New Treasury Featuring Yours Truly!

I had thought to have my last post be the post that stayed up over Christmas, but then I got a lovely notice saying that I had been featured in a treasury with other fine Etsy artists in this beautiful, holiday inspired treasury, featuring some beautiful items.

I thought I'd share, in the spirit of Christmas :)

"Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand." - How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1966

Merry Christmas: A Bit of A Break...

Arwen and I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, whether it is Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or others.

I've been having some health issues, and combined with the Christmas rush, it has made me rather negligent with my blogs. Arwen and I are going to take a little break and when we come back, we'll have many new posts and (hopefully) interesting stories for you.

So be happy, stay safe and healthy, and we'll see you very soon!
and Arwen

Soulful Sunday: Getting into the Holiday Spirit...

From http://icanhascheezburger.com/
I thought it might get you into the spirit.... :-)

Sweet Saturday: What a Great Week!

WHEW! What a week! I'm sorry I've been very absent this week, but it has been crazy busy...in a VERY good way! First I had a wonderful visit with a goldsmith friend and her mom on Monday where we talked jewelry and ate fresh baked goodies from my oven (vanilla cupcakes with chocolate fudge frosting). She lent me a bunch of books to read (see above).
Then Tuesday I had my last gluten free cooking class of the year - a GIANT gluten free baking exchange with over 15 people and 15 different recipes. It was a HUGE success and an absolute ton of fun!
Wednesday was recovery, but I baked some gluten free and dairy free sugar cookies, and Thursday I baked some gluten free gingersnaps and put up the tree. I am trying to get my baking done by the end of the weekend so that I can give my baking gift baskets out early this year.
Yesterday I had my good friend Louise from Fireseed over. We ate fresh baked shortbread and exchanged some goodies: I finally got to buy her little Viking Monkee, Thor (isn't he DARLING??), and then she gave me these beautiful blue beads to play with! Louise is currently making reproductions of ancient beads and is doing a tremendous job of it! These were inspired by a necklace from the 2nd cen. BC to the 4th cen AD. Isn't that cool? I have MANY ideas for these beads!
Last night I started on a new project - Viking Knit! This is done with VERY fine wire and is actually WAY easier than I had been led to believe. I am going to make this for my little Thor to rest on. If I am fortunate enough, I'll make a necklace of this to rest him on. Stay tuned and I'll keep you updated (promise!).

That's all for now, I did put up my tree, and I'll post that later on.
Have a great weekend!

Arwednesdays with Arwen the Wonder Dog: Daddy's Girl

...Hey, who are you calling a Daddy's Girl? I don't care if he is in his boxers, trying to relax, he is going to pay attention to ME, not mommy...I'm worth it, don't you think? I mean, look at my belly, it is so cute and just calling out for a belly rub. If mommy is too busy to scratch my belly while she is doing her holiday baking, then daddy will just have to take over. I still don't understand why mommy won't pet me during her baking...I think people would be honored to have my furs in their cookies, but noooo, she won't do it. Fine! Daddy will take over and get the honor of paying lots and lots of attention to me.
Now, I'm sorry to cut this short, but all this attention is making me tired, I need to nap now.
Rah rooh! have a grrrreat day everyone! Mommy says we are going to put up the Christmas tree tonight so she is going to try and get photos of that to show you :)
and Arwen

Fabulous Friday: Special Deals for This Weekend Only!

This Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, join me in my Etsy store for great deals on your holiday shopping:

Buy 2 items - get 20% off
buy 3 items - get 30% off
buy 4 items - get 40% off

The more you buy, the more you save! As always, all purchases are gift wrapped and come with a free blank gift card. Purchases over $10 get a FREE surprise gift!
Hope to see you soon!

Tuesday's Treasures: Getting in the Baking Mode

So I had wanted to take a photo to show you all how they turned out, but apparently I have gremlins in the house! With the holidays fast approaching, one of my favorite things to do, and gifts to give, is baking. These are simple, delicious and so pretty that I had to share with you! Put on some holiday music, grab your bowl and spoon, and get ready for one delicious recipe.

