FEBRUARY BLOG GIVEAWAY!!

AND THE WINNER IS #3 STACIE!!
My February blog giveaway is my "Perfectly Simple Earrings" they consist of, dainty White Coral with some brown matrix and African Turquoise beads in shades of teal, with brown matrix separated by and 925 Sterling Silver rope findings. These earrings are a 1/2 inch from the bottom of sterling ear wires and very light weight. Now to enter the contest if you want you can visited my shop http://obtp.etsy.com to let me know your favorite item, but you don't have to. All you really need to do is leave a way for me to contact you, should you be the winner. Contest ends February 21st at midnight I will use http://random.org/integers/ to pick the winner.......GOOD LUCK!!

NOTE TO CONTESTANTS:

Should anyone want to purchase items from my shop http://obtp.etsy.com/ prior to the winner being announced or even after the contest is over, just mention this blog post for a 20%
discount!!!

What a GREAT find!!

I love all kinds of art and when I find something I like I have to share with others!! Gemini Moon Mosaics has such beautiful Mosaic Art, Mixed Media Art, Collage Art and more....

Jeanine Molnar is a Mixed Media Artist and has this to say about her art:





It is through my art that I express myself. It is my passion and for the first time in my life it is also my day to day occupation. I love to create and depending on my mood, you may find me nipping plates and working on a mosaic, tearing paper and breaking apart things to use in a collage, or even with a paint brush in my hand.

"Day jobs" come and go, but all roads always lead me back to my desk at home. I have studied art since grade school. I earned my degree in both Illustration and Painting in 2000, and it has been a crazy road ever since.......

I had such a hard time choosing items for this write up as each piece was just more beautiful than the other and all so eye catching! Each piece has so much detail in to it............

So these are a few of mine favorites, now go visit http://geminimoonmosaics.etsy.com/
to pick out yours......

You can also visit Jeanine's blog to see more about Gemini Moon Mosaics at http://www.geminimoonmosaics.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoy visiting Gemini Moon Mosaics as much as I did!!

Getting ready to go back to work!!

So in November I was laid off from my job at the Bank, which is very normal with the position I hold. I work as what they call a "contingent worker" in the Consumer Loan Sales and Retention department.
Let me explain a "contingent worker"

A contingent worker is someone that is hired directly by the bank (not an agency). We work a 30 hour week and are only allowed to work up to 1000 hours per year. The hourly rate is much higher than the normal employee as we do not get sick time or vacation time but who really needs that when they lay us off from December - January and then again June - August as these are the banks slow time and we get to collect unemployment. And we are always called back.

Unfortunately with the way the economy is going we were laid off in November a little earlier than expected and they told us it could be 3 - 6 months before they called us back. I PANICKED!! I don't know about the rest of you but I really like having a paycheck and I'll admit I need it.

So from November 14 on I applied for everything that was remotely close to what was on my resume of 25 years of working. Without any exaggeration I must have applied for over 100 jobs.

The first call I got was to do rapid refund tax returns. The add read flexible hours, very competitive pay and it was a temp job so I would be able to go back to the bank when it was over after tax season!! Oh WOW this was to good to be true. NOT!!

Flexible hours were 40 hours a week with mandatory o/t and the competitive pay..........wait for it.....minimum wage!! Yes you heard me right minimum wage.

There were many more just like this to many in fact to list.

I also went on the RI State Government jobs and low and behold there were about 28 positions available for our unemployment center ( I applied for each one of them). I'm sure you've heard R.I. has the second highest unemployment rate in the country. I applied for this position in November and had my interview the beginning of December. I didn't hear anything back so buy the beginning of January I put it out of my head. Then last Thursday I got the call!! They offered me the job!! I start Monday, February 2nd. I am so excited (1) I'll be getting a regular pay again (2) I'll be helping others to get their checks sooner and (3) I'll be somewhat lowering the unemployment rate.

Now for the really great part!!

This position with the state is part time, but for now because of the economy and all the layoffs, they have asked us to work full time (35 hours) until further notice. Well that's not a problem for me. Then when everything has slowed down we can start working our regular part time hours. That means I'll be able to go back to the bank, a job I really love when they call and keep both jobs!!

