Eye Exam

$330.00 later...

Well, the good thing is that after two years...(I thought it had only been a year) We took another picture of my retina and according to Dr. Lee it looks like my eyes just look that way. So, since my Grandfather had Glaucoma I still need to watch out for it and get checked out every few years to make sure everything is still ok.
I am just glad to know that my pressure is 11 and the vessels and texture look healthy.
She says everything looks the way it should and if I was suffering from Glaucoma I'd have a lot of other issues that I am not. I also scored perfectly for that peripheral test too.
So, a HUGE sigh of relief and as of right now no Glaucoma.
...my vision did get a bit worse though.
I figure, I am staring HOURS more at a computer screen and still working hours on accessories...So, WAY MORE eye strain.
Ah, You gotta LOVE aging!
:P

FINALLY!!! NEW PICTURES and DESIGNS!!!!

I have been SO BUSY and VERY excited about the work I have been doing...
*gulp*
Yeah, haven't started packing yet!
STRESS!!!!!!

Today I am going to go get my eyes examined before I move since they do this thing where they take a picture of your eyes and check to see changes in my retina. Apparently, a few doctors say by the way my eyes look I should have advanced stages of Glacoma...Of course, I about fell over and almost started crying when the first Optometrist said I practically should be blind! Another said that it could simply be my eyes and that the way they are just "looks" that way. So, a year later I am going back to see if there is any change in the shape.
Ugh, no insurance stinks! I never had to pay SO MUCH for an eye exam for glasses! Forget about getting the contact one too... I never even wear my contacts anymore.
:P
Wish me luck!

A.D.D. ALERT!
Oh yeah, The reason I started this post was to share the custom set I just made!
The single flower is going to be her headdress and the mini three piece one is to attach onto her gown!
I LOVE how they turned out! The gown piece took me over 5 hours to make!
I think it was worth it!
OH!
I can't wait to get a picture and see how they look on her!!!!
:P

The Painted Lily

One on my new FAVORITE shops!!!!
The Painted Lily!
SUMPTUOUS color and design!!!
I SOOO WANT SEVERAL of these!!!!
I was just thinking how I remember that kaleidoscope I looked through as a child...that surely ended up in the back of my closet...
Well, after visiting The Painted Lily I have a WHOLE NEW way of thinking about kaleidoscope designs.
I never dreamt that I would be So in LOVE with them!
The talent in creating these is apparent!

Here is a little excerpt from her profile:
"My process involves a technique that incorporates both hand pieced and digital collage. My starting images range anywhere from decorative art papers to vintage images such as old valentines, antique posters, photographs and vintage wallpaper patterns. I shape a section of the original image into a kaleidoscope pattern and then layer it with other vintage ephemera. The result is something that I hope captures the past with a nod to the future of technological art and hand pieced collage."
...like I said, NOT your childhood kaleidoscope designs!!!!
:P
It figures I am Gushing over these!
You ALL know how much I LOVE vintage inspired images and someone artsy!
LOL!!!!

Water For Elephants

I think of a luxurious "1001 Nights" meets Cirque Du Soleil!
LOL!

When I look at all the different designs and patterns My mind cannot help but to conjure up several delightful dreamy scenarios!

My Sweet Valentine

Such a romantic vintage inspired piece!!!

Treasure Ancient Script
I can't even begin to describe the GORGEOUS RICH delicious tones used in this piece!

There are SO MANY varieties of beautiful designs in this shop and I HIGHLY recommend you take a moment to check them out!
I just had to share few of MY favorite designs.
Imagine the possibilities of dressing up that blank wall in your place?!!
...I'm moving soon...so, you KNOW I will be thinking about all of mine!!!
Go take a look!!!

Photos courtesy of The Painted Lily

....I think I have it!!!!

I am SOOO EXCITED!
I think I should have Photoshop tonight!!!!
SOOOOO EXCITED!
I have easily 80 pieces that I haven't listed!!!!
It's CRAZY!!!!

SO, I am hoping to have new pictures to share soon!!!!!!

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!