Stress, anxiety...and the waiting.....

Now that I have this fantastic new computer I am beside myself with all this work I need to do.
Unfortunately, now I have NO Photoshop for the MAC.
Well, I can't exactly list items with dark pictures or off colors?!
*sigh* I SOO took for granted having the Photoshop for my PC.

So, please accept my apologies dear clients I DO have 5 pieces ready to go!
I have to simply fix the photos and I can list them!

This is another reason I haven't had any new photos to go with the postings.
:P

On top of everything...I'm going to be MOVING up North!
ugh... I REALLY dislike moving.
AND, now that I am in FULL SWING of my business...this is SO NOT going to be any fun AT ALL!
I have SO MUCH to move even though I have little to no regular furniture like a sofa, dining table, television or dresser... I have shipping boxes and supplies stacked HIGH and don't even get me started on my jewelry and accessory supplies! Big Target TUBS!!!
How the heck did I accumulate so much STUFF!!??!!!
LOL!
I am REALLY hoping that my health will improve in a cooler climate.
Southern California just gets too HOT for me!
...well, the fact that my dinky apartment has no insulation so it ALWAYS feels WAY MORE Hot or Cold inside then outside! I AM NOT KIDDING!
...it's the 80 degrees outside and 98 degrees inside that doesn't work for my Eczema.
:P
Remember the air conditioner stories?
LOL!
So, I might be a bit scarce the first week of February.
I'm being optimistic. A lot of my friends and family think this apartment might also be a factor in my health. I just can barely afford living here so I can't exactly expect to live in a large NEW place of my own..with parking!
LOL!
Anyone that lives in L.A. totally knows what I mean!
I would LOVE to live in a loft space.
I have ALWAYS DREAMED of living in a HUGE loft space...like you see in the movies.
That whole artist vibe.
Then again, growing up, I thought that was going to be me!
So, I guess that fantasy made sense. Speaking of loft spaces, I was looking at a place in L.A. and for $5,000 a month I could live in my dream loft space!
Yeah, I almost fell over the side of my desk when I read how much it was too!!!!
It was WAY COOL though. 3 stories and parking on the bottom floor!
OH! How the wealthy live!
:P
Shoot, I sure in the heck wouldn't be living in this place if I had that kind of mad cash!

Did I tell you I got food poisoning again since my "new" refrigerator doesn't really keep my food cold at all times?
...SO over living here.
I talked to my Landlord again and it's been over 2 weeks...from over a month last time he said it was going to be fixed...from 8 months before that!!!!
It took almost a year to get an electrician in my apartment since I was basically living off of 3 plugs. The others either didn't work, sparked or were soo loose the plugs fell out.
Did I also mention this building is probably from the 20's or 30's and hasn't had much maintenance since..(MY guess) Well, the electrician thought so too!!!! WHen he was in the walls he couldn't believe the wiring! It was ALL original!!!!!

Well, I have the moving anxiety and I know I will be much happier when I get in my new living space...but it's the "change" that ALWAYS freaks me out!

NEW COMPUTER! AT LAST!!!!! I got an IMAC!

Phew!
I know!
I know!!!!
HOW MUCH HAVE I BEEN STRESSING OUT AFTER THAT LAST VIRUS SCARE???!!!!
Of course, at the least financially right time.... I made the JUMP!
When it was brought to my attention that I lucked out by the skin of my teeth on that last one (virus scare) and could have EASILY spent over $2000 on a " ...I hope we can fix your PC Mam..." I realized I CAN'T afford to have that happen AGAIN!
Plus, EVERYONE that I know that has a MAC, LOVES their MAC and never would go back to PC.
*sigh*
I'm trying NOT to think about having to pay the credit card back!
LOL!
I very much dislike using credit...I get all stressed about paying the balance.
:P
... seriously, I STRESS about the paying back part...especially with the economy so unstable.
(don't worry credit company, I WILL make my payments on time)
;P

I have to confess, "I AM IN LOVE WITH MY NEW 24" screen!!!!!"
Yeah, yeah...as all my friends say, " I AM a size Queen!"
LMAO!
In all fairness, I don't have a television... or entertainment system of any kind.... so, I AM allowed to splurge for the larger screen!
I like to watch stuff while I am working on pieces. It helps me to relax and focus but not be CRAZY!
LOL!!!!
So, this is why the no blog posts in a while.
You know it's bad when you go to turn on the PC and the weird noise and the moments of," ...Holy cow, its NOT turning on!"
*panic*
*giggles*
NO MORE Of THAT!
Weeeeee!!!!!!!
OK.
Back to catching up since I got SOOO behind all of these days!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years!
Ah, This is going to be a GREAT YEAR!
I myself am going to think positive for EXCELLENT HEALTH this year!!!
I send out many blessings and wishful thinking for happiness and prosperity to you all!
*Big Hugs*

Beautiful Pieces Piling Up!!!

