Help! Would love your support for this tragedy .

One of the leading ladies of The Artisan Group, Nikki Cutro, was in a horrible accident. Her house burned down, she lost everything (including her beloved pets) and she has no health insurance.

The Artisan Group has set up a fund for her to help her through this time. If you have any money to spare, we would appreciate your support. Every little bit counts- even if it is only $1.00. 

https://www.wepay.com/donations/nikkicutro

Please also send "good thoughts" out into the world for Nikki. I feel so bad, I just hope she pulls out of this okay. Thank you all <3

Leading Moms In Business Competition

My mother signed up for a Leading Moms in Business Competition from StartUp Nation.

This would be great exposure for our company... and also I would just love for my mother to win. She deserves so much and I think it would give her a real ego boost.

She always thinks that since she didn't go to school for design- that some people feel she isn't a "real" jewelry designer. I think she is AMAZINNGGG at jewelry design and is such a great teacher! I would love for her to start really believing it.

My mother has done so much for so many that I think this would be wonderful if she won. She doesn't get any money, or any prizes- just some good ol'fashioned recognition. Which she deserves.

So please, feel free to read the description from my mother- and if you believe she deserves a shot- vote for her.

All you need to do is CLICK HERE and click the Vote Now Button. No sign up. No emails given. Just pressing a button.

Thank you all for voting- in advanced! 

Isn't my mom so cute!!! LOL 

Hooked On Yarn CT's New Facebook!

My aunt, Hooked On Yarn CT just got a brand new Facebook page!

Show her some love <3

Thanks so much! xx

Support Handmade!

#Fun #TwitterParty Tonight! @theartisangroup

There is a great, super duper, fun twitter party tonight in honor of The Oscars Nominees!

The Artisan Group is hosting this great twitter party where you can win a TON of great handmade prizes. I love these twitter parties- they are always so much fun!

I hope you all stop by and try to win some great swag!


Here's how you can win:

• Follow @theartisangroup on Twitter
• Follow the hashtag #theartisangroup on Twitter
• Answer trivia questions about your favorite shows, movies, actors, moments, what YOU think should be nominated for a Oscar this year (respond directly to @theartisangroup)
• Be sure you include #theartisangroup in all your responses during the Twitter Party.
• Win prizes, drawn at random based on correct answers to our trivia questions! Winners will be announced on Twitter, Facebook, and reposted here on The Artisan Groups blog on January 25th!

Twitter Party starts TONIGHT at 8PM

Eastern! Be there or be square!

Such a #Sweet #Handmade #Valentine's Day

We know Valentine's Day is coming up soon.

Personally, I'm not big on Valentine's Day... It doesn't matter to me if I get anything from my fiance... he gives me cute little surprises throughout the year- so this one day doesn't really mean that much to me (yes, I know - he is adorable and that line I wrote probably makes you want to puke haha. Sorry!)

But even though I personally don't need/want anything on this day- I love to give my sisters little gifts to say I love them!

This may sound corny- I know... but I love to surprise them. They're my baby sisters. Last year, Krista, (the middle sister) was feeling a bit "down" that she didn't have anyone to spend the day with. I surprised her with some cute little stuffed animal I placed in her car - then some candy and other little stuff. It made her day. She still keeps that stuffed animal in her car.

This year, I want to support handmade for my "Sister Valentines Gifts". You know, just something small to make the smile.

One of the fabulous women in The Artisan Group made this fun pintrest board for valentines gifts. I think I'll start there and see where I end up! You should check it out! I love handmade (as you know)- so hopefully you'll find some gems here--- and who knows, maybe you'll shop handmade for valentine's day too?

Would you want a coupon code?

I am starting to get ready my first ever email blast for Jewels For Hope (WooHoo!!) 

I would LOVE to be able to send all of you amazing followers our first newsletter- with
Coupon Code included!

Subscribe to our newsletter

www.jewelsforhope.net

Look Great & Donate!

@TGBears is having a #Giveaway!

You all know TG Bears by now!

Well... I just wanted to give you all a quick update- there is going to be a HUGE giveaway going on there soon! Be sure to continue to check back on their blog and see what's going on! Right now the value is up to $406... AND COUNTING!

Monica, the owner, will continue to post about the giveaway! So definitely keep checking back on her blog.

You won't want to miss this one folks!

Golden Globes Gift Lounge- Who Wore What! @JewelsForHopeCT

First off, I want to say Thank You to all of you special followers who have been with me on this journey through The Golden Globes Gift Lounge. It has been such a great experience for myself and my mother to be a part of something this big (and fun!)

