I'm hosting a Storybook/Red theme charm swap!

Interested in more info?

........

I really love the colorfulness of 'Ugly Betty'!

The designers for the show are very talented.

I am happy that they film locally, here, often, it's fun!
I'm not sure if I could post any pictures... Legal?

I'll find out!

~*STORYBOOK RED CHARMS!*~ go Hollywood!

I will be hosting a charm swap this fall-winter for the Life Through Art foundation.

The theme will be story books, however each charm must have RED as the focal color.

Red Shoes?
Red Apples?
Red Riding hood?
Red Wagon?
Red Dog?
Red Hearts?
Red Sky?
Red Dress?
Find a story book you love and incorporate your spin on the imagery, characters, objects within the book etc. Add a tag or print up mentioning your inspiration and be sure to make your charms with the color RED as the focal or main accent color.
The size of each charm MUST be smaller than 1 inch including the jumpring and any extras you might like to add. 1 inch in total size.
The number of charms to swap will be 5-10 pieces per person with a commitment to send an extra charm as a donation. Depending on the number of people who sign up, the number may be slightly higher or perhaps more than one group per skill level will be set up.
There will be 2 groups, advanced charm makers and beginner charm makers.
The quality of both groups will need to be your best work because the charms that are sent as extras will be auctioned at a fundraiser in HOLLYWOOD!
Ooh so glamorous!
:o)
More details will follow, I am just getting you warmed up to the idea.
Please pass the word on.
The swaps will be due the first week of December so you have time to think about this one.
Please leave me a comment or email me to let me know if you wold like to join in.

~*Ebay Auctions for A CHARMING EXCHANGE!*~

A Charming Exchange, the auctions on Ebay!
Click HERE to bid!

~*THINK PINK!*~ We need help!

SO many people asked to join and SO many people also dropped out at the last minute!
We went from almost 30 participants to less than 9!
HELP!!!

All you have to do is send in 12 nicely made mostly PINK charms and you'll get 10 back.
The extra 2 will be used to help raise funds over on Girl Gone Thread Wild (Monica Magness)

If you forgot that you signed up and are reading this, it's not too late!
PLEASE join us!!!!
We need your help!
See the details here-
www.makesawish.blogspot.com

Looking for tutorials, stories and pictures related to charm making.

I am making a zine, and would like to feature other artists, their charms and techniques!
If you are interested in submitting work, please keep the following in mind-
The deadline is Monday September 7th.
I am looking for work that is inventive, clean, interesting, fun, well thought out, and wearable!.
These don't all have to be *the* words to describe each piece, these are just general terms that can be associated with the work.

If you would like to write about how your charm is made or share tutorial, please let me know.
Your information should include materials, tools and a description of steps from start to finish of the charm.
Also consider trial and error lessons if you have any to share and perhaps your own tips and tricks on how to get the unique look you have created.

I am also interested in stories-
Has charm making or charm swapping affected or maybe even changed your life?
Interesting reactions that people have towards your charms or work that you have gotten from charm swaps.
Has making charms changed your view of other art forms?
A story related to a time you wore or shared your charm jewelry in public.
Or- why not share another story about charms or charm swapping.

If you would just like to submit actual charms, or photographs of charms, you may do that too.
You will need to include your name and email address with each charm.
Photos must be clear and done well -->focused.

The zine will be a black and white (on Xerox) 5.x8. layout. Think of a folded sheet of copy paper size with a white boarder/gutter.

I will have ad space available too, if anyone would like to mention their charm related sales or charm related sites.

~*Thank you for reading this*~
Amber

www.inventivesoul.blogspot.com

August followers giveaway on my main blog this week!

Check it out!
Ends August 7th!
www.inventivesoul.blogspot.com

Prizes are mailed!

I've had some pleasant surprises these past two
weekends that took up most of my time.

So for those of you who are still waiting for one of the little prize charms

please be patient and know that it will be in your mailbox soon.

