How to make a traditional Red Heel Sock Stick Horse

Would you like to make a cute and inexpensive gift for your youngster, Grand baby, loved one, for Christmas? What child doesn't love the traditional stick horse. I made one and they are adorable. I have put together pictures and instructions that are easy for you to follow so you can make one yourself. Of course if you prefer I do sell these. I will have these for sale at the Priest River Christmas Craft Fair at the elementary School on Hwy. 2. The craft fair is from 9-4 on November 7th, 2009. For more information feel free to contact me.

The directions to make the stick sock horse can be found on my Latest News from Lady V's Blog or click this link to go there.

These are fairly easy and fast to put together. Have fun and Enjoy!

LVS

Harley's Debut

Sock monkey's are fun, without a doubt, but I wanted to make a sock critter that was unique and more geared towards the animals that you would see up here in the north country. We don't see a lot of monkey's swinging from the trees around here... perhaps it's the lack of bananas?

I've must admit, I've been intrigued with moose, ever since that one spent the night in my backyard last winter. I even made a polymer clay moose sculpture (pic is on my Flickr page.) I got a wild hair and decided I'd try my hand at making a sock moosie. Here is my finished project. I am sure it will get altered a bit here and there as I make more, but all in all I think he turned out pretty cute for my first attempt (and without a pattern even!)

Thank goodness the dollar store got in a new shipment of the black and red heel boot socks. I have a feeling I will be using up a bunch of them over the next few weeks, rofl.

I named the moose Harley. I have all good intentions of making him a black leather vest. He looked like a "biker type" of dude moose to me. Funny the pictures that we get in our head as we are creating.

Be sure you check back for blog updates and more North Country sock critters. Hey, I'm on a roll! ROFL. Need I say any more? Harley is currently for sale at my Etsy store.

Ciao

More Monkey Maddness!

First a little bit of sock monkey lore, from Wikipedia. John Nelson, a swedish immigrant, patented the first sock knitting maching in 1869 and began making work socks in Rockford, Illinois in 1890. Sock monkeys first emerged in 1932, the year Nelson added his trademarked red heels to his socks.

In 2005 the first "Sock Monkey Maddness festival was held at the Midway Village and Museum in Rockford, Illinois. The continued popularity encouraged the city of Rockford, Illinois to embrace the doll as part of its history. The festival has now become an annual event. The event draws 1500 people and continues to grow in attendance each year. More sock monkey lore can be found by reading the Wikipedia online article on sock monkeys.

Make no doubt about it, sock monkey's are a loveable and adorable American mascot! If you read the comments posted on my "very first sock monkey" you will see Granny Jan's (Sock Monkey Ranch) comment saying, "Fair warning, once you make one you are hooked!" She was so right. I love making these whimsical little creatures. Each takes on a personality all of it's own. I've included her link above. Talk about some adorable sock monkeys. You've got to check them out!

Here is my own sock monkey that I made with a pair of boot socks I found yesterday. Not the traditional red heeled sock monkey, but a cute little guy, I think. Next I will be working on making them some outfits. I mean you can't let your monkey run around in putblic naked now, can you? ROFL. Check back to see what other monkey tales await.

And many thanks to all of my new monkey pals who have offered such wonderful tips, words of advice, encouragement and praise. It's so appreciated. :)

Mojo the monkey is currently for sale at my Etsy store.

Sock Monkey Maddness!

As long as I can remember I have always loved sock monkey's. They are simplistic, wimsical, and they make great, affordable Christmas gifts (and gifts year around) for youngsters and teens. Add a sock monkey outfit and sock monkey's make a unique gift for adults too! I have always wanted a sock monkey. This year I decided to buy some for my Grand Kids. MamaMelLoves has some adorable sock monkey's at great prices. I found a sock monkey kit at sockmonkey.net that comes complete with an adoption certificate. I purchased one because I thought it was a great way for people to learn how to make sock monkey's and the price was reasonable enough..... and in the back of my mind I am thinking, YES! Finally my very own sock monkey, lol! Some kids never grow up. Now to make it (and the Grand kids monkey's) outfits. AuntyAnnsDesigns sells both sock monkey patterns and completed outfits for the traditional sock monkey's. You have to check them out.... cute! And need a source to buy the red heel socks? Monkey socks has the best prices I have found so far unless you want to purchase bulk on Ebay. Also, I just found sock monkey kits sold at Target for $13.99 (enough to make 2 sock monkey's.)

