Boutique By Bonnie

Pewter Kokopelli

2010-11-20T12:08:00.001-07:00

I have my entire shop on sale for the Holidays! This lead-safe pewter kokopelli necklace is now only $8.50. Stop by and check out the other great deal now available in my Etsy store!

55 Pearls Bracelet

2010-06-03T18:41:00.001-06:00

Do you like fives? I used 55 pale gray Pearls for this 3-strand bracelet. Three antiqued focal beads line up in the center of this romantic bracelet.

This bracelet is ideal for smaller wrists, although it's adjustable from 6" to 7" long. It's 3/4" wide and closes with a lobster claw clasp and chain.

On Leave

2010-01-06T17:52:00.002-07:00

2010 is well underway and I'm travelling more than ever for my job. As a result, I've put my Etsy store and my blog on indefinite hold. I hate to do it, but I can't keep it up while I'm on the road every other week. I hope you'll continue to follow me and tune in for the re-launch sometime down the line (teaser: look for a switch to a photography focus).

Best of luck in the new year and thank you for supporting Boutique By Bonnie!

Holiday Traditions

2009-12-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

Everyone says the Christmas season is getting longer and longer, with some stores putting out decorations right after Halloween. So how come I feel like it’s getting shorter and shorter? I feel good that I have most of my gifts purchased and my outside lights up, but I haven’t done Christmas cards or put much at all up inside the house. As usual I feel the rush of time as the clock counts down.

As a child Christmas seemed like a slow progression family traditions. First, the catalogs from JCPenney and Sears would come. We’d pour over the Toy sections for hours before circling our final “wish list” choices. Next we’d go get the tree. Often we’d cut our own and that was a grand adventure in finding the perfect tree. Not that the perfect tree had to be “perfect.” I remember trees with big holes that were perfect for handmade preschool ornaments. One year we had a hole so big my dad drilled a hole in the trunk and stuck an extra branch in to fill a gap. We didn’t care, as long as we got to drown it with tinsel at the end! Then there would be a day dedicated to homemade Christmas cookies. Frosting those cookies was half art and half competition. And finally, after gift buying, cookie eating, wrapping, the hanging of stockings with care, and Midnight Mass, finally it would be Christmas morning! Now that part seemed to go quickly, but what a joy!

Does anybody still make time to bake cookies from scratch or go cut down a real tree? Are your stockings homemade or store-bought? What Christmas traditions have you held on to that allow you to slow down and enjoy the season? My time comes at night when the tree is the only light in the room. Maybe “Silent Night” is playing or maybe it’s just plain silent. I can do without the cards and the cookies as long as I have that moment.

Guns and Dolls

2009-11-16T17:22:00.001-07:00

I’ve been travelling quite a bit in the plains states of the Midwest lately and I’ve noticed something. Go into any Interstate gas station/restaurant/store combo and there are dolls. There are fancy dolls under glass in frilly frocks and fancy bonnets. There are whole shops within a shop devoted to dolls. And then I found these:

Yes, darling, you can have your very own cloth “mini-me.” She’s already been stuffed and hung from the ceiling with care. She’s just waiting for you! Would you like “Suicide Sally” or maybe “Noosy Nellie?” Why are you crying, dear?

Seriously, this has to be the creepiest way to display a doll I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure I understand the underground doll culture that seems to exist here. But I do remember, having grown up in Wisconsin, that “Gun and Doll” shows were quite popular. I don’t really get the connection, but I suppose if the hubby likes guns, the missus must like dolls, right? Uh, maybe. Maybe the doll culture is just as strong as the gun culture and you have to be a member to understand it. In fact, maybe the NRA shot these poor rag dolls before they were stuffed and strung up for public viewing. Maybe.

One of my favorite things

2009-11-09T18:47:00.001-07:00

Pillows of Kambaba Jasper hang from hammered silver hoops in these elegant earrings. The swirling greens of these stones would compliment any Christmas outfit as the silver catches the light. Check out these earrings and the matching bracelet in my Etsy store!

Inspiration

2009-11-03T19:45:00.001-07:00

I have to admit I’ve been fairly uninspired lately. It’s partly because I’ve been traveling up to two weeks a month for work. Weekends are about relaxing and laundry and catching up on household chores. On one of my trips I bought a green ceramic pendant and brought it home. Every so often I’d pick it up and try to picture it in a finished piece. Nothing. Nothing good, anyway. (I wish I had a photo to insert here, but I’m writing this on the road!).

Finally, inspiration came in the form of a 40th birthday party invitation. This friend had purchased several pieces from me in the past so I knew her taste and wanted to create a necklace just for her. This woman has a natural style so I used a dark brown suede cord as stringing material. I accented the pendant with antiqued silver beads, dark brown glass beads, and some knots to hold it in place. I have to say I liked the result! I left the length unfinished so she could choose how long she wanted it. The reward? She absolutely loves it! And she doesn’t want me to finish the length – she likes being able to knot it at any length she wants.

Inspiration followed by the instant gratification of seeing the piece in the hands of a happy friend if hard to beat! It makes me wonder if I should only do custom pieces from now on. I like the creative challenge of matching the piece with the person, and I certainly like delivering it directly into the hands of a grateful recipient.

Black and White Badlands

2009-10-27T19:15:00.001-06:00

Christmas Earrings are back!

2009-10-25T15:51:00.002-06:00

The Christmas earrings are back in my Etsy store! I’ve listed them at super-low prices because hey, they’re just for fun after all!

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening… ?

I’ve Been Jinxed

2009-10-20T19:51:00.001-06:00

I’m starting to think I’ve been jinxed on this business trip. Either that or this particular hotel has a jinx. Upon check-in, the staff couldn’t find my reservation, even after I provided my printed confirmation. They gave me a room as a walk in, but also made me stand there for 20 minutes while they called the reservation website’s customer service. The next day, my keycard wouldn’t work. Add on one more trip down three floors to the front desk to have it re-coded. Next I tried to use their nicely equipped business center only to find the printer wouldn’t work. It kept saying “No Paper” even though the tray was full. Add one more trip to the front desk. After a highly delicate procedure involving slamming the tray in as hard as possible numerous times, the printer still did not work. So much for being productive.

It’s too bad I’m having all these little problems because this is actually a great hotel. I not only have conditioner and hand lotion (which not all hotels provide anymore), but there is mouthwash, a shower cap and two kinds of tea. The free breakfast even includes scrambled eggs and bacon, which is great for people like me who don’t want the huge sugar waffle. I hope that nothing else goes wrong to detract from my stay, but to be safe, I think I’ll stay away from the fitness center and the pool!

No Reruns

2009-10-16T22:23:00.001-06:00

So I had this brilliant and inspired thought for a blog post, but in the back of my mind was this nagging idea that I had written about this subject before. I looked back in my archives and yes, I had written about in in July! So I am back at square one with no brilliant idea.

I admit I haven’t written many thoughtful blog posts lately. I’ve been travelling for a week at a time for work and, well, you know how it goes. I still love all my blog followers and those that I follow! I just wish I had more time to interact with everyone. Perhaps tomorrow will bring some (truly) new inspiration!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T19:34:00.001-06:00

Early Bird Free Shipping for Christmas!

2009-10-05T18:01:00.002-06:00

The chill in the night air tells me that the weeks are flying by, and soon it will be time to think of snow and colored lights and presents under the tree. I’ve started choosing gifts for those special people in my life, and maybe you have, too.

For all my blog readers, I’d like to offer FREE SHIPPING on any order in my shop from now until December 31, 2009 (U.S only). Just type “freeblogship” in the “Note to Seller” and I’ll refund your shipping fees through PayPal! If that’s too hard to remember, don’t worry. Just write me a note that you saw the Free Shipping offer on my blog! There’s no item limit on this offer, so enjoy shopping! Visit my store at http://www.boutiquebybonnie.etsy.com

Wordless Wednesday - Poudre River Fall

2009-09-30T08:07:00.002-06:00

Wednesday Pet Peeves

2009-09-23T17:49:00.004-06:00

I'm just wondering, why do so many public bathrooms have the tissue dispenser placed in the absolute worst possible place? Do the (male) contractors laugh out loud when installing it, thinking of us poor ladies being forced to sit sideways or trying to bend our wrist in a way that nature never intended? I mean, come on people. You don't need a degree in ergonomics to get it right, just a little common sense.

And one more pet peeve... To all you fast food drive-through employees out there, what part of "That's all" don't you understand? I don't want the dollar biscuit or the upgraded drink or even the chocolate sundae (and no, I don't want to try the new combo meal today). I'm a big girl and I've been choosing my own meals for a long time now, thank you.

That's all.

