Charmed Gifts, LLC

The trimming has begun...

2009-11-10T10:02:00.002-06:00

I got up early this morning and started trimming. All the trimming is done and two of the poles have one coat. If I get enough of my other work done during the day today, I'll do the other two poles and the rolling tonight.

When I picked out this color I didn't want my mother to see. She nosed her way in anyhow and said, "Too dark." Not, "Oh, that's a nice color.", or "I like it, but it's a shade dark for my taste.". Simply and bluntly, "Too dark." I tried not to let it bother me as I know that is her way of communicating tactful opinion, but now I'm second guessing my choice.

Never fear though, I have already devised a plan to lighten it up if I still think it's too dark once it's all painted. I'm not giving away my secret though... you'll just have to wait and see!

Priming - Check!

2009-11-09T09:37:00.003-06:00

Yay! Step one complete! I finished priming the walls yesterday. (I forgot to do the door, that will have to wait.) I painted and painted yesterday. All the while thinking about other things I could be doing. My beads and yarn were practically screaming at me the entire day, "Come play with me!".

Mike took down the brackets I couldn't remove. I'm glad I didn't have him silicone the cracks and holes though. The primer I'm using is supposed to stick to plastic, vinyl, metal, and a whole array of other things. Apparently though, it doesn't stick to silicone. I hope the regular latex paint does... It was interesting working with this special primer. It was VERY smelly, and I was getting a little loopy toward the end of the day. I'm glad that part is done. I'm hoping to get to work on the color tonight. Yay!

Classroom - Phase 1 complete!

2009-11-07T17:20:00.006-06:00

The walls are washed and much of the conduit and wires are down. That was a yucky, gross job and I'm glad it's done! My intent was to do the ceiling and the walls, but I just can't bring myself to do the ceiling. I'm going to use the excuse, "Time will not allow it." However, I really just don't want to paint around all the conduit and light fixtures. Plus, I'd have to take a bunch of brackets down and then figure out a way to re-hang the track lighting... blah blah blah. So, call it lazy or call it a wise use of my time, I'm still not doing it.

I have a couple of snags to work around... First, I can't get these dumb metal things off the wall. There are four of them and they just won't budge. Second, the holes where the refridgeration unit wires and tubing came in from outside need to be filled somehow before I can paint them (funny how you can't paint holes). Third, the tack strips need to be siliconed to the wall as they are coming loose and the silcone king (Mike) is currently unavailable. And lastly (for now), what am I going to do with all the wiring garbage above the cooler doors?

The Classroom

2009-11-06T12:28:00.004-06:00

I've been in this new store location for well over a year now and STILL don't have my classroom put together. It's really starting to disgust me. I have put this off so long the people don't even ask for classes anymore. Well, I've finally decided... This weekend is going to be the magical weekend. I am at least going to begin this project! This will be my last available opportunity before widow's weekend to make progress. Since I'm planning on having a free earring making workshop over widow's weekend, I'm thinking I should probably at least wash the walls and doors... yuck!

For those of you who don't know, my store is in an old meat locker plant. My classroom space is in the small cooler. It used to have a large wooden beam system for hanging meat. We took the beams down a couple months ago (when I bought the paint), but the metal poles are cemented into the floor. This will create an interesting challange for me... I don't have any plans as to what I will do with them yet, but I'm sure it will come to me. (feel free to make suggestions)

I have lots of fun ideas dancing around in my head to create an inspirational atmosphere. I don't expect to finish this weekend, but I am hoping for a fantabulous beginning!

Weddings #11, 12, and 13

2009-07-21T08:24:00.003-05:00

So... it seems as though I've fallen behind in life. I've been terribly busy lately and haven't taken the time to enjoy some of the simple things ~ like blogging. I've completed three wedding parties that I haven't blogged about and still don't have time to do it properly. So, I think I'll just post the pics and let you fantasize about the bridesmaids, and little princess flower girls that will be wearing these pieces.

