Taking A Break

Hey there,  I'm taking a much needed break from my blog.  I am experiencing a health issue that came on suddenly, and since I'm normally a healthy person this is quite alarming.  It's my heart, which is nothing to take lightly.

Unfortunatlely I'll have to forego all the challenges I've entered. 

In the mean time, please remember to take care of yourself and make all those appointments you know you need...

Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Four - Create

It's week four of Sally's Focusing on Life 52 Photos.  This week we were challenged to create something. I make jewelry, but I thought that would be too easy since this is a challenge.  So what to make?  At lunch I was reading an old issue of Victoria Magazine and came across a feature on Sharyn Sowell who made cut paper silhouettes, and I just had to try my hand at this intricate form of art.

I got my inspiration from a greeting card, drew it on a sheet of art paper, cut it out and attached to to a black background.  I have to say it was very difficult to cut those tiny parts out at the bottom.  Of course I didn't have sharp scissors, and my fingers got sore very quickly. Possibly the old 'practice makes perfect' would apply here, but I think I'll pass on this form of art.

Since time was running out I cried Uncle, threw in the towel and made a piece of jewelry.

I love to see the bright green tips of plants poking out of the ground, signaling springs eminent arrival. This necklace was made with a gorgeous asparagus pendant from Mary Harding, pretty Czech beads from    Arte Bella Surplus, and Vintaj chain and components.

'Ushering In Spring'

 
Thanks for visiting.  Please check Sally's Blog to see what everyone else created.

Lorelei's 7 Days of Giveaways

Lorelei is hosting seven days of giveaways on her blog.  Check out one of the prizes for day two!!
Good luck!

If you're looking for my Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Three post click here.     I'm so excited for the first reveal date of Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge!  Our goal is to make a pair of earrings each week for thirteen weeks.  Each pair must include at least one artisan-made component. I love making earrings (instant gratification) and actually have to force myself to make something else. The reveal dates are every two weeks, so there will be two pair of earrings at each reveal.     My first pair includes 'spicy mustard' lampwork beads by PD Lampwork. I purchased these many years ago and unfortunately I have lost track of this artist. Also included are earwires from Fire Mountain Gems, plated spacers form Rio Grande, and silver filled wire from Artbeads.  I love this stuff! 

'Grindstone'

My second pair includes lovely polymer beads from Heather Powers, wonderful Czech beads from
Arte Bella Surplus, and Vintaj brass branch dangles and earwires. 

'Meandering'

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please visit the Art Jewelry Elements Blog to see what the other participants have created.

52 Photos Week 3 Taking Time For Ourselves

Our mission this week is to show how we how we pamper ourselves and take the time (without guilt) to recharge.  I'll be honest, with all our children either on their own or driving age, plus the luxury of a part time job, I've got it made. Still, with my jewelry business, housekeeping, bills, school activities, and the huge amount of volunteer work I do in our church and the community, I find there are just note enough hours in the day to get everything done.

So how do I like to relax and recharge?  With books!  Books on gardening, books on making jewelry, books on cooking, books on healthy living, and magazines--lots of magazines. These are just  a few of the books I have on making jewelry.

To really recharge my batteries I like to go on Sunday drives in the country with our kids, their cousins, and their grandpa.

But the best way to recharge for me is to take a summer vacation. Our family has taken a summer vacation nearly every year, and when we arrive home I'm already longing for the next one.

Our Chicago Trip Summer of 2012 - Lake Michigan Lighthouse, Chicago Harbor

Ferris Wheel at the Pier-Chicago

So how do you like to recharge?
Thanks for stopping by. Please check out Sally's blog to see all the other participant's photos.

In Spirit of Sharing and a Giveaway

Photo from Mary Jane Dodd's blog

Mary Jane Dodd has a wonderful way with words. Whenever I  read her blog I come away inspired.  Not only that, but she also makes the most beautiful jewelry; jewelry that carries a message.

Recently she hosted a giveaway for earrings created with the sweet charms you see in the photo above.  Her intention was to give two pairs to the winner, and the winner could share one pair with another person.  Izzy was the winner and she opted to give both pairs to me (Thank you Izzy!).

Here's the lovely package I received.

And the inside--It's a tea box cut apart--how clever!

 And the gorgeous earrings.

In honor of Mary Jane's intention to share, I will be giving away one pair of these earrings. All  you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog.  And if you choose to spread the word on social sites just leave a separate comment for each. 

The winner will be announced on January 30th. 

And if the winner chooses to continue the spirit of sharing in some way, that would be wonderful.

Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Two~ Our Word

Welcome to week two of Sally Russick's Focusing on Life 52 Photos.

This week we are focusing on the journey using our Word for the year.

My word for 2013 is Brave.

 This year it's all about getting my business in order, learning new techniques, and tying new things to promote my business.Typically I'm timid when trying new things as I mentioned in this post. But there's no time to be timid now because my business is this close to becoming a hobby.  And I certainly don't want that to happen.

Here is my photo for this assignment.  I used a vintage travel case (which reeks of musty stuff).  Inside are just some of the goals I have for this year: exploring riveting and cold connections with a DVD by Helen Driggs, Learning (again) how to solder with Kate Richbourg's book 'Simple Soldering', and actually making pieces inspired by my favorite jewelry magazines. I hoard these jewelry books but I realize they aren't just there to look pretty, though they do that anyway. There so much more that I want to try, like the Coiling  Gizmo which is still in it's original package, and though it is not related to jewelry, I want to start eating healthier even if it is just one or two days a week.

 Having a bit of fun with Picasa's 'soften' tool.

Thanks for stopping by. Please check Sally's blog to see the rest of the participants photos.