:o)

~*THE END*~

Charms and Pendants from 3 Valentine swaps.

These were made for the Charmed_Designs group and Charms2007Swap group for a Valentine theme.

~*CHARMSTERS*~

I would like to share some pictures from just a swap I was in this year.

"Keys to Spring" hosted by Laurel Steven, owner of "Charmsters" on Yahoo.

Please leave a comment if you would like more info about the group.

More charm group and swap info being posted next week. Prize claim time frame is over until next year.

It's a wrap for the prizes.
Thank you to everyone who was able to check in on time and claim their prizes.

Next week I will be posting info for those who are interested in learning about the charm exchange groups that I know of which are open to the public, and some that aren't, for swapping and sharing.

I will also be posting pictures from several charm artists who have participated in swaps with me and pictures of several charms from swaps that I have joined in with other hosts.

Please mark your calendars for next year's I.C.D. on 4/28 and be sure to prepare for it in advance!

All are welcome to join in from all over the world.

Although I will keep the blog open for next year's event, posts will not continue on a regular basis.
See you next week!

I fixed the settings for comments-

The settings have been modified for those who are not registered blog users.
Anyone can leave comments here now.
I hope this fixes things a bit!

If you do leave a comment anonymously, and you expect a reply, you will have to check back to the post/comments list where you left the comment to see any replies.

For those that didn't win-

I mentioned in the previous post that all non winners could send me postage to get a couple of charm making/related goodies in the mail too.
Please send me your email address if you need more info.

:o)

~*Please note there are now SMALL stars too Check in and see...*~

After doing 3 sets of large stars, it was getting crowded so I shrunk them down a lot and now some just twinkle on each photo or name rather than frame it.



If there is no star on your picture, it was not randomly chosen. *HOWEVER* if you want to send me postage for a prize, I will send you some charm making goodies to play with!
(I just cannot afford to send everyone a prize with the current cost of postage.)

If you see a star on your profile pic or framing your profile picture below (Or next to your name for those with no chosen avatar) PLEASE send me your name and mailing info *as well as- the color of your star and if I do not know you, please describe your picture to me OR tell me the line it is on- down and across so I can find you.


THANK YOU!!!*~


You have just 1 week to contact me!





YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER!


The comments here are not posted to the blog if they contain your address. I moderate ALL comments -So it is safe.


Also for those who may not feel comfortable posting the info here send it to- charms2wear at AOL dot com

Non winners- If you want to send postage for a prize, contact me! :o) it's less than $2.00 for USA and a little more for over seas. This offer is open to those that are pictured above with no star, and those who may have missed the deadline and won the last round,but never claimed their prizes.

~*And the winner for ~*A Charming Exchange*~ is #29!*~

Sorry to post so late, I had a very busy day!

I just pulled the number 29 from a pile of 32 slips of paper.

~*#29*~ come on down and claim your prize!
I need your name and mailing address to send to Kelly Snelling so she can mail you the book!

~*YAY!!!*~

Please be responsive :o)

I'll be posting more winners on Thursday,
including the winners of the beads, findings and book.

~*PLEASE- contact me if I post your picture with a star around it
with the color of the star, EMAIL, your name ***and***Complete* MAILING address.

I cannot contact you any other way.
You can leave a comment here or send it to charms2wear at aol dot com

~*THANK YOU!!!!*~

Mailed charm prizes to-

~*Anne Le Toux*~ France
~*Tracy M. B.*~ Canada
~*Gillian*~ Scotland
~*Sharon*~ USA
~*Bonnie*~ USA
~*Pat Winter*~ USA
~*Doreen*~ USA
~*Francie*~ USA
~*Cindy*~ USA
And
~*Helga*~ Canada
& ~*Maya*~ USA

11 prizes are unclaimed and are now being added to the next draw.
That includes, "A Charming Exchange"



Wishing all of you mommies a ~*HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!!!*~

A really cool Charm Day celebration by Sharon & her husband Charlie..

