3-2-18


It's been a crazy, weird week... and I apologize for my irregular posting.

In brief:
My Aunt, who has been in ICU all week... is slowly getting better. I love her so, and am very grateful she is healing. My daughter had surgery, and is home and recovering. ZeeZe was sick, and was just getting over a stomach thing, when he hurt his foot/ leg jumping... so he is taking it easier than he would like. My mom has had a rough week; her confusion and agitation seem to be getting a bit worse; thankfully, she is able to rest.
And I have to go in for testing for some things... a potential new growth of cancer. 
But this morning we woke to a massive snowstorm.... a fresh blanket of white over covering us all.
It feels like a fresh start, a cleansing wash...  And with the moon almost full...
there will be a waning (hopefully) of whatever it is that has been causing a ruckus.





Photos showing what I have been working on....
Top: Earrings I've donated to the 11th Kathy Sallade Memorial Pool Tournament. All proceeds this year will be going to our local Boys & Girls Club. They are made with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise (the best!), faceted Coral from Hawaii, and Baltic Amber. The beads are handmade sterling, and are vintage Navajo made.
Next: Celtic Cross and Shamrock earrings. These are all simple drop, 
glass earrings for St. Patrick's Day. Quick and easy, and fun!
Last: These were vintage Lucite Rose pieces that I salvaged from an old set. 
I have added all new wire, findings, and magnetic clasps.

2-28-18


It's been a chaotic week... and we're only part way there.
My daughter had surgery this am, and is currently in recovery.
I have another family member who is critically ill and in ICU, and one who is going for testing for possible cancer. Plus... taking care of mom. Yesterday, even ZeeZe was feeling a bit under the weather as well, and was having tummy issues. In the midst of all this... I had phone calls about a family reunion this summer /issues about planning it... a disgruntled Ebay buyer upset about postage.... and a some other absolutely strange stuff. And yes, we are coming up on a full moon. So hopefully things will settle down here in a bit.

Sometimes it rains and pours. 
All I can say... is that for today... I am trying to just be calm, and carry on. 
See you all tomorrow.

2-26-18


Today was a BUSY! but good day.
And here are some things I've been working on the past few days.
The first photo (below) is Connemara Marble from Ireland (the only place it's found).
They are accented with Swarovski crystals and sterling wire.

The 2nd photo are surgical steel (hypoallergenic) wire and some fun beads for St. Patrick's Day
The 3rd.... is a present for a friend. 14K gold plated wire and handmade boro glass beads.
And the last photo, is a set that I made last night with natural coral and sterling silver.

I'm so happy to be able to work in the studio a bit... even if it's just for short periods at a time.
See you all tomorrow!




2-23-18


Somehow, I lost track of the day.
This evening, however, I suddenly had some time to work in the studio.
I made several pair of earrings... including the 2 pair below.
They are sterling, and feature Connemara Marble from Ireland, accented with Swarovski crystals.

At the far bottom, is a little keyring I also made for a friend.... looking towards spring.
See you all tomorrow.




2-22-18


It's been sort of a bizarre day. 
We suddenly got a whole lot of snow, and the weather became much more winter-like... 
(as it probably should be).. but it was almost in the 70s just the other day... so it's strange.
And I had a doctor's appt... which means arranging care for mom while I am gone...
and the appt itself was unsettling. Some potential good news... some potential bad news...
and I am just not sure how to take it.

As you know, I have had PTSD (diagnosed back in 1989)... for many years. 
Under control for the most part, but it surprises me every so often, as is the nature of the beast. 
Taking care of mom, and being back in my old hometown, in itself, is triggering.
And I've had a general increase in issues since moving back in 2013. 
That said... it's been worse since my Lupus flare over a year ago... which is still ongoing.
They go hand-in-hand... and it's frustrating. 

For now, I just want some peace... and to be able to make stuff.
Here are some earrings I made last night.

They feature stunning lampwork BORO glass by Teresa Jones of Albuquerque.
I have accented them with opalite and blood red Swarovski crystals.
All the wire is sterling silver. 



2-21-17


Today we had a great visit with my Aunt and cousin.
Here are some earrings I made for them; featuring raspberry jade and green jade,
with Swarovski crystals.
See you all tomorrow

2-20-18

Today I was able to work in the studio... 
which was awesome.

