Cherry Creek Designs

If you need a laugh, watch this

2009-09-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

This is way too funny and very cute! Enjoy!

H

I'm going to be here in a few days!

2009-09-05T06:34:00.000-07:00

I can hardly contain myself, I'm so excited about this trip. I will get to go to the top of this mountain and hopefully take some wonderful pictures. Here is a little taste of how beautiful this place is. Enjoy!

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend. Nothing much so far here but that's just fine. A nice quite weekend at home. Chat with you later.

H

We had a storm...

2009-09-02T18:54:00.001-07:00

I'm so sorry for the telephone pole in the middle of the picture. This is not my best work but the sunrises after a storm here are amazing. So I'm showing the colors not any skill I might be gaining.

And this was the sky a little later that morning. I just love the blue and white of the sky!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures! I'll have some more for you soon. Have a good rest of your week.

H

Finally!

2009-08-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

I finally have some new stuff! And lots of gold and mixed metals - my favorite! The above is rose gold hoops, also available in yellow gold. Below is one of the mixed metals that features sterling silver, yellow gold and rose or pink gold.

I wanted to have more then just earrings so below is a tri-colored 'flower' with sterling silver, yellow gold, rose gold.

I have these available in sterling silver but the picture below is the yellow gold version. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this gold soldering stuff! I love working with it!

A French hook version of the post tri-colored metals dangles from above. I think these in the post version are my favorites!

And last but not least I've got a new personalized pendant to show you. It has 4 sides so you can personalized it however you want. Below are just some examples. Okay wait maybe this one is my favorite, well I do like making them!

Thanks for stopping by! All of these are or will be soon available in my shop. I hope you are all having a good week.

H

Celebrating 50 years of statehood

2009-08-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

Hawaii is celebrating 50 years of statehood today. There are celebrations all over the islands! I will be there in less then a month and I am so looking forward to it!

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late, lots going on here and hopefully I can share with you all soon. Have a wonderful weekend. Here are a few sets of pictures that are all about Hawaii: pre-statehood, before it was hot, surfing and Hawaii 5-0.
Enjoy!

H

Desert Botanical Gardens is for the birds

2009-08-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

Okay so not really but there are a lot of birds. Above is a Cactus Wren and below I think its a woodpecker. I got there as early as they open, 7AM to get these. There are lots of little creatures out and about that early on a Saturday morning. Some of the little creatures didn't want to stop and pose for me. Like the rabbits and quail. Maybe next time.

I hope you all had a good weekend. Bailey officially starts school in the morning, not just the jump start to kindergarten that she's been doing for the last 2 weeks. She is very excited! I'll post pictures sometime this week. Have a good week with whatever you have planned.

H

Full Moon

2009-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

We had a full moon last night and I photographed it. Well I tried anyway. I went to the Desert Botanical Gardens and took a class on photographing the moon. We didn't get a chance to photograph any of the night blooming flowers. We did a little painting with light. The following photographs were done on a long exposure and then I took a flashlight and 'painted' the cactus with the light as the shutter was open. I so need some work but I think I'm going to have fun try this new technique out.

We had a few clouds last night but I love the way it looked as it lit up the clouds around. These we're also taken on a long exposure so the picture is still pretty dark but I like the effect.

And one last shot of the moon. I wish it hadn't been so hot that is my only complaint! It was still over 100 degrees at 9PM last night. I am so looking forward to the cooler weather. Well the weekend is coming. I hope I have time for some more enamel and maybe some more pictures of the desert!

H

Enamel time

2009-08-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Okay I've been meaning to post this for a while so here it is. (And because Wendy was being pushy!) I took an enamel class about how to enamel on shapes not just a flat surface.

I took a class on enamel recently and the instructor is just amazing! This bracelet is her work. I love it! We used copper mesh and 26 gauge sheet. The 26 gauge sheet was run through a corrugater (blogger doesn't like that word but I don't know how else to spell it!) The metal gets work hardened as you put it thorough the little machine and then you get texture under the enamel.

The picture above has been enameled yet, its the kind of shapes we were working with. I haven't had a chance to play since the class but as soon as I do I'll post more pictures for you. I have taken other enamel classes and knew I loved it but this class reminded me how much I love it! I will be putting more enamel in my work because I love the color and I love the technique. When I took before I didn't have a kiln but I do now so there should be nothing to stop me, right? I hope you're having a good week!

H

I took a challenge

2009-07-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

Bailey's picture

So the challenge was to take a child out and photograph the same things and see what you come up with. I gave Bailey my Point and Shoot camera and I used my Canon Rebel and this is what we came up with. I let her decide what would be a good thing to take a pictures of at the zoo. We went when they open, 6AM, because its real hot here right now and not too bad that early. We also got to see some animals that usually aren't out, ever, because we were there so early.

my picture

Bailey's picture

My picture

Bailey's picture

My picture

Well whatcha' think? I think she did a pretty good job on composition. I think we will do this again sometime.

H

Saw this driving down the road

2009-07-30T06:58:00.001-07:00

Not the clearest of pictures since it was taken from a camera phone AND the person was driving! but thought it was kind funny. Yes it says 'Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee'. I thought the saying was 'Nobody does it like Sara Lee'?
So you're funny pic for the day! Have a good one!

H

Little Old School House

2009-07-27T07:45:00.001-07:00

I found these 'tips' for students at the school house and thought I would share:

1. Mind to have your hands and faces washed and heads combed every morning before you come to school and be careful to be there by the time appointed.
2. Come to school quietly and soberly, and when there be quiet and still at your proper business, and mind the instructions of the teacher.
3. Respect your schoolmaster. Obey him and accept his punishments.
4. So not scribble in your own or one another's spelling, reading, writing, or ciphering books.
5. Tell no untruths, or miscall one another, nor use the corrupt or unscriptural language to a single person.
6. Never make noises or disturb your neighbors as they work.
7. Be silent during classes. Do not talk unless it is absolutely necessary.
8. Do not leave your seat without permission.
9. No more than one student at a time may go to the washroom.
10. Go quietly in and out of the classroom.
11. Let there be no quarrels, fighting of challenges to fight, no wrestling, or willfully provoking one another to anger in or out of school.
12. If the master calls you name after class, straighten the benches and tables. Sweep the room, dust, and leave everything tidy.
This is circa 1798.

