I'm coming along. I'm coming along.

I have been watching toooo much Thomas the Tank Engine.  Why do the coaches always repeat themselves?

Anyway, my living room is slowly coming along.  This weekend we got a rug!  After much debate my husband won.  A soft comfortable rug we got.  (I love Kilims and would only own Kilims if he let me)  I know this color is going to be frustrating with kids but...it works.  Carpet shopping has proven to be too overwhelming for me.  There are so many options...colors...designs...materials....high/low pile.  ahhh.  This rug adds nice texture to the room and makes it so much more cozy and welcoming.  It's way more comfortable for the babies to play/sit/lay on.

love the texture

beach glass pendants

I was talking with Susan, the woman who sold us the rug, and she makes jewelry and sells it on Etsy.  She works with metal and stones.  I want to learn metal working so badly!!  Anyway.  Always happy to meet another jewelry maker.  She makes some beautiful things.  While exploring her Etsy store I discovered she water paints too.  

I love the movements and colors of this painting.

This weekend was nuts.    B got his first stitches.  He was so tough.  Thank GOD Sean was home.  I barely kept it together...in fact, I lost it for a few minutes and had to leave the room.  He has had his entire hand bandaged for the last twenty four hours.  He has managed incredibly well.  I am impressed.

M & Em's Bracelets for little girls!

I love the flower beads!

I met Melinda of M & Em's Bracelets tonight.  She makes jewelry for little girls!  What a great gift for daughters and their friends.  They are so colorful and playful.  Love me some color.

You can get personalized bracelets for party favors...I can't wait until Whit is old enough for this stuff.

She also makes these cute stemware charms. 

Check her out on her Etsy page or on Facebook.

Kimbo Hot

I just bought these awesome bows in anticipation of W's forthcoming need for adorable hair accessories.  I am excited that she didn't go bald like B!  They are made by my childhood friend Kim who has one of the cutest little girls.  Love Facebook.  Without it I probably would not know about these bows or how cute her daughter is.   Kim has a bunch of other cute things in her shop...not all children related. Check it out here.

Made it Monday: Jewelry

Having a young baby has made my time to work on projects both unpredictable and shorter in length.  It has been perfect for catching up on my jewelry projects which has kept the creativity flowing.  I don't know what it is like for you guys but I get more and better ideas if my creative muscles don't take a break.  Light workout include working on ideas in a journal that I carry with me everywhere.  Heavy workouts are actually carrying out those ideas.

I got the Jewelry for Joey pendants done.  I posted about the Jewelry for Joey earrings last Monday.  The pendant is very similar.  The pearl and bead are larger and the green bead is a different shape.  It is $10 and all proceeds go to the Howell family.

The pendant hangs from two braids and two chains.

These are two necklaces I added to my Etsy shop.  The top necklace is extremely long.  The bottom necklace is a conservative length.  For details go here.

I didn't post much last week.  It is strange how you can miss a blog.  Every alone moment I had last week was used to recover from the terrible twos taking over my house.  This week, as long as the terrible twos allow it, I will be posting regularly again.

Etsy additions

I added some more jewelry to Etsy and I am close to adding more!  I get the most time to work on things at night....but have to take pictures of it during the day...alone..with two babies.  So it's slow going.

Thanks for the support I have received regarding the Jewelry for Joey.  Check it out if you haven't already.

Also, I won the Joss & Main giveaway from Danika of Gorgeous Shiny Things.  So exciting.  I can't wait to use it!  If you haven't seen her O'verlays products you must check them out.  She will revolutionize Rast and Malm hacks.  Seriously.

Made it Monday: This is a big day.

Jewelry for Joey

This is a big day for two reasons.  First, I finally listed jewelry on my Etsy store.  This has been a long process for many reasons but mostly because I was scared.  The second reason this day is big is because I am selling jewelry to help raise money for my cousin and her family.

Last year Joey (my cousin's husband) won his battle with Leukemia.  He recently relapsed and is currently undergoing some very intense treatment.  Joey is married to Mitzi and has three sons and a daughter.  Times are tough as he is expected to be out of work for most of the next year while he lives hundreds of miles from home, undergoing the most excruciating sounding treatments.  Mitzi splits her time between Gainesville, FL where Joey is being treated and their home in Georgia where she home schools two of the four kids.  Work?  Income?  In the midst of all of this Mitzi has remained unbelievably positive and faithful.

