Unintentional Dream Come True-Designs by Harriet

Welcome to Harriet of Designs by Harriet!

Harriet, an art historian and current fine art jewelry artist, can be found in Indianapolis, Indiana doing what she does incredibly beautifully: making jewelry.

For the last 15 years, she was the curator of American Art at
the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but was unfortunately just laid off. "I decided I needed something I really loved to replace a job I really loved," Harriet explained. "So I began studying metal crafting and realized I could make some beautiful jewelry."

Using nothing but the finest materials, Harriet's designs consist of wire, metal and precious metal clay or PMC (fine silver), which she happens to be certified in! "I can make much more intricate jewelry using this medium than I could ever make in metal or wire, but I still love working with all three materials."

Harriet's jewelry has even snagged several awards for it's excellent quality and design!

As she writes on her personal website, during her years as a museum curator, she critiqued many pieces of fine art, wrote several books, and put on numerous exhibitions; that, along with her Art History background and education has greatly influenced her jewelry designing.

"When I was first laid off I was miserable. Now I would like to thank whoever made the decision because the new path I have chosen is a dream I would never have fulfilled."

Advice from Harriet: "I would always advise doing what you love and what you are good at. Never give up. The rewards are great when you see someone wearing or using what you made."

Things to keep in mind about Harriet and her gorgeous jewelry:

*Aside from Etsy, you can find her lovely creations on her personal website, HGW Artisan Jewelry!

*Follow Harriet on Twitter @CraftArtJunkie.

*For payment, shipping, and other information, make sure to take a peek at her Shop Policies Page.

As this Featured Artist Tuesday wraps up, I would love to thank Harriet for stopping by and allowing me to interview her about herself and her gorgeous jewelry! I'm particularly smitten with this lovely African Opal Pendant Necklace. Head on over to Designs by Harriet on Etsy and see what catches YOUR eye :)

Items in Post:

Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Purple Ruby Zoisite Pendant Necklace

Copper Fold Form Bracelet

Round Freeform Style Fine Silver Earrings

Our Northwoods Adventure

Here I am, back fresh and (somewhat) rejuvenated from my weekend in the Northwoods!

It has been so long since we've been up there (we estimated at least a year and a half), that I forgot the incredible feeling up north instills in one who inhabits or vacations there-hence my inspirational quote today.

I also forgot how HARD it is to come back to reality! Although, I bet that is the line of thinking among everyone who has to come back from a particularly lovely vacation...

Regardless, I'm back with pictures to share!

 This is a gentleman we saw on our trip up...I think we found hoarders next story O.o

Ahhh, Ciocia's cabin :)

My dad, his boat, and his big fish (Hehe!)

Sitting Bull and I-Ain't he handsome ^.^

We were able to hit up a craft fair and tasting event in a neighboring town over the weekend. While walking and checking out the crafting booths, we ran across an apple tree! I swear, those apples were the best I've ever tasted and they were right off the tree xD

The fam!

We were lucky enough to feed a wild eagle! How awesome is that?! We would catch a fish, kill it, and toss it out into the lake where the eagle would fly low over us, talons extended, and snatch it up. 

It was an amazing sight to see :)

My cute little bass (I wasn't supposed to be in the sun, so that explains my sweatshirt and hood)

Poor baby didn't want that bath O.o
He didn't want to go home either!
He was in his glory swimming in the lake all day long.

Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing weekend like my family and I did!

Tuesday Blog Hops

So, I'm hoping on the linky-love train and joining in on the fabulous memes I've seen circulating around the blogosphere lately...

Follow Me Back Tuesday!

Thanks goes to our hostesses for putting on such a lovely meme::

Survey Junkie
Little Yaya's
Boobies, Babies and a Blog



To-the-TOP Tuesday Blog Hop!


Give it up to the hostesses with the mostesses::

One Little Mister
Frugal Plus



Blog It Forward Tuesday!





Give a round of applause for these Blog Hop hostesses:

Sweep Tight
Just Married With Coupons



Follow Me Chickadee Tuesdays!




Last but certainly not least, this hop is hosted by::

The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom!
Stash Mama
Lilac City Momma
Dandy Giveaway
One+One=Four


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New to The Eclectic Element?

