St. Lucia

Just made reservations for a getaway to St.Lucia next month. I am so excited to see what looks to be a magnificent place to vacation.

We will be staying at Anse Chastanet in a deluxe beachfront room "right on the beach", only a few feet from the waters edge (so they say) I would have liked to stay in one of the rooms in the Pitons (the view looks absolutely beautiful) but my husband wants A/C and no mosquitoes. I'm sure in the end I will be glad we made that choice. Mainly because I've heard to get to your rooms that are up in the pitons, you have to climb 90-100 steps (several times a day). This is a vacation to relax and do almost nothing; I certainly don't want to be walking up and down that many stairs. I think we will be found under an umbrella (drink in hand) on the beach or the hammock that hangs on the porch right outside of the room with a good book. Now I'm sure we'll be a little adventurous and check out the reefs in the area and do some snorkeling and kayaking. And of course, don't forget shopping (I always have energy for that) but for the most part we are looking for a relaxing, get away from it all, romantic, quiet vacation.

I will be posting plenty of pictures and sharing great finds, so check back at the end of July and see what we discover! Yeah, yeah, I know... I won't be discovering much if I'm just laying around. Okay...so maybe one day I'll get up and scout around. Anyway, I'm sure we'll go exploring.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=05_ppB6RhpQ

Shop a frolic

I discovered this fabulous blog "shopafrolic", (sounds so much better than shopaholic, doesn't it?) here are two ladies - Jane and Liz (self professed shopaholics)who will introduce you to their beauty, style, trends, fashion and accessorie finds. Buys and Don't buys. You'll find great fashion finds from various designers. If you join their shopping posse you'll  receive emails alerting you to their newest fashion finds.
They were also featured on Martha Stewart during a spring episode and while Liz has her own clothing line on HSN and Jane has her own jewelry line, they were showing some fabulous clothes from many other designers.

Check out their blog!





http://www.shopafrolic.com/shop/accessories/

Recycled t-shirt necklace

 This is a necklace I made recycling an old t-shirt.

Have an old favorite t-shirt you don't wear anymore? Maybe you have one that has a stain on it so you can't even donate it.

Don't throw it out.... recycle it!

Instructions:

• Take a t-shirt (works best if it has a little stretch to it)
• Lay it out on a cutting board - I use Fiskars cutting board
• Using a fabric rotary cutter (also Fiskars)start at the bottom hem and cut it off and put it to the side (who knows you might find something you can do with it)
• Using the rotary cutter, cut strips 3/4 inches wide until you have cut all the way just under the sleeves
• Once you have all of them cut, pick up one at a time and grasping each end in your fingers, give it a little tug. You want to stretch it just a little until it curls (don't over stretch it)
• Leave one out if your t-shirt does not have side seams - leave two out if it does have a seam.
• Place them one on top of the other (with the seams together - if it has a seam) and now take the strip or strips that you put to the side and wrap around the the entire grouping of strands until it holds snug. If your t-shirt had seams you will need to do this twice as I have done in the picture.
• Get creative, add embellishments to your new necklace or tie it in a knot.
• Try mixing t-shirt colors
• Use a tye dye shirt

Post your pictures after you give it a try, I'd love to see what great ideas you come up with!

What a windy day

I survived (barely) the wind yesterday at the craft show. Thank goodness for great friends that came out and helped (I couldn't have done it without them)  I think we spent the majority of the 6 hours we were there trying to hold onto everything. They call Chicago windy? I think we in Dallas have them beat. It was actually quite comical, as soon as you picked up the necklace that fell off the table, you were running to grab the earrings from blowing away (again). But other than the wind, it was a good day.

Of course I forgot to take pictures but thanks to Tammy - she remembered her camera..... Just wish I would have thought to get a picture with all of us.... there's always next time. haha.... that is if they agree to come out again. I hope they will!

It's already in the 90's here in Texas and only promising to get hotter. I love doing outdoor markets but I just don't know how much heat I can actually handle. I've lived here since I began 9th grade - yes, that was a very long time ago but I am still not used to our sweltering summers where 102 degrees is not unheard of. I once tried to do some gardening when it was 106 (I was in the shade) I literally had heat stroke. I guess this means I'd better hurry up and sign up for some more outdoor markets before it is just too unbearable.

I've included some of the pictures from yesterday - That's Fanchon chatting up some customer's. Selling at it's best!

Craft fair this weekend

http://www.dfwcraftshows.com/

SD Designs will be a vendor at Coppell's Farmer's Market this weekend, May 22nd, 8:00-1:00 in old town Coppell on Bethel Rd.

Offering jewelry which includes a new line of sterling silver and copper, Rhinestone Ruby personalized flip flops, pet collars, handpainted crosses, window mosaics and gazing balls for your garden.

Stop by and see us as well as other wonderful vendors and farmer's. Mention you saw it here and receive 10% off your entire order!

Hope to see you there

Custom Embroidery

I participate in local craft shows and needed a custom logo table cover, so I had Got Divers/ME Designs to custom embroider a piece of fabric for me. They did a fabulous job and the turn around time was really quick. I know you can also order t-shirts and other accessories from them that they will work with you to design something to fit your needs. I highly recommend them for your embroidery needs.



http://www.gotdivers.net/   Got Divers is located in South Florida. We are you source for custom scuba diving apparel and accessories. We offer the highest quality of embroidery and silk screening to ensure that our product meets your specifications. We have close ties to the scuba diving and nautical community, which allows us to invision the unique designs we create here at Got Divers.




We are proud supporters of The Conquer Cancer Coalition.

