Custom personalized name rings in sterling silver with flush set birthstones.

 

So.. today I finally finished this set of name rings with birthstones flushed set on each side.  Flush setting..is so much fun..but also challenging. I think I finally can say I feel truly comfortable with doing this on a regular basis.  After much much practice..it kind of begins to click in my brain ..and I realize it is technique ..and the way you hold your handpiece..etc.

Yes, I can flush set stones now.  It's something I like saying...

Believe it or not..I am still plugging away on orders still.  I am moving slower it feels. I feel a bit fatigued in the hands..and it spooks me. I think they need solid rest..but they are not really getting it yet..

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend.  It was snowing here last night and yesterday evening..dark cloudy ..rainy skies..where I live right now..  I am praying for happier weather..or at least some sun!

Cheers my blogger friends!

I am a "Jewelress".....

My last pair of gorgeous Labradorite 10mm studs - sold & shipped. My camera loves this stone.  It was hard to let go of these..soooo pretty!

 Okay, what's that? A "Jewelress"?  Yesterday, my 9 year old daughter and I were driving to the store, and she was telling me a story of how she described me and my job to her class.  In the story she calls me a "Jewelress".  I think she means "Jeweler".  It made me laugh!  And, I it made me think about this.... what do I call myself?   Perspectively, I have been realizing the state of my life with jewelry and how far I have finally come.  For some of you who know me..my early background is not in jewelry.  Jewelry has always been a hobby up until the last 2 years. 

I actually practiced Dental Hygiene for nearly 10 years.  I liked working with hand instruments. (dental people call their tools .."instruments"...whatever!)  I had a hand piece and we played with casting too..and well, there are lots of similarity's except you are working on live human teeth and not as much metals (except fillings, and crowns.)    The "live" part is what was very hard with this profession.  It is extremely tense work and very very monotonous & routine.  My mentality was exhausted and I realized that I was not growing in this field.  Although, Dental Hygiene is a very respectable and well paying job for a mom...I realized it was not meant for me.

This video is hilarious!  Take 2 minutes to watch it!  It hit's home!  
Thanks to my friend Missy for sharing this...so funny!!

So, in the meantime..I have been developing my jewelry hobby...running another family business on a part time level..and also being a mom.  Yes, I feel very very busy!  But, I am extremely overall healthy and happier now with what I do for a living. This makes a big difference when the sun is out ...finally! Ha ha! I can finally feel true happiness as I grow and grow in doing what I love. 


My shop is in vacation mode for this week as I get caught up on orders and give my hands a bit of a rest..as they are a little sore..but better now.  I will be back soon..so check in a few days.


Have a great weekend folks!  Enjoy your neck of the woods..as the sun is out where I live and I so need to ride my bike in it. It's calling me!


Cheers!

Playing with Diamonds!

Moissanite Diamonds Fine Silver Studs

I have collected a few diamonds in the past years hoping to build courage and confidence in one day that I would eventually set them!  Rose cut diamonds are simple to set now!  This setting is actually made with PMC3 and fine silver bezels.   They are not itty bitty diamond studs..although the diamonds only measure 4mm the setting is about 6mm wide.  They are perfect for everyday wear. On sale now in the shop!

Diamond Flush Setting in 3 mm wide ring band..personalized!

Also..have been doing more flush settings..which once you get a method down ..is pretty fun to do. Up until then..it is intense. But practice, practice and I mean practice..and well it does pay off!

The sun has finally hit Central Oregon..finally!  The reason we moved here was because the amount of sun we are supposed to have here in comparison to Portland, Oregon.  The last few years..I think we have half the amount or even less sunshine..but BOY! I am so much happier when there is light..what a difference it makes.  Thank you SUN!  YES, LIGHT!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!  Enjoy your mom..I love love my mom..so very much! I wanted to make her a piece of jewelry but she said to wait till next year this time.  Instead I bought her some work out yoga videos and books to help her with diet..etc.  Please pray for my mom..that she will get much better..thank you!

Love you all..thank you for supporting my work and reading..it does mean a lot!

Cheers!

Back from the dead..

Mother's Birthstone Jewelry Sterling Silver & Genuine Gemstones

Hello beautiful peoples! How are you all? I have to admit..I am lame..for not posting sooner. Uugh! I will tell you that vacation time was wonderful. Hawaii was absolutely gorgeous and I honestly want to move there. It's all I ever ever think about now. Seriously. Here's why. I don't see the sun where I live often anymore. Although Bend, Oregon is absolutely beautiful..its always chilly and cold to me here. We have been coveted by a thick blanket of clouds that barely let's any sun in and lately it is just dark, gloomy and depressing. Can you tell? I have SAD... (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Okay, I admit I have a disorder, I suppose. Call it what you want...I need sun. I need it to feel warm..to be happy, and this darkness is getting to me. And, since I have tasted Hawaii..I am craving it even more so. So there's that issue.

