Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday Shopping Showcase for August 2, 2011
As creator and designer of Casual Day Designs - jewelry for your jeans, one of my self-appointed business goals is to promote fellow artists I'm getting to know on ArtFire. I will continue to be introducing you to some amazing artisans who sell their handmade items in an online global marketplace. I will select three ArtFire studios to feature every Tuesday-- so here we go...
From my Christian Friends on ArtFire guild, I am honored to highlight the following studios:
Islands of Time Fine Arts & Crafts by S L Waldon
Kathy's Jewels
TEJA Kids Kid Inspired...Mom and Dad Desired!
There is so much more to the Islands of Time ArtFire Studio than artwork. Based in Florida, this talented, passionate artist is inspiring and has a zest for life that is evident in her quotes and bio as well as her designs. Check out her unique designer toys, original art, and one of a kind bookmarks--there is something for everyone!
Located in Ohio, Kathy's love of crafting has evolved over the years giving her that experienced edge of knowledge about people's interests in terms of needs and wants as they go through the various stages of life. Kathy's Jewels jewelry is both unique and affordably priced. Her dragonfly earrings remind me of summer, and her golden fairy earrings take me back to a time of innocence.
Elizabeth of Minnesota is TEJA and has something for every baby in your family!! Her creations are practical as well beautiful!! From sleep sacks and burp cloths to crocheted hats and infant car seat covers, babies are riding in style in something from TEJA Kids!! If you have babies and baby showers to buy for this summer, look no further!
I hope you enjoyed this edition of my Tuesday Shopping Showcase! Stop in again next Tuesday when I will feature three more talented artisan's studios! Happy Shopping!
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Denim Bead Necklace Featured in ArtFire Member Curated Collection

Curated by fellow ArtFire member Aspie Craft, this Collection features one of my denim bead necklaces and subsequently made the front page of the ArtFire site on June 19!! What a thrill and an honor!! One of my pieces is showcased on ArtFire on the same day I was awarded the Certified Handmade artifact!!
"16 days, 16 items that exemplify the uniquelist word of the day. Check out #uniquelist on twitter for links to great handmade items and for ways to reword duplicate listings & improve Google rankings."
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Casual Day Designs Has Been Awarded the Certified Handmade Artifact
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
Follow me on Twitter
Read My Blog
Connect With Me on Facebook
Shop in My ArtFire Store
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday Shopping Showcase for May 31, 2011
Next on the calendar, of course, is Father's Day coming up Sunday, June 19. I've been browsing the ArtFire member's shops for some unique gifts for dad. What do you get the dad that has everything (or goes out and buys it for himself even if a birthday or holiday is approaching...you know the dads I'm talking about!!)?
Irwin of Mapleseed Gallery out of Ontario Canada makes some exquisite hand-turned functional and artistic woodcraft. Check out his designer pens, wine bottle stoppers, and pepper mills sure to please the man who's a father in your life who has everything already.
A mens necklace with white puka shell and amethyst would be a perfect summertime accessory for the new daddy this father's day. Handmade by CC Creations, a husband and wife studio that designs and creates affordable beaded jewelry and accessories, this is a gift item that won't break the bank.
For some unique, bold and practical gift ideas, the studio to go to is Aspie Craft. This artist out of Idaho who lets "Aspergian sensibilities mingle with cottage industry" offers cufflinks, pins, notebooks, and journals just to name a few items that will fit the bill for any Father's Day gift giving ideas.
I hope you have enjoyed this shopping showcase as much as I enjoy getting to know my fellow ArtFire community members through the writing of this blog. Now get out there and click on these links to get your gifts for Dad ordered in time to get them back before the 19th!!
Tune in again next Tuesday for more shopping insights, and don't forget that shopping on ArtFire is a breeze with most artists accepting PayPal.
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tuesday Shopping Showcase for May 24, 2011; AND The Five Things I Like Best About Selling on ArtFire
First and foremost is that ArtFire is not only user friendly, but just plain friendly, and certainly not lacking in the assistance department! From the ArtFire Help Center, Member Services, and Community Forums, to the Mentors and Mavens, I haven't found a question that can't be answered to my satisfaction! Everyone is very willing to share their expertise and experiences.
Secondly, but probably even more important is that ArtFire takes the guesswork out of getting the handmade items in my studio noticed. Through vigilant monitoring of the latest Search Engine Optimization, ArtFire shows me how to be among the first listings in Google's Shopping results for maximum exposure.
With no seller fees and a minimal monthly subscription price, my third favorite feature about ArtFire is obviously the affordability.
