Bridal Jewelry...Custom Orders and More...for your Bridesmaids, your Flower Girls, your Mothers, and for Yourself the Bride

One of the many Bridal Custom Orders I have created for my Lovely Brides
My Something Old Something New line
These pieces are available in my shops

5 Strand Bracelet
Earrings, Earrings,Earrings,and more Earrings

My Ultra Deluxe Tahiatian Pearl Matching Set
Another Custom Order
Also available in my shop
Bracelet
Earrings
Necklace

My Customer Favorite...
my True Love Bracelet
Earrings
Necklace

An Updated Take on the Traditional Bridal Necklace
Find it HERE

Another Customer Favorite
my Edward's Tear Necklace
Click HERE

And Another Customers' Favorite
my Peacock Egg necklace
Click HERE

Another Customers' Favorite
Diamonds on Fire Necklace
Click HERE

A Long and Sexy Vintage Mixed Necklace
click HERE



Another Customers' Favorite...my Tahitian Pearl Matching Set
Click HERE

Another Customers' Favorite
My Two Strand Moonlight Sonata Necklace
click HERE

Choker Necklaces always make you look Romantically Sexy
Click HERE for this lovely

A Romantically Pure individually wirewrapped Petite Fresh Water Pearls with Gold
Click HERE for this necklace

Another Customer Favorite
The Swarovski Crystals come in a wide range of colors to match your gowns
Click HERE

It's that time of the year again...when Brides start looking for their Bridal jewelry for themselves and their Bridal Party. Here a few of my favorites from my 2 Etsy shops... Blue Lovebirds and Stacy's Designs 88.

If you want to find the perfect bridal jewelry, please stop by my shops and contact me so we can begin working on your pieces together. Most of my bride customers contact me and request my assistance in creating the jewelry of their dreams. I LoVe LoVe LoVe working with my brides on their bridal jewelry. Together we determine the perfect color for their jewelry, the perfect length, the perfect jewelry sets for themselves and their bridesmaids, flower girls, and Mothers.

Brides, your Wedding experience is a once in a lifetime and memorable event that you and your guests will remember for the rest of your life. While your Wedding Day is thee day, there is also your Bridal Shower, the Rehearsal dinner or lunch, and don't forget...the Honeymoon. Plan now what you will wear, including your jewelry, on those special days so everything goes smoothly.

To everyone else, if you know a bride who is planning her wedding, please tell her about my shops and my blog. She will be happy for your helpful referral and I will too. Word of Mouth is the best form of advertising. :)

Here Comes the Bride...

A Birthday Gift for My Mother...Juicy Pomegranate Garnets

Shhhhh...my mom's Birthday gift

A Charm Necklace with her Initial in Gold Vermeil

Light and Flirty Chandelier Earrings
In Garnets

A birthday gift for my mom born in the month of January...a matching set of gold filled necklace and Earrings in her birthstones which are Garnets. I've always loved Garnets because it's such a rich looking gemstone with it's deep burgundy depths and lights of pomegranates.

I do believe my mother will love these.

Happy Birthday Mom! She's only 29 you know. ;)

Valentine's Day Gifts...for Your Loved Ones or Yourself

It's Raining Pearls!

Artisan crafted Sterling Silver Heart (by me) wirewrapped
using Fine Sterling Silver with tons of petite Fresh Water Pearls
and a Vintage Gorgeous Lipstick Red Tulip (reminds me of an umbrella!)

Petite True Love Necklace

My own Artisan Handcrafted using Sterling Silver wire and
wirewrapped using Sterling Silver wire with various sizes of Fresh Water Pearls
and Swarovski Crystals. Dangling from a lovely sterling silver petite ball chain.

Update: Sold on 2/2/10

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. I've created some new Heart necklace designs to get for your loved ones and for yourself. Hey, you can say "I LoVe You" to yourself, right? Repeat after me..."I LoVe myself."

Please stop by my 3 Etsy shop (just click on the names to get there)...Stacy's Designs 88, Blue Lovebirds, and Lilikoi Cottage.

Let me be the Happy Valentine's Day!

Organizing My Work Studio...Embarassing, I know!

The Mess!
A work in progress...anyone know a wanna be organizer who wants to practice on me?
Eeek...I'm so embarassed. ;)

For the past week, I've been slowly reorganizing my studio. Okay, it's not as fast as those damn reorganizing shows will lead you to believe. I can't go thru all my "stuff" in 1 day and reorganize it into amazing wonderfulness on the 2nd day. Talk about don't believe everything you see!

I've been going thru all my stuff and have been trying to make sense of all this madness. Why do I have 3 phone books which I've never looked in? Why do I have a dictionary, thesaurus, some old magazines in a prime spot on my bookshelf? I've haven't touched any of these things in at least 1 year or more! Does this sound familiar to you? I know I have them all here "just in case" I should need them.

