Better Late Than Never!

I am not normally a skin-of-my-teeth kinda gal, as we all know, but this November has totally gotten away from me! Way back at the beginning of the month, I was given a fabulous opportunity from Rings & Things (Yup, the jewelry supply company from Spokane, Washington) to do a design challenge using some of their new glass bezels and tiles. Apparently my big challenge this month was designing some stuff for the challenge! The first picture at left is the assortment of tiles, bezels and some bails that I received from Rings & Things to use in the challenge.

I started with the tiles, and some images that I had hanging around from ARTchix Studio, that I cut down to fit the tiles. I then sealed the images, and after letting them dry fully, I adhered them to the back of the tiles. I added the bails after the images & tiles were fully dried with a dab of 2-part epoxy resin.

The pieces that were stumping me, were the glass bezels. What, you say. Yes, I know, I've been working with bezels for at least a year now, plus resin, etc. But I was completely intimidated because, well, you can see through the glass. (I understand that that is the whole idea...) ...but I was completely stumped! What to do? Add images to the back? Just float some stuff in the in the bezel and then add resin and cal it good? Well, my super awesome pal, Krissi Sandvik (of Krissi's Art Studio), noticed that some of the glass tiles fit on top of the glass bezels! MAKE A BOX? Why not! Still, I was trying to decide how to deal with my "fear" of the clear. I jumped in with both feet and put a couple of metal leaf charms (I cut off the loops) into the bezel and then epoxied the "lid" to the bezel to create the box, then waited for the epoxy to dry. While I waited, I tried to decide what I wanted to do with all that clear space. I decided to add gold foil to the outside of the box, adding to the overall Autumn feel to the piece. Once the epoxy

was dry, I sanded very lightly around the edge of the box and then cleaned the outside of the box with a little bit of rubbing alcohol, after which I added leafing adhesive to the bottom of the box. After the adhesive had dried to "tacky" I took random colored flakes of gold foil and tapped them onto the piece and allowed the adhesive to dry fully. I brushed off the excess foil and then added the adhesive to the sides and repeated the process. I intentionally scraped off a few spots of the foil to "age" the appearance of the piece and add a little light to peek through. I added a bail to the piece with 2-part epoxy. I am very happy with how the piece turned out and look forward to working with the glass bezels again.

I was given the tiles and bezels for use in this design challenge, but have not been compensated by Rings & Things in any other way. I also have not been compensated for the use of the images by ARTchix Studio, the images were purchased for my own personal use.

Upcoming sale dates and other important info.

Upcoming sale dates and other important info...Yup! It's that time again. The Holidays.

This year for your holiday shopping pleasure I have bunches of stuff for you. New shops to check out and steals and deals for one and all. First off, I have been included in a grat DIY group; Glitter-Bitches Handmade! You can also find and fan them on Facebook and really should, that's where you'll here about specials, promotions and any other cool happenings with the group.

Okay, know we're ready to get our shop on, right? Stay away from the insanity of the malls and big box stores and shop online, and more importantly, HANDMADE!

Juli's Jewels (Yup, that's me!) - Black Friday through Cyber-Monday; Free shipping on all orders over $50 in my Artfire shop (use coupon code freeshipblkfriday), plus a free pair of holiday earrings or a snowflake pin free with any order. Plus, for my Facebook fans, there will be a special something posted on my page, just for you! (Also, I will be vending several of the upcoming Saturdays, including December's 2nd Saturday, at the Midtown Bazaar. You can also find the Bazaar on Facebook)

Krissi's Art Studio - Krissi is the creator of Skelekitty! In her shop you will find original artwork, prints and even some select pieces of jewelry (lots, featuring her artwork) Krissi is now offering Gift Certificates and she has some great coupons for her Artfire shop! Don't forget to fan her on Facebook.

Save 10% on purchases over $10 by entering coupon code SAVE10OVER10 when you check out

Save 15% on purchases of $25 or more with coupon code SAVE15OVER25

Save 20% on $40 or more with coupon code SAVE20OVER40

Save 25% on $75 or more with coupon code SAVE25OVER75

Save 30% on $100 or more with coupon code SAVE30OVER100

Brooke Van Gory Designs - Brooke creates fabulous custom bags! Diaper bags, camera bags & handbags too! Brooke is offering 1/2 off any wetbag or changing pad with any diaper bag purchase, and free shipping!

Sweets N Stuff - Cherry creates "1 of a kind altered items and accesories". To truly get what that means, go check out her shop. Holiday Sale from 11/23 - 11/30: FREE Shipping and 10% off of all orders under $25, 15% off of purchases $25-$50 and 25% off all orders $50+(Including Gift Certificates)

Madd Style Cosmetics - Mo creates wonderful lipglosses, lip bombs, perfumes and her wicked eye paints (loose pigment eyeshadows) are to die for! She has also just recently opened a shop on Artfire (it's not replacing her Etsy shop) Black Friday Sales Are:♥ FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders ANYWHERE on Black Friday (11/26) THRU Cyber Monday (11/29)!! ♥ FREE MYSTERY PIGMENT (brand *new* never seen before!!) Given with ALL orders made on BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY!♥ ANY 6 piggies for ONLY $20 from Fri thru Mon!!

Wenchkin - The Art of Wenchcraft - You will find Wenchkin and her fabulous Bonies on Facebook! Fan her page to find out what awesomeness she will offering up at 15% off plus free shipping!

Ant Farm Studio - Home of The Ant Farm Gang and Loco Folko folk art - Kim is also only on Facebook! Fan her page to find out what's new and check out her 1/2 price Sugar Skulls (included in the price - FREE SHIPPING)!

Kisszombies DIY - ArJay is responsible for some"morbid and cute" accesories and hand screened t-shirts! She will be offering 20% off (use coupon code TURKEY20), and there will be a free surprise with each order and free giftwrap (by request).

Muddslinger Ceramics and Crafts - Brandy makes fun and occasionally mature accesories plus has some of her handthrow pottery available. She is also available on Artfire. Her deals are; 10%-15% off on specific items in both Etsy and Artfire shops; $3 5x7 Prints, $8 8x10 Prints, Facebook fan page special (Fan her page and find out what it is); Full Site Artfire 15% discount starting sometime between tomorrow and Friday; Also if you've received a coupon, you can use the 20% code)

Scarlette Wrists - Christina has an Etsy shop where "she shares the joys of embracing the darker side of life while still looking gorgeous." Check out her shop and her Facebook fan page for upcoming Black Friday deals like - Earrings are 1/2 off (were $10, now $5) and Chokers are $2 off (were $8, now $6)