Emerald Isle Cuff

This bracelet can be purchased at
www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com

Frustration can snowball....

Yeah, frustration can get out of hand. I have found my frustration with my health mounting, and with it a loss of control over all those "things" I determine I "should" be doing. This little cutie is at the groomer because I let him get out of control. He is a demanding young man....he needs daily brushing, weekly trims, biweekly baths to keep looking like the canine stud that he is. Unfortunately, I have not been well enough to do all of that...one thing leads to another, and suddenly he is a mess. Now he is probably undergoing the trauma of his young life by getting a buzz cut. My bad.

This is a pretty good analogy for my general life right now. My head is full of ideas, projects, jewelry, paintings, gardens, gourmet meals to name just a few, and body is saying, "Good God woman, you have GOT to be kidding me." Right now, no matter what I do get around to, it is a generator of guilt. If I sit down in the "studio" and work on a piece, the left side of my brain is giving me grief that I am not scrubbing the kitchen floor. If I actually conjure up enough energy to scrub the kitchen floor, my right brain is crying, whining, stamping her foot to get creating. Like most negative things, the battle begins to take over, and less and less and less gets accomplished.

I am trying to be gentle with myself, and recognize the vailidity of not being well. I am trying to take things in little bites....all you type A's out there are belly laughing at the mere thought of that! And probably most of all, I am trying to allow pleasure and a little reveling in getting each little bite down. Maybe this is all about my need to (re)learn to enjoy the ride. This was top priority for me for years after my divorce, but the last few years it seems to have slipped into oblivion. Today is a good day, and for that I am thankful!

Off to bring that cute little bichon home!

Brassy Chic Necklace

This fun necklace is composed of brass washers of varying sizes, bone spacer beads,small chocolate brown wooden beads,seed beads of varying sizes and colors:turquoise,copper,brown,clear, and tube beads with a brass lobster claw clasp. Necklace measures 15 1/2" with a 3" drop.

This necklace can be purchased at my online shop:
http:www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com

I'd Like my Glass of Mulberry Wine Now....Necklace

This necklace can be purchased at my online shop:

http://www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com

(This necklace has already sold. (Thank you J from MN!!!) Feel free to shop for other artisan pieces, though!)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

A day to honor our Moms. My mother is largely responsible for my creative streak. However, I will never compare to hers. She has always been amazing to me in her talent, creative thought process and ingenuity. This is the Mom that made my clothes, after she made the pattern! She is a great cook, talented painter, creates wool hooked rugs that look like a painting when she is done. Yes, she dyes and cuts the wool that go into the rugs as well. She is a Mother from the era of "correctness". To say she is proper, is a total understatement. My life must be a total shock to her. It has been anything but correct. For all of the things that she struggled daily to impart to my brother, sister, and I, my fondest memories are all of her when she was just immersed in the moment. I saw a completely differrent woman walking along the beach, teaching me just the right way to look for sea glass, to use light to your advantage. The light in her eyes when she was walking through the woods teaching me the diffent types of lichen and why they grown the way they do, or helping me create an aquarium of my very own out in the yard....of course I had to release the contents every six hours or so!
For many years I was intimidated by her perfection. I knew I could never sew as well or to her standards, so I avoided it. The same could be said for just about everything. Then as I aged, I came into my own a little more and made a transposition into being able to be enriched by all she imparted just by being who she is.
She still is creating works of beauty, perhaps a bit more slowly now than before. She embodies all that is beauty to me and has given me too many gifts to list. Just a few are, patience, creativity, good manners, not wearing my heart on my sleeve, being comfortable not compromising, and strength. Thank God for the strength her genes filled me with, for I have needed it. I don't really know how she taught me to see things through her eyes as just a small child, but I am so grateful for that. Without fanfare or calling any attention to what she was doing, she taught me all the very most important lessons in life.
Mom, thank you forever for who you are.
Here's to you, Mom.

My Son

I can't sing the praises and highlight the talents of one child without giving equal time to her older brother. These two children are as different as any two human beings can be, but they share a strong bond braided with love and respect. Older by nine years, my son has always had an interesting mix of competition and protectiveness towards his sister. While I was pregnant with my daughter I heard lots of comments about how fortunate I was to have had my children so far apart which would remove any chance of competition between them. Quite the opposite was true from the very beginning. They weren't as close as I would have expected when they were younger, but that changed as they grew older. I find a lot of comfort in watching their friendship deepen as they age, and I can see them as adults having the kind of sibling relationship that many lament not having.

My son is very creative, but in a totally different way than my daughter. He has one of those minds, that can envision not only a finished project, but the steps to get him there. He was the lego king growing up, Rarely did he make a lego kit without immediately tearing it down, and then rebuilding it in his own way. I still buy him a lego kit every year for Christmas. I have started scouring eBay for the "vintage" kits that will bring back memories for him.

