Yes I do love JEWELRY!!

I'll admit it... i LOVE jewelry, cant help it. Its the one thing that can take a t-shirt and jeans from blah housewife to VA VA VA VOOOM in a matter of seconds! 5 strands of pearls with a t-shirt... why yes I will!! Big earrings with a pony tail... well of course! There is just no reason to NOT love jewelry.

Now of course since I started TPJ it seems to take quite a bit to "wow" me but lately.... wow is pretty frequent! My tastes are evolving and the talent making its way to Etsy is MIND BLOWING!

Today... I HAVE to share with you: Bionic Unicorn This Minneapolis based designer hit Etsy in September of 2008 and has had my eye for a while!

Call it Steampunk, call it eco- friendly assemblage... I call it FANTASTIC!

Here's her blog: http://www.bionicunicorn.blogspot.com/

and I've linked her shop all around too. Its just beauty.

Until next time (and look at me I didn't wait 5 months)

xoxo~
Michele

TPJ

Rebirth.... renew.....

So I've abandoned this blog. I used to use this to show off what was new from The Prairie Jeweler but this past year has been such an event that really, TPJ has been on the back burner. Still warm but not anything like it used to be. Dont worry though, i'm ok with that!



The first anniversary of Whatta Waist is about to come... and its been a MOST amazing year. I've learned so much about myself artistically as well as personally. I have to say that without Kari 2009 would have been so much less FANTASTIC. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! What a wild ride and I cant wait to see what trouble we can get ourselves into in 2010.


NOW... as for this blog... I think i'll take it for a spin... show off some of my favorite things from Etsy (the best place to shop EVA). I still feel like so many people are missing out on the wonders that the handmade world has to offer.


TODAYS find for me.... Bagatelles And Co.... This shop is filled with the prettiest of little clutches and bags. It makes me wish for hot NYE plans to bring in 2010. Think I'd look silly sitting at the house with my kids and holding on to one of these gorgeous bags???





































This is my favorite.. its the plaid that gets me every time~




















Well... it may be short and sweet but at least its a post!

Until next time~
Peace, Love and Kilts

xoxo
Michele
TPJ & Whatta Waist

Wrists or Ears... Ears or Wrists

Well today's goal was to get another blog entry done... and look at me 3 hours to spare!! I tell ya I'm an overachiever! NOT


As I sit here listening to my heater run constantly I am so thankful that my hobby is one that is indoors and not oh say.... competitive tree climbing! Kansas has decided to get darn chilly this week. Think we're done seeing above freezing for a few days. I want to move to my sisters in Alabama!



So, today I have for your optical delight.... a couple more cuffs and some new earrings! TA DAA!




"Santa Fe" earrings are so cute! Great crosses and turquoise:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19557798















"RockStarred" cuff features a great star concho and black crystal accents: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19242831


"Paths" cuff makes a beautiful statement for you or your loved one: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17972718

















"Lenox" earrings are the perfect match to the "Lenox" necklace! Or great on their own: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19658022

So there are a few morsels for you to chew on for a bit! I will be busy busy busy over the next 2 months getting geared up for the first show of the 09 season. Watch out Claremore Oklahoma, Nelli and I are coming back to town!!!

Until next time~
Peace, love and Warm Blankets

xoxo~
MIchele
TPJ

Tuesday Night Brain Storming!

I love that once a week my friend Kari and I get together, avoid our kids (like good moms) and do as much brainstorming, creating and or just general b!tching. Tonight was more like a decompression session... just some time to chill. I worked on some photos and we talked about our upcoming venture (teaser again i know).

Another thing that came up... we need some new junkin' grounds... anyone have any suggestions for us? Thinking of heading toward Wichita so if you have any ideas of places south to south west on the Kansas Turnpike drop me a line! Inspiration is our fuel!




Here are a few necklaces I've been working on the last week. Enjoy!







"Lenox" Lava beads with sterling silver and a fantastic Spur Rowel and Nautical star pendant. Look for this one at Etsy.com soon!

"Ombre" my obsession with leather continues into necklaces now. "Pink Turquoise" (dyed Howlite) strung between double leather straps with a gorgeous Bali silver center.

"Tuscon" a junkers dream, leather gently holds a great turquoise donut with dangling charms of goldstone, turquoise, sterling silver and jasper.

I've been busy keeping up with my networking but its starting to make my head spin.... Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, the Blog, my store.... oh wait I have a life too. I tell ya what, determination is a tough curse but I'm cool with that!

Until Next time~
Peace, Love and Gingham

xoxo~
Michele
TPJ

ZZzzzzzzzzz... .Huh... what... oh....

WAKE UP MICHELE!!!!! My gawd, not only am I extremely tired but its almost like I've abandoned ship on this blog.

So... this will be less wordy and more purdy!

New Cuffs!!!!

"San"... coming soon to Etsy. Gorgeous 2 tone leather with great tooling and vintage flair. The stamped steel concho is such a great addition!

