Karma

I read somewhere that “Karma means Action. " 

Here is what I think: No matter how much we think we are getting away with something, we do not. A person may be under the impression that nothing is going to happen to them for they haven’t seen immediate consequences of their actions. That’s a mistake. That is a person who is too near sighted to acknowledge all unknown variables at play, and too self-absorbed to consider what unpredictable actions those variables might take.  And with that ignorance comes the consequences in forms that they never anticipated.

Definitely something to think about.

Upside to owning your own business

You know what’s great about working for yourself? Simply that I am free to be me.  No need to ask for approval (on anything), no need to act stupid (or smart) to fit in, no need to be political, no need to sit on the fence and be bland, no need to go along with bad ideas (unless they are mine), no need to interact with people you don’t like, no need to expend energy on unimportant things, and no need to be limited by others’ limitations.

It’s a completely freeing experience that I am truly grateful to have. 

To find out more about this little silver dress coat pin, please click here.

Downside to being a business owner

You know what’s really difficult about running your own business? Not having any structure to time, day and hours. For the most part I’m pretty good about identifying what needs to be done and taking care of it. However, there are days when having so much freedom can be a bit overwhelming.

The other day, I went for a walk, came back an hour later, feeling pretty good and focused and ready to start on the projects. But then, I felt the need to catch my breath from having walked for an hour. So, with a glass of water, I sat down at my desk and started to watch “Crossing Jordan” on Netflix. It was going to be only for 15 min, and then I was going to start my day. Btw, who knew that show ran for 6 seasons. 

But that 15 min. became an entire episode, and by the time the episode was over, it was time for lunch, and of course, I had to watch another episode while eating. And by the time I finished eating, well, inertia had set in. I sat on my chair, glued to my computer screen, unable to move and all the while feeling the angst of needing to be productive.  I noticed some jewelry components next to the computer, picked them up, turned them over, put them down and was sucked back into watching Jordan and Woody chase the bad guys. Btw, Jerry and Charlie O’Connell, good-looking men. Their parents must be really proud. 

By 8 pm, I had accomplished absolutely nothing, and in my need to make up for the wasted day, I actually answered someone’s ad looking for a guest writer on her blog.  Apparently my mind was under the impression that if I couldn’t be productive for me, then being productive for someone else was just as good.  Yeah…. Finally, at 10 p.m., disgusted with myself and tired from watching so much “TV”, I went to bed.

So there you have it. A day in a life of a business owner on her not-so-good day. 

Today, of course, is another day.  I finished this post and it’s not even 9 a.m. After breakfast I will be heading out to the post office to send off an order and will return promptly to work on a new piece of jewelry.  Today is a good day. 

Channeling My Inner Martha Stewart

Here is my "It's a good thing."  I was in need of a paper perforation cutter to make tags, and after much search, I came upon this little tool.  So I ordered one on Amazon.

OLFA Perforation Cutter

                                         Blade Closed                                      Blade Open  

What I made using the little gizmo

This tool is simple, small and precise. I absolutely love it!

Beautiful Alliteration

"Splendid shreds of silk and satin" - Jane Eyer by Charlotte Bronte
I think this is the most beautiful grouping of words.  Every time I read it, I hear rustling silk and satin.

Silver Poppy with a Golden Center

Bean Sprouts- Mother and Child

When I was a college counselor, occasionally my students would bring their children with them to appointments. As I talked to the parents, the kids would become preoccupied with toys I had in my office. Most of them were very well behaved, and even the ones who were more, shall we say, "rambunctious" are a lot of fun. One particular powerhouse of energy disguised as a 2 year old comes to mind. It’s hard to forget how she dodged her mother and held onto my leg when it’s time for her to leave. Too, too cute. In a world where we are constantly reminded of how careless we treat the young, I am heartened by how loving my students were with their children. You could see it in those little faces. They knew they mattered. They knew they were loved.

This piece is a tribute to that unconditional gentleness and kindness that make little sprouts grow up to be healthy happy big sprouts. :)

Bean Sprout, Mother and Child Necklace.

Breakfast

Yes,  cookies count as breakfast food. 

Jewelry Making Process

In making jewelry, I use either the lost wax technique or hammer forging.  Here is an abbreviated look at how a pendant comes to life using the wax casting process, which can take anywhere from a week to two or more weeks. 

1. A wax mold is made from original design. It is individually retouched to obtain desired shape. 

2.  Using the lost wax technique, it is then cast in silver. With this process, the wax shape is encased  in a sort of plaster, then molten silver is poured in, displacing the wax. 

3.   Right after casting.

4. Right after the acid bath (aka pickle) to remove the black patina.  The cast piece is never smooth. It has bubbles and rough spots that need to be removed.

5. Some of the tools I use to remove all the rough spots to make it smooth.

      6. The pendant is smoothed and a jump ring is soldered on. But more cleaning and polishing are needed to make it finer.

7. It is then given an oxidization treatment and is polished to high shine.  

8. Add chain and it’s ready to go.

Eternity Ring Necklace