Oxidizing Jewelry

I have fallen in love with Oxidizing / Antiquing Jewelry! I just love how it turns out. I was up late last night making jewelry and I can't wait to finish the process of taking pictures and getting them added to my website. The funny thing is, I want to oxidize all my jewelry. I now look at my jewelry and think to myself whether of not it would look better dark and antiqued.
My family went over to my parent's house today to celebrate my moms birthday and go swimming. It was a little on the breezy side. But, my daughter couldn't stay away from the pool and my son is a fish! Anyways, my dad makes stain glass window and I decide to ask him about the whole oxidizing. I had brought my jewelry case over to the house so my mom could pick out a few pieces for her birthday gift. He didn't know what I was talking about until I started talking about the chemical he uses to darken the lead on the stain glass windows. So, we went out to the garage to test the chemical out 'black patina' on one of the necklace I had tried to oxidize with hot, hard boiled eggs. It didn't oxidize evenly on the chain. So, we put this chemical on it, and it work perfect! So, now I am so on it! I can't wait to go through my collection and start pulling out pieces I can 'blacken'!!! It's funny I think it gives it a whole new life! Be sure to check out my current 'Vintage' Collection. Again, I am in the process of listing about 15 pairs of earrings just for the 'Vintage' Collection.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I am off to work on my website.
Happy Birthday Mom!! We love you!!
Cheers, Trisha

Don't miss this contest!

I was just visiting one of my favorite blogs and they have the most awesome contest going on that you do not want to miss! I mean who doesn't want a $200.00 gift certificate for Jeans! Oh, and on top of that if you don't win they have a coupon code for 15% off your order. We are talking about name brand jeans!
Drop on by their site 5minsformom to enter and read more details.
Good Luck!

My New 'Old' Altered Desk Caddy

I wanted to share this paper towel holder I bought a few months ago. I knew I was going to alter it but I wasn't sure how. So, last night I decided to start the process. I love how it turned out. I may still add some paint on the edges or buttons for embelishments, but other than that I think it's finished. I had originally bought it to hold my ribbon on the paper towel rod, that idea wasn't working so I now use it at my desk as a desk caddy. I love it!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday.

Trisha

A few scrapbook pages for your enjoyment!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am still tired. I got so much completed that I thought we had been on vacation for a few days and we were all getting back into the swing of things. School started back up for my son, and on the way back to the car my daughter tripped and fell on her knees- well, we are already wearing shorts down here, and that means she got her first really strawberry on her knee! She didn't even cry. I'm so proud of her.

I'm not finished with the pages. I made them at a scrap night a few weeks ago, and I need to go back to them and add some embellishments.

Have a great Monday!

Trisha

New Yellow Quartz Dangle Earrings....

This Jewelry Inspiration Board is all about the GOLD! I love these new earrings made with Citrine Quartz Faceted Flat Briolettes, Swarovski Gold Pearls, and Clear Round Crystals. These are perfect example of a pair of earrings that can be customized to match any taste or any outfit in your wardrobe! The dress (TiBi Orchid Shift Dress), the wallet (Chloe Bay Metallic Wallet), and the Shoes (Jimmy Choo Lent Strappy Slingbacks) are all from Net-A-Porter.com. If you haven't had a chance to browse through their website, you should stop by now and see some of the fabulous Spring Collections.

I've been pretty busy making decor items for this weekend. I have barely had time to get new products entered on the website. If you have a moment, be sure to check out some of the jewelry pieces.

Remember if you are interested in carrying any of the items listed on the website in your store, just email me at beautifulgarden@cox.net. It's really easy to get an account set.

Have a great day!

Sparkle Girl Round Scrapbook Box

OK so you can say I did go over board on the pictures of this box. But, I am so proud of myself. I love how it turned out. I'm still not sure about the inside. I'm not sure if I want to make a mini round book or put all my daughters bands and what not in there from her birth. Or a combination of both. But, one thing for sure- I love it! I hope you will enjoy it!
Thanks for stopping by!

A few Oxidized Pieces have been added...

So, I decided to give this whole Oxidizing Process a try...and the end result - I love it! I think it's the neatest thing ever! I really think it takes a piece of jewelry that I would hesitate to wear out during the day and makes it more casual for everyday wear. I love the antique/vintage feel it gives the jewelry. I now feel like I can wear dangle crystal earrings during the day with jeans and a fun t-shirt and it will look great! I will work on a board so everyone can see what I am talking about. If you have a pair of sterling silver earrings and you feel like you are not getting enough wear out of them; I would give the whole oxidizing technique a try. You might just surprise yourself, and start wearing them more often.

