Before & After - Heirloom Bracelets

A friend gave me a tin full of her grandmother's jewelry. She said she wanted 2 bracelets - one for herself and one for her sister. I meant to share this ages ago, but I suppose it slipped my mind. :-p

Before:



After:

Bottlecap Pendants

Steelers Charm Bracelets

A Facebook fan decided she wanted a tricked-out charm bracelet made to show her Steelers pride. I can't say it was a bad idea...because it was a GREAT idea. I already have a few orders for more. I can't wait to make them.

I decided to place an Etsy listing for them. Why not? They're $50.00 a piece. Each one is going to be slightly different. I like to do original work, not copies. They will all be very similar, so nothing to fear.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

New Handpainted Shoes

I painted them myself. You need them.

Get them here!!!

MiXoLoGy - New Bracelet Line

Mixology is a new, one-time line of bracelets. These are made with large, focal beads - each one unique to the bracelet. These are trendy and fun to wear. The best part is that they're only $25.00!

MIXOLOGY ON ETSY

HUGE CLEARANCE SALE!

VISIT MY SALE NOW!

Up to 80% off!

CLEARANCE SALE!

I just added a clearance section to my Etsy store. I reduced the prices on a ton of necklaces to 15 and 20 bucks! The only crime they've committed is that they've been in my arsenal for too long. Gotta make room for new creations! Those craft show tables are only so big. :D

FRESHWATER DESIGNS CLEARANCE SALE

Treasury # 4

Thanks to cookiesrus for featuring my necklace in their treasury:

CLICK THIS! It's BLOODY SUMMER!

They freatured this children's St. Patricks Day necklace:

Sale on Children's Necklaces

I made a lot of really pretty children's necklaces a while ago. I originally sold them for $30.00 a piece. I reduced the price to $20.00 for listing on Etsy. The time has come for a sale on what's left:

Children's Necklaces only $15.00!

They are made from handmade polymer clay characters, glass beads, and sterling silver. All are one of a kind and are adjustable.

Lucky You = Lucky Me

I've listed lots of newness lately. I've also been dabbling in things besides jewelry. Here are a few of my favorites. Click the links to visit the items in my online store.

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Tidal Wave is a simple bracelet designed to showcase the beautiful lampwork bead by Candice Matthewson. I used the rest of the set in Quiescence.

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The Call Me earrings are made with paper images and mini bottle caps. They're so cute.


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A strange departure from jewelry led me to embellish these sexy platform shoes with felt stickers. I love how they turned out.

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And on a bright sales note, I shipped this mama out to her new owner today. I knew it would be worth listing it despite the fact that I didn't have it ready for St. Patrick's Day.


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REMEMBER: You can get 20% off of any item in my Etsy shop by subscribing to my e-newsletter.
(excludes items priced $10.00 and less)

I've Been Blogged

This blogger was kind enough to feature the Beach Comber on her blog. I couldn't believe the timing because I just sold it! *woosh*

HANDMADE CHIC: Life's a Beach!

This is actually the second time the bracelet has been featured in someone's gallery or blog. It is such a pretty one. It was purchased from me to be given as a retirement gift. I hear that the receiver loves it and has already worn it several times. Is there anything more rewarding to an artist than seeing their creations find a home? I love it.

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

I love this so much! It cracks me up.

I made the bottle cap charms from a digital collage sheet of comic book images. While I was looking closely at them, I noticed a lot of women with angry looks on their faces. As I looked even more closely, I saw some amazing imagery of man vs. woman. It inspired me to make this "girl-power" charm bracelet.



My favorite is the one where the woman is smacking the guy in the head with something. Haha.

GET IT HERE!

Touch

For all of my fellow pink lovers:

Touch is made from handmade lampwork, Swarovski crystals and pearls, and some gorgeous sterling silver.

Get it here!

Float

Check out Float, now available on Etsy!

Thanks!

One Lovely Blog Award

Thanks to Susmitha - my favorite polymer clay artist - for the "One Lovely Blog" award. Check out her blog: Rants and Raves of a New Age Chick

Now it's my turn to pass it on... here are the rules:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

Pass the award to 10 or more other blogs that you love. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

1. Meow Kiki Clothing
2. Cloud Nine Creations
3. Sparklingtwi
4. The Pink Martini Boutique
5. Melissa Valeriote's Fantastical World of Holidays
6. Luna Cat Jewels
7. Olivia's Vignettes
8. Sha-Sha Handcrafted Jewelry Blog
9. Western PA Tea Business Association
10. Rebecca Rose Designs

Everybody make sure to check out all these great blogs, and maybe you'll find a few that interest you to add to your 'follow' list!

