tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29775042058472848622024-02-19T08:46:42.967-05:00Catching HummingbirdsYou should try it sometime.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-15152458345385966102014-06-02T13:05:00.000-04:002014-06-02T13:06:54.396-04:00Of My Favorite Things and Other Updates...Finally got back on the bandwagon of setting a blog posting schedule (yay!)! So I'll jump right in, then. Can I just say how much I love <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/" target="_blank">Beaducation</a>'s website, products, videos, books, EVERYTHING?! I mean, I first found a few of their videos on YouTube when I was looking for some metal stamping hints, but then I started looking at all the goodies on their site and WOW. I want ALL the things. All of them. Seriously, this is probably one of the best sites for metal stamping supplies I've seen. Other sites concentrate on maybe one particular area, like stamping sets, and that's great, especially for price comparison, but Beaducation is just awesome for a comprehensive, one stop, here's-everything-you-need-to-get-started metal stamping source.<br />
<br />
And I finally bought some stamping goodies from them a few weeks ago! Can't wait to buy more. I had to limit myself, which was VERY difficult, as it is when you're bombarded with tons of your favorite crafting goodies. So, what am I loving from Beaducation, you say?<br />
<br />
Well...<br />
<br />
Design stamps! I love design stamps and had NONE, so I bought my first design stamp, a heart!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraC5K7eClgHxHHH0xNCt9u-DrIQhanGUB9pTmF8coVPd-jmwbMsN7GBOUvtBItJDzDj2gLAq6v0gNZu7uuDapG29Jz6iVF-ygNtJxCy7FE6Lx2-B3_sVFLFZk6TEmYoH9NeykAl1I/s1600/2014-06-02+12.41.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraC5K7eClgHxHHH0xNCt9u-DrIQhanGUB9pTmF8coVPd-jmwbMsN7GBOUvtBItJDzDj2gLAq6v0gNZu7uuDapG29Jz6iVF-ygNtJxCy7FE6Lx2-B3_sVFLFZk6TEmYoH9NeykAl1I/s1600/2014-06-02+12.41.24.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX4HPTJuM7-cwmnlMk12ggnHMQVA0f6BQ9CW1B2K7JgCIg1E_Pt8-lTaT4g9ke1Yt4sxQltrMMRXZeQBpMcw1Am68lqKfcGPa7vli2j_0R_knbcSN1C0vU9JmtYeCZqn1gpa9R9FU/s1600/2014-06-02+12.40.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX4HPTJuM7-cwmnlMk12ggnHMQVA0f6BQ9CW1B2K7JgCIg1E_Pt8-lTaT4g9ke1Yt4sxQltrMMRXZeQBpMcw1Am68lqKfcGPa7vli2j_0R_knbcSN1C0vU9JmtYeCZqn1gpa9R9FU/s1600/2014-06-02+12.40.30.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided to keep it relatively simple and went with one of the basics for my first design stamp. This one is the <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/tiny-heart-design-stamp-beaducation-original-p-541.html" target="_blank">Tiny Heart</a> design stamp, and it's one made by Beaducation. It's so adorable!<br />
<br />
I also bought some flat copper wire, which I'm going to use to make a bangle bracelet as soon as I acquire some bracelet bending pliers. For other stamping blanks, I kept it *mostly* simple to start with. As much as I love all of the fun and different shapes, I could just see myself buying a bunch of my favorites and them letting them sit and collect dust for ages because I can't think of anything to stamp on them.<br />
<br />
So, I got a couple aluminum rectangles that I can either use for necklaces or i.d. tag-style bracelets (and I'm posting the listing pics here because it's way clearer than anything I'd be able to take right now):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/2013_0530_ka020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/2013_0530_ka020.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can be found <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/aluminum-large-long-rounded-rectangle-18g-p-4367.html" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/aluminum-banner-18g-p-4562.html" target="_blank">aluminum banner</a> (I have a feeling I'm going to LOVE this one):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/2013_0829_ka036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/2013_0829_ka036.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A small <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/copper-long-oval-connector-with-2-holes-24g-p-1026.html" target="_blank">copper connector</a> that is going to be a Doctor Who bracelet =) :<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/0218_connector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/0218_connector.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
A copper <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/copper-spiral-blank-22g-p-845.html" target="_blank">spiral blank</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/copper_swirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/copper_swirl.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
And I did go a little funky with two <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/copper-lightning-bolt-24g-p-2609.html" target="_blank">lightning bolt</a> blanks (the other is brass) that I'm going to use for--you guessed it--Harry Potter necklaces. It's going to be awesome:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/CO082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/www/images/200/CO082.jpg" /></a></div>
I also bought a pack of Pro Polish Pads, which I used when I stamped the oval tag for a Doctor Who bracelet, and that thing is as shiny as a brand-new penny. They're amazing. I even used it on the aluminum banner after darkening the letters and I didn't know aluminum blanks could be so shiny. I love these things.<br />
<br />
I also finally bought a 1lb brass hammer from Michael's, and was able to use a competitor coupon to cushion the price. What a difference it makes in stamping! When I was trying out my heart stamp, I was having to tilt and tap the stamp in order to get all the edges and it still wasn't turning out the way I wanted! With the brass hammer, I hit it twice straight on, et voila! That's the result in the picture of the impression that I took earlier. I also finally found a decently priced screw-down hole punch at Hobby Lobby this weekend. I'm just so glad to be finally building up all the supplies I should have had when I started.<br />
<br />
Can't wait to order some more goodies off my wish list (which, by the way, I had to make in order to ensure that I didn't go overboard!)!<br />
<br />
What are some of your favorite suppliers, or supplies? If you're a stamper, what are some of your favorite blanks? design stamps? letter sets?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-33807238784650420372014-05-10T10:41:00.002-04:002014-05-10T10:44:41.085-04:00Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!Okay, so I meant to post a teaser pic, and to post a lot of other things as well, but I feel like the last month has just been nonstop going going going...aaaaand so the blog fell by the wayside, as it does.<br />
<br />
Before I get to the posting of the pics, here's my process basically after I opened my bead soup from Patricia (see her blog <a href="http://banglesandbrew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>). I oohed and ahhed over all the pretty colors and patterns and shapes, then got flooded with about sixteen different ideas at once, so I set them aside before I went completely crazy and burned out the creativity right away. Then everybody started travelling, including me, and I was going to job interviews and designing email newsletters for TEN3 and going to appointments, and landed a job (yay!) and that brings us to this week with the pretty beads still waiting patiently. Then I panicked. A little.<br />
<br />
I had originally thought I would make a necklace using as many of the beads as I could. I got to looking at it though, and didn't think I had enough to make a necklace as long as I wanted, and I didn't want to use my usual "cheat" of adding chain at the top near the clasp. I also didn't want all the pretty beads to get lost in the whole thing. So....I made a bracelet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub5Lw46JxV8fy4fIhJtIhOCrKZy9NzB3O0z-xDkew4ZNOOY3jJyxExGNxqHQSJPO5aY54OLfOdvM4s_dvL5WsWd4kgeuwD9U7b3gRU4KoEpn5O8JeWOaHjMME0MrjcSIB82-ugFN_/s1600/2014-05-10+10.19.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub5Lw46JxV8fy4fIhJtIhOCrKZy9NzB3O0z-xDkew4ZNOOY3jJyxExGNxqHQSJPO5aY54OLfOdvM4s_dvL5WsWd4kgeuwD9U7b3gRU4KoEpn5O8JeWOaHjMME0MrjcSIB82-ugFN_/s1600/2014-05-10+10.19.13.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also didn't feel like messing with it too much when I took the picture (ahemthismorning). But as you can see, I didn't let the pretties go to waste! I threaded 18ga wire through the black heart, which I assume was the focal (idk, it was the largest bead), and kind of wire wrapped the ends. Then I started adding other beads. I didn't really have a specific process for putting colors/other beads together, I just made sure to grab a couple of the smaller beads to bracket beads with holes too large for the headpins. That blue heart is still probably my favorite! The clasp is just gorgeous, too! And I was thinking when I was surveying all the polka dots, that if I didn't already have the perfect Mother's Day present for my mom, she would love this! So I guess I'll just have to keep it ;) And make myself some earrings with the leftovers, and if I can think of something creative, maybe a necklace using mostly chain and a couple beads that wouldn't work on the bracelet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the permalink to the list of all participants: <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html">http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy blog hopping!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-73830394806382140092014-03-24T11:46:00.000-04:002014-03-24T11:46:00.316-04:00Bead Soup!Well, I probably should have posted this a week ago, but that didn't happen, obviously. I got my goodies from Patricia at Bangles and Brew last week, and am now getting the chance to show them off, along with the beads I sent her, since she got my soup, too :)<br />