His mind was so inquisitive, it was completely exhausting. I literally had to be watching him every moment to keep him from harms way. As a four year old, he sat in the dining room of the restaurant I was going to be part of running and watched the electricians put the wiring in. He sat enthralled for hours, watching their every move. My next day off, I went to the bathroom (quickly), only to return to our living room in time to see him cutting the cord of the television (running) with my rose pruners. I became a bad cartoon character in slow motion as I leapt the length of the room in one bound to knock the pruners out of his hand just as he was cutting through the wire. Well, I have kept the pruners with the neat little circular hole burnt through as a momento of one serious zapping...Thankfully, I got the zap, not him!

During his kindergarten screening, he was given several blocks, and shown a "bridge" that he was to build just as the teacher had built it. After knocking it down, she asked him to reconstruct it. He built a bridge, but quite unlike the one the teacher had built. He got the teacher-like disapproving look...(the first of many!), and a tolerant explanation of what he did wrong. He looked at her with his most cherub-like smile and proceeded to show her why his bridge was much stronger than hers, and perhaps she would rather build it like that in the future!

He has always been his own little man, doing things in his own way, in his own time. I struggled as a single mother, as I suppose most do with not being all that he needed. It is easier raising a daughter alone than a son. How do you work several jobs, make sure the house is clean, the laundry is done, healthy meals are prepared, help with the homework, make repairs, do the lawn, and have the ability to impart the lessons that only a man can teach his son? This haunted me, and I constantly worried that I was doing it all wrong. Ask this young many today how he feels his childhood was and you will hear the stories of a man who sounds like he grew up in the best environment anyone could ever ask for. He is respectful, loving kind, patient, hardworking, adorable, handsome and tolerant. These are attributes that are the cornerstone of a fine man.

Approaching this Mother's Day, I find myself thankful for having the strength to not take the easy roads with my children. Thankful for the love and patience that I was filled with during some difficult years. Thankful for being able to wait it out until the next day, because maybe it would get a little better. (It usually did). Thankful for the small ways we found to have fun, and make memories that will last forever.

I truly feel blessed beyond belief with the gifts that my children have brought into my life. I receive that blessing with humbleness and deep gratitude. You both are my Mother's Day present just by being who you are.

My son, you are a wonderful man. I love you more than words could ever convey. Here's to you.

My Favorite Designer

(This bracelet can be purchased at my daughter's shop at www.twirlingjewelry.etsy.com)


What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to celebrate your children?

I have mentioned my daughter on several occasions, but this post is dedicated to her.

She is a beautiful, quirky, kind, sensitive and loving seventeen year old that keeps our home alive with music, laughter and silliness. As a chef, I always saw myself in the kitchen with my kids, cooking up a storm with Prince blaring in the background and getting into all sorts of culinary mischief. My son dabbled in the culinary world for awhile, and definately has a natural feel for cooking. My daughter, on the other hand just has no interest. There have been glimmers of interest, but they have been fleeting. I strongly feel that your natural leanings will rise if left to your own way, so I have never pushed. I want her to know the basics of fending for herself in the kitchen, but outside of that, I am willing to let it go. Likewise with gardening, and other crafting interests. Her pull has really own been toward music and computers until recently, which is fine.

When I first became involved with Luxe Jewels I got this great Christmas present-like box in the mail with all the goodies to get started. Some kits, some supplies, and oooooooo....some tools. I noted interest from my daughter in what tool would accomplish what task. Next came a question about a basic stringing technique. Soon, I was teaching her all the very basic techniques that may be normally taught in a jewelry class, and she was having a blast. Soon after, she had made a pretty, very basic elastic bracelet that looked stunning on her wrist. This was followed by another, and another. She is the very best example of the creative process that I talk about so often. On the heels of basic knowledge and practice of the basic knowledge....her right brain literally began to take over and the creative process began. In a few short weeks, she was making more intricate pieces, and kicking her basics up a few notches with more interesting beads and combinations. This same gal now has her own site on esty, and is getting orders from friends, well on her way to having a nice supplementary jewelry business. Please take a minute and check out her shop that can be found at www.twirlingjewelry.etsy.com

Am I proud of her? In too many ways to count, I am! She is first and foremost the most grounded, centered young woman I know. She is intelligent, and caring, and thank God, has the same wacked out sense of humor that I have, so there is SOMEONE around to laugh at what I consider to be jokes. What makes me the happiest about this new found passion, is the change it has brought about within her. She is blossoming everyday, gaining in self confidence and poise and full of excitement. She already has within her the very most important attributes that any parent could pray their child will embrace as an adult. She makes being a parent fun along with all the responsiblities and worries that naturally come with the task of parenting. Here's to you dear! You are still and always my sunshine.
I Love You.

