Feels Like Rain

I live in Vancouver Bc Canada. Anyone who has ever lived here will back me up when I say it rains here, ALOT. This necklace is a tribute to the weather, because it is part of my surroundings, because I can feel the rain in my bones sometimes. 

Yet, I don't dislike it. It makes the grass greener, the air cleaner smelling, and there is nothing quite like the odd warm summer rain.

FEELS LIKE RAIN

made with citrine and botswana agate

(will be added to the shop tomorrow morning)

And the Winner Is....

The winner to my giveaway is....

Thank you all for participating, and making it so successful! 

NOTE - Apparently the volume is not so great on my video, I can hear it on my computer but nobody else seems to be able to - hence me posting the screen shot :-)

Can the winner please email me at bella-bijou@hotmail.com with their mailing address ♥

If you didn't win, check out another awesome giveaway from Novadesigns ( although I really really really wanna win these Pinwheels myself!)

http://nova-designs.blogspot.com/2009/08/amazing-blog-giveaway-for-my-silver.html

Sensory Overload!

*Warning, this post contains some seriously drool worthy stones. I will not be held responsible for zombie like state it may leave it's viewers in *

;-p

Before I tickle your senses with some of my newest gemmys  ( thats right this is only a fraction of new stones) I want to boast about my brand spanking new custom stamp! I have wanted one of these babies for years, but could never decide on a design. I finally drew one up myself an I am very happy with how it turned out!

Check it out! ( I realize I have used plenty of !! exclamation marks but this is exciting news people)

Isn't she awesome ? I have just been stamping BBJ on the backs on my pieces for a long time, usually with a little star or heart or something, but it will be soo much easier to have it all built into one stamp!

And now for the new stones. I have a bunch more on their way, Varisite, Wild Horse Magnesite, Laguna Agate etc.

Here is the first big lot. They are numbered and below is the names of all of them.

1. Rhodonite, 2. Mookaite, 3. Creek jasper, 4. Imperial Jasper, 5. Ocean Jasper, 6. Ocean Jasper, 7.Noreena Jasper, 8. Apache Ryolite, 9. Mookaite, 10. Fossilized Coral, 11. Oops I missed #11!!, 12. Peridot, 13. Jasper, 14. Amazonite

Aren't they fantabulous ?

She Climbs...

From the green and murky, she climbs.

Above the surface to taste the air, she climbs.

Her petals ripple in the breeze, each vein exposed.

A woman on a mission, Great Lotus, she climbs.

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It's been a great while that I've written any poetry, or felt the expression it gives. This piece seemed to bring that back into my life. It came together slow, and surely, and I thoroughly mapped out each piece.

CLIMBING LOTUS

She will be in the shop sometime later today :-)

 

A Few For Today :-)

Hello lovely people :-) I am home from a weekend away at my folks house, it was so nice to spend some time in a place where time moves slower. A place where people don't sweat the small stuff. And most importantly, a place where I could wake every morning to the loving kisses of my darling Tuckie ( oh boy was he excited to have the whole family together!) It was great to spend some time with my brother, the two of us hadn't been there together in a couple years. 

As much as I like going away though, it is always nice to come home ( unless like me, you come home to 2 giant wolf spiders in your house  *shudders* )

I've already hit the bench for some new designs I started before I left, as well as some I though up while sitting out under the stars :-) 

Here are a few I finished before I left :

IF THE EARTH WERE FLAT Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29770921

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XOXO Studs

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29771188

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EXPOSED Ring

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29770485

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THE SHIELD Ring

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29771670

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LINEAR Studs 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29512507

***

RUFFLES Open Hoops

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29513058

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend - as always I thank you for reading my blog. 

Until Tomorrow!

PS - Have you entered my BIG giveaway! If not get over here http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-that-time-again-time-for-giveaway.html and enter!

A Day at the Zoo

Dan had the brilliant idea to go to the Zoo today. It was cooking hot and I had actually never been to The Greater Vancouver Zoo. Here's a little tidbit of some of the magnificent creatures we saw!

My faves :

I leave you with this fine animals and will be back with some new creations in a bit!

Cleaning House!

I've been wanting to make some more room in my shop for new goodies, so I've marked many of my favorites as priced to clear so that they can find new homes and be loved like they deserve. I honestly wish I could keep everyone one of these, since I poured much heart and soul into them, but alas, they will be more cosy with some of you! 

Check out my Priced to Clear section - all the pieces here have been discounted by 15-35%!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5352191&section_id=6124258

New Pretties

As promised - I have a few new items for you to gander at today. I should have a couple more tomorrow if all goes well. 

This first one was a customer order for a lovely lady - I hope she loves it as much as I do, I wanted to keep it!

These are two new additions to my Minima Collection! 