Thankful

2009-09-17T18:49:00.003-06:00

I've been wondering what to blog about, because it's been an emotional week for me. Emotional enough for me to think, "middle age is when you start going to more funerals than weddings." Pretty dark, eh? Of course that's not true. We all suffer the loss of loved ones. Some go too soon, others live to a grand old age. I am lucky this week. My uncle, who is in the hospital with a breathing tube down his throat, is expected to recover. Two days ago doctors told his family to say "good-bye." Two days ago I was ready to challenge anyone who believed in the power of prayer. But today I am only thankful. He's not out of the woods by any stretch, but he's improving and that is wonderful news.

So yes, I debated about such a personal post, and in the end I have left out some details. But life hangs on a thread and we all need to reach out and show our love while we have a chance. You never know when your time, or someone else's, will be over.

New Pieces!

2009-09-13T16:53:00.001-06:00

It’s been weeks since I made any new pieces, so today I took advantage of the dreary weather and took some time to create. I managed to create or finish off eight new pieces! The shorter days mean I need to think about boosting the inventory in my Etsy store for Christmas. Let’s hope it’s a good season for handmade this year.

These wire earrings took me a long time because I’m not great at wire work! They’re a variation on a design I saw in a jewelry makers magazine.

Sticking with the copper theme, these are the first ear wires that I’ve made by hand. The stones are a green jade.

The Red Accent

2009-09-10T19:15:00.002-06:00

Today I’m highlighting this red coral necklace, hoping to sell it before the listing expires on the 16th! Red coral is set off by puffed silver filigree beads in this 17" long necklace. It’s finished with a self-closing lobster claw clasp. The cheerful red is great all year round but especially for the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. And best of all, it’s under $20!

Fall Cometh

2009-09-03T20:31:00.001-06:00

Have a long, peaceful Labor Day weekend!

Scary Creatures

2009-08-26T12:21:00.002-06:00

I’m tired of finding scary bugs in scary places. Last time I changed my sheets I uncovered a black spider just sitting there under my fitted sheet, right where I always sleep. It must have been divine providence that I chose to change the sheets at just the right time to discover and kill him. Creepy. And then there’s the shower incident. I’m standing there, face full of soap, I pull my washcloth toward me under the spray, and an Earwig falls out of it (without contacts I have to assume it was an Earwig). I can tell you I dropped that washcloth like a hot potato and couldn’t WAIT to get out of that shower.

I’ve learned to check the shower for bugs before getting in, but I never thought to check my washcloth. I know these small creatures can’t hurt me, but they sure scare the bee-geesis out of me! I don’t like them and I don’t want them in my house. But, since I refuse to move to a concrete jungle, I have to accept sharing space with the intruders. Some of them are so creepy that I physically cannot kill them without letting out a series of embarrassing girl shrieks and hopping around like a mad woman. Just approaching for the kill raises my anxiety to dangerous levels. What if it moves? Oh, I don’t want to see it move! Can it jump at me? Oh, I hate this. Why do I have to do this myself?

But I am a strong, independent grown-up woman, so I do the thing that frightens me. I’d love to say I am stronger for it, but next time I’m faced with a big ugly spider don’t be surprised if you hear me whimpering like a school girl!

My Casting Call

2009-08-19T19:29:00.001-06:00

I was going to do a “Wordless Wednesday” today but I realized it’s been a while since I’ve written a true blog entry. So if it’s alright, I’m just going to ramble for a while. In shop news, I had a nice surprise this week when someone ordered five items. That hasn’t happened since the pre-Christmas days! A thing like that can certainly brighten your day. :)

Last week I was completely stressed out at my day job, but then I decided to let go of the worry and things got much better. It’s hard to keep those outside forces and pressures from getting into your bloodstream. Once inside they’re like a poison until you let go.

I’ve been watching that new reality series on Discovery Channel – The Colony (read about 'The Colony' here). Ten volunteers try to survive for ten weeks following a (simulated) global catastrophe. I’m amazed at what they’ve managed to build from what was lying around the warehouse. In my opinion the “cross section” of society they’ve chosen is heavily skewed toward engineers and scientists. I think a more realistic scenario would look something like this:

Meg – a 30-year-old 3^rd grade teacher

Benjamin – an 11-year-old boy that Meg has taken under her wing

Henry – a bank president who doesn’t even do his own yardwork

Paul – a retired machinist. He can build stuff but has arthritis.

Susan – a SAHM mom who lost her kids in the catasrophe

Danielle – a 22 year-old cocktail waitress and art student

Robert – a computer programmer and a deacon at his church

Javier – an 42-year-old insurance sales rep

Jennifer – Javier’s wife. Sells real estate and has a quick temper.

David – a 24-year-old physical therapist

I have to wonder if this group would be able to build a wood gasifier to run a handmade generator that runs a daisy-chained bank of batteries that goes to a converter that outputs A/C power. Or would they just build a campfire, make their own oil lamps, defend themselves with clubs, and trade the power tools for food??

Chrysocolla Earrings

2009-08-09T13:33:00.001-06:00

I just listed these double Chrysocolla earrings. This is such a gorgeous stone with it’s shades of blue and green all swirled together. I was lucky to find a strand of it in a small mom-and-pop shop last year and fell in love with it.

I sold a pair of these a few months ago that only had one bead each. These match a necklace and bracelet I already have for sale in my etsy store.

Four days in Kansas

2009-08-04T19:34:00.002-06:00

Plane ticket: $340

Hotel room: $80

Six pack of beer from my hometown: $8

Wireless Internet in the middle of Kansas: Priceless

Traveling for business is not glamorous, at least not in my profession. But it does offer a chance to see parts of the country I would never visit otherwise. It's a chance to break away from my regular routine and the chair I sit in 8 hours a day. It's a chance to meet new people in new places and prove I can navigate in a strange environment (both literally and figuratively). But in a few days I'll be more than ready for that trip home again!

Say Yes?

2009-07-31T21:17:00.001-06:00

I’ve been sitting here watching episodes of “Say Yes to the Dress.” If you haven’t seen it, the show is set in a high-end bridal salon and features stories of brides shopping for wedding dresses. It got me thinking about my own wedding dress. I found it at a bridal fair. While looking through a catalog at a booth I turned the page, slammed my finger down, and said “that’s the dress.” It was the first dress I tried on and the one I ended up buying. And the kicker? It cost less than $400. I think it’s because it didn’t have a train (trane?).

Looking back, it could have been fit better to my body, but on the day I felt special and beautiful. It’s hard to believe women spend $5,000+ on a dress when that’s not what I remember about my wedding day. I remember the way my husband’s tux felt under my hands, I remember I was so nervous before walking down the aisle I didn’t know what side I was supposed to be on. I remember the happiness on my husband’s face during the ceremony and the fun we had during the reception.

Sure, I would have loved a $7,000 dress, but that’s not what the day was about. The day was about a big party to start our lives together – a party we were paying for ourselves. Part of me wishes I had spent more and pulled out more stops, but in the end it’s just one day. And all the beading and lace in the world won’t buy you a happy marriage.

New Listings for Sunday!

2009-07-26T14:36:00.001-06:00

New Listings!

2009-07-19T12:30:00.002-06:00

I’m slowly getting around to adding new items to my etsy store. People get bored with seeing the same items being renewed so adding fresh pieces is essential.

This Picture Jasper necklace has a Southwest look and features nine rectangular “shards” as the centerpiece. I love the natural variations in this stone.

I also added this precious bracelet of pale pink glass beads. At 5.75 inches, it’s perfect for any girl who loves pink. A heart clasp finishes off this darling piece.

Rustic Woven Metal Fish Necklace

2009-07-14T21:00:00.001-06:00

I just listed this necklace in my Etsy store, and something about it is very appealing to me. I love the antiqued metal and the way it’s woven to create the fish pendant. It gives the whole piece a rustic handmade look that I think appeals to both women and men.

The simple black cord doesn’t distract from the focal pendant, which is accented by blue glass beads. This is the first of several pieces I finally got photographed to list!

Front Stoop – The Old Farmhouse

2009-07-08T20:09:00.001-06:00

Home Again

2009-07-05T19:31:00.002-06:00

I’ve returned home from my road trip with a few mosquito bites, a bit of a tan and a lot of memories. I even made a sale in my etsy store while I was gone. A bracelet very similar to the one in this photo sold. That always seems to happen when I’m away for a few days! It must be the watched pot phenomenom.

Tomorrow I go back to my day job, but I think the break has done me good. In fact, I vote that we all get five weeks of vacation a year instead of two!

Travel Notes

2009-06-30T22:18:00.001-06:00

Vacations are to remind you who you are outside of work. Who the REAL you is, They can take you away and immerse you in a brand new view of the world. I’m two days into my vacation and have already had plenty of memorable moments. I’ve sat on a rock facing the Cathedral Spires at sunset. I’ve driven through the Black Hills national forest in morning light. I’ve gazed across fields of yellow flowers as far as the eyes can see. And I’ve seen a double rainbow end to end after a short Summer squall. And all that was just part of getting to the family reunion.