Mother's Ring - Birthstone Jewelry

As I am trying to keep positive..I am just trudging along lately..waiting for sun. I have been busy with life, work and lot's of jewelry. I can't complain about that. I have been very busy with lot's of mommy jewelry..which is fascinating to me. I am ever grateful to my mom..and I realize how lucky I am when someone asks me to make something special for theirs.

I did get to visit with my mom in Feburary and I think part of my great sadness is realizing the effects of the stroke my mom had last July 2011. She is not the same anymore and I feel that she will always be greatly affected. She still can not walk very well for long, she no longer can drive and she is suffering from vertigo..or dizziness. The dizziness does not allow her to strengthen her ability to walk and get stronger because she feels like she can fall. I visited with her for about 10 days and I felt like she was regressing. Since then she sounds sad and miserable..and this affects me greatly too! Another part of my sadness I suppose. I guess it all comes together.

Birthstone Rings, Mothers Ring Sterling Silver

On the bright side of things, I have been stirring up some new creations when I have the chance. I have not been able to get photo's just yet..the weather has been so dark ..I am waiting for some decent light to get pictures ..hopefully soon. I am posting lots of the mother rings I have been making..they are sweet. I am running out of the textured wire for spacer rings in these sets..and the supplier will not be selling it anymore. Although, this ring set has done very well for me..it will be time to move on eventually to a new design set soon.



Well my friends..thanks for keeping in tune to my blog. I welcome your comments and thoughts. I love knowing someone is out there in my cyber world. I promise to post very soon. I am taking doses of Vitamin D and looking for lights as we speak..Ha ha! I have some new designs and I CAN NOT WAIT to show them all to you!

Going on Vacation!

Sterling Silver Childrens' Name Mother's Necklace

Well, it sure feels great! I have all of my orders done and ready to ship out tomorrow. I am leaving on Tuesday for some traveling adventures. I will first be going to Hilo, Hawaii to visit with a friend and then I am going to be taking a few more weeks to be with my mother.

On Friday, I took half the day to go skiing with my hubby, Chuck. It was the most perfect day and it was absolutely plush snow..with zero wind factor. So cool. I had a blast. It was the first day up this season as our snow situation was very poor up until a few weeks ago. I am hoping that when I return..there will be some snow left. I don't know..it really is great weather were having. If that was winter..that was quick!

Skiing at Mt. Bachelor Jan. 27, 2012

I am looking forward to this time, to re-coop and to visit with my dear mom. As some of you may remember she had a stroke last July 2011 and it has changed my mom forever it seems. Everday is a blessing and I realize it. So, I am going to just do it..take the time to be with her and enjoy our time.

I hope all of you have a good month too. When I return I think I will be ready and refreshed. I have a lot of new ideas springing up, and I can't wait to share them with you all.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Take care and I'll be checking in soon.

Cheers!

What a snow day! Time to ski at Mt. Bachelor!

I woke up this morning..and this is what I saw first thing! Living in the Pacific Northwest..you would think that we normally have snow ..like always right? Wrong! I will tell you a little secret and honestly say that our winters for the last 5 to 10 years have become milder and milder. Actually we have had a great fall season..high 50's low 60's, and sunny days...up until today that is.

Mt. Bachelor -Photo Courtesy of Dave Johnson

I actually live 20 minutes down the road from Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. I feel so blessed to say ..this is actually our backyard! Mt. Bachelor is actually a volcano that erupted eight to ten thousand years ago. It summits at 9065 feet! And it is one of the most funnest ski mountains I have ever had the honor of skiing. If your a skier...start thinking about visiting Mt. Bachelor. I promise it is so worth it!

14K Gold Filled Stacking Rings - HelenesDreams

So, today while we were all socked in..from the snow storm..I finished up nearly nine orders..all ready to ship tomorrow. Actually half of them were ready to ship yesterday, but I was not able to get to the post office because of all of this snow. I kind of love and hate snow at the same time.

I have been working with a lot of gold filled lately..which has been interesting. I will have to write a post on it here very soon.

Enjoy your weather friends. I'm just praying that our power does not go out...keep your fingers crossed for me!

Cheers!

Martin Luther King - I have a dream

I admit ..that I love this speech! In honor of remembering a man like Martin Luther King who fought so hard in what he truly believes in. I pray for our government leaders that they will guide our country honorably and follow the constitution so that all people are treated fairly and equally.

Happy Martin Luther King Day! I know I am grateful for this day!

Happy New Years Everyone!

