Treasury

Look, my forget-me-not bracelet was featured in a Etsy treasury...how sweet xo

What's up Doc?

Well, actually quite a bit...
Filling DOTM orders, working on a few special requests and working on something I think everyone will be happy about, but more about that next week.

I've also had some requests for larger size bracelets like the "dog bones bracelet" that I posted on Feb. 18th post.
A few weeks ago I bought some bulk sterling silver links for my customers that only wear sterling. Unfortunately silver prices are at an all time high, really...it's CRAZY!
So I also wanted to find a less expensive chain in bulk. Yesterday I think I did! So that's good news!
So hopefully I'll have the "Dog Bones" bracelets in larger sizes soon!

Have a nice weekend...
I'll be spending mine with family, celebrating my dad's birthday!
xo

Subliminal Message

I confess...

I don't like watching the news. Never have.
To me it seems to be all doom and gloom.
Because of this, I don't watch it (much)
My dad says I have my head in the sand (I think that's the term he uses)
My dad loves watching the news.
But, I think sometimes ignorance is bliss...
Don't get me wrong, if there is something I can do about it, sign me up!
Like a charity auction or a local car wash for someone in need.
But watching news on a daily basis, I just can't do it...

How about you, do you watch the news?
xo

A fork in the road

My son Anthony's hobby while in college was photography. He loved it.
So, when Anthony graduated college last year with degree in Molecular Biology, we were not all that surprised that he wanted to follow his love and give photography a try (full time)
He is now working as a freelance photographer for a few truck/car magazines and he loves his job.
We could not be more proud of him...here's to following your dreams.
xo

Snow?

Woke up to this white stuff I think you East coasters call snow?
It's a treat for us that live in California...I'm thinking snowcones for breakfast.
xo

It's coming soon...

Spring...it's coming soon.
Gardens will start to bloom and bunnies will be hopping about...

I have a new bracelet design for the dog lover today.
Colorful tabs with dog faces and bones! Do you like?
You can see them here.
xo

BTW

What's on your bead table this Wednesday (BTW) ?
Mine has lots of dogs and bones with a few other things mixed in.
xo

Spreading the ♥

Happy Valentine's Day ♥

Cupcakes are made and delivered, red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
Out of towners, got cupcakes in jars (red velvet with buttercream frosting)

And to help spread the love to you, I'm taking 25% off anything with a ♥ in my Etsy store and on my website.
Happy Valentine's Day

How are you spreading the ♥ today?
xo

Creekside

Earlier in the week on my morning walk, I noticed little blooms starting to spring up along the creek. Which inspired this weeks beads...
I added some new things to both my bead and jewelry pages.
xo

Forget me not

I'm in full Spring mode (in the studio) making lots and lots of blooms...
I made this Forget Me Not bracelet, perfect for Spring...don't you think?
xo

I scream, you scream

we all scream for ice cream!

Well, kind of...it's not really ice cream.
It is actually made with only one ingredient...bananas (frozen bananas)
Because I have a horrible sweet tooth, I LOVE sweets! I need a healthy substitute for one of my favorites, ice cream.
So this weekend I'm going to give this a try. Maybe top it with some strawberries.

In bead news-
I have been working on the design of the month all week. Yesterday alone I loaded my kiln with over 40 daisies. I need to take a picture of them sitting on my work table waiting to be made into hair clips. They look so cheery...makes me hopeful that Spring is coming.
Have a fun weekend!
xo

BTW

Bead Table Wednesday...What's on your bead table?

I finished a new necklace this week (above) Rain On A Spring Day...

Which is on Etsy.
xo

Design of the Month

I gave you a little sneak peek of the Design of the Month (DOTM) on Friday's post.

Last year I made these for a wedding (in their wedding colors)

I think they are fun for everyday also.
Great for us that have Spring fever...

I am offering the white daisies for the DOTM (which are specially priced)
But, a little later this month I will be offering other flower designs as well.

If you'd like to order a daisy, you can here.
xo

Force Blooming...

