Lime & Royal KeyBling

Another striking KeyBling for the BOLD & BEAUTIFUL peeps out there!

Priced at a meager $32.00, this is a very affordable gift for yourself, your best friend or the teen babysitter who is getting her driver's license! OR, how about this? Because of the VIBRANT COLORS, this is just PERFECT for that gal that keeps losing her keys! She will be sure to find them more easily with this noticeable color combo! HA HA!

Sterling silver, Swarovski crystals in Lime and Capri Blue and FUN lampwork make this a OOAK (one-of-a-kind) Anderson Arts ORIGINAL! I love the square lime pillows of glass with the swirly sapphire blue flowers applied to them! Kind of retro-modern, in a way! Cool, huh? Email me for questions or to make it yours!

ETA: SOLD!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!

I am in the wire and lampwork mode,

so be sure to check out for more this weekend!

Maybe even TODAY!!!

Bad BLOGGER, BAD!

I admit it, I have been slacking on the blog-posting. I can't help it! You would think that having all of the kids in school at the same time (four afternoons a week), leaving me over 12 hours of ALONEEEEEE TIME, would make me blog more! BUT, NO! I am BUSIER than EVAH!

I have some goodies to show you coming up later this week, but I still have a couple of customers waiting on me... So, they come first of course! I do have to admit that I wrapped over 4 dozen EarringBlings (dangle sets) yesterday! I have a wonderful returning-customer that ordered a batch of dangles in a wonderful variety of colors, so she gets to pick first... {After that the rest will go in inventory for the online store}. I can't believe I made so many sets! I guess I got a little out of control when picking out the remaining sets yesterday! Before I knew it I had sterling silver and Swarovski crystals flung all over the place! HA HA! So, I watched a couple of movies (Monster-In-Law and Mr&Mrs Smith) and wrapped away!

I am glad I got a lot of practice in on the wire-wrapping and looping, since that is one of the first techniques I will be teaching this fall in my jewelry classes. If you are local and are interested in taking one of my classes, call Jasper Community Arts Center for time and fee info.

Well, I better get out of here and go back to the bead board! I hope everyone got through their Monday okay and are well on their way to yet another work week! I know I am! Working at home ROCKS! I have to say that I have never been happier!

See you SOON!

Strutin'

YEP, shopping for senior pictures was f u n . . . Spent a bunch of money on stuff that I think I will let the photographer choose from. ONE shirt, ONE tie = $128.00; and that was just for one outfit. Did I say it was f u n ? HA! At least Josh LOVES what he chose for the formal headshot for the senior year book. SO do I, I have to admit. He's gonna look HOT!

That was Saturday.

SUNDAY I spent wrapping up three bracelets on order, packaging, and also wrapping up some dangles, too. This one gal better LOVE me (she does, she's related!) because I had to re-string it like 5 times, seriously FIVE times to get it to fit right. HA HA! That is what being a PERFECTIONIST does to you, I guess.

THEN today my dear Isaac had his first official day of school. Preschool, that is. HE LOVED IT! He got to ride the bus home with Eli and KayLee, too. As he walked up the driveway, he had this 'strut' like, "YEAH, I went to school. YEAH, I hung with the homies. YEAH, I'm all THAT~AND a bag of chips AND some DIP!" HA HA HA HA!! HE DID! He walked like he owned the road! SO FUNNY! Even at three, he knew he accomplished a big feat!

I got soooooooooooo much done while I was home alone; laundry, cleaning, cooking, checked the finances, did some business stuff. I still didn't get ALL done that I needed to (I am emailing you tomorrow, Ms. K in FL!); but that is what Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are for, too! Isaac goes to school four days a week from Monday to Thursday, so I will catch up quickly, I think!

SO, enough for now... except to say that for those who wanted to see the new family-item, I figured a way to perfect it design-wise, but need to make my mom's before shooting pics for you, so I will get that done this week and then email everyone a pic. Except for you, Mom! SORRY! HA!

Don't forget to get those votes in on the watchbling! You still have time to get in a bunch of votes to better your chances on winning it! Be sure to email me that you voted, too!

Enjoy the night!

