new display!

My brother-in-law made me this AWESOME new earring display for craft shows. It's great because it packs up and fits into a large shopping bag. It was spins. It's not too big to be intimidating. and it all fits into the loki's jellybeans image.

I will write more later, about birthday gifts and dinner. But for now I have to run to the store.

Birthday gift #2

Oh my goodness! So, again, another birthday post. Keith likes to give me "small" gifts leading up to my birthday. I used to celebrate Birthday Month, but now we are down to birthday week. I love my birthday, and I am lucky enough to have parents and a boyfriend who play along. So far this week I have received two of the cutest ecards from my mom this year. Keith knows how much I love my birthday, so he humors me and plays along with birthday week, giving me one small gift each day. I am the luckiest girl with family that cares about me, and a great boyfriend.

Speaking of family, my sister and brother-in-law came to visit. It was pretty awesome. They got me a bunch of GREAT birthday gifts, including a muffin top pan. (I know, I giggle everytime I say it) I will post photos when I make them.

So, Keith got me this awesome present. I'm so excited to take it to work and start using it ASAP to brighten up my keychain!

IT'S ABE LINCOLN IN LEGO KEYCHAIN FORM! Do you see a trend in my presents from Keith? Presidents. because I love 'em! (well, okay most of them) So, I found this gem from Boxhounds and favorited it right away. I have gotten quite a few things from them, and LOVE their stuff. I really like working with them, they are great at requests, and also at shipping good quality items out quickly! I have gotten presents and stuff for myself on this site. I highly recommend it. Please check out their site, you will not be disappointed.

Anyway, good job Keither. You're an excellent gift picker-outter.

birthdays and fillmore

As my birthday slowly approaches, I find myself more and more reflective on this past year and my life in general. I suppose that is what's suppose to happen. Anyway, because I'm a year older, I'm created a coupon code for my store. Enter "BIRTHDAYWEEK2011" as a code when you check out to receive 10% off your order.

Anyway, Keith gave me a birthday present early, because I was homesick and mopey about being older and maybe not an Aquarius anymore...and it blew my socks off.

A Millard Fillmore spoon ring. For those of you who don't know; I have a deep love for most presidents. I think of myself as a presidental historian in my free time. Although Millard Fillmore is not on my list of presidents I don't like, he's not exactly on my top ten favorites either. However, he is part of a inside joke between myself, my friend April, and my other friend Hank. Also, if you want to learn about Millard Fillmore, this might help, although I'm not sure its accuracy since he is riding a unicorn on the cover.

Anyway, Keith got me this awesome Millard Fillmore ring. It features a great portrait of him, with Millard Fillmore written on the band. I'm pretty sure, if Keith found me a Grant one like this, it would be our wedding ring. If you are interesting in this ring or to find more like it, please check out spoonringheaven. They have some pretty rad stuff, including a few more presidental spoons. I highly recommend their site, as my ring is AMAZING and I cannot wait to show it off.

I hope everyone's doing well, and being crafty. I have more posts coming up, I want to show off my new earring holder my brother-in-law made me, as well as a few HOW-TOS! :) Plus, I have to write a birthday post right?

lately...

Lately, I have been slacking on my posts... I have been making a lot of necklaces with animal charms. Including the one above. Located here.

Anyway, things have been happening. I went back to Michigan to celebrate my early birthday. I found out I'm going to California in March. I also have been wrapped up in different books. While home, Keith and I decided we needed to make snow angels in my parents front yard. Yes, I have a pink sleeping bag jacket, and yes I bet you're jealous.

The snow angels were very fun. I especially like my dad's stone squirrel staring at us in the corner of the photo. I love that thing. It was a great weekend at home. My parents got me a TON of new beads, so expect a few new beaded necklaces coming up. Loki was so excited this weekend we tired her out.

reconstruction project 2

Keith's mom likes to buy my old jewelry she finds at craft fairs, flea markets, etc, and I like her to. She has a really great eye, and picks out only fun pieces that really fit the Loki's Jellybeans type. (as well as awesome gifts for me!)
She gave me this piece:


The bracelet was old and worn. The strings were ready to fall apart and the spacers were rusty/gross. The pink beads were really pretty. Although they looked not too great in this bracelet setting. So I cut the string and started to work. Originally I made it into another bracelet, but I got frustrated at how boring it looked. I played with a few ideas, and decided on this one:

It looks gorgeous. It's large, chunky beads that look a lot like rose quartz. I paired them with brown plastic beads. I attached the beaded part with jumprings to a small chain link and lobster claw. All together the necklace is roughly 18 inches, and stunning. The posting is here.

I love how it turned out. I think this pieces show my growth in the jewelry realm. I'm so proud.

happy birthday to our namesake!

Today, 7 years ago, one of the best things in the world was born. My pup, Loki. She was not taken care of as a baby, and the owner of her mom actually left the puppies outside in the cold of Michigan. She was found outside in the snow with her sister, Sukie, trying to keep warm.



I got her in May when she was 4 months old. She has been my best friend ever since. So Happy birthday my little lokibutt, locus pocus, princess lok, lokilokilokieeeee. I look forward to more time being silly with you, laying outside and playing with toys.

Christmas present post 2

Santa (and Keith) were really good to me this year. Not only did I get an ipad and a laptop, wii games, DVDS, clothing, etc but I got some really cute one a kind things too. I appreciate all my presents, I really, really do. I hate not being able to take everything back with me from my parents. But the train only allows for so much per person. I had to leave a lot behind, including my fantastic new lamp made with rocks that my parents got for me from a family friend. It has small "S"s painted on the rocks for Michigan State. I love it.





I mentioned in a previous post that Keith got me a few etsy items. The first one was the lincoln sleep mask. Well he also got me this:

An amazing ring made out of a quarter. Made by coinringman. I would take a photo of it on my finger, but I hate my fingers as most have been broken or jammed playing sports and being clutzy, so I don't like how big the knuckles are, etc. Anyway, it's an adorable ring and I wear it alot. I actually found coinringman on the Etsy chats, and found his work pretty awesome. Please visit his site, it's really great!

In 2011, I made a resolution to overall be a better person, this including being a better business person. I'm going to try and post at least 3 times a week. Let's see if I actually can!