Are You Wearing Your Green?

If not, I have a little somethin somethin to rectify that situation....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Movie Time!

By some strange turn of events (the Little Nugget collapsing into deep slumber after swim lessons), Mr. Nugget and I found ourselves in the position to enjoy a nice movie in the quiet and warm embrace of our comfortable couch.  With the help of our pal Netflix, we selected Exit through the Gift Shop for our viewing pleasure.

It's really good! It's a documentary about an amateur film maker who immerses himself in the world of street art.  Set on making a documentary on the underground scene, he gains the confidence of many important figures, including the British artist Banksy.  In the documentary, Banksy talks about their relationship and how the project took shape.  I'll leave it at that.

Very funny and smart look at the art world and it's shortcomings.  It was nominated for best documentary at the Academy Awards, although there has been some speculation as to whether it's actually a documentary or a mockumentary.  Either way, it's very entertaining plus you get to see street artists such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey at work.  See it!

All for now,
Nugget

Link Love

I've never been to the British Museum in London..



but thanks to the wonders of modern technology, almost 2 million objects in their collection can be accessed via the internet in their online collections database.  

For anyone interested in jewelry history or even art history in general, this is a bona fide treasure trove.  Their jewelry and metalwork holdings are spectacular to say the least, and I am especially fond of the 15th-17th century prints of  Renaissance jewelry designs:

or this:

Just remember when searching the database, you need to use British spellings (jewellery instead of the American jewelry).  I cannot tell you how much time I've spent just virtually cruising through this collection. Have fun and happy searching!

All for now,

Nugget

Eh-Hem... *taptaptap* Is This Thing On?!

OMG I got my first Etsy Front Page!  Woot!  *Happy Dance!*



It's the Miriam Necklace, one of my personal favorites and the very first piece I made for my shop!!! How's that for serendipity!!!

What a great day!

All for now,
Nugget

When Stormtroopers Have Too Much Time on Their Hands...

Very cool photos by Stéfan found via this blog!


Baywatch



Camouflage

Dough You Mind



Fishing in the Toilets



Air Guitar Hero

Fun stuff!

Where's the Jewelry?

OK, so the big focus at the Oscars were the dresses, well and the awards.  But after much anticipation I was very much looking forward to a veritable parade of sparkly goodness.  Not so much.  Lots of bare necks.

I did like the little number worn by Nicole Kidman:

Despite the huge rocks, it's actually a very simple necklace, very lovely with a nice vintage feel.  Reminds me of the crystal beaded necklaces popular in the 40's-50's.

I thought Natalie Portman's Tiffany & Co. Tassel earrings were the highlight of the evening:

Stunning!  So pretty with the plum colored dress!

All in all, nothing too exciting to report here.  As far as trends, simple designs where the stone itself is the focus, emerald green, dazzling white sparkle?  Sigh.  The dresses were beautiful, & my Netflix queue is stuffed to the gills....

All for now,
Nugget

Love Love Love!

When I saw this on Etsy the other day, my heart just melted:

Cashmere Sleepy Pocket Bunny by asherjasper

I've always wanted to try needle felting, and examples like this just make it look like so much fun!  The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that adorable belly button was this:

Woman (Venus) of Willendorf

22,000-21,000 BCE

4.3 in high

because of course that's what my art history brain is apt to do as they are roughly the same size, and share a super cuddly tactile qualiity!

Bunny tushie!



Super soft sleep buddy, indeed!

All for now,

Nugget



It's Not You, It's Me...

This is so hard to say.  We've been together for such a long time now, which makes it even harder...I'm breaking up with you, Michaels. 

We had some good times.  When I got those weekly 40% Off the Price of Any Item Coupons (excluding sale items, magazines, books, Martha Stewart items, Cricut items, clearance items, or anything else you want), I couldn't wait to hook up with you.  It was intoxicating.  I remember the first time I introduced you to the Little Nugget.  She gasped "Oh Mommy, look at all the colors!!!"  I knew just how she felt.  We both thought you were "the one". 

But something happened.  I don't know.  Maybe you started phoning it in.  Maybe I just raised my standards.  But all I know is I need a store that can give me what I need.

I've started seeing another store.   It's a locally owned store.  There, I've said it.  Their beads are all drilled on center.  And the holes are straight.

But we can still be friends, right?  I'm sure I'll need some craft paints or a new sketch book from time to time.  And hey, you're the only place I can get butter rum Life Savers, so we've still got that! 

Take care of yourself, Michaels.  It was good knowing you.

Nugget

Treasury Time!

A new treasury, this time for TeamBacon, which I am proud to announce I am now a card carrying member!  Actually, there's not really a card, but here's the treasury!



Enjoy!

Nugget

2011 Will Be a Wild Ride! *Crossing Fingers!*

This new year finds me very motivated, but overwhelmingly so.  I want to do too many things, so much so that I'll probably end up doing none of them!  Well, OK, some of them.  I really need to work on inventory, blog at increased frequency, finish painting the living room...and instead, I want to draw, or make a sketchbook, or learn to make a mold for casting, or design t-shirts, or learn needle felting...

Sigh.  When it rains, it pours!  Didn't I just complain a month or so ago that I was drawing a blank creatively?  LOL!

