Celebrate the New Year with a disco ball!

Happy 2008 everyone! 2007 was quite a year, when I think back on it. I changed jobs, moved to another state, started my own jewelry line, said goodbye to some of my dearest friends and hello to some new ones. For my sake, I hope 2008 is a little more "stable."

To celebrate, I found these instructions on how to make a disco ball out of your old CDs! I thought it seemed really fun and easy. If you've been wondering what to do with your those old Hanson and Hootie & The Blowfish CDs, read on! (Keep the Spice Girls CD for now....)

Another etsy fave

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know I certainly did. A new fold-up photo studio, framed art, slippers, hat, gloves, and oh yes! An engagement ring! More on that later. I promise to make it its own post.

Above is another one of the coolest gifts I got this year. It's from my sister and comes from an etsy store called dlkdesigns. She makes custom pendants with an old dictionary and wood tiles. The one I received is slightly different from this one, it instead reads "artiste." It's so simple yet unique, I love it and will be wearing it lots. Thanks Pam, Jason, and Noah!

Saturday at the Ice Rink

Here is my latest creation! Last night I wasn't feeling so hot, so I thought it was going to be a night of laying on the couch with the TV. But then I could hear my beads taunting me from the sidelines, especially these ones that I had bought months ago but haven't gotten around to using. The pendant is about an 1" long and those are miniature glass beads along the sides in various shades of violet and light green. I call it "Saturday at the Ice Rink". Available at my etsy shop! Hurry now- this one can't be reproduced :-)

Merry Christmas!

My dad actually sent this to me, but I thought it summed up the spirit of the holidays quite well! With that said, drink responsibly everyone, and MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Handmade 2.0

Here's a great article from the New York Times Magazine about the recent surge and popularity of "buying handmade". It's a long one- but the first few pages have the real highlights. The article also features the founders of Etsy and explains the vision behind it and what to expect moving forward. Neat stuff!
Read it here.

New Year, New Designs

I think I've decided that along with this New Year will also be some new designs in my store. I want everything to still have a similar feel, but at the moment I feel somewhat stuck in only doing crocheted pieces. This is an example of an "illusion necklace" (available at Target, I only put it here as an idea, I am not advocating you actually buy it). I have all the supplies I need to make something similar, and I think it would be a good way to use up those handful of beads I always have left over after a project. What do you think? How much would you pay for something like this?

Old Red Nose Ale

Last night I went out with some old college friends in New York. First stop- Heartland Brewery in Union Square. I recommend it for after-work drinks, which is what we were there for. I generally favor wine and mixed drinks over beer, but the label on this one was too good to pass up. It's Red-Nose Ale! One the bottom it says "who needs eggnog?" I couldn't agree more! Afterwards we went to Angelo & Maxies, a nearby steakhouse that was fabulous. Highly recommend it if you're evener in NY and want a great steak, or even a fabulous melt-in-your-mouth burger. Spent way too much money and drank a little too much, but that's what good friends are for!

My new favorite site

I have spent way too much time browsing the goodies at my new favorite site: Wrapables.com. Everything on there makes me want to start my living room, kitchen, and bedroom all over again! When possible, I do like to buy handmade, but this store does have a few items that may be just too good to pass up. I love these teacups especially.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Just wanted to add a splash of Christmas to the blog. Here's our little "appropriately sized for a 1br apartment" Christmas tree. It may not be real or 6' tall, but I still love it because it's our tree. Merry Christmas!

Our new clock!

Yesterday Nick and I went to a craft fair with his parents in NJ. They bought us this clock there as a housewarming present. I think it's great, not only is it functionable, but it's also handmade and a piece of art! Each of the little teacups and pots were individually made by Carlos Silva of Centuries Clayworks, based out of Pawtucket, RI.

My etsy fave of the weekend

Maybe it's the impending Noreaster that is coming up the coast and slamming New Jersey tomorrow. Or, the blustery wind that slapped me in the face on my way home yesterday. Either way, this necklace reminds me of warm, spring days that are surely ahead. This pendant is BEAUTIFUL, I'm absolutely in love with it. Available for purchase through starrydesigns.

Another custom order completed!

Here's a picture of what I worked on last night, it's a custom order for a customer of mine that should go unnamed as it's an upcoming bday present. Let me know what you think! I think the pendant is really different and cool.

Thanks Daily Ditties!

