The other day I needed something pretty to match my brand new outfit and I couldn’t find anything that really matched.  Of course, that meant I needed to make something!  Am I the only one that thinks this way?  I don’t think so.

Here’s what I came up with…Locket Art.  It was one of the quickest projects I’ve ever done and it might just be my new favorite!

I started with one of the crystal clear lockets that I’ve been selling for over a year now in my Etsy shop.  Well, I guess I’m a little slow sometimes, but I always thought of these holding beautiful family photos and not too much more.

Then I gathered up a little matching Bella Blue wool felt and a couple scrapbook goodies I found on a clearance pile the other day.  {I don’t even scrapbook…so I must have a craft supply shopping addiction.}

I checked to see what would look the best and fit in the locket.  I can’t believe how this butterfly matches my new skirt…love it!

I tried a couple options and using part of the arrow looked pretty neat.  You could even use one pattern for the front and one for the back.

I trimmed it all to fit and placed it in the locket.  I didn’t use any glue so I can change it to match something else in minutes by changing the butterfly to something else.

The thought of using this one locket to have matching jewelry for any outfit totally thrills me!

Lockets aren’t just for photos…create a little art of your own!

What a great little gift idea for the person that has everything.  I only have 3 of these lockets left in the shop since I took one for myself.  Hurry and get yours before they’re gone!

~Kim

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A Face-to-Face Interview With Krystal From Blended

What do you think about these beautiful earrings? These are my favorite, and the way the light reflects on them is just stunning!

This photo was taken when I met a fellow Etsian, Krystal from Blended, for a face-to-face interview and a look at her jewelry collection. She’s so creative, and we could have talked for hours!

Krystal moved from Jamaica {how cool} with her family when she was a child, and didn’t realize her creative talents until a couple of years ago when she had her daughter. All of a sudden she started drawing like she did when she was a child and hasn’t stopped creating new things since. Krystal can draw, crochet, and is always trying something new.

This necklace is made with colored Jade….I had no idea they could take light colored Jade and create these brilliant colors!

Krystal has been working with beads for over a year, and now makes almost daily trips to the bead store near her home {how lucky!} for inspiration and more supplies.

When I asked her when she started, she said “I’m not sure, I just know I had money one day and the next day it was gone!” Ha! I’m sure many of you understand how fast money can go when you buy supplies!

A description of Blended, in Krystal’s own words:

The inspiration behind blended is that we girls have many sides to us, some days we are prim and proper – while other days we want to let our rock star hair down. Blended is here to embrace all the sweet, fun, spunky, girly, tough and glamorous sides of you. From girly pearls and gems to rock star bangles and revolver earrings, there is something here for every part of you.

Seller Tips from Krystal

• Use different color backgrounds for your photos. She found more shop visitors from the color search feature on Etsy by having a variety of backgrounds.
• Showing a photo of your packaging and using all five photos has improved her sales.

Krystal’s packaging really completes the presentation of her work!

Her sales have started growing faster, and anything from her shop would make a fabulous gift. Don’t forget about Mother’s Day!

Blended is constantly adding new designs, like this stunning necklace.

Krystal takes time to make sure each piece she makes is just right, and she’ll start all over if something is a bit out of place. That’s one of the wonderful things about Etsy seller’s that put so much love and care into each item.

Handmade gifts are the way to go!

There’s something to be said about meeting someone “In Real Life” for an interview. You can really get to know them and their work! Anytime you get two Etsy Lovin’ girls together for coffee, it’s sure to be fun!

Thanks for sharing all your jewelry and tips with us, Krystal!

You have to stop by Blended and see all her new designs!

~Kim

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The Vintage Pearl is well known for creating unique handstamped jewelry that is simple, sentimental and meaningful!

Don’t you just love every single design? I sure do!

Every piece is handmade with sterling silver, freshwater pearls, or crystals. There are so many beautiful designs at The Vintage Pearl!

Here’s a sample…

This inspiring bracelet is one of my favorites!

Oh, these are just darling…and the flowers are perfect!

Engraved baby spoons make fabulous shower gifts!

Love birds are simply sweet!

The Vintage Pearl is full of beautiful handmade treasures, and a great inspiration for the rest of us with Etsy shops. I recently saw one of their ads in Real Simple Magazine! Yay for handmade!

Erin has a wonderful blog with beautiful photos that I really enjoy. You might want to stop over there and take a few minutes to browse.

To celebrate out 996th follower we are having a special giveaway! Yes, 996th! I just couldn’t wait another day to get to 1000! The little counter thing gets on my nerves anyway.

Thanks for all the support! I love your comments and emails with photos and encouraging words! You Rock!

One lucky, lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a $50 gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl! Isn’t that awesome?!

Erin has a wonderful collection that you must see for yourself, so hop on over to The Vintage Pearl website and let me know what you would LOVE to wear!

Just leave a comment to enter.

For additional entries:

• Leave a comment if you subscribe to Everything Etsy by email or an RSS feed reader{I heart you!}
• Another comment if you Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter
• And another if you post the giveaway on Facebook or your blog, linking back to this post

You can enter up to 4 times! Good luck!

This giveaway is closed.  Thanks for all the wonderful comments.  The lucky winner is #120!

Congratulations Angie!!!

This giveaway ends February 15th at midnight!

~Kim

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We have a beautiful giveaway this week that’s perfect for fall!

This Fall Splendor Copper Necklace from Polka Dot Moon could be yours! It’s a custom piece made with antiqued copper chain, an oak leaf, and lovely beads in fall colors.

