SHOP: paint dipped, wood pendants!

I still have a few of these geometric + gold pendants left!

Thought I better throw them in the SHOP for you lovelies to get your hands on.

They are light-weight wooden 'coins' just over an inch wide.

Here's what's left:

Brown wire necklace:

2 - turquoise pendants.

1- orange pendant

1- pink pendant

Red wire necklace:

2 - red pendants

2 - cream pendants

1 - orange pendant 

Since these are the last of their kind.. I'll do a special of $20 PayPal . (FREE shipping).

I'll keep it updated here for availability too.

Holler: needleandnestdesign@live.com

Happy shopping friends!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

a list of happy things:

+ paint palettes.

+ summer skirts.

+ new leather sandals.

+ pretty pink peonies.
 

+ snuggling children.

+ dinner ready.

+ quiet times reading/praying.

+ friends who 'get' me.

+ family.

+ chocolate cake.

+ colourful fabric.

+ new wedding band!

***

Just a few of the highlights of my week so far, and how goes yours?

Oh, and yes.. I ordered a new wedding band since I seem to have lost misplaced my chunky big amber one (for the past year)!  I love these stacking, spinner, 'meditation' rings I've seen lately.  Opted to get a frugal version of it from Etsy... and it's a beauty.

Three spinning rings within it (silver and copper).

"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken"

Ecclesiastes 4:12

 You may have guessed I'm not a 'diamond' type gal.

Keep it chunky, keep it weird... much like myself, thank you.

What's making you happy this week?

Mel ;o)

turquoise + teardrops.

 Hello lovelies, so where did that week go?!

Somewhere in that blur I managed to bead up some new jewellery:

 I like my own personal creations to have a real eclectic vibe... a funky mix of various beads.

Of course, turquoise pops of colour are my real weakness.

Left: I included my friend Lynn's pottered turquoise button to loop this bracelet around.

 Right: this 'stacking' bracelet has two beaded strands attached together... and I love it!

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 On a much more sentimental side of jewellery making: my sister recently brought me this pendant.

It had belonged to our Gram'y.

She passed away many years ago now... but my heart still holds such a tender spot for her - (and my late Grampy).  Gosh we loved them.

They drove us to school every morning.

Grampy would create a silly song or rhyme for us... always calling me "Miss Mew" or "Mewtilda".

Gramy would shake her head and grin at Gramp's teasings... and do this hilarious 'Elvis' lip snarl every time we requested it of her.

I can still feel.hear.smell what their home was like.

The smooth linoleum steps to the cool basement, the kitchen counter of glass jars with candy, the powder puff in the bathroom, the wicker seats in the sun room, the hockey game playing across the couches, the backyard sweeping down into our favourite woods.

We spent so much time with them.  Their home was my second home.

The teardrops always come so easily when I think of these sweet souls.

How much I wish they could have seen their great-grandkids ~ our babies.

 ---

Losing a loved one never loses it's impact on your heart.

Time doesn't erase their memory.

Grief is a mirror of the love we hold for them.

How I loved those two: John + June.

So I wear this special memento close to my heart.

I attached it to a double strand of antique bronze chain.

I already had this ring from Gram's collection.. and have loved it always.

Small things, really.

But they hold something much larger.

The memory. the love. the creative style.. of someone I miss deeply.

 -----

Do you have keepsakes, mementos close to your heart?

Mel ;o)

Giveaway day!

 Happpppy birthday to me.. means a giveaway for youuu (yep, a yearly tradition)!

This is always the time of year I keep an eye out for nests, and robin's eggs that may have fallen from their tree perches... daughter Azriel looks so young holding one from last year.

And, since I have nests on the brain, that will be the theme of my gift-aways.

 Handmade bird's nest pendant: three turquoise beads nestled into a slice of tree branch, hung from a silver chain.

Bird's nest brooch: speckled eggs in a brown wire nest with green fibre/textile leaves glued to the back.

Plus a $20 gift card towards any items listed in the SHOP!

Total value of giveaway: $55!

Just a little way of saying thanks for being here, in our nest.

Thank you for sharing in our story here, and letting me share my creative projects, ramblings, etc. with you.

The best part about feeling so blessed on your birthday is to share the joy.. so any and all are welcome to enter this giveaway!

(I may even throw in a few extra treats for you followers).