<br />
Here's the box I got, which had a tulle bow tied around it with an adorable orange lampwork flower:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUJLuyasfBfQ49kGr3WEQzqJdpb2SWoWeRwwWxvPQfop2MHyb26xy08CooDL4bVmJsq9N-l5C0APo9KIdEx4MKlnanm_oAUpyZrsCzXaZwgBQUU98hN_xBtglXozHzhyphenhyphenIGAGM1qny/s1600/2014-03-17+14.20.20-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUJLuyasfBfQ49kGr3WEQzqJdpb2SWoWeRwwWxvPQfop2MHyb26xy08CooDL4bVmJsq9N-l5C0APo9KIdEx4MKlnanm_oAUpyZrsCzXaZwgBQUU98hN_xBtglXozHzhyphenhyphenIGAGM1qny/s1600/2014-03-17+14.20.20-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT0MnHKmZ5HoOfVYmA_8h44L71cyltNjKoByu4X8TtoGo7mj6rZ3nP-IQiXlVL3c9ly8nvJp-58ibW5bwgcsmMPrP9qw6pf0cEacGfFLoChy27cLsVVcGiZcuAb_IZhoq0swb9B3X/s1600/2014-03-17+14.20.27-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT0MnHKmZ5HoOfVYmA_8h44L71cyltNjKoByu4X8TtoGo7mj6rZ3nP-IQiXlVL3c9ly8nvJp-58ibW5bwgcsmMPrP9qw6pf0cEacGfFLoChy27cLsVVcGiZcuAb_IZhoq0swb9B3X/s1600/2014-03-17+14.20.27-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
All the individual goodies that I just can't wait to make something with--LOVE that blue heart. And those COLORS!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcIdBXIuAdihvCgAbNmFGbIFv_wmm7MPn9Z0-DTLPfyUlAANcVwednsD1HLkbAwi1KMULHXCTxkNl5KSkn4H6Wiowe8rYq2WvBpEuHYOA9rJSXkihFYP87GRRPTrTDNDCxkzR4hJO/s1600/2014-03-18+12.01.25-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcIdBXIuAdihvCgAbNmFGbIFv_wmm7MPn9Z0-DTLPfyUlAANcVwednsD1HLkbAwi1KMULHXCTxkNl5KSkn4H6Wiowe8rYq2WvBpEuHYOA9rJSXkihFYP87GRRPTrTDNDCxkzR4hJO/s1600/2014-03-18+12.01.25-1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And one last overhead shot:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvUPH1t0hgKQkuueDd28ZU-A9hxx03oluXkuH-8uuX7bbC930OA8x_qcDxteyskCG2i03XUwojt4EawtSzsRzpMK1pdd8NJwXT97ER2gE-YtRl-tuhM-tvAtd7n6X1lOxxzMDw2lT/s1600/2014-03-18+12.01.25-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvUPH1t0hgKQkuueDd28ZU-A9hxx03oluXkuH-8uuX7bbC930OA8x_qcDxteyskCG2i03XUwojt4EawtSzsRzpMK1pdd8NJwXT97ER2gE-YtRl-tuhM-tvAtd7n6X1lOxxzMDw2lT/s1600/2014-03-18+12.01.25-1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what I sent Patricia:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBo7mJzpssMnlBocQK2YZA9dMWWCsO2tEtyUxb800qyYPvh14soZYGocK9hosdzFydjsvrOxJsAmAx_lScLUrbDztPrIvwPbngktm8_oVytheScxqjBIQkGHx_6RatunFitbww8rY/s1600/2014-03-11+15.03.59-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBo7mJzpssMnlBocQK2YZA9dMWWCsO2tEtyUxb800qyYPvh14soZYGocK9hosdzFydjsvrOxJsAmAx_lScLUrbDztPrIvwPbngktm8_oVytheScxqjBIQkGHx_6RatunFitbww8rY/s1600/2014-03-11+15.03.59-1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overhead view of ALL the goodies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then packaging:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqEiGorlL9dsvZks6FMkLO3pMUrRDtF6_EtacXnYk8r3N6XZ6XXPO4jtNJKZ6Lr3wXDXwUBTOddYB6Kk1QRUYp53UVZ4sHjZpwNY0_Q2FwdjaQs40k8Pape5tgLVt9G_HfWpUTPhq/s1600/2014-03-11+15.15.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqEiGorlL9dsvZks6FMkLO3pMUrRDtF6_EtacXnYk8r3N6XZ6XXPO4jtNJKZ6Lr3wXDXwUBTOddYB6Kk1QRUYp53UVZ4sHjZpwNY0_Q2FwdjaQs40k8Pape5tgLVt9G_HfWpUTPhq/s1600/2014-03-11+15.15.27.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoe1ci5irxRnx713VFgUCOikTVLE659tFJZf6rF5znGVjl9JrIIeteOMp6lV2Qx01LVAefxCSx-2Y1vcs5EiFOAP1AznbIFOTbE8Eqqf7A9ObTqfPgbcAhc_cAnaOCRBrhveo8ugB/s1600/2014-03-11+15.15.37-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoe1ci5irxRnx713VFgUCOikTVLE659tFJZf6rF5znGVjl9JrIIeteOMp6lV2Qx01LVAefxCSx-2Y1vcs5EiFOAP1AznbIFOTbE8Eqqf7A9ObTqfPgbcAhc_cAnaOCRBrhveo8ugB/s1600/2014-03-11+15.15.37-1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UlEfdmSdOF4CxfC_FqnPfq07xppCngtpoRxJgmk-lEtf1_aa5_pkCecxvGyM7IJhl55aot4-IZnrwFaBNqu_6EUH_Swxwn5Q9bh1mG-N8wojlnamaXFIYqcivsJZlxOYPvQybd0z/s1600/2014-03-11+15.16.01-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UlEfdmSdOF4CxfC_FqnPfq07xppCngtpoRxJgmk-lEtf1_aa5_pkCecxvGyM7IJhl55aot4-IZnrwFaBNqu_6EUH_Swxwn5Q9bh1mG-N8wojlnamaXFIYqcivsJZlxOYPvQybd0z/s1600/2014-03-11+15.16.01-1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBN7ULAS69LAzuNd9otG73v3yaD6kH6QtPFuWjCCxXQS7pHDNpbrf0rZAjGMBX2_UiqA6hG6ttGvLEWZTqoA9oHTmzh1TM66mQ4rIHTF5BRsgfIKeut8xVQ_T81NI6fx_9UhgWTfF/s1600/2014-03-11+15.16.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBN7ULAS69LAzuNd9otG73v3yaD6kH6QtPFuWjCCxXQS7pHDNpbrf0rZAjGMBX2_UiqA6hG6ttGvLEWZTqoA9oHTmzh1TM66mQ4rIHTF5BRsgfIKeut8xVQ_T81NI6fx_9UhgWTfF/s1600/2014-03-11+15.16.30.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzLRdqmpqAKWETlSrCcdbgv0IzXqUr77u7wejR6FhMLJ8HRflqowyCl9QfeqICUgeNnHqEhXdPF4GYykuFogCyO5I3ivGY-dpZyPw3wQSmYNYyH9B62ecQJ2YJ739l1kuPCF5F2sN/s1600/2014-03-11+15.17.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzLRdqmpqAKWETlSrCcdbgv0IzXqUr77u7wejR6FhMLJ8HRflqowyCl9QfeqICUgeNnHqEhXdPF4GYykuFogCyO5I3ivGY-dpZyPw3wQSmYNYyH9B62ecQJ2YJ739l1kuPCF5F2sN/s1600/2014-03-11+15.17.00.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now let's get crafting!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-32573550795117801202014-03-13T11:17:00.000-04:002014-03-13T11:17:23.580-04:00Bead Soup Sneak PeekI'm so excited that I get to be a part of the Bead Soup Blog Party that <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank">Lori Anderson</a> hosts every year! Last year was my first year doing it, so I still feel like a bit of a newbie, only better prepared, if that makes any sense. Anyway, my partner for the swap is Patricia over at <a href="http://banglesandbrew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bangles and Brew</a>. You should also check her out on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/patricia-Robitaille-jewelry/91037959287" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/aphiemi" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. Her lampwork beads are just gorgeous!<br />
<br />
Here is a little sneak preview of what I sent her (and I may have gotten a little carried away with all the filters, but I'm not sorry xP):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0h-8E2sd1ahpBgBvkkNMNo0oBPH-l4QaWNzeyb-4-pcGtcB_PXrMikGYF8xeCeY5P4AfAJgeAcRSun2dW3AwsF8OS7t3VBXPnwX2Sr48neK3IYFFxYTk0bj-D5o9adRlPkUcj7EM/s1600/2014-03-11+16.59.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0h-8E2sd1ahpBgBvkkNMNo0oBPH-l4QaWNzeyb-4-pcGtcB_PXrMikGYF8xeCeY5P4AfAJgeAcRSun2dW3AwsF8OS7t3VBXPnwX2Sr48neK3IYFFxYTk0bj-D5o9adRlPkUcj7EM/s1600/2014-03-11+16.59.29.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-89509044253572331452014-03-10T13:22:00.001-04:002014-03-10T13:22:59.495-04:00Being Crafty...sort ofLast weekend, we were up at my grandparents' house, and I had said something awhile back to my dad about making some holders for my metal stamps. The two sets I have aren't made in the USA or otherwise shiny and expensive with their own handy holders, but I'm thinking, "it can't be THAT hard to make your own, right?"<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/system/zen_products/images/4413/shop/set061_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d2pafxp37ue0ak.cloudfront.net/system/zen_products/images/4413/shop/set061_main.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of <a href="http://www.beaducation.com/shop/beaducation-chronicle-uppercase-letter-stamp-set-332-24mm-p-4310.html" target="_blank">Beaducation</a>'s stamp sets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, technically no, but it *is* time-consuming with all the holes to drill. So I brought my stamp sets and a couple blocks of wood, and while we were there last Saturday, we made use of my grandpa's drill press. And sander. And table saw and probably something else, too, but I'm not a tools person so I have no idea what to call the rest.<br />
<br />
Of course, when I say "we," I mostly mean my dad and my grandpa. I already had a block of oak (I think it was oak) that my dad had just been messing around with in the garage and had given me to see if I could use in stamping. It just so happened to be the right size to hold some stamps. My grandpa cut the other piece of wood (which apparently was also very very hard) into a block shape and I think sent it through a planer.<br />
