Store Closing: Big Cartel

Well after thinking long and hard about it, I've decided to close my Big Cartel jewelry shop! To clear the store, I am offering 40% off with coupon code: CLOSINGSALE
I will be keeping the Tin Snippets store, that is the best for components! But for jewelry, I have better luck at Etsy!

Thank you all for your Big Cartel love while it was open!!

Friday Favorites

 Swoondimples

Dream Girl Beads

adriana beads clasps

Jennifer Tough

Dream Some

Guy Melamed

The Vintage Hope Chest

Gardanne Beads

these make me want to shop!!

Can I go back to bed now?

A rough start to this day.

Woken an hour early to tornado warnings in our area.

then found out Joe left my sunroof on my car open all night- 

a car filled with water isn't fun.

BUT! my iPad should be arriving this morning,

so that's something to look forward to!

This new bracelet is now available in my Etsy shop!

No Shame, Tornado Hit, Absolutely a Freakin' Mess BTW

...and i wonder why i feel so discombobulated lately. This might have something to do with it. i can't find anything in this damn mess. i need a better system. i know this. but to think about reorganization right now in the middle of everything else i'm doing, makes me want to weep.
this is definitely the worst it's ever been. and i know it's not as bad as it could be, but for me, this is bad. as bad as it gets. it can only get better, right? eventually things will slow down and i will be able to reorganize and install some wall storage that will get stuff off the table tops. that's my goal.
now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to leave this mess.

Giveaway Winner!

Hi, omg, I am sorry this is late! but a girl has to eat, so the winner of the Staci Louise Originals components is Number 58! That means the winner is Maneki! Congrats!! Contact me via email with your address, and I will get these right out to you! thank you everyone for your 78 comments on this giveaway! I hope you all had a chance to check out Staci's shop! Here's the link again if you didn't!

Component Giveaway

Happy Monday!
I've got another super giveaway for you! Donated from the talented Staci L. Smith of Staci Louise Originals- a small selection of bronze metal clay components and polymer clay heart pendant, from her Etsy shop Slartisanaccents.

Staci patinaed the charms with MissFickleMedia's patina solutions. These butterfly wing charms are so sweet aren't they!? I can see them layered with maybe one of Green Girl Studios' fairy pendants!
This is a 24 hour giveaway, which means you have 24 hours to leave a comment on this post. I will draw 1 random winner on Tuesday at 5:30pm. Please do not leave anonymous comments without a contact email.

Good luck!!

Bunny

Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin down the bunny trail

Hippity Hoppity

Easter's on its wayyyyyyyy!

2 things about Easter as a kid that I remember loving...

My parents would hide eggs with complicated

clues to bring me to each one. 

I loved it! This is something I will continue one day with my own children.

And my parents would always get me a basket

but I would get a present or two as well.

An outfit, or shoes, or a toy.

Always looked forward to that.

Now as an adult my favorite thing about Easter

is spending time with family, and enjoying a big

Easter dinner!

Bye Bye Birdie

Bye Bye Birdie

Pewter Bird focal- Mamacita Beadworks
Mother of pearl leaf chain
Brass findings
Wire wrapped chalcedony brio
Opal wheels with brass caps
Hook clasp

TGIF! What a long week. I am relieved it's the weekend, and a three day weekend at that. Happy Easter to you all! I am headed to my in-laws tomorrow to celebrate with my little niece and nephew. Not too many more Easters where the Big Bunny is believed to be the real deal. Gotta enjoy while we can, right!?

Not too much else going on here. Next week, watch for pics of the painted living room/dining room- just waiting for the paint to dry so we can hang things back on the walls.  Also, I got some beads to give away from Staci Louise (www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com) Very exciting!

I want to try to do a few more book reviews too. 

I'm off to make something with my Bunny pendant from Nan. 

Later.

Wanted!

Just want to thank Jenny for the wonderful idea she planted about making a mold of this button. I took this bracelet and had it in the shop, removed it promptly and now I ask- can one of my talented friends make a mold of this, and cast some pewter buttons for me with it!? Shoot me an email!

july 14, 2011

SECRET COUPON CODE: OWLLOVER will get you 50% your next order. Congratulations on finding it!! Dontcha just love treasure hunts?!

love love love love

yes....
i love this bracelet


yes....
i may keep it

but
yes....
i am in talks with Artybecca to make more Star beads
so that i may make more of these for the shop

but!
i think the owl button is a one of a kind'er

dang.

