musings from a sleep deprived mama

New Jewelry

2012-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I've done it. I finally completed a few projects worthy of the title of metalsmithing. It's been a tough learning process. The stone on this first ring is a little off center and needs a bit more finesse, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with myself. Here is a sapphire and sterling silver ring for your viewing pleasure:

I also made a feather ring and one pretty petite band with patina:

Until next time...

Working on New Designs

2011-03-22T11:46:00.001-07:00

Busy in the studio today creating, creating, creating! Finally, back to work...

Getting perfect natural light is proving the biggest challenge. We have only a few windows in this dark little cabin. The fresh snow helps reflect some light into the house. I can't wait for spring sunshine, though.

Well, here's a look at a few items soon to be in the shop:

Surgery

2011-03-19T00:47:00.000-07:00

My poor toddler had to have dental surgery today. Basically, early teeth grinding led to my sweetie needing to have all four upper teeth extracted. What I thought would be my greatest fear turned out for the best as she will now be fitted with a temporary bridge until her adult teeth come in. Long story short, I recorded a video of her a few hours after surgery, toothless, trying to find hidden dinosaur bones in an egg. The egg was a gift from her aunt and uncle. She is obsessed with dinosaurs at the moment and this egg offered a welcome distraction from the after surgery pain. She is SO CUTE without front teeth. I will enjoy the next two weeks with my toothless doll. Enjoy a glimpse into my mamahood.

Also, that is not my real voice. I don't know what happens to your voice when you give birth, but it is something strange. I really am an adult.

2011-03-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

This is a video my friend, Amanda, shared of the tsunami on the southern coast of Oregon today. Very tragic and only a teeny fraction of the damage done in other parts of the world. This harbor is close to where I used to live. My heart is sad.

Earring Giveaway at Nest of Many Colors

2011-02-28T17:09:00.001-08:00

Pink Lady Earrings

I have three pairs of my earrings in a giveaway here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nest-Of-Many-Colors/164962973543368

To enter to win, simply comment under the pictures you like with your email address and like the fan page of the sponsors. Easy peasy! Good luck!

Tiny Water Drop Earrings

Pool Trellis Earrings

She Says "I love you"

2010-04-25T20:26:00.001-07:00

My new niece learned her first sentence. Listen for her to mimic her mom and dad.

Whoa, Where Have You Been?

2010-02-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

I am sure you were wondering...I mean, I am pretty interesting. Anyway, hello, Happy New Year, and I hope you are staying warm this cold winter!

Just thought I would stop by to promote a friend's Etsy shop. She is pretty new and I just wanted to give her some encouragement! I am holding back on giving lots of advice to her as a new seller, but instead I might reserve my knowledge in a blog post. I feel important, lol! Nah, I've just spent quite a huge chuck of my last few years engrossed in Etsy and feel I have some valuable insight. So, yeah. Okay, well check out her shop if you please:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebyclaire

This hat is a particular favorite of mine!

Cheers!

Snow?

2009-10-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

But it is only the beginning of October! Well, yeah.

He looks happy, I think

Cars are buried (buried by my standards--apparently this is nothing, I am told)

Lala sleeps while I obsess about the snow

The leaves are still green

I guess I forgot to bring in my herb garden for Winter

Chipmunk is a little confused (as was I)

I am not panicking, really, this Winter will be great. inhale-exhale-inhale-exhale

New Baby! Well, soon...

2009-09-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

My older brother and his wife are expecting a girl in November. To celebrate a baby I NEVER thought would exist (my brother used to be so grumpy! :)), I commissioned a lovely baby blankie from Etsy seller ballofyarn. She is a fabulous lady with a lovely and creative shop specializing in fashions for both kids and ladies alike. Karen you are the best! I can also say Karen has an enormous amount of patience for the likes of me who cannot make up my mind to save my life. For example: try to choose just ONE accent color, just one, and see how long it takes me to decide. Try 15 convos. And, then I will second guess that choice. The pictures here Karen took of the finished product after months of decision making. My sister-in-law better love it. And so better that baby. I really do hope it is a girl. Although, color shouldn't really matter, right?

I love this gorgeous afghan seen above with matching beanie!

Cheers!

It has been a long day...

