muddy lotus

A NEW BEGINING...

2011-08-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

That's right everyone I'm still alive! Although its been some time since Ive last sent my thoughts out into the blogger universe I have been busier than ever. This journey has been a wonderful experience full trial and error but without further adieu it is my pleasure to introduce my new baby, Handmade Life. A company based on the idea that Chic and Eco friendly can coexist in the same universe. I have decided to end this blog and begin a new chapter.

My hope is that Handmade Life will become a source of inspiration and amusement for all who have a love for crafting, creating, and conserving. So come on over...

www.handmadelifehawaii.blogspot.com

SEED BEADS ARE THE BEES KNEES...

2010-02-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

I took a break from my metal and torch this week to make a little room for the other love of my life...SEED BEADS!

I was taking a stroll in my local bead store and ran across some beautiful Charlotte seed beads.

I just LOVE Charlotte's, they are like seed beads but smaller and are cut on one side so that when you string them together they sparkle like tiny gemstones... Delicious!

Anyhow here are some new additions to my shop. Hope you like them...

MIXING METALS!!

2010-02-12T19:02:00.001-08:00

I've been doing some experimenting with mixing silver with copper and here is the first creation...

"The Poppy Necklace"Copper Poppy

Fine silver pollen

Hanging on textured sterling silver ring....

"Tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breaths"

William Worldsworth-1798

ITS JUST ME AGAINST THE ROLL...

2010-02-09T03:49:00.000-08:00

Well here I am again... Giving it yet another stab at trying to transform my bad eating habits into new exiting ways to trick my mind (and taste buds) into believing that Brussels Sprouts really do taste like heaven. Well maybe not to that extreme. Though I really have wanted to make an effort to try and eat healthier.

In this journey I have taken it apon myself to join My Food Diary.Com and have discovered how much easier it can be to monitor what you put in your mouth when you have to remember to log it in a chart every day. Let me tell you folks you really begin to think twice about eating that tempting treat when you know that your daily calorie number will jump 500 points. At first I thought "who will know, no one sees the chart but me" But at the risk of sounding like the cheesiest cheese ball. I have realized that I will know... And this simple reality check seemed to change something inside of me tonight.

As the microwave was warming my tasty cinnamon roll to the perfect gooey temperature I flipped to my food dairy.com. Out of sheer morbid curiosity, I decided to see what the nutritional chart would look like for my regular bakery Cinnamon roll. BIG MISTAKE!!!

620 Calories

24 g Of Fat

14g Of Saturated Fat

And the list goes on and on...

That's right folks. There I stood at at a crossroad...

I had two choices...

One, I could eat the roll and just not log it down to forever torture me with its frown faces telling me I have exceeded my daily intake for saturated fats...

Or two, I could think about the effort that I had so proudfully put into my day, and how good it felt after that spinach salad for lunch. And by eating this one roll would have made the past 12 hours null and void..

I choose option two... GOLF CLAP FOR ME...YAY!

The Snuggle Bear is out to get me!!!!!!!!

2010-02-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

So this is my current situation... My boyfriend decided to do a load of laundry this morning before he headed off to work... Simple enough right? Well what I probably should mention to you is that we have one of those stand up washer and dryers that shakes violently in its final spin. Due to the fact that we live in an apartment with limited space we store all of our detergent and LIQUID SOFTENER on top of the washer. Well this morning that gal-darn washer gave a good enough shake to throw that Snuggle softener right onto the tile floor. Which comes to my next bit of sad news... Whom ever it was to use the softener last forget to screw the cap on tight. So I now have blue softener all over the hall and a smell that makes me feel like Mr. Snuggle Bear is choking me.... Ulgh!!!!!!! After this I'm definitely switching back to dryer sheets.

♥ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE SALE ♥

2010-02-02T01:29:00.000-08:00

All you have to do is find something pretty, make your pay pal purchase and eagerly await your refund.

Its that simple.

So now is the time to get that item for yourself or someone special this Valentines Day.

