Valentines Day Painted Gift Bag and Heart Candle Jar

I poured my first layer of resin, into my molds, last evening, and the second layer this morning. They are not ready to pop yet, but I can't wait to share them. I was kind of disappointed with the way the glitter ended up, but it is my first time, so I have already learned something very important. Last evening I also painted this little girl I Love You, Valentines Day gift bag. Actually I had to repaint her face because the first one was definitely not cute at all. She has lovely blonde curly hair and blue eyes. I am really pleased with this bag. It is signed and dated, can be reused or if you really love it you could frame it and keep it forever. Then I painted a Valentines Day heart upcycled candle jar. This one came out nice. It has a black base, three layers of paint, and the heart was left clear with just red outlining. Then I painted on rosebuds, and other pretty flowers. It too is signed and dated. Both of these items will be available to purchase in my Etsy and Ecrater stores later today. You can visit both stores by clicking on the widgets in the top and sidebars.

Shipping Framed Paintings New Rule

I finally shipped one of my framed pieces of art work, and it was way more expensive than I realized it would be. So, for now all my paintings will be pictured framed, but price and shipping will be decreased because I will not be shipping them framed. This will save on shipping and hassles for everyone involved. If you absolutely want it framed, you need to contact me for exact shipping fees, and times to have it shipped framed.

The above disclaimer is now posted with all my original acrylic pieces of art.  I painted a picture for my fil for Christmas, and oh my it was expensive to ship.  So, all paintings will be shipped unframed.  It is not that expensive to get one framed, and it saves so much hassle.  However, if someone really wants it shipped framed, I will do it, but exact shipping will have to be paid.  The box alone, and bubble wrap was almost 10 dollars.

Tomorrow, is the big day!  I finally get to play with my new resin supplies.  I will do some painting as well, at least that is the plan.  I have so many projects I want to do.  

Round Crochet Picture Frame

Merry Christmas, to all my readers.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  My resin is here, but I still need gloves and a mask.  A mask is not necessary, and I see lots of videos where they are not wearing gloves, but since I would be safe than sorry, I will get them before I mess with the resin.  I am going to order the bangle bracelet mold, pretty soon now. 

After Christmas dinner, when everything settled down, I was working on the pillow I started, and decided to try a new kind of picture frame for my painted Family Tree.  I was not completely satisfied with the others I did, but I could live with them.  This one is made with a recycled jar top that I crocheted around.  So, the frame is firm, yet I can replace the pictures as I see fit.  If you do not want to replace the pictures you can just add a dab of glue to the back of the image.  These are great as Christmas Tree ornaments as well.  I hope to make a ton of  these.  I even crocheted on a turtle bead, because the picture was taken at Bush Gardens.

Luna Essence Featured Artisan - On Fire for Handmade

I have not done the featured artisan in a while, so I am happy to participate this week, for Luna Essence. You can check out all her beautiful items, in her Etsy store, or follow her on Facebook. If you love handmade jewelry to give as gifts, or for yourself, check out Luna Essence.  To view her full interview, with On Fire for Handmade, you can click here.  

Luna Essence Featured Artisan - Google Drive

Goals for 2014

So, as the end of the year quickly approaches, I have been thinking about goals for 2014.  For this blog, and my arts, my goals are as follows:

1-  Learn to make resin jewelry, and ornaments too

2-  Increase my Etsy and Ecrater sales through various new ways to market my items

3-  Learn new crochet stitches

4-  Continue to grow in my painting skills and broaden my horizons in Art

5-  Grow this blog, get some guest posts, sell ad space, and do some paid reviews.

Those are my goals for 2014.

How To Resin A Painting

So, I was watching some more videos on making resin jewelry, I will probably make ornaments too, and I found this video on applying a thin resin coating to paintings. Why would you do that? To protect the painting, and to help keep it clean. Now, I do apply a finish to my paintings to protect them, but this adds a glossy shine, and I might just try it. It is really cool. Give it a look and see what you think.

