Are You Wearing Your Green?

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas

Hi !!!

Even though it's going to be unseasonably warm today, the holidays are on my mind.  I'm amazed at how fast this year's gone by.  Thanksgiving is in two weeks, relatives have asked for the Little Nugget's Christmas list, (she's more than happy to oblige!), and my neighbors already have their holiday decorations up (the nerve!).

It's also my first holiday season as a seller rather than buyer.  It's very exciting and also a bit nerve-wracking too.  I don't really know what to expect!  My secret fantasy is that all my jewelry will sell out on cyber-Monday!  Oops, not a secret anymore.  In reality, I'll be thrilled to sell a couple of pieces.  There's nothing better than doing something you love, but getting PAID to do something you love, that's. just. awesome!

Deck the halls with Nuggets of Goodness, fa-la-la-la, la-la, la, la!!!  (pardon my inner-dork for revealing itself!)

All for now,
Nugget

Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here?

Hi, I'm finally back, and this is my jewelry/crafty/createy/whatever blog.  Who am I?

In a nutshell, and in no particular order,

• I like shiny things.  I've been making/collecting/obsessing on jewelry forever.  Well OK, since high school, but that was at least an ice age ago. 
• I am wife to a wonderful man, and mommy to an incredible daughter on the spectrum.  Collectively we call ourselves Team Nugget, and they are my Sweet Nuggets of Goodness...I thought that would be a  fitting name for my Etsy shop!
• I'm easily distracted.  Which makes it hard to get anything done, especially since I have a four-year old with the same attention span.  It also means that at any given time, I have at least 3 or 4 projects I'm working on.  Arg!!!
• I can be very silly.  Consider yourself warned.

Want to hang out? 

I hope so, otherwise I'll just be talking to myself.  And that would just be silly...

All for now,
Nugget  :-)