Just because...

...he loves me,

he bought me a fan-dangly new camera...

A Canon EOS 550D, no less!

Oh husband, how I love thee ♥

Anthony is notorious for the best 'just because I love you' gifts,

but he outdid even himself with this one.

Now I understand why all the cool people have a Canon...

(including her, and her, and her)

They are unbelievably good!

So, I've been having fun re-shooting some pieces that have been sitting around in my shop...

The *Drop of Desert Sky* Necklace

{ SOLD - thank you!}

The *Petite Desert Flower* Ring in Tangerine

Available here

The *Moroccan Trinkets* Necklace

Available here

The Canon has also been great for shooting some new custom orders,

including this lovely Twilight Topaz and filigree ring...

...this all black version of my *Safi* Earrings...

...and my *Mosaique* Necklace, newly embellished with pebbles of 9 carat gold at the request of a lovely lady...

~*~

The camera was also a blessing for October 7...

our daughter's birthday...

Four!

I cannot believe our baby girl is four!

I will never forget the first moment I saw her,

I gasped because she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

And she grows more beautiful with every passing year...

The hula hoop was a big hit...

she danced and twirled for hours...

...only stopping to ride her new scooter...

It's a Tinkerbell scooter,

naturally.

:-)

And when the new toys had been thoroughly broken in,

my budding chef helped me to decorate her own birthday cupcakes,

complete with sprinkles and princess decorations...

What more could a little princess ask for!

♥

~*~

I'm looking forward to sharing the culmination of my giveaway prizes with you soon as well...

they are coming together beautifully...

Stay tuned!

~*~

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend, my friends!

Don't forget to smile :-)

Story telling...

I love telling a story with metal and stone...

...but I also love telling your story,

weaving your words into a tangible thread,


piece by piece,


moment by moment.


It always begins with an idea or two...

(or three...)



(initial design sketches)


...and ends with a meaningful, wearable tale...





This set tells a story of old Serbia,


of churches rich with decoration and history,


ornate facades and masterful craftsmanship...








But it also tells a story of a daughter's love for her mother,


a bond all at once enduring and eternal...






A gift,


a token...





...a tribute to a woman admired and adored...

To know that these pieces will be worn and loved by a wonderful woman


as she makes memories and enjoys moments,


and who will, 


in turn, 


add her own words to this story,


makes me very, very happy...


:-)


~*~


What is making you happy this week, my friends?

The Pace of Nature

Adopt the pace of Nature

Her secret is patience

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

~*~

Mother Nature knows that good things take time.
Her every action is thoughtful
and productive…
a perfectly orchestrated symphony of creation.

She weaves every thread to a glorious whole
with a magic that is only possible
with time and temperance.

She works with Time's hand,
not against it,
at a pace that is patient and deliberate,
wasting not action nor moment.

Her masterpieces are crafted
with a tender hold,
coaxed piece by piece,
thread by thread,
moment by moment.

There is no urgency,
no limit on time.
Growth takes as long as it takes,
life cannot be rushed...

Slow down,
live,
breathe,
and entice life at a gentle pace,
with a peaceful soul
and a patient heart....

~*~

{ SOLD - thank you! x }

Slow and fast...

The days are growing steadily shorter here in Melbourne,

(as the veil of night draws longer, in turn)

and the air carries the unmistakable breath of Winter.

There is a distinct calm about this time of the year

as Mother Natures idles and wanes.

The wind has abated to a barely audibly whisper...

I walk the footpaths near home

and there is silence,

a hush that only comes with the winding down of Autumn

and the welcoming in of Winter.

Slow.

And yet I find myself hurried.

Fast.

Greeting the crisp evenings with a flurry of energy and a warm cup of coffee.

(my studio is in the back part of the house...a wall of louvered windows behind me leaves the thinnest veil between me and the cold night air!  Coffee is REQUIRED!!!)

Long, late nights.

Just me,

and metal,

and flame...

(and the moon, when the night sky is bare of cloud :-) )

Here's a little of what my hands have made recently...

The *Mosaique* Necklace

A hollow form pendant, formed by hand from sterling silver sheet and wire...

Chrysoprase and filigree...

I find Moroccan mosaic endlessly inspiring,

masterful art of colour and pattern... 

Source

Traditionally, they are designed to inspire 


meditation,


reflection,


faith...

Source

The *Treasures of the Souk* Earrings in Lemon 

Sterling silver and delicious lemon quartz onion briolettes

And finally, a custom order...

Sterling silver and a beautiful faceted red ruby...

...and you all know how much I love rubies!

*swoon*

There is also another new necklace to be listed,


and custom orders to be filled...


I foresee many, many late nights ahead!


I do like greeting the new day under the light of the moon, though :-)


~*~


Whether your week is slow,


or fast,


I hope that it is wonderful 


and full of wonder!