<br />
Now, the thing with my metal stamps is that they're square. And drill bits are round. So we were literally fitting square pegs into round holes here. I have three different sets total--a set of 27 lowercase letters and an ampersand, a set of 36 uppercase letters, numbers, and ampersand, and a set of nine punctuation marks/symbols. The set of nine and 36 were the same size, stamp-wise. The set of 27 was a little bigger. We started with deciding that 45 stamps would fit on one block of wood, and drew a little grid on the block to space them out evenly.<br />
<br />
My dad drilled three holes in the first block for the 45 stamps before I stuck one of the stamps into it (he was trying to hand it off to me so I could continue drilling, I think, but I was suspicious of the size of the holes). It didn't fit. So the next size up that my grandpa had fit the set of 27 perfectly, and also ended up being the size we used for the 45. My dad just threw out the idea of evenly spacing them at that point and decided to eyeball it while I drew the grid on the other block of wood for the 27.<br />
<br />
Once he finished drilling, my grandpa sanded it really fast and then I stuck all the pegs into it, just to see how it looked. There's definitely plenty of room, and a couple pegs sit lower than the others, which is a little weird since my dad had it set to stop at the same depth every time, but I like it. I basically had all of the 36 stamps laying flat on a clipboard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9elJUday9CdJRlkWs53cM_O6tWsjGcogFFa1jNRu7DOBy4pQ_ay2G2Wk5Hq6lgM8GWr990-B3EEdRIDAkiKUYyexd1Oz_3BiGBDSWvMbyCUMjkxRLXmbz7YK8nndDS-Hn9aSWrQx/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9elJUday9CdJRlkWs53cM_O6tWsjGcogFFa1jNRu7DOBy4pQ_ay2G2Wk5Hq6lgM8GWr990-B3EEdRIDAkiKUYyexd1Oz_3BiGBDSWvMbyCUMjkxRLXmbz7YK8nndDS-Hn9aSWrQx/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.18.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxHtq9yg4Yy4iWIXL-VcyIZ5bThd9-igZoDskplXFgVOUG9WMi6GQ4wHeQLYVZPTf8ET44r3bKVkGeh1zm_3kAZZTDr7N7wLDQ0TDIaK4CmCSiVQYUpU9EzgeolSk1itBnB9Cjx4U/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxHtq9yg4Yy4iWIXL-VcyIZ5bThd9-igZoDskplXFgVOUG9WMi6GQ4wHeQLYVZPTf8ET44r3bKVkGeh1zm_3kAZZTDr7N7wLDQ0TDIaK4CmCSiVQYUpU9EzgeolSk1itBnB9Cjx4U/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.36.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The set of 27 looks pretty good, too. A couple of the holes seem to be a little snug for the stamps, but there could just be some extra sawdust in there. I'm just glad that I don't have to dump all of my stamps out on the table or floor or wherever just to find the right letters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzTBrLW9FvmHN-gpaZkwGhuFAzACvFW_9_BO87T1ncvcS_7BVND7H3eVIn74XJIvsTsdxzAop20wpe6iCjB1AVFNMavV_tdUoKFZHelDZC4YIYYEaDjDl8cHZYIo7D7kFf9wTB9uw/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzTBrLW9FvmHN-gpaZkwGhuFAzACvFW_9_BO87T1ncvcS_7BVND7H3eVIn74XJIvsTsdxzAop20wpe6iCjB1AVFNMavV_tdUoKFZHelDZC4YIYYEaDjDl8cHZYIo7D7kFf9wTB9uw/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.06.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN3xlGHt2vj1UyK2fat_BbG_pXivGjn3MZw9Yrd4S_zg06zB9lX6ZLuEc8QQNVqKjNSTlwFTt_s-p7sJe4Yu3jCi1tQOqy7xt1adJpBSq3y-31NAzCP2iMICQC9P3JO1ntu2_rGMj/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsN3xlGHt2vj1UyK2fat_BbG_pXivGjn3MZw9Yrd4S_zg06zB9lX6ZLuEc8QQNVqKjNSTlwFTt_s-p7sJe4Yu3jCi1tQOqy7xt1adJpBSq3y-31NAzCP2iMICQC9P3JO1ntu2_rGMj/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.27.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I guess I need to start stamping again now that I've got these handy holders for all my stamps!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLeW7KjJKbQPxzxDpYLEeyNKe_i4uje6PpRryE5uac-GUJ6sVTts6m6o14icYrSXyoe8DzXKUAZYpfDH_KfrU9SSSuos9r2Ix-C0upFw4tRvQrh2VXQFB-1C9RvrKEKE7EYyg_ASN/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLeW7KjJKbQPxzxDpYLEeyNKe_i4uje6PpRryE5uac-GUJ6sVTts6m6o14icYrSXyoe8DzXKUAZYpfDH_KfrU9SSSuos9r2Ix-C0upFw4tRvQrh2VXQFB-1C9RvrKEKE7EYyg_ASN/s1600/2014-03-10+13.02.57.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-16492148375235618172014-03-07T13:55:00.000-05:002014-03-07T14:03:17.799-05:00Art Walk Etsy First Friday treasuriesI try to participate in the whole First Friday treasury-making that goes on each month, but I've forgotten the last two months at least...made sure I remembered this month, though!<br />
<br />
Here's my treasury:<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=MTA4MjQ4NjF8MjcyNTgyNTk4NA&r=62193&t=s&m=0&si=6041264&u=10824861&sn=FairytalesAndFandoms"></script>
<br />
<br />
And here are a few other FFAW treasuries by other AWETeam members: <br />
<br />
<br />
<script src='http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=NzAxMzAzN3wyNzI1ODA0NDEw&r=62194&t=s&m=0&si=5488185&u=7013037&sn=DixSterling'></script>
<br />
<br />
<script src='http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=NzA4MzM0NHwyNzI1ODA1OTMw&r=62195&t=s&m=0&si=5562315&u=7083344&sn=TouchOfSilver'></script>
<br />
<br />
<script src='http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=MTIwMjM3NDZ8MjcyNTgxNjk2Ng&r=62196&t=s&m=0&si=6136935&u=12023746&sn=AcrossLeather'></script>
<br />
<br />
Enjoy!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-43393403763033282122014-03-03T10:57:00.000-05:002014-03-03T10:57:15.153-05:00A bit of news...Recently, as you can see from the last couple of posts, I've taken up metal stamping. Mostly because I've always liked the freedom to customize a piece for my own needs, and because it looked fun. But all of my stamped metal pieces clash with my beaded pieces, and even though I love beads, I've finally decided that I'm going to start phasing my strung pieces out of my Etsy shop.<br />
<br />
What this means:<br />
<br />
For those pieces I have that haven't sold, I'm either going to mark down or leave them be, and if they still haven't sold by the time they expire, they stay expired.<br />
<br />
I may also either start a destash shop or at least a section to try to get rid of beads that I know I'm never going to use in a piece for myself. I'm not getting rid of every bead I have (horrors!) because I'll probably continue to make things for myself, or if my dad needs a last-minute gift for my mom like he usually does XD.<br />
<br />
What this doesn't mean:<br />
<br />
I'm not going to completely discontinue every piece of strung jewelry in my shop. The only pieces I will keep in there are my Once Upon A Time pieces, because I love doing those, and I am going to continue making those pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlOCcYfRf2vfdiy5I_WdLA03afVXQkxDmn1Qy-nrjXKTyevicwQ1sPt48CE1Euu7lIPWv4vdaK2L6jC8fUsuUOJRpSuB7aWpVfbb15AnAHGfdamOo5fNtYLalR-bAHyJQBA51TBpM/s1600/2014-02-20+23.19.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlOCcYfRf2vfdiy5I_WdLA03afVXQkxDmn1Qy-nrjXKTyevicwQ1sPt48CE1Euu7lIPWv4vdaK2L6jC8fUsuUOJRpSuB7aWpVfbb15AnAHGfdamOo5fNtYLalR-bAHyJQBA51TBpM/s1600/2014-02-20+23.19.20.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I enjoy making these stamped pieces because I can let off some of my fangirliness (that's a word now) about my favorite things, like Doctor Who, and Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars, and Shakespeare, and on and on and on. And I know other people like to have things like these that are from their favorite fandoms, and this brand just suits me better than trying to rationalize why a necklace fits with a fairytale theme.<br />
<br />
Now as far as all this jewelry goes...I hope I'm not going to be stuck with too many pieces after it's all phased out, but if I am...thoughts on what to do with it all?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-33199370711433802052014-02-20T12:48:00.000-05:002014-03-03T10:40:19.957-05:00January-February Listings<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are my latest listings for the months of January-February (one or two might actually be from December though...). </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcZqweheT_2FeJqfKd21cMNjiexrbGSOVTwfa44WUs5oTTEFWT1C75LlJnWXWk91chTQiN9cF5vfoTlDr-meFPYhtx3b_DTqaaDTgybIv4CUt3EstvZexgbdI5PzMY_LroQtxoMQh/s1600/2014-01-17+14.42.38-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcZqweheT_2FeJqfKd21cMNjiexrbGSOVTwfa44WUs5oTTEFWT1C75LlJnWXWk91chTQiN9cF5vfoTlDr-meFPYhtx3b_DTqaaDTgybIv4CUt3EstvZexgbdI5PzMY_LroQtxoMQh/s1600/2014-01-17+14.42.38-2.jpg" height="320" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/1h0SzAK" target="_blank">Doctor Who?</a>-- SOLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxMdZ_yFDScDyFzfesMfeEVBd0Hrnat4k5lbzUKtUq8wGHABrfPFPSrmPYo13kpcbLvrETdkGlHY8b7dxTH3O3FBzGZcfl1ucUkPav1mNeMfRrXM0Oc9ryWLnjCmayxh-1FAU0K2S/s1600/2014-01-17+14.43.39-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxMdZ_yFDScDyFzfesMfeEVBd0Hrnat4k5lbzUKtUq8wGHABrfPFPSrmPYo13kpcbLvrETdkGlHY8b7dxTH3O3FBzGZcfl1ucUkPav1mNeMfRrXM0Oc9ryWLnjCmayxh-1FAU0K2S/s1600/2014-01-17+14.43.39-2.