DLPom Handcrafted Expressions and Soap Sense

Wire storage: The Perfect Solution!

2011-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

What a tangled web of coiled wire I had!

After searching for months for what might be a convenient and easy-to-use wire storage solution, I finally found this large card box with dividers. I labeled the dividers according to the gauge of my wire, and voila, coils of wire all neatly organized, not tangled, and easily accessible.

I used the final slot for my twisted wire, copper wire, and gold-filled wire...but it would be easy to have a separate card storage box for each different metal.

Let me know what you think of this solution and how it works for you if you give it a try. BTW, I purchased this particular box at Office Max.

-Dana @ Coil and Flame

& DLPom Handcrafted Expressions

Self-Importance: A Social Comment

2011-07-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

I don't generally use my blog to rant or rave about the things that go on in daily life that annoy me. Goodness knows there could be plenty of topics if I chose to focus on them.

However, I had several experiences yesterday that really make me wonder about people and the direction society is headed. What has happened to graciousness in this world? What has happened to concern for others? And, what has happened to common courtesy and patience?

There was the lady at the hair salon who reamed out the hairdresser because she thought her long hair had been trimmed 1 inch too short after it had dried. She made me 20 minutes late for my appointment while she continued to complain.

There was another lady, drinking so much wine while she had her hair colored, that she was stumbling and spilling everywhere. She was becoming more demanding by the second for the staff to keep waiting on her every need.

Then, there was my elderly neighbor who was honked at, shouted out, and suffered through several obscene hand gestures because she had pulled over on a residential street to save a baby bird.

By the end of the day, I was appalled that so many people thought the world should be revolving around them.

My message is this: Be kind and think of others. All of us will have a better world to live in because of it.

~D.

Bracelets Galore!

2011-06-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

I've been on a bracelet kick the last few days. Once I got all my bead boxes open, I sat on the floor in my crafting room and just mixed and matched for hours. There is something therapeutic about playing with beads!

My first creation was the bracelet to match the lampwork earrings I posted previously. I designed it around a large, Thai Karen Hill Tribe puffed seashell. It has floating roap rings for a little movement and is the perfect summer bracelet.

Summer Shore Lentil Lampwork Bracelet

The second bracelet was a very unexpected combination. I picked up these stunning botswana agate square beads and paired them with merlot garnets. It turned out to be a very striking design, if I do say so myself! The colors in this bracelet are very transitional from summer, to fall, to winter.

Earthworks Agate and Garnet Bracelet

Until next time.

~Dana

Summer Lentil Lampwork Jewelry!

2011-06-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

These blue and green lentil-shaped lampwork beads just spoke to me the other day, and I had to turn them in to something summery, fun, and one-of-a-kind. The earrings are really quite simple - suspended from rope rings and my own hand-formed and hammered earwires. The matching bracelet is spectacular...I'll leave that for my next jewelry post. Happy shopping at my original bead shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy.

Summer Shore Lampwork Earrings in Sterling Silver on Etsy

~Dana

Soap, Soap, Soap SALE!

2011-06-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

Time to do a little soap rack clearing. New bars are moving in, and it is time to clear out inventory to make room. Also, I'm reworking my soap labeling...so the old labeled soap has to go!

In order to expedite this effort, I'm having a 15% Off Soap Sale while supplies last. Just use coupon code "FIFTEENOFF" at checkout.

Happy soap shopping on Etsy! Just click the banner to go!

Dana @ SoapSense on Etsy

Drumroll...Introducing...Coil and Flame by DLPom

2011-03-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

A slightly different artisan jewelry design style...modern, minimal, and yet so classic! Click on the banner above to visit. Enjoy!

-Dana

Bangle Bracelets: The Tricky Science of Measuring for Your Size

2011-03-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

There is nothing worse than a bangle bracelet that falls off...or worse yet, one that you can't get over your hand. Since bangle bracelets are "all the rage" right now, it pays to know your size when purchasing online. Actually, measuring for a bangle bracelet is a mix of science and art. Here are a few tips and alternative ways to measure your hand for a bangle bracelet.

First of all, everyone's hand is shaped differently. But what you need to do is measure around the widest part of your hand with a tape measure. In the photo, the widest part of my hand is just below the pinky knuckle across to where the thumb meets the hand. You may have to experiment a little to see where the widest part of your hand is...just be sure not to measure at too large an angle.

My hand is small - only 8 inches. However, I find that a 7-1/2 inch circumference bangle bracelet fits perfectly. Why the difference? Because your hand can probably collapse down a little more than what you measured with the tape. Again, everyone's hand flexibility is a little different.

Alternatively, you can measure with a strip of paper and then line that up with a ruler. Or even better, measure the diameter of a bangle bracelet you already own, and go up or down from there.

Good luck with your next bangle bracelet!

Dana @

Coil and Flame: http://www.coilandflame.etsy.com/
DLPom: http://www.dlpom.etsy.com/

Christmas Shopping...Already?

2010-08-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Have you started? Have you finished?

I can't even bring myself to think about it yet. The temperature is still in the triple digits, and I want to give Halloween and Thanksgiving a fighting chance.

Still, many are talking about shopping for the holidays. And everywhere I go, Christmas trees and aisles of decorations are everywhere.

So, if you are in the mood for a little holiday color, maybe you might like these selections from my shop:

Until next time,

Dana @ DLPom & Soap Sense

Drumroll...

2010-08-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Comment #19 by SentMyWay!

I'll be sending you an email shortly about how to claim your earrings!

Dana @ DLPom

2010 Collection: Shades of Silver

2010-07-23T13:52:00.001-07:00

Introducing a new collection of jewelry, celebrating all the different hues of oxidized sterling silver!

Silver doesn't always have to be bright and shiny. In fact, different metal colors in the same design can actually compliment the piece and make it more well rounded, eclectic, or even antiqued like a vintage piece. And jewelry with interest is all the rage right now!

Oxidized sterling silver can occur 3 different ways. The first is just with time and exposure to air. Have you ever uncovered sterling silver that you haven't used or worn in awhile and it is darkened beyond recognition? Time and air have done a number on it! This process can be accelerated by the acid from your skin that has been left on the sterling silver.

The second way is with a boiled egg. Huh? Yes, I said boiled egg! If you boil an egg, mash it, and put sterling silver in a plastic bag with the egg, the silver will darken within minutes.

The third and final way (that I know about) is with liver of sulphur. This can either be a liquid or solid chemical that is
dissolved in water. When it is heated and touches sterling silver, the darkening effect is almost immediate.

But sometimes what you get is a surprise. Oxidized sterling silver can be pitch black, gunmetal gray, copper, or any number of green or blue shades I like to call peacock hues. Usually after oxidizing the silver needs to be tumbled or rebuffed to bring out the complete beauty of the metal.

The four designs pictured here are just the beginning. The first necklace and earring set have been designed with faceted, rock quartz and kyanite. I named it "Tyrrhenian Sea," inspired by the Italian coastline.

The second set features crystal clear round rock quartz, named "Mystic Morning," reminiscent of early morning dewdrops. The stones in both sets are gem quality. Click the pictures to get full descriptions and to SHOP!

Later, check out my Etsy store, DLPom, often for new listings.

Win a Pair of Earrings from my Etsy Shop!

2010-07-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

After thinking and pondering and considering what type of earrings to make for this giveaway, another Etsian in a chat room gave me a grand idea! ...Let the winner of the contest choose a pair of earrings from my shop! And that is exactly what I'm going to do. Here are the details:

The winner will be chosen by a single run of the random number generator found on this website. The comment number under this blog post that matches the random number generated will win. For example, if the random number generator gives me "14," the 14th comment will be the winner.

The winner may choose any one (1) pair of earrings at DLPom listed for $20.00 or less at the end of the contest. Shipping is FREE for a maximum prize value of approximately $25.00.

A comment under this blog post can take one of the following forms for up to four (4) chances to win for each person. Enter a separate comment for each to maximize your chances. All comments that do not match one of these formats will not be published. "Anonymous" comments will not be published. For each comment made, please be sure to leave your email contact info so I can let you know if you have won when the contest ends at midnight on Saturday, July 31st.

1. Follow me on Twitter. Leave your Twitter name and link in a comment.

2. Follow my Blog. Leave your name and blog or profile link in a comment.

3. LIKE my Facebook fan page. Leave your name and Facebook link in a comment.

4. Visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment about why you like a particular item. (I'm assuming you'll do this to get familiar with my earring selections anyway!!)

Contest is open to those in the U.S. and Canada 18 years or older. (Update: 7/19 - Please be sure to follow #4 carefully!) Good luck to everyone!

I've posted a few pics of the earrings that you could choose if you are the winner...but there are many more to choose from, plus any new ones I list through the end of the month!

Questions about the contest? Please convo me on Etsy and I'll get an answer to you as soon as I can.

~Dana @ DLPom

Christmas in July Sales on Etsy

2010-07-15T10:06:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again! Etsy sellers are gearing up for all kinds of spectacular deals for the annual Christmas in July promotional sales. Each seller's shop deal is different, but all you need to do is search Etsy for the tag "christmasinjuly" (no spaces) to see all that is being offered. How easy is that? And it isn't too early to get a head start on Christmas shopping and save some money at the same time. Over 200 Etsy shops will be participating!

My two Etsy shops will also be participating! My DLPom artisan jewelry shop will be offering FREE SHIPPING on all items. The shipping charges will be refunded to your PayPal account after purchase. My Soap Sense bath shop will be offering 15% off all items. Again, the discount will be refunded to your PayPal account after purchase. For my shops, Christmas in July begins July 15th through July 25th.

So, come shop with us soon!

And the "Name It To Win" Winner Is...

2010-07-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Drumroll...

Elaine R is the "Name It To Win" soap winner from the blog giveaway contest that ended Saturday, June 10th, 2010. Her name contribution for my necklace design was "Desert Sky." Elaine has 3 days to respond to my email to claim her soap!

Everyone had very creative name contributions. Thank you all for participating! I chose Elaine's name because I also get a "desert" feeling from this piece, and the blue/orange combination is reminiscent of a sunrise or sunset desert sky just about anywhere across the southwest region of the U.S.

