Handmade by Mom :)

Like the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree :) My Mom is also a crafty lady, and used her talents to make me a fantastic handmade Christmas gift--a jewelry seller's necklace roll!

The heavy dark brown fabric is printed with a leafy teal pattern and features a brown ribbon to secure the necklaces at the clasp opposite a row of pockets to protect focal stones/beads and anchor the necklace in its space.

Once the necklaces are secure I can just roll up the holder and each necklace will be nestled against the fabric :)

Once rolled up completely and secure the two sets of attatched ties in a bow the entire roll can be tossed in my (rather large) for a quick getaway!

Thanks again Mom for such a great handmade gift! I love it!

Sneak Peek - New Work!

At long last I have photos of new work to share! I'll be listing these items in SmuTopia's Etsy shop soon, but wanted to share a sneak peek of some of my favorite photos from this round :)

Smu's Friday Finds--Gifts for the Science-Lover!

Do you have any science geeks on your holiday shopping list? If so, look below for some excellent handmade science-themed "geek-chic" gifts! As a college biology major currently working as an admin for a technology company I'm something of a closet science-geek myself (in fact, I'd be thrilled to receive any of these items as a gift, and had a ton of fun picking them out!) Enjoy!

Tree of Life Species Phylum Vintage Science Diagram Illustration Graphic T-shirt from isotope

Mini Vintage Chic Paper Starfinders from FunktapusDesigns

Sea Horse Necklace - Copper Electroformed from ShannonAmidon

Old School Microscope Science Geek T-Shirt from happyfamily

Wall Stencil Prehistoric Fern Fossils from CuttingEdgeStencils

The Christmas Ceolocanth Ornament from noadi

Smu's Friday Finds........For Your Fingers!

Today's Friday Finds are all for your fingers! These stunning rings are all from my personal favs with their design rooted in organic/natural elements :)

Custom Comet Tail Ring - Amethyst Crystal Specimen in Sterling Silver

Sea Treasure Collection - Shell and Pearl Rose Ring

Ode to Royalty - Organic Violet Amethyst Ring

Cyber-Monday! Awesome Sales on 11/30!

The handmade community is in a Cyber-Monday Sale frenzy! There are a ton of great sales going on today in some of my favorite Etsy shops (including my own!) SmuTopia on Etsy is offering FREE International Shipping on everything in stock! I will be adding more shops/sales to this list all day--please post a comment if you are having a sale and I'll be happy to add you to the list!

Cyber-Monday Sales!

FREE SHIPPING:

SmuTopia (worldwide)

dkjewels

simplytwisted

ArtfulGoodies

sunkengardenbeads

madbird

DutchTouchBeads

DecaCandle

travels (worldwide)

majortommy (worldwide)

Discounts:

sparkleandmetal 25% Off

shoredebris 20% Off

thyme2dream 20% Off

ChicyCreations 15% Off beanies, 10% Off tutus

Sale Sections:

BargainBoutique Sale Section - 50% Off Selected Items

ChicyCreations $2 Sale Section

GeekDetails BOGO on Pinback Buttons

Stocking Stuffer Sale at SmuTopia on Etsy!

Looking for stocking stuffers? Check out this special one-day sale in my Etsy shop! All beaded charms have been marked down to $1.50! These charms are great for zipper pulls, purses, or even as simple pendants and make great small gifts for the girl who has everything :)

Smu's Friday Finds for Travel!

I find myself sitting in the airport waiting for flights that will take me to New Hampshire for my annual Christmas shopping trip with my Mom and sisters. Seems like a perfect time to blog about some travel-themed Etsy finds! These items are from the following fantastic shops: BrightWall, happygolicky, madebymoe, and bowtago.

Vintage Luggage Set with Hand Painted Artwork

ESCAPE or EXPLORE, Personalized Custom Ring in RECYCLED Eco Friendly Fine Silver
Original Bowtago - Woodland Owls- Fabric Hair Bow Holder - Portable and Washable

Never lost Compass Necklace

Wish List Wednesday!

UPCYCLED Caramel Brown VINTAGE Messenger with Deer with Antlers by TASTYSUITE

I love the caramel color of this vintage samsonite bag, but it's the deer silohuette that seals the deal :) It's a perfect blend of handmade and vintage and is just one of many amazing items from GetReadySetGO. And yes, I've been on a bit of a kick lately with deer-themed items :)

Smu's Friday Finds: Oh Deer!

Take a look at today's friday finds from MADART, regansbrain, DecorDesigns and luxedeluxe!

