Kim Forrer Designs

Hip Happening Feb 5th

2011-01-22T21:40:00.000-08:00

Come check it out and say hi.KIM

First pieces of 2011!!!

2011-01-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Would love to make something every day this year but that's really not a realistic goal for me working at the full time gig all day and then trying to cram in an hour or two making jewelry at night. I keep telling my husband that next time I'm marrying for money...... He just laughs and says "whatever!"

I'm serious (not really). But would love to be able to spend my work day creating lovely jewelry. Can't imagine what it would be like to have your main income job be something that you love and are passionate about. Now don't get me wrong.......I like my day job and in this economy am very grateful that I still have it, but it would be nice to be able to get up in the morning, start the coffee, take the dogs for a walk and then come back and go into my studio, crank up the tunes and go to town!!! Ahhh.......now that's exactly what I would be doing if I win the lottery. And I wouldn't have to drive on a snow day (not like we get a lot of those in Molalla.....).

Anyway here are a few new pieces. Sterling silver wire heart pendant with a dark red Garnet teardrop and Garnet and sterling earrings. And I have also added this MOST AWESOME picture my friend Wes took of Heceta Head lighthouse at night on the Oregon Coast. It would look perfect on the cover of a gothic murder mystery book.

K

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well it's been along time since I posted anything. Working long hours at the day job, and making quite a bit of jewelry in the night time has taken its toll on my tired body. Last thing I want to do most of the time is spend more of limited hours on a computer.......but since I have 3 days off and really only feel like watching football and vegging on the couch, thought I could take the time to blog.

I was going to make a list of resolutions but WTF......all I ever do is NOT DO any of the things I say I am going to do. Lose weight, eat healthier, take more walks, play with my dogs more, quit complaining about things I cannot change, etc, etc, etc,.....and then I never seem to do any of these things. So the only resolution I am going to make this year is to NOT MAKE ANY RESOLUTIONS. If I want to do something I will do it. If I don't, then I won't. It's as simple as that. Period.

I am going to finally enroll in a metalsmith class so I can stop stumbling around the bench and learn some techniques of the trade instead of trying to teach myself so I can save money. My friend Rebecca of Adobe Sol Designs jewelry (whom I have never personally met but just talked to some on the internet) has given me the incentive I need.......after drooling over her beautiful designs every day that she posts something on Facebook. I guess I cannot continually sit here and "wish I could do that" if I don't finally bite the bullet and learn how to do that. So I am going to. No excuses or time, or money.......I just need to make this happen because jewelry is my passion. And I have so many ideas in my head of what I want to create I just know it will be worth all the time and money to learn properly.

That and of course I wish for world peace.......!!!!!

Until next time,
Kim

The new phone.....

2010-08-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well I got a new phone. A Droid to be exact. And it's kicking my ass.....! I need to find a small child who can probably teach me how to use the damn thing. I have been playing on it all day long. It's finally starting to make some kind of sense I guess.... So very many gadgets!!! Why does someone need so many gadgets? But it's just so cool.....!!!!! It does everything except the laundry and cook and maybe it can do those things also and I just haven't found the right button to push yet. I am so stoked though. I look so damn cool with my new Droid!!! And I just love it when it says "Droid...." in that Darth Vader-type voice. I think all the people that own Droids should start giving that little wave thing that all Harley riders give when they pass by each other. Because we are just so very cool and such an elite bunch of techno geeks!!!!! And pretty soon I will be able to upload posts to my blog directly from my Droid. How cool is that??? Of course I have to figure that out still. I can probably find some neighborhood teenager to help me with that.

I will keep you posted.
K

The earth seemed out of whack today.......

2010-07-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

They say when life deals you lemons, make lemonade.

But sometimes it turns out to be a whole batch of lemons

that are the most sour things you have ever tasted,

that even the sweetest sugar cannot improve the taste,

nothing can make those lemons palatable.

Then what?

Do you just say “yuck” and be miserable?

Do you hang your head, make a sour face

and throw your hands in the air?

Go to bed and hide under the covers?

Well when you figure it out, call me.

I'm in the book.~~K

Sunny Saturday at the Gresham Art Walk

2010-07-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful Saturday when the sun finally came out around 2ish. Before that I was freezing to death because I dressed for 80 degrees - not 50!!! Other than that, it was a great show - beautiful venue, tons of people, music, food, cute dogs and lots of friends and family coming out to support me. Thanks so much. I sold quite a bit of jewelry, which is always great. The show itself was one of the best run shows I have ever attended!!! A big thank you to all the volunteers who seemed to be everywhere to help all the artists whether it be watch their booths for a break, or bringing us food and/or water. They were really appreciated. My good friend Paul, the metal sculpter, re-furbished the sign he made for me and it really turned out beautiful, although the picture does not do it justice. Thanks so much Paul......you do rock!!!!!!

Not sure where I will be at next - that's TBD.
K

Soul Searching

2010-07-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

Lying in the sun,

feeling the warmth envelope my body and soul,

I think about things a long time passed,

and wonder why I chose this particular path to go down.

Is it too late for change, I wonder?

Am I too old, too set in my ways, too selfish?

Would I be able to see things diffently then I did before?

Would it, could it be worse then it is now?

Knowing it's so much easier to think about it,

then actually take the first step,

but I feel myself drawing closer and closer to changing,

doing things different, and maybe being alone for the

first time in a long time.

Will I jump in feet first into the deep end or do as I always do.....

take the plunge head first and hit my head on the bottom of the pool.

Only time will tell.

Another birthday..

2010-07-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yes I had another damn birthday. But it was great - so many good friends wished me happy birthday. Received these lovely roses from my friend Kim, great fish sculpture from my friend Ted, went to Eclipse with my daughter Blythe, niece Katie, husband J. Burgers and fries afterwards at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. Couldn't ask for a better day. Off 5 days for the holiday makes it even better. Now if the sun would just come out!!! Made this ankle bracelet with some Amethysts I had. I think it turned out nicely.

Anyway enjoy and have a safe holiday weekend.

K

The Gulf Disaster

2010-06-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

I just watched Larry King on CNN do a telethon for the oil spill disaster. In two hours they raised over $1 million dollars to help the wildlife funds, United Way and other various charities to help out with this BP fuckup. Some people were calling in asking why they should donate, since BP should take full responsibility. But hey......yes BP should bear the brunt of this financially, but all of us in this country are going to be feeling this disaster for a very very long time. All the people losing their jobs, all the fish and wildlife losing their lives, the wetlands, etc. etc. etc. This is obviously going to have a HUGE impact on the environment for the rest of our lives and then some. I didn't have much to donate but I did text in some money because even a few dollars given by many can make a difference. I am sure there are other websites you can go to and donate something so please.......give something and help these people, these animals, do what you can to help give back something to our planet and our livelihood.

K

Crappy weather so makin' jewelry......

2010-06-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

When I got out of bed on Saturday morning the first thing I did was look out the window. Where is the sun???? Will it ever come out to play again??? So what better way to lift my spirits then spend the day indoors making jewelry. So here are some new bracelets and a bangle.

K

Look at this bead......!!!!!

2010-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

I entered a designers contest that lampwork artist Whitney Lassini was putting on and won (woohoo!) 1st place which was this MOST AWESOME set of beautiful lampwork beads made by Whitney herself!!! Pictured here is the necklace with the winning bead paired with Ruby in Zoisite gemstone chips. The other picture is the bracelet I made with one of Whitney's beads I purchased from her Etsy store and accented it with Labradorite and Amethyst stones and sterling silver, which I entered into the contest. Both are for sale and featured in my 1000 Markets store . 3rd pic is the bead set I won. They are just fabulous and Whitney is soooo very talented!!!

Hopefully sales will start picking up soon - my next show will be on July 17th at the Gresham Art Walk in downtown Gresham. I would love to hear from other artists on how they are doing in this economy.

Wilsonville Art Festival 2010

2010-06-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

My 1st outdoor show this year was at the Wilsonville Art Festival, featuring works of 75 talented artists. As usual per our wonderful Portland metro area weather it absolutely POURED during set-up on Friday and on Sunday. However, Saturday was the most perfect weather you could ask for. Suprisingly I did rather well on Sunday for two hours and then nothing for the rest of the day. We all packed up early and split!!! I will post some pics later. Met some great people and most of all got to hang out with my friends Julie and Paul Breck, of Imaginary Metalarts. Paul's metal sculptures are just awesome - this man has more talent in his big toe than I will ever have!!! Bought this great fish from Deanna Hanson - a very talented potter. Gave it to my husband for his birthday yesterday and he loves it, which is a good thing. Especially since he spent much of his birthday weekend helping me instead of fishing which he would have rather been doing.......

Looking forward to the next show - the Gresham Art Walk on July 17th in downtown Gresham, Oregon. There will be about 80-100 artists there and hopefully this time the weather will participate.

K

Getting ready for the season......

2010-03-02T05:23:00.001-08:00

Yes it's been awhile again since I have blogged. Lots of news to share - was invited to be on the West Linn Arts Festival Board as their Advertising Coordinator. That's a pretty cool milestone for me. I get to hobnob with lots of very talented artists and maybe my jewelry will get seen by more potential customers. And I am hoping to enroll in my first metalsmith class for spring term. And I finally got a rawhide mallet!!! Now to most people that would not be very exciting news - but it is to me!!!! Rawhide won't mar my piece when hammering. So can't wait to try it out. I am slowly but surely buying all the various tools I need - one at a time.....so it will take awhile. But I will get there.

In the meantime here are some new pieces to share with you. Check out the fabulous lampwork focal bead in the Amethyst and Labradorite bracelet. The bead was made by Whitney Lassini, a very talented lampwork artist. The second pic is Black Tourmilated Quartz bracelet and the third is a very heavy gauge sterling silver wire wrapped with various gemstones and crystal dangles. It was very fun to make and has lots of springtime colors.

Caio......

Boy I really suck at blogging......

2010-02-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yes it's true. I tell myself I am going to blog frequently - at least once a week and it seems I am lucky to blog once a month. Maybe I am just not that interesting that I never have anything to share with anyone. Who knows!!! But I am going to try again to blog more frequently. Anyway wanted to share new pieces with you and also a new piece by my metal sculpture friend Paul Breck from Imaginary Metal Art (the link is listed in my "links").

It's just so green this time of year......

2010-01-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

I got up this morning and went outside to greet the day and really noticed just how GREEN it is this time of the year where I live. Even when most plants have died back for the season....there still is an abundance of green in winter - at least in Oregon. With the big evergreen trees and then all the moss and some early periennials, it is really pretty. And if it happens to be raining (which it does most of the winter), and then the sun starts to peak through the clouds, just makes it all brilliantly sparkle - like the best cut of a diamond. So I guess I am one of the few - to really not hate this time of the year. It makes for some wonderful photos.

It also got me thinking on some jewelry ideas so I made this little bracelet with a gorgeous natural piece of green Chalcedony mixed with copper that I hand-formed and added patina for the beautiful sheen. Then I guess I just couldn't get enough of the "green" thing - so I found this most awesome lampworked focal bead made by Blue Seraphim Beads that I purchased this month and then went through my stash and found some other great gemstones for accent and put it all together with (again) copper. To me green just cries out for copper, which is one of my favorite metals to work with. Hope you enjoy them.

Kim

Happy 2010!!!

2010-01-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

A new year with new promise of being a great one hopefully. Started it off by taking the boyz Cesar and Zeus out to the hiking trail and ponds near our house so they could take their first swim of the new year. They had a great time and we got totally wet because the number one thing that labs like to do after they swim, is shake. Met this older gentlemen who was out for a walk and he had a great time throwing the toys into the pond for the dogs to swim and fetch. He said he use to have a black lab and missed doing that. So hopefully the dogs made his day also. And he didn't even complain about getting wet. Obviously another lover of water dogs!!!! Well hope you and yours have a happy, healthy and properous new year. Enjoy life whatever you do.

Tribute to Twilight

2009-12-19T19:17:00.001-08:00

Yes I am obsessed with Twilight like half of the planet. I have always had a fascination with vampires - even as immortal bloodsuckers there is a very romantic element to the stories that I love to read about and fantasize. Especially with Twilight, because Stephanie Meyers has made her vampires "vegetarians" as in they only hunt animals, not humans. So it was after falling in love with the love story that I decided to make some bracelets as my tribute to Twilight. I hope you like my designs as much as I liked creating them. More will probably follow these three.

