Childhood Cancer

As everyone knows, I am very big in awareness for important causes and this one is very special to me.

A wonderful seller and mother to 3 great kids, has been battling the fact that 2 of her precious little angels has cancer. Not just any cancer but cancer of the eye. Her little baby girl, only 9 months old, has lost her eye due to this horrible cancer. Now, her 4 year old son, is undergoing treatments to try and reduce the tumors in his eye.

Now remember, these are children! So innocent. Now for those of us, who know whom I speak of, you know that these children are probably stronger than you or I. They take it in stride and know that they are loved and not only by their family. As they have become a part of our lives as well.

This collection was put together to help out this wonderful family and those who also know someone who has children afflicted with any kind of cancer. Let's band together and help the cause, family and other facing this same life speedbump.

You may purchase any item from this studio: CupcakesAndSkullsBowtique
This studio donates 5% to the research of Childhood Cancer.

Please, keep this family and others like them in your thoughts this holiday season.

Lets Beat Childhood Cancer!!

Curated By: Nightmaiden

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Thank you to those who see how beautiful a child's life is.

*For Sara, give your children a huge hug from all of us within the Handmade Community. We all love you and your kids and here's to making a difference in all of our lives. Your children are beautiful, strong and special. They have touched our lives and made us stronger just by seeing them face something that would make adults break.

Gearing Up For The Holidays

As it is almost December, I am hoping to ramp up the items I have in my studio. I have so many things that I have finished that I just need to get listed. I also have several projects in the works now.

This is one of the earrings that I have to list. (As soon as I edit all the photos for it) But it is a cute little kitty and it's accentuated with Lemon colored Swarovski bicone to pull out the yellow of the flower on its hip.



Hopefully these will be up this week, if I got good photos of it, so I won't have to reshoot them. The weather really doesn't want to cooperate with me.

Also on the docket for me will be some new Firefly/Serenity items. Since the items I have created in the past did so well, I will be returning to this theme. I am working on a Kaylee strawberry piece and will be doing something a little new to me. I am hoping to branch into a bit of metal work with some stamping as I attempt to make dog tags for Mal and Zoe. So as you can see, I have a whole list of things to accomplish as I try and get ready for the busy holiday season.

And who knows what other "inspired" item will be popping up in the future. After all, I am kinda a Syfy geek, so you never know when I might pop in with something relating to a very popular Syfy hit show!!

Inventory

Well I survived inventory today! It really wasn't as horrible as I thought it was going to be, so I consider that a win!

I ended up actually finding something that I had made ages ago and bagged up. Apparently, I thought I had already listed it and... well, I didn't. So on the bright side, I have a new piece to list now! heheh

If only I could inventory my supplies, I'd be in a better place. I swear I have to have a ghost that is being really crafty in this house, because I know some of my supplies have vanished. Of course, how can you really tell in this house since I have supplies coming out of my ears.

At any point, this is the piece I ended up finding today,



It's so gorgeous and was one of my favorite pieces too. Anyway, it is a silver and green enameled copper byzantine chain and the focal is a thin jade donut with a sterling silver dragon draped and wrapped around it.

Anyhoos, I am so happy that inventory is over since I had been dreading it for a while. Then I put it off since I had been sick with a stupid cold. I have so much on my plate right now that I don't know what I'm gonna do. I just can't wait til my head is finally above water and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But of course, this means that I should have lots of new pretties to share!

Makeover!!

Well, it's been a long time coming but I have a new look!

I think I needed a change and this is perfect for the launch of new items and a new me! While I am still battling some health issues, I feel rejuvenated and I can share my true side in my creations. So this means I will be working on more fantasy and gothic designs. I have a few new bridal pieces in my studio now and 1 that is a work in progress.

So stay tuned for a whole bunch of cool new things!

Newest Bracelet

So I have been busy working on my newest design and I am almost done with it. I have been doing a little bit each day since I'm hoping that it will be fairly therapeutic. Plus the fact that my curved nose pliers are nearing the end of their life... (This really is not good because I loved this pair, they are my favorite and now they stick and don't want to open properly. Think I might kit them with some WD-40...)

Anyways, here is the first look at the bracelet as it is nearing completion. All I have left to do is clasp it and that is that. I may make a matching necklace since this turned out so well and I love the way it hangs.


