Amy Peters' Studio Buzz

How to Tuesday: Fun Fingernail Polish

So for Christmas I gave Kyra lots of fun nail polishes and we spent some time Sunday playing around with a couple of techniques.  She wasn't happy with the way the first techinque turned out...I think it was the nailpolish we used it was pretty old, so I'll buy some more white or light color and try again.  It was really easy. 

1) First collect your supplies.

    a) Light colored nailpolish

    b) Newspaper cut into strips large enough to fit over nails

    c) Rubbing alcohol.

2) Paint nails with light color nailpolish. Let dry completely (I think this is what we did wrong!)

3) Dip fingers into rubbing alcohol

4) Press newspaper onto nail.

5) Cover with topcoat.

The print worked somewhat, but not as well as the website where we found the technique.  The website is in French...but my high school French came in handy!

Take 2. 

This one was fun.

1) Collect your supplies.

    a) Several colors of the same brand of nailpolish. (enamels work best)

    b) A disposable bowl or cup.  (We decided to use one and reuse it only for     this nailpolish technique. 

    c) tap water.

2) Pour water into bowl

3) drop nail polish drops into bowl.  It should float on water. 

4) Pull around floating polish with a toothpick to create a design.

5) Mask off finger around nail with scotch tape.

6) Dip fingernail into floating nailpolish where you like hte pattern.

7) Peel off tape.

8) Clean up any missed spots on fingers with nail polish remover. 

9) Cover with clear coat.

10) ENJOY!

 

For Me Monday: Hearts and nature.

Those of you who read my blog know I just love finding hearts in nature, so late last week I was thrilled to find a leaf with a bug created heart. I grabbed Kyra, my hand model, and my camera and snapped a picture of it.  I loved seeing her total excitement when I showed it to her.

For me it was a perfect moment.

Inspiration and Flowers

Being a California native does have some great perks....year round flowers. 

A few weeks ago I replanted the pots in the front of the studio.  I used stock, alyssum and threw around some wildflower seeds.

A few of the wildflower seeds have sprouted around my inspiration stones.  I can't wait to see what they are!

I love being greeted by the smell of the stock in the morning, they've always been my mom's favorite.  The words put me in the mood to insipre! Remember to take some time to smell the flowers...

How To Tuesday: Card File Calendar

I made this fun end table out of a vintage library card file and have been trying to think of how to use it. 

 

This weekend I saw a fun idea on Pinterest that was orginally from Design Sponge, so I switched it up a bit and created my very own card file calendar. So happy I found it at the start of the year!

Ever since taking the sketching class last year, I've been trying to add more color to my life.  

I have been wanting to scrapbook and journal again, so this will be fun option.  It is going to be easy peasy to keep up with it.  The small 3 x 5 cards are to fill up.

I reused an old set of card file dividers and stamped the months on them and the year on the front one.

I'm going to play it by ear, but I'd love to do a card a day if I can fit it into the schedule. 

Shadow even gave me her smile of approval on the new project!

Remaining calm amid the mayhem...

I know many of you have been wondering what is going on with me.  I've fielded quite a few phone calls and emails checking on me to make sure I'm OK.  I'm so very thankful for my wonderful customers and friends. 

The truth of the matter is...I got a little lost. 

I lost why I started this business.  It got lost in the day to day mayhem of running a business, being a new dog owner, a busy momma, a daughter and a wife.  The stresses of rising silver costs, employee issues, deadlines and dealing with knock offs of my designs let me lose sight of what started me on this path to start this company.

I began this company 16 years ago because jewelry was my passion.  The written words on jewelry inspired me and in turn inspired others.  I lost sight of that in all of the mayhem. 

But the last few weeks I've come to a sense of clam and understanding that I still truly belive in what I do. I've been designing like crazy for the new year and have found a renewed passion I thought I'd lost...for good. 

So thank you to all of the thoughtful comments and words of encoragement.  To transition into a new year with a whole load of new designs we will be closed from December 23rd through January 15th to make everything shiny and new.  Hopefully this includes the new updated website too!

 

Guestbook Winners October and November

So I've fallen a bit behind...

The guest book winner from October is Amie  her email starts with: amielikes

The guest book winner from November is Michele Baron her email starts with:  angel320

 

If this is you. You have until December 31st, 2011 to email us at

office (at) amypetersstudio (dot) com to claim your choice of any in stock message bead necklace!

Remember to sign the guest book for your chance to win this month's prize!

July 2011 Guest book winner

The winner of our message ring is....

 

LORA Royster  with the first letter of your email... lorar

 

You have until 8/31/11 to contact us at office (at) amypetersstudio (dot) com

to tell us your one ring choice and size.  We'll send it right out to you!

 

Guest Book Winner!

 

The guest book winner from June is...

michaela hoenigman  with the first letters of her email: ahmh6

If this is you...you have until July 31, 2011 to contact us at

office (at) amypetersstudio (dot) com and we'll get the necklace right out to you!

The July prize is one single in stock ring of your choice.(not personalized)

So head over to the website for your chance to win...

 

 

 

For me Monday: Making space for the new...

This week will be the last week of our studio close out sale.  I'm cleaning house at the studio and need the space in our drawers for new designs. I can't wait, I love to clean and organize.  So this week...get them before they are all gone! The sale ends on Friday July 15, 2011 and once gone...they are gone forever! So if you have been eyeing something.  Now is the time. 

And think about shopping early for those holiday presents! 

Check out the awesome deals...

Chunky Chokers are at 1999 prices.

Trinkets and Tokens are 25% off.

Double Sided are 25% off.

Button Bangles are 50% off.

and some SALE items are up to 80% off original retail!

 

Gratitude-Sneak Peak

There are very few memories of my childhood that don't involve my friend Kris. I'm trying really hard these days to not call her Krissey. I've known her since I was 3, she lived just 4 doors away from me, went to the same schools, same college, we were in each others weddings, we were pregnant both time together and became moms at the same time. We still talk as often as our busy lives allow.  We try to get together for weekend vacations and fun with our kids. She has a son Kyra's age and twin boys Nik's age.  The kids love seeing each other!

This past weekend she went above and beyond the friend duties. She took my kids for a play date, dinner and a movie without me.  While I would have loved to be visiting with her over a cup of coffee as the kids played, I was in the urgent care with my mom while she got IV's for a leg infection.

So what do you do to tell someone how much the help meant when words alone just don't seem to be enough. 

A sneak peak of our new pewter banners.  They will be available on our website in the early fall! There are 9 different sayings. I've been keeping these under wraps for the last several months, but finally had to share. Good thing Kris doesn't have time to read my blog with 3 boys home for summer break.

Kris and her husband Evan just bought a beautiful new house and I thought this would look great hanging on her wall to remind her of how lucky and blessed she is.  And how blessed I am to have known her for 42 years!

Thanks again Kris for everything!