Hampton Junction...GREAT FOOD!

If you live in New Jersey or are driving by Hampton which is in Hunterdon County then stop for a bite to eat at the Hampton Junction. Wonderful homemade food for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a very friendly atmosphere. We have always had a very positive experience and vow to come back often.

One of a Kind

Just added some really pretty OOAK necklaces to my Etsy Shop today. All are vintage inspired with brass filigree, rhinestones and dangles. Stop in and take peek!

FREE SHIPPING Until The End of December!

I am offering FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy Shop until the end of December 2010. Now until December 10th I am also offering 20% DISCOUNT when you enter Coupon Code DEC10OFFER when checking out. This is a great deal on some very pretty items some of which are one of a kind. Happy Shopping!

Christmas in Belvidere...New Show Just Added!

It's been a very busy year with lots of things going on. I thought I would end the year with a show in Belvidere, New Jersey. Christmas in Belvidere will be a fun filled weekend with the Christmas Gift Market taking place on Sunday December 12, from 9:15 to 4 PM. You may want to stop by for last minute gifts and stocking stuffers. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Layfayette Village ... Craft Emporium

Starting on Black Friday there will be a Craft Emporium at Lafayette Village. Each weekend for 3 days Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Building H will have crafters selling their wares. So if you live nearby stop in, you may find that perfect gift or stocking stuffer for that special person. I will be there Thanksgiving weekend but the emporium is there through the end of December.

Bobby Pins!

Do you love to wear pretty bobby pins in your hair? Do you wear set or only one? I just added a bunch to my Etsy shop. I am discontinuing this line so there are good bargains in the shop. If you LOVE flowers you will want them all.

Etsy Treasuries - Lots of them!

Lately some of my things have been featured in Etsy Treasuries, this makes me feel really good. Some of the collections are just gorgeous! So many talented people on Etsy.
HGTV Gift Guide
Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana
Snow Snow Snow

NEW Items on Etsy!

I think I am in LOVE with vintage rhinestones! I have been busy making some new earrings using stones, brass filigrees and vintage findings. Choosing the combinations is fun and satisfying. Many of the pieces are one of a kind! Here are a few.

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas items are always fun to make. Lots of you like the tress, snowmen, snowflakes and pointettias I make. this year I am trying a few new things, new modern trees, sparkly angels and some vintage design. Hope to see you at a show or take peek into my Etsy shop. THANKS for stopping by!

New Shows Added!

Just added a couple new shows to my schedule for Novenber and December. November 26, 27 and 28th I will be at Lafayette Village. Should be fun the weekend after Thanksgiving. In December I will be in Belvidere for the Christmas in Belvidere event. I hope the weather is cool and not cold but with a crispness in the air for the holiday. It will be nice to see some of you again. I have loading up my Etsy shop with lots of goodies so stop in and browse.

Filling Up My Etsy Shop!

I am spending time getting my Etsy shop stocked for Christmas. Lots of new things, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more. The newsletter is coming soon! So much to do before my last three shows for the year, make more jewelry, order some supplies and downsize my display. I have discovered that I LOVE beadweaving and hope to do more in 2011. Hope to see some of you at an upcoming show!

Indian Summer ... Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Etsy Treasury

Someone was kind enough to feature one of my beaded pill boxes in their Etsy Treasury. These boxes were so fun to make and the color combinations are endless.

Etsy Treasury: Pretty in Pink

It is always very fun to be featured in an Etsy Treasury. This one is all things PINK and my Pink Rose and Pearl Necklace is featured. Click to view Treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c7a135910246d91d33eac64/pink-pretty?index=0

Crafts and Fine Arts Festival in Collingswood New Jersey

I will be in Collingswood New Jersey this weekend, big 2 day event! The weather is suppose to be perfect and I am ready. So if you live nearby consider stopping by.
http://www.collingswood.com/arts/crafts-and-fine-arts-festival

Pretty Necklace Pendant Necklaces on SALE

Simple, pretty and easy to wear. I just put up several of these necklaces into my Etsy shop. Pretty pastel colors, pink, green, purple and blue. The cameos are made of resin and each has a drop made from vintage rhinestones. You could wear these dressy or casual with t-shirts or a dress. All are one-of-a-kind.