The beads that run across the top are actually dual toned and they are blue on black Czech beads. The rings that I used are Ice Blue enameled copper rings and the chain was made by hand one ring at a time. Black Czech beads are in the middle of the swags. The beads that dangle are Aqua Carmen Blue Czech beads. I love the combination of these colors and they just blended so well.

If I decided to do a matching necklace, it will be this same style but with the blue chain going from this portion around the neck to the clasp. I don't want to overdo it and just want to keep it simple.


***Upcoming Items***

• As I will be getting some supplies coming in soon, I have some great new projects in mind. So be on the lookout for a brand new collection, Seasons...
• Halloween items will be making a return, or I should say some new items!
• There will be an interesting Alice In Wonderland themed necklace coming soon.

• Look out for a Butterfly Branch that will be making an appearance. (This will be if I work out the ring situation. The one color was out of stock so I am hoping that one of the other colors that I bought will work and match the beads I will be using.

So that about sums it up for now, I can't wait to be back with more!!

Preparing for Earl

So I have been busting to get supply orders made up so I can order this weekend, which can be a PITA, because I have to go through the majority of my inventory. I have tons that I need to get finishing touches on so I can get pictures and get them ready for listing. All while placing my Artfire studio on sale for September, for a birthday sale. Now what is really bad, is that knowing that my birthday is in the middle of September, let alone Hurricane Season......

While trying to get all this straight, I am now bracing for Hurricane Earl. Which no one has any blooming idea what the storm is doing, so we are in a wait and see mode. have everything prepped in case we get slammed, as they are comparing it to the track of Isabel.... Great... (During Isabel, she was scheduled to get picked up by a front and moved out to sea, just like this storm. Only she sped up, much like this storm, and slammed right into us. We lost power for 2 weeks...)

Plus, trying to get my insurance straightened out so I can have this stupid tooth taken out. There is nothing worse than tooth pain. Especially when it's a wisdom tooth. I thought it was bad when I had my top ones pulled, nothing compared to the ones on the bottom that are impacted and sideways... So the pressure from this storm is just unreal and making the pain even worse. I really am just ready for this storm to come on and be done with it.

Sorry I've Been MIA

I really do apologize for being gone for so long. I am hoping to get back into the swing of things again.

I have been dealing with an impacted wisdom tooth that has been giving me horrible pain and then to top it all off, I lost a stinking filling in one of my other teeth. I can't go to the dentist until my insurance gets straightened out. So I am kinda living with the pain for now.
So what can you expect to see in the future.... well more on my HandmadeNews articles. I am working on a Wedding series and that will continue as well as I will poke in a few of my gemstone articles as well.

New items will be up and coming as well. Especially Challenge pieces for the guilds. I can show off the piece I just finished for the Chainmaillers Guild Challenge for Stormy Weather!!



I think it fits the theme very well. I call it Rainy Skies. I also have a bridal set that is ready just needs photos and I am in the process of working on another bridal necklace but I ran outta rings on that one... So it might just be a little while til I finish it.

On another note, I also have wedding goodies to play with. I just put in a big makeup order so I will be doing a trial on that so I will have fun stuff to share with everyone soon!!!

Have A Handmade Wedding

I am pledging to have a handmade wedding and I would love to see others do the same thing. It is something that I have been pondering as to exactly how far I will take it. Well I'm going all out!!! I have confirmed that I will be hand making everything! Since this is bigger than just me I am also writing my articles around this idea.

So if you plan to have a handmade wedding then check out this article, Have A Handmade Wedding! Awesome huh? Well keep it tuned in here because I will be posting ideas to buy handmade, hand create your pieces and even how to hand alter a store bought item to add your style to it!

Handmade Wedding

So after loosing my grandmother and my uncle in only 2 months, I have finally started pulling myself out of the dumps that I have been in since all that happened. Now I have something to look forward to.... A Handmade Wedding!

My husband and I have decided that we will be renewing our vows on Oct. 31, 2012. It will be our 5th year of marriage and a great way to celebrate since we really did not have a ceremony last time.

99% of this wedding will be handmade, from my dress to the girls dresses and even the garter. I will be posting pictures here as I get things done. Since it is still a ways off there will probably be some changes to everything but I will be sharing all of my ideas and plans.

I am currently designing the invitations and save the date cards and that will be the first thing that will be shared as soon as I get things just the way I want them, so stay tuned!!!!

Regular scheduled posts...

I will be back to my regular lovable self soon. I had some misfortune and had to wipe my hard drive and reformat. I'm currently in the process of reinstalling all of my programs from back up. So no photo editing. So, I can't share my new projects right now...

