I'M GOING BLIND!!

I have just spent the last 4 hours trying to organize my computer.  I have "stuff" sprayed all over the place and half of the time, I can't find what I'm looking for or it takes me way to much time searching for it.  I have a new Mac computer and I am experiencing quite a learning curve - to say the least.  I suppose it will all fall into place eventually but today was a blinding experience!!

On top of that adventure, I have spent the day trying to organize myself.  I say "trying" because I seriously think I am suffering from SADD - senior attention deficit disorder:O)  I start doing one thing then ten minutes later, I'm off on another project.  One minute I am taking pictures of my jewelry, the next minute I'm cleaning my studio, and from out of nowhere - I'm now on my computer.  I need to start a list and follow it - that's the only answer I can think of.  Any suggestions?

I'm kind of in a funk today anyway.  My class is having our 50th class reunion July 1st and I can't attend.  We have never had a reunion in all of these years and now I can't go!!  Why, you ask.  Because John and I are leaving on a 2 month RV trip in our Airstream Trailer June 27th.  We are headed to Camp Perry, Ohio again for his shooting competition.  We will be visiting friends along the way and when he is finished, we will go spend a few days with Dave and family.  I'm looking forward to that part but will miss not re-connecting with my classmates after all of these years.  I'm putting together a goodie bag to send to each of them and I'm going to include one of those cheap, disposable cameras.  I'm thinking that they will take lots of pictures for me and mail the cameras back so I can develop them and enjoy the moment that way.  I am planning a trip to Idaho next year sometime and hopefully will be able to connect with some of them at that time.  I love Idaho and there is so much beauty to be enjoyed there that I think it will be a great trip.

Here is a project that I'm working on.  I've been playing with these two pieces of sterling for weeks and just can't seem to come up with a good idea.  I think I am on the right track now and will be working with it some more tonight.  What do you think?  Any design ideas for me?

I am going to add silver balls along the right side of the oval where you see the black dots.  I am just trying to thing of some other way to connect the 2 pieces other than a jump ring......HELP

The silver was hand etched with a random pattern, but I see a coyote howling in the top piece and the swirl pattern is his tail - ok, maybe I have a big imagination but it looks like that to me:O)

Just received an email from a dear friend in Dayton, OH.  She already has a party planned for us when we arrive July 3/4.  We have several military friends in the area so it will be a good time.  Can't wait to see them.  I miss our military days.  We had a wonderful career and made the best friends in the world.  On a sadder note, I also received an email from John's secretary - when he was on active duty at Edwards AFB, CA - that another dear friend is in serious condition in the hospital.  No one seems to know what the problem is but she on a feeding tube and being given radiation.  It has something to do with her throat, and I hate to say this, but she has been a lifetime smoker.....Please say lots of prayers for her comfort and recovery.  I am just sick about this news;o(

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough now, I need to refocus and get something done before it gets dark.  Thanks for reading and if you have a minute, I would love to have your feedback on this piece of mine.  Hugs to all.

A Fashion Statement from Rena

I have been so busy lately setting up my website and traveling that I have sorely neglected my blog and I apologize.  I am sitting in beautiful Sedona, AZ at this very moment enjoying the natural beauty of the red rocks.  I wish you could all be here with me.

I am a big fan of Rena Klingenberg and her many publications for jewelers so today, I want to share one of her recent articles.  I will be featuring her in my blog regularly and I hope you enjoy and take advantage of her many wonderful ideas.

An Example of Wearing Jewelry that Contrasts with Your Clothes

by Rena Klingenberg on September 5, 2011

In the latest issue of my newsletter, I talked about wearing jewelry that contrasts with your clothes vs. jewelry that matches them.
I saw a perfect example of this a couple of days ago, when my mom and I were on an early-morning exercise walk in the mall.
These two mannequins in a store window kindly demonstrated the difference between jewelry that matches your outfit (on the left) and jewelry that contrasts with it (on the right):

Even though the gal on the left is wearing more jewelry (a double-strand necklace plus a bracelet and ring), you can hardly see her jewels at all.
Meanwhile, the fashion-savvy gal on the right wears just one piece of jewelry (a single-strand necklace), but it really makes a visual impact – even from farther away:

Now if only these two gals had good heads on their shoulders, the fashion-savvy one on the right could drop a hint to her friend on the left about accessorizing.

I love hearing from you so please post a big "hi and hello" to me if you like what I post;o)

IT WAS TIME

It was time for a change-a makeover-a new blog and it was time to re-brand myself.  I've had the official title of The Bear Affair for 20+ years.  It all started out when my sons gave me a gorgeous bear for Christmas one year.  Her name is Gloria Vanderbear and she still holds a place of reverence in my home.  I was doing alot of crafting in those days and bear collecting became my addiction.  At one point during a family visit, my grand daughter exclaimed to everyone in sight, "Grandma, I counted 450 bears upstairs last night."  I quickly redirected her conversation to another topic and off we went.  After all, if I kept moving them around no one would be able to keep track, right???  Well, over the years I have amassed quite a collection. 
Some of these bears are very rare and collectible.  One of them roller skates and another one marches along while beating his drum.  While on a visit to California one year I spotted this HUGE brown bear in an antique shop and, well, I just had to have him.  His name is Benjamin and I flew him home with me......well, not on the same plane but he did go by air.  I have a lovely collection of Robert Raikes bears and in future blogs I'll include some pictures of them.  For now though, it is all about changing and updating.  Silversmithing is my game now and I figured that I needed a name that would do justice to my art so now you know the rest of the story - MY ART AND MY SOUL will be my new business name and I love it.  What do you think?  Tell me how you chose your business name.  I love hearing from you so please leave me a comment or two before you leave the blog. 





A Few of My Favorite Things (and Friends)

These are some pictures from the trunk show that Madeline Thorpe and I did in November.  We had a very successful show and the weather couldn't have been nicer.  We sold our etched metal art, etched glassware and lots of our copper and silver jewelry.  We are in the process (aren't we always in the process of one thing or another??) of preparing for our next show.  I will keep you posted......in the meantime, I hope you enjoy our art and soul.  Thanks for looking and I would love to have you comment.

Madeline does this beautiful glass etching on these perfume bottles.  Aren't they just the most beautiful works of art you've ever seen?  I think so;o)

Welcome to my world

Happy spring to everyone.  The air is warming and the buds are bursting with color already.  It is marvelous to watch nature take its course.

I've been busy working  with my copper and have created some delicious goodies.  I will begin posting in a few days. 

I've had house guests for a week and am busy washing clothes and linens today.  Of course, my washing machine died the day they arrived.  My new machine was delivered today and it has been humming ever since;o)

I hope you all remember to watch the moon tonight - it is the brightest moon we will see for the next 17-20 years.

Have a great evening and hug someone you love.