Stuff I Love and Stuff I Made

As promised, here are a few items and vendors I am mad about after meeting them at the Oddmall:

Rainy Daze Hoodie ( RockStarRehab.Etsy.Com)
Feather Belt (RockStarRehab.Etsy.Com)
Skeleton Hair Clips (or anything from The Strychnine Sisters)
Painted Shoes With Suction Cups (Crafttastrophe.Etsy.Com)

And here is something I listed today:


GET IT HERE!

Post-Oddmall Report

Oddmall is sadly over. It was a lot of fun and we met loads of super folks. I believe it would have been more profitable if we hadn't had to travel to Ohio. So I don't think I will be making the trip for their November show. It really bums me out, though, because it was a blast and there are a lot of ladies and gents that I want to reconnect with. Thank goodness for the intertubes.

I got great tips on Pittsburgh shows similar to the Oddmall. Hopefully some of the same people will be at them.

The next show I will be doing is the Old Allegheny Christmas show. I sold loads of stuff there last year. It's also a bonus that I will be able to promote Antiquitea.

That's all I got in my brain for now. I will be posting again - either later today or tomorrow - with some links to great stuff I saw at the Oddmall.

Please remember to sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. Just enter your email in the box in the top right corner of my blog. Thanks!

Oddmall

It's less than one week away! I'm going crazy making sure I have everything ready. I have been getting ready for this show for a long time, it seems. Even if I don't sell a thing, I feel that it will be a good marketing opportunity and I am really looking forward to meeting some of the people I've talked to.

If you would like more information, please visit www.oddmall.info

Let's all say a prayer that the show does so well that they decide to do one in Pittsburgh!

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

A little something patriotic? Yes, please!

Buy Liberty on Etsy!

I Want Summer!

Since I am so wishing summer would hurry up and get here, I thought I'd share some of my most sunny pieces! Click the name to see the item on Etsy.

Heck, I would even settle for it being spring like it's supposed to be.

Jardin De Fleur Jaune

Beach-Comber

Glide

Facebook

Happy Easter Everyone!

I'm just taking a minute from helping out my Mom to say that I started a Facebook "Page" for my jewelry. Stop by and become a fan!

Freshwater Designs on Facebook


Thanks!

~Nicole~

Once Upon A Design Challenge - Month 3

I had some trouble deciding on my project for month 3 of my Bead Hive challenge. I ended up creating something that falls between the art nouveau period and the industrial age. I love it because it looks Victorian. I love most Victorian looking things. My Mom, the tea lady, has seen to that!

Constant Contact Emails

Thanks to you if you are visiting here because of my Constant Contact email today. You are a true friend.

The more people who visit this blog, the more productive it can really become!

Here's hoping!

~Nicole~

I'm In An Etsy Treasury!

BohemianLoveAffair added my Hypnotic Garden bracelet to an Etsy treasury.

Here's the link to her "You Are Getting Sleepy" Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=47704

That made my day!

Check out her amazing Etsy shop here:
BohemainLoveAffair.Etsy.Com

I love this vintage party dress:


~N~

FreshwaterDesigns.Etsy.Com

Eastery Things

Easter is almost here. These are a few items from my Etsy store that I think you might enjoy. Click the item name to visit it in my online store!


Blessed:

Easter Bunny Necklace for girls:

Fairy Lure:

Green Things

It's one week until St. Patrick's Day. I know what I'm wearing. Do you? Here are a few suggested items to help add more green to your wardrobe:

Click the name to view the item in my Etsy store!

Envy, for the sophisticate in you:



Modify, for your funky side:



For the kid in you, or for your kid:



Tasi, for the wild child within:



Want 20% off? If you haven't signed up for my e-newsletter yet then simply contact me with your email address. Then tell me which item you would like to receive at 20% off the original price. Easy as that!

Thanks for looking!

~Nicole~

Who Wants Some Vintage Beads?

Etsy Buy Handmade RefreshBeads

Stop on by my Etsy bead shop, Refresh Beads, for delicious vintage beads of all shapes, sizes, and colors!

Remember, free gifts with any purchase!

Autism Awareness

I have an Autistic brother named Mikey. He's 26 now. Back when we were kids, Autism research was just beginning. Due to the overwhelming numbers of children being diagnosed with Autism (1 in 150 children), there is a lot of attention being paid to the disease. I hope to help by donating my "2 cents." With your help, we can raise a lot of money for this important cause.

I am donating $5.00 or $10.00 per bracelet (depending on style) for each of my Color! Autism awareness bracelet sales. The "chic" style bracelet is pictured below. It costs $25.00, 5 of which will be donated to Autism research and awareness. There is also a "vogue" style available for $50.00, 10 of which will be donated. I am including a sterling silver puzzle charm with each bracelet at no extra charge.



