Summertime

This week I challenged the team to show me something from their shops that makes them think of summer, that belongs in summer, or anything summer. And then I asked them for a summer memory. Here's what they gave me:

Here's how The Pink Camellia remembers summer:

Summer always makes me think of young innocent summer crushes! Going on a vacation, or to camp, or wherever, and developing a crush on someone. You'd spend your summer laughing and having fun, then have to go back home and write letters to your sweetheart, maybe carry around a picture or something special they gave you to remember them by. They'd slowly fade away after school started back up again, but weren't those crushes the best?!  

I made a Lovebirds locket just for that reason..to hold that pic of your sweetie close to your heart...

Large Swarovski Crystal Lovebird Locket Necklace

Bobbles By Carol feels summer is: 

Summer is filled with bright color of all kinds... Greens of different kinds of grass and the stems of beautiful fresh blooming flowers in every shade of color.. Clear skies let us see the blues and white fluffy clouds...  

I made these earrings and matching necklace with some of these colors...

Gemstone Jewelry Beaded Earrings

Gemstone Jewelry Green Bead Necklace

Crystal Mist Cottages has a different take on summer: 

I live in Santa Cruz, so I'm fortunate to see the whales swimming past our shores. I sit on the sand, watching the dolphins play, and enjoying the sea lions romp, hoping I'm lucky enough to spot that spout!

Humpback whale with calf, original watercolor

Indy And Cleo has a similar take on summer:

I'll never forget an amazing summer vacation spent on the Big Island of Hawaii ~ walking along sandy beaches with giant Pacific Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun. In Hawaiian, they're called “Honu”. Though no one is really sure, Pacific Green Sea Turtles probably live into their 80’s. I called them giant because a fully grown Honu has a shell 4~5 feet in diameter and weighs about 350~400 pounds! If you ever have a chance, they are truly an amazing sight to see . . . Aloha!  

My very talented husband is the artist behind this art print . . .

Sea Turtle Art Print

Isn't summer the best time of the year? What's your best memory of summer?

About Time

I hear it everywhere. "Wow, where did [insert month here] go?" And now they're starting to wonder where 2012 has gotten to. Which got me to thinking about time. And that lead me to thinking about clocks.  

What with the end of daylight saving time and the end of the year, time seemed an appropriate subject. First up, actual working clocks. And various team members have brought us some beauties.

Fused Glass Clock by Nor Cal Art Glass

Floral Wall Clock by Jessilyn Joy

Woodland Squirrel Mosaic Clock by Be Mine Forever

But clocks don't just have to be to tell time. Clock designs work in jewelry as well.

Cuckoo Clock Earrings by Paganucci Designs

Clock bobby pins. I had not thought of that.

Time in Paris Gunmetal Bobby Pins by The Pink Camellia

Clocks make great images. Here's one on a card.

Thinking of You Card by Quirky 'n Berkeley Cards

And this photograph is stunning. Sigh. I wish I was in Paris.

Time to Go Back to Paris Photograph by Sonja Caldwell Photography

I guess I'm just about out of time... Until next time. Yeah, I guess I could do this all day.  

This post contributed by Liz of Zizi Rho Designs. Blogger has done something weird, so the photos no longer link back to the items on Etsy. That link is now in the caption.  

Helpful Suggestions

It's July. My birthday is at the end of the month. And because my relatives need a little help when it comes to finding me things I like, I am again hijacking the post giving them some ideas.

I love bags. I have several. I could use several more. I like interesting patterns. I especially like bags that are different. Handmade is ideal.

Trendy Paisley Reversible Bag by Cherie's Place

Gold and Brown Boho Messenger Bag by art to wear diva

Now, I don't actually need a stylus for my smart phone. I just want one. I think they're cool.

Compact Mini Stylus by ASH Woodshops

And you could never go wrong getting me something chocolate. Cake. Cookies. Ice cream cake. Yeah, chocolate is good.

Ultimate Chocolate Blast Cookies by KEcookies

As for jewelry, I only wear earrings. Pretty dangle earrings are very good. Orange is my signature color, but yellow will do in a pinch. And either of these (or both!) will do nicely.

Citrine Earrings by Love Jane Jewelry

Sunshine Yellow Dangle Earrings by Beach Girl Beads

I don't have nearly enough hair jewelry. I lost one of my favorite clips last year, so I could use a replacement. I think these would look perfect in my hair.

Bronze Flower Crystal Bobby Pins by The Pink Camellia

There. That ought to do it.  

This post contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs. All pictures should link back to the listing on Etsy, although I discovered last month that the links weren't working. (Whoops. Sorry!) I think I fixed the problem. Fingers crossed.

Pull Your Hair Back

I've been experimenting with making barrettes...

...and I got to wondering. I can't be the only one. What sort of barrettes are my fellow teammates coming up with?

Well, that's an easy search.

First I found these two stunning pieces from The Rustic Home and LisamariesPiece.

These are the sort of barrettes that I find myself drooling over at craft fairs. My hair is pretty thick, so I need nice things to hold it back. Sturdy is good too.

Then I saw these shiny ones by The Pink Camellia and 2Dy4.  

It was hard to narrow it down to one example from each of these shops. Too many choices.

Then there were some flower-themed from Snapdragon Lace and Rindow Designs.

I need to stop looking. There are so many nice barrettes and hair accessories. I can't choose.

These from Lil' Princess Bowtique and My Sweetie Bean are way cute.

These are aimed at a younger set. I don't think I could get away with wearing them myself. Although, I might just try...

Finally, the unique from Tresijas and EvalynBlackDesigns.

The first one is from an actual vinyl record album. As for the second, we all know that feathers are really big in accessories at the moment.  

I'm impressed. I think it's time to extend my barrette collection. Can you ever have too many barrettes?  

This post was contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs. All pictures link back to the items on etsy. Also, search "barrette" and "cccoe team" to find some other amazing items.