New Treasuries!

After a bit of a dry spell, I woke up to my work in not one but two treasuries this morning!

The first, "Shades of Red", was curated by WhimsyBeading of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team. It's gorgeous! Many thanks to her for including my Autumn Colors Crazy Quilt bracelet.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=74933

The second, "They Tried to Make Me Go to Rehab" is a hilarious homage to the Etsy Beadweavers' collective obsession with color, primarily purple and green with a little turquoise thrown in for good measure! Many thanks to LittleStoneDesign for including my What If I'm a Mermaid bracelet.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=74982

B.E.S.T. Treasury

WhimsyBeading created a treasury based on Bluegrass Etsy Street Team members and included my Green with Envy bracelet. The treasury, "It ain't easy being green (BEST)" is a plethora of shades of green.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=73626

I'm still waiting to hear about the FMG and Use the Muse results. I submitted some pieces to "Creative Jewelry" for publication but didn't get in. There's always next year, so I'll work on something for that. In the meantime, I'm working on a custom order for my mom with some shells that she picked up along the beach on the Outer Banks last year. I also need to order some Lapis for a custom necklace for a friend.

The last week hasn't been a fun one for me and I've made some decisions that I'm not quite ready to go public with yet. Let's just say one door closes and another opens.

Treasury

Creativesque created a treasury based on FAM Team members and included my Redbud Earrings. The treasury is a beautiful riot of color.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=71562

I finished my Use the Muse entry and my friend Stephen helped me photograph it. I can't reveal it yet (per the rules) but I'm pretty happy with it.

I also made a piece on Friday that I'm really happy with. I'm going to plot this one out & submit it to B&B, I think. I can't remember seeing anything like it. I made it up as I went along, but it's not freeform, and it's not so elaborate that I wouldn't mind recreating it in order to write the instructions.

Voting & Treasury Time!

The entries for the July challenge, "Here Comes the Bride" are in! They are as always simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Etsy Beadweavers took the time and have the talent to create these inspiring challenge pieces! Tiny little beads and a needle and thread along with incredible patience bring these selections to you to vote and choose your favorite. I am so honored to be included with such a talented group of beaders!

You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic on the EBW blog which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece!

Voting begins today, Thursday, July 9th and ends midnight July 15th. Show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists and take on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot is on the side bar at right on the EBW Blog.) Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link.

My entry, "The Mermaid Bride" is #25 in the mosaic and on the right in the voting block!

Also, GrumpyTomsAttic put together a treasury of folks like me who took the time to vote in the CCCOE challenge. Thanks so much! The treasury features my Magnolia Derby Hat.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=69217

I Did It - Finally!

After 4 years of rejection letters, I finally got into Kentucky Crafted! I was fully prepared to have to run to the grocery store for a consoling pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey, but I actually made it. I have a mandatory meeting on the 21st of this month to attend regarding what's expected of me, attending Crafted at the Market, use of logos, etc., but I'm pretty excited. The program requires no rejurying in every year and can be helpful in getting into galleries or retail locations, which is exactly what I need. Things have been very slow lately and I'm having to contemplate taking a full-time job in order to make ends meet. I really don't want to let the gallery go, but I have to be realistic.

There's a fabulous treasury I'm in that expires in just a few hours. It features many of the entries for the July Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge - Here Comes the Bride, including my "The Mermaid Bride". Thanks to the lovely enchantedbeas for putting it together. Check out both of her shops!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=59867

Please visit the EtsyBeadWeavers’ blog between the 9th and 15th of July to see all the beautiful entries in this challenge and vote for your favourite!!!! http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

I also listed quite a few new pieces the other day (and I have many more lucite pieces to photograph & list, but there's only so many hours in a day!):

Grandma's Crazy Quilt Bracelet:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27321154
Pink Bud Earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27323742
Redbuds Earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27323444
The Mermaid Bride (again!):
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27322566

Relisted:
Keep on Searching for a Heart of Gold:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27324072
Warm Fuzzies:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21798663

Treasury Time

DaisiesAreOurSilver put together a Kentucky-themed treasury ("Kentucky loveliness") and was nice enough to feature one of my hats! Thanks so much!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=67218

I started my entry for the EBW July challenge and am still working on my entry for the Use the Muse contest. My wrists have been giving me grief, but I'm happy with both pieces thus far!

Oh what to write...

I've GOT to get better at blogging. My life has been a bit crazy lately, but I need to take some time to visit this place more often.

I got my beads in for the Use the Muse project. I've pulled some of my beads out to incorporate into the piece, but haven't really sat down & thought about where it'll go yet. Most of my pieces end up telling me where they want to go, anyway! I've drawn out a few pieces and they usually end up veering off from my original intent. They know where they want to go & they're not about to let me force them in any direction other than that one!

