New Earrings...

I have been busy in my studio playing with some of my beads and making earrings.
Now my task this week is to get them listed in my etsy shoppe. This always seems to be such a chore for me. First the photography which I really do not enjoy keeps holding me back. Then the actual writing of the description is always tricky...say enough but not too much.
So by posting here I am forcing myself to be accountable to follow through and get them listed.
This first pair is charming with the little bee "tasting" the honey hued Swarovski crystal beneath the Czech flower bead.

I had purchased some new antique copper findings and wanted to put them together with some interesting beads. French pierced earwires with black Obsidian hearts and Czech Vitrail Glass Flower cone beads, Swarovski crystals and antique copper spacers are stunning in person.

These are very simply done using silver-plate earwires, blue-green glass beads, Swarovski crystals and Turquoise nuggets. I kept the drop length on each of these pairs to just about one inch.

This is probably the most interesting pair using the antique copper findings. I paired Fancy Jasper hearts with true Sedona Red Rock barrel beads purchased while in Sedona earlier this year. Of course now I am wondering why I didn't buy lots more of these unique Red Rock beads. It is said that Sedona Red Rock beauty awakens spirit and the energy that is created gives rise to a heightened awareness and enhanced appreciation for life. Wow! If you have ever visited Sedonna and been in the presence of the Red Rocks you would definitely agree that the entire area is aweinspiring.

Wonderful week to all...many of you are busy packing for those fall trips...many preparing the little ones for back to school...and some of you very busy in your studios making fabulous art.

Me? I will be enjoying each day of our perfect summer we have been having here in Northern California. I spent Saturday at the local Farmers Market and then volunteering at our Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. It was a day filled with meeting lots of interesting folks from all over. I always enjoy my day.

Now I must get on task and work my list of to do items...Hugs to all...

Valentine Tote Bags...

My idea completed. A group photo. The feel of these is soft and wonderful.

Right after New Years I went to our local fabric store to buy some wool felt. You do see it on the bottom of this beautiful stack. The gorgeous wools are for future use. And the laces...well a girl just has to have lace in her stash. So back to the wool felt. I purchased three colors, burgundy, pink and white. Here is what I made.

The perfect lightweight durable small tote for errand shopping or snack carrying or anything you like. I think they would make super cute Valentine gifts...empty or filled.

Here is the pink tote. Did you see the hearts stitched onto each handle? I love my sewing machine. Together we can keep the thread industry in business for quite some time to come.

Hand cutting all the red felt hearts and the red organdy hearts that are sewn on with the buttons was tedius but what else would I be doing?! Of course I did list these in my etsy shop. We will see if anyone needs to own these cute handy totes.

It felt so good to spend time in the studio and the sewing room making these.
What are you making, creating, painting, journaling, etcetera?

Happy weekend to everyone...

Another Checked Off the List...

So as we prepare to close another year I have been trying to check some to-dos off my list. For longer than I can think I have wanted to change my etsy shop banner. The photo on the top is of the old banner. It sufficed but was not very clear or classy. As most of you already know I am not the computer whiz I would like to be. Mr. C has always been that for me and done it all. However, when it came to my blogging and my etsy shop he was not interested at all. He was, after all, still working and did not have spare time for such nonsense. Well...

Mr. C is fully retired and when he was helping me the other day with my new blog banner I guess he heard me say I also wanted to change my etsy banner. Yay!!! He made me this new banner (second photo) and I so love it! Simple elegance. Thank you Mr. C...I love it!

Checked this off my list. It feels so good to head into a new year with a fresh clean slate.

What is on your list you would like to complete before 2011 arrives?

Happy creating...

Part of a Treasury...

Dear sweet faerymoongoddess has included my fabric wrist cuff in her beautiful new treasury which you can view by clicking here. I wanted to post her beautiful treasury in it's complete glory however my blogging skills are still not enough. I keep learning as much as I can. :o)

Please give her a visit and see all the lovely items she makes and shares.

On another note...

Are you completely busy at this time of year? Running errands for the usual groceries, gasoline, dry cleaning, laundry and such along with wrapping gifts, delivering gifts, mailing gifts, writing Holiday cards and mailing them. Getting together with friends and family as often as possible? This is definitely a very busy time for so many of us. This year I am choosing to do a lot less of the errands and chores and more of the quality time with family and friends. Yes, the gifts are much less but the sentiment is much deeper and more meaningful. Oh I am certainly helping the economy and doing more than my fair share of spending but much smarter this year. I am really enjoying my time as I stop and smell the "pointsettias", watch the lights twinkle, see the glitter sparkle and simply enjoy this amazing time of our year.

Take a deep breath, sip your favorite tea or cocoa or beverage and truly be in the moment.

Now I am happy to get back to my creating...

Treasury Feature...

