Amy's Jewelry Designs

Be Mine

2012-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Wow I cant believe that I am already writing about the Valentines Day. It seems like I was just getting ready for Christmas, that is how fast the holidays went for me this year.

Valentines Day starts right after Christmas, well not really but in the retail world that is what happens. In our local little town, in a store that I shop at frequently, they are taking down Christmas and putting up Valentines almost the day after Christmas. Out with the old, in with the new. On Etsy, Valentines items are hopping already too. Tons of treasuries filled with hearts and love :). But it really is just around the corner, only 4 weeks away and if you are ordering something by mail, like on Etsy, it is a good idea to buy early just to be safe.

I have always loved Valentines day because I am a heart lover and love the heart shape. Hearts in all styles and metals. Each year I love to have new designs in my shop, different from the years before. Hence my new bracelet above.

I have been experimenting with a few new techniques lately, a little here and there, and came up with some new designed cuffs and necklaces that I have been slowly introducing into my line. I have had a million, well not really a million, lol but alot of new ideas for pieces that I will be introducing soon and I cant wait. As a jewelry designer I am always looking for new inventive ways to add new textures, color and style into my ever growing line of jewelry. I think my mixed metal designs are the core of my jewelry line but I am always trying to grow as an artist and find things that people will love to wear.

Shiny white hot metal LOVE IT!!! ~I think I turned to sterling silver in my early 20's I had red dyed hair at the time and loved the contrast of the white sterling silver with my red hair. My love for it never went away though. I love it antiqued and shiny, hammered and textured, just about anything that is new and different. My new cuff above is made of fine silver and has been given a mirror finish shine! It is beautiful!! Fine silver is milky white in color and contains no copper so you will have less oxidizing. It is .999 (almost pure) That is what some of my new pieces are made of. If you haven't been in my shop for awhile stop by and see whats new. Lots to see and Love...... Hope to see you :)

Grand Opening!

2011-10-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yay!! I am so happy to finally be talking about my website www.amyaguirre.com If you haven't stopped by there in a while you will see that you can now shop on my website just like on Etsy, It is actually, just like, shopping on Etsy. I have been trying to add new pieces of jewelry that are different than what I have in my other shops and I am just getting started, I have lots of ideas. I love Etsy and will be keeping LittleGreenRoom on Etsy too but I am expanding and branching out. On www.amyaguirre.com you can sign in and create an account, or, your don't have to have an account if you would rather. You can sign up to receive a newletter too or opt not. You can pay with a paypal account, or you can pay with a credit card and will be directed through paypal just like on Etsy. Its so easy! Right now I am having a Grand Opening Sale 20% off. At the time of checkout all you have to do is add coupon GO20OFF. More coming soon.....so stay tuned! Just on more note, at the top of my blog there is a website link that will take you to www.amyaguirre.com so stop by often and see whats new! Here is the link just in case you want to check it out http://www.amyaguirre.com/index.php

Your Never Too Old To Learn Something New

2011-10-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

My son started playing electric guitar about three years ago (his is on the right, its a Les Paul). He was 10 yrs. old and we bought him a guitar package with an amp for Christmas that year. He had been wanting to play ever since my mom bought him guitar hero one Christmas earlier. We finally found a teacher through word of mouth and signed him up.

Much to our surprise, about 9 months after he started playing he came to us one day and told us that there was a school talent show coming up and that tryouts for the talent show were just about 5 weeks away. I was kind of speechless because I had heard him strum his guitar during practice and since he is quite shy I guess I just didnt picture him wanting to do this. He told me that he had found a friend at school who was a drummer and they had talked during lunch and decided that they wanted to get together and come up with a song to play. They were both in 6th grade at the time. So I did the mom thing and asked a million questions about his friend, how long he had been playing, what his parents did etc... The only answer he had for me was "Mom he's been playing as long as me, 9 months". The next day after school he came up to me and said, "Mom, I want to go over to Austins house and practice for the talent show tryouts". I was still surprised he was bringing this up so I called Austins mom on the phone and we arranged a day to get the boys together to practice.

We had arranged with Austins parents to get the boys together and practice 2 times a week until tryouts. Since Austin played drums and they are not easily moveable, we took Caymen over to Austins house twice a week and every time Austins dad brought my son home, he would be so excited telling us how wonderful they played together, he couldnt believe how they were playing. The boys had decided to play "Welcome To Paradise" by Greenday. Well long story short they ended up making tryouts and played in the School Talent show infront of 1000 kids. It was so exciting!! They sounded so good we couldnt believe it, one, that they both had only been playing 9 months, but two, that they had only been playing together about 5 weeks and they were in perfect sync. I remember the anticipation of that night, all of our families had shown up to watch them play and I remember sitting there holding back tears and trying not to cry because I was so proud of him.

Since then, my son played at multiple places, at student showcases, talent shows the next year, a Relay Palooza benefit to raise money for cancer in our town, at our towns farmers market..etc... he is still playing with Austin and they have become very close friends. They are looking for a bass player and are working on a name for their band...

During these last three years I think I have become my sons biggest fan, like most moms would of I suppose. I love listening to him practice and listen to him play. I started realizing that I was really drawn to the guitar though... I had played the piano for a couple of years when I was younger but that was only for a short time and it wasnt something that I had an interest in picking up again. I started getting the urge to play and it kept nagging at me..but I barely have enough time as it is now to do everything I need to do so I kept making excuses until this last July, that is... I took my son to our local Guitar Center to get some new guitar picks and found a guitar that I fell in love with, the Gretch electric guitar, (the one on the left). Since I didnt even know how to play I had me son sit and play songs on it for me so I could see how it sounded and we ended up being in the store for 3 hours. It was a blast! Not only because I had decided to go ahead and get the guitar but because my son was there with me and it was an interest that we both had a passion for. I did it! I bought my guitar!!! Excited and scared, I brought my guitar home but didnt sign up for classes for about 2 or 3 weeks.

One Thursday, my son had something come up and he couldnt go to his lesson, so I called up the music studio and asked if I could take the lesson in his place. His teacher was in shock, my husband was in shock, and my son was so excited that I was really going to do it! And guess what? I love it!! Its been 3 months now and when I sit down to practice, I can actually play recognizable parts of songs!

So about my title to this post....Your never to old to learn something new...It is soo true!

Now guitar playing is in part of my daily schedule so my son and I, set up our guitars and amps in a little area in our living room that is now our little music area. :) We have even played a few song together too! I am so glad I decided to try...I might even play a song or two in the up coming student showcase...when I get better that is :) Oh ya and I just had to get the zebra striped guitar strap! (see above) LOL....

A Beautiful New Treasury That Id Thought Id Share

2011-10-21T10:12:00.001-07:00

On The Wish List!

2011-10-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

Okay Ladies I just found something on Etsy that I have to share! You must check out this store BlueBirdHeaven and see how clever these are. Antique printer drawer jewelry displays. Choices of folding cases or cases that can be attached to a wall. Hooks have been added to hold earrings, necklaces, and bracelets too! They can even be customized as well. A beautiful choice of colors and finishes so you can match your own personal decor! It sure beats the shoe box alternative. LOL

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69548420/teal-printer-drawer-jewelry-display

So Im thinking that I might just have to put this on my list to Santa this year! After all..I have been good...lately :) LOL...

New New New!!

2011-10-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

New New New!! Just in time for the holidays..these amazing snowflake earrings put a mod twist on a traditional style earring and bring a little winter bliss to LittleGreenRoom. Halloween will soon be behind us, so sad to see it go, and the holiday rush will begin. I am having a 20% off sale in LittleGreenRoom now through Oct. 31st. Stop by and see whats new!

I have already had some early bird holiday shoppers too! Great time to plan ahead and get things while they are on sale! I will soon be packaging all of my jewelry in my holiday boxes too! My packaging is so cheerful and cute you wont even need to wrap it if you prefer, ribbon included. Pictures coming soon! :)

2011-10-04T09:45:00.001-07:00

Think Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Just last October I was part of a fund raiser for Breast Cancer. I personally had not been touched by anyone close to me who had this disease but knowing how very important it is I was so glad to be apart of it. Two months later, unfortunately things changed. Someone very close to me was diagnosed with breast cancer. She found out just two days before Christmas that she had been diagnosed with an aggressive kind of breast cancer, as there are many different types. Luckily she caught it in a very early stage. Catching this disease early however, still meant a biopsy and surgery to remove the lump, radiation 5 days a week for 5 weeks. But thankfully no mastectomy and chemo were needed.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, it is estimated that nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Approximately 1,700 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year. Scary statistics, this disease is closer to all of us than we think.

Earlier this year my son played his guitar at a benefit to help raise money for cancer and because the month of Oct. is breast cancer awareness month I have added these bracelets to my shop too. Early detection is so important! Think Pink and show support for our mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, grandmothers, and cousins. According to the national breast cancer foundation, our husbands, brothers, and uncles too! To find out more about this disease visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org

California Wild Fires In My Neck Of The Woods??

2011-09-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

I found myself in an interesting situation this last weekend which makes you think about things in a different light. Thunder and lightening storms plagued our nearby mountains in the early am on Sat. The lightening started numerous fires in our area, 5 in the hills right behind our house and 4 in a nearby mountain range that eventually merged together to created a huge fire surrounding us in different directions.
The weekend just before this last one, a very large fire had burned over 12,000 acres on the outskirts of our town due to a plane crash. It was on the news, there were evacuations and firemen had come to our mountain town and set up four fire camps. Multiple helicopters and airplanes were working non stop to try to contain that fire. Seven days later, the fire fighters had it contained by 95% just to turn around on Sat. and start fighting the multiple fires throughout the rest of our town, meaning the hills behind where I live and in another hillside just about 10 miles from our house.
My plans to be creative came to a screeching halt when I walked out in my backyard to see a plume of smoke directly above our property. Yikes!! I received a phone call a short time later from a county emergency center telling us to start preparing to evacuate. Yikes again!! My husband turned on all of the water on our property, sprinklers etc. to wet down everything that we could. Our neighbors were standing on their roofs with hoses, packing the backs of trucks, and getting ready just in case we had to evacuate. I hurriedly took photos of everything inside our house and out, got important things together and packed our bags.
DC-10's were dropping fire retardant on the top of our mountain (photo- view standing in my back yard) but the smoke and fire kept on moving up the mountain. As evening approached the planes and helicopters stopped dropping the water and repellant as the clouds moved in and it started to get dark. We all felt kind of releaved thinking that the fire retardant had kept the fire from climbing over the mountain but just after I took this photo the flames appeared Yikes!! visible red flames burning as hot as ever and destroying the trees and brush along the mountain top.
I took my lawn chair out in back, set it up, and sat there with my diet coke and camera. I figured I would much rather see it coming, stare it in the face. Just 20 minutes later it started to rain, I mean pour rain! It was almost dark, getting soaked, I gathered up my chair and decided to take a drive to see what we could see from a higher point. The red flames looked larger against the black sky. The rains ended up being so heavy that night (Sat), it actually put out the fire on the hills behind us. Thank goodness!! I still cant believe how lucky we were!
Even though our fire had extinguished through the night we had friends and family who had to evacuate on Sunday because of the fire that was on the hills just 10 miles away that didn't go out with the rain fall, they weren't so lucky, but I am happy to say, as of today they have been able to return home and no structures/houses were lost. YAY!! Thanks to the many amazing fire fighters 1100 to be exact, from all over our state who truly are heros. LittleGreenRoom lives on.... :)

Fall Fashion Color Trends 2011

2011-08-09T12:17:00.001-07:00

Feeling Of Fall

2011-08-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Wow fall is just around the corner, I cant believe it! My summer has been incredibly short and I am finding that there is just not enough time to do all that I am hoping to accomplish. I am sure all of you know about what that is like juggling work, being a wife and mom, and of course I have to feed that inner creative me by stealing time to make jewelry.

