sandbox serendipity

dottie

today we said goodbye to our beloved dottie. she was a member of our family for 13 years. we rescued her in '96 and maria named her 'dorothy' (dottie for short). her name was the first and only word samuel said for a long time (da-wee). as much as we are hurting, we know it was the best decision. poor mugsy is confused..., they have been partners in crime for 12 years. we always teased she was a misfit dalmation with few spots, none on one side of her body & she lost most of her tail to a car when she was younger. but when she looked at you with those kohl rimmed deep brown eyes you forgot your troubles.

the most amazing moment of the day was as we all walked out of the vet's office, holding each other and crying, outside was a young dalmation on a leash...jumping and playing with its owner. a lightly spotted one, like dottie....it was so surreal

rest in peace my sweet girl

my favorite christmas tree

i love the part of peanuts' christmas special with the sad little tree that just needs some love. when i saw they were actually selling charlie brown christmas trees for $20+ i knew i had to make one.

two paint sticks, cut the curved portion off and drill/punch a hole in the center of each one. i used a hand drill and made the hole bigger with a hole punch tool. either staple or glue the sticks together, lining up the holes. (staple from the bottom) i used an evergreen floral pick, you need one that is sparse with bare wrapped wire as the stem and not the garland type that is green all over. bend the bottom wire (you may need to trim it first) and insert it into the holes in the base. wire a small red ornament onto the top branch and bend the whole branch over as if the ornament is pulling it down. finish up with a small blue fabric scrap or towel for linus' blankie (i used a washcloth to look like a fuzzy blanket)

halloween 2009 - it's alive!!!!

i just posted the photo album from this year's halloween festivities....another year, another theme....

love these pearls!

swarovski pearls - i love them!  these are the necklaces i made for my mother for mom's day....the blue pearls have a silver rose box clasp, silver spacers and swirled AB finish crystals/the pink pearls are paired with a heart shaped silver box clasp, silver daisy spacers, clear crystals and diamond dust silver beads. they are approx 20" long so they sit just right on blouses/sweaters. i really hope she likes them!

pink but not pink

i created this necklace for a friend of mine who is fighting breast cancer. i promised her something pink but not the typical pink used for ribbons and such.  this is an awful photo (maybe i can get her to take a better one). you can't see the opalescence of the pendant or the other beads.the white beads are actually moonstone like and the pearls are a deep lavender gray. it looks so much better in person, believe me....

singing through the century

our spring concert is usually theme based with loads of 'choralography' (dancing). maria sang a duet with her friend alex (blue skies from the early 30's) and then was one of the background dancers for time warp (pelvic thrust and all).

metal madness

i am taking a jewelry/metalsmithing class at our local arts center. our first assignment was to create a copper/brass pendant. the techniques used were sawing/piercing the metal, riveting and texturing. i agonized over a design for the whole first class (we had certain stipulations - size, piercing of layers, etc). i finally decided to create what i love - my biggest vice - coffee. i didn't want to overthink the design part and instead wanted to concentrate on learning the techniques. it is a big piece 2.5"h by 1.5"w. i am thinking i will just put it on a necklace of black strands with some copper/brass wire...not sure yet.

beaded turquoise cabochon pendant w/tubular herringbone necklace

this is a piece i created for a friend who is going through a rough patch. as i worked on it i was able to think about her, our friendship, the influence she has had on me and send out good thoughts for her well being. i guess you could say it was a creative version of prayer. i was so happy to hear from her that she received it and loved it. i am hoping every time she wears it she is reminded that there are people who care about her deeply.

the pendant is a beaded turquoise cabochon (flat backed stone) with a peyote stitched bail and the necklace was done with faceted seed beads in a tubular herringbone pattern. to attach the toggle i finished the necklace with a cone and then strung beading wire through the tube. this will be a bit sturdier than attaching the toggle to the beaded tube. it will keep it from pulling on the tube and stretching it (because i used larger beads on the tube the stitching is not as compact as it would be with smaller beads). this was the first time i attempted the herringbone in a finished piece and also the first completed beaded cab (i have a few work in progress pieces laying around). 




Turquoise Gemstone meaning

Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.

Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world

If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.

This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner.

happy spring! (my egg-xasperating morning)

it's the first day of spring - vernal equinox and all....so what did the boys decide to do? stand on egg on its end, of course! (no eggs were harmed in the pursuit of this activity)

channeling wilma flintstone again - purplelicious

i am totally infatuated with super chunky choker length necklaces lately. i found these in my bead store (on the rocks ) the other day and i had to have them. i used another of the s-clasps from ad adornments as the closure, i am so hooked on them (literally lol).  after making the necklace,  i have a few beads left over. i might try to incorporate them into a bracelet or another necklace.  they are just too yummy to waste!