EtsyBloggers: March Blog Carnival - Celebrating Spring

Question posed to write about this month is:  The first day of spring is just around the corner. What one sure "first sign of spring" tells you that winter is finally over and the cycle of life is ready to begin anew?

That would have to be St. Patrick's Day for me. It's a big holiday for my family. We've got close roots to Ireland and all of us are red heads. We've got the Irish grit and the famous tempers. But that doesn't make it Spring. It's the big traditional dinner we have. It's similar to Christmas at our house. My mom cooks the dinner and we all go to my parents house for dinner. Corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and Irish soda bread.  We've also added some modern touches to our traditional dinner. My sister now makes the Shamrock cookies. They are peppermint flavored sugar cookies that are soooo kelly green, we all end up with green mouths. But that's part of the fun. Shamrock punch that is a lime sherbet punch that is just too good.  A new tradition we started a few years ago is decorating an Irish tree. I happened upon a small kelly green metallic Christmas tree, but we decorate it with Irish ornaments and blessings. The only traditional item we don't participate in is the Guinness. We're not big beer drinkers, go figure. But after our big feast, I always feel like it's time for Spring. Must be all that green!

Charm of the Week: Rainbow Multistrand Handmade Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings

Bright, colorful and unique this rainbow necklace is made up of a variety of glass beads. Four strands are strung through rainbow tube glass beads and adorned with larger beads and silver spacers. The necklace measures 22 1/2 inches.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/37156653/rainbow-multi-strand-handmade-necklace
Delicate hoop earrings float from your ears. They dangle shy of 2 inches.

The bracelet is also multistranded and coordinated with the necklace and earrings. A rainbow tube bead and orange round glass beads are used. Bracelet measures 7 inches.

Will ship international, please contact me so I can get you an accurate quote.

See more jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingCharm

Azalea Festival?

Yes, with a question mark.

I was expecting flowers. You know, because an azalea is a flower.

But nope, no flowers were to be seen. But we still had fun. The weather was bea-u-ti-ful! I even got a little sun on my shoulders. Yay and nay, I like being pale..but love that it's warm enough to start getting sun! The festival reminded me of my college World Music class. There were African drums and kids playing trash cans. I thought it was pretty awesome. Danny liked all that stuff..and the food and beer. If there is food...we will find, and we will eat it!

Portable Greek salad. Mmmm perfect!

Spring Fling

One question I hear over and over again in artists interviews is, "Where do you find your inspiration?" It's a question that I personally have struggled to answer because it changes so much depending on what piece I'm working on! For me many of my creations are simply born from the beads in my stash or that I find in the store, but others have a much more complex story.

For my newest necklace, "Spring Fling," it started in two separate places. When I bought the leaf beads I was planning on using them in a necklace, but I had no idea how or where. They got put in a bead box for when I had time to use them to create something. That's the hoarder in me, I'll often buy beads just against future use, without a real plan in mind!

Next came this month's challenge "Light as a Breeze" with the Etsy Bead Weavers. I immediately knew that this was the perfect time to pull out these fun leaf beads!

I already had the blue beads that matched perfectly, so I went to the store to pick up some yellow beads. Some how I managed to pick up size 15 beads instead of the 12's that I usually use. Which means my original beading pattern got thrown out the window.

This was a good thing!

I was really frustrated at first, but I decided to find a way to use the beads I had bought, and I'm much happier with the necklace I came up with than with what I first envisioned!

Mention this blog and I'll give you $15 off your purchase of this necklace (and any accompanying items) in my etsy shop.

Easter Weekend!

We finally got to open the  mysterious box Mom the Easter Bunny sent us. And well, I'm not sure if Santa got his holidays messed up but it definitely felt like Christmas in our house this morning! Mom out did her self as usual. First, we didn't just any regular basket, everything was in a juice jug type thing. Lots of candy (not filler stuff, our favorites like almond joys!) beef jerky, Life is Good golf balls for Danny and a really cool flip flop bottle opener! And inside a Vera Bradley wallet, Mom put tons of awesome gift cards! Walmart, Longhorn, Homegoods, and Lowes (so we can get a grill!) THEN! Not inside of the "basket" she put a Life is Good golfing shirt for Danny, a cute shirt for me, Hurt Locker and The Blind Side, anddddd a few cooking supplies! How totally awesome is that!?! I LOVE MY MOM!!!!!!

