Bon Natale!

Hope you enjoy our treasury of beautifully handmade items form across Italy!

Currently on the first page of the Etsy treasuries!

All I want for Christmas...

...and it's all handmade!! Hope you enjoy our latest Etsy Treasury and we hope it inspires you to be creative in your gift buying this year. Buy handmade, one a kind gifts made here in the US and around the world.



You're family and friends will appreciate your beautiful and unique presents far more than say...the same scarf every third person is wearing, because it was on sale at the Super Walmart!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a snob about saving money...especially now, but when you can find magnificently handcrafted gifts for the same price as the thoughtless mass produced, poorly made, pratically disposable crap out there, just by shopping on Etsy...why wouldn't you?
I mean really! lol!

We have a winner...

Or at least we will tomorrow! We will be picking our monthly drawing winner then so be sure to pop back over and see who won!

Enter to Win a Free Holiday Gift...

Around your neck or on the tree - this is a stunning piece!

For your consideration is this OOAK PENDANT. It is made from a millefiori cane that features a red poinsettia design against a green background with just a touch of gold. This item cannot be exactly reproduced due to the random nature of these techniques! No paints have been used.

This gorgeous piece is made from a combination of high quality polymer clay that has been sanded & sealed multiple times to protect and enhance the item. There is a dime in the photo for size comparison.

Satin cord included!

Here's what you need to do to enter:
1. Click here to visit her shop Roz Petalz Studio.
2. Once there, pick out your favorite item in her shop.....When your finished, exit her shop and you'll return to this blog.
3. Come back to this post and post a comment telling everyone what you liked about the item you picked. (See "Comment" button below.)
4. PLEASE be sure to leave your contact information, either your email address or Etsy shop if you have one, so we can reach you if you win! The winner will be contacted on or before January 2, 2009. If after a week we haven't heard from that winner, we'll pick another winner.

5. We will draw the winner's name on the last day of the month, 12/30/08 after 5pm/pst.

Please note:
This month's featured artist ships world wide! All are welcome to participate in this fabulous drawing! Good luck!

Congrtulations to this month's winner!!

Congratulations "Pushy" in Connecticut for being this month's lucky winner!! She will receive these terrific OOAK inspirational reminders by Marcia Palmer of Maricia's Passions.


Thanks everyone for participating! Be sure to come right back later this week as we will be featuring this terrific one of a kind handmade holiday pendant...which can also be an ornament, by Kathy of Roz Petalz Studio.

We will pick a winner tonight!

Ok - so normally we have the winner picked on the last day of the month, but since Kathy was on vacation and clearly I can't function without her...we're gonna pick the winner tonight! Check back and see who's this month's lucky prize winner!

FREE SHIPPING...

Be sure to take advantage of our holiday FREE shipping offer at our online shops, Ametista AND CalKat

What's Your Sign?

Our latest Etsy! Anyone who knows me, know how much I love the study of astrology, so when the chance to grab an Etsy treasury came my way, I HAD to honor the wheel!

In memorium....

I'm very sad today, because my dear Prometheus has gone beyond the veil. He was a good fish, as fish go and he lived a long (5 years) and reasonably full life.

I wish this was a picture of him, but I never could figure out how to take a photo of him without the flash shining back at me from the glass bowl and whiting out the whole thing. This is a photo I pulled from Google. But he looked a lot like this, only a more vibrant and deeper shade of red.

He was a happy little guy and a joy to watch and I will miss him greatly.

These could be yours! Enter to WIN...

"imagine - explore - Create"!

These colorful magnets give inspirational reminders while they brighten up your home or office space.

The three art magnets are about 1.5" x .75" (3.75cm x 1.9cm). Embossed polymer clay, colored, and varnished. Each magnet is backed by a strong neodymium magnet able to hold several sheets of paper. Great accents for any home or office. The perfect little gift! ☺☺☺

Here's what you need to do to enter:
1. Click here to visit her shop MarciaPalmer.
2. Once there, pick out your favorite item in her shop.....When your finished, exit her shop and you'll return to this blog.
3. Come back to this post and post a comment telling everyone what you liked about the item you picked. (See "Comment" button below.)
4. PLEASE be sure to leave your contact information, either your email address or Etsy shop if you have one, so we can reach you if you win! The winner will be contacted on November 30th. If after a week we haven't heard from that winner, we'll pick another winner.

