Happy Family Day and President's Day!

My second attempt at polymer clay: a cat and wooly sheep :)

Well, happy Family Day to those of us in Canada who celebrate it, and Happy President's Day to all of my American friends :)
This week I've got some new bracelets to show you on Tuesday, Arwen is finally going to show you her napping spots (technical difficulties last week, sorry) on Wednesday, I've got a few treasuries that I've been featured in to share with you on Thursday, and this Friday's Feature post is fantastic woodworking duo Element Arts and Crafts. Trust me, you won't want to miss that one! Saturday is the world of Squee again as I scour the internet for the cutest, funniest things to make you smile during your weekend.

The kitty from the side. One front paw slightly raised, as if to say hello,  and the tail curling up :)

Yesterday I played with polymer clay again. It wasn't quite so scary, and I managed to make 2 more cute (at least I think they're cute!) sculptures. I made a kitty, seen above, with a quizzical air to its head, and one paw just starting to raise off the ground, as if it sees something interesting and might possibly want to bless it with its attentions. I think I'll give this one to my mom, and then make another one for me :)

A curly black sheep. I seriously need to make another one!

 I also made a sheep. I love sheep! Seriously, I think they are the cutest darned things. A friend of mine up the road has a farm, and they raise sheep and poultry and honestly, the sheep are so funny, it's hard not to laugh at them (I try not to, as people tend to think I'm nuts when laughing at sheep placidly eating grass). This black sheep took a while, as I made the body first, and then made lots of little polymer clay swirls to represent his wool, which I then stuck on. It turned out pretty well (if I do say so myself), and I think I'll give it to my aforementioned friend. Then I'll make another one for myself :-D
I've also started painting some of the wooden jewelry boxes I purchased for displaying jewelry at shows and the farmers' market this year...oh, I didn't mention that earlier?? Well, you'll just have to keep stopping by to see them when they're done... ;-)
Until next time,

Merry Christmas! Season's Greetings!

A huge Merry Christmas to everyone! Thank you so much for brightening my year with your views and comments. You mean the world to me, and I look forward to blogging to you next year and beyond. I have lots planned for the future - style advice, new jewellery pieces, Arwednesdays, how-to's, treasuries, features and much more. Please keep coming back and please give me your feedback so I know what you want to see.

Wishing you the best of the season, see you in a few days,

and Arwen the Wonder Dog

Advertising Spots Available!

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. In Canada, today we are all just getting back to the grind after the Victoria Day long weekend (also known as May 2-4 weekend). People are sleepy, people are sunburned and bug-bitten, I am trying to contain the chaos that is my brain as I am learning everything about online businesses that Etsy and other people have published online in the last 3 years so that I can really get my jewelry business humming :)

In that vein, I am offering readers the chance to advertise on my blogs (I have three. Yes three) for a very low monthly rate of $1/month. For this, you get a 200x200 pixel stationary ad of your website, blog, whatever you would like (so long as it is G-Rated). The ad will be run on all three of my blogs for just $1 per month. Yes, you read that correctly. 1 ad, $1 per month, on three blogs. It's a steal!

I have 2 spots currently (you can see them on the left hand side of each of the blogs, underneath the mailing list sign up), and will begin the new ads in June. If you are interested, please email me with the subject "Blog Ad" to Meg (at) LittleStudio (dot) ca to get started!

But hurry, there are only 2 spots left!

Oh wait! I forgot the best part! I'll also do a little blog post about your shop (if you have one), showcasing your items. If you don't have a shop, I'll do a little blurb about your website or blog :)

Hurry hurry!

In Memory of Barry Fraser: A True Hero and Generally Great Guy

I never met Barry in person, but I followed his blog, AnExplorersViewofLife (http://anexplorers.blogspot.com/), religiously after finding it under Blogger's Blog of Note over a year ago. I was drawn to his cleverness, humor, intelligence and interesting viewpoints on just about everything. Arwen loved his posts about Lindsay, his, and his wife Linda's, dog (as did I, she seems like such a character). In March of last year, the tone changed considerably, though never losing Barry's considerable skill at writing: while visiting a restaurant, he got a chicken bone stuck in his throat. Upon going to a hospital to get it checked out, they found something unusual. That something unusual turned out to be esophageal cancer. Barry treated it the way he seemed to treat everything on his blog: seriously, but with a wicked sense of humor, wit and love of life.
Barry passed away on Tuesday. He is no longer in pain, the cancer can no longer sap his energy. He is now in heaven, running with dogs the way he used to love running with his beloved Lindsay on the bluffs near Toronto.
I'm ringing a bell for you Barry, you may not be living, but you have won your fight. The cancer is gone, and you will be sorely missed.
Rest in Peace my friend,
and Arwen

Soulful Sunday: Goodbye to a Very Dear Friend

On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, Renee of Circling My Head Blog passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was so brave and smart and caring. Though I am glad she is no longer suffering, the world is truly darker without her bright light shining. I didn't know her for very long, but we became fast friends and exchanged little gifts a few times. If has taken me almost a week to write a tribute to her, as really, nothing I can say, write or express will ever come close to describing the wonderful woman she was.

