Oh geez...

So I haven't even looked at this thing in forever, and I'm thinking of using it to post about more than just jewelry, otherwise it won't get used. Just a quick life update will do for now, I suppose, as I'm waiting for Chloe to get out of her Horror Lit. class. My German class (and therefore test) was canceled for today. \o/

Well, here's what's been going on:

1. school: got a B (somehow) on my first algebra test, and a 98 on my first German test. Love all my classes, but it's a toss up between Zumba, German, and Ceramics as to my favorite.
   
2. work: i want to kill half of my students. ~_~
   
3. home: still living in the same place, unfortunately.
   
4. car: needs an oil change and the power steering and transmission checked out.
   
5. cats: are still fluffy and adorable.
   
6. love: it will be five years for Chloe and I on November 1st. That's awesome. We're talking about getting married anyway and then suing the state of Ohio to recognize the marriage... but that sounds hard and time-consuming and we'd like our primary focus to be on our grades.
   
7. health: i've only had one terrible 'attack' with my stomach lately. :D that was yesterday, and i had to call off work AND miss math, so I'm basically fucked.
   
8. art: the only time I've had to do any kind of art is in Ceramics. I've had no time for jewelry. :( But in class I'm making a steampunk box that can be a candle-holder or something. Hopefully it comes out super-cool!
   

Hope you guys have been good. :)

Product Review

Hello, readers! I hope everybody enjoyed their weekend. I have some new items to show off today, though none of them are as of yet available in the store. These items were all created as part of a challenge to show my interpretation of Spring.



This item was created using swarovski crystal beads in the shape of butterflies. I absolutely adore these beads. They are only 6mm, so the charm is kept thin, and the crystal is very durable. I also used a cell phone strap from Artbeads.com. I like the jump ring straps, and purchased them in gold and silver. I'm only going to show the silver here.

The jump rings are easier to open and close than the ones with split rings, and they're very durable. The strap is very thin which made it easy to add onto my cell phone charm collection.

The other type of bead I used are 4mm twisted sterling silver beads. I love, love, LOVE these beads. They are durable, cute, and add a fun element to the charms.



I've had a thing for cameos lately, and I'm slowly falling in love with copper. This piece uses a cameo from Artbeads.com as well as copper-plated chain and copper leaf bails. The setting came from Cathy's Jewels on Etsy.

The bails look great, but I have some doubts as to their durability. One of them broke in the mail on the way to me and I had to have it replaced. The replacement broke a little as I was very gently putting it on my other cameo set and had to be epoxied into submission.

Aside from that, I really, really love the bails. And the chain. And that cameo, oh my goodness! The chain is slightly textured, which is pleasing to me, because I think it adds to the beauty without taking away from that gorgeous cameo.


That's all I've got for now. There's a big gray cat on my lap who keeps looking at me as though she's wondering why I'm typing when I could be petting her instead.

Since it's spring break, there should be more photos coming soon. I have two more bracelets and a necklace set to show off, and my wife and I just went to Trader's World where I bought necklaces to take apart and recycle into other, cuter jewelry.


Legal stuff: I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my opinion on their items. I have received the above pictured items which I am far too lazy to list at the moment free of charge and am reviewing them honestly. Anything else in these photos was bought and paid for by me from other sites.

3 New Items!

It's been awhile since the last time I added any new items to my shop. We're having lots of snow though, so that makes it a lot easier to find the time to work though the cat on my lap makes it harder to use the keyboard. All of these items are eligible for the current sale which is 15% off of your order. This sale lasts until the 13th.

Without any further ado, here are the new items!


"Old Fashioned Lady"

This bracelet is made from cherry quartz puffed coins, glass pearls, and lots and lots of love. I think I'm getting really fond of using jump rings and seed beads as extenders on pieces now, and it's terribly fun to do.




Above: Gay pride earrings

I love making pride pieces. I think it's important to have a way to express who you are and do it as colorfully and tastefully as possibly. These earrings are subtly and not at all "in your face" just in your ear, hahaha!. They're very beautiful and I love the way they reflect the light. At the right angle these earrings look like they glow!


Flower Cameo Bracelet

Finally, we have this stunning new cameo bracelet. The cameo is from Artbeads.com and the bracelet setting was purchased on Etsy. This is the first time I've really played around with settings, but I found it really fun - except for the several times I got glue on my fingers and got them stuck to other things. That part was not enjoyable. This will definitely be an item for art shows and displays because I can customize something quickly for a customer with it. It's also my new favorite bracelet.

As always, you can find sale information and all these listings at my Etsy store. Please take a look and don't forget to tell your friends and family about the sale! Thanks for reading. :)

I need to take my cats to the vet, so...

I have two cats that need shots. The store usually pays for that kind of stuff, but I must be made of some kind of fail since that plan isn't working. Therefore it's time for some shameless self-promotion


Exhibit A: Saiga


Exhibit B: Kakei

There is a 15% sale going on until 2/13. Details at the link below to this special offer:

If you order $10 or more worth of jewelry by 11:59pm EST tomorrow night (2/4), I'll throw in discount coupon for 40% off one item on your next purchase.

I just want to take my kitties to the vet. :)