Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Miss Val's Creations!

Last summer I featured a wonderful artist's work here.   I wanted to bring your mind back to her creations yet again.    Miss Val creates some really neat Jewely.  I was looking at her blog and decided to choose some the more unique or strange peices to highlight today.   (you can see more of Miss Val's Creations at her blog right here.  

and to keep up to date and show her support,  how bout you "like" her Facebook Page too!  :)  http://www.facebook.com/missvalscreations


 First creation is Unique in that it is a personalized set.   Love items with names.  They make great gifts and are always much more special than the basic run of the mill Hallmark do-hicky.     


The second is the White Elephant Lanyard.   Just LOVE LOVE LOVE the elephants!!


and Third... perfect for the punk or goth in your life... the Lanyard.  Pretty unique and strange I'd say  :)


Well there you have it...  some Great beaded creations by one of my favorite creative jewelry ladies.  remember... you can see more of Miss Val's Creations at her blog

and "like" her Facebook Page too! :)
http://www.facebook.com/missvalscreations





Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Monday, August 30, 2010

I'd like to thank Cherie of  Love of Jewels for making us her Featured blog on her blog  :) 

http://lotsofjewels.blogspot.com/

check out her fab Breast Cancer Design below! 


LOVE IT!! 



Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


Source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/tears/sleeping_beauty0/tears.jpg


Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

String Concert at Ravinia - Symphonicities a Musical Interlude

I was lucky enough to purchase 3 tickets to a sold-out show of Sting at Ravinia Park in Highland Park, Illinois for Sunday, July 18, 2010. It was a girl's night out and fantastic, fabulous.

We arrived early enough to stake out our small piece of grass, 2 hours before the gates open and sat on our folding chairs in a shady area. Anticipation was high. Members could enter the park at 4:30, and when we entered at 5, the shady spots were already taken. It was the most crowded I've ever seen Ravinia, and one of my friends didn't leave our spot at all.

At almost 59, Sting looks hot and has a golden voice, carrying long notes and belting songs out in quick tempo. Each of us thought he was watching us in Every Breath You Take, [I'll be Watching You]. His presence on stage is warm, he introduced each song with how it came to be written and you could tell he was having a great time doing his "job."  We should all be so lucky. Singer Jo Lawry did a great performance that night and on the CD. Some songs featured the clarinet, violins and other orchestra instruments.

Photo from Wikipedia

Sting and "the largest band he every played with," the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, played Sting favorites, such as Englishman in New York, Roxanne, King of Pain, Every Breath and Desert Rose.

And while rock music and symphonies don't always make the best marriage, this combination succeeded on a number of levels. Sting's melodies, for starters, have enough depth and richness to stand up to an orchestra. His rendition of "Russians," for example was full force, dramatic .**

"Sting, was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner; 2 October 1951) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, activist, actor and philanthropist. ... He attended St. Cuthbert's High School in Newcastle upon Tyne. He would often sneak into nightclubs like the Club-A-Go-Go, where he would watch acts such as Cream and Jimi Hendrix, artists who would later influence his own music. After jobs as a bus conductor, a construction labourer, and a tax officer, he attended Northern Counties College of Education, (which later became part of Northumbria University) from 1971 to 1974 and qualified as a teacher.[4] He then worked as a schoolteacher at St. Paul's Middle School in Cramlington for two years.


Sting in 1985 (Photo from Wikipedia)

Sting married actress Frances Tomelty from Northern Ireland, on 1 May 1976. Before they divorced in 1984, the couple had two children: Joseph (born 23 November 1976) and Fuchsia Catherine (a.k.a. "Kate", born 17 April 1982). Joe Sumner is a member of the band Fiction Plane. In 1982, shortly after the birth of his second child, Sting separated from Tomelty and began living with actress (and later film producer) Trudie Styler. The couple eventually married in 1992, on 20 August. Sting and Styler have four children: Bridget Michael (a.k.a. "Mickey", born 19 January 1984), Jake (born 24 May 1985), Eliot Pauline (nicknamed "Coco", born 30 July 1990), and Giacomo Luke (born 17 December 1995).

