Intense Weekend

This weekend has been nothing less than crazy. It started off with a bang on friday when I was lucky enough to be featured in etsy's Weekend Deals . I was blessed with a few orders, for which I am always grateful. The weekend took a turn for the worse however when I was publicly and privately accused of copying. Some pretty harsh words were said about me, and how much my shop "sucks" and has no cohesive feel to it. It was also said that I must be "internally miswired", disrespectful and Karma will "kick me in the ass" and will effect my friendships, relationships, and life. Pretty awful & hateful. However, I have decided to do my best not to let it hurt me any more than it already has, and to keep my chin up. Instead I spent last night working away at the bench. Dan was out of town, as is the landlady so I hammered into the wee hours of the morn ( 2am hammering is delightful!) 

I did manage to create a good amount of new items, as well as finish my orders for the weekend. I guess this is proof that good things can come from ugly situations, right ?

BUMBLE BERRY CUFF

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27118314

POPPY Necklace 

( to complete the set with my POPPY Earrings, and POPPY Ring)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27117882

TURQUOISE LOVERS Ring

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27117640

HIP TO BE SQUARE Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=27117253

BOTSWANA GARDEN

(this one is actually from earlier in the week)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27010724

Next blog post will most likely be pics of my new tools that I droned on about the other day and the delicious stones I have anxiously be waiting for!

I want to give a special thanks to Tess of NovaDesigns, Care or AutumnLeavesJewelry and Quirke/Leader of Men for the support and wonderful advice they have showered on me this weekend. These ladies are truly lovely and caring, wonderful metalsmiths, and my respected peers. I adore you all!

YAY For Etsy's WEEKEND DEALS!

I was delighted to see that I was featured in Etsy's weekly WEEKEND DEALS! I was also featured in their Summer Jewelry Gift Guide! 

You can check out the Weekend Deals Blog Post here: http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-extra-hot-weekend-deals-4267/

And the Gift Guide here : http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/weekend-deals-summer-jewelry/172?&page=3

Don't forget - All weekend long! Buy any two items from my shop ( or one priced $75+) and receive your choice of WEE CURLS in Sterling or 14k Goldfilled!

Tumble, Tumble...Poetry

Tumble Tumble,

Saw and Fumble,

Bezel set a stone,

brush away 

the scrap from today,

and try not to keep it all for my own!

(yes, I just made that up - a master poet me thinks!)

So, I did promise some more goodies were to be finished today, but I had a wee hinderance with a stubborn bezel, so they will be ready tonight. They tumble as we speak! 

Im off to another agonizing closing shift at the day job ( oh what a whiner I am!) I so loathe working until 9pm (unless its at the bench, in which case I could work through the night if there were no clocks around me!)

I just heard the glorious footsteps of the mail-woman - so Im off to see if there are any goodies for me in the box today ( I love love love getting mail!) The shop is slooooooowwwwww, so I haven't been sending as much mail as Id like. I have however splurged and bought myself several new tools that I am eager to receive! They include :

a stepped oval bracelet mandrel ( i have round already)

a set of lowercase stamps that I have drooled over for *years*-no joke

a quick change hand-piece for my flex shaft ( thank you Lisa for your prompt question answering!)

2 new hammers for dimpling and such(oooohhhhh texture!)

a new cup bur for rounding wire

I also have a SLEW of stones on their way to me ( like gazillions - gorgeous faceted stones in all shades, mookaites, jaspers, agates, labradorites - Im a little giddy about this!)

Pictures to come of course! If you are anything like me you get week at the knees for new gadgets and tools, I can tell you I make Dad proud with my collection :-) Not to mention the love of stones goes with out saying...

Ta Ta for now!

Last Chance & Shop Update

Im back at the bench today after a somewhat busy weekend life wise. Saturday morning was spent at the day job, nothing really decent I can say about that. The evening was spent at a work sponsored event that involved a minor league baseball game - not really my cup of tea, but there was free food! Lisa I know you are a huge baseball fan, so I hope you aren't grimacing at my lack of baseball love! Then sunday we attended a Celebration of Life for Dan's Uncle Doug, who was nearing 90. It wasn't sad, just more a remembrance of a nice guy :-) I didn't even touch my hammer and saw until about 8pm last sunday night! ( very rare that I get away from the tools that long I tell you!)

Today however it was cloudy and kinda cold - the rain couldn't decide if it were to come or go. It was the perfect day to get some work done really. I did manage to finish quite a few pieces, some of which are ready to show now, and a couple for tomorrow! A couple of these pieces were real labors of love - pieces I poured heart and soul into.

 I also marked down a bunch more pieces in my shop. They are priced to clear, so if you are watching something, don't wait! They can be found here : http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5352191&section_id=6124258

Heres some of the goodies I added tonight : 

CLOUDY DAY LOVE - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26857687

IN THE RAIN - Ring Size 6.5

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26855860

CHICKADEE - Hoops

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26857088

GONE FISHIN - Cuff

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26856497

That will be all for today - Im back to eat my somewhat disappointing red grapes ( soo not crunchy enough!)