A little MIA again

Yo dolls! (And dad!) I have decided NOT to share my newbie item unless you request to see it by email or leaving a comment here. (I will zap ya a JPEG, Kathleen and Tiffany, since you commented!) I don't want to ruin the surprise for my mom's birthday, but at least she knows she is getting something! HEE HEE!

I have been under the weather today, a bit of a flu bug or just plain old nerves turning into an ulcer because of stress related to getting things done and wrapped up for school beginning on Friday; AND trying to not disappoint my peeps (customers) by pushing off their much appreciated orders. { The bracelets are coming, Miss L in IL and the dangles are being wrapped up, Miss A in E'ville, and the Keybling is coming Miss K in FL... thanks again for the orders! }

Ok, so I need to get motivated and moving, DH will be home later tonight, so it is up to me to do THE DO, if you know what I mean! OH, and if anyone wants to come over and get some zucchinis, please do! I get 2-4 EACH DAY! UGH! I need to find some new recipes!

Have a nice night!

NEW ITEM!

I am so excited to announce a new item to the Anderson Arts ARTISAN GALLERY! I have had a few peeps mention wanting items that represented birthstones of family members. BUT, they didn't want something they had seen before, like family bracelets or mother's rings...


SO!


I came up with something special! I made my first creation (which of course I ALWAYS KEEP!) with MY family's birthstones! I am wearing it proudly NOW! My hubby loves it, and he isn't ever one to mention anything either way! So, that means it MUST be good!

When the sun comes out tomorrow and greets me with that natural sunlight I will take some pics and share it with you! THIS item IS perfect for that 'Special Christmas Present' for your mom, grandma or yourself! The patent for the design goes in tomorrow, I am so glad to have a friend in the patent/design business! Thanks, Darlene! Posting it publicly and thus, stating the date/time, shows who came up with the design first! Or, at least that is what I understand from some thorough searching and info from Darlene!

I need to double check everything first, but then will post it and take orders ASAP! My mom's birthday is coming up in September, so I think I may just have to make one for her!

See ya on Wednesday!

GUESS WHAT?

... I am going to be teaching two classes for our very own Jasper (Indiana) Community Arts Center! For what??? Jewelry Design! If you are interested in learning my tips and techniques on the basics of Jewelry Design sign up NOW!! Classes run from October 7th to November 11th! I have two classes on Tuesdays, one is in the afternoon from 12:15pm to 2:45 and the other in the evening (time TBA, probably from 6pm to 8:30pm)!

If you have any interest in becoming a jewelry designer for business OR pleasure, this class IS for you! Comment on this post or email me directly if you would like me to contact you with more info! Class size is limited to just 10 people, so call or email NOW! This class is just in the nick of time for learning how to make your own presents for friends and family for CHRISTMAS!

ENJOY YOUR FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!

Kristina 2

Here's that necklace I was talking about yesterday. These beads are about 7mm each, just over 1/4" each... itty bitty little beads... 35 of them or so... count them if you like... Just $2,600 for 16" of wearable artwork! They are beautiful and fun, though, aren't they?

I will post a Kristina Logan teapot tomorrow. IT IS YUMMY CUTE!

Have a SUPAH DAY!

In Honor of Kristina Logan

Do you remember this lampwork necklace that I posted a few weeks back?? I honestly don't even know where I found this picture. Probably on a beading magazine website. Do you know how much this sucker is?

Yes, this is the highlight of my lampwork experience. The most awesome crazy lampwork I have ever seen. I know why NOW that I liked it so much. Because I have style. I have taste. I have, apparently, very EXPENSIVE taste.

How much do you think? $150? $300? $3,000? TRY $5,200! Yep, that's right. You could buy my son a good used car for this necklace. Not that I am saying that I wouldn't buy it myself if I had a spare $5K dripping out of my pocketbook, cuz I would. I know how lampwork is made and believe me, I bet this took HOURS upon HOURS to create! So, you go girl, get what you ARE WORTH!

I guess that's what comes with experience, ingenuity and artistic, creative talent. A lotta MONEY! HA HA! Oh, and there is a 16" necklace that you can buy for a mere $2,600, if you are interested. I will post that one too. Heck, let's just post her artwork everyday this week! I seriously think she has an exemplary creative side that should be shown-off! So, let's do it!

See ya in the A.M.!

