Wrap A Cabochon Using Whirlybird Chain Maille Technique T82

The tutorial giveaway was just over. So I am putting this tutorial back for sale.

This is a chain maille jewelry making project that uses combination of European 1 in 4 and Whirlybird techniques. It requires only basic supplies such as jump rings and beads. You can mix and match using different materials and colors of jump rings as well as beads to come up with many beautiful variations. The tutorial comes with pictorial step by step guides.
You can turn the Cabochon to a pair of earrings or pendant. Anyone has any idea how to turn it to a bracelet? But mind you, it is rather challenging to complete the final step... only for those who love challenges! To buy the tutorial, click here!

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Download lots of free jewelry making tutorials at DiyLessons! Are you a jewelry (jewellery) making teacher/ tutor? You can also list your tutorials here too.Don't miss a post! Subscribe to Handmade Jewelry Club by Email FREE

On Fire For Handmade Feature Artist: B Blonski Designs

This weeks Featured Artisan is B Blonski Designs. Unique gift ideas personalized just for YOU!!

You can find B Blonski at:

http://www.ultramedialabs.com

http://www.ultramediapublications.com

http://www.artisticweekly.com

http://www.bbdesigns.etsy.com

http://www.bblonskidesigns.com

http://www.bblonskidesigns.etsy.com

Kindergarten!

Today is Kaleb's first day of Kindergarten!

I can't wait to hear all about it...

but mostly, I can't wait to ask Danny how it feels to be the Dad of a Kindergartener...

and to be turning 28 next week!

How To Make Flowery Cross Pendant (Jewelry Making Tutorial) T86

Cross is always a popular craft item! Since Christmas will be around the corner, why not learn how to make wired cross pendant. It can be a great gift for your loved ones!
The tutorial comes with detailed pictorial step by step guides. It covers basic to intermediate wireworks techniques such as making spirals, wire weaving and chain maille techniques.

The tutorial comes with detailed and clear step by step guides and pictures. Though it is designed for intermediate student, a beginner should be able to pick it up as well.

The tutorial will be emailed to you once I receive full payment from you.

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Download lots of free jewelry making tutorials at DiyLessons! Are you a jewelry (jewellery) making teacher/ tutor? You can also list your tutorials here too.Don't miss a post! Subscribe to Handmade Jewelry Club by Email FREE

Gambizzle Jewels GIVEAWAY!

As you know, Mrs. Gambizzle is one of my bloggy bestie! Not only is a she a great blogger she is also super talented. She makes great blog layouts (like mine!) and she makes beautiful jewelery. I am the proud owner of Gambizzle Jewels earrings, necklaces and bracelets...and I love them all!

Now it's  your chance to bring one of these beauties home! With the help of Mrs. Gambizzle, I'll be giving away not one, not two...but three pieces of jewelery. These pieces are from the "Earthy" collection. All of the collections are available at her new store http://gambizzlejewels.storenvy.com/. Please be sure to check out all of her jewelery!

Here's what up for grabs!

 First Place

 The first necklace is made with real stones, jasper, turquoise and various other stuff.

Second Place

The second necklace is Shell and I LOVE it. It's on a chocolate brown cord.

 Third Place

The earrings are dyed shell cut into the shape of a peace sign.

Giveaway is open to everyone (no anonymous comments.) Each comment must include your e-mail address. Giveaway closes on September 7th at 11:59PM

How to Enter:
1) Be a follower of my blog (Leave one comment)
2) Be a follower of Gambizzle Jewels (leave one comment)
3) Like Gambizzle Jewels on Facebook (leave one comment)
4) Tweet this giveaway, leave the URL of JUST the tweet, ONCE DAILY (leave one comment per tweet)
5) Blog this giveaway (leave two comments)
6) Buy something from Gambizzle Jewels (leave five comments)

There will be three winner, the top 3 commenters win! Any questions...just ask!

Thanks again to Mrs. Gambizzle! Please be sure to check out her store and to become a proud owner of some of her lovely jewels!

