Strands, Toggles and Soup...Oh My!!

Let's start with some soup, Bead soup that is!

Here's a picture of what I received from Libbyleu for the Bead Soup Party!

I love everything! The colors are right up my alley!! I have plans in mind, so you'll have to stay tuned for the big reveal on February 26th!! :) No hint's until then, rules are rules. 

Now, onto my gem show finds from this past weekend. I'm in love!! Love love love! Silver is my weakness, and so are teardrop glass beads. Well, all glass beads really... but these are so fun to incorporate into my designs. 

I'll let the photo's do the talking.

And last but not least, I couldn't resist this sweet little teapot and spoon toggle!

I'm looking forward to playing with all my new shiny silver finds!!

Life is GOOD!!

65 Roses

I was asked a few months back by my friend Traci to design and donate a piece to a fundraiser this April for Cystic Fibrosis. I didn't know too much about the cause, so I asked for some details on it. She told me that it is represented by Red roses and that when kids say Cystic Fibrosis, it often sounds like "65 Roses". I wanted to stay true to the cause and design a piece fitting for the occasion. So I commissioned Lynn of Brilynn Beads to create some beautiful beads for me that she also donated for the cause. Here's what I came up with for the design. All together, between the bracelet and the earrings there are close to "65 Roses" in the set. I hope it raises a lot of money at the fundraiser! :)

 Next up on my agenda...the Awesome Bead Soup that I received from Libbyleu!!

Will photograph and then I've got the get cracking on my design. The beads are gorgeous, pictures coming! 

Stay tuned!!

Bead store outing!

I did a little shopping today at my local bead store. I had so much fun looking at all the pretty shiny things in there, I really had to exercise restraint too! I came out with a bag full of goodies though, so I'll be sitting tomorrow in the snow storm designing...yes, you heard correctly, there is another storm coming. I can't wait to make the things that I pulled beads together for. I can see them all in my head! Time to get the ideas into jewelry. Photo's to follow! Hope everyone is staying warm and dry!

Lori's doing a giveaway!

On my list of things to try is metal stamping. The supplies are quite costly though, so it's been put on the back burner for me. However, Lori Anderson is giving away a set of stamps...and I want to WIN!! If you want to try to win too, here's the link to her website:

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/metal-stamp-giveaway.html

Lori, thanks for doing such an awesome giveaway! :)

Oh my...the snow is coming!!!

I'm not a big fan of winter, I don't like to be cold! However, we got some snow over the weekend and when I woke up, it actually looked very pretty on the trees, untouched by the sun yet and there were no footprints to be found. It inspired me to grab my camera and go on a little scenic car ride.

This is what I found:

Isn't it just beautiful? I couldn't believe it myself. I actually enjoyed freezing my butt off to get these great shots. It also inspired me to come home and make some jewelry! In my nice warm office with the heater on! LOL!

And here's a couple of the earring pairs that will be listed on Etsy later tonight! 

More designs coming as we are expecting another foot to perhaps two feet overnight tonight and tomorrow! Which means no school, and a nice comfy warm office to lock myself away in! 

Stay tuned!

"Nice Party"

I have so many good things that I can say about my Grandmother. So many good memories! We were fortunate enough to have her in our lives until now. She got to enjoy her 6 great-grandchildren. What a rare opportunity, and how lucky are our kids to have had a Great Grandmother that played with them and spent lots of quality time with them. Always smiling, and offering a kind word. Her contagious laugh, cheating at games because she liked to "win"...and we let her, because she played with us. She taught us to play golf in the backyard when we were kids. She spoiled us...but not rotten. She fed us candy behind our parents back...oh lets get real...she fed us candy right in front of their faces! But she fed us well. Best Italian cook there was. There was love in the food. Sat in the sand and played with the grandkids at the beach every year. She loved the beach. Loved her family, and we knew it. All of us. We knew it. What an impression she has left on me. 

We lost her on Sunday. She went peacefully and comfortably. 

The world was a better place with her in it. But I know she has now been reunited with my grandfather after he waited 22 years for her, and perhaps they are playing a round of golf together. I can only hope! It's a nice thought though. 

Love you Gram. It's been a "Nice Party". Miss you so much.

