Fabulous Eco-Friendly Finds Under $30

In honor of Earth Day, I did some shopping on Etsy and found all kinds of awesome and amazing eco-friendly ( and budget friendly) goodies! This Treasury East doesn't expire, so click and comment to your heart's content.

The screen shot links directly to the actual Treasury. I was really amazed and pleased by all of the recycled and repurposed items that I found, and even got some gift ideas for Mother's Day and Graduation.

Tomorrow's blog post will be full of easy tips and tricks for making each day a little more eco-friendly. If you're like me, your days are packed enough without taking on more "to-do"s, but these ideas and the book that inspired me are so quick and simple that anyone can do them.

Stay tuned!

Coming Up For Air-and a SALE!

Wow, been a long two weeks, but I am finally coming up for air with lots of new goodies to share! Some of the pics below are in the shop now, some are coming, and some are headed to Necessary ExTRAVAgance in Chicago. I am also excited to have a featured project on www.bsueboutiques.com. I love B'Sue's components, as they are always so high quality, and I am really pleased to be on her site. The project should be up in the next week or two, and I will post a link when it goes up!
If you love making your own jewelry, I really like B'Sue's newsletter, too. It always has interesting information, projects, ideas, and the like, unlike a lot of the ones I have seen! And I have saved the best news for last-

Through Thursday, the 22nd, I am running an Earth Day Sale in connection with the EtsyTwitter Team's Go Green Event. Get 15% off of purchases of $25 or more until midnight Thursday. I am listing new goodies all week, so now's your chance to get that piece you've had your eye on, or just brighten up your week with some new hairpins ;)

I think that's all the news, and i will be Earthweek Tips and More tomorrow!

Kristen

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Posted via email from Firebirdhouse 's Nest

Bridal Beauty

I think I have enjoyed this special order more than almost any i have done, and that's saying a lot :)

The bride's request was to create 8 bracelets, similar to the one at the bottom of the picture, for her wedding party.

Since the base for the bottom bracelet was vintage, i needed to search for similar alternatives that i could get in multiples.

I honestly think that the two different frame/bases that I chose are even prettier than the original bracelet, and am thrilled with how they turned out. I varied the clasps slightly as well, choosing a similar oval clasp but with filigree instead of the rhinestone for some of them.

They are 1 step from being complete, and I will be doing that step-sealing with Ren Wax- today, so that they can be on their way to the bride by Saturday.

I may do a tutorial for these at a future date, as they would make awesome gifts, and the center charm could be varied, i think, and the results still be beautiful and unique :)

Kristen

Visual Treats- Art Journaling

I can blame my friend Jamie Berry of http://www.jamieberry.com/ fame for the idea which got me into this art journal retrospective in the first place. He had posted a "Day in the Life" feature that i thought was a very cool idea. I started thinking about

what my life might look like in pictures, and while contemplating the new art journal I had started, i began paging through much older visual journals from 3 or 4 years back. It was really interesting to me to see how my ideas and thoughts had changed, and to remind myself of ideas that i still want to develop and explore.

So here it is, no major art, and certainly not edited, but a quick peek into the row of fat, painted, glued, punched, sewn and tied books which haunt the middle shelf in my studio. I find that this is my way of spilling my ideas out into the world, a melting pot of thoughts...

As for a "Day in the Life"-i'm still working on it :)

Creating Unique Jewelry- Video from B'Sue of B'SuesBoutiques.com

via youtube.com

A quick and interesting look at some jewelry techniques and introduction to creating unique pieces using beads, brass, etc.

Posted via web from Firebirdhouse 's Nest

The Hair has it- At least for Today

I know, they say the eyes have it. But for me today, its all about hair. Specifically hair accessories made with some truly great vintage cabs. I have been on a creating binge lately and these are just some of the new spring line. Listed and ready to offer a pop of color or a little cheer after a long winter :)

Want to see a special flower or need multiples for a bridal or birthday party? Email me and I will see what I can do!

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Posted via email from Firebirdhouse 's Nest

Inspired

While I haven't had time to post all the beauties from the last few days of creating a Thing a Day, i have found myself bubbling over with ideas for new pieces. Most of these will soon be in my shop, if they aren't already, while a few will be heading for Chicago and Necessary ExTravagance-

I have found the challenge of creating something every day has given me a real boost, creativity-wise, which is NOT what I expected :) I am going to continue doing it thru the end of the month, and then I guess we'll see... Hope you all are having a relaxing weekend :)

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Firebirdhouse 's Nest