Fabulous amethyst briolette dance amongst flashy moonstone ~ on handcrafted chandeliers. Texturised sterling silver, just right for catching the light as they move.
Find out more about Gemheaven here
A Treasury and Giving Credit :)
Lots of goodness going on lately! First I want to say thanks again to Peacox Creations for featuring me again in a treasury! It's already expired (took my time getting to it) but it's still pretty! I'm in the middle of the third row.
I also wanted to announce I'm going to start a "top commentator" contest this next month!
I also want to say thanks to my entrecard top droppers for the month!
Click on any of the pictures below to check out their blogs :)
I also wanted to announce I'm going to start a "top commentator" contest this next month!
I'll give you the details in the next few days :)
THE DUCHESS - Necklace By Claire Pearse
This is an eye popping creeation by Claire Pearse!
True dramatic elegance, dashed with romantic notions of corsets and bustles, renaissance glamour and regal enchantment. This show-stopping, light, bright and elegant necklace is part of Claire's 'Lace' collection.... a marriage of forging, crochet and wire wrapping, forming wire 'lace' embellished with sumptuous and exquisite gems. A magnificent bejeweled creation that is sure to make its wearer feel like royalty.
An intricate crocheted circle of Argentium silver wire has been edged in 14k gold filled lacing, and topped with spiraling scrolls of tightly coiled 14k gold filled wire forming the outer layer of the pendant - the gold scrolling shown in amazing detail by the underlying layer of bright silver. Set in the center of the pendant is a show-stopping, huge AAA faceted briolette of Pink Amethyst - a true collectors gemstone - the beauty, color and clarity is sensational. Cradling the magnificent centerpiece is a crocheted net of 14k gold filled wire, the light passing though the lacework, reflecting sparkle from the many facets.
Showering, cascades of gold chain accompany a sparkling collection of AAA lilac Pink Amethyst and Pink Topaz, the perfect finishing touch to this dramatic pendant. The necklace is fastened with a secure lobster clasp and is fitted with an extender chain finished with Pink Amethyst briolette.
Utterly romantic, regally inspired and undeniably enchanting - I adore this necklace, it was a joy to create, and I know the new owner of this heirloom necklace will be enchanted by her beauty too.
Find out more about Claire Pearse here!
Not a Sailor
(Vintage Blazer, Banana Republic Shirt, Dress from Mom, Steve Madden Boots)
So I finally purchased two big dressers for my closet over the weekend after getting sick of not being able to find my clothes and wearing the same thing over and over again and I found so many new clothes(yay!) and other clothes that haven't been loved by me and are desperately seeking a new owner.
Therefore, I have decided to list a very few of them on ebay.
You can check them out HERE.
Craft It Forward
I'm so excited about this! A few days ago my friend Beaded Tail posted on her blog that she was participating in a Craft it Forward. I was one of her first five commentators, so I'm now participating as well! Here's how it works:
*There are no guarantees you will like what I make although I sure hope you do!
*What I create will be just for you
*You'll receive it this year (2009)
*The item will be a surprise to you and can be ANYTHING handmade
*What I create will be just for you
*You'll receive it this year (2009)
*The item will be a surprise to you and can be ANYTHING handmade
*And in return, all you need to do is post this text into your blog and make 5 things for 5 people.*There are no guarantees you will like what I make although I sure hope you do!
*What I create will be just for you
*What I create will be just for you
So leave some comments! If your one of the first five, and want to participate - your in! Make sure there's some way I can contact you ok?
*You'll receive it this year (2009)
*The item will be a surprise to you and can be ANYTHING handmade
*And in return, all you need to do is post this text into your blog and make 5 things for 5 people.
*You'll receive it this year (2009)
*The item will be a surprise to you and can be ANYTHING handmade
*And in return, all you need to do is post this text into your blog and make 5 things for 5 people.
You Just Gotta Love Health Insurance....
Image from phillyburbs.comSo, I saw the neuromuscular doctor yesterday about the focal hand dystonia. Read previous post here. Several problems, of course. Doctor said the dystonia is severe and not only affects my hands, but my forearms, too. Treatment isn't easy either.
We are starting with an oral drug Clozapine. Not too thrilled with this option as it causes drowsiness and is habit forming. The doctor really doesn't think it is going to work, but wants to start there. Why? Because my insurance will fight covering the next best option: Botox injections into the muscles.
