NEW: Christmas tags!!

I've been posting new items like crazy!! Ok, not really, but I had stopped posting for a while, and things accumulate. I've been posting a new bracelet almost everyday this week, and some have already been sold or traded away! Here are my new posting for today:

Red wine button bracelet:Snowfall at dusk notebook ~ this is such a pretty notebook!! I just love how it turned out, and the blue-purple snowflake pattern is gorgeous!:And finally, my new Christmas tags!!
What do you think? These are the first tags I've posted. They all feature some lovely paper I got from fellow Etsyan thienthanh. I'm not too sure if they'll sell... but I can always use them myself if they're still around late December, I guess. I think they're pretty cute anyway!

Keep an eye out, I'll be posting more soon (and a feature coming up too)!

Hearts - will you be my 100th?

WOW!! I just checked and I have 95 hearts!! I've decided to give a FREE button bracelet to whoever give me my 100th heart. Check out my shop! It could be you!!

Whoever it is can choose whichever bracelet they want, or I can always make a custom or surprise one.

Will it be you?

Featuring: Earmark

So I've been putting off this feature... I don't really feel like writing one today. One every day gets tiring after a while. I was even coming up with excuses, telling myself it'd be alright, I'd just catch up tomorrow. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to actual work...

But then I looked at Earmark's shop. I figured I could at least do that. And am I ever glad I did!! This shop is filled with all sorts of lovely paperie, in clean, fresh and modern designs. Bridgette and Mike run this shop, and use only recycled paper. The greener the better! Custom order are always welcome ~ maybe a personalized card? Just send them a message. Gift packaging is also available, just ask.

Here are some of my favourites ~ I'll mostly let these great pictures (and links) do the talking! First, up at the top, some lovely holiday call of the wild cards. I love the bright plaid and the simple deer silhouette. Please note that the white square you see is part of the packaging, not the card!

Next, here is a lovely notecard ~ let someone know how you really feel! These "you're the best" are sweet and simple, in a soft yellow. These are very versatile cards ~ they could be used as a congrats or thank you or thinking of you... they would cover just about all your everyday needs!

These lovely cards are also for everyday use. The cute little bird graphic is sure to bring whoever receives the card a smile. The card reads: "it's been a long time since..." so again, very versatile.

This parade journal is the perfect handy little notebook to carry around for all those spur-of-the-moment ideas you might have. The cover print (which wraps around the back) is stunning ~ white and green elephants parading around on a striking blue and green design.

Please drop by this shop, there is so much I haven't shown you, you just must see for yourself! You better hurry too, so that you can get all your Christmas cards and tags before the holidays! You can also find them in an actual brick and mortar store in Cyd's Gourmet Cafe, Peoria, Illinois, or online at their website. Soon, you'll also be able to find them at My My, Hatboro, Pennsylvania and online at indiefixxshops. As usual, stop by their blog for some more great features!

NEW NOTEBOOK!!!

WOW!! I just posted a new accordion-style memory book, and it's a beauty!! Family Matters, also known to me as The Sister I Never Had, turned out so nicely, I'm really pleased. It started out as a fall notebook, as you can see by the colour scheme, but it ended up being the perfect family keepsake! I think this would be so neat: if a couple of sisters bought it for their mom, and each took turns filling out a page... what a lovely gift, something you'd want to turn back to again and again, to flip through the pages, pull the mementos out of the envelopes, and reminisce. *sigh* I always wanted a sister...

Anyway, I just thought I would post some more pictures, so you can have a better idea on what it looks like!

And now for each of the layouts:



I hope that isn't too confusing to look at. I think I put them in a logical order! Anyway, I have more new button bracelets, beaded jewelry and a snowflake notebook to post soon, so keep an eye out for them!

Featuring: signaturesterling

Today I'm featuring signaturesterling, another great shop filled with beautiful beaded jewelry! All the beads used are genuine (a mix of Swarovski crystals, semiprecious gemstones, Czech glass and lampwork beads) and the silver you see is sterling, unless otherwise noted. Also take a look at her line of Buckeye (Ohio State) jewelry which showcases life-like lampwork buckeye beads.

I stuck to a theme while choosing items to show you (there were that many favourites!) ~ can you guess it? Christmas, of course! Starting out with this beautiful deep forest bracelet. These lovely green stones are called kambaba jasper, and the bracelet also features black jasper and Swarovski crystals . A brilliant addition to your holiday jewelry collection ~ one that can be worn throughout the year.

How about a bit of red? This garnet nest ring is sure to grab some attention for you. The juicy garnet berries are nestled in a sterling nest, ready for all your gift giving needs.

Hmm.. personally, I don't think winter is complete without some snowmen. Without lots of snowmen. Here's a really cute frosty necklace that has a snowman pendant and some matching lampwork mittens. The beautiful frosty glass, complemented with crystals and snowflake obsidian rounds, is sure to give you chills while the cute little face will definitely warm your heart.

Candy canes are another must-have during the holiday season, but instead of the sweets, you'll be craving these peppermint earrings. In a refreshing bright red, these large Czech glass beads make perfect earrings that you can wear throughout the holidays for that extra dose of cheer.