I believe we all need to get out into nature to replenish ourselves. My favorite view is any one that just makes me say, “thank you.” Thank you for putting me here in this spot at this time and creating something so beautiful.

Sweet Summertime

2009-06-25T14:42:00.001-06:00

OK, maybe not so sweet when it’s too hot to do anything outside – and we haven’t even hit the 90’s yet. Thankfully I got some help putting in my window air conditioner today which provides much needed relief! We didn’t have air conditioning in the home I grew up in and I remember retreating to the lowest level of our split level home seeking the cooler air. I’m thankful that Colorado is dry and humidity is rarely a problem. Still, I think I may move downstairs to the guest room during the hot spells that I know are coming (I say that every year, but this year by George I may just get smart and do it).

Summer vacations are in full swing and I have a houseful of company this week. We’ve been busy playing tourist and running all over the Front Range. Next week I’ll be the one travelling to a family reunion on my mom’s side of my family. I won’t be back until July, which is just around the corner already. It will be a road trip that will take me through the Black Hills of South Dakota and I’m planning to make some photography stops. If I have a chance I’ll post a photo or two next week, otherwise you may not see an update for a week or so. Enjoy the rest of June!

Green Goddess Necklace

2009-06-19T20:34:00.001-06:00

This is a necklace I’ve had listed for a while that’s pretty gorgeous. I love Peace Jade with it’s mixture of white and green. I paired it with diamond shaped green Serpentine and teardrops of Green Aventurine. A few antiqued pewter spacers and a heart toggle clasp finish the look. Green is my favorite color so of course I find this necklace especially attractive!

Click on the picture to see more photos of this necklace!

And the Robin says ”cheep”

2009-06-15T18:55:00.001-06:00

Ok, someone asked for more bird photos, and they seemed to be popular, so here’s one more. Just your every day backyard Robin, captured in mid “cheep.” I took this photo this evening shortly after another severe storm passed through. We’ve had nine days in a row with severe afternoon weather! This bird also wasn’t a bit afraid of my cats on the deck. Maybe they aren’t the fearsome hunters I imagine they are.

A Shout Out to the United Kingdom

2009-06-14T17:08:00.005-06:00

It took me a long time to add international shipping to my store. I guess I was afraid of underestimating shipping costs and the imagined hazards and pitfalls of mailing overseas. If you remember, I officially started offering international shipping about a month ago. I tried to get the word out, but saw no results. Now, suddenly, my last two sales have been to the U.K.! I'm always happy to make a sale and it's gratifying to know my overseas buyers are out there and have found me. So I just wanted to give a 'shout out' to my international friends and say, don't be shy! I'm open for business!

Bird photos with new lens

2009-06-10T19:54:00.003-06:00

My new toys arrived today! As soon as I got home from work I opened up the boxes containing my new 70-200mm lens and the 1.4x extender and slapped them on my camera. Well, first I attached the UV filter to protect my nice new lens. I attached the lens hood, took a quick peek at the owners manual to see which Image Stabilization setting to use, and headed out onto the deck. My yard is home to a lot of birds and this young fellow came right out to see why my cats seemed to think the deck belonged to them (I think maybe he’s not too smart yet)!

A bit farther away, the rest of his family gathered to call out warnings and insults to me and the cats. I don’t even know what kind of birds these are. I much prefer my house finches and mourning doves. Anyway, they provided a nice little test handholding my new lens to see how the IS works.

Girl’s Pink Necklace on Sale!

2009-06-09T19:01:00.003-06:00

I’d rather sell it than renew it, so I’ve marked down this pink donut necklace to just $8 until the June 15th renewal date! It’s made of rose quartz chip beads and the swirled donut is acrylic. The pink and white color scheme of this piece makes it the perfect girl’s gift. This Rose Quartz necklace is 16.5" long with a 2" drop for the pendant. Click the photo for more info!

Spring Hail

2009-06-08T20:03:00.001-06:00

We’ve been having wonderful Spring weather in Colorado, and by that I mean it’s anything goes! Just about every afternoon you can count on some rain clouds building up over the mountains until they can’t hold any more and it pours for all of about 10 minutes or so! Sunday the weather was wildly unsettled with tornados on the plains and hail at my home in the foothills. Hail is pretty common here due to the elevation. I treasure these Spring rain storms because I know that soon it will turn hot and dry. But for now, everything is green and the sky is a wonder to watch.

New Camera Lens Coming!

2009-06-03T20:35:00.002-06:00

Yay, I just gave in and ordered myself the camera lens I've been wanting for six months! I also ordered a new tripod head, a good UV filter for my new lens and a 1.4x extender. That's a small piece you put between your camera body and lens to extend the range of the lens. It's a less expensive and less bulky way to get some extra telephoto.

I'm excited to get these new pieces and give them some serious use at my upcoming family reunion. I visualize some great portrait and candid shots along with landscapes in and around the old family ranch. Every time I get a new lens it becomes my "favorite" and I expect nothing less this time. But, like children, each lens is unique and they're ALL my favorite!

Gone Fishing

2009-06-01T18:36:00.001-06:00

I’m finally over being sick for five days. Here’s to better health!

I did go out on Saturday and visit a bead shop I’ve never been to. They had some interesting, affordable items, including this fish pendant that I snagged for 75% off. I strung it on this simple knotted cord and it’s all finished except for the clasp.

I also picked up this piece of Blue Coral (which looks black actually). I like the shape but I’m not sure about the accent beads. The cord is round rubber, but it seems a bit flimsy for the piece. What do you think?

Sales have been slow in my etsy store lately, but I like to keep adding new items. Got to keep it fresh! Of course these items aren’t listed yet since they’re not finished.

Long Weekend, Short Trip

2009-05-26T18:55:00.003-06:00

Sorry for the long absence, but I took advantage of the long weekend to make a short trip to see a dear friend in California. The best part is I missed all the rain here and enjoyed perfect sunny skies! While in California I got my toes painted, drank some Sangria, and laughed myself silly - well worth the trip! Now I need a week (or four) to recover! Do you think they'd miss me at work? Thankfully this is a short week. The trick is to take the laughter and the love from this last weekend and stretch it out. Every time I look at my "fancy feet" I'll remember my visit and feel good inside. I'll be reminded to nurture the parts of myself that are uniquely me; the quirky parts, the talented parts and even the flawed parts. Because it's the flawed parts that make room for another person to come in and make you better than you are on your own.

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Wordless Wednesday – Crazy Horse Stone

2009-05-20T18:54:00.002-06:00

Really off-topic music post

2009-05-16T14:12:00.001-06:00

This morning I dusted off the boxed set of Baroque music CD’s that my musical sister gave me many years ago. I needed to be refreshed – to get out of the repeating soundtrack of my life. Actually, last night I was thinking about making a list of my favorite songs of all time, and the earliest ones that came to mind were from the 1980’s. Then I thought, why not go earlier? Surely some songs from the 60’s deserve to make the list! But then I thought, why not go even earlier? What about Classical music? And so here I am, reconnecting with Classical music.

I’ve always loved the layering of melody and tempo in Baroque music especially. Who doesn’t know the Pachelbel Canon or Handel’s Water Music or Vivaldi’s Four Seasons? The Pachelbel Canon carries the listener along like a leaf in a mountain stream that trips and plays along, until it finally reaches a pristine mountain lake. If Pachelbel is water, then Vivaldi is air – just as playful, but soaring through the treetops instead of dancing on the water. Handel, I think, is more like a row of large trees – impressive but orderly and purposeful. Sadly, my favorite Baroque piece is not included these CDs – Bach’s Sleepers Awake. It’s a simple “song” that I fell in love with when we sang the choral version in high school.

Isn’t that great? I actually do feel smarter, more peaceful and even more motivated when I listen to Classical music. The pieces are complex and beautiful and written with passion and genius. Not to mention the talent it takes to perform them. If these notes can enter my brain and leave behind just a bit of that, then I’m the better for it.

Girl’s Are Pretty in Pink

2009-05-13T19:03:00.001-06:00

Last weekend I made this cute little bracelet designed for a girl’s small wrist. The pale pink glass beads and heart-shaped toggle clasp make it a sweet accessory. I like that the pink is delicate and not overpowering. It’s not listed in my Etsy store yet, but hopefully I’ll get it uploaded soon.

The Office

2009-05-12T18:57:00.001-06:00

Have you ever had a day that left you feeling like a failure at your job? Today was not so great. I made a mistake. Actually, I made the mistake last year but I just caught it yesterday. I compounded that mistake by not fessing up to my boss right away (Note to self: Bring potentially bad situations to your boss’s attention before he gets a call from the client).