Talk about sock monkey maddness, rofl!!!!! If all goes well I will make a few up to sell at our local Christmas craft fair November 30th. I've posted some of my favorite links (above) for you other sock monkey lovers. If you have any questions feel free to email me.

All in a day........

It's a busy time of the year for the local Artisans and crafters of Priest River and Newport. During the summer and early fall it is the busiest time of the year for our area's craft fairs and shows. We need to make our money while we can. Far too soon it will be snowing again and we will be socked in for months. By the end of October we can pretty much figure it is time to pack it in for the winter.

I decided to get a booth this year even though the economy has been so bad. Much to my surprise sales have been pretty good. I am selling it as fast as I can make it. It sure beats listing stuff and having it sit for months and months in my Etsy shop. I will definitely be making some much needed changes in 2010.

Here are some pictures of a few of the gem stones that I did up to sell at the booth this weekend. The largest piece is a Druzy with crystal formations. The two smaller gem stones are Boulder Opals. You can see the vivid flash in both of them. What beautiful stones. The larger blue stone is Blue Lace Agate, another beauty. All are wrapped in sterling silver or gold filled wire.

If you have any questions regarding any of my creations please do

not hesitate to contact me. lvsbeadsnthings@aol.com

Dogs gone WILD!

Dogs gone wild? By the looks of it, perhaps some of them anyway. For others? Their stuffed doggie toy seems to be almost therapeutic, comforting, as shown by the picture of Azul, the Great Dane, (right.)

I breed and train AKC Siberian huskies. Originally I made these toys for the new arrivals. It not only gave them something to play with, but something to chew on as well, which saved the furniture. When it comes time for the pups to

leave, I send them off with one, so he/she would be less stressed going off to their new home. They have something "familiar" that they can associate with.

This stuffed dog toy is wonderful for teething puppies or dogs that love to chew! It doesn't matter if they are
big or they are small, as you can see.The bone is made of industrial

fleece and has a knotted cord tied around it. It is like two toys built into one. It has been thoroughly puppy tested (by pups of all sizes, shapes, breeds,) and passed with flying colors.

Our special thanks to Kevin (KanYoFuse.etsy.com)

for sending

us his picture of Azul (the Great Dane.)

Also to Sharon (sharonkaydesigns.etsy.com) for sending us her picture of Labisha (shown to the right.) And, lastly, to Tina (TheShabbyShop.etsy.com) who's poochie (below) refuses to give it's bone up, lol.

The doggie toys are available at my Etsy store lvsbeadsnthings.etsy.com

10% from each sale will be donated to our local Priest River Animal Rescue, PRAR, www.pranimalrescue.org. They are located at 1042

Albani Hwy., Priest River, ID. 83856

Diamonds are a girls best friend!

Diamonds are a girls best friend, but not everyone can afford to buy them. Why not settle for the next best thing! Swarovski crystals. Let's face it, girls love jewelry at any age! It's sorta like boys and their toys. My Grandaughter, Sammie (Samantha) is no acception to the rule. With Sammie in mind (Birthday) I set out to get some very special beads. I found some that I know will make her squeal with delight. This is her finished piece.

The pendant is a porcelain My Little Kitty type bead. Mother of pearl hearts, Swarovski faceted ovals, bicones, roundelles, seed and e beads make up the 14 "necklace. Happy Birthday Samantha! XO'S

With crystals still on the brain I set out to make a fashionable piece, something perfect for cocktail hour and that little black dress. I kept staring at the faceted briolette jet Swarovski crystals sitting on the counter in front of me. (I had just gotten a "Blogging for beads" package from Artbeads stuffed with so many gorgeous picks.) I dug out my pearls. I had a plan! Usually when I start on a

new piece I have a pretty good idea of the design that I want to make. As I start putting the piece together I see it in my mind. In this instance as I was making this set a totally different idea came to me and I have to tell you it's like that wire took on a life of it's own. I found myself twisting and bending and shaping petals that soon became little flowers.

