Recently...

I bought these...

 

 

and these...

 

from this shop, in order to make more of these...

 

 

My plan is to stack the square beads on top of each other so that when they rotate, they just clear each other.  ;)

Oh, and I finished my unfinished ring! I'll try to take photos tomorrow (if baby takes a good nap!)

Almost Gone

One day left!

I'll leave everything in the shop until tomorrow night at which point, it will be emptied out and I'll slowly begin moving the tutorials back over.

These are still available in the shop and looking for wonderful new owners:

 

A multi-colored bead suspended between two sheets of the heaviest copper.

Update: SOLD (while I was writing this post!)

 

 

A gorgeous shot of sunshine for your finger.

Flying hearts to flutter around your neck.

 



Big, bold, brassy, beaded bangle for your wrist. 

These beauties found a new home this week:

 



 

FAREWELL4

is the coupon code to get you %15 off your purchase.

 

Thank you!

Giving it my all

I am one of those 100% , giving-it-my-all kind of people who is never content to do anything only halfway.

When I found out I was pregnant, I really began to seriously think about my Etsy shop, my ability to make and sell jewelry, and even my need to do so.

 

After a lot of soul searching and deliberation I came to the realization that I could not continue to make jewelry and be a mom the way I wanted to be. My mind would constantly be torn between the two with only half of my heart in each.

 

There are women who can do it, who can prioritize and rationalize and organize.

I am not one of them and the financial truth is that my tutorial sales are enough for what I need.

I've chosen to close the jewelry section of my shop and to take the weight off of my mind and my heart of feeling as though I need to update or create or submit.

 

I won't stop making, I can't. Once an artist, always an artist.

My mother, who abandoned the canvas years ago to create four masterpieces she calls daughters, has passed to me the creativity that drives my love of making.

It will always be in my blood and I hope that one of my children will also develop a love of creating.

 

In the meantime, I'm doing something more important that requires all of my energy and attention and even creativity.

It's amazing that even at 8 weeks old I can see in her eyes how much she trusts me and depends on my presence.

I know I will see that look in each one of my children because it's a look that I still give my mother in my most needy hours.

 

To celebrate the closing of this chapter of my life, I'm offering 15% off the remaining pieces in my store, I'll keep everything there until the end of the week or until it sells.

 

This will be the last chance to own an original piece of my jewelry.

 

I'm leaving the tutorials in my supply shop and might slowly move them back into my original shop where they'll benefit from the feedback that is already there. I've heard such sweet stories from customers who used my tutorials to create amazing pieces that became gifts or mementos and I don't want that to stop.

 

If you'd like to take advantage of the sale to purchase one of my last pieces, please use the code FAREWELL4.

It will automatically take 15% off the price of your piece.

Please feel free to share the news about the sale.

 

To each and every one of you that has purchased a piece made by my hands, thank you.

It's been an honor to be a part of your happiness.

 

I'll leave you with a picture of my latest work in progress.

 

 

She is...

...growing like a weed.

 

...learning to smile.

 

...starting to play.

 

 

... enjoying a few more trips out of the house.

 

...getting too big for her jammies.

 

Me?

 

I'm starting to relax just a bit and am learning that motherhood is not an exact science and that you're never going to be perfect or get it all done.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day to the first-timers and the old-timers. ;)

On Hold

I started this before baby's arrival.

The theme was growth. This mint green aventurine rose-cut pillow just sang of Spring and the soft new leaves sprouting up everywhere.

A tiny vine, the negative of this one, was carved out of a band of silver and then laid on top of another band for a thick, wide silver circle.

 

 

The plan was to finish it before baby arrived and to my credit, I came dangerously close.

A file here, a sand there, a dip in the liver of sulfur followed by another polish, and this ring would have sung sweetly of Spring on my finger.



 My plans were interrupted by another sweet sign of Spring and I can't really complain too badly about an unfinished ring.

 

We're coming up on five weeks now.

April was completely lost in late-night feedings, early morning cuddles, mid-afternoon naps, and constant diaper changes.

I'm worn out as any new mom normally is, but it's a good kind of wear, the kind that's a sign of new life and health.

 

A routine is slowly developing and I know will develop a bit more as age and necessity create new habits.

 

I'm looking forward to May and June and watching the little one become a bit more baby and a bit less newborn.

She was little when she was born, and she's finally out of newborn diapers and wore her first 0-3mos. sleeper yesterday.

Baby steps...big baby steps....

 

 

Enjoy the beginning of May, it's the only one you'll get this year!