Here we go...

2009 is coming to a close. And FAST! Can you believe how fast it's gone by? If you're anything like me, you are trying to wrap up the last of your holiday *stuff* and finally sit back and enjoy the season! LOL! Easier said than done, eh? I've sure been busy here. Two kids who are OVER the moon that Santa will soon be visiting, anxiously (in a good way) awaiting Christmas with my family, missing those I cannot be with this year and two fairly new Etsy shops too. I'm trying to keep the latter full and update them almost daily (as so many have told me, it is the *secret*, we'll see! LOL!) while prepping for the rest! I've been making tons of new jewels for jenuinejewels and even some knitting for jenuinejems. I love to knit this time of year. The weather is FRIGHTFUL here in MN, and I love curling up with some yarn by the fire. I typically just gift my knitting, as it is such a labor of love! I think the price tag on a hand made scarf or hat or anything, really....will NEVER match what someone has really put into a hand made jem. Especially a hand knit or crochet jem!

This brings me to a kind soul I met on Etsy and her beautiful hand made jems! I *met* (in stars because I haven't actually seen her - but feel like I know her a bit now...LOL) Alanah on Etsy many months ago when we were both getting our shops started. I am quite sure she puts as much heart into her things as I... She was so kind to include me in an Etsy treasury over the weekend! She added my path less followed necklace to a group of fabulous things!

She has a fab jewelry shop, alanahjoy, which is filled with beautiful jewels and her newest venture is yarnplusyarn, which she and her two sisters just opened! Check out these great earrings from her alanahjoy Etsy shop! I just love them!
She has so many great jewels, so check out her jewelry shop from time to time!
Her NEWEST shop, yarnplusyarn also has SO many great jems! She and her sisters just started this great shop and you can get to know them all a bit too. Check out their blog, yarnplusyarn.blogspot.com
Seriously, aren't they darling! They are so talented too! Here are some of their great shop goodies! I love this necklace. So original and unique.

This hat is beautiful too! This neckwarmer is sooo pretty too!
I love the color and detail! There are too many great things to show you but please check them all out! You will love them too! I promise! Thank you Alanah and yarnplusyarn for including me in your treasury! Thank you for creating such gorgeous hand made treasures for all, it is truly a labor of love... My best to you and your sisters on your new shop and a great 2010!!!

So now I must get back to my crazy holiday life! Santa has much to do and apparently, he forgot to send his elves to MY house! LOL! He also forgot to make enough Barbie Campers...grrrrrr! I have to awake in the wee hours and hunt this *jem* down! LOL! And then there's the laundry...
Hope you're all smiling still, I'm trying!

Hello ice!

Oh, here we go. It's winter in MN now. I have a picky internal thermometer - it's the *southern* in me and when it dips below 20, well, it's winter. When I first arrived here in Minneapolis 3 years ago, my cold alarm sounded around 40 degrees but I've mellowed and adjusted! LOL! Now when it's -20, and that won't be long now - I'm a raging ice witch! No amount of time in the arctic circle will get me used to that! LOL! When it goes even below that - and it does - I start checking airfare! LOL! This is the time of year that I'm ok with the cold though. It looks pretty when we get that first layer of snow, it gets you in the holiday mood, the kids love it and they are darling with their rosy cheeks. Mine want to go outside now, even if it's just for a few minutes, because then they can talk me into hot chocolate to warm them up! LOL! This plan used to bug me, but now that they are old enough to layer on all of the winter gear without me - which takes longer than the actual time they spend outside - I tell them to go for it and I just start prepping the cocoa! LOL! I do get more of my work done this time of year too. I get plenty of time inside to create and for that, I am thankful. I've been busy doing just that. I've been on a jewel high! I can't get all of my new jewels listed fast enough. Sarah and Grant join me in my art room these days too. Here's some pictures of them from today with their own *jems*. I love that they are so creative. Sarah especially, tells me all the time that she wants to be an artist. I have no idea what she'll do as the years pass, and at 7, I doubt she does either, but I do think she will always connect with her creative side in some capacity and that just makes my heart happy. I have been so neglectful of my jenuinejems etsy shop since I opened jenuinejewels that I finally got busy on something for my jems shop! Check out these wine charms! I will be listing these tomorrow! Personalized wine charms with initials and birthstones. I also made a cool photograph pendant/necklace for my jenuinejewels shop. Check this out... This is an original photograph taken by me over 10 years ago in Maui while Rob and I were on our honeymoon. It's one of my favorite photos ever so it was a natural pick for my first photo necklace try! The whole necklace has such a vintage earthy feel. I just love it! I hope you do too.