With lots of LOVE...Erin

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO LAUGH...

2010-01-26T00:49:00.000-08:00

This was taken by one of Olafs family friends... You nedd to watch the entire clip to get the full affect. It continues to make me laugh two days after I first saw it, so I thought I would share it with all of you...

"Cause sometimes you just need to laugh".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgDa_cpgHWs

BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS...

2010-01-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

I'm back... Well kinda. This past month has been a whirlwind of holiday guests and work which has left little time for me to play in my studio... But now that 2010 is upon us I wish for nothing more than to have some one on one time with my silver and my torch. Be sure to check back for some shiny things in the upcoming days

Saying Goodbye...

2009-12-10T02:44:00.000-08:00

This week I said goodbye to a great man. My grandpa, Victor Manuel Jimenez. After 87 amazing years it was at last his turn to be with god. Everything that I am and everything that I have is because of this man.

A man who always put his family first.

A man who would give the shirt off his back if you had none.

A man who loved the game of golf more than anything.

A man who went out of his way to make you laugh.

Grandpa, I will miss your voice, your hugs, the way you always said "Love you , Love you" because one "Love you" wasn't enough.

I will miss it all...

"Love You, Love You"

Victor Manuel Jimenez

July 1, 1922 - December 1, 2009

My Grandmother and I

Rabecca Jimenez

A silver band I placed. A piece of me to be with him.

This just makes me smile...

ITS GONNA BE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

2009-12-01T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well we are now in full swing Holiday season. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us we can look forward to Christmas, New Years and AH HEM( my birthday),you know all the really important holidays. I've been working like a dog trying to stock up some inventory for the new year... This will be the year of craft fairs for me. I am gonna get my butt in check,get organized and really do it... Sorry I guess this wasn't so much of a blog post as it was inspirational speech to myself. Aren't you glad you were here for it!

Anyhow here are some new additions to my shop. Hope you enjoy...

PINK CORAL FLOWER RING...

FACETED RED CORAL SPIRAL EARRINGS...

ABALONE LOVE KNOT EARRINGS...

PEACOCK PEARL DANGLES...

STERLING FERN STUDS...

CYBER MONDAY SALE...BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 OFF!

2009-11-30T03:59:00.001-08:00

I guess you could say that I'm on a bit of a roll. My black Friday sale went well so I decided to have one last sale this year.

BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 OFF

All you need to do is make your purchases and the refund will promptly be posted to your paypal account.

HAPPY LOOKING ALL YOU SMART ONLINE SHOPPERS!

Here's my store link...

www.epowersdesigns.etsy.com

SHOP TILL YOU DROP! IT'S MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE...

2009-11-27T01:46:00.001-08:00

I AM HAVING A BLACK FRIDAY SALE... ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FIND YOUR PERFECT GIFT WHETHER FOR YOURSELF OR FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE AND YOU REFUND WILL BE PROMPTLY POSTED TO YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT... HAPPY SHOPPING...

Christmas in Hawaii...

2009-11-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well its beginning to look alot like Christmas in Hawaii. All of the shopping centers have all of there Christmas decorations up which is the best reminder due to the fact that it is 90' and sunny all the time.

Anyhow I have been a busy little bee trying to put some new designs in my shop for the holiday season. For those of you that are smart and do your shopping early, here ya go.

APPLE JACKS

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35011757

AQUAMARINE HOOPS

TEXTURED HOOPS WITH GARNET

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=35010691

HAPPY HOLLIDAYS...

ERIN

My Muddy Lotus...

2009-11-13T02:48:00.000-08:00

Here is my newest creation. Lately I've been trying so hard to test my skills and branch out to try new techniques. Let me tell you how hard this can be with a tight budget and silver prices beginning to skyrocket. With that said I have been so tickled with the direction that my creativity has been going. Never in million did I think that I could be having so much fun as I have been in the past couple of years.

