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It's time! The stunning OCEAN THEME bracelet, "Sea of Hope," will be auctioned off beginning MONDAY, October 5th! Bids can be placed - frequently! - in the comments section of the Artisan Beaders blog.

Bidding will continue for two weeks through Friday, October 16th so be sure to check often (and bid again!). This beautiful sterling silver (and more!) creation has been handcrafted by the members of the Artisan Beaders team. All monies raised through this auction are being donated to RAINN. Details of the bidding process are posted at the ABSTEAM blog.

RAINN's Mission Statement: "The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org, and publicizes the hotline's free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual assault, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice."

MONDAY REFLECTIONS

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FOR TODAY, July 6, 2009

Outside my window...the afternoon sun is warming and skies are blue, a beautiful summer day.

I am thinking...of Andrew, grateful to have word from him and looking forward to chatting in a short while to catch up and get the full story on his harrowing encounter!

From the learning room...enjoying the wire wrapping and looking over the new schedule of classes being offered in chain maille ~ interesting!

From the kitchen...the couscous salad for the 4th was wonderful (and still is!) :-)

I am wearing...brown and white "batik" print shorts, white tee and my new cross necklace ♥

I am creating...turquoise necklace is laid out, ready to be put together ~ bracelet and earrings to follow.

I am going...to see "Mamma Mia" on Saturday! What fun!

I am reading...John Adams (finally getting into it, I think!), A Year in the World...and still be sorely tempted by Breaking Dawn!

I am hoping...that Mom has a great trip, that Hannah enjoys these summer days.

I am hearing...the lawn mower as it makes it passes and rounds.

Around the house...things are quiet but Hannah is popping in and out which is nice. :-)

One of my favorite things...are smiles from sweet Abigail.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

shop photos, FB shop page, "Miriam" work for Hannah :-)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

MONDAY REFLECTIONS

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FOR TODAY, June 29, 2009

Outside my window...a cooler summer evening is rolling in, a welcome break from the heat we've been having.

I am thinking...of Hannah down at her goalie camp and hoping she is having great fun.

From the learning room...more fun to come with the altered pendants and alcohol inks and time to "play" with the turquoise this week.

From the kitchen...it will be a few weeks of learning to cook for one ~ should be interesting!

I am wearing...denim capris and a blue & white striped tee, comfy after my car ride home today.

I am creating...plans to finally get busy with the turquoise creation that's been busy in my head since the beads "found" me in Toronto.

I am going...to relax tomorrow after the go, go, going of the weekend and "road-tripping."

I am reading...(finishing) Conversations with God (1) and looking forward to beginning Book 2 - still finding time for John and Abigail :-) and escaping through A Year in This World ~ also have the last Twilight book waiting for me :-).

I am hoping...that Hannah has an incredible few days at camp and a great trip back to Ohio; that we have a wonderful 4th of July celebration at Mom's.

I am hearing...the wind rustle the blinds at the windows ~ so nice to have them open and feel/smell the fresh air!

Around the house...oh, it does feel good to be home!

One of my favorite things...will be sharing Saturday with someone very close to my heart.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

looking ahead and making plans, continuing to work on the shop photos, new listings.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

FROM THE RIGHT SIDE...WAITING FOR THE LEFT SIDE...

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Oh, I have been busy "playing with the beads" lately ~ always designing, creating, "playing" away...the problem arises in that I'm one of those right-brain individuals who finds such joy, passion, and sheer delight in the creative process that once I'm done....well, to be honest, it truly takes a swift personal self-kick in the seat (or at least a good wake-up call to the left-side of my brain!) to get "the rest of the story!"

You see, once the jewelry is "created" there's still the pricing, the photographing, the editing of photographs, the listing and descriptions to be written (well, at least that part can spark my right side again). Suffice it to say, sometimes, I'll get a stockpile of finished items due to my inevitable procrastination with this necessary left-brain activity. Consider this my personal confession...wish I could tell you'll do better in the future, but I know better...but I will give you a sneak peak at what will be showing up soon! Pics are done - just need to work on listings, etc...it will get done! :-)

"Playing with Fire" ~ carnelian, red sardonyx, red aventurine, sterling silver




"Soft Bouquet" Necklace ~ rose quartz, crystal quartz, cherry quartz, crazy lace agate, white jade, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver

"Red Velvet" Necklace ~ altered glass pendant, rhodonite, crazy lace agate, Czech glass, sterling silver


"Breakfast at Tiffany's" Necklace ~ Swarovski pearls, snowflake obsidian, sterling silver

MONDAY REFLECTIONS

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FOR TODAY, June 22, 2009

Outside my window...bright summer morning sunshine is streaming in, promising a glorious day.

