How wonderful ...

I've been neglecting my blog lately in the interest of making some new items. I'm really excited about the things I've been working on lately (to the exclusion of all else - my housework has been sorely neglected!) and will be posting them to my online store this week. Stay tuned if you love sterling silver and anklets!

Also, on a wonderful note, CreationsbyUli was kind enough to feature me in one her JET (Jewelry on Etsy) treasuries. My "Aqua Funk Necklace" (last item in the second row) was chosen to be part of her featured list. Thank you so much!

I made a Treasury list!

I'm so excited - Marsha was kind enough to feature me in her treasury list. She picked my Unakite and Crystal necklace (top left) to be included with some other really beautiful pieces created by our JET (Jewelry on Etsy) Team. Marsha also had some unique pieces in her Etsy shop - check 'em out! Thanks so much Marsha!!

Summertime jewelry

I've been trying to make some new, more summery items. The US holiday Independence Day (aka 4th of July) is always fun so I was inspired to make my little Star Spangled bracelet. The earrings were made last night while I was experimenting with some new beads - I love the richness of red and gold together!







(Click on the image if you would like more information or to purchase)

New earrings in my shop

Just in time for warm weather - some fun, lightweight earrings in summery colors! All of these can be found in my little Etsy shop.





(click on the picture to find out more information or to purchase)

My "other" hobby

Like alot of other people who craft, I love to dabble in lots of different mediums. While jewelry satisfies my "I want it now" fix, counted cross-stitch comes in at the top of the list as far as crafts that I truly enjoy. There is something about taking an ugly (yes, if using Aida or plain linen, it truly is somewhat ugly to start) piece of fabric and, using simple cotton threads, making it into something that I cherish for my home or want to give as a gift.

Admittedly, I have more patterns, kits, fabric and thread than I can ever use in this lifetime but I still have to "check out" the cross-stitch section of the local craft store or specialty store to see what's new (my husband has long since given up on coming into those stores with me). Since I love the ocean (and just about anything related to it), most of my projects are lighthouse, shell, water related themes. Pictured below is my first attempt at stitching on linen - and using charms for that matter!



I picked up the frame up when I purchased the pattern at this great little needlework shop called Yankee Cross Stitch located in North Hampton, NH. I just couldn't help myself - I loved the weathered driftwood feel of the frame. If you're ever in the area and like to stitch, this is one of the best little stores I've found.

May you enjoy your "other" hobby as much as I do!

Look what I bought!

A friend of mine is due with twins in September and, of course, I wanted to get her a special gift that wouldn't be like all the other baby gifts she would receive. In my Etsy search, I discovered Arrets Place - a wonderful little shop that carries reversible baby afghans, beautifully crocheted baby sweaters along with adult items such as crocheted wraps and hats (among lots of other things).

Since I wanted coordinating sweaters, I asked Arrets Place for a special order. Not only was she willing to make the sweaters, but she also searched for the cutest buttons she could find - note the trucks on the blue and the little cupcake buttons on the pink - they are absolutely adorable!

The workmanship is also excellent. Both items are wonderfully soft and the colors are perfect - I didn't really want the typical baby pastel colors and these worked out wonderfully. I can't wait to give them just to hear the oohs and aahhs!

On a completely different note, my peonies (see post below) have bloomed and, as promised, I took some pictures.

My peonies are budding!

I love this time of year. Gardening is one of my "other" hobbies. My husband seems to think that I really love to get dirty and muddy and wet and have an aching back just for the fun of it all. Little does he know, while playing in mud IS fun, it's not the work that I love (DUH!) but the results of that work. I don't relish sifting enough dirt through a screen until my fingertips hurt (even with gloves!) to fill out my front flower beds - who really would? But I DO love the flower beds and the fact that almost anything will grow there very quickly because of the attention it was given pre-planting.



The peony plants shown here are another "heirloom" plant from my great-grandmother's garden.



They were carelessly dug up when workers installed a new water well for the house and tossed to one side. Since they had been exposed to the November weather for a couple of weeks before I got to them, I didn't think they were going to grow - but I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away. So I brought them from Maine to New Hampshire, dug a hole in my back flower bed (gets the most sun), put in some of the glorious Miracle-Gro potting soil, and planted my "doomed" bulbs. This is the third year they have bloomed for me and some of the buds on them have grown to the size of golf balls. The flowers, once open, are a beautiful magenta pink color with yellow centers. Stay tuned if you're interested - once they actually bloom I'll post some pictures!

My pretty little "casual" set

(click on the picture for more information or to purchase)




I have been toying with the idea of putting together more "sets" of jewelry for those who like the coordinated earrings with a necklace or a bracelet combination. The pictures noted are my fairly recent exploits into this challenging territory for me. Why challenging? After all, you would think that once a bracelet is created, then the matching earrings should be easy-peasy - the hardest part is done, right? For some reason, it just doesn't work that way for me. I have a tougher time with the smaller pieces. Trying to get them to look right and balanced and still coordinate with the piece that is part of that particular "set" means that I take almost as long to make the earrings as I do to make the whole bracelet or necklace!

Regardless, I really love the blue and black swirl beads in these particular pieces. They are great for the summertime casual wear now that the warm, sunny season is upon us. Now, if I can only get into the swing of doing this more ....