There will be a matching pair of earrings also listed with this name in my Etsy shop. Watch for both pieces to be listed on Monday...and stay tuned for my next blog giveaway. Can everyone say "earrings?" Let me know if there is a particular style or stone you would like to see for the earring giveaway.

Dana @ DLPom and Soap Sense

From One Pet Lover To Another

2010-07-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

One of my kitties just returned home on Thursday from his radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism is fatal. We were fortunate enough to be able to afford the treatment and the 3-day nuclear ward isolation required by law. My pets are part of our family, and I know others feel the same way.

If you are also a pet lover, please consider visiting Tasty Vintage on Etsy, and make a purchase for Molly. Molly is a very sweet, family dog that needs surgery. Read more about Molly here, and see her picture! Who could refuse those big, brown eyes?

After you visit some of the items from TastyVintage below, go hug your pet!

Dana @ DLPom & Soap Sense

Name It to Win!

2010-07-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Typically, as I am creating a jewelry design, a name just comes to me somewhere along the way. I can't explain this phenomenon...a fitting name just pops into my head and the jewelry piece is named!

But every once in awhile, nothing pops. No name ideas...nothing. And the harder and longer I think about it, the worse it gets. Writer's block sets in and sometimes I don't list it on Etsy for weeks because it is an orphan until I have the time to revisit it.

So, throughout the summer I would like readers to help with this dilemma. The carnelian and turquoise necklace at right has no name. This contest is about creatively naming the necklace for my shop, DLPom, to win a bar of soap from my other Etsy shop, SoapSense. Good for me, and good for you if you win! I'm hoping you will love both of my shops and visit me again in the future.

So, enter your best, creative name for the necklace by 7/10/10 in the comments below. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you via blog, shop, or email if you win. I'll choose my favorite of the names suggested, and you'll receive a bar of my wonderful "Relaxation" soap as listed on Etsy. If you are an Etsy shop owner, I'll reference your shop in the necklace listing as winner of this naming contest as an extra perk.

Other contest details:

- 1 winner, must be 18 years or older
- 1 entry per person
- Winner must reside in U.S. or Canada
- Prize Value: $5.00 and shipping to you is FREE
- Winner must respond within 3 days. If not, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck! I can't wait to see your name submissions

~Dana @ DLPom and SoapSense on Etsy

Tweet Earring Contest!

2010-07-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Follow me (DLPom) on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DLPom

Then, just RETWEET my contest tweet!

25th RETWEET wins these earrings from my Etsy shop, DLPom: http://twitpic.com/223sag

Winner will be announced on Twitter. Good luck!

AND WE HAVE A WINNER...DRUMROLL...

@Glambert2169 on Twitter!

Contest Closed!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2010-07-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

I desperately need to get outside and do some photography... But hurricane Alex and other weather systems have had us in the rain for going on 4 straight days now. This is a picture outside my back door. I have a lot of cabin fever, but worst of all is that I can't accomplish the business tasks that I want, and really need to do.

It isn't easy for me to be derailed like this. Yes, there are many other crafting/business things I could work on - like cleaning my craft room, organizing my soap supplies, sorting through jewelry findings, etc. But the photography thing would still be nagging at me.

As soon as I finish this short blog for the day, I need to refocus on something productive. What do you do when your day doesn't cooperate with your crafing/business goals?

Beware of the Ultra-Sensitive

2010-07-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Seems that my last blog post titled, "Beware of Pseudo-Soap" touched a raw nerve with some fellow Etsians... Apparently, some are sensitive about implying that imported goods are somehow inferior.

At the risk of even more criticism, I want to defend my previous post.

First of all, I simply reported what I saw. I was telling it like I saw it. Simply the facts.

Nowhere did I say "all" imported goods were inferior. Goodness knows that I use many imported gemstones and sterling silver findings in my jewelry designs!

And once people veered off the path and into the ditch, the point of my post was lost. I was simply trying to say that folks should be careful what they purchase and put on their skin, regardless of where it is made...and in this case, mass produced.

I find it unsettling that people try to spin a message to fit their agenda or highlight some point with which they are "sore."

Hope this isn't too controversial for you! :)

Until next time, happy blogging!

Beware of Pseudo-Soap!

2010-06-30T10:37:00.001-07:00

A few days ago I was browsing my local "all things imported" store, (which shall remain nameless) and since I had a little time to kill, I worked my way through the imported furniture, imported pillows, imported baskets, imported foods (do you get the picture?), and stumbled into the bath and body section...imported of course!

I thought I'd check out the competition in bar soaps. And first impressions were fantastic: Lovely packaging with colorful labels. Nice, chunky bars with exotic names and intoxicating scents. The price was right...only $6.00 for a 4-5 oz. bar.

But then, I looked more closely. "Made in China" and "Made in India" was the name of the game on these soap bars. And upon even closer inspection, the ingredients contained many chemical names I could not even pronounce. No mention of olive oil, jojoba, or shea -- the ingredients I have come to know that make great, handcrafted soap!

Then, it got even more interesting...

In even smaller print, the label said:

- avoid contact with eyes (O.K., all soap can burn if it gets in your eyes)
- avoid contact with lips (Huh? How am I supposed to wash my face with this?)

AND...

- avoid contact with sensitive areas

So, exactly how am I supposed to use this soap? Isn't all skin "sensitive" since it is porous, with a direct path to the bloodstream?

Back to my title. One meaning of "pseudo" is "fake," or "not genuine." And I would go so far as to say that the imported soaps I was investigating the other day were just that. They were compressed, processed chemicals in disguise to look like soap. Real soap I WOULD put on my skin. I'll pass, thank you very much, on the fake soaps -- regardless of where they are mass produced.

Bottom line: Read the labels on the soap you purchase. Where is it made? Can you pronounce or recognize the ingredients? Are there warnings in fine print?

My shop, SoapSense, and many other reputable handcrafted soap sellers on Etsy take great pride in their soap ingredients. We are very conscious about taking care of your skin, and not introducing any harmful elements.

Do a little research, and happy soap shopping!

Hand Formed Earwires 101

2010-06-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ready to shift from manufactured earwires to hand formed earwires in your earring designs...read on!

Every beader who tackles earring design eventually gets tired of manufactured earwires over and over again. With the exception of leverbacks, and possibly the twisted wire "no slip" french earwires, it is easy to create your own and give your designs a little more uniqueness! And, it is actually cheaper if you buy wire in bulk by the foot!

You would be surprised at how easy it can be. First, you'll need some 20 gauge or 21 gauge wire. I use sterling silver...always. I prefer dead soft wire, but half hard will also work if you have some extra strength in your hands to bend it.

Then, cut two pieces of equal length, 2-3 inches is a good place to start. Use a pen or pencil to make the uppermost bend, and a pair of round nosed pliers to make a hanging loop and provide any extra shape to the backside of the wire. It is best, and makes for more consistent earwires, if you bend and shape both pieces of wire at the same time. The possibilities are endless!

Then, when you have mastered this and want to go a step further, you can consider a small jeweler's hammer and anvil to flatten portions of the wire. Also, a tumbler and steel tumbling shot with a little Dawn dishwashing soap will polish and harden your earwires in about 30 minutes of tumbling time. Any small nicks or scratches from cutting and bending the wire will also be removed!

Finally, invest in a small rounding tool, often referred to as a cup bur. Use it on the exposed tip of the earwire prior to tumbling to remove any sharpness from the cut edge.

I've scattered some pictures throughout of earwires I have formed. Good luck with yours!

DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

Soap, Soap, & More Soap

2009-11-29T06:43:00.000-08:00

I've found it difficult lately to get any new soap on Etsy. Seems my regular customers want to buy the stuff by the whole soap loaf...and it is all I can do to keep up with their requests. Maybe someday life will afford more time for more soap making in a 24 hour period!

In the meantime, I wanted to give a little tip on Lavender soap. Lavender seems to be a "love it" or "hate it" type of scent. And, lavender soap (the kind that is scented with lavender essential oil), is a bit temperamental to make because it has a tendency to develop a white ash coating on the exterior as it cures. It is just a cosmetic thing, but many soapers, including me, don't want to sell soap with white ash.

However, if you are going for a straight lavender scented soap, just add a little ylang-ylang essential oil to the batch to keep white ash from developing! Yes, it works! A teaspoon or so of ylang-ylang will not alter the lavender scent, and it will prevent the white ash from ever developing.

Some other good mixes with lavender, either essential oils or fragrances, that prevent the white ash include: orange, rose, and mint.

Enjoy your own soapmaking...or just purchase from those of us who do.

Soap Sense on Etsy

Are Anklets "In" or "Out"?

2009-06-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

...doesn't matter, I still enjoying making them for summer. I think they are very cute with sandals, maybe when other jewelry is just a little too heavy in hot weather.

I like to design all my anklets (or ankle bracelets) to be adjustable. You can wear one above the ankle, tight enough so it doesn't slip down...or, more loosely below the ankle. It is impossible to wear an anklet directly across the ankle, otherwise, even the most sturdy construction will snap with the pressure from bending your foot.

I've found that 9 inches is about medium-sized for an anklet. So a small section of chain makes it adjustable up or down by 1/4 inch. Wrap a cute little Swarovski dangle at the end of the chain, and the anklet is ready to go.

The anklet shown here was made with Hill Tribe, hand stamped tubular beads, tiny rounds, and pastel freshwater pearls in pink and aqua. This piece is for sale in the Anklet Section of my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions.

Enjoy your summer!

A New Venture - Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Pendants

2009-06-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

I love it when a little window of time opens up and there is a chance to try something new! Creative people always have a thousand more ideas on their list than what they really have time for. With my little window of time, I tried my hand at a new jewelry venture that has been on my list for quite some time...or should I say "adventure!"

Hand stamping sterling silver jewelry does take a little practice, and you will likely "mess up" your first few attempts. (So don't try this for the first time on your expensive sterling silver!) But it really is easy once you get the hang of it.

For beginners, I recommend measuring twice, just to be sure! And take into consideration any holes at the top of a pendant which will lower the visual center of your piece. When ready to stamp, I've found that 2-3 confident whacks with the hammer give a better quality stamp than 9-10 tentative taps. You will also need a very smooth, steel surface on which to stamp so as not to introduce any unwanted marks on your project.

