Yayyyyy They Ate Everything

Sorry no smart pitures today or anything but lately I've been trying to think of an original them for daily posts. Absolutely nothing comes to mind and with a 5yo girl and a 4yo boy every day is a revelation. Especially since Maddy (5yo girl) has started in Prep.

If your kids have been through Prep are or in Prep I'm sure you know what I mean. The quiet, nicely spoken young lady that you have nurtured for the last 4-5 years has started picking up a heap of bad habits.

1) Your carefully constructed, balanced meal lunch box, that once came home empty from playschool, now comes home hardly touched from school because there simply wasn't enough time to play and eat.

2) The words that you took care for them to enunciate have suddenly turned to absolutely meaningless phrases.

3) They have to do what their teachers say, not you.

4) They've behaved all day at school so shouldn't have to at home.

5) Last and not least, they have missed their sibling so much that they have to play, chat and do anything other than eat at dinner time.

The last is the reason for my post, I have struggled and struggled to get my children to eat their dinner within 1hr for weeks now and for the first time in what seems like an age they have. YAYYYYYYYYYYY. What did I feed them????

Well here it is, not very exciting but well accepted:
1) Mushroom and Tomato Flan
2) Potato salad, dressed with mayonnaise and grain mustard
3) Mixed salad including, lettuce (from the garden), tomatoes (from the garden), advocado, cucumber and capsium (red pepper)

I'm happy to share the recipes so email me if you're intested, for the purposes of this post they're not really important. This post is really just to share the small wins of motherhood.

In addition to the above I would also like to share that my daughter received an award for good behaviour today, they're quite frequent in Prep but always an absolute delight.

CONGRATULATION MADISON, WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO VERY PROUD

Featured Artist - Entyqua

This is a lovely jewellery store stocking both costume and genuine stone/metal jewellery as well as Jewelry boxes, card making and other paper craft items.

The owner is Becki a SAHM of a gorgeous little girl.

She says "For my Jewelry: I use a lot of natural stones and beads for my creations, my favorite being wood and gemstones. I also love to use pearls weather they are freshwater or faux pearls have a very elegant feel to them and always and a touch of class to every piece they are used in! All my jewelry designs are Hand made with care a love. Also you will always find each piece is very unique and will never be recreated. If you need a necklace or bracelet made to a certain size please specify during checkout, if I have the extra materials I can make the changes! I also LOVE to do custom work! I love to share ideas with others to come to a creation that might not be with out two great minds working together!
For the Finished Jewelry Boxes
I LOVE to paint I love to decorate I love to take something ordinary Like a plain unfinished wooden box and make it dazzle. These are one of my favorites of my hobbies. They come to me from a craft store plain dull and wood colored and ends up with color and flair and style I love the transformation!
For the paper crafts
I am a scrapper I will always be a scrapper I have so much scrap I don’t know what to do with it! SO I make cards and other paper related crafts! I wish I had enough time to do this more than I do! "

Come and visit you really wont be disappointed
http://entyqua.etsy.com

Beading Forum Swap

I thought it was about time that I shared some details with you about a fantastic forum that I am lucky enough to belong to.

The Forum is Australia based but with many international members and is run by the wonderful Yvonne, owner of Crystal Flair a great online jewellery store.

Come take a look at Crystal Flair and the beading forum

Anyway, my primary reason for posting all this is that I am infact a moderator on the metalworking forum and we recently ran a swap. I was so impressed with the creations that I just had to share some of them with you.

Participants had to make a pendant using wireworking or metalworking techniques. The finished object had to include a pearl and must cost no more than $5 AUD in supplies.

The items created were extremely diverse and here are a few for you to look at and admire

By Cas of Casjsa Designs

















By Vicki of Dragonfly Creations



By Karen

By Pam of Get Silvered

By RataBy Carolyn

By Sharon

By Sharon of Shazzabeth Creations







By Heather Goldsmith



By Steph my fellow metalworking moderator





By Twisted Jewellery Creations

By Amanda

By Viktoria

By Shan

By Sandee

And last but by no means least by Chantel

Feature Artist - Deabus Amor

This is such a fun shop. You'll love it, you really will.