I have the new collection in their own category- 2008 Vintage Collection - I've only added a few pieces. I am still working on them.

I've been working on my scrapbook albums. Actually just getting a few pages completed late at night. I got side tracked last night and decided to work on this round box. I'm about half way through it. I will post pictures of it tomorrow. I should have it completed tonight. So far I really like it. I think it really goes with the whole Easter Vintage theme I have going on here in my work space.

Oh, and one more thing. Over at Etsy.com they have this thing called the Treasury. You see it on the home page. Well, Etsy vendors actually sign up and do the collages. So, last night I did one and you can view it here- Spring has Sprung It's a way to promote other Etsy vendors- not for self promotion, except you are kind of promoting yourself- your name is all over it! I just think it is a neat tool- and the Etsy community has more interaction.

Well, I'm going to head up and work on some scrap booking projects.

Thanks for stopping by!

Trisha

A book for my husband...

I gave my husband this book for Valentine's Day- the funny thing is, I haven't actually given him the book. I still need to put some more pictures in it. I would love to put more of my scrapbook photos up, but I recently entered the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest, and I can't put anything up until you hear you haven't won! So, here is a book I'm pretty proud of. I love doing the small little books. I'm getting really pumped up for tonight- I'm heading out to scrapbook at Devine Memories.
Hope you will enjoy the photos. Be sure to check back Monday- I will have the new vintage style designs up on the website.
Have a great weekend!

Vintage Shabby Chic Look for Jewelry Pictures

OK new post! This is my new look for 'vintage shabby chic' photos of my jewelry. I will still use the white background but add in a few of the vintage paper. I really like the new look. It really goes along with my new shabby chic home show and boutique table display.

I will have a new collection added to my boutique- you can view it this coming Monday. I have been working on a vintage look with some of my jewelry designs- the pieces will include vintage inspired or vintage pieces incorporated into the piece. I'm really excited about exploring these one of kind works for art.

Check back later today so you can get a sneak peek at the new line.

Have a great Thursday!

Trisha

A test run for technorati.com

Technorati Profile

Phoenix Vendor - Jewelry Inspiration Board #8

Since I live in Arizona I thought I would focus on a few of our local Arizona Vendors. Floral Design - Petal Pusher located in Phoenix, Arizona; Dress from JCrew - locations in the Valley and online; Double strand Pearl & Crystal Necklace from The Beautiful Garden Boutique + customize your colors to match your dress; Cake - Piece of Cake Desserts located in Mesa, Arizona

Spreading the Love...

I spend hours cruising the blogsphere looking for fun and exciting blogs. I would love to list your blog on my site. I am looking for Wedding related, Scrapbook related, Mommy Owned & Ran Blogs. Email me your blog name and site address. And I can list it under the appropriate category. Please remember I reserve the right to make the final decision on whether I think your blog is appropriate. If I decide to list you on my blog, I would appreciate a reciprocal link.

March April 2008 Issue of Bead Trends Magazine is out!

I just wanted to let everyone know that the new issue of Bead Trends Magazine is out in the stores. I have seen it at my local Michaels Craft Store. I don't have any pieces in this issue of the magazine, but it really is a well done magazine. I am a big supporter of them, and they are of me. I get so excited when they accept my jewelry for their mag! The photography is great, it really makes my work stand out. I currently have a piece in rotation on their website. It's really neat to see it somewhere other than my own website.

I will have 6 pieces in the May/June issue. I am very excited about that. And I have something really special in the works.

So, it's time for me to get working on some new pieces. I just purchased some great beads which have really inspired me to create! The kids are out back enjoying the warm weather, so the house is quiet.

Keep checking back at the website. I am adding new items all the time. Also, my clearance items are housed at the etsy location.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Trisha

Flower Girl Jewelry Inspiration Board #7

The Flower Girl loves your special day just as much as you! She gets all dolled up in her precious dress from So Sweet Boutique, her hand bag from Etsy Designer Designs by Nana, her flowers from Stoneblossom, and her keepsake bracelet from The Beautiful Garden Boutique- Preppy Pink. The bracelet is made from Swarovski Crystals and Pearls, Sterling Silver and an extender for longer wear. You can view the entire Addison Collection here.