Monday, May 28, 2012

Contempo Jewelry {Etsy Feature}

Hello! Today I will be introducing you to Staci, a jewelry artist who is on Etsy!



Hello, my name is Staci Egan. I am the owner of Contempo Jewelry. Contempo Jewelry features nature inspired designs reflective of the lush landscape and colorful foliage of Central Pennsylvania. I specialize in wire working techniques incorporating precious metals, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls into my designs.

When did you start making jewelry?
 I began creating jewelry in 1999 soon after the birth of my son. I treated myself to a handmade necklace on eBay and when I received it, I thought - I can make this! The rest is history.

What is your favorite material to work with?
I find manipulating wire to be extremely relaxing. The material can be very forgiving, while creatively allowing endless possibilities. I have dabbled in other mediums like glass, metal forging, pottery, precious metal clay, stained glass and bead stitching... But I always find myself coming back to play with wire.

How did you decide to open an Etsy shop?
Five years ago, I read an article about the Philly Craft Mafia. I researched the artists and found that most of them had Etsy shops. I knew it had to be the place to be.

 Anything special you would like to share about your jewelry designs?
In 2010 I was published in "The Best of Jewelry Artists" for my pea pod jewelry. In 2012 I had a bracelet worn on the red carpet for the 84th Academy Awards by the wife of Erik Nash - visual effect for "Reel Steel".

You can find Staci's Etsy shop here



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Dragstrip Dolly {Etsy Feature}


Hello everyone! Today I am excited to feature Missy from Dragstrip Dolly a neat Etsy shop made just for the vintage lover! 



My name is Missy, and originally I'm from San Diego, CA with my husband and our 2 puppies. I have been thrifting since high school and never looked back. When I met my husband he was living in Sweden, and I was not going to miss the chance to move to Stockholm! What a grand adventure that was! Sweden has a great Rockabilly and car culture so we were never short of idea's on what to do. I was like a kid in a candy store at the flea markets surrounded by wonderful vintage 30s-70s Scandinavian treasures ranging from vintage German sewing patterns to vintage 50s teak cabinets and wall units! I'm very lucky that my husband not only supports me in my treasure hunting, but enjoys going to flea markets, garage sales, and the like with me.

I've always had an interest in "making" things, but I really began seriously to dive into sewing when I became frustrated in not being able to find certain vintage outfits in my size that were affordable. So I decided to start making them for myself! It's amazing how much creativity can grow from a cute pattern, a sunny day, a good record , and a cool  glass of wine! I decided to open my Etsy shop dragstripdolly as a way to share some of my treasures with others, and quickly found it was not only a good way to pass some of my vintage goodies on to others, but it was alot of fun.







1960 Pontiac Starchief which has successfully driven us from flea markets,swap meets, and countless garage sales



pattern from shop


The lovely Missy from Dragstrip Dolly has kindly given a 20% off discount code to use in her Etsy shop for all of my followers! 



Code: FABFINDS20


To find her shop click here

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Farmer's Market Finds

Happy Saturday everyone! This past week I have worked every single day except for Wednesday and it continues with work today and tomorrow. I have been so tired of having to wear my hair up and dress in my work clothes all week so today I woke up with plans to go to the Ames Farmer's Market. I put a cute top and a skirt on and left my hair naturally curly and out the door I went! Here are my lovely Farmer's Market finds; mojito scented body soap, lemon poppy seed bread, fresh spring salad mix, granola mix, and 3 gorgeous peonies. It has been a wonderful Saturday morning here in Ames and I couldn't be more thankful for my time spent at the market.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

just a few random things



Today has been an incredibly beautiful day. I am so happy right now I could just jump up and down and squeal like a little kid, but I'll save you all from that and instead write about my day. I woke up early (well early to my standards) and got myself ready for the planned out bike ride. I loaded up all the things I needed and picked up my friend and off we went to Des Moines. The trail was a total of 33 miles and let me tell you it is a gorgeous ride! As we started off riding I started thinking to myself... wow I am so blessed to be able to ride my bike. Such a simple thing to think but so often we take those things for granted. If you think about it there are people who cannot do certain things and I am blessed with a very healthy athletic body. So today I am thankful for that.

On a different note while I was riding I started thinking about how much I LOVE to do crafts and also take pictures. So I am thinking of maybe opening another Etsy shop with all sorts of random crafty things I make. I mean why not try to sell the stuff if I'm making it right? Worth a shot I think. So be on the look out for a future post announcing whether or not that will be happening.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

jewelry update

Lucky you! Two posts in one day. I don't normally like to post twice in one day but I am just so excited to share with you pictures of some of my new work. Here are some great items for this summer! These would be great for accessorizing any outfit and especially for the wedding season coming up! And of course any of the jewelry from my collection would make a fabulous birthday/wedding/any occasion gift!

visit http://www.abbyanndesigns.com/ to find more great accessories!










do the things you love

It is officially week two of summer and I am going to share with you the list of things I am committing myself to this summer for my happiness. Here goes...

1. Eat breakfast outside on the front step and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and the sound of the birds
2. Continue to take very long bike rides
3. Go to the Farmer's Market at least once a month and support the local farmers
4. Go hiking and camping at least twice this summer
5. Take an art/craft class
6. Surround myself with the ones I love
7. Take time each day to take in the simple beauty around me and remember all the things I am thankful for
8. Run
9. Spend a lot of time in the sun
10. Volunteer


In the wedding vows of the movie The Vow one vows to the other this: I vow to help you love life. At this point in my life I am vowing to myself that I will always help myself love life. So many people get caught up in the hard times of life and forget to realize how beautiful this life is. I challenge you to make a list of 5-10 things that you are going to commit yourself to for your own happiness.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

summer thus far



Well my first week of summer has come and gone. It has been one full of relaxation and adventures. I had the pleasure of enjoying a lot of sleeping in, naps, and movies early on in the week. After a few days of pure relaxation I revved it up a bit and enjoyed a 40 mile bike ride and some sand volleyball with some good friends. I also indulged in some lawn work which kept me busy for a few hours. It has been a beautiful past few days and I am excited to see what other adventures I take part in this summer. I hope to do a lot more bike riding and add in some hiking, camping, and road tripping. I already have plans to head to Colorado mid June through the beginning of July then hopefully California from early August to mid August. Hopefully all turns out as planned. I would love to hear of your summer plans...

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

let yourself feel everything

Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is letting yourself feel everything. I am the type of person who feels everything to the extreme whether it be sadness, anger, or happiness. For the longest time I would try my best to cover up all my feelings because I was afraid of them, however there was always a slight nagging in the back of my mind from all that I tried to cover up. My new theory on feelings is that it is good to let yourself feel them all. Especially sadness. It is good to just simply curl up and let the wave of unhappy feelings consume you. If you continue to push them away then you are never really dealing with them and you will never overcome what is on your heart. I have been told many times to find something to keep my mind off what I am feeling, but I don't want to be afraid of sadness. I think that by letting it consume me for small amounts of time that I am ridding myself of it.


On a lighter note... can't help but smile at this cute face! 


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

my life in instagram



Hello lovelies! It has been awhile since I have posted and I'm very glad to be able to share with you today some of my instagram photos. Apparently I really like food :) Anyway... I hope you enjoy my random photos! Maybe you'll be inspired to bake something delicious?! Do it :)