Sheika Lugtu, is a self-taught dabbler in various mediums. Her ultimate goal is to create pieces of jewellery or art that make you smile every day.

Everything in this shop is handmade by Sheika in a corner of her studio apartment. She does have pets but takes measures to ensure her products are hair, dander and dust-free.

Sheika says "I'm usually friendly (chances increase with presence of chocolate or coffee) and a little too loud, sometimes hyper and mostly crazy.
I don't bite, so don't be scared to say Hi."

Come on check out this cute store
http://deabusamor.etsy.com

Featured Artist - alilsumptinsumptin

Another stunning store, this lady sure does have talent.

She says "Whimsy brings me great joy and touches that little girl within me. Most of my creations reflect this aesthetic and frequently incorporate two things I love and enjoy: flower gardens & dogs. All my pieces are one-of-a-kind, oftentimes containing handcrafted Artisan Lampwork glass beads - wonderful little works of Art in themselves.

All of the Artisan Lampwork beads I use in my pieces have been properly kiln annealed by each respective glass artist to ensure long-lasting durability."

So come one come all check out this beautiful store
http://alilsumptinsumptin.etsy.com

Featured Artist - alilsumptinsumptin

Another stunning store, this lady sure does have talent.

She says "Whimsy brings me great joy and touches that little girl within me. Most of my creations reflect this aesthetic and frequently incorporate two things I love and enjoy: flower gardens & dogs. All my pieces are one-of-a-kind, oftentimes containing handcrafted Artisan Lampwork glass beads - wonderful little works of Art in themselves.

All of the Artisan Lampwork beads I use in my pieces have been properly kiln annealed by each respective glass artist to ensure long-lasting durability."

So come one come all check out this beautiful store
http://alilsumptin.etsy.com

Featured Artist - Cryztalvisions

This stunning store and all the glorious items found here are the work of artist Beth Alexander.

Fascinated by crystals and stones for as long as she can remember.

Coming from a long line of artistic souls on her father's side of the family, her great grandmother was a very talented artist who started painting late in life. She left behind some amazing oil paintings that Beth will always treasure. She also painted and fired china. Beth says "she had a fantastic eye for detail and could paint tiny pictures small enough to fit on a thimble. My father was an accomplished, well rounded artist and crafts person and spent many years teaching art in the public school system."

Beth has been creating unique pieces of jewelry for almost 20 years now, and is still excited by the process. Along the way she has also been drawn to studying and practicing various energy healing arts, like Reiki, chakra balancing, Earth based energy medicine, shamanic practices, and Angel Therapy. She has found combining my love of minerals, her artistic eye and skill in jewelry fabrication and design, along with her heightened sensitivity to energies creates a powerful synergy.

Beth says "I delight in creating these pieces! Each one is unique, with its own energy that I feel as I work with the materials. They transport me to a place of deep knowing, relaxation and happiness as I work. My pieces not only look wonderful when worn, but also carry with them the special healing energies of each gemstone or crystal. My work is a constant exploration of the interconnectedness of all life."

So I recommend you visit this store at the first opportunity it really is lovely
http://crystalvisions.etsy.com
http://cryztalvisions.typepad.com/magic_stones_blog/

Featured Artist - Cigar Box Beads

This is a truly unique etsy store. Selling an absolutely stunning array of beaded jewellery this store is sure to have something you like.

Jewellery not your thing then check out the quirky Beaded Pixies, unique and intricately work. You wont be disappointed and they are sure to bring a smile to your face.

The owner of this store is a retired Home Ec teacher, a job she loved and now she is lucky to have found something else she loves.

She says "Beadweaving is my joy, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing AND being with our twin grand daughters. Not at the same time though, they love to 'help'! We do have 'crafting time' every day that I watch them, so I hope I'm instilling the love of creating in them."

Come along and check out this wonderful store
http://www.cigarboxbeads.etsy.com/

Featured Artist - A Pretty Rock

This is a beautiful store, a pretty store. Here metal and stone are matched in perfect harmony.

Yazmin the owner of this shop is both a jewelry designer and a web designer/developer (since 1999.)

She has always been an artsy-crafty person, but the move into jewelry was almost unintentionally. In 2004, she went to the Yellow Daisy Festival for the umpteenth time and found a pair of beautiful hair chopsticks with beaded ends, and wore them for about a month straight.

