BESTeam Feature: Your Daily Jewels

This week my BESTeam feature is on Your Daily Jewels Etsy Shop which is owned by Nora.

RUBY DRUZY and CHERRY QUARTZ Stunning Pendant Necklace

10% of proceeds to be donated to the

Autism Society of America

By day, Nora is a physical therapist for children with disabilities. The type of therapy she practices is Hippotherapy which is therapy aided by horses. The rhythmic movement of horses has a therapeutic effect on the individuals being treated. As a reward system for her patients, Nora began making simple jewelry for them using stones and baubles she had been collecting since childhood. She would tell the children a story behind each bead or stone in their new jewelry. The children loved their gifts, and Nora discovered a new creative outlet for herself.

So SHINY it LOOKS WET Red Quartz Bracelet

Nora is a self-taught jeweler. Her free time is spent learning more about the trade by studying designs, materials and fabrication. She classifies her jewelry as glamorous handcrafted, colorful semi precious gemstone jewelry made with fine metals.

Cherry Bomb Bright Red, Round Quartz Earrings with Gold Vermei

After living 20 years in New York City, Nora now lives in the village of Nyack, NY which is about 22 miles from NYC. Nyack sits on the bank of the Hudson River.

Smooth Salmon Pink Czech Glass Drop Briolette Earrings Wrapped in Silver Wire

Nora has a second Etsy Shop called pj clark jewelry. This shop features modern and affordable jewelry which sells for under $40. Shipping to the US is free. Besides using new materials, Nora takes apart vintage jewelry to make new and unique modern pieces. The earrings below are made from golden Puffed Celluloid Sequins which are genuine antiques from France.

VERY VINTAGE French Golden Celluloid Hoop Earrings

Visit Your Daily Jewels Blog where you can read about other artisans, Hippotherapy and other things Nora likes. Follow Your Daily Jewels Facebook page to be entered in Nora's frequent giveaways.

Check out the BESTeam Blog to find out more information about the team. New members are always welcome.

Friday Finds: Cat Pouches

Today I searched Etsy for handmade cat pouches. There were 971 items that came up. Of course, I didn't check out all 971 cat pouches. I don't have that much time on my hands :-0 I did, however search through quite a few pages, and picked out the items below.

Easter is coming up fast. Any one of these handcrafted items would look great in an Easter basket. After your mother, sister, wife, daughter, etc. got finished eating all the goodies in the basket, they would be left with a keepsake that they could use for years to come. They might forget what candies you got them, but they wouldn't forget the handmade gift that was included. What could be better than that?

First up is a Perfect Little Wristlet and Credit Card Holder - Cats And Coffee by Caprimo Designs.

In this shop, you can find wristlets, hipsters, gadget cases and disc holders.  Very nice shop!

Next is this Button Flap Closure Novelty Clutch Bag from BeautifulSeams. This shop offers quilted items, clutch bags, totes, and more. Free shipping to US on all items.

While visiting this shop, be sure to check out the beautiful Quilted Rag Basket. It is amazing!

Here is a iPhone 3G 4G iPod iTouch Android Droid Blackberry Cell Phone Pouch Case Sleeve Padded in Siamese Cats on Pink by Steel Dahlia.

In this shop you can find lots of cell phone and Blackberry cases, sleeves and cozys.

This case would make the perfect Mother's Day Present for me!!!! I think I will send the link to my adult kids and just write, "Isn't this the cutest iPhone case you've ever seen?" Maybe one of them will get the hint :-)

Here is a HELP Japan: Vintage Japanese Kimono Cat (Kitty) Pouch. At Kazue West you can find handmade handbags and accessories.

50% of all sales will be donated to the JapanEarthquake/Tsunami: Emergency Support for Affected Children.

Next up is this Pocket Mirror - Sunshine Kittens velvet pouch included by Kikichoo.  Buy 3 pocket mirrors, get the 4th free!

This shop offers original artwork on canvas, framed and on button badges.

The artist, Loraine, has 5 cats; Cherry, Poppy, Ruby, Mimi, and Mr Hector.

And last is a Ewesful Pouch - Fushia Kitty by Ewenique Essentials. All items are made with Ewe in mind!

Debbie, the owner of Ewenique Essentials makes and sells quilted and knitted items, as well as soap.







Thanks for stopping by and viewing this weeks Friday Cat Finds.  You are welcome back next week to see what I pick out then.  Have a great weekend!

BESTeam Feature: Alexander's Designs

Alexander's Designs is run by a wife and husband team, Jenny and Skip Alexander.  They are a self employed couple who work construction together and make jewelry together. Their handcrafted jewelry includes a unique blend of Swarovski Crystals, lamp work beads, glass beads, semi-precious gemstones, sterling silver, fine silver, pewter, and gold.