To enter:

Simple answer the *skill testing* question:

If I was 11 twenty-two years ago, and 22 eleven years ago... how old am I today?! Hehe.

 -----

*For those of you who can't comment below due to computer issues (I know there's a number of you out there) feel free to e-mail a "hello" to me and I'll put your name in the draw too!

needleandnestdesign(@)live.com*

I'll let you know which lovely reader won it all by next TUES 28th!

Off to work today... and to eat more chocolate cake!

Mel ;o)

Shop the Nest: more neck.clays.

 Hello lovelies!

Today I'm tucking a few more of my pottered pieces back into the SHOP.

These neck.clays all feature my signature delight of pressing doilies into the clay before firing them in the kiln.

So, here's the sweet trio for your viewing (or, buying) pleasure:

 This doily pressed neck.clay is a real statement piece.

The growing trend towards large neck 'bibs' or 'shields' in jewellery nowadays would be in good company here.

Features: unglazed white pottery (feels like a smooth pumice stone).

Suspended from metal hoops to a creamy silver coloured chain with twisting clasp.

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping).

 This sweet lil' doily textured piece has a real shine to her.

The 'honey' pottery glaze created a lovely range of creamy white to caramel orange tones here.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

Here's the final delicate neck.clay... with a more matte finish.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

----------------------------------

If you're interested in purchasing any of these neck.clays (or ones from previous listings) I'd love to hear from you!

needleandnestdesing[at]live.com

Hope you're having a beauty day,

creatively yours.

Mel ;o)

Shop the NEST: reversible wood pendants

 Hi again friends.. just a quick SHOP update here.

Many of you locals have already seen/purchased these before... so this current collection is all I have left in stock now.

 -----

 Lightweight reversible wood pendants.

Features unique decorative papers sealed to the wood.

Hangs from a thin brown strap with a silver clasp at back.

 1. Front: doily paper overlaid on birch bark. Back: french text.

2. Front: indigo floral motif. Back: brown leaf motif.

3. Front: colourful pixels.  Back: sea-glass and birds drawn on top.

4. Front: white feather drawn on birch bark.  Back: old map image..(cattle pulling plow).

4. As listed above.

5. Front: colourful red pixel.  Back: old map image (snake vs. animal?).

6. Front: purple pixel.  Back: floral motif.

7. Front: red pixel.  Back: pink pixel.

$12 Cndn. (PayPal)

Which is like $6 for two necklaces.. in one!  FREE shipping worldwide.

Please contact me with your selection (and I can mark each here as sold).

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

Thanks!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

SHOP the nest: wooden pendant earrings.

 It's that time again, another dose of handmade goodness is going into the SHOP.

A celebration of those elements I adore: turquoise, wood, and doilies!

This week it's some of the earrings I've created:

 These beauties feature a turquoise pendant dangling atop a lightweight natural wooden disc. (approx.1.5" diameter).

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping!)

These delicate darlings feature a tiny white crocheted doily/snowflake atop the wooden disc.

$20 PayPal

(FREE shipping!) 

---------------------

**The $10 doily earrings (larger) are still available in the shop as well**

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So, if you want to start celebrating the weekend with a new purchase for your dainty earlobes... just give me a shout:

needleandnestdesign[at]live.com

Have a beauty weekend, friends!

Mel ;o)

Tips n' Tricks (getting your craft show on):

You better steep a tea - or brew some java - for this post, friends.

What follows is a slide show of peeks from that craft show I was in (with advice and anecdotes about how to be part of your own craft show)!

 -------

It seems this lil' nest has inspired many of you to create, or start blogs, or start entering craft shows.. all of which delights/humbles me.

To encourage you forward in your creative pursuits, I now share my own subjective advice on the matter of 'how-to' market your wares:

1. Your product/packaging:

 Once you've discovered the creations you love making... it's time to wrap those babies up and get them ready to show to the world.

The thing that sets 'handmade' apart from so much of retail is the personal touch of creative packaging.  It could be a flaming poop... but if it's wrapped all pretty.. people want it!  

Now this doesn't mean you need to laboriously cover every.single.item at your table in fancy finery... but show the effort with a few key pieces.

-------------

In my example: those wrist-warmers were SOLD OUT again this year...  and it may have helped that I took the time to paint gold strips across brown cardstock paper, wrap it with natural wool, and hang a business logo/label from each with a turquoise deer/bird decal on top.

