The Many Faces of Jasper

I was very excited to see the Etsy Treasury created by a fellow etsy seller featuring Jasper! Here's a BRIEF list of the different types of Jasper commonly used in Jewelry making:

Red Jasper
Ocean Jasper
Fancy Jasper
Brecciated Jasper
Poppy Jasper
Sesame Jasper
Picasso Jasper
Picture Jasper

The Treasury will be up until Wednesday, March 18th and you can view it by clicking the image below.


Just a word to the wise: Jasper is one of those stones that can look like other stones like aventurine, charoite, agate, calcite, etc. Always be sure to ask questions if you have them and purchase your beads and jewelry from trusted sellers!

Clean & Bright

Welcome! You'll find luxurious handmade natural soaps scented with essential oils only, fun & funky soaps scented with top quality fragrance oils, herbal teas, natural perfumes, incense, aroma melts, jewelry, and coming soon candles!

Just click the banner below to be whisked away to this luxurious shop!

I Like Custom Work...Remember?

And, here's more! Not only do I create picture frames to match that perfect event, but jewelry to match the perfect sentiment!

Lapis & Moonstone on Sterling Silver Chain.

Multitude of Gemstones and wood beaded Necklace & Bracelet.

Glass Eye to Ward off the Evil Eye with various glass beads.

Chalcedony faceted beads on Sterling Silver chain.

Two pairs of Mother's Earrings!
Left: Tourmaline, Peridot & Quartz.
Right: Blue Topaz & Ruby.

Please don't be shy about asking me to create custom work for you! It's true, there are some artists that do not like customized pieces - but, I say bring on a beautiful challenge!

Just Want to Share!

I was very lucky to be featured in a few Etsy Treasurys, but absolutely unlucky enough to get a cold. So, I just wanted to share!

Artist Torrie Smiley created this lovely and serene Treasury with beautiful blues from fabulous artists. I was very proud to see my painting included!

And, then!!! Stephanie Baker of Old World Primitives created another wonderfully colored Treasury, absolutely fun works and a fabulous array of talents! I was very happy to see my painting included!

Etsy has such a vast amount of brilliant artists and crafts-people...I am always amazed at the work I see there and am very proud to be a part of such a supportive and talented community!

Guess What?

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I love nothing better than the idea that once each year, you celebrate the day you were born, the day you entered this world as a major event in your life and the lives of those that love you.

I decided I'd like to spend the day with my favorite person. He got me four different slices of cheesecake, we watched movies snuggling, and I tried all four slices. (Don't worry...we had cheesecake left for four days!!!)

If I miss your birthday you should know that I think it is one of the most fabulous celebrations ever and I would definitely wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

WWAO February Exhibit - Flow

Artist, Jean Levert Hood hosted February's WWAO online exhibit "Flow". Please, click on the images for a better view and enjoy these fabulous pieces!

I Love to Customize!

I have a great imagination, if I do say so myself. I try not to mimic trends and fashions and create pieces that are true to myself. I would never create a necklace that will fall out of style in three months...I hope and believe my work extends itself through the quarrels of time.

Which is why I am excited to share a few custom orders I've completed over the last few months. I've had simple requests and tried to create pieces to suit their needs and wants. Every customer enjoyed them - which is really what makes me SO excited!!!

Love the Lighthouse:
5x7" frame with 3-D embellishments and real shells

"Hi Staci!! Just want to let you know how much E---n loves his picture frame!!! He has it sitting next to his bed. He LOVES it!! Thanks again!!" --Lori

Trees & More Trees:
4x6" frame with real twigs and "angel" leaves.

"...the...picture frame [was] extra special. Thank you!!!" --Ryan

Peter Rabbit: 5x7" frame, mixed media.

"I love this! Thank you so much for the wonderful frame. :)" --Lynda

Take it from me, customized work is fun, rewarding, and personal and in the end a meaningful piece of art to remember for a lifetime. Contact me anytime - maybe, our imaginations can come up with something wonderful!

The Butterfly Project

In an effort to remember those children, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember. As of Summer 2008, we have already collected an estimated 400,000 butterflies.

Based on the following poem, which I remember singing it when I was in high school at every Holocaust Memorial:


Here are the guidelines as set forth by the Museum:

Please facilitate the “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” activity and create as many handmade arts-and-crafts butterflies as possible. This project may be completed by all ages as individuals or groups.

• Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
• Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred.
• Glitter should not be used.
• Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used.

If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Please send or bring your butterflies to the Museum by June 30, 2012, with the following information included:

• Your name,
• Your organization or school,
• Your address,
• Your e-mail address, and
• The total number of butterflies sent.
  

Mail or bring your butterflies to:

Holocaust Museum Houston
Butterfly Project
Education Department
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
USA

For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org.

What Have YOU Done?

I saw this on Amanda Bishop's blog. The idea is to bold the things you have done! I thought I'd give it a try...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Sing in a band!!!)
4.Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6.Given more than you had to a charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8.Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art form from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort (built a blanket fort...)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Rode in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (How do you answer rightously?)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (many times...)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (IRONICALLY!)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (indirectly...)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Not only are there many things on this list I would LOVE to do, it also makes me think of all the places I'd like to travel, things I'd like to do yet, people I dearly miss in my life, and 100 just isn't enough! It's the possibilities that make life worthwhile - and our own gusto that makes those possibilities turn into realities!

Here's to your fabulous realities!

Shopping vs. Lose Blood

I don't like the options so much... I hate shopping (Etsy and direct from artists is the exception) and losing blood isn't always a good thing...

But, Etsy member gurapu created an Etsy Treasury featuring some beautiful work with colors that are absolutely delicious! She was gracious enough to include one of my Signature Swirl Polymer Clay Pendants! You can view until Monday, January 5th just by clicking the image!

New Year...Already or Finally?!!!

This year has been up and down for so many of us. Financial fears, layoffs, bailouts, home foreclosures...not to mention those experiencing, theft, medical issues (and by issues I do meant treatment AND insurance companies & HMO's...), as well as the myriad complications between people and nations...

For me, it was a year of chronic pain, surgeries, medications, therapy (of all kinds!), relationship building and collapses. Each year my nieces and nephews grow is a year I've had to love them more.

My artistic creations have slowed as my body adjusts to the new symptoms and limitations. Sometimes I feel trapped inside myself and sometimes I feel like I can't wait to get the artistic images out of my head and create the reality...every day is different.

I do wish all of you reading this, health, and joy - because if you don't have your health, you'd better keep a great sense of humor.

I wish better for your lives and the lives of people you love. That attaining dreams is a firm belief no matter if you did have to take a temp job in the meantime.

When the blizzard is over, the sky is new, and the ground is covered in soft snow and possibilities. Never believe there are no options...and give as many hugs as you can, human touch is truly underrated!

Have a wonderful 2009 and every day afterwards!