Deal of the day - is bugging moi

I need a little color in the winter! Heres a fun photo of my colleagues. Im not in it since Im taking the photo. I LOVE these people. Each and every one of them.

We made this parade float in 2006 and won a trophy. Now, back to my scheduled message....
I started to post my "deal of the day" in my blog, but really it's just getting in the way of my fabulous, earth shaking, news breaking, intellectual posts about feathers and glass and such. I like to advertise, but I don't want my little blurbs to start taking over. I think what I will try is having a little box in the left column that links to my deal o'the day. Once the day is over, I can change it up, and no one cares what last thursdays deal was anyways.

So thats THAT!

p.s- Ive ammended this weeks post about superduper and her feather concoctions, added some more photos and included ways to wear them. Check it out!

DEAL of the day - Handmade Fused Glass Ring

Poppy and Turquoise - Handmade Fused Glass Ring

Regularly $15, today its $10. For real!This is a colorful cocktail ring, that I handmade in my glass studio. It was made with a really vibrant poppy, almost red glass, and opaque turquoise glass next to it. The base is white, which you can always see peeking through to the sides.It was made in my kiln and fused together with extreme heat.

This glass cabochon measures 18mm x 26mm (about 1"), and comes on an ADJUSTABLE band.

Shout Out!

This SHOUT OUT goes to AnnMarie of superduper fame!

This is her Deluxe Burlesque Flower Headpiece in lavender and silver. I cant resist this glamourous look! Theres a photo in the listing (if you click on it) that shows the different colors she has and they each have their own personality. I can see wearing this to any event really, or a really lame event to make it an insta-party! Yahoo!

I like that the feather is a sort of gray and moody, lending to the idea that the person wearing it is from another era. "Victorian" is one of the new trends spotted by etsy recently, and this could certainly fit there too. I wore a "superduper" piece for my wedding and I now have something really special to wear that reminds me of the biggest party Ive hosted.

It puts me in a girly mood just having it lay on my dressing table.

Everyone ought to visit her shop to find all sorts of delights. But hurry, she JUST made her 100th sale and is on a roll! Way to go!

EDITORS NOTE: I want to add a side note here, and point out a comment that I received here about the feather pieces. It comes up A LOT and think its something that AnnMarie hears over and over again...
Heres the comment:

"These are really cool. I've always wanted to wear something like this (especially with feathers) but never felt like I could pull it off."

And this is my response: Yes, you CAN pull it off, silly dilly!! And theres a few ways to go about it. One is to attach the feather clip just a little lower than your ear, kind of tucked as if it was a flower in your hair. This makes it more of an addition to your hair than a hat-like piece. I wear the small feather clips in the back of my hair just above my low ponytails when I waitress, and they arent crazy looking, most people are delighted.

Heres a photo of me wearing my newest superduper piece, which isnt a big over-the-top piece, and would be easy to add to any wardrobe.

Another way to enable yourself to wear them without feeling like your heading to the kentucky derby is to find a color that blends with your look. If your hair is dark, get a black feather combo with maybe a sprig of blue or red to pop. This really adds volume to your hair, and a lot of pizazz without the look of a showgirl (though I dont know why anyone wouldn't want to look like a showgirl, they have so much fun!).

Heres a photo of my sister wearing one that shows how it can blend a little and still add glam.

You could also go the showgirl route for parties though. Everyone likes the gal that looks like she cared enough to dress up for the party. The nice thing about these is that all you have to do is clip and go. You really don't have to do much to look like a million bucks.

DEAL of the day - Icy Blue Quartz

Hello Wednesday!

Regularly $10, today its $8! (Save those two dollars for shipping another day)

This simple chunk of quartz was handmade into a pendant and hangs on a black ribbon with a clasp. This colorful rock is dyed an almost electric blue, icy and bright.

It has a flat face, with faceted sides that catch the light. Its super simple, and striking.

Measurements:

24mm from top of bail to bottom (approx. 1").Black ribbon is 18".

Icy Blue Quartz Pendant

Happy New Year!

I don't know where to begin my year, exactly. I like refreshing things, and starting anew. I know you can do this at any time of the year, but it always seems appropriate now, just as in the spring you clean and in the fall you nest. No? There's something about the group effort now too, that makes it easy. Everyone talks about resolutions, everyone cleans up after the parties and straightens up the home. Everyone is in on the action. So what "action" am I taking?

