Blackbirds & Bumblebees

Call me Ishmael . . . it looks as if Captain Ahab may have gotten his whale. I created this unisex Moby Dick whale necklace with a black whale charm on a copper chain. A golden arrow charm hangs from the whale.

Fox Hunt - This fox hunt necklace has a cute golden fox charm hanging from a delicate antique style chain. A golden arrow hangs from the fox.

Both of these hunting style charm necklaces are unisex and can be worn by a guy or gal. Even though I'm not a hunter myself, I think these animal arrow necklaces are fun, whimsical pieces of jewelry.

Romantic Earrings for Spring

2013-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Give yourself a little treat with a pair of pretty earrings for Spring!

I have lots of new earrings in my shop

These earrings add a bit of romance to any event. Perfect for prom, garden parties & weddings!

Butterflies Are Free

2013-03-01T09:16:00.001-08:00

This is such a beautiful detailed golden brass butterfly. I hand painted some aqua and mint green dots to the butterfly wings. I also added some pretty crystal rhinestones to give this butterfly some sparkle.

The butterfly is mounted to brooch finding making it a beautiful piece to wear on your jacket or scarf.

I've also included a very long delicate white ribbon that can be threaded through the brooch finding making this lovely butterfly into a romantic sash. So fun for a simple summer dress.

Geometric Color Block

2013-02-25T21:41:00.003-08:00

I've been busy in my studio creating some simple hand painted jewelry. These new pieces have wonderful colors for spring & summer. I really like the modern geometric designs and soft color combination.

Springtime Birds

2013-02-12T07:00:00.002-08:00

Nest spoon

Hand-painted vintage bird plate

Bird whistle pendant

Bird nest necklace

Bird earrings

Love letter necklace

BOYFRIEND art block

2013-02-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

This is an encaustic art block.

Images of "sporty guys" from the early 1900's highlight the four sides to this block.

I added festive dots in turquoise and red. This art block can sit on a desk or mantle.

Each side of the art block has a different "boyfriend" so you can choose your boyfriend for the day.

Bluebird of Happiness

2013-02-04T09:34:00.001-08:00

I just love this color combination of red & teal.

These cute blue-bird earrings are perfect for spring and summer.

Ceramic teal colored bird charms hang from simple ear wires. The delicate red glass Czech flower really "pop" against the color of the birds.

There is also a matching necklace.

The length of the chain can be customized so this necklace would be perfect for a pretty little girl as well as a pretty lady.

Why God Made Moms

2013-01-30T09:49:00.001-08:00

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Valentine LOVE

2013-01-29T07:38:00.001-08:00

I have lots of pretty jewelry in my shop for your Valentine. These red rhinestone heart earrings are so romantic.

A silver heart locket necklace.

Vintage porcelain hearts.

Pink ribbon and white glass earrings.

A cherub & rhinestone locket pearl necklace.

Red enamel heart earrings.

Something Pretty for Your Hair

2013-01-24T19:33:00.003-08:00

Spring will soon be here and I have some pretty "jewelry for your hair."

These golden branch bobby pins are so romantic.

Golden feather bobby pins.

A romantic set of flower bobby pins.

Silver leaves.

Pretty garden flowers.

A golden bird.

A woodland collection of leaves.

You can find all of these pretty hair pins in my shop red truck designs. These bobby pins are so fun and make wonderful gifts.

Comfort Food - Mushroom Risotto

2013-01-15T12:55:00.003-08:00

It's been extremely cold here this last week and I've been craving some creamy risotto. So, I decided to make some. This is definitely not "fast food" but I didn't mind standing over the hot stove stirring this yummy dish. I love mushrooms and the time it takes to create this risotto is well worth it. We had this risotto with some chicken and a green salad. It was a perfect meal for a chilly evening.

6 cups chicken broth, divided
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 onion chopped
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice

1/2 cup dry white wine
sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, warm the broth over low heat.
Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in chopped onion and cook until soft about 6 minutes. Add the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and their liquid, and set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet, and add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. Add 1/2 cup broth to the rice, and stir until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms and onion with their liquid and butter. Sprinkle chives, and parmesan.on each serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Festive Cheer

2012-12-14T09:23:00.001-08:00

The winter holiday season is upon us. I do enjoy this cozy time of the year. It gets dark here quite early, around 4:30. The holiday lights help to make these dreary rainy days cheerful. My shop, Susan Najarian Art & Design, has some cheerful and festive encaustic paintings to brighten up these winter days as well.
How about this holiday deer?

Such a cute little dachshund ornament. This ornament is a mini encaustic painting.

A round painting of a winter tree

A horse ornament

Forest trees covered in snow in a pretty icy blue hue.

In this encaustic painting I put some vintage lace. The lace creates a wonderful snowy pattern.

