Flashback Monday(1/28)

Originally posted on May 22nd, 2009 entitled 'Drum Roll Please...The Bracelet!' 

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Ta da!

This is the final post in The Making of a Good Cause series and the unveiling of 'The Bracelet'! Okay, so it's not the best picture in the world, but unfortunately I couldn't come up with a creative way to display it >.<

Although I took more pictures!

Did you know an elephant with its trunk up in the air is a symbol for good luck? Well now you do! I forgot to add that into my bio for the bracelet itself, but that's alright.

This little beauty brought in $105.00 for the elephants!!!

Just for that, I am thrilled I got to be apart of everything =]

Thanks for following this story!

Flashback Monday(1/21)

Originally posted on May 20th, 2009 entitled 'The Making of a Good Cause-Beadware IL' 

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Happy Wednesday everyone and here is the other installment of my The Making of a Good Cause series!

When making a bracelet, the beads are the soul of the piece, but the findings are the heart and body. So you couldn't have a beautiful piece of jewelry without the clasps, crimp beads, or jump rings as its structure.

Which brings me to introduce you to the wonderful company I bought my 13mm Bali Sterling Silver Double Strand Toggle Clasp(pictured to the right below) from, Beadware IL on Ebay! If your not familiar with their store name, you might know them by their Ebay username wooden_flower.

Some information on Beadware IL right from their website:

Beautiful beads from around the world - Swarovski crystals in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, Bali silver beads and findings, Czech glass, Venetian glass, Grade A fiber optic cats eye beads in 30 colors,

vintage lucite, and more!

Free US shipping on purchases of $50 or more

If you want to know more about the technical stuff such as shipping, returns, and whatever else you may question, check their FAQ page here.
When I went in search of the perfect clasp, I knew I had requirements; One, for it to be double stranded and two, it be sterling silver because I wanted this to be a high quality bracelet with nothing but the best materials. Then I wandered upon this toggle clasp and it was beautiful!

Looking through Beadware IL, I can see their description is right on the money! They have a wide variety of stunning

and very affordable beads and findings. I found what I paid for the sterling silver toggle clasp(after shipping) was extremly reasonable. I am very satisfied at how perfectly it went with my bracelet and how easy working with the company was.

With reasonable prices, fast shipping, and 100% positive feedback, you have another place to indulge your jewelry fetish! Lol

Tomorrow we will be featuring an Etsy seller(finally)! And this one is where I got my amazing elephang charm. Don't miss it!

Flashback Monday(1/14)

Originally posted on May 19th, 2009 entitled 'The Making of a Good Cause-24hourgems' 

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I thought I would start out with the beads that I chose for the auction bracelet. The first thing you should know about me is that I love symbolism. It means more to me if I buy something that has meaning to it over something that's just an object-Kind of like buying handmade or vintage as opposed to factory made. Handmade is just more personal and has more of a story then some mass produced cheapy piece of crap you buy from a chain store.

So of course I'm going to put symbolism into my bracelet! And because this is going to the Elephants, I figured I would look up the Elephant totem online and see what some of it's attributes were.

Here is what I found from Lins Domain:

An Elephant totem gives you

ancient wisdom and power to draw upon.

It embodies strength and power.
 

It's very important that I add those qualities to my bracelet because that's who I am. I want to make this bracelet personal and meaningful for the person who buys it.

I did some research and found all of those qualities in one beautiful stone: Lapis Lazuli. I found the perfect Lapis beads at 24hourbeads on Ebay!

A little about the company from their site:

We specialize in beads: Freshwater Pearl, Millefiori Glass, Lampwork Glass, Gemstones, Kyanite, Ruby, Pink Opal, Lava, Turquoise, Bracelet, Pearl Necklace, Biwa Pearl, Tourmaline and much more.
 

I have to say I am extremely satisfied with this company! The beads where beyond stunning(I am debating on making myself something from whats left over), the shipping was fast and easy, and very pleasant to work with in general.

If you take a look at their site, you can find anything in any price range. Speaking of prices, WOW. They are extremely reasonable even before shipping.

All in all, I am very satisfied on my purchase from 24hourbeads and I'm eyeballin a few other lovelies for my collection! Lol

Come back tomorrow for more on The Making of a Good Cause.

Flashback Monday(1/7)

Originally posted on May 16th, 2009 and titled 'The Making of a Good Cause' 

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This is a more detailed explanation of the Mailbox Monday post and my venture to help the Elephants!

First off, I wanted to say a big thank you to my friend Suzy who has humored me with all of her wonderful and adventurous stories on her trips to Africa and her love of all the animals she has encountered! I am truly honored to be apart of this experience!

I suppose it all started when Suzy emailed me with some of her stories. I love hearing all of them! In some later emails she told me about some of the organizations she works with and the fact that the Elephant organization she belongs to is having a banquet within the next few weeks. She told me of last year's banquet and what went on and I wanted to do something to help out the cause.

Thats when she told me of the auction and I had the idea to make something jewelry related that can be auctioned off. I was so excited, I immediately asked if I would be able to do that and when she said of course, I launched into finding the perfect pieces for the bracelet that was forming in my mind's eye.

