Four Leaf Clover Earrings

etsy listing

etsy listing

I'm making some special pieces for St. Patrick's Day for sale on my etsy shop for $30 each. The first is shaped completely by me out of plated copper wire (except for the Swarovski crystals, of course) and the second I used already made ear wires.

I had a lot of fun making them and I think I'll be putting up some necklaces soon as well so check back at my shop! I'm just learning how to shape wire so I'm experimenting with craft wire for now. Eventually, I'd love to use real silver or more expensive wire, but until then I'll just be having fun trying out new things with wire :-)

Design Portfolio

After my last post I've been asked if I have any examples of my work, mostly for interior design. Obviously, when it comes to cupcakes, a taste test would make more sense :)

So here are some examples of work I've done in school and some in the time since. The two above are what I would consider 3D sketches. These next two are examples of 3D renderings (the first I did in school):

These next photos are of presentation boards I made for my thesis project, which was a boutique hotel I designed myself.

I'm working on putting together a project that includes a before and after floor plan, and a 3D sketch and an inspiration board for the redesign of the room. I think I might actually do my own bedroom or just pull something from a magazine, I'm not sure yet.

But, so far, this is the best I can show for my portfolio. Unfortunately, when I worked with actual designers who worked in residential, we didn't do this kind of hands on creative work. It was really mostly paper work and, for me, hounding people on the phone. I think that's the main reason I'd prefer to just help people on a smaller scale, and help them save some money because, let's face it interior designers are expensive!

Out of Print Clothing

I was looking through the new issue of House Beautiful and came across this tote bag from Outofprintclothing.com! I immediately went through the roof with excitement: my favorite story of all time with a picture of a peacock! (I'm not sure if you've noticed lately, but I'm obsessed with peacocks!)

This is actually the original artwork by Hugh Thompson from the original cover of Pride & Prejudice. It's only $18 and for every item you purchase on outofprintclothing they donate a book to a community in need through their partner Books for Africa. (Visit their website to find out more about what you can do to help communities in Africa be enriched from the joy of reading.)

Needless to say, I was sold and bought one right away! I can't wait to use it! Check out all their other amazingly cool products that feature covers from some of your favorite classic novels!

Business ventures

Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to how I can make money until I can find a job. I'm finding that I'm not a very good self promoter. Look at my blog, for example. I haven't had any new followers in about two years. And my etsy shop hasn't had much success either.

Regardless, I thought I'd share the fact that a few days ago I posted some ads on Craigslist for Interior Design services and for cupcakes.

Please do feel free to check out the ads, but I'll also summarize for you: For Interior Design I'm offering general ideas for redesigning your home or just one room in your home, as well as help with reorganizing. I offer space planning, furnishings selections, color schemes, and 3D renderings. I'm charging $75 per hour (although I can work around anyone's budget), and I offer a first time consultation in your home for a flat fee of $50. Whatever advice or ideas I give in that consultation are yours to have with no obligation to work with me further.

For cupcakes I'm offering my special gluten-free cupcakes for any occasion, whether it be a birthday, a wedding, a dinner party, or any kind of event. My flavors are limited because they're gluten free, but they taste just as delicious as a regular cupcake! (I always tell everyone they are gluten-free, but they're not sugar-free!) Prices are $30/dozen regular sized, $30/2 dozen minis.

If you know of anyone in Ventura County or LA county who is interested in either of my services please do pass the word along, or if you yourself are interested, don't hesitate to shoot me an email for any further details!

Fairy Tale Designs

Crystal & Pearl necklace 

Crystal & Chain earrings

Crystal & Pearl earrings

Recently I expanded my easy shop, which I've also renamed Fairy Tale Designs, to include jewelry in addition to my art. (I also really would like to have some of my art made into pendants for necklaces, but I'll tell you more about that once I've decided to get that rolling.) I've only made a few pieces so far, mainly earrings (click above for links to individual items in my shop) and I'm having a sale through Valentine's Day, everything 20% off.

Feel free to check out my new shop and let me know what you think! I would especially love to know what anyone thinks about having a shop offer both art and jewelry. Do you think it's too confusing?

Endings and Beginnings

Today I'm posting from my iPad, which was the most awesome Christmas present I've ever recieved, but I'm finding myself hindered in many ways, especially when it comes to blogging, that weren't a problem when I had a computer. Said computer died on me on the 18th of December. It was a sad day indeed. We'd been through a lot together. For a PC it lived a rather long time (7 years). Luckily I had nearly everything on that computer backed up. It would've been a catastrophe had that not been the case. But, like I said, I'm feeling hindered without it.

Don't get me wrong, I love this iPad! I watch my instant Netflix, which I couldn't do on my computer because it was so slow, and I can still work on my writing with Pages, which is infinitely better than Word, and my brother got me this awesome case that includes a bluetooth keyboard and props my iPad up so it really feels like I'm using a laptop. But I can't even show you a picture of what it looks like because on blogger I can't post pictures from my iPad. This is a serious issue for me because I'm so unfamiliar with how to post pictures via a URL. I suppose I should get a Flickr account. I think that would work, anyway. Any ideas?

Anyway, this is the reason why this post is void of any photos, which I think is what gives my blog it's life. My words offer substance, but I've never fealt I really have a thing for this posting in the moment thing that so many bloggers seem to have a gift for (although, I'm sure there are times many of you plan out your posts ahead of time, I'm still hopeless at this). I seem to have more of a gift for writing fiction. Obviously. I suppose I feel my own life is rather boring and adding photos is my way of making it more exciting...in a way.

So I'm sitting here getting ready to watch the Saints play the Lions in the wild card playoffs, wishing I could add photos of the many books I've read recently that I'd like to tell you about. The first are the Hunger Games trilogy, but I'm sure you all know what the covers to these books look like, but if not I'm going to utilize my ability to use links. These books are amazing. I've read each in about 2 or 3 days. I just finished Catching Fire two days ago and I'm about to finish Mockingjay today. I'm crazy excited to read the ending, but I'm really nervous at the same time because the story covering all three books has proven to be so tragic. I've laughed, I've cried, I've gotten angry, frustrated, creeped out, and nervous as hell! It's been quite a ride and it makes me even more excited for the movie coming out in March!

I also read the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo last month and I can't wait to see the movie, it was that awesome! I really had a hard time putting it down. I was completely shocked to find out what happened to Harriet and I couldn't help but be fascinated with Lisbeth. I'm not crazy about the ending, but it was an amazingly written story overall.

I'm also still working on my dragon novel and I hope to be done with that soon. I can't believe how long I've been working on it, but it is pretty complex. I can't wait for the day when I'll be able to tell you it's getting published! I'm optomistic that will happen this year. Put out some good energy for me!