Soozie's Cutie Patooties

Tough Love

2011-07-19T01:09:00.001-04:00

I recently went to the shooting range with a friend. I think he was shocked that I did so well. Ok, I was a little shocked myself when I hit the target 75 yards away 4 out of 5 times (really shocked since its been forever since I've been).

Anyway, while I was waiting for my turn I started looking around and couldn't help but notice all of the shiny shell casings lying around. I kept thinking of what all I could do with these.

Since then I've been squeezing in some time with power tools (all I'm going to say is when those cutting discs for a dremel shatter you'll find pieces everywhere, even after you think you've gotten them all). These's are a couple of the pieces I've finished for what I'm calling "Tough Love".

Stay tuned, there's more to come (as long as I manage to keep all of my fingers where they should be)...

Go Team! Jewelry

2011-07-18T01:03:00.003-04:00

I've had people telling me for a while now that I needed to make some things in team colors. My concern was that it wouldn't look as good as I'd want it to be. After reading the comments left on my giveaway at Lemondrop Vintage I decided to give it a try. Here's a small sample of what I've been working on. There are more team colors in the works and if there's one you'd like to see let me know.

So, what's your favorite sports team?

Giveaway Winners

2011-07-17T04:26:00.001-04:00

The two giveaways I was sponsoring on Lemon Drop Vintage and Adore By Nat are both over and I just shipped out these lovelys to the winners.

Ariel will be receiving the Down By the Seashore Necklace

Tamanisha picked Pink as one of her bobby pins.

Yellow was her second color choice.

I hope they enjoy them as much as I did making them. What would like to see in my next giveaway?

Spotlight on Scratch and Sniff

2011-07-16T09:18:00.000-04:00

This week I'm sharing a cute shop named Scratch and Sniff with you. It is full of cute silhouettes that you can even have customized. Here are just a few of these colorful pieces of artwork.

Not only are these silhouettes really cute and different they're also very affordable. So, go check out this great shop.

Feature Friday! with Gift For Ever

2011-07-08T04:26:00.001-04:00

This week I'd like to share with you Koula's shop Gift For Ever. Her shop is filled with jewelry and decor that you'll never find anywhere else. These are just a few of the unique handmade items you can find.

Love Drop

2011-07-07T03:31:00.002-04:00

I just discovered Love Drop. If you haven't heard of this before, its a charity that helps out one family at a time, $1 at a time.

The Love Drop team is at it again! Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, the Aubin family, who was struggling financially after the passing of their dad, and this month they're ready to do it again and help out another person :) They've given out over $45,000 in the past 6 months, and show no signs of stopping. If you know of anyone yourself that could use their help, make sure to let them know.

This month they're heading down to Atlanta to help Felicity, a little 4-year-old girl who was just diagnosed with brain cancer. Felicity had immediate surgery and is currently undergoing aggressive radiation treatments for the remaining portion of her tumor. We want to raise $5,000 for her family to help cover mounting medical costs, as well as the future expenses a new baby on its way will bring. With your support and generosity, we can really do something special for them!

Here are three ways you can help:
Give $25 towards medical bills <-- Click this link to contribute $25 towards Felicity's radiation treatments. It'll help them out a ton!
Give a gift or service- Gift cards are always helpful. Places like Target, Wal-mart, restaurants, etc would definitely help them out. Services too - especially those you can offer yourselves, or from your company.
Join our blogger network - Blog about our Love Drops each month like I am :) It's easy, it's rewarding, and it REALLY helps spread the word (which in turn helps our families). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
Thanks so much guys! Here's to a great month of paying it forward!

Has Anybody Else Noticed...

2011-07-06T03:42:00.001-04:00

I recently discovered Artfire. I've been playing around with a studio on there. It seems like the changes that Etsy has been implementing lately are based on trying to be more like Artfire. Like having all of the details of a new listing on one page when adding an item. I'm still not sure if I like the layout and ins and outs of Artfire vs. Etsy. What I do like is that the home page is random instead of selected so there's a better chance of actually being on it. Has anybody else tried Artfire? What has your experience been like?

Looking for your input...

