Featured Item and other Exciting News

This is the last Monday of February. That seems weird!

This week's featured item is a favorite among my fans. I fashioned this sparkly bobby pin out of two vintage "screw-on" earrings. Each cluster of three rhinestones was an earring. I combined the two to make an interesting and unique hair pin. Get this one of a kind hairpiece here.

I have a lot of exciting news to share!!

1. A Hand Made and Lovely giveaway has been posted to bouffe e bambini. Be sure to check it out! There are several ways to enter. If you're reading this, you probably already qualify for one!

2. Lauren (a modern day wife) and I are hosting another link-up this Friday! It's part of our "See where I..." series to be posted the first Friday of each month. We want to see where you cook! Be on the look out for the link-up post on Friday!

3. I'll be posting my very first product review and giveaway this week! You won't want to miss out on this amazing Pampered Chef giveaway! Two of you will be winners!

4. I still have rosette and braided headbands available for sale. Please contact me to let me know which one you'd like shipped to your house! Free shipping for a limited time!

Rosette Headband Sale

I still have 5 rosette headbands made and ready to be shipped! 

Check them out here.

I also have 2 braided headbands available.

All orders have FREE SHIPPING!! 

Rosette headbands are $10, and the braided headbands are $13!

Headband Sale

Blue and silver headband has SOLD...I still have the Pretty in Pink and Orange with Flower Power available for $13 with FREE SHIPPING.

These 5 rosette headbands are available for $10 with FREE SHIPPING!!

Happy Friday!!

I want to send you a Headband!

I've got 5 HM&L rosette headbands and 3 double braided headbands ready to be shipped! See this post for details.

Exclusive Rosette Headband Sale!!

I have five rosette headbands made and ready to be shipped!

 Orange rosettes - 1 large, 1 small
silver headband

 Purple Petal rosettes - 3 small
silver headband

 Blue and Silver rosettes - 2 medium
black headband

 Flower Power - 1 large, 1 small
silver headband

Lime Mum rosettes - 1 large, 1 medium
black headband

I'm offering these Hand Made and Lovely headbands exclusively to my followers at an unbelievable price! Each headband is only $10 with FREE SHIPPING (in the U.S. and Canada)!! These are the only five I have available for this price. This sale is first come, first served. Please contact me via email or through a blog comment (with your email address included) letting me know which headband you'd like to own.

Don't forget, I still have these three headbands for sale too! $13 with FREE SHIPPING!! This is a limited time offer, until I'm able to post them in Etsy.

If you don't see something you like, check out my design your own rosette headband listing in my Etsy shop!

Pate Art Show

In exactly one week, my entire family is having our art showcased at The Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville, SC. Opening night is March 3rd, and the reception starts at 5:30 if anyone finds themselves in the area! I'm hoping to be able to make it. With it being a Thursday night, it kind of messes with my school schedule.

When I say my entire family, I do mean my ENTIRE family. I'll be displaying architectural models as well as some Hand Made and Lovely pieces. My dad will have paintings and drawings displayed, and my brother is having his senior animation reel playing. My dad's two brothers will be showing off their photography, painting, and sculptures. Their kids are in on the fun too! All in all, there will be 14 Pate artists being featured in the gallery. It's sure to be an event! This is the first time we've all shared an art show!

Here are some of the pieces I'll be showing. The jewelry has temporarily been taken off of my Etsy site, but it will be back on if it doesn't sell at the show!

This is a model of a junior year project.

Bike Depot in downtown Clemson, SC

Fabric covered vintage button bracelet

Vintage button necklace

I will also be featuring two other architectural models, three pairs of earrings, and a second necklace. I'm displaying my jewelry in a case with my antique Hand Made and Lovely inspiration tag framed (like how it is in my blog header). My dad bought me two necks, so I'm displaying the button necklace on one of those. I'm using an old manikin hand to "hold" the button bracelet. Everything is going to be in a vintage glass case. It's going to be really pretty! I'll be sure to post pictures after the opening!

My dad blog about his what's in his studiowasteland. He is an amazing artist, and I'm not just saying that! Check out his work and let him know what you think! He'd be tickled to gain a new follower. I'm trying to get him to set up an Etsy shop for his dancer drawings. He does sell them through is blog though if anyone is interested!

I've advertised for my brother before, but he's good enough to get another plug! He's working as an animator in Austin, but does web design on the side. Let me know if you'd like his contact info. Here's his website, if you'd like to check out some of his work.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm linking up with Jamie again for WILW!!

I'm loving this amazing weather we've been having. Today is supposed to be a little cooler (low 60's), but I am not complaining! It's sunny!!

