Today's Listing: Black, Hematite, Silver, Gray and Crystal with a Dragon Charm

Today's new listing in my Etsy shop:

Tons of beads in black, hematite, silver, gray and crystal. I added a metal dragon charm on the end. Doing such a monochromatic combination is always tricky, so I tried to throw in as many different shapes and sizes of beads as I could fit. I think the combination still lends a masculine feel to the bookmark.

Beaded Bookmark in Black Hematite Silver Gray with Dragon Charm BK-059-KSU

No time for the dust to settle

Just back in January we formed our new Etsy Team: Creative Handmade Artisans. And we had a happy, little home on Ning. Then Ning decided to stop offering free accounts this summer, so we(I) decided to move our base of operations to a new forum site on Spruz. After being in existence only a few, short months. So now you can find us at CHArtisans on Spruz. Heather shut the Ning site down this past weekend, so the site is no more. It is an ex-site.

So far, so good on Spruz. I've set up a number of forums, and have done the best I can to get members to move along with us. Plus we've got some new members that have joined. I'm really looking forward to working with everyone on the new site, and growing our little team slowly into the best it can be!

If you have a few moments to spare, stop by our new site, and let us know what you think!

A couple unconventional Creative Handmade Artisans

It's been a while since I've featured any Creative Handmade Artisans. Today I thought I'd highlight two of our members that take a different approach to their art.

Stacey, whose beads I've featured from her Storm Flights Designs shop, also has a second Etsy shop called Keyed Up that recycles computer parts into unique jewelry. One of my favorites is her OMG necklace, but you should also visit her shop and check out her Circuit Board necklace.

Today's other artist is Rachel from Lipstattoo Designs. She paints, draws, designs and sews some pretty unique, ghoulish delights. Being a Disney fan, though, I have a bit of a soft spot for Maleficent. Plus I love the green and purple color combination. If zombies are your thing, you should check out the rest of her shop.

For more from members of the Creative Handmade Artisans team, please visit our Etsy page or our new Spruz forum.

Featuring a few more Creative Handmade Artisans

Trying to find a little time to breathe again, and feature a few more shops from the wonderful Creative Handmade Artisans Team on Etsy.

The first artist is Heather from Heather's Haven. Heather is my "kindred spirit" of Etsy artists, and probably my "bestest" online crafty friend. We often joke that we share a brain, because we think so much alike when it comes to opinions on crafting, selling, and promoting online. While we both work with tiny, little seed beads, Heather uses them to create amazing beaded work and art dolls. Her beautiful work has encouraged me to branch out and try to learn more beading techniques. (I plan to work on some things over the summer, while relaxing at the pool.)

The next CHArtisan is Dusty from Inverness Studios. She makes a variety of products, including imaginative reading pillows. But one of my favorite items was this recycled/upcycled map necklace, featuring 221b Baker Street. Truly a one-of-a-kind idea.

Another talented artist is Charon (Curtis) from Stygian Chains. Those of you familiar with Greek Mythology will recognize Charon as the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron, that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. This Charon's chainmaille is definately for the living, from basic pieces to beyond.

Laura da Goddess from Totally Unique Treasures is an artist working on "saving the planet, one accessory at a time" by using vintage and upcycled materials in her work. You never know what unique creations you'll find in Laura's shop!

My final shop for this feature is Cards & More by Terri. Besides some very, pretty greeting cards, Terri also creates items such as quilted bags, journals, and boxes. All worth checking out.

My next feature will include the remaining members of the Creative Handmade Artisans Team.

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!

A Treasury of Collaborators

Woke up this morning to find that one of my bookmarks is in a treasury. Check out all the great items from fellow Collaborators in Cahoots!



Then click on the title above to go to the treasury and "click & comment" on some beautiful items. You might even find something you just have to buy!

Looking for Teacher and Grad gifts?

Browse around my Etsy shop. I still have plenty of beaded bookmarks to choose from. These make great Teacher gifts! Or how about some pretty "book bling" to send your grad off to college? Or a little jewelry for their phone? Teens and tweens love my cellphone/purse charms. Here are a few of my favorites:

Bookmark -- Red, Blue, Gold, Brown, Follow Your Heart
Bookmark -- Blue, Aqua, Brown, Heart
Charm -- Blue, Green, Emerald, Sapphire, Star

My new STANDARD shipping of only $1.50 on any size bookmark/charm order to the US & Canada makes these items very affordable. (Offer does not apply to jewelry items.)

