Christmas Recipe

Christmas time is my favorite time of year. And one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to bake. This month we EtsyBloggers are sharing our favorite Christmas recipes. Over the years my family has baked many different things. Some of our favorites include rice crispy treats, rumballs, fudge, and chocolate dipped almond cookies. But one of our all time favorites is chocolate covered pretzels. This recipe is so simple, but so delicious. There are only three ingredients required: semi-sweet chocolate chips, pretzels, and butter or water. Use 6ounces of chocolate for every three tablespoons of butter. Melt the chocolate and then stir. Dip the pretzels and then place them on wax paper. I personally love the chocolate pretzels to be cold so I always refrigerate them, but once the chocolate dries, they can also be placed in a cookie tin as well. Enjoy these treats this holiday season.

Featured Etsy Blogger: Devine Designs Jewelry

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I’m a tiny bit late with this post…but November just got away from me. Anyways this month, November, we Etsy Bloggers are featuring Devine Designs Jewelry. What a talented artist. She has been crafting things for many years. Amazingly, she is an almost completely self-taught artisan who works with high quality materials. Some of these materials include sterling silver, copper, and gemstones. Take a look at some of her breathtaking creations. Stop by her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DevineDesignsJewelry or visit her blog to find out the latest news at http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com. Her shop is definitely worth a look.

Thanksgiving Sale

I am excited to announce my first shop sale. Starting today and ending on November 28, 2010 I am offering 10% off any item in my shop. Look for the coupon code in my shop announcement.

New Products

This month us Etsy Bloggers were asked to write about our current Etsy projects and the inspirations behind them. I have actually been working on two projects. One is finished and the other is still a work in progress. The first project is a pair of hill tribe silver earrings that are shaped into a lovely flower design. They are complemented by beautiful chalcedony beads that are a light green color. My work in progress will be another pair of earrings that will be wire-wrapped emerald briolettes. I will post another blog post once they have been completed. My inspiration behind both of these pieces was the upcoming holiday season. I wanted to create pieces in different shades of green in honor of my favorite holiday...Christmas.

Featured EtsyBlogger: Splendid Little Stars

This month we EtsyBloggers are featuring the talented artist behind Splendid Little Stars. This artist has not one, but two shops. She is a nature lover living on acres of land who enjoys making arts and crafts. She sells adorable kids clothing and hats that are hand-dyed and handpainted. After you have finished shopping for the kids you can hop on over to her other shop to find some lovely earrings for yourself. Her angel earrings are so darling and come in a variety of different colors. Take a look at a few of my favorite things. You can find her at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SparklyPark or at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SplendidLittleStars or read her blog at http://splendidlittlestars.blogspot.com

Favorite Halloween Costume

With all the Halloween decorations abound and pondering ideas for costumes to wear this year, I am brought back to childhood memories of Trick-or-Treating and past Halloween costumes. As a child, I was very fortunate to have a talented and creative mom who was a genius with a needle and thread. My costumes were always handmade and lovely. But by far my favorite was my harem girl costume. It was pink of course and so girly. I loved it. It looked just like the ones from the Chipmunk Adventure movie that the Chipettes wore. I almost won the costume contest too :) What was your favorite costume?

BESTeam Feature: Leo and Junie

This week I had the pleasure of featuring Leo and Junie. A talented jewelry maker who got her start in fine jewlery. She loves nature, books, and vintage items. Some of her favorite materials to work with are gemstones, crystals, sterling silver, brass, and vintage items. This relatively new shop has already had some success with quite a few sales. The items are very charming. Take a look at a few of my favorites. These rose bobby pins are adorable. Great finisher to any outfit. Love the wire wrapping on this pretty pink ring. And how great are these flower earrings. They are darling and definitely have a vintage feel to them. Be sure to stop by her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeoAndJunie or read her blog at http://leoandjunie.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/leoandjunie or become a fan at http://facebook.com/LeoandJunie

BESTeam Feature: Too Much of a Good Thing

This week I had the pleasure of featuring Too Much of a Good Thing. This newly married Oregonian is always busy creating and her shop has a little something for everyone. Her shop has things from handmade greeting cards to hand crocheted stuffed animals to handcrafted hair pieces. She makes quality items and makes sure to only use cotton yarn in her crocheted pieces. Her blog is also great and is worth a read. It is so interesting and really lets you get to know the personality behind all of these great creations. Take a look at a few of my favorites. This greeting card has the quintessential old fashioned child’s play toy…the sock monkey. Perfect for a congratulations on the new baby card. Also great gifts for children are these adorable stuffed animals. The monkey and the elephant are my favorite and look cute as a pair. There is also an adorable giraffe or a tiger. Definitely take the time to stop by and take a look at this shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TooMuchOfAGoodThing or follow her blog at http://leylafolsom.wordpress.com.

