Hidden Treasures - Citronella & Blueberry Punch

MINE
Citronella and Blueberry Punch
Another Nonteam Challenge, this was conceived to highlight the beautiful filigree objects that abound on Etsy as well as focus on the color of Citrine, November's Stone...:) It used RogueButterly's beautiful and vibrant gypsy filigree earrings as a starting point...:) I wanted bright color, contrast and elegance and I think I got it...:)

Interested in finding out more about the Nonteam Challenge? Check out this blog.

YOURS
Honeymoon in Blue
This is so refreshing and pretty. I was really happy to be included in TreasuredDetails' collection...:)

I actually didn't forget to make a treasury this week. Work has been very busy and I have been busy preparing for a few things that I'll be talking about in an announcement this week...:) So my own treasuries are on hold and I'm doing my best to get the Nonteam treasuries up as well though I may need to forgo a few!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Say it ain't so!

MINE
Say it ain't so!
This is my second entry for the Nonteam Challenge...:) It used FlutterbyeNotes' super playful blank cards as a starting point...:) Playful was what I wanted for this and I also wanted to make a little bit of a statement about how we perceive our own abilities with speech and how we use them.

Interested in finding out more about the Nonteam Challenge? Check out this blog.

YOURS
Thank you Curators
Isn't this just wonderfully soft and serene? A gorgeous thank you for sure. AwakenJournaling chose to thank the curators of the treasuries she liked best by making her own treasury for us...:) I'm so glad she enjoyed my collection! Thank you!

I completely forgot to do my own treasury this week! So stay tuned for next week's...:) Thanks for looking!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Nonteam Challenge!

MINE
Hot Pink Tamale with Olives
The weather has been absolutely dreary and so I wanted to brighten things up. I haven't used hot pink in a while and so I took flight! Enjoy this spicy little collection...:)

The Key is...
I've recently chosen to participate in a really, really cool treasury concept called the Nonteam Challenge. The premise is to build a treasury around one common item. The first Challenge has netted about 125 treasuries! I want to include this along with my weekly treaury building...:)

Interested in finding out more? Check out this blog post. This week's item was Awakenjournaling's gorgeous leather key journal.

YOURS
Art Deco
Talk about a gorgeous and funky collection! I love the geometric emphasis in here. Gorgeous color too! Thanks to kitkingdesigns for including me in this wonderful collection!

Cozy Weekend at the Lake
I am really honored that out of all the participating Nonteam challengers, WickedDarling chose one of my pieces to be in her group of 16. It's a beautiful, rich curation and my earrings look fabulous in it!

If you comment on my weekly treasury (first one posted above!), you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Thank for looking!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Chain Mesh

MINE
Chain Mesh
This collection was inspired by my two friends Stephanie and Julie who both make beautiful chainmaille jewelry. Both are featured in the listing as DoskasDeisgns and LunargentWorkshop.

YOURS
Feline Fun!
Meeeoooooww! This is a gorgeous collection full of warm yellow tones created by Art2ArtColorado.

October Rains
Cool and elegant and fresh all in one. This makes me anticipate the coming rains and snows...:) Created by TickledPinkKnits.

If you comment on the treasury, you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Enjoy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Golden Glow

MINE
Golden Glow
This elegant, warm and welcoming treasury was inspired by Sue's necklace, holding it's place as first in the listing...:)

YOURS
Smile!
Just how FUN is this collection by FlourishBathBody? She managed to capture my personality with this one. I definitely smile a lot and yellow, green, aqua, orange and pink are some of my fav colors!

Smile!
What I love about this collection by CherubimArts is that she made it both soft and bright. Some of the items looks as delicate as whispers while some explode with vibrancy. Something magical is in the air, perhaps?

If you comment on the treasury, you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Enjoy!
♥

Mini Marvels - Bellabijoujewellery

It's Mini-Marvel time!

