Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog

Visit Me Here

2010-08-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

As many of you can tell, I've taken an extended from blogging since I've been working on other projects in my life (and around the house). But, I'm still making jewelry and I still want to keep in touch! So, if you'd like to see I've been up to of late, visit my page on Facebook or at my Etsy shop: http://capitolagirl.etsy.com

Happy April!

2010-04-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy working this month, but it hasn't stopped me from making jewelry. To see my latest creations, click a link below to visit my Etsy shop...

Showcased on 6th Street Design School Blog

2010-03-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

A shout out of thanks to Kristen from the 6th Street Design School blog for including my Silicon Gallies pendant in her adorable Etsy Letter Round Up.

Featured on Apps & Hats

2010-02-06T22:56:00.000-08:00

What a nice shout out from the gals over at Apps & Hats. Thanks Hattie & Christine for such an awesome mention on your Valentine's episode:

What a Rainstorm

2010-01-19T12:59:00.000-08:00

Here in California we're in the midst of day two of the winter storms. This morning, my area in Capitola had a power outage. The power's back on but we've had several downpours. I love California when it rains...its kind of like snow days in other parts of the country. People are either really cranky or really happy. Anyway, the biggest in the line of storms is scheduled to hit my area tomorrow.

Yesterday we had some pretty good downpours, followed by equally lovely breaks in the rain....here's some photos of what Capitola looked like mid-day yesterday.

Happy Tuesday :)

Saturday Sparkle: A Bead in Time

2010-01-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

Who Sparkled this Saturday?

Lisa Crone from the A Bead a Day blog

Although its been awhile since I written a Saturday Sparkle post, I could not miss the opportunity to use my post to say a big congratulations to fellow blogger and beader, Lisa Crone.

Lisa is the author behind the A Bead a Day blog (one of my favorites for some time), and I'm now doubly inspired by her newly published book, "A Bead in Time", where Lisa shares 35 jewelry projects for all experience levels, as well as the inspiration that she takes from life when creating her projects.

Like many artists, Lisa's inspiration comes from a variety of sources and in her new book, you'll get step-by-step instructions for completing some unique and distinctive bracelets, earrings and necklaces. You'll also be inspired by her stories of inspiration, giving you a peek into how each project was inspired by a slice of everyday life -- inspirations that include her love of nature and travel to a box of chocolates.

Lisa has been beading jewelry for more about sixteen years and I got a big smile reading her book this week, not only because of her unique projects, but also because behind each page is a passionate crafter who follows her dreams, values her experiences and enjoys sharing her work and inspiration with others.

If you're interested in reading her new book, its being published by FW Media. Here is a link to their blog post from earlier this month.

Congratulations Lisa :)

Happy Saturday and Keep Sparkling!

Winter Clearance Event at Capitola Girl Jewelry

2010-01-06T13:30:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone! Over the holidays, I got to organizing my studio so that I would have more room to make jewelry. So, in preparation for my many weeks of jewelry making to come, I decided to mark down more than 30 pieces in my online shop to make way for new items. Now through February 28, 2010, you can shop my Winter Clearance Event at capitolagirl.etsy.com by clicking the graphic below.

Happy Shopping!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas in San Diego

2009-12-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

I went home for a few days at Christmas and had a great time with my family. And since we had relatives in from out of town, we visited a few places I haven't been in a very, very long time. I love playing tourist (and going shopping) in San Diego.

One of the places we went was the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, which is where Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo stepped out of his boat on the first European exploration of the West Coast in 1542. Its a really pretty place and also is home the original light house that operated in the 1860s. Here's some pictures from our day...

After our day of shopping and bopping around San Diego was finished, we topped it off with an awesome early supper at my FAVORITE fish market, Point Loma Seafoods. If you're not familiar with it, I seriously recommend trying it. I could seriously eat there three times a day and never get tired of it.

Anyway, hope everyone had a happy holiday. Be back with more soon!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

Featured in: Geeky Gifts for Guys With Mashable's Josh Catone

2009-12-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

This was a cool holiday surprise. Yesterday, Etsy had Josh Catone from Mashable curate a holiday gift guide for geek guys and my cufflinks were included in it. I wondered why it seemed like cuff links were flying off my virtual shelf unusually quicker than norm... Thanks Josh and Etsy!