I loved her spirit. If people didn't understand her, or tried to say anything against her (which, really, wasn't very often as she was just so damn right in everything), she would say, "Fuck it!" sorry for the language, but there are times when it is right to say. On Wednesday when I read the announcement on her blog about her death, I was quite upset and didn't really know what to do. As an emotional eater (yes, guilty!) I immediately wanted something with carbs. Bread, or pasta or fat, or comforting, but it had to be good. The other side of this rather one-sided conversation was saying that I'm trying not to eat processed foods as they really don't agree with me, yadda, yadda, yadda. So yeah, I said...

"Fuck it!" I made cheesy tea biscuits in honor of Renee. I love you and miss you.

The tea biscuits were delicious, and Brennan and I ate all twelve by the end of the next day. It was worth it. Renee was worth it. Her spirit lives on in everyone who takes the attitude that we ARE worth it. We are God's children. We ARE.

Rest in peace Renee, we can't wait to see you in heaven when our turn comes.


P.S. I am very sorry for the language today. I seriously debated for a long time whether to put it in as I didn't want to offend or shock anyone, but the loss of Renee hit me pretty hard, and that is really what she said. I didn't want to bleep her. Anyone who reads this blog knows I try very hard not to swear, but sometimes you have to get it out. I got it out, and thank you for understanding.

Some Great Features!

Carol over at The Grand Design featured my jewellery! Please go and check out her blog (and my feature!) for some really cool articles :)

Also, Brandi at 5 Monkies Review featured my jewellery also, please go and visit her as well!

Giant Bead Giveaway at Silver Parrot Blog!

Silver Parrot Blog is giving away a GINORMOUS box of beads! All sorts of gorgeous fixin's for beautiful jewelry designs are up for grabs in this box, and though I really, REALLY want to win this (my bead budget is at 0$ until I make some mega sales), I will post this for all of you to try and win too! The deadline is tomorrow so hurry! Here's an excerpt from the blog:
"Okay, so the contest ends on Friday, June 12th, and so far, I've been a little
disappointed in the level of interest (no offense to those of you who HAVE been nice
enough to cross-post on your blogs). I was just hoping to generate a little more action.
So, I thought maybe what was missing was some concrete evidence of what a LARGE
pile of beads this is and what a great opportunity it will be for someone."

Now, if I win this, I plan on making some pieces to sell to raise serious money for charity so if I win, I'll keep you posted!
Meghann

Monday Madness - I'm on Entrecard!

So I am not entirely sure what I'm doing, but I now have Entrecard on all my blogs :)
Apparently when people click on the ads, they can see new and exciting blogs that I myself have approved for viewing on my blog. Pretty cool, huh? Then, when people click, I get credits which I can then use to advertise on other people's blogs to gain exposure for myself. Isn't that neat? I encourage you, therefore to click on the 'drop' button and see some new blogs - you never know, you just might make new friends!
Meghann

Treasury on Tuesday!

I managed to snag another treasury! Click on the image above to see items from the teams I am part of: EFA (Etsy for Animals), Capital Crafters and CAST (Christian Artists Street Team). I hope you like it!
Meghann
My SUPER 50% off Sale is still going strong, and the Monthly blog contest is almost over so don't forget to enter!

I'm in a Treasury!

What a fabulous way to wake up: I got an email from RioRita all the way over in Israel telling me that she had featured my Backlit Bleeding Hearts Photograph in her treasury! I have to say I am on cloud nine as I have been trying and trying to get another treasury since the last one expired almost 2 weeks ago, and have consistently failed to get one. I think it is amazing that people from all over the world are able to get together and promote one another's works - simply fabulous!! Please click on the treasury above to go and see all the wonderful artists featured in this beautiful treasury :)
Meghann
P.S. - time's running out to enter the monthly blog contest - don't miss out, it is free and you could win a great prize!

Happy New Year!

I wish you a year full of happiness and gluten free goodies! Please jkeep checking back as I'll have more great updates for you.
Health and happiness to you!
Meghann

New Sale On My Jewellery Site!

WOO! I have decided to increase my gifts to you, my friends, by upping the ante on this phenomenal sale in my Little Studio Photography and Jewellery Etsy Store!
Starting right now, buy one item, get a second item of equal or lesser value for 50%off!!!

This cannot be combined with another offer (previous specials, sale items or custom items). If you have any questions, please let me know!
Enjoy ;-)
Meghann