Jewelry Shop: January 2010

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Learn to make Handmade Beaded Valentine’s Day Bracelet

Valentine's day is coming. I think it is timely to buy or make some gifts for your loved ones. Perhaps you will get inspired by this bracelet!

Love life Live Live provided step by step guides to make this tutorial. Click here for the tutorial.

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I Just Wonder If You Want People to Like You a Little Too Much

(H&M Denim Shirt, Zara Shirt, Vintage Leather Shorts, Crossroad Ring, Shotwell Double Ring, Alice + Olivia for Payless Boots)

A rhetorical question that I ask myself sometimes..

Marketing Tip of the Week - Email Signatures

Today's marketing tip can be connected to last week's tip regarding the Google URL Builder. Be sure to have links to all your shops and websites where your items are posted in your email signature. See my example below. Be sure to create dedicated URL's for each link so you know where some of your web traffic is coming from. Each of my links has it's own URL, with the word 'email' in it. That way I know when someone has clicked when they received my email directly or through a forward.

Your email signature should be set to be inserted in everything that you do in your email, from new messages to forwards. We all know how email forwards run rampant. Be sure to include your links in these forwards. I even erase all the other contact info that's been left in the forward to make sure my email signature stands out. This really works!

I'm on a Mission!

I've been saying for a loooong time that I wanted to construct a light box...and just never got the energy and the pieces together to do it. There are a million and one reasons for this, but the time for excuses are at an end! I'm officially on a mission to make a light box.

I have a big card board box that's actually big enough for necklace stand :D and I already have the lights I've been using to take pictures. I think I'll eventually want at least one more light though... Now I just need the white fabric for the sides and I'll be good! I called a couple of people (like my Mom) to see if I could score some free fabric but no luck. So I'm thinking if I feel good tomorrow (which is always a big IF), I'll make a run to pick up some cheap fabric and make the box tomorrow! If I'm not feeling good enough tomorrow...then it's high priority for when I am! I'd go out and get fabric tonight...but this is the first day I've felt mostly good (I'm not 100%) in several days so I don't want to push myself too hard and I've already worked on a bunch of projects.

Wish me luck!

Maybe it was the Full Moon...

that caused my first baking failure in ages! I am usually the undisputed Queen of Cookies in my neck of the woods, however there was most certainly a cookie malfunction last night. I saw a recipe for mocha cinnamon chocolate chip cookies in the Costco magazine...not my usual go to for recipes but the photo looked a-mazing! (I figured with three sticks of butter they must be phenomenal too) Midway through creaming the butter I realized that the recipe didn't call for egg...how can a cookie recipe have that much butter and no egg I wondered? So I decided that improvisation was in order and added an egg... the first tray out of the oven was still a pancake thin butter fest so I added more flour as well...slightly closer to something resembling a cookie but more like a super rich tart crust pastry. So, lesson learned...stick with the tried and true choc chip recipe but I do think that my next batch will have the twist of the mocha cinnamon flavors...this might become my new "signature" cookie :)

Ok, on to the non-edible baked goods...or more accurately fired goods! I was thrilled to receive a box from Bead Trends last week with the February issue. The necklace I submitted was really quite simple but I just love how it turned out so I'm thrilled that it was selected.

Not too much else to show off right now, the kiln is firing away so there will be more to show this week. I managed to sneak a couple of buff stoneware pendants into this load, I haven't done anything in stoneware for months so it will be interesting to see some of my new designs in those shades.

Next task for the day, the washing of the dog...kind of up there with the running of the bulls!

Bead Soup - and More!

Sorry I've been awol for a couple of days. I've been really sick. I'm on the mend now...I think...but not really sure. We'll see :)

Anyway, I had to show off the bead soup I got in the mail - and the new stuff I bought be before I got sick!

I'm participating in a Bead Soup Swap hosted by Lori Anderson and I got my beads in the mail this week! This picture doesn't do them justice, my brother shot a quick snap for me a couple days ago when I thought I might manage to blog while sick. Um. Yah RIGHT. That didn't happen.

The bag on the left are extra beads...and I plan on playing with those at some point after I make my Bead Soup Necklace :) I'll probably dump them out on my tray and see what inspiration hits. I'm betting I'll net several pairs of earrings and some new charms out of that conglomeration!

