Affordable Website or Product Reviews

So, along with revamping this blog, I also restarted up a whole new Etsy Pattern store called, Pink Flamingo.  One of the things I am offering is website or product reviews.  The review will be posted to all 3 of my blogs, and to all my social media, except Instagram.  I can't learn to like Instagram.  I have Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Pinterest.  I used to do product reviews, a lot, years ago, before my kids activities got crazy.  Now, they are older, and I can concentrate on work from home jobs, again.  All reviews must be purchased in my store, so click here to see more details, and purchase.  I will be offering some more promoting offerings in the future. 

Art Challenge Day 8 : Make A Change

This lion and cub painted plate, with sharpies and paint pens, was supposed to be for the Wild challenge theme. But, I did not like how the fur came out, using the pens, so I decided to removed it and start over. As I was trying to remove the art, I realized it looked really cool. Then, I remembered that Lions were added to the Endangered Species list in 2015. I was so sad to remember this. Our Earth is losing their beautiful animals very quickly. So, I decided to leave the fading Lion and cub for the make a change theme. This is a really cool piece of handmade home decor, for all animal lovers. You can visit my Etsy store to purchase, and check out all my other cool items.

Halloween for Heroes Teacher Coffee Tea Soup Glass Mug with Sugar Skull Hand Painted

I love the sugar skull, definitely a favorite. This is a glass soup, coffee or tea mug with the sugar skull hand drawn then painted in acrylics. The bottom has a skull and cross bones, and the saying is, You can't scare me I'm a teacher. Great gift idea, and the third in my Halloween for Heroes series. Check them all out in my Etsy store. 

Hand Painted Shabby Chic Pink and White Rosebud Painted Flip Flops Summer Sandals

As we wrap up our homeschool year, I have a lot more time on my hands. Time to sort, clean, organize and declutter, even more than I already do. I also get more time to paint, crochet, create jewelry, and learn new things. I think I will be taking a class, over the Summer, on Coursera, just to learn something new. It has nothing to do with crafts, but keeping your brain fresh is always a good idea. I might try a language. What does that have to do with these flip flops? Nothing! But, I was feeling chatty.

These are white flip flops, size medium, that I painted on some adorable pink and white rosebuds. Very Shabby Chic, they are. These would be awesome for a beach wedding. I do seal my flip flops, with three layers of sealant, for durability and longer lasting wear. They are available for purchase at Melissas Menagerie of Stuff. That is my Etsy store.

 Don't forget to read about my Christmas in July event. It has already started, for my shop, and will go through July 12, 2015.

Colonial Log Cabin Painting in the Woods

I think I started this art work three weeks ago. I just have not had time to finish it, until yesterday. The kids and I are working our way through American History, and we are doing some art work to go with it. This is my early Colonial period log cabin, in the woods. My perspective for drawing has improved immensely. My donkey looks dumb, but hey, whatever. This was all hand drawn first, then painted with acrylic paints. Tomorrow, as long as everything goes as planned, we will be doing some Native American themed art. I also completed my third painting in my Home Sweet Home series. I will share that one soon. This painting is available in my Etsy store. 

Crochet Easter Bunny Basket Candy Dish or Planter

I have not had time to do any crafts, in like two weeks. I actually did this bunny basket some time ago, but have not had time to blog about it. These are made to order, and after it is used as an Easter basket, it can be used as a candy dish, or you could put a potted plant in it, which I think would be adorable. See it in my Etsy store.  It is a small basket, perfect for little ones who do not need a lot of candy.  Well none of us need a lot of candy, lol. 

I love to crochet, and hopefully will get time to do more, soon.  I was working on another cat cave, but changed my mind and started something else.  I also have not had time to make any new jewelry pieces.  Hopefully, that will happen soon too.Be sure to check out both my Ebay and my Etsy stores.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/missy69?ref=hdr_shop_menu

http://stores.ebay.com/Melissas-Menagerie-of-Stuff?_rdc=1


 

I Am Trying Not To Be Creative

This is way too hard, for me.  I have so many ideas that I want to work on.  I did get a bunch of my pendants turned into necklaces, sold a pair of heart earrings on Ebay, and created the item below. I am always trying to think of ways to upcycle, recycle or reuse items.  I have painted garden solar lights, made candy jars, and other cool items.  Well, I had an idea to make a cat cave.  While I was thinking about it, I wanted something that would stay somewhat stiff, so kitty could come and go as it wanted.  Then, I realized by laundry soap jug was a nice big size.  I made the black and white cocoon to go around the soap jug, and you see the results.  I don't have a real cat, lol.  These would be great for any cat, kitten, puppy, or as an outside shelter for stray cats to keep warm and safe.  I am currently making a red one, with white ruffle trim, so it will look like a flower cave.  Check it out in my Etsy store. 

