It's time....

Sale at Star Hitched Wagon™

 
I think I feel fall in the air!!!  And I think I have mentioned before just how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall!!!  So let's celebrate!  

I just marked the entire shop 25%-75% off!! I really did!!!  Lot's of beautiful pieces and really great prices!

Maybe you could do some early Christmas shopping? Fun Fun Fun!!! 

Thanks you sweet and loyal customers!!!  Love you all!!

Giveaway Extravaganza!!!

 

 

Hello everyone!!!  

 

May is one of my favorite months.....love the springy goodness all around!  The sweet smelling lilacs fill my home with their magic, frogs and birds are singing, long days with lots of play.  Yes it is a good month - oh and let's not forget Mother's Day and MY BIRTHDAY!!!!  :)  Yes today is MY birthday.  This year May has been a most exceptional month - such exciting things for me as an artist - I am so thrilled to be Bead Trends Magazine designer spotlight.  Holy Heck I am excited - what a gift - to see things I have created in print - out there to (hopefully) inspire others - well let's just say it makes my beyond giddy!!!  So because of this wonderful gift - I am doing things a bit different on my birthday - I am giving presents away!!!  Yes I am GIVING the presents, and this is just one of the many ways you can get a chance to win something wonderful.

 

So what am I giving away????  How about this:

 

 

 

Just for you to spend any way you would like!  How fun!!!

 

So what do you have to do to enter?  It's pretty simple and kind of fun - just leave a comment here letting us all know what your choice would be if you win and why!!  

 

Want a second chance?  Easy enough follow the Star Hitched Wagon™ blog: http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/ just post a second comment here letting us know.

 

How about a third chance?  Very good - become a Star Hitched Wagon™ fan at facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-Hitched-WagonTM/10150113641680641 just post a third comment here letting us know.  

 

How cool is that?  Up to three chances to get your name in the "pot".  

 

You have until midnight on Saturday May 29th, 2010.  Winners will be announced on Sunday May 30th, 2010.

 

Can't wait to see if you win???  Want a Star Hitched Wagon™ goodie for yourself ?  OK - how about 20% off your order?  Use code: curry at checkout: http://starhitchedwagon.com/  Offer expires June 22nd, 2010

 

Want to check out the other giveaway's???

 

Visit:

 

http://www.thedigigirl.com/larson/

 

http://www.trishiag.com

 

http://randomthoughtsbybecca.blogspot.com/

 

http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/ 

and

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-Hitched-WagonTM/10150113641680641

 

Best of luck to you all and thank you so much for playing along!  Have a terrific day everyone!!!

 

 

I'm giddy!

 

May 2010 Bead Trends

COOL BEANS!!!!

I am the designer spotlight!  I am not bragging I am just so beyond thrilled and excited and absolutely THANKFUL that I got this spotlight.  I love this magazine and the designers that grace it's pages.  To be featured along with so many other great artisans makes me oh-so-giddy!

You can purchase a copy online  - either a hard copy or a digital download version.  Or you can purchase at Micheal's or Hobby Lobby or Barnes and Noble.  It's a fabulous magazine!

New Pieces

And the Winner is:

Comment number 4 was made by my dear friend Erin from Treasures Found

Thanks to all of you who played along! Congrats Erin on the win! I hope you will be able to find something you love!

Giveaways are good

You all really really need to head on over to the Nesting Place she is doing giveaways all day long. And let me tell you they are FANTASTICALLY WONDERFUL giveaways. Really they are. There is a $50.00 gift certificate from Star Hitched Wagon™ in the mix. Just thought you would all like to know - who doesn't like a good giveaway.

And a big huge THANK YOU to Nester for the oh so sweet write up! I think I blushed. :)

Oh and a big HELLO to all those who are taking the time to visit the blog today! Hope you will come back often.

P.S.S Don't forget about this giveaway - it is still going on.

Ok that is it - have a LOVERLY day!

Color Inspiration - A New Day

This color combination just make me happy! So summery!



This set is so different for me - but once again - happy! Lots of great colors here.

Time for a Giveaway - a $20.00 gift certificate

It's been a while since I have done a giveaway - how about for a winner's choice - a $20.00 gift certificate to Star Hitched Wagon™?
All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment in this post by June 29th at 12:00 am.
In your comment please tell me the following four things:
1) Your email address so I can get in touch with you - if you do not leave a way for me to contact you it will be your responsibility to contact me about your winning.
2) What is you favorite current piece at Star Hitched Wagon™
3) What would you like to see more of at Star Hitched Wagon™
and
4) Would you like to be added to Star Hitched Wagon's™ email and mailing list?

