Confessions of an earring addict

I've really come to terms over the last few years with the fact that earrings really are my jewelry of choice. I enjoy necklaces but invariably strangle myself at some point during the day, which takes away from the whole appeal. I do wear the occasional bracelet but they're not an every day thing for me - not the most comfortable accessory while I'm clacking away on the keyboard at work - so I tend to reserve them for evenings out and weddings. Ever since getting married, I've also neglected most of the rings I own in favor of proudly displaying my wedding and engagement bands. The beauty of earrings are that they can be anything from ridiculously wild and playful to demure and understated...and once they're in your ears you can forget about them but know that they are keeping you well adorned in the simplest of ways.

I recently signed up for an earring swap on Craftster, seeing as my earring collection needed a little rejuvenation. Over the last year, I managed to lose one of each of the earrings from two of my favorite pairs. This was definitely a good time to replenish with some new favorites and maybe take the opportunity to dig around in my box of beads and findings for some new inspiration.

I'm still waiting on the rest of the earrings from my swap partners but I was really happy to get back into the swing of things with this pair made from shells and wooden beads. I made some for one of my partners but loved them so much I wanted a pair for myself.

I also took this opportunity to bust out my wigjig and make some swirly wire bits. I'm still using the wire that came with it, which I'm finding to be very easy to bend but entirely too fragile for my liking. However, I was still very happy with my first attempt and have offered them up for another swap on Craftster. I'm going to have to pick up some heavier wire at the store and go to down with squiggly earring designs! The possibilities really are endless so what kind of designs would you like to see?

When two photographers collide

I finally got the courage to organize my own swap on craftster.org - and of course it was a swap for photographers! Now that my partner and I have both received our packages, it's time to show you all the lovely things I got. There's a lot of images, but that's what we photographers do!!

A collection of old postcards

Magnets and some photography books

A box to hoard supplies, with a music and film theme


Original artwork by my partner and her boyfriend

Another swap - Promo items galore!

I'm still in swap mode on craftster.org, this time around a swap organized by my friend Holly (http://hollylynne.etsy.com). In an attempt to get exposure to my Etsy store, I decided to take the opportunity to swap promos with other Etsy sellers. The point being that when we get sales, we enclose these promos with the item sold - which is a benefit both to the buyer and to each of us as sellers.

From the 5 people I swapped with, I received buttons, magnets, coupons, business cards and more. I chose to make stitch markers, which could also double as charms, to attach to my business cards. I used a variety of beads that I have from my jewelry making efforts, and purchased 10mm jump rings to attach to the top. I'm really happy with how they came out and hopefully some lucky buyer out there will love them as well!

Marking the stitch....more swap fun!

Another crafty swap event (yes, I admit I am mildly addicted but by no means have a problem) has taken place. This time around, I have stitch markers for your viewing.

Up until now, stitch markers have been something I've been aware of but haven't needed to use much, and I have always been able to get away with using scrap yarn. This swap inspired me to try making stitch markers for the first time, and even better, use shrinky dinks!

I should note that when my swap partner said she'd like something with shrinky dinks, I was a little perplexed as I wasn't entirely sure what they are. Perhaps we didn't have them in England when I was growing up there. After I looked them up on Google and on craftster.org, what I have since discovered is that they are very entertaining!

The requirement was to make a set of 12 markers for my partner, so I started off by coming up with my concept, which ended up being the 12 signs of the zodiac. I found images representing those signs, traced and colored them onto the shrinkies, amused myself with the shrinking process in the oven, and this is how they ended up...
The actual tracing of the images is what took the longest, but I have to say that a 12 pack of colored Sharpies certainly can go a long way!

In the meantime, my partner was busy making a set of markers to send to me. She seems to have had much more experience than I have making markers in the past so I was excited to see what she would come up with. Fortunately the Canadian post didn't take as long as we thought it might and here's what I received in return - there are some really pretty and unique beads included in this set, plus a couple of different sizes for my projects. I can't wait to find a project to use these for.

This whole swap process definitely has my creative juices flowing and is inspiring me to try new things. For as long as someone is organizing them, I'm sure I'll keep joining them!

As promised!

My Magic Yarn Ball arrived today, which was a much needed pleasant part of my day, given that my work computer was doomed and told me that my hard drive was "pending iminent failure" (the computer's words, not mine).

I have been truly spoiled by my swap partner as she included a huge supply of items for me, including two contrasting balls of Paton's Merino Wool (strangely enough, the same type of yarn I sent her!)

When I pulled it out of the box, it was housed in this beautiful silk drawstring bag.The first color was "denim" and will be the body of the tote bag pattern that was sent to me. My partner also sent me some circular needles that are needed to make this project. The second color was "paprika" which will be the contrast color for the bottom of the tote and the handles.

As I unwound, I kept finding more and more things and was truly amazed by how much was fit in there!


The final list of items in my MYB is as follows:
A beautiful handmade apron, a needle guage, pedicure kit, foot scrub, cute lipsmackers set, iPod armwrap holder, a bracelet, an amazing beaded flower (which will probably go on the outside of the tote), mints, a candle and votive, jewelry cord, headpins, a bunch of sewing supplies, a set of gorgeous butterfly magnets, a charm bracelet kit, a crochet pouch with scissors, a beaded pen, a dragonfly pin, trinket box with matching frame, earrings and a first aid kit (containing a selection of the best sparkly band-aids ever!)

What can I say? I'm thrilled, excited and will be signing up for many more swaps in the future!!

Magic Yarn Ball...

Magic Yarn Ball (noun, abbr. MYB): A ball of yarn filled with most excellent goodies wrapped within, to be found as the ball is unwound. Also comes with knit/crochet pattern for the yarn to be completed.

If you haven't been on craftster.org, I highly suggest it. It is a forum website for all things crafty, where you can share ideas, ask for help, show off your new crafty accomplishments and so much more. My friend turned me on to the craft swap section of the forum where swaps are arranged based on a theme and you are paired with a fellow forum member to do the exchange.

For my first swap, I did the Magic Yarn Ball swap, (as defined above). I sent my partner some denim color Patons Merino Wool, as she said she wanted to felt her project, and the pattern was the Sophie bag from Magknits.

My partner received her MYB this weekend and posted pictures to share. Included was a keychain, 2 CDs, a foot pampering set (toe separators, nail polish and foot scrub), a selection of teas, princess soap, a lollipop tea light candle, Skittles lip balm and an index card/coupon organizer. The handmade items I included were a crochet coin purse, a knit pouch with flower, a peach cat's eye bracelet, gift tags, bookmark, photo note card and a pink accent crochet flower. I also made a word search for these items, with the key in a letter that was only to be opened once the yarn was unraveled!

I'll be putting up pics of mine once I have it in hand. I'm still deciding whether I want to knit the project as I unwind or whether I'll just get over excited and feel the need to unwrap everything at once. I guess I'll decide once I get it! In the meantime, I've signed up for my next swap - this time around we're making and exchanging stitch markers!!