Category: summer

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Bite Sized Projects

buckeye moth leather barrette

My studio time was very limited this summer. My husband suffered a serious injury with a long and painful recovery time. Thankfully, he’s okay now. But my plate was very full while he was healing, and I just didn’t have time or energy for big projects. So I opted to finish up some of the UFO’s (AKA “Unfinished Objects”) down in my studio. 

This little buckeye moth barrette is one example. I abandoned it several years back because I couldn’t find just the right stone. Then I found this lovely jasper in my current stash.

It was so satisfying to complete these older works! I worked on these bite sized projects in short bursts as time allowed. It cleared out my studio and my head, even when I wasn’t able to work much.

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Flash Sale + Summer Vacation


Yesterday was the first day of summer, and man do I have plans! To start, I’ll be taking a road trip vacation to spend time with old friends. When I return in early July, we’ll be digging in to a major home remodel project that’s expected to take up most of July. Since it’s likely to get a bit hectic around here during that time (and since I’ll have limited access to my studio) I won’t be taking on any new commissions until that’s complete. I’ll also be working behind the scenes on that business name change/new direction that I mentioned in my last blog post … so you’ll hear more on that when I resurface from this remodel.

While I’m traveling, both my website and Etsy shop will be placed in “vacation mode”, which means that no orders will be processed. This will commence on June 26th – and run through (at least) July 10th. Since the shops will be down for a fair bit of time – and since summer has officially begun – I thought it’d be nice to go out with a small celebration! As of right now, all items on my site are eligible for a 15% discount – just use the coupon code “summervacation” when you check out. This offer starts today (Friday 6/22) and ends on Tuesday 6/26.

I hope this season holds exciting plans and relaxing moments for you too. Thanks, and happy summer to all!

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Happy Solstice and Pollinator Week!

pollinator-weekThese little bee and butterfly themed pieces were created to welcome summer, and to celebrate Pollinator Week (which is this week!). Unfortunately, I was under the weather for a few days and could not finish them in time. Still, the intention is there and they’ll be finished up ASAP :)

I realize that it’s hard to “see” or imagine the finished piece(s) while they’re still in progress. Truthfully, I usually have no idea what the finished work will look like until it’s complete! But at very least, I can tell you that these are intended as jewelry components. The little butterflies and at least one of the bees will become pendants or necklaces, while the wings will be used in some of my earring designs. I’m leaning toward a bracelet for the bee on the blue background, though that may change by the time I complete them all. Oh, and there are some bee wings and a luna moth that didn’t make it into the photo.

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Sunshine and Peridot

“Sunshine and Peridot” treasury on Etsy

I haven’t had time to create many Etsy treasuries of late, but I was feeling so grateful for the summer sun this morning that I decided to make one today. Not surprisingly, it has a summer/sunny theme; I called it “Sunshine and Peridot” to play off of the ruling planet and birthstone ascribed to the month of August.

The astrological sign for August is Leo, which is symbolized by the mighty (yellow) lion. In addition to peridot, gold is also supposed to be well suited to leos. With all of these assorted symbols and lore, this collection just sings “summer” to me.

The selections include fine art prints, jewelry, photos and hair accessories from the Fantasy Artists of Etsy. These offerings are as lovely as they are diverse, so if you’re looking for Leo gifts, you’re sure to find something special for your favorite August child. Click here to see this treasury on Etsy, where you can click through to product descriptions and purchase info!

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Sunshine beckons

So that “nasty head cold“? It may have morphed into bronchitis… On the plus side, the doctor has me on a treatment plan. I’m doing my best to be patient/gentle with myself while I heal, and to get as much creative time in as I can. I kind of need to be creative right now — it keeps me from climbing the walls and helps me to stay positive.

Three weeks is a long time to be sick, especially when we’re finally starting to get a bit of summer sun! I’m hoping it will stick around long enough for me to be able to get out and enjoy it. In keeping with that wish, here’s a sunshine sugar skull mask that I recently finished 🙂