Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year, everyone!


Ah, another year has gone by and I am once again thinking about what I can do to improve my work in the new year! I received a few beading books for Christmas and decided I've missed doing that, so I think I will be going back to my roots and adding some beaded pieces to my website in the near future!

I will be closed until January 5th! See you in the new year!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

REALLY? It's been THAT long???


Since I have posted? In case you missed it, my 7 year old daughter is in a major theater production of A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre. It's taken over our lives for the past 2 months! What a wonderful ride it has been. However, it has lead me to neglect this blog!

There is still time to see the show! The show runs until December 26th. Click the links below to check out the website and buy tickets!

Buy tickets!

Check out A Christmas Carol 2010's website!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!



I hope everyone has a GREAT Thanksgiving! Take a minute to let everyone know you are thankful for them, even if they can't pull themselves away from the new XBOX Kinect.

Keep and eye out on the blog or my Facebook page~~ I'll be posting a coupon code later on in the day to use on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! Not a Facebook fan yet? Click the link below and become one! I do all kinds of giveaways!

I want to be a pink papillon Facebook fan!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The new pink papillon site is LIVE!


It's up and running! Go check it out......come back and leave a comment about it and I'll put you in the running for a SWEET surprise! Hurry though, the winner will be announced the morning of Black Friday!

PS If you are on Facebook, if you could take a minute and "like" the new site, I'd appreciate it! There is a link to do this at the bottom of the homepage!

Click me to visit the new pink papillon website!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Small Business Saturday & the New pink papillon Site!


You've heard of Black Friday.....you probably have even heard of Cyber Monday.....but what about Small Business Saturday? That's right, this Saturday, November 27th is Small Business Saturday. Why have you never heard of it? Because it's the first one ever!

It's designed to get you to help out your local businesses, or any small online business! There are so many cool people out there selling all sorts of cool stuff. Go out there and find them and boost the economy!

And guess what? The *NEW* and *IMPROVED* pink papillon site is ready to rock and roll! Keep checking as it will go LIVE in the next day or two, right in time for Small Business Saturday! And keep on eye out on the blog here as well......I am feeling a coupon code coming on!

Friday, October 15, 2010

I'm a Team Beach Body Coach!


Yes, I finally did it. After years of being addicted to Chalean Extreme and Shakeology and sending all kinds of friends and acquaintances to *other* coaches for help, I decided I was enough "in the know" to become a coach myself!

Trust me, I'm no fitness guru. I didn't lose 100 pounds on my own or anything amazing like that. I'm not totally buff or totally skinny. I don't always eat what is good for me. I love margaritas and Dairy Queen. I'm just like you. BUT, I *am* totally addicted to fitness. I'm committed. As a matter of fact, I'm supposed to be doing day 19 of TurboFire RIGHT NOW, and it's giving me agita since I am blogging instead. People always think I am much younger than I am, and at 44 years old I still wear a size 4, so I figure I must do doing something right.

I found Chalene Johnson through the Beach Body site while I was searching around for P90X. I'm sure you've heard of it......*everyone* is doing it. It's supposed to be amazing. As a runner, I didn't think it was right for me~~ I also have nerve damage in my left elbow from a kindergarten swing accident (side bar: tell your kids NOT to jump off the swings!) which makes things like push ups and chin ups almost impossible for me. (I end up doing them with my right arm alone!) Enter Chalene. I love this woman. What a fabulous set of DVDs. By the end of the series I was lifting weights heavier than I ever thought possible. I was RIPPED. And ready to move onto the next level.

Enter TurboFire. It just came out in July. Again, I run, so I was going to wait until the winter to buy the DVDs so I could use them in the cold months. WELL. I couldn't wait and bought them about 3 weeks ago. They. Kick. My. Butt! Holy COW.....I thought I was in pretty good shape! I was WRONG. I am sweating like I've never sweat before and I LOVE it!!!

Now I need a BodyBugg. Don't get me started. I'll save it for another time. In the meantime, check out my Beady Body website. Click on the Shop Team Beach Body link and look around. Read about Chalean Extreme and TurboFire. Check it out. I'm here if you have any questions!

Okay! Got to run and do the Fire 45 EZ class......don't let the EZ fool you!!

Click me to check out my Team Beach Body Coach website!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I am Featured Over on Artfire!


That's exciting!

