Sparkle n' Shop @ The Chamber

Is all the snow putting you in a festive mood? Why not come and join us at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for our first annual Sparkle n' Shop! We're partnering with fabulous Charm Tree Toys to help you wrap up your holiday Shopping. We'll have our jewelry on sale to help you get the most out of your trip. So come by on your lunch hour, there's lots of free parking!

More about Charm Tree Toys:

Owner/Operator Maren Fine is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and has had the pleasure of working with children of all ages for 20 years. She decided to create Charm Tree Toys to provide parents with a reliable source for exceptional, award winning toys! Our toys allow your child to explore, discover and grow. Our toys are developmentally appropriate and built to last.

Christmas shopping? Consider supporting your local artsts, and buy handmade

Looking for a unique gift for someone special? Or can't quite find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person? Why not shop handmade, and shop local at the same time? Come visit us at an upcoming craft show, or visit our store on Etsy. You'll be glad you did.

Gearing up for the Christmas Craft Season

So, it begins! Christmas craft shows and bazaars. I love seeing all the different craft people come up with, and of course, swapsies! Dragonfly Girl Laura's first show of the year is this weekend at the Snowflake Tea and Marketplace at Westdale United Church in Peterborough. I'm bringing back the $5 earring rack - all earrings are just $5! Great for stocking stuffers!

We made it to the front page of Etsy!

Featured on the front page of Etsy today.

Wrap a piece of the Otonabee River around your wrist.

This undulating pattern is inspired by the winding Otonabee River in the Kawartha Lakes region and is based on the Japanese 12-in-1 style of chainmaille.

This piece is both delicate and unique. Finished with a lobster clasp, to create a seamless bracelet.

Comes wrapped in our signature cotton gift bag, perfect for giving or receiving!

Want a fun girl's night in? Why not a jewelry show at your home?

Like what you see online? Want to see more? Why not invite us over!

We'll arrived fully stocked with beautiful new pieces, and all the tools to make any adjustments you need, right on the spot. We can bring our own table, or set up in a spot that's convient for you.

You just supply the guests, and any munches or goodies, and we'll bring our shop to you.

The best part? At the end of the night, you get a cut of the profits. You'll get to spend 10% of the grand total of the sales on something special for yourself.

Sound good? If you're in Oakville, contact Dragonfly Girl Lisa, lisa@dragonflygirls.ca, and if you're in the Kawartha Lakes/Peterborough region, talk to Laura, laura@dragonflygirls.ca.

We've been stalked!

Check out this great article on geometry and hand crafted items. Ours is at the bottom of article.

Thanks to Batrice and Violet for the feature!

New full persian weave

I've done the half persian weave before, with little success. The AR (aspect ratio) of the rings was just a little off, and the bracelet was a flop. After trying the full persian with a few different gauges of wire and different ring sizes, this is the final result. A delicate and supple weave, I love it's simplicity.

More variations to come soon with focal beads created by Susan at Jackson River Glass. Stay tuned!

Hooked on Lampwork beads

I've always wanted to get into lampworking, but fear it would become another expensive hobby. For now, I'm settling on working with some beautiful hand made lampwork beads from fellow Etsy sellers. This set is from Erin at Firelily.

The most recent ones to arrive are from Shiran from GlasSmile. I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with them yet, but I've got some ideas pecolating.

Check our new gallery in Facebook for the most recent creations.

Why Swapsies are Cool

I recently got asked by fellow Etsyer, Susan of Jackson River Glass if I'd be interested in swapping goods. Without hesitation, I said yes. I'd favourited a few of her beautiful glass boro beads, and she favourited some of my pieces. I've done this at craft shows as well.

However, I've found it's not for everyone. Some vendors will timidly ask if I wouldn't mind swapping, as if I'd be offended. Certainly not! I think it's a great way for self representing artists to be able to enjoy other's work, when they normally might not get the change. I don't think it demans the value of either's work, as long as the swap is deemed fair by both parties.

