A very special and heartfelt "Thank you" goes out to my top entrecard droppers, who take the time out of their busy days to visit my little corner of the world on a regular basis! My top droppers this month are:

Dropper
# of drops
Alteredevents
31
My gypsygoods
31
BeadedTail
27
More Than Sew So
26
My Life in Italy
25
Behind the Bit
25
Tialey Vintage Clothing
22
A Rose By Name
22
Lenox Knits
21
Split Rock Ranch
20 Pin It

Last day to enter!

Today is the last day to enter my contest ,"Name that Necklace"! I have some super name suggestions so far ..and it seems we have a bit of a moon theme going on, but it doesn't have to be a moon song..so get your thinking caps on! Thank you to all that have entered already...your song title suggestions have been excellent! However, there is still have time to enter, and you can enter more than once...just submit the song title that you think this necklace should be named by leaving me a comment here in the original post.

Contest is open until 12:00 midnight MST tonight. I will select my favorite entry, and that lucky person will win these sterling silver earrings, made with these pretty vintage (never before used) sapphire Swarovski crystals! The person who places second, will get a feature post here on my blog in March. All rules are posted here.
I will announce the first and second place winners on Sunday Feb. 1.(tomorrow) Pin It

Faithfully

I have a new listing in my etsy shop...it is about time as I have not listed anything new for awhile! Just in time for Valentines Day, is a new bracelet titled Faithfully. You remember that song by Journey? It features gorgeous beads by USA artisan, JavaBead, handcrafted Bali beads, lots of sterling silver and Swarovski crystals.


Dont' forget to enter my giveaway for a pair of sterling silver and vintage Swarovski crystal earrings! Just make your song suggestion for naming my necklace ( see top of blog page on where to "click" for all the details) by midnight Jan 31!!
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Awarded and tagged!

I have been awarded and tagged!! First of all Kirstie at Bonhomie Jewelry awarded me with the Lemonade Award! Thankyou Kirstie! I always enjoy visiting Kirsties' blog, as she seems so full of sunshine. Her metal jewelry designs have a modern, yet organic feel and are very beautiful. This award is given to bloggers with positive attitudes, the ability to look on the bright side.........those who turn life's lemons into lemonade.

The rules are (should you choose to accept this gracious award): 1. Put the logo on your blog. 2. Nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude or gratitude!!! 3. Be sure to link your nominees with your post. 4. Let them know they received the award by leaving a comment on their blog. 5. Share the love and link this post to the person that gave you the award. Many of the nominees for this award are fairly new reads for me, and I am enjoying them all. There are also a couple that I have been following for awhile as well. So here goes:

Art and Interior-fabulous interior design

Coloraddiction- Lampwork bead artist

Five O'Clock Somewhere- Jewelry designs and horses!

Crafts and Cooking- From India,

Kitchen Retro- Lots of laughs here!!

Dirty Pretty Things to Ponder-Fashion, design, art, home,celebrity & gossip

Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice-After visiting this blog, you'll be starvin'!

Judiths Bead Lounge-lampwork bead artist

Originals by Terri-jewelry designer

Retro: Kimmer-wonderful blog, all about the 60's

Then I was tagged by Nancy at Indie Sista's....
Apparently the basic rules for tagging are simple rules: Mention the person who tagged you and link the person, post the rules in your blog, write 7 random things about yourself, tag seven people at the end of your post and link to them and let each person know they've been tagged.
Seven Random things about me:
1. I am short..5'2", but I wish I was taller!

2. I have naturally curly hair, which I usually blow dry straight almost every day.

3. I make my bed every day.

4. When I travel to new places, I love to find the unknown out of the way spots.

5. I have eaten Prairie Oysters...once! (search on google if you don't know what these are!)

6. I enjoy red wine.

7. Summer is my favorite season.

So now these people are it!

ChatElaine Jewelry

Alteredevents

HeathensHearth LizzyT Tallis Designs The Copper Cauldron Karooart Designs

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Fleetwood Mac...then...

Woo hoo...I just got tickets to see my favorite band of all time!!!! I am going to see Fleetwood Mac, but I have to wait until May for the concert. This will be my third time seeing the band, I first saw them in 1977 on the Rumours tour. The image burned in my mind is of Stevie Nicks singing Rhiannon, with her black gypsy dress blowing in the wind! Fabulous!! I then saw them in the early 1990's, but Lyndsey Buckingham was not performing with the band at that time. This time Christine McVie will be missing from the band, but from the reviews I have read, the concert is supposed to be awesome!

