Clearance Sale, New Items, Art For Thought

A new year - out with the old, and in with the new!

I have marked down several items 50% in my artfire shop to make room for new designs. Get some beautfil pieces at great prices! Items are already maked down, so no need to mess with coupon codes. Just visit my artfire shop and click on the clearance section of my shop.

Now for the new pieces! I have spent some time over the holidays experimenting with some new techniques. I am quite pleased with the new pieces that have come out of this process. Here are a few examples:



Some of these pieces have already been listed in both shops, a few others are for sale locally at Incognito Tattoo Studio in Greencastle, PA.

For anyone local who wants to give this technique a try, Mercersburg Council for the Arts has asked me to teach a class on Feb. 18th in Mercerburg, PA. We will be making a brass cuff bracelet. Here is an example of one I made recently:

For more inforamation about this event, please visit the MCFA blog or the MCFA facebook page.

Win a Necklace from Zen Creations Jewelry!

Family Stichery is hosting a necklace giveaway for Zen Creations Jewelry!


To enter to win a Zen Creations faceted quartz crystal necklace, please go here, and follow the instructions on the page. They also have a very nice reivew of one of our more popular necklaces.

While you're there, be sure to look around their site. They have other giveaways, and great product product reviews!

Elemental Alchemist

Exciting news! Zen Creations recently shipped a line of jewelry to a new shop that is opening soon in Jim Thorpe, PA. Read on for more info about this shop from one of my favorite blogs, Green Mom Green Baby:

September 27, 2011 Jim Thorpe, PA. Alchemy Inspires Transformation in Jim Thorpe. The economy might be down but Alchemy means new business on Race Street in Jim Thorpe. This October, the first Wellness Studio is set to open on Old Packer Row: Elemental Alchemist.


Elemental Alchemist is comprised of three wise women; Annemarie Balog (Reiki Master, Yoga Therapist), Selena Mazmanian (Soapstress, Formulator) and Michelle Gallagher (Medium, Spiritual Counselor) who came together coincidentally but with divine purpose in mind: to provide a space for the surrounding communities to attain information on self-healing and transformation. Each Alchemist also wants to introduce products and services that may assist in the promotion of overall personal wellness. All three women serve as Universal Ministers and are available to perform ceremonies upon request.
“Alchemy is an early form of chemistry that was not only meant to transform metals into gold but to discover life prolonging elixirs and universal cures for disease.” Gallagher notes. “The three of us are well aware that personal transformation is possible with enough inspiration and want to provide that opportunity for others.” Gallagher was introduced to Annemarie Balog when Balog bought her book Witch Wolf? The Curse (Amazon.com). Annemarie had an idea for Gallagher that involved Selena Mazmanian’s handcrafted products from 13th Moon Creations. One lunch meeting was all it took for Alchemy to take place. A space on Race Street presented itself within minutes and the three women decided that they would forge a partnership to inspire others on the spot.


Annemarie Balog a Reiki Master wants Elemental Alchemist to provide a seriously fun blending of mind, body and spirit connecting with the five universal elements: water, fire, earth, air & ether. She is also one of less than two- dozen people worldwide certified in Lakshmi Voelker Level II Chair Yoga an experience Gallagher says “That will lend the amazing benefits of Yoga to all ages, shapes, sizes and flexibility.”


Selena Mazmanian and her husband Dan knew that they had to quit their jobs and move to Jim Thorpe on a day trip they took two years ago. 13th Moon Creations has been Mazmanian’s after work and weekend passion. Her soaps, body butters, incense and oils have drawn curious people through the doors of Elemental Alchemist while the women were just setting up. It seems as if Elemental Alchemist is the perfect cauldron to see Selena’s dream comes true.


Elemental Alchemist’s Lending Library will circulate books on natural medicinal and home remedies, gardening, herbs, mediation and more. Other services The Alchemists will provide are: Reiki, Hatha Yoga, Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Spiritual Counseling, Intuitive Readings, Oracle Consultations and craft and wellness courses. All three women want you to know “Everything we offer is for healing, protection or self love.”
Elemental Alchemist will open October 1st (11am-7pm). For more LIKE Elemental Alchemist on Facebook. For press info please call Michelle Gallagher at 570-954-4520.

Mercersburg Townfest

Up early today for Mercersburg Townfest. If you are in the area, stop by today, the event runs from 9am to 3pm, and you'll find crafts, food, music, kids activities and an auction at the First United Methodist Church. Zen Creations will be set up in our usual spot on Seminary Street, close to the square, across from the ATM of the bank and Dick McCracken Rugs.

More shows!

Well, it sure has been a busy summer! My plans to list items every week and keep my blog updated went right out the window the 1st week of summer. The good news is that I've been busy with shows and creating new pieces and now that I have a short break in my schedule I can finally start adding new things to the shops. Keep an eye out for new listings over the next couple of weeks!

New show added!
Saturday, August 20th - Trinity United Church Peach Festival - Fort Loudon Community Grounds, 8 am to 2pm

Next up is the Shippensburg Corn Festival, followed by First Fridays in Mercersburg, and then Boonsboro Days!

4th Annual MCFA Art Auction Fundraiser - Tonight!

Stop by Flannery's tonight for the 4th Annual MCFA Art Auction Fundraiser. Jewelry (including a set from Zen Creations), photography, paintings, music, hand spun/dyed yard from Hobbledehoy and much more! 5pm to 8pm at Flannery's in Mercersburg

Spring Craft Bazaar!

Zen Creations will be vending at the Spring Craft Bazaar @ Ft. Ritchie this Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Super Sale this weekend!

SUPER Sale in both shops this weekend!


Visit Zen Creations on Artfire

Use this coupon code: ZENSUPER11 in either shop to get 15% off your total purchase.





Visit Zen Creations on Etsy
2 lucky shoppers will be chosen to receive a free gift! sale starts Friday at noon, ends Monday at noon.


Watch for new items to be listed berfore and during the sale!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

Get 15% off in both Zen Creation shops this Friday to Monday! Simply enter this coupon code when checking out in either shop: VALUEDCUSTOMER02 and get 15% off your purchase. Many new items have been added to both shops for the sale and new holiday earrings and braclets.

Sale ends Monday at midnight!

Last craft show of the year - Kris Kringle

This Saturday and Sunday Zen Creations will be vending at the Kris Kringle craft show at HCC in Hagerstown, MD. The show features 250 vendors and free gift wrapping services. The entry fees ($1) collected will be donated to a local charity, and they will also be acceping can goods at the door for charity.

Hours are 9am to 5pm both days.

DIY Promotion

This morning I read a great article called 10 Ideas for Making Your Show an Event written by Martin Atkins. While the article is written for those in or looking to get their big break in the music business, a lot of what Martin suggests can be used for your craft business. The idea of having your craft show turn into a major even is what we all dream of and it's something that can be attained.

While we as crafters are sometimes limited because we don't organize the event (and have to stay within event guidelines), we can use some of the ideas Martin has suggested as use them as a starting point for creating our own events. Holiday open houses are a great way to start. Finding and setting up at events that we wouldn't normally set up at exposes us to new potential customers. Find and help a local organization or charity by creating a fundraising event or food drive or participate in one they already have. Have friends and family host themed open houses or organize a small local show with your Etsy street team or crafty friends. The possibilities are endless. Are only limits are our own creativity.

For those of you who are not familiar with Martin Atkins, he's been in active in the music business for ages. He was the drummer for many well known bands like Public Image Limited, Killing Joke, Ministry, Damage Manual and (my favorite!) Pigface, and has his own record label - Invisible Records. Over the last few years he has been teaching and giving seminars on the music business and wrote a book called Tour:Smart.

Speaking of shows and promotion -- this weekend is Boonsboro Days, in Boonsboro, MD. Both shops will be closed while we are away at this show. The show is held both Saturday and Sunday in Shaeffer Park. Zen Creations will be located near the band shell in the park. Mention my blog and get 10% off your total purchase!

Horrorfind Weekend, shop discovery, more shows!

This past weekend while I was recovering from my chemo, my husband and I ventured out to Horrorfind Weekend in Gettysburg. My husband is the big horror film freak, me - not so much, but I have gotten into them over the years. This festival was fantastic, Lance got to meet almsot everyone he wanted to, and we had a wonderful oppportunity to speak with Kevin "OhGr" Ogilvie of Skinny Puppy, Ohgr, Repo! The Genetic Opera, and most recently 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams.


While talking to Ohgr, he told us about the person responsible for the amazing costumes he wore on the recent Skinny Puppy tour and for Maniacs: Kerrie Kordowski.
I discovered that she also has a shop on Etsy and I highly recommend checking it out:
Opal Moon Designs You can see more of her work on her website: Opal Moon Designs.net

This week will be a short but busy week. Boonsboro Days is this weekend, in Boonsboro, MD. This show is both Saturday and Sunday, and tends to get quite busy so if you are planning on stopping by, you might want to head out early! After that, we have Mercersburg Townfest, plus more shows to be added to our list by the end of this month!

This Weekend!

This weekend Zen Creations will be set up in the square for Greencastle First Friday's. The hours this Friday are a little earlier, from 4pm to 7pm. due to Old Home Week festivities. From what I hear thsi First Friday will have a lot of vendors out, so be sure to stop by and check it out before you head to the fireworks!

Also, Fairy Godmother Designs (who carries an exclusive line of our jewelry in their boutique in Chambersburg, PA) will also have some Zen Creations Jewelry in their booth at the Chambersburg Farmer's market on Saturday mornings for the rest of the summer.

I will be posted more fall and winter events very soon!!

Also, I know both online shops have gotten a little, um, well, empty lately. I promise I will be updating both shops with new pieces in the next few weeks.

Vacation!!

Both shops will be closed until July 5th for our family vacation. Hope you all are having a great summer!

Tonight!

June 4, 2010 • 4-7 pm

Music On the Square
4pm Mason Bailey - Acoustic / Folk / Rock
5pm Brennan Elliot - Acoustic Guitar
6pm Mudcracker - Acoustic / Folk Rock

Vendors on the Square on Main Street
Artist Diana Penrod, "Eye of the Collector" at JB Hotel with many fine pieces on display and for sale, From the Heart Gifts, John Bloom’s Rustic Birdhouses, Zen Creations Jewelry, The Dressing Room Unique Gifts, Jennie Caldwell Jewelry, Community Groups, Food Vendors and more!!

Free Family Activities
Free Face painting, Balloons, Bracelet Making and Whitetail Snow Cones

Fendrick Library
Spoken Word & Writers Circle


Zen Creations will be set up in the square by the Irwin House, next to JB Atheltic Boosters.

Mercersburg Farmer's Market!

Mercersburg Farmer's Market starts this Saturday! Summit Health Center parking lot, 2 Keefer drive, Mercersburg. 8:30am till noon. This year there are some old favorites returning and many new vendors:

Berry Brook Farm - asparagus, strawberries, lettuce, onions, garlic, etc.
BMB Farm - raw milk, cheese, beef, eggs, and more.

New this year, crusty bread from an artisan baker from Hagerstown.
Another vendor is bringing pastries.
Also new, produce from the Diller Farm in Path Valley. Offered will be radishes, spinach, watercress, and early season, grown- in- the- ground (in hoop houses) tomatoes and beets. The Dillers will also have goat milk soap and dandilion jelly.

Plants and flowers from Wildflowers and Wonders, quality jewelry from Zen Creations, BBQ chicken, birdhouses, and usually some last minute surprises!

Spring! New Events

Well, spring is here and I was sooo ready for it!

A few days ago we discovered that we have 2 baby bunnies living in our backyard. They came out to play today and it gave me a chance to take a few pictures. So cute!


This is the perfect time to enjoy this nice weather and make a lot of new jewelry! I've been busy finsihing up new pieces and getting them ready to list this weekend. I'll try to get a few pics posted here before I start listing. Also, we've been working on finalizing our list of events for this spring/summer, which will be updated here very soon.

Spring! New pieces!!!!

Well, another chemo treatment has come and gone. Luckily I have 6 months before I have to worry about another one. This past Saturday we vended at Green Grove Garden's Cabin Fever Craft show. Show was great, weather was even better! Thanks to Teri for getting me info on a few other craft shows. Hopefully I will be posting those dates soon!

Spent most of today taking pictures of the new pieces and getting ready to list them in the shops. Here is a sneak peek:

Fairy Godmother Boutique & Event Planning

I am very pleased to annouce the Grand Opening of a new shop in Chambersburg, PA. Fairy Godmother Boutique & Event Planning!


This store will be carrying an exclusive line of Zen Creations jewelry - a mix of everyday pieces and bridal sets.

The grand opening event starts today, from 10 to 6pm, and Sunday, from 12 to 5pm. The store is located at: 2005 Lincoln Way East, Chambersurg, PA.

Stop by and check it out!

Big 3 Day Sale!!!!

Zen Creations will be having a big 3 day SALE in both of our online shops. This Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

3 Day Sale
Feb. 5th, 6th & 7th
10% - 15% - 20% off all items
http://www.zencreations04.etsy.com
http://www.zencreationsjewelry.artfire.com


New items will be listed in both shops all this week. All listings will be changed to reflect the sale prices during the sale. No need to wait for an updated invoice!