I got a chance to do a little shopping this weekend and everything Fall and Halloween is out in the stores already. My absolute favorite time of year!! I love the fall colors and the smell of the pumpkin candles that line the store shelves and are so fragrant as you walk by. I will soon be listing my fall items so stay tuned.

School is just about to start, here in California. I cant believe how fast it came, it seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for school to be out for the summer. It was a quieter summer for me this year..I was busy working on a new ecommerce site that I am going to launch soon, I think I mentioned it earlier. So much time and work goes into the setting up of the site, I found myself spending alot of my free time working on it with the designer. I will post details soon..hopefully in the next week. I am excited to add this new site to places that you will be able to shop for my jewelry designs.

Talking about fall, these little enameled flower necklaces remind me of little sunflowers. I love color and had fun creating these cute necklaces, playing with my torch and enamel, love it! Right now I am working on some new colored patina pieces and am exploring more coloring methods while experimenting. I am going home tonight to finish a few of the pieces and see how they turn out! I will be sharing soon ~hugs

Independence Day Giveaway!

2011-06-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give you all the details to an AMAZING Independance Day Giveaway that just started today. Rena Durham an amazing photographer is hosting a giveaway that one person will win with prizes and products totalling 1500.00 dollars! Yes, 1500.00 and LittleGreenRoom is included too, YAY!! Simply click on the link to see the contest details and find out how you could become the winner of this contest. I would love to know a LittleGreenRoom fan won!

While your there, take a peek at her amazing photography! She is sooo talented! She also has links and pictures of the great prizes that will be offered, 35 different vendors are participating!

Good Luck Everyone!!

http://www.renadurhamblog.com/?p=113

Coming Soon!

2011-06-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! Long time since I have visited my blog to write (shame on me). Although it seems to of been a bit quiet lately from my LittleGreenRoom..the hammers are still hammering and the torch is still lit. Pieces of Jewelry are still being created and photographed and I have been patiently waiting to let you all know that this is a sneak peek at some of my new pieces of jewelry that will soon be offered on my new website "still in the works".

I am so excited to announce that I am expanding.! Yay! Although its "still in the works", I am hoping to launch the new website in the next few weeks. I have actually been working on it for over a month now and have been creating new and different pieces to offer in my new store.

You will still be able to shop on Etsy, I love Etsy and will still be keeping my store open there but am finding a need to expand and am hoping by having multiple places to shop so that I might draw a larger audience.

As you can see I will be offering more of my mixed metal pieces that seem to be so popular and other new pieces too.

Note to self: Blog more often!! LOL... I will be sharing more info soon! Thanks for being so patient ;)

~xo Amy

Summer 2011

2011-05-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! If you haven't been by LittleGreenRoom for awhile you should stop by and see some of the new pieces that I am adding to the store. I am finally feeling better and able to list some of the new pieces from my Summer collection. Look for fun, bright color, stone and glass too! I will be listing new pieces each day so there should be something new when you stop by. After such a long winter, I am excited to see color and have added some of my favorite color combos into my pieces and...I am finally listing new earrings..Yay! Hope to see you! Talk to you soon :)

LittleGreen Egg??

2011-04-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I spent most of my holiday weekend sick. I had a relapse of this nasty cold that I cant seem to get rid of and have had for over a week now. It came back and kept me down most of this weekend which kind of ruined my plans for Sat. and Sunday. We had planned on going to the zoo. I love to go just before Easter, the weather is usually beautiful and its a kick off to spring but since I was sick we just stayed home and celebrated the day.

Your never to old in my opinion to dye Easter eggs :) Even though my son is older now I still bought the Easter Egg dye kit and boiled the eggs. He will never admit that he has fun dying the eggs but he does, and it always brings up old memories of when he was little and how he used to drop and crack the eggs or get dye all over his hands and shirt and floor (good old days). We laugh and reminisce. My hubby even gets in on it too, which comes from years of my training! and well...yes I am the one that made the LittleGreenRoom egg.LOL

Hope you all had a Happy Easter! I am still trying to get better so that I can catch up on some new designs that I want to create this spring. I have some exciting new things coming just around the corner so I will keep you updated! Thanks for stoppping by!

Coming Soon!

2011-04-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to say that LittleGreenRoom jewelry might be coming to Laguna Beach, California! I got an email regarding my jewelry a couple of days ago...we are now working on details but I am so excited to possibly be expanding to So. California.. beautiful beaches and sunny days. It gives me a great excuse to head south more often. I will be writing more about this in later blog posts but just wanted to share .. Hope you all have a great day!

Use PayPal At Craft Fairs?

2011-03-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

I just found this article about Paypal and thought it was interesting and that I would share..I had not idea :)

If you have been looking into the options for processing payments at craft fairs you will have noticed that most require some sort of monthly financial commitment that seems a little pointless paying especially if you don't do a fair every month or you don't take many card payments.

However with mobile broadband for netbooks and smartphones it is now possible to take payments through paypal.

First set up a donate paypal button in your paypal account you can do this by going to merchant services and clicking on the link for the buy now buttons then clicking on the donate link in the left menu. Donate is best since you can enter the amount as needed rather than creating buttons for each price and having to use add to cart for customers that want to make multiple purchases.

You don't even have to host the donate button anywhere once it is created you will be able to click through to the page and bookmark that so you can get to it quickly. (if you are using a smartphone you may find it easier to temporarily host the button on a free site builder so you can click through to the link after setting it all up on your home computer.)

For blackberry users you will need to download the opera browser because the default browser automatically goes to the paypal mobile site and this feature isn't possible on that.

Now you should have your donation page bookmarked and all you will need to do when you have a person wanting to pay is go to the bookmarked page, enter the purchase amount (inclusive of any taxes) and put in the card details, if your customer is registered with paypal then they will be able to log in and pay that way if preferred.

Of course there are limits with the paypal system since they do not accept all cards and anyone that has already used their card three times with paypal will need to sign up for an account but you now have a simple and free (other than the cost of your phone/netbook) way to process most card payments. This works best for those outside the US since you will be able to have the payments in your own currency. However if the venue you sell on is in your own currency you can just process through your venue but the donate button makes things faster because you don't have all the purchase steps to jump through.

Color Watch Spring/Summer 2011

2011-03-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am always looking ahead to see what will be the latest trend in color, style, fashion etc. will be. Trends seem to travel through all medias of style from clothing to makeup, accessories to hand bags, and the colors seem to appear in housewares too. While I was browsing through up and coming trends for Spring/Summer 2011 I came across the color pallet below of the different shades of Coral/Salmon that are foretasted to be hot this season and decided to write about them. I am always looking for inspiration and color is a favorite. I think that copper fits in nicely with this color palette Yipeee! I am the copper queen and love all that I can do with this awesome metal. Be sure to check out some of these great Etsy finds like....Chain Scarf Necklaces by Adiandelliedesigns.etsy.com, Bittersweet eyeshadow by ProvidenceAndGrace.etsy.com, and BotanicalLabs.etsy.com has organic lipgloss. Great Finds!! oh and the fashion experts say that Teal is the perfect complimentary color to these beautiful sun-kissed shades of coral palette.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62339249/chain-scarf-necklaces-set-of-2-pick-your

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68871917/bittersweet-eyeshadow-beautiful-coral

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63172657/organic-lip-gloss-mineral-lip-gloss

There’s something about coral.
As the snow begins to melt, colors start to bloom - this spring the return to color kicks off with sun-kissed coral shades. This isn’t your Grandma’s coral. “These modern formulas and juicy colors take an old-fashioned favorite for a fresh, modern spin.

These various shades of coral are foretasted to be popular from clothing to accessories "jewelry" throughout the summer season.

Inspired By Nature!

2011-03-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new pieces of jewelry from my spring summer 2011 line. I had so much fun creating these mixed metal pieces. Inspired by nature and things around me, these pieces came to life on their own. LittleGreenRoom details and my quirky spin on design I was quite happy with the end result. I always hope that the design that I am trying to portray comes through visually and tells a story without words.

I am hoping to get into the GreenRoom this weekend and come up with a few new designs, so many ideas...so little time to make them come to life, but atleast its not the other way around, lots of time and no idea what to do... I am so happy to be creating what I love and loving what I do...

I opened my email this morning and read these words..

Amy, I just wanted to tell you how much you inspire me! I can't think of an Etsy seller who's work I gravitate to, or wish I could create, more :) If you were closer I would be begging for an apprenticeship!

I didnt quite know what to say.. except Thank you!! for such a sweet email and kind words. Thanks to all of you who support me and my art you are all keeping my dream alive! Hugs~ Amy

One Of My Favorite Etsy Stores!

2011-03-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite stores to visit! Have you ever visited Raceytay on Etsy? If not you should stop by and see her amazing photos, they are true works of art. She has quite and eye for what she does and it looks like she is having a sale right now. Here is a link http://www.etsy.com/listing/62685703/35-off-sale-field-of-poppies-tall-ruby if you would like to see more..

A New Etsy Treasury That I Created Yesterday..

2011-03-18T09:52:00.001-07:00

A Rainy Sunday Afternoon

2011-03-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

Ahhh..My favorite kind of days...rainy days. I have always loved the rain for some reason, ever since I was a little girl I always remember loving the rainy days the most. I used to just go out and stand in it or go for long walks even though I would get soaking wet, I didnt care.

I worked most of the day yesterday, in my GreenRoom on orders, but was able to have the late afternoon free and decided to go for a 2 mile walk in the rain. It was just what I needed. Fresh, clean air and a light mist of rain, it was perfect! Everything was quiet and still, just like it is when it snows. The only sounds to hear might be the sound of water that is starting to flow in the wash, on the side of our property, I love that sound. When I got home I took my camera and decided to take a few photos of things that are starting to come to life on our property. I like to take photos at the change of every season..as nature inspires me and I have been noticing the last few days that color is starting to appear in the yard.