Denise is so talented that she has another shop full of goodies…Wild Moon Studio!

Aren’t these acorn tags cute? What a great way to top off that little bag of baked goods for the teachers or neighbors. You could be wrapping with style if you win today’s giveaway. We’re giving away a set of 5 hand stamped acorn tags, too!

Let me show you one of my favorites from Polka Dot Moon…

These Sparrow Earrings are one of the many unique and beautiful items in Polka Dot Moon. She has a style that’s relaxed and elegant at the same time. I like when something can be worn with jeans during the day and a dress in the evening.

This is for all those Twilight fans out there {like Candy} that just can’t get enough! What a GREAT GIFT!!!

One Everything Etsy winner will win the Fall Splendor Necklace and a set of Acorn Gift Tags!!!

There are up to 4 chances to win! Visit Polka Dot Moon or Wild Moon Studio and leave a comment about one of your favorite items. If you are a subscriber to Everything Etsy leave a second comment. Spread the word by Twitter or Facebook for more chances.

This giveaway ends November 2nd. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck to you all!

This giveaway has ended…Congratulations to KATIE!!!!  Enjoy!

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I’ve met so many creative people lately, and I just have to share some of their creations with you! It’s like when you find your favorite shoes marked 70% off and you can’t help but tell everyone you know about your discovery. So here goes…

Our first stop is Whimsical Creations by Melanie. Don’t you love this clay pendant? She’s amazing with clay and has tons of cute creations like mushrooms and babies.   She’s not the only one that can make clay creations…I can make clay snakes!

Do you want to go to summer school? This summer school is for crafty, artsy people and I’m sure all of you would love it. Visit PajamaMama for all the details.

Terri at Artfully Arranged Disarray is the Ms. Smarty Pants of scrapbooking. Check out her blog for great ideas and tips!

What do you get you add funky and beautiful together? Jennifer Ladd Purses! I heart this purse and so many more in her shop! Go buy them, but maybe not the one in the photo.

Have fun looking around!

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Have you ever wanted to make your own jewelry?

Here’s your chance to do it for FREE!

You can win a  $25.00 gift certificate to Photo Jewelry Making.com, where I’m sure you’ll find something you’ve gotta have!  Let’s take a look around a bit, shall we?

This photo pendant is so simple and pretty.  Add a sweet little photo and you are all set.  They make great gifts, but you might just need one for yourself as well!    

With Father’s Day coming up, this might be just what you need.  I love how you can add a photo to them!  Have you ever seen custom cufflinks like this?  I haven’t! 

The typewriter keys are so much fun.  Don’t you love them on a pendant? 

If you want to share more than one photo at a time, this beautiful watch would be perfect.  I’m sure you would get lots of compliments on this!  Love it! 

I would have no problem at all finding a way to spend a $25.00 gift certificate, and I’m sure you won’t either.  Be sure to check out some of the sales.  I can’t believe how reasonable some things are, and they look fabulous! 

There are wholesale prices available and wonderful kits to get you started in the jewelry making business.  Hmmm…do I need another Etsy shop???

You can get up to three chances to win your $25.00 shopping spree:

Just leave a separate comment for each one {up to 3} of the things you did and we’ll pick a winner on June 7th!

**The winners for the beautiful Kimba Made giveaway are Amanda at Life on Country Road 39 and Becca at The Stanley Clan…lucky girls!  Thanks to Kimba for such a fun giveaway!

This giveaway is closed.  Thanks for stopping by! 

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Are you a summer person?  I am!  Being raised in Florida, you can’t help but love the beach and all its wonders.  Even if you don’t live close to a beach, you can find great beach treasures of your own on Etsy!

Look at this genuine sea glass necklace by Sea Find Designs…

What a fantastic piece!  The sea glass was found on a Malibu, California beach!  A beautiful triangle piece is the backdrop for a cute little sterling silver starfish…..perfection!

What a wonderful gift this would make!  It’s a palm tree mini dish, and it can be found at  Wise Impressions.  This little dish says it plain and simple…tropical!  It would fit just right with any beach decor.

I found this amazing original colored pencil drawing at Sweet Tea Designs.  It’s ready to be added to your art collection.

Have fun searching for that perfect beach treasure, and enjoy the benefit of being able to shop in your pajamas!  Isn’t Etsy great?

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Inspirational art is easy to find on Etsy. Isn’t this painting beautiful? It’s an original by Jan Oliver!

Pampering Beki has hand stamped jewelry. Sterling silver and a freshwater peal with a wonderful message.

This one of a kind piece is a mixed media original by Paper Prayers. Their Etsy shop is full of inspirations art!

Have fun looking around! And enjoy the rest of your beautiful weekend!

I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for a fun giveaway!

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This is one of my favorite items on Etsy!  Yum Yum Bubble Gum has wonderful custom handstamped jewelry!  This beautiful bracelet has bamboo beads and and sterling silver charm!  One day…this will be mine!

Check out these GUMDROP BRACELETS!

You can choose from tons of fun colors like turqouise, lime green, and tie dyed blue!

The sterling silver charms can be stamped with words and symbols of your choice!  I purchased one as a Christmas gift, and I had my sister-in-law’s college intials and a cross stamped on it.  It turned out so nice!  Don’t you love giving personalized gifts?

Etsy is all about great products made by people and not  by machines!

Next time you need a sweet treat for someone you love…stop by Yum Yum Bubblegum!

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