Handmade Faire - Summer of Love 2010

It's been a while since I have done a craft show so I am looking forward to Saturday to participate in the Handmade Faire in Medford, NJ. If you live nearby stop by. EVERYTHING is handmade!

Back from Seattle and Alaska

We are back from vacation and back to reality! Our cruise to Alaska was wonderful and Seattle was just GREAT! We saw lots places and things this past week. Even though the weather did not cooperate we still made the best of it. So if you are interested in seeing our pictures I set it all up on Shutterfly. http://alaskacruiseseattle2010.shutterfly.com/

I've Been Away!

I really like updating my blog but just have not done it! I guess I am not disciplined. I just took some pictures of some new things I made. The piece pictured here is stunning. It is made of rare graduated Swarovski crystals in opaque turquoise. It looks great on the neck as it lays just perfectly. The summer will go by fast and I have lots to make for the Fall and Holiday season. Always something to do and keeping busy.

Do you ear what I ear? (part four)

I was sent an Etsy convo today from Laura Kuhlmann letting me know she chose a pair of my earrings to be one of several pairs of earrings she was featuring in yellow. And she is from New Jersey too. It was very nice of her to include me, much appreciated.
Do you ear what I ear? (part four)

Vintage Rhinestones

I am soooo addicted to vintage rhinestones! The colors and shapes are endless. Besides creating pretty earrings, part of the fun is looking for the stones. The pair pictured here are so happy and fun in pink, blue and green. The flowers on the post just add to the femininity and flirtiness of these dangles.

May Give Away!

This is my first Give Away for 2010 so I hope the instructions are clear. If not drop me a note with your question(s).
Here is what you can win:
*Swarovski crystal cross pendant made from 100 crystals in shades of purple. The cross is dimensional and can be reversed for a different purple color way. The crystals are woven together with tiny seed beads between each crystal. The pendant measure 1 3/4” x 1 1/8” and is on an 18” gold plated chain with a 1 /2” extender. STUNNING!
*The bracelet is made from Swarovski pearls in bronze and shaded seed beads. All the beads are woven together to make this pretty design. The clasp is a toggle in copper tone. The bracelet fits an average wrist and measures 7 1/2”. Very classic.
*The earrings are made from vintage rhinestones. The drop rhinestones are set in brass and dangle from Swarovski crystal flower. I have put these on bronze post earrings. The total length of these s 1 1/2”. If you like pink and vintage you will love these.
More pictures can be viewed by clicking PHOTOS.

What do you have to do to win one of these items?
-You need to follow my Blog by clicking the 'Follow' button found on the left side on the blog page. Then add a comment to the May Give Away post that you are now following me.
At the end of the month I will draw a name of the winner and you can select one of the items.
You can get get an extra chance to win if you let me know that you Twittered this Give Away or shared with your Facebook friends you get another chance to win as I will add your name a second time to the pot of names.

So GOOD LUCK to all who enter this Give Away!

Bead Weaving

I enjoy creating using a variety of bead techniques. One technique I enjoy is bead weaving as it can be very intricate. The cross pictured here is made from 100 Swarovski crystals in different shades of blue plus it is reversible with another colorway on the opposite side. Also added at tiny seed beads between each crystal which makes the cross more interesting and delicate. The color combinations are endless when Swarovski crystals are used. I can see this cross made up in clear crystals for a bride or even for a confirmation or communion. So many beads and so little time!

Vintage Bead Necklace

I usually do not string beads but sometimes I just need to for a change. Most of the beads in this necklace are vintage and the colors remind me of the 1940-1950's, jadeite, red and yellow. The beads came from an assortment of different places, bead trips, Internet and places unknown. FUN piece to make!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

WOW! The first Earth Day was in 1970 and I was part of it. At the time I was going to school in NYC. 5th Avenue was closed down and we walked the avenue. There were flowers everywhere and people were handing out daffodils. It was beautiful sunny and clear day, a day to remember.

Mom's Crochet

My Mom is soooo talented! She loves to crochet and she is a FANTASTIC cook. I visit with my folks about once or twice a week and my husband is always anxious to see what kind of goody I bring home. This week it was a hunk of Italian Cheese pie. He just loves my Mom's cooking and baking. In her spare time she crochets, the more involved and fine the more she likes it. This flower is one of several and the colors are just luscious! The flower is actually a brooch/pin which looks great on a jacket, sweater or even a hat.

