Treasuries really work!

Very reasonably prices, free shipping and so many beautiful and fun fabrics it was hard to choose!

Today I was in a treasury that included this adorable little item from Bitsnpiecesetc. I hardly ever buy anything for myself, but I fell in love with it and ordered two - one for me and one for Connor's teacher. I thought it would make a perfect little end-of-the-year gift for her, with a gift card tucked in the pocket. (although, seriously, what better gift could she possibly get than the fact that it is the end of the year?)

I love Etsy treasuries. I used to make them all the time. I loved the challenge of coming up with a theme and a fabulous name to match, of finding just those few perfect items among thousands, the fun of sending out sweet little notes to all the sellers included. It was quite a creative outlet.

Yes, I do realize that my entire life is a creative outlet, but this was an outlet from my outlet.

Anyway, I don't have the time to spend on treasuries anymore, but I still love being included in them. Not for marketing purposes or to try and make sales, but because it gives me an opportunity to be exposed to different artists and crafts people's creations. Creations that I probably wouldn't otherwise find on my own as I stumble around, clueless about searching tags, what's hot, what's trending, etc....

Dinner out

I had a chance to get out and meet a new friend last night. When I heard jewelry designer Lorelei Eurto was going to be in town, I couldn't resist a chance to get together.

We'd exchanged beads and jewelry a few weeks ago and I became an instant fan of her work, so it was a happy coincidence that she was going to be working in Orlando for a few days. My friend and fellow Etsyian(er?), Kelly came along, too, because she covets my Lorelei bracelet and loves to meet new people (plus, it's always a bonus to escape the 'burbs in the middle of the week).

Kelly makes unique paper crafts, scrapbook kits and adorable vintage assemblages. You can find more like this in her Etsy shop, Gongy and Squish

Trying to get two kids out the door to different sports and make my way across town in rush hour traffic was a little tricky, but Lorelei was an angel. Her B&B was surrounded by restaurants and outdoor cafes. There was a soft, food-scented breeze whispering through the ancient oaks that line the street but, even though she was starving after a long day trapped at the museum, she patiently (only one desperate text!) waited for us. Thanks, Lorelei!

This is one of the funky, eclectic pieces in Lorelei's Etsy shop right now!

Anyway, we had a quick walk down a quaint brick street, ate relatively healthy food and had some good convo. It was a nice break from the daily grind and Kelly and I got tons of good advice and info. Plus, we got to make a new friend in the bargain.

Yay for cold winters!

Thanks to the unusually cold Florida weather this winter, so many of my flowers that usually give me a hard time blooming in the spring are absolutely bursting!

My Hydrangeas - which typically make a huge plant but very few blossoms are exploding this spring.

And, to top things off, all but one of my bananas survived ....

and my pineapples are covered in yummy fruit! Yay!!!

There are twelve more just like these!

Spacey

~Across the Universe~

You may have noticed that I've been making a lot of spacer type beads lately. Why? Well, for two reasons, I guess.

For one, I've had quite a few custom orders for smallish colored spacers. Jewelry designers seem to be looking for simpler, reasonably priced beads to use in their designs, as well as pricier elaborate focals.

Secondly, (and this is probably the more important reason since I can only make what I like to make, not what I'm told to make) I've been having so much fun blending custom colors lately, I'm loving the opportunity to showcase them in these simple styles. (*note to self: "um..run on sentence much, Laurie?")

Here are some of the ones I'm offering in my Etsy shop right now. You don't want to miss out on these! Every one is done in premium, hand-blended color combos 'cause if I'm making spacers, you betta believe I'm making the best, prettiest, most unique damn spacers on the planet!

~Bayou Blues~

~Peach Melba~

~Wisteria~

~Wine Country~

~Shell Pink~

~Shore Discs~

Summer calling

Beach Baubles on eBay

After spending a gorgeous day at the beach on Mother's Day, I'm feeling very summery this week. I've put several items on 'Clearance' in my Etsy shop. I also have lots of new beads listed in both Etsy and on eBay. Come take a peek!

New Organic Essentials in my Etsy shop

In my mailbox!

Ask me how much I love this bracelet?

I wanted to share one of my new favorite things. Isn't this gorgeous?

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to make a trade with Lori Eurto of Lorelei's Jewelry - some of my beads for one of her wonderful pieces. (Did you know that a 'lorelei' is another name for a mermaid?)

I love getting a package that's as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside!

I hardly ever wear jewelry, but when I do, it's a bracelet. I love chunky, eclectic pieces with unique details and that's just what her jewelry provides - beautiful, artisan elements joined together in perfect harmony.

Thanks, Lori!

Sound of silence...

Do you ever have periods of time where you just want to be quiet? Does the effort of talking, discussing, recounting experiences ever just seem to be too much work?

Well, that's how I've felt for the last couple of weeks. I just had no desire to communicate. I mean, sure, everyday conversations with family and friends I could manage. Those necessary words that must be spoken.

But I had no desire to hear myself or read any words I'd written. With blogs and Twitter and Facebook I just feel like I spend way too much time putting myself out there. It's exhausting, quite frankly. I didn't feel like promoting my work, sharing my thoughts or talking about 'what's going on' right now. I didn't even have a strong desire to talk about other people's work, lives and activities. So I had myself a little break and the time away was good. Cleansing, I guess.

In the meantime, I've been working. Working in my garden, working on my house, working on my friendships and working on....well, my work. I've even managed to get some new things listed on Etsy, too!

~A Walk in the Clouds~

~More Beach Baubles~

(I can't stop making these. I'm addicted to custom-blending my own glass colors and I'm fascinated by the results)

~Moody Blues~

~Organic Essentials - Rare Earth~

~Organic Essentials - Fresh~