Pretty Spring Flowers

The past few days I have busy making earrings mixing and matching new with the old. These combine vintage rhinestones, Swarovski flowers and brass filigree. All vintage inspired but easy to wear all year long. All available in my Etsy Shop.

Melissa Grakowsky Design Rose Necklace

Winter is almost over and the daffodils are almost bursting open! We went to Mexico for our 6th time and had a great time with dear friends. # weeks goes by so fast but it is always good to get home and sleep in our own bed. Well I went to a bead class at Beads by Blanche which is my very favorite bead store. Blanche and Wendy (the color maven) are ALWAYS friendly and so helpful, love them both. The class project was taught by Melissa Grakowsky a very talented designer. The project was a challenge for me but fun. I did not finish the necklace during class but I did work on it for several days at home. This necklace caught my eye because of the beaded rose and lace. I LOVE flowers. So I am showing off my finished piece which I am looking forward to wearing soon!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Thinking Flowers Today

Today I was in the mood for flowers. I am already tired of the cold, snow and ice. So instead of cleaning my work room I made some flower earrings from some new supplies I received recently. I think they turned out pretty nice. I like combining the sparkle of the Swarovski crystals with opaque stones. These happen to be vintage and I am loving them.

A Touch of Satin

Do you LOVE satin? Do you know the benefits of using satin pillowcases and pillows? A Touch of Satin offers luxurious pillowcases and pillows with all the wonderful benefits of satin. The pillowcases can help prevent split ends, control fly-aways, minimize wrinkles on your face and reduce hair breakage and loss. Who knew!

Mary Clarke, a very charming fellow crafter in New Jersey, makes all these lovely items. Visit A Touch of Satin website http://www.atouchofsatin.com/home to find out more information and to view all the beautiful selections of satin pillowcases and pillows.

The Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton

What a grand day yesterday! I participated in a craft show at the The Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton, NJ. I got into this show last minute and did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surpised. So many very nice people from the people running the show to the vendors on either side of me and of course the customers. Amy Doderer of Nostalgic Designs who helped me out with clips to hold down some of my things as it was a bit windy plus so friendly to speak to. Mary Clarke of A Touch of Satin with her husband and daughter were so nice to chat with throughout the day. Plus I had some very nice customers, the newly retired customer who was enjoying shopping, the 2 young girls who had to decorate their pierced ears with some earrings, to the young lady who looked gorgeous in lavender necklace she bought and wore since it matched her outfit perfectly! Plus I met a young lady and her beau who are getting married in December. She saw the necklaces I make and has ordered some for her bridal party in purple. Oh, and the woman who bought 15 rings! Yes, it was a very good day!

Belvidere Victorian Days

What a weekend! This was my first year to participate in Belvidere Victorian Days and I am glad I was there. Saturday started off very wet but then the rain stopped. The rain did not keep the people away, they were there rain and all. Lots of activities in Belevidere, house tours, teas, civil war reenactments, demonstrations, food and more. I especially enjoyed all the ladies and gents wearing Victorian clothing. So many pretty dresses, hats and accessories. I also met so many very nice people, customers and vendors, who were in the spirit of the weekend. I will definitely be there next year!

Ever Green Consignment & Thrift Shop

A couple of months ago I noticed a new shop near our home. The sign was interesting and the name of the shop 'Ever Green' was written in chocolate brown and white in a green circle. Since it was consignment shop I decided to go through some of our things and bring them into the shop to see if the owner would try to sell them. The owner Joann is just WONDERFUL! She is friendly and a delight to converse with. Her shop is filled with all sorts of pretty things. When you enter the shop it is inviting and neatly decorated. If you like beautiful home decorations, furnishings and clothing then this is place to visit, you just might find that special something. I did. I love paper flowers and there they were! Crepe paper roses in shades of orange and yellow. They go really well in my home. So if your in Hampton, NJ stop by the Ever Green Consignment & Thrift Shop located at 456 Route 31. Phone 908-537-4197. You will not be disappointed!

WOW! It's been a month since last blog.

Well shame on me for not taking time to blog. Just to many things going on. Craft shows are starting this Saturday, can't wait. Its suppose to be a glorious sunny day in Washington.

2009 Craft shows

What a day! Trying to line up craft is very hard work. I sent in a bunch of applications today and hope to get into several shows in NJ. Lots of information and pictures had to be sent in. I hope to be very busy in 2009!

We're off to Mazatlan!

LilDabDesigns...A Little Bit of Everything Pretty

Found a new friend! Her name is Barbara and she has a WONDERFUL shop on Etsy. Her passion is creating things in unique ways and now she says this pass-time has become an OBSESSION. Check out her pretty things in her Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6116978

Memories

The other day I signed up on Facebook and Twitter. I have noooooo idea what I am doing. I hope as time goes by I will figure it out by reading how people uses these sites. Barbara from Bloomfield, NJ wrote me today, check out her page on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296375&id=1010904355
Hearing from her brought back memories of me growing up in Newark, NJ. Memories of Bloomfield Avenue, School Stadium, Branchbrook Park (cherry blossoms), downtown Newark (Hahnes, Bambergers, Blums, McCory's). WOW!

This Weekend Dec 6-7, 2008 Hope, New Jersey

This weekend I am doing a 2 day craft show in Hope Township, New Jersey. It is the 31st Hope Christmas Craft Market which is held throughout the town. From Route 80 Exit 12 onto Route 521 you will come right into the town. Should be a fun weekend. I will be in a space at the school. So if you live nearby please stop in and do some Christmas shopping.
I took some pictures today of Christmas earrings but did not have good luck. Somedays are good and others not. Here is a sample.