Generosity

2009-07-14T08:17:00.002-05:00

The only reason I am able to write this today is because of generosity.

I belong to a wonderful group of online people on Etsy. (you can find them by searching 'Second Chance' in the forum section of Etsy) I knew the moment I met them that they all had good hearts and were kind in soul. They took me in as if I was meant to be there. Chatting and promoting my etsy store throughout the day with them has become an important part of my day.

Over the past few weeks I've seen this group of people support each other through things as small as a cold or headache and as large as a cheating spouse or forclosure on a home. Every sale is cheered, every new product greeted with pleasure.

Yesterday I received a notice from my electric company that they would be turning off my power today. I posted my dilema in the Second Chance forum in hopes to get a few extra sales to help pay my bill. I wasn't looking for a pity party or a handout. I didn't ask for a miracle. I was just hoping for a few sales.

I was met with so many sales that it sent my head spinning! A list of 19 shops promoted my store throughout the thread and offered discounts if someone were to purchase from me first. I received sale after sale. People wanted to know how close they were to making it possible for me to keep my lights on. Even with only $18 to go and my pleads to 'stop buying, I'm sure I can find $18 somewhere' everyone kept promoting my shop and making purchases. They were determined to help a friend in need and stick with it to the end.

By the end of the night, I had reached my goal and had $1.62 extra. I payed my bill by phone and can assure you I will never forget the generosity of this group.

Wedding # 10

2009-07-08T13:43:00.002-05:00

This has been a very popular design for weddings this year! I've just completed the jewelry for this beautiful wedding party. This bride chose a single strand illusion style necklace with air blue opal Swarovski crystals and white glass pearls. Her six bridesmaids are wearing ice blue gowns that will be absolutely lovely with these necklaces and matching earrings. The flower girl is a three year old little princess and will be wearing a tiny pearl and crystal bracelet and sweet matching earrings.

I've got a few tasks to complete, and then I'll be starting on the next wedding party... Indicolite and Ivory.

The case of the red scrubbies...

2009-07-03T19:44:00.002-05:00

Lately I've been participating in a forum through Etsy to promote my shop and make some sales. I've met lots of really nice crafters and artists there. Today, I was promoting my scrubbies, listing all the colors I have, and commented that red scrubbies would be coming soon (hopefully).

Now, I've had the material to make red scrubbies for a couple months now, but haven't had my work table cleared off long enough to cut it into strips. I decided that today is the day... I cleared enough of my workspace to cut scrubbie fabric. Here are the before and after pics of my work table (notice that I only cleaned half of the table?). Now that I've put much of my stuff away, I'm sure I'll never find it again, but red scrubbies are much closer to reality.

Wedding # 9

2009-07-03T19:37:00.003-05:00

I completed this wedding jewelry about a month ago while my mother was visiting. I'm just now blogging about it, but I suppose better late than never, right?

I would have loved to see this jewelry together with the dresses. The dresses were chocolate colored and flower boquets had an aqua ribbon. The bride wanted to bring more of the aqua into the ensemble and chose this sparkly aqua set.

I've been commissioned to do two more weddings... it should be fun to see what these brides choose!

Wedding Party #8!

2009-05-05T14:07:00.002-05:00

Another Chocolate and Champagne wedding! Must be popular colors for this year. Take a look at the tiny flowergirl bracelet... she's only 1!

Wedding #7

2009-05-01T12:09:00.002-05:00

I've just completed the jewelry for the seventh wedding of 2009. This lovely jewelry is very similar to another set I did a few weeks ago.

The bride has seven bridesmaids and chose this simple, yet elegant, single strand illusion necklace with crystals and glass pearls. The earrings are also simple and elegant, adding the perfect finishing touch. She also has two flower girls that are three years old. I made the flowergirl necklaces in the same style as the bridesmaid's, but used smaller crystals and glass pearls. ...Should be beautiful!

Now, off to make jewelry for the next wedding (Chocolate and Champagne again!).

