I need a reprieve

No news yet. I'm still waiting on something positive. Thank you for all of your prayers and your cards; everything. It means so much to me. It's what I think about everyday.

just an update

Well today is my 4th radiation and it's kicking my butt I can take it. All I crave is salt, McDonald's french fries, cold or not is all I need. It must be the steroids that I'm jacked up on..... Thank-you all for your thoughts and prayers.

I need your positive thoughts...please

This is the hardest post I hope to ever write...6 days ago I had a normal happy lovely life.Today I lie in a hospital bed waiting to be taken down to xray to begin radiation on my brain.
Last year I had a deep excision of melanoma taken off my right leg, tests came back for clear margins and clean lymph-nodes but somehow with the every 3 month check ups those cancerous cells managed to travel and  set up shop in my brain and lungs, as if one place is not bad enough.

What started me on this adventure was the bad cold I was complaining about last month it  had me coughing up blood...not a good thing for anyone. My Dr. sent me for a check x-ray and then a CAT scan that revealed nodules on my lungs. Once the bad new was delivered that it most likely melanoma I was sent directly to see an oncologist that specializes in Melanoma. A plan was made for testing, a brain MRI, anther chest and abdominal CAT scan, lung biopsy and a PET scan. Unfortunately symptoms of the ugly brain lesions rared up so quickly to give my a totally numb face, tingling in my right hand and foot and dizziness. So here I am at Baptist hospital in Nashville being pumped up with steroids and starting brain radiation today as well as having the lung biopsy today.  To add insult to injury the places they need to biopsy are not in good spots and my lung may get punctured in the process. Is this crazy or what? I am still waiting to wake up from this horrible nightmare.
I was unsure If I should share this or not, but I have made such wonderful friends blogging and need all your positive energy's to help me through this. You all are such caring and wonderful people and I really need your prayers and positive thoughts.

SALE 15% OFF ALL ITEMS

Just to let you know I am having a 15% off all items in both of my Etsy shops including findings.

 Judithbdesigns and Flapyourwings

Be sure to check it out!

Memories, Sentiment and a Connection

 I love when people see my work and it evokes an emotion. They smile and tell me the connection they have with a certain piece of my jewelry. Most recently I had created a necklace with a vintage ladies watch, a women purchased it as it reminded her of her Mother, her mother always wore a similar watch. The necklace was a connection to her Mom.

 Here is a bracelet I created  called "Memories of Mom". Created with three vintage watch faces and a monogrammed vintage button.

 You can find this bracelet in my Etsy shop.

Do you have something that brings about a strong emotion when you see it? Or perhaps a certain smell or food does that for you. Lilacs always remind me of growing up, a tree stood right outside our bedroom window. The sound of a screen door shutting is another favorite, we had a wooden screen door in our kitchen and with five kids in and out it was a familiar sound, one that I still love to hear.  What's your connection?

Grateful Living Blog

 There is a new blog in town and it's called "Grateful Living". 

Molly Alexander of Beautifully Broken Me  created this space for expressing gratitude.

For people.
For circumstances.
For moments.

Dig in, spend time and think about the things you are grateful for in your life, right at this moment.

And enjoy them.
Today.

Celebrate them.
Today.

Be sure to stop by and read some of the wonderful stories from fellow bloggers. It will make you see your moments differently.

Flea Market Treasures

 Trying to get back into my routine....it has been a very busy month for me. I had company, bronchitis and two awesome shows. Last weekend I had a two day show and sold 87 pieces of jewelry...crazy, crazy! I think it has taken me all week to re-coup after that show, plus I put in 2 days of work at the antique shop. So what do I do to relax?...what else but spend the day at the Flea Market.

My found treasures for the day...

round blister pearls, moonstone, copper clasps, old keys, Victorian locket and chain, brass rings, enamel watch face, clock key, enamel cuff links, old rosary beads and masonic medal,, Victorian buttons, vintage dog tags, old chains and  photo tin type.

I could not resist this 1930's G-Man toy badge...how cute is that?

I plan to spend the rest of the day in my studio and see what I can do with these treasures.

Congrats again to the Bead Trends Magazine winner QuiltingJewel39, please contact me with your mailing address.

Happy Sunday!

