In the CraftyHope Etsy Shop

Sometimes I'm really awful about promoting the jewelry I make and sell in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. Today, I invite you to take a look at the shop by giving you a taste of what you'll find there. 

Boxed Owl Earrings

Green Pottery Necklace

Candy Earrings

Tin and Loops Bracelet

Dark Assemblage Necklace

Green Stardust Earrings

Beachy Crystal Necklace

You'll find those and so much more in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. If there's something you've seen here on the blog but it's not in the shop, feel free to ask me about it. 

October Goal Review

Since it's already the middle of November, I guess it's about time to summarize how I did on my goals and tasks for the month of October.

As a reminder, each week I wanted to complete a general Goal, a piece of Jewelry, an altered Card, at least one Blog post, and a Journal page. I'm covering weeks 39-43. That may sound like a lot, but I wasn't near as productive as I would have liked.

Week 39 (Sep. 25 - Oct. 1)

Goal

This week, I wanted to develop basic jewelry tutorials but that just hasn't happened yet. 

In fact, none of my goals were met this week as I spent the majority of it at my mom's house with my grandmother and niece while my mom was on vacation. 

Week 40 (Oct. 2-8)

Goal

Making a texture block like the ones in this Gelli Arts Texture Block video was the goal for this week. It just didn't happen.

Jewelry

I was a week behind on my jewelry-making, but was able to exceed my goals with these pieces. 

They were all made as part of my Cut Out + Keep Jewelry Superstar feature. And, I just realized that I shared the earrings with y'all last month. Sorry about that!

Card

Catching up on Week 38, I made this card.

It features washi tape as the background and a paper feather received in a swap as the focal. I also doodled with some black and white pens.

Blog

My September Goal Review and Keeping Busy (WOYWW) were posted on the blog that week. 

Journal 

Like the card, I was able to get an art journal page for Week 38 done. 

The background was made from collaged papers, brayered paint, and paint doodles. I added the girl with paint, watercolor pencils, and pastels.

Week 41 (Oct. 9-15)

Goal

I really wanted to get a few portions of the living room organized. In particular, a stack of boxes next to the tv cabinet was driving me crazy. The contents of those boxes now has a new home, carefully concealed in the living room. I'm considering that goal done.

Jewelry

This week, I made the washi tape earrings featured on Cut Out + Keep and a long necklace with one of my assemblage keys. 

Blog

Not only did I share a great way to use up leftovers with my Chili Cheese Nacho recipe, but I shared some of my finds from the Robertsdale Antique Show.

Week 42 (Oct. 16-22)

Goal

I knew it was past time to start my Christmas List, so I made it my goal for the week. And, I even got it started!!

Jewelry

These earrings and necklace were made, along with another pair of earrings that was given as a gift.

Card

Back on the card-making wagon, I was able to get the card for Week 39 done. 

It's a gelli print with some doodles and a chit chat sticker.

Blog

You got a peek at what I was working on from the junk drawer for WOYWW. (It was the necklace above ;)  )

Journal 

Two pages were made this week, to make up for Weeks 39 & 40.  

I made this page with brayered paint, stencils, stamps, and doodles (in paint and pen). The focal is a magazine cutout and the text was hand lettered.

Gelli prints make up the background for this page. I toned them down with gesso before adding shades of blue paint around the edges. In the center, I painted the sailboat with a combo of acrylic paint and neocolor ii crayons.

Week 43 (Oct. 23-29)

Goal

This week, I had hoped to get my "Shit-to-do" list made. It's basically a list of things I want to get done around the house (home repairs, decorating, and whatnot.) It was a week of ups and mostly downs, so it just didn't happen.

Blog

I did get a chance to share the news about being a Jewelry Superstar as well as my Birthday Desk (WOYWW).

November's already not looking so great in a multitude of ways, but I am trying to stay positive and continue to move forward. I'm already beginning to think about how I want to handle my goal(s) for next year and what I want to accomplish. It's really hard to think about moving ahead when you're so far behind. I guess I better stop whining and get to it!

Have you already started considering your goals for 2017?

From the Junk Drawer (WOYWW)

Feeling a little motivated this morning, I pulled out one of my junk drawers. This one is literally labeled JUNK as it doesn't fit into any of my other junky categories (keys, charms, rhinestones, buckles, etc.).

After sorting through it for a few minutes, I had this laid out on my desk.

Mysterious huh? (Sorry for the quality of the pictures. It was dark and I used my phone.)

It's all very organized in my eyes.

On the left is my junk drawer.

Along the top are some items I want to solder for various reasons.

There's a lot of safety pins in the mix because I want to make them even more safe by soldering them closed. That'll make me feel better about using them in jewelry.

Along the right are the pieces for two possible necklaces.

