Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Karen Snyder and I've been a crafter for about as long as I can remember. I am a stay-at-home-Mama of two beautiful children with a husband who makes my dreams possible.

This blog is about all sorts of crafting. I am a paper-crafter from early days, a jewelry-maker with an unending obsession for chain maille. I make chain maille purses, many of which will be chronicled in this blog as their future owners await their completion. I love metalsmithing. I am an indifferent beader and don't get me anywhere near seed beads... they scatter, screaming to get away from me. I love to try new things, have a short attention span so if its a long-term project... I'm probably not doing it LOL.

If you have questions, ask. If you have tips, share. Same with suggestions - share! I want this to be a great forum for people to brainstorm and problem-solve with a good attitude. Crabby Apples need not respond, this is a feel-good kind of blog :)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Appreciating 1600 Facebook Fans!


My friends and fans continue to astound me!  In the midst of a very crazy week, I was given the glorious gift of 1600 Facebook fans - what a lift that is for me!  I want to thank everyone who visited, commented and brought their friends along. 

Some of you might know that Bette of GemsCrystalsAndWire and myself are currently hosting The Great Cabochon Challenge.  We have both been abandoned by our Creativity Faeries (they skipped off to the Bahamas with our Cleaning Faeries - last we heard, they'd found a couple of cute Guardian Angels and they have stopped answering their email!) and thought we'd instigate a little frenzied creativity.  In honor of The Great Cabochon Challenge, I decided to make the prize for this give away my all-time favorite thing to do with a cabochon - wrap that baby in chain maille!

The winner will get to choose from a selection of cabs I have on hand (picture coming later this evening on my O. Sebastian page) and whether they'd like to have it wrapped in sterling or copper.  To enter to win, please leave a comment below and tell me how you found my work.  Was it through a friend?  Have you known me since we were kids?  Did you take a ride on the party bus during a Fanning Party? 

This give-away will remain open through Friday, January 28th and the winner will be announced Saturday morning.  Good luck everyone!

81 comments:

  1. I found you through other jewelery pages :) Trying to keep my money as local and as UNcorporate as possible :)

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  2. I found your awesome site thru Bette, who is just as awesome!!! I love to surround myself with awesomeness. Maybe some will rub off on me...lol.

    Gussy Davis
    fussygussy75@gmail.com

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  3. Love your work!!! Found you on FB somehow, not sure how :) Got my moms christmas present from you and she and I both love it!! Thanks and congrats!

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  4. Nemebabe, Gussy and Janis you are all three entered to win! What a treat for me to get to hear how people found my work - Facebook networking is a thing of beauty!

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  5. I discovered you through a trail of artists being fanned on Facebook. I love your work. Superior quality and unique!

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  6. Friend of a friend via Turquoise Magpie, also on FaceBook, is where I came in. And that cab is lovely! :)

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  7. I "think" I originally heard of you and saw your work on the Yahoo group, WWJ or maybe another? It seems like it has been YEARS! Your work is very familiar, I can usually tell it is yours from the photo...and that is a good thing in my opinion. I LOVE your creations and your posts about life in general. I agree with the other poster, I like to keep my purchases away from the Big Businesses as much as possible, and your "business" is just my size!
    Thanks again, and again, and again, for giving of your time and energy for yet another amazing giveaway!

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  8. I fell in love with a ring picture you posted on Facebook. You tagged my friend and it posted on my wall. :)

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  9. Hi, I found you through Superior Agates! Love your work!!!

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  10. I found you through a friend but don't remember who, they had commented on a pair of your earrings and I loved them.

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  11. I enjoy searching online for jewelry. I think your work is well-crafted and funky.

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  12. Thank you all for such lovely compliments - I am blushing here!

    Daddydill, Lilred, Murrday, Sue, Lisa, Roseange and Heather (Blissful Garden) you are all entered to win.

    The stone pictured is a picture jasper and I do have one available in the winner's choices :)

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  13. Thank you msrubicon! You are entered to win :)

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  14. I found you through facebook, courtesy of Bette of GemsCrystalsAndWire.

    Congrats on that huge milestone. Your work is absolutely gorgeous!

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  15. Thank you so much Kell - you are entered to win :)

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  16. Does it count if I don't remember. I know it was through facebook somehow. Probably a recomendation from someone or something you posted on someone elses site.
    But I do know that I love your work.
    Thank you,
    M

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  17. Lol, it's been a while so I don't remember how I found you, just glad I did! :D

    Maria Lothrop

    Congrats on 1600 fans!