My Copper and Sterling Peace Sign earrings are featured in the "Give Peace a Chance" collection over on Artfire. Ever hear of it? It's a bunch of artists selling cool stuff. After you checkout the other peace related items posted in honor of John Lennon's birthday, take a minute to peruse the site!

SHAZAM! Take me to Artfire!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Why, is that pink papillon I see......


....in the October/November issue of BUST magazine? Why yes, it is!

Friday, October 1, 2010

For your viewing pleasure......

......I give you, Ian Somerhalder. You have a lovely Saturday and I'll see you on Sunday. :O)

A Sweet Little Necklace


I have many wonderful customers that return to me again and again. Sometimes they have special requests for me. I just made this sweet little necklace for a super nice customer of mine in Canada. She was going to purchase one of my ID bracelets for a christening gift and really wanted this type of necklace to go with it. She also gave me a huge compliment saying that she wanted to purchase both pieces from me as she knows the quality of my jewelry is outstanding. So, I indulged her. This is by no means an original piece as I have seen many versions of the capped crystal necklace, but it is sweet just the same. I may or may not offer it on my website. We'll see!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Are you on Facebook?


The come join the fun on my Facebook fan page! You can scroll down and click the link on the right side on the page to go, or you can click the link at the bottom of this post.

Come join the fun~ I do give aways, post coupons only available to Facebook fans, and things like that! You never know what will happen over there! Don't forget to post on the wall so I know that you have arrived!

Take me to the Facebook Fan page!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It's Here! The Little Girl Cuff Bracelet with a Flower!


My daughter needed a birthday gift for a friend, I needed a new bracelet for little girls. That's how this sweet little bracelet came to be!

Want to check it out? For a limited time I will be offering it at a special price! Click the link below to check it out!

Take me to that sweet little bracelet!

A Sneak Peek!



Here it is! A sneak peek of the new little girl cuff I was working on! I still need to edit the photos, but this sweet little bracelet should be on the website by the end of the day!

Can you stand the suspense?!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wait for it.......

A new piece for girls! I need to edit the photos, but it is coming! I'll give you a hint.....I *love* rivets!!

Monday, September 20, 2010

and the biggest seller of the week is.......


The BABY LOVE sterling silver cuff bracelet for infants!

I have sold a *ton* of these little bracelets this week.....I'm not sure why! Sure, they are cute and even beautiful, but I'm not sure why there has been a run on them in the past few days. Whatever the reason, THANK YOU to all my wonderful customers!

Want to check out this sweet little bracelet? Click the link below! It makes a great alternative to silver spoons and rattles! A perfect match to mom's bracelet, or the little girl/boy version!

Destined to become a treasured heirloom!

Take me to the BABY LOVE bracelet!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

So I finally completed it.....



The Spiked Spiral bracelet. Actually, I've been done with it for awhile now. It was immediately purchased by my good friend, Gina. I can't show her anything. :O) I am going to make two more, so have no fear! One will have green palace Swarovksi crystals and clasp, the other black diamond.

So, here is the finished product. It has over 6 feet of sterling silver wire! A shout out goes to Lisa Niven Kelly for teaching me how to create these!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Please vote for me in the Leading Moms in Business Competition!

StartupNation's Leading Moms in Business Competition 2010 is well under way! They are celebrating America's top 200 mom-owned businesses! I'd really appreciate it if you could take a minute and click the link to vote for pink papillon!

Vote for pink papillon!

You can also click the link to the right and vote as well. Thanks so much!

Friday, August 13, 2010


So, my summer business has been a little slow, lending me time to create a few new pieces for the craft show I do in the beginning of December. I've had the supplies sitting around for this piece for a long while, but never had the time to sit down and work on it. It's called the Spiked Spiral Bracelet, taught to me by the wire work master, Lisa Niven Kelly.

Love love LOVE it. It's a big pain in the neck (hand?) to make, but it looks like it may have been worth the time! What you do think? (Excuse the photo....I took it with my phone!)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Ronald's Lemonade Stand

As many of you already know from my posts, I am a former teacher and substitute quite a bit in the kindergarten classes of my childrens' school district. Recently, one of the sweet little boys in a class I am in quite often has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is currently under going chemotherapy~~ boom. Just like that. I was in his room a week and a half ago.

The family is going to need help with his medical bills for a variety of reasons. His friends and neighbors have already set up a Lemonade Stand for him to help raise money for his medical bills. If you are in the area, the stand will be set up at the school carnival this Saturday, June 12th. If you can't make the carnival, you can send donations to the following address:

Ronald Hogas Fundraiser~~ Lemonade Stand
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
280 Crosswicks Road
Bordentown, NJ 08505

Checks may be made out to Ronald Hogas. Click the link above to join his Facebook page.