I have to admit that in the past I have had a problem with being patient. The phrase "when you don't succeed, try, try again" meant nothing to me. I was stuck in the mentality that if it didn't go right the first time then that was it, and I was on to the next. Maybe this changes with age because as I get older I feel like something has changed in me. I now feel the need to perfect.
Just like my last project, this ring also gave me a bit of a fight but with some practice and patience I was able to create something that I am so proud of and that feels so good.

A hand sawed Sterling Silver Lotus flower holds the prettiest shell in the center. I have embellished the back with a copper stem that falls into a twisted vine shank. Oh so comfortable.

Oh so Muddy...

Love Erin...

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...

2009-11-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

Ahhh what could have been... I spent the better part of the day trying to resolve all the little problems this ring was giving me. Only to crack the wooden bead in the home stretch of its creation. Oh well, I put so much love into this little guy I felt it should still have its 15 seconds. It was the first piece that I decided to start mixing metals and put a little copper heart on its back. As frustrated as I am at the moment its back to the bench for me...

IM POOPED ...

2009-10-26T03:05:00.000-07:00

Its been a loooooong week for me. I've been busy at the bench coming up with new items to put in my store. I haven't posted a blog in a bit so I figured tonight was as good a night as any even if I had to stay up a little later than normal. So what new with me you wonder...Well lets see... Olaf has been volunteering at the Humane Society a couple days a week. He had mentioned that I might want to come down to see all the animals... All I can say is watch what you ask for;o) The poor man quickly regretted his invitation when I tried to take the whole lot of animals home with me. There was one puppy in particular that had quickly stolen my heart. His name was Squeaky. He was the cutest little Border Collie I had ever seen . I wish I has a photo to share with you. Only 6 weeks old he was white with brown spots, and the fur on the tip of his nose was so transparent he appeared to have freckles... Don't tell Oly but someday soon this pup is coming home with me. The only down fall to the day was the fact that my allergies were not as happy as I was to see the little critters. I spent the rest of the evening with itchy eyes, a runny nose, and swollen puppy and kitty scratches all over me... Still it was worth every sneeze.

Other that that little adventure the rest of my week has been spent working at Lulus and other boring but necessary evils that seem to clutter our day to day lives...paying bills and all that nonsense. Well I thank God that he helps me manage my time so I can play at my jewelry... Cause I have to say the highlight of my day is when I am alone with my music, my metal, and my torch... So with that said here are some photos to tickle your pallet. All of which were listed in my Etsy shop this evening...

Later Gaters...

PURPLE HAZE STACKABLE RING

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33280026

PANSY STUDS

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=33278121

FLOWER BUD STUDS

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=33279698

INDIE SMILES ON MUDDY LOTUS...

2009-10-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by Brandy of knittaddiction.etsy.com to ask my permission to use my Right Direction ring in an article she was writing for Indie Smiles, a new website dedicated to artists and shoppers alike. The piece she has cleverly written talks about comparing the quality of handmade to the value of retail. I was so honored that she wanted to include my work and thought I would share it with all of you...

http://www.indiesmiles.com/the-oak-bush-tree-series/

Check it out...

I HEART CUSTOM ORDERS...

2009-10-10T04:15:00.000-07:00

I welcome custom orders with open arms. I think its such a neat idea that someone who knows what they want can see there hearts desire in a tangible state. I feel so blessed that I can make it happen. My dear friend Tonya of Elementz Designs in Kailua-Kona had given me the coolest mammoth bone feather to set for her. I knew it would be difficult being so flat and with such weird angles but I was defiantly up for a challenge and presto, here it is...

I love how rustic it turned out. It matches her personality perfectly...

I'm officialy a G.I.

