Learning From Our Children

I am so impressed with my 13 year old daughter. She is an "action person" a "doer".  I created this blog a while ago and I think too hard and second guess myself all the time when it comes to topics to write about. Not, my daughter! She loves to write so she decided that she wanted to blog. She asked me for my opinion and the next day, she had already acted on her idea! I arrived home from work to find that she had already designed her "Blog", posted one article and had two more waiting in the wings to be published on her designated schedule. She even has a list of things that she wants to write about and has it all organized.

I learn new things from this child everyday. I've learned not to be fearful and not to doubt myself so much that I simply do nothing. Just go for it!! I keep encouraging her to do whatever she wants to do in life. Yet, she's encouraging me. We can learn so much from our children. We are not always the teachers.....

Check out her blog.... www.abookwormspointofview.blogspot.com  you'll be glad you did!

Thank Goodness for Friday!

I'm so happy that it's Friday. I have some things that I want to accomplish this weekend and I want to start exercising. I did not make New Years Resolutions but I do intend to eat healthier, focus on inner peace,  happiness and exercise more this year. I think I will start with small goals and when I reach an important milestone, reward myself. I might try to go to Zumba class today. If I can't make it, I'm going to ask my neighbor to join me and we'll Zumba in my living room! Either way, I know I'll get a good workout.

I just started reading a book, The Guru in You. It's a personalized program for rejuvenating your body and soul. I saw the author, Yogi Cameron Alborzian on the Ellen Show and went out and purchased the book. It's very good so far. I plan to spend some time reading this weekend. I want to find a quiet place with a warm cup of tea and read. This will be a nice way to end a long hectic week.

Enjoy your Friday!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I have not written in a while. I hope everyone is having a great year so far.

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas. I really did. I did not stress about buying gifts. This Christmas, I focused on not procrastinating so I finished shopping early. I did not get carried away and stuck to my budget. I took time to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and my family and I thanked God for everyday and wished Jesus a Happy Birthday.  I wanted to do some things for people in need so I gave anonymously to a little boy that crossed my path a year ago. I never forgot him, so I called the correct person and found out how to give to him. That is what made my Christmas. I enjoyed spending time with family. I work so much that I do not get the chance to see everyone as much as I would like. God allowed us to spend time with family and get home safely and then he blessed us with beautiful snow. I took some time to rest and enjoy, fully enjoy time off from work. It was just wonderful!

Enjoy each day for tomorrow is not promised.

My wish for you is health, happiness and many blessings in 2011!

I Love Summer!

Summer 2010 was great! Just too short. I wanted to share pictures I took of some beautiful butterflies in my yard. I'm really proud of the pictures I took of the butterflies on my Butterfly Weed and Lantana plants.

We took one child back to college and the other two kids will start school Wednesday. I guess that means Summer will soon come to an end :o(

I didn't make as much jewelry this season. Summer is the busy season for Oral Surgery so I spent way too much time at work. I plan to learn some new techniques and work on some new designs once things slow down a bit. I also want to improve my torch skills.

I hope you all enjoyed and continue to enjoy your Summer! I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you did this Summer. I'll be posting some pictures of our activities as soon as I finish editing.

Enjoy your day!

Jewelry for Spring

Spring is here! I'm so happy! There is just something about the pretty flowers, the buds on the trees and the bright sunny days that cheers me up. I've been working on beach inspired jewelry and will be posting pictures soon. I'm also thinking of designs for Mother's Day. Yes, Mother's Day is around the corner. It's time to start thinking about what you would like to give to that special mom in your life or for yourself (wink-wink).

New Necklace!!

Hello There! I went to a jewelry show over the weekend and bought some much needed supplies. I bought some crackled blue agate beads and I made this necklace. The necklace is approximately 19 1/2 inches long. The crackled blue agate is accented with brushed sterling silver beads and blue swarovski crystals. This necklace is so nice because you can dress it up or dress it down. I can see this necklace with a white button down shirt and blue jeans or with a beautiful blouse and skirt. I love it! Do you?