I am so excited to be featured in this wonderful caramel treasury that Miss FancifulFluff has put together. Thank you so very much for including this Caramel Cameo Choker Necklace that I created.

How fun to be part of a treasury and this is a first for me. I am very grateful.

Please check out FancifulFluff and her wonderful etsy shop. There are lots of great gift items to be found there. Yes, in my etsy shop also you can find gifts for all occasions and just because you want it, need it, like it etcetera.

This is the beginning of a very busy weekend and I hope you enjoy every moment of your time.

Happy being grateful...

shopping etsy...

I am certain that many of you follow Diane Knott and her daughter Holly. They not only blog but have an etsy shoppe that is quite successful. While reading Diane's blog I noticed that she was listing some things I really liked and thought I should have in my stash of craft supplies. So I ordered and the package arrived poste haste and was wrapped super cleverly and included a bonus of recipe cards which I was not expecting. We all love to get a surprise don't we?!

This is what I actually ordered. Butterfly stamped muslin "ribbon". It was all wrapped neatly around a flat clothespin which has been stamped with musical notes. How fun is that?!!

Here is the "ribbon" and I just love it. Isn't it wonderful when something is even nicer than what you expected? I will definitely be buying more of what Diane and Holly make and sell in their etsy shop. Quality, unique handmade items are such a treasure.
Now what will I use this hand stamped muslin ribbon for? Hmmm...

Happy creating.

Charming Creativity...

In my wonderful world of blogging and following other creative souls I found Michelle Palmer and her super creative pen and ink drawings. She does the most detailed and amazing tiny birds and nests and lots of other cuties. However it is her tiny little mice that I fell in love with.

One morning I got up early and was enjoying my blog reading when I saw this adorable little pink baby dress with the strawberry eating mouse. If you follow Michelle and her art you know it gets purchased as quickly as she can list it in her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichellePalmer?ref=seller_info

and therefore I had missed every previous mouse. I was determined I would not miss out on this little pink dress mouse. I ran upstairs for the plastic and whew! I didn't miss this one. I was so excited I was shaking.

Even Mr. C knew exactly what I bought when I said Michelle Palmer. He knew exactly where I would display my newly acquired treasure...on the line he made me in the laundry room. How cheery it is to do my chores with strawberry mouse watching over me.

Isn't this just the cutest?!! My patience paid off and now I have my very own adorable pen and ink drawing. Michelle is so well known and respected that people commission her work. Thank you Michelle for sharing your charming creativity.

I love my little strawberry mouse on the tiny pink dress. This is a true collectible.

Olivine...

I have discovered a new color in Swarovski crystals. Olivine. In gem quality olivine is known as peridot. The birthstone of August. I stitched this tennis bracelet with olivine Swarovski bicone crystals and I think it is stunning. Pictures do not do justice to this beautiful bracelet.

If you like, you might check out my etsy shop for more photos and availability.

As you can see, I am getting back to my focus of making jewelry and filling my online shop. I have not forgotten my goals and realize this year is moving along very quickly. So now I am off to the studio for more inspiration and jewelry making. I am so blessed to have the time to be able to do what makes me happy.

Happy creating...

Designs on hold...

As it is Monday morning and already the beginning of the last week of January 2010 I was hoping to finish up these designs and get them listed in my etsy shop. Alas, I have another excuse for not being able to finish them. And beleive me I don't need any additional excuses.

I realized last week that I was missing a key element and so I placed my order online with www.FireMountainGems.com which is a great source of beading supplies. I got confirmation that my order shipped the very next day and I was so happy.

Then Fed Ex didn't deliver on time. Hmmm... Then another day delay and Fed Ex used the inclement weather excuse. Then another day and no delivery. I find this difficult to understand as our weather has been rainy and snow flurries but our road is completely snowplowed and our driveway which is usually horrible has been cleared every day by my wonderful DH. Now Fed Ex is predicting delivery tomorrow. What about today?!!

UPS has delivered here in worse conditions than this. They have even walked up our steep snow covered driveway and smiled while doing so just to deliver packages to us. Fed Ex take a cue from UPS...what can you do for us?

Alas, I shall get these completed and list them in February at worse case. I certainly have lots more projects to work on in the mean time. I decided today I would at least try to write up the descriptions for each of these. That always is a slow process for me.

I am thinking of naming the first one with the blue and white "Moonlight Snow". The other one with all of it's turquoise and coral will be "Santa Fe Trail". What do you think?

Thanks for listening to me. If we could just have some sunshine I know I could smile.

Keep creating...

Advance glance...

With a new "focus" on achieving my goals for 2010 I have already been tested beyond my normal patience level. I am not electronically, technologically or computer savvy and I do not intend to be such as my DH is the master at these things.