I happen to have Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I know, not very lucky. Anyway, the doctor said that all insurances will cover Botox for this medical treatment....except BC/BS. They claim it is still in the experimental stages. What do they think I'm doing? Using it so I can have the youngest looking hands and forearms in Western New York? Geesh! However, the doctor did indicate that they have been using Botox specifically for dystonia since it was developed in the 80's. It is only recently people have been using Botox for anti-aging. So, the doctor is writing a love letter to my insurance begging them to cover this treatment. If they do, treatment won't be very easy. It's not as quick as going in, getting a shot or two, and leaving. The doctor has to isolate every muscle that is affected with dystonia before injecting them, and he did indicate that there are alot of muscles involved. It will be about a 2 hour process every 3-4 months, and with the dystonia this severe, I'm only running a 50% chance that it is going to work.
The only other treatment option for guaranteed success would be to have an electrode implated on my brain. Okay...no way! No one is going into my head unless they are taking out something that doesn't belong there!
Okay, so now the pouty-whinny-baby in me wants to come out: What the heck! I'm only 41...I don't look a day over 28...I'm slim...I eat healthy...why am I suddenly falling apart?!
Oh, and thank you for the well-wishing on my upcoming surgery. I truly appreciate it as I am so nervous. However, due to more tests the my health insurance needs to cover the surgery, it is now postponed until the end of May. Like I said...you just gotta love health insurance....
We are starting with an oral drug Clozapine. Not too thrilled with this option as it causes drowsiness and is habit forming. The doctor really doesn't think it is going to work, but wants to start there. Why? Because my insurance will fight covering the next best option: Botox injections into the muscles.
I happen to have Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I know, not very lucky. Anyway, the doctor said that all insurances will cover Botox for this medical treatment....except BC/BS. They claim it is still in the experimental stages. What do they think I'm doing? Using it so I can have the youngest looking hands and forearms in Western New York? Geesh! However, the doctor did indicate that they have been using Botox specifically for dystonia since it was developed in the 80's. It is only recently people have been using Botox for anti-aging. So, the doctor is writing a love letter to my insurance begging them to cover this treatment. If they do, treatment won't be very easy. It's not as quick as going in, getting a shot or two, and leaving. The doctor has to isolate every muscle that is affected with dystonia before injecting them, and he did indicate that there are alot of muscles involved. It will be about a 2 hour process every 3-4 months, and with the dystonia this severe, I'm only running a 50% chance that it is going to work.
The only other treatment option for guaranteed success would be to have an electrode implated on my brain. Okay...no way! No one is going into my head unless they are taking out something that doesn't belong there!
Okay, so now the pouty-whinny-baby in me wants to come out: What the heck! I'm only 41...I don't look a day over 28...I'm slim...I eat healthy...why am I suddenly falling apart?!
Oh, and thank you for the well-wishing on my upcoming surgery. I truly appreciate it as I am so nervous. However, due to more tests the my health insurance needs to cover the surgery, it is now postponed until the end of May. Like I said...you just gotta love health insurance....
Support Mothers In Need
I would like to introduce you to an online social enterprise initiative called mum4mum.com, which distributes artisanal handicraft gift items made by disadvantaged groups. The initiative is only for a limited time stated mid-April through end of May, peaking at Mother's Day - mum4mum.com highlights products made by disadvantaged women whom are mostly mothers, and in celebration of Mother's Day, they ask people to purchase these items for women in their lives, including mothers, to support other mothers in need. Read more about them below or simply click here to go to their website.
mum4mum is about….
… A token that cares: a special something for mum and other women you love.
… A token that shares: a special gesture for other mums and people they love.
This Mother’s Day, do something different to celebrate the loving greatness of mums.
mum4mum is a social enterprise initiative …
… launched for a limited time online to promote artisanal items made by less fortunate
women in this region. These items are mostly ‘made by Mums’, and can be purchased for
the special women in your life – mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, and even you.
We specially highlight Mother’s Day to celebrate the loving greatness of all mothers,
especially those who strive every day for their families.
mum4mum features …
… Handmade artisanal craft items of high quality, each uniquely designed by women who
are disabled or disadvantaged. The artisans believe in the dignity of work and improve their
lives by learning new skills. They are supported by trainers and artists who believe in their
potential.
Their well-crafted items decorate your home, beautify your wardrobe and help in the house.
They include exclusive designer collections, mid-range items for everyone, and value items
for those on a budget. Gift Vouchers are also available as socially-conscious gifts.
mum4mum supports …
… The artisans desire to make a sustainable and dignified living. mum4mum purchases
supplies from them at competitive wholesale prices. Organisations that employ the artisans
pay fair wages with full legal benefits. mum4mum then sells these products at market prices
to the public.