New Jewelry!

I've been working hard and I've put some new jewelry on the website. More to come! Ahhhh, so much to do and so little time. I'm working on more jewelry for Valentines day and I'm working on some beautiful necklaces. I have some really pretty snakeskin agate that I am playing around with. It's green and brown and oh so nice to work with. I might incorporate some smokey quartz into the design as well. I'll post a picture when I'm finished.

News Flash!!! I've been busy working on a project! I have partnered with a wonderful lady and I will have some exciting news to share soon. Stay tuned....

Hope for Haiti

I want to take a moment to pray for safety and healing for the people of Haiti. I watched the news and pleas for help for the country. I watched from my warm home while eating a hot meal and sitting in my comfortable chair. I thought about how blessed we are to have happy, healthy lives with roofs over our heads and food to eat. Please stop and take a moment to give a blessing to the people of Haiti. No matter how small. If we all gave just five dollars, that would be a large amount of money. If you just gave a couple of cans of food to your local church. There are many churches that are collecting food and other basic necessities. To donate online, please visit : https://hopeforhaitinow.org or http://redcross.org
Be a ray of hope for someone in need.

What these hands made

Today was a great day! I got up early in the morning and started working on jewelry, I filled some orders and I took some new jewelry to Honeybeez & Co.
http://honeybeezandco.com/

I'll be updating the website very soon.


http://aroundthebendjewelry.com/


I ran across a quote by Robert Redford, "There is something about the hands of an artist". I like it. I get such a great feeling when I create something beautiful with my own two hands.

Here's a picture of the jewelry these hands made. I hope you like what you see. :o)

Angela

Working working working......

I've done a lot on the computer today. I added a Facebook page for Arount the Bend! Now all I need are some fans! :o) I'm starting to get the hang of some of this technical stuff and I'm actually having fun. I have a lot to learn about marketing but I'll get there. It takes time and patience. Progress feels great!

Busy Weekend!

The weekend has been busy and productive! I got up early Saturday morning and made jewelry to take to Honeybeez & Co. I am excited to say that the store opened September 8th and my jewelry is doing very well there. It's very nice to give customers a place to go so that they can see my jewelry designs in person. Stop by when you have time. The store is located in the Garner TV and Appliance shopping complex on Hwy 70 W. 889 Hwy 70 W, Garner, NC 27529. Phone number 995-9409. Their website address is www.honeybeezandco.com
Tell them I sent you!

Busy Day Today

I got home from work today and I was feeling tired and drained. I wanted to push myself to jump right into jewelry making but I couldn't. Instead, I sat down for awhile and just tried to unwind. I ate some dinner and then I felt better. I started to feel energized again so I worked on some jewelry. I have this new idea for earrings that I want to try. I'm going to dream of different variations tonight I'm sure.

Life is so hectic that sometimes it's not easy for me to jump from one thing to the next so easily. I need time to regroup and unwind. I can't create things when I'm stressed or tired.

Tomorrow is another day and I'm going to get my task list together. I have a space at a new store. Honeybeez and Company. It's in Garner beside Garner TV and Appliance on Hwy 70. They will have great merchandise there such as jewelry, purses and various gifts. The grand opening is later this month. I have lots to do if I'm going to be ready for the opening. I'm excited! I'll be sharing more info about the store soon.

Good Night Everyone! Blessings :o)

One Leaves The Nest

Well, where do I begin? Last Saturday we took our first born child to college. It was exciting and sad at the same time. I thought that I would cry but I didn't. We had to unpack the two yes two cars that we packed full, then unpack and set up the dorm room. Tired, hot and hungry, we set out for something to eat. It rained while we walked down the street looking for a place to eat. Then after eating and rushing back to the car in the rain, we took my daughter back to her dorm. I was really tired by then. We had left home at 12:40pm and it was now 7:45pm. We all got out of the car and hugged her goodbye. My son gave his oldest sister advice about boys. My youngest child, had been so excited about having her own room, but on the way home, she was actually a little sad to leave her big sister behind. I got home and went to bed shortly after. At 1:30 my husband's phone and my phone beeped with text messages from our daughter. She was texting lists of things that she needed or had forgotten. Also the mirror that my husband stuck to the wall had fallen and broken.

