New Items!

I've been busy during my Christmas vacation and here are some of the results, all available now in my shop...

Black Beauty Necklace

Cascading Pearls Earrings

Pristine Necklace

Berry Drops Necklace

And of course, the debuting gift certificate!

Good Tidings of All Things Fantastic

It's a little late but here it is: Merry Christmas! I had a great day with my family and Grandpa (who came from France). I love that I ended up staying home and relaxing. I was originally planning to go to London with my boyfriend, which would have been fun but crazy and hectic. Instead I got a thoroughly relaxing and perfect day at home. We opened presents, had French toast, then cleaned up the kitchen and got started on the turkey. We had hours of old-fashioned sitting around listening to music; I was sitting working on a new necklace (which I'll be adding to my shop soon!), my mom was knitting, and it felt like I was transported back to a Victorian Christmas. In the evening we took a walk into Leonberg's Alt Marktplatz (Old Marketplace) and saw the lights. It was one of those rare days where everything is just perfect. (Picture credits go to my sister...)

Part of the display at Perlenreich--my favorite bead store ever. Read more about it in my Etsy Storque article.

Old Marketplace


Wishing I could get inside...




Isn't it beautiful...?


I love these swirly housetops!


Merry Christmas!!!

Give The Gift of Pearlswirl

I've decided to initiate gift certificates into my shop. Why, you ask?

What's more fun than receiving (and giving!) a gift that provides an excuse to pick out something pretty for yourself?! Even better when it allows you to pick out two something pretties for yourself! These babies are perfect for those of you who know that, while it really is the thought that counts (and it IS!), it's always nice if the gift is loved rather than just appreciated. And of course they're equally perfect for the ones who may have waited until a bit too late to shop. Now, I have never been in this situation myself, but I can imagine that it might be helpful to have an easy solution to this type of problem. :)

In conclusion, we have logically and successfully proven above that gift certificates are excellent things.


Each certificate will have a special redemption code on the back, which the recipient will enter in the "message to seller" box at checkout, but they won't actually pay with paypal until I have revised the price.

I can make a certificate in any denomination starting at $10, and can email a .pdf file directly to the recipient (and include the to and from details) or to the buyer to print.

I'll include more nitty-gritty details (the boring but important stuff) in the etsy listing; I just thought I'd give you blog readers a chance to hear about it first.

Also, oh trusted blog readers, what do you think of the design and layout?

Happy first day of Hanukkah to you all!

Tag Happy

My newest obsession is with gift-tags. I love love love looking at the assortments of matching papers and colors together in cute little shapes. I know it's too late to order these for this Christmas, but I just thought I'd share the obsession (cause obsessing is less creepy when you can get other people to agree with you.) And hey, a lot of these shops are currently having sales. It might be cool to order these on sale and use them next Christmas... I'm just saying. :)


This is a mix-and-match set that I bought from pacokeco a week ago. It hasn't arrived yet but I can't wait to get it in the mail!


These little birdies are from here.


How cool is this: you buy the pdf download and then you can print these as many times as you want!! Whenever you want!! On whatever paper you want!! I know, I know, it's not a new idea, but little things make me happy. This is a great idea for last-minute gift-wrappers. Not that I would know anything about that...


I love these little paper-tag ornaments from paperpeddler.

My etsy friend Tinee from SiebenMorgen makes these adorable tags, and she has other things in her shop that include this cute house motif.


These two (above and below) come from PaperPumpkin, and I love them! I really love how the "Green Christmas" manages to look edgy and cool while being made completely from recycled paper. That is the essence of good recycling.




I can't remember where I found these cute and simple tags, but I just thought they added to the collection, so feast yer eyes!

Happy holidays people!

I Got Funky.

I got funky at the Winterleuchten Christmas market I posted about earlier. For those of you who missed that post, Winterleuchten is an annual market in Stuttgart with crafters and vendors who use old abandoned train wagons as their ART STUDIOS!!! I went both days, and would probably have gone a third day too, if not for the fact that it was a two-day event.

I got so funky, in fact, that I have no choice but to show you my funk-tastic photos as evidence. Is it me, or is the word funky starting to sound funny?

These are postcards, keychains, and prints made by Tinee, a local linocut artist whom I also featured in my Shop Local Germany Storque Article. Aren't they adorable? And that vintage suitcase... yum.


Here are more of her framed prints. Funky right?? (By the way, I mean funky in a good way.)


This wagon was filled with bags and fabric goods from Borsellina. Check out her website/shop here.


Note the very cool lockers in the background.


Bags, bags, bags.



I wish wish wish I could show you the things I bought, but... they were Christmas presents and I know some prying eyes will be peeking where they're not wanted. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. :)

Coming Soon

I'd like to list these gorgeous earrings in my shop, but I can't until I have a name for them. And my creativity is failing me on the name front. Any suggestions anyone??