As many know, I have started on the path to learning how to metalsmith. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to meet some AMAZINGLY talented artisans from whom I have learned a great deal and been inspired to aim high and never give up! Bellabijoujewellery is one of those who inspired me to push my limits and aim for the sky...:)

I asked her to share a little about her journey:

I am one of those people who has a ridiculous memory. I can remember lyrics to almost every song I have ever heard. I can remember what I wore to the first day of school when I was 5. I can tell you what song was playing the first time I danced a slow dance at a school dance. I can remember saying I was going to be an artist from as far back as preschool.


Born and raised in Vancouver BC, my parents always encouraged my "crafty" side. Birthday and Christmas presents were always craft and art related - whether it was a paint easel, a sewing machine, or a pottery wheel ( yes, I was the only kid I knew that had a pottery wheel - mind you it was meant for kids and never worked quite right...). My mother ran her own small business, and my Dad was, is and always will be the ultimate build it guy. From houses, to boats, to cars and motorcycles - if you asked Dad to build it, he would. Its no wonder to me now how I grew up to be an entrepreneur with the "I think I can make that" mindset.


I didn't however choose to channel my artistic tendencies into metalsmithing right away. I was at a turning point in my personal life when I decided that the beaded jewellery I was already making and selling just wasn't doing it for me. Some say that is the best time to throw caution to the wind and try something new - and it was the best thing I have done in my adult life. A few months later brought a new place to live, with a new boyfriend (I really wanna say soulmate but am trying not to get too corny here) and support system, and my first set of jewellers tools.


From there I grew - as a person and an artist on a mission. I was going to teach myself as much as I can retain ( remember that memory thing? I think this is where it is finally coming in handy!) I am proud to say I am self taught by trial and error. I feel it proves my perseverance and passion for what I do. Each time I discover a new tool ( or better yet, and old tool), each time I light that torch, each time I put the final touches on a piece of jewellery, then stand back and look at it, I fall in love with metalsmithing a little bit more, and it reminds me that this is what I am meant to do!

I hope you enjoyed sharing in Bella's positivity and beautiful talent! I do every day!
♥

Sunday Showcase - Autumn

1.kitkingdesigns2.glazedearth3.WeirdAndTwisted4.BijiBijoux5.louloututu6.heroicbeer
Each Sunday Showcase features one item from six wonderful shops based on a predetermined theme.

OMG! You guys gave me SUCH a challenge this week. I agonized over 2 HOURS putting this together because I was given such GREAT stuff to work with. Gorgeous, gorgeous items, gang! Thank you SO much for making this hard for me!

Want to have a chance to be selected for a Sunday Showcase? It's really simple!

♥ Check out the current Sunday Showcase thread running in Promos on Etsy to find out the theme for the following week♥ Comment in the thread if you feel you meet the criteria (or if you want to bump it up for others...;)♥ Comment on this post and tell me which of the six items is your favorite and why. Don't forget to post your shop URL so I know who is who!♥ ONLY SHOPS WHO COMMENT IN BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED!
Here's the current thread!
That's all there is to it! Simple, right?

I cannot stress enough the importance of leaving your shop URL and posting in both locations! I see BEAUTIFUL things that end up left by the wayside because those criteria are not followed! Links to your items are fine, but not at the expense of your shop url as they don't tell me right away who you are.

The thread will be open for participation until the Friday of the given week.

All items will be tweeted on my Twitter page and the link to this blog entry posted on my Facebook Fan Page.
Twitter
Facebook

Please feel free to follow me/fan me to keep up with my Features and all I have to offer!

All types of artisan crafts, vintage & supplies are up for consideration (unless stated in the Theme section in the Forum thread) so don't be shy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - No you're not seeing double! There are TWO this week!

MINE
Last call for Summer...
...Heralding the Fall
I couldn't choose between the two and this is the result...:) All these sellers were kind enough to comment on previous treasuries of mine!

YOURS
None to report as far as I know!