My reward was a visit to the principal, er, I mean the boss’s office to explain what happened. For the rest of the afternoon I felt like a big fat failure whose lousy at her job. I’m sure I can shake it off by tomorrow. And I did learn some important lessons. Now I have to step it up and bring my “A” game. Man, I hate phrases like that!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T19:07:00.001-06:00

Now Shipping Internationally!

2009-05-03T15:44:00.001-06:00

Finally, I’ve added true international shipping to my Etsy store! I’ve been intimidated by international shipping (beyond Canada) for too long, so I’ve finally taken the plunge. Why put up road blocks to increased sales? Jewelry is light and easy to ship at reasonable prices. And now that I’ve done a couple, the customs forms aren’t so scary. I do hope the international buyers will find me. Etsy doesn’t make it easy to highlight the fact that you offer International shipping. I want to welcome all my readers from overseas and thank you for sticking with me!

Landscape Stone Pendant

2009-05-01T20:03:00.002-06:00

Here’s a pendant I made last weekend. This gorgeous oval Landscape Stone pendant is wrapped in copper wire and hung on a rust colored suede cord. Landscape stone displays natural earth-tone patterns reminiscent of a painted desert landscape. I really love the natural pattern and colors!

This necklace is 25 inches long and finished with a toggle clasp. The pendant measures 1.75 inches long by 1.15 inches wide (41mm x 30mm). I hope you like it!

Wordless Wednesday - Aspen

2009-04-29T18:33:00.000-06:00

More shop tinkering

2009-04-27T19:07:00.001-06:00

Tonight I’m taking a tip from Timothy Adams and adjusting some of the prices in my Etsy store. I raised the prices on several items and lowered the price on a couple others. Timothy points out that people will gravitate to a medium priced item in most buying situations. How do you raise your median price? By significantly raising the price of a few items to create a new “ceiling.” I probably fall in to the trap of pricing my items low, thinking no one will buy them otherwise. So many of us undervalue our work. I still think my prices are low, but I have a greater range now.

As a reverse experiment, I took a group of nearly identical items, my men’s chokers, and reduced the price on one of them by $1. By making one item look like an accidental value, it should be more attractive. I’ve tried so hard to keep prices consistent in my store that perhaps there hasn’t been any incentive to buy one piece over another. I’ll be interested to see if I notice any changes in sales from this.

A new look for an old listing – Spring cleaning for your store.

2009-04-26T15:28:00.001-06:00

I’ve slowly started taking new photos for old listings that need an update. This Sodalite bracelet is one of the first items I listed in my Etsy store. The listing only had two product photos and I wasn’t 100% happy with how the photos looked. I think the pink just didn’t reflect my own taste, to be honest.

I’ve kept the pink photo in the line-up, but my new main photograph is clear and simple. The background does not distract from the colors of the stones or try to convey a specific mood. The bracelet gets to be the star. In addition, it’s more in line with the other photos in my store. I will admit, my store doesn’t have a fully consistent look, but I’m trying to steer toward that goal. I have two more of these Sodalite pieces to update, and then the pink will be gone!

Another key to updating a listing is to tweak the Title, body text and tags. I actually found an error in the body of this listing that had been there for a year! And then I saw that I was only using eight tags! It’s so important to use all 14 tags if possible so that you show up in Searches.

Now I feel like this is a new listing instead of an old one. It’s modern and updated and I feel proud to call it my own. How’s your store looking? Is it time to do some Spring cleaning?

Vote for my photo!

2009-04-25T13:09:00.004-06:00

I entered this photo in Timothy Adam's product photo contest on his Handmadeology blog. I'd sure appreciate your vote, so here is the link! http://timothyadam.cheddrmedia.com/iframe/310-Etsy-Worthy-Photo-Contest/entries/1635-Chunky-Green-Bracelet.html

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T19:57:00.003-06:00

Cow in downtown Anchorage.
Copyright Bonnie Stotz 2005

Moss Agate and Cross Earrings

2009-04-18T18:33:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to share my newest creation. I didn't realize until I finished them that the diagonal wire wrap on the agates match the binding on the cross charms. Sometimes design decisions come from subtle clues!

These have just been listed in my Etsy store.

Rainy Day Deer

2009-04-17T20:44:00.002-06:00

Our Spring storm has so far dumped more rain and slush than snow, but that will likely change overnight! I caught these deer in my backyard around 6 p.m. enjoying a soggy evening romp. Usually I only have six deer, but this time I counted eight!

And the winner is…

2009-04-16T18:48:00.002-06:00

I’m happy to announce that Judy Richards Shubert is the winner of my Tax Relief Earring Giveaway!

You can find Judy online everywhere, but be sure to visit her blog, Food Gratitude, and her Etsy store, Edna Alice Designs. Judy also has a real interest in genealogy and cemeteries. Judy has won her choice of the earrings in my giveaway.

A big Thank You to everyone who entered my Giveaway and stopped by my blog in the last few weeks! According to comments, the favorite item in my Etsy store seems to be these Moss Green Earrings. That’s interesting since I gave away a pair just like this in my last Giveaway! I love them too, and these earthy flower beads are some of my favorites. But I also love hearing which of my “lesser known” pieces get noticed by certain readers. It’s nice to see that every piece has it’s fans!

Well, I hope Tax Day was kind to everyone this year. The good news is, we don’t have to do it again for another year!

Success!!

2009-04-14T19:24:00.003-06:00

The graphics card for my new monitor finally arrived and now my 22" widescreen looks fantastic! The colors in my photos, like the one below, are really popping now!

Installing the card was super easy and once I got the drivers downloaded, bingo! I have so much more S P A C E to work on my photographs now. Yay!
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Now remember, my GIVEAWAY ends 4/15/2009!!!
Click the link below to enter now!
http://boutiquebybonnie.blogspot.com/2009/03/tax-relief-giveaway.html

Photo: Pewitt's Nest near Baraboo, WI. Copyright 2008 Bonnie Stotz

What I Made Today

2009-04-11T19:22:00.004-06:00

Today I made these gorgeous Kambaba Jasper Earrings! I’ve always loved this stone, especially in the soft square pillows that I used here. One thing I like about these earrings is the contrast. The shape of the round hammered hoops contrasts with the square stones. Also the shiny texture of the silver contrasts with the camoflauge pattern and color of the Jasper. The end result is both exotic and elegant!

Today I also made this simple necklace which could be worn by woman or a man. The pewter pendant is lead-free and the necklace can be worn with or without the glass accent beads. I’ve always liked pewter and got some of these pendants a few weeks ago. They make wonderful casual necklaces like this one.

Both of these items have just been listed in my Etsy store.

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Click HERE to enter my GIVEAWAY!

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I also did some "retakes" for items already in my shop that needed a fresh start. Good photos are so essential, and sometimes you just need to put a new face on old listings!

Spring Sunshine – at last!

2009-04-07T18:38:00.002-06:00

I finally feel like Spring has arrived because I’m doing my favorite thing – sitting on my back deck in the sun listening to the birds. The cats are out with me and there’s a slight breeze in the air. The hectic work day is already a memory and all that remains is to relax and be still. The flowers aren’t up yet and last week’s snow is stubbornly hanging on in the shade, but none of that matters. What matters is this glorious sunshine. Driving home around the reservoir with the sunroof open and “Cecelia” on the radio is about as close to pure happiness as you can get.

Humans are strange animals. Why is it that a song or the weather can have such an effect on our moods? Outside influences have so much power over us. Take this perfect late afternoon and add just a bit more wind or a neighbor using a leaf blower and it would be ruined. I suppose that’s why I appreciate the perfection so much. I know that it is short-lived. I know that I need to absorb every moment and store it up against the not-so-perfect days that always come. So I’ll sit here just a few minutes longer and soak up the first day of Spring. Right now, at this moment, life is good.

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Looking for my GIVEAWAY? Click here! http://boutiquebybonnie.blogspot.com/2009/03/tax-relief-giveaway.html

Welcome to Widescreen

2009-04-04T13:13:00.002-06:00

My new 22” widescreen monitor arrived yesterday! I wanted more screen area for editing photos and decided one widescreen would be sleeker than a two monitor setup. I decided on the Dell 2209WA because it’s affordable and has an IPS panel. Yes, I had to learn a couple things about LCD monitors. I found out that most monitors have a TN panel, but for photo editing an IPS panel provides better color rendition. Maybe I should have done even more research because since hooking it up I’ve discovered (surprise) that my seven-year-old computer does not have a graphics card to support the widescreen resolution. As if I know how to install a graphics card, or know anything about power supplies or AGP or PCI or all these other terms I’m coming across!

I will not panic. I can do this. I will find the solution. Hopefully that solution won’t be buying a whole new computer. I’m still satisfied with the performance (mostly) of my old one. For now I’ll just enjoy the wide open spaces of my new screen.