She spent a lot of time thinking about the chopsticks and how to go about making her own. This led her to local stores, including bead shops...Many stones and wire later and here she and her beautiful store are

Featured Artist - Bella Dio

The owner of this sore is SAHM with 3 boys living in Indianapolis (struggle finding time to create and I only have 2 kids!!).
Six years ago she began playing around with beading during a play date with friends. She started out just making jewelry for herself and then giving them as gifts. As more people took interest in her work she started taking it more seriously.
A few years into crafting stringing no longer thrilled her, so she began making beads from polymer clay.
Branching out further she soon added wirework to her designs.

Down a different track she also designs t-shirts from drawings that she has done. Wanting to express her faith she has made designs that have scriptures in them, and are suitable for all age groups.

A stunning shop please drop by and take a look
http://belladio.etsy.cin
http://belladio.blogspot.com/

Caring for your Jewellery

It has come to my attention that although I have been making and selling jewellery for quite some time I have been very slack at providing information about caring for your precious items. It would be impossible for me to cover absolutely every aspect of the care of every metal, gemstone etc however this should cover the bulk of your information requirements.

Overview

Caring for your jewellery doesn't have to be hard. I recommend either using mildly soapy water for cleaning, then light polishing with a jewelry polishing cloth, or having your jewellery cleaned by a professional.

However, many other methods exist for cleaning jewellery. Please make sure that you use a method appropriate for your particular item, not all gemstones and pearls can be treated the same way.

Abridged version

1) Avoid scratching, banging, chemicals of all kinds, swimming pools, hot tubs, extreme temps, strenuous activity, and intense sunlight.

The chlorine and bromine in pools and hot tubs is particularly damaging to stones and metal, and will even damage solid gold.

2) Wipe your jewelry off with a soft cloth after you wear it.

3) Clean it regularly with mild soapy water, rinse really well, and pat dry with a soft cloth. Polish metals gently with a jewelry polishing cloth.

4) Store most jewelry in a reclosable plastic bag or cloth with anti-tarnish paper. More details below.

5) Some gemstones can change when exposed to direct sunlight, the following is a Partial list:

Amethyst - becomes paler
Ametrine - may become lighter or change colors
Aquamarine - becomes paler
Aventurine - some lighter varieties become paler
Beryl - brown/orange varieties may fade to pale pink
Celestite - becomes paler
Chrysoprase - becomes paler
Citrine - becomes paler/changes color
Hiddenite - becomes paler
Kunzite - becomes paler
Rose Quartz - becomes paler
Smoky Quartz - becomes paler

Some Specifics

Argentium Silver

Argentium Silver is highly tarnish-resistant and needs far less care than traditional sterling silver. You should be able to clean up your Argentium jewelry with a warm mildly soapywater, and restore its high shine with a polishing close. Make sure that you keep the cloths you use to clean Argentium purly for this purpose.

Traditional Sterling Silver, Fine Silver, and Gold

Sterling Silver, Fine Silver, and Gold can be cared for in much the same way as Argentium. You can use the following methods to clean and polish traditional .925 sterling silver, .999 Fine Silver, and gold filled, as well as gold:

1. Commercial silver/gold cleaners. Be sure that any stones in the jewellery can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Read the label, and if in doubt, do not use a chemical cleaner. Some gemstones that cannot be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners are: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral, turquoise, and others.
2. Ammonia and water. Use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly with water. Ammonia should not be used on the same types of gemstones that should not be used with commercial cleaners
3. Jewellery cleaning cloth - use lightly to restore luster. Note: Do not press hard when polishing 14 karat gold filled so that you do not damage the gold surface.
4. Additionally, tarnish can be retarded by storing your jewelry in the resealable plastic bag included with each piece, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. Pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic because they need to "breathe."

Copper and Brass

Both copper and brass are also incredibly easy to care for. While they do tarnish more quickly than sterling silver, it takes very little to restore that original shine easily.

