Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Fresh New Take on Hair Accessories

It's a quiet Sunday here. The whole family is worn out from a few very busy days and today we're just relaxing.

I posted several new hair posies on my site yesterday so thought I'd show you my latest creations here. I love wearing them as I hate my hair in my eyes when I'm trying to make my jewelry. They also make a lovely gift that's very affordable.

Happy Sunday everyone!











Friday, May 29, 2009

No Gardening This Week

It's done nothing but rain the past couple of days so I haven't been doing much in the way of gardening. Planted my pots and hung up my hanging baskets and that's about it.

I did manage to take a few photos of some of my plants earlier in the week....my hostas, lilac and a lovely miniature rose a friend gave me that I put on the patio table.

Don't forget to enter my latest giveaway. It ends on Monday!

Happy weekend everyone!



Thursday, May 28, 2009

Next Two Weeks of Freedom!



In two weeks my boys break up from school for the summer holidays! Ican't believe where the year had gone. I don't exactly lose my freedom when they're home, it's just harder to get any work done. I love having them around but I do get used to time on my own while they're at school.

So seeing as I'm going to be fairly busy for June, July and August and I don't want my Etsy business to go down the tubes, I am using these last two weeks wisely. Went shopping for beading supplies the other day and bought enough to see me through the summer. I've also been ordering some different supplies on Etsy too. My job this next week is to figure out what silver supplies I'm going to need and visit the silver wholesaler next week.

I also have tons of jewelry that I haven't got around to photographing so yesterday I took photos from 9am to 3pm. My eyes were red and scratchy by the time I finished but what a relief to get some of thos pics taken!

I've just posted one new item for today and then I think I'm taking the rest of the day off! heading out to lunch with friends which will be lovely on this rainy, gloomy day.

So here's the newest item I posted. You'll be seeing more of these types of designs coming in the next few months! I love the simplicity of these beads!

Have a wonderful day everyone and don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Brand New Week, Brand New Giveaway From Jacaranda Designs!

I'm hosting another giveaway everyone!


Dainty Blue Moon Pearl and Antique Brass Earrings




Dainty Blue Moon Pearl and Antique Brass Earrings

So if you'd like a chance to win a pair of these little gems, simply visit Jacaranda Designs and mention your favorite piece of jewelry in the comments here.


Get extra entries the following way...


.. If you post this giveaway on your blog and add the link to a comment here, you'll receive a second entry.


.. If you become a fan of my facebook page (Jacaranda Designs Jewelry) you'll get another entry


.. Add my shop as a favorite in Etsy and you'll receive another entry


..LASTLY, PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM JACARANDA DESIGNS AND YOU WILL GET AN EXTRA 10 ENTRIES FOR EACH ITEM PURCHASED!


As usual, I will be using random.org to select a winner. And don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway ends at noon on Monday June 1st.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Etsy Artist Feature - Dana Laymon Photography


This week I am featuring Dana Laymon of Dana Laymon Photography. Dana is relatively new to Etsy and is offering free shipping to her first customer. So take a look at her shop and you'll see her work is amazing. I've only featured a few prints on the blog but it was very difficult to choose!

Dream in Pink - 8x10 Print

Give us a little background about yourself.

My name is Dana Laymon and I live in Wilmington, NC. I'm fairly new to Etsy (just joined in Jan) and love the community here. I have a full time job but do photography on the side and it's truly a passion of mine. I do weddings and portraits mostly. My husband and my new puppy also keep my very busy.

How to you manage your time?
Time right now is pretty hard to come by :) I have my full time job and then I do weddings once or twice a month and then do editing and work on my website in my "down" time. It keeps me pretty busy.

Prickly One - 8x10 Print

What are your goals for 2009?

A goal for '09 would be to just sell something! i will probably jump up and down when i get my first sale. just the thought of someone wanting to own my work is cool to think about.

Bathing in the Sun- 8x10 print

And just for fun...

Favorite color- green

Favorite food- sushi at the moment, i love food :)

Favorite music- all kinds, i listen to almost everything. i gotta help promote our friends' band the "annuals". i love them

Favorite movie- because i'm a sap, i haven't gotten tired of the Notebook yet

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cuban Crafts!

While in Cuba last March, we visited a craft market nearby the resort we were staying at. Thought I'd post a few pics of some of the wares!




Friday, May 22, 2009

Etsy Treasures...If You Like Olives...

