Happy Halloween!

Yes, it's my favorite holiday today! I just love Halloween! All the spookiness and fun costumes and decorations. It's such a great part of the Fall season to celebrate Halloween! My kids are all set to go Trick or Treating this evening, and I know they will have fun. We don't do the typical around the neighborhood thing, we actually go to my parents, grandmothers and of course Ann Marie's house. My dad takes the kids around his neighborhood and that's good. I'll post a picture of them in their costumes tomorrow!

Last night I made a beautiful piece called Northern Shores. These beads were made by Michele of Moonfairy Glass. I've had them in my secret stash for so long, I think it's time to share! Accented by Aquamarine and Smoked Topaz Swarovski Crystals, spacers, Bali bead caps and a hammered toggle clasp. Very cool! It's going on Etsy today!

Hope you all have a great Halloween!

A Crisp Fall Day!

It's absolutely FREEZING outside! I said crisp, I was mistaken! The sun feels so nice when it beats on me through the window, but man it's definitely not a good day to be outside photographing jewelry! I'm somewhat sad today because I dropped my kittens off this morning to be neutered, and I miss them so much. I cried all the way home. I hope they are doing ok, and not angry with me! I'll give them lots of love when they come home this afternoon.

On a more positive note, I made some jewelry last night! YAY! These gorgeous glass beads were made by Melissa Rediger and they are SO pretty in person. The sun was casting lots of shadows this morning so I had to lighten them up in Photoshop to reveal their true colors. I have accented these beads with beautiful Swarovski rings in Copper and Green and added hand wrapped Swarovski Crystal charms in Topaz, Smoked Topaz, and Olivine. It is finished with an heirloom toggle clasp. I made the matching earrings, with really pretty silver bead caps, and then I had 1 bead left over. So I made a matching pendant, with another green Swarovski Ring, matching crystals and strung it on Sterling Silver wire. This is such a great set! I hope you love it as much as I do! Melissa, these beads are so pretty! I may need more in the future! :) These are going up on Etsy now! Go check them out!

Leave it to a WOMAN~

I've been calling tech support for weeks now, as you know, from reading all my posts about my horrible computer issues. I have been struggling with Java script errors and keep calling and calling with no resolution from the representatives that I have spoken to. I know they tried, but kept passing the buck to either the manufacturer of my computer or Microsoft themselves.

This morning, I called and got a woman on the phone. She said, she apologized for any inconvenience that I was having and that she would try to help me out. Within 5 minutes of being on the phone with her, she not only found the problem but also had walked me through fixing it. I'm back up and running at full speed now!

If you want something done, ask a man. If you want something done RIGHT, ask a WOMAN!

A gift for Aunt Karen

Here's the necklace I was telling you about yesterday, I finished it last night. It features Carey's disks in purple and green and matching seed beads which I have woven throughout this design to make this delicate lightweight piece. My Aunt Karen is the woman I spoke about in earlier posts, who I dedicated my breast cancer awareness pieces to this year. She is struggling with her treatment lately and I've been asked by my mom to make her a lightweight piece to lift her spirits. Her favorite colors are purple and green (just like me!) and so I thought this would fit the bill perfectly. I am going to make more of these, as they are so fun and easy to wear, plus I have a mountain of Carey's disks (they are my favorite) to work with in great colors! Stay tuned for more of these to come!

Inspired

We had a blast this weekend! Lots of fun meeting Carey in person. I've updated our blog Class With A Whole Lotta Sass with some new pictures of our weekend if you'd like to check it out. There was not much jewelry made, however, I did start a necklace that will be gorgeous when it's done. I'll post a picture if I can get it finished tomorrow. There are lots of new ideas I have in mind and a jewelry show coming up in two weeks. I'd better get cracking on making some new pieces! Check back soon for more pictures of new designs. This weekend is just what I needed to become inspired again, Thanks Carey!

Out of town guests...

