My Week So Far

It yet another week said and done. I've got to admit I have had a hard time keeping up with everything :(.


I did however get some new photo's done for new jewelry to go up in the ElizabethMD Jewelry (click the link to see whats there so far!)

We are back on track to planning our wedding next year which is very exciting. Our date had to be changed by 2 weeks due to conflict. I have to say being new to the whole church thing with the priest and all is making things very interesting. It's a lot more involved then I thought originally.  So now we have a minister/church. working on getting answers and booking the legion, photographers are crazy expensive for our little 5K wedding (so were still looking there). Not to mention all of the little things that are being collected, like flowers for the arbours. I won't go into anymore detail but let me know if your interested in me making this a weekly thing of showing you what is going on with our wedding for Sept 29th of 2012. We have so little done but over a year to do it!

Other then wedding prep I did a fair amount of photo editing in the studio and will be getting to some more jewelry soon as well as taking more ring photo's this week. There are so many cute new rings coming into the shop, and I'm really getting into colour, especially BRIGHT colour.

This coming week in the shop is going to be very simple.......SO........MUCH..........STUFF!!

I will be posting something new every day now. So keep an eye out and pop into the shop everyday. Or if it's easier for you fan the shop PAGE on Facebook or Follow me on TWITTER

Tutorial Wednesday:: African Net Necklace

African Net Necklace

Taking the steps individually is the key to making this African Net beading project work. Before you start, make sure you have all of your supplies on hand including the thread of your choice, a beading needle and few grams of either Delica or size 11/0 seed beads.

Step 1: To begin, pick up one bead and go through it twice to secure it. Then pick up 11 more beads and go back through the 7th from the end.







Step 2: Now pick up 4 more beads and go down through your start bead (the very first one you picked up).



Step 3: Pick up 9 more beads and go up through the 7th from the end.



Step 4: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from where your thread is coming out.



Step 5: Pick up 3 beads and go up through the 4th bead up from your thread.



Step 6: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 2nd of the 3 beads you just added.



Step 7: Pick up another 4 beads and go down through the 5th bead down from the bead your thread is coming out of.



Step 8: Pick up 5 beads and go down through the 6th bead down from your thread.



Step 9: Pick up 6 beads and go back through the 4th from the end.



Step 10: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from your thread. (Note that except for the turns at the top and bottom, you always skip the same number of beads as you are adding.)


Step 11: Again, pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from the bead your thread is coming out of.







Step 12: Now pick up 3 beads and go up through the 4th bead up.



Step 13: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 2nd of the 3 beads you just added.



Step 14: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 5th bead down from the bead your thread is coming out of.



Step 15: Pick up 5 beads and go down through the 6th down from your thread.



Step 16: Pick up 3 beads and go up through the 3rd bead of the 5 you just added.



Step 17: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from your thread.



Step 18: Pick up 3 beads and go through the 4th bead up.



Step 19: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 2nd of the 3 beads you just added.



Step 20: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 5th bead down.



Step 21: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 2nd bead from the top of the 4 you just added.



Step 22: Pick up 3 beads and go up through the 4th bead up from your thread.



Step 23: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 2nd of the 3 beads you just added.



From here, continue from step 2 on. For the purposes of step two, treat the bead marked with a white dot in the above illustration as though it were the start bead.


This is by far the best tutorial I have ever found. It was done by a woman named Emily Hackbarth 

BESTeam Feature:: Headpin Wear

Tell us a bit about yourself.   

My name is Cathy, and I live in Benicia, Ca. I have lived here since the beginning of 7th grade when my parents decided to move here from Lafayette, Ca. The move was terribly hard on me, having lived in Lafayette, for many years, I had established many relationships. As I grew older, the move didn’t affect me as much, I actually began to like living here in Benicia. Now as an adult, I LOVE living here.

I have the best husband and 3 children, 2 of my daughters are grown and no longer live with me. I have a son, 14, who still resides with us. I am currently looking for full time employment. My current job does not provide full time work for me anymore due to the economy. My life is busy already at home, I know it will be much busier when I gain full time employment! I do look forward to that though, busy is good, and busiest is best!

Where would you like to be in ten years?

