Another amazing Christmas present from the Keith. He won our Christmas this year.

Behold:

An 1868 Ulysses S. Grant campaign token made into a necklace. I love it times infinity.

I am taking a break from etsy business for the next two days. I will write more soon. I hope christmas or other holidays were good to you.

etsy christmas

Christmas Keith was very good to me. He got me an ipad! OMG! However, he still supported a lot of great etsy shops and I plan on linking you to their pages individually.

First up, this hilarious, yet VERY magical gift.

An Abraham Lincoln Sleeping Mask! Living in Chicago, I always have a street light shinning in my bedroom window. I also really like napping during Sundays. This mask is awesome because it's hilarious, it's Abe Lincoln based, and it's really practical for those of us who like to sleeping for hours on Sunday afternoon. It really works, using it I slept in 2 extra hours!

Anyway, Keith got it from Gumptions. this store is full of cute things, but I must endorse their S/He's got Abe Lincoln Eyes.

past weekend....

My store is closing for the Holiday season this Wednesday! So you only have two more days to buy buy buy.

My mom came to visit us in cold Chicago this past weekend. We took her to zoo lights, which is an amazing display of thousands of lights in animal forms all around the zoo. The animals wanted nothing to do with the late night visitors, and most were asleep. It was great fun, even though it was freezing. Then on Saturday we went to the Field Museum. I love being in a place of so many great Clovis points, mayan artifacts, and dinosaurs. It makes me remember my undergraduate career, sitting in an old lab with broken pots from Hopewell all around, studying all the projectile points in my thick yellow textbook. ah, the joys of archaeology. I miss it.

The museum I work at has amazing christmas trees everywhere. I must remember to take my camera to work and take loads of photos. I wish everyone could see it and love the trees as much as I do. every morning the giant tree decorated in mainly pink makes me gush everyday.

I took today as a personal day, and did NOT leave to go into single digit temperatures all day. I napped, watched trash tv, and checked my email about 60 times.

Oh, my sister sent some pre-Christmas gifts with my mom. this gem made my day. Thanks Kim. :)

christmas tree

The Christmas Tree Earrings by Lokibean

Well, our tree is up. It's not big. nor does it hold any ornaments. However, it does has fiber optics and changes colors. As someone who grew up with an overly decorated tree in the best possible way, the though of an empty tree makes me sad and feel like christmas is not here. So I made sure keith and i decorated the tree as much as possible. Since it can't physically hold real decoration we made our own of my childhood toys, happy meal toys I recently got, and mexican wrestlers.Yup, and Abe Lincoln as our tree topper. Nothing says Christmas likes the Gettysburg Address right? Oh there's also some mardi gras beads that keith got for showing his chest to some old ladies on Bourbon Street about two years ago.

At any rate, I have 9 orders of soaps I need to do today, or something amazingly high volume amount. I also have to screenprint, and clean as my mom is coming to visit next week. (OMG!) She comes every year to visit my place of employment to see the xmas trees up. And of course to spend time with one of her daughters.

Also: Still looking for a GREAT gift for the lady in your life. Check out my new earring of the month club membership. Once a month for 6 months she'll get a pair of earrings and you can even pick a theme/color for her!

pieces of the sea.

This LOVELY necklace came today in the mail. It is a small piece of Scottish sea pottery. Beautiful pottery that was lost at sea, found and made into a necklace that I bought. I love it. I might make up a great story about it. When I told my boyfriend I got myself a Christmas present he said he was going to buy that for me. but he was too slow, I got to it first.

Let's see... things are picking up. Holidays are coming. It's my favorite time of the year. I have decided I don't care for this layout and will soon change it, hopefully. I also decided I need to get my butt in gear to make December the best month this year. I am starting a list of "should try to do" run/work out more, cook different types of food, go to different restaurants/bars, and be nicer seem to top my list. I also aim to play more videogames, as I have been slipping in that department.

I have lots of adventures planned for December; zoolights, making chicken pot pie for the first time, christmas party, etc. I am very excited.

Okay I will go finish my dinner of pasta...until next time.

black friday sale!

10% off by using coupon code "Thankful" on my etsy page

Hello homemade gifts!