I had previous experience with oxidizing, brushing, and repolishing silver pieces. So these steps came naturally after the hand stamping was completed. The results of this entire process are some nice, organic pieces that look awesome on a ball chain!

Check out my website for more pictures and details: DLPom dot com

Smaller, Rectangular Soap Bars

2009-05-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

For those that liked smaller, rectangular soap bars in my poll --->, here's the perfect solution. The same amount of generous soap, just sliced down the middle for convenience. These are my Feng Shui soap bars, just recently listed on Etsy. Let me know what you think!?

And the scent, well...it is a blend of bamboo and cedar entwined with lemon, tangerine, and ginger. A must try for all handcrafted soap lovers!

Etsy Treasury!

2009-05-03T06:31:00.001-07:00

Thank you, curiousmess, for featuring my new batch of Gardenia Goat's Milk Soap in your Etsy Treasury!

The Best of All Compliments

2009-03-23T15:43:00.001-07:00

...when someone else features your shop on their blog, of course! Lisa, of yourgreenshopper, recently did this for my Etsy shop, Soap Sense. I really love her ambition to become as sustainable and self-sufficient as possible! Please check out her blog and Etsy shop, WinterDreams, for ecofriendly art, clothing, and accessories.

More blog posts coming soon, I hope.

The Handcrafted Soap Addict's Soap Dish

2009-02-08T11:18:00.001-08:00

Can't have only one bar of handcrafted soap at a time? Bits of different soaps globbed together in one dish? Can't wait to finish one bar before trying another?

Yeah, that's me! And I may be worse than the average person because I'm always testing my own bars of soap, and of course that requires using many different bars at a time!

So why fight it? Here's my solution...an attractive, earth-friendly, and organized way to handle your soap addiction. Each bar can have it's own slot to drain and air dry! Perfect!

See this soap dish and many others in the Linen Closet section of my Etsy Shop, Soap Sense.

Entrecard Top Droppers for January!

2009-02-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

Drumroll...and here they are -- my Top 10 Entrecard droppers for January:

Limitless Adventure
Silver Sachet
Coloraddiction
Youniquely Chic
A Rose By Name
Odannysgirl
The Fashion Lovers
Dieting Talk
bikudesigns
Top Model News - blog no longer available

Thanks to everyone for increasing my blog traffic! Hope to see you in February!

Win This Gardener's Vetiver Soap Gift Set!

2009-01-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

Win one of my fabulous, Gardener's Vetiver soap gift sets! Just visit Lynde's Bath, Body, Candle blog for official contest rules and how to enter. Good luck!

Lavender Soap, Straight-up...or Not!

2009-01-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Lavender is a love me or hate me scent. Nothing is better than straight-up, lavender soap if you love the scent. If you don't, lavender is a great mixer for other essential oils, and gets tamed down just a bit when blended. I have both in my soap shop, Soap Sense on Etsy. A straight-up lavender soap bar, and another blended scent that is an orange-lavender soap. Neither of these are what grandma used to use!

Aromatherapists recommend lavender essential oil to calm anxiety, minimize depression, relieve headaches, ease the itch of insect bites, soothe muscle pain, and more! Orange essential oil has many of the same aromatherapy qualities. And while I don't tout any of these remedies, I do know that these scents calm my mind and soul at the end of a long day.

Try one...you'll never go back to store bought soap!

Feeling Crowded...

2009-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

...so I went to a wider, 2 column format for my blog. Instructions for how to do this, and how to switch to a 3 column format, can be found on The Blogger Guide.

As you can see, my banner is now "Under Construction!"

Raising Sand Treasury on Etsy

2009-01-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

Kara of BeadedandButtoned was kind enough to include my Desert Palette Necklace from DLPom Handcrafted Expressions in her Etsy Treasury. Some gorgeous Southwest colors here!

Gemstone Mania to Win a Pair of Custom Earrings (We Have a Winner!)

2009-01-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

I wanted to do something a little different with my custom earring giveaway this time around. All you need to do is be the first to identify the semi-precious gemstones in the jewelry below. You'll have to figure out where to get hints if any of them confuse you, but check the comments because I may also be giving some clues along the way!

Here's the fine print:

1. The winner's custom earrings may be choosen from any of the semi-precious gemstones and metal findings I have in inventory - see my Etsy shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions for ideas! I will work with you to achieve a design that you love!

2. You may post more than once if you want to correct one or more of your answers, however you need to repost ALL of your answers, not just the corrections. Your latest post will be considered your answer.

3. Contest ends when someone correctly matches my list of semi-precious gemstone names -or- by Saturday, January 24th, 2009. At midnight on the final day, the recipient with the most correct answers will win, and any ties will be broken by random drawing.

4. Only U.S.A. and Canadian participants, please. Be sure to leave an email or link so I can contact you if you win! I will post in the comments section as soon as I identify the winner!

Good luck!

The Paper is Handcrafted Too?!

2009-01-10T06:16:00.000-08:00

Many people are often surprised to find out that the paper band around my soap is also handmade. When I started selling my soap (rather than just giving it away to family and friends), I wanted to find a way to package it that was unique and professional, and a bit kinder to the environment as well. I had made paper pulp before and had used a mold, deckle, and paper press to shape and dry it. So it was a natural extension to use these handmade sheets of paper as soap bands.

These photos are from the backend of the process. The sheets have been drying in the press for about a week, layered in between sheets of absorbant (and reusable) paper towels and dish cloths. After the finished sheets are released from the paper press, they are torn into narrow strips to wrap around the soap bars as bands.

All of the paper used to make the pulp comes from clean, ink-free scraps that I save from around the house. It might be scraps of computer paper, colored paper, or tissue paper. This paper gets a second life rather than just immediately being thrown away. Collecting different papers really doesn't take up that much space, and what a great way to recycle!

I try to make colorful papers that match the scent and/or color of the soap. The first photo is my Orange Lavender essential oil soap with matching, Orange Lavender paper. Once the soap is cured, you'll find it nicely wrapped on my handcrafted soap Etsy shop, Soap Sense.

What do you do to make your craft even more handcrafted?

2009 "101" Tutorials

2008-12-31T06:05:00.001-08:00

Watch for the following "101" tutorials planned for 2009:

Wire Guards 101
Earwires 101
Basic Wire Wrap 101
Wire Wrapped Links 101
Oxidizing Sterling Silver 101

Happy New Year, everyone!

Crimp Covers 101

2008-12-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Several years ago when I started adding crimp covers to my beaded bracelets and necklaces, I thought I would never get the hang of producing consistent results. I was convinced that the crimp covers would allow my designs to grow to the next level of finished, professional looking pieces...but the initial frustration almost started to outweigh the benefits.

Darn, those little crimp covers were small! And how were you supposed to make them look like a small bead vs. a glob of smashed sterling silver? Have you ever tried cutting off a smashed crimp bead without ruining the crimp and the jewelry wire? Ask me how I know that this is nearly impossible...ask me how I loathe starting over!

But being the persistant gal that I am, I didn't give up easily. I found a way that works for me, and that is what I am about to show you. To practice this little tutorial, you will need:

1. a finished, beaded bracelet on jewelry wire that has been crimped to the clasp

2. a crimp bead that "fits" the size of crimp you used
(I use 2 x 2 mm sterling silver crimps and 3.2 mm sterling silver crimp covers from Aunties Beads.)

3. a pair of crimping pliers

First, place the crimp cover behind the crimp and hold in place with your non-dominant hand. Use your other hand to grasp the crimp bead with your pliers. I am right-handed, but this should work just as easily for lefties.

Second, use the first notch of the crimping pliers to squeeze the crimp bead *mostly* closed. Don't over-squeeze, this only takes a tiny bit of pressure with your pliers! You will still see a slight slit in the crimp bead, but it should be almost closed when you finish this step.

Finally, grasp the crimp bead in the opposite direction with the first groove of the crimping pliers. It will seem like this is going to ruin the crimp bead, but you need just a *tiny bit* of downward pressure to close up the slight slit.

Lastly, repeat the second step if the crimp bead still needs a little more closure. It is O.K. to go back and forth between the last two steps until you are happy...just don't over-squeeze!

And with a little practice, you should have perfect crimp beads time after time! Please let me know if you found this tutorial helpful...and how did your crimp beads turn out?

Jasmine Soap - A Hit!

2008-12-14T04:02:00.000-08:00

My Jasmine Tea Soap has been one of my bestsellers lately. I had been wanting to make a tea soap for quite awhile and a few months back created this soap recipe trying to also capture the scent of the spring-blooming jasmine vine in my own yard. In my mind, this soap needed to be an uplifting but not over-powering floral, with a soothing texture...just like a warm cup of sugared, jasmine tea!

I was extremely pleased with how the very first batch turned out! And it seems others are more and more pleased with the soap as well. Karen, one of my treasured soap buyers from Etsy, featured it on her handmade inspired website, Straight Talk on Natural Living.

She has written numerous reviews on various handmade soaps, focusing on their characteristics as shampoo bars. And even though my Jasmine Tea Soap was not originally intended for the scalp and hair, it has found a niche for those needing a soap with hair conditioning qualities, "especially in the dry winter months, it is perfect!"

Happy bubbles and conditioning for all those handmade soap addicts out there!

Moment in the Sun...

2008-12-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

...on the Etsy Front Page with my Apple Tart Soap! Thank you, Ira Grant of My Little Bird, for featuring me in your treasury!

Etsy Shop Feature: The Taffy Box

2008-12-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

Simple elegance with meaningful designs...that is the way I would describe my next EtsyBead Team shop feature, The Taffy Box. Owner and designer, Koryn, creates beaded jewelry as well as hand stamped, uplifting designs. Here is her interview:

Q1: Where do you get your inspiration?

A1: Gosh! Where do I start? - nature, children, inspiring words, birds, dogs, trees, clouds, simplicity.

Q2: Is Etsy your full-time job? What other things do you enjoy?

A1: Up until last spring I taught preschool part time. Now I work full time at home on my Etsy businesses as well as fighting breast cancer, which is a job in and of itself! Lots of doctor visits and treatments, PLUS I am a mom to two high schoolers so I play the role of taxi-mom too.

Q3: What is your favorite jewelry piece from your Etsy shop and why?

A3: Right now I would have to say it is my "Blessed" heart copper necklace. I do feel incredibly blessed to be alive and to have had my cancer caught early at stage 2. I also love many of the hand stamped jewelry items I have made in the past which are on hold right now. I plan to be back in custom orders in the new year.

Q4: Favorite movie? Favorite animal? Favorite drink?

A4: I love the movie "Shawshank Redemption" because it triumphs justice when all odds are stacked against the wrongfully accused! My favorite animal is my puppy, Colby, a one year Golden Retriever, and favorite drink is coffee and cappucinnos! I think of coffee the minute my feet hit the floor every morning and I make my own cappuccinnos every afternoon...better than Starbucks if you ask me!

I hope you enjoyed this interview with Koryn, and took a moment to visit her shop. Leave us a comment!

Etsy Shop Feature: Beadliotheque

2008-12-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

This is the first in a series of features on fellow EtsyBead Team members.

It is sometimes easy to diminish the "art factor" when it comes to designing beaded jewelry...but after you read and see the lovely creations by Kelly of Beadliotheque, I'm sure you will agree there is much art involved here! I asked Kelly to answer a few questions about her work and her life:

Q1: You have a unique style to your jewelry. Where do you get your inspiration?

A1: My inspiration comes from the materials I typically gravitate to. It might be an extraordinary piece of lampwork, a fancy gemstone, an unusuaI ceramic button, a carved bone bead, etc. But there is always something unique about one element in each piece that I do that started the "creative juices" flowing. I work very diligently to challenge myself to put "unlikely to get along" materials in a complimentary situation. That means that I have to look at the materials and find common ground among them.

Typically for me it's color, that's the starting place where I am most comfortable and confident and it's where I have the most fun! Next is the choice of shape of the components. I tend to create mostly bracelets at the moment because it is more difficult to find "great combinations" of elements in a shorter piece. Working out the mechanics of the closure is also challenging but very satisfying when I have a finished product. Last is the overall pattern. I ask myself a lot of questions. Does the bracelet, necklace, or brooch have enough interest from the beginning to the end of the piece? Have I created the very strongest and boldest relationships among the various components? Would I take great pride in owning this particular piece of jewelry? If I answer "no" to any of these questions it's back to the drawing board.

It takes a lot of trial and effort until it comes together and you have that "magical moment" when you feel that all the elements have come together and you have created a harmonized, unique piece that someone else will also find beautiful!

Q2: Is Etsy your full-time job? What other things do you enjoy?

A2: My etsy shops are my full time work. I also have a destash shop, Beadlstyx, which is full of left over beads that I tend to accumulate in no time at all! This shop directly supports Beadliotheque in purchasing new supplies and keeping the bead cycle alive and well.

I have a big case of Etsyitis. I love my etsy friends and the warmth of the artistic community. It's a virtual village of constant inspiration and unique commerce like no where else! I shop, research, convo, laugh, cry and when I'm lucky enough I'm sometimes able to have show and tell with my extended family and friends. I send them emails when I'm picked for a treasury or win a contest! It's such a positive environment that it becomes addictive in the best way!

I am also a "swim Mom" and anyone that has a year round swimmer in their family knows how much time and effort is involved in pool side support.

Q3: What is your favorite jewelry piece from your Etsy shop and why?

A3: Currently in my shop I have two favorite pieces one is "Sunshine and Cupcakes". I absolutely love the lampwork by CharlestonBeadworks and "Twylight" with the most precious button toggle by Moonsie. Each of these bracelets have such a "child like" exploration of color and materials. They were both so much fun to make and l love the way they both turned out from beginning to end. Each of the artists whose work I used are lovely Etsy friends and I love being able to use and promote products made by other Etsy artists.

Tribal Rainbow is my "prodigy piece" because it made the FRONT PAGE of Etsy! One of the biggest highlights of my Etsy career!

Q4: Favorite color? Favorite food? Favorite vacation destination?

A4: If I have to choose ONE favorite color it would have to be RED and all of its cousins, especially purple and orange.

My favorite food is DEEP DISH PIZZA!

Our family goes on an annual beach trip to Holden Beach, NC every year! We book the same house because the rear of the house faces the marsh and the intercoastal waterway to the ocean and from the front of the house it's just a short walk to the beach. It is located at the end of the island on a culdesac street so it's very quiet and peaceful.

I hope you enjoyed this interview with Kelly. Please take a moment to leave a comment here and visit her shop!

Etsy Bead Team Theme of the Week: Holiday Sparkle

2008-11-30T06:29:00.000-08:00

For the next two weeks be sure to search Etsy for "EBTW" and "Holiday Sparkle" to find Etsy Bead Team sale items! I'm sure this theme is going to inspire some lovely items from our members. It is the perfect time to shop for yourself...I'm thinking "New Year's Eve" jewelry...or, as a gift for someone special!

Sale items from my shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions, include Iced Illusion and Northern Lights.

Both are earring designs that incorporate faceted and ultra-sparkly rock quartz crystals. The first pair is suspended from ornate, sterling silver posts. The second pair swing from my own hand formed sterling silver earwires. Get 10% off either pair by putting "EBTW" in the notes to seller at checkout, and wait for a revised PayPal invoice.

Happy Shopping!

Free Shipping from Etsy Shops for Black Friday +

2008-11-28T04:23:00.000-08:00

{Updated 11/29: FREE SHIPPING date extended!}

Now through Monday, 12/01 at 10:00 P.M. CST!
You may either wait for a revised PayPal invoice, or I will refund the shipping charges.

DLPom Handcrafted Expressions
Soap Sense

Please read fine print in both shops!

Happy Shopping!

Things That Make Me Smile...

2008-11-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

I have two featured crafters from Etsy to share with you today. They have unique, and very different items from each other in their respective shops. But one thing they have in common are items that make me smile! And it doesn't hurt to have a little extra of that these days.

The first shop owner is Agnes of figurka design. Whimsical, bright, and colorful describe her elfin dolls and purses.

I especially love this little lime green guy with turquoise trim, and the bold but tiny purse that is perfect for an assortment of cosmetics or coins. Either will make you or a gift recipent this holiday season smile!

Be sure to check out her shop soon. Mention my shop name, DLPom, in the notes to seller at checkout, and figurka design will give 15% off your purchase through the end of November, 2008. Now that is a great deal!

The second shop, RobotLuv, belongs to Carrie. She focuses on robot patches, totes, and clothing...but the item that just makes me grin from ear to ear are her doggie sweaters. Or should I say the doggies who model her sweaters! Ellie and Cosmo sure are stylin'. Wouldn't one of these sweaters make a great gift for your canine friend this holiday?

Carrie will be launching a new website in the next few days...so be sure to check out her merchandise there as well: robotluv.com

I hope you enjoyed reading about these two Etsy crafters who make me (and others) smile!

Playing with Color Names

2008-11-24T10:51:00.001-08:00

This happens to me all the time! I'll be making my tags for a new item on Etsy and I'll think "blue." But it isn't exactly a perfect blue, maybe it is more cornflower, or royal, or azure, or denim, or cobalt? It can be so confusing that I wish I had one of those mega boxes of Crayola Crayons to help me figure it all out!

And color tags are critical to Etsy treasuries and front page features. Have you noticed the "oh so perfect" shades of biscuit, periwinkle grey, cocoa bean, and apple green?

Since it seems I always have a tag or two leftover with not a thought in my head for what to put there, I'm going to start filling those in with color names...something a little more exotic than "blue," but not as far-out as "Ship Cove." (Yes, there really is a color named "Ship Cove," but I'd bet a dime no one has ever really searched for that color on Etsy!)

So we'll see how it goes. If you want to follow along with me and play with color names for your items, here are a few helpful links:

Wikipedia List of Colors
Wikipedia List of Crayola Crayon Colors
Name that Color (my favorite!)
Color Name and Hue (claims to be helpful for those with color blindness)

Have fun! And don't blame me if this gets out of hand. :)

Monday Madness Sale!

2008-11-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

Get ready to shop on Monday, 11/24 for my MONDAY MADNESS SALE! Please wait for a revised PayPal invoice and you will receive 10% off your total purchase, plus FREE SHIPPING! Heart today, shop tomorrow!

This sale applies to both of my DLPom LLC shops. Handcrafted Expressions is artisan jewelry at its finest with gemstones, lampwork, vintage beads, & Swarovski crystals in sterling silver and other mixed metals. Soap Sense is the best in cold processed soaps...plus other coordinating bath and beauty items:

Click on these links to visit my Etsy shops:

Handcrafted Expressions and
Soap Sense

Whether for your yourself or a friend, this is an awesome pre-holiday sale! Don't miss it!

Soaps of the Month Club Sale

2008-11-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

For a limited time...
Subscribe while supplies last...
Don't miss out...

:)

Until Friday, November 21st, 2008, blog readers are entitled to subscribe to my Soaps of the Month Club for only $37 - that's a $7 savings off the regular price!

Just mention "Blog Reader" in the notes to seller at checkout...then wait for a revised PayPal invoice.

Woot! Soap addicts cheer!

Jewelry!!!

2008-11-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

Watch for a new jewelry contest coming soon! Leave me a comment...let me know which pair of earrings from my Etsy Shop I should give away as the prize!

Sunday Shopper Soap Sale

2008-11-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Now is the time to try cold-processed soap...

Until 6:00 P.M. Central on 11/9, all cold-processed soap in my Etsy shop, Soap Sense, is 10% off the regular price. Please wait for a revised PayPal invoice after checking out.

Better for your skin...
Better for the environment...
...just Better.

What Smells?

2008-11-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

No, it's not the rotten egg smell from a Halloween prank! This is a good smell - a clean, green, and fresh smell. And it is my new batch of Vetiver Gardener's Soap with Fuller's Earth for a mild, get-your-hands-clean wash up after potting plants or working in the yard.

Watch for the individual bars as well as a cute little gift set in my Etsy shop, Soap Sense...coming soon!

This soap also makes a great guy's gift, even if your guy is a mechanic or handyman instead of a gardener!