Happy New Year Bag, A Painted House and Glass Cabochons

I painted my second New Years bag, and I am unhappy with it. I just don't like the way the bear looks for a lot of reasons. I don't think I will be listing this one, but will attempt it again next week. I thought black and brown together would be nice for a bear, but it just looks icky. They eyes are not right either. I painted on two glass cabochons, to practice painting backwards. I had done some of these before, when I was just learning, and these are much better. I am still not in love with them, but a vast improvement. A lot of the fine edging, and the writing on the bag, were done with a toothpick, not a paint brush. This allowed me more control. Not sure what I am going to do with them, but can you tell they are snow covered pine trees? DJ says the one looks like a creepy dinosaur eye or something, lol. The painted house, was just a practice sheet. I like it so much, I am probably going to frame it and hang it. I do not like the way the one half came out, so if I can not fix it, I will just cut it in half and make a smaller picture. I really how the color blending came out. The large tree, which I thought I did not like, looks like the orange is coming through it, so I like it. So, I got some stuff done, but probably none of them will be for sale.

25 Days of Christmas Sales

My, 25 Days of Christmas Sales, only has 8 days left. So, for the remaining days you can purchase any one item in my store and take 50% off. This is for my Etsy store, or my Ecrater store. The discount will be refunded after the sale is complete. Since they don't have automatic sale markdowns at checkout, on either of those sites. Hurry and don't miss out on this awesome opportunity. I will not be offering sales like this again, for quite some time. Links to my stores, can be found below, or you can click on the widgets on this blog. Right now, I am working on a crocheted blanket, and making a new leg pillow. I had the same leg pillow for years, but then I finally had to get rid of it. Apparently they don't make them as well as they used to, but the price certainly is not any less. The one I just bought, a few months ago, is already falling apart. So, I am crocheting my own and it will last a good long time. Tomorrow I am painting another Happy New Years, gift bag. I will probably only do two more, then begin Valentine's Day bags. I have also been learning about my new, and very exciting, opportunity to learn resin jewelry. I probably will make ornaments, eventually, as I love them.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/missy69
http://melissasstuff.ecrater.com/

Orange Mandarin Garnet Ring 50% Off Today

Today only, until 9 PM Eastern, get this Orange Mandarin Garnet ring for only 12.50. That is a real and beautiful gemstone, at an awesome reduced price. Visit my Etsy store,  or my Ecrater store to buy.

Blue Topaz and Turquoise

If you were born in December your birthstone is the Blue Topaz, or alternately Turquoise. The original birthstone, for December, was Blue Zircon. But due to it's very expensive price and rarity for getting it, Blue Topaz has replaced it. Did you know that blue is the most popular color in America? Watch the videos below to see both of these beautiful gemstones.

New Crocheted Picture Frames, Dolphin Wire Wrapped Ornament, and A New Heart Ornament

I got a lot done today. Since Tuesday is the only day that we do not have outside of the home activities, I try to get as much done as I can. I got two crocheted picture frames done, a dolphin wire wrapped ornament, and a heart wire wrapped ornament. The crocheted picture frames, are being designed to go onto my Family Tree, that I painted on my wall in the early Summer. Since the little frames I bought won't stay on the wall, and that style is no longer available, I decided to make my own. While I have not perfected it yet, I am very close. I just have to make the flap over a little bit wider, to hold the picture in place. I have a square and rectangle one so far, but I need them smaller than what they are. I have a lot of pictures to put on that tree. Second, I made a wire wrapped dolphin ornament. This was more of a challenge than something I would have normally done. It took me almost an hour and a half, to get it how I wanted, and you can see the results. It does not look super pretty on the tree though, so I need to decide how to fix that. Maybe if the tree was not green. Last buy not least, I wanted to make another angel ornament. I had this one large heart bead, but trying to get the head to stay in place just wouldn't work due to the cleft in the heart. So, instead it just because a pretty heart ornament that can be for a Christmas tree or a Valentines Day tree.

