New Year, New Direction and a Giveaway

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED.  THE WINNER IS MIKAYLA MAGER.  WATCH FOR MY NEXT GIVEAWAY IN FEBRUARY.

It's been a while.  I guess I have been busy elsewhere.  It's 2014!  What does this new year hold.  New years are great because it's a time to clear the slate and start anew.  We look back at our year, make adjustments for the future and then we should forget about our mistakes and failings and look ahead with great hope and resolve for the year ahead.  This year I plan to put my Etsy shop on the back burner and focus on my walk with the Lord and how I can be a blessing to others.

Psalm 19:14

The scripture art above is from Google Graphics on Etsy

This is a new thing for me --not that the Lord hasn't been in my life but as for the past 4 years my shop has absorbed much of my spare time and energy.  I feel the Lord is now requiring more of me.  Should I resent that?  I think not.  I might if I continue with my shop and don't have the time for it.   I don't want my shop to be competing for the limited time that I have for what the Lord would have me doing.

Printable Scripture
The above printable scripture is from Amen Printables on Etsy

  Let's face it -- my time is limited.   I work a part time job outside the home, attend church 2 nights a week along with Sunday morning and night.    Something has to go.   Looking back over 2013, I feel that my time has been compromised and at times, I have been called to other things when I wanted to be working on my items for my shop.  It has been a tug of war for my time.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Bible verse art above by Branch and Vine Prints on Etsy

Here is my 3 point focus for 2014:

1. Spend quality time with the Lord each day.

2. Focus on helping others -- by expanding and leading our church food and clothing ministry.
I have been involved with this ministry but I am realizing that it needs much more time. 

3. Diversify my blog -- making my posts not so single-minded.  Post about other things that are important to me like my family, and what the Lord is doing in my life.

Will I return at some point to focus on my Angels-n-Everlastings Etsy shop?  Who knows.
For now I am tired and unmotivated and I am bored with everything in my shop.

So, I think I will give it away - at least some of it.  Here is a good listing to start with:

Beach Seashell Wreath

So lets see, I won't make you jump through hoops to enter.  If you are interested you can find my links at top of page.  OPEN TO US/CANADA ONLY To enter just do 2 things-everyone will get one entry.

1.  Follow this blog if you haven't already.

2. Leave a comment.  Tell me what you plan on focusing on in 2014.

Entries close at midnight on 1/17.   A winner will be chosen some time that weekend. 

New at Angels-n-Everlastings

One of my newer listings at Angelsneverlastings.etsy.com is the beach scene diorama.  I really enjoy putting these together.  Each one is unique.

I enjoy painting the background as I find it more creative than putting wreaths together.  I carefully go though my beach findings to choose just the right seashells or driftwood to finish each one.  A sawtooth hanger can be added to the back if you would prefer to hang rather than display on a tabletop.

Here's a new wreath just listed today.

It has eucalyptus, seashells, dried roses and deep blue larkspur.  Here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/160918420/seashell-wreath-spanish-moss-covered?ref=shop_home_active

A sheer ribbon bow surrounded by dried roses and seashells creates a soft focal point.









I love to walk the beach early in the morning, many mornings I take some photos as the sun rises.
Here's one from a recent morning.

On a recent morning, I found some interesting driftwood pieces.  What did I do with them?

Here are some Christmas tree ornaments or small wall hangings, made from the driftwood, seashells, moss and sea glass:

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This one is a larger wall hanging with seashells, sea glass and green moss.  It measures 17 inches long.  Watch for the driftwood pieces to be added soon to my Etsy shop.

My links:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelsNEverlastings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelsNEverlastings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/judyrussi
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/judy_russi

Summer Sale - Angels n Everlastings Coastal Decor

Use coupon code "google20" for 20% off these listings or any listings in my Angelsneverlastings Etsy shop.  Here are a few unique one of a kind items - click on my shop for others.  Coupon code is good through 7/31/13. 

Seashell Heart Twig Wreath

Beach Themed Photo Frame

Ocean Scene Diorama

Beach House Seashell Mirror 

And The Winner Is

Missing You Card

I have chosen via Random.org a winner of my beach lover seashell and sea glass embellished photo frame.  I'm happy to announce that it is Julia B of  Cards by JeweleighaB.  She is a fellow member of the Cast Team (Christian Artist Street Team) on Etsy and a talented paper artist and card maker.  Here are some of my favorites from Cards by Jeweleigha B.  