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/1ffGfhN" target="_blank">Come along, Pond</a>--SOLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpE6OInI5zSiLZBaCy__n27dCFlhIqSsd6CuEUFGqPQ3-VNX1cKF-elmYO9ZNZ3j9I-FRQEIFzErV0ZfHzHJmm-uPoeSGiL-_iJWr1iCSrEe6u5fJffL8bC06iMoUpKwcwpDx4Kmc/s1600/2014-02-01+13.26.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpE6OInI5zSiLZBaCy__n27dCFlhIqSsd6CuEUFGqPQ3-VNX1cKF-elmYO9ZNZ3j9I-FRQEIFzErV0ZfHzHJmm-uPoeSGiL-_iJWr1iCSrEe6u5fJffL8bC06iMoUpKwcwpDx4Kmc/s1600/2014-02-01+13.26.20.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/1bpMKxo" target="_blank">As You Wish</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70HnpEmgncS122pTM1OkrIqozie08Xa6awxCaG3sIcb2-hQK1iiS6rEmVWqeH8vDahISwCB9PkCbJTgrvTYf8Iz_aZXCM09KIxrEPIE5D0J1sbsOzQRBnxGPeJ9l913UMaxxJ45aZ/s1600/2014-02-01+13.27.59-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70HnpEmgncS122pTM1OkrIqozie08Xa6awxCaG3sIcb2-hQK1iiS6rEmVWqeH8vDahISwCB9PkCbJTgrvTYf8Iz_aZXCM09KIxrEPIE5D0J1sbsOzQRBnxGPeJ9l913UMaxxJ45aZ/s1600/2014-02-01+13.27.59-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://always.../">Always...</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYj5dByW9YWaZmqhEBfK4_JCTbO3ij3lg2O0fKkxY89VaoTWiTHbQ5730XbXkzraIZub80ZU8pNjw_9vpaZT3fYQthFgOiUf42jHNBjYefVozCOtycobtMU_nT8sqPt7zqOC6TB8V/s1600/2014-02-04+11.12.37-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYj5dByW9YWaZmqhEBfK4_JCTbO3ij3lg2O0fKkxY89VaoTWiTHbQ5730XbXkzraIZub80ZU8pNjw_9vpaZT3fYQthFgOiUf42jHNBjYefVozCOtycobtMU_nT8sqPt7zqOC6TB8V/s1600/2014-02-04+11.12.37-1.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/MeMG7M" target="_blank">"After all this time?" "Always."</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJtMihIfmBXQGmMjeN-nWVqr7M_339dA9n-Zb9cpAEy-EseQSjN7s0RCc6VzAQzkIxNtgF_-hSUEuv25Na_ebjtwS85sDoT0Exeqiq9iolbr_lgg-xkZw9IKnN3dRukPNqi7VVL2u/s1600/2014-02-04+11.13.25-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJtMihIfmBXQGmMjeN-nWVqr7M_339dA9n-Zb9cpAEy-EseQSjN7s0RCc6VzAQzkIxNtgF_-hSUEuv25Na_ebjtwS85sDoT0Exeqiq9iolbr_lgg-xkZw9IKnN3dRukPNqi7VVL2u/s1600/2014-02-04+11.13.25-1.jpg" height="320" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/Nezj8p" target="_blank">Mischief managed!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQReVwgiaEMamNoJEwDCq13EmewbP0HEEfj2ayVtOXido0eDUixuGCnU394qci_Z4TO19MAv9STzRL-0hkVSx7cV7GBK7j1N4wNTmUgCWEhNyzlKXkfRrF0ggn3_7Kgarx_u6v-44K/s1600/2014-02-04+11.19.15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQReVwgiaEMamNoJEwDCq13EmewbP0HEEfj2ayVtOXido0eDUixuGCnU394qci_Z4TO19MAv9STzRL-0hkVSx7cV7GBK7j1N4wNTmUgCWEhNyzlKXkfRrF0ggn3_7Kgarx_u6v-44K/s1600/2014-02-04+11.19.15-1.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178251121/bad-wolf-doctor-who-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">Bad Wolf</a>--SOLD!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOTig2H1XcEg3e-V79D5_so4RYIwB-_NSYaCK9YD6kiUjEqwtsQuKG_9RpzLRZkhz3IHbs0xB2Bioq1fSoEikOM4Ub3aJlGFNuhLlCMXRk97qTGzXdVGsZbrdgwH2Ttv3uYVOgCHx/s1600/2014-02-04+11.20.30-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOTig2H1XcEg3e-V79D5_so4RYIwB-_NSYaCK9YD6kiUjEqwtsQuKG_9RpzLRZkhz3IHbs0xB2Bioq1fSoEikOM4Ub3aJlGFNuhLlCMXRk97qTGzXdVGsZbrdgwH2Ttv3uYVOgCHx/s1600/2014-02-04+11.20.30-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/MeMUMd" target="_blank">Hello Sweetie</a>--SOLD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDXQWkbDKGs6U8pijSA1nIwnFWF7-A3tMPKy0p6BwUJmNJjwvV1fnPd13f3q1-RJSwRvFfHtAbdN2vh1sAlBKL5tkry6ANqfqWR9eCCy7hoxDtfD3fqgWkWcyy_nH3TKI7o-MPvyz/s1600/2014-02-18+11.49.50-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDXQWkbDKGs6U8pijSA1nIwnFWF7-A3tMPKy0p6BwUJmNJjwvV1fnPd13f3q1-RJSwRvFfHtAbdN2vh1sAlBKL5tkry6ANqfqWR9eCCy7hoxDtfD3fqgWkWcyy_nH3TKI7o-MPvyz/s1600/2014-02-18+11.49.50-1.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/1fkiWSk" target="_blank">Turn to page 394.</a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqK6qqpZuTaLsNmp-u-1LQMx24mH5nusSPpQSvXY_bFtInRumgOrhQ6bg6v1QDhsAhWhxQr9qscYE0TgAurAze52_FgjGvKHURG8YTwmv4wjbsNe93ilVhVCprs6BIaPljgDkNoK1/s1600/2014-02-18+11.51.28-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqK6qqpZuTaLsNmp-u-1LQMx24mH5nusSPpQSvXY_bFtInRumgOrhQ6bg6v1QDhsAhWhxQr9qscYE0TgAurAze52_FgjGvKHURG8YTwmv4wjbsNe93ilVhVCprs6BIaPljgDkNoK1/s1600/2014-02-18+11.51.28-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etsy.me/1eYdwYO" target="_blank">I am and always will be the optimist</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-22038657624287980932013-10-26T14:56:00.000-04:002013-10-26T14:56:31.549-04:00(End of) October listings, and other various updatesWell, it's been an interesting month, as I decided to teach myself how to stamp metal. My dad had a set of stamps that are, well, kind of small, but they're serving their purpose for now. The only anvil he's got is a piece of railroad track. I turn it on its side to use it. If I just carried it up and down the steps for a couple minutes, I could get in a serious workout for the day. At any rate, all I have is the alphabet in all caps, numbers, and an ampersand. Which means if I want to do a quote or anything like that, I have to be careful to not pick one with any sort of punctuation. I kind of faked it when I made an "Allons-y!" (sans exclamation point) ring by turning the capital I sideways, since the font isn't a serif font.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yRqM2E6xDmboFUlULQ9dvdqI9IR5Dl1kWS3uhCmv8X440oC_LJ0zemRhyphenhyphen6Z0xLa3fyY6soe0gDu12C6vhlO7I2f1-DPTT-pIZ1rlT4pA-MEVePmldOpEZJf_5DZ63VXgFKvZxG-/s1600/2013-10-17+17.19.09-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yRqM2E6xDmboFUlULQ9dvdqI9IR5Dl1kWS3uhCmv8X440oC_LJ0zemRhyphenhyphen6Z0xLa3fyY6soe0gDu12C6vhlO7I2f1-DPTT-pIZ1rlT4pA-MEVePmldOpEZJf_5DZ63VXgFKvZxG-/s320/2013-10-17+17.19.09-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I experimented on a sheet I'd already tried a few months ago when I didn't have the railroad track. You can sort of see in the "Allons-y" square where the "S" got messed up. That's because I did exactly what you're NOT supposed to do and hit the stamp twice, which shifted the letter slightly and caused it to blur. It's probably a good thing I did it on the scrap. I don't have any liver of sulfur lying around and probably won't as long as I'm jobless, but right now the Sharpie-and-rubbing-alcohol method seems to be working out just fine. Here I was a little hesitant with the alcohol, so it's a little messy. I also accidentally turned the "O" sideways when doing "Doctor Who" but I think it actually kind of fits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCNUAhXtqpTFuieG375aZ_5urecoymi8CjiXWhfx1Bp49mdVvt7AfKxkrELYrKEMbjW_ep6IbzJ8ck7qAvVPRwkCG0pftHwffhpLImHpKNCnFZRT8Mhf43WUG1O7w1R3dHQixxjem/s1600/2013-10-17+17.18.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCNUAhXtqpTFuieG375aZ_5urecoymi8CjiXWhfx1Bp49mdVvt7AfKxkrELYrKEMbjW_ep6IbzJ8ck7qAvVPRwkCG0pftHwffhpLImHpKNCnFZRT8Mhf43WUG1O7w1R3dHQixxjem/s320/2013-10-17+17.18.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I saw this idea on Pinterest, and it caught my attention right away since I like to collect these stamped pennies whenever we visit somewhere new. It's a much more creative idea than just buying a book to shove them all away in. I had a metal hole punch that I bought when I bought the stamping supplies, but the pennies were probably a little bit thicker gauge than the punch it made for. It still works just fine, but it was a little difficult to use on the pennies. Apparently we visit our local aquarium too much, because I have three pennies from there. They have awesome designs, though. The Pepsi store is also in my hometown, and I discovered a little while ago that they expanded their store and added a penny machine, so this weekend when I was downtown with some friends, we made a little stop in there and I got another penny. I had to use a shiny 2013 penny, too :).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1H8Dkyh6L4onomEwcxaTA9gs6otQn21zV_wersAPBUJzuuynMuuW5TC2O-bvBNL4tWusWn2nF8Eyipgm_jEVVk3dpR5zTNfdEPq-1SzD-iTlO-DuZXL8h4pawU-frpnw_xaDGv6I/s1600/2013-10-22+13.28.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1H8Dkyh6L4onomEwcxaTA9gs6otQn21zV_wersAPBUJzuuynMuuW5TC2O-bvBNL4tWusWn2nF8Eyipgm_jEVVk3dpR5zTNfdEPq-1SzD-iTlO-DuZXL8h4pawU-frpnw_xaDGv6I/s320/2013-10-22+13.28.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Then I decided to try doing a longer stamping project. I found a quote I'd pinned on Pinterest that didn't use any punctuation and sat on the floor, hammering it out. Yes, I've been doing all this stamping on the floor. The railroad track isn't exactly made for tabletop use. I was going to be all uber-serious about this and use tape to mark some straight lines and even spacing, but that would have taken too long, so I just eyeballed it. I like hand-stamped things to not be perfect, though. It shows that it was handcrafted, not machine stamped. Now, this is still a little too off for me towards the bottom, but I blame the fact that it was my first huge project, and I was watching a TV show at the same time and kept stopping and looking up. I was also a little impatient, but at least I didn't turn any of my letters sideways. I've started laying out the stamps in order now (as much as I can with repeating letters, anyway), which makes the process much faster and easier. I probably need to mark the letters on the stamps at some point...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYxka8uupII6W42g3oVpG-Vk1pVVKxF4bfBgQ9mffA7AdCDQljkU6CcQOSFT1DTPmQMC60nMc0c7hBGPOE59AaBsH9tZDA2zoZT0cqtuI5XnnX4hxNi1c9JVoh_ZYww9EPeCXaQUa/s1600/2013-10-23+15.08.49-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYxka8uupII6W42g3oVpG-Vk1pVVKxF4bfBgQ9mffA7AdCDQljkU6CcQOSFT1DTPmQMC60nMc0c7hBGPOE59AaBsH9tZDA2zoZT0cqtuI5XnnX4hxNi1c9JVoh_ZYww9EPeCXaQUa/s320/2013-10-23+15.08.49-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