Slippers Are Done and New Art Jars and Gift Bag

I finished all the slippers, finally. You would think slippers were easy. No, not so much. But, now that I think I have the pattern memorized I can do them lickity split. The ones for my son are camo, mine are a varigated yarn, and my daughter's are pink, though they don't look pink in the picture. My regular camera is not behaving, so I have been using my cell. Sometimes it takes awesome shots, and other times not so much. I will take more once I get it figured out. These will be listed in my Etsy store as custom orders. You can pick any color and size you would like me to do them in. They are extremely warm, but a little slippery so I wouldn't recommend them for the elderly or very young. I have not painted on bottles, in a very very long time. I came across these two jars, and instead of throwing them away, I decided to add some art to them. They both were painted with a base coat of two layers of black paint. Then the tall jar got three snowmen, and the saying Most of My Friends are Flaky written on it. I thought that was so cute. I wanted to put lights in this and give it as a gift. When I added the lights the snowmen just looked scarey, so I will be keeping this one for something, or if I can find a top to fit it I can add wine to it. The second one is titled New Years in Florida.  As you can see Mr Snowman is enjoying the fireworks on the beach under a palm tree.  How cute!  I am going to fill this one with M&M's and give it as a gift.  Last, but not least, is my first New Years, painted gift bag.  Now these, even though dated 2014 will be prototypes in my store for future years, if they don't sell out this year.  This one was not exactly as I visioned, paint numbers smaller, just take my word for it.  I used glitter glue to add some beauty to it.  I like it. 

Ecrater and Etsy Sale, Buy One Get One 50% Off

Today only, buy one item either from my Ecrater store, or my Etsy store and get the second 50% off.  This sale will run until 9 PM tonight only, and then it expires.  Both items must be bought together, and either from Etsy or from Ecrater.  The sale item must be of equal or lesser value.  Visit my Ecrater store and shop now.  Or, visit my Etsy store, to shop now.  Share this post, so others can get in on an awesome deal too. 

Flash Sale Hand Painted Snowman Christmas Gift Bag

Yesterday, we were so busy, I didn't get to post my sale item of the day. Today, I will do it before we head to church. My sale items are always shared on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Google plus, so there are lots of ways you can follow me. Today, I have put one of my hand painted gift bags on sale. These are new to my store, but since it is Christmas, I figured I would offer a couple of them at a sale price. I always consider offers too, so remember that when browsing through either my Etsy or Ecrater store. This bag, Christmas With the Snowman Family, is only in my Etsy store. It did not make it to my Ecrater store, yet. Click the link if you are interested in purchasing. I offer a free layaway service too. I hope to get some New Years bags painted tomorrow, and a dolphin wire pendant or ornament. So, watch for that. I finished all the slippers I was making, and now am working on an interesting item, that I will share if it turns out how I hope.

Questions About My Jewelry and Flash Sale Princess Cocoon

Every now and then someone on Etsy accuses me of selling manufactured jewelry, and not making it myself. I really can't believe I have to speak of this yet again. I have said on my opening page about my store, and when asked by Etsy officials where I buy my settings and gemstones. So, let me make this clear. I do not sell manufactured jewelry. No, I do not make the settings myself, but I do buy from one gentleman on Ebay who does. I also buy semimounts and settings from JTV.com, Rio Grande, Rings N Things, and a couple of other Ebay sellers. I have been learning and collecting gemstones for almost 14 years. I have taught myself to set the gemstones into the castings and semi mounts. If you think this is an easy job to do, then try it and let me know. It is a skill and a craft. If other sellers think my prices are too cheap, I disagree. They are affordable, which is exactly why I started making my own jewelry, to keep it affordable. I am not interested in whether others agree with my pricing system, or not. I make very little profit and most times none, on my jewelry pieces. You can look up any of the companies I listed and see the products available to buy, for jewelry making. I hope this has cleared up this issue, and I will not have to address it again. I don't mind answering questions, I love that, I do mind rude people, or other sellers trying to undermine me. I would never ever do that to anyone, so please don't do it to me. I am very supportive of others who are in turn supportive to me, even my competitors. My flash sale item for today, is a Princess infant baby cocoon. You can purchase it for $9.99 in my Etsy store, or Ecrater store. Sale price ends at 9PM tonight, so get it if you want it.

Day 7 Flash Sale: Pink and White European Bead Bracelet Watch

For some reason my image will not upload.   Today, my sale is for a beautiful pink and white flower European style bead bracelet watch.  It is only $14.99 until 9 PM tonight.  You can purchase it either in my Etsy store, or my Ecrater store.  I only have one.  

I finished on pair of slippers for the kids, and almost have the second pair done.  Just one more pair to go, for me.  Slippers are not that hard, but since I do not follow a pattern, it was a little more challenging.  I think I have it down now.  I will be sharing them, when they are all done.  

