Hot Chocolate and Cozy on the Couch

Well, winter is finally upon us :(.   It's been really cold, and windy, lately, but I found a few things to help keep you warm!  And this weekend, I followed my own advice....cozied up on the couch with the dog and a book...very relaxing!

Today's Treasure! Symbol of Change

Dear Bargain Hunters,
I have a gorgeous pair of earrings for you today!  These flighty butterflies are under $10, and are the lowest price of the year!  Catch em while you can!

Butterflies of symbolic of change,  rebirth, and transformation, as they go through changes throughout their life cycle, much like  we do.  We may not make such drastic physical changes as the butterfly does, however,  throughout our life cycle, we may make physical changes, spiritual changes, personal changes, either subtle or dramatic,  that affect our lives.   Perhaps sometimes we are afraid to make changes, and need to seek encouragement.

These butterfly earrings may serve as a reminder to give you the courage to make a change you sorely need, or show the world you have transformed something in your life;  you may want to wear these to celebrate your change, or wear as a reminder that change is good.   The butterfly could be a new and welcome personal symbol for you, or it may already be.  What changes do you see on your horizon, or have already tackled?

Turquoise Blue Butterfly Earrings

What is Today's Treasure?

Each day I offer a different item from my shop, Pixe's Treasure Chest, at the lowest price of the year...marked down 35%! Many items include Free Shipping Worldwide! Check back daily...that piece of jewelry you've been longing for may be Today's Treasure one day soon!

Wishing you a fabulous and peace filled day!
Michele

Today's Treasure! Monday June 21

Dear Bargain Hunters,
I have a great find for you today from my shop!  I live near an area famous for it's antique shopping, and I've always loved browsing the shops!  I'm especially drawn to glass items, especially the colored sandwich glass,  and cobalt glass has always been a favorite of mine!  For me, these earrings invoke that sense of adventure I feel when I'm trolling around the antique shops,  hoping to find that special treasure that calls to me...

These earrings have lots of sterling silver which accent the dark blue cobalt flowers beautifully!  A fire opal Swarovski crystal provides a splash of color and a bit of sparkle!

I've photographed these earrings with and antique sherbet glass from my collection!

Pixe Dew Drops in Cobalt

Feel free to click on the above link for more information, or to purchase these earrings!

Don't forget to check back daily for Today's Treasure, or check Pixe's Treasure Chest daily!  That treasure you've had your eye on may be Today's Treasure one day soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you a fabulous peace filled day!

Michele

Today's Treasure Thursday June 17

Today's Treasure is a fun little bracelet I created using pink silver plated copper wire and Czech crackle glass beads!  This is great for the smaller wrist!  I think this little piece is great for those hot days to come,  with the cool shades of pink, green and blue! 

Concerned about the color on the wire chipping?  No worries!  I beat the heck out of the wire to test it, and with normal wear, should continue to look great!

Crackle Glass Pink Wire Wrapped Bracelet

For those of you searching for a bargain, and  a unique piece of jewelry, this is the place to be!  Check back here daily, or visit my shop, Pixe's Treasure Chest, on Etsy for Today's Treasure!

Wednesday's Pixe's Picks

Welcome to this today's Pixe's Picks! Today, PoshMommaStore is being featured! So...Kick back, relax, enjoy the read!! Comments are always welcome! The artists love to hear what you have to say!!! This week, I'm going to do something a little different...I'm only featuring one artist today, and will feature another artist tomorrow.

Unlocking Purity

PoshMomma has been crafting for as long as she can remember. She tells me: I've been a crafter as far back as I can remember. I actually remember trying to sell painted rocks to neighbors when I was in my early years of grade school (I don't think I ever sold a rock, surprise). All of my birthday cards and holiday cards to people always had to be homemade and I've always preferred giving gifts that I made myself over bought ones, even if they were really crappy. I can not remember a time when I was not crafting in one way or another.

PoshMomma says this is how she got started making jewelry: I began making jewelry in middle school. It started as friendship bracelets, then hemp necklaces. I fell in love with beads and charms through making these hemp necklaces. While in my early years of college, I bought a tanning salon and decided to sell my attempts at fashion jewelry. They ended up being a huge hit and it has grown from there.

Why did you pick Etsy for your shop?: I think I chose Etsy for the same reason everyone else does: I became obsessed with everyone else's stuff. I stumbled upon Etsy on someone's blog and had to open my own shop. I had not made jewelry in years until that point. I put my scrapbooking away and pulled out my stash of beads and headpins. From there, PoshMommaStore was born.

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why? My absolute favorite piece that I've probably ever MADE is the "Unlocking purity" necklace that is in my shop. There is just something about it that I love immensely. I love the combination of silver and pearls, and keys are just so mysterious to me. I really almost hate to sell it but I want someone else to love it as much as I do, and I'll just make another one if I can't bear the pain. Ha!