5. We will draw the winner's name on the last day of the month, 11/30/08 after 5pm/pst.

Please note:
This month's featured artist ships world wide! All are welcome to participate in this fabulous drawing! Good luck!

Our latest Etsy Treasury...La Bella Luna

I know I've said this before, but there are SO many talented artists on Etsy, it just takes my breath away! This is just a small sample of some of our favorites.

It always feels great to be featured on Etsy...

Our very own Maple Bramblethorn has been featured in this fabulously Fall Etsy Treasury!

Seven Secrets...

I was tagged by "liletsyshop" (of the EtsyBloggers team) to tell seven secrets about myself, and then tag seven more team members to do the same...

1) My favorite color is violet/purple, and has been since I was three.

2) I like to eat alone and rarely sit at a table.

3) I intensely dislike wearing shoes.

4) In a high school I sang classical coral, madrigals ( 1st and 2nd Soprano ) and opera.

5) I don't watch network tv as the programming and commercials make me sad for the human race as a whole. Particularly day time tv and reality shows...you can almost feel the intelligence being sucked right out of your head!

6) I'm a huge HP fan...although that's not really a secret.

7) I have an irrational fear of going to the grocery store and I have NO idea why....I did say it was irrational!

I tagged these 7 fellow EtsyBloggers:

lonestarvintageclothing.blogspot.com
jmwjewelry.blogspot.com
wildonezdiaperz.blogspot.com
calkatthejewelryjunkie.blogspot.com
nanjodogz.blogspot.com
demandablueblog.blogspot.com
jerseygirldesign.blogspot.com

Get out there and vote!!

If you haven't already, get to the polls and vote! Today is the day!

PCAGOE November Challenge Entries

Vote for your favorite entry at pcagoe.com between November 1 and 4. You could win a prize!

How to use Ametista's molds for Polymer Clay and PMC

How to use an Ametista mold with Polymer Clay

Some of our customers at The Clay Shoppe have asked us for instructions on how to achieve the best impressions from our molds, so here you have it...step by step instructions.


Step 1 - Condition your clay. Clay must be worked or softened and free of air bubbles. Please note, clay that is too soft will not give you the desired effect. We recommend clay that is the same consistency as Fimo Classic.
Step 2 - Roll your conditioned clay about 1/4" thick or thicker if desired on to a baking tile. We use 4x4" standard bathroom tiles. You can buy them by the box load at any hardware store.
Step 3 - Using a fine mist spray bottle, lightly mist rolled clay with water and impression side of mold.
Step 4 - Set misted mold on to clay. Using a second tile to sandwich the mold and clay.
Step 5 - With two hands firmly but evenly apply pressure. DO NOT lift or move the tile during this process, as this may cause the mold to move and you will not receive a sharp impression. Step 6 - Remove top tile and then carefully lift mold from clay. It should lift easily.
Step 7 - Now cut, shape, fix, add pigment, inks, paints...let you imagination take over!
Step 8 - Bake your finished project according to the clay manufacture's instructions.

How to use an Ametista mold with Precious Metal Clay (PMC).

Step 1 - Cut required gram size piece of pmc from newly opened package.
Step 2 - Lightly coat with olive or mineral oil. Roughly shape clay piece to fully fit into mold impression. There should not be any over hang, all of the pmc clay should be firmly packed using your thumb making sure to all clay makes contact with the impression.
Step 3 - To release pmc from mold, turn mold upside down on to drying tile. We use 4x4" standard bathroom tiles. Clay should release from mold with relative ease.
Step 4 - Now follow the manufacture's instructions for drying and firing.

Keeping your molds clean

Keeping your molds clean will insure better impressions. The best way to clean your molds is simply by using mild dish soap and warm water and a soft toothbrush. If possible let them air dry or use a lint free cloth (old t-shirts are good for this).

Congratulations to October's Winner!!

In honor of Halloween, we decided to draw the names from my witch's hat! I'm also wearing my Evil Eye ring, given to me by my best friend Angie! Happy Halloween Ang, Mac & girls!

