Tulip's Balm Beauty

Busy weekend ahead!

2011-08-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

My car is packed up and I'm finishing up my last few details.

I love the Horseshoe Craft & Flea market, I have been fortunate to be part of all three of their events since last Fall. The food trucks alone are a reason to come by but then you'll also be dazzled by the 100 vendors selling everything from handmade soap to reuholstered vintage chairs!

As if that isn't enough, my dear friend Amber invited me to be an artist featured at a First Sunday show at the The BAR CAR

819 Colorado Blvd.

Denver, CO
I'll be there this Sunday (Aug 7th) from 5-10 pm. Come by and get a beer and see some great artists!

Bring on the weekend!

Mad dogs and Englishmen

2011-07-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

It was 99 degrees yesterday. I woke up and loaded up the car at 7:30, set up my booth and was up and running at 9 am. It was definitely already in the 80's by then.

I love the Lucky Pearl Bazaar. My friend and incredible inspiration Mandy runs this show and it's so cute you want to just hang out there all the time. There are about 17-20 vendors there every month (2nd Sundays) and we all fit in her studio's graveled parking lot, off of the bustling South Pearl Farmer's Market. There has been a coffee truck present, our host has set up an old silver Airstream with Mexican colas and pastries, and my buddy Helliemae's decadent caramels.

The vendors vary each time but there is a healthy variety of jewelry and accessories for sale. As a vendor, I never leave empty-handed, I can't resist the goods! This time I bought a sterling initial wax seal pendant form Lisa Rundall Creations.

Even in the intense heat people came out to see us. Things moved a little more slowly and we drank a lot of water, but it was such a joy to be there!

What a find!

2011-06-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

I shuddered at the price, but I broke down and bought a strand of the most beautiful, opalescent Peruvian calcite. They are both green and blue and complement my chalcedony ring, they are both so ethereal. I had to make a necklace right away and I am keeping it for myself this time! I mean it.

Spring market

2011-05-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

Come see all the cool vendors at the first Horseshoe Craft & Flea market of the year!
We will be at 46th and Tennyson from 9-4. Last year was their first event and it was amazing! Lots of unique goodies, food and crafts for the kids (and grown ups) It's supposed to be almost 80 degrees too!
See you there :)

Beads...

2011-04-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist, went to one of my favorite stores for their gemstone sale and came home with all kinds of new ideas and inspiration. I made up a pair of smoky quartz, blue flourite and pearl earrings and am still mulling over what to make with my bright kelly green quartz rondelles. So many ideas in my head!

Clusters!

2011-04-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Love this look, it's more gem-based, but still has an organic flow. The one I made today has one central gray/peach pearl, 4 white pearls, 4 china red crystals and 4 faceted labradorite stones. I like the way the opalescent gray in the labradorite echoes the gray in the central pearl!

Balm time!

2011-03-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Time to restock all my balms. I spent the afternoon making up new bee remedy balms, all better balm sticks, skin balms, and baby & belly balms. I received my new order of mango butter and made a delicious lip balm with it. I added a bit of tangerine essential oil to it to make it more citrus-y. Love it!

Blues

2011-03-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

I have these gorgeous stones, chalcedony from Peru. They are bright, light blue but have a green tint to them in the sunlight. I have been using them in my leather necklaces along with pearls and green jade, but they were calling to me for something new. I added my favorite new cherry blossom charm to help me bring on Spring.

Lotus power

2011-03-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

I love this necklace, I will probably wear it more than any other! I found this great lotus flower pendant that wasn't too big or too intricate. I attached the diamond pendant I got when my son was born and it looks great together. I ordered more of the lotus pendants and think I will keep them on sterling chains and hang either a pearl or maybe a red stone from them. There is a tiny faceted labradorite hanging from the clasp too!

I am partial to tulips, but the lotus is a close second!

replacement!

2011-03-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Finally got the inspiration to replace my lost bracelet. I had some light tan leather, my favorite London blue topaz stone, a cherry blossom and a silver bar and made a cool, 6-strand bracelet. I added a cool grey/pink pearl, but you can't see it in the pcture. Both the topaz and the pearl are free-moving, while the bar and cherry blossom are attached to the leather. I'm hoping daily wear and tear will "age" the leather and make it darker and smoother.

