Little Miss Know it All

I follow this Coupon Queen, and try to learn how to save a little $$$!

She has giveaway on her site today where you could win a custom charm bracelet. Check it out!!

http://littlemissknowitall.net/2009/12/ho-ho-ho-holiday-giveaway-1-custom-charm-factory-bracelet/#comment-3417

Power to the Polka Dots!

I've always been drawn to patterns, whether it be on clothing, scrapbook paper, etc. I like paisley, hounds tooth, gingham.....but my all time favorite has to be POLKA DOTS! Lets face it, they're just so cute and irresistible! Here are some great, homemade goodies I found on my favorite website, etsy.com. Enjoy!

Headbands

Upcycled Handbag......I LOVE it!


Cupcake Toppers

Apron

Hairclip

For the love of Felt!

My newest addiction is FELT! The stuff that we used in gradeschool for almost every project is making a BIG comeback! It's inexpensive AND eco-friendly.......I'll take it!!

I wish I had more free time, because I just can't get enough of this stuff!! The possibilities are endless, as are the ideas in my head!
Got to run and make something! Below are a few of the goodies I've made so far!

I have a problem

I admit it. I have a problem. I am addicted to making things. I have an ongoing list in my head of new projects and ideas to try. Inspiration for these things comes from the silliest & greatest things..... the Poptart box, a dream I had, my daughter's artwork, etc.



It is something that I get honestly, though. I can blame this on my parents, my mother in particular. As far back as my memory allows, she has always been crafty. Her past projects include: topiaries, wooden toys, copper portraits, wreaths, paper mache, paintings, murals, and countless others.




But by far, the best, and most satisfying project she has undertaken is pottery. After taking a class years ago, it is the one thing she has stuck with, and perfected. Her pieces are beautiful, meticulous, and truly one of a kind.




Here is some of her work..............

Catalpa Leaves...made from impressions of real leaves

Owl Bowl

Cupcake Stand

Angel Wall Hanging

Wall Pockets

Those are just a few of her most recent pieces. One of these days I'll post some more of her older pieces.

While I am a "Crafter", my mom definetly classifies as an "Artist". Maybe one day I can be, too!!

My Newest Obsession

It seems like I stumble apon something I REALLY like making, and I end up with way too many!
My newest love is Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls, or Calaveras that I've made out of polymer clay. I am preparing for the Herbst Tour (a self guided tour of historic homes, barns, and craft stops) in October, and wanted make something more unique than the typical pumpkin, and came up with these.

They are so fun to make, & so pretty that I contimplate wearing them around now..........my husband says its a little weird so I'm refraining until closer to Halloween!

These and other Calaveras will be for sale at my online store: www.gracieluv.etsy.com.

Here is a link to info on the Herbst Tour. http://campspringsky.blogspot.com/ It is located in Camp Springs, KY.

Quirky

Today I decided to search http://www.etsy.com with the keyword QUIRKY! It's a fun word, I've used it in some of my tags, and was just curious about what would show up! Here are some of my favorite finds!!

Zombies Love Brains Teacup by foldedpage....it reads "I love you more than Zombies love brains"! How sweet!

I Wish I had a Green Thumb Garden Stake by UnderTheDoodleTree

Teenie Yeti Keychain by katiekylie...........we have a thing for Yetis at my house!

Toothbrush Bangles by AmongtheZinnias....yes they are real!

Below the Storm Octopus necklace by TheMossGarden

Aren't they great?! And I think "quirky" described them wonderfully!

Ryle Craft Show, Here We Come

My cousin Carrie (http://www.blessedbe13.etsy.com/) informed me today that we've been accepted into the Ryle High School PTA Craft Show! I am super-pumped, but also nervous because that means I'll have to make a TON of stuff!

This is a 2 day sale, with a Friday night pre-sale that usually has 1300 people attend....and Saturday attracts quadruple that!

It is Friday Nov. 20th 7pm-10pm (pre-sale tickets must be purchased $8) & Sat. Nov. 21st 9am-4pm ($3 at the door). It is at Ryle High School in Union, KY.

Enough blogging, I'd better get my crafty hands a movin'!

Mr. Roboto

My two year old son LOVES robots, & I have to admit they are pretty cool! Our local Home Depot has a giant robot built out of furnaces & air conditioners, and we just HAVE to spend some time with it every time we shop there!

Here are some great Robot themed items I found on www.etsy.com. Enjoy!

Giant Paper Clip Bookmark from BlueManatee

Plate from LittleKarboose

Beer Stines from BreadandBadger

Coinpurse from Mikishmink



Child's T-shirt from happyfamily






Please visit www.etsy.com for all things handmade!