Flash Sale Winnie the Pooh Christmas Table Runner

Day 6, flash sale, Winnie the Pooh counted cross stitch table runner.  Only $24.99 until 9 PM Eastern tonight.  Hurry and get this lovely holiday table decor.  This one is only available in my Etsy store, not Ecrater. 

25 Days of Christmas Sale: Day 5 Chrome Diopside and Sapphire Ring 50% Off

Today is day 5 of my 25 Days of Christmas sale, and I have marked down by 50% my beautiful kelly green ">Chrome Diopside, and mint green sapphire ring. It is only $19.99 for today only. The sale price will end at 9 PM Eastern tonight. I selected this video for you to view. This is not me, but she reminds me a lot of me. She is talking about Chrome Diopside, give it a watch and learn about this unique and beautiful stone.

 

Christmas With the Snowman Family Hand Painted Gift Bag

This is my last Christmas themed bag, for this year. I will be starting on New Years and Valentine's Day next week. I worked over the weekend, so I forgot to share on this blog the day three and day four sale items. You still have time to get today's if you hurry to my Etsy store. It is the Grinch baby cocoon, and the price is valid until 9 PM Eastern time. These bags all start out white. I paint on the background, then the image. This one is pink, with the Snowman family enjoying their Christmas tree. I never decide what I am going to paint, until I sit down to do it. I pick a bunch of stuff ahead of time, then usually end up changing my mind, lol. I will be sharing some new roses practice sheets I did, and I think I have come a long way with them. You can purchase this very special gift bag in my Etsy store. If you don't want to buy on Etsy most of my items are also available in my Ecrater store.

I am working on getting my new resin crafting materials together, and I look forward to beginning to make some new and artistic pieces.   

Day 2 Sale Panda Bear Original Painting with Frame

My item for day two, is this signed and dated original Panda Bear acrylic painting with the frame. Click the link to visit my Etsy store and purchase. If you don't prefer Etsy it is available for the same price at Ecrater. The sale price is only valid until 9 PM Eastern time on 11/30/2013 so don't dilly dally.

25 Days of Christmas Sale: Day One Amethyst Ring

There will be two links for the same ring, one for my Ecrater store, and one for my Etsy store.  Some people choose not to get an account on Etsy, so I offer Ecrater as well.  I am new to Ecrater selling.  The price is the same, and I only have one available.  This beautiful Amethyst ring will be at the 10 dollar sale price until 9 PM Eastern time on Nov 29th, 2013.  Get it while you can.  A piece of jewelry gift for only 10 dollars.  Click the links to see and purchase.  Don't miss this great opportunity!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/39844965/royal-purple-amethyst-ring-february?

http://melissasstuff.ecrater.com/p/19040086/royal-purple-amethyst-petite-gemstone

18 Inch Doll Caitlin's Party Dress with Shoes and Christmas With Mother Nature

I finished my first doll dress, and shoes, today. This is Caitlin's party dress. All my crochet doll clothes will have her name, as I make them for her doll, then offer them as made to order in my Etsy store. I am pattern stupid, so I have to make my own.  Made to order items will only be available from now on, in my Etsy store, not Ecrater store. This one is done in pink and white, with matching shoes. I can do this style in any color combo you would like. The second picture is my fourth painted gift bag, for Christmas. After Christmas I will be starting other holidays, weddings and birthdays, so be sure to watch for that. This one is titled Christmas with Mother Nature and is my favorite so far. I love it. To purchase any of my items, either click my Etsy banner at the top, or one of my Ecrater store widgets. Prices are the same, it just depends on where you prefer to buy. Ask me any questions if you need to.

My New Love!

I just ordered myself, for Christmas, some supplies to make resin jewelry. My ultimate goal is to be able to add some of my painted images to the resin pieces. I especially want to make resin cuff bracelets and Christmas ornaments. Because this will all be new, I have a lot of learning to do. Resin Obsession, has a free ebook, which I have already read twice, and she is a wonderful teacher. Check out her website if you are interested. There are some lovely resin rings, with gemstones, that I would love to eventually learn to make as well. I will have a lot of videos on this topic, so I can watch them as I go along. I also now have all my handmade items listed on both Etsy and Ecrater. My blogs currently only have the Ecrater widgets. The prices are the same, and all sales and discounts will be the same. My Etsy store does have some items that my Ecrater store does not have. I will be starting my daily sales, for 25 Days of Christmas, on Black Friday. Be sure to bookmark this blog, so you don't miss the one piece you really want. Each sale will only run for a short amount of time, each day.

