Settling into the Chaos //

 

 

 

As the temperature cools down.

As the days shorten.

As the leaves change color.

I settle into the routine of our days.

 

Wake up

Coffee (lots of it) 

Breakfast

Get Kaleb off to school

 

Then coming back to the studio. Oh, the studio. My special perfect place.

Most days I rush to get everything that I want to completed.

I find that I have no minutes to spare before school is out.

 

The evenings are mostly spent together.

Walking the dogs.

Making dinner.

Catching up with each other's day.

 

I find little time to run errands.

Complete chores.

 

The dishes usually need put away.

I find toys in every room of the house.

We're living out of our laundry baskets.

 

Nothing is perfect. Everything is messy.

 

But I'm happy.

_

 

To me this chaos is a sign that I'm enjoying life. Living it to it's fullest.

 

That I'm not tied down with the minor details. I'm soaking up all the beauty and time life has to offer.

 

I pick up a little here, a little there, but it's never spotless.

 

When friends ask to meet up, I say yes.

When Kaleb wants to cuddle for a few extra minutes, I say yes. 

I'm spend the evenings with my husband instead of answering emails.

 

This is how life is meant to be lived.

 

Learn to the let go of what life should be. Instead embrace what it is.

 

 ♥ Carin

 



NEW FAMILY PICTURES

FINALLY!  I feel like I have been waiting FOREVER to get family pictures taken. Last year made it a priority, and I'm so incredibly happy I did (especially before Kaleb grows up any more!)

 

Even though I have wanted them for a long time, it's always felt like one of those big luxury expenses. You know the ones that make you feel guilty for spending the money on. You know the type of purchases that you took the money out of the "fix the roof" or "new tires" budgets?

 

Luckily enough, I found a few ways to splurge on this purchase without breaking the bank. Here are my tips!

 

1. Find all the amazing photographers in your area. Like them on Facebook, follow their blogs, and sign up for their newsletters. Most of photographers do regular sales and promotions, and that usually means BIG savings for you! Look for deals called "mini-sessions." These are often just 30 minutes and a handful of pictures, but do you really need 50 pictures to choose from in the same outfit on the same day? For me I'd much rather do mini-sessions more frequently, and have a wide range of years displayed in my home.

 

2. Look for deals that come with the digital copies. This way you can print slightly lower quality prints at Costco or even Persnickety Prints for friends and family members that request them. You can even use them for next year's Christmas card (phew! that's one thing off the list!) For us, we did them pretty close to Christmas, and opted to print several copies and frame them as gifts. Really, this saved us a lot of time and money for Christmas this year.

 

3. Outfits.... (I'll admit, I might have bought a few of our pieces), but really you don't need to go crazy on purchasing new items for the shoot. The best way to remember the family is their best selves. Find coordinating outfits that you already own instead of buying new matching ones. I created a Pinterest board to organize all of the ideas in one place.

 

4. Frames do NOT have to be expensive! REALLY, IT'S TRUE! Rather than printing your pictures in a custom size and have them custom framed (bank breaker for sure!) Print them at a standard size and hit up your local Target, Ikea or Michael's (bring your coupons too!) Pre-designed frames in standard sizes are not only cheaper, but also come in lots of coordinating styles which help build your perfect gallery wall.

 

By saving money on prints, frames, outfits, and even Christmas presents we made this session very affordable. It was the best investment and Christmas present I've gotten in a long time.

 

Shout out to Kamieo Photography for such an amazing job! We'll be back for sure!

 

all photographs in this post are copy written @KamieoPhotography.com

 



New Wedding Bands

I'm not going to lie. I'm horrible about my wedding ring.

Commit to one man, EASY

Commit to just one beautiful ring, TERRIFYING!

I just love them all so much, and with the ability to make new ones it's hard not to spoil myself every time I get a new idea.

This time, it was Dave mostly asking for a new ring. When we got married, I knew literally NOTHING about soldering. Now that I have 100's under my belt he wanted one of his very own. With him getting a new ring, it was OBVIOUS that I also needed another one!

So here's what I made us...