Also made a few things to add to my jens cause section at jenuinejewels. Some new pretty jewels in pink. I love these rose quartz earrings. I promise these are some of the PINKEST rose quartz I've seen in a while. They are stunning all wrapped up in sterling!

I hope you all are having a great weekend full of smiles! Thanks for checking in!

Oh my!

I've been busy! I should be sleeping but thought I'd say hi.
Well, where to begin...
I opened up a new Etsy shop! jenuinejewels is now open! I know, clever name, right? LOL! I figure, this is where all of my jewelry will live now. I think my jenuinejems shop may have been a bit confusing for some. I'm still getting them both sorted out and organized but at least I've started! Check it out - jenuinejewels
I'm still filling up shop slowly and steadily so check in often for more jewels! I actually just hit my local bead shops again for the first time, in a long time. I love a bead shop. They are my Mecca! LOL! I hit the jackpot too! Tons of fabulous jems...can't wait to get busy with them. I think my new dream is to own a bead shop! I did learn I tend towards BLUES. I would look down into my box (they give you a little box and a piece of paper with a little chart on it to keep tally/prices of your jems at most bead shops, fyi) and it was full of blues! I didn't even realize I was doing it. I had to consciously look for other colors! LOL! I found some great glass beads this time. Lampwork too. Gemstones also, of course. Beautiful jades, agate, quartz and chalcedony. Some beautiful smokey quartz - they sparkle like mad! I hope I can bring myself to actually sell whatever I make out of them! LOL! I'm also waiting on an ebay haul I just recently ordered. I had no idea what great treasures in beads are offered there! I also finally ordered a good ring mandrel, so I can start making the ring designs that have been living in my head. Next will be a jewelry tumbler. I've been doing all of my research and after the holidays - I hope to order one. It should really, really take my jewelry to the next level I hope.
Do you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours??? LOL!

I have also been sewing! I know, crazy! I have a dear friend who is a serious artist - she quilts. Her creations are DIVINE and the time and heart she puts into each quilt, well, it's amazing. In any case, she has been teaching me a bit about sewing in between laughs and smiles. It just so happens that my late MIL gave me her sewing machine and all of her sewing goodies. At the time, I don't think I appreciated them as I do now. I have enjoyed getting them out and knowing that as I work, she once sat as I am, concentrating, careful, (ok, sometimes cursing...LOL) and anxious to present her end result to someone she cared about. More on that and what in the world I'm sewing later. They will be on jenuinejems asap! BUT, thank you sweet Jean. I know now, what went into all of your beautiful things...

I can't wrap up without saying I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate. Mine was really just perfect. Family and fun with a ton of love - that sums up my Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for so many people in my life! Up there is a little fam pic from the weekend. This was downtown on Black Friday.
Talk to you soon!
Hope you are smiling!

I know, TWO days in a row!

It's a miracle! LOL!
I had to write and let you know the FUN news. Not too long ago, on my birthday, of all days actually, I was featured in a really cool Etsy Treasury put together by sweet Claudia. It was actually one of my kicks in the %^&*, that got me going in my shop again! LOL! Her Etsy shop, moncy3 is DARLING! She creates all kinds of lovely paper goods, as well as many other adorable things.



I had no sooner asked her if I could mention her here and she snagged another Treasury and featured a pair of my earrings from my Etsy shop today! I had to write and let you know about her darling shop so you can check it out and check out her cool Treasury too! My *In the Pink* earrings are there! Last time she had featured my *Your Heart Necklace*!
Here is a link to Claudia's Etsy Shop:
moncy3

Here is link to her latest Treasury
*To the people who heart me*

A Treasury on Etsy is a little group of items which are handpicked by it's members. They are a really cool way to show off some of the things that you like on Etsy and as a shop keeper, it's super fun to be included in one. They run for a few days and are constantly changing. It's just a little recognition in a sea of talent! So to Claudia (((( THANK YOU )))) and to all, have fun checking out the wonderful talent on Etsy!

Now I want to go snag a Treasury too!
Happy night all!

Oh yeah... I'm back! LOL!