2009-09-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Isabella and her Cousin Kimberly

2009-09-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to quickly share the way this packaging turned out for my latest order. I layered some paper flower cutouts, glued on a rhinestone center and made a ribbon stem. Simple little embellishments to spice up an otherwise ordinary gold cardboard jewelry box. Topped off the package with a pretty delicate ribbon bow. Each package comes complete with a handmade thank you card with a personal message inside (as well as cutouts for my business card!). I like the results but I am still on the hunt for the most beautiful packaging. Flickr has some inspirations. I might play around with some other ideas. I have an ungodly assortment of old buttons and raffia which I really should put to use.

Well, have a wonderful Labor Day weekend everyone! Be safe. We are staying indoors as Tahoe traffic on a holiday weekend is suicide. We went hog-wild and rented a movie. So, we are all set.

Hi!

2009-09-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a little happiness today! My co-clip maker in crime added some pretty, happy clips to Olibella today and I thought I would share. They made me smile.

Rainbow and Tulips Ribbon Hair Clips

Domestic Violence

2009-08-30T13:21:00.001-07:00

A friend wrote me today to tell me she is leaving her husband due to some domestic violence issues. She wants to protect her children so she is moving away from him as soon as she can. I feel powerless to help her other than sending my her my love and offering emotional support during this difficult transition.

This news of domestic violence hits quite a nerve for me. I really want to finish a degree in Women's Studies as this type of violence disproportionately effects women worldwide. My family and I have faced this very same issue in our lives. I even lost a babysitter when I was a little girl when Darcy's ex killed her and stuffed her in the trunk of a car abandoned in an empty field. The murder left her young son orphaned. That may be a dramatic example, but a necessary visual which, I think, serves the point that violence directed toward women is serious. As serious as death. I am scared for my friend.

So, I brainstormed a way I could help my friend and ultimately help others facing leaving domestic violence situations. For now, I am making silk flower accessories to sell in my Etsy shop as a first step. One-hundred percent of the sales of these flowers will go directly to my friend and hopefully, upon further research, to a reputable agency helping women in need. This issue is near and dear to my heart. I hope that my contribution will be of some help. If anyone out in the web world has ideas for me, please let me know. At this point I only have my creativity and a stash of random craft supplies at my disposal.

Here is an example of what I think I will make. This particular flower is actually for sale at Olibella and not part of the charity. Others like the one pictured below will be in my shop shortly. Thanks for reading, I hope this issue hits home for you as well. Blessings!

Silk Flower Hair Clip

Back to School Blog Feature!

2009-08-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

Olibella's Argyle Ribbon Hair Clips have been featured in a lovely blog post today.

Check it out: back to school...already? --Creativitae

Can't you just smell the freshly sharpened pencils now?

Beach Sale!

2009-08-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

My little family is off to the beach this afternoon. This outing will probably one of the last for the Summer as it seems, to me, to be getting colder and colder. But, I am a wimp so, we might go again. I will probably just sit in the sand and bury my toes while Travis swims to the farthest point he can go in the lake without being run over by a boat.

To celebrate this super Summer fun, I decided to make my beach inspired jewelry and hair accessories 25% off in my Shop. Any item tagged (themed) "beach" or "summer" or that just looks good enough to take swimming (you decide!) is fair game. Just add, "Take me to the Beach!" in the notes to seller and I will refund through Paypal 25% off your purchase. You could be sporting Summertime all year long!

Have a Fabulous and Sunny Weekend! Stay warm or cool. Whichever works for you. :)

Zombie Mama

2009-08-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

I am not really getting much done these days. I can't pinpoint a specific reason except that I am just tired. Isabella has been waking up about four times a night for comfort I guess. Then around 4:30 a.m. she is up and ready to go. We keep talking about getting her on some sort of schedule. That will be the day.

I did manage to make a few pairs of earrings for my Etsy shop.

Cloud Watching - Freshwater Pearl and Kyanite Gemstone Earrings

Petals - Pink Lilac Chalcedony Earrings

Fuchsia Blooms - Purple Chalcedony and Hot Pink Wire Earrings

I started filling up my sketch book with more designs too. I have my best ideas in the bathtub. 'Course the hot steam sometimes blurs the ink. I hope to make my sketches into tangible pieces soon. Hopefully, I can get some adequate rest. Or, I might just turn into an actual zombie. That could get interesting.

Here's wishing you some quiet time. Peace. <3

My Recipe for Chai Tea

2009-07-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

The Father's Day before last I created a chai tea kit for Travis. I bought a bunch of bulk spices and packaged them up with two lovely chai cups from the Tao of Tea in Portland, Oregon. Anyway, it has taken till just now to actually use any of the ingredients to make some chai. I have secretly been using the whole nutmeg for a while, however. I love fresh nutmeg.

