Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Tiny Cluster, Simple Statement

Sometimes I think I am ahead of the trend. 

I love the simple look of the cluster necklaces, it gives just that tiny pop of flash and color. Making a statement without screaming it upon entrance. Cluster necklaces are a great way to use your one off beads from previous designs, a great way to make new memories out of an older piece of jewelry that may have broken, and you don't have all the pieces.  They are really versatile, and I am seeing them everywhere now!!! 

I like to make them longer, opera length, for an over the head design, so you don't have to worry about a clasp (keeps costs down). Add a coordinating bead to the chain where the clasp would have been instead.  This is aventurine, jade, calcite and swarovski, for love and prosperity.  It also is brilliant fall colors. 

Headed to the mountains this weekend, maybe I will take it with me and wear it in honor of the foliage change!



And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind.

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Saturday, October 22, 2016

What Fuels Your Creativity? Music!

Music is definitely an inspiration motivator for me.

I am a romantic at heart, and music when I hear it, makes me think of a scene in a movie, or a chapter from a book, and I think about the girl, and wonder what jewelry would she wear for that scene/chapter. Funny right? But that is how my mind works.

This song inspires me, and as of late has become my favorite. When I hear the lyrics, I think of sitting in a coffee shop and over hearing people talk, catching random snippets of all of the conversations. I love these conversations because it feels like it is a room of positivity, and they are all dreaming, or changing the world.

Plus it doesn't hurt that I am a Dave head :)

Have a listen if you will, and maybe it will inspire you too!




If I could fly at the speed of light
I could get to Canis Major in 5,000 years
Butterflies and black and blue birds, I'll never be the same since I met you
Pennies thrown into a fountain
Make a wish, blow out the candles, take a breath
Not as troubling when you consider believers that would welcome the end of the world


Got a job and it pays me
I want love more than I deserve
I read the paper, makes me crazy
There's gotta be a way to make it work


Ashes, Stardust
Look at us, crawling out the mud
Let's go, around the block
We'll make the most before the jig is up
Dreamers, the big top
We'll never know, I guess never stop
Ashes, stardust
Look at us, crawling out the mud


I know that dying is scary to us
But everybody do it, 1-2-3
On the sidewalk, the dandelion is reaching from a crack up to the sun
Words can be a wicked tool
For twisting truth
I wanna be true to you
Blood and bones, black holes and stones
All those things paved the way for you and me


Got a job and it pays me
I want love more than I deserve
I read the paper makes me crazy
There's gotta be a way to make it work
Ashes, stardust
Look at us crawling out the mud
Let's go around the block
We'll make the most before the jig is up
Campfires and high rises
You never know quite when to stop
Ashes, stardust
Look at me crawling out the mud


If I could fly at the speed of light
I could get to Betelgeuse in about 600 years
Butterflies and black and bluebirds
I'll never be the same since I met you
Maybe dying is scary too us, but everybody do it A-B-C
Not as troubling when I consider
Believers that would welcome the end of the world.


Got a job 'cause it pays me
I want love more than I deserve
I read the paper, makes me crazy
There's gotta be a way to make it work


Ashes, stardust
Look at us crawling out the mud
Let's go around the block
We'll make the most before the jig is up
Ashes, stardust
Look at us crawling out the mud
Ashes, stardust
Look at me crawling out the mud


Butterflies and black and blue birds
I'll never be the same since I met you
If I could fly at the speed of light
I'd get the Betelgeuse in about 600 years
Butterflies and black and blue birdscould fly at the speed of light
I could get to Canis Major in 5,000 years
Butterflies and black and blue birds, I'll never be the same since I met you
Pennies thrown into a fountain
Make a wish, blow out the candles, take a breath
Not as troubling when you consider believers that would welcome the end of the world


And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind.

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Thoughtful Thursday - Love


We voted today!

Standing in line, listening to people, thinking of all the facebook posts, the tv ads, the family arguments around the dinner table, the division of friends - I re worded conversations I was hearing in my head, but with a different perspective, a positive one.

Words are really that powerful, love is really that great.

For example - "How long are we going to stand in this line?" - I said "What a beautiful morning this is!"
                       " If I would have known there were going to be this many people here, I would have come earlier" - I said "What a great turn out! So many people are voting!"