Okay, so here's what I am going to do. For every purchase made today through my website (or personally, if you know me) I will donate $10 of the sale to my little friend Ronald. If you buy a pair of $12 earrings, I will still donate the $10. So please, if you have been on the fence about buying a piece, now would be a wonderful time to do it. You will get a lovely piece of jewelry and be helping out as well.

Click me to go to pinkpapillon.com



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The LOST Bracelet is back for a Limited Time!


Can you believe it is over? Can you believe I've never seen one episode? (I know, I know!)

This cuff debuted a few years ago. I removed it from circulation for awhile, but now with the series ending I thought I would bring it back for a limited time!

This cuff is a little bit wider than my traditional cuff......don't like it being so wide but *need* to wear the code? Simply order my original cuff in the Block font and type the code in the text box!

Click me to see the LOST cuff bracelet!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Special Price on my Graudation Cuff!



One week only!

Here's a beautiful keepsake for that special graduate~~ a sterling silver cuff! On the outside I will stamp the graduate's full name. On the inside can be "Class of 2010", or even the name of their high school along with it! (If space allows!)

This is a wonderful gift that they will wear for years to come!

Click here to go to this beautiful bracelet!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The *NEW* Resin Custom Photo Key Chain is Here!


Yep, as promised, it's here!

We are so happy to be able to offer to you a *custom* key chain made from your high resolution photo! After we receive the photo, our photo editor will crop it to the size that is needed. He will then edit it as needed to make it work with the size of the key chain. We are able to turn your photo into a black and white print, or an antique sepia. It's up to you!

The key chain is heavy weight silver tone. It is approximately 35mm across has a good weight to it.

We just love it!

Click me to whisk away to the key chain!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

So, I've been playing with resin.......


....yep. Resin is a lot of fun! I am really happy that I am going to be able to offer these two new pieces! My photo professional (aka Husband Nick) will take your high resolution photo and crop it to the correct size. He will also edit it to make it work at the size we need. We can also turn your color photo black and white or antique it! How cool is that? Here's Gracie in her original photo...


and here she is in her new silver plated, resin covered cuff link set!


Cute, huh? Here's a link right to them!
Take me to the cuff links!

I also have a really nice key chain as well!
Take me to the key chain!



Please note that these new resin pieces will take a little bit longer than my normal time frame to get to you. We need to receive and edit your photos before we can even start the resin process, which takes a few days in itself. So, order earlier than you normally would if it is a gift item!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Best Car Overall!


Well, the boy didn't place in the Pinewood Derby yesterday, but he was going for style over speed! He won Best Car Overall and was one vote short of Best Paint Job. I thought he did a great job!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

It's Pinewood Derby Day!


Last weekend was the Powder Puff Derby for the Girl Scouts, this weekend it is the Pinewood Derby for the Boy Scouts. My son has a tough act to follow as last week my Daisy Scout won First Place in the Daisy/Brownie division, and came *thisclose* to winning the Championship Race.

This is her car, The Spark-il-icous:

Last night they were testing the track and her car beat all the past winners! We told him that he should just redecorate her car and race that......I know I know.....that's against the rules! He is going to race his tank. We'll see what happens!

(PS I am *really angry* about what is happening with education in New Jersey....but I can't talk about it right now. Maybe tomorrow.....)

Friday, March 19, 2010

I DO Heart I Heart Handmade!!


Whoot whoot! I am featured over on I Heart Handmade today! That's my sterling Circle of Love custom stamped necklace in the Top Picks!


Click here to see me on I Heart Handmade!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Okay, GREAT. So now I'm addicted......


......to lamp working beads. Something about firing up a torch and melting stuff with it. Awesome.

In case you missed it, I just finished a two day Introduction to Lamp Work Beads class, given by the fabulous Starleen of Starleen's Studio. If you want to see just *how* fabulous she is, click here. Incredible lamp work artist and an instructor que fabulosa.

These are just a few of the beads I had a good ole time creating yesterday. Not very exciting or beautiful, but DANG, a lot of fun!
The pictures
aren't the greatest as I took them with my cell phone camera, but you can get the idea.

The one on the left was the most fun to create. (Well, in yesterday's session, anyway!) Five simple steps to coolness!