My fourth favorite thing about selling on ArtFire is the unexpected perks and benefits. For instance the Referral Program is a great way for those contemplating selling in an online marketplace environment to give ArtFire a try for three months for the price of two!! My Referral Link provides further details!! The Collection-of-the-Day Email and the Blog-Your-Referral-Link contests offer chances to win gift certificates to be spent in the ArtFire Pro Studio of the winner's choice.
Last but not least is the ease of setting up and maintaining a studio. Listing new items and making changes are simplified with the Global Editor feature. It's virtually impossible to list an item incorrectly with the step-by-step guided process.
I have met some wonderful artisans on ArtFire and continue to network and connect with more each day. My own idea of featuring three random ArtFire Studios in my weekly blog entitled Tuesday Shopping Showcase has afforded me the opportunity to introduce some amazing artists from all over the globe to my blog followers. This week is no different. I hope you will check out these ArtFire member studios and shop handmade...
Peggi from Arizona has two ArtFire studios: Pink Clouds & Angels and Pinks Pleasures. Jewelry, soaps, and hand-crocheted items are her passions.
Charlotte from Oklahoma has Kallie Jo's Cotton Patch. She loves to craft...several of her creations can be used in the kitchen!!
Thanks for checking out my blog today!! I hope you'll become a follower and stop in again soon!!
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday Shopping Showcase for May 10, 2011
"When you buy handmade you are supporting little people, instead of big manufacturers. You are showing appreciation for the work of individual artisans and the passion they have for their craft. It makes a huge statement about you and your values. Contributions like that help enrich our culture."
I love this quote by fellow ArtFire member, Angelique, aka "Drunkenmimes Ecclectic LadyLand," from Rosamond, CA. I have never before seen what she does by repurposing the plastic containers from store-bought bakery items!! Checking out her upcycled magic earrings is a must on your shopping trip today!!
Not only is browsing the shop windows in the wonderful world of ArtFire inspiring and supportive of handmade artistry, it is educational as well. The Polkadot Possum has original fiber art ACEO's! I have to admit, I did not know what an ACEO was before checking out this very talented artisan. So here is what I learned..."ACEO's or Art Cards, Editions and Originals are miniature works of art the size of a baseball or playing card. They can be framed or stored in an album. ACEO's can be created in any art medium. There are no rules limiting ACEOs except that the dimensions must be 2.5" x 3.5". ACEOs are a great way to collect original art at an affordable price." Check out these ACEO's for yourself as well as her other beautiful works of mixed media fiber art.
Just to make sure I'm still keeping you on your toes today, I must share one more item with my blog followers that is all the "Raige" before I get back to my own denim beading studio. Show of hands...errr, feet...how many know what a toekini is?? "They loop around the 'little piggy that stayed home,' and tie around your ankle above the heel bone." These soft barefoot sandals made by Rebecca out of North Carolina can be purchased through her Raige Creations Artfire Studio. I must have a pair for the summer...just trying to decide what color!!
I hope you have had as much fun reading my shopping showcase today as I had writing it!! Until we shop again...
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Monday, May 9, 2011
My Creation Monday - May 9, 2011
I am super relaxed from a delightful Mother's Day yesterday!! Hope everyone had a great day being treated like a queen or honoring a special mom!
It's My Creation Monday here for Casual Day Designs where I share what's going on in my own studio...I hope to be quite productive today as the sky is dark with the threat of approaching thunderstorms which means I can't be outside in the garden.
Hobby Lobby got some of my business this weekend in anticipation of my creative juices flowing!! Bezel pendants for key fobs, and Beadalon, shell beads, and metal beads were also on my supply list. I have some great inspiration and am anxious to get some key fobs added to the inventory in my Casual Day Designs ArtFire store.
On my beading tray is a multi-strand necklace incorporating some of my coated blue denim beads and some African Blue Lace Agate beads. I will be stringing that and getting it photographed for listing later in the week.
Also on my agenda today is finishing up my application for ArtFire's Certified Handmade Artifact stamp of approval. That should keep me plenty busy today!!
Happy creating everyone!! Tune in tomorrow for my exclusive Tuesday Shopping Showcase where I will feature three amazing artists's works from their ArtFire Stores!
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Friday, April 22, 2011
The Price of Gold is Going Through the Roof (of my husband's mouth, anyway)


Other possible titles for this blog could be "The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth," or "There's Gold in Them There Fills."
Thankfully, I have been blessed with a cavity-free mouth--my hubby was not so lucky. Recently the dentist told him the metal fillings he's had for years are defective, shrinking even, and could, if untreated, end in decay and lead to abscess. The dentist recommended replacing all the metal with resin composite. Typically this is a cosmetic procedure unless the filling is cracked or broken.