Wedding #6

2009-04-20T14:04:00.002-05:00

This bride was on a very tight budget. I was able to complete her simple wedding jewelry for only $44! She really liked the Champagne and Chocolate jewelry I did for the previous wedding, but her dresses were darker. So, I came up with Champagne and Dark Chocolate. She purchased one necklace so she could see it in person and it matched perfectly. She ordered necklaces for three more bridesmaids this morning, and I'll be shipping them to her tomorrow!

Contest Piece Has Been Completed!

2009-04-12T21:20:00.004-05:00

Yeah! I finally finished the necklace I've been working on for the Fire Mountain Gems 2009 Beading Contest. I need to have the pictures to Fire Mountain Gems by the 15th, so I'll have to pay the extra money to express mail the package. I didn't have as much time to work on this piece as I would have liked to. I'm hoping to be a finalist in the contest as I was last year with my 'Flight of the Butterfly' bracelet. I haven't come up with a name for this piece yet... I'll have to do that before I mail the photos in the morning.

It took me several months to decide to submit this type of necklace in the contest. Then, weeks were spent pooring over my bead catalogs to find just the right components to complete my idea. Once the beads arrived, many, many hours were spent making, tearing out, and re-making each component and then connecting them all together. It was frustrating at times, but overall, I LOVE this kind of work. I wish this type of thing was something I could do more than just once a year.

Champagne and Chocolate

2009-04-08T14:32:00.004-05:00

This is the fifth set of wedding jewelry I've made in 2009. I really like this set and would be interested in seeing the jewelry with the dresses. I'm sure it will be beautiful.

This bride asked for a brown illusion style necklace with matching earrings. The colors I used remind me of champagne and chocolate. The light brown glass pearls look absolutely yummy when combined with the smoked topaz Swarovski crystals.

I have been having so much fun designing wedding jewelry this year. I am constantly on the hunt for great prices on beading supplies so I can pass the savings onto my customers. My quality is among the very best, and I think my love for my work is reflected in my finished product. Check out some of my other jewelry designs and handmade gift items at www.charmedgifts.etsy.com.

Wedding #4

2009-04-07T14:09:00.003-05:00

I'm about to loose track of which wedding I'm working on! God's been good to me! I just finished jewelry for an Etsian (someone who shops and/or sells at Etsy.com)

This bride chose a simple, yet absolutely beautiful set for her bridesmaids. A stunning single strand illusion style necklace strung on silver beading cable with matching earrings and bracelets. The two flowergirls are wearing miniature versions of the same gorgeous necklace and bracelet. This jewelry should complete a very elegant ensemble.

Now I'm off to make the perfect pair of earrings for a bride whose party is wearing royal purple. Then I'll be working on the set pictured above in browns for another Etsian. Wish me luck!

Barefoot Sandal

2009-04-02T09:20:00.002-05:00

So... I finished wedding #3 for the season, but the bride picked up the jewelry before I took pics of the finished order. You can see the necklace she chose here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22106638 She also had matching earrings and flower girl jewelry made.

But, the real reason for this post is a new design I just came up with. It's an anklet sandal, or barefoot sandal. Basically it's an anklet with an attached toe ring. I love the colors in this one ~ I call it 'Tahitian Treasures'. Click on the blog title 'Barefoot Sandal' to be linked to this item on my website.

Wedding #2 Complete!

2009-03-29T19:14:00.002-05:00

I've just completed the jewelry for the second wedding of the season.

This bride chose a triple strand pearl and crystal illusion necklace and matching earrings for herself. For the bridesmaids, a double strand illusion necklace with aquamarine crystals and glass pearls with matching earrings was chosen. The flowergirls will be wearing a pearl and crystal illusion necklace to compliment the bride.

It should be a stunning wedding!

Seed Cards!

2009-03-25T16:12:00.004-05:00

The seeds are in the paper! Plant them ~ They grow! How cool is that? I will be receiving a lovely assortment of 'Seed Cards' by Leanin' Tree very soon. They are only $4.95 each and require no extra postage.