It's typical for me to not know that I had something until I accidentally find it while looking for something totally different. At least I know that most likely I didn't throw something out. It's just hidden there like a gem in a pile of dung. Ughhhh!

I've reorganized my studio several times and I haven't found the right system for myself. Everytime I look at photos of other artisans' wonderfully organized and meticulously clean studios, I can't help but want to vomit out of pure unadulterated jealously.

My plan for this 100th reorganization is to 1) get rid of the stuff that I never touch (which is a lot), 2) put things in their own areas (like stamping stuff in one section, my mailing material in another, my fabric and sewing supplies in another), 3) have clean areas to do work on.

The above photo is how my studio has looked for 4 days as I go thru all my stuff and reorganize in a slow painful (like pulling hairs out of your arm using just your fingertips...ouch!) slightly insane manner. I don't even want to show you what my Family Room looks like. All my unwanted stuff is piled in there.

This process is so painful that my husband has to come by and tell me to stop and then he praises the amount of work I've done in 2 hours. Smart guy right? And "Yes", I can only work on my studio in chunks of hours or else I'll go completely insane.

I've made several trips to various stores...Target, K-Mart, Walmart...buying different clear plastic storage containers hoping to find the perfect container. No luck so far.

You know, it's a wonder I can type this post. I was finally able to clear out some space on my desk to be able to get to my computer. Yippeee!

Are you gals reorganizing? Can you feel my pain? Anyone?

I'll post my progress. I hope this doesn't last forever...

Resolution #1...Start Hiking...Diamond Head Crater

Jimmy and I at the top of the Diamond Head Crater Lookout
what a panoramic view of Honolulu!

View from the top...looking out to Hawaii Kai area

Bring bottles of water with you...a must. You're going to need it!

Friday, January 15, 2010
Crowded with Tourists from around the World

The winding stairwell leading up to the top.
Just One of the many steps.

This is the Staircase from Hell...
that's what I've decided to name it.
Only 99 steps
but feels like 1000!!!

Here's another view of the steps...leading up to the Top.
Same as the ones you have to take to go down.

This view is One of the Many reasons to hike it up to the Top.
Gorgeous view of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park

For 2010, one of my Resolutions is to start hiking again. It'll be good for us to get more fresh air, see nature, and get some needed exercise. So, to start it off, we decided to hike up Diamond Head Crater. This is a favorite hiking trail for both locals and tourists.

Remember to wear sunscreen, bring bottles of cold water, wear sunglasses, good walking/running shoes, and a hat for good measure. This trail is not good for anyone who has health problems and/or problems walking. This is a long walk...takes about 30 minutes to get to the top and 20 minutes to get down.

There are a lot of steps...steep ones at that. After we completed the 1st stairway of 74 steps and the 2nd stairway of 99 steps, I had to take a breather because my heart was pounding. I'm glad Jimmy brought containers of cold water because I sure needed it when we were at the top.

But when you reach the top the view if breathtaking! So gorgeous that you forget the hike to get there. You can see a 360 degree view of Honolulu from the top. It's sunny with a nice breeze. I'm so glad that we chose to hike this trail.

It appears that a lot of tourists arrive by the city's The Bus and then walk into the crater. The entrance fee is $1 for those walking in and $5 per car for those driving in.

Here are some Links on the Diamond Head Crater:

1) The State of Hawaii's website
2) Wikipedia on Diamond Head Crater

When you come to visit Oahu, this is one hike that you should definitely take.

Do-IT-Yourself DIY Holiday Gift Bag Using Recyclable Material

Handcrafted Customized Gift Bags
Using Recyclable Shopping Bags

Step 1: Use any Shopping Bag with Handle that you have around your house.
Using your Holiday Gift Wrapping Paper, cut 2 pieces
whatever dimensions to cover both Back and Front of the Bag.
You can draw out the cutting marks on the Junk side of the gift wrap and then cut.
Or You can even Free Hand cut the pieces.
You Don't have to be precise.
It's all up to you.

Step 2: Apply Glue or Double stick Tape to the backs of both cut wrapping paper.
I like to use my handy Glue Stick (versus liquid type glue like Elmer's) because it's Easy, Dry, and Sticks well.
Double Stick tape works well too...it won't come off that's for sure.

Step 3: Adhere your glued or taped wrapping paper to Both sides of the Bag.

Step 4: Ta Dah! You are done! Wasn't that Fast and Easy?
You can custom create bags to work with your holiday theme and
create matching or coordinating Gift Tags or cards.
Place your Gift inside the bag,
add a bunch of Tissue Paper at the top,
tie on a Snowball (see previous article on how to make these),
and your Gift Tag.
Voila, you are done!
Yayyyy!

A Quick, Easy, Customized Gift Bag
Easy on your Wallet, Great for the Earth, and best of all
Handcrafted by You!

There's no need to spend $5 on a Fancy Gift Bag. You can create your own. It's fast and fun to do. You can make one in less than 5 minutes.

