New Creations!

The ideas are flowing again.  For three years I have felt like I was going through a "creativity desert".  It has been hard for me because creating things feeds my soul and I could not create a thing.  Recently I have felt the ides flowing again.  This is my new favorite creation.  It came out of a Birthday present creation of a hoop earring I made for my friend Sandra.  We share the month of February for our Birthday month and I felt inspired to make her a stylistic hoop for her special day.

I have since made myself a pair and worn them for a week straight.

A morning with a 2 and a 4 year old!

Well after clipping the weekly grocery coupons, starting to clean the kitchen, starting a load of laundry, breaking up a breakfast table fight, cleaning up the straws that ended up everywhere and finally listening to DeLuca tell Tristan that she needs to marry him I can only sit and chuckle at this circus that is my life. I wouldn't trade it but I do wish I could just finish one thing uninterrupted! I am sure the other Mom's out there share the same sentiment. Happy Sunday everyone!

Blogs worth visiting!

Visual Vocabulary: A picture says a lot and pictures tell beautiful stories on this Blog. It is eye candy just scrolling fast down the pages of entries. I am a busy Mom of a health and eating challenged 2 y/o boy and a vivacious, spicy, rule the world type 4 y/old girl. Blogs have to catch my attention visually first and then keep curiosity long enough to read the blog post. I could spend hours on a Blog like this.

Jesyka posts adorable outfits for her little girl Laelia. Inspiration for little girls anywhere. Laelia is a fashionable little on that is for sure.
Here is outfit #11:Another inspiration from this blog is the transformation of this China Hutch. It is so amazing and has been featured on Design*Sponge, Craft:, apartment therapy and finally Centsatinal Girl. I love it and suddenly feel the urge to go buy a tacky old hutch and give it a glam makeover.

My Blog Silence!

My blog has been silent for awhile. I thought I would share why. My 8 month old son could not keep any solids down starting at 6 months and was even struggling to keep liquids down. He would spit up 30+ times per hour and was not gaining weight. They kept thinking he was just a "spitty baby" but I finally cracked and insisted something be done. An upper GI study was done and they found a small bowel malrotation. This was causing an intermittent bowel obstruction...thus the profuse spitting up! He had surgery at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital on Dec 18th. I cannot say enough good things about Doernbecher Children's Hospital. We are blessed to have them near us. We did make it home before Christmas on Dec 22nd but needless to say we layed low for the Holidays. We were just thankful for being home with our little girl and our healing little boy. He is still struggling with solid food and still has specialist appointments galore but the spitting up has now reduced to a tolerable level. I will get back to the blog and open my store again when my life and my child's health are back in order.

Oh Wow!

I was searching online for a scarflette pattern to try with my new crocheting skills and I ran across this scarflette. I just love it and will be trying this one ASAP.

Give Away Allert!

Simple Blueprint is hosting a giveaway of one of Eva Juliet's shop items. Check it out and enter here to win.

iCraft's Online Sellers Bootcamp!!! Assignment #4

Assignment #4: What’s your propositional benefit or in other words … why should I buy your necklace instead of the other guys? Give three remarkable points about your product.

So here goes my assignment #4:

What makes my product unique?
I handcraft all the jewelry in my shop myself. I do my best to pair all beads for their similar attributes however it is my desire that they all will have individual distinctions as I use many materials formed by nature. Earrings and wire clasp components may vary slightly from pair to pair as I make most of the wire components freehand. I do my best to recreate and duplicate form and design yet I take artistic freedom with each piece to allow it to take on unique free form qualities during the crafting and replication process. Please embrace each of my unique creations for its truly individual characteristics, natural materials, free form shape and craftsmanship.

iCraft's Online Sellers Bootcamp!!! Assignment #3

My Moo cards.

1. Finish up assignment #2 - done!
2. Add your automatic store signature to every email in Outlook or Outlook express (for me it is Entourage). For Outlook go to Tools, Options, then the Mail Format tab and start creating your NEW signature. There is a little link button in the small signature frame to add your shop name as a LIVE LINK in every email. Make it easy for people to go to your shop .
3. Get your business cards ready. If anyone has some suggestions on free or special promotion priced business cards jump in and post the information. This is a chance to focus on business locally and there is lots of opportunity at this time of year. - I use Moo cards. I think they are worth the money.
   
