So, unbelievably I somehow managed not to blog when we were raising a newborn kitten! I'm not sure why I didn't get online and talk about how great it was taking care of this little baby, but, well, i didn't. So now, let me try to recall for you some of the highlights and the terrific story of his new mom and dad!

My husband called and told me he needed to bring home these 2 little newborn kittens that had been abandoned and were dying, covered in fire ants. Of course, I couldn't say no, so home they came. Unfortunately the smaller one didn't make it. Partly our fault as we didn't realize how important keeping them very warm was, but he was also badly bit up by the fire ants.

The other little boy ate well and started to thrive immediately. He became just the love of my life. I would have to go in and feed him every 2 hours in the beginning and because I had him all day, my husband took the night feedings. Feeding a little baby kitten is much like feeding a newborn. They can sometimes fuss and not want to eat well, they fall asleep while they are eating. All the same things you experience with a newborn human. It becomes a very intimate time and I got so that I really looked forward to it. He was so soft and I just loved to hold him close to my face and chest and kiss on him. As he got older and started moving around a bit he would reach up with his paw and touch my face. He also started putting his face up toward my lips to feel what I felt like. He just became so special to us both.

It was a bit nervewracking in the beginning, being afraid of killing him. There is really alot to know about raising baby kittens. You have to help them use the bathroom and so since they don't go on their own you have to figure out when they need to go. It's a little upsetting to suddenly realize no one has tried to pee or poop him for a while and maybe he needs to go really bad!! It's disconcerting somehow to have a baby's pee and poop comfort in your hands. But, we learned how to do it well and eventually it became second nature. And, since he made it I guess we did ok by him.

The really odd thing is that my husband and I both thought of the same couple when we first brought this little guy home as the perfect parents for him even though we had no idea whether they wanted a kitten or not. As it turned out, they did want him having lost a cat a number of months back and feeling like they were ready for the big leap! And so, he went to his new mommy when he was just 4 weeks old, so that she could finish up raising him. She did a great job and sent me updates and pictures. He has a great house to live in and he lives on 5 acres of property with trees and birds and outside decks to lie on. Everything a cat could want. He also has an older brother who has accepted him very well. And his new mommy and daddy are really taken with him too. In all the pics he looks like he has a great life! He now proudly bears the name Boromir from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I look forward to going to visit him soon. He has grown so much and I wonder if he will remember his first mommy and daddy. I guess we will find out when we go to visit. Something to look forward to.

I am always so happy when a customer really likes what they have purchased! It just gives me a really good feeling! I got information today from the last online customer I had that she got her anklet and "just loves it"! It was so weird, because when she made her purchase from ecrater it didn't show up in the shop as a sale. Somehow it just went through Google checkout without affecting the ecrater shop. Anyway, I prefer my shop on etsy.com, but my ecrater shop is still there I just don't update it as frequently. I am glad she found me and really glad she likes her anklet! A good day for me!!

Well, I decided I wanted my "featured items" on my Etsy shop to have some significance! So, I decided to offer free shipping on those 3 items. This is a nice way to offer a deal! I can do it beforehand so that when the customer checks out they are not charged shipping. No need to do refunds back for a percentage sale or any of that stuff. Straightforward and simple. Just the way I like it!! So, I hope some of you will take advantage of it! And if there is a particular item you would like "featured" just let me know! I'd be glad to help folks out that way!! This is my newest piece- http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28913676.

Wow! It has been so long since I updated this blog! I just have felt mute for quite some time and I also had stopped making jewelry much. I finally have found the right combo of meds to keep my pain down at least for now, and so gradually I am coming out of this depression that has been so dark and deep lately. I am very grateful to be feeling better. It is very difficult for me to realize that my depression is ongoing and that I have to treat it as "acute" everyday and do the things necessary to abate it. Things like listening to music, meditation, prayer, spiritual reading, the list goes on. So, here's to hoping I am back on track! I would love it if you would take a look at some of my new items in my Etsy shop. I like some of the new things I have made quite a bit. I have more coming too!

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!