Meg and Mel's Holiday Balls

1 Cup Butter
2 tbsp Agave Nectar
1 tsp Brandy

2-1/4 Cups All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix (see the link for the flour recipe)
1/2 Cup Gluten Free Icing Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt

3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts OR Chocolate Chips OR Dried Cranberries OR a combination of them

Granulated Sugar for Sprinkling (Optional)

Cream the butter and agave nectar. Add in the brandy.
Evenly sprinkle the flour, icing sugar and salt over the top and mix until just combined.
Mix in the walnuts/cranberries/chocolate chips and blend.
Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until cold.
Preheat oven to 350Fahrenheit. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using your fingers, make small, teaspoon-sized balls and roll them in the sugar, if using.
Shake the excess sugar off the cookies and place them about 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Bake for 11-13 minutes, until they are golden around the edges.
Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
Enjoy!

I would also like to thank everyone for their kind words. Brennan is very proud of himself for keeping the secret for over 6 weeks while it was made, and we are both very happy :)

Have a great day!

Fabulous Friday Features: Aunti Franni!

In this installment of Fabulous Friday Features, I thought I would introduce you to a great artist named Fran. She makes wonderful embroidered items...and before you go thinking of your great-granny's towels, take a look at all of the COOL stuff she has - many are perfect stocking stuffers and very well priced. I know I have quite a few of her items on my gift-giving list! You can find her on Etsy at: SunnyDaysEmbroidery or on ArtFire at: AuntiFranni'sSunnyDaysEmbroidery Or you can go to either site and search under sellers for "AuntiFranni".

~Really, Need I Say More??~

What makes Fran more amazing is that she does all of this work herself (on a machine of course) with a serious lung disease. Talk about a fighter herself!

~The Perfect Stocking Stuffer For Any Water Drinker~

She also does custom orders, all you have to do is ask! She can use different colors of thread, different patterns, different colors of fabric, you name it, she can probably do it!

~Adorable!~

Fran also makes great patches to sew on bags, and incredibly cute candy cane holding ornaments for your tree.

~Great Items for Kids and Kids at Heart~

She is taking orders now, so get yours in before the holiday rush really starts and relax knowing you have unique handmade gifts at affordable prices!

Fabulous Friday

~So Sleepy!~

Today's Fabulous Friday is brought to you by... SLEEP! Yes, glorious, wonderful, restful sleep. I've been so go-go-go the last month that I almost forgot I could sleep (well, that and the Fibromyalgia causes insomnia so it was a double-whammy!). Today we slept. Had lunch. Napped. Had dinner. Sat on the couch and watched TV. Went to bed early (or I will go to bed early - we haven't hit that yet). The dog was knackered. Pure tuckered out by Christmas at my parents' house yesterday. All that attention and turkey from grandmom sure got to her! I don't normally allow 'human food' to e given to my animals, but plain turkey and plain veggies are ok, and grandmom knows this so every few minutes I'd hear, "Shhhh don't tell your mom!" and then I'd hear Arwen munching and licking her lips. Lucky dog! Eating is hard work so she sure needed her naps today :)
We had a great Christmas. sure, the gifts were great (fabulous actually!), with me getting some great books and DVD's, plus a fabulous gift certificate to my favorite gardening store, but it was seeing family again and visiting, catching up and laughing. My mom also does a fabulous table spread with lots of veggies and fruits, cheeses and homemade crackers, and dinner is always divine with her stuffing and turkey so tender you don't ever need a knife. More veggies, followed by the yummy shortbread and fudge that I made ended the evening wonderfully. All in all, it was a FABULOUS Christmas and I am exhausted!

Reminders: the SUPER 50% off sale is still on and more items have been added to the sale!
Also, there are only a few more days to enter the December Monthly Blog contest. It is free to enter and you could win a great prize!
That's all for now, I'm going to have a FABULOUS rest!
Meghann

New Earwires!

