In Honor of Dumbledore

A bracelet to honor a truly magnificent wizard:
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!

Can your broom fly?

It's time to get your head out of the broom closet & out to the Quidditch field!
Check out these broom earrings! So they're not Firebolts, or even Nimbus 2000's...but they're possibly Clean Sweeps!?!
Anywho, I flipped when I found these charms! I just knew that they were destined for earring greatness! Enjoy!

Go Gryffindor!

Golden Snitch Earrings

Can you believe it? Actual flying Snitches! I originally experimented making these using gold pearls and connected angel wings. Not quite the same effect...let's just say, my boyfriend wasn't very impressed. So after a bit of searching on Etsy, I found the wings you see in the picture below. The wings are now stretched out of the golden balls instead of lying on top of them. I wore mine to craft night and the girls loved them...so does my bf! What do you think?

I think they're quite magical myself! Let's play some "Quidditch"!

"Hedwig" Snow Owl Bracelet

Hello! Here's the second installment of my Harry Potter inspired Projects:

"Hedwig" Snow Owl Bracelet Tutorial.

Gather your Supplies:

1 - Owl Button (Found @ Jo Ann's)

1 foot Softflex wire

2 - Crimp Beads

1 - Hook Clasp

(I made mine using about 3 inches of Sterling Silver wire)

A Variety of white pearls & "crystals"

Start by clasping the button side of the bracelet.

String on a crimp. Run your wire through a wire guard.

String through the button and then back down through the crimp bead.

String your beads in your desired pattern.

Clasp the hook on the other side of your bracelet.

Trim off excess wire.

Enjoy your bracelet!

: D

This one's for my niece!

The Half-Blood Prince

Hey folks! Sorry about the unexpected blog hiatus! We were having issues with our Internet...we could log on for three minutes, and then got booted off. Needless to say, it was very frustrating and impossible to write a blog!

Now back to business. As promised, here is the first of my Harry Potter inspired projects:

Half-Blood Prince Earrings

Please stay tuned in for more...including a giveaway!

Summer Bead Classes

OH Yes! There are new classes lined up at The Bead Shoppe! Here's a few of my favorites:

Wire Lace Earrings Learn how to wire these intricately formed earrings by creating your own wire base. Prerequisite: Intro. To Wirework. Fee: $20. (supplies extra) Date: 5/12 Tuesday 6/16 Tuesday 7/22 Wed. 8/4 Tuesday Time: 6-8 p.m. 6-8 p.m. 6-8 p.m. 6-8 p.m. Place: Roseville Folsom Roseville Folsom

Braided Wire Cuff This class appears hard, but it's really easy to learn! With a bit of stringing we will braid various threads of wire together to create this astonishing cuff! Fee: $20. (supplies extra) Date: 5/25 Monday 6/13 Saturday 7/30 Thursday 8/17 Monday Time: 6-8 p.m. 10:30-12:30 p.m. 6-8 p.m. 6-8 p.m. Place: Folsom Roseville Folsom Roseville

The next one is my favorite! I'll be releasing the pattern (my own design) after the class has passed (before the movie *HP: HBP* is released!). Brick Stitch Lightning Bolt Pendant Make a pendant to wear to the movie about our favorite Wizard hero a week before the new movie is released! You will learn brick stitch basics using Delica seed beads. Prerequisite: Beginning Jewelry. Fee: $20. (supplies extra) Date: 7/8 Wednesday 7/9 Thursday Time: 6-8 p.m. 6-8 p.m. Place: Folsom Roseville

Work in Progress

My boss got these new soldering kits in the store. She asked me to experiment with it to see if I would be able to do a demo in the shop later on this year. Now, I've never used a soldering heat wand before, (I've only used a torch) so I need to practice smoothing out my edges! All in all, I think I did well for a first try! I'm still working on the necklace. More pics to come when it's finished!

I collaged the pendant together using stickers and scrapbook paper.

Fun & FREE!

For all you families looking for something fun to do:

REG’s Free Family Film Festival is a 9-week program

of free “G” and “PG” rated movies.

The films are shown at 10 am on Tuesdays,

Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Admission to all movies is FREE.

UA ARDEN FAIR 6

1739 Arden Way

Sacramento, Ca

REGAL EL DORADO HILLS 14

201 Vine Street

El Dorado Hills, Ca

UA LAGUNA VILLAGE 12

8755 Center Parkway

Sacramento, Ca

REGAL PLACERVILLE 8

337 Placerville Drive

Placerville, Ca

All Showing:

DATE G-RATED PG-RATED

June 9, 10 & 11 Doogal and Madagascar: Escape to Africa

June 16, 17 & 18 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl and Star Wars: Clone Wars

June 23, 24 & 25 Curious George and Journey to the Center of the Earth

June 30, July 1 & 2 Charlotte’s Web and Igor

July 7, 8 & 9 Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything and Bee Movie

July 14, 15 & 16 Horton Hears a Who and Surfs Up

July 21, 22 & 23 Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and Ink Heart