If you comment on the treasury, you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Enjoy!
♥

Sunday Showcase - September Blues

1.AlexSharDesigns2.Scrollworkdesigns3.LifeSoapSimple4.marysmenagerie5.TheSilverLakeStudio6.topaz08
Each Sunday Showcase features one item from six wonderful shops based on a predetermined theme.

Aren't these items just gorgeous?! I'm so happy with my choices this week!

Want to have a chance to be selected for a Sunday Showcase? It's really simple!

♥ Check out the current Sunday Showcase thread running in Promos on Etsy to find out the theme for the following week♥ Comment in the thread if you feel you meet the criteria (or if you want to bump it up for others...;)♥ Comment on this post and tell me which of the six items is your favorite and why. Don't forget to post your shop URL so I know who is who!♥ ONLY SHOPS WHO COMMENT IN BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED!
Here's the current thread!
That's all there is to it! Simple, right?

I cannot stress enough the importance of leaving your shop URL and posting in both locations! I see BEAUTIFUL things that end up left by the wayside because those criteria are not followed! Links to your items are fine, but not at the expense of your shop url as they don't tell me right away who you are.

The thread will be open for participation until the Friday of the given week.

All items will be tweeted on my Twitter page and the link to this blog entry posted on my Facebook Fan Page.
Twitter
Facebook

Please feel free to follow me/fan me to keep up with my Features and all I have to offer!

All types of artisan crafts, vintage & supplies are up for consideration (unless stated in the Theme section in the Forum thread) so don't be shy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Ruffled Feathers

MINE
Ruffled Feathers
I was gazing with longing at all the pretty, feminine blouses that have been appearing in all the stores and decided to see what Etsy had to offer. I wasn't disappointed!

YOURS
Green With Envy
Nothing says fresh like bright green and chrissilynn2 certainly delivered. I'm coveting that Garnet so bad I can feel it through the screen!

Elegant Accessories
A great collection filled with lovely items created by magnumrx. I certainly agree that any of these pieces would be great for an elegant evening out.

If you comment on the treasury, you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Enjoy!
♥

Sunday Showcase - Relaxation

1.pixestreasurechest2.squid21r3.veterok4.TheMayFlower5.shinyfantasy6.NewCreatioNZ
Each Sunday Showcase features one item from six wonderful shops based on a predetermined theme.

I didn't have as many participants this time and I was surprised there were no bath & beauty selections. Either way, I like to think I made a lovely collection which expresses the theme of soft relaxation...:) Because I did not get enough participants, I supplemented the listing with one shop that was kind enough to take interest in my feature even though they thought they wouldn't have anything of interest to me for the theme...;)

Want to have a chance to be selected for a Sunday Showcase? It's really simple!

♥ Check out the current Sunday Showcase thread running in Promos on Etsy to find out the theme for the following week♥ Comment in the thread if you feel you meet the criteria (or if you want to bump it up for others...;)♥ Comment on this post and tell me which of the six items is your favorite and why. Don't forget to post your shop URL so I know who is who!♥ ONLY SHOPS WHO COMMENT IN BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED!
Here's the current thread!
That's all there is to it! Simple, right?

I cannot stress enough the importance of leaving your shop URL and posting in both locations! I see BEAUTIFUL things that end up left by the wayside because those criteria are not followed! Links to your items are fine, but not at the expense of your shop url as they don't tell me right away who you are.

The thread will be open for participation until the Friday of the given week.

All items will be tweeted on my Twitter page and the link to this blog entry posted on my Facebook Fan Page.
Twitter
Facebook

Please feel free to follow me/fan me/ to keep up with my Features and all I have to offer!

All types of artisan crafts, vintage & supplies are up for consideration (unless stated in the Theme section in the Forum thread) so don't be shy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Bluebells in Autumn

MINE
Bluebells in Autumn
I must have been thinking of the leaves turning and the cool, crisp, vibrant blue skied mornings when I went searching through my favorites...:) I also found some lovely items from some of the people who commented last week! Who knows, you could be on next week if you comment...;)

Enjoy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Feline Fun!