The top one is "Alice" - white freshwater pearls for her skin, black Onyx chips for her spiky hair and oxidized sterling silver to give it an "edgy" look; middle picture is "Pack of Five" to represent the five werewolves - the Pietersite and Labradorite stones change colors in the sunlight and represent the various colors of the wolf; and my favorite is "To Bella, Love Edward" - fabulous greenish Chrysoprase stones remind me of the translucent skin of Edward with veins running through the stones, and the black Onyx are for the dark eyes and the crystal reminds me of the way the vampires look in the sunlight - all beautiful and sparkly.

Should you let sleeping dogs lie?

2009-12-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

The boyz crashed out on their loveseat that they chew up on a regular basis. I want to reach over and wake them up because I want to play with them.......but if they're sleeping they cannot get into trouble right????

On to new bizness......I finally was able to purchase my name (imagine that) for my jewelry design website instead of using initials like on the old one and just got it up and running. So please check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.kimforrerdesigns.com

I have some great new pieces listed for your last minute gift purchases. If you mention you saw this on my blog you get 10% of the website price - woohoo!!!

Kim

Winter Sucks!!!!

2009-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

OMG it's cold out - a high of 32 in our town today. I am home sick with the flu wrapped in a fleece robe with sweats on also because it's so damn chilly in here. Went to bed last night at 5:30 and slept until 11:00 am this morning - cuddled up with two soft Labs. Labs make INCREDIBLE electric blankets. Hoping to feel good enough to go to work tomorrow.....have to pay the bills when the jewelry's not selling well.

This economy has put a huge damper on the arts.....that's for sure. Attended an art fair on Saturday and everyone said the same thing - SLOW SALES!!!! I sold a total of 4 pieces - not great at all for this time of year. Here are a couple of new pieces to show you. Copper bangle and a sterling silver bangle made with these great lampwork beads I bought off Etsy website.

Well here's hoping things will start looking up......come on Obama......start helping us out here....!!!!! Too many people are still un-employed including my husband.

Back to bed for me. Talk to you soon and maybe I'll actually start blogging more - that IS one of my many NY goals.......

Falling leaves, wood smoke, crisp nights.......

2009-09-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of year is finally here......AUTUMN. You can smell the wonderful smell of seasoned wood burning in the fireplaces and woodstoves (not good for the smog level but I luv it!!!) and the leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of red and gold so Cesar and I can start playing in piles of leaves!!!!! It's also when I can curl up on the couch, underneath the warmth of my favorite quilt while listening to the rain fall on our metal roof, and fantasize about all the lovely things I want to create with some wire. Copper is my favorite metal and it seems to blend in ever so nicely with the colors of autumn, leaves.....grass.....flowers......seeds.....etc. I love to get up in the morning on the weekend, take my steaming mug of coffee outside to my favorite resting spot (my adirondack chair underneath the apple tree) and let the last days of sunlight heat up my body while I search for ideas for new jewelry pieces in my yard. Hopefully I will be taking my first metalsmith class in November (I should find out next week) and get to increase my knowledge of working with sheet and patinas. I am looking forward to making my first bezel rings.

Anyway I thought it would be fitting to the season to post my pic of the lampworked leaf copper wire fibula I made.

Later,

Rainy Friday nite and I'm just bloggin'.....

2009-08-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't blogged in awhile. Too lazy, too burned out, too stressed out, who knows. Been busy this summer working, doing the jewelry thing, attending art fairs, playing with pups, hanging out in the yard being lazy with a cold Corona in hand. The only news I really have is that I was accepted Wednesday night as a member to the 1st ever Molalla Arts Commission (MAC) which is pretty cool I think. The city wanted to start this commission to hopefully get people interested in bringing the arts to our little cow town. Our 1st meeting is next week so we'll see how this goes.

Made some new things - lots of bracelets and some cool earrings. Getting into the metal thing more and more. Just love working with that stuff. So many things you can do with a piece of metal. Especially copper - I just love copper......to me it just blends so cool against a tanned arm....I can admit it - I am a copper freak!!!! I am also partial to silver too, but copper really turns me on. Not so much a gold fan.

Since summer is going to be turning to fall sooner than I hope, I imagine my fingers will be busy on my keyboard more and more and you will be seeing (or reading) more of my babblings....

Until then.

A great weekend topped off by an equally great day!!!

2009-07-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

I spent this weekend sitting in my backyard under a beautiful tree creating jewelry. I had a blast and even played around with some copper sheet my wonderful metal artist and good friend Paul gave me. Made some nice pieces and kicked around with my hubby and dogs Caesar and Zeus.

Then this morning instead of starting the week off wishing it was Friday again, I opened my personal email at work and saw an email from my "hopefully" brother Jeff. Now that might not sound like a big deal to most people but to make a long story short (and believe me it is a long story) I was adopted when I was 4 days old and raised as an only child by some awesome people who were the greatest parents ever!!! They spoiled me rotten. I didn't find out I was adopted until I was 19 years old. Anyway laws being the way they were back then, adoption records were kept sealed until not too many years ago when Oregon changed their laws.

Anyway I never really thought too much about it or pursued it until just a few years ago in 2006 when I had to replace my birth certificate. I also decided to request a copy of my "real" birth certificate. Paid the fee, filled out the forms and waited 6 weeks for the copy to come in the mail. I had almost forgotten about it, until one day I saw the envelope and realized what it was and was almost afriad to open it. When I did I started crying when I realized that the people listed on the paper actually were my real birth parents. I did more searching but only ended up with dead ends.

In early 2007 I had a major surgery because they thought I might have pancreatic cancer - they had found a growth and wanted to catch it as soon as possible because that type of cancer spreads really quick and is very fatal. It was benign but after many complications and long hospital stays, I had numerous times throughout the ordeal thought I might die and thought long and hard about who my birth relatives were - and if I were to pull through all this - I would work harder at pursuing their identity. At that time I searched a little bit on the internet and white pages but really found nothing until some time in late 2007 I stumbled upon a genealogy website of my mothers family name. It showed my parents being married and producing 3 kids - one sister and two brothers and their birth dates (before mine) and who they married. Then it showed my mother as re-marrying someone after my birthday and having 2 more kids - one 1/2 brother and one 1/2 sister and my sisters married name.

