I’m so impressed with myself….

I just love it when I get an idea, and the darn thing actually works out!

A few months ago, I acquired 4 rusty, vintage skeleton keys.  Typically, I would just seal them and then use them in jewelry.  However, I wanted to give these particular keys had quite a bit of rust to them so I thought it would be cool if I added a “patina” look to each of the keys before I sealed them.  Not having any idea how I was going to do this, I headed to Michael’s and began brainstorming (or as my husband calls it, walking up and down every damn aisle 4 or 5 times).

After all was said and done, I decided to try the simplest method I could think of to add the patina look.  I simply grabbed a small bottle of turquoise craft paint and a sponge brush and headed home to experiment.

I added a little bit of paint to each of the keys, and then wiped them with a damp cloth to make it look more natural.  Once I got the look I wanted, I sealed them with a clear spray sealant and let them dry.

My favorite finished key

Now I just have to find a good “aged” chain and a few dangles to accent it.  You should see the finished product very soon in my shop!

**UPDATE**

Just listed!  Rust and Patina Vintage Skeleton Key Necklace.  Check it out here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/67324034/rust-and-patina-vintage-skeleton-key

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Do you LOVE giveaways?

Yep, that’s right… it’s time for another giveaway, brought to you by Creativity is Messy!!!

And since February 14th is just around the corner, I thought I should giveaway a very “Lovely” gift…  A Valentine’s Day themed prize pack valued over $50.00!  I won’t tell you exactly what is inside (it’s a surprise), but I will tell you that there will be SEVERAL items inside for you to enjoy.

 

Here is how to enter…

We are celebrating Valentine’s Day, so I have decided that this giveaway is all about LOVE.  Check out the Creativity is Messy Etsy Shop and leave a comment here on my blog telling which item, currently for sale, do you LOVE.  Do that and receive 1 entry into the drawing!

The entry deadline is Sunday, January 30th at 11:59 pm.  That gives you a little less than 2 weeks to enter.  I will randomly choose a winner on Monday, January 31st, sometime in the AM, and post their name on my blog, Facebook and Twitter pages.  The winner’s prize pack will be mailed out on that same Monday – giving you enough time to receive it before February 14th.

Would you like to have additional entries?

1) Become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/creativityismessy) and post a link to this contest on your page – One additional entry!  (If you are already a fan, just post the contest link)

2) Follow on Twitter (http://twitter.com/creativitymessy) and tweet the contest link – Another additional entry!  (If you already follow me on twitter, just post the contest link)

Make sure to post your additional entries in the comments as well, so that we know how many times to enter your name into the contest.

Good luck!  And don’t forget to tell your friends!

**Sorry, but this contest is for US residents only**

Preparing for Valentine’s Day

I have been really busy preparing for Valentine’s Day!  Besides adding some new, valentine-themed items to my Etsy shop, I have also been decorating my home for the holiday.  Yes, I decorate for Valentine’s Day!

My favorite “decorations” that I adorn my living room with in preparation for February 14th are some vintage “Valentines” that once belong to my grandfather and great-grandmother.  I only have 4, but I have them in protective frames and display them on my mantel every year.  My favorite is this sweet, but small, heart-shaped valentine that was addressed to “Frankie”… otherwise known as my grandfather Frank.

It is just too sweet!!

I also have a Valentine that was from my Great-Grandmother addressed to my Great-Great-Grandmother.  What treasures!

Here are a few photos items that I have recently created and listed in my Etsy Shop.

 

And there will be more to come!

What is in store for 2011?

Well, last year sure was a jammed-packed, overflowing, full of delicious goodness-type of year!  I’m excited to see what 2011 has in store for Creativity is Messy!!

 

As many people do, I have made some goals and resolutions for the new year… and I’d thought I’d share them with you!

 

1)  Be more organized.  Okay, so this is one resolution that I make just about every year, and every year by December I am still the crazed, disheveled, messy, cluster-cluck that I was before.  However, this year I asked for “organizing” items for Christmas and received a ton of great things to help.  I spent most of the New Years weekend completely organizing and cleaning my craft room – and I have to say… It looks GOOD!  And I can find stuff!  There is a place for everything, and everything is (currently) in its place!

Check back with me around March to see how this is going…

 

2)  Focus on Customer Service. No matter where I am working, I pride myself in my customer service ability and always have.  There is nothing that peeves me more than bad customer service.

So this year, I want to be known as that person that is willing to do and go beyond the call of duty to make her customers happy.  Now, this doesn’t mean I am willing to let people walk all over me (oh, heck no!) but to see each opportunity that I am faced with as an opportunity to WOW someone.  I like to WOW people.  WOWing is fun.

 

3)  Take Chances.  I really want to focus on taking chances, grabbing new opportunities and stepping out of my comfort zone this year.  I did quite a bit of this in 2010, but I want to do even more this year!

For example, I plan on partaking in my first “large” craft fair (maybe I’ll do 2?).  I am currently working on landing a fairly large wholesale order – my first ever.  I am constantly brainstorming other avenues and mediums to express my creativity and its is my goal to evolve these “ideas” into actual, tangible things.

Although things might seem risky or the end result is unknown, the only way I am going to grow, as a business and a person, is if I take the leap and go for it!

 

4)  RELAX.  When I’ve taken on too much… When I’m feeling overwhelmed… When I have no control… Where there is no end in sight…  I need to remember to take a breath and just let it go.  Don’t sweat the small stuff, right?

 

5)  Just Be Me.  Lastly, I am going to continue focusing on being true to myself and being my own person.  Celebrate my talents, embrace my quirks and come to terms with my weaknesses.  I am who I am… and why should I be any different?

 

I’m looking forward to 2011!