BESTeam Feature: Unique Designs by Ms P

This week I have the pleasure of featuring the little shop with the big name known as Unique Designs by Ms P. This artist has been creating since she was a small child. She started creating clothes for her Barbies and hasn't stopped creating since. Her shop features beautiful jewelry, as well as, lovely hand crocheted items. Take a look at a few of my favorites. These gloves are absolutely fabulous. They are practical and stylish by being fingerless, but still keep your hands and wrists warm. I simply adore the colors as well. The "Family Bracelet" is very cool and comes in birthstone colors accented by pearls. I love pearls. I love that you could get one for each memeber of the family. They are so elegant and dainty that stacking them on your wrist would look great too. Stop by this shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/UniqueDesignsbyMsP or read her blog at http://www.uniquedesignsbymsp.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/myuniquedesigns.

BESTeam Feature: Danizabeth

This week I had the pleasure of featuring the store Danizabeth. This store gets its name from the photographer's first and middle names combined. She loves the Cubs and shoes and works as a graphic designer at a newspaper. Throughout her years of art experience she has worked with many different mediums and realized that photography was her "passion." As a young girl she would go to salvage yards with her dad to see what kinds of treasures they could find, especially old car keys. And this has been her inspiration for her very cool classic car photos. They are great and would make a wonderful series to put up on any wall. The perspectives that she captures are really creative and showcase her talent. Take a look at a few of my favorites. The guitar and the wreath are nice unexpected additions. I love the pink classic car. It's just the right amount of girly with an edge. Take a look at her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Danizabeth or read her blog at http://www.danizabeth.blogspot.com or become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/danizabethphotography.

Etsy Bloggers: Life Quarter Goals

1. Are you in the first quarter of your life (up to age 25), second quarter of your life (up to age 50), or 3rd quarter (beyond age 50)? Describe your goals and dreams for your current "quarter." How have they changed over time?

This month for my Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival, I was asked to ponder my life a bit in whichever stage that I am in and to describe my goals and dreams. This is a great question that forces you to think and gain a little perspective on where you would like to be going in your life in this life quarter. Well, I am currently in the 2nd quarter of my life and I have been pretty steadfast in my goals and dreams with very little changing over time. My main goals for this quarter are to travel more and to continue my education. Both of those I have been making a conscious effort in doing. The newest goal involves my Etsy shop. This is a relatively new endeavor for me. Making my shop a success is a goal that I have now added to the To-Do List for this quarter of my life. Any one else wish to share their goals for their quarter?

BESTeam Feature: Blue Forest Jewellery

This week I have the pleasure of featuring Blue Forest Jewellery. I am excited to be featuring a fellow jewelry maker and I really loved taking a look at all of her pretty designs. She lives in England and enjoys the simple things in life such as walking in the forest with her dog. She actually coined her shop name from the forest near her house that reflects blue hues at certain times. And much of the inspiration for her pieces comes from nature as well. This is apparent in her color combinations, as well as, in her choice of favorite materials which include pearls, quartz, and semi-precious stones. Take a look at some of my faves. These "Just Turquoise Bead and Silver Earrings" are classically elegant. I love turquoise as a gemstone and when crafted into jewelry it is always a good thing :) The "Delicate Heart Garnet, Peridot and Iolite Necklace" is very nice. The heart pendant is unique and the color choices are beautiful. Peridot is so pretty. And also the "Handmade All the Leaves Are Brown Glass and Silver Tone Chain Necklace" is so stylish. Leaves are very in right now and the necklace reminds me of fall, one of my favorite times of year. Definitely stop by this shop and have a look. You can visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueForestJewellery or follow her blog at http://blueforestjewellery.blogspot.com/ or get up to the minute updates through twitter at http://twitter.com/blueforestjewel.