Well, I'm not too partial to them myself but my husband loves them. So whenever I serve them I'm left wondering what type of bowl to put out for the pits. I found just the answer on Etsy. Adorable little olive and pits bowls by clayswan.

olives and pits  ....  hand built porcelain containers ...  vessels

And then I found some tasty looking olive oil from the Napa Valley. We were there last year and I bought some for a friend, but not myself. Now I know how to get my hands on some. It's organic olive oil from the Napa Valley by toribethorganic


ORGANIC olive oil from the Napa Valley LARGER 500 ml bottle

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Euphorbia!

Euphorbia, that's the name of this incredible annual. I planted mine about 15 years ago and every year it's one of the first flowers to come alive. It just looks like a green perennial to start with and then suddenly the ends change to a lovely yellow and it looks like it's covered in yellow flowers. There's tons of varieties but this is my fave!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

50% Off!



Hello everyone,

I'm having an amazing sale at my shop until the end of Friday.

Buy one item, get another at equal or lesser price for 50% off. Shipping charges are excluded from the special.

When you purchase, I shall promptly refund you the 50% via Paypal.

Happy shopping!

Monday, May 18, 2009

End of the long weekend


My Front Garden Tulips

Well we had a great weekend although it was somewhat cooler than normal. Usually on the May long weekend, we get the hanging baskets planted, plant annuals and fill the vegetable garden. This year however, there's still a risk of FROST, so we're going to postpone until next weekend. I think I shall still go out this week and pick the plants I need but will have to store them in the garage.

My Front Garden Tulips

We had out annual street party yesterday and what fun that was. We're rented a jumping castle for the kids, dragged the hockey equipment and basketball nets into the streets and then had a BBQ. Of course, we ended the meal with some smores. For thos of you who aren't familiar with them, they're a Canadian tradition. You roast your marshmallow, then when it's soft, sqeeze it in between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate. Hmmm. There were some very sticky children.

Yesterday was also the seventh day of my detox and I feel like a million bucks! In seven days I have managed to get rid of the majority of the chronic pain that has haunted me since I had my flu shot 6 years ago. I've been eating only fruit, veegtables and rice (but lots of these foods otherwise I'd starve!). Now I'm starting to intriduce other foods to see if there isone that could be causing problems. Wish me luck! Included a few photos of the tulips blooming in the garden right now. Otherwise, hope everyone of you is having an inspirational week!




My Front Garden Tulips


My Front Garden Tulips

I made it to the ETSY Front Page - Yay!

I woke up this morning to a very nice surprise. An Etsy convo from another selling telling me that I had made it to the Front Page. My Gardener's Posy Bracelet was featured between 7:30 and 8:00 this morning. I didn't get any sales out of it but lots of exposure which is wonderful!

Here is the FP.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

New Posy Bracelets Added!

I added two new posy bracelets to my site today.

This one is called Honeysuckle Rose Posy Bracelet

Honeysuckle Rose Posy Bracelet

And this one is Green Peace Posy Bracelet.

Green Peace Posy Bracelet

Winner of the Jacaranda Designs Bird Nest Earrings!

I have just drawn a winner of the bird nest earrings using random.org and the winner is....

Janetfaye

Congrats Janet!

I'll be hosting another giveaway in the next few weeks, so check back here!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Wednesday Featured Artist - TheEclectricElement

My featured artist of the day is Kayla from TheElectricElement. Kayla makes stunning pieces of jewelry, each very different. You can spend quite some time browsing her shop as there is so much to see. Take a look for yourself and read on to learn about this budding young artist!



Give us a little background about yourself

Well my name is Kayla and I am 19 years young. I have lived in Illinois for most of my life so needless to say I can't wait to get out of it. Lol. Unfortunatly I have been sick with Lyme Disease for the last 5 1/2 years so I have missed out on pretty much everything a normal teenage life consists of, but everything I have gained from the experience makes up for the 'normal teenage' part. Like the fact that being sick brought me to my love of jewelry making!

What do you create?
I love to create anything and everything that I get my hands on. But what takes up most of my time is my jewelry.


What type of materials do you like working with?
I will work with anything that you give me, but my favorite is upcycled materials that I stumble upon. When I see a certain piece of something or other, I can envision what it's going to look like in jewelry form.



Is this a full time or part time venture?
This is a full time venture at the moment because I'm too sick to go to work or hold any sort of job.

How to you manage your time?
Honestly I don't have to manage my time because 24 hours out of 24 hours are free.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now and why?
I think my favorite thing would be the Au Natural necklace because it is one of my earlier pieces and is directly tied to the Earth. Also, it was my first wire wrapped pieces.



What are your goals for 2009?
My number one goal for 2009 is to be able to live my life. I don't have to be 100% better, but I would love to be able to go out on a walk by myself without having to lug out the wheelchair and have someone drop everything to go push me around.


