And the Winner Is...

It was the simplest of systems. I wrote the names on slips of paper, placed them in a cardboard box, shook them around--and had my daughter draw a name...

The wonderful Liron of Lirola on etsy is the recipient of my "Hearts Dressed in Pearls" necklace (original drawing post here.) Please check out her shop--her clothing is beautiful! Liron, I will wrap your Valentine up and get it in the mail to you tomorrow!

Thank you to all who participated and visited my blog--many of you for the first time and many who are already followers of my etsy shop. It has been very gratifying to read your kind words.

On a separate topic, I traveled to Tucson this past week to re-supply. I put together a rather "valentine-y" collection of stones I purchased and cannot wait to use! This is the first time I've shopped for cabochons to bezel set and incorporate with my flower and vine wire work and it was a thrill! So many wonderful lapidary artists... Over the coming week I will put together more stone collections and snap some pics--so exciting to have new material to work with!

Select Items Marked down in the Etsy Shop!

I've been busy working on new designs for the coming year and in less than two weeks I'll be traveling to Tucson to shop for new gems, so....

I really need to make room. I've marked down select items in my etsy shop 25%. Check the On Sale section. If you've had your eye on a piece--this may be your chance. Below is a preview of some of the pieces marked down.

Fuss Creations for the New Year, Client Inspirations and a Slow Cooked Meal...

I'm making a concerted effort to round out the Fuss Collections and get my creations into more stores and boutiques this year. One addition to my collections came from one of you! A client recently ordered my "This cloud not only has a silver lining" necklace with the smaller silver berries hoops and asked about a gold fill version. I've offered the golden berries hoops for some time, but just added a "Golden Cloud" necklace today.

Golden Cloud Necklace

Another client had previously ordered my simple pearl flower drop earrings in gold fill (I am currently out and waiting to restock the pearls when I travel to Tucson Feb 3-5). She requested one of my favorite flower necklaces with clusters of pearls to either side rather than gray moonstone--I think the result is perfectly lovely! She is wearing it to her wedding which is always especially meaningful to me! She is going to send pictures this summer and maybe I'll ger her permission to post them here.


After remaking some pieces for one of my local boutiques, I couldn't resist photographing the jewels in a grouping.

I think these photos will work well in promotional mailings that I'll send out this year.


And I'll close with a tasty eyeful. I snagged a Williams Sonoma Slow Cooking book from my parent's house a few months back and have started trying out some of the recipes. With the kids' varied sports schedules, it is fairly rare that we are all home at the same time for dinner. So a meal that can simmer and stay warm for anyone to grab when they are able is ideal. My first dish attempt was Chicken Korma--delish! It is recommended to be served with rice, but I put out some couscous. And I myself, ate it alone like a soup or stew---amazing! I plan to add more onions and maybe diced bell peppers next time to add more veggies.

Chicken Korma, Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Slow Cooking

This is a shot during the first phase, combining the spices and onions and getting them all nicely aromatic in a saucepan before adding to the crock pot with chicken broth, tomato sauce and chicken. The last step was my favorite--during the last 15 minutes of cooking you add a slurry of buttermilk and crushed pecans to thicken.

And keep the entries coming for my Valentine Giveaway! Post a comment here to be entered:

Valentine Giveaway!

Valentine Giveaway...

Fuss Hearts are back!

These "gem wrapped" hearts were one of my first jewelry successes--and I am bringing them back for 2010.
Sterling Silver, Blue topaz, peridot and prehnite...

Silver vines, rainbow moonstone and aquamarine...

...and Tourmaline and tanzanite!


...and I'm giving this one away!

A Heart Dressed in Pearls, just like the one in my store, will be given away by random drawing. Just leave a comment on this blog post and your name will be entered. Sunday, February 7th I will draw a name so that I can ship the necklace out first thing Monday by priority mail and hopefully your valentine from me to you will arrive by the 14th!

New in the Etsy Shop Today

Tourmalinated quartz flower detail

Come one, come all holiday shoppers! New in the shop today are my tourmalinated quartz flower earrings with lace-edged hoop and chalcedony drop.



And a new additon to my coiled band series of rings--I've topped the band with a swiss blue topaz flower.

All in the shop now....

Jingle Bells Doggie

One of the boys put these jingly antlers on the dog--I don't think she's feeling the Christmas Spirit so much...

Just Recently Dropped into the Shop...

After yet another request to recreate my golden berries earrings in sterling, I decided to do what I should have long ago and added them as an item to my shop--in the original 1 1/2 inch diameter and the more demure 1 inch diameter version.



Something new for me--I am beginning (slowly but surely) with just a small amount of cursing and and frustration, to add bezel set stones to my work. For some time I've dreamt of perching my wire wrapped flowers atop vines and leaves formed from sterling and flame and this is the first I'll be offering for sale.



Next is a long, narrow stick all wrapped and encrusted with gemstone flowers and petals. Rich shades of blue, aqua and green make these sing!




And now we arrive at my favorite--just look at those labs! Beautiful smooth, polished petals of labradorite wrapped in my signature style flower and fastened securely to my random coiled band. I love it!!!