Sting owns several homes worldwide, including Elizabethan manor house Lake House and its 60-acre country estate near Salisbury, Wiltshire; a country cottage in the Lake District; a New York City apartment; a beach house in Malibu; a 600-acre (2.4 km2) estate in Tuscany; and two properties in London: an apartment on The Mall, an 18th-century terrace house in Highgate.[26] He also once lived in a home in Bridgehampton, on New York's Long Island, during the Synchronicity tour in 1983. He also owns homes in the Caribbean, including one in the upscale community of Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic. According to an interview he did for German television broadcaster NDR in 1996, Sting chose a tree on the Lake House estate beside which he wishes to be buried. His net worth is estimated at $362.8 million according to Insider Money magazine."

I bought the CD Symphonicities and love it. The orchestral arrangements add zing to Sting's already unique voice and lyrics. It's not a completely classical sound, it includes reggae, ballads (Roxanne), and lots of songs including Straight to My Heart. I'm a little disappointed that Russians and Desert Rose, a few of my favorite songs aren't on this CD with the orchestral setting.
 
You can purchase the CD here: Symphonicities

Guest blogger: Linda Blatchford,
http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/

*Wikipedia

**Daily Herald, July 17, 2010
Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

10,000 Flckr views this is pretty neat

Just over 6 months ago, in Jan 2010, I started building my Flickr portfolio.    Here it is about 6 1/2 months later and my photo stream has been viewed almost 10,000 times. 

This is So wonderful...   Thanks for all who have shown support, love and interest in my creations.   My latest work is right below.  :)   a few months ago I started a Facebook page too.  I'd love to have you join me  -  come on over and "like" my page when you have a moment  :)  http://www.facebook.com/hand.crafted.creations

Monday, June 28, 2010

Handcrafted Family Love

When we moved into our new home in June of 2007, my first order of business for the living room was to find a good size black mirror to place on an empty wall.  We have vaulted ceilings and it made this blank wall, look even more blank! :o)

I got lucky and found a wood mirror in the size I wanted at a yard sale for only $15. I took it home and painted it black, then of course added my signature... a vinyl decal.  For almost 3 years the mirror with our monogram graced our living room.  Many of our guests came into our home and complimented it... I even got holiday gift requests for similar decals from my friends.  (My friends know they can usually count on a personalized, decal related gift from me).
This week I decided to change it up a bit.  This month marks 3 years in our home, it since it was no longer new, I decided to change it up a bit and bring some "new" back into it.  Both my husband and son were gone all week.  My son, to camp... my husband, on business.  Now my husband knows when he is away, he can usually expect to come home to something either new or different.  It is just the way it is.  :o)  

Well, when my son got home from camp last night, he came into the living room to share his camp experiences with me.  Before he even finished his first sentence, he began to smile... then pointed up.  "I like that Mom!"  Yes, my 12 year old noticed my hard work, and appreciated it.  I must admit, it was rewarding to hear him say that.  Now let's see what my husband has to say about it in a few hours.

Adding a personal touch to your family gathering place can make a big impact in your child(ren)'s life.  It gives the child(ren) a sense of belonging, ownership and pride.


 




Post is from http://www.ralasbrainfood.blogspot.com)

Posted by Lauren from: http://www.ten23designs.com/

Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Twitter Tips for Beginners

Are you new to Twitter? Or have you been avoiding it? I've found Twitter to be a fun social media way to chat with other Tweeples, find out what my Etsy teams are up to and to promote my items.

There are several Websites to help you with Twitter. For this article, I looked at "10 Easy Steps for Twitter Beginners."

1. Fill out your profile, especially your URL, bio, picture and design.
  • Put up a link to your site or blog and a brief description.
  • Upload a picture to differentiate yourself from the others and then create your Twitter design.
  • It is important to express what you are or what you stand for in your profile.
2. Follow people with similar interests.
  • I follow people who are on my Etsy Teams and who I've come to know on Twitter through chats and in Etsy forums.
  • The article author uses Twellow and JustTweetIt to introduce you to Twitter users that have the same interest as yours. Follow these people and observe their tweets. 
  • Being on the right niche will make it easy for you to build a community with a similar interests.
3. Tweet your ideas if someone asks a question and you know the answer. Don't be afraid to interact.