Some of the early blooming bushes and flowers have already started to open their buds and show beautiful color against the contrast of the what winter has left behind. Overhead a flock of seagulls lost and off track were circling high above in the fog trying to find their way back to where ever they had come from. Drops of rain were resting on the branches of trees that are missing their spring leaves. Here are just a few of the photos that I took, though I am not a photographer it was still fun capturing the rain drops before they fall to the ground. It was the ending to a perfect day...

Beautiful Ribbon Turquoise!

2011-03-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pieces of the gorgeous Ribbon Turquoise that I was able to buy while on my trip to Arizona last month. It is so beautiful that it takes me awhile to come up with a design to use it in because I want to do the stone justice. The pattern and color is so unique in each piece as no two pieces are the same because of the way that is is mined and cut. You will also see different pictures in the stone too..which makes it hard to buy for me because my eyes are jumping all over the place while I am looking at each unique piece.

I cant wait to use these stones for pendants and rings...I just need to get busy! Anyway I just wanted to share this little stash of mine.... pieces of jewelry with this turquoise...coming soon!

A Funny Story!

2011-03-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my son discovered an big nest up in the rafters of our gazebo in our back yard. As he climbed up to look and see if there was any eggs in the nest to his surprise he found a small pile of dog food in the nest. He picked up the nest and brought it down to show us the dog food that had been collected in the nest and we all started to laugh, (kind of hard to see the dog food in the pictures), anyway it seems that one of the blue jays that live on our property is a dog food thief! We have caught this jay in our dog shed before as he quietly waits until the dogs are out in the yard so that he can go in for a snack but we had no idea that he is collecting their food up in his nest. Too funny!! animals are such characters :)

A Stunning New Treasury That Has Featured My Cuff On Etsy!

2011-03-02T09:03:00.001-08:00

A New Chapter!

2011-03-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

I love etsy. The wonderful community of artists there is amazing. I have found so many wonderful things to purchase that I would not of found if etsy didn't exist. Last Christmas I purchased a leather bound journal from this shop on etsy GILDBookbinders as a gift for my son. His book was titled "The Book Of Secrets", I was excited to give him something handmade that he would be able to draw and write in and is a handcrafted piece of art, a keepsake. I appreciate hand crafted items so much that I try to buy them mostly as gifts, because they are the most unique and made with love. These beautiful books are made in Europe so that excited me too, a piece of art from so far away. When I received his book in the mail, I fell in love with it. The quality and craftsmanship is beautiful!

I have now almost filled the last few pages of my personal sketch book with my many pencil sketches of jewelry ideas that I have yet to create and am getting ready to purchase one of these books for myself. Just thought I would share a great etsy find with you..my friends :) Here is the link if you want to see the other designs that they offer http://www.etsy.com/shop/GILDBookbinders?ref=seller_info

LittleGreenRoom In Kentucky!

2011-02-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

Well its official!! Yay! I just got word from Studio Slant in Kentucky that they have received their first package full of LittleGreenRoom Jewelry today, and it is already getting alot of attention! I am so excited to be in this gallery! The owners are new found friends, they are wonderful and have lots of beautiful art that they are exhibiting too! They seem to have the same taste as me so I feel like we are all kindred spirits. This journey just keeps getting better and better. Hope you all have a great weekend...I will be painting ;)

2011-02-25T11:28:00.001-08:00

My Orange Inspiration!

2011-02-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

Just thought Id share...these are my bright, fun, beautiful etsy purchases that are behind my orange inspiration hmmm...or maybe turquoise...or hmm...maybe green, or brown?????? oh now here I go again :) LOL..

Wow..More Snow??

2011-02-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

Wow..they are talking about more snow this weekend in our Cali. mountains. Last weekend we were suppose to get a huge 4 or 5 day storm and we escaped with a light dusting of about 2". But now they are talking about snow levels maybe reaching 200-300 ft level. I live at about 4500 ft. so that means road closures and the school closures for us, that is if it even happens.

I am thinking of taking a break from my metal working this weekend and maybe repainting my room. I have spring fever so bad right now and although I love the beautiful snows in the winter I am longing for spring and warmer weather.

I am thinking of painting my room orange, bright happy orange. I already have lots of orange throughout my house, my kitchen..etc.. but this time I am thinking of a brighter orange with lots of color, maybe Sunkist orange. Dont think my hubby will mind, he informed me that he is okay with any color but bright red or pink. No, dont think Ill go there. I have been known to paint a room twice in one day if I didnt like the way that it came out the first time. When we first moved into our house I painted the main living room area five times until I got the right color and look that I wanted, It was pure madness.... So sometime tonight after I get off work I will be spotted in the paint isles somewhere collecting paint swatches and supplies.. I am actually kind of excited.. I love color :)

Happy Valentines Day!!

2011-02-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day!! I have been celebrating all weekend, my husband and son have been giving me goodies and making me feel loved! This is a picture of a cute balloon bouquet that they got for me. I just baked fresh cranberry bread and am fixing a nice dinner tonight, anyway.. Hope you all get lots of love and hugs today :)

Beautiful Desert Skies!

2011-02-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Nature can take your breath away. I was out in the Mojave Desert for a baptism on Sunday evening and was lucky enough to see this beautiful sunset . Although the desert is not my most favorite of climates, it is beautiful in its own way. This is one example. I was so glad that I had my camera, I made my hubby pull over so that I could try to capture a picture of the vibrant color in the sky. There are windmills perched on the surrounding mountain tops and the fire like sky was a stunning backdrop. Somethings are just too pretty for words.

Off To Australia Round 2!

2011-02-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Well I finally finished my project that I had been working on for my second feature in the Australia Beading Magazine, YAY!. I read and re-read all of my notes and double checked all of my numbering etc. I was a little nervous this time around because I am doing a step by step project, something that I have not done before. I ended up actually creating the piece of jewelry from scratch that I am teaching "how to", just for the issue that is due to be out in June 2011. I actually love the necklace so much that I have plans to carry them in my store soon too.

A funny girl thing..I was trying to keep my nails looking half way decent so that incase I happen to snap a photo of them, you wouldn't see hands that have been trashed from filing and polishing silver. I am definitely not a hand model by any means. I think I pulled it off :)

I just got an email from the editor this morning, she loves the project and photos! YAY!! I am so excited and now just get to sit and wait patiently until June :) I will be sure to share when I get the magazine.

Love

2011-02-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

I am so lucky to get to know so many of my customers and become friends with them. They often share their heart warming stories with me, some happy, some sad, stories to make you laugh and cry. I recently got an email from someone who loved this necklace. She fell in love with it and wanted me to make one for her and her sister. They had both lost their mom earlier in the year. They asked me to create the necklace with a heart that was their moms birthstone, so when they wore these necklaces, it would remind them of her, an angel by their side. I was so happy to make the necklaces and will never forget their story. I love becoming part of someones story..It makes my heart smile :) Hug your mom this Valentines Day and let her know how much you love her...I know I will :)

Inside LittleGreenRoom A Project From Start To Finish

2011-02-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

This is a project that I was working on for a friend. Her son has a cattle brand and was wondering if I could make a replica of his brand on a dog tag... I usually love a challenge because I feel that it helps me grow as an artist. One this project I had no idea what I would do..maybe etch this or stamp..but in the end I decided to piece together this tag with wire and create a 3-D look. In this photo I was manipulating the wire to get the shape just so. Not only do you have to get the shape right but make sure that you don't bend or kink the wire in any way so that it will lay flat and solder completely.

Ahh I think I finally got the shapes figured out and it is now ready to sand and piece together. In this photo I am just making sure that I have all of my pieces flush and looking good before I solder it all together.

My favotite part..tricky but fun..I get to use my torch.. the tricky part is making sure that the solder is flowing properly and is soldering all of the pieces but making sure not to melt the wire and tag. It seems to of soldered great..now its just time for clean up and polishing.

At last the finished necklace...I love it! It turned out exactly like I had envisioned it to look or even better...that is the best part of it all..when it all comes together and you even shock yourself :) LOL..

Magazine Feature!!

2011-02-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be featured in DStripped Magazines Editors Essentials for Feb./ Valentines issue. My Black Leather I LOVE YOU cuff is on the Editors Essentials page. Here is the link http://www.dstrippedmagazine.com/ I am so excited to share!!

Natural Stone..There Is Nothing Like It

2011-01-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

Well I just spent a wonderful week in Arizona. My annual trip to see family and buy beads and stone came and went too fast. I bought mostly stone on this trip and am adding to my collection that is starting to make me think that I might be a stone horder :), but I just cant help myself. I love, love, turquoise although I haven't used that many pieces in my store yet, it is just so hard to part with. One of my favorites is ribbon turquoise, like in the photo above..it is so gorgeous! I bought quite a few cabs and am anxious to use them. Ribbon turquoise is from the Royston mine and I am lucky enough that I get to hand select it from the miners that mine and cut it. I was able to get a new cab set too called Easter Blue, it is more teal in color than the clear turquoise that you see above. If you love turquoise you probably already have a favorite. Most people love the robin blue turquoise that is a light sky blue, but my favorite is the darker teal or green shades. I will definitely have to take a few photos of my new gorgeous cabs and share in the next few days!

I met up with an old friend that I like to buy stone from, she has beautiful stone with A+ finishes, very high quality ( it makes a huge difference) and I was able to get some beautiful Apatite nuggets, Chryscola, Kyanite and Flourite I was so excited!! I love talking with people and learning new things, she showed me something that I dont think that I will ever forget. She asked me if I wanted to see something special and of course I said yes, she had something in a little baggie, cupped in her hand and as she opened the bag the sunlight grabbed the opal beads and glowed a vibrant glow of purple, unlike I had ever seen before. It was unreal...she had a string of BEAUTIFUL opals that were graduated and ready for someone to make into a beautiful one of a kind necklace..see I just get excited talking about what I saw because if you love stone or opals for that matter...you would appreciated how hard it is to find what she had. The color was so stunning that I brought tears to my eyes...I am serious..I have never had that happen to me before. She asked me if I was interested in purchasing them..at the cost of only $3200.00 :O what?? she said she would give me a deal but I just smiled and told here that she needed to keep them in hopes that she could and make herself something special with them. She said that she would have to sell them because she needed to :( I was hoping that her husband was overhearing our conversation and would somehow try to surprise her with them, maybe for Valentines Day. Hmmm..Good Idea :)

I looked down at my pile of stone and noticed that I had picked blues and greens, mostly blues in all shades, which made me laugh at myself, I must be anxious for summer I thought, because it reminded me of the colors of the ocean, where I like to vacation. I cant wait to get started on my new creations..and most of all I cant wait to share :) ...stay tuned

Color, Color And More Color For 2011

2011-01-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

I finally found a minute to sit and write about some new things that will be happening in LittleGreenRoom for 2011. 2010 was such a great year, even better than expected and now that we are in 2011 I am even more excited to see where this year will lead and what surprises will come my way. I was just contacted about a week ago to do a second feature in Australia's Australian Beading Magazine. YAY! 2011 is starting off with a bang :) and I am in the middle of working out details of being a new featured artist in KY, at the art gallery, Studio Slant. I am soo thrilled!

