It's A Handmade Christmas!

My how time flies when you are having fun. It is almost Christmas time again. I've been busy making things to go into my Art Fire Shop, so my customers can pick up handmade gifts for their family and friends. Along with doing a couple of show with three more upcoming.

People really like handmade things verses store bought. It is more personal, especially if you have made it yourself. I do plan on making some jewelry to give to my mom, sister and daughter. I've only decided what I'm making for my sister, so far. She admired a piece that I made for a customer. It was a black and white swirled necklace, with black beads, beads caps, and a few seed beads in between. Below, you will see a picture of the one I did for my customer.
                                            

My sister also collects Christmas ornaments and I know just the one for her. This one you can find in my shop. If you know someone that collects ornaments or Santa's, then this is a must have.

We will do alot of remembering of my dad, who pasted away December 14, 2009. We miss you dad. We will have my 4 year old grandson who will make it a joyous occasion and with my sister getting her Naughty Santa, we are sure to have a few laughs.

I hope and pray everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Now if I just had a good camera to take Christmas pictures with I'd be set.

Happy Holidays,

Dana Jones

danasjewelryetc.artfire.com

                                                                                   

Welcome To A New Week

Well, here we are, another new week. The month of October is half gone. Now is the time to start thinking about the holidays. There are some people who put the Christmas decorations up as soon as Halloween is over. A little to early for me, but whatever floats your boat. Right?

Now is the time to start thinking of those decorations and gifts. I did work on some decoration this weekend, Some ornaments and holiday jewelry.



I have also started working on a little snow toddler, instead of snow babies, don't want to step on any copyright laws. I still have the face to finish but will give a work in progress sneak peek.

Isn't he/she cute. This will be add to my shop once completed.

I also have a bracelet and earring set , another bracelet and a ring that will be added too. I think I might be adding some other sculpting things to my shop also. I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I've worked on this weekend.

Please come by and do some shopping with me at www.danasjewelryetc.artfire.com.


Until Tomorrow,
Dana Jones
www.danasjewelryetc.artfire.com


P.S. My son is gonna start taking my pics for me. Sorry the first couple of pics are a little blurry, shaky hands. Tough getting old....lol

Been busy, busy, busy

Hi everyone. I know it has been quite sometime since my last blog. I'm sorry for that, losing my pets the way I did was hard on me and I still miss them so much.
I've had a new project to keep me busy and my mind occupied. I have set up a new shop on Art Fire. I think it is going to be a great adventure. It is called Dana's Jewelry & Etc..., you can find me by going to http://www.danasjewelryetc.artfire.com/, I will be closing my Etsy shop soon. I also got into Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild. I think this is going to be alot of fun too. I have so much to learn about the Art Fire site and about the guild. All the people over there are so nice and willing to help out when you need it. I hope you will come back and see my new shop.

Until Tomorrow,
Dana
http://www.danasjewelryetc.artfire.com/

If you need to email me the address up on the right of the page might not be active. Send any and all email to danasjewelrysetc@yahoo.com

Been a Difficult Road

Hi everyone,
I'm sorry I've not blogged in a while. We have had one tragedy after another at our house.
We have lost 4 of our beloved babies in less than a week. We don't know what happened to them. They got sick and in less than 24 hours would die. First PeeWee and MooMoo got sick, MooMoo died on 09/06/2010, PeeWee died a few hours later on 09/07/2010. We thought they must of had a virus all other dogs where fine until.......
Gizmo got sick on Saturday 09/11/2010 and he passed a few hours later. Boscoe got sick yesterday 09/12/2010 and passed last night. The vet said that with Parvo they usually die with in 3-4 days so he is confussed on what caused them to die within hours of getting sick. The vet suggested we treat the yard and house as if it wa Parvo with bleach and water. He said that any living virus would be killed by the bleach. We are taking every precaution to make sure the mommy and four 3 week old babies don't get sick.

Needless to say I've been to upset to blog or play with clay in the last week. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon. Thank you for you understanding and support. Keep on claying...and let me know what you've been making, feel free to send pics too.

Until Tomorrow,

Dana

Been A Busy Day!!

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well this evening. My morning started with momma dog needing to go potty at 1:30am, then twice I was awaken by the babies crying because they scooted out of the bed. I've now took them out of their bed and put them on a pallet, which is in my closet. That's were momma feels the most comfy with the babies. Also noticed at 1:30am that one of my other dogs MooMoo wasn't feeling good. I've been up since about 5am this morning. MooMoo and PeeWee both were sick throwing up. What a wonderful way to start your day. BUT, it did get better...

The dogs sleep most of the day, so gave me the time to clay and not clean up after them. I learned how to do the Rose Cane yesterday, FINALLY!! I didn't think I would ever learn that thing. If you are having trouble with the tutorials, go to http://www.slide.com/r/sPjlgZPLqj-JT0Sw2T3JATxeDOU9-Soe?map=2&cy=bb, it is a great tutorial. So, since I finally had the rose cane down of course I had to learn how to do a leaf cane. What is it with me and these canes? Well, after trying all day long, I Finally got it too. I feel I made real accomplishments the last two days. I'm so proud of myself. Trust me I asked some of my clay friends alot of questions along the way. Thank you Andrea, Mary Kaye, Dawna and Dora.