I started working on the July EBW challenge - Here Comes the Bride. I missed the June challenge of humor, but that's ok. I think I needed a month off! This piece is definitely leading me in a direction that I didn't think it was going to go!

I was in a treasury last week, but totally missed blogging about it. Boourns!

I got an email from Jessica King at Fire Mountain Gems last night with the copy for my Success Story. OMG! I'm so flattered. My jaw hit the floor and I grinned like an idiot after reading it. What a compliment! Once the story is up & posted, I'll link to it.

The earrings in the post are a pair that I did for my friend Jenn as a custom order. Very happy with the way they turned out!

Long time, No post!

The last few weeks have been rather hectic around here, so I haven't gotten to post, even though I've been creating new listings in my etsy store. I really haven't had time to bead, so the items I've been listing are ones that I've had in the gallery for a while, but had neglected to post. Most of that is rectified now, I'm pleased to say. In the last few weeks, my daughter graduated from Kindergarten, turned 6, won a slew of awards and has made me just an all around proud mom.

The always lovely Ileana of enchantedbeads included my Chrysoprase Earrings in her treasury, Gotcha!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=62056

New listings!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25616956
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25623950
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25722913
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25661185
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25661557
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25723800

Also, a pair of my earrings is being given away over at the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team blog. Go check it out!

Featuring... Me!

Just got word from the fab SpoolOfPlenty that she's included my "Tulle Anyone?" hat in her latest Bluegrass Etsy Street Team treasury, "Wedding Time in Kentucky."

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=58387

In other news, I had an email from Fire Mountain Gems in response to a submission I'd made about becoming one of their featured artists. Turns out, one of the ladies in marketing began following my blog and reading other features on me! They asked me to be one of their success stories on their Back Cover artists! I'm really honored to be asked to do that!

I've been really busy with web design lately and haven't been able to create a whole lot of jewelry. I've done some repair work on some older jewelry for some ladies in town, but haven't had time to play. That's ok, since I get paid for programming/design time! If you're interested in checking those sites out, I've been working on http://www.lebanonmarionchamber.com, http://www.visitlebanonky.com and http://www.teamtaylorcounty.com.

I've also started working 10 hours a week at the Marion County Public Library. Things have been so and I need the extra income, plus it's a great group to work with. I truly believe that we have the coolest librarians around, not to mention one of the greatest facilities, especially for a small town.

Run for the Roses!

Today is Oaks Day here in the Bluegrass State (that would be the fillies' race, for you non-Kentuckians) and tomorrow is the Derby. This state goes nuts, Louisville in particular. I've never been to the Derby and would love to go. I heard a news spot this morning on the radio, talking about how there were still tickets available for both the Derby and Oaks, as well as hotel rooms. That's a true sign of the weak economy, when you generally can't get a room anywhere near Louisville during Derby weekend.

BUT, on a happy note, simpleelementsdesign has honored myself and some other folks with a treasury dedicated to the Derby.

Run for the Roses
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55372

I've been programming the last few days and haven't done much in the way of jewelry. I did get some chain maille done last night with some cool anodized aluminum, but have other projects to work on today. Repair, custom redesign of a belt into a necklace, and a custom order. Hopefully, I'll get my EBW challenge finished and be able to work on my B.E.S.T. challenge entry!

Treasury Time Again

Paula at intothewoods1 has included one of my beaded ornaments in her treasury, "Surf's Up! Gnarly Hues, man." Thanks, Paula!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55204

I haven't had time to work on my entry for the EBW challenge. I'm supposed to be working on the Chamber's website and need to get in that frame of mind. I'd like to have a good portion of it done before starting work at the library next week.

I also need to get my things together for the jury process at Kentucky Crafted. Is the 5th time a charm? I hope so. I hate rejection.

Speaking of rejection, I didn't make it into Bead Dreams this year. I'm planning on doing a piece just for the show next year, like I did in 2008. In my copious amounts of spare time :)

Oh what a weekend!

I had a pretty fabulous weekend. Friday night, my friend Kate and I took another friend, Anne, out for a night in Louisville. Anne had twin girls at 23 1/2 weeks and has been living in the Ronald McDonald House in Louisville for 8 weeks now. The girls are at Kosairs and are doing so well - just last week they were both extubated and have already been worked down to the lowest oxygen level! I've been kicking myself for not getting up there since the twinkies were born, but it was so good to drag Anne out for a night of conversation, dinner and good beer at BBC. We walked down to Borders afterward at 4th Street Live and then back to the RMH. I love Louisville and I love my girlfriends.

On Saturday, I got my kiddo and drove back to Louisville for a Bluegrass Etsy Street Team meet & greet at Tina Mackin's studio on Barret. What fun! It was so great to meet the ladies who came, put faces and voices to the names, as well as share ideas. After coming home, the fab Libby snagged a treasury (check out her soaps, one pictured to the right), including everyone who was there. My Blue and Orange Derby hat is one of the featured pieces.

