Another before and after creation

Here's a look at another custom order creation. A friend of mine gave me this strand of sodalite gemstone beads,

and asked me to create a bracelet in mixed metals, that would coordinate with this pair of earrings she got from me:

and this necklace:


We talked about incorporating elements of each piece, so that they could be worn together or apart. She liked the mix of sterling and copper; the copper washers that I used in the earrings, and she wanted some spirals.
Here is the completed bracelet that I came up with.



The copper O rings are textured the same way, as I did the earrings. I wrapped them in sterling silver wire with added spirals. I added the sodalite beads onto my own handmade sterling head pins and added faceted citrine dangles (like the earrings).
To coordinate with the necklace, I had a couple of the sterling "Greek key" beads available and placed them strategically in the bracelet where they would be seen. I tried to incorporate some chunky lapis also, but it just didn't work. There is a nice balanced look to this bracelet.
Do you have any beads you'd like to have made into a unique piece? I love the creative challenge! Just contact me!

Weekly weigh in and other stuff

weight loss: 3 pounds
It still amazes me how the body works. Last week, I gained. This week, I didn't exercise much and ate some in excess; and then, a 3 pound loss! I guess it's just like life; the ups and the downs.
One of the leaders at WW said not to judge your weekly weigh ins, but to look at the overall picture, say look at it over a months time. Then I guess you will get to know how your body's weight, hormones, etc. will fluctuate at different times.

On another note: My husband has been hired to a new job. It is much better than the current one. Better all around. So, this is good, because it is just what we need right now.

I had a rather crappy day at work myself. And so feeling overwhelmed, angry, trapped; I decided to go shopping. I bought myself a new purse and wallet. (not that it was in the budget to do so) but I was feeling down and sometimes retail therapy is helpful!
Enough already, it's time for Friday night pizza!

Simply pretty gemstone earrings and more

from left to right: rhodochrosite with pink tormaline, aquamarine with peach moonstone, labradorite with lapis lazuli


carnelian with turquoise, rhodonite with smokey quartz


purple glass beads and violet Swarovski crystals, purple glass beads with Hill Tribe silver spacers and long ear wires

I'm getting ready for the next show which is, next weekend, March 3-4 in old downtown Palm Harbor on Florida Ave. Hope to see you there!

More about yesterday

I failed to mention yesterday, that I was feeling really sick. It was a chore just to sit at the computer and look at the screen. I was dizzy, weak, sick to my stomach, could not see straight, had a headache from hell, and my leg muscles were really fatigued and sore. I had no strength at all. I did not even get out of my pajamas.
What can I say was the cause? I tried to look at this more closely. On Thursday I ate alot, and I mean alot of fruit during the day, and probably not enough protein. I worked really hard at my job, and did alot of physical labor/running around. So I conclude this to be a sugar problem.
I have had this feeling before, but it came from overeating chocolate cake the night before I had this sick feeling the next day. So you see, this dieting thing can be really tricky for me.
It felt like an "emotional hangover", as I have heard the term used, as feeling like a hangover without consuming the alcohol. Which is the case for me, as I do not drink.
This "emotional hangover" could also be from job stress. Ah, this could be part of the problem too. But I will not go into that right now.
I still had the headache this morning, and now after lunch, I'm starting to feel somewhat better. It's a lousy way to feel.
How are you feeling today?

I'm just not that into it

Weekly weigh in: weight loss: 0 weight gain: 1 lb.
"I'm just really not that into it", that's the thought that came into my mind as I sat in the WW meeting the other day. Sitting in a crowded room full of retirees and old people, while our group leader is saying, "let's have a hand for Mary; she's lost 5 lbs. this week!"
Yeah, yeah, like she has nothing better to do with her time, but take walks, golf, spend hours figuring out the points in food products and journaling everything she puts in her mouth.
Sure I sound negative, but I really am trying. I just can't do it all that well. Life's too short.
Even going to the weigh in and meeting can be annoying. It takes time to drive to the place. It's in an overly crowded shopping plaza. The meeting is always crowded.
I found this to be my attitude many years ago, when I joined a gym. It was a pain in the ass to get to, too crowded, and I spent too much time in the whole process. (I guess I like to use my time efficiently.)
So what I did years ago, was to purchase a mountain of video tapes (yes, it was that many years ago) and other fitness equipment and work out at home. This did work for me and saved (precious) time.
Now I kinda feel the same way about these WW meetings. So I cancelled my membership. I did pay for the entire month, so I will use it to my advantage, but frankly, I was planning to cancel anyway, because I just can't afford it.
I have the majority of what I need to eat right, count points, etc, and cookbooks, so I'm not giving up, just fine tuning what I think is right for me.
More on this, later.......

Eye Candy

New cuff bracelets




the bamboo cuff


These cuffs will not be available in my on-line shops right now. If there is something you would like, please contact me, or leave a comment with you email address and I will get back to you!

Week 4 weigh in

weight loss: .4 lb. Steady and going. I didn't think I would loose anything this week, since I splurged and had some extra nighttime snacks this week.
What struggles I'm having is at work. It seems like more people are bringing in chocolates, cookies, and cakes lately. Or maybe it's just more noticeable to me now. And it seems to be "birthday" season right now too. Where I work, they like to celebrate with lunch and a cake or some kind of sweets. I know to plan ahead, so I took some homemade vegetable soup with me, and decided I would just have a small amount of the lunch and no dessert. It is SO hard for me to pass on the dessert! I have such a sweet tooth. And I have faithfully not had any sugar for the last 4 weeks.
And I can't get away from it at work. It stays in the environment. On the table, in the middle of all our work space. People come by and nibble throughout the day. And my boss knows I'm doing WW., and she says, just have half a cookie. Half does not work for me! That only opens the box for the beast in me to come out, then I want more.
I did not want to go to the WW meeting this week, but forced myself to go, and stay for the meeting. They claim something like 65% of people who stay for the meetings, loose more weight. (don't quote me on that figure)
And I did feel better after the meeting, so I guess there's something to that.
Just a few thoughts for this week.
Stop back later for updates and eye candy of new jewelry.... count down to show time.

A lazy Sunday

Went to the farmer's market this morning to get some fresh fruits and vegetables. It seemed like a little better choice and quality over the supermarket.
I guess a lot of people are getting ready for Superbowl parties today. We were invited to one, but are not going. This particular party gets very crowded, and I don't want to be tempted to eat things that I shouldn't. So we will stay home and have a "planned dinner".
It's just 4 weeks until my next show! I was hoping to work on some new pieces today, but that's not going to happen. I'm feeling quite lazy right now. But, tomorrow I will definately work all day on new jewelry!
Here's some new pieces I did finish this week, and are ready for the show! Or anyone who may want to purchase now. Enjoy the eye candy!

Copper choker with lampwork focal



Twisted wire bracelets


New earring designs

Week 3 weigh in

Weight loss this week: down 2.2 pounds
Well, the program is working, although I am constantly hungry and sometimes shaky. What I think I'm doing wrong is not using my points to the best of my advantage. I think I'm trying to save up my points for dinner. Which I have discovered that I have alot of points left at the end of the day, but I'm hungry all day long.
I need those calories to fuel me throughout the day. So I'll work on changing this, this week.
I'm trying to buy produce at farmer's markets and not the grocery store. I think I'll save money, and hopefully get fresher, better tasting produce this way.
There is a great recipe for "balsamic strawberries" found in this book:


I know, sounds weird, but really tastes good. I'm going to use up my strawberries and make it today.