Although I did find a new awesome photo editing site and am playing with it so I will have cool stuff from that next week.

So until I return, I wish everyone a Happy Holiday and will see y'all next week!

Bloodstone - Crafting With Gemstones

Do you like the gemstone Bloodstone? How much do you really know about it though? This green and red Jasper stone was said to have received the red spots in a most unusual way. One legend says that this stone actually got its red spots from the blood of Christ as he was left on the cross. The blood dripped down and stained the green Jasper, thus making Bloodstone.

Very interesting wasn't it? Well, there are tons more interesting information in my article. You can read all about it here at HandmadeNews.

Upcoming Articles:
March 25: Bornite - Crafting With Gemstones
April 1: Crafting For Autism

Giveaway at Batty's Bath!

One of my friends is hosting a giveaway on her blog... Jamie, owner of She's Batty Designs as well as her newly opened, Batty's Bath is celebrating the 1 month anniversary of one of her shops.

Batty's Bath is her new bath and body studio on Etsy. This is a new venture for her and a great one at that. So since her shop just opened, she has decided that it would be a great way to give a lucky person 1 bar of their favorite soap! SO what do you have to do?

Well, first thing is to go to her Batty's Bath Etsy studio and click on the Soap Bars and Body Wash section then choose your favorite. After you have chosen, which can be tough since they are all so awesome, go to her blog and make post that fave in her comments. There are also several other ways you can gain entries, if you wanna know you are just gonna have to go and read them on her blog...

You have until May 1st to get your entries in. So get in there and go shopping.

Bismuth - Crafting With Gemstones

How much do you know about Bismuth? Do you know what it is? How about that you probably have ingested this mineral before and you may never have realized. This shiny multicolored mineral (shown below) is actually used in Pepto Bismal. It's true, grab a bottle out of your medicine cabinet and read what's in it.



Now that I may have just freaked you out a bit, how about if I tell you that you can actually grow this crystal in your own home. It is a great experiment for teens that are just not into science. This will get them interested when they can actually make something like this themselves. Sound interesting?

Well then click here and check out my article about Bismuth, where I tell you just how you can grow it yourself.


Photo credits go to IshiGallery from Etsy. You can click on her name to go to her studio. Please show her some love and check out all the lovely things she creates.

Irish Bananas Recipe

This is a great recipe for St. Patrick's Day and if you're Irish then you know how yummy this can be. If you're not, then this is the perfect thing to make you feel Irish for a day...

First, this is what you will need for 4 servings.

* 1/2 cup Butter (stick form not melted)
* 1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar
* 4 large Bananas, peeled and cut in half lengthwise not across the middle
* 1/2 Irish Whiskey
* Vanilla Ice Cream


Now, you are going to want to pull out a skillet and melt your butter over medium heat.
When that is melted, stir in the brown sugar and whiskey. Bring to a boil and cook it until the sugar is dissolved.
Turn the heat down and add the bananas and simmer gently until they are tender and glazed over with the glaze of sugar and whiskey.
Now you can serve over ice cream.

Didn't I tell you it was super easy! Now go and have fun!

Taking Time Off...

I will be taking most of this coming week off and will not be posting as much online during this time. I just recently lost my grandmother and things have been kinda rough for me. My father (it was his mother) and my husband made the trek up to Pennsylvania for the wake and funeral. I however was not able to make the trip. This makes my heartache even worse knowing that I was unable to be there. I wanted to go but waking up that morning with severe fibro pain and a the start of a new cold, the 8 or so inches of snow was not the best for me.

I can not totally stay away so I will be focusing on new designs and sketches. This way I can take the time for myself. When I come back I will be better than before. After filling the emptiness with shopping for new supplies, once they come in I will be able to start to get to work on all the things I have had planned and never gotten around to. I hope this time off and away from the online world will give me the strength I need to continue. I have a large list of work that needs to be done but I can not bring myself to do as much as I need to right at this moment. My family is my life and that always comes first.

With that being said, I need to take this time to heal my heart and try to cope with the facts that while my Grandma has past, I also have an Uncle that is battling cancer and is in and out of the hospital. So please bear with me while I try to transition back to the state of mind I was before.

Aventurine

Who doesn't like the shimmery smooth look to Aventurine? It's texture and color makes this an extraordinary beauty.

Did you know that there are more layers to it than just the looks? It has healing properties that cultures have been tapping into for centuries.

