Inventory changes coming up!

Just a heads up - my inventory will probably be changing some over the next month. So if there's something you have your eye on, make sure you get it now! I'm looking forward to an appointment with an Art/Gift Gallery in Cleveland, OH's Art District next week and will be leaving some of my current inventory to them. Also, I'm gearing up for a few craft shows in October and November, and things usually fly off the table at shows ... so many items' days are numbered! I know that feeling when you have your eye on something you're admiring, and for one reason or another you're waiting to make the purchase ... only to find when you go to buy it, that it's gone! There's nothing like that empty feeling, after admiring it all that time thinking that it soon would be yours! So often, people tell me they've "just missed" something in my shop (it either sells online, locally, or goes to retail). Since the majority of my designs are one-of-a-kind, I feel so badly for them when it happens! And so just a reminder, that it's "jewelry season" and for one reason or another (shows, retail placement, Christmas gift purchases, etc.) things tend to suddenly disappear ... so don't miss it! As always, thanks for stopping by the blog today. I hope you have a happy day! :)

I'm featured in a craft blog today!

A quick shout out to Suzy, at Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom blog ... for featuring my Tropical Peacock Earrings today! If you haven't visited Suzy's blog, you have to check it out. She's full of artsy-craftsy fun. Her motto is "... because life is a sitcom, covered in glitter, hot glue strings and dog hair ... isn't it?". Now you KNOW there's something that will bring a smile there! Tune in for her Monday Etsy Madness, where she features artists and items from Etsy, based on the theme for the week. She's found some delightful tropical things for today and they range from my earrings, to Pina Colada Whipped Sugar Scrub and a gorgeous batik tropical painting. Many thanks to Suzy for the publicity and be sure to tune in to see what artsy-craftsy goodness she's found next: http://www.suzyssitcom.com/2011/06/monday-etsy-madness_27.html

Tropical Peacock Earrings from my online shop

Happy Monday - so much on the way!

Happy Monday everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted ... I've been busy, busy, busy creating! I've just released a line of handcrafted sterling silver and natural brass earwires, in a collection created especially for Rabbit Hutch Beads, the lampwork glass artist I design jewelry for! They're available in their online store and they've debuted at her shows the last two weekends. The response has been good and we're excited about rolling these new items out! I hope to start using my own handcrafted earwires in my designs offered in my online shop shortly. Next up, we'll be releasing handcrafted components I've designed for Rabbit Hutch Beads. Once we have those rolled out, you'll love the next step in our plan: interchangeable pendant necklaces. I've created a collection of sterling silver pendants that allow you to change the pendants/beads that dangle from them, to coordinate with your outfit as you please. Word has gotten out that these are on the way and we're already receiving requests for the exact release date. Stay tuned! :)

If you've visited the shop lately, you've noticed I'm sure that I'm thoroughly enjoying beach design this summer! I love the offerings in my online shop right now, such juicy, summery colors and great styles that go from casual to formal right along with your day.

One of my favorite beach themed bracelets sold as soon as the doors opened, at a recent show. Visions of the calm, quiet rage of the immense seems-to-never-end ocean like this one by a photographer on Long Island, inspired the bracelet:

photo available from MDanielsonPhoto.etsy.com

Although most of my pieces are one of a kind, I'm thinking I might need to re-make this one, or at least re-create something close. It's been popular with everyone who has seen it and I'm in love with it!

I called it "The Boardwalk", as it includes a touch of weathered wood throughout, adding great texture and neutral color. It just takes you to the boardwalk, seaside shopping, lunch in a beachside cafe ... ahh!

I hope to work on some new earrings this week, so stay tuned to the shop! I had an overwhelming response to the last collection of earrings I released and I'm working on some new designs to offer.

Well, I'm off to start my "to do" list for the day. The kids are enjoying a summer day camp, so once I've dropped them off, the creativity begins! Happy Monday and as always, thanks for stopping by! My online shop: http://www.MyHappyThings.etsy.com

New beachcomber beads on the way!

It's a beautiful day here in Ohio today, comfortably in the 70's, a light breeze and a few clouds to keep things from getting too hot. My flowers are out front, we're opening our screened porch for the season this weekend ... and the weather will be turning hot, hot, hot beginning tomorrow. Getting into "summer mode" around our house, always makes me think about going to the beach. Although we don't often get there with our kids being small yet, I still love the beach-themed fashions and embrace them when the weather turns warm.

I found this wonderfully beautiful set of handcrafted, artisan beach-themed lampwork glass beads ... and they're on their way to me! A gorgeous bracelet is on tap, and I'll be stalking the mail lady until she delivers these to my studio door. I can't wait, and I just wanted to share a little taste of the handcrafted beach beauty, ahead of time!