July 28, 29 & 30 Space Chimps and Kung Fu Panda

Aug 4, 5 & 6 The Tale of Despereaux and Hotel for Dogs

REGAL NATOMAS MARKETPLACE 16

3516 Truxel Road

Sacramento, Ca 95834

UA OLYMPUS POINTE 12

520 N. Sunrise Avenue

Roseville, Ca 95661

All Showing:

DATE G-RATED PG-RATED

June 16, 17 & 18 Doogal and Madagascar: Escape to Africa

June 23, 24 & 25 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl and Star Wars: Clone Wars

June 30, July 1 & 2 Curious George and Journey to the Center of the Earth

July 7, 8 & 9 Charlotte’s Web and Igor

July 14, 15 & 16 Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything and Bee Movie

July 21, 22 & 23 Horton Hears a Who and Surfs Up

July 28, 29 & 30 Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and Ink Heart

Aug 4, 5 & 6 Space Chimps and Kung Fu Panda

Aug 11, 12 & 13 The Tale of Despereaux and Hotel for Dogs

Also, Barnes & Noble is having "Camp Half-Blood"

as in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!

1725 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95815

(916) 565-0644

Sadly, the first event has already transpired. (Friday, May 29th)

Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 12pm

Camp Half Blood Crafts

Mythological Gods Charades

Trivia

Campfire Chat

Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 12pm

Camp Scavenger Hunt

Who is your Favorite Hero?

Blue Snacks

Campfire Chat

Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 12pm

The Last Day of Camp Half Blood

Olympics!

Fab Trade!

As promised, I'm posting pics of the fabulous trades I made at my last show!

First up is the Dia de Los Muertos hat I got from Tara to the T.

You know I couldn't pass this up!

Also pictured, my favorite sugar skull necklace by Shonda of Ignition!

As well as my Mars Volta shirt I altered a while back at Scary Craft Night!

Next up is the fun turntable painted T done by the fantastic

Elaine of Rock N Roll Crafts

I altered it a bit so that the neck & arms would be more comfortable. I love it!

Please check out the Rock N Roll Crafts blog for her

"How to Stencil a T shirt Step by Step" tutorial!

Thanks Ladies! It was a pleasure trading with you both! ;)

TOMS Shoes

I'm thinking about getting this for my dad's birthday/father's day. It's for a great cause and the shoes look quite comfy!

TOMS Shoes

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10 Years!

It has officially been ten years since I graduated from high school! My how time flies! I remember it seemed like that day would never come and now it's been gone for so long!

Wow!

Look! I use to have blond hair! I dyed it that color all through high school and the first year of college.

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Anywho... I just wanted to Congratulate my fellow '99 alumni in making it this far! Best wishes to you & your families! Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion! Also, I want to Congratulate the class of '09! Just wait & see what the next 10 years will bring you!

Handmade Parade

I had a fun time at Handmade Parade a couple weeks back! It was funny because I was entourage-less this time around! (I even shocked a fellow vendor with this news...because I usually have someone there with me at the show! Whether it be my bf, sister, mom, etc.) It's good because it encourages me to socialize with other vendors. My sister did come later on so I was able to make it around to visit the other booths. There was a lot of cool merchandise there...I only wish I had more money to get more goodies from the other vendors! I did make some fun trades with Rock N' Roll Crafts & Tara to the T! Pictures soon to come of those marvelous items. Meanwhile please enjoy these pics from the show!

Indie Sacramento May Market

The Indie Sacramento May Market was the first Saturday in May.  We had some fun in the rain...but it did get cold. Luckily, I was able to make a trade with Jen of Rosebud Designs for a great beanie cap to keep me warm!

Here's some video of my niece with her "Alien Transportation Device" with her Ochibo critter. These are the things we do to entertain ourselves between helping customers!

A Project for my Niece

A while back ago I had to force myself to stay away from doing swaps on Swap-Bot. But while reading another blog, I came across a swap for making a Coraline Box. This was also just after I had taken my niece to see the Coraline movie in RealD. (Anyone who hasn't seen a movie in RealD is really missing out! It's sooo much better than the old red & blue 3D!) So I decided that I would do this swap with my niece!

It took me a while to get around to it, but I finally got around to putting my box together. 

I used and old cardboard soda box to construct the frame for my box. Then I covered it in scrapbook paper, buttons (using glue dots - my new favorite tool!), and Stickles glitter.  When it came to finding the perfect button "eyes" I used these adorably cute button earrings  from Peptogirl Industries swag. And I created a pillow for the "eyes" using fabric from Katie Jean fabric swag.  The rest of the goodies were just a miscellany of sewing supplies from my arsenal. I also couldn't pass up making her a coral bracelet!

The most fun part of the project was giving it to Mari - Watching her open it & then taking pictures with the BIG button eyes!

Sweet Shoes

What will they think of next? I found these yesterday when I was out shopping with my mom. 

I wonder how good this  recipe is?

Handmade Parade THIS SATURDAY!