I would like to still be designing jewelry, better known, and living in a small place other than California.
I am really a country girl at heart. I would love to share that with my husband, Mark.
It would be a small place, with a garage for him, and a work room for me, and some extra land. I would like to have a flower and vegetable garden, maybe a horse, and definitely some chickens, goats and maybe a pig or two. I don’t know if that will ever happen, but it’s a dream, and in order to look forward to something, sometimes we must have a dream, no matter how small, silly, big, out of reach it seems!

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

Unfortunately, I have creative ruts more often lately. I don’t understand why, but I do. When I do, I usually back off of my jewelry for a few days or more then sit at my bead table again. I tend to go in spurts also. One day I will have million, no, not really, thoughts in my head, and then some days I will have a nothing. Sometimes that’s very frustrating, but I get a lot of other things done.
I have found that I have to be “in the mood” to design. And what I mean by that is:, I WANT to bead. I do not just sit at my Bead Table for the sake of it. I have to feel the passion of beading, as I am not one who creates for the sake of it. I create with something in mind, and I have to be patient enough and willing to try something else if what I make doesn’t turn out exactly how I want it.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Apart from creating things, which is really still creating, I cook! In addition, I love to cook!
Actually cooking is my biggest passion. The color and texture of food amazes me whether it is in a fry pan or on the BBQ.I love going to the grocery store, when I have unlimited money to spend, and ideas in my head. Unfortunately, that does not happen as much as I would like it too, because it would be everyday if I could! I always plan meals around color and texture. When we have Tri-Tip for dinner like tonight, I will pair it up with something softer and colorful like asparagus, which is in my fridge too for dinner. The best things I like to create are salads, soups and stir-fries. All of these to me are easy because you can throw in everything in BUT the kitchen sink, and have an excellent variety, and a very tasty meal I might add.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

Ah, that is a tough one!
Because I design with great care and concern, I have to say I love EVERY piece I make. Although I do have several, that I am more partial too.

This bracelet listed below is my current fav.

I really wanted to express “Fall” in this bracelet. I really do love the texture, color, and shape of each Gemstone; I totally had that thought of incorporating each of those in mind when I came up with this design. Another thing I considered: was who would be able to wear this, and in this, I mean, young, old, and race. I wanted a style that would flatter everyone, no matter what age or race. I know that this bracelet will flatter, and add style to every age and race. Not only is this bracelet unique and fabulous, it accomplishes what I originally set out to do!

Where would you like your shop to be in ten years?

OK, now this is going to read somewhat strange, and is definitely out of context!
But I wanted to answer it this way.

In ten years, I would like my shop to be in a room of its own: A nice computer, with all the great software, like Photoshop, storage containers on shelves, full of course, organized, and within easy reach.
I would also like to have a plush lavender colored carpet on the floor, (because I love purple) in a nice sized room, with a window overlooking the bay, as I have now.
Right now, sometimes I design within chaos, my husband using the desktop and my son playing Xbox live. Sometimes it’s just not quite enough for me to think, I tend to get interrupted for this and that.

So, for me. I would like in ten years to have my shop in my own space. Maybe, and although this would make me sad, one day I will be able to use my son's room, when he goes off to conquer his own world.

Well I hope you have enjoyed reading about me, and you feel you know more about my personal side then just my creative side!
I also hope that I was able to a smile or two on your face, and say things that you could relate too!

Blessings,
Cathy

Whats New This Week

Recipe of the Week: Iced Coffee

CONFESSION: This is NOT the original recipe. I actually found a recipe at my favourite YouTube channel Manjula's Kitchen ( That actually goes directly to the recipe I got and tweeked from her)

ICED COFFEE

Ingredients

2 1/2 tbsps Instant coffee

4 1/2 tbsps sugar

8 oz. Milk

2 cups of ice

Take the instant coffee, sugar, and milk and mix it in the blender for a few seconds, then put the ice in and let the blender run for a minute or so. This allows the ice to not only be chopped but chill the coffee more.

SEEEEE Super easy peasy....If you try it please let me know what you think. I originally tried Manjula's first and tasted and found I wanted more of a coffee flavour to mine.