In my Chai Kit I included:

Anise seeds

Star Anise

A Vanilla Bean

Whole Cloves

Whole Nutmeg

Cinnamon Sticks

Crystallized Ginger

Cardamom Pods

Whole Black Peppercorns

In addition to the above ingredients, I had on hand some allspice, one of those 4 pepper medley grinders and some fresh ginger.

I also used "sada chai" from the tao of tea. Strong black tea of any sort would work I imagine.

My method:

Basically, I approached this concoction willy-nilly. I used a tablespoon of anise, a star or two of star anise, part of the now dried-dead vanilla bean, a tablespoon of whole cloves plus some extra, you know, for good measure, a three second shave of the nutmeg, maybe longer if you like it spicy, a cinnamon stick, two slices of the crystallized ginger and three slices fresh ginger, another tablespoon of cardamom pods, a pinch of allspice, and a tablespoon of whole pepper corns. I also ground two rotations of the pepper mill in that mix. So, this part is experimental. You can adjust the amounts to your taste. I think next time I will add more nutmeg. You just want it spicy and fragrant.

Boil that mix in three cups of water for five minutes. Turn off heat and let steep for ten additional minutes. Next I added two or three tablespoons of the black tea curls. Here is where you can use tea bags or lose black tea. Just make a strong brew as you will be diluting this mixture with milk. I brought the spices and tea to a boil and reduced to a simmer for five minutes. I then strained the ingredients with a handy kitchen mesh screen Travis brought to our relationship. I love him for the strainer. Here is a picture of the strainer:

Return to pot and add two tablespoons of honey (more or less to your sweet desires) and stir. To the brew add two cups of milk. I prefer soy milk for some reason. Only in chai really. That is of course up to you. Heat to desired temperature and enjoy!

If you prefer iced chai just don't heat milk and add ice.

Ah, so good.

BIRTHDAY SALE!

2009-07-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey! It's my birthday on the Fourth! Come celebrate with me! 25% off orders from my shop when you mention "birthday sale" in notes to seller. Oh, yeah, and free shipping, as always!

Happy July 4th everybody, everybody! Hope it is full of family, fun and fireworks.

In My Dream Garden...

2009-06-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

I would grow:

the most gorgeous hydrangeas...

magnificent morning glories...

the

sweetest sweet peas...

mounds and mounds of irish moss...

bushels of delectable strawberries...

Sunny daffodils all year long...

The brightest poppies...

lush lavender for luck...

peppermint as well...

Perhaps a mini rose or two...

And I would grow Rainbows and magic and love.

and you would all be invited to have a picnic in my dream garden.

Have a Sunshiny day!

Olibella

2009-06-25T00:15:00.001-07:00

Time now to promote my newest creative endeavour: Olibella.etsy.com

Olibella is a handmade hair clip and accessory boutique for girls of all ages. The shop is run by my friend, Agnieszka, and me. Though my role is more of a moral supportive one, I have been working steadfast on some new items in order to reap the rewards, I mean, pull my weight. Julylamoon will stay my main focus as jewelry is my passion, however. I just thought it would be fun to expand into the world of hair flair.

Right now we are in the beginning stages of setting up shop and listing items. Agnieszka spent the last two months busily making items for Olibella during a recent visit with her family in Poland. While she worked away, I busily sat in front of a pile of ribbons and rhinestones just daydreaming. Someday my daydreams will pay off big time. Just you wait. It is gonna be good.

Until then, please feel free to stop by and have a look at our, ahem, mostly her, okay all her creations. Many of the handmade felt embellishments are one of a kind and exclusive to Olibella. We would love to have you stop by even if just for a look.

p.s. To all my loyal followers, all two of you, get pumped for an upcoming blog giveaway! I had intended to have a giveaway sooner than now but, that would have required I blog more often than on a whim.

Yoga

2009-06-04T13:15:00.001-07:00

I have never felt healthier in my life than when I practiced a hundred days straight of Bikrim yoga. My good friend Ingrid introduced me to hot yoga about four years ago. It took about six months for the benefits to wear off when I had to quit due to schedule conflicts. I really should have reconsidered my priorities then. The benefits being that I had very little stress despite living with several roommates and taking engineering classes at Humboldt State. Oh, and I had a crazy, crazy boss. Yoga pulled me through. Eventually however, the pressure of being a good college student, working full time and trying to demand boundaries from my roommates took its toll.

