And the winner is...plus some other stuff

Robyn! You are the winner of my little blog contest! Yay! Thanks to everyone who voted! I am suprised a little - seems like a lot of people have never seen Miracle on 34th St. You should check it out. It's such a sweet, totally 50's movie. I love that era, the innocence of it. Anyway, it's great. Natalie Woods best movie by a mile. So Yay Roby, you are gonna be gettin' a pair of my new resin drop earrings just for giving me your two cents!

So I hope everyone one had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I for one did my due diligence and stuffed myself until near popping. Which, for future reference, I would would suggest avoiding if you have recently had abdominal surgery. Not a great idea. But the food was yummy and the company was even better.

And last but not least, the holidays are upon us, like it or not. So I am going to try to blog everyday - offering up some holiday suggestions - mostly gift related but possibly some recipes here and there or some invaluable bits of wisdom! :) Okay, maybe not so much on the wisdom, but the shopping/gift buying I know a thing or two about. So, although I will offer up some ideas from people/places other than my own work, this first suggestion is straight from www.metalsgirl.com This is one of my most popular. See it just doesn't matter - young or old, funky or conservative - everyone seems to like these bangles and these skinny stacking rings. Get 'em in sterling silver, brass or 14k gold. And for a personal touch, add a silver charm with initials or a birthdate - your friend-sister-aunt-mom will love it!

Tell me which one is YOUR favorite!!

I have tried and tried and I just cannot decide which movie I like more when it comes to Chrismas movies. Of course I do have it narrowed down to the two - Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. But that just goes with out saying, right? I mean, what else is there to choose from? Maybe White Christmas, but nah, it's just these two.

So here's the deal. You tell me which one is your favorite. We'll see which one get's the most votes. And on Sunday November 30th I will draw one of the names from the list of voters and that person will win a pair of my brand new Resin Drop Earrings. Sounds fun, right?

Thanks in advance for participating!! Feel free to make arguments for why one movie is better than the other...or even make suggestions of other good holiday movies, understanding none can top these two! ;)

The blues...

I just made these new earrings!! They aren't even on my website yet - hopefully they will be by tomorrow evening. Anyway, I am lovin' 'em!! They look like little pools of shimmering water. In fact they are discs of sterling silver that I hammered into concave shapes that hold a little pool of aqua blue resin. They are dainty and sweet - I might just have to keep this pair for myself. Tomorrow I am gonna make more in red and pink and orange and purple and gold and...

We'll start here...

So when you tell someone that you foster dogs the next questions is always, without fail, "how many dogs do you have?" I have 11 dogs. It's a real lot, I know. And no, we don't live in the country. And we aren't weirdo collectors. :) It's just that after fostering for nearly 10 years a few have decided not to leave. Anyway, the dogs and fostering are a big part of who I am so I thought I would start introducing you to them one at a time. So this is Preacher. My "Big Man". He is a 10 year old Great Dane that we adopted from Great Dane Rescue in Dallas when he was just under a year old. He was deaf and no one wanted him. Well, it was their loss. He is smart, sweet, and handsome as all get out! :)

I know an author! I think that makes me cool!

This is seriously so cool! As long as I have know Fara she has talked about "Jake the Dot" - a coffee table book meets coloring book meets inspiring message. This year "Jake" became a reality! It is a wonderful, wonderful book that you should own. And you can get your very own copy - and copies for great Christmas gifts - this Tuesday November 25th at the Holiday Art Fair @ the Gingerman! I'll be there with my jewelry, there will be cool clothes, baked goods, soft-as-can-be quilts, bags, knit wear for those soon-to-be cold nights, and even more!! We'll be there from aroun 6-9ish! Come see us and get your copy of "Jake the Dot"! Support local creativity!!!

Meet the REAL Willie Nelson!

Let me start by saying that this unbelievably cute dog is available for adoption! I wanted to start with that because if you feel you need to leave my blog and rush over to http://www.bluedogrescue.com/ to find out more about this cutie pie - well I completely understand. I know that I cannot compete with a cute dog and I'm okay with that. His name is Willie Nelson and if you adopt him he will sing Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain to you....okay, not really, but with a face like that he doesn't really need to do tricks! Believe it or not this adorable dog has gotten very little adoption interest. Just blows my mind because he's adorable and he's even enrolled in an obedience class learning everything it takes to be a well behaved boy. If you or someone you know is in the market for a dog make sure you head straight for a rescue dog!! Willie Nelson is just one example of the dogs that fill our local shelters. Millions of dogs just like Willie are euthanized every year for no better reason that lack of space. Now if you're thinking, "But I want a pure bred Pug.", I have three things for you - one: Isn't it more important to save a life than to get a dog because you like the look of it? two: if you have to get a pure bred dog look for a pure breed rescue. Just google "pug rescue" or "standard poodle rescue" or whatever the breed is - I promise you you'll find a rescue group for that breed. and three: why get a dog that looks like thousands of other dogs when you can get a dog that looks like Willie Nelson! Well, he looks a little young for Willie Nelson...oh, you get my point!!!