I used a similar approach to wrapping my cozy neck cuff.cowls too.

Packaging assumes you have created a 'brand'.  I think every artisan/crafter who wants to put themselves out there, needs to have a 'calling card'.  Create your own name/logo/business card before jumping into a show.  (This doesn't mean you have to immediately create a stellar business franchise with all the bells and whistles... just get a basic set up going by which people can contact you).

2. You're packed and ready to show:
 So now that your product is tagged and tucked away for the show... lets talk about 'what to pack'.
I love using old suitcases for the dual purpose of transport/display of my creations. They are the perfect container with a built-in 'backdrop' for showing off your wares in a funky way.

I then have a bin crammed full of packaging/set-up supplies: business cards. labels. tape. pens. wool/twine. paper. gift bags/tissue paper. scissors. nails. jewellery pliers. calculator. etc!  (Just try to think of every 'tool' you may have used during your creating process/packaging stage... in case you need to do a quick fix during the craft show).

3. Displaying your creations:
 This is always a challenge for me.  Getting all my gear to sit pretty for the show.  This specific craft fair provides a table for each vendor... the trick is maximizing that space (and any other square inch I can find nearby.. hence, the above chair/wall/bar inclusion!).

Create a theme to guide your decor.  Pick backdrops/colours/containers that all tie in with your overall appearance.  You don't want these elements to distract people from your actual product - so make sure they play a supporting role.

----
In my case, I stick with the palette/theme of my blog here:  everything is turquoise/browns and lace/doily themes.  (If you look at the above picture.. you can probably spot how these elements repeat themselves throughout my display).

Focus on layers and levels of your display table.  You'll want to group your creations into contained areas to avoid a 'helter-skelter' appearance of 'hey, I just chucked all this stuff across my table.. wanna buy something?'.   
Where there's order there's clarity.
An organised space is easy on the customer's eyes.  If 'less is more'... one can nicely arrange their 'more' to appear as less!  

Choose versatile display boards for your creations.  This allows your product to be flexible, you can hang it if a wall is provided, or prop them up on tables.  
------
As you saw (up above), the first day of the craft fair had me using these boards in completely different set-ups than how they were used for the second day (seen here).
Having a fabric frame is great for displaying jewellery... you can push the pins through the fabric to hang them all.

To sum up this section:  displaying your creations is all about the aesthetic arrangement that makes the best impact on the viewer.  Practise setting up your table at home if you need to.
Look up online how other craft venues display their booths... there's countless examples of gorgeous arrangements out there to inspire you.

4. Show me the money!
Ok, no.. don't really.  You want to have your cash box securely tucked behind your display area.  I use a tackle box.  Yep.  It's good for what I want it to do: separate my coins/bills, hold my extra business cards, gift bags, pens, calculator. etc. 
It goes without saying that you should send a business card home with every customer, right? 
Yes, that.  
I also stamped a feather on my brown paper gift bags... as a final touch.
 ---------
Speaking of money - I almost forgot: make sure to clearly mark the prices on all your items!
Not every vendor does this... but I think most people are more likely to buy something when they see what the price is (vs. the 'embarrassment' of asking the price and then having to decline the purchase).  It's a pet-peeve of mine to have to repeatedly ask a vendor "how much is this".. "and this".. "oh, and this??".
So for my sake, price yer dang wares already!  Ha.

... I think that hopefully covers the basics (?)... oh, but one more thing:

Snapped by my sweet pal Rae of Blackbird Studio

5. The smiles are free:
 Some of us are outgoing/extroverts.... some of us are withdrawn/introverts... and heck, some of us (like moi) are a confused mash-up of both!  Regardless, no matter who you are, if you're going to run a craft table that expects to attract human souls... show a little kindness.  It's called a smile.  A simple "Hello, how are you?"  "Let me know if I can answer any questions"  "How old is your baby.. can I squish 'em?!" .... that kind of deal.

I've been to a number of craft shows... and often as I see the vendor brooding in the backdrop I wonder ("sheeesh, would it kill you to smile?").  I know some people just own a serious face (despite feeling content/happy/elated)... I even married that guy.  But I think it goes far to show people you're glad to have them at your table. So, grab a mirror and practise! ;o)

Hmmmm, ok, I think that's my two-cents-worth gone and spent.

