Hi guys! I haven't been around much lately, so I just wanted to write a quick message to all my friends in the blogger world. I hope you still remember me. :))
First of all, I would like to wish you a very happy New Year! May all your lovely dreams and plans come true! I would love to hear from you! What's new in your creative lives? Come, share some good news with me, I really need them. ;)
For past several months I've been going through some rough times in my personal life. Dealing with a loss of someone is never easy, especially if you have never actually given a chance to get to know them. It's been hard, but I'm trying to get myself together.
So, as you might have already noticed, I've decided to have a fresh start. I've arranged my workroom, given the blog a new look, scheduled an appointment with a hairdresser and finally made peace with myself. Time cures everything. I just need to give time time.

Hope you'll stick with me. The content of my bog might be a bit different from now on, as I still don't have much inspiration for beading. But I promise to share with you all the fun and useful things that I come across.

Much love from Finland,

Forest

Today we had a really nice time in the forest. I think Finnish forests are ones of the most beautiful I've ever seen - so fresh and untouched. We collected a lot of mushrooms (I made yummy sauce in the evening) and drained our dog. :D He's at that age now, when any amount of exercise just isn't enough. :))

I'd like to share with you some pictures from today.

Fairy forest. :)

Little mushrooms.

A lot of trees.

And the dog, really enjoying himself.

A giant mushroom, almost like from Alice in Wonderland. :)

And a little one again. :)

Some really weird mushrooms.

And moss monster. :))

Here dog got a little tired and decided to rest.

And here he is looking for the way back to the car. :)

The end! ;)

Thank you!

xo,

Spring in Finland

This is what I saw in the morning from our bedroom window.

Looks like spring has been canceled in Finland.

I hope it's much warmer at your place!

xo,

Monday Moodboard: New Beginning

I haven't been beading and blogging for a while (since last autumn), as life has been pretty busy and hectic over here. We're still in the middle of my workroom renovation and I wish there would be couple of extra hours per day to manage everything.

The truth is - I really missed you, guys! And I've decided to free a bit time for the things I love - beading, blogging and chatting with you. So, here is a fresh Monday Moodboard that symbolizes the New Beginning.

Myartspace

bialakura

Loddelina

zerabazaar

More MM at staroftheeast.

And here is a shot from my coming craftroom.

Scary, huh? When the renovation started, we discovered that we didn't have even one straight surface to start with, so everything had to come out. Instead of 2-week reno it turned into a total nightmare. New walls, ceiling, floor, insulation, wiring... Many sleepless nights and restless weekends...

But I believe in a new beginning, as I can finally see the end of this. I really hope to be in my room by the end of spring. Decorate, arrange, create... My own space has been a long-time dream. And I can't wait!

I would love to hear, what you've been up to all this time!

xo,

My Creative Space

Today I'm working on a necklace in gentle pink, cream and gold. So far it's looking good. I really hope I can finish it this week.

I am absolutely in love with those fossil corals, the color mix is so delicate. Central metal element is an old earring. I think I'll make the backing and add some cute little fringe with corals and maybe pearls.

Today I'm also organizing my brooch box. Here it is.

I looove my new pins from SoleDeVita! They are so cute! I enjoy every small detail of her amazing work! If you still don't own a pair, you must visit her store!

Other creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Happy Thursday! ;)

xo,

2010 - numbers and facts

It was a colorful and interesting year and to sum it up, I decided to put some of my little moments in writing...

So, this year I...

1. Made some amazing new friends. Love you, guys! xo
2. Opened 2 Etsy stores
3. Had my first Etsy sale, total amount of sales on Etsy: 20 + 63=83
4. Had many returning customers with challenging orders
5. Created several new jewelry pieces... I think around 200...
6. Started regular blogging, number of blog followers - 97
7. Made bedroom and workroom makeovers, plus, small bathroom tuning
8. Counted the potted plants in the house. Result - way too many
9. Bought a sewing machine with a hope to learn to sew
10. Had a visit from a close friend for whole weekend, which made me very happy
11. Celebrated Liisa's second birthday
12. Spent many hours flea market shopping
13. Spent even more hours cooking delicious meals for my loved ones
14. Visited my family as often as possible
15. Read many inspiring books
16. Started new family business
17. Discovered a good Chinese restaurant
18. Enjoyed summer walks at the seaside
19. Discovered new things about myself

I hope you had a wonderful year! And even better year is coming!

Happy New Year, dear friends!

See you next year! ;)

xo,

What's in your bag?

I found this really cool flickr group through Sophie at Her Library Adventures. Almost 20'000 of people have already shared the contents of their bags. We all are curious by nature, aren't we? :)

Want to know what's in my big bag today?