AUGUST FREEBIE POSTING SATURDAY!

I figured it out....... I know what I want to post for the August Freebie... HEE HEE! Something new that I have never made before! You can win the FIRST of this series, which is soon to be another regular line of mine!

Start earning your entries NOW by emailing me that you voted for me by clicking on that cute little tent at left!!!!!!!!!! I had 591 entries for the July BookBling, so get started on your voting today to get the most entries you can!! Every day counts!

Start TONIGHT!

Traditional Anniversary Gifts

Upon searching for a customer who wants to have something made for her daughter's anniversary, I thought I would put together a chart of the traditional AND modern Anniversary gifts that are appropriate for each year.


Year ~ Traditional ~ Modern ~ Flower

1st ~ PaperClock ~ Orange ~ Blossom

2nd ~ Cotton ~ China ~ Daisy

3rd ~ Leather ~ Glass/Crystal ~ Carnation

4th ~ Fruit/Flowers ~ Appliance ~ Violet

5th ~ Woodenware ~ Silverware ~ Pansies

6th ~ Candy/Iron ~ Woodenware ~ Tulip

7th ~ Wool/Copper ~ Desk Set ~ Camellia

8th ~ Bronze/Pottery ~ Linen/Lace ~ Cat's Tail

9th ~ Pottery/Willow ~ Leather Item ~ Hollyhock

10th ~ Tin/Aluminum ~ Diamond Jewelry ~Sweet Pea

11th ~ Steel ~ Fashion Jewelry ~ Lilac

12th ~ Silk/Linens ~ Pearls ~ Lily

13th ~ Lace ~ Textiles/Furs ~ Hydrangea

14th ~ Ivory ~ Gold Jewelry ~ Daffodil

15th ~ Crystal ~ Watch ~ Calla Lily

20th ~ China ~ Platinum ~ Iris

25th ~ Silver ~ Silver ~ Yellow Rose

30th ~ Pearls ~ Diamond Jewelry ~ Poppy

35th ~Coral ~ Jade ~ Peony

40th ~ Ruby ~ Ruby ~ Mum

50th ~ Gold ~ Gold ~ Red Rose

55th ~ Emeralds ~ Emeralds ~ Jasmine

60th ~ Diamonds ~ Diamonds ~ White Rose


All I know is that if Scott had given me a desk set while in Chicago for our anniversary I would probably have hit him over the head with it! HA HA! NO, I am kidding! I think the modern version of that should be a Laptop, though, don't you think? Well, at least he didn't give me a wool scarf! AND, he better not give me a bouquet of Cat-tails next year either! HA HA HA!!!!!!!!

Back later!

EarBling!

For those newbie readers I have of late...

Here is an update on my earring line! Do you ever have an outfit or dress that you just can't match jewelry to? AND sometimes you just need a splash of color? Not just gold or silver or diamonds? Well, these Ear dangles are the way to go! You take ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE pair of hoops and slide off and on the dangles to match your outfit! This keeps your costs down (like reallyyyyy low... some are just $3.00 a pair!) and keeps your BLING FACTOR skyrocketing! HA HA!

These are so very cool, in my humble opinion! I LOVE these dangles! ALL constructed of Swarovski crystals, Swarovski pearls, sterling silver and lampworked beads! Only the best materials are incorporated into my jewelry line!

If you are wearing pink and brown, then slip those on for the day... YES, you can add MORE than one set to each hoop! I usually wear just one or THREE, as in the design world, odd-numbers of things look better than even-numbered things when clustered together. Follow?

SO... CLICK HERE and HERE to see past posts of these earring sets to learn more! If ya want a collection of your own, just email me your color choices and price range and I will let you know what I can do for you! Thanks for taking a peek at me today!

Have a GREAT Evening!

Swarovski - THE BEST CRYSTAL IN THE WORLD!

AH, Swarovski!

Did you know that Swarovski makes the Best Crystals you can purchase? SO, that is the reason why I use ONLY Swarovski! NOT lesser quality Czech beads or Czech crystals! Swarovski crystals are colored glass crystals. Czech beads are clear crystals with a colored coating inside around the stringing hole, which can wear off. Czech beads also don't have that depth and sparkle like Swarovski crystals do.