Plus I can easily change a charm on any bookmark or phone charm--just convo me! I also have a few charms in stock that aren't pictured on any bookmarks listed in my Etsy shop (and a bunch of phone charms that I never listed), so feel free to ask about what I have available. I hope to get pictures up (someday) here on my blog of all the other stock I have.

Thanks for looking!

And while you're looking, check out these other great Etsy shops with some terrific gift ideas. All they did was reply to my Etsy forum post about teacher and grad gifts, but I thought their products were such great ideas, I decided to blog and list their shops:

www.ajscountrycottage.etsy.com
www.aljdesigns.etsy.com
www.antiquebasketlady.etsy.com
www.art4milkbones.etsy.com
www.BeppeMartha.etsy.com
www.Buddhakittyglass.etsy.com
www.cardsandnotes.etsy.com
www.dammas.etsy.com
www.EclecticaByJan.etsy.com
www.ForestCreations.etsy.com
www,idarose.etsy.com
www.klosti.etsy.com
www.kuteklipboardsbyamy.etsy.com
www.lorkey1981.etsy.com
www.Nikonman.etsy.com
www.nursesnaturally.etsy.com
www.rabbitwhiskers.etsy.com
www.sassybellewares.etsy.com
www.scrappersbydesign..etsycom
www.SleepDreamPlay.etsy.com
www.sdkent79.etsy.com
www.styrendesigns.etsy.com
www.susanstreasures.etsy.com
www.TALKTAGZ.etsy.com
www.teaman.etsy.com
www.wishwithme.etsy.com
www.yarndeb.etsy.com

Happy shopping!

The "Vanessa" Necklace

Vanessa (Latin): a genus of butterflies
I made this one over the weekend, and I've decided to name it "Vanessa" because of the butterflies. (Not sure how long I can keep up the naming thing and try to actually make them mean something!)
This is a three-strand necklace, with ~20.5" strands. I used at least 6 different kinds of glass seed beads and bugles, in shades of sky blue through azure blue.
One strand has only seed beads on it. Another strand has four teeny-tiny metal butterfly beads. And the third strand has four 12mmx15mm azure glass bead butterflies spaced along the seed beads. The entire necklace is finished off with a twisted toggle clasp.Watch for the Vanessa necklace to be listed in my Etsy shop soon!

The "Lisha" Necklace

Lisha (Arabic): the darkness before midnight

The latest addition to my necklace collection is the "Lisha" style necklace. This one isn't even in my shop, yet! The colors made me think of a storm at sea or the sky late at night.

This is a three-strand necklace, with ~16", 21", and 25" strands. I used glass seed beads in dark metallic shades of blue, green, purple, and copper.

The smallest strand has dark teal pearl-like beads and amethyst foil-lined beads as accents, with large black seed beads on either side of them. The middle strand is made completely of seed beads. The largest strand has multi-colored round and oval beads that have an iridescent quality to them, with clear spots of no color. These beads pick up all the colors found in the seed beads. The entire necklace is finished off with pewter crimp covers and a metal spring clasp.

Watch for the Lisha necklace to be listed in my Etsy shop soon!

Just added to my Etsy shop: The "Melanie" Necklace

Melanie (Greek): black or dark
This is my new "Melanie" style necklace. I challenged myself to use some beads that I wasn't able to work into any of my bookmarks, and some split rings I once picked up by mistake. This necklace is the result! It's something completely new and different for me.
The necklace is approx. 50" in length. It is meant to be double-looped around your neck. I made the chain by linking two sizes of antique copper split-rings. (Yep! Linked every one of them by hand to make the chain. First time I've tried anything like that.) I wanted it to be longer, but I ran out of the split rings. So I accomplished that part of the challenge!
I then added a mixture of black, gold, copper, and amber colored glass beads of many different shapes and sizes, spacing them around the necklace. Antique copper eyepins were used to attach the beads. This necklace is one-of-a-kind, and will never be made by my again.

The Melanie necklace is available for purchase from my Etsy shop (click the title above to go to the listing).