GOLD

It felt like it might never end.

I am sure I held my breath through the entire 3rd period and overtime.

But in the end, the True North Strong and Free pulled through and brought home Hockey gold!

So proud to know that not only the mens team brought home gold, but the women's as well! 

The city is alive - not a minute goes by without  honking horns and screams of happiness! 

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/hockey/story/2010/02/28/spo-olympic-hockey-gold-can-usa.html

Way to go boys!

Catching Up with Life

Hello pretty people :-)

The last two weeks have been absolute madness around these parts. The cup of pride that has become this city is full to the brim and  I have never seen so much red and white donned in my lifetime.

It is amazing.

The air smells like gold - Such a glorious feeling! 

Tonight I came home from the day job and was so tired. My bones ached, my mind a bit mushy, and quite frankly I wanted nothing more than bed.

But instead I decided to step away from the bench, the computer, and enjoy some time with good friends. We laughed and yelled and jumped out of our seats : for hockey, for speed skating, for Canada! 

We over indulged in great Thai food and Canadian beer and talked about what a great city it is we live in. 

The streets are noisy, full of glowing hearts for the true north strong and free. 

So tonight I head to bed, with a smile on my face.

Proud to be Canadian, proud to be a Vancouverite.

Ready to channel all that good mojo spirit into something amazing.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

toodles!

Favorite Things :: Issue # 3

Mr. Johnny Depp.

Seriously, one of my favorite things. 

He brings life to and animates the most wonderful characters.

Need I say more ?

More Newies :-)

I have really been leaning towards bright and sunny stones lately. 

Colour. 

Vivid cheer-you-up-when-you-wear-it type pieces.
A little glamour & glitz.

After going through my finished jewellery the other day I realized how much blue and green I had in the collection. 

Not anymore :-)

TANGERINE BLOOMS Necklace

Mookaite, Citrine, Amethyst, Ruby and Sterling

LADY LUCK Necklace

Topaz and Sterling Silver

GODDESS Earrings

Sterling silver and freshwater pearl

STORMY RIng Size 7

Labradorite and Sterling Silver

Heading into the shop now :-)

BLOOMING

A few new for today, more to come tomorrow :-)

BLOOMING SPRING Ring

ZUNI Ring

LILYPAD Ring

All in the shop NOW!

Proud to Be...

Moments like this make me proud of my Canadian heritage :-)

Performed at the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies.

We Are More

by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada

you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building

or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall

and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities

might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few

Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things

like zippers

electric cars

and washing machines

when defining Canada

it seems the world's anthem has been

"been there done that"

and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true

we've done and we've been

we've seen

all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine

and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada

don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories

about the one that got away

we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines

and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines

off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us

is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome

well we say that too

but we are more

than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process

of being realized

we are young

we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry

and the design

is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change

with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee

we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those

who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own

knowing now that so many of us

have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have

when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great

someday we'll be this

or that

someday we'll be at a point

when someday was yesterday

and all of our aspirations will pay the way

for those who on that day

look towards tomorrow

and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set

and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails

we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across

we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour

of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers

uncles and nephews aunts and nieces

we are cousins

we are found missing puzzle pieces

we are families with room at the table for newcomers

we are more than summers and winters

more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay

because we are more than what we say or do

we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are

we are students

students who study the studiousness of studying

so we know what as well as why

we don't have all the answers

but we try

and the effort is what makes us more

we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for

so keep exploring

go far and wide

or go inside but go deep

go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss

and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out

to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water

and you went deep

keep exploring

because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

we are more than hills to ski

or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes

a country that is all the ways you choose to live

a land that can give you variety

because we are choices

we are millions upon millions of voices shouting

"keep exploring... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you

it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"

so don't say "been there done that"

unless you've sat on the sidewalk

while chalk artists draw still lifes

on the concrete of a kid in the street

beatboxing to Neil Young for fun

don't say you've been there done that

unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit

for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends

and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back

next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time

but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently

and experiences are what make up

the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north

strong and free

and what's more

is that we didn't just say it

we made it be.

-Shane Koyczan

In the Shop Today

Todays additions to the shop :-)

PETITE PLUME Necklace

Variscite and Sterling Silver

FIDDLEHEADS - Earrings

Turquoise and Sterling Silver

These will in the shop by 12pm PST time :-)

Something Special...

I attended a party Saturday night. A birthday party for a special friend.

I was in charge of cake. 

While I love elegant Martha Stewart-esque cakes, they just aren't me :-)

As I frosted and decorated I remembered a time in my childhood... 

I was a Girl Guide, not older than 6 or 7 and it was Christmas time. We decorated gingerbread men and awards were passed out for "Best Decorated Cookie", "Most Unique Gingerbread Man" etc.....