Wine Cork Earrings with Multi-Colored Beads

Pixe's Pick: PoshMomma not only offers really cute jewelry at affordable prices, she also offers wine tasting cards, which I think is a great idea, especially since I enjoy going to local wineries and sampling the vino! My favorite item is also wine inspired! I love the Wine Cork Earrings with Multi-Colored Beads I found this to be a clever way to re-use the corks! The colorful beads really make these earrings stand out!

That's today's Pixe's Picks! Please take a moment to visit PoshMommaStore to enjoy all she has to offer!

Have a wonderful and peaceful day!

Mich

Pixe's Pick!!

Hi everyone! Welcome to today's Pixe's Pick! This is the place where the really cool and talented Etsy artists are showcased! Please feel free to leave a comment...The artist loves to hear your thoughts!

Yellow Rose Petal Earrings, Triplets, from the Captured Collection

Today, I'm featuring Ann, from Dreamspiralart. Ann's specialty is metal and enamel jewelry!


I asked Ann how she got started in her craft: My love affair with metals was totally accidental. It happened during college in my third year. I had already switched majors several times from pre-med to nursing to undeclared, so I was exploring classes of interest to find a good fit. An advisor recommended that I take a class in metalsmithing/jewelry-making. That sounded cool – I had never worked with metal before. Two weeks in and I was hooked. I changed majors with a new found resolve: I was going to study the arts and become a working artist. I realized I had wanted to do this all along, but had dissuaded myself from pursuing it since it seemed ‘impractical’.
So here I am, ten years later, still doing what I love… and still being ‘practical’ (I haven’t given up my part-time day job yet, but I move closer to this goal with each passing year). I’ve finally found a balance that works for me.


This is why Ann chose Etsy as her selling platform: A friend told me about Etsy and encouraged me to open up a shop. She sells her work at: http://www.juliasews.etsy.com/


Of course, I wanted to know Ann's favorite item from her shop:
I love the “Captured Collection”! It is my newest collection. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5103840&section_id=5573695I have always been attracted to the plethora of color, texture, and pattern that is nature's canvas. I often bring plastic bags with me for long walks in the woods (and not because I have a dog), rather, I like to collect the random bits of nature that inspire my creative work. It wasn't until recently that I discovered how to incorporate these materials into my metal jewelry, in the "Captured Collection." The "Captured Collection" explores the human need to make timeless the treasures in life that bring us joy. All things organic are in a constant state of change. By sealing these found materials in a clear epoxy resin, I am able to suspend them in time. By becoming a wearable object set in precious metal, each bit of bark, tiny flower petal, or autumn leaf is viewed in a new light that can be shared with a broader audience.

Recycled Retangle Bits and Double Spiral Link Bracelet

Pixe's Pick: Being the nature lover that I am, I'm sure you've all figured out that Ann's favorite is also my favorite collection. However, I want to show what other tricks she has up her sleeve, So I'm proclaiming this as my favorite: Recycled Retangle Bits and Double Spiral Link Bracelet. I love the texture of this bracelet, and the swirls (I've been known to use a swirl or two in my designs), and I really like the fact that she has found a way to reuse her bench scraps! Either way, it's a gorgeous bracelet!

Take a few minutes to visit Dreamspiralart, and see what wonderful pieces of jewelry Ann has to offer!
Wishing you all a peaceful and wonderful day!
Mich

Pixe's Picks March 18, 2009

Good Morning! Welcome to this week's Pixe's Picks!! This is the place where I showcase only the coolest artists on Etsy! Grab a cup of coffee, or your fave beverage, put up your feet, and enjoy this little tour of Etsy!!

This week I'm featuring mshalston and CalysJewelryCreations! Please give both of them a very warm Pixe Welcome!!!

First up is Carissa, of mshalston! Carissa is a describes herself as a wordsmith...she expresses her art through words and text. She tells me that she has been writing for 8 years and drawing for about 1 year.

This is how she says she got started in her craft: I started writing when I was in high school, but I start writing "seriously" when I got my first apartment. I lived alone and writing was what I did to fill my time.

Carissa chose Etsy as her selling platform because: Etsy has a great platform and a built-in audience. The visual aspect of the site is very inviting. That and posting items to my shop is easier than writing HTML for my website.

What is her fave item from her shop? That's hard to choose, but if pressed, I'd say it's this: Compromise, original ink illustration from Cleavage by Carissa Halston. I love it because it combines one of my favorite written pieces with a visual that effectively captures the tone of the play.

Pixe's Pick:

I love to read...while Carissa was writing to bide her time when alone, I was reading, and I still do!! My fave is " A Girl named Charlie Lester " I think from what I've read in the synopsis, I could have identified with her when I was a younger...and sometimes, now! This looks to be a great read!