2011-07-05T12:42:00.000-04:00

So I'm working on a few different things. One of them is some jewelry that you can wear with your outfit to games this fall. I'm going for something that is beautiful but can still go with a casual outfit of jersey and jeans. As a USF alum I'm partial to the deep green and gold. What I need to know is what are your favorite team's colors? What do you like to accessorize your game day look with? Necklaces? Bracelets? Earrings? A scarf or cowl to ward off the chill in the air? Something cute for your hair?

Blowout Sale for the Fourth of July and my Etsyversary!

2011-07-02T01:32:00.000-04:00

Two years ago I decided to open a shop on Etsy. It's been a fun learning experience in not only ecommerce but crafting as well. I've learned more about crochet, expanded on my jewelry making skills, and even learned to knit. It's also made me venture out to new ideas and dream up even more ideas that I want to create.

To celebrate Soozie's Cutie Patooties 2nd birthday on Etsy and the Fourth of July I've decided to have a blowout sale. So, for all of my readers I'm offering an incredible 40% OFF coupon (BLOWOUT)!

Feature Friday! with 2 Sisters

2011-07-01T09:32:00.000-04:00

This Friday I'm introducing you to Colleen from 2 Sisters. Her shop if full of wonderful jewelry that is handstamped and completely personalized. Here are just a few samples of the eclectic mix she creates.

The Inn at Christmas Place

2011-06-29T01:11:00.000-04:00

Last year for my sister's birthday we took our Dad to visit family in Virginia. On the way we stopped in Pigeon Forge so that my Christmas obsessed sister could stop at the Christmas Place. If you're not familiar with this place, its a one stop wonderland of Christmas. There's an entire store full of decorations of every shape, size, style, and theme. Mrs. Claus' Candy Store. A restaurant named the Patridge and the Pear where it seems like every dish on the menu has either pears, cranberries, or both. And an entire hotel hosed down with the Christmas theme.

The lobby has the ginormous and gorgeous tree with Santas and poinsettias scattered around.

The Christmas suite with a balcony comes with holiday linens, wreaths everywhere, a fireplace, and your very own Christmas tree.

I think I may have mentioned the wreaths everywhere?

And I really did mean EVERYWHERE...

There's even a Glockenspiel in the second lobby.

And if posing with the giant Santa isn't enough for that Christmasy feeling you can have a real Santa come and tuck you in at night (I said no thank you, hey you gotta draw the line somewhere).

Some new jewelry and accessories for summer

2011-06-28T11:09:00.000-04:00

I've been making new jewelry for the shows that I've been going to lately and I've finally gotten around to taking pictures. I'd love to hear what you think about them...

Now I just need to find a model for some real life pictures.

Check out how to win 2 Rose Bobby Pins

2011-06-27T00:55:00.000-04:00

I'm sponsoring a giveaway on Adore By Nat. Check out her fantastic blog to find out how you could win your choice of 2 of my Rose Bobby Pins!

Plus you can find out a little more about me on her Saturday Artisan feature.

Down by the Seashore Necklace Giveaway at Lemondrop Vintage

2011-06-25T00:20:00.000-04:00

I'm sponsoring a giveaway on Lemondrop Vintage's blog for one of my Down by the Seashore Rose Bib Necklaces!

Head on over to Lemondrop Vintage to check out a really cute blog and how to enter for your chance to win.

Feature Friday! with Lily's Treehouse

2011-06-24T04:49:00.001-04:00

This week's Feature Friday! is spotlighting Lily's Treehouse. Full of colorful art, jewelry, clothing, and purses I've picked a few samples to share with you.

Don't you just love the bold colors she's used in all of her creations? To see even more of her talent go check out her shop!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T17:09:00.000-04:00

Last year we all went on the Tennessee River Gorge Tour, my sister failed to mention that its a 3 hour tour (good thing it wasn't on the SS Minnow).

Feature Friday! with A Cup of Sparkle

2011-06-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

This week's Feature Friday! is looking A Cup of Sparkle. This cute little shop has a broad range of jewelry, from the simple to the unique.

This is just a small sampling of what A Cup of Sparkle has to offer. Check out Melike's shop and see the mix of colors, metals, and styles.

First time at the Chattanooga Market

2011-06-13T09:32:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was my first time setting up at the Chattanooga Market. With my brother and sister helping we got everything set up and ready to go for the 11 o'clock start.

Waiting for the second table and the people to arrive.

I finished painting my display board the night before and then couldn't find one of the push pins. I've got plans on making a couple more to display more jewelry.