It's official! Carey and Hailey will be here tomorrow morning! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! Ann and I have a lot planned for the girls visit, but I fear that a lot of our plans will be changed due to the rain that is upon our doorstep for tomorrow afternoon/evening. I know for certain that we'll be doing dinner out, it's always fun to treat yourself every once in a while! Plus we will definitely need to have a jewelry making session. Carey's been waiting for her chair to be brought up and placed in my office! I would like to take a trip up to Topsmead State Park. There are some lovely areas to take pictures there and view the foliage that may be left after the wind we've had lately. I want to update our website Class With A Whole Lotta Sass with some new stuff! Well stay tuned for pictures of our fun filled weekend! I'm hoping that I'll have lots of new jewelry to post in the store too.

Thank goodness!

Antibiotics to the rescue! I'll be back to normal in no time! :) I just called the doctor and told him how miserable I am, and he called me in a Z-pac. You gotta love that! I'm thrilled, because I'm sick of being sick. Keep checking back, I have some great beads out on my desk just waiting to be made into jewelry! Lots to do and some beautiful glass to work with! I'll be back tomorrow with pictures, and hopefully a less stuffy head! :)

Like New!

Well this weekend was a very crazy one! I assisted at a wedding in Brooklyn, NY and am fighting a terrible head cold. I am so sore and stuffed up that I think my head could probably REALLY explode! I am expecting Carey and Hailey this weekend so I must rid myself of this cold! I'm sure I will be fine by then. I'm getting rest and trying to recoup and also regroup and get back into the swing of making jewelry! I have LOTS of ideas on my mind and it's just a matter of choosing to go upstairs and sit down to make things, rather than say... taking a nap? :)

Just a reminder that all my Halloween jewelry is on sale over on Etsy, so please swing by to check it out! As a special offer, I'll upgrade to priority shipping at no additional charge with any purchase. Just mention the code "UPGRADE" in your checkout notes and I'll take care of the rest!

On a positive note, my computer is almost like new! I have received and installed my new hard drive. Almost have all my programs loaded back in, and I got the keyboard and mouse today. So far, so good! No issues to report! Let's try to keep it that way! I'm a very unhappy camper when my computer misbehaves, so I have a smile on my face for now! :)

Thanks for checking in, I'm going to make it a priority to get some new items posted before the weekend!

Holiday Spectacular!

The holiday's are rapidly approaching, and so I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about the Holiday Spectacular that the CT Etsy Team will be hosting on December 6, 2008 at the Holiday Inn, North Haven. It will be similar to the Jewelry Spectacular that we did in June, however, there will be other items besides jewelry present. Great venue to do some holiday shopping! There is a link below to the flyer and listing of vendors that will be present so far. This will be updated as more vendors sign on so you can feel free to check it often, and tell your friends! Mark your calendars! Hope to see you there.

Holiday Spectacular!

Open Window...lift PC... FLING it as far as you can!

Man, I hate computers! I've been having such trouble with mine, I could just scream! I had to install my Windows operating system again last night. Lost everything. Plus it's still crashing! So, I am waiting for Dell to send me a new hard drive. My warranty is up in 2 weeks, so I made a big, BIG stink! If I don't get on for a couple of days, that would be why, but please don't lose faith in me.

I'm instituting my 1 piece a day again starting today until the end of the year in preparation of the holiday shows coming up. Hopefully I can get what I need to get accomplished! I am assisting at a wedding on Saturday in NY and so I'll be gone the whole day. If I get my piece of the day done, I'll try to get it posted asap! That is, if you don't find my computer in the street! :)

The "Spooktacular" Collection...

I have just updated on my other blog the pictures of my "Spooktacular" Halloween 2008 Collection! Click here to visit Class With A Whole Lotta Sass!

Here are a couple of pictures of what I have worked on so far, and I have lots left to go! I'll be listing them up on Etsy shortly and I'll post more pictures later on. I'm going on a hike today with my Girl Scout Troop, it's a beautiful day! Hope you all have a good one!

Keep your fingers crossed!