This is an email, that made me smile, which was posted to one of my charm exchange groups...

Sent: Sat, 2 May 2009 1:09 pm
Subject: [~*CHARMS*~] Re: Don't miss out! This will be worth the time!

Mornin' ladies,
I thought I'd tell you about how I 'articipated in Dawn's special charm party. I
made 29 charms (monday was my 29th wedding anniversary) They were pc hearts with
real pearls as the dangle(like the black one I sent you Amber) and mon/tues I
hid them all over the place....they had a teeny card attached with Dawn's charm
day blog address and a little note about spreading love and art. It had no
name,just my email address on it and I asked the findees to drop me a line and
tell me where they found the charm. So far I've had nineteen replies.....I left
them at the restaurant where we ate and in the changing room where he took me
shopping,the ladies room everywhere we went.....a couple were dropped in the
fresh flowers they have at Albertson's,one at Dunkin Donuts,some where I
work...well,you get the idea. It was a blast and Charlie loved playing too!!
Thanks Amber,it'll be an anniversary to remember!! love ya
~smiles~
Sharon (MoonRae)

Five out of Twenty

Just a bit surprised to have only heard back from 5 out of the 20 chosen participants.
I have info from
Anne in France-
Bonnie-
Cindy-
Sharon-
Doreen
If you sent your info and have not heard back from me, please try again?
Please?

You have until midnight tonight.

Are you a winner and cannot leave a comment?

Hi~ Everyone who won!
If you have had trouble leaving a comment to claim your prize- PLEASE be sure to get in touch now this way --- charms2wear at AOL . com
Sorry about Blogger not letting you leave me comments!

You have until Thursday to claim the prizes before I put them back in the pool and draw other "names" (profile pictures) instead.

I will be mailing the first batch of prizes out on this coming Saturday.
So get back to me ASAP please.

~*THANK YOU!!!*~

:oD

Unclaimed prizes will be given to...

Come on girls... Unclaimed prizes will be put back into play for others to win.
Everyone has 7 days from the date I called the winners to get back to me.
Just a heads up! I will need contact info for each winner ASAP.

Clear acrylic shapes with drilled holes to make fun and fabulous art charms!

CLICK ME

Clear laser cut acrylic charms.

LunaGirl Images & Altered art charm tutorial.

I've used images from CD's from this seller to make many charms during the past couple of years.
You might like the tutorial found on the blog here- LunaGirl

I posted the winners hours ago to each post with the prize.

In Idaho-there is a lucky artist who won a book, and someone who just fell head over heals for charms, won Pat's silk!

It was exciting to let the random.org generator pick the numbers and for me to discover the winners.
:o)
Congrats!

I will be adding many more pictures and links to this blog that highlight art charms and the people who make them, so if you are enjoying the view, please visit often.

Members of various art charm swap groups have given me permission to post some of their handmade work here. So I am also going to share more with you about worldwide charm exchanges as well as showcase the work of several awesome and talented charm designers!

There will be many more giveaways soon.
~*Thank you to everyone who participated for celebrating with me!*~

Amber Dawn
www.InventiveSoul.Blogspot.com

Prize winners-

:oD

~*These are the first set of winners!*~
PLEASE check the stars to see if you won. Then leave me a comment telling me your name COLOR of star EMAIL address and mailing address. I moderate the comments so your address will not be seen by anyone else but me
I will have no way of contacting you otherwise.
Unclaimed prizes will be put back into the drawing if the winner does not claim it in 7 days.
There were more winners chosen, but I cannot ship that many out all at once.

Be back in two weeks to check the next posting because ~*YES*~ there are more!

The different color stars indicate the prizes you won from me, and just help me keep track of who won what!

Don't forget to enter your name in the comments for the other prizes!
YAY!
Amber

More charms in France! ~*Lilibulle*~

Please visit another French participant who wishes to delight you with her creative art to wear charms!

