I decided this year to buy my own birthday present. My husband just wouldn't know what to get me since I want to shop only handmade and he's not much of an etsy shopper! So, from the moment I saw these rings, I knew I wanted them, but I didn't think about my birthday at the time and I didn't have the money to just buy myself a gift for no reason, so I let them pass. Well, when I see something like these that I just really love, they stick in my head and sure enough, my birthday got close enough that my husband asked the usual... and I knew right away what to tell him. He, of course, gave me the go ahead, who doesn't like having all the pressure off after all!

I ordered them a little early thinking since they had to be custom made I might have to wait a while. However, I received them really quickly(just in time to show them off at Thanksgiving dinner!) and I was absolutely thrilled when I opened the box! Not only did she take the time to write me a little birthday card, but the rings are just gorgeous! I just love them! One of the reasons I liked these particularly is that they are shiny silver and hammered, rather than brushed silver. And then there are the words "live", "laugh", "love"- something I so need to remember at all times. Life is too short not to remember. Having chronic illnesses and having had a heart attack at 46, I want never to forget to live, laugh and love. And these rings won't let me forget it! All I have to do is look down and admire them and I get a great reminder! Thanks so much to http://www.ablondandatorch.etsy.com/ for this fabulous birthday gift! And, oh yeah, thanks to my dh too!

Here's A Little Boy Who Can't Wait for Christmas!!

While we were trying to put up the Christmas decorations Sammy kept going into one of the containers and pulling out this little stocking! Too cute not to snap a picture!


CHRISTMAS 2008

Weird Stuff Happens!

Ok, so I saw this really cool story about wasps who had built a nest in a Buddhist temple and had built the nest in the shape of a "sitting buddha"! I looked at the picture attached and sure enough it looked like a sitting Buddha to me and I thought how really cool, and before I got carried away with my wonderful self I said... (to myself) Wait a minute! Isn't this just like all the people I call crazy when they see the Virgin Mary in a tree or a bagel or Jesus in a windowpane or whatever? So I looked around the blog a little more and sure enough there was a link attached where you can find all kinds of weird religious news- so in the interest of fairness, here is a link to some wacky religious news stories:
http://weirdnews.about.com/od/artisticendeavors/tp/Signs-of-God.htm

The wasps, I think that was something special!!

I just found this quote on an email sent to me. The email had nothing to do with the quote and I have no idea who wrote this, but I would love to know. Anyone have an idea or know where to look it up? Please leave me your comments if you do.



"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man." St Francis Of Assisi

A friend just emailed me that this was a quote by St Francis. 11/13. Thanks, Clark!

A Guide For Choosing Earrings To Flatter Your Face

I found this guide on the web. There are many. I liked this one because she took into account that not everyone considers the roundness or squareness of their face something that they want to detract from. I like the idea that some people might want to stand out and show off any feature they have- it's completely a personal thing. But, if you want help choosing according to conventional wisdom as a way to accent your best features on perhaps soften some features, then here you go:

"The conventionally perfect face shape is a perfectly proportioned oval. Few women have that perfect face shape, but through the careful choice of earrings, a woman can give the illusion of a slimmer or wider face, depending on the effect she wants. For example, a woman with a round face might want to use accessories and makeup to make her face looks slimmer, unless she is a model. Models thrive on their unique looks, so she might want to highlight the roundness of her face. A woman with a square face might want to soften the lines of her jaw, but if she views her face shape as an asset, she might want to emphasize the sharp angles of her face to stand out from the crowd. Creating the illusion of a slimmer face, or a wider one, of sharper features or softer features is easier than you might think. All you need are the right earrings. The earrings have to be large enough to frame the face in order to have the necessary result. Tiny ear studs wouldn't cut it. Larger earrings that are clearly visible when people look directly at you are necessary to help create these illusions. If you have an oval face, you can wear literally any kind of earrings and look great. If not, you can use earrings to make your face appear oval. Let's start with a thin, narrow face. What you need is something along the horizontal lines to give the illusion of width. Try a pair of round button earrings. From 70's style plastic earrings to sophisticated diamond earrings in a large circular design to wooden ear clips would do fine. If you like hoops, wear huggies that are close to the ear and which are wide, to give the illusion of width. To soften too sharp features, go for earring designs with curves or which are rounded. Hoop earrings work very well as would earrings with round beads or with circles in the design, or even waves. To sharpen flat features, wear angular earrings. Triangles, stars and shapes that are pointed or with sharp lines would work very well. For a round face or square face, you'd want the illusion of length. A dangling pendant or a cascade of beads that draw the attention along vertical lines would visually slim and lengthen your face. Shoulder dusters are your best friend, as are drop earrings and chandelier earrings." buzzle.com Janice Wee 5/18/2007

Thanks, I hope this helps!

Morning Meditation

November 9 - A human being is part of the whole, called by us “universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. – Albert Einstein

This was my meditation for yesterday, November 9th. As far as I am concerned it can be my meditation for life. It is really a life style. It requires self discipline and willingness and a frequent review of this concept in order that I understand its importance in my life.

Just thought I would give you something to ponder.

Tell Me What You Think

Let me know what you think of this? If you are a potential buyer of any of my necklaces would you be willing to convo me first to get what you wanted? Do you think I need to take pictures of the 2 clasps? ( I am planning to do that I think) Or do you think this is just a waste of time and would turn you off to buying this necklace? Or, if you are a jewelry seller have you ever done this and what kind of success have you had? Below is the description as it appears in my etsy shop:

The very distinct pattern of the quartz crystal and the denim lapis ovals make this an interesting and delicate necklace. This is a piece I designed for those who would like something smaller, more petite. The swarovski pendant sparkles like only swarovski can. Since I read a poll from buyers that said that many prefer a lobster clasp, I am leaving that choice to you. You can convo me as to whether you want a silver plated lobster clasp, or a small rope sterling silver toggle clasp. This necklace should hang just below choker length and you can also choose your length, from 16-18 inches. Just include it in your convo about the clasp. That way you get the length you want.

Please leave me your comments. I would love to hear from as many of you as possible!