I have been praying for a few things lately.  I have been praying for Mitzi's family.  I have also been praying to find a way to volunteer/give back with two young children in tow (AHHH) and to figure out the best way to use the gifts God has given me.  I know a lot of women who left jobs to be stay-at-home mom's struggle with feeling like there is some purpose they aren't serving while staying at home...I am among them.  I know my job as a mom is important and it is what I am supposed to be doing as well as what I want to be doing but I can't help the feeling that there is something else I could be doing in addition.  I have always enjoyed making jewelry and have been urged to sell it.  For many trivial reasons I have been too scared...and felt silly taking money for my hobby.  The idea to raise money for Mitzi and Joey almost literally slapped me in the face while praying.  I feet such an overwhelming push to do this.  So hard is the push that I absolutely cannot let my fear of putting my jewelry up for sale stand in the way of what it could be used to do.  The reasons to sell are so much greater than the reasons not too that I can't even remember what was holding me back.  I wish words could better explain what happened once I started praying...this is my best attempt.  Now I just continue to pray that I can be used to help them through this.

As of today, one of the two designs for Joey are available on Etsy.  I have created earrings (pictured above) and a pendant (will be available in the next day or so). Go here to check it out: Jewelry for Joey.  100% of all profits of the Jewelry for Joey earrings and pendant will be given to Mitzi and Joey.  I will also be listing other pieces I have created.  50% of all those profits will be going to Mitzi and Joey as well.

If you decide to buy a pair of earrings or pendant, thank you for choosing to love this family.  If you can't help in that way and are willing, please pray for them.   If you want to learn more about them or donate directly you can visit Joey's Caring Bridge site.

Thanks!

How cute is this pillow?

While searching for ideas for Brady's bedroom I came across this pillow.  It is adorable!

sukanart on Etsy

Walt Perkins Photography

Walt

I am proud to share Walt Perkins Photography with you!  I am proud not only because he is a great photographer but also because Walt Perkins just happens to be my brother.

Walt has been working on his photography for seven years during which he has developed a distinct style and a unique eye.  He has traveled the globe and come home with interesting, fresh views of some of the most photographed scenes in the world.  In addition, he captures everyday life in an intelligent and witty way.

You can check out a full range of his work here.  Also, check back to his Etsy store often as he continues to list new items.

Venice, Italy 2006

Sydney Opera House, August 2008 

Palm Cove, Australia, September 2008

Orlando, Summer 2009

Antler Ring

I went to Etsy for some reason just now but saw this on the front page and forgot what I was supposed to be doing.  So cool.  It is the Whitetail Deer Antler Ring from Moon Raven Designs.  If I wasn't going to be holding a small child for the next 2-3 years I might buy this right now.

You can call me Em.

I decided this week to start a blog about jewelry.  I make jewelry.  I wear jewelry.  I look at jewelry.  I want to have a place to record my thoughts and hopefully initiate some conversation regarding jewelry.  

Jewelry is great because it can completely transform an outfit.  I love how even a small piece can enhance or, in some cases, be the outfit.  Personally, I prefer strong, interesting, and textural pieces worn with simple clothes....showcasing the jewelry.  It really irks me when a necklace, for instance, is worn just to be worn.  When it doesn't say anything and isn't interesting.  An opportunity wasted.  That's not to say that I don't waste many opportunities...but it is easier to see them wasted on someone else's outfits rather than my own.  

My dream is to one day sell my jewelry.  I have to admit that it scares me to move from giving it away to selling it because it will become more obvious if my jewelry is interesting or not, worth it or not, good or not.  Petrified.  I am getting there, though.  I hope to use this space to work out my thoughts on jewelry and develop a more distinct style...or to come to accept that I love options and will wear whatever, whenever my mood calls for it.  I don't know how that transfers into a business though...we will see.  

Sites like Etsy and Artful Home have not only given me some hope of selling my jewelry in the (near) future...but they have reinvigorated the world of jewelry for me.  They have opened my eyes to some really talented jewelry makers that I would never have heard of.  Also, Etsy offers a great community where you can communicate with the sellers.  The Artful Home contains more high end items..everything I hope to have the skill to create one day.  The next skill I WILL develop is metal working.  I WILL.