Ugly Glass is a line of glass Jenny and Skip create in their home studio. The process for making Ugly Glass starts with torching the glass, and then it is put into a special blanket to cool. Next it is annealed in a Kiln to relieve internal stresses. The annealing process significantly increases the strength of the glass.

Here is a Double Amber Purple Blob One Of of A Kind Ugly Glass Pendant  filled with swirls of many beautiful colors.

This is an Ugly Glass Borosilicate Glass Captured Flower Pendant from Skips Captured Flower Series.





There are lots more Ugly Glass pendants in the shop. Each one is unique and beautiful.



Alexander's Designs also offers customized photo pendants like the one below. Simply send Jenny a photo, and she will create a decal from it that she then fires onto a glass pendant. These would make wonderful gifts!

Sepia Photo Pendant - Customizable










Jenny and Skip also make Etched Copper Pendants. The one below is a hand drawn flower made from one of Jenny's sketches.

Etched Copper Pendant









I hope you have enjoyed learning a bit of the processes that go into making the jewelry created by Jenny and Skip. The jewelry itself is stunning, but learning a bit about how it is created, makes me appreciate the jewelry at Alexander's Designs that much more.

You can sign up for Alexander's Designs Mailing List to receive special sales information and coupon codes.

Jenny and Skip have three other shops: Classically Simple, Beadery Destash and Ugly Glass. You can also find Jenny and Skip at: Alexander's Designs Blog, Alexander's Designs Website and Alexander's Designs Facebook Page.


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The Boosting Etsy Shops Team (BESTeam) is a group of Etsy sellers dedicated to promoting each others Etsy Shops through our blogs, twitter and Facebook pages. New members are always welcome.

BESTeam Feature: Plum Beadacious

This week I am featuring the Plum Beadacious Etsy Shop which offers handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, hair accessories and lanyards.

Here is a Brown Yellow Red White Polymer Clay Beaded Lanyard ID Badge.

There are more beautiful Lanyards in the shop, so if you are looking for one, you are sure to find one you just can't live without :-)

Plum Beadacious is owned by LeAllyson Meyers from Severance Colorado. By day, LeAllyson works in corporate America as a clinic compliance and risk analyst.  In the evening and on weekends, LeAllyson creates her beautiful beaded jewelry. She has been making beaded jewelry for about seven years, and has been selling it for five.

Here is a gorgeous pair of Botswana Agate Gemstone Earrings.

Check out the matching Brown and Black Beaded Lanyard ID Badge Magnetic Clasp.

This is an Antiqued Brass Flower Cuff Bracelet Buttercream Yellow.

I saved my favorite for last, a Dragonfly Necklace, Crystals, Flowers.

You can find out more about LeAllyson and her jewelry on her Beadaciously Yours Blog and her Plum Beadacious Website.  She also has a Plum Beadacious Facebook Page.

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The Boosting Etsy Shops Team (BESTeam) is a group of Etsy sellers dedicated to promoting each others Etsy Shops through their blogs, twitter and Facebook pages. New members are always welcome.

Friday Cat Finds: Fish

Today I searched for "cat" and "fish" on Etsy. Lots and lots of great listings came up, but I managed to narrow my selections down to six to show you.

Maneki Neko Lucky Siamese Cat with Koi Fish ACEO Print

by 3 Cats Graphics

Pet CAT ID Tags - PussKat / Fishy Skeleton - Hand Engraved - Buy 2 get 3rd Tag FREE

by SteksPets

Satisfied Cat - print of mixed media painting

by The Gretchen Show

Kitty Pouch

by Plaid Poni Designs

WHO ME - Limited Edition print 7 by 9 inch - Cats with attitude

by Cat-alogue Cats With Attitude

Pirate Cat Blank Note Card

by Patti Backer












I hope you have enjoyed today's Friday Cat Finds. It was a lot of fun searching for cats and fish :-) Every time I search for cat items to share with you, I am amazed at how many talented artists and crafts people there are on Etsy.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

BESTeam Feature: Las Flores del Sur

Marisa, owner of Las Flores del Sur Etsy Shop, is a graphic and web designer. She is from Buenos Aires, but now lives in Montevideo, Uruguay. Marisa ships worldwide, and most of the items in her shop are currently being offered with free shipping. Las Flores del Sur translated from Spanish to English, means "Flowers from the south."

Here are some handmade items you can find in Las Flores del Sur (floresdelsur).

2 Purple-Bordeaux Rolled Ribbon Hair Pins - Free Shipping 

Fabric Rosette Pin in Turquoise, Brown, Gray and White - Free Shipping

On Sale 3 Little Bouquet Pins - Colors of your choice - Free Shipping

6 Recycled Wooden Buttons













Marisa has a second shop, also called Las Flores del Sur (lasfloresdelsur), where you can find "handmade Jewelry for everyone."

