Jacaranda Designs Artfire Shop Just Opened

Yesterday I opened a Jacaranda Designs Artfire shop. I've heard a lot of talk about Artfire so figured it was time to open a shop there and see what it's all about.

MY FIRST SALE ARTFIRE WILL RECEIVE A REFUND OF 35% OF THE COST OF THE ORDER (EXCL SHIPPING).

So please head on over and take a look. I'm still working on categorization but that may take a while.

New Jewelry Designs From Jacaranda Designs - Posy Ring

I must admit that last year my shop wasn't as prepared for the holidays as I thought it would be. I was scurrying around trying to find supplies that had sold out and was so busy with Jacaranda Designs, that I really didn't spend much time preparing for our family Christmas.

I vowed this year wouldn't be a repeat so during the summer I have been designing new pieces of jewelry and stocking up on the supplies needed. Having children at home, I haven't been able to make many pieces up but I have started.

I've made a few posy rings in the past and they've been very popular. They're a very whimsical design and extremely eye-catching. I'm making them in a variety of colors. However, for now I've just photographed one and posted it yesterday in my Etsy shop. There are more to come as well as other new necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

I'd love some feedback - feel free to tell me what you think.

Happy weekend!

The Simple Things in Life - Summer Night

The other evening, my husband was just leaving to pick up our eldest son and I was getting ready to crawl into bed at the end of a long week. "Grab your camera" he yelled up the stairs "you should see the sunset this evening" so I headed down and took this quick shot. I know there are much more spectacular sunsets but it doesn't happen often in our neck of the woods and it's was just so beautiful.

Get Inspired at Craftgawker.com

Last week I mentioned the site foodgawker.com . This week I'm featuring a few items from one of their other websites, craftgawker.com. It's not an e-commerce site, but rather a showcase of arts, crafts and photography. Many link to BLOGs where instructions are included.

Take a look at craftgawker.com and get inspired! Here's a few fun links. Just select each image to be directed to the original website.

















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Article about Foodgawker.com

Interview With Jessica From Etsy Shop Metroline6

Today I'm interviewing Jessica from Metroline6. I think you'll agree that her photography is simply superb. I had a difficult time deciding which of her art work to include in this feature as I really loved every piece. So read on and check out her shop, Metroline6. I'm sure you'll feel the same way as me!

A little background about yourself
I am a 28 year old stay at home mom/whenever I get the time photographer. I have 2 great kids, my son is 2 1/2 and my daughter is 1 1/2. They are only 11 months apart so for now they are the best of friends. (I hope that lasts for a long time!)

Why you love what you do
I love my style of photography because I like to capture those moments in the day that might go unnoticed, things that would happen and you would never think about again. I really like the print called "Vespa Scooter" for this reason. Someone drove that red scooter to work that morning and leaned it right against the red and green wall and probably never thought of the beauty in it. It was just part of that persons daily routine. That is what I love to capture.

What inspires you
I get my inspiration from ordinary things. I like to capture the little things in every day life. I am drawn to lines and architecture also.

Favorite item in your shop
It's probably a series of photos taken in the South of France. A lot of my photos are edited to really make shadows and colors pop but with my prints from the South of France that is pretty much just what it looks like there....beautiful.

Any specials deals customers should know about?
Free shipping on all orders worldwide for all your readers for the duration of this feature. Just use the code "JDfreeshipping" in the "Message to Seller" field during checkout! :)

Facebook?:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Metro-Line-6-Photography/133641959987404?ref=sgm
Twitter?:
http://twitter.com/metroline6

Silent Sunday - Chartreuse Green Chrysanthemum

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http://jacarandagal.blogspot.com/2009/07/gorgeous-poppies.html

Jacaranda Designs BOGO50 Sale This Weekend Starting Today!

Starting today and for the weekend - BOGO50 Sale!

Purchase one item of jewelry from Jacaranda Designs and receive a second (of equal or lesser value) at 50% off.

This sale applies to everything in the shop!

Refunds will be issued promptly via Paypal.

So stock up on gifts for the holidays or on some unique jewelry for yourself.

Gorgeous Roses of Edinburgh

Foodgawker.com - Delicious!

The other day, my niece, knowing I love cooking, mentioned the site foodgawker.com to me. It's a place for individuals to submit mouth-watering photographs of their culinary creations. Best of all, recipes are provided for these delectable delights!

Here's just a few of the photographs to give you a sampling but I suggest you visit Foodgawker.com. You'll be hooked.

Potato doughnuts topped with a rosewater icing. The ultimate celebration cake!


Asparagus heads rolled in streaky bacon and grilled to perfection


Chocolate Tagliatelle


Inspired by the farmers market: a recipe for Pea Tendril & Lapchong Stir-Fry.



Gluten-free banana, cashew and sesame flapjacks



Martha Stewart's Baked Onion Rings



Basil zucchini wraps, raw, vegan and gluten free! Super good, too!

Glamping Versus Camping

Have you heard of the latest trend in camping? It's called "glamping", short for Glamorous Camping. After spending the last 5 days camping in a tent, I spent part of the drive home wondering whether I would prefer glamping. Instead of a blow up mattress, I would probably be sleeping on a comfortable bed with down duvet. Instead of spending hours building fires, cooking and cleaning up dishes, I'd probably have my own chef and butler. And the toilets, well, I'm sure there's something better than the outhouses we made use of. And yet, I can't help but feel that with all that luxury, I wouldn't really be camping, just staying in a wilderness hotel.

So, I'd glad we roughed it with our tents and sleeping bags. The kids loved it. We had a chance to get together with all of my husband's family, which hasn't happened in a while and it didn't rain. We had some really tasty meals and grandpa treated all the grandchildren to ice creams. And the mosquitos weren't too bad this year!

Of course, lying on the bed at the acupuncture doctor this morning, I had to wonder whether I would be dealing with such a sore shoulder if I'd slept on a comfy bed all weekend...hmmm, yes probably.