I made two flour sack towels for my grandpa's 90th birthday. Yeah, they are on very thin but HUGE towels for his trailer up north. I screenprinted them on my Yudu. Keith made the design. I kind of love them and cannot wait to screenprint more!

sick and holidays, but not sick of holidays

The Santa Earrings by Loki's Jellybeans

So I have been sick. Like upper respiratory infection, stay in bed, cough your lung out sick. I'm starting to feel human again, which is a plus! But I can no longer sit around in my bed and watch horrible TV (I don't have cable) So today, I plan on working on some jewelry and do some mild cleaning around my apartment. I promise I will take it easy though....

Holidays are coming! They are going to be here sooner then I think they will. I'm buying a lot of homemade gifts, and making some too. I'm screenprinting something, and after Christmas I will post what I made! I'm very excited as this is my first holiday season with etsy, and I'm trying hard to think of some potentially cool gifts I can offer. I'm thinking of making a earring of the month club.

I am learning how to make cluster rings. Which is a slow process considering I was out of the game for about 4 days. Today I will start that again.

This post is not very good. I need to get better at blogging. I will write more when something exciting happens.

HAPPY 80TH SALES to me!

after some sick days and busy days, I'm back to preparing for my next craft show. I'm getting ready to purchase more supplies, and get ready.

Coming soon! New soaps! Bookmarkers! Rings!

a little blue...

Isle of Mull, taken by me

Maybe it's the turn in the weather, or the fact that I have now lived in Chicago more then 4 years. But lately I have been missing Glasgow, Scotland. I miss walking through the park, eating cake for dinner with my friends, dancing at bars until far too late into the night, and of course the chips and cheese. I miss hearing that cute little accent all the time too. I'm really trying to save my money I make from sales and take Keith back with me for a two week vacation.

Don't get me wrong, Chicago has been....nice lately. We are finally getting along pretty well, but of course cold winters are coming up quickly! But there's something...magical about Glasgow. I found this on etsy and fell in love. I really want it. I used to visit there often, I even worked there one day, or maybe two... I was like a traveling museum educator while I was there.

There's no real point to this post, I suppose I am just declaring my goal for this business. Get me back to Scotland for a visit, and I guess bring K with me this time ;)

Me near the Edinburgh Castle

Until then...thinking of Glasgow.

Halloween weekend

So I'm not big on halloween. But Keith is, and my friends and work are all into it. So, I decided to go out last night for some empanadas and martinis. I was a crime scene (because I teach forensics, get it?) and my friend Bridget was NASA Barbie. Great costume!

My was completely homemade, blood spattered shirt, made with paint, with a nice hand smear across it. I had fingerprints, and shoe prints too. Then I fashioned my crime scene scarf across my chest. Bridget went to space camp (amazing right?) then she decorated her flight suit she got there with sequins, and hot pink patches. How creative!


Keith was an old timey bartender. he bought his costume. He looked great. Have a good Halloween kids, and be safe!

My first wholesale!

My robot soap was picked up for whole sale. I think it's so neat. It's available here: http://www.fractalspin.com/products/Robot-Soap.html
but I would recommend buying it on my site ;)

The postman was good to me this week. He delivered three of these amazing bookmarks of Moss from the IT Crowd made by dorkstitch. I love it times infinity.

craft shows and christmas presents

I haven’t written in a long time. I’m sorry. It’s not because I don’t like you, but nothing THAT exciting has been going on. I haven’t made anything drastically new to document or tell you how. I do have a craft show on Saturday I am eagerly getting ready for, and features new resin pendants, and other jewelry. I also included soaps to this show. Look how cute my robot soap is!


Things have been going for me. Real life has gotten in the way of crafting. Work has been busy. Tires have exploded on the Illinois Skyway. my hair is growing. and of course, boyfriend is around.

I have also been Christmas shopping. I know it’s early, but if you spread it out over lots of paychecks, it doesn’t hurt as bad. I have also been working on MY wishlist. I have a list started on everything on etsy I want, it’s way too long. In a new blog I will feature a new favorite seller. At any rate, I thought I would share some of the really neat things I want for Christmas or my birthday or any-time gift. I had to pick and choose since I have 12 pages of favorite items, and even more of my favorite shops. Links are on the photos.




Bird Trouble is run by a really neat-o lady named Alexz (who I met at my hair salon) This cute little pouch is PERFECT for any occasion. How adorable is it?


This yummy looking Pumpkin Pie sugar scrub is made my MyNaturesArt. She is great to work with, and this product looks really great. And pumpkin pie is a YUMMY scent.