Looking for my earring GIVEAWAY? Here it is: http://boutiquebybonnie.blogspot.com/2009/03/tax-relief-giveaway.html

Dangle Shell Earrings

2009-03-31T20:55:00.002-06:00

I wanted to feature these dangle shell earrings because I think they’re pretty great! They’re the only pair I’ve ever made this way, using split rings to give the earrings great movement and true dangle. And the Golden Lip Shell matches anything! Did I mention they’re under $10? Visit my etsy store to see more!

Looking for my GIVEAWAY?? Click here http://boutiquebybonnie.blogspot.com/2009/03/tax-relief-giveaway.html

Kreativ Blogger Award!

2009-03-29T12:41:00.002-06:00

It’s time to take care of some lingering blog business. Back on March 6th I was tickled to receive the Kreativ Blogger Award from Works of Art By Sara. Thanks so much! Sara is a wonderful artist and she’s hosting a giveaway that ends March 31st. Visit her blog to enter http://worksofartbysara.blogspot.com/ and be sure to visit her Etsy shop while you’re at it www.artbysara.etsy.com.

Now for the hard part. As a recipient of this award I need to nominate seven other bloggers to receive it. Here’s my list of creative bloggers:

1. Behind the Mask
2. Ornamental
3. Buttons and Pears
4. Maya*Made
5. As the Wood Turns
6. Artisan Clay
7. If I Had a Hammer

Whew! To claim your award, just post a link back to my blog and nominate seven other deserving blogs!

Looking for my GIVEAWAY?? Click here http://boutiquebybonnie.blogspot.com/2009/03/tax-relief-giveaway.html

Back to the past

2009-03-26T19:35:00.001-06:00

Life has a way of taking you in strange circles. Back in 1991 I was one year out of college and had just suffered the loss of my mother, my last surviving parent. After a painful good-bye to my now empty childhood home in Wisconsin, I moved to Red Wing, MN where my boyfriend lived. It was a time of transition for me. I was an adult orphan struggling to make the right decisions, knowing I had not yet developed the proper life skills to do so. I got a part-time retail job and waited for the next phase of my life to begin, which it did about a year later when we moved to Colorado, got engaged and finally married in 1993.

Now fast forward through the gain and loss of jobs, friends, weight and dreams to Monday, March 23, 2009. My boss walks over and says he needs to send me to Minnesota to help out with a project South of the cities. Where? Red Wing! I couldn’t believe it! After more than 15 years I was going back to the little town on the Mississippi. The next day I was on a plane and by Wednesday I was here, in my old stomping grounds. Strangely enough, the town seems to hold little emotional connection for me. It’s familiar, but that’s all.

I needed a map to find my old apartment. It was kind of a dump when we lived there and it hasn’t changed a bit. My strongest memory was our U-Haul sitting in the parking lot with my car hooked up behind, ready for the drive to Colorado. And I remembered trying to hide our hideous old couch behind the dumpster before taking off. A smile did come over my face when I drove across the bridge to the Wisconsin side of the river and saw that our two favorite bars were still there, going strong. I wouldn’t step in them now, but for a young 20-something they were the only entertainment around. These days, the pottery and antique mall is more my style!

Tomorrow I head back home and I must say I’m glad. I’m a homebody. I miss my house and my cats and my daily routine. Red Wing was not and is not home, it’s just a place I floated in and out of once. The person I was back then is almost gone, buried under layers of life experiences. I belong back home - in Colorado.

Tax Relief Giveaway!

2009-03-20T18:57:00.003-06:00

I think we can all use some relief this year, so I’m hosting another giveaway! This giveaway will run through April 15^th (tax day) and you get to pick your prize from the two pairs of earrings pictured here (ok, only one of each is shown). Please write the number in your comment for which pair you'd like to receive! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only – sorry.

HOW TO ENTER:

1.) Visit my Etsy store and leave a comment on this post about a favorite item = one entry.

2.) Become a new Follower of my blog and leave a separate comment on this post to let me know = one entry.

3.) Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment on this post to let me know = one entry.

HOW TO WIN GUARANTEED:

Buy anything from my Etsy store and I’ll include a free pair of earrings! Just write “blog” in the Note to Seller. Earrings will be my choice (not the ones pictured). This offer is also good through April 15^th!

THE WINNER will be chosen on April 16^th by random number generation (that’s why I need you to leave separate comments for each entry). I’ll notify the winner by email and post it on my blog. Please be sure I have a way to contact you through your blog or Etsy store, or leave your email in your comment.

Good Luck, and thanks for stopping by!

Blues in the dark

2009-03-19T19:33:00.001-06:00

Night can take a sudden turn. Suddenly, I find myself in the dark. TV – gone. Lights – gone. Computer – gone. Power outage. Within two minutes I was declaring to the darkness, “I’M BORED!” There was nothing left to do but write.

I have eight candles lit and still the glow is barely enough to illuminate the words on the page. I cranked up my hand-powered emergency radio and found a community radio station doing a Blues show. I have a bottle of red wine open and suddenly this evening has turned from the ordinary to the extraordinary. I have to say, it would be downright romantic if I weren’t alone. I realize all over again how the unexpected often leads to the most treasured of experiences. I realize that I’m happy as a clam! In fact, I’ll be disappointed if the lights come back on before I go to bed. My only worry is my alarm clock, which doesn’t have a battery back-up. Other than that, this if fun! It’s like camping but in a really big, comfy tent. My world has shrunk down to this one room that I can illuminate with my candles. Just me and the night. Of course, now that I’m done writing this I have no idea what I’m going to do next. Karaoke?

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Stay tuned – A new giveaway starts soon!

Forest and Sea

2009-03-17T19:03:00.002-06:00

Last weekend I returned to my roots and made this 100% beaded necklace. Lately I've had the Northern California coast on my mind and this necklace fits right in with those thoughts. I visited Redwood National Park last year and my memories are stained with greens, grays, blues and browns from the forest, sea and beaches. I stayed in a cabin under the giant Redwoods in Trinidad, which also has a gorgeous rocky beach that was almost deserted in April. There's another beach close by where you can hunt for agates, but I didn't get a chance to try my luck as a rock hound.

This necklace reminds me of that trip. The tumbled pebbles of moss agate represent the forest and the beach while the large seaweed quartz pendant evokes the cool April sea. The pendant was pretty, but plain, so I added just a touch of wire wrap to give it a more artisan look. I hope the wearer of this necklace will think of smooth stones under bare feet and the cool breeze of a shaded forest or a deserted beach in April.

Morning Seabirds,Trinidad, CA

New- Vintage Camera Pendants!

2009-03-14T21:10:00.002-06:00

I love photography and I have a small vintage camera collection. I’ve been wanting to bring this part of myself into my Etsy store so I’ve created a series of pendants featuring vintage cameras. I cut the photos out of books from Christie’s auction house that featured all sorts of great antique cameras. I received the books as an un-expected surprise with an eBay auction that I won few years ago. I loved the photos so much I cut the covers off to frame and hang in my guest room (I keep most of my old cameras in the guest room, so it kind of has a theme). There will be five of these necklaces when I get done listing them – I kept the sixth one for myself. The pendants are less than an inch square so they’re not chunky at all, and I figure black and white looks good with wide range of outfits. This was my first attempt at making glass pendants and the process was quick and easy, although I’m sure I can do better next time. I bought the clear, kiln-fired glass already made and just had to cut out the graphic, adhere it to the back, seal it, and attach the bail. I like the idea of wearing jewelry that really says something about who I am, and I had fun deciding which photos would look the best as pendants.

Wordless Wednesday - Three Generations

2009-03-11T19:42:00.004-06:00

My mother, grandmother and great grandmother around 1942.

The “E” Word

2009-03-10T20:00:00.003-06:00

We’ve all heard it countless times in the last week… month… year… the economy. I’ve been resisting the idea that it’s as bad as everyone says, even though I work in a real estate related field and have watched things get worse and worse. Maybe it’s like the frog in a pot that boils to death because the temperature rises gradually. I’ve gotten used to bad news, and hey, I still have MY job. Every time someone on TV mentions the Great Depression, I blow it off as grandstanding.

But that was before the last two days. After all the bank failures and store closings and stock crashes, it was the tent cities that got through to me. In the Great Depression there were shanty towns and bread lines. I thought things could never get that bad again. Then I saw the Sacramento tent city on the news and heard that they’re springing up in many major cities. The next night I saw the lines of average looking families lining up for free food boxes in Indiana. And all this is happening even WITH the safety nets that were put in place after the Great Depression.

So yes, the comparisons may be valid, but we are still better off than in the 30’s. The displaced are living in manufactured tents, not under plywood and tin. The food line in Indiana was a drive-through for a week’s worth of boxed food, not an endless wait on the sidewalk for a cup of soup and a slice of bread. Most families are staying together, not sending their children off to live with relatives that can support them.

