Blog Carnival, Valentine's Day

I Heart My Schnauzer

I don't have any great Valentine's Day stories, we don't celebrate the day too much other than to maybe stay at home and have a quiet dinner together. I may go off to create something while he rents a movie and the dog sleeps. It's just the comfort of knowing that he's nearby, listening to his voice, hearing the sounds of the TV coming from the other room and hearing the dog bark occasionally -- it's the simple things that make for a great Valentine's Day for me.

Greeting Cards

Balancing Cat Card, pocketstudio

I think I must be on a paper hunt this week, because I found some more adorable paper art. These greeting cards have wonderful cutouts of various animals -- I thought I'd preview the cat cards that I found at pocketstudio. I just love these cards. I'm hoping that some doggies will come to the shop soon.


Love Cats Valentines Card, pocketstudio

It's Amazing What You Can Do With Paper

And this talented artist proves it.

Flower Fairies Paper Sculpted Dolls, runnerbean
These tiny paper sculptures are only 1.25 inches in height and are created entirely with paper by hand. They are so detailed, delicate and lovely little works of art. They are sure to put a smile on your face. There are other paper designs including wearable pendants available at runnerbean.

Paper Sculpted Mouse, runnerbean

Papillon Bead

Papillon Bead

Although I have sculpted various dog breeds this is my first Papillon bead, it is hand-sculpted from polymer clay and varnish sealed. It is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Size is approximate:
3/4" vertical (top to bottom)
1-1/4" horizontal (ear to ear)

Sammy the Post Office Cat

I first heard of Sammy through another member of my EFA (Etsy for Animals) group. Here is the video to get you up to date.

A lot of fellow EFA members are sending off Sammy a little something to show their support and even though NanjoDogz is really all about dogs, we love cats too (and all critters) and we could not resist but to send Sammy along a little something. I received this sample package of organic cat food and could not decide what to do with it as I don't have a cat and then Sammy came along. We are hoping that they let Sammy back into the post office so he can have his rightful place on his little table near the window ledge. We want Sammy to know the Dogz are behind him!

Greyhound Faux Stone Pendant

Greyhound Faux Stone Pendant
This is a pendant that I recently put in my shop. It is created with polymer clay and stamped using my hand cut stamp of a Greyhound. The polymer clay is mixed with bits of flowers and then washed in white acrylic paint leaving a marbled/stone look. Varnish sealed for protection.

Approximate size of the pendant is 1-3/4" long (bail to bottom) x 3/4" wide.

President Obama

Change/Yes We Can Cufflinks,BristolSilversmiths


Obama Rocks Dog Tag, simplygirl


Yes We Can Hope Sterling Silver Necklace, onelifejewelry

Well, we thought this day would never get here. It seems like it's been such a long wait. The excitement over the nomination of our President elect is far behind us now and the wait seems but a memory. It's a new day because we truly believe it is a new beginning. Obama has given the American people hope that things can get better, today he will be President Obama.

The Lemonade Award, Thank You

First, I'd like to thank Forex Trading and More Online Opportunities for giving me the Lemonade Award.

Here are the instructions "Those who win are to post the award on their blog, give some link love to the person that nominated you and put up their own list of 10 recipients. Don’t forget to post a comment on their blog with a link back to yours, letting them know their blog is a winner".

Here are my ten picks for this Lemonade award.

Confessions of a Fitness Diva
Heathens Hearth
Tialey Vintage
Silver Sachet
Mu-Yin Jewelry
The Emily Grace Company
rkdsign88-Handmade with Heart
Split Rock Ranch
Strawberry Anarchy
iluvnature

Who Doesn't Feel like a Zombie Now & Then?

Dave the Solar Powered Zombie Furby, tinyminds
That's exactly how I'm feeling today, my head's a bit fuzzy, feels like it's pretty empty and I can't think of much to say -- but I did muster enough energy to look around and find me a zombie friend and that's when I ran across Dave. This creation comes from tinyminds and is a reworked Furby made with a solar panel that when powered enough by the sun makes his eyes, mouth and ears move. Sweet!

Wire Wrap Wow

Corinth, Second Renaissance
How about some awesome pieces of wire wrapped jewelry? I love this technique of jewelry making and like beadweaving look at it in awe. I can't believe that these artists can get these pieces to look this amazing. When I try to just wrap wire around a headpin to make a bail for a charm uh -- well, not so good, but if you want to check out perfection stop by the artist at Second Renaissance -- really quite beautiful.

Nienna Mother of Pearl Pendant, Second Renaissance

Is Change Really Possible?