It's been MONTHS that I have pieces just piling up and sitting here waiting to be seen!
lol
There just isn't enough time in the day sometimes.
Well, at least it feels that way.
I've been busy with custom pieces (which I am SO thankful for) and just haven't had the time to take the pictures and prep the already completed pieces...and now I realize over the last 6+ months they are piling up!
I think what happens is I start these pieces in between the custom orders and before I know it I have several not quite finished pieces all around me.
It's frustrating since I have been only renewing A LOT of products in my Etsy shop instead of listing more new pieces.
Certainly client orders come first and that brings me around in my circle again!
:P
I thought I could at least share a few pics of items not listed yet...a fun sneak peek!

These are a part of my Cherub Flower Collection. I actually made like 6 different variations. REALLY BEAUTIFUL in person.


This is a part of my Natural Beauties Collection.

I have several variations and colors of these vintage inspired necklaces. I LOVE them!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome...any recommendations?

I have been having a lot of pain in my right hand over the last 5 months...My Mom thinks I am getting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I HOPE NOT! She got it from years of typing.
I do work for hours on end on my pieces and then follow up more on the computer.
It's been all the computer work that I think has me aching. I'm investing in another mouse too. I currently have the one that allows you to use your thumb on the ball to move the mouse instead of moving the mouse with your entire hand...(I was getting really bad shoulder pain from that one)However, now I have pain in the muscle where my thumb meets my hand.

Unfortunately I never learned how to type so I don't think I can get the ergonomically correct key boards since I have to see the keys.
:P
Otherwise I would save for one of those too.

I need to get the wrist guard band things...any recommendations?

Change is hard...

Well, I am happy to say that I am finally feeling well today.
It's been a tough couple of weeks...of ups and downs.
Been REALLY tired because of it all.

So, I decided to update my blog and change the colors to what I had in my head. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this color scheme and am sad to change it but I am thinking with the direction my designs are going in I need to.
Well...I couldn't figure out how to get the colors I REALLY wanted since they weren't offered in the pre made color chart...and THEN I accidentally erased the current colors and literally spent the last couple hours trying to get the site back to what it originally looked like!
LOL!!!!
I am such a goof!

Being Sick is NO fun

...*sniffle snort*
Ugh...being sick is NO FUN!!!!
I have been "fighting" something for over 3 weeks and then last week it finally HIT me!
Ugh.
The medications I have been on for the last 8 months compromise my immune system so I am pretty happy I held it off for that long! Especially being around someone hacking for the first 3 weeks!!!
:P
Yeah, it's THAT time of the year! I mean, last week we had an 80 degree day and now it's pouring rain and 55 degrees! I don't do well in extreme weather as it is!
(I'm a wimp)
But with the ailments I have right now I am wondering if the cold is effecting my leg and feet condition?
Lame.
:P
Anyway, THANK YOU to all the patient clients waiting for their custom pieces!!!!!
*random thought* "I'm not really a fan of Ny Quil"
LOL!

...what a difference!

I always try to break up my time to keep my hands from cramping and my mind from going crazy...(just kidding) and I wanted to share a few pictures.
I know the benefit of excellent photographs for selling any merchandise. I emphasize this to anyone interested in selling ANYTHING via internet. Throughout the years I have gone by the mere "practice makes perfect" theory and even though I am far from "perfect" I certainly can see an improvement.
Here are some old and new shots...and the old shots were actually new shots at the time!
LOL!!!!




...what a difference huh?!!!

DANCING STAR

As you all know I am IN LOVE with the art of Lampwork beads.
I have been watching and drooling over this husband and wife team's work for quite a while and feel overwhelmed not to share their GORGEOUS pieces!
I am talking about Dancing Star.
I can't even begin to explain the unique delicious designs...I'll just have to show you a few of my favorites!

Dancing Star Beads Bollywood Focal Ivory

Dancing Star Beads Focal Sea Pod

I have always LOVED anything organic and rich with color.
I'm in LOVE!
The detail and quality craftsmanship cannot be denied when you look at their work.
Like little GEMS and Treasure that could be found in a fantasy Ocean!
Dancing Star Beads Bollywood Focal Lagoon

They also have very unique designs like this one in a star shape. I imagine creating such a shape might be difficult in lamp work?
The edges look like rippling waves in the ocean.
Dancing Star Beads Big Hole Star Shaped Slider

I think my MOST favorite piece are these fantastical little fish like pieces:
Dancing Star Beads Focal Dragon Pod Eingana

I can't tell you how much I want this orange piece! *hint hint*
Seriously, I just love it! I have NO IDEA what to do with it but am thrilled just thinking about thinking about it!
LOL!!!!
There are SO MANY truly unique pieces that I could literally share pages of pictures!!!
I HIGHLY recommend to stop by and take a look for yourself.
Imagine the AMAZING jewelry your can create with these GORGEOUS pieces.

***All photographs courtesy of Dancing Star

...the color challenge...

...being the NOT computer savvy person that I am I am challenged with the fact that my old monitor recently died and since I have had to purchase a new one the old video card is not compatible with the new monitor. Which to me only says, "...all the colors that you currently see on your monitor are totally wonky and don't even think about trying to color correct them and expect something even close to the real thing!"
*sigh*
...this is not a good time...
How on earth am I suppose to list things when I can't even make sure the color is right?!
...I have to figure out what to do.
...constantly dealing with my health isn't helping!