Feb 242012
 

Just when I said I was taking a break from the blog, I remembered the team challenge, It’s Personal. I worked 12 hours at the studio today so I’m gonna keep this short. I need a relaxing bath and some candle light, if I don’t fall on my face first.

Two clicks and no sign up:

  1. Click here to leave my site and appear at the RNEST Team Challenge.
  2. In the upper right hand corner of the RNEST blog click Cremation Remains Memory Pendant by Francesca DeCaire. I’m at the very top of the list. (You may need to scroll over a bit)

That’s all it takes.

I can’t win without the help of my readers. I need your vote. Thank you, thank you, thank you and muah! Is the smooch going too far? If you’d like, please drop me a comment letting me know I gained your vote.

Read about my Cremation Remains Memory Pendant here.

Feb 052012
 

I wouldn’t even know who is playing the Super Bowl, the only team I cheer for is RNEST!

Here are a few amazing folks from the Rochester NY Etsy Street Team. You still don’t know what RNEST is? Read all about us at the RNEST blog.

John and his new apron! Made by Tiffany Cotsonas.

Jackbear Stamps on Etsy – John Ballou

Freckles and Frizz – Tiffany Cotsonas

Kira Sinclair and John Ballou (hidden)

Kira Art’s on Etsy – Kira Sinclair

Casey Wright and Amanda Preske

Peaches Products on Etsy – Casey Wright

Beadwork By Amanda on Etsy – Amanda Preske

Peaches Products

Allie Push

Softshell Crafts – Allie Push

Jan 272012
 

Two clicks and no sign up:

  1. Click here to leave my site and appear at the RNEST Team Challenge.
  2. In the upper right hand corner of the RNEST blog click Large Hole Glass Baby Penguin Bead by Francesca DeCaire. I’m at the very top of the list.

That’s all it takes.

I can’t win without the help of my readers. I need your vote. Thank you, thank you, thank you and muah! Is the smooch going too far? If you’d like, please drop me a comment letting me know I gained your vote.

Large Hole Baby Penguin Bead is available for sale at my Etsy shop. You may also inquire via email to purchase.

Please share this post if you could be so kind.

Jan 092012
 

From left to right we have Marie Castiglia, Kristen Cavanaugh, Kelley Allen, Elisabeth Freeman, Amanda Preske, and John Ballou. During this months meeting I pigged out on a bowl of steak chili with cornbread and the group discussed what our team goals would be for the new year.

Kelly Allen is teaching a free beading class at the Brighton Memorial Library for teens 9 – 13 years old, Sunday January 15, 1:30 – 3:30. Call the library at (585) 784-5300 to reserve a spot.

Do you have an Etsy shop? Are you from Rochester, NY or the surrounding area? Join our Etsy team here.

Short and sweet cause I feel like doody.

Dec 232011
 

It’s my favorite time of the month, RNEST Team Challenge time. I am hoping that YOU, my beloved readers will help me win. Just click here to vote, when you arrive at the RNEST team blog look for my description in the upper right hand corner of the blog. It will say Happiness is a Cupcake Lampwork Pendant, New Style by FrancescaDeCaire. This should take less than a minute. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Of course I had to submit my latest cupcake.

 

Dec 172011
 

Buddha's Belly Cabochon Pendant

It’s not too late, you can find me today at Spot Coffee from 6pm – 10pm. My new cabochon pendants make great gifts for women, men, girls, and boys. They have an appeal that is right for everyone! I hope to see you soon.

200 East Avenue
Rochester, NY
14604

Buddah’s Belly is for sale via Etsy. After the busy weekend I will be photographing tons of jewelry and posting it for sale in my Bead Boutique and Etsy shop!

P.S.

Check out the RNEST giveaway, you could win 5 small greeting cards by Heather Vitticore. You have until December 19 to play!

Nov 162011
 

First Friday is near, if you’ve never experienced the Hungerford building during this citywide gallery night, Friday December second is the time to check it out. Along every hallway, open studios will be radiating with holiday cheer. Shake hands with the maker of your gifts. You’ll never find a better place to shop than this.

The RNEST Team will be occupying a studio on the first floor ( Door 8 ) for the entire month of December. Make sure to visit them for their Craftmas event! I would have joined them, but I felt I’d be loyal to Chris Holly of studio 331. I’ve been his guest artist for over a year now! In fact I’ll be temporarily working out of his studio during the frigid winter months, three days a week.

To be honest I am quite nervous about the change, but it beats the hell out of putting bead making on hold for the long winter. While I’m excited to see what inspirations come from a new working environment, I will miss my crappy garage. Mostly this opportunity is a major relief. I’ve felt that my skills are finally sharpening, now I can continue to develop them rather than suffer a massive set back.

First Friday, December 2, 6pm – 9pm
1115 E. Main St. Rochester, NY
Chris Holly and Permanent Guest Artist Francesca DeCaire, Suite 331

Nov 142011
 

How could anyone with a new baby boy resist this acorn puppet; especially after spending the better part of a day neighboring his creator Amy of Sweet Pea Felts. She’ll be at Java’s Hearts and Crafts and has also been accepted to showcase her work at Strong’s Museum of Play for the Whimsical Art Trail. I’ve got to admit I am envious as I was not accepted to participate in either show. This years rejection isn’t going to stop me from applying next year! You better believe I’m good enough. I plan to make an impression in the future.
When Lucas is older I can tell him about my journey to the top, and where this darling acorn boy came from. As the holidays approach many family’s will be spending their hard earned money on gifts. Why not invest in a gift that was made with pride? Check out Sweet Pea Felts and my fellow RNEST crew. You wont find anything but the best!