2009-10-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

Well this is it...I have had it. I just went to my doctor for a routine checkup a few days ago. Same old routine sign in and wait in the big waiting room only to be taken to wait in the little waiting room. (for those of you who love seinfeild, that was for you..haha) Anyway I left out the scariest part of the process. That dreaded moment when the nurse asks you to step on the scale. I always ask if i can take off my shoes. Any help you can get right! Well I am a woman of small stature, 5.0 to be exact. I like being small for the most part. After all awesome things come in small packages, right? The only down side is that every extra pound I carry shows. All that aside, there I was on the scale watching the nurse TIC, TIC, TIC the lever all the way to a horrifying 150 lbs. I couldn't believe my eyes. I'm telling you it was at that moment where I new something needed to be done. I have always dieted in the past only to loose a few pounds for a short bit and then unknowingly put it back on, sometimes almost double what I lost. Its exhausting and totally unmotivating to think of counting calories or having to cut out your favorite foods when you know the will power just might not be there. Well I finally feel like some light has been shed down upon me for the first time. I found this book outside on the 5 dollar rack just sitting there on top of the pile as if an answer to my prayers. After skimming threw it for a bit I decided it was only 5 bucks and had a bunch of recipes that looked good. If anything I'd throw it on the library shelf of on my list to read books. Only once I got home I started with page one and was hooked.

OK, I know this is gonna be a long post but hopefully you'll bear with me. After reading more about the G.I diet or Glucose Index Diet I realized that this is not a diet at all but rather a totally new a easy way to change your eating habits for life. If I were to keep living my life the way I have been I will quickly become a canidate for heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and many more horrible things that I would rather not mention. Well that's not gonna be me.

By eating food that a low in glucose (sugar) thousands of people have been able to loose weight the healthy way. Not by starving themselves but by eating three solid meals and three snacks a day.

So many people think that they are making the right choice by cutting carbs out of there diet when it has been proven that our body and brain need carbs to function properly. All we need to do is learn the difference between GOOD CARBS and BAD CARBS.

This diet makes it so simple by giving you a stoplight guide to which foods will benefit and which will harm.

GREEN: Foods that are low in glucose (sugar) that you may eat freely.

YELLOW: Foods that have a slightly higher glucose content that should be used in moderation.

RED: Foods that have a high glucose and saturated fat content that you should steer clear from.

It even teaches you about portion control and gives hundreds of recipes to make hearty meals so you can never get bored with what you eat.

Well, I've said enough. I have decided to take control of my life and someday soon be able to fit into all those clothes still hanging in my closet from a skinnier day.

I know my blog has been dedicated to my passion for metal smithing but who says you can only have on passion. So I will be posting my progress along with some yummy recipes that I will be cooking up for myself. I know I cant be the only one out there that feels the way I do about myself, so hopefully this blog will reach someone else out there struggling with the same issues.

I will also be posting some new photos of some pretties later tonight... TA TA for now...Erin

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN...

2009-10-02T14:56:00.001-07:00

GET EM WHILE THERE HOT LADIES...

GET A LOAD OF THESE NEWBIES...

2009-09-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have some newbies to share with you all. I love that I've been getting custom orders lately... Making something for that one person to me is so personal whenever they wear your piece of jewelry they know that it was made just for them.
Also I have put these new Loop De Loop Hoop studs in my shop. These are great you can wear them with everything... Hope you like...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31823659

Hoops for my coworker Amy... Hope she enjoys them...

Here's some photos from Shadya's Birthday. We went to the Kona Brewing Co. Best beer ever and I don't even like beer! Both Olaf and I worked that day so when we got there we wee STARVING. Needless to say our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we ended up leaving with 5 heaping to go boxes full of food... Mmmmmm... Leftovers. Well Shadya had a blast which was all that mattered.

Happy 25 woman!

From right to left... Amanda, Shadya, Kacie, Me

The Best Hummus in the world

Thats all for now...

Birthday Wishes...