4. For those of you that have business cards already what about product tags that can be pinned or tied to your product? Make sure you have consistant branding. If you already have those what about designing a postcard featuring 9 or 12 product pictures on the front. Use them at gift shows or mail out to past clients. - Once again I use Moo cards for this. they are an all purpose card. You can order postcards from them as well.
   

iCraft's Online Sellers Bootcamp!!! Assignment #2

iCraft puts on a "sellers bootcamp" several times a year. This is the first I have heard of it and I am willing to give it a go. I am behind several assignments but I am going to start here. Day one was simple introductions... I have already done that in this blog so I will get to the second assignment. I found out about this from Callidora's Closet on twitter so a shout out to her. Here is a link to her Etsy store as well.

If any of you reading this are also participating in the bootcamp let me know. I would love to feature you on my blog. The purpose of this assignment is to have this all on hand if someone asks you for an interview or wants to feature you somehow. Here is mine and I do not mind a feature :)

Assignment #2: Answer these questions:

Q:Tell us about yourself …bio 150-200 words.
A: I am Sarah Dible a wife, Mother, a sister, a dog owner, a physical therapist a NAET practitioner, a friend to many, a philanthropist, a missionary's kid whose heart has a special place for Rwanda, Africa and a jewelry designer and artist that finds inspiration for her designs just before dozing off to sleep at night. I love spending time teaching my hands new skills. I am a perfectionist who manifest my neurotic tendencies in the details of my creations. I love being a Mom and wife most in my life but art and creating things with my hands feeds my soul.

I am not an academic who craves school but I am very proud to have finished an academically challenging degree like physical therapy. What I learned most from my traditional schooling is that determination and dedication is the key to achieving your goals. However I am a creative mind that learns kin esthetically and I have always gravitated toward things that I can create in my minds eye and then figure out how to make them a reality using my hands.

As a child growing up in Kigali, Rwanda I used to climb over my fence to go to my neighbors house to sit and watch Jutta, a truly gifted artist, create her magic. She painted water color, made dolls, and created beautiful beaded jewelry from local ivory and malachite. Looking back at the situation I probably drove her nuts. She had two sons my age and my older brother played with them... but I just liked to hang out with her and was just in awe of her talents. When we moved away she gave me one of her dolls as a gift. I still have it and it still amazes and inspires me.

Jutta's Doll: She made everything. Outfit, shoes, painted the face etc..

I wake up every day and can't wait to see what I can learn. I love YouTube for ideas. I have been teaching myself to crotchet lately and who knows... maybe some of the techniques will end up in a jewelry design.

I started making jewelry in 1998 when I saw some earrings for sale and thought to myself "I can make those". I went home and taught myself to wirewrap. I figured it all out on my own. I may not have done everything right but I was able to create it and I took off from there. Even though I would like to, I have not taken any jewelry making classes. I am sure I will eventually take one but I have not had the time and have not maxed out my own creative leaning yet.

Since the birth of my daughter a little over two years ago my life has been beyond busy. I find that I have to make an effort to take the time to be creative in order to feel a connection and balance to my life. My style is always evolving and I cannot wait to see where it takes me next.


Q: Tell us about your shop.
A: I sell my wonderful jewelry creations at www.loopsdesigns.etsy.com

Q: How did you get started?
A: I have made jewelry on and off since 1998. Some of my physical therapy patients started asking where I got my jewelry and I started making some for them. I sold a little in stores locally but I tend to be a little shy so going out there face to face with store owners to get wholesale orders was very hard for me. I decided to try selling online. I tried ebay for about a week but the venue did not suit me and I looked elsewhere and immediately found Etsy. I have been very happy with the aesthetic and ease of use. I have worked with other selling venues and thus far Etsy is my place. I am open to trying other venues as well.

Q: What is your favorite item in you shop (attach link please)
A: Little Fiddlehead Earrings in Oxidized Silver

Q: Whats your favorite _____________ that you have ever made
A: Tough question. I like the the thrill of making something new for the very first time. Plucking it out of my mind and into reality is my favorite moment.

Q: Whats you most memorable sale.
A: My first sale on Etsy... I remember doing a big happy dance and thinking "somebody likes my creation".