Wearable Art and Craft Show to Benefit the Animal Orphange

Next Saturday, April 17th, I will be in Marlton at the Wearable Art and Craft show to Benefit the animal Orphanage. 20% of my proceeds will be donated to the orphanage, which is wonderful cause. The show will be located at the Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton, from 10am-5pm and is indoors between Suede Hair Salon and Panera Bread, and the admission is FREE. So stop by if you need a gift for Mother's Day, something for yourself or just window shop all the wonderful handmade items that will be on display! Or you just might want to adopt a new furry friend to love.

Stunning BEADS!

I found these beads and have used them all to make a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a pendant necklace. The finish on the beads is metallic and depending on how the light them the beads appear different colors, silver, gold, purple, yellow and more. I mixed antique silver metal on all the pieces plus some Swarovski crystals. The only word that comes to mind is STUNNING!

Rain has finally Stopped!

The sun is out! After all the rain we had it is a pleasant site to see, bright sunshine. I like working with natural light because colors look better and and true. I have been busy getting ready to send out my first e-mail to past customer's. I hope to do this monthly and offer free shipping, promotions and give-aways. It's always interesting to try something new. Plus I have been busy making new things for Spring and Summer. So stay tuned!

Paramus High School Spring Craft Show

Tomorrow I will be at the 8th Paramus High School Spring Craft Show for the first time! I am looking forward to this show. The school is on Century Road in Paramus an the hours are 10:AM to 5:PM. So if you are near by please stop on by!

Spring Craft Fair in Hackettstown

If you live nearby stop into the Spring Craft Fair in Hackettstown, NJ. It is being held at the Methodist Church on 213 Main Street. Everything in the show is HANDMADE, no buy/sell. The weather is suppose to warm and sunny, a good day to get out and enjoy the day. I'll be there with lot's of new things!

Deco Necklace

One of the things I enjoy about making jewelry is putting different pieces together especially when some of the pieces are vintage. I came upon these really pretty vintage plastic drops in different colors, peach, coral and beige. The necklace shown here is using the peach ones. I have mixed them with dainty brass butterflies and brass chain. I can hardly wait to make more necklaces with the other colors.

Gearring Up

I am in the process of gearing up for craft shows this Spring. So much to do, I do not know where the time goes! All my shows are listed here in my blog so please check back often. If you live in the area please stop by one of the shows and say 'hi'.

Lil Bowtique & Co

Do you have a little girl, granddaughter, sister or friend? Then you will LOVE this site named Lil Bowtique & Co. So many cute things for girls, bows, hats, headbands, socks and flowers. Heather Helton and Jenifer Driscoll are the two talented women who create all these beautiful things. How did I hear about them? From Jeri Bunyard who I met in Mazatlan this year. Her hubby Bill and my hubby Tom play golf together. Jeri had so many wonderful things to say about her daughter and her friend that I wanted to spread the word to those who love to buy pretty things for little girls. Enjoy!

Back from Vacation

Came back from Mazatlan, Mexico just the other day. It was so warm there and today we are covered in snow. This year's trip was a bit different from other years. It was the first year where we experienced clouds and rain. Crazy weather patterns all over. My find this year was the picture in this post. I just over the subject and the colors are glorious. I carried all the way because I did not want it to get broken by the airlines. It will be over the fireplace mantel and fits the room perfectly. LOVE IT!

Who Knew!

Yesterday I was screaming for help with my FB Fan page and now I feel like a fool. Up to yesterday I had read that one needed 100 fans to change the fan page url but that information was incorrect. I was reading through some Etsy threads and discovered one only needs 25 fans to change the url. I found that our after I posted my blog, wrote on FB and Twittered my call for help. In the mean time I did change the url. 'Thank you' to all who 'fanned' my page and now I am up to 60 which is great.

Frustrasting...Facebook FAN Pages

I am getting really frustrated with trying to get 100 Fans on my Facebook Fan page. Reason? so that I can shorten the url. I have posted in so many Etsy forums, fanned lots and lots of people, asked on my regular Facebook page and nada. What bugs me the most is people asking to be fanned and then they do not fan back. With all the people I have helped I should have 100 fans. What's the secret? All this social networking stuff is really time consuming and I am not sure it is worth it. Anyone agree? Disagree? If you are reading this and are on Facebook, PLEASE 'fan' my page. Thank you!
My FAN page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-NJ/Sincerely-Beaded/98836489212?ref=nf

Loving these Earrings!