I did more searching from the info I found and pretty much came to a dead end except for finding my 1/2 brothers name in the white pages of the local phone book. So I wrote him a letter and mailed via snail mail. In a few days I got an email from him. He kind of sounded skeptical (can't blame him there) and kind of happy, but uncertain. We corresponded some but he never really said much of anything to confirm we might be related. I didn't give up quite yet - but kept searching the net.

So after sending more letters and emails and continuing to search the net, I found a possible address match for one of my brothers here locally. I sent him letter on Friday and low and behold Monday morning (today) there was an email from Jeff. I figured it was probably someone saying "sorry - not related. good luck" like so many others have been but it seemed to actually be a person that really MIGHT be my brother!!! And even better he seemd like he wanted to actually meet me. So we have corresponded some today and it seems I have 7 brothers and sisters - pretty unbelievable for someone who grew up as an only child. And also finding out my mother is still alive and a very cool person.

So to any of my possible siblings that might be reading this post - I am so happy that I might have actually found you guys and want to assure you that I want nothing more then to meet you, and possibly become friends with you. Believe me I have about one million questions I would love answers to - do you have kids, spouses, pets, grandkids, hobbies, career choices, etc, etc, etc, but I will take it one day at a time and leave it all up to you guys if you want to contact me. I have passed on that information to Jeff and Mike both. I am sure this was a shock for you as much as for me 36 years ago.

Kim

Some things to help me get over my sadness.....

2009-07-14T12:28:00.001-07:00

First thing - My husband J thought a little 8 week old black lab puppy would help me get over feeling so badly over Bodi. So we brought home Caesar on Friday. Our 16 lb bundle of joy!!! What a little demon dog.....chews non-stop, barks at us when we scold him or when we are eating, plays with Zeus like he is 8 months old at least. But oh so cute and so much fun. Such a brat!!!

Second thing - my friend Mike who is an awesome machininst by the way made me this great stainless steel stepped bracelet mandrel with a tang for forming bracelets. He is just so very cool - and he did an excellent job. Thank you very much Mikey!!!! So hopefully I can start making more cuffs and they will look a WHOLE lot better then when I used the shampoo bottle....! Pictures to follow!!!

It's a very sad time......

2009-07-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I had to give up my much loved shelter dog Bodi. With mu husband being laid off, I was just not financially able to help him overcome his issues that previous owners had put him through. Whatever they did to him it had traumatized the hell out of him, causing him to "fear bite" and to get into a "frenzy mode". He tried to attack my husband again on Sat. nite after he got a little animated watching the fireworks and also the Nascar race. This was the second episode. Bodi leaped across the room and was going to tear into him, but somehow I managed to grab his collar and hold on to him so he didn't bite him again. Most of the time Bodi was just a big lover boy and hung out on both of our laps.....he loved my husband, but then something would just set him off and he would go from 0-60 in a matter of a second and that would be it. He reacted the same way when I would drive into the gas station and if the attendent was a tall male he would run at the window, snarling.

I called the shelter I purchased him from numerous times asking for some kind of help with him, and said I would take their one-on-one classes with the behaviorist, but no one ever called me back. They offered this up during the adoption and advertised it on their website, yet everytime I called I never talked to a "real" person. I constantly left messages and one would think that after some of the desperate ones I left, that someone would have returned my calls. Whether this would have cured the problem or not - I don't know. But I would have at least liked the opportunity to have given him that other chance. Because he was mostly a good boy that just had some troubles to learn how to deal with. Now I am afraid that they will put him down, although I pray they will find a rescue foster home for him first, but I don't know if they will. They mentioned they would try to do that, but they might have been saying that because they saw how upset I was. I also tried other trainers, but after discussing his issues no one really wanted to accept us as a client, or if they did they wanted an exhorbiant amount of money that I didn't have. I even bought some of the Dog Whisperer tapes hoping for some insight into how to deal with these issues. I could have drug that dog around by the ear and he wouldn't have care.....it just seemed to be a "man" thing that he was afraid of them beating him or me. He was very protective of me.

In the end, it was probably the best course of action because it wasn't fair to my husband or to our other dog Zeus, as Bodi sometimes played way to rough with him and it was hard to get them to stop even after Zeus wanted to just kick back. I guess when I get another dog it will be another puppy, instead of an older dog this time.

To end this post I just want to say that Bodi I will always love you and I hope you find someone that can give you the kind of help that you need, and that will love you as much as I do. I miss you very much and my heart has a hole again that you filled with your sweet little face.

Beautiful summer day in Molalla

2009-06-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful summer day in Molalla, Oregon. The sun was just peeking over the hills as I was driving to work this morning, wishing I could stay home today. Perfect weather - in the high 70's. Great evening to be spending outside working on more jewelry projects for the Molalla Art & Music Festival this weekend. My husband J is suppose to be home making up some of our new "recycled" art pieces for the show. We are tapping into the "green" thing and making use of old glass bottles and jars - wire wrapping and turning them into flower vases and/or pots for small plants. (see pic above of first sample - ran out of wire so it isn't as cool as they will be). We'll see how they sell.

Hats off to Sadie, the Molalla City Recorder. She is attempting to bring the arts to a predominantly "cowboy/farming" town. It appears she has a lot of the local long-time residents on board with this (including me - although I am not a long-time resident, only since 2003). It will be a good thing for our little burb outside of Portland. Beautiful area with the Cascade foothills in the background, lots of pastures, woods and the gorgeous Molalla River flowing through the area. During the summer you can always smell the new mown hay in the fields - delightful smell, although I am allergic to it!!! Anyway, the plans include some historical murals and also an art gallery. Hopefully I will be able to showcase some of my jewelry in there. That would be cool. Of course it will never compete with the Buckeroo Rodeo that Molalla is known for the week of the 4th of July. I have been coming to the rodeo since I was a little kid. It's fun although now that I live in the area, I don't go as often. But I do sit out in my yard and watch the 4th of July parade and also the wonderful fireworks display after the rodeo ends on the 4th. It's pretty cool!!! Life in a small town - I like it!!!

I will keep you posted on how the art thing develops.

Molalla Art Festival and other ramblings......

