A new bookmark: Blood Red, Jolly Roger Black, and Pirate Gold! With a gold-tone treasure map charm.

Argh! There be treasure ahead!

I'd like to think of each one of my bookmarks as a little treasure for the reader, but this one takes that idea literally! (Plus I'm trying out some new listing text.)

Beaded Bookmark/Book Bling with glass beads, tiny seed beads, and metal charm by Suzie’s Armoire. Item #BK-054-RKD

This great looking Suzie’s Armoire Beaded Bookmark is a stylish way to add a little bling to your books. Tiny seed beads will not damage book bindings. Middle is long enough to fit inside most books—from paperbacks to best sellers. Charm and dangles add flair, like jewelry for your favorite novel.

Fun and functional. Pretty and practical. Perfect for marking your place while reading at the pool or beach this summer. More stylish than that scrap of paper you always reach for! It’s hard to capture the sparkle in a photograph, so it is even prettier in real life.

BEAD COLORS AND CHARM:
Shades of blood red, jolly roger black, cross bones white, and pirate gold. Gold-toned metal charm on the end has a treasure map on one side, and reads “Property of Davy Jones” on the reverse. X marks the spot!

BOOKMARK FEATURES:

* Fit inside most books, from trade paperbacks to hardcover best sellers.

* Measures approx. 15” overall, with approx. 11” of TINY seed beads along the middle.

* Each has 3 to 5 dangles on one end, ranging from about 1” to 1.75”.

* Come with a metal charm on the other end.

* I primarily use glass beads and base metal findings. Sometimes a resin or acrylic bead will find its way in.

* Handmade one-at-a-time in my smokefree/petfree home.

* Like snowflakes, each one is unique; I have never made the same design twice.

* Care instructions: beaded items are very delicate. Do not yank/pull on the bookmarks. Not intended for small children.

MY BOOK BLING BOOKMARKS MAKE PERFECT GIFTS FOR:

* teachers

* students / graduates

* babysitters

* friends

* co-workers

* stocking stuffers / Secret Santa

* book clubs / bible study groups (ask about custom orders and special pricing for larger orders)

* your favorite reader

* yourself!

Want something completely different? Check out my listing for a custom design. You pick the colors and the charm, and I’ll do the rest! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35200769

Teacher Gifts 2010

I planned to write an entry about the gifts I gave the kids' teachers last year. I may still do that, but for now I'll write about what I came up with for this year. As usual, I waited until the last minute to get things together. I try to get everyone to buy my wares to give as gifts, but then I drag my feet putting my own together. What's that line about the shoemaker's kids?

I've had this idea for a gift set for a while now. I just haven't acted upon it. Partly because it was missing one last thing. Then Starbucks came out with their Via coffee packs and the lightbulb went off! The idea was to package up a store bought mug with one of my handmade bookmarks (the shepherd's hook type) and one of my quilted coasters. But it just needed "something." I had thought about a packet of gourmet hot chocolate, but that didn't pan out. I thought about tea, but that didn't work out, either. (I may still use them in the future.) Somehow instant coffee just didn't seem right, until Starbucks made one my husband would consider "worthy" of being consumed. Enter Via coffee packs! I decided to include one of each flavor in the gift set.

I put some shredded paper in the bottom, stuck the coaster, bookmark, and coffee packs in the mug, along with a business card (and a coupon for 10% off an online order), and wrapped it all up with clear cellophane and some curling ribbon in colors to match the coaster. I created a product card for the bookmark that includes information about the whole set. I think the tag taped to the mug will have to be "flashier" for future versions.
I have about 8 more mugs on hand for future gift sets. I just need to get more coasters made. I'd love to have some of these to sell before Christmas shopping season, with hot chocolate packets instead of the coffee. (Guess what next year's teachers are geting for Christmas!)
And now, a few more pictures...

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!