The bolt-like thing on the top is on its own as it looks something like a bail to me. The other pieces may likely come together in some sort of tassel assemblage piece.

In the center of my desk were some watch backs. I realized there were a ton of them in the drawer. As I pulled them into a pile, I saw that they would be perfect for a statement necklace of some kind. But, first they need holes.

After making an arrangement that made me happy, I marked where I want holes and numbered some of the pieces. That wonderful man-of-mine will use the drill press to make the holes for me. And, this picture and the numbers will serve as fabulous reminder of this arrangement.

Now to actually pull all this together and make some jewelry! Do you see jewelry here, or do you just see junk?

I'm linking up on The Stamping Ground for What's on You Workdesk Wednesday.

The Go To Jewelry of A Jewelry Artist

As a jewelry artist, I know I should constantly be wearing my art. However, I'm horrible at remembering to throw some on before I run out the door. And, the few times that I do grab something, I find myself drawn to the same things over and over again. I thought I'd share those few pieces with you today.

This is the one that my hands fly to most often. I think it's the variety of colors. It works with anything - brightens up neutrals, matches colorful outfits, and layers well with everything else.

One of the other necklaces that I wear time and again is this darker piece. It was one of my JUNK necklaces listed in my shop at one time. It never did sell. That was for the best because I'm not sure I would have been able to part with it. It feels a bit edgier to me, and I wear it when I need to feel a little more punk-rock-cool.

Finally, the last necklace in this small collection of my go-tos is this gold tassel necklace with a  large shabby bead. Like the other two, it's a long necklace. I'm just drawn to them. What of it? Anyway, I like it for its ability to lighten up a dark outfit.

Earrings are a little more accessible for me right now (accessible because of a long story involving the move and the fact that all of my necklaces are tangled in a cardboard box.) These four and a pair of diamond studs are my favorites right now. The top left ones were not made by me, but by another artist. I don't really wear them all that often because they were made by someone else - I know its best to wear my own stuff to advertise it. However, those hardware earrings have such a great edge to them. On the top right, I combined some ceramic drops from Petra of Scorched Earth on Etsy with small bone beads and rhinestone spacers. I adore each and every element in these. They are my absolute favorite. I made them for the shop, but haven't been able to bring myself to list them. Below those are some simple faceted briolettes wrapped with a bunch of silver tone wire. They are simple and go with practically everything, working well to dress up a casual outfit. Finally, on the bottom left are mother of pearl buttons paired with aqua blue Czech glass. They are lightweight and fun to wear.

Bracelets aren't a jewelry item I usually wear. But, ever since I acquired the two bracelets on either side of the picture for Christmas, I rarely take them off. The button bracelet in the middle was added to my wrist just the other day. You might be able to see that I've alrady stained it with paint while playing in the craft room. However, the bracelet is lightweight, and I just love the pistachio-cream-colored buttons in it.

So that's what adorns me on the days I'm actually adorned. Do you have go-tos also? What are you drawn to?

Have You Seen What's in (my) Store?

It's been a while since I've shown off any of the pieces in my shop, so I thought I'd take a gamble on it today and share a little of what I'm proud of creating. Enjoy the eye candy!

Drink Me Alice Necklace

Tribal Junk Necklace

Damselfly Earrings

Chunky Junky Bracelet

The above are all items that have been recently listed, here are a few that have been in the shop for a few months.

Tribalette Earrings

Blue Green Fancy Bracelet

Pump Up the Volume Necklace

All of that and more is available in my CraftyHope Etsy Shop! Stop in and check it out if you get the chance!

 

And, Roll Tide Roll!! (notice my use of colors above. . . ;)  )

Vintage Wooden Spool Challenge Reveal - A Rolling Blog Hop

A month or more ago I got an intriguing e-mail from Christine of One Kiss Creations asking if I would be interested in participating in a 'rolling hop' using some unconventional items she found while out antiquing. Obviously, I couldn't resist a challenge like that and replied instantly with a resounding YES! I revealed my rolling hop challenge items (along with all the other goodies Christine included for me) almost a month ago.

The deadline for this hop was very loose; reveal your creation(s) sometime between the end of October and the end of November. Thus, it's a ROLLING hop. As well, Christine only asked that we use at least one of the vintage wooden spools she sent us. At first I was determined to use all three, but after finishing off the first two ideas I ran out of steam. Anyway, here's what I created with them. (I really love what I made so I may go overboard with the pictures, fair warning. Also, clicking on the pictures will zoom in on them.)

With both of the spools I used, I felt the need to alter the empty portion where the thread used to be. And, in both cases I used paper to do so. In the first, it was some delicate, yellowed, French text from a book.

I can only pick out a few of the French words, so I hope it's not nasty.

