Things to Be Happy About

1. The chance to move into a beautiful new apartment
2. Watching the moon rise
3. The smell of brewing coffee
4. The smell of freshly dried laundry
5. Trying a new idea, and having it work
6. Adorable kitties, stretching in the Autumn shade

Picture of Tolkien, taken with my cell phone--
at the right place at the right time!

...I am blessed beyond words, and content in my exhaustion--because it means that my dreams are taking form.

Updated - AUTUMN / MOVING SALE!

Originally, I was going to offer 20% off only during the month of October.  


However, plans have changed slightly.  


Why?  Well, as of yesterday, my husband and I are going to be moving in two weeks!  *happy dance*  And, due to moving insanity (yikes! short notice!), I will be closing my shop from October 18 - November 1. 


But, no worries!  I am going to extend the 20% off sale into November, once my store re-opens!


So, instead of an October sale, it is now an Autumn and Moving Sale!  Be sure to stop by my store and check out the deals! 


Such as...

This hairstick for $12.00!

...and...

These hairsticks for $24.00!

...and...

These earrings for $8.80!

...and...

This necklace for $24.00!

...and...  


Well, you get the picture!


Enjoy!

October Sale!

That's right!  


For the month of October, everything on my Etsy store is 20% off!


Yay!  Go to anafiassa.etsy.com to start shopping!

Also...

I was going to post this yesterday, but got sidetracked by life.  Remember these sets:

Look what they've become!

Both of those necklaces also have matching earrings and hairsticks--to be posted, whenever I finish gluing them.  All in all, I am feeling rather accomplished!

One Night's Transformation

It all started with a hairstick. 

This hairstick, to be precise.

This is one of the first hairsticks I ever made.  In fact, I glued it on 6/16/2008, according to my photo records.  


It's not too bad, for a starting stick...  But there are so many issues with it.  The topper is too heavy--or, if you prefer, the stick is too slight to support its weight.  I also hadn't found the right glue to use yet, so there is dried glue visible everywhere.  

Don't believe me?  Here's a closer look.

And, not only is it a glue-y mess, but the glue just didn't stick.  The topper popped right out!  So, as a result, I put this stick aside in exasperation...  I love the color combination of purple and brown--foil glass and tiger eye--but this stick just wasn't cutting it!


Forward ahead to last night.  Last night, I took it apart.  I pried the glue off of the stick and the purple focal bead--the latter of which I turned into a pendant.  I poked through my bead stash (considerably larger than it was back in 2008) to find beads that might match.


This is what I came up with:

For the record, I also found some swirly purple foil beads,
not pictured here.

And then I went to work.  Using both the beads that I salvaged, and the beads that I found, I was able to create these:

The transformed hairstick topper--much more suitable as a necklace focal.

The new hairsticks--simpler, more elegant, and definitely not as heavy!

And, why not?  Here are some earrings to match!

The whole set...  That single hairstick has come a
long way!

I am extremely pleased with both the hairsticks and the earrings...  I think I may be pleased with the necklace, as well--although it is a bit bulkier than I usually make.  Still, I think everything is a vast improvement on the glue-caked, top-heavy stick that started it all!  Three years in the making--and I think it turned out for the best! 

Roses and Lace

My husband says that he isn't romantic.  


Of course, I beg to differ.  


For our anniversary, he bought me roses--some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.  He took me out to a fancy restaurant--he wore a suit, I wore a lacy dress that matched my lovely flowers.  And, most of all, he treated me to a wonderful, wonderful night together--giddy and in love, like newlyweds still after three years.  

The Roses

The Dress

And, of course: The Jewelry

I felt like a princess--and he certainly treated me like one!

Shades of Autumn...

I'm currently making another necklace/hairstick set--this time, in warm Autumn tones.


I'm not quite finished yet (have to glue the hairstick)...  In the meantime, I thought I would tantalize you with a picture of the beads I'm using. 

The round beads practically glow...  it's a shame that they camera didn't quite pick up on that.  Ah well.  The teardrops are carnelian, and the metal is brass.


I'm really excited at how this set is turning out...  I can't wait to show you!

Happy Anniversary

I were but little happy if I could say how much.

     --William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

Happy Anniversary, beloved.  


I love you.