~New Earwires!~

I had a really cool request a little while ago - a client wanted to have really cool ear wires for her jewellery creations. She had the idea for them, based on a few other designs, but wanted them in sterling silver, and wanted them bigger than the average decorative earwires (most of them being tiny, and rather wimpy in my humble opinion). These are a few of the fantastic results! I'll be listing these and many more soon, as well as more items in my SUPER 50% OFF SALE. Keep checking the Etsy store for more cool, affordable things!
Meghann

~Another Beautiful Custom Necklace~

Here is another beautiful creation, custom made for a very special friend. She is giving it as a Christmas present, so she will have to remain nameless, but I have to say that this was one bear of a necklace to make, being my first 'woven' piece ever. It did, however, turn out beautifully and I am thinking of ways to make others for sale on my Etsy shop. They won't be quite as ornate though, as this one took many, many hours, lol. This was made using Czech glass seed beads, Czech glass druk (round) beads, tumbled Turquoise nuggets and a turquoise round donut pendant....GORGEOUS!
Of course my SUPER 50% off Sale is still going...and there is still time to have it delivered before Christmas (some areas may need additional postage, so contact me if you are unsure). Of course, at these prices, you can easily afford to get yourself some gifts, and even get a head start on next year's Christmas shopping (remember how you always say you're going to do that???).
Check out my Etsy Store for more items added to the 50% off section daily!
And don't forget to enter the December contest of the month to win a great prize!
Meghann

Best Sale Ever!!

~Insert Fireworks Here~

So I decided to up my sale AGAIN.
Now almost everything in the store is 50% OFF!
I'll be adding more items so keep checking back and remember: it's not too late to have these items mailed to your recipients on time for Christmas!!
Check it out!! www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com
And the deadline for the December Blog contest is quickly coming up so don't forget to enter!
Meghann

Sale-ing a Sale-ing a Sale-ing We Shall Go!

The Buy 2 Get One Free Sale in my Etsy store is still going very well, a few people have taken advantage of the wonderful deals in my shop and have some beautiful, handmade jewellery to give as Christmas presents!
I wanted to give you more, though, so if you purchase over $100 worth of items, after discounts, you'll get a free surprise! All jewellery does, of course, come in a handmade gift box so it is ready for gift-giving - you don't even have to wrap it! I can even send the item directly to the recipient if you would like.
Plus, you don't have the line ups, crabby clerks, and grabby shoppers to contend with (and don't even get me started on the parking!)
Happy shopping, and don't forget to enter the free monthly blog contest to win great prizes ;-)
Meghann

Time to Think of next Month...

~Want to Learn to Make This? You Can - Thursday January 15, 2009!~

Well the first class I taught at The Bead Store in Kemptville was a huge hit. The pendant was finished by the end of the class and the participants got to wear them home! They loved the project and now have some new techniques to add to their repertoire. I had so much fun, so a big thank you to all who came out!
The next project is the one you see above. This is a beautiful nested ring with sterling silver wire and Czech glass beads surrounding a beautiful focal stone, in this case a carnelian melon. This will be taught by me at The Bead Store in Kemptville on Thursday, January 15 from 7PM to 9PM. It will be lots of fun, so I really encourage you to come out and try it. It is a great way to get out of the house and escape those January doldrums, plus it is an affordable project and you'll have a beautiful ring to give away (or keep!) by the end of the class. Check out their website for details: www.rideau-art-beads.com
The SUPER SALE is still going strong in my Etsy Store, so check it out as there are lots of great affordable gift ideas and there is still time to get it mailed to you (or directly to the recipient) before Christmas. See the sale here: www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com :)
Also, don't forget to enter the December blog contest to try and win a wonderful prize! Everyone is eligible, so enter and tell your friends too - you never know...you just might win!
Meghann

~Enter the November Contest and You Could Win This Ring!~

Our November Contest is appropriate, I think, given the current financial situations of most of us: by replying to this post, let me know how, in light of the current economy, you will be doing your holiday shopping this year. Are you scaling back a lot? Using credit cards? Making gifts yourself? Purchasing more carefully? Setting Spending limits? How? By replying, you will be automatically entered to win Celtic Style Sterling Silver and Czech Glass Spiral Ring, shown above. One reply per person please. One name will be randomly drawn on December 1, and I will contact the winner, as well as posting the winner on the blog here on that day. The winner will have 2 weeks to contact me and give me their address so I can ship them their earrings. If they don't contact me in the two weeks, I will choose another, random name and they will have 2 weeks, etc. Good luck and keep checking back for exclusive discounts available only to people who read this blog!!
Keep checking my Etsy store for more new items listed every day, and remember - I love to do custom orders :)
Get responding!
Meghann