Here Comes 2012

I just returned from a wonderful Christmas visit with my family and I am looking forward to 2012.  My shops are filled with some fun jewelry that I handmade, and I'm sure you will find just the perfect piece for you, or a gift for that special person in your life.  As a special bonus, I have added a coupon for FREE SHIPPING on all items.  Just use the code name freeship when checking out.

For your shopping click on either of the URL's below.  Thanks for looking!

www.lorettasboutique.artfire.com
www.lorettasboutique.etsy.com

Merry Christmas

Sorry I haven't posted lately.  Santa's elves have been keeping me busy.I want to wish you all a very 
                       Merry Christmas.
  I will be spending quality time with my family in Boise, ID.

IT'S THE VIRTUAL CRAFT FAIR WINNERS!

This has been a fun show for all.  Check the list below to see if you are a winner!

Please visit the shops of those that donated so graciously. You will find them here,  and remember to

The Artist will contact you for shipping information.  Congratulations to the winners!


Artist             Winner

Terry Wlaschin	Cari Baker
Amy Freeland	Gretchen
Kristi Bowman	Krys Mann
Leann Weih	Theresa's Treasures
Sharon Palac	Louise Turner
Maire Dodd	Manuela Wutschke
Melinda Orr	Kristi
Lisa Liddy	For My Sweet Daughter
Maryse Thillens	Pam Chesbro
Nan Emmett	Sharyl
Pam Sears	Debb
Sue Kennedy	Stefanie Teufel
Tania Spivey	BeeTree by m.e.
Staci Louise	Beads2Die4
Marge Beebe	Shirley
Kim Hutchinson	Skye
Cilla Watkins	Loretta
Angela May	Natasha
Lola Surwillo	ring 1 - nanonano
Lola Surwillo	ring 2 - Kathy
Lola Surwillo	ring 3 - CMD
Rebekah Payne	Shyme
Erin Prais-Hintz	Creating Cures
Sally Russick	Jennifer Cameron
Sandi Volpe	Louise Turner
Susan Lloyd	Haley
Mallory Hoffman	Norma's Clay
Kim Ballor	Kelly J. R.
Jelveh Jafarian	Spirited Earth
Wendy Blum	rosebud101
Elisabeth Auld	Snap
Patsy Evins	Second Surf
Gretchen Nation	Pine Ridge Creations
Loretta Carstensen	Kayz Kreations
Ana Krepel Novak	Divya N
Sharon Gardner	Lesley
Mary Ellen Parker	Gem Rose
Cindy Cima	KJ's Beadacious Beads
Jenny Vidberg	Beetique
Cynthia Tucker	Elisabeth Auld
Lesley Watt	Erin Strother
Charlene Gary	The Crazier Sister
Sule Ergun	Jenni's Beads
Kay Thomerson	peggy aplSEEDS
Jennifer Cameron	Designs by Dawn
Norma Agron	Knit it All
Skylar Bre'z	Mary
Kate Gardenghi	Sabine
Rachel Myers	scottsgal
Michelle Mach	coffeeaddict
Penny Neville	Clamworks
Laurel Steven	MoonRae
Amber Dawn	ViviBijoux
Claire Maunsell	Shaiha
Valerie Norton	Amy Kuczewski
Mary Ann Williams	Cher
Kathy Nomura	Bobbie
Tracy Statler	Regina
Dorcas Midkiff	somethingunique
Kathy Pieprzyk	Lupe Meter
Virginie Biondi	Jami (Sgt. Stamper)
Charlene Jacka	Ruth Trowbridge
Lori Anderson	Boo Beads (bead soup)
Shanti Johnson	Alice
Sandra Richardson	Rebekah
Lisa Lodge	CraftyHope
Manuela Wutschke	Heidi Honeyman
Catherine Pruitt	Noemi
Heather Kalisiak	Debb
Heather Powers	Designs by Susan
Cindy Wimmer	Rhea
Lori Anderson	Off the Beadin' Path  (book)

IT'S THE FINAL DAY!

Today is the last day of the Virtual Craft Show, and the last day you can add your comments to be eligible to win one of the 70 awesome prizes.  Click on Virtual Craft Show above to view all 70 awesome Artists sites and what they are giving away.   Good luck!

