Sugar Creek Beads

I've missed everyone...

2010-06-20T21:23:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone, I haven't forsaken my blog I have been having a very difficult time with a very painful chronic condition and it has put a hold on my life for awhile. I hope that one day soon they will be able to get a hold on the drugs and stop the ones that don't play nice with my brain. I have what is called TN or trigeminal neuralgia. It's a monster of a rare condition causing difficult flashes of severe pain from deep in your brain and into your face. It is occasionally controlled by medications and or brain surgery. I am working on the drugs now and trying to skip the surgery. It is an interesting condition and if curious you can google it. I will return, so until then have a wonderful summer everyone.

I'm back and It's time for the March Birthstone...

2010-03-01T12:22:00.001-05:00

I'm back and boy have I missed all my blogging friends. The past few weeks have been crazy with all the moving and being ill and the overload of snow that I am really glad spring is now around the corner and I can get started again with my blog and start reading all the great posts I have missed.

This being the first day of March I thought it was time to tell you all about the beautiful birthstone Aquamarine.

Aquamarine, the beautiful stone of March is known for its lovely soft color of the sea. The aquamarine exists in many shades of blue, from the palest shade of water to the wonderful color of the sky and even tinged with green with inclusions of iron has the color of the ocean. Deeper colors of aquamarine have the highest financial value. The March birthstone, aquamarine, is a form of beryl, the same mineral family that Emeralds belongs to. The highest quality of aquamarine is very clear, with fewer inclusions than emerald, but aquamarine that is less clear can be just as beautiful.

Aquamarine is a durable gemstone, and is rated at 7.5 on the Mohs scale (compared to diamond at 10). Much of the world's supply of aquamarine comes from Brazil, with one particularly vivid blue type called Santa Maria because it originates from the country's Santa Maria de Itabira mine. Aquamarines are also found in Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and even the United States.

Like the Santa Maria, other aquamarines are often named for the places where they were mined, but beware of the term Brazilian Aquamarine, because some jewelry sold with that name is actually made with blue topaz. A gemstone called Siam Aquamarine is more than likely a blue zircon that's been heat-treated to intensify its color.

Aquamarine has long been considered a lucky stone, especially by sailors, who carried it to keep them safe at sea. It is said to bring peace and calming to its owner, relieving stress and enhancing intuition. Crystal healers use aquamarine to harmonize diseased areas of the body.

No matter what shade of blue the March baby may wear they are all beautiful and although I am a September child one of my favorite rings is an aquamarine. How about you, are you a March baby?

Crab Cakes, Tailgating and Football... Go Ravens!

2010-01-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

Living in Maryland right now people are excited about painting the town purple and partying. This weekend our Baltimore Ravens are playing the Colts for a shot at the Super Bowl and the fact that the game is against the Colts makes it more exciting. You see, the Indianapolis Colts were once the Baltimore Colts, the beloved team of Maryland but someone bought the team and literally had them sneaked out of town in the middle of the night. From then on the beloved Colts became the enemy team and now the Ravens get to show what they are made of against them. Our Govenor has even made a bet with the other Govenor, for the Indianapolis Colts, that we will win. Our state bet is none other than the Chesapeake Bay Crab Cake and one of my favorite things. In support of our Ravens here is my recipe for crab cakes. They are terrific for your parties and for tailgating this weekend. They can also be rolled into balls and fried instead of the patties so they will go further. Try them out, I think you will really love them.

When it comes to making your crab cakes or even eating them steamed it isn't properly prepared without Old Bay Seasoning. Old Bay used to be a Mid-Atlantic seasoning but I am sure it is now available country wide. It is the prefect blend of spices and salt to set off the delicious crab meat.

One Pound fresh crab meat
1/3 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning (little less if you like yours milder)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Stir together all ingredients except for the crab meat. When blended, then slowly stir in the crab meat trying not to break it up too much. When all is mixed, make into patties. Depending on size wanted it will do between 8 and 12. Size and quantity is your decision. Place on plate, cover with wrap and put into the refrigerator for an hour. Putting them into the frig helps blend the flavors and helps them stay together when cooking. There are two equally good ways to cook them, one, melt a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil together in a frying plan and fry them on a medium heat, turning once when you see the edges turning golden brown. Cooking time is around ten to fifteen minutes on each side. Don't mess with them or they will come apart since they aren't loaded with bread filler. Remove the little golden cakes from the pan and serve warm however you like them. We love crackers and fresh tomatoes with ours. The second way to cook them is baked in a 375 degree oven, on a greased baking sheet, for 10 to fifteen minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Again, serve warm however you like them.

Who are you cheering on this year? Do you like your home team or one from another state? I'm fickled some years and cheer on several teams but this year it is Baltimore. Go Ravens!

Great winter meal... Beef Short Ribs the perfect cure!

2010-01-13T12:58:00.000-05:00

I may have had enough of this winter already but since it is still around for awhile here is one of my favorite cold weather meals. Braised beef short ribs, cooking in its own gravy with roasted carrots and onions, and to make it even heartier a pile of creamy, garlic mashed potatoes. Warm, delicious and easy. I love braised short ribs cooked slow until they are falling off their bones and melting in your mouth with every bite. I personally think it is better than beef stew because of the bones. Cooking with the bones always add something extra rich to the gravy and chewing the little bits of meat off the bones is fabulous for you and your dog. If you have never cooked them it is easy and the price is right on as well.

Here it is my favorite short rib recipe.

Select either 3, 4 or 5 short ribs for each person you are serving. I always go for 4 because it is fab warmed over the next day. This is an economical piece of meat that gets tender by long, slow cooking.

In a large Dutch oven type of pan cover the bottom with a vegetable oil or olive oil. Not a lot of oil just make sure it is fully covering the pan. Put on medium high heat.

Dust lightly the ribs with flour mixed with salt and pepper to taste.

Put the short ribs in the hot oil, one at a time, don't crown them you want the oil to stay hot. Remove them from the pan as they are seared on each side.

Set short ribs aside and add 1 large onion that has been chopped in pieces at least an inch large.

Brown the onion lightly in the oil and add 2 cloves of chopped fresh garlic. More garlic if you love it.

Stir occasionally for a few minutes so they don't stick or burn.

Add 1 can (15 1/2 oz size) chopped tomatoes in their juice and stir to deglaze the bits from bottom of the pan.

Add 3/4 glass of red or white, your choice, wine or even a beer. The wine can be left out if you would rather no use it since it is just an extra layer of flavor.

Stir well then add the short ribs back to the pan and into the liquid.

Again salt and pepper to your taste.

Cover the short ribs with water, chicken or beef broth or stock. I don't use bouillon since it is too much salt.

The liquids should be about one to two inches above the meat.

Cover with lid and put in the oven at 250 degrees for 2 hours.

After two hours remove from oven, give it a stir and add cleaned, large chunks of carrots to the pot. I usually put in two carrots for each person.

If you like any other vegetable such as leeks or rutabaga, cut into chunks and add now with carrots.

Put the lid back on and place the pan back into the oven for another hour.

After another hour (a total of three) remove lids and let cook slowly for another hour till you see the vegetables are fork tender and the meat is falling off the bones.

If you want thicker gravy make a mixture of a tablespoon or flour and a tablespoon of butter by stirring the two together like a paste. Drop the butter mixture into the boiling mixture and stir till thickened.

Serve steaming in a large bowl with your favorite creamy mashed potatoes but it is wonderful also over rice, noodles or my favorite, creamy grits.

This is very easy and I hope you try it someday this winter. Do you have a favorite winter dish you make? I love to hear about yours and if you have ever tried braised short ribs. Stay warm.

