The Rundown

Here is the new work that I listed this week....in a complete rundown minus a few pieces that were re-introduced into the shop.

How incredibly beautiful is this Willow Creek Jasper? It is very similar to Imperial Jasper, which I adore.

There were several brand new techniques and materials that I introduced this time around.

One of them was the inclusion of gold. I plan on using it more as an accent to silver, like the nest necklace below. I love the combination of mixed metals.

There will be a few pieces, however, like these earrings that will be solid gold all on their own.

The copper version!

This Turquoise puppy joins the amber burst family of rings.

And I included pearls for the first time in the remaining pieces.

I know I am going to be using them much more. I think they have become a new obsession :)

I had yet to use faceted stones, as well. I just feel like I opened so many more doors to my designing with this new batch of jewelry.

The construction of hollow forms is a new technique I learned and have had so much fun with.

Each of these pieces also houses a pearl.

I have had so much fun making these pieces. It's safe to say, more fun than I have had in a while.

I always love designing and making new jewelry but working with new tools and materials this time around just raised the ante thrill factor for me. 

So, 29 listings in total, which is A LOT!

Of course, it had been far too long since my last shop update so I needed to make up for some lost time.

I can't wait to get started on new work next week.

Lots and lots of ideas are brewing...........stay tuned ;)

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Dusting off...

It is time.

I am dusting off this blog from it's extended hiatus.

And to be honest it was not intentional...at least not in the beginning.

Here is where I have been:

Creating/Making/Designing - a lot

Taking a metalsmithing class

Learning

On the yoga mat - wonderfully a lot, too

Healing

Visiting family

Thinking in my little cave

There are many layers to the above and I am sure I will touch on them quite a bit in the future. I have mulled so much in my mind the past month and a great deal of things are happening.

Good things.

I've learned some new techniques that have really invigorated my metalsmithing and I hope you'll think so as well. So my absence was really just about me shifting, expanding and learning.

I will share much of it with you very soon.

For now, I've got to get back to editing my pictures because I plan on updating our shops tomorrow afternoon.

I hope you'll be there as well :)

goodnight



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Outakes

Laughing at my youngest monkey who was belting out a song while shaking his hips à la Elvis Presley.

And captured :) 

Listing of the new pieces, along with this Turquoise puppy, will begin around 11ish (mountain time zone).

I'll post them on facebook while listing....the normal rundown!

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Shop Update...

...will be tomorrow!

I'm editing pictures now, so I'll start listing around mid-morning.

I know it has been quiet in these parts the past week.

Somehow the days just flew by.

They have been filled with:

Work.

Monkeys.

A night out with the girls.

More work.

A BIG monkey.

And a couple of blah, low energy days.

That's my recap :)

February is almost to an end and I have to say that this is around the time of year where I get a massive itch for spring to come. I am pretty sure most people in the northern hemisphere (outside of Florida, maybe) probably feel the same way. Luckily, it is close! I really feel it.

See you all tomorrow....



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Re-stock

This is going to be a quick post to let you know that I received more amber from Poland a few days ago.

I did not get as much as I had hoped for, but I will have another limited round of 'Cherry' and 'Lemon' burst rings available in both shops.

 You can find it here and here.

Have a great day!

I am off to take the kids to school and then for a run.
The sun is shining and the temps will be near 60!

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the Weekend

Over the weekend, we took a little trip to Steamboat Springs with three other families and stayed in a historically preserved house on Carpenter Ranch.

It was nice to check out of here for a bit.

Two of our friends, who work for The Nature Conservancy, set up our weekend getaway along with all of our families. It was relaxing and crazy all wrapped up in one, which made for an incredibly fun time.

I spent a good chunk of time taking pictures of the ranch and inside of the house.

That was my quiet time.

This was Norbert's:

(he also hid here when he needed time away from the NINE children playing...I think everyone had some kind of hiding spot!)

The layout was really funky and eccentric with a door that led nowhere and a window at level with the floor in our closet.

I liked that. It was different.

The gentleman who oversees the house called it 'cowboy architecture'.

The house is filled with antiques and is wonderfully preserved.

The walls are lined with pictures of the Carpenter and Dawson families that occupied the house a century ago. I loved looking over them.

We also spent an afternoon (after a mimosa brunch) at Saddleback Ranch going tubing.

 Loved it! 

We finished that up with hot chocolate and doritos at the cabin down the hill.

Healthy, I know.

Fun? Absolutely.

And of course, we also spent a great deal of time eating, socializing, drinking and kicking back because seriously,

that was the whole point. :)

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Peaceful

A weekend of fresh snow.

 

Peeking at the boys playing.

They're working at destroying a frozen snowman. This plan apparently required swords.

A view from above.

And ending with a personal view that Norbert captured:

a quiet and peaceful moment while finishing up yoga in the sunshine, with my little ones at my side.

Love this :)

It was a really nice weekend....



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Valentine's

Good morning!

I tried posting this several times yesterday, but blogger was having issues.

So I wanted to quickly mention that we are having a Valentine's special that will run until February 9th.

Any purchase over $75, at either of our online shops, will receive a free pair of our popular 'Drops and Circles' earrings. You can find it here and here.

Norbert, the monkeys and I are getting ready to head out for the day....the bookstore, post office and lunch at one of our favorite places is on the agenda.

Have a great weekend!

p.s. We saw this beautiful French film last night. So far I've loved everything I've seen with Audrey Tautou.

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Baby, It's Cold Outside

This morning, when we woke up the temperature was -7 degrees. Fahrenheit.

Yep, that meant we stayed in today!



So I took a few pictures of our day....because you know that's what I like to do :)

These are 'flowers' that the boys recently picked for me.

They are sitting on my desk so that I can see them. I love these little gestures.

It's what being a mommy is all about, you know? It's also a reminder to look a little closer, and stop more often to enjoy what we so often overlook. That's the gift of a child.

And because daddy made banana bread yesterday, mommy needed to back that up with some homemade tortillas.  ;)

Now, that's what a cold day is all about.

Games, puzzles, cooking, tea....

...and an afternoon drinking freshly ground coffee and purchasing a bounty of stones.

Can't wait to show you those!

p.s. This is my favorite version of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.



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