GREAT. So now I'm going to have to outfit my studio with a complete lamp work section. Anyone out there want to help out out? HAHA!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Gone Fishin'....I'm making beads!

Whoot Whoot! I am going to be out of commission for a few days......I started my lamp work bead class today! SOOOOOO much fun! I *love* torching and melting things! I'll be back in a few days, hopefully with some photos of my new treasures! (And some new kindergarten stories.....I'm subbing K three days next week.)

In the meantime, here is a bracelet I made with some lamp work beads I purchased at a show a while back. I decided to keep this one!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Kindergartners are Funny


This week is incredibly insane for me. Daisy Scouts, Girl Scout party, CCD, ballet, hair appointments, a 2 day bead class, subbing 4 days, among many other things.

Back in the day I was a teacher of elementary school~~ and a kick butt one at that. So, I sub occasionally, thinking I may want to get back into that one day (although the state of New Jersey is a MESS in that department, so I doubt it. I have been dubbed "too expensive" as I have "too much education" and "too much experience". Don't get me started.) This week I happen to be subbing a lot~~ mostly in kindergarten. These kids are a laugh a minute. Since our kindergarten is a full day program, after lunch they sometimes have "rest time" where they all pull out their mats and are supposed to lie there for half an hour, listen to music, and well, rest. In the beginning of the school year this was a much needed break. This late in the game, not so much. It's torture to get them to stay on those mats. Anywho, they also tap each other to use the bathroom. So, I'm sitting on the rug organizing the pieces for the lesson to be taught after rest. One of the girls is washing her hands at the sink when all of a sudden, we both hear something. I look at her and say, "Sue, (not her real name) what *is* that?" She looks at me and says, "I think it's Sally. (also not her real name) She's in the bathroom." Then we hear it again, only much clearer........"EVACUATE THE DANCE FLOOR......I'M INFECTED BY THE SOUND......." apparently Sally thought she was in her own personal recording studio, and she was LOUD. So, the rest of us are just cracking up. When she comes out of the bathroom, we are just in tears. She says, "What? What's so funny?" I told her we could hear her "concert". She had *no idea* we could hear her. She's also the kind of kid that likes to be the center of attention, so she thought this was GREAT. Too funny. I wish I had recorded it.

PS I have some new pieces debuting in the next few weeks......be on the look out!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

I love my Daisy Scouts


When my daughter was in kindergarten, she decided she wanted to be a Daisy Scout. If you were ever a Girl Scout back in the day, Girl Scouts started with Brownies in 2nd grade. Daisies are the newest addition~~ only been around for about 10 years or so. Now, you can start Girl Scouts in kindergarten and continue to 1st grade.

Of course when we went to sign up, there was no Daisy Scout leader/troop in our school. So what happens? Yep, former-teacher-me is talked into starting a troop. Which is fine, I can do that. we are a super active troop. Last year we had 10 girls, this year we have 18 and had to turn some down! We have a lot of fun.

What does this have to do with jewelry, do you ask? At the end of last year, I gave all the girls a sterling silver name necklace with a flower stamp, from pink papillon, of course. They really like them. They wear them all the time to this day! That makes me happy. They are inexpensive, these sweet little necklaces, and make great birthday gifts. My daughter likes to give them to her friends. So, if you ever need a sweet little present for a sweet little girl, think pink papillon!


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Public Service Announcement......Let's Talk Mascara


Let's take a break from jewelry for a minute so I can tell you a story. A few weeks ago I am sitting in my dermatologists office, just minding my own business waiting my turn like everyone else. This older woman leans over to me and says, "Excuse me, I don't mean to be rude, but can I ask you a question?" Sure, I tell her. Then she says, "Isn't it a big pain to put on false eyelashes every morning? Isn't it time consuming?" I then tell her that my eyelashes aren't false but my own, which leads to the next question, "What mascara do you use?"

I get that a lot. The mascara question. I have been blessed with really great eyelashes. I can use any mascara and they come out incredibly long and dark and thick. I don't know why. They don't start out that way. Without mascara they are fairly long, but fine and light colored. But with mascara, WOW! Transformation. And it really can be any......from the $1.00 Wet n' Wild, to Givenchy. BUT, since I get the question so often, I am going to reveal my top favorites in the Expensive and the Not-So-Expensive categories. Ready? Write this down.