Here is the evolution of a piece I was working on,
Burmese Jade, Australian Phrenite and a focal bead of Chinese Writing Stone.

>



2-19-18


Well, I've  had a migraine for 3 days now... so today I am just taking it easy.
The routine cleaning is done, and supper will be a hodge-podge of leftovers.
Later, I am looking forward to reading a book and snuggling with the pup.
Some days you just do what you can and let it all go.
See you all tomorrow....

2-15-18



It's been a day.
On the plus side, ZeeZe had his yearly physical, and other than being a little pudgy, he is fine.
Mom, has (with much protesting) gone out for dinner with family...
and Jim and I are eating alone for the first time in .... well forever.
See you all tomorrow.

2-14-18


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Happy Valentine's Day

2-13-18



Last night I was up late working on a few pair of earrings.
I had ordered some gorgeous faceted briolettes, and decided to do a 'messy wrap' of sterling silver.
Keeping it simple... but classic.

Bottom Photo from left-right: Green Chalcedony, Hot Pink Hydro Quartz, Yellow Citrine, 
and Mystic Quarts in a Paraiba blue tone. I hope to get them listed later on today.

2-12-18


Today has been an odd day..... and someone put on their grumpy pants this am.
So.... I have prescribed lots of rest, chili for dinner... and some good M*A*S*H on tv.
Later, I hope to work on some jewelry... see you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

sparkling rosy hues
shining in the winter sun
sweet Gaia's gemstones

------

playing with some pretties today.... see you all on Monday

2-9-18


Happy Friday!
So far this morning, mom and I have seen deer, bunnies, squirrels.. and all kinds of birds.
Cardinals, Blue Jays, Juncos and sparrows... as well as a pretty determined woodpecker. It's been fun.
Seems like all of life is enjoying this soft blanket of snow filtering down.
And thankfully, we are warm and safe inside with our beloved ZeeZe, and able to see it all.

Tonight I hope to get to the studio again... and work on something fun. 
Below, are some earrings I made some cute little porcelain bunny beads I found online.
 I have accented them with Swarovski crystal beads, and all the wire is sterling.
Just something sweet and festive to brighten up your day.
See you all tomorrow 💙


2-8-18



Last night, I was (finally) able to spend a little time in the studio; and made a few smaller items. It was awesome. Today, I went about running errands and such ... one of the first days "off" in several months. ... and it too... was awesome. 
And... Zee Ze for a new haircut! I stopped at Goodwill and picked him up a couple toddler sized sweaters, so that he is warm when he goes out for his daily walks. I am sure he thinks it's silly, but I don't want him to freeze out there... it's been really cold.

The earrings I am showing today, are ones I made last night. 
Hammered sterling rings surround some gorgeous faceted green amethyst drops...
See you all tomorrow 💙

2-7-18


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Peter and Paul Popplechek were brothers. 
Born into a proud Czechoslovakian family, they grew up strong in the Kentucky sunshine. 
Farming, logging, working outside... they spent their days together their whole lives. 
So it was no wonder when the Civil War broke out, that they joined the Confederacy together.
But they had no idea what they were in for.

Rations were few, conditions were harsh... and the dog tent they shared with 4 others,
had neither blankets nor protection from the wet, cold ground.
Often, they would raid fields and abandoned buildings in search of food and drink. Through it all, they stuck together.
When Peter got the measles... it was Paul who stayed by his side and made sure he had water to drink. And when Paul was ambushed one night, it was Peter who carried him to the doctor's tent for surgery. They couldn't save his arm, but they saved his life... and Peter was grateful. Where would he be without his little brother? Somehow, with grace... they both managed to survive the horrors of war, only to return home to discover their parents had both succumbed to dysentery when the wells became contaminated in their village. The family homestead was gone... lost in fires that had spread throughout the south as battles raged on. Nothing was left. Only each other.
And so they joined a traveling troop of entertainers... and learned to play the guitar as a duo... each one providing a 'hands worth' to play music together. It was a novelty act, to be sure... but a unique one... and it allowed them to stay together.
Eventually, they both married... sisters who swung on the trapeze performing daring feats from high heights. 
And it was good....