Happy New Year

Happy new year! 

I have many ideas this year for my shop, namely mama-and-child items with a delightfully bookish twist.  Book pages, pendants, and talismans.  Letter stamps and texture.  Revisiting my roots, some of my favorite novels will be the inspirations for this new-ish shop direction.  

 

My ideas are still in the beginning stages, and my toddler rarely naps, so thanks for your patience!  Check back soon here and on Instagram for sneak peeks.

BOGO Sale: Mix-n-Match Pendants

Just wanted to let you know that all listed mix-n-match pendants in my Etsy shop are buy-one-get-one-free through next Sunday, July 1st.  Discount will be via PayPal after purchase.


Hope you've had a good weekend!  As for me, the last few days have been quite swell.  My mind has been wrapped around designing and creating earrings as of late, and I feel my creativity, once again (thank goodness!), making a tentative resurgence.  Like a bee drunk on pollen, I am--needless to say--feeling semi-ecstatic again in the creative department.  Cautious, yes, but also bravely taking the plunge into the unknown depths, seeing where it leads me.  I'm taking full strides, with hands slightly over the eyes.

Mad About Citrine

Citrine points, that is.  I started my Etsy shop a year ago with raw citrine and amethyst point pendants.  An amethyst point was the first item sold (to a lady in Japan!).  Citrine points have continued to be a bestseller for me, and I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of creating, photographing, and listing them for sale in my shop.  My favorite items to photograph are raw citrine points: the varied shades of yellow seem to glisten and bask in the sunlight; each angle of a raw citrine point is very unique, as well as its shape and color gradient, ranging from pale, minimalist yellow to an earthy, deep amber.

Optimistic.  The metaphysical properties of citrine include helping to foster creativity and gently lifting one out of depression.  To me, citrine looks like sunshine, embodied in stone form.  Here are the raw citrine points recently listed for sale...

Before and After

I love stones.  So when I had the chance to go to a bead shop that I had never been to before, I got as giddy as a kid in a candy store.  Well, when I was a kid, I loved stones and books, but you get the analogy.  I picked out quite a few individual stones, as seen below...

BEFORE

Some stones in the picture above were already in my collection (the moonstones, prehnite chip, raw tourmaline nuggets, moonstone marquise-shaped stone, and the citrine briolette).  However, the rest are new--I got so excited that I purchased a few more of some stones, rather than just one!  I even stayed within my budget. 



Last night, I spent the entire night creating pendants from these stones.  Sorry, husband!  It was quite a laborious night, but well worth it.  Here is the "after" photo:

AFTER

I am currently taking pictures of these exciting new designs, and will be adding them to my shop within the next few weeks.  Being the perfectionist that I am, the pictures need to be "perfect"--good lighting that showcases the stone's actual shape, color, striations, etc.--so it may take awhile for me to physically post them online.  For my blog viewers, I can reserve these yet-to-be-listed pendants for you.  Please convo me for this option.  I truly appreciate those who care to read my blog and visit my shop, however few and far between you are.

Lastly, I have created a few deeply personal collages this past week, one of which is listed for sale in my shop.  Collaging is a constant past time that I have enjoyed for many years--I can spend the entire day collaging, without paying any attention to time's constraints.  Each collage was created from cardstock, magazine images, and Paper Mod Podge (acid-free decoupage sealer, finish, and glue).  I have yet to decide if I want to sell the ones not listed for sale.  Here are their images...

For sale in my shop:

Imagining the Past--Collaged Cardstock

 

Not for sale

Not for sale

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If you would like to share any of the information in this blog, please contact me first and ask.  Then, give me a link to your site, so that I can blog about it.  Respectful reciprocity is such a good thing.

Be good to one another.  I've been thinking a lot about the cyclical nature of life, and the only thing that I can come up with is that phrase.  Be good to one another.  A simple phrase, something that we learned as children; but as adults, we oftentimes overlook this tried and true deed.  Goodness begets goodness...positivity, positivity.

Spring Fever 10% OFF Coupon (Not Applicable for "HELP JAPAN" items)

Ready for spring?  Use the coupon code: SPRING2011 for 10% off my entire shop* through the end of May! 

*This coupon code is NOT applicable for items titled, "HELP JAPAN."

 Please see my blog with the title, "HELP JAPAN" for more information on how my shop will donate to the Japan tsunami and earthquake relief efforts.  Thanks for your understanding and support.

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I've been wearing my own (not the ones for sale) peridot heishe dangle with my citrine drop briolette pendant a lot lately, wishing for spring.  The bright green and vibrant gold of these pendants are invigorating.  I have also been wearing my own (also not the ones for sale!) moonstone chip dangle with my citrine chip dangle pretty religiously, as well.  I have worn these pendants by themselves, as solitary pendants, too!

These pairings remind me of the versatility of my designs--they are substantial enough to be worn alone OR together, and are not visually overwhelming.  So affordable, as well.   Please check out my shop to see more!

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We're keeping the earthquake and tsunami survivors, and the country of Japan, in our thoughts...