2009-09-24T02:52:00.000-07:00

Well the drought is over!!! I have finally gotten off my butt and have started to make some new pieces for fall... I don't know what is was but I just seemed to feel like I was at a creative standstill. Have you ever felt that way? Like no matter how hard you try to look at it differently every idea doesn't seem to work in my creative mind. But I guess its true what they say about working well under pressure. My best friend Shadya's birthday is coming up in a week and I really wanted to make her something special. Something I haven't made before. So I thought about what kind of woman she is, Strong and elegant with such a colorful personality and came up with the little newbie before you. I love the blues and teals that swirl like ocean currents. I hope she'll be able to feel the love that went into making this piece when she wears it. Happy Birthday Shadz...

Whatever Lola wants...Lola gets...

2009-09-16T03:32:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I have the sweetest little kitty to ever walk the planet. Her name is Lola and she loves to spend her days sleeping on the lanai, soaking up the sun. Over the years I have had several purrr-fect cats but none as special or with more personality as Lola. The only way to explain how funny she is it to list her quarks one by one...

She detests human food... With the exception of Parmesan cheese. Powder not graded.

She must sleep with her paw over her eyes as to not let in any sun light.

If she wants a fresh bow of food there is no meowing, no no she will delicately use her hind leg to kick whatever prize possession you have sitting on the counter... i.e. sunglasses, keys etc.

It is mandatory that she kill and disassemble one bird per month to be left on our living room floor. (Preferably after the white carpets have been steam cleaned. True story!)

Always the last one to say good buy at the car when you leave and the first to greet you at the bottom of the stairs when you get home.

Will only drink water if it has ice cubes in it. Or will accept running water from the sink or tub, never the toilet...

Has fur softer that a rabbit as told by her veterinarian...

With all of her little quarks she loves me unconditionally and I am so happy that god has placed this wonderful little creature in my life...

♥-♥LABOR DAY SALE♥-♥

2009-09-04T03:10:00.000-07:00

SALE♥ SALE♥ SALE♥ SALE

LABOR DAY WEEKEND SALE 35% 0FF ALL ITEMS

♥THURS♥FRI♥SAT♥SUN♥MON♥

MAKE YOUR PURCHASE AND I WILL PROMPTLY REFUND THE 35% THROUGH YOUR PAY PAL ACCOUNT...

JUST CLICK ON MY ETSY SHOP LINK...

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6745283

YET ANOTHER ADDITION TO OUR HAPPY HOME...

2009-08-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

Well we have yet another roommate dwelling in our humble abode. If you check in my archive you will find a post entitled "A tribute to lucky". A short tale of a crafty gecko that had outwitted our cat Lola, and lived to see another day. Well lucky is long gone but there is a new little friend that has recently made an appearance. Enter George... This little guy also has managed to survive the evil paw. Though there is something quite different about George. Most geckos will travel around our home observing from a distance never letting you get within arms reach. George on the other hand is the exact opposite. Watching me intently he decided to eagerly take a ride on my hand and pose for a photo shoot... I have never seen anything like this EVER! To my amusement he was quite comfortable with his new surroundings. When I was done I gently let him down on my workbench to which he has decided to permanently set up camp popping his tiny head out for an occasional fly or two...

MY NEW WORKSPACE!!!

2009-08-28T04:44:00.000-07:00

Well I finally finished setting up my studio. Boy was that a project. One of my wonderful roommates Shadya decided to move out, so I was able to turn our spare room into a work area. There was no quarrel with the other roomies due to the fact that I had been cluttering our kitchen table for the better part of a year. (see bottom photo) My first mission was deciding to go on a work bench hunt, but let me tell you desks are expensive now a days. Lucky for me Salvation Army had my back. I bought the cutest 1960's retro solid oak desk for 30 bucks. Perfect for countless hours of hammering away. Sure it was a little on the ugly side but I fixed that right quick. A little sanding and a splash of plum paint and shes as good as new. Well that's sorta the way it went down. My first intention was to sand it down and then to stain it. Sounds simple enough... Let me just say I have a new found respect for carpenters. I have never used an electric sander before in my life, and believe me it showed when I turned it on with the bottom part facing toward me... Yes that's right, I was immediately covered in sawdust from head to toe. Once I was sudo done sanding it was time for the stain. Yea, quick tip, sand evenly cause stain will show every mistake you make. So there I went back to Lowes to buy the prettiest paint there ever was and presto my new desk... I am sooooo happy with my new space...I can find things now!!! As you can see it has been a definite upgrade to my old part of the kitchen. What a mess. Dont cha just looooove It!