For about the last month or so, in between orders, I have been busy experimenting and trying new techniques with my metals. I have always been addicted to color. I say that because when I was working a cosmetologist, my favorite thing to do was hair color. I love color. I think that my love of color carried over into my jewelry making too. Before I was silversmithing I was stringing beads and making all kinds of unique color combinations with beads and stone. One of the compliments that I used to get while selling at craft fairs would be on my unique combinations of color. I love minimal lines and pattern and when touched with a splash of color that makes your eyes pop!... I know that I have made that piece come to life.

The above photos are some of my first experiments with enameling. It is just one more way to add vibrant color to my pieces of metal. I am hoping to find more time to experiment with this technique and bring more unique pieces to LittleGreenRoom. I am enameling with the torch, love my torch, so I still need to play around with my enamels and see what I can come up with next. That is what keeps me going...not knowing what beautiful creation you might come up with tomorrow.

One of my favorite sayings...I create because that is who I am.. :)

Happy New Year everyone !!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I will be spending the holiday with family. Its expected to rain in California but I will be hoping for a White Christmas! Enjoy~

LittleGreenRoom Giveaway!

2010-11-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

Hi! I Just wanted to share some info about a LittleGreenRoom giveaway that I am having starting today! Simply become a LittleGreenRoom Jewerly Facebook fan and you can win a initial ring. All you do is become a fan and leave a comment letting us know who's initial you would put on the ring, yours or a loved one and why. You will automatically be eligible for the random drawing that will take place on Nov. 22. You can also qualify for extra entries too...see the details on my fanpage. http://www.facebook.com/pages/LittleGreenRoom-Jewelry/98542884894?ref=nf Hope you stop by! :)

My Vine Inspired Line Of Jewelry

2010-11-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

This is my line of jewelry that I introduced last December. It is a line of jewelry that sells very well and I am slowly adding new pieces to the line. It has a completely different look from my clean shiny mixed metal pieces of jewelry but I am always changing, experimenting and finding new inspiration.

I am excited to bring back my twisted stix earrings, that I love!! and... this New Silver Shadow Wire Wrapped Crystal necklace is stunning too. Another favorite is my Wire Wrapped Copper Pendant Necklace. This necklace can be worn casual or dressy it just depends on the outfit. I love how versatile it can be worn.

This line of my jewelry is inspired by by the vine in my garden, a Virginia creeper is what the vine is called, that has wrapped itself around my fence post and has now lost its beautiful red fall leaves to expose a maze of vine that is quite beautiful and amazing to look at, no beginning and no end. Nature at its best, it is so amazing to just look around and become inspired by our surroundings, we just have to take the time.

I have also added some other pieces that have been randomly wrapped with sterling silver wire, like a Swarovski crystal star, and a beautiful piece of Larimar stone that I will talk about later. I love the rustic, random, nature inspired appeal of these pieces of jewelry so yes... there will be more to come. ~Amy

LittleGreenRoom Getting Ready For The Holidays!

2010-11-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

If you haven't stopped by my store lately you should come by and see whats new. I am currently getting geared up for the holiday shopping season that seems to be here already. I cant believe it!! I have been listing new things daily and adding some fun and sparkly. This cute little snowman face with a carrot nose necklace is just one of the fun, new, cute necklaces to dress you up and get you in the holiday spirit! Come by and see my new little gingerbread girl face too! Just a few cute Holiday inspired pieces to put a smile on your face.

I am now shipping all pieces of jewelry purchased in my cute new polka dot boxes that I talked about in an earlier post too! They are adorable and ready to give to that someone special. Xo~Amy

Gift Certificates Now Available At LittleGreenRoom

2010-11-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to make gift certificates available in my store for sometime now and I finally got them just in time for the holidays, Yayy! I am now offering them in 25, 50 and 100 dollar amounts but can make them in other amounts upon email request. These are the perfect gift for the hard to shop for person who has everything or who (almost has everything), friend or loved one. Here is the quick link to the gift certificates if you are interested http://www.etsy.com/listing/60604608/50-dollar-gift-certificate-for After purchasing them I will mail you a certificate via first class mail. It comes in a nice white envelope ready to give.

One Of The Most Exciting Parts Of This Journey That I Am On!

2010-11-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

I cant believe that I am finally sharing this exciting news with you...if you are a Facebook fan you have probably already seen this but I am finally getting back into writing on my blog and wanted to post the pictures of my AWESOME write up in my first feature of a magazine Australian Beading Magazine. For those of you who dont know this in May of this last year I was contacted by the editor of Australian Beading Magazine. She found me on Etsy and wanted to feature me in there Aug. issue. I was so excited that I think I was in shock for about a week or so. She requested my bio, photos of my jewelry and a picture. I am not good at writing about myself..I am always at a loss for words but I just started writing about my life thus far and about this journey that I am on with my jewelry.

My jewelry gets a lot of love from Australia..as a matter of fact my jewelry line will soon be available there..more details later... The editor was a doll to work with and the article came together so easily, I was kind of surprised. I didnt know what to expect....

I emailed all of the details off to her and anxiously waited through the summer. The magazine came out in the Middle of August 2010 and when I finally received my copy I actually screamed out loud. I slowly opened the first pages of the magazines thumbing through each page and right in the front of the magazine...there is was and much to my surprise I was actually featured on TWO pages!! WOW!! I stood there in my kitchen and screamed, jumped up and down and couldnt stop smiling...actually writing about it now takes me back to that day. I feel like the article captured me and my jewerly perfectly!!..I actually had no idea what it would look like or say but it was as if I had sat in front of them face to face and interviewed with them and they had taken the photos. They used the bright fun colors in the article that I love and used the pictures with nature backgrounds that were taken on my property, often my inspiration.

So here is the article..I actually have two magazines..soon to be framed and hung on the wall of my LittleGreenRoom..for inspiration and remembrance of this wonderful journey that I am on..like I always say..I don't know where I'm going but I cant wait to get there :)

The Holidays Are Here!

2010-11-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

So many new things going on in LittleGreenRoom..I have just been bad and neglected my blog..sorry guys, for those of you who stuck around, Thank You!!. Here is something new... I just got these ADORABLE new little boxes for the holidays and will be sending out jewelry in them for Christmas. I have cute red polkadot and solid red and white boxes...they are soooo cute! They come wrapped with satin ribbons and cute LGR stickers that are new just for the season. I am so thankful to everyone who supports me and purchases my jewelry and I wanted to add a little something special for the holiday season. I have been busy planning and creating new pieces of jewelry to come...I will be showing a few new pieces and talking about them soon.

A NEW Etched Sparrow

2010-09-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

I Love Etching Metal. One of the things that I have recently learned over the last year and a half on my quest to manipulate metal as many ways as I can. I just added this NEW Sparrow With Heart Necklace to my shop today. I Love the way that it turned out. The etching process is not always 100 percent fool proof so I always hold my breathe and hope that the piece of silver that I etch is going to turn out like expected, especially when I am using a large piece of Sterling Silver, it can be expensive. It usually takes anywhere from 2-4 hours to complete for each piece and that is just the etching process, not the preping, cutting, sanding, finishing etc. But..I love the way that the pieces turn out, artsy and unique. I like putting my own twist on things too like adding a copper forged heart or adding the etched piece of silver to another piece, kind of mix it up. I thought Id share this new cute necklace with you , if you want to see more of this necklace just click here http://www.etsy.com/listing/57044229/sterling-silver-etched-sparrow-and

Textures, Colors, And Something New!

2010-09-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have been in such a textured mood lately. I wrote a couple of weeks ago and posted some pictures of some textures that I have been playing around (creating). I have been texturing metal, using different techniques and experimenting in my GreenRoom..that is my play time :)

Sat. morning I was working in my GreenRoom on orders and decided to take a break. I took a short walk to get the mail and was sooooo excited to see that my new 2" leather cuffs had finally come! I ripped open the package and started making cuffs! I was so inspired by the colors and textures of the leather. It was so much fun adding my mixed metals to the textured cuffs and watching the designs appear. I listed the green cuff on Sunday, it is the first of four that I will be listing. This is actually a sneak peek of two more that I will be listing soon. They are different styles completely..but that is how I like to make my jewelry.

I hope that you all love them!

Fall Is Here!

2010-09-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

So Fall is finally here..and I am loving it! I have added some new favorites to my store for Autumn, Fall, And Halloween. This is my most inspired and favorite time of year so I keep coming up with new ideas. I have added some new etched designs too that I will be posting picts of too. I have been busy with new design ideas and am trying to get into gear for the holidays that are just around the corner. I am going to be adding 2" leather cuffs to my store soon and more mixed metal pieces.

I am excitedly awaiting the magazine that I am featured in, Australian Beading Magazine to arrive in the mail..it is on its way and I can hardly wait. I will post some pictures when it arrives.

I am also excited to announce that you can now find my jewelry in Atascadero CA, at Admire.

I was lucky enough to be on the front page of Etsy a couple of days ago and just made my 500th sale on Etsy so I am really excited about that too!

I am now offering my (above) initial rings in brass, copper and sterling silver. There are now two font choices, see my shop for selections.

I just want to Thank everyone for the emails of support and compliments. It really means alot and keeps me going, and for the support of my friends and customers..who are also friends too. I am so excited to hit the 500 sales goal that I had and couldn't have done it without you all. :) ~ xo

Textures For Fall!

2010-08-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Not only have I been excited for fall but I am loving the mixed metal trends that seem to be emerging more and more. I have been getting into metal textures to mix things up a bit. I love mixing textures as well as metals to make a piece of jewelry more interesting. I like the urban twist that seems to emerge with some of the textures too. I have been playing with the torch and reticulation, so fun! My *New* star cuff has some reticulation patterning, and when mixed with the sterling silver chain link pattern, the outcome of the finished design was one of a kind. I kind of veered off into a different direction with this textured line but I love that fact that my line will appeal to a wide audience of people. I am always experimenting with techniques, I kind of get lost in my LittleGreenRoom, my creativity takes over..and is soo addicting. Oh I have been adding new pieces of jewelry for those special guys in our lives too! The holidays are just around the corner so I hope you stop by to see some of the new pieces that I have been working on. Talk to you soon :)

New Fall Line 2010

2010-08-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ohh I am such a fan of Fall/Halloween..it is my favorite time of year. When I was little it was always the best time of year and I think that it carried through into my adulthood. I loved school clothes shopping LOL what little girl doesn't? right ? Back to school, cooler weather, beautiful colors of leaves, Halloween, I had the best neighborhood for trick or treating :) , Thanksgiving, my birthday is around Thanksgiving and the holidays around the corner. Memories...

