Snow + Rainbows

The other day, it took me about an hour to get home, when the commute is usually just 20 minutes. The culprit? A lovely burst of lake-effect snow that started an hour before rush hour. The news stations all went crazy delivering stories from the locals. Some said it was a complete white-out in places. See, it really wasn't that bad, but our several week streak of decent weather and highs almost reaching 50 had people thinking winter was over in the middle of January. Haha!

So, I bring you excellent cheerful-rainbow-y-goodness to bust those winter blues! Even if your winter low is 65, you can still enjoy these awesome Etsy finds!

Here's an awesome gadget cozy from The Rainbow Room. It's handmade using felt, and can be custom made to fit your device.


If you'd rather wear a rainbow, Clara has made these cute rainbow brooches with wool felt.


Here are some amazing handmade glass beads. The first is called "Fire Waves."


Michael makes these beads using a variety of Moretti/Effetre, Lauscha and Uroboros glass. Here's another titled "Rainbow Swirls."



There you go! Hopefully these will take your eyes away from the weather man (or not) who is telling me it will be 13 today. :)

Beadweaving Bliss

I've been on quite the beadweaving kick lately. Plus I've been having a bit of fun playing with new techniques. The first is an "orb" pendant I made using a method developed by Gill Slone (B&B). It is made with size 15s, size 11 delicas, and Swarovski crystal bicones.


I also tried to make a beaded ring. It's a little lumpy, and not so round (more triangular-square-ish) but it makes for a neat frame for crystal.


I'm still on a rivoli kick, so I had to make something a little more substantial than just a pendant. I made a whole necklace!

Finally, I decided to give the Cellini spiral a shot since I've been ogling over the technique for a while now. I combined it with some Swarovski crystal (of course!) and here's the result...

Valentine Beading Part 2

As promised, I'm back with some more Valentine's Day inspired jewelry designs!

I've always dreamed of making a lush bracelet full of beautiful cane glass beads. Those pink beads pictured yesterday were staring at me all night, so I put two and two together to make a dangle bracelet! I also made some pseudo matching earrings, although the style is a bit different. A little extra punch is offered by bright hot pink Czech fire polished glass beads.


To feed my bead weaving obsession, I spent several hours creating this next piece. I started by making six beadwoven tubes using pink luster delica beads and red thread. The beaded beads, heart chain (which makes a reappearance!), and Swarovski crystal bicones are all connected with sterling wire wrapping. Notice I've also put the heart toggle clasp in the font to show it off and create the look of a lariat. I might just have to make more of these...


Many thanks go to Artbeads! Right now, they're having a sale on Valentine's day items, so go on over and save 15%!

Interested in purchasing any of the items I've made for these Artbeads reviews? Hop on over to my Etsy shop and send me a conversation!

Please note that I have received the products free of charge from Artbeads.com and that I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid to do so.

Valentine Beading

This is the time of year that you can't go anywhere without seeing a heart or some form of romanticism. Find no exception here! Artbeads.com has provided me with some Valentine's day themed items to try out. I was a bit too excited to make jewelry, so I started to make some before realizing that I hadn't photographed the raw supplies. Whoops! I did get a shot of the gorgeous furnace glass beads though!

I'm still on a bit of an earring kick, so here's an array of v-day inspired designs. The top left pair features pretty antique copper heart beads and Swarovski crystal.

The top right pair has Swarovski crystal and the cutest sterling heart chain. I've also made little hearts with square sterling wire.

The bottom right makes use of the same heart chain as well as a dangling assortment of Swarovski crystal in shades of pink and rose. The awesome part of those is the faceted Swarovski heart at the bottom.

The bottom left pair uses the furnace glass beads featured above and Czech fire polished glass beads.

For those less "girlie," I made a more subtle design using black heart beads and twisted glass barrels. The earrings don't exactly match, but I'm not one for making things match perfectly because it's less interesting.

I also made a necklace! The composition of the large red heart bead is a mystery since I obtained it in a bead swap, but it's suited perfectly to this simple necklace. It also has a sterling key charm and more Swarovski crystal!