Cleaning might be a good one to start...

I usually can't keep a "New Years resolution", as making grand changes in my life can't just be thought of and then 'done'. They always fall apart or are just forgotten. If I resolve to do something, it wont be 'because I said so' on New Year's day. What I can do though, is make a few tiny changes or have some directions to follow.

Heres a small "resolution", in quotes because it really isnt much of a resolve, as it is a change, or addition to my life- I am going to try to take a photo of myself everyday. Theres lots of groups of people that do this, they call it 365 challenge or what have you. They post it to flickr or other group photo thingies <---crafting 365!!!!. I'm always quite impressed that people have the time to do this everyday, take the photo, upload it and then put on their site. I'm also sort of jealous that they have a photo journal and I have none at all. This is what I will try this year. I will not be posting it to a public group, as I think that I will end up trying to take 'good' photos if I think people are looking. It probably wouldn't be an honest account of my day. I would end up putting on lipstick (which I don't own) or brushing my hair (which i do every other day at this point oh dear!). It sounds like I will also be able to see what I really look like and end up brushing my hair because that is sort of necessary. HA!

Heres a few things I have been working on, fiddling with, trying anew.

Weaving:

I started this idea because my four sisters and I exchange one gift for Christmas, This year the theme was 'handmade'. I made her a white woven scarf. She lives in New Orleans and it is currently 76 degrees. I wasnt thinking there, was I. Sorry sis. I was just so excited.

Oh I hope my mom doesnt read this until she gets this scarf! Her favorite color is purple, and its COLD outside. Yes, it's cold outside where SHE lives.

I made a loom out of a plank of wood that has been in my car. It's there in case I get stuck in the dunes? Really. So since I wont be in the dunes for a few months, I have repurposed it with some paper to cover up the dirt, and some nails to make the loom part. The nail on the right with the head was the wrong kind. The yarn does not slide off of the head easily, use a headless nail when you try.

I tried feeding the yarn through just with my hands, but three hours and two scarves later I got the bright idea that real weavers use a tool to feed the fiber much faster through the loom. Here is yarn wrapped around cardboard.

If you are getting that warm fuzzy feeling and NEED your own scarf, visit my cousins etsy shop. She has made a super duper loom for herself, and weaves the most gorgeous yarns into scarflettes. They are perfect for everyday/all day wear. They are little enough to not flop all over yourself but warm enough that you dont think of heat all day. They are pretty hip too, I must say.

Heres her work: LilybirdDesigns

Stitching:

I fiddled with a little stitching. I love this little pocket ornament. Im working on projects for NEXT years Holiday shows. Its easy to brainstorm now, when Im in the warm fuzzy Holiday mood. Its not as easy in August when its 100 degrees out and all I can think of is lemonade.

This felt ornament is glued and stitched, double sided (different color hearts on each side tickle the pants off me). There is a small pocket inside to put your wishes in, your secrets, anything. I will refine the idea and see what comes of it. Would you buy an ornament at christmas? I got one this year that was very special. I think if i customized a few with "first christmas" etc, that might work.

The paper would be small enough to be tucked inside, the photo is just to show that there is a pocket.

Listing:

Clearly, I dont know what to do in this category.

Planning:
This one has been sitting on my desk for a month now. They will be fun, and silly, and colorful...if I finish them!! Starting this makes me realize why people get addicted to felt.

Working:

This is a photo of packing orders. It doesnt usually look this crazy. Thats why I took a photo.

and finally..

Enjoying:

It's time to RELAX!

I'm so happy this year that we actually have a fireplace to decorate!

It's very cute, and I love all things that can be made into extra special events, like sitting on the floor. A fireplace surely makes that a much more special occasion. This is our first fire of the season, only because we kept forgetting that we had a fireplace. Yes, it is in the main room, front and center, but oh, I know there is no excuse. We don't have a tree this year, due to space, but this more than makes up for it. When I wake up and see this I feel like its time to celebrate, and when its night I feel warm and cuddly.