Holy Heatwave Batman...

2009-08-20T03:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29591085

I have recently discovered there is a price to be paid for living in the tropics... This summer has been exceptionally humid. The heat is one thing but the humidity is something totally different. We were lucky enough to dodge two Hurricanes this month. Although I wish we would have gotten a little rain. But no luck. The two storms just seemed to pass right by us which seems to make it almost unbearably sticky with not much wind. I'm sure it doesn't help that I sit over a torch all evening... Oh well winter is just around the corner. Well maybe not winter per say but I might be able to wear a pair of jeans rather than shorts and a tank top... Anyway I finally broke down and turned on my AC which helped immensely. If It wasn't for central air I wouldn't have been able to finish my new listings for you all to see. That's all for now, off to do a rain dance...

The Right Direction Ring...

2009-08-17T02:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29380754

Well here's another wood and silver ring for you to feast your eyes on... A laser burned wooden bead has been bezel set in fine silver with a horseshoe band for added comfort. For some reason this ring reminds me of a compass hence it's name. I have fallen in love with this ring...I know I know, I say that about most my projects but I really mean it with this one. I hope whomever buys this little bauble will be just as happy. Stay tuned...More to come...

Know God, Know Peace, No God, NO Peace...

2009-08-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning to find that some wonderful person has included me in there treasury... Check it out!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=76513

Its kinda ironic that I feel I need this message today more than other days...

I love the outcome. Some how everything is so cohesive. Great job everyone! And thank you Noah's Landing Art for picking me to put in your beautiful Treasury... Erin

Solar System Hoops...

2009-08-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

Asymmetrical fine silver spheres orbit around hand forged sterling silver hoops to create these fun and futuristic earrings.The hoop itself moves freely along the handmade sterling ear hook only stopped by the tiny silver ball.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29272542

I just love it when you begin working on a piece with a very clear direction of what you want but somehow in the end you create something totally different. Ahhhhhh the creative process...

WORKING LIKE A DOG NEVER FELT SO GOOD...

2009-08-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well I picked my tools up at the airport about three days ago and haven't put them down since. I'm having so much fun trying all the things I've been dreaming about all year. There's been a few surprises along the way. for example, did you know glass enamel cracks off brass like popcorn. Yea, right into your face...(That was fun....NOT) Thank god for goggles. It figures though, I've always been a little accident prone. As my friend Rachel lovingly puts it "Erin+Day to Day Life= Walking Murphy's Law...That which can go wrong will" Needless to say those who know me well were a bit sceptical when it came to the thought of me using power tools... So far so good eh?

So I have posted two of my new rings...I am so happy with how they have turned out. As I experiment with different materials my mind flutters with new ideas of what to mix and match. Above I have bezel set a laser etched wooden bead in fine and sterling silver with some silver balls to accent. This ring is followed by a fun and funky fine silver Pomegranate Ring made from PMC.(Precious Metal Clay)I was surfing on Etsy a while back and ran across the cutest store that sold hand carved stamps with a Latin flair named Fawa.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6048918

This is where I spotted my little POM art. I contacted the owner to ask permission to use and sell her artwork in the form of my jewelry. With her blessing I was able to give birth to one of the weirdest and might I add most special pieces to date. I freekin love it. Ta Ta for now faithful readers...

MY VERY FIRST BEZEL...IM SO HAPPY I COULD JUST SPIT!