Music Monday

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands...SPILL CANVAS! So fitting after visiting the ocean. Don't be worried about the style of music, it is acoustic with a little symphony. Be sure to have some tissue ready...you will need it for the end of the video...it is sooo sad! But it is the true essence of real life - not that fake Hollywood "life is so perfect" crap!

Adding Email Subscription to Your Blog

I think this is a very important feature of a blog. I will admit, I don't always look through the list of blogs I follow looking for updates. I do have the best intentions, but I don't have the time in the day to do that. BUT! I never miss an email though. Anymore, when I follow a blog, this is the first thing I do after I subscribe...look for the email subscription box. Very few take advantage of this free and easy to set up feature for your blog. I want to walk you through it.

Maybe you don't like to have your email flooded, but I'm more likely to read your blog update and comment if it's emailed right to me. This was handy when I was working full time and even more so now that I'm unemployed and glued to my email. Slowly, I'm going back through the blogs I follow and subscribing to emails to whoever has it set up.

When someone signs up for an email subscription to your blog, they are receiving an email when you have updated it - added something new. How fab is that? Instant gratification. Here's how you add the email subscription. I suggest putting it at the top of your blog in very close proximity to your followers box. (Side note: your followers box should be at the top of your blog, not buried below.)

First you will need to set up an account with Google Feedburner. You can do this through your Blogger Settings tab and then click on Site Feed.

Once you have set up your account, you will need to burn a feed. Here, you will add your blog URL. You will need to title your blog feed. This should be the name of your blog. 

After you get your success page, you will want to customize your options.  You will then be presented with a Dashboard. Click the tab that says Publicize.

On the left handside, you will see a column of links to various topics.  Click on Email Subscriptions.

Choose Feedburner and activate. 

You will then be on a screen that's titled Subscription Management or go to Email Subscription again on the left (doing this from memory). 

You will see a box of code. Don't copy it just yet! You will see a drop down box just under the code box. Be sure to change it to your blog format - Typepad, Google, language etc to your liking.  Then go back and copy the code.

You will then come back to Blogger and in the Design mode you will add an HTML gadget. Remember to put the gadget toward the top of your blog!

Save changes and you're done!

Hope this helps you out in increasing your blog traffic and comments.

Food vs. My Waistline: Week Two

Inspiration and Motivation. Those are the two things I think you need to reach any goal. I think scare tactics are also a good way to start a lifestyle change. Even changing just a few "habits" will help you out. Take these things out of your diet and you will be taking a step in the right direction!

The Traditional Red Lobster Margarita has 890 calories. That's the equivalent of 7 Almond Joys! 

Eat This Not That: Venti Starbucks Espresso Frappuccino (290 calories) VS. Large Dunkin' Donuts Frozen Cappuccino with Skim Milk (550 calories)

A salad worse than the Big Mac! TFIFridays Santa Fe Chopped Salad (1800 calories!)

Stay away from the Grilled Chicken & Avocado Club at Cheesecake Factory 1,752 calories! (And I thought I was eating healthy!)

Last week I weighed in at 129 pounds. This morning the scale read 130 pounds. So, I gained a pound. But still putting the total weight loss at 1.6 pounds.

Monday through Friday is easy. I planned for a cheat night on Saturday, for date night. But what I did not plan was more than one beer and McDonalds french fries. Or Cici's Pizza on Sunday night. That was my major fail of the week. Sunday night I wanted Lays potato chips, Facebook friends talked me out of it. I'm starting to think I might be a closet eater, I purposely did not say I was going to Cici's, because I knew people would talk me out of it. I think that's a problem.

I worked out three times with Natosha. It's great having a workout buddy that has the same goals as me. But she went to Cici's with me, so we need to work on that part of our plan!

Week one was easy, week two proved to be hard. Since I didn't lose any weight, I'm a little disappointed in myself..but today is a new day and I won't let it get to me.

Healthy Dinners
Monday: Shrimp Taco Salad - shrimp, lettuce, black beans, tomato, corn, light homemade dressing and avocado cream

Tuesday: Taco-Barbecue Chicken with Citrus Slaw and Garlic Bread

Wednesday: Me and Danny shared a T-bone (the picture makes it look HUGE, but I had the bone, and apparently most of the fat..ick) corn & broccoli, and potato.