For the rest of the necklace I wanted to stay simple and play off the sewing theme, so I pulled a little from my abundance of buttons. Sticking to vintage mother of pearl buttons, I stacked them above and below the spool, created a chain, and dangled one from the spool.

I also finished off the chain with some small wood beads and a dainty, vintage-looking brass clasp.

Weirdly enough, before Christine ever mentioned a challenge or told me what the challenge materials would be, I had already sketched out a spool necklace design. Though what I ended up with isn't exactly what I drew, it's really close! My sketch used wire instead of the chain, but this worked wonderfully. And, I may still use wire idea eventually with the other spool.

Again, I altered some paper for the center piece. This time it was some dictionary text, though you can't really see it for all the altering I did to the paper. I think the technique worked wonderfully and I'll share the process I used later. For now, it's all about these spools.

I finished the necklace off simply with more chain and a few wire-wrapped beads.

The dangles are just a random collection of beads, charms, and found objects that I thought went well with the tarnished/sparkly feel of the paper.

I've already worn this necklace out and am really in love with it.

Now, I still have that one spool from Christine left and plan on using it at some point for sure, but I didn't want to try to force inspiration. Instead, I'll just let inspiration find me.

Here are links to the twelve other participants in this rolling hop.

Janet

Cynthia

Kim

Therese

Tanya

Bobbie

Liz

Maryanne

Karin

Lisa

Erin

Christine

 

Right now, Janet and I are the only ones who have revealed. You can also just keep an eye on Christine's blog to find out when they roll out the reveal of their creations. Janet from Honey from the Bee was the first to reveal on her blog. You can also check out what Christine had to say about Janet's reveal.

Thanks to Christine for the awesome challenge and thanks to you for stopping by!

What would you do with wooden spools?

More Baby Conch Creations

I promised last week when I showed off my ZnetShows Baby Conch pieces that I would share a better picture of the pink earrings if I got one.

Well, here you go. . .

Oh, and I also made a whole 'nother necklace with some of the beach glass beads.

Yup, I made one of my JUNK necklaces.

There are baby conchs and real shells in there as well as all kinds of found objects including a zipper pull, Christmas light bulb, old earring, key, bell, and watch face.

What's even more enchanting about it is the sound it makes when it moves. Heavenly!

I'm digging it, but what do you think?

Measly Meal Plan

As expected, the weekend was quite busy and I'm relieved that I went ahead and scheduled those posts. I just hope I can be as proactive this week. My Mardi Gras ball is this weekend and that means just about a whole week's worth of activities and things to do to get ready for it. My calendar and to do list are both quite wordy. I can at least check off one thing on those long lists: my meal plan.

Even though I won't be home but three nights this week, at least I know what I'll be making those evenings. I'll leave the hubs to fend for himself the rest of the week. I'm kinda ashamed about doing that, but I know I'm leaving him with leftovers, cereal, and some friends who want to eat dinner with him at least one of those nights. So it'll work out. Here's what I think we'll be eating together.

Breakfasts: Juice, Cereal w/fruit, Breakfast burritos, Bacon omelets w/toast & fruit

Lunches: Bean burritos, Soup & grilled cheese, Juice, Pizza quesadillas w/small salad, PB&J w/fruit & string cheese

Dinners: 

Lemony Pesto Pasta with Edamame and Almonds w/salad

Broccoli Souffle with Goat Cheese w/red potatoes & spinach salad

Chipotle Rubbed Flank Steak w/smashed potatoes & peas

There's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I have to show off this new necklace in my shop. It's one of my most favorite designs. I can't believe I'm trying to sell it. You better grab it up if you like it before I change my mind.

Tribal JUNK Necklace

Oh look, there's something else I can check off my list. . .today's blog post.
How's your week looking?

Menu Plan Monday

I've totally got food on the brain right now as I just got back from lunching it up with a friend, shopping at the grocery store, and shopping at the farmer's market. Today's been a definite food-centered day and I feel totally bloated over it.

Anyway, I did get my menu made for the week before I got to all that though. It seems my breakfast and lunch options are pretty boring and repetitive lately, so I won't share them today. You can look at the past two weeks' menus if you're interested in those at all. Y'all. . .I seriously need some new low-meat ideas for those meals. Suggestions are TOTALLY welcome! In the meantime, here's our dinners.

Grilled turkey tenderloins w/cauliflower gratin & salad

Tempeh ratatouille

Black bean soup w/salad

Veggie burgers w/sweet potato fries

Meatless lasagna roll-ups w/salad

There's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

And, I re-listed this junk necklace today.

Suor Angelica JUNK Necklace

Now I'm serious about those breakfast and lunch suggestions!!

Here's hoping you're having a great Monday.