Later, I went on a fabulous detox diet which included eating a ton of garlic! Yum! Funny, I just realized that the guy I was dating at the time never complained about the garlic but the guy before that totally resented the yoga class. Hot buff girl or stinky garlic girl, take your pick. Perhaps because he was a ocean fisherman that he cared little for smell? Ah well, that is a story for another time. The detox was almost as beneficial as the yoga. I had great skin and no heartburn the whole diet. And I slept really well. Oh, and I had an even crazier boss during the detox. Maybe I was symbolically ridding him from my system.

All this yoga detox thought came about from some recent horrid pictures taken on my Memorial Day wine fest with Portland friends posted by those same friends on my facebook page. Great, now everybody knows that I only post the really flattering pics of myself on my profile (did someone say photoshop?). Granted, it is unfair to judge yourself when the pictures were taken midday without make-up, little sleep and with a slight hangover. But, still! Even under those conditions one cannot hide the love handles spewing over the sides of her skirt. Sigh...

I have been to the gym, like, four whole times this year. So, I am, you know, making an effort to get healthy. Yeah. And, apparently, this thing called "cardio" actually contributes to weight loss. K, whatever. Maybe I could get off the computer for a few minutes a day and practice yoga with my baby. She has already demonstrated her desire to get started.

Isabella showing off downward facing dog.

Here is an additional link to some Bikrim yoga poses: http://www.yoga-108.net/bikram_postures.htm

Found Browsing the Etsy Forums

2009-06-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

While working in food service, before my current position as mom (extraordinare), I often experienced similar ridiculous situations in which people tried to argue prices of food for sale. "Um, 45 cents for a donut? Outrage! You should be ashamed of yourself...", "I want the soda for free then!", and "Make that a heavy pour, your tip depends on it" etc. My usual response was to smile and/or use sarcasm. So, when I watched this youtube montage I laughed out loud because it really hits home with me.

I am not sure how people learned to be this way. I guess it works for them. I don't have the gall. Even as an exchange student in Thailand ten years ago, where the cultural norm is to haggle over goods, I just paid the extra couple of baht so as to not deal with the stress. Maybe I don't want people to think I am a cheapskate. Not to judge those who do ask for a discount. Just don't be a jerk about not getting your way. And don't make the lowly minimum wage employee feel like they ruined your whole life because they have no control over what the business charges. Please.

On with the show:

Cowboy Wisdom

2009-06-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

I listed some cowgirl earrings today and just for fun I looked up some cowboy lingo. I found some great cowboy sayings that I should probably heed. I suggest saying them in your best Old West accent. On to the cowboy wisdom:

Never miss a good chance to shut up.(serious note to self)

Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.

Don't corner something meaner than you.

You can never tell which way the pickle's goin' to squirt.(this one is oddly amusing to my dirty, dirty mind!)

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.(hahaha!)

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.(very good advice for me)

Never drink unless you're alone or with somebody.(okay, if I have to!)

Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important to know what it is, but it's good to know what it was.

Don't judge people by their relatives. (please)

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.(hmm...but that is really no fun)

Don't squat with your spurs on. (lol!)

So, yeah. I had a good chuckle at all of these. Oh, and say you want something from my shop. Well, just mention this post and maybe your fave quote here (or at checkout) and I'll give you 25% off any item.

Wait, what? You want another baby video?

2009-05-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well, okay! Here you go:

One Year Later...

2009-05-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Asia Stasch's garden of glorious poppies! I don't think there is a prettier or more peaceful garden in all of Portland.

Here are pictures of Isabella and Auntie Danyel gardening May of 2008.

Here's Isabella one year later "helping" garden this season. She loves wet dirt. I think she gets that from me.

Gettin' Tech Savvy

2009-05-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Ooooh, oooh, oooh! Look what I can do! I just posted a video to youtube. Yeah, it is of my child (surprise, surprise) but, I think I am pretty darn cool as a result. Stand in line to pat me on the back.

Mother's Day Weekend

2009-05-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a spectacular Mother's Day weekend! After stuffing myself on gourmet french toast for breakfast we spent the entire day just playing and having fun. The gorgeous bouquet of pink and white tulips were hand selected by my fourteen month old and her Dada. I was also surprised with a sweet pink teapot to add to my tea party collection. Sigh, I am loved!

