Creativity in a New Way?!

Sorry, I haven’t posted much this past month. The Craft Fair season is now upon me (I already have had about 3 official shows), and I have been just called in to the cubbing program as Akela!  I heard it’s because I’m creative!  My wheels are turning in other directions of how to entertain, 8, 9, and 10 year old boys for just over an hour each week.  Perhaps those cubs, would love to make a necklace for their mom’s on Mother’s Day! Any ideas please send them my way!!

Is this one of a kind?

Recently, I have been promoting .925 Silver Catalog, and people wonder why would I want to promote something that I have not created.   Even though I would love to create everything, I just don’t have the time, ability, or the way to get such affordable quality jewelry to sell.     

I believe in making good quality jewelry for the fraction of the cost.  Shouldn’t we all have good quality jewelry and if it is affordable, then we can have more of it!!

Now when I host private sales, I can offer the host and the guests even more choices, than what I can make, and then they in return can also have a more variety to choose from.  The choice is still there to buy one of a kind handmade, and with my access to these catalogs, not everyone is still going to be walking around the current home business competition such as “Silpada, Stella & Dot, Avon, Lil Sophia, etc…”

With over 60 manufactors around the world with a collection of around 6,000 pieces, .925 Silver Catalog, also has their virtual catalog online, it sure helps you to visualize it better!  So, if my one of a kind creations, aren’t what you are looking for, I hope you can find something that can appeal to you through    http://www.virtualjewelrycatalog.com                                                                                                           Vendor Code PRE609                

Christina

The Worth of Silver

On todays market the worth of silver for an ounce, is just over the $16 range.   I use a lot of sterling silver in my jewelry.  Sterling silver, is the compoment of 92.5 Silver, and 7.5 copper.  As I work, I have a little container where all my wasted silver goes, so hopefully one day I can turn this in to a reputable company such as Rio Grande, and get paid for my waste, as they melt it down.  In return though, I only would get a fraction of what it is originally worth.  For some, the going rate is about .25 an ounce, but this too can add up to something over time, rather than just throwing it away.  With the silver it can be melted down, and be made into granules, which then also can be melted down and casted in a ring.

I heard on the radio recently, that silver production is down, because now the production of digitial cameras, does not need it.  I didn’t even know they used silver in the productions of cameras!  Which, is one less demand for this popular commodity.   In other countries, silver is actually traded in lieu of money.  Here is an interesting info about silver commodity.

Sterling silver tarnishes, but with the correct combination of ingredients, or a fibre interwoven cloth where certain pigments are implanted, and perhaps even a little elbow grease can remove the dull and black layers that develops, and restore it to it’s natural state.   Tarnishing is a natural process.  It really is a chemical reaction that occurs, because the metal becomes expose to non metal (air) and causes corrosion, if left long enough it could develop rust.   When I store my earrings, I wrapped them in anti-tarnish paper.  I also keep my sterling silver in a plastic bag to keep the air out, or add a slip of carbon paper, into the container that holds the sterling silver, to prolong this process.  This is what I love about silver, it has the ability to be renewed!  So, it is with each of us.   

Each of us, tarnish…and we each have the potential to be polish and improve who we are, no matter how many layers we have.     Sometimes, we are tarnish by life experiences, our attitudes, our own actions, our reaction from others,  traditions, pride,….  the list goes on.  But, we have the ability to remove those layers of tarnish, and we can’t always do it ourselves.   Being a christian, and having the name ‘Christ” in my name, I realize that I have to rely on him, where and when I fall short. 

Benjamin Franklin through his self reflection discovered 13 virtues that he wanted to improve on.  I’m sure you could come up with your own, through self reflection.   Very few of us, take criticism well, or enjoy being told we are in the wrong, without becoming defensive, this doesn’t mean we can’t have our own opinions, but we need to submit ourselves to be polished, and take a step back, and be willing to be teachable.  As we do, layers of corrosion can be removed, and we will discover our true character, who we really have become, because we are willing to be polished.

Got to get back to creating….Christina

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http://www.925Silvercatalog.com  Vendorcode609

The Worth of Gold

Digging for Gold?

In the past month, archaeologists discovered a 2,900 year old tomb on the Greek Island of Crete.  Three woman (2 were young adolsecents) were buried with jewels.  The surprizingly discovery was that they did not expect that this level of craft existed earlier.  They believed it was from the Hellenistic Era (a few hundred years after) because of the style of the jewels.   The jewels that were discovered were gold necklaces and medallions that were decorated with lion heads and in the form of their ancient gods.  

It does not surprize me that they had this ability to create with precious materials, and to have the skills to do so.  Looking through history, we marvel at the creations of pyramids, and other ancient structures that are still left standing.   In Bibical times, we know that they were able to create a golden calf!  Wow, consider the mold that was made for that one, and the amount of gold used, it would of been so costly considering what gold is worth today! 

An ounce of gold worth today is around $1,000, give or take.  How big is that ounce? 1 ounce is about the size of 10 pennies, or 4 quarters.  There are 16 ounces in 1 pound.    I wonder how much those mediallons and necklaces are valued at today, considering their age and the amount of gold in them. 