Here's Why Today is a Good Day!

Three different mail carriers were at my house. We are so popular and the reason mail should continue to run 6 days a week.

First, the regular mailman brought me my mail, and a package from the Easter Bunny, with gigantic letters saying "do not open until Easter." It will be torture, but we will wait! And in the same delivery, we got a letter from the Marriott giving us a free night on our one year anniversary..breakfast included.

Second, another guy brought my Stonewall Kitchen stuff. This guy was not pleasant, but since he had my yummy self-purchased-gift I was nice to him. I am now the proud owner of 12 sauces, dips, spreads and jams. And one pretty cool zester!

Third, a surprise mailman came bringing flowers. I was like 'who the heck is sending me flowers?!' Mom of course, should have known. Pretty Easter flowers, they even replaced the bowl on my dining room table. I seriously think I have the best Mom ever!

First Day of Spring!

And it was a beautiful day!

Me, Danny and Katie went down to Wilmington for the day. It was the first OFFICIAL day of flip flip season, I'm a nerd and took a picture to celebrate!

We walked around downtown, did some people watching and soaked up the sun. I'm strangely excited that I got a little pink on my shoulders. But that will serve as my reminder to pick up some baby SPF50 the next time we are out!

Mostly our reason for going to Wilmington was to go to the Kohls. I can NOT believe the closest Kohls is over 40 miles away! In a town with 6 Food Lions, 2 Walmarts, 6 McDonalds and COUNTLESS other stores..I was so surprised to find out the closest one was in Wilmington!

The trip was so worth it. The sales were amazing at Kohls! And because we were registered there, we had tons of gift cards! It was a VERY successful day!

It was such an awesome day with my amazing husband and a great friend!

Catching Up Once Again :)

Well everything has been a little sporadic from me lately do to the medication withdrawals and the migraines from 'em...but here are my latest listings from etsy and artfire! Tell me which one is your fav and I'll give you an extra entry into my top commentators contest!

Spring Fling Lampwork Charm Bracelet and Earrings

Sweet white lampwork beads with a pink and blue floral design are used on this dangle bracelet and earring set. Blue and pink trumpet beads, blue glass beads and textured pink beads dance among the lampwork beads on silver plated rings. The bracelet measures 8 inches and a lobster clasp is used.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42800339

Matching earrings dangle shy of 2 inches. The same white lampwork and glass beads are used.

Will ship international, please contact me.

See more jewelry at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/findingcharm

Charm of the Week: Swarovski Crystal and Black Rose Pendant Necklace

This elegant, dramatic necklace is adorned with black, gray and white Swarovski crystals. The black rose is made of high quality resin and backed with a silver plate. A white crystal sparkles from the center of the flower. Silver plated wire and lobster claw are used on this 23 inch necklace.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41423704

Will ship international, please contact me.

See more jewelry at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/findingcharm

Sale Item of the Week!

I'm doing my sale item of the week a day early - because tomorrow I get to announce the winners of the Top Commentators Contest! I'm so excited :) It'll be fun :) Anyway - here's all the info about this week's sale item:

I had a lot of fun putting this necklace together! It's a nice mix of the sweetness of Spring and a little bit of punk. I made it using black hemp and white wood beads. Each bead has fun spring flowers on it. 

No Metal - perfect for anyone with metal sensitivities! 

The necklace is approximately 16 inches long.

Hemp Jewelry Information:
As you wear your piece the fibers will bind tighter together and it will slowly gain a "smoother" appearance than it does initially. Hemp itself is very diverse in it's uses, and has been around for thousands of years! It's use in macrame become popular because it's not too slippery and it's very sturdy. Macrame has been around for centuries, and it's use in jewelry has recently seen a revitalization. I hope you enjoy my pieces!

This week the necklace is only $16 plus $2 shipping and handling! 

Which is Your Favorite Piece?

Now that byhand.me has their spotlights fixed - it's time to do a run down on some of my most recent listings or relistings! Which is your favorite piece? Leave me a comment and let me know! All comments about what piece you like will earn you TWO entries into my monthly top commentator contest!