DAY 7 OF THE VIRTUAL CRAFT FAIR

Day 7 of the

Click here

to enter for a chance to win one of 70 prizes.

just leave a comment and your in the drawing.

IT'S ALMOST OVER!

The Virtual Craft Show is almost over so be sure to visit Pretty Things to enter for your chance at 70 beautiful gifts being given away by 70 talented artists.  Visit their shops too, you might just find the perfect Holiday gift.  Here are my links if you want to take a peek.

www.lorettasboutique.artfire.com

www.lorettasboutique.etsy.com

ENTER TO WIN!

It's Day 5 of the Virtual Craft Show.  Click here for instructions on how to enter to win prizes, 70 of them!

THE DAY IS HERE!

I'm up!  Today is the 4th day of the Virtual Craft Show and I am one of the featured vendors.  Please visit my shops at:

www.lorettasboutique.artfire.com

www.lorettasboutique.etsy.com

I am offering a 20% discount through Dec. 3rd

use code LC1878 at checkout

Visit the Pretty Things blog to enter to win one of 70 different gifts.

See my offering below.

THIRD DAY OF THE VIRTUAL CRAFT SHOW

This is the third day of the Virtual Craft Show, be sure to leave a comment on Lori's website, tweet, mention it on Facebook or blog about the event for entries into the drawing for one of 70 different prizes.  You only need to do one for an entry, but the more you do the more entries you have.  Good Luck!  This is what I have donated as a prize.

  Be sure to come back on Tuesday, as that is when I will be featured. You can shop at my stores using the code LC1878 for a 20% discount through Dec. 3.  Good time to start that Christmas Shopping.

SECOND DAY OF THE VIRTUAL CRAFT SHOW

This is the second day of the Virtual Craft Show which runs through Dec. 3rd.  Visit the Pretty Things blog and leave a comment or post to your blog, Facebook or Twitter account to be entered in the drawing for one of 70 different gifts that are being given away by the Artists/Vendors.  Drawing will be a couple of days after the show closes on Dec. 3rd.  Please leave email or blog information when you comment so you can be contacted if you win.

My turn to be featured on the Pretty Things website will be the last four days of the sale.  Take advantage of my 20% off discount during the show using the code LC1878 during checkout.  Find my stores at

 www.lorettasboutique.artfire.com  

www.lorettasboutique.etsy.com

DO YOU NEED A SNACK?

While you are here visiting the "Virtual Craft Show" , I thought you might like to fix yourself a little snack.  I made these 

Rosemary Roasted Cashews for Thanksgiving, and everyone was crying for more.  Very addicting.  They are an Ina Garten recipe that was featured in Good Housekeeping magazine this month.

Rosemary Roasted Cashews

4 cups raw cashews (1 1/4 lbs.)

2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

2 tsp dark brown sugar

2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne (ground red) pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg. F

2. On  18" by 12" jelly-roll pan, arrange cashews in single layer.  Roast 10 to 12 minutes or until nuts are

    heated through

3.  Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir together rosemary, butter, sugar, salt, and cayenne until combined.

4.  Add hot cashews to bowl with rosemary mixture, toss until nuts are well coated.

YUMMY!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SHOPPING?

Don't forget the Virtual Craft Show starts on

November 26 to December 3

7 Days 70 Artists, GIVING AWAY 70 things.

I Hope you'll take the time to visit the Artisan shops and blogs too, during the show (and afterward)

Here's How You Win:

For each of the 7 days of the show, you get a point for each of the following (you don't have to do all four)....

Commenting

                Facebooking this page

          Twittering this page

         Blogging this page

You can do any of these things on EVERY day of the show!

Be sure to have either a blog with an email contact or leave your email in your comment so I can notify you!

Drawing will be held a couple of days

 after the show

MY NEW HOME

I haven't been keeping up with my blogging lately because we just made a big move from the Palm Springs area in sunny California to the beautiful snowy area of Ogden, Utah.  Quite a temperature change, but we are loving it.  Here is a shot of our first snow looking out our front door.

Now that we are settled I will be working on the big online shopping event that is being put together by Lori Anderson scheduled to start on November 26th and run for a week.  There will be 70 vendors participating, and all of them are giving away something.  You will have a chance to win one of these items.  Check back soon and I will have full details for you on how you have the opportunity to win.  In the meantime please visit my store,  Lorettasboutique, to start your holiday shopping.  I will be adding many more items and will fill my etsy shop too.  Thanks for checking back.

