1st Annual Search for the Shamrock Challenge and Prize Package Drawing.

Two lucky winners will be drawn by random number generatorand will be announced on Wednesday, March 25th on CreativeSpiritOriginals.BlogSpot.com.




Challenge Rules:


The challenge rules are simple.Please read to the bottom as there are details for Additional entry opportunities there.


1) Search the following 13 shops for the shamrock photo. Each shop has one (1) shamrock listing.It can be found in "any" photo in "any" listing.


AllThatGlass.etsy.com
CreativeSpirit.etsy.com
CreativeSpiritToo.etsy.com
DesignGal.etsy.com
DsignsByMelissa.etsy.com
Gallagj.Etsy.Com
GlassDezignz.etsy.com
PeculiarParchment.etsy.com
PimpMyPaperDesigns.etsy.com
Raevyn77.etsy.com
RhisBitsAndBeads.etsy.com
SimplyRaevyn.etsy.com
SlidingAlong.etsy.com
yndigo1.etsy.com


2) Jot down the listing ID number when you find each Shamrock photo.The listing ID number is found at the end of the url in your browser.


3) Once you find all 13 listings, submit your entry HERE. Please note that e-mail addresses will be used only to contact the winnersand will not be shared or used for any other purpose.


INCREASE YOUR ODDS

Make a purchase from any of the 13 participating shops above and getADDITIONAL ENTRIES. Each item purchased = one entry.


Challenge Entries will be accepted beginning now through midnight EST on Tuesday, March 24th.Two lucky challenge winners will be drawn by random number generator and will be announced on CreativeSpiritOriginals.BlogSpot.com on March 25th.

This Week's Section of the Week SALE

Last week I introduced my item/section of the week! Every week starting on Sundays I will deeply discount either certain items in my shop or an entire section. That discount will run until the next Sunday when I change out the item/section of the week. There will be a section on the right of my shop designating item/items of the week!! Enjoy the great discounts coming your way!!

****This week my entire necklace section is at least 30% off!! Each listing has already been marked down to reflect savings***

Once Upon a Time Necklace Originally $25 SALE $17

Mother Earth Necklace Originally $35 SALE $24

Kambaba Wire Wrapped Necklace Originally $30 SALE $21

Another Day Gone By...

This post today has to do with a more personal topic. I'm not the type of person who likes to expose my feelings for the world to see, but after last week I want to share. Last Tuesday (3/3/09) my grandmother pasted away. It was unexpected, & left many of us wondering "what now?" My grandma & grandpa were married for 60 years. They were truly the "love of each other's lives." You see the cute old couples who still hold hands? Well, that was my grandparents. My grandfather had heart problems & honestly most people, including himself, thought he'd be the first to pass on. He told me while sitting with him either at the hospital or funeral chapel, that he never thought he'd have to see her laying there like that.

The image of my grandpa sobbing at the hospital & funeral will haunt me forever. I have never seen him cry. To see him laugh, is one of my most favorite thing in this world. It breaks my heart to know he is hurting so much, but I can only hope that one day I will experience even a fraction of the love they had for one another! His last words to her before they closed the casket were, "Well, I guess I'll see you in heaven once I get there." This next year will be a challenge for everyone.

I myself, am dealing with a guilt of not visiting with my grandmother as much as I should have. I'd put off calling because I knew it would be an hour or two phone call, because she loved to talk. I kept saying, "I'll go see her another weekend", having no idea those weekends of opportunity were coming to an end. I am very blessed to have had them both around for so long, but until you lose one, you don't think about it. I had lost my other grandfather when I was very young & my other grandmother more than ten years ago. That loss was extremely hard for me & not until now, have I felt that same feeling of loss again. Sure, I have had people in my life pass away & it was sad & emotional, but this feeling I have now is much different. She is in God's hands now, & I know she has been catching up with all the gossip from freinds & family members that have long pasted from this earth.

I love you dearly grandma & someday we will all be back together. But, until then, look over each of us, & help us to be strong, loving individuals.

This Thing Called Twitter...

I have been hearing people talking about Twitter. I wondered what the big deal was about it. I kept putting it off, until last night. I created my Twitter account & now I am addicted!! I completely understand what everyone has been talking about. This is a great networking tool! So, how about following me? http://twitter.com/dsignsbymelissa

A New Section in My Shop

I am introducing my item/section of the week! Every week starting on Sundays I will deeply discount either certain items in my shop or an entire section. That discount will run until the next Sunday when I change out the item/section of the week. There will be a section on the right of my shop designating item/items of the week!! Enjoy the great discounts coming your way!!


****This week my entire earring section is at least 40% off!! Each listing has already been marked down to reflect savings***

Hoot Earrings SALE $8.25

Bell Earrings SALE $7.00

PassionBerry Earrings SALE $10.75

Valentine's Day Sweetheart Sale

I've been working on lots of new designs, & I have even got some of them listed in my shop. Each day I'm trying to get more items listed & made. Now through Feb. 14th I am running a great Valentine's Day Sale.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day.....

Designs By Melissa’s SWEETHEART SALE.....

Now through Feb 14.....

******Spend $20, Save 10% off entire purchase.....

******Spend $30, Save 15% off entire purchase.....

******Spend $40, Save 20% off entire purchase.....

(See shop announcements for complete details).

http://www.dsignsbymelissa.etsy.com/

I've also added a couple pictures of my new items. Stop by for some one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day presents!! Many more jewelry items are located in my shop.

Newest Creation

This handcrafted butterfly necklace is my newest creation. I am very proud of it. It is truely a one of a kind piece. The butterfly itself started out as 2 individual earrings. I removed the posts & altered the design to look like wings. Each "wing" has been soldered together on the backside. I then created the antennas & tail of the butterfly from tinned copper wire. The "body" of the butterfly is strictly solder that has been formed to look like a body. The solder from the body also connects the front together.

I added a hook to the back to attach a chain. From that hook hangs a 3" chain, which is constructed of tinned copper rings. I formed, cut, & soldered each ring together to create the funky chain. The same construction method was used for the chain that goes around the neck. A fine sterling silver chain was also added to go around the neck. 6mm unakite gemstone beads were added to the sterling silver chain, along with soldered 9mm tinned copper rings. The S clasp is formed from sterling silver wire & has been lightly hammered for strength. Lastly, I added a 6mm round jasper gemstone bead to the clasp completing the design.I love how funky & "handmade" this necklace looks.

The solder on the tinned copper chain is visible, but it only adds to the funkiness. I also love how the tinned copper has begun to show its copper, due to the heating of the wire while soldering. In addition, none of the tinned copper rings are perfect circles. Each of these elements comes together to create a fun & unique necklace that is sure to turn some heads