Congratulations "JoeyandAleethea" in Orlando, FL for being this month's lucky winner!! She will receive this adorable OOAK Owl ornament handcrafted by Alissa of Diva Dea.

Thanks everyone for participating! Be sure to come right back in November as we will be featuring this vibrant and inspirational frig magnet set by Marcia Palmer of Maricia's Passions.

Ametista's Autumn Fairy

Here is our entry for the PCAGOE November Monthly Challenge. The theme this month being, Autumn leaves. Kathy and I had a lot of fun making this piece and learned many valuable lessons, like...good Mohair is hard to find, nothing beats a free tutorial and there really is such a thing as boobs that are too big in proportion to the rest of one's body. Oh well, live and learn!

Vote for your favorite at www.pcagoe.com from Nov 1 to Nov 3
FYI - All voters are entered to win free prizes!

Polymer clay sculpture by Carrie Lago & Kathy Jones of Ametista.

Only one week left to WIN...

You could win this adorable hand crafted ornament, but you have to hurry! Click here !
It's absolutely FREE! No purchase necessary.

We snagged an Etsy Treasury...

Kathy and I managed to snag a treasury this morning and put together a lusciously dark gathering of holiday glee! What do you think?

Enter to WIN our Free Monthly Drawing...

Enter to win this adorable one of a kind owl ornament...

Doesn't get much cuter than this. A little owl, perfect as a Halloween or Christmas ornament. She's lightweight, fits in the palm of your hand, and could hang almost anywhere to cheer you up. This ornament has a secure hook made from crafting wire.

Measurements: approx 2" tall x 1.5 " wide.

Here's what you need to do to enter:
1. Click here to visit her shop DivaDea.
2. Once there, pick out your favorite item in her shop.....When your finished, exit her shop and you'll return to this blog.
3. Come back to this post and post a comment telling everyone what you liked about the item you picked. (See "Comment" button below.)
4. PLEASE be sure to leave your contact information, either your email address or Etsy shop if you have one, so we can reach you if you win! The winner will be contacted on October 30th. If after a week we haven't heard from that winner, we'll pick another winner.

5. We will draw the winner's name on the last day of the month, 10/30/08 after 5pm/pst.

Please note:
This month's featured artist ships world wide! All are welcome to participate in this fabulous drawing! Good luck!

Thank you for the votes!!

A BIG thank you to everyone who voted for our entry in the PCAGOE "Day of the Dead" Challenge. Because of your support, we tied for 2nd place!
Next month's Challenge theme is Autumn Leaves. Kathy and I have something really special planned! We'll keep you posted!

Day of the Dead Challenge...

Here's our entry for this month's PCAGOE monthly challenge.

The theme being Day of the Dead, we decided to created this bonita little candle votive skull. Perfect for taking out to the graveyard whilst visiting with loved ones since passed .

To vote for your favorite entry, visit www.pcagoe.com
between October 1 and 3.

Congratulations to September's Winner....

This month, in honor of the Fall Season, we decided to draw the names from a pumpkin!
Congratulations to Vanessa in Austin Texas for being this month's lucky winner!! She will receive this beautiful OOAK necklace designed and handcrafted by Lynda of Diva Designs.

Thanks everyone for participating! Be sure to come right back in October as we will be featuring a fabulously fun Owl Ornament by Alissa Plant of Diva Dea

It's voting time....

Click on the picture above to go place your vote for a chance to win the prize package!
Voting takes place now through Friday 10/3/08 so don't delay and GOOD LUCK!!

September Blog Carnival - Halloween Party

Fall is one of our favorite times of the year. Not only because the weather cools off, which is a big deal when you live in the desert...lol, but because we love Halloween!

Last year Kathy and I let our boys have a Halloween costume party to celebrate their last year in Elementary school so each one invited a hand full of their friends from school. We really wanted the party to be extra special so we combined all of our decorations and went all out on decorating my house up. Oh the fun we had decorating! Our boys decorated the back yard to look like a graveyard. We just love watching them get creative.

The kids were thrilled with all the decorations, games, prizes and treat bags. Of course, we dressed up for the occasion as well, in our witchy wear. The kids thought that was really cool. I took a picture of each kid in their costumes and for the "thank you" cards we put their photo on the outside of it, something to remember their time at the party.