BESTeam Feature

This week I am featuring a shop called Cutesy Bootsie. This shop owner lives in south Florida, but doesn't let the lack of cold weather stop her from knitting some absolutely beautiful hats and scarves. She is an animal lover who likes to travel and spend time exploring new shops to see what kind of neat things she can find. Her favorite thing to buy of course is yarn. She uses quality yarn in all of her designs and the colors are just lovely. My favorites are pictured above. Just take a look at this adorable "Punkin Pumpkin Baby Hat." It is perfect for the upcoming season and Halloween is just around the corner. The "Seaform Set" is a soothing color and reminds me of the beach in the winter in the Northeast. The thickness of the scarf looks so cozy. And the "Berry Blast" scarf is just a really fun color. It will brighten up any winter day. You really must stop by this shop and take a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CutesyBootsie or find out more about this shop at http://www.cutesybootsie.com or become a fan at http://facebook.com/cutesybootsie or follow along on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cutesybootsie.

Romantic Autumn Treasury

I am so excited! I was featured in my first treasury this past week. Check out the lovely treasury called Romantic Autumn by realfaery. You can see view the treasury here at http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c81112e28f98eef6b5aecc5/romantic-autumn My item is the Eloquent Yellow, Brown, and Grey Septarian Nodule Necklace.

BESTeam Feature: Ardna's Sac by Claycass

This week I am featuring a nice little shop called Ardna's Sac by Claycass. The shop gets its name from the artisan's name, Cassandra. The shop name is Cassandra spelled backwards. Clever. Cassandra/Claycass has been crafting for many years and has been interested in creating since she was a child. She started creating jewelry in high school and hasn't stopped since. Her favorite medium to work with is polymer clay and you can definitely see her talent in her work. Look at just a few of her great designs. These "Poinsettia Earrings" are great for the upcoming holiday season. Very pretty. The "Tiny Kaleidoscope Design Earrings" are so unique. What a cool design in the polymer bead. The "Apple for the Teacher" pin is adorable. This would be the perfect gift that any teacher could appreciate. Stop by her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/claycass or follow her blog at http://www.ardnas-sac.blogspot.com or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claycass/116741562652.

BESTeam Feature: Bits N' Beads by Gilliauna

This week I am featuring BESTeam member Bits N' Beads by Gilliana. What a neat shop this is. The store has everything from bangles, to necklaces, to rosaries, and even I.D. lanyards. Something for every occasion and such pretty items. This talented artisan started their Etsy Shop in 2009, but actually has over 20 years of jewelry making experience. So you know that each piece is professionally crafted. This store is very excited about using a variety of colors in their work and I love it. Each piece just jumps out at you. Here are a few of my favorites. I love reading so this bookmark is the perfect accent to one of my favorite pastimes. It is so elegant. I also love this "Elegant Cluster Ring." I mentioned that they love using color and they perfect color harmony in this ring. The pearls are lovely. Inventory is important, but packaging is also important and sometimes overlooked. I just wanted to point out the time and care that this shop has taken to develop such lovely packaging for thier sold items. Details, details. Very nice. Go and check this store out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Gilliauna or check out their blog at http://www.colorfulartisanjewelry.com and become a fan at http://facebook.com/BitsnBeadsbyGilliauna and follow the shop on twitter at http://twitter.com/gilliauna

Featured EtsyBlogger: Patch

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is Patch. She is a talented
artisan that has not one, but three shops. Quite the achievement.
Her vintage shop is called Patch Vintage Shop and features great
finds from her very fashionable mother. Her second shop is called
Patch Supply Shop and is full of jewelry supplies for people wanting
to try their hand at creating. Her third shop is called Patch First
Shop and features her beautiful creations. There are so many choices
and styles that anyone can appreciate. Her jewelry is unique and
classically feminine. I just love it. The main materials she uses
are swarovski crystal and pearl. For those of you getting
married...Patch also makes custom wedding jewelry. Here are just a
few of my favorite items. How great is that adorable cat pendant!
You can also follow Patch on either of her blogs at
http://patchfirstshop.wordpress.com or http://patchfirstshop.blogspot.com.

Favorite Summer Movie

I just became a member of a new team. I am very excited to now be a part of two fantastic teams. The newest team is called Etsy Bloggers and this is my first blog as a new member. So the topic is for us to talk about our favorite summer movie. I just saw "Eat, Pray, Love" starring Julia Roberts. What a great movie. It got great reveiews and they were definitely right. I was worried about seeing the movie because I had read the book and loved it and I was worried that it might not live up to my expectations. Well, I don't want to overbuild it, but it was well done. This movie, for anyone who doesn't know, is about a woman who has it all and is still not happy. She ends up going on a year long journey in order to find herself. The movie has travel, spirituality, and love. Something for everyone. The supporting actors were very likeable as well. Javier Bardem was great opposite Julia Roberts. I enjoy traveling and Bali has now become a new must see spot. Definite must see movie.

