SICK! Blech! And looking for a smile!

I've had a nasty headache and fever for 3 days now. I can't concentrate to work, my mind is a mush, I'm uncomfortable and cranky and I need a smile. So here it is:

My little Nero. I loooooooove this dog, and he adores us back. He helps me when I work by laying by my feet, whether I'm at my work bench or on the computer and by being goofy enough every so often to make me laugh. Okay, now I feel better!

Do you believe in ghosts?

I do, and I have started a new blog to share and understand my passion for the paranormal. You can view it here: http://www.thespiritsamongus.blogspot.com

Rainy Day Meanderings

We're having a nice, rainy day Saturday today. It's cold and yucky outside, but we're all warm and cozy indoors. We even had Italian tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and DD and I are planning to make brownies this afternoon.

I've been meaning to post an entry here for days, but I've been so busy with various projects. I have some sterling silver stacking rings that I finished and must take a photo of to list online, and I'm working on a fabulous celtic cross pendant and necklace. I am also drawing up a design for another purse, and I finally finished up a tutorial I've been working on for this bracelet here:



I will be selling the tutorial on Etsy and my website, but will be offering for free for my loyal readers and my friends over at the forum : http://www.starvingjewelryartists.com/index
If you are interested, make sure to leave a comment or send me a PM over at the forum.

Well, that's about it for my comfy, rainy day. Hope your weekend finds you all well!

Finished the Polka Dot Purse

I finished it, I finished it!!!!! I think it's the cutest darn purse evAr!!! Of course, I'm biased!! For those of you who might not have been following up, here's the story:

I've been itching to sew lately and I had this adorable polka dot fabric that I knew would make a great purse, but I needed to save some of it for a dress that I promised my daughter. Well, last week I finally got around to measuring my daughter so I would know how much material I had to work with. Then I drew out my design. Then I made the pattern for it (yep, I made the pattern too!! lol!). Finally it's done!!!!!!

I will be listing this purse on Etsy, but I wanted show it here first, as I have a feeling it may move pretty fast once I list it. If anyone is interested in more details, please ask!!!!

The purse is 10 inches (25cm) by 8.5 inches (21.25cm) and the sides are 2.5 inches (6.25c) wide. The strap is 35 inches (87.5cm) long.

It is cotton fabric on the outside and has a black taffeta lining (which features a small back pocket with a snap closure). There is a poster board type lining between the two layers, so the purse stands up on it's own.

Sooooooo, without further ado!!!!! .............................................................

My Cunning Plan

One of the things that I do pretty darn well is sewing. My mother taught me how to sew at an early age and I've pretty much been doing it for as long as I can remember. I can pretty much make myself anything I want - from new dresses to curtains to purses and headbands.

I am a real enteprenuer at heart. I am always thinking about ways that I can make money off of my talents, so it really doesn't surprise me that I've come up with my newest little plot...

I've been surfing the etsy shops a lot lately. It seems that sewn items sell really well there, especially cute little purses. I have some cute black fabric with hot pink polka dots that I've been dying to make a purse out of...

I've already drawn out the design, and made a pattern. Now on to cutting out the material and assembling it. :-) On to yet another side venture!!!

Treasure of Atlantis

I love anything having to do with the ocean. I love the sound and the smell and the beauty of it. I love shells and sea glass and pearls, oh, it's all sooooo wonderful! So I was delighted when I dreamt of this necklace a few nights ago, especially since I've been wanting to play with my sea glass some more. I could clearly picture the drop part in my dream the first night, but had a hard time picturing the rest, so I forced myself to dream about it the next night too, and finally finished it in my mind.

I am really in love with this piece. Everything about it is so very me and it has some history to it too. The sea glass and the wampum (the purple and white shell) in the cluster drop were all collected when I lived on the island of Martha's Vineyard, 10 years ago. I was at the end of my marriage with my first husband at that time, and beach combing was the one time I found solice and peace. So these "trinkets" mean a lot to me. (Fun fact - Wampum comes from Quahog clam shells and was used as money back in 17th century New England.) The wampum was a bear to work with though, as I broke numerous pieces trying to drill it. :-(

This is a really sexy necklace and quite the cleavage dipper (if you KWIM), as the cluster drop alone is 5 inches!! The pearls are black freshwater pearls and everything hangs from a simple sterling silver chain. I'm going to keep trying to get better pictures, but figured these would do for now! lol!

Life of an Incurable Insomniac

Okay, it's 3:13 in the morning here and I am wide awake. Hubby will be on his way out to work in about an hour and a half and I'm sure I will still be up. Fortunately, the kids don't have to go to school tomorrow, so I can sleep in a bit.

I have been dealing with insomnia for as long as I can remember. Sometimes it really sucks, especially if I have to wake up really early for something. But it is what it is, and it is what I am. I accept it.

Unfortunately, it's hard for me to work on jewelry at this time of night (er, morning) as my motor skills aren't as awake as my mind. One thing that I've been doing a lot more of at this time though, is writing. I have been writing a lot more recently, which I'm really happy about! I used to write all the time, and I missed it. This time of the night is perfect for that, as my brain is usually working over time right about now.

Okay, I'm off to let my brain wander around a story or two!

Gothic Peach

Okay, I promise this is the last Valentine's Day worthy piece! lolol! Really, I swear!

This piece is kind a destashing piece in that I used some old extra beads and craft wire that I haven't used in like forever. I think it worked out so pretty together though!



For more information on this piece, take a look at the listing here - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9435334

Heart Bound Bracelet

Here we have another piece just in time for Valentine's Day. I know, pretty funny for someone that doesn't do holiday "themed" jewelry. But I dreamt about this piece the same day I dreamt about the last one. I really like the way it flows and it can definately be worn any day of the year.


For more information on this bracelet, check out the listing here - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9288458 or the listing here - http://www.thefamily-jewels.com/braceletsandwatches/heartboundbracelet.html

Wandering Hearts Necklace

I'm not usually one to do holiday themed jewelry, but a few mornings ago I woke up with the idea for these pieces in my head. I've found that some of my best pieces were ones that I dreamt about or woke up picturing. So I went along with it and these are pieces that could be worn any time of the year, really. (I will share one each day. *giggle*) Anyone that knows my style, knows that I love big, bold pieces, these are no exception!!

This pendant is 12 guage copper which has been soldered and then wrapped for neatness and extra durabilty. It has little diamond shaped garnets hanging from each heart. This pendant is VERY large. It is about 3 inches by 3 inches and hangs from a very simple oxidized sterling silver chain.
For more information about this piece, you can view the listings here - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9265894 and another one here - http://www.thefamily-jewels.com/necklacegallery1/wanderingheartsnecklace.html.

Thanks for letting me share!