Lori Anderson is at it again.  She is hosting a "Virtual Craft Show" from November 26th through December 3rd.  70 artists and crafts people will be featured on her website  over that time and you will have the opportunity to win something from each of them.

  Here is what I will be giving away.  It is my "Triple Island" necklace and is made of Amazonite, Turquoise, Sodalite, Coral, Pearls, Seed Beads and Sterling Silver.  It is 26" long and can be worn with many things.  It would retail for $85, but you have the opportunity to win it for free.  Check back for more details.

 

GAEA HANDMADE

Gaea Handmade is giving away a bundle of her ceramic beads.  Check this link to see how you can participate.  Click here

PERUVIAN OPALS

Whenever I travel I am always on the lookout for places to purchase beautiful stones and pieces for my jewelry designs.  On a recent trip to the quaint little town of Mendocino,  I happened upon a little Rock and Gem store, and naturally it was calling my name.  I slipped in and couldn't believe all the beautiful finds in there.    My birthstone is opal and I am always attracted to this gem, so needless to say, I had to have a couple of strands of the beautiful Peruvian Opal.  After some swift negotiations I was the proud owner of these strands.  Stop by soon to see how they fit into my designs.

I have posted some information below on this gem and it's healing properties.  

Peruvian Blue Opal Facts, Information and Description

    See Peruvian blue opal jewelry

Peruvian blue opal is relatively rare and is only found in the Andes mountains near San Patricio, Peru. It is a very translucent stone with color similar to the Caribbean Sea. Depending on how the stone is cut it can be clear, scenic (showing varying degrees of color) or dendritic which has black fern like inclusions.

This is the national stone of Peru and, unfortunately, in recent years dyed stones have been mass marketed by unreputable dealers as Peruvian Blue Opal. If the blue color is uneven you are probably looking at a dyed stone. Dyed stones are quite common and sell very cheaply at gem shows and on internet auctions.

Peruvian opal ranges between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

Luster: Vitreous to pearly.
Transparency: Transparent to translucent.
Fracture: Conchoidal.
Streak: White.

Folklore & Legend: 

The Peruvian blue opal has soft relaxing energies. Legend says that it takes the tension out of communication and helps ideas flow freely. It softens the impact of stress from the outside world and can help one to release the trauma of old wounds. It facilitates facing the future with a tranquil healing nature.

This stone is reported to be good for quieting the mind and as an aid to sleep.

BSBP REVEAL

I am traveling with our travel trailer and lucky when we can find Wifi.  I will be traveling for another two weeks, so hope to be able to get on line to visit all the fun blogs for reveal.


My partner for this BSBP is Kay Thomerson from KayzKreations.
Check my last post to see what she sent me.  It included Jasper, Pearls, Rhodenite, a handcrafted copper clasp and some copper circles.  I wire wrapped sections at the front to dangle the focal from, and then added two pieces of Softflex to the last wrapping so I could create the circles of beads.  Kay also included some of her handmade fiber beads, but I am saving them for another design.   This is what I created.

Reach the rest of the BSBP Blogs by clicking here:

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/



My treasures to Kayz Kreationz

This is the treasure that I sent Kayz Kreationz for our swap.  Can't wait to see what she is making.  It includes Smokey Quartz, Dalmation Jasper and 14K gold filled findings.

Kayz Treasures


I received my beautiful stash from Kay Thomerson of Kayz Kreations and I am so excited to get started with my design.  She included Peacock Potato Pearls, Russian Jade, Fresh Water Pearls, Rhodonite, Cherry Quartz, and a Jasper Focal bead and  handcrafted copper clasp.   My design mind in spinning right now.  Here are my treasures.  Thanks so much, Kay!

Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

Lori Anderson, the creator of the, "Bead Soup Blog Party" has assigned partners for the swap.  This time we have over 300 people participating in BSBP, and my blog partner hails from the fine state of TEXAS. Her name is Kay Thomerson. Click her name to visit her blog, and visit her Etsy site here.  I can't wait to see what she is sending me!

IT'S PARTY TIME!