Salvation Bracelets for Bible School

This week, I was asked to come up with a craft, that has to do with being thankful, for my daughter's bible class. Since I love to make jewelry, naturally I wanted some kind of bracelet. I came up with Salvation bracelets, and why you should be thankful for your salvation. The girls had such a ball making their bracelets. I bought the charms, beads, wire, and clasps all separate, but you could buy the whole kit by buying from the link below. Please remember to go to my Facebook page, like it, and share it if you would. I am planning a contest as soon as I hit 300 likes.

Like My Facebook Fan Page and I Will Give Something Away For Free

When my Facebook fan page hits 300 likes, I will start a give away.  One lucky winner will get to choose an item from my new Ecrater store.  It is so easy, just click the highlighted link, like my page, promote it to get to 300 faster, and I will start the give away.  Come on now, you know you like to win free stuff.  Also don't forget, that starting on Black Friday I will be having a new mark down and deal in my Ecrater store.  Be sure and watch for it, you won't want to miss a great gift opportunity.

Waiting For Christmas

I got to paint today, and tomorrow I can't wait to share the Salvation bracelet's my daughter's church class will be making with me. This new bag is called, Waiting for Christmas. It was not exactly what I visioned, lol. I practiced my trees ahead of time, as you can see on the paper underneath the bag. I used three different brushes, and picked the one I liked best. Unfortunately my tree came out bigger than I wanted and I have to practice ribbons and lights, but it is a nice tree. It didn't leave me much room, so I added a fireplace and fire to the picture. It will be available to purchase in my Ecrater store, by tomorrow. Then I practiced some Poinsettias. I love them, but they never look quite right. I am getting closer though, and was quite pleased with the ones I practiced today. My next bag might be Poinsettias. Finally, I got one of my older paintings framed. This frame was much more affordable than the heavier wooden ones, so the price will be considerably lower for the art work in these frames. It too will be available in my Ecrater store, tomorrow. You can visit my Ecrater store, by clicking on one of the banners shown on this blog. I offer a nice layaway service so be sure to ask about that.

My Artsy Fartsy Pinterest Board

Today, I am doing a quick post, because my time is somewhat limited.  I am not going to paint tonight, but I am working on a doll crochet outfit that will hopefully be done tomorrow.  I have finished my squares for Warm Up America and just need to ship them out. Check out my Artsy Fartsy Pinterest board.  This is where I keep art and drawing tutorials and ideas too.  Follow my board if you like.  If you don't have Pinterest and would like to, let me  know and I can send you an invite.  I will need your email address to invite you.

No More Painting

Well not really, lol.  The kids will be taking a break from Art class, and I will continue to paint my gift bags.  I want to get all my paintings framed, so no new large pieces will be done for a while.  Along with the gift bags, I will be practicing my strokes, flowers, and other items I need to practice and making some new jewelry pieces.  Those are my goals for the next few weeks.  I will share all that I do.  Be sure to check out my fancy new widgets that showcase some of my items in my nice shiny new Ecrater store.  Most are the same that were in my Etsy store, but some never before seen items as well.  Check me out and buy some ultra special hand made gifts this year.

NOEL Handpainted Christmas Gift Bag, and Repeat Cedar Key Painting

Back in July, I painted a picture, the third painting down, of Cedar Key from when my Father in Law was here visiting in March. I liked that painting, but DJ and Craig were not satisfied, saying DJ looked like he was standing on his head. Apparently my eyes do not comprehend that, because looks like he is lying down to me, on a blanket. Because, I intend to give it as a gift, I painted it again today. The second painting down, below the bag, is the one done today. Everyone is pleased, so I guess that will be the one I give. Instead of trying to have DJ lying on the white Steelers blanket, I put him sitting in a chair in a white Steelers chair. I could not get the skin tone right for Grandpa Ed's arm and leg, but I guess I will have to live with it. He was pretty pale when here in March, lol, and as you can probably tell it was quite chilly for us since Craig had on boots, long pants, a jacket and a hat. Grandpa Ed was the only one with shorts on. That is what happens when you visit from NY. The first image is of my newest hand painted gift bag, Noel. Noel means Christmas in German. Did you know that? I really did not. It will be available in my new Ecrater store. I am working on a new banner, and hopefully a picture widget for the top of this blog, and others. You can visit my new store, by clicking here. I will be doing 25 Days of Christmas sales, starting on Black Friday, so be sure to check often. Each sale will only be about 12-15 hours long.