While you're browsing through signaturesterling, don't forget to check out the JET holiday sale section. There, you'll find these delightful mama ice earrings, that remind me both of icicles and snowmen. Snowlady, sorry. Her hat of jet black Swarovski crystal tops off a shapely body of faceted round crystals. A simple, contemporary design that is perfect for the snowman lover (especially as a year-round piece). Oh yeah... and they're on sale!!

Be sure to check out the shop announcements for important holiday deadlines ~ you definitely want these pieces before Christmas! And don't worry, there's lots more in store! Please drop by her blog too, and read about all the amazing artists in this 90 day challenge.

I couldn't resist...

Ok.. I'm terrible. Really. But... I just couldn't resist. I saw this little lovebird a couple months ago on the front page of Etsy. I, of course, immediately marked her as favourite, and checked out her creator, misseskwittys. There were a couple other lovebirds in store (and I might have to get this sage one, depending on my money situation after Christmas... and if he's still around), but this one... there's just something about her.

I just couldn't resist. Last night I was cleaning up my favourites, and I came across her (again). I had resisted a couple of times before, but this time... this time she's mine.

I might also have picked up one of these adorable evergreen ornaments, from CreationsByRobin:I know, I'm terrible. I really can't be spending the money. But look. Look!! How could I resist?

Featuring: sweetirie

I just love beaded jewelry ~ beads are so pretty, in all their different shapes, sizes, colours and finishes. I particularly love beads that sparkle with different colours, depending on the lighting. If you're looking for lovely beaded jewelry, then look no further than sweetirie. If fact, you're in luck: sweetirie is having a sale right now: buy two get one FREE!! That's right, purchase any two items from sweetirie, and get a third one FREE!!! Plus, you can take advantage of her lowered shipping, now only through the holidays!

Be sure to take a look at her clearance section too, where you'll find a nice selection of items at a reduced price. These volcano earrings are my favourite ~ see how the lovely beads reflect shades of yellow, red and green? Absolutely stunning!

Trying to decide on what to get? Let me show you a few that I like that are sure to be a hit with someone on your holiday list. Like this fruity anklet ~ an original gift in soft hues that can be paired with just about everything. This is the perfect addition to that little black dress, or that pretty skirt you were planning on wearing to dinner. I love the contrast between the shiny freshwater pearls and the clear brilliance of the blue crystals.

Need something else to get one free? What about this lovely firestorm bracelet? You can then get the matching firestorm earrings for free!! It doesn't get much better than that! The large genuine moonstones are really complimented well with the Swarovski blue zircon crystals and the peach glass pearls ~ these two bright colours reflects the lustrous fiery shimmer of the moonstone. Silver spacer beads add to the sparkle you are definitely going to want to be wearing!

One last piece to show you ~ a gorgeous necklace that you are definitely going to want! This crazy beautiful necklace is just that: an incredibly striking piece. Made with Swarovski vintage rose crystals and creamy glass pearls, the asymmetry of this design adds a touch of flair to an otherwise simple piece. This is a perfect necklace for a blushing bride, or her bridal party.. or for anyone who has a party to attend. Or maybe prom? I think this versatile necklace will be worn again and again by whoever gets it first!

This amazing shop was founded in 2005, when an addition was made to its creator's family. A kitten was adopted and named Irie, which means supreme joy ~ quite fitting for a rambunctious kitty! Sweetirie is more than happy to make a custom order for you, but does require a 50% deposit. You will work with her to create the exact piece you want and get a sketch before she starts making it, so I think it's well worth it. To request your custom design, email her at info@sweetirie.com. Please see her profile for more information on custom orders, gift certificates, shipping and jewelry care.

Stop by this shop for all your beaded needs! On MySpace? Check her out there too, or on her blog, where she's featuring other artists in the 90 day challenge!

Treasury! And a Christmas Cracker Swap!!

I just made it into treasury west! :) I'm so addicted to this! This one features lovely shades of brown with winter jewel tones - such as emerald, ruby and sapphire. So pretty!!

I realize it's been forever since I've written about myself... I promise to post an update soon! I have a ton of pictures I'm sorting through to decide which to post, so as soon as I'm done... I've also been quite busy writing my thesis (or pretending to) ~ the rough draft is due in less than 2 weeks. Yikes!

I'm also participating in a Christmas cracker swap, hosted by Carolyn over at Magpie-Pixie. My swap partner is Amy, from Ruby Moon Art. I'm really excited! I've pretty much decided what to stuff the cracker with, and how to decorate it, but I haven't been able to find a snapper yet... I might have to just buy a pack of 10 crackers at the drug store, just for that. Seems like a bit of a waste, but what's a cracker without the snap?

So I've been quite crafty for that, and I've made a couple of necklace and earring sets (one for me, my mom... and I should be posting one soon), a few notebooks, bracelets... I'm slowly posting them on Etsy. Why don't you check out my newest listings: cranberries in the snow and black and white.