Obviously this is an extremely difficult time for so many. My heart goes out to those looking for work and losing their homes. Those who hear of every new layoff and know there will be that much more competition for jobs out there. We seem to be in a time of black and whites – either you’re still ok or you’re not. Either you still have your job/your house or you don’t. Things WILL get better. It’s going to be a long haul, but we have no choice but to keep moving forward. Day by day, week by week, month by month. Maybe before we realize it, we’ll start hearing more good news than bad.

My typical American Saturday

2009-03-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

I feel like I’m having a real all-American typical Saturday today. This morning I processed some photos and uploaded a new listing to Etsy. Then I went out and did some yard work, mostly raking. Someone flushed out the culvert at the side of my house and it left a swath of lovely debris in my back yard. Plus the ever-present pine needles and pine cones. And I will for sure call this a Spring clean-up! The long winter is almost over!

Back inside, I watered the plants, vacuumed the living room and, of course, updated my blog! The cherry on top is that I plan to visit Walmart this afternoon and look for a new microwave oven. I’m just wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but I figure it’s “good enough for Walmart.” (How sad).

I supposed my day would be more typical if I had kids and a husband to juggle at the same time, but then, if I had a husband and kids I probably wouldn’t have had to rake the yard by myself!!

Shop Feature: The Felted Chicken

2009-03-04T21:07:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share some items today from a new Etsy shop I discovered, The Felted Chicken.

These colorful reusable gift bags immediately caught my eye. She has them for baby, weddings or any occasion (like the octopus ones!) The best news is, not only are these bags reusable, but they’re made our of Eco-spun - a synthetic felt that’s made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

If gift bags aren’t your thing, take a look at some of her “sculptured” felt creations like this scrumptious looking cupcake with sprinkles! She even has felted sushi. Felted’s photos are great and so are her prices. I think she’s got a great future ahead of her at Etsy!

www.feltedchicken.etsy.com

Jewelry for MEN!

2009-03-02T20:35:00.002-07:00

I took an “offline” weekend for myself – did you miss me? I did manage to make some jewelry, and for the first time I specifically set out to make Men’s jewelry. Here’s what happened. In my last big bead order I guess I didn’t pay close attention to the description of these blackstone beads. I ended up getting several strands of beads that were WAY too big to use in any of my usual jewelry. My only way out was to make them into Men’s necklaces and hope they would sell. Now, I see guys wearing necklaces all the time, but I don’t know their shopping habits. Do they buy their own? Do their girlfriend’s or wives buy them? Do they buy online?

So the great experiment begins. I will be listing six necklaces at a special price in my shop and have even given them their own Section. I made them in simple, masculine patterns and all of them are 18” or larger to accommodate those burly necks! Of course, any necklace can be unisex in my opinion, but these will be aimed specifically at men. The stone beads are fairly heavy, so the accent beads are all lightweight wood or nut beads. I think the weight can be an advantage in Men’s jewelry so they don’t feel they’re wearing something dainty.

I’m not expecting these to fly off the shelves (February was a very slow month for me). But I’m happy to offer a new line in my Etsy store that that not every jewelry shop will have.

A Sign of our Times

2009-02-26T18:50:00.002-07:00

Colorado’s oldest newspaper, The Rocky Mountain News, will publish it’s last edition tomorrow. It’s a sad passage that is being mirrored in cities all over the country as people increasingly turn to TV, the Web or their mobile phone for news. I must admit, I don’t read newspapers.

Who has time to read through a whole newspaper? And they leave your hands so dirty. And then you have to dispose of them, either by filling the landfills or letting them pile up for recycling. So why do I care? Because the Rocky has been around since 1859 and I hate to see it go. And because I was a print Journalism major in college and I worked as a daily newspaper reporter as my first “real” job. It turns out it wasn’t for me, but I have the highest regard for the Press. Our free press provides the checks and balances that our society sadly needs. Newspapers have the time to devote to digging out a story that a short news broadcast just can’t match. In a ideal world, every city would still have competing newspapers with different points of view, but that hasn’t been the case for a decade or more now.

I hope that the displaced staff will find new jobs that use their valuable talents and skills, even though it won’t be the same. Newspaper reporters certainly don’t go into it for the money and it will be a sad day in the newsroom tomorrow. And it will be a sad day for all of those used to reading the Rocky with their morning coffee when it’s no longer there.

St. Patrick’s Day is coming!

2009-02-25T20:36:00.001-07:00

Multiple shapes and styles of green glass beads, including shamrock-stamped ovals, make up this eye-catching bracelet. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Available now in my etsy store for just $12.00.

I’m in a Treasury!

2009-02-23T20:23:00.002-07:00

Check out this great Treasury of NATURAL items on Etsy by theBeadAerie. I’m happy to have my Agate Trio Necklace included (third row center)!

I haven’t been included in many treasuries so this gives me those good warm fuzzies! It’s funny, the piece just above mine looks very similar to the necklace I featured in yesterday’s post. I certainly do favor natural materials and colors over the “bling” of crystals. Earthtones are so gorgeous, and I don’t mean just brown. I mean red, yellow, orange and all shades of green. The agate nuggets in my featured necklace are complimented by wooden beads for a really natural look. It would look great over any “earthtone” t-shirt. That said, my FAVORITE item in this Treasury is the serving bowl by elmstudios in the bottom left corner - GORGEOUS!!

Jasper Pendant Just Listed

2009-02-22T17:08:00.002-07:00

The newest item in my etsy store is this wire-wrapped Paintbrush Jasper donut on a brown suede cord. The flat donut is 50mm across (about two inches).

This necklace is 23 inches long. Click on the photo to see more, and thanks for looking!

I got a package today!

2009-02-19T18:29:00.002-07:00

I love coming home and seeing a package waiting for me! Today it was a box from Fire Mountain Gems and inside was my new jewelry display bust! She’s 19” high and has a pierced ear so people can finally see how my earrings will look on an (almost) actual ear. She’s so sculptural and elegant I won’t mind leaving her out 24/7. I should probably give her a name so let me know if you have any suggestions!

Now the big question, do I RETAKE all the photos in my etsy store using the new bust? I can tell you the answer is “No” for now. Think 90 items times an average of four photos each… I don’t have the time or energy! I do hope to give my store a more consistent look over the next year as I combine this display with just one or two backgrounds. If I decide to retake photos at some point, I’ll hold an “Inventory Reduction Sale” first or have a Trunk Sale for my coworkers.

Now what to name her? Maybe something French…

"Dear Job" Letter

2009-02-17T18:21:00.002-07:00

Dear Day Job,
We’ve been together for a few years now and I have to tell you, I’m not sure where this is going. In the beginning, everything was exciting and new. I would even dream about you when we weren’t together. I fantasized about where the relationship might be going and how soon we could take it to the next level. I enjoyed proving my worth and my loyalty to you in all the small ways that count. But at some point things just became… comfortable. The challenge was gone. The excitement was gone. And the rewards? They never came. Oh sure, we tried out a few different positions (remember that business trip to Orlando?), but it wasn’t enough to keep the fun alive. Some days I feel like I’m just “showing up” and my heart isn’t in it anymore. I don’t know how long I can go on feeling like I’m taken for granted. So I wanted to let you know in writing that things have changed. The truth is, Day Job, I’m just not that into you.

Signed,
Desk Dreamer

Editing Photos for Etsy

2009-02-15T15:32:00.003-07:00

Here’s part two of my photography workflow – post processing. As I said in my last post, you must edit every single image you plan to use online. I use Adobe Photoshop but there are tons of less advanced programs out there that make adjustments pretty simple.

Almost every photo needs a few basic tweeks. Of course, the better image you capture, the less work you’ll need to do in the computer.

First, most photos will need to be cropped. Remember that Etsy crops your main photo to a square for the previews. Either crop your original photo to a square, or make sure the focal point of your image will still be visible in square format (see below).

Of course sometimes the Etsy crop actually creates a more artistic look by only showing part of the image. Just make sure you’re aware of it! This rule only applies to the first image in your set. I usually choose a close-up for my first image because the search thumbnail is so small. Make them want to see more!

After cropping I adjust the levels (brightness/contrast) and resize and sharpen the image for web display. I may also use the clone stamp to get rid of tiny spots or cat hair showing up. These basic tools should get you started.

Resizing Notes: I start with large images (raw format) so resizing is always my last step. My Image Size box has two fields that I change. The first is pixels per inch (Resolution). The standard screen resolution used to be 72 ppi, but Windows now uses 96 ppi so I’d go ahead and use 96. Anything higher than 96 is overkill for images on the web.

The second field is width (let the height take care of itself). Etsy recommends 1000 pixels wide, but they will display only 430 pixels wide in your listing. If someone clicks on your image, the larger version will pop up. I never save my images at 1000 wide. I generally go for 600-800 pixels wide because I want my images to load faster. Just keep it above the 430 pixel minimum. Again, Height will take care of itself. After resizing I sharpen the image using unsharp mask.

