Top Chef Goes Gluten Free!

I wish! Ha! (Although I do believe something gluten free was done with Top Chef Masters.) As someone who recently went gluten-free, I soon discovered that eating out is impossible. I used to love going to a nice restaurant and enjoying a wonderful meal but now I absolutely hate eating out. There's nothing to eat! On top of that, I am I've often felt like it's my fault I can't eat gluten and that I'm making life terrible for the chef and everyone there. How dare I come out to eat! What was I thinking?! I can count on one finger how many times someone was truly helpful and understanding of this in a food establishment besides a gluten-free store. Somehow, I end up feeling like a less-than customer.

Speaking of food, I loved Top Chef this season! I was rooting for the Voltaggio brothers all the way! I am a native of Frederick, Maryland and was glad to see some people from home. After spending almost two years living in the Middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin, it was somehow like seeing a familiar face every week. And I would eat their food any day... as long as it's gluten free.

Oh hey, you can also find this new necklace on Etsy! It features sterling silver, glass beads and a handmade lampwork focal bead from Heather.

House Party Availability

I have decided it is a good time to dive into the realm of house parties. So, if you live in the Port Washington, WI area and are looking for something fun to do, consider hosting a house party. I'm willing to travel between Cedarburg and Sheboygan to bring my designs to you and your friends for your viewing pleasure. As a thank you for hosting I will give you a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry for you. I can customize it to your liking and you will get this regardless of the number of sales. For more information, you can convo me through my Etsy site at stitchedforyou.etsy.com or email me at stitchedforyou@gmx.com.

The Winner!

Random.org True Random Number Generator Result: 1 Congratulations Steffi!

Etsy Giveaway!

Free Etsy Shop Giveaway! NO purchase necessary!

Up for grabs is a bracelet made by me! It is made out of red felted beads and glass pearls and measures about eight inches long. The beads are strung on tigertail beading wire. Give it as a gift or save it for yourself!

When can I enter? Monday, November 9, 2009 through Thursday, December 3, 2009.

How do I enter? Send me an email at rachelwrites2you!at!yahoo.com and tell me about an item that you like in my shop (found here: stitchedforyou.etsy.com). Just pick one item and tell me why you like it. You can pick any item that is currently in the shop or something that is sold. It can be one of my items or can be made by either of my sisters. Please make sure you include the item’s link in your email. Please send your entry to that email address, no messages through Facebook or Etsy, please. You can enter up to once a day. Each day you must pick either a different item or give me another reason why you like an item you already picked in the email you send. If you don’t like any items in my shop, please don’t enter.

How will the winner be picked? I will use a random number generator to pick the winner. The first email I get will be number one, the second will be number two, etc.

What will the winner get? The bracelet, of course! Also, I will give you a 25% discount and free shipping in my shop for one shopping transaction. You just let me know what you want to buy and I will adjust all the prices and reserve all those items for you. You can buy as much or as little as you like but it all must be done in one shopping transaction. If you don’t want anything but the bracelet, that is fine too, just let me know. Please realize, you do NOT have to spend a dime in the shop if you win and just want the bracelet.

How do I know if I’m the winner? I will announce the winner on my Stitched! Facebook page on Friday, December 4th! I will also email you and get your shipping information.

Everyone Wins!? Everyone who enters will get the opportunity to get free shipping and 5% off one transaction. When you enter I will email you back with details. Please note, this is for just one order regardless of the number of times you enter. As with the discount offered to the winner, you are under NO obligation to buy anything at all. If you never buy anything from the shop and just want to try for the free bracelet, that is perfectly fine.

A Note about the Prize: Because of the diameter of the beads, it will fit a wrist not much bigger than seven inches around. If you need this adjusted, please let me know before I ship it.

Another Note: Please read my shop policies before entering! Any customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer/winner for international buyers.

I will NOT send you "junk" emails, other offers, sell your information or anything else annoying. The only email you will get from me will come with information on getting your 5% discount for entering and if you win.

I reserve the right to change/modify the giveaway rules at any time.

New Lampwork Jewelry and New Section!

This week I have been very busy! I am going to my sister's graduation this week and I wanted to get some new things out before then. My husband and I are also planning our vacation for July and I have a new dog that I'm watching on and off. I'm trying my best to maintain some semblance of a garden but the crummy weather hasn't been helping. It's been in the 50's for several days the past couple weeks. That doesn't help my poor watermelon and cantaloupe plants. A lot has been accomplished though. Check out some of my new lampwork jewelry:

This one can be found here and features lampwork beads from Scott:


This one is made with lampwork discs from Alisha and carnelian stone beads:



In addition, I also started a section with jewelry and accessories that are all five dollars or less. Here are a few things from that section:

These earrings feature bumpy lampwork beads from May:


This necklace is made with Czech glass beads:

This bracelet is made of white shell beads and foil glass hearts:

Beautiful Glass

This week I started making some new things with the new handmade lampwork beads that I bought. This necklace is in bright blue and yellow. I love the three beads in the center. You'll have a hard time finding another one like this.

Speaking of blue and yellow. I have these wonderful lampwork discs from Alisha and couldn't resist making a pair of earrings with them and some cat's eye glass beads.



I found these beautiful two-toned Czech glass beads. They are a pink and orange color and remind me of ripe peaches. I made a three strand bracelet using those beads and small white faceted cat's eye glass beads. It's just a little too small for my wrist but I'm sure someone will love it!

Insanely Busy

I went on a trip to Maryland with my dog. We drove two days to get to my parents' house, spent the weekend, spent two days in Salisbury three hours from there, went back to my parents' house and then drove to see my grandparents before heading out on the road back to Wisconsin. It was a long drive and one week after getting back, I'm still tired from it. Obie loved meeting everyone and getting lots of love.



Since getting back I've been on a hunt for some good lampwork beads. The mass-produced beads you find at general craft stores just won't do. Mom and I went to AC Moore while I was in Maryland and their beads were disappointing. Usually they have decent selection but this last time there were so many cracked and chipped beads. Mom's birthday is coming up and I decided to find her some nice lampwork beads and get a few for myself. I am hoping to get a few new things made soon and post them on Etsy.

I ordered some custom beads from MayzBeadz ... she has very beautiful beads at great prices. I've never beed disappointed. Here's some of her work:




I also found wonderful beads at GloryBeadGlassStudio. Just beautiful work and free shipping!




If you are looking for hollow beads or lampwork discs I suggest AlishaWhite's Etsy shop. They are the most perfect lampwork discs I have ever come across!


I will be updating with more pictures as soon as I can.