And just for fun...

Favorite color
Purple.

Favorite food
That's a hard one! I would have to go with a cheeseburger =]

Favorite music
I'm now into the alternative music like Iron & Wine and Joshua Radin.

Favorite movie
It depends on my mood and the genre.
I guess today it would be Love Me If You Dare.

Recent Additions to My Earrings


Just a few photos of some of the earrings I've listed on my website recently. I really love working with the chocolate brown background to my photos. It just makes the silver pop out so much more!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Totally Decadent


Happy Mother's Day to all you others Mom's out there! Hope you're putting your feet up and having a relaxing day.

Last night I was teaching my 12 year old how to make wontons. We had some left over wonton wrappers and decided to fry them up and sprinkle them with sugar as a treat for dessert. I hardly ever fry food so this was kind of decadent in our household but tasted great!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Jacaranda Designs Earrings Giveaway


OK, everyone, I think it's time for another giveaway! This time I am giving away another pair of Blue Egg Birds Nest Earrings as they are my most popular design. Great to wear any time of the year but especially appropriate in the springtime. They're made from pale blue swarovski pearls and antique brass finished metal.

To enter, simply go to Jacaranda Designs and find the piece of jewelry that matches your current mood. Post your entry in the comments here.

Get extra entries the following way...

.. If you post this giveaway on your blog and add the link to a comment here, you'll receive a second entry.

.. If you become a fan of my facebook page (Jacaranda Designs Jewelry) you'll get another entry

.. Add my shop as a favorite in Etsy and you'll receive another entry

..LASTLY, PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM JACARANDA DESIGNS AND YOU WILL GET AN EXTRA 10 ENTRIES FOR EACH ITEM PURCHASED!

As usual, I will be using random.org to select a winner. And don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.





Thursday, May 7, 2009

Featured Artist of the Week - Pieces of Me by LMG Design












This week I am featuring the Etsy shop Pieces of Me. Lisa makes wonderful pieces of jewelry from puzzle pieces. Read on to learn more and don't forget to visit her shop!

Give us a little background about yourself
I am Mom to three children and have the pleasure of being able to stay at home with them while working as a graphic artist/illustrator. When I do have free time to be in the studio, I am able to paint and create other works of art. Many of these creations take up residence in my Etsy Shop.



What do you create?
Mostly painted pieces that center around my love of nature. I can become very easily lost in my paints and just let my creative mood take me into different compositions. One day it might be all about abstract compositions, other days it is more whimsical and childlike. Painting on puzzles began when I did a craft project with my children using an old puzzle that had lost several pieces. The idea to create charms and necklaces came from this project. It is a challenge creating a work of art on something about 1.5" in size. When completed, the charms are quirky, fun or even a bit glam depending on the colors and composition.

What type of materials do you like working with?
Paints, Paints and More Paints! I love gouache, acrylics, watercolors, pen and inks, prismacolors... the more mediums the better. Mixed media is also a fun. I don't limit myself too much. Experimenting in art is part of the process.

Is this a full time or part time venture?
This is a part-time venture right now. I began my Etsy shop at the prompting of several blogger buddies and I am so happy I listened to them. I have had more fun coming up with a variety of puzzle piece charms and love to share my work with other people in this way. It also provides me with some "mad money" to spend on some of the wonderful items I enjoy on Etsy.


How do you manage your time?
Some days are busier than others. Depending on how many freelance projects I have going and my families active schedule, it can be tricky. I keep a calendar and post-it notes on hand at in my studio. I also recently added "Reminder Fox" to my browser, which is a wonderful tool for keeping to-do's in check. Setting aside one weekend afternoon a month just for my Etsy store is a top priority. It ensures I always have time to create new inventory, even at my busiest. Sometimes my afternoon will be incredibly productive and other times it isn't but the time I spend creating is always something I look forward to.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now and why?
I would have to say my dragonfly charm/necklace. I just LOVE dragonflies, they are so interesting and their wings are so intricate... filled with patterns and color. I once did an ATC of just a dragonfly wing! They are a subject that I never tire of.


What are your goals for 2009?
To keep building and improving on my store, as well as make more connections with fellow artists/crafters on Etsy. There is such a wonderful community of supportive people here and they are willing to give advice, critiques and encouragement. I really love that about Etsy.

And just for fun...
Favorite color
Pink

Favorite food
Sushi and chocolate... but not together.

Favorite music
Dave Matthews

Favorite movie
Really tough to name only one! Gone With the Wind remains one of my all time favorites.