Other places to find Las Flores del Sur:
Las Flores del Sur Blog
Las Flores del Sur Facebook page
Las Flores del Sur twitter page

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The Boosting Etsy Shops Team (BESTeam) is a group of Etsy sellers dedicated to promoting each others Etsy Shops through our blogs, twitter and Facebook pages. New members are always welcome.

Friday Cat Finds: Sun Catchers

I love sun catchers, and I found some beautiful ones on Etsy today. These sun catchers make me think of bright, sunny, warm, summer days.

Suncatcher Cat

by Big Horse Creek Gallery

Stained Glass Suncatcher - Cat and Goldfish

by Fleeting Stillness

Butterscotch Peeking Cat Stained Glass Panel

by Good Grief Glass

Green Cat

by SimplySammi

Life-Sized Stained Glass Window Kitty - Customizable

by Fine Art And Stained Glass by Tina Steenerson

Attack Cat

by Sierra Creations

What did I tell you? Aren't they beautiful?

Color Of The Day Cat Picks: Blue

Today I searched on Etsy for "blue" and "cat." Here are the items that came up that I've selected to share with you.

Twilight Tabby Cat Print

By AliceinParis

Linen Kitty Pillow

Blue Kitty

White Kitten Primitive in Gold Fill Wire Pendant OOAK

A Tabby Cat Arts

Cats Night Out Watch in Gold and Silver (Unisex)

Whimsical Watches

Ocean Tabby

AliceinParis

BESTeam Feature: Designs by M'Ayanna

I live in Vermont where winter is still going strong. Snow every where! But, the thing about mid-March is that I know the long, cold winter will soon be over. So when I visited the shop I am featuring this week, Designs by M'Ayanna, I was automatically drawn to some of the jewelry that made me think of spring and the beach. The fashion jewelry in this shop is beautiful, and another great thing is that DesignsbyMayanna offers plus size jewelry.

Coral Concerto Necklace - Movement Number One

Designs by M'Ayanna is owned by Patrice Kelly from Chicago, Illinois. Patrice began making jewelry because her daughter, Ayanna, was interested in it. Ayanna soon lost interest in jewelry making, but by that time, Patrice was hooked. The shop name is short for Mommy and Ayanna. Ayanna's roll now is to critique all of Patrice's designs. If Ayanna doesn't like something, Patrice doesn't sell it.

Madelyn Necklace

The Designs by M'Ayanna Blog offers lots of helpful tips for other jewelry sellers. Here are two examples: Jewelry Photo Editing Tips for Professional Results and Sell Your Jewelry And Make Money At Craft Shows. There are also tutorials like this one, How To Make Paper Jewelry. I think I will give this tutorial a try.

Hearts In A Web Earrings

You can also visit Designs by M'Ayanna on Facebook and twitter.

Kiwi Stone Wristwatch

Visit Designs by M'Ayanna and pick out your favorite items! But be prepared that it might be difficult to choose because all the jewelry is beautiful :-)

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The Boosting Etsy Shops Team (BESTeam) is a group of Etsy sellers dedicated to promoting each others Etsy Shops through our blogs, twitter and Facebook pages. New members are always welcome.

Friday Cat Finds: Pillows

Last week I did not post my Friday Cat Finds because my computer hiccuped and I lost the links of all the wonderful items I had picked out.

This week I have picked out cat pillows.  I found lots of cat pillows on Etsy, and had a difficult time making myself dwindle my favorites down to six. I know... I say that every week :-) and every week it is true.

First up is a Dove Gray Velvet Cat. If you like this pillow, you will love Bell Studios because there are lots more of these velvet cats to choose from in beautiful colors. So cute!

Here is Oliver the Cat Double-sided Pillow by Olive Owl Art. This pillow is 16" square and shows the silhouette of a kitty playing with a ball of yarn. The other side of the pillow shows the silhouette of a cat in mid-stride.

This next 16" square Pillow has blocks of funky kitties, and comes from the annedidit Etsy Shop. I love the colors in this pillow.

I have a soft spot for Primitive items, and the Northern Lodge has quite a few primative cat pillows. This one is called Kitty love-upcycled wool kitty pillow. If you like Primitive, you've got to check this shop out!

Up next is a Handcrafted Fancy Retro Cat Linen Pillow by amdeschaine. The detail that went into making this pillow is amazing. For instance, the collar is made of clear beads with a beaded sequin in the center.

This is a Primitive Wool Felted Appliqued Cat Pillow by MountainMommaDesigns. The pillow shows cats growing out of a pot, and the saying on the pot reads "Bloom Where You're Planted!"










Hope you stop by next Friday to see what kitty items I find then.