My husband, who is not so fond of sitting in the dentist chair even for a cleaning, opted to put off the replacing of his prized metal possessions...
...until one of them fell out.
An article on Huffpost Business says, "The price of gold has just hit $1,500 an ounce, a record high..."
As I sat in the waiting room of the dentist office, I imagined what I would do after cashing in on this unrealized gold treasure. Following the appointment, the dentist gave us an envelope to mail the gold filling in for our "reward." I say "us" and "ours" because what's his is mine, what's ours is mine, and what's mine is mine--just as it should be ;)
I'm not so pleased to report that the $46 we received for the gold filling was barely enough to cover the gas to get back and forth to the dentist not to mention the dental bill which is now on a payment plan. So my plans of sneaking into my hubby's mouth in the middle of the night to pan for the rest of the gold has been abandoned, and I have moved on to other ponderings like: What does this rise in gold prices mean for my jewelry artist friends who create with gold?, and Is my current collection of gold jewelry underinsured? (unfortunately my current collection doesn't amount to much more than the weight of my husband's gold filling).
Until the price of denim goes up, I'll just keep creating jewelry with jeans to be worn with jeans!
Copyright 2008-2011 Casual Day Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Christmas Shopping in April!!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!
Seriously, Mother Nature...a snow storm on April 19th?? We just put the snow blower away, raked the leaves, and got the smoker seasoned and ready to go!! We had green grass for heaven's sake!!
Well, when life gives you snow...go Christmas shopping!!
I'm shopping right from the comfort of home this morning while I sip my coffee and watch what can only be a belated April Fool's joke going on outside.
There are so many great shops on ArtFire, I don't even know where to begin, but let me just highlight a few of my current favorites:
For the guitar players in my family (which I have three!), I'll be picking out some beautiful embroidered guitar straps made by Cool Straps in Florida. She does amazing unique works of art!
When looking for some inspired wall art for my mom's new place and my husband's office I will have no trouble finding just the right photo by Amy in Central Florida in her Impressions...from the heart studio. The trouble will be deciding which one from all her gorgeous images!
From Serendip Designs Jewelry in Whitefish, Montana, some of her one-of-a-kind silver swirls earrings will delight my sister-in-law.
The snow is really starting to pile up outside!! Perhaps I should go out and get that gallon of milk, loaf of bread, and dozen eggs that everyone goes out for when the blizzard hits! LOL!!
I've had a great time this morning showcasing some talented designers. Maybe I'll make this a regular Tuesday Shopping Showcase!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
What Rhymes with Denim?
Lemon!
There is a scented handsoap on my kitchen sink called Kitchen Lemon.
One of my favorite commercials on television right now is the Verizon Small Business Lemonade Stand ad where Suzie gets her dad's phone to use for a calculator and takes her business way beyond the next level.
And now there are earrings in my ArtFire store that have yellow glass beads with my handmade denim beads. The yellow beads remind me of ice cubes in a glass of lemonade--perfect for sunny, summer days!
When life gives you lemon-colored beads...make lemon drop earrings!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
New Fun Colors Ready to Wear for Summer
Just in time for summer...these denim fabric bead creations by Casual Day Designs are now available in my ArtFire Studio.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
So Many Beads...So Little Time
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Salvation Necklace
I've also been busy getting my web site designed and uploaded, so be sure to check it out at www.casualdaydesigns.com
Friday, January 9, 2009
"...you wore blue jeans with your pearls..."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Dyed Turquoise Pendants
I attended the Bead Show in Hopkins, MN last October and purchased some beautiful dyed turquoise beads that I incorporated into my denim bead necklaces and gave for Christmas this year. Each recipient was looking forward to wearing it with a specific article of clothing in their closet along with THEIR JEANS!!
Monday, December 29, 2008
For My Red Hat Friends
I love this poem by Jenny Joseph. I'm sure most of you have seen it or heard parts of it before. This was my inspiration for my latest denim bead creation. Enjoy!

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired
and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
and run my stick along the public railings
and make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
and pick the flowers in other people's gardens
and learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
and eat three pounds of sausages at a go
or only bread and pickles for a week
and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
and pay our rent and not swear in the street
and set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Candy Cane Story
Jesus Gentle Shepherd,
this cane of red and white
proclaims the sweet love story
born on Christmas night
This cane, you see, when turned around
begins your name of Love
and now becomes a symbol
of peace proclaimed above
The lively peppermint flavor
is the regal gift of spice
The white is your purity
and the red your sacrifice
And so this cane reminds us
of just how much you care
and like your Christmas Gift to us
it's meant for all to share
I had fun putting this necklace together using my white denim beads and big red beads. That along with all the snow we have on the ground really has me in the Christmas spirit!