To see all his gift guide picks, click the graphic above or below.

Happy Friday!

A perfectly timed hugs and kisses treasury

2009-12-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was feeling a little down in the dumps and this cheery treasury filled with hugs and kisses really cheered me up. Its so funny how little things like being included in treasuries always seem to cheer an Etsy shop owner up. For me...this one was almost poetic...

So here's the story. Yesterday, my house was having serious plumbing problems and there wasn't a single drop of water to fill my bath tub. Being a serious bubble bath junkie, I was really bummed. And, to top the inconvenience of no water off, I had been deep conditioning my hair earlier that day when the water supply to the house had to be shut down...and that left me with no way to rinse my conditioner out.

If anyone has ever smelled raw unrefined shea-butter, its not a smell that many would say they find particularly appealing. Its a strong smelling, sticky looking globs...but its works wonders for my dry hair and scalp. However, its not so fabulous for walking around town. Long story short, when the water trouble broke... there was now way I was leaving the house to go down the street and pick up some water jugs or to trouble any friends close by for the use of their shower...so I wrapped my head in a towel and left the conditioning treatment in overnight.

Fortunately, the plumbing's been fixed.... and although it was uncomfortable to sit in my house with conditioner for more that 16 hours...my now particularly-deeply conditioned hair looks pretty good. But, not as fabulous as this treasury created by owlsomegifts. Thanks for including my necklace in it. xoxo

Into each life some rain must fall

2009-12-13T09:30:00.001-08:00

We've been enjoying a few days of rain here in Capitola. Lately, I love the rain. I didn't used to like it, but after several relatively dry years in Capitola, I must admit...I've really missed cold, rainy days.

Since its the kind of rain that is a little too heavy to go outside, so I've spent the "indoor" time being pensive and got to thinking how quite often, the darkest days are always the ones that are the most productive mood for crafting and creating. Which reminds me of the saying, into each life some rain must fall. It turns out, that saying came from a poem...

The Rainy Day
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Maybe that poem is a little gloomy, but it fits my quiet mood brought on by this week's rain. Here's some new things for my shop that weather inspired...

Pleiades
Large Silver Hoop Earrings
~~~

Petra

Glass and Jasper Necklace

Ruby Chain
Swarovski Crystal Necklace
~~~

Ice Cream Floats

Glass and Silver Dangle Earrings
~~~

Happy Sunday!

New in Shop this Week

2009-12-02T10:39:00.001-08:00

So here I sit this week, amidst a vast amount of computer keyboards with missing keys. Its been awhile since I've devoted a chunk of my time to organizing my growing computer key collection. I've managed to get a collection of black, white and silver in preparation for the Holiday Season.

Since this is my best selling collection, I make the majority of the pieces and parts in advance. To do that, I set aside a few days every couple of months to pop computer keys off of the new keyboards I've received. I will also the sit down, make the basic pendant and then sit and string and string and string the necklaces. This is something I can do for hours on end.

Anyway, here's some of the new pieces that I've uploaded to my shop this week....

Backspace Key Necklace
Silicon Gallies
~~~

Silver CTRL+ALT+DELETE Necklace
Silicon Gallies
~~~

UP Necklace
Silicon Gallies
~~~

GF Girlfriend Necklace
Silicon Gallies
~~~

Hugs and Kisses XO Necklace
Silicon Gallies
~~~

Happy Wednesday!

Shopping Online or Making Jewelry?

2009-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

Well, the fun of the long weekend is over. I'll have to admit something... even though it was the Black Friday shopping weekend, I didn't leave the house to do any shopping at the mall. I don't know when it happened, but at some point in time, I've became all-purpose online shopper.

I've been shopping online for years...but this is the first year where I bought all of my Christmas and Holiday presents online. Every single one of them. Even the gift cards. I even started buying a lot of my groceries online this year. In fact, as I am thinking about it...the only thing I don't seem to buy online these days is meat and deli items and produce. I guess I figure it would also be kind of silly to let someone pick less-than-fresh produce for me, since I have a produce market and deli within walking distance of my house.