2009-08-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well I finally did it...I set my very first stone. What a long road this has been, and it's only just begun. I have wanted to learn how to make bezels and set stones since I started making jewelry, though there were a few obstacles holding me back. First you need like a million tools and second someone to teach you. Though It took a little longer than expected I have done it. Thanks to You Tube and many other free websites I was able to teach myself the basics of bezel setting. I swear the funniest part of this whole experience was my boyfriends face when I told him I would be using the torch INSIDE... Needless to say there is now a shinny new fire extinguisher right by my side. Yes that's it next to my torch...Safety first people, safety first! (LOL) Well off to play with more stones...Bye bye for now...

Wrong Order Rant...

2009-08-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28676689

Well I got my big shipment in with all my pretty new tools to play with, and wouldn't you know that I ordered the wrong ring mandrel. Arrrrggg!!! OH well, its not all that bad, still get lots of other trinkets to play with. (Pictures to be featured soon) On a more positive note I had a couple sales this weekend. I always get so exited when a piece sells...Just another step closer to the dream eh? I'll post a the tool pictures tonight or tomorrow, for now I leave you with a new Etsy listing...See ya!

Monday Sunny Monday...

2009-07-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

So I've decided to post a sunset picture weekly so that I can share with the rest of the world the beauty that is Kailua Kona... Today I was leaving for work and almost left my camera at home. I'm so happy I didn't. It turned out to be one of the best sunsets of the summer to date.
I believe I am a pretty good waitress, but there I was with a full section standing on the stairs taking pictures for a good five minutes. Luckly my boyfriend is also a waiter at LuLus and kept my tables happy until the sun went down... Honestly I think everyone in the restaurent was so mesmorized with the beautiful skyline that no one even noticed I was gone... So those of you that may take the time to follow this blog these sunsets are for you...
P.S. None of the photos have been touched by photoshop, its the real deal...;o)

2009-07-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

I finished another piece tonight. I had fired this piece a couple of days ago but just now got around to oxidizing and sanding blah blah final touches. I really like how it turned out. Normally threw my creative process I have someone or something in mind when i'm crafting a piece of jewelry. But this piece was different. A weird design was born entirely by accident. I guess what they say is true...There are no accidents.

I THINK I HIT THE MOTHER LOAD...

2009-07-22T03:33:00.000-07:00

So can I just say that all you self taught metal smiths out there...MAJOR PROPS to you. When I began my journey as a jewelry artist I started out with wire wrapping. It was great fun, entertaining even. threw the use of the Internet and millions of wonderful people who have been willing to share there trade, tips, and secrets threw various tutorials; I have been able to learn a great deal by myself. Much to my delight my urge to learn more grows by the second. I am exited to announce that I will soon be taking private lessons from a very talented Metal smith living in the Kona area. I couldn't be more thrilled. Thus far I have felt as if my hands have been tied. I so badly wish to learn the art of setting stones. Now I will have a creative mind to guide me...Hurray!!!!
Not to mention I think i hit the mother load of Cabochons, oh yea! I don't know if I ever mentioned it but I work at a bar on the Kona coast of Hawaii called Lulus. My bar managers father just flew into town for the week who as a retired workaholic sell stones as a hobby...coo-inki-dink? I think not... It just so happens that I have been searching high and low for pretty cabochons. Unfortunately I live on an island in the middle of the pacific ocean, where there is literally no cabochon for 2000 miles. And Tadaaaaaaa, problem solved.

Emma's Horseshoe...

2009-07-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

That's it, I'm addicted. Precious Metal Clay is sooooo much fun. I've been meaning to make something for my boyfriends sister Emma. Since she has a passion for horses I figured there would be nothing more fitting than a Horseshoe. So Emma this is for you...

Hope you enjoy...
Love Erin

"OH HAPPY DAY"

2009-07-17T04:19:00.001-07:00

Oh happy day indeed...So all of my shiny new tools for working with PMC (Precious Metal Clay) came in the mail today, and I couldn't be more thrilled. After several weeks of watching tutorials and saving money, I was finally able to began a new project. This was not easy. When you live on an island there arn't a lot of places to shop for tools. Needless to say that the Internet has been my best friend. Even majority of the lessons I completed were from all sorts of free websites...Ah but now I am finally able to try it on my own. I think it came out alright for my first ever. There still missing the ear posts but I made two little heart earrings...What cha think?