Following Your Bliss

(These earrings
can be purchased at:
www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com)

Following your bliss. It's not as easy as it sounds. I went through more than a few tortuous months before I jumped ship and set off without a map. It was far and away one of the most "irresponsible" things I have done in my adult life. (OK, there have been a FEW others! I won't give you that whole laundry list. No, really, I'm NOT giving you that laundry list! I left a fairly well paying job with a great deal of security for the Real Estate industry. I was burned out (as it turns out...not burned out of anything other than that specific job), and feeling my oats and wanting to try something totally new. I had a new beau who was soon to become my husband that was my biggest cheerleader, telling me to go for it, and my kids were all full of support. At first, the novelty was awesome, the education even better because I love learning and challenges. Then, reality started to sink in, and I realized that there were far more things I hated about the new career than I liked. Ironically, for a job where there was lots of autonomy and freedom I felt like a caged animal. My nice corner office with windows and a view became more prisonlike every day. I started feeling guilty on top of everything else, because it really wasn't ALL that bad! I worked with such a great group of people....but good God, I had to get out of there.

Here, I am just five short months later still trying to get my groove on, but feeling better every day. There is an inner knowledge that I am where I am meant to be, and doing what I am meant to be doing. But......where is the money? Our financial incumbrances don't give a fancy one that I am out there doing what I love, so please be patient until I start making some money. Now there is guilt of a different sort. A guilt of feeling selfish that I had to be different and go do my own thing, while my family has to make the financial sacrifices right along with me. But, it is the right thing and I know it. In the greater scheme of things, I think I am being a good example to my children about making sacrifices for the right reasons. So I am hanging tough, making every cut back I can find, learning to have a lot of fun on a very little $$, and having the time of my life. Through this path my daughter has found her own vein of creativity and has begun to blossom into a confident, talented, happy young woman. That brings more joy and satisfaction that any corporate paycheck could ever bring. My mantra has become, "Do what you love and the money will follow". Meantime, I get to go off and do some catering on the road this summer to pay off some bills, and in my downtime....keep making jewelry.

Life is good and precious, and I am thankful.

Tools of the Trade

(this necklace
can be purchased
at www.sachacottagestudio.etsy.com)
(SOLD)

Someone comments on my necklace at the Farmer's Market on a Friday morning, asking where I got it. That is always a fun moment for me. I get that funny little tickle in my tummy of pure delight as I get to say that I am the one that made it. Somewhere in the next few moments I usually get asked what kind of tools the average person needs to really be able to some basic jewelry making.

You may be surprised to learn that it is only a few basic tools. You probably can visit the home toolbox and find enough to get going on a few pieces. Soon you will decide that you would like your own tools, and there is good reason for that. First of all, most jewelry making on the scale of stringing beads or simple wire wrapping is a bit more delicate than the average home tool was created for. Secondly, it is just darn fun to own your own tools! Tim the Toolman isn't the only one that gets a charge from a good tool, you know. Thirdly.....tools are created for a specific job for a reason. They just do better, and they FEEL better in your hand. If you use a pair of needle nose pliers created for jewelry making, you will have a more gentle hand when crimping a bead than when you are using a regular pair of needle nose pliers.

To really do the job you just need a pair of needle nose pliers, a pair of round nose (sometimes called rosary pliers), a pair of bent nose pliers and a pair of wire cutters. Needle nose pliers work well for basic crimping, and holding wire during wire wrapping. Round nose or rosary pliers are essential for getting that symmetrical circle when wire wrapping. You can place the wire either right to the end for a delicate circle, or farther up the plier end for a larger loop. Bend nose pliers look like a pair of needle nose pliers that bend off at an angle. When wire wrapping, these are great for grabbing the end of the wrap and making the bends around the foundational wire. Lastly wire cutters are for cutting the extra stringing wire off the end of the crimp beads, and cutting wire when wirewrapping. Please do yourself the favor of spending the extra few dollars the FIRST TIME and buying quality tools. It makes all the difference in the world. Your end product will show the difference, and you will be much more satisfied with your piece. They will also last longer. Not to diss Walmart or the local craft store, but their jewelry tools are junk so don't waste your money. Luxe jewels makes affordable tools that really are of exceptional quality for the price. Also Fire Mountain Gems is a good source for jewelry tools.

As you progress you will want a pair of crimping pliers. These are specially designed to crimp down on a crimping bead....once in the channel end and then making a turn with the crimper and smashing again in the circular groove. These gives you a more secure, folded crimp bead. If you want to use a crimp cover (recommended!), it will fit after you have made that second fold. Another useful tool is a wire straightener. I LOVE mine. I got a pair for my birthday from my dear husband who is strong enough in our relationship to know he can buy me tools and get hugs and kisses for it! They look like a pair of square ended pliers with an extra wide tip covered in thick plastic. They allow you to grab onto wire and pull in through the pliers ending up with a nice straight piece. They are so handly and, well, just fun to use!

Those are all your basics. You will be amazed with all you can accomplish with this small set of jewelry tools.

Please drop me a line and let me know how you are progressing! I would love to hear from you.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!