2009-06-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am hurridly trying to build up new inventory for Molalla Art & Music Festival this coming weekend Fri-Sun, but been so tired lately. New shelter dog Bodi takes a lot of my time and is a HUGE handful. Trying to overcome some major issues he came with. But we love him dearly and trying very hard to work these things out. Needing to tap into the shelter behavior person for advice quite a bit. Went to a class last week but it was mostly for NORMAL dogs that are adopted - not dogs that come with LOTS OF BAGGAGE!!!! So will have to schedule a one on one and perhaps that will help somewhat. He is so darn cute and definitely worth all the effort - but drawing blood on my husband doesn't go over real big at home.....! He panics, frets and suffers from major separation anxiety and panic attacks. All directed towards my husband. It is agression to a point - but he is very afraid that he will be beat. Apparently that seemed to be the way the previous owner handled Bodi's hyper hound dog personality. I cannot imagine even for a second beating an animal unless I was trying to save a life or something. I guess there are some people that just do not understand how to handle animals and don't know what else to do. Anyway, it is sad. And we are trying our best - because I feel we made a committment to this dog when I adopted him, to try and make this work out for all of us. He loves us very much and we love him also, and he has grown into a wonderful buddy for Zeus. So we will keep giving it our all.

Anyway, enough of that. I wanted to tell anyone out there that read my blog to rent the movie "Into the Wild" directed by Sean Penn. It is a wonderful movie based on a true story about a boy who graduates from college and was accepted to Harvard Law but decides to take off and trek around the country to the dismay of his parents. This film really made me think about life, and how screwed up it is sometimes. It focuses on all the quirky and interesting characters he meets throughout his travels and how he ends up in the Alaskan back country. It really is a good movie, but sad. I will definitely read the book now.

Well ciao for now. Have a great week.

After the art festival.....

2009-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well the Wilsonville Art Festival has come and gone and I did ok - especially in this economy. And it was hella HOT!!!!! 96+ on Saturday!!! Us Oregonians are use to rain, not X-TREME heat!!! It must have been 110+ under my tent canopy since there was also a slight breeze and I couldn't put up all sides unless I wanted the displays to start toppling over. Although industrial strength velcro helps really well to keep things in their proper place.

Now looking forward to Molalla Art & Music Festival last weekend in June. 1st time ever my town has down this so hoping they are able to sign up a lot of good vendors and praying for success so they will continue to host this type of event in the town, so we can also be known for our great artists instead of just the annual 4th of July Buckeroo Rodeo!!!

Here are some new pieces I am sharing with you. I just get into "the zone" when I am wrapping with wire. I love it!!

The Beach

2009-05-18T18:53:00.001-07:00

We took a day trip to the beach on Saturday, and what a wonderful day it was weather wise. We wanted to take our new dog Bodi for his first "road trip" as his brother Zeus has been many times. It took him awhile to settle down in the jeep but finally he did, after he had managed to give my husband and I numerous "baths" from his slobber flying around because he had his head out the window. Hound dogs are known for drooling a lot and this guy is King of the Droolers.....!

We got to the beach and went to this area where you can drive on the beach so we parked the jeep by the dunes, got out and let Zeus run around. We were warned by the shelter that another thing about hound dogs is "Never let them off their leash as they want to follow their nose!" Well Zeus was having SO MUCH FUN so we decided that if we put Zeus on a leash that maybe Bodi would be fine and stay right with us. NOT!!! He took off like a bolt of lightening had hit him in the butt, nose to the ground all the way - flying 100MPH down the beach. After the seagulls, after the people, after the other dogs, etc..... No amount of calling, screaming, whistling would get his attention until he ran smack dab into the water (he never even noticed the tide moving in) and it freaked him out so he turned towards me (how he could see me 1/4 mile away I have no idea) and he came running. Of course he got about 10 feet from me and decided to play and turned tail and ran off again. OK so imagine me this person who hasn't done much exercise at all since my surgery in 2007, running as fast as I can manage down the beach calling this crazy dogs name!!! (only by this time I wasn't calling his REAL name if you get my drift....). Anyway my husband jumped in the jeep and grabbed the other dog, drove after me and I got in the jeep and we took off after Bodi. We had stopped at a McDonalds in town and had the bag still in the jeep. I jumped out and called his name again, crouched down and waggled the bag at him hoping he knew what it was. And FINALLY he decided to run up close enough for me to grab his collar and snap the leash on it. Needless to say, I was out of breath and he looked like he could go another 5 miles or so, but that ended his day of freedom. After that he was on the "gentle leader" and a 20 foot leash so he could play some with his brother. He seemed ok with that and on we went.

I guess the moral of this story is......uh.....maybe I should stop eating so often at McDonalds......

WOW - 3 blogs in 2 days!!!!

2009-05-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say that going green is on everyone's mind, including mine. Especially with this dismal economy going south - jewelry and other types of art is about the last thing people are thinking about spending their hard-earned money on. So why not re-cycle those old, funky, worn-out pieces of jewelry into something fun and trendy? Have an old chunky turquoise and silver necklace that was really cool in the 70's but weighs about 5 lbs. and just doesn't quite fit with todays fashions? Maybe I can turn it into a showstopper bracelet or a great pair of earrings.

In my spare time I also search thrift stores and estate sales looking for gemstone jewelry that I can take apart, use the stones and re-design into something really trendy. A lot of old jewelry (and currently cheaper jewelry) was strung with string or fishing line and doesn't hold up well but the stones are still beautiful. I use 49-strand stainless steel wire to string my necklaces and bracelets - for strength and durability so your piece will last a lot longer. So send me photos of your old items and maybe we can design something really special just for you AND save you money.

K

2 Days in a Row!!!

2009-05-12T05:54:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say I have now blogged 2 days in a row!!!! That's a record for me that's for sure. I really have nothing to say today except for I have 2 giant humongous blisters from my 2-1/2 mile walk with Bodi last night. We had a good time walking into the wind and some really black clouds that were swirling overhead and making the sky look pretty darn knarly.......but we kept on truckin' and for those of you out there who think 2-1/2 miles isn't much of a jaunt - try walking a coonhound that distance. Soon my arms will look like Popeye's!!! But we enjoyed looking at all the pretty flowers blooming in everyone's yards and looking up at the Cascade foothills (still some snow on them) and wishing summer would hurry up and arrive. Although since I bought the Gentle Leader for Bodi, he does walk a heck of a lot better now and it's way more humane then a choke chain. Anyway he's a good dog but does have some ISSUES. When I get home from work he jumps, howls and barks uncontrollably at my husband. We are not sure why he does this - but he appears very excited when I get home, but then he jumps up at my husband and gets all crazy and howls, not even looking at me. Strange......but then he is a shelter dog and they do sometimes carry a lot of baggage with them. We will work through this and also through the "Bodi, stay off the counter" thing.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

OH YEA I DO HAVE A NEW COLLECTION......