Q: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
A: I find a lot of inspiration in geometry and in nature.

Q: Tell us about a favorite designer.
A: Marie-Helene de Taillac she is a French Princess. Her work is usually 24k gold with gemstones in it.

Q: What's your favorite color.
A: I think it is easier to think of colors I don't like. There is a retro shade of mustard that makes me feel ill. My husband has a T-shirt the exact color and I swear he wears it to test my commitment to him.

Q: What's your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
A: My living/dining/kitchen area... it is all one big perfect living area.

Q: Do you have a (your product) tip you'd like to share with readers?
A: Hmmm... Not sure I can think of any right off hand.

Q: What are your (upto 5) favorite blogs or website? (outside yours or icraft)?
A: Etsy, Perez Hilton yes I sneak a peek all the time...

Q:What are your (upto 5) favorite magazine(s), and or book(s).
A: Well I loved Domino magazine but it is no more. I am still crying over that one. Food and Wine is also a favorite.

Q:What do you do to relax and unwind?
A: Make jewelry. Yes I am being serious. I also like cycling but the my little ones have slowed me down a bit on that one.

My Etsy Picks!

sanchia845 has a great little black and white cashmere hat. I fell in love with it. I may have to buy it for myself for Christmas.

Adding Tweet Button to Your Blogger Post

If you are wondering how to add a retweet button to your blog posts here's how I did it. I simply followed the instructions here on Solid Blogger's page to add the retweet button to my blog posts. So far so good. Feel free to ReTweet my blog posts.

My Etsy Picks!

How cool is this great swiffer cover. I liked it so much I had to buy one for myself. I can't wait to get it and try it. So environmentally friendly and so practical. You too can find these and many more cool items at OlliesBoutique on Etsy.

New Blog Allert!

My great friend Kathy has started her own Blog. It is her first foray into the blogdom. She has great green cleaning tips for anyone looking to decrease the toxicity on their own environment and the world as a whole. Check out her blog at blackkat40.wordpress.com and leave a comment wising her a great welcome to the blogworld. Go Kathy Go!

New Zen Jewelry Designs

It has been awhile since I created a whole new design. That's what happens when you have a baby...all your energy is spent on the baby. I have sat down and worked on new pieces several times but nothing great came out of the work session. Finally in the last week I have found some energy for my creativity again and here is the results:

My new Zen designs are not available in my store:

Blackberry Season!

I will always remember blackberry season fondly as I remember picking them right after my daughter DeLuca was born Sept 1st, 2007.


I went out after a rain last night and due to the weight of the water on the blackberries they were all hanging lower than usual and I was able to pick quite a bunch and they were delicious.

DeLuca had 3 saucers full for breakfast! Yum.

De-Cluttering SALE - Earring of the week

SALE! SALE! SALE!

I am just coming off maternity leave and I am selling beautiful items that no longer fit my specific collection. They will be listed as "De-Cluttering" SALE items one at a time at great prices.

Shop back open!

My Etsy shop is back open for business. I will spend the next while stocking it up again. If there is something someone wants and it is not listed please feel free to contact me on etsy with requests.

Box Fort!

It is a beautiful day here in the Portland area. I went to coffee with Tristan and my friend Liz this morning at Jim and Patty's on Fremont. What a fun morning hang out place and it is always buzz with people wanting their excellent coffee fix. Then I came home to DeLuca playing in a small box fort her Quentin had made her. All in all it makes for a wonderful day with family and friends.

Tristan Oliver is Here!

We waited and waited for this little boy to arrive and he finally arrived fashionably late at 7:58 pm on May 8th, 2009. He weighed 9lbs 11oz. was 21 1/4" long and had a 14 1/2" head. He is a sweet guy who is healthy and growing well. We are getting to know each other and his big sister is fascinated with the "baby".

My Creative Sister!

My sister Melissa has always been a creative spirit gleaning scraps from anywhere that she might be able to up-cycle. When she was young she made this doll house which I wrote about last year on my blog.

This is her newest creation: These adorable book ends! I told her to try to sell them on Etsy but she is worried that they are too heavy to ship for a reasonable cost. She even posted a great tutorial on how she made them in her blog post here.