There are lots of ornaments still available in my shop. They make great gifts and the shipping is FREE.

Etsy Blog Feature - Short Stories

2012-12-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled to learn that my shop and vintage wreath was featured on the Etsy blog Short Stories. You can read all about how I found this fun treasure here.

Give Jewelry as a Gift

2012-11-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today & Tomorrow ONLY

Get 15% off all JEWELRY

Simply enter the promotion code

HOLIDAY15

at the check out

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

Lots of LOCKETS

2012-11-29T08:55:00.003-08:00

Looking for a special gift for someone? How about a locket necklace. I have lots of locket necklaces in my shop.

LOVE makes the world go 'round!

This fun photo locket can be purchased in either the western hemisphere or eastern hemisphere.

LOVE Letter.

This sweet locket comes with a little "letter of love."

Rhinestones highlight this pretty locket -

A Mother's LOVE

Perfect for any mom.

Good Dog book locket necklace.

This is a lovely large pendant locket.
Quite a statement piece.

Rhinestone Hearts highlight this locket -
All You Need Is LOVE

Emerald Green rhinestones highlight this locket pendant.

An armadillo locket!

You can find all of these locket necklaces as well as other pieces of jewelry in my shop
Red Truck Designs

Shop Red Truck Designs & Get a Romantic Flower Ring FREE

2012-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Get ready to give!

Starting this Friday there is something for everyone including you!

With every purchase, made Friday through Tuesday at my online shop, Red Truck Designs, you will receive a beautiful adjustable flower ring - FREE!

Your FREE romantic ring comes gift wrapped and ready to give. . .

. . .or keep this pretty gift for yourself.

Prepare your gift list now and browse my online shop for great gift ideas for everyone on your list!

DIY Nest Spoon Ornaments

2012-11-15T10:55:00.001-08:00

I have created some nest spoon ornaments for my shop. I thought I would share with you how to make your own shabby chic spoon ornament.

For this ornament you will need a spoon. I use vintage silver plated spoons. You can find these spoons at garage sales or thrift stores. Another idea is to use a pretty spoon that may have been chewed up in the disposal.

You will also need some wire, a bit of moss, ribbon and beads. I used fresh water pearls but any kind of bead will work.

On my spoon ornaments I added some rhinestones and a bird charm. I hand stamped the word nest onto the spoon. This step is not necessary because the ornament looks just as cute without the hand stamped word.

To make this ornament I used a drill and created a small hole in the handle of the spoon. I then attached some wire and a bit of ribbon.

To create the nest, I glued some moss and three pearl beads onto the spoon. If you like you can glue on a little bird charm as well. The glue I use is E6000. You can purchase this glue online or at a craft store like Michael's. Let the glue set overnight.

The next day I glued some rhinestones onto the handle of the spoon. I let that glue set overnight as well.

This is a fun and easy project.

These ornaments make fantastic hostess gifts

Put these pretty nests on a Christmas tree or hang them in your kitchen as a tiny work of art.

Have fun creating your own ornament or you can purchase one of these pretty ornaments from my shop here.

Holiday Wreath Brass Petites Chose

2012-11-05T09:59:00.006-08:00

I found the most amazing vintage wreath the other day. This is a Petites Chose holiday wreath.

This All-Holiday wreath has approx 70 detailed brass figures.

It features a multitude of brass embossed figures, both holiday themed and animals. All the figures are carefully hand soldered onto the circular framework.

In this wreath you can find a rabbit carrying Easter eggs in a basket, chicks, Santa carrying a tree and riding in his sleigh, a turkey, a pilgrim, a jack-o-lantern and many more joyful creatures. The holidays depicted on the wreath are Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, and Halloween.

Artful Blogging Feature

2012-11-01T10:16:00.002-07:00

I am quite please to let you know my blog Blackbirds & Bumblebees is featured in the 2012 winter issue of Artful Blogging. Artful Blogging is a paper magazine featuring journals and blogs from artists around the world. This magazine has such lovely photos and inspirational ideas for bloggers. You can purchase the magazine online here or you can find it in many bookstores and craft stores.

Romantic Jeweled Earrings

2012-11-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

There are lots of new earrings in my shop

These romantic jeweled earrings are perfect for that holiday party or winter wedding.

Iced Coffee - smokey brown and crystal earrings.

Lemon yellow and aqua blue jewels.

Pink dew drops

Spooky Halloween

2012-10-31T07:33:00.002-07:00

Art Ornaments

2012-10-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

I've been busy creating fun new items for the holidays.

New encaustic art ornaments. These ornaments are tiny little paintings that you can hang on a tree or use to decorate a package.

These sweet little encaustic paintings would make perfect hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.

Each ornament comes in a fabric gift bag.

I am adding new styles and designs quite often.

And the best part, I'm offering FREE shipping on these little paintings. You can find all of these holiday ornaments here.