1000 Markets

I was browsing through some blogs the other day and read about this new online market place... 1000 Markets. I scooted on over there to check it out. And I really liked what I saw. It's a bit different from the other online market places, namely etsy. Now before I go a step further let me say - I luv etsy! I am an etsy junkie! But I think there is room for more. So, with that said, 1000 Markets is a bit different. For one it's juried. So you have to apply to be able to have a shop there, which is kinda cool. And each shop has it's own blog - Love that idea! And it's own Facebook style "wall" to write on. I love these components because it just makes it all so much more personal. I would luuuuuv to be able to go to art shows and meet all these cool folks in person, but since we are scattered all over the world this is a great substitute. So check out 1000 Markets! It's new, let's see if we can help get this baby off the ground. Check out my shop (pictured above) http://www.1000markets.com/users/metalsgirl Buy handmade this holiday season. In this strained economy it's even more important to support the little guy. And here at 1000 Markets you can buy handmade and find gifts for the kids in your life, men, neighbors, coworkers, grandparents, loved ones - all in one stop! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

'Tis the season!

So I've been thinking, I've got all these gifts to buy, I need to be promoting my "shop", decorating, sending cards, baking, oh the pressure of the holidays. But I put the pressure on myself. I always want it to be prefect. Not only look perfect but feel perfect. Make sure I get the most out of all of the holiday experiences. The tough part is that this is my busiest time of the year. So slowing down to enjoy the moment is tough. While I've been laid up in bed I've been thinking of my next mass e-mail. What do I want to say, when should I send it, should I have a "special", etc. I started thinking about what I would like to see in this kind of e-mail if it were coming from someone else. And you know what, I think everyone want's the same thing as me, to just enjoy the holidays without so much stress. So here is my itty bitty way that I thought I could help. Some of you know that I am a bit of an etsy addict. Talk about feeling good when you buy. Here is a way to not buy from the big box store and still get your goodies shipped right to your house! You are supporting handmade and shopping online! It's brilliant! So here are some of my suggestions:

*kids: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=36690 I have bought these super cute kids clothes for friends kids and they love them!

*neighbors/coworkers: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5797821 If you don't have time to bake these are soooo yummy and not boring at all!

*friends who need to learn to be green: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17270725 so cute and a great message!

*your funky, fun aunt/sister/friend: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5171535 I got one of these for me and one for my mom!

*the eclectic boy in your life: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5043927 I bought the "cool beans" t-shirt for my little brother. No other kid in his high school has one like it!

*And of course, for everyone in your life: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5109160 :)

Hope this may be of some help to some of you. I'll post more ideas as the season speeds along. Let's all try to stay sane together!!

Who needs a stinkin' gall bladder anyway?

Would you like to see where I'll be spending all of my time over the next few days? Right here in my bed wondering how they can pull an entire organ out of such a tiny hole. Seriously, I had my gall bladder removed and I have four teeny tiny incisions across my belly. Now I don't know how big a gall bladder actually is, but I would assume that it is bigger than a grain of rice and I swear these cuts aren't any bigger than that. Now with that said the pain is MUCH larger than a grain of rice! But I have this wonderful, ushy, squshy, comfy, cozy bed and a sweet, doting husband to help me recover! I am sure I'll be back in the studio in no time at all!!

Christmas cards, already?

I know it's only the very beginning of November but I've got to start thinking about these things. So what do you think about this photo for our Christmas card picture? Let me back up a bit - every year I include a photo of one of our dogs in our Christmas card. i try to use a different dog every year - and with 11 to choose from, well, I never have to use the same dog year after year. So, let me introduce you to Preacher. He is our 10 year old Great Dane. We rescued him from Great Dane Rescue in Dallas when he was just 10 months old. Is he not the most gorgeous boy you have EVER seen? he was dumped by his "lovely" breeder when they discovered he was deaf. Well let me tell you, a deaf dog is a blessing in disguise. I'm not saying all breeds would be "good" deaf dogs - but Preacher is AWESOME! No barking when the doorbell rings, I can vaccuum right next to his head - well, he is just the best dog in the whole world. His only fault - he can get the bread off the top of the fridge. Our solution: a bread box! Anyway, I stray from my point...Isn't this a great photo for a Christmas Card? All the white and all? i love it! And I absolutely love to bits my big Preacher Man!!

All happy and ready to go!

So here's me. Happy as a clam. Just home from a wonderful seven days in New York City. We have a new president elect. The weather is cool and the holidays are right around the corner. Life is good, really good. In fact, it's so good I am wanting to share - so here's the deal: Place an order on http://www.metalsgirl.com/ and tell me you loved my blog photo (hey, I don't mind fishing for compliments!) and I'll send you a free gift along with your order!! Now you've gotta order this week - sometime before Sunday November 16th. Any questions? Shoot me an comment or an e-mail. Happy Fall!

Oh Happy Day!

Come on people, Vote!

I know, I know, you're getting it from all angles. If you turn on the tv you are blasted with it. Head out of your house and your neighbors have the signs in the yard. The bumper stickers, billboards, buttons, radio ads - the message is everywhere - Vote! And here I am adding to the onslaught of it all. Well, it's because it's crazy important. Okay, so not only is it important, but it's super cool too if you think about it. If you are old enough you get a say so in who the next LEADER OF THE NATION is. That's huge! HUGE! So many of us have become so complacent. We seem to have forgotten that not even that long ago women couldn't vote! If you were black, you couldn't vote! Only white men could vote - how insane is that? Now, we can all cast our ballot. I never want to forget all of the people before me who fought for my rights. The best way we can honor those people is to take advantage of the rights they fought for. So vote. Vote. Educate yourself and vote. If you are sick of all the news shows and the commercials and don't know who to believe, visit this web site http://www.votehelp.org/ It's great. It will ask you a bunch of questions and show you which candidate shares your views. It's cool and pretty fun and interesting even if you already know who you are voting for. Now don't forget to vote! :)