Garnets the January Gemstone...

2010-01-08T23:05:00.003-05:00

Garnet Gemstone History and Lore

Garnet gemstones have been used in jewelry and other ways for many thousands of years. According to the ancient Jewish text the Talmud, a garnet provided the only source of light on Noah's Ark. Garnet jewelry has been found in Egyptian, Greek and Roman ruins. Garnet was also a symbol of one of the original 12 tribes of Israel and a birthstone. Some Asiatic tribes fashioned garnets into bullets believing that they would be more lethal than lead bullets. Garnet is also believed to protect its wearer from evil and disaster.

Ancient History of Garnets

Garnets has always been extensively used throughout the East and amongst the Greeks and Romans. The Romans frequently used them for engraving, with several fine specimens of Imperial portraits, including those of the emperors, have come down to us in this way. In India and throughout the Far East it was known as an Amulet against poison and the plague, worn to attract health and cheerfulness, and as a protection against lightning.

History of Garnets - Middle Ages

During the middle ages it was used as a remedy for the plague, or the Black Death, and inflammatory diseases. Garnets were also worn to confer constancy, fidelity, and cheerfulness to its rightful wearers, but was said to cause discord amongst those having no right to it by birth. Like the Ruby, the garnet warned its owner of approaching danger and trouble by changing its color, and was much in vogue at one time as a keepsake between friends at parting.

The word garnet comes from a Latin word meaning pomegranate. A thriving garnet jewelry and cutting industry based on the very popular red pyrope garnets was started in Czechoslovakia in 1500. Until the nineteenth century it was the world’s largest source of gem garnets. These fiery red pyrope garnets were very popular in Victorian jewelry. The discovery of a bright green Grossularite garnet in East Africa in the late 1960’s that was named “Tsavorite” by the Tiffany’s jewelry firm that also named and popularized the blue lavender zoisite gemstone as Tanzanite. This very exciting discovery brought the gemstone and jewelry industries a new color of garnet that can rival emerald in its luminescent green color. The discovery of a fiery orange variety of spessartite garnet on the Angola-Namibian border in the 1980’s also rocked the gemstone and jewelry world. The incredible radiant orange garnet, the likes of which had never been seen before was a major development in bringing garnet to the forefront of exciting gemstones.

Today this beautiful and exciting colored stone is used throughout the jewelry world as a favorite of many more than the January babies. It is a mid priced stone and depending on what it is set in can be affordable for all. Although I am a September girl one of the favorites in my jewelry collection is a cross of garnets set in sterling silver. Maybe it does have some of those old powers because it makes me happy every time I wear it.

Do you have garnet jewelry? I would love to hear your comments about your pieces and feelings about this wonderful stone.

I'm back, now where is Spring?

2010-01-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

This beautiful little Snow Bunting is usually a sign that spring is around the corner but my wishes are that spring is going to be here this afternoon. I have had it with winter already and it just started.
We had our third snow overnight and that is enough for this southern girl.

It feels good to be back at my blog this year, the holidays and traveling around to family are finally finished and life is back to normal. Well kinda normal because I was suppose to be moving now and that has been posponed for about a month. I am moving into a place that is being completely renovated and they are way behind with the work. I am so looking forward to a beautiful new kitchen and more space for my home studio. I am really quite anxious but it would be such a mess to move in all of this snow. Come on spring, I need you.

Seasons Greetings to All...

2009-12-23T17:56:00.002-05:00

May all the days of Christmas bring you a gift of love from your love ones, and on the third day of Christmas, Three Fench Hens. As the story goes the symbols of the french hens stand for Faith, Hope and Love, and with that you have everything.

I will be away for several days sharing my holiday with all of my family members and I wish you the happiest of holidays and all the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas.

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Years.

The shades of blue ice are perfect for a December birth...

2009-12-07T12:37:00.000-05:00

As cool and inviting as a blue lake on a blistering summer day, December's birthstone is derived from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning fire. This is because Blue Topaz was considered by ancient civilizations to have cooling properties. Not only was it believed to cool boiling water when thrown into the pot, but to calm hot tempers as well! This gemstone was credited with many other healing powers, among them the ability to cure insanity, asthma, weak vision and insomnia. The Blue Topaz was even thought to have magical properties in its ability to make its wearer invisible in a threatening situation.

Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals. While pure Topaz is colorless, minor changes of elements within the stone result in a variety of other colors, such as blue, pale green, red, yellow and pink.

The blue hue is created when Topaz is heated, whether the heat source is natural or engineered by man. The three shades of Blue Topaz are Sky, Swiss and London Blue. The latter is the deepest blue and is often used as a less expensive substitute for Sapphire.

Topaz is found primarily in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Pakistan, China, and the United States.

A gift of Blue Topaz is symbolic of love and fidelity. Luckily, this cool blue gemstone has no legendary power to put out the burning flame of love!

Alternate Birthstone
An alternate birthstone for December is the Turquoise. So named because it was initially brought to Europe by way of Turkey, this stone is one of the first gems to be used in jewelry. Turquoise was considered by ancients to be a sacred stone, protective against all manners of evil and ill health. This beautiful gemstone is mined in Iran and the southwestern United States. A gift of Turquoise represents friendship and luck.

The details of the December Birthstone is from the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

2009-12-02T11:29:00.001-05:00

I'm a stocking hanger. I put one up for family members and for me and the cat. My old kitty has been in the family a long time and she deserves a stocking filled with little mice toys and goodies. My stocking gets little gifts from the family and always a little item, or two, from myself. It isn't that odd to buy yourself a present or two and I have been giving some thought lately as to what I am giving myself this year. My problem is I can't think of anything I really want that would fit into a stocking and the things that would fit fall into the very expensive catagory.

Gift giving this year has changed a lot for my friends and family, everyone is affected in one way or another by our messed up economy and limits have been set. Other than my immediate family in my household, I have a large group of sisters and their children and spouses. When everyone was younger and times were better we would buy for everyone, then several years ago we went to name drawing and gave one gift. Two years ago we went to what we all refer to as the white elephant christmas. The first time we supplied one gift and it had to be something we would do for a charity of their choice. Last year it had to be one gift made entirely by hand with a ten dollar limit on materials. This year the gift must come from our home and be something we are re-gifting even if it is used. This white elephant Christmas is very fun to do and easy for all. We even had the men have to come up with something they made even if it was a picture they drew or a poem they wrote. We had some really big laughs with that! With twenty of us we get togther and have a big pot luck holiday dinner, then get around the tree and based on your age, the oldest goes first, at your turn you select a wrapped gift from under the tree. All of the gifts are wrapped but there are no tags saying from or for so that keeps it crazy as you try and guess who did what. After the first opens their gift then the next one picks and open a gift.

They may keep their gift or take the present that was opened by someone before them and that person has to take the gift the other just opened or take someone elses that has already been opened. It is a really fun game with the gifts and you really don't know where you stand until all the gifts have been opened and you see what is finally in your hands. You could give away and get another many times during the gift exchange. This way everyone has good time and lots of smiles. Since all gifts are to be re-gifts this year it will be a really funny.

As to what to do with my stocking, I think I will ask Santa for a new book, a gift certificate from my favorite salon for a mani and pedi, and a day of pampering after the holidays are over. 1. What about you, do you hang stockings? 2. What will you ask Santa to put in your stocking? 3. Do you have special ways your family exchanges gifts? I would so like to hear what everone else is wanting and doing with their gift giving.

Thanksgiving week has begun...