Amethyst Earring Giveaway

2008-10-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

The new giveaway is up! Click below to go:

,

Etsy Treasury!

2008-10-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

SweetSurrenderCandle was nice enough to let me know I was featured in her Etsy Treasury, Pearls of Wisdom. Thanks bunches! My Vintage Times earrings of Swarovski glass pearls are in great company!

Stay Tuned...

2008-10-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

...for the next giveaway on October 26th featured from Handmade Showcase Giveaways! For my blog readers, I'll give you a little hint: 1) they are dangly, 2) a lovely jewel-toned color for fall, and 3) handcrafted with superb attention to detail!

In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Introducing...

2008-10-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

...a new soap series - Texas Herb Garden! So many wonderful herbs grow in south Texas, and since I love my own herb garden and could incorporate some of the ingredients...why not make a soap series to go along with it?

My first soap creation was Lemon Balm - a wonderful herbal lemon scent with dried lemon balm from my garden and Litsea Cubeba (May Chang) essential oil to enhance the natural scent of the lemon balm.

Secondly, a soap I've made before, but now it has a home! Rosemary Mint - the perfect blend of sweet peppermint and herbal rosemary. This one has french green clay to give it a matching, light green color...and for shaving, it is perfect!

Coming Soon: Citrus Basil

...Neglect

2008-10-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

...of my blog! So while I'm flitting around doing other things, I thought I would at least leave a pretty picture of my Rockstar Earrings, just listed on Etsy. If you love turquoise and sterling silver, these might be for you!

The Prize! Blog Contest #3

2008-09-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

Remember those iolite earrings I described for Katie, Blog Contest #3 winner? Well, here they are...lucky 7, ink-blue iolite stones on each leverback earring, clustered on a linear chain. Stunning! I hope Katie likes them...

Stay tuned for the next Blog Contest, coming soon.

Blog Contest #4...and the Winner is...

2008-09-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

The random number generator chose lucky 13 as the winner for blog contest #4! It just so happens that Vanessa left comment #13 on the blog contest post, so she wins! Vanessa will get her choice of 2 soap bars, and a surprise soap dish. Congratulations, Vanessa! I'll be contacting you shortly to see what kind of soap you want.

Hurricane Ike: Before, During, & After (Part III)

2008-09-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday Morning, 9/14 thru Friday, 9/19

Power came on late Saturday. Thankfully so, because the hurricane breeze was completely gone and a humid, stagnant air was settling over the neighborhood. Only those in the Gulf Coast states know what true humidity is, and it is nearly impossible to sleep without A/C. You pretty much just lay there all night and sweat.

There were some problems in the city getting FEMA supplies to the PODs (Points of Distribution). Our own governor, Rick Perry, said something like he hoped Texas would be treated as well by FEMA as those who were in the aftermath of Katrina (paraphrasing). What?!? You must be joking. There was significant political BS going on as FEMA pointed fingers at the state and local officials pointed fingers at both for the failures. In the meantime, miles and miles of cars were queueing up at the PODs and gas stations. Houston's mayor, Bill White, was quite peeved when assistance started off on the wrong foot. Local officials had to go sort out the FEMA logistics for delivering water, ice, and food so things could run smoothly. Apparently, they did not have a federal person who could handle it. Pitiful. Later, we learned that the first day of ice wasn't even provided by FEMA, but rather as a donation by the local HEB grocery store! Needless to say, there are many governmental handoffs, responsibilities, and issues that still need resolution BEFORE the next hurricane strikes.

I think this is where I'll end my Hurricane Ike journal. School has been out for a week due to power outages that are still quite noticeable. I have tons of sympathy for those who have been without power at their homes for 7 days now. But grocery stores and service stations are now opening up again. Galveston and other coastal areas can be rebuilt. The loss of life was not nearly as bad as it could have been. We will survive.

Hurricane Ike: Before, During, & After (Part II)

2008-09-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

(See Part I of my Hurricane Ike Journal)

Saturday Afternoon, 9/13

It was about noon before the rain and wind settled down enough so we could get outside. We took a few boards off the house to let some light in, and removed enough items from the garage so we could get to the generator. The power had been out for about 15 hrs., and I wanted to save my refrigerator and freezer contents from spoiling.

We inspected our house more closely, and thankfully, no damage except a leaning section of fence, and a few strange objects that had landed on our roof. Leaves and branches were just everywhere…they were piled six inches deep up against the curb, and scattered throughout the yard. With so many leaves on the ground, it was amazing that the trees still had leaves on them!

Some of our neighbors were not so lucky. Trees had fallen on houses doing roof and window damage. The oak and maple trees faired the best during the storm. The elms, pecans, and other varieties had more damage. Gutters were dangling and street lights were broken. The only sounds in the neighborhood were chain saws, generators, and sirens.

It is difficult to clean things up in rainy, wet conditions…even though the entire neighborhood was anxious to get going; it was going to take days, maybe weeks, to clean-up what happened overnight.

Sunday and the days to come in my next post…

Don't Forget - Join in the Giveaway Contest!

2008-09-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, join in the soap and soap dish giveaway contest, Blog Contest #4. It's never to late to join the fun since the winner will be chosen by random number generator!

Hurricane Ike: Before, During, & After (Part I)

2008-09-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

We have emerged from the other side of Hurricane Ike in Sugar Land, Texas. As I begin to write this on Sunday morning, I am a bit sleepless and somewhat emotionally and physically tired. The force and destructive capability of Mother Nature is tremendous, and should make any individual human being feel very small. Yet the human spirit has endurance, and an ongoing ability to look on the bright side. Despite the preparation, prolonged storm experience, and aftermath…we look immediately around us now and say, “It could have been worse,” and “thank goodness no one was hurt.” However, we now know that the same is not true for Galveston and other southeastern coastal areas. Day by day, it went something like this…

Thursday, 9/11

Those of us in southeast Texas didn’t have our minds on the infamous 9/11. We were checking hurricane supplies, buying last minute groceries, and topping off our gas tanks. Grocery stores were an absolute zoo with “mile long” checkout lines, and gas stations were backed up 5-6 cars deep at every pump. There was a general frenzy developing, as the storm had taken a more northern track than originally anticipated.

School was still in session so I made my way to my classroom, but my husband stayed home from work to start boarding up the windows. We have 20 windows, but it doesn’t seem like that many until you move and carry 20 heavy boards around the house, climb the ladder for many of them, and screw in 60 screws or more.

We worked until dark, finishing as much boarding up as possible, and bringing in lawn furniture, potted plants, bird feeders, and other miscellaneous yard items so they would not later turn in to flying missiles.

Friday, 9/12 & Saturday, 9/13

The alarm went off as usual around 5:00 A.M. We knew there was work to finish outside, so we were thankful to find that the winds and rain had not yet started. A quick check with the local television station confirmed we were still directly in the path of Hurricane Ike. It was still only a category 2 storm, but the winds had increased to 110 mph, and it was so broad that it filled the Gulf of Mexico in size. Some who are uninformed about hurricanes wanted to minimize its intensity. But by comparison, would you ride on the roof of a car going 110 mph? I don’t think so!

Around 6:30 P.M., the wind started to get a bit gusty, and we decided to bring our outside cat into her “apartment” for the night. She was very well behaved, and only let out a mournful meow every once in awhile. It also occurred to me that I might want photos of all my household possessions...just in case. So I went around and snapped some hurried photos of various rooms.

We lost electrical power at 9:00 P.M., and decided to try and get some rest for a few hours, anticipating that the night might be a little long and sleepless. Around 10:00 P.M. the wind was roaring so loudly that it was impossible to sleep. Within a few hours, the roaring wind was joined by loud thrashing sounds up against the house (later, we discovered it was probably fence boards that had turned into projectiles), and cracks, moans, and thuds (which were probably the trees twisting in half and falling on rooftops). We had setup camp in the closet and spent about 3 hrs. in there, in the pitch dark, just hoping we weren’t going to do a Dorothy and Oz kind of adventure.

The eye of Ike had crossed Galveston Island around 2:00 A.M. We were on the “clean” side of the storm which means we did not have the worst wind and rain that this storm had to offer, and we did not have a storm surge since we are about 50 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It was still bad enough for me.

Around 6:00 A.M., the whole thing began to let up a bit, and we called parents to let them know we were still alive – fortunately, cell phones worked! Eight hours is a long time to sit through all that, especially at night, when all you have is a flashlight and transistor radio.

At first light around 7:00 A.M. the view outdoors was amazing. The back door, which was the only glass not boarded up, had about 500 maple leaves stuck to it like plaster. The patio was covered with shredded, green leaves. My manicured flowerbed was mangled. I looked up at the roof…the shingles were still there…my neighbor’s house was still there, and our focus shifted to the anticipation of the clean-up.

Saturday afternoon and the days to come in my next post…

Winner! - Blog Contest #3

2008-09-10T17:45:00.001-07:00

Katie was the winner of blog contest #3. She has chosen some linear, chained dangles from iolite stones. Can't wait to see how they turn out! Stay tuned...

Blog Contest #4 - Comment Commotion

2008-09-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

This time it is all about the soap! Leave a comment (up to 1 comment per day) on this blog post...be sure to tell me something interesting for the day -- an observation, musing, or current event comment will do nicely. Comments with no words will be deleted!

Contest ends September 20, 2008...and on September 21, I will use this Random Number Generator to pick the winner. If your comment number matches the first number from the Random Number Generator, YOU WIN! Retail value approximately $25!

...hmmm, so what do you win? Well, remember I said it's all about the soap? You will win any two bars of soap (you pick) currently listed in my Etsy shop, Soap Sense. You will also win one of my large, upcycled soap dishes (I pick)!

One small catch...you must leave a way for me to contact you via your comment... through your blog or Etsy shop is fine, as long as I can find you!

I think that covers it. Start the comment commotion!

Drumroll...

2008-09-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

...and here are my 6 nominees for Brilliant Blogger -- a 7th one just didn't pop out at me:

WendiWinn
Prairie Fibers
The Funky Felter
Hedgewitch
Simply Sentimental
Dulces Creations

I'm off to notify them, so they can pass along the Brilliant Blogger to 7 others!

DLPom is a Brilliant Blogger!

