what I've been working on...

I'm not sure why - because it wasn't planned - but lately everything I've been creating is slightly ethereal... I guess it started with 'the man in the moon' necklace....

then continued as I learned some basic metalsmithing techniques... with "orbit"
and then 'orbs'

and it's companion... 'mars'and then 'earth'....

I'm not sure what the significance is here... I just thought it was telling that for some reason my sub-conscious has been leading me in this direction for a while.... any thoughts?

my new favorite earrings....

I love these! I love the juxtaposition of the chunky brass (masculine) hardware with the feminine pearls... surprisingly lightweight too!

they're perfect to dress up a t-shirt and your favorite blue jeans, but dressy enough to wear with a business suit.

...and yep.. they're for sale in my Etsy shop... http://monaco.etsy.com/

still in time for Christmas shipping!

Pearls symbolize the best within us. Honesty, Purity, Wisdom and Integrity.
They remind us to walk with Dignity. Pearls can stimulate your femininity and help with self acceptance.

They lift your spirits and make you feel calm and beautiful. When have you not felt ultra-feminine when wearing pearls? - even with your favorite jeans!

12 more days!

just 12 more days of free shipping in my Etsy shop (here).....

just mention that you read it on my blog and I'll refund your shipping costs!! YAY!

prayer vials....

as promised a couple days ago...

Introducing... 'prayer vials'

a simple word of guidance handwritten in sanskrit and captured in a tiny glass vial. The vial in just over 1" long (including the cap) and 1/4" wide. It dangles from an 18" thin, sterling silver ball chain.

Each one will come in a gift box - wrapped up in a ribbon - with a little card elaborating on the word chosen.

words I have so far...

acceptance, hope, prosperity, strength, grace, wisdom, goodness, integrity, love, respect, truth, faith, courage.

I can also try (within reason) to do custom words - but bear in mind that the space is quite small, so multiple words may not fit.

have other word suggestions? I'd love to hear them!!

you can find them here

introducing.... healing vials

Introducing... 'healing vials' .... Fran Henry wrote about them in the Cleveland Plain Dealer - and since then I've had a lot of inquiries... (haven't seen the article? read it here ... sorry for the shameless plug :)

So what are they?

Tiny little gemstones captured in a tiny glass vial.
The vial in just over 1" long (including the cap) and 1/4" wide. It dangles from an 18" thin, sterling silver ball chain.

Each one is chosen for its specific healing properties and will come in a gift box - wrapped up in a ribbon - with a little card explaining the stone.

Moss Agate.... (mottled green)... is considered the most powerful of the agates - helps balance emotional energy. It helps the wearer to let go of anger and bitterness so the emotions are balanced. It also enhances concentration, persistence and success..strengthens in times of stress

The Howlite (deep blue): decreases an overly critical state of mind, selfishness, pain and rudeness. It increases subtlety and tact. It helps bones and teeth and calcium levels and leg cramps. It heightens creativity.
Aventurine... a very cheery orange tone... grounds emotionally & allows for thought that is free of fear, troubled emotions, indecisiveness and anxiety. It is a stone for leaders, protectors and counselors. .. adventurine not only enhances creativity, it grants the ability to see possibilities.... this is the stone for writers, artists, musicians or anyone in the creative field.

Rose Quartz (pink): is known as the love stone. When worn, the wearer feels a sense of self-worth. It gives inner peace and helps in all matters pertaining to love in all its forms. Opens the heart to love.

I'll have lots more stones coming very soon.... and stay tuned for 'prayer vials'!

oh... I almost forgot! You can find them in my little online shop... monaco.etsy.com

extra, extra... read all about it!

YAY! Fran Henry -wonderfully nice woman and reporter for the Plain Dealer - wrote articles about Etsy and guess what ? drumroll please.....

She wrote about four local Etsy artists:

hiannie

lazyTcrochet

stonz

.............and me!!! monaco

YAY! I'll take a picture of the page later today... how exciting!

Red Sponge Coral

I've recently been using this a lot in my designs and I thought I'd share a little about this beautiful, vibrant stone. It reminds me of paprika.

Sponge coral is actually its trade name... it's real name is melithaea ochracea (see why they just call it sponge coral??)

Sponge coral really has nothing to do with sponges. It just looks like a sponge.

Other than shells and animal teeth, coral was one of the earliest materials used in jewelry.

Neolithic amulets in red coral found in digs in Switzerland date back to 8000 BCE.

Why wear it??