This would be the Perfect Holiday Craft project to do with your children on Furlough Fridays. You can even adhere a Photo of your children or your Family Photo Card to the Front in the Center of the Wrapping Paper.

Be creative and add more embellishments like Garland to the top of the bag (glue gun...be careful it's hot...it's better if you do this instead of your kids), glue gun a silk flower Poinsettia or two, tie on some Christmas Jingle Bells...whatever you want to do. It's all up to your imagination.

Your Giftee will be pleasantly surprised when she/he receives their Holiday gift in a handcrafted bag made by you and your children.

If you blog about your creations or post it on the web, please send me a link so we can all see your creative handiwork. Have Fun!

Stay tuned and Check back because I'll be posting more DIY Do-It-Yourself Gift Wrapping Ideas all the way to Christmas.

Do It Yourself Pictorial... Snowball Pom Poms From Recyclable Plastic Grocery Bags

DIY Do-It-Yourself Snowball Pom Pom Pictorial

*
Make Pretty Things out of those White Plastic Grocery Bags

Step 1: Get a Plastic Grocery Bag in color of your choice.
I'm going to use White.

Step 2: Cut off both handles.

Step 3: Then cut up the rest of the bag into strips of 1 inch to 3 inches wide.
Don't be perfect. Just start cutting it up nilly willy. That's what makes this fun and fast.
You decide if you just want the White part of the bag or you want
color in your strips.

Step 4: You'll have a Lot of strips to play with.
More than this when you're done.

Step 5: Gather all your Long Strips. Cut them to the Same Long Length.
The Length is Up To You.
This will make it easier to shape your Pom Pom at the end.

Step 6: Fold them in Half.

Step 7: Cut Them In Half.
You'll have a LOT of smaller strips now.

Step 8: Using Dental Floss, String, Ribbon, what have you... 12 inches or longer,
Hold all the strips, and Tie in the Center of all the Strips.

Step 9: Hold down the Front of the Pom Pom.

Step 10: Trim to One Length.
You can cut it Short or Long...it's up to you.
Just cut it One length.

Step 11: Fluff out your Pom Pom...You're Done! Voila!
Wasn't that Fast and Fun?

Step 12: Attach your Snowball Pom Pom to a Gift tag, a Gift Bag,
on top of a wrapped Box...there's a lot of possibilities.

Once you start, you can't seem to stop.



Different Ideas for Holiday Gift Wrapping
Use things around your house
Create them Yourself

Hi and Thank you for stopping by. If you read about my blog through the Honolulu Star Bulletin, I'm so glad you decided to check out my blog for more holiday gift wrapping tips. Here I've included a very easy picture tutorial (or pictorial) on the super cute, easy, and inexpensive Snowball Pom Poms.

This is a Super Fun, Fast, and Simple project. It came to me as I was staring at my growing pile of plastic grocery bags and wondering what the heck to do with them. Then bing!... Make Pom Poms! I've created the above Step by Step Pictorial to guide you along. And trust me, when you start making them, it'll go Super Super Super fast. I couldn't stop once I got started because it was... Fun. A great holiday project to do with your kids also.

Stay tuned because I will be Blogging about More tips on other Holiday Gift Wrapping ideas in the coming days so please sign up to be on my email list (see column to Left for sign-up). Once you signed up, it will automatically send you an email when I blogged again. Then, from the email, you just click on my Blog and it will take you directly there if you want to leave a comment or see more on my blog page. If you make any of these creations, please send me a photo as I would be tickled to see it. Feel free to leave comments or ask me Questions in my Blog and I will answer as soon as I can.

Hope this helps you with decorating your Holiday gifts this year. The possibilities are endless with recyclable materials around your house.

Link to the Honolulu Star Bulletin article, Sunday Edition .... Click HERE
There's instructions on How-To make the Snowflake Goodie Bag seen in photo above. It's an easy project to put your homemade baked goods, a small gift, or other treats in with vintage style. Check it out!
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For Online Shoppers...

More Holiday Gift Giving Ideas--- Looking for that perfect gift for someone special on your Holiday Gift List? Then, please stop by my 3 online Etsy shops for terrific Artisan Jewelry, Gift Tags, Hair Accessories, and much much more. No hassle shopping right at your fingertips where you can safely and securely purchase your gifts in the comfort of your own home.

Here are my 3 online Etsy shops, please check them out!

1) Stacy's Designs 88 (stacysdesigns88.etsy.com) ... click HERE to Get there
*for Artisan Gemstone and Bridal Jewelry

2) Blue Lovebirds (bluelovebirds.etsy.com) ... click HERE to Get there
*specializing in Jewelry for Brides, Proms, and other Special Occasions

and

3) Lilikoi Cottage (lilikoicottage.etsy.com) ... click HERE to Get there
*specializing in Vintage Jewelry and Accessories, for that Cottage Shabby Chic look, and Vintage housewares

Please stop by and say "Hi!".

Happy Shopping and Mele Kalikimaka,

Stacy ♥♥