Working without words.

Here are a few picks of where I work to design me pieces.






Notice the TinkerBell that my daughter colored for me :) She is my "muse"!

Take a look at some of the other EART team members work spaces and works in progress. Follow the ring around, starting with the Team Blog.

My favorite Etsy Shops.

Today for our EART Blog ring is discussing what Etsy shops are our favorites. I am so excited to be writing this post, because there are so many great shops out there that it is hard to see them all. Hopefully you can brows by my favorites and make them some of your favorites too!

Here we go!

1. SMDstudio.etsy.com - Steve Drew is a super talented artist who has found his niche in the art world creating realistic landscapes, birds and much more on canvas.

2. Luxbeads.etsy.com

I have gotten some of my favorite gemstones from this shop, and have always have a great experience! Love the fact that I can but small amounts of many stones. This way I can get more diverse design work done for the same amount as a strand of one type and cut of gem.




3. EclecticArtisansTeam.etsy.com

Of course this in one of my favorites. So many great artists in one place! What a great mix of talent. Come check it out.




Want to see some more favorite picks from EART artists? Follow the blog ring around starting here at the team blog and read through some other great posts!

These Are A Few of My Favorite....Colors

Today on the EART Blog ring we are talking about out favorite color to work with. I have to admit that I tend to gravitate toward cool colors in my work because that is what I enjoy for myself. Blue is my weakness. It doesn't matter the shade, any blue will do!!! I prefer to work with natural gemstones that are blue instead of glass. I feel that the intensity that nature brings to the stone is so much more beautiful than any glass could be.

I don't think that I have a problem using other color combinations, however I don't wnd up doing it very often because I work from impulse. So my impulse typically gravitates to my personal color preferences. Stuck in a rut may be a more appropriate term for me than out of my comfort zone! Haha!

Want to read about what colors light up the creations of the other EART team members? Head on over to the team blog to follow the ring around!

Save some dough on Cyber Monday!

The EART team is having a trunk show in the Etsy virtual labs on Monday the 30th. Stop on by to see some gret products and get some awesome deals!!

Why I do what Ido

This week for our EART Team blog ring we were asked to write about why we started with our craft. I was thinking about this the other day and trying to pin point it down. I have been "crafty" for so long that it seem like it has always been a part of my life.

I have to give the credit for my hands on, creative nature to both of my parents. My dad is a wonderful wood worker and has always been good a "building" things, even one of the houses we lived in. My Mother is a talented seamstress and crocheter. In addition to all of that she cross stitched and is excellent at drawing and scketching.

With all of that being said I think I get my love for jewelry and design from my Pawpaw (mother's father). He was the kind of man who saw something that he was interested in and just did it. He never did anything half way either. One of his many "adventures" was into silversmithing and lapidary. He created jewelry and even cut his own stones to use in his beautiful pieces.

I have several of the stones he cut, and a few of the peices that he created. I am amazed by them, and admire and miss my Papaw so much. When I inherited these items I realized how much I really wanted to pursure jewelry design and eventually silvesmithing.

Even though I have been crafting with beads, elastic cord, and copper wire for many years, it was the nspiration that my Papaw left me that has given me the passion ans desire to make something more from my gift. To make the most beautiful things that I can with the best quaality and love that I can give them.

Thank you, Papaw for everything! I miss you!


Ok...drying my tears now :) Want to read about how some of the other EART team members got their start with their craft? Start at the Eclectic Artisans Team blog and work your way around. They have some great stories to tell that are worth listening to!

Have fun and Have a Great Thursday!!!

November Scavenger Hunt!

I am proud to be a contributing member of the The Eclectic Artisans Team's new team shop. Check it out! To celebrate our new shop and the beginning of the holiday season, we're having a scavenger hunt, and everyone is invited to participate!

Here's how to play:

Visit the participating etsy shops (scroll down for the list of shops) and search their items for this photo:



When you find it, send the shop owner an etsy convo letting them know you found it. You can search and enter in each participating shop. You can only win once (we want to share the love as much as possible), but the more shops you enter, the more chances you have to be a winner! Each shop owner will randomly draw one winner at the end of the hunt.

That's all you have to do. The scavenger hunt runs from Friday, 11/13, 2009, to midnight EST on Friday, 11/20/09. Check the EART website on Monday, 11/23/09 to see the winners. Enjoy the hunt!

(Please note: EART members are not eligible to win prizes.)

Here's a list of participating EART shops and their fabulous prizes:

MichellesCharmWorld
Prize: Pair of Lego Earrings & Lego

EDCCollective
Prize: Set of four photographic art note cards with envelopes, your choice of images.

DivaDea
Prize: set of four handmade christmas cards

IndigoOrchid
Prize: Platinum Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings

Pnkgeeni
Prize: set of six handmade embossed christmas cards

AWEshop
Prize: Hammered Copper Adjustable Spiral Ring

Purple Sparkle Crafts
Prize: Sugar Pink Marshmallow Cupcake Candle

MouserkinsMagic
Prize: Choice of 2 Bookmarks

InspirationRecycled
Prize: Peacock and Brown Felt Pendant

Punkynmunky
Prize: Animal print no slip hair clip trio

BeautifulSchlopp
Prize: $25 gift certificate

Hair Bows Wonderworld
Prize: red velour rose pin-on corsage/buttonhole

EclecticArtisansTeam
Prize: sparrow earrings from MichellesCharmWorld

Holiday Shopping Specials for You!!!!

This time of the year everyone is concerned with what they will give their friends and loved ones for the holidays. I am no exception! I have been browsing Etsy for the perfect gifts to give the special people in my life.

I hope that I can make your shopping a little easier this year by making it easy on your pocketbook (Who doesn't need a little help with that!).

Here are some of the specials I will be running:


STARTING 11/13/09 and continuing through 12/5/09

♦Free Domestic Shipping on orders of $30.00* or more
♦$3 off International shipping on orders of $30.00* or more.
♦Free gift with purchase (Perfect as a stocking stuffer)

After order is placed, please wait for a revised invoice from Paypal BEFORE you pay.

I have a free holiday gift wrap option available if you would prefer holiday colors to the traditional purple, white and black Indigo Orchid Designs packaging. (Please specify the holiday you are gifting for in the notes to seller upon check out)

* $30.00 minimum total cannot include shipping charges


I will also be running some blog reader only specials, so make sure you come back and check every once in a while to make sure you don't miss anything!!

Ok...Time to get out your pens and paper and head over to the EART Team Blog and follow the blog ring through each blog to collectyour lest of specials and discounts from EART members!! This is a great way to save some time and money this year!!appy Thursday everyone!

H