IT's F@LL! PuMPkIn SPiCe L@TtE TiMe!

Hey everyone! Hope you're doing well...all things considered. Last post was back in March when all the craziness began. I don't need to post about all that stuff, cause, well, we've all heard everything about it...so let's just move right along!

What have I been busy doing? Well, time with my horses of course. Not riding cause it's been summer, and summer here in the south is sheer misery for me; hot and humid, and very buggy. I've been enjoying their company though, and just spending time with them. Both Simba, my heart horse, and Baby, my Mustang, are both doing well.

On a sadder note, I lost my big Toby dog, the last of my "pack" that I moved here to TN with. They're all gone....It broke my heart to lose every one, losing Toby hit hard. He was always there, my security blanket I guess, my rock. I thought he'd live forever. I think it was cancer that took him. He developed some large masses that couldn't be removed. With that came breathing issues. He fought and really wanted to live, but he finally succumbed. Thankfully it happened here at home, in an instant. I'm grateful for that little bit. He was the best dog. Well, they all were. I can't help but think that if I never moved here, they'd all still be alive. I blame myself for that. Huge regret....

Ok well, art stuff. I'm still home creating. Not working. Not sure when or if that will indeed happen again. Maybe when we move. I'm sure that's when.. So here I am. I have been doing art constantly these past 6 months. And I have to say, I'm loving EVERY second of it! My mind just won't shut off with all the things I've been making and want to make. I've met a lot of new customers through social media and have created many custom orders for them. It's been great! Here's a few things I've been working on:

And these are just a FEW things! Not only have I been creating, but I've taken several jewelry classes, a watercolor class, and an amazing marketing class too. Oh and baking! LOL! Lots of baking! I've made cheesecake, apple cinnamon scones, individual apple pies, lots of banana bread, cookies, you name it, I've baked it. AND ate it too! Yum, delish! I've even been chatting with Pastry Chef Dwayne, the winner of a multitude of championships on the Food Network shows. We vow to get together sometime this Fall and bake an apple pie together. Should be a blast! 

Anyway, just trying to stay as busy as possible to get through these difficult times. I know better days are ahead and that's what I'm focusing on. Staying positive and productive. Not to sound cheesy, but try and think good thoughts. We'll get through this. Be well everyone and take good care of yourselves and each other!

More Pretties from Salems Charms!

This past Monday I was home from work and I made very good use of my time! I was at my jewelry table pounding away most of the day. LOL my poor doggies. Everytime I'd hit that steel block with the hammer, one of their legs would jerk. Well it's a loud hobby, what can I say?!

Anyway, I got several new necklaces finished and I wanted to show you. They're for sale now in my Etsy "Salems Charms" store, and up on Pinterest (my favorite browsing place in the whole WWW web world!), so take a peek!

Ok first, if I haven't shown you before, up at the top - that's my Salems Charm "Icon" or avatar as I call it. Shows my romantic side don't you think? And yes I know, the white words on the ivory lace aren't super stand-out-ish but I did that on purpose. I like the look, kind of soft.

I JUST got in some new letter stamps and rivets;  brass and copper and some script letters as well as basic, cause sometimes those letters can be hard to read.

And what do you think, do I need to start another blog just for Salem's Charms? I don't really want to since I like it here but thought I'd get some other opinions.... hmmmmmmm....

Summer into Fall, and Where are my Old Friends?

Yesterday when I was out in my paddocks shoveling horse poop, I could feel it; a change in the air. You can't really describe it other than maybe a rustling of the trees, or a breeze, but it's definitely there; Fall. Even though I actually enjoyed most of my summer, my 2nd one here in Tennessee, and that's probably cause I got heat relief by putting up a swimming pool, I'm looking forward to Fall. Enough 90 degree+ days!

While not enjoying being outside swimming and splashing around, I've been busy working on my 2nd store, but there's just not enough hours in the day. This coming weekend I am hoping to get more accomplished; a few more pieces made and posted, and also my Etsy banner and avatar uploaded. I have them done, just no energy when I get home from my spirit-draining job. Sigh...

With these season changes, so come life changes...As I've been looking through my old blog friends, ones I had when I first started my own blog and online business, I see some are no longer active. Many of the postings are from a year or more ago. What's really sad is that some of my dear blog friends have passed. Sad.. My good friend and first fan, Jonty from Darkside Creations over in the U.K., passed suddenly from a massive heart attack and he was so young, with a family. I believe in his mid-30's or so. He was an amazing papier mache artist who found me through the web and we became chatty friends over the next few years until that. Then another gal, cancer. I followed her stage IV postings and I knew the eventuality of it, but still...you hope that won't come to pass, until you no longer see postings. Other friends are no longer creating, or have family issues or health issues of their own. I too have had many events going on in the past few years and neglected my art and blog.

I feel happiest when I'm creating, whether for my stores or just for myself. It feeds the soul as the saying goes. For my granddaughter's birthday this year, I bought her first sewing machine and I'm hoping she will become a lifetime creator/crafter herself and I'll have been a positive influence in that way. Sort of carry on the family tradition. For me anyway, when life gets in the way, art is a comforting refuge. 

Have a happy weekend friends! Jeannine

Oh My Gosh it's 2014! Where Does the Time Fly???

How about making a New Year's Dream jar? Cute huh?

I remember when I was a little girl, probably about 10, I'd wonder what year it would be when I turned 44.  I don't know why 44 was the magic number, but for some random reason it was at the time. Oh I know - because I was wondering how old I'd be in the very far away year of 2000. It was 44.  I couldn't imagine being that old! LOL! Now I wish I was that young!

Here we are now in 2014...I really want THIS YEAR to be MY year. I've been saying that for about the past 5, and so far no such luck. Maybe if I don't pronounce it as "my year", then maybe it will be my turn.

I've got lots of things in the works for this year. Some are top secret, so I can't say yet, but they are BIG! HUGE! GREAT! And I can't wait!!! The others are equally great, but not quite to that degree.  You just can't help but plan and hope and dream when a new year rolls around can you?

What are all your dreams and wishes for 2014?