Shows!!

wow I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote!

I've been busy with my full time job and expanding Handmadeintoronto.

I have 2 big shows coming up which I'm very excited about, albeit  little apprehensive - here are the links:

http://www.madebyhandshow.com/
http://www.themakershand.com/

If you're in the area, pop in or know anybody that supports handmade items, pass the links along - both look to be great shows with a fabulous mix of artisans.

I'm running a facebook offer right now for 25% off earrings!!!
Drop by www.facebook.com/hmitoronto  to collect your coupon - thank you for your support.

I'll endeavour to post a bit more often and share with you my trials and tribulations of running this part time small business and the making of my pieces.

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Luella Newkirk - I will be sending you a $25 gift certificate.

As the giveaway promo software didn't work quite as I had hoped - I'll be rolling the second $25 certificate into a new giveaway.  I know a few of you tried to leave comments but were unable to, so it's unfair of me to choose another winner.

Stay tuned for the next promo!

And congratulations again Luella ... I hope you find something you'll love!

St Patrick's Day Party in my SHOP!!!

For Patrick's Day - take 17% off - use coupon PAT17

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!!!

New Exclusive Offer!!

I'm looking to rearrange my shop a bit so will be blending the Spring Collection into the main categories.  I'm changing the offer to simply:

A FREE pair of matching earrings with ANY necklace purchase!!  (I will make the earrings and ship with the necklace)
I'll run this to March 31st

EXCLUSIVE to blog and facebook followers only!!

Show!

Wow, my first ever show - it was so exciting!

It went without a hitch... now don't be under the illusion I'm talking about a 3 day event with a $2000 white tent... it was a 3 hour event at the Legion in Picton on Saturday afternoon, but still - lots of organisation required.

Great to chat to people about my work, discuss custom orders with them, help them try on pieces to find just the right one and oh the sales were good too.  I sold 40% on my inventory so my etsy store is looking a bit empty at the moment, will be working on that today!

Some new listing will posted this week - so keep checking in.

Don't forget the GIVEAWAY!!  It's FREE!!  Do people not like free stuff anymore? :)  All I ask is that you post a blog entry that gives me some feedback about what you would like to see more of in my shop: more of a type of jewellery, a new line etc.


Enter via facebook or via the blog post "Giveaway" - 6 days left!!!!!!

100 items!!!!!

Yay!

Have finally reached 100 items in my shop!

A quick run through of what's happening at the moment - giveaways, blog & facebook exclusives and and shop sales:

- a $10 gift certificate with orders over $30 (ends midnight March 11th)

- blog and facebook fans only - receive a FREE pair of earrings with the purchase of any item in the Spring Collection or any necklace in my store (excluding sale items)

- Giveaway!!  "Your opinion matters" - enter to win a $25 gift certificate (ends 18th March)

here's some new stuff including the 100th item!

Oh before I forget!!!  I'm having a SHOW this weekend March 10th at Picton Legion on Man St in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.  Show prices will apply - so excited!  It's a one woman event i.e. ME!!!

Amethyst earrings - I love this design and I think it's really fresh for this spring summer.  These amethyst stones are a really purple colour - I know that might sound a bit strange - but they are not washed out or too dark, just vibrant!!  Individually wire wrapped (I love how neat and delicate this looks) and attached to a ring.  Simply perfect!

I have to think of this as my signature piece now - as I've sold most of them, but I cannot take credit for the chainmaille design as nothing is unique in the chainmaille world! However, the choice of colours and beads is entirely mine!  All handmade by me and now available in 3 colour palettes:  dreamy peaches and cream perfect for a bridal party, grey and silver moonstone, crystal and pearl and coffee chocolate!

and the 100th item is ................... this amethyst chainmaille bracelet!

I was obviously feeling the purple yesterday and hand a hankering for chainmaille!  here's the result!  Love this easy to wear with anything, graceful, delicate bracelet.  Can be available in many colours - I have right now peridot (green) stones, rose quartz, crystal quartz (clear / white), many pearl colours - if you would like a CUSTOM ORDER, drop me a note here or in my store on Etsy!!

