Marie Antoinette box

A keepsake box fit for a Queen!

Yes, I believe Marie Antoinette owned one very similar. Here is a little box for those who like the bling! It is two inches square and 1/2" tall.

Too cute, huh? Oh, I'm having wayyyyy to much fun!

Thanks for looking. I just listed this little jewel on Etsy, take a look if you like!

Have a wonderful day.

Hugs.

New Etsy listing

A new Etsy listing

I sold an Etsy listing already! Wow. So now I have to list more, so here is the next one.

I am having so much fun making these little boxes. Spring has worked her magic on this little sweet one. I have swallows burrowing underneath the garage overhang at my house, busily building their solid nest, so it seems fitting to honor them with an etched, spring bird box.

I put little baby blue pearls in the next, aren't they "tweet"?!

Thanks for looking. I'll get more listings on soon. I have one in the works that I have to go hiking to find just the right natural items! Stay tuned.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugs.

A talented artist, Cat Kerr!

I love Cat's work so much, from "In the light of the Moon", I bought one of her amazing pieces on Ebay. Take a look at her creative assemblages on Etsy and Ebay. They are just fun and happy. She combines wonderful graphic images with a huge variety of materials and textures.

This is a little wall plaque I feel in love with, given the theme in my studio is French, well....how could I resist. It's not real Frenchy, but has the colors and the designs that look perfect in my little sacred space. Isn't this sweet thing adorable? What a treat to look at my "Cat" piece everyday, and know I am supporting a fellow art sister, AND enjoying such a darling piece.

The entire piece is covered in wax, encaustic I believe.

And you guys know I LOVE bees!

So I am reminded that everyday is "one fine day" and that little angel is smiling at me. Makes me want to sit right down and create something beautiful.

Thanks for being so creative and talented Cat. Everyone please hop over to her wonderful blog and look at the great work she is displaying. It's a great feast for the eyes.

Have a wonderful weekend, make something beautiful!

The Charm Bracelet Workshop....

and the QUIET storm!

You wouldn't believe it! All these wonderful ladies (and I mean wonderful), scheduled to come to this charm bracelet class in SUNNY central coast California months ago. We were having beautiful weather, some shower breaks here and there in the last couple of days. THEN....the quite storm hits on the second day of our two day class! I'm talking GALE winds, HAIL flying by outside...during the workshop. The power went out not once, but THREE times. OMG! Is this not the worst thing that can happen to these nice people who came from near and far and paid good money for a workshop?! Preferably with electricity. Yikes.

We made it through somehow, I was ready to break out the wine. But they stayed on course, the lights came back on, we managed to do a last minute firing for some charms, and then...whammmoo, it goes out again. We finally wrapped up the day, WH lit the candles, and we broke out the wine, singing Kum By Ya in the garage classroom, waiting for the thunderstorms to stop so they could at least get to their cars! Whew. Diana Frey and I were just sure the weather would be better in April than the sketchy weather we had for the February workshop. Wrong.

But no worries, all is well. The ladies learned, we played, we created, we ate, we laughed (oh did we laugh) and we toasted to new friendships. Isn't that what all this about anyway. Who cares about the weather! They all have beautiful etched metals and fabulous pmc charms to add to their collection of talented work.

Thank you to all of you who attended the Quiet Storm Retreat at Riki's house this weekend, Kim, Diana, Gwennie, Marlene, Shelley, Carrie, Connie and Lisa. We appreciate your good sense of humor, patience and understanding of our Central Coast weather systems! Please come back when the weather is spectacular, umm, like today. Oh brother. Isn't life fun?!!

And thank you Diana for another wonderful workshop. We are a great team, I had a ball, and look forward to our fall workshop together, whatever we decide to teach!

New Etsy listing

Le Petite box on Etsy

I listed another little goodie on Etsy today! Okay, I'm getting the hang of it now. It didn't take me hours this time. That's a relief! Actually, I'm kind of getting in to it. Now I just have to make LOTS of cool stuff that people will want to buy! Whew. It never stops.

Okay you Etsy experts out there. How often do I need to be listing new items to keep folks interested? What is your advice? Is there a minimum amount of items you think it's important to keep listed? Any advice??

Thanks art sisters. And thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Have a great day.

Easter 2010

Will the Easter bunny be visiting you?

Did you ever have a bunny? I didn't, but would love one now. Don't think it's going to happen!!

What do you remember from Easters past? Did your mom make new dresses for you and your sisters? Mine did. I especially remember the gingham checked ones, with hand embroidered flowers on the front, over my heart. Those were incredibly special. Then off to church to celebrate our blessings. Then afterwards, the posing in the front yard with the relatives, blinding sun in your eyes, and finally....getting to search for the Easter baskets.

My mom spent hours hand drawing clues on little white slips of paper, like a true treasure hunt, hidden all over the house. It was marvelous, the anticipation grew stronger with each clue discovered. How many more...where is the darn thing...what will be in it? Everyone...just get out of my way...I have work here to be done. Then finally, WOW! The treasure is discovered, even better than last years, how could that be possible? More candy and treats than I had seen for months.

I have much to be grateful for this Easter. I still have my little Chester boy, even though he is struggling with his illness. He is my inspiration this Easter, reminding me that each day is truly a blessing, so enjoy it. I have a wonderful home, family, husband. And in addition, this year an outreaching of love and support from all of you. Have I told you recently how much you mean to me? Well, you do!

Have a wonderful Easter celebration, won't you? I hope the day brings you peace, fulfillment, and a feeling of renewal, wherever you are and whomever you are with.

Much love,

Riki

Thank you to "The Graphics Fairy" for this darling picture.

First Etsy listing

No Joke....FINALLY....on Etsy!

Happy April Fools day everyone.

What a day to pick for my first listing! Ha ha. But I stayed up into the wee hours of the night, and got an item listed. I'm hoping every item isn't going to take that long! I can't believe how many items some people have listed, that's a LOT of time involved. But it must be worth it, some sell tons, like my friend Lynn Davis.

So cruise by and take a look if you have time. Let me know how I did, and how I can improve on the next listing.

Appreciate all your support ladies. A special thanks to Julie Pishny of Prairie Thistle for her help and advice on some of the housekeeping stuff for Etsy. It really helped Julie. Now get those pieces in to Belle Armoire Jewelry and get published!

I'm off to play some jokes on some fun people. Hope you do the same. This opportunity only comes once a year!

Chow.