It's Giveaway time again!

Here are some more handcrafted giveaways that you should know about!

For most of these giveaways you must leave a comment describing 1-2 favorite items on the giveaway host's blog post! Also you must fill out the form or leave any info they might ask for. Sometimes they leave the subject of the comment up to you!

At Thrifty Jinxy you could win a Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn Cupcake soap by Serah's! Enter by 11:59 EST on 12/18/08. 

At Heather Knitz you could win a set of art cards by 5erg! Ends 12/08/08. Heather Knitz has 5 other giveaways that range from jewelry to cuffs. They also end on 12/08/08, so don't delay!

Julia Catherine Jewelry is giving away her apple green drop earrings! What do you have to do? Just join here mailing list! Drawing will be held on December 15th!

Ruggratsx2 has 3 giveaways going on right now! End dates are the 6th, 8th, and 10th!

Suaviloquy is hosting 10 giveaways during 10 days. It starts today! Today there's a giveaway for pottery! It's a red dogwood plate by Whitney Smith Pottery. You should see it even if you don't enter. Who knows what tomorrow will hold! 

At Life in the Craft Lane there's free graphics for everyone! Since there's 20 days until Christmas, Mandie's giving away 20 cool looking graphics. Please don't claim her graphics as your own. She doesn't mind if you uses them for personal or commercial use. If used for commercial purposes please alter them and give credit where credit is due. Tomorrow there will be 19 graphics!

Jennifer Stewart from 10oneworld has a giveaway every week! This week you could win a scarf by Kim at TallGiraffe! The drawing is on Tuesday morning (12/09/08)!

The NC Triangle Street team is also having a Mega giveaway. There's so many you'll have to see for yourself! So click away! 

At Always Amy there's a contest for a $15 gift certificate to... JoBead! 

If you like games more that contests, there's a scavenger hunt going on at Fo-Shizzle! If you find the green bow, you can win a free gift!

People giving everyday.

Jeeks

Inspired by a Novel

A few weeks ago, I read Cyndere's Midnight by Jeffery Overstreet. It's the second book in it's series. To me it was about an heiress who...

Was married to the love of her life. However, tragedy found him in the ruins of another house while looking for survivors. After her husband died, Cyndere no longer accepted closed walls to be her playground or cage. She longed to end her life but something kept her from falling into the depths of that dark and unforgiving sea. During her sabbatical the heiress of House Bel Amica decided to sneak out at night to find acceptance for what she'd lost. Along the way she found new friends, dark dangers, healing waters and new strength. Therefore, out of her story this necklace of protection was born!

Introducing... Moonlight Path.

If you'd like to see more pictures of it... just click on the above photo.

So, what do you think? Leave a comment if you can about the necklace or the book. It doesn't matter. I must say that I enjoyed the book so much I made a necklace and named it after the book! ;0). And maybe that wasn't so wise. How did I forget about copyrights? I must have spaced out! Thanks sis for reminding me. So very sorry! It was my inspiration this time around, but it's name is now different (Moonlight path... necklace). By the way, the only connection that this necklace has to the book is that it inspired a handmade jewelry crafter. However, I still think you should read the book (if you haven't already ;0)).

Oh! And if you'd like more info about the book or more info about the Auralia's Colors series, just click to your heart's content. Or if you'd rather be routed to the author's blog The Looking Closer Journal, then go ahead.

Inspiration. Springing from surrounding works.

Jeeks

New items at SkySong

Hey Guys! Just a quick note... there's new items at SkySong. Also if you have your eye on a jewelry box act quick! They're one of a kind, so once they're gone, there're gone!

Speedy!
Jeeks

Sold Items 11/23 to 11/30

Hey guy's more items are gone this week. Join me in saying good bye to...

Simply... Aqua Blue Earrings. (CA)                Harlem Sweetie Excerpt... jewelry box. (UK)

  

Oranges and Mangos Earrings. (NC)               Playful Copper Feather Necklace. (MT)

  

Pink Seahorse Earrings. (NC)

If you'd like to see what other items SkySong Creations has to offer just click the link.

They're travelling farther than I have...*sigh*.