Life is but a dream..

Snnnnoooooooooozzzzzeeeeeeeeeee...................

Its been a slow week in the shop :-S

Warming Heart & Starry Nights

First and formost - how lucky am I to have one of my lovely customers write about me on her blog ? What more can you ask for as a designer and artist to have someone so very happy with their purchase that they shout it from the rooftops ? Heartwamring ♥ 

Thank you dear Lisa - all please read 

http://asildesigns.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html#6391347954259596764

I've been feeling a bit better since my more than crummy weekend, and finally got a couple new pieces photographed.  I also received the most exquisite peachy pearl titanium druzy in the mail today, which most definitely made my day! Even Dan thought it was quite something ( and he's a boy! hehe) It is beyond lickable :-)

Behold  - Druzy Fantasticness!:

Here's a bit of what I've been up too. I have some really incredible pieces sitting the the pickle which I am so very excited for, but they aren't ready for all of you yet!

GREEN TEA BUBBLE - Ring Size 6.5

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26675299

STARRY STARRY NIGHT - Ring Size 7

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26676465

NIGHT SCAPE - Ring Size 6

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26677143

IRIS EYES - Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26678316

Thats all for now folks - I will be having a sale this weekend FYI. Every 2 purchases ( or one single purchase of $75+) will get their choice of a free pair of WEE CURLS in either Sterling Silver or 14k Goldfilled. All you have to do is leave your preference in the notes to seller! Sale runs Friday June 19th - Sunday June 21st. 

Dreaming of you...

I tend to have very bizarre and somewhat hilarious dreams. Im not one to pat my own back, but some of my dreams have brought friends to pee-your-pants laughter.  Last night I dreamt of some of my blog friends! Now I promise you I am not freaky crazy or stalkery,  I just tend to dream about those around plenty in my life. Last night I dreamt that Carolyn of Autumnleavesjewelry and Lisa of LisasLovlies and I all met. Lisa took us to her stone dude where the three of us had a stone hunt ( much like an easter egg hunt but with gemstones - how delightful!) In the dream we searched through drawers and boxes of stones and traded with each like like when you were a kid, trading stickers or baseball cards! Carolyn was licking her favorite stones for keeps!

Now I realize this may seem beyond bizarre for some, but I woke up thinking how wonderful it would be if real. To meet with some of the lovely ladies that read my blog, and that I've come to care for without ever actually knowing in person. Ill tell you, after a horrendous weekend, one that I couldnt bring myself to blog about, this dream left me smiling! 

Jut thought id share that all with you :-) Maybe you'll have some crazy dreams yourself tonight!

Birthday Giveaway Winner!

And the winner is.....

Thank you all for entering & your continued support!

Birthdays...

Birthdays just feel like regular days when you get older don't they ? I took the day off my day job today, since thats the best gift I could think of to give myself. Things there have been slowly getting worse ( if you read my blog you may know about my jerk manager and his plot to force me out) Yesterday was a pretty crummy day there,  so I am thankful I don't have to go in today! 

As for my birthday plans, I have a few new ideas I would like to tinker with. Dan is at work, so its just me and my lonesome - I think I may eat chocolate covered pretzels for breakfast lol (hey - Im not getting a cake or anything, so I deserve a treat don't I ?)  

I am hoping some lovely people take advantage of my ONE DAY SALE - where every regular priced item is 25% off and sale items are 10% off ( they are already discounted by 25%!!!) Its for one day only and ends tonight at 12am pacific time!

New Items & a Surprise!

Hello all! First and form most - today is the LAST day to enter to win a free pair of earrings of your choice! Read the rules and enter here  http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com/2009/06/isnt-it-about-time-for-giveaway.html

Now that I have that out of the way - I was feeling very motivated today, and finished three new items for the shop! I was lucky enough to have my FOOTPRINT ring on the front page of etsy this afternoon, which was such a nice boost! I also made a yummy pasta dinner with homemade turkey meatballs ( these were sooo tasty!). I made the sauce from scratch ( super easy) and dropped little cubes of mozza cheese in to make it a little ooey gooey. Its sounds horrendously bad for you, but was actually very lean, with reduced fat cheese, fat free stock and ground turkey! YUM!

Anyways, enough about food ( since I could go on forever!) Here is the eye candy for today!

SCRATCH OFFS - Studs

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26201260

SWINGING DAISIES - Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26201770

BREAKTHROUGH -Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=26202471

That's all folks!

Oh Wait!! Didn't I mention a surprise!?!?! Yes I did! I will be having a huge one day sale tomorrow June 10th for my birthday. All items will be offered at 25% off for the one day only! Even better ? Sale items that have already been discounted by 25% will receive an additional 10% off!

Here's the surprise - all my blog readers can take advantage of the sale today too! Just leave in the notes to seller "Happy Birthday!" and wait for your revised invoice! If you've been watching something now is the time as this is the biggest sale I do all year :-)

I Am Grateful

I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who have supported me and my etsy shop. Yesterday I hit my 200th sale in my etsy shop - a little milestone for me. I am lucky to get outside orders from friends and family, but to see my shop grow as it has, especially in the last 6 months, well its has been special :-)

So today I am grateful for :

My 200th sale, and any sales before and after that

My 201st sale which is going to France - Oh La La!

