Quick & dirty

I was really hoping to fashion my post in the form of a Grateful Friday list, or a list of this week's Life's Little Lessons (the new blog project by Sarah of Rustic Relics). That would take more time and brain cells than I have right now, though, since I'm making jewelry to take to this women's festival tomorrow (where the fabulous Deb will be speaking). So, you're getting a quick & dirty braindump instead ... but with pictures, at least. Here goes:

I made my fist freeform 'cage' pendant this week (with matching earrings). It's made with sterling silver wire and silver beads, plus assorted black, white and clear beads. It was a birthday present for my dear friend, Joanne, whose birthday is the same day as my Mom's and John's father's. I met Joanne in 1984 when we both worked at the same graphics and typesetting studio, which was owned by Joan (hi Joanie!). The three of have been great friends all these years and still celebrate each of our birthdays together. This week it was Joanne's turn, and I'm happy to report that she just loved her new bling. :-)

Speaking of Mom's birthday, I picked up her present from Karen (a.k.a., framer extraordinaire) this week. It looks simply gorgeous, with a tan bottom mat and a green 'suede' top mat that Karen raised and embellished with a corner design. I'm afraid this is the best shot I could get, since it's practically impossible to photograph anything with a glass front, but this will at least give you an idea. The top mat is not as teal or blue as it appears here. It's much more green and plays nicely off the metallic thread I used around the edges. I can't wait to give it to her on Sunday and see the look on her face. She's going to be totally shocked.

Karen also framed this for me ... a watercolor Ryan did when he was about three years old. Honest. He just did this on a piece of legal-size copy paper, and I've had it in a 'get framed' folder all these years. Okay, so it took 17 years, but look at it now ... doesn't it look like a gallery piece? After playing around with different combinations, Karen and I decided on simple black and white mats and a deep black wood frame. I just love it, and the colors are so much more vibrant than they look here. Now ... where to hang it? My studio? or the landing at the top of the stairs? Decisions, decisions.

The beautiful yellow tulips are an early Mother's Day present from Ryan, who, I'm happy to report, made it to and from Ecuador in one piece with his girlfriend, Nicole, who had never been outside the U.S. They had a wonderful time sampling everything from the rainforest, to the beach (Salinas), to the Andean countryside, to the Incan ruins of Ingapirca, to the capital city of Quito ... all in nine days. They got back Tuesday at 3:30 a.m., stopped by Tuesday afternoon to show us their pictures on CD, and flew back to Boston Wednesday. Now I can sleep again, thank goodness ... although Ecuador is probably no less safe than city life in Boston, come to think of it. Okay, I won't think about that. I need sleep.

Okay, can I just say how much I detest mammograms? (I did say this was going to be a braindump.) There are simply no words. Every time I go, I almost always have to get squished six times instead of four, because they have to retake one side ... or sometimes I've had to get both sides redone. Ugh. I would rather be forced to watch Ishtar and listen to loud rap music for 24 hours straight while having a root canal than have a mammogram. Okay, I've never seen Ishtar, but even back-to-back runnings of it for 24 hours -- and loud rap music -- and a root canal -- can't possibly suck as much as a mammogram. And why on earth do they tell you to hold your breath, pray tell? As if you could possibly do anything else when your breast is being squeezed in a vice to within an inch of its life. I wouldn't be at all surprised if mammograms actually cause breast cancer, just from the sheer trauma alone, or from women putting it off because they hate it so much ( ... or am I the only one?). I could go on, but instead what I'll do is start saving up now for thermography next year instead of ever having this evil procedure again. Please send all contributrions to 'Maria's Thermography Fund.'

Thank you. And now, back to our regular program.

I'm finally starting on a major site update (... now that I've survived the big QuickBooks and tax-time marathon). I haven't gotten very far yet, but if you go, you'll see a slightly different homepage, and some of my favorite completed projects in the new 'Gallery' section. There will be descriptions of these soon, as well as another Gallery page with more completed pieces. Everything on the product pages -- necklaces, bracelets, earrings -- will be replaced with new items soon (... haven't gotten to those yet), and there will be some new things, including a 'weddings' page where I'll feature jewelry for brides, bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom. I am finishing up a bridal party project right now, in fact ... how fun ... pics coming soon, I promise.

I am also planning to create a 'jewelry-only' blog that will feature new items as I make them, with photos and very brief posts, and perhaps cover other jewelry topics ... how to care for your jewelry, trends and color forecasts ... that sort of thing. THAT will be the blog that's linked off the site, I've decided. THIS blog, which is my personal blog, will be standalone. This way, I won't feel so self-conscious about what I write here in case someone who picks up my card at a show or local company goes to the site. Like my breasts being squished to death, for example. I think about those things. People will still be able to find it if they look for this one, of course, but it won't be linked directly to my product site. More on that once the new blog is up and running ... which won't be until the website's updated ... which won't be until I make more things for tomorrow and spend Mother's Day visiting with our families ... which won't be until I finish up this post.

Hmmm ... I guess this wasn't so quick after all.

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Comments

[Melba]

Have fun at the festival and Happy Mother's day!

[deb]

Was so great to see you at the Women's Festival; your wares are so beautiful and your presentation so inviting. I LOVE my (two new pairs of) earrings ... (i can not resist your stuff ... if there was a 12 step program for jewelry, i might have to think about going ...) ("i'm powerless over maria's jewels ..."). Hope the day was as satisfying for you as it was for moi.

When I read what you say about your mamogram, I realize that there is one good thing about having bodacious boobs - mamograms are not as painful for those of us with robust racks. ;) When all is said and done I'd probably prefer to have smaller breasts, but I guess there is an upside: I have seen Ishtar, and I prefer mamograms. ;)

[Marilyn]

Happy Mother's Day, Maria! That watercolor is fabulous! Who cares how long it took to get it framed...now you can hang it with pride. ;) Glad they made it home okay. P.S. Love the wire jewelry--great job!

[Stefani]

Both framed pieces are fabulous. Ryan's watercolor is really amazing!

Your revised website looks great - your photography is always outstanding. (The full size jpg of the Believe pendant didn't seem to be loading right for me - like it was half-loading and getting stuck.)

[The Bold Soul]

I tagged you, babe. Go and see!