Handmade Giveaway! Win an Orphan Bead Charm from SmuTopia!

Enter to win this teardrop shaped mystery-stone orphan bead zipper pull charm from SmuTopia Jewelry! Entries will be accepted through Sunday 10/4/09. The winner will be drawn on Monday 10/5/09 (winner will be contacted via email and posted here!)

Receive one entry for each of the following (don't forget to leave an email address on your comment so I can contact you if you win!):

• Visit SmuTopia on Etsy, then come back here and post a comment about your favorite item.


• Become a fan of SmuTopia on Facebook and leave a comment on the fan page wall.


• Tweet this giveaway, then come back here and post a comment with a link to your Twitter profile. (one entry per day allowed via tweet)


• Post a link to this giveaway on your blog or other site, then leave a comment here linking to your page.

Happy Birthday to Smu!

I've turned 29 years old on 9/29/09 :) To make my birthday just a little sweeter, when I picked up my packages from the apartment office at lunchtime this adorable bag from BagsPlusMore was waiting for me! I found this cute little yellow flowered number through her MadeItMyself storefront and arranged a trade. I hope she is as happy with her "Mocha Madness" bling ring as I am with my sunny little bag!

Smu's SPOOKY Friday Finds (Round 2!)

Spooky Suds Halloween Soap Collection (sunbasilgarden)

Spooky Album (heartspeak)

Vintage Typewriter Key Bracelet HaLLowEEn SpOOkY BOO (webbysue)

Ghost and Pumpkin Handmade Lampwork Bead Set SRA (REMLampwork)

Death by Chocolate (twolefthands)

Smu's SPOOKY Friday Finds!

One Cuddlesome Candy Corn.... (scrumptiousdelight)

Falling leaves clothespins (mykonos)

Claude the mouse and his wee pumpkin house (goldenneedlecreation)

Glittering Halloween Sticker Pack (ChelseaVanTol)

Skull and Crossbones Soap (karenssoaps)

Wish List Wednesday!

A Little Birdie Told Me - Camera Pouch / Mini Clutch

I've been looking for a pouch for my new camera, but there are so many small pouches and bags on Etsy my head was spinning.......then I came across LBGstudio and knew I'd made a great find! There are lots of truly unique bags and pouches in this shop, and many are made from materials found at thrift stores (big bonus!!!!) so they're eco friendly! This is a very new shop, opened in August--let's get the word out and give LBGstudio some love!!!

BOGO Sale picked up by CheapTweets!

First, I'd like to announce to my wonderful Blog readers that I'm offering a BOGO sale on everything in my shop (SmuTopia on Etsy) through midnight EDT on Friday 9/25! Check my shop annoucement for details, and be sure to check in often as I'll be listing new items throughout the week!

Second, I'm very excited that this deal has been picked up by CheapTweets! Stop by and VOTE for my BOGO deal!

New Work! Sneak Preview :)

I have photos of new work all edited and ready for listing on Etsy! I would love your feedback on my new work--what would you call these designs?

Mocha!

I've been featured in this fantastic Mocha treasury on Etsy! Thank you so much to CrownBindery for putting together this great collection!

Smu's Friday Finds: SLEEP Series; Sleepytime for the Critters :)

Sleepy Hedgehog on Sunny Yellow - Glass Pendant

Sleepy Fox (Sweet Needlefelted Friend)
Sleepy Bear and Bunny Forest Art Print
Awake Asleep Owlie Mama and Baby

Smu's Friday Finds: SLEEP Series; Time to Relax...

Luxury Silk Eye Mask Fully Adjustable in Rose and Gold

RELAXATION Smudge Blend 1oz

Smu's Friday Finds: SLEEP Series - Counting Sheep?

This week's "Smu's Friday Finds" are dedicated to sleep, in the hopes that I will get enough of it this weekend!!! Round 1: Are you counting sheep? These awesome Etsians are! Be sure to click on the pics and check out their fantastic shops!

Custom and Personalized Bookplates Whimsical Counting Sheep

can't sleep sheep

counting sheep night light

Wish List Wednesday!

The Michele Handbag from ByYourSide2009

I am often drawn to beautiful handmade purses, pouches and handbags on Etsy, but I rarely find one that suits me as well as this gorgeous bag from ByYourSide2009 on Etsy! I am always drawn to nature, and I love the earthy brown/aquatic blue combination of the leafy print and batik fabrics used in this design. I'm definately forwarding this link to my hubby to add to the Birthday list :)

Happy Trading with SpookyGrrrl on MadeItMyself

I recently received this adorable Warm Vanilla Sugar I Heart Chicks Soap from SpookyGrrrl on MadeItMyself (also known as NemesisProductions on Etsy) as part of another awesome handmade trade! Make sure to check out both shops to see her entire selection of handmade goods!

*Smu's Call for Trades!!!! It's that time of year where I'm looking to trade for holiday gifts! If you sell handmade items and are interested in trading please contact me via SmuTopia on Etsy or via email at SmuTopia.Jewelry@gmail.com

Smu's Friday Finds: Display your Creativity!

With the Designers' Downtown Market coming up tomorrow in Raleigh (yes, SmuTopia will be there!!!), I decided it was time for a "Friday Finds" collection of beautiful handmade display pieces from Etsy. Enjoy!

living steel jewelry display from TimothyAdamDesigns

Earring Holder Wood and Black with Cool Swirlies from anneball

Large Manzanita Jewelry Display from RedBarkDesigns

Ornate Jewelry Frame-Carved Black with Brass from MorganDesign

Milestones on Facebook and Twitter

Just a quick post to say THANK YOU to all of my wonderful Twitter followers and Facebook fans! You guys ROCK!

Wish List Wednesday!

Handbound wood journal by Crearting

I have a real soft spot for unique journals, despite the fact that I don't actually keep a diary :) They are incredibly useful and oh-so-much-cuter than a notebook! I have a several handmade journals in my Etsy favorites, but this rustic wooden design holds a special place in my heart (and in my personal wish-list!)

Crunch Time in Smu-Land!

With the Saturday 9/12 Designers’ Downtown Market in Raleigh, NC rapidly approaching it is definitely crunch time in Smu-Land! Thankfully the process of craft-show prep gets a little easier each time through lessons learned at previous shows. For example, I now have a tackle box full of craft show essentials that is always packed up and ready when show time rolls around, which serves the dual purpose of 1. Saving time, and 2. Making sure I don’t forget something important (like scissors, or tape—both essential!). I’ve also dedicated the awesome wallet I purchased from Madbird on Etsy as my show cash wallet and I still have enough $1s to make change at the show, which means I don’t need to go to the bank first! Hooray!

My displays are currently up in my craft room for the “dry-run” set up I do before every show. Tonight’s prep task will be pricing/tagging any new work that isn’t already tagged. After that I can pack up my inventory and maybe, just maybe, find a little time to relax before the show. ;)

Smu's Friday Finds: Harvest Gold

With fall rapidly approaching, I'm devoting this week's Friday Finds to "Harvest Gold", the wonderful rich yellow-gold hue so popular on appliances in the 70's. Whenever I hear "Harvest Gold" I think of my Mom's kitchen from my early childhood :)

Hand embroidered fiber wall art DRAGONFLIES AND THISTLES

Honey
Golden Leaves, Leather Journal, Suede
Amber oval Earthling ring sterling silver

Wish List Wednesday

Today's Wish-List Wednesday item is from GeekDetails, a perennial favorite of mine on Etsy, and a fellow member of the Etsy Twitter Team :) I love this print for so many reasons--it perfectly describes how I feel about my hubby, while playing to both my quirky personality and general facination with the brain! Well done GeekDetails!