Motivation

Motivation- where does it come from? I have been terribly unmotivated to create lately, I know part of it is because I have been working a lot and I am tired by the time I get home. On the week-ends it's recuperation time, just to do it all over again. I feel like I'm stuck in a vicious cycle. Meanwhile, the Holiday season is approaching and I should bulk up my shop- I know it, but I can't seem to take that step foward. I'm also not very good at making jewelry when I'm not in the "mood"- I usually end up making something hideous that I tear apart or my techniques are sloppy and that gets torn apart. I really don't know what to do. I think I will just ride it out and see where it takes me. It's hard to stay motivated when nothing is moving but I should create just for the sake of creating. I must admit, it's a lot easier to be in the mood when your sales are hopping- it just brings excitement and that sense of "yeah, they like me!"

Hiking!

One of the things I enjoy doing most in Arizona is hiking our beautiful Sonoran Desert. Now that the weather is finally cooling off, it's the perfect time of the year to put on the hiking shoes and go! I finally found a hiking buddy and we go every Sunday morning. Today we went to Squaw Peak- now called Piestewa- which is my absolute favorite place to go. There are many trails to choose from from easy to moderate to very hard so we can work our way up. What I like the most about Squaw Peak is the scenery, it's a very scenic hike so it doesn't feel like you're working that hard because you are enjoying it so much!

I'm definitely looking foward to going again next Sunday and keep going until it gets too hot to go again!

Amber and Zoe

~~~ Amber- Red Tiger Eye Necklace~~~

~~~ Zoe- Black Rutilated Quartz Necklace~~~

These are my newest necklaces- they are a little longer than usual at 21" and they both have a combination of elements for a unique look.

Amber is warm and eclectic - this necklace combines natural stones with amber Czech glass for an interesting combination of colors and shapes. The stones are Red Tiger Eye which has striations of amber, mocha, and maroon.

Zoe is modern and cool. Made with Black Rutilated Quartz, Czech Glass, Moonstone and Zebra Jasper. You can use it to dress up a casual outfit or to perfectly complete a tailored look. It will go with practically anything because of it's neutral black and white color.

Green Chalcedony anyone?

~~Springtime- Green Chalcedony and Swarovski crystals wire-wrapped in Sterling Silver~~

Ok- obviously I'm on a bracelet rampage- that's all I've been inclined to make lately and I've got more ideas up my sleeve! Now if I could only sit down and make them happen...

I've got to say that when I received these Green Chalcedony rondelles in the mail, my jaw dropped. They are so gorgeous and the pictures really don't do them justice. I will try to re-take the pictures to see if I can capture the true beauty of these stones. They immediately made me think of spring when the new grass is coming out and is that what I call the "baby green" color. So I paired them with other soft spring colors and voila`, Springtime was born. Enjoy!

New Bracelet- Blue Opal and Czech Glass

~~Blue Opal and Czech Beads Bracelet~~

This is one of my latest bracelets made with Blue Opal nuggets and faceted Czech AB beads all wire-wrapped with Sterling Silver wire and chain. I love the mix of colors- chocolate brown and blue is one of my favorite color combinations and you can wear this with a casual outfit as well as a more dressed up look. I like to wear mine with jeans and a nice top and it adds just a little bit of bling to my outfit!

The Bachelorette Finale

~~Rose Quartz and Pearls- a feminine, light and airy bracelet- perfect for sun filled days~~

Ok- i have officially given up on Jillian- seems like she is more concerned with what the guys "say" to her instead of the connection she feels. I'm pretty sure that Wes would still be around if he would have kept feeding her bullshit. For example, she kept Ed who is good at telling her how he feels, even though he can't look her in the eye, but is no good at "showing" her, and she let Reed go with whom she had a great connection but just couldn't say the words.
We all know Reed comes back- will it be enough for her to choose the right one? Seems to me she's already stuck on Ed because he fits her "ideal" man image, we'll see if he can perform in the bedroom this time or if he's just good at telling her he can. Don't have too much to say about Kyptin- don't care either way. My opinion is that the only "right" choice she can make right now is Reed but I'm not holding my breath.

Crazy Month!

~~Azul~~ Turquoise and Sterling Silver Wire-Wrapped Bracelet~~

Click on the picture to learn more.

Ok- this month has been absolutely insane at work. I've been working 10hour days and going in on the week-end just to keep up for the past 4 weeks. I've had absolutely zero time to create- all I can do is come home and crash, let my body and mind rest and wake up to do it all over again. I have been exhausted! Today is the first day that I got to sleep in and I feel so much more rested.

Luckily, it seems that things are slowing down, so I will be able to make some more stuff! I miss making jewelry but since my brain is so fried, I really haven't been as creative as usual and don't really have any great ideas at the moment, so I've been making some bookmarks and I will be listing those as soon as I can get some pics. As I get more rested and refreshed my creative juices will be flowing again and I hope to have some fresh new pieces soon!

Who will Jillian choose?

