Sources of Inspiration...

Sometimes when I sit down to make jewelry, I think of a certain friend or acquaintance and off I go with the design. And sometimes, the piece gets named after the person who bought it or is receiving it as a gift. Here are some recent listings in the shop with names...you know who you are!

Karin Earrings


Tracy Earrings


Tonya Bracelet (this one sold in 30 minutes online)


Joanne Earrings


Aren't they lovely??? Who knows what you will inspire or when you will be next?

Signs of Spring

While the biggest and coldest snowstorm that the Washington DC area has seen in 10 years carried on outside my window, I sat in my studio and created some signs of spring. I had been wanting to make a necklace on silk cord for a while now...and here is the result.






I used gorgeous and lustrous white shell pearls, tiny white stick pearls, coral mother of pearl (shell) beads and the fun and very green czech glass dagger beads. I am working on a companion piece using the same components, with a more tradional style. It will be up and posted in the shop later this week.

If you live in an area that was part of this huge storm, enjoy the peace and quiet that accompanies the falling snow and the slower pace of life that follows for a day or two. Sta warm and think of spring.

A Featured local Etsy Seller

I belong to a group of fellow local artists and crafters called the Capital Region Etsy Street Team aka CREST. CREST also has a blog where from time to time, members are featured. Today's featured artist is SewArtsy Handmade...Please meet AMY...



SewArtsy Handmade – Custom-made Handbags & Accessories

I'm Amy, and I have a passion for fashion, fabric and color! These passions developed the creation of my home-based business designing and sewing original, handmade, custom-made handbags and accessories, called SewArtsy. I love designs that are clean and classy, yet aren’t the everyday bags you’ll find everywhere — in fact, you’ll probably never see the same SewArtsy bag made twice.

I've always called northern Virginia “home”, and have forever had an interest in art—taking art classes during high school, and in college, where I earned a B.A. in Art History. I love art, and see fabric as canvas that can be pieced together! I want my bags to be noticed, but for the wearer to be comfortable using them. I love pretty, sassy, bold, beautiful fabrics, but also know that a woman wants her bag to be functional and simple to use.

I am also the mom of two beautiful little boys and a baby girl who have joined our family by way of adoption. Adoption is something very close to my heart, and I'm most proud of those of my products that make an impact on supporting adoption, and those men and women facing a crisis-pregnancy - my Hair Clippy Caddies, and baby and kid items! You can find Hair Clippy Caddies at SewArtsy.Etsy.com, and you'll find more Hair Clippy Caddies and baby items at SewArtsyBethany.Etsy.com.

I'm a proud member of the Amys In the Arts Street Team, CAST, CREST, and Carried Away Bag Makers Team.

amy [!at] sewartsy.com
sewartsy.etsy.com
sewartsybethany.etsy.com
sewartsyblog.blogspot.com
twitter.com/sewartsyamy
facebook.com/pages/sewartsy/60867638520
flickr.com/sewartsy

It's a Fat Tuesday Sale for Etsy CREST Team!

As you may know, I have a little online shop on ETSY. You can see photos and the link to the shop on the right tool bar.

I belong to a group of fellow artisans on etsy from the Washington DC metro area called CREST...or Capitol Region Etsy Street Team. The group does networking and marketing promotions together, and several members are having a sale today, February 25th for Fat Tuesday. There are some great deals...check out the sterling silver hoops by Mary Ellen Doran below.

The following sales will be available ONE DAY ONLY -
Fat Tuesday, February, 24
So come back and buy early before the quantity discounts are gone.

SewArtsy.etsy.com
Half price on this pink and brown paisley tote - (regularly $44.95)

Brigabauble.etsy.com
50% off Sterling Silver and Rose Quartz 5-decade Catholic Rosary (regularly $65)


UndefinedVillage.etsy.com
50% OFF all 8x10 photos!


MaryEllenDoran.etsy.com
50% off hand cold forged sterling silver hoop earrings (2-inches long) (regularly $15)


MaggieSueDesigns.etsy.com
All Hair Accessories 50% off the listed price!















Shelbyb.etsy.com
10% off Yarn and FREE SHIPPING!


ArtStudioShanti.etsy.com
All Neckwarmers 50% off Listed price


JellyBugArtworks.etsy.com
25% off all Purple, Green and Yellow items!

LondonGirl99.etsy.com
Free 18-inch leather necklace with purchase of any yellow, purple, or green pendant.

SweetBeadStudio.etsy.com
15% off All Necklaces and Bracelets.

Meet the Five Tibetans...

Don't you just love a day when you learn about something entirely new...something you have never heard of before...and that once having learned what it is...you want to make it part of your life?

