'Twas Brillig

I mentioned in my last post that I'm moving 'Twas Brillig Online over to Etsy! The process has begun and, for awhile, my wares will appear in both places...although not duplicated on both.

The new shop on Etsy is called The Tulgey Wood. (The name 'Twas Brillig was already taken. Drat!) I hope you'll pop by and peruse the newest additions!

In other news, my painting of the three Hereford cows, titled "Bethesda Belles", is currently on display at Flynne's Coffee Bar and Downtown Gallery as part of the art show "Painting the Town." The art was created by local artists and each image depicts a scene from Southern Pines! Well worth stopping in to see if you're in area. Of course, all the works are available for purchase. Art makes a great Christmas gift!

Lately, I've been wringing my hands over how best to display some of my jewelry, especially the bracelets which were simply set out on a table in the middle of 'Twas Brillig. While it worked, I didn't think it looked professional or aesthetically pleasing.

With the state of the economy, I've had to really think hard before laying out any cash to buy anything that is not expressly needed, even when it concerns the business.






So, what to do? Sometimes the answer is right under your nose! You just have to remember to look a little more closely at what you already own!

I've had this chest for quite awhile and it has been used for years as a catch-all table in our finished basement. It belonged to my father who used it to store fly-tying supplies and fishing flies that he had made. It has bunches of wonderful drawers to display and store items.

I set it up in the store today and was fascinated by how it drew customers right over to look at items displayed in the drawers. Eventually, I hope to be able to fill all the drawers so that my customers can explore the box and reveal the treasures one drawer at a time!!

Don't you just love these Southwestern-style African Turquoise earrings? Wouldn't you love to win them?

I thought so!!!

In honor of July...my birthday month...I will be giving away these pretties to one lucky winner. :)

You can view them more closely HERE.

Here's how to enter:
All you need to do is leave a comment under this post!

To improve your chances of winning you can also:

All bracelets at 'Twas Brillig are on sale 20% off, now through Saturday, June 13th, 2009! Drop by the studio shop in Southern Pines for a visit to see the full selection!

This offer also applies to all bracelets listed at 'Twas Brillig Online.
***Important: Please email me prior to placing your selection in the shopping cart so that I can adjust the price prior to the request for payment! twasbrillig {at} mindspring {dot} com

I finally got around to making up these pretty eyeglass chains...after a bit of nudging and customer requests. I've had the little elastic gripper ends for months...nothing like a bit of procrastination, eh?

This first eyeglass chain is a mixture of moss agate rondelles, riverstone rounds and Swarovski bicone crystals, accented with assorted seed beads. It measures 30 inches in length.










The second chain is an elegant mixture of lapis lazuli tube beads, riverstone rounds and Swarovski bicone crystals, accented with assorted seed beads. It also measures 30 inches in length.


Both of these chains can be found at the 'Twas Brillig Online or by visiting the studio shop in Southern Pines!

Watch for more chains to be added in the near future!

Being Memorial Day weekend, I was expecting everyone to be away at the beach instead of strolling down our lovely main thoroughfare for some holiday shopping. Well, I was right! But I was also pleasantly surprised because I've been fairly steady with customers all day....out of town visitors taking in the scenery in Southern Pines! And shopping!!!! Life is good. :)

I took advantage of what little downtime I had to create a new necklace with matching earrings. They will be listed in 'Twas Brillig Online sometime this weekend. I like how the amethyst compliments the tiger's eye. It never occurred to me to put purple and brown together before. It really is a beautiful combination!





And what day would be complete
without a bit of Moo? The farm home
of these bovine buddies is a 5 minute
walk from my house. Usually, they are
way down in the pasture being all shy
and modest. Today they were right up
near the fence waiting for their glamour
shots!
G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS! :)
I just love the expressions on their faces!!

More goodness on 'Twas Brillig Online!

It has taken me awhile to get up to speed but I am **finally** building the online shop for 'Twas Brillig which is housed at Shophandmade.com. It took some twiddling and such to get used to the upload process but I think I have the hang of it now! Now I just need someone to write copy for my products! All my descriptions are bound to sound the same after awhile. There's always some skill to improve, isn't there?!? LOL

Anyway, find my goodies at 'Twas Brillig Online! I've added several pairs of earrings today and will continue to add stuff at regular intervals....now that I know how this works! :)

Anyone who knows me understands that I am NOT a "pink person." I find most shades of pink flat out ugly. If pink absolutely has to find it's way into my world then it should be either a very pale pink, a hot-hot pink or a pink that is on the blue side of pink. I'm funny about red as well which also should be on the blue side!

