Picture of the Week

What do you see?


O.K., I'm not looking for the obvious here.

Not Your Typical Giveaway

Hello and good morning! Let me start this post by telling you about my giveaway. I decided with the new year upon us, new beginnings and resolutions will be on our minds. I'm giving away 5 Cd's from Joyce Meyer, inspirational Bible teacher and down to earth lecturer. I would like to pass along the great messages of how to live life happy, joyous, and free. I have learned a lot from her teachings. The 5 titles include: Prisoners of hope
The hope of seeing change
12 ways to defeat the devil
Do yourself a favor...forgive
Go the extra mile


ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS: leave a comment on my blog any time this week. For every post that you make, your name will go into a hat and I will draw the winner Sunday night and post it next Monday. This is great inspiration to start a new year! BTW: the winner will receive all 5 Cd's.

So what will I be doing in the new year? (probably still looking for a part time job!) Jewelry speaking, you may have noticed that I'm moving into my "WIRE SERIES" and have lots of projects planned. I'm currently waiting for a batch of new heavy gauge wire to come so I can start some projects. I do have 3 or 4 little bags on my table right now filled with specific findings and beads, just waiting for some supplies to arrive. I'm so picky-- I just have to have a certain bead, or certain color stone to make my projects look the way I want them.
ALSO, I have signed up at our local Fine Art Center to take a class on PMC (precious metal clay). For those who don't know what this is, it is where you can shape clay, into whatever you want; beads, pendants etc. which are fired in a kiln with sterling silver, which burns off the impurities, and you end up with 99% pure silver piece. It goes something like that, as I said, I'm just signing up, don't know all the detailed steps involved, but looking forward to move into a new form of jewelry making for me and to further my craft abilities.
Anyway, here's a bracelet that I made yesterday. It is not quite finished, but this is how it will look when ready to sell. Enjoy your day!

Saturday Update

I can't believe it's Saturday already and I haven't posted since Monday! Hey, it was a holiday after all! My husband's birthday is on the 22nd of December, so we celebrated this week. Instead of a cake this year, I got him a custom made fortune cookie with secret message inside.


I ordered the cookie from Worth a Fortune on Etsy of course. She does many nice goodies: http://www.worthafortune.etsy.com
We had a nice Christmas, I got new pliers, supplies and a couple of jewelry books. So, look out, I'll be creating some new jewelry and new ideas soon! I hope everyone out there is having a nice holiday season, no matter where you are.

Here's our little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree. Rex is in the back ground. I'd have to say that our tree is decorated Victorian Mickey Mouse. It started off as a Victorian tree with ornaments that I made, Lacy garland, bows and roses, and the pink and purple tree skirt I made a number of years ago. Then, on many of our various trips to Disney World (some of you may know that we are Disney freaks), we started buying Mickey Mouse ornaments. I love the big balls with Mickey's emblem on them. Then we have glass ornaments themed around the parks and ones that are different cats from Disney movies (go figure).
I haven't made much jewelry this past week, but I'll give you a peek at what I've been working on. I did manage to make this silver bracelet for Benn. I used heavy gauge wire, and made my own twisted jump rings, (thank you Sharilyn Miller, author of "Bead on a wire"- one of my new books--for this technique.
I made a second one, a little different, this time using copper wire for the jump rings, and oxidizing the whole piece for a more rustic look. They both turned out really nice. And this bracelet can be unisex. It will go into my Etsy shop soon, (unless I decide to keep it for myself!)


Then I messed around with some copper wire, hammering techniques and oxidizing and polishing; made some heavy gauge jump rings, and some prototype hoop earrings.





Don't forget to stop over at ETSY tonight for SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS! You can just search "SNS" to find many shops offering deals.
OH! And don't forget, I'm having a giveaway, starting Monday of next week. Please stop by to check it out. Is it nap time yet?

Picture of the Week- Angels

It always seems to me that around this time of the year that I reminisce about angels. There was a time in my life when I did some soul searching and really got curious about angels. So I started researching, reading books, watching for anything I could find on angels. This was around 1994. I have had some "angelic experiences" or "messages from God" if you will. The message here is to believe. This photo above is by Catherine Andrews. I'd love to hear of any stores or experiences that you may have with angels, God, the unknown.
Here are some references that you might enjoy.


http://www.amazon.com/Book-Angels-Reflections-Present-Stories/dp/0345476964/ref=sr_1_1/189-7869550-6617942?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229955585&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Letters-Sophy-Burnham/dp/0345378660/ref=sr_1_2/189-0484041-5809649?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229955946&sr=1-2