Obama Makes History Leather Bag, ArmandoJavierDesign

I'm loving this bag by ArmandoJavierDesign, it is way cool and I absolutely love it, but it got me thinking about change. Is change really possible? Sometimes I think I'd like to believe so and other times I feel like a fool for believing that it can. I just think at times the world of politics is so screwed up and the threads of corruption woven so deep that it's just not possible -- and then I think well maybe. What do you think?

Cuteness Overload on the Keychains

Ronnie the Racoon Leather Keychain
These keychains are so adorable, handmade and sweet as can be and they come to you from leatherprince. The shop not only has oh so sweet keychains, but there are little purses and coin pouches as well all with the same kinda cuteness! What do you think, don't you think they are adorable?

Lovely Hedgehog Leather Keychain

French Bulldog Pandora/Slider Bead Set

This French Bulldog has her booty, but it's gotten away from her. These are two hand sculpted polymer clay Pandora slider style beads. One bead has the French Bulldog's head while the other has her booty and neck with silver Bali style collar connected to a silver chain that hooks onto her 'ring' collar. Although they are connected together by chain there is a clasp connected to the head bead that can be disconnected and the French Bulldog can be worn alone.

Size is approximate:
1/4" wide (side to side)
1/2" wide (front of bead to back of bead)
The hole is approximately 3mm" wide.

This little one is related to Freddie The French Bulldog, they are distant cousins :)

Blue the Chinese Crested

I'd like everyone to meet Blue, an adorable Chinese Crested. I have to say the Chinese Crested is one of my favorite dogs to create and Blue was no exception, I mean look at that face. So when Blue's mommy asked me to make a bead for her I was more than happy to do so. You see Blue's mom makes the most adorable sweaters for pups and she wanted to dress up one of those sweaters with a little charm. The photo below shows the sweater and who's the greatest model, why Blue of course. His mommy's shop is forthetiny and she makes these wonderful sweaters, hoodies and cowls for the pups. I think one of my favorite items in her shop has to be the hoodie cowl below -- check out the little holes for the ears to pop through. How sweet!

Aqua Beach Cover Up


Totally Turquoise Hoodie Cowl

Beatrice the Bookworm Bead

Beatrice is my little bookworm who loves nothing more than to read her books. She always has her nose in one book or another. Beatrice has her little pink book opened up to her favorite chapter -- she's even got a bookmark to mark it so she can always open it up and go right to her favorite spot. She's a bead creation that I've been making for a while and I just love her!

The entire bookworm bead is hand-sculpted from polymer clay. The book has a 'bookmark' with a little round bead charm that has a heart center that hangs down from the bookmark. There is also a floral sticker on the outside of her book, you know like all the kids do.

The approximate size of the bead is:
1" top to bottom
3/4" side to side

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom of bookworm.

The bead would be great to create something special for a teacher or a student.

A Great Way to Start

Purple Snake Bracelet, RoseWorksJewelry
I'm starting out the New Year with a post about a wonderful seller RoseWorksJewelry. Ruth of RoseWorkJewelry is a fellow member of our Etsy Bloggers Street team, but I first had the pleasure of noticing Rose Work Jewelry's blog while I was blogging dropping my Entrecards. Then we ran into each other at Twitter and her ease of conversation got us chatting over there. It's so nice to have friends around the cyberworld to chat with because some days typing on the computer just don't cut it! Check out her shop and all of her wonderful jewelry. Ruth has now opened up a shop with her mom, kstreasures, which stands for Kindred Spirits, a mother/daughter dynamic duo team.

Serenly White Cell Phone Holder, kstreasures

Fred the French Bulldog and the Booty Dance

Fred loves to do the booty dance. I'm sure most dog owners are very familiar with this dance, but for those who are unfamiliar, we shall clue you in. Little Fred the French Bulldog here is so excited about his new tug toy that he's running around the house with his booty way up in the air running back and forth, dancing around picking it up and dropping it. This dance can last for several seconds or many minutes depending on the excitement level. In our home we know this dance all too well and it usually lasts a couple of minutes.

Fred and his tug toy are hand-sculpted with polymer clay. The bestest part about Fred's tug toy is it is partially made with glow in the dark clay so when he's playing with it, it lights up at night -- makes for an even wilder booty dance :). He is varnish sealed for protection.

Got a Hangover -- Deal With It...

... in a very soothing way -- relax and take it easy today. Happy New Year!!

Headache Relief Herb Tub Tea, naturallyupnorth


Headache Relief Candle, BazilEssentials


Gentle Head Tea, Healing House


Hangover Reliever Shots, WhiteLyeSoapCo