Jeeks

Sold Items 11/16 - 11/22

     Simply Aqua Blue Earrings. (CA)              Simplicity Necklace. (AZ)

Hey!
I thought I'd let you know when items sold at SkySong. Just so that you'd know what other buyers are interested in.
Insight...jewelry box. (KY)                              Beyond the Mountains. (NC)

Here they are! Above and below.

Harlem... jewelry box. (NJ)

To infinity and Beyond! :0)

Jeeks

Pasta Nutritional?

Today we are still talking about pasta because who knows you might not know. A lot of athletes and scientist/nutritionists/doctors know. But, what about you?


Did you know that pasta is Italian for dough? Ok maybe not quite this type to the left, but it would be if it was boiled. It has the important factors... flour, eggs, and water.


Pasta is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, which means it's not just a complex carbohydrate food.



You can get as much energy from it as you would in a "pure" protein like steak, but with little or no fat. So you can eat pasta and go run a mile. That's so cool!



There are 8 amino acids that are required to make up a complete protein and pasta has 6 of those. To make it complete just add a small amount of meat, fish, cheese, pulses or eggs! And did you notice? Most of those ingredients are in traditional pastas anyway!



Pasta with egg is the nutrient winner, however wholewheat pasta has the highest percentage of vitamins and fibre.



Pasta is inexpensive (when cooked by you), quick and easy to cook, and very versatile. Which is so nice in this economy and world today.



The key to healthy eating lies in eating pasta as the Italians do, with a small amount of ingredients. Hmmm... I'm not sure if I like that, lol.



In Italy, it is traditional for pasta to be served as a first course, before the main course of fish or meat. Usually, there's only a small spoonful of sauce and a light sprinkling of grated cheese.



Heart disease is the lowest in Italy, compared to the rest of the civilized world. Doctors, nutritionists and scientists agree that the Italian diet plays a large role in this. Just think... Italian cooking includes extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh or canned tomatoes, olives, onions, parsley, and fresh peppers. Plus loads of fresh fish, veggies, fruit, and pulses. That's why the little red heart is stamped on packages of pasta.

However, you must be careful when thinking about colored pastas. Make sure they don't include artificial colorings! Because that part kills the all natural and healthy pasta pitch. ;)



So, think healthy the next time you see a plate of pasta. Remember it's only healthy if you keep it healthy, because every healthy food can become unhealthy with the things you add.



Pasta it's nutritious and delicious!
Jeeks



For more info see The Pasta Bible by Feni Wright.

It's lunch time! What's to drink?

Ok, so this week I thought we'd focus on Food and not so much on jewels! Don't worry they will return. And because this 'Did you know ?' post shows up around lunch time, the focus will be on pasta and wine. Yes! Food! I promise you it tasted better than it looks. It was my first try!



With my meals, I'm more of a loose tea drinker and I may cook with wine from time to time. The closest I get to drinking wine is... grape juice. But I'm such a fact freak! And I like to learn things that are useful and even those that aren't.

So, if you were planning on cooking or just eating pasta, What wine should you choose?

There's no real rule for eating and drinking except for DON'T DRIVE!!! LOL. Oh! And WAIT till you're 21 or over if you're in the US! I just couldn't resist.

If you know which region your pasta dish comes from, choose your wine from that region. If a red or white wine is used in cooking the sauce, serve the rest of it during the meal. If you'd like a list to follow then look to the ingredients of the sauce. Who new?

Got fish or shellfish?
Choose Vernaccia, Veridcchio, Soave, Pinot Grigio, Orvieto Secco, Est, and Ciro (white).

How about meat, poultry or game? Oh my!
Red meat
Valtellina, Valpolicella, Soave, Pinot Grigio, Ciro (red), Chianti, and Barolo.
Poultry
Valtellina, Soave, Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Castel del Monte, Bardolino, and Barbaresco.
Rich meat
Vatellina, Soave, Pinot Grigio, and Lambrusco.
Game
Valtellina, Soave, Pinot Grigio, Ciro, Chianti, and Barolo.
Pork
Soave, Pinot Grigio, and Lambrusco.
Meat lasagna
Soave, Pinot Grigio, and Barbera.