The bag on the right is full of gorgeous lampwork beads that compliment the focal and nifty toggle clasp that you see down on the bottom. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with them, but I plan on spreading them all out on my bead board and playing in the next day or two. The unveiling isn't until February 10th anyway, and I didn't want to work on the project while I was on quarter brain power while sick :P

Now for my shopping....I bought a ring stick! This means that soon I'll have rings available in my shop :D I've made up two already, and I'm excited to make more!

They also had a seed bead sale when I went in to by the ring stick (and a few other basic supplies I didn't bother photoing) so I got these! The white I needed anyway, the brown seed mix has so much potential, I've already used the iridescent beads (you'll see pics soon!), and I know EXACTLY what I'm going to use the red beads for :D

Bare with me, this is long and being written via text message. Here it goes: I dont know what neck is eaten at 3pm. Is that lunch or dinner? When trying to count calories and portion everything, I cant be eating two meals like this. But apparently I am weird. If I want a Slim Fast neck bar I am looked at funny. Imagine the looks I would get if I wanted a Lean Cuisine. Even baked chicken is destroyed with a coating of breadcrumbs and ranch dressing. Canned veggies were my past..or so I thought. Even those are butchered by adding extra sugar. I can not live like this. My waist can not survive. I am literally depressed over this. To top things off, a chocolate cake just came out of the oven. I will decline and be recieving a dirty look shortly after. FML.

Another reason I am weird is because I dont do dishes and PUT THEM BACK IN THE SINK. i will never try to wash another dish because apparently I wash on the wrong side of the sink. Invest in a drying rack, thank you very much. Way to make me feel like an ass. That brings me to my point. I just took a shower, only so I could CRY and not be seen. FML.

Featured Crafter: Woolcrazy

Whenever I need a 'pickme up', I'll go to Woolcrazy. I just love her owls' adorable faces. They make me smile. I'm in love! It's hard to pick a favorite one, so all of them are my favorites. I also like her other critters like the bunny, penguins and the chick. I had no idea you could do all that with fibers. It's an enviable talent.

One of her cuddly penguins, Percy, goes on fabulous adventures. You can follow Percy on Twitter and also read about his travels. I hope one day, I'll run into Percy.

Woolcrazy is also good at posting videos she comes across for felted wool projects and other crafting projects. So not only does she felt the critters, she also is informative. I also like that she is environmentally sound and uses recycled fibers as well in her creations. Please become a fan on Facebook of Woolcrazy with me. You'll have a blast.

Beaded Fabric Flower Necklace Tutorial

Interested to learn about making it? Click here!

Crystal Pearls & Beads w/ Fresh Water Pearl Eyeglass Leash

Sage green crystallized pearls, navy blue crystals and fresh water pearls are used with black metal hexagons. The leash measures about 23 inches. Silver holders are used on the ends. This is a sophisticated look sure to catch the looks of envy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39610140

Will ship international, please contact me.

See more jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/findingcharm

As Long as You Keep Getting Born, It's Alright to Die Sometimes.

(Mango Faux Fur Jacket, H&M Top, H&M Skinny Pants, Civico Cowboy Boots)

Addendum: Ann Taylor Loot

There seems to be a lot of interest in AT's petite ruffled shell from a prior post, so I figured I'd share how it looks in a different color, worn with pants. Here it is in winter white (online exclusive color) in PXXS with my favorite Theory skinny work pants:

Don't forget EXTRA30! And in case you have trouble figuring out how to spend that $150 to get free shipping...I am in love with these pumps (doesn't the outfit above look better with a change of shoes? My black pointy pumps are so outdated!):

More colors here in leather. A 5.5 fit perfectly, but alas I returned them because I can get them at 40% off some other day. Every little bit of savings counts!

Addendum: Ann Taylor Loot

More colors here in leather. A 5.5 fit perfectly, but alas I returned them because I can get them at 40% off some other day. Every little bit of savings counts!

Jacksonville Lovin'

I have been in Jacksonville all week, my first time since either November or December. I came down because I wanted to meet Vogt's fiance, Samantha. We have been hanging out in the hotel all week, mostly doing nothing. The first day we were SO bored, we WALKED two miles to Walmart...because there was nothing better to do. Other than that, not a damn thing.