UPDATE: I'm out of the boot!!! YEAH!!! 90% healed and I don't have to wear it anymore unless my foot hurts. I can't wear heels for another year, only sneakers and flip flops, but I'll TAKE it!!


Today is my follow up with the foot doctor, to see when I can get out of this boot!! I'm crossing everything I've got... fingers, toes, eyes, whatever! I am so over this thing, and now I want to get back to normal. I'll let you know how I make out! Be back later for an update! Cross those fingers for me, please!!

Seeing Double...

Last night I had the privilege to photograph two of the cutest little twin boys, and I could not resist sharing a couple of their pictures. This is sure to bring a smile to your face. Congratulations to Vicki and Paul, you have adorable little boys!

"R" is for RICH...

Rich, Robust RED! This watch was made with beautiful glass lip shaped beads in a deep Red with silver flecks throughout. I have wrapped them with Siam Swarovski Crystals to keep in style with the shape of the watch face and beads, along with Oasis beads and a hammered silvertone clasp. This watch would be wonderful for the holiday season coming up! Great with a pair of black pants or jeans, you choose! It's going up on Etsy now! Be back tomorrow with more. Have a great night!

Autumn Splendor!

I have just added the pictures of this bracelet on my new blog "Class With A Whole Lotta Sass!". I made this bracelet with Carey's hollow beads, Copper and Olivine Swarovski Crystals, Pewter leaves, pine cones and panten beads, Bali Bead caps and Toggle clasp. WOW!

This piece can be custom ordered with colors and charms of your choosing! I happen to love the fall and so this piece reflects so much of my own personality. I just love it and it is very comfortable on. This style is one that I love to make so please feel free to send me ideas of what you would like to see as a variation on it and I will do my best to accommodate!

Sorry for the lack of sunshine in the pictures, I wish the sun was out to add that little bit of sparkle to the crystal, but you get the idea. Hope you have a great day!

Autumn in Connecticut...

You just can't beat Fall in New England. The leaves are turning much faster this season than I remember, so I took the opportunity this morning (while running errands) to drive around to some of my usual haunts and check out the scenery. I took some pictures around my parents house, it's so serene there. There is a pond down the street, where most of these were taken, and they are practically in the woods so the bend in the street was a big draw for me too. The old barn has been there since I was a kid. I just think the way that the trees frame it adds to its character.

The kids thought I was crazy, stopping every few minutes to jump out with my camera. I hope you like these. I may list some up for sale in my Etsy Store (http://www.klphotography.etsy.com/) in case there is an interest. I have pictures like these from previous years hanging all over my house. Just love the colors, and the fact that I put my shorts away, pulled out the long sleeves and there was a lovely breeze today. Which rippled the water in such a dramatic way on the pond. The last picture, I messed with in Photoshop. I added a filter to make it antique looking and blurred the edges. I love it, what do you think? Have a great fall day!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Thanks for stopping by today. I have a couple of pictures to show you of my Breast Cancer jewelry that I design each year. The first is my earrings featuring a White coin shaped glass bead with the raised pink ribbon, accented by Rose Swarovski Crystals and spacers. The bracelet features the clear coin shaped glass bead with the raised pink ribbon, again accented by the Rose Swarovski Crystal and spacers, and a Silver Ribbon Charm near the lobster claw clasp.

Both of these pieces can be purchased by custom order, and the beads will be based on availability. During this month, these awareness items are hard to come by, so I am trying to get my hands on a stock of both the white and the clear. I like them both!

My newsletter went out this morning, and those of you on my mailing list know that I am dedicating this years Awareness designs of mine to my Aunt Karen. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor and although she is having a rough patch right now with treatment, she is by far the strongest person I know! She is a wonderful person, with such a great perspective on life, so please add her to your list of prayers this month. I will be adding a silver "Survivor" charm to some of the bracelets this month when I get them in, in honor of her. This will be a limited edition add at no additional charge for this month only.

Also, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my Breast Cancer Awareness items is always donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I'll be putting up one bracelet and earring set today on Etsy, but I will list these as a made to order listing. Thanks again for your support of these great items for a great cause!