With the unseasonably warm weather this last week, flower bulbs are starting to pop up around my yard.
We should be returning to more "normal" Winter temps in a couple days though. But until then I'm going to savor the Spring like days. Does anyone else have Spring fever yet?
xo

Olive You

Many years ago...I made this set of beads for Valentine's day, which turned out to be very popular.
I even get requests year round for them...

So, last week while making some more hearts for today's update, I thought it might be fun to make a couple Olive Hearts too. Perfect for someone with a good sense of humor, don't you think?
You can check them out here and I added some new pieces here too.
xo

Secret Code Monday

Because...it's Monday.
Because...I'm in a happy mood.
Because...it's going to be 70 degrees here today!
Because...I'm going to play in the garden today.
Because...I love secret codes.
Because...I like you!
I'm going to have a 20% off everything in my Etsy store today (but just for today)

~PLEASE READ BELOW~
Now you do have to enter a coupon code, HappyMonday (one word) and 20% will automatically be taken off your purchase. I can't give the discount after the purchase has been made.

Happy Monday!
xo

Happy Friday

(Me- age 3)

Are you ready for the weekend?
I know I am!
The weather is nice here in my neck of the woods, feels like Spring is almost here...

Today I added a few new beads to my site. My new faceted beads, which I hope you'll like because I'm having fun making them.

I finished my book Hunger Games yesterday (really liked it) so I'm off to load my iPod with the 2nd book, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Have a great weekend xo

BTW

I joined a new group, Bead Table Wednesday.
Notice the close-up shot, yes my bead table is a mess, what's new right?...ha

I made these beads earlier in the week. I just haven't decided if I'm going to make them into a bracelet or something or sell the beads alone.

What's on your bead table?
xo

Heirloom Flower Garden

~The Heirloom Flower Garden Earring~

Today I have a little update on my site.
I love how these earrings turned out. I think it's the perfect mix of lampwork and copper. I then added a patina for an aged feel.
xo

Heavy Metal

It's been a little hard to keep myself at the torch these last couple weeks...
See I'm a little obsessed with one of my new toys I got for Christmas, an electroforming kit.
There is somewhat of a learning curve, but it's so much fun, plus it makes me feel kind of like a mad scientist...
And I got to cross something off my New Years list..."try something new"

Have a great weekend!
xo

It's a good one

I started a new audio book yesterday.
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Have you read it?
Even though I just started it, I know it's going to be a good one!
I think I'll be doing some overtime in the studio for awhile, as I have a rule, I can only listen to my books while I'm working or while I'm on my daily walks.
Thanks Pam (sister) for suggesting it.

Are you reading or listening to anything good these days?
xo

Heart Felt

The theme for today's website update is hearts.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it just seemed fitting...right?

ok, I'm off to load pics on my site of today's goodies.
If you are on my mailing list, I'll send out a notice once everything is listed.
xo

Bunny Hop

I was hoping to have a little website update this week...but, I've been busy doing the bunny hop.
But, in between making bunnies and snowballs I've been working on a few other things too.

like these vintage enameled flower earrings.

The next website update is next week (the date top/right)
xo

Design of the Month

In honor of the Year of the Rabbit (2011)
This month's design had to be a rabbit...right?

This little Snow Bunny Pendant is sure to please...
Here's to the year of the rabbit!
You can order yours here.
xo

New Beginnings...Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The tree is down...
The lights are put away...
The New Year confetti swept up...
The decorations are back in the attic until next year...

I'm ready for the new year...
Time for new beginnings, new hopes and new goals.

I filled my time off this last week with a little relaxing with family and friends, a road trip up Highway 49 (Gold Country) a little snowshoeing and a little studio organizing.

Driving through Yosemite

Snowshoeing

Kurt and Molly

Me

Buried!

Melones Lake

Along highway 49

Mark Twain Cabin

Molly's new favorite way to travel

Cute dog

Making raviolis in Sonora

We tried the fried gnocchi (yum)

You can see all the photos here & here.

I'll be back in a couple days with the new Design of the Month.
I hope your year is off to good start...
xo