Soo..I have added some new pieces of jewelry in my shop and am planning on adding more soon. I think this is the time of year where I add the most of my themed pieces of jewelry because I am so inspired.

For Me, Its All About The Little Things

2010-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

It is so funny that I had to start selling jewelry on Etsy to realize how much I love to take pictures. My life is extremely busy, like most these days so whenever I get the chance I try to take a walk and enjoy all that is around me. For me.. its the little things that make a difference, like my cute little grapevine birdhouse that I bought in a gift shop on the coast, a place I love to visit. I planted a Virginia creeper vine around it a couple of years ago and it is just now starting to grow up around the base of the birdhouse. I love it! It looks so cute..this little bird house was occupied this spring with a family of bluebirds. It was fun to walk out in the garden and hear them chirping for their mom, she was out getting them food. If you got close enough to the house and they heard your footsteps they would stop and were completely silent. It was amazing how fast they grew too! One morning my son and I went outside to find that they had all grown enough to finally fly away. I'm sure that a new family will be back next year.

I love my rose garden too! I have some rose bushes that have grown up to 6' tall. They are planted near our oak tree and they like to grow tall, reaching for the sun. Most people are amazed at the height that they reach. I just say that they are happy and loved. :)

When we moved into our house we did alot of fixing up. There was a gate that we decided to replace so I took it off the hinges and stuck it in the middle of my flower garden and it is now the back drop to these beautiful golden yarrow flowers and our fountain. These yellow yarrow flowers are planted near my rose bushes and they have taken on the same pattern of growing extraordinarily tall too! I love the bright cheery yellow. The best thing about these flowers is that they look the same color when they are dead. They are great flowers to cut an put inside too!

Just thought I'd share a few things that make me happy! Hope they make you smile too!

SALE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE CHRISTMAS IN JULY**

2010-07-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

I am participating in the Christmas In July Sale At Etsy and am offering a Buy One Get One Free Special on my slim stacker rings July 16-23. I cant believe that it is already July! Ahh :) These rings are so cute and great to stack with other rings or alone as a set. Don't miss out!! They are really cute :) Here is the link to see more info http://www.etsy.com/listing/51646127/bogo-xmas-in-july-salesterling-silver Hope to see you :)

What A Treat!

2010-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know that hummingbirds are considered to be the symbols of peace love and happiness? In native American culture a hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life experiences. Wow! I had no idea, I just looked that up. I do however, consider myself very lucky to have captured these pictures on the 4th of July.

While enjoying the day with my hubby at the car show we happened to turn around and see this little hummingbird taking a rest on a branch of a tree right behind us! I couldn't believe my eyes. I am fortunate to see them alot on our property but never see them sitting still, resting, and most of all never have I seen one stretch his wing like I caught him doing in the photo. I am in love with this little bird and am wanting to somehow incorporate him in a piece of jewelry hmmm..I just need to figure out how anyway, I thought he was so cute, I wanted to share the pictures. He makes me smile. Nature is amazing.

Surprise.. Im Back!

2010-07-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! I have been such a blog neglector (hmm.. is that even a word?) lately. Life had just taken over and left me in the dust! LOL :) I wanted to share a couple of pictures of the July 4th celebration where I live. I usually do the craft show but this year I decided to bow out and spend time with family. I think that it was the first weekend that I didn't have to work on something or other since Christmas so it was time.

Even though I didn't sell jewelry at the show I still ended up going, (I love it in Bear Valley). I ran into a few customers and passed out a few cards. As you can see from the photos there are hot air balloons rides that you can buy that take you over the valley and Cub Lake with beautiful views of the mountains. It is really stunning. The balloon rides start at about 5 am and from almost anywhere in Bear Valley you can see the balloons. The pilots of the balloons usually like to skim the water tops and lightly set the balloon baskets on the top of the water, just for fun. If you are lucky, you will get a great picture of the reflections of the balloons in the water.

There is a pancake breakfast that starts around 6 am and a little parade that goes down along the road by the lake. Anyone who is willing may enter the parade, it is really fun for the kids.

The craft show is around the lakeside and they have a car show too. This year my hubby decided to enter his Volkswagen in the car show for fun. This is his hobby. Still a work in progress, but something to keep him busy while I am in the GreenRoom making pretties.

The weather was beautiful about 85 that weekend, perfect, and I actually ran into someone at the pancake breakfast who recognized me from my news interview. I made a new friend.

All in all it was a relaxing weekend and much needed break. Hope you enjoy the pictures :)

About My Interview

2010-06-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I have not talked about my news interview and how it went. So here's the story..well...., Tues...night..I was cleaning and organizing like a mad woman, getting ready for the next morn. picking up the bits and pieces of silver and copper that had fallen to the floor on my hands and knees, wiping off my work table, dusting, you know metal smithing is not a very clean job..usually lots of dust everywhere from sanding and filing etc. My hubby was an awesome help, thank goodness, with the routine cleaning, dusting, vacuuming etc... I am a very details kind of person so my list was long because I didn't quite know where we would end up filming so I had to be prepared and make sure everything was clean. The only thing that I did know was that she wanted to film me in my LittleGreenRoom making something.

I finally finished all of the straightening and got to the end of my list and realized oops! !I need to get a project ready for her to film me making..ahhh!! okay..got that all set up and finally sat down at about 9:30 p.m. and sighed a sigh of relief. Then I realized oops!.. again! I needed to get out some of my jewelry pieces for her to film..okay.. off to find the pieces that I wanted to use..hmmm did I want to just lay them on my counter or display them on necklace stands or...?? ..So I ended up setting up a little mini display on the end of my counter next to my photo booth that I use and that seemed to work out great...Ahhh finished.

Wow now I was really getting tired.. time for bed because I knew that I either wouldn't sleep from excitement or that I would get up early and just lay in bed thinking of things that I might of forgotten.

Surprise, I actually slept great, which was good because that meant that my eyes wouldn't be bloodshot "thank goodness". I knew that she would be there at 9:00 a.m. so I was ready at about 8:30, hair done, makeup on and ready to go.. I am a very scheduled person and like to be early or on time..never late, something my family teases me about all of the time. I think that it is from all of those years of being a hairdresser and living by a schedule of appointments. At about 8:56 I looked at the clock and thought to myself, I wonder if I should of called the reporter just to make sure that the interview was still on... Oh well I guess I would have to wait and see, and of course I am starting to get a little nervous. Right on the dot at 9:00 sharp she knocked on my door, I opened the door and there she stood a young, cute, very sweet person. We immediately hit it off and started talking bout Etsy and LittleGreenRoom.

The first part of filming I bascially just talked and she filmed with the microphone off, and then she filmed my GreenRoom which she loved! She couldn't believe the amount of tools, beads, stuff etc, that I had, I quietly said "yes, I am addicted to making jewelry", we both laughed. She wanted to film me taking pictures of my jewelry and she talked about the my feature in Australian Beading Magazine that will be coming out in August. She asked me questions about the rings that I made for the NFL cheerleaders and we talked about what inspires me etc. Then it was time to sit for the real interview...oh I hate cameras, I was praying that I didn't mess up, say something stupid, or laugh at myself, something I do alot. She turned on that camera grabbed her mike and started asking me questions..I was so nervous I was trying not to pause but was trying to think fast at the same time..crazy! I think that I said awesome twice and after it came out of my mouth I laughed to myself.. but not outloud, whew! I reminded myself that there would be a editing and cutting process so thank goodness it wasn't live. All in all I think that it turned out great and I was so glad to make a new friend out of the whole experience. It is definitely one that I will never forget. As I walked her out to the car, she told me that it would air that night on the news! Ahh! I didn't expect it to air so soon, I wasn't even going to be home to see it we had a baseball game we had to go to but... my hubby ended up recording it and we watched it later that night.

....Later that night.... (we sat down to watch)... WOW! yep there I am on the news!! YAY! .. and yep, the camera does add about 20 pounds :( ..and Wow! there we are talking about Etsy and LittleGreenRoom... :) YAY!! What a crazy, awesome, surreal experience. I am so thankful :) I can't wait to see what's next!

My Weekend

2010-06-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Was there actually a weekend? I am asking myself that question this morning. LOL I feel like I blinked Friday afternoon and here it is Monday again. I had another jam packed weekend trying to catch up on everything that I could. I was able to get to a few orders finished that I had pending to send out this week..so that makes me feel like I got something accomplished. Dads Day....hmmm...what to get them..jewelry? no, :) I find that it is harder and harder to figure out the perfect gifts for Dads Day! Well it isn't really that hard I just feel like this year is flying by and holidays keep sneaking up on me and catching me off guard. I ended up keeping it simple and sweet this year..sweet you say?..yep, I ended up baking their favorite treats for them. That was their gifts. I don't usually do that but they loved them and so it worked out perfect. The weather was so nice yesterday so we spent time outside playing games and enjoying the day. I love days like that..I am so glad that summer is finally here. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Wow! Look What I Found!

2010-06-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Today is kind of quiet so I spent sometime cruising around the Internet reading and looking for new and interesting things and I happen to stumble upon this site. It has some really cool features for Etsy store owners and this flyer above is just one of the fun, simple things that you can do on this site for free. I love it!! You can make a flyer of one or more items per page, include prices, or not, simply download and print. Woweee!! I am thinking that this would be a great way to promote some of your store items with a description, especially the ones that have a story or explain how you made them or what inspired you to design your piece. The template downloads everything in one simple click of a button, no, I'm not kidding! You could use this feature to make flyers for your store etc.... I am actually getting ready to do a show on the 4th of July in Bear Valley CA. and am thinking that I should maybe print out a few different pages and put them in a book for people to look at, kind of like a portfolio...endless ideas. Here is the link to check out this cool site and be sure to check out the other features that it offers too!! What a fun find! http://cr8tivity.com/

New, Cute, Flower Inspired Earrings!!

2010-06-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

Little Red Poppies!

Little Blue Hydrangeas!

California Orange Poppies!

I just added these *New* cute, nature inspired earrings to my collection. I had a request from a customer to make an earring to coordinate with my popular little poppy necklaces. While tiding up and getting ready for my interview this week I sat down and started to play a little with my glass flowers and decided to make a simple, classic hoop adorned with these little artisan glass flowers. They turned out so cute! They are so playful and feminine! They have a lot of movement and add a spark of color around your face! Perfect for summer, graduation, brides maids or just because you love them! I am hoping to add more color choices soon too! Stop by and see how cute they really are http://www.etsy.com/listing/49423535/little-orange-california-poppy-earrings

WOW!!