In keeping with that weirdness, the necklace to the right is on the blue side of pink and is now available at 'Twas Brillig. It consists of a small pink and brown ceramic pendant accented with tiger's eye, rhodonite, riverstone and smoky topaz Swarovski crytals.

News Flash!!!
It is being widely reported that Brillig has been spotted somewhere other than her store, her home or Michael's!! How shocking!!! Our Chief Correspondant had THIS to say about the eventful and unexpected sighting..... :)

Good food, great people, lovely arts and crafts...and wine! Who could ask for anything more!

Craftiness abounds...I have committed to the Creative Everyday Challenge for 2009 in order to keep it going and keep it fresh! Some days it is hard to keep it going but as long as I work on something every day, then it is a day well spent. I can't believe I am fortunate enough to do what I love for a living.

Yesterday I was doubly crafty...first in florals and then in jewelry. Here's a look at what I did:

Guess I got busy with the earrings, oui???

Pair 1: Patriotic!!! Coral, Riverstone and Lapis

Pair 2: Turquoise, Thai Silver Beads and Lt Colorado Topaz Swarovski bicones

Pair 3: Rhodonite, Thai Silver Beadcaps and Stick Pearls

Pair 4: Lt Colorado Topaz Swarovski bicones, silver spacers and Turquoise Picasso Czech pressed glass beads




Pair 5: Black Onyx, Sterling cone beadcaps, Jet Swarovski rounds and Smoke Cristazzi cubes

Pair 6: Striped Agate Ovals, Lt Colorado Topaz and Smoky Topaz Swarovski bicones

Pair 7: Gunmetal seed beads, Howlite, Snowflake Obsidian drops
***Update: Sold!!!***
Pair 8: Tigereye rounds, Lt Colorado Topaz Swarovski bicones and Blue Aventurine rounds

Pair 9: Kyanite rectangles, sterling beadcaps, Tahitian Swarovski Pearls and Cream Swarovski Pearls

Pair 10: Dumorterite nuggets, sterling rope spacers and Lt Colorado Topaz Swarovski bicones

Well, try as I might, I can't get Blogger to display this necklace at the size I want it to be shown without distorting it badly. UGH! Fortunately, the upload decided to cooperate with the
bracelets and earring photos so you can see exactly how pretty the stones are in these 3 pieces!



All 3 pieces are made with Green Opal which is a type of chalcedony. It is rather lovely and paired well with the sage Cristazzi crystal pearls. I just love the wide variation in the colors in this gemstone, ranging from pale turquoise to brick red to dark green to black! The necklace and bracelet are all finished with "antique" sterling silver magnetic clasps. The beadcaps for the earrings were selected to match the clasps.

I'm certain I can get my favorite model to try this set out for me in the near future. (Mom, if you're reading this then that would be you!) We've been joking around about her swinging by the shop to select her jewelry to wear when she is out and about at her various "functions!" Hey, I know a good advertising venue when I see one!!! LOL

Voila, two of my latest offerings from the shop....

First...I adore ceramic pendants and the impact they give to a necklace!

I've worked with several already and the latest is the goldfish pendant pictured here.

Strung with tigereye, blue aventurine and riverstone, this necklace evokes balance and serenity. ***UPDATE: Sold!!!!***
Don't you just love all the detail on the pendant?

It measures approximately 3 inches long.


I added a hammered sterling silver magnetic clasp to finish it off.



After a 17 year hiatus, I've actually dusted off the sewing machine (in truth, Mom's sewing machine) and, with minimal cussing, made this cute nautical-themed drawstring bag. It is a fairly large bag measuring about 18 x 18 inches (not including the strap).

I'll be making several more of these in the next week in a variety of fabrics. Plans are in the works for other styles of bags as well, including a quilted style bag with a zipper closure. We'll see if I remember how to install zippers!!! LOL Cussing definitely has the potential to increase exponentially in the near future!