Thursday, May 8, 2008
Experiment with Earrings
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
WOW
If we hadn't aleady put the deposit down on our wedding flowers, I might seriously consider this. No, these aren't real, they're made out of clay. Amazing! I wonder how heavy they are? This would be a great gift for anyone, as they'll never die and look so much like the real thing. Check out DK Designs store for more.
I'm still here!
I apologzie for the lack of posts lately. I hate to use the "i'm getting married" excuse, but yeah I'm going to use it this time. Here's a new beauty I just listed in my store, enjoy! I thought the bright colors would be perfect for a Summer afternoon concert, paired with a cute tank top and bright flip-flops.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Picnic, anyone?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Mum's Day
Thursday, April 10, 2008
What I've been up to & Bead Expo
Speaking of, don't miss the Innovative Bead Expo this weekend in Edison, NJ. I know the fiance is REALLY looking forward to it....hah! I went to one in December and found some really great deals on Swarvoski crystals and Czech glass beads. I will warn you, though, that it can be quite overwhelming!
Here are some pics of the custom-wedding jewelry I just finished. The first is for the bride herself, the second is a possible design for a set of bridesmaid jewelry. Let me know what you think! (And thanks to Nick for taking the pictures, I'm a lucky girl indeed.)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
New York's Coral Reef
About two years ago Margaret Wertheim, a science writer, and her twin sister, Christine, came up with the idea of creating a "wooly coastline" to raise awareness and honor the 135,000 miles of reef in their homeland of Queensland, Australia. The "Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef" project was born, and is now on display in New York's World Financial Center's Winter Garden. The project has turned global with participants from all over the world contributing to the ever-growing reef. If you'd like to contribute to the exhibits next installation in London, click here for patterns. To read more about it, check out this NYTimes article or the Institute for Figuring, who are the curators of the exhibit. Best of all, the exhibit is FREE, so if you're in the area make sure to check it out. As a fellow crocheter who enjoys using different types of mediums (like wire!), I'm in love with this project, especially as it communicates an important message about global warming.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Can you guess where this is?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Help me decorate my hair!
Monday, March 31, 2008
A good use of Post-Easter Peeps
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Jersey City Love
Our first trip to Jersey City was a complete bust. I hated it. I told Nick that there was no way I was living there. Turns out though that we just hadn't discovered the best of what Jersey City has to offer. Granted there are still parts that are "frontier lands," as one real estate broker put it, but it has a lot going for it, including the best pancakes I've ever tasted at the Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory and a "wedding cake martini" that is to die for at the Bar Majestic. So, in honor of Jersey City, aka "New York's six borough," I present to you some fine wares from other J.C. sellers. Enjoy!
Cute mini-hearts from blacklilys
Clock-winder pendant from katrinbird
Monday, March 24, 2008
Items for your Spring wardrobe
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring Sale
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A must have for any newlywed...
Need a coffee break?
Orisinal Games
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Here comes another bride....
Monday, March 10, 2008
Just a little peek....
For those of you who are curious, here's a little peek of where we'll be celebrating our wedding this summer. The first picture is of Babcock Lake itself, the lake where my grandparents and now my parents own a "camp." When I say camp, this generally confuses people, as it's really more of a cabin. It's my family's version of "outdoor camping" if you will. The second (excuse the side view mirror) is of the community center where the party and BBQ will happen. It's quaint, but very cute and the beach for swimming is right down the road. Now just picture it a little bit "jazzed" up and you got yourself a party!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Three Times a Bridesmaid Earrings
This was weekend was a success, simply because I didn't do much of anything! Here's to resting up for a few busy months to come.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Caribbean Cruise Necklace
As I recently started my job, I'm not able to take vacation but hopefully someone who can will snatch this up to wear by the poolside!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Another Etsy lovely
Yes, I still have cupcakes on the brain, I can't help it! But now, I bring them you in a different form. This time you can wear it, but not eat it!The maker of this "Pink Cupcake" lotion is SpaTherapy Works, one of my favorite sellers on etsy. I did some Christmas shopping over there and loved the products I purchased, especially the all-natural deodorant (who doesn't want to smell like a bluberry muffin all day?!) I also admire this seller for her photography and the way she incorporates different elements into her pics. Ok, I now promise to stop obsessing over cupcakes. Off to make some lotion purchases... A collection of these and some bubble bath would make great attendant gifts, don't you think?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
"Gerbera" Daisies
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday Night Date Necklace
Am still trying to get back into the swing of things by creating and posting new pieces in my store. Now I just need some special someones to BUY them! But, judging from the number of views my new items have been getting, I feel pretty good in the fact that at least people are LOOKING. I think this one is one of my favorites now. It's all Fire-polished Czech beads that I purchased at a bead expo in NJ. Therefore, it's a true one-of-a-kind that I won't be able to repeat. It truly came out beautiful, if I don't say so myself. The three strands are somewhat loose, so the piece will move with you as you "sashay" along.
I photographed it with a cute shoe and some blush to give the idea of a "date night," even if it's just you and a girly Netflix movie.
Monday, February 25, 2008
I'm still here!
Monday, February 11, 2008
My heart, be still
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thanks JJMFinance!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
A call for etsy artists
Friday, February 1, 2008
Spring Awakening Necklace
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Etsy fave of the day
My new favorite etsy seller is petite ami. Ok I admit it i'm a little biased, the artist behind these wonderful paintings and prints is one of my close friends from high school, Miss Amy M! I knew back then that she was fiercely talented, and now I'm glad that the rest of the world and etsy community will know it as well. The girl sold her first item within 24 hours of putting it up! My personal favorite is this set of animal print cards, better steal them fast before they go....