I'm loving that I got a new Bazaar in the mail today. Now, I'll have something to flip through when I get home from studio tonight. It's the Spring Fashion edition, so it goes perfectly with the weather we've been having! Maybe I'll find some new jewelry inspirations in there!

I'm loving the Digiorno 200 Calorie pizza I had for lunch. I get the pepperoni. Here's how I cook it: I microwave the pizza for 1 min, then add a little extra cheese, and let it cook in the big oven a little longer. I like it cheesier and crispier than the microwave allows. I guess with the extra cheese, it's no longer 200 cals, but it's still a good lunch.

I'm loving that my guest post for Kendra was posted today. She's having and "I'm Obsessed..." series on her blog and is looking for more guest posters! It was super fun to write a short post about what I'm obsessed with. To see my choice visit her blog!

I'm loving the cute headband I made for Jessica, my 1st giveaway winner. I sent her Hand Made and Lovely package yesterday, so I hope she gets it in the next few days. She chose the Pretty in Pink fabric and wanted one large and one small rosette. I had never made this style before, and it turned out cuter than I could have imagined! I didn't take a picture, but maybe Jessica will when she receives the headband. Hope you enjoy Jessica!! Design you own Hand Made and Lovely rosette headband in my shop!

Top 2 Tuesday!

I'm linking up with The Undomestic Momma again for Top 2 Tuesday! She's back on her "things learned" routine, and this week's topic is...

Top 2 Things you've learned from your parents or grandparents.

I chose to stick with things I've learned from my grandparents.

1. "You can't purify the water by painting the pump." - Poppie. My Poppie is always cracking jokes and saying the most random things. This little gem sticks in my head. To me, it means that what's on the outside isn't as important as what's on the inside. Fancy clothes and cute accessories don't mean a thing if you have an ugly soul.

2. You can hide in a diaper. This one comes from my Mimi (Poppie's lady). She didn't actually say this, so don't think she's insane. We used to play this game where we'd sit at her kitchen table and pretend like we were very small. We would each pick a hiding spot, and the other would guess where we were "hiding". She has an old picture hanging in her kitchen of my grandpa and his siblings. One of them was in a diaper, and she hid in the diaper one day. I don't know why that has stuck in my head all these years. I interpret that situation as her telling me to "be creative", "weigh all your options", and "don't be afraid to get a little dirty".

3. I have to include my Gwee in this post. I have three grandparents, and I have learned so much from all of them. One of the greatest things I've learned from Gwee (yes, this is what we call her) is that it is perfectly fine, and in fact encouraged, to abruptly swerve across cross a busy 6-lane highway for hot Krispy Kreme donuts.

Facebook Fan Page

Be sure to "like" Hand Made and Lovely on Facebook. I've just posted a sneak peek at my giveaway to be posted at bouffe e bambini next week! Write on my wall or comment on a picture to let me know you've stopped by!

Featured Item of the Week

This week's featured item is another fan favorite. Instead of choosing something based on Etsy "hearts", I've chosen this item based on popularity in sales.

I have currently sold 4 of these freshwater pearl necklaces. The cluster of pearls placed on a long chain is simple and versatile. I can make many different styles of this necklace, which allows personal choice to come into play.

The white pearl cluster on a gold chain has been the most popular choice.

I currently have this design for sale in my Etsy shop. The white fresh water pearl cluster is accented by the darker antiqued chain. I love the simplicity of this design.

I have a new, similar design debuting in my Etsy shop later this week (a more colorful option). The necklace will be featured in a giveaway on bouffe e bambini soon!!

Stylish Blogger Award

Angela at Lariats and Lavender gave me the Stylish Blogger Award! I'm so excited for my second blog award! Thanks Angela!!

The rules for this award are simple. First, thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. Then share 7 things about yourself. And finally, tag other bloggers and let them know that you've given them an award!

1. I'm minoring in Psychology. I think it's so interesting to learn how people think and why people do what they do. I'm currently in a Health Psych class learning how to help people change their bad habits and adopt healthy ones.

2. I have a cat named Snickers. We have the same color hair, and I got her when I was 10. I love that kitty!

3. I'm currently obsessed with combining teal and orange. Actually, yesterday I wore a teal v-neck t-shirt with my orange Hand Made and Lovely rosette headband. Maybe that color combo will start showing up in some of my new jewelry!

4. I generally wear a size 8 shoe. Sometimes I have to get 7 1/2 in heels or 8 1/2 in tighter-made shoes. I would be embarrassed to tell you the amount of shoes I own, and even more embarrassed at the ratio of shoes I actually wear to those I don't.

5. I text or call my boyfriend everytime I make an Etsy sale, and I keep him up-to-date on my followers and "likes" on Facebook nightly. I just have to share my excitement with someone!!