2009-05-11T12:53:00.001-07:00

Yes I forgot - my new "Vino Collection" - grape cluster earrings in Syrah (purple Amethyst and Crystal Pearls), Chardonnay (Green Aventurine) and Merlot (Garnet and dark red freshwater pearl). All with sterling silver earwires. Hope you like them. Price is $35/pair.

And also here is a pic of Bodi, our new Black and Tan Coonhound guy that we rescued from a shelter. He is a great dog - no manners - but a loverboy. They sometimes need a lot of your time to correct bad habits, but I highly recommend a shelter dog if you are looking for a good companion - they seem to know that you rescued them from a dismal fate and love you tremendously.

WAITING FOR THE SUN......

2009-05-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well again I find myself saying "where have I been?" because obviously I haven't been blogging. I find myself not being very creative lately, not making much jewelry but taking lots of pictures, especially of my sis-in-law Lorra's (see pic above with her honey Don) very awesome garden. She has a MAJOR green thumb and spends most of her free time there (when she isn't on Facebook.....) so thought I would post these pics on my blog. As the sun starts peeking out more frequently I am sure my creative juices will start flowing again and I will hurridly start making up some inventory for the Wilsonville Art Festival at the end of the month. Nothing like waiting til the last second to do something......I am the world's BIGGEST procrastinator!!!!

Where have I been?????

2009-03-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well as you have probably noticed I haven't blogged in a REALLY long time. Had a surgery and been recovering and not spent much time on the computer. Also found FACEBOOK and realized how addicting it is. Fun finding old friends and meeting new ones!!! Anyway I am trying to feel good enough to get back into designing and working at getting my stuff ready for summer art fairs. I had better get off my butt and get going cuz time is running out!!!

A Historic Day

2009-01-20T09:24:00.000-08:00

As like many of you I am watching the inauguration take place for the new president, and may I say I am very HAPPY AND EXCITED to be a part of history in the making. Yes I did vote for Obama.......and let it be said that I did not originally think that I would - only because I wanted Hillary Clinton to be nominated - but I did join the Obama train towards the end of the primary because I believe that Obama could be THE GUY to bring about the change that we so desperately need in this country. So stop reading my blog and turn on your TV or get on the internet - and watch history being made today.

OBAMA YOU ROCK!!!!!

Etsy Street Team V-Day Promo!!! Check it out!!!

2009-01-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

My Etsy.com street team is having a wonderful Valentines Day Promo starting February 1st and lasting for 4 days. Check out the details at our team page http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=6339017. YOU COULD BE THE BIG WINNER!!!!!

All team member shops will be having special sales that you for sure should check out in case you need to purchase a little bling for your special sweetie!!! You know how much us girls love jewelry!!!!!

And of course I have made a few little things for your viewing pleasure........enjoy.

Got the creative juices flowin'.....

2009-01-12T19:03:00.001-08:00

Finally got out of the holiday blues and into creating some jewelry!!! Got some cool stones and some way cool lampwork beads and lots of wire and just kinda turned off my brain and turned on my fingers......and this is what happened (also had a distraction and you know who you are.....) which seemed to help keep my mind occupied and my body relaxed. When my brain isn't in "think mode"my pieces seem to turn out WAY more unique and eclectic.

Necklace is green Kyanite stick mixed with Thai silver, the abstract cuff is sterling wire with a beautiful Pink Peruvian Opal slab, and the bracelet is TONS of sterling wire and some beautiful lampwork beads and Carnelian and sterling heart dangles. Took about 9 feet of wire to wrap the core wire and then I oxidized it for a more rustic look. Ow!!!! My aching shoulder!!!!!

Well on to the next thing.....

New Pics of Zeus and Zeppo and other ramblings.....

2009-01-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

Made my first sale of 2009 - woohoo!!!! A funky copper wire heart fibula. I think hearts are gonna be sellin' big time since it's almost V day so I had better get off my butt and get going on some sweetheart jewelry items. Did make a copper heart pendant wrapped with S crystals last weekend, so at least I am getting a jump on some stuff. New shipment of sterling wire should be at my post office tomorrow so this w-end I will be in full creative mode. Have new lampwork beads on the way also. Can't wait to see those. I have tapped into some great lampwork artists and will post some pics as soon as I get the beads and make something.

Now about Zeus - Zeus is turning into a beautiful little man (only not so little - 70+ lbs now) with teeth that LOVE to chew. Everything is fair game - he is not picky and will chew anything he comes across. Favs seem to be my shoes, my socks, my shirts, my pillows, my coats, my purse, my computer, my mouse, my magazines, my tubs of jewelry stuff - anyone seeing a trend here? Of course he chews other items (floor tile, couch, chair, toilet paper, bedding) but seems to have a preference for mommies stuff. Such a sweet little boy.....(actually he is a lover boy and loves to kiss). But he is so sweet to his big bro Zeppo who is still hanging in there - he has his good days and his bad days. It's like Zeus knows that Zeppo just cannot take much rough play anymore. But they are sweet together especially when they sleep next to each other. I know that the sad time is coming.....but for now I will just enjoy the time we have with Zep.

4:00 am comes awful quick so I am going to be hitting the sheets shortly. Goodnight and be glad the w-end is almost here!!! Yeah!!!!!

2009 and The Economy

2009-01-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

I have been listening to the politicians for the past few months talk about the horrible state of our economy (like it's a shock to them that there is a problem....). Unemployment rate is up, retail sales are down, even the weather is acting up more than usual (can anyone say "global warming"?). The financial experts say "go out and buy something". And that is really what we all need to do. But who can afford to buy something other than essential items???? And some people cannot even find a way to do that.