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
101 hearts!
I remember when I got my first "heart" on etsy. "Wow! Somebody likes me, they really really like me!" I'll admit that I still obsessively check on my hearts everyday. I think it's a fun way to build community and I've discovered some great etsy sellers through hearting as well.
A few days ago I hit 101 hearts, woo hoo! I promised to celebrate when I reached 100, so that extra one is nice icing on the cake.
They're here!
I posted a new pair of earrings to my shop last night that were inspired by the winter season. Or, rather, the LACK OF winter sesason here in New York City & Jersey City. But my most recent trip to upstate New York had plenty of snow for me to work some inspiration from.
I'm also trying a new photo technique where I'm going to "stage" my items using some props that evoke the feeling I want the buyer to get out of each piece. This was an idea I got from a recent Etsy Storque article, and I think I like the results.
What do you think? Let me know.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Caroline Grace Designs Update
Yes, I knew it was the one.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Cute Cake Topper!
My favorite wedding website is weddingbee.com. It has real brides with real budgets and real brains who are very into DIY projects. One of the "bees" had this cake topper made by an etsy seller for her wedding. I think it's adorable! The groom is into music so he has earphones, while the girl birdie has glasses as she's a self-proclaimed geek. I have a feeling Lauren Alane will be a very busy girl for a while with her new popularity! Check her out.
Spring Awakening
Last night I put together this unique combination of amber beads and a moss-green pendant that I've had floating around for a while. It reminds me of the month of March, when tapping trees for maple syrup is at its peak and just the slightest of green grass can be seen peeking out of the snow. It's a shorter necklace at 15", but I can always add on an extension if need be. I named it "Spring Awakening" partly after the colors I used in it, and also after the Broadway show I have tickets to Saturday night!
This weekend will be round #1 for wedding dress shopping. Maybe I'll get lucky and won't need round #2? Wish me, my sister, and my mom luck!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I'm just so productive
Here is another latest and greatest. I have to give credit to my 3 y.o. newphew Noah for this one. We were in a bead store in Washington D.C. and he came over and told me "Patty I have to SHOW you something!". Being all proud of his find he brought me over to this wall display with a huge variety of German plastic and lucite beads. I'm generally not one for lucite and plastic, but these were too good and too unique to pass up. Here is what I did with them, more pics are on my flickr page. I coined it as a valentine's day necklace, but it can really be worn anytime of year. It's very sweet and feminine but the black beads give it a slight "edge."
My new creation
Here it is! Available for purchase in my etsy store. This piece is made out of a variety of glass and czech fire-polished glass beads. It's finished off with a pressed glass pendant that has a soft, matte finish to it. I love it! Hard not to keep this one for myself.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The creative juices have returned!
Nothing like a few sales to get your juices going again. I had fun the other night doing a custom piece for one of my favorite customers, and my friend Juli from Boston purchased the Ice Skating Rink necklace. Yay for sales! We'll see what else my creative forces have in store for me.
I realized the other day that I enjoy the work I do as a grant writer for the same reasons I enjoy creating jewelry. In both cases, you're starting with nothing, a blank slate, or just a handful of random beads. In the end, you've got this great "masterpiece" that you can put your stamp on and feel proud of. Making "something" out of "nothing" is a wonderful feeling, especially when it's something like a grant that might make a difference in someone's life, or a piece of jewelry that might make a woman feel that much more confident and beautiful.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A unique Valentine's Day Gift
I found this in my Daily Candy New York edition today and felt the need to share with everyone. My fiance and I are big fans of Nintendo's Wii. I particularly enjoy it because I can beat him in a number of Wii games, unlike some of the other system's games out there. This would be a great Valentine's day present for any Wii lover, it's two "Miis" made out of chocolate! You can choose between milk, dark, and white. Too good to pass up. Available online at Paul Pape Designs.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Etsy fave of the day - A fellow Jersey girl
Here is one of my favorite new items, and sellers, on etsy. This pearl ring is from Julia Catherine Jewelry. It has a pearl, just like my pretty engagement ring. Just because I'm also a jewelry etsy seller, doesn't mean I can't appreciate beautiful items when I see them. She has so much great stuff, I really encourage you to check out her store. The designer is also a fellow Jersey girl and contributor the EtsyNJ Yahoo Group, so I feel the need to give her an extra shout-out!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Needing some inspiration....
By the way- save the date- Patty and Nick are getting hitched on Saturday, July 12, 2008!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Etsy fave of the day
Ok I admit it. I've only been engaged a week or so but I've already bought two bridal magazines and thoroughly checked out the "wedding" category on etsy. Wow- I had no idea that I needed so much "stuff" to get married. During my browsing I found this lovely item that I am truly in love with. I would love to design my dress around it. It's a Pearl and Crystal Vine Cuff made out of freshwater pearls, Swarvoski crystals, and jewelry wire. It's from Nanda's etsy shop, who is from Bangkok and has a wide variety of lovely items.
It's true!
Yes folks, this is not a test. We're not foolin' ya or pulling one over your heads. On Christmas Day (night, actually), I received this pretty little sparkly item to wear on my ring finger. It came complete with a bended-knee proposal to which I said "yes" to. I absolutely love the ring. I'm not a diamond kind of girl, and pearls are my favorite stone. Nick and I are hoping to have a somewhat-casual, fun wedding in July or August in upstate New York at my parent's cabin at Babcock Lake. It will be complete with swimming, boating, and some damn good BBQ. Here's a pic of the ring, more details to come soon!