I am a HUGE fan of presidents and historical figure. I am also a HUGE fan of senioritis work. I have a Ulysses S. Grant (swoon!) piece from them. and I am eyeing a few more pieces of their work. I do have a soft spot for good old woodrow though...

This precious little Snow White doll made me think of my recent trip to the Magic Kingdom with the boy. Snow White was alwasy my nickname growing up (very pale skin, black hair), so I really like her. I found this doll and fell in love!



Ponder and stitch is a great shop, by a fellow etsy chatter :) She has such cute cuffs! I LOVE the print on this one. It’s so...perfect! How cute!




Recently I visited the exhibit The Fantastic World of Jim Hensen, and it made me think back to my amazing childhood. I found these cute little wallets and really feel in love. How cute!

This one is one of my favorites! Lincoln is a big name in my apartment. I love him ALMOST as much as I love Ulysses S. Grant. Anyway, this photo makes me laugh a lot. I like art prints that do. I have a lot more light hearted art prints then I do serious one. I kind of prefer it that way.

I hope you like my list. I promise times infinity I will write more.

Chicago and jellybeans

I'm very close to my 4 year anniversary with the city of Chicago. We have a very love/hate relationship. Meaning, mostly it hates me.

Yesterday I drove from my apartment to Joanns to pick up some felt, beads, and fabric. The store is about 6 miles from my apartment, a straight shot. It took me 30 minutes to get there, and 45 minutes to get home. WHAT? Oh, and two cars almost hit me because both drivers were on their cellphones. Needless to say, I got home very grumpy and did NOT want to do ANY crafts until I had time to decompress.

So I did, then I made a ton of stuff, including this little guy. My first attempt at a jellybean stuffed plush.
I then cracked open a bottle of wine, and watched the Michigan State Spartans beat Notre Dame in a HUGE upset! AMAZING GAME. This is my new wine stopper thanks to my good friend Bridget. I adore it.I posted a ton of new stuff on my store please check it out.

I am going to go meet up with a high school friend, then go eat empandas. See, Chicago you're not ALL bad...

My purchases!

Saturday, Keith and myself went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. It was located right in the heart of Hipsterville, Wicker Park. After doing some errands, and somethings we had to do, we drove south from my apartment and hit Kohls first. I got these stylish gray knee high boots, and cardigans to match. Thanks to my awesome Mom for buying me new “back to school” clothes. Adorable!

Anyway, we parked up by North on Milwaukee. For those of you in that area, you know how congested that area is, we were lucky to find parking. Anyway, we walked to the show in the rain sharing a brand new umbrella from Kohls. It’s big enough for TWO. (that way we can be close) We got the craft fair after about a 10 minute walk, and I felt instantly overwhelmed. So many booths!

We walked around, and I would “ooh” and “aah” over various things and call Keith into the tent to ask his opinion. We would occasionally walk right past a tent that didn’t catch my eye and he would say “See? This is some people go through craft fairs, we can’t get mad when they don’t stop at our booth.” He’s always so...logical.

Anyway, First thing I got was this AWESOME tangerine and lavender soap from Metropolis Soap Co. It smells heavenly. Seriously I placed it in the bathroom last night, and this morning while getting ready I asked myself outloud what smells SO good? That single bar of soap on my shelf. It’s very bright and playful too. I really like the colors (and smell!)

Then we went to the next tent (or like two away) and ran into this CUTE shop from Seattle, called the cakespyshop. The lady explains she put everything in her bag on the airplane and felt very lucky. I was so interested in her work, I barely listened to her as Keith and her had a chit chat. CUTE CUTE CUTE! My favorite is the wallet with a cupcake with brass knuckles against a pie with a knife.

I was disappointed in their lack of fun jewelry. Most of the stuff I saw was metal, very chunky, heavy pieces that sold for way too much. I did see someone make the ribbon necklace I have tired way better then me.

The Nicole Necklace by Loki's Jellybeans

Only, her’s were actually worth wearing.

We continued on our merry way when Keith found two small pins we wanted to get our friends in a cute card place. I don’t think we caught their name because they were too busy setting up at 11:30, when the show opened at 11. I get that it takes awhile to set up, but I wish more of the vendors were ready to go when the show opened. I felt invasive going into their unfinished booth. We kept going until we found this AWESOME shop,Overdue Industries. It sells planners, coasters, magnets, notebooks, and keychains from images from old books. I was looking through the coaster when I came across a blast from my past- SHE-RA! I knew I needed to have them, so I gladly gave up my $10 for those.