Sterling Silver Moonstone Ring

Wow..what a beautiful day it is today! I was outside taking a few quick pictures after working in the shop all day and sun sun sun..come on in! I don't know but winter is just so nice this year. We had a tiny bit of snow one day and that was it. No more snow. Although, it's not good for our skiers for Mt. Bachelor here in Bend. I have to admit..I love skiing. Winter actually started at the end of December, so I will keep my fingers crossed for snow in the mountains.


This ring you see here is a 14 x10 mm faceted gem cut stone. It has a pointy back side ..so the bezel is tall. I did this as a commission for a customer who asked me to set her stone, and here is the results! It is a beautiful chunky moonstone ring with lots of blue flash! I had a lot of fun making a step bezel for this stone. This customer was so patient with me..I am awfully grateful because it was nice to not be so in a hurry for once!

Well I hope you all have a Happy New Year! Wishing you much success and health in the upcoming year!

Cheers!

Merry Christmas!!

Well, here we are five days before Christmas 2011. This is our Christmas tree. This year we went out and chopped this tree down in the forest down the road from us. I have to say it is my most favorite tree...since it is tall and wide and well lit..thanks to Chuck. Good job Chuck! As you can see there aren't many presents under the tree. We are still waiting for Santa to come. But, this year..we are keeping the stuff down to a minimum. It feels like we just get more and more stuff that we have to eventually get rid of. I am getting tired of it frankly.



Our stockings are hanging by the chimney with care. And, as you can see the sweet nativity scene on top of the fireplace has so many pretty lights..better in real life I would say.


Sophia my daughter asked me to help her bake some cookies for the neighbors tonight. Even though I am under the weather with a head cold and feeling run down from working long hours at the retail store.....this is what I love most about Christmas. I love making cookies with my little girl. She is just so sweet and happy ..and her cheerful attitude just makes me smile!



It is fun just getting cozy and looking at the tree. This year I have Sophia making more handmade ornaments for the tree. A lot of them have photo's of the kids in the past years. These are the best ornaments to me, the ones that bring all of the wonderful memories back.

Now that the store is slowing down, I am trying to get into the swing of Christmas with the family..and of course get rid of my cold I hope. I really want to enjoy Christmas, but I will tell you working retail can be very very tiring. I was honored with quite a few November jewelry orders which kept me plenty busy well into Dec. I have just one more custom order left, but frankly, I am exhausted with this cold. Although, I am looking forward to making the ring!

14k Gold Filled Stacking Rings, Mother's Ring, Birthstone Ring

Well; my dear blogger friends, I want to wish each and everyone of you a joyous holiday season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! I wish you all much joy, peace, happiness, and good health in the upcoming year! Enjoy your families, and friends and celebrate the goodness in your life.

Cheers!

We'll see you all soon!

A few things....

I NOW ACCEPT DWOLLA PAYMENTS!!!

Yes, Life is a bit hectic now.. I would say. I can't even sit around much to blog like the good ol' days.

I want to quickly share a new company with you, called "Dwolla". This company is going to change how we spend our money and of course I am sure a lot of you hear about the economy and so on. I never use to be a news kind of gal..but it is hard lately..trying to understand the future of our country.

Being in business for the last 10 years of my life, I realize how difficult it is to run a business and all of the cost it takes just to have an employee. The overhead of retail is extremely costly and many business' in America are starting to look overseas to lower cost.

One cost that is truly expensive and a brutal burden are merchant fees. Did you know that when you go into a store and use a debit or credit card there are all kinds of hidden fees that the merchant has to pay? There is a transaction fee, a merchant fee, and a percentage fee. If you have any type of rewards programs on your credit card, the merchant has to pay higher fees. Essentially, the merchants are paying for your "rewards". All of these fees are adding up...and it makes conducting business that much harder.

A new company called "Dwolla" is now allowing you to pay any merchant immediately with a transfer of cash..and it only cost .25 cents no matter the amount of transfer. So if you pay $1 or $500 it will only cost .25 cents. WOW! This is how it should be. I don't understand why credit card companies feel so entitled to a percentage of your transaction. But, we people don't seem to mind all of this debt and no one has really cared until now,.....when the banks are actually running out of money. I also hear credit card companies are furious about this..and all I can say..is it's about damn time!!


This little company called Dwolla is growing big like crazy. Younger people are realizing that they can not get credit cards so easily anymore and they have to pay "cash" for the things they buy. Frankly, I am glad to pay "cash" myself. The debt problem is seriuosly out of control in our country..and I am happy to support a business who is changing this for our youth especially.

Take a moment to learn about www.Dwolla.com. It is easy and simple and it saves business' money. The cool thing is you can also send money to anyone you need to for anything...it' extremely simple. Try it !! And, please considering supporting the movement away from credit cards!

Go Dwolla!