Make It Monday: Love Is In the Air

Monday, and yesterday, I set out some time to make some items for Valentine's Day.  Since I think love should be celebrated all year, give these any time of the year to be cherished and loved.  These etched glass pieces, and the one clay pot, can be used as candy dishes, candle holders, fish, small plants, etc.


I am unsure which ones will go in my Ebay shop, and which ones will go in my Etsy shop.  So be sure to check both.  I am missy69 on Etsy, and Melissas Handmade on Ebay.  I am working on some new art for the topic of love, but it encompasses more of a pink theme.  My February theme is, love, red, pink, and hearts. 

The first etched glass piece is a squirrel holding a nut, and he professes I am Nuts About You!  The back side has a beautiful heart.  There is room on the sides where I could put a date and a name if desired. 

The second one, is two love birds, and it says Love is patient and kind, and says Happy Valentines Day on the back.  This one I showed with the clay pot to show how if both were purchased together, how adorable it would be.

The clay pot is a new  medium of decorating clay pots for me.  I found this adorable heart ribbon, and hot glued it all around the clay pot.  You can see at the very top of the pot there is room for words and names if so desired. 

All of these should be added to my stores within the next 24 hours.

Hand Painted Flip Flops Summer Sandals Pink with White Calla Lilies and Pink Roses

My newest love, is painted flip flops! Well, actually my newest love would be the wood burner I bought today, but that is for another day. I haven't even removed it from the package yet. Here in the South, everyone lives in flip flops, pretty much all year long. So, I decided to make some fancy flip flops. I have done three pairs so far, all listed in my Etsy store, and just bought another pair today, to paint. These are size 5-6 pink flip flops, with the sole painted black with White Calla Lilies and Pink rose buds. They have been sealed three times, with a durable sealer. I have a pair of my own, with sea turtles, that was the test pair, and I have been wearing them pretty much every day, with not paint wear. Check these out, and all the others, in my Etsy store. I offer free USA shipping, and a layaway service.

Why I Love Christmas Ornaments as Gifts

I love Christmas ornaments, making them, giving them, and receiving them. Why? Because, our Christmas tree is the story of our lives. I have in my personal collection of ornaments, ornaments my sisters and I made as kids, ornaments my Mom made and hung on our family tree when we were kids, ornaments I bought as an adult, ornaments I made, ornaments my kids have made, plus a few special ornaments that my husband has collected over the years. One of which is a special ornament that was his mother's, who is now deceased. For the longest time, every year I bought a new ornament for all four of us. So that one day, when my kids had their own trees, they could take their ornaments with them to their new trees. After a while I had too many ornaments, and not enough tree. So, we bought another tree, lol. Then a bigger tree. Now, I have lots more room for ornaments. The one tree, it is small, is our angel tree. It has all angels that I have collected through the years, plus our deceased dog's name tag, and some nurse ornaments given to me years ago. Our big tree, is the story of us. No theme, just a montage of our lives, the things we love, admire, and make us feel special. That is why I love ornaments as a gift. They are generally affordable, and you can find one that surely everyone will love. Between my Ebay and Etsy stores, I have tons of hand made ornaments to choose from. Below you will find links to them all. I only shared two pictures, because it would just be a huge blog post otherwise. Check them out, and see if someone in your life could use a special ornament. I can add dates too, or names to most of them. Just ask me. I offer free USA shipping, too. If any of the Ebay links don't work, check to see if the item was relisted.   Some are ending soon, and not sure if they get the same number or a new one.


 http://www.ebay.com/itm/231408669129?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231409244025?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231378634450?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231378638262?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231378640307?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/231378793100?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

https://www.etsy.com/listing/194551775/blue-and-white-girl-holding-flowers? 

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/179033114/huge-resin-heart-with-peacock-feathers?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/161959601/angel-white-turquoise-wire-wrapped-angel?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202721413/hot-neon-pink-resin-3d-spider-pendant?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202709228/large-neon-blue-3d-resin-spider-pendant?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202355080/pink-and-white-cherub-angel-green?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202365935/faux-amber-light-orange-resin-with-real?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202107614/one-of-a-kind-soaring-bald-eagle-resin?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201663842/lovely-teddy-bear-baby-blue-angel?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/187629148/pear-shaped-resin-angel-christmas?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201284892/heart-blue-glitter-resin-paperweight?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/201191166/babys-first-christmas-baby-foot-prints?

