friday funny

I found this sign by Mann Made Designs on Etsy...and thought it was pretty funny...

I don't know if my cooking is bad enough to warrant this sign...although it would make me smile :)

Emerald Green in 2013

the Pantone color of the year is Emerald Green...a color I happen to love!

guess I was ahead of the curve with some of my jewelry designs!

a good color for a good year :)

a pretty pink treasury

featured in this lovely treasury on Etsy today :)

ready. set. SHOP!

how is it possible that it is the Christmas season already!?


don't get me wrong.  I <3 HEART <3 Christmas an unhealthy amount.  but I just did not see it coming this year.



I do feel prepared in one way however, in my Etsy shop.


and from now until Monday at midnight...you can get 20% off your total purchase, as well as FREE shipping!

so what are you waiting for?  get over there and get some sparkle for the holidays!!

a dark blue treasury

check it out!

Favorite Etsy Shop- Jerseymaids

so it's sort of a funny random story...of how I came to "know" Lauren, the owner of Jerseymaids.

first of all, anyone named Lauren is cool in my book...(yes I have very strict criteria...)

but it was in December of last year, that a woman stopped me at a craft show and said "hey!  you're the girl who's friends with Danielle!"

to which I replied..."hmmm...I don't know, I might know a Danielle..."


well the weird thing is...I actually knew who she was talking about after she started to describe her...I had 'met' her at Baltimore's comic convention- I don't know the exact name- when I was there a few years ago with my super talented cousin Brian, who was selling his art...Danielle, who writes the comic, Girls with Slingshots was there- I scooped her card, and got hooked reading her comic...

well it turns out Lauren (also a Lauren B) whose shop also has the name Jersey in it, also happens to live in Maryland!  and she is friends with Danielle- actually friends...not just met once ;) 

if that's not enough weird coincidences for you...I don't know what is!  a case of mistaken identity...but flattering, since it's a very talented person I was mistaken for :)



and it just so happens that her work is amazing- combining her love of photography with jewelry and accessories...and even cufflinks, and cases for your iPhone!  it seems like every time I check in, she's got a new product!

these cute hairpins

or these adorable hot air balloon earrings

and awesome cases for your iPhone...you can pick out one of her photos, or even send in one of your own for a custom case :)

 here is the necklace I got from her, when she was having a sale on Fab.com




it's hard to see the photo...so here is a close-up of the image of the Cherry Blossoms :)

I get lots of compliments when I wear it :)  and it's fun to know a fellow Lauren B from Jersey made it :)

so go check out her shop and blog :)  and pick up some gifts...and something for yourself too ;)

BBQing with the BEST

sometimes I laugh when I say our team's acronym...BEST...sounds a little like we are full of ourselves, no?  just kidding of course...but yesterday we had our annual BBQ for the Baltimore Etsy Street Team (ahh, BEST) at the lovely home of Jill :)

and no pun intended...it was really the BEST time ;)  especially the pudding shots that Kolleen made...sugar free too!

okay, enough of that word...but seriously, the food was endless and delish...so many fun and crafty conversations going on...and a HUGE fire pit and some roasted marshmallows...


all in all...a great night :)

Favorite Esty Shop- Graphic Anthology

Ah!  How wonderful it is when my worlds collide!

I was browsing on Pinterest for the 5th time today (wish I was joking...do they have AA for Pinterest?) and I found this really cute print from Etsy...which sums up my whole day pretty much:

Time for Coffee print 

How cute is this?  So then I naturally started browsing through the shop it came from...and as I suspected...other cute things!  Go check out Graphic Anthology for other cute stuff like this:

Always Say Please and Thank You print

Shut the Front Door print

Eat Dessert First print

makes me want to redecorate my kitchen!!

Friday Finds - Beachy

haven't done a Friday finds in a while!  since we are beach-bound for a wedding this weekend, I was inspired :)

this stunning red belted bathing suit by 1979 Swimwear

rocking these vintage sunglasses by Silver Saturation

hanging out on this cute beach blanket by Pattern Studio

pack a snack for the beach in this vintage wicker picnic basket by Epoch Co.

and of course you might need some fancy margarita glasses from Designs by Dia Ray

A hot pink treasury!

