More Blog lovin...

I'm back to share more blogs that I love!  I guess I should put a disclaimer that I am not really featuring these blogs in any order of importance or anything.  They are each fabulous in their own way...

So without further ado...

Umber Dove ~  Her watercolor paintings are out of this world.  I also love the series she did a while back with painting sea stones.  I snagged a gorgeous barn owl for my daughter.  Her lovely calendar is in my room where I can enjoy her watercolor renditions of various woodland creatures.. and, she looks like a model to boot!  Her blog is always a good read and oh so pretty to look at.

Simply Sarah Anne~  I really don't know how I found this blog, but she is a teenage homeschooler who loves Jesus, photography and blogging.  She is super cute.  It's nice to see a young girl having good clean fun.

Little Cherry Hill~ Emma is such a sweet person, we sort of showed up in blogland around the same time and I'm happy to call  her friend.  I love her work, and I enjoy reading her blog.  I like it when she talks about all the birds around her and I don't recognize any of the names!  How exotic it sounds to me to live in Australia!

Nova Designs~  Tess is so creative.  I love her work with metal, and enjoy reading her blog.  I look forward to following her journey to move back to Sweden with her new hubby. 

And that's it for today.  I could go on, but I need to save some juice for future blog lovin posts!

Sometimes I stop following blogs.  I'll go through my reader and stop following blogs if they are ones I've noticed that I continually pass up on reading.  Sometimes I intentionally stop following a blog because I just don't like the content.  Usually it's because they start getting too political.... I don't really care for politics with my art thank you very much.  Or sometimes I stop following because the blogger expresses values I just can't agree with.  Or sometimes I stop following them because they think I'm stealing their designs, no matter how much I used to enjoy reading their blog. 

Listed...

All in the Etsy shop now!

Tidbit Tuesday...

1}  So far so good on the lice situation at my daughter's school.  (I probably just totally jinxed myself)  I claim nothing short of a miracle that she hasn't gotten it...er  them...whatever.

2}  I just read the words "wanna-be artist" and the words shot to my heart in a pang that let's me know I'm still struggling with the term "artist" when describing myself.

3}  It is extra painful to feel the sting of betrayal by a sibling.

4}  I don't really care for Adele's speaking voice.  And the radio stations are starting to wear out her songs now.  But I still love the bass in Rolling in the Deep.  Every time.  No matter how many times they play it.

5}  I have a strong desire to make right now.  Why is that always the way?  I always want to create most when told I can't.   I'm a weak task master though, and don't listen to myself when I say that the taxes must be done...before I know it, I'm in the shop fiddling with something.  Must. Stay.  FOCUSED!


And, I want to share pictures of the latest and greatest...

Made to go with these earrings.  (Not sure why I don't have a picture of both earrings together...)

Sterling Silver and all natural Chrysocolla Druzy and Gem Silica on the reverse side.  Gorgeous stones!

Happy Monday!!

After feeling a bit draggy in the first month or so of the year, I am now feeling like a fire has been lit under my tail!  Finally I am getting things accomplished that should have been done ages ago.

Last night I completed a custom order that I've been working on forever.  Luckily I have the most patient client in the world.  She has been very gentle with me.  I am eternally grateful.  I will share pictures after she approves!

I went a bit over board after a recent comment about how I don't make many rings.

Flamenco rings!  :-)  I was dying to share with you all, but I don't have time to take individual pictures and get them listed right now.  I have given myself a deadline with the taxes.  They must be complete by Monday.  Then I will be totally free to create without guilt!  :-)

Have a Happy Monday, and a fabulous week!!!!   

Carolina Jasmine

We have this Carolina Jasmine crawling all over our bricked in mailbox. It has buds all over it! In a few days it will be a riot of color! Spring is near!

PS Coming soon! Rings with Flamenco flair; Turquoise, Amazonite, Brazilian Agate with a bitty druzy, Owyhee Blue Opal and faceted Labradorite with a beautiful blue flash!

Blog Lovin....

I've read a lot of articles on ways to promote your online business, and it is probably the number one reason (ok, the only reason) I started this blog.  Turns out that it is one of those things you're supposed to do that I actually like!

I enjoy putting my thoughts into written word.  I enjoy the interaction I get from my readers in the form of comments.  I enjoy sharing with you.

Along the way I have discovered many wonderful blogs.  I follow probably a hundred blogs, but there are really only a handful that I always read.   So, what makes a blog that I always read you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.

