Item of the Week! 1.31.11

this week's special item is...the mystic pink topaz earrings!  *matching necklace also available*

these gems are just stunning, and they will make any lady in your life feel special and glamorous!

perhaps a great Valentines Day gift??  plan ahead!

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, February 6th will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

Favorite Etsy Shop - Punky Bunny

another one of the new friends I made while at the BMAC show in August was Emily, a Jersey Girl who now lives on the other side of the country, is also a fabulous jewelry designer!  I always tend to find fellow New Jerseyians, and obviously we became fast friends...but her work is also really cool and inspiring!  her shop, Punky Bunny designs is another one of my Etsy favorites!!

some of my favorite items include this secret message ring

these cute recycled silver poppy earrings

and these amazing bronzed bangle bracelets made from real tree branches!

Saturday's Photo

oh yes, that is coconut creme brulee...a surprise birthday dessert for me and Amanda last weekend :) 

Friday Finds - I Heart NJ

my home state, near and dear to my heart is the inspiration for this week's Friday Finds on Etsy...maybe it's because I was just home this past weekend, or maybe it's because I wish I could be there all the time...ahh memories, nostalgia...and some good old Jersey love...

an awesome NJ shaped cutting board by aHeirloom

every couch needs a soft Jersey pillow by love california

Garden State print by Weizen

yeah, we get the joke..."what exit" pin by art life :)

art project idea

now that I'm in my fifth month working at the after school program, I've done a few cute art projects with the kids that I'm pretty proud of...this one in particular turned out really great...

snow paintings (of course, with glitter) have been one of the kids favorite crafts so far!  we all drew pictures, and then added white paint for snow, and some glitter for sparkle and shine...

here are a few of the finished products

and the kids who created them :)

Thursday's shoe story .:. maroon and orange pride .:.

how cute are these?  I have been looking for rain boots, because well, I don't like when my feet get wet, and we know how I feel about cute shoes :)


Stadium Stompers is the company that makes these water proof, and team spirited boots...and they have several other color collections, so you can keep your feet dry, and cheer on your team at the same time!

what I'm working on - glitter, glitter, everywhere!

we all know how I feel about glitter, and over the last year of making and selling my glitter resin pieces, I've found that I'm not alone in this!  so along with the rings, and the new line of bezel set pieces, I started making a few more designs...

so I bring you, glitter barrettes...

and glitter wine stoppers...

not to be outdone by even more ideas I have brewing for this year...so stay tuned!!

now to finish editing the photos so I can get them up in my shop!

red carpet ready

so I don't frequently get dressed up, or have reasons to do glamorous makeup, but that doesn't mean that I can't pine for some really fabulous makeup sets just in case the occasion should arise...

Stila and E! designed this line of makeup- Live From the Red Carpet...and I so would rock this Glamour Goddess collection!

being productive

this year I'm really making a commitment to my blog, which serves not only as a great creative outlet for me, but a place to share things I find inspirational, keep a journal of what happens in every day life, as well as showcase what I've been working on...

and this year, I'm off to a pretty good start!  I have 31 posts in the month of January so far, whereas last year I had 4...

now I just need to keep it up! 

a big thanks to those who are out there reading...hopefully I'm helping to keep you entertained, and maybe even a bit inspired!




taking some photos for my shop!

more penguin love!

how cute is this print by Nicholas Girling!? 

did you know...

This month (January 2011) has 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays, and 5  Mondays...and it will happen in October too...

         

This happens only once in 823 years.

BEST Treasury - Grey & Pink

part of two more great treasuries featuring a lot of BEST members!!

 

Happy Birthday to my Brotherrrrrrrr!

my "little" brother is turning 27...sheesh, how did that happen??

I am pretty lucky to have a brother like him...growing up we never really fought...he's always been one of my biggest supporters...oh, and we like to take silly pictures too...

Item of the Week! 1.24.11

this week's special item is...the Let it Snow necklace!  this stunning snowflake is Swarovski crystal, and is perfect for this time of year when we're all wishing for a snow day...

