I Fell For a Handsome Thrifter......

When I married I hoped for a man that was kind, had a great sense of humor and was easy on the eyes. I had no idea I would find that and so much more, he's a thrifter! There is not much he loves more than "bundling". Lest any of you take that as a dirty euphemism, bundling is when you (he) hunts down a bunch of thrift store finds and "bundles" them to get a better price. (See: American Pickers) Over the years he has developed a fantastic eye for the vintage pearl and rhinestone bits and pieces I like to use in my work. Not only does he enjoy hunting with me...he now goes alone! A lot of the newer pieces you see can be credited in part to his eagle eye and scouting expeditions. He will come back with a flush in his cheek, a twinkle in his eye and a plastic baggy full of sparkles and pearls. He rocks and he is pretty darn handsome!

Shaken...not stirred...

Manly enough to hold a small white poodle with a pink bow...and like it!

Keep 'em coming handsome!

I Am In Love....

I know it's probably wrong to pick just one necklace that I love the most and like a fickle teenager I fall in love at least once a week, but this week is different. This is the one..

An vintage rhinestone necklace surrounded by sparkling sea blue chalcedony, faceted green jaded, faceted pink tourmaline and creamy vintage pearls....

...what's not to love?

This is a close runner up for this week's affections. A stunner of a rhinestone vintage necklace, a ton of sparkling blue iolite, green jade and faceted pink tourmaline....

...the centerfold shot;)

Here comes the sun! A recycled leather cuff bracelet, etched and riveted brass plate and vintage brooch surrounded by vintage rhinestones.

Like all passionate loves this may not last. Someone will snap it up and will fall in love with it just like I did. But alas, my bench is filled with sparkly pieces vying for my attention and I am sure I'll fall in love again!

NO, NO, NO!!!! Merry Christmas!

If you are a people pleaser like I am, you find it very hard to tell anyone no. In the moment you are asked you really, really want to do whatever it is that's being asked. It comes from a good place and you forget all the other things you agreed to that you really, really wanted to do. Slowly all the yes's start to pile up until you are having a mental come apart complete with shaking, crying and 5 year old like temper tantrums. Wait...is that just me?

This week has been a series of realizing my limitations and has led me to say no to things which I previously committed to. It sucked. I hated doing it but hated the stress it was creating within myself even more.  Today I woke up for the first time in a month feeling rested and positive and capable of accomplishing everything on my list as well as taking some time for myself. If you say yes to everything than nothing gets done well. Now here is a pretty Christmas picture and have a great day!http://pinterest.com/pin/75716837456377277/

Black Friday Sale!! Whoo hoo!!!

I am having my first ever Black Friday Sale on Etsy starting at 12am Friday the 23rd until midnight that night. I am posting a bunch of goodies over at my Etsy shop (they will go up at 12am) and after you pick out your what you'd like and go to checkout type in TURKEYDAY and you'll receive 20% off!!! Here are some of the pieces that will be up for sale:

You can also see more pieces on my Facebook page...click here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kshonk-Designs/74800926030

St. Bridget's Girl's Night Out!!! Tonight!

This is one of my favorite events to participate in and it's tonight! Below is just a few of the pieces I will be bringing along.

Come and get your KShonk for the holidays!!!

Suspiciously Calm

Country Living Atlanta is fast approaching and I am suspiciously calm. Everyday I wire and buy supplies and solder and wire some more and am pretty satisfied with the growing number of pretties on my studio table.

Upcycled vintage rhinestones necklaces and vintage rosary necklaces with soldered nut pendants(laying down)

After a trip to a local thrift store Saturday I have been working on making beautiful mixed rhinestone pieces with fresh water pearls and recycled seafoam blue seaglass. After declaring the newest pieces my absolute favorite EVER... I make another and fall in love all over again. That's the delight in jewelry design, instant gratification. I am always amazed when I find a piece that I don't really think was going to turn into anything special and it becomes THE piece I love the most!

I was not in love with the blue/purple/green combination of this vintage brooch until I added denim blue freshwater pearls. It lays so perfectly on the neck!

One of my Story bracelets. Made from hand formed ancient bronze, each bracelet has different bits of vintage pieces and hand wired crystals etc.

Enough of the chit chat....back to the studio!

Country Living Fair, A Story in Pictures!

Great weather, Great show, Great Pumpkin Patch!!!

The Great Pumpkin Patch!

My wonderful mother in law Janice and her fiance' and all around great man John decorating hundreds of bags for the packaging. I got a TON of compliments on their awesome work!

Eric doing "research";) 

Some of my displays, after all the hard work I was happy with how it turned out!

That arrow has red glitter all around it. I am just saying....

I waited until the last minute to get my hotel and was a little nervous about the Residence Inn dowtown. It rocked! It was really close to the venue, had a kitchen so I didn't have to leave my hotel after the I got back and was SUPER comfortable! This was my view from the 14th floor, I highly recommend it!

After deciding to go it alone for the show this year, here is what I learned:

1. You are eventually going to have to use the restroom. Make friends with your booth buddies and pray you have friends as nice as Maryellen Kim of TwistStyle to send over her sweetheart of a cousin Carly to relieve you.

2. Make sure your credit card system works. As much as I love Square, my swiper wouldn't work and I had to key in all of my sales and if you do that they hold your funds for 30 days. (am in the process of getting that worked out)

3. While doable by yourself...it's more fun with a buddy, which is why I am starting the begging and bribing process to get my hubby to go to Atlanta with me;)