Amethyst, nuggets, necklace, fire polished and swavorski crystals - $37.50

Amethyst is the birthstone for February and of our first born, Brendan. The 18" necklace is made of natural amethyst nuggets that are a rich, deep purple. Interspersed between the amethyst are purple and clear swavorski crystals with a smattering of green fire polished beads. The large toggle (makes it easier to put on) and chain are silver plated.

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Blue heart, upcyled silverplate textured, love to run, double pendant, gifts under 35 - $32.50

Beautiful enamel covers the base heart pendant and a silverplated on nickel heart cut from a vintage tray has love to run stamped on its surface. The love to run heart is textured and colored with iris guilders paste. It is sealed with renaissance wax to keep the color.The silverplate has been sanded off in some places and the gold colored nickel peaks through.



My passion for reducing my carbon footp...

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Fishers of men, repurposed metals with a riveted anondized aluminum fish on a silver plated chain - $29.50

Trying a new program that I can slam the social media world by scheduling my posts for now and in the future. I have been making barretts with Audrey and etching today. All is well

Now about the piece:

Repurposed brass and copper highlight the fish, which has three rivets symbolizing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I just finished reading the book, The Shack, and I enjoyed the depiction of these three entities.



The pendant is 2 inches long, and almost 2 inches wide with the chain measuring at 18 inches long. A different length chain can be substituted. The brass has been sealed with Shella...

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Just say no

I was quite disturbed yesterday when I got to thinking about how put upon I have been.  I was given a piece of jewelry to fix, then was volunteered for a huge job at my daughter's school.  I already have a Tuesday obligation at Brendan's school and the "job" at Audrey's school is to take photographs of every child in the preschool.  I didn't count how many kids, that would have added fuel to the fire.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being able to help at both schools or volunteering to fix other's jewelry.  You know there is a big "BUT" coming so here it is.  I work from home. I make jewelry as a business.  This is the year I am putting it all out there to be profitable.  That means, I have roughly 15 hours without children a week, not counting after they go to sleep.  I love my work and think about it even if I am not actively making pretties.  I want to have my hands dirty with metals or dyes or enamels. But, I feel crappy about saying, "no" to volunteering.  It feels like I am being selfish.  So, is it okay to be selfish?  Yes. 

No more fixing jewelry for others, excluding of course, my mother.  I will say "no" to the next huge task at either school.  I have about 20 items that I need to photograph and add to my Etsy shop.  I have to say, "yes" to my business.  I have to put time, energy, and creative thought towards my business if it is to soar. I have purchased the book, I'd Rather be in the Studio, by Alyson B Stanfield | art biz coach (http://artbizcoach.com) and have downloaded some Etsy videos to focus on my businesses goals and how to obtain them.  This is scary, but if I am to do what I absolutely love to do, I must take action and believe in my dream. 

I want my adorable children to see me give it my all.  I want them to believe in themselves and to work at what they LOVE to do.  Don't you want that for yourself and the ones you love?

The day before New Year's Eve a.k.a. December 30th

Brendan it is sitting on my lap asking me about the metals on my desk.  "Can I smell it?," he asks.  "Of course!" is my response.  After all, I smell metals myself. On my desk,  I have pieces of a brass planter, which I have cut up and copper from a chafing dish also indelicately dismantled.  I have been on a mission to repurpose metals fashioned for other uses.  Really, are chafing dishes a hot commodity? Since I adore estate sales and a particular local on-line auction house, I am enjoying the hunt. 

As I head into the new year, I reflect on 2011.  I must say that I loved this year.  Not because I was wildly successful in all my endeavors but that I showed up.  While there we discouraging events, they were also opportunities to learn about myself and those around me.  I must say, I prefer wildly successful to lesson learning.  Honestly, who wouldn't.  However, my life is exactly how I have chosen it to be.  I made the choices. I reap the benefits and am responsible for what I show up with.

So, instead of re-learning last year's "lessons", I am going to repurpose them for my wild success!  I must say this aloud to tell myself to keep moving forward with purpose 'cause if I stand still, I will get run over.

I wish you love, peace, and WILD SUCCESS today and always!

Staying Funky

I had a great experience at my first "big" show, Funky Finds.  I spent a lot of time getting my displays ready and they came out wonderfully.  I extremely nervous but confident I would come out of Funky Finds with some money in my pocket and with a wealth of good knowledge about how to run a booth. 

The show was not so prosperous but I am not discouraged.  I had fun.  I made some new acquaintances and I know I needed to have more merchandise.  My friend, Kelly Hinkle, helped me on Saturday and we got to spend time together.  Robbie Jenkins was across the aisle from us with her husband Joe.  They were invaluable at helping me tear down.  Robbie is also on of my biggest fans and I am of her.  She is an artist through and through. 

I still love making jewelry and I will do another (and another and another) show with high hopes.  I will continue to believe in myself and stay Funky.

Seasons show

Last week I had what I call a mini-show at a conference for the Seasons Sessions group.  They were mostly ladies from school districts who teach nurses aides.  They were a delightful group starting with Mary, who runs Seasons, all the way to my neighboring vendor Cindy with Scensty. 

Everyone was complimentary and easily accommodated.  I also learned a lot about setting up and running my booth.  I offered choices that gave people input in their finished product.  I made contacts and had a warm, fuzzy feeling when I left the first day.  I had fun. 



Customer, Cynthia Campbell

Everyone wanted these!

On the second day, requiring me to be there at 7:15 a.m., coffee helped get the juices flowing. Jeff was kind enough to take Brendan to school and let Audrey sleep in.  I dashed home while the conference was in session to pick up Audrey.  I held onto the unopened Cinderella movie for the occasion.  She was quiet for the most part and we enjoyed our time together.  Cindy with Scensty had time to come over and discover what I had to offer... and she loved my baubles.  She gushed, actually.  I was positively glowing.  That is until Audrey upchucked on the hotel carpet.  Well, at least it was near time to pack up.  It made for a hasty exit.    



Cindy with Scentsy

The amount of merchandise I sold wasn't staggering, but being face-to-face with people asking me questions about my handcrafted pieces boosted my ego and reconfirmed my conviction to do what I do.  I spent this week lost in enameling and absolutely loving it.  My talent, my creativity all come from The Creator and I am so grateful.