Lancaster Locals - New Stuff to See at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER

A few days ago I took out the Christmas and brought out some new things at my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER (342 N. Queen Street, Rear Warehouses, Lancaster, PA)

As you may know, my mom has gotten into crafting again (she did it while we were kids) and has started a business called Carecycled.  She makes really awesome stuff out of previously used things.

 

For example, her candles are a huge hit!  You can get them in a vintage tea cup (super cute and a great Valentine's Day gift!  Yes, I said it, Valentine's Day. . .) or in vintage desert dishes (and these dishes are even infused with the love of my wedding day!) or other sweet containers.

 

They smell fantastic and are adorable.  In case you were wondering if these containers can stand up to the heat of a candle, yes, they can.  We have tested them.  In addition, they stood up to the heat of hot wax or soy wax being poured into them when they were made, so rest assured that they will be fine (with normal candle caution, of course.)

 

You'll also find the popular wooden coasters.  These are made from trees that naturally fall on my parent's river front property.  My dad cuts them and my mom finishes them.  I adore them and they are so inexpensive you won't believe it!

 

My mom also has been crocheting away at making purses.  Right now we just have the one and it won't be there long, I can assure you. 

 

And last but not least, sewing kits!  These sewing kits are perfect for anyone!  They have everything you need to quickly mend something or if your button falls off.  I know I used to have to dig and really search to find a needle and thread before my mom gave me one of these.  Now I always can find scissors, thread, needles, pins -- anything you need to sew!  

And how cute are they?  Seriously cute.  And recycled.  Everyone you know should have one of these.

Mom doesn't have her online shop filled up with products yet, but she will soon!  So if you see something here and you don't live in the Lancaster, PA area, send me a message and I'll help you purchase it through paypal and get it out to you.

 

You can, of course, still get all my jewelry.  And (yes, I'll say it again!) Valentine's Day is coming up and handmade art jewelry is always a great gift!  (I can take custom orders at this point again, too!  Just contact me for more information.)

 

Cemetery Upcycled Coasters

My boyfriend and I went through a "cemetery phase" in our travels a little while ago.  It seems like we were at interesting cemeteries every weekend.  I got really into taking photos at cemeteries.

I really love the way these black and white photos of this cemetery turned out, so I thought they would make cool coasters.  The coasters are made from upcycled ceramic tiles.

If you want to check out all of my photos (beware there are a lot), which I try to upload from all our trips, you can check out my flickr photostream.  I can make any of those photos into coasters if you like, or I can make your photos into a custom coaster set!

If you would like to purchase this set, contact me.  ($20 + shipping unless you're local and can pick up in Lancaster, PA.)  I'll have them with me this weekend at the HoPo Roadshow, unless they sell before then.

What's New?

These are some new items that are listed, or will be listed, in the B.B. Bellezza Etsy Shop:

 Upcycled Classic United States Stamps Coasters

Created with upcycled ceramic tiles and canceled stamps.  Each and every stamp on each of the 4 coasters was individually placed on the coasters.

Upcycled Vintage Map Ceramic Coasters

Made with upcycled ceramic tiles and maps from a vintage atlas.  This set features the United States.

This necklace reminds of a tree or the woods.  I actually love this necklace and considered keeping it for myself; however, I already have so much jewelry! 

(Will be listed in my Etsy Shop soon!)

Ocean Treasures Charm Necklace (Will be listed in my Etsy Shop soon)

This necklace is full of treasures from the ocean:  sea glass, pearls, shells and pewter charms of a mermaid and anchor.

Pink and Purple Nature Charm Bracelet

Full of pink and purple beads, flower charms, leaf charms, and more!  It's a treasure hunt for your wrist!

Black and Clear Cross Charm Bracelet

Plus even more of beaded, charmed goodness!

I was feeling pretty sick yesterday, and did a lot of laying around whining.   I feel like am behind this week already.  

I'm trying to use this pendant as an inspiration to speed up!

I have a lot of new projects in the works (mostly ideas still at this point.)  And I have a few coaster sets just waiting to be finished, that I plan to finish this week.

So, I'm off to getting working on these things so I can share them with you!!

September 09 Newsletter

News!

Welcome to September! I actually love the autumn weather, the changing of the leaves and all the colors that go with that. I don’t, however, love the fact that winter is on the other side of it!