I have been sorely neglecting my business, both in production as well as the Etsy side since school started in August...but I am thrilled to have some of my delightful hot pink earrings in this treasury featuring lots of my BEST friends :)

A new look for the Etsy Shop!

one of the many wonderful pieces of advice I took away from attending the Summit of Awesome, were the shop critique notes from the lovely Cheyne of Etsy!  First up on my list of things to work on, was my shop banner.  while the graphic designer in me loved the original banner, it definitely took away from the items in the shop, and let's be honest, that is really what is important! 

so here is the before...

and the after! 

what do you think??

Friday Finds - wine festival

since tomorrow we are going to the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival...

being outside all day in the sun requires a cute dress to wear...like this one by Ureshii

and how cool will you feel sipping wine in these vintage sunglasses from Vintmaillot?

finishing off the outfit is this delicate little necklace, with wine colored rhodolite garnet gems by Small & Mighty

now grab your wine glass holder and let's get tasting!

It's June!

how is it already June!?  I can't believe summer is just around the corner...quite honestly, it's felt like the dead of summer here in Baltimore for a few weeks now...somehow we went from 75 degree days straight into the 90's, and I for one am not happy!  I love the spring, and we got completely jipped out of it this year! 

so in the spirit of calling it an early summer...go search on Etsy for BESTUSA2011 and you can find some awesome items for sale, that are Fourth of July inspired!

lots of red, white and blue goodness!!

back to blogging! with a treasury!

wow, it has been such a long time since I've been good to my blog...but I'm hoping now that school is out- well after school at least, and I've got about a month before my training with BCTR starts, I'll be able to get back into the swing of things!  I'll try and go back too, and update a few things that happened since my last post :)

but to get us back on track...a beautiful blue treasury by Namoo!

Favorite Etsy Shop - The Littlest Bean

for this week's favorite shop, I am bringing the love right back home to The Littlest Bean, run by Jen Menkhaus, BEST leader extraordinaire!  she truly does everything, and does it well...keeps our group running and still manages to create beautiful designs in felt- and she's always coming up with something new!

most likely you'll be drawn to her shop or booth by all the bright pops of color...like what you see in her felt circle rings

or maybe you need a pretty flower headband?  who doesn't!?!

and another new design that I just love...the bubble necklace!

check out The Littlest Bean on Etsy, for all your colorful, felt needs...you know you have them!!  and the best part about all of Jen's work...is that most things can be custom ordered- in any color you want!!  felt galore!!

Friday Finds - for the love of pickles

without a doubt, one of my favorite things to eat in the whole world, are pickles...I have a few favorite brands, and they each have their own specific meals...it might seem weird, but after searching on Etsy for items about pickles, I found I was not alone...

so I bring you, Friday Finds...PICKLES!

how much cooler would any purchase be, in a pickle bag?? from Dime Store Buddy 

who thought you'd have your choice of pickle slice earrings??  what about these cute ones from by Angel Cake 

or these ones by Hand and Nom Jewelry

and this print by Ecceprints says it all!

and if you need more pickle themed art...how about this original painting "pickle and pickle spear" by Mattson Studios

and who doesn't need a pirate pickle?  everyone needs a pirate pickle.  like this one by Missy and Me

and finally, pickle stickers.  awesome pickle stickers by Chewy Tulip

Item of the Week! 03.28.11

this week's item...the Cherry Necklace!  available in gold or silver...super cute, simple, fun and oh so summery- get ready for warmer weather with the perfect accessory!

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, April 3rd will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

my best selling item

without a doubt, my best selling item on Etsy is the Pineapple Quartz necklace- I sold two today, to be exact!  It always seems to sell in pairs, sometimes even in threes!  this necklace is so beautiful and bold, while being light and understated at the same time...if that makes any sense :)

the color is so fresh, and it is one of my favorite items as well!