20% OFF SALE on jewelry and handmade gifts

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! To get into the holiday spirit and share the love, today I am announcing a big SALE in my shop Creative Stash on Etsy! Save 20% on Jewelry and Handmade Gifts with coupon HOLIDAY20!

Plus, Personalized magnet sets are BOGO for the holidays - buy one get one half off! Customize your set with your photos of family, wedding, yours or your child's artwork, nature, a vacation to remember - whatever you want. 

I am happy to include free gift wrapping and a special note for items sent as a gift. Simply request free gift wrap and let me know what you want to say in your note in the "Message to Buyer" section. 

Offers are good through December 15th. Last day for Christmas orders shipped within the US is Dec. 15th. and shipped International is Dec. 2nd. If you need a custom quantity or have a special request please contact me via email at krisfagan (at) cox (dot) net. xoxo

a simple advent calendar

I found this easy, no frills advent calendar idea over at Simple Mom and as soon as I saw it, I knew I would create it. Easy, no frills and free (I had all the supplies) = my kind of craft!  I love Simple Mom's idea of using post it notes for each day. I had a bunch of them around the house and they allow you to be flexible with the activities by removing or switching days easily.

For my calendar, I used an earring display I made for my booth, cut up some 8.5x11 card stock into strips 4.25x2, folded them in half, wrote numbers with black colored pencil and added the post it note inside the flap.The kids and I decorated the cards with simple patterns. Then I hung them on the thread. Easy peasy!

I chose a mix of activities for the month: some crafty, some fun, some magical and some that give to others. Here are some of the activities I have planned:

• Attend a holiday play
• Visit a holiday light display
• Make paper snowflakes
• Drink hot chocolate and watch a holiday movie
• Donate to the Phoenix Children's Hospital
• Bring treats to the kids teachers
• Drive around town to see lights
• Tape quarters to toy or game machines around town
• Pop popcorn and watch a holiday movie
• Buy toys to donate to toys for tots
• Go ice skating
• Bake cookies
• Go through books and toys for donation
• Make gifts for teachers
• Open a gift and bake cookies for Santa!
• Have a Merry Christmas!

My 5 year old wondered what we were making and when done he asked me to read a few activities. The wide eyed happy look on his face made me really excited about them too!

art every day month: day 30

Well, its the final day of Art Every Day Month and I am a little sad to see it go. The creative momentum I had this month was invigorating! My final work is this mosaic featuring art made during the month of November. I got the idea to make a college of my AEDM creations from this wonderful mosaic over at Deborah Velásquez's blog. I love her work, she made some amazing things pieces this month as did so many artists! It was fabulous to see what other artists were creating each day and how they approached the challenge. Some went with the flow and let the creativity unfold, some had a theme for the month and others practiced a specific skill or medium. All of it amazing stuff, truly!

It was interesting to see how my medium jumped from day to day and how much jewelry I end up making! That kind of surprised me. I am so grateful I choose to participate. I first learned about AEDM in 2009 and every year I thought oh no, I couldn't possibly find the time and energy to create every day. Well, this year I found the time and the energy and it was so much more rewarding then I ever imagined. I felt really content, calm and happy this month. My husband even mentioned today that I seem a lot less anxious lately. Maybe all that jumpy energy I have is really my creative spirit trying to burst through. Something to think about the next time I am feel extra jumpy. 

Thank you to Leah Piken Kolidas, of Creative Every Day for putting together the Art Every Day Month challenge! And thanks to all who participated for the inspiration each day, positive vibes to continue on and for warming my soul with creative joy. And thank you for stopping by, seeing what I was up to and leaving your fabulous comments. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a new year of love, passion and creativity!

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 30 click here.

FREE shipping for black friday / cyber monday

This weekend only, enter coupon code FREESHIPPING during checkout to get free shipping to anywhere in the world for any item in my shop Creative Stash on Etsy! Plus, Personalized magnet sets are BOGO for the holidays - buy one get one half off! Customize your set with your photos of family, wedding, yours or your child's artwork, nature, a vacation to remember - whatever you want.

art every day month: day 24, happily grateful

Today I am reflecting on all I have to be grateful for. I am grateful for my sweet boys and my loving husband who make me happy every day. I am thankful for life, love, family, friends, art, health and all of YOU. Thank you for reading my blog, leaving your thoughtful and smile inducing comments and for just being here. Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Much love to you and your loved ones. xoxo

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 24 click here.

art every day month: day 22

Alphabet Bunting

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

Almost complete on this piece based on my alphabet bunting painting. I just need to fine tune a few spots and add in some sparkle paint!  

These sweet bunting flags would be a cute personalized painting in your chosen colors with a child's name, family tree, husband and wife or simply a short saying. If you are interested in a personalized painting for a gift this holiday please contact me to discuss at krisfagan (at) cox (dot) net. I would be delighted to work on a cherished piece for you!

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 22 click here.

BOGO for the holidays!

Personalized magnet sets are going BOGO for the holidays - buy one get one 50% off! Customize your set with family photos, wedding pictures, artwork, nature, vacation photos - whatever you want!

My handmade bottle cap magnet sets are a wonderful gift idea and now they can be customized! These little treasures are made from recycled bottle caps featuring custom images supplied by you! Pictures may be converted to black and white upon request. You can have two of the same set or two different sets made, you decide! Sale ends Dec 14th.

Here are some of the lovely things people say about shopping at Creative Stash:

Love these magnets! The best 20 bucks i ever spent! I can't wait to get another set. ~ Vicky

Super fast delivery and beautiful packaging. The magnets are gorgeous, although that word doesn't seem to do them justice! Thank you so much! ~ Peggy

I got the magnets. they are fantastic!!!!!! every time i need a gift this is what i am giving. i love them so much. I need some for myself. thanks so much! ~ Wendy

Kristen is an extremely talented artist. I love many of her creations and have purchased her jewelry and have her delightful frig magnets. ~ Stacy

To my friends and customers, a sincere thank you for supporting indie handmade businesses and for shopping with me at Creative Stash on Etsy!♥

art every day month: day 21

Alphabet Bunting

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

I started work this weekend on a made to order piece based on my alphabet bunting painting. I am turning up the brightness and changing the colors of the flags to match a little girls room.

As I was worked on this I thought about nicely this could turn into a cute personalized painting in your chosen colors with a child's name, family tree, husband and wife or simply a short saying. If you are interested in a personalized painting for a gift this holiday please contact me via email to discuss, krisfagan (at) cox (dot) net. I would be delighted to work on a cherished piece for you!

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 21 click here.

art every day month: day 19

Making Jewelry

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

I really have been on a jewelry crafting kick ever since getting a batch of new beads (thanks again Jamie)! I knew what beads I wanted to use today and instead of starting blindly I thought it would be nice to browse some magazines for inspiration.

 

I stumbled upon The bamboo cutter's wife design by Molly Schaller in Stringing Fall 2010 and that inspired the bracelet.

 

Next I came across Tweet Wishes by Lorelei Eurto in Stringing Summer 2010 which inspired the necklace.

I am happy with the final piece thank goodness. I restrung the design over and over again before it finally felt right. I am grateful I found Lorelei's design to help guide me along. I have a tough time creating asymmetrical jewelry but, I love the look so much that every now and then its worth the extra effort.

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 19 click here.

art every day month: day 18

A Mandala

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

I finished the mandala that I started a few days ago. It is playful and full of spirit and it makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile too. I am falling in love with art every day. :)

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 18 click here.