Petal Soft Earrings

A departure from my usual design style ... I had to stop to create these lighthearted, whimsically spirited flower earrings this spring. The light, very soft opaque pink color in the glass of these flowers is fresh and soothing. They dangle effortlessly, playfully beside a glass leaf, nonchalantly waiting for a fresh spring breeze. Such a feminine touch!

Online Shop: http://www.MyHappyThings.etsy.com

New Designs Available

I had a blast working with this new lampwork! So far I've designed two bracelets and a pair of earrings with them. The colors in the glass are so beautiful, the design doesn't require much to show them off! These items are now available in my shop, as I continue to design. Very casual, very comfortable ... frankly, I really want to keep them for myself!

Online Shop: http://www.MyHappyThings.etsy.com

New Blues

Look what I just received in the mail from lampwork artist Outwest! GORGEOUS hues of blues and greens, somehow swirled together both meticulously and randomly at the same time. The colors in these lampwork glass discs are sometimes comfortably predictable side by side, ring by ring, and sometimes pleasantly surprising. My mind is flooded with ideas, I can't wait to start working with them to bring my ideas to fruition. It won't take much, they're so stunning and awesome by themselves, even an effortless placement in a jewelry piece would be wonderful! The first challenge will be to give them up - I love them so much, I'm tempted to keep them!

Warm Organics Bracelet

I'm quite delighted with this bracelet I just posted in my online shop. It's a beach-inspired asymmetric blend of wonderful organics ... I just love to use materials like this! I've included two carved bone pieces, treasured vintage unglazed ceramics from 1972, wood, pearls and seashells, as well as stones with some beautiful soft corals. When I handcraft chain like I did with the stone cubes, it takes the piece to the next level of 'handcrafted' as people appreciate the fact that someone meticulously twisted, wrapped and worked the wire to give the jewelry wonderful drape and interest. This piece began with the row of warm colored stone cubes. I was in love with their soft hues and love how they subtly related to each other side by side. Wanting to extend their warmth and earthiness, I naturally was drawn to these organic materials and they took me to the warmth of the summery, natural beach. I'm quite taken with the final design and hope that someone relates to the colors and materials to enjoy it!

Coming Soon: Wholesale!

I'm adding an exciting element to my jewelry designs - making them available wholesale!

I sell the jewelry to you at cost, for you to re-sell via your venue at your price. You choose at least 5 items from my online shop, I re-price at cost, bundle and create a reserve listing for you. I put in the work, you put the profit in your pocket! Why do I sell at cost to you? Because I have too many beads! Currently, my children are small and it's difficult for me to get to shows ... but I still need to sell jewelry! As a stay at home mom, I have the time to design and make the jewelry while with my children. So it works quite well right now - I spend the time and enjoy creating and sell it to you; you have more to take to the shows you're already attending! Wholesale/"at cost" prices are typically $5 - $10 less than listed retail on bracelets and necklaces, but please contact me for specific pricing on items you are interested in. No vendor's license required for wholesale purchases, just a 5 item minimum.

More information about wholesale purchases will be posted here shortly. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WHOLESALE PURCHASES at MyHappyThingsHi@aol.com, or through my online shop: http://www.MyHappyThings.etsy.com!

Thanks, it was good to meet you!

A special thanks to all of my local customers and friends who came out to see me at the Bazaar yesterday! And a special "Hello! And thank you!" to all of the new friends and customers I met at the event. It was a great day and was so much fun meeting everyone and talking about jewelry! I was so pleased people were delighted with a special find at my booth and so many walked away with big smiles on their faces. Not only was I more successful than I anticipated, but it was so joyful meeting the people who enjoy my designs and hearing from you in person!

I'm looking forward to releasing more designs in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on my shop!

Thanks so very much, you were so inspiring!

Sat. 10-16-10 at the Bazaar!

Saturday, Oct. 16th I will be showing my jewelry at an annual Fall Bazaar! Local customers have been requesting an opportunity to see all of my designs at once in person, so I've gathered everything from retail locations and my in-studio stock, and will have it for sale on Saturday. Some of my jewelry is at a show in Atlanta this weekend, but the remainder of my designs will be available at the Bazaar.

My online shop will be empty on Saturday, while I am at the Bazaar. If you're local to the Columbus, OH area stop by and see me!

Saturday, October 16, 2010
9:30am - 3:00pm
Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church
1636 Graham Rd
Reynoldsburg, OH
Just above the 5-way intersection at Livingston Ave., on the right. The church is below Main Street but above Livingston Ave.

Hope to see you there and I'll look forward to posting more jewerly online afterwards!

Online SALE Oct. 8-10!

Psst! My online shop will be running a 20% off sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 8th-10th! I'm post-summer, and pre-holiday season and need to move some inventory. Giving my blog friends a heads up ... happy shopping!