Sapphire: September's Birthstone

I have to admit, I am usually not into birthstones.  Probably because I do not like mine very much, just not a big fan of turquoise or topaz, they just don't call to me. 

However, this month, September, has a fabulous birthstone: Sapphire.

I know what you're thinking: Blue. 

Yes, sapphire is most commonly seen as that wonderful deep blue gemstone.  One of the most famous being Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring -- don't get me wrong, it was lovely, but a bit large for my tastes.

 Photo Credit

As I understand, the ring is now being worn by Kate Middleton, Prince William's lovely bride.  However, I am not a big follower of royalty, so that could be totally wrong.

But Sapphire, though so often thought of as just blue, comes in a wonderful variety of colors, shades, and even a funky similar stone, called Star Sapphire.

Photo Credit

Really, the colors are just about endless.  Personally I like the purple/pink hues.  But, my mother enjoys the yellow hues. I usually buy the blue stones for the shop--but that is more out of habit than anything. 

Sapphire is also a wonderfully tough stone -- it's up there on the Mohs scale near diamond on hardness, meaning even the natural stones, those that are untreated make a wonderful briolette for jewelry designers to work with and not worry as much about the briolette breaking.

Photo Credit

But the fun kicks in with looking at stones, when you start reading about their metaphysical properties.

Since sapphire belongs to the family of the four most precious stones in the world (the others being, of course: diamond, ruby and emerald) it has a long history for people talking about the metaphysical properties.

Some of the more common properties are, protection, prophetic wisdom, and safety on journeys.  Plus, they are shiny and blue.

I admit it, I am a little jealous of my sister, who is lucky enough to have this birthstone.  But, maybe I will be lucky and find out turquoise and topaz have some cool meanings I am overlooking.

Tell me in the comments what you think of September's Birthstone.

Back to School

The kids go back next week.  I have already started back, but I can hardly wait until they get on the bus that first day.  I may literally spend the entire morning sitting on my patio drinking coffee, ALONE.

I know that may sound a bit...ummm...selfish?  Heartless?  Anticipatory?  But, trust me, you would understand if you went through the back-to-school shopping I have been through.  It's just too much this year.

See, my older two kids (and to a lesser extent, my youngest) have gone through massive growth spurts in the last year or so (mostly over summer) and unfortunately, they no longer fit into 'kid sizes'.

Oh, kid sizes, I do miss you so.  When my kids were 5, they wore a size five perfectly.  When they were 8, it was the same,  9 meant a size ten, but you get the picture.

Now the poor kids are going into the dreaded adult sizes, where you have to try everything on to make sure the manufacturers are not bat - sh!t crazy in their sizing.  The worst is Madison, because she has to contend with juniors vs. women's sizes.  Like her mama, even though she is not yet to her middle school growth spurt (this winter I bet) she seems to be skipping junior sizes all together.

It's the pain and suffering that comes from a curvy body, child-bearing hips and well, the infamous "Butler" butt.  Plus, she is at the point where she is ready for the growth spurt but has not hit it, so she still has that baby-fat around the middle. Poor thing.

But really, why is it so difficult to go through the natural changes a body must make facing ridicule and teasing because she is not a naturally stick-thin person, and never, ever will be. I hate that about society, that we make young girls feel badly about themselves to such impossible levels, it's hard to keep a handle on it, no matter how much you tell your daughter, "You are perfect just the way you are, and don't listen to those at school that say bad things."

It's tough as a mother.  Because on the one hand, I want to protect her for all of the crap, but I know kids in middle school and high school especially are cruel.  On the other hand, teaching her that dessert every night may not be the way to go about things is also tough, because I don't want to be the one to give her that complex. 

At least she has a ready set pile of fabulous accessories since her mama makes jewelry, right?

The conversations my kids have...

I am sitting in my room, writing diligently about "servant-leadership" theory, which frankly is quite an interesting topic. Although I am struggling at finding a 'leader' to interview for my first paper.  I am thinking of going the non-traditional route and interviewing someone who is a servant-leader but not in a traditional 'leadership' position.

But, that is neither here nor there.

While I am sitting here, writing about Greenleaf and Hesse and what I can see as their philosophies on servant first leaders, I hear a heated discussion going on in the living room (my office and work-space for the shop are in a tiny corner of my three bedroom apartment, hey, times are tough.) between my three kids.

It went like this:

Aidan:  I think Mommy should be black widow, because she already has red hair.

Madison :  I think if she is black widow, she will complain about the pleather outfit.

Timmy:  Do you think if she is Black Widow, that Dad will be Hawkeye?

At this moment I literally spewed coffee from my lips, thank god I was looking away from the computer at the time.