Here is a wonderful little rainbow bracelet made entirely of sterling silver and Swarovski! I have made this type of bracelet for babies, young adults and adults, too! Price varies according to length, beginning at JUST $15.00! I have also made this variety style in just purples and another in grays (clear, silvery grays to black). I have nearly every color of crystal that Swarovski makes, (like 12 different purples, over 15 different blues, etc), so if you have a favorite color, and seem to wear it a lot, a simple blingy bracelet is sure to be the perfect accessory to your wardrobe!

You may also wish to incorporate a little dangle/charm at the clasp, too. I have one supplier that has EVERY charm imaginable! Like, how about Scissors for the crafter? An artist's pallet for the painter? A microphone for the singer? Ok, maybe not the microphone, but a musical note would be perfect! Coffee bean for the cappuccino connoisseur? Or a simple word, like Mom, Sister, Love, Hope, Brat? . . . . Adding a charm can be a very custom, yet, inexpensive touch to this style of bracelet!

Let me know if you want me to string one up for ya! anderson.arts@insightbb.com

Have a WONDERFUL NIGHT!

Personal UPDATE

HI ALL! YES, I have been MIA a lot this week!

SINCEREST APOLOGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will fill ya in on Sunday Evening the reason why! (SNICKER SNICKER!) Those of you who know already ~ HUSH!

Until then, keep checking back for quickie posts! I have a lot of 'refresher' posts for you coming up, since I have had SO MANY new viewers and customers from Hawaii to California to the Atlantic northeast states this week and last week! I thought it would be helpful to my newbies to see all of my jewelry offerings, as well as GIFT offerings, too!

Please feel free to contact me if you need to by emailing me or commenting on any post! Just be sure that your profile lets me find your email when I search for you, OKIE DOKIE??

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Own your own Craft Business?

I found a website yesterday that I feel a few people (who check my blog everyday) will find helpful as well as intriguing. Barbara Brabec is an accomplished author and speaker. She explains how to be successful when having a work-at-home business, primarily those in the arts and crafts field.

She has quite a few reports available on her website, including THIS ONE about networking. I emailed her yesterday to let her know I was going to post this Networking PDF file on my blog and she has personally emailed me in return with a couple of very helpful ideas! I know that you can get phone support and possibly other support through email; whether this is at a cost, I am not sure. However, her website is awesome and has a lot of helpful suggestions and tips!

She's in my favorites already!

Kris' EarBling

I went on vacation just to slave-away for my sister! HA HA! She really picked out some purty colors of crystals to have made into some earring dangles! I also made some for mom, but didn't get a picture of those, but she raked in a handful, too!

For the locals....

My hubby is dropping off a new batch of handmade greeting cards at This Olde House (located on 9th and Newton Streets, here in Jasper, IN) today. I thought I would just mention that since it has been awhile since Karen has had any new ones from me to offer for sale.

The beads are keeping me busy, but hopefully the new schedule I worked out on paper will make AND KEEP me more efficient in all art-aspects, hence making me more balanced. I would like to keep a steady flow going into Karen's store, as well as through Blogger postings and the online shop.

Speaking of THAT devil, I am aiming to have the 'online boutique' up very soon. HOW VERY SOON? How about sometime THIS MONTH? WOO HOO! I have been tweeking the policies and such with friends and family, so hopefully it will happen sooner than later. I really need to take inventory first. I don't want to open it if I only have like four things to offer in each of the sections! What would be the point? Plus, I think it could disappoint people if they go to see the "Grand Opening Reveal" and there isn't anything to look at! DUH! Ha Ha! I really had planned on having it up and running by now, but that nasty surgery/recovery took way longer than expected. You know I am JUST NOWWWWWW feeling 100%? Yes, 8 weeks to the day nearly, and I was told 2-3 weeks, maybe 4 or 5, but at most 6! And I even face issues daily sometimes! So, I hope you can forgive me for the tardiness of the opening, as I have told some people in the past that the store would be open before Summer! OOPS!

I am hoping to stay focused after returning from this week's vacation and make up a stash prior to opening the store officially. Life happens, though, so just remember that I AM TRYING my best to make it happen ASAP! I even took my supplies with me just in case I get inspired, or can't sleep and just want to work on something. I just never know where, when or HOW an inspiration will hit me, so I must be prepared for anything!

