Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day to everyone as we remember and honor those who have lost their lives serving our country and give thanks to the men and women who protect our freedoms everyday.

 

What's Your Story?

I tend to go from one extreme to another when creating jewelry....complicated and busy to modest.
I suppose it keeps me balanced.

"Whats Your Story?" can be found here.

My dinning room table is hiding underneath this mess...I am re-organizing and stocking for my show next week. ...It actually looks like someone has a hoarding problem. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I hope to finish planting my garden. Sunshine for everyone!!

Look what I got today and we got a Button Winner!

Yeah we gots a winner! QuiltingJewel39...Yay! Send me an email with your shipping address and I will send out these lovely buttons asap!

These gorgeous beads from Pam of Ferrariorignalbeads arrived today and are just stunning! I think I see earrings in their future. These were packed so nicely and she tucked in an additional two beads, that was such a pleasant surprise! Thanks Pam, I love everything!

Perseverance

I wonder if somethings are even worth doing....as in this bracelet. It took me FOREVER! I kept changing this or that to get it to drape correctly, I think having a degree in engineering would sometimes be helpful. However I am not one to abandon a project so I persevered and finally completed it this afternoon. In the long run I am happy with it.

You can find Back Spacer in my Etsy shop.

...and then on to something nice, pretty and easier.

Bottle Green  on Etsy

 Love...love this color! It is so energizing, fresh and soothing. It reminds me of old chunky bottles.

The Chimp and Me

Mail Chimp that is! Oh gads it has been ages since I put out a newsletter! Lots of my news is old news to all my blog friends, but spanking new to all the folks I have been neglecting on my mailing list. I know I have said it before but Mail Chimp is a super great FREE service and for all of you who have been procrastinating on creating a newsletter I am just here to give you that little kick in the rear to get you going. I am not going to say it is wicked easy, but I will say it will be worth the time and effort you put into it.
Apologies for the cut and paste look but you will get the idea. Or better yet sign up for my newsletter on the side bar and get the real deal!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win these amazing Victorian hand carved mother of pearl buttons.

Enter HERE.

Bud's a new man!

I started this post three days ago and my hard drive died...I am back in business thanks to my son Nick. Luckily I was able to salvage the most important things but did loose the rest.

I have been busy getting my display props ready for my first show of the season.  I had purchased this vintage store display I call "Bud" about a month ago. You may remember him from this post. Well Bud finally got his makeover.

 I started with decoupaging vintage sheet music to his fiberglass form,

and then put a white wash of acrylic paint all over the paper. Thanks so much Renate for that suggestion. I am very pleased with the simple look.

Although Bud is still a little "manly" I think he will work great displaying my long necklaces. 

Prior to the demise of my hard drive I posted about a giveaway I am having. I am extending the giveaway until Tuesday May 24th. Y'all still have plenty of time to enter to win these fabulous antique mother of pearl buttons.

Hop on over HERE to enter!

Friendship and a MOP Button Giveaway

I teased y'all about my button stash a few posts backed, but since have decided to share a few pictures of the gargantuan carved mother of pearl buttons I have. These beauties measure a whopping 2 inches across, surely the largest I have ever seen! 

These are sure nice to look at and hold in your hand. Each one is unique with its carvings and irregularity that only mother of pearl can have. 

"BEE A GOOD FRIEND"

Was created from some small mother of pearl buttons, used as dangles on a vintage chain along with old glass beads.  I also used a brass medallion that was once used on an old dresser, this piece is the platform for another button and silver bee. A vintage dictionary definition is forever preserved in resin dangles below and gently reminds us what a friend is.  

When you move this piece the sound is like seashells rolling in with the tide...so fitting for the old shell buttons. 

You can find Bee a good friend here.   

 So tell me what does it mean to be a good friend? Has someone been a really good friend to you? Or have you been a true friend to someone...pat yourself on the back and tell us about it. Good friendships are inspirational. Share!

By sharing your story your name will be entered to win some of my fabulous buttons....post to Facebook and tell me about it and you get another entry, the same with Twitter and so on. Share the love and so will I!! 

Giveaway will end  on May 25th and the lucky winner will be posted on Wednesday May 26th.
(I changed the original end date,due to computer issues)

Here's the loot you can win!!

The largest button measures 1 1/2" across.

Share your stories with us!

Sunshine and Relaxation

Home again, home again....we just returned from a very relaxing trip to Orlando Florida. Yes, relaxing even in Orlando. My hubby travels a lot and when he goes somewhere good I try to join him. We spent two days at the parks....one day at Universal and the other at Animal Kingdom. My 'bad" leg does not let me do the running around I used to do, so 2 park days was just enough.... plus it was soooooo stinking hot. We had a great time and enjoyed the pool at the resort...me lathered up in my 50 SPF in the shade with a good book and something a little fruity, it was wonderful! 

 Since I forgot my camera I used my trusty well loved I-phone. Y'all know how much I love the Instagram photo app and used it on all of my pictures.

 

I just love this picture....even without seeing Nick's face I know there is a big smile! 

My boys!

The Tree of Life

Animal Kingdom

 what did you say? you want me to do something?

can't you see I am... 

ahhhhh....it was just what I needed.