So you wanna find out more about it? Then you are just a click away. Check out my article on Handmade News now!

Aquamarine

Do you love the color of aquamarine? Do you love things made with it? Do you know what it really means or what people have used it for?

Then you might like to read this article from HandmadeNews, Aquamarine - Crafting With Gemstones.

This article will tell you all about it. Even that people centuries ago have used aquamarine to ward off pain. How about the fact that people wore this stone to insure safe passage while traveling the seas.

Enjoying the series, well there are more to come. Next weeks article will on Aragonite!

New Stuff Coming

I can not wait to start listing the new stuff that will be coming soon for my studio. There are a ton of cool brand new designs and even a new product line. That's right, I will be starting to list pendulums. I am working on my first one now. If all goes right I should be able to get it finished today and then get pictures within the next couple of days. I'm trying to fit it in with a custom piece I'm working on too.

I do have some projects that are currently in the process of being finished. One is about 95% done and there are some that are still in the design phase. I just have to wait until I can put in a ring order. I have a slave bracelet that is finished and I just need to get pics but I'm not sure if I'm going to list it, only because of the sizing.

I am also gearing up to start my line of men's and unisex jewelry. This will be wonderful mainly because that means my husband can actually model stuff actually made for men... I am going to be adding copper, brass and even bronze to this line.

My fine jewelry pieces are going to start adding up quickly. I already have one in my studio now and will be adding more. I have a beautiful piece beginning but I am working it in aluminum right now so I can get a ring count and then it will be made with Argentium and Rainbow Moonstone. This is going to be an "Icicle Necklace". Its going to be so cool since it will look like snowflakes and icicles. I can not wait to get the materials for this. Of course its going to be a higher priced piece but that's where the Fine Jewelry line comes in.

Of course you will be privy to the sneak peeks of the pieces that are in the works as soon as I get pictures. So don't get too antsy and they will come soon enough. Trust me I am antsy enough for all of us.

Crafting for a Cause

Well here it is, I wrote a special article that is near and dear to my heart. As I am a big supporter of many different charities and awareness causes, I decided to make that the topic of my article.

So you can read about it here at Handmade News.

It is a very touching article and I really wanted to show how supportive the handmade community is. We create from the heart and this is something that shows it. Each cause is just as important as the next. I only wish I could have touched on more.

Special Article

I know that I normally run my Crafting With Gemstone article on Thursdays but I am doing a special article this week. It will run tomorrow and the gemstones will return next week.

This special article is about cratfing for a cause. I decided to do this because I am a big supporter of several causes including breast cancer awareness, autism, domestic violence and now fibromyalgia awareness. This last one as I am recently working with a doctor and being diagnosed. I am also a huge animal rescuer so that will play a part as well.

I feel that it is necessary to bring attention to the fact that we as artisans make strides in these causes. We have been touched by these issues at some point in our lives.

This article will run on HandmadeNews tomorrow and I will link to the article here as soon as it runs as well.

Apatite

A beautiful blue stone that has some amazing properties. If you have never really known what Apatite has been used for in the centuries past, then click your way right here and check out this amazing article.

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4559

Angelite

Today's installment of Crafting With Gemstones is a beautiful stone called Angelite.

Most of you know that stones produce natural and metaphysical properties, well this particluar stone is a great tool for contacting your angels. Angels are around you every moment and act as a guardian. But did you know that you can actually meditate with this gemstone and be able to communicate with these angels? Well it is actually true. Your spirit guides and angels will be drawn to you stronger if you possess and use Angelite in your meditations. You can use it to boost your natural communication strength to aide in bringing them to you.

The full article can be found here: http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4526

New Items Being Listed!

I have finally been able to get new pieces listed today and will have even more if the weather cooperates with me tomorrow.

Okay, let me show what I was able to get listed. First is an amazing bracelet that is perfect for Valentines Day or just something special for your significant other.


This bracelet is made with a byzantine chainmaille weave in silver with touches of red. It also has Swarovski crystals in the color Siam and a beautiful stone with the word "Love" on it. This is a great piece as it is also adjustable in length.

Any special girl would love to see just how much you love her and this would be a great way to show her.






Next is a piece that I made because it is just so super cold. I am so sick of winter that I really need something to break the doldrums and put me in the mindset to get ready for Spring. I think this bracelet pretty much does just that.