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, January 30th will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

Favorite Etsy Shop - Kimmchi

while you all know that my wholesale experience at the BMAC show in August was quite overwhelming (and in the end, very positive because I was forced to take a good hard look at my business, and made a decision of where I wanted it to grow...) one of my favorite things about that show, was some of the great friends we made while we sat in the dimly lit convention center for three, very long days...

one of those new friends is the talented mind behind the Etsy shop, Kimmchi

a member of the New York Etsy team, and based out of Brooklyn, Kimm is a busy bee putting out new designs often!  the silk screened images can be found on shirts, scarves and bags, and while some designs are abstract, others have cool images like flowers, city scapes, or even an angry tv!

shes as nice a person as her designs are fabulous!  go ahead, and shop over at Kimmchi! 

Baltimore in Black and White - Treasury

very excited to be a part of this awesome treasury of BEST shops Black and White designs!

 

Happy Birthday Panda!!

welcome to the 29 club...

Saturday's Photo

This is an oldie...but this Saturday I'll be spending with some of my best and oldest friends back home in NJ...

this photo is from about 6 years ago at Christmas...makes me miss the times where we could all just call each other up and meet for coffee or some other fun adventure...growing up is a bummer sometimes :p

can't wait for our girls weekend!!

Friday Finds - winter wonderland

so far this winter we've had a few small dustings of snow in Maryland- the one big snowstorm in New Jersey the day after Christmas has held me over for a while - but I need snow!  I love to watch it fall from the sky, and coat the sidewalks, making everything beautiful - until we start driving on it...

so this Friday Finds is inspired by my dreams of a winter wonderland...enjoy!

a cute print by The Dreamy Giraffe

a cozy scarf/shawl by Sweet Knitting

and the beautiful Icicles necklace by Hampton Jewels

because you can never have too much glitter...

ahh shoes, one of my many weaknesses...but I've been pretty good in the recent months to curtail my urge to buy multiple pairs of shoes...although I really could use a good pair of rain boots...but I digress...

so this Thursday's shoe story isn't about shoes I own...but rather shoes I feel like I should...

hello...they have glitter on them...like everything else in my life (not all on purpose)...super cute new shoes at Payless...can I resist??

*I'm a size 9, should anyone feel compelled to get them for me...

an artists statement

I have to admit, those words have always terrified me...to actually admit to the world that I consider myself an artist #1, and #2, what message I want to send about my work...I know they are supposed to be short and sweet, but the pressure was still on...

I recently started doing my applications for the upcoming year of shows, and I wanted to do something different ala pink scented resume in Legally Blonde...so I came up with this idea, to showcase my artists statement for the application for Ballston Market...

and Jessica, the lovely coordinator of said event, was kind enough to use it as an example on their blog!  thanks for the shout out!!

recipe box favorites: pumpkin cupcakes

I know pumpkin is usually a flavor reserved for fall...but I could eat pumpkin pie, cookies, cakes of any variety all year long...

now this is a recipe I haven't tried yet...but might consider whipping up for a snack for our girls weekend coming up...

Ingredients

• 1 18.5-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus the ingredients called for in the package directions)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 2 8-ounce bars cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 24 pieces candy corn

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix as directed but with the following change: Add the pumpkin pie spice and substitute the can of pumpkin puree for the water called for in the package directions.
2. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool.
3. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Spread on the cupcakes and top each with a piece of candy corn.

Makes 24 cupcakes



how cute are they with the little candy corn on them!? 

recipe from Real Simple

show recap...BUST Craftacular

so it was over a month ago that Jen and I made our way up to NYC for BUST's holiday Craftacular sale, which was by far the biggest show I've been involved in to this date...it was so exciting and it was a bustling show, filled with wonderful shoppers and vendors...

and even more exciting, there was a photo taken of me and my booth, that ended up on the website for Metromix (guide to NYC restaurants, nightlife and events!)