Keith was geeked to see Pixel Party there. We searched all his pins for the perfect one for his labcoat for work. He got some thing I have never heard of. Then Keith got me this cute little Bowser on a kart. Love him, but only if he was baby bowser. He is my favorite!

So we moved on and kept checking out fun little shops. But I found one last place to spend more money. Marmalade Hills is awesome and if from a small suburb next to my hometown. So I explored their store, and tried out there fun lotions. I got a “spa” candle there, meaning you take the wax and it is actually a moisturiser and rub it on your skin. I also got a thing of chapstick, yup I like chapstick far too much.

Overall, good experience. I was let down when the record store D.J.ing played Stuck in the Middle with You which happens to be my favorite song and my ringtone and all these hipsters started rocking out to it, and then I determined I must be a hipster too. Also, lunch was kind of disappointing, but that's what you get from eating at a taco stand that is suspicious.

Oh! I have been so BAD at blogging. Well, I have a excuse, sort of. This week has been very busy. I had my first batch of students at work, and my first girl scout meeting.

Right now we are getting ready to go shopping at Renegade Craft fair.

I will write it about it upon return.

fall!

So fall is coming. fast! and for those up here in the north, that means winter is also coming. I am not sure how I feel about that part, but fall is my favorite. I seriously cannot wait. I have my favorite sweaters ready to wear, and my favorite scarves all picked out.

Fall is also a big time for me to get back on my goal list. Summer is nice, but it’s a.) hot, b.) everyone goes out in summer and around chicago that means a ton of people are everywhere and c.) I love my air conditioning. So alas, I started my goal list again.

Goals:
1.) Make a meatloaf. This may seem like a weird goal, some might think “this isn’t a goal, get a cookbook you dumb girl” Well it’s a goal for me. I don’t cook too much and when I do, it’s mainly the same things. My boyfriend loves meatloaf, so I’m going to try it.
2.) Make an apple pie. I never have. why not?
3.) Pick a recipe book and go through as many recipes as I can, excluding fish. I need to develop my skills in the kitchen. Plus eating at restaurants all the time in Chicago is way too pricey. Recently I started cooking without a cookbook, it’s nice, but I need some variety in my meals.
4.) Make everyone on my list at least ONE Christmas present. This will start this weekend. I will document as I go. Without revealing too much (don’t worry Kim)
5.) Lose this extra weight I added on. I can do this, even if I do want to make meatloafs, apples pies, and various other non-fish recipes right? :) 15 lbs by Christmas. Easy!
6.) Start sewing. I have plans. I just need to check this old machine I have.
7.) Blog more, tweet more, promote my shop more. Yup. enough said.
8.) Run more. I stumbled upon this little gem today. Disney has a marathon! WHAT? I figured if I run it maybe in a year or two, that will give me (and the boy) an excuse to go back so quickly. Since our last trip was ah-mazing there.
9.) Learn one new skill. I’m leaning toward needle felting, although making rings is up there too. Oh decisions, decisions.
10.) Be more positive. Love my family and friends. and be happy.

I think these are pretty sound goals. I have various other things like start modifying stuff, because I find My Little Pony Mods the funniest thing ever. My boyfriend modifies nerf guns now. Who knew?

Oh and watch close to every MSU football game this season. Go State!

This post did not start out to be about me and not my business. But I guess since I make the business why not. My goals are not private, and this way I can make myself do them since they are out in the open now.

I will post more about the shop when there is more to post. Until then.

How cute!

My workmate, Nicole, opened her etsy shop! I have to say it has really adorable things!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/roobedoo

Her shop, named RoobeDoo, is still new to Etsy, but within the first few days of being open sold 5 items! That's pretty good. She focuses on a few different mediums including sewing and jewelry making.

One of the first thing to be bought, which if I would have seen it first I probably would have gotten it! I love dogs (my shop IS named after my puppy) and so does Nicole, I hope this means more dog themed items in the future of her shop.

Anyway, those tiny pouches are amazing and she sells them for real cheap. She is making more to put on her website, so keep an eye out. They really are great! (and handy!)

She really is an amazing sewer. Check out this ridiculously cute bag.

This FUN bracelet is also a great find on etsy. She made it of seaglass, and fossils. It really is cute, and a good way to remember summer as it quickly leaves :(

Overall, go check on Roobedoo, and keep checking it out. It is one of the five shops I check everyday (mine including in that one) to see if she posts more stuff. Add her to your favorites!