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

GIVEAWAY!!!

Gift Vouchers launched today!!

Quite possibly the least exciting items in the store ..... or are they????

Gift vouchers / certificates (dependent on where you're from) allow the recipient to select their own gift without all the embarrassment of them receiving something they don't like but are too polite to say!!

I include a beautiful card (purchased from one of my etsy team members) - blank so you can write your own personal message.  Each certificate is valid for 2 years from date of issue and comes in denominations of $10, $25 and $50.  Other denominations can be made available.

I have $10 certificates to GIVE AWAY with any order over $30 !!!  Offer ends Sunday March 11th at midnight! 

New items launched in Spring Collection

3 new items to be added to spring collection - sneek preview for the pendant and pearl earrings - they are not listed yet!

I came across the technique of using beading wire for earrings in class and they look absolutely beautiful and hold their teardrop shape perfectly.  I added some turquoise glass beads and pretty silver spacer beads for a pretty gypsy look.  Easy to make but very distinctive look!

The pendant is a stone I've had for a while and I've been pondering what to do with it.  I bought the brown thread for another project and saw the 2 together and voila!  It's a casual spring / summer look that will add a bit of elegance every day.

Finally these lightweight pearl dangles are classic and easy to wear.  Cream glass pearls are not the focus of these earrings - the pretty silver balls are!  They dangle from 1.5 inches of silver plated chain - pretty, feminine, delicate ....!!

Offer still running for a FREE pair of earrings (which I will make for you) with any purchase from the Spring collection or any necklace purchase  (facebook and blog followers exclusive).

For this weekend only - purchase any necklace and receive a $10 gift voucher.

Offers are independent - choose one or the other. 

Blowout earring sale ... TONIGHT!!!

Running the night of February 29th only

2 for 1 sale on earrings!!!!!

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Been busy - at last new items!

Life gets in the way of being creative sometimes - but I am back now!

I've really gotten into wire wrapping earrings - I need to be careful otherwise my shop will be full of it!  But I couldn't resist making 2 pairs in very different styles...

The hard part is making the wrapping tidy - being an absolute control freak, this is not a problem for me!

Would love to hear from you and if you like this blog - tell others!!

Spring Collection offer still running ... FREE earrings !! (see previous posts for details)

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Czech fire polished crystal necklace - sparkly!

This necklace will sparkle for many many years due to the high quality crystals used (11 of them!).  Each one hand wire wrapped (my me).
This could be for an evening out to add a bit of glitz or it would be perfect for the bride who likes less is more jewellery and would like to be able to wear it after the big day!

The latest addition to the Spring Collection, there will be a free pair of earrings with this purchase as with any purchase from the spring collection or any necklace from my store!


www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Aquamarine necklace - listed

Hi

Here is the gorgeous aquamarine necklace I mentioned yesterday.  The beads are great colours and are all slightly different but complement each other perfectly.

It's sterling silver (chain and clasp) and non tarnish silver plated wire for the wire wrapping and connections.

The latest addition to the Spring Collection, there will be a free pair of earrings with this purchase as with any purchase from the spring collection or any necklace from my store!

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

New necklace in spring collection

I will be a listing a gorgeous one of a kind aquamarine sterling silver necklace tomorrow - I love it!

Stay tuned!

Spring earrings!

Hi

Late one tonight - had an 2 orders to fulfil, yeah!

I posted a fresh spring pair of aquamarine earrings today.  These are simple cubes stacked on long headpins - to add interest, I made one strand longer and graduated where the strands start so they are all effectively different lengths.  Not sure where the idea came from - I love the colour and kept picking up these cute beads and then yesterday I knew what to do with them!

They are part of the Spring Collection so qualify for a free pair of earrings upon purchase (for blog and facebook followers).  To buy or see more information about these pretty earrings please visit my etsy site - link after the photo.