2009-11-23T12:40:00.001-05:00

It's finally here, the wonderful week of Thanksgiving. In my family it is usually a week long event because out of town relatives start coming into town and the extra shopping, decorating, cleaning and cooking has begun. I know it sounds like a lot but its Thanksgiving and abundance is the theme. Yesterday we gathered after church for lunch at my sisters and already the house was filling with the nieces and nephews coming in from college break for the week.

We have so much to be thankful for this year and many sad memories to be reministed over. This year, after a long and difficult illness, my brother-in-law died from Lou Gerhig's disease and we lost my step-father from Altzheimer's disease. It is very sad not to have them with us this holiday, but we are thankful they are no longer suffering. We have all been affected by the financial troubles of our country, but we are thankful we all still have our jobs. So many things to go on and on with when it comes to problems, but in the other hand, we have so much to be giving thanks about.

One terrific thing I am thankful for this year is the great time I have had with my blogs. I started this blog and its sister, My Southern Touch, six months ago and I have been thrilled with the friends and fun I have made during this short time. I look forward to a long time to come with lots more sharing. I hope you have taken a look at My Southern Touch because I have filled it with recipes from my southern heritage and it has Thanksgiving goodies in it now. Check it out, I am real proud of it too.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week everyone. I'm not sure if I will be able to write any this week with company and such but next week I will be back with goodies from my holiday jewelry collection for you to take a peak at and shop if you like.
Have a Blessed and Safe Thanksgiving Everyone!

This wonderful Thanksgiving Mosaic is from Christian Stock Photos available online. They have beautiful photos!! Jeanne

November Beauty, the fabulous Citrine...

2009-11-13T00:11:00.001-05:00

Citrine, the beautiful birthstone of November is the color of the golden fall leaves and sweet caramel. It is one birthstone so rightly selected for the autumn month of November.

A specific stone for each month is thought to have originated as far back as the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. Historians believe the Hebrew high priests described breastplates featuring 12 gemstones, one each for the 12 tribes of Israel.

From the 8th century each gemstone was connected to the 12 apostles, as well as birth months and zodiac signs, but it wasn't until the 15th century that people started wearing the stones of the zodiac. They believed that each gemstone had special powers and they were very powerful during that month of their birth.

These beliefs continued into the early nineteen hundreds when the Jewelers of America stepped in and organized an official list. They made a few changes and picked stones that were commercially popular and not necessarily what was already associated with that month. Today you will find that some months have more than one stone, the one originally selected based on tradition and the stars, and the newer list with stones easier to sell.

For November, the original stone from the time of the Bible is the Topaz, golden smoky topaz, but when that wasn't so available the Citrine was selected for the similarities of color. Not quite as smoky as the yellow topaz the citrine offers a brillance enjoyed by people born in every month.

As to the meanings of Citrines, it is the Naval Chakra, the center of physical and material powers and radiates to the number 6. It is said to bring positive meanings and success to your life. It is one of only two minerals on our planet that does not hold or accumulate negative energy but does dispel it. It prepares your body, mind and emotions to expel their problems.

The beautiful sunny yellow is the stone of happiness and energy from the Sun. Something so powerful should find its way into everyones jewelry box.

And the Winner Is.......

2009-11-11T19:37:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful time I have had the past week with my Fall Give-Away and now the week has come to an end and it's time to annouce the winner. It has been so much fun to read everyone's comments and emails, and boy what a big head I have had for a week, with all the great comments and the new followers on both of my blogs, Sugar Creek Beads and My Southern Touch.

I really enjoy blogging and reading the blogs of others. It is a wonderful way to meet and enjoy such a variety of people who have like interests. With the mixture of different interests I wanted this to be a fun gift. I plan on offering a new and unique give away for each season.

So, this being the end of the fall give away, the winner is...

From Random.Org
The winner of your drawing is...

1st Gaston Studio
Congratulations on the drawing! It was completed on Thursday, 12 November 2009 at 00:27:15 UTC. The winner was drawn from a list of 114 entrants using true randomness, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random number algorithms typically used in computer programs.

Whether you keep it for yourself or give it away as a gift I hope you will enjoy it always.
Jeanne

Three days left until drawing time, it's too good to miss...

2009-11-09T14:32:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to leave comments with your email address so that you'll be in the drawing for this fantastic, one of a kind Copper and Larimar Blue Crazy Lace Agate Watch and Earring set. Drawing will be held Wednesday, November 11th at 7pm. Custom made by me for a special give away for all my blog readers and followers. Check out my other blog at My Southern Touch, you can have double entries by commenting on both on my blogs. It's a beautiful give away, don't miss it!

It's Here!! A Give Away Worth the Wait...

2009-11-03T23:08:00.005-05:00

In time for the upcoming holidays, and everyday to come, I have picked a really beautiful gift from my Artisan Jewelry Collection. I've been promising something special and I made it for my blog friends in mind. I love it and I hope you do too. This two piece set is one of kind and really great for any wardrobe.
The beaded watch is special with its antiqued copper watch case and a unique stone known as Larimar Blue Crazy Lace Agate. Each oval and coin shaped stone is shaded from the deepest turquoise to the palest Larimar blues with patterns in shades of copper and taupe. Each of the unique stones is set off by shiny copper beads and a matching copper toggle closure. The total length of the watch is 8" so that is fits as a beautiful bracelet. The matching earrings are just as unique because they are made from antiqued copper circles; hand forged for interesting texture with a single Larimer Blue Crazy Lace Agate oval stone hanging from the middle. They are for pierced ears and hang on an antiqued copper, flattened French ear wire. They can be worn together, apart or even separated and one piece given as a gift. It is up to you, they will come to you in a gift box.

The drawing will be held one week from today, November 10th, 2009, at 7pm by random.org and selected from all comments left this week and will include all of the followers. This Give Away includes both of my blogs; Sugar Creek Beads and My Southern Touch and for extra chances in the drawing check out both of my blogs and comment on each place. If you are a follower in each location you are also counted on both sites. Important to leave your email address so that I can notify you after the drawing. Good luck and I look forward to reading your posts.

Did you know about the big pumpkin?

2009-10-20T18:12:00.000-04:00

So what's with using the wonderful pumpkin at Halloween? Today I googled "why halloween pumpkins" and was quite surprised at all the interesting meanings and legends on why the pumpkin got used as the scary Jack-O-Lantern. It seems that in the 1800s when so many immigrants came to America because of the Irish Potato Famine, they brought with them the traditions of Halloween and the use of the pumpkin. Traditionally, the Jack-O-Lantern was carved from potatoes, beets and turnips and then lit with a burning lump of coal or little candles. I find it hard to imagine, because we are so used to a big orange pumpkin, a home decorated with small potatoes and beets with a lump of coal inside. These vegetable lanterns were made to represent the souls of the dear departed ones and they set them on porches and in windows to welcome home the deceased. They also believed the little scary lanterns served as protection against malevolent spirits or goblins freed from the dead. Since turnips and gourds were not as readily available in the Americas the pumpkin was used and found to be a terrific and more scary replacement. Today the pumpkin Jack-O-Lantern is an essential part of Halloween celebrations.

I have never been much of a pumpkin decorator. I have a beautiful one that is made of glass that I use on my side table with fall leaves, but when it comes to the real pumpkin mine is for eating. A wonderful slice of pumpkin pie is a mainstay at Thanksgiving and then again during the Christmas season. Actually I am glad the Lantern was changed to a pumpkin, can you imagine a Thanksgiving beet or turnip pie? Do you do something special with pumpkin this time of the year? I would love to read your ideas!

Pumpkin decorating photos from Good Housekeeping.