I've read a couple of analysis type articles that said that people follow blogs of people that they can relate to in some way.  People that if they knew them in real life they'd want to be their friend.  And then I've read those articles that say that to attract readers to your blog you have to have a schedule, you should do tutorials, you should interview others linked to your field, you should have a topic for every day of the week, and on an on...

Of course this got me thinking about the blogs I love, and why I love them.  I would have to say that the first analysis is closer to my blogging philosophy.  All my favorite blogs are written by fabulous women with extraordinary talent.  I look forward to seeing what they have to say because they are real and are sharing snippets of their life along with their work.  Almost none of them have tutorials, or interviews, or daily topics.  They are all unique in their own way, and I love them all for different reasons.

I love artists who blog.  It's always the first thing I look for when I discover a new talent.  I've decided to spread some blog lovin and share periodically with you some of my favorite bloggers.  I'll start with a few today:

Lorelei Eurto Jewelry ~   Wicked talented designer.  I love her blog for the amazing jewelry designs,  the way she shares her sources, promotes others work, shares her joys and pains,  and the fact that she is just an all around nice person. 

~Sunny Rising  Unbelievable talent Allison has.  It seems everything she touches is pure gold.  Singer, Leather worker, Metalsmith.  A total triple threat in the most beautiful way possible.  She seems to radiate warmth and it isn't a wonder her nickname is Sunny... I love her blog for pretty much anything she has to say.

~Black Daisy Designs  Anna-Karin makes the prettiest pieces, comes up with amazing designs and is another all around nice person.  I love her blog for the pictures of jewelry, and especially lately her sharing her journey in turning her passion into a business.  She keeps it real and I can totally relate.

~Sandi Carrico  I first discovered Sandi through another blog I follow.  I liked her right away!  We hit it off and I am proud to call her friend.  I love everything about Sandi and her blog.  Her work is exquisite and the finishes she puts on her work!!  Amazing.  Sandi is generous and kind, always promoting and complimenting the work of others.  Love her!

So, I hope you get a chance to check out these amazing women.  Have a great weekend all!!

Thoughts on this Thursday...

1} I am working on a small pile of rings.  I had someone make a comment the other day that they noticed I don't make many rings.  It's not that I don't like rings.  I love them.  I even like making them.  I'm pretty sure my biggest hang up is that I never know what size to make them.  So, I am throwing caution to the wind and making a series of rings!!!

2}  It's going to be nearly 80 degrees here today.  Soon it will be too hot to go on my morning runs through the park behind our house.

3}  Even the sound of Adele's Rolling in the Deep pounding in my ears as my feet pounded the pavement didn't take away the ache in my heart.

4}  I am six solder joints away from completing a custom order that has countless solder joints in it and countless hours of work in it. 

5}  I'm still not finished with the taxes.  Ugh....

Mardi Gras...

Today is the day.  Mardi Gras.  Otherwise known as Fat Tuesday, or the eve of the Lenten season.
I think mostly when people hear the words "Mardi Gras", they think of New Orleans and the parades with the boobs and the beads.

I went to one of those celebrations once.  It was on Galveston Island, and it was utter drunken chaos. 
I gotta say, at the time it was the thing to do.   But, it wouldn't be anything I'd ever want to do again.

I did get to thinking about Mardi Gras though, and got curious about the colors associated with it.  Purple, Green and Gold.  The purple represents Justice, the green Faith, and the gold Power.   I set out to make my own tribute to Mardi Gras, and this is what I came up with:

This is about as crazy as I get on Mardi Gras these days.  No flashing boobs, but beads.  Oh yes, beads.  And pretty ones too.  And honestly, they are a bit of celebration in themselves.  I can't help but smile as they swing and sway when I turn up the radio and move to the music.  :-)

I have them listed in my Etsy shop.  You can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93517684/sterling-silver-amethyst-citrine-peridot

Charmed, I'm sure...

~Estrella~Sterling, Citrine, Apatite

 

 

~Marietta~Sterling Silver, Amethyst

~Minette~Sterling Silver

I have added a new section to my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyNicoles?section_id=11149215

Of course I have big plans to load the new section with charms galore, and time permitting, I will.  This section is in the infant phase right now.  I plan on adding other chain options for necklaces, and some bracelet options. 

I enjoy making these little works of art, and it is also gives my clientele a more affordable option than some of the pieces I've been making lately. 

