Button Fairy

I made my first button fairy for a swap. I've never seen one in real life -- just online -- so I hope it's the right size and all. I just think it turned out so cute! See:

I used a tutorial on Flickr, so head over there if you want to try one for yourself. They're quick, fun, and cheap to make. I may just have to make one for myself!

Media frenzy!

Two of my favorite Tulsa Craft Mafia ladies, Holly (HandmadeByHolly and Hollyrocks) and Amby (TheKnitOwl) were on the front page of the Scene section of yesterday's Tulsa World. Click here to check out the PDF of the spread. The article features Holly's rockin' guitar pick earrings and Amby's adorable fabric rings.

Earlier in the day, Tara (MyLittleGnomies), Amby, Renee (GreenerMe and GreenerMeCasuals), Holly's mom, and myself were on Fox 23 Daybreak show promoting a fundraiser Tara is putting on for the Alzheimer's Association. Tara and Amby talked about the event, and the rest of us modeled some of the clothes that will strut down the runway at teh fundraiser. The event, A Walk Down the Runway, will be held this Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church and will feature a fashion show of local designs, a tasty lunch, and information on Alzheimer's disease. If I find a video of the promo segment, I'll make sure to post it.

My favorite creation

It's hard to pick an absolute favorite creation I've made, but there is one that stands out in my mind. This necklace was made entirely out of necklaces given to me by my grandmother. The only new things were the beading wire and the crimps -- even the clasp came from one of her pieces.

My grandmother is an interesting figure in my life. She's not incredibly likeable; she always says the wrong thing; she has no idea how to express positive emotions. But she's my grandmother, and I know she loves me. She shows it in different ways, one of which was giving me dozens of strands of beads she used to wear to work back when she was a court clerk. She's not a vain person at all and is unconcerned with appearances. Parting with the beads wasn't hard for her, but it meant the world to me. I tried to sell this piece but couldn't part with it. It's too much like a member of the family. Instead, I wear it often and plan to pass it on to my own daughter one day.

My family doesn't really do heirlooms. No one really owns anything of value except their modest homes, so it's nice to have something. I hope future women in my family will enjoy wearing it once in a while.

Featured EtsyBlogger

This month's featured EtsyBlogger is none other than AKeepersJackpot!

In her store, you'll find tons of lovely beaded jewelry in a variety of styles. Check out the beautiful wire-wrapping on this piece and the fascinating design of this necklace.

AKeepersJackpot has also been a wonderful team member. In January, she started regularly featuring an EtsyBlogger even before it became a team event. How sweet!

Thank you for all you do for the team!

New shop!

Attention, attention! I have an important announcement.

I've opened a new shop!

I'm slowly moving everything over from lilbrigid.etsy.com to greyeyedesigns.etsy.com. I thought uniformity would be easier to remember. I currently have two items shuffled over, and plenty more -- including some new pieces -- are coming soon. In the meantime, you can still check out both shops for great jewelry at affordable prices.

World's Prettiest Band Aid

OK, so it isn't really a Band Aid. That's what my boss thought at first, though. Nope, it's a half-finished copper cuff!


It was made in my metalsmithing class, of course. I had a doctor appointment this morning (the most special time of year! :P) and was wearing the bracelet when I came in. My boss asked if I was OK, and I told him yes, it was just a regular, annual visit. He asked, "Did you get blood taken?" I said no, not
understanding why he asked. He

said, "Well, that thing on your arm." I then explained to him and our executive assistant that, no, I'm not wearing a Band Aid on my arm. It's a copper bracelet I made. They told me how lovely they thought it was at that point. Yep, it's a beautiful, stunning adhesive bandage. :P

Anyway, the piece is made from a rectangle of copper that I cut, rounded the edges, annealed, applied a design (using metal screen) with a press thing, and then formed. I intend to tumble it and add a patina. It'll be a few weeks before I can show off the finished product -- our class is on a two-week hiatus. So sad. I may have to order supplies just so I can do some more work. We'll see.

Reggae Fest

I'll be selling some jewelry, largely made from vintage materials, at Reggae Fest this weekend. The show runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. It'll be at RiverWalk Crossing in Jenks. Come out and say hello! I'll be in the booth with the rest of the Tulsa Craft Mafia. Here's a preview of an item that you could get your hands on there:

You know you want it! It's one of a pair of earrings made from vintage circles with filigree and two pieces of vintage jade. They're lovely, dramatic and wonderfully long without being heavy. Plus, they're totally one-of-a-kind and light.

My boothmates will include Tara from My Little Gnomies and Modern Dharma, Christine from Such Pretty Things and Weather and Noise, Holly from HandmadeByHolly / Hollyrocks, Renee of Greener Me, Amby of The Knit Owl, and Stela of StelaBird. Come see all that wonderful things we have for sale!

Yummies

I'm taking a break from updating my shop because of the holiday. That, and my job has been busy. Excuses, I know. In celebration of the holiday weekend, though, I present to you a recipe I came up with Wednesday. It's based on another one, but I tweaked it to my preferences. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups flour
1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup canola oil (I use Smart Balance)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin, or cooked pureed pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (mine were vegan)
1/4 cup cinnamon chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease or line two baking sheets, set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine sugars, oil, pumpkin and vanilla. Add dry ingredients in batches, folding to combine. Add the chocolate and cinnamon chips, folding to combine.
Drop batter by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets about one inch apart. Bake for 15 minutes, longer if you want a firmer cookie. Let cool on a wire rack or plate in a single layer.
Makes 32 cookies.

If you wanted to veganize the recipe, just omit the cinnamon chips, up the vegan chocolate chips to 3/4 cup, and up the ground cinnamon to 1 tsp. The vegan version has 150 calories per cookie, 6 grams of fat, and 24% of your Vitamin A needs. And they taste awesome.

Enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July!

To all my American readers: Have a safe, happy and firework-filled Fourth of July!

To my non-Americans: Enjoy your Friday!

Summertime fun

Summer still has an easy-going, "let's have fun!" vibe to me, even though I now spend it as any other working adult. Even in college, I would still come home to work during the hottest months. That means I haven't had a summer off in, oh, six years. I don't think that mentality ever really goes away, though.

Once the weather starts warming and the humidity sets in, I get bitten by the productivity bug. I want to take classes, eat healthier, see my brother and sister more often, go to the movies, clean the apartment (well, that one is rarer), go for walks, read books, etc. It's like the summer holds more possibilities than the rest of the year -- maybe it's the longer days? I'm working hard to fit everything I want to do in. I'm not sure it's even possible, but I will surely try.

Here are 10 goals for the rest of the summer. Some are a bit far-fetched, but at least that gives me something to strive for.

1. Swim once a week.
2. Ride a bike at least once.
3. Set up metalsmithing equipment at home.
4. Take a pottery class.
5. Complete three books.
6. Lose five pounds.
7. Go to the zoo.
8. Bake a vegan, gluten-free, low-sugar cake that doesn't taste like crap. (My little sister is on a celiac, egg-free, and low-sugar diet, and her birthday treats are always disgusting.)
9. Make tons of cool new jewelry.
10. Plan a fun birthday party for myself.

What about you? What are your summer plans?