Fleetwood Mac...now!
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Featured on Beadology!

My "Bleeding Love" necklace is featured on Beadologys' blog today! The fabulous heart bead is made by Louisianna lampwork artist ,Rebecca Werner. Please check out Beadology, she features some wonderful handcrafted jewelry! Pin It

My Tagalongs

Last week I was shopping in the big city and I bought this!

What the......?????

Well this is pretty cool, you unroll it,

velcro the back together and voila!

You have a chic sunhat! One that doesn't get crushed into a pancake shape while in your suitcase, and can easily pop into a backpack or purse. How cool is that?!

So you are probably thinking, " Well yeah...but Susan it is the middle of winter in Canada right now, why did you just buy yourself a sunhat?" Well, I am counting down the days, 21 to be exact, until I leave this snowy land for Florida, where I will then board a fabulous cruise ship and spend the next two weeks cruising around the southern and eastern Caribbean Islands! I know...you probably hate me right now. My husband and I planned this trip about a year ago, and our 11 year old son is coming too, so it will be a great experience for him as well. Anyhow, back to the hat. It is made by a company called My Tagalongs, and they specialize in fashionable, practical accessories, like purse organizers, (check these out they are great!)

They also have eco-chic totes, womens'personal emergency and travel kits for your bag, and travel accessories.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway contest. You can enter from now until Jan 31.

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Name that Necklace!

I need some help naming this brand new necklace that I designed!
Now if you are familier with my jewelry, you know that I name all my bracelets and necklaces after songs, so I am looking for a suitable song name for this piece. Actually it is two seperate necklaces,

which can be worn on their own or........

...together for a real statement!

Both necklaces are made entirely from sterling silver, rutilated quartz, Swarovski glass pearls and crystals, and one huge fabulous rare vintage Swarovski faceted crystal, that is the focal bead inside the silver crescent shaped frame.

So here are the rules:

1. Enter as often as you like with your suggestions by leaving me a comment.

2.Your suggestion must be a song title.

3. Contest closes Jan.31 at midnight MST.

So what do you get for your efforts??? I will select my favourite song title from all of the entries, and the winner will receive these wonderful Hot Rocks earrings! These are made from some lovely vintage (never before used) sapphire Swarovski crystals, sterling silver beads and small Swarovski crystals, all on sterling silver lever back ear wires.

Shipping is FREE of course. For the second place winner, I will run a feature post of you here on my blog, during the month of March. ( Giving you a little more exposure and promotion for Spring time!) I look forward to your suggestions, so let the games begin!!!

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Spring Fashion Forcast 2009

With the weather outside being cold, and with several feet of snow covering the ground, my mind wanders to the warm days of Spring and fresh new beginnings. I know that Spring is still along ways off, however not too early to start thinking about Spring fashion and if you design jewelry, scarves, handbags etc. you need to start planning out the items you want to create...soon! So after a bit of research into Spring 2009, here's what I found out;

Jewelry- is still very big, bold, chunky and ornate, with women shopping for stand out statement pieces that are unique to update their current wardrobe. Ethnic inspired designs, and exotic rich colors are key. Over the top, and ornate pieces especially in necklaces and bracelets.

Scarves- tye dyed or dip dyed; zig zag patterns, fringes

Purses- fringes are big

Colors- nude shades (blush, pale peach, tan), faded or sunbleached vegetable dyes, bright yummy fruity colors, vibrant clear blues and greens and hot pinks, metallics, sorbet colors (lemon yellow)

Fabrics: organic cottons, hemp, bamboo, patchwork, embroidered, sheers are huge, burned out fabrics, girly prints featuring butterlies, big polka dots and florals..of course!