Pink Peatunias Soft Baby Girl Cocoon with Pink Boa Fringe

Continuing with my goal to make a bunch of pink items for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Is this not the cutest thing ever? This is my first time using this bulky yarn. It is so soft, and wonderful. It feels like our rabbit's fur, it is so soft. It is a little more expensive, and kind of hard on the hands, but so worth it. I will be using more of this yarn, for lots of projects. I couldn't get the hat to come out right, yarn was too bulky. But, it is adorable all by itself. This is a baby cocoon for a newborn infant girl. These make awesome photo props for photographers, or parents who just want to take their own shots without spending a fortune. It is also a sleeping cocoon, for warmth in the cold months. All yarn is warm, but this is super warm. The boa is attached but can easily be removed. I do not suggest letting baby sleep with the boa on. It would be very dangerous to do so. So, please remove it when done with pictures. I also think my cocoons would make great kitten, or cat caves. They would have a ball with any of the cocoons available in my store. You can see all my cocoons by visiting my Etsy store. I really want to get some new jewelry pieces created, so I have to get going on that.

Team Support and Promote Pink Theme

This is an Etsy team Support and Promote blog post. This is only the second team post we have done. This time the theme was pink items. Please browse the pictures, and visit each shop for more details on the items.

Girl's Maroon Crochet Headband with Resin Heart and Pink Flower.

Pink and White Crochet Baby Blanket

Two Group Challenges This Week

I have two group challenges this week, and I think I am going to paint them both. Last week I was invited to join a new Facebook group for art lovers. It is a Zentangle group, and you have to recreate ancient pieces of art work. I have never painted a Zentangle before, but you can see mine below. I almost forgot the tangles, so I added them to the flowers and cattails. This weeks challenge has been posted, and I can not wait to work on it, and add some more tangles this time.

 The second challenge is for my All About Blogspot Etsy team. This is the second month I have created a monthly blogger challenge for the group. This month the theme is pink, in honor of Mother's Day. I am not going to say what mine will be, but I am thinking it will be Art. I might make a whole bunch of pink things. I love the color pink!

My Ancient Crane Zentangle painting, is available in my Etsy store.   

3 Day Auction Starts Now

Straight from my Etsy store, and up for auction is this beautiful pink and white baby girl cocoon. This is for a newborn up to three months. No buttons or zippers and baby stays warm and safe. It has been stored in a zip lock bag in a smoke free home. We do have dogs, but it is sealed in the bag so no exposure. This was listed for 20 dollars in my Etsy store, at a sale price, 30 dollars regular price. I pay shipping fees. Auction Rules: Bid increments are 1 dollar Starting bid 4.99 US dollars This item can only be shipped to US First person to bid opening bid and then it goes from there All bids are to be left in the comments Auction will be closed at 9 PM Eastern time on Sunday March 9, 2014 If you win I expect you to pay All payments through Paypal only After auction closes winning bidder will be announced and contacted by the email they leave with their bid When you bid you must leave a way to be contacted or your bid is invalid Highest bid wins!

Night Owl in Tree Painted Resin Heart

I was so excited today to give painting on the resin another try. I will tell you how I came up with this almost finished piece. First I mixed the resin, and added a tiny bit of black acrylic paint to the resin. I used a toothpick this time rather than squeezing a drop in. Even a drop was too much and it changed the property of the resin. After mixing it, it was this awesome smoky color, like when it just starts to get dark. Then I added the owl sticker to the resin, and let it cure 12 hours. If you use silicone molds the resin cures much faster. This was a silicone mold, my others take a full day. Then I popped out the cured piece, that is the very first picture.  Then I painted on the tree trunk, branches, leaves and moon.  I tried brown paint, but that did not show up well enough, so I ended up using black paint.  You can see the results in the bottom two images.  After I let it set a few days, I will seal it with a spray sealer, and then add a glaze over it.  Last but not least I will drill a hole and it will become my newest Christmas ornament.  It will be available in my Etsy store, with all my other cool resin pieces.  I made some more resin with gemstones too, but have not shared those yet.  So, watch for them soon.

Making Resin Jewelry!