Weekend Recap

Real quick like- I will recap my weekend for you. My sister who turned 21 on the 5th of April, made it down with her boyfriend, for the weekend. We finally got to do our little celebration for her birthday. My friend Tara and I took her out for her first official alcoholic drink at a local Martini bar. Boy, was that fun. I think Tara and I had more fun than Fran but it was more about the experience and I think that was enjoyable for Franny.  I wish we had gotten her a more laid back and fruity drink- she wasn't big on the Gummi Bear Martini-

We did a bit of dancing, and enjoyed some 80s tunes- the video DJ rocked it. The second drink was some Fountain style drinks with a kick- made with Saranac sodas- Fran didn't like hers- the Sunny Dee which was supposed to taste like a Sunny Delight. Not so much. Mine was great- a Root Beer Float, and Tara enjoyed her Purple Haze.

A little Camera Fun....

We were home and in bed by 11:30pm. ;)  I know, party ANIMALS we are.

Saturday afternoon I took Fran to one of my favorite things- English Tea at a local Bed & Breakfast. Man, was it good. You can check out what was on the menu here.  I knew Fran would love the Victorian style B&B and the atmostphere, pretty dishes, floral patterns, and snacks and tea. And I was right- she loved it!  Tara came along too, and we really enjoyed ourselves for the 2 hour affair. The food was to die for, as usual.

 

 

 

A wonderful afternoon filled with 2 of my most favorite people!

Saturday night we stayed in and enjoyed some chinese take-out, and rented a movie- Black Swan... it was really good, I loved it. I think it was a little odd in parts and we all had a good laugh a few times at the craziness of the story, but no one fell asleep half way through and in my book, that makes for a great movie.

Franny and I even ended up getting into the studio together which is something we both enjoy. She picks out the beads, and I put the jewelry together.  I assembled 3 of the pieces, but there are still 5 more bead combinations sitting here on my work table waiting. I would have gotten to them today but am quite busy compiling the rest of my book components for the last upcoming deadline in May.
But, these 3 pieces are listed in my etsy shop now, if you are interested in our collaborative pieces.

I love Macro

 

Lori of Studio Waterstone is hosting a blog hop for sharing Macro photos! I figured I would play along this week as I took a macro pic yesterday while at English tea with my sister. I took her to tea for her birthday, figuring should love the Victorian feel of the place and the little snacks. She really loved it.
This photo was of one of the little fancy savory snacks we ate.

dang it.

super frustrated! the video did not work

so i have to do a boring post. with typed words instead.

the winner of the pendants is:

KYLIE PARRY!

congrats Kylie!!

and thank you everyone for every one of the 238 comments left on my giveaway post!

hey jade, SEND MORE PENDANTS!! they were a hit!

24 hour giveaway

That's right, you have exactly 24 hours from now, 8:14am Wednesday, to leave a comment on this post to win these four lovely handcrafted bezel pendants from my girl Jade Scott. This prize is worth approx. $80! Jade graciously donated these pendants for this giveaway! Thank you Jade! I know the readers will want to get their hands on these!
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post- but also, spread the word! Leave a comment every time you post the giveaway...examples, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc. I will draw 1 random winner on Thursday at 8:14am.
Good luck!!

Inspired by Cabbages!?

Not just any old cabbages, these are SPANISH cabbages. Right in the center of Madrid. And they were incredibly inspiring, just look at that texture and color!
So I put together this asymmetrical beaded bracelet with some purple and green stone rounds that I found at Michaels... a sweet sleeping bunny from Tree Wings Studio and a teal button that I got from that cool button shop in Salamanca, Spain.
What have you been inspired by lately??

1300 posts!

This is my 1300th blog post. How crazy is that!?  It's amazing I have had 1300 posts of something to say! That's good news. The bad news is, the resin never hardened up and I am 100% sure it's because I listened to my husband who told me a 4:1 ration would be to fill the cup up to 1/8 Dram with hardener and then pour in the Resin to 2 Drams. I don't think that was right.  I'll try to do it again, but probably not this week.

So instead I took out my beads. I am doing a barter with D'Arsie and made this lovely for her with some coffee beans and cup from Joan Miller Porcelain. I almost don't want to give it up! It's so stinkin' cute!! Perfect for any coffee lover, such as myself. I am thinking I may need to replicate it again. Maybe one for myself.

