Monday, November 30, 2009

Making time

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 Finding joy in the simple things.


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That is what my daughter teaches me.


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That even if I think I'm too busy for fun,


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there's never not enough time for a little romp in the foliage


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with my most favorite person in this entire universe.


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It's moments like these


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that remind me that life is often too much work


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and not enough play.



Saturday, November 28, 2009

Life is Rosy

You know I love it when a treat is waiting for me in the mail. Whether it's the latest cook book I've ordered online, or a new issue of Jewelry Artist magazine, but especially when it's an Etsy package from a favorite seller and friend. Yesterday my newest little splurge arrived, my very own sterling silver Bud Studs for Rosy Lobes.  They are a sweet little every day earrings, so pretty and unique.  The best part about them is that they were designed and handmade by my very own friend Jess of Rosy Revolver fame.

Look what I found in my mail box
Check out the fine detail in the packaging.

New earrings from Rosy Revolver
These are perfecter than perfect.

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The kind of earrings that will go with anything.


Jess', aka Rosy Revolver's Etsy shop showcases her completely unique brand of jewelry. Go check it out and you'll see what I mean. This girl's design ideas are innovative, and she's a total trail blazer with a style that's all her own. One look at those larger-than-life stones set within the most intricate and elaborate of embellishments and you just know it's unmistakeably a Rosy Revolver piece. Unmatched in creativity and unsurpassed in the quality of her workmanship, each piece is somehow more beautiful than the last. Can't wait to get me one of those rings...

She's also got a fantastic and follow-worthy blog.

Check back here on Wednesday for sure, when I'll be sharing a work-in-progress post dedicated to a new bad ass ring I'm making that is completely inspired by Rosy Revolver.  

Friday, November 27, 2009

FREE SHIPPING worldwide Black Friday to Cyber Monday

Hey everybody! It's the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.A., and if you live here, you know what that means.  If you don't, I shall explain it to you (because I didn't know what it meant either, until I moved here a few  years ago). 

Today is Black Friday....actually nevermind me trying to explain it, let's let Wikipedia do the hard work.  Go here to read about Black Friday, and here to read about Cyber Monday. 

The jist of this blog post is to make it known that I am having a sale of sorts in my Etsy shop.  All items will ship for FREE WORLDWIDE from today until this coming Monday. 

Take advantage while you can because I believe this may most likely be my last sale until probably Mother's Day-ish.

Happy shopping!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Work in Progress Wednesday - Tiny frosted earrings

This one's quick and simple.  I was talking to my Mom this morning and she asked me to make her a little pair of earrings to bring up to Toronto with me at Christmas. I made these for my brother's fiance last year and my Mom's requesting a pair of her own. 

Here's a little step-by-step photo shoot from this morning:

Tiny frosted earrings -  materials
Materials:  18 gauge sterling silver sheet, sterling silver ear posts and nuts.

Step 1 - cut
Step 1 - cut.
the company of a little woodland sprite never hurts.

Step 2 - dap
Step 2 - dap.

Step 3 - melt solder onto posts
Step 3 - melt solder onto posts.

Step 4 - solder posts onto earrings
Step 4 - solder posts onto earrings.

Step 5 - clean
Step 5 - clean
while multi-tasking on the phone.

Step 6 - apply frosted finish
Step 6 - apply the frosted finish
with eye protection.

Step 7 - wear
Step 7 - wear.

Tiny frosted earrings
Tiny frosted earrings

It's as easy as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.  See?

Ok, we're about to get in the car for our road trip to Alabama.  Thanksgiving family reunion time, hoooray!

If you live in the US like moi, here's wishing you and yours a Happiest Thanksgiving.  If you don't live in the US, then here's wishing you and yours a wonderful rest of the week.

xoxo,
A :)

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

How to Tuesday - make yourself a fantastically cool ring in less than 2 minutes

Copper twisted ring
So pretty, right?  Well also soooo easy to make.

Just watch:


Make a ring in 2 minutes. Supplies.
All you need is one length of wire and 3 tools: 20" of 16 gauge copper wire, a ring mandrel, needle nose pliers, wire cutters.

Fold wire in half over mandrel
Bend wire in half over ring mandrel (figure out the ring size and place it accordingly).

Cross underneath
Cross underneath.

Bring wire up
Bring wire back up. Careful not to let it slip off the mark of the ring size you're making.

Cross wire above mandrel
Cross wire above mandrel.

Repeat
Repeat.

Keep wire taugt, pull up like 2 rabbit ears
Keep wire taut.  Pull up like 2 rabbit ears.

Pull in opposite direction, get ready to start rotating
Pull wire in opposite directions, get ready to start rotating and wrapping.


Keep a tight grip on the wire and slowly start to rotate. I go counter clockwise
Keep a tight grip on the wire and slowly start to rotate. I go counter clockwise.

Slowly rotate counter clockwise
Slowly rotate counter clockwise.

Keep rotating and building a spiral
Keep rotating and building a spiral.

Be deliberate in your wire wrapping
Be deliberate.

Rotate
Rotate.

Wrap
Wrap.

Rotate
Rotate.

Wrap
Wrap.

When you're down to 1" of wire on each end, stop
When you're down to 1 inch of wire in each hand, stop.

Pull the ring off the mandrel
Slide the ring off the mandrel.

Ready to tuck excess wire to the underside of ring
Ready to tuck the excess wire to the underside of the ring.

Bend with needle nose pliers
Bend with needle nose pliers.

Trim just enough so that you're able to tuck the wire under smoothly
Trim just enough so that you're able to tuck the wire under smoothly.

Repeat for other side
Repeat for other side.

Bend and tuck
Bend and tuck.

Make final adjustments to the tucked-under wire to make sure it doesn't stick out and scrape  your finger
Make final adjustments to the tucked-under wire to make sure it doesn't stick out and scrape your finger.

Tada. A finished ring in under 2 minutes.
Vi-ola (that's Southern for voila!), a finished ring in under 2 minutes.

Copper twisted ring
Now you go make one, too.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Monday, November 23, 2009

What's on the menu Monday - something yummy

I made some scrumptious treats for my friends who came over for coffee and conversation yesterday morning.

Cheddar dill scones, ready for the oven
Cheddar dill scones, ready for the oven

Cheddar dill scones, ready for the tum
Cheddar dill scones, ready for the tum


You can bake some, too. The recipe is right here.

What's on the menu this week? I've only got two days worth of dinners planned since we'll be out of town for Thanksgiving later in the week.

Tonight - Chicken pot pie
Tuesday - Roasted salmon with lentils

The rest of the week will probably be comprised of ham, turkey, ham, turkey, ham, turkey, turkey and ham. Mmm.

Have a great day, you guys. As for me, I've got to get back to work.  That jewelry is not going to make itself.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Gratitude

Today I am thankful for amazing friends

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who didn't let a certain someone spend her 35th birthday by herself
while her husband was away on business.

I am equally thankful for friends who wanted to, but couldn't 
make it on such short notice.

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I am thankful for the love I am surrounded by
and for the abundance of blessings in my life.



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I am also thankful for French wine.


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I am thankful for the birthday wishes I was showered with
all day long on my facebook wall. Seriously.

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I am thankful for the sweet thoughtfulness of unexpected gifts.

My kind of soap
Black olives and Syrah.
My 2 favorite things thrown into a soap. How perfect.

Portrait by Delilah
Portrait of me painted by the ever-incredible Delilah.
I love how she has me standing in a field of poppies.
This will be cherished.


35 years, and just keeps getting better.


I love my life.
I Love My Life. 
I LOVE MY LIFE.