just a quickie...

I should REALLY be in bed right now since I have to get up early tomorrow morning (which is all my fault since I've had a week to do something, but I've put it off until the last minute), but before I go and read myself to sleep with Breaking Dawn, I wanted to share this with you. If you're in or around Charlottesville, VA on Saturday, July 24th, please come by and see me at The Bridge! I'll be there from 10am to 5pm, and I'm even going to have a little giveaway for visitors!

One last thing before I sign off for the night; I've been so super busy getting things ready for the event that I've really slacked off on blog reading and commenting. Don't take it personally, I really do miss you, and to make up for it, I'll be doing a giveaway for you lovelies in the next week, and I can't wait to get back to my regularly scheduled blogging relationships!

I hope you're all having a good weekend!

them branches are good for hangin'

I don't why I called this post such a ridiculous name, because I can assure you I don't talk like that off the internet! Anyway, I've been wanting to make this type of display for quite a while now, but I just had to figure a time when Chris and I both didn't have anything else going on (I'm a terrible carpenter, so I require his assistance). The other weekend, I got an email inviting me to another art fair (at this gallery) on July 24th, and since I had such amazing luck last time, I knew I wanted to do it again, which meant I needed to get these displays made sooner than later!

I didn't think while I was working on them to take pictures along the way, but they're super simple to make, so I thought I'd tell you how...

The first thing we did was went through the woods looking for the perfect branch. My advice would be to get one from a recently fallen or dead tree, but not one so dead it'll break from the lightest touch. If you get a green branch, you're going to have to set it aside for a few days and let it completely dry.

Once I selected my branches, we went back to the garage, and I cut the end/bottom flat with a band saw, then I cut the little branches back far enough so that they were strong enough not to break when something was hung from them.

Next (this is where Chris comes in), the lumber was cut into two 4"x4" pieces. Then the base of each branch was measured, and Chris drilled a hole that size through the lumber, in which to place my little trees.

Once the branches were set into their blocks, a wood screw was used to "pinch" it in place and ensure it wasn't going to wiggle, spin or fall out. Then the last thing to do was paint! See, it's an easy project, and a fun way to display your jewelry!

Lastly, if you're in or around Charlottesville, Virginia, you should stop by and see me at The Bridge on Monticello Road from 10am to 5pm!

busy hands...

I've been rather busy lately getting things ready for the Charlottesville Arts & Crafts Festival this Saturday, August 29th. I do feel a bit guilty for letting my Etsy shop get a little stagnant, but to be honest, when sales slow down, I don't have all that much motivation. I have however created so many new little goodies, all of which I'll be taking to Charlottesville, but what doesn't sell will be listed in my shop, and I hope to then get back into the regular Etsy schedule of listing everyday. Here's a little peek at my hard work: