Last day for sale prices

December 31st 2010, will be the last day this year for 15% off and free shipping in my Artfire Studio and 30% or more in my Etsy Shop!

Here's a few new items for you to take a look at!

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2684125

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2665684

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2686328



http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2671115

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2686799



Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign






Blog ping

And the Winner Is!!!

This morning I am pleased to announce the winner in my After Christmas Give Away!!!!

The winner is Jenni M, she was number 10! She chose my Copper Filigree Pendant with Filigree Ruby!!! Contratulations Jenni, I'll be in touch by email and get all your information!! Will get your prize to you right away!

Copper Filigree Pendant with Faceted Ruby Briolette

That was fun and exciting, I'll have to do that more often!! Thanks to all who played!!

Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was in the mood to bake yesterday and poured through my cookbooks. Funny thing is there was this cookbook in there I don't remember seeing before. It has an inscription in it from "mom" but neither my husband or I have seen it before. It's absolutely chock full of recipes...no pictures, just recipe after recipe.

I poured through them and found several I wanted to try but when I searched the cupboard I was missing 1 or 2 key ingredients and did not want to make a run to the store.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

So I settled on Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. I've had store bought and they were pretty good so I thought these were right up my alley. Anything with Pumpkin and anything with Chocolate Chips so the combination seemed a sure thing, I was not disappointed. I rarely use a recipe without tweaking it so I've included my tweaks in italics, you can use them or not. So without further adieu...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 Cups (3 sticks) butter, softened

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

1 egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (I doubled the vanilla)

4 cups all-purpose flour (I used about half ww flour and half all-purpose)

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon (I also added a teaspoon pumpkin pie spice)

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups (12 ounces) chocolate chips (I used 3 cups)

Beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated suger in a bowl until light and flutty. Add the pumpkin, egg and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix well. Stir in the oats and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on to a cookie sheet. (I always make gigantic cookies so I dropped them with a large spoon, probably at least double what the recipes suggests.) Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. (because my cookies were so much bigger they cooked for at least 15 minutes, but I kept an eagle eye on them. I also decreased the temp to about 325.) Cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute. Remove to the wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 10 dozen cookies. (I got about30 gigantic cookies from this recipe, it's quite a big recipe.)





We're melting!!!!

BIG cookie!!!



Good enough to EAT!!! Grab a glass of milk!!

I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!

The name of the cookbook is

Sweet Endings published by Favorite Recipes Press.

And don't forget my After Christmas Give Away!!
 Last day to choose your favorite,
 tomorrow I will randomly draw the winner!

Kristi

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Merry Christmas!





Artfire Studio Update

I've added 2 Necklaces, the first is made with a wonderful Handcrafted Ceramic focal by LadyBrook Designs. I was lucky enough to with this pendant through the Beads of Clay Blog a few weeks ago. I've combined it with beautiful River Rock Lampwork Glass beads by Beeboo.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2662295

 



This next necklace has a Wood Focal bead Strung with Lampwork beads by SilverFish Designs,

and a variety of ceramic and glass beads in neutrals and fresh citrus colors.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2663610


Don't forget about my After Christmas Giveaway and yes this necklace can be included. I'll be giving away the item of the winner's choice. That's right ANY item in either my Etsy Shop or Artfire Studio. See this blog post for details.

Thank you!
Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Playing with my new Christmas Present

Yes I got it early!! My husband threatened...I mean offered to wrap it for me to open on Christmas but I gave him "the look" you know what I mean. He didn't offer again, thank you honey.

I am super excited to have gotten a new Nikon camera from my hubby!! I also signed up for an online photo class that starts in January, I'm really looking forward to that. I hope to improve my jewelry photos and also be able to take great pictures of the world to share. My most favorite things on blogs are pictures so I like to post them as well. So with that said, on with the pictures!!

Little Shasta patiently waiting for breakfast!

Ginger also patiently waiting!

Santa Claus, Mrs Claus is in the box waiting to join him!

Some of my favorite little decorations in a grouping.
Finally getting some decorations up,
 now that we found the boxes!

A beautiful Star Ornament made by my sister in law.

My girls are going to get tired of having a camera in their face,

 but they are so cute I love taking pictures of them!!

Don't forget my After Christmas Give Away!! You get to choose what you want to win!!

Kristi

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

After Christmas Give Away

I've been meaning to do a give away for some time, I'm finally gonna jump in and give it a try.

I'll be giving away the item of the winner's choice. That's right ANY item in either my Etsy Shop or Artfire Studio.

Leave a comment with a link to your favorite piece and be entered in the drawing. I will choose the winner at random on December 26th. You can earn the usual bonus points by posting on Facebook, Tweeting or Blogging, just leave a second (or third) message that you've done extra credit. Be sure I can contact you and don't forget to post a link to your favorite.

