Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

I have been wanting to do a review on this cookbook that my friend published, but haven't gotten around to it. Now I see why I've been waiting! My friend Anneliese is reviewing it today on her blog, and I really could not have said it better myself!

Go here to Anneliese's blog for the review. AND if you're coming to my open house tonight, you will get to sample some of the very same goodies pictured on her blog and meet the author!

One of my BFF's, Mary Jo, and I sometimes work together on books. She is a graphic designer, and I am an editor. This book is the result of our collaborative work with the author. Now, go check it out! :-)

written by Jane Bryan

Holiday Market

Holiday Market in Broadway 

Saturday, November 17 from 10 AM -2 PM...

Contact me for more details!

See you tomorrow! 

Baby Ben

Happy 11th Birthday to my Baby Ben!

Gulp, A Teenager

Happy 13th to my "Little Man!"

Where Have You Been?

Hello? Anyone out there? I am hanging my head in shame, embarrassed that I have neglected my blog so badly.  I've kind of lost my motivation to write here.  Plus I've been feeling well lately and thus keeping busy. This is what I've been doing...

1) Life is busy, y'all! I've got this going on and that. A lot of this...

(We're not sure what's going on with the youngest son's hair. Hmm, he got it cut really short, and now it's growing back STRAIGHT up. Like, not laying down, no matter how long it is growing. Any tips?)

And some of that...

2) I've been helping a good friend with a big project. That's all I can really say right now, but I will be more than excited to share it with you at a later time. :-)

3) I've been hanging out with some really cool Jr. MYF'ers from our church. Have you ever googled "MYF"? In my world, it has always meant "Mennonite Youth Fellowship," but apparently the urban definition is "miss your face." HA! That's funny, can't wait to tell the Jr. MYF'ers (who probably already know). Woot woot! That's for you, guys! 

But seriously, I am a sponsor for the middle schoolers at our church, and they are great kids (all 4 of them)! We talked about blogs at bible study last night. Good stuff.

4) It just seems strange all of a sudden that I put my life out on the world wide web (Remember when we used to call it that?). In all honesty, I never would have started a blog if I didn't have an online business. But since I do, I feel like it's necessary for me to have some way of connecting with my customers, whom I appreciate very much. :-) 

Well, it's late. Although not if you live on the west coast...by the way, I can't believe I haven't blogged about our trip out there this summer. But well, you know, I've been busy with this and that...

One more thing...happy birthday today to my amazing and dear niece Liz! You are beautiful in so many ways, both inside and out. I love you more than you know! 

In honor of Liz's birthday, take 20% off all items in my Etsy shop by using this code when you check out:  LIZ20. Yep, she's 20! 

First Published Pieces!

Ever since I started making jewelry, I have subscribed to beading magazines.  I have studied the pictures of designs, admired the skill of the designers who created them, and dreamed of having a piece of my jewelry in one of the magazines someday.  

This spring, I summoned up the courage to submit several designs to various magazines.  Then I received great news in May...I received an email from Stringing magazine informing me that 2 of my earring designs had been selected for publication!  I was so excited (like, squealing-and-jumping-up-and-down excited)!!  

After patiently waiting, this finally came in my mail today...

Stringing Fall 2012 issue

On page 56 of the Fall issue of Stringing, you will find these earrings featured.  

Green Goddess

Spirit of the Caribbean

It's ironic that the day I receive this magazine, I am sending off a signed contract for another publication to be announced at a later date! :-)  

Travels to the Northwest, Part 1

My dear friend Anneliese (and our host while in British Columbia) did a wonderful job of summarizing our trip up to Whistler this summer.  Head over to her blog for some spectacular pictures!

Anneliese' blog post on Whistler

Life Is Short

I've been eating cookies....

Winner!

Thanks to all who entered the Olive Branch giveaway!  


And the winner is....

"Beautiful as always!  

Had to take time out from vaca to comment. :-)"

Renee Ours

Congratulations to you, Renee!  Since you live close by, I will deliver them in person!

101 Posts

**Contest is now closed.**


Oops, I missed highlighting my 100th post!  


I guess that calls for a sweet little giveaway, don't you think?  