1. Commercial copper/brass cleaner. Be sure that any stones in the jewellry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner or do not use it.
2. Worcestershire sauce. Strange, yep sounds strange but the acid in the tomato in worcestershire sauce does a great job of cleaning copper and brass jewellery. This method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners, as the acid in the tomato of the worcestershire may affect more delicate stones.
3. Ketchup. Another strange but but again the acid in the tomato of the ketchup shines up copper and brass quite nicely. Apply it with a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid getting ketchup on the same types of stones as should not be used with chemical cleaners. I'm not sure about it, but I expect the acid in the tomato might affect more delicate stones.
4. No Worcestershire sauce or Ketchup then try this recipe for another kitchen cleaner that can be used for copper and brass. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewellery in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. If needed, the dip in the solution can be repeated. Again, this method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.
5. Pop your copper and brass items in a reclosable plastic bag or jewellery case with anti-tarnish paper to slow tarnishing.

The following is a partial list of gemstones that should not be subjected to chemical cleaning methods

Amber
Aquamarine
Coral
Emerald
Jade
Lapis Lazuli
Malachite
Opal
Pearls
Shell
Turquoise

The following is a partial list of gemstones that should not be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner

Pearl
Mother-of-pearl
Opal
Topaz
Turquoise
Emerald
Peridot
Coral
Malachite
Lapis Lazuli
Tiger Eye
Black Onyx

Avoid ultrasound cleaning with any gemstones containing flaws. Always follow all the operating instructions for your cleaning machine.

IMPORTANT
I cannot stress strongly enough that if you have any doubts about whether your jewellery item can withstand your chosen cleaning method DON'T DO IT, take it to a jeweller who will be able to advise you regarding your item specifically or even carry out the cleaning for you

Feature Artist - Kalicat

A fellow member of the Art Jewelry Collective, an Etsy Street Team, Kalicat is an absolute inspiration. Her creations scream quality, care and class what more can you want from a piece of Jewelry.

Kalicat has trained in jewellery at Central St Martins and Hatton Gardens, in London. Mom of 2, she says: "I keep sane by painting and illustrating Fashion, jewelry-making and dreaming about all the things I will create in the near future".

Come visit her at
http://kalicat.etsy.com
http://honeyandsweets.blogspot.com/
and also come and visit The Art Jewelry Collective at
http://artjewelrycollective.wordpress.com/

BerryBeads - Featured Artist

This wonderful store represents the stunning work of Rosi from Long Island NY.

As a child Rosit says that she was encouraged to make gifts and things by hand whether it was crochet, embroidery, drawing, what have you.

She loves to make beautiful things and if they can have a practical application all the better. Her interest are many and making jewelry is a new passion as an outlet for her creativity.

Her other hobbies include drawing, digital art, photography to name a few.

Featured Artist - Cserpent Designs

Now this is one beautiful shop you will be amazed at the variety of stunning pieces and created with a level of skill that can only impress!!!

The store owner is Susan a lover of scuba diving (as am I).

She started jewelry making when one of her soccer (or if you're English as I am football) teammates got her to go to a wirewrapping class with her. She made my first bracelet in that class. Next having seen a beaded watch band in a magazine and figured she could expand on that idea and make herself a cool beaded watch band in PURPLE! (my favorite color).

After a series of other classes Susan is still making and enjoying jewelry and has been doing so for 4 years. Her designs are also for sale at a gallery in La Jolla, CA - Gili Anna.

So come take a look at Susans store you wont be the first or the last person to be impressed by her work

http://www.cserpent.etsy.com
http://cserpent.blogspot.com

Lucky Girl Trading

Lucky Girl Trading Company was formed in 2001 when the owner realised that in the midst of a lot of mess and sadness she was indeed a Very Lucky Girl.

Her store stocks a stunning range of fused glass pendants, jewellery and supplies.

The business started by selling items on ebay, this heled to remove not only the clutter from her life but also a lot of sadness.

A few years later she met my lucky guy--who was selling a bit of jewelry--and married him in a hot air balloon ceremony in 2006. They've veen working together ever since to build Lucky Girl Trading into a fun and fulfilling enterprise.

They've also discovered the art of fusing, which has become one of her all-time favorite creative outlets and discovered two ancient arts: Kumihimo and Temari. Both are centuries-old crafts, and both give me a zen-like tranquility while working.