-----------------------------

I hope some of these points were helpful to any of you creative souls!

Do any other vendors out there want to share their input?

I'd love to hear feedback - even from a 'customers' viewpoint - about what you think makes for a winning craft table.

Thanks for enduring this massive post today lovelies.

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

SHOP update: (doily necklace) + GIVEAWAY winner!

Hello lovelies.

I had been dreaming up this idea for a necklace pendant a few months ago... (using the same doilies from my earring collection).

So, when I saw this dream-catcher it further inspired me to stitch-on already and create this delicate beauty.

(Yes, on the eve of a craft show I get really side-tracked with other projects! hehe).

This sweet doily (antique bone colour) is stitched to a turquoise metal hoop.

The turquoise/jade toned piece dangles below a collection of amber beads.

A long suede strap (mahogany colour) suspends it gently.

--------

This necklace is one-of-a-kind.

Furthering my dream of delighting every dame with doilies!

If this is your dream statement piece for the holiday season... please be the first to contact me:

needleandnestdesign@live.com

$25. SOLD!

(FREE shipping worldwide). 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annnnnd now, on with more festive goodness!

Thanks to all who shared such fascinating and wonderful Christmas memories for the GIVEAWAY, I loved reading them all!

The lucky lovely winner is:

Gillian!!

Congrats to you... I know these handmade items will be happy in your crafty home!

(Please e-mail me which feather ornament you would like... with the colour option).

Thanks everyone for being such a warm spot in this nest!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

handmade holidays: GIVEAWAY! [Closed].

 Well friends, it's that time again.

I'm feeling crafty... feeling cheerful... feeling festive.

Annnnnnnd I want to share it with you!

You dear readers are a sweet spot in our nest.

I'm blessed to have you perch here as often as you do.

Whether you're a devoted 'follower' who patiently endures my daily postings,

or an occasional 'check-in' and catch up type of reader... I'm honoured to have you stop by.

So here's a wee thank you:

 This hand pottered ornament features a gorgeous indigo crackled glaze on one side, and a sketched oak leaf imprint on the other.

(If you chose to turn it in to a necklace pendant I would cheer you on!).

The winner also gets to choose ONE painted feather ornament in the colour of their fancy (ivory or brown feather with accent colour option).

Those delicate large doily earrings will be included in the prize too (like snowflakes for your neckline).

------------------

This is just a small token of my big appreciation for your presence here.

Whether you're a new reader - or an old one.

Whether you comment often - or never make a peep.

I'd love to send you this Christmas warming gift!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to enter the GIVEAWAY:

1. Simply leave a comment and SHARE a favourite Christmas memory.

Bonus:

2. While I don't like 'bribing' people to be forced followers of my blog ..IF you are a follower, please mention which forum you use (google reader/bloglovin'/facebook)... you may just win some extra goodies in your care package! ;o)

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giveaway ends next Friday, November 30th, when the WINNER will be announced! 

Thanks for being here friends,

Mel ;o) 

sneak peeks plus: (jewellery + more!)

 Sooo I don't know where that week went, but wow ~ it's friday already.

I thought it was about time I showed you more of the creations hatching from this nest for the upcoming Christmas show*.

Above: I've been having lots of fun with making earrings lately (despite the fact that jewellery pliers make my fingers feel like Oktoberfest sausages).

That beloved turquoise stone is making many appearances, as well as doily 'snowflakes' on wood pendants.

 A variety of turquoise and wooden beaded necklace pendants will also be available.

 Oh yes, and these babies.

Gold gilded painted feathers on cork.

'What the what?' you say... yes!

I just can't get enough of painted feathers lately (as you may recall from past projects).

They can hang like slender ornaments from a tree, wall or doorknobs... 

(heck, maybe no one else will understand their purpose, but they're my lil' dose of happy.)

--------

So there's another sneak peek at what treasures will be squeezed on to my craft table in a few weeks.

This weekend I hope to catch up on a few more projects in lieu of this nasty flu knocking me off my 'crafting pace' this past week.

Happy weekend'ing friends!
Mel ;o)

*P.S. For you lovely locals (or those willing to travel) here's the poster with details about this craft show:

 

sneak peeks: (jewellery crafting)

 Hey there friends,

As promised, I'll be showing some 'behind-the-scenes' creating shots as I prepare for the upcoming Christmas craft show.