Now, gold in an ounce, just looks pretty, it doesn’t have to even do anything to be valuable, but just sit there.   We get to admire it.

Have you heard of the saying, “you’re worth your weight in gold’?.   Imagine that…let’s throw out a #. Perhaps you weigh about 150 pounds.  150  x 16  x 1,000  =2,400,000 million dollars.

Are you worth 2,400,000 dollars?  You are worth even more, we each are royalty!!   Even though lots of people LOVE gold, love is something that we each have to give.  We each have the ability to pass on our love to others, it may be a friendly smile, a phone call, a word of encouragement, note in the mail, or perhaps a welcoming hug.  To the receiver, of your love, You are priceless! I’m sure you have made a difference to at least one person in your life, and you may not even know it!

Do you think that perhaps these 3 woman who were buried with their jewels even despite if they were royalty… knew how valuable they were to each other? I sure, hope so!     Christina

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http://www.925silvercatalog.com  Vender Code PRE609

Grosgrain Ribbon

Grosgrain ribbon is known to  look a bit glossy and tighted ribbed.  It can be made out of silk, or nylon and synthetics.   It comes in solid colours and in patterns.  It’s my favourite type of material I use when making hair accessoires, and most of all it’s very important to heat seal, or it can unravel leaving you with nothing.

Can you ever have too much ribbon?  When my rolls are almost out, and I sigh a bit of relief, that I don’t have to create anymore…I somehow end up restocking with fun patterns! Boy, aren’t colours and patterns just amazing.    One of the things that I have been creating over the years, is the “pony o streamers”.  They are combinations of layers of ribbons, glued and stitched together on an ouchless elastic, and heat sealed to prevent fraying.  I just made over 70, in the last week!   I started making these for children that wore uniforms, so that they had more choices than the standard headband or plain scrunchy that was offered at the uniform shop.   They are also really fun to customize with a team colour or sport.  For a girl, who likes to change several times in a day…it’s a great combination!  $8 each.

I have added a new product line… I want to design everything, but can’t find the time, skill or afford all the stones.  You can order directly through me at www.925silvercatalog.com    Here you will find an assortment of jewelry, fashion trends for all ages, even men’s jewelry.  My Vendor code is PRE609   Great products…pricing from me is in Canadian dollars, and no gst!!  Only a small shipping & handling fee of $7 if within Canada, or $15  to the USA, will be added.  28 day return policy.   Payment accepted: Visa, Paypal, Cash.

More Great Products!

I have added a new product line… I want to design everything, but can’t find the time, skill or afford all the stones.  You can order directly through me at www.925silvercatalog.com    Here you will find an assortment of jewelry, fashion trends for all ages, even men’s jewelry.

My Vendor code is PRE609   Great products…pricing from me is in Canadian dollars, and no gst!!  Only a small shipping & handling fee of $7 if within Canada, or $15  to the USA, will be added.  28 day return policy.   Payment accepted: Visa, Paypal, Cash.   

The Peace Crown

Unity crown

I caught the last hour of the Miss Universe 2009 pageant.  There were 3 crowns  presented by Diamond Nexus Labs, and the “world” voted for which crown would be chosen.   The one that was chosen was the “Peace” crown.   How beautiful on the winner,  Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela (2nd year in a row!)  She wore a stunning red gown, that matched the ruby adorned crown.

Peace Crown

I love the detail in the “Hope” crown, but I’m sure the theme of “Peace” is more fitting where war is still evident.

Hope Crown

 Check out the feature of how the crown came about.  When one creates a piece of jewelry such as a crown or a ring, it’s design on paper, but then you have to think about it in 3-D when you make the wax cast, something I didnot quite finish in my silver smith class.  It’s quite amazing the amount of time and detail it takes to create such a stunning piece of jewelry.  Bravo to the artists and to the wearer of the crown!

Julie and Julia’s pearls and diamonds

Have you seen the movie Julie & Julia yet?  The movie plays out about two women: one being  Julie Powell, who discovers herself through cooking through Julia Child’s 
“Mastering the Art of French Cooking” and blogging about her experience….she actually is discovered and they create this movie! The other is Julia Child, and how she became what she is famous for (even though it took decades) when it was men that went to cooking school.

Julia Child was displayed in a period of time where woman were classic in dress, especially in the kitchen.   No thought, to kick off those high heels (even at 6 ft, 2 inches!), as you peer into the oven! She always wore pearls or necklaces with her dresses or blouses/skirts.  Julie Powell’s life became interwined with Julia’s.  She wore a set of plastic pearls look a likes, and at one point, her husband presents her with a string of pearls.  Julie pops off her pearls and puts on the ones that have become even more dear to her..

I remember when I got my first fake pearls, it was still a nice strand that my mother bought for me, because I was being a bridesmaid.  I remember her words, “One day, you will get a real strand to replace these.”.   Years later, I have received 2 strands of pearls, handed picked and strung from a beach in the Philippines, a necklace and a bracelet; but from two different dear friends.   Both are treasured. 

