Ready For Spring

Most of the winter I have been crocheting for my shop, Morning Sky Creations, using deep, dark and neutral colors.  Enough!  We've been having a long winter here in the Northeastern US and I'm tired of it.

Last week I was in the store yarn shopping and these colors caught my eye. I couldn't decide which I liked best so I ended up with all three.

This was the end result and I love it.  So happy to see some bright, fresh colors in my shop.

Leather Key Chains

I've added something new to my jewelry shop.  While I love making my jewelry, I was looking for something that was a little less time consuming to make that I could offer at a lower price point.

I had some leather left over from some leather bracelets I had been making so I made a few basic key chains like the one shown below. It is made from a nice sturdy vegetable dyed leather with a nickel plated clasp.

Soon after I came across a silver plated swivel clasp and split ring when I was out shopping for supplies. That resulted in this key chain with clip. It is perfect for clipping to a belt loop or purse.

                                       

Next to be added was a key ring attached to a leather wristlet strap. This is great when you are running errands and don't want to lose your keys in the bottom of your purse. Just slip this over your hand and your keys are easily accessible.

The latest key chain added was the double ring. I work in retail and I notice a lot of people searching for reward card key tags among their keys. With my double key ring you can keep all your tags on one ring and your keys on the other. Or, you can keep house or office keys on on side and car keys on the other.

Clicking on any of the photos will take you to that item in my shop.

A New Crochet Technique

I had tried crocheting with wire some time ago, but I didn't like the results. When my local craft store started carrying silver plated Artistic Wire I thought I would give it another try. This time I was much happier with the results. 

These bracelets are made by first string on the beads then crocheting chains. When I have the number of chains that I need I braid them together to form a fun, contemporary bracelet.

The bracelets in the first 2 photos are made with non tarnish silver plated wire and the bottom one is made from black coated wire.

Fourth of July Sale

I am having Fourth of July sales in both of my Etsy shops. Today only 15% off your entire purchase (excluding shipping) by using coupon code JUL4TH.

If you are looking for some great jewelry that can be worn for work or play please visit my jewelry shop, Morning Sky Jewelry.

Shopping for some 100% cotton eco friendly washcloths or scrubbies?

Maybe you need a cute cover for your Kindle, ereader, ipod or other gadget.

Tired of chasing all those reward cards and credit cards around your purse?

Visit Morning Sky Creations and take a look at what we have that is just right for you.

November Featured Etsy Blogger

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is Cindy of Devine Designs Jewelry. Her beautiful handcrafted jewelry is made from wire that has been twisted, shaped and coiled into some truly unique pieces. Cindy uses different metal, beads and stones so that no matter what your taste you will be sure to find something to fit your style.

I am in love with the bracelet shown below. The beads she used are very unique in that they are made of glass, but look like real stone. I also love the silver and the chunkiness in general of this bangle. Click here to learn more (and possibly purchase) this great bracelet.






How great would these sterling and lapis earrings look with a pair of jeans on the weekend? Take a closer look, I bet you'll fall in love with them.

Featured Etsy Blogger for November

This months featured Etsy Blogger is Becky of Becky Kazana.

In Becky's shop you will find a mix of adorable creations.

This Pachyderm Birthday Card is made from a reproduction of Becky's original artwork.



There are paper garlands like this Here's To Us Celebration Banner.


The highlight of Becky's shop has to be her pipe cleaner ornaments. They have hand painted faces and handmade clothing. Lena the Burlesque Pipette is my favorite.


Be sure to check out Becky's vintage shop,The Fab Miss B.

Happy Autumn

In the United States today is the first day of Fall. Here in New Jersey that means that the leaves will soon be turning beautiful shades of orange, yellow and red. I thought I would take a look around Etsy and see what kind of Fall leaves I could find.

Thank you Glittered Bird in a Tree Card

A Forest Frolic

Maple Leaf ACEO

danagrace64

Quilted Cocktail Napkins-Autumn Leaves

Sew Nance

My Workspace...

...or lack thereof.

I know that a lot of artists and craftspeople out there have beautiful studios and work spaces. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. Our house just doesn't have the room for me to take over some space for my crafts. So for now, I just have to make do with what I have.

When I am working on my Morning Sky Creations shop this is where I work - the sofa in the family room.




When I am working on jewelry for Morning Sky Jewelry I either work at the dining room table or on the same sofa with a lap desk.

My husband called from work a few weeks ago and said that there was a cabinet with lots of drawers outside the dumpster at his office and asked if I was interested. I was interested, but skeptical. Boy, was I thrilled when he got home.



A little scrubbing and I now have great storage for all my jewelry making supplies plus enough room for my general crafting supplies. I guess the saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is very true in this case.

My dream space is my son's bedroom. It has windows on 3 sides and gets the sunlight from first thing in the morning until the late afternoon. It also has built in shelves on both sides of the closet. Well, a girl can dream, can't she.

August Featured Etsy Blogger

This month's featured Etsy blogger is Edi from memoriesforlifesb.
Edi has been papercrafting for over 12 years and has some truly awesome things in her shop.

This wedding guest book made from real flip flops is one of my favorite things for her shop.



Equally beautiful is this hand cut Baby album which can be customized with any name.



This is a very fun and extremely creative shop. Why not go and have a look?