Thursday: Two Surf Dogs - Hot dogs with terryaki sauce and pineapple salsa (I was only going to have one, but seriously, it was SO good!)

Friday: Thanksgiving Burgers - ground turkey mixed with sauteed apples and onions. Topped with cheese a cranberry and light sour cream sauce. On a 100 calorie bun.

Saturday: Date night, we had steamed clams, a side salad and crab cakes with green beans and a sweet potato! So yummy. And a Blue Moon. Then we went out for a few drinks....and McDonalds french fries. OOPS!

Sunday: CiCi's Pizza. I didn't even bother to take a picture of all the pizza...FAIL.


Workouts
Monday: It took me a half hour to mop our kitchen, I broke out in a sweat...THAT is a workout! And me and Natosha dusted off the "10 Days to a Better Body" DVD...we did 15 minutes of  it.

Tuesday: None. And rain got in the way of walking the dog.

Wednesday: 15 minutes of Crunch dance video and 15 minutes of 10 Days to a Better Body (back to back..30 minutes total!)

Thursday: 20 minutes of Pilates (abs, butt and thighs) and RAN around the block with Miley and got wicked sweaty!

Friday: None
Saturday: None
Sunday: None

The Ups: Natosha is a great workout buddy!
The Downs: Beers on date night...and french fries, they tasted SO good. But made me feel gross Sunday morning. And last minute pizza cravings...

Miscellany Monday

1. It's Monday Already?

Don't you hate how weeks drag along but the weekends fly by? We had a great weekend. Saturday we went to New Bern for date night. We love trying new places and try not to eat at the same place twice. We ate at Captain Rattys. And I was psyched to eat some steamed clams! Not the same as New England, but they will do. THEN we called up our favorite couple, Carmen & Mike, and headed to a haunted bar! We didn't see any ghosts, but we had a great time!

 2. I'm Craving the Smell!

I love the smell of fall. I want to smell it right now! Apples, pumpkins,cinnamon. I've been daydreaming about a new autumn blog layout, Halloween costumes, and apple picking. We're having a turkey dinner tonight...if that doesn't scream FALL I don't know what does!

3. Check My Pulse, Please!

Miley and Danny let me sleep in til 9:00 yesterday. I don't know how he kept her quiet, but it was great! But instead of waking up refreshed, I woke up thinking that Danny probably should have checked my pulse. I haven't slept that late since before we got married!

4. This Just In: I'm Cheap.

I decided on a dress for the ball! My sister sent me one of her old prom dresses. So, I'm going the "free" route. It's super cute: long, black, low back, with some jewels, and it's a halter. Pictures soon, I promise! It needs to be hemmed...badly.

5. I didn't Watch the Emmys.

But this is my review of the winners. I'm sad that Matthew Fox didn't win for Best Actor in a Drama for LOST. I love that Jim Parson's won for Best Actor in a Comedy for Big Bang Theory. I'm so happy that American Idol did not win for best competition show...and that Top Chef did. And after looking at a bunch of pictures, I decided the show was missing something: good fashion! 

6. "Mom, Let's Play Fetch!"

Miley has a new toy. She found a tree to play with.

 

More slim pants - Review: Ann Taylor Capris sz 00P

Many petite favorite retailers are offering slim pants this season and I coudn't be more thrilled. I've always loved slim pants for work, but previously only Theory carried them in small sizes. J.Crew jumped on the bandwagon with the Minnie pant, and now Gap, Ann Taylor, and LOFT each have their versions.

In Boston, most women commute to work in flats, so cropped, slim cut pants are a must-have for me to avoid tripping over long hems. I find them to be more versatile than boot-cut trousers, and much easier to incorporate into weekend casual outfits.

