Luchi Creations

My Creativity is Starting to Come Back!

2010-05-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

Baby brain is finally wearing off and I am getting the creative bug back. This is a bracelet I created last night. I had one idea in my head but when I sat down, I put together something entirely different. I like how to colors of these pearls compliment the brass butterfly.

Luchi has a new Facebook Page!

2010-05-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

I just created a new Facebook Page for my Luchi shop!! I will be discontinuing my e-newsletter and using the Facebook page to promote special sales and new items posted to the Luchi shop, maybe even some fun contests with Freebies! I hope you "Like" it! ;)

Here it is:
http://www.facebook.com/LuchiCreations

I love this!

2010-05-12T15:35:00.001-07:00

I found these amazing vintage buttons!! They are a white button with a rhinestone center. I pulled out the center to create these new rings. I will probably create two types of rings, one with the white button backing and one without. I personally love this dainty version with out the white backing. Two bad it's not a real diamond! Ha, but then you wouldn't be getting this deal! Here it is:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46764365/vintage-button-ring

Handmades Soap Now on Luchi.etsy.com !

2009-10-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've just started listing my new ALL NATURAL soaps on Etsy!

My first soap listed is Beach Wildflowers. It has a clean floral musk with hints of daisy petals, gardenias, ylang-ylang, dune grass and amber sands. Order it here:
Beach Wildflowers

Stay tuned for more soaps!

Luchi is missing!

2009-04-03T10:50:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting lately! I've got a bun in the oven and I've been so tired the past several months. Now I've got a new "kick" (quite literally) of energy, so, I'm back! My new adventures in handmade goods is soap making. I've been making all natural soaps and sharing them with friends and family. I believe my process is perfected to the point where I can start sharing them on Etsy as well. Stay tuned for new blog posts of my handmade soaps!

Miss you!

Love,

Luchi

Luchi is Number 13 on Twitterholic!

2008-12-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

I found the Twitterholic site today. I thought I was an Etsyholic, now I find out I'm officially a Twitterholic. The Twitterholic site calculates individual statistics for each Twitter and ranks them. I found myself in the Top 100 Twitterholics based on Followers in So Cal. As of today, I'm number 13! Who would have thought? I've always considered number 13 lucky!

I signed up on Twitter to test it out and find out what this Twitter thing was all about. As it ends up, I love it! I can posts mini status during the day and read what other people are doing. Tweet tweet.

If you want to follow me, you can find me here: http://twitter.com/luchii
(I may even follow you back.)

Promo time!

2008-11-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

It promo swap time again for Etsy Street team CCCOE. I created 36 bookmarks with satin custom printed ribbons with my shop Name and URL. I hand wrapped each ribbon with golden wire and cute beads. Also included in my promo is a coupon for 15% off your entire order at my shop: http://luchi.etsy.com!!!! Hopefully you are lucky enough to receive one!

I will be passing out one promo from another CCCOE member shop for every order I receive until the promos run out!

I have few extras of my promos too, so if you are interested in my bookmarks and coupon just send me a note on checkout!

Button Crazy!

2008-09-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

Oh buttons! My latest obsession has been vintage buttons. Here are some of my latest finds...

I've been turning my latest finds into rings by sawing off the back loop/shank and buffing the tops.

Leucadia ArtWalk, It's All Good!

2008-08-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in the Leucadia Art Walk next Sunday, August 31st from 10am to 5pm. You can find me, Luchi Creations, in the Papagaya Lot, 1002 N. Coast Hwy 101, just south of Diana St.

Leucadia Art Walk is One Mile of Talent on historical HWY 101! Art, music, boutiques, and local talent. There will be a FREE double decker bus to drive you up and down HWY 101!

Leucadia is my home, it is a wonderful beach community in Encinitas just 10 minutes north of San Diego. Papagaya (where my tent will be) is one of my favorite restaurants in Leucadia, I would recommended the California Benedict for breakfast or the Calamari Tacos for lunch! Come out and make a day of it!