This morning I was inpired and full of creativity. The earrings pictured here are one of the pairs I made today. Tiny pieces of brass and rhinestones all go so well together layered and on pretty brass leverbacks. I think these would be perfect for a bride or an evening out.

Thoughts

I did not have such a good day today but I should not be complaining. The people in Haiti are suffering so much. After watching the news today it appears things are getting worse not better. I wish they would fly the orphans to their adoptive parents and get the paperwork figured out later. There is so much devastation that organization is nearly impossible which is not good for those that are injured. Don't know what to say, just pray.

Today was a Good Day

I finished yesterday keeping my food under control so I felt good. I beat myself up pretty bad when I do not do the things I said I am going to do. Today was good. I went to Rockaway Mall to get some little things I needed. Did a little beading. We just came back from seeing Leap Year. I highly recommend it, funny and romantic. Plus the movie made me think about 'what is really important'. Surprised again by my friend Maria. who mentioned me on her website, she is a wonderful person and friend. And I am finishing the day with my food in control. Tomorrow is exercise day, more organizing, beading and out to dinner with friends.

New Attitude

I have been very down and kind of negative lately. So many things going on that I have absolutely no control over. My goal is to focus on me. I have spent so much time on my Sincerely Beaded little business and have not gotten to far, so it's time to spread my efforts into some different endeavors. The first challenge is to take better care of myself. I was exercising at least 3 or more times a week and the past few months I have done nothing. So far I have at least been on the treadmill and did some weights 4 times over the past 2 weeks. The goal is to up this number and try to do something everyday. this will be good for my mind, body and soul. At the same time I want to control my FOOD. It seems I have been eating everything, cookies, pop tarts, cheese, chips, all the things that are not good for me. I am 6 hours into my day and so far I exercised for 1 1/2 hrs and am planning my food for the day. Here's to not letting myself down during the day my giving in to the food cravings. Wish me luck and will keep posting progress.

Ice Cream!

I was thinking about ice cream and decided to make some yummy earrings today. The flavors are Chocolate Chip Mint, Neoploitian and Berries and Cream. This woven pattern lends itself to so many variations and I LOVE making these earrings. The Swarovski crystals come in so many colors, it's fun to mix and match them. Are you ready for a bowl of ice cream tonight?

She's Awaiting Spring

I just made this cute necklace from some small things I had. A while back I had come across some really pretty mother of pearl rectangles and ovals and I thought, 'blank space' to decorate. The one used here is bordered with a very intricate etched design. The brass frame has this cute little bird and she is looking at something. The 'something' I added are tiny Swarovski crystal drops in pink, opal and olive. So then the question was 'What is she going to suspend from?'. I had this really pretty old chain and I added some Swarovski bicones just to dress it it up a bit. I think she turned out pretty nice.

Earrings365: 'Get your fill of ear candy every day of the year!'

Do you LOVE earrings? I know I do and wear different ones almost everyday. Then you will want to check out Earrings365. My good friend Maria opened up an exciting, creative and colorful website on Jan 1, 2010. Each morning she will be posting a new pair of handmade earrings. So far there have been different styles and colors posted, the choices are endless, something for everyone. Every morning I can't wait to see what she has made and view luscious pictures. Maria also designs necklaces, bracelets and more so please visit her other site BelieveStreet. Happy browsing and shopping!

Trying to Learn More About 'Social Networking'

Today I am spending some time reading about Facebook, Twitter and other sites. There is soooo much to learn and use. Reading through Etsy threads there are lots of people getting people into thier shops using these site. I sure have not figured it out yet. Always something to learn.

Will I EVER be Happy with my Photos!

I went for my photography lesson and the instructor said my pictures were really good! This is not what I expected but he did make me feel good. After reviewing my camera settings and experimenting with some light sources I ended up purchasing some lights and a board that the light clamp onto. I guess I just want that 'instant gratification' and have ALL mt pictures be perfect. Not so. Now I need to play and experiment with the light sources and my props. I took lots of pictures today and am only happy with one! No easy solutions here. I am not going to give up and I hope to challenge myself each day using my new toy. Wish me luck!