Blouse: Banana Republic 00P

Jacket: Theory Caprine 00P

Pants: Ann Taylor Stretch Twill Capris sz 00P (also comes in black)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Exotic Pump sz 5

Belt: J.Crew (similar here - love "heather dove")

Even though I just bought a pair of Gap slim crops, I was enticed by Chloe's claim that these pants ran small. They are more like ankle pants on my short 28" inseam legs, which some of you may find asthetically awkward, but I don't mind at all. Continue reading for my review...

Fit: The 00P was very fitted throughout the hips and thigh, but left me with a 1.5" waist gap. Unlike the Gap pair I reviewed, these are side-zip and do not have a trouser front nor belt loops (like the J.Crew Minnies), which is a minus. Under a top, however, the gap isn't too noticeable and the pants stay up fine because the hips are so fitted on me. A trip to the tailor should be able to fix the gap.

Please note that 00P is an online exclusive size for Ann Taylor. This is kind of a bummer since LOFT and BR both carry 00P in stores.

Color: I really love this "cliffside" color...it's like a grayish taupe. All my skinnies are black so this is a welcome change.

Material: 52% cotton, 42% rayon, 6% spandex. This twill feels nice and stretchy and I hope it holds up well after a wash. I asked Chloe beforehand to make sure the material isn't too wrinkle prone, but I did find that it wrinkles at the back of the knee.

Price: At $78 these cost the same as J.Crew's twill Minnies, but there are some pros and cons to each. The Minnies are dry clean only, whereas these are machine washable. The Minnies come in more colors and have nice belt loops, but Ann Taylor has frequent sales and coupons. I got these with the $20 off pants promo, plus another coupon so they came out to be $46.40. Still not cheap for me, but I know I'll get a lot of wear out of 'em.

Verdict: Despite the waist gap, I'm keeping!

The next color on my want list for slim pants is charcoal gray. I'm eying the J.Crew bi-stretch minnies pictured below...oh please, please give us a sale : )

Readers - are you buying in to the slim ankle pant trend? Or do you find it to be too unflattering on shorter legs?

More slim pants - Review: Ann Taylor Capris sz 00P

Many petite favorite retailers are offering slim pants this season and I coudn't be more thrilled. I've always loved slim pants for work, but previously only Theory carried them in small sizes. J.Crew jumped on the bandwagon with the Minnie pant, and now Gap, Ann Taylor, and LOFT each have their versions.

In Boston, most women commute to work in flats, so cropped, slim cut pants are a must-have for me to avoid tripping over long hems. I find them to be more versatile than boot-cut trousers, and much easier to incorporate into weekend casual outfits.

Blouse: Banana Republic 00P

Jacket: Theory Caprine 00P

Pants: Ann Taylor Stretch Twill Capris sz 00P (also comes in black)

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Exotic Pump sz 5

Belt: J.Crew (similar here - love "heather dove")

Even though I just bought a pair of Gap slim crops, I was enticed by Chloe's claim that these pants ran small. They are more like ankle pants on my short 28" inseam legs, which some of you may find asthetically awkward, but I don't mind at all. Continue reading for my review...

Fit: The 00P was very fitted throughout the hips and thigh, but left me with a 1.5" waist gap. Unlike the Gap pair I reviewed, these are side-zip and do not have a trouser front nor belt loops (like the J.Crew Minnies), which is a minus. Under a top, however, the gap isn't too noticeable and the pants stay up fine because the hips are so fitted on me. A trip to the tailor should be able to fix the gap.

Please note that 00P is an online exclusive size for Ann Taylor. This is kind of a bummer since LOFT and BR both carry 00P in stores.

Color: I really love this "cliffside" color...it's like a grayish taupe. All my skinnies are black so this is a welcome change.

Material: 52% cotton, 42% rayon, 6% spandex. This twill feels nice and stretchy and I hope it holds up well after a wash. I asked Chloe beforehand to make sure the material isn't too wrinkle prone, but I did find that it wrinkles at the back of the knee.

Price: At $78 these cost the same as J.Crew's twill Minnies, but there are some pros and cons to each. The Minnies are dry clean only, whereas these are machine washable. The Minnies come in more colors and have nice belt loops, but Ann Taylor has frequent sales and coupons. I got these with the $20 off pants promo, plus another coupon so they came out to be $46.40. Still not cheap for me, but I know I'll get a lot of wear out of 'em.