… A portion of the sale proceeds will fund the purchase of equipment and supplies for other
disadvantaged women. This continues the positive cycle of generating independent income.
There is also a contribution towards supporting the education programmes for the artisans’
children. For this reason, monetary donations are regretfully declined.
mum4mum asks for your support to…
… Promoting their wonderful craft and purchasing their products. Please visit our website
at www.mum4mum.com . If you wish to support by making bulk purchases or consignment
arrangement, please contact us directly at groupsales@mum4mum.com
Thank you for supporting our initiative and we hope you have a beautiful shopping
experience!
Jewelry I sold recently
I did promise that I will not make any more jewelry until I sell at least a large part of the my previous creations. The last 2 years I've been on a race to make jewelry without to stop, and not only I burned out a bit, but I also ended up with a serious amount of silver jewelry. So far so good, I've only made a few pairs of earrings on commission, so I've been a good girl. My fingers are itching to work again, but not just yet.
In the meantime, Dawanda seems to be keeping me busy as I've started selling there more, even without any additional advertising. People seem to just somehow find my jewelry, which is great! Thank you everybody for that!
I've been asked what all I've sold this year, so here are a few pictures of jewelry sold through Dawanda and my blog (no direct and custom orders shown here). Hope you like them.
In the meantime, Dawanda seems to be keeping me busy as I've started selling there more, even without any additional advertising. People seem to just somehow find my jewelry, which is great! Thank you everybody for that!
I've been asked what all I've sold this year, so here are a few pictures of jewelry sold through Dawanda and my blog (no direct and custom orders shown here). Hope you like them.
Tuesdays Tips #1
I'm going to start a new weekly feature on my blog called Tuesdays Tips! Over the last half a year, as I've managed this blog, one thing I've noticed is that I've gotten the biggest response when I've posted advice or reviews for my fellow artisans. The one tutorial I've posted was really popular, as were the series's I did on Time Management and Promotion Techniques. I really enjoyed the feedback I got from these posts, but I was a little overwhelmed trying to fit these different series's into my schedule! I've decided the best solution is to do a once a week post (on Tuesday's!) dedicated to helping and encouraging my fellow artisans. In these posts I'll share tips, tutorials, and site reviews of places that I think you'll find helpful. I hope you enjoy them!
Tuesdays Tips #1
Measuring Success and Setting Goals
One thing I've heard people say over and over is that it gets very depressing to look around you, see the people who've quit their day jobs and sold thousands of items on-line, and wonder why you haven't reached that level of success? While it's true that we can often look to these people and learn from their success, you should NOT be measuring your own success by them or anyone else! Measure your success by your ability to reach your own goals.
Be careful in setting your goals though, or you'll find your self just as frustrated as if you were comparing yourself to other artists. Here's a few tips for setting goals that can bring you success.
1. Start by sitting down and writing a list of all the things you want to achieve with your business and your art. Include the big fancy dreams, the small dreams, things you want to learn, things you want to make, anything you can think of!
2. Break your list up into smaller lists. Put your big dreams on one list, craft projects on another, business goals on another, and so on.
3. Make SURE that not all your goals are sales related!
4. Evaluate your goals in terms of what it will take to get them accomplished, and what is most important.
5. Create a plan for achieving those goals.
6. Start working on them!
7. After a certain period of time (a week, month, quarter) go back to your goals and re-evaluate. What goals we're unrealistic? What goals weren't reaching far enough? Where did you succeed? Where did you fail? WHY did you fail? That why is a really important question. Sometimes you don't reach your goals because of things completely outside of your control. That's OK. Don't let it get you down.
8. Reset your goals and plans. Either continuing with the current plans, or setting up new one's based on what you've learned.
Here's an important key: Do not measure your success by whether or not you achieved all your goals, but on the amount of progress that you made, and what you did within what was in your control.
On a personal note, I've had to learn the hard way the value of measuring your success by progress, and keeping in mind outside factors that affected your progress. I have severe health problems (as you know if you read this regularly) and that often prevented me in the past from even trying to set goals. In the last few months, since I've started setting these types of goals, not only have I achieved a lot, but I've learned a lot about what is and isn't attainable at this point in my life!
Good luck :)
Wirework Tiara/Cuff bracelet
This is an example of wirework techniques where I create spirals and by using 'crimp' beads can secure each crystal. I then wind the wire with the crystals threaded around the headband.
Wirework Crystal Cuff Bracelet
This is also available in sterling silver - I am currently working on this as a commission. I will post an image on completion.