I guess that's it, hope I get lots of players. I'm interested to see what everybody's favorite is and who wins what from where!! Have fun!

Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Stu Stu Studio part 4

It's been awhile since I've posted a Studio Update. I've been somewhat limited on what I could do after my foot surgery but it's doing very well, physical therapy is helping. We're having family over on Christmas day so I really wanted to make a valiant effort to make it presentable. I over did it a little bit but I got alot done. I'm going to try to spend a little time every evening finishing it up.

Here are a few pictures, before and after.

Before

After



Kiln for Enameling, toaster oven for Polymer Clay and various tools!!





Printer Cabinet full of lots of pretties!!



Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Sales Continue through the end of the year!!!

All items in my Artfire Studio (including lots of new) are still marked down 15% plus free shipping.

Also...most items in my Etsy Shop are still marked down 30% or more.

Here are a few of the newly listed items from Artfire.

Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Michael's Challenge Blog Hop

Another great Michael's Challenge, the brainchild of Lorelei Eurto. This is the second challenge I've participated in and I have to say this one was a struggle for me. I sat down numerous times and must have created 5-6 incarnations until almost at the last minute I finally found the design I was happy with.

This is entirely put together with wirework which I don't think I've ever done before. I guess that's why they call it a challenge eh!

Here is my final Necklace and coordinating Earrings using the beads chosen by Lorelei and my addition of colorful Resin Rings from ArtBeads and absolutely wonderful Lampwork Beads by Pinocean on Etsy. I've been coveting those cute little beads for some time and I was not disappointed!

Now it's time to HOP along to the other blogs

 to see what they've whipped up with the same ingredients, have fun!!!

http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/

http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/

http://threeredbeads.blogspot.com/

http://starcitystory.blogspot.com/

http://erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/

http://www.thistlefarmarts.blogspot.com/

http://therabbitmuse.blogspot.com/

http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/ that's me!!!

http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/

http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

http://deborahmpurdy.blogspot.com/

http://beadhappytoday.blogspot.com/

http://pinkicejewels.blogspot.com/

http://craftyhope.blogspot.com/

http://gr8findings.wordpress.com/

http://tropicbeads.blogspot.com/

http://melissaruth.com/blog/

http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/

http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/

Kristi

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

 

LMAJ December Call to Create

This is my entry in to Love My Art Jewelry Blog's December Call to Create challenge.

This one was a bit of a challenge, at least I thought it would be. I had trouble at first visualizing some of these colors together but when I looked through my bead stash I discovered they actually play quite well together. Just spashing some of the bright colors in with the more muted and soft gray's and neutrals and there you have it. The clincher was when I received that gorgeous Pink Snowflake Pendant from winchell-clayworks.com which I actually won in a Beads of Clay Blog giveaway recently, along with several other items that I will share in a future post. I knew right away this was what I needed for the finishing touch! I hope you agree!

Thanks for looking!

Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign

Art Bead Scene December Challenge

Here is my entry in to the December Challenge at the Art Bead Scene Blog.

As soon as I saw the inspiration I knew I wanted to use this Dragon Fly pendant. This was a hand me down piece in a bag of destash I purchased a few years ago and he came to me with this gorgeous green patina. I considered Enameling him but couldn't bring myself to touch his naturalness.

The accompanying necklace has lampwork by Kelley's Beads, lovely faceted orange Carnelian Nuggets, green Freshwater Pearls, fun wood rectangles, antique brass chain and a handmade Copper clasp.
 
Kristi
http://dreamsome.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign
 

Fold Forming and Enameling Day 2

My oh my what a fantastic day, the end of a weekend full of fun and learning with friends...the very best kind!

Few words in this post, the pictures tell the story. Enjoy!!

These last couple of pieces below are from a bag of destash I bought long ago, I have no idea what metal they are but I can enamel them, that's what counts. I have lots more to play with too!!

And a picture of almost everything I did this weekend!

Last but not least, out inspiration!!!  Megan had boxes of copper pieces to show us and this is only part of it strewn across the table, pretty awesome huh?



And some individual shots of Megan's work.

THANKS!!

Kristi

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign



Fold Forming and Enameling Day 1

I just finished day 1 of a great class with Nancy Megan Corwin, you can call her Megan at The Ranch.

I learned to fold form these awesome leaves out of copper and did a little bit of enameling. We'll do more enameling tomorrow and actually probably more fold forming too. So much fun!!

Here's a grouping of the leaves I made, the one in front that is more red than the others has been torch fired. I've really been wanting to do more enameling and I think this class will build my confidence quite a bit so hopefully I'll will!!

Not my best photography effort but it's been a long (and very fun) day. I'll try to get photos of the work of some of the other students too, some beautiful stuff!

I'm really looking forward to trying enameling on some of my copper clay work!!!

Kristi

http://dreamsome.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/KristiBowmanDesign