I won the award " Most Candy on One Cookie"

Yep, no joke folks, I was the kid who didn't want to waste a millimeter of real estate on that cookie - not a glimpse of gingerbread could be seen when I was done with it.

I thought of this as I decorated my good friend's birthday cake. 

Not an inch on the cake was without candy.

Hot lips, and jelly beans and lollipops and sprinkles. 

Given the up coming holiday, I went with a Valentines theme. Since my friend was sharing her birthday with another friend of hers, I put both their initials out of solid chocolate on the cake.

A sweet tooth's dream :-)

Now, I never claimed to be a master cake maker, or even a decent one. But this cake was a hit! Everyone agreed, it reminded them of their childhood, when birthday cakes were fun and whimsical - and homemade. When you could cover a cake ( or cookie) in candy and not feel guilty. 

While everyone enjoyed the cake, it was not the only special thing I brought for the birthday girl :-) Over the last week I have been working away on a very special gift. Something unique, and thoughtful, and inspired by one of the kindest artists I know.

A special something, to put something special in :-)

A keepsake box, that fits in the palm of the hand. 

The outside stamped with a Robert Louis Stevenson quote

"We are all travellers in this world, and the very best we can hope to find in our travels is an honest friend"

The very first piece I have made of this kind, I was so happy with how it turned out. 

Jen got weepy, then I almost got weepy, then we laughed and hugged and talked about the wonderful things that could go inside. 

I subtly hinted to her boyfriend that a ring would fit just perfectly. He thanked me for forever outdoing him when it came to the gift department (oops- sorry!)

Don't worry - I of course offered my help in picking out something to go in the box ;-p

Sometimes it takes a good friend to challenge you. To be there when you succeed, or when you fail. To tell you, "yes your butt looks big in those jeans" and "Don't let it get to you, you are better than that!"

A friend who is honest, and caring a kind, that brings out a better you. 

When I started this project I told Dan about it, and said, "It would be so great - but can I do it ?"

He said, "of course you can"

Sometimes you have friends who are surprised by what you are capable of. Sometimes you have friends who just know, and believe it more than you.

I am lucky enough to have one of each.

♥

It's a bird, it's a plane... it's the...

Olympics!

Thats right folks, for those of you who didn't know, I am based in Vancouver BC, the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and everything around these parts is Olympicky. Red and White adorn house after house, and light shows light up the skies at night. In fact the lights on the mountains are so bright you can see them from across the city.

Everything is coming together, except one little thing....

The snow.

Yep you heard right, we have no snow.

Ok so I shouldn't say NONE, but it has been unseasonably warm here. Warm in a "no coat required" kind of way. Everyday their have been truck loads of snow transported from the BC interior up to Cypress mountain. 

The funny thing is, with last years devastating amounts of snow, power outages and ice issues, not one seems concerned! People are enjoying the sunshine ( I know I surely am!) 

Besides the lack of snow, the Olympic buzz around here is crazy. Schools are dismissed for 2 weeks, and the torch is coming through my area of town today. In fact, it is going right past my parents house,where I grew up. Unfortunately, I will be at work, and will miss this once in a lifetime event :-( 

Before you ask, No, I will not be attending any Olympic events. As much as I would love to see Hockey ( hello, I am Canadian, we are born to love Hockey!) or figure skating ( ex figure skater over here!) the tickets are just insanely priced. At a few hundred $$ per ticket, I don't know anyone that is attending :-( We have also be warned that for any event there will be an average of 2 hour security check wait, and Hockey will bring 3 hours. 

So, we will see what the next two weeks will bring around here. I may just be at home alot, since the traffic with undoubtably be ridiculous to get anywhere in this city.

I will be blogging about it from time to time, no doubt with crazy stories from my job in retail (whomever coined the phrase "there are no stupid questions" was sooooo wrong) 

Next blog post with pictures of new pretties I promise :-)

cheerio!

My Hands are a Constant Reminder...

 Manicures will never be in the cards for me ;-p

My hands are a constant reminder of my dream job - making pretty things for lovely people like YOU.

Tonight, my hands are blackened; It's been a long day of work. 

I have one new war wound to add to the forever growing list. One quick slip and my index finger (err, that would be the flip the bird finger to some of  you hehehe) is sporting a new gash.

Band-Aids were made for people like me!

The fruits of my labours were so very worth it though, I can't wait to show you everything.

But believe it or not, it is just too much for one post, so I will be doing it in installments. Three for today, and more to come :-) Oh I told you, I have been busy!

....Without further adieu... possibly one of my most favorites to date...