Now this is for the teachers:

1. Teachers each day will fill lamps and clean chimneys.
2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.
3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.
4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings each week if they go to church regularly.
5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.
6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed. 7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefits during his declining years, so that he will not become a burden on society.
8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.
9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of .25 cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.
Circa 1872

Well now that is quite a raise! I just thought this was funny and you might too! The school house in the pictures is circa 1884 and it looks like its in really good shape for being 120+ years old. There is even an outhouse, which I didn't feel the need to go into. Have a good week!

H

In honor of school starting...

2009-07-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Well, Bailey starts kindergarten today so in honor of that I thought I would show a few pictures of the oldest school house in Arizona. We saw this on our trip to Strawberry, Arizona. The picture above is Bailey's outfit that she picked out for her first day of school. Please note the jeans and the belt, she told me she looks 'cool'. I don't think she knows what that means.

No this is not her new school room but it was a big step back in time. When I went to grade school I lived in such a small town that I went to a one room school house with all 8 grades together. Just like 'Little House on the Prairie'. I have more pictures to show you but that will have to wait for another post. I have to take miss priss to school! Have a good Monday!

H

Do you like Strawberries?

2009-07-26T13:43:00.001-07:00

So I've been crazy busy lately but we took a quick day trip to Strawberry, Arizona. Its about 120 miles or so North East of us and it was also 40+ degrees cooler! That was a wonderful thing since we've been dealing with 110+ degrees here in Scottsdale for the last month or so.

I know all the pictures are of the clouds but I just couldn't get over beautiful they are! A storm was rolling in and then it started to rain and hail! I couldn't take pictures anymore because it was raining and hailing so hard. It was beautiful. I love the smell of rain.

Bailey starts school tomorrow so I will have more pictures to show as the week goes on. We saw the oldest school house in Arizona while we we're in Strawberry so I will have pictures of that cute little place later on in the week. Oh and I do like strawberries and I like Strawberry, Arizona! Have a great week.

H

Really Cool Camera Stuff

2009-07-14T15:00:00.001-07:00

I personally use a Canon but this little video sure is cool! Enjoy!

Hope you're having a good week.

H

Baby feet and hands

2009-07-12T09:32:00.002-07:00

So in a need to practice I've been taking pictures of many things like this cute little baby boy. He is my oldest nephews' new baby brother, he is not my nephew. He and my nephew came over this week to give Bailey a birthday gift and he fell asleep before he got there and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to snap a few pictures.

I love feet and hands and since these weren't moving everywhere I could get some good pictures. I'm super happy with the foot picture but I didn't want to wake him to get a better angle. I like the hands but I still need work. I do want his eyelashes! This is just not right for a boy to have eyelashes this long!

But these eyelashes run in the family because this is my nephew and I've always thought it wasn't right how beautiful his eyes and eyelashes are! He has the most beautiful smile when he isn't 'trying' to smile for you.

And now I give you the cheesy, fake smile. I guess its better then my daughter not smiling at all! I don't have many of them together so I had to take the 'lets pose for a picture' shot. I'm working on a photo book for my mom for Christmas and I want to include all kinds of pictures of all of her grandchildren. She doesn't read blogs so she won't know.
Anyway, hope you're having a good weekend.

H

A few custom pieces

2009-07-11T07:13:00.001-07:00

These are a few pictures of a couple custom pieces of jewelry that I've done recently. The hearts bangle usually only has 2 hearts but the lady wanted to have a heart for each one of her children. I think it turned out great! I might add it to my shop. My customers have such great ideas! These next 2 pictures are for a friend from high school. He was killed a couple years ago and his sister requested these for his widow. I was sad to make them but happy the his wife loved them.

If you would like a custom piece send me an email and let see what we can come up with together. Have a good weekend!

H

A little bit of Hawaii love

2009-07-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Just a little bit of music as we go into the weekend. This is my favorite singer from Hawaii. Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole has the most beautiful voice. Enjoy and happy weekend!

H

I thought I would introduce you...

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

...to a new passion of mine. I've always loved photography but lately my playing around with the camera just for fun has gotten me some recognition. I've had an online travel business that is also an app for the iphone is using 2 of my photographs for places in cities that they cover. The picture I took of Bailey with the pineapple in Hawaii is being used. One of the pictures I took in San Francisco of China Town is being used and I have one of the pictures from here in Phoenix is being considered.
I'm not stopping the jewelry but I'm going to start adding in the photography as well to what I do. When I started Cherry Creek Designs as a real business not just a hobby I always intended it to be much more then just jewelry, I just never thought it would be in photography! But the ideas are starting to flow for me on what to do with this to include it with my business. I will keep you informed on where this goes.

I will tell you that I'll be taking a course in photography with some amazing photographers in the business! It will kill me to go but it happens to be in Hawaii so I'll force myself to go and learn as much as I can. I'll let you know more as I get closer to the time to go. Until next time please enjoy the photographs. I would love feedback if you have any, just be nice!

H

Did you notice?

2009-07-09T07:53:00.001-07:00

These clouds have nothing to do with the content of this post I just like the clouds & its my blog!

I've been making some changes around here and in my shop. I have been working with a fantastic graphic designer, Amy from Bean Sprout Studio. I had her design a logo for me. Look up, that's it and in my shop and some new business cards, and...oh wait thats it! But what do you think? I love it!
If you are in need of anything in the graphic design department I would highly recommend contacting Amy. I am so very happy with everything she's done for me. I'm actually looking around for things she can design for me. I'll keep looking but in the meantime go see her shop!

H

I need your help

2009-07-08T16:08:00.001-07:00

Wedding Bouquet Charms

Remember these? Well I've just entered them in a contest over at Martha Stewart Weddings. Here's where you come in: I need votes! Please you the links and vote for your favorite wedding charms. If you twitter or FB or do a blog post and then post back here about the contest I'm offering 20% off anything in my shop. You must post here AND vote over at Martha Stewart Weddings.

Wedding Charms - Modern Version

Cherry Blossom Wedding Charm

The discount is not just of the wedding charms, but they do make a good gift if you're not getting married! If you don't need wedding charms you can use the discount for anything in my shop. This discount ends July 25, 2009.