I am thinking...of Andrew and hoping that his PCV training film project is going well ~ looking forward to hearing more about it today when we hopefully chat.

From the learning room..."playing" with the new alcohol inks and glass, wire wrapping has resulted in two new pendants.

From the kitchen...we are keeping it "simple" after a weekend of eating out with friends and family :-)

I am wearing...my yoga gear.

I am creating...going to work with the carnelian and turquoise that I brought back from Toronto ~ definitely a couple of necklaces "brewing" and earrings....hopefully a bracelet or two as well.

I am going...to finally meet another dear friend who've I known for several months but it feels like forever :-)

I am reading...Conversations with God (1) and am still amazed with the connections being made...still enjoying John Adams, A Year in This World.

I am hoping...that we enjoy more "pool" time with Abby this week, that Anne and Mike's multiple moves are going smoothly, that our next road trip later this week is fun and safe ~ and brings Hannah what she's looking for in training and her goals.

I am hearing...PS 22 Chorus sing "Don't Stop Believing"

Around the house...you can tell we're home again - LOL!

One of my favorite things...seeing Abby experience her first "big" pool ~ she LOVES the water :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week:
finalize arrangements for Hannah's trip to Vanderbilt; coffee(s) with two wonderful friends; re-doing photos in the shops (a long, ongoing project)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

MONDAY REFLECTIONS

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FOR TODAY, June 15, 2009

Outside my window...my friend's garden is luscious and full...
I am thinking...of Hannah enjoying her final day "across the pond" and looking forward
to many wonderful stories when I see her.

From the learning room..."remembering WHO I am" and how awesome is that...

From the kitchen...my oldest and dearest friend is in the midst of packing - boxes for here and for a cross-country (literally) move.

I am wearing...NOT my pj's (ha!!) believe it or not, but am dressed for a day of exploring and enjoying the city.

I am creating...finally got the alcohol inks, etc. and the grooved glass squares arrived before I arrived - now need to find time to "play" when I get back home.

I am going...to finally meet a dear friend who've I known for two years but have never seen - yes, indeed! An exciting day!

I am reading...Conversations with God (1) and am amazed...still enjoying John Adams and also enjoying A Year in This World.

I am hoping...that Hannah's flight home tomorrow is safe and uneventful - as is Nancy and Didier's, her dear chaperones; that Mom has some cheery "Abby-fixes" :-) - those smiles and coos are so good for the soul; that I don't get too terribly lost navigating Toronto today ;-).

I am hearing...distant city sounds, but pleasant morning quiet - children playing outside.

Around the house...I am ready for Hannah's homecoming - settled and ready for the busy summer ahead.

One of my favorite things...giving "soccer girl" her first big hug when she comes off the plane tomorrow night - I have missed her much.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
making arrangements for Hannah's trip to Vanderbilt the end of this month; playing with my new alcohol inks; hoping to find Sassy Beads this afternoon on my way home from lunch; having a wonderful conversation about CWG with a great friend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

WHERE HAS IT GONE?

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I have been seriously AWOL the last six weeks or so due to life, etc. (as those closest to me understand) and from my sporadic posts you've been able to ascertain some of the significant changes ~ your comments, cyber hugs, thoughts and prayers have been appreciated.

But as I face a rapidly approaching end of May and beginning of June, I ask, goodness, where did spring go? Summer will be upon me before I know it ~ "soccer girl" has less than two weeks left of school and leaves immediately for a "whirlwind" trip to Paris with my sister and brother-in-law....alas, leaving me behind, LOL! She is counting down the days and trying desperately to stay focused on these final days of classes, finals, and yes, still soccer, having made the final ODP pool for the state team. It is most hard for me to believe that in a few short days she will "officially" be a senior in high school -- that makes me ask, "Where has it gone?" indeed!

I am trying to refocus and re-center my energies in my jewelry ~ my muse and motivation took a hiatus as well these last few weeks which was to be expected, I suppose. I am busy again,

• re-vamping my ArtFire shop - you can check out the new look here:

SignatureSterling on ArtFire

• designing and creating again:

~ SUMMER GARDEN Earrings

• opening a new shop at a brand new site ~ Twolia, online now but grand opening will be in June!