I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting year, in terms of my artistic side, which has gone ignored for many, many years.  Many people in my life don't know that for the first 25 years of my life, I identified myself as an artist.  I painted, drew (oh how I loved to draw!), even went to school and got a degree in art. Also interested in the history of art, I immersed myself in studies and got a degree in that too.  Except when I became an art historian, somehow the artist part of me disappeared.  I'm not sure why.  Granted, I had a new circle of friends, friends who had only known me as the latter, and the world of painting and drawing seemed to fade into the distance, almost like a dream.  I lost some of my visual and technical skills, which was frustrating, and not really encouraging to my inner artist.

But a few years ago, I had a realization, maybe a re-awakening?  I really miss doing all that fun stuff!!!  So this year, yes I 'm going to work at rekindling that artistic side, and I hope to bring you along for the ride.  I'm a poet, and didn't know it!  JK.

Yea for Creativity!

Nugget

Inventory Update

*head*

*desk*

Treasury Time!

I recently was asked to join the Vintage Jewelry Sellers on Etsy (VJSE Team), and have been thrilled to join forces with such a great group.  Not only are they nice, but their jewelry is to die for!  This morning I created a treasury of beautiful offerings from VJSE sellers, check it out!




Enjoy!

All for now,
Nugget

Big Time

Now that I've decided to ramp up my hobby into a real-live small business, I realize that there are some things that I have neglected in the past.  An inventory of my supplies.

Oh. My.

I've been collecting vintage jewelry and jewelry parts since I was in high school (an ice age ago), and findings, beads, etc for almost as long.   Not to mention a serious addiction to craft stores.  So the very thought of counting every single bead, jumpring, etc, seems a bit daunting. 

But strangely, it appeals to the OCD part of my personality.  I LOVE minutia, in fact I've made a career of managing bits of information in my other life as a digital content manager.  Makes perfect sense that I'd be a jewelry maker, with my love of tiny things and attention to detail!  LOL!

So yeah, I'm a little bit excited, got a spreadsheet ready, anxious to get started.  And I promise you, this will pass.  Probably after an hour!  But for those first 60 minutes, I will be in OCD heaven!!!  LOL!

All for now,
Nugget

Treasury Time!

I just found this cool widget from Craftcult that lets you put Etsy Treasuries in your blog, so I couldn't resist!

This one is called Wreath, Deconstructed...



Yea!

All for now,
Nugget

Color Inspiration for 2011

Thank you, Pantone!  *kiss kiss!*

Are your ready for the "IT" color?  If you guessed honeysuckle, you guessed right!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Honeysuckle!

I always thought honeysuckle was a creamy honey yellow, but who am I to judge?  Corally pink it is! 

Little Nugget and her pink-heavy wardrobe are set to be the toast of preschool come January!  LOL!

All for now,

Nugget

**Tap Tap Tap** Is This Thing On?

**eh-hem**

I JUST HAD MY FIRST TWO SALES IN THE ETSY STORE!!!!

whew, that felt good!

All for now,
Nugget

That's App-tastic!

Cool!  There's an App on the iPad that lets you create virtual paintings...

From the exhibition "Fresh Flowers," a drawing created by artist

David Hockney with the creative tool that's been

fascinating him lately — the iPad. Untitled, 10 July 2010

is one of hundreds of digital works showing on

40 screens in the Paris exhibition, which runs through Jan. 30.



Wonder how it would work for jewelry designers....anyone?

All for now,

NOG

Pardon the Dust...

I've been doing a little cleaning around the NOG Blog, working on layout, design and such. 

A lot has been going on!  Did you see this? 

Apparently the Wallis Simpson auction brought in a whopping $12.5 million, with that gorgeous diamond, onyx and emerald panther bracelet by Cartier going for a record $7 million!

Lovely!

All for now,
Nuggets

Post Holiday Ennui

It seems like ages since Team Nugget's kept it's usual routine.  A week before the holiday, the whole family was struck down with a horrible plague, then there was the time off for Thanksgiving itself.  It feels like I've been off work for two weeks...well, pretty close!

We're all starting to feel it, especially the Little Nugget.  She's been a big bear without the structure.  Being aspie, it's really important for her to have the comfort of knowing what's next.  Hubby Nugget gets super fidgetty, and for me, well, I just lose track of the days.  Plus I'm at a creative standstill.  I need to fill the Etsy/Artfire shops with holiday goodies, but am drawing a blank.

So tomorrow it all goes back to "normal," even if for a short time, and I'm pretty excited to get back to work.  I'm sure I'll change my mind by Wednesday, but for now, I can't wait!

I might even make myself a pair of earrings to mark the occasion!!!

All for now,
Nugget

Giving Thanks

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? 

I'm really looking forward to getting together with my wonderful family!  I have the best in-laws ever!  Not only did they accept me as one of their own the moment I met them, but they also welcomed my parents with open arms.  As an only child, that means so much to me.  My husband and I never have to alternate holidays between the two families, and I never have to worry about my parents being on their own.  I'm so lucky to be part of a close-knit, fun, loving group of people!  Mushy, I know, but I love 'em.  No wonder my husband is such a good man!

I'm also grateful for the amazing teachers that have helped the Little Nugget be the smart, sweet, funny, giggly, ornery Monkey that WE knew she was, but nobody else ever got to see.  Earlier this spring, she was diagnosed on the Spectrum, and the early intervention she's received as a result has made a world of difference.  For the first time since she was born, I am looking forward to a Christmas in which she's an excited, engaged participant, able to play and interact with her cousins, and experience the pure childhood joy of Santa Claus, Christmas carols, over-the-top holiday displays, and opening gifts!  This is going to awesome!

What are you thankful for?

Nugget