If I have to reduce an image by more than 50% I will do it in two stages. I’ll reduce it by half, sharpen it, then reduce to my final size and sharpen it again. That’s what works for me, anyway, to maintain quality.

Finally, I save my image as a JPEG (.jpg). I’ll choose the highest quality setting that will produce a small enough file size for the web (under 100K). My SAVE dialog box shows me the file size as I move the quality slider. This is why I don’t use 1000 pixel wide images. I prefer quality over size! Do not keep resaving a jpg image over and over. It’s a compressed format and you’ll lose quality.

Filenames: I suggest you “Save As” another filename so your original remains intact. I use a simple naming format that starts with a letter (B for bracelet, N for necklace) followed by a number and then a letter. For example, if I use three photos for my first necklace the files are N001a.jpg, N001b.jpg and N001c.jpg.

That’s all for today! I hope this has been helpful to some of you and I thank the rest of you for reading through it! Leave me a comment if you have a question on something and I’ll comment back.

My Tabletop Photography Set-Up

2009-02-14T17:58:00.003-07:00

Today I’m giving you a peek behind the scenes of my Etsy store to show you how I photograph my items. One of the most asked questions on Etsy is “How can I take better photos of my items?” First, you need to have a decent understanding of photography and know how to use your camera. I’ll leave that up to you for now. Second, you need to control your light to achieve consistent color balance and exposure. That’s where an inexpensive tabletop studio can help. I only spent about $70 on mine, including the CFL light bulbs.

My equipment consists of:
36” light tent : The purpose of the tent is to diffuse the light. They come in all sizes and mine is fairly large. I purchased the tent alone, not as part of a kit, because I wanted to use my own lights. I got mine on Ebay.
Lights: I use two clamp lights with 100 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs. Do not use regular fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. Supplemental light comes from the chandelier above the table and the window behind my set-up. I just clamp the lights on the backs of my dining room chairs and move them as needed.
Backdrops: The tent came with various colored backdrops and I always keep the white one attached. But I often place my own backdrop behind the subject to achieve a more appealing image. Try to find a backdrop that will give your shop a consistent look and won’t compete with the piece you’re photographing. Try cloth, scrapbook paper or stone tile. Add simple props for a professional look.
Digital Camera: Mine is a DSLR (Canon 50D) paired with a 100mm macro lens. Buy the best quality camera you can afford but don’t worry if it’s a point and shoot. You should always have your camera on a tripod and use macro mode (flower symbol) for small objects. If you can manually focus and set a custom white balance, that’s even better. Use the highest quality setting available in your camera and do not use flash. I can’t give a photography lesson here, but read your manual and get to know all the settings on your camera. Click here for an excellent website with digital photography tips and articles for beginners.
Tripod: Necessary for the sharpest image possible.

That’s my whole equipment list! With this set-up I can photograph many items in a short period of time. Then it’s on to… POST PROCESSING! Yes, you must do some photo editing on every single photo you plan to use. Tomorrow I’ll post some tips on how process and size your photos for use in your Etsy store.

A Life Lesson

2009-02-12T18:36:00.002-07:00

My mind was expanded last night through the miracle that is cable television. TLC was airing a series of shocking medical stories and I got hooked right away. The first one literally made me gasp. It featured a 55 year old Filipino man who has lived his whole life with a parasitic twin growing out of his abdomen. I will spare you the photo, but the twin consisted mainly of arms and legs and a small patch of hair.

From this man I learned that none of the excuses we use to push away happiness are valid. Are you not dating because you think you’re not attractive? This man has a wife and daughter who love him. Do you think you have no special talents to offer the world? This man once gained fame and fortune working in a circus, which is how he met his wife.

Do you live in fear of what the future will bring? This man now lives in poverty and his heart is failing due to the demands of his twin. Doctors recently offered him a free operation to remove the twin with a high probability of success. He turned it down. His reason? God had given it to him. He was born with it and he would die with it.

I can’t say that I would have made the same choice, but I’ve never been asked to give up a part of myself that I’ve lived with for 55 years. He was able to embrace and love that part of himself that others found repulsive. So many of us struggle to love and accept ourselves, thinking, “I’m too fat. I’m too skinny. I’m too short. I’m too bald. I’m too damaged.” The truth is, we are all perfect creatures that deserve love.

By perfect I don’t mean without flaw.” I mean that our imperfections only serve to make us more unique and beautiful. A tree that has been bent by decades of struggling against the wind is still a perfect and beautiful sight. A Sperm Whale that has been scarred by propeller blades is still a perfect and beautiful ocean creature. And a woman who has lost her hair due to chemotherapy is still inherently perfect and beautiful.

Somehow we have to learn to love ourselves unconditionally in a society full of rules for what perfection is. Once we truly love ourselves, we become free and anything is possible. That’s a message I need to hear and believe, so I’ll say it again.

None of the excuses we use to push away happiness
are valid. Once we truly love ourselves,
anything becomes possible.

Click here for more info on Rudy.

Wordless Wednesday: Wine

2009-02-11T19:58:00.001-07:00

Snow! Winter Kitty video

2009-02-10T19:12:00.002-07:00

Here I am patiently waiting for Spring to come and instead we are getting snow! It is nice wet snow, which smacks of Spring, right? I decided to try taking a video and posting it to my blog (my first!). My big orange tabby, Theodore, decided to try and sneak into the shot, so you’ll see him at the end (and hear him if the volume is up). This is looking out over my back deck, and it is actually snowing although it’s hard to tell in the image.

Theodore in the snow

You know, I have to admit the snow is very pretty. And it doesn’t seem like we’ve had that much this year. Oh no, I just realized I’ve resorted to talking about the weather. A thousand apologies!

Sunday Sale (and all week)!

2009-02-08T17:18:00.002-07:00

This Sunday I’m offering this pendant necklace to my Blog readers for only $10.00 (normally $12.00). Just write “BLOG” in the “Note to Seller” at checkout and I’ll send you a revised invoice. Click HERE to go straight to the listing.

I’ll keep this offer open for one week (through next Sunday). Thanks for stopping by!

Store Feature: Original Kim Creations

2009-02-07T18:22:00.001-07:00

I realized I haven’t featured any stores on my blog yet and it’s time to change that. Today I am featuring Original Kim Creations. Kim taught me how to bead and got me started in all this! She has more beads and finished pieces than some bead shops, I’m sure.

This bracelet is right up my alley. It’s made of Rhyolite Rainforest Jasper and white Magnesite. I love how Kim mixes well-known gemstones with lesser known stones.

Continuing my love for patterned stones, I also think these earrings are pretty fab for only $7.50. The top and bottom stones are genuine Turquoise and the middle ones are Rainbow Calsilica. Now I admit that’s a stone I never heard of, but I’m going to have to check it out!

The last item I’ll show you is this simple Fire Agate pendant accented with Swarovski crystals and gold-plated round beads. This adjustable necklace is only $8 in Kim’s store.

Kim also introduced me to Etsy, although she never quite made the move after being established on eBay for so long. I hope you’ll stop by her shop and take a look around.

It's Here! It's Here!

2009-02-05T18:36:00.003-07:00

My new version of Adobe Photoshop has arrived! Yes, I know that Photoshop CS4 is out now and this is only CS3, but at half the price or less it will do the trick for me.

Ok, here's the story. In December I bought myself a Christmas present - a brand new Canon 50D camera body to replace my 20D. Oh, happy me! I quickly shot a few test images and raced to my computer to see how they looked. The anticipation turned to dismay when I realized that CS2 does not recognize the new RAW format! To make matters worse, my computer failed to install the Canon software that would provide a workaround. I certainly hadn't planned on spending hundreds of dollars more on a new version of Photoshop, so CS3 is my compromise. It still wasn't cheap, but I'm told it will read my 50D images with the correct download. I have to wait until Saturday to install it and my biggest fear is that something will go wrong. After all, the Canon software wouldn't install, so maybe it's a problem with my machine. I'll just cross my fingers and keep you posted!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T18:33:00.003-07:00

The photography is mine, the sculpture isn't!

Backyard Friends

2009-02-03T19:40:00.001-07:00

I’m lucky enough to live in an area where visits from deer, fox and other wildlife are daily occurrences. For the last few weeks I’ve been seeing the same group of six deer almost every day. My neighborhood is their neighborhood. Sometimes I wish I could approach them and make friends with them, but of course they need to stay as wild as possible. These Mule Deer, with their big soft ears and gentle eyes, could melt just about any heart!

The Finished Pieces

2009-01-31T21:33:00.002-07:00

I finished some pieces from the beautiful Chrysocolla beads I wrote about in my last post. These are all currently available in my etsy store.

The photo above is a gorgeous necklace with a pendant that’s reversible – the back side has the letters “ G R O W.”

