Clasps

Pink enameled toggle clasp.

12 gauge copper clasp.

Snap clasp open

Snap clasp closed

Handmade copper clasp, aligned to lay flat on the neck/wrist.

As promised, clasps that might make it into my new store. Which is your fav?!

A new venture part 2

Check out the first set of pictures here.

Let me know what you like or loathe :)

Tomorrow we'll focus on clasps!

A new venture

I am thinking of starting a new Etsy shop for finding and supplies. The next few days I am planning to post a sample of different items and I would LOVE it if you ladies and gentlemen would tell me which ones appeal to you the most! Here are a few to get us started :) What do you think? Also, is there something specific that you would like to see that you find difficult to obtain currently? Let me know that too!

Vintaj and tiger eye!

I have never used either vintaj or tiger eye until I made these pieces. Nothing against them, I guess I just never had anything catch my eye enough to inspire me to want to use it. Boy oh boy, now that these three pieces have broken out of my fingertips I think I might be headed into a "phase" that will be dominated be vintaj. Love it! These are the first to necklaces (and earring) that I might just have to hang to for myself for a while :) I included a picture of the clasp I made for the tiger eye piece too. Another thing that has captured a lot of my time lately, making findings! Have a great weekend!

I think it worked.

I thought maybe a movie would be a good way to calm down before nap time. I think it worked :)

You know you're pregnant when...

...you cry at ads for Hannah Montana's special concert for families of troops. True story. I think this might develop into a regular post series :) What wacky things set you off when your hormones are on the rampage? (Anytime, not just pregnancy).

SALE this weekend!

It's the Anniversary of the Etsy Bloggers this weekend. I got in just in time to participate in the celebratory SALE! Woohoo for YOU all, right?! Beginning midnight Friday, August 13th thru Sunday, August the 15th, I will be giving 20% off on everything in my shop (excludes shipping). Shipping will be $5 for the first item and $1 for each additional item(s). Discounts and shipping overages will be refunded via Paypal. Plenty of new stuff to choose from and I will include any CUSTOM ORDERS in the deal if you have something special in mind :) Here's a teaser on some of the most recently added items!

Also, check out the FULL LIST of shops that are having a sale to celebrate this weekend!

Etsy Blog Carnival

This carnival's topic is about preparing for "Back to School".

At my house this is actually "Going to school for the first time!" Isaac will start preschool in 2 weeks! Wow. Where has time gone, huh? Since we are also gearing up for the arrival of the third brother, Declyn Paul, it's quite the busy time. Mostly my preparation has consisted of trying to set up some basic rules and routines that will easily translate over into a school friendly morning. This is a bigger deal for me, I think, than the boys because I am SO NOT a "schedule person".

As far as Etsy goes, new items are being uploaded on a *semi-regular* basis so that when Declyn decides to make his entrance into the world I won't have to worry about depleted shop inventory :) I can focus on stuff like SLEEP!

What are you doing to get ready for BTS or Fall (if you are not in a school phase of life)?

*PS. BIG HINT: Check back tomorrow for a special announcement!*

Etsy Blogger member! Meet this month's Feature!

Hey, guess what?! I have been accepted to be an official Etsy Blogger! Yay! That means twice a month you will now get to meet the Featured Etsy Blogger in one post and check out the Blog Carnival topic in another. This month's Featured Blogger is.....dum, dum, da DUM...

PATCH!

She has 3 fantastic shops and 2 blogs! Can you say "BUSY LADY"?!

Jewelry shop - http://patchfirstshop.etsy.com
Vintage shop - http://patchvintageshop.etsy.com
Supply shop - http://patchsupplyshop.etsy.com

Blog - http://patchfirstshop.wordpress.com
Wedding Guide Blog - http://patchfirstshop.blogspot.com

It's a brand new bead day!

I got some of my newest bead styles uploaded to the Shop today! These are a couple favorites. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have a black and white day :) I have some new bracelets I think you guys will like.

Presents!

Here are the two things my husband brought back for me that I am keeping for myself! He also brought back some gorgeous glass pearls in a pretty lavender purple that might make it into a piece I don't keep but I can't make any promises :)

I WON!

I have never won a giveaway before (at least not that I can remember)! Elisabeth at Beads for Busy Gals had her family draw her winners and her hubby drew my name. WooHoo! Thank you Mr. Auld ;) Now I am off to take some pictures of my newest beads and bangles and if I can't make it back here to post them today, I'll hit you tomorrow!

Sneak peek

My awesome hubby made it home from his business trip on Friday night so not too much got done this weekend in the way of clay. I did get some beading done though while we caught up on spending time as a family and used some beads that Paul brought me from TX. I'll be uploading those another day. Here is a peep at what's coming up in the bead department at Tropical Blonde on Etsy as soon as I assemble them.

One more sleep!

Signing work?! Please leave your input because I don't know WHAT to think ;)

OK, ladies and gents, here's my question.

For those of you that create (anything at all): Do you sign/mark your work on the piece itself (and if so, HOW do you do it for your particular medium?). Do you feel that "tagging" a piece (with say your name/logo or whatever) is enough credit for you?

For those who buy: Does a piece become more meaningful for you if it's marked by the artist or is tagging enough for you?

Please let me know your thoughts. I am trying to come up with a standard for myself and finding it much harder to decide than I thought it would be!

Beady giveaway!

Check out Elisabeth's giveaway at Beads for Busy Gals! Her post that introduces the beady goodness is super encouraging too. A great positive read!

Single parent week

This week my husband is on a business trip in Dallas so the boys and I are on our own. So we are going to keep busy with parks and stuff that requires the car since we have been a 1 car family for a few weeks now. The other car is for sale but so far no takers :( Hopefully the busyness will help the time go faster because we all definitely miss Daddy.