I will be showing new pieces of my jewelry designs that are not yet listed in my online store. Come to my tent at the ArtWalk to see the previews and get first pick!

Ohmmmm ........

2008-07-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

Things have gotten crazy lately with myself and I've noticed it in others lately too. I don't know if it's the seasons or some thing in the air, but boy I need to relax, to be calm.... This inspired my treasury comprised of CCCOE and Eco Etsy team members. Just take a deep breath. Ahhhh...

Relaxing..... Calming......

Come See Luchi Creations in Craft About !

2008-07-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to join Craft About @ the Walk About in South Park, San Diego! Craft About is on Saturday, July 26th from 4:00 - 8:30pm and is located in front of Whistle Stop Bar. If you are in the area, stop by and say Hi!

Craft About is part of Walk About which is a large community event where shops and boutiques open their doors for a street fair that takes place every year in South Park, San Diego!!

Here's a map of Walk About, remember to visit me at Whistle Stop, #39 on the map: Walk About Map

I'm the Hiphopapotamus - Front Page

2008-07-07T21:26:00.001-07:00

I'm the Hiphopapotamus, originally uploaded by shutterkate.

I made it to the front page of Etsy again! Thanks to EcoKate's beautiful Hiphopapotamus treasury! My Yellow Chrysanthemum Ring was right in the middle and it sold! Yay!

P.S. I have two more Yellow Chrysanthemum rings available, after that they will be sold out!

Etsy Front Page Madness

2008-06-29T23:47:00.001-07:00

Being on Etsy's front page is a big excitement for many sellers on Etsy! I'm happy to announce that I made it to the front page twice in the month of June!! Sharing the front page glory with me are other talented CCCOE members! Go CCCOE!
Here are the two screen shots:

From a Stoke article:

From a treasury created by Raghouse:

Beautiful Treasuries

2008-05-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

It's always so excited to find out you've been included in a treasury. Especially when the treasury is so beautiful it takes your breath away. Looking through the treasuries I found that I'm in two!

This one is by amyhatch who creates beautiful jewelry with gemstones and vintage components . Her treasury is titled Freudian Slip. A few comments stated this treasury belongs on the Front Page of Etsy! Oh, I hope they are right!!!

Freudian Slip

Hurry and see Freudian Slip while it's still active

The second treasury makes me hungry and is by PamperingBeki. Her shop contains very sweet jewelry and accessories. The treasury she created is titled: Guess what I want to do....

Hurry and see Guess what I want to do.... while it's still active

Yumm, now I'm off to make myself something to eat.....

Save the environment one package at a time!

2008-05-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

I use recycled packaging and wanted to label it as recycled so my customer understands that I'm environmentally conscious and not "too cheap to buy a envelope". I first thought I would buy some stickers and print my message to stick on the packaging. Wait, that's using extra paper I don't need!! Hmmm, then I thought of using a rubber stamp. Excellent idea, I can reuse my stamp over and over. Off, I went in search of a stamp. I didn't like what I saw in craft stores, too generic looking. There were some Etsy sellers with very cute stamps, but they didn't say exactly what I wanted to say. Then I came across a blog RoughStock that offered a free graphic! Cool... but I still wanted my shop name on the stamp. I decided to start from scratch. I fired up GIMP, created my message with a recycle symbol. Hooray!! I sent it off for printing at RubberStamps.net. Here's the finished product, it says it all:

The Man Who Thinks He Can

2008-05-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Recent events in my life a few months back had me "cleaning out" my old room at my parents house. Inside my childhood room I found an inspirational poem tapped to the door, it was turning yellow and curling around the edges. I remembered this poem, it was given to me by my high school swim coach. I think he meant for it to give us as inspiration to win our races in swim meets. Although, this poem did more for me then to help me win swim meets, it has had an tremendous effect on me and my life. I have thought about this poem's message at various stages throughout my life and at times when I thought I had lost. This poem has helped me pull ahead and succeed! Even though this poem uses male pronouns I believe it applies to females as well, after all we were an all girls swim.

I wanted to share the poem with you, maybe it will inspire you as it did for me.

The Man Who Thinks He Can

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.

-Walter D. Wintle

Blue Flash

2008-04-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Labradorite stones are amazing beauties! They are a pale grey but when the light hits them they display flashes of green and blue!!!

Thank you CCCOE Voters!

2008-04-05T21:58:00.001-07:00

Two treasuries I created as part of many other treasuries created by CCCOE members this week. These treasuries are a BIG thank you to all the Etsy members who voted in the CCCOE March Challenge. Come back next month to vote in our April challenge!!

Treasury - Main

Treasury - West

Thanks for voting!!

CCCOE March Challenge Entries!!

2008-04-01T11:21:00.001-07:00

Voting for the March Challenge has opened today!! The March challenge topic was “WITCHY WOMEN: Heroines, Heretics and Whores.”

You can vote for the one you think is best here. Polls open until midnight Mon., April 7. Your vote you will get 10% off in ALL the shops participating AND a spot in one of our treasuries during the same period!!*

CCCOE Entries: WITCHY WOMEN: Heroines, Heretics and Whores

*Each voter is eligible for a 10% discount off entire purchase from the following shops during the week of April 1 through 7. We will also feature voters in a treasury. We cannot notify you individually due to site rules, but start looking for the CCCOE treasuries starting on April 1. See voting thread for list of shops participating in the 10% off discount.

Prepare to Battle

2008-03-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for CCCOE March Challenge "Witchy Women: Heroines, Heretics and Whores". I took my inspirations from Heroines, Joan of Arch to be specific. This cross is patonce / fleur de Lis coss. The patonce/fleur de Lis cross was usually worn in the olden days of heraldry, where the participants in combat displayed their coats of arms on their shields during battle.

I had some fun and created my own coat of arms below!

100% to Charity!!

2008-03-12T00:11:00.001-07:00

As you may already know I give 10% of all my sale proceeds to charities, this item is extra special and ALL of it's proceeds will be donated to charity, 100% !!!

This is a long necklace, operal length (32 inches). I made it with gun metal, sardonyx, black onyx, freshwater and vintage pearls.

These stones were donated by a wonderful person, Candace, in hopes to raise money for the ASPCA, www.aspca.com, in honor of her beloved family dog Misty.

New Line of Transistor Earrings!

2008-03-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

I got so many great comments about my Transistor Earrings (not to mention they all sold out) I was inspired to make more! I dug through my obsolete circuit cards and found some more really cool transistors. These are bigger then my first creation and one is even blue. Woowho! I love these earrings because they make such unique/funky jewelry, plus they help recycle computer circuit cards. Once I get all my transistors off the cards I tend to use the green boards for something in my shop!! It's a secret! Check my shop later to find out!

Sometimes we need to tell the world RAAAARR !!!!!

2008-02-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

RAAAARR !!!!! I feel angry, not entirely sure why. I have somewhat of an idea but not the entire idea. Hopefully no one says the wrong thing to me today because if they do I will be what is called "The wrong person" in the saying "You just better not say that to the wrong person". I'm going out for a run, cya later! RAAAARR !!!!!

P.S. The above treasury is a collection of mostly CCCOE items that may say RAAAARR if they could.

ASPCA Project in Honor of Misty

2008-01-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

I've had the luck of having a buyer as sweet at cperky1 on Etsy. She is the best Etsy buyer ever!! Cperky1's heart is defintaly in the right place. She recently purchased Sardonyx and Onyx beads from Etsy seller, Healingstones, to help raise money In Memory of Tiffany Steele.

