Where have you been?

Where have you been?  I've been waiting for you!  I thought you disappeared!  HA!  

Did you think that?  Surprise!

I'm still here, still making jewelry, and loving making custom designs for my clients.

Are you wondering where I've been?  If not, that is cool.  If so, I guess I just took a break from writing and sharing and crawled into an anti-social cave and made it a cozy place.  I could classify it as survival mode.  Has anyone else ever been in a place like that?  I won't go into details now but it has been challenging.  Maybe some day I'll share but I don't think now is the time. 

My children are growing up quickly, as they all do, and I've loved watching them flourish and learn as they branch out in all directions.  It is so fun to see life through their eyes and realize how much we I take for granted.  The questions I get during the day are so hysterical that I think I'll start sharing some of the questions and comments with you so you can have a chuckle as well.

I think I'll go for now but I'll be back sooner rather than later.  I promise!

Sweet girls taking it all in!

Feel free to leave me a comment because I'd love to hear from you!

Making Memories Lampwork Bracelet

Each time I get to work with a customer I feel so honored!  When we work on a piece of jewelry to honor a life lived and memories shared, I feel so happy to know that we are creating a unique piece with a special person in mind and have created an heirloom.

This is my recent custom design!  The selected glass colors, sterling silver charms, and all pieces were designed with lots of thought and time.

I’d be honored to work with you if you want a unique piece of lampwork jewelry.  Contact me and let me know.

Coming out of the funky-junk…

So I have been in a funk for quite some time but I’M COMING OUT OF IT!  You know the one that makes life seem overwhelming and suffocating?  Oh, you haven’t ever felt that?  Well, I can honestly say I’m glad for you!!  It is frustrating and each day seems like a big deal!  It makes a person wonder if your chemistry is messed up, could it be hormones, or is it just a matter of my mental patterns?  Who knows but I’m working through it and will share my journey with you.  Aren’t you just jumping for joy? 

We are staying close to home today and making a home made sprinkler and I’ll tell you how it goes.  I think I’ll start my journey with a stop at Starbucks and then off to Lowe’s to gather the supplies.

I’ll share a Mandisa: Good Morning video with you that makes me and my girls dance every time we hear it. I also snap my fingers.  I just can’t help snapping!  Thanks Carrie!

Good morning!

No more silence

My dilemma has been this - I have felt that if I didn’t have a new lampwork design or couldn’t tell you something about jewelry, that I shouldn’t blog… but I have decided that I’m changing the way I blog.  Okay?  Okay!  It just makes it more fun for me and lets me stay in contact with you all more.

So much has been going on personally and professionally!  I will check back soon to let you know.  For now, I’m off to spend the night at the Zoo with a ton of other little girls from our American Heritage Girls Troop!  Can you tell how excited I am?  No?  Well, I’m just jumping out of my skin!  NOT!

Orange You Lovely Bracelet

A new LOVELY item in the shop!

Clutter Control - Idea #1

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was drowning in paper clutter.  I tamed some of it into a binder that I have in my house and drag around from here to there as needed. 

I LOVE IT!  I’ll share my idea #1 with you.

It is my Go To binder.  I’ve heard people call it a little black book, a resource book, a command binder.  I just call it my Go To binder.  I have one binder for me and the items in my home that I want to get my hands on quickly and then I have one for my daughter who is in school.  How did I do it?

#1.  I took a three ring binder that I already had in my home

#2.  Purchased two packs of tabs and personalized my tabs

#3.  Then filled it with the appropriate paperwork I had scattered about on my countertops and flat surfaces.

#4.  I printed out a binder cover and spine and slid them into place and now….

I’M HAPPY!

The Go To Binder VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Here are the tabs that I have in my binder.  I put them in order of importance to ME.

Passwords

Meal Planning

Contacts

Money Matters

Home Improvement

Blog

Recipes

Crafts

Kids Crafts

Personal

I’ll share more of the pages that are in each tab so you can see what I’m working on for 2012 to help me run my home more efficiently.  I’m trying girls, I’m trying!

What works for you and your family?

Taming the Clutter

Of all of the things going on in my home, the clutter control seems to be the most frustrating area to tame.  Paper seems to land in my kitchen and multiply.  Those pieces of paper remind me of weeds.  They only need a simple  glance and those little paper suckers multiply!  Over the years I’ve tried all kinds of ideas.  Bins for my paper, folders to categorize the paper on the countertop, a daily filing system with little slots to hold the paper, etc.  All for nothing!

I’m not one for making resolutions, and never have since I’m a perfectionist and get all flustered if I don’t meet my resolutions, but I’m feeling propelled by the clutter to make a change that will really work for me and my family. 

When I worked outside of the home (before children-lol), I never left home without my Franklin Covey planner, but I gave it away after I had my children thinking I’d never need it again…HA…and now I find myself wanting something to help me organize again.  So, I’m going to tackle a few ideas that I have to help me tame the clutter.  I’ll be sharing my strategies and ideas with you as I go along so you can be part of my torture growth.   Maybe some of you even have fabulous ideas that you want to share with me!  I’m taking baby steps tonight and I’ll update you tomorrow on how it goes!  Fair?

In 2012, this is the year I plan on taming the clutter.  Shhh…..this is just between you and me so let’s not tell everyone.  mkay?

A puppy post

This post has nothing to do with anything.  It is just cute!  Do you want to see something cute?  Little puppies.  Click on this to see the little puppies during the day!

Cheris Puppy Cam

2012…the year i….

Good bye 2011, helleeeeewwwww 2012!  You look mighty fine!

Alright everyone!  You get to give me your input.  Let’s chat it up.  Don’t just read this and move on!  SHARE!   Send me your comments and tell me how you want to finish the statement.

2012, the year I…

• (example) learned to play tennis
• (example) went on a mission trip
• (example) learned to live on less (and be satisfied)

Let me have it!  Let’s get it going.

Internet Fun

Every now and then I like to show you a fun place that I have found on the internet.  I have NO idea how many of you already know about this website but it just struck me that I could share it with you.  I’ve been getting the updates via email for months and here it is.  This website gives great summaries of deals to be found.  Yahoo!

You’re welcome! I have an ADORABLE one that I will share soon…