But if we all try and spend a little bit when we can maybe we can all help turn things in a more positive direction. And when you decide to spend, maybe be a little more selective in your decision process instead of just jumping in the car and driving to the local malls. How about buying from an artist? There are so many wonderful and talented people out there trying to make their living doing something they love, please at least give them a look before you buy. There are numerous places to find them - your local farmers markets, art galleries, boutiques, art festivals/craft fairs and online marketplaces. Your item will most likely be unique and possibly one-of-a-kind and WAY less expensive then a big fancy department store. Some places to shop online are Etsy and 1000Markets (see my links). There are fabulous artists on these sites for almost anything that you might be in the market for.

Well happy spending in 2009!!!! Hopefully we will see some sunshine at the end of the tunnel.

K

Happy New Year to All!!!

2009-01-01T12:53:00.001-08:00

Well I haven't posted in awhile. Been pretty burned out lately and taking a break from jewelry. But now 2009 is here and I am starting to feel the creative juices flowin' again.....yea baby!!!! Happy 2009 to everyone and hopefully this will be a WAY better year for the whole world - and maybe bring peace and happiness to all. I am looking forward to a brand new president and think this is a good change for us all here in the USA. Obama you rock!!!!!!

Getting Ready for the Art Fair

2008-11-26T18:37:00.001-08:00

As usual I am waiting until the last possible second to get ready for a show (see link below to daVinci Art Fair). I still have to re-tag all items and make sure there are no rough edges lingering on any pieces and polish everything so it looks really pretty. I still don't know my table size which means various display options have to come into play. Last year due to my late acceptance my table was only 2 x 4 which totally caused me to re-think my options. This year it's suppose to be at least 5 feet but so far I haven't been able to get an answer. I am going "tropical" though - that much is for sure. My great friend Kristi gave me some cool beach things - starfish, shells, etc and I have an awesome table cloth from India that will be perfect. Adding bamboo boxes for risers and there ya go. I have really gotten into fibulas this year - they are so much fun to make. You don't really know what you're going to come up with until you start twisting the wire.

Definetely the new pup has put a crimp into my jewelry time since he gets into absolutely everything. He takes anything he sees and runs away with it dangling from his mouth. It's been a game trying to grab stuff while in the process of twisting a piece of wire, while Zeus is trying to play tug of war.

Anyway - TGIF (well actually it's Wed nite before turkey day) and the start of a 4-day vacation . So time to get it all together and pray for a profitable show. If any of you are in the neighborhood drop by and see all the talented artists - something like 65+ are scheduled to be showing their wares.

Happy Turkey Day!!

Is anyone else sick of all the political ads?????

2008-11-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

I am so sick of all this political backstabbing and propaganda!!! So glad the elections will soon be over and maybe life can get back to the normal news (murders, robberies, vandalism, bank bailouts.....). Can't everyone just get along????? I would be so re-freshing to have a candidate actually say what he or she is going to do for the people instead of just trashing their opponents. I hear it all day long at work - people arguing back and forth because someone does not share their views and opinions......then at home if I turn on the TV. Non stop political crap!!!!! Hopefully will end soon.

And on a happier note we are enjoying our new Lab puppy monster even though he chews like he is a member of the pirahna family. 40+ lbs at 18 weeks - YIKES what were we thinking!!!!! We call him Zeus and it seems to fit him well. So now we have Zeus and Zeppo. They both miss Smokie very much - almost as much as I do.

Well signing off now to watch Nascar - Go Dale jr. (yes I am a closet motor head - who would a thought?????)

In Memory of Smokie

2008-10-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile. On Wednesday night, October 22nd, we had to put down our beloved black lab Smokie. He was 13 years old and had a herniated disc and had lost all use of his back end. Smoke was our baby, and had always had a lot of medical issues, which we struggled with but he would always bounce back. Not this time and we knew that he was ready to go as we could not let him be in pain. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, especially since his mind was just fine. So we gave him his last McDonalds burger and kissed him good bye. We are hoping he hooked up in doggie heaven with our other lab Jack who passed away in 1995. Jack will take care of him and show him the ropes I am sure!!

A few weeks prior we had purchased Zeus, a 16-week old black lab puppy because we had been told that our two boys Smoke and Zeppo were so joined at the hip that if once of them passed away, the other might die of a broken heart. So we took the plunge and got a MONSTER puppy!!!!! Zeus is very sweet, but he has an attitude and apparently we had forgotten how badly a lab pup loves to chew!!!! Because he chews everything in his path. We should have named him after a hurricane - as he is as destructive as one aand leaves a DEVASTATING path wherever he ventures. We are hoping that Zeus will help Zeppo heal, as we can tell that Zeppo is still waiting for Smoke to come home.

We will miss Smoke very much as he was such a clown and provided us with a lot of enjoyment throughout his 13 short years with our family.

Update on the Seafood Festival

2008-10-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

Well I am back and the show was a hit!!! It was a fun time and also a profitable w-end. The only bad part was my sis-in-law Lorra was ill Friday night and couldn't attend the show on Saturday but she felt better and was able to make it on Sunday. Also my friend Paul didn't make it down either. But he made me an awesome sign for my booth. Other then that, a fun time was had by all. I made some new friends, saw some wonderful art (and bought some also!). I received loads of compliments on my booth display and my jewelry and lots of people walked away with business cards.

There was lots of good food and wonderful entertainment from various musical artists from around the area. My favorite was the Zadeco music on Saturday. And Lorra and I made sure we ate within the food groups - Marionberry Pie and orange sherbert (fruit food group), Fish & Chips (fish and vegetable food groups), Pumpkin Fudge (another one in the vegetable food group).......VERY HEALTHY.

Looking forward to next years festival. Hopefully the economy will be back on track and people will be wanting to spend more money on art.

Getting ready for Seafood Festival

2008-09-23T19:36:00.001-07:00

I am hurridly trying to get everything together for the North Coast Seafood Festival in (oh crap.....) less than 2 weeks!!!! Can't decide on the look of my booth, am stressing badly on this (blue or green or ........) and don't think I have enough inventory. Trying to be different then the usual necklace busts, but waking up at 2:00 wondering "how can i get people to see my jewelry across the crowded room???" Trays with rice, trays with beans, trays with pebbles, trays, trays, trays. Do I have enough trays????? What if I only sell one item or worse yet....what if I strike out totally???? Yes I need a valium obivously.