Sponge coral promotes a childlike, fun mood.

Coral helps restore harmony in the event of emotional conflict.

It works against nutritional deficiencies, depression and lethargy.

Mystical power: Coral is said to cure madness and give wisdom. It excites nerve power, brilliancy and gladness and is a true health-giver.

You'll find these (pictured) and many other designs in my online shop - which can be found here.

Or just click on a photo to be taken to that item.

Earring Giveaway!!!!

I'm giving away a pair of earrings to one lucky winner who will get to choose between the "ruby tuesday" or "may flower" earrings.

Win them just in time for gift giving or as a special gift for yourself!! Either way, they will come in a cotton-filled gift box, all tied up with a ribbon.

Vanessa - of Designs by Vanessa - is hosting this giveaway!

To enter, go to her blog
Designs by Vanessa

and follow her instructions.

The winner will be picked at random from all the entries received on October 9th...

Good luck!!!
and a great big THANKS to Vanessa for hosting this for me!!!!
YAY !

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is a Microcrystalline variety of quartz.

Named for its rosy pink color, this variety of quartz can be pale pink to peachy in color.

The gem gets is color from trace amounts of Titanium, and it is commonly included with tiny rutile needles. Usually found in large aggregated masses.

and from my geology class last summer.... this is a member of the quartz family it shares the same properties as the rest of its large family: hardness of 7, white streak, no cleavage.

... so what can rose quartz do for you???

Rose quartz is known as the love stone. When worn in jewelry the wearer feels a sense of self-worth.

Healing properties of Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz has a gentle vibration of love for the owner. It gives inner peace and helps in all matters pertaining to love in all its forms. Rose Quartz opens the heart to love. It also helps as a rejuvenator to the skin. It is a lovely stone for a young person.

and then pair it with sterling silver....

Silver is a mineral that is said to mirror the soul, strengthen the connection between astral and physical bodies, and enhance intuitive and psychic energies. Silver is mystically considered to improve speech, bring eloquence. It is also purported to attract, enhance and store the energies of gemstones, as well as draw out negative energies.

so.... I'm thinking that if you wear this bracelet you'll be able to not only feel peaceful and worthy of love, but you'll be able to express that feeling when it's most important!

I just purchased bunches of rose quartz and this bracelet was the first creation... you can find it for purchase in my Etsy shop by just clicking on one of the photos... but there will be many more rose quartz pieces to come!!!

A to Z favorites..... Q

today is all about Q

and Quote handbags... is all about "creating something practical with unconventional shapes."

The flat rectangular shape makes it lightweight and easy to pack, while the circle cutout allows the bag to fit comfortably on your shoulder and lends a streamlined silhouette.

I love this~ find them (and many more fabulous bags here)




Quizzes.... I don't know about you.. but I'm addicted to taking all of those quizzes you see in women's magazines and online... (as evidenced here... "what tree did you fall from?")
Here are some for you to try....

What type of fruit are you? (I'm a strawberry)

Which Superhero are you? (I'm Spiderman)

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Which Sex in the City gal are you? (I'm not telling:) ...and here's another one!
Which Sex in the City Vixen are you?

The animal in you (I'm a mountain goat!)

Of course there's the tried and true Meyers Briggs test (I'm an ENFP)

Curly Q Cuff... by bluenoodle I found her here on Etsy, but it seems as though she's closing that shop... find her amazing jewelry on her website http://bluenoodlejewelry.com/

Over 7 inches of hammered heavy gauge Sterling Silver wrapped conspiciously around your wrist. Ends cleverly curl upwards, showing the smooth, high polish insides

hmmmm.... eye jewelry?

According to this Utube article, Eric Klarenbeek -from Amsterdam - actually began this project back in 2005. Well, here it is!

If you can't see the video, you can find it here.

I'd love to hear what you think! (and no, I'm not considering making them) ouch!

Today is "Moon Day"

When? July 20th

CURRENT MOON

moon phases

Moon Day commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969.

Even though I was just a little kid, I remember that day!

I don't remember the actual moon walk but I do remember thinking it must have been something really important because my dad let us stay up late to watch it on t.v.

I remember his reaction more than I remember anything else. He seemed mesmerized and somehow very proud. And very proud to be sharing this with his young daughters... we were the last generation to have been born prior to humans being space- exploring creatures.

You might find this interesting (I did at least!) ... "What It Feels Like … To Walk on the Moon" By Buzz Aldrin, 71, astronaut, as told to Mike Sager... read it here

(photo from my friend - Terri Harper - taken just for my blog!!!! YAY! Beautiful full moon - great shot Terri!)