BESTeam Feature: Moon Angel-Art by Moonangelnay

The shop I am featuring this week is Moon Angel-Art by Moonangelnay. Oh my goodness! What a great shop with so many items to choose from. This mom from Birmingham (in the UK) is a very talented photographer. She says that the goal of her photos is to not "just be physical art or home decor, but something to think about." She definitely achieves this by photographing beautiful items, such as a rose, and then portraying them in a funky and creative way which makes her photos very unusual and one of a kind. Love them. My favorites are above. Look at the way she plays with the lights and darks in this photo of a face with the red lips adding a dramatic pop of color (Photo Title: Lust). Just great! I am a big fan of nature photography so the photos "Wandering Sheep" and "Placid Arachnid" are definite favorites. You can even get your favorites made into wearable art. She turns her creations into really cool necklaces. Definitely make sure you take the time to stop by this shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonangelnay. Or you can read her blog at http://moonangelnay.blogspot.com or for up to the minute goings on follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/moonangelnay.

Septarian Nodule Pendant

So for the last week, in my limited spare time I have been excitedly working on a sterling silver wire-wrapped pendant. I am very proud of this piece because the wire is encasing a Septarian Nodule. I came across this stone in a shop and I loved the colors and knew that I had to create something with it. I was unfamiliar with the stone itself so I did a little research and it turns out that it is also beneficial as well as being pleasing to the eye. Septarian Nodules formed millions of years ago and are made up of Limestone, Calcite, and Aragonite. These stones are said to be helpful with all aspects of communication, like speaking and being understood. They have even been known to be helpful to public speakers as well. This stone is also just a great stone to have for overall well being. I included some pictures in this post so that you all can see a little bit of the wire-wrapping process and how I created this pendant.

BESTeam Feature: S & T Creations

This week I am featuring a wonderful shop called S & T Creations. The business was started seven years ago by two crafty friends with an interest in jewelry making. Since then they have honed their skills through various classes. Throughout the years, they have participated in craft fairs and events and one can even find their creations for sale at Big Hair Peace in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Experience and talent have led to the creation of such breathtaking pieces that you see to the right. Just look at the Egypt Design in Coral Necklace. It is so beautiful with the silver accents adding the perfect complement to the coral beads. The Liquid Silver Earrings are so unique, but classic with the all metal design. They remind me of a maze. Also, I am really liking the Sweetheart Bracelet. What a neat design and so colorful. Very pretty. I also wanted to comment on the quality of their product photos. They look very professional. The vase is perfect for showing off the designs. It lets the jewelry really pop and the vase has texture to add interest without distracting from the products. Be sure and stop by this shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandtcreations or follow their blog at http://sandtcreations.blogspot.com or become a fan on facebook at http://companies.to/sandtcreations or follow on twitter at Teri_B.

BESTeam Feature: Miss Pretty Perfect

This week I am very excited to get to feature such a talented lady. I absolutely love accessories especially purses and this shop has so many great choices that it is so hard to choose. Miss Pretty Perfect has not one, but two degrees in fashion, one being from the very stylish and trendsetting New York City. She spent five years as a sewer for a handbag company and even saw her sewing creations for sale in such stores as Bloomingdales. Experience and talent go into each and every one of her handmade creations. The primary materials she uses are upholstery fabric and leather. She started her own line in 2007 which symbolizes women who, to paraphrase, are "independent and believe in a positive lifestyle...and even though they don't live in a perfect world, create one in their mind." Miss Pretty Perfect has now taken her business one step further by selling her designs in a brick and mortar shop called the Urban Alchemist which is located in Brooklyn. How exciting and congratulations. Some of my favorite items are to the right. I absolutely love casual chic and the Miss Lotti Leather Tote definitely achieves this. Plus look at all that storage. I am also a huge, huge fan of the Miss Rosa Wristlet line. They come in three colors and designs and I absolutely adore all three of them. Stop by and take a look at her Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/missprettyperfect or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/missprettyperfect or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/toiyah or find out more about her on her blog at http://www.missprettyperfect.blogspot.com.