~*Lilibulle*~

~*WOW!*~ Look at the Sweet Treat charms that Sabii Wabii AKA Terisa Brooks- Huddleston has made!

Click here to see her post! ----->~*Sweets*~

Tiny tin necklace for a child or someone young at heart. #6 won!

Anne, Bulles dorées #6 is the winner!

Please just leave a comment before Thursday at 10pm to be entered to win.

PRIZE- Silk ribbon- By Pat Winter #20 is the winner

Please contact me with your name address and email #20.
I counted 2x it's Sharon who won.

~*An Autographed copy of Charming Exchange*~

#27 is the winner! All the way over in Idaho is a winner!
Please contact me with your name address and email.


You might win- An Autographed Copy of A Charming Exchange
*It is one of my favorite jewelry how to books*

Signed by Kelly & Ruth! <--- click on each of their names to see their blogs.

Giveaway and Charm Day in France with Théalie- Check it out!

Théalie made a montage of charm photos for you to view, look at her blog here- Charm celebration with Théalie

It's beautiful fun!

And her celebratory charm giveaway, to enter, leave her a comment then blog about her giveaway.
See it here- ~*CHARMS*~

~*Thank you Théalie!*~

~*Charm Day in Canada~ With Fantazya*~

This piece was made just in time for today!
It is now on sale over on Etsy for just $10. US dollars!
Click here to see it!- ~*Charm*~



Beautifully painted wooden charm

Lucy gave this charm to her niece in celebration of ICD

- ~*Charm Day in Canada with Lucy*~

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE TRILINGUAL

2010 DIARY PROJECT? English, French and Spanish... See more details here-

~*2010 Diary*~

You can see some of the pages that I designed for last years copy here- Amber Dawn

~*Pat Winter is having a mini quilted charm giveaway!~

I am so delighted that she let me pick one!
Thank you SO much Pat!
Well, after much thought, I chose the one on the bottom right.

So the other top two are up for grabs!
Please visit her gorgeous blog and read her post!
Click ->HERE<-

~*Laser cut wood charms from PorkChopShow on Etsy*~

"An Art Cache of Uncommon Art Supplies - Trinkets and Art Parts" -

I am giving away a whole bunch of goodies made by Scott of PorkChopShow on Etsy.

These are just some of them pictured above!

You can find his link 2x on the sidebar to the right.

His prices are really great!

I just want to warn you and let you know that each piece will smell like smoked almonds or after burn from a fire because all of the pieces are cut with a laser.

You may not want to use these for wearable art unless you seal them VERY well first.

Use gloves when handling at first!

And be sure to air them out for a nice long while.

Other than the odor, the work is high quality, weighs next to nothing and is so sturdy!

I LOVE HIS CACHE!

Tutorial From a SteamPunk Charm Maker!

Click to learn about making a unique style of collage charms with watch parts and Amazing Glaze.

here-->~*Liv'nGood*~<---

Click here to read her post about the history of charm bracelets.

~*--->HERE<---*~

Deb in the UK is giving away-

Deb in the UK is also hosting a charm giveaway.
Please see her post by clicking --->HERE<---

Keli's Charming Solution!

MEMBER OF "CHARMSTERS" a private charm swap group on Yahoo- More info will be posted about this group later on. For now, please, ~*Enjoy.*~


"This past year I went out to find new inspiration to spark my creative side... the best treasure I found along the way... new friends... art friends... who "get" me and who have shared their talent and welcomed me into their community. I was so excited to be asked to join "Charmsters". Charmsters is a very active group that hosts swaps based on a theme. I jumped right in and joined 4 swaps right in a row. Quickly did I learn that the artist put as much effort into the packing as the charms themselves. How to enjoy all these mini art works and how to incorporate the packaging I just couldn't let go of? Solution... simple wood frames with metal mesh attached to the back.... attach charms with wire... and collage all the art packaging on the frame...easy and inexpensive... a charming solution."