Fall's Fashion Gemstones...

2009-10-17T02:54:00.002-04:00

Fall's Fashion Gemstones
With the colors of falling leaves, gemstones that include rich red garnets, golden quartz, soft green peridot, beautiful aquamarine, rich yellow citrine, ivory pearls, rich browns and greys in freshwater pearls and darker garnets and the fabulous multi shaded, dark hunter greens and wonderful mauves of tourmalines, make the season one to enjoy and show off natures true natural gems. I love this time of year and when designing new pieces I always seek out the natural shades of the season. Working with natural stones, along with beautiful gold and sterling silver accents, make it tough to walk away from the work table each day. How wonderful it is to be able to work at what makes you so happy. It has a way of taking away the stress of our crazy world even if it is only for a few hours a day. Whether you work with gemstones, take beautiful photos, cook yummy foods or be a wonderful Mommy, enjoy each moment and forget about the craziness, if just for a few minutes a day. Stress is so bad for all of us so whatever your passion, live it a little everyday and it will show in everything else you do. Don't forget, coming out this week is the photos of my Fall Giveaway. Don't forget to check back often for all the details. Here's a hint - it was from my favorite thing to do!

Thinking about having a handmade holiday...

2009-10-13T11:52:00.002-04:00

It's official, today I wore a sweater to work and so, to me atleast, it is Fall. Each year when it is cool enough that you need to start wearing the cool weather clothing my mind starts to look towards Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know it is too early and I hate it that decorations are creeping in all over, but if you are going to make something it's time to start planning.

I like to plan ahead, if only in my mind right now, the foods and desserts that need buying and baking for Thanksgiving and then start to review and plan for the major season, Christmas. I love the holidays and everything about them, baking, making candy, fixing the meals, decorating and the most important thing, gift giving.

I love gift giving, I even think it is my favorite part, but this year I have talked it over with my sisters and we have decided that all gifts exchanged should be handmade.

I think a lot of love goes into a handmade gift and the holiday should be about love. Besides that, everyone is working on a very tight budget and this is a great way to keep the costs down. We decided our gifts should include only things that we make, including edible gifts. Boy, does our group love the edible gifts! My sister Carol is quite the dessert maker and we always count on Carol when it comes to cakes, cookies and candy. I always throw into our family group meals a few cheesecakes and pumpkin pies. Early this year I purchased, at a closeout, a dozen each of mini cheesecake and tart pans. Not knowing at the time why I needed these twenty four little pans I think I may have come up with a treat for everyone.

Other than the goodies all the girls in my family are wanting jewelry from me. Since I am a jewelry designer all the people on my gift list want me to make them something like earrings or bracelets. It's okay though because I love making and giving jewelry to each of them. I sure am glad that I am not a knitter because with the large size of my family I would have had to start knitting Christmas sweaters a couple of years ago.

What does your family do about gifts? Are you into homemade and will you be gifting handcrafted presents to all? Do you think the economy has impacted on the way you will give presents this year? I would love to know from you what and how gifts are to be done this year. I have finally decided on the perfect giveaway gift from me to my followers for the holidays. I have a made a lovely piece of jewelry that will be given away the first week of November. I will be posting photos and all information in a week and I am just sure it will be a hit. The winner will be randomly drawn from all the comments and from my followers on here and on my other blog, that I sure hope you have all checked out, MySouthernTouch Make sure you follow both of mine and leave comments so that you can get extra entries. Keep your eye out for the gift post because I know you'll love it!

The Color of Fall...

2009-10-12T02:43:00.000-04:00

Perfect for fall or that fun Halloween party is a fabulous multi-stranded natural agate chip necklace. This wonderful necklace is made with all natural agate in shades of orange, red orange and peach that blend together to give it a great look with the feel of fall leaves turning. This is a one of kind piece since all natural stones are shaded different. It is 18" long and has a silver bar closure. $85.00

With October comes two...

2009-10-02T19:58:00.012-04:00

The vacation is over and I'm home and back in the writing grove. Isn't it interesting how much we love vacation, hate for it to end and yet we can't wait to be home in our own bed? I had a wonderful and luxurious time at the beach but oh how wonderful this cozy queen size feels.

To celebrate that cozy feeling and the beginning of a new month, I thought I would tell you about the October birthstone, well actually birthstones since October is only one of a couple of months that offer a choice of stones, Opal or Pink Tourmaline.

Opal,fabulous and prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light, is prehistoric and mystical. The exciting Opal was treasured by Kings for what they believed to be special powers of light, brought to earth through a bolt of lighting. Opals were placed in crowns and other royal items to ward off evil. They also ground them into powder and put into drinks to bring good health and long life. The Opal is composed of 30% water and is very fragile making it need special care. Mystics say that only an October born person should wear an Opal, but hey they are fabulous and I would love to take the chance and wear one anyway.

An alternate birthstone for October, the Pink Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. Although I am a September baby, one of my personal favorite rings is Pink Tourmaline and I wear it often.

Whatever you call your stone of October they are both very beautiful and filled with unique properties. Try wearing something with them both, you may be super protected.

It's my birthday and we're eating a low country boil...

2009-09-25T17:34:00.006-04:00

Hello to everyone from my fabulous vacation. The weather has been great and I am feeling so rested that I think by the time I come home I will be too limp to go back to work. Yea, like that could ever happen, but at least I feel that way today. Today is my birthday, 39 again for the millionth time but who is counting. For my birthday party tonight my family is fixing me a Low Country Boil. Although this is a re-post from much earlier I thought it was just right for today. I will be back from vacation soon with lots of new posts and photos so until then, enjoy this post and I'll eat lots for you all.
My family can't have a group gathering on holidays, birthdays or vacations without throwing together a Low Country Boil. It always serves a lot of people and it has something for everyone. We all love it and I've been known to down size it so that it will serve just two or three on a weeknight.

What is known as the low country region stretches from the coastal plains of the Carolina's to the Georgia border. Being a location heavy of seafood, produce, grits and rice the people were, and still are, known for their combinations of local shrimp, crabs, oysters and fish cooked together with what is plentiful at the time.

This low country boil is a combination of shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, potatoes, onions and if available crabs. Great to take to the beach and really easy to create for a crowd. Low country boil can be served on newspaper for easy clean up. The only rule of thumb here is the bigger the crowd, the bigger the pot. It doesn't have a exact measurement of anything since it is based on whatever you have or want so this is as close to what my family throws together and it is a solid hit every time.

Our Low country Boil

Note: Items are layered in pot and not stirred throughout. Put lid on pot as the steam rising from the bottom of pot is steaming all the flavors together and cooking them as the are added.
4 pounds small red potatoes washed but left whole
6 or 8 whole medium Vidalia or Sweet onions peeled but left whole
6 quarts water
1 small bag of crab boil seasoning optional but better with it.
4 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning (double if no crab boil)
3 pounds kielbasa or smoked link sausage, cut into 6 inch pieces
6 ears of corn, halved
5 pounds large fresh shrimp, (peeled and deveined optional)we cook ours with the peel on for added flavor.
Melted Butter and Cocktail sauce on the side.

Add potatoes and onions to large tall pot, then add 6 quarts water and seasonings. Cover pot and heat to a rolling boil; cook 5 minutes. Add sausage and corn on top of the potatoes and onions, and return to a boil. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add shrimp to stockpot; If adding crabs add now for 10 minutes then add the shrimp and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain and dump the pot out onto the middle of a paper covered table or into a few large bowls and serve with bowls of cocktail sauce an bowls of melted butter.