Ecopoxy results

Resin and me... we just don't get along. Out of 4 filled bezels only 2 things semi-worked. If it's not bubbles it's bleeding papers -even though I covered the paper with clear tape on both sides.  I have the same result when coating the paper with mod podge. I am officially giving up.

Ecopoxy worked pretty similarly to the ICE resin. Wasn't as stinky, and was a bit thinner than ICE resin is. I used a 4:1 ratio like the instructions said.  I hope it dries in the 6-8 hour range. It should.

The bracelet has the paper- sweet little bird images. 2 of the bezels were inflicted with bleeding issues.

The wood bezel includes a rock and hydrangea bloom- kind of a nice Zen pendant. But there are 3 stubborn bubbles that I cannot get rid of. Tried blowing on them, tried piercing them with a needle. Nothing worked. Have them under a work lamp, thinking the heat would help. They are still there.

Did I mention I give up??

Griffin Series

Okay yea, I know- it's kind of a wimpy series. But I didn't want to go all crazy making a bajillion of these without trying it out first. so this is a little trial. If people like em, I'll make more. If they hang around too long, forget-about-it.
I just wanted to try doing something really simple - besides the fact it's all I can wrap my head around right now... and something inexpensive (only $24.50!) and interesting (ART BEADS!!) So see, now you know where my head was at with that. Plus I really dig a series lately- and I can't get enough of this Griffin silk beading cord.

Tin snippets are coming tonight around 6:30. Just a few sets, only floral bead caps. Will try to work on some more tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are enjoying your weekend!! My Saturday FLEW by so fast, in the blink of an eye.

Thank YOU!

More items to be listed today

please read below for info on the sale. :)

consider this a De-Stashing of sorts.

SALE

Poor planning on my part = emergency SALE- 2 days only

Use coupon code: ilovejewelry 

Get 30% off

BOTH SHOPS

Etsy

Bigcartel

thank you for your support. xo
-lorelei

Wednesday Ramblings

* Last night we went to bed at 8pm. it was still light outside....
* which means I didn't make any jewelry but put together some earrings (above) over coffee this morning.
* Tonight we get our taxes done. what a huge hassle.
* I bought eggs this morning. And a Kite yesterday.
* My new boss starts at work on Monday. First impressions are everything.
* Speaking of work, I feel as if I am drowning under a pile of paperwork.
* Trying to decide on a handmade case for the iPad I haven't gotten yet... i like this one, this, and this!
* Also trying to decide if I should grow my hair out or get it cut again. One thing is for certain, the grays
   need to be hidden.
* Still waiting for these to arrive. Gorgeous and unique!
* So happy to see the sun today after two days of dismal rain.

Happy Birthday Frances! & Book Winners Announced!

 

I feel so old. It felt like it was just yesterday that my baby sister was born, and I was holding her in my arms. Now she's 21. She's independent. She's strong-willed and motivated. She's sensitive. She's grown up. It's crazy. I wish her nothing but the best and successful life. One filled with love, friends, and happiness!

Here is what the Random Generator picked for me this morning!

Congratulations are in order for:

Must Haves: #12- She wanted to the Lampwork glass book!

Beadologist: :21- She wished for the Vintage Jewelry book!

Eileen: #61- She was hoping for the 30 Min. Rings book!

Thank you everyone for submitting your comments for this giveaway!

If you are a winner, please contact me with your mailing address!

Aja's Hollows

Last weekend when I was getting ready to teach my class, a woman came into the classroom and introduced herself. I was floored.  Cannot believe I met Aja Vaz. If you don't know Aja's work, you really need to head over to her blog and look around awhile. Her shop is called Wandering Spirit and her specialty is the largest most beautiful hollows I have ever seen. I think I hugged her a bajillion times while she was there, just saying hello. Sometimes I get a little carried away with the hugging, but I was just so flattered she had come by to say Hello, and to be in the presence of someone so stinkin' talented- I couldn't help myself. And, she's pretty huggable. Just sayin.

I have bought a few of her hollows, long long ago. I haven't used them because a. they are fun to look at and b. they are very large and demand the right kind of design.  Yesterday she did a shop update and I was in the right place at the right time, and purchased this lovely set of smaller beads. I will most likely hoard them for quite a while. They make me happy.

But after talking with my friend Deb, last night on FB, I decided to put a few that I have in stock, to good use. So. I made the following 2 things- a pair of earrings with some pretty teal hollows with silvered beading around the outside. I'm not sure the technical term for this technique.  I also created a long necklace with one of her large hollows, paired with some drilled beach stones and silk 2mm cording.