For mine, I had a 4 mm green tourmaline stone that I purchased a few years ago. It is an AMAZING olive green color, and I knew I wanted to save it for something extra special. It was perfect for this project because it's got a little sparkle, but is also really earthy and simple. It'll be great with jeans and a t-shirt, but it will also go nicely when I decide to rock the HUGE rings I normally have on.

For some reason the "until death" portion of traditional vows has always been really powerful to us. Some might find it depressing, but I find it so incredibly romantic. So against tradition, I stamped it around one side of the band.

Then I made a super thin and simple dotted band to act as the Wedding Ring portion. I love the little detail it adds to the piece. The texture is just incredible.

For Dave, he really loved the hammered look, so this is what I did....

I started with a really wide band, and hammered the heck out of it. I love all the little tool marks in it. It reminds me of all the items I've made with it previously; the love and work I put into them and into this ring.

Then of coarse I took the opportunity to stamp a little something on the inside of his ring. I had a little more room to work with, and so I fit the whole "Until death do us part" vow and our anniversary date.

I love how well they pair together, but also work so well apart. Very fitting of our relationship I think.


P.S. If you are interested in custom rings, please do not hesitate to contact me! Carin@jonesingforjewelry.com

Congratulations Annie and Andy

Photo Courtesy of Leila Navidi

It's official!!! One of my best friends tied the knot a few weekends ago!  

Annie and I met in middle school, and she is one of the biggest reasons that I am where I am today.  We have spent countless hours making jewelry together over the years. She has truly inpired me, and helped me realize I my creative capabilities. With all that said, I was incredibly honored to make her wedding jewelry.

We used the waterfall earrings and necklaces I offer in my shop regularly as the basis for her jewelry, but of coarse since it was such a big day, we kicked it up a few notches!

First we went gold to match the yellow coloring of her dress.  

Photo Courtesy of Leila Navidi

Then we used amazing little herkimer diamond stones to add a little sparkle and to make it extra special.  Lastly, we altered the shape and size to match the dress neckline. 

Photo Courtesy of Leila Navidi

Lastly, we added a stunning little drop detail down the back. They turned out amazing!!!

Please feel free to contact me for custom wedding jewelry! 

Summer Fun

For most of you that follow me, you know that I've been working hard to build the jewelry business. One of the things I've been most looking forward too, and one of the biggest benefits that working at your own business from home is flexibility.  With the business booming, I've had the opportunity to quit my day job, and keep this little boy home during this summer.

I'm happy to report that Kaleb is having the summer of his life! We spend our days together having fun, doing or going wherever we feel like, having play dates, swimming like fish and just enjoying each other. I have never felt more bonded to him than I do right now.

You might ask how I've been able to keep up with him and work? Luckily enough, the summer jewelry season tends to be a little slower anyways, but mostly it's taken a LOT of strict planning. We both have a mutual understanding of when I'm working and when I'm not. By scheduling my work time with him (very Super Nanny of me!) there is no confusion, and therefore little frustration between the two of us. We focus on each other during our play times, and then I can focus on work when it's time because I know I'm not ignoring him. 

Here's what our days look like:

*I get up early around 5:30, coffee and emails. I get quiet work time until about 9:30.

*Kaleb gets up around 7:30 these days, watches a few cartoons, makes himself breakfast, and busies himself till 9:30.

*At 9:30 we both stop what we are doing and work on our chores. Kaleb has a HUGE chore list this summer. I'm pretty proud of the work he's accomplishing these days. (Remember he's only 5!) His list includes things like making his bed, cleaning his room, cleaning his toy area, getting the mail, dusting, throwing the ball for the dogs, and unloading the dishwasher

*After we're done we head to 10:30 swim lessons

*When we get home, he's usually a little worn out, gets himself a snack and rests for a little while. This gives me time to finish any chores, emails, or work I have from the morning

*Then around noon, we eat lunch together.

*After lunch is our together time. We do whatever we want. Go to the park, visit grandma, have friends over, but mostly we swim.

*I give us till about 3:30 to play together. Then we're both beat! We need resting, quiet time, and I usually sneak back into the studio for a little more work.