Veteran's Day Sale in My New Ecrater Store

I have only gotten nine things listed, but today, until 9 PM Eastern time all items are 25% off.  Since I don't know how their checkout cart looks, I will give several options for getting the amount off.  First you can checkout, using Paypal, enter code Vets13 and I will reimburse you the 25% off.  Second you can contact me here on this blog, email me at melissaruede@yahoo.com, or contact me on Facebook, tell me the item you want and I can deduct the 25% and then you can cash out.  Since this store is brand new to me, I am learning as I go, but rest assured that with a Paypal merchant account you are buying from a safe seller.  Just new to Ecrater.  Here is the link to my Ecrater store, just click it.  I have jewelry and crochet items right now.  More to get up soon.

A Different Way To Sell My Handmade Items

I have been selling jewelry that I make, for well over ten years.  I have used Ebay, and most recently Etsy for the past five years or so.  While I have nothing against Etsy, I think it is time for a change.  With a market full of only sellers, and not many buyers, you can see why most sellers on Etsy are not successful.. Though I feel successful in the sales I made, one sale a month really is not what I was hoping for, and sometimes I go three to four months without a sale.  So, I am switching to Ecrater, which is a completely free market place.  It is powered by Google, so you can assume it is safe and your items will show up in the Google marketplace.  Using this blog, my FB page and various other social media sites, I hope to increase my sales immensely.  It will take me a while to get everything listed there, and occasionally I will be auctioning stuff off, using Ebay.  For the Christmas season, I will be offering super sale prices that will run for one day at a time.  The 25 Days of Sales, I think I will call it, and I will be starting it on Black Friday.  So, if you like jewelry, crochet baby items, or Art work, bookmark this blog so you don't miss any of the awesome sales I will be offering.  I am also expanding my shipping, by adding more countries besides US.  If your country is not listed in my Ecrater listing, just contact me and I will let you know how much it costs to ship.  As I am sure you are aware, I do not want to lose money on International Shipping, but do want to open up my marketplace options.  Click the link to see the few items I have been able to list so far.  Be sure and bookmark the store too. 
http://melissasstuff.ecrater.com/

All About Citrine

I have gotten a bit off track with this blog, mostly because of being busy, and some because I have been promoting my Etsy store so much, and others stores too. Now, I am going to be selling my items directly from this blog, and my Facebook page. So, if you are someone who is interested in beautiful, affordable gemstone jewelry, one of a kind Art work, or crocheted gifts, then check back when I begin selling on here. I will have a Paypal cart for easy buying. I have actually been selling my handmade gifts for like ten years. This is a sort of new way of doing it. I will be going back to some of my roots of this blog, as well. My love of beautiful gemstones and jewelry, and the info I love to share. Citrine is the birthstone for November. The original birthstone was Imperial Topaz, a very rare and expensive gemstone in its natural form. So, Citrine was adopted as the birthstone for November. This is the first time I have used a video from the company below. One thing I don't necessarily agree with is that their supplier does not always know if the stone is heated or not. I think they have to disclose that to you, but I could be wrong when it comes to beads. Natural, unheated Citrine, is a very very pale yellow and is not popular among jewelers to use.

Holiday Giveaway!

I will be giving away one of my beautiful rings, soon!  Be sure to check back for details on how to enter and win. 

