Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice, also called Litha or Midsummer, is the celebration of the sun's peak of power at the end of the waxing cycle of the wheel. Mirroring the winter solstice, this is the longest day of the year.

This holiday is celebrated throughout many cultures as the time when the God begins to weaken and leaves the side of the Goddess to travel to the underworld where He will ultimately meet His death. This pending "death" of the God, illustrated in nature by the death of the sun and the coming of winter, is difficult to imagine during the scorching heat of summer. Nevertheless, the wheel of the season turns and we acknowledge His fate, knowing that we have planted seeds that will soon reap benefits before the long winter arrives.

Appropriate rituals for this holiday include personal purifications, charging ritual objects with the sun's power, the making of mead (honey ritual wine) and all healing work.

shards of crystal

... stayed awake until 4 AM after discovering how to wrap crystal shards last night. I was so excited! I have been attempting this for months now and finally figured it out. YAY 4 me!!!

Now I just need to move away from my desk and go outside. It's too addictive doing something like that. I could sit here for days.

it follows me...

I'm back to making astrological jewelry. As much as I try to run away from it... it always comes back to haunt me. YIKES!

Actually, I love it... kind of...

My only issue is with the Gemini anklet I made. Sterling says it won't sell because it is yellow. The Gemini folk complained that they wanted it a different color. So I am remaking them in a light blue, silver and green-yellow combo. I don't want to... the color for Gemini is yellow. But... I guess I gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

I really like yellow. I don't know what the big deal is.

It's 2:39 AM and I need to cuddle with the cats now. Time for animal therapy. YAY!!!

wonderful day!

I try to approach every day as "wonderful". I am blessed with a wonderful husband, 2 wonderful kids and 4 wonderful cats. When I get upset, I hug one of my cats, when I need comfort, I talk to my husband, and when I need a laugh, I go to my children. I know that not everyone has these luxuries, so I count my blessings.

My life is less than perfect. Money is tight and there is never enough time in a day to accomplish everything. But, what really makes life wonderful are the little things we overlook sometimes.

I'm going to make today wonderful by listening to music while doing laundry, burning a scented candle while I catch up on work, and make my mom an anklet "just because she is special". When she receives it she will smile, and that's what makes life so wonderful

I need a week of weekends!

Whew! That was close. I thought there for a second that I was going to bounce a check. I saw my bank balance and ran out the door and jumped in the car and started driving to the bank. When I realized that I was wearing my daughters glasses instead of mine, I returned home and rechecked my bank balance to find out that check had cleared 5 days ago, so I was safe, The 5 minutes of pure panic and adrenaline has exhausted me. I really need a 7 day weekend. or another cup of iced coffee. (-:

am I hallucinating?

I finally used the 2 wonderful glass dome beads to make a pair of earrings. I have been staring at them for days now and designed, took photos and posted them today. Within 5 minutes of my Etsy post I see that 2 other people also had used the SAME dome beads to make earrings. Here I thought I had a one time item... Murphey's Law...

too funny!

Diamond glaze

So, I finally found some really nice fairy charms. The problem is that they are so thin, they are like razors. No one in their right mind is going to wear these things. I also cannot believe the person who sold me things isn't crazy. Anyways, I found a solution...

diamond glaze.

My new BFF at "Bead Soup" told me about it. All I have to do is glaze the razor sharp charms with this and "ta da"... my problem = solved.

Of course, I will probably never sell any of these because it's all Murphey's Law... but hey... that's life in my world.

Time to get myself together and get that diamond dust stuff... chat later!

spontaneous breakage

So I found a new shop with fantastic beads on Saturday. Some are pretty expensive, but they are unique and wonderful. Anyways, I purchased some glass beads of wonderful colors and unique shapes. While stringing one last night, it spontaneously broke! It was just sitting on my desk and "snap"... it was split into 2! I did nothing to instigate this and am confused as to HOW exactly a piece of glass would just do this.

Hmmmm......

Creative energy

Feeling so creative today. Maybe it's because the rain has stopped and the weather is beautiful, or maybe because my new charms arrived today, or maybe just because I had dreams about my father last night. Either way, I am enjoying today and think I'll celebrate with some wine tonight!

The Bead Depot

I discovered a new bead store that was pretty good. It's the "Bead Depot" in Glen Burnie. The best part of my trip was discovering the tiny football bead that I will use to make the Univ of Florida anklet. I also found some unusual beads that I will use to create some unique anklets with a beach flair. Off I go to create... !

breaking the brain freeze

Finally!

My brain is not frozen. I made some super groovy anklets last night and will post a new one every day. I am also re-doing some anklets that I think are really not "groovy". I am so psyched!

Unfortunately there is a delay in the anklet sales in Florida. The sweet owner's mother died the day the anklets arrived, so I will wait until she is ready to put them out. Poor woman. I pray her for and her loss. I lost my father 3 years ago and it was so devastating.

So tonight I think I will make an anklet in honor of her mom.

