Time to feature a few more CHA shops...

Last week I featured seven shops from the CHA Team. Today I'm going to feature seven more!

Whenever I look in ColettesBoutique, I always have a hard time choosing just one thing to feature. Some of the neatest wire wrapping I've seen.

I've always liked this pendant from IcedAdornments.  Beautifully crafted, delicate, feminine.

The creations coming from Lynwood Jewelrey are nothing short of amazing.

Here's a terrific set from ToraJewelry. I love this color combination.

TwoCheesePlease specializes in custom rubber stamps, like this cute set of angel wings.

If you're looking for something with a more classic, Victorain feel, you have to check out ArtistryJewelry.

For something completely different, and incredible, check-out the tattoo-inspired art by VickiDeath.

Keep watching for more member features in the near future.

I am ready for Spring!

I never thought of myself as someone that gets SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)--goodness knows I've got enough other mental health issues. But yesterday as I was driving home and the sun was shining, and the temps were well above freezing, and the 3 feet of snow from last month was all but gone, I couldn't believe how light my mood was. I am sooooo ready for Spring to be here. I'd almost say I was ready for Summer to be here, because I love sitting by the pool, being creative or reading, while the kids swim, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. For now, I'll settle for that crisp, clean feeling in the air as the spring rains wash away the winter snow. I just need a little more sun to dry up the wetlands that have formed in my yard from the previsouly mentioned 3 feet of melted snow...

In the meantime, I thought I would share some spring-colored lovelies from some of my team mates on the Creative Handmade Artisans Team (CHAteam or CHArtisans) on Etsy.

First, some quilted coasters from my shop. These were made from fabric leftover from a baby quilt I made for my cousin's daughter 7 years ago. I loved the combination of lilac and pale yellow, sprinkled with some orange. I have a bunch of different quilted coasters planned--just need some time by the pool to stitch them up!

I decided to wander through team mates' shops, and choose some bright and cheerful, or floral-themed items. Who can resist the turquoise and tangerine beads on this bracelet from StormFlightDesigns?

I can't wait to see the daffodils blooming, like on this suncatcher from CherishedStainedGlas.

I miss the lilac bush we had in our yard growing up. Although ours were purple, just looking at this white lilac print from FrawgzDezignz, I can almost smell the wonderful scent of the lilacs in bloom.

This cute daisy ring from TanyaW85 is sure to bring a smile to your face.

And these colorful crocheted catchalls from SusanNeedlehands would certainly come in handy for a little Spring cleaning and organzing.

Here in the Northeast, we know that Winter has a way of coming back, even after Spring has made an appearance, so this mystic blue scarf from TheLandlockedSailor might be the perfect thing to finally send Jack Frost packing!

There are so many wonderful things from CHAteam members, but I'll start with these seven items. Watch this space for more products and shops from the Creative Handmade Artisans. I'm only one-fourth of the way through all of them! For a complete list of member shops, visit or team shop on Etsy: http://www.chartisansteam.etsy.com/.

Here's to Spring!

Bringing Out the Green

Anyone that knows me, knows that my favorite color is green.  I have a weakness for just about anything in that earthy shade.  So when it's time for St. Patrick's Day, I love making some emerald colored items.  (And as far as I know, there's no Irish blood in me!)
Today I finally finished a bookmark in shades of green and gold to go with the golden Celtic Circle charm on the end.

I've also created some earrings in three shades of green glass beads, along with the same golden Celtic Circle charms.

With all this crazy winter weather lately, I was inspired by these subtle olivine and amethyst crackled glass beads to create some earrings ready for Spring with little gold butterfly beads.

I've got plenty more green to create.  And some pictures of already made items to track down on my laptop.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed these cheerful green beaded items.

Monday Minute

I was planning to make a bookmark or two today, but somehow I ran out of time. I spent 45 minutes or so this afternoon wandering around inside the local quilt shop. I had a $20 gift certificate to spend, but no real plan of what I wanted to buy. I know, not a good idea, right? After checking out some of the many, many bolts on the shelves, I found myself gravitating to the fat quarters. What quilter doesn't love fat quarters? I know I already have boxes and boxes of them at home, but I don't have many novelty prints. Then I started pulling out some interesting novelty fabrics. That led to looking through all the other fat quarters to find things to complement the ones in my hand. With my $20, I figured I could buy 10 fat quarters, and pay for the difference with my own money. It was hard limiting myself to just 10, but I did it! I have some ideas of what I'm going to do with them, but I'll keep that a surprise for now. Here's what I picked up today: