Happy Weekend!

I'm dreaming of going here someday - Treebones Resort in Big Sur, CA. It's on the list of places I need to go.




I hope a fabulous weekend is had by all!

What I'm Workin' With

These colors are warm and cozy. Come back Sunday to see what I make.

out west

I was perusing desire to inspire and found these gorgeous rooms. If they were actually all part of the same house it would be my dream retreat out west.




Notice the size of the kitchen, I don't really cook so a kitchen does not factor into the dream!


Photos: Bates Masi, Lake Flato

rocks

These photos were taken by Michael McPeak, his site is Ananda Soup. Ananda is a Sanskrit word meaning bliss. It is also the name Michael and his wife gave the beautiful pond that they live beside in Michigan. You can tell how much Michael appreciates the beauty around him from his photographs.

These are some very cool close-ups of geodes. Isn't it amazing what it created by nature? I couldn't pick my favorite so I'm posting all of them.

lazy sunday

It's been a lazy Sunday.

A few new pieces are up on Rose Lake. Here's one of the latest.

necklaces I love

From left to right & top to bottom:

In a Snow Cloud by cserdan
monet necklace by prunuspersica
Aurora Borealis Necklace by thenoisyplume
Silk Necklace by Claire Sagnier
darselle by stone&honey
Pine Thicket Necklace by jNicDesigns

It's an inspiring day

Lucy Necklace

So, I didn't have the most productive weekend but I managed to get one necklace made using the Czech glass beads I was so excited about. Available now on Rose Lake. What do you think?

What I'm Workin' With

These little beauties are Czech glass, also known as Bohemian crystal in the Czech language.  The oldest archaeology excavations of decorative glass-making sites date to around 1250 and are located in the Lusatian Mountains of northern Bohemia.  Popular Czech Bohemian lead crystal dates back to the Renaissance when abundant natural crystal was discovered throughout the Czech Republic.  Bohemia turned out craftsmen who came to be known as experts with crystal, and the Bohemian crystal became famous for it excellent cut and engraving.  Today Czech glass is world famous and some of the most beautiful beads are created from it. 

I am working on a new design using these beads, check back on Monday to see photos of the finished product.

Ciao!

Deep Freeze City

Chicago

Kala

Look at my pretty kitty Kala! She loves to cuddle and pose for pictures. And she knows just when I'm about to get up and be productive because that's when she jumps into my lap for a cozy little session.

Midwest Modern

One of my favorite creative outlets, besides jewelry design, is interior design. If money grew on a tree in my backyard, I have plenty of ideas on how I would design my own interior spaces. But for now I find the photos so inspiring and currently I want to live at Amy Butler's house! Some images from her lovely book, "Midwest Modern."

Treasury by Rose Lake

This week's Treasury features some beautiful beads that I would love to snap up for myself. I have a pretty serious bead addiction, I just can't get enough!



From left to right & top to bottom:

1.) RARE White Buffalo Turquoise, by norah62, $29.99
2.) Watermelon Tourmaline, by norah62, $130
3.) Grass green smooth Turquoise, by jNicLoft, $39.99
4.) Sri Lanka Faceted Spinel Rondelle, by Luxury, $14.25
5.) Flashy Labradorite Twister Briolettes, by jNicLoft, $56.99
6.) All Natural Holly Blue Chalcedony , by norah62, $35.49
7.) Citrine-Amethyst Fancy Cut Rough, by norah62, $20.49
8.) RARE Natural Mocha Freshwater Pearl, by Luxury, $18
9.) Yellow Botswana Agate, by jNicLoft, $21.99

Ice

This photo feels very appropriate today, and for the lovely weather that's forecasted for Chicago the rest of the week!

Photographer: Michael McPeak, Ananda Soup

Some New Designs

Available now at Rose Lake. Featuring my favorite stone, Botswana agate.

Mosaic 1

Nastia Luikin

This is a new ad for BCBG featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Luikin. I just think this is an awesome photo and a great ad. I loved watching Nastia compete in the Olympics this summer, she is so fluid and graceful. A beautiful image. And you know Nastia could actually strike this pose, no photoshop necessary!

Botswana Agate

I am in love with this stone. I've had these beads for a few months and I just don't want to start using them because I want to keep them forever. It's hard to believe something so beautiful is created naturally.

Ever since I was young, I have loved collecting rocks. I've never taken much stock in the notion of the energies or chakras of an object, but lately I'm starting to open up to the possibility of natural energies occuring in the world.

Here are some things I have read about my favorite stone:

"Botswana agate is a gentle cleanser and can be used to good effect where there are feelings of constriction."

"It is claimed that Botswana Agate helps one to maintain a forthright character. It also helps to sustain an attentiveness to detail which further facilitates an understanding of the complete picture, however distorted the picture may be. Instead of dwelling on the problem, it lets one look toward the solution."

"Botswana agate stimulates the crown chakra, encouraging eternal love and allowing for the recognition that eternal love is a constant in the ever-changing universe."

I am not a complete believer in these ideas, but I'm definitely absorbing and considering them! I'm working on some designs using the beads pictured and I will add photos when they're completed.

Treasury by Rose Lake

I love creating Treasuries on Etsy. It's like picking out everything in a store that I absolutely love. And I get to take everything home...or look at them in my blog, it's almost as good. Anyways, I am hardly ever patient enough to wait for a list to become available in the Treasuries so I have decided, I'm going to create my own whenever I'm in the mood to!

I am dying to do a little re-modeling. These are some pieces that would look great in my fabulously decorated digs.



From left to right & top to bottom:

1.) Hazel-8x10 photograph, by blissful images, $21
2.) mini mushrooms, by mudpuppy, $12
3.) Stoneware Bottles, by sarapaloma, $850
4.) Concrete and Steel Coffee Table, by joejaech, $299
5.) Vintage Cherry Bench, by sprucehome, $595
6.) Modsu Chest, by wookwoodworking, $3,350
7.) Micro Tiles, by elementclaystudio, $200
8.) Ply Bak Sofa, by lunarloungedesign, $649
9.) TERRARIUM No. 35, theoakleaves, $30

Northern Michigan - Lake Huron

cold but stunning

My first ever blog post

Here goes...I've been thinking about a blog for a few months. I really enjoy reading up on fellow Etsy artists, expecially hearing about their creative inspirations. Maybe someone out there will enjoy reading this.