6. I love reduced fat Cheez-its. My mom started buying those vs. the regular ones years ago, and now I'm hooked. I like them so much better than the regular Cheez-its!!

7. I want to visit all 50 states before I die. Currently, I have been to 23. 


I'm tagging all my stylish followers!!

Giveaway Winner!!!

I was so pleased with the number of entries into my very first giveaway!! I never thought I'd have this many people participating! There were 103 total entries. And the winner who will be able to design their very own Hand Made and Lovely rosette headband is...........

Jessica @ Pearls and Pink Polka Dots

Thanks to everyone who entered!! Be on the look out for more giveaways in the future since this one was such a success!! I've emailed Jessica, and she has 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. Check your email, girl!

For those of you who didn't win, I have made a listing in my Etsy shop for a "Design your Own Rosette Headband"!! I have included FREE SHIPPING for a limited time!! Don't forget about my other new headband creation, still at the blog-exclusive price of $13 with FREE SHIPPING!

Giveaway ends Tonight!

Reminder to all my lovely followers that my first giveaway ends tonight at midnight!! Winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon!

I'm so Excited...

and I just can't hide it from my lovely followers. I've been busy crafting a new item for my Etsy shop, and I'm hoping you're going to love it!

New style of fabric headbands!!! I just love these! Two frayed fabric braids sewn to a stretchy hair tie make this Hand Made and Lovely headband. I only have the three made now, but I definitely plan on making more in all my favorite fabrics.

Pretty in Pink

Blue and Silver

 Flower Power with Orange

As a blog exclusive, I'm offering these new headbands to my readers first (and at a discounted price). I have these three styles ready to be shipped for $13 with FREE SHIPPING!! I can also take custom orders from the fabrics I have as choices in my giveaway. I'll be listing these headbands in my Etsy shop next week at $15 plus shipping, and this special price will no longer be valid. Just let me know if you're interested!

Here's a few pics of me modeling the pink one...since it matched my shirt.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Entries are being accepted through midnight Friday! Winner to be announced Saturday! Purchasing one of these headbands would give you TEN extra giveaway entries!!

Oh, Thursday

Thursdays are usually pretty random posts. I try to make them about a new craft project I'm working on or my latest studio project. Neither of those things will be featured in this post. This past week my pink Kitchen Aid was very busy! It saw more action in two days then it has seen in quite a while!

First, I made cookies for my valentine. I usually stick to the traditional chocolate chip or sugar cookies, but I saw a recipe for chocolate peanut butter cookies on bouffe e bambini that I just had to try. My boy loves Reeses!! I used this recipe, but I did change some things. I could not find peanut butter chips in Wal-Mart...does anyone know where they hide them? So, I didn't add those. I used one stick butter and one stick margarine (does that make it healthier??). I'm not sure if this is an acceptable substitute, but I used hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa powder. And I doubled my vanilla, like I do for every recipe! Warning: This recipe makes A LOT of delicious cookies!! Next time, I'm definitely cutting everything in half.

I baked some of the dough in cupcake papers to make cup-cookies. They turned out really yummy! I added a couple minutes of cook time because they are thicker.

Then, on Sunday, when the boy and I celebrated Valentine's day, I made homemade pizza. I made the dough from scratch and rolled it out into a heart!

Please excuse the cut down the middle. I totally meant to take pictures through my entire making and baking process, but this is all you get. I realized after I cut it that I wanted to take a picture to show all my lovely followers. I must say, it was delicious!

Enough about food, it's making me hungry! Yesterday, I mailed a Hand Made and Lovely package to Emily. She'll be receiving her new ring and earrings in the mail shortly! As a bonus, she got 10 entries into my giveaway for her purchase! Entries are being accepted through midnight tomorrow, so don't miss your chance to design your own rosette headband! There are several easy ways to enter.

Speaking of giveaways, I found an awesome one today! Jen at Slumber Designs is hosting an amazing giveaway from Shabby Apple!

Now, Thursday is great, but I'm ready for Friday and the weekend!!!

What I'm Loving This Wednesday

I look forward to this blog hop all week! It always lifts my spirits by forcing myself to look at the positives and by seeing what other people are loving! I'm linking up with Jamie!

I'm loving that tomorrow is Thursday! My second test of the week will be over at 12:15, and I'll be getting a pedicure with one of my roomies. Now, all I have to do is study and choose my color...

I'm loving the response I've been getting on my 1st giveaway! So far there are 64 entries. Have you entered? You don't want to pass up the chance to win a Hand Made and Lovely blog exclusive!

I'm loving that my other roomie is loving her custom Hand Made and Lovely earring frame. She requested a large, simple black frame to house her earrings. It fits perfectly in her bathroom and displays her earrings beautifully! She still has a lot more to add, but I think she has the space! Contact me with questions about custom frame orders.