The photo to the right shows the matching earrings on .925 sterling silver ear wires. I also made a bracelet, but you get the idea!

For more images of either piece, just click on the photo. Thanks for looking!

Just a Peek

2009-01-28T20:25:00.002-07:00

Here is a peek at what I hope to work on next.

I found these Chrysocolla beads on a rare visit with my old college roommate in Wisconsin. She took me to this wonderful little bead “store” that turned out to be the spare bedroom of an older couple that made their living travelling from show to show, and selling out of their house to those “in the know.” Who would have thought I’d travel 1,000 miles and end up in the back room of an old Victorian house combing through strands of beads!

I fell in love with the colors of these beads and knew they were worth buying. Chrysocolla shows off captivating blue and green patterns in shades similar to turquoise and lapis lazuli. I decided the best way to use them would be a simple necklace (and maybe bracelet and earrings?) with ornate silver beads. Did I mention I’m in LOVE with these beads? I’ll be sure to post the results when I get the pieces finished. A special thanks goes out to my friend, Kim, for bringing me to this exclusive bead “store” that only the locals know!

New Header Image!

2009-01-27T20:15:00.005-07:00

Hey guys, check out my new header image! I can't believe I found this free online and it perfectly matches my blog template! I really thought my header needed a little pizazz and style, and now it has it. This is almost as much fun as getting a new pair of shoes!

Oh, I found it through the sources on the web page below. Please let me know if it's not displaying correctly for any of you since I've only viewed it on one computer so far.
http://www.smartbloggerz.com/2008_04_01_archive.html

Blog Tools – Windows Live Writer

2009-01-26T19:20:00.002-07:00

As a new blogger I quickly became frustrated when my published posts would come up with strange formatting for no apparent reason. One paragraph would be single spaced while all the rest were properly double spaced. Or there would be a huge gap between my photo and my text. I would edit my posts three or four times trying to get them to look right. I was even going in to edit the html in order to add hyperlinks to text or photos. Within a week , I was looking for a third party blog editor. The only one I found was Windows Live Writer, and so far I’m happy with it.

Windows Live Writer is a free download for Windows users (click here for the download page). My favorite features are:

WYSIWYG – it downloads your blog formatting and you create your post exactly how it will appear on your blog. And it automatically spell checks in real time!

Enhanced Photos – It’s easy to insert a photo, link that photo to a web page, and apply a range of formatting options like drop shadow, tilt, “polaroid”, borders and watermark.

Easy Hyperlinks – Just click and you can insert a hyperlink or assign a link to your photo. You can even program a permanent link for specific text. Writer knows to link to my shop whenever I type the words my etsy store. How cool is that?

Plug-Ins – You can add all sorts of third party applications to get even more functions like video, tag generators, screen captures and much more! I haven’t checked many of these out yet, but they’re out there!

I had to download updates for Windows before I could install the application, which took a while, but it was worth it in the end. If you’re looking to expand your blogging abilities, you might want to give it a try, after all, it’s free!

Writer will work with Windows XP (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit editions), Windows 7 Beta (32-bit or 64-bit editions), or Windows Server 2008. Visit the their website for more information, and happy blogging!

I'm now on Flikr!!

2009-01-25T15:45:00.003-07:00

Well, I did it! I signed up for Flikr! I have a public set of jewelry photos and a private set of family photos so far. I joined a bunch of Etsy groups and added the Flikr gadget to my blog. So far so good! Here is my Flikr address. I don't have any friends yet!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boutiquebybonnie/

My Newest Creation

2009-01-24T21:35:00.002-07:00

I actually made several new pieces today, but these pearl earrings are my favorite! I love the way the pale gray pearls look with the wire-wrapping. I just listed them in my etsy store along with a matching three-strand bracelet. I don’t know why, but for some reason these earrings bring ancient Greece to mind, as if the pearls were plucked right out of the ocean then made into earrings. I actually kind of hope they sell right away just so I can make another pair!

I admit, I normally don’t use pearls because I still associate them with women “of a certain age” (think Barbara Bush). When I do use pearls, I prefer those that are not perfectly round. They just seem more natural to me and more beautiful due to their irregularities. I’m glad I bought these pearls and look forward to finding more ways to use them that are decidedly NOT old fashioned!

Pottery Bracelet

2009-01-22T18:47:00.002-07:00

I love pottery, so I was excited when I found these glazed ceramic beads in such great earthy colors! They have that handmade look and feel that happens when you’re never quite certain how the glaze will come out. I’m also proud that this is the one item in my shop that has made it to the front page of Etsy! It was back in November, but since I didn’t have my blog then, I’ll celebrate it now!

The matching necklace has already sold, but I know this bracelet is bound for a very special home. Whoever ends up buying it will own a piece that really reflects my own personal style. Now I’d better go pay some attention to those grey pearls that have been pouting over my neglect for the last two weeks.

44 Americans

2009-01-20T19:36:00.002-07:00

Today two million people stood together in the cold to witness the swearing in of our 44th president, Barak Obama. Two million people, and countless more across the world, turned their eyes to this one man as he stepped into the most powerful position in the world. A position that only 43 Americans have held before. While this is an astounding achievement for any man or woman, for an African American it’s nearly unimaginable. When I think that 40 years ago fire hoses were being turned on young black people in the streets, I’m proud that our country has changed. I’m proud that our country has elected a leader based on his intelligence, his ideas and his conviction our country can change for the better. And I’m proud to show the world the best example of our democracy in action.

I hope that this shining moment can carry our citizens and our politicians forward in a new spirit of cooperation and optimism. I hope, I hope, I hope. Because we need it. Obama comes to power in a difficult time with many challenges. It’s time for the hard work to begin. And even though my blog will not touch on politics again, I’ll be watching, President Obama. We all will.

Quote for Monday

2009-01-19T15:02:00.002-07:00

Quote from the TV show Two and a Half Men.

Uncle: "Alcohol is poison."
Nephew: "Then why do you drink it?"
Uncle: "Because I have things inside of me that I need to kill."

I wrote this down because the way he said it was hilarious, but underneath it's a pretty black truth, isn't it? Make of it what you will.

And the winner is...

2009-01-18T12:58:00.008-07:00

Congratulations to LEAH, the winner of my earring giveaway! Stop by her great blog, Moxie Photo and Design, to congratulate her!

http://moxiephotoanddesign.blogspot.com/

I had a lot of fun visiting the blogs of the wonderful people who entered this giveaway. I'm sure I'll do it again sometime!

http://www.boutiquebybonnie.etsy.com/

The Giveaway Ends Tonight!

2009-01-17T19:44:00.002-07:00

This is the last night to enter the giveaway for a pair of earrings! Scroll down to my January 8th post and make a comment to enter! I love these earrings and I hope you do too!

Enter by Midnight tonight (Pacific Time). Winner will be announced on Sunday.

Postcard from the Plains

2009-01-15T19:43:00.004-07:00

The old barn still stands, though its paint is fading, it’s roof is sagging and the old weathervane has finally fallen. It stands in silent memory of the prize Herefords that once filled its stalls. The chicken coop, 20 feet away, has collapsed to little more than a roof lying on the ground. And the sod house, the first home to the young pioneering family that came to tame the land, humbly sits in its original spot, marking the years.

Later, a new farmhouse was built to accommodate the growing family. The children grew along with the garden behind the house, and eventually left to start families of their own. After the youngest son married, his widowed mother moved to town. And the ranch has been empty ever since. She rarely visits anymore. At 82, the abandoned homestead only brings her pain. Pain for the life that it once held. A time when the family worked together to keep the farm running. A time when her sons tinkered on cars and her daughter sewed dresses to wear to school. A time before the bats took over her family’s home.

And the old barn still stands, keeping watch, waiting on an uncertain future. Or perhaps it’s a certain one. No man-made thing dares to defy the relentless weather of the plains forever.

The Story Behind It

2009-01-13T19:32:00.006-07:00

I may make this a semi-regular feature on my blog. Today I will tell you the story behind one of the pieces in my Etsy shop. You see, by the time I finish a piece of jewelry, it already has certain memories and associations attached to it. Today's story is about this Zebra Stone bracelet, which represents friendship to me:
This bracelet brings to mind a wonderful trip I made to visit my high school best friend in Sacramento. I love visiting her because she welcomes me with open arms and encourages me to remember all the silly things from our childhood. We also get to do girly things, like get pedicures and go to bead shops!

In the downtown bead shop she took me to, I found a kind of shangi la. Three tables full of loose bead strands on sale! I sorted through every single strand and my friend didn't complain (she's not a beader). I walked out with 13 strands, including the ones I used in this bracelet. It's a good thing beads are small and lightweight since I was flying home!

I have such warm memories from that visit and spending the day with my friend. She's known me longer than anyone but my siblings, and I know she'll always be there. She just celebrated a birthday, so Happy Birthday, friend!