Styles- asymmetrical off the shoulder dresses and tops, romantic and fantasy styles, fringes everywhere, "the little white dress", jumpsuits (not sure about this one!),

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Noblesse Oblige Award

I just recieved another award! Once again, Swapna at Crafts and Cooking has bestowed another award upon me. Please visit her blog, where you can visit exotic locations in India, and get some fab recipes for wonderful Indian food dishes! Thankyou so much Swapna, I am truly honoured that you think so highly of my blog. These are the rules associated with this award:

This award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:

1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2. The Blog contents inspire; it strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences, and Beliefs.
4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this Award will need to perform the following steps:

1. Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2. The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3. Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved- preferably citing one or more older post to support.
4. The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award Conditions.
5. The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

I hope that I raised awareness to readers of my blog about the plight of Ugandan women and their families. The money that I raised at my silent auction in November, went to help move these people from poverty, by providing food, medicine, education, and shelter. I also hope that those taking the time to read my blog, enjoy viewing my jewelery designs, and perhaps also learn something along the way. My family is very important to me and I hope you like to read about my family life and the activities we do together , as well as some of the musical tidbits sprinkled through out this blog.

That said, it is now my honour to pass this award onto some other deserving blogs that I enjoy visiting. So here goes:

1.Health Nut Wannabe Mom

2.Michon Jewelry Blog

3.Over 40 and Loving it

4.Unique You

5.Beaded Tail

6. Beadwright

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Complimentry Color Scheme

This color scheme is vibrant, exciting and stimulating! Colors opposite each other on the color wheel compliment each other and are bold and intense but balanced in designs. Don't be afraid to try this color scheme as the results are amazing! Remember, that you can use pastel and greyed down versions of these hues as well.

Try complimentry color schemes in your home decor:

My designs using a complimentry color scheme:

Just got notified that I am the recipient of another award! Yay....I will post on that next time!

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Dog and Butterfly

I recently made this multi strand necklace using a variety of smoky quartz stones, labradorite Swarovski crystals (some vintage ones )and pearls, sterling silver chain, Bali silver beads and a fab Thai silver butterfly which when worn sits to the side of the neck. I loved this one so much that I decided to keep it for myself, actually it was a gift to me from me for my birthday back in December! I gave this necklace the title "Dog and Butterfly", named for the song by the band Heart, which was fronted by rock goddesses and sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ok,....... I know there is no dog in the necklace ...but there IS a butterfly and hey...I like the song!
















See the dog and butterfly
Up in the air he like to fly
Dog and butterfly below she had to try
She roll back down to the warm soft ground
Laughing to the sky, up to the sky
Dog and butterfly
We're getting older the world's getting colder
For the life of me I don't know the reason why
Maybe it's livin' making us give in
Hearts rolling in taken back on the tide
We're balanced together ocean upon the sky
...Heart

Next post will be back to the Color Schemes, when I will have some info for you on the Complimentry Color Scheme! Pin It

The treasure box

Today I am taking a break from the color scheme posts, as I received some wonderful jewelry designing treasures in my mail yesterday, that I wanted to share with you! What better way to start the New Year, than with a fresh batch of sterling silver, sparkling Swarovski crystals and gemstones? My brain is overflowing with new creative ideas! Two cardboard boxes arrived, stuffed and bubble wrapped with my special selections...it is like Christmas morning all over again! I can't wait to get started on some new exciting designs!

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Analogous Color Schemes

Analogous ... (pronounced..... a na le ges) color schemes, use hues that sit next to each other on the color wheel and create harmonious designs. Pick three colors that are adjacent to each other on the wheel, one as a main color, the second and the third are your accent colors. Neutrals such as black and white can also be added to the design.

Here are some examples of this harmonious scheme used in home decor:

Find out what color your soul is painted! Take this quick quiz!

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Inspirational Color Schemes

Do you need some color inspiration for your next jewelry design project, painting, craft or even some ideas for decorating a room in your home? Then if you haven't already tried the color wheel give it a go to help you get started. Over the next few days I will discuss some color themes to get you going on your next creative endeavour!

All of the colors in the universe are derived from the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow. By mixing two primaries you get the secondary colors of green, orange and purple. Tertiary colors are combinations of a primary with a nearby secondary color.

There are four main color schemes, monochromatic, analogous, complementary and split-complementary.

A monochromatic color scheme uses the same colors, but uses variations in tones, shades, and tints to create interest. This color scheme is very easy on the eye, calming and soothing. This would be a great way to decorate your bedroom to create a relaxing atmosphere, or if you want to make your bathroom more "spa like", try a peaceful monochromatic color scheme. It is important to use different textures, such as smooth, bumpy, rough, woven, fuzzy, silky etc. when creating a monochromatic scheme to keep the design from looking dull.

Interiors by Kimberley Seldon Design

Next time ...... analagous color schemes!

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