SmuTopia Blog Feature and Interview!

Check out Bonghinatura's Blog where I have been interviewed for today's Friday Feature!

http://bonghinatura.blogspot.com/

Saturday 4/26/08: Rock the Baby Family Festival

The Smutopia traveling roadshow will be setting up at the Rock the Baby Family Festival this Saturday 4/26/08 from 4-6pm. Follow this link to the festival website for directions and additional information: http://www.chapelhilll.org/Rock_the_Baby%21.html

Etsy Main Showcase--I took the plunge!

I finally took the plunge and paid for a spot in the Etsy main showcase to advertise my shop. Today is the day, and my showcase spot looks great! However, I am a bit worried that it may not have been worth the money.......only three new hearts since the showcase opened and no sales. Wish me better luck this afternoon..........

Sunday Morning Sunshine!

It was cloudy and wet outside this morning, so when I got a chance to create an Etsy treasury I had to create a little sunshine of my own :) Check out the treasury and click on all of the wondeful NC artists featured! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=40345

Holy SeaGlass!! (Thanks Mom!)

Earlier this year my parents visited Grand Turk, and my Mom came home with a ton of sea-glass for me to use in my jewelry designs! I've selected a few of my favorite pieces to make into pendants--stay tuned to see what else I can create with this treasure trove :)

Shop Upgrades! Check out my New Banner!

I have booked my first feature in the Etsy main showcase for Monday 4/21/08! In preparation for my big day, I have updated my shop banner at http://smutopia.etsy.com (something I have intended to do for quite some time.) I used a photo taken by my Mom when my parents visited Grand Turk earlier this year--it seemed a perfect compliment to the ocean theme I have been running with lately :) Let me know what you think of my new banner!

Gathering materials for Flower-girl Tiara Alchemy Order

I'm gathering materials for a new alchemy order--stay tuned to see these materials turn into an ocean/beach themed flower-girl tiara!

1. freshwater pearls-small (ivory)

2. bumpy freshwater pearls (ivory)

3. blister pearls (ivory)

4. freshwater pearls-large (ivory)

5. freshwater pearls (pale yellow/green)

6. freshwater pearls (pale green)

7. mother of pearl chips

8. green swavorski crystals

9. yellow jade

10. mother of pearl beads

11. small spiral shells

12. creamy shell beads-large

13. creamy shell beads-small

14. peach and cream shell beads

Orphan Beads Unite--Strength in Numbers!

Making these Orphan-Bead charms/zipper-pulls is addictive! I keep a bin of orphan beads and my tools next to my chair while watching baseball and the darn things just keep multiplying....

Eco-Friendly Tip!

My husband and I are on a campaign to reduce our household trash and plan to start using our own re-usable bags for shopping to stop the endless supply of plastic grocery bags that clutter our kitchen. When I got home from work today, there was a browser window open to this link:

http://lifehacker.com/377929/fuse-plastic-grocery-bags-for-crafting

Check out this fantastic way to turn the flimsy plastic bags you have into a useful, re-usable shopping bag!

Buy Green! Recycled Jewelry by Etsy Artist ArtworkbyKD

I found this fantastic artist on Etsy today and had to share her wonderful recycled-material jewelry! Read more about ArtworkbyKD below and follow the link to her Etsy shop!ArtworkbyKD: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5616668

ArtworkbyKD Describes Herself:

Ok, so a little bit about me? I'm 24, and from NE PA. I have a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts (emphasis on painting). I'm also a musician, I'm a singer songwriter and I play guitar. I started my artwork business (Artwork by KD) a few months ago. Along with earrings I also paint portraits and sell my paintings.When it comes to my jewelry making I'm inspired by color big time! Usually a recycled object's color or texture will catch my eye. I use everyday empty containers from my household and I pay special attention to those containers that are not recyclable in my community. I never buy things and empty the contents just to simply make earrings from the container. I use what I have, or what my family members donate to me:) It's the luck of the draw! Some of my items are limited due to the usage of it's contents, but that's great because it keeps my materials and items fresh! I also cover recycled plastic with tissue paper to achieve bold, beautiful color! These earrings are fun, and one of a kind. They are an extension of me and my personal style. I love what I do and I'm excited to wake up everyday and make something new!!

Etsy Artist: Gush4Plush

Gush4Plush: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5559954

While browsing the forums on Etsy, I found this adorable penguin made by Gush4Plush. I had to share my new find--check out Gush4Plush's shop on Etsy and give Oscar the Penguin a home!

Alchemy! My first Etsy Alchemy Order :)

Today I sold my first Etsy Alchemy custom order! I love doing custom work, so Alchemy is perfect for me :) For those of you thinking, 'What is Alchemy', it is Etsy's new custom order request feature. Check it out on Etsy.com!(Pictured above, Alchemy order for leafs4cup)

Making Jewelry and Watching the Red Sox: My Two Favorite Activities!

I have always paired making jewelry with watching baseball--for me it is the perfect pairing of my two favorite activities..........

Most nights between April and October you can find me in front of the Red Sox game, tools in hand, surrounded by containers of beads and findings.

The photos in this post are of jewelry I have made watching baseball in the past few days--I'm so glad to have the season underway!

HOOPLA!!!

Hoops! Check out the different styles, visit the artists who created them, and comment on your favorite!

Fuss Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5128882

Lucky Libra: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5121336


Spiralstone: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5053116

Sparkle Couture: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5244360

Artisan Look: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5371713

Vintage Gardens: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5520770

Morning Sky Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5239605

Artrag2 on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atrag/

Raleigh Gem and Mineral Festival!

This weekend the Raleigh Gem and Mineral Festival was taking place at the NC State Fairgrounds. I visited on Saturday just to window-shop, but ended up going back today to make some purchases. I'm so glad my husband saw this ad in the local newspaper or I would have missed it!

HOOPLA--My New Etsy Treasury!

For the next three days the treasury I curated with be viewable on Etsy! Check it out, and click on all of the wonderful shops: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=37623

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 7; Finished Set!

I'm so happy with how this lilac pearl set turned out! This is definately the most rewarding part of the creative process :-)

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 6; Finished! Photo Time!

I've just completed crafting the custom lilac pearl set I've been working on for 'motherofthegroom'! I'm so excited, I need to post a picture of the earrings right now while I'm editing the remainder of tonight's photos :-)

My First Interview! Blog Feature Coming on 4/28/08

I was interviewed today for an upcoming feature on the NC Triangle Area Etsy Street Team blog! The interview and feature article on my shop, SmuTopia, will be published on April 28th--visit the site now to learn more about this fantastic team of local artists!

http://nctriangle.blogspot.com