Shortly after, Dad comes home or it's dinner time and we do the family thing till the evening.

I usually work in the evening when he's busy with Dad or after bedtime.

I also have planned some "catch-up" times for myself. For example, this week he has Lego Camp in the afternoons. Which gives me a little break, and time to catch up on stuff (like BLOGGING!)

All in all, the summer is going much better than I expected (I was quite nervous about how I would get any work done going into it). I know a lot of you out there are trying to work from home with kids in the mix too or you are a SAHM, and have tasks  you need to fit in as well. Hopefully my summer schedule helps you find your perfect balance too! No matter what, when spending time at home, remember there will always be more work. There will never again be this time to spend with your children. Keep what is most important with you at all times. If I fail at anything, I'd much rather it be not getting enough work done, than not spending enough time with him.

WE'RE ON VACATION

WE ARE GOING TO LEGOLAND ....

Ok not quite yet! We leave in one week, and NO I will NOT be wearing the bikini my mini-figure is sporting! No matter what I am wearing, we are all so excited to be going! We've been planning this trip for about a year now. I can't believe how dedicated Kaleb has been to earning money for it. He's always asking for chores to do around the house, and even when he wants a toy, after thinking about it for awhile, he decides to save his money for Legoland! 

Over the past year, I found that working from home can really be challenging. I find myself checking emails instead of riding bikes, working on orders instead of reading a book to my boy, and ordering supplies when I should be eating breakfast.

In an effort be more present in both my career and family life, while I'm on vacation, I've decided to challenge myself to no technology (OK minus the camera). This means while I'm gone, I won't be checking email, I won't be re-listing items, and I won't be posting blogs. Instead I'll be focused on my family.

When I get back, hopefully I'll be energized and filled with inspiration!

P.S. This means that all orders placed 5/8 or later will be processed after we return 5/19. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

SPRING BREAK 2013

We filled this spring break to the brim with fun adventures.

Left to Right, Top Down:

• Kaleb listening intently to Dave's hiking instructions. Including when and how to use his emergency whistle on his backpack
• Lunch time in the woods at Point Defiance Park
• Kaleb has been asking for Coco Puffs for months now. I always say, "No," but I figured Spring Break would be a great time to have a sugary breakfast treat
• We went to a super secret candy store in Tacoma. We got a slew of awesomely flavored gummy bears including pink grapefruit, and pop rocks dips!
• Studying the fish at the Discovery Pond at Snake Lake
• Pretending to be a Koala Bear
• Showing off the awesome roots and making the silliest picture pose. I couldn't get him to just smile normal
• Dave and Kaleb pretending to punch out Kaleb's missing tooth
• Watching his best toad friend, Froggy. They played for hours together
• Breaking the "Earliest Swim of the Year" record at my parent's lake house... now March 31st
• Studying the Fish at Snake Lake
• Kaleb's starting to be a great iPhone photographer, so we finally have a picture of Dave and I
• Daddy and Boy hiking
• Snack in the woods

• Laughing hysterically at Tom and Jerry. I guess cats chasing mice just never gets old

The Toothless Wonder

Well it's officially happened! He lost his first tooth! 

It's a huge deal around these parts. He got in the car after school yesterday and immediately told me it was wiggly.  He's been saying that for a few weeks now, but about different teeth. I thought he was just anxious to be like the rest of his friends. So yesterday when he said it loose, I was reluctant to believe it.

As soon as I saw it though, I knew it didn't have much time in there. It was SO wiggly!

He couldn't take his mind off of it, and was moving it back and forth the whole night.  He called everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, he knew and told them he had his first loose tooth! He was so excited.

I took one last shot of him with all his baby teeth yesterday evening.

By bath and bedtime I was sure it was coming out last night. I sent him to bed with a paper towel just in case.  He's normally so good about going right to sleep, but last night he kept getting up wanting to check it in the mirror or show Dave and I how wiggly it was.  He let both of us try and pull it briefly, but we didn't want to pull too hard and scare him, so we let him do it in his own time.

