Big news for black Friday!

The biggest shopping day of the year is here and I would be remiss if I didn't offer a great deal to you on such big day! So, from now through Monday, 1 December, you'll have free shipping on any purchase you make at my etsy shop.

And the time we've been waiting for is finally here: LolliShops is opening! Visit my LolliShop from now until Monday, 1 December and enter "holiday buzz" in the message area during PayPal checkout to receive 10% off your total order (not including shipping). (You'll receive a refund later through PayPal.)

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this week's wants

Since I have a stack of exams and lab reports to grade (again!), this edition of this week's wants is short, but very sweet. No time to dilly-dally, so here we go!

I've been taken with this Pretty Little Things print by Rocky Top Studios for weeks now. I love the color and texture. And the focus (It seems I'm addicted to bokeh lately.). These little sprouts seem sorta determined yet delicate and vulnerable at the same time. This describes many of us, no? What a beautiful reminder to hang on your wall!

Herringbone has never looked better! I adore this silk herringbone single pleat dress by Betsy B Design. It's too chilly here in Michigan to wear it as shown right now, but I think this number would look equally smart with a cozy turtleneck and tights.

Ah, simplicity! I love this organic O necklace by Walker Silverworks (this is the vertical design, but it is also available in horizontal). Though it is simple, it is far from plain. The bright, brushed finish is so pretty. And you can make it your own by choosing just the right silk cord to match whatever you're pairing it with!

How sweet is this Tiny Red Cross Sampler by Minature Rhino? I love the tea-stained effect on the linen and the simple crossed branches beneath the cross. It definitely captures that nostalgic feel. I would look so cute on a small wall by itself or hung in a collection. Or maybe marking your home's first aid station? :)

Back to those assignments,

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it's wonderful

OCEAN CITY 121
Originally uploaded by kevincmw2003

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Despite the insane schedule I've been keeping lately, I'm starting to feel the joy and warmth of the holiday season, which, for me, is captured in a spectacular way in this photo. Enjoy!

Need more holiday cheer? Check out this blog contest. You could win a printable 2009 calender from The Little Brown Pen!

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shopping

I'm entering the confessional. I have to admit that I have an obsession with catalogs. But that's not all. I'm occasionally often even more intrigued by an item because of it's placement, who's wearing it, or what she's doing, than I am by the piece itself. I somehow imagine myself wearing the sweater and poring over books, looking smart as I lean against a gorgeous white wall, or bundling up in that gorgeous scarf to fend off the chill of the recently fallen snow. And then I buy. I'm such a sucker.

Am I alone in this?

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rosy glow

I'm blushing today. In a very good way! Kelly, a new friend from LolliShops, has written such a lovely, flattering feature of my shop on her new blog, The Rose-Colored Monocle. Kelly started the blog as a way to feature other artists and she put out a call to others on the LolliShops forum. I happened to be up and at my computer way earlier than usual this morning and responded to her post after checking out her beautifully appointed blog. Well, of course I wanted to get in on the fun. Imagine my surprise when I got the honor of being her first feature. Hooray!

Aside from graciously shedding light on the creative work of others, Kelly is a talented artist herself, specializing in teddy bears, jewelry, and trinkets, which you can find right now on etsy and soon on LolliShops!

Thanks again, Kelly!

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this week's wants

As you'll soon find out, this week's wants is sort of lacking in the theme department this week. Well, except that this week's items are all so beautiful. I suppose the lack of theme can be blamed on the fact that I'm a little scatter-brained myself at the moment. It's late in the semester, which means a rush on assignments being turned in. While I've got plenty of lab reports and assignments to grade, I'm daydreaming of the holidays ahead as well as busily getting ready for my LolliShop to open this week. Well, enough with the rambling, let's get this started!

The first thing to catch my eye this week was this modern blouse with high collar by yellow cake. Of course, it was the collar that really drew me in, but the detailing on the shoulder and sleeve makes the piece even more interesting and unique. I imagine this would look fabulous with a tweed pencil shirt, though to be honest, I'd probably be more likely to pair it with my favorite jeans.

Some of you may know that I've been taking a metalsmithing class for the last few months. I meet for my last session this week, which makes me sad, but I do plan to take another class in the near future. I'm hardly an expert after 10 weeks of classes, but I now have a much better appreciation for the work involved in crafting jewelry from metal. So, when I saw these anemone leaf stud earrings by Abigail Percy, I both swooned at their beauty and marveled at Abigail's handiwork. They're just...delightful!

I've always got plenty to tote around, what with those lab reports and all. Naturally, I've always got my eye out for a terrifically stylish bag that is actually functional as well. Well, I think I've nailed it in this large brown tote bag by apipi. This bag would totally accomodate my grading as well as the macbook and moleskin I'm constantly toting along. And I love the versatility of the handles and longer strap, not to mention the inner pockets for organizing all of those red pens!

Did I mention that I'm going back to Paris?! Okay, I'm sorry. I know that I'm probably beginning to sound like a broken record (does anyone actually remember broken records?), but I am (naturally) really excited about our trip back to l'hexagone. So, with traveling in mind, I bring you the world traveler buckwheat and lavender travel pillow by Mireio. Just imagine how lovely it would feel (and smell) to rest your head against this lovely vintage linen and wake up in the destination of your dreams!