Exotic Tsavorite Garnet and Other Colors of Garnet Jewelry

Check out this beautiful Tsavorite Garnet shown below. If you are a January baby, you are very lucky. Your birthstone is Garnet, and Garnet comes in all colors except blue. Well there is a blue Garnet, but it is very rare, a color shifting stone, and I don't find the blue to be quality. But, maybe I will share one of those in a future post, if I can even find one anywhere. I personally love Garnets. They are durable, and the red variety, is not expensive at all. Rhodolite, and Tsavorite are my favorites. Pink and green, how nice. Anyway, if you can not afford the one shown, I can't either don't worry, then check out my Etsy store for some of the Garnets I have available, at very affordable prices.  No, I don't have any Tsavorite, I wish.







January scent of the month, Atlantic Shores, Melissas Jewelry in Candles Store. Only 17 dollars, and change, with a free piece of jewelry in every candle.

Hand Painted Wooden Family Name Plaque Signs or Wall Art

The sign shown is actually meant to be hung on the wall or set on a shelf. It is a special Christmas gift for my in laws. It is listed in my Etsy store as a custom made to order item. Check it out if you are interested in having one made.

Challenging My Crochet Skills and Some New Wooden Pieces To Paint

I have so busy with homeschool stuff, that I have not had time to paint, crochet, or nothing.  Now we are on an extended Thanksgiving Break, and I have lots of time.  Well, I still have paper work to do, but that is not a big deal.  I went and bought some new wooden pieces to paint on.  A frame, a little box, and a plaque.  No art paper, and no canvas.  I love wood.  It is the best thing to paint on, in my opinion.  I also have a baby cocoon and a baby blanket to ship out to Newborns in Need.  They should go out next week.  I decided to challenge myself, and attempt a long duster sweater style jacket.  I do not follow patterns well, but I am  hoping it comes out good.  So far it is slow going, lol.  I will share pictures of all items when done.  Don't forget to check out my Ebay store, and Etsy store.  Come February, my Etsy store will just be for made to order items only. 

November Birth Stone- Citrine

Citrine is the birth stone for November. Imperial Topaz is the original stone, for November, but due to it's rarity it was changed to Citrine. Almost all Citrine is created from heat treating pale Amethyst. There are natural Citrines, but they are rare. I have two other Citrine pieces in my Etsy store, the ring shown below is Citrine and White Zircon, and is available in my Ebay store. 

2 New Hand Painted Gift Bags for Easter

I got two more gift bags painted, for Easter. He is Risen and the flower adorned cross, are both available in my Etsy store, with free shipping to USA buyers. If you are looking for a more Faith based gift wrap, rather than the Easter Bunny, these are perfect. They can be re-used or framed and hung on the wall. The other bag is one my daughter painted for her friend's birthday next week. We still have to add her name, with micro beads, and she forgot the unicorn horn, lol. We will be giving her a frame in the bag, to frame it after her birthday is over. If you would like a custom bag painted, just contact me through my Etsy store, or leave me a comment here with a way to contact you.

Hand Painted Bunny Tail Glass Plate for Easter or Spring

This is my first post using Google Chrome, and man oh man, it is so much faster and better than, Explorer and definitely Firefox which has had so many issues lately. Anyway, I got so much done yesterday. I think I met all my goals for yesterday. I am nearing completion of the firehouse blanket, and I can not wait to share it, and offer as a made to order piece in my Etsy store. But, I got to paint, a lot, last night. I typically paint on Monday evenings, but last week due to 4H, was not able to. Caitlin painted a gift bag for her friend's birthday coming up. I did not share it, because I don't want anyone to see it before her birthday. We bought a frame so when she is done with the bag she can frame it. I love these gift bags, that I choose to paint on. They can be re-used or framed and enjoyed forever. One of the things I painted was glass plates. Caitlin, and I, realized that we have tons of Fall and Christmas decorations, but hardly any Spring or Easter. I had seven glass plates, so I decided to do six. These are not for sale, but if anyone is interested I can do a custom order in my Etsy store. Glass is very expensive to ship, and these plates are heavy. You can see my favorite one below. A couple did not come out good at all, and I can just wipe it off, and redo those two.That is the nice thing about acrylic paint, you can just wash it off, and do over. At least until you seal the paint on, lol. None of them were painted the same colors, and all are from the back so you can the cute bunny tails. When you paint on glass plates, or trays, you have to paint backwards. Normally you always paint your background first, and then everything else. With glass you do the opposite. This means, for the bunny tail to show on the side you would eat on, I had to do the tail first, let it dry, and then do the rest. Painting on glass plates is a challenge, I can tell you that. I also got two Easter gift bags done. I will share them in another post, but you can always visit my Etsy store and see them there. My banner will take you straight to my store.