Pearls, don’t start off being treasured.  An oyster finds something that has caused an irritant, such as a parasite.  The parasite will invade the shell and into the mother of pearl, where it comes in contact with the muscle of the oyster.     Inorder for the oyster to protect itself, it secretes cells “nacre” around the parasite it to protect itself.  The parasite dies, and the oyster continues to grow a pearl sac (layers of mother of pearl) around it.  

Just like taking a piece of coal, and heating it up, one can get a diamond.  Neither parasite or piece of coal, can you see the grand potential of what it may become.  It is the same for all of us.  Do we each know our grand potential, how valuable we are!   We each have the ability to take our own parasites or pieces of coal, and recreate ourselves for the better.  Each layer or degree of heat…represents something, that changes us…it will make us more beautiful from the inside out.  It may take  a shift in attitudes, a change of  persceptive, and correcting our ways. 

When I was in Key West, I came across the store.  “Key West Pearl Company“.  They are famous for the diamond being drilled into a pearl.   The more I think about it, the more fitting I feel that these two are a perfect fit, and will always think of their analogy together.   What they represent.  Just like Julia Child, and Julie Powell, it was through self discovery that they learned more about themselves, and what they could become.  So, the next time you put on your pearls and/or your diamonds, think about who you are now, you can improve on any of those irritants… and discover who you are becoming!  Christina www.precioussadies.com or join me on facebook: “Precious Sadie’s”

 

 

The Good, The Bad, and The Winner…

The GOOD -  July 3, (Friday) was the kick off of stampede by having the parade in the morning, so it’s officially started!   I had a sudden desire to take a sneak a peek on Thursday evening, and even though I did not win any ribbons (THE BAD), I was happy to go and see what others have done.

I did feel that my bracelet is displayed elegantly (The GOOD) (considering I did provide the hand that it is draping on). I’m not pleased with the way the belt and buckle are resting, they could of prop this up better, so you can see it better (THE BAD).   It didn’t seem like there were that many entries in this year in a lot of the categories, so if you are creative and talented, try to enter!    Jacqueline – I did see your bubblegum knitted dress, but I couldn’t see your daugther’s  goose clock, I’ll have to check it out again when I go down another day.

Last Saturday was a great success at the Lake Chaparral Community Center, the sun was beaming all day, and the line ups were long to get into the park, but they kept flipping pancakes (they expected 1,000 people but over 3,000 people came in!), and lots of fun, wholesome activites for everyone.  (The GOOD)

The Giddy Up Cowgirl, Stampede Free Giveaway, came with many interesting entries.

Clint Eastwood &  John Wayne were amongst the top movie stars.  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, & The Quick and the Dead, were favourite western movies.  Favourite horses, were “Flicka, Rusty, Spirit, and Tonto”.   Some heros that were named were “Shane”…it happen to be a husband.  Other entries included the books of  Louie L’Amour, Maurice, Frankie, Darcy Flad the chuckwagon rider, Howdy Doody, Calamity Jane, Frankie, Captain Hook (I know he’s a villain, but I haven’t seem him in a western!), and Zorro.   Thank you for all those that entered via draws, or visting this site!

The winner of this pendant is-

Connie.   Yahoo! Cowgirl!  

Thank you for all that have stop by and entered!  (48 total entries, and Connie was # 22)

Christina Parker

www.precioussadies.com

Howdy Cowgirl, It’s a Stampede Fun Free GiveAway!

One of my creative outlet these past few months, was creating western domino pendants!!

These nifty pendants, take a bit more work then they look!  Finding the appropriate size and picture, sealing the picture, using smelly and sticky resin, that if it’s not mixed right, doesn’t cure…ugh!!  Filing the picture, and making it into a pendant.

To keep you into mode of Stampede Fun amongst all those free Pancake breakfasts, pony rides, and the desire of kicking up your heels to join in square dancing or line dancing,  I’m offering you one of these adorable western domino pendants, which will be given away for  FREE after the day of the first FREE stampede breakfast in the Community of Lake Chaparral 9-12 am (before Stampede even starts!)  on  June 27!   www.lakechap.ca

GiveAway Rules:

1.  Please leave a comment here, or through my email on my official website www.precioussadies.com  Name your favourite western movie, actor, horse, hero/villain, or even your favourite brand of blue jeans will earn you  1 entry for each item you list.  (that could be a total of 5 entries!)

2.  Want to earn more entries?!  IF you have a blog, you can post about this free giveaway to allow you to get 5 more entries!  

3.  For each friend that come because of you, will earn an additional 1 entry.

4.  Join Precious Sadie’s on “Facebook”  to earn you 1 entry.

5.  Bring a Food Bank Donation to get in to the Lake Chaparral Community 9-12 am on Saturday June 27, 2009 for your Free Pancake Breakfast,  participate in the many fun family events, stop by my booth, and add your name for another entry!…IF it’s raining…though…I’m flipping pancakes, instead!

6.   Giveaway closes by June 27, at midnight, and the winner will be contacted by email.

7.   Giveaway is open to Canadians and USA residents.

Giddy Up, See Ya Soon,  Christina!