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....

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.

Caroline Grace Designs Update

Over the next week I'll be working on a new design of earrings that I've come up with. I made a pair over Christmas for my sister and my future mother-in-law, and they both seemed to enjoy them. It involves using the same crochet method that I make my necklaces with, except this time I'll be using single and double crochets instead of just chains as I do normally. Picture small snowflakes made out of beads and wire.... hmmm I have you intrigued now don't I? Keep checking back as I'll be posting the final product to my etsy store.

Yes, I knew it was the one.

I'll admit it, I didn't realize my fiance was "the one" when I first met him. But as time went on, well, he grew on me, what can I say? Can't say I had the same experience this weekend when I went wedding dress shopping. My mom, my sister, and I entered RK Bridal at 9:30 and were set up with an assistant named Aisha right away. She was amazing and had a better idea than any of us as to what would look good on me. About ten dresses later, I knew I had found THE ONE. No, I didn't start crying, I just couldn't stop smiling. I didn't want to take it off and there were threats about calling security! ;-) I won't be posting any pictures of it until after the big day, as I want it to be a surprise for our guests. Well- most of them- there are definitely some female friends and relatives who will get a sneak peak. For now, I'll just say I LOVE it, and I can't wait until I wear it to say "I do" to my best friend in the whole world. Awwww.....

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!

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.

The New Mommy Necklace

I know how mommies put all of their energy and time into their new bundle of joy, and often there's barely enough time left in the day for them to even do small things like shave their legs! I created this necklace for any new mom to slip on and instantly feel glammed up and more beautiful. Put this on, hand the baby to Daddy, and go get yourself a manicure!

The creative juices have returned!

Last night I made my first new piece in a while, I'm going to call it "New Mommy," after my friend Kristel who just had her first baby, a little boy named Ethan. I love how it turned out, it has shades of blue with some hints of pink in it and a blue circle pendant on the bottom. I'll be posting it tonight so keep your eyes out!

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.

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.

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!

Needing some inspiration....

Not sure what it is, maybe its post-holiday blues, engagement excitement, or this darn cold I've come down with, but I haven't been inspired as of late to create anything new for my etsy store. I've instead done some knitting on a pair of socks I'm attempting to make, but last night that turned into a fiasco. I need some creative energy sent my way to get me back on track!

By the way- save the date- Patty and Nick are getting hitched on Saturday, July 12, 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!