Check out the Vendor List:

Girl on a Bike Designs
Tiny Tog Knits
Outro Designs
Grouse and Badger Gifts
Abel and Baker Design
Mediums to Masses
Brave Moonman
My Cousins Bunny
California Caramel Co.
Ochibo
Classics Redone
Pillowphyte
Drop the Chair
Rain's Embellishments
Ellen's Green Art
Recover Your Thoughts
Fancy Four Paws
Roadside Photographs
Funky Vintage Kitchen
Rock N Roll Crafts
Heart_Felt
RM Creations
HonzCreations
Sacramento Craft Collective
In Good Company
Skeletal Dropkick
Intuitive Hands
Tara To the T
I Scream Seams
The Tin Thimble
Katie Jean
Twin Crow Studios
Lisa PV Designs
Wear Yeti

Oops! I did it again!

(My sister told me I had to blog this one....)

A few months back I blogged about how I accidentally stabbed myself with a pair of scissors on my way to a craft along. Well, this morning I stabbed myself again! But not with scissors, with round nose pliers!

As you all know (or maybe you don't), I am a beader. Which means I frequently carry beading supplies around with me. Well, today I had all my tools (pliers, cutters, crimper, beads) in my bag. While I was walking from my car to work I was holding my bag down at my side. Then all of a sudden, OUCH! I looked down to see my pliers sticking out of my bag. When I got inside the store I noticed that yes, I indeed punctured myself in the calf with my pliers!

Luckily, the wound isn't as bad as the previous incident...and also lucky for me, I already had my tetanus shot!

Again, I warn all crafters to please be careful with all sharp instruments! I'm definitely finding a new case for all my tools!

Trippy

When I was about 4 or 5 years old my dad won a jacuzzi by buying a single raffle ticket at a local Bluegrass festival. After he won it and brought it home, he and my mom made the investment of building a gazebo to house it.  

We enjoyed the jacuzzi for several years. It was my "swimming pool" during the summer months; and I would even have picnics out there when the cover was on top of the jacuzzi. 

Eventually, the pump broke and we never fixed it. So it along with the gazebo became my dad's little den for late night evenings to sip a beer (or two...) and listen to some music.

About a month ago I was bringing my mom some flowers for her birthday, when she told me to look outside at the backyard. O! M! G! It was completely different! The gazebo was torn down! I was completely astonished! ... Still am! I had to take some pictures just to be continually amazed to how trippy it is to see nothing there! 

The center circle of dirt is now the new birthplace of my mom's garden! (Pictures of the garden to come in a later blog.) Not quite sure when I'll get used to seeing my parent's backyard like this, but I'm sure that day will come. Perhaps, when there's another change! (Maybe when the unfinished shed gets torn down!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Grandmas, Great-Grandmas, Aunts, and Godmothers out there! I have been blessed enough to have several of these special women in my life! The two most important being my mom, Kathy, and my Grandma Carmen. Without these women in my life, I doubt I would have the gifts I have today. These women shared their love of art and color with me...as well as bountiful amounts of LOVE! Thank you mom for always being there for me! And thank you Abuelita...I miss you & I can still hear your laughter!

My Mom & I when I was little. 

The woman from whom I inherited a crazy sneeze. 

Who likes to coin her own phrases...

and is an amazing seamstress!

My Grandma Carmen. 

The woman with a ton of spunk!

Who loved to wear colorful dresses...

and who wasn't afraid to paint a couch 

with birds & flowers

 in every color of the rainbow!

My Day of Service

So today I went for Jury Duty. About the least exciting thing about this was that I had to be awake and someplace by 8am. Now I realize millions of people have to be at work at 8am everyday...but I've grown spoiled from my job at The Bead Shoppe and usually don't have to be to work until 11am on a daily basis.

I got downtown in time and found parking at the jury lot. Then I had to go through the metal detector (my purse through the x-ray machine) and go upstairs to check in. Once upstairs I joined the mile-long line of fellow jurors. Once checked in I had to fill out a survey that asked basic background questions and then wait for instructions. So I waited by starting to read a comic book (The Watchmen) my friend loaned me. They called the first couple groups of jurors and then started a movie.

Every once and a while they would stop the movie to call a new group to different jury rooms. Right after the first movie ended and the second one began they decided to free us for a lunch break. It was really nice to step outside for some fresh air. I found out that there was an open farmers market at Caesar Chavez park at lunchtime on Wednesdays. I perused the fresh fruit, veggies, flowers and bread but sadly realized I had no cash to take advantage of the market. So I walked back across the street to La Bou for a delicious Thai wrap & basil pasta salad! (yum!) On my break I called a couple of people and made several texts to my boyfriend. Then I walked around Central Library and then back around outside to enjoy the beautiful day. 

Eventually I had to head back inside the court house.  I caught the end of the second movie and then they began to call for more jurors. Again I sat and waited. When they started the third movie I began to doze off for a nap. Then I was startled awake for the announcement of another group. After a few minutes I dozed back off and awoke about 20 minutes later with a neck cramp. Texted my sister while being tortured through the end of the third film. Towards the end of that, they announced that the remainder of us would soon be released for the day. 

My day of waiting soon ended (around 3:30) and I was permanently released from jury duty...for the next 18 months at least! It really wasn't that awful of an experience. And now I know what to be prepared for the next time I'm called.