Everybody wanted a rose bobby pin. I've got to work on replenishing my stock.

I've got to make more of my little espadrille booties.

I finished this pretty purse at about midnight.

Feature Friday! with Doug Ashby Studios

2011-06-10T10:12:00.001-04:00

This week I'm taking a look at Doug Ashby Studios and his wonderful pen and ink drawings.

Doug is offering an amazing 50% coupon code (GOINGCRAZY) that is good until June 30th.

I've seen many things, but I've never seen that before

2011-06-07T12:19:00.000-04:00

I was looking through a catalog yesterday and I was surprised at some of the items that I saw in there. How could you not be surprised by a weight loss supplement that claims to melt away the fat while you sleep? Or the anti-cellulite soap that smooths out your thighs while you shower?

And then I came across this one! The description waxes poetic about never being inconvienced by the lack of a restroom facility again. You'll never have to bother with trying to squat (it does actually mention this specifically) and complete you business. The answer to these troubling delimemas? A pink squishy funnel that will let you go anywhere you want.

My mind started going over some possibilities and ideas. Doesn't this just seem messy? Would you really want to be carrying your pink funnel around with you AFTER its been used? What do you tell your friends? "Don't worry, I've got it covered with my GoGirl!" Couldn't you just carry around a funnel (and get to pick out whatever color you'd like)? "Look I wrote my name in the snow!"

Feature Friday! with Simon and Ruby

2011-06-03T10:00:00.002-04:00

This week's Feature Friday is focused on the lovely shop Simon and Ruby. Not only is Lindsay's shop full of beautiful statement jewelry but the pictures showcasing her work is so artful that browsing her shop is like flipping through a fashion magazine.

Ok, I admit it, I picked this one as much for the gorgeous jewelry as for the stunning picture.

The muted colors and the simple design of this necklace means that you could wear it almost anywhere.

I just love the drape and unusual color.

So simple and yet so bold that it could be worn with anything.

Simple and chic, I think these would look great with jeans, a plain white shirt, and sandals.

Just the right combination of colors, sizes, and textures make this a stunning piece.

This is just a little sample of the beautiful jewelry in Lindsay's shop so go see what other little treasures you can find. Even better is the fact that 5% of each sale is donated to World Vision.
You can keep up with the newest work, events, and announcements by checking out Simon and Ruby's website.

Feature Friday! with Custom Chess Sets

2011-05-27T00:05:00.000-04:00

This week's Feature Friday! is spotlighting Jim Arnold and his Custom Chess Sets. The detail of these handcarved pieces is unbelievable.

Aren't those amazing? Go check out Jim's shop to see his other amazing creations!

Raspberry Beret

2011-05-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

My sister was very excited yesterday because people in her office were planning on bringing their dogs to work with them today. She asked me last night if I could make a raspberry beret for a pug named Prince. She forgot to mention that he was still an itty-bitty puppy and would need a Barbie sized beret. Which meant that I made one that he'll have to grow into. The good news though is that the ever handsome Rerun also came to work and stood in as a model (the beret barely survived after he tried to eat it).

Rose Bobby Pin Giveaway

2011-05-23T10:52:00.000-04:00

Royal Blue, Cream, and Red Roses

Lilac, White, Yellow, and Bubblegum Pink Roses

Silver, Pink, Honeysuckle Pink, and Black Roses

Want to find out how you can win your choice of TWO of my Roses Bobby Pins? Check out August Diversions blog to find out how to enter!

Feature Friday! with Rainbeauxart

2011-05-20T00:26:00.000-04:00

The shop being featured this Friday is Rainbeauxart. This shop is full of beautifully painted landscapes, still lifes, and even painted jewelry. Each one is wonderfully executed by the talented Dottie from Louisiana.

I just love the colors and serenity of this Bayou Landscape

The colors of this miniature canvas would stand out in any shelf display.

Just imagine wearing your own original sunset.

This is the view that I would like to look up from my book and see.

What a way to bring a soft touch to your bedroom without going into the land of precious.

I just couldn't resist this collection of vibrant and colorful paintings.

I'm sure that when you check out Rainbeauxart's shop you'll find the perfect thing to fill that blank spot in your house, even if it's that little space on a shelf that's just not quite complete.