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now when i say football, i mean REAL football...the kind where they actually use their feet and not their hands. otherwise known as "the beautiful game". its great and amazing. i've loved it since i was in high school, but now i can really appreciate watching it. now, there are many reasons why i love this sport, its speed, its unpredictability, and most of all, its players. now, when you are going to be watching men run around for 90 minutes, with only a 15 minute half time and NO time outs, there really isn't time for gawking at the players. or IS there? this is cesc fabregas, midfielder for the arsenal gunners. (they are from london in case you didn't know)  don't you think THIS guy is worth watching? i'm just saying. and he celebrates his 21st birthday today. happy birthday you cute little spaniard! cheers! go gunners! xo diane
i am sitting here in austin, tx at noon on saturday may 3rd and am in awe of the AMAZING weather that i am experiencing at this very moment. its cool, there's a breeze and its about 72 degrees. that makes it the most perfect weather in my book. i'm going to go outside in my backyard and read my latest issues of bon appetit, everyday food, and take a peek into my newest cookbook, italian easy.  i used to watch this cooking show featuring ruth rogers and rose gray of the river cafe in london and it was amazing. the way it was filmed, the way they talked about food, and the dishes looked absolutely scrumptious! they even gave that cute rocker chef jamie oliver his start. these women know what they are doing! well, off to be enlightened by food! have a great day.... cheers! xo diane
on the first thursday of each month, the city of austin holds an amazing event celebrating its "weirdness" and allows artisans of all types to line the streets of south congress to sell their wares. i have participated in "first thursday" now on and off for the past 2 years. its a great way for me to show my jewelry and really connect with my customer. i have met some really amazing people doing this one of which is my new friend david from 302 designs. they specialize in organic printed t-shirts with a meaningful message. its an awesome company with a great philosophy, one which i believe in as well. here's an example of one of their shirts: the message says: "as the trees come to leaf we shed our winter skins and we are born anew in the spring sun"  i thought this one was appropriate for spring. they also offer men's tees so go have a look. take care & have a great day! cheers! xo diane
my friends venus & nicole extended a challenge to their friends to blog everyday in may. well, since i seem to need another challenge in my life right now,(insert sarcasm here.) i figured i'd join in. i've been making some pretty delicious dinners lately and will be showcasing them here since i can. today's feature is one of my favorites of all time. its giada delaurentiis' short ribs w/ tagliatelle.  these are so succulent and delicious! you braise them for about 3 hours and then i garnished it with fresh parsley & bittersweet chocolate. yes, you read it right, chocolate! it just adds a slight hint of richness and sweetness to the dish. the recipe is online. i follow this one exactly which usually isn't my style. i like to cross-reference many recipes and make my own. this one was just perfect on its own. if you decide to make it please send me a picture or at least let me know how you like it.... cheers! xo diane
herein lies my attempt to blog on a more regular basis....let's see how long i can go this time. okay, so i'm up early this morning and am feeling a bit off due to the crazy dreams i had last night. perhaps that was a good thing because now i'm sitting at my computer and am blazing through some new graphic designs today. i have been feeling the need to change up the graphics offered for my jewelry as well as for my home accessories. (see previous post for info on updated coaster sets! whew!) i have a few new techniques that i've been working on...i like to think of them as my secret recipes for style. cute, huh? since i am "tasty" jewelry and all. i wish i had 2 or 3 of me to be able to work out all the ideas that i have in my head. oh, and i just joined flickr so go over there and add me as a contact. surprise, surprise, my user name is tastyjewelry. i'll add you too! i've also got something pretty exciting on the horizon....so stay tuned for that too! i have a few friends i have to consult before i can get that going. geez, couldn't there just be 48 hours in a day? PLEASE!!!!! cheers! xo diane
well, here they are! the patterns have been chosen, and the updates to the website have been made, so without any more fuss here are some new patterns for my recycled coaster sets. they are felt backed to protect delicate surfaces and to reinforce their strength. you get 4 coasters for $16. i've added a few more neutral styles too so they make great gifts for everyone. here is an example of the "same" sets. you get 4 patterns that are all quite similar with little variance in them. my favorite are these grass ones...oh, so green!  here is an example of the "assorted" sets. you get 4 views of a different part of a larger pattern. colors and sets vary so each set is completely unique. >  i am ready to start updating this blog on a more regular basis. wish me luck! cheers! xo diane