Thank you all for your help with this! I hope you're having a good week.

H

Update: I believe you just go down to the bottom of the listing and rate it with a 5 star system. I'll let you know if I find out differently. Thank you!

And even more of an update: So you have to register on the website to be able to vote and then its a star system. Thank you so much everyone!

I miss living near the ocean

2009-07-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

I so miss living near the ocean. I love putting my feet in the sand. I don't love where the sand seems to end up but I'll take it if I could live near the ocean again. Here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy today.

If you've seen 'Finding Nemo' you'll know what I'm talking about. (If you haven't then go rent it because its a good movie!) So for those of you who have seen it, all I could think about when I saw the gulls walking and flying around was 'Mine, mine, mine!' I really think they we're saying that!
Anyway enjoy!

H

I'm so busy!

2009-07-08T07:55:00.001-07:00

I'm feeling a little like this bird looks! I'm so busy but I'm not complaining just sayin'. I have some new things in the works and hope to share soon. So I'm just popping in to say Hi and now off to work again. Have a good Wednesday!

H

A few pretties for you to enjoy

2009-07-07T16:22:00.001-07:00

Okay, where in the heck have I been!? Well I've been in San Diego for a little girls birthday. She turned 5. So we went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. I'll show you pictures of the rest of the trip but for right now I thought you would enjoy a few flowers. The one above has to be my favorite.

Okay so these two nuts aren't flowers but I thought I would show them anyway. Hope you have a good week.

H

A few new items for the shop

2009-06-24T19:12:00.001-07:00

Tiny heart ring in gold. I have had a lot of requests for this and I'm almost ready to move forward on these. I'm having the tiny hearts cast in silver and gold so I'll also be able to do the tiny heart earrings too.

And these little babies. I've been wanting to do a gold personalized charm. Everyone does them in round so over course I needed to do mine a little different. So mine are tiny little squares. I'm going to do these in silver and gold so if you want to mix up the metals you can do it. I'm also having these cast so there will be a be of a wait still but if people would like to send me an email I'll add your name to the list for when they get here. I'll be offering these with a single charm on a chain a double charm and 3 charms. I'll also offer just the charm so you can add if you want.

Thanks for looking! The weekend is almost here so enjoy the rest of your week.

H

Something else that's funny

2009-06-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

So I've been working with a trainer to loose some of the baby weight, yes she's almost 5 and no thats not the funny part! A little back history first. He is a former world champion body builder and he's black. Not that all that matters but it makes this story so much funnier. So back to the story.
Anyway we we're chatting through my session today and we we're talking about all the food things we didn't get to have when we we're growing up. Like all the sugar breakfast cereals and all the chips and junk food in general. Then he said 'We didn't even get coffee until we we're 21. My mom told us that if we had coffee we would get too black. He said I was about 13 when it dawned on me that white people had coffee all the time and they never got black.'
I almost had to stop my workout I was laughing so hard.
I hope I didn't offend anyone with that I just had to share my early morning laugh with you all! Have a good Wednesday!

H

Life is Funny

2009-06-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

And these sites will make you laugh hard. Sometimes very hard! I just wanted to share. So I'm going to make this part of 'Life is Funny' for the wonderful blog 'Weight...What?' blog! Go have a few laughs...

The first one is Cake Wrecks. I just can't stop laughing whenever I see a new post. Go check it out!

And then if you haven't seen it Awkward Family Photos. Now you know you have some of these pictures in your family photo collection. Maybe its just me! Anyway head on over these so you can have a very good daily laugh! Don't be eating or drinking anything! I mean it and yes I do speak from experience because I read a post for the first time and was drinking my morning coffee and well I had to clean the screen! Its just a word to the wise.

Come back here and let me know what you think.

Yes I know this was cheating but I've been very busy and the funny just hasn't been there.

H

My sister is amazing

2009-06-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

My birthday was back in May so I've been meaning to show you these pictures for a while. My sister Holly is a pastry chef and she made this gorgeous cake for me along with an amazing party that she set up along with the help of my sisters and mom. I just had to show you the details of the beautiful cake that she did all by hand. Everything is edible on this cake. This goes along with my obsession with Hawaii and the beach in general.

I have the most wonderful sisters in the world! Thank you all so much. Sorry its taken me so long to write about it.

H

Welcome to my obsession...

2009-06-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

November 2008

So welcome to my new home! Not really, I mean not yet! If you haven't guessed this is Hawaii and I must live here again some day very soon! These pictures we're taken on a trip in November.

From the Pali Lookout looking towards Kailua.

Still on the Pali but looking more towards Kaneohe.

This is at Waimanola Bay with Chinaman's Hat (the little tiny island) in the distance. I use to go here for my birthday's. Look at the color of that water! Gorgeous!

This is taken on the North Shore. If I had my telephoto lens at the time I would have been able to give a sneak peak at the surf competitions going on way out in the distance. It was a little stormy but beautiful waves that day!

More surfing action way off in the distance on the North Shore.

I was born on this island many years ago and I need to live here again soon! I wouldn't want to live on Oahu which is where these we're taken because this island is so not what I remember from growing up here but if someone handed me the keys to a house with a job for Brian I'm sure I wouldn't complain!
It is the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood in August. I will make it back this year, sometime, to celebrate. The 1st picture of Bailey with the pineapple was taken at the Dole Pineapple Plantation. I submitted it to Hawaii Magazine and it made it to the picture of the week on their blog and then into the magazine.
Well thank you for going on my little journey into my obsession! I hope I can bring you more wonderful pictures of this beautiful place very soon.

H

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

So its Father's day! Happy Father's Day to my husband. That's a picture of Brian and Bailey looking at the clouds. She likes to figure out what animal shape they can be and she talked her daddy into laying on the ground to figure it out with her. He spoils her rotten and has created quite a monster but he is a very good daddy! Thank you honey.

Happy Father's day to my Dad as well! I love you, Daddy! Thank you for all that you do! Happy Father's day to all the dad's in your life. Don't forget to thank them and tell them that you love them.

H

There are so many shades of blue...