So... what to do to celebrate Moon Day?

You could watch Apollo 13
You could learn more about how the moon affects us (here)
You could make Outer Space crafts with your kids!
You could walk around in slow motion and pretend you are weightless.
You could eat Space Food Sticks!!! YAY! Who else remembers these??? I didn't realize that you could still buy them!

hmmmm...
or you could get a "Man in the Moon" necklace from me!
It's for sale in my Etsy Shop!

ok... shameless plug... I know
but hey... a girl's got to make a living!

somewhere new!

You know that saying that when God closes a door.. somewhere he opens a window?
Well here's my window! A wonderful salon in Westlake used to carry my work and it was quite successful there - but a few months ago they got bought out by another salon and it just doesn't have the same "vibe"... so I no longer stock my work there.
I was dissappointed until this week when I got an email from the owner of VanityLab!! Not only is she just a wonderful person, but look at what she has created in this salon!! It's amazing!
It really is stunning...

And they carry cards, photography, clothing and jewelry (that would be me!) by local artisans.

It's wonderful! Check it out here.

A to Z favorites...... M

M is for.....

Mary Gamelin... her love of fabrics certainly shows in these beautiful pillow covers she makes...

find her shop here.

My Grill ...
How fun is this???

Design your own Steak!

Impress your friends with transferring your own logo or name onto your barbecue-meat.

They can produce any logo or symbol that you want!

Found here on Design Spotter... can also be found (along with a bunch of other cool stuff) here.
Designer: Hannes freising (Germany) Manufacturer: haseform.de (Germany)

Matchstick Gardens!

Grow an herb or wildflower garden from a matchbook. Great design at a really great price!
These cute matchbooks hold a clever secret inside. Tear out a matchstick, plant it tip first in soil and you’ll soon have a flower or herb garden growing. On the tip of each match are seeds already mixed to grow either herbs or wildflowers.

Find them here

maggi’s minimalist oak desk... I so want to make this...

check it out! It's a DIY project found on Design*Sponge.

Find the instructions here.

The Meaning of Time is a brilliant clock concept perfect for all those crafty people out there. You can make your own clock~

It supplies the mechanism to keep time, you supply the hour and minute hands. You can use just about anything as long as it fits thru the holes.

...still, it's just a "concept" we can't actually buy these yet, but it's such a cool idea! You could change it all the time! (pun intended)
Designer: Bomi Kim

found via Yanko Design

A to Z favorites...... K

K is for......

KIPI...

in her own words.....

I like color.

I like biology.

I like graffiti.

I like kitsch.

I like pattern.

I like depth and layers....

I like blending these concepts in my work.

And, most of all, I like the idea of others living with my art!
simply beautiful.... find them here.

Kreativlink......just imagine what you could write in this book... perhaps little life stories to be discovered years and years from now, beautifully preserved in this handmade, leather-bound treasure. Hand-torn, tea-stained pages make this a beautiful legacy to be cherished forever.
just seeing one of these skillfully bound books makes me want to be a writer.... find them here.

Kitchen stickers! (don't you just LOVE that fridge????)
according to their website,

"Yneko's stickers aim to combine usefulness and playfulness, to give the opportunity to anyone "to play the interior designer" by applying an original customised touch to our living space. The idea is to customise our everyday space by using something that we all have played with, at least once ..and maybe once upon a time ago ..the stickers!

The stickers are available in several designs, for the decoration needs of the entire house. ..And it is not all about decoration! By trying to meet the needs of today's hectic life-style, the stickers provide both a creative and an edgy solution for forgetful people
too. Too many drawers? Have you forgot your fork? We've got the practical sticker solution... for fun & find! So... spruce up your kitchen! The room that's the star of the house is no longer willing to settle for being just a functional space! They'll bring to your room an original touch, helping you find all stuffs! "

find them here.

Kast van een Huis.... The collection is designed as multipurpose furniture.The closets are designed as a storage for clothes, toys, books, crockery or even for office-equipment. If you place several models next to each other you create a street of closets or a room-divider.
What wonderfully lucky child wouldn't just adore these???

find them here.

Knife Hooks ... by tcstudio

found on DesignSpotter a bit odd... but so me... :)

KONZUK jewelry, with its innovative use of materials, is faithful to the clean, minimalist aesthetic of contemporary industrial design and architecture.

find it here.