MINE
Feline Fun!
My cats were clowning around and just being adorable little poo-poo heads (said with utmost affection) and they completely inspired me to check out what else was adorable, fun and cute on Etsy.

YOURS
Lovely August
I loved this fresh collection by dancingintherains. Green is one of my fav colors and this one made me want to go outside and play in the grass...:)

If you comment on the treasury, you get the chance to be in next week's Hidden Treasures!
Enjoy!
♥

Mini Marvels - VickiDianeDesigns

It's Mini-Marvel time!

As an admirer of those who do for others, I could not help instantly being respectful of VickiDianeDesigns...:) She's vibrant, generous and full of life and it comes through in everything she does so passionately.

I asked her to share a little about what makes life grand for her:

I'm in LOVE with life , colour music and art.
My creations are Bold, Vibrant, Sexy Funique and ALIVE. ( Hopefully as you read -- like me! )


I'm from London UK , where I left at 19 and travelled the world singing the blues and playing the piano. I came from a very theatrical and artistic background. My father being a film director and mum was a nurse but a fabulous pianist. I took up music and acting at an early age and spent a short time at drama school later.
My hobbies now are much the same...music (always LOUD while I'm working )...art, which I've been working at in some shape or form for over 20 years now...painting , fashion and jewelry...(and sport- when I can fit it in if I have any puff left ! )
I am lucky enough now to live between beautiful Southern Spain, Andalucia and the UK....guess which I like most ?


Regarding my designs, I've a HUGE passion for animal print, which I must have picked up on my travels , and also for vibrant rich, exotic and Mediterranean inspired colours, having spent many a moon relaxing on foreign sands and enjoying the amazing stunning sunsets !
I spend FAR too much time on Etsy and Facebook promoting other people (and occasionally myself ;) and love it !
As long as I can get to the gym or play tennis occasionally then I don't feel too guilty. I started a series of Etsy Treasury's nearly 2 and a half year years ago called **Artists Exposed * where I feature the artists from behind their shops and this has proved overwhelmingly successful and had people queuing up for a feature.
Now the format has changed and I have a non- stop rotation going on where there are as I write- well over 3000 views and over 4000 clicks already. I've kept it running since the end of April and it just proves that folk are nearly as nosy as me LOL !!! (I've only 750,000 artists to get through now :)


My designing gives me GREAT pleasure and doing this for you has been such fun. Thank you Shannon x

I hope you enjoyed her generosity, rara-avis spirit and playful work like I do!
♥

Sunday Showcase - Summer Splash

1.yourcharmedlife2.WhatItSeams3.SixSkeins4.merriweathercouncil5.LoveMeAmberLee6.rtisan
After many months of hiatus, Sunday Showcase is back! *tosses confetti*

Each Sunday Showcase features one item from six wonderful shops based on a predetermined theme.

I had serious trouble picking a selection this time around. I had 4 different compositions that I had to choose from! Thank you SO much to everyone who participated for making this a challenge and for providing me with GORGEOUS items!

Want to have a chance to be selected for a Sunday Showcase? It's really simple!

♥ Check out the current Sunday Showcase thread running in Promos on Etsy to find out the theme for the following week♥ Comment in the thread if you feel you meet the criteria (or if you want to bump it up for others...;)♥ Comment on this post and tell me which of the six items is your favorite and why. Don't forget to post your shop URL so I know who is who!♥ ONLY SHOPS WHO COMMENT IN BOTH LOCATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED!
Here's the current thread!
That's all there is to it! Simple, right?

I cannot stress enough the importance of leaving your shop URL and posting in both locations! I see BEAUTIFUL things that end up left by the wayside because those criteria are not followed! Links to your items are fine, but not at the expense of your shop url as they don't tell me right away who you are.

The thread will be open for participation until the Friday of the given week.