I'm loving that a fellow architortured Etsy-ing redhead has joined the blogging world! Be sure to check out Lindsay's brand new blog as well as her beautiful Etsy shop. She's promising a giveaway after reaching 50 followers!!

Can't wait to see what you're loving!

Top 2 Tuesday!

I'm linking up with the Undomestic Momma again for Top 2 Tuesday. (a day early this week)

Top 2 Favorite Grammy Dresses!

1. I think Jennifer Lopez looked amazing! The Grammys gives celebs a chance to wear something fun and bold. This mini is definitely fun and bold. And those shoes!?!?

2. Best dress #2 goes to Dianna Agron from Glee. (I'm willing to admit that I had to look up her name.) This is a beautiful architectural dress, and she looks like a rock-star. I don't think her hair and make-up could have been any better!

Can't wait to check out everyone else's Top 2!!

Be sure to enter my giveaway that ends Friday! You have the chance to design your own rosette headband!

Featured Item of the Week

So, I still don't have any "Valentine" themed jewelry in my shop, but I am featuring items this month that people "heart" on my Etsy site. This week's item is this lovely filigree pendant necklace, hearted by two.

I love the simplicity of this necklace. The antiqued gold finish makes the pendant seem vintage, even though it is not. This necklace is so versatile and could be worn with any color. I think it would look great with a navy blue top.

I have to keep this Hand Made and Lovely piece hidden from my roommate (who is modeling it above). This past week she told one of our friends about it and made me show it to her. I thought she was being an awesome publicist!! Then, she begged her not to buy it.

Be sure to head on over to my shop and "heart" your favorite items. I have two more "Fan Favorite" featured items for February.

Random thoughts:

I'll be posting on Thursday about the dinner and dessert I made the boy for our Valentine's date.

My giveaway is open through Friday! Winner will be announced Saturday!

I'm really confused about a lot of the Grammy winners. Who is that girl who won best new artist? She must be extremely new. I'm not ashamed to say that I was rooting for Justin Bieber. I would have been happy if Drake won too. I can't believe Lady A took home so many awards!! Love them, but I was surprised! A friend that I've known since before I had hair escorted Lady Gaga down the red carpet. Not one of the weird performers holding her egg, one of the nice guys in suits telling people to move.

That's him on the left with the clipboard.

My Valentine and I had heart shaped Chick-fil-a chicken biscuits this morning. It is our third Valentine's together (fourth if you count the awkward "group date" he asked me on freshman year, which I don't).

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so excited that I got to post my first giveaway yesterday!! Be sure to check it out if you haven't already. There are several ways to enter!

I've also found another amazing giveaway from Gussy Sews. If you don't follow this blog, you should!! It's amazing, and she makes the cutest bags!

This weekend I'll be making homemade pizza and some delicious looking cookies!! I'm posting my recipe for pizza dough next week, and you can find the cookie recipe here at bouffe e bambini. I'll be sure to let you know how they taste!!

My 1st GIVEAWAY!!

I've finally reached 100 followers!! Well, actually 102, which is amazing!! I can't believe it! Thank you to everyone who is following Hand Made and Lovely! I've been promising and awaiting this giveaway for quite awhile, and I'm so excited that it is finally time!

Enter this giveaway for a chance to design your own Hand Made and Lovely rosette headband! This item is not yet available in my Etsy shop. I’m offering it exclusively to my blog followers first.

When designing your headband, you’ll have your choice of fabric, rosette size, number of rosettes, and headband color (see choices below).

You will be able to choose 1,2, or 3 of these fabrics for your headband.

You will be able to choose the size and combination of your rosettes.

{1 large & 1 small} {2 mediums} {3 smalls}

The rosettes will be attached to either a black or silver thin metal headband. The headband color is your choice as well. This is truly a "designed-by-you" Hand Made and Lovely piece!!

Entering is simple:

1. Follow my blog publicly (1 mandatory entry)

2. Like Hand Made and Lovely on Facebook (1 entry)

3. Add my Etsy shop to your favorites on Etsy (1 entry)

4. Blog about this giveaway with a link to the post (3 entries)

5. Buy something Hand Made and Lovely (10 entries - no past purchase credit)

I will be checking to verify these are true. Please leave me any appropriate links along with your email address. It is not necessary to leave a separate comment for each entry. I will add your name to my master list the appropriate amount of times. Giveaway will be closed Friday February 18 at midnight. Winner will be posted on my blog the following day and also contacted by email.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and posted on my blog 2/19. The winner will be contacted by me via email. Please leave your email address in your post if it is not found easily on your blog or profile. Winner has 48 hrs to respond. After two days, another winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to residents of the U.S. or Canada.