Birds Nest Rings for Easter....

If you would like a Birds Nest ring for Easter there is still time.  Rings need to be shipped by 4/18.  Rings are $20 (including tax) and can be shipped for an additional $2.00.  They come in a huge variety of colors, just ask. You can email me at wcholst@comcast.net.

What I'm Up To...

For the past few days I have been making rings and earring in preparation for the summer market and to currently list on etsy.  I have so much fun making these rings and earring because of the variety of colors and shapes of the flower cabochons.

Also, I love the new ring bases that I have found and can't wait to see how the new styles and better quality go over with my customers.  I hope they love them as much as I do.

Let me know if you see anything you like.  I can send it to you instead of posting on etsy.  The rings are $20 each except for the larger ($25).  They are all adjustable.

I cannot believe it is March already.  In just a few weeks I will be signing up for the summer market and then in July we are off and running.  I'm really excited about the market this summer.  Nona and I had a great summer last year and can't wait to implement new ideas for our booth and our products.  Hope to see you there.

Owl Obsession...

This is one of several owls I created last year as Christmas Tree Ornaments.  I had such a great time designing and creating these, it just increased my adoration of owls.  Now I have a creative desire to find many ways to incorporate owls into my work. So I get excited anytime I see others works using an owl design..

This collage gives me so much inspiration and many ideas for different directions I can go to incorporate owls throughout my designs.  I love the crochet owls and would love to learn how to make them.  I also think the white owl with red eyes and red stitching is so sweet.  I'm not certain what it is, but the design is really fun.  (photo borrowed from flickr)

How cute are these felt owl ornaments?  I love them.  They are so charming and fun and I really love the addition of the branch that the owls are standing on.  I also think that the stitching is really cute.  For some reason I really like contrasting stitching. These are different from mine in that they are handmade felt, where I use already pressed felt. (photo borrowed from flickr)

This owl (photo borrowed from flickr) is similar to my design, but I love how it is made into a wall hanging.  What an adorable idea for a kids room or nursery.

These little cuties would make an adorable card.  Maybe that is the purpose in which they were created.  I have been practicing with a stamped owl and shading with copic markers as you have seen in earlier post.  I am still very much in the learning process, but I'm loving every moment.  Looking forward to my skills increasing.  (photo borrowed from flickr)

Playing with Pinks.....

This is a collection of new flower rings... I was playing around with pinks.  I found a new supplier that I love for my ring findings.  The quality is so much better than what I was using.  And they have a great selection of colors and a variety of styles.  These rings are $20 each (the larger is $25) inclusive of tax.  If you are interested you can either email me or checkout my etsy shop.  There is a link in the right column.  I make these rings in a variety of colors as well.  They are all adjustable and really fun to wear.

Tomorrow I think I will finish up working on the headbands I started earlier this week.  I will post photos of those soon.

Pretty in Pink...

This photo, for some reason reminds me of my friend Jeni.  I think it reminds me of Jeni because it is girlie, because she uses similar color combos in her artwork, because the girl standing on the dresser... for some reason, I think it's Jeni... and because the collage itself gives me the same joy that I get when I see Jeni's artwork...

OK... enough stalking my friend... what I love about this photo collage.... i love the vintage feel of all the photos... and that every photo has a splash of pink.... I love the color combos... and it just gives me the feel of childhood... not my childhood specifically, but childhood... I do remember having a record player that looked somewhat like this one... records were how we listened to music when I was little for those wondering "what is a record"  :)

The blue phone in the bottom right photo... I remember Marcia Brady or someone had that phone and I wanted it SO bad.  (She was on the Brady Bunch, not a personal friend)

So, thank you to the Flickr Photographer that took these photos and created this collage.  I am going to enjoy it and be inspired by it....

I Dream of Bird Cages....

I have been on the hunt, for a while now, for a beautiful vintage birdcage.  I haven't yet found just the right one, but I will know it when I see it.

When I found this photo collage on Flickr it brought me such joy... I want to go out hunting for a birdcage right now.   My favorite is the one in the lower right corner.  It's exactly what I envision.

And no... I'm not planning on getting a bird... at least not a real/live bird.  I do have a couple of fake birds... but there are so many wonderful things I could do with this birdcage.  I think it would look lovely with some white lights in it... and something else... but it hasn't come to me yet.  Oooohhh... a branch... leaves... flowers... birdsnest... bird (not real/live)...

I ready to continue the hunt...

Art Barn....

Brad and I have dreamed of having an "Art Barn" for as long as we have been married.  Our "Art Barn" would be our retreat where we can go listen to great music, have inspiration everywhere, and just create....

I found this picture on my Flickr tour... It's not set up exactly how I envision our Art Barn... but it's a great start.  I love the white washed wood and the AMAZING chandeliers... I love the doors and the wrought iron piece on the wall... I would definitely work with this space...

I think I'm going to be day dreaming about the "Art Barn" again today....

Flickr Finds

Today I felt uninspired... I have been caught up in so many knew things lately that I want to try, to create, to experience... I have been having a great time, but feel directionless...