Nov 022011
 

Enter to win this cupcake pendant over at the RNEST blog until November 8th. Just click here to submit you comments and review the rules. Periwinkle Sprinkle is also available for sale in my Bead Boutique where you can view more images.

P.S.
This is also the last day to vote for the RNEST Team Challenge, Wizardry, Owls, Magic, and Mysticism. My Tomato Soup Owl is in it to win it.

P.S.S.
I won the Soft Shell Crafts notebook from last weeks RNEST giveaway. I’m having a great day!

Oct 272011
 

VOTE FOR MY TOMATO SOUP OWL HERE. Easy voting, it only takes one click. Voting ends November first. This is not necessary, but if you’d like, drop me a comment on this post letting me know that I got your support.

The fourth Thursday of every month RNEST publishes a monthly team challenge. The subject today is Wizardry, Owls, Magic, and Mysticism. I’ve already made it clear that my tomato Soup Owl Bead is in the challenge and that I need your help. Pretty please, with sugar on top, vote for me. My owl bead is also available for sale in the Bead Boutique.

It’s certainly a pleasure to be a member of the RNEST team. When I first discovered this group it was love at first sight. How I had longed to meet people that were striving to reach the same goals as I.

On Wednesdays the RNEST blog features a unique artisan giveaway. Entering the giveaway is always a rush. Play the game for your chance to win a Soft Shell Crafts Handmade Sketch Book…

Soft Shell Crafts is a one woman project that revolves around upcycling readily available materials, transforming them into useful items, and making a small but effective impact on saving the world

Oct 222011
 

The RNEST team challenge for October is Wizardry, Owls, Magic, and Mysticism. Owl bead ideas have penetrated my brain and dominated my priorities for the last 5 days or so. I’ve done a few large hole Owl beads in the past, they were a great subject for beads. I’m not sure why I never made any more. Probably because there will never be enough time in my life to create the bazillion ideas that are stored in my head. I’ll let you all know when the challenge is posted on the RNEST blog . Please, please, vote for me!

Glass:
• Vetrofond Tomato Soup Odd Lot.
Approximate dimensions:
• 13mm tall × 15mm wide.
• 2.5mm hole.
Available for Sale in the Bead Boutique.

Sep 242011
 

I met the talented Linda Lawrence at Rochester’s famous Clothesline Festival. I had discovered Linda’s beads previous to meeting her through the RNEST website. Drooling over her neatly executed bead work, I felt privileged to have had the time to speak with her.

Linda Lawrence is a glass beadmaker and jewelry designer who has been working with hot glass since 1998. She has studied lampworking with nationally known glass artists and continues to broaden her working knowledge taking workshops and seminars across the country. From an early age, Linda has been involved in the arts; first as a dancer and then in the visual arts. Her background in dance and her love of color & movement permeates her work today.

Sep 102011
 

Erin Gursslin of Sunshyne Silverwear has a fantastic array of spoon pendants for sale at Rochester’s Clothesline Festival. Don’t miss out, she’ll be there tomorrow as well. I had to attend this event and meet the artist behind the blog. Erin is everything I expected, personable, radiant, and good natured.

She’s currently holding a giveaway with plenty of time left to win. The giveaway comes to a close at midnight, eastern time, September 13th. This is an international giveaway! You can accumulate points in many ways, see for yourself… She also offers promotions galore, frequent her blog to see how easy it is to qualify for discounts.

P.S.
Mention her word of the day at the festival for a discount and a chance to win a free mirror!

 

Sep 092011
 

Let me introduce you to Michelle of The Quilted House, member of RNEST. Her mini gift tote is absolutely adorable. Buying disposable gift bags, mass produced ribbon, or tissue paper seems senseless when you could use a wonderful handmade reusable gift bag! If I received a present in this, it would be the best part of the gift. The Quilted House offers several handmade items for sale, like wallets, satchels, and notepad holders. You can visit Michelle’s Etsy shop here.

Sep 082011
 

Remember a few weeks back when I was in the city VENDING IN A FREAKING FLOOD?! An artists group, RNEST was mentioned before the downpour.

Referring to the handwritten URL scribbled on the back of a business card, I typed the letters into my browser. The Rochester New York Etsy Street Team instantly grabbed my attention. I NEED to be part of this group. They are so alive and motivated! This is what I’ve been looking for!

Taken the necessary steps to become a member, my application is currently being reviewed. In the meantime I’ll be familiarizing myself with members of the group. Erin Gursslin of Sunshyne Silverwear turns old spoons into wearable art. Let me introduce you to her current giveaway!

My giveaway is a little nontraditional. The person with the most points by the expiration of the ‘game’ gets their choice of one of the three pendants pictured above.
Earning points is easy, you don’t even need to leave your computer for most of them!

Erin’s detailed giveaway is impressive. She encourages participants to help promote her business in numerous ways. Erin offers a selection of three spoons for the prize winner to choose from. I’m a fan of “Birds on a Wire“, pictured above. I hope she has a helper to assist in keeping track of the points, it looks like a lot of work. Her giveaway starts today and ends midnight, September 13th. Check it out here.