Dutch Inspiration

Being originally from Holland and since I don't get the chance to go back very often...maybe once every five years or so......quite often I go online and just start trolling through the boutiques and webshops there. The Dutch shops and boutiques always manage to bring a smile to my face! They are so vrolijk (cheery) and full of unique ideas.

For some Dutch inspiration check out this cool bead shop and their kitsch slide show featuring funky objects used to create unique jewelry and accessories.Click on the link and scroll down to the bottom of their page, click on the arrow in the green box, sit back and enjoy the show!  Hope it brings a smile to your face too! 

  

          http://www.woopie-kralen.nl/overige_producten/overige_producten.htm

 

Handmade Spark - LeelaRocks - swarovski crystal and turquoise lucite

Handmade Spark - LeelaRocks - swarovski crystal and turquoise lucite

OneofaKind Christmas Show and Sale

Just been reading about the OOAK Christmas Show and Sale to be held in Toronto. The selection of Artisans is over 800 this year! Soooo nice to buy all your Christmas presents there, particularly with them being one of a kind!

Here's a gorgeous piece by Monica Graves of GlamJulz, Burlington, Ontario. She will be displaying at the Toronto Show and has her pieces for sale in over a hundred boutiques across Canada.

I love custom orders!

I had such fun  with this custom order from one of my best Etsy customers to date. She asked me for some really big, bold, HALLOWEENISH earrings and this is what my imagination (and a  glass of red wine) came up with!

'A little teal, a little aqua, a little scary' ......

Such a refreshing change from the traditional orange Halloween color, this striking.... 'a little teal, a little aqua, a little scary' ......Etsy Treasury by Vintage Poppies includes one of my bracelets,  'Retro Rock Chic grinning skull bracelet'.  Personally I think it would be a great Halloween gift for a sister or friend and here is the perfect gift tag handmade by none other than Vintage Poppy !

Divided Hearts

Divided hearts, gold tone vintage feel leverback earrings set and embellished with 6mm Swarovski amethyst and emerald crystals.

one of a kind by
LeelaRocks

Etsy Treasuries

Check out this beautiful handmade corduroy wristlet from Simply Donna Lee, another great Etsy artisan. She also put together a beautiful Etsy Treasury dedicated to all things chocolate which included my Cacao Gypsy earrings......check out the below link for more chocolately goodies!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9a7950f3d86d91851b6195/the-menu-its-on-the-board

I ate chocolate for breakfast today...

........and had a vision :)

............which quickly became reality in the form of a pair of Cacao Gypsy earrings

We should eat chocolate for breakfast more often

new listing
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57016035/cacao-gyspsy-earrings-free-shipping

(chocolate not included...i ate it )

Having some fun with Picasa

I know that I'm probably a little behind the times but WOW Picasa is soooo much fun once you get started! Although I only know the basics, the below 'postcard' is what has come out of my fun so far. Unfortunately it has taken me 2 days and laundry is piling up, dust bunnies are swirling around my feet and I need to get back to making some jewelry....which I can then photograph and have more fun with on Picasa!

Recently sold items....

Here's a few pieces from my Etsy shop that have sold through September.

a few new things............

Leela is a Sanskrit word meaning 'creative play'. According to Vedic Science creation is a divine play that assigns each of us a unique role. The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. Take your role too seriously and you risk missing life's magic.

LeelaRocks strives to create jewelry that evokes playfulness, enthusiasm, lightheartedness and laughter. Each piece is unique just like you and me.

Make room for creative play in your life and celebrate the Leela with LeelaRocks!

Feeling a little 'autumnal'...

Caribbean Jamaican Woman Basket Weaver

Beautiful original artwork print by LisaK.....vibrant colours of 'Caribbean Jamaican Woman Basket Weaver'.....I especially love the sky in this ACEO print....stunning. Check out more of Lisa's work on Etsy Handmade Marketplace.

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/31595214

SIMPLY INSPIRATIONAL

One of my favourite sellers on Etsy is The Pixel Prince. They sell uplifting, humorous and inspirational handmade posters, notecards, buttons and vintage memorabilia in a vast array of colours which can be custom ordered. I recently purchased a few Bob Marley inspirational quote posters in the style of the 'Keep Calm, Carry On' series. I ordered mine in the Timberwolf colour which is a gorgeous shade of silvery grey with white lettering. They remind us of our time in Jamaica, they lift my mood when I read/look at them and we will treasure them for years to come. I purchased 3 and framed them in simple black with white matting frames. The Pixel Prince offers over 36 colours with quotes, inspirational words, funny posters and exclusive custom framed posters.

Sharks and Peanut Butter

Jamaica Irie

I was checking out The Sartorialist this morning and there is a great photograph of a man taken in New York which very much reminds me of our years spent in Jamaica. I got to reminiscing and came across a few photos.....

This photo is about 18 or 19 years old......geez, am I that old?!? The little girl on the right is actually my daughter, Saska. She's standing with her then bestist friends, Joseph and Joshua. Taken in Jamaica, just before the start of the school day, hence the still clean and fresh uniforms.
They were off to Hampton Preparatory School, waiting to be picked up by Wayne (my other half) in the back of his pickup truck...literally the back, the 'pickup' part of the truck as is customary passenger seating for rambunctious school children singing the following Shabba Ranks lyrics!

ting-a-ling a ling, school bell a ring, knife and fork i fight fi dumplin

Booyaka Booyaka fi Shabba Rankin

Romantic stackable turquoise stone bracelets

Etsy Treasury by mariescottage

A lovely Etsy Treasury was recently created by mariescottage, featuring LeelaRocks Blue Heart without you necklace as well as other gorgeous items from Etsy the handmade marketplace. The author borrowed a line from one of my favourite U2 songs "I cant live, with or without you..." as her inspiration for the treasury collection. My other half and I and our two children (15 & 23!) went to see U2 in Toronto last year....amazing concert.

Click on the link to see the treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c51bbe911178eef8fd692f5/i-cant-live-with-or-without-you?index=0



....and as I happen to be a big Chevy fan, I love this print by mariescottage titled 'I drove my Chevy to the Levy' 5 x 7 fine art print.

Actually, I have been quite productive...

Come to think of it (whilst lying on my lounger)...i have been quite productive. There was that little Jewelry party I did at the end of May. My lovely sister-in-law, Annie hosted the event at her house. Very much fun! and lucrative as pieces were admired and quite a few were sold. In fact, I'm thinking (whilst lying on my lounger), that I will host one at my house .........just as soon as I finish lying on my lounger.....

Fallen off the (blogging) wagon...

Well, its been awhile.......seemed to have fallen off the blogging wagon. I guess writing interesting posts frequently, proved too much pressure for my sometimes manic blonde head. Or perhaps its just a case of not having anything interesting (to me) to say to the world. Or maybe its just that I now have such a great (i think) back garden, added to which has been, so far, the most fantastic summer, I just felt it entirely necessary to lay down on my lounger and tan! Whatever the reason (or excuse) here are some photos of the result of what I have been doing with my time lately.

Before and After