2009-06-21T09:52:00.001-07:00

A few more pictures of our trip to Chicago. As I was editing them I noticed that they all seem to have a common theme of the color blue. Then I noticed that there are so many different shades of the color blue. Its not that I didn't know that before but I really NOTICED them in these pictures.
I'm sorry that this seems to be turning into a photography blog instead of a jewelry blog but this seems to be what's going on in my life right now. I do have a few pictures to come of a few new techniques, yes jewelry, that I've been learning this summer. I hope to have those for you in the next week.
I hope you are enjoying all the pictures of the traveling I seem to be doing as of late. For the upcoming weeks I will be showing you San Diego and I really hope to be bringing you pictures of my obsession, where I would like to live soon rather then later.

H

Oh the Windy City...

2009-06-17T10:26:00.001-07:00

Well as promised, a few pictures of the Windy City. These we're taken from the John Hancock Center at 93 stories high(I think!). These pictures just don't do the view justice! Just gorgeous and breathtaking to say the least. We went to a Cubs game, they didn't win. It rained on us and since I live in the 'Valley of the Sun' I was freezing my you know what off!
I hope you enjoy the pictures of a very beautiful city!

I am really enjoying this new little hobby

2009-06-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is becoming so much fun for me. I find myself looking at life very differently. I look to the sky to see if I'm missing anything or if I need to record the beauty with my camera. I took these pictures of the orchid (before it died a very horrible death - I'm so sorry may it rest in peace!) using macro photography and needing to practice, lots!
So I hope you don't mind if I start showing my photography practicing here. I promise to keep you up to date on all things jewelry. I guess you could think of this as what inspires me in my jewelry work.
Have a beautiful day. Something to think about as you go through your day - what inspires you, what do you find beautiful?

H

I got my issue of Modern Bride today!

2009-06-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Okay here it is! My 'closeup' in the Aug/Sept issue of Modern Bride! I got home from running errands today and this was in my mail box waiting for me. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I don't have much more to say in between the happy dances here! I will be posting pictures of the trip to Chicago in the next couple days but this far out shadows the trip. Don't get me wrong the trip was fun but not as cool as this article!
I hope you have a wonderful week! Mine has started out on a very good note! I will let you know about the other very good news in the next couple days. I'll give you a hint its more awesome press for Cherry Creek!

H

And now for some gorgeous sky...

2009-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Over the last 2 days there have been the most beautiful sky! I thought I would share the beauty of clouds and blue sky with a little cotton candy thrown in - I think that's what the sky with the blue and pink looks like. Enjoy the blue!

H

More Pictures of the Grand Canyon

2009-06-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

I hope you aren't bored by more pictures of the Grand Canyon? This set is a study in black and white photography. So whatch'a think? I love the clouds! I don't have much more to say about this gorgeous place. I'm off to Chicago for a couple days. Hopefully I'll be able to give you all some pictures of that as the week goes on. Have a lovely week and enjoy the rest of the pictures!

Little Critters

2009-06-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

There we're lots of little critters to see at the Grand Canyon. I used my new telephoto lens for the bug and the lizard. The squirrel was just sitting there eating away at the flowers. The little chipmonk was just too cute but I didn't have the telephoto lens and he wouldn't let me get any closer. The bug was very far away so I felt comfortable taking his picture. (otherwise I would have be far away from him!)

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I also hope you had a good week. I'm getting ready to go to Chicago so I'll post pretty pictures of that when I get a chance.

There are not words...

2009-06-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

I just don't have the words to describe how amazing the Grand Canyon is! If you've never been then make plans to go. The day was just about as perfect as a day could be. I'm not going to say much more, just enjoy the pictures. I'll add pictures of the little creatures we encountered while at the Grand Canyon.

As you can see we had the most wonderful time on our little jaunt north. I hope you've all be well. I'll check in later this week and give you the low down on what's been going on in the land of Cherry Creek.

Farmers Market - Inspiration

2009-05-16T10:38:00.001-07:00

I just thought you would like to see the beauty that I saw today at the Farmers Market. So much color and inspiration for your day! Its like inspiration overload! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

H

Inspiration for Your Day

2009-05-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Taken at the zoo by me

Go Confidently in the Direction of your Dreams!
Live the Life You've Imagined.
-Thoreau

I love this quote! I need to remind myself of the direction to take to make my dreams come true. What are you doing to make your dreams come true? I would love to hear all about them in the comments. I think it would inspire all of us to learn of each others dreams. I also think that when you tell others of your dreams it helps them come true. I think this works for goals as well, so feel free to list those as well because sometimes they can be the same.

H

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have 5 sisters and 4 of us are mom's, so Happy Mother's Day to them and to my mom! She's not big on pictures I don't have any pictures to share. Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's! For all you do daily, weekly, monthly that you're children will never realize until you are a mother. (Yes I realize that some of your children will never be mother's!)

I know I didn't realize all that my mom did/continues to do all the time for me until I became a mom. I love you mom and thank you for all that you do for your 5 daughters!

H

I'd like to do something new...

2009-05-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

...new to me anyway. I love quotes, I collect them in a little book. I've been trying to find a way to incorporate them into my work but so far I haven't figured out a unique way to do it for me. So I thought I would at least start sharing them with you here. Maybe it will remind me not to forget about my favorites and start getting inspired to be creative with them. So without further ado I give you 'The Quote of the Week'

'The beautiful is everywhere.'

Fernand Leger

I took this picture at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Goals for the month of May

2009-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

Just something pretty to look at, it has nothing to do with this post!

I've been reading the Modish Biz Tips and I've decided to participate in the monthly goal. I have learned so much from reading this blog. Jena is awesome! So here goes: 1. Hire help! 2. Get a handle on the packaging area. 3. 3 more wholesale orders 4. Write press release for local media for upcoming article in Modern Bride 5. Finish recipes that go with new pendants (Garden Charms) 6. Find new supplier for recycled fine silver and gold. (I've been trying to go completely green with everything I use, maybe this will be the month I can get it done for good.)
7. 5 new designs ready for castor. I know there is many more things to add to the list of goals but most of them are personal so I will save those for another blog post. I have been writing my goals for a while but I really like the idea of writing them down for me to be more accountable because now I have to see them and tell people so now I really have to strive to complete them.

If you have a business or are looking at starting one you need to be reading this blog. I hope you're having a good week.