4. Don't Spam. Spam is the cause of many unfollows on Twitter. There is a character limit for a reason. Do not send repeated messages to people.

5. Update (daily) or frequently.
  • Reply to people and update people with what’s going on with your life.
  • Soon you’ll be recognized and you’ll get some follows.
6. Find the latest buzz and contribute
  • Find a topic that will interest your niche and tweet it. Since you have established relationships with your followers (through replies), you will get more attention.
  • It’s a nice strategy to type “please retweet” or "Pls RT" at the end of your tweet.
  • Some people tweet a thought for the moment or news items; do what's comfortable for you.
7. One hand washes another or help other tweeples out:
  • Before you can receive retweets, you must help others first by retweeting their messages.
  • Help the people in your niche.
  • One day you’ll be surprised on how eager they are to help you back.
8. Create relationships - Some users are more active than others.
  • You will get to talk with the same group of people at the same time every night. Interact with these people and create relationships.
  • Ask how they are doing and try to touch on their interests.
  • For example, I often talk to fellow cat owners about silly things our cats have done. It doesn't have to be all business.
9. Integrate Twitter with other social networks: your Blog and Facebook and on Etsy
  • Ask other people to follow you on Twitter - and on Facebook, there is Link Love
  • Twitter can help you build relationships branching out to other social networks.
10. Establish relationships outside of Twitter.
  • If you have friends on Twitter in your area, you can get their IM or phone number, and set up meet ups.
  • Twitter can create real relationships. 




Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Tips or Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Purchase a Tag to fight Leukemia!!


Time is ticking -   Last 3 days to order your custom Dress or tux tag and have 50% of the proceeds be dontated to the Leukemia fundraiser.   June will be a new item for fundraising.

Please click here for info about the custom tag fundraiser item for the Month of May. 

http://brides-n-news.customweddinggarters.com/2010/05/leukemia-fundraiser-may-7-may-21.html

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Happy Birthday Gemini - May 21 - June 20

Is your birthday between May 21 and June 20? Then your sun sign, astrological sign is Gemini.
Gemini translates to the "twins" and Gemini is known as the artist.


Characteristics: Gemini is full of intellectual energy that needs to be expressed and they seldom suffer in silence. Gemini is charming and life is more interesting and beautiful with them around. Gemini can make quick changes in any aspect of life. They cannot bear to be bored. Gemini craves variety and joy and to have the love of Gemini can be a joyful experience as long as Gemini doesn't get restless.

Gemini's ruling planet is Mercury and of the Four Elements, Air is associated with Gemini.

Yellow is the color for Gemini and flowers are Lily of the Valley and Lavender.

Celebrities are:
F Lee Bailey
Jacques Cousteau
Clint Eastwood
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mary Cassatt
Bob Dylan
Judy Garland
Bob Hope
Duchess of Windsor
John F Kennedy
Malcolm McDowell
Marilyn Monroe
Cole Porter
Donald Trump
Gene Wilder

Gemstones:
Agate
Aquamarine
Cat's Eye or Tiger Eye
Citrine
Emerald
Peridot

Green Peridot & Emerald Tree of Life Necklace


Green Periodot Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Pearl Bridal Pendant Necklace

What birthstones do you have to show us?



Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do. email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

You've just fallen down the Rabbit Hole

If you're a big fan of Alice in Wonder Land You've found the Rabit hole!! 
Get on down there to find lots of great creative works. 

You'll find things like  Luggage, decorative cards made to be the "Card Guards"  and even little rings and buttons that make you smile. 


check out these guys here!   Totally cute  :) 


And for the serious collector who wants a little of everything all in one place...
 there's the "Artifacts from Wonderland Shadow box"



You can visit    GeekDetails   or read lots more about them on the EtsyTwitter Team Blog - They are the shop of the week :)

GeekDetails  http://www.etsy.com/shop/geekdetails

EtsyTwitter http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/2010/05/shop-of-week-geek-details.html



Note: I am not compensated for writing about any of the Featured Artists in this blog. I do this simply to share with you what I find... and I hope you will enjoy the works of these artisans as much as I do.

email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.