If you're interested to see what I've made with glass beads and sterling silver components from Artbeads, check out my previous post here. Check back tomorrow and I'll have more designs with the remaining Valentine's day beads.

Please note that I have received the products free of charge from Artbeads.com and that I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid to do so.

On the Inside

As usual, I took apart a bunch of things recently looking for circuit boards. It's amazing where you'll find them. Even the most unsuspecting devices have them. My most recent dissections were of an old-school monitor and a keyboard. They were destined for the e-dump so I figured I'd scavenge for supplies.

I wasn't too shocked by the keyboard since I'd already taken apart a calculator (see this post for a photo). Here's a neat shot of the caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock lights next to the plastic sheets that lie under the keys.


The monitor really looks like something out of a space movie. At least the board is huge!

Etsy Twitter Team Treasury

I've been lucky enought to have been featured in a beautiful blue themed treasury with other Etsy Twitter Team members. Give it some love :)

Beadweaving Machine

There's something about Swarovski crystal rivolis that I just can't resist. What started as an innocent project turned into an obsession. That's not the problem though - these projects require smaller sized seeds bead that I had to order. Now I have even more beads in my stash...

Oh well, I'm not exactly complaining. I just happened to look at how much I spent on supplies last year. Let's just say I could have purchased about 300 DVDs - you know, boyfriend monetary units! Kidding aside, I came across a blog earlier today (unfortunately I can't remember where it was...) where the author resolved to not purchase any new supplies for all of 2010, with the exception of necessities like replacing broken tools and things of that nature. The point was not only to clean out a messy space, but to face the challenge of creating new things with supplies on hand.

I don't want to make any crazy promises like that, but I'm already off to a good start! I'm hoping to cut down on spending by 40%. It's going to be really hard since I'm planning on buying a kiln and moving to a new place with my own studio, but at least I have a figure to shoot for!

What are your crafty goals for the year? I think it would be nice to take a chunk out of my bead stash that hasn't been touched in years :)

Here are some of those rivoli pendants I was talking about. They're all available in my Etsy shop.

Sterling Silver and Glass

Once again, Artbeads.com has been wonderful by providing some awesome sterling silver components and glass beads to try. I selected a range of beads and silver components including silver leaf charms, Venetian glass beads, Czech glass bricks, Bali sterling pendants, and sterling silver links. See below what I picked out!

I've been in quite an earring mood lately, so most of the jewelry I have created with these items were made into earrings. The pair on the left was made with very fine sterling silver chain, glass flower beads, and a 4mm Swarovski bicone. The pair on the right was made with Venetian glass beads, sterling silver flower bead caps, and aquamarine Swarovski crystal beads.


These simple earrings make use of Czech glass bricks, brown tone fire polished beads, and copper findings. The beads have a really nice earthy, vintage feel to them.


These sterling and swarovski earrings have really cool links. I've dressed up the copper leaf earrings by adding a large jumpring. The back side of the leaf beads is a copper finish, that really looks neat in sunlight.


I also made several simple necklaces using a sterling silver leaf pendant and crystal, and a really neat Bali sterling silver pendant paired with a gemstone teardrop.


There's your inspiration, now head on over to Artbeads and see what awesome beads and supplies they have! To sweeten the deal, I have a code for 10% off your entire purchase: SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424 (expires 12/31/09).

If you're interested to see what I've made with Swarovski crystal from Artbeads, check out my previous post.

Please note that I have received the products free of charge from Artbeads.com and that I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid to do so.

New Listings!

I promise...I do still have a blog! I've just graduated from RIT with a degree in chemistry, while working 2 part time jobs, running my Etsy shop, and doing craft shows every weekend. Unfortunately, blogging was at the back of my mind through all of that!

Now I'm working part-time until I go to graduate school. I would like do do research on organic photo voltaic devices (solar cells). I'll spare you the gory detail :) This leaves me a lot more time to do things like blog and craft. Yay!


This is one the newest additions to my line of circuit jewelry. It is all sterling silver, including the chain, so it has a very feminine, delicate feel. There's still time to ship for the holidays too.