To keep the good will of these beads going, she donated the beads to me for a special ASPCA project. I will be making several items with the Sardonyx and Onyx beads. ALL proceeds from the items made with these beads will be donated to ASPCA, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in honor of cperky1's beloved family dog, Misty.

Here is my first item in the Sardonyx line for ASPCA:

Transistor Earrings

2008-01-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

My CCCOE January Challenge entry: Transistor Earrings !!!

This months challenge for CCCOOE was "Science"!! Well, being the computer geek that I am, of course I choose computer science as the base for my science entry. I created these earrings by pulling transistors from a Sony PC circuit card.

From a distance they will look like simple silver stud earrings, up close a true geek well see the true character of these earrings.

Geeks are cool!

I see the light!

2008-01-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

Natural rock crystal quartz on sterling silver chain. This rock crystal has a unique cut that really creates a memorizing light prism that can hold you captive.

My inspiration right know is coming from light. You can almost say a guiding light... I feel very intrigued with light and how light effects objects.

Many of my new creations will have stones that reflect light or capture light. Some will actually modify how the stone looks based on the lighting. Very interesting, if you ask me...

Keep checking back as I post new items.

I Made DaWanda's Front Page!!!

2007-12-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

I made DaWanda's front page today! I'm super exited! You can see my purple mother of pearl and organza bracelet as a featured product on the first row second from the left.

A new way...

2007-12-18T23:28:00.000-08:00

I'm in search of a new way, a new beginning. I filled this treasury with items I found to portray purity, the heavens, and fresh starts. The leaf at the door is so simple but sends such a strong message. Well just look at the photos/items, they express my feelings much better then I am doing here.

States I sold to

2007-12-18T14:34:00.001-08:00

Here is a map of all the states I've sold to so far. If you're not on the map, stop by my shop and show some love. ;) I've had sales in Canada as well, but there was not an option to add them to the map. The map is US only but we always say Canada is the 51st state. :)

Create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out the California travel guide

After the storm...

2007-12-16T22:46:00.000-08:00

Here is the ocean after a storm, you can see the waters somewhat rough, the sky not clear, and the sun just peaking out. This is how I feel lately, like I'm peaking out on a somewhat rough and not to clear life ahead. Things will never be the same, I know that. I'm trying to figure out a new way to live.

Closer....

2007-12-05T00:17:00.000-08:00

I've been creating faith based items lately, they make me feel closer to Paul.

Paul my Rock Star!!

2007-11-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

I created this treasury in loving memory of my brother Paul.

Blog Action Day - Here are my actions...

2007-10-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

I just learned that today is Blog Action Day, so here is my addition to the action:

Friday I read about Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize and how Le Monde's columnist Dominique Dhombres hailed Gore as

the American hero of the fight against global warming.

Well as I'm no hero, I do help in the fight.

Gore's movie motivated me to make small changes in my life, here is how I changed:
* I changed the light bulbs in my home to energy efficient bulbs
* I unplug electronic chargers when not in use
* I use reusable grocery bags (when I remember to bring them)
* I car pool to work
* I reuse packaging supplies when I need to ship something
* I recycle newspapers, plastics, and glass bottles

I was inspired to create this Reusable, Washable Coffee Sleeve! Save the environment one coffee at a time. ;)

Luv ya!

It's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to create "Pink" items in my shop and donate 50% of the "Pink" proceeds to Susan G. Koman for the Care.

See my PINK Section!

Rose Quartz and Swarovksi Crystal Bracelet

Help Save the Environment!!

2007-09-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Save the environment and your hands by using this reusable, washable coffee sleeve!! I made this for the CCCOE September Challenge. To enter the crafter/artist has to create something in an alternative media (working with something other then what they are comfortable with). Since I'm a jewelry maker, sewing is definitely out of my comfort zone. Although, I did take a quilting class in the past and I used the skills I learned there to make this:

CCCOE September Challenge - Voting begins!!

2007-09-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

All the entries on the "alternative media” are in! We need your vote on the best one! The California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) challenged its members in September, see a collage of the entries below.