However, shortly after this argument, they all came running in asking if I was going to be Black Widow for Halloween.  They all sounded like the kid from "Home Alone" finding out he was "Home Alone".

"Well," I said, "I haven't really given it much thought...being not even September and all."

They then went into this talking over each other argument about the importance of Mommy being black widow, so they could be other "Avengers" for Halloween.

You know what?  I am thinking they are getting a little old for this holiday anyhow, although I am certain that if their Dad does happen to make it home (after four deployments, a tour in korea and two full years living down in Louisiana, where I can't breathe) for halloween, he will be certain to take them out for the candy.

Here's to hoping I can get what I want out of it though, and have him dress up as Wolverine.  Or any Hugh Jackman character for that matter--even the dude from "Kate and Leopold."

It makes me wonder though, about two things:  how early do you prepare for holidays in your shop, or even in general?

Hand me the coffee, and back away slowly...

So I am writing this way too late -- and have found myself having to make to-do lists again.  See the thing is, I generally have a killer memory in things I have to do, but I think that sense of accomplishment goes a long way of checking things off the to-do list.

Therefore, even though I should be writing about the jewelry show from last weekend -- and some of the lovely gemstones both my mother and daughter picked out, I won't. 

See, I have this list...and it's a bit crazy.  It's full of amazingly unrelated things, like clean the kitchen, and return library books, smashed in-between do your homework and update social media.  By the way, no where on there did I add 'write blog post', because I thought I had enough on there --- yet here I am, trying to use coffee time productively. 

See, Maggie here (puts up two thumbs "this guy" style) literally can not function without coffee in the morning.  I am talking to the point of not being able to form simple coherent sentences.  In fact, some of my friends, when they figure this out (even though I tell them, they think I am exaggerating) decide to call me at the butt-crack of dawn and listen as a generally communicative personality suddenly can not form a sentence. Then they laugh, at least for a full day, sometimes it stretches into a week or so.

I hear it's quite funny.

But, to be honest, I really have a long, intense list for today...yet, here I am, avoiding it, so that I can enjoy another cup o' joe.  Speaking of Joe--I know this whole coffee addiction started years ago, while in uniform.  Yes this girl (two thumbs) was in the US Army at one time in her life.

 If you would like to help other people in Uniform get their coffee fix, please donate to cup of Joe for a Joe: http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/

It's a great program and makes men and women overseas so happy to be the lucky one to get that cup of Joe, while downrange.

And, I promise, one of these days I will show all the lovely jewels I got at the show -- right after I finish my list and revamp this blog, I really hate how the top looks these days.

I honestly do love you, Washington State.

There are a lot of reasons I choose to live in the Pacific Northwest -- one of those reasons, however, is not our stunningly reliable weather.

 I recently started re-shooting some pictures of items -- as well as finally getting around to shooting pictures of new items I have made since, well, about March -- and don't you know after a whole summer of skyrocketing temperatures and consistent sunshine, it decided to cloud over. Just as I was getting the camera together and choosing the lens to shoot with. Maybe I should just go for those post-apocalyptic pictures of items that seem to always make it to etsy's front page -- you know, since I have it built in here in Seattle. Don't get me wrong, those pictures are so lovely, so wonderful, and always have such wonderful qualities. But be honest now -- when am I going to be in lighting like that?


 So I go for 'natural lighting' which as many people say, is sunshine at like high noon on the equator or something... you know have a gunfight at the OK Corral at the same time out there while you are setting your props and models for shoots of earrings.

But really, what is 'natural lighting' up here? It's certainly not the sun...which leads me to one of the many reasons I actually choose to live here.

 Unlike one of my best friends from High School -- I am really not a big fan of heat or sunshine. Sure, I enjoy some summer days -- but much like the cold, dead, rain in winter here, after a few months it just gets old. Plus there is that whole allergy thing with dust, so when there is not rain, I am miserable -- another reason it took me so long to get back onto my shop page this year.

So, today when the sun made its appearance between the hours of 1:05 pm and 1:12 pm, I made sure I got a few pictures before the sun retreated. It's not high noon, but it's not post-apocalyptic either. Here are a few of the pictures -- some of these are not in the shop yet, but I will get there eventually:

The Sun is out, and well, it's pretty hot...

OMG, what a summer it has been -- I mean roller-coaster hot weather,  a shocking minor surgery, job search, job search, job search.  I have barely had time to look at my jewels let alone make the new ones I have had designed in my head for months now.

I have done a lot of soul searching in the midst of my insane couponing to make ends meet this year off (not by choice, mind you) and I keep seeing "if you don't love it, don't chase after it."  That really resonates with me as the summer winds down and I get ready to send the hellions (I mean my wonderful, darling children) back to school.  (Will that day ever really come?  I am one terrible stay-at-home mom.).