Open a cold beer or pour a glass of sweet tea and dig into the pile. You eat it all with your hands and laugh and enjoy!

I'm headed on vacation and p.s. here's a hint on the giveaway.

2009-09-17T12:46:00.009-04:00

I have packed and repacked until I managed to turn a month's worth of clothes into two suitcases. The trick to it was eliminating all the totally unnecessary clothing I always take on my two week vacation to the beach. My problem has always been my need to pack my complete wardrobe for a two week trip and the realization every year that I don't wear three quarters of the stuff I take. I feel like I am going through clothing withdrawal right now but I have it all in two suitcases and if I find I have to have something else it will be the prefect excuse to go shopping more while I am there. I am really very excited about vacation starting tomorrow since I am going to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, my favorite beach destination. We have rented a big beautiful house for a number of my family and some friends and it will be great fun to hang out doing not much but enjoying the people and the fantastic ocean. We go there in September each year because it is still warm enough for the beach but the crowds are gone for the summer and the prices on the rentals have dropped a lot! I will be taking my laptop and camera so I can see what y'all are writing and if I can I will post some of the pictures of the fabulous ocean.

As an extra treat when I get back, I have made a beautiful piece of jewelry for my fall give away. I will be posting the photos and dates when I return.
It will be selected randomly from the comments and the followers for this blog and the my other blog My Southern Touch Check it out if you haven't been there cause it is lots of fun and filled with great food and touches of my southern heritage. Don't forget to make comments on both here and there and be a follower in both spots. It will double your chance in the drawing!

What is it about Jade?

2009-09-14T12:25:00.011-04:00

Jade is said to be the symbol of peace, elegance and eternity and throughout the Orient, people believe that Jade is more than an ornament and that it brings them wealth, health, peace of mind and long life. In our country Jade is considered a beautiful stone with a mysterious feel in fabulous colors and great hardness. The wonderful shades of green and the elegance of the Oriental carvings are what we primarily think of when we think jade but there is an amazing array of colors and shapes available. Jade is actually two different stones, one known as Jadeite and the other called Nephrite. Both Nephrite and Jadeite were used by people from prehistoric times as a guardian of their loins. They not only used it as a medical treatment but carved it into axe heads, knives and other weapons. Once metal working came into play, the hard stone was carved into jewelry and artwork.
Jade jewelry is some of my favorites when it comes to the smooth soft colors of pale green, lavender and pink. If you're lucky, you can occasionally find the colors, along with white, all blended together and it is lovely. Authentic jade is fairly expensive so be careful when you see "deals" for 10, 20, 30 or so dollars. It is not real or it some cheap white stone that has been dyed colors. There are a number of smooth cut stones that often pass for real jade, so if the deal seems to good to believe, don't, it isn't really a deal. Of course, if you're looking for some pretty jewelry, with unique colors and with fashion jewelry prices, then you can count on the faux pieces being fun and at a great price. Me, a piece or two of investment jewelry is always wonderful but I love the everyday fun stuff just as much.

Changing seasons bring new fashion jewelry...

2009-09-11T02:08:00.014-04:00

Stunning is the word for this wonderful necklace featuring the perfect gemstones for fall and winter, Tigers eye, Topaz, Peridot, Quartz and Freshwater Pearls $165.00 SOLD

Perfection for anything in your wardrobe with this fantastic 36" long multi-colored strand of genuine freshwater pearls. Wear wrapped 2 or 3 times around neckline for a fantastic effect. $85.00 SOLD

The rich and striking deep green of Malachite focal rings set off the delicate pale green jade and light green quartz. Shades of the forest and a special piece for the change of seasons. $68.00

Elegance in the beauty of rich, deep garnets, freshwater pearls and quartz in wonderful colors of chocolate, shades of rust and greys, deep dark red and crisp whites, perfect for fall and winter. $65.00

For information or purchases of jewelry shown please contact:
sugarcreekbeads@comcast.net

More gemstones and their curious meanings...

2009-09-04T11:50:00.015-04:00

With our long weekend upon us and a chance to get away to the shore till next Tuesday, I thought I would bring you the next chapter in the curious meanings of gemstones. I find it so interesting the ancients put a meaning to every stone and believed in their powers for physical and emotional health. If only they all worked as they say today, people would be spending more time with their jeweler than their doctor. I imagine these stones were prescribed by the ancient doctors. What did ancient medical practitioners know that we don't? Did they discover techniques that give a whole new meaning to medical miracles? I guess the whole miracle is in believing these stones work as they say. Interesting, do you believe they could work? I would love to hear your comments on the topic.

SAPPHIRE - (My Birthstone) This beautiful gemstone is said to enhance your creativity and to
bring about focus on the purity of one’s thoughts. It is also known as the Stone
of New Love and commitment and is claimed to promote loyalty and faithfulness.
This beautiful gem is available in several colors from its most known shade of
blue to pink and white.

AMETHYST - It has long been a symbol of peace and purity, aiding in calmness and
serenity. Amethyst is also used to treat headaches, general nervousness, sugar
imbalances and insomnia. It has been used through the ages to bring about
peaceful, healing sleep and spiritual balance.

PEARLS - From the time of prehistoric man and for thousands of years the pearl
has been a symbol of faith and innocence. They are probably one of the earliest
gems found by man and being naturally perfect they were used as adornment. It
is thought the first pearls were found off the coast of India. Pearls come
finished naturally from nature and because of their natural beauty they are
associated with the meanings of life. They are said to balance your body and
hormonal levels by the cycles of the sea and the moon. Pearls come in a number
of colors based on the type of mollusk they come from, shades of white, brown,
pink and black are the most usual of colors.

FRESHWATER PEARLS - Are also a pearl of nature but with a little help from man.
Man carefully places a tiny grit of sand inside the living mollusk which causes
them to start coating the grit and building it up with the luster which turns it
into a true pearl. They are also available in many shades and are as valued as
any pearl.

MOTHER OF PEARL - Also a product of nature, mother of pearl is the beautiful
luster lining from the inside of the mollusk shell. In China, mother of pearl is
used to treat heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They also use it as a
symbol of faith and innocence.

Curious meanings of gemstones...

2009-08-31T13:39:00.016-04:00

Gemstones aways provoke a wow feeling when we see them in their beautiful and radiant glory, but throughout history the mystics and powers that be have given them a meaning based on many earthly and spiritual connections. I have always found the meanings given to stones to be curious and fun and I thought you may enjoy reading little bits about them. So from time to time I will be bringing you stones and their meanings. Here is the first grouping.

TOPAZ - The beautiful shades of Topaz are known to enhance awareness and help to
correct disorders of the human body. This special stone is said to be good for
dreaming.

RUBY - The rich red of the Stone of Wealth and joy..
Rubies are known to
intensify sexual energy, stirring up passion and aiding in fertility.

CITRINES - The citrine is associated with prosperity and has the powers to
transmute negativity and bring about sensual warmth.

GARNET - Garnets claim is to be the Stone of Health, with its loving energy, it
is to keep you balanced and stimulates your passions.

EMERALD - In this fabulous gemstone of the green forest it evokes the essential
element for all life forms. It is said to bring nourishment and healing to you
and will aid in enhancing your immune system.

AQUAMARINE - In both its beautiful color and name this very special gemstone
evokes the sea. The ancients felt that by taking it to sea with them it would
help bring them back safe and prosperous from their voyages.

DIAMOND - The hardest of all gemstones and one of the most valued, Diamonds are
the symbol of innocence and constancy. Not having its own specific healing
nature it is known to supplement the energy of other gemstones. Healers are
often known to wear diamonds around amethysts during healing to aid the healing
balance associated with the amethyst.