Is it spicy?!
Pick Soave, Pinot Grigo, and Frascati.

As you can see, Soave (light) and Pinot Grigio (fresh) are both good with any sauce or dish. Both are white and dry. The first is from Veneto and the second from FriuliVenezia. Vernaccia is rich, nutty and red and from the island of Sardinia. It sounds so romantic... Sardinia :). Verdicchio is crisp, dry, and white from Marche (Central Italy). Valellina is red from Lombardy. Valpolicella is red with a bitter aftertaste...from Veneto. Orvieto Secco is white and dry from its name sake in Umbria. Named after a place can't beat that! Lambrusco is red and from Emilia-Romagna. Frascati is crisp, fruity, dry and white from its name sake. Ooh! Another one! Est is clean, dry and white from the Lazio region. Ciro is fresh, zingy white or full-bodied red from Calabria. Chianti is famous and red from Tuscany. Mmm...Tuscany. Castel del Monte is red or rose from Puglia. Barolo is red from Piedmont. Bardolina is fresh, light, red from Veneto. Barbera is red from Piedmont. Barbaresco is red and complex from Piedmont.Wasn't there an elephant named BarBar? Or was it Barber? Anyways, wow! There are many from Piedmont in this "list"!

So yeah. That's pretty much it for now. Whether your dish is creamy like Alfredo or meaty like Lasagne, choose the drink or sauce additive with what you now know. Ok I'm hungry...

Who wants pasta!
Jeeks

Giveaways!

Who loves giveaways? I do ;)... do you?

http://10oneworld.blogspot.com/ Jennifer Stewart from 10oneworld has a giveaway every week! This week she's giving away one of her brown 100% organic cotton shirts in your size if you win! Just leave your name and email on the appropriate comment page. Oh yeah be sure to post the name of your favorite item too! The drawing will take place on Tuesday 11/18!

http://brisstyle.blogspot.com/ The BrisStyle team is a group of 17 etsy crafters who have put together three huge packs of handmade goodies from, to be given to three lucky random winners! Each pack is valued over $100! Ok, so what do you have to do to get it? Just answer this question...How did you hear about BrisStyle? That's it! Ends 11/21 Australian time.

http://blueeyeddog.wordpress.com/ Sorry guys this giveaway ends today. It's for a cute ornament. So hurry up! Just post your favorite cold day activity!

http://katydidandkid.blogspot.com/ You could win a cool set of wooden thongs by Jonathan! What do you have to do? Um...well. It's a little more than normal. Visit Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons and leave a comment on the appropriate post with your favorite product AND the nearest store location to you. Leave your email address in the comment or make sure it's accessible. You can gain extra chances to win but you'll have to go there to find out how. ;>). Ends 11/22.

http://ohhowlovely.net/shops/2008/11/09/etsy-adore-save-our-home/ If you go here you could win an everyday bag to go with your favorite outfit! Because you choose the color if you win! How to you win it? Go to Save Our Home OR Cherry Blossom Co and pick out your favorite item to comment about! Ends 11/15! That's tomorrow!

http://nctriangle.blogspot.com/2008/11/shop-giveaway-orange-cat-art.html This North Carolina based team is hosting a contest using items from the Orange Cat! You could win a desk top calendar or a set of cards using photographs taken in NC! Just leave a comment about your favorite item and leave your email. And that's it! Ends 11/18.

http://getpalmd.blogspot.com/2008/11/art-created-interview-and-giveaway.html This giveaway is for jewelry by Ahna. Find your favorite, leave a comment about it, leave and your email on the appropriate post. Ends 11/15.

Have fun!
Jeeks

A new day, month, and post!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for not posting for such a long time, but that's over now. So what's new?!

Well! SkySong Creations has introuced a new jewelry box line called... Jewelry Box Expressions!

If you have time you should check them out. They are totally cute! Here's an example...

Short and to the point!
Jeeks

Giveaways

Here's a quick giveaway post featuring etsy artists!

JTsBoutique
http://sockmonkeyaddict.blogspot.com/ Just post a comment to win!