Now, we have the good stuff to get to... WHO POSED WITH WHAT!

Yes, this is a big thing.... Huge thing! We are so excited, everyone who displayed a product at The Artisan Group's exhibit received at least 1 Celebrity Picture. What is really what we all hope and dream of. That one picture that will make your product stand out, look gorgeous..... to have a celebrity say yes to being photographed holding/wearing your item.

First... we'll start with our products! We were lucky enough to get 2 celebrity photos. My mom and I actually cried all morning because of this. This was our moment. We are so lucky- we can't stop smiling. My mother comes home from the hospital today (don't worry-she will be fine!!!) and she can't wait to see these pictures! She keeps calling me up to talk about them!

Jennifer Love Hewitt wearing Jewels For Hope!!!

Mirelle Enos posing with Jewels For Hope!!

Yes. We are still in shock over these photos.

Both ladies look so great in their pictures!

Now, I have been a HUGE Jennifer Love Hewitt fan ever since Can't Hardly Wait.... many many years ago. We actually think this necklace is made for her. It looks like it just fits. We want to get it to her somehow.... we'll definitely keep you posted on our progress on that LOL. What do you think? Don't you think it just goes with her perfectly??

And now that I bragged about our amazing pics, I would love to show off some of our fellow TAG members pictures... look how fun they are!

Candace Cameron with The Crimson Poppy

Amanda Rigehtti with SwirlyGarden Boutique Glasses

Sarah Drew wearing Blue Scarab Jewelry

Raphael Sbarge posing with note cards from The Beez Kneez

Reno Wilson with Simply Paperie Journal

Thomas Gibson with Dave Dilli Photography

We are so happy for everyone in the group!

If you want to see a TON more photos, please check out

 The Artisan Group's Facebook Page!

 It has been a great event and now we are looking forward to The Oscars Gift Lounge and MTV Movie Awards Gift Lounge! Oh, so exciting!

The 2012 Golden Globes Gift Lounge- Excitement!

This past weekend was the Golden Globes Gift Lounge!!!!

We had our main necklace on display and 100 Swarovski Crystal & Pearl Necklaces distributed in the SwagBags at the event!

The event was a big success and The Artisan Group got a ton of press coverage! I am so happy for us all.

I still don't know who took photos with our piece-- we find that out some time this week- AH! Can you tell I'm nervous? haha. Once I find out I will post the pics up here (ASAP).

Until then, here are some celebs we know for sure passed through our Gift Lounge!!

Elizabeth McGovern, Dot Marie Jones, Chris Noth (Mr. Big!), Sasha Pierce (such a Pretty Little Liars Fan <3), Reno Wilson, Jennifer Love Hewitt (HUGE FAN!), Amanda Righetti, Cheryl Burke, Samantha Harris, Jeremy Irons, Sarah Drew, Chris McDonald, Morena Baccarin, and many many many more!

Actually, I'm pretty stoked- TWO of these fabulous celebrities tweeted me back about receiving the swag bags. Which I think was just so nice of them!!!.... Wanna know who? Okay I'll share!

Amanda Righetti from The Mentalist!

and...

Reno Wilson of Mike & Molly!

I got lucky! I watch both of these shows every week. I always sit down with my mom and dad to watch The Mentalist (and end up having to explain the entire show to my father) and then I watch Mike & Molly with the fiance every week--- I literally laugh for the whole show. 

I'm still jittery that both of these amazing people wrote me back. I feel very grateful for that. 

Now... I cant wait to see who took pics with our display! Oh, the suspense is torturing me! haha. 

Be sure to check back later in the week... hopefully I'll have some info by then!

Look Great & #Donate! JewelsForHope Gifting Necklaces at GoldenGlobes GiftLounge #GBKGlobesGiftLounge

The time is finally here! Our long journey into making 100 items for the Golden Globes Gift Lounge is here! Today and tomorrow is the GBK Gift Lounge for The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees & Presenters.

My mother and I can't sit still. We are across the country- but we still feel the excitement as if we were right there!

Our items will be featured in The Artisan Group's swag bags as well as on display in their exhibit! Here is our one of a kind specialty necklace on display- we created this piece in the same color-code as one of the causes we support, Breast Cancer Research.

All of our 100 items featured in the swag bags will be color coded to represent all of the amazing organizations we support. One below represents Hospice. 

We are so thrilled to have our items in this Gift Lounge. This has been a dream come true for my mother and myself. 