Introducing Dew Drops...

2009-08-26T14:33:00.010-04:00

I have discovered some of the nicest little drops on Etsy. These very special little drops are made by Arie at Dew Drops Vintage and the link to her shop is www.dewdropvintage.etsy.com I discovered Arie a few months ago and have bought quite a number of her prepared beads for use in our studio and for classes and demo's we often give at nursing homes.

The quality of her beads and findings are first rate. She has a great eye for colors and mixes the nicest caps and trims on each hand wrapped bead. Because she keeps her prices so reasonable you are able to purchase just a few of something quite special without putting a lot out on unique beads and findings.

If you are a beginning beader or have never made anything but would like to try your hand at some earrings or a pendant this is a good place for you to start. You only need to pick out one of the beautiful little sets of finished beads and add them to a jump ring and chain or right onto a little pair of earring hooks.

Check her out, (tell her Jeanne said Hi, no this is not a paid solicitation, I just like her work) and she will take great care of you. Happy beading!

What is Druzy?

2009-08-23T19:01:00.011-04:00

Making jewelry with these wonderful rare examples of certain stones always bring out the question, “What is Druzy?” I said the same thing the first time I saw it and proceeded to fall in love with it as I learned so much more about the process. It is beautiful and unique and no two are ever alike. Even its name is seen in several forms because it is often misspelled, druzy, drusy, drusie. It is more often seen as druzy but I understand the proper spelling is with the s. However it is spelled in your area is okay as long as you get to see this wonderful show of nature.

The dynamics of the earth’s crust and inner layers moving are responsible for the forming of most of the colored gemstones we see today. Many millions of years ago as the molten rock were being forced up to the surface, heat and pressure changes caused gasses to expand and create cavities within the solidifying rock. Many years later, as the ground water, that was rich with minerals, moved through the rock, it deposited the new minerals into the cavities, and as cooling began to occur, the crystallization of these minerals on top of and inside the previously crystallized rock began the unique crystal formation called Druzy.

It has the look of crystal or rock sugar candy growing on the inside of a beautiful gemstone. The colors are based on the stone the mineral water leaked into all those years ago. I hope you have the opportunity to see and own a piece of this wonderful natural gem. It is truly one of a kind!

I'm ready to party...

2009-08-18T11:29:00.006-04:00

Today feels like a day to celebrate for me, like everything that makes me happy is all wrapped up in a beautiful box with a fabulous silk bow on top and it is all mine. You see, for the last several weeks I have been living under a dark cloud and just getting through each day by pretending all was well but it wasn't. It is hard to smile when fear is consuming your life but today the fear is gone and I am smiling so hard my face hurts.

I have been believing the past few weeks that I had cancer, the bad kind you don't get well from, and finally after test after test it seems the doctors were wrong and I am cancer free. Doctors are wonderful people and their intentions are good but they had made a terrible mistake in my diagnoses and the situation grew as fast as a snow ball rolling down a hill getting larger and larger, doctor by doctor. The funny thing about the snowball is the more they led me to believe I was sick the sicker I was getting. Power of suggestion is a dangerous thing. Well the great part is that they were completely wrong and I do not have the dreaded C word! I am a bit concerned about how one doctor believing something can snowball into other doctors just accepting what one said and not checking for themselves. If we had a different health care system what would have gotten through wrong?

That is all the bad thoughts I will have of them today because I am happy and my cloud is gone. I feel this is a day for fireworks and a picnic. Enjoy your day, I am!

What summer is all about...

2009-08-13T15:12:00.011-04:00

This afternoon I called my Mom and let her know I was coming over to her place at the shore; she of course was thrilled and said "we'll have a picnic by the pool and you can fry up a few of the Vidalia onions I picked up this morning." Well, I didn't have to think twice about that because I am crazy about big fried onion rings and when they are made from Vidalias they are wonderful. Don't know Vidalias? Well, they are an amazingly sweet onion that are grown only in the summer and only in Vidalia, GA. They claim the sweetness in the onions come from the soil in that town and so if it wasn't grown in their soil you can't refer to any other sweet onion as a Vidalia. My recipe for the yummy onion rings are so good I thought I would share it with you.

Jeanne's Big Vidalia Fried Rings

Vegetable or canola oil for frying
2 large sweet Vidalia onions
2 cans Cold evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Remove the skins from the onions and slice them into fairly thick slices, I do 1/2 to 1 inch. Separate the rings by pushing them apart with your fingers. You will use even the small circles from the middle.
In a low sided dish, like a pie plate, pour in your cold evaporated milk. Cold is important it sticks better.
In another low sided dish dump in the flour and stir in the salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
Dip the onion rings first into the milk and then the flour mixture. To add to the crunch you do it again, into the milk and then again into the flour. That doubles the coating and makes a great crunch when fried.
Drop the coated rings into the hot 350 degree oil in a deep fryer or a sauce pan you have half filled with the oil. Use only half the pan so it doesn't bubble over and cause a fire.
Only put 5 or 6 rings in the pan at a time so as not to lower the temperature of the oil. When the temperature gets low it causes the rings or anything you cook this way to get greasy.
Flip them around in the oil until they are golden brown, remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Give them a sprinkle with salt while still warm.
Serve in your favorite serving basket or dish lined with a napkin or more paper towels.
Add the dipping sauce you whipped up to the table and watch them go really fast. So good and yummy!

I make a dipping sauce with 1 cup mayo and 1/4 cup ketchup, a shake or two of Worcestershire, squirt of a half of a lemon and a couple shakes of a good hot sauce. Spice it up like your taste buds like it. Mm mm good or sweating hot is up to you.

Try these at your next party or just because, you'll love the wonderful taste of summertime, crunchy, Vidalia.

Christmas thinking...

2009-08-10T12:07:00.005-04:00

One thing that drives me crazy at the end of summer is how quickly the stores start changing their displays and filling up the isles with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do people really start buying their trick or treat candy now? I am afraid in my house if bags of stockpiled candy were found it would be gone by by labor day. As far as Christmas is concerned I am a December shopper, not the last minute but close.

But bad I am, because the first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning was planning a line of Christmas jewelry and getting it photographed and listed in its various selling places online. I never wanted to become another box store, but this year with money tight for everyone, small businesses have to think with the big guy mentality. I have been thinking all morning about planning and putting in motion my own early holiday advertising and it makes me feel like such the hypocrite. Maybe their plan is the right one for getting the shopper but can't they at least keep it out of the stores until the kids are back in school?

One of my thoughts for the holiday line is some really special pieces, handcrafted from Sterling Silver and Larimar. For those of you not familiar with Larimar it is a stunning gem of a shaded Caribbean, ocean blue color that I got this year from the Dominican Republic. It is very special because of its color and its rarity since it only comes from one place on this earth. I don't want to say too much now but the pieces will be amazing and I'm excited to be bringing them out for the holidays. Note: The photo is an example of Larimar jewelry in our studio. This is not the surprise give away gift, it's a surprise!

My other surprise for the holidays will be a special give way from my blogs. I am going to combine all my followers from here on my Sugar Creek Beads blog and my other blog, My Southern Touch, and have a drawing early in December for a beautiful piece of artisan jewelry. Make sure you have signed up to be a follower on both locations so you will get double the chance in the drawing. More to come during the fall as well as pictures.

Pearls, beautiful pearls...

