Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Shine On

So now that Thanksgiving is almost over, let the Christmas season begin!  If you ask me, Christmas is truly the only good thing about winter.  Remember my love affair with warm weather and the sun?  Well, I also have a love affair with THE SON!  And I'm eternally grateful that He came to earth on that first Christmas day. 

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced." 
Matthew 2:10

Oh Beautiful Star

An Angel Named Heather

Thank you to everyone who came out to my home on Friday evening for my annual holiday open house.  There were over 30 people who came!  From where I stood, it felt like a great success! 

I also want to publicly recognize and give a huge thank you to this very special woman! 

Meet Heather...


photo courtesy of Heather's facebook

I've known Heather ever since she was a little girl.  During her teenage years, I was her mentor through a program at our church.  She was/is a babysitter for our children.  She's a neighbor of ours.  And now that she is an adult, we enjoy a great friendship with each other. 

Heather was my right hand woman the day of the open house.  She helped me clean and organize during the day.  We both took a break for naps in the afternoon!  Then she came back in the evening to help me with the open house.  She helped prepare and replenish the refreshments, answered the door, and welcomed the children who tagged along with their parents.  Thank you, Heather!

In just a few short months, Heather is embarking on an exciting adventure.  Although I will miss her, she will be going out of the country to do important missions work.  And she will be a blessing to all whom she meets along the way!

Winners of Drawing for Open House

Thanks to all who replied with their favorite item from my Etsy shop to be entered into a drawing for 50% off any one item at my open house.  This morning I randomly chose the winners.  Let's just say that if your name is Mary, it's your lucky day!


CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY JO V. AND MARY L.!


You'll be hearing more about Mary Jo in the next couple of weeks.  She is a very important part of the new look you see here and on my business cards.  More to come...

Hope to see you tonight at my open house!  Have a great weekend! 

Annual Holiday Open House

Whew, I'm completely up to my eyeballs in beads, beads, BEADS!  Thank goodness I enjoy my sun room studio, because I've been spending nearly every waking moment in there lately. 

I'm getting ready for my Annual Holiday Open House!  If you are local, I invite you to come out to my home on Friday, Nov 19 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM.  If you need directions, leave a comment and I'll contact you.  If you plan to attend, go visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment telling me which piece is your favorite.  You will then be entered into a chance at winning a coupon for 50% off any one item at my open house!

To take a virtual tour of my open house last year, go visit Amy's blog.  And then come to my home on Friday night to check out what's new this year.  Hope to see you!

By the way, if you're not local or cannot attend....I will be updating my sorely neglected Etsy shop with new listings next week. 

Chain Happy

I can't get enough of it, just can't seem to stop using it in every new design, love it....

CHAIN!

Rustic  ~  natural antique brass and pressed glass

Chain is so versatile and simple.  I like simple. 

Chain can be dressed up with pearls and crystals.

And Everything Nice  ~  sterling silver, glass pearls, crystals

And chain looks equally nice paired with rustic natural brass and irregular shaped stones.

Oh Beautiful Star series  ~  natural antique brass and kyanite

Chain is showing up in not only necklaces, but also bracelets...

Just For Me  ~ 
natural antique brass, lampwork glass, African turquoise, pressed glass, heirloom ceramic piece

Note about that bracelet....the name "Just For Me" literally means just that.  I made that bracelet for myself (not something I usually do).  The cream colored ceramic bead is from a necklace that my mom had been given as a gift from my brother quite some time ago.  It was made in a local pottery place.  My mom wanted the necklace remade a bit, so I kept some of the beads to use for myself. 

Chain is also showing up in my new earring designs...

Water Lilies  ~  natural antique brass, pressed glass

Here's one more for you to see.  Another necklace from the "Oh Beautiful Star" series.  Christmas is coming...

Oh Beautiful Star series  ~  natural antique brass, freshwater pearl, African Jade