3xR week 47: Remnants

I can't get enough of these Remnant pieces! Since they've been pretty popular I didn't want to pull any from the Etsy shop during my annual holiday sale (more info on that at the end of the post), so I made  a few new pieces this week to take with me to the Holiday Art Market tomorrow (more on that later too). Luckily I had a lot of new scrap to work with since I made a few new Eyelet Lace necklaces to take a long as well.

Sterling Silver Studs and Necklace

With only a short time left of this challenge I'm finding myself returning to this line more and more often. I count 29 Remnant pieces thus far! I'm not sure if I should be really happy that these pieces emerged from the project and give in to the desire to make them and nothing else, or scold myself for settling into something comfortable and force myself to explore new ideas with the final pieces. I suppose as with most of my work it will all depend on my state of mind each time I sit down at the bench.

In the mean time these new pieces will be available tomorrow at the Holiday Art Market!

Not a local? Not to worry, many of the other pieces from the 3xR project are sill available in my Etsy shop and on sale now through Monday, December 1st! Just use the coupon code "Holidays" at check out to save 20% off the entire order.

For a look at what the other artists from the 3xR (reduce, recycle, reuse) challenge are creating head over to the 3xR 2014 Flickr group. For a look at the complete collection of my 3xR pieces click here.

Thanks for reading!

Snow Day: Gift Guide #2

I grew up in a small mountain town. The kind of town where a trip to the grocery store took twice as long because of all the chit chat involved, where things moved a little slower, and where the absolute best thing that could ever happen to you was to wake up on a school day, peek out the window, and find a thick blanket of wonderful, beautiful snow. Forget breakfast, pull on 3 layers of clothing, grab the sled, and run out the door while your mother calls after you to "Take your jacket"! SNOW DAY!!!

With those memories in mind I created the annual Christmas ornament for my Etsy shop and then set out to find items from other Etsy sellers that would take me back....

Copper Snowflake Ornaments

If I had had one of these sleds as a child I don't think I would have ever come in. This large wooden sled from AlpineCraftworks has an iconic look to it and transforms from a pull sled with a guard rail for the little ones, to something sleek and fast as they grow up. That is if the "grown-ups" will let them have a turn. 

Large Tracker Sled from AlpineCraftworks

As hard as I tried to stay out all day, my toes and fingers would begin to ache with cold, all those layers would start to wear me down, and it would be time for a break. Back inside with our boots dripping upside down next to the fire and our first set of snow clothes banging around in the dryer we would thaw from the inside out with something warm and sweet, preferably topped with marshmallows. These peppermint marshmallows from Calabasas Candy Co. would have been just the thing!

Peppermint Marshmallows from calabalascandyco

After a quick warm up and the not so quick donning of new dry layers it was back out for more fun. It seems our household had an endless supply of dry gloves and mittens at the ready. These adorable mittens from HappyLaika look perfect for the trek down the road to the neighbors house for a snowball fight.

White wool Mittens from HappyLaika

After a long and tiring day of making the absolute most of our unexpected day off it would be off to bed with the hopes that a little more snow would mean waking up to another day of adventure. For a look at more wonderful snow inspired pieces from the talented creators over at Etsy visit this Snow Day collection.

Snow day 1992 

Thanks for reading and may a snow day be in your future!

Cozying Up: Gift Guide #1

Winter weather is settling in here on California's north coast and we are all about the layers. Hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters... but leave those umbrellas at home lest you be branded an out-of-towner. With all the rain headed our way this time of year is the perfect time to get cozy, pull out the blankets and watch a movie, read a great book, write a letter (holiday cards anyone?), or just enjoy a moment next to a warm fire. If you are looking for the perfect cozy gift I've got you covered with these finds from Etsy. From knitters to newlyweds, there's something for everyone. 

If you are a lightning fast with needles or know someone who loves to create themselves this gorgeous knitting pattern from ErinBlacksDesigns will help you create just the thing for some extra warmth. 

ErinBacksDesigns Throw Blanket Pattern

If do it yourself isn't your thing head over to WhiteNoiseMaker to pick up some oh so adorable his and hers slippers for the newly and not so newly wed couples on your list!

WhiteNoiseMaker his and her slippers

Steep a cup of warmth with organic loose leaf teas from ArtfulTea and snuggle up next to the fire. 

ArtfulTea Organic Roobios Chai 

No fireplace? Light up this incredible copper table top sculpture from AuraWaterfalls and imagine your sipping that Chai tea at a ski lodge in the Alps. 

Table Top Sculpture/Fireplace Insert from AuraWaterfalls

For more great gift ideas from Etsy and to see all of these pieces in one place take a peak at this Cozy Up collection. 

And for the jewelry lovers on your list head over to my Etsy shop for a collection of copper and silver necklaces perfect for layering! 

Layering Necklaces from ErinAustin

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading! 

3xR 43, 44, 45, and 46: Remnant Pendants

A couple of weeks ago I got a request to create a pendant version of some of my 3xR Remnant posts and while I've been slacking on posting, I've not been slacking on making!

3xR week 33: Remnant Posts 

I started with a free form geometric pendant. 

Sterling Silver Remnant Pendant

Then continued with a few rectangle pendants.

Sterling Silver Remnant Pendants

As usual I used scrap from my eyelet pieces for the top layers. The back of the free form pendant came from a piercing behind a cabochon, and two of the rectangle strips came from a ring that was started but never finished. The center rectangle was part of the hand me down metal from my Aunt (the rest of which was used during weeks 20 and 21). I thought the metal was sterling silver, but it definitely is not. I'm not sure what it is, but it made a lovely pendant.

Only 7 weeks of the 3xR (reduce, recycle, reuse) challenge left! That must mean the holidays are upon us. I'll be putting together several gift guides stuffed full of the incredible items I've discovered on Etsy this year. In the mean time head over to the 3xR 2014 Flickr group to see what everyone else has been up to!

Thanks for reading!