Um...I know, it's been a while! I can't even tell you WHAT exactly I've been doing. Do you ever have those days? Those weeks? Months even... I know I felt busy the whole time but I've got nothing to show for it! LOL! Well, maybe my kids are blossoming.
We went from busy summer to now, in a flash it seems. I can't believe 2009 is coming to an end already! Another thing my Mom was right about...will that list ever end??? LOL! She always says, enjoy today, enjoy it all because it's going to keep going by faster. So, I have been missing in action, and it's time to get back to today, MY today, my art. I've missed it so.
It wasn't all a wash - I did spend the better part of the Fall knitting. This is the time I always bust out my sticks. The weather is getting cooler and I love curling up on the couch, next to the fire with some gorgeous threads and seeing what I can do. I've really come a long way with my knitting actually. Especially considering I am self-taught. Thank goodness for the Internet and you tube! LOL! You can learn anything with a computer I've decided! Not always the most important life lessons maybe, but still, it's a handy little tool...
I also took a great vacation with my husband and our dearest friends (sans kids!) out to San Fran and Napa, so we could all celebrate our 10 year anniversaries in style! It was truly one of the best times I've had ever! It is so beautiful there and seeing our friends (whom we live far from) was even better! We are already talking about our next trip! That's me and my BBF in heaven!

Now, for the *work*, which I have gotten back too! YAY! It really is good for my heart. I can tell when I'm not creating. I think my family can too, which is ironic, because many times it seems I'm not, because I'm being Mom...
Anyway, I dusted the cobwebs out of my art room and I'm back! As usual, I can't decide what to focus on, so I'm painting and making jewels right now. Made some simple little turquoise earrings with some polished turq that I found some time ago at my local bead haunt. I kept wanting to do something crazy with them, but in the end I think they just stand best on their own with sterling findings. The stones are SO pretty!
I'm also still working on some fun things to do with the gorgeous pineapple quartz I found and these earrings are one thing I came up with. They are just kind of fun! Here's yet ANOTHER earring I did with aqua chalcedony and freshwater pearls. I put these on oxidized sterling. Love these! I guess I'm in an earring mode and didn't realize! They are one accessory I usually always have on. They seem to help bad hair days! That and lip gloss! LOL!




And the painting...
Finally finishing up one I started for myself - still haven't decided if I'll keep it, but I sure love it!
Another one that I need to finish but at least I've started! Can you tell I like flowers? LOL!
And last but not least, an oldie but goody. I've painted these for years for friends and family, but I'm thinking about putting some in my Etsy shop now. They are perfect for a nursery or in a princess room. I also have a *prince* version. I'll have to get a picture of those up - they are darling!
So, that's all I have for now! Probably too much for one blog! LOL! Thanks for reading on and on...
I truly hope you are all well and smiling!

WAIT - one more, can't post without my people! Here they are on Halloween. They were darling - of course!

Ahhhhhh....vacation...

Well, it’s been a while hasn’t it? I guess summer is getting to me a little bit! These warm days and nights are just heaven when you are used to so many long months of winter. We were actually on vacation for the past two weeks. We headed down to my parents home in TN on the lake for the 4th of July and then some. It is just heaven there and a ton of fun! We live so far from all of our family, it is always nice to be able to see them! Lots of lazy pool days and days spent out on the boats and sea doos Not to mention all of the lovely cocktail hours! LOL! The kids had a blast enjoying cookies for breakfast and ice cream for lunch (Nana and Papa…LOL!). It all went by so fast! I can’t believe we’re back to the grind on Monday!
We learned that Sarah is a speed demon! She could not go fast enough on the sea doos! She loved it! She also learned how to dive! I can’t believe what a great swimmer she is becoming! Thanks in large part to Rob’s patience! Grant on the other hand, we learned, likes to take things at a much slower pace! LOL!
Our gardens here were busy while we were away! WOW! It’s like the plants up here in the tundra know they only have a short time to get ‘er done! LOL! The next week will be full of weeding, pruning and dividing. Any minute I’ll be eating so many tomatoes and other veggies from our garden I’ll be over them! Can’t wait!
I’m hoping all of that fresh air and water is going to inspire some cool new jems! I did decide that I am really going to revamp my shops in the coming days and weeks. I have GOT to figure out my photos and I just want to clean up the shops a bit so be sure to stay tuned! Have so much catching up and yard work it’s not even funny but I’ll be back to my regular blogging later this week for sure! Pictures coming asap too! Hope everyone is still smiling and hope you enjoyed your 4th too!

I love a rainy day...

it just gives me an excuse to stay in and make jems all day! LOL! Actually we've had nothing but sun so my yard and all it's treasures could really use it and I'm tired of the &$*@^# sprinkler! It never fails - I always put it in the wrong spot (you know, so it's watering half of the road or the driveway), then I end up running in there between swoops, trying not to get completely soaked...a million times to get it in just the right spot and it never works! LOL! Rain is just so much friendlier!
So anyway, it was a perfect rainy day so S and G (the people) and I spent the day down in my art room. G lost interest fairly quickly but S was really into it. She really wanted to know about the wire and how to work it with the pliers. A mini-me! I love it! Watch out world! LOL! I'll have to get some pictures of her creations and post them. She'll dig that! I actually got quite a bit done and thought I'd post some very first draft pictures.