Pop a squat, grab some refreshments or nosh a little {I'd offer you a wide variety of somethin-somethins, but I'm not sure where ya'll live}, and say Hi xD

I'll be sure to visit and follow you as well!

Inspirational Tuesday(8/30)

"There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations."

--Washington Irving

This is the view from our Ciocia's (aunt) cabin in the Northwoods-Hence my inspiration today :)

What inspires you today?

Just Jen Custom T-shirt *Review*

When a person has a blog or a business or anything else that requires word to get out about yourself, you sometimes need to come up with creative ways to advertise! Graphic advertisements, features, reviews, and giveaways are great for the interwebby world, but what about those people who go to trade shows, craft shows, or even conferences?

Of course, I'm looking at Just Jen Custom Rhinestone T-shirts strictly from a business point of view, but quite honestly, their personalized apparel is good for ANY occasion you might have! A little about Just Jen T-shirts directly from their website:

"Just Jen Inc. is an integrated apparel manufacturer located in the Los Angeles area, specializing in rhinestone apparel. Just Jen shirts are manufactured in the U.S.A, using genuine Swarovski rhinestone crystals and 100% cotton t-shirts made by American Apparel."

Birthdays, weddings, parties, or just everyday wear, you can create (or find) what you're looking for in several easy steps:

Step 1: Locate what you're looking for-are you in the market for a woman's t-shirt for you or someone else? A bride-to-be t-shirt for a lucky lady? Maybe a children's t-shirt to spoil a child in your life? Don't let Just Jen 'shirts' fool you, though. Aside from shirts, you can find (or create) pants, hoodies, caps, lingerie....*phew*

Step 2: Create and customize! Pick the style of clothing you want, along with color and size of garment, color of your rhinestones, lettering or, custom design; seriously people, the sky is the limit!

Yes everyone, it's THAT easy :)

Interested yet? If so, don't forget to follow Just Jen on Twitter and 'Like' their Facebook Page!

My Thoughts:

I've been trying to win myself one of these beautiful shirts for over a year now and thanks to a contest Peira of Jolly Mom ran, I finally managed it!

Like I stated above, the design process is extremely simple; it's just a matter of picking out design, size, colors and what your shirt will say :)

I decided that I wanted something that I could wear to advertise my jewelry business, so I opted for 'The Eclectic Element: Handmade & Vintage' since what I offer IS handmade and vintage jewelry. I waited impatiently patiently for it to arrive, and when it finally did, I was downright giddy! It came in a gorgeous pink organza bag, with tags and instructions on how to wash your new garment. Unfortunately, when I opened up the t-shirt to behold it's beauty, I realized email communications had been crossed, and we had a little snafoo with the quote o.O

Thankfully, Jen of Just Jen was the sweetest and proceeded to make me a brand new shirt and shipped it to me at no extra cost! I couldn't have asked for any better customer service :)

Take two.

The second shirt arrived just like the first, but thankfully, no quote snafoo to be seen! I threw it on real fast and I immediately fell in love with the style and the fit-I chose the fitted style, which admittedly, I was a little worried about (I've had issues with tight fitting clothing in the past), but thankfully and to my relief, this one showed off my figure nicely while at the same time allowing room to maneuver and breath.

All in all, I ADORE my new shirt! It took me awhile to get a hold of one, but it was well worth the wait :)

**Disclaimer: The t-shirt that was reviewed was won in a blog giveaway on JollyMom.com. I was in no other way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions, and words contained and expressed in the above blog post are mine and mine alone unless otherwise stated** 

Mailbox Monday(8/29)

Mailbox Monday divulges into the inner workings of my mailbox throughout the week. From books to jewelry to free samples to random magazines and letters-You never know what will be in the mail this week...

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I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Etsians are just the NICEST people you'll ever want to meet!

I was messaged the other week by a woman who connected with me through my about me page; she also has a health issue similar to mine, and wanted to not only share her experiences and what has helped her, but to send me an amazing package filled with beading goodies (pictured above)! 

Definitely check out her Etsy Shop-it's filled with some fun vintage finds :)

What did you get in the mail this week?