H

Introducing...a new addition to my family

2009-05-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

Okay so maybe that wasn't fair because its a new addition to my family of growing charms not my actual human family! Sorry about that. =)
These new charms we're inspired/requested from my sister Holly for her new godchild on his baptism. These are perfect for the new mom for a baby shower or for christenings as well. They feature the new baby's monogram on one charm and the date of birth or baptism/christening on the other. And just for another personal touch the boy monogram charm has a tiny sailboat on the back and the girl monogram has a princess crown on the back. If this is for a baptism/christening I will add a cross to the back of the date charm.

Well its been a crazy week so back to work! I hope you all had a lovely productive week and here's to a wonderful weekend as well.

H

I had so much fun!

2009-04-27T09:33:00.001-07:00

I did my last scheduled class with Michael Sturlin this weekend and this is what I got to make. We did forged bracelets. The silver ones we're done after I had practiced on the Barbie versions. We started by working with copper in a small scale version so mistakes wouldn't be taken out on the expensive fine silver wire. A couple of the small versions fit Bailey and she wanted to model them for me.
I should have a few of these versions available in my shop soon. This was too much fun! I'm working on a few new designs incorporating enameling and some cold connections. Thanks for looking. Have a great week!

H

Garden Party

2009-04-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

So I went to my forged bracelets class today with Michael Sturlin and it was wonderful. I'll post pictures later since I have one more day of class with him. Anyway his wife is a Thai Chef and I got some of the last of the salad greens from her garden to have for dinner tonight.
In the blue bowl are the croutons that I made from the bread in the green bowl. They are so easy, you should give it a try. Really super easy and oh so much tastier then the kind you get at the store made in a bag. A great way to use up old bread or heels that no one wants to eat. I know you have a bag in your kitchen that you put them into because you're going to 'feed it to the ducks' or whatever. So now you know what to do with them. I'll give you a recipe if you want one.
We added some cheeses and tomatoes and a grilled steak and oil and balsamic vinegar and we we're set. In fact there isn't any left.

Now its getting a little sappy in here! I hope you all had a lovely Saturday. I'll post pictures of the class bracelets sometime this week.

H

Mary, Mary how does your garden grow?

2009-04-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

I know that's not a very original title but it works! Well that just has be the cutest thing ever! That is a little baby basil plant trying to poke its little leaves out of the dirt! I needed to embrace my inner chef (I did graduate with a degree in culinary arts - really I did!) and at least grow some things that my family could eat! Bailey and I just started with herbs for now but we plan to add more as the planting season comes around again. She also has a little tomato plant growing and she is very proud of it. There is nothing like the taste of food fresh from the garden. Tomatoes are my favorite! I will be sure to post more picture of our little garden. You are of course all invite over for dinner. I've also decided to start making some bread on a regular basis because well its just too easy not to! I'll post about that too.
I'm not sure what this has to do with jewelry or jewelry making but since all these things inspire me I thought I would post about the fun we are having here!

basil, parsley, and chives

Have a wonderful weekend!

H

Not New But...

2009-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

I thought I would start putting down on 'paper' so to speak why I make some of the items I make, even if it just so I have something to look back on later. So today I'm going to write about the tiny heart ring.

Well it should come as no surprise that Bailey is my inspiration behind this little ring. I don't remember all the details but I do remember thinking that I would like some other rings to go with my sets of stacking rings. So I asked Bailey what she thought - sometimes I get some really great responses so I just had to ask! For some reason she is in LOVE with Valentines day. It wasn't near Valentines day but she still loves it! Anyway she said that I should make a ring with hearts on it for her to wear on Valentines day. Well I was already making the tiny heart post earrings so a tiny heart ring seems perfect! (That's her chubby little hand in the 1st picture.)
So I guess I need to ask my muse more often what she thinks I should make! I hope you're all having a good week.

H

Monkey's and Pink Little Girls

2009-04-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

So my little monkey got to wear her monkey costume today. She was so excited to have a tail! We we're doing pictures for her upcoming dance recital. She is in 2 dances. The 1st one is a monkey dance and the second one is 'Pink is for little girls'. I can't tell which one is the favorite yet but I do know that I have Halloween taken care for this year and maybe next year!

She loves to pose. On the pink dress I think she looks like one of the 'ladies' from an old west picture place. You know when you go in a dress up like you came from the 1800's, well and it doesn't help that she walked around with her hands on her hips and knee up. But she is quite an actress! I can hardly wait for the teens!

H

This might seem odd but...

2009-04-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

I've been asked many times why I don't make big pieces of jewelry like everyone else makes. 1st: I have nothing against the big pieces but they just aren't me. 2nd: I'm not going to make things just so they sell. Everything I make was/is because it reminds me of something in my life or I think the person that I was thinking of when I made it will like it. As an example the Dots:

I was thinking of my sister Hayley, she is the model on these too, when I was first making these. She has 4 holes on each side and she likes to mix the earrings up. By that I mean she doesn't like them to match. So these are perfect for her. The idea has just expanded from there into over 125 designs to choose from and into rings as well.

Another example are these charms. 'Have Your Cake and Eat It Too' and 'Cupcake with a Cherry on Top' these we're inspired from my sister Holly who is a pastry chef. She is the best pastry chef in all the land!

I know she will laugh and say she really isn't but I think she is amazing!

I don't think of my business as work and I fear that if I started to make things 'just because they would sell' or because they are 'big' right now I wouldn't be myself. And I just got to be myself. I like tiny things and I know I'm not the only one. I just had to get that off my chest since I was asked that again and its been rolling around in my brain on why/how to answer it yet again. Have a wonderful weekend. H

I Love Flowers!

2009-04-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would start your weekend with some beautiful flowers. I took these pictures today and just had to share. Have a wonderful weekend!

Bailey rides a Harley

2009-04-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

I knew someday that she would run away, maybe on a Harley but not so soon!

My uncle was actually in town for about 24 hours. He's a motorcycle cop in Texas going cross country and stopped in Scottsdale on his way through. Miss Bailey got a ride on the bike and she was so happy!

Hopefully I won't see that again anytime soon!
(her riding away on a motorcycle, like when she's 16)

I hope you're all having a good week. Its been getting warm here but still beautiful!