I used to love to shop. But with all the fighting of the crowds, it got to be too much. I'd much rather spend the time making jewelry. Here's some new earrings I made recently....I love the beads, they look just like blackberries.

Anyway. Do you find yourself shopping online more and more these days?
Drop a note and let me know.

Have a great Tuesday!

New in Shop: Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings

2009-11-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned earlier this week, I've had some time off....so I went into my bead studio and busted out my collection of glass pearls and got myself to work. I really enjoy working with pearls, especially at the holidays. They are so festive and fun. As I sit down, I dream about dressing up for holiday parties and different ways to get some bling on. And although my designs are generally pretty simple, when I feel compelled to make earrings they almost invariably end up being long and dangly -- which is the way I think earrings should be :)

Anyway, here's the result of my beading adventures this week...

Bubble Bath
Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings
~~~

Berry Cream
Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings
~~~

Pastel Parfait
Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings
~~~

Plum Pudding

Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings
~~~

Ocean Breeze
Cascading Pearl Dangle Earrings
~~~

Happy Thursday
and
Happy Thanksgiving!

New in Shop: A Full Moon

2009-11-21T08:46:00.001-08:00

Caldera Moon
A luminous and immutable full moon surrounded by a halo of solid aluminum.
~~~

New in Shop: Black and Gold Geometric Jewelry

2009-11-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

I love the combination of black and gold jewelry, its so glam and dramatic. Jet black looks so much more sleek and stunning when paired with warm, classic gold. I think black and gold together is also a good combination to go bold -- like in my two Geometric beading projects that I finished yesterday for my Etsy shop. Here's the result:

Geometrik Necklace and Earring Set
A single oversize jet black circle is paired with shiny jet black glass squares for an unexpected look that is both glamorous and geometric.
~~~~

Houndstooth Necklace
Classic houndstooth check mixed with large and small link gold chain.
~~~

Happy Friday!

Such Fun Creating!

2009-11-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've been having such a blast this week. Who said unemployment isn't rewarding? Well, I can make a joke about it or be horrifically upset. But truly, I'm confident that any period of unemployment is likely to be just temporary and if its not, I'll adjust. You know, being so close to the Silicon Valley area, being riffed (i.e., RIF - reductions in force) sometimes seems like a regular way of life for many people. It can be a little scary to have the unknown staring you in the face when you don't expect it. Fortunately, I had some warning my latest contract was slowing, and I had a chance to prepare...so for me...a little time off from work is nothing I feel like complaining about.

In fact, I have to admit...the life of a lowly technical writer is anything but glamorous and exciting, so I can think of some pretty great reasons to relish having some extra time off right before the holidays. Mostly, its getting a chance to think about the things that are important. Like being OK with myself and using the time to do what I love best -- being creative.

I'm sure that many other part-time Etsy shop owners can relate. For those of us who work or go to school, there sometimes seems to not be enough time in a day to run down that long list of things we'd like to be able to do to improve our shops and independent businesses. Whether its taking new photos, writing better descriptions, or just other types of Etsy fun -- like chatting on the forums and the mad-dash nabbing of treasuries. Well, I have plenty of time these days and I'm taking advantage of it by working extra hard.

Since I recently turned 40, the idea of being unemployed for a spell isn't as scary as it used to be. I was riffed off once before in my very early twenties and have also voluntarily left a position or two because they weren't the happiest place for me to be. And perhaps I'm being a little naieve, but I've always found that whether its a forced or voluntary change your facing, you often end up in a better place than you were. In fact, sometimes change can liberate you from something otherwise quite stagnating.

Yes, there are practical fears (how am I going to survive on less?). There may be more immediate worries (how will I get all my bills paid?) and even some really irrational one (Alas, poor me, I shall never find happiness or employment again!). But that's when getting real with yourself plays a big part. For anyone going through a similar change, there are many benefits of grieving a loss and then leaning into the change gracefully.

