Spring Treasury Features

Here are a few more recent treasuries to share and say  

A BIG THANK YOU 

for.

I am always grateful and honoured to be included

A huge thanks to Gayle of Whatshername  for this chic treasury, 'S is for Spring' . I am covetting that sewing machine in particular and I don't even know how to use one..yet...but isn't it so cool? Thank you Gayle for including my Kilkenny marble earrings. (To learn a little about Kilkenny marble click HERE)

 '409 black and GREEN' treasury was put together skillfully by Zuzanna of Ettariel Art . Thanks so much for including my stone necklace 'Bewitched' in this chic collection Zuzanna.

 We have a dramatic blast of scarlet by Lynn of Lynn's Creative Crochet with 'PANTONE SPRING 2013 COLOR- POPPY RED.'  Very on trend Lynn. Thanks for including my garnet teardrop pendant.

Thanks also to Sarah of Mouflon for this wonderful treasury promoting local, Irish Etsy shops, 'Home Grown'. Thank you Sarah for including my large Connemara marble pendant.

Raindrops

Wooooah, the rainstorm has come! We got away with a pretty mild Winter and Spring so far in Dublin. But it looks like Mother Nature finally let go of all that rain and wind she's been holding onto a bit too long.  It's pretty nasty out there today. Stay dry and warm people! Whatever other woes I may have of late, I am grateful to have a roof over my head.

A Burt Bacharach song my Dad used to sing to us is circling in my head. I won't quote all the lyrics to 'Raindrops keep falling' but will share a few lines from the popular 60's song. It was written by Bacharach and Hal David and sung by BJ. Thomas in 1969 on the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It got to number 1 and was obviously a hit with my Dad. I remember him singing it for yeeears whenever it rained. (Ha, it was frequently on the soundtrack to my childhood so!) You may remember it from the soundtrack to Forrest Gump in 1994.

Labradorite Raindrop pendant

'Raindrops keep falling on my head

And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed

Nothin' seems to fit

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling...'

 

Larkivite and Swarovski Crystal Earrings

'...So I did me some talking to the sun

told him I didn't like the way he'd got things done...'

Blue Chalcedony drop earrings

'...Sleepin on the job

Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling..'

Golden sunshine agate pendant

'...But there's one thing I know

The blues he sends me wont defeat me

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me.......'

Forward Spring

 Teal beach glass pendant 'Ocean Flora'

 The Spring weather has been a little erratic here in Ireland of late. Last week an unexpected burst of sunshine saw us wiping the dust off our sunglasses and flinging on the sandals. Every Irish man and woman knows to grab those rays no matter how weak or fleeting as it might be the only look at the sun we get all year.  But it's back to cold reality this week with plummeting temperatures and even reported snowfalls on higher ground. Come back winter woollies, you're not done yet!

        'Susie'                                                   'Trudi'                      

 

                         

     'Jilly'

With the first hint of Spring, I was inspired to temporarily move away from gemstones and beach glass and create a new line of young, fun and affordable button pendants.  These cutsie pendants were first launched in my shop on the Irish site, Fondelifair and come in a range of bright, pretty colours and designs. As they are so girlie and feminine, I chose to give them all cute girls' names.

 

   'Maddy'                                               'Sally'                                                

 'Tilly'

This week I introduced the pendants to my more established shop on Etsy. The button pedants are fresh and feminine, perfect for your Spring and Summer wardrobe. But I won't tell if you wear yours in winter too!!

I've also been working on new earring designs in Connemara marble. Above is a sneak preview of what is to come very soon.  (Update 5th April; just listed, 'Irish Fairytale' earrings)

Below is work in progress:

One of the most frustrating things about rare Irish marble is the lack of variety in available beads. Luckily, once or twice a year I commission unique pendant shapes to be cut specially for me to work with but no mason is going to make up a small quantity of new bead shapes for me. It's not worth their while. Working on a custom order this past fortnight, I had to find ways to get around this inevitability and a result, ended up a with several new design ideas. As a bonus, I accidentally found tear drop beads that are already drilled the whole way through. Yay! I can't wait to make up some new designs and list them over the next few months.  Watch this space to see how I get on.

Colour Me Etsy.

It's a beautiful, bright day in Dublin Ireland. I'd normally say that makes a change, but the winter has been so mild this year and the Spring sunshine has warmed us with soft, golden rays for most of this month. Long may it last!

I'm Irish and proud of it, but I think I've had my fill of green in the run up to St Patrick's Day. It appears you can have too much of a good thing! As an antidote to all that luscious 'glas' as we say in Irish, this morning I went in search of colour. Throughout Etsy there is no shortage of bold and bright, handmade creations, vintage goodies and supplies. All listings in the following collection are from the European Street Team, of which I am a member. Some are Irish, who, like me, are also part of the Crafty Ireland Team.

Colour Burst by Handmade by Amo'r

These past few weeks with the focus on Ireland and March 17th, I was really lucky to have my items featured in numerous Patrick's Day Treasuries. I'd love to thank everyone who featured me.

Lynn Corrigan in particular deserves a huge Etsy hug from me. Ever since this lovely US-based crafter with Irish roots purchased a gift from me, she has featured my items in several treasuries (member curated collections on Etsy.) I just can't thank her enough for her infinite goodwill. Here is her latest, beautiful treasury, which features my labradorite teardrop pendant among all these gorgeous handmade items. The cornflower and peacock blues with a hint of lime and yellow are fresh and fabulous!

Proud as a Peacock by Lynn Corrigan

So to thank her I would like to show off some colourful goodies from her Etsy shop, Lynn's Creative Crochet:

Easter Basket

Cotton Wash Cloths

I'd also like to share this pretty treasury by Ava from Driftwood and Fossil. Thank you for featuring my Irish beach glass pendant in this stunning collection Ava. The soft colours capture the essence of Spring and Summer.

 To the beach by Ava of Driftwood and Fossil 

So let the sunshine in. Let's hope it's here to stay. I best get out there and enjoy it while I can.....

Purple Amethyst, February Birthstone

Is it any wonder Amethyst is the gemstone associated with royalty? The rich, purple tones of this semi-precious stone are classically regal. The most highly prized variety of quartz, the amethyst is elegant and enchanting, demure yet delightful and quite simply, stunning. This is a stone fit for a Princess. Born in February, it's my birthstone and one of my favourite pieces of rock.

Amethyst Teardrop and Sterling Silver Heart Pendant, Violeta

The stone gets its name from the Greek term 'Amethystos' meaning 'not drunken.' The ancient Greeks believed it would help keep them and their guests sober, so wine goblets were often encrusted with amethysts.

Lavender Amethyst Earrings, Lila

It can be a very pale lavender or a darker, damson purple. The darker variety is more valued, but pale amethyst can be very spectacular. The gem is particularly beautiful when faceted for extra light and sparkle.

Amethyst Necklace Extender

Matt beads are shaped between grinders and drilled. They are quite affordable for beading or for making dangly earrings etc.

Lush Purple Earrings, Damson

Sunlight can fade the colour, so if you own a specimen crystal or a lush piece of amethyst jewellery, best not to store it on a window sill!

Amethysts have been used by healers for centuries. The power stone is believed to help with insomnia, balance energies and keep one grounded. It is also considered to be a spiritual stone, particularly in Tibet. Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that amethysts 'quicken intelligence'...hmm, don't know about that one...

If you are a February baby: Happy Birthday!