2008-09-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Boxing Day for nominating me as a Brilliant Blogger! It is fantastic when someone else recognizes your efforts. I'll be looking for my seven blog nominees tomorrow...when my brain is not so tired. I want to give it careful consideration...so, check back tomorrow.

Mountain Laurel Soap Featured in Etsy Treasury!

2008-08-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you, kjmSILKS, for featuring my Mountain Laurel Soap in your Etsy Treasury!

Blog Contest #3 - Everyone Should Vote!

2008-08-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

It is going to be another custom pair of earrings as the giveaway this time. They can be designed from any of the gemstones I have in stock with sterling silver, copper, or brass accents. We will work together to make a truly unique design, just for you!

So what do you have to do? Well, vote of course! Vote for me on Artzee once per day and post my rank as a comment here. For example, your comment can just say, "I voted, your rank was 42." This link will cast a vote for you, and then you will need to look for DLPom in the listing of sites:

Vote Here!

Person with the most posts and correct ranking numbers by the end of the contest wins...ties will be broken by random drawing...contest ends Saturday, September 6th, 2008.

Lucky winners from the past:

Blog Contest #1 Prize
Blog Contest #2 Prize

Good luck!

I've Been Featured - Again!

2008-08-24T13:56:00.001-07:00

It is the nicest compliment for someone to feature your work! In this case, my organized, soap ingredient closet was featured. Now that's unique!

Check out Etsy Studios for a peek behind the white door.

Thanks, Kerry, from Etsy shop "the red door."

Soap, Soap, Soap - Texas Blooms Series

2008-08-24T13:20:00.001-07:00

I'm doing a themed soap series for my Etsy shop, SoapSense. We have so many wonderful florals in Texas, I wanted to represent them in my cold process soaps.

I started off with Mountain Laurel and Bluebonnet, both blooming in the spring. Mountain Laurel has a unique, grapey scent that I just couldn't ignore. Bluebonnet, of course, is the state flower.

Then, there is Honeysuckle, Yellow Rose, & Jasmine. All are true scents, that match the real flower perfectly. The jasmine soap was even made using jasmine tea! If it is difficult to choose, just get one of each. Watch for holiday gift baskets that include these soaps, coming soon.

Or, if you don't really need the fancy packaging, purchase these soaps as "Birthday Suit Bars." Yes, they are simply undressed, at a 10% savings!

The Prize! - Blog Contest #2

2008-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Katie G. of Indiana won Blog Contest #2 and wanted a pair of simple, sophisticated, freshwater pearl earrings. I hope these clustered beauties fit the bill!

Congratulations, Katie...your earrings will be on the way!

Stay tuned for Blog Contest #3 to win your own pair of custom earrings from any of the 150 semi-precious gemstones I have in stock...

Salsa Earrings Declared a "Tuesday Treasure"

2008-08-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks for featuring my Salsa Earrings on your Tuesday's Treasures blog feature, Simply Sentimental!

An Appreciation for Soap!

2008-08-12T13:41:00.001-07:00

I made my castile soap recipe the other day...I had forgotten how stubborn and mean it is, but it always turns out good if you are willing to wait about 10 weeks for it to cure! Yes, I said 10 weeks!

Castile soap is considered to be the first real soap ever made, long ago in medieval times, near present day Spain in the Kingdom of Castile. Later in history, the Italians, Greeks, and French tried to take credit. I'm a purist, and still believe that castile soap should be made from 100% olive oil only.

A few days ago, during the soap making process, I stick-blendered it to death...and it FINALLY traced. Then, I waited 48 hrs. to unmold it...then another 12 hrs. so it would be hard enough to cut into bars. But look out! It was still quite alkaline to the touch, and my hands were stinging just from handling it.

Ah, but in 10 weeks, it will be some of the tamest, mildest soap on the planet! Just wait...

........The First Creative Thinking Skill........

2008-08-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

FLUENCY

Fluency means thinking of many, many, many ideas. Your ideas do not have to be unusual, but try to get as many ideas as you can in just a few minutes. Lean in to unusual ideas and hitchhike on identified ideas. Try not to judge or make comments about ideas as they are being generated. This skill is related to brainstorming, except that it is done more quickly, and should not be a prolonged activity.

Here are two exercises to improve your creative fluency: 1) With a partner, talk for one minute without stopping about a topic you know something about. The partner cannot interrupt or comment during the one minute; 2) In one minute, jot down as many words as you can that replace the word "said." If you do this with a partner, share your words when the one minute is up.

How could you improve your crafting fluency today?

What is Creativity?

2008-08-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

What has been around as long as humans? What exists in all cultures? What can be demonstrated by young and old, educated and uneducated, rich and poor? What is known and recognized by most everyone, yet is so hard to define?

CREATIVITY!

This is one definition offered by E. Paul Torrence, the "father of creativity":

"Creativity is a process of becoming sensitive to problems, gaps in knowledge, missing elements, disharmonies, and so on; identifying the difficulty; searching for solutions; making guesses or formulating hypotheses about the deficiencies; testing and retesting and possibly modifying and retesting again! And finally, communicating the results."

We all have more ideas floating around in our minds than we use. Creative thinking, which is innate to some and has to be learned by others, will help us use these ideas and come up with new and better ideas. The more you practive creative thinking, the more the mind will become creative... Some people look at a different situation and say, "It cannot be done." With creative thinking, you will find very few things are impossible.

My next blog installments on creativity will review the skills needed for creative thinking: fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and evaluation.

Until next time, think about how you can become more creative with your craft!

Friday's FavoriteS

2008-08-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

Why is the "S" capitalized this week? Because I've decided to feature three Etsy shops with really cool items and awesome photos! Here are the three lucky shops:

1. Tom, from Etsy shop The View Up Here, is a photographer with a twist. He uses some unique methods to capture his pictures, and that struck me as a very creative and original approach to this art form! Please visit his Etsy shop to learn more, and be prepared to view some beautiful landscapes as well as detailed, closeup shots from Hawaii and Texas.

2. Redhead Diva's Paper Emporium can get you stickered! To quote her shop announcement, "Shop Stickers, Thank You Stickers, Birthday Stickers" - she has them all! Some nice business cards in this shop, too. This would be a great place to shop to help your own Etsy shop look very professional!

3. Amy, from Etsy shop Have Art, specializes in hand painted wall art, with inspiration! Check out some of her colorful and comtemporary crosses.

Please visit these three shops and leave us your comments! Until next Friday...

All images are used with permission and © by the above mentioned artists. All rights reserved.

Blog Contest #2 - Everyone Should Vote!

2008-08-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a firm believer in the voting process...

It is going to be another custom pair of earrings as the giveaway this time. They can be designed from any of the gemstones I have in stock with sterling silver, copper, or brass accents. We will work together to make a truly unique design, just for you!

So what do you have to do? Well, vote of course! Vote for me on Artzee once per day and post my rank as a comment here. For example, your comment can just say, "I voted, your rank was 42." This link will cast a vote for you, and then you will need to look for DLPom in the listing of sites:

Vote Here!

Person with the most posts and correct ranking numbers by the end of the contest wins...ties will be broken by random drawing...contest ends August 10th, 2008.

Good luck!

Friday's Favorite: Artful Memories

2008-08-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

This Etsy shop is all about colorful fun, and getting your photos organized. I like that! I'm pleased to feature Lara Medina of the Etsy shop "Artful Memories" as my Friday's Favorite. Here is her interview:

Are your family's photos in shoeboxes and old sticky albums? Get them out! Let me help! My name is Lara and my shop is Artful Memories. I create fun, funky scrapbooks, scrapbooking kits, journals, wall art, and other goodies that showcase your treasured memories and tell your story.

Scrapbooking, for me, is therapeutic and my creative outlet. A few years back, I was sick, and didn't know what was wrong with me. To this day, we still don't know what was wrong. I needed something to get my mind off of how awful I felt, so I headed off to my local craft store and picked up some card making supplies. The kids and I made a few cards together; it was okay. My husband is a photographer, so we have tons of pictures of the kids lying around. I thought, let me try this "scrapbooking" I hear so much about. I was hooked! The rest is history, our history!

I would love to do some more custom work. I have done pages for people, where they just send me a photograph and some info about the picture, and I create a layout for them. I want to do complete albums like baby's first year or a family's "year in review."

There are so many resources on the internet for paper crafting. I get a lot of inspiration from many different places. A great one is Scrapbook. My blog is a great source of inspiration, too!

If you are just getting started in scrapbooking, just remember, there is no wrong way. If you are new to Etsy or have recently opened your shop, congratulations! Etsy is an amazingly awesome community. Everyone is so friendly and always eager to help. Get involved in the forums, ask questions, check out shops that are similar to yours. Keep your shop current by adding new items regularly, and renewing items when you can't list new ones. Last but not least, hang in there! The sales will come. For some it happens the first day they open and for some, it takes a while longer. I waited 1 1/2 months for my first sale, and my first customer bought 3 kits from me. I was so excited! So just hang in there!

There are so many wonderful shops on Etsy! I have barely scratched the surface! I find new shops to heart every time I log on! I recently purchased a sling bag from L&B Accessories. Everything about the experience was terrific and I love my new bag!

Thanks, Lara, for that wonderful interview. Please visit her shop and leave a comment to let us know you dropped by!

The Prize! - Blog Contest #1

2008-07-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wendi said her favorite color was pink...and that she liked simple earrings rather than elaborate.

I hope she loves her faceted, rose quartz earrings!

Thanks for participating in my first Blog Contest, Wendi...your earrings are on the way. Enjoy them!

And the Winner is......

2008-07-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

Drumroll....Wendi of WendiWinn, Papery - Cards, Gift Tags, Scrapbooking, Notebooks on Etsy!

I appreciated her sense of humor about wanting coats for cold weather, but not really needing one. I can relate, living in south Texas!

Congratulations for being the Blog Contest #1 Winner! I've left you an Etsy convo so we can get in touch to design your custom earrings. Can't wait to see what she chooses!