Pig Fest 2011

2011-03-06T19:32:00.000-08:00

Having a brother-in-law who only asks for porkchops as birthday presents, I had fun with today's creative challenge. At first I thought of making normal cupcakes with fondant "bacon" accents on top, but I quickly was egged on by family to make real bacon cupcakes... with maple syrup.

Now, that may sound gross, and I was skeptical up until I tasted the finished product, but they were surprisingly sweet (maple syrup) with only the saltiness of the bacon reminding me of its presence. No left-overs!

2011-03-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

Starting today, I am going to create something every day. I lost my favorite bracelet and have been trying to coax my creativity back to make a new one, but I think it took a bit for me to get over my "loss". This new challenge will hopefully get me motivated!

This bracelet is made of these awesome, opaque red chrystals (called China red) that have an amazing, faceted depth. I usually use one to accent the closure of a necklace or a few to enhance a pearl bracelet, but this idea of a strand of red attracted me. I used memory wire, so it's more like a bangle in its rigidity. I covred the linked end pieces with a pretty silver flower pendant. Feels good!

2011-03-04T21:52:00.000-08:00

Hibernation is almost over! I can see signs of Spring in my garden and the windows are open for a bit each day. Great news for the business, I was accepted to all three shows at the Horseshoe craft & flea market in May, August and October. It was such a great venue last Fall and I am thrilled to be there again with my booth buddies, Kiwi & Co and Blue Dye. This year we sprung for a double space, so we'll have more room to "decorate".

Started a Facebook page, come find me at Tulip's Balm & JansBrown Jewelry

Ice

2011-02-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

Nothing like an ice storm to get the creative loose ends taken care of! I've been putting off photographing my jewelry for months. I tend to take dark photos and the light from the snowy window seemed perfect. I also wanted to keep some kind of inventory of what I have right now. I've added some new items, such as my silk cord jewelry. Now I have to plan my etsy strategy. My new year's resolution is to keep up on etsy and let it work with me, not just as a storage site for some of my designs.

Southmoor Valentine's Artisan Fair

2011-01-29T21:27:00.000-08:00

I love craft shows; the quiet while we all set up our booths, the fellow vendors I meet, the buzz as the doors open and the pride of standing behind my craft. Today's event was a real joy, the people were excited, there was live entertainmet and we were treated to delicious catered food. My fellow vendors form shows past were present; Pearl, Twirl, Sarah Campbell (textile artist), Anne Franklin, Make my Notebook, Hot pink and Sequins, and Claudia Ingraham. We are putting our heads together to create a fun market this Spring and Summer, stay tuned!

Valentines Artisan Fair

2011-01-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, I'll be at Southmoor Elementary for their 3rd annual fair. There will be aerial artists and other acts, competitions for the kids and many cool artisans! It's on January 29th from 10 to 3. I will be selling my handmade balms and jewelry. http://valentinesartisanfair.blogspot.com/

My new test tube arrived!

2011-01-27T22:11:00.000-08:00

Signed up to try out beauty products and received a gorgeous box in the mail today. In it, there was a large tube filled with generous samples ranging from apple stem serum to lash conditioner. I can't wait to try out everything, but will really try to keep an honest account of everything individually.

A little about myself and what I'm looking for... I'm not quite 40 and have some signs of aging; a few lines under my eyes and a pesky age spot on my cheekbone. My skin is "normal", not dry or oily, and it's pretty fair with light olive tone. I make and use as many natural ingredients as I can, but understand the importance of scientific breakthroughs in cosmetics and skincare as acting carriers. For example, I can't live without waterproof liquid eyeliner but use pure olive oil to remove it every night. I use argan oil to moisturize but slather on spf every morning.

My routine is pretty simple, I remove my eye make up with the olive oil and then cleanse the rest with rose water. I then use a facial oil or serum, moisturize and use an eye cream and targeted age spot treatments. In the morning I tone again (rosewater), use a serum, spf moisturizer and start my make up. On my face I like to use an spf primer, a dab of stick foundation and a bit of mineral powder, along with my trusty eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. A bit complex, but I'm game for a change (as long as I can have my eyeliner, that is)

Linda