Ordering Frenzy

I haven't fell off the face of the earth. No, I have been waiting for supplies to come in my mail box so I can get crafting some more. This is the only thing that kinda sucks. Living in Canada, we really don't have a large selection of materials to work with. I primarily purchase supplies from the states. The problem with this though is that it takes sometimes up to one month to receive my items!! Rrrr... And sometimes I receive the wrong order. Like today for example :(

I cant wait to get designing again. I have also been considering selling supplies myself. that way i will have my own fair share and will not have to play the waiting game any longer!

Mukado Jewelry Store

Contagious Creations is now sold at Mukado jewelry in West Vancouver.
Stop by and take a look inside this fabulous boutique.
They carry all sorts of handmade jewelry by local Vancouver designers as well as designers from France.
They have amazing handbags and belts to try on as well.
Everything is handmade and simply to die for.
Check it out!

Mukado Jewelry Boutique
Location


Dundarave Village

2428 Marine Drive

West Vancouver, BC V7L 1L1

778.279.1961

Swarovski Dangle Earrings Turtorial!

Hi everyone!! I want to give you all an easy tutorial on some earrings I just made. I used clip on's, but your welcome to use what ever kind of ear back you like.

So for your supplies you will need:

-8" of chain (silver or gold your preference)

-6 Swarovski Crystals (6mm)

-choice of earback (french wires, lever back, clip on)

-2 jump rings (4mm)

-6 headpins preferably ball pins but does not matter. (1.5" and 24 Gage)

Tools you will need are:

-2 pairs needle nose wires

-round tip jewelry making needle nose pliers

- pair of small wire cutters

OK lets get started!

So first of all, cut chain into six small pieces (desired lengths). You will want 3 pieces for each earring. Make sure to cut one piece slightly longer than the other. You can do this accurately by counting links and just addimg a couple to each piece. Remember to make 2 of each size (One for each earring). My longest length is 4.5mm and shortest is 3.5mm.

Now we are going to add the Crystal beads. Slide a crystal bead on to the headpin using your round tipped needle nose pliers. You will want to make a loop not to small and not too big, about 4mm. Try doing this carefully not to chip the bead.

Next slide the first length of chain over the wire so it sits in the middle off the loop.

Now we will close the loop. Using your needle nose pliers you will gently hold the loop in place with the very tip of the pliers, making sure not to squeeze any of the chain. Now while doing this you will use your other pair of needle nose pliers to grab the longer part of the wire and begin wrapping it around the base of the loop, keeping it tight, but not chipping the bead.

Do this for each piece of chain, until all six crystals have been wired on.

Now take your 4mm jump ring and carefully open it placing needle nose pliers on both sides of it and open sideways NOT spreading the circle apart. (SEE PICTURE)

Now slide one of each different length for a total of 3 pieces of chain onto the jump ring. Then slide the jump ring with chain over the small loop on the ear backing you chose. Carefully grab both pliers again and close the jump ring onto the ear-wire loop not squeezing anything else but the jump ring.

Repeat all of the above for the other earring.

Congratulations! You now have made your own pair of earrings. Easy Wasn't it!

This is what the finished product should look like

Approaching 50! On ETSY that is :)

WooHoo I almost have 50 sales on Etsy! Its about time. I love Etsy but with so many other competitors selling jewelry it can be hard to make fast sales. Every year it gets better and better, and I am always excited to see how my small little business will progress. Etsy is the greatest website to sell on in the world. I have had nothing but the most pleasant experiences as a seller and as an addicted customer! Come check out my shop you might just be the one to push me over 50 :) www.contagiouscreations.etsy.com

Summer is almost over EEEK!!

So I have been trying to do as much as possible with friends and just going out and enjoying the weather.Went to the bike races out in Mission today. Man those bikes are sure LOUD! I had my ear plugs in so far that they actually hurt when I pulled them out!
We had rid en the Harley out there with some friends since it was a nice day. So on the way back we stopped and had a bite to eat at the Mission Springs Brew Pub. I really liked it in there. They have a really large menu with many yummy looking things on there. I had some hot wings and a spinach salad along with some wine of coarse :)

Dreaming Of Swarovski Collection

I have made a new collection of Swarovski necklaces. Featuring Key charms and also some with Eiffel Tower charms, there will be more to come soon. I love the sparkle of the Crystal I find them so mesmerizing. Many believe Crystals have the power to ward off bad energy and channel good energy.

Im Back After What May Seem Like Forever!

It feels like I haven't blogged in a century. Sorry guys :(

I'm back though and I am going to make up for it. I think with all the fabulous weather we have been experiencing on the West Coast it makes it hard to want to sit inside at the computer desk.

Honestly this summer has been incredible. Generally I'm complaining how it never really heats up here, but I guess I cant do that anymore. We had such a long heat wave, and I enjoyed every moment of it....well not when I had to clean the house. Vacuuming in 30 degree weather is not so fun. But to go outside and never worry about sweaters and layering is definitely nice.

I have been busy doing a ton of great things this summer.

Before the summer even fully began me and my Fiance took a trip to Montreal. We had a West jet credit from awhile back and thought it would be nice to take a trip somewhere in Canada for a change.

Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. I mean Amazing! If you wander through the Old Montreal it is so rich with character and history. its a stunning city on the water with so much to offer. The shopping is great and the food, OMG the food!!! The best food ever!