2009-08-02T15:16:00.007-04:00

A few of us are lucky enough to have a string of beautiful, creamy pearls that were passed down from our mothers or were wedding gifts from our new husbands. They are wonderful and elegant but they have one flaw, genuine pearls necklaces are strung on thread. The nightmare of having a string of pearls breaking and rolling all over the floor and looking like a cartoon is not fun. When it happened to me I realized when the experts said “you need to have your pearls restrung every couple of years” they meant it.

Genuine pearls should be strung on double silk thread and hand knotted between each little gem. In early times all necklaces were stung on silk or even fine cotton threads because that is all they had available to them for stringing. When wire threads were available, the different heavier beads went to the wire and the delicate pearls stayed with the threads so that the soft draped look would continue. Tiny hand knots were placed between each stone so that the pearls would not rub against each other and damage the creamy luster. The little knots helped keep the stones from rubbing together but were also meant to avoid the cartoon nightmare of the stones rolling all over the floor.

Silk and or cotton threads are wonderful for the drape but the fibers break down so easily from the movement of the stones on the threads. A good jeweler or your favorite artisan is usually trained to restring and properly knot your necklaces and bracelets. There are many very fine wire threads, with a lot of drape to them, that would be great to have your restringing replaced with and the tiny knots between each pearl can be replaced with a very small size crystal seed bead. So don’t be afraid of your pearls rolling everywhere, get them restrung and wear them. Pearls never go out of style and they get even more beautiful with wear. Check the artisans online and on Etsy for someone you can trust to restring, you will be so glad that you did the next time you lay them against your skin.

Subliminal Food Demons...

2009-07-21T12:08:00.010-04:00

Why is it that when you decide to take off a few pounds everything makes you hungry? As I was catching up on reading my favorite blogs, I became so hungry just from the photos. I'm not hungry, I already had a meal and was feeling quite full from the healthy diet lunch. I just finished it an hour ago and now the subliminal food demons, I am sure you all must have hidden in your photos, make me feel desperate to go find some chocolate or ice cream or even some blueberry something. Anything that is not what I need or should be having.

What's up with that? How is it we become bad just by looking at photos or TV and lusting after goodies. Who got hold of our brain and set about the destruction? The crazy part is that if I wasn't trying to lose weight the photos wouldn't have had the hungry effect and I would have just thought the pictures were great and gone on with the reading.

Oh well, I guess I am going to have to dig out some gum or mints or wait, some old M & M's or little candy bar I have in the bottom of my purse and get rid of the food demon for the rest of my afternoon. Oh and one more thing, would all my fellow bloggers skip their great food photos for the next ten days or until I can slip into my new vacation bathing suit.

A dear and special man...

2009-07-19T23:58:00.006-04:00

Usually when you have been away for awhile it's because of a vacation or business but this trip wasn't one I wanted to take. My dear step-father passed a week ago and I went to help my Mom with the details and to share memories with family members that came into town. I wrote of Bob here before around Father's Day and besides being a wonderful man he was quite the artisan. He created the most beautiful furniture with fabulous woods and all will miss his talents.

Grieving is a strange thing. Bob had been terribly ill for a number of years and it was his time to leave, but when all his friends and family members gathered the memories brought smiles to all. He had a way of making everyone laugh and feel cared about and in such a time of sadness we laughed and loved each other because he was with us in love.

I will truly miss him but I am a better woman for having had him in my life for so long.

Photo is my Mom and Bob taken on our last trip together Sept of 2006

Refreshing Lemonade and Brownies for a warm Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T10:39:00.013-04:00

My Basket List...

2009-07-05T11:55:00.006-04:00

It’s another half year down and time to take stock in what I’ve accomplished this year. Time it seems is going so fast since I finally decided that I had grown up, that without taking stock at least twice a year, I fear I won’t get much accomplished. It’s a bit like keeping a bucket list but since I work in blocks of 6 months at a time, so as not to get overwhelmed by the long term, I think of it as my basket list.

Taking stock of my last 6 months I think I have been quite happy with how far I got. Besides working a full time job as a manager, for an architectural millwork firm, I started to study metalwork and I am crazy about how that is coming along. I added some new styles to my jewelry line. I signed up for Etsy both under Sugar Creek Beads, to sell supplies, and under Keith Design Studio to sell finish jewelry. I started this beautiful blog and a second one just last week called My Southern Touch that features not just jewelry but my southern thoughts and recipes. Then lastly I spent time having my branding redone to match throughout all my sites. My beautiful, floral banner is now the same on both of the Etsy shops, my Twitter page and this blog page.

My goodness, as I look at the last paragraph I can see why I am tired but happy. I feel like I emptied the basket this time and added more to list. I may be patting myself on the back right now for what I got done but there has been many times when no more than one item got completed. When I got my wise button for being a grown up I learned that beating yourself up over not getting something completed is a waste of time and energy. All you need to do is take that unfinished list and put it in the basket with a new short list and hope for the best. Remember some times you can get all and more done and sometimes not. Just stay creative and what is completed is the right amount for you.

My short basket list this time is geared towards creativity and making my business more successful by adding to the stock.
1. Try to complete at least 4 or 5 pieces a week.
2. Keep up with photos as they are completed.
3. Redesign my web page to match my other locations.
4. Maintain both blogs and Etsy.
5. Try not to let the business come in front of my family.
6. Introduce a new collection by end of summer and a second one for the holidays.
7. And a really important one on many on my lists, don’t sweat the small stuff. Life really is too short for un-needed stress.

I’m sure I have bitten off more than I can do this time but I will do what I can and enjoy the process. Creating is a love affair with an art form, whether it is writing or jewelry or whatever your passion is, it is fueled by the passion to create and share. I look forward to sharing mine with you and I would love to hear your comments and have you share your creations with all of us. What would you put on your basket list?

Daydreaming...

2009-07-02T00:53:00.006-04:00

It’s a quiet afternoon in my office and I find myself watching the breeze move through the trees outside my office window. It seems more like a day dreaming kind of day than getting anything done. My desk is piled high with papers that need attention but my mind just won’t let me work. Daydreams are an interesting thing and have a way of bringing calm over your mind and body while the world keeps moving all around you. Do you think our brains slip into the process as a way to totally rest? I once read in a scientific blog by Jonah Lehrer (The Frontal Cortex) that “many scientists argue that daydreaming is a crucial tool for creativity, a thought process that allows the brain to make new associations and connections.” If that is true it makes me feel like I am not just wasting time but being creative and filling my brain with new designs.

I have been thinking a lot lately about new designs. For some time now my jewelry has maintained a fairly classic look and feel to it with the repetitive use of pearls, natural and gemstones but my daydreams keep saying to me, let it go, branch out, it is time to show your stuff. I have been thinking and daydreaming about trying some modern designs in metal work and wire but as much as I want to do it I am a little afraid to venture away from what has been successful. What do you think, keep just dreaming about it or wake up and make a change?

Change is what is difficult for me. I have a habit of staying too long with something just for a fear of failing, but right now as I watch the branches sway outside the window, I’m going to plan out a metal piece to work on tonight. My crucial tool for creativity, my daydream, is giving me the thought that not to change, or at least try something else, would be the failure.

So for a few minutes more, I will take in the thoughts of my daydream and tonight I will try and recreate the swaying tree branch in copper or silver.

Me Time...

2009-06-29T00:29:00.013-04:00

A couple of days ago I woke up with a need to have some me time. Me time is something women, myself included, have a lot of difficulty allowing ourselves to do. We feel like we have so many other priorities in our lives that the last thing we should do is waste days on our self alone. It is a bad quilt trip we needlessly give ourselves. Experts always tell us the necessity of putting our self first, sometimes, in order to make us better prepared to care for everyone else. I know how hard it is to do, but if you listen to any woman that has taken that advise, they will all tell you how refreshed and clear thinking they felt afterwards. The old adage that says if you look after yourself you can look after everyone else is true. It doesn't matter how long your own time is, or what you do with the time, as long as, you are your own priority.

