New Bling, Craft Fair Wrap Up & To-Do List Additions

I'm lying in bed w/ my laptop listening to the snoring princess beside me. Sleeping beauty is beside her. I'm a night owl by nature but my little ones won't settle down to sleep unless I'm lying in bed with them. Do you know how much I could be getting done right about now?? I've already closed up shop so there's no point in going downstairs now though. So here I am, wide awake and finding the need to be productive in one form or another which led me to updating my website w/ new bling pics. I'll save you the trip to the website by publishing the latest HJD creations here:

Last weekend I was set up at the local craft fair. Saturday was a nice day so there was a larger crowd than Sunday, what with the damp rainy chilly weather. I really wasn't expecting any crowd at all on Sunday but much to my surprise the die hard craft connoisseurs were out and about, purses slung across the chest, donning rain gear and pulling carts along to wheel around all their bargains. I really do enjoy working that craft fair, partially because I'm indoors now(thank you Woody!!), and partially because my local loyal customers know where to find me and come to visit and shop. As many of you know, I long for the day when I can afford to open my own little piece of retail heaven so for me this craft show is a tiny sliver of what's to come. Sales were pretty decent considering the current economic situation. I did better than the Christmas show but we had awful weather that weekend. And I made some new friends, both in fellow vendors and new customers as well.

This evening I spent some time with a bride to be and her daughter, my tastefully simple rep/friend. Let me just tell you, her dress is amazing! I have never seen a wedding gown like this one. She didn't want a traditional gown as this is her 2nd marriage. It's off white with a sweetheart neckline, sleeveless, and a fairly straight, maybe A line drop to the floor. There's beautiful floral embroidery on the bodice, along the hem and train, in ecru, rose, lavender and sage. I can't wait to get the pics on here for you to see but we'll have to wait until June for that. Anyway, I'm making custom earrings and matching bracelet for the bride. I'll keep you posted.


My to-do list for this week is never ending as items from last week's to-do list spilled over to this week. I still have yet to make 2 swirly rings and a hand forged sterling link bracelet. Adding a matching anklet to that order, as well as another swirly ring but this one will be silver and gold--should be a gorgeous combination. I finished the custom mother's bracelet from last week. I did get some earrings made last week but marked down several earrings that I've been looking at too long during the craft show so I need to make oodles more. I'm still working on the other bridesmaids necklaces. I had to reconfigure the connections as I wasn't happy with how the crystals were hanging. It was a logistics issue but I think I have a solution. I need to find the supplies for the new bride-to-be's jewelry and price it. I'll need to order bags soon and I think I'm going to go w/ a "greener" option this time. Last but not least, more angle pins.

As usual we have the normal multitude of kids' activities. Volleyball practices and games, soccer, soccer and more soccer, gymnastics and an eye appointment. Somewhere in there my kitchen floor needs a hose down. Any volunteers?

Have a great night if you're up late like me, if not, happy morning! ~Heather

New Bling Update

As usual, I felt I didn't have enough made for the craft fair this weekend. I really do have an abundance but I just had to make a few more things. Plus, I received new supplies yesterday that I couldn't wait to get my hands on. Here's the result:

The pictures don't really do them justice. All the more reason to see them in person! Hopefully the weather will be nice and we'll have lots and lots of shoppers. Let's help stimulate the economy people!!!

Well I'm tuckered out and I have an early morning so I'm off to bed. Have a great weekend! ~Heather

Warm Weather Daydreams, Angel Pins and Fibulas--Oh My!

Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge baby about this cold winter Pennsylvania weather and can't wait for the crocus bulbs to signal Spring and the warmer weather that it brings. Lately my designs are reflecting that as I have been incorporating "beachy" elements, such as a starfish charm dangling off of beautiful sand colored pearls or natural blue coral nuggets, here and there.

In addition to daydreaming of warm sandy beaches, I've been obsessing over pins. I had wanted to do a line w/ pins but always seem to be busy with something else that it wasn't until I was contacted by a repeat customer and friend who asked if I would design something special for a fundraiser that I revisited the pin idea and put my pliers into motion. My friend had a simple request for a pin in the shape of an angel. I could put my special touch on it, my own artistic expression etc. Yay!! I immediately had a vision of how I wanted the angel to look but to make it functional as a pin was a another story. After sketching several variations and playing w/ my copper wire, I had settled on a functional and fashionable sterling silver pin. Each pin is approximately 1 1/4" wide by 2 1/4" high. As an extra touch, I want to dangle a small orange Swarovski crystal from the halo to represent the fight against leukemia. The crystals, which are a very nice shade of orange, have been ordered but I couldn't wait to share the pin w/ you. So just imagine the crystal dangling there and I'll update the picture when the crystals arrive. More information regarding the fundraiser will follow as this is private fundraiser to benefit a local family affected by leukemia. If you would like to help this cause by purchasing a pin, please e-mail me at hillcrestjewelrydesign@comcast.net. Each pin, with crystal, is $25 (tax included) with a portion of each sale being donated.

So angels aside, I also made a handful of fibulas. These are larger and would look great on a scarf or shawl. Prices and materials vary so if you'd like more information or would like to see more designs, please refer to my website at http://www.hillcrestjewelrydesign.com/ or contact me at the above e-mail address. Thank you for reading and wherever you are I hope you are warm and cozy. ~Heather