    GossamerScapes (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. It DOES count if you don't remember! LOL - Machell and Maria you are both entered to win :)

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  19. I stumbled across your web site a while back and then on face book. I love your work it is absolutely gorgeous.
    thank you anne phillips.

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  20. Thank you Anne - you are entered to win :)

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  21. Holy Moses, girlfriend! 1600 fans? That's heeeeuuuuuge! Congrats - so well deserved :D I am definately entering this one (and so what if I've won something of yours before?! Just proves I'm a huge fan!). I'm a big cab fan and I just LOVE what you do with yours :) Oh, and PS: I have noooooo idea how I found you (I'm thinking through other jewellery pages?) but I'm sure glad I did :) *big hugs of congratulations* - 1600...wow...dude, you're Awesome (capital A!).

    Manda
    amanda@pallinadesigns.com :)
    x

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  22. Congratulations, Karen...very deserving!! I think I found your page with your amazing work through the suggestions from Facebook...and boy! am I glad I did!!! :-)

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  23. I saw the Mothers ring you did for a friend (Jessica S.) on facebook, and I LOVE your stuff!
    Misty Talbert

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  24. Hi there! I found your work through networking from Superior Agates' giveaway. I *actually* found you through GemsCrystalsandWire, but I only found them through Superior Agates, so I figured both needed mentioning :) Thanks for doing a fun giveaway - you have very beautiful and inspiring work :D

    Sarah Gullett
    Bound in Chain

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  25. Thank you Amanda, Elaine, Misty and Sarah! You are each entered to win :)

    Amanda - so pleased I could do something with a cab to impress you.... that usually goes the other way 'round :)

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  26. Congrats Karen!!!Thats very pretty!
    I originally "found"you through Bette :)
    You both are very talented and do GORGEOUS work!!
    ~Dana~

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  27. I can't really remember how I became a FAN but all that matters is that your FAMILY NOW ;) LOVE your work and you!!!! Congrats on 1600, YAY!!!!!!!!!

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  28. Adorable Adornments Sent me to you :)

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  29. Oh we go waaaay back. Maybe all the way to last year sometime ;) Im just glad I found you and Bette both somehow <3

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  30. My sweet Karen, I believe I found you through a friend! Dont ask me who...Im scatter-brained, as you well know!
    But I can tell you that it has been such a pleasure to know you. You so inspire me. <3

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  31. Dana, Amanda, CassidyRosesMom, Helen and Patti, you are all entered to win.

    Thank you each for the compliments and the love - each of you have done so much to help me reach this achievement! Woot!

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  32. Wow, Karen ..you have created another beautiful item...you really have your chainmaille down to a "T"... :)

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  33. Such gorgeous work! I've found you through Amanda's FB page (pallinadesigns).

    Michelle

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  34. Thank you Dora and Michelle :) You are both entered to win!

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  35. Hi Karen, I think I found you from a picture a friend posted of your work, and it must have been byzantine earrings or something with byzantine <3 chain maille, and since I'm a byzantine fan...I clicked your name and sent you a friend request. I'm so happy you accepted me!
    And I've been in the fanning party bus ;-)

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  36. So glad to have you and your lovely friend Dana, Toonces. You are entered.

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  37. I remember that Vivi :) You are entered to win :)

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  38. I met you on an Auction where I bid on a lot of beautiful items and got two of your gorgeous rings.

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  39. I think I stumbled upon you through a fanning party! I am SO very glad I had because I've found a wonderful friend at the same time as a wonderfully creative sister! <3

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  40. I found you through my sweet friend Regina! Congrats on the new milestone!

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  41. Ginny, Cori and Katie, you are all entered to win!

    @ Cori - the blessing's all mine :)

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  42. I'm a fan on Facebook, my friend dee ann suggested your page. I love looking at your jewelry! One day I will own my own piece! Keep up te good work!
    Davna Gould

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  43. Posting for Sharon Wagoner, who is having trouble posting to this blog.

