Fabulosity -- Jabecca Designs

I recently opened a second shop on Etsy -- The Diva's Destash -- for all of my extra stuff. So far it's just fabric, but I've got a ton of lace that's ready to get added soon. But looking through Etsy for stuff to replenish my stash has lead me to a treasure trove of destash, and that led me to Jabecca's Designs this week.
I was looking for beads, because you can never have too many beads, right? :) I got a great deal on beads from Rebecca's stash, and discovered a fabulous jewelry designer.She does a lot of stuff with hemp macrame, which is such an underused art. It really adds an earthiness to her designs. And I love the combinations she uses -- colors that I wouldn't think to use together just flow seamlessly in her work. Everything just feels natural and organic.
Take a look! I think you'll love discovering for yourself a new artist with a fresh eye for design.

Be blessed!

Fabulosity -- Judy's Designs

I have met some truly wonderful people through Etsy and Twitter. I had no idea how much work goes into promoting yourself when I first started my Etsy shop! Luckily, I found a group of like-minded artisans called World Wide Etsy Sellers, and through them, I met Judy, of Judy's Designs.
As a jewelry designer, I love looking at other people's work. It gives me ideas and inspiration for my own jewelry designs. And I love to look at Judy's designs. They're really fresh and original, and they inspire me to think outside the box. She does wonderful things with color and natural elements, and I love the look of her jewelry. It feels really authentic. It's bold without being excessive or over-the-top. And the colors just pop! :)
Take a look and see for yourself. I think you'll like what you see!

Be blessed!

Fabulosity -- Daydreem Designs

I'm back! I had to take a little mental health vacation after my show. I don't know how people do lots of shows. I find them exhausting! All the preparation, in addition to the rest of my life, is a lot to do. My kids still wanted to eat. I still had to do laundry and what little housework I do. :) And on top of that I had to create a ton of new jewelry! But luckily, I did well at the show, so all the extra work was worth it. I'll have some photos of everything a little later.

My Etsy shop has been doing well, also. I've been making a lot of trips to the post office. I recently mailed my first package to Australia! That was really exciting. :)

My most recent trip to the post office led me to meet Aimee of Daydreem Designs. I was at a stop sign behind her and saw her Etsy shop address on her back window -- what a great idea! I wrote it down so I could check it out when I got home, not realizing that we'd be in line together at the post office! It's always so awesome to meet local Etsians!

Of course, we exchanged cards and I checked out her shop when I got home. She and her fiance, Michael, are the genius behind Daydreem Designs. Michael creates beautiful engraved glass and carved wood. Exquisite goblets and shot glasses, votive candle holders and decorative glass bowls. Such beautiful work! And what a nifty gift idea for any holiday. I simply adore the halloween stuff. :) And what better way to warm up on a cold winter day than with a mug of hot cocoa in a mug engraved with snowflakes? :) Now I know where to shop for my next wedding gift, father's day, anniversary...

Be blessed! :)

Fabulosity -- Wudl's Woodshop

I don't do a lot of craft shows. In my other life, I'm a hairdresser and a church musician, so my weekends are pretty full. But I have done a couple. Unfortunately, my displays are currently in use in the two stores that carry my jewelry. So when I was presented with an opportunity to do a show during the week at a retirement community, I jumped at the chance! But where was I going to get quality craft show displays on really short notice without bugging my husband endlessly? A quick search of Etsy helped me discover Wudl's Woodshop.

John Wudl, of Wudl's Woodshop, is absolutely wonderful. A search of his site found something that was almost exactly what I'd been looking for all over the internet. So I convo'd him. The next day, not only did he have a quote for me, but he'd built my earring displays and had pictures taken already! If that's not fabulosity, I don't know what is! :)

Woodworking is an art, and the items available in Wudl's Woodshop exemplify that art. I was impressed by how many crafters on Etsy purchased custom designs from John, and I was really impressed with the speed of design and creation of my request. It was less than 36 hours between my initial convo and the listing of my completed custom design! I can't wait to get them to see how wonderful they are. If the feedback John's gotten is any indication, I'll be back for more!

I was also impressed with the variety of items available. If you need a craft display, he can design it! Everything from spool holders to candle holders. If it can be made from wood, John can probably build it! :)

Fabulosity -- Maudies

I love beads. Something about them speaks to me. And I love lampwork beads. Each bead is just a little bit different. You can find some really nifty ones in stores, but they're nothing compared to the true individuality of hand crafted beads like the ones Ann creates for her Etsy shop, Maudies.