We spent the next day at the beach. Isabella had a great time playing in the waves and sand. She is such an adventurous bug. We got a good start on our summer tans and took some time for a family photo shoot. Great weekend altogether.

EEEEEEKKK!

2009-05-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the scene:

So, I was shopping on Etsy last night about 11:45 p.m. when I hear scuffling and some strange squeaks behind me. I ignored the commotion for a minute figuring the kitty was just acting her usual-crazy-where-can-I-get-more-of-this-awesome-catnip-nighttime self. THEN, it occurred to me what might actually be going on. Holy crap. a mouse. in the kitchen.

I was paralyzed with fear standing on top of the tallest chair yelling for Travis (who was completely passed out on cold medicine!). I decided , "Okay, you are being ridiculous. Get down and take care of this." Cat was teasing the poor mouse scurrying to and fro. I got brave, grabbed my water glass and trapped the mouse. Though I am terribly phobic of mice I didn't want it to die a torturous death in the claws of sadistic kitty. The cat has been waiting for this mouse for some time now. Waiting.

Finally, I shook Travis out of bed and he took care of the rest of operation mouse rescue. Thank god for my big strong man! LOL...

The picture is a bit blurry as I was trembling from all the excitment and horror.

Mousey was kinda tute wid his big pwetty eyes though...sigh

good kitty.

Mommy's New Best Friend!

2009-05-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Paperclips in a box provide HOURS of fun for a 14 month old. Who knew?

When Bad Hair Days Are Cute

2009-05-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

Isabella woke up today with a curl mohawk.

Dear Baby,

2009-05-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Look how comfy your crib looks! I say you give it one more try (please for the love of god)! Fourteen months with us in our bed was sweet. But, I need some sleep and you are hogging the sheets. I still love you, really, I do. Kitty tested it out for you and approves.

Mother's Day Special!

2009-04-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

I have a special going on in my Etsy shop for Mother's Day! 15% off jewelry taged either "rose" or "flower" in honor of mom. Free gift wrapping is included!

www.julylamoon.etsy.com

Also, if anyone actually reads this blog, I will include a free pair of vintage jewel earrings (my choice) for those that mention in the "notes to seller" that you saw this blog post.

Happy days to everyone!

My Endless Skills at Photography

2009-04-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had to drive to North Shore of Tahoe. What a gorgeous day on the lake! I pulled off the side of the road to try and capture the splendor of the North Shore. The mountains were mirrored perfectly by the variegated turquoise water, puffy white clouds gracefully aloft the snow covered peaks, breathtaking! I blame the camera, not the photographer, for the lack of visual translation from real life to these photos.

Okay, I suck at taking pictures. le sigh...

Awesomeness!

2009-04-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

If you are like me then anytime bread pudding is offered on the dessert menu I order some. Even if I am stuffed to the point of exploding I just have to indulge in warm, creamy bread pudding! We had about three quarters of a loaf of sourdough french bread leftover from dinner two nights ago. So, I decided to look up a recipe for bread pudding just for fun. I ended up making the most delicious bread pudding! We have eaten almost all of it straight from the pan and I can't stop. Here is the recipe adapted from the one I found online by Margaret Burger. I added some nuts, spices, rum extract and half-n-half.

Butterscotch Bread Pudding

One loaf of day old french bread, torn into pieces
3 cups milk
1 cup half and half (I used fat free)
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter (one stick)
3 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
dash or two of: cinnamon, cloves and allspice
dash of salt
one cup of whole pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together to form a soupy oatmeal consistency. Pour into 9x13 inch glass pan and bake for 45 minutes. It might take up to an hour for the middle to set or have a gentle wiggle when you shake the pan. I prefer a bit more sauce than this recipe produced but the flavor is to die for. Try it!

New Kitten

2008-09-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a few months since I started this blog thinking that I would write every day. Apparently I have little to say. So, we got a kitty. I have had nothing but negative feedback from my family and neighbors ever since. Like, kitty will lick milk off baby's face and *eye roll*. I love her anyway. She helps me feed the baby by sitting on my shoulder or chest. And I can blame her for the messy house. She is such a little pig.

potential etsy pics

2008-05-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

I am working on taking good photos for my jewelry displays. Here's what I have got far that I like:

first post

2008-05-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on setting up my jewelry shop on etsy. Finding the energy between Isabella's naps, however, is proving difficult. At two months she still won't let me put her down for more than twenty minutes at a time. As it is I am typing one-handed. But, I wouldn't change this experience for the world. off to make some tea...