All items will be tweeted on my Twitter page and the link to this blog entry posted on my Facebook Fan Page.
Twitter
Facebook

Please feel free to follow me/fan me/ to keep up with my Features and all I have to offer!

All types of artisan crafts, vintage & supplies are up for consideration (unless stated in the Theme section) so don't be shy!
♥

Hidden Treasures - Sunset Lights

Welcome to the new format for Treasuries! Before, I used to separate treasuries into the ones I made, mine, and the ones you all made, yours. Now I will be putting them all into one post once a week starting with my weekly Treasury at the top of the post. I'm hoping to have treasuries by you to post every week as well, but it may happen that I won't depending on how well I kept up with my new item postings...;)

MINE
Sunset Lights
A treasury inspired by the lovely sunsets I've been seeing from my balcony at home. It's amazing how much the setting sun colors the sky. Like God decided to take out His watercolors and dance across the sky...:)

It's possible that there are a few treasuries that I am in that I have not yet shared. I'll be sure to double-check and if I am correct, I'll update the Yours section in this post.

UPDATE!
I knew I'd missed at least one!

YOURS
Cerulean? Electric blue? Persian blue? Air force blue?
Definitely all of the above in this one! The vibrant blues were just really fun. Mammamiaeme is really sweet to have included me in this!

Enjoy!
♥

Mini Marvels - Bomobob

It's Mini-Marvel time once again! Nothing like starting fresh with some amazing artisans!

I've always loved photography and I was pleased to come across the work of a fellow Montrealer. Bomobob has been around the block some and is a well known photographic entity in our fair city...:) Not only is he a talented gent, he's also a hilarious one and I have been privileged to get to know him.

I asked him to give us a little perspective on what makes him tick:

Somewhere there’s a photo of me at the age of about 5 or 6, at Upper Canada Village. In it, I have a 127 camera hanging from my wrist on a strap. It may be a Kodak Brownie, but I seem to recall it may have been green, which would probably mean it was an Imperial. I know that photo is around here somewhere, because it was always hanging in the stairway when I was growing up.


I guess that’s when it began. I was always fascinated by the idea of being able to freeze single moments in time and save them to look at over and over. Not just people, but places, events. Sure, that’s what photography is all about, but I caught the bug early on.

The local supermarket used to give out bonus stamps, and you’d stick them into booklets until you had enough to trade them in for something from their catalog. For me, it was Kodak Instamatic X-15, which I still use regularly.


I sometimes feel like I’m still back in that era, as most of my 60 or so cameras are from that period. I like the bad optics, the vignetting, the false colour…what’s referred to now as “vintage look”. And yes, I’m obsessed with carnivals, as they also take one back to a time of innocence and false colour and faded memories.


I tend not to travel light when it comes to cameras. There’s almost always one old twin-lens reflex camera for doing TTV photography, a Polaroid, a Holga, an Instamatic, and usually any one of a number of small 35mm rangefinders, along with either a film or digital SLR. And a tripod.

I hope you enjoy his gorgeous photography as much as I do. I have a calendar at home which I LOVE flipping through...:)
♥

My Treasury - Blush

I have a friend on the Whiner's Thread on Etsy who makes gorgeous, elegant, timeless treasuries and she inspired me to actually try to make something muted and classic. I think this turned out quite well...:)

Check out Jewelryvixen's gorgeous treasuries here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/people/jewelryvixen

Blush
This so makes me wish I was getting married so I could buy everything!
♥

Your Treasury - Hand Made

I so love color! I opened a convo this morning to discover that I am in this bright, fun curation by jewelrybymichal.

It's got a really playful feeling and the vibrant items had me smiling...:)

Hand Made
Have a great Sunday!
♥

Your Treasury - On a Whim

This sweet little grouping was made by the lovely Sarahkdesigns

I love how random it is but everything still goes together so nicely!

On A Whim
Have fun exploring!

Stay tuned for a very important blog post. I want to take this blog further and I'll be looking forward to your feedback!
♥