Happy July!

I can't believe it's July already. I know I say that every month, but still...

The other day, I had the chance to look back over at my last blog post and I must admit that so far, I am failing miserably at achieving my goals.

This week, I fully intend to chase away my case of "the lazies" and get my ass in gear. I have a few shows coming up this month, the soonest of which is the Food & Ohio Wine Festival at the North Market on Sunday, July 10. I also have more pieces to make for 2 retail locations and some art shows to plan & curate for the fall.

Enjoy some of my summery creations below!

Corn Kernel Cuff Links

Patriotic Lollies Post Earrings

Hamburger Stud Earrings

Grassy Knoll Pendant Necklace

Chicago-Style Hot Dog Necklace

Vote for Your Favorites!

I am applying for an alternative craft show out-of-state (I don't want to jinx it by telling you which one!) and I can only submit three images on my application. So, I need your help to decide which three would wow the judges and make them want to pick me to be a vendor!

I have revised my original idea thanks to the advice of the lovely miss Alison from The Sampler. Please look at the choices below and then vote for your ONE favorite from each photo set on the sidebar poll to the right.

EDIT (7/16): Voting has closed! Many thanks to everyone who chose their favorites in each category. The winners are Donut Bracelet, Blue Cells Pendant, and Stroke of Midnight Necklace. I'll keep you posted and let you know *if* I was accepted in to the craft show!

Click on any image below to see the larger version.

Set One: Tiny Treats

Set Tw0: Resin and Glass

Set Three: Beads

Website Milestone!

Since its launch in September, my website, sweetstelladesigns.com, has had 900 unique visitors and 1056 visits!!
Big thanks to tinycanary.com, the site where most of my referrals come from. And another big thanks to I Love Treefort, who designed my site.
This "milestone" is so exciting, especially since I just assume that no one is paying attention to my adventures on the inter-web. (haha, inter-web.)

Thanks to Google, if you type in "Sweet Stella" my site and my Etsy page comes up first!! I have triumphed over the sweet-stella.net...the porn site! (Notice how I did not make that last web address a link.)

Remember that the holiday gifting season is upon us. Chanukkah is next week and Christmas is...well...the 25th, just like it always is.

Have you taken the Handmade Pledge yet? If not, go to http://www.buyhandmade.org/ and add your name to the petition.











Since we're buying handmade, now would be a great time to mention that I have many excellent, unique gift ideas available at the Sweet Stella Designs Etsy shop, like this adorable Carrot Cake Gift Set.

Love to shop, or know someone who does? How about this cool Credit Card Necklace!

Or the smaller, pinker version!

Have something special in mind, but don't see it in my Etsy shop? Just send me a quick note and let me know what you're looking for; I love custom orders!
Happy buying (handmade)!

Chipotle Love

I have met many, many people who are completely obesessed with Chipotle burritos. Well, finally there is a jewelry for Chipotle lovers! Check out these little burrito earrings I made last night, from polymer clay.


They are even wrapped in little bits of foil. And check out the Swarovski crystal details!

You can buy a pair HERE!

Time To Make The Donuts!

Mmmm...look at these yummy donuts! Too bad they're FAKE. Sadly, they are not edible; rather, they're part of an art piece I am working on for the Agora art show in October.

They start out as donut-shaped lumps of lightweight air-dry clay which are painted in a variety of cake-related shades.

Then, I "frost" them with a seemingly endless combination of acrylic paints, glosses and glazes. And then comes the fun part: sprinkles and drizzles!

The artwork below is about 85% complete. There will be a lovely surprise at the end. But I'm not giving it away now. You'll just have to come to the art show and see for yourself!

Posta Romana

I have recently developed a love of postage stamps. My co-worker Eva gave me a whole box brimming with cancelled stamps from all over the world, dating back to the 50s. Her thoughtful donation came at just the right time, because I am currently creating a custom order for 20 of my glass stamp pendants for a store called White Balcony in Fort Collins, Co. Hooray!

Here is what the glass pendants look like before I add the silver bails. (Bails are the glue-on loops that enable you to turn a flatback stone or cabochon into a pendant)

Another way that I make postage-stamp jewelry is by using polymer clay. With the clay, I can choose a beckground color that enhances the appearance of the stamp.

Some of my favorite stamps are those from countries that no longer exist and ones commemorating events/people not from that particular country. i.e. a Rwanda stamp celebrating JFK! Ok, maybe I am too easily amused.