This Bachelorette has definitely been the most drama filled than I have ever seen. So, she finally got rid of Wes but you know, if he hadn't been distant and kept stringing her along, I'm sure he would still be there! He is such a jerk, though - why would he go on a show like that to promote himself and toy with someone's emotions? The worst part is knowing that his girlfriend and probably his family were in on the scam from the beginning- what a piece of work!
So, who will Jillian choose? I hope Reed- I think he is the most down to earth and the one showing his real self the most. Ed is just wierd- he hardly ever looks at her when he's talking to her and I wonder if he has something to hide.
I wonder who has the "bedroom" problem and how embarrassing for the guy to have to go thru that on national TV! They should show that tomorrow night!

Jillian- The worst Bachelorette ever!

Just what is up with this girl? I don't understand her at all, she's letting all the good guys go and keeping the jerks. I can't believe she let Jake go- "he's too perfect"- what exactly does that mean?? He's just a regular, nice guy... then you let him go and keep Michael?? A 25yr old break-dance instructor?? Why is one 25yr old better than the other? Why did she let Robbie go and not Michael?
Don't even get me started on Wes- I hope she sees him for what he really is...soon. There's no one there that cares less about Jillian than Wes. I kind of like Reed after the one on one date, he's a little neurotic but I like him and Kiptyn, but I still think she should have kept Jake.
She may think she is a good judge of character but I think she is waaaay off- it will be interesting to see what happens...

YART SALE!

~~~Red Jade Necklace- Yart Sale Item- 10%off Original Price~~~

Etsy is having its second annual Yart Sale starting on June 10th thru the 14th. What exactly is a Yart Sale? Yard + Art = YART!
Hundreds of Etsy shops are participating and offering discounts, free shipping, or free gift with purchase. You can find the items on sale by searching categories for the word "Yart". We have all tagged our items with the words "Yart Sale", so for example if you're looking for a pair of green earrings that are part of the Yart Sale, you would search: "Yart or Yart sale green earrings", and your search will bring up all the green earrings that are on sale.
I decided to participate this year and I have about 20 items that I have discounted for the sale. I have selected earrings and bracelets at 20% off and selected Necklaces at 10% off.
To see my items, follow this link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5921576&section_id=6190709
Happy Shopping!

Buddy Bit Me Again !

" Yeah, I just had some pasta with sauce, so what? I don't want to clean my beak, ok?"

Can you believe that sweet face just bit the crap out of my lip?? Again?? The first time was bad, but this time it's way worse, he almost took out a chunk! I thought I would have to get stitches, I bled for 4 hours!
I'm seriously miffed. I've had Buddy for over 13 years, since he was 6 months old and that's the second time ever that he has bitten be on the lip as I was trying to give him a kiss. It was shocking and hurtful the first time he did it about a month ago, but now I'm just mad- what the heck is wrong with him? I don't want to be afraid of getting close to my bird and he shouldn't be with me if he doesn' t like me anymore. He has been so sweet and he loves to give kisses to everyone and now my lips are not getting anywhere near him and it just sucks, you know. It's kind of like losing a friend. I spend countless hours with this bird. I just don't get it.
I'm taking him to the vet next week to see if he has any insight and if he can give me any ideas on how to move foward because, I'm afraid, our relationship has changed. So sad :(

I'm a Gemini!!

This beautiful stone is Lemon Quartz. It's a faceted pear twist that looks a pale yellow in full light but adopts a darker shading in less light. It's the focal point of this necklace and it very simply hangs from a Sterling Silver chain and circle.

If you have ever wondered why my pieces don't really have a consistent look here's why: I'm a Gemini, I create according to my moods and my interests of the moment. I also dress that way- usually when I get up in the morning I think about what color I want to wear as opposed to what style - I have all sorts of clothing in my closet from super conservative to sexy to casual- it's all about how I'm feeling.

I approach jewelry making pretty much the same way. Some stones just fascinate me and I can't help being drawn to them, like the one above. Other times, I feel like making something green, or pink, or blue, you get the drift. Definitely color plays a big part in everything I do and is one of the major reasons I love to make jewelry- the color choices and combinations that can be achieved with jewelry is pretty amazing. Of course, everything I make has to be "pretty" in a sense- at least to me- and balanced.

I have been lucky enough to get to know Kathy Crabbe who is a professional artist and soul reader thru Etsy - she did a reading for me a while back when I really needed some direction. She is one of the nicest and kindest person I have ever met and she has featured me and other Gemini artists on her blog: http://soulreaderblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Gemini

It's amazing how much I concurr with the other artists when they explain their creation process- I totally get what their saying because I am much the same way, but it's also so interesting to see how different we are in what we create. I invite you to take a look, whether you believe in astrology or not, it's a very interesting read and will give you a little more insight into me!

If you are interested in astrology or spiritual matters I strongly encourage you to explore Kathy's blog and to sign up for her newsletter. The blog is full of relevant information and her newsletters are amazing and spot on!

As for myself, I am going to get a Past Life reading from her right now, because, you know, I want to know ALL of my personalities!