Here is a little about EARS(Elephant of Africa Rescue Society) from their website Elephant Ears:

Elephants of Africa Rescue Society is dedicated to supporting projects aimed at securing a safe habitat for wild, African animals and dedicated to providing a sanctuary for their captive cousins with a special focus on elephants. We believe that by educating the public about the problems facing both captive and wild animals we can increase public awareness and support.

Elephants of Africa Rescue Society is a 501(c)(3) California non-profit organization. We have a board of directors consisting of seven people who have a love of African Elephants. Some with exotic animal experience, others with just the desire to help. We have pulled our resources together to form E.A.R.S.

This year's fundraiser was a western theme! I can't wait to see the pictures :D Anywho, the next few parts in this series are dedicated to the companies in which I bought my supplies and the making of the actual bracelet!

There will be a special suprise at the end of the series too...Shall I say in two words: Give Away.

Keep checking back for more on The Making of A Good Cause Series.

Flashback Monday(12/31)

Originally posted on April 10th, 2009 and entitled 'Art and Ourselves'

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I bet everyone understood this concepts before I even had the epiphany, but have you ever wondered why someone likes a particular something? Do we all have the same tastes, I think not, but I think some of us are very similar sometimes.

That being said, I personally believe that we put a little of ourselves in our work and what we do. Whether we know we are doing it or we do it subconsciously, I think our work is a reflection of ourselves.

Now my question to you is this.

When we are attracted to one person's handmade, artistic, photographed, or crafted creation, are we really attracted to them as well? I use the term attracted as strictly non-sexual, fyi.

What I mean by attracted is, if we meet on the street, would we strike up a conversation or if we meet at a local gathering such as a craft fair, would we become fast friends?

I can tell you that a lot of the people I have met on Etsy are wonderful people and I have met my share of friends from there. Going back, I have looked into their shops and have been either fascinated or captivated by their merchandise.

Quite interesting. This is something that I will have to consider further.

Tell me what you all think on the matter!

Flashback Monday(12/24)

Originally posted on March 19th, 2009 and entitled 'Trying Something New' 

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So I learned real fast that I'm not much of the blogger type. Well, I guess I am in some ways and in others I just draw a blank. Writing about myself is fine (when I have stuff to write about). Writing about how to's just isn't my thing (I get so stressed out)! What else would there be to write about?

Then the thought hit me. Advice. Critiques. Features.

I LOVE to help people and I do know how it is to start out on Etsy so why not lend a helping hand while publicising my blog?

Which is why, on top of my other random blog posts that you all enjoy so much, I will be doing featured sellers and shop critiques.

If anyone is interested, drop me a line!!

http://www.theeclecticelement.etsy.com/

Flashback Monday(12/17)

Originally posted on March 18th, 2009 and entitled 'WooHoo, My First Sale!!'

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I think the title says it all :D :D :D

Yesterday, I made my first Etsy sale, and may I say, I flipped my lid! I was crawling all over the place getting things ready to mail today and writing a little thank you note to put in the package. It felt SO good to actually have made my first sale. I thought for awhile there that my stuff just wasn't going to sell, but I think that's every newbie's fear.

Now that I made my first sale, I'm more confident. I think the sale gave me the confidence I need to continue on.

So my advice for people who still haven't gotten a sale, or haven't had a sale in awhile is be patient(yeah, I know. Patience is a virtue) and just have fun with it. Eventually, you will make a sale and then your attitude will be renewed!

I know this is a short post, but I just had to share my good fortune and my advice with all of you.

Flashback Monday(12/10)

Originally posted on March 14th, 2009

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This morning when I woke up, I was feeling a bit down. Everything that has happened this past week has taken everything I had stored out of me and to tell you the truth, it's a bit sad that it's all over.

But I didn't spend more then five minutes feeling like that because my mum snuck in and gave me a white plastic bag with something in it (Yeah, I know bad for the environment. We will work on it)! Well, to my renewed surprise, I had forgotten I asked her to peruse a garage sale for jewelry for me and I got my wish :D

Of course, this gave me my next blog idea! Upcycling =]

Different people have their different ideas and ways of creating things whether it be to buy the stuff new or make everything out of expensive materials, but NO MA'AM, not me. First of all, I don't have the cash to do that(I'm a college student for goddess sakes) and second, I could buy all new, but where would the character be?! I like to look at something I want to use and see its past. See all the nicks and scratches that make up the piece because those are what gives it it's life! Each piece has a story and who are we to deny it and throw away what we see as 'junk'?

This is exactly why I fancy myself and old soul. I enjoy shopping second hand and seeing what treasures I can find. Even before going green because a statement, I was the one shopping in a Goodwill or Salvation army and wandering up the isles of a lonely antique building.

My message is a seemingly simple one today. Go to a garage sale or Salvation army and see what you can find that interests you. Pick it up and hold it. Imagine what it was like in another life and what it could be for you. You will be proud of yourself for not only helping the environment(and your pocketbook), but that you gave something a new lease on life. When that's done, go ahead and tell me about it because I would love to hear!

Now I am off to sit outside in the beautiful spring weather!!