HONEY BLOSSOM Necklace

Sterling silver, Turquoise, Citrine 

I can smell it now, that sweet scent of honeysuckle in the air - a true sign that spring is turning into summer. Tiny blossoms pop up in scatters, bright with colour, enticing the honey bees...

They fly in a flurry around, sucking up the sweet pollen. A tasty treat is in the works. 

Golden nectar, warm in colour, slightly crystalline Honey. 

This earthy and exposed citrine is the most inviting shade of honey. Light dances off its facets like the bees jump from flower to flower. Calmed by a soft blue Pilot Mountain Turquoise, and flaunting several petals of hand formed sterling silver, this necklace has amazing 3d appeal. 

A show stopper, an eye catcher, and possibly a mouth waterer :-) 

2.25 inches wide 1.5 inches tall. 17 inches of chain with decorative clasp. Oxidized for depth.

------------------------------------------------------------------

FERN Ring Size 7.25

Sterling Silver and Turquoise

I spent my childhood playing in the forrest. Full of green. Green trees, green moss, and green ferns. We would run through the bush barefoot, because as kids there was never enough time to do such time consuming things as put shoes on. The ferns would tickle your toes and brush against your ankles. Some were tall and grassy, others curly or even a little furry. 

They seemed to pop out of nowhere and everywhere. I saw one grow right up through a paved road in front of my yard. Not over time, but literally overnight. The power of something trying to reach sunlight amazed me. They seemed so tough for something that was so delicate. 

FERN ring has been comprised around a gorgeous brown and green matrix Turquoise. Like the ferns in the back bush from my childhood, this FERN has a mix of soft curls and pointed plumes. Meant to tickle the hand rather than toes and ankles, FERN measures 1 1/4 inches wide by tall. Oxidized for depth, ready to be strong for you in your most delicate times.

------------------------------------------------------------------

BERRIES AND CREAM Ring Size 7.5

Sterling Silver and Porcelain Jasper

Nothing beats the fresh berries that grow around here in the summertime. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, huckleberries - any berries, I like them all! 

Picked when perfectly ripe and they have fully developed their flavour from long days in the sun, blackberries are my favorite. Sweet plump and juicy - nothing beats them! 

Blackberries grow wide around here everywhere, in the summer months people pull of the roads in their cars just to pick them for a mid afternoon snack. I have been known to do this from time to time. However, if my willpower is strong that day, and I make it home with said berries, I feel I deserve to indulge in a decadent summertime treat : Berries and Cream. 

And when the summer heat melts that ice cream just enough, that the berry's deep purple colour is swirled within.... heaven. 

BERRIES AND CREAM has been fabricated around a Porcelain Jasper which I had cut around the patterns in the stone. It displays that sweet berry purple and soft vanilla cream combination in such a beautiful pairing. Hand fabricated sterling scallops mimic the profile of a blackberry, as if just plucked from its thorny branch.

Sitting on an 8mm wide flower and vine ring shank. Measuring in at 1.5 inches tall. Oxidized for depth.

------------------------------------------------------------

All of these juicy delights will be in the shop by monday afternoon :-)

Another Custom Order= Done

This one put me out of my element for sure. It was a challenge, and I sure hope I did it justice! A special gift for a friend to give to his lady on Valentines. 

Sterling silver and Turquoise filigree style cross. 

I have never done a cross before, I hope it is well received! The idea was to resemble something that may have been passed down through the family. Something antique, well loved and cherished.

Red Canyon

Have you ever visited a place where the earth was red beneath your feet ? 

Warm, rich, brick red earth.

Where the land is carved out of layers of reds,browns and amber earth, scattered with shrubbery and brambles.

Coils of branches keep close to the ground, and lichen grows in nooks and crannies. 

A place that can be scalding hot, and then freezing cold in the blink of an eye.

The mighty Condor flies overhead, guarding his peaks and valleys. The grey fox skulks amongst the boulders.

A big horn stands stoic in the distance along the horizon.

RED CANYON Necklace is fabricated around a stunning Noreena Jasper. I have hand formed sterling silver "shrubs" to grow around it, and adorned it with a tiny dessert blossom with a 3mm faceted purple Amethyst. Full of peaks and valleys, it tells a tell just like the great Grand Canyon does. A story all your own, to be passed down for generations.

In the shop shortly ♥

LOVE is in the air sale!!

Its been a while folks - here it is, the big sale of the season! I don't do these discount sales often any more, so if you have had your eye on something, now is the time to treat yourself or someone you love!

C'mon.... you know you wanna.......

Custom Fun

I love a good custom order - they challenge me, and it's a special feeling to know the customer trusted you to come up with something that will speak to both them and you :-)

For a lovely lady

I do hope she loves it :-)