"Skipper"... aren't they cute?? Narrow and delicate and NOT the norm in leather color. They are kind of blueish/grayish/greenish... totally funky and adorable! Only one left and will be hitting Etsy TOMORROW!!! If it lasts that long!

"Monarch" got a little flashy this time around. This one is larger in size and has pretty crystal bling to it!

"Burst" is a manly one... and on Etsy now for your gift giving ease!

"Flora" has a beautiful new floral heart concho as its centerpiece. Rich colors perfect for fall! On Etsy now!

"Prairie" has some serious bling factor! The centerpiece star concho is crystal and accented by crystal spots on either side. Coming to Etsy soon... if she makes it that long!

Well... this is what I've been up to... well this and slacking! I have so much to get done and just no ambition right now... how sad. Lets hope i kick it in the rear quick!

Until Next time~

Peace, Love and Lazy days

xoxo
Michele
TPJ

Love.... aaawwwww....

OK.. so any of you that know me in real life know that I sport the BEST bracelet ever! I blogged about it last winter... the "Love is for losers" wood bangle by Valle.Girl Designs! Well in honor of love (and not my personal opinion of it all) I give you a big fat sloppy kiss for all 200 of the great people out there that "Hearted" me on my Etsy site! Who woulda thunk it!

Thank you all so much for making my first year with Etsy a wonderful experience. Love to you all!



Now.. I'm gettin' my arse in gear and getting new pieces done for the season. Bet you wish you could see the funky fantastic Zebra inspired bracelet i finished last night.... but ya cant... cuz i haven't photographed it yet. I'm such a tease. lol

Until next time kids~

Peace Love and HEARTS

xoxo
~MIchele
TPJ

HA!!! Check me out!

Lookie here lookie here... 2 days in a row!!! Heck less than 24 hours even!


So there I was.... just checkin' the mail (you thought I was gonna say spittin' on my goldfish didn't ya??) when i discovered 2 boxes........ MY NEW BUSINESS CARDS!!! Lets just say I'm glad there were no small children in my way as I went barreling into the house to open them!

Last fall i decided that my business cards were too difficult to read (although I loved them). So I wanted to have new ones designed for this fall. I found an awesome store in Etsy called "Go Against the Grain" that does some awesome works. They designed the banner for my shop and now my FAN-FREAKIN- TABULOUS new cards.





Check 'em out!

The Fantastic Front! Oohhh so pretty

And the ever so functional and easy to read back!!!!

I'm ready to wallpaper my office with them!!

Ok, back to slacking.... don't want ya'll to get spoiled!

Until next time~
Peace love & new pretties!

xoxo
~Michele
TPJ

FINALLY!

So I've been conjuring up this line for the past 7 months now... and FINALLY... I've listed the first one!! I've made others but they sell before I can even get them photographed!

The "CUFFED" line has finally made its way to the TPJ Etsy store front! I could not be more relieved!

Remember back in February or March when I was teasing about this line with the hot picture of Jess?
Well the one she has on in this picture is my first one! I love "Lofty Star" so much that I will never make another like it again!! This one is mine... and I don't like to share. ;-)



So... here are 2 that are ready to roll for the public!
"Monarch" is such a beautiful piece that I didn't even want to embellish the fantastic vintage leather! The very one pictured is already claimed but there will be more SOON!!!




"Roscoe" is already listed!! Just a simple vintage leather strap with a gorgeous star concho dead set in the middle! The existing tooling on this leather made for the perfect accent!

And with the TPJ world getting a little more "edgy" I have also started making some fun cross pieces like "Love Crux" earrings



I could add so much more to this blog today but I need to hold back something so I can blog more this week! Don't want to toss it all out there on a Monday!

So until next time~

Peace, Love & REBELS!

xoxo
Michele
TPJ

Custom Works!

There is nothing better than being able to say that you have a ONE OF A KIND! I love it, have since I was a little girl. I'd love to take something that is just ordinary and make it my own. I'd take clothes apart, add trims, change the style and just make it all me! Now I have the pleasure Of making one of a kind jewelry for others like me who love to be different!

Over the past month I've been working with fellow Etsian Michelle Glaeser to create a great piece in trade for something that I LOVE from her shop (i love Etsy).

First let me introduce you to "Peacock Star".... the fun star concho piece that I made for Michelle:

A fun mix of amethyst, sodalite and sterling silver, and a few fun glass pieces thrown in because the color was so completely on the mark!

NOW... Michelle Glaesers work... OMG I'm in LOVE with her stuff and "Lofty Heart" is about to me MINE!

Now this one is for sale in her shop (see link above) and is a total steal! Mine will have a crown on top of the heart because well... you know if I had a halo it would be tarnished and I'm more of a princess anyway. LOL

So.. when you see me sporting "Lofty Heart" be jealous... be very very jealous! ;-)

Until Next Time~
Peace, Love and Wings

xoxo
Michele

TPJ

New DIGS!

I think I'm a broken record here... every blog starts the same way. I NEGLECT THIS THING something fierce I know! Even Kelley is kickin my rear with the blogging! Ugh... I must make up for it!

So, whats been keeping me... well let me tell you!