I do love seeing Danny everyday though. We, of course, went to our favorite diner one night. I love it because its so friggin' cheap. And then we went to a Mexican place, which was delish. And last night we went to Ihop. My question is...how many pancakes can one person eat on the unlimited deal? Keep in mind, it also comes with 2 eggs and hashbrowns. I had two pancakes. I don't think I could handle more than that! HOWEVER! It's like Chinese food, I was hungry two hours later, wishing for more pancakes.

We drove by the apartments that we applied to. They look really nice. However, there isn't really much within walking distance for me to work at. There is a CVS, Food Lion and a pizza place. Honestly, anything will do for the time being, until I get my license. We just need money and I really don't care where it comes from!

Speaking of money. Last night we walked around Target and I got a little depressed. All the spring/vacation clothes are out and this is the first year I don't have a vacation planned. Three years ago it was St. Thomas, then Aruba and last year was Jamaica (and many other awesome vacations before I moved.) But as of right now I have no vacations planned this year. Hopefully that changes. Hmm...maybe I can come up with something good for my tax money!

Right now Samantha is on the phone with Vogt. He failed room inspection last night and can't leave this weekend. Which means she doesnt' have a ride back home to Delaware. UGH. I would not be happy if I were in her shoes!

No real plans for this weekend. Buying our car this weekend and probably just hanging out attempting to save money...which needs to happen!

Review: J.Crew Cardigans - not all XS's created equal

After finding success with a J.Crew size XS cardigan from this post, I fell under the false impression that all of their sweaters would fit equally well in XS. I ordered a bunch online, looking for the word "fitted" under descriptions and scoped out all the model photos to see which sweaters seemed the most snug. I ended up with the following three:

*Warning - it was a frizzy hair day to say the least. I literally rolled out of bed and decided to start the day w/ some blogging pics*

1. First up, the dream crewneck cardigan in XS. ~~$85~~ only $35 with EXTRA30 (extended til Sunday!). They really sold me on the product description, and I liked the unique exposed seaming at the arms and down the back. The sweater looks so snug on the online model - I was SURE it would fit great on petites.

Click for more info

In real life (hrmm, notice that the sweater kind of "gained 5 lbs" from the image above? As in, it looks wider and dumpier than the sleek sweater shown above?):

And on me:

Verdict: return. Too much baggage around the torso. Loose and long sleeves. A nice knit though, and some very pretty color options. Someone 1 size up would fit much better in this, especially if it shrinks a little in the wash.

Click "Read More" for more sweaters.

2. Jackie Cotton Cardigan in XS, $62. Select colors were $21 but apparently they are sold out. I like this cardigan because it looked kind of "shrunken" on the model and it comes in a myriad of colors.

Click for more info

In real life (sleeves look shorter than on the model):

And the pewter color, on me:

I didn't think the fit was bad at all, esp for $21. There was a lil' room to spare, but the material is a cotton blend so I imagine it will shrink in the wash. I liked the cut as well - a classic crewneck style.

Verdict: I would have kept this cardigan, except I was so irked about the final sale item (sweater # 3) that I made myself return this to save $. I will probably track this sweater again online until the more vibrant colors go on sale.

3. Bling-Button Cardigan in XS, ~~$68~~ now $28 with EXTRA30. This one also looked so snug on the model. I've also been looking for a more "airy" cardigan and the material read: "Spun from a lightweight blend of acrylic/alpaca/wool in a 7-gauge knit." Sounds nice, right?

Click for more info

The material was airy alright - it was soo flimsy that snag-able that I'm sure I'll destroy this cardigan in no time. I like tighter knits that don't really leave any holes to be snagged by pens, pencils, or hooks. I already caught this on a necklace just while trying it on.

Verdict: Final Sale...boo. But at least the fit is "acceptable!"

Review: J.Crew Cardigans - not all XS's created equal

Click for more info

In real life (hrmm, notice that the sweater kind of "gained 5 lbs" from the image above? As in, it looks wider and dumpier than the sleek sweater shown above?):

And on me:

Click for more info

In real life (sleeves look shorter than on the model):

And the pewter color, on me:

Click for more info

Verdict: Final Sale...boo. But at least the fit is "acceptable!"