NEW NEW NEW

I'm posting a blog later today featuring a new seller.

But until then....


LOKI'S JELLYBEANS HAS A NEW SALE SECTION

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lokibean?section_id=7316678

enjoy

Featuring KimsSweetCreations

I starting talking on Etsy Chat and luckily have met some cool people. One of the sellers I met is KimsSweetCreations. Her shop is great and hasn't had much luck in the sales department, so I wanted to help her out!

Her Swarovski Heart Sterling Silver Necklace

Her shop has some great jewelry pieces, and customer service is very important for her.

This is my favorite piece she has. She has a lot of great dangly earrings!

Visit her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/KimsSweetCreations?page=1
She really is great and produces amazing products! :)

Tomorrow I will be finishing this and making it into a beautiful necklace. Right now it's a pin. Tutorial to follow tomorrow!

a little purple flower

Things have been moving for me. I have sold quite a few things in a short amount of days. I hope my luck continues. I'm learning I really like making jewelry, and I really enjoy my time doing it. It's not a chore.

I wanted a how-to tonight to make THIS amazing dinner: BREADED PORK CHOPS WITH LAVENDER


That being said, I don't have a recipe. I got pork chops. Put them in milk for a bit. Then poured some breadcrumbs mixed with garlic salt, pepper, rosemary, and LAVENDER. I rolled the pork in the breadcrumb mix and baked at 350 for about 40 minutes.

It.was.amazing. Cook with lavender. it will change your life.

blood spatter

this is what happens when I try to make headbands and blood spatter paintings. It's not real blood. only paint :)

blacksmithing

How was everything while we were away? I hope it was as wonderful as my trip.
I got back into the blacksmith shop. For those of you who don't know, I learned how to blacksmith for my job on Mackinac Island. I then volunteered as a blacksmith at a place around here, but didn't continue because of some issues (including distance to get there, etc).
Anyway, I got back into the shop and this time I brought Keither with me.

Handsome Keith, suiting up.

Dave, the blacksmith, teaching Keith the trade

Me blacksmithing.

What Keith made


What I made. the leaf is a necklace.

We are on a mini-vacation. Back Monday with inspiration!

Craft Fair

I want to post more of my photos from the craft fair, but they are in my boyfriend's dad's camera back in Kzoo, Michigan. So these two will have to do until then:

My booth.

First sale. (to Keith's mom!)

All-in-all the craft show went pretty well. For my first show, being at the end of the fair with at least 12 other jewelry tents, and the same weekend as Lollapoolza, I think it went really well!

More photos later.

embracing my child-like personality

I have been using my Etsy account regularly now for almost 4 months (oh my goodness!!!!) One of the first shops I found, is also one of my favorite shops ever!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CharlieCarter

Charlie Carter makes some amazingly adorable things. They focus on jewelry and charms made out of polymer clay which I promise will put a smile on your face! I have gotten two things from their page:

boo earrings

I wear all the time! They are always ready to go with me when I go on vacation, which has been a lot this summer. I get compliments on them. They are lightweight, anf are a very fun dangly earring to wear.

I also got:

A custom order Bender and Fry Cellphone charms from Futurama.

My boyfriend and I are super adorable and get best friend keychains/charms when we see them. I order him this for this birthday. I got Fry (my favorite!) and he got Bender. We both love them and wear them at work (him on his ID, and mine on my keys) It was a PERFECT gift.

I plan on buying more of CharlieCarter's stuff very soon, and for presents. They are perfect and remind me of all good things. Here are some more of my favorites:

http://http://www.etsy.com/listing/52925548/beaker-and-bunsen-cufflinks-muppets

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50705972/4-piece-sesame-street

http://www.etsy.com/listing/24176484/bigger-glow-worm-charmface-glows-in-the

Cute cute cute! CharlieCarter is a great etsy seller. She's prompt with replies and shipping. She also has really quality products. Well, keep up the hard work CharlieCarter. Your stuff is amazing!

getting ready for a craft show

I'm slowly but surely getting ready for this craft show this weekend. I am doing a craft show in the Chicago region, so I quickly made up these little gems to sell.

As well as some more resin pedants. I also painted my cork board to get ready for the necklaces.
I also made some new hairpins! Look how cute!!!!!

I'm preparing for this thing. but! if you need anything custom ordered let me know lokisjellybeans@gmail.com