More Great Bags and Totes

Another super bag find and at new low prices.".... I started sewing strictly handbags about 13 years ago for someone who sold them at craft fairs. I decided to strike out on my own just recently so I could experiment with different patterns and fabrics as I was not able to do this working for someone else. I just love it! I love the freedom to be as creative as I want and Etsy is the place to showcase the different totes I can dream up!" See her profile to see what else she has to say. She has just lowered her prices to help out in this suffering economy. Visit her shop and you will find a bag perfect for you. Her bags are priced between $8.00 and $36.00 so they are a real bargain and handmade right here is the good ole US of A. Just click on the title and you will can begin shopping for that perfect bag!

More Beautiful Lampwork Beads

Luscious rose lampwork beads! Here is another great Etsy find! These lampwork beads, all properly kiln annealed, were designed and created by Sandy at Urban Oasis Art Studio in California. Visit her Etsy shop at http://www.urbanoasis60.etsy.com and take a look at all the beautiful designs she has listed there. On her main page you will also find info about her other 2 shops containing hand knit items and hand-dyed yarns and a supply shop where you can find jewelry making supplies, beads and her own jewelry designs.

THE ultimate bag/reversible and recycled too!

OK, so here I sit coffee at hand perusing the Internet, mainly Etsy.com and just look what I have found! Talk about the ultimate, perfect bag. Great size, reversible, handmade, sturdy and the best part they are made from recycled coffee bean bags! WOW!! I think I alone could support our local coffee shops and I make my own lattes at home as well. If you have someone on your shopping list who is a coffee lover (and even if you don't), it does not get any better than this. They have wonderful colors and designs, different sizes and styles, what a great place to shop! They also have bags for your little diva. Here are a few words from these wonderful ladies..."We are excited to show you all the fun and functional designs we have created. We love to hunt for treasures in unlikely places. And we get a kick out of rescuing thrift shop or vintage items and giving them a second use! Many of our items are one of a kind since we are committed to using as many vintage or recycled materials as we can. So our creations are not only unique, but "green"!! " You can check out their shop at http://www.diengiedesigns.etsy.com/. Make sure to check out the profile page to learn more about this talented trio.

Scrimshaw makes a comeback in Maine

In the 1800's whalers spent hours upon hours creating these beautiful, timeless pieces made out of Whale bone and teeth and other marine animals. You can see more about this lost art at http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrimshaw. Today, although difficult to obtain there are still a few artisans that use preban ivory and other natural materials as well as cast their own materials for their art. This scrimshander, Linda Layden does both devoting hours to hand etching her pieces in the traditional black and white and color. She not only has these coastal scenes but has a variety of animals, and nature scenes and offers jewelry, bookmarks, notecards, boxes and more. You can see her work at http://www.lindalayden.etsy.com

Wedding Jewelry

With the big day quickly approaching for a lot of Brides, I thought I would introduce a couple of my wedding pieces. These luscious and elegant pieces are made with pearls, Opalite and sterling with some Swarovski crystals added for a little sparkle. I have traditional pieces to a more Rock and Roll set with cascading pearls and original lampwork by (you guessed it) Generations Lampwork. I do not have these on my Etsy site so if you are interested send an e-mail to dlculbertson@verizon.net and I will send more photos and a price list. You can also contact me there for special orders! I just received an order of really gorgeous white stick pearls I am anxious to use.

TAG, You're it!

The writing on the wall could not begin to describe the beautiful reflection of this lighting. Done by a gal in Brooklyn, NY and shown at http://www.resurface.etsy.com/ and she has this to say "The "Brooklyn Light Siding" Collection, inspired by the city's dilapidated building facades and the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, transforms the multi-layered surfaces of urban decay into beautiful and unique interior designs." A must see...my fave is the last one but there are many to choose from including table lamps, candle shades, pendant lamps and more.

Crocheted Bracelets by special order

Lots of styles to choose from! I make these with heavy duty nylon cord to ensure a long life and you can even get them wet! I use high quality Japanese seed beads and original lampwork beads. They are typically made to 8 inches to fit a 6-7 inch wrist but I have made larger ones for men and women and smaller ones for children upon special request. I have has special orders for band, school, barn, and reggae colors, as well as color schemes. They just roll on and off so no clasp to fiddle with. I have these on http://www.divellasfibers.etsy.com/ for sale and you can also order from there very easily. You can pretty much figure the cost as I charge $2.25 per inch plus my cost (usually $4.50 to $9.oo) for the center bead if you use one. So without a center bead it will be just $18.00 for the typical 8 inch piece to fit a 6-7 1/2 inch wrist. They retail for $49.00 here in town and I have seen them on the net for the same. I just can't fathom that! I have been told my prices need to go up but for now I want to leave them as they are. I get my lampwork by special order from Generations Lampwork so if there is a special theme you want, I am certain we can come up with the perfect item for you.
These are really cute. They are initial beads and have flowers and hearts as well as whatever initial you want. I made these for my 2 grandaughters and they picked their own colors for the bracelet beads. So as you can see, whatever you can dream up can be done in some fashion.