Wordless Wednesday - Custom Pieces

Tuesday's Treasures - Me Time #2 New Colors!

~My Newly Painted Nails!~

~Borghese's "B320 Palazzo Lilac"

In a continuing effort to take time out for me, I am continuing with my promise to try and paint my nails once per week. This week I did my finger nails (my toes are still that fantastic shade of blue that I love too much to take off currently, lol).
This week I used a polish called Borghese, in their shade called, "B320 Palazzo Lilac". I had never used it before, probably because it is about twice the price of regular brands, such as Revlon. At $15 a bottle, it was a major splurge for me and I wasn't sure if the clerk was saying it was the best nail polish ever to get me to buy it or not. Last night was proof that the clerk was totally, 100% RIGHT. This polish went on like silk, dried very quickly, didn't streak, and is EXACTLY the color bottle says it will be. I had almost no problem getting it on my nails and not on the sides of my fingers (well, I did get a little on my fingers, but it came off like a dream!), and it has a brush that is just to die for - very soft, with a wide side to get the main part of your nails in one fell swoop, but turn it a quarter turn and you have a narrower brush to get in those small parts - AMAZING! I did two coats and then sealed with a top coat and my nails feel like buttah. The only unevenness in the photo of my nails is due to the fact that my nails flake away, not due to the nail polish. I am SUPER impressed, and I think that I will be saving up for new colors from this company from now on. With this brand, at least, you do really seem to get value for money - how refreshing!
I did, however, still feel a bit guilty for taking time for me so I baked chocolate chip cookies for my hubby and neighbors, see my Low Allergy Kitchen blog for pictures of those! ;)
Thanks for tuning in!

Melodious Monday - New Jewelry Books, Oh My Gosh!

To research a new line of jewelry I am going to make (more on that to come, keep tuning in!), I decided to REALLY research jewelry of the past, and so I went on a wonderful search for books. Now, anyone who knows me knows that books are (aside from family and hubby) the MOST important things in my life. I love books more than just about anything! The search was amazing, and I decided to get 2 books (of the hundreds I would like, that is!) on jewelry throughout history.
These are the books I purchased: "7000 Years of Jewelry", edited by Hugh Tate (now deceased, unfortunately, as he really knew his stuff!), and I also purchased, "Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry - Exquisite Objects from the Cradle of Civilization" by Judith Price. These are an amazing, well-researched starting point. Though I may need to get books on certain time periods if I want very detailed information, these books more than cover the basics, going back over 7000 years of jewelry throughout our various civilizations. Covering materials, processes, styles and trends, these books are an amazing read even if you aren't interested in making jewelry. The photographs are simply stunning and the authors really know what they are talking about.
What really amazes me is that the styles, materials and processes haven't changed all that much, we have simply refined them over the millenia with better technology and lighting. I cannot imagine being a Celtic goldsmith 2000 years ago, trying to melt gold during the slim 4 hours of good daylight in England, yet they did it, and created some of the most spectacular gold work!
More on my new collection soon, I can't wait to get started!

Soulful Sunday Part 2 - Update on the Horses You Helped Save!

Here is an update from Dr. Deborah Wilson, who is the director of the Feathers Foundation and Circle L Ranch, who are currently taking care of the Feedlot Rescue horses:

Thanks to your help, we managed to raise $5,225.00 in an effort to save the pregnant
mares on the feedlot.
We were able to save and transfer all but two horses to a safe location and this is an
accomplishment that would not have been met without your generous support.
Regretfully, we lost one mare who foaled early on the lot, likely due to the stressful
situation. She died of a ruptured uterus. We are also sad to report that a foal also perished
shortly after birth. both of these events occurred early on in our effort to raise funds.
The moment we learned of the situation, we immediately advanced funds to move the
others to a safe location. They are all now safe, sound, calm and currently awaiting
transfer to homes, which we are still in need of. If you or a friend are interested in
fostering or adopting one or more of these beautiful and noble animals, please contact us at
CircleLRanch@gmail.com immediately. We are still working on transport at this time, but
the horses are safe and calm!
While we did suffer two horrible losses, saving the other horses is an accomplishment of
which we should all be proud! We thank you for your ongoing support and
encouragement. Without your quick assistance and continued generosity, our work would
not be possible...
Deborah
*** About donating online ***
It's very easy to support Deborah online - visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/savehorses
to make a donation.
It takes a matter of minutes, is totally secure and you can even leave a message with your
donation.

