Mini Monday Feature: jnoriginals

Hello all, just adding a feature to help support some of my fellow etsy bloggers! Featuring Judy and her 3 Etsy websites!!! She's got tons of crafty items!

hand crochet "Scarflette"

hand felted Needle Book

"Mini Brag Book"

Her first shop is jnoriginals, http://www.jnoriginals.etsy.com/, has neat hand felted designs like the needle book above, and some pretty crochet items like the scartlette. There are a variety of felted flowers, business card holders, as well as crochet "spa cloths" and pretty handbags too. She has a unique way about her designs, each has a personal touch.

The second shop is Mister PenQuin, http://www.misterpenquin.etsy.com/. This shop features her "Creative accessories for Creative minds" and is full of writing books, the "mini brag book" as show above, and cute hand made note cards and gift tags. A great shop to help store those memories, ideas and photos.

Her third shop, 2nd Chance Treasures, http://2ndchancetreasures.etsy.com/ is full of just that. From old cross stitch patters, to holiday decor and others, this shop is a resale spot for someones old or used items that can become new again. It's a great way to recycle your treasures to someone else, you never know who might be interested....

Learn more about Judy's handcrafted designs, and other items from her blogs:

http://www.wordwalks.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.sparklines.blogspot.com/

Blog Carnival for January!!

For Etsy Bloggers Street Team January blog Carnival!

**What's your favorite Winter time activity?**

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I must start by mentioning that I'm not a fan of the cold weather, and I do love to stay inside on a chilly day! Living on the NC coast gets it's share of rain, snow, and cold weather for many more days of the year than Texas...I miss the warm January's there...but, I try to keep busy inside as I love the warmth of a snugly blanket and hot cocoa!

As of now it's cold here, but I'm definitely staying busy with jewelry orders and trends developments. I haven't made too much lately as I'm trying to get some of my stock sold before I indulge into more jewelry designs...a draw back of the January season no less...Christmas is over!

So I'm keeping busy with getting the house organized and fixed up nice to get ready to put it on the market. And there are lots of unorganized closets, shelves and storage that I have forgot about...and the garage definitely can use some cleaning love. It's a great time of year to re-vamp your organization, clean, and rearrange! I like the idea of cleanliness in the summertime and spring, but I'd much rather be outside than indoors cleaning when the weather is nice again!

The custom orders keep me busy so I'm glad about that, I don't have kids, just my Schatz dog and she sheds like it's already summer so I'm definitely keeping myself busy with all the vacuuming! Plus with all the cleanliness that's going on, I'll be ahead of the curve by the time allergy season hits!

Is it May yet?....

If I had my way I'd be taking advantage of the season and get to a place where I can snowboard!!!!! It's so fun! A trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains or West Virginia might need to be in order! That's the one part of the snow that I do enjoy!

New Contemporary Earrings

Larimer Stone Mangled Drops (SOLD)

Coral & Turquoise Stems

Large FW Pearl Stems (3 1/4" long)

The bottom two pairs are available on my Etsy website!

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Back from the whirlwind of a holiday trip to Texas....it was nice to be home for a while, but I'm glad to be back into the groove of things in NC! We just found out that the Marine Corps will be moving us to Amarillo, TX in June! We're excited!!!

I plan to continue my handy work, but hopefully have a better set up than just in a garage like I do now....so hot in the summer and cold in the winter! Brrrrrrr! But, I'm continuing to do custom orders until we have to move, but it will be a few months before that happens...

Below are some new items I am posting on my Etsy website so be on the lookout!

Pod Earrings & Pendant Necklace Set
Pod Pendant detail

Double Swirl Cuff Bracelet

Stud Ring


Stud Cuff Bracelet

Infinity Curve Cuff

Gallery Cuff Bracelet

Long Time No Lone Star...State!

Excited! We are heading back to the home front for the holidays! The eyes of Texas are upon us!

I will have all of my ready made jewelry there for you last minute shoppers, but custom orders will be on hold until I return on Jan 3rd. I will be able to do minor adjustments, but no much soldering. We have a craaaazy busy schedule to maintain while we see James' family and my family so we will be bouncing between Houston & San Antonio a lot, plus a day trip to Austin.