At this point I zoned out the conversations, and began to think about this subject, the power of words, the power of love, here is a break down:

People can be so passionate about things, they become consumed by them. This is not a bad thing. We should have passions that we will stand up for. We should be able to stand up for what we believe in peacefully, not be so caught up in it, that we feel we have to defeat a person who thinks differently.
Name calling, belittling, violence doesn't get your point across, it most times creates even a bigger wedge between people.

Think before you speak - an old adage, but a true one.
Choose your words wisely - again, we all know this

These truths have been around forever, but have been forgotten because we have become entitled.

Next time someone says something that makes you mad and you want to retaliate, stop - take a breath - think about your reply. Can you reply and keep it thoughtful, constructive, neutral to where you can have a conversation instead of a heated debate.

If you can't, do you really want to say those words? Will they be heard, or are you just feeding your own ego by hearing yourself say the words that will not be heard by anyone else?

I think these things, I rehash past conversations trying to learn from them, trying to make myself a more peaceful person from my past, so in my future I am more enlightened and peaceful.

I base my existence on whatever I put out, I will receive. I choose to send out love instead of hate.

What do you do to stay peaceful?

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind.

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Hand Painted Cards - Show You Care!

I started making little hand painted cards as thank yous for my pet sitting clients. Just an added touch that separates me from others, and keeps me remembered.

From that grew other ideas. I made angel cards for my mom, a birthday card for my daughter and it just kept going.




I enjoy it so much, making these little hand painted works or art, that people can send, or can keep and frame as a fun little conversation piece.

I have now added them to my Etsy store so everyone can have some! More designs coming!

Here is what is at the store right now! Click on the picture to be taken right to the listing.




And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind.

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Quinoa Patties!!

I have been vegan for quite some time now. It all started with developing an intolerance to dairy, and it just seemed like the natural progression. I am not a staunch vegan, I will eat an occasional egg, or fish, so instead of labeling myself, I am just a picky eater :)

This being said, I do not buy all the processed "nutritional" vegan meat substitutes. They have too many ingredients, and I am suspect of them. I am a very limited ingredient type of person. I don't need to buy pre made food. It is easy to make with things I already have in my pantry. ** I had left over quinoa and didn't want to waste it, was pretty tired of eating it, and wanted to find a way to re use it that I could freeze for later.


Stumbled on these, and modified the recipe like I always do!

***** for this to be vegan, you can substitute eggs with mashed sweet potatoes, but I haven't done that yet, and can't tell you how much to use. Please experiment and let me know!!! This recipe also called for Parmesan cheese - I used the nutritional yeast instead. It also called for 1 cup of bread crumbs, and touching back on the limited ingredient thing, I didn't want to use that much. I had some panko in the pantry from another recipe, so I just backed off the amount and added other things to help with the binding.***

Quinoa patties! (these are NOT vegan) 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
4 eggs (beaten - poor eggs)
small chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
parsley flakes, salt, pepper, cumin to taste - bout 1 tsp each, mabbe a little more parsley
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup bread crumbs

MIx all dry ingredients until mixed well - add eggs and mix until wet - you can add a bit of water, I did. Use some olive oil in a skillet and get it hot. Drop 1/3 cup of the mixture into skillet, mash down a bit, and brown on both sides.
OMG so good!!!
They come out bout the same size as a hamburger pattie and would fit on a bun perfect. Makes 9 patties.
I am going to freeze them and see how they re heat.
How have your experiments turned out? How do you substitute? Share and let us all know!


And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind

All of my creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit.

Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry made with love!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Exploration in Creativity - Acrylic Abstract Painting

Inspiration is all around me, and it keeps a constant chatter in the creative recesses of my brain. Some things that inspire me or not jewelry related, therefore I explore many creative outlets. Painting has become an outlet of creativity for me. And I love it





August I went on vacation with my brother Toog (or Jerry Piper as the rest of the world knows him) to Santa Fe/Taos and I was blown away. We ran at break neck speeds all over the town going thru every gallery to take in as much 'culture' as we could. We took in so much, I think, no, I know, I blacked out a couple of times. So much stimuli, I was in art overload, and I loved it.







My painting style has been forever changed. From exploratory to experimental, and I really think I have found my niche. 

I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. 

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind

All of my creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit.

Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry made with love!