The Green Daisy: Fabulous Etsy Talent by Kimiko

While surfing Etsy a few days ago, and looking to purchase myself a little somethin' somethin' for an early birthday present to myself, I came acrossKimiko's shop, The Green Daisy. (OK that's a lie, I knew about Kimiko's shop for a while now, but I was just looking for a reason to treat myself so I didn't have guilt....) Well, I hurriedly jumped in that with both feet! Many of you know about my addictive personality traits, and let me tell you, magnets are one of my drugs of choice. I snagged up the magnets you see above, and this set of camper magnets, which will be PERFECT for our camper next summer! We always have odd bits of paper to anchor down.

When I received the magnets, they were so well made, and just so much better in person (If that's even possible)!! I just know I will be buying more magnets in the future. Since my first purchase, I have been back to kimiko611's shop to feed my addiction again (just today in fact)! I purchased two pendants for my teenage niece for Christmas (I sure hope she's not reading this)!


It just so happens she was having a Buy Two Get One FREE Pendant Sale, so I scooped up a mini pendant for my 8 year old daughter for Christmas also. The mini pendants are just the right size for a little girl who is out of the 'plastic jewelry' phase and wants something just a bit more elegant. Kimiko doesn't state how long the Buy Two Get One FREE Pendant Sale runs, so everyone hurry over and buy her out before they're not on sale any more!!

KanYoFuse: Etsy's Undiscovered Talent

You know how it is when you see something on Etsy that catches your eye, and you just can't stop yourself from checking it out? I mean, how can you resist a Great Dane in a pink tutu with a gorgeous fused glass pendant? Not only does it bring a smile to my face (and hopefully yours!) but it says "I gotta see more of this shop!" And so I did! I came, I bought, I conquered!

Meet Kevin of KanYoFuse, and his two gorgeous Great Danes Ace and Azul. I simply had to purchase a pendant from this animal loving glass fuser! Not only did I purchase one, but I'm very sure it will be the first of many!

Not only is his glass beautiful and unique, but his pictures are unconventional and awesome!!

I love this one with the rose and the green glass pendant, although I must admit, being a fellow animal lover, I am kind of partial to the pictures with the pups! :) I can't believe what patient models they are! Overall, I think Kevin deserves some props for being such a talented artist! I have favorited several of his pendants, and I plan to purchase one of those choker type necklaces and buy a bunch so that I can interchange them as the mood suits me.




So I bet your asking yourself, "Well come on Di, show me which one you bought..." You all know how much I love Halloween, (and glass too!) so I purchased this one first...orange, black, fabulous...it's so totally me! This will be my October necklace. I didn't show you my other most favorite, because I don't want someone to snatch it up before I can, but get your patootie over to KanYoFuse and show Kevin some lovin' today!

Dragonfly in the Vineyard.....Something New...

Today I wasn't feeling very creative. It rained here for the last two days, the economy is going down the crapper with the gas prices, and quite frankly, this whole summer vacation thing with kids being home 24/7 is getting on my nerves. I'm pretty sure that someone isn't going to survive the summer...and it just may be ME! There have been several instances that I've been ready to duct tape the three children in this house together and find a pool to throw them into. I'm quite sure my 8 year old hasn't shut his pie hole ONCE since he's been home, and it's gotten to the point where I'm sending them outside in shifts..you know that whole "two's company but three is a crowd" thing.

So anyway, I have digressed (pardon me, I'm on the brink of insanity here)....back to the not feeling very creative.....Finally at about 4 PM, the creative juices started flowing a bit and I made this beautiful bracelet. Despite the fact that it was ready to thunderstorm outside, I couldn't hold off on taking a picture, so I went outside and braved the thunder and lightning and took pictures. I'll have to take better ones tomorrow.

I was sitting there thinking about what I could do to create something that wasn't quite so pricey for those that still wanted a little treat for themselves, or needed a gift for someone else. I decided to try using copper wire, since it's less pricey and still looks fabulous! I hammered the clasp myself, and used once continuous piece of copper wire otherwise. I used mostly Czech glass beads, with a lampwork focal bead and two Swarovski crystals. All in all, I think it came out lovely!

What are you doing to lower costs lately, and pass on savings to your customers?

Summer Vacations

Yesterday, while cleaning out our camper in preparation for the upcoming summer, I was hit by a wave of longing so bad...I can't wait to go camping!! My kids will be out of school soon, and we can just about go anywhere. So when we were done cleaning, we came back to the house and started planning our summer trips. I really want to go to the beach. We haven't managed to work that out yet, but still, the longing is there. It's not even so much that I like to go in the water. Ever since all those shark attacks started happening...and of course there's also the fact that me + bathing suit = not so pretty. But the ocean calls to me like a siren...I love to walk along it. (And a lake just doesn't quite cut it...but I won't swim in those either.) I like to sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in. I could do it for hours. It inspires me.

I won't even get into beach towns....I love them. The food, the fun, the shopping. *SIGH*

It's only fitting that when we were done, I chose this bead to make a ring. My subconscious must have been really nagging at me.

Relics

So today I finished this necklace. I am really enjoying working with copper, it came out much better than I expected. The Buddha is a resin piece, and the beads are Czech glass that I hand wrapped on 20 gauge copper wire. I also hand formed the clasp myself. So what do you think?