It's been a whirlwind of creativity around here...  and the real key is for me to limit the amount of ideas spewing out of my brain.  Yes, it's a discipline to stick to my 'list' of what I want to create when other notions keep interrupting and squealing: "make ME instead!"

Lately, I have to keep reminding myself that while I can make a bazillion different things, 

I should only make what delights me (vs. the torturous filter of 'will this sell?').

So, without further ado, these are my happy creations of late:

Paint dipped wooden pendants with geometric gold gilding!

 (A clever way to hold the pendants while the paint dries = clothes pegs).

I think my craft table is going to be bursting with funky colours this year.

While the predominant themes will still be lots of turquoise and wood grain... since I'm such a sucker for them.

I'm looking forward to showing you more new works in the upcoming weeks to this show (Dec.8/9th)... so stay tuned!

------------

For the record: this week is going to be crammed with d.i.y's/upcycling/projects!

Turns out my manic-creative-side likes to go in all sorts of directions once I let it off the leash.

(Also it's a free form of therapy for me when we've been locked in this house of sickly kids for the past week and I think I'm going to go batty!!)

Manic mama,

Mel ;o)

sweet Gypsy!

 You know what I love about blogging?

Well, lots of things actually... but that's beside the point, I love befriending people around this globe that I never would have the pleasure of meeting in 'real life'.

It's loads of fun... you stumble across some blogger...

follow a few of their posts... crack a grin, chortle a snort, or have your heart moved... and you think: "hey, I should stalk contact this person".  

Well, that's what I do at least... I start peppering their blog with comments until out of sheer exhaustion they give in and have to communicate with me!

I mean... we form a delightful relationship.

Such was the fate of this sweet gal ~ Nicole.

She runs a blog called Gypsy in Jasper (which of course had me at the name)... and then the fact that she's Canadian made me more partial, and that she wrote humourous and upfront posts about things she was thankful for in life - and things she just didn't 'get' about it too ...and her life travelling through our great country as a journalist with her dude Ian. etc!

Oh, and we have a mutual love of mushrooms.

So she, being awesome, bought my embroidered piece... and I, being nice enough, mailed it to her with some other goodies. (She posted about it here).

 As if her support of my handmade wares weren't enough... she rebounded the sweetness right back at me with this 'thank-you' parcel in the mail this week!

A delightful cluster of handmade goodies from her own felting fingers!

An ivory felt flower brooch and gorgeous knit/crochet(?) teal headband... and a thoughtful touch: a personal gift for daughter Azriel (a colourful felted flower hair clip)!

Azi insisted on clipping it to her shirt when she saw me wearing mine:

We. so. happy.

Don't you just love fan fun-mail?!

More importantly, I just love getting to know the kind souls that are out there in the 'blog-sphere' and connect with them.  

And you, you lovely readers (and those who comment here) it's truly my delight getting to know you better... especially since you hear me blah.blah.blah'ing constantly.

Thanks for making blogging so fun.

Thanks Nicole, for being so rad!

Mel ;o)

confessions [of an artist] part 10.

 Well friends, it's that wild and wonderful time of year again.

Or, to belt it out in song: "It's the most wonderful craftiest time of the yearrrrrr"!

Time to get my craft on.

 The sewing machine is whirring.

The glue gun is burning.

The jewellery pliers are pinching.

The power-drill is spinning.

 (And I still have all my fingers!)

The paintbrush is dancing.

The scissors are cutting.

And the stamps are stomping.

Christmas craft shows are worth being well stocked for.

Now to figure out how to create a few more hours in the day!
Pffffffffffffffffffffft!

Confession: I love and loathe it really.

Creating is my narcotic.

So is productivity.

Pounding out a pile of unique treasures is really exhilarating.

But, finding that balance with home-making and art-making is sometimes exhausting.

Needless to say, it's still a wonderful time of year and I'm super eager to share with you all the new goodies hatching out of this nest in the coming weeks!
 ------------
P.S. The sane voice in my brain (usually my husband's...) says that I should probably quit blogging during this phase... but who are we kidding, we all know the other voices in my head just won't shut up. blog.blog.blog.

P.P.S ~ For all you local yokels... save your Christmas cash for some handmade craftiness coming at you live Dec. 8 & 9th... more details to follow!

Creatively, crazily, yours!
Mel ;o)