Tis the Season to Shine!

Happy Holidays from Sparkling UP! Enjoy Shopping from your home, in your jammies, and get free shipping! Wonderful unique handmade gifts from exceptional artists that create with passion. Check out all the cool and fun categories of gifts on Sparklingup.com, you won't be disappointed. Gifts we Love... Amazing jewelry that is not found anywhere else. Scarves, ornaments, baby blankets, handwoven totes, beautifully crafted wood products, so much to choose from and it all ships free! Time is flying by, so don't miss out on that special gift you are looking for, it is at Sparkling UP! Pictured is the new coloring/doodle books from Shona Brooks.

New Artist! Lars Stromayer

Lars Stromayer an accomplished wood craftsman, has designed and created beautiful wooden items for Sparkling UP! His unique creations are superb quality, made in his shop in Minnesota from mostly locally harvested wood. Check out his pieces at http://www.sparklingup.com/type/etcetera/wood-products.html

Ideal gift items and free shipping until Christmas!!

CYBER MONDAY!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM SPARKLING UP! SHOP SPARKLINGUP.COM FOR FUN, UNIQUE, ARTIST MADE GIFTS. GIVE ONE-OF-A-KIND...GIVE WARMTH AND WHIMSY...

GIVE SOME SPARKLE! ENJOY FREE SHIPPING!

New! The Knox Ave. Bag!!!

Ann Masemore's handwoven tote, the Knox Ave. Bag is bigger that the 49th Street Bag, just incase carrying more is the answer! This bag is for you. A great media bag, market bag, carry on for traveling, so many uses for this tote. Also, when you check them out on Sparkling UP! take a minute and read Ann's bio and see her pictures in her studio. Seeing her in action lends a new appreciation for these amazing bags. Art you can carry.

New Card Artist, Kay Foley

Kay Foley card artist and writer from Columbia, MO, feels everyone needs to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. Her cards capture life's moments with heartfelt messages. The picture is only a sampling of her collection. There are more cards available on sparklingup.com http://www.sparklingup.com/type/cards-by-artists/cards-by-kay.html

Also, reminder of FREE shipping now until Christmas. Shop. Explore. Treat Yourself. Unique handmade gifts for all your holiday shopping needs. Spread the Sparkle of Art. Thank you.

New Hand Knits on Sparkling UP!

Keep Cozy and Warm this season with beautiful hand knits. Nothing like a little sparkle and exquisite Italian wool to brighten up your winter days. Artist mittens are trendy and functional, allowing you to have your fingers free to text, dial, write, shop, etc. What a great idea! Judy Gaston, Minnesota artist has hand knit all hats, mittens and cowls with a practical rib stitch that stretches to fit most hands and heads without losing shape. Marvelous gift giving and don't forget free shipping. Handmade things are special to have and extraordinary to give. Happy Holidays!

Tradition

According to Nate Berkus of the Nate Berkus Show, the BEST Tradition is: Handwritten notes. He says if he gets a beautiful letter or thank-you card, it goes in a frame, just as a photograph would. (quoted from the October '10 OPRAH Magazine) We at Sparkling UP! totally agree with Nate Berkus. Handwritten notes are priceless messages from the heart. Artist, Candice Simpson, has made a selection of her original art into printed cards for the purpose of handwritten notes. The cards are exquisite and frame worthy, Nate Berkus would agree I am sure.

NEW ARTIST! Heather Lawrenz

Sparkling UP! Welcomes Heather Lawrenz, talented jewelry artist from Northfield, MN. Heather creates and designs fun, fashionable, and simply wearable works of art from tumbled glass bottles, vases, votives and also from a myriad of beautiful fabrics. Check out her collection of earrings and necklaces on sparklingup.com All her pieces are one-of-a-kind and exceptional.

Easier Online Shopping at Sparkling UP!

Sparkling UP! is now accepting credit cards to make your shopping experience easier. We also ship many sparkly items under $25 for FREE! Hair jewelry, smaller pieces of pottery, children's books, coloring book, and beautiful fused glass flowers. Check out sparklingup.com and find a handmade gift to sparkle up your world or someone else's. Enjoy!

The 49th Street Bag!

Looking for something special? The 49th Street Bag is it! Hand woven from recycled, repurposed plastics, these exceptional bags are truly Art you can carry! Made by Minneapolis artist, Ann Masemore. Ann is an expert weaver with an eye for color and design. The 49th Street bag is fashionable, functional and very easy to care for. They are all one of a kind so check them out now on sparklingup.com. Curious treasures to sparkle up your world.

Every Handcraft Tells a Story...

In last months Oprah magazine there was an article titled, "The World's Fair". It was an article discussing the importance of handmade/handcrafted items and how they have become such a big trend. The importance of handmade/handcrafted items for women in third world countries is to put their children through school and to provide for their families. Handcrafting is a lifestyle. While most of us look at buying handcrafted things for the uniqueness and the fact that not everyone in the world has the same thing, what you don't think about is you are helping families survive. Weather its a hand knitted scarf or a hand woven tote bag wouldn't you rather be able to say "This is a one of kind" rather than "Oh I got it at [enter chain store name here.]." Now I am not saying shopping at a department or chain store is bad. Not at all. But we are all a custom to going out and buying something simply because its there rather than thinking about where it came from or who you are helping in buying that particular item. Sparkling UP! is trying to help artists survive and make a name for themselves while staying true to themselves as artists. By supporting Sparkling UP! you are supporting a cause. A cause to keep the world spin in art and uniqueness.