I've finally finished my Small Business Owners course at FHTC and its been a relief to have 8+ hours a week back to me. HOWEVER it ended just in time for spring to pick up, mothers day to be looming and for my kiddos and I to MOVE into our new house! Ok so not brand spankin' new but new to us and long awaited!

Since I've not been designing much for new jewelry lately I thought I'd take this time to show off what i have been dreaming up. The new house furnishings!

First off.... MY bedroom. A room that will be all about me. A funky mix of wild and mild. ((I know, some of you want to know where my "mild" is but you all know its there.... somewhere))

We're going ZEBRA on the bed and RED accents!

How fun is that! The walls are very taupe now but I will be jazzing that up!

I found a hot zebra print metal star too but since its not gracing the walls yet and I don't have a picture just use your imagination already... ok here is a copper one like it but mine has rustic zebra print in it.

Then for the walls.... my Pinup Girls!!! I love them in all their glory!

I still need to work on window treatments but that's coming I'm sure!

We're just ready to get in, get unpacked and stretch out. You better be sure to call before you stop by because we'll likely be lounging around in our unmentionables for the first week or too! Whooo hooooo!!!!

I'll update you on the kids' rooms soon! They're fun!!!

So, until next time (which better be sooner than later)

Peace, Love and Zebra Stripes

XOXO
Michele
TPJ

Bring on the Green!!

The fabulous green day is here so i decided to share the love with my other Etsians!

Today's Blog entry... green from my favorite sellers! If you arent shopping Etsy you're seriously missing out. No big box retailer could come close to the amazing works that can be found here!

This is why I love Kansas... JaredKs is a local guy with some amazing Kansas photography. I have had him marked a favorite since not long after I found Etsy. Cant wait to buy some of his works!

How yummy does this sound.... "Chocolate Mint Sprig"? That's the name of this fantastic bag made by BlackBags of Monroe, North Carolina! I need one of these so badly!

Isn't this darling? I love all of the cute clutches and pouches from oktak
The fabrics are just amazing!
Please meet "Reed"~!! Isn't he the cutest sock monkey ever? I have never seen such awesome sock monkeys until i found FriedOkra ! ((not only are the monkeys cute but the name of the shop makes me crave Fried Okra!!))

Ohhh Valle.Girl.Designs!!!! Stacey is so awesome! If any of you know me personally you'll remember the fantastic wooden bangle that i wear all the time... "Love is for Losers"... yeah.. this is the chick! She truly rocks! So I had to show some love to "What Goes Around"!

And last but most definitely not least..... from the amazing Analiese Designs ...... "Strawberry Ice Tulips" pendant. This is the super talent behind the Pin Up girls necklaces I do. Yes she is that awesome! She can literally take any quality picture you have and make an awesome pendant for you... and then i can make a great necklace for it to hang on. How about that for great work!

Whew.... well I'm worn out... must be time for a cold green beer! LOL
Hope you have all the luck o' the Irish on this cold and wet Kansas day. May it be sunny in your world!

Until next time~

Peace, Love and ShamROCKS!!!

xoxox
Michele
TPJ

Sneek Peek at the new listings!

I think last weeks photo shoot got my creative juices jumpin! I've been busy busy busy!


Here is a quick peek at the newest pieces from TPJ~ Hope you like.


"Vegas"- Now this takes the fun "Cowgirls Dream" up to a whole new level. Double layered spur rowel with crystal accents, gorgeous faux gunmetal pearls and sterling. I can see you wearing this at the NFR!!!

"Reno" One of my favorite color combos in the WHOLE WORLD... LOL. Huge pink turquoise beads with gorgeous brown matrix, accented by brown bone beads and sterling silver.

"Tuscon" has just the right amount of cool turquoise and spicy coral. Gorgeous pendant on this!

There is more but i'm just spent on a Monday morning!

Until Next time~
Peace, Love and WARMER WEATHER (please)

xoxo
~Michele
TPJ

Ok Kelley, you win!

Since Kelley demanded it... I shall deliver!

Isn't it so freakin' cute!!! Gawd i could just stare at it all day! Again, Josephine at Retrospective Designs is just amazing and such a sweet woman. You have got to check out her Etsy site, fabulous photo montages, custom invitations, maps and her talents are endless!

As for the jewelry pieces mentioned below (oh yeah... that's what I do here.. I make jewelry.. huh.. damn near forgot) here are the pics of the newest fabulousness!

"Stellar" gorgeous black agate, crystal quartz and fantastic sterling silver pendant. Its just stunning!



"Ivy" Talk about a show stopper. This is the definition of turquoise gone classy~!


"Looper" another one of my HOT Cowgirl Pinups, this time she's kicked back with her rope... ready to drop a loop over that hot cowboy of her dreams.
"Astonished" one of my favorite designs. The star concho is engraved with a beautiful flourish pattern. Black agate and sterling.

Whew... ok, there is more but I'm beat. Guess you'll just have to check Etsy.com for the rest of it. These pieces will be released for sale throughout this week.

Until next time~

TPJ.... OUT!

Michele
TPJ