One of the many advantages of Etsy.com (the online community in which I sell my designs) is the opportunity to meet other handcrafted artisans. I enjoy looking at other artisans' designs for inspiration. Also I like to support fellow Etsians when I am shopping for supplies for my designs.
I don't remember how I discovered Marie from Skye Jewels, but she is truly a gem! She is a jewelry designer, scrapbooker, and creates these beautiful little charms. These Ephemera charms are made on craft scrabble tiles with really unique images.
Fall Foilage Ephemera Charms designed by Skye Jewels (photo credit - Marie Cramp)
I was delighted that she made these fall foilage charms per my request! I am hoarding them while I try to decide how to use them. But one of them did make its way into this necklace...
Autumn Splendor vintaj brass, red agate, carnelian, red aventurine, glass beads, and Ephemera charm
On September 23, 1911, the world became a better place. Although not famous to the world, this dear woman is known to many. She is my grandmother, my Gram. Blessed with the gifts of hospitality, generosity, and a wonderful memory, Gram is an amazing woman whose heart belongs to God.
I am forever blessed to be her granddaughter and to know her love.
Sometimes I think it's too time-consuming or distracting to work on custom designs. Then you ask me to make a matching necklace for those earrings you bought. And I wouldn't have thought of it on my own, but now it's one of my favorites...
Timeless Treasures
You saw a pretty gold colored stone in a bracelet that you are imagining in a big pendant. Can I make a necklace with that stone, maybe on some cord, you ask?
Maybe something like this, I say...
Goldstone Glimmer
Perhaps this bracelet would match the necklace I made for you...
Amy's Party
Custom designs can be challenging at times, but often the end result is certainly worth the extra time.
I've always admired pink from a distance, but rarely closeup. It's just not a good color for me. For those of you who know when my birthday is, then you know how odd it is that I am not a pink fanatic...for goodness sakes! ♥
Pink Trapeze
I'm more of a blues kind of gal. Give me this over that.
Feeling Blue
To check out these newly listed items in my Etsy shop, follow the link: Kathy's Etsy shop
It's beginning to look and feel a lot like fall in the valley.
The leaves are starting to change color, pumpkins are getting more round and orange in the garden, and sweatshirts are finding their way into the van for those chilly evenings at soccer practice. And of course, scenes like this are common...
Okay, just wanted to make sure you are still with me!
That curious photo was taken by my oldest son. One afternoon last week, he came running into the house after checking the garden. "I finally get to see something I've always wanted to see," he exclaimed! Apparently this is a tomato worm (not a rare sight) who has had the misfortune of being an incubation sight for wasp eggs (now, that's the rare part)!
Before you start reading this post, do me a favor. Turn on your volume, get comfy, and click play on this youtube clip. Thanks.
There are no pictures in the video, which is perfect, because I want you to LISTEN.
That's Sufjan Stephens singing a really cool version of one of my favorite hymns, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." I've always loved this hymn, mostly for the melodic qualities. But recently I've become more attuned to the words, and I keep getting hung up on the mention of Ebenezer in the 2nd verse. Anyone else?
So, I googled it, of course. It's NOT a reference to Ebenezer Scrooge, duh. Ebenezer is a Hebrew word which means, "stone of help." If you want the longer version, read I Samuel 7. For the shorter version, the mention of Ebenezer in this song is simply an acknowledgement of the great help that God has given to the ones who receive it as their blessing. A stone of help, I like that. Who couldn't use a reminder of God's graciousness?
While I don't think I will be naming any jewelry designs "Ebenezer" anytime soon, it's not out of the question! Some of you have asked me how I decide on names for my designs. I haven't always named them, but since I opened my Etsy shop, I realized that it would be a good idea to do so. At times, it's difficult to come up with a name. But then, other times I know exactly what I'll name a piece.
Coffee with Liesel
One morning last year, I strung beads
over a cup of coffee with my friend
Liesel at her home.
Island Time
The design of this bracelet reminded me of a watch with
the round coconut shell in place of a watch face. When on an
island, who needs to know the time? It's Island time!
Sometimes it's all about the timing of when I make something. For instance, this pair of earrings was designed around the time this past winter when my alma mater's basketball team was headed to championship tournaments. They are the EMU Royals, and another name for basketball is hoops, and the color of the crystals is royal blue...get it?
Royal Hoops
And then often I name pieces in honor of someone. But that's another post, another time. I've taken up too much of your time already for today.
Perhaps if you're lucky, you'll have the words of this amazing song in your head all day. Tune my heart to sing thy grace...