Verdict: Despite the waist gap, I'm keeping!

The next color on my want list for slim pants is charcoal gray. I'm eying the J.Crew bi-stretch minnies pictured below...oh please, please give us a sale : )

Readers - are you buying in to the slim ankle pant trend? Or do you find it to be too unflattering on shorter legs?

No More Desserts!!

No, seriously I need to lay off the baking and do some firing instead! (pardon the messy photo) What you see above is the last chunk of "Heaven and Hell" cake...aka "Cake of Doom"...aka Hubster's Birthday Cake! Alternating layers of Devil's Food cake (with a little coffee in the dark chocolate batter) and Angel Food cake sandwiched together with peanut butter mousse and the whole thing was coated with chocolate ganache! Do you see how thick that ganache coating is? I actually had to analyze who I chose to share the extra slices with...I was afraid I might kill someone!Janet of Pink Poppy Studio shared some of her earring photos with me...to share with you! Aren't they gorgeous? And beyond that...the photography...isn't this a spectacular example of great lighting and backdrops that don't overwhelm the jewelry? Continuing on my jewelry designer love fest, Dana of Colors of the Woods used an Ocean Sari pendant in her yummy nummy cool shades necklace. For those of you in the toasty heat, doesn't this make you feel cooler? On to the other things that I've been doing instead of playing in clay... My parents came to visit for the week so hubster was able to get us hooked up with Disney tickets. We hit both parks which was great since I've only been to California Adventure once... I'll spare you my photo with Sully from Monsters Inc...although I will tell you that he was verrrrry tall and furry! Last but not least, we also made it to the zoo. If you've never been, the San Diego Zoo is truly spectacular. I leave you with...a furry polar bear butt :)

Army Ladies WINNER!

Thank you so much to all the lovely Army Ladies who entered this giveaway! I can not believe only three ladies entered to win this beautiful necklace from Your Charmed Life.

I want to thank Kelly for making something so beautiful to giveaway. Please be sure to check out her awesome store and buy something for yourself! I promise you will find something you will fall in love with!

And now to the winner. Because there were only three entries, a random number would have been pointless, so I had a third party read them (my Mom!) She chose the lucky winner!

 The Annoyed Army Wife

Read her entry, my Mom said "I found my self being put in her shoes and wanting to believe all that the Army is telling her and OccDoc. By the end I am a blubbering idiot... not a tear rolling down my cheek....but a pool of tears on my desk"

Congrats!

 Please e-mail me at fsc200408@yahoo.com to claim your prize! 

Thank you to everyone who entered, check back in a few days for another great giveaway! And please stop by Your Charmed Life for all of her great jewelery!

Featured Teacher: Whimsicalnquirky

As promised, this is the second post on the interview with Rimaumanja. Mastura is also a wire jewelry teacher. She is a freelance wirework instructor and mostly she does private craft sessions. She conducts regular workshops in Wangsa Maju at beading.my


Mastura has also ventured into producing jewelry making tutorials. She is building a series of techniques thru her tutorials. Her goal is to come up with one tutorial for every technique known in wirework that is easy to learn and practical to craft out.
Example, thru charlotte's web pendant tutorial, she shares with you the open Viking knit technique and wire weaving with bead technique.

Thru charming life bracelet tutorial, she share with you herringbone weave technique. Of course, these are well known techniques, but its Rimaumanja's style! The technique idea is the same but not every crafter shares the same style when crafting out the techniques.

If you are interested to learn from Mastura, I urge you to go to her website http://in2wirecraft.blogspot.com/ to find out more.

She also shares all her workshops information and showcase work by crafters who join workshops she conducted here http://in2wirecraft.blogspot.com.

I wish Mastura all the best in her business.

Download lots of free jewelry making tutorials at DiyLessons! Are you a jewelry (jewellery) making teacher/ tutor? You can also list your tutorials here too.Don't miss a post! Subscribe to Handmade Jewelry Club by Email FREE