Friday's Favorite: A Stitch in Dye

2008-07-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to feature Malka Dubrawsky, owner of Etsy shop "a stitch in dye." She has the most beautiful fabrics with colors that really pop! I'm reminded of the Caribbean each time I look at her shop. She is a fellow Texan, calling the capitol of Austin home. Here is her interview:

My name is Malka Dubrawsky and my business is called a stitch in dye. There I sell my quilts, pillow covers, coasters, totes and even some scarves and baby items. The common thread among all these items, other than being sewn by me, is that they are either partly or wholly crafted out of my hand dyed and batiked cotton fabric. And for those who craft themselves or know someone who does, I sell half yard and yard pieces of all my designs and variety bundles as well.

I have always loved fabric and I also enjoy making items that others can truly use. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art though I didn't start out as a fiber person. In fact when I first came to crafting with fabric, I made art quilts exclusively. But, there was always something missing for me about an item that couldn't really be used. Lately, I've made some smaller decorative quilts, but I definitely feel like they're informed by my having made so many functional items.

I'd like to keep growing my business. I've done a fair amount of design work this past year, and enjoyed that as well. I'm even thinking about opening up a second online store, probably outside Etsy.

First and foremost I LOVE flickr. There is so much to be inspired by there. I also regularly check Whipup. They have great tutorials. Both of these should be useful to other fabric crafters.

It's going to sound a little cliche, but I think the best advice is to keep making the things that you want to make. Don't let yourself be overly influenced by trends. Being true to your own muse is the only way to discover your voice.

My other Etsy shop recommendation is DrikaB. She makes terrific bags in fabulous sizes, prices them honestly (which means she doesn't undersell herself) and photographs her items beautifully. What more could you ask for?

Thanks for the awesome interview and photos, Malka. Good luck with your shop! Please leave us a comment if you have enjoyed reading this interview.

Blog Contest #1 - Hurricane Junction!

2008-07-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year. Hurricane Dolly is heading toward south Texas, but those of us a little north will probably get a boatload of rain. Good, as long as it isn't too much. I live near the city of concrete (Houston), and concrete doesn't absorb water!

But, since I am a naturalist at heart, I actually find hurricanes (and other unusual weather) a little exciting!

So my first blog contest is named "Hurricane Junction!" Answer the following question in the comments section of this post to win a custom pair of simple, pierced earrings from any of the semi-precious gemstones I have in stock! See more examples here. Be sure to leave a safe way for me to contact you if you win. The winner will simply be the answer I like best!

Question: What is your favorite type of weather where you live? What do you enjoy doing in this weather?

Have fun! I look forward to reading all your answers. Contest deadline: July 27th, 2008.

Business Newsletters

2008-07-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

It would have been easier not to, but I did it anyway. I'm moving my newsletter from Yahoo to Bravenet. Hopefully, I can get my first newsletter out by August 1st. In the meantime, sign-up, and take this journey with me!

I'll be doing promotionals, give-aways, and who knows what else through my newsletter. So now is the time to get going from the ground floor:

Friday's Favorite: Gabriel's Aunt

2008-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Nikki Sherritt is the master candlemaker behind the Etsy shop, Gabriel's Aunt. She is my featured Friday's Favorite shop because her candles smell like heaven, and burn forever! Here is her shop interview:

Gabriel's Aunt is a company I started about 6 years ago in Dallas, TX after a store I bought soy and essential oil candles from stopped making them. I thought to myself, "I can do that!" and started buying a bunch of different oils with which to experiment. There weren't many companies making all-natural candles at the time so it was a very new thing still. I have added natural perfumes to my product line and they are doing very well so I am excited! I have an Etsy shop that I opened in Fall of 2007: Gabriel's Aunt on Etsy I have a website too: Gabriel's Aunt Website

I love, love, love making candles and perfumes. I wake up in the middle of the night sometimes with a new scent idea. I love getting new oils in the mail too. It is so fun to play around with the natural oils and create something pleasing to smell.

I touched on this above, but I started my company after a trip to Europe where the living there is so much more natural and in harmony with the earth. It really stayed with me. I came back and started buying the soy wax and lavender candles and just loved them. The company stopped carrying them and so I started! I added the perfumes about 2 years ago.

I am currently working on a brand new candle line based on my natural perfumes and I am hoping that I am able to add many scents to it by next year. I also want to expand my perfumes, carrying both jojoba oil based ones and organic alcohol blends. I would love to have 4 or 5 more blends ready by next year. Other than that, I just want my customer base to continue to grow and for my candles and perfumes to be considered the best!

Other candlemakers might find that MoonGlow Supplies and CandleWic are great sources for supplies and information: MoonGlow Candles and CandleWic

For beginning candlemakers, my best advice is to make candles that are unique and have nice packaging. Creating nice labels says you are a professional and not just making some candles in your kitchen part time (even if you are). For those who want to open an Etsy shop, take good pictures and write good fun descriptions of your scents. Make them available in different sizes too. List often and daily and that will get you good exposure.

Another Etsy shop I would recommend is Bazil Essentials. She also makes natural candles and I love them so much. It is nice to be able to burn another candle other than yours sometimes. They also make amazing soaps and perfumes so, technically, we are competition. But Bazil has great customer service and I buy from them all the time.

© 2008 Gabriel's Aunt
All Rights Reserved. Images or wording may not be used without permission. Product names protected under Trademark Laws. Please do not copy.

Thanks for that great interview, Nikki! Everyone else, check out her shop and please leave a comment here if you read the interview.

The Mystery of Bracelet Sizing

2008-07-17T07:45:00.001-07:00

Before I even begin, let me say that bracelet sizing is my pet peeve in the jewelry designing business. I see so many inaccurate references to bracelet sizing that it makes me wonder how anyone gets a good fit for a bracelet. And this becomes critical when buying online because, of course, one can't actually try on anything.

So...for sellers and buyers, please be aware that the ONLY accurate beaded bracelet measurement is the internal circumference. References to end-to-end length are meaningless! In other words, you can have the exact same fit from two different beaded bracelets with different end-to-end lengths! Yes, it is true. Here is a visual.

First, you need to know your wrist measurement. My wrist is relatively small, and measures 5-3/4 inches. That means I would need a bracelet with an interior circumference that is larger than 5-3/4 inches so there is some slack. The greater the differece between the interior circumference measurement and the wrist measurement just means more slack, or a looser bracelet fit. I prefer a difference of 1/4 to 1/2 inch for my own bracelets, so I look for bracelets with interior circumferences of 6 to 6-1/4 inches.

Both of these bracelets have an interior circumference of 7 inches. A bracelet mandrel or something like my "wooden wrist" is needed for measurement purposes. As you can see, the bracelets would "fit" the same way. Yet when put down side by side, the pink Swarovski bracelet is a full 1/2 inch longer than the turquoise bracelet. Why? Simply because the Swarovski beads are larger and "eat up" length. The difference becomes even more pronounced as bracelet beads get larger and larger.

So let the seller and buyer be aware...when someone says a 7 inch bracelet, exactly what are they measuring? End-to-end length, or the more accurate interior circumference? Here's to getting everyone on the same page and speaking the same language!

And here is another recommendation by beadgaldesigns, the EZ Bracelet Sizer. I love sharing great products, and this one comes in a travel size, too! Happy bracelet shopping!

What Happened to the Day?

2008-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

This morning, I said I was going to design...just make jewelry and get some things photographed.

Now, towards the end of the day I have one bracelet and one pair of earrings completed. Huh? What happened?

Well, I decided that my website needed a little attention, then I washed dishes and some clothes, made lunch, washed dishes again, folded the clothes, went to the post office to mail Etsy packages...and now it is 5:00 P.M.

The day is gone. Lots got done, but not what I planned. Tomorrow is another day!

Miscellaneous Ramblings

2008-07-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself for a hodgepodge of stuff in this post...

First, I wanted to introduce my upcoming blog feature entitled "Friday Favorites." Each Friday I will post about an Etsy shop that has it together - great items, great photos, and all that. This Friday, July 18, will be my first feature...drumroll, it will be a candle maker on Etsy, but you'll have to wait until Friday to find out who it is!

Secondly, I wanted to share some interesting links about gemstones. More frequently, I've had customers interested in the folklore...the potential, mystical qualities or healing properties of gemstones. Whether or not you believe in all this, it is nonetheless interesting! Here are a few of my favorites:

Emily Gems
Crystals & Gemstones
SobrietyStones
Gemstone Magic

Enjoy!

It's all in the Details

2008-07-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

From time to time I like to step back and think about how my jewelry design is different from what else is out there. Goodness knows there is plenty of jewelry out there! Today I concluded, "It's all in the Details."

For example, the earrings I listed today have a few special features. I actually came up with the name "Salsa" before I ever designed them. This was after reading about the continued tomato, pepper, salsa food poisoning scares going on right now. (Yes, it's true -- you never know where you might find inspiration!)

Anyway, I wanted the earrings to be contemporary, bright, and still feminine. So I started by mixing metals -- copper and sterling silver. And instead of stopping with a straight, stacked, linear earring, I added an extra rope ring dangle of gaspeite to add a bit of dance to this pair. The floral beadcap for the turquoise...that's the feminine part!

What makes your craft, customer service, or promotional energy different from the rest? How do you stand out? I think this is key to being a successful seller -- if you don't know what you are exceptionally good at, how will anyone else? Leave me your comments, and happy crafting!

DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

Renewed by Vacation

2008-07-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh... A change of pace can do everyone some good. And I think this is especially true for creative people -- artists and designers in every medium.

My recent vacation knocked the cobwebs out of my brain. I had been stagnate with my jewelry making for awhile...nothing was really inspiring me to grow, create, or experiment.

But I am back! With fresh ideas and a renewed sense of interest in my "art." So stay tuned for some new jewelry beauties and some new soap scents, too. If you can get away to the Caribbean, I highly recommend it!

The top photo is Trunk Bay on St. John, U.S.V.I, and the bottom photo is Morningstar Beach on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Both locations are paradise on earth!

DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

When Jewelry Collects Dust

2008-07-08T14:56:00.001-07:00

I know many jewelry designers who are continually taking apart jewelry they have made to salvage the components and design something different with the pieces and parts. Why? Because they haven't sold in a "reasonable" amount of time...and how much time is actually reasonable to wait for something to sell?

Well, I don't do this. A case in point are my last 6 sales on Etsy. Three of them were jewelry items I've had in my inventory for over 24 months! That's over two years!

