beaded earrings

I joined another quick swap today ~ this time for earrings. I haven't made jewelry for months, and needed to get my supplies out to repair a bracelet for my sister, so it seemed like a great idea. And as always, I had fun! I've had these beautiful glass beads for quite awhile, but don't have any clothing in these colors so they are perfect to use for a swap. The earring wire itself is gold-plated, so will hopefully be ok for my swap partner.

I had so much fun, I decided to make something for myself. I'd purchased these pewter moons moons ago (ha ha). They pair well with the dragonfly and glass beads. It's simple bead work, but they are one of a kind and all mine, and each time I wear them, I'll remember the relaxing afternoon I enjoyed making them.

"The ability to embrace my ordinariness makes me feel extraordinary." ~ Jana Kennon

Believe
Di

generic vs handmade

I was invited to have coffee with a local business woman last week. She owns her own small business & gave me a tour of the beautiful facility. It wasn't a job interview ~ rather ~ we were just reconnecting (I'd taken a class from her many years ago, not long after she founded her business). I was so amazed and appreciative that she'd make time in her busy day to foster a relationship ~ that is what small business is all about! A generic, store-bought 'professional' business card feel right to me, so I chose to make one using her company's color. I wondered through Michael's looking for embellishments & came across some flowers. The colors didn't scan well but that's ok.

Customizing our creations for the recipients not only makes it more appealing to the recipient, but helps push our creativity where we might not otherwise go (or to use items we might not otherwise use)....

Remember...

"Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower." ~ John Harrigan

Believe,
Di

check in and bookmark swap

Yowsa! It's been six weeks since my last post. If anyone tells you looking for employment is a full-time job in itself, believe them! While I look forward to receiving a paycheck again, this transition period and journey of exploration has been tremendously rewarding as far as personal growth. I've met some fabulous women and discovered paths and opportunities I didn't know existed. Going out into the world after nearly 29 years at one company is like discovering a complete library of books when previously you only had access to a few. Oh, the possibilities!

Speaking of books, I've read several so far this year and if I had to pick just one to recommend, I'd recommend Aspire by Kevin Hall. I finished it and immediately started reading it again... it's that good. If you want something to get you thinking & truly inspire you, read this book.

And now for the 'goods.' In April I signed up for a Yahoo Group bookmark swap for May. It was a perfect push for me to create something when I might not otherwise take the time. I created yesterday and oh what fun I had! Creating was fun... the challenge was trying to make items that the recipients might like. I know one of the gals but the other two are new to me, so I had to make assumptions based on previous correspondence I'd seen from them, blogs, etc. Anyhoo.... here's what I ended up with:

The beautiful image of an Indian postcard is from Stampington & Company, cat stencil by All Night Media, and daisy paper by DCWV. Twinkling H2Os made one of the daisies pop out, along with a mixture of embossing powders for the center. It was a great day and I look forward to my next stint playing/creating. In the meantime, I leave you with a quote from Aspire:

"Talents and gifts do not reduce or diminish when shared; they expand and increase like the widening ripples from a pebble dropped in water." ~ Kevin Hall

Believe,
Di