It will be crazy, but it will be great! I haven't been home since July...minus the Round Top trip to Dallas in September. And James hasn't been home since Christmas last year!!! Amazing! He's so excited to see everyone!

And Schatz will be in tow...

Magdelene Jewels - Mini Monday

Magdalene Jewels is today's Mini Monday featured Etsy Blogger! ((http://www.etsybloggers.blogspot.com/))

Artisan Pam, the person behind "MagdaleneJewels”, flexes her creative nature with embroidering, crocheting, knitting, and quilting. Her jewelry shop: http://www.magdalenejewels.etsy.com/ contains necklaces, bracelets and earrings mainly using Swarovski Crystals in her own creative designs.

Besides selling on Etsy, Pam also does a lot of custom orders and craft shows - and just recently opened up a new shop on Etsy: http://www.magdaleneknits.etsy.com/ which showcases a lot of knitted and crocheted items such as adorable baby booties and sweaters, scarfs, and neck warmers.

Check out her blogs at http://www.magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/ and http://www.magdalenejewelsblogs.blogspot.com/.

Great items Pam!

I smell a SALE!

Many apologies for no new posts lately about my jewelry...since my hubby has come home from Afghanistan it's been a whirl wind of going, doing, Thanksgiving and family! Ack! But I'm back on top of things for now...CHRISTMAS is around the corner! 28 more days!

Don't delay your shopping...especially on custom orders! I will be heading back to Texas come the second week of December so I am limited in my custom time this year. Get your orders in quick!

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-HOLIDAY SALE-

15% OFF SELECT B.W.SILVER ITEMS!

http://www.bwsilver.com/

Including...

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITEMS OVER $30

&

FREE GIFT WRAPPING ON ALL ITEMS!

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Get it while it's hot! I have shipped all my items to Houston for the Exxon Mobil Craft Show to be sold and, as you know, all of my items are one of a kind so get what you can while you can before the show on Dec. 2ND!

My Love

He's coming home finally! After 6 months in Afghanistan, my baby will be in my arms on Wednesday! I couldn't be happier to have him home! Thank you for all that you have done for this great country. You are truly a great American!

I guess I need to start getting the house cleaned and stock up on beer.......!!!!!

Hurry home James!

Lovely At Your Side

Got a convo today from an Etsy seller/lover of handmade goods. She wanted me to know that my Turquoise Bauble Necklace was featured on her website http://lovelyatyourside.com/

Here's the feature: http://www.lovelyatyourside.com/2009/11/lovely-dress-of-day_04.html

Thanks for the heads up!

Horrah!

Successful Sale {Blog Carnival!}

Thanks to Indulgeyourshelf for hosting this weeks Blog Carnival for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team! Q: What was your most successful sales event or product, and why do you think it was?

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I'd have to narrow that question down to two equally challenging, profitable and fun custom pieces. The first would have to be the Cross pendant necklace I custom made for my cousin Chris. He runs a Metalsmithing business in San Antonio, TX and wanted me to make him a custom pendant that matched his company logo. After design collaboration, we ended up with this idea and I hand cut, soldered and forged every detail.

Made form Argentium Sterling silver sheet, pendant measures 2" long on Sterling silver oxidized chain 18"

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My other successor would have to be the custom arm band I handmade for a customer in Spain. She asked me to make her a large {3" x 8.5"} arm cuff she could wear on her upper arm. She wanted the three rows of studs added for design flair and for it to be adjustable. This cuff was among the largest pieces I have ever had to solder and forge. It was a challenging piece, but I was very happy with the outcome and so was my customer...

Sterling Silver sheet with Sterling studs. One monster of an arm cuff!

I'd definitely say that these two pieces were the most successful due to the time, skill and money put into them. They are the most expensive pieces I have made and the most cherished. I hope the customers who have them know that I worked especially hard to ensure they were just as please with the design and outcome as I was. They helped me build my skills as a craftswoman and I hope for more challenging pieces in the future!