H

The Easter Bunny

2009-04-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is quite a big Easter bunny! He is such a good sport about all the girlie things we have to do because Bailey is such a girlie girl. No one asked him to put these on he just did. If he hadn't put them on I wouldn't have taken the pictures!

He's trying to keep Shelby away from the purple egg with chocolate in the corner of the picture. She's not happy about not getting a treat but dogs can't have chocolate!

Now he's looking like angry Easter bunny so I'll stop taking pictures now! I hope you had a good Easter.
This is part of the 'Life is Funny' series going on over at Weight...What? Brian doesn't think this is very funny but I do and I had the camera!

H

Dads Birthday

2009-04-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

IMG_0312, originally uploaded by cherrycreekdesigns.

Okay so this may not be the most exciting birthday but I'm showing you this because of the way Heidi choose to 'light' the candles. Yes she's using a torch because the matches weren't working since we had 64 candles to light!

Happy Birthday Dad!

P.S. We didn't light anything but the candles on fire, I promise!

H

Etsy Front Page 4/11/09 Admin

2009-04-11T21:49:00.001-07:00

Etsy Front Page 4/11/09 Admin, originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers.

Cherry Creek Charms made the front page of Etsy today with the Wedding Charms. The same wedding charms that are going to be in the Aug/Sept issue of Modern Bride!

New Game from Wendy, this is so funny!

2009-04-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

Well I have to say that this is just way too much fun. Wendy over at Weight...What has given us a mission and I have to say I had to do it because I couldn't stop laughing after reading what came up in my search.
What you need to do is google 'Unfortunately, (insert your name)" make sure you put it in everything in those quotation and report to her what you come up with. Here is what came up for my search.

Unfortunately, Heather was only able to pass the reading component of the tests.

Unfortunately Heather has to work as a hooker to pay for her retro fashion...

Unfortunately, Heather lost the ability to transform into Sasquatch.

Unfortunately Heather figured out the ruse and is now pressing charges against the paper.

Unfortunately, Heather will be back in Congress.

Unfortunately Heather will never go away.

Unfortunately, Heather was playing the nice role, and let her team mate sabotage both of them.

Unfortunately, heather learned about the sin of adultery from brother stephen. she thinks it means acting too much like an adult.

Unfortunately Heather couldn’t stop smiling...

Unfortunately, Heather is extremely beautiful and gets hooked up with guys that are equally beautiful but cheaters.

Unfortunately, Heather's marriage-obsessed family is thrilled about it...

Unfortunately, Heather's lungs don't like the smoke either, but doing the race was part of her training plan so there she was.

In a world filled with many many dim light bulbs unfortunately, Heather is simply one of the brightest ones shining. She is amazingly intelligent.

I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. Now go try it yourself because this was way too fun! I can hardly wait to see what you come up with!

H

A Conversation with Bailey

2009-04-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

She likes to chat...about everything! I just thought these we're kind of cute. I just kept the camera clicking away while she chatted with me about...well everything and nothing! I wish I could tell you what she was chatting about but I really don't know. Maybe I'm just getting old but sometimes I just can't keep up with her chatter.

I know I'm bias but dang she's cute! She drives me crazy with all the chatting and questions but she sure is cute!

H

A Day at the Garden Center

2009-04-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well we had a lovely day at the garden center today. Its been a little windy but the flowers we're blooming. I just had to share the beauty of the day.
Its my dads birthday so, Happy Birthday Daddy!

I hope you're having a lovely week.

H

A Minimalist Version of the Wedding Charms

2009-04-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

These are minimalist version of the Wedding Charms. I've had a lot of people ask for them to be smaller and less fussy, so this is what I've come up with. These are made of fine silver and come tied together for adding to your Wedding Bouquet to personalize your wedding. These are the perfect size for wearing as a pendant/necklace after the wedding or these would also work as ornaments for your holiday tree.

H

Double Happiness

2009-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Most Chinese weddings feature this symbol with the addition of the color red. The symbol of Double Happiness is a declaration that the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be will be united. The symbol, which is composed of two standard Chinese characters used to signify "happiness", means that the couple and their families will now be "together". I've added a piece of red silk to make them pop, its also a traditional color for weddings in China.

I'm loving these new stamps! Hope you're having a good week.

H

New Dots - Chinese Symbols

2009-04-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

I got these metal stamps over the weekend and I LOVE them! The new dots feature Chinese Calligraphy with the symbols Happiness, Good Fortune and Love. I have listed them in my shop now.
I have quite a bit of new stuff to get photographed and posted here. I think I'm caught up with sales during my trip so I should get it done this week. Have a wonderful week.

H

I've been practicing my skills!

2009-04-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

I've been practicing my new skills on this ring. Its a 16 mm Star Ruby that I've had for about 18 months and have finally done something with it! I hope I've done it justice. Everything but the stone was fabricated by me out of sterling silver. I will have to keep this one but I have a few more of these stones so you will just have wait and see what I do with the other ones.

Have a great weekend.

H

Back from San Francisco!

2009-03-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

So I'm back from San Francisco and I had a fabulous time! I have lots of picture your you to look at on Flickr. I made the earrings in the picture. I will give a detailed account in another post about how they were made. In the meantime I have lots of jewelry orders to catchup on, so go look at the pictures of the very beautiful city.

H

I have pictures!

2009-03-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

View from my classroom window.

View of protesters of the something I don't know what - from my classroom window.

4 rings and 4 'sketches'. That's the practices pieces in the front.

All the rings I'm working on here are very sculptural in shape.

Round wire into square just from hammering.

Taper into upright taper.

Round into flat taper.

Sorry these aren't my best pictures. I'm trying not to take too much time with the camera because there is so much to learn. Now I have to get ready for more! Have a wonderful Sunday!

H

Having a great time!

2009-03-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Well I'm having a great time! But I still don't having pictures to show you! I have some equipment issues - like being able to download the ones I'm taken. Got a little rained on today but I'm in San Francisco so that's to be expected!
Its a little cooler then I planned for but all the walking is keeping me warm.

So about the class - today and tomorrow is forged rings. Wow! So much to learn and so much fun! I made 4 rings today. All in copper just for practice but tomorrow is all about the fine silver. All of these rings are forged and there is no soldering so lots of hammering. There are 11 people in the class so you can imagine the noise with all of us hammering away on metal.

