Pretty in Pink

Think Spring!

This sweet illustraion of two adorable rabbits is from an original watercolor by Seattle artist, Nakisha

Growing Up Is Hard To Do......At Least For Mom!

Yesterday we moved our oldest daughter into college.  Wasn't she just a toddler yesterday?  I can still remember what her three year-old voice sounded like singing her version of "Winnie-the Pooh".  And I can see her plain as day sitting on the couch holding her newborn little sister (with my help) , looking up with a huge smile on her little face exclaiming, "I think she likes me!!"  Wasn't it just last week that I untangled the fork from her curly hair because that's what the "Little Mermaid" said humans used "dinglehoffers" for?

Then came the first day of kindergarten.  I watched as my little girl bravely climbed onto the school bus with a purple Scooby-Doo backpack almost as big as she was.  I smiled and waved and then cried all the way back to the house.  You know... the good-byes at college weren't that much different.  Hugs, kisses, waves and smiles, then on go the sunglasses as I climb into the car and head for home....

Kenzie and her roommate

Wow, this has been a long twenty four hours!  I don't think I'm ready for this stage of my life yet!  But she is so happy and that makes it all worth it.  Isn't that what we raise them for?  That's what I keep asking myself.  She really likes her roommate. She has met  lots of people already and she's very excited to learn and experience everything this next stage of life has to offer!  Yes, I suppose that is we raised her for!  

Now...how many days until Thanksgiving break?

Catch a Falling Star and Put it in Your Pocket...

It's that time of year again...summer winding down, dog days setting in, kids restless and bored and stars are falling at night!  Oh yes, I've come to learn at this time of the year the Earth is traveling through a trail of cosmic dust left by the comet, Swift-Tuttle.  These particles, when coming in contact with the Earth's atmosphere, burn up, causing a meteor shower known as Perseid's, because the light show seems to originate from the constellation, Perseus.

Last night, when this event was supposedly at it's peak, I decided to do some star gazing.  I had told my daughters about it earlier in the day and they were somewhat interested, "Sure, Mom.  We'll go out and lay with you on the trampoline tonight!"  When 12:30 am. rolled around, one child was in her room texting and the other was asleep on the couch.  Neither one was up for heading out into the dark, damp night.  My husband was out of town, so he was no help either!

I let the dogs out for their last potty break of the night, stretched out on the deck bench and gazed skyward.  The dogs were stymied.  "Why is she laying on the deck...is she dead....does she want to play...?"  Needless to say, I had one dog sitting on my feet, one licking my face and the other using this distraction to try and sneak out of the yard. 

I thought I might have seen a meteor but realized it was a plane.  There was one really bright star but it never moved so I assumed it wasn't a meteor.  I watched some more.  Beautiful sky, but no meteors.  My back started to hurt.  Mosquitos started biting me.  I started to imagine moths getting in my hair and my head started to itch.  I decided I wasn't up for heading out into the dark, damp night either!

But, hey!  Maybe you'll have better luck or like the outdoors at night better than I do.  The meteor shower is still supposed to be visible tonight.  Look up into the night sky between midnight and twilight for the best viewing.  And don't forget the bug repellent!

If you want more information about the Perseid's Meteor Shower,  here's a link:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08/090812-perseids-best-meteor-shower.html



I've had better luck INSIDE the house this week however....

I added three new pendants to my shop this week.  Be sure to check them out by clicking on my shop link at the top of my blog. 

I love the idea of mysterious English gardens with gates and winding paths and secret hideaways beneath the shade trees.   This series of pendants is named "Secret Garden".  Each pendant features a botanical design in muted earth tones and a skeleton key to "unlock the garden gate..."  Some of the keys are decorative charms and some are authentic vintage skeleton keys.  Check out the first three in the series.  Keeping checking back as more are added!

                                       

Summer Days Flying By

It seems like the summer has flown by and I can't say I've made very good use of the nice weather to get outside things done.  My husband planted his garden but that's HIS project, and my flower beds have seen better days, but....I have been creating lots of pendants and experimenting with some new ideas, as well! 

"Drink Frosty Root Beer"

I now have my own (drum roll, please) CRAFT ROOM!!  My hubby and I went to IKEA (love that place) and outfitted the "area" at the top of our stairs (too big to be a landing, too small to be a bedroom) with everything a good craft room needs.  Large work area, great lighting, mirrors (to make it seem bigger) and lots and lots of storage.  I LOVE IT!!

My sweet little girl is off to college...

I'm getting very serious now about craft shows.  I have a list I plan on attending and am sending the registration fees.  Some are juried, but so far I have been accepted to the ones I've applied for.  I'm finding out that a lot the shows require a vendor's license, so that is now on my "to-do" list!  These shows will keep me busy this fall and my mind occupied as my older daughter is leaving for college...in THREE weeks! (sniff-sniff).

                                                  

                                           

Although the pendants have been selling VERY well, and I'm continuing to make a lot of them, I've been trying new things using vintage bottle caps and "altered" jewelry using vintage and "found" items such as skeleton keys and old lockets.  Below are a couple of examples of these things....

"Sweet Secrets"

"Nostalgia"  This photo was featured on Craftgawker.com

Valentine's Day is Coming!

Oh...I have been so busy trying to get my Etsy shop going. From promoting to posting in forums, joining teams and listing and renewing items. It IS becoming an addiction! But I am learning a lot in the process! Check out some of my newest listings for Valentine's Day!




The bobby pin sets are so sweet. The vintage storybook kitty is made with a wooden disc and doming resin. This is something new that I have been trying. It takes a little practice to get the resin just right so that it sets up and forms a hard surface. The heart pendant is part of a series of five round glass pendants featuring the abstract artwork of Etsy artist, Megan Duncanson of Madart. I LOVE them!

And I'm not the only one who has been busy. My sister, Steffanie, has been quilting scarves. They are so unique and adorable and several of them are perfect for Valentine's Day as well.

Here are some of them:






I was also really excited this month to find out that one of my photos was accepted by Craftgawker.com! I guess the new camera I got for Christmas really paid off!! This is the photo that made it:



And this pendant sold the very next day!

Brukner's the Best!!!

I just returned home from the Brukner Nature Center Arts and Crafts Show and it is by far the best one I've been to yet. It is a juried show, so after applying and sending pictures of your items, Brukner decides if they want you in the show . There were so many different and unique things there.
I LOVE meeting other crafters at craft shows! It's so fun to talk to other people who understand the addiction of crafting, whether it be beading, quilting, carving or glass making. People who don't think you're crazy for spending an hour looking at and flipping out over cool scrapbook paper!
I got a lot of ideas from different people today on pendant making, display set ups and even Etsy. Almost everyone I talked to had an Etsy site.
There was a never ending crowd at Brukner and we had a great spot. I'm going to try to get that same spot for next year. This is the best I've done, sales-wise, of any of the four shows I've been to.
It was a different crowd at Brukner, too. Where the other shows were mostly women out shopping while their husbands were home watching football, this show had a lot of couples and families. There were many older couples too. A lot of the shoppers, I think, were affiliated with Brukner in some way, whether it be as a teacher, member, or supporter. I really enjoyed it. It had more of an artisan exhibit feel as opposed to just a craft bazaar. And the fact that it was in a beautiful setting helped also.
Well, I think this is my last craft show for a few months. I will now concentrate on getting my Etsy shop to prosper a little better and start working on doing home shows.
My plan for home parties will include "Create you own pendant" as well pre-designed cash and carry items. I will have stations where guests can choose a pendant, cord or chain, and an optional charm to create their own style and reflect their personality. I have a home show in the works for sometime in January or early February. Can't wait!