back in stock continued

Over the weekend I updated the listings for a couple more pieces that I made new versions of during my time off over the holidays.

Since I started making earrings last year, a few of my designs have really done well so I've made multiple versions of them now.  These light green triangles are one of them.  They're available here.

I sold the original version of this design over the summer.  I'm not sure why it took me so long to make a second version.  It's so simple and classic.  And wasn't I just recently writing about how awesome red is?  This version includes a button clasp from Etsy's own Lisa Peters (lisapetersart).  This bracelet is available here.

newest goodies

I caved last week and purchased a few sets of buttons from Lisa Peters (one from her regular store and one from her destash store).  I've done an awesome job the last few months of only purchasing small things here and there to complete already planned projects.  So I didn't feel too bad about making a tiny splurge.  And I'm sure you can see why I wanted to.

The light colored leaf is actually a freebie cabochon that she included with my order.  And the green Christmas tree is a little charm, not a button.  Honestly I will most likely keep it for myself and string it on a simple chain.  I'm really excited to use some of the brown leaves as clasps for future autumn leafy bracelets.  I'm not sure what I'll do with the red buttons yet.  As always, I'm open to suggestions.

I only have two bracelets in my shop right now with a Lisa button because the pieces I've made with them keep selling!

This one is available here.

 And this one is available here.

Here are some past creations with Lisa's buttons.

leafy feature number 18

Happy Friday!  I have A LOT of leaf items saved up in my favorites so I'm continuing this feature every Friday now through at least the end of the fall.  Also, don't forget to enter my blog giveaway if you haven't already and stay tuned tomorrow for info about FREE SHIPPING in my shop.

Handmade Sterling silver Marquis Hoop with whimsical leaf charms by lindatrentjewelry

Autumn Leaves Printable Digital Collage Sheet Gift Tags. Earth Tone. 2x2 Round Tags. Fall Colors. by DigitalCS

Oak Leaf - Domino Magnet by PipingHotPapers

Handmade Ceramic Cabochon - leaves by LisaPetersArt

Falling Leaves Necklace by FrostedTreats

The Almond tree leaf earrings by rafya

Gold Leaf Necklace w Faceted Labradorite - Forest Nocturne by mysticwynd

Art Beads fall piece

For the fall Art Beads design partner program, we were asked to create a piece of jewelry that utilized colors from the Fall 2010 Pantone Fashion Color Report.  I'd been wanting to make a new version of my Natural Sparkle design for a while.  Some of the more neutral shades from the report fit into this design perfectly.

I used two different kinds of Swarovski beads and gorgeous tiger's eye beads from the Art Beads Gemstone section.  I normally don't spring for larger/more expensive items when it comes to beads, even when it's through the blog program because I still like to make my money go as far as possible, but I decided that it would be worth it with the tiger's eye.  It definitely was.  I have a handful left, which I'm sure will go to good use at some point.

I also used some of my free sample beads from Shannon (beadsandbabble) including a few from this lovely Czech mix and this other neat Czech mix that she offers as well as some of her seed bead strands (if you want specific information for those, let me know).  Thanks Shannon!

The drilled sea glass pieces are from Kristina (akkricket).  I'm a little embarrassed that it's taken me this long to use them, but I'm so glad that I finally did.  I have some single drilled pieces, too, that I'm planning to use for another Natural Sparkle bracelet.

I'm sure that some of you know this by now, but the ceramic button is from Lisa (LisaPetersArt).  This is the fifth bracelet that I've made with one of Lisa's buttons.  I've sold three with her buttons.  The only one that's left besides this is my Fall Autumn Explosion piece.  I'm planning to use another Lisa button for my next Natural Sparkle bracelet.  I have a few other buttons in my stash, too (not that that will stop me from buying more in the future, too, of course).

This piece is available in my Etsy shop.  You can view it by clicking here.  As always, if you're interested in something similar but in a different size or with slightly different colors, etc. please let me know.

Disclosure - I received my ArtBead's products free of charge through their blogging program. I am honestly reviewing their products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products I received.

Top Droppers feature, new listing

Sharla (BeadedTail) was one of my Top Droppers again in June.  Here is one of her newest items that you should check out!  This color is great.  I never get tired of red.

Berry - Red Coral Antiqued Brass Earrings

Any other Etsy sellers who were in my Top 10 for June are also welcome to pick items from their shops for me to feature here.  Please let me a comment!

I listed my Autumn Explosion peyote cuff tonight.  I have been working on this design in my head for the better part of a year and am so happy with the result.  The term "explosion" did cross my mind with this piece, and then Edi suggested it when I asked for ideas for a name so I'm going with it.  Thanks Edi!

The lamp worked ruffled discs are from Jennifer (blueseraphim).  I am so happy with all of the pieces that I've made with this set of caramel beads from Jen.  I have a set of periwinkle and black beads from her that will have a design...soon.  It's getting there.  The ceramic button clasp on the cuff is from Lisa Peters (lisapetersart).  I know that Lisa doesn't have a lot in her shop right now, but as I'm sure many of you already know, her work is amazing.