When he was watching his morning cartoons he came running over to me with it in his hand. He said that he had bit down on it, and his bottom teeth pushed it out!

He's super excited because now the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny have to come on the same night. He's sure that they've never met each other and they will be thrilled.  I also made the mistake of telling him that when I was a kid the Tooth Fairy brought me a Cabbage Patch Doll, so he's sure he's getting a toy and not just a silly old quarter! These teeth are going to break our bank!

On top of it all, today is class picture day! Such a rush!

A Boy and His Daddy

I'm sure this happens to everyone. I knew it was coming, but no matter how much I've thought about it there is just no preparing yourself for it. 

The deal is Dave is quickly becoming Kaleb's favorite.

Since the day that I got pregnant Kaleb has always needed me more. I've been his number one, but as he grows older I find that he's needing me less and less, and wanting Dave more and more.

I know it's not a competition. I know he'll always need his mother. I'm not here to be sad about losing my spot as number one (OK maybe a little), but just the transition itself is amazing to watch.


He used to care less if Daddy was home or at work, but now I can't go an hour without him asking for Daddy. 

We used to be able to go do special things together just the two of us, but now he wants to wait for Daddy.

I used to be able to answer all his questions, but now he tells me to call and ask Daddy.

We used to cuddle on the couch and watch cartoons, but now he just wants to watch Star Wars with Daddy.

I used to be able to play hours on end with him, but now he just wants to play rough with Daddy. 

I used to be the one to comfort him when he was scared, but now he asks for big strong "purple belt" Daddy.

It is what it is; life changes. I'm grateful that Kaleb has such an amazing Daddy to look up to and spend time with. I guess I need to find my new role in his life, in this family.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY

This past week we celebrated Kaleb's fifth birthday! His actual day was filled with so many fun things, breakfast muffins, Slurpee after school, and he even got to get McDonald's (his dinner choice)!

Since his birthday fell in the middle of the week, we decided to hold off and have his party this past weekend.  He got to invite lots of friends from school, family friends, and cousins.  As I'm sure you know, Kaleb is obsessed with all things Lego.  So I've been working hard getting ideas for this party for some time now. Here's what I ended up including:

• BIRTHDAY INVITES: Using some of my jewelry boxes. We first painted them dark green. Then used a circle punch and some foam sticker dots to add a Lego effect to the outside.  Inside the box a Lego mini figure had all the party info, plus there were a few Legos inside to set the tone!

• LEGO CAKE: This really couldn't have gotten any cooler! I first made a 2 layer cake.  Then I cut it in half.  On each of the insides I stacked Lego candy.  After frosting it with a regular can of store frosting, I covered it with fondant.  And decorated it construction Lego sets that Kaleb helped me build.  It was surprisingly easy.  The bottom line is fondant covers all mistakes! ;) We even decked it out with construction cone birthday candles
• LEGO BIRTHDAY FAVOR BAGS: This also was really easy. I just went to Michael's and grabbed a set of 12 birthday bags and 1 page of colored paper to match. I used another circle punch and the same foam dots to decorate the bags. Plus I cut out plain mini figures for the kids to write their names on so the bags didn't get confused at the party.  Inside contained: Lego stickers, a bag of Lego candy, plus a mini figure and a set of 4 wheels that we used during one of the games.
• COLOR A MINI FIGURE: This was a great intro game that the kids did while we waited for everyone to arrive.  They got to use crayons and color a few pages of yellow paper that I had printed different sizes of mini figures one.  It kept them busy for awhile.
• GUESS HOW MANY LEGOS: One of the other games we played while we waited for people to come, was having the kids guess how many Legos were in the jar.  The guesses were so fun, they ranged from 1 to 1,000,000,000 !! There were actually 123 legos in our jar!
• DRAW A MINI FIGURE FACE ON A MARSHMALLOW: I went to Michael's and bought a bag of yellow candy melt (the frosting stuff they put on cake pops) I also bought a few bags of cake pop sets which had the stick, a bag to cover them and a wire tie.  I used jumbo marshmallows topped with 1 mini marshmallow to create the shape of a mini figure head.  Then I coated them in the yellow candy melt.  We found edible pens at our local cake decorating store (or you can get them from Amazon) Each kid got to draw a face on the marshmallows and take them home! So fun!
• PASS THE LEGO: I made a simple Lego block out of a Kleenex size box.  The kids sat in a circle and when the music was on they pass the Lego around.  When it stopped whoever held the Lego was out!  It was easy, quick and they had a blast
• PIN THE DOT ON THE LEGO: I bought a $0.99 poster board at the grocery store.  I traced circles where the Lego dot should be on all but one.  The last one I just intermittently traced where it should go. Then I cut the same size circle around a matching paper and put a few circles of blue painters tape on the back.  We blindfolded the kids, spun them around, and had them try and put the dot where the missing one was on the board. Also quick, inexpensive and super fun! 