Original MADART Painting ABSTRACT Fine ART Modern - 2 Foot - DEER - PRIDE

Curry and Plaid Buckhead Pillow

3 Deer Heads Wall Decal FREE SHIPPING

Antique Antlers. Long Necklace - SALE

Wish List Wednesday!

Robot Love Vinyl Laptop Messenger

I found this fantastic robot bag in one of my long-time-favorite Etsy shops, Sugarlust! I can just picture myself on the way to work with my laptop stowed in this "geek chic" tote :)

Smu's Friday Finds: Home Decor in Green!

Our new house will be finished next week (Hooray!) and despite the fact that there are a million things to be done before we get to decorating, I couldn't resist adding some handmade home decor to my Etsy favs :) Round 1 of today's Home Decor Friday Finds--Green items from urbandesign, SimpleSweetDesign and LeenTheGraphicsQueen !

Dragon Tail - 8x8 Fine Art Print

Letter N Custom Moss Hanging Wreath Initial

Beautiful Wispy Wild Grasses Wall Decal

Wish List Wednesday!

UFO Forest Digital Art Print

While looking through my list of Etsy favorites this morning I re-discovered this hilarious digital art print from SepiaLepus and felt compelled to share this wonderfully humorous critter-themed art :) Be sure to check out the other fantastic critter-themed art in her shop!

Where's Waldo? Treasury Feature

Check out this fantastic "Where's Waldo" treasury featuring items from EtsyTwitter Team members' shops (including SmuTopia!)

Smu's Friday Finds: "Think Pink" Round 2 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

More great handmade finds in pink hues for Breast Cancer Awareness month! These items are from FancifulForm, CritterJitters, bubbletime, and BellflowerTextiles on Etsy.

Pink Lotus Pendant

Ofsprey Birds Tshirt Graphic Bird Tee American Apparel Pink Womens Shirt S M L XL XXL

Plush Microbe Large Pink Fluffcrobe

DELUXE Makeup Brush Roll - Black and Pink Striped

Smu's Friday Finds: Think Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today's "Think Pink" Friday Finds were selected in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Today's finds are from downstairsDesigns, WinchellClayWorks, WellspringCreations, and vivikas on Etsy. Be sure to check out their shops for more fantastic Handmade items!

In Touch Clutch (tm) in Wallflower Pink

Be Still my Hearts Ceramic Pendant

Breast Cancer Awareness Elegant Pink Ribbon Silver Earrings

Shhhh... She is sleeping

Sneak a Peek at what's New from Smu!

This fall I've been expanding the selection of metals in my designs and have become very fond of using brass. The contrast of antiqued brass with light-colored beads like the lovely lilac purple ovals used in the beachy bracelet pictured here. In addition to my normal product shots using driftwood and flooring tiles for a background I've also taken photos of this bracelet on one of my wooden hand bracelet displays.
I have a set of 12 wooden hands (made by my Grandpa) that I use at craft shows, and they've become a real conversation piece with customers! Hopefully they will draw as much attention in my Etsy shop as they have in person at shows :)

In addition the the beachy brass bracelet, I have this pretty little blue seastar bauble pendant and several other items ready to list. Stay tuned to my Etsy shop for some great new stuff as we close out the week!

Wish List Wednesday - Halloween is Coming!

Meowmmy by davenevanxaviour

Today's Wish List Wednesday selection is all about Halloween! Even though I won't be decorating this year as we are packing up to move I'm sorely tempted to add this little guy to my collection of Halloween home decor :) Check out davenevanxaviour for more handmade Halloween and geeky goodness!

Smu's Friday Finds: Creature Feature!

Take a moment to check out my "Creature Feature" including some animal-themed finds from fantastic Etsy shops!

Owl Twins Pencil Pouch Khaki Olive Green (Cheryland)

Baby Bottle Monster Shark with tail in Sapphire (Handamade)

FELT BUTTERFLY RING -BUTTER CUP- Medium (MIXKO)

Kawaii sweet pink cake squarrel/Hamster bag charm key holder (YuraPockylover)

Trading for Holiday Gifts!

I have been doing a lot of trading lately with other Etsians to start gathering holiday gifts for my fantastic family :) Without giving away too much about the gifts I traded for, I've listed the shops I have traded with most recently below--give them some love!

dreamtimeharvest

lavendergreetings

CosmicCleanBody

OhMeOhMyStash

With so many wonderful handmade goods and lots of other sellers looking to make trades for gift items now it the time to get in on the trading fun! Check out this ever-growing list of shops open to holiday trades!