Just Some Stuff

The past few days around here have consisted of the following:

Yardwork,

A going away party for some dear friends

 (it was sad and fun all wrapped in to one colorful package),

And the making of this ring

Sterling and a stunning glow-y green cushion of fluorite. It's pure magic, I tell you!

  In the shop now (sorry, sold!). 

I've got a few other things under construction in the studio, including a pair of jasper earrings and a ring so big it will knock your socks off. Not sure if I'll finish them this week, but I'll sure try!

Hope your week so far has been both productive and pleasurable!

Flying Through Autumn

Really, it seems like I was complaining about the summer heat just yesterday and now here Alice and I are, snuggled up under a comforter on the couch keeping each other warm because I'm too stubborn to turn on the heat. 

But I'm basking in every chilly, sunny moment and remembering how I longed for them just a few short weeks ago. 

It was actually the perfect weather this past weekend for the Maple Leaf Festival. We look forward to Maple Leaf every year, both because it signals for us the start of the fall/winter season and all of the family fun time it brings, but also because of the doughnuts.

Oh, the doughnuts. 

Nothing warms your belly on a cool October morning quite like a hot (made-right-in-front-of-your-eyes) doughnut and a cup of cider!

We look forward to those doughnuts all year.

We made sure the animals in the petting zoo got some treats too:

I had a pretty quiet week in the studio last week. Alice was sick and the girls both had Friday off so I didn't get many days to myself. Hopefully I'll have some new things by the end of this week. 

I hope you're enjoying the cooler temperatures (if that's the case where you are) and taking full advantage of the start of snuggle season! 

xo

Lately

Well, I got my laptop back yesterday and it's all fixed. 

But I lost everything.

It's not as upsetting as it could be since I had most of the important stuff backed up in various places. 

It's just a pain in the you-know-what. 

I have to re-install everything.

Remember all my passwords.

Stuff like that. 

In the mean time, here are some pictures from the last week or so around the zoo:

 (He's new. His name is Blueberry. He's Aidan's. We have his brother, Raspberry, too. Raspberry is camera shy.)

(she rocks the jeggings, don't you think?)

And one new piece I added to the shop:

Tiffany stone and sterling. I love the shades of brown in this stone. Tiffany stone is famous for being purple, and despite the fact that purple is probably my favorite color ever, I just LOVE brown tiffany stone. So rich and creamy. Dang. That's a beautiful stone!

This ring is very similar to one of the first rings I ever made. I loved that ring and I'm glad it found its rightful home (although Foxy still mourns its departure). I love this one just as much. It's really the epitome of what I want my work to be. Big and bold, but at the same time, somehow, soft and pretty. 

I'm working on another, rather large, ring that I'm also very excited about. Can't wait to finish it up and show it off!

Happy Thursday, my friends!

xohttp://www.etsy.com/listing/83402615/cocktail-ring-tiffany-stone-and-sterling

My blasted computer died!

This weekend we spent some time traveling around eastern rural Kansas visiting some farms on the annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour. You might remember the bison from last year! Unfortunately, the bison farm wasn't on the tour this year, but that gave us the chance to visit some new farms.

I took tons of pics, and was excited to share, but as I was processing them on Sunday, my laptop gave up the ghost. It's currently on its way to the Toshiba service depot for repairs (thankfully it's still under warranty). No idea how long I'll be without it.

So... I guess no photos for a while.

Except for these few that I managed to upload to Flickr before the big crash...

(Corn field, freshly harvested)

(and the most adorable farm cat award goes to...)

(Hyacinth bean)

And that's all for now (and indefinitely!).

Expect a barrage of photos whenever I get my laptop back!!

In studio news, I'm working on a few custom orders and at least one or two new items for the shop this week. I'm also waiting on a supply order and then I'll be listing the leaf necklace that sold (from my last post) as a made-to-order item.

I'm off to enjoy another lovely Kansas autumn afternoon with my girls!

xo

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (A Neighborly Day in This Beautywood)

I'm writing this blog post from my front porch swing, sipping coffee while snuggled up in a down comforter (it's not cold out, but I'm so cozy!). The little one is napping and aside from the neighbor mowing his lawn, all is peaceful and quiet.

I have to admit, I'm especially enjoying the peace considering we played host to 2 extra kiddos for much of the past week.

Our dear friend Aimee and her family are moving to New York (Noooooo!! Say it ain't so!!!) and her two lively and adorable artsy girls stayed with us while Aimee flew off to New York to do a little house-shopping.

Needless to say, "peaceful and quiet" weren't words we used much over those 6 days. But we sure had fun!

Just hanging around:



Being goofy:

Swinging with Mama (that's what bliss looks like right there!):



Showing off her gerbil bite (yes, Aidan got some new pets last week, and they were a little overwhelmed by the sudden increase in activity!):

Aside from that one minor injury, we all survived unscathed and I think the artsyville girls even enjoyed themselves, despite missing their parents terribly.

Imagine how we'll feel when they're no longer living a few blocks away... :(

Guess we'll have to make the most of it while we can.

And I see a few trips to the Big Apple in our future!

I did manage to make a few things over the last couple of days. Listed them in the shop this morning!

A new series of teeny tiny necklaces:

In leaf (SOLD, but I'll have a made-to-order version listed soon)

heart



and paisley

Look great layered:

That's all for now! I bought a new lens yesterday and I'm excited to get out and use it (I've played around with it a little already, I can tell I'm completely in LOVE), so I'll be back soon with more photos! 

Have a deliciously autumn-y weekend!!