We had so much fun, we've decided to make it an annual "Halloween Bash", but this year we're also planning one for us big kids!

Well my pretty ones, I gotta go whip up another batch of Deadly Nightshade...

...Happy Haunting!

Shops we visited this week...that we think you'll love!

These gorgeous flowers are just a two of many examples of polymer clay artist, Zuda Gay 's amazing work! You know when your looking at a Zuda Gay flower because she has a very distinct style which is always eye catching and her color combination's are a joy to behold! She has fairy doors too! You want to see these!

Here's another shop we think you'll love...Pollyhyper. We love it because she specializes in image transfers on polymer clay...like us! Her style is quite unique though and we are particularly enamored with her silhouette pendants. But that's not all she does, she has many more artistic offerings in her shop so check it out.

And last, but certainly not least, we offer up for your viewing pleasure, the cutest little creations, quite possibly ever, by Itty Bitties for You Never before have robots been so adorable! The toga just kills me! There are a many themed bots to choose from and now she's created a whimically wonderful series of "Hooligans" that you'll want to see for yourself.

Till next time, this is Carrie and Kathy reminding you to buy handmade! Ciao!

Our newest shop!

We are very pleased to announce the opening of our latest Etsy store,
The Clay Shoppe.
Here you will find clay artist supplies like beautiful handmade molds for Polymer Clay and PMC (Precious Metal Clay) as well as an assortment of colorful Polymer clays.

Coming later this month, we will also carry powdered pigments, alcohol inks and carving tools. After that we will be adding PMC, PMC supplies, blades, brushes, sanders, clay ovens, pasta machines, paints, stains, stamps and whatever else we can think of.

If you have suggestions for items you'd like to see in the shop please let us know here in the comments or email us at ametista_etsy@live.com . We'd love to hear from you!

Enter to WIN our Free Monthly Drawing...

Enter to win this beautiful OOAK necklace designed and handcrafted by Lynda of Diva Designs.

The necklace features a polymer clay pendant which in delicious shades of cream, light and dark blue green turquoise and chocolate. She's enhanced the pendant with "orphan" turquoise rondelles...gorgeous! Also featured are white turquoise, green Kingman turquoise, both of which have a gorgeous brown matrix; cream colored faceted Czech glass beads finished with a coffee brown mottled Picasso finish; silver plated drum beads and dreamy coffee marbled jasper barrel beads, finished with a sterling silver plate bail and clasp.

Here's what you need to do to enter:
1. Click here to visit her shop SCDiva.
2. Once there, pick out your favorite item in her shop.....When your finished, exit her shop and you'll return to this blog.
3. Come back to this post and post a comment telling everyone what you liked about it the item you picked. (See "Comment" button below.)
4. PLEASE be sure to leave your contact information, either your email address or Etsy shop if you have one, so we can reach you if you win! The winner will be contacted on August 30th. If after a week we haven't heard from that winner, we'll pick another winner.

5. We will draw the winner's name on the last day of the month, 9/30/08 after 5pm/pst.

Please note:
This month's featured artist ships within the US only, so this contest is restricted to the US including Alaska and Hawaii.

Congratulations to the Winners...

... of the PCAGOE Monthly Challenge for September.

First prize this month goes to this textured box by Marcia Palmer. Congratulations on this terrific demonstration of polymer clay texture!

Second place goes to SCDiva’s beautiful brooch. Our featured artist for this month's free drawing no less!

And third place this month goes to beadworx for her colorful textured inro.

Thanks to all the entrants and voters.

Here are a few voter comments about our winning entries:

All the entries are beautiful, but the difficulty and detail of this box are great! They definitely got the theme down!

Absolutely gorgeous, elaborate box. I love it.

I like the simplicity of the piece, the way the marbeling in the turquoise flows with the motion in the texture of the ebony making them seem echoes of each other and that the texturing of the ebony makes me “feel” it when I look at the photo. I’d love to see and feel this piece in person!

Black and Turquoise are a favorite!

And speaking of voters, our two prize winners, chosen by random number generator, are critrcrazy and Kathy Beasley. Congratulations! We know you will enjoy these beautiful, handmade polymer clay prizes.

Next month’s challenge theme is Day of the Dead. Don’t miss PCAGOE’s creepy October entries.