Did It Myself Jewelry Hanger

Please forgive me for being absent the past couple of days. I have been subjected to the many vexations of a cold. But today I rallied and managed to finish a project that has been long overdue. It began with a want to keep my jewelry from becoming entangled in its little pink box home. I bought a picture frame at a thrift store for a dollar and borrowed some sticks off the ground in my front yard. Our birch trees fell prey to some heavy winds and I scored free sticks to play with.

I took the glass and backing off the picture frame and tied the sticks across with scrap fabric. I've had the fabric under my bed for 8 years swearing I'd use it some day =)

I hung this on the wall with a simple wiring device I made on the back and finished by displaying my jewelry. The bottom branch was a little thicker and had little nubs that made it easy to hang necklaces from. I am very happy with the way it all turned out and I'm seriously considering selling a few on my future etsy site. It was a good productive day.

A Little Smidge

A tribute to the beauty of Ojai Valley, CA.

Ironing Wrinkles

As I am smoothing out some wrinkles in my ideas for this blog... I figured I might share a pic or two each day of something that has somehow grasped my attention. I have recently (two days ago) been introduced to this wonderful site Pinterest, that I cannot get enough of. Among the delightful DIY projects and beauty tips, there are some astounding pictures of beautiful things on there.

This picture makes me want to do a large spectrum of things all the way from reading a book to getting married under these beauties.

When my eyes aren't glued to pinterest, they are scanning google earth maps in a new hobby I suppose I shall call virtual sight seeing. It started out in a feeble attempt to locate small lakes around my house that have not yet been deemed private by local rich home owner associations and the like. My brother and I are on a quest to exacerbate our fishing licenses before they expire in December. One thing led to the next and I was glancing at pictures adventurous people have taken in remote areas of Northern Canada. I figure I can't afford to get my body there but why not let the brain feast?

This first is a picture of Trout Lake, Canada.

This second is from an inlet northeast of Great Slave Lake... also in northern Canada. Praise the Lord for technology.

After the Rain

"The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or a word;

their voice is silent in the skies;

yet their message has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens

where God placed it.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom

after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete

eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens

and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat."

- Psalm 19:1-6

These photos do not even do Sunday night's sunset justice. It came out after a day of rain and made me jump for joy at the beautiful creativity and majesty of God. So good. It is hard for me to comprehend how this could all happen by chance. For me, it is one sign (in an untold amount), that I am loved.

Penguin Pair

Hello little box. I just wanted to briefly share some cute little earrings I handcrafted today. I am beginning to solidify my idea for an etsy shop as I pump out these things. It shall have clay and wire jewelry along with vintage clothing. I have been trying to think of a name for the past couple of days. My friend suggested "Aycayia" which means "she with a lovely voice". It's a name sailors gave to mermaids. I think it sounds beautiful. I'm excited to get everything started and running. Hopefully soon.

Santa Barbara Bound

I'm not bound for Santa Barbara... I'm bound to it. I went up last weekend to visit my wonderful friends and we spent time driving through the hills and visiting the old Goleta train station. I think I captured something pretty beautiful and I'm so thankful I have a camera to do so.

I don't have an iphone but I have been following my friend's instagrams on the web. I found a nice little website that let me put pretty filters on my pictas.

Oh and I fixed my comp. If ever your fan goes on and runs as if in a marathon... please check and make sure your print manager is not using up 99% of your CPU. It saved me.

Rain is coming. Thank the Lord for rain. I no longer have to bike two miles through it to get to school anymore. =)

My lovely and angelic friend Carissa. She has a blog, Fountain of Youth. Check it out.

Just north of Goleta

My beautiful friend, Alyssa. I consider her a primary photography teacher.

If only every day could be this way.

Baking Pork

I've been using my computer less and less because I fear it will soon die on me. The fan turns on after about 5 minutes and incessantly reminds me of the impending doom of its absence. For some reason I think using it less will prolong the inevitable.

It seems I'm making excuses.... Today I made some pig. Some piggie earrings actually and I'm rather fond of them.

Perhaps I shall name them. I got into clay jewelry making yesterday and I must say they didn't turn out half bad.

In other news, I am still waiting patiently for a job. Some day I know I will get one. Until then... I suppose making piggies are not a bad alternative.