Etsy Christmas in July 2016 Starts on July 1st

I almost forgot about the Etsy Christmas in July Event.  I participated last year, for the first time.  I will be having a store wide sale, with 10% off.  You can use EtsyCIJ2016 at cash out, or if you forget it should automatically deduct it for you.  But, don't worry if it doesn't for some reason, I will be contacting customers with the good news about the extra savings.  This year I am trying to create all new Christmas theme items, for this event.  You don't have to do a Christmas theme, but what fun.  I have already finished a baby blanket, and working on some more items, including jewelry, some painted table decor, and maybe a few more tidbits. 

Christmas in July runs from July 1st through July 10th.  Start your Christmas shopping early.  I will be sharing my items, as well as items from the team.  You can always find my shop by clicking the My Etsy Shop banner, on the left hand side of this blog.  I do custom orders as well, and I am pretty sure I can have them done by Christmas, especially if you order now, lol. 

Stay tuned~  My 30 day art challenge will start after the Christmas in July event is over. 

The Beach!

missy69

Who doesn't love the beach?  Check out these beautiful beach themed items, from my friends at #teamsp.  If you would like to join in, and have an Etsy shop, just click the #teamsp banner in the left hand column of this blog.  To learn more about each item, just click the highlighted link, under each image. 

First from Shelleyscrochetole, is this beautiful beach themed tote bag. 

Next. from 2Bjewelry, is this stunning blue agate and beaded bracelet. 

Check out this adorable mermaid pdf quilt block applique from, mspdesignsusa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All About Aquamarine

I have posted about Aquamarine many times before. You can find the other info in my blog archives. I am gearing up for my 30 day Art challenge and Etsy Christmas in July, so I might not be doing posts as frequently until July 1st. I will continue with my Sunday posts from my Etsy teamies.

In Honor of Dads!

Welcome back for some more lovely handmade gift ideas, this week for Dads. It is Father's Day, here in the USA. While Dad doesn't get quite the same attention as Mom's do, it is still nice to honor them with their own special day. These are all from members of Team Support and Promote, and if you have an Etsy store, you can join in too. Click the highlighted link to visit each Etsy store, and check out all their other awesome items. This week two of the items are of lions. I guess Dad's are King of the Jungle, lol.

First up from Corvusdesign, this beautiful leather wrap bracelet, with lion head button closure.  Masculine and lovely.

Next from Shelleyscrochetole, is this adorable Dad pillow.  All Dad's need their own pillow.

Next from MsPDesignsUSA,  is this adorable Lion PDF quilt applique. 

Finally from Missy69, that is me, is this abstract acrylic painting of Dad teaching child to ride a bike.

Apatite the Gemstone That Looks Like the Ocean

It has always been said that Aquamarine was the gemstone that looks like the ocean. I have to disagree. I think neon blue Apatite, is more akin to the blue you see at the ocean. Apatite comes in a variety of colors, but the most popular is the popsicle blue Apatite. Apatite is fairly rare, and can be very expensive. It only has a hardness of 5, so you must be careful when wearing it. If you invest in a large, expensive Apatite, I would recommend earrings or a necklace, as opposed to a ring or bracelet. I have one Apatite wire wrapped ring in my Etsy store, and you can see it by clicking this link. Very affordable! Wear the ocean on your finger. Watch the video below to learn even more about this amazing gemstone.

The Heat Is On!

This week, on Team Support and Promote, the theme for this blog post is HEAT. The heat is definitely on here in the Sunshine state, where I live. I hope it is warming up where all my readers live. I chose items that were red, or orange, to represent heat for this theme. If you would like to be featured on this blog, and have an Etsy store, click the Team Support and Promote banner, in the left hand column to visit and join the team. Each item below will have a short description, and a link, for you to check each item out that you just have to buy. Come back next week for another cool theme, with more awesome handmade gift items.

First  up from Shelleyscrochetole, is this beautiful ombre wall hanging in orange and yellows.  Love it!

Second , from mspdesignsusa, is this adorable barn in summer, pdf quilt pattern.  How adorable         

Third, from Corvusdesign, this awesome fire red leather wrap bracelet,  She makes awesome bracelets!

Finally, from little old me, missy69, is this awesome horse abstract painting with flaming orange mane

Two Gemstones in One: Ametrine

Next up on my list of gemstones is, Ametrine. Ametrine is a member of the Quartz family of gemstones, and is Purple Quartz or Amethyst, and Yellow Quartz or Citrine, that form together creating Ametrine. Ametrine is a natural forming gemstone, not man made, and is almost exclusively found in Bolivia. There are treatments available to enhance color and quality. a 50/50 split stone is the most prized of all Ametrine. Below is a video from the GIA explaining Ametrine much better than I can. I do not have any Ametrine in my current gemstone collection.

Beautiful Handmade Wedding Bracelet and Wedding Card Gift Keepsake Box Woodburned

This week I have two beautiful handmade items to share with you, for weddings. June is the most popular month of the year for weddings. Check out both of these beautiful items, and visit each store for more info, or to purchase.

First up from Corvusdesign is this beautiful leather wrap bracelet, for the Bohemian wedding fans.

Next, from Missy69, is this beautiful woodburned Wedding card box, for gifts and keepsakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amethyst the Most Prized Member of the Quartz Family

Oh beautiful Amethyst. As I mentioned, in the title, Amethyst is the most valued and prized member of the Quartz family of gems. Amethyst ranges in color from almost clear, to a deep dark royal purple. The royal purple variety is the most sought after, and valuable. Though a lot of people love the lighter, more lavender hues of Amethyst. Faceted Amethyst is also the most valuable, though again there are some beautiful Amethyst cabochons, and ornaments made of Amethyst. Some collectors love Amethyst in the geode form, as an ornamental piece for show. The most important deposits are in Brazil. Amethyst was commonly wore in early Christian times, by priests, and other high ranking members of the church. It was often worn as an amulet against darkness. It has a hardness of 7 on the Moh's hardness scale, making it suitable for jewelry, but still should be worn with care, especially in rings or bracelets where knocking of the gem may occur. Below are two videos about Amethyst. I did not watch them yet, so I can't say to the quality. Also, you will see an Amethyst ring. That beautiful ring is available in my Etsy shop, and it would love to have a finger to call home.

If you really love the dark hues of Amethyst, be sure and check out the adorable baby set in my Etsy shop, as well.  

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