These focals were already cut and hole-punched for me, so I went right ahead and stamped a couple significant quotes. My "process," as you can see, for the lettering is to color in the words with a Sharpie. I was a little hesitant with the stamping when I was doing these, so the letters are a little shallow and therefore not as dark. I think the only one I wasn't afraid to stamp was the round copper one. I got a little nervous, I think, because I told myself that I was going to actually use these in jewelry, no more practicing, time to get this show on the road, that sort of thing. The silver diamond at the top says "I will always find you," Snow White and Prince Charming's sweet little catchphrase on Once Upon A Time. The copper circle says "Bad Wolf," the message Rose scatters through time and space for the Doctor on Doctor Who. And the gold diamond says "Not all who wander are lost," a line from Bilbo's poem about Aragorn in <i>The Fellowship of the Ring</i>. Of course, I realized later that it's missing a word, but I know I'm not the only one to write the quote like that, so I'm okay with it. Sort of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTJ4lAx7qTqEy54h5v6NjjsAIruNRkSl604aR3l1PaCiWusa0K_rvMdlC1ATT-4SNj3i574ghCV8d02XL83BsdVCc0B3tOTwiUdusJwjWd4ht_L1KW9-KIf0tDLXUgj44aAorOUxD/s1600/2013-10-24+11.05.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTJ4lAx7qTqEy54h5v6NjjsAIruNRkSl604aR3l1PaCiWusa0K_rvMdlC1ATT-4SNj3i574ghCV8d02XL83BsdVCc0B3tOTwiUdusJwjWd4ht_L1KW9-KIf0tDLXUgj44aAorOUxD/s320/2013-10-24+11.05.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/166843777/doctor-who-bad-wolf-necklace" target="_blank">Here</a> is the necklace I made with the "Bad Wolf" piece. The blue bicone I added isn't the particular shade of blue I wanted, but I think it could still pass for something close to TARDIS blue. Maybe. Just go with it, okay?<br />
<br />
Rose is one of my favorite companions, and there aren't really a lot of individual quotes for each companion (not that I've seen Classic Who, so I'm basically talking about companions with 9-11) that I can think of off the top of my head. Might be why I like the phrase "Bad Wolf" so much. It signals the Doctor about Rose, but it's also a sign that shows who other Whovians are. I have a "Bad Wolf" ring I got on Etsy, and it hasn't revealed any fellow Whovians, but I still wear it, hoping. Now I've added a necklace. This one, of course, is for sale in my shop for...ahem...<i>others</i> to partake of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBNPpz6NNalslV-15FIBeEIOVhRoQyXuXEgcwspWeR0cofFO1XZl1_eRVEhvw7rm5QBmmGIFpHkOeU_aKhD3rNI6ALc5mtovgVe2WvlVfnzOFsEh3GfNvhZ7d6cqgzU5fasTmegJB/s1600/2013-10-24+11.04.45-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBNPpz6NNalslV-15FIBeEIOVhRoQyXuXEgcwspWeR0cofFO1XZl1_eRVEhvw7rm5QBmmGIFpHkOeU_aKhD3rNI6ALc5mtovgVe2WvlVfnzOFsEh3GfNvhZ7d6cqgzU5fasTmegJB/s320/2013-10-24+11.04.45-1.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
And <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/166842663/once-upon-a-time-i-will-always-find-you?ref=listing-shop-header-1" target="_blank">this</a> is the Once Upon A Time-inspired necklace I made out of the "I Will Always Find You" pendant. I would have thought I'd have a lot more green beads since it's one of my favorite colors, but I really had to dig to find this one. The green is to represent the peridot ring that Charming proposed to Snow with, which we know his mother gave to him to give to his true love. Or that love followed the ring, or something. They found each other (see what I did there?). Okay, I'll stop.<br />
<br />
The only necklace I haven't put together yet is the "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" one. I want to do sort of the same theme as with these two: simple chain, a bead dangle that matches the fandom, and metal pendant. Lord of the Rings is tough, though. What color represents LotR? I could go off the extended edition movie cases, but that gives my green, a reddish brown, and blue. Pretty colors, but I don't really think they'd go well together as beads. I don't have any sword charms, or ring charms, or any other charm that fits the theme well, either. I thought about just stringing it on some leather cord and leaving it like that, but it seems a bit plain that way. I'll come up with something eventually, I suppose. Any thoughts? Ideas?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-42312122831493192092013-09-23T21:47:00.000-04:002013-09-23T21:48:56.956-04:00September listings so far...Here are this month's <a href="http://fairytalesandfandoms.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> listings so far... <br />
Enjoy!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAUHs-KJDdJBxqJ4kMgSSbZ6OOMRTs1PoEfWMVnlvdE68ml6uNlCbH9oPhDvHgorPMxfZuiBltlbsEXNYTSyb5bSZmjBTOBLShbMIB1Ycom53koVWrftGs_3diP0vOs9wbEfVkYMc/s1600/2013-09-23+12.53.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAUHs-KJDdJBxqJ4kMgSSbZ6OOMRTs1PoEfWMVnlvdE68ml6uNlCbH9oPhDvHgorPMxfZuiBltlbsEXNYTSyb5bSZmjBTOBLShbMIB1Ycom53koVWrftGs_3diP0vOs9wbEfVkYMc/s320/2013-09-23+12.53.00.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163605483/once-upon-a-time-inspired-aurora?" target="_blank">Once Upon A Time Aurora-inspired necklace</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO615iynaukE_mkVzXzNbHIMMQ_29EQ43bRT0o7lDsyjsLr_0h0nx9k8s_tMG6icc_CHjhID5otwbTi8hSNkmBGfUE6VYW7_ulpyddZrNyHxf8uPEifLD75zB1CfpDPTUFNwPjFWqd/s1600/RRearrings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO615iynaukE_mkVzXzNbHIMMQ_29EQ43bRT0o7lDsyjsLr_0h0nx9k8s_tMG6icc_CHjhID5otwbTi8hSNkmBGfUE6VYW7_ulpyddZrNyHxf8uPEifLD75zB1CfpDPTUFNwPjFWqd/s320/RRearrings2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/161874810/ruby-red-long-dangly-filigree-earrings?" target="_blank">Ruby red dangly earrings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSBdIfnaI_49IuBZnqAK6KscI_tilFV2VvihIKiO9ym0Z_7p5OOMqNd7eu8VsraYgzdv890aBUPXINanRIazROWBooaCSVQJ4kz94V_b2sfY6Ij0hgw4L8OhOQdi2G3c0yz0IuB-h/s1600/WiCearrings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSBdIfnaI_49IuBZnqAK6KscI_tilFV2VvihIKiO9ym0Z_7p5OOMqNd7eu8VsraYgzdv890aBUPXINanRIazROWBooaCSVQJ4kz94V_b2sfY6Ij0hgw4L8OhOQdi2G3c0yz0IuB-h/s320/WiCearrings2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter is Coming dangly earrings--SOLD OUT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-1863945244120215352013-09-06T16:01:00.003-04:002013-09-06T16:01:55.860-04:00First Friday Artwalk!Enjoy this treasury featuring members of the AWETeam on Etsy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=MTA4MjQ4NjF8MjcyMjM4OTA0Nw&r=60021&t=s&m=0&si=6041264&u=10824861&sn=FairytalesAndFandoms"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-59735842257201143082013-09-04T17:45:00.001-04:002013-09-04T17:45:13.017-04:00Official!It's official!<br />
<br />
My Etsy shop is now officially <a href="http://etsy.me/18tcFxO" target="_blank">Fairytales & Fandoms</a>! I've got a cool new banner and logo, and I rearranged ALL THE THINGS last night into new categories, so now I'm ready to go!!<br />
<br />
<i>Screeeech.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
First, though, whilst moving listings last night, I noticed that I *still* need new photos for some of the different things. SO. Before I add anything new (which, basically, is not much...), I've got some photos to retake. But after that, it's Add New Stuff time!<br />
<br />
I particularly want to get some fandom-themed things in, since that IS part of the shop name. We'll have to see how it goes. I need to dive into Season 2 of Once Upon A Time to see what kind of awesome jewelry Regina has there. I love her costumes. She always looks awesome. But I digress.<br />
<br />