it has been quite some time since i've written...it was due to the loss of my beautiful mother, carolyn, on easter sunday. she had been battling a rare form of cancer for about a year and a half and she has now found peace. words alone cannot express the feelings i have towards my mother for being such a patient teacher, a trustworthy confidante, and an unbelievable provider for me and my entire family. at a young age, she left her family to help others and never stopped. i can't imagine how many people's lives she's touched and changed forever. among her many talents she was an accomplished cook and seamstress. she instilled in me at a very early age how to make something out of almost nothing and i thank her for that. when i was just 4 years old i remember watching julia child & the galloping gourmet with her. i was by her side every day in the kitchen picking up tidbits of her techniques and still use them today. her beauty surpasses discussion. her work ethic was without compare. i feel so very fortunate and honored to have been a part of her life. although she is in my thoughts everyday, i will miss her dearly. i love you mom, forever. 
i've been busy from the fallout of my latest mention of my salt & pepper shakers on the austin tidbits website & newsletter and couldn't be happier. i was notified by the lovely ladies about 2 weeks ago that they were going to do an editorial on them and how they wanted permission to use a photo from my site, so i knew it was coming...i just didn't know when. so in the meantime i had been quickly taking photos and getting web pages built for the new goodies i had planned for the spring. i wanted everything to be ready for when people hit the site...and it was. whew! here is a photo of some of the new earrings i have:  i call them flower power and just love them. they are offered in loads of different colors; candy, berry, lemon, sno-cone and licorice to name a few. if you click on the picture it will take you to the site. since the recent "discovery" of so many copy cats to my work, i have decided to just go on and leave them in the dust. like i said before, i always have loads of new designs and ideas.... cheers!
what a fabulous way to start out my valentine's day! i was mentioned in an editorial about my salt & pepper shakers on austintidbits.comlook!  click the above pic to go to their site. happy valentine's day everyone! xo diane
here's yet another example of what i'm talking about. just because you change the juxtaposition of 2 materials doesn't mean its your idea. especially since the size of the graphic item is identical. now imagine this person is selling this in the same store as you. imagine that. pathetic. here's mine:  and theirs:  i don't know what they would do without my "inspiration".
i just have to write about this since it makes me sick to see the rampant stealing of ideas in the indie craft world. there is a HUGE difference between being "inspired" by someone else's work and blatantly STEALING someone else's designs. in this age of over exposure by way of the internet via blogs, craft sites, etsy, etc. is an original idea a thing of the past? not unless you are a true artist and not an opportunist. there is a GIGANTIC difference here. an artist is someone who comes up with unique, original ideas and is inspired by the world around them...an opportunist is someone who takes an artist's designs and passes them off as their own. i have been subject to several people "being inspired" by my designs lately and its got to stop!!! i am able to create freely since it is a part of who i am as a person. i have decided to pursue my passion as a career in the jewelry making business since there is no way that i can turn off this creativity. so i guess i'm lucky because new ideas come as easily to me as my next breath, what i can't figure out is how other people think that means they can take MY designs and pass them off as their own. i'm not talking about materials...i use many different types of materials to keep my jewelry unique. i have been creating jewelry for OVER 30 years...simple bead stringing is not my thing anymore. what i'm talking about is the marriage of the materials with the actual design of a piece. here's an example: here's my ring that i designed over a year and a half ago:  and here's one i just saw where the "designer" says that she started making these before the holidays. see any resemblance? come on!!!  i would like to contact the designer to find out just exactly where she stole her idea, but i already know. now perhaps you are saying "sour grapes", but when this effects your livelihood how can it not be of some concern? the indie craft world is full of wonderful and talented people with loads of new ideas. i am inspired by them constantly. to see art in a museum does the same thing. but does that mean when you see something and say "i could make that" you should? not when you decide to also put that item up for sale. you are in essence taking money out of the pocket of the designer. should the original designer be compensated? i don't know how that could work either...it just boils down to ethics. they just seem to be a thing of the past. especially in this day and age of the internet where images float around freely. the hard part is not wanting to put your items out there to be "inspiriation" to others, but all i have to say is that i've already come up with new ideas that will blow you away.