Friday 5 PM...

and my cat knows it. I really think he can tell time. He's on my lap refusing to get off of me. That's OK. It puts me in a great mood. Going to sell some anklets at the street fair tomorrow in Laurel, MD at the Crystal Fox. Mermaid, Fairy and Goddess ones that I love and will sad to see leave my house. Still sitting on the Swarovski crystal beads. Not totally sure what to do with those yet...

new charms

In the midst of all the excitement in my life, my new charms arrived today. Let's see... I have fairy charms, mermaid charms, "woof" charms, and 2 other charms with words on them. The fairy charms were the biggest let down because I thought they'd be nicer, but the other charms were all super great. I really needed this surprise today. Yesterday was rough.

Yesterday... my hard drive died. I have now lost 7 years of my computer life. I tried everything to retrieve the data (including putting it in the freezer over night) but with no avail. Then, it was decided that I needed to work outside the home for an increase in my income. This is frazzling especially when all your information is on the deceased hard drive. I have worked all day to gather it and even applied for a job, which I am sure not to get. Right now jobs are scarce and I am hesitant to think anyone will hire me.

So, the little gifts were nice today.

I also sold an anklet on Etsy. I was so excited! I gave my buyer a special extra anklet as well for her purchase.

Sometimes with all the stress in life, it is nice to have little bleeps of happiness, even if it just some charms in the mail or someone purchasing your anklet.

Now it's time to shower and clean and relax. and maybe make a few anklets after everyone goes to sleep.

Hump Day

So... I cannot do anything until my Mac recognizes my external HD because everything I need is on that thing. I REALLY want to make more anklets, out in the sun, listening to the birds, BUT today is not the day for that. Maybe tomorrow...

Beautiful outside!

What am I doing inside on a day like today? I really want to go outside, but if I do then I HAVE to do yard work. It's a given... my back yard looks like a jungle.

So, looks like my anklet making will have to wait until later. Cannot play until I finish my work. YICK!

Monday...

Sometimes I wonder why I even go to sleep Sunday night with so much to do Monday morning. Anyways, I just got a bunch of beautiful Swarovski beads today and am wondering what I can make with these that isn't going to look anything other than marvelous. That is why I am putting them away for a while. Today is not the day to ponder that. I have to much to do...

Getting ready to pull some things off of Etsy and send to Florida. I'm not selling much and I seem to have interest down south. I'm crossing my fingers on this...

JoAnn Fabrics is driving me crazy. According to their stock, they have 10 spools of my beading string, but no one can find it. Looks like I will be doing more creative beading today since I am now out of that string.

OK... time to run... busy busy...

getting away

Spent yesterday in Baltimore with my husband. I had no idea how badly I needed to get out of this house. Being outside with him and then dinner and a party, was the best mini-vacation ever! Woke up today feeling refreshed and less stressed.

It's amazing how we get into "ruts" and don't realize it. I was actually dreading leaving my bedroom. I didn't want to get dressed up and certainly did not want to get in the car and go anywhere. Isn't that strange? After a few hours of being away I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and started to feel happy. I had no idea how badly I needed a break.

Anyways, we all need a break from our routine. Life should be lived and doing the same thing every day is not living. Let's not forget that.

Have a great remainder of the weekend!

Headspace

Finally got my headspace and make some wonderful beachy anklets for someone in Florida. I am going to be selling a few in a shop and this will be a "test" to see if I sell any. Tomorrow I will be spending the whole day with hubby so I will not be making any anklets. This is sad for me because being creative is such an outlet for stress. But, time away from your passion can sometimes be a good thing. Wish me luck!

Squirrels

I am now officially on squirrel patrol. I had the roof repaired yesterday and the little critters chased out of the attic. This morning they were back at it, trying to chew back into the attic. I have been chasing them away all day.

So, unfortunately, I have had a delay in my anklet productivity. But, it looks like things have quieted down now so I can resume. Today's project will be cat and wing charms. I have just received these cute angel wing charms as well as some adorable cat charms, so I think with the weather being so wonderful, I will sit outside and create some pretty anklets.

Creating anklets today...

I started the day staring at these "peace sign" charms I had ordered a while back. I had promised a friend of mine that I would make her a few and had yet to do so. Today was the day I thought I'd tackle that.

To me "peace" means balance and harmony. I decided to create small cards for the anklets to emphasize this. The anklets themselves were easy and simple. I didn't want to make the jewelry very complicated, but instead use some harmonious colors. Before I knew it I had finished hers and was making some for the Etsy store. FUN!

The problem with having so much fun is that I don't always get my other job finished, which is why I am still awake. Hobbies can be like that, especially when you feel passionate about what you are doing. I hope to sell some of these soon to help the animals.

Oh well, good night and soon I hope to fall asleep too! ~Christine

Hello!

Hello There and welcome to my new blog. I hope you enjoy your visit and my crazy anklet writings.

~Blessed Be!