Friday, April 16, 2010

No Trespassing


I suppose I should have read the sign posted on the fence...but I could not resist pulling off the road to see these beauties. As soon as I was out of my car they all came running over to the fence. They gave me the once over and a good sniff and I was good, only wish I had some peppermints. As usual I did all the talking and petting . This is what I love about Tennessee, horses everywhere!! On this particular road only a few miles from my house I bet there were close to 50 horses in various farms and pastures, oh so beautiful!


This beautiful paint was definetly low on the totem pole, the others pushed him off easily. How handsome is he?? Can't you just see a red plaid blanket under a saddle and that white haired gentleman we know as Mr. Americana sitting on him...I am speaking of Ralph Lauren.


If I only had my shedder blade...that mane needs some attention. Can you imagine the owner seeing me brushing his horses, you'd read about me the next day in the paper...Loony jewelry designer arrested for trespassing and grooming horses. Hey it could happen!







Thursday, April 15, 2010

Accepting Credit Cards at Shows


With the craft and art show season upon us I wanted to share with you a way you can accept credit cards at shows. People are more apt to make a larger purchase if they can put it on their credit card. At one show I had over $700 in credit card sales, I wondered how many I would have missed out if I had not offered this option. I use the ProPay service to run my credit cards and this can be done on any cell phone. However if you are busy or it is noisy as is usually the case it is hard to do this, it takes time and is hard to hear the prompts on the phone. I just learned about PocketPay.ME, this is a 3rd party service that allows you to key in all the info and charges a yearly fee of $9.95 (10% disc. with code "etsy") and a 10 cents per transaction fee. I feel this extra service is worth it. You do need a Propay account to use Pocketpay. I called Propay and emailed PocketPay to double check on the fees and it is correct. This service works on all smart phones, Iphone, blackberry and cell phones.
I am not getting paid for this information, just wanted to share with you what has worked for me.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Life's Goal


~Your goals are the road maps

that guide you and show you

what is possible for your life.~



Vintage road map beads by Tanith's odds and ends on Etsy


Lampwork bead by Being Beads on Etsy.


You can find "Life's Goal" vintage map necklace on JudithBDesigns.com

Monday, April 12, 2010

Tennessee Sunshine

What the heck have I been doing lately...I had not realized I have not blogged since Wednesday...golly! Since all the "lucky" girls were at Bead Fest I was stuck enduring the most gorgeous weather that Tennessee has to offer ( a good consolation prize).

I know what I have not been doing...and that is chasing little garden snakes. Jack "the cat" loves bringing these home for me, oh joy!


One of the things I have been working on are magazine submissions to Step by Step Wire. They are all done...that is a big weight off my shoulders, I hate deadines and I am the queen of procrastination. I really would like to send another shout out of thanks to Cindy Wimmer for all your support and help, I would not have done it without your encouragement and guidance. Here is a peek at what will be in the the Aug/Sept. issue.


I started planting my vegetable garden, it is a little earlier than usual but with my sister coming in a few weeks I took advantage of the lovely weather to plant. I have little 3 x 3 raised beds, it is next to impossible to plant in this ledge rock we call soil. I plant a nice little variety, so far I have 5 different tomato plants, red& green peppers, eggplant, beans, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, arugula, yellow squash, cantaloupe and more to come. Yes, it all fits in my little boxes and the best part is no weeding!


Last year we decided we needed a fence to protect my investment from the bunnies and the deer, so that is what the DH is working on now. The garden is just getting more and more expensive! We are also finishing up sodding our yard so that should be done in a few days. I will post some before and after pictures when it is done.

I think I actually may get in my studio this evening and relax and create a little something, something.
Thanks for stopping by today.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Organic Obsession

I am a little obsessed with this bracelet...or should I say with the art bead. Kate of Studio Artbead makes the most incredible pieces from polymer clay. I was drawn to the texture and color of this great bead. I knew it had to be a stand alone kind of piece so I paired it with other organic beads, wood, bone and Tibetan beads all in the same hue, so the color could be appreciated. A few turquoise beads are added in the back.
Kate describes this bead...."Like a a field of wildflowers, this fresh unopened spray of dill flowers creates that look. Of perhaps Queen Anne's lace waving in the afternoon sunlight".

You can find Organic Obsession in my Flap Your Wings Etsy shop.



Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Bird in Flight

A symbolic necklace full of Hope, growth and the rhythm of life.

I created a one of a kind resin pendant for this piece I call "Bird in Flight".
The pendant was made using resin, vintage papers, an old watch face and a bird charm. A thin piece of mica sits under the resin and gives the pendant an iridescent glow.
Handmade sheet music beads, rulitated quartz and mother of pearl beads are wire wrapped in steel and accent the whimsical pendant. You can find this piece on my website.

Spring Moss
Bone beads and handmade copper bead caps compliment the porcelain floral pendant and porcelain beads created by LeAnn of Summers Studio Pottery. Oxidized copper and vintage metal links unite all of these great components.
You can find Spring Moss in my Etsy shop.


Monday, April 5, 2010

Flower Power

Today got the best of me....I had to turn my AC on! As a native New England-er I am still not use to having to turn the AC on in April, of course the weather could all change tomorrow., but no matter how cold it gets that heat is NOT going back on!

So with the warm spring day in mind this is what my hands had to create today. I wanted something current with a vintage flair. Lots of chunky glass and pearls with some rhinestone bling.



You can find Spring Bling in my Etsy shop.