I have a pair of matching earrings that I'll be listing soon. :)

packages

We awoke this morning to a blanket of fresh SNOW. Predicted, yes. Still upsetting.


Thankfully, as you can see in the photo, the roads were not frozen so the driving conditions were good today. Also, I took that picture a little over five hours ago, and most of it has melted since then. It's still a little depressing in mid/late March. Hopefully the weather forecast will stay true and it will warm right up again. It was 60 on Thursday!

I received several packages in the mail this week. The first was my latest set of beads from ArtBeads through their blogging program. We were allowed to pick anything from their site this time with the intention of making at least one spring piece from it. With this current order, I now have way more than enough beads to put together another leafy spring piece like my original version.


Besides the leaves, my newest stash includes delicas and Tohos. When I lined up my delicas, I realized how much I love the opaque espresso pearls with lime. The color possibilities never end!

I also got my newest selection of ceramic buttons from Lisa (LisaPetersArt) (all paid for through jewelry sales!). I purchased several from her Etsy site, and then she was kind of enough to photograph some of her smaller unlisted pieces and let me choose what I wanted.

I love all of them, but I think that the triangles are especially cool. So unique!

Finally, in unrelated jewelry topics, I got my first shipment of Proactiv.
I just started it today so nothing yet, but I'll let you know how it goes. I'm hopeful. I haven't been to a derm in over 3 years, but if this doesn't do the trick, I will look for one out here this summer.

I hope that everyone's having a good weekend! :)

Disclosure - I received my ArtBead's products free of charge through their blogging program. I am honestly reviewing their products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products I received.

new business cards, finished bargello cuff

I got my business cards from Vicki's giveaway early this week, but I didn't get around to taking a picture of them until this weekend. I'm very pleased with the way that they turned out, though. Again, these are from OvernightPrints if anyone is interested in getting any for themselves.


I finished my first bargello cuff yesterday and photographed it today. This pattern was so much fun! I highly recommend that any fellow bead weavers who are reading this considering purchasing it. You can get it from Carol's (SandFibers) shop here. I'm debating whether or not I'd like to upgrade to a commercial edition of the pattern. I already have several more ideas for color combinations with it, and there are only so many versions of it that I need for myself. Any thoughts? While you're considering that, check out my cuff.




Yes, this bracelet is very short. I have small wrists. And yes, the button is another one of Lisa Peters's creations. I decided that I didn't want to part with this one. :)

I also made my first pair of earrings this weekend in the same greens that I used in my bargello cuff. Pictures coming soon!

milestones and the newest leafy autumn

I reached 300 hearts on Etsy tonight!


I also recently reached over 100 followers on this blog. I'm closing in on 100 followers on Twitter and 100 fans on my Facebook page, too. Your support means so much to me everyone! :)

I updated my listing for the leafy series - autumn tonight with new pictures and details.


This bracelet features four lamp worked beads from Jen (blueseraphim), one of Lisa Peters's (lisapetersart) ceramic buttons, and the last of my metal leaves as well as the usual fantastic assortment of Czech glass leaves and other glass beads. :)

snow day, some Etsy goodies

I had another snow day today (4th one so far this winter). You can't see it this picture but the wind really picked up today and is blowing 20-30 MPH when I took the picture. It's still snowing off and on, and I'm a little worried for tomorrow. I don't think that the roads are going to be very good.


I completely forgot to mention that I won the giveaway on vermilionstarpress's blog back in December. I won a lovely set of coasters like the ones that you can find in their Etsy shop here.



They also included a couple free blank cards with envelopes. Thanks vermilionstarpress!

I got a couple new Lisa Peters Art ceramic buttons in the mail today that I'd ordered through Etsy. Lisa has been listing tons of new items in the past couple months. It's amazing that I've managed to restrain myself from buying more than just these two items.

I think that I'm going to keep the white and green one for myself and use it with a green cuff design that I have in mind. I'm thinking about using the yellow button for a remake of one of my autumn leafy designs. :)

Natural Sparkle

I listed my first (but not last) bracelet with one of Lisa Peters's ceramic buttons today!


This color combination is not typical for me, but I love the way that it turned out. It makes me want to attempt another design in neutral colors.

Besides the LPA ceramic button, there are a couple other neat components in this bracelet. The wood and stone beads were a present from my mom's mom last year. She got them from the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst, IL. I kept most of them for myself as simply stretchy bracelets, but when I restrung them, there were a few extras (because as most of you know, I have very small wrists). Here they are! I also used some more of my swarovski components from the Art Beads blogging program. I used Twist Crystal Silver Shade, Cosmic Olivine, and Graphic Cube Crystal Copper. Yes, my swarovski/cubic zirconia stash is finally starting to dwindle!

Disclosure - I received my ArtBead's products free of charge through their blogging program. I am honestly reviewing their products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products I received.