{ freshly picked } :: Jewels by L Designs

Speaking of artisan lampwork, the husband and wife team from Jewels by L Designs really showcases these stunning beads. Not only do they create their own lampwork beads, but they surround them with sparkling gemstones and intricate wirewrapping, creating pieces that truly take your breath away.


Find these and other gorgeous pieces at Jewels by L Designs on Etsy.

{ pretty little things } :: artisan lampwork

Have you ever looked really closely at an artisan lampwork bead? They're stunning. So detailed with brilliant flashes of color- some even change colors depending on the light. They really are little works of art you can wear. And they're one of my favorite pieces to use in my own jewelry designs. Here are a few of my favorite designs from some other jewelry artists:

1 - Circle Ring in Gray by Kristin Perkins Glass Jewelry
2 - Caramel Swirl Earrings by Andy Justy
3- Orbit Earrings by Pole Star
4 - Bird on Branch Earrings by Alisha White Designs
5 - Linear Circles Earrings by Sterling Crystal
6 - Alanna Necklace by Catie's Blue

{ inspired } :: let it snow!

There's a snow storm coming in the Mid-Atlantic and it looks like it might break some records! Have you stocked up on your bread, milk and eggs? Me neither. Pizza, wine and LOST on DVD is more like it for me. But come ice or high snow drifts, winter wonderlands sure do inspire some pretty arts and crafts. A few of my Etsy picks, inspired by the coming storm:



1 - Vintage Snowbells Charm Bracelet by Mia Beads
2 - Snow Cat Cocoa Butter Soap by savor
3 - Morning Dove in Snow Print by Rocky Top Studio
4 - Snow White Double Stranded Posy Necklace by Cimbaline's Designs
5 - Winter White Ruffly Rose Scarf by Cherished Vintage
6 - Winter Flower Earrings by Amaia
7 - Old Man Winter Was Here by I brake for bokeh photography
8 - Kanzashi Hair Clip- Ice Crystal Flower by Petal Mix

{ freshly picked } teka & zoe

I think I have a new obsession. Etsy shop, Teka & Zoe, is filled with organically elegant copper enameled jewelry. Perfect for work or with jeans and T, this is the kind of jewelry you can wear every day and everyone will wonder where you got it.



1 - Sky Blue and Clouds Copper Enamel Earrings
2 - Where the Grass Meets the Sky Necklace
3 - Grape Copper Enamel and Amethyst Cluster Cup Earrings
4 - Aqua, Red and Yellow Flower Cup Earrings
5 - Flower with Leaves Copper Enamel Bangle Bracelet
6 - Old Ivory Hoop Copper Enamel Earrings

{ freshly picked } kanokwalees

Everything in kanokwalees' Etsy shop is just so cool, it was hard for me to narrow down my choices for this post. The shop's slogan is (appropriately) "Inspired by Nature." Scarves spun to look like coral, leaves, snowflakes and flowers make a cool, casual accent to nearly any outfit. Which one(s) will you buy?



1 - Gold Petite Leaves Garland Lariat
2 - Lots of Round Cup Leaflets Garland
3 - Enchanted Forest Lariat
4 - The Mermaid Queen Scarflette
5 - Let it Snow Bookoo
6 - Natural Leaves Garland
7 - Just Because I Love You Necklace

Visit kanowakwalees on Etsy for more scarf-necklace-scarflette goodness.

Happy birthday, Mom!

Today is my wonderful, super-awesome Mom's birthday. She is awesome for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because she managed to raise me and keep me from turning into a hoodlum. What better way to celebrate her day than with lots of handmade cupcake goodness?




1 - A New Day Mixed Media Collage Cupcake Print by Linda Woods
2 - Birthday Blue Cupcake Lampwork Earrings by Bead on a Stick Creations
3 - Cupcake Earrings by Insane Jellyfish Designs
4 - Birthday cupcake sugar cookies by Sugar & Flour
5 - Kawaii Cupcake Jewelry Box by Ice Cream Candy
6 - Kawaii Cupcake Bracelet by Love Your Bling
7 - Cupcake Notecards (set of 8) by Violet Cottage

color love :: mustard and mint

Love this fresh, unexpected color combination...