The decor:

The garland was on sale 70% off this weekend, thats the benefit of decorating late in the season! The glittery glass ornaments were a gift last year, and they are very special and will always be featured in my Holiday decor as long as I don't break them. They are so big and fragile they scare me. The stockings were decorated by each of us, decorating the others. The cute doll on the mantle is a doll my mother made named 'pepper'- she's the one opening the etsy shop called SewSoft, once she gets back from Prague...right mom? And the wonderful painting on the mantle is a permanent fixture, and is also very special to me. It was painted by Johns grandmother and was a gift to our new family. It's not only an heirloom, but incredibly

beautiful to look at everyday.

I'm an Etsy FIND!

I'm totally thrilled and honored to be 'found'! Etsy decided to write their 'daily finds' email about New Years Eve Glittery things. They chose my Antique Silver Glitter Pop Party Ring (whew!). I must admit, that it is my favorite color glitter that I have for the moment. I even had a serious phone conversation with my sister last week JUST about glitter and my silvery new one. She's a sparkly gal herself, and makes cocktail hats in New Orleans that often (if not always) feature glitttery or sparkly adornments. She sent me some lovely hologram glitter and even black glitter this week as a special treat. See, the love is real. Thank you Etsy, You made my day!

(making my week, month and year is a given)

Click HERE to read the article.

Click HERE to see all the Glitter Pop Party Rings in my shop.

FRIDAY! is that air im breathing?

I'm so happy it's Friday.

You see, Friday itself doesn't necessarily mean anything to someone who works for themselves at home. Most of the time it just means a day that everyone else starts to get happier, and people are in places that I usually am. Like the grocery or the road. Friday usually means only one half morning more of shipping on Saturday and one full day of Sunday where no one is expecting a package from me to arrive. It means that I am nearing the beginning when there was never really an end. Working at home usually means there are no days off.

This Friday though, today, means that I only have a little work to do, and only one half day left for Holiday orders to be shipped. People will start to simmer down in the shop, and I don't have to make anything new until the New Year, if I dont want to. I have made enough 'things' this year I suppose, and I'm so happy that people celebrate things at the end of the year. This allows little ol' me to celebrate too. Finally!

I'm starting to reflect, (and also project), as a lot of people do at the ends-of-years and I can't help but feel like the coming year will be one amazing-something-special-is-going-to-happen year. I don't know why my gut keeps telling me, maybe because I am finally proud of myself I guess, and I suppose it can only get better when I feel this good? I feel like I have been accomplishing things for myself- personally and with the business, and that I shouldn't even have to think about how awesome next year will be. What I will do then, is just enjoy that little jumpy feeling that tells me that things are WONDERFUL right now. I am very lucky.

photos:

1.my hand that makes everything

2.my view half the time

Little Update on Holiday Things (vague enough?)

Today is the last day of the fused glass sale!

HURRY! HURRY!

Okay so you dont have to run, but there are still some lovelies in the shop I must say.

And if you dont need any glass...maybe you just needed a butterfly wing necklace MORE!*

*This is the most popular style this year, (glass style), next to the oval monarch design.

I have been insanely busy with butterflies this season! For the Holidays people are going bonkers for these little peices of nature. I LOVE IT!!!! I am up at night hunched over in my studio mixing and making and finishing and polishing these little delights. They have been made to order, basically because I cant get ahead of orders. I cant seem to make more than I need. But thats fine with me. I have been SOOO happy this season with my etsy shop and 6 craft shows. I feel like Ive worked harder than I ever have, and thats rewarding beyond description. This year, unlike the last two on etsy, I have decided to stop shipping on Dec 21. This is my physical reward, my Christmas present to myself (besides the stationary tape dispenser!!).

a butterfly production line photo

Also, more on 'the shop', among being busy enough to be losing sleep, I have added my newest little lovelies- the Glitter Pop Pendant. TADA!!

I like these because they aremade just 'for the fun of it'. I like the sparkle and I like to see what color combinations I come up with. They are like little candies to me, so I want to keep making more.

Back to orders now, a few more days for "the push" to continue. I cant wait to finally decorate for Christmas this weekend! (yeah i know)

BIG SALE! Dec 10-17

Take advantage of a HUGE SALE this week only!

DECEMBER 10-17

ALL of my FUSED GLASS jewelry is marked down to $13. That means that you are saving $3- $5 on EACH item! I'm very excited about this week!

When you purchase TWO Glitter Pop rings,

I will choose a FREE one to send in your package.

Also, there is a subscriber-only special in the newsletter I've sent out, so please join my mailing list at the top of this page to get your free goodies next time!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!