This store owner says "I truly am a Lucky Girl! Every day I gather pretty, sparkly things and send them to people. I imagine a person opening their mail and taking out their new pendant or chain or pouch. It's perfect--they have a huge smile on their face--and so do I. I'd love for that person to be you!"


So come visit this gloriously happy shop
http://luckygirltrading.etsy.com
http://luckygirltrading.blogspot.com/

Moore Craft???

Yes that's right I've opened another etsy store Moore Craft

Why on earth would you do that? you may well ask. Well for a long time now I haven't really been using glass crystal or base metal in my designs but I still have a whole heap of supplies and jewellery items that I made quite some time ago.

Rather than add it all to the Moore Taste store I decided to put it in a new store. This will enable me to use the Moore Taste store to showcase my metalsmithing and gemstone jewelry and give me an outlet for everything else.



I don't know if you are aware of the fact but I actually enjoy a wide variety of crafts, painting glasses and tiles, pyrography, sewing, knitting and crochet. With my children being as young as they are it is often differcult for me to work at my bench when they are home but many of my other crafts can be done with them around.

Now I have an outlet for these items.

Anyway, there's not much in the store at the moment but please check in every now and then because I am planning to add either destash or jewellery daily.

Enjoy

Silver Dragon Creations by Patricia C Vener

A member of the Art Jewelry Collective Street Team on Etsy, Patricias work was already know to me when I decided that she would be my next featured Artist. The beautiful bead work you will find in her store will astound you and not only is she willing to part with some of her jewelry items but she is also willing to share some of her knowledge by selling patterns as well!!!

Exerpts from Patricias etsy bio
"I have always been an artist and one of my earliest art memories is also one of the influences that has stayed with me from the very start. I was four years old and my nursery class had a field trip to a local museum in Rochester NY. I was completely mesmerized by the textiles and beadwork of the native Americans. I don't know how long I stood there just gazing at the work and absorbing all that the creator had to say."
"I am a (retired) ballerina as well as a published artist, having done illustrations for a CD picture book, "Papa Cardinal Finds Breakfast" by Sandra Wellborn."
and this last sentiment I can only agree with
"Human beings, I think, are happiest when they are allowed to create. I know this is true for me."

http://silverdragon.etsy.com
http://http://vener-art.com/beadblog/

Featured Artist - Celtic Goddess Jewellery

Celtic Goddess Jewelry was started in early 2001, and has been selling on etsy for 2 years and counting!

The owner of this beautiful shop is Andee Harston, a Buddhist pagan living in the Orlando area. She sells celtic and pagan inspired jewelry, art and bath and body products.

Andee says "Art has always been prevalent in my life. I love to draw, paint, sculpt, make jewelry, make bath and body products and most recently, photography. I am influenced by spiritual learning, nature, goddess and celtic imagery. I identify very strongly with my celtic heritage."

So come on in and browse Andees unique store
http://celticgoddessjewelry.etsy.com
http://buyindie.blogspot.com/

Regal Beads

The owner of Regal Beads certainly knows her stuff. A glorious array of seed beaded jewellery awaits the visit of the next customer.

She has had a love of doing crafts for most of her life.
Both her parents are quite creative, and have certainly passed this down to her!
She has been beading over five years ago and took to it like a fish to water.

For years this has been one of her hobbies, but with her personal collection growing quite large, and with many family members and friends also benefiting.
She has now generously decided to share these treasures with the world.

Now take a moment and visit this glorious shop and of course her blog as well
http://regalbeads.etsy.com
http://regalbeads.blogspot.com

Featured Artist - Cats Paw Artifacts

The owner of this delightful store is Judy Richards. Judy resides in Portland, Oregon and is a member of the Portland Bead Society, the ORBS (Oregon Regional Beadmakers Society) and the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers).

Inspired by nature Judy loves to make lampwork beads and designs jewelry - unique and hopefully artful jewelry. She is always striving for new ideas, new shapes in glass.

She loves abstract lampwork most of all with layers of glass and complexity. She has done the work of reasonably exact glass beads - but yearns to break out of that toward something more complex and deep in an artistic sense.

Having a great sense of humor and Judy is careful not to take herself too seriously - she is the owner of 2 cats, hence the cat beads.

So why not pop into Judys etsy store or take a look at her blog