Dreams of Hawaii

I went to Hawaii once, a long, long time ago when I was in the Marine Corps. I wish I could go back as a tourist and take my time exploring. It was so green and beautiful, with lots of interesting wildlife, and gorgeous fish. Today it was cold and windy, and while I was making this necklace, I was thinking about Hawaii. It's made with Czech glass beads in a beautiful deep green color, Cherry Quartz (which is just a fancy name for pink glass) and Swarovski crystals. I added a freshwater coin pearl for a little pizazz, and made the clasp myself. I won't be sad if this baby doesn't sell. I wouldn't mind keeping it for myself! :)




I even made a dainty pair of Freshwater coin pearl earrings to match. Ever since I learned to form my own ear wires, I'm liking making earrings a lot more! :)

Sun....

Well after a ton of rain, the sun finally popped through the clouds today (a day late and a dollar short....) It was gorgeous and bright, but a bit windy and chilly. There's a gorgeous bush blooming in my yard. It's very pink and lovely. Tomorrow I shall take a picture. Today you'll have to settle for this ring.

We ran errands today, so I haven't been very creative. I'm working on a cool necklace though, and I should have it done by tomorrow so that I can list it. I did make a strawberry dump cake tonight. I just sent hubby to the store to get Vanilla ice cream for it. I can't wait. MMmmmm.... He's also renting movies though, because nothing is on the boob tube, so it could be a while. I think he's going to try to get Beowulf.

Well I'm off to chat a bit and then serve up the dessert and watch movies. Until tomorrow....

Rain.......

I'm so sick of the rain. I did a craft show in Robbins, NC today. Well not really...it rained. I got there, set up, and then the rain came, so I packed up and left. So here I am, home in time for Saturday Night Special on Etsy (YAY)! I'm going to have a Smirnoff Green Apple Beer, contemplate what my sale shall be, and then keep my fingers crossed! Those of you that would like to see what I decide on for my sale, and scoop up some goodies, check HERE.

I swear if it doesn't stop raining soon, I'm going to build an ark. In the mean time, check out these lovely lampwork earrings. The beads are made by Rita Wilson, and accented with sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. I hand formed the ear wires myself out of 20 gauge sterling silver wire. Very nice for those who like lampwork, but only wear smaller earrings.

Something New

So today, I tried something new. Here's the result....

Very simple, but it's the first time I've worked with copper. I like the looks of it, AND I like to work with it. It's very user friendly. And I also made my own clasp! Another first for me. The stone pendant is simple, and it's got a great mix of glass beads, Swarovski crystals, and lampwork beads.

So what new things are you experimenting with? Give a shout out and let a sista know!

Random Musings

It's been a while since I posted. I was busy getting ready for the big spring craft show...that wasn't. It was horrible. Sadly, I think the state of the economy is going to prevent shows from being very lucrative this spring. They may pick up in the fall, as people buy for the holidays, or they may not. Who knows?

Hubby and I have been writing our plan for world domination, one candle at a time...Yankee Candle, watch out, I'm coming for you! LOL In the mean time, he has ordered quite a bit of screen printing equipment, and we're off to the races! :) It should be fun. We've spent the last week reorganizing our basement so we both fit down there, and I do think much fun will be had by all! :)

In the mean time, I have been working a bit on some things with my favorite medium (lampwork), as shown by the photos above. Actually, the ring, my husband picked out. He said "Make this bead on this wire" and I did it just for him. And it is good!

Yippee!!

I am so proud of myself today! I finally taught myself how to create lampwork rings with beads that are shapes other then lentils. It has taken me forever, but I'm so happy! It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for me, and makes preparing for my upcoming craft shows seem exciting! YAY! I made this one last night. Chocolate mint! YUM! It's listed in my Auntie Di's shop.

Dismal Day

I wasn't feeling very creative today, I think it's the weather. It's rainy and cold, and just outright nasty. Kind of suits my mood. I don't really want to leave the house. Anyway, I did manage to finish a custom order that was requested in the Etsy chat room last night, and this ring, which totally suits my mood. I named it "Blue Crevasse" and it reminds me of icy waters with icebergs. Very Titanic like.



Here's a smaller picture of the custom order for two matching rings. I did have fun making this one..especially since I know a little of the story behind the reason..but it's not mine to tell....

And here's me, still sitting with my fingers crossed, waiting for my packages to come. The mailman hasn't come yet though. Well, I'm off...gotta get dinner started for the brood.

Keep on keepin' on! :)

For Your Valentine

For the first time in weeks today, I sat down at my jewelry bench and played with beads. I have no idea why I haven't had the drive to do it in a while, but I finally got my act together! Anyway, this cute little ring was the result. I love the way it came out, and I am considering making another for myself to keep. (Of course, I always find myself saying I'm going to make something for myself to keep, but I never do...) And apparently, I'm really NOT over making stuff for Valentine's Day!

My name is Diann....and I love Lampwork. No really, I LOVE LAMPWORK! If there was a 12 step program for lampwork bead addicts, I'd have to join it. Seriously. I have tons of these beads, and I rarely ever make stuff with them, do you know why? Because if whatever I create sells, then I can't keep it for myself! They're so gorgeous. Just beautiful beads. I wish I could learn to make them, but my husband would crap a brick if I took up just one more hobby!!!! The talent and focus and artistry that goes into these beads is amazing. And I love having something unique!

Ok, I've rambled on about my lampwork addiction enough for one day. I'm off to shower and then I'm going to play with paper.

Happy Creating everyone!