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

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

Been Awhile

It has been awhile since I've updated this blog. I got caught up in life for a bit. It all started when my wisdom teeth started to bother me. No, I didn't get my wisdom teeth out as a teenager, like you are suppose to. If I could go do it all over now, I would have done it then, rather than now! I decided to bite the bullet and have them all removed, even though only one was bothering me. The day of the surgery I got an IV to put me under, woke up, & it was done. My chin & tongue were completely swelled up. Plus, I couldn't feel either of them, which seemed to pose quite a problem once I got home to eat & take pills. I had to stand in front of a mirror to eat. Plus, I put on a bib to catch the stuff dribbling down my face. It was quite a site. I told my mom to take a picture, but it never happened. Even though I looked ridiculous, I felt no pain. The magic of drugs!!

I thought, oh this isn't so bad. That lasted until about a week after the surgery, then I was in the worse pain of my life! I couldn't sleep at night, & by this time I had to go back to work. I went back to the doctor because I was convinced I had dry sockets on my lowers, but they weren't. You see, since I waited until I was almost 30 to have these taken out, my roots on my lower wisdom teeth had grown much deeper than they want them to. Getting them out was not easy. Bone was removed along with the teeth. So, my pain was strictly from the traumatic surgery, so no easy fix. I did get the lower teeth packed, & that helped tremendously!! I had those over last weekend. I had no pain with the packs in, & I thought it was over. Monday morning I had the packs removed & slowly throughout the day I felt the pain returning.

By Tuesday morning my sockets had closed up almost completely, so I didn't want to put packs back in because it would open the sockets back up, & this would stop the healing process. The pain was not as intense as before. It was just enough to be annoying. So, I've been taking Ibuprofen twice a day. Almost like clock work I begin to feel them about every 6.5 hours. The worst part is the one tooth that originally was bothering me not longer hurts at all, & it was easy to remove. All the rest were a problem to get out, & I'm now paying for waiting. I HIGHLY recommend not waiting to get your wisdom teeth removed. Do it while you are young, so your roots have not grown into your jaw!! It has been 6.5 hours, or so my jaw is telling me. So, I am off to take some meds & get some sleep.

Button Bracelets

So my signature jewelry item is quickly becoming my button bracelets. I am getting a lot of orders for them, & whenever I wear one, I get tons of compliments. Plus, I just LOVE to make them. I am addicted to buttons, so it gives me a great accuse to buy them! I have included a few of the bracelets I currently have available for purchase in my http://www.dsignsbymelissa.etsy.com/ shop. I have about any color imaginable to make bracelets with. Most of my sales come from custom requests. I am currently working on 3 that a former co-worker requested from me. She had old (awesome) buttons from her mother, that had passed away, that she wanted me to use. She wants them for herself & her 2 sisters. I think it is a great idea!! These bracelets are so unique & fun to give as present. Plus, they are a great accessory to any outfit!

Where the Magic Happens!

I had a thought while working on one of my button bracelets; I bet that it would be interesting to others to see what my "work space" looks like! I could be completely wrong, but I'm showing it to you anyways. :) It is top-notch & highly professional! It is comprised of 1 highly used sofa, 1 cheaply made end table, & 1 small living room! At least there is also a television to keep me company while working!

All my basics are sitting on my table. There are multiple buttons, a soldering iron, solder, a wood block to solder on, tinned copper wire, sterling silver wire, chasing hammer, steel block, pens for wrapping wire around (to make rings), pliers, wire cutter, bulk chain, & bare bracelets ready for buttons.

Now you can see that you don't need a huge, nice place to create quality work. You just need your basics & some creativity, although, lots of practice helps as well! :)

My Favorite Etsy Purchases!!

While being on Etsy I have met a lot of great people, but one stands out from the rest. Her shop is TheCozyLoft, & she makes the cutest sachets ever! The black toile is one of them that I have purchased. It has an incredible rose scent that I could just smell 24/7!! The sage & burgundy ones have a lite lilac scent, which is heavenly! I've also purchased one with a lavender scent that is very relaxing. :) She can find whatever scent & fabric you would like! All I've had to do is ask & she has found it. All of these sachets were custom made to my specifications, although, she does have some in her shop that she has already made. Can you tell that I love toile? Toile fabric is the best!! I am addicted to it!!

They would make great gifts for yourself or anyone else. I know what I'm buying people for Christmas presents this year. Cozy also makes other incredibly cute cottage items. I promise that you will not be disappointed purchasing from her. She also happens to be one of the nicest ladies I've ever had the honor of getting to know. So, swing on by TheCozyLoft & get yourself (& everyone else) a sachet or two!!