What I have just learned this week is that I am hopelessy attached to having working phone connections, computer connections that allow internet, email and blogging capabilities and I am all amiss when these things are not functioning well let alone at all.

Every winter we lose our phone lines properly working due to some "squirrel" chewing the phone lines according to our major phone carrier. Well this time it took four complete days, numerous calls (cell phone still worked) and my DH locating the troubles for the phone company and finally we are back online. So many people and so little concern was frustrating enough. Added to the fact that we could sometimes receive emails but not send responses was really frustrating. And the worst for me was losing my momentum with my blogging and building my "following of readers" and not being able to keep my personal committment of listing items on my etsy shop (shameless plug http://createology.etsy.com ). This is my weakest area and yet one of my most important goals for 2010 to build my online storefront and actually experience some sales.

So now we are back online and my excuses are null and void and thank you for letting me vent.

I am going to list my newest "Adorn Me!" jewelry item and post my photos. Lots of Swarovski crystals and sparkle. Please let me know how you like it.

I have had numerous compliments from family and friends...and we all know how nice they can be. LOL I really need to hear from the rest of you to have valid feedback.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and for checking out my online shop.

Saucy Chick Sherry

Happy Holiday Shopping...

Happy Holiday Shopping can be a wonderful thing or it can be very frightening to many. Let's keep it very simple this year. I myself am not out doing the "Black Friday" crazy shopping frenzy at the stores which opened at pre-dawn hours.

Usually I am gathering gifts all year long as I see them for friends and family. It is what I have always done and it works well for me. Then of course I also buy last minute gifts that strike my fancy for someone.

This year our family is being extra cautious and careful as the urge to overspend is all too dangerous and none of us can well afford to do so. As a result many of our gifts are from the heart and are handmade. For those that do not sew or bead or craft they make something related to food or creativity in the kitchen. We luckily have lots of talent in our family and it comes from many generations back. Thank you Grandma and Mom for being so creative.

So for today I wanted to share with you a wonderful etsy shop that has unique items that are very affordable and fun to give. I have purchased from this very talented lady and I was extremely pleased with my items and with her customer service. Then my daughter bought from her also and she was very pleased. Therefore it is my pleasure to introduce you to
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mouserkinsmagic for possibly your simplest shopping solutions. The photo above is one of Jennifer Nillson's wonderful drawings. Please visit her shop to see if there is something there for your gift list. You might use them as tags, special inserts to cards and letters mailing to out-of-area friends and family, or merely as stocking stuffers.

May your holiday shopping be serene this season.

Please let me know if you visit this link and if this post has been helpful for you.

Hello September...

Hello September and welcome. August has come and gone in what seemed like record time this year. It was a very busy month and I enjoyed it very much. Even getting older wasn't so bad. I had wonderful times with family and friends celebrating and enjoying food, laughter, shopping and stories. So now we welcome September. The evenings are getting just a little cooler and it is beginning to feel like fall is in the air.
So with the coming of September I am reminded that Christmas is not far away. Therefore I have begun to work on projects that I always set aside. No photos for this post as dear hubby has my camera with him in Bonneville at the Salt Flats. I sewed some comfort dolls to send to Pat Winter. www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com This is a wonderful effort and you should check it out. Nothing feels better than giving to others.
I had some vintage Christmas stocking panels and decided to make those. I already have plans for them this year. I also have more projects to finish however I thought it was amazing I got this much done.
Now I am on to more projects which I will share later.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Stay safe and healthy.

Progress is being made...

Well this is progress for me. I have avoided using an actual photo of myself for all the obvious reasons...I hate how I look. In reality I am very aware of my age and my girth but that doesn't make it any more pleasant. I certainly do not want to show everyone, however in my wisdom of age I realize that I am who I am and I have earned every wrinkle and pound from experiencing life. At this stage of age I am actually enjoying being who I am and find it very comfortable. So on that note I say hello to anyone in blog land who is kind enough to read or follow what I have to say.
As for another bit of progress I am making...I am doing the steps to make my blog and my etsy online store and my facebook and my new twitter all reflect the same photo and name of createology so as to be consistent. In setting goals and reviewing them I find I need to update and create an image of continuity towards being successful with my business growth. I am no longer playing and having a hobby as now I am seriously pursuing a valid business of making and selling my lines of products. I will expand on this in future posts.
Thank you to my friend Margaret who is spending her valuable time coaching me.
Thank you to my dear hubby who is trying to be patient with my progress.

P.S. This photo looks like I could be looking in a mirror and I am seeing my mother. lol

August already???