Thanksgiving Eve

....and the lucky winner of the November issue of Bead Trends is.....quiltingjewel39...please send me an email with your mailing address so I can send out your issue right out.

Here we are Thanksgiving eve, I am sure most of us are either traveling or cooking. I am cooking, the house smells wonderful! We will be spending the day with our neighbor family....the second best thing since we live away from all of our families.  I hope everyone has a blessed day and that you are able to spend it with someone you love.

"Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!"
[Henry Ward Beecher]

We Still Have Paris

...sigh....Paris is on my bucket list. One day I long to stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and gaze at its majestic beauty. The Eiffel tower is iconic these days and is featured in many accessory designs. I found this great antique Eiffel tower watch fob at an antique shop and included it in my "We still have Paris" typewriter key necklace.

 The nice folks at Bead Trends were kind enough to include my necklace in their November issue. You can find it on page 114, or you can see it here in their nice little video.

If you do not have the November issue of Bead Trends you have the chance to win it here. Just leave me a comment and tell me one thing that is on your bucket list and I will draw one lucky winner on Wednesday November 23rd.

Victorian cuff bracelets

 Here are two gorgeous Victorian brooches I picked up at the antique shop last week. I knew instantly they would make perfect bracelets. 

 I used an antique steel cut button as a connector and made  a hand forged brass clasp.

The ruffle on this brooch is just darling and I love the set in stone.

I added some antique connectors that I curved just slightly to form the wrist, vintage chain is used as a clasp along with an antique picture button. 

These  bracelets will be packed for the show this weekend. If interested just let me know.

Pickin Nashville

The past 5 days have been super busy, my best friend Donna from high school came to visit, and this being her first visit to Nashville there was lots to cram into 5 days. To top it off I have been sick for the past week and  lugged tissues everywhere and was honking the whole time...all in all it was such a great visit!

 We surprised Donna with a visit to  Antique Archaeology in Nashville. Donna is a big American Pickers fan. Mike Wolfe has recently made Nashville his part-time residence and has the coolest shop in the city. It was so cool to see all of the treasure hunting finds as they were all marked where they were picked and what episode they were on. It you are a fan of the show you would just love this place!

(I'm wearing my new Pickin Nashville shirt)

Last night we had a wonderful dinner at Maggiano's and our very handsome son Nick joined us...(just stating the obvious...) 

Now it's time to get back to work...very seriously too. I have a 2 day show this coming weekend and it will be a busy one. I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to checking out some blogs and catching up.

Keepsake

I have had an extremely busy week getting ready for a show I had on Saturday. The show was fantastic and it was so nice to see so many repeat customers that came by to visit and make some purchases. I love interacting with customers and to see their reactions to my jewelry, it makes what I do so worthwhile! Besides getting ready for the show I had a repeat  appointment with this FABULOUS shop in Leipers Fork, Tenn. called "Serenite Maison". I am so honored to be selling my jewelry here, and if you are ever in the area it is a must visit place.

Keepsake

Here is one of the pieces I finished yesterday. I had been coveting this vintage mother of pearl picture heart for sometime and it finally found its home in this necklace. What is even more special about this heart, is the reverse side also holds another picture.

...how precious is she? I think a piece like this can conjurer up all kinds of thoughts and emotions. The couple could easily remind many of us of our parents and the little girl could bring back memories of yourself or your sister or perhaps a lost loved one. Working with vintage and antique pieces evokes lots of feelings, it brings them to the surface, it makes the piece of jewelry a keepsake and a holder of emotions...something extra ordinary. 

vintage mother of pearl rosary beads and vintage steel chain 

The way we were

Many years ago in our single life we were the "Farquars" a couple of tourists on vacation. My name was "Dot" and my hubby was "Fred".

...and then a few years later came this little scarecrow...

Happy Halloween Everyone! 

Aluminum Words

 One of my Texas finds was a aluminum printing plate, it is thin and easy to cut and I knew it had endless possibilities. Last night I finished this bracelet. I think it offers a lot visually and is so super lightweight. 

I plan on making some earrings as well and thinking of making some rolled beads from the aluminum, I will let you know how that goes.

Hope everyone is well and stocked up on candy for all of the tricksters!