It always makes my day (ok, actually week), when I get noticed and "posted" about. Thanks to Wickedly Chic for featuring me on their Daily Ditties Page! Scroll down to see a post about my "Girl's Poker Night" necklace. I'm very excited anytime my items are "appreciated." Check out the rest of the Wickedly Chic website. It's an online magazine that is devoted to featuring independent businesses that make you "chic!"

My etsy fave of the day

We all know we should be going green, and I'm even more conscious of it now that I both work and live in a building that does not recycle. Therefore, I feel the need to do as much as I can elsewhere in my life to make sure my "carbon footprint" is as small as possible. I love these bags, especially as one has one of my favorite quotes by Gandhi: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." They can be purchased through mon petite chien.

"Life" overall has kept me pretty busy. Last night was my company's Hanukkah Party, which was an interesting event, especially for a Catholic girl. It was a nice time, though, and TONS of food. We're gearing up for a big storm here in the city, one Thursday and another this weekend. Maybe it'll give me some time to replensih my store, I've been busy lately doing some custom orders, like these bracelets to match some necklaces!I think after the holidays I may take a small break from the jewelry and do some more knitting, there's a pair of socks I really need to finish. Anyway, good luck finishing all of your holiday shopping!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere...

Well it's 1:00 p.m. and I'm ready to leave for the weekend! Am heading to Ballston Spa this weekend for a babyshower. It's not just ANY babyshower, mind you. The first of my friends is pregnant and due in January, a little surreal. Here's a little treat to start your weekend off right. In keeping with my gingerbread theme this week, I present to you the Gingerbread Cocktail, couretsy of Restaurant Pichet Ong and Daily Candy New York.

Gingerbread Cocktail
2 oz. Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2½ oz. apple cider.
Line a martini glass with agave and graham cracker crumbs. Mix cocktail. Add lemon juice and orange zest.

My etsy fave of the day

Some of my friends may call me a "traitor," but I will always be a Red Sox and Patriots fan. Now that I'm living in enemy territory, I feel the need to spread my love of both teams everywhere. Therefore, these magnets would be GREAT at work - mwhahaha! I would have to predominantly display them on my door, I think.. Haha take THAT Yankees!! These are available through rippascustomsilver's etsy shop.

My homework for tonight...

Is to post new pictures of many of my items! Between making the transition between working in Boston and New York City, I've lived in four different places in the last four months. Crazy! This made taking pictures a little inconsistent. But, now I've got the setup and settings on my camera down- macro setting with no flash and "tungsten" lighting. I think this will make everything look more "uniform" on my site and show off everything in a "better light." Haha! Check beck tomorrow and I'll hopefully have at least a few of them up.

My etsy fave of the day

How can you not purchase this and eat it up? It's Gingerbread Play Dough! I'm seriously thinking of buying this for myself and leaving it on my desk at work for those "stressball" moments. "DoSiDough" even makes a "mystery color" dough, which I think would be a lot of fun. Check this perfect stocking stuffer (hint, hint) out at DoSiDough's Shop.

I've been a busy girl!

Last night, I somehow managed to make it home by about 5:00 p.m. (the Gods of the subway and bus must have been with me, I suppose). I put my free time to good use, and not only did some lap swimming in our building's new indoor pool (see, Jersey City DOES have its benefits!), but also managed to put up two new necklaces, both for the winter season. The brown and pink one is "Gingerbread House," while the glass pearl one is "Winter in Central Park." Both available on my etsy shop.

I *heart* these mittens

I found these mittens through my Daily Candy email today. If you're not familar with Daily Candy- go there now and sign up! (http://www.dailycandy.com). These mittens are for "mommy and me." Mommy puts her hand in, and then her little one slips their hand right into Mommy's in the mitten! It's so adorable, and after spending the weekend with my nephew and sister, I can see how it would definitely be handy. This is all assuming, though, that your tot will KEEP their hand there..... Available through thisauto.com, or you can just click this link.

Color Combo Suggestions?

So while I'm still planning on making a few more winter/holiday pieces, my sights are already turning towards Spring. Maybe it's the cold, blustery wind that slapped me in the face this morning on my way to work. Anyway, what colors should I focus my "Spring Collection" around? I'm thinking of chocolate browns, pinks, and blues... but I want to hear from other folks what's in their wardrobe.

Leave some comments of different color combos you'd like!

My Etsy Fave of The Weekend

Check this out- it's a coffee corset! Not only is it cute and adorable, it's also environmentally friendly. Instead of having to waste a paper holder with each Starbucks purchase, you just slip one of these on. I'm thinking people I know may find one of these under the tree this year.... They even make one for boys. You can see more by visiting Jenn Gee's etsy shop at this link.