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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Consider giving a simple handmade gift to a friend or loved one this year.  Nothing shows how much you care more that something that was made from the heart.



Personalize a store-bought candle for an inexpensive Christmas gift. Simply wrap cardstock around the candle, and embellish it with a die-cut accent and letter. No die-cutting tool? No problem -- use stickers instead.  These candles can be picked up at any dollar store.  What a great girlfriend gift!

 Glass paperweights decorated for the holidays make practical and gender-neutral gifts -- ideal for coworkers and teachers. The simple project starts with a glass paperweight kit, available at crafts and hobby stores or online. Decorate the paperweight with scrapbook paper, gift wrap, or an old Christmas Card.  

This pretty-as-a-package pincushion is the perfect gift for a crafty friend. Cover a foam square with fabric (wrap it like a gift) and secure along the edges with fabrics glue. Glue on beads and tie on a ribbon bow.

 It takes only a few minutes and some embroidery floss to make these cute napkins!


Make a candle in a vintage teacup. Scour garage sales for cheap but interesting tea cups. Start with a wick, melted old candle ends, and a little scented oil, such as lemongrass or grapefruit. Find out how to make these candles HERE

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Bellissimo Jewelry Designs

Well, I have been working hard in my Bellissimo Jewelry studio getting ready for the up coming holiday shopping season.  I hope it is a good one for all of us who own a small business!  I recently received a shipment of gorgeous vermeil rimmed stones that I have incorporated in to many of my designs.  I thought I would share a few of the pieces in this post.


A beautiful light pink rose quartz heart shaped briolette is framed in gold vermeil and hangs on a chain made from hand wrapped faceted amethyst rondelles and gold filled beads.

A simply stunning solar quartz briolette hangs on a chain that is made of hand wrapped moonstone beads.

A sleeping beauty turquoise bead is framed in gold vermeil and is personalized with a hand stamped leaf charm!

A gold rimmed chalcedony drop hangs on a simple gold chain.

Lapis stone with beautiful flecks of gold hang from gold plated orchids to complete these earrings.

Green Chrysoprase Elongated drops hang from ornate gold vermeil earwires.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Bring the indoors out!

Chandeliers are for outdoors too! With the weather cooling down, it is time to open up the windows to let the fresh air in and invite friends over to enjoy the beautiful weather outside.  I love the idea of adding a chandelier to outdoor living spaces.  Whether it is illuminated with candles or electricity, they really add a nice touch to your space.  When decorating your outdoor living area remember to treat it like an extension of your home and decorate it like you would a room in your house.  I have been using my outdoor living space lately,  enjoying the company of my neighbors and my hubby.  Pass the ice tea please!




You can even make your own chandelier.  These projects above will require a little dexterity with wire cutters and the needle-nosed pliers, but the end results are cool.  Hang your fixture from a tree branch or porch roof for your next outdoor dinner party. Better still, fill your jars with soy citronella tealight candles (they burn cleaner) or add some drops of clove oil to the candles to keep the bugs at bay.

Pretty Pastels

A lovely collection of ETSY items.

shell mug. mint
$27.00

Spring Leaves earrings ...
$24.00

Cloud mobile.... Rain o...
$24.00

Ruffled Baby Bloomers (...
$19.50

Romantic rose-Handmade ...
$26.00

SALE Mint Green Bib Nec...
$36.00

Teething Necklace Nursi...
$24.00

vintage car photo - Kod...
$30.00

Long Dangle Earrings Li...
$19.00

Mint and Pink Flower Dr...
$11.00

Mint Green Cotton Satin...
$120.00

SALE-Pink Patent Leathe...
$18.00

The Birds - 5x5 Fine Ar...
$15.00

Eco-friendly Handmade P...
$20.00

25% OFF Pink Flower Pho...
$18.75

Handmade lamp, lamp sha...
$40.00

Saturday, October 22, 2011

A Lovely Halloween Party


Who would not want to have a halloween party with these great party ideas! Maybe this will inspire you to invite some friend over for a little Halloween Cheer!


 Yummy Caramel Apples!

May I hold your lollypop please???

 Halloween cookies made out of refrigerated cookie dough!  My kind of cookie!


 Turn a pumpkin into a chip holder!