11.

Alright. Artists. Pay Attention! So today is July 20, 2010. You have exactly 11 days to submit your artwork. Thats it. 11 days. Now why wouldn't you want to submit? It doesn't cost you anything to submit your work and if you win your work goes onto the Sparkling UP! website for free! Thats an amazing opportunity if you ask me. Being an artist myself I would not want to miss out. I mean seriously, what do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing. Get on it. 11 days my friends. Only 11 days.

Now Shoppers... This applies to you. Guess what else is only 11 days? FREE SHIPPING JULY!!!! I mean you can't beat that. Find a gorgeous hair pin, bracelet, necklace, or a mug, bowl, plate, or even a something fun for you kid and get it shipped to you FOR FREE! If I were you, I would take full advantage of this. Buy gifts for friends, weddings, babies, house warming, or buy something for yourself and make your day sparkle and shine. :)

Both artists and shoppers.... just remember. 11 days.

Kids!

Hello all! Sparkling UP! is keeping up with the trend of "new" this summer season. We have new artists, new artwork, and even a new section! Sparkling UP! Kids is here!! It is a great place for you to go for treats for your little ones. Coloring books, children's books, and baby plates! With more fun to come it is a fabulous spot to go to find a prize or two to surprise your kiddies. Another fun thing that is great about this month is... FREE SHIPPING JULY! Every purchase made on Sparkling UP! will be rewarded with free shipping for the whole month of July! Wahoo! You can't beat that! A note for artists, you only have a few weeks left to submit your artwork to Sparkling UP! Don't forget that July 30th is your LAST CHANCE. It is a great opportunity that you do not want to miss out on! So with that being said we hope that you are all having a wonderful July! Keep checking out the website for all the new goodies coming soon!

Darling Daisies

This is Sparkling Up's newest addition to the website. These wonderfully crafted, stained glass fused flowers are simply divine. Josephine Geiger is a stained glass artist from St. Paul, MN who creates the flowers out of scraps from bigger projects. They are beautiful and can be the perfect addition to your home. Weather they are in a vase or hanging from their wire stems these darling daisies can add a little joy to your life. You can find them on the Sparkling UP! website right on the homepage. So go and check them out! I can guarantee you won't want to miss out on these! They are simply fabulous. Also keep checking back on the website because new things are coming soon! Oh! And don't forget about Sparkling Up's artist contest! You can access all the details on the homepage. Just click on the Calling All Artists icon! There is only one month left for submissions so don't forget!!!

A Hint of Sparkle and Touch of Shine...

Marvelous, adorable, gorgeous, nifty, exceptional, timeless, and simply wonderful. When you are putting up a grocery list or displaying your child's artwork on the fridge don't you want to add a touch of sparkle to it? These magnets that are vintage earrings recreated make a fabulous addition to any fridge, dorm room, chalk board, whatever and wherever you are using magnets. From personal experience, I can say that with just the hint of sparkle and a touch of vintage flair these magnets can liven up a room. Its always nice to be able to enjoy putting up a to do list or a picture of a best friend especially when you just give it a little something more. So I encourage all of you to add a little fun to the simple everyday things by adding these magnets to your home. Or add a little fun to a friend or relative by giving them as a gift. You won't be sorry. Sparkle up your life with a little touch of glamour and shine.

Favorite Mug Picture!!

Here they are! Up on the website for all to see! This is just a little preview. Go to sparklingup.com to see each mug individually.

Favorite Mugs

Have you ever had that one favorite mug that you drink your coffee or tea out of every morning? Its perfect. It fits in your hand just right, the handle isn't too big or too small, and for some reason your morning beverage seems to taste better when you are drinking out of that specific mug. It makes your whole day seem better. Sparkling Up is out to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have a favorite mug. Coming soon, there will be new mugs. Not too heavy, fun colors, simple, and just the right thing to help start your morning out great. I am sure that you all know what is like to have that special mugs that sparkles up your life but if you don't be sure to check out the website to see whats new! You never know it could change your world and something that can sparkle up your day never hurt anyone!

P.S. ARTISTS! Don't forget about Sparkling Up's contest! Just go to www.sparklingup.com and click on the icon that says "Calling All Artists!" for all the details!

Thats all for today! Keep sparkling!

Calling All Artists!

Hello Artists out in the world! Become part of Sparkling UP! and online art boutique with a nationwide following. Sell your products on Sparkling Up!, we will do all of the marketing work for you. From now until July 31, 2010, submit a favorite photo of your art by email at sparkle@sparklingup.com. Include your contact information. We will select 10 finalists who will be requested to submit their actual art for final judging Five winners will have their initiation fee waived and receive complimentary PR to our list of national publications. Spread the Sparkle of Art! Thank you!

Mother's Day!

Do you have a favorite quote that works for Mother's Day? If you do get creative and make your mom a card or put it on a journal with some of your favorite memories included. Handmade gifts are always appreciated. For more handmade gifts check out www.sparklingup.com Thank you!

Happy Spring!!

Sparkling UP! is an online art boutique always looking for new artists. If you are an artist or know one that has a passion for their art and wants to grow their business contact sparklingup.com. We will help you grow. With a nationwide following we can help expand your business and get your art out into the world.

The Coloring Book, "Does A Toad Take A Shower?" is here!! Yay! It is twenty eight delightful pages to color and funny rhymes to make you think! Written and illustrated by Pam Schmacker, Minnesota artist. Great for older colorers too! Check it out online at www.sparklingup.com