Thank You so much for your help, You are all angels :)

Soulful Sunday - A Little Bit of Cleanup

I decided to go and clean up some trash on the sides of our roads on Friday, as I had mentioned in another post that there was trash everywhere on our beautiful country roads. Arwen was sleeping so I left her on the couch while I went and played superhero:
I was amazed that after only TEN MINUTES, I had a trash bag FULL to the point where I was having a hard time carrying it! I only did about 800 feet of road (400 feet on both sides), and I didn't even get to do our whole frontage (we have about 500 feet). What disturbed me most was that there were mostly coffee cups and ALCOHOL containers! Here is the large trash bag:I have decided to try and get out once per week and spend ten minutes picking up trash. I figure if I am going to paint my nails once per week, spending time on me, that I should spend time on our neighborhood as well. I even thought of inviting the neighbors to make a road clean-up rally day, where we could stop at different houses and mingle and collect garbage to keep our roads looking pretty.
I got home and Arwen was still sleeping, probably dreaming of chasing robins, happily unaware of all the trash that had been cleaned up :)Tune in tomorrow for some great info on new jewelry to come!

Fabulous Friday - You Did It!!

YOU DID IT YOU DID IT! Thank You so much to everyone who donated and/or passed the message on about the 19 feedlot horses scheduled for slaughter - they have managed to raise enough money to help them!

Unfortunately, 3 of the pregnant mares gave birth in the feedlot, one mare died, and one foal died also, but though the remaining horses are in rough shape, your donations are helping to bring the remaining horses back to health with the promise of a life with people who love them.

You are Wonderful, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

If you would like to know more, or donate (they still need funds to care for the animals they rescue, after all!), please visit their website: http://www.circlel.org/clr/
Thank you for your kindness and love,

Thoughtful Thursday - My Own Neighborhood

~What's That You See Arwen??~

~Oooh a Hungry Robin Running through the Yard!~

~And a 2-Egger By the Look of That Belly!~

It was a nice day today, so I thought I would take Arwen for our first dry-ish walk of the year (we haven't been able to go out during the winter as the snow makes the roads too narrow to not get hit by other cars, and the spring makes the roads ridiculously muddy). It was beautiful, just before sunset....the birds were chirping....the frogs were croaking in the swamps....the shoulders were covered in garbage! I couldn't believe it! The day after earth day and I was standing on my country road, surrounded by nature that is covered by trash! I was appalled to say the least. So, I have decided to go out tomorrow on our walk and bring a garbage bag and rubber gloves to pick up as much as I am able to. I think I may do better to bring a wheelbarrow, but I'll do what I can.
Is there anything you can do to beautify your neighborhood? Arwen has decided (well, I have decided for her) that she will not chase the robins anymore!
Cheers

Wordless Wednesday - HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

Tuesday's Treasures - Spending some Time on ME

Ugly feet aside, I decided I needed time for ME. Not on the laptop, not making jewellery or blogging or Entrecard Dropping or Project Wonderful-ing or anything else. I needed to sit, put my feet up and paint my nails. I haven't painted my nails in probably 2 years, so it isn't nearly a perfect job, in fact it is only marginally not bad, but I have painted my toes, taken time for ME and I am so happy about that. My fingernails aren't as well done, but I know that it will get better - I have decided (and you are here to keep me to this promise, so don't let me down, lol) that I will paint my nails at least once per week to spend time on me, so I will get better with practice :)
This week is Revlon's "Midnight Affair" - a dark, rich blue with a hint of sparkle. I love it! It isn't too girly, nor is it too 'tough', and I'm so happy I took time for me.
What are you going to do for you today? Take a bath? Read a book? Do something that makes you feel good, even if it is only a 5 minute moisturizing of legs and elbows or playing fetch with your dog.
You are worth it!

Manic Monday - Some New Bracelets!

This morning did NOT go as planned: I had made my to-do list last night and planned to get up,work out right away after making hubby's lunch, eat breakfast, clean the kitchen and get right into laundry and housework so that I could get into more jewellery-making after lunch.
Not so, as my alarm clock decided that snooze wasn't going to work this morning, and so I woke up a full HOUR after I was supposed to, leaving poor hubby just 15 minutes to shower and get ready for work! That being said, I got him ready first, cleaned the kitchen, and I will work out...in a bit.
First I wanted to show you two new bracelet designs that, if all goes well, will be for sale in a store near Toronto that is currently carrying some of my tiaras and hair combs - fingers crossed!
They are made with sterling silver chain and wire and these are made with Czech glass fire polish beads, though the ones for the Woodbridge store will have Swarovski Crystals in them.
Gorgeous!
....Now, where did I leave my head again?

Super Sunday - My New Website is Here!

After much work, coffee, yelling and cursing at computer screens, and, at last, awkward happy dances, the new face of Little Studio Photography and Jewellery is here! I am not a website designer, so it took WAY longer than I had expected, but now the website is actually much more similar my blog, and definitely easier to navigate. I have to thank Chica and Pumukl for the design of my blog and inspiration to make my website and other advertising mediums more cohesive. Next up is redoing my banners for my shops to match my blog and website.

The old website was a bit confusing, and, let's face it, far to much work when I want to be concentrating on making new items for you, so the new site is much smoother and easier to get around. You'll find links to all of my shops, as well as other places to see my work. You'll also see the charities I'm trying to help, and get links to all the blogs I am a part of.