We Have A Winner!

I know it's a little earlier than what I said yesterday, but, WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY WINNER! I numbered all the entries and picked one via random number generator.

The winner of the superb (if I do say so myself) necklace is Ashley Marie of Smitten! Congratulations Ashley! I've sent her a message with all the details.

Now, for those of you who entered but didn't win: I'm listing the Renaissance Rose Necklace in my shop and the first of you blog followers to buy it will get 10% off the necklace purchase! Simply go through the add-to-cart and checkout process, but don't pay through paypal right away. Mention my blog and who you are, and wait for me to revise the price. But hurry! Only the first person will receive 10% off!

Thank you so much to everyone who became a blog follower! I'm looking forward to many more giveaways and specials with you guys. Just make sure to check back frequently; I'm constantly updating!

Funky Christmas Market

Fellow Stuttgart crafters: One of my blog-world friends, Tinee, will be participating in an awesome-sounding artsy Christmas market this weekend.

The Winterleuchten Christmas Market takes place in abandoned train wagons turned into art studios in an area outside Nordbahnhof in downtown Stuttgart. How amazing does this sound?!?! This is greatness, I tell you.

It's taking place Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 from 2 to 10 pm both days. I AM SO THERE. Anyone want to come with me? I know the way, if that helps. ;)

And to all those who are not in Stuttgart or who can't make it, I can guarantee a long post packed with photos of this amazing event.


Tinee made this amazing poster herself with linocut!

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter my Renaissance Rose Necklace giveaway. If you haven't yet, enter yourself in the drawing by becoming a follower of my blog. And if you have, don't forget to check back here tomorrow, around 4 pm German time (10 am est) when I'll be announcing the winner. Are you excited yet?

Extra Extra, Read All About It!

I am now officially a "published writer". I've already got book signings planned for the upcoming year, and make sure to book early!

Well, not quite. But I did write my first ever article for Etsy's online magazine/blog, the Storque. Read it here!! I contributed to the "Shop Local" section, where Etsy sellers report on great Etsy shops in their city, state, or country. Browsing through the locations is a great way to find awesome new sellers who are near you. Benefits for you: Lower shipping price, shorter shipping time AND it's enviro-friendly! What's not to love? I really think it's important these days to be conscious about where our goods come from and what kind of effort went into making them. Shopping Etsy is always a great way to ensure quality products from quality people, and shopping Etsy Local makes it even easier!

Here's a sneak peak at the cultural part of my article. Of course you'll have to read the real thing to get it all! ;)

Flea Market Shopping


Perlenreich-- My favorite bead store ever


Flea Market-ing


Thanks to everyone who let me feature them in my article! Now, go buy something local!

I Want To Be Haunted

Haunt is one of my favorite shops on Etsy. The seller, Erin, makes absolutely gorgeous soaps, lip balms, and skincare products. What I really love about her shop is that it's like entering into a secluded magical world: from her banner to her pictures and descriptions of items, she manages to create a cozy , warm atmosphere--quite a feat for an online shop! If you don't believe me, go see it for yourself!

Here are a few of her holiday season products-- don't you want to eat this sugar polish?!



If anyone is looking for Christmas gifts for loved ones (OR FOR ME!!), Erin's shop is a must-see.


Don't forget to enter my superfantastic giveaway (see post below) by becoming a blog follower!

Drumroll Please... It's GIVEAWAY time!

I decided, rather than listing the Renaissance Rose Necklace directly in my shop, I would have some fun and give it away on my blog! 

Yay for all of you out there who are looking for a hopelessly romantic necklace for yourselves or for a beautiful Christmas gift! 

The Renaissance Rose Necklace has 11 glass lustre beads wire-wrapped to a dainty silver chain and a beautiful creamy-white foam rose. 

The rules are easy. Here we go:

1. Become a "follower" of my blog by clicking "follow this blog" in the "followers" section on the right hand side. This enters you in the random drawing.

2. Tell your blogosphere friends about this.

3. Check back in one week from today (Wednesday, 10 December) to see who wins! 

Adding a link to this giveaway on your own blog gets your name entered twice in the drawing!

Good luck my friends!

Custom-Ordered Lovelies...

... if I do say so myself!

Here are a couple of lovelies I made as special orders.

The first order was for an asymmetrical freshwater-pearl necklace with pewter connectors. I wire-wrapped olive-green coated copper wire (one of my favorite things ever!).  

I love natural-looking, asymmetrical designs and this necklace was a lot of fun to make. 

 

The second order was for three sets of beaded bracelets: an ocean of blues, a forest of greens, and the ever-chic combination of black and white. 

I love making the tags myself and writing a hand-written note on them. It gives such a personal, friendly, touch. Yay!

Happy Monday everybody! I know, I know, "Monday" and "happy" don't ever go together in the same sentence, but just think, only 24 days til Christmas!