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!