Thank you to Amber for including me in her celebration. Our paths can cross again here http://agallopinghorse.blogspot.com/ swing in anytime and say hello.


Keli

HeArt Collective Art Swap Group on Facebook is...

~*"I am hostessing a charm swap on FaceBook... do a search for HeArt Collective Art Swap Group and join us! If you'd like to be included and you're not on Facebook leave a comment ((on her blog -click here to get there)) including your email or some way to contact you and I'll get you all of the information to play.


I'll be sending this soldered charm to some lucky (randomly selected) participant. *~


Happy Charm Day!
xoxo
jul

You can also find the link to her blog on the participants list on the right hand side of this blog.

~*Chibi Charms!*~ Polymer clay SO CUTE!!!

I love her nails!

Its blurry, but you get the idea!

Go creative people go! MAKE SOME CHARMS!!!

OOH Yummy! Making yummy charms! & Jumprings!

Making handmade jumprings! Please see the comments section for some advice when using sterling wire.

Going to have to make it last a little bit longer! And also add a special something something...

I still have a LOT more prizes to post!!!
Not enough time in my days to get this all done on time...

It's not that bad, it will just mean more fun and this celebration will last longer!!
It seems that I wont have enough time to post everything that I had hoped to before 1am on April 29th.

There will be winners drawn on the 28th, but not for all of the giveaways I have set up for winning.

~*AND*~ for those who cannot figure out how to add yourself to the "follower" box I will have to add in a couple of prize drawings for those who are able to leave a comment.

So please bear with me and LET'S HAVE MORE FUN!
Be sure to visit the links that I am posting!

:oD Big Happy Smile!
Amber

~*Buttons & Bead charms being given away at Arlene's place!*~

~*Arlene has posted just a few of the details and a teaser picture of what she will be offering as a prize to share on her blog for International Charm Day!
Check it all out here- ~* Altered By Me *~

~*Thank you Arlene*~

~*Charm giveaway! At Tracy's - In Canada*~

~*Tracy*~ is having a charm giveaway here- ~*A Garnet Heart Flows*~
Be sure to visit her blog to check out the details!

~*Thank you Tracy!*~

~*A giveaway at Bulles Dorees ~ Charming in France!*~

~* Beautiful tiny bottle charms are yours to win! @ Bulles Dorees *~
Stop by to have a look!
Overseas participants will be celebrating until the 29th of april (they do not use capital letters for months in France) so be sure to get over there by 10 PM France time 4/29 to see who wins!
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment and talk about her giveaway on your blog.
Just to help spread the news of International Charm Day and her beautiful work.


~*Thank you Anne!*~

~*Art Tea Life*~

I am charmed by "S's" work!

There is a mini visual tutorial listed at the link below where
you can get an idea of how she made the vintage image domino
charms with eyelets---

Click here to see how she makes the domino ones and too see more fabric ones.

- Art Tea Life Charms

http://arttealife.blogspot.com/

~*Stop on over to see what ~*GOTHIC*~ inspired charms Cetta has been making and ones she will be giving away on the 28th!

~*PARTICIPANT GIVEAWAY @ CETTA'S!*~

Click here to get to ~*Cetta's Blog*~
Leave her a comment to enter if you really want to win the handmade charm package she is putting together!

While you are on her blog run a search for "charms" in the search box at the top right hand corner. That way you can see many other charms that she has made for swaps, gifts and to sell.

Thank you for sharing your creativity with us Cetta!

Original post on my blog- Inventive Soul

This is the idea I had posted to my main blog-
www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com

Wouldn't it be fun to have a special day for wearing and gifting special charms?
It sounds like fun to me, so I am going to make it happen!

