I'm Still Swapping!

Last week I received my next ornament in the Christmas Ornament/Decoration Swap. This amazing little basket stocking comes from Baskets by Rose. This ornament is amazing!! How does she do that?! Should tell hubby that a small roundish gold Christmas Present would fit nicely into this ornament! (hint hint) Please check out Rose's shop - she has the most amazing baskets!!


I traded with Candles by Marla. Just got my package this morning. Could not believe the amazing smell that came out of the box when I opened it. The orange candle is "Pumpkin Custard Spice" & the purple one is "Spiced Sugar Plums". They look so pretty and smell so nice, I don't want to use them :) If you love candles - you really need to check out Marla's shop. There are an amazing variety of candles to choose from, all different sizes, shapes and scents! You won't be disappointed - I promise!



Another trade I did was with Artrageous Clay. I'd been admiring the heart shaped earrings for a while now, then Regina added the snowman earrings to her shop! A couple of weeks ago, I went back to look again and she had the cutest reindeer earrings! It was time to make contact and possibly trade. She was quite willing and now I am the proud owner of 3 pairs of the cutest handmade earrings! Do you think it's to early to wear the reindeer ones?
Have you been trading? If you love trading you should check out this site! I joined it a few weeks ago. They have a Secret Santa exchange that I joined, and a bead swap, fabric swap and I think they were planning a scrap booking paper swap too. It's a wonderful site!


Visit Trade-A-Holics


Have a really great Tuesday!!

Featuring an Amazing Jewelry Shop

Beaded Jewelry By Susan is an amazing shop on Etsy. Susan has had her shop on Etsy since my Birthday this year!! (April) She has the most wonderful variety of necklaces and earrings, and an amazing talent and imagination! Please check out Susan's shop!! Susan is originally from Chicago but has lived for 46 years in Champaign-Urbana—a college town of twin cities in east central Illinois.


How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
When I created my etsy shop this summer, it seemed logical to name it the same as my crafts show business. Beaded Jewelry by Susan is a pretty straightforward name, since my name is Susan and I make beaded jewelry!

When did you start making jewelry?
About 18 years ago, a coworker was going to a bead store at lunchtime and asked me if I wanted to go along. I didn’t know anything about beads but felt like getting out of the office. Wow! Like a candy store without calories! Love at first sight! Signed up for an earring making class right away; Carol Jo, the teacher, warned me that beads could be addicting. Hah! I didn’t believe her at the time. The rest is history.

Where do you craft? What would you love to add to your crafting space?
When I first started, I just had a box of beads in a cupboard and worked on the dining room table. Three years later, we moved into our present home where I have a great beading studio space: my husband installed a kitchen-type counter with cabinets underneath, just for beading! That’s where I do all my designing and photographing. The one thing I’d like to add, or rather replace, is my chair: I need more back support!

What does your crafting space look like? Do you have a picture?
The countertops all have storage units stacked on them—three high in some places. On top of the counters are 23 storage units. Each unit has four trays and each tray has 24 compartments. I have a lot of beads LOL! There’s a workspace in the middle with two lamps and room for my beading board. Underneath the counter are cupboards and drawers with smaller beads (especially seed beads in old film canisters and delicas in tubes), some plastic drawer units with stone chips, donuts, and bags of bead mixes, and other beading equipment such as wire, tools, etc.

What or who inspires you?
I’ve always loved working with color and design; before beading, it was painting in oils and acrylics. I love being out in the garden looking at flowers and out in nature and noticing color combinations and moods in the landscape. But mostly, it’s the beads themselves that inspire my designs. I just open a storage tray with compartments filled with beads and ideas start coming into my head.

Do you have a day job?
Five years ago I retired from teaching and academic editing and started working at home doing freelance editing of books and journals using my computer and e-mail.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
This is a hard question to answer. My designs are all my favorites in a sense—they’re my creations, my “babies.” But there is one necklace and earring set that was especially fun to create because my husband and I worked on it together. He was doing some wireworking with a jig and made some sterling silver elements that I had drawn an idea for, and I used them in between groups of handmade Chinese lampglass beads on wire. The finished piece, called Black-and-White and Wire Fantasy Necklace, was selected for inclusion as a project in a Lark Books publication in 2006.