The sugarplums are dancing through my head yet (it's just November after all!), so I'm still searching for fantastic decorative pieces for my home. I stumbled onto Sharon Montrose's shop recently (thanks Nichole!) and have been going back to it again and again just to stare at her beautiful work. I chose her reindeer print here because it suits the season, but I'd be happy to have any of her prints in my home. Spare, yet elegant, here photographs make me feel happy and serene.

Right, back to those assignments!

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waiting

I'm not a particularly patient person, especially when it comes to the seasons. It seems that I never can make it more than halfway through a particular time of year before I'm anxious for the next. In the spring, I'm anxiously awaiting those steamy summer days. In the heat of summer, I'm thinking forward to fall and smart-looking back-to-school clothes. And now that we're smack in the middle of fall, I find myself celebrating that the ground (and the trees in my back yard) has a light dusting of snow, the first harbinger of what will be several cold months in Michigan (and no doubt, by the end of January, I'll be ready for the thaw that will still be a few months away!). But for now, I'm delighted!

Besides the weather, I have another need for patience these days. I'm eagerly awaiting the grand opening of my second shop on LolliShops this week! This is something I've been preparing for for a few months now and I'm so pleased that the launch is just days away. Anyone signed up for my newsletter by then will be receiving a special heads up (as well as the special offer only subscribers get!), so be sure to sign up if you are interested. It looks like Tuesday will be the big day! I've also uploaded some photos to my webpage as a sneak peak. Check them out, if you (like me) just can't wait!

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posh hardware

What a delight! I'm so happy to see my bethany necklace featured on Posh Mama today as part of a story on hardware-based jewelry written by Capitola Girl. You can check it out here! Posh Mama is an online magazine and social network and bills itself as "a positive and upbeat community exclusive to women around the world from all walks of life. You don't have to be a Mom to be a Posh Mama." The site is a load of fun!

Gratefully,

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drumroll, please...

And here it is, the post you've been waiting for! The winner of the November contest is: ps! While she gets the ring of her choosing, I chose a photo of odile for this post, as our winner's blog is very green (as in environmentaly conscious). Check it out here. Many thanks to all of you who entered. I hope to see you back for next month's contest featuring an item from my new LolliShop!

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contest reminder

Hi all,

Just dropping a little reminder here! You have until midnight tonight (eastern) to enter the November contest for a free ring of your choosing.

Click here and comment to enter.
Good luck,

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this week's wants

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Or at least it's almost that time. Each year at this time, I start thinking of holidays past. Of the foods we ate, the decorations around the house, the feeling of good cheer, and the cold evenings spent inside cuddling up in front of the fire. This year, it's no different. I've got sugarplums dancing through my head, even though it's only early November. So, I've headed to etsy for some inspiration and boy, did I find it.

Let's begin with this big fattie christmas pudding by cupcakes for clara. I am drawn to this ornament on several levels. It's cute. It's soft. It's stuffedd. But most importantly, it resembles the scrumptious Christmas pudding my mom makes each year. She even tops it with hard sauce! Christmas dinner just wouldn't be the same without it. One bonus for the plushie pudding, though: it won't mess with your waistline!

If your family/job/life is anything like mine, you know that the holidays can be far from peaceful. This whimsical and festive Peaceful House garland by Going Sew Crazy might just remind us to take a deep breath and consider what's most important now and then. And I love these tiny paper houses!

This garnet pillow by ninu has a cheerful yet understated elegance. It would bring the warmth of the season to any lucky sofa or chair. Remember, I did mention cuddling in front of the fire on those cold evenings. You'll need something for cushion!

September House's beautifully embroidered light hearted ornament reminds us to not take ourselves too seriously this time of year. Truthfully, I need one of these hanging on my wall year-round!

Storia Home's colorful and cheerful garland provides yet another important message for the season (and the rest of the year). I do believe this would be perfect for my living room!

Middleburg's quaint holiday trees would do much to cheer up any mantle. I just adore their quirkiness and whimsicality. Personally, I love skinny trees. You can fit more prezzies around them!

Wishing you peace and joy (and happy shopping),

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november contest

The season of giving is right around the corner. I thought I'd get a head start by giving a little something special to one of you! That's right, I'm holding my first blog contest!

Here are the specifics:
The prize: Any ring from my shop! (That's ryan above.)
How to enter: Leave a comment below.
Deadline: 11:59 pm, Thursday, 13 November.

The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, 14 November.

Update!! Thanks to all who clicked away, I won! More details on the way--stay tuned!
Now, for an extra plea. I'm entered in a contest myself and I would love your help in winning it. All you need to do is visit this site by tomorrow (7 November) and you could help me win the opportunity to open my lollishop two weeks early (that would be next week!). I covet your clicks!

Thanks, and good luck!

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oh wow!

I'm gobsmacked, really. I woke up today to some delightful news. Nichole from little brown pen has featured my shop on her most exquisite blog! Here's the lovely mention!

I first visited Nichole's blog just yesterday after I read drooled over her guest edition of "I heart Monday" on Mrs. French's Blissful blog. I'm a huge fan of I heart Mondays (I covet a shopping trip with Mrs. French) and Nichole's collection was magnificent. I think we'd make splendid shopping buddies. Just visit the little brown pen blog and you'll see that Nichole makes it her mission to promote other artists. She finds amazing talent along the way. I've added many to my list of favorites just in the last 24 hours.

As you'd expect, Nichole is quite the artist herself. Check out her etsy shop for adorable pdf version of her handiwork. I adore the autumn girl images above. (My winter coat is all too similar!) And check out the beautiful simplicity of these calender pages.

Thank you, Nichole!

Off to vote!

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