Tuesday, my son and youngest daughter started school. My daughter was so excited to go to Middle School. Doug had a talk with her about Santa Tuesday night and I cried. I have no more babies!!! Doug looked at me and said, "I told you that you would cry eventually." Snotty nosed and red eyed, I tried to smile through my tears.

This week has been interesting.... Jade has sent me text messages and I've called her a few times but I've tried to cut the apron strings. I wanted to give her space and not call everyday. By Wednesday, I was really missing her and it had settled in that she wasn't just gone for a day or two... :o( I know it's time for her to grow and learn and be on her own. I've given her good advice, good judgement and now it's time for her to spread her wings. The butterfly has come out of the cocoon and she's beautiful. I can't wait to see what great things she accomplishes!

Happy Saturday! It's a beautiful sunny day today. I'm so glad the rain is gone. I'm busy today.... have to get more supplies.... getting ready for a show. Getting a list together of the things I need. I always forget something!

I want to take some pictures of my jewelry today... I joined Twitter a couple of days ago... I'm trying to see what all the buzz is about. I'm not sure yet if I'll stick with it. I like Blogging best... so far. Who has time to post to Twitter, Facebook, Blog and do all the other things that are needed. I have to admit though, it is fun to see that someone is following you on Twitter. I heard on the radio that you can post a picture on Twitter but didn't quite catch the "how" part. Oh well.... I'll keep it up for a little while and see what happens. I Never thought I would join Facebook. Now here I am.... and I actually like it! I keep it to a minimum though and sometimes I don't check it or post anything for days. It goes in spurts. I do think it's a nice way to reach out to friends and family.

Well.... time to get busy! Enjoy the day!

What Not To Wear

Watched 3 episodes of TLC's What Not to Wear tonight. I love that show... I always cry when I see the guests so happy with their new look. I was really moved by one lady tonight. She cried and was just so thankful. She finally felt beautiful.... and at home in her body. I can relate to that. This particular lady always wore big clothing to hide her body. I remember a time when I wore big clothing... or just said, I'm not buying anything until I lose weight. Then one day I decided to buy some things and not wait until I lost weight. It's hard though... I still hate shopping.. it takes so long and it's so hard to find things that look right or fit right or flatter my bottom heavy body. I've learned a lot from watching the show. I love the way they told the lady tonight that she was pretty already. I'd love to be a guest on the show... sometimes I look at pictures of myself and think "What was I thinking?" :o) And my hair! I need a new look.

Finding time....

I'm so glad I'm feeling better than the last time I posted. I think I had the flu... I'm still not 100% but I'm feeling much better.

I'm working on jewelry for the spring line. It's fun yet challenging finding time to do all the things I want to do with the jewelry and the business. I have so many ideas that I want to bring to life! I promised to take my daughter shopping for a prom dress today so the whole family (hubby, son and youngest daughter) piled into the van and went shopping. It was a cold, gray rainy day. :o( I'm happy to report that we found a beautiful dress and shoes. That took most of the day though. My husband got a tiny bit of rest before heading off to work and I took my oldest daughter to a slumber/birthday party. I ran by the store to find poster board for my son and then it was back home to cook dinner. I was tired but managed to start on a bracelet. I found some really nice natural gemstones a while ago and have been dying to create something "pretty" with them. There's just not enough time in the day!!! Working five days a week, three kids, life, dog, hubby.... it's harder to get the time and energy to make jewelry than I like. I'm not giving up though! I find I'm not happy when I'm not creating jewelry so there's always tomorrow........

Under the weather....

What a weekend! I'm stuck in bed most of the time because I'm sick. I don't know if it's the flu or what. I'm trying to do something so I am thinking of new designs for Spring. I also have my laptop and am working on creating my blog. Pretty easy so far although I will need some help w/ the background and header color. Rosie are you out there??? Help!