I was so excited to get my resin and one mold for Christmas. I have ordered a larger heart and some smaller heart molds. My first set of items, one mold with many openings makes a lot of pieces and shapes, came out really pretty good. This resin is awesome. It is clear and looks like glass. These are the only things listed in my Etsy store so far, and still need to go in Ecrater store. The butterfly keychain is my favorite. Then there are two heart cabochons. One has a pink flower embedded in it, the other has flat back pearls, pink on the outside and one blue one in the center. These are for wire wrapping or using them as the buyer would like to use them. Last is a Three Dancing Ladies cameo pendant. The cameo is black with white accents, and was embedded into the resin with a very tiny amount of glitter. I am not thrilled with the glitter, but maybe if I use it on the second layer, rather than the first, I will like it more. Also, some of these are quite thick and for jewelry I think thinner might be better. I will have to decide ahead of time what I will do with them so I know if I should make chunky or thin. I have many more pieces to share, once I have pictures and they are listed. I really enjoyed making the resin pieces. It is a several day process, and while this first set is affordable, I could see where they could get expensive depending on the time you put into it, and what you embed in them. I want a bangle mold, and a ring mold, but they can wait until I have a little bit more experience under my belt. I had my first sale of the new year, and it was an awesome sale. I don't share the sale item, until I know the buyer is happy and the sale is complete. Happy New Year! Happy crafting and jewelry making.

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.

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.   

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.

Hail To the Prince or Princess!

This week's Theme Friday topic is all about princes and princesses. Since no crafters with boy prince items joined in, I picked one that I liked from an Etsy shop. Each of these items can be purchased at their Etsy stores by clicking on the links. Tell your friends and join in each week on my Facebook page. I get your item seen in several different places, including in a special blog post right here.

 Princess Bottle Cap Necklace
 Preemie Princess Crochet Cocoon with Crown
 Little Prince Diaper Cake

My New Theme Friday Etsy Finds

On my Facebook page, each week, I would do a Theme Friday post. Anyone who entered an item to fit the theme got in my Etsy Treasury on Saturday. I have been doing that for about a year now, and now I am bored with it, very bored. So, I thought I would use the power of blogging and social media to help boost Theme Friday items. The result is each member that submits an item to fit the theme will get it shared on my personal FB profile, Tweeted, Pinned, favorite on Etsy, and then each Saturday shared on this blog. Since I use traffic exchange to help with exposure to my blogs, this should help each item get lots of exposure. I only had two entries this week, plus mine of course. Check them out and visit each item in their respective stores. You never know you might find something you can not live without. This weeks theme was, Mother's Day Gifts 20 dollars or under.   The first item is mine, and it is on Clearance.  Be sure to check out all my Clearance items.  This is a new section in my store to hopefully get some inventory moving a bit faster.  All are less than what I paid to make the item including supplies and time.  Here is the link to the first item https://www.etsy.com/listing/50557952/clearance-raspberry-pink-rhodolite?  Grr I have no idea why I can not write right next to the picture.  Anyway the second candle is a soy candle.  If your mom loves candles check it out, awesome price too https://www.etsy.com/listing/130263156/cashmere-silk-downy-type-woodwick?ref=usr_faveitems   The third item is a lovely pink button and rose bracelet, again an awesome price.  Since they are all under 20 dollars they are all pretty awesome.  Here is the link for the bracelet https://www.etsy.com/listing/129606514/shades-of-pink-flower-button-bracelet?ref=usr_faveitems  If you would like to join in the Theme Friday topic, and get your items shown lots of love, click the large widget to the left that will lead you to my page, then just like the page and remember to check each Friday.

Pink Ereader of Flower Girl Bag

I love this adorable pink and white bag. My 7 inch e-reader/tablet fits in this bag perfectly, or it would be an adorable gift bag or flower girl bag. I am in love with this color pink and it looks awesome with the white. I will definitely use this color some more. Also in the same color pink is the pink blanket with white ruffle trim. I don't have the exact measurements yet, but it will be listed in my Etsy store soon.

Valentine's Day Pandora Charm Beads

These beads are so adorable, and just in time for Valentine's Day. Pandora bracelets are some of the easiest bracelets to make and maintain, and they are hugely popular. Check out the different styles of beads, and get some for yourself, family, friends or that special someone in your life.

3rd Year Wedding Anniversary Gemstone

This year will be my 3rd Wedding Anniversary. I wanted to know which gemstone represents that Anniversary, and it is two of my favorites. Pearls, and Jade. I love both Pearls, and Jade especially grey Pearls, and pink Jade. I will be looking to see if I can find something I love to make myself a piece of jewelry for my Anniversary. My husband does not ever buy me jewelry, I always make my own. Except for my wedding band, though I am looking to make a new one of those too. The two items pictured are both Freshwater green Pearls. One is a cuff style bracelet, which will adjust for most wrist sizes. The other is a cute pair of leverback style earrings. These are both available for sale in my Etsy store, or you can purchase them here, and get free shipping and handling, to USA buyers.