Head on over to the shop and tell me what you think!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-10449788087324404862013-09-03T16:51:00.000-04:002013-09-03T16:51:05.432-04:00It's about time...For a shop overhaul, that is. I've decided to start making and selling the things that are geared towards my own interests (which is what I should have been doing in the first place). I sort of had that going on with all my Once Upon A Time-themed jewelry, and that's definitely going to continue. I like those things and gear them towards others who like those things, and that means those things sell. So I'm renaming my shop (the blog and twitter handle will stay the same, don't worry) and putting anything that doesn't fit into my new shop stuff parameters on super clearance. Don't ask me what that means, because I haven't gone through all the things yet. I've finally decided on a shop name, though...<br />
<br />
Fairytales & Fandoms!<br />
<br />
Fits perfectly with the OUAT jewelry I love, and the jewelry that it's inspired, and leaves room for me to sell other things inspired by other fandoms. This, I'm hoping, will be fun. I've already redesigned a simple logo and will be incorporating it into various things shortly.<br />
<br />
So, what do you guys think? Like the name? Hate it? Anybody else seriously overhauled an Etsy shop before? Speak words of wisdom to me!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-43475879097164264332013-03-30T18:12:00.000-04:002013-03-30T18:12:01.431-04:00BSBP Reveal!Here, at long last, is what I made from the soup that <a href="http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crystal</a> sent me! I was a little stressed this week and I've got another project with the glass mix she sent me on deck, but I whipped this up using one of the toggles and the focal since that was the important part for the reveal!Be sure to check out my partner's blog as well (linked to her name), and happy blog hopping!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic7OQ5logg7BvH-HsqNf8n5wMLT9IdDdok5G_RGk9TFdFZHVxtpMF8hSGyiX0NaCJNg7_qCXPRlK3Hc6pkBL19vFHK6YzHJzSjmd4YtkMsh3SPszCankUeuQlZ33PHK-oCTFTB2xv/s1600/IMG_3618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic7OQ5logg7BvH-HsqNf8n5wMLT9IdDdok5G_RGk9TFdFZHVxtpMF8hSGyiX0NaCJNg7_qCXPRlK3Hc6pkBL19vFHK6YzHJzSjmd4YtkMsh3SPszCankUeuQlZ33PHK-oCTFTB2xv/s320/IMG_3618.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
I used some coral ovals with peridot chips and green crackle glass rounds and strung it all up together..I was going to add a little extra sparkle with some of the clear glass faceted rounds Crystal sent me, but I just couldn't get it arranged right...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnsw2DmX3-EbOjtVUHHuQPjB0fgnUsNgcn3EY-IjWj5DAf6A4yOyrGEP7e3SiHJx-jX1AfQWIhuJTHAsA50bUgWQXvVs6qqcMRTw8AyhGeRvdFLhxn721V_EuNdPbWNmQr2hkEYOq/s1600/IMG_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnsw2DmX3-EbOjtVUHHuQPjB0fgnUsNgcn3EY-IjWj5DAf6A4yOyrGEP7e3SiHJx-jX1AfQWIhuJTHAsA50bUgWQXvVs6qqcMRTw8AyhGeRvdFLhxn721V_EuNdPbWNmQr2hkEYOq/s320/IMG_3619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And of course I didn't have nearly enough peridot chips to go with the coral, but luckily the crackle glass matched it well enough...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL7B_oSbIBzIFmcN1nyCFsl74lnmwrSOGUz0-aJLOgxU2bvoeh08_VVA1GdpAIKVrrmfs7SR7lb6rg3SlWVg7eQrYZkSYUt5Lhq6Xhx34_R_DwVh-g4F2u4rOBag1jUkaYHBFvfDs/s1600/IMG_3622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL7B_oSbIBzIFmcN1nyCFsl74lnmwrSOGUz0-aJLOgxU2bvoeh08_VVA1GdpAIKVrrmfs7SR7lb6rg3SlWVg7eQrYZkSYUt5Lhq6Xhx34_R_DwVh-g4F2u4rOBag1jUkaYHBFvfDs/s320/IMG_3622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Only had four pieces of the coral, so I added the chain after I ran out to finish it off and put the clasp on the side--really liking that style right now...<br />
<br />
I've got a bracelet in the works with the other pinkish purple mix Crystal sent me, but I just didn't have time to do both. Maybe I'll post picture in the next reveal date? Or sooner ;) Check out <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Blog Party</a> for the complete list!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-6006424334785402992013-03-18T19:59:00.002-04:002013-03-18T19:59:42.615-04:00My soup from CrystalAt long last, I finally remember to update! I've got some pictures of the soup that <a href="http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crystal</a> sent me, and hopefully they've turned out because I honestly can't remember what they looked like when I took them. Oh well. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q-19aOONcSLMK7G0xD91ljl9uYR8_a3BlfV7ur0oF4CcYkx2YO6mIr40yY9I-B5hR29hd1CF59Ykwgy419U35uw1FowOJA4-WM8UsVnKo_SKpPWCIFUylLp6LKaFm6CMTUUOPCra/s1600/IMG_3600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q-19aOONcSLMK7G0xD91ljl9uYR8_a3BlfV7ur0oF4CcYkx2YO6mIr40yY9I-B5hR29hd1CF59Ykwgy419U35uw1FowOJA4-WM8UsVnKo_SKpPWCIFUylLp6LKaFm6CMTUUOPCra/s320/IMG_3600.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
First, the toggle. There's lots of little drilled holes at the bottom and I feel like I should branch out and do something with them, but my mind is drawing a complete blank. I suppose I'll think of something...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84vTAJBMBnBptgYlQdKSg9mnmep7FOYXYTshkxom4_-KFHVSCUNAGcWsgXaPHIpaxu6B433sM9Kw8FuipnSIUrx4QpYUaTvEHlUPU0QYZrkBVMIlQJnt9htUg5e7HvmKOT9mqc4hg/s1600/IMG_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84vTAJBMBnBptgYlQdKSg9mnmep7FOYXYTshkxom4_-KFHVSCUNAGcWsgXaPHIpaxu6B433sM9Kw8FuipnSIUrx4QpYUaTvEHlUPU0QYZrkBVMIlQJnt9htUg5e7HvmKOT9mqc4hg/s320/IMG_3604.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhgST4U9wbeiEGX9TmeLLtOD-3wuv3Y0Ckju7ZLoS0vuscnLapGXcQx_lbC_E8UQNEtyP7jE0042MySZG6RxWbZ1Uqvu2V0p3SkuIcLdfk0YA_Cp3MdtECEol3czbviZGXGZLK5ND/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhgST4U9wbeiEGX9TmeLLtOD-3wuv3Y0Ckju7ZLoS0vuscnLapGXcQx_lbC_E8UQNEtyP7jE0042MySZG6RxWbZ1Uqvu2V0p3SkuIcLdfk0YA_Cp3MdtECEol3czbviZGXGZLK5ND/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
On the left here, I've got some fire-polished glass faceted rounds that are full of sparkle. I like sparkle XD. And on the right, THREE toggle options (!!) and a pretty bronze filigree pendant/charm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzjtEju0zUsaKlBroGKIFa_neoYTsWlUctYgHPB0MoNSsu7SR5wO3w1Ag3EWi_17F5ZbBYizYbwlBSVDMDoxdNBlCwUTJ9iP_Vdnrp43B7ivn_3Z-kB2BPTb2kPWYZc6sbD2UDMAf/s1600/IMG_3608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzjtEju0zUsaKlBroGKIFa_neoYTsWlUctYgHPB0MoNSsu7SR5wO3w1Ag3EWi_17F5ZbBYizYbwlBSVDMDoxdNBlCwUTJ9iP_Vdnrp43B7ivn_3Z-kB2BPTb2kPWYZc6sbD2UDMAf/s320/IMG_3608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some fire-polished red faceted glass rounds....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRjQjuSKWGMNoUWhlyb3EIWXhOuIJ4MdIc-0cAboOt3AXxKX2GAzJz6uGrhjo3iwZJzinbcsK3qq-_9En8ZzTmS3jAwW_9WeL8kAkNX8op7IbgXg6W0guoOfLfpKhfUG8eWvgXXVJ/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRjQjuSKWGMNoUWhlyb3EIWXhOuIJ4MdIc-0cAboOt3AXxKX2GAzJz6uGrhjo3iwZJzinbcsK3qq-_9En8ZzTmS3jAwW_9WeL8kAkNX8op7IbgXg6W0guoOfLfpKhfUG8eWvgXXVJ/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A totally awesome mix of glass beads that I am totally digging (I have a focal bead that goes with this color combination PERFECTLY)....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzbMbZ4TKLcVIDafUpbyGD2cjdxGR_gk8YaVj0XFoyM1AWge_beTkbt-keRilWl-XxynzcT-UFL3My9cMAXwBUJlJvHl92lwFwF7hTRPDpSd5mt0S5GSAOX1-s3aI4AID09YIpZMY/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzbMbZ4TKLcVIDafUpbyGD2cjdxGR_gk8YaVj0XFoyM1AWge_beTkbt-keRilWl-XxynzcT-UFL3My9cMAXwBUJlJvHl92lwFwF7hTRPDpSd5mt0S5GSAOX1-s3aI4AID09YIpZMY/s320/IMG_3609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some little man-in-the-moon beads (at least that's what I've been calling them)....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWPLxbaK0OeRXfZPGN427yQiNsq2jwst43W_BQ3UqOaBjzM0srimN_XhZ4FWBdHZG-O0vJQHmFDnPIHV12N3IJCL1sPWhp6v19ZCZsFOpQWcTwBKQFDLSLtfx7i3MecDU91jkkvTJ/s1600/IMG_3611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWPLxbaK0OeRXfZPGN427yQiNsq2jwst43W_BQ3UqOaBjzM0srimN_XhZ4FWBdHZG-O0vJQHmFDnPIHV12N3IJCL1sPWhp6v19ZCZsFOpQWcTwBKQFDLSLtfx7i3MecDU91jkkvTJ/s320/IMG_3611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And an overview shot of everything minus the focal. Great soup, thanks, Crystal! Reveal date is March 30, so tune back then! (Point of interest: that's also the day Doctor Who returns all-new and I'm SO EXCITED)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-37885795592976154272013-02-23T14:48:00.001-05:002013-02-23T14:48:48.380-05:00Bead Soup Photos!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I somehow managed to misplace my memory car reader, but luckily my laptop has an SD card slot in it! Here's some long-overdue photos of the soup I sent to my bead soup partner, <a href="http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crystal</a> (be sure to check out her blog!). I took these pictures before realizing that I should probably add more, so they're not EXACTLY what I sent--didn't have time to rephotograph before I put them in the mail. Here's what I sent:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnedGUhxxe_2m9HMDHTmJjltOuPwwYtWg4KrFY5vm2dc8UeA8CBU0AKLd6CWaBXIwY_LVJcBX86S1pRiFuDLqu72aqfk7DuZnwi9q_z59nmkPbt7rsHL7M56u8OIVp_Wb7n6AG7GA/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnedGUhxxe_2m9HMDHTmJjltOuPwwYtWg4KrFY5vm2dc8UeA8CBU0AKLd6CWaBXIwY_LVJcBX86S1pRiFuDLqu72aqfk7DuZnwi9q_z59nmkPbt7rsHL7M56u8OIVp_Wb7n6AG7GA/s320/IMG_3577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Here's an overall shot...I added a ton more of the jasper rounds, and I'm pretty sure they were all faceted...can't remember what else I added, though...