We went to see Cirque Du Soleil "OVO". It was my first time seeing a Cirque show. They are so talented, I loved every moment of it. We also took the train over to Quebec City, which has to be the most fairytale land in the world. So much art and inspiration over there, if you haven't been, I definitely recommend.

Tropical Tribal Necklace

Don't you just love anything that reminds you of paradise?

I made this for all you who love that feeling!

With wooden beads and natural stones, its totally inspired by nature. Reminds me of all the handmade goodies in all the colorful markets in Mexico.

SO I am way to excited for summer to come because I absolutely love summer fashion!! I have a couple new purchases that are waiting in my closet for me to wear. I got these fabulous sandals at Nine West the other day. I fell in love with them the moment I saw them. I love how they are kinda that gladiator style which is really in right now, and I also love that they are a neutral color so they can coordinate with tons of stuff. I also grabbed a pair of these really cute linen cargo pants by Free People. These pants are the most comfortable pair of pants ever, and I highly suggest them to everyone!!! By the way I took a peek at their website for the first time and they have really nice clothes. I have a hunch I will be returning very soon.... :)

I still need to get a few more things for summer. I really want to get a nice summer dress, something that could go well with the sandal. I also desperately need a skirt, I have like maybe one skirt that I actually where. Its strange my only addiction is to clothes (and jewelry supplies...that's a whole other story). I will fill you in when I get a couple more goodies.

NO CAMERA!!

SO I was really excited yesterday to take pictures of my jewelry outside. It was an overcast day, but bright enough to get some good lighting without a shadow. I set up a table and brought all my jewelry out. Then as I go to start taking pics my cameras lens wouldn't open! It starting beeping and said "lens error, restart camera". So I did, and what do you know the stupid thing still doesn't work.

I went online looking for answers to the problem. I found a few peoples suggesting to actually hit the camera. I thought this wasn't the best idea, but I decided to lightly give it a couple taps. I thought maybe this could loosen up whatever's jammed. But no.

Without my camera I feel lost. I use it almost on a daily basis. I love my camera too :(

I called around and found a place downtown that does on-site repairs. I didn't want to send it away to Canon cause that could take forever!

So tomorrow I will be bringing it into see the camera doctor and I am hoping that there will be a fast and easy solution!

Skiing!!!!

YAY, I love to go skiing and just got home from going the second time this season. i know this is not a lot but for some reason we just haven't been going to much this year. I went up to Cypress mountain where we live in Vancouver. It's the most amazing ski hill. I really love it up there, it almost feels magical at times. I swear it must be the only or one of the few ski hills in the world where you can be looking at the ocean while you ski! Today was a little slushy on the slopes, but it was still alright. Can you believe it was actually about 7 degrees Celsius!! Talk about warm sunny conditions. I actually was skiing without my gloves for a while. Next year I'm thinking to get a seasons pass or maybe like a ten day pass. I just cant believe I have been living here so many years and just this February is my first time up there!

Ok, so I'm going to be selling at the White Rock Chinese New Year festival this Saturday Feb 7th. Its being put on by the Semiahmoo Secondary School. Its still really cold outside here, but I am hoping that it will be great out that day. Theres going to be tons of events going on to ring in the New Year. I don't have to much experience with markets but am wishing for the best. I was just watching the news and the weather man mentioned the festival, so its nice to know the word is getting out! Well I guess I'll see how it goes. For more information on the White Rock Street Market just click the link below.

http://www.whiterockstreetmarket.com/

Valentines!

Valentines day is coming upon us sooo fast! So I made a brand new necklace in the spirit of it. I realized I really don't have too much to offer for the special LOVE day. I love this necklace because it puts you in the mood for Valentines day but you can also wear it any other day of the year!

New Years Resolution

I have been thinking lately and at first I didn't really have a New Years resolution....but now I realize I could use one or maybe a few :)

I really think that I would love to learn to completely focus on positive things. I mean even when something negative occurs iIreally don't want to dwell on it at all!! I would love to learn to completely brush things off my shoulder. Life is just way to short to be worrying about the past and what could have, would have been. Also I just want to slow down a little sometimes and really appreciate the beautiful things that this world has to offer.

Also I am terrible for sleeping in!! I love the feeling of being cozy in the bed and have an enormous habit of shutting my alarm clock off while sleeping. So from now on I am setting it for 7 AM! I am going to get up and make some coffee or tea no matter how tired I am. I need to make the most out of my days, they always go by way to fast!

That's it for me :) just thought I would fill you in.

Our Vacation

We just got back from a one week Vacation to the Bahamas. We went to Nassau and it was really beautiful there! They have Atlantis which is like a huge Resort with a Water Park, Aquarium, Casino, Dolphins and tons of other things. We went to the water park there which was really nice and worth it to do it once, but for the price I dont think ever again! We really wanted to stay at Atlantis but its very expensive and not all inclusive. So we chose to stay at Sandals.

The hotel and staff were really great. The rooms are nothing special but the amenities are what made it!!! Beautiful beach and they even have a private Island which you take a boat out to.

If only we could have stayed longer. I live in Surrey B.C. and it has been below zero for about 5 consecutive days here!!

Well here are some pics from our trip...