My shop: www.gracieluv.etsy.com

My cousin's shop: www.blessedbe13.etsy.com

Craft Show Mania

My cousin, Carrie (http://www.blessedbe13.etsy.com/) has recruited me for my first craft show (at least the first one that I'll be selling jewelry at). Well, I should say that we are putting in our application.......it is a juried show, so we have to wait to see if we were accepted. I've got my fingers crossed!!

Even without knowing if I'm in yet, I've kicked it into overdrive making as much stuff as I can! I am so excited and hopefully it all works out!!!

The show is the Ryle Highschool PTSA Craft Show in Union, Ky. It is November 20 & 21. Over 5,000 people attend the show, and they have it stretched all thru the highschool, filling 2 gyms, the track above the gym, the cafeteria, and hallways!! over 175 crafters participate, and I can't wait to be one of them!!!!

Picnik

OK, I admit it.....I am obsessed with http://www.picnik.com/. I had stumbled across it once before, but never really messed with it much. After taking 700 + pictures at the wedding Saturday, I wanted a program to edit them with. I did a google search and came up with PICNIK! I upgrade to the "premium" membership (24.95 a year), and it is SO worth it! They have great tools and affects.....and I am able to make a photo b&w, and return the color to the area I choose!! (MY favorite thing EVER, and the main reason I chose the program.) The only drawback so far is that you can only hve 100 pictures uploaded at a time. It will have to to, I guess!!

Now if I could only talk my Father-in-Law out of his fancy camera I used!!! (Yeah, right!)

Pretty Petals

Gracie had been picked by my cousin to be the flower girl in her tropical themed wedding. (And I was going to be the photographer!)
She had a cute floral dress to wear, but I was perplexed about how to fix her hair. I finally decided to curl it the night before and she could wear a headband. The headband looked terribly boring, so I got out my stash of polymer clay and began playing. Hours later, I ended up with a try full of pretty petaled flowers! I put three on her headband, and made the rest into pendants.

Her headband turned out great and she received lots of compliments. I even wore a Pretty Petal pendant to the wedding myself!

Here are some pics of some of them! They are hand formed from polymer clay, and hand painted with cute little polka dots! Enjoy!

Fellow BEST team member Give Away!

Kellibeans, one of my fellow BEST team members has posted a Give Away on her blog! Check it out! http://kellibeans.blogspot.com/2009/06/whats-in-box-blog-giveaway.html?showComment=1244993412489#c3230976286097798129

It is very cute, by the way!


Maybe once I have enough followers, I will do the same! Sounds like fun!!!

Feeling Crafty

I spent the evening last night watching the Mtv Movie Awards again (to see the New Moon trailer & Rob Pattinson!) while online shopping. My favorite supply shops are http://www.artbeads.com/, http://www.fusionbead.com/, and of course http://www.etsy.com/!! Both Art Beads & Fusion Beads offer free shipping with no minimal purchase!!! Both beads sites have a great selection & good prices, but fusion have a virtually endless amount of glass beads! I could search thru it for hours. Anyway, I scored some beautiful beads & baubles, and can't wait to get started when they arrive!!!

I have some sketchy ideas in my head for some new Twilight jewelry, as well as some other possibilities...........I'm just so impatient!!! (The drawback to free shipping is that it is also the slowest method!!!)

Anyway, I'm "Crafty" and can't wait to get my goodies & get my fix!!! I know all of you other crafters understand!!! :)

Twilight

So, I have to admit......I LOVE Twilight! Mostly Edward, but I think the series is a perfect mix of a love story & a horror story! It is balanced pefectly! I know my husband finds it annoying! He actually suffered thru the movie with me, but only half pays attention when I update him on the continuing story. My daughter, on the other hand, insists that she likes it (she's 5 btw) even though I won't let her watch the movie! I have the soundtrack on my ipod & she does listen to that, though!

My lastest focus on my craft business has been Twilight inspired quote magnets.....I've taken qoutes or pieces of quotes, stamped them into polymer clay, and embellished them. I'm really happy with how they've turned out so faf. Here are some pics.

They can be found for sale at my store at http://www.gracieluv.etsy.com/.

Here is an example of a magnet.....it can also be a brooch. I can stamp it with any name/short phrase you desire. I can also add any color ribbon at the bottom, as well as a Swarovski crystal!

Etsy & Artfire

I currently have two online stores where I carry my jewelry & accessories, Etsy & Artfire. Please check them out: www.gracieluv.etsy.com and http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=32186. Most recently I've been focusing on a variety of magnets...ranging from Mother's & Father's Day, to sports teams & wedding themed.

I can make a magnet, brooch, or necklace to fit just about any theme, with any message on it that you want!! I will post some pics later!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog! Please be patient as I am brand new to this.

I am going to us this blog to talk about my jewelry, promote my etsy & Artfire stores, and merely to vent...lol!

Hope you enjoy!!