Blue Christmas and Stellars Sea Eagle Art Work

Today is Art day at my house. Today the kids and I painted the Stellar Sea Eagle. The kids pictures will be posted to my homeschool blog. These ones are mine and will be available to purchase in my Etsy store. One of the Etsy teams I am on, does a treasury every week, and this week the theme is Turquoise Blue. Since I did not have any jewelry or crochet items in that color, I decided to paint a Blue Christmas gift bag. I actually had intended to do this anyways, the team treasury just hurried me up. I am hoping to have a whole line of painted gift bags, one of a kind, for Christmas giving this year. This is a one and only bag, so if you want it click on my Etsy store widget above to purchase. The Stellar Sea Eagle, is a truly beautiful and majestic bird. This is my first time attempting this bird, and actually I quite like it. I love the ice and water in the background. This piece will also be available in my store. Next Monday we are painting the Blue Jay, per Caitlin's request. Leave me some feedback in the comments. I especially would love to hear from other artists.

Finished Crochet Bakpack Pink and Gray

I finished it today, yay! This was not intended to be a backpack, lol. I have expressed several times at my failure to follow a pattern. This is just one more example. I had to modify halfway through because I couldn't get it to look how I wanted. I love the results, and since now I know how I did it I can just do it. No pattern needed. This one is dark gray and soft petal pink. I love the color combo. The straps are pink also. It is available for purchase in my Etsy store. I will be making more in different colors, at least that is the goal. If you want one in a different color contact me through my Etsy store for details on custom orders. What am I working on next? I have no idea, lol. I bought some interesting camo yarn, and I will see where my imagination takes me. It would be lovely with this pink yarn around it, whatever I decide. If you want to learn to crochet, check out the book listed below. It is very affordable and will get you started.

Cherry Blossom and Yellow Warbler Painting With Matching Candle

When I did the butterfly paintings, I was doing matching candles with them. Then, I ran out of jars. I have a couple more so I made a matching upcycled candle jar with this paining. Now technically I do not fill the jar with candle material. So, it could be for a candle, pencils and pens, silverware, makeup brushes or anything else you wanted to put into it, even flowers looks fabulous in these jars. The painting is an acrylic painting, on acid free acrylic paper. I had mentioned before that I prefer this paper to canvas, because it can be kept clean and once framed can still be protected from dirt and dust. So, I am thinking I will be staying with it. It is a Cherry Blossom Tree over water, with a Yellow Warbler bird sitting on the branch. One thing I love about Yellow Warblers is that the males and females both have a beautiful yellow color. In the bird world, the females are generally more dull than the males. The males have a bit of chestnut colored streaking on their chest, which is how you tell them apart. Both, the jar and the painting are available to purchase in my Etsy store. Any questions, please feel free to ask me. I am about halfway done with my crochet purse. I did a small simple one for my daughter, a while back. This one isn't difficult but I like the style better. Can't wait to share it. I have been looking at some resin, jewelry settings and of course my first love loose gemstones. Didn't make any purchases though, other things come before new supplies. Oh well, soon I hope.

Thanksgiving Jewelry Ideas

I am back to work for this whole weekend, so I am trying to catch up on blog posts now. We are moving into the holiday season, and if you like to be festive with your jewelry, clothing attire, be sure to check back often for some of my favorites. We are not fancy here at my house, and I love to dress the holidays. Have an awesome weekend, everyone!

Wish List and Cardinal Art Work

I am making out my wish list, for new jewelry settings, and semi mounts.  I am also adding to that list supplies to begin learning to make resin jewelry.  I have so many cool ideas to do with resin.  Can't wait to get that underway.  Don't forget, that from now until Christmas, you can make me an offer on items you are interested, in my Etsy store.  If I think the offer is reasonable I will accept it.  So, be sure to check my store often, and make some offers. There are a few pieces of art work shown below.  Each Monday, the kids and I, paint a bird.  This week my daughter picked the Cardinal.  I painted mine with a male and female.  Both kids decided to just do a male Cardinal.  DJ's is done in colored pencils, while mine and Caitlin's is done in acrylic paints.  I also painted some pink flowers and Buckeye Butterflies to put in a team treasury this week, for the On Fire for Handmade, Etsy team.  The last item, is a test item.  I have some homeschool friends in IL, that are looking for some pen pals as they study the states.  So, the kids and I are making them and extra special Florida gift package.  Since I like to paint, I decided to make my own postcard.  The one shown is just a sample, and done on orange card stock.  I like the orange coming through the sky tones, but it distorts everything else too much, and the waves are wonky.  So, I will get white card stock and try again next week.  We are sending them a special Christmas ornament, and tons of links where they can learn about the area of FL we live in.  Tell me your thoughts on my newest art work.