What I want to do is to take all of these new techniques and somehow incorporate them into my business. But right now I am at a loss as to how to make that happen.

So.... what I would normally do is search the internet for websites... aimlessly... looking for something that inspires me. Usually coming up somewhat empty handed....
Today... for some reason, I went onto Flickr... I have only been on Flickr a few times checking out friends photos....

Man... have I been missing out.... what a wealth of inspiration I found... I think I have been on there for at least the last 3 hours...
I found so many photos that got my creative wheels turning... I'm so excited to share my treasures, but I "borrowed" so many photos that I can't bombard you all in one post. I will be adding photos over the next few days... maybe even weeks to share why I'm inspired by them... and hope that you are too...
The collection of photos in this post are all photos taken from The Farm Chicks show in Spokane, Washington in June... This June will be my maiden voyage of the Farm Chicks event and I can hardly wait. I know that I will come home with a full van of goodies and my brained filled with ideas.
By the way.... I did not take any of these photos... they are all from various Flckr photographers... I wish that I could take credit, but I have not yet attended this awesome event.
So... the Farm Chicks event inspires me because....

... I love vintage and antique everything....

... Shabby Chic is completely my style

... When I saw the video for this years show I felt like I was in a really great dream

... The women who put on the show and those who exhibit, inspire me as a woman and a business woman

... So much time, effort and passion goes into this event... it makes me want to be a part of it

... it makes we want to start junking...

I can't wait until June to experience this show for the first time... and to share with you the details and goods of what I bring home... in my van and in my creative spirit....

p.s. I added a few other photos throughout my blog... also from flickr... just wanting to give credit where credit is due...

All that Glitters....

"Why would any one person need this much glitter?"... you might ask. I'm not yet certain. I have recently discovered a fascination with glitter (I have always been fascinated by all things shiny and sparkly). I bought a couple tubes of this Martha Stewart Glitter from Joann's thinking I would edge some of my pendants with it. I brought it home and tried it out... realizing that my technique needs a lot of work...:) But also realizing that I, for some reason, LOVE this glitter.

I waited for my coveted 50% off coupon to arrive and then raced to Joann's to purchase this glitter for unknown adventures. I can't wait to find the perfect use for it... or uses. I now have 27 tubes of glitter.... so I may have to do more than one project with it.

As I find ways to use this sparkly tube of joy I will post my techniques for you to view and critique. There has to be so many exciting options...

One of "My Favorite Things" in my Art Room

Can you even look at this wall of fun and not want to create something? I can't. This shelf is on the wall of my art room right behind where I work. Everything that I need is right there at my fingertips. Once this was installed and filled with treasure I find this room easy to be inspired in.

Some of my favorite things on the shelf are: My wonderful display or ribbons... which I use for wrapping headbands, wrapping hair clips, decorating packages... and anything else that I can think of.

Another favorite: My thread collection... there are only 4 on display right now... most of my colors are in my thread bin (yes... I said thread bin). I use my thread for many things... I have recently discovered the joy of sewing... (hair clips, rosettes, headbands, ornaments... anything felt...)

I also have collections of buttons, beads, cabachons, ring bases... I love the variety of colors. I think that is was brings a smile to my face the most....

Copic Owls

OK... there was a sale today.... 20% off my new addiction....

Thank you Nona for going with me. Otherwise I would have been at the art store for at least an hour... probably longer. Not only that, I would have went WAY over my budget.

Instead... we were in and out in about 30 minutes and I was $3 under my budget... that almost NEVER happens. :)

So now I have a whole... 26... markers. Feels like very few, but at least I'm on my way. I think there are around 250 or 300 colors... I can't remember. Ask me in a week and I will probably be able to tell you how many in each category.

I came home and put my new markers right to use. Using my new owl stamp, I made about 13 test owls. They are so fun to color... but doing so only made me realize I'm not great at picking markers to go together.... but Nona is....

Now, I just need to find a way to integrate these into my business and create something I can sell...

To Do: make a bunch of lovely headbands...

I'm thinking that if I put it in writing it will motivate me to get moving. I have found all these new techniques that I want to try and explore and it's keeping me sidetracked. I need to get a little more market prep and etsy posting done before searching for new fun things to try.

...But the new fun things are.... FUN...

Making beautiful headbands is also fun... I'm just easily distracted by shiny, new things that sparkle... like glitter...:)

I have a huge list of "to-do's" that I'm so effortlessly ignoring. I think it's time to get a few things checked off, before getting sidetracked again. I'm going to have to make it fast though... my copic markers are going to be on sale in a few days....

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show

New Tools...

Today I was feeling inspired by a few of the things that I learned while at CU. I had a couple of Joann's coupons (which I cannot resist). I grabbed my coupons, dropped my son at school, and ran over to find some great deals.

More than learning something specific to create... I really took away different techniques and tools I wanted to try. (Kind of like my copic marker experience).

