Spring Has Sprung--20% Off Sale!

Use code SPRINGSPECIAL for 20% off everything in my shop! Sale ends 3/31/12

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandstampedOriginals

Happy Spring!

Sometimes all you can do is...

:-)

Break Out of Your Rut With Some Funky Filigree

You know how you can sometimes get in that "mom mode" of putting on some simple hoops or studs (if you remember to put on any earrings at all) as you dash off for the next drop-off or pick-up? How about some big chunky earrings to move you out of your rut?

I'm digging these new filigree pieces--perfect for a casual day or a fancy mom's night out...

What's your favorite color?

Our Most Popular Handstamped Original & Blog Reader Savings Reminder

It turns out our most popular Handstamped Original evolved from a design that did not include any handstamped elements. A customer named Sara contacted us to request a

custom item--she asked if we could take this:

and add 3 small copper inital charms. First we said, "Great idea, Sara!"; then we said, "Yes, we can!"

Here's the end product--which has become our most popular design:

Thanks Sara!

You can find this cute double copper filigree necklace with handstamped copper initial charms & tri-color pearls here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/85158624/double-copper-filigree-necklace-with-up

As a reminder, from now through February 14, you can save 15% on any order from Handstamped Originals on Etsy with Coupon Code: VALENTINE

New Designs

Been working on some new designs as time allows (& when I'm not hostage to Pinterest). :D


Love these cool new copper filigree earrings. Hard to get a good pic.

I'm making various color combos, but have not yet listed them all. I especially love that they are drop earrings, but with a lever-back closure, so they won't fall out! I don't know about you, but I lose drop earrings right & left.

I'm digging these wee small sterling initial charm necklaces.

I call them Small Simplicity.

I'm also liking the simplicity of this one.

I created the sample with "nana", but I have had requests for so many different family words for grandmother--nana, memaw, mawmaw, opa, gremum. I often wonder what words other families use. We call my folks MawMaw & PawPaw & my Mother-in-Law is Grandma... What's your word(s)?

How to Recycle an Old T-Shirt into a Cute Fabric Flower

So I've seen this idea in many places. Here's one of my faves from: http://emilys-little-world.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-make-t-shirt-fabric-flower.html

I thought I'd give it a try using what I had on hand... First, I drew a flower template out of some scrap paper (forgot to take a pic of that, but you get the idea). I'm not much for pinning, so I just held it against the T & cut out shapes around it. I cut out & used 9 flowers in total. Then I cut out a circle of felt (or in this case an old jewelry beading pad) to use as the backer.

I folded the first flower in half, adding a dab of hot glue (or tacky glue, which I was out of) to hold it together, then in half again (again with the hot glue). Then I glued the double folded flower to one fourth of the circle & repeated 3 more times til the circle was covered with four double folded flowers (don't you love my makeshift hot gluing surface--an envelope from opening the mail).

Next I did the same thing again, only I placed the flowers perpendicular to the seams created by the first layer of 4 double folded flowers.

I folded the ninth flower in half & then rolled it into a cone shape, gluing the "point" of the cone to the middle of the layers.

I then put a dab of glue in the middle of each folded petal on the top layer & brought it up to meet with/adhere to the outer edge of the cone. Here's a pic of the first petal meeting with the edge of the cone:

And, here's the finished product:

Love. This. So simple. And it has that comfy, soft T-shirt feel!

I'm thinking of adding both a pin & a clip to the back so that I can wear it on a jacket, clip it in my hair, or clip it on a headband. And, I am thinking of making more colors, playing with sizes, etc. What will you do? Happy Weekend Everybody! :D

A peek at some fun little custom orders from the holidays...

I was so blessed to have many custom orders from all over the place over the holidays. There were several pieces I just love but have not (yet) listed as items in my shop @ HandstampedOriginals on Etsy, as they were situation specific (i.e., 7 grandkids, 9 grandkids, etc.). I'll probably be listing these or variations on these soon. I'm already working on Mother's Day ideas. I know it's not until May, but, well, you know...I have a problem. Just thought you might enjoy these. :D