Le Sigh...

2009-07-16T03:42:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Elisa's Here Jewelry. As a result of this I've spent the better part of my evening drooling over all the beautiful pieces in her shop. But there was one that has stolen my heart more than the rest. Behold the Polka Dot Blue Ring...AAAHHHHHHHHH!

More Kona Sunsets...I just cant get enough...

2009-07-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day in Kona town. It must be like a billion degrees outside. Its funny how Kona will go on a two week cloudy binge where it will have us doin the sun dance, but when the clouds part and the sun finally graces us with her sizzling presence we once again long for the calming overcast. The grass is always greener I guess... Don't get me wrong I love the sun. Especially sunsets. Check this one out, taken at Hapuna Beach Park in North Kohala. Soooooo pretty...

2009-07-11T00:16:00.000-07:00

Lazy day sittin by the pool and takin photos of my new listings... I love this pool, it makes me feel like im on vacation. The flowers smell so beauthiful, and yes thats the ocean in the background. The best thing about today was the company, my dear friend Shadya who loaned me her ears so I might be able to photograph my jewelry. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful model. Everyone give her a hand...

Mother of pearl swirl...
Poka dot agate and fine silver...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27665394

Tiare Lehua (By FAR my favorite flower)

The fire in the sky...

2009-07-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

I took these photos while I was working. I know your thinking "What the hell...I have to sit in this crummy cubical and listen to phones ring all day long and this girl gets to look at this, its not fair!!" All I can say to that is LIFES NOT FAIR! Ha Ha, just kidding. Tell you what, all you have to do to get this breathtaking view is move to Kona Town and i'll share it with you. Sound like a deal...

2009-07-10T02:47:00.000-07:00

SOME NEW STUFF...

2009-07-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

Well this was my first gay pride festival as well as my first show...So much fun...

View behind out booth...

Rainbows rainbows everywhere...

2009-07-09T01:50:00.000-07:00

A Tribute to Lucky...

So in I have a cat and her name is Lola... Lola is the sweetest little kitty to ever walk the planet. I would have to say she has almost no flaws, except one. She mercilessly catches, plays with and kills innocent geckos. Day after day I find myself sweeping up dead geckos. So far I haven't seen one that has been able to escape her paw...that is until Lucky came along...

Amidst my cluttered Jewelry bench came a tiny gecko that has outwitted Lola... A broken arm and a missing tale he sits on my kitchen table tucked away safe from the grasp of the deadly paw.

Its been two weeks now and it seems he has found his new home. I don't know hes there until I move a piece of sand paper and he comes to say hello...

Well we have all fallen in love with him (even my boyfriend Olaf has killed a fly or two for our new roommate whom we have dubbed Lucky!

he's got a grip on my earing display...

Just another day at the watering hole...

2009-06-10T03:57:00.000-07:00

Ok so i just watched the movie WALL-E. That had to be one of the cutest movies iv'e seen this year. The story line was so moving and I cant get over how 3-D the annimation was. So anyway, since im all in a futuristic mood I thought I would post my Jane Jetson hoops in my Etsy shop. (hope you enjoy)...

Dot...Dot...Dot....

2009-06-07T03:26:00.000-07:00

Playing around with some sterling and faceted coral, and can I just say how much I love liver of sulfur. Don't get me wrong shiny silver is beautiful; but when you oxidize a piece its almost like you breath life into it. the only downfall is the little nicks and crannies that are near impossible to reach with your Polish pad. Oh well, cant have it all, eh?

Workin up a storm...

2009-06-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

Gettin ready for a festival in two weeks. I swear, time seems to stand still until it doesnt and you realize your out of time... Oh well, i'll be ready... These are some fun pieces I plan on selling...

2009-06-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

"Let the beauty you love be what you do"