The Bare Moose

Bare Moose is shop on Etsy with the most beautiful bracelets, necklaces and anklets. Janet has had her shop since May. Please take time to look through her items, I'm sure you will find something you love!!


My shop name was invented because I love, love, love moose (I have a huge collection) and also love bears. Bare is really a play on Bear. I thought it would be an easy name for people to remember.

I don't really know when I started crafting jewelry. But...I do remember when I started crafting. When I was 4 years old my mom would gather the neighborhood children a few weeks before every holiday. She taught us a craft so that the children could make something special for their parents.

We went on vacation to Florida when I was 8 years old. My maternal grandma came on vacation with us. During that vacation, my mom and grandma taught me how to crochet. I still love to crochet and generally make around 12 afghans every Christmas. I want everyone that has touched my life in some way to have a handmade afghan.

My mom and grandma are my crafting inspiration. I lost my grandma in 1991 and lost my mom to colon cancer in 2003. The last thing my mom crafted was a granny square afghan she crocheted for me while suffering the latter stages of colon cancer. I cannot sit down to craft anything without the memory of these two amazing women joining me.

I just finished a 4 week training program for my new career. I am now a retail sales rep for a wireless company. I love it!!!

I live in Mechanicsville which is located in Southern Maryland. It's a small farm town and a lot of my neighbors are Amish. We moved here when I was 8 years old when my parents purchased a 105 acre farm. Both of my parents were raised on farms.

Designs by Kari Give Away July 21- Aug. 4

The winner of the Adorable Angel Earrings from Designs by Kari is:





Arlene Harrison!
Congratulations!!




Designs By Kari is an amazing jewelry shop. She carries necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. She has had her shop on Etsy since the end of January. Kari currently resides in Perkinston (South) Mississippi with thanks to the U.S. Navy.



How did you decide on your shop name?
I've had this name for years. My mother and I would do craft fairs and I needed a name. It was the most simple I could think of, and while some of my designs are similar to those you've seen, they are all slightly different and designed by me. Kari.

When did you start crafting?
As far back as I can remember. My mother taught me to cross stitch and sew. But, when I was about 10 we learned about Jewelry. Growing up with boys, my mom and I needed to find something for us Girls. We found this little shop and when we walked inside it was the most amazing sight. Beads wall to wall, work spaces and friendly faces. Oh, what were we in for? Well, a love for jewelry making, color, special time together, oh and the bill. The store still exists, though it’s changed locations several times: Beadin' Path

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I’d love to learn fused glass. Etsy has a few remarkable fused glass artists and I’m in awe of their work.

What or who inspires you?
I’m always intrigued by nature. The natural span of beautiful colors and combinations that appear in our everyday lives. I love the delicacy and simplicity of nature.

Do you have a day job?
I do! I work for an Engineering Firm as their office manager which requires little or no creativity. I also have two children, so a busy mom am I.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Sea of Dreams
This piece was something my mother cam up with and through her description I created it. This necklace is a terrific piece that can be worn with jeans or that fabulous black dress.

I’ve also enjoyed making these new earrings in my shop.
Earth Candy - Green because they are fun and funky.


Now for the Give Away!!
Kari is offering this adorable pair of earrings as the Give Away Prize! These beautiful earrings feature Pink Swarovski flat rounds in 6mm and 4mm Rose fresh water pearls, they are accented by a gold wing design that's heavenly.
They measure about 1 1/2" top to drop.




Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away:

* Go to:Designs By Kari
* Pic your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link
* 1 extra entry - grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry - twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
* 1 extra entry for every time you do this - twitter about your favorite item in the shop, leave me a link
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

The draw will take place on: Aug 4th!
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************

Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded to Kari.
Thank-you for entering!!

Recupe' Fashion Give Away

Recupe Fashion is an shop that Upcycles. This is what Nathalie says about herself and her shop. Look for details of a Give Away at the end of the post!!



I have been recuperating ever since I can remember. I taught my children the importance to do so and they will teach their children the same I am sure. My first shop ''Recupe Fashion'' is an earth friendly shop. I take old,unwanted and end of the line products and turn them into new and beautiful items for my customers. You will find up cycled handmade sewn and crocheted items, jewelry nd paper goods. I can never stand still cause my brain is always brewing something new, and my hands are always working on or with something. If I have an item that I won't be using I try to find someone that will use it, if it isn't in my immediate surrounding, then I find that someone on Etsy that will.