I just love these little stack rings! The color is bad and I'm too tired to take more but they are copper and sterling and fabulous! This flower with the yellow stone is so darling. It's sterling and I used that pineapple quartz I was so excited to get! It is my new favorite stone! I just started to do some stamping and it's fun! I like that I can incorporate it with my wire work, which is really my love. The other flower down below is my fave! It has the coolest shell bead and is coppery and silver. LOVE! It is so pretty in person. I have to get a nice sunny day and get some pictures that will do all of them justice!
Hope you guys are having a great night/day! Keep smiling!

gorgeous!

I just have to share these shots from my garden! Since I'm in Minnesota, USA - we have some seriously, ridiculously, and I mean CRAZY cold winters. I am a southern girl at heart so I REALLY look forward to these nice warm months! As much as I am loving my new-found soldering self (I just want to make jewels all day...LOL), I had to spend a day outside for sure!
So, I inherited this mad-wild garden from Art and Dorothy (the previous owners of our home). Don't they sound darling??? Too cute indeed! Anyway - I've got flowers galore and it turns out I kind of like to dig in the dirt myself! It was a perfect 75 today with not a cloud! Cut the grass. I LOVE cutting the grass. I love the time to myself, I love the feeling when it's all done and *manicured* and mostly, I LOVE THE SMELL! They can bottle it, but there's nothing like the real deal...
It was just a great day! Here's some shots. I love taking pictures! Again - it's my craft/hobby/try new things ADD! I know I have it! LOL! I'm so glad I live in a digital time - I take so many it's ridiculous! Hope you all enjoy them, hope you're all smiling today and I wish you could smell this fresh cut grass...

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This is the coolest EVER!

Well, maybe not to you guys, but to me! I finished that bracelet today! I am over the moon excited! I can't believe it started like this:

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And ended like this:

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I added some opal and purple jade briolettes to give it a little subtle sparkle. I didn't want too much bling because I liked the simple, rustic feel it had. I know it's not perfect but for a first try, I'm cool with it! Now, to sell it on Etsy or not??? I don't really want to part with it! LOL! My sales haven't been off the charts (another story, for another day...LOL) so maybe I'll give it a try! Now that I know I can do it, I can't wait to make more anyway!
I am in such a jewel mood lately! I just got out of a painting mood. I swear I think I have craft ADD! LOL! I found the coolest local bead store recently and I just fell in love with so many of the jems there! I picked out a few yesterday:

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Now I have to make more...LOL! I'm loving the pineapple quartz I found. Who doesn't want to wear that all summer??? It's the prettiest, palest, perfect yellow. Loved the carnelian, amazonite and chalcedony too!
Off to create...

Etsy YART sale

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Almost forgot! Check out my YART sale section in my shop for 25% off selected items and check out all of the great deals going on at Etsy June 10-14th!

AAAACKKK! The solder!

Well, I said I was going to do it (to myself anyway) but that counts still. Teach myself to solder. What did you think? LOL! I had been capped out on my jewelry making for quite some time now. Years really. SO? It takes me a while to do things sometimes??? I get to it eventually! Anyway, today was the day and it was a loooooong one! LOL! I had never soldered so that was a huge learning curve. You know that crazy solder just does the weirdest stuff? It like curls up into these little circles and then just melts and then it won't melt and I kept checking to see if the damn thing was still on and then it just melts all over - stuff you don't want it to... it's a *medium* I'd not seen in person - like something in a sci-fi movie. It's like a blob! LOL! It was for sure a trial and error. I got the hang of it eventually - kind of! Working the metal - that was the easy part. I had visions of the curves I would eventually create when I got here in my head forever ago! I just worked with some plated silver with a copper core to start (didn't want to waste sterling on a first try, just in case...) but I love the look actually. I'm not into super *shiny*, so I love the rustic feel it ended up having. I soaked it in some LOS (liver of sulphur - this oxidizes metal) then polished to a semi-shine. I still want to add a hint of sparkle with some beads - too tired and OVA it all at the moment but I'll post more pics tomorrow! In the end I came up with my very own fabricated bracelet! YAY! I'm like the OCC! Love those choppers....

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Also figured you might be curious where I do all of this so I'm putting up some pics of my art room too. It's just a half-finished little spot in my basement that I carved out for myself and it's been so fun to have my very own space! I painted the brick walls, the cement floor and I have big old doors propped up that I use for desks and working areas. It's no big shakes but it is to me!

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Happy night to you all! Hope you all learned something new today - or even better - taught yourself something you've been wanting to do.
Smiles!