What will this day be about?
Maybe giving some of your own handmade charms or ones you've gotten from a swap, to good friends, family and anyone who makes your day to day lives brighter, better or just more fun!
(Examples- postal workers, nurses, teachers, sales girls, waitresses (when leaving a tip), secretaries, children etc.)

Each charm could have a special meaning or feeling behind it.
Or, you could just make a general set and hand them out randomly!

You could add on a tag that mentions they are being gifted a charm on International Charm Day and add in your name or contact info if you feel comfortable enough to do that (for the ones you give to those who are not so familiar.)

It's not just a gift of art but also one of cheer and also inspiration!
Imagine if each person who gets one feels like making more of them to give others?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

If you would like to celebrate this day with me and if you blog about your charms I will be posting a little banner tag for everyone to add to their blogs soon.
Please link back here and leave me a comment so I can add you to the blog roll and enter your name to a cool prize pool!

Just copy the banner of this blog and link/add the URL to your blog so others can arrive here
www.InternationalCharmDay.blogspot.com

Only a few more days to wait!!!
I am SO excited!!!

I claim April 28th as "International Charm Day"
And I am looking forward to it! I really am!

~This is *NOT* a swap*~

So many people keep declining my invites, thinking this is a swap.
It's not a swap at all.


Remember that if you post an ad of this event on your site or blog, linking back to this site, you will be entered into another prize giveaway.
Just leave me a comment or email me if you know my email and let me know where you posted the link.
:o)

I am hoping to have as many people join us as possible!
The more the merrier!
And while you are at it, why not make some charms to share with people on April 28 in your part of the world!

~*I am celebrating art to wear charms, friendship, designing, random acts of kindness, hording, creativity, and my online charm swap and exchange community.*~

~*PLEASE JOIN ME!*~

April 28th ALL day
It's free!
You can win some wonderful
prizes!

Here is a list-

Prizes include charm making supplies, semi precious beads,
components, findings, an autographed copy of "A Charming Exchange", Swarovski
rhinestones, lace, hand dyed silk ribbons by Pat Winter, sequins, watch parts,
laser cut wood shapes from "Pork Chop Show"
AND MORE!

There will be blogs to visit that feature entries about charms, photos, tutorials, sales and lots more!

If you want to be a part of the celebration, please go to the "Follower" box.
On the right side of the blog, with all of the tiny pictures of other bloggers, who also follow. "Click Follow"

You cannot win a prize if you are not a follower.
This will be an annual holiday event, so if you miss out on it this year, you are invited back again next year!

Please send me a link to your site if you plan to join the fun!

I am collecting sites right now to share.
If you have posts on your sites to share related to charms, a special charm sale, or any type of charm related tutorial to share, let me know.
Just hit "Comments" below and it will bring you to a window to fill in a message to me!

If you are making special charm jewelry to wear or special charms to give away and want to share pictures of them, that counts too!

Thank you for helping to spread the word!
The event is just after this weekend and remember- if you advertise this event on your site or blog, linking back to this blog- and you let me know about it, you will be entered to win a prize!

You might win- An Autographed Copy of A Charming Exchange

If you are a follower of this blog-


You might win- An Autographed Copy of A Charming Exchange
*It is one of my favorite jewelry how to books*

Signed by Kelly & Ruth! <--- click on each of their names to see their blogs.


You must be listed on the followers widget on the right side bar on this blog.
Just click it to be added and follow the directions!

Followers using other services cannot be seen, so unless you actually "follow" using this widget, you are not going to be entered into any of the fabulous drawings for this event!

Let's get this party started!

If you would like to participate in this year's celebration of 4/28 as International Charm Day, please become a follower on this blog.

I am also looking for artists, crafters and designers who would like me to list them as participants on the side bar.
Do you have a discount to offer on materials to make charms?
I will advertise you!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do you have charm jewelry that you've made that you would like to share picture of?
How about things around your house that you have embellished with charms?

Do you have a charm making tutorial that you would like to share and be featured?

Let me know!

:o)

Thank you!

Amber