I do hope you will stop by my website and take a look at all of the wonderful places you can see (and purchase!) my works.

I have many more pieces in progress that I hope to be able to show you soon (especially since I don't have to work on my website for a while).
Have a great Sunday,

URGENT CALL FOR HELP!

I received an email from a friend, Marjorie over at The Fantail, about the Feathers Foundation, an organization that saves good horses from slaughterhouses in Canada and the United States. Apparently, they have come across a lot of 19 horses, ten of which are pregnant! They are all due to go to the slaughterhouse unless the money can be raised to send them to Circle L Ranch in Arizona to be rehabilitated and, where possible, adopted out to a loving forever home. They need to raise about $4500US and have so far reached about $2100US. Any donation is greatly appreciated, many people are giving just $10 (and that is doable for just about everyone, right?) to help and that is making all the difference! If just 200 people donate $10 (and you are welcome to donate more!), they will reach their goal in no time.
THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR GOAL BY APRIL 24 OR THESE HORSES AND THEIR UNBORN FOALS WILL GO TO SLAUGHTER! Please, please help save them! If you go to their donation site (which is a secure site through FirstGiving) you can see that you may even be able to adopt them, for as little as $100! How amazing to get such a wonderful creature for only $100, and know that you have saved them a terrifying end to a too-short life.
Please donate any amount today at: http://www.firstgiving.com/savehorses
Thank you!

Fabulous Friday - Check Out These Earrings!

Perfect for a wedding, special event or just doing dishes, these are sure to stun anyone within eyesight! I used 2 inches of fine sterling silver chain to suspend ten tiny, reclaimed, vintage freshwater pearls in a rainfall pattern with a large Swarovski crystal pearl at that bottom of each earring. The effect looks rather like the pearls are rain falling down the earrings and collecting in a pool at the bottom :)
They are suspended from hand made ear wires and I think they are absolutely gorgeous! They will be for sale shortly on my Etsy store, so I do hope you will stop by and check them out.

Thankful Thursday - It's SPRING!

I spent a delightful hour in the garden yesterday, clearing away the old to get ready for the new and I have to say it was absolutely blissful: the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the dog was eating grass and vomiting (well, that wasn't so nice, but she seemed to enjoy it). Then I came in for a glass of water and realized how messy my house was. So I spent the rest of the day doing housework, when I found this beautiful bracelet I forgot to show last week after I made it!
This is made with a sterling silver chain with beautiful rainbow fluorite beads dangling like a charm bracelet evenly around the chain. I finished it with a custom sterling silver clasp and lots of love. I hope you like it!

Almost Wordless Wednesday, Part Two - More Tiara Pictures

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming!

~My Niece Violet in Her Custom Tiara~

I am SO sorry for the unexpected absence the last few days - we were up at my in-laws visiting family (and my 5 month old niece, above, for the first time) and though I had blog posts planned, I never got around to doing them :(
However, the visit was fantastic, the drive much faster than usual (3-1/2 hours instead of 4-1/2), and the weather just divine.
I made my niece a custom tiara to fit her little head (it will fit an infant as a headband, but will fit anyone as a mini tiara very nicely). I used a gold-plate headband, Swarovski crystal pearls in white and rose pink and attached them with 14karat gold filled wire. It was a hit, everyone loved it, including Violet!
I hope you have a great day, with warmth, happiness and sunshine.

Sweet Saturday - What An Awesome Thank You!

I visited good friend and glass extraordinaire Louise Ingram from Fireseed yesterday, to pick up the beads I traded for the amigurumi dolls I made for her and her cat and wow am I impressed! The pink beads I asked her to make waaaay back in February and I have a design just waiting for them - aren't they fantastic?
She had mentioned that she had included a few surprises and when I got home, I found these stunning red beads too - don't they just look like candy? Maybe rubies? I can't decide - but either way they are so gorgeous, I made a bracelet from them right away, see below for more pictures :)Then, I peeked into the bag again and out came these beads! Wow, I can't wait to make things with them, they are so different and beautiful :)
Last but not least (not by a long shot!), I found that she had included her famous animal beads! The naughty-but-nice Louise had included a Bunkee Bead (her delightful Monkees dressed as bunnies!), a black cat bead, and a sweet little black dog bead that I swear she must have used a picture of my dog to make, the resemblance is staggering (she got the smile down perfectly, lol).
I have to say I feel very spoiled and I will have to do a few more monkey dolls to feel I have repaid her for her amazing generosity!
Here is a photo of the bracelet I made with the red-candy beads - I made links from individual rings that I had linked by hand to make a chain mail knot, then I attached each link to a bead. I made a square clasp to match the square beads - too cool, huh? I know Louise definitely brings out the best in my work - her beads are so beautiful they always inspire a piece that is (in my humble opinion) as much art as functioning jewelry. Thank you Louise!