Hope you are having a fun and relaxing holiday weekend and don't forget to clay.

Until Tomorrow,
Dana

Sorry For Not Writing

Hi,
Wow, today is Thursday, where did the week go? I'm sorry I've not written in a few day, just haven't felt to well. Anybody that knows me, knows that if I don't play with clay then I must not feel good. Yesterday I didn't even touch a piece of clay. But you know, I think sometime even if you are feeling well it is best to take a break from it, so you don't get burned out. Well, I hope all of you have felt good this week and got alot made. Tell me what have you made?

I've spend a large part of today checking out other blogs. If you haven't done that then you should. There are some interesting blogs out there. I personally like the ones that have tutorials on them. If you haven't yet, then you need to go to Alice Stroppel's blog, http://polymerclayetc.com/?p=2061&ref=nf, it is great. Go to her tab that says video tutorials and she has several there that are free to view. She does a great job on them and they are very educational, especially to someone like me who is still learning.

I've made a couple of little things today but nothing to really brag about, not yet anyways. I'm still not feeling a hundred percent better but I do have a Dr. appointment next week. So don't worry about me. Just in case I don't get to write tomorrow, I hope everyone has a great weekend and no matter your craft, make something pretty.

Until Tomorrow,
Dana

I Had A Great Day Today

Hi,

Today I made several piece that will. of course, become jewelry. I still have to piece together. It turned out to be a rather exciting day for me, I got my first online order, www.smileysdesigns.etsy.com. I've been smiling about it all day. There is nothing like getting that very first one. Especially when you have being trying so hard to make that sale. I just hope and pray that it is the first of many.  My Facebook friends have been so support and helpful on this journey and I don't know what I would do without them. There are a few that have been a tremendous help to me. I'm not going to name any name because I don't want to hurt any feeling if I accidentally leave someone out, they know who they are. A quick funny story, my mom was telling my sister about my sale and she told her it was on my "itsy bitsy shop." Bless her heart you just have to love her.

I am feeling better and I hope that tomorrow is a very productive day and another sale would be nice too.

Well, I'm tired and think I shall turn in for the night. Once again Thank you to all my Facebook friends for they congratulatory comments. You guys are the best.

Until Tomorrow,

Dana

Monday Morning

Hi,

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm sorry I didn't post anything the last couple of days. I was not feeling up to pare this past weekend. I did try to do a little claying none the less.  I made a couple of simple canes and put them aside for later work and I made a necklace and earring set. Oh yeah I had a girl contact me about making her some CF (cystic fibrosis) ribbon earrings. So I guess it wasn't a totally wasted weekend. I will try to post the events of today this evening will all depend on how this old gal is feeling. LOL

Here is a picture of the necklace and earring set I made.

This was a fun set to make!

I hope everyone has a great day. Besure to make some time to be creative.

Until later,

Dana

Didn't Get Much Done Today

Hi,

For some reason been a little tired today, haven't done what I wanted to do. I have been reviewing some YouTube Craft Video's on some different things that I've been having trouble with. I wonder if other people have had as much trouble as I have learning all the different techniques. This week I did learned how to do the Mokune Gane and the Rose Cane, both of which I'm no expert at and will keep practicing.

Now I want to tackle the Skinner Blend....dadadadom. I finally got it to where I could put the 2 triangles together and put them through the PM and I got them to blend very nicely, it was just to small in my opinion to do what I wanted with it. I had used and 1/4 of both bars, so maybe I will try using 1/2 bar each color and see if that will help me. I'll get it figured out one way or another. I am also open to other peoples opinions, ideas and instructions. So feel free to leave me any helpful hints you want to.

Hey, I also need to spend sometime on here so I can learn what all can be done here. LOL, I don't even know where to go to upload a pic on here. So see no matter what we do in life we always have something to learn.

Yesterday, I forgot to thank a dear friend. Deborah Steinetz came up with the name of my blog, so thank you Deborah for all your help in getting me started in this journey and naming it for me.

Until Tomorrow,
Dana

Welcome To My First Blog

Hi,

Welcome to SmileysDesigns' blog.

My name is Dana and I have no idea what I'm suppose to do, so I'll just have fun. The last two days have been very productive days for me. I got alot made and I've also learned how to do two cane.

I've only been playing with clay for about a year now, but most of that time I was just doing my own thing. The last couple of months I've been working on the techniques of claying. I feel I have improved and can only hope to get even better.

I love my FaceBook friends, we all have a great time. We help each other on everything, but especially when it come to clay. We can be laughing and having a good old time, but let someone need help with their clay and everyone attention goes there. It is great.

I hope to get better with this blogging, please just bear with me....It's a new adventure for me.

Until Tomorrow,
Dana