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!

Let It Snow..Let it Snow!

Good Morning Snow and Sunshine! I woke up this morning to this beautiful day. Every year when our first snow hits..you realize how wonderful and beautiful mother nature is as an artist herself. It's nice for a bit of change. Sometimes it can be cloudy grey skies here for days and days, and I wonder if the sun even exist lately.



Sometimes I will catch glimpse of a buck or some deer hangin around..but not this morning. Maybe it's too cold?

Well, lately I have been crazy busy in my shop. It's funny how Etsy has been lately for me, because about 3 weeks ago..I could hear crickets chirping and I swore my shop no longer existed due to the new "relevancy" search they switched over too.


I have been adding a few new one of a kind pieces. I get cravings to create and design something new more and more. I like making what I do too, but like anything else ..its nice to see a new design. Sometimes, I can't figure myself out. You see, I like it all...shiny silver, dark silver, shiny stones, opaque stones, shiny gold, matte gold..on and on. I can't find my focus. I want to make it all and see it all come true!

I decided..it didn't matter. I need to make what I feel like and that will be that. I hope someone stumble upons my work and does not think I am a bit confused with my taste? I truly see beauty in all things...I know I can find it in every single thing!


I am sure hoping to blog before the big Turkey day..but gosh if not...I hope you all have a good holiday season. Enjoy your family and friends and good food. I still believe we have a lot to be thankful for in this country inspite of all the negative news we hear.

Cheers my friends....take it easy!

Trick or Treat?

Chloe compared to a Large Pumpkin!

One of my most favorite things to do in October is to visit this really cool pumpkin patch... or DD Ranch and pick out a pumpkin or two! It really is amazing gorgeous and beautiful and so much fun!

I have this inner desire to be a farmer..or wife of a farmer. I try to talk my husband into it, but he's not buyin it! It's obviously very hard work..but there is just something about being so close to the earth and working outside with animals and plants.

Smith Rock, Terrebonne, Oregon

It gives me a greater appreciation for the food we eat when you visit a farm. Today, we picked our pumpkins out..and went home....

Sorry the lighting inside my house is horrible!

Cleaned them up, baked the seeds..and ....

My Jack O'Lantern!

Carved them out. The one on the bottom is my guy! I can't wait to light him tonight!

Enjoy this season...!

What makes you happy?

As a mom..one of my greatest joys in life are my children. I was reminded nine years ago that a sweet little girl entered my life! Miss little Mia turned nine yesterday! Needless to say ..I have been very very busy because we had a birthday slumber party. I will tell you..these are the kind of parties that never seem to end?

Have you heard of the Kinect box? It's a really fun video gamer, because now your body is the remote control and all of us "old" people can dance and play without having to fiddle with the controls. It really makes for a fun evening with your friends and family. Watching them perform a goofy dance or tiff it out in a boxing match can be hysterical when they are in their 70's!!!

Okay..well I am taking the rest of the day to relax..I need it. I pulled a muscle in my back earlier this week and now I know what it means to have a bad back... After this party..I am going to just enjoy a nice cup of hot tea and a movie..or maybe a book!

Enjoy your weekend!

I love being green

Vasonite aka Vesuvianite set in 14k gold filled ring patterned ring band.

Isn't this stone just a beautiful green color? Wow. It's not easy to find an all natural green gemstone like this. I love green tourmaline but it is difficult to find a nice green one sized like this. This is called "Vasonite" or aka "Vesuvianite". I only have a very few of these and probably will not be able to get more.

14k gold filled patterned ring band

I am feeling much more comfortable working with gold filled and solid gold these days. The trick for solid gold is to anneal your metals to soft..or simply just order dead soft. The other thing is learning to use a punch when setting stones. I actually enjoy it..but you do have to have a pretty hard stone in my opinion as a beginner. The only thing that makes me tense is the cost of gold. It can be tense when working with it..because you may make a mistake ...and well you know! But hey! You can recycle it and sell it back..so it's not so bad.

I can also make these rings in solid gold if you would like...just let me know!