Leave me a comment below if you would like a chance at winning a pair of a new Artful Accents earring design...

Olive Branch

The giveaway winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Thursday morning, so be sure to get your comment on here by Wednesday night at midnight (Eastern Daylight Time).  

Here's one more picture...

[Open to US and Canada residents only.]

Chip It!

The newest toy I've found online.....

Chip It!

This is what it does.  First you need to install the Chip It! button on your toolbar.  Click the link above and it should take you to the Sherwin Williams site where you can get the button.   Now you are ready to create instant paint chips!

You find an image with colors you like.  Go up to your toolbar, click the Chip It! button, hover over your image and click it.  Then you will see an amazing array of paint chips.  Pretty cool!

Here is an example...

Go try it!  By the way, I'm not being paid by Sherwin Williams to share this with you.  Just thought it was cool and that you might enjoy it too.  :-)  I'll leave you with one more example.  

Who's Wearing Artful Accents?

I caught someone wearing Artful Accents jewelry!  Actually two beautiful ladies wore A.A. jewelry to a party at our house recently.

This is my sis-in-law Jen.  She's not only my SIL, but she is also one of my BFF's.  She is one of the most generous people I know.  You know the type, they will do anything for anyone.  That's her.

This is my friend Mary from Brazil.  She is a hoot!  She has a zest for life, and her enthusiasm is contagious.  She is sweet as can be.

On the lookout for more Artful Accents jewelry out and about!

Coastal Treasures

Enjoy browsing this treasury I created which includes some beautiful items from Etsy.


Ahhh, the soothing colors of the ocean...blues, greens, browns. It doesn't get much better than that, when it comes to the most beautiful colors of nature.

California Coast Photog... ParrishHousePh... $25.00	OCEAN TREASURE Silver S... HavanaBeads $7.00	Urchin Photograph 10X10... machelspencePH... $14.99	Zippered Wristlet Clutc... shopthepoppysh... $15.00
Scarf Watercolor Cotton... jamiesierrakni... $20.00	Earring pair of 3/4&quo... JLynnJewels $9.95	Starfish Drawer Pull an... kinnakeetclayw... $14.00	Throw Pillow Covers Dec... FestiveHomeDec... $35.00
Stoneware pottery bowl ... Hodakapottery $100.00	Beachy leather wrap bra... slashKnots $59.00	Handmade Sea Salt Soap ... LifeSoapSimple $18.00	Oval Serving platter tu... Hodakapottery $50.00
Summer in France Parisi... rebeccaplotnic... $30.00	Rustic Brown Long Drop ... Chikakojewelle... $16.00	Dead Sea Salt Exfoliati... AlaiynaBSoaps $6.95	Crystallized. Rare Citr... oceansoffering... $7.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Filigree Wrapping

I've been trying my hand at a new technique....filigree wrapping.  I mostly learn new jewelry making techniques from internet tutorials.   One of my favorite sites is the Vintaj blog.   Here is the video that helped me learn filigree wrapping.

These are the pieces I have made using this technique.  I am finding it more difficult to do than it looks!  I'm sure that more practice is in order.  :-)

Front of pendant

"Vintage Aqua"

(I think it might need a couple dangles from the center circle...what do you think?)











Back of pendant

Front of earring

"Sweet Briar"














Back of earring

Inspired Designs

When I sit down at my jewelry making table, and I feel less than creative, I resort to my Pinterest board called "Pictures That Inspire Designs."   I have subtitled it "Great visuals to use when trying to escape creativity block."   I have been designing from that board lately.

"Cabo San Lucas" - inspired by this picture...

Picture taken by Anneliese

"Sagebrush Violet"- inspired by the colors of these lupines...

photo credit:  http://www.thepeaksislandhouse.com/

Lynx Boys Rock!

It's the end of another soccer season, and I have mixed feelings.  While soccer makes our lives very busy, we enjoy so much about the soccer season.  It will be nice to have a break from traveling 2 hours to away games and juggling homework time with soccer practices.  But we will miss getting together with some great families and watching the boys play.

Congratulations Lynx boys on a winning season!  You made us proud!