It's Been Too Long....so, How About a Giveaway?

So much for getting back on a regular blogging schedule!

I have had nothing but problems with Blogger lately.  I could not even "find" images on my computer, much less upload them!  Then, I was reading Christine's blog a couple of weeks ago, and she, too, was having issues.  She told me to try Google Chrome for my Network Browser.  

You know - back in the 1990's, I considered myself to be computer savvy in my office ... granted, there were only 3 of us in the office!  I actually took classes in various programs and thought I was at the very least, proficient.  I was a Proposal Manager/Writer with an emphasis on graphics design.  Does anyone else remember DOS, or a CRT? Ha! Well, graphics design back then is NOTHING like it is now!  LOL! Fast forward to 2013...

I had to do tons of reading (and re-reading)  just to figure out how to load Google Chrome!  I finally did, and PRESTO !  My pictures can be located AND loaded!  Success!  Many thanks to Christine!

So...what has been going on with me lately? If anyone sees my posts on Facebook, I am truly a lover of animals - all animals.  One of my favorite charitable organizations is  a horse rescue in Pahrump, Nevada (just outside of Las Vegas - another of my favorite places!)  I have been a supporter of Miracle Horse Rescue for almost 10 years now and I had the pleasure of finally visiting this fine ranch this past February.  The rescue is run by Stephanie and Robert Pierce - two of the most compassionate and friendly people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  

The horses at Miracle Horse have truly been saved either from slaughter or abuse.  And they are thriving here!  This lovely lady - Bradylynn - arrived two days before my visit.  She is in foal and is actually passed due - she should have had her little baby on May 8.  UPDATE May 15, 2013- Bradylynn gave birth to a filly named Lily (no rhyme intended!!) on May 14th!!

I was truly in awe of both the beauty of the scenery (mountains are my favorite all-time view!) and most of all, the "residents"!

If you are interested in catching up with the goings-on at Miracle Horse, the best way is through their Face Book page found by clicking here: Miracle Horse Facebook Page  

Stephanie recently asked me to  create a necklace for Miracle Horse to auction as a fundraiser for their most noteworthy efforts.  She asked that the necklace be created using the colors of the Lael Stables (Lael Stables is where the great horse Barbaro hailed).  So, I went to my favorite lampwork artist - Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads - and commissioned her to create some beads for me. As usual, Sue came through for me and sent me gorgeous beads! Thanks again, Sue!

I ended up making a necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

The first focal I made I trashed - well, it is in my silver pile to be recycled!  The one "that made it" includes a hand cut and textured silver disc, to which I revitted a hand cut, copper star. I soldered a small bail to the back of the focal piece.

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I also included two cocoon style beads in sterling silver for the necklace. 

A bit of handmade chain completes the necklace.  Sue's beads really make this piece special!

The auction for this set ends tomorrow, May 15.  I am so pleased that the current bid is $200!  Such a worthy cause and I am so humbled to be a part of it!

In other news....I am very excited to report that one of my niece's (I have 5 nieces and NO nephews!) is expecting!  This is my first time as a Great Aunt and I could not be happier!  Not only is she expecting in September...but she is expecting TWINS!  A boy and a girl!  My mother is absolutely beside herself with happiness and she has been sewing up a storm!  

So, to thank you for putting up with this LONG post, and to celebrate the good things going on in my life, I'd like to giveaway this bracelet!  It is a sterling silver, wire-wrapped creation made with YUMMY beads by the ultra-talented Donna Millard.  The bracelet measures 8 1/2" in length and securely closes with a sterling lobster clasp.  BUT, I will custom-fit this bracelet (if needed!)  for the winner! 

So, what do you have to do to win this bracelet?  Just do one (or all) of the following and LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT ON MY BLOG for each:

1)  Leave a comment! 

2)  Become a follower of my blog - or leave a separate comment telling me you are already a follower.

3)  Post  link to my blog to Face Book about the giveaway

I will pick a winner on Monday - May 20th.  

Thanks for hanging in there for this LONG post and as always, thank you stopping by!

A new addition and artBLISS!

I have been a VERY BAD blogger lately.....but I have a very good reason!  On March 26th, this little guy became a permanent member of my family:

 

 

He was adopted from the local Prince William County Animal Shelter ( a kill shelter....ugh).  He was named Sarge, and his name seemed to fit him, so Sarge it is.  He was picked up as a stray on 2/16/13, and 10 days later was put on the adoption list.  I believe his days were numbered, as he had a big Red Dot on his badge.  Anyway, he is a beagle/pointer mix - fully grown - and estimated to be between 1-2 years of age.  He was mal-nourished when he got home...but not anymore!  He has put on 5 pounds and is now at his optimum weight of 40 pounds. My vet also did some major bloodwork and discovered that certain levels are very high and he may have Lyme Disease - though he shows absolutely no symptoms.  So, 30 days of antibiotics just in case.  He is the sweetest little guy!  And, he was housebroken in 1 day!  He is an ESCAPE ARTIST and does suffer from separation anxiety - working on these things now! I believe he was somebody's pet, as he is very well mannered!