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy4IMupYBgnq1b_PhtOx9-k_kNPHCM4UYh4D-QcPOu-U4Mu8_K-X4o1lviH9LrrLNB3DBZZZN_GJsrWMYeKojRT6grsovaAcQYwfH_2coVlY2MDrA2pbs7lnTzzmrCvnubbiefWD9/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy4IMupYBgnq1b_PhtOx9-k_kNPHCM4UYh4D-QcPOu-U4Mu8_K-X4o1lviH9LrrLNB3DBZZZN_GJsrWMYeKojRT6grsovaAcQYwfH_2coVlY2MDrA2pbs7lnTzzmrCvnubbiefWD9/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I made the focal awhile back out of polymer clay with a sand dollar stamp & some sparkly gold dust.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFdnQ_MhcZW9eZBmsB39rE1RkdZu1Obz4PwvoX75fAcru7cIf_eiwOl4ZTS7c39Ur8yP6R5mXJ9nI8oCSCzjh725LTfo-H7OuiDMiz5L48lnbvw-V7BMBewBjUKoi04VbhwvjIKMt/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFdnQ_MhcZW9eZBmsB39rE1RkdZu1Obz4PwvoX75fAcru7cIf_eiwOl4ZTS7c39Ur8yP6R5mXJ9nI8oCSCzjh725LTfo-H7OuiDMiz5L48lnbvw-V7BMBewBjUKoi04VbhwvjIKMt/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A copper toggle with a bunch of the other beads I sent: some wood beads, faceted glass, jasper<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKqSfGesQ9J0J92VWnvR9R7c-wCQo3GAbp_fUQCNGlCqhQaO0t0LCW-LiIh5XxoD2szOZ0RjS-oVQZNgFYDn2XWikVtZJzlsjH_BKS97ShVUaEwkGQn-v-FLFd9W0Z15VlcQrwNTD/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKqSfGesQ9J0J92VWnvR9R7c-wCQo3GAbp_fUQCNGlCqhQaO0t0LCW-LiIh5XxoD2szOZ0RjS-oVQZNgFYDn2XWikVtZJzlsjH_BKS97ShVUaEwkGQn-v-FLFd9W0Z15VlcQrwNTD/s320/IMG_3581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And finally, some faceted glass beads...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've got some pictures I took of the soup Crystal sent me; I'll try to get those up within the next couple days. So excited to see everyone's creations--my reveal date is March 30. Check out <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Blog Party</a> for more info!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKqSfGesQ9J0J92VWnvR9R7c-wCQo3GAbp_fUQCNGlCqhQaO0t0LCW-LiIh5XxoD2szOZ0RjS-oVQZNgFYDn2XWikVtZJzlsjH_BKS97ShVUaEwkGQn-v-FLFd9W0Z15VlcQrwNTD/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnedGUhxxe_2m9HMDHTmJjltOuPwwYtWg4KrFY5vm2dc8UeA8CBU0AKLd6CWaBXIwY_LVJcBX86S1pRiFuDLqu72aqfk7DuZnwi9q_z59nmkPbt7rsHL7M56u8OIVp_Wb7n6AG7GA/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKqSfGesQ9J0J92VWnvR9R7c-wCQo3GAbp_fUQCNGlCqhQaO0t0LCW-LiIh5XxoD2szOZ0RjS-oVQZNgFYDn2XWikVtZJzlsjH_BKS97ShVUaEwkGQn-v-FLFd9W0Z15VlcQrwNTD/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-81059107899743267372013-01-26T17:35:00.002-05:002013-01-26T17:35:46.216-05:00In a Rut...Well, a bit. I keep meaning to upload pictures and then keep forgetting. I should also be uploading pictures for new listings as well, and I haven't exactly done that, either.<br />
<br />
I've added another hobby in addition to beading: knitting. Not with needles, but on a round loom. I've made a few hats now, and I'm trying new stitches based on patterns for squares in a book I got. I really want to makes a scarf, but I'm trying to learn all these different stitches beforehand so I can familiarize myself with them and be less likely to royally screw up a project. The yarn I've been using in my latest project is acrylic and wool and I really want to make a hat out of it because it's so WARM. But I have to finish this square first.<br />
<br />
I did make a little spiderweb-looking pendant out of a random hoop and some wire for my Shakespeare class staged reading Friday. I was doing a little part in one bit as a fairy named Cobweb, and had the sudden "Hey! Let's make a spiderweb pendant!" idea the day before. Not as easy as I thought it'd be. It turned out looking more like a dream catcher or something, but I whipped it up in like ten minutes and the wire I was working with was I think 26ga. Stiff enough for me to cut myself with once (didn't notice till yesterday), and stiff enough to hold the shape, but almost a little too stiff to look like a web. I think it got the point across, though.<br />
<br />
Staying afloat (so far!) with all the reading I have for my classes, and with everything I'm learning with my internship. I feel like I need to break out my beads, but then again I'm almost done with this square on the loom... Compromise: do BOTH. There.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-91327447965637127572013-01-01T22:09:00.000-05:002013-01-18T22:23:58.180-05:00New YearHappy New Year, everyone! Now that the Christmas rush is done and over with, I'm free to bead anything I want :D I did make my mom two necklaces-- one from me, one from my brother--and my dad went and bought a bunch of jewelry off me LITERALLY on Christmas Eve. That's okay though, he paid in cash. *teehee* Made an attempt of my own version of a Silpada bracelet with what I had in the stash, which didn't exactly turn out too well. I got all excited about it, too. *sigh* Fixed a bunch of jewelry for my aunt today, which reminds me, I need to fix a necklace for my grandmother before she visits... *scribbles on to-do list* I got the first season of Once Upon A Time for Christmas, so I put that in and started working on a necklace. My back is now killing me, but at least I kept the little slivers of wire from flying all the way across the room. Mostly. I also took my polymer clay focals I made forever ago and gave them a nice clear coat of...nail polish. Cuz that's all I had. But it works as far as keeping all the gold powder on them from getting everywhere. I even used one of the little birdy beads in the necklace I made. I don't know where my memory card reader is so I'll have to wait on the pictures. I might even list the rest of the beads. Oh, I did use another one to make an ocean-themed necklace. It was a sand dollar pendant, and I strung it and some glass pearls onto some brown waxed linen cording. Very beachy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-68668524516311120372012-12-05T17:15:00.001-05:002012-12-05T17:15:11.812-05:00The end draws near...We're nearing the end of the semester, and I've been a writing machine these past few weeks. Yes, I finished NaNo. *cheer jump* Then I proceeded to write one research paper, one French composition, and one senior portfolio. <br />
<br />
Okay, so the pieces were already written for the portfolio. I did edit one of my short stories to include in it, and I had to write an introductory essay. The most aggravating part was putting all five pieces into one document, then adding the essay and the check sheet. I had to rearrange all the pages so that each piece was starting at the top of a new page, and they all kept reordering themselves, but I finally got it done. Now I just have one French final, another research paper, and one take-home final to do. That'll be my life this weekend. <br />
<br />
Oh, and I wrote a flash piece for my fiction writing "final." After a couple false starts, I finally hit inspiration and I actually really like this piece. At the moment, anyway. Couple hours, give or take, and I may feel differently. But that's the quickie update.<br />
<br />
I'm also thinking about maybe starting a Wordpress blog that has all my writing shtuff there, and I may start doing some chatting about the things I'm reading in my classes, too. Might even do some Shakespeare gabbing over the winter break if I get around to it. I'll definitely post details here. Happy end of the semester!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-70955008457909799712012-11-20T20:32:00.000-05:002012-11-20T20:32:08.474-05:00A bit of a reprieveWell, I am pretty far behind on my NaNo novel at the moment, although I'm at least past the halfway point. As far as schoolwork goes, I've got two research papers, one presentation, one French composition, a batch of French homework, and one recitation left to do. Oh, and my senior portfolio. *gulp* Wondering if finishing NaNo is going to be a possibility at this point... *mental face slap* Of course it is.<br />
<br />
Just got done typing up all of my info about sales for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, hoping that those will be good days this weekend for sales :-). Note to self: remember to start posting info tomorrow morning. Going to my grandmother's for Thanksgiving. Second note to self: remember to go to bank and finish laundry tomorrow.<br />
<br />
I should try to get some more writing done tonight, as well as whip up a few more pieces to add to the shop. Oh, and here's some preliminary info about the sales this weekend (but the codes aren't active right now so don't get any ideas! ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
From Black Friday through Cyber Monday I will be running a few storewide sales. Please make sure to note the differences in coupon codes as they will only be active on their respective days.<br />