I decided to take a couple of days and drive over to the shore and share some private time with my Mom. We went and had a manicure and pedicure together, then went to her home and hung out together like old girlfriends. We drank a few glasses of wine and cooked our favorite seafood dinner and loved every minute of just doing nothing but resting and sharing with each other. We slept late the next morning and had lots of coffee and breakfast goodies we wouldn't normally allow ourselves. I can't tell you how good it felt to have that break. No work, no designing, no cleaning, nothing but clearing the cobwebs from our minds and our lives. Tonight when I drove the 2 hour trip back home I didn't even mind that the laundry is still in the basket and the photos of my new pieces weren't taken yet because I brought a rested, peaceful feeling back with me.

It was only two days, but in the morning I will get up early and go into my job feeling thankful I still have one and when I come home in the evening I will dig in to my home and have fun in my studio. I know this restful feeling won't last forever but the next time I wake up with a serious need for a break I will take it and not feel guilty. My family was glad to have me home and I am glad to be back thanks to that special two day me time.

Note: Set shown in the photo is made from beautiful, natural coral and tiny gold tone beads featuring a fabulous fused glass starfish. The prefect summer set that included the necklace, coral memory bracelet and coral and gold tone brass hoop earrings with french hooks. $69.00

How Can Women Do It All?

2009-06-24T18:52:00.009-04:00

Have you ever wondered how women can pile so much into their days and still keep going? Like so many other women I work a demanding full time job, then leave there, go home to take care of my family, then start work on my own business. My business is running a fairly successful artisan jewelry studio, maintaining my online shops, and now, because I must have forgotten for a second that I don't have time to do it, started blogging. I’m not complaining, I love the blog I have started and hope it will turn out to be successful and have many followers for my ramblings. What makes us do these crazy things and are we making enough time for what we think are the priorities in our lives?

When I finally give up for the day I climb into bed, around 1AM, and find myself laying there and thinking about all of the things to do the next day. Last night while trying to wind down and fall asleep I kept thinking about what makes women take on so much each day. Are we gluttons for punishment or do we do all of this for the pleasure or creative outlet we need to keep us happy? I came to the conclusion that all of the things I do are so intertwined that not to do them all would make me sad. I work to support my family and I run my own business to mentally and emotionally support myself. Creative people need to be creative, in one way or another, or they feel like something important is missing from their lives.

I sat the other night and listened to women chat back and forth on Twitter (yes I was working on Twitter too) and even though it was late, I saw so many women say things like "they were tired," or that they "should turn in" and in the very next breath say that “I think I’ll go finish up that pair of earrings I started earlier” or “I’m going to go and take a couple more photos of product before I climb in bed”. We all seem not to be able to stuff every minute with something else.

Creativity is a passion or addiction, however you want to look at it, always on your mind and always trying to find that extra moment to stick some of it into an already full space. I fill up my already full spaces because not to is something I don’t know how to do. I love the creative part of me and it makes me the happy woman that is able to run my home and work a full time job.

I would love to hear from other women like myself and see just how they are able to fit it all into a 24 hour day. Does staying creative help get through the rest of your day? Or, on the other side of the coin, do you find it takes away from your family or partner and what do you do to help the battle that you run within yourself because of not being able to do it all?

Make Your Brand a Memory...

2009-06-22T19:25:00.009-04:00

I’ve spent the last week with my head buried in design, not designing jewelry as you might think but planning the redesign of this blog page banner, a few items that needed printing for my business and my Twitter page. You see I have two beautiful sister shops on Esty, Sugar Creek Beads and Keith Design Studio, both of which are the basis for this blog and after much thought I decided that it would be best for everything to have the same face or basic art, design and colors so it could have a cohesive flowing look. I worked a lot through emails and her Esty shop with Lynda, the owner and designer with Exquisite Expressions and (name is a link to her shop) until we worked out a plan to have the banners in Esty, this blog, my Twitter page and soon my reworked Web page all using the same art, colors and fonts with only the wording different on each.

I mention all these things because I want to discuss the importance of “branding” when it comes to your product and the look of all things that go with it such as ads and packaging. As my business has two sections, or like flavors, flavor one would be jewelry and flavor two the beads and materials. Think of it like Coke Cola, they have their main flavor and then a second one, Diet Coke, but their colors, backgrounds and design are the same, no matter how many flavors they own they are immediately recognizable. You really don’t even have to know what it says on their cans to know it is a Coke product. That is good branding.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the discussion about packaging and matching art work and how much an impression it makes on your customers. I know that when I go the extra yard and wrap my item in colored tissue or matching boxes or whatever, customers notice, and they do remember the person or little business that had that pretty matching everything. It shows attention to detail and says that if you pay that much attention to all the other things then they are secure in knowing that you paid that kind of attention to detail in the workmanship of the item they just bought from you.

Try it and you will see that the branding of your product, no matter how small, will make that extra step you took very worth while. Use that matching paper, slip in that matching card with a handwritten thank you note and you will soon see that minimal additional expense will be repaid many times over when your customers tell their friends, oh look her up, she does the best work and her packaging is always so nice.

Thinking of Father's Day...

2009-06-19T16:57:00.002-04:00

With Father’s Day just a couple of days from now I can’t help but to think of my Dads. I have been fortunate to have two terrific fathers to love. My Dad is in his 80’s and is always there to be supportive and be my biggest fan in all my creative adventures. Then I have my Bob, my stepfather, who has been a major help, pitching in with whatever he could do in the studio. He is an artist when it comes to woodworking and always available with his tools when I needed something built or repaired. This year is a bit sad when it comes to my Bob because he is in late stage Alzheimer’s and he doesn’t know me anymore. He may not, but I will always remember him and his special ways, along with his beautiful and artistic pieces he has built for me. As I look around me I see the wonderful handcrafted furniture in my home and studio and know that his art will live on and he will always be remembered.

Bracelets That Fit...

2009-06-18T11:21:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I read a very interesting article at Beading Daily. Beading Daily is a unique email newsletter that is worth subscribing to if you like beading. I am sure you can Google them to get started. This particular issue was called How to Make Bracelets That Fit. They refer to something I have many times run into when making bracelets for sale and not a custom piece. They usually don't fit! People think they are a 7" or 8" but in fact they could be anywhere between a 5" to 10".

Some words of advise they offer, and that I try to follow, are that when making bracelets that are going into your stock for sale, it is better to make fewer styles with several different sizes, than lots of styles in one or two sizes. They also offer measurement advise, with photos, for each different type of bracelet. For Bangles: they say you should "touch your thumb tip to your pinkie tip" and measure around the widest part of your hand. For Cuffs: measure the widest spot above your wrist where the bone protrudes. For Charm Bracelets: Since most people like them to be draping slightly, make your measurement about 1/2" - 3/4" below the point where your wrist meets your hand. One style they didn't mention but that we use when making stretchy band bracelets is to use the same measurement as if you were making a cuff bracelet. If you use that measurement when cutting your elastic material, plus 2 inches for tying off and trimming down the ends to make the beads secure, then the bracelet will stretch nicely over the hand and will have a good fit.

Of course, when making a custom bracelet for a customer you should always get a measurement based on where they will be wearing the bracelet. Bracelets are fun to make and wear and a great sales item to always have in stock.

We would love to hear from you on tips you may use in your bracelet making. Please leave us a comment.