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.  

How Others Package

Sometimes gifts are so beautifully packaged that they make the actual gift so much more special. I still have the packaging from a little jewelry shop on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. My husband bought me a necklace 20 years ago and I've saved the box plus the ribbon and sticker it came with, which I had carefully put back together.

Wearing the necklace the other day made me wonder  how fellow CCCOE teammates gift wrap or present their handmade goodies.

Here are some I found. I hope they inspire you to think or rethink your presentation!

From LisamariesPiece
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LisamariesPiece

From iCharming
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iCharming

From SoPrettySoVain
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SoPrettySoVain

From thepinkcamellia
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thepinkcamellia

From sliceofdelight
http://www.etsy.com/shop/asliceofdelight

Thanks for reading! If you have ideas of what you would like to read about in this blog, please let Liz or me know, or better yet, you could write a guest blog. If a novice like me can do it, you can too.

Posted by Millie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/eocrafter
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mhandmade

A Little Green

For October, I thought I'd see what green items our team has made...  

Green? What, you were expecting orange?  

(I just finished the cutest--if I do say so myself--green patchwork purse. I have green on my mind.)  

I love knits. And crochet. So, of course, the yarny items stood out. Felt is such a perfect fabric for coasters (I wonder that I didn't think of this.)  

Felted Coasters by Stitchy Impressions

This scarf is such a stunning dark green.

Lily of the Valley by Knit Purl Squirrel

I've never been able to get a brim to work on a hat. I'll have to ask how she did it.

Newsboy by Betty Atkins

Here's a paler green on a sewn purse. Great shape.

Mint Green Reversible Purse by A Stone's Throw

I can't seem to do a post without a pair of earrings. I wonder why that is.

Bali Style Drop Earrings by Jeanine Designs

Very cheery. And there's just something about a purple/green combo that I love.

Upcycled Glass Stash Jar by Crazie Happy

And if you have a mezuzah affixed to your doorway, what better cover for it than one in green.

Mezuzah Cover by ClayMystique

This post contributed by Liz at Zizi Rho Designs who cannot do a post with a color theme in a color that makes sense for that month. It's a thing.

Also, we're looking for volunteers to post here, guest or regular. Let us know. We'd love to have you on board.

Opals or Tourmalines - October Birthstones

If you were born in October, lucky you! Your birthstones are tourmalines and opals, awesomely gorgeous gemstones! Here is a small sample of October birthstone jewelry from our CCCOE mates:

From Emayuka, I found these earrings with watermelon tourmaline slices. Aren't they fab? 

But, just in case you'd rather have opals, here is a delish opal necklace with dangling labradorites on a sterling silver chain from JewelryBySonjaBlume

How about a necklace with tourmalines? 

Here's one from DistinqueJewelry. Beautiful!!!

What? Wow! A four finger opal ring from NINOTCHKAgoods. How original is that? 

Love, love, love these earrings by SurfAndSand. Check out how many tourmalines are in these earrings. Ninety-six!

I love pink opals, so I couldn't leave out BellaBeadsOriginals' necklace. Had to include pinkness!

There were so many beauties from our major talented team. It was so hard to choose, but that's how life works, gotta make choices. I'm happy with the ones I've just made!

September Finds

In my monthly quest to highlight CCCOE shops that you might not have noticed, I stumbled across some interesting jewelry finds.  

Bobbie pins in orange? Oooh...

Hot like Fire Bobbies by Ronies

And this is very hippie/bohemian.

2 in 1 Head Chain by Brielle Belle

What a great pale bracelet. I'm sure this would go with just about everything in your wardrobe.

4 Wrap Moonstone Bracelet by Plumdragon Products

I've seen the feather earrings, so why not a feathered anklet?

Bohemian Style Anklet by Lost Coast Arts

And these long, slender earrings are such a lovely shade of pink.

Pink Chalcedony Rose Gold Earrings by jewelryNgemstones

The geek in me loves the octopus in space.

Space Octopus Necklace by Little Smarty Pantz

Since my medium is fiber, I am awed by those that make things from metal.

Turquoise Mixed Metal Necklace by Copper Tree Art

Make sure to check out these shops. The links in the captions take you to the shops while the pics will link you directly to these items. Happy shopping.

This post was contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs. Happy September. 

A Festival of Smells

Perusing Etsy, as I do from time to time, I ran into a listing for lip balm. Lip balm?  

It surprises me the things that are sold on Etsy. I guess my imagination is limited. It doesn't occur to me to look for things that I use every day. Why buy the same things everyone else buys from faceless corporations when you can find individuals who make the same things with a lot more care? 

I searched a category I had never paid much attention to before--Bath and Beauty. (Click on the pictures to get to the item listings. A link to the shop is in the captions.)

What is a bath without soap? (Psst, Sue. What does hemp mint beer smell like?)

Hemp Mint Beer Soap by The Skin You're In

Ah, lavender grapefruit. I bet that smells divine.

Lavender Grapefruit Artisan Soap by Pacific Paradise Soap

And I'm such a sucker for chocolate in any form.

Chocolate Heaven Cupcake Soap by Joy Soap Works

Then I found the body butters. I love body butter. And in lilac.

Lilac Scented Body Butter Cream by Bee Perfect

And this one also has lavender essential oil in it. (She's got a bunch of balms and salves as well.)

Velvety Soft Body Butter by Tanza Botanicals

And the thing that started it all--lip balm. This sounds like an interesting formula. I bet it smells wonderful.

Masala Rose Chai Lip Balm by Gwendolyn Rose Botanicals

I've been talking a lot about how these must smell, so of course I had to include something that's all about the smell--perfume.

Natural Perfume Roll Ons by JoAnne Bassett

Make sure to check out the Bath and Beauty category. I was surprised by what was there. You might be too.

This post contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs, who is on a mission to find beautiful aromas. At least this month.  

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.