It's that easy - one winner will be announced July 1st, 2009 by 11:59 pm

As a thanks for stopping in how about 20% off your next order to Star Hitched Wagon™
Use coupon code: summer
Offer expires June 30th, 2009.
1 use per customer.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a terrific summer and good luck!

Friday - Color Inspiration

I was late AGAIN - but it's here - for any of you who might find some inspiration. Love this rich beautiful color combination.



I pulled the browns and garnet colors from the palette and came up with this necklace.
Window to your Soul





This features a beautiful art pendant by Lynn at ExpeditionD. Her pieces are just fantastic. Fun little drops of garnets and jasper - two of my favorites. All on Vintaj brass chain and finished off with a Vintaj brass toggle clasp closure. Loverly!!

Bead Trends

I got a happy little box Friday evening from Bead Trends - totally forgot that I had 4 pieces in the June issue (pgs. 66-67, 86-87, 106-107). It is the most exciting thing to see my stuff in print. It will never get old - it will always be an honor - a privilege.
You must get a copy and check it out. My friend Erin has a couple of beautiful pieces in there as well (pg. 26-27 & 82-83). So many beautiful things to look at. You can get a copy here.
I will be in the August 09 issue as well - so be sure to check that one out. AND I just got a wonderful email today saying that they accepted another piece for the November 09 issue. WOOHOO - thank you Bead Trends!

Beginners Silversmith Class is Done

And I loved it!! I loved being in a class environment - and learning this thing that I have wanted to do for SOOOO long was fantastic. I don't have a lot of confidence in myself yet - but with a class or two more I should be good to go. I love what you can create. This is my first ring - rough yes but I LOVE it - such fun!

End of one - Start of another

Tomorrow is the last day of first grade, fifth grade and tenth grade. Wow - where does the time go. It seems like these three kiddoes were babies just yesterday. I really want the years to slow down so we can enjoy more of each other. :) Ahhh look at those sweet little faces above - wow 4 years brings about a lot of change. Just look at them now:




So we are wrapping up the year and of course that leads us to teacher gifts. It's always fun making pieces for the kids teachers. Usually the kids ask their teachers what their favorite colors to wear are. The boys really do get excited. Xander remembered this year to ask - we know his teachers favorite color is pink so I came up with - You are a Star - thought the stars were fitting for a teacher. He gave it a two thumbs up - and said it was perfect - that she would love it - I really do appreciate his enthusiasm!



Connor forgot to ask his teacher - he says she wears a lot of blue - but blues a tough one so I went with black - because black works with everything. And I really love the bog sardonyx pendants - so cool! I really love how this necklace turned out - Midnight Oil. I hope she likes it - his teacher really was a fantastic teacher - a perfect way to end grade school.



We are excited that tomorrow is the last day of school. Looking forward to a lazy summer - with a little bit of adventure thrown in there. Maybe some pottery classes for the whole lot of us - a little swimming - a lot of running and walking and biking - some tennis - some trails - snail hunting - some travel - some Montana - some Wyoming - who knows - but I think it's gonna be a good one. If you want to join us please do - we really do love company!!

Happy Summer to you all!!!

My Studio

I love my studio - it truly is my favorite room in the house. I have posted on this before - but I just love it in here - it's where all the magic happens - OK not all but most! :)
BUT...other than 1 tray of beads and 1 bowl of beads - there isn't much that would indicate that a jewelry artisan lives here. So I am really trying to figure out how to change that - I have my eye out for pretty bead storage - so I can keep them out and look at them. I don't really want the plastic containers I currently use out on display - I want the studio to be reflective of who I am... I am in desperate need of another bookshelf and a nicer desk for the kid computer - both piece would give more storage options - which we are in major need of.
I did work on something last night - I went "shopping" around my house (I went to the basement where my show displays were) and brought a bunch of goodies to the studio and created this wonderful display - I LOVE IT! Now I can spotlight my favorite pieces or "Hot Off the Bench" pieces.





What do you think? And for you jewelry artisans that read this - how do you store your beads? Are you all about function and not worried about eye appeal? I would love to see your studios!

Friday Fun - Little Wonders

Hmmm... I love this color palette! I found this great new tool Big Huge Labs thanks to my friend Jayne. I went on an uploading frenzy and ended up printing out about 3 dozen new color combos to add to my color inspiration binder. Helps me to create outside the box when I sit down with my beads.

