10% Sale!

Use coupon code SNOW10 for a 10% discount on all items in my ETSY shop!

Gift Ideas: Colorful Earrings

Earrings in a variety of colors are available now in my ETSY shop.  Perfect stocking stuffers!  

Gift Idea: Bracelets

Still looking for the perfect jewelry gift?  Here are some bracelets featuring pretty shades of gemstones.  Available in my ETSY Shop.

Gift Ideas: Turquoise Earrings

I love the color of turquoise blue.  You'll always find a variety of jewelry with turquoise gems in my ETSY shop!

Gift Idea: Swarovski Pearl Nuggets

These pearl earrings and necklace feature Swarovski pearls in a fun chunky shape.  Available in my ETSY shop!

Wooden Decorative Form

Here's a cool gift idea from my brother's ETSY shop, Woodhawk Gallery.  In addition to hand-turned bowls and vases, he creates wooden forms.  The smaller ones can be used as paper weights, but a piece like this one is perfect as a decorative item.  The manzinita burl has great texture and markings, and the design shows these off.

Pretty cool, isn't it?

Snowmen Earrings

It's snowing outside ~ Brrrr!  So it was the perfect time to list new snowmen earrings in my ETSY shop.  These little guys are the perfect stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift.  Or just a little something for you :)

Sweet and Salty Chex Mix

This is a perfect snack to have on hand during the holidays.  Make a bunch because it will keep well!  It's easy to use different ingredients too.  This would also be good to take to a holiday party or give as little gifts.

4 1/2 cups Rice Chex cereal 4 1/2 cups Corn Chex cereal
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup candy-coated chocolate candies
Kosher or sea salt

*Other add-in ideas:  pretzels, peanuts, raisins, dried cranberries.
*Use red and green candy for Christmas

1. In large microwavable bowl, place cereals.

2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated, trying not to crush the cereal.

3. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after every minute, just until cereal begins to brown.  Be sure to keep an eye on this - burnt sugar is no fun!  Spread on waxed paper and sprinkle with salt.  Be very careful because the mixture is hot.  Cool.  Break into bite-size pieces and toss in the other add-ins. Store in airtight container.

Wooden Containers

I'm sharing more of my brother's hand-turned wood items that he has available in his ETSY shop.  We all have wooden containers in our homes.  They look great as a decorative item and also work well a pencil holders, a place for trinkets or candy dishes.  Keep these in mind when searching for a unique gift for someone on your gift list.

Here are a couple that are for sale:

Monkey Pod Wood:

Cherry Wood:

Be sure to check out Woodhawk Gallery, on ETSY!

Interchangeable Earring Sets

Now in my ETSY shop are interchangeable earring sets.  These are the perfect gift for any jewelry lover (or for yourself!).  

Each set comes with one pair of earwires and 3 sets of dangles.  They're so easy to change - simply slide the beaded dangle on the earwire.  The design keeps the dangle from falling off.  It's like getting 3 pair of earrings in one!

Sterling silver with amethyst, freshwater pearls and chalcedony dangles:

14k Gold fill with freshwater pearl, lapis and Swarovski crystal dangles:

14k Gold fill with Swarovski crystal and pearl dangles:

14k Gold fill with jewel-toned Swarovski crystal dangles:

Jewelry Sets

Just listed!  Here are a couple new jewelry sets available in my ETSY shop.  Both are made with freshwater pearls.  A great holiday gift idea!

Sparkling Earrings

Here are just a few pair of sparkling earrings you can find in my ETSY shop:

From the left:  Blue Quartz, Pink Swarovski Crystal and Citrine Quartz

Farewell Fall

What a week.  It's been raining for 6 days straight.  Cold.  Windy.  Just miserable. But I am thankful.  My family is safe.  I have a warm bed, a hot meal and clean clothes.  The images from the storm are heartbreaking.

We've had a beautiful fall season this year.  Now the trees are almost bare and the skies are gray.  Winter is around the corner.  So I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite fall images.

A Sunday morning walk with my Dad...

My new yellow watering can...

We're fortunate to have the Cleveland MetroParks nearby:

Fig tree enjoying the sunny fall day:

Take care everyone :)

Classic Pearl Earrings

Everyone needs a classic pair of pearl earrings in their jewelry wardrobe.  These ivory freshwater pearl earrings are simple, classic and easy to wear ~ perfect for a daytime or evening look!  Now available in my ETSY shop.

I just shipped a wholesale order of little angels and holiday trees.  Making these bring a smile to my face!

Wordless Wednesday

Hand Turned Bowls

I'd love to share my brother's hand-turned wood items with you!.  Here I've included pictures of various bowls.  He uses different types of wood, all with beautiful woodgrain and markings.

You can find his hand turned wood items in his ETSY shop,  Woodhawk Gallery.  

Wordless Wednesday

New Items: Multi Gemstones

New gemstone items just listed in my ETSY shop.  These are made with 14k gold fill metal.

14k Goldfill is the next best thing to real gold. It will not tarnish, crack, chip or peel. Under normal circumstances it will last a lifetime. 14K gold filled wire matches your solid 14K gold jewelry perfectly.

Top 10 Tips For Craft Show Vendors

It’s that time of year again!  Fall arts and craft shows!  I love being both a shopper and vendor at shows.  I do a handful of shows a year and thought I’d share my top 10 list of advice for vendors.

1)  Make sure all items are tagged.  Some shoppers may feel uncomfortable having to ask for the price.  I purchase the business cards and tags I use at shows on ETSY.

2)  If you have a smart phone, use a credit card reader.  I use Square which offers a free reader when you sign up.   

3)  Have items in a wide price range to appeal to a variety of shoppers.  I usually have a bowl of earrings that are $10 or less which is always fun and popular.  

4)  Create a display with a cohesive design that represents the 'look and feel' of your product.  I use a solid suede-like piece of fabric as my table cover.  It’s a nice shade of brown which looks good as the backdrop to my jewelry.  I stay away from prints because my items will get lost in the design.  I used to use an ivory backdrop but then realized that my items just weren’t ‘popping’.  Also try not to be too cluttered, like this picture from my first craft show:

5)  Group 'like' items together if you're selling jewelry items or something similar.  I'll display my items in groupings by color or gemstone .... that way if someone is interested in a turquoise necklace, they'll see a complimenting pair of earrings or bracelet.  

6)  Use unique items to create different display on your table.  Try to have some of your items elevated.  Think outside the box…. Mirrors, vintage luggage, cake plates, picture frames can all become unique ways to display your items.  Here are some examples of displays from a home show I did last year:

7) Make your displays!  You don't have to spend a lot of money.  Here's my post from earlier this year with DIY instructions for an earring display:  DIY Earring Display

8)  If you can, bring a helper!  It’s amazing how all at once multiple people are ready to check out and others have questions!  It will also give you a chance to browse the show and take a restroom break. 

9)  Be approachable!  Don’t stay seated behind your display. Take time to go in front of your table and tidy up your displays... and chat with customers while you're there.  You can be friendly to customers without being over-bearing or pushy.

10)  Good luck and most important, have fun!