I keep thinking about my jobs I have done -- you know, in PR, Marketing, etc.  And while I like it enough to get out of bed with a smile on every morning  there are really two places in those job descriptions I love:

1) Research.   I am really more of a balanced individual when I research almost anything.  The last year I spent a lot of time researching theory of leadership as it relates to the military rank structure and how the federal government hires who they hire and why -- plus the impact those things have on current operations during the pending draw-down.   I know I know, from a stay at home mom/ jewelry designer who is really bad about updating her store and blog.  Makes absolutely no sense, right?  But, it makes my blood really move with passion when I look into not only what is going on, but how to make it better, ya know?

2) Relationship Building.   I love to build community and relationships online and offline.  There can be no real reason for a relationship to form -- for example, one of my neighbors who is also unemployed during the 'recession' (let's be honest, this really is a depression that has been faked to look like a lingering 'recession') is also suddenly into couponing to make ends meet.  So who was the first person I told about the insane deal on Vitamin Water I found (after my mom)...the neighbor lady in the same situation as me.

Now -- what does this have to do with jewelry making?  Absolutely nothing, I just thought maybe I would open up a bit and give a glimpse of my real personality. Which, by the way, is a bit neurotic.

But, the sun is out -- its not as warm today...so finally I got off my but, out of my room, left the fan for a few minutes and didn't break out a single coupon to take some pictures of some new and older jewels.  They are up on the site now, after I showed my kiddos how to take close ups and edit in Picasa, you know so I can pay them to take pictures later on in the year.

Yeah, it's a family thing, this Etsy thing.

Another Jewelry Show

I don't know about you, but this economy is kicking my butt. My mother is at a planning session for her retirement (go Mom!) and we are planning between us if we can get into the fancy jewelry show that is going up here this weekend.

It's this one: International Gem and Jewelry Show . I really love this show, went a few times in Huston and Austin when I lived in Texas, have been to the Portland one, and as often as I can, I go to the Seattle one.

The only trouble is, a few years back they started charging full pop for kids to get in, insane. Granted, I always have the coupon, bringing the price to 6 bucks entrance from 8, which sounds pretty good.  That is, until you realize there are three kids, and my Mom that go with me, bringing my cost up to almost 40$ just to walk through the door.

I know it seems ridiculous, but in order to keep my prices reasonable for the stuff I like to sell, I have to keep the costs of my materials down. It's bad enough how much gold and silver are now, wow!

A decent pair of earrings now costs over 18 bucks at COST when I use the silver and gold-filled, because the ear-wires and wire alone are above 10. Add to that production costs, and keeping these prices down is hard, hard, hard work.  It's like couponing, selling your own stuff.  Which I do do :)

But, I do have a few designs in mind I hope to bring you in the coming weeks--that is, if we decide we can go.  Otherwise, we are hitting up the 'gemfair' at the Tacoma Dome. Which unfortunately has some very pretty beads right as you enter the door, but they guy who runs that booth is so rude I can not bring myself to buy there -- NO MATTER how pretty the gems are.

Well, off to clean off the beading desk and prepare for the future spring ahead--since I took much of winter off trying to maintain my 4.0 in my masters. 

That's right, I did it, mission accomplished!  4.0 for almost an entire academic year at Gonzaga University!  Woot!

Haven't thought about that for a while...

Oh well, may as well come straight out and say it.  I haven't been making jewelry -- because I do not have that other 'jewelry' support mechanism, a job.  Yes, yes, yes,  I use the day-job to support the jewelry business, although you would think I would be making lots-oh-jewels being out of work this long, right?

Maybe soon.  I finally got off my bumm and mostly cleaned off my jewelry making table.  I luckily have a four day weekend with the kids off school, so there's no running around after them all afternoon, thank goodness.  Am I the only one who is like, "why do you all have to have such vastly different schedules--can't we get this lined up better?"  It's just so weird: Hunt down Timmy at 3 pm, Aidan at 4pm, Maddie at 5 pm -- killing the whole evening.  Then it's dinner, homework, (ahem, for them and me, lol) and getting ready for the next day. 

How do you stay at home moms do it??  Seriously!

So the really big news besides the "yes, yes, I am going to start making pretty shiny stuff again,"  is the last couple of sales.  I didn't really do any marketing over the last year.  I haven't really been pushing myself in the jewelry sales arena because, well frankly, I have been busting my hump looking for a J-O-B.

But, two super fun sales over about the last week--kinda highlighted my days:

That is the "pretty in pink" jade necklace above--and the natural Australian opal below.  The color of the opal is fun, and actually a simple reason why it is not "white" with those flecks of color you see in 'traditional' Australian fire opal.

Maybe another blog...although that particular necklace is one of a kind.