Token Coin Bracelet

I just love using old objects and collectibles in my jewelry designs it makes them such a conversation piece. Here you have some vintage token coins used as connectors in this one of a kind bracelet. I love the agate beads in this and only wish I could find some more, I only had bought one strand from Mary my eccentric bead lady and now I am running out, oh well ...




I really should be starting my holiday decorating but I am saving it for the weekend when I can get in the mood. I feel like I am so behind in my decorating as all my neighborhood has decked out for a week or more. I do believe we are going to break down and buy an artificial tree. Back home in Massachusetts we could go anywhere within a few miles and cut down a fresh tree, here in Tennessee (at least where we live) it is not that easy. So, I am hoping to find a tree that I can put away without disassembling it each year. We have tons of great storage so it should work out ok, that would be one of the good benefits anyway. I can't wait to take out my ornaments, I love antique and vintage Christmas bulbs, they are my absolute favorites!!

Have you decorated your homes yet? What is your favorite item you take out every year?

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

Last night we went to Lipscomb University (were my son is attending school) for their annual "Lighting of the Green". Thankfully the weather was nice and balmy at 49 degrees. This was the first time we went to this event and It was really incredible! The stage was set with groups of various local children' s choirs as well as Lipscomb's. Amy Grant was just wonderful, her guests included "Brenda Lee" the original singer of "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", what a great performance from this little lady. Guy Pernod was outstanding with my very favorite "O Holy Night". The acoustics for an outdoor event were perfection. Additional musical guests such as Buddy Greene, a guitar pickin’ singer/songwriter, the Annie Moses Band, a family ensemble that plays a blend of classical and contemporary, and Sterling Gittens, a local Christian artist. Hot chocolate and cookies were served by strolling costumed wenches provided by the Drama department. It was a wonderful evening shared with our dear wonderful friends and neighbors. I forgot to tell you this was a free event, gotta love Nashville!

PEACE

Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy....a bracelet that says it all?

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."

H.H. the Dalai Lama

London

Here is one of my fun resin projects....it is so nice to finally use all the little snippets of vintage and antique papers I have been hoarding. I knew someday they would get some good use! I was lucky enough to travel to London with a girlfriend about 6 years ago. It was a wonderful trip and I hope to return someday with the DH. I hope this necklace will bring back wonderful memories for someone too. You can find this piece in my Etsy shop.

Flap Your Wings

It has been a busy week! Now that my open house is behind me and all the hub bub of Thanksgiving is done I have to concentrate on getting my shop loaded with some new items. This week I hope to finally give the copper etching a try. I have been waiting for a time when I could just focus on that. If anyone has any special tips they would like to share I sure would appreciate it. I am going to use the peroxide and acid mixture.

"Flap Your Wings" butterfly necklace can be found on my website.

Australian Chrysoprase

There is so much to do....so little time! Getting ready for my Trunk Show & Sale on Friday, yikes! I am trying to get some new things made and this bracelet is one of them. I am very pleased with the simpleness of this design, the stones say it all. You can find this on my website

I am sure everyone is getting ready for their Thanksgiving feast, cooking, cleaning and some will be traveling. We won't be visiting family this holiday as we were back to Massachusetts and Connecticut this past spring, instead we will be walking across the lawn to our good friends house, what a treat it will be for me not having to cook. I know it will be a lovely day spent with good friends.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John Fitzgerald Kennedy

The day after...

I had a fantastic show yesterday....the best yet, I still can't believe it! The show had great traffic all day with customers that were buying. I could not believe how busy I was! I do believe offering to accept credit cards is a huge plus, and I have been extremely pleased with Propay, the service I have been using, half of my sales were credit card sales and it makes me wonder how many sales I would have lost if I did not offer this service.

These photos are not the best, as I used my I-phone to take them. My booth is always a work in progress, tweaking the best way to display my wares and draw people to the booth. My use of antiques is a big help , people are drawn to the antique typewriter and pictures and such. Half of the battle is to get people to come into your booth. As I looked around the show and saw many booths that did not have traffic, I believe it is the lack of a good display. You can have the best things but if if they are not displayed well no one will notice. A back drape would be a good addition to my display, but I need to figure that one out. Like I said, it is a work in progress and evolves until it feels right.



There was one booth that was very simple but eye catching, called "Squirrel In The Attic". The name itself was a stopper! Jennifer a young military wife is the creative graphic designer behind this greeting card business. Her cards make you smile, laugh and say awwww! I kept going back and buying more. After talking to her I learned that she has an Etsy shop, so I told her I would post her to my blog. I sure hope you will go and check out her shop and her wonderful fun cards.