Tomorrow is a continuation of what we did today and working on a few of the more difficult designs.

Monday and Tuesday are no class days for me so I will be able to explore the city and get some pictures. Its suppose to be sunny and warm - for San Francisco!

Well I'm so very tired so I'm off to bed. Have a wonderful Sunday!

H

Well I might as well tell you... (maybe Life is Funny Part 3)

2009-03-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting here in the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport waiting for a part to come in for the plane I should be on. (Say the following in a sarcastic voice) I love air travel! My plane was suppose to leave for San Francisco but they had us change planes and the one they gave us is having some issues. Well now I have issues! I didn't intend for this to be Life is Funny Part 3 but it seems its turning into that. I mean if we didn't laugh about these things we'd go crazy right? Right!

Why am I going to San Francisco you ask? Well I was going to post when I got there and include a picture of this beautiful city but since I'm here I'll tell you now and give you some pictures later.

I'm headed to SF for some training at the Revere Academy. I'm taking a class in Forged Rings, Quick Clasps and Finding (say that 3 times fast!) and Fabrication. I hope to be able to take pictures as i go through the classes and see the progress but I'm not sure yet if they will let me. I'll keep you posted.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

H

Life is funny (part 2)

2009-03-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Just lost 2 front teeth (Sam)

Okay so I don't have any stories to write up here but pictures of my family. I find them all very funny. So this is what I find funny this week!

Holly & Hayley (They are just not right!)

Jaxon is air born! He is dancing to the music that's playing.

His Aunt Heidi gave him this! Fantastic!

Jax is pretending that he's being attacked! NICE!

My father - maybe this is where we all get it from! That's a hat with a blonde wig attached to it!
Real pretty Dad!

She has grapes in her cheeks!

Well as you can see my family is crazy but so very funny! Have a wonderful funny day everyone!

H

Spring is just around the corner

2009-03-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

This time of year I'm reminded of how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. We don't go through the seasons like the rest of the country does but I'm not one for snow so that's just fine with me.
Yesterday I was walking to pick my daughter up from school and I could smell the most wonderful scent all around me. I started looking around and then I looked up and saw where the scent was coming from. The orange tree! It was in full bloom. I love that scent. It reminded me that spring for us in Arizona is here and its beautiful! Its also just around the corner for the rest of the US.
Look around in nature today and see if you can see spring starting to show. Have a wonderful day!

H

Making It Personal

2009-03-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

You know when you see those little kiosks that have everybody's names and you go to look for your name or someones name that you love and you just can't find it? Well that happens to me all the time. I have a nephew and a daughter and 3 of my 4 sisters that I can never find their names! (Dates are good for these too!) Everything is more special when its been customized.
I have some custom charms to make your wedding extra special as well. I talked about these in a previous post. During the wedding they can be tied onto your bouquet and then after your wedding you can use them as ornaments on your 1st holiday or Christmas tree.
So I think I might have solved the problem, at least a little. In my collection 'Make it Personal' I make everything to order so no names or dates are left out! That means that Jaxon and Bailey can have their names, or at least their Moms can have their names on something special. Now no one is left out.
How are you going to make it personal?

Have a wonderful week.

H

Where Are you Going?

2009-03-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Where are you going? Well I'll tell you some days (most days!) I have no idea, then other days I seem to have a clear vision in my mind where I'm going. When the days are unclear to me and the path doesn't seem to show itself I find myself looking to the past. But not in a bad way, not with regrets. I think you can help define your future by looking at where you've been.
This would have to be why I feel drawn to the ocean and why I put it into my art and daily reminders around me. If you haven't seen my collection 'Down By the Sea' you need to check it out. I'm sure you're asking why is someone who doesn't live by the ocean, is creating art about the ocean? I know you're asking because I've asked the same question of myself.
Well here is a little history of me: I was born on the most beautiful islands in the world! I was born in Hawaii. We didn't live there for a very long time but growing up between Hawaii and California the ocean was ever present in my life. I became a SCUBA diver and have a great respect for the ocean and all it's living creatures.
So I guess that brings me back to where are you going? For me I'm wanting to be back by the ocean. It grounds me. And I guess until I can live near it again, my art (and countless other wonderful artists that adorn my home!) will have be enough for me.
So where are you going?

Have a wonderful weekend.

H

Life is funny (part 1)

2009-03-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

A challenge has been put forth and I'm not sure I'm up to it! Wendy has asked us to write about what we find funny. At first I thought this was going to be easy but after much thought, way too much thought, I'm not sure I can do this.
Its not that I don't find funny things in my life all day long because I do. I mean just the other day my 4 1/2 year old came up to me with hands on her hips and toe tapping and asked me 'Mommy why is your breastests (that's her way of saying bra, no I'm not sure the spelling on that because she is only 4 1/2!) hanging in my bathroom?' Well as I'm sure you're wondering as well as I was at this point what in the HECK she was talking about! Then I remembered that I had just washed all my bras and I hung them up in there to dry so they would be out of the way.
So after I picked myself up off the floor from laughter I told that those are BRAS and that they needed to dry hanging up, and please don't concern yourself with my undergarments anymore!
I would have to say if that is what Wendy was talking about for 'Life is Funny' then I could write a book because I get stuff like that all day from her! And I'm not really sure where she gets it from! Anyone? ;)

H
Wendy, this was actually way too much fun! Thank you for thinking of it!

Just for Fun!

2009-03-08T09:22:00.001-07:00

What are they going to hatch?

Oh, well it looks they hatched!

Princess of the desert, Bailey!

Sam, looking way too relaxed up there!

And last but not least the fashion poster girl of the week, Bailey in bedroom slippers. Her Auntie Holly gave them to her and she likes to wear them everywhere! Yes, she wore them around town and had to bring that fantastic purse too! I think the thing I dislike the most is the sound those shoes make. She likes to stop and pose with those on too! Lovely!

I hope you're having a good weekend.

H

All the pictures except the last one we're taken at the Phoenix Zoo.

I'm soooo excited!!!!

2009-03-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

I was contacted by Modern Bride about my Wedding Charms! They would like them for the Aug/Sept issue. I will be in the '100 Things We Love'. I've been doing a happy dance for the last 24 hours! Here are the charms that I'm talking about.