Watch this space for more creations!
Karla Kam - Right Angle Weave Beads
Video tutorial from Karla Kam. The designs you can make with them are endless! Trying the technique with different types of beads, round crystals, top drilled beads or even seed beads just add to ...
Having fun in Florals
(Minkpink Dress)
Remember that day when I, like an idiot went to H&M at 7 in the morning?
Well as soon as it turned 9 my friend Stella and I went into this store (forgot the name) that carried a lot of Minkpink clothes. I've only seen their clothes online and had no idea that a store in SF would carry it so I hurried up and purchased this dress. Unfortunately, the booby area is a little big on me(this is size S) but I still heart it due to the bad ass zipper detail and odd black side patches on a girly floral dress.
Sale Item of the Week - Rain Drop Earrings!
These earrings were inspired by the rain that surrounds me so many days out of the years! Thats what happens when you live in the North West :) I took a bunch of small blue beads that have little "shiny spots" of light blue, and hung them from chain to look like little rain drops! I hope they bring a smile to your face during a rainy day!These earrings are approximately 2 1/4 inches long. Normally $15 plus shipping and handling, today you can get them for only $14 INCLUDING shipping and handling! I'll send them any where in the world :)
Manic Monday...
Or should I call it Maniac Monday...which is about where I am right now. I love my easy days where I send the husband off to work, drive the kids to school and sit down with a cup of coffee in silence while I drop my EntreCards. I spend the next hour cleaning the house from the morning rush and get to work by 10am. It's my schedule, it's my routine and I live for it!
Well, it appears that the next two weeks are going to be adjusted slightly (hence the woman in the picture above.) I had to go to the doctor this morning for a problem that occurred over the weekend. The result? Surgery on May 7. Great. I hate going under :( Oh, that's not the last of it....
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the neuromuscular doctor to begin Botox therapy on my hands for the recently diagnosed focal hand dystonia. Not so crazy about injecting botulism toxins in my body, but my work day will be basically shot. Further, without treatment, my work is hindered (can't move the hands, can't work). Then on Friday, I have to go to a cosmetic dentist to finally get a couple mini dental implants (molars) that I have been gearing up for the last several years. Another day shot. Now I have to fit in a pre-op exam in the next week (did you see that? It was another day flying away) and work on the dental implants are going to have to wait until after the surgery to lower the risk of infection before surgery. Then we have a couple week recovery time from the surgery. This is so not cool. In the mean time, I have to help my step-daughter with transportation home from work for a few days a week. I am going to have to try to get out of that one as work for the next couple of weeks are going to be seriously comprimised. Well, in my opinion they will be.
I am going to try my best to keep up with work over the next several weeks as I am so unhappy without it. My husband complains that I work too much, but how can you say I work too much when I'm doing something I truly enjoy? I keep telling him it is my "Paid Hobby".
Okay...sorry for the rant . I will get back into the swing of the good post thing come tomorrow morning.
Repeat after me: "It will get better, it will get better..."
Guild Crazy
Now, I am not always what most people would call sane. Yesterday I think I proved that. *guilty grin* What else was I supposed to do the market I was supposed to be selling in was cancelled, and I had just upgraded to a paid artfire acocunt...
I've been on artfire for a couple of weeks now. Originally I signed up as a free member. I figured I'd start loading my shop and getting comfortable before I went paid. Unfortunately I have so much inventory to put on-line that I quickly ran through my free listings! So this weekend I bit the bullet and signed up for a paid account. Now I'm having way to much fun because there's so much I can explore!
I knew one of the first things I wanted to do when I went to a full account was to sign up for the Artfire version of my dear Etsy Bloggers - Blog Fire. So I went searching through the guilds to find it. Um, yeah, I might have gotten carried away. >_> I made myself stop when I found the Blogfire group, but they damage had already been done! In addition to my 3 etsy teams I'm now in 4 Artfire Guilds! But seriously, they all look like they are worth it. So here are my new Guilds:
Blog Fire - because Blogging is what I do.
ArtFire Beadweavers' - because weaving is my passion!
I still have a lot to learn and need to get to know my new team mates - but I'm excited! If your one of my dear Etsy friends who's ALSO on Artfire, put your shop address on here so I can add your shop to my market. If your someone who'd like to be a new friend- all friends are welcome! Introduce your self and leave me your shop addy :)
SF Wind
(Vintage Jacket from mom, Jockey Tank, H&M skirt, Dirty Laundry boots)
SF Wind loves to abuse my hair.
You're so abusive :(
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