so here are some rough pics of my new limited edition valentine's day earrings and necklaces.  earrings:   necklaces:   these will be available for a limited time only and will not be sold on the website. if you would like to purchase any of these items, please send me an e-mail. cheers! xo diane
rack 'em up with this super nifty billiard magnet set. comes complete with a mini foam "rack" too! conveniently boxed in a clear acrylic box so you can see just how cool they are right from the start. would make an excellent gift for that "pool shark" in your life...i know it did for mine...  rock on! cheers!
i am currently working on a few new goodies for the upcoming valentine's holiday. some really cute "floating" heart earrings...think teardrop hoops with a printed heart (with original artwork mind you) that will dangle from one side. they will come in 3 different designs and will be available for a limited time only...of course. i will be posting pictures once i get some made. stay tuned! cheers! xo diane
here is an image of one of my new "delicious" necklaces.... 
i've been busy updating my website today with a whole new look...i've decided to start a new line of upscale jewelry which will be called: "delicious". dedicated to the pursuit of beautiful jewelry with a touch of unique flavor. here's a screenshot of the main page  check it out...the designs will be available for a limited time only. cheers!
its finally here, the end of 2007. with it brings much reflection of my fledgling business. i have experienced much during this past year. i have learned so much about myself and plan to use that knowledge in 2008. i opened many new wholesale accounts, started my home accessories line and decided to change direction of my other website: www.dianepetkoff.comit is now going to be more of a "one-of-a-kind" gallery of sorts featuring those whimsical musings that i will occasionally add for sale. it will be my art, my voice and my vision. ever-changing and making unique statements. we'll just see what unfolds in the upcoming months so stay tuned in and turned on. cheers! diane
if you are looking for a unique item for that friend that has everything, then look no further. i have just added these mod salt & pepper shakers featuring my own original artwork. these limited edition shakers each measure 1 5/8" square by 4" tall. sold for $22 they make a great gift for under $25!!!! this one is the "stems":  and this one is the "squares":  head over to tastyjewelry.com where most of my items are under $25. i am offering complimentary gift wrap for orders over $15 and as always FREE SHIPPING! place your orders by december 17th to try to ensure your christmas delivery. cheers! xo diane
aren't you tired of shopping at the big box retailers? well, you should be....this year make a pledge to shop independent. and to keep up with that pledge, come out and see me while i set up outdoors for the holiday shopping season. where? guero's taco bar 1412 s. congress ave. (@ elizabeth st) in austin, tx. when? from 12pm - 6pm saturday december 8th sunday december 9th saturday december 15th sunday december 16th friday december 21st saturday december 22nd (this will be your last chance!) i will also be having a trunk show at adelante boutique located at 1206 w. 38th st, austin, tx. thursday december 13th & friday december 14th from 10am - 5pm. i will be showing mostly tasty jewelry with some new one-of-a-kind pieces. earrings, necklaces, rings, hair accessories, home accessories and more. whew! i am working hard to make this the best holiday season ever! please come out and see me if you get the chance. cheers! xo diane 
its that time of year again when all you want is peace on earth and good will towards men and all you get is crazy traffic, long lines at the checkout & cranky kids screaming in the aisles. well, why not leave all that crazy behind and shop from the comfort of your own home. while you're at it stop by: www.tastyjewelry.com and see all the wonderful gift items i have offered. most everything is under $25 so you can shop for everyone on your list. i promise you won't be disappointed. xo diane
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