"There is a generous sprinkling of carefully selected annual and perennial wildflower seeds embedded in the handmade paper of these cards. Plant the seed paper indoors ina pot or outdoors in the early spring and watch your flowers sprout and grow." ~Leanin' Tree

Some of the designs I will carry are:

Birthday
Friendship
Anniversary
New Baby
Wedding
Encouragement
and Blank Inside

Be sure to check in often... they will be here soon!

Featured items on my website

2009-03-24T21:13:00.005-05:00

Thanks to an Etsy Twitter, I've been attempting to make a 'Mini Etsy' on my blog. It's not working so well, so be sure to go to http://www.charmedgifts.etsy.com/ to check out all of my handmade gifts.

Below is supposed to be my 'Mini Etsy', but I don't think it is working the way it's supposed to...

Wedding #1 Jewelry is Finished!

2009-03-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

Yeah! I finished one of three weddings I've been working on. (Providing the Bride doesn't need to make any adjustments to what I've done.) This bride has wine colored dresses and chose a double strand illusion necklace for her bridesmaids. The beads I used are beautiful... Bordeaux colored Swarovski pearls and clear ab Swarovski crystals.

She also has two flower girls wearing a single strand version of the bridesmaids necklace and a Jr. bridesmaid wearing a necklace similar to the flower girls' but with ivory pearls.

I love doing wedding jewelry. It feels so good to make jewelry that is exactly what the bride had in mind for her big day.

Twitter

2009-03-19T14:16:00.000-05:00

I've just entered into the world of Twitter. So far it seems fun. I'm kind of mixing business with pleasure in my Twitter account (even more-so than in my blog). There you will find little 'Twits' about my kids, my day, my other job, and so on and so forth blah blah blah. I think I'll try to post my new Etsy listings on Twitter, we'll se how it goes. It all seems like so much effort to try to make a sale. But, right now, I just need the sales, no matter how much work it takes to get them. Time is money, but it doesn't cost me anything.

Anyway, my Twitter address is: www.twitter.com/charmedgifts

and my Etsy address is: www.charmedgifts.etsy.com

Check them out!

Contest Piece has begun!

2009-03-18T10:15:00.000-05:00

I'm finally getting a start to my 2009 Fire Mountain Gems Beading Contest piece. I hope I can finish it in time. It needs to be submitted by April 15th!

I'll keep you posted with my progress!

Hi... Long time no blog.

2006-08-03T10:14:00.000-05:00

So, my blogging suddenly fell off the face of the computer. I've been so busy. I have another show this weekend... that makes four in a row. I've been doing fairly well at craft shows so far this summer, but the store has been incredibly slow. It was busy here over UFO days though. Neil painted my front windows, so you'll have to stop by to see. I'll try to get a picture posted soon. I painted the windows of my truck for the UFO Days Grande Parade. I'm struggling with my computer and can't seem to post any pics right now, but I promise I'll try again sometime next week. Anyhow, I've got to get back to beading!

New look for the classroom

2006-04-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

I've been busy re-arranging the store... again. I've moved all the beads and beading supplies into the classroom. I've removed the door to the classroom and cut a window between the classroom and my workshop. I've also replace all the standard lightbulbs in the classroom with florecent lightbulbs. The lighting is much nicer now. You'll have to come check it out.

I'll be teaching a beading class this afternoon while my children here. It should be interesting. This trial will let me know if I need to get a sitter during classes or not. I hope they don't disrupt anything too much.

I will also be starting a Tuesday Beading Buzz group. Beaders of all levels are welcome to come work on thier beading projects (or other crafts) and socalize with other crafters. You are welcome to bring snacks and beverages. There are also plenty of outlets if you prefer to work with a task light. I hope to see you soon!

Mmmm, cookie!

2006-04-12T16:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic of the kids enjoying a cookie from Highland Hollow Emporium. They make great cookies and lots of other fun treats.