I am sorry for the absence yesterday - Brennan decided to rent a cottage for us and I've been trying to get everything organized to go there. It is only 15 minutes away, so thankfully I'll be able to come back home every day (or almost every day) to check emails and blog and tell you all about it. Don't worry, I'm not into those weird half-focused shots of hairy guys in teeny swim shorts (I think I'd divorce him if he wore those), but you'll probably get more shots of Arwen at her first cottage than you could ever think possible!
Now! Down to business! Way back in July I asked you for ideas on how to make this blog and my stores more appealing and I have had some really great comments. Thank you so much for putting some serious thought into your answers! I am trying to put as many of your ideas into practice as I can, and I hope you like the new additions.
To determine the prize winner, I used a random number generator and came up with Theresa from Theresa's Treasures, Congratulations!!! Please go to my Etsy store, pick out your favorite ring and then contact me with the convo feature to give me your mailing address and the name of your favorite ring.
Also, I've decided that when you sign up for my newsletter, you'll be entered in again for another prize for subscribers-only! Each month the winner will be chosen at random and will receive a gift certificate to use in my Etsy store. This month's winner is.......Sharla from BeadedTail! You win a $10 gift certificate to my Etsy store, congratulations! I have to say, I was so incredibly pleased when the number generator picked her, she always has the nicest things to say and is on my comments almost every day. Congratulations on this well-deserved gift :)
That is all for now...oh wait...here is Arwen, as almost everyone has requested! This is one of my favorite photos - she loves this poor little green pepper toy so much that, even though she has repeatedly ripped all of the stuffing out of it, she still carries it almost everywhere (unless she has the deflated seal or deflated crab!). On this particular occasion, she brought it with her to sit on my bed, looking out the window. Seriously, I didn't pose the green pepper - she got up on the bed and spent a few seconds arranging the pepper to sit next to her on the pillow, looking out at the backyard to watch the birds and squirrels....I love my dog!
Keep checking back for the next contest, and if you want an extra chance at winning a prize, why not sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already done so??
and
Arwen
Here is a new ring I just listed on my Etsy store, I hope you like it. See more here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels
Bookmark with Lampwork Glass Monkey Bead
Boudicca's Celtic Dots Ring
Today's Fabulous Friday Feature is M2bC, or, Meant to Be Cherished - Casual Artisan Jewelry.
M2bC makes all kinds of beautiful jewelry, but focuses on chainmail, strining and Kuhimono, a special type of Japanese braiding.
With pieces ranging from about $8 to $88, there is something for almost everyone on your gift list :)
Please do check out her Artfire shop and see all of the amazing things she has to offer. She also has a blog - why not stop by and say hello??
I am sorry for the absence yesterday - Brennan decided to rent a cottage for us and I've been trying to get everything organized to go there. It is only 15 minutes away, so thankfully I'll be able to come back home every day (or almost every day) to check emails and blog and tell you all about it. Don't worry, I'm not into those weird half-focused shots of hairy guys in teeny swim shorts (I think I'd divorce him if he wore those), but you'll probably get more shots of Arwen at her first cottage than you could ever think possible!
That is all for now...oh wait...here is Arwen, as almost everyone has requested! This is one of my favorite photos - she loves this poor little green pepper toy so much that, even though she has repeatedly ripped all of the stuffing out of it, she still carries it almost everywhere (unless she has the deflated seal or deflated crab!). On this particular occasion, she brought it with her to sit on my bed, looking out the window. Seriously, I didn't pose the green pepper - she got up on the bed and spent a few seconds arranging the pepper to sit next to her on the pillow, looking out at the backyard to watch the birds and squirrels....I love my dog!
Boudicca's Celtic Spiral Ring in Sapphire
~Copper-Dyed (permanent) Freshwater Pearls~
~Boudicca's Celtic Spiral Ring in Peridot~
~Dyed Blue (Permanent) Agate Beads~
~NeoAmour Elizabeth Nest Ring~
~Custom Sterling Silver Nest Ring with Rainbow Fluorite~
Sweet Saturday indeed! Here are some new rings I've been working on lately: the first is a ring that is sweet, yet sort of Steam Punk. I used sterling silver wire to make a comfortable shank, adding a teal Swarovski crystal to the center. I then coiled more sterling silver wire around the base wire and added 2 clear Swarovski crystals to the outside of the teal bead, coiling the remainder of the wire on the sides.
The result is a coiled ring that is pretty, yet different. You could keep it shiny, or allow it to patina and darken naturally, giving it a worn look for a more "Steam Punk" style.
The second ring I am calling my Turquoise Saturn ring. I took a real turquoise bead and surrounded it with a nest of sterling silver wire and creating a comfortable shank in the process.
It looks like a planet surrounded by rings (or a Robin's egg in a nest, whichever suits your fancy). I will be listing these rings on my Etsy store this weekend, so please do stop by and have a gander... I have even more cool items to come, please keep checking back!