Ringing in the new...

(Photo credit goes to Quinn Dombrowski - found on Yahoo/Flickr)
I've been thinking about how much I have grown in 2010. It astounds me how many things have changed. In the beginning of the year I felt very motivated and I got a lot done. Then the summer months kept me pretty busy with the kids being home and having to entertain them. Then school started and they all went...even the little one. They are changing so rapidly before my eyes, growing into these beautiful little people that I am so proud to call my children. 

I feel very blessed. 

As I think about the year, there isn't too much I would have changed. I've reconnected with some old friends and made many new ones. I am lucky to have so many people in my life that all bring joy into my life. I wish I had spent more time focusing on myself. I've kind of gotten a little lost with everything going on here. Time to do a little soul searching and find myself again. 

 I do write New Year's Resolutions. Do you? I've done it for years. And then I reflect on what I actually got done as I write them for the next year. I think I'm half and half for last year. 

So for 2011, here is what I resolve to do. Number 1 on my list for the past few years has been to lose weight. This past year, I have lost 35 pounds so not only has that resolution dropped from the top spot on my list but it's changed as well.

1.  My top resolution is to be a better business person. Get myself organized and start making it a priority. I have to take time to focus on not only the design aspect but the online aspect as well. My blog has taken a back seat and I'm going to start utilizing it again. I do love it as an outlet, and a way to share things. This is something that will be done in 2011. 

2.  Stop and smell the roses. I have days where I feel as though I am running like a chicken with it's head cut off. It's horrible. I don't know which end is up sometimes. I have a beautiful family, and there are many things to see. I have a camera, and I'd like to use it more to capture the beauty of the world and the people in it. I've gotten away from one of my passions, photography, and I'd like to get back into it. 

3.  Stop yelling. I'm a yeller. Yup, I do yell a lot. It's partly out of frustration, and partly out of the sheer fact that with three kids sometimes there really is no other option. But I'd like to stop yelling. It's not who I am, and it's not who I want to be. There has to be a better way. I resolve to find it. 

4.  Maintain the weight loss! And keep up the good work! :)

5.  And most importantly... Be HAPPY! Life is short, and I want to experience everything that I can. Live to my potential. Something I have neglected to do for many years. It's time to turn the tides, and look at life differently. It's not about "things". "Things" don't really matter. People do matter and having this realization has changed me a lot. 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I hope that you have a safe holiday and here's to a very bright, sparkly 2011!

Happy Holidays!!

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Next week the kids will be home from school and I plan on staying in my PJ's for the majority of the week.

Can't wait for the much needed break!

Have a safe holiday, stay warm and enjoy your families! :)

Giving Thanks

It's that time of the year that I am reminded of how thankful I am for so many things in my life. Good friends, my family and all of my new customers that have made the past year such a success for me. 

In the spirit of giving thanks, I am offering a holiday sale in my Etsy shop now through December 10th. Take 10% off your purchase up to $100 and 15% off your purchase over $100. Plus FREE SHIPPING! Can't beat that! Just mention GIVETHANKS in the comments section of your order and I'll send you a revised invoice, or refund the difference through PayPal. I'll be adding new things all weekend too.

Thank you to everyone who has been by my side this year, through thick and thin. I appreciate and love you all!

Getting back on track!

It's been a crazy couple of months here! Wow, it feels like forever since I've written a post. I had two great holiday home shows this past weekend. I love doing them, it's a great opportunity to meet new people and spend an afternoon or evening chatting and talking about my jewelry. I love that I have gotten such a great response to it! What a wonderful feeling! 

I'll be getting together some new pieces to send to Sandy Hook as well as a bunch of items that will be available for the holiday's at Hair Four You. I'll also be putting everything else that I have in my Etsy store for holiday shoppers.

Here's a peek at some of the new pieces I've been working on.

 I know my kids are starting to make their Christmas lists and although they are excited for the snow...I'm not! And I know it's coming soon! 

But first things first...Thanksgiving. Which is MY holiday. Can't wait to spend time with my family with a great meal and no stress! :)

Seriously riding a creative wave!!

