EtsyBloggers: April Blog Carnival - Library Memories

The April topics to write on are about our library and reading. The specific question: "What fond memories do you have of your public library and reading?"  I'm a big reader. I always have a book stashed in the car, a bag, wherever. Right now I'm reading Suze Orman's latest book, the Money Class. 

We did monthly trips to the library as a child during the summer. The infamous reading lists to fill out and then get a book prize once the list was complete, it was time to go back to the library. I remember and still have a few of those free books we received. The one I remember is the Popcorn Book. It was this funny book that took you through the process of a kernel becoming popcorn.  Why I liked it so much, I can't say now. But I just loved it.  I checked out many dinosaur books, biographies, and a little bit of fiction.  Now I read way more fiction. I must have got all the science and history out of my system. I would venture to say, all the trips to the library made me the reader I am today.

EtsyBloggers: July 9th Blog Carnival - Contentment

Topic to blog: July's birthstone is the ruby which symbolizes contentment, blog about the colors red/ruby/ or what you need to be content.

 

This is a challenging topic for me. One, red is not one of my favorite colors, which probably explains why two,  I've never considered myself in a content state.  Since I can remember I have had thought after thought run through my head, that even my thoughts had their own thoughts. haha. 

I find it strange that red would be considered a color of contentment. To me, red is too energetic and stimulating.  I do have a few pieces in my shop that are red. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean others don't. I can honestly say, I do not own one piece of red clothing. I'm a pale skinned, freckled faced red head. And the combination of the 3 and the red shirt only makes me look a little green. The other 4 red heads in my family have the same problem. Anyway, back to the red pieces I can talk about. I made the red pieces fun and exciting. To me that's what the color resonates for me. 

EtsyBloggers: May 10 Carnival

This month's blog carnival is hosted by Made by Melissa.

Topic: What is your favorite material to work with and why? i.e. glass beads, wool yarn, acrylic paint, organic fabric... Show pictures of completed projects using this material.

I have grown fond of all beads Jasper. I just love all the different varieties. I have worked with red and teal paisley. The teal paisley I found in a small shop and I just fell in love and just had to have them. Silly me though, I haven't kept any of the pieces I've made them with.  Both of these items are sold, but they're some of my favorites. I like that each piece is so natural and each one is different.  I can buy a strand of red jasper, and not one bead is identical. I like the earthy feel and they can go with just about any bead. I've worked with polished jasper and they're so smooth and soft.  This website is very interesting and tells a little more about the beauty and meaning of jasper.

In the Kitchen with some Coffee

The current Blogfire blog carnival theme is to either show off your work space - or talk about items in the kitchen! Now I was planning on showing off my workspace, but I've been having migraines all week and so getting it presentable enough to show off just wasn't going to happen. So I went looking for some fun kitchen items! In a coffee theme of course, because I love coffee! I used to be a total caffeine addict...but that's an entirely different story.

The Country Workshop has this plaque for sale - isn't it darling?

I'd certainly put it up in my kitchen! (Much to my hubby's chagrin)

I have to confess that I already have a towel and oven mitt set that's coffee themed.

AND, to my shame, it was bought in a big retail store.

BUT someday it will need replacing,

wouldn't this set from Desert Rose Gifts be perfect?

What would the kitchen be without some good soap?

DECA candle and bath has some COFFEE soap - does it get any better?

Now I must stop dream shopping...

Valentines Day - Artfire Style!

Now I must admit that Valentines day has, historically, not been one of my favorite holidays. In fact, I used to absolutely hate it! Why? Well, as a long time single girl/woman it was a slap in the face reminder that I WAS single. Some years I faced it defiantly, others I drowned it in chocolate. Now that I'm married (I know, it blew me away too) I actually like the holiday!

This week's BlogFire Carnival is all about either Valentines Day, or items in Red/Pink. Since I finally like the holiday I decided to show off one of my pieces, and some great gift ideas from three of my friends! Now ladies, if you've read this far and hate Valentines Day, you could always buy this as a gift for yourself! Why? Because your special. I said so!

Love the Pink Multistrand Necklace

Miniature Raspberry Pie Earrings

Love Heart on a Stick

Chocolate Tea

*Hugs and Kisses*

I Just Can't Decide!

The current BlogFire assignment is to blog about our favorite crafting technique, but the problem is I just can't decide! I will say that I'm a jewelry artist first and foremost, but I also really enjoy crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch, hand quilting, and I'd love to learn more things!

Even in the jewelry world I enjoy many different techniques. I love bead weave, but I also love knotting hemp, stringing pretty patterns, doing wire work, and there are even more things I'd love to learn how to do! You can see this reflected in my shops and here on my blog.

So how do I pick a favorite among all of those?

I suppose I'll just have to say that my favorite craft technique is whatever I happen to most engrossed in at the time! I've spent a lot of time working on my bead weaving projects today, so I could say that's my favorite today, except for the fact that I've been working on them so focusedly because I want to finish them before I start some other projects!

Yes, I'm a little crazy.

June means Roses!

It's time once again for the Etsy Blogger carnival - I've been planning on writing a post all week and kept getting side tracked! So once again I'm being a bad girl and writing mine at the VERY last minute! This week's theme is:

1) Schools Out For Summer! What are your summer plans or share your favorite end of the school year story.
or
2) June symbols - June's birthstone is the pearl or moonstone. June's flower is the rose. Share your favorites or stories or blog on June symbols of your own.

Well since my store NAME is Rose Works Jewelry - it's only appropriate that I focus on roses don't you think? 

I've always loved roses. Which is kind of odd since I grew up a total tom-boy. Of course, while we're on that subject, it's rather odd that the tom-boy grew up to be a jewelry artist...

I don't know what it is about roses that draws me too them, I just always have been! I think part of it is just how many petals they have nestled in there. I've been teaching myself to draw, and if I ever get to the point where I can draw that beauty I'll be sooo ecstatic you have no idea! 

Looking in my shop...I actually don't have anything with roses at the moment! I need to fix that... So here are a couple of great finds from Etsy that are roses :D

Roses are Red Recycled Necklace

Wild Rose Crocheted Scarf

7 Sisters Handmade Paper Roses

Lady in Satin