So what if I try to do this every Friday - offer a new color inspiration - for jewelry, or scrapbooking, or papercrafting, whatever you create - it might offer some inspiration you never know....if it does inspire something let me know - link to your creation in the comments...

Here is what I came up with today:

Beautiful Artisans

A recently discovery has been made - new bead/silver artists. Most discoveries were made thanks to Art Bead Scene, - they are such a supportive community for bead and jewelry artisans. These discoveries consist of pieces I couldn't wait to purchase and add to my designs. Pieces that I see in my dreams where the first steps of creativity take place - pieces that have such heart. It sounds a little corny maybe but they have such a warmth about them - I imagine it is because a little bit of the artists heart goes into each and every piece.
I want to share the artists with you - you really should check them out and support them in their dreams and endeavors - they really do have something great.

Humble Beads
I will soon be adding treasures created with their Antoinette lentil and disc beads as well as their beautiful cuff beads inspired by Van Gogh's Starry Night - just gorgeous!!! Can't wait to get these beauties in my hands.

ExpeditionD
Beautiful romantic hearts - I have already made two treasures with these beautiful hearts - one which I have submitted for publication. I love the feel they give - they really just add a warm aged romantic feel.

Cathy Dailey
I purchased lots of stars and hearts, to add whimsy and soul.

My wish list consists of many more artisians:

Heather Wynn her beautiful polymer quote pendants are truly terrific. So many wonderful quotes - the dreams are in place for new treasures - treasures you will want as a note to self or to remind your loved ones that Love is All the Matters or To Love Bravely

Earthenwood Studios I can see these fun face stones in a ring - once I can set myself free in the Silversmith Shop and these customizable Message Sticks and Stones could create a beautiful story.

Hint her charms bring about dreams of talisman treasures.

Round Rabbit her porcelain pieces have such beautiful vibrant colors and shapes. I adore red and often have people asking for red treasures - so I use garnets, a lot of garnet because they are so beautiful but a brighter vibrant red I dream of.

Dreams brought to life:



The Key to Your Heart is YOU!

This treasure was created to remind the wearer to unlock what is in their heart. To be brave, to believe, to go after what your heart desires most.



Hitch Your Wagon to a Star

Thank you Emerson for this small statement. It has called to me loudly for years! It sums up my dream - this adventure I am on. I hitched my wagon to a star and brought to life Star Hitched Wagon™. This treasure might stay with me - my constant reminder to again be brave - to hitch my wagon to a star when it calls so loudly.

All sterling silver heart and star charms used come from Cathy Dailey

I soldered....

OK now I know this isn't perfect and a pro would notice many blemishes - but that is ok - I think it is perfectly imperfect. I think it's pretty darn good considering I haven't soldered before!! I cannot tell you excited I am about my new adventures in silver. This class has got me buzzing!!
We were supposed to make a pendant - but I like bracelets best - so I drilled two holes on each side and I will make this into a fantastic bracelet.

Class

So excited! I just started a 6 week beginners silversmith class at a local shop! I thought I could teach myself in the past - bought many of the tools to get me started then I would search for good lessons and eventually give up before I even started. So I finally signed up for a class. I am really enjoying it - started designing this pendant yesterday - my very own design - I got as far as cutting it out - I will share more photos as I go....hopefully this will mean good things for Star Hitched Wagon - we'll see! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Star Hitched Wagon Sale

30% off all Star Hitched Wagon™ jewelry. WOW!!! What a great deal!! :) This coupon CAN be applied to already marked down items. Only one week - offer expires April 20th, 2009. Use coupon code: springfling

She will scatter joy

You must run on over to my friend Erin's blog - Treasures Found. Why? Well many reasons - but she is doing a generous giveaway - a W.O.W. pendant. It's beautiful. She is encouraging us all to scatter joy. An easy thing if we all just put some thought into it. So will you do it - tell her how you will scatter joy this week?
While you are there you really should read her other posts. She writes from the heart - she truly inspires. You won't be disappointed.

So how will I be scattering joy? I promise to be thoughtful to this concept as I go through my days - it is so easy to scatter joy - give a happy smilie hello - hold a door - pay a compliment - pay for the next person in lines coffee - I have always wanted to pay for a coffee for a stranger - don't know why I haven't yet - such an easy thing. More smiles and yeses(sp?) and fun and giving and bending at home with my hubby and kids - truly important.

I look forward to reading your responses on Erin's blog - I'm sure I will be inspired by your thoughfulness!!! Have a beautiful day!