  
  

  
• LEGO CAR RACES: This was absolutely the hit of the party! Although it was the most expensive and most work, it was by far the favorite! I'm pretty sure if it's the only game I made they would have raced them the entire time and been perfectly content.  Even after it was all said and done, we brought out the racetrack again and the went back at it. I totally recommend this game! We Let each kid take out their wheels and mini figure out of their party favors bag. Then we gave them a slew of other Legos in all shapes and sizes to build their own car.  They got to use their mini figure as the driver.  I intended to have a little tournament, but they were have so much fun just doing the practice races we never actually competed.  The racetrack is made from a piece of plywood. I spray painted it black, and then used some white acrylic paint we had laying around the house to decorate it.  I put a few nails at the finish line and tied a string across to help decorate it. I also wrote "START" using black permanent marker
• LEGO PULL PINATA: I got a big box from work, and first cut a trap door in the bottom.  In the door I punched a hole and hung one piece of curling ribbon from it.  Then on the inside I lightly taped lots of other curling ribbon. I filled the box with candy and covered it with green tissue paper.  Then using green paper and foam dots I made it look like a Lego. Each kid got to come up and pull one string. If it was one that was taped it just pulled out and nothing happened, but the one string that was attached to the trap door caused the door to pull open and all the candy to come rushing out.  I'm not going to lie, it was a little TOO much candy, especially around Halloween, but go big or go home right?!

Happy Birthday to my favorite person in the whole world. I love you son!

kiwi crate

Kaleb is always somplaining about how all the boxes that come from the mailman are for my jewelry business, and that nothing ever comes for him!  I've been trying to remedy this by starting up a few penpals with some friends, but he really loves it when something big comes. 

My mom was also apparently working on this, as we came home to a little green shoe box left by the mailman addressed to Kaleb Jones.  It was from a little company called Kiwi Crate. What we found inside was pretty magical.  A pre-cut, already set up art project with everything necessary to make a few stuffed fruit and an apron. 

Kaleb immediately wanted to start it as he LOVES art projects.  It took us maybe an hour and a half with Kaleb doing most of the work and me assisting. He had such a blast.  It was so fun to have something to do together without having the stress of finding projects, getting supplies and setting it all up. 

The best part is, Kiwi Crates are monthly subscriptions! I cannot wait to see what comes in next month's kit!

Thanks again Grandma, this was an awesome idea!

REAL VALUE

1st Day of School

I cannot believe what happened this morning. I dropped Kaleb off at elementary school.....


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....

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... even just typing that makes me tear up. I cannot believe how big he is. I vividly remember the day he was born, the day he first rolled over, the day he first say "Mommy." None of that feels far away enough to say that I have a child in pre-K.

This whole experience has really come a year earlier for us, as we moved him to this amazing elementary school in pre-K to ensure him a spot for his next year.  I sort of feel like by doing this, I shorted myself out of a year of him being a baby.  Logically there isn't really a difference between sending him to pre-K at his old school verses his new school. Yet emotionally it is night and day for me. I had to take him back to school shopping, he has to bring a big boy backpack, he has a real cafeteria that serves hot lunch, he doesn't need me to walk him in anymore.  Where in the world did the past 4 1/2 years go?