The opportunity my etsy shop has given me to take more time away from the day job, and spend it on jewellery - I am so very grateful for this one!

Thank you all, readers, buyers, supporters ♥

The First New Items of June!

I finally got my my most recent pieces photographed! These are the first pieces I've made in June, and since I've been back from my trip :-)

  

FROSTBITE

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26100198

GREENER PASTURES

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=26099828

FOOTPRINT

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=26099492

Im finishing up a custom order, and then working on some of the sketches I made while in New Orleans :-) I think I may just make myself something for my birthday on weds - I never make myself jewellery! 

Don't forget to sign up for my earring giveway! The draw deadline is June 9th, and announced on June 10th. See the post prior to this for the rules!

Isn't It About Time for a GIVEAWAY!?!

Since it is my birthday coming up ( June 10th) I was thinking of some fun things to do to include my shop in on the celebrations! On top of some fun sales I will be having the week of my birthday, I though it was only fair to have another giveaway!  This one will be just a little more interactive, because I am giving you the choice! You choose any pair of earrings up to a $30 value in my shop to win! Here are the rules!

To enter, please leave a comment here with the following : 

- Your first name and email address

- Your favorite item from my shop and its link ( weather its sold or not) 

- Your choice of free earrings ( any pair up to a value of $30!!)

I will announce the winner on my actual birthday, June 10th. The drawing will end June 9th!

Here are some of the great earrings you could choose to win!

Home from New Orleans!

Hello everyone! I am finally home from my 10 days in New Orleans Louisiana! It was quite the experience, but I am happy to be home. I loved the southern hospitality we we're treated to by some, and have the overwhelming urge to say "ya'll" which of course no one says here in Vancouver so it would be a little odd lol.

Here's a little photo recap of my trip - I surprisingly didn't take many photos, I think the heat was getting to my brain hehe.

------------------------------------------

LaFitte's Blacksmith - the oldest operating bar in the US, built in 1772!

We enjoyed some tasty beers here, it was super dark inside since they operate with gas lamps! The only electricity comes from outside. According to Dan it had the nastiest bathroom he had ever seen, and he has travelled all over Asia ( previously Thailand boasted the worst washrooms lol)

Destrehan Plantation - the oldest documented Plantation in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Established in 1787 and still has original furniture. The house was made out of cypress wood, and although much of the house needed restoration work after a few thrashings over the last 200 years, it still has all the original woodwork, floors, walls etc!

This is a GORGEOUS Oak Tree that was in front of the plantation. It's is over 200 years old, and if you look to the left you will see Dan waving, just to show the sheer massive size of it! Behind the tree is a tiny hill which has the Mississippi River on the other side!

US Coast Guard Base - us in front of a chopper than Dan's bro in law pilots.

Louisiana Swamp Tour - this was SO much fun! I highly recommend it to anyone who heads down south. We saw tons of gators, including this one which I was about 3 feet away from when I took this pic.

This was the big guy, he had been seen around the swamp forever. Our tour guide had grown up on the swamp and never left Louisiana! He gave this guy the nick name Hercules because he was about 12 feet long!

Dan and I on the Fan Boat - it was SO hot this day, up in the high 90s.

Here I am with Capt Monkey ( im guessing not his real name lol) holding a 4 foot gator! It was very bizarre, and kinda squishy.

This is a typical street in the French Quarter - busy, cramped, but full of character. I fell in love with all the iron work around the galleries and balconies, it was so beautiful!

It was pretty incredible to us that you can drink anywhere there. All the bars offer drinks "to go" and there are drive through Daquiri shops!! We ate a quite a few restaurants that had been featured on the Food Network, including The Joint, which will be featured on Diners,Drive ins and Dives. It was really yummy, old fashioned barbeque. The pulled pork was the best I've ever had ( things like brisket and pulled pork are rare here in Vancouver) We also made sure to have a Po Boy or two, and Dan enjoyed a Muffaletta ( not my cup of tea since I hate olives). We even tried fried Gator! Not something I can say I'll ever eat again, not because it was bad, but because there are no gators here lol. 

All in all it was a great trip. It was more of an experience then a vacation. Its hard to drive around the city without wondering about those who lost their lives or everything they had. Hurricane Katrina is still mentioned frequently, and we saw hundreds of houses that still have spray paint on them. I did get the chance to watch an interesting documentary while I was there called Trouble The Water. It was filmed handheld camera from a woman who spent the hurricane in her attic since her family had no car to leave. If you haven't seen it, please do. Its incredible to watch Katrina to hit while this young woman and her young family stick in out in their attic, only to have the water get so high they had to swim to another house. Finally they broke into a high school to take refuge. There strength was inspiring and incredible.

Anyways, im sure you all are bored reading now, I will be working on some new designs I dreamed up while I was there today. Hopefully I can post those in the next couple of days! 

Ya'll have a good day now ( sorry I couldn't resist!!)