Orange You Glad You're in Kentucky!?
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=51820

Amber and I got back to Lebanon about 6 and stayed in. Sunday morning, we stayed in our jammies as long as possible before hitting her soccer party, the park and then back to her dad's. I got my butt kicked at disc golf by my friend Stephen and then had drinks at Los Mariachis. I love my driving disc in the pond, though. Drat!

I finished the chain maille bracelet I was working on for one customer, which allowed me to get some work done on my entry for the Etsy Beadweavers May Challenge. I have some other projects that I have to finish (paying projects!) today before I pick the needle back up on the challenge piece, but it's coming along rather nicely.

In other news, I got a part-time job! I'm so excited! I've been needing to do something that would guarantee income and I couldn't be more excited about the venue - our local library. I swear, we have the coolest librarians on the planet.

Voting Still Open

What a talented group of Etsians in the Etsy-Beadweavers team! I'm always blown away by their work anyway, but these challenges really are quite awesome.

The fab Ginny of Njema Creations has curated a Treasury featuring some of the entries in April's "Time Machine" challenge. Go check it out & don't forget to vote in the EBW challenge on the EBW blog. You have until tomorrow to cast your vote.

A Trip Through Time Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=50362

I have more pieces to photograph, but haven't been able to get to them. I'll try to rectify that!

In the meantime, I've relisted a few items:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18784495
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18737344

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14698463
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14693536

Glass, Glitter & Glaze

Robin from facesarefunny is doing a bang up job of catching treasuries for the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team. The latest, The Old Bald Cheater and 11 more b&w greats from the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team, features one of my glass tile pendants. Thanks, Robin! Go give the treasury some love!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=50046

Speaking of glass tiles, I spent much of yesterday glazing some decorative paper onto some new rounds for some bracelets, earrings and rings. I was covered in Diamond Glaze and glitter for a while, but it was worth it. Today's project entails a few more coats of Diamond Glaze and some sanding.

I also ordered some beads for the new EBW challenge for May, Hollywood Red Carpet Creations. It's been a while since I've ordered beads for a specific challenge. I've been trying to use up leftover beads from old projects, but I couldn't resist getting some Swarovski for this challenge. Ideas abound!

There's still time to vote for your favorite entry in the April EBW Team Challenge, Time Machine. Voting is open until the 15th of this month! Go! Vote!

New Treasury

Binkaminka has included my Copper and Silver SteamPunk Pendant 1 in her treasury, Wild Solitudes.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=48895

I've also listed two new bracelets:

Oooooh, Shiny Object!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22903302

The Spring Spiral
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22902740

New Treasury and Work

The fab facesarefunny from the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team put together another great treasury, this time called Tangled Up in Blue (I love Bob Dylan!). She was nice enough to feature my Wrapped in Blue glass time bracelet! Go give it some love.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=48136

I've also been hot gluing away on my Kentucky Derby hats and have been enjoying it immensely. I've finished 6 and have another 9 coming in to work on. If anyone out there is interested, message me through here or Facebook about ordering a custom one. I'll be posting pics of the completed ones soon and am thinking about listing them on Etsy. I've got two private showings in April that I'll be traveling and taking the hats to (Girls Night Out in Louisville & Wine Tasting in Richmond), but they're on display here in the gallery, as well.

I've also finished up my Time Travel entry for the Etsy Beadweavers April challenge. I've got it photographed, but haven't had time to crop, etc. I'll have it up before the end of the week. In the meantime, here's a few pics of it in progress to wet your whistle!

Temptation Treasury

Voting is still going on at Etsy-Beadweavers for the March challenge. Please go vote! You have until the 15th of this month!

Tied to that is a new treasury put together by njema:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46481

I'm currently making flowers for Kentucky Derby hats, one seed bead at a time. Break out the Icy Hot!

Treasuries Galore!

I feel so blessed to be part of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team when I see treasuries like the two that I was honored to be part of. What great artists and a great variety! Soaps, jewelry, hand-dyed & hand-spun yarn, paper crafts, fine art... it's all there and more!

The first treasury was put together by facesarefunny and is called ...hypnotized... by these Kentucky wonders.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=44522

The second treasury is called Am I Foxy? and was put together by WhimsybyMari.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46006

New Treasury!

The lovely & talented Smadar of SmadarsTreasure has featured my Black, White & Red All Over bracelet in her treasury, Red, White & Black. If you read Bead&Button, check out her work in the current issue!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=45425

Another Treasury

Wow. I'm blown away at the mentions in treasuries lately on Etsy. The latest mention comes from my Bluegrass Etsy Street Team cohort, facesarefunny.

Swirly!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=43212