Beading supplies at Aunties Beads

Aunties Beads in Southlake has just gone under a renovation. If you're addicted to beading like I am, it's a great place to find Swarovski & chinese crystals, semi precious stones, findings, artistic wire (not always so easy to find) and finished pieces if you need a little inspiration. Or if you are not a beader but love handmade jewelry, you'll be sure to find something you can't live without. Stop in and say Hi to Deb, Dena or Terri!

Check out their website for business hours and directions or order online.

http://www.auntiesbeads.com/

Visit my website at http://www.sddesignsbysusand.com/ where you'll see many pieces I've created using products I have purchased from Aunties Beads.

Mosaics

Mosaic's are a labor of love. I suppose that's because I love the labor that goes into making each piece. There is a lot of labor that goes in to this art form that's for sure, but I find it to be very therapuetic. I'm always surprised to see how it turns out after the grouting process. It is strongly suggested that you wear gloves when completing this process but just like gardening, I have to feel what I'm doing - of course I always start out with gloves but then they quickly come off and because of that.....forget having nicely manicured hands. My hands are stained black as I prefer to use black grout. Good thing I'm not going anywhere in the next few days as that's how long it takes to wear off. And I can forget about having my nails done - that would be a waste of time and money. But when you see the results, it makes it all worthwhile.

I have posted some pictures of the process.....

As you can see, the window mosaic did  not come without a mishap. Just as I'm grouting two baubles decide to pop off. So here it is partially completed. I will now have to wait until the grout has dried so that I can "reglue" and "regrout". I always say "anything worth having is worth working hard for"

The mosaic vase is not completed either. I just need to finish grouting that one. As with everything, I have a ton of uncompleted projects. Is that due to a creative mind or just someone with ADD?

It's completed and if you add a tea light - it looks beautiful at night or during the day near a window where it allows the light to shine through. Here's a photo with a lit tealight.

I love looking at other peoples mosaic pieces, so if you have any you would like to share - please do!

New York Trip

We got back from New York last week and had a wonderful time! I found this great stained glass window at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This has inspired me to continue working on mosaics which has now transformed into mosaic beading. I will post pictures of the ones I've completed shortly.  We also visited the MOMA while we were there. I just love the city and all the fabulous museums. 

You can't go to New York without having at least 1 slice of pizza - right? Well, I have to confess I had at least 3 from 3 different places and Rosa's pizza is by far the best pizza I have ever eaten. You can find it at Manhatten Hero's on the corner of 27th & Fashion Ave. They say they are known for their cupcakes - well as far as I'm concerned they are known for huge $4.00 a piece cupcakes that I took one bite of and threw it away. Best pizza - worst cupcake!

Bead Show this weekend

http://www.thebeadmarket.net/

Will Rogers Center in Ft. Worth will be holding their annual Bead show this weekend - March 6 & 7th. Admission is free - parking is $6.00 - Doors open at 10:00 a.m

I can't wait to see what wonderful treasures I find. I'll be sure and post some pictures of the stones I find. I would like to say I will post the finished pieces but I buy up so much with so many ideas in mind and then I never seem to have enough time to get it all done. That is all about to change though! One more week!

Organizing your jewelry

Is your jewelry a mess? Don't know how to organize it? Check out The Container Store for great jewelry organizers at www.containerstore.com

Need help with more than just your jewelry but just don't know where to start? A professional organizer can help you get started.

Leah Combs is a professional organizer who can help you get organized and reduce clutter and de-stress your life.

Check out her blog:

www.SimplifyMySpace.blogspot.com

Beading in Florida

A couple of weeks ago I made a trip to Boca Raton, Florida and in my search for a bead store and I was a little disappointed. I found a place called Boca Beads also known as Iris Moon. Their prices were quite high and the customer service awful. I would not recommend this store if you are in that area. If anyone knows of any great bead stores in the surrounding areas please do share.

Swarovski Crystal Necklace

This is a Swarovski Crystal Baroque Necklace I made with a 14k gold filled chain.

Check it out on my website at http://www.sddesignsbysusand.com/

Mosaic art

I've just recently began working in the art of mosaics. I am having so much fun with this medium. There is so much to learn and so many wonderful mosaic artists out there that I wanted to introduce you to one I found on a mosaic art blog.

Sandy Robertson from down under - Australia of course has a great blog showing some of her fantastic work as well as tips and tricks. I not only learned a few things from her blog but was quite amused watching some of her utube videos. She was great fun!

If you just love to look at beautiful mosaics or like me are getting started and need some tips and tricks, be sure and check out her blog at www.mosaic-addict-diva.blogspot.com

She also has a website www.ozmosaciacs.com

Please share any tips and tricks you learn from her or any other mosaic artists out there that we might all like to find out about.

Bead Show

Looking for great prices on beads and findings?

Check out the Dallas / Ft. Worth Bead Renaissance Show - May 21-23, 2010 at Grapevines Convention Center. They offer wholesale and retail.

I have been to this show and not only do they have quality beads from reputable vendors but they also offer various classes to help you with your beading techniques.

Silversmithing

I took a silversmithing class last week at Wired up Beads in Southlake. Patti the instructor was fabulous!

I hope to post some pictures of what I learned this weekend! It's so exciting, be sure and check back to see what great sterling sivler pieces we made!

HERE IT IS! HAND FORGED STERLING SILVER HEART -

HAPPY VALENTINES!!

Check them out at http://www.wiredupbeads.com/

If you are in the Dallas Ft. worth area and are planning a trip, be sure and call them first to make sure they are there. They don't really have set hours.

Welcome to my blog

I am new to this world of blogging but I hope to bring some great information to you about jewelry, jewelry finds, arts, crafts, fabulous places I find in my travels and talented artists I discover along the way.

Please post your comments, I would love some feedback as we embark on this journey in the world of blogging!

Susan d