Fanciful Wish

I had my first Dream Catcher when I was a sophomore in high school.  We bought it on a family trip that landed us briefly in Sedona, Arizona.  It was maroon suede with feathers and it hung on my bed post so I'd have good dreams at night.  I loved that thing.  I've been seeing dream catcher bracelets around on the internet so I wanted to make one for myself.  I found some tutorials but thought I'd add to the list and make my own. Supplies: * embroidery floss thread or suede lace * metal ring (key chain rings work well) * thinner string like s-lon cord, or 4 ply Irish waxed linen, or even dental floss * small beads * tape (optional) * glue like hypo cement (something that dries clear) I chose a coral thread, brown wax linen for the webbing and a key ring. Choose your colors and start by taking just a little bit of tape and taping down one end of the thread to the ring.  Start wrapping your ring with the thread. When you are done wrapping,...

I was raised Catholic but I can't say that I am a true practicing Catholic now.  I've got issues with their scandals, but that's for another blog haha.  I can not help be amazed by the other parts related to the Catholic church. My hubby and I went to Europe on our honeymoon and visited Rome and had a chance to go to the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica.  You cannot help but be in awe.  Below are some of the pictures we took when we were there in 2011. Inside St. Peter's Basilica In the photo above, compare the size of the people to the size of the arches...ridiculous.  This church is MASSIVE. Yes, it is Michelangelo's Pieta I couldn't believe I was standing in front of Michelangelo's Pieta.  It's really mind-blowing and beautiful, it seriously makes you want to cry.  If I was alone in that place, just me and this Pieta oh, and God haha, I'd cry.  To think someone (Michelangelo) carved this piece.  It is absolute perfection. ...

Beaded bracelets are really easy to make... Supplies Needed: * Scissors * Stretch Cord (0.5mm is thin, 1mm is thick so choose accordingly) * Beads * Hypo Cement Glue or Clear Nail Polish Steps: 1. Measure out some stretch cord.  I usually drape the cord over my wrist and cut enough so that a few inches hang from the ends.  My wrist is 6.5 inches so about 12 inches of cord works for me. 2. String your beads and keep measuring around your wrist.   3. When you are satisfied, take the two ends and tie a overhand knot, pull taut and then tie another knot, a surgeon's knot just to make it extra secure.   photo source: Beading Times 4. Next, dab a little hypo cement glue or clear nail polish on the knot.  If the holes in the beads are large enough you can hide the knot inside one of them. And there you have a beaded bracelet! I like to add charms on mine so to add a charm have some jump rings on hand and maybe some pliers ...

When you sell on Etsy, you also spend time scouring Etsy for really cool stuff.  I spend time looking for jewelry supplies. My biggest seller is macrame bracelets because the whole "arm candy" or "arm party" thing is in, but have you noticed the other trend? Layering necklaces? Before I was a massage therapist and a mother, I used to wear jewelry.  I loved rocking a bold watch, some bracelets, LOVE large hoop earrings and interesting necklaces.  Oh and I loved rings too!  Then the massage therapist job came along and I did that for almost 10 years and as a LMT you just have to nix the jewelry altogether because the oil and lotion gets everywhere.  No point in hurting your clients or messing up your jewelry! Now I don't do massage anymore, but I have a baby and once again, jewelry is a no-no.  I'll do bracelets, but baby boy is at that stage of grabbing ferociously at anything and everything and putting it in his darling little mouth.  Big NO-NO. ...

Another blog?  Well...it's a learning experience with each one I make.  But this one FINALLY is niche-specific.  Yay, I finally found a niche.  It's a relief! So for about 8 months now I have had an Etsy store called FancifulWish .  I wanted it to be named Fanciful Wishes after the blog I created before this one, but the name was taken.  Which put me in an awkward position because I had created a Facebook Page also called Fanciful Wishes Jewelry (before I created the Etsy store). And that's why I have this new blog, only for the purpose of talking about my jewelry and crafting adventures and even my inspirations.  I'll try to even post some DIY crafts, if I can find the time.  Time?  Yes time, something I am short of because I am a mom of a growing 6 month old boy. :-) Hope you look around and see things you like! Xoxo - Yolanda