I got a new corner punch that I plan to use to re-design my market tags. I was planning to get a circle punch, but then came across this awesome Martha Stewart circle cutter. Now I can cut many different size circles... (fascinating... I know)

My greatest find... that I have to find a super cool way to incorporate into my wares.... MS glitter. I don't know why... but I LOVE it!!!! Any ideas for me???? I'm accepting any and all suggestions...

What was Old is New Again....

One of my favorite things to do is search antique stores for miscellaneous treasures. This vintage lucite flower was once a part of a pair of earrings. Now it expresses itself as a beautiful new adjustable ring.

It sits atop a gorgeous vintage tin that is embossed with a stunning floral design. I was searching for tins for my dear friend Petra when I came across this beauty. They happen to have three, so I bought two of them. One for Petra and I had to have one for myself. Hopefully I will be able to let go of the one I bought for Petra....:)

The base of the beautiful ring is another great find. I needed to fill a large ring order and wanted a supplier that I could get all the supplies I needed in one stop. After much research I found a new supplier that I had not worked with before. When I received my order I was so delighted my the superior quality of the ring bases and cabochons. I am now a dedicated new customer and happy to be so.

If you are interested in any of my items you can email me at wcholst@comcast.net or check out my etsy shop at www.hydrangeadesign.etsy.com.

Thank you so much for stopping by to check out what I have been up to lately....

What I do when I take a Break from Crafting....

As the designer and owner of Hydrangea Designs I spend a lot of my day creating jewelry, hair accessories, brooches, felt ornaments and many more goodies to sell on Etsy and at the market. When I need a creative break to rejuvinate myself I usually go straight to my knitting. I taught myself to knit about 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my second son. At that point I made several scarves and started a baby blanket that was never finished. Every once in a while I would grab my needles and do a couple inches on a scarf. I just liked the way that the knitting motion calmed me. But my skill never really increased.

I think it was about September of last year (2010) that Nona taught me to knit a basic hat so I could help her catch up a bit on her market hats. From that moment on I was forever lost to knitting.... Since September (5 months) I think I have knit... at least 25 hats (probably more), a few scarves (with a few remakes) and a neck cowl (remade 3 times).

Now I am expanding out to legwarmers... So far... my favorite thing to knit. I have one leg done... only to realize that the top 3 inches are a bit too small to go over my thigh... (these are suppose to be long legwarmers). I'm now starting my second leg... figuring that I will solve the problem this time and then go back and fix the other. It doesn't even matter to me. It's all in the process. Knitting gives me the calm and rejuvenation that I need to find my creativity again.... :)

If Lovin' You is Wrong.... I don't Wanna Be Right....

After a weekend at CU watching Jenn work her magic with her HUGE set of Copic markers... I became very interested in this child-like crafting idea...

I went over to Nona's to check out her collection of Copics and got a quick lesson on "how-to". From that moment on... I was a goner.... (Kind of like when Nona taught me to knit)

A couple days later I went out and bought my first 16 markers... of course that is not nearly enough and has just increased my desire 10fold.

Now my goal is to find many different ways to work these markers into anything and everything that relates to my business so that I can "color" all the time....

I recommend not starting.... it is so addictive.... :)

Amethyst Bling Ring

This week I found a gorgeous pair of vintage Amethyst Rhinestone earrings. I could not resist them. Out of one beautiful pair of earrings I made two stunning Bling Rings. I can't wait to show them to you in person. Come check out our booth this summer at the Edmonds Market. I should have a great selection of Bling Rings for you to peruse.

Beauty Renewed

This is my favorite bling ring so far. My dear friend Kelly is sporting this ring and it looks as if it was made for her.

I have discovered this new passion for vintage jewelry... taking something that once made someone feel special and beautiful and repurposing it to make it current... making a modern day woman feel just as special and beautiful.

When I find that special piece I can feel it right away. It makes me stop and take and second and third look. And you know how when you are in an Antique store... you find something and think.... I will come back for it... only to either forget where it is or forget about it completely. These finds never leave my mind. I am always drawn straight back to their exact location. They are longing to be rejuvenated.

Bling Rings

My new Bling Ring collection has become my latest obsession. I either use Swarovski Crystal elements or vintage buttons or vintage jewelry. Half the fun is in the hunt for just the right centerpiece for each ring. Scouring the Antique Shops and Thrift Stores gives me just as much joy as creating the rings and the final result.

I hope you enjoy what you see. Let me know if you see anything you are interested in. Also, keep your eyes peeled for new creations to be posted.

In the meantime, checkout my etsy site.... www.hydrangeadesigns.etsy.com.

Creative University

What a great experience I had this weekend. Went to CU with Nona... my first time, her 4th. She introduced me to a bunch of her friends that I now consider to be new friends as well. We crafted, and chatted and ate, and crafted some more. One thing we didn't do much of is sleep.... :)

Time away from my family is hard for me because I miss them when I am not with them... but I feel like my family grew this weekend because of all the wonderful craft sisters I have gained. Thank you Tresa for the wonderful event that you created and to all the women at CU for welcoming all of us newbies. :)

One of my new passions is creating hair accessories. I love making headbands, hairclips and almost anything pretty and flowery for your hair.