Now THATS what I'm talkin' about!

I am much more pleased with these star rings than the one yesterday. I had to finish them with my large torch because my little one quit mid project.  grrr.   Well, at least I got them finished without ruining them with my large torch.

New from the Bench

Its been a while, I know.   Lots of things have been happening around here, not the least of which was sending my middle child to college.  How is it that we raise them and then they leave us?  I know it's the order of things, but, it seems a little ungrateful.  How can she want her own life?  Doesn't she know she needs to stay here?  At times like this I tell myself,  "I'll tell my kids not to have kids...it's just too hard" but, truthfully, I'd never exchange a moment, not one!

So, I've been busy working on getting her ready to leave home and live in a dorm.  It took more work and time than I realized.  I also just wanted to spend time with her so I wasn't out in my studio much.

Now, she is gone to school and is having a great time.  My last remaining rug rat is in high school band so there is not much time for me between practices and school work.

Today was the first day I felt like getting out in my studio and working.  (I spent most of last week on my butt feeling sorry for myself and watching a lot of Law & Order.)

I've had these ideas in my sketchbook for a couple of weeks and decided to put them to work.  I am pleased with two out of three, but the star one...not so much.  It looked great on paper but in actuality it's missing something.  I'll probably deconstruct it tomorrow and re-work my idea, but I thought I'd share anyway.

I'm really pleased with the turquoise and the fleur-de-lis.  I think they are lovely. 

I like the texture on the band as well.  I'm still loving my rolling mill that can make such interesting textures on pieces. 

New Ring

I'm loving this new one. 

What once was lost is now found

I know that refers to the Prodigal Son story, but that is how I feel about this.  Well...maybe not that serious..I do have some perspective afterall... but I am so glad these are now with me.

If you recall, I had a package go missing.  Well, it finally arrived and this is what it contained:

First, these are earring pairs. Matching pairs cut from the same stone so they are almost identical.  Yummy~

I have a design specifically for these pieces.  I actually drew the design before I found them.  I saw them and knew they would be perfect for it.  I am so glad they made it home! 

And last, but certainly not least,  drool~!  That is all I can say.  Oh my shop will be brimming with earrings, charm bracelets, rings, necklaces....oh!  These are what I have been waiting for! 

So, I am a happy girl now.  I was happy before but I am so glad they found their way to me, and I don't hate you quite as much now Crocodile-Dundee-dumb-hat-wearin-UPS-guy!

Really?

I was standing in line at my daughters school to pick up her schedule. This was the way they divided the letters. I guess those teachers have a sense of humor. Lol.

I would have said something but it was one of the coaches and I didn't want to embarrass my daughter.

It was just too funny.

How I'm feelling in Pictures...

This is how I'm feeling,

and this,

and this.

You know..when I encounter something difficult, I expect delays, maybe working hard, learning as I go, etc.  When something should be simple it just is just like that annoying brother or sister, poking me...every couple of minutes...relentlesly...continually...untill...I just can't take it...and I...BREAK! 

Yesterday a UPS package went missing.  A package full of turquoise I am DYING to get my hands on!  It was "guaranteed" delivered yesterday.  When it didn't show up by 6 (which is waay past my delivery guys time) I was just told "ma'am, its out for delivery"  I called again at 8, still no package and no help.  "Its out for delivery"  "Its guaranteed today" blah blah blah. 

So I check the site this morning...now it says delivery date is today. I called and asked "what does guaranteed mean?  "Um, ma'am....uh...."   "Do I have any recourse?"  Well, nope!  Now I have to file a claim, wait...hopefully get my money back and the turquoise I specifically picked?  vanished..gone!   AARRRGGGHHH!  It is soooo frustrating!!!

now, just to add to my irritation my phone is acting up, grrr. 

I just breathe and count my blessings, try not to take it out on my family, breathe and move on.  *sigh*

Doin' a little fundraiser

It's that time of year again when the band boosters have the kids raise money by just asking for it.  I talked about how I felt about this last year (here)..so I won't go into it again.  BUT they doubled the amount.  sheesh! 

Well, this year I came up with a few ideas and asked my daughter which she wanted to do.  She could work for the money by either doing chores for me or I would be willing to make some spoon rings (which she has sold two years ago to her friends) and she could keep the money.  She chose the rings so I made ten for her.  A couple didn't turn out like I wanted but a few turned out really nice.

Now we are two weeks into this and she hasn't sold one.  I guess she has gotten a little shy as she's gotten older so I'm going to help her out.

I'm going to have these in my shop for a little while they're only $12.50, just enough to cover shipping, fees and the rest for fundraiser. 

Yes, I know, she should work for it...it's what I want her to do but, well, I'm her mom and how can I watch her miss out.  I'm just not good at it.

A funny thing..

"Not over 18"...."orphans preferred"  wow.

WILD west.  :-) 

People Seem to Like Buttons

This is another custom order with vintage buttons.  These seem to be very popular.  That's good.  I like working with them.