11/23: Coupon code is BLCKFRIDAY20 for 20% off storewide.<br />
11/24: Coupon code is SMALLBIZ20 for 20% off. Support handmade & small businesses!<br />
11/25: Coupon code is ENJOYFREESHIPPING for (you guessed it) free shipping on domestic orders ONLY. For obvious reasons, I won’t be doing any actual shipping on Sunday, but you get the point.<br />
11/26: Coupon code is CYBERMONDAY25 for 25% off storewide.<br />
A note on how shipping will work this weekend: I will be out of town from 11/21-11/24. Purchases made during these days will not ship until Monday, 11/26, probably around 4pm EST (I do still have class). Purchases made on Monday will not ship until Tuesday at the earliest, probably around 2pm EST. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-63213782967804287212012-11-06T21:07:00.003-05:002012-11-06T21:07:42.429-05:00NaNo: Day 6 and my week so far...Well, we're coming to the end of Day 6 of NaNoWriMo, and I've only gotten in a hundred or so words for the day. I'm not too far from the recommended 10k, though, so it won't be a problem to finish. Schoolwork is rearing its head, though, especially since tomorrow is my 5-class marathon. I've got breaks in between at a couple points, though, and luckily I don't really have that much to do. What I DO need to concentrate on is my Shakespeare paper due next Monday, so after shining up my cover letter for class tomorrow, I'm going to dash off the 900 or so words to meet today's goal, and then start an outline for my paper. There. I've written it down and put it out on the Internet so everyone can see me and hold me accountable for it ;-)<br />
<br />
In other, perhaps more exciting news, business in the Etsy shop is picking up quite nicely. Definitely need to craft some more Once Upon A Time pieces since those are getting the most views, hearts, and sales. Sold one of my babies the other day--I was very proud of that piece. Etsy's also added a way to print/purchase shipping labels through them, which made my life INFINITELY easier when it came to getting stuff ready to ship. Paypal is just so pricey, and I hate having to go to the post office--especially the one closest to my apartment. The people aren't nearly as nice there. Which reminds me--I've got to find time in there somewhere tomorrow to go to the post office.<br />
<br />
Aaand I'm procrastinating at this point--more NaNo updates to come!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-52321446186404237842012-11-01T22:00:00.001-04:002013-01-18T22:27:30.168-05:00NaNo: Day 1Well, we're nearing the end of Day 1 of NaNoWriMo, and I'm starting to not freak out as much as I was earlier this week. Last year, my strategy was just writewritewritewrite, and I had schoolwork at the same time, but the enormity of writing 50,000 words only really hit me near the end when I was racing to catch up. This year, I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I had some moments where I was almost to the point of hyperventilating (not literally, but it sure felt like it at times). After having done over 2k words so far on this first day of NaNo, I'm reminded that I'm not writing 50k words overnight. These research papers I have to write are not due until the beginning of December, and therefore I'm not going to write them overnight, either (7-10 pages is a little much for a "night before" paper). This Shakespeare paper I have due in eleven days isn't going to get done overnight, either. In fact, since I'll be at a wedding the weekend before it's due, I'm already brainstorming ideas to try and get it done this weekend, or into next week if I have to. Then I'll start working on my research presentation for one of my papers, which will then become the outline for that paper. These huge projects don't get done all at once. They're broken down into little bite-size pieces so people don't spontaneously combust. I will survive this month. I WILL!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-10831126648853137832012-10-31T23:33:00.001-04:002012-10-31T23:33:48.399-04:00The Doom of my month draws near...Here it comes. It's almost time for NaNoWriMo to start, and I couldn't be more excited. Of course, I'm supposed to be finishing up some character sketches and various other loose ends--and there's a lot of those--but I think tomorrow I may just start scribbling sketches in my notebook during class. I won't take my laptop with me because I only have one class Tuesdays/Thursdays so there's really no point if I don't already take notes on my laptop. Gah, I'm so EXCITED this year! I'm also rejoicing in the fact that I've completed my last short story for my fiction writing class, and therefore can turn my editor brain off without restriction--until I have to write other papers for school, that is. Just a little blurb of an update! Onward to Nanoland!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-32673545336505625072012-10-26T23:08:00.000-04:002013-01-18T22:25:42.214-05:00The Impending Doom that will be the Month of November...According to my Official NaNoWriMo Countdown Clock, which I cannot find a way to transport here, there are five days, one hour, and various change of minutes and seconds until November 1st, aka The Longest Month of My Life. Apart from this 50k novel I am DETERMINED to conquer/complete, I will also have two 7-10 pg (each) research papers and one 1800-2k wd Shakespeare essay due. No sweat, no...*looks at previous sentence* *gulps*...no sweat. I will do this. I WILL. I have the most adorable little writing buddy owlet, whose name is Percy. Look him up on my Twitter/Instagram. Tres adorable (say it in French!)! I have a feeling he's going to take on a WHOLE personality during the month of November, if he's not already firmly established by then. I may even write him into the story in some way/shape/form, if I can think of one. Trying not to get carried away here...<br />
<br />
I also need to get in gear (majorly) involving <a href="http://www.tocatchahummingbird.etsy.com/" target="_blank">The Etsy Shop</a>, since November is the Ultimate Shopping Month (mostly). Well, it contains *shudder* Black Friday and Cyber Monday, anyway. I finally have my usual backdrop with me, so I can retake pictures of my most recent pieces and that way they'll actually match the rest of the shop. The Once Upon A Time line seems to be doing rather well, that phrase in general is generating a lot of views and favs onto my site. I'll post some pics once I have the new ones. I love trying to recreate Regina's jewelry from what I have; it really challenges me to think creatively and then I come up with some *coughs modestly* truly spectacular stuff. I must say, though, whoever does the Evil Queen's costuming on that show has fan-freaking-tastic taste. I'm also thrilled to have a bought pendant of <a href="http://www.roundrabbitextra.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Schindler's</a> to play with for a Captain Hook-inspired piece! Note to self: must get that done this weekend!<br />
<br />
Therefore, I shall plunge headlong into the month of November and hope I come out alive (and with passing grades)!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977504205847284862.post-59726886691963475952012-10-09T11:37:00.000-04:002012-12-05T17:52:04.445-05:00Behind the Curtain FlashFiction ContestWell, I finally sat down to scribble out some thoughts for Anna Meade's <a href="http://www.yearningforwonderland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Behind the Curtain FF Contest</a>. Needless to say, I think I may have creeped myself out. Here goes!<br />
<br />
<br />
Fade to Black<br />
<br />
She was once the hottest light in the theater district. The brightest star. Now, age was beginning to show through the cracks in her makeup. The mask was beginning to wear off. To dance, to sing, had been her life’s dream. A dream which was now fading, the bright colors of opening night giving way to the greyness of a deserted theatre after the play is closed. Discarded snacks and leftover playbills littered the otherwise empty corners. <br />
<br />
She stared at her image in the mirror, turning her head this way and that, endeavoring to find the youthful beauty that had once been so naturally conjured in her face. She had been able to imitate it long after the youth had flown, until yesterday. A new star was rising to light the stage that had been hers for so long. It was rightfully hers, and she’d been told to step aside like some pathetic chorus girl. <br />
<br />
She sat at her table in the dressing room one last time, memorizing its appearance. A tear tracked through the stage makeup and landed on the vanity. She lifted the object she’d been turning over and over in her hands, finding her reflection in the knife’s blade as well. She gave her reflection in the mirror a sad smile before letting the pain consume her. Red, everywhere. Colors faded into greyness. Fade to black.<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02342887576665235183noreply@blogger.com9