This bracelet is extremely high quality and is very special. Why special? Because I used a special metal for the chainmaille. This piece boasts Argentium silver rings for the European 4-1 weave. It also has Swarovski crystal butterflies in pastel colors and a Sterling Silver lobster claw.

Now if you have never heard of Argentium, let me tell you about it and why it is so special. This metal is a higher quality than regular sterling. It will not tarnish nor turn as sterling eventually will do. It will remain bright and shiny just as it now. How do I know this for certain? I made a bracelet for my mom using this metal and she has worn it for 6 months straight without removing it. It is just as bright as when I made it. With no tarnishing, no turning color, nothing. Just bright beautiful shiny rings. I am totally in love with this metal. It is still very expensive to order but I am planning on slowly building up my supplies and integrating it into my designs.

So that is what I have listed now. I have some sneak peeks of upcoming items that should be listed within the next couple of days.

I have finished a bracelet in a Romanov weave with black and pink Czech crystals inside. This piece is so beautiful and I am working on earrings that will match the bracelet. However, these earrings will stand on their own as well.


This is the piece prior to me putting the clasp on it, which I did today. I will be getting pictures of it tomorrow, hopefully. I really love how this piece turned out and will be making one in black and red as well. It will also be a basis for a choker design that I am working on. The choker, I have not started as of yet but will be starting soon. It will be an icicle necklace and will have clear Czech crystals inside and Euro 4-1 drops with a clear teardrop dangling down. I'm even thinking of using this nice Swarovski snowflake that I have as a focal piece. I am still working out all the details but at least I have something to work with.


There is also a chainmaille charm bracelet that I finished today with an angel theme. It came out so amazing that I can't wait to get pictures and share. It has 3 different charms as well as blueish green swarovski crystals. This should be up tomorrow in my shop. I will be stressing to get this piece listed as it is just so nice.

I have a couple pairs of earrings that are finished. A pair of shoulder dusters with blue swarovski crystals inside dangling rings. These are going to be my waterfall earrings as the crystals kinda look like running water as its coming off a mountain. They are really pretty but I have not been able to get really good pics yet.

Kitty earrings are done as well and is just precious and I thought that they would be good to do because all my other kitty earrings sell really fast so with luck these will too.

So what am I up to now that I have been getting all this done? Well, I'm working on a chainmaille slave bracelet. I have most of it done but am just trying to work out all the details as far as how I want the swags to hang. I am trying to get it so it's feasible to wear and not be too bulky or too tight. That is where the issues are coming because it's so hard to hold the piece at my wrist and measure and mess with the swags. I so need more hands.

I have more supplies coming Thursday so I can't wait to see what I come up with next. I am just glad to have my design mojo back. Having been sick for 2 months and not feeling up to making hardly anything, this creative spurt is just what I needed.

So stay tuned and check out my shop and see the listings as well as a new banner that I made today.

Andalusite

Have you ever heard of the gemstone, Andalusite? Well maybe you have just not by that name. This is a very unique stone and so beautiful in both its tumbled and faceted state. But it has 2 different names. Interested in finding out more? Check out this great article on the stone and learn some great information:

http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=4491

Like this? Well then keep an eye out because I will be posting articles every week about wonderful gemstones. Who knows what might pop up.

Happy New Year!!

Well here it is another day, another year and another decade. A new beginning in not only a business sense but also in a personal sense.

I plan to expand into yet another genre of crafting and this might just be my best part. As I have begun making cosmetics but I am not quite ready to add these to my shop just yet as I still have a lot of mixing as well as testing. So my personal guinea pigs will be getting a sneak peek of colors and will be reporting back to me how they work. But since I have Crafting ADD very bad, I couldn't just let it go at that. I had to work on something that I could readily add to my shop.

Thus, I am working on investing in a screen printing machine and I will begin making shirts with original designs. Of course, since I can't draw worth a hill of beans, my dear husband will be making the drawings. This will be opening a whole new area for me and will allow me to utilize my hubby's artwork as well as my infinite volume of imagination.

On a personal sense, I plan on getting back into shape. I haven't been working out as much as I had been prior to my knee surgery a couple years back. Now I am feeling the strain of my bad back. I am also going to start regular massage therapy to help with controlling the tension and stress. So my new workout regiment will be yoga and belly dancing. I really don't need to loose weight, more like gain weight. So hopefully, this will build some more muscle mass.

This should be a great year and I hope my muse continues to inspire and fuel my mind. So here is to a bountiful year and many more! Happy 2010, everyone!