That's how I feel after hearing about The Five Tibetans yesterday during the beginning of my weekly yoga class at Inner Reaches Yoga Studio in Gaithersburg. A fellow student was sharing her experience with doing a short series of 5 exercises each morning. She said these exercises are associated with increased vitality, and with fighting off aging and that she has been practicing them for a month and is starting to see great benefits. She then demonstrated for us what the exercises were...and I was intrigued as they seem so simple. Each of the 5 exercises are to be performed 21 times...21 being the optimal number to get maximum benefit.

I've since learned a little bit more about the series of movements now known as The Five Tibetan Rites...here is what Wikipedia has to say:

The Five Tibetan Rites is a system of exercises reported to be more than 2,500 years old^[1] which were first publicized by Peter Kelder in a 1939 publication entitled The Eye of Revelation.^[2] Although practically nothing is known about Kelder,^[2] one source reports that Kelder was raised as an adopted child in the midwestern United States, and left home while still in his teens in search of adventure.^[3] In the 1930s, Kelder claims to have met, in southern California, a retired British army colonel who shared with him stories of travel and the subsequent discovery of the Rites.^[2][4][5] Originally written as a 32-page booklet,^[4] the publication is the result of Kelder's conversations with the colonel.^[2][4][5] The Rites are said to be a form of Tibetan yoga similar to the more well-known yoga series that originated in India.^[6] However, the Five Rites and traditional Tibetan yoga both emphasize "a continuous sequence of movement", whereas Indian forms focus on "static positions". Although the Rites have circulated amongst yogis for decades, skeptics say that Tibetans have never recognized them as being authentic Tibetan practices.^[6]

Here are a basic outline of the rites, along with simple graphics on how to perform the movements. There are a number of other resources if you google "5 Tibetans" and even some interesting short clips on Youtube if you want more info. I'm going to give it a try!

Why not you too?

• First Rite

Clockwise spinning: inhale and exhale deeply as you spin.

• Second Rite

Inhale deeply while lifting the head and legs; exhale while lowering the head and legs.

• Third Rite

Inhale as the spine arches back; exhale as the spine returns to an erect position.

• Fourth Rite

Inhale while rising up; hold the breath while in the top position and tense the muscles; exhale while returning to the starting position.

• Fifth Rite

Inhale while raising the body; exhale while lowering the body.

Here is another link that gives more information on the practice and a suggested program for starting out slowly. Do let me know if you start doing them too!

Good Luck!

School Girl Sweets are Top of the Class!

Please let me introduce you to the best little cookie bakeshop in Montgomery County, and maybe the whole D.C. area. Brennah Habermann is the pastry chef behind School Girl Sweets
and a high school sophomore. She is currently working in the food industry on the weekends, and started School Girl Sweets to raise money for a trip she is taking to Australia and New Zealand this summer. She wants to go to culinary school after high school.

These cookies are made with the finest ingredients and Brennah and her family are passionate about making a perfect cookie...you won't be disappointed!

I have personally had the Coconut Kiss and the Chocolate Chip cookies...these are big, moist, melt in your mouth cookies...they are outstanding! Visit her website to place your order today...and they will gladly ship them anywhere you like, you can even send them as a gift to a fellow cookie monster!!

Chocolate Chip

Coconut Kisses



Pinwheel

Oatmeal Cherry


Pour a glass of cold milk and enjoy! It's so great to see a young lady show determination and drive to reach a goal, try to support her if you can.

I just don't get this...Do you?

Today's Design Sponge post features these felted rocks as a crafty DIY project for all to try. I must say that Design Sponge is one of my most favorite blogs; I look forward to reading it every day and I am one of it's biggest fans.

I know that felting wool is one of the hottest trends in the craft world these days and some very clever and cute things have come out of the technique like this sweet Unicorn from Little Elfs Toy Shop on etsy.com.


...but I really just don't get these rocks. Who really wants a bowl of what appears to be dryer lint???

What is wrong with real rocks? And they are free, to boot. Feel free to share your comments...maybe I'm missing something?

A Resource for Vintage Sequins and Goodies

Okay, I know in early 2009 we are all trying not to engage in any retail therapy but I can always hit up the penny jar in order to visit my favorite local store, Accessories of Old on St. Elmo in Bethesda.

http://www.accessoriesofold.com

Andrew and Lisa Mainz have the most wonderful collection of vintage beads, ribbons, jewelry, buttons and so much more. If you are ever in Bethesda, you must see them.

I've used the vintage french sequins they sell to make bracelets and as bead caps on some other pieces. If you are looking for inspiration and energy, this is the place...enjoy!