Quickly Does The Time March On

EtsyBloggers ask, “We are already on March!! What have you accomplished this year in real life or on Etsy?? Have you followed your New Year's resolutions? What are your plans for the rest of 2009?”

Good questions. I know I’ve washed the kitchen floor at least once. As far as New Year’s resolutions, I didn’t make any. I set goals (if I set goals) as the opportunity arises. I don’t see a need, then postpone it until the New Year like a diet (everyone knows diets can only start on Mondays.)

I have taken my jewelry making in a slightly new direction. This year I’m actually (gasp) doing something other than Peyote Stitch. I’m doing some pieces featuring dazzling Swarovski crystals and fire polish beads in triangle weave and right angle weave.

And the rest of 2009? I let my jewelry obsession take me where it chooses so who knows? I do need to knuckle down and get a few more items on Etsy, which means I need to work on my photos. I’d love to be more involved with craft shows however I have to put most of that burden on my mom as I can’t get there early (I work until 1AM.)

And finally I’d like to get off my big fat chair and hit some yard sales.

While I believe in reaching for the stars, I go for the...you know...closer ones.

Design By Nora

Nora’s shop on Etsy features adorable (or should I say a”nora”ble?) polymer clay button earrings. Just the kind of thing that brightens up an entire outfit or a gloomy day. Her line of purses, made by her uncle Naz, run from snazzy & fun to contemporary & classy.

For another quick pick-me-up, check out her blog. It’s fun, fast reading, a bright light in the blog sky.

DEAR HUNTING

From time to time, I gather small thoughts for my blog. They are too small to warrant their own post, so I put them all together in one crazy, mixed up blog. This is that blog.

1. This title came to me in a dream. Since I have Anthony, I’m not dear hunting (unless you know someone really rich?) and could not come up with anything to go with it. But I really really wanted to use it anyway. (I suppose if I Googled it, I’d find it’s been used, but I don’t even want to know. For now, it’s all mine.)

2. I worked with someone who, every Sunday, would go to the gift shop and buy a newspaper. At the time, I had a subscription so I started bringing in my paper so she’d save a few bucks. Eventually my subscription ended and I did not renew, so I could save a few bucks. Then, I noticed she went back to buying the newspaper on Sundays, and I would find it in the garbage. She’d never even ask if I’d like to read it. So what is that? Inconsideration? Selfishness? Self-centeredness? What???

3. It’s 10 steps to the garbage. Why, poker player, must you throw your trash under the table???

4. Corporations have RUINED Vegas! ‘Nuff said.

5. Sun City, please build in Reno.

Why Didn't I??

It’s not that I didn’t think of using the suits from a deck of cards in my jewelry designs. I actually thought about it a lot. After all, I live in Las Vegas, I work in a casino, in a POKER ROOM yet! Many a time I pondered and doodled possible patterns for peyote stitch, but with absolutely no success. Sure I came up with a diamond and a heart. I thought I was getting close on a spade but the club! Oh that rebel club was elusive.

Fortunately there are beaders/designers out there more talented, more artistic, more…better than me! They (Redbeast Designs, Barbara E. Elbe) came up with these. Why didn’t I? (This subject courtesy of EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival.)

Introducing Donna Pool

Have you ever spent time in one of those really eclectic gift shops, the kind where you're not surprised to find just about anything and yet everything you find is surprising? Well, featured Etsy Blogger Donna Pool's shop is just like that.

I wandered through, virtually picking up fun vintage buttons, adorable hand-stitched toys and oh, the most wonderful photographs!

Check out Donna's shop at Etsy and for more information on her creative endeavours, head on over to Donna's blog.

A good time is guaranteed for all.

Perfectly Twisted

I'm fascinated by wire wrapping. Just a little piece of wire, bent here, twisted there, and you've turned a simple stone into a framed masterpiece.

So far I have not delved into the art and craft of wire work. But I'm going to share with you someone who has, and with great success.

Susan of Perfectly Twisted Jewelry has been designing jewelry for three years and selling for two. It was her love of unusual stones that drove Susan to her art. And in Susan's skilled hands there is no doubt that this is art.



Susan is generous with her gift as well, selling tutorials as well as finished designs in her Etsy store. And next month she begins teaching at her local bead store.

Please check out fellow Esmarts member Susan's work at her Etsy store and her blog, you will be amazed and inspired.

Open A New Window

Open A New Door
Travel A New Highway...




My work has suddenly turned a corner.
What do you think?