BESTeam Feature: BabaMoon

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Naomi, I'm a busy mom of 2 and the weaving fingers behind Babamoon Baby Hats! I started this business last year after my daughter was born, having found myself being constantly inspired to make her things! It is something I had done for a long time for my son yet I had never thought about selling my creations since I was already preoccupied with my altered photo business moonangelnay.etsy.com. I love cute things, nature and bright colors so it almost came naturally for my hats to take the various forms you'll find in my shop, be it flowers, hearts, animals, particularly my popular bunny rabbit hats, there is always some crazy but cute idea that pops into my head now and then that usually ends up being a hat! Outside of work it's kind of rare to me to have a moment to myself but when I do I love to read, knit or crochet something for myself, have lunch with friends in our local organic cafe, enjoy local music, and to cook and bake.

What decade or style inspires you?

I'm not really knowledgeable on fashion as a whole, but I am a fan of amigurumi, anime, cosplay and traditional oriental fashions. But it's mostly an appreciation for things I have seen over the years, as opposed to something I have researched. My ideas mostly came to me just through the things that my children enjoy, but I guess the styling probably does relate somewhat to the fact I love anime.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

I'm a bit of a self confessed workaholic so when things are quiet I tend to focus my attention on what I can do to make the quiet busy again lol! So that generally translates into moderation my shop listings, increasing renewals, buying advertising, planning new hats and taking photos. I seem to function a lot better when I'm busy so for me it's keeping the flow going that tends to keep me out of the creative ruts in the first place.


What's been your most popular item or line to date?

Has to be the bunny hats! I'm quite chuffed to have something that is liked as much as these seem to be. Rather than them only being popular around holdiay seasons like Easter and Halloween like I had expected, they seem to be enjoyed by photographers, parents and their little one's all year round.

What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade to me literally translates in my mind as made with love and care. Which is something you expect to have with childrenswear. Not that commerically made items don't have the expression of love in them as there are lots of things out there made on mass that are pretty amazing. But to think that someone in their home or studio has taken the time and care to individually craft something just for you kind of makes the whole idea of purchasing goods feel extremely special and close to the heart.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

It has to be the blankets I knitted for both of my children before they were born. Although they both don't seem too interested in them now, I'll never forget the times they were tiny and wrapped up warm inside of them. Which is why they are mine now! Lol! :)

 If your an Etsy seller that loves to blog come over and check out the

Supply Haul

I just wanted to give everyone another glimpse of what has come in so far.

     

Sorry for the 2 parter and for how dark the video's are. I don't normally film here!

My Week So Far

This week has been so wonderful. Purely for the fact that I have started to get A LOT of the supplies I ordered ages ago long before the Canada Post lockout/strike. I have so many ideas that I can't wait to take from my brain to reality. I also think that this month will be a milestone for ElizabethMD Jewelry in the sense that we will start our rise to having over 100 pieces of beautiful handmade jewelry in the shop. I am still very into making rings but now I am loving my hair pins. They are so fun and pretty.



Personally I have been having a really great week mentally, as you know (or might be new and don't know)I suffer from severe depression and hallucinogenic episodes, also know as Schizoaffective disorder. I have my good days and this rare opportunity of a good week, has proved greatly beneficial in cleaning up shop and deciding where and what to do next.

My fiance Matthew and I had the opportunity to go to my hometown yesterday just in time for there "Tarten day" and tractor pull. While we didn't go to the tractor pull we did check out the vintage cars :D. My absolute favourite (I'm still kicking myself for not taking pictures :s).

Whats Happening in Shop Next Week

- Christmas in July sale is still going on with NO SHIPPING!!
- Gearing up for a HUGE photoshoot on new jewelry.
- New roll out of 6 day blog post schedule.


Till next week, keep strong and creative!

BESTeam Feature: Mossycreeksoaps

My name is Michelle Rhoades, I am a certified soapmaker with the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. Currently I teach in my own studio in Warner Robins, in the Mossy Creek Soap Studio along with my site on Etsy. My studio is decorated with "fun" in mind~ I needed a creative space besides the kitchen in my home. When I out-grew my kitchen and my family grew tried of being surrounded by soap all the time, I knew it was then I needed to find another place to create. That's when I started teaching others how to make soap.

My husband Dan and I started soap making together when a direct selling company that I really loved when out of the direct selling business. Instead of starting all over with another company with a new product and I started making my own. Which means I have complete control over what goes into my soap. I love to cook and I thought well... soap making cannot be that much different? Right? It's true.. there is something so amazing creating, designing and formulating soap. I get all the oils together. Some of which provide good moisture, good lather and that produce a good long lasting bar. Put them into a big pot add a little lye water and mix. Then I get to experience that fascinating transformation from oils to soap! It's so addicting.. I cannot wait to make my next great new recipe. I cannot wait to see what neat color combination's I can come up with and how the swirls will look in the end.? The hardest part is waiting until I can cut the bars.