I make the donations to The Autism Society of America (ASA). They have a Pittsburgh chapter (AutismSocietyPgh.org). One member of their professional advisory board is Nancy J. Minshew, M.D. Dr. Minshew heads up the Center for Excellence in Autism Research (CEFAR) and has been one of my Mother's biggest advocates and friends over the years when it comes to my brother. She was the only doctor to agree with Mom when she knew that her child was Autistic. Remember, back then the disease was virtually unheard of. Don't quote me on this, but I believe the diagnosis rate was only 1 in 10,000 children!

You can help me by forwarding this information and the links above to anyone you can think of. We ALL know someone touched by this disease!

Refresh Beads ~ New Items Available!

Etsy Buy Handmade RefreshBeads

I'm On Art Fire

ArtFire.Com

A fellow jewelry maker tipped me off to this new handmade marketplace. We all know how important it is to buy handmade. Especially now that our economy has gone to hell. We need to support our fellow Americans any way we can!

I am able to list 10 items for free. What a shock, I have only listed 3 so far. Time, ladies and gentlemen, is something I wish I had more of...as I have covered in my personal blog.

I thought I would check it out and see if I like it. Just taking over the Internet one day at a time. Dum de dum. More info as the story develops. Stay tuned!

For now you can check out my Art Fire studio here:
Freshwater Designs on Art Fire

Thanks!

Blessed ~ Once Upon A Design Challenge Entry

This is my second entry for the Bead Hive's "Once Upon A Design" challenge. I went with the middle ages for inspiration - specifically, religious icons. I had been wanting to do a religious piece for some time and now I'm glad I had never gotten to it.

I made the picture charms. That is, I applied the pictures to the charms. No, I am not a metalsmith. Wish I were! I must depend on the skill of others for such delights. But I'll be damned if I cant use a printer, scissors, and Mod Podge!

All four metal religion charms and the chain itself are from vintage jewelry that I have re-purposed. The large angels are nothing more than sew-on buttons from my local craft store. I also used Swarovski Crystals, lucite flowers and glass flowers.

I have to admit it...I LOVE THIS! It turned out much better than I imagined. The colors are what really do it for me. Light blues were definitely the right choice.

Submitted for your approval...Blessed





Blessed is available for purchase here!

Ascent Of Man

My on-line jewelry group, The Beadhive, is doing a 3 month challenge in which we cover the entire history of jewelry. Each month we have 3 time periods to choose from. One of the options for January was the prehistoric era.

I came across some bobcat claws and foot bones on Etsy and thought they would be perfect. They say bobcats were around at the dawn of man. See, I did my "research."

I think what I came up with is hilarious, but you can't go by my strange sense of humor. See for yourself:



ASCENT OF MAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE!

During February, we are covering the Medieval and Gothic periods. I have already begun my piece for this. It will be for the Middle Ages, when religious imagery was prominent in jewelry. During the beginning of the Middle Ages, there was far less focus on actual design than there was on mystical significance. I hope to have it done by the end of the week. Sorry, no spoilers today.

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VIPs Receive 20% Off Any Item!

Become a VIP and get 20% off any item at Freshwater Designs Jewelry!

What better way to say I love you than with a special offer? Everyone likes to be a VIP...

I have a fairly new email newsletter that I send once or twice each month. Each newsletter includes a coupon to receive 20% off one item in my online store. As a special offer, I am offering 20% off any item just for signing up! That means you can get one item at 20% off now and then receive another each time you get a newsletter from me. Become a VIP now!

You can contact me via email at beadaholic5@yahoo.com or by sending me a convo on Etsy. Be sure to tell me which item you will be purchasing so that I can adjust the price for you!

In The Beginning...

This blog is designed to focus on and promote Freshwater Designs Jewelry and my vintage bead shop, Refresh Beads. I have been on blogger for a while, but only for personal use with a random sprinkling of jewelry-related posts. I thought it was high time I had one just for business. But fair warning - I am not very businesslike! Haha.

I just started this new blog, so bear with me. I need to work on it. All I have really accomplished is choosing a background.

You can visit either of my sites right now on Etsy! I'll love you if you do.

Freshwater Designs
Refresh Beads

I thought I should post something even though I am not finished with the layout. Most importantly to let folks know about the show I will be doing in May. My husband, Evan, and I will be travelling to Hudson, OH for the Oddmall. It's about 2 hours from Pittsburgh and we are lucky enough to have a cousin in Medina to stay with. Thanks, Mimi!

I've checked out the crafters and artists who are attending and there are a lot of other jewelry designers. Some really amazing stuff is going to be at this show and I can't wait to see it all in person.

I'm working on lots of new display ideas and great designs. Busy, busy, busy. Which reminds me...I should probably get up from the computer now. Sitting here won't get the jobs done, now will it?