I hope you are having a SUPAH DUPAH DAY!!!

WHAAA???????

HOLY CRAPOLA! Know what these are? Any guesses? These beads are freakin' LAMPWORKED BEADS!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's right, glass beads made by hand with a torch! Geezy Pete's I am makin' these! I know it may take years, but I am tellin' ya, I HAVE FOUND INSPIRATION! Amazing, simply AMAZING!

Just to take this class you have to have over a $GRAND$ and be mega experienced already in lampwork, so that leaves me out. But, WOWSERSSSSSSSS this makes me dream! I love how the beads have a silver metal center where the hole usually is; and then they are wire-wrapped and most likely soldered all around the outside and made into pendants of sorts. My brain is hardly wrapping around this technique of lampwork. I have seriously NEVER seen anything like it!

OH, HOW I WANT A KILN FOR CHRISTMAS!

Anyone want to invest in my business to get me started on making these myself now?

OH THE TORTURE! It's KILLING ME!

See ya later!

EarBling Artisan Jewelry!!!

I posted this picture back in May after I made these for a friend who assisted in my surgery without pay because it was really her day off. If you don't know what these are, they are earring dangles that you slip on and off of a single pair of hoops to coordinate with what you are wearing each day. You can wear one, two or three colors together, whatever it takes to match your attire!

I use heavy gauge sterling silver wire that resists bending and breakage. AND notice the loops at the top (that slip on and off the hoops) are made in perfect detail. With quality artisan jewelry, care is not only taken to make the loops perfectly circular, but also the same size, so that the dangles are the same length when hanging from your ears. Prices vary from $3.00 and up, depending on the amount of sterling silver and size of Swarovski crystals in each set. Hoops range from $3.00 and up, depending on the size and style of hoops.

This is an inexpensive way to incorporate gorgeous, quality custom earrings to your wardrobe without going broke! I came up with this earring line back in December or January when a couple of my friends asked me to make them some earrings. Since then, it has been an on-going request from friends and family {Kris, yours will be there next week!}.

Email me if you would like to have a selection of earrings made for yourself or for that person who has it all; this is the perfect gift! Email me your color preferences and your price limit and I will stretch your dollar as best I can! (Click on the picture to see the quality details of the loops and styles!)

See you tomorrow! Blog Candy ON THE WAY!

More, EVEN MORE Lampwork!!

HOWDY and Good Morning, People!

I forgot to let you all know that I have TONS of lampwork headed your way! Enough for about 15 bracelets and some matching necklaces and KeyBlings (keychains, for you newbie readers)! I am so excited!

Although I am enjoying my kids very very much this summer, and all in all, they were pretty well-behaved this past month, I almost can't wait to start working more when they get back in school! We start school back up in mid-August, so I will be able to really concentrate and tackle the artisan line, as well as have more time to be paper-creative! WOOHOO!

Ok, that is all for now! I just had to update ya on the lampwork 'cuz what is cookin' is AWESOME! I am off to finish packing for the weekend-crop I am headed to, so I should be pretty absent until Sunday, unless I find access to a computer! I will try to check back before I leave today, though. WHO KNOWS, since all my scrappin' stuff is packed, I just might have to whip out the sterling and lampwork and work on something new still today!!!

Enjoy the day!

KeyBling for Ms. Lisa

Happy WEDNESDAY Hump Day to you all! My hubby took my laptop to work with him today, so I have been forced to resume to my son's computer. I cannot believe the difference in the photos on my blog. From my laptop computer they look bright and crisp and the right colors in life. THEN I get on his computer and they look dingy and yellow. OK, so which is it? What is it you all see? And if they look dingy and yellow, why didn't you tell me to take a photo-editing class, HA HA HA! Oh, well...

Here's a YUMMY KeyBling for Ms. Lisa in GA. I had to share this beautiful summery keychain with you all! Isn't it purty, MA? HEE HEE! This color combo is just awesome and the little splashes of the Carribean (blue) Opal, Crystal-Satin (silver) Swarovski crystals and chunky silver just make it POP!

Custom made just for Ms. Lisa!!

Hope you like it!!