BrightonEarly
http://brightonearly.blogspot.com/2008/10/monthly-giveaway-kick-off.html Ends October 31st! All you have to do is comment!

MellyRooDesigns (sdkent79)
http://www.mellyroodesigns.com/ Leave a comment. Ends October 27th!

Have fun!
Jeeks

New Items!

Hey All! Just wanted to let you know there's new items at SkySong Creations. So, stop by if you can!

Jeeks

Jet

Did you know...

Jet is coal that has become petrified over time. Which means, it's made up of Carbon (C). It is said that jet...

• can be used to alleviate arthritis and inflammation of the joints.



• is helpful in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, and headaches.



• should never be cleansed or charged by water or sun.



• is found in the USA, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and the former Soviet Union.



• has a structure similar to wood.



• is similar to anthracite (hard coal) and vulcanite (hardened rubber) which have been used to imitate it. So Watch Out!

Well, gotta jet!
Jeeks

My 1st sell & 2 weeks notice.

Yay!! I finally had a sell :>D. Three of my items are nolonger my own.

• Fall Feather Copper Earrings
• To love a dove...necklace
• Pink Seahorse Earrings

Wow, you know it feels really great to finally sell on-line. It's so much harder to do when compared to in person.

Ok, so I have to tell you what my first customer said because then I'll have the guts to tell you my other news...

guardins4peace writes:

I have been visiting your site on several occasions. I love your designs! They are so unique. I look forward to reciving my set. I'm sure my friend is going to love the earrings I bought from you for her.

Thank you so much for your kind words guardins4peace.

Now, for my other news... yesterday I found out that wyeth is going to let their contracters go. They did it once earlier this year and now it has come again. My contract was supposed to last until december, but they are breaking that contract. Now my last day at my full time job is Friday, October 24, 2008. You know at first I was really sad because I'm really going to miss the people that I interact with everyday. However, I know that I can work to stay in contact with them. Plus, I knew I was leaving in December. So now that door will soon be closed, but my window will soon open. And, I don't mind the climb because it'll make me that much stronger. As for work, I'll have a little more time on my hands to make more new and exciting stuff for Christmas, at least I will until I find a new job or go back to school!

Other than that bit of news...yesterday was really a good day! And I will not let it keep me down because there's more to life as Stacie Orrico would say or sing. Plus, joy, peace and faith grows much deeper than ones reactions to change :>).

Blog Giveaways!

I was searching through etsy's forums (during lunch) and I keep coming across giveaways. So! I just decided that I will create a section on my blog just for giveaways. I mean, who doesn't like free stuff?! One day, hopefully soon... I'll host some, but right now I'll let you know about the ones I've found. Just in case you haven't heard about them or found them on your own.


So, first up is at...
http://woolies-woolies.blogspot.com/

There is a post about a shop called MayBeads. The shop owner is giving away a very cute penguin necklace. The penguin is a beautifully crafted lampwork bead on a stretchy necklace. It's perfect for young girls and tweens. If you're interested, leave a comment on woolies blog about your favorite item in MayBead's shop.


Next up is...
http://10oneworld.blogspot.com/

The giveaway is for the winner's choice of earrings from PriscillaDawn. Priscilla Dawn makes anything from cloths and bows, to earrings and bracelets. If you're interested follow the directions on 10 one world's blog. Ends October 14th.


Then there's...
http://smilingfrogs.blogspot.com/

You can win earrings just by leaving your email in her comments, but please check out her shop too. Ends October 11th.


and...
http://marymarsh.blogspot.com/

Win magnets, paper clips, ponytail holders, earrings, bobby pins, a necklace, hair clips, or a ring.
Obviously MaryMarsh is very genorus. All you have to do is sign up for her newsletter! Ends October 21st.


and...

http://designsbycori.blogspot.com/

Win a bar of Lemon Verbena Salt Bar from Soapdeli! All you have to do is comment on your favorite item! Ends October 21st.

here's another...

http://whatrosemadetoday.blogspot.com/
Leave a comment and you could win a 1970's style bookmark. Come on I know you're really a book worm...lol. Ends Today. But you can check back every Wednesday!