I do have to giggle to myself a little when I name these charms.  I read a lot of historical books, mainly about royalty and I love all the high falootin names the ladies had.  So, since sometimes naming my work doesn't come easily to me, I am naming them the first name that pops into my head. 

HeeHee.  Minette was the nick name for the sister of King Charles II of England.  Marietta, I believe was the name of one of Marie Antoinette's sisters, and Estrella?  Well, citrine and apatite together remind me of the stars....

Stay tuned for more history lessons.  One high falootin name at a time ;-) 

Crocus Earrings

More Amethyst!  These cabs I had the pleasure of hand picking.  I think I've told you before how much I love the very dark Amethyst, and boy are these ever dark purple!  I had a devil of a time capturing the fact that they are indeed purple.

 I decided to make these post earrings.  Beginning with that fabulous pop of purple and ending in a tail that reminds me a bit of the tail on a kite, not that I look at them...

 Here you can see the purple in the cabs pretty well...

 Each little square has been lightly textured on both sides and domed.  Attached are faceted Amethyst and hand cut peridot beads. 

I am so ready for Spring.  A sure fire sign that Spring is near is when the Crocus blooms in all it's purple and green glory. 

Available in my online shop!  http://amynicole.bigcartel.com/product/amethyst-peridot-and-sterling-silver-post-earrings

Teddy!

He's bigger than my 6 year old!

Happy Valentines Day!

I almost forgot to share this with you guys! Check it out! A heart shaped hard boiled egg! I was making deviled eggs the other day and this egg had half exploded while it was boiling. When I cut it open....voila! A heart! Ahhhhh just in time for the day of love ;-)

Tidbit Tuesday...

{1} My kids were up at 4:30 this morning like it was Christmas or something. 

Nope.  Just Valentines Day.  :-)

{2} I'm loving watching Nurse Jackie.  

{3}  As an avid reader, I am having difficulty with electronic readers. 

I have three books on my iPad that if I had them in hand they would have been finished long ago.  For some strange reason I can't finish a book on the nook!  

{4}  I won a giant teddy bear from Rita's Italian Ice for Valentines day. 

Evidently, my husband put my name in the box.  

Where in the world am I going to put a giant teddy bear?

{5} There is a rampant case of head lice in my daughters class room.  I am scared to death the school will call telling me to come get her.  She said the kids are so mean to the poor kid that started it.  She said they all go to the other side of the room and won't go anywhere near him. 

He sits next to her.  

Yesterday the kid that sits on the other side of her got lice.

Now my head is itching.

A little sale!

I'm spreading the love this Valentines day!  Use the coupon code valentine20 to receive 20% off your order in my Etsy shop!  http://amynicoles.etsy.com

Sale ends Monday the 13th.  Not good on previously reserved items, made to orders, or custom work. 

Sweet Dreams...

The other day I was at a local rock shop buying beads and cabs, and while perusing the wares, I overheard a conversation that had me giggling a little to myself.

There was this woman asking to see all the Amethyst that the shop had behind the counter.  And asking all kinds of questions.  I just thought, eh, newbie...and kept looking.

Then I heard her asking the salesperson to educate her on Amethyst.  The bead lady just gave her this weird look, while the customer continued to prattle on about the "powers" of Amethyst.

The whole time the bead lady is listening somewhat patiently, and when the customer doesn't seem to be getting the response she's looking for, she finally leans in and says "Did you know that these rocks just aren't pretty to look at?  Did you know that they have....powers?"

At this point I can't help the ear to ear grin spreading across my face, and I just about laughed right out loud when the bead lady says, " I know that there are people who believe they do. "

Now,  a comment like that would have shut me right up, but not this lady.  She kept going on and on.  Turned out she is having trouble sleeping, and her chiropractor recommended that she start sleeping with Amethyst.   Claims that he sleeps with several around him and sleeps really well.  So that sent this lady on the hunt for Amethyst.

And like I said, she kept going on and on.  She further embellished by telling the bead lady that she wasn't into "new age" stuff, that she was a Christian.  But since learning that Amethyst has such powers, she is starting to think that God didn't just give us gems to adorn ourselves with because of their beauty.  Maybe He gave them to us so we could benefit from their power.....

                                    :-)

Now, I don't know if wearing these earrings will really give you Sweet Dreams or not, but it sure couldn't hurt.  And you'd look fabulous doing it!

Listed in my online store:  http://amynicole.bigcartel.com/product/sterling-silver-and-amethyst-heart-earrings