The meaning of "alternative media" for this challenge required the crafter/artist to create something outside their comfort zone, i.e. working with something other then what they are comfortable with.

Vote in Etsy forums here: CLICK TO VOTE! Remember * chat as you may* but vote only once!
---------------------------------------------------
One lucky voter will receive a pair of peace cranes from the shop of localcolorist. Looky here Voter Prize
---------------------------------------------------
Voting ends Saturday October 6 at midnight. Check Sunday in the forums for the winning entry and the lucky voter!

CCCOE Alternative Media Entry Collage

Tag! I'm it!

2007-09-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

I've been out on vacation and came back to find I've been tagged, not once, but twice!! First by Shell Mitchell and then by Jev Vecc - Inspired by Color.

So my duty is to tell you six things about myself, then tag six others to do the same. Hmm... Let's see...

1. I just came back from Hawaii !!! It was great, we went scuba diving and saw a shark!!!
2. I'm a triathlete and my favorite part is the swim.
3. I'm a city girl living in a beach town. I'm out of my normal environment and I'm loving it!
4. I used to make fun of people who wear winter coats during California winters, but now I am one of them. :)
5. I love camping, ghost stories, and fire roasted marshmallows.
6. Fall is my favorite season. I love the big oak leaves and I'm sad that oak trees don't grow near me anymore. :(

Here are the six people I tagged. Please check out their awesome blogs! I will definitely be checking later to learn about their six things!

Country Garden Stitchery
3 Sister's Beads
Flurr Sprite's Nook
Green Circle Studio
The Life of 3EastDesign
Clay in The Hands

Sales!!

2007-09-08T01:46:00.000-07:00

My newest creation sold very quickly (along with several other items)!! Uplifting Blue and Cooper Necklace! Hurray!

CCCOE - August Challenge

2007-08-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

The California Crafter's Club of Etsy (CCCOE) is having their first challenge. The topic is TYPOGRAPHY!!! It's open to all California crafters and artists.

Voting will start Sept 4.

UPDATE: Cast you vote here in Etsy Fourms: VOTE HERE

A prize for one lucky voter will be awarded from sandysimone. We are having another challenge in September, so be sure to check back here next month!

The entries below are listed in the same order as the default Etsy search. If you want to see more pictures of an entry just click on the picture or link below the picture and you will be taken to the Etsy item listing page.

Thanks!

Etsy :: I Love Etsy Box

Etsy :: All Purpose Greeting Card

Etsy :: Encouragement Card - Thomas Edison Quote

Etsy :: Ransom Invites - Come to my Party, Or Else - Pack of 6 ...by Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Etsy :: LOVE WORDS Sterling Silver and Tourmaline Necklace AUGUST CHALLENGE CCCOE

Etsy :: Congratulations Peace Crane

Etsy :: Casa

Etsy :: Philosophy Bangle Bracelets, Set of 3 ...by Pretty Cheap Jewelry

Etsy :: JUST TYPE Original Collage 11x14 ON SALE

Etsy :: Dissapearing Bird Original Collage ON SALE

Etsy :: Her Royal Catness ACEO august challenge cccoe

Etsy :: WARDROBE REVAMP. Altered Couture. Sewing Goddess collage ARTY necklace. NEW DESIGN

Etsy :: Charred manuscript, books, words, pages Mixed Media Collage Reproduction.

Etsy :: Words of Wisdom from Hunter S. Thompson

Etsy :: Surly Eye Test Necklace

SD Meet and Greet was a Success!!

2007-08-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

This Saturday a bunch of artisans from Etsy meet in San Diego. It was amazing how well everyone got along! We have great little Etsy community right here in San Diego.

When I arrived home there was a treasury just wanting for me! I populated it with all the wonderful Etsy members who attended the SD Meet and Greet. Here it is:

Snagged a Treasury!!