Offer is for one free pair of earrings, which I will design as a surprise when an item from the Spring Collection is purchased or any necklace from my shop - happy shopping!

Here they are:

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Spring collection addition - chainmaille bracelet

Hi
I was really looking forward to making this piece.  The symmetrical pattern is eye catching, I think due to the floating ring in each section of the design - it is held in place by the other rings but not directly - love it!
It took a while to make as I was watching Twin Peaks at the time!

This piece as part of the Spring Collection qualifies for a pair of matching earrings FREE!  The same offer applies of you buy any necklace from my store for a limited time (offer available to blog and facebook followers).   www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Here's the pic

Back in a day or so with some new stuff!

Items added to spring collection

Hi again - 2 posts on Saturday, I shall have to watch myself otherwise I may become addicted to blogging !!  It is however snowing outside!

Welcome to my new followers - it's great to have you here.

I was reviewing my listed items and felt a couple of them belonged in the spring collection.  This means they qualify for the complementary earrings for Blog and facebook followers.

Here are the listings:

See you tomorrow!

New bracelet in spring collection

Hi

Here is the second item in the spring range.  This pretty bracelet is a variation of the crystal wave bracelet I made earlier with the smoky quartz chips.

For this one, I chose cream pearls and tiny chocolate coloured beads. It takes a while to make as it's basically sewing with beads and for extra strength, it is sewed twice!!

Exclusive offer for blog followers:
Buy anything from the spring collection or any necklace from my store and I will make you a pair of complementing earrings for FREE!


Here's the bracelet:

Here's the store:
www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com


If you like aquamarine and sterling silver - check in later as there's some of that coming up!!

There's free stuff for followers!!! :)

It's listed !!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93217389/pearl-necklace-japanese-bar-stack-wire

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Preview of the spring collection....

Sneek peek at the spring collection !!!

Here is the first item.

Aa promised - there is a special gift for my facebook and blog followers:
Order from the spring collection or any necklace from my store and receive a pair of complementing earrings FREE!!

Be sure to note in the comment box that you are a follower!

Ok - here is the item ....  it will be available to purchase on etsy (link below)  in the next hour - in the spring collection section!!

It is Japanese pearl bar necklace.  The pearls are 7mm and have a two tone effect - fading from creamy glow to copper brown.

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

New bracelet - I love smoky quartz !

Morning!

Made this pretty bracelet yesterday - just listed on etsy.

Was a bit tricky to finish the ends as I felt like I needed 3 hands!!  Managed successfully and double backed through bracelet to give extra extra strength.

Getting ready to post the first item from the spring range and my first offer to faithful followers of this blog (come on join - what have you got to lose!!!) and my facebook page.

So here's the bracelet!

www.facebook.com/hmitoronto

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Spring collection update

Been busy working on the spring collection today.

I will share a piece tomorrow ....

Don't forget there will be special offers for my facebook and blog followers!

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Spring Collection - getting ready for launch

Ok - so now I need to do some work on the spring collection...

2 goals for the end of February:

1) to reach 100 items in my etsy shop and;

2) Launch my spring range .. including special offers for my facebook and blog followers so keep checking in if you like something for nothing !!!  ..... :)

I like hard work!! Beaded bracelet

So not contented with the hours it took to make the purple version, I decided to make another one!!

Either I'm a sucker for punishment or I find threading beads immensely therapeutic ...

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

Purple hearts beaded bracelet

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com

This bracelet took   f o r e v e r   to make!!!  

I love purple and had these 3 pink / purple charms which I thought would look great teamed up with these   beads.

It slips over the wrist and is slightly stretchy, but would fit a smaller wrist best.

Sapphire blue swarovski crystal chanimaille bracelet

This delicate chainmaille bracelet is fun and satisfying to make as it's so pretty!

See this and other chainmaille items at:

www.handmadeintoronto.etsy.com