Jewelry Beads Hunting...

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I spent the day searching for new beads and ideas for my jewelry designs. While I was downtown Melbourne, I ran into Natasha, my friend from Etsy. We ended up spending the afternoon together looking for beads, visiting with merchants and promoting our jewelry. It turned out to be a very good day. I found some really beautiful seashells and some gorgeous gemstones for wirewrapping. My favorite fine was a tumbled piece of ruby in fuchsite approximately 28mm x 22mm x 11mm. It has alot of ruby in it and has a beautiful emerald green color to the fuchsite. I can't wait to get it wrapped. This piece will be for my own personal collection as it is my birthstone. Maybe if it turns out great...I'll go back and get another piece to sell. We also found something called silicon carbide and I have to say it is so absolutely stunning. I bought 3 pieces of it and can't wait to do something with them. I will get a photo so I can post it here for you all to see. The colors are so breathtaking...lots of turquoise, purple, green and so sparkly. It's fragile though so it will have to be wrapped carefully so as not to break or crumble. It's going to take some thought as to how to do this but I will figure it out, I'm sure. So I will get back to work here and design some jewelry....it's so easy to get off track these days.

Meeting Natasha...

I had the most lovely day today. I met a wonderful woman from Russia who just happens to live here in Palm Bay, FL where I live. We originally met on Etsy but decided to meet for lunch today and I'm so glad that I did. We have a lot in common as we both have shops at Etsy and we are both very creative and craftsy. I learned alot about marketing and promoting for my jewelry, thanks to her. If you would like to see some of her designs you can find them at: Tender Things and her name is Natasha. She has many wonderful things for sale. I also have a couple of possible sales. One of the waitresses at the restaurant asked me to come back on Thursday to see some of my earrings. I will bring extras just in case some of the other waitresses would like to buy something as well. We both left several of our business cards with the restaurant owner.

On my way home from lunch, I stopped at Goodwill, one of my favorite places to bargain hunt. This time I went in the other side where you can buy by the pound. As I was checking out at the counter, I noticed that there was a huge grocery bag full of junk jewelry and I asked the clerk how much they were. She replied that I could have the whole bag for $ .50 if I would like. There were a few pieces lying on the counter as well and I said I would give her a $1.00 for all of it. She agreed so I have found a treasure trove of wonderful little surprises. Tons of beads, pendants, etc. I'm so excited because I love tearing apart old jewelry and redesigning it into new designs. So I have alot of work ahead of me. It's been a very good day.

Don't forget to check out Natasha's shop at Etsy. You'll not be disappointed!

Bracelet Forest Wonderland

This is such a beautiful bracelet. The focal lampwork bead is by: Sun Daisy Gems. She makes lovely beads. This one in particular has a luminous glow to it. The colors are so clear and true. I added a dark green cat's eye beads to bring out the greens in the focal bead. Sterling silver bali curved beads, barrel beads, spacers, a lobster clasp and sterling extension chain for adjustability. You'll find this wonderful bracelet in my Etsy shop.

Well, the 4th has come and gone, and so my birthday as well. The holiday was a huge success at my daughter's home. Lots of family and friends, terrific food, lots of fun, great music and entertainment. The weather started out a little rainy but only for an hour, then it rained itself out for the rest of the day. Bright sunshine and clear skies. My daughter, Nellie and her boyfriend were the perfect hostess and host. A good time was had by all...

On Friday, my birthday, Nellie took me out for a late lunch at Red Lobster. It's been a long time since I've eaten at Red Lobster but they only get better each time I go. I had the lobster and shrimp linguini alfredo, a caesar salad and of course, their wonderful cheese garlic biscuits. I tried a new beverage that was tea and cranberry which was delicious. (No sugar added) We had a wonderful time chatting, catching up on the past couple of days since the party. She brought me a beautiful birthday present - which I will keep a secret for right now until I can photograph it and show you. It will be worth the wait, I assure you!

My husband's been in Wisconsin/Minnesota for a few days now...we have decided to move back to the northcountry again. We are from Minnesota originally and miss the lakes and trees and the change of seasons. Living in Florida is nice but we are both tired of the heat, the heat, and the heat....and the weather in general which is usually hot and humid. Anyway, he's looking for a house for us to buy and also has a big job interview with Miracle Ear Inc selling hearing aids. It's a great opportunity and my husband loves working with the elderly and he's a great salesman.

My son and his fiance are expecting and their son is due Sept 30 of this year so we want to be home in Minnesota for the birth. This way we'll be able to play grandma and grandpa to our new grandson. We also have a granddaughter who will be born in October this year. We've been anxiously awaiting grandchildren for some time now and we finally get our wish. I will continue to update any information we get on both pregnancies.

Happy Birthday America!

Check this out for the best fireworks show ever! It's truly the most fun too! http://www.maylin.net/fireworks.html Well, it's official...it's the 4th of July...our nation's birthday today and she is 231 years young. Will we survive the Bush Administation and all of the crap that they have put this country through in the last 6 years. It's strange but I was never much interested in politics until I hit my 50's. I had never voted in an election, never paid attention to what was going on in our government...until 9/11...it woke me up, big time! I will never be complacent ever again in regards to our country, our government, nor our elected officials of this country. I am proud to be an American but I am not very proud of our President or his administration. In fact I am furious that he is allowed to continue his blatant disregard for our constitution and the laws of this great nation. Today I'm going to celebrate this country's birthday with my family and friends over at my daughter's home. Lots of good food, games, swimming, partying and just all around good fun. I hope you all have a great day today. Let's keep it safe...and drive responsibly. If drinking, get a designated driver to take you home safely. God Bless America !!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Okay, I know...it's not the 4th yet...but I get so excited that I have to start celebrating early. This little guy was sent to me today and I thought he was so cute, I just had to share him with you. Been having some problems in my right shoulder and arm, lots of pain and not being able to lift the arm very far before it feels like it's being ripped apart. Went to the neurologist today and he wants to get an MRI done so we can see what's going on. Not exactly what I wanted to hear...was hoping that a cortisone shot might be recommended but no such luck. I'll post more on this as I find things out... Wednesday my husband leaves for Minnesota/Wisconsin to do some house hunting. We've decided to move back up north. Weather here in Florida is just too hot for us. Me, always running 20 degrees hotter than the rest of mankind...plus the heat and humidity are just too hard on my lungs...really aggravates the COPD. I'm still going to my daughter's party and it will be a wonderful day. We'll be celebrating my 55th birthday as well as our country's birthday. I'll be back tomorrow to post more of the days' events.

Sew Sassy Creations: About Etsy

Sew Sassy Creations: About Etsy

July is my favorite month...

Three more days until the 4th...my very favorite holiday of the year...partly because I always get to celebrate my birthday on that holiday. My birthday is the 6th, and was always celebrated on the 4th because it was easier to get all the relative together for that day! Great big family reunions and picnics were always planned. Relatives would come in from all over to attend the reunions. This year the 4th will be celebrated at my daughter's new home. Her first really big entertainment event in the new house. They have a lovely backyard with a nice inground pool with a brand new deck added on. My husband helped build it. Lots of people, family and friends will be attending. Backyard barbecue, open bar, games to be played, live music, the works. Her boyfriend owns a restaurant and he's an awesome chef so we know the foods going to be wonderful! This year is my Big 55 birthday! Makes me think of the Speed Limit! I'm the baby in the family so I've watched my siblings go through this milestone...didn't seem so traumatic for them. Is it just me? This year seems even bigger than my 50 birthday! Will this be the year that my jewelry design dreams finally come true? I have my shop now and I'm selling a few pieces each week...will it continue?