2007-08-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

I managed to snag a treasury last night!! This is my geek side, enjoy!!

My First Showcase Spot!!

2007-08-22T23:44:00.001-07:00

How exciting! This is my first showcase spot on Etsy. I'm the Funky Chunky Tortoise and Brown Necklace that is in the top row, third from the right.

Something different

2007-08-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I would try something different this time. I placed a locket on several strands of jute and wrapped them together with glass beads. What do you think? Too weird? Ok? You love it?

I of course love it. If it does not sell I will keep it for me. This is OOAK, since I can't find this locket anywhere.

Finding ton's of Etsy Blogs!

2007-08-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

I'm finding ton's a Etsy bloggers lately. I'm adding them to my side bar. If you see my blog and want to be added just post a comment with your blog link!!

Yikes!!!

2007-08-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging lately, I've been super busy, traveling, working, yikes!! On top of that I'm so addicted to www.Etsy.com that it steals all my time. I know I need to leave the Etsy site but I just can not. I know I have a problem. I need to get my self one of the Etsy addict buttons. ;) I going to put a time limit on my Etsy browsing/forum posting in the future.... maybe. :)

I managed to get two Etsy showcase spots for Aug. 23th and Sept. 6th so check me out on those days!! I'm really excited. This weekend I plan on re-shooting the photos of my jewelry, some really need it. I'm also going to be creating away for the next few days to make some more jewerly for the showcase, I haven't added anything new in awhile to Etsy. I'm bad. Sorry!!

Ok, I'm off for a quick jog. See ya later

2007-07-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

I meet up today with some local beaders and here's the result. My newest creation: Floating Abalone!! Clasp is hand formed by me.

Creating an Etsy Banner using GIMP

2007-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is the GIMP version of daniellexo's instructions for creating an Etsy banner in PhotoShop. I am not a graphic artist, I don't work for Etsy, and I'm new to GIMP. Without daniellexo's instructions for PhotoShop Etsy Banners, I wouldn't have been able to figure out GIMP as easily. Thanks Daniellexo!! You can find her PhotoShop instructions here.

Follow daniellexo's tip on finding a font and Step 1 to find a picture/graphic (not stolen).
Hint for fonts: http://www.dafont.com/

GIMP Step 2.
Crop your image by clicking the "select rectangular image" icon which is the top left icon on GIMP's tool panel.

Once you selected the icon go to your image and draw a wide rectangle, keep in mind this will be the area you are cropping to.

Step 2 a: On the menu bar, select Image, Crop Image

GIMP Step 3
Scale your image to the Etsy banner width 760.

On menu bar select Image, Scale Image.

In the pop up box enter 760 for the Image width.

Click the button "Scale".

GIMP Step 4
Creating the Etsy banner length of 100.

On menu bar, select Image, Canvas Size.

In the pop up box, click on the image of the chain link that connects width and height together.

Now the chain will look broken.

Change the height to 100.

You will see your image in the preview box of this screen, move your image around to make sure you are getting the part of the image you want on the canvas. When satisfied click the button "Resize".

GIMP Step 5
Add some text, like your shop name....

In GIMP tool panel, select the T icon, third row, far right. Now select the area on your image where you want to place text. A GIMP text edit will open, enter your text here. Do not close the editor yet.

Go back to the GIMP tool panel, choose your font style, font size, and color.

P.S. You can later move the text around my selecting the arrow icon in second row, second from right.

Final Step - Save and Upload
NOTE:
I didn't try out all the extras for growing images and such but GIMP does have the magic wand, see GIMP tool panel, icon first row forth from the left.

After you are done playing and editing you are ready to upload! Make sure you save your new banner to your PC!!! File, Save as.. Chose a name! Remember you you saved it!

Login to Etsy, goto Your Etsy, Appearance, under Banner select Browse. Find and select the image you just saved, select Open. Select orange button "Save changes".

Your done! Enjoy your banner!!!