Winter Doldrums

Happy Valentine's, my duckies! I wanted to make sure I told all of my lovely readers. Won't you be my valentine? There would be a big red kiss there if I knew how to do it.

Well, as usual, I'm sitting in the dark drinking peppermint tea and thinking about all the things I should be doing. Notice I said peppermint tea instead of coffee. I have officially been off coffee for two weeks, and I only miss it if I get too close to one of Steve's cups. I fear this post may go out of control in too many directions so if it does please forgive me. I will try to hold it together, but I'm not promising anything.

So, we all know I'm tired of winter, and I'm sure those of you that just had that snowstorm probably are as well. I can feel the winter doldrums encroaching on my creative spirit. The cold and dreariness is bringing me down. In a way, I envy those of you that have snow. At least it's not brown or grey and miserable. Lots of creativeness in snow. Snow angels and snowmen and sledding and snowflakes. Yep, better than chicken manure being put on the fields.

The doldrums have me down, and it's hard to work out of it so I'm trying to find new things to inspire me. I've been thinking about my spring collection- Midnight in the Garden. I've all ready made a few pieces like the Asian cuff and my Dragonfly Sonata ring. Both pictured and in my shop. I have lots more in the works(like a Koi fish ring) but need to add a few more pieces to make it round out. I'm trying to let my wedding addiction inspire me too. Now, I have no urge to be married, but I love to see other people get married. Plus, I want all of them to be wearing my pieces. Selfish, isn't it? I just think brides on their wedding day can make everything beautiful. Sometimes, these new inspirations aren't enough, and that's when I have my worst time because when I get sidetracked that's it. I've fallen off the road, rolled into a ditch, and then down a hill.

Speaking of snow. The sun is just starting to come up across the back field, and I realized sometime in the middle of the windy night the pouring rain switched to snow. I have snow on the ground and on my magnolia tree, and it's beautiful. Plus, it's just enough that by later today it either won't be here or won't be much of a bother. But, it's refreshing to my poor old soul. Like everything is fresh and beautiful again.

If you made it this far, I applaud you. I told you I would be all over the place. Soooo.. On this special Valentine's Day(yes, I know it's a sort of made up holiday, but I think it can have really good intentions.), I send you big jewel covered hugs and kisses, and I wish you much love and happiness today and every day!

Oversleeping, Love is in the Air, and Fairies

Oops. I overslept this morning. Dang it. Of all the mornings, I oversleep on the day I have to meet with K's teacher. You see, K is not paying attention in class or reading directions. Basically, she is just skirting by on the natural smarts that God gave her.

When I finally woke up this morning, I found that my Art Deco Love Cuff had been chosing as today's Art of the Day over on EBSQ. Their theme this week is love is in the air since Valentine's is tomorrow. Plus, my little cuff can be made into an Ecard. How fantastic is that?!

I started making my wedding tiaras again in case you know anyone getting married. I love making these tiaras. I got to see the pics of my last custom tiara on the bride recently, and they were phenomenal. I have several in the planning stage including a couple of combs. This one is called the Fairy Princess Tiara. It's inspired by fairies, mermaids, and all things fantasy. I love the look of the copper with the peacock and champagne colored pearls. It can be found in my Etsy shop.

I'm back! Again.

So many things to blog about and so little time!

Let's see if I can catch you up with my life since the last time I blogged. Hmmm. It's a good thing nothing happens in my life or we might be there all day. Last week was the big week. We had a friend die in an accident which was really hard. He was so bubbly and full of life and only 23. He was like an uncle to my daughter. Not two days after finding that out, I fell going to check my mail(darn Etsy packages!) and sprained my ankle.

The sprained ankle is an interesting story. We live on a major highway which is only two lanes. Who thought of that I have no idea! My mailbox is across the street so pretty much everyday I play frogger(if you remember that game) to check my mail. Did I mention this highway is also one of the deadliest highways for people falling asleep? Because of this, they have grooves cut into the center of said highway. Well, I stepped in one just right. Went rolling across the highway and couldn't get back across. I had to wait for ever and a day for no cars to come so I could hop across the highway to get to my truck. I drove the truck up my driveway then crawled about 200 ft to my house. What a day!

I'm getting better now. I only use crutches if I'm going out of the house because I can't handle uneven surfaces yet. I can walk though with a bit of a limp and pain. Grrr. I hate being broken.

Did I mention I'm in the Valentine showcase today? Leave it to me to pick the worst day possible. Only every spot is filled with jewelry people. They should just call it the jewelry showcase. lol. If you want to know the worst day to get a showcase, ask me.

You might have noticed the ring in the picture. That's my latest called "I love me" ring. It's completely sterling silver. The heart centerpiece has been created from individually cut pieces of sterling silver tubing. Everyone needs something that just says or reminds you to say I love me. You are your biggest fan. It can be found in my shop.

Shopping Jewel Street Designs

Don't forget Valentine's Day is right around the corner!

Do I have the item for you! I have a little gift pack that is ready to give when it shows up at your door. It comes with a signature heart and chain bracelet, your choice of gift boxes, gift wrapping, and a handmade tag. So, you have no excuse to forget this year. Everything is done for you.

If you don't particularly care for that, my whole shop is great for gift shopping. I always have free gift wrapping available. The only thing you need to do is request it in the comments section during checkout. I also have jewelry for those fashion forward men in your lives. Perhaps my tree sculpture or my sawblade shelves if you aren't looking for a jewelry gift. Don't let it get too late. There is only 3 weeks before February 14th arrives.

Valentine's Showcase

Etsy has their Valentine Showcase up now through February 14th. It's a great way to find gifts for that special someone on your list. Up there is the banner for the showcase. If you click on Showcase #1, it will take you to gifts for guys. If you click on Showcase #2, it will take you to gifts for girls. The banner is on the homepage so it is very easy to find. I would've made it so if you click on the banner it would take you right to the showcase, but I'm not that talented with html. So, my link to the Etsy homepage will have to do. Start your shopping now for Valentine's Day so you don't forget. You will be able to find anything from clothes to jewelry to bags and purses. I think I even saw some boob soap the last time I looked so you never know what you might find.

Remember I told you I went on a gemstone shopping spree over the weekend. Well, the first of my adventures has arrived. Isn't it beautiful?! I love this rose quartz carved flower. It is such a delightful delicate pink, and the flower is so well carved. I decide to wrap this flower in copper wire, and I'm glad I did so. It gives it such an antique yet modern feel. I call it my Morning Glory ring. Did you know that it is believed that rose quartz allows you to communicate with your spiritual guides and that it is the best stone for opening the 4th chakra? It is also believed that if you put a rough piece of rose quartz under your pillow it will keep the nightmares away.