I am so not proud of myself and need to express it to blog readers. I have not worked hard enough towards my goals of selling my handmade items on Etsy.
My etsy shop http://createology.etsy.com is not what I would have hoped it to be. I have not made nearly enough effort on promoting my shop nor have I been listing items like I was planning on doing. Somehow I thought it would be the catalyst for having the public see my lovely items I make and that they just could not resist owning a "Saucy Chick Sherry" creation. My dear husband really believes in my beautiful boas so much that he has spent countless hours traveling and finding just the right specialty shops for beads or fibers or ribbons and he invested a lot of money to buy those specialty components for each boa. Alas, no sales from etsy. I really feel like I am letting him down as well as myself. So...
I have a very dear friend who is going to teach me how to do a better job than I have been doing of marketing my etsy shop. Of course I am blogging about this as a way of making myself commit to working hard and learning a lot. Since blogging is partly a journal of where and how we are progressing then what better way to put myself on notice.
I am hoping to begin making progress very soon.

What do you get...

What do you get when you combine fabric, scissors, thread, ribbon, heart buttons, wiggle eyes, soft stuffing, swarovski crystals and lots of love and attention? Well you get the most adorable little companion doggies with a wrist "leash" that can keep you company. I recently made six of them and now have this more than cute litter of pups. Each one in shades of black, cream, white or red.

They are each a mere 4 inches tall and 5 inches wide with a wrist ribbon leash of 11 inches total. Never any barking or unnecessary noise and no cost of food or time spent cleaning up after them. Just lots of fun, companionship and smiles. Each one of the litter has their own personality and style even though they each resemble a scotty dog. I am trying not to name them or get too attached as I am hoping to share them with others through my etsy shop http://createology.etsy.com/ where they will be listed very soon. Please do not judge them by their photos alone as some were very shy and some just are not as photogenic as the others were. Please go and preview each of them in case you have the perfect recipient for such a cute companion doggie.

Many hours went into making each and every one of these adorable doggies. Please note that items are sewn on and could pose a possible hazard if removed and ingested or mishandled in any way.

I am so thrilled at how they each turned out that I will donate 10% of each sale to our local animal shelter in order to help other cuties who are not so fortunate. I will even match the 10% in order to ensure even more help to our furry friends. My fur-child Sasha (aka BooBoo Kitty) highly approves of this decision. She completely appreciates her life of love, care and food and hopes others will have the same for them. Thank you meowy much.

It feels so good to be creating and crafting and have such cute results.

http://createology.etsy.com

Happy Wednesday to each of you.

Our weather is sunshine today and the snow is melting from the trees and railings of the decks. We are shoveling lots of snow from our very big and steep driveway. Time to be able to get the cars moved around to their proper garages so hubby can work on them properly.

I have posted a new item on etsy and this is a picture of it. A very fun paper apron. My wonderful and beloved Grandma taught me how to make these many years ago while she was alive. When Somerset Studios magazine announced a "challenge" for their newest publication apron*ology we couldn't resist submitting an apron to them. Unfortunately we Saucy Chicks did not get selected, however we are still hopeful as we have not received our apron back as of yet. In purchasing their first edition of apron*ology and reading it through we Saucy Chicks are somewhat surprised that they didn't select our paper apron. What are they thinking?!?! Maybe the next edition will feature us and our accomplishment. We have actually submitted many items to Somerset Studios and their numerous pulications and we feel very confident that our turn is coming. We know we are worthy!

I am checking my list of to do's and trying to complete some of them today. Listing a new item on etsy and posting a new blog today is definitely a completion of two items on the list.

October Ending...

My how the time is passing by. It is exactly one month to the day since our last post. When I think I should feel terrible that I have been neglectful and let down our readers and followers I remember that we do not have readers and followers as of yet. :-( It seems that none of our families or friends are in tune with "blogging" and therefore do not regularly visit our site.



Now for October coming to an end...the fall colors are in full spectrum here in Northern California. Many of the trees have completely finished and shed their leaves while other trees are just beginning to change from greens to gorgeous reds, burgandy, oranges, yellows and golds. With just the slightest breeze leaves just "rain" down to the ground and pile up thickly awaiting the human rake crews or the lazy leaf blowers. All in all this time of year is so beautiful and the weather is just perfect. We are currently awaiting rain that will be very welcome to the earth and flora and fauna.



This is also the time of year that our thoughts turn to gift giving very soon. With that in mind we begin our gift lists and shopping and plans. Most of the Saucy Chick shopping is for supplies which help us to make our gifts for our listed recipients. This past week we have been designing some lovely jewelry...bracelets and necklaces. We have some new and exciting items we are working on and will be placing in our Etsy shop as soon as we open for business.



Speaking of opening our Etsy shop reminds of a quote recently read...author unknown:

"Courage - Willing to act in the face of the unknown." This pretty much describes our reluctance to move forward and just open Etsy for Createology. We still welcome any hints, tips, suggestions or help if you already have an Etsy experience or shop of your own.



Happy Halloween to all and be safe.