2010-06-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!! I received an email yesterday afternoon from a reporter at KeroABC23 news who wants to interview me about Etsy and my LittleGreenRoom next Wed. morning. I am so nervous!! She is wanting to actually film my LittleGreenRoom and me making a piece of jewelry so we will be filming at my house. I am hoping we fit inside my room, LOL it is sooo small and I have wall to wall beads!! It will be exciting! YAY!!!! I really cant believe it..I think Im still in shock!

New Jewelry Cleaning Pads!

2010-06-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

I am now offering my favorite jewelry cleaning pads that I love to use, in my store! They are perfect for shining your mixed metal pieces, sterling silver, copper, and brass too! Warning! these pads are addicting!! Once you see how easy they clean your jewelry you will be looking for pieces to clean :) Here is the link to read more about the do's and dont's while using them, but they are very easy to use. Love em!!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48596937/shine-bright-jewelry-cleaning-pads

New Giveaway!

2010-06-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a great chance to win on of my cute Alpha Initial Rings! Here is a link to Melissa's blog to enter..
http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2010/06/ring-giveaway_09.html Good Luck everyone..these rings are really cute!

Bold And Beautiful, Mixed Metal Rings

2010-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

New** Cute Mixed Metal Bold Rings!! I just listed them in my store this morning! A new take on my ever so popular Mixed Metal Heart ring that made it on the front page of Etsy. I love this shape of ring because it is so bold and comfortable, I wear mine everyday. One of these rings and a cute pair of hoop earrings and you are ready to go. I get compliments all of the time so I decided to mix it up a bit and add a few more. Here is the link to these two cute rings! http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleGreenRoom

What A Beautiful Weekend!

2010-06-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

It was so nice on Memorial Day weekend! The days were warm, the sun was shinning, my roses are in full bloom. Our trees are full of fruit and the beautiful color of summer is amazing. I picked up the camera and went into our back yard to snap a few photos. I like to take pictures of plants and flowers on our property through the seasons, just because they inspire me so much. It is kind of like my own little private haven. There were about seven deer down by the little seasonal creek drinking water, it is always fun to watch the moms and their babies. Our little dogs don't even bark at the deer anymore, they are used to them now. I am definitely in the mood for summer..and its finally here :) Yay!!

18 Years And Counting...

2010-06-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

So keep in mind that this photo was taken 18 years ago..Yes, early 90's you can tell by the hair..LOL..Wow so crazy to say 18 years! My hubby and I just celebrated out 18th year anniversary a few days ago. We are high school sweethearts and started dating at 16. Someone asked me what the secret is for staying together for so long and I had to stop and think. A good friendship foundation is very important, that is how we started out so long ago..friends. I think starting off as friends you get to see the true person, how they treat people, how they react in certain situations, their intentions. I also think that you need to laugh alot, at yourself and each other, and life. Pick and choose your battles, try not to take things so serious, and of course, patience and love. I guess I will have to revisit this question at our 25yr. anniversary or even 50 yr. anniversary and see what more I have learned by then...but for now just one day at a time and high hopes that tomorrow and the years to come are just as wonderful as the first 18. :)

Celebrating Today!!

2010-06-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

WOW!! Exciting day today!! I had my 400th sale in my store today!! Hurray!! Thanks to everyone who has supported me and helped make my first 14 months a huge success!! Happy Wednesday everyone!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48520846/mixed-metal-sunday-earrings

LittleGreenRoom Jewelry Giveaway!!

2010-06-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

New Giveaway!! Click on link to enter http://www.eyecandiesblog.com/8/post/2010/05/little-green-room.html

and you could win this CUTE!! Sterling Silver key necklace. The giveaway is going on now- June 6. Good Luck To Everyone!!

2010-06-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am in love with these *New* Chinese Lantern Earrings!! I have had these beautiful, artisan, lampwork, beads for a couple of months now. That is how I am...when I see something that I love, I buy it or them and then end up incorporating them in my jewelry somehow. These beads happen to catch my eye because of the color. Of course I love that they are handmade by an etsy artist and whenever possible I love to mix up the artisan talent a bit, but the quality and color is breathtaking! I have had this set of beads sitting on my table waiting for them to inspire me to come up with some design that would do them justice. Just the other day it hit me! That is how my brain works! POW!! Idea!!! Wow!! I figured it out. The glass has almost a fire red glow, like a little flame. That was what inspired me to make them into little Chinese Lantern earrings. Excited with my idea..I started getting my supplies ready. Hmmm a deep red swarovski crystal and sterling silver of course, but it had to be antiqued, not bright and shiny. The darker the silver the more the red gave the glowing affect that I was talking about..like little flickering flames. See..I have to much fun making jewelry..anyway I finished my cute lantern earrings and decided today was the day to post them in my shop. I hope you all love them, unfortunately the photos didn't quite pick up the depth of the color that I am talking about darn it, but in the second photo you can see what I mean. Here is the link to see more about them! :)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48524764/chinese-lantern-sterling-silver-earrings

It's Only Just Begun!!

2010-05-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am just sitting here realizing that it is that time of year again! Graduation is just around the corner..school is almost out and I am wondering where half of this year has gone?? I have three special family members graduating this year from college. Big Congrats!! to them. I cant believe it!! I am remembering when I watched them walk down the isle to graduate from high school.Wow how time flies.. and now they are off to start living their dream, how exciting!! I will be attending lots and lots of graduations in the next few years though, I still have 16 nieces and nephews in grade-high school..yes my family is large. So my inspiration for this new necklace is for the grad or for anyone...following their dreams. I am a true believer that the only one who holds us back from our dreams are ourselves. So with that said.. Good Luck!! to all of the Graduates of 2010!! Its only just begun :) http://www.etsy.com/listing/47996301/wish-and-dream-upon-a-star-mixed-metal

New Poppy Cuff!

2010-05-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

I have had this design in my head for some time now and decided to try it out while making a few custom orders in my GreenRoom this weekend. Although I love mixed metals sometimes I picture a design in just one metal, this was one of those designs. This is inspired by my poppies in my garden. They are so beautiful. I planted a bunch of new red orange, poppy seeds last year and they never came up until this year. I love it when that happens, its a spring surprise! My poppies are now in full bloom! So glad to add this cuff to my growing poppy designs in my jewelry line..I want to try it in mixed metals next to mix it up a bit! Here is the link if you want to take a closer view http://www.etsy.com/listing/47934001/sterling-silver-poppy-leather-cuff

New Giveaway!!

2010-05-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hi !! I have been working with Aphrodite and she is going to host a giveaway on her blog from LittleGreenRoom May 30-June 6. Here is the link to her blog http://www.eyecandiesblog.com . I will be giving away this sterling silver heart key necklace. Please be sure to stop by and enter. Good Luck to everyone!!

All About Copper

2010-05-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

I am one of the many people who love, love, copper! I love it from its shiny pink, untarnished state to the rich rosy brown earth color, that it oxidizes too. If you have visited my Etsy store LittleGreenRoom.etsy.com you will see that I love to incorporate copper into many of my pieces of jewelry. I love the look of the mixed metal contrast of sterling silver (white), copper (pink/rose), and brass (yellow) too. Copper is one of those metals to get easily hooked on. It is a metal that looks beautiful, forged, shaped, stamped, etched, or colored with patina.

Copper has been referred to as the sacred metal or some have even called it "The Love Metal". It dates back as far as ancient Egypt. We all know that the body needs Copper to function properly. In fact, the brain and liver contains large amount of Copper. Copper is good for your diet and some believe for arthritis as well. Therapeutic value passed on by ancient Chinese secrets, state that Copper's positive influences really aid and affect the mind, body and soul. It has been said that Copper helps the body with these issues: Metabolism, Arthritis, Pain, Inflammation, Skin Color, Vision, Hair Pigment, Bone, Tissue, Elastin, and Collagen. You may be surprised to learn that copper bracelets for arthritis have been used for centuries in an attempt to relieve joint discomfort and pain. Some say that this practice dates back to the time of the early Greeks who used Copper to relieve aches and pains. Not surprisingly there are groups of people who claim that copper has reduced their arthritis symptoms. (No medical claims here)

I still get asked on a regular basis if it tarnishes. Yes, copper tarnishes, but so does, sterling silver, plated metal jewelry (costume jewelry) and brass. Copper is not a metal that you want to keep immersed in water for long periods of time, I recommend taking it off while doing dishes, showering etc.

If you love the color of copper in its untarnished pink state and want it to always stay light there is a special spray that can be used on your piece of jewelry to help prevent it from tarnishing. Please see my jewelry tips page for easy ways to clean your copper jewelry and other info that I will be posting soon.

WOW!!

2010-05-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have my new blog up and running! I will be updating and adding new info over the next week. I will also be adding jewelry care tips, contact info, and a few other fun things too!

New And Exciting News!

2010-05-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am still so excited!! Friday April 30 I got up in the morning and started my normal daily routine. I had a few minutes to spare and decided to check my emails, earlier than usual. I had an email in my in-box from an editor of Australian Beading Magazine. What? did I just say that for real???? Was I really reading what I thought I was?? As I started to read the letter I couldn't believe my eyes. She wanted to feature me and my jewelry in an upcoming edition of their magazine. I think that I stared and read the email about 6 more times and after minutes of my mind wandering off into space I quickly realized that I would be late to work and decided that I would read it again when I got to work. As I drove to work my mind drifted,... I wondered what the magazine looked like and if my email was even real. I told myself that It might only be a small magazine that fifty people read and I thought about how awesome that would even be, hey fifty new people who had never been in my store before or known about me was still great!

I pulled into work unloaded my car, laptop, purse, lunch bag, trusty morning Diet Coke, camera, orders to send off for the day...okay you catch my drift LOL.. anyway, after I got situated at my desk, I opened the email again for a second time and started to search the internet with the information I had. There it was Australian Beading Magazine...AWESOME!! Heart pounding, wide eyes, I might of even been a little pale in the face. I let out a little scream and jumped up and down a few times with excitement. It was really happening! WOW!!

I have since then written a bio that they requested, (ohh hard talking about myself..it is even hard for me to blog sometimes..I have been a hairdresser since I was 17 and am always used to listening to everyone else talk about themselves)....anyway, I got my photos and bio package together and sent it off. I am suppose to be in the August Issue and will post the issue here as soon as I get it. Coincidentally, Outside of the United States, I sell most of my jewelry to Australia (second) and Canada (third).

I am a true believer that its all about the journey and I would have to say that my journey is pretty exciting right now!!

Working 9-5..The Daily Grind!

2010-04-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what I do during the day? Well, I work the daily grind. I am an executive assistant. I work on a airport for a flight test company. This is my little corner of the company, with my trusty and always necessary Diet Coke by my side. That would be me in the black chair greeting you as you came in the front door of our company.

Our company is in the hot dry California desert. It's always dry, hot and windy, those are our three seasons. Sometimes the winds here on the airport can reach up to 80 mph. Those are the worst of days!

Like today...there is a high wind advisory, we are expecting about 80 mph winds so the freeway home will be closed and there will be a detour that I will have to take that has become very familiar to me.

