And a Hippo Gnu Deer

I'd heard it said that what you'll be doing at Midnight is an accurate reflection of your year to come. Since I will be probably sacked out on the couch watching a movie and eating too many leftover Christmas cookies....there is probably far more truth in this than I would like. That said, pack yourself a New Years bags of dreams and wishes. If you want sparkle, throw in some sparkle. Add a journal to record your successes. Some spiritual nourishment (not cookies, Kristen!) Some empathy and warmth (Sunglasses!) I'll be adding a couple of keys, (of course) and a some kneaded rubber erasers. (Change and growth are possible, tenacity is the key.)

Metal Art i Facts

When does trash become treasure? My mother (and many of her generation) simply LOATHE the chrome kitche of the 50's. Whereas I cannot find enough red and white canister sets. Lime Green fiestaware makes me swoon. And don't even get me started on the wonders pistachio and chrome trashcans.

I found a pop top today on my walk. The kind that aren't attached. Those that were going to litter the world if we didn't change our aluminum can ways immediately. I won't say I swooned, but hey...it was certainly more interesting trash than I usually see!

Monday's Child

I was getting all ready to complain about Monday. (Monday's, shudder!) But then Leo (the nephew) goes ahead and decides it's time to be born. He weighs in at a whopping 3 lbs 12 ounces. And despite his size, mom and babe are doing well.

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?