Well we'll see when the time comes.....

My First Attempt at Wire Wrapping

this is my first attempt at wire wrapping and I have to say it came out as i planned.

i don't know what made me think of this design as i'm not really a fan of hearts, maybe it was the two colors i chose.

I took an 18 gauge sterling silver square wire, hammered and nicked it up for a distressed look. one side is wire wrapped with 28 gauge sterling wire and faceted rhodolite garnet rondells, the other side is wire wrapped over and over again with just 28 gauge sterling wire.

the bottom of this lariat has a 3/4 inch labradorite teardrop with a cluster of faceted rhodolite garnet. the heart and teardrop are attached to a sterling silver flat chain. i have added a few faceted rhodolite garnet rondells along the sides of chain wire.

The earrings are a 22 gauge 2 inch long ear wire formed by me are wire wrapped with faceted rhodolite garnet rondells and 28 gauge sterling silver wire.

heart is 1 1/4 at its widest and 1 1/2 at its longest chain length is 21 inches, Labradorite teardrop is 3/4

What a Lovely Treasury to be Featured in!!!

This beautiful treasury was put together by diabeads.etsy she has a beautiful shop of vintage beads, findings, jewelry. She also carries a nice selection of semi precious stone (my favorites).

For Someone Special Earring Giveaway!!

AND THE WINNER IS MJ!! MJ will be giving these earrings to her teaching assistant. Thank you all for participating, it seems we all have some very special people in your life!!

Do you have a special friend or family member that is always there for you? Someone that you go to for advice or just a shoulder to lean on. I know I do and I always thank them with a piece of my jewelry. I picked pink for this giveaway as I thought a sweet color for a sweet person.

You can enter to win these Pretty Pink earrings just by leaving a comment. The only catch is they won't be mailed to you. I will mail them directly to that special person.

The winner will be announced January 24Th so please leave a way for me to contact you. At that time you can reply with the address for me to mail them to. Along with the earrings I will also send a note card with your name on it and a brief explanation as to why they are receiving them, you can even specify what to write on the note if you'd like.

These sweet and dainty earrings are made of Berry Quartz, Crystal Quartz , Sterling Silver love knots and Sterling Silver ear wires. They dangle 1 inch from bottom of ear wire formed by me. These earrings are extremely light weight.

You can see more of my jewelry at http://obtp.etsy.com

Treasury

I love finding out I was in a treasury and this one has some very special meaning to it. BuyMyCrap put this treasury together to feature some shops that were involved in a very funny thread Saturday in the forum on Etsy I have to say we were having one hell of a time for ourselves. I am so happy it included me!!





Buy My Crap features Solid Resin Rings some even Twilight Inspired!!

Now I have to give credit where credit is due Buy My Crap's wife was also involved it that thread using her husband as a shield. You can also visit her shop at The Naked Mushroom where she carries the Original Mushroom Boot

Thanks to both of you for a great night of laughs and for the treasury!!

Gemini River Rocks

I found Gemini River Rocks and just had to do a blog feature about it. I love art and painting, it has always been a passion of mine. When I came across these hand painted rocks I was so amazed by the detail on such a small item most being about 2 x 1 1/2 inch, I had to share it.

I took these words from Gemini River Rocks profile as I don't think I could have said it any better...

Late Bloomer

After raising children, practicing physical therapy for 40 years, exploring my place in the world, and examining what I can offer, it comes as pure joy to discover painting. I bring a life’s perspective and history, a delight in shape and color, and develop my skills with a local iconographer.

My miniature scenes and contemplative art on stone, paper, and wood are painted with acrylics and egg tempera. Being small, the work invites scrutiny, and establishes intimacy. Universal themes evoke common memories, while personal details reflect other people’s stories. My deepest intention is to expose goodness

Take some time to visit Gemini River Rocks to see more of her beautiful artwork

Feminine compassion pocket icon - 2329

Aum ॐ

I love learning new things and a I few years ago I was at a craft fair selling jewelry, or should I say sitting with my jewelry as I don't think anyone made a sale that day, and I met Wendy (who also makes jewelry) We only saw each that one time until about a year ago when I started a new job at a bank . I was in the cafe getting coffee and saw her. We looked at each other for a minute before we realized where we new each other from. Of course we talked about jewelry and what we were up to. I told her about Etsy and she now has a shop there called Whimsicalz .