I tried to prepare myself over the past few weeks for what I would have to do today. I wanted to be strong for him and make sure that he felt comfortable in his new environment.  I am proud to say that I made it through this morning without falling apart, but even as I type this I feel like if someone eyes me the wrong way I'll burst into tears! Proud, scared, excited... are all running through my mind right now.

As I walked away from this school this morning I noticed a tiny little house for sale across the street that has the perfect view of the main entrance and playground, and I promise you, as crazy as it is, I seriously thought about trying to buy it. It's way to small, it's in horrible shape, we're not buying a house any time soon, but what it does have is a window that I can look out of to make sure that he's OK during the day.  They could list the 800 sq ft house for $1,000,000.00 and I'd still want to buy it.

Luckly these first few days are only 1/2 days. I know he's having a great time in his new class, but I don't know that I could make it a full day today without him!

Cannon Beach 2012

Cannon Beach is our little family tradition every year. It started when Dave and I honeymooned there 7 years ago.  It's a small quaint town little tourist town on the Oregon Coast. It's slow pace attracts easy going visitors who stroll around town, visiting candy shops, watching plays, and drinking good beer!

This year we invited Dave's parents and grandmother to join us there. They drove all the way from southern Colorado to come! They didn't get there until the second day, so after we got our tent and camp all set up we headed straight to the beach! It was in the 70's that day so Kaleb was thrilled!

It was the first time he had ever been to the beach (all the previous years we had celebrated our anniversary with a lone trip!)  He loved it! With just a few simple sand toys he was entertained for hours.

He also found a daddy orangutan. He has a mommy and baby he had got at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo a few years back when visiting Dave's family. He loves them and carries them everywhere. We had been on the hunt for a daddy to add to the family, and he was in luck this time around! He named him "Bruce" after the candy shop where we bought him.

I've lived in the Northwest my entire life, and I still am surprised when it goes from 70 one day to monsooning cold, cold rain the next!  We attempted to stay as dry as possible the second day, but as much as Dave and I love to camp, we were both wishing for a hotel room by the end of the night! 

Of coarse with our luck that was the day Dave's family arrived. I'm pretty sure they thought we were crazy for asking them to come there when there wasn't much to do in the rain!

Luckily by the next morning it was pretty dry. In the morning we got some much needed beach time.  Dave's grandma, mom and I took a long stroll down to Haystack rock, Cannon Beach's claim to fame!  It's the largest intertidal rock in the world! 

Kaleb, Dave, and Grandpa spent the time making sand castles, chasing each other through the waves and enjoying the sun.



Our last day there we drove the 45 minutes south to Tillamook, OR.  For those of you who are fortunate enough to get tillamook cheese or ice cream where you are will understand how awesome it is to visit the place where it's made. There is a little self guided tour and you get to look down on the packaging facility as the cheese gets all wrapped up and sent out! 

My favorite is the store at the end. It has flavors you can't get anywhere else! I got smoked vintage white and black pepper! Dave ate habenero!  Needless to say my vegan diet went out the window that day!

All in all we had a great trip! I cannot wait to go again next year!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

SEVEN YEARS....



I keep running in my mind what I want to write about in this post.  Things we've done over the past 7 years, goals we've accomplished, changes that have happened.  I want to write about how I feel, how happy I am, how much I love my husband.

The honest truth is, I keep going to write it, but there are no words to describe what I have, what we have together. It's something only we can truly understand, something only we can really feel.  What we have is so special, so unique that there isn't something I can compare it to.

Often times I tell Dave that even "I love you" doesn't feel like enough to describe what we have. In a world where over 50% of marriages end in divorce, I feel like even calling him "my husband" isn't enough.  I personally don't believe in soul mates, but I suppose that might be the best commonly used term for our relationship.

I feel unconditionally and fully loved. I feel encouraged and supported. I feel desired. I feel heard and understood. I feel respected, valued and cherished. I feel appreciated and special. I feel fulfilled. I feel devoted and committed. I feel safe. I feel deserving. I feel challenged, inspired and driven.  I feel beautiful and confident. I feel trusted. I feel taken care of and spoiled. I feel sincere and whole. I feel free to be myself. I feel happy and so lucky to have found something people spend their lives searching for.  If I had nothing else, he would still be enough.

