LUXE Luther Creations Fundraiser Catalog

Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I last posted. Apologies. I've been a bit sidetracked with the fundraiser catalog that I've been putting together for an Irish Dance Class that needs to raise money to get themselves to Ireland in 2011.

It is such an honor that to be asked to do this. My neighbor's daughter is in the Irish Dance class and all the girls are super talented. It's amazing to watch them dance! The speed and agility with which they dance is incredible!

I have hand selected some of my favorite pieces from my collection as well as create a few new ones for the catalog. Several of the pieces have an Irish theme as it is for an Irish Dance Class. It was only fitting to include those pieces. I love the Irish culture and the myth and lore that surrounds it as well.

In addition to the catalog, I have created an online shop on Etsy where customers can order the fundraiser items of their choice. Here is the link: http://www.mulkerins.etsy.com/

Here is a preview of some of what you will find in the catalog:

Wow! It's been a while!

I really need to update this!

Here's the latest......I hosted a LUXE Luther Jewelry party on June 25th and had a pretty good turn out and sold lots of stuff.....many of my newer designs! Here are some pictures from the party!

I decked out the backyard with paper lanterns and arranged seating areas with small tables, candles and even a table lamp.



Foodies included veggies and dip, cheeses and meats along with figs, grapes and yogurt covered pretzels. Oh, and of course LOTS of wine!



Here we have one of two jewelry tables with assorted necklaces and bracelets. I didn't have an earring tree, so I used my fireplace screen as a place to hang earrings. It worked out beautifully!



Here is the second jewelry table with some of my newer designs featured on it. Long link necklaces, twisted strands of pearls and yoga inspired necklaces.


We all had such a great time! The backyard came out exactly as I envisioned it and the weather couldn't have been more PERFECT.......that too was just as I had envisioned it!


Until next time.....


Thanks for reading!


Kristen

Oh Boy.....a trip to the craft store is in the VERY near future!

Uh oh, I have to go to the craft store to pick up some supplies for a birthday party tomorrow where close to 20 tweens will be making charm bracelets under my supervision. I've never done this before, so it should be a unique experience.

In any case.....the craft sore.....I might as well call it a candy store, because that's what it's like for me. I get nuts looking at all the beads and findings and and and EVERYTHING! The last time I went to the craft sore I dropped WAY too much money there.....like $130 on BEADS!!!! Okay, so the Swarovski crystals certainly tipped the scales, but it still would've been about $100 without them....EASILY!

Well the store opens in about 30 minutes and I still need to get dressed and get myself and my daughter fed before we go. Trying to get an early start to our day. I'll post teaser pics of what I picked up as I usually get hit with divine inspiration at the store to create something wonderful.

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props!!!

Here we are....it's Friday again and as promised I would make up for the brain fart I had last week and forgot to post my weekly shop props. It's been a busy day, and it's only getting busier.

This week I would like to focus on painters. Whether it be painting on canvas or glass, this week I am featuring those who use brush strokes in their creative expressions.

First up is Art to Art Colorado (http://www.art2artcolorado.etsy.com/). I stumbled across this artist by freak accident and fell in love with the colors that are used in the work. The texture of the paintings was also something that pulled me in. The way everything looks all soft and fuzzy and so very inviting. Here are some of my faves from the shop.

Second comes from an artist that I discovered on Etsy some time ago. I was looking for hand painted wine glasses at around 1:00am and stumbled into her work. V Silcox Designs (http://www.vsilcoxdesigns.etsy.com/) has the most wonderfully beautiful and yet highly functional wine glasses, vases, bowls, etc. and each pieces looks like wonderfully leaded stained glass. However, each piece is lead free, dishwasher and microwave safe and every other fabulous perk you could imagine in hand painted glasses. Here are some of my faves from her shop.

Next artist is Mandala Arts (http://www.mandalaarts.etsy.com/). The use of color in these works is exquisite! This man creates these window stickers that all have the theme of peace and well being built right into them. One of the images of a Pegasus brings me right back to my childhood when I was obsessed with all things fantastical and imaginary. Truly stunning works and inexpensive too.....only $3.00 per sticker. I may just indulge in a few. Here are some of my picks from his shop.

The next artist is Dana Marie Art (http://www.danamarieart.etsy.com/). She makes the most wonderful little pendants. She takes little squares of Strathmore linen paper and then creates one of a kind paintings that can then be worn around your neck. Her work has been featured worldwide and she just LOVES what she does. Her little masterpieces as well as her bigger masterpieces are a true delight for the eyes. What I love is her style and technique....it reminds me of one of my favorite artists, Van Gogh. Take a look.

I know I promised six artists to be featured this week, but when it comes to art that uses brush stokes, these four are my all time favorite right now. Once I find more that I like, I will post them. All of these artists have one very obvious thing in common.....they love color and are not afraid to use it. Just love it!

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Ding Bat

I confess, I was a total scatterbrain this past Friday and forgot to post my shop props. To make up for it, I will post SIX picks this Friday. I better get to work hunting down my faves for this week.

In the meantime, please be sure to check out my Etsy shop. I have been making jewelry like crazy and posting new things every few days. I have a slew of new and stunning earrings. Enjoy!

Until next time...

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

YART SALE Days on ETSY!!!

Beginning tomorrow, June 10th, 2009 thru June 14th, Etsy is having their annual YART Sale which gives Etsians the opportunity to clear out all their "older" merchandise to make room for new items.

I have 26 items in my SALE section that have been significantly reduced.....some as much as $30! Check it out! www.LUXELuther.etsy.com


Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props

Happy Friday Everyone!!!! It's been a rainy day here today in Norwalk, CT, but I'm making the most of it by getting lots of business work done....and neglecting my house chores. The laundry and floors can wait until just a little later.