What I learned was, a few years ago Wendy went to India and learned about Aum ॐ. The origin of Aum (also Om or, more rarely, Ohm) ॐ is Sanskrit and is a mystical or sacred syllable in the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions.

You can visit Wendy's blog http://whimsicalz-designs.blogspot.com/to learn more about Aum ॐ and Visit her Etsy shop Whimsicalz for more inspiring jewelry!

Namaste...Fluorite Wrist Prayer Mala

I LOVE Gemstones

For anyone that loves Minerals and Gemstones I found this great site that gives a list and picture with over 75 discriptions. http://www.mineralszone.com/gemstones/

Gemstones are precious or semi-precious stones which are cut or polished to be used in many different ways. Know everything of these gemstones, their hardness on the Mohs scale, their color and shape, the usage, occurances in the world and their technical specifications. Just click on any of the gemstone names below to see more detail.

Agate , Alabaster Alexandrite , Amazonite ,Amber , Amethyst ,Ametrine , Andalusite ,Apatite , Aquamarine ,Aventurine Quartz , Azurite ,Beryl , Chalcedony ,Charoite , Chrysoberyl ,Chrysocolla , Chrysoprase ,Cinnabar , Citrine ,Coral , Desert Glass ,Diamonds , Diopside ,Druzy Quartz , Druzy Titanium ,Emeralds , Fluorite
Garnet , Goshenite ,Heliodor , Hematite ,Hemimorphite , Indicolite
Iolite , Ivory ,Jade , Jasper
Kunzite , Labradorite ,Lapis Lazuli , Malachite
Moissanite , Moonstone ,Morganite , Mother of Pearl ,Nephrite , Obsidian,Onyx , Opal ,Pearl , Pectolite ,Peridot , Prasiolite ,Pyrite , Rose Quartz ,Rubellite , Ruby ,Rutilite , Sapphires
Scapolite , Serpentine ,Sillimanite , Sodalite
Spectrolite Sphalerite ,Sphene , Spodumene
Sugilite (Hemi) Sunstone ,Tiger's eye , Tourmaline Turquoise
Unakite , Yellow Sapphire ,Zircon

Magic White Treasury

What a beautiful Treasury I was included in just before Christmas!!

It was put together by

Niki Fashion

She has a beautiful shop of hand knit hats, scarfs and more!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!!

A special thank you to all that follow my blog and leave such beautiful comments..

All the best to you and your families!

My 12 days of Christmas!!

A few years ago my husband met someone who told him how he does the 12 days of Christmas for his wife. Well my husband thought it was such a great idea he now does it every year for myself and 2 kids. He really takes such pride in this and puts a lot of effort into it. Always something we can use, something very practical or something that will make us laugh. I won't go into detail about some of the gifts he's gotten us over the years but I have to say it is quite funny to see him have to come up with 36 different gifts (you know 12 for each)!!

So here are my 12 days of Christmas gifts this year, and I'll keep adding as the days go by.


On the first day of Christmas my husband gave to me....

A set of Reindeer Holiday Bath Towels



On the second day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

An expandable snow and ice scrapper

On the third day of Christmas my husband gave to me....

A beautiful snowman kitchen towel (my favorite winter theme)

On the forth fay of Christmas my husband gave to me...

A Mango and Papaya candle

On the fifth day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

A beautiful snowman hand towel

On the sixth day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

Matching bathroom pictures

On the seventh day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

Matching snowflake mugs

On the eight day of Christmas my husband gave to me...


A Christmas ornament with antlers on it that is called the Big Blue Bug, which is a land mark in the State of R.I.







On the ninth day of Christmas my husband gave to me.....

5 Lottery scratch tickets ( I didn't win but it was fun)







On the tenth day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

A Christmas theme kitchen stove towel







On the eleventh day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

Decorative hand loation and soap containers for my bathroom

On the twelfth day of Christmas my husband gave to me...

A box of Ferrero Chocolates

Snow White Treasury