Angel Gift Tags

Here is how Julia describes herself  "I love patterned paper, new stamps, my collection of assorted brads, and I fully enjoy each little bit of time I can devote to my craft".   Take a moment to visit her shop and see what other creations she has for sale.  You'll be glad you did

Snowman Gift Tags

 

Giveaway - Beach Lover Photo Frame

I think I will have a giveaway!  Here is one of my 4 by 6" beach lover photo frames.  This one happens to have a photo of my daughter in it but I will replace it with a beach scene photo or you can add a special photo of your own.   This daughter is going to be twenty this month and she doesn't like her photo posted.

 The photo frame is sponged with aqua blue and sand colored paint and then embellished with assorted seashells and sea glass.  If you'd like to see more of my beach home decor visit my Etsy shop here.

I'll try to keep this simple.  I know you hate when you have to jump through loops to enter giveaways. 

Let's see -- Giveaway open to US/Canada only.  If you'd like to win this photo frame - do any or all of the following:

Entry #1  Simply leave comment here - (leave a email address so I can contact you if you win)
Entry #2  Follow my twitter at https://twitter.com/judyrussi
Entry #3  Like my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AngelsNEverlastings
Entry #4  Follow this blog

Bonus entries -- A bonus entry for each promo of this giveaway (blog, tweet, facebook post, etc)

Leave a separate comment here for each entry please.  If you are already follower/liker just say so in  comment. 

You can enter until midnight on 10/15/12 - Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10/16/12.

New at Angels n Everlastings

Wall Hanging Beach House Decor Topiary

 
Here is a new listing in my Angels n Everlastings Etsy shop.  It is a topiary that hangs flat against the wall. Fragrant eucalyptus and lavender are added to the seashells to create a rustic nautical home decoration. A few little bits of sea glass finish the piece.  If you like beach home decor, this is perfect for you. This nautical themed topiary measures aprox. 20" tall by 7" wide.  

Coastal Decor Grapevine Wreath

I also have some wreaths decorated with seashells and green moss.  A 6" grapevine is decorated with seashells, and sea glass. Fill a small bare spot with this nautical piece for a soft touch. Sometimes little things can add a lot of character to your decor. 

Nautical Heart Wreath with Green Moss and Seashells

 Here is a heart shaped wreath with assorted seashells and sea glass on a bed of green moss. This heart wreath measures approximately 18" across.  If you love the beach and coastal living this wreath is for you

Beach House Mirror

Here is a decorative mirror, embellished with seashells and sea glass.  

Ocean Theme Photo Frame

Some shells used in my photo frames or wreaths were collected on local east coast beaches. The sea glass is all natural and was collected by Lorrie of Wits End Design from the No. California coast. Visit her shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WitsEndDesign?ref=pr_shop_more The frame can hang or stand -- horizontal or vertically. 

Visit my Etsy shop for more beach theme listings here. Here are my other social links - facebook, twitter, stumbleupon, pinterest.

A Morning on Revere Beach

 One morning recently, I spent a bit of time at our local beach. 
 
It's not the most scenic beachfront but none the less, it is nice to visit first thing in the morning to walk and collect some seashells. 


These are the pictures I took that morning.

Seashell Heart Wreath

It was a bit of a cloudy somewhat overcast morning with the sun peeking through.  

Photo Frame with Seashells and Sea glass

Many of the shells that I use in my wreaths and photo frames are collected right here on Revere Beach








 
The week before was the yearly sand sculpting festival.  Usually the creations last for weeks but we had just had a major thunder lighting hail storm the day before so some of the creations were destroyed but here are some that were still standing. 

 Look at the incredible detail on this one.

This one was a tribute to Fenway Park, where the Boston Red Sox play and also honored the festival sponsors.

I hope you enjoyed the visit to Revere Beach,  in my hometown, and the oldest public beach.

Photo frame, nautical beach home accented with seashells and sea glass - $12.00

3.5" by 5" photo frame embellished with blue sea glass and seashells. Perfect gift for the beach lover. Photo frame can hang on wall or stand on table top either vertical or horizontal. This photo was taken in Rockport, MA.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!