It's also a great way to promote your own work, by having it worn or shared by a fellow crafter who will truly appreciate all the time and effort and creativity that went into crafting the specific piece.

In this case, it's a great way to incorporate more handmade pieces into my work.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to share what lovely beads are coming my way, and say a big thanks to Susan at Jackson River Glass!

Thanks Susan!

New Website Launched!

Our new website has been launched! Have a look around, and you'll find a code for 15% off at our Etsy store. Enjoy!

Of course, you can still find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and shop on Etsy and Artfire!

Our blog will continue to have up-to-date information and be a great way share your comments on our latest work.

As always, you can contact us at info@dragonflygirls.ca, or to reach Dragonfly Girl Lisa: lisa@dragonflygirls.ca o Dragonfly Girl Laura laura@dragonflygirls.ca

A Tangerine Dream

Bright new colours are ready for summer! The Tangerine Dream bracelet is sure to make a statement. Finished with a funky copper toggle clasp, this is sure to make you look hot all summer!

Just featured in a new Etsy Treasury

"Green is the colour of springtime and new growth."

Shimmery Jewelry 4 You on Etsy invites you to celebrate hope with this collection of dazzling green jewelry.

We're happy to be part of the collection!

Our favourite bracelet is back in stock!

Simple, and elegant a chain of seven silver flowers hand crafted into this beautiful piece of jewelry.

Thinking of it as a gift for Mom? Don't forget, free shipping until Mother's Day! Use code MDFREESHIP8 on any of our pieces at our Etsy store!

Free shipping!

Use code MDFREESHIP8 at our Esty store, and receive free shipping on all our pieces!

She'll love this unique copper metal clay pendant with aqua crystals.

Ready for Mother's Day?

How about a fancy little dodecahedron pendant? Simple, yet intriguing. Made up of almost 100 hand spun rings, and filled with a fire polished purple Czech glass bead to keep it round, a great way to let your mom know you're thinking of her. All comes beautifully gift wrapped, and remember – free delivery in the Peterborough, ON area!

Find it on Etsy now!

How about copper?

Tired of plain old silver, or the dated look of gold? Try some copper! This warm metal is perfect for any occasion. Small and delicate, why not try it?

Check out some more photos on Etsy.

Kawartha Lakes Bracelet

The new Kawartha Lakes braclet, with over 400 individually cut rings, this will make a statement on any wrist!

Check it out now on Etsy!

Lotus Flower Earrings

While playing around, trying to create a flat flower bracelet out of the helm weave, it fell out of my hand, and landed in a three dimensional flower shape. And voila! A new pair of earrings were created! A shiny head pin and a pair of Indian Pink Swarovski 5mm compelte this pretty pair.

Sterling Silver!

Our first chainmaille piece in sterling silver! Look for more pieces coming soon.

For more photos, check out our facebook page:

www.facebook.com/dragonflygirls

Awesome Amethyst

After a few hours of spinning new jump rings, and hand weaving, they're done! Three new additions to the DFG collection. With a beautiful deep shine, silver accents and real amethyst beads these three new pieces are sure to fancy up any occasion.

For more photos, check us out on Facebook.

New amethyst wire just in

An oh-so-pretty purple! A beautiful deep shine is going to make some pretty fancy chainmaille bracelets.

Great buy at the Peterborough Gem Mineral and Fossil show this weekend!

Sure to get more beads and fancy stuff at the Almost Spring 2011 Bead Show this weekend, four more days!

Springtime Earrings

Chartreuse coils wrapped around silver loops will cascade from your ears in these springy earrings.

Ear wires are made from surgical stainless steel.

Time to get ready for spring!

Find them on Etsy.

Copper Metal Clay now at DFG!

So much fun to work with, and so many possibilities!

Pendants made from copper metal clay, individually hand stamped to create a unique pattern on each piece. Left to dry, then sanded to ensure a smooth finish. Firing burns away the binders, and turns this pendant into solid copper. Sanded again and polished to a bright shine, these simple copper pendant will warm up any outfit.

Check out the pieces just posted on Etsy!