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Next up is Dawn, of CalysJewelryCreations! Dawn says she has been crafting for as long as she can remember. This is how Dawn tells me she got her start: I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My Grandmother always made sure I got cool presents, like latchhooking kits, embroidery and cross stitch. I also had an Aunt that introduced me to ceramics. I've also done some photography, mosaics, scrapbooking and polymer clay. I took a wire wrapping class at a local jewelry shop about 7 years ago to try something new and I was hooked...! I made some jewelry for myself and started making badge holders (lanyards) for girls at work who would ask me...that's when I decided to take the plunge and start my own biz. It was shortly after Katrina which was a life changing event for us. It seemed a natural progression and the something fulfilling I had been searching for. I work at a casino as a dealer and have for 15 years after getting a degree in Biology. I realized a couple of years ago that I've kind of come full circle....My Great-grandmother and my Grandmother owned a fine jewelry store for about 50 years...so I kind of have jewelry in my blood...lol. I wish I could have gleaned a bit of the knowledge they possessed about fine jewelry. I plan on doing some blog spots about my families history in the jewelry world.

Pray tell...why Etsy? I choose Etsy about a year and a half ago when I needed a place to sell my overstock of supplies. It seemed like the most well-known and economical way to destash so I could buy new beads..lol. I have integrated some of my jewelry into my shop, but the bulk of my sales come from supplies. I am transitioning the bulk of my jewelry to Artfire, I think they have a lot of potential, but will stay here at Etsy as well.( I hope I don't get bumped for that..lol)

Dawn tells me this is her fave piece from her shop: My favorite item from my stop has got to be my Dragonfly Obsession necklace. My biggest inspiration is the ocean and the life it carries and always will be, but recently I have had an obsession with dragonflies. I love the colors and feel of this necklace. It is not for the quiet and shy...freshwater stick pearls and kyanite gemstones.

Pixe's Pick:

LOL No, Dawn, I won't give you the boot for mentioning Artfire! Dawn has some really awesome jewelry in her shop. I'm going to break tradition here and show something from her Artfire shop! This is part of her new line, and I really wish I could wear this, I think it's that cool! I love her naked sandals! Definitely a must have beach wear!

Dawn has some really great destash in her shop, I know that to be fact, cuz I purchased some from her!!

Please, leave a comment, visit their shops and give them some love! They would love to know what you think!!

Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and creative week!

Mich

Pixe's Picks March 5, 2009

Good morning everyone! Welcome to this week's Pixe's Picks! This is the place to find some of the coolest Etsy artists! This week I'm featuring Jenny0063 and AJDesignjewelry! Take a peek at their shops and see what great finds they have to offer!

First up in Jenny0063, who specializes in making rustic decor using standing dead trees and driftwood found in her area.

This is how Jenny tells me she got started in her craft: I grew up in northern minnesota, so I have always had a passion for the outdoors. My uncle was quite the craftsman, he built log homes and log furniture as his livelyhood. I would spend summer breaks at his lake home and admire his work, as I got older 15ish, I would actually help him out with peeling logs, sanding, etc... I absolutely loved the idea of transforming a tree into something so beautiful. I am now 28 so 13 years I have been at it.

This is how Jenny happened upon Etsy, and chose it for her shop: I first heard of etsy on a daytime talk show, so I looked into it. When I saw how many etsians are eco friendly, I knew that etsy would be a great place for me and my work. I am a full time school teacher 2nd grade as well, so I am unable to keep as many items in my shop as others do.

Jenny's favorite item is the brazilian agate log coffee table, it combines nature and man made products into a wonderful work of art.

Pixe's Picks: Jenny has a great, rustic shop! My favorite piece is the Log Candle Holder. It looks like a wall from a log home, and I think it would look great in a fireplace, or on my bookcase!! :) Her work is so nice, I just wish she had more in her store!

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Now let me introduce you to Amy Jo, of AJDesignsJewelry!

Amy Jo tells me she has been crafting for quite a long time: About 15 years off and on, I was always just doing it to enjoy life. (Making jewelry and painting are like my therapy.. stressfull day at work, more jewelry I make when I get home) I got my license about 8 years ago and haven't looked back.

This is how she got her start in jewelry making:

I'm a small girl, but I like big jewelry. I never saw anything that appealed to me that was large, but not gaudy. I decided to start making things for myself and then friends wanted pieces, and one day a lady bought my necklace off me in line for coffee at Starbucks. I decided I should give it a shot and I love it.

This is why AmyJo chose Etsy as her selling platform: I LOVE the fact that you can find handmade items all in one place. I have done shows were they put your booth right next to an importer who is selling things at like 80% lower than yours, simply because they have people making their jewelry in another country. I support the smaller artisans who do it for the love of the craft, not simply to make money. I'm very happy to be part of that.

Amy Jo's favorite piece from her shop? My favorite item is "Its Raining Opals" I just can't stop staring at it. It took me hours to get the loops and wiring just right. I cried when someone bought the first one I made. That's the pic above!

Pixe's Pick: Amy Jo has so many great pieces of jewelry to choose from, finding a fave is very difficult! I really like this Waterfalls pendant for the soft blues, and I can actually picture a waterfall...the stones at the top of the pendant the little ripples in the stream, the large briolettes, the waves crashing at the bottom! Calming and exhilerating at the same time!!

These are Pixe's Picks for this week! Please be sure to leave a comment for these wonderfully, talented artists! They would love to hear what you have to say!

Wishing you all a wonderful, peaceful, and creative week!

Mich