It's Getting Harder to Get Views

Has anyone else noticed how hard it is to get views on etsy? Just listing the item will not do it for me anyway. Perhaps if you are a big seller and a well known name, maybe then you get clicks when you list an item, I'm not sure. I think I have even seen some complaints from them. I know for a small fry like me, I have to do a lot more than just list to get any views at all now. So, here's my latest listing. Some earrings that I think are really pretty and I know someone out there must want them! I just need to get them out there in front of as many people as possible. Any help any of you can offer with that will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking me out. Feel free to check out my etsy shop too!!

New Items Just for Christmas!

I made these little guys for Christmas! Have a special ornament? Then it needs a special hanger! To hang it, just release the wire top from the ornament by squeezing the wires together. Then you can loop this hanger around and voila! A special ornament and a special hanger! I'm making them in colors I think people will need, all gold, mixed with predominant red and green and mixed with tropical blues and greens- a combo that's been popular lately. I plan to do more in all silver and red and green and well, who knows! The combinations are pretty much endless! These will be listed in my shop singly and in sets of 3 by the end of today. Hope they make a merry start to your Christmas holidays!

Watering Dogs

Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that I have dogs. 5 of them right now and I have had as many as 8! I won't do that again! 5 is definitely my limit unfortunately and I say unfortunately because there are so many dogs who need a home that I would really love to have the facilities and the finances to have more. Anyway, I thought I would share with you their water bowl!! Doesn't that sound exciting!!? lol! But, seriously, we have had a few different water stations and set ups over the last couple of years and finally we have found something that works great and looks beautiful. It was a little expensive, but it has so many great features that I am not complaining. For one, it keeps me from checking on water several times a day. 5 doggies go through a lot of water in a day, especially here in Florida. So, what is this great waterbowl you say? Here take a look!

It's a waterfall we got from Lowe's. My husband added a float feature so that whenever the water level gets low, fresh water fills it up! It also has a drain and because of where we placed it we can simply open the drain when we need to and give it a good cleaning and add completely fresh water. The kids (dogs, don't let me confuse you!) seem to love it and I love having a water feature on my deck. Much more attractive than their previous water bowls scattered all over everywhere. I forgot to take a shot with some of them drinking from it, so I'll have to do that and post those later! Oh, it also has a cool light that makes it look awesome at night. I don't think our dogs care much about the decorating around it, but I like to do that from time to time. This is my latest design. Anyway, there you have it. Just thought I would share a little of my home life with you. Thanks for stopping by!

Lengths and clasps and things...

I just finished a new necklace and because of some information I saw in a blog poll, this necklace is smaller than i usually make. Small beads with a small pendant. It seems a lot of people would like more petite jewelry than I usually make. I also read that a lot of people prefer lobster claw clasps which I seldom use. I mostly use toggle clasps because I think they are really lovely and I also find them easier to put on. So, I have an idea not to finish this necklace, but to list it without the clasp and allow the purchaser to choose the type of clasp. While they are at it they can choose the length from 14-16 inches since it should be choker or just below choker length. Other sellers may be already doing this though I have never seen it in anyone's shop. The only thing I have ever seen is jewelry makers offering to adjust the length of something if necessary. So, what do you think? Should I try it and see how it works and what people think if I get any feedback? Or am I not thinking of something I should be and so this isn't such a great idea? Let me know what you think! I would love to hear from you.

Cassidee B Update

I hear that Cassidee is doing pretty well. She is still on chemo and will be for a while. It's a long treatment. I guess the last PET scan showed some reduction in the tumor on her lungs and that's good news! (She had a Wilms tumor that spread to her lungs and you can find out more about Wilms on her website. I think she has a link there telling about this childhood cancer.)

There will be another event this weekend for fundraising purposes, but there will not be a trust fund set up for her.

If anyone reading my blog wishes to donate to Cassidee to help her and her family cope with the financial crisis that an illness like this causes, please feel free to leave me a comment and I will find out how you can mail your donation to her uncle who is handling the business end of this.

Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming!

Here is a link to her website and blog: http://www.cassideeb.com

Aqua Blue

I love this new necklace I just listed. I hope someone else will love it too and want to make it their own. I really think it is gorgeous. I am a terrible model for pictures so I don't do it, but it does look really great on. I tried it on with a black sweater and wow! I also held it up to a denim colored dress I have and that also looked outstanding! There are so many things it could be worn with and I think it really makes an outfit. I guess I should make some earrings to go with it. If you sell jewelry, do you find that sets sell better than single necklaces? And if you buy jewelry, which would you rather buy?