This necklace and earring set is made up of Swarovski briolette jet crystals, black and white pearls, and sterling silver wire. The finished piece is pictured above on the left. Pretty snazzy?

Lastly I wanted to put together a pair of earrings that you could wear anywhere, any time, with any attire. Although I wanted something catchy, it also had to be subtle enough to wear with anything.

I gathered up both blue Swarovski briolette and bicone crystals and a box of cute little cats eye beads my girlfriend Jo sent me. I'd been dying to use those beads! I also took out some Blue Topaz rondells, and of course, my wire! The finished earrings are shown on the right. These would look perfect with jeans, a summer halter, and a cool pair of sandals, don't you think?

I want to thank Artbeads for supplying the crystals that you see in my creations in excange for participating in their "Blogging for Beads" program. I've been Crystallized! You really must check out their "Crystallized - Swarovski Elements" sections because face it, a girl can never have too many crystals. ;-)

Ammolite Bracelet

This beautiful piece of Ammolite is wire wrapped in sterling silver and accented with silver Swarovski pearls. Ammolite, a rare opal like gemstone, is found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. It is now considered the rarest gemstone in the world. It's becoming rarer and rarer as the supply has almost been completely mined, thusly the price of Ammolite is escalating upwards of no less than 40% a year. Ammolite comes from the fossilized shells of Ammonites, distant cousins to the modern day Nautilus. They roamed the seas in prehistoric days and are from the Jurasic era.

The Blackfeet Tribe know Ammolite as "iniskim" which means "buffalo stone" and believe it to possess healing powers.Ammonite is a great investment and a perfect gift to give to a loved one for any occassion.

It is currently for sale at my Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27782491

Name this Fish Contest! *Sapphira Fantail*

July 19th Update: Fishie gets a name. Tanya (Hannahshands) picked out her new name, "Sapphira Fantail." 4 judges were deadlocked. It was a very close race between Sapphira, Satinka, and Blue Gil. My Son, (5th judge,) just got home from his B'day party and gave me his two choices. It put Sapphira ahead in the lead, hands down. You all submitted such wonderful names and I want to thank you for taking the time to enter the contest. It's been fun!

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In my last post I said I would be announcing a contest to name my fish. You have to admit this cute little fishy needs a name! How do you enter? Come up with a cute or unique name and post it in this thread. On July 19th (Son's Birthday) a winner will be announced. A panel of (5) will be doing the judging.

Good luck!

The winner will receive a pair of Sea Glass earrings or pendant (your choice.)

A Dream Come True!

Several of you may remember when I blogged about Artbeads blogging for beads program. A few select jewelry artisans were given an opportunity to periodically get free beads, supplies, and findings, in exchange for blogging about the items you choose to receive. You then have the option to either write a review or publish what you made with them. I have to tell you I got so excited when I got an email from Duchess a few days ago with the latest Blogging for Beads list! Wow! One of the items listed were these incredible Swarovski "Elements" crystal ovals. Talk about beautiful, big, BOLD! They measure 39x28mm and they were just perfect for my next "Cougar" creation. For my piece I chose the "Montana Sapphire," although I also got the Colorado Topaz and will use it to make "Goldie" the goldfish.

It was such a hard choice since they had offered so many great crystals! Buttons, squares, rivoli, round, flat.... it was like a jewelry artisan's dream come true! I also got some "jewelry cleaner" which was a "HOT" item and is currently on back order. What a great way to clean those finished pieces.

Later this week I will announce a "Name this Fish Contest." You will get a chance to win a pair of Sea Glass earrings. Check back for more details. I will also post the contest in the Etsy Dedicated Beaders and Jewelry makers BNR and a few other ones. ;-)

I hope you enjoy my finished Blogging for Beads creation. I enjoyed making it.

Another Fun Piece

This little piece, tiny bubbles, was also a fun piece to make. I really do love painting on the little pieces of sea glass. It's like each individual piece has it's own story to tell and my creative imagination comes up with some pretty good stories. ;-)