That is where my second shop comes in ''Recupe Fashion n Stuff''. You will find destash beads, findings, vintage fabric, normal fabric, little fun bags, PIF's and other goodies that I come up with for people like me that could use them, that would other wise end up in the landfills for nothing. So now I'm working hard for this shop to get known so people can take advantage of it, it's also good for different children activities too. So be sure to visit both of my shops and look good with Recupefashion.


Nathalie is offering a $15 Gift Certificate to one lucky reader!! All you have to do is go to one of Nathalie's shops:Recupe Fashion and "Recupe Fashion N Stuff, pick the item/items you would spend the $15 on, and come back here with the link. Easy!! The winner will be drawn next Friday, June 19th in the morning.

Alicia Rose 22

Alicia is the proud owner of the shop Alicia Rose 22. Alicia lives in the shoadows of the Beautiful Rocky Mountains.

How did you decide on your shop name?

My stores name is Itsy Bitsy Bracelets, The name reminded me of kids and since I specialized in children jewelry its seemed to be fitting. however my user name is my first and middle name along with my lucky number 22 put it all together and you getAliciaRose22.etsy.com

When did you start crafting?

I began making jewelry for myself as a teenager and have been ever since.

What or who inspires you?

Its no secret that my own two little girls are my inspiration behind ever piece I make, I love making whimsical pieces for them as well as my customers.

Do you have a day job?

First and for most I am a Mom which is harder then any job I’ve ever had including running my own business!

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I love making the Sugar N Spice hair barrettes, its one of my favorite I just love the girly colors and the unexpected green which makes it fun!

Audrey's Accolades:

Alicia has the cutest jewelry. You can just tell that she has put a lot of thought & work into everything she makes. Any girl would be happy to get one of Alicia's bracelets, or a pair of earrings. Because I'm an earring girl myself I've picked this pair as my favorite.

Perfect for little girls not to small yet not to big our Bashful earrings features Dark and Light Purple with Dark and Light Pink. Sterling Silver stud earring is used with 4mm Swarovski beads

Pixies Treasure Chest

Mich lives near Reading PA and has an amazing shop. Pixies Treasure Chest was born out of Mich's need to feed her inner creative soul. She says "My inner explorations led me to creating jewelry. I found this to be the perfect creative outlet for me (I NEVER could find jewelry I liked, especially earrings!), and a more than effective means to relieve stress of my other job as an R.N."

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

After a long brainstorming session, I decided on Pixe's Treasure Chest because it incorporated my screen name, and I wanted something not jewelry specific in case I decided to branch into other crafts. Over the years, Pixe has sort of become my alter ego!

#2. When did you start crafting?

I really started as a child when my Grammy taught me to crochet and sew. Over the years I've continued crocheting, sewing, cross stitching, wreath making. For many years, I made homemade Xmas ornaments for presents. I found jewelry making about a year and a half ago...have been hooked ever since!

#3. What or who inspires you?

I'm mainly inspired by the natural world around me. Sometimes, inspiration comes form the disorganized studio...I can be easily sidetracked, so cleaning up sometimes inspires new creations!

#4. Do you have a day job?

I have a night job...and it's a sweet deal!! I only have to work 6 days a month and the bills are paid!

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

It's really difficult to say which I've enjoyed making the most...I really enjoy working with Sterling Silver Wire the most....probably my Chrysanthemum Necklace! I was so amazed at how gorgeous it was when I finished it!! And the beads I used are amazingly beautitul!

Audrey's Accolades:

Mich has amazing jewelry. Such a wonderful imagination. Usually I'm an earring girl, don't wear other jewelry as a rule, but Mich has some necklaces that tempt me! I love the beads she uses in her items - have never seen ones like them. Well - I think we will stick with earrings as my favorite. These beads are just calling my name!!

These cute little green earrings are light as a feather, and dangle from brass earwires. The earring drop is 3/4 inch in length, total earring length is 1-1/2 inches, and the flower is 1/2 inch wide.