I am lucky enough to have a window view of the mountains, (home) where I live. There are lots of windmills that are scattered across the mountains and when it is windy they all dance in unison. This is where a lot of my ideas for new pieces of jewelry are drawn in my sketch book, that is... when I have spare time.

Overall I have a great job but I am still daydreaming about the day that I can stay at home and make Etsy my number one job. That is where my heart is and mind long to be...fingers crossed!

Mixed Media Man In The Moon Necklace!!

2010-04-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun making this Man In The Moon Necklace!! Brand New** Just out of the My GreenRoom. This necklace has been on my sketch book for sometime now and haunting me to make it. I LOVE (This) Man In The Moon Face, it has always been my favorite!! I had a few sketches drawn but waited until the time was right and when I sat down to make it, the design emerged. I was definitely in one of my whimsy moods as you can see by the finished product. I always say that life is way to serious, wear a piece of jewelry that puts a smile on your face. I took a few pictures from start to finish,..the cleaned up version anyway. I didn't take pictures of my files, saw, torch, all things used to create this Happy, Starry Eyed, Moon Face but you get the picture. I have a lot of other fun moon inspired ideas that I am anxious to create too! I have created a mixed metal large moon face that I am going to make into a pendant that I will have to share with you all. It is one that I am keeping for myself though. I have been trying to decide how I would wear it most, a pendant or a bracelet. Not too sure yet. One of the exciting things for me while creating this necklace was the mixing the metals and media. I wish you all could see it in person, it is even cuter. This necklace is for all of the starry eyed moon lovers like me. I cant wait to meet who buys it! That is one of the most fulfilling things about making jewelry for me and that is..matching the perfect piece of jewelry with the perfect person who adores it.

New Listing!

2010-04-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

This *New* necklace comes from a drawing I have had in my sketch pad for about 6 months. I love the mix of color and whimsy design. This beautiful cross pendant is 2 1/4" x 1 1/4" wide. This cross pendant hangs close to your heart on a 24" sterling silver mirrored box chain. A shorter chain is available upon request. Here is the link to check out more details. http://www.etsy.com/listing/45421058/mixed-metal-sterling-silver-cross

I Love Shopping On Etsy!!!

2010-04-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

I was so excited the other day upon arrival of my package from Israel. About three weeks ago while searching for supplies I stumbled upon a beautiful glass shop on Etsy. I fell in love with these glass flowers. I don't know if you can see in the pictures or not but the flowers are dusted lightly in silver and have a beautiful sheen. I immediately knew what I wanted to design with these pretties and purchased them on the spot. I love buying handmade when possible and love to incorporate handmade pieces into my own designs. On Wednesday, along with the amazing surprise that I discovered in the package I found myself drawn to the stickers on the outside of the envelope that the glass beads came in. I love the fact that I bought something from someone in another country who I would not of ever seen or met it it weren't for Etsy, I love that! Its a great topic of conversation in my house with my son. We talk about the postage, stamps, and stickers on the envelopes. We end up looking at the country on his globe and talking about how far away it is. He too thinks that it is amazing that we can purchase something handmade by someone who is so far away that we never met. I love the fact that he appreciates and gets it..about buying handmade items. He's my little Etsian in training LOL ;)

Renovations Can Make you Crazy!!

2010-04-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

I spent this last weekend working on renovations in our kitchen with my husband. We had an electrician take down our old florescent bulbs and install can lights! I Love them!! The lighting is so much better and love not having the humming sound that florescent bulbs are famous for. We were off to the store to buy the exciting stuff, trim molding and pick out the paint color. After lots of measuring and cutting we stood back and admired my husbands handy work. We are "do it yourselfers" well, as much as we can anyway. It was finally time to paint. I love painting, well not the painting part ..but the end result, a fresh coat of paint, makes you feel like you have a whole new space. After long hours of trying to decide if I had picked the right color or not I went with Grass Cloth green. Hmmm...well I now call it screamin green...it is not quite the color that I had hoped for . I nick named it screamin green because when I walk in the kitchen the green screams "Turn off the lights its too bright in here!!" LOL .. so I will be back at the paint counter again this week trying to find the right shade of what I thought I wanted. The great thing about paint is you can always change your mind!!

New, Vintge Inspired Key Necklace Listing Today

2010-04-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

I just listed this vintage inspired artisan key necklace in my store. It is so cute!! I listed two, 16" and 18" and only $22.00 It is such a beautiful, feminine and necklace. Here is the link

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45250095/beautiful-vintage-inspired-sterling-silv
Great gifts too!!

LittleGreenRoom Jewelry Giveaway!

2010-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Its here! Tomorrow April 21st at 12:00 PST. you can win this necklace by going to http://fabulousfunfinds.blogspot.com Heather from Fabulousfunfinds will have all of the details on how to enter, on the link above. Good Luck!! It will be fun to see who wins!! :)

A Very Busy Thursday Night!!

2010-04-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

The minute I got home from work last night I went straight in my GreenRoom, turned on all of my 6 spot lights that I use and started heating up the pickle pot to work on orders. I had some custom orders that needed to be completed and orders to package and get ready for shipping out this morning, Friday. I think I actually work best under stress even though I hate to admit it. I seem to get more accomplished. I had sterling wire, hammers, design stamps, copper and charms all over the place. The other night my grandma came to get a hair cut, oh ya, I still cut hair for my family too. Anyway my grams saw my box of hammers and giggled as she asked me if I thought I had enough hammers. I had to stop and think. I think that I have atleast 15 different kinds that I use, for real :) Wow, now that I write it, it does sound like alot of hammers..wow..thats more than my husband has. Anyway, I managed to somehow pull it off. I got all of my jewelry boxed, labeled, organized and packaged, all ready to go. I even took a few photos of some new pieces that I made and didnt get a chance to list yet. I have one more item to finish this weekend, which should be ready to ship out on Monday morn. I listed this *NEW* cuff this morning, my other new cuffs sold so I wanted to get this listing in my store before it's too late to order for Mothers Day. Next week on April 21st is my first Mothers Day giveaway, its just around the corner. See my earlier post for details* I will list the link again to remind you all. :)

WOW!!

2010-04-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

I just read this and had to share the info with you. I think that it is quite amazing. This is for all of you who love Etsy, (me included). March was another stimulating month for Etsy's marketplace's growth. Here are the numbers:

•$22.4 million of goods were sold by our community in March, roughly 11% higher than February's $20.2 million.

•That represents 1,302,597 items sold for the month, 10% higher than February’s 1,186,311.

•2,008,387 new items were listed in the month, 9.7% higher than February's 1,830,825.

•246,834 new members joined the Etsy community in the month, up 10,800, or 4.6%, from February.

•718,635,940 page views were recorded on the site this month.

The $22.4 million of goods sold by the community represents a 84% increase from March 2009's total. At the same time, items sold were up 65%.

I think that this is just amazing. I am so happy to be apart of this Etsy community and Thank all of you who support our stores and buy hand crafted items.

Free May Shipping!

2010-04-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

There are so many exciting things happening with my business right now. First of all if you make a purchase in April you will receive free shipping in May. Details will come packaged with your jewerly order. I have been adding new Moms Day items to my store that have been selling great! I just purchased a new set of stamping tools. I will be adding new pieces of jewelry with the new cute font in early May. On April 21st at http://fabulousfunfinds.blogspot.com/ I will be giving away a piece of my jewerly for Mothers Day! Please check out her cute blog for details. On April 29th at http://www.melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/ I will be giving away a key to your heart necklace too! Please check out her cute blog for details. More exciting things going on that I will fill you in on at a later date! I cant wait to share! Stay tuned..

Seeing Stars!!

2010-04-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Cute!! New** Cuff just added today!! Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44713174

This was the first star cuff added to my store! This cuff comes in black, brown and white!

Cute brushed star earrings and a cute personalized star charm necklace. Great gifts!!

Hmmm I am starting to see a trend here with me and stars!! I love them!! This is just a few of the star pieces of jewelry that I have in my collection, I will be adding more too! The star necklace and ring are great gifts to have personalized for you or for someone special. I have some more cute star designs up my sleeve to hopefully list soon!

A Sunday Morning Detour!

2010-04-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had a great weekend, very busy but great! Sunday we took a detour on our way out of town and much to our surprise, came upon this picture. I absolutely love where I live. The hills are covered with oak trees for as far as the eye can see. Right now because of the all of the rain/snow that we have been getting the hills are still green, filled with wild flowers in bright purples and oranges. I took my camera, thank goodness, and was so excited to take pictures to share but was only able to capture three because I ran out of batteries, (my luck). Now that I know where to go I will be venturing out again in the next few weeks to take more pictures armed with a bag full of batteries :) It is hard to believe that this picture was taken just yesterday afternoon and this morning I woke up to 2 inches of snow.

NEW Mixed Metal Leather Cuff!

2010-04-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was going to wait and not list this cuff yet but I just get too excited when I make new designs. The new design process starts off for me with a pencil and paper. When I sit at my table..I dont use a bench..I start to layout the pieces and cut shapes using different metals to get the exact color combo that I want. When designing a piece of jewelry I have to think of the whole design from start to finish because I am using certain shapes, designs, and stamps that will produce the finished design that I already have pictured in my head or on paper. I am picky with colors too. I always have been..I think that it stems from my coloring background as a hair dresser or maybe it is just the way that I see color. They say that everyone sees color differently. There is nothing more exciting that putting the last bit of detail together to finish a piece of jewelry, I have always been big on the details. Its like you get a rush of excitement that flows through your veins. I am usually so excited that I rush off to show my hubby and then no more than two minutes later I am taking pictures. Sometimes the pictures get complicated because the metals reflect light and shadows like crazy, if you are not careful you will end up taking a photo of yourself in a piece of jewelry that has your reflection in it, like a mirror. I, who am camera shy anyway, do not want my distorted pict. in a piece of jewelry to list in my store. So finally when all is said and done, I finally arrive here..excited to share a new piece of jewelry with you. Here is the link to view more photos of my new bracelet. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44389210

I Love Cuffs!

2010-04-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

I dont quite know what my draw is to leather cuffs but I love them, I always have. About two years ago while walking through the crowds at Venise Beach I came upon a vendor who was selling leather cuffs. He only had a few and they were just plain leather but I bought a black one and wore it layered with my sterling link chain bracelets and loved it. Ever since I bought that cuff I have had and idea in the back of my designing mind to create and embellish them with sterling silver and mixed metals. I have listed some in my store and they have been quite popular. I have so many more designs on paper that I have yet to create. This is a cute design that I have added to my collection for "Mom". This is a sneek peek. I will be adding this to my Etsy store this week as one of my new Mothers Day jewelry pieces.

"Sneek Peek" Just Around The Corner!