One of the really cool things about this necklace is the czech glass black rectangle beads. They have these silvery/blue circles/dots in them and they pick up light and flash different colors. Really great little beads I think. A friend of mine actually found these beads as he was looking around on etsy for some beads he thought his wife might like in a necklace. Isn't that a nice thing for a man to do?? :-) This necklace isn't for her, but I will be making a much daintier one for her with a sterling silver chain and those beads. I haven't worked the whole piece out yet, but that much I do know about it so far.

Getting more jewelry ready for Christmas is something I need to get to. I have been so out of it with being down from the RA that I haven't been making jewelry like I would like to. But, here's another piece finished and hopefully someone will find it just perfect for them or maybe as a gift for someone else.

Hope!

I haven't been doing much of anything for a couple of weeks now. I have been having a lot of difficulty with pain and my knees have been so swollen and painful that I have not been able to walk well.

Saw my dr. yesterday- I have a great primary care doc- and I am hopeful that I am going to be back on track very soon. I feel better today, and I noticed that my usual morning pain did not last as long as it has been. That's a really good sign.

Ok, enough about sickness! I am ready to get myself back into my craft and into my life!! I have one gorgeous necklace that is almost finished. I also have a couple of little cell phone/ipod charms that I am going to post. They are fun to make and people like them I think. Maybe they will be nice stocking stuffers for some. I think my bookmarks make nice stocking stuffers too and they are also nice as a part of a gift. Iif you have a nice book you want to give to someone, one of my beaded bookmarks will just complete the gift perfectly!!

I'm off to see if I can get some things completed!! Have a great day!

My New Purse from an Etsy Seller, Of Course!!

I am really so excited to be buying as much as I can handmade! I just love etsy and all the really fabulous artists and crafters on the site. I have made a few purchases from several different shops, mostly for supplies. Everything though has been outstanding.

I had this purse in my favorites for several months and I finally decided to buy it after a lot of perusing shops on etsy to be sure it was THE one for me! So when it arrived I was very excited. And it was worth the wait! It is just beautiful. Well constructed and prettier than it's picture. The greens in the fabric used on the back of the bag are more vibrant and the yellows on the front are just softer and more lucious than I could tell from the pictures. Anyway, needless to say, it was everything I dreamed it would be. So! Where did I get this fabulous purse you ask? I purchased this purse from http://www.nansredesigns.etsy.com/ and it was a very pleasant experience. The shipping was very quick and Nan is very easy to work with. She is happy to do custom orders to suit your tastes including those looking for a vegan friendly bag. She does a lot of repurposing and recycling of fabrics so her shop is also very eco-friendly. What more could you ask for? She obviously has a great eye! her shop is order friendly and eco friendly and her prices are just right. Take a look around and see what you think. I would love to know too, so feel free to leave me a comment.

I love the back of this bag. Many parts of the bag were upcycled, recycled material. Like the tie dye print on the front. The back though is a cotton batik print. Check it out.

So sixties, at least it reminds me of that. And you can just throw this bag right across your body, or you can tie up the strap and wear it on one shoulder, whichever you choose. I like the tied look personally, for now anyway. She has a large selection of really great bags in a number of different styles to suit almost anyone. Here's another link! Check her out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5744617

New Necklace

This is my newest piece. I listed it the beginning of the week. I just love it! I have been wanting to do something with that Buddha pendant for a while and I love how this came out. You get the nicest light reflection off of the natural agate and the smoky quartz. The picture jasper draws your eye back to the Buddha because of the color and the yellow jasper is just a nice pop of color. It will work well with so many fall and winter pieces. Any woman could throw it on with lots of solid color sweaters and long sleeve tees, gray, brown, cream, navy blue, all sorts of colors. I can also see it with dressier work outfits too, if you have to do that sort of thing. A lot of my jewelry is geared toward the jeans or casual dress kind of woman because I don't have to do the work dress thing and I am definitely a casual dress kind of woman. I love casual clothes, but clothes that stand out just a bit, clothes that express something about me. I hate for everything I wear to be ordinary! How about you?