Ok! Whew! That's enough for today.

Have fun
Jeeks

OMG I'm in another treasury!

Treasury 2! Yes! If you'd like to see it it's here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=13089

It expires around 8:21 today! I didn't even know!

I couldn't make a comment because there were already too many, but thank you so much KisforCalligraphy!

Better yet let me show you! Warning: it's a little wild!

Thanks lots!
Jeeks

Jade

Next up on our segment of DID YOU KNOW is...........JADE! (:>0)

The English word jade is derived from the Spanish term piedra de ijada (aka loin stone). It has been used and sought after in China since 5000 B.C. because it was harder and more resistant than any other stone at that time. Jade has been thought to be 1 stone. However, jade is actually 2 stones, not 1! Well, what do you know...lol. It is a combination of Jadeite and Nephrite. The difference, you ask? Jadeite has aluminum (Al) in it's chemical composition. Nephrite has magnesium (Mg). Jadeite is rarer, thus more valuable than Nephrite.
Jade has been known to have a beneficial effect on all glandular functions, it lowers fever and it has a detoxifying effect on the body by stimulating the kidneys.

Jadeite	Jade	Nephrite
NaAlSi2O6	Chemistry	Ca2(Mg,Fe)5(OH)2(Si4O11)2
pure jade= white with impurities= green, red, yellow, pink, white, violet, orange, blue-green and brown	Colors	green, creamy white, beige, yellow, blue, black and often contains veins of color
axes, knives, weapons, ornamentation, carvings, and jewelry	Uses	jewelry, carvings, bowls, vases, symbolic ornaments, axes, knives and weapons

*Impurities include : Calcium(Ca), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), and Manganese(Mn).

BEWARE!: When Jade is sold under names such as New Jade, Korean Jade, Stygian Jade, Pagoda stone, Mexican Jade, and Indian Jade, it is likely to be a fake! Also make sure the jade hasn't been dyed. If it has, it was initially poor quality jade.

Whew! That was fun!

Never jaded
Jeeks

Just A Heads Up

Hey! I was just writing a quick note about SkySong Creations. Yeah...if you haven't heard it's this new shop on etsy.com. For now on there will be new items added to the shop...get this...EVERY WEEK! Lol. Ok, that's enough promotion for now, but here's the newest item added (there's others too).

Introducing..........Love My Links!

Let this bracelet remind you every day that love doesn't always have to be singular, but it's linked to the many other hearts that you touch every day. So, spread the love!This bracelet was created using copper and sterling silver wire, aged to perfection. It measures to about 8 inches.

With many hearts
Jeeks

And the winner is...

Ok, the CRT raffle has ended. Here's a scratch up of the flier. And the winner of SkySong Creation's green/peach pearl necklace (# 5 on the list) is.... Debbie! Congrats Debbie Carter!

The raffle was a big success. Misty was able to raise $410 for CRT! Yay!

That's one way to save a life!
Jeeks

Guess what?! I'm in my 1st Treasury on Etsy

Hey! I've been absent over the weekend doing all sorts of things like cleaning and getting the car brakes fixed...it was so much fun! lol. Anyways, I was placed in a tresury on etsy. If you want to see click here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=13208. Be sure to check out all the artists featured. The treasury I'm in was made by jrdnart and it's called UNKNOWN ETSY ARTISTSTWICE. It looks a little like this-->

Oh yeah, see if you can find me. :>)

If you didn't know, the Treasury on etsy allows sellers and buyers to create a list of favorite items (made by others) to be shown. Once made it is shared with anyone who finds them. If a list reaches a magic viewed number or clicked on number it will hit the front page of etsy. The list itself only last 1-3 days.

(This list ends on Tuesday!)

So, click on people, click on. lol.
Jeeks

More On Etching...

I promised to post more pictures of etching, so here they are!

Here are some drawings...

And here they are before aging...

And here are 2 of the ones made before...incorporated into their own respective pieces.

Introducing......................................................To Love A Dove

And................................................................I LOVE You More

Happy Etching!

Jeeks