Number One in the Expensive Category: DiorShow Iconic Mascara

LOVE this mascara.....and at 27 bucks a pop, I'd better! Never clumpy, never flakey, doesn't have that "dry" look, if you know what I mean. I've heard this one can run, but I've never had that problem. Super volumizing, and I like the brush. (That's a big thing with me.) You can also sign up to be a Dior Diva, which I just like saying I am, so there's another selling point for ya.

Number One in the Not-So-Expensive Category: CoverGirl Lash Blast Luxe

I like the one in the pink tube.....I don't really see the platinum "luxe" they are talking about, (my 6 year old swears *she* does) but at least the tube is really pretty. Seriously though, I like the pink tube better than the orange tube version, so I guess the luxe does something. This is one is veeeery close to the DiorShow Iconic~~ it really gives almost the same long, lush look, it just takes a few more applications to get it there. This one also has a brush I like. The only thing I am *not* crazy about is that sometimes when I am putting it I get mascara on my eyelids, very close to the lash line, even when I am super careful. That's so not cool. I've learned to carry Q-Tips. The happy part is it is only about $7.00 AND you can buy it at Target, or Wal-Mart, and even Shop Rite. Bonus!


So, there you have it. And by the way, the woman in the dermatologists office was just the nicest person I've met in awhile. We talked about everything and anything. I wish I got her email or something. Maybe she's reading this and saying to herself, "I remember her!!"

Oh, and by the way, I make jewelry. Click the link after the jump to see it.

I make jewelry

That's ME over on www.stylebakery.com!

What an honor! I have once again been named a "Designer on the Rise" for the Spring of 2010 over on www.stylebakery.com! They are describing me as one of "the hottest rising stars" of the Indie jewelry world! Why, thank you! Thank you very much! I hope you hop on over to stylebakery.com and check out the page they designed for me. If you could leave a comment as well, that would make my day! Oh, and make sure you look for the special discount code for 15% off over on my website! It's only for stylebakery.com readers, so you have to click the link in order to find it!
pink papillon is a Designer on the Rise!

Monday, March 1, 2010

I HEART Handmade!



Hey! Check it out! I am in the Spring Show over at I Heart Handmade. I Heart Handmade is a seasonally-inspired handmade marketplace featuring top talent from the world of indie handmade. Click the link to check out my page....then take a minute to browse through all the unique and beautiful offerings of the other wonderfully talented artists featured this season!

I HEART Handmade!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Why, hello Chalene.....it's been a long time.....


So, tomorrow is March 1st. I've been saying since oh, January 1st that I am going to get back into my Chalene Extreme. Do you know this program? I've never been big on using videos at home to exercise....they bore me.....but Chalene Extreme kicked my butt. What I like about the program is that you have a schedule and you alternate the 7 DVD's according to the handy chart they give you. All last spring and summer I was a Chalene fanatic. I did the DVD's religiously and ran on top of it. I was mighty buff. Not as buff as Chalene of course, but pretty buff for me.

I think my problem is I am a slug in the winter. I have no problem running when it is nice out, or getting motivated.....but in the cold, blech. Not to mention I can't wear my cute running skirts. But I also had the whole house-addition thing going.....who wants to exercise with a house full of people.

OKAY! Tomorrow is the first, it's a Monday, it's the ideal time to start! (Or so I am telling myself.) The program is about 4 months, so by summer I'll be good to go. I've got my Shakeology, I've got my Select Tech weights, I'm good to go!!!

Wish me luck!

By the way....if you are interested in Chalene Extreme and need a coach, mine is Christine Bentley. Here's a link to her Team Beach Body site:
Team Beach Body with Christine

Thursday, February 25, 2010

It's time for SHECKY'S GIRLS NIGHT OUT!


Tonight's the night! We aren't going to let a little thing like a blizzard stop us from going to the coolest night out in Philly! If you've never gone to a Shecky's Girls Night Out event, it's awesome! It's held in the Crystal Tea Room at the Wanamaker building~~ free drinks, free samples, lots of shopping, and a SWAG BAG! You couldn't ask for anything more! That's me and my friend Gina in the photo at the Shecky's event in the fall. Click the link to see what it's all about and to find a Shecky's event in YOUR area! (PS I am wearing that bracelet RIGHT NOW! I hope that vendor is there again!)

Shecky's in Philly!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The FAMILY LOVE necklace now comes with birth crystals!


By popular demand~~ birth crystals! I'm really happy with the way this one turned out! The birth stones just add a little bling. Of course, you can always get the non-bling version as well! Check it out with the link below!

The new blinged out FAMILY LOVE necklace!