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