Thanks Jessica for forwarding to me!  If only it was taken from a slightly better angle...oh well, motivation to hit the gym!

Penguin Awareness Day

did you know, or I guess more appropriately, were you aware that today, January 19th is Penguin Awareness Day?

I was not aware until I was searching the other day for fun activities for January to do with my after school class, but penguins happen to be my favorite animals (tied with fluffy black cats, of course)...

I also hope to start posting soon, the 365 sketch project I started back on January 1st...365 days of penguins!  if my true love for them wasn't apparent...it should be now!  if you can spend every day of the year drawing something, you must have a soft spot for it ;) 

so for your Penguin Awareness Day enjoyment...these adorable cake toppers by Kikuike on Etsy :)

movie review - Despicable Me

I am such a sucker for cartoon movies...especially ones with cute little yellow minions, who speak a squeaky gibberish language, and wear goggles...

 

but this movie is definitely adorable...the orphans who warm the villain's heart, the dim-witted amateur villain in training...ballet and cookies...what's not to love!?  this is a movie not just for kids, but adults alike...I might go watch it again right now actually...

my first snow day!

well as a teacher, that is...but I have to say, waking up to see just a dusting of snow, covered by a layer of ice was definitely a treat this morning!  now I can get so much more done today...which includes writing some lesson plans, editing photos and hopefully some laundry...

and finishing my application for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency...I am finally doing something to make my teaching dream a reality...it might be a tough process, but I have so much that I want to do, and getting a job is just the first step in accomplishing those goals...

but also, I'm catching up on all the blogs I follow, getting inspired by the creativity and motivation of others!  it's funny how your list of blogs to read can expand so greatly just by what you read...I've got a window full of tabs to get to...

so thank you snow...thanks for the extra "me" time

Item of the Week!

Happy Monday everyone!!

this week's special item is.......the aqua chalcedony drop necklace!!  this bright aqua stone will have you dreaming of warmer days in no time!  so it might be cold and snowy out, but it's summery in your heart!  the color of this chalcedony is just like the water of a Caribbean ocean...put it on and it will warm you right up!

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, January 23rd will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

Favorite Etsy Shop - knap

even though I make jewelry, which I typically end up wearing myself as well...I am always tempted by new designs I find on Etsy!  one of my new favorites, Knap is a shop based out of Japan...the pieces in this shop are made of sterling silver and different colored glass, and it is stunning!! 

these beautiful designs are also very reasonably priced, which made me impulse buy them, moments after discovering this shop!  I am now the proud owner of these dark glass drop earrings...and bonus- they shipped and arrived so quickly!!!  go shop Knap!!  you won't be disappointed!

Saturday's Photo

snowy view of the Harbor, after my birthday dinner

quite a nice interview :)

I almost forgot to mention this!  I was so thrilled to be featured by a fabulous local blogger, Paulette on her blog, Ms Charm's Chic- and on my birthday no less! 

you can find a link to our interview here...and while you're at it, take the time to read about other great local artists and designers!!

thanks again Paulette!!!

Friday Finds - Ravens Purple!

okay, I know I already had a Friday Finds for today...but everyone in the city has gone crazy with purple fever for the big game tomorrow (Ravens vs Steelers) and even though my team is out of the running, it's kind of fun to see everyone around you get so excited for the game...so with that being said...here's another set of fun and fabulous friday finds on etsy...you're welcome :)

letting go pendant by BEST's own Block Party Press

super cute and fluffy My Big Monster hoodie by Cute but not Cutesy

and last but not least...a fabulous sparkly "Raven's Purple" ring by yours truly, JerseyGirlDesign :)

Friday Finds - Itsy Bitsy

adorable teeny tiny star ring by PunkyBunnyDesigns

super teeny and super cute heart ring by Yummy&Company

itty bitty skull ring by MichelleChangJewelry




and where better to store your teeny tiny rings, then in teeny tiny ceramic bowls by Tasha McKelvey