Do You Need A Good Arm Workout? Hope Resin Keychain With Pink Beads

Do you need a good arm workout, for a really good price? Then you need to be drilling your resin manually, using a bead reamer. The other day, I drilled some more pieces and let me tell you my arms got a work out. It is hard work doing it this way. Most people use a dremmel, I like the old fashioned way, lol. Or just like torture. I have been being creative with my resin again. I had this charm, from another project, so I decided to place it in resin. Rather than using glitter, I used pink beads to add the pink color to the piece, and one stray blue bead got in there too. Then I drilled the hole, with my bead reamer, and added the wire wrap bail and the keychain component. This is a reversible keychain, because the other side of the charm has a dove on it. This is available in my Etsy store, which you can access by clicking on my Etsy store banner on this blog. This would make a great gift for any woman who needs a little extra love and hope to carry around with them.

White and Red with Hearts and Pearls Crochet Bag

With the nasty cold weather, I have been hibernating. While I hibernate, I crochet, make new resin pieces and jewelry. This is my first attempt at crocheting hearts. It is not exactly perfect like I want, but it is adorable. This a white bag, with red bottom and handles, crocheted red heart appliques with pearl centers. I actually made this to be a bag to carry my new Bible in, but the Bible is too heavy, lol. So, I will have to go back to the drawing board for that. This is available to purchase in my Etsy store, and will be in my Ecrater store soon.

What I Have Learned About Resin So Far, and Cute Tiger Cub Peace Sign Pendant

I did my fourth pour of resin, this week. What have I learned so far? One, I really like the creativity afforded to me with the resin. Two, the silicone molds are much easier to use than the plastic molds. Three, do not let the water boil, before you put the bottle of resins in to warm it. This causes the resin to become too hot and immediately begin to set. I had to waste some resin, and I don't like to waste anything. I made a couple of ponytail holders, and some pendants this week. Some, I have listed as just cabochons for jewelry making. If after one cycle they don't sell, on Etsy, I will make them into jewelry pieces. After that cycle they will go in my Ecrater store, and not Etsy. Why? Because, Ecrater has no fees, and why should I continue to pay fees if I don't have to, right? Anyway this piece is just so adorable. It is a tiger cub holding a peace sign embedded into clear resin and then a pendant bail added. I made this bail using a silver headpin. It is available to purchase in my Etsy store. All of my Etsy pieces will eventually be in my Ecrater store. My older jewelry pieces, and my moms beaded cell phone cases can be found in my Ecrater store only.

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.  

Sold Kelly Green Chrome Diopside Ring

Another one of my Clearance pieces has sold. Each time I sell one, I add a new, older inventory item, to Clearance. Soon, I hope to be purchasing some new settings and semi mounts. In the mean time, I still have lots to be sold. My store will be going on vacation tomorrow night until Sat night, due to a porch/yard sale I am having. Last month I made 60 dollars, but it was garage sale type items. I already have one of my rings sold, and others interested. So, if there is anything you want better get it before tomorrow night. You never know what might be left come Saturday night. Click the Etsy store widget, at the top of this blog to check out all my inventory.

Day 19 Princess Crochet Cocoon #30DOC

Today is day 19 of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge, and I finally finished the preemie Princess Cocoon with Tiara headband. This just has to have the loose ends sewn in and then it will be available for purchase in my Etsy store. I really like this, and it can be for sleep, Halloween, a photo prop or all of those options. Preemies need to look cute too. I decided on the tiara headband over the other princess hat I was going to do, just because the tiara is more like a princess. I might add some pearl embellishments to it before I list it. What do you think?