These are meant to be tied around the brides bouquet. Unless I have been requested these come with blue iolite stones and blue ribbon. They are great for that something blue and something new. They can be used on a key chain after the ceremony or you can hang them on your Christmas tree. Some people might like them for charms on a necklace but for me they are a little big for that. They measure 24mm x 16mm.
Well I need to get back to my happy dance now! I will be sure and post the copy of the magazine when they send me a copy!
The charms are available in my charm shop. Have a wonderful weekend.

H

Update on the Cora Paige Project

2009-03-05T05:12:00.000-08:00

We don't have final numbers yet but so far the amount that will be donated for the Cora Paige Project is $13,538.31! With all you help I was able to add $280 to that total. Thank you all so much.

Today is Cora's 1st birthday. My heart is breaking for the pain the family must be going through. Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers as they make their way through this very hard day.

H

Update: We had an update on the total $15,667.93! A few people haven't checked in yet so that total will go up. I'll let you know!

Be Peaceful

2009-03-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

A lovely sentiment for the times in which we live. A reversible pendant made of fine silver with a fern on one side and 'Be Peaceful' hand stamped with a custom font on the other side.

This pendant was made using hollow core techniques. I learned how to do this technique from J. Fred Woell. This is an amazing artist that I would love to just sit and learn anything there is to know about metal! I was also blessed to have him teach my PMC certification through Rio Grande.

I'm getting ready to go to San Francisco to take some classes from The Revere Academy on metalsmithing. I'll be there at the end of this month for 10 days. I hope to have wonderful new items to show you. I'm going to be working with gold so I will be adding that to my shop soon.

Thanks for looking today! I hope your week is going well.

H

New Work in the Shop

2009-03-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

I've just put up some new work in the shop. A set of fine silver rings, 5 total. 3 light and 2 dark. Of course you can mix that up as well. They are made on a square ring mandrel. The square is a more true shape for your finger and the rings don't turn on the finger as much as a round ring does. I've had a lot of positive feedback on the single ring so I thought people would like some options on other stacking rings.

I have lots of pictures to take of new work but haven't been able to get to it yet, so stay tuned this week for new pictures.

I took 26 packages to the post office today. It was nice to get those little treasures onto their new homes.

The next pictures are just a preview of items needing to be listed in my shop.

I hope all is well in your world.

H

Beautiful Day

2009-02-28T15:18:00.000-08:00

Just a beautiful day here in the valley of the sun! The pictures we're taken a couple weeks ago but today was just as clear. We went hiking on Papago Park near the Phoenix Zoo. It got a little warm today but still beautiful!

The 1st picture is looking out toward downtown Phoenix and the airport. The 2nd picture is looking toward the East Valley/Scottsdale, my house is somewhere in the middle of that picture. And the last picture is Bailey hiding in the spooky cave. That was how she described it to me! I hope you all have a lovely rest of your weekend.

H

Edit to add the link to more pictures of Papago Park.

Peaceful Alphabet?

2009-02-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

Well the picture should say it all but just in case you don't know what it is I'll explain. Those are almost finished pendants and earrings going into the kiln to be fired. That's 2 wholesale orders and quite a few retail orders too.
The 1st wholesale order is the calligraphy pendants (with a few of the Cora Paige Project Letter Pendants in there too!) and the second is the 12 pairs of Peace Sign earrings. That makes for a very busy day!

Other things going on today too. Miss priss has sports day at school today, so this is how she dressed for the day. She seems to be having fun dressing up this week. Yesterday was crazy sock day. No I don't let her out of the house looking like that everyday! She has also been doing her breathing treatments again. (Sorry for the bad picture on that one!) So I've been trying to make them a little more fun, which isn't easy! Well I must get back to the orders because they need to go out tomorrow.

H

Crazy Week!

2009-02-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

I've got a super busy week shaping up here! I'm working on about 20 retail orders and 2 huge wholesale orders. I just got a load into the tumbler and now I'm getting ready to take miss priss to dance class.
Brian won't be home until really late so not much work is going to get done tonight!

Isn't she cute? That picture was from the recital in December. She wanted to wear all her princess stuff, and trust me its a lot! Anyway, we are off to do that right now. How is your week looking?

H

Cora Paige Project

2009-02-23T05:10:00.000-08:00

I think this is why I felt the need to start this blog, right now and quit waiting to do my first post.
I read this post on Saturday with tears streaming down my face about this family. I don't know much about them but my heart goes out to them and the pain they must be going through right now.
I just wanted to let as many people know as I can that money is trying to be raised to help them build a park in memory of Cora Paige. There is a larger group of artists on Etsy donating to the cause. You can find the list of items on the link on the side bar. I am also donating to the cause. $20 dollars from every pendant sold from now until March 4th will go to the cause. The donation will be made on what was to be Cora's 1st birthday, March 5th.
I wish I could do more to help this family. From reading all I could on Saturday they seem to have a great support system around them and a strong faith that will see them through a very difficult time.

H

My Very First Post

2009-02-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I only have to do this one time so I think I should just quit thinking about it and just get it done already!

I've been thinking for weeks about what I should write about and who I should write about and I've come to realize that I could never just make this about me and my work. This will have to be about everything that is part of my life and ultimately that is what makes up my work.

So I guess this first post will be about who I am, just a little back ground about me. I am 1 of 5 girls. All of our names start with the letter H.
I will talk about my sisters in future posts. I have a beautiful little girl named Bailey. She is 4 1/2 years old. I have been married to my husband for 12 1/2 years.

That is a very old picture but I can't seem to find one of all of us recently! I started this journey after I had miss priss. I am a culinary trained chef by trade. I worked in the food industry for 15 years but that is not a good life for a family so I 'retired' after her birth. I needed a creative outlet and thought jewelry was just the ticket.
I have been taking classes off and on and learn whatever I can on my own through books or just trial and error. I'll talk more about that later too! Well I have to keep you coming back to read more about my exciting life don't I?! I can't even write that without laughing!

Well I hope I haven't bored you to the point of tears. I hope you come back to read again. I will be doing some giveaway's of my jewelry in the next couple weeks. Thank you so much for stopping by today.

H