IN SEARCH OF ANGELS: VHS:http://www.amazon.com/Search-Angels-Harold-Jack-Bloom/dp/630494716X/ref=pd_sim_m_3/179-9937253-3594114

ANGELS: MYSTERIOUS MESSENGERS: http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Mysterious-Messengers-Patty-Duke/dp/0809491745/ref=cm_cmu_pg_t/185-5111234-7909314

Over the Top

Thank you Nancy of Silverlight Comtemporary Jewelry: http://www.ntroske.blogspot.com/ for complimenting my blog! I would like to give this award to a few of my favorite blogs too.
Lisa's Lovlies: http://www.lisaslovlies.blogspot.com
Magic Hands Workshop:http://www.magichandsworkshop.blogspot.com
Storybeader:http://www.storybeader.blogspot.com

To receive this award your blog must be exceptional in design and content; presenting us with new knowledge, a sense of style, or at times just giving us a smile!

Each recipient of the award will acknowledge the person who honored them with the award and then go to http://overthetopaprons.blogspot.com to copy/paste the award : Your Blog is Over The Top.

The recipient may then pass the award on to 5 others that they feel meet the above criteria.

Please enjoy this honor and consider yourself just a little bit "Over The Top".

Can you believe it?

December 18: I just can't believe that Christmas is next week! I wanted to post something today, since I normally only post a couple of times a week, and usually when I have something to say, show off new jewelry pieces I've made, or just catch up. So I'm participating in a "blog experiment" this week with my new friends at B-who-U-R, a new social network, and wanted to check in just so every one's knows that I'm still here and participating!
I must tell you all, that I love reading your blogs; they are so inspiring to me. Sometimes just what I need to get me going again. And always good for a laugh as well!
So this week I've been on a couple of interviews for work. One I'm hoping for (it's part-time and would allow me lots of time to work on my jewelry business), the other one almost made me sick to my stomach. I don't want to work in my chosen field. At least not now. And not full time. So why did I even bother to send them my resume? I really don't know. But what I do know (from my gut feeling), is that I must follow my dreams, my heart, and my desires, and do what I love. Again, it never amazes me that the universe has us "right where we are suppose to be".
I came home, took a nap, got up and continued to read a little in my current book that I'm reading, "I dare you", by Joyce Meyer. I wanted to share a little of what I read today: concerning being enterprising: "To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active. It's to be skilled enough, confident enough, creative enough, and disciplined enough to seize opportunities that present themselves...regardless of the economy". It goes on to say, "You need the courage to see things differently, to go against the crowd, to take a different approach, to stand alone if you have to, to choose activity over inactivity." It ends by saying,"by doing so, you will increase your confidence, your courage, your creativity, and your self-worth--your enterprising nature." This quote taken from motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, Jim Rohn International 2001 copyright.
No pictures today, I'll be back tomorrow, or the weekend hopefully with new projects to show you.
PSSSSSSST!!! I will be having a GIVEAWAY starting the Monday after Christmas. Please stop by then to find out more!

Picture of the Week

What I have learned during these tough economical times:
A job title does not give you personal worth.
I learned how to not waste food and make due with what I have and be creative in the kitchen.
I have enough material "things"- actually more than enough, so that I can share with others.
I learned to trust and have faith, that all things will work out o.k.
True happiness does not come in the form of a dollar bill.
True friendships are more important than material "things".

Christmas Favorites

Since I'm in the holiday spirit, I thought that I'd join Etsy Blogger's for another Blog Carnival this month. Here's 2 of my favorite recipes for the holidays.
Orange Cranberry Relish
1 bag of fresh cranberries
2-3 fresh oranges
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1-2 green onions (tops only)
First chop up the cranberries coarsely or run through a food processor; add to oranges that have been peeled and cut up in small pieces; mix in the sugar, and (believe it or not) add and mix in the chopped green onions; chill and serve.


Sweet Potato Casserole
5-6 sweet potatoes
pancake syrup
butter
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 3/4 cups mini marshmallows
Peel and cut up sweet potatoes; boil until soft; mash until smooth; at this point I add in butter, by taste, the cinnamon and nutmeg, and the pancake syrup ( just guess at this, you want to have a nice consistancy, I usually add 1-2 heavy squirts); cover the top with the marshmallows and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 20-30 minutes; watch so that the marshmallows don't burn; Enjoy!