1. Great escape skirt, Anthropologie
2. Deux Lux Zipper Seamed Satchel, Urban Outfitters
3. Mayan Sun artisan lampwork beads, by Fire & Glass Designs on Etsy
4. Photo Art Necklace/Vintage Postcard, by Amber Sky on Etsy
5. Regal Beagle Cupcake Company original art, by Gemini Studio on Etsy
6. Vintage French glasses, available at Winking Owl on Etsy
7. Rococo Hand-knit Shawl, by Tickled Pink Knits on Etsy
8. Cashmere Vignette Arm Warmers, by Adventures of Jessica Rose on Etsy
9. Mint Full Print Cardinal on Agapanthus, by Joom on Etsy

If there was ever a piece of jewelry that describes me...

...this is it:



I heart California fine silver, handmade necklace by Truche on Etsy - This necklace can even be custom-made with the heart over your favorite California city. It is officially on my "Gifts from me to me" shopping list.

What to wear...to a casual alfresco dinner with friends

I love balmy summer evenings spent with friends on a restaurant patio, savoring good food, good wine and great conversation. My uniform? Breezy, long dresses and simple jewelry, like these stunning handmade, hammered bangles by Lavender Cottage and swingy shell and lampwork earrings from my own Jocelyn Grace line. A minimalist scarf by Beautiful Bridget wards off the late night chill (because evenings with good friends always turn into late nights) and flat, metallic sandals and a FIAZCO handmade silk clutch dress it up, but not too much- this is a casual gathering, afterall.



Smocked empire-waist dress, $59.99 at Gap
Lavender Garden handmade artisan lampwork and shell earrings, $42 from my Jocelyn Grace on 1000 Markets
Gauze Summer Scarf Beige Lightweight Cotton Fabric, $26, handmade by Beautiful Bridget on Etsy
Logan Collection Lined in Chocolate Silk, $65, handmade by FIAZCO on Etsy
Macrame Sandal, $34, by Kimchi Blue at Urban Outfitters
Bright Lights Set of 6 Mini Stacking Bangles, $45, handmade by Lavender Cottage on Etsy

Contest! Giveaway!

The Etsy Beagles Street Team is currently running our second contest! Check out our our blog, vote for your favorite Beagles and Blooms March Challenge entry and enter to win this fabulous bracelet by Beagles Team member Linda, aka
Ms Anomaly:



Contest ends April 17, 2009, so get voting!

Etsy Beagles Team Contest!

One of my Etsy Street Teams is running their first contest!


Want to win the supercute pin (pictured above) from Etsy Beagles Team Member, Frums Glass Menagerie ? Then go to the Etsy Beagles Blog and check out how to vote for your favorite Etsy Beagles Team Challenge entry (pictured below).



Vote here

Buy handmade, shop local

This holiday season, I'm doing my best to shop local and/or buy handmade. Of course, there are certain things where that isn't possible (the sleigh-full of electronics on SuperD's list comes to mind). But, everyone on my list is getting several handmade items- some I made for them, others I bought from other Etsy sellers.

I put a lot of handmade stuff on my Christmas list, too, but I fear that Ety's checkout process discouraged some people from buying. Not that I think the checkout process is difficult, but my loving, but technologically impaired mother had issues even creating an account. But I'm still hoping at least one person will honor my handmade pledge and buy at least a few handmade things for me this holiday.

And for those of you looking to get involved in the handmade movement, here's a list of really cool sites where you can find lots of handmade goods:

Etsy
1000 Markets
Art Fire
Handmade Fuzion
iCraft
Dawanda
Ruby Lane
Shop Handmade
Trunkt
Wink Elf
Lolli Shops

Of course, there are tons more, but this list is a good start of some of the larger venues. Some of these sites even have very cool vintage and antique sections (not handmade, but still part of the reduce/reuse/recycle process). So get shopping! There's only 11 days left until Christmas!

For those of you looking to shop local in the Lancaster, PA area, check out downtown Lancaster shopping for some great local shops, galleries and artisans.

Not in Lancaster or just want to shop online? Check out Etsy's Shop Local feature. Just type in your town and find artisans and crafters in your area.