Great Summer shop

As part of an Etys Bloggers team assignment I went off in search of a shop with hot summer items. I came across Ezylife and her shop is what summer is all about. It is light, bright and airy. Her dresses are beautiful and come in a wide array of styles and colors. There is something there for every woman. An added bonus is that her prices are very reasonable.





Ezylife is a new seller, but she as perfect feedback and glowing reviews.

June Featured Etsy Blogger

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is Tricia from Lazy T Crochet. If you frequent the forums on Etsy then I am sure that you recognize the name. Not only does Tricia do lovely crochet work, but she also give excellent advice and also seems willing to help someone out.

While all her work is beautiful, the bright green on the Cloche Hat and Net Scarf grabbed my attention right away.

Wonderful Wednesday

These eggs, made by Ukrainian Eggs, are truly remarkable. Some of you may be familiar with Pysanky, but these eggs are made with a twist. The colors are from hundreds of tiny seed beads.





Here is the arttist's explanation of Pysanky and Her Pysanky:

"Pysanky are made to be given to family members and friends. To give a pysanka is to give a symbolic gift of life. Each of the designs and colors on the pysanka has symbolic meaning--the colors and designs are typically chosen to match the character of the person to whom the pysanka is to be given.

About My Pysanky:

I use beads instead of the typical beeswax designs because I prefer the focus to be primarily on the egg's colors. The beads are very small and each egg can take anywhere from one week to several months. I started making these eggs as gifts for family members and began my "store" as requests came in for specific colors for specific people.”

This one is made from an Ostrich egg. I can't even begin to imagine the time and the amount of beads that went into this work of art.

A Blue Fringe Treasury

Thank you so much to randomcreative for including me in her treasury of blue fringe bracelets.




It was an honor to be showcased along with all these other amazing jewelry artists.

Wonderful Wednesday

I haven't done a Wonderful Wednesday post in a while, so I thought I would do one today in honor of Tax Day in the US.

I found this adorable Tax Deduction bib and onesie in Fun2Wear's shop.





Fun2Wear's designs are custom made and can be personalized. They carry bibs, onesies, toddler, youth, and adult t-shirts.

Featured Etsy Blogger for April

This month's featured Etsy Blogger is Two Zany Zebras. She makes fun and unique creations for babies and toddlers such as this Alien Invasion set. This is a great deal at $27.00 for a cuddle blanket and either a onesie or a toddler t-shirt.



You will find great characters at Two Zany Zebras such as Sydney Monster, found on this onesie, which is available in a full range of sizes as well as toddler t-shirt sizes


as well as Ingrid Zarkle , a softie made of minkey stuffed with hypo-allergenic polyfil. To top it off it is 100% machine washable.

Two Zany Zebras welcomes custom orders so if you don't see what you are looking for, just ask.

You can read more about Two Zany Zebras by visiting her blog.

Black and White

As I was listing this bracelet I was thinking of my mother. She loved black and white and I grew up in a house that was decorated with a lot of black and white.




So, I decided to Pounce undiscovered shops to see what other black and white I could find.

I love this adorable Sock Punk Zebra from Sock Talk.

Check out Vayda's Pet Shopfor a custom pet portrait.

I fell in love with these black and white fused glass earrings by Gilded Lily Glass.

And we all know someone who loves spooky things like this Mr Marrow keepsake box made by Shadow Hill Lane.

All of the above shops, except mine, haven't had a sale yet. Why don't you give them a visit and show them some love.

A Chainmaille Treasury

I woke this morning to find that I had been included in a chainmaille treasury. (Available for viewing until Monday, March 16, morning)

I love chainmaille treasuries, not only because I make and sell chainmaille, but also because it lets people know that chainmaille is not just about knights and armor.


Thanks to Avionmaille for including me in this beautiful collection.

Etsy Envy

The Etsy Bloggers Team is blogging about something from Etsy that you wish you had thought of first. As soon as I read that I new exactly what I was going to blog about. I came across 2ReVert.
This husband and wife team make jewelry from old skateboards. I think my idea envy stems from the fact that my son has been skating for over 9 years so we have gone through our share of skateboard decks. Here are a few of their unique pieces.

Micro Dots Necklace

Reversible Teardrop Necklace

Earrings

Until I came across their jewelry I had no idea that the layers in the deck of a skateboard were so colored and varied.

February Featured Etsy Blogger

The Etsy Blogger for February is Donna Pool. I had never been to Donna's shop before and I was very impressed with what I found. Donna not only sews and takes fabulous photographs, but she also makes awesome buttons. Here is just a sample of what Donna has to offer. Please visit her shop to see more of her great creations.

Electric Guitar Buttons

Puzzle Ball Ornament

Cat Note Cards

I Was Featured

A few week's ago I was featured on Angie's blog. It was very exciting for me and she wrote a very nice review of my shop. You can find it here if you would like to read it.

Of course I then had to go and check out Angie's shop, Handmade by Angie. I was totally blown away by what a talented lady she is. Not only does Angie have crocheting and cards, she also has ceramics. Here are my favorite picks from each of the 3 categories.

Three Pointed Bowl

Congratulations Card

Copper Patina Wool Scarf

Go check out Angie's shop; she truly has something for everyone.