This week I've chosen to focus on Etsy shops that make one feel good about buying their products whether it's because it's a product that's made from sustainable materials or because it simply smells nice. Here are my three picks for this week......

The first one is Gudonya Too (http://www.gudonyatoo.etsy.com/). I have purchased their products in the past and let me just say that if the pictures of their products alone don't make you want to buy their stuff, you are simply a hard sell. C'mon people, you know a great looking cleanser or scrub just by looking at it......and they show you what it looks like....and the quality is obvious from the pictures alone. When I purchased from them, I asked if they could make a custom scented Whipped Clean(c) for me in Pink Grapefruit......they were perfectly willing to oblige and the body wash is HEAVENLY! Check them out!



My second pick of the week comes from Econica (http://www.econica.etsy.com/). I just stumbled across this Etsy shop today and absolutely LOVE the designs and the fact that the materials used are all organic and sustainable fabrics like cotton and bamboo. And the prices are very affordable as well. These days, lots of shops that sell clothing made from organic fabrics are hiking up their prices to cash in on the new wave of earth conscious people. This shop is keeping it realistic for anyone who would like to do better by our Mother Earth! Check out these items from Econica's shop:

My third and final pick of the week comes from Darrielle's Clay Art (http://www.darriellesclayart.etsy.com/). I've always loved pottery and the process that goes into making the individual pieces. Each piece is unmistakably crafted by hand and by doing so is also crafted with love. Her pieces are simple and yet varied and her prices are so incredibly reasonable that anyone who would like to own a piece certainly can and not feel the least bit guilty about it. Here are some of the pieces I adore from her shop.

All these shops have one thing in common, you can feel good on so many levels by owning a piece of their creations. Check back next week for my next three picks and see who I give shop props to. Keep up the good work!

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!
Kristen

Swarovski Crystals - Gotta Love 'Em!

Outside of diamonds and all those other precious stones, I have to say that Swarovski crystals are my next favorite sparkly bit of bling. I bought a pair of earrings off of Etsy a while ago that utilized open designed square shaped Swarovski Crystals in Bermuda Blue. They were the prettiest earrings I had ever seen. I remember I had added them to my Favorites on Etsy and was surprised and delighted when I saw they were still there months later. Obviously, I had to buy them......how could I not? Here's a picture of the beauties. I just love wearing them!

Then a couple weekends ago, I was shopping for beading supplies for an order and came across smaller Swarovski Crystal circles in the same color and couldn't resist buying them. The Bermuda Blue color has to be the most irresistible color they offer, but I'm sure as time goes on, I will develop other favorites.

I am hosting a jewelry party at my home on June 25th and am hoping for a large turnout which would warrant that I have lots of new merchandise to choose from for those who have already seen my work. So I took those gorgeous Swarovski circles and made these:

I already have them posted on Etsy, so maybe they won't even last until the 25th. Here's to hoping they get scooped up.

Until next time.....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props

Here it is Friday again! It seems like Friday is coming quicker and quicker these days. I suppose that's a great thing, so no need to complain.

In any case, here are my Friday Shop Props for this week from Etsy. My favorite shops of the week are as follows:

I have a thing for paper products. I'm not sure why, but something about paper just does something to me.....I have to have it so I can create with it, write on it and in the case of Peculiar Parchment (http://www.peculiarparchment.etsy.com/), I just have to have her mini note cards!!! They are so sweet....and come on, let's face it, when do you NOT need thank you notes???? Her note cards are great quality and her shop is so fabulous and well stocked and so inexpensive. How can you say 'no' to that? Check her out! Here are some things I like from her shop.

My next fave is Pink Lemonade Bags (http://www.pinklemonadebags.etsy.com/). I have a weakness for handbags that are THIS cute!!! These bags are so wonderful! They are fun, trendy, stylish and classy. You must check them out! They are constructed so well. What's not to love? Here are some of my faves fom her shop.

My third and final Shop Prop of the week goes to (drum roll please).....Lauren Rose (http://www.laurenrose.etsy.com/). This shop carries the things that make women drool over jewelry in the first place.....the BLING! Okay, so it's art glass, but it's cut into those shapes we all know with the light catching facets. The colors she features these gems in are surreal, but so very beautiful. Her service is great and her prices can't be beat. What a "gem" of a find! Take a look.

These are the amazing picks for this week. Check back next week to see which shops get my props.

Until next time.....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Friday Shop Props!!!!

Here I am again, posting my favorite Etsy shops for the week and giving props to those shops who offer something truly unique.

My first fave of the week is http://www.strungoutdesigns.etsy.com/. Strung Out Designs makes fabulous jewelry using medium gauge sterling silver wire. Her designs are so fluid and poetic.....but then again, I'm a HUGE fan of swirlies. I just love her pieces. They are so simple, graceful and delicate. Here are a few of my faves from her shop.....
My second fave of the week comes from http://www.thehouseofmouse.etsy.com/. The House Of Mouse has the most adorable little mice figurines. I guess I gravitate towards these cuties because I used to play with something similar as a little girl. The ones from my childhood were made with rabbit fur.....not very animal friendly, but still cute. The House Of Mouse creates these mice with felt and ribbon....a painstaking, detail oriented process with tons of love poured into each character created. Check out The House Of Mouse!
My third and final fave of the week is from http://www.kreativlink.etsy.com/. Kreativlink makes the most awesome handmade journals. Each one is unique with a personality all its own. She uses materials including leather, suede and fabrics that paints take well to. Her work is just beautiful especially since she is inspired by a time when books were full of wonder and secrets. I just love the old world charm her books possess. You must check them out!

Well that's all for now. Check back next week for more Etsy Faves. Maybe I'll give Shop Props to you....

Until next time....
Thanks for reading!
Kristen