I have a lot to say, it's been so busy here lately. I've found my muse.... it feels SO good to be designing again! I have missed it so much! I'm like a kid in a candy store, I can't get enough of it right now. So without making you wait any longer, I give you a sneak peak at what I've been up to!

You can see more pictures of these pieces and a few others on my Facebook page! I will be taking more photo's tomorrow of the 12 new designs I worked on today, mostly earrings and three beautiful bracelets! I have two home shows in November, so I'm trying to stock up! Hope you all enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back with more pictures tomorrow. 

It's been way too long...

I didn't think I'd ever go this long without having anything to say. I've been in a mood lately, just so many things happening and I'm finding it really stressful to work my way out of the bottom of this massive pile of stuff on top of me. 

First of all, thank you all for your kind words on Facebook about Niki. I have come to the conclusion, and I know that she isn't coming back. My heart hurts, and that's been really weighing on me. It's killed my desire to design anything because in some silly way...and you'll all think I'm nuts, but I don't want to have to take photo's of anything because she wont be there to sit with me. I told you that was crazy. But she really did sit with me for the past 6 years of me taking jewelry photos. More often than not. So to even think about doing that without her has been killing me. But the show must go on. And I think I'm ready... I think.

I did do something fun last week. I have a friend who asked me to give her some tips on how to use her new fancy Canon camera, and naturally I am happy to help...and of course get my hands on a hot new camera to play with! So I suggested that while she was practicing what I was teaching her, she should take pictures of me. What? Yes, you read correctly. I hate...HATE having my picture taken. That's why I'm a photographer, so I can be behind the camera. Well, I will be celebrating my 40th birthday this December and I decided that it was time to create a memory. My kids will have no pictures of me when I'm older to look back on. I'm really not ever in any of them. So, Lucy and I went off to Topsmead State Park and had an absolute blast!

This one is my favorite. It's now my new FB profile and my blog photo. LOVE it! :) It's a genuine smile, I was having a good time. I really needed some time to laugh and be goofy, so this was perfect. 

My other favorite:

and then there was this, which got the most comments:

LOL! Silly. But I like it! :) I did all the editing of course, played with my fun Photoshop filters and now I have something to save for my kids. This wont happen again for a while! ;) 

The next photo's I show will be of what I am designing this week. I'm hopping back on the bandwagon and getting my butt in gear. I need to put the sadness behind me, and honor Niki. She wouldn't want me to be so sad. I'm sure that she knew she was very loved here and she had a wonderful 15 years with us.

I also know that she will always be with me. :)

Working for a very good cause...

Last week I was asked by a very good friend to donate a piece to a fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer. Naturally, I said yes before I even read any further into what it was for. But once I read through the full email, I am even more honored to have been asked to help raise money for this very worthy cause. 

Here's the story:

In celebration of September’s National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Second Annual Volley for Molly tournament being held at Lexington High School on September 24, 2010. This event is in honor of a resilient and loving young woman who passed of this insidious disease at the young age of nineteen.  Our goal is to stop this disease in its tracks!

 I found out that the awareness color for Ovarian Cancer is Teal. So I pulled out my trusty bead boxes and went digging. Found a great set in Ann's box which she generously let me use. This is what I came up with. 

A gorgeous set of teal lampwork glass beads, which I accented with a variety of Swarovski Crystals, hand wrapped circles and Mykonos Greek Spacers. I added a Silver Volleyball Charm as well as a Cancer Awareness Charm near the clasp. 

Love how it turned out. I hope that this does well in the silent auction.

It's an honor to do my part for a good cause.

Down, Down, Down...

You'll have to forgive me. I've had a bit of a setback this week. I've been in such a slump and have not been able to get myself out of it. My cat, Niki...you guys know...the one that sits with me for all of my jewelry photographs. Well, she's been missing since Sept. 6th. I'm a total wreck. She's 15, never wanders away from the house and I have not seen her, or any trace of her so I'm just beside myself. I don't want to think the worst, although with each passing day, things seem a little more bleak. We've searched everywhere in our neighborhood. I made fliers and stapled them to the telephone poles around our immediate area. I'm hoping that if someone did find her that they took her in and are taking very good care of her and loving her as much as we do. 

We miss you Niki... please come home. :(