I literally stumbled upon Maudies a couple of months ago and was delighted to find that her beads were not only beautiful, but affordable! As much as I love lampwork beads, I can rarely afford to indulge my passion. Not so with Maudies! And just because her prices are low doesn't mean that her quality or workmanship is lacking. Everything that I've ordered from her has been wonderful! And she's a dream to work with on custom creations. I love everything I've gotten from her, and can't wait to get my next order in the mail! :)

Be blessed!

Fabulosity -- Buy Her Beads

I don't know a jewelry designer who doesn't have a love of beads. I think we all have some level of compulsion to buy them, even if we don't have a need for them or any clue what we'll be using them for. I, myself, have a lot of beads that just haven't "spoken" to me yet, to let me know what to do with them. That's where George of Buy Her Beads comes in. His wife is a jewelry designer who has a ton of beads. George purges her collection so she has room for more! That sounds like something I need my husband to do!

I love looking at George's site because there are so many beautiful beads. There are also wire-wrapped items created by his wife that she then changed her mind on. Lucky for us! It seems like everyday there's something new to tempt me. He's got everything from tiny beads to huge slabs and nuggets in every color imaginable! Even just writing this blog post, I found a ton more that I really need to have! His wife has great taste in beads -- take a look and see for yourself.

Be blessed!

Fabulosity -- The Quilted House

When I started this blog feature, I thought about all the fabulous Etsy sellers I've met in the year I've been selling online, and the first person that came to mind is my sister, Michelle, of The Quilted House. But I wanted to wait until she finished my custom big sis tote, created entirely from fat quarters from my personal stash. She promised she'd have it done before I went into the hospital to have my thyroid surgery, and when she makes a promise, she delivers!

But beyond the relationship we have as sisters, she is a truly talented quilter, and her work is phenomenal. The detail that she puts into her quilts is unparalleled. I feel truly blessed to have her work hanging on the walls of my home.

She is also an inspiration to me. She challenges me and encourages me with my own Etsy shop. We have challenged each other, along with a couple of friends, to try to list an item every day. That really helps to keep us focused on our businesses and keep our shops fresh and vibrant.

In her shop, she specializes in quirky, quilted items that you would never think of, like picture frames and greeting cards, as well as what you would expect, like hot pads and placemats. But even with these items, the workmanship is exquisite! Every detail is thought of ahead of time, and nothing is too small or trivial to be concerned with. I know that when I order something from Michelle, either from her shop or something custom, that when I receive it, I will be thrilled beyond words!

Fabulosity -- Glass River Jewelry

I absolutely adore lampwork beads. They are all one of a kind, even if they're part of a set, because they are completely handmade. Etsy has quite a few lampwork artists, but I adore the work done with lampwork beads by Vicki, of Glass River Jewelry.

I asked her once if she creates any of the beads she uses herself, and she told me that she doesn't, but she finds them in a variety of places, including Etsy. But what she does with these beautiful handcrafted beads is truly remarkable! I love to browse her shop just to get inspiration for my own jewelry designs. Even though I haven't yet created anything with lampwork beads, outside of seasonal designs, their beauty calls to me. Looking at the amazing creations by Glass River Jewelry will open your mind and heart to the beauty and versatility of lampwork beads.

Stop by and check out all the beautiful jewelry created by Vicki -- you won't be disappointed!

Fabulosity -- Braggin Rights Bath

I have discovered that there are some many wonderfully talented artisans on Etsy, and they need to be recognized as such. So I've decided to share with you some of my favorites!

First up is Tracy, of Braggin' Rights Bath. I met Tracy though my sister and boy am I glad I did! She creates wonderful bath and body products that are to die for! So, for my birthday I treated myself to 3 fabulous soaps, Orange 'n Cream, Aloha Sugar Scrub, and Rose n' Passionfruit. The thing that is so wonderful about Tracy's soaps is that they are created using only the highest quality ingredients, including shea butter, goats milk and real fruit essence. She even uses grated orange peel and crushed almonds for their exfoliating benefits!

But my true joy didn't begin until I received these soaps -- ordered for myself as a birthday gift. They are truly luxurious in not only their lather and exfoliation, but also their moisturizing. And the scent is truly heavenly! My next purchase is definitely going to be her whipped body butters and a jar of fluffy fruity happiness -- foaming body parfait. Could you get more decadent? I also want some of her cupcake bath bombs, not that I ever have time to take a bath.

If you're ever in the market to treat yourself, you can't go wrong with Braggin' Bath -- she doesn't disappoint!