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  44. Thank you so much Davna - Dee Ann is a very special lady :) You are entered to win :)

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  45. Hahaha...well I didn't actually find you...YOU found me! I said something in a post/comment about wishing I could chain maille, and YOU commented that you had a tutorial on your fanpage......now I am a chain mailling fool, and cannot stop! So, thank you my virtual Friend, for helping me find a new creative venue! Superior Agates (Marie)

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  46. My friend Erin posted about you on her Facebook page :-)

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  47. Hi,
    I found you through my facebook friend Erin cooper :) Thanks Erin!! Gorgeous creation!!
    Toni

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  48. Saw on Facebook
    scorpion_chick06(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  49. You have outdone yourself this time my friend!!!

    Gorgeous work!!!

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  50. Thank you Marie, Kiwisara, Toni, Scorpionchick, Bette and Amber! You are each entered to win :)

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  51. I have found you and many other talented people just thu one another starting with Marie-Noel Voyeur-Cramp. I have sent a friend request. You have very beautiful things. Wishing all good for you Suzanne Edwards

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  52. Hi Karen! Wow! 1600! You found me back when I'd created my fan page, and had not a clue... Ms.Passion for Beads shouted and you listened!! Thank you for being one of my first fans!

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  53. Thank you so much Suzanne - Marie-Noel is such a lovely lady and I'm pleased that you found me through her :) You are entered to win.

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  54. I remember that Joyce - and I'm still so blown away by all the lovely things you make. I'm honored to have been one of the first fans and am enjoying watching your work attract many, many more. You are entered to win!

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  55. Wow - 1600 fans? That's FABULOUS and well deserved. I found you via the lovely Amanda Dick of Pallina Designs who shouted out about your wonderful work on Facebook one day :)

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  56. I found your lovely work via Szarka Carter's Turquoise Magpie Gemstones on FB. Thanks for the great contests and congrats on 1600!

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  57. Thank you Mel and Laura :) You are both entered to win!

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  58. Hi Karen! I actually road the fanning party bus to your facebook page! I love your work!

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  59. Found you here on FB, thanks to Amanda! I am so glad she introduced me to such a wonderful lady, talented artist , & now my friend!!!! Congrats once again!!! *hugs*

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  60. Hi Karen,

    Of course you know I know you from childhood. I still remember your cheer routine to Van Halen's "Jump". You were so very talented then and it has carried over into your beautiful creations. So "Cheers" to you and if ya ever wanna do a little "Jump".....I'm game :)

    Love you bunches!

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  61. I found you through your donation to The Hook Up's auction for her uncle with cancer. I fell in love with your designs and can't wait to be able to order some of them!!!!

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  62. I found you through Ashlie Maxwell.

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  63. Heidi, Junie, Kim, Cindy and Reen you are all entered to win.

    Kim - what a sweet set of memories that is for me! Love you too and I'm just so pleased to see your work out there! Woot!

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  64. A couple of my friend have ordered from you, you tagged the pic, and then I saw it! I'm excited to find a piece of my own now!

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  65. Thank you and welcome Errin! You are entered to win :)

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  66. I found you just today from Jewelry by Saniki's FB page....just in time to enter for your giveaway! I am a kindred chainmailler, looking forward to browsing through your blog :)

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  67. Love your work, chain mailing interests me, one day I might get there, and learn how to do this sort of work.

    1600 fans well done.
    Donna
    Funkeenailz@hotmail.com

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  68. Dawn and Donna, thank you! You are both entered to win :)

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  69. Entry for Yane Cleveland, who is having difficulties posting to this blog.

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  70. I found you through facebook but not sure how. I am sure glad I did though! =)

    Valerie Peace
    valsreviews1@gmail.com

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  71. Karen, you found me through Amanda (Pallina Designs)! I simply love your chain maille work. Keep it coming!! ♥ Cat

    Catherine Hah
    cat_hah@yahoo.com

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  72. I found you through facebook. Love your jewelry! ~Claire Jones
    jones-claire@hotmail.com

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  73. I found you through a friend on facebook. Shelley Rocca
    roccafamily@msn.com

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  74. I found you through, JAM photography. and Im so glad I did not only do you make beautiful ART, but you are a very interresting lady to talk to.

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  75. I found you through my friend and neighbor Elainea Colombo

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  76. Valerie, Cat, Claire, Shelley, Kayt and Regina you are all entered to win :)

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  77. It's hard to believe that that pendant is made from a chain maille design! It's incredible and beautiful!
    Superior Agates is the reason I'm here!

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  78. Thank you Daffydill's!

    ***COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED, WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON***

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