord, CA.

Necklace Red Teal Flower Shapes-—




Shop for Friday, September 4: RioRita
Handmade silver and gold jewelry. From Haifa, Israel.

Lapis Lazuli Rosette Silver Earrings--




Shop for Saturday, September 5: Totally Unique Treasures…the ultimate recyclers
Handmade and vintage goodies for home and humans. Saving the planet, one accessory at a time. From New Waverly, TX.

Swarovski’s Everywhere Off-Center Circles Swarovski Crystals and Bright Silver-tone Chain Long Necklace--




Shop for Sunday, September 6: Tres Chic Designs…have your Tres Chic Jewelry Designs at affordable prices
Jewelry designed with thought to every woman’s taste and affordability. From Katy, TX.

Green Turquoise and Tigerseye Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings--




Check out all of these great shops! Give them an Etsy Heart and browse around--you may just find that special thing you've been searching for.

Watch for seven new shops featured next week!

It's Time to Vote! Summer Memories Challenge

It's time to vote in the HAFTeam Summer Memories challenge:

Voting Page

Vote for your favorite Summer Memory piece. Of course, I would love it if you voted for mine:



Everyone who votes is eligable to win this beautiful pendant from MakintheBestOfIt:



All details are on the voting site.

Thanks for voting!

Etsy HAF Team "Spread the Love" Shops of the Week for August 24-30

It's that time again! Time for the Etsy Handmade Artists Forum Team's (HAF Team) "Spread the Love" campaign. A different member shop is randomly picked for each day. Then we try to promote that shop by whatever means possible. I've decided to make a weekly blog post featuring all of the shops for the coming week.

My little shop was featured on August 23, and I got almost 300 new views of my shop items on that day. No sales, but that's the largest number of views I've ever had in one day (that I can remember).
And now, without further adieu, here are my choices from the shops for the week of August 24-30.


Shop for Monday, August 24: Virginia Nin
Handmade art from Puerto Rico, featuring one of a kind colorful handcrafted resin art pieces.

Sparkling Collection, Set of 3 uneven Stackable Rings. Model No.2--




Shop for Tuesday, August 25: Unkamen Gifts...from an un-common family
Handmade chainmaille, modern, fun jewelry, and Accessories, plus a new steampunk line.

Mini Rhiannon Earrings in Non-Tarnishing Silver-Plate and Czech Crystal Beads in Green and Blue--




Shop for Wednesday, August 26: Sister Jewelry's "The Pirate Chest"
Watches, bracelets, and necklaces made using handmade beads and semi-precious gemstones.

The Nina Crysocolla Swarovski Watch--




Shop for Thursday, August 27: Rose of Sharon Jewelry
Affordable, fun, fab handmade beaded jewelry for extraordinary women of all ages.

Hour Glass, Handmade Silver and Emerald Green Beaded Watch-—




Shop for Friday, August 28: Artsy Crafty
Adorable clothes for infants and toddlers.

Spring Lambs Set--




Shop for Saturday, August 29: Artistic Will
Beautiful sparkling glitter artwork. Hand-painted in stained glass style, shinning and brilliant with reflective radiance

Glitter Rainbow Beta Fish Paper Weight--




Shop for Sunday, August 30: Fiber Felter
Felted art, altered fabric, and wool.

Hand Beaded, Blue Heart, Pin or Brooch--




Check out all of these great shops! Give them an Etsy Heart and browse around--you may just find that special thing you've been searching for.

Watch for seven new shops featured next week!

Visit my booth at Cafe Handmade

Suzie’s Armoire: filled with charms

Posted using ShareThis

Vote for me! Thanks in advance. :-)

Etsy HAF Team "Spread the Love" Shops of the Week for August 17-23

The Etsy Handmade Artists Forum Team (HAF Team) recently started a "Spread the Love" campaign. A different member shop is randomly picked for each day. Then we try to promote that shop by whatever means possible. I've decided to make a weekly blog post featuring all of the shops for the coming week. So without further adieu, here are my choices from the shops for the week of August 17-23.


Shop for Monday, August 17: Mylingy’s Purr-fect Candles
The home of "uniquely" exquisite, highly scented home-made, hand-poured candles, votives, tarts, and tealights.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Votives--




Shop for Tuesday, August 18: Yuko Designs
Pretty and feminine handmade jewelry from Japan, using Sterling Silver,14K Gold-filled, and Antique Brass metals, with Gemstone beads.

Apatite flower, moonstone oxidized silver chain necklace--




Shop for Wednesday, August 19: Victorian Fantasy
Bringing the fantasy of Victorian romance, femininity, and elegance to reality.

Lovely Lilies, Romantic Offset Necklace made with Vintage Bellflowers--




Shop for Thursday, August 20: MakintheBestOfIt Chainmaille
Chainmaille for everyday, using stainless steel, copper, sterling silver, or bronze.

Sterling Daisy Chain Necklace—




Shop for Friday, August 21: Christine’s Jewel Box
Fun, funky unique jewelry for stylish women, using beads, metals and gemstones from Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, cities in the US.

Yummy, Candy Earrings--




Shop for Saturday, August 22: Shabby Rose Boutique
Specializing in her origional dog clothes designs, handmade with loving care for your pampered pooch.

Fluffy purple tutu, dog clothes costume dress ballet--




Shop for Sunday, August 23: Suzie’s Armoire
(Yes, yours truly.) Unique beaded bookmarks, charms, jewelry, quilts, and more. (How am I suppose to pick a favorite from my own shop, lol! I LOVE them ALL!)

Beaded bookmark in blue, white, and silver, with a flip-flop charm--




Check out all of these great shops! Give them an Etsy Heart and browse around--you may just find that special thing you've been searching for.

Watch for seven new shops featured next week!