These are a Few of My Favorite Things.

Cocoa, my 4 Year old lab mix. Completely sacked out after plowing through the snow in front of the studio. (I took her Christmas ribbon off.)

--My Sun Retro bicycle. Gave me a new lease on life about 3 years ago when I discovered the absolute pleasure in "cruising."

--Music! My studio now has tunes. And the new William Least-Heat Moon Book.

--Rosemary Trees, Old mason jars, and my vintage thermometer.

Easy Earring Wires

The cost of sterling silver has gone up in the last year. While it's been steadily climbing down again, and will likely fall further, findings are still crazy expensive. The top picture is of a pair of sterling silver ear wires priced at 2.44 per pair. (Granted you can get a discount if you buy 100 pairs.) BUT TWO DOLLARS AND FORTY-FOUR CENTS???? For about 24 cents you can make the identical ear wires with 20g SS wire.

Cut about 1.5" of wire.

Make a tiny loop on one end.

Curve the other end around a ball point pen.

Trim and sand any rough edges. Half hard wires works better than dead soft...or you can tumble them afterwards.

Now maybe 2.44 won't break your bank account. But would you pay 20.00 for a loaf of bread? 10.00 for a Pepsi? 1,000,000 for your 100,000 dollar house? Something that takes about a minute seems worth doing to save a couple of dollars.

Happy New Ears!

Easy Earrings #30-River Rocks

30 pairs of easy earrings in 30 days ended up being 30 pairs in about 60 days. Despite falling welllll behind schedule this ended up being a really valuable experience. I made earrings for strangers and people I love. I made new friends (Nothing will invite conversation more than sitting down at Starbucks and playing with beads!) Right before Christmas, I sat with a young man (And coffee Maestro!) and helped him make a pair of earrings for his girlfriend.

What next? Hmmm. It's brewing right now!

Easy earrings number 30. Czech glass Jet Picasso ovals and sterling silver knots.

Rubbbbber Ducky, You're the one

Some beads are so insanely cute I just want to hoard them. Were you a Bert or an Ernie fan?

Holiday "ness"

1) Play with someone.

2) Make something.

3) Share.

(A few days ago I was a hero in my son's eyes. A cheeseburger and a man he said looked hungry. Hanging out with 10 year olds makes my heart grow.)

My middle sis is in the hospital. Preeclamptic, she's going through the battle of body wanting baby to be born NOW and baby Leo needing to bake a bit longer. 3 pounds, maybe, is he and a first baby she thought she couldn't have.

Blessings upon you and yours this week.

Kristen

Easy Earrings #29--If I Had a Hammer

Easy earrings #29. Hammered brass wire. Couldn't be simpler.

Easy Earrings #28-The Bee's Knees

Snow, wind, sleet, slush, mush---go figure, I'm thinking about Spring. Easy earrings #28--pewter bumble bees, brass wire, and Czech honey flowers.