It's time for another Bead Soup Blog Party.  Lori Anderson has sign ups on her blog  here .  You have three days to get your entry in, and on August 5th she will be assigning our partners.  You will send a clasp, focal bead and whatever other beads you want to send to your partner, and she will do the same for you.  From these beads and whatever you want to add, you will create a piece of jewelry and reveal it at the party.  Join us in the fun!

Julie Picarello Polymer Clay Method

As I mentioned once before, Julie Picarello has a wonderful book out showing her method of Imprinting and accenting beads.  Her book is called "Patterns in Polymer" and you can purchase the book at your favorite clay store or on Amazon.  Here is a link to her
 flicker photostream  so you can see some of her fun designs.  And below is my first attempt at her technique.  I have a way to go, but it was fun trying.

Refreshing Lemon Jello Cake

I'm mixing up a recipe but it's not the polymer clay color kind.  This is a  recipe for a delicious Lemon Jello Cake.  This recipe is not new.  I remember having some back in the 1960's, and was delighted when I recently enjoyed it at a party I attended.  It only has a few ingredients, but the flavor is wonderful.  Yum!

Lemon Jello Cake

1 box of Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake mix (or any Lemon Cake Mix)

1 small box lemon jello

4 eggs

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup oil

Mix these together until smooth

Pour into 13" x 9" oiled and floured cake pan

Bake at 350 for 35 min.

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice (or more as you like)

(You can also add some lemon zest if you like)

Mix this together

While the cake is still warm, make holes with a fork and then pour and spread icing on top.  Cool and serve.

My Artfire Collections

As we near the birthday of our Nation, July 4th, I thought it would be fun to put together a collection of items from some of my fellow vendors on ARTFIRE showcasing their work.  You can see  this collection here and then click on the pictures to visit the individual  shops.  

  

I'm Back!!!!!

I am back from a fun filled vacation in Oceanside with my daughter and her family.  The weather was a lot cooler than our 108 degree average here in the Coachella Valley.  We did lots of interesting things like watching the start of the "Race Across America"; bicycle fundraiser for different charities.  Getting in an auto accident (no one was hurt).  A fun filled day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and riding the Coaster train to watch the Padres win at Petco Stadium.  We also entertained lots of good friends while we were there. 


Our weather is "HOT" here in the Palm Springs area, and my daughter was really good at finding an item at the Del Mar Fair that I am thoroughly enjoying.  It is called a Mr. Cooley Towel.  You wet it, wring it out and then shake it a couple of times, and you have a towel that feels cool, but does not leave you or your clothes wet.  It brings your body temperature down so that you feel refreshed even in the heat.  Here is Mr. Cooley in pink or blue, and you can order it at http://mrcooleytowel.com/.  You Ladies that have hot flashes will LOVE IT!!

Vacationing in Oceanside, CA

I probably won't be blogging much this week as I will be vacationing in a sleepy little beach town called Oceanside.  It's not too far from San Diego, and the Camp Pendelton marine base.  I get to spend lots of time with family, shopping, eating, walking on the beach, visiting with friends, so you can see where I won't have much time to blog.  We will also try to take in a Padres game, hopping on the Amtrak for the short ride down to San Diego.   Hope you are all having a fun start to the Summer too!

ONCE UPON A TIME

Today is the Reveal of the beads and finished pieces for our Fairy Tale Bead Swap, produced by Lori Anderson.  Check out Lori's blog to see who else is participating in this fun swap.


 My partner is Dana and these are the beads that she so generously sent me.

I love the little Fairy pendant that she sent me.  It even has a cool one cent stamp picture on the back.  I'll show that later, as my batteries died in my camera so will need to  go get some new ones.

Hear is my reveal of what I did with some of Dana's bead assortment.  I am still working on more.

Here are a couple more shots after I was able to replace my batteries.

This is the back of the Faerie Pendant.  You could wear it either way.

Hop on over to visit the rest of the Bead Swappers

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul, Beads By Breul 

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta   you are here

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterity Art

Joanna Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found 

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shaia's Ramblings

Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

The Traveling Bead Box

Lois Moon is ready to pick the new recipient of the

"Sisterhood of the Traveling Bead Box"

 Have you registered yet?  Check out the rules and enter at this site.  You must register by June 1st.