Featured in the Storque!

About a month ago I thought I would write a new installment for the Storque's "Shop Local" series, featuring Greek sellers. I contacted all the Greek members of the European Street Team and some of them were kind enough to send me their beautiful photos and quotes. Etsy Admin Vanessa was kind enough to publish my article last night.

You can read it here.

Thank you girls! I couldn't have done this without you :) I hope this brings us all some much needed exposure, and sales!

My window to the world

This weekend started with high spirits and a very good mood ! I have a new table to work on, combined with a brand new light I got a few days ago and an organizer with drawers and wheels, my little corner is turning into a great workspace! It's going to be a lot more fun and comfortable to work now, and that can only mean more and better designs! :)

I placed my new table right next to a window; my own little window to the world.

From one side I can see the mountain.



And on the other side, lovely sunsets.



Of course, this is still Athens, so there's plenty of concrete around as well. But if you look really hard, you can find beauty everywhere :)

Night Owl

My sister is one of the most artistic persons I know. As soon as she gets her hands on something and learns the basics of any art or craft she will begin to create wonders in no time. A few weeks ago I showed her the basic knitting techniques (cause that's all I know about knitting) and in a few day's time she started making caps, jewelry, moved on to crocheting and now she's making even more wonders :)

I've been complaining about the bright sun waking me up and how I need a night mask so here's what she made me!



The sweetest night mask designed to be an owl's face, and what's even more funny and cute is its "o.O" expression. It comes with a little rubber band on the back to stay safely in place.
It's also a nose warmer! Perfect for my cold nose all during winter...

She found the pattern here: http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/tutorial-owl-eye-mask.html and adjusted it some.

I bet some of you would like to see me wearing that and have some giggles!! :D

Naming Contest - January

Alright me hearties, it's time for a new naming contest, the first of 2009! As always, you can enter with as many ideas as you want, by commenting here or sending me an email at ladyaranwen [at] hotmail [dot] com , as long as you remember to leave some way for me to contact you, your email or website etc. The winner gets a 15% discount off any purchase from my Etsy shop! The contest will run until the 31st of January.

This time I'm desperately looking for a name for this lovely and elegant brooch:



Tell me anything that comes to your head when you see it, that could be turned into a name. Maybe a movie, a book character, a childhood memory? I love hearing what different thoughts my jewelry stirs into my viewers :)

You can see some more details and photos here.

Looking forward to reading your ideas!

Happy New Year!

Sometimes everything just falls into place... The holiday season is not my favourite time of the year, usually. But this year a lot of good things happened. For one, I managed to turn my favourite activity into a profession, and I'm thankful for everyone's support even by just reading this blogpost

My goals for the new year? Go to as many live concerts as possible, travel as much as possible, and in general, have a lot of fun. Oh and, try to blog more often ;) I think I'll make it.

Best wishes to everyone, although I'm not your most optimistic gal, and this planet is not showing much promise.. Ah well!

So to keep true to my word, keep reading my blog, more posts coming up!

My First Daily Deviation

And I say first, cause I'm hoping there will be more in the future :)

My first Steampunk design received a lot of love from numerous people, both as a watch and as a photograph. It was chosen as a Daily Deviation on DeviantART by Kitten-of-Woe, suggested by 0-kelley-0. Thank you both!



In 24 hours, it was viewed 12,000 times and marked as a favourite almost 2,000 times. I am very flattered and grateful for everyone's comments, it's what motivates me to work harder and design even better pieces.

Thank you!!

Secret Santa has arrived!

The wonderful and ever busy ladies of the Etsy European Street Team organize a Secret Santa every year. This time it was our beloved ArtMind who put in a lot of time and effort into sorting us all out and making the pairs. And judging from all the happy Santas and their "children", she did an awesome job.
It was my turn yesterday! I opened the envelope and found this little box.. I would recognize this kitty everywhere.



My Santa is Dinafragola ! I opened the box and a purple delight bloomed right into my hands.




Necklace, earrings, and a ring! All in gorgeous dark purple colours that she knows I love :)
Thank you so much <3

Now the only problem is reclaiming the jewelry from my (also purple-loving) sister...!

P.S To the EST ladies: More photos coming up soon :)