Now, for the big moment.... I have some great photos to share with you FROM THE EVENT! Yes, our amazing reps at The Artisan Group gave us some photo updates that I am dying to share with you!

This is our exhibit!

You can see our stand in the top left hand side! Doesn't this all just look gorgeous! Oh, Valerie (TAG's founder-Left) and Nikki (TAG's founding partner-Right) did such an amazing job organizing this!

Stay tuned this weekend for many updates! The gift lounge goes until tomorrow night!!! And to follow along on twitter be sure to use this hashtag: #GBKGlobesGiftLounge

WOO HOO!!!!

Jewels For Hope on @NBCConnecticut

We will be on NBC Connecticut today on the News at 11!

We are so excited! We will be on the live segment, anytime between 11:15 and 11:45! If you are a Connecticut follower- tune in! You'll get to see myself and my mother trying not to stutter on camera! Well, that kinda just goes for me. My mother doesn't get into a ball of nerves like I do haha.

Wish Us Luck!

TG Bears-- Gifted Cari Cucksey from HGTV's Cash & Cari!

You know how much I love Teddy Bears. TG Bears has the cutest bears! 

If you have read my blog before, you must know about TG Bears already. But if not, I'll share some more :)

TG Bears was created by Monica. Monica makes all of the bears herself- she loves creating them!

"My bears have safety eyes, noses and joints and are washable, making them safe for children in their "bare" state. All accessories should be removed before giving them to children. Bears can have an optional growl placed in them (they are not washable when they can growl). For washing, place the "bare" bear in a pillow case and wash on the gentle cycle only. Do not tumble dry.

All bears are 16 inches tall. You will find the Classic Teddy Bear with his ribbon. There are colors to choose from. The Signature Collection are discerning bears that have ordered their custom neckwear from Tall Guys Ties. The neckties and scarves are handmade of 100% silk. The Specialty Bears vary. There are love-bears and patriots. Watch this category as you will find new bears added and some available for a limited time only."

Well, as you can tell from my title, TG Bears gifted a Special bear to Cari Cucksey from HGTV's Cash & Cari!

TG Bears closed 2011 with a third celebrity gift. This time Cari Cucksey, well known for her HGTV show Cash & Cari and also RePurpose.

 

Cari requested that I make her a green or blue bear. So, being that she is all about repurposed and thus also in keeping with the environment, who would do better to be honored with being gifted than our very own Earth Bear – who made his debut in celebration of Earth Day 2011.

 

 

TG Bears personalized Cari’s Earth Bear, and he proudly wears on her name on his right sole along with his golden heritage in his left. He is after all a TG Bear.

For more information about Cari's response to this adorable bear, please visit TG Bears website! You'll get to see some tweets from Cari directly! * squeal!*

Along with gifting to Cari, another fun thing about TG Bears which I actually didn't know....

TG Bears does a  "Person of the Month" feature. Nominations are accepted from the 1st to the 20th of every month. The site is then opened for voting from the 21st to the second last day of the month and the winner, who receives a coupon for a classic TG Bear is announced on the last day of the month. The nomination form or voting poll,  is on HERE

How fun is that! 

So if you are in the market for a special bear for a loved one- or for yourself, I definitely recommend TG Bears. <3 *Support Handmade!

 

Oscars Gift Lounge Preparation- Part 2!

So, we have started packing finally! If you read my last post you would know I am a huge procrastinator and have been putting off packaging the 100 Bracelets for the 2012 Oscars Gift Lounge.

Well, we started!!!!!

I completed 51 packages. Woo! We still need to make close to 25 more bracelets. Then package the rest. And have them sent to California between Jan 15th and Feb 1st.

We have some work to do.

But for now, I want to show you our fun packing.

Now. We (my mother & myself) are very loud, fun people (or at least we like to think we are!). We got the biggest kick out of this packaging, and we hope it brings joy to everyone who gets one. Even if it makes only 1 person smile, then we will be happy with that.

Here are two examples of the bracelets we'll be sending.... Swarovski Crystal Leather Cord Bracelets.

and the note cards.... can you see where we are going with this yet?

Can you?

and here it is..... See it?

SMILE

We think this is just so fun! A smiley face using the bracelet. We got the biggest kick out of this!

We hope this brings some joy to whoever receives this. We think it is just so darn cute! Yes, I know we may seem a little nutty right now- but we think this is a great way to show off our designs!

So what do you think????????

Have you Entered Yet? Boston Tea Company Giveaway!

Less than 200 entries! Enter to win a $20 Gift Certificate for Yummy Teas!

Enter Here!