Frog and Conch Shell

2008-09-15T07:13:00.001-07:00

These are some new focal beads by lampwork artist Susan Garoutte (aka Glassyeyed Sue). You can find Sue under my "links".

New Bracelet

2008-09-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

I made this bracelet with some freakin' awesome tiger beads made by Susan Garoutte of Glassy-Eyed Sue. Sue is a talented lampwork artist in Washington. It sold 5 minutes after I listed it on my website!!! (thanks Kat!).

I also want to share with you a new metal sculpture artist - Paul Breck of Imaginary Metal Art in Oregon. His work is AWESOME!!! If you want to see it in person, Paul will be at the North Coast Seafood & Wine Festival in October. (Link is under my "links" section).

My 1st attempt at Wire Art (or whatever you call it....

2008-09-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is my 1st attempt at trying to create something in wire besides jewelry. I thought I would try and make some "beachy" things since I am going to the Tillamook Seafood Festival in October. So I tried.......and here is what I came up with (although some are still under construction.....). We have a shark, a seahorse, an abstract nude (although my significant other thought it looked like a jelly fish) and a 8-legged sea beast whom I affectionately call "Beasty" (P of C are my favorite movies besides Jaws).

I think I will go back to the drawing board on these. Although I like the Beasty. All comments are welcome - pro and con, good and bad. Go for it!!

More Boho Bangle Bracelets!!

2008-09-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here are two more to add to the Boho Chic series......I normally do not make the same thing twice but loved these and thought if I added different dangles then they REALLY wouldn't be the same......:) I loved Slinky toys growing up so anything I can make that resembles a slinky the better.

Funky Fibulas

2008-09-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

Went on a wire frenzy this weekend and made 8 fibulas!!!! They are so much fun to make and even the mistakes can turn into something.....except it's way cheaper to make the mistakes on copper then it is sterling....:) I love wearing them on my winter scarf, hats, sweaters and sometimes (when I am able to sharpen the points enough) I can wear them on my jean jacket.

I especially liked the "Slinky" one. Although I will probably make one similar in sterling so it will look more like the toy.

K

Finally making time to blog again.......

2008-09-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't posted in a VERY long time. Been spending lots of time working at the full time job (ugh!) and lots of time working at the side job (jewelry designing). Maybe some day the side job will turn into the full time job (YES!).

Been making lots of things. Will be going to the North Coast Seafood and Wine Festival in rainy Tillamook, Oregon on October 4th and 5th. Be sure and stop by to say hi. My sister-in-law and her partner put on this festival. It has lots of good food and wine, art vendors and wonderful music and is indoors because it will most likely be raining. (real positive!)

Here are some new items as I have "evolved" since the last post.

End of the Season

2007-12-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Well this is the end of the season for me as far as shows go. I consider this a "learning season" on pricing, how to display my jewelry, etc. It hasn't been totally profitable, but not horrible. I have made a few bucks here and there along the way. I have sent in my application to many other shows starting in February 2008......so we'll see. I am still trying to find "an edge" to make my products stand out from so many others. (yes, there is a lot of us out there......). Wire-wrapping seems to be the way to go at least for me. I love doing it - you can create so many things out of the wire - dangles, clasps, wrap pendants and beads, connectors, wind chimes, sun catchers.....the list goes on.

I will keep you posted to where I will be next.

Keep creating.....!

Art Fair Coming Up

2007-11-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

I will have a table at a small bazaar close to home this weekend, out in the boondocks so probably not a lot of traffic. I am looking forward to doing the Davinci School Art Fair, Dec 7-8. The hours on Friday are 4-8 pm and Sat. 10-4. This show caters to all types of artists and can't wait to see what everyone has made. But I have made a vow to only spend money if I sell something. I am changing my display to better reflect my jewelry and also bringing another light. There are so many talented and creative people in the Portland area - it should be a really cool show. Especially when it comes to hot glass artists. We are in the heart of glassland here - Bullseye Glass and Uroborus factories. I would like to start making my own lampwork beads and hopefully will be able to take a class after the first of the year. Here is the link to the art fair. http://www.davinci.pps.k12.or.us/schools/davinci/da_vinci_arts_fair_1.html

Happy Creations!!!!
Kim

1st Holiday Bazaar

2007-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Well this show was a real bummer. There were about 5 jewelry designers there and none of us did good. Actually NO VENDOR did very good. Not many people the first day, the 2nd day was better but no one seemed inclined to spend any money. I sold 2 necklaces and 1 pair of earrings. Maybe because the economy sucks again this year. Gas prices are higher - people cannot afford anything. I learned that I need more lighting and a better way to display the necklaces. My "thrift store" find was a big hit - but was better suited for bracelets, then necklaces. Well maybe next weekend's show will be better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.....

Getting Ready for the Show

2007-11-08T05:37:00.000-08:00

I have been running around trying to get ready for a holiday craft fair this weekend. I am so tired just getting everything done and making lists so I don't forget anything. Just got set up to accept credit cards - excited about that!!! Hope that will pay off with more $$$$. Been making lots of new things for the fair but taken no pics as of yet. This will be my first craft fair. Have 3 before Christmas. Hope they go well so I can blow all my money on lots of Christmas presents.

Well off to the day job. Bye for now.

2007-11-02T19:21:00.001-07:00

I am sitting here on a Friday night with my husband Duane just vegging out and trying to come up with a plan where I can quit the "real day job thing" and do this "jewelry thing" full time. That is definetely the GOAL here. But it is definetely not a REALITY. But hopefully it will be and I am a VERY patient person....! (those of you that know me really well are falling on the floor laughing your head off...!!!!) My cute little labrador retrievers Smoke and Zeppo (or as they are affectionately known as "The Boyz") are hanging close by because we just had pizza and they are looking for handouts and/or crumbs. See.....aren't they adorable?

Anyway, I am trying to find the "Friday night kickin' back at home creative juices" but they don't seem to be flowing. I might just let the couch envelop me totally into oblivian tonite. It's cold outside and I am toasty warm snuggled under my fleece throw. Well maybe I will just spend the nite surfing jewelry designer pages looking at all that cool stuff people have made.

Good night for now.