2010-04-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that Mothers Day is just around the corner. I have a few new jewelry pieces up my sleeve. This is a "Sneek Peek" at just one of the few that I am hoping to list in the next few weeks. This is a tribute to all of the moms who are our angels here on earth.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Easter is near, however this year the weather is so hard to predict who knows wether we will see the sun on Easter Sunday or not. My daffodiles are in full bloom, usually the first of my bulbs in my garden to add a spark of color, bright yellow, warm and sunny. The poppies in bright oranges and reds are just about to open too. The sweet smell of allysum in its white clusters are addings a bright white contrast to all of the green that is starting to sprout with this new years growth. I actually paid my first visit to the nursery the other day which is kind of early in the growing season in my neck of the woods. I got inspired. I love my flower gardens and am hoping to find some new inspirations for jewelry pieces to add to my line. I hope you all have a very warm and Happy Easter!

One Of My Spring Favorites!!

2010-04-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Although this was a ring design that I came up with last year, spring of 09..it is still one of my favorites. This was garden inspired like alot of my designs. I have two sizes, this is the larger of the two. It really makes a statement on your finger, wear this cute ring, a great pair of sterling silver or copper hoops and..walla.. you are accessorized. I really need to make a few new flower designed rings..but I am waiting to be inspired by something. When it hits me I will know. I call this my Summer California Poppy ring and you can see more photos of it here

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35119341

Wow Here Is Another Great Treasury That Has Featured My Red Ruffled Poppy Ring!

2010-03-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=122847 It is really cute and cheerful!

Check Out This Bright Easter Treasury That My Necklace Has Been Included In!

2010-03-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here Is The Link http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=93285

One Day Sale Only!

2010-03-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am having a ONE day sale tomorrow only, April 1st, for my blog followers. No..this is not an April Fools joke :) LOL. How do you take advantage of this sale? Well... at checkout simply put this code (Blog4110) and please include the name that you publicly follow my blog by in the notes to seller box at checkout. This will qualify you for the 20% off. I will refund your account 20% after the sale has gone through. This sale applies to all items in my store at http://littlegreenroom.etsy.com/ This special is for my blog followers only and you must be listed as publicly following my blog. Hope to see you tomorrow!

A Little Bit Of Whimsy!

2010-03-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Much to my surprise I got a little bit of time in my GreenRoom this weekend. In between baseball games and work, I stole a little time to make these *NEW* flower necklaces. I have been wanting to add more of these necklaces in different colors just had to find the time to make them. I love the new colors and am hoping to add even more new colors soon!! Of course I love the red that I call my poppy necklace, which already sold, but the teal and green turned out great! I did end up making more red too in two different sizes. I will be adding these necklaces to my store this week but this is a sneak peek!

New Spring Lily Necklace

2010-03-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

The idea of this necklace came to me in a dream....yes, I had a dream about this necklace and woke up out of a dead sleep and reached for my sketch pad, the one that I keep on my night stand for times that I have inpirations come to me in my sleep. Yes, it is true my creative mind never sleeps.

This *New* beautiful necklace is new to my spring/summer collection 2010. Inspired by nature and spring fever galore!! I cant wait to see the lilies as they start to bloom and let us know that winter is long gone. Until then...this beautiful flower of metal that will last forever fills the void.This was handmade with love by using mixed metals, copper and sterling silver. This pendant hangs on a beautiful 20" textured link chain that has been antiqued lightly only to show off details and match the flower pendant.The lily pendant is 3 1/8" long by 1 1/2" wide. This necklace is a great gift for Easter, Mothers Day..or just because you love it. I cant believe that Easter is just around the corner!

Poppies!!

2010-03-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Im in a poppy mood! I love poppies of all colors, reds and oranges. I live in California and our state flower is the orange poppy. Spring has sprung and it is so neat to drive through the mountains and see all of the wild poppies in groves against the green hills. I am hoping to make it to atleast one of the wild poppy reserves that are around the area this year before they start to disappear. These pieces of jewelry are new to my collection this spring. A little bit of nature, inspired with a whimsy twist. They are so bright and cheery that you cant help but to smile when you look at them. The necklace has sold, it didnt last long but I am hoping to add more in my shop soon. The rings I have just added in a couple of different sizes. There is a ruffled poppy ring in two sizes larger for the more daring and a med. size for somone more conservative. I love the ring that has a ruffled.frayed looking edge too! They have sterling silver wire bands and are very comfortable to wear. The thing that I love about these flowers is that they will never fade away....A flower that lasts forever.

Something About Stone!

2010-03-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sterling Silver, Copper, Turquoise...whats not to love?? For me I have only started to love and appreciate this genuine stone from our earth. Yes, I was a late bloomer. My favs were crystal, glass, and sterling silver which has later evolved into a love for stone and mixed metals over the past 5-6 years. While selling jewelry at my local craft shows I cant tell you the number of times that I have had a customer who is drawn to a certain stone in a necklace or bracelet because when they touch it they say that it makes them feel good or they connect with that piece of stone. Turquoise is one that people are commonly drawn too.

Turquoise was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures. If given turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. Turquoise is also the symbol of friendshop and brings peace to the home. Turquoise is also believed to take on the characteristics of the owner.

This is a sneak peek of this necklace that I will be listing later in my store. It is very rustic in nature from the color in the turquoise to the finishing of the metal and design. I have so many beautiful stones that I have been collecting to make into pieces of jewelry..so stay tuned.

Hide And Seek In The Daffodils With Sunny!

2010-03-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

I have two Rat Terriers, Sunny and Baby girl. Does anyone remember the old RCA photo of the dog and the record player? Well..that was a Rat Terrier in that photo. This is Sunny and she was born without the black and brown traditional markings that Rat Terriers usually have. She is solid white with only has a few black ticking marks. This weekend she was cracking us up because she likes to go and hide in these Daffodils. When we would yell "Sunny" she would pop her head up and look at us and then lay back in the flowers. I thought it was so cute I wanted to share. It was so nice in the California mountains this weekend as you can see the Daffodils are blooming and our trees are starting to flower. "LOVE IT" Happy Spring Everyone!!

Connected To The Sea!

2010-03-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

We are all connected to nature. The Ocean represents, peace, inspiration, tranquility and natural beauty. I have chosen some beautiful "Ocean Inspired" items from artists on Etsy that I would like to share.

The Week End Get Away !

A trip to the ocean always inspires your mind body and soul. You can find this beautiful photo at MyBeachWishes http://www.mybeachwishes.etsy.com/ on Etsy. She has beautiful photos and is a new to etsy too. Here is some of what she has to say~ I am an interior designer and photo artist in the Plymouth, Massachusetts area. I gather inspiration at the beach near my home and enjoy passing along encouraging sentiments with my photo art. We love your photos! Thanks for sharing!

A beautiful, knobby white starfish has been combined with
silver glitter encrusted silver dollars to create this hair adornment
fit for a beach bride. Wear it in your tousled hair for your beach
wedding or special seaside occasion and you'll be the natural,
Beach Goddess. This beautiful hair adornment is found at
Sweeteverythings http://www.sweeteverythings.etsy.com/ Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

This adorable sea urchin beach tote is by StarBags http://www.starbags.etsy.com/ Thier inspiration for this adorable bag came from thier long beach walks in Turkey, they would often find all kinds of treasures such sea urchins and shells. The design was born from thier findings. Beautiful!! I love the colors! And yes, those are real sea urchins on the bag, wow how creative! Thanks for sharing!

AprilHilerDesigns at http://www.aprilhilerdesigns.etsy.com/ has created this adorable Star Fish Kissing Ball Pomander. This vine sphere holds a starfish and an assortment of seashells resting on a bed of natural preserved sheet moss. This would be great for a flower girl at a beach wedding, a pew decoration, or just a beautiful decoration for any occasion. Great design and creative idea! Thanks for sharing!

Along The Shores, Jewelry Inspired By Nature

2010-03-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

Ocean Bubble Earrings

Along The Shore Necklace

Listen To The Ocean Bangle Bracelet

Jewerly Inspired by a walk along the ocean shores. You just never know what you might find....but that is the exciting part of the journey.

Amy's Jewelry Designs

Be Mine

Grand Opening!

Your Never Too Old To Learn Something New

A Beautiful New Treasury That Id Thought Id Share

On The Wish List!

New New New!!

Think Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness Month

California Wild Fires In My Neck Of The Woods??

Fall Fashion Color Trends 2011

Feeling Of Fall

Independence Day Giveaway!

Coming Soon!

Summer 2011

LittleGreen Egg??

Coming Soon!

Use PayPal At Craft Fairs?

Color Watch Spring/Summer 2011

Inspired By Nature!

One Of My Favorite Etsy Stores!

A New Etsy Treasury That I Created Yesterday..

A Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Beautiful Ribbon Turquoise!

A Funny Story!

A Stunning New Treasury That Has Featured My Cuff On Etsy!

A New Chapter!

LittleGreenRoom In Kentucky!

My Orange Inspiration!

Wow..More Snow??

Happy Valentines Day!!

Beautiful Desert Skies!

Off To Australia Round 2!

Love

Inside LittleGreenRoom A Project From Start To Finish

Magazine Feature!!

Natural Stone..There Is Nothing Like It

Color, Color And More Color For 2011

Happy Holidays!

LittleGreenRoom Giveaway!

My Vine Inspired Line Of Jewelry

LittleGreenRoom Getting Ready For The Holidays!

Gift Certificates Now Available At LittleGreenRoom

One Of The Most Exciting Parts Of This Journey That I Am On!

The Holidays Are Here!

A *NEW* Etched Sparrow

Textures, Colors, And Something New!

Fall Is Here!

Textures For Fall!

New Fall Line 2010

For Me, Its All About The Little Things

SALE** BUY ONE GET ONE FREE** CHRISTMAS IN JULY**

What A Treat!

Surprise.. Im Back!

About My Interview

My Weekend

Wow! Look What I Found!

New, Cute, Flower Inspired Earrings!!

WOW!!

New Jewelry Cleaning Pads!

New Giveaway!

Bold And Beautiful, Mixed Metal Rings

What A Beautiful Weekend!

18 Years And Counting...

Celebrating Today!!

LittleGreenRoom Jewelry Giveaway!!

It's Only Just Begun!!

New Poppy Cuff!

New Giveaway!!

All About Copper

WOW!!

New And Exciting News!

Working 9-5..The Daily Grind!

Mixed Media Man In The Moon Necklace!!

*New* Listing!

I Love Shopping On Etsy!!!

Renovations Can Make you Crazy!!

**New, Vintge Inspired Key Necklace Listing Today**

LittleGreenRoom Jewelry Giveaway!

A Very Busy Thursday Night!!

WOW!!

A NEW Etched Sparrow

SALE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE CHRISTMAS IN JULY**

New Listing!

New, Vintge Inspired Key Necklace Listing Today

NEW Mixed Metal Leather Cuff!