From left to right

Old leather gloves - gift from my aunt

Red wallet - also a gift

Business card case

Pocket mirror - Matis

Home keys with Hammie the hamster - Swiedebie

Bag of snack nuts for me and Hammie :)

Pen, pencil, sketchbook, planner - Paper Blanks

Car keys and Mr Mouse - Me To You

Ion Hairbrush - Panasonic (saves me from disastrous hairdos)

Scissors in pouch (made by me)

Cosmetic bag - Lireca

Mascara, lip gloss, lip gloss again, nail polish, perfume, nail file with initial

Mobile phone

What does my bag say about me? Hmmm... Probably that I carry around way too much stuff. :) Good that I took my beading box and three different kinds of glue out of my bag yesterday. That would have been weird. :)

What does your bag say about you? ;)

xo,

Enjoying knitting....

Recently I've been knitting instead of beading (bad me!), but I was really in the mood. :)

Look what I made besides the winter hat that I showed you earlier. It's a knitted bag made of same yarn as the hat, so I hope they will look great together once the cold winter days are here. I had to change the pattern couple of times until I got the desired size.

And just a pair of simple wooly socks to keep the feet warm. I haven't made a pair of socks in 8 years. Sounds scary. But I still remember how to do it. ;)

Enjoy your evening and keep your feet warm! ;)

xo,

My Creative Space

Today in my creative space I'd like to show you my new logo.

It is created by wonderful graphic designer from Texas - Shannon Phillips. I'm so happy with the end result!

While Shannon was working on my logo, I was working on a necklace to celebrate my new image. Yesterday morning I finished it.

Here is my Butterfly Kingdom -

To create this piece I emptied the pink page of my cabochon album. Just look at these beauties - rhodonite, ocean jasper and sparkling Swarovski crystals. For more details, please, visit my Etsy store.

To see other beautiful creative spaces, go to kootoyoo.

Have a great Thursday!

xo,

Who am I? - Giveaway

I have some good news for you, my craft addicted friends! I'm hosting a new giveaway, and this time it's a bit different.

First of all, there is a task. I've noticed that my mannequin I purchased a while ago still doesn't have a name. And that's not good. Everybody needs a name, right? So, I want you to help me to figure out the name for this lovely lady.

This time the prize is also quite creative - a nice selection of stone and wood beads and cabs (including tigereye, zebra stone, picasso jasper, goldstone) in all shades of brown. You can use them to make some nice jewelry or for any other craft project. The winner will get everything in this picture and I'll post it free of charge anywhere in the world.

So, to enter the giveaway leave a comment under this post. Write there suggested name, your name and your e-mail address (if you are not a blog owner). One person can suggest up to two names.

I'll pick the best name together with my family in the evening of June 30. Good luck to all! I'm waiting for your entries! You can go classy, romantic or even funky!

Oh, I'm so excited! ;)

xo,

My Creative Space

I'm planning to start a new piece for my Etsy store this week. But I don't know yet what it's gonna be.

First I'm gonna rummage through my cabochon box...

Hmmm... Nothing. Next step - my big cab album.

I found some nice tigereye cabs. Looks like it's gonna be a bracelet! :)

Now I need some nice seed beads to keep the company for those lovely tigereyes.

I don't know how it's gonna turn out to be. But we'll see. Stay tuned! ;)

For more inspiring creative spaces go to kootoyoo blog.

xo,

Weekly Happy Stats

Some great things that happened during last week:

* I visited my family

* I got a bit tan while hanging in my mom's garden

* I received my first blogger award from Karyn of Releases by Rufydoof

* I found some great vintage silk beads I'm gonna use to make something fabulous

* I met couple of great and understanding customers and now I'm creating several interesting orders

xo,

Home Sweet Home

Last night I arrived home. Exhausted, but happy. I was gone for almost a week. Spontaneous visit to my parents. Sometimes I miss them too much.

I apologize for all missed comments and delayed emails. One of the countryside beauties is computer-free life. I turned on my laptop once during whole trip to find out that my mobile Internet is not willing to work when there is so nice weather and beautiful nature outside.

I'll try to catch up!

Meanwhile enjoy a piece of nature with these lovely tulips from my sister's garden. ;)

xo,

Our Favorite Summer Place

Some new flowers...

Diva taking a tan. =)))

Mmmmmm.... Strawberry milkshakes.

And again my small furball of happiness. =)

It was very nice day, and we let ourselves to be lazy for a while. Just a little bit. =)

I wish you all a very nice and sunny weekend!!!

xo,