Picture of the Week

Do you ever feel like this? That you have to be all things to all people. Fight the good fight. Stand up for what you believe in? I'm sure most of us can relate to this especially at this time of the year. If you read my post "Promotion, promotion...." you can see just how I've been feeling these days. Not enough time in the day. Things not getting done. Projects not getting completed. But there's always more to do. I said to my husband the other day, that I'm busier now than when I was working 3 days a week! How does this happen? You have to be the mother, the encourager, the lover, the one with the level head, the provider, the comforter, the homemaker, cook, maid, (I could go on, but why?) You get the message.
There is a great article about slowing down, by life coach Christine Spencer, who writes articles for Posh Mama social network: it's worth a read, "How to keep so many projects going and keep your sanity too". http://www.poshmama.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-keep-many-projects If you're not a member of Posh Mama, you may need to create a profile to sign in.

Then I thought I'd share this beautiful video post done by Robin Easton, entitled, "Tent Trees". Although being somewhat computer challenged, I can't figure out how to add the video here, so you must go to this to view: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/?p=899 Please scroll down to the U-Tube video, it is great! I off to do some more work! Enjoy your day!

Etsy Bloggers Featured Shop-Welcome Spotted Cow Soaps

Spotted Cow Soaps are handcrafted soaps, lotions and bath accessories made in Vermont. Here's a few of my favorites: Organic cotton bath accessory set: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18342775. These are made to order and you can even custom pick the yarn color you would like. There is a swatch of colors to choose from in this listing.

Next, because I love lavender, is the Lavender body lotion parfait made with lots of goodies like: sunflower oil, allantion, and lavender essential oil.http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17906312

They even have soaps for kids! Check this out: Cupcake soap: it even smells like cake and icing!http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17876414

These are limited edition soaps, so get them fast! Enjoy!

Promotion, promotion, Managing,Bookkeeping,and promotion

OMG! I can't believe it's been a week since I've posted. I've been soooo busy this week. First of all, running around applying for jobs, trying to get part-time work. Then I finally made some headway, and now have 2 shops carrying my jewelry! One is the Painted Fish Gallery in Dunedin, and the other is the Safety Harbor Galleria in Safety Harbor. Thanks to these shops! I have 2 appointments with other shops (here in other locations), so I'm hoping to get my name and jewelry around the area! So I had to pull alot of items from my Etsy shop, and now I'm in fear, that my inventory is getting low. Gotta make more jewelry! I was comfortable with about 100 pieces, now I'm about 50 something in my Etsy shop, (oh, no!) I'm kidding of course.
I just didn't think I'd get done everything that I wanted to accomplish by today; but I have. I ordered some new gemstones, Swarovski crystals, wire, and more wire, so this morning I had to log everything in, price it all, you know, inventory/management stuff. I ordered some brass and copper too from some shops on Etsy. Then the bookkeeping work.
I don't know how other jewelry makers keep track, but our accountant suggested last year getting a bookkeeping log to keep track of everything, and I mean everything. From buying supplies, advertising expenses, sales, sales tax, any continuing education classes, mileage, and more! So at the end of every month, I have to do the monthly totals, just to keep the book up to date and because I am very anal.
I also had to write an artist's bio, so I added my logo,printed a few and cut them out real pretty and matted on high gloss pink paper. This matches my lotus logo.
AND I did all of this, this morning!
Here's what I did manage to complete today:

You can see that I finished the rather long (27 inch) Viking Knit necklace for a guy Benn works with. I did a bracelet for him also, I just need to put on the clasp. Next I started my "wire series". Well, actually started last week with the "Funky Swan" earrings you might remember, but one of the shops wanted them.
I made a wire bracelet from oxidized copper, with twists and turns adding green aventurine along the way. I even made the jump rings here. This turned out really nice after being tumbled.

Still wanting to work more with wire, I made this copper bracelet that has many elements going on with it. The focal lampwork bead is from "Sassy Stoppers".
The polymer clay beads are from "humblebeads". I made a variation of a swan clasp, added pearls and crystals and dangles of Czech glass in a real pretty turquoise/sea blue color that really makes this bracelet pop.

So I had to make earrings that coordinate with the bracelet. I had a couple of lampwork beads from "Catalina Glass", which is where I originally pulled the blue color idea from. I coiled these with oxidized copper and tumbled as well. These ear wires are sort of a new style for me too. I hammer the front curved loop flat for a different shape as well as hammering in various other places for shape.

Wow, that's enough for one day, so I'll be back later. Look for this week's "picture of the week".

ETSY Blogger's Team Blog Carnival

Holiday Cactus: also known as Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving and Easter cactus. These plants can live for 100 years and are sometimes passed down from generations. The plant is native to Central and South America. The epiphytes, are called cacti, but are generally found growing in the same environment as orchids.
Care of: These plants are better kept indoor, in indirect sunlight, no drafts, limit watering (they do not like excessive water), and kept at 50-60% humidity.
To bloom: This is now the time of the year when the plants will bloom. They bloom best if kept at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to prune or re pot is February, March, or April.