 

So, my life has been quite full these days!  However, I was so excited to get my email from artBLISS announcing registration is open for September classes!  Yay! !  I am filling every hour of this 3 day weekend - 2 classes with Richard Salley & Jessica Papke, and classes from my all time favorite teachers ever - Stacie Florer and Kerry Bogert! 

 

 

  

The classes with Richard Salley and Jessica Papke are focused on ring-making.  I am finding my inner metal-smith these days and believe this is the path I want to take.  Stacie's class will focus on post earrings - (I purchased several of these post earrings from Stacie as gifts for myself and family members and they are drop-dead gorgeous)!

 

Image from Stacie Florer's store on Etsy.

 

Kerry's class will focus on making a unique wrapped bracelet using one of her awesome lampwork beads as the button closure. 

 

I am very excited about these classes and I hope to see some of you at this fantastic event!

 

I hope to get back to regular blogging soon - I have been creating some beautiful pendants and rings from some cabochons...just need to get them photographed and sit down to focus on my blog again.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Focus on Life Week 12 - Observe the Curve

This week's prompt from Sally Russick is to "Observe the Curves" in your life. So, I practiced my soldering and came up with a couple of curves...

Even the lampwork cabochon made by Kerry Bogert had curves!

Very cosmic...don't you think?

 

My niece, Sarah, actually asked me to make her a ring - a thick ring.  Man-I had no idea how thick 20 gauge silver sheet was until I tried to really curve it!

The tiny amethyst (5mm) ring was an afterthought.  But...I love that little ring!

To find out what others are observing this week, hop on over to Sally's blog here.

Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the weekend!

Progress via a Gift

Since my jewelry class debacle (I posted about it here), I have decided to brush off the negativity and put the soldering tips I learned to use.

I have had a friend via "the Internet" for many, many years now.  She is a very special person who has been going through some tough times lately.  She had a stroke last August, actually - two strokes - and she has been progressing wonderfully.  During this terrible time, her father was diagnosed with Cancer.  Having gone through this dreadful disease with my late father 8 years ago, I know all too well what she is going through.

She is one Tough Broad - in a good way (I would love to be called a Tough Broad!)  She is dealing with these emotional and physical hardships in the most beautiful way, and I am awestruck by her strength and beauty.

I wanted to give her something, specifically, I wanted to make her something that would reflect how I feel.  So, I did my best and put what little skills I have to use and I made her this pendant.

It features a cabochon by, quite frankly - yes I am going to say it - my FAVORITE lampwork artist - Sue Kennedy.  I usually say "one of my favorites" - but her work truly speaks to me and if you saw the amount of my purchases of lampwork beads from etsy, the majority are from Sue!  So there...I said it!  Anyway, I stamped the words STRENGTH on the back of the pendant (can you believe I forgot to take pictures of the back! ha!)  I was lucky to find in my stash other GORGEOUS lampwork beads by the ultra talented Donna Millard - a match made in heaven!

Naturally, I completed this necklace with swirled links (again - credit for this design goes to Kerry Bogert!).  This necklace had to be 100% handmade!  I oxidized, buffed, tumbled, buffed again....

My friend has a friend who was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I am so tired of reading about one more person stricken with this horrible, horrible disease.  My immediate thoughts ran to Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp - a way-too-young mother who was also recently stricken with the Big C.  For those of you who may not know Marie (how can you not know her work??!!), she is an extremely talented jewelry AND component designer who has bravely shared her journey via the WWW.  Marie has exhibited an awesome amount of COURAGE during her ordeal....so I made a "kind of" matching pendant for my friend's friend:

Again - a most lovely cabochon by Sue and I believe these are my favorite color combinations!  And, how befitting to augment this cabochon with yet more gorgeous lovelies in purple by Donna.

I stamped the word COURAGE on the back of this pendant (again...no pictures of the back!  Shame on me!)

I made matching earrings - swirled links for the both of them.

My heart goes to anyone who is struggling with health issues...especially Cancer.  As only an "onlooker", as in I am not there physically, I feel helpless.  But, I say my prayers and hope the Good Lord takes the utmost care for not only those who are going through the actual physical suffering, but also the caretakers - their suffering is just as real.

Thanks for stopping by today...

Focus on Life / Week 11

This week, Sally Russick's Focus on Life prompt is "The Possibilities are Endless".  

 

Growing up as a child, my mother ALWAYS baked daily - breads, cookies, cakes - you name it.  I did not want for any carbohydrates, which explains alot.... There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked goods wafting from the oven...nothing compares!

 

When Mom moved in with me, I promised her I would try to have homemade bread on hand for her (and me!) , as well.  So twice a month, I bake bread.  And life is good!

 



 Hop on over to Sally's blog to see everyone else's Possibilities...

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend!