What have you been up to lately?

My goodness - I can't believe how quickly spring has sprung. My poor little blog has suffered mightily since I have been trying to enjoy the warm spring weather and get some long neglected outdoor chores done. Here in NH, the lilacs are starting to bloom (is there a more heavenly scent?), my bleeding hearts have blooms on them, and I have lovely little green shoots popping up everywhere!

With the upcoming summer, I decided to also add a new product line to my jewelry selection - belly rings! I've added some photos below - I'd love some feedback on them since it is such a new item for me!

"Starfish"

"Butterfly"

"Mr. Sun"

So what have you been doing lately?

Recycling sterling silver

I recently discovered that you can recycle your scrap sterling silver by sending it in to be refined. In the interest of reuse and recyle, I thought I would post a list of companies that will recyle your scrap sterling (or other precious metals). Most of these companies offer a choice of either a check back or credit toward a future purchase.

G&S Metals

Hauser & Miller

Hoover and Strong

Marvin Tanner, Silversmith

Midwest Refineries

Monsterslayer

Rio Grande

In the interest of full disclosure, I have not personally used any of these companies yet - I'm still saving my scrap for a rainy day. But I save every single link of chain, cut off headpin, and wire that didn't wrap properly for a raindy day payoff - AND it's good for the environment! Talk about a win-win situation!

Blogger Carnival - Poetry

The EtsyBloggers Street Team have a Blog Carnival theme each week. This week the theme is Poetry Reading Day, which is April 28th. Tough one for me, I must admit.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like poetry. BUT - it is not something that I aspire to read, write or even think about. This might make me a social moron, but I evidently do not have a poetic bone in my body. Maybe it was all of those high school English classes where I had to deconstruct every line, ready into every nuance - way too much work as far as I was concerned. I'm more of a lay-it-on-the-line kind of girl (my no nonsense New England upbringing showing through) - if I'm happy, then you'll know it. No prose needed.

That being said, I have nothing but respect for those who can write expressive poetry and understand that world of words. The just right turn of word, the thought provoking phrase and it emits a world of emotion. Kudos to all of those who have the talent.

On that note, I will leave you with one of my favorite poems by William Blake - I hope you enjoy it.

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

picture from http://freeherbpictures.com/ - © 2002 Karen Bergeron

Latest projects

Oxidizing has become my newest "thing" - and I've made some fun new earrings just so I could keep practicing!

Pearlicious Earrings

Rosy Rhodonite Earrings

Lakeland Earrings

Featured EtsyBlogger - Stormy Designs

As part of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team, I am always finding fun and interesting new shops. A recent find is Stormy Designs, who makes amazing pieces out of polymer clay. Stormy makes interesting pieces of jewelry, home decor, and other fun accessories in wonderful colors and textures.

One of my favorite pieces is this cuff bracelet. Terrific colors and fun pattern - the perfect accessory for upcoming summer days! And to think, this is just ONE item out of many that Stormy features in her Etsy shop.

For those of you who would like to find out more about the Etsy Bloggers, visit our blog for details.

I'm oxidizing!

As part of my experimenting with new processes, I tested out oxidizing a few of my newer pieces. I love the results - and it was much easier than I had anticipated. I was SO nervous but it was all for nothing. The little glass flower earrings were a perfect item to practice with since I knew the glass would be unaffected by the chemicals. What do you think?


Bluebells and Buttercups!

Lucky 7

The Wildfire: Gifts and Decor tagged me for a blog game - I'm supposed to come up with 7 different things about myself. Since I haven't visited my blog in quite some time (you'll find out why in later posts), I thought this would be a good way to jump back into the swing of things.

Hmmm....7 things - that's a lot of info to come up with but I'll try my best!

1. Macaroni and cheese is one of my all time favorite comfort foods (along with pot roast)
2. I love to spend snowy winter days baking. It can be anything - but my favorite thing to make is cookies.
3.Out of the MANY cross stitch pictures I've done, I've only kept one to hang in my own home - a Welcome sign with birds and flowers. All others I've made primarily as gifts.
4. I can watch the Lord of the Rings movies over and over again - it drives my husband crazy!
5. I love to eat ice cream for breakfast. (shhhh - don't tell anyone!)
6. My husband and I were together for 13 years before we got married.
7. I love to walk the beach during the spring and fall months - not as many people and it is so peaceful and calming.

So, now I get to tag 7 other people and they get to share their little secrets. Let's see - I think I'll tag:

Lane Designs
Feltland
Lora Kelly Designs
Across the Pond
Prairie Daisy Homespun
Tizzalicious Crafts & Cuteness
Bags by Melanie

Have fun and Happy Easter! *wink*