Aloha Friday #43

From Kailani of An Island Life:

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer."

I'm going to follow her lead, kick back, relax and see what you all have to say on this lovely Friday!

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Today's question is:

What's your favorite trip you've ever taken or been on? 

 It doesn't have to be huge-It could be a European tour or just a simple camping trip in your backyard.

You all know what I have to say.

New York for BlogHer 2010!

That was the only trip I've ever taken by myself, and the first time I visited New York city. It was truly an incredible experience and a wonderful opportunity :)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

{My dad and I way back in the day}

Today is my daddy's birthday!

(yes, I do indeed still call him my 'Daddy')

I'm not sure what we're doing today, but I do know his wish was to take a weekend trip Up North to visit his sister (our Aunt), and just relax in the Northwoods :)

We haven't been up there in over a year, so it's WELL overdue!

I believe we're leaving tomorrow xD

In the mean time, Happy Birthday Dad!

Nature is so Awesome.

The other day, my sister went out to get the mail and came back with something that was most definitely NOT various bits of paper stuffed in envelopes and free samples.

It was much prettier!

I have no idea the species of this moth/butterfly, but it was as big as my sister's hand both width and length wise, and was the most beautiful shade of green with four, little 'eyes' strategically placed on it's back.

Oh! Make sure to see it's antenni, too! They are so COOL O.o

Nature never ceases to amaze.

Win It Wednesday(8/24)

~*!*~Win It Wednesday~*!*~

Win a Prize Package inspired by the movie The Help!!

Ends August 30, 2011

Enter Here

Head over to Eighty MPH Mom where you can win a pair of Converse shoes from Famous Footwear!!

Ends August 30, 2011

Enter Here

 

 Win a 1 lb Box of Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee from Enstrom's Candies!!

Ends September 1, 2011

Enter Here

Have giveaways you want to advertise?

Link them below!!

Beautiful and Durable-Purely Chic Designs

Welcome Lisa of PurelyChicDesigns on Etsy!

Lisa and her husband, formerly of Southern Idaho, currently live near Stanley, North Dakota for his work operating heavy machinery. With their two young sons, ages 1 and 3, they inhabit a 32" travel trailer together. "It is not ideal," explains Lisa, "but we are all together and we have learned that love grows best in little houses!"

What a beautiful sentiment; just goes to show it's all in the way you look at things :)

Lisa started crafting at a young age, like many of us creative types do. Her grandmother paints, her mother dabbles in pretty much everything, and the rest of her family is very industrious (her word). I guess you could say it's in the blood!


"Besides all of that, I was a Girl Scout. You do not get through Girl Scouts without picking up some crafty skills!"
Unfortunately, Lisa's lovely laminated designer bookmarks are not her full-time job. Until very recently, she found herself a stay at home mom who graduated graduated this May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Psychology Minor. Now being nearly 3 months later, she currently works from home for the company that employs her husband, but that gives her a great opportunity to work at growing her crafting business! "My hope is that it will one day become a steady source of supplementary income for our family."

Working with high quality scrapbooking supplies, including paper, stickers, cardstock, and die-cut materials, her products are eye capturing with the many different designs, patterns, and colors you'll find in her shop. Finishing each bookmark off with a layer of lamination for durability, her products are not only visually appealing, but practical to use :)

Lamination also makes it easier to clean!

She actually just expanded her business! Along with bookmarks, you can now find educational children’s books; an animal alphabet book that can be personalized. Aside from the alphabet, Lisa plans to add counting, addition, subtraction, and phonics books to her shop soon!

Advice from Lisa: "If you have an idea for something, and you are not sure how to go about making it, just try! If that does not work, figure out why it did not work and try to improve upon it. Also, do not become so consumed with selling your crafts that you begin to create only for others. A piece of yourself should be in everything you sell, give away as gifts, or keep for yourself and family members."

Other things to know about Lisa and her bookmarks:

*Custom orders are always welcome according to Lisa-just send her a convo! She also can create orders for special events :)

*Make sure to like her on Facebook and stay up-to-date on the latest sales, coupons, and giveaways!

*For payment and shipping information, check out her Shop Policies Page.

Thanks today goes to Lisa of PurelyChicDesigns on Etsy for allowing me to put together this wonderful feature and interview! If you're a bookworm like I am, then you'll truly appreciate what she creates and offers :)

Items in Post:

'Red Bird' Laminated Designer Magnetic Bookmark


Personalized Laminated Animal Alphabet Book


'Sarah' Laminated Designer Magnetic Bookmark

Mat Kearney: Young Love *CD Review*

"Like ships in the night, you keep passing me by. We're just wasting time, trying to prove who's right, and if it all comes crashing into the sea, if it's just you and me trying to find the light. Like ships in the night."

Thanks to the One2One Network, I had an incredible opportunity to do my first CD review! And might I just saw, what a hell of a first CD to review.

This being his third album, Mat Kearney's Young Love hit stores a couple weeks back debuting on the #1 spot on iTunes Album and Rock charts! With it's eclectic mix of musical styles, and upbeat tempo, it's no wonder why it topped the charts so fast :)

On this CD, you can find 10 wonderful tracks:

1. Hey Mama
2. Ships In The Night
3. Count On Me
4. Sooner Or Later
5. Chasing The Light
6. Learning To Love Again
7. Down
8. She Got The Honey
9. Young Dumb And In Love
10. Rochester


I suppose you can say I've been living under a Mat Kearney rock because I had NEVER heard of him before! I'm sure I would recognize a song of his if I heard it because his music has been featured on hit television shows like 30 Rick, Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, NCIS, and many others, but I had never heard of the person before this review opportunity.

One word: Ah-MAY-zing!

Seriously, the way you can tell I've found a new favorite artist is I listen to their CD or songs over and over (and over) again, and I believe from last count, I've listened to the CD fully through 6 times since I got it.

I even made my boyfriend listen to it, and he really liked it, too!

It's so upbeat that you just want to get up and dance to it (which I have), and his lyrics are so meaningful and deep; that's what I like best about a song in general. If it has good lyrics, I'm all over it :) I'm also thoroughly impressed by the seamless mixing of musical genres-not only can you find indie in this album, but there is also a hint of country, some pop, and even a little softcore rapping, which I surprisingly liked a lot (I'm definitely NOT a big country and rap fan).


When I loaded up the CD into my iTunes library, I was actually pretty shocked to see that it's listed under the genre of religious. I would have NEVER guessed that.

I have to say, while I do love all the songs on the CD, my absolute favorite is Ships in the Night. It's such a beautiful song. Although, really, they ALL are :)

Have YOU been living under a Mat Kearney rock?! If so, jump right on outta there and learn more about him and his music!

Mat Kearney Official Website

Mat Kearney iTunes Page

Mat Kearney on Twitter

Mat Kearney on Facebook

You can also purchase his new album, Young Love, on iTunes and Amazon, or directly from his Personal Store.

**Disclaimer: I was provided with Mat Kearney's newest album, Young Love, in CD form to facilitate this honest review courtesy of One2One Network. All thoughts, opinions, and words expressed in the above post are mine, and mine alone except where otherwise stated**

Tuesday Blog Hops

So, I'm hoping on the linky-love train and joining in on the fabulous memes I've seen circulating around the blogosphere lately...

Follow Me Back Tuesday!

Thanks goes to our hostesses for putting on such a lovely meme::

Survey Junkie
Little Yaya's
Boobies, Babies and a Blog



To-the-TOP Tuesday Blog Hop!


Give it up to the hostesses with the mostesses::

One Little Mister
Frugal Plus



Blog It Forward Tuesday!





Give a round of applause for these Blog Hop hostesses:

Sweep Tight
Just Married With Coupons



Follow Me Chickadee Tuesdays!




Last but certainly not least, this hop is hosted by::

The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom!
Stash Mama
Lilac City Momma
Dandy Giveaway
One+One=Four


**************************************************************

New to The Eclectic Element?

Pop a squat, grab some refreshments or nosh a little {I'd offer you a wide variety of somethin-somethins, but I'm not sure where ya'll live}, and say Hi xD

I'll be sure to visit and follow you as well!