I like Elephants...

In fact, I like all sorts of critters. I love buying fun stones and beads in the shape of animals and creating wearable art (jewelry) out of them. If I used up every critter bead I currently own, I would be busy for at least two years (okay, I have a bit of a problem buying supplies and if I see really nice Bears, I *have* to own them because they might not be available 4 months from now) I don't think I will face a shortage of animal projects for quite a while... So I am stocked to the gills with stone varieties of Zuni Bears (all colors and sizes), Butterflies (same), Roosters, Pigs, Chickens, Turtles, Horses, Fish, Cats, Birds, Owls, Frogs, Dolphins, Rabbits, Sea Horses, Penguins and Elephants (to name just some of my circus). I get all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed when the supplies come in - - and they are GORGEOUS - - but the reality is that maybe *I* am the only one buying these beads because they don't translate into steady movers as far as sales of finished jewelry go ;) Imagine, *I*, alone, am supporting the entire cottage industry of stone critter beads - - LOL!

Eh, I love them so if they stay 'my pretties' for years, its all good. I am fascinated by the carving of each and every one of them (cut so nicely to bring out the best in each individual stone). I suppose realistically I really don't *NEED* 3 shoeboxes filled with them - - but ya never know when someone is going to custom order an XYZ critter piece in CERTAIN SIZE, SPECIFIC STONE. Better to be prepared than try hunting down a Moukaite Penguin at midnight...

Visit my shop on Etsy to see these and many other animal stone carvings made into jewelry and accessories you don't see everywhere - - http://www.DesignedByLucinda.etsy.com - - or tell me what critter types you'd like to see me get on my next supply buying run :)

GIVEAWAY - - For answering a Question (drawing, one winner) :)

My Etsy shop is getting rather large -- almost 500 items - - and I am wondering if I should split the GLASS ONLY pieces out, or separate the PLATED pieces from the "more valuable" metals, or just LEAVE IT as it is, the more the merrier. This is where I could use some help - - please go check out my shop at http://www.designedbylucinda.etsy.com/ and poke around, see what YOU suggest I do.

In return, I will give away any one listed item worth $18 or less to a name chosen at random from those answering my question. You don't have to lock in on the decision NOW of what you want - - or you can apply that $18 toward anything priced higher in my shop - - just answer my question with GLASS ONLY, PLATED or LEAVE IT and a way to contact you and you'll be entered. I'll contact you and THEN you can decide how to spend your credit. I'll run the Give Away until Sept. 23rd 2009 at midnight Eastern USA time and publish the winning name the next day. Please make sure you leave a way to contact you in case you win :) If you don't respond to my contact by (midnight eastern usa time) the 27th, I will choose a new name and you'll miss out so please check back during that interval!

This is open to anyone anywhere (shipping is FREE WORLDWIDE if you win this Giveaway). If you don't win, you can still get 're-imbursed' for your answer with free shipping on your purchase from my shop (just answer the question and type the code "I answered blog" on the invoice for any purchase from now until Oct 1st 2009). Most of my earrings, cell charms, pendants, bookmarks and eyeglass chain holder necklaces are priced under $18 so you will have a HUGE selection!

So please help me out - - I am fast approaching 500 items! EEEEK! And think about what you might hope to get free....

Thanks! And to get EXTRA entries, either BLOG or TWEET or JOIN MY MAILING LIST (send an email to cboard4488@aol.com with "List Me" in the title to be added) and you will get another slip in the hat for the drawing - - just show me where you did more than answer the question in your reply to get the extra slip in the hat :)

Let's have some fun with this !