SignatureSterling at Twolia

And, now, no more "where has it gone?" Time to look ahead, to the now, to the summer and to celebrate what is, what will be and what will lay ahead. I do not know what's in store, but I know with certainty that the surprises of life will always be filled with grace.

FRIDAY FAVORITES....one day later

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Yes, it can be a "bad" sign when I'm one day behind by the end of the week and there's no chance of catching up. So, I think I'll just throw in the towel and admit that "catching up" isn't an option, LOL! Instead, I thought I'd take a little time out and enjoy some favorites of the week...

I received very special treats in the mail this week. Some of them came from one of my favorite lampwork artisan, Deronda, of DerondaDesigns. Deronda is such a talented designer as you can see from just a glimpse at some of my newest additions ~ thanks, again, D! :-)

Regular season play began this week for our soccer ladies. Thursday's game was going well, but ended up being called with maybe ten minutes to go due to lightening. Still got some good pictures...a couple favorites here ~

Posting will be spotty the next week and a half as "soccer girl" and I leave for spring break aka "road trip from h..." LOL ~ "affectionately" called that as we are visiting 5 colleges in 11 days...whew! BUT...no worries, there is still a favorite to look forward to as we will get spend several days amid the rush in what we call paradise...ahh...

THURSDAY THIS 'N THAT

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First...a much appreciated "thank-you" to my March top-droppers from Entrecard for faithfully stopping by. Be sure to do the same ~ stop by and visit these great blogs - you're sure to find some great new favorites!

Next, it's LAST call for the "SPRING FEVER SALE" in the ETSY shop ~ If a title or description has the word "SPRING," or "FLOWER," or "GARDEN," in it, that item is available for a LIMITED time at 15% OFF! Just put your items in your cart, proceed to checkout, and put "SPRING FEVER" in the "NOTES TO SELLER" and then WAIT for a revised invoice (or pay immediately and I will refund the discount to you through PayPal). One discount code per purchase. SPRING FEVER ends at midnight Friday night!


Finally, how can you beat a Thursday "treat"!? But, there is a catch - HURRY!!! Yes, it's a giveaway...that means the chance to get a wonderful something (in this case a sterling silver necklace from Silver Sachet!) for FREE...but you'll need to hustle over to "A Giveaway a Day" before noon TODAY and get the details on how to enter -- GO!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

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A little music, a little smile, a little musing, a little laughter, and a BIG sale ~ TGIF!

• My friend Rob...ok, technically, my son's friend, has a great blog, Politik!; Acquiesce? Revolution. and posted two terrific entries this week titled Songs that are immortal, send chills down your spine, and uplift your soul, Part I and Immortal Songs, Part II. The lists are indeed, timeless, and wonderful to read, revisit, and listen to. I especially enjoyed reminicising on Oasis's Wonderwall which will always remind me of son Andrew who sang the song at his Senior Show in high school and usually would always "wander" onto it eventually over the years to come whenever he was playing his guitar or was at the piano...

• Abby is smiling, really smiling - not gas, not dreaming - real smiles now! We've still to catch a full-mouth grin on camera, but here's a first-day "half-smile" as captured by her daddy.

• One of my favorite parts of the The Artist's Way are the great quotes that "litter" the margins of the pages...here are a few from this week that are really sticking with me:

"What we play is life" ~ Louis Armstrong
"You need to claim the events of your life to make yourself yours." ~ Anne-Wilson Schaef
"The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves, they find their own order...the continuous thread of revelation." ~ Eudora Welty

• Last year my sister and brother-in-law sent my parents a Dvd of The Vicar of Dibley, a BBC series we had been unfamiliar with, but now we are fans. Alice, the vicar's "helpful" albeit rather clueless assistant at most times, is one of my favorite characters -- here she struggles with the concept of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter..."

• And finally....don't forget! The "SPRING FEVER SALE" is still going on now in the shop! That means savings of 15% on ANYTHING with the words GREEN, FLOWER, or GARDEN in the title or description. Just put your items in your cart, proceed to checkout, and put "SPRING FEVER" in the "NOTES TO SELLER" and then WAIT for a revised invoice (or pay immediately and I will refund the discount to you through PayPal). One discount code per purchase. Catch "SPRING FEVER" while it lasts!