Learning to live on a little less is one lesson I imposed on myself several years ago. I voluntarily cut my income in half by one day having my last straw and just quitting a job that was making me miserable. The events leaving up to that change were more jarring than the actual what-happened-after, but the result to my life was amazing. I learned to bake instead of running to the bakery next door, I discovered I could be a gourmet without having to tip a waiter. I also learned that no matter what your income -- Happiness is not material things, its a choice that you can wake up and sometimes have to consciously choose to feel daily.

I read somewhere recently that once your basic needs are met, everything else may be nice to have, but will not make you happy. I really agree with that statement. I wish I could find out who said it and pass that sentiment on to unemployed people who complain about job loss, but are not in situations that are terribly desperate.

Anyway, now I'm rambling. But having time alone during the day is wonderful. It's also given me lots of time to have a good time going crazy with creating in my studio and improving my shop the way I've always wanted to. Here's a look at two new pieces I uploaded to my shop this week:

I've also had the opportunity to restyle a number of my item photos. I trying new backgrounds and can't believe what a difference it makes.

Anyway, with the holidays coming...don't let the stress and pressure of the season get you down. And when you hear on the news about job losses or fear an impending doom of unemployment of your own...remember that no challenge is too great.

Happy Thursday!

Creative Celebration

2009-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

I've seen my jewelry mentioned in posts before, but not ever quite in the unique way that creative seller rikrak mentioned one of my letter necklaces on her blog. I think its a wonderful post and wanted to share it with my readers today... so click the image below to see it!

Thanks RikRak!

Revenge of the Bombshell

2009-11-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love making and wearing big statement necklaces. I also recently got dumped pretty harshly and without notice, so in my post-break up stupor of a fantasy life, I sometimes have to suppress a desire for some not-so-nice revenge. However, when it comes actually acting on "revenge" in real life, other than opening my mouth a little to wide and slinging a few choice words here and there, I tend to agree with John Milton on the subject of getting even, "Revenge though sweet, bitter 'ere back upon itself recoils."

So, I decided that instead of seeing red...It would be better "therapy" to be beading red. Here's the result of my self-imposed-beading-therapy session. I call it "Revenge of the Bombshell" and it certainly makes a statement...and, unlike revenge...its more fun to wear.

Happy Monday!

New in Shop: Royal Splash

2009-11-15T15:31:00.001-08:00

Instead of blogging this weekend, I spent my time getting my studio in order. Its not quite there, but I did happen across some beads that had been in hiding. So, in true crafter fashion, I stopped the studio-cleanout to take a time out and create a new necklace which I just listed in my shop.

I decided to go random, with a whole range of plum and purple colors strung onto two strands. Here's a peek at my newest creation...

Happy Sunday!

Hooray! The Front Page!!!

2009-11-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to blog a quick note of thanks to PipingHotPapers who included my CTRL Key Ring in a treasury that made it to the Etsy Front Page today.

That was an awesome treat!

Silicon Gallies: New Custom Options in Shop

2009-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I added some new options to the Silicon Gallies custom section of my online shop. Black, white and silver pendants are now available on Cable Choker necklaces with magnetic clasps. I've also added hairpins.

Happy Monday!

The Devil Wears Etsy: In the Pink

2009-11-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

The Devil Wears Etsy: In the Pink

It's been a few months since I've wrote one of my "The Devil Wears Etsy" posts. But, now that fall has arrived, I've cleared my schedule and now have plenty of time to get back into the swing of writing more regular posts.

Today, it was easy to get inspiration from all the perfect for fall colors that have been uploaded to The Devil Wears Etsy group on Flickr. I particularly love these perfect-for-fall pinks, reds, and purples featured in today's post.

All of the items are made by independent designers with shops at the online marketplace, Etsy.

Enjoy!

Red Surprise Felted Clutch
from scarfitup.etsy.com
~~~

PINKY

from poutfits.etsy.com
~~~

Skinny Scarf Purple White and Pink
from jarvisgift.etsy.com
~~~

Pink Cupflower Hair Pin
from penfelt.etsy.com
~~~

Pink Asian Butterfly Pendant
from beansthings.etsy.com
~~~

Happy Sunday!