These pieces would have been disassembled by most beaders in this amount of wait time. But I am a firm believer that what I design is quality work, and it is just a matter of the right buyer coming along to fall in love with it.

I don't "buy in" to this notion that if it is stale, it won't sell. Jewelry trends and different customers come and go. For me, it is a supreme waste of time to disassemble perfectly good jewelry designs. (Something that is flawed is obviously another story.)

So I make this blog post as food for thought. How much time do you spend taking jewelry apart?

Happy jewelry designing -- the first time!

http://dlpom.etsy.com/

The Perfect Scent

2008-03-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

Soapers are always sniffing. Sniffing to find the next perfect scent for the next batch of soap. Yes, I have my tried and true favorites: Rosemary Mint, Gardenia, Lavender, etc...but springtime evokes a whole new blooming bonanza that should be duplicated in fragranced soap scents!

My favorite of all favorite scents is my Texas Mountain Laurel. It blooms just once a year, beginning with the first few days of warm weather in south Texas. Yes, we have already had some very springy days here, but the weather still has a tendency to turn bitter cold for a few days too!

I can't resist going to my Mountain Laural tree each day to inhale the grapey-waxy scent. I have to take advantage because the blooms last only about 10-14 days, and once they are gone, I have to wait a whole year! Today, the honey bees were enjoying the blooms, too.

So my challenge is to duplicate this scent in soap. It's intoxicating. And since I can't bathe in the actual blooms, I hope I am successful...I've already got a few great leads for infusing this scent into my soap making process. Stay tuned...I will report back!

Other scentsational soaps:
Soap, Soap, Soap Section on Etsy

Dana
DLPom Handcrafted Expressions
Website

The Value of Time Off

2008-02-17T13:13:00.001-08:00

On Etsy we are always chatting about "What have you done to promote?" "Have you listed anything new lately?" and "Did you love your blog today?" Sometimes, everything everyone says you are supposed to do is quite overwhelming.

And for me, a full-time business, crammed into a part-time work schedule, mostly on the weekends...well, sometimes you just have to have a life!

So, I took last Sunday off. Just walked away from the photographing, listing, description writing, promoting, advertising, blogging, creating -- and my husband and I went to have a cook-out with some friends visiting from New Mexico who were camping at a nearby state park.

It was the best thing I could have done. Now mind you, my friend is into silversmithing for her jewelry endeavors, and we couldn't help working on a few things she had brought with her. But there was something about slowing down, just for a moment, that was theraputic.

We noticed the birds, wildlife, and flora just getting ready to burst into spring. We absorbed the sun and gave thanks to the cool breeze -- the perfect weather combination! We ate some awesome grilled food that just tasted better because we were eating at a picnic table with plastic utensils! We caught up with each other's lives.

Just like the body needs sleep to perform, our creative talents and endeavors need a rest to be refreshed for another day. This weekend has been twice as productive because of a little time off.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

2008-02-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

I've just been dabbling today... I created a new poll here ------> about favorite earring beads, wrapped soap, relisted a few items, got myself organized for the EtsyBead Street Team's Scavenger Hunt (see flyer in previous blog post to win prizes!), and setup a "Plug Me" board on my website.

The "Plug Me" board is an awesome idea for advertising your shop! I'm still tweaking my GIF file just a little, but I think the eventual outcome will be pretty cool. Visit http://www.plugme.net/ to get your own board, or just build an 88 x 31 GIF image and drop by my website to plug yourself: http://www.dlpom.com/PlugBoard.html Handcrafted items only, please!

Off to get some snacks ready for the SuperBowl!

Come Join the Fun & Win Fabulous Prizes!

2008-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

Visit the Etsy Team Blog for more information!

Earwires, and More Earwires!

2008-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

When I design a pair of earrings, I always try to match an earwire that I think coordinates with the overall style of the earring. Lately, I have tried to incorporate more choices, including post styles, and always offer a switch-a-roo if the buyer has another preference.

Although, I have to admit, on occasion, I've tried to talk buyers out of a switch because I thought they were going the wrong direction with the design of the earring! Not sure if this is appreciated, or not!

Anyway...from top to bottom, here are a few examples: simple post, slipless earwire, perfect balance earwire, handmade earwire. Of course, the handmade earwire is the most unique, but also time consuming and therefore often a more pricey choice. And I'm often asked if the "slipless" earwires are uncomfortable...I don't think so, the wire is very thin, but the twist helps them from backing out.

Personally, I prefer leverbacks. They don't take away from the design of any earring, are lightweight, and won't come undone or slip out. Handmade earwires with a long length of wire at the back are also a favorite choice of mine.

What's your preference? Take my poll on the right hand side, and let's find out.

Thanks for your participation!

Garnets and Carnations

2007-12-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

With all the holiday flurry, it is easy to forget that January birthdays are right around the corner...

I'm listing a few special jewelry pieces with garnets over the coming week. Here is an example of gorgeous, icy, rock quartz with a cluster of garnets gathered beneath. Check them out in more detail here.

I haven't figured out how to make carnation jewelry yet!

Bali vs. Turkish Sterling Silver

2007-12-27T05:20:00.001-08:00

I'm often asked, "What's Turkish sterling silver?" Most of my jewelry uses Turkish sterling silver, and while most people are familiar with Bali (or Balinese) sterling silver, many have never heard of Turkish. Continue on if you are curious too...

First of all, Turkish sterling silver beads are handmade in Turkey, as the name implies. Bali sterling silver beads are handmade in Indonesia. Different artisans = a different type of bead. Turkish sterling silver beads are simply of a higher quality, in my opinion. The workmanship is excellent, with fine details and consistency from bead to bead. Turkish sterling silver also tends to be a bit lighter in weight, which is a nice design quality for jewelry. For example, a necklace made of all Bali sterling silver beads would feel like a lead weight, while a necklace made of all Turkish sterling silver would just have a nice heft to it. Turkish sterling silver also tends to be a little shinier, and does not need to be polished as often to maintain that shine. The down side is that it is pricier than Bali sterling silver.

Using Turkish sterling silver beads will take your jewelry designs to another level of quality and handmade craftmanship. Here are two great photos of Turkish sterling silver designs...and have a look at my Etsy shop for more examples. Just search on the word "Turkish" within my shop.

Jewelry Home Party a Success!

2007-12-09T05:18:00.001-08:00

Last weekend was the long awaited jewelry home party... It was a lot of work, but so much fun! I had been preparing all week - polishing, pricing, and packing up to go on the road (for the first time) with my wares.

I have to say it took more preparation and organization than the parties I have had at my own house. If I forgot something, I was just going to have to do without it!

Thanks so much to all the friends and neighbors who came to enjoy the afternoon. My mom was a wonderful hostess. And I would not have survived without my friend, Sandra, who is so fast and accurate at adding up numbers! I hope everyone is enjoying their purchases, or looking forward to giving it as a gift over the holidays. I also really appreciate all the custom orders for soap and jewelry.

Here are a few pics from the event: 1) the very reliable table guard, Gray C., 2) me, working till the very end, and 3) it's showtime!

The entire event went very smoothly. If I had to share one lesson learned, it would be this: invest in some tubs with lids for traveling and organizing. I used an assortment of shopping bags, and they were a little difficult to handle and/or limited my ability to locate items and unpack quickly.

Hope your holiday craft party has been a success. Leave a comment and let me know.

Have a joyful holiday season. Merry Christmas, everyone!

It was an Honor

2007-12-08T14:29:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago, Sara's Texture Crafts featured my soap and papermaking in her "Crafts of Texture" blog. I had actually done the interview a month or so earlier, so re-reading it was like it was new all over again, even for me. I was thrilled, and it turned out so nicely! Please visit my featured interview and leave a comment.

This is a great way for extra exposure about your craft. When all of us bloggers support each other, we can be a powerful force. Blog away...

Immediate Headache!

2007-11-14T14:58:00.000-08:00

Trying to describe bracelet sizing has always been a monkey on my back! And I think, it sometimes causes confusion to the point where people don't buy a bracelet, for fear that it is too large, too small, etc. And on top of that, what would the most popular bracelet size even be??? Seriously, it is more complicated than fitting a pair of shoes!

So, I'm looking for a few brave people who are willing to take a flexible tape measure and SNUGLY measure in front of their wrist bone -- >> See survey at right. And here is why...

I do not measure my bracelets from end to end. This is a very deceiving and inaccurate measurement. A 7 inch end-to-end length bracelet with small beads would be relatively large, while a 7 inch end-to-end bracelet with large beads would be very small. Large beads "eat up" the interior circumference of a bracelet as soon as you fasten it. BEWARE of end-to-end measurements only!

So all of my bracelet listings give an interior circumference measurement. Then I will tell you what sized wrist it will best fit. For example, a bracelet with an interior circumference measurement of 6-3/4 inches will best fit a wrist that measures (snugly with a flexible tape measure in front of the wrist bone) 6-1/4 to 6-1/2 inches.

Take my wrist measurement challenge! Let's find out the most frequently occuring wrist size. This will help bracelet designers tremendously...we want to fit YOU!

I was on the Front Page of Etsy!

2007-10-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

It happened last weekend. I was just hanging out in my own shop (is that pathetic?), and noticed that the views on my soaps were going up and up. One soap in particular, my Gardener's Soap, had views that were growing exponentially by the minute! So I started looking around and found this soap on the home page of Etsy! What a thrill -- it was directing all kinds of traffic to my whole shop. I managed to capture a screen shot of my moment in the spotlight.

Have a great weekend everyone!

This Week's Soap Poll: Additives

2007-10-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Last week's soap poll was such a success, I thought I'd do another this week. This week's poll is all about the ingredients which can be added to soap to decorate, exfoliate, pamper, or otherwise make it a little unique from the average bar.

Please take my new, 3 question poll, right here ---------->

The highlights from last week's poll (with over 60 participants) include:

72% of handmade soap users prefer essential oils for scent, yet

9% prefer completely unscented, fragrance free products. The remaining 18% prefer cosmetic grade fragrances.

46% of participants prefer a fruity or citrus scented soap, and 40% overall prefer a moderate scent vs. a lighter or heavier scent.