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

Ho Ho Ho

I made little clay snowman heads for a little holiday cheer...

No Fairy snow yet...

Cupcakes in jars and cookies for Kurt's friends...

From my home to yours...
Molly and I would like to wish everyone a
Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

We'll see you next year...
xo

Achoo

Kleenex is letting you send out free little boxes of tissue to your friends...
Love the colorful box (I just might need to make some beads in this design, what do you think?) and they are the perfect size for your purse or the glove box of your car, which is where mine will be going...
xo

Eye of the storm

We have had our share of rain here in California this last week, with more coming later today.
But for now I'm going to enjoy that bright spot in the sky (the sun)
Happy Winter!
xo

My Molly

I commissioned an artist to make me a "Molly" ornament for our tree this year.

I think she did a wonderful job. A lot of detail in the 2 1/2" tall size. She even added the little brown spots above her eyes, just like my Molly has...




A perfect addition to our tree.
xo

Customer service

Last week I was in Williams Sonoma, checking out all their new things for the holidays. When I was making my way through the store I came across the pots and pans (my favorite place) As I was looking, a nice young man asked if we needed any help? I say, no thank you we are just looking. He starts to tell me about the pans I'm looking at, I tell him I bought a set years ago and I love them. I then say, when I bought mine I traded out two of the pieces for non-stick (for eggs and such) and the non-stick was starting to come off now. I tell him I've had them for years (about 10 years) so I guess it's time to get a couple new pieces to re-place the non-stick ones.
He says, those pots and pans have a life time warranty. I say, oh I've had mine for at least 10 years or more...and he says, that's ok, just bring them back and we'll give you new ones. Really?
So, that is what I did.
Now that is great customer service!
When you get talked out of buying new pots and they replace them with pretty shiny new ones for free!

xo

A Winter glow

The tree is up.
The cards are mailed.
The gifts are wrapped.
Winter is on it's way (December 21)

We took full advantage of the Spring like weather that came through this weekend (we are hovering around 70 degrees here) So we opened the windows, had breakfast on the deck, mowed the grass, went for a walk, even had a BBQ.
But, change is in the air...rain is coming tomorrow and a chance of snow later this week.
Maybe we'll have a white Christmas after all...

Will you be having a white Christmas this year?
xo

Espresso Yourself

Fun for the coffee lover!
A little lampwork coffee cup and coffee beans wrapped in sterling silver.
I hand-stamped the sterling tag with Espresso Yourself...with a little sterling heart dangle.
It is specially priced in my shop.

Have a nice weekend.
We will be taking it easy here. Molly has a cold and the vet has her loaded up on meds so we'll just hang out at home by the wood stove wrapped in blankets (her favorite thing to do) While I address Christmas cards. Ho Ho Ho
xo

Feelin' Happy

I was in the mood for bright and fun colors this week.
The bracelet above is now available in the shop.
Along with a couple new scissor fobs, perfect for the knitter on your list.
Plus, free shipping continues...
xo