Now at a store near you!

Well, if you happened to live in Cambridge, Mass and it would be November...
But yes! We have developed a Holiday Ornament Collection for Kaleidoscope Style and they will be available for sale at the Cambridge Artists Cooperative in Harvard Square starting in November. We are so excited and also hoping to add a few more stores before that time.
And, of course, we will be adding these ornaments to our Etsy Shop as well. They are one-of-a-kinds in several main motives. We are also thinking about offering some of them as patterns and kits for those of you who like to do a little holiday crafting of their own. What do you think!

Wordless Wednesday - Lilly is at it again!

Remember last weeks picture of Lilly being the photographer. Well, she has moved on to bigger and better things now --- Movie director!

Oh, and don't forget to enter our GIVEAWAY!

Name-that-shop giveaway!

When my sister came to visit from Germany, she brought along another great jewelry craft she has discovered over there. It is called Kumihimo, which (funny enough since she found it in Germany) is a centuries-old Japanese braiding/knotting technique. It dates back to the days of the Samurai who used Kumihimo braids for their armor. Back in the days, they used human hair and such, but now my sister is using satin cord or suede leather. There are many different weaves to choose from working with 8 to 20 different cords at once to create one intricate bracelet or necklace. I take those breaded cords and add silver plated bead caps and lobster clasps to them for bracelets and suede bands to the center piece necklaces. We are working on even more styles. So this here is just the beginning.

Now, I want to open up a new Etsy shop to offer them to you. My predicament is - What do I name it!

So I thought that I could use some help and kick it all off with this contest.
Here is how it works:
1. Think of a clever name I can use for this Jewelry Line. I'm thinking some play of words that give an idea of what it is or just a pretty name.
2. Post it here with your contact info.
3. I hope to choose one of the names suggested October 1st.
4. The person's name I choose will win and can choose one of the Kumihimo items pictured!

That's it! Pretty easy, or? I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!!

Oh, I forgot one more requirement to enter in this drawing. I’m sorry to say so, but you must love chocolate!

In awe

Lilly does not cease to amaze me! I'm sure all parents feel that way, and grandparents, and aunts, and uncles,...

Yesterday afternoon we were all sitting together downstairs. My sister and I crafting away while my parents tried to keep up with Lilly. She was running from one thing to the next and starting to get tired. Then suddenly, she points to the dresser and says 'mommy music'. All of us stopped and thought 'Did she really just say that?!' So to make her point clear, Lilly walks over to the TV and starts padding it. I took the remote from the dresser and put on her favorite music channel and she was happy as can be dancing and bobbing.
We used to do that before, but with the nice weather this summer, we were playing outside most of the time. So I just can't believe that she remembered it! Such a good girl!!!

Trading Frenzy

Sometimes I just LOVE to trade! It's so much more fun than buying for several reasons. First, of course, you get something without having to give up any money. What's better than that! Well, chatting with the person you are getting something from for one thing. I just feel like I got more of a story to my new treasures by knowing the artist behind them. And then it's also great to know that they have something of yours in return! So I have always been more than happy with my trades.


In the last few days, I traded for these fantastic prints and the 2 rock rings. One ring for me and one for my sister. Since she is such a vital part of Kaleidoscope Style, she sure should get her fair share of trading as well.


The prints are from ZukZuk who I tagged the other day. I'm glad that I did that, because that's how we connected. And the rings are from Saru Star. She has quite a few more cool rock rings and also pendants. Now I can't wait to get them and I feel like I have to make another trade soon to get that high back :-)

Fresh Friday Finds - Red and Blue all over

You know how much I LOVE, love, LOVE bag and purses. Well, here is another very cute Tote out of my favorite material - Felt and in such a yummy color combo.


Then I came across another great print in the exact same color combo. This Ornate Big Bird Print is so stunning and whimsical. I just love the little bird on top of the big one and all the fun patterns inside.


And I told you about the little collecting obsessions my family has. So after finding those great owl prints for my father last week, I found this cutest-of-them-all Elephant Print for my Mom. And again, I just love this color combo! Mhmm, I wonder what animal my sister likes best. Off to ask her...

I got tagged...

So I got tagged by fellow blogger Moxylyn 2 days ago and it's about time to get it going. The idea is to list 5 unusual things about yourself and then tag 5 other bloggers. So here we go...

1. I'm left handed but have to write with my right hand. Really confuses people seeing me write and then handle everything else with my left hand. It all happened because I grew up in East Germany and there everyone had to write with their right hand. Never mind you are being left handed! So I had to practice and practice and now my handwriting is pretty bad, but I can't really start all over with my left hand either.

2. I got enough arts and crafts supplies to be working on a million different projects for another 100 years! Sometimes the eye is just bigger than what I actually have available in time and so I have bookshelves full of great supplies. Actually, I guess lots of people do! LOL

3. I used to have a Chinchilla. Do you know what that is? It is by far the softest and cutest little animal. They actually used to make fur coats out of their fur because it is just soooo soft. My parents had a pet store when I was young and so it was easy for me to choose a chinchilla as just the best pet to have.


4. I don't like ice cream. at least I didn't used to until about 2 years ago when my husband (who LOVES ice cream) took me to Coldstone Creamery and I was hooked. So now I love their ice cream and I'm not sure my figure actually needed that! Which brings me to number 5...

5. I'm a chocolate addict. I love chocolate. I'm German - so I have to love it. And I was very disappointed to find out that a lot of chocolate isn't so good around here or very expensive. But don't worry; we get lots of visitors from home that only get in my front door after they showed me their bags full of chocolates.

These are the 5 bloggers I tag:
Lula Boutique
Amy Furstenau
Zukzuk
Tara
Geninne

Wordless Wednesday - Our very own Photographer

Who is ready to take the pictures now!

Newest Creations

Here is a medley of our latest creations. Lots of fun circles, autumn leaves and clouds to dream of! What is your favorite?!

My sister's "traveling esentials" studio

It has been so nice outside this summer that my sister just had to set up a little bag (ok, it's NOT that little) with all her essential embroidery and felt supplies. I made one for myself as well and now we are sitting outside stitching away while my little baby plays in the yard. That's what I call paradise.