Seven years ago I couldn't articulate why I wanted to get married, why I knew he was the one.  I've thought about it for seven years, and I still can't tell you how I knew, but I'm so thankful that I listened to and followed my heart.

I don't know where we'll live, where we'll work or how many tattoos we'll have, but I can tell you that wherever we may be, we'll be together. I do know with 100% certainty we have what it takes to go the distance, and I know that we will spend our lives loving each other. If he happens to pass (at 110 years old) before me, I won't be far behind because living without him just isn't possible.

Kalebism

Yes I live in the coffee capital of the US.  Yes I drink a lot of coffee.  Yes I'm addicted to Starbucks.  Yes Kaleb goes with me often and knows what a Chonga bagel is..... none of which I'm all that proud of, all of which are true.

Anyways, after swimming lessons today Kaleb asks if we could go.  The timing wasn't good and I'm ALWAYS trying to cut back.  In his attempt to convince me to go he says, "Do you know how Starbucks got it's name?"

"No Kaleb, tell me how?"
"You know Star because it's number one, and bucks because it costs a lot of money."


Seriously... he's 4... what next?!



P.S. On the way home he also asked if for his 11th birthday he could get a flip phone that opens up sideways for texting.

A ring fit for a metalsmith

I will be the first to admit that I am really good at committing to a man, but to a ring... not so much! I'm really not sure what it is. Maybe I just haven't found the right one, maybe rings just aren't my thing, but  most more likely than not, I just like them ALL and it's too hard to commit to just one!

Tonight I couldn't sleep so I made this ring that has been in my head for awhile now.  I knew the only way to get it out and stop thinking about it was to make it!  I'm so freaking in love with it and glad that I stayed up way past my bed time to make it!

I hand drew and cut the plain band out of brass. The V shape detail reminds me of the point of a crown and therefore it must be fit for this princess! Plus I added a copper band that mimics the shape and has an 8 mm pyrite stone set in sterling. 

At this point I'm not sure which I like more, with or without the pyrite! Guess I'll have to wear it for a few days to see...

LOVE!

FUN AT THE LAKE

Lake house + aunts, uncles and cousins + nice weather = a great time!

We had a blast yesterday at the lake swimming, catching frogs and eating amazing food at my parent's lake house.  Proud to say that all the swim lessons Kaleb has had not only makes me feel more comfortable with him around the water, but allows him to have more fun! The dock is a good 60 ft long, so they start at the top, run full speed ahead and the result is the main picture above! (got him mid air on my first attempt and couldn't get anymore after that! go figure!)

Hope you're having a great weekend too!

LOVES OF MY PREVIOUS LIFE

I'm at a really good place right now. I know where I want to be, I've worked hard to get there, I'm making significant forward progress, and really do believe that I'll be able to fulfill this goal of mine, and do jewelry full time.  However, it wasn't so long ago that I had a much different dream of being a zoo keeper.  I worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to try and make it in the field.  I enjoyed my time there and loved a good portion of the job, but I eventually outgrew the dream, and needed to find something else, something better, something more fulfilling than zoo keeping could ever give me, and it was at that moment that I realized that jewelry was a more fitting long term dream. 

Although life changes, you change, dreams change, and ultimately it was my decision to stop pursuing a zoo career, it's still a little bittersweet.  I really loved working with animals, hoping I wasn't only making a difference in their day to day lives, but also in the bigger picture making a significant impact in regards to conservation and environmental and animal education.  It's so strange to me that I loved so much has become just a few memories, a pile of pictures and a couple great friends.

Hopefully it's not all lost, and in the long run animals will find a small place in my life again.  Maybe working part time at a goat rescue (out of the countless animals I have worked with, goats are by far my favorite!) or possibly Red Wolf conservation efforts again, but for now these pictures will have to do.  Each and everyone of them have had a significant impact in my life, have taught me so many lessons, and really allowed me to discover who I was, who I am. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.