You ask.."What's so special about homemade soap?". Well the answer is short... It's plainly better for you with out all the fillers of commerical soap. My soap is made with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Lye and water. Basically thats it! You can add fragrance, you can also add color..but it's in the simplicity of the recipe that keeps most people coming back for more. I do believe most people do not know that their favorite beauty bar is not really soap? It's a detergent.. similar to the one you wash your dishes and clothes with. Allthough it may be mild and filled with lotion...it's not SOAP. Soap must be made with Lye in order to be called soap.

Mocha & Coffee Soap

Blooming Earth Basket

50 Full Size Soap Wedding Favors

3 Lavender, Tea Tree & Mint Soap

Oceans Edge Soap

 

If you are an Etsy seller that loves to blog like me. Then come and try out the BESTeam.

 

 

 

 

Take a Sneak Peak

Just a start of things to come in at ElizabethMD Jewelry.

My Week so Far

This week has been a slow one for sure, while I am still waiting for my gems, stones and metals to be shipped to me (I'm sure they will come this week) I have been going through the rest of my stuff and made a few new hair pin sets and necklaces and a ring. Best of all though is a couple of sets of cute as a turtle dove post earrings, they look like little flowers. One has Chinese turquoise adn the other has agate stones. There sooo super cute! I can't wait to put them in shop :D


So last Friday through to yesterday I was in Forest (my soon to be new home!)Working online mostly as I have none of my gear there at all! Today is my first day home and my fingers are all jeweler glued up (it's dry no worries) from making some new jewelry for the shop! Tomorrow I will be doing my photos and hopefully same day editing the photos.


So on one last note look out for new jewelry in the shop this coming week and continuing on from there! I can wait for you to see them all!


P.s. Also check out my new Youtube channel as I will be uploading more videos soon.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ElizabethMDJewelry?feature=mhee

Take A Peak

So with the mail strike delaying some of my supply orders. I wanted to give you guys a peak at what is going to be coming in, in way of supplies. So that you can get a little glimpse into the fun I am going to have and the beautiful colours that will be showing up in the shop!











I am soooo excited to receive everything and design and photograph everything. Can't wait for you to see all my ideas come true!

BESTeam Feature: ChikiD's

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I was born and raised in Illinois, but this doesn't mean I live in Chicago. I'm actually from about 2 hours West in a town of about 7,000. I went to school to study Graphic Design with a Business Management minor and have since been working as a Graphic Designer. If I could peruse a career in a different field it would be something music related such as a music supervisor selecting songs for shows and movies. I LOVE music whether it is listening to it, attending concerts or learning about different bands. I have an all black cat named Bagheera (after the black panther in The Jungle Book).

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

Be it in my professional work or for my Etsy shops, when I am in a creative rut I look around for inspiration. I will look at magazines or online to find something that catches my eye. When something jumps out at me I analyze what it is that made me stop and look. I will also look at other blogs/Etsy shops...sometimes someone else's idea can spark a multitude of ideas for me.

Where would you like your shop to be in ten years?
I would like my shop to be thriving in ten years with multiple product lines. I have a lot of ideas for products, but want to establish my Chicky D's shop before I branch off in too many directions.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Making things did not start out as a business for me. Early on I would enjoy making gifts for people. Often times I would want to make things, but restrained because I didn't have a purpose for them or a way to sell them. When I discovered Etsy it was a whole new ballgame and I've loved being able to make things in hopes that someone else will find them enjoyable!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I love to shop, especially for shoes. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many shoes :) I play tennis and exercise. I also love sports whether it be going to a baseball game or playing Fantasy Football.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
The quilts my Grandma has made for me, specifically the one she made when I graduated high school. It was the first of many she made for me as well as the first for any of her grandchildren. She hates it because she sees all of the flaws in it, but I love it because every bit of it is a reflection of the time and energy she put into making something just for me that I can cherish for years to come.



If your an Etsy blogger then come on over to the Besteam. We love to promote each other.