Soon, I'll be sharing my awesome Artbeads finds and what I've made with their sterling silver and glasss beads and components.

Chemical Kinetics!

I had to make a video that had to do with kinetics for my class. Seriously, that was the only criteria. Click here to watch it!

I went for the good old neon food coloring to make it :) We tried using fluorescent polymers too but those were done in the dark with the exception of the UV lamp so it didn't come out as well. There's an introduction done by my research adviser, who happens to be British. It added some much needed humor :)

Homecoming Event!

This comes right from the Etsy Twitter Blog! Check out the great recipes and awesome sales!

Fall air as crisp as a freshly picked apple, blue skies, the boom blat of the band, and of course, legions of fans all awaiting the big game- what could be more fun in the fall than Homecoming?

For our friends in other parts of the world, a little information on Homecoming is probably in order!

Homecoming is an annual tradition in the United States. The Universities of Missouri is often given the credit for establishing this tradition as far back as 1891, and it has evolved ever since.

People, towns, high schools and colleges come together, usually in late September or early October, to welcome back former residents and alumni. It is usually built around a central event, such as a banquet, and a game of American football or, occasionally basketball. Activities vary widely among schools, but usually consist of a football game played on the school's football field, activities and dances for students and alumni, and the coronation of a Homecoming Queen and King.

So come join us on the gridiron for a little tailgating party with drinks and great food, then dance the night away with specials and goodies designed to finish Homecoming in style.

For those who like their drinks with a little style, this Tailgate Mimosa is just the ticket:

Prep Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:·

• 1 oz Orange Juice
• 3 oz Champagne
• 1 oz Chambord Liqueur
• * If you are at a tailgate, just eyeball it!*

Preparation:
Pour Chambord and Orange Juice into a tall flute. Add Champange. Add a rasberry or strawberry for garnish and enjoy!!!

and for an awesome tailgate appetizer, this dip will have your guests preferring food to football ;)

GUINNESS AND CHEDDAR DIP

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 ounces Guinness stout
• 6 ounces grated sharp Cheddar
• 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Assorted crackers and crudités

Preparation

In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until soft, 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook for 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a food processor and let cool.Add Guinness, cheeses, caraway and paprika to food processor and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Place in a serving bowl, cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crackers and crudités.

Serves 8


Everyone can wrap up warmly for the game and still look good with these:


Jaybird Designs
15% off all custom orders, 10/8 - 10/11 with code "Go Team" in message to seller at checkout.


But there's more to Homecoming than good food and football! There's a dance to prepare for, and a chilly night to think about as you party with friends after winning (hopefully!) the game. Ditch your varsity jackets at the door, and wrap yourself up in elegant hand-knits so soft you'll want to keep them on all night long.

Foxy G Knits

HandmadebySandi

Mindy G Jewelry Boutique
Free Matching Pair of Pink Swarovski earrings the purchase of this bracelet. Use "Homecoming" in message to seller at checkout.

My Sassy Glass

Smutopia Jewelry

Southpaw Studios

Funky, cool and casual? Then guitar string bracelets, chunky natural stones or carefree flip flops may strike just the right note:

Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Free Journal with any purchase of $25 or more. All journals are handbound, hardback and perfect for notes, phone numbers, and appointments! Just ask for it when you check out.

HandmadebySandi

Show off your natural goddess away from the gridiron with these feminine pieces, from Linda B 142 Jewelry

Or, for those who love their jewelry "green" as well as truly unique, try an upcycled circuit board pendant that will get you compliments long after the dance is over:

Beadwork By Amanda

Get 5$ off any $20 order (not including shipping ). Use HOMECOMING in msg to seller at checkout. Discount refunded via Paypal.

And creating a special scrapbook of the day's festivities is a perfect way to remember it:

Scrap With Style

20% off on everything in the shop 10/8 - 10/11 with coupon code HOMECOMING in msg to seller. Shipping fees not included. Refund made via Paypal after purchase.

More to come tomorrow, with great main dish recipes, some Homecoming trivia and more fabulous finds from the Etsy Twitter Team, so be sure and check back!

Kristen