Sorry that this newsletter is a little late. As you may have read on my blog, facebook or twitter, I have recently made the decision to leave my day job. As of right now, I am a full-time artist and loving it!

New items:

Make sure to check out my blog to see new items. (They should be coming at you much more frequently now!)
Outta the Way Volume 5: Centralia/Coal Country is out and receiving great reviews. Check in out in the Outta the Way Etsy Shop: http://outtatheway.etsy.com/ or at the B.B. Bellezza stand at Building Character.

Upcoming events:

September 18, 2009 6 pm – 9 pm is Music Friday in downtown Lancaster, PA
I’ll be at my booth in Building Character, 342 N. Queen Street (rear) Lancaster, PA
(If you need directions, please let me know!)

September 19, 2009 12 noon – 9 pm Art on the Avenue in West Reading, PA
I don’t have my location yet, but it’s on Penn Avenue in West Reading
(Make sure to check out Hello Bluebird while you’re there!)

If you have any ideas or leads about great art or craft shows, please contact me and let me know! I am also interested in consigning in more shops, so also contact me with any ideas you have about shops. I am interested in shops anywhere worldwide!

Giveaway!
For August, the winner is receiving a coaster set made with vintage maps!
And the winner is…….Sara!

Next month, I will be giving away a definition scrabble tile pendant necklace! The winner can pick any word they want on their necklace!

To Enter the Giveaway:
All you have to do is join my email newsletter, or become a fan on facebook!(See the right to join my newsletter or facebook. For the email newsletter, please note you will receive an email to confirm your subscription. Please click on that link to join. Thank you!) If you join both, you get 2 chances to win!

My email newsletter subscribers and facebook fans receive a monthly discount code! Please join either to get the discount!

Thank you!!

New Coasters!

New coaster set! This is another set covered in actual canceled stamps. They are decoupaged on upcycled ceramic tiles and then covered with many layers of a waterproof sealer. On the bottom of each coaster is covered with felt to protect your furniture.

My stamp coasters are my most popular coasters, so check 'em out in my Etsy Shop quickly.

Since I use all upcycled materials, so I can't always make more of certain things. I am running very low on stamps, so I am not sure when (or if) I will be able to make more of these particular coasters.

On a related note, if you are out and about at an auction, flea market, etc. and find a big lot of canceled stamps, let me know!

Custom Coasters

(okay, sorry the color is off for the photos...but you get the idea!)

I was recently contacted by wind4me to do some custom coasters of his logo. This is the result! I would love to do some more custom coasters, so please contact me if you would like some!

Newest Product!

Coasters, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

New Product in the B.B. Bellezza line: Coasters!

I have wanted to expand into some home fashions because our houses should look as beautiful as us, right?

Plus, I found these tiles and just knew that I had to save them from the dump!

These coasters are made from ceramic tile, 4 1/4" X 4 1/4". I collaged Fabric and lace on these and love the outcome! These are just the first of many.

They are sealed many times with a waterproof varnish (but don't put them in the dishwasher!)

I added felt to the bottom to protect furniture.

These in my shop!

Handmade Christmas, Part III

Coasters

I found a great tutorial for making coasters from ceramic tile on the Spotted Sparrow Blog.

I made one set with cool graphic scrapbook paper and the other set ended up as a dud, but I am using them in my studio. I was using a photo from a Georgia O'Keefe calender, and I guess it didn't work well, or I didn't get the bubbles out very well. I made another set from the Georgia O'Keefe calender that actually turned out beautifully, but I didn't get a picture of them.

The only thing I did differently on my coasters from the tutorial is that I added a peice of felt to the bottom to make sure they didn't scratch the furniture. I am pretty sure they wouldn't have anyway, but my in-laws just re-did their living room and have new furniture, so I didn't want to take a chance.

The other thing that you have to really watch is that you don't get dust or fuzz on the coasters while they are drying. I don't know if I was just up to a crafting frenzy and stirring up all kinds of fuzz and dust or what in my studio, but the very first set I did ended up with some fuzzies sealed in. They went into the "dud" box, too.

I got the tiles from the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I just cleaned them up and did the project.

I expect I will be making more coasters with a lot more creativity. They are a fun project.