New Flickr Group!

I recently created a new group on Flickr called IBTOE (I Bought This On Etsy). There are only a few members as of right now, but I wanted to showcase some of the photos already in the pool. If you ever bought anything on Etsy, take a picture of it and come join us:

i loved you from the first time i seed you...

Is it just me, or does it look like I have enough beads to last a life time (or two)? This isn't even my entire stock, it's only the SEED beads I wanted to show you. I'm not even sure if this is all of them.

I got this sudden urge to start beading yesterday. I have two unfinished creations right now:

Would you believe me if I told you I wasn't even really into beading? By the looks of my collection, Im sure you're saying "NO", but I don't know the first thing about it honestly. Im still trying to figure out how I finished the last seed bead necklace I made, which was almost 2 years ago now...

Maybe I closed it with a crimp bead and a regular old lobster clasp.... No, I don't even think I knew what a crimp bead was back then, much less how to use one. Again, I am not really into beading.

Hey, maybe this will give me an excuse to expand my seemingly endless collection... I can't believe I have over 40 different colors and not ONE of them is.... white *sigh*. That really strains my creative juice flow. I think everything needs a little bit of white.

Etsy Favorites 03.18.08

Today I decided on featuring a few recycled, reconstructed, Trashionista items from Etsy!



I really like this fork bangle from joyrog's store! It is hand-crafted from antique EPNS cutlery(at least 100 years old). I believe that joyrog is new to etsy (just joined in Jan.), and from Australia! Aussie Aussie Aussie OY OY OY! Haha. Make sure to check out all of her other recycled "jewellery" soon to become very popular around here.



Check out this handmade Thank You card from hoipolloi! It is completely, and I mean COMPLETELY recycled! Not only is this beautiful photo stitched onto handmade paper (made from eggcartons and toilet paper rolls),

"It will be shipped to you sewn up in sheets of re-used birthday tissue, between several layers of cardboard cut from cereal or granola boxes, with love."

You can also take a peek at Amanda's blog to see a few snapshots of her paper-making process: HERE



Here is what KateBlack likes to call a "Trash Book". It has been reconstructed out of a 1960's childs encyclopedia book! The cover features a violin & bow, a photo of moon craters, stained glass and more. This hand bound work of art is perfect for writing poems, songs, or journal entries, as well as sketches, designs, and photos!



Okay, I know it isn't Christmas anymore, but this reusable Bodywreath really made me laugh! It's funny because almost all of the dolls that I had growing up somehow managed to become naked and/or headless somewhere around my room. If only I had thought of this idea first, huh? Haha!



This bracelet is made from non other than recycled Black & White grocery bags! Arnym also has gorgeous clutches and purses made from this seemingly endless medium. The colors she uses are wonderful and can be made to match practically any article of clothing you have. This just goes to show that you really CAN reuse almost anything and in the most incredible ways!



Don't be fooled by the magnitude of this photo. These are tiny little gold, silver, and copper colored rings made by folding what looks like little strips of metallic paper! UNBE-WEAVE-ABLE! All rings are made to order so make sure to specify the size you'd like. Also don't forget to have a look at the rest of FrucciDesign's shop, full of many a wonderous paper things!

Are you ready for hundreds of tomatos?

If anyone is interested in gardening you might be interested in this event. TomatoMania is the worlds largest tomato seedling sale and it happens every year at the end of March or the begining of April. There are various locations around CA and CT. Don't worry if you do not live around these areas because you can purchase seedlings online at the TomatoMania website.

Jewelry

I've completed TWO necklaces to put in my shop today, and started on this one for myself. It's a ring that Dustin gave to me, and I love it so much! I wanted to add a few extras to it so that I can proudly wear it around my neck. It isn't completed yet though.

MY PEACEFUL GARDEN

I can't wait till the day I have my own property, where I can plant my own garden, paint my own walls, and really feel at home. But alas since I am only 20 and still have no career, this is a very long-term goal.

I think I am feeling this way because I don't live alone or with anyone I love. Instead I live with 3 other girls who are either messy, selfish, or... well slutty. Not only that, but two of my roommates have a "guest". I say that in quotes because they HAVEN'T LEFT YET! It's been months, seriously. The worse thing about it is that my roommates "guests" get more guests in this house than we do, and they have no respect for the other people who live in this house. I can't count on both hands how many times I've been woken up at 2 or 3 in the morning by someone banging on our front door to be let in, or how many times someone has set off the fire alarm by either turning the stove too high, or forgetting that they are cooking. It's stressing I tell you.

So I am just going to close my eyes for a minute, and pretend that I am not even here. That no one is eating the food in my fridge when it is CLEARLY labeled with my name on it. I am going to imagine a day without a loud television watching itself because someone forgot to turn it off when they left the room. I am going to imagine a night without drunken people banging on my door asking for hugs and kisses. I am going to pretend there is no one with 2 ton feet banging up and down the stairs, no one crying and screaming at their boyfriends or girlfriends, no one asking me for money with absolutely no intention of returning it back to me.

No, Im just going to pretend that I am in my own space, my own quiet, peaceful garden.

Show me what you're workin' with!

I WANNA SEE WHAT YOUR CURRENT PROJECT IS!

Ill show you mine if you show me yours, hee hee!

I've been making friendship bracelets for the past few days.

I just added this one to my shop (great colors, no?)

Now show me your projects! If you can figure out how to post a pic in my comments section go right on ahead. If not, just tell me about it! Link to a photo if you must.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

♥MD