Pearls Oh Beautiful Pearls

Oh how I love my pearl sales. Something inside me gives me the warm fuzzies when I can get a good deal on the things I love. Of course I am always attracted to the bright and dark colors. I wanted one of almost everything. It was so hard to stick within my budget. Okay so I didn't actually stick to my budget, but I only went over by $50 so that should count for something shouldn't it. We're talking pearls people! Half off sale!

As soon as I got all my goodies home and everything sorted and priced out I quickly got to work on one of my custom orders. Thankfully this one included freshwater pearls so I could play with my new finds. I think I need to make myself some new pretties for spring. It is just around the corner and I deserve it.

Are you freaking kidding me?

Yes, I realize that steriods make you gain weight and I should be happy for a loss, but after two weeks on Weight Watchers I STILL have not lossed five pounds. This is so not typical for me in the first two weeks of a healthy eating plan. I am trying so hard not to get discouraged. I know I should be thanking my lucky stars that I am not gaining anymore. Still! Can I just have some damn wine with my cheese. Nope! Too many damn points.

What Have You Done Today To Make You Feel Proud?

Yes, I drank the Kool-Aide. I mean come on we all know at least one person who has done well with Weight Watchers (WW). It seems to be a program that we all can do so what the heck. My health has stabilized to a point where I can enjoy life again and can leave the house and exercise so this is a great time to start.

I bit the bullet last Wednesday and drove to a meeting. Everyone seemed nice, but coupled with someone. Got to get a weight loss buddy that is local. I stood in line for a half an hour which that in itself should be adapted to Activity Points. Once it was my turn I swear to God I did everything to prolong the enviatable, THE SCALE. Oh, it is not like I don't know how much I weigh. With my frequent visits to my doctors I readily jump on the scale for them when asked. There is something jumping on the scale when it isn't a medical proffessional who is weighing you. I just kept telling myself she has seen worse.

Then we have the important question to answer: Shoes or no shoes? Now I don't have to tell you larger girls that bending down to put your shoes on sucks. I mean we have rolls we have to contend with when we bend over. "Oh, what the heck", I thought. "Let's keep them on". Seriously, I may weigh a pound or so more, but come summer time when I want a bigger loss I can just put on some sandals instead of my heavey Sketchers.

Fine, we solved that problem and get on the scale. Silence. I swear I heard crickets. All those times getting weighed in at TOPS, I was waiting for my results. Nothing! They don't tell you unless you ask, but they write it down for you. Whew! I think I might like this place. Just one question, how the heck did I gain ten pounds in three weeks? Damn Prednisone. Hey, I am on it and I am going to blame it. At least those ten pounds. I will take responsibility for the other 90 I gained.

Ya, I have 100 to lose. Gulp! Hey, I have lost 73 pounds before. I can do it. I am not even looking at the big picture, but just the week. I will be happy to lose one pound. If I lose more, I will be very happy. I am going on with blinders with this one. Just one week at a time. Can I get woot woot? What have you done lately to make you feel proud?

Fabulas Filigree

I made this earring for a Christmas party a few months back. This was the first time I have ever made a filigree. A filigree is the middle, focal of this earring. It is normally used to hang things from or between beads.

This was my first time using twisted wire and I liked it. It was also the first time that I got to set a stone. Okay, not a stone ,but Czeck glass. Still! We're talking setting people. Of course my photography sucks here, but the bottom clear big is an Eygptian crystal. Very cool! With Valentine's day just around the corner I think I need to drag these out.

I'm back baby

Poor health sucks, but I am on the mend so it is time to play again. I took a class this week and had some fun with a new technique. Some of you will recognize this as a dream catcher. From my understanding the principal is the same, just minus proper placement of the beads and a feather.

This pendent consists of faceted labrodite, rose quartz, freshwater pearl, Swarvoski crystal and glass beads.

Since this was my first one, I had to play with other colors and sizes. I ended up also making a pair of earrings that I am looking forward to wearing and another multi colored pendant with blues, greens and purples laying on green silk that I will probably list in my little store. I just may end up giving that one to my mother.

Now the hung is on for pretty, tiny beads. With the craze of big beads I seem to be low on the tiny ones, but that just gives me an excuse to shop.

A New Technique

I know I started this blog for the purpose of silversmithing, but I'm a woman and I can change my mind. Don't worry, it will still be about jewelry. Actually I want to share a new technique that I have learned.

Since pendants are all the rave this season I have been having fun applying this technique to make some pendants. Here I took sterling silver wire to coil around that large, faceted crystal quartz gem. Sitting above is a lovely faceted flourite jewel that sits on a sterling silver bead cap. The pendant hangs from a light green, suede cord to compliment the green in the flourite.

I love the suede, but I think I am going to create some necklaces in organza since that also seems to be a trend that I am seeing. All of you scrapbookers must be proud since we started working with organza ribbon a few years ago. Aren't we the trend setters.

For those that asked, my semi annual jewelry party will be on Saturday, November 10th at 1:00pm. If you can't wait that long, I will be at the holiday bazaar at Sumner Presbyterian Church on October 26th and 27th.

A Jewelry Party

I don't want to reveal anything new because I want to unveil it at my next jewelry party. Oh doesn't that sound so upscale lol. Now help me out here. When is the best time to do this? Last spring I hosted one here in my home with wine, cheese and fruit and it was nice to visit with everyone and show off my little pretties. I would like to do it again for those that need jewelry for holiday parties and also for gifts. I am thinking either late October or early November. Help a girl out. I don't want to compete with Halloween parties and I don't want to have it too late and you end up getting you jewelry at Walmart. Gasp! Tell me what you think. What would work best for you.