GEOMETRIC

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29399565

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CROSS HATCH

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29412256

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And another addition to the Rococo Collection

EARTHLY - Size 8.75

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=29403602

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As for the weekend and beginnings to my vacation time from the day job - so far so good! The Kings of Leon concert last night was awesome - they are really good live! 

Tonight Dan and I are making our own individual pizzas - with dough I stretched out myself :-) Mine has pepper salami, mozza cheese and tomatoes on it ( Im kind of a plain jane kinda girl when it comes to pizza) and Dan's has all sorts of things on it, mushrooms, onions, peppers, cheese, kitchen sink, etc lol.  I think I just heard the oven beep... so Im off to taste the fruits of my labour - ciao Bellas!

SCORE!

As of today I am officially on 2 weeks vacation from the dreaded day job! YES! We are starting it off with the Kings Of Leon concert tonight - we scored free tickets and are sitting in a box suite ( awesome seats!) 

Tomorrow I have some new goodies to blog about, but for know I leave you with some Kings Of Leon to groove to :-)

A little thank you goes a long way...

I have not forgotten all of you out here in blog world, I just haven't had the energy to say much I suppose. Its been a killer week around here - people just seem to be miserable. When you work in retail its amazing how people think they can get away talking to you in such a demeaning and disrespectful manor. Its like your the bottom of the barrel and respect isn't deserved. Today I was yelled at three times. I was told by one woman that I wasn't giving her what she wants and she always gets what she wants! It can be soo frustrating to work in such a wealthy part of town. A place where people push there money in your face and feel justified in talking down to you. I have even had a customer say to me "I guess you didn't go to school, or else you wouldnt be working this job" - excuse me!? Since when does working in retail make you uneducated ?? Sigh... people can be so stupid and inconsiderate. 

 I suppose it drains me sometimes. I get tired and frustrated of biting my tongue and trying to play Ms. Nice Jaime.  I get tired of people treating me like I don't know what Im doing because Im a young female working around a sea of men. 

Anyone else out there who works in retail - I salute you! I respect you for the customer service you provide, even when the customer wont get off their cell phone. I appreciate how hard it can be to keep your head up and spirits high when you've been yelled at for something that isn't your fault, or when someone tries to bully you. I feel for you when someone takes their bad day out on you because they feel it justified. And like you, I know, that the customer isn't always right!

And for all those out there that remember to say thank you after a store clerk has helped you, or commended someone on they little extra effort they put in to get you that product you were looking for - thank you. It's you, the lovely customer who takes the time to say, "thanks for all your help!" that makes up for all the bad apples. And to the customer who stood up for me today, and said the choice words I would have liked to say - you are my hero! It's people like you, looking out for the little guy that make its a little easier to smile and nod :-)

For all those who want a laugh - check this site out www.notalwaysright.com 

 

Enough ranting for one day - new things to come soon.  Thanks for listening like you always do!

Bijou's For the Viewing & Sale for the taking!

Some pretties I've been adding today and yesterday to the Flora Collection - I hope you love them as much as I do!

I also am having a pretty stellar sale this weekend only ( If I do say so myself!)

Get a 20% refund on all orders of $50 or more when you leave the message "Weekend Deals" in the notes to seller in the etsy checkout.

*refunds will be issued same day and do not apply to the cost of shipping*

WATERING HOLE - Flora Collection - Ring Size 6.5

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28905262

MOSSY - Flora Collection - Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=28907403

GINKGO - Flora Collection - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28943309

PRETTY BIRD - Flora Collection - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28943309

UP ABOVE - Flora Collection - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=28908309

Please also take a moment to enter my BIG giveaway! Rules in this post 

http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-that-time-again-time-for-giveaway.html

Thank you lovely people for you on going support!

Its that time again - Time for a GIVEAWAY!

Its time for another giveaway - and a big one at that!

This time I thought I would make the giveaway a little more interactive. There is a big prize to be won, my biggest give away of the year! 

Firstly - the goods! Here's what you can win! 

Matching Labradorite Drop Earrings and Labradorite Budding Necklace. The earrings sit approx 1/2 inch from piercing, and the necklace is 3/4 inch diameter, and hangs on a 16 inch sterling ball chain. This prize is a $60+ value!

Now - how do you enter you ask ? 

Here are the rules : 

To enter this contest you must either blog, twitter, or change you facebook status to  mention "Bella-Bijou Jewellery is having a giveaway!" with a link to this blog post. 

Then you comment on this post with the link where you promoted and I enter you into the draw. You get your name in the hat each time, meaning, if you facebook, twitter and blog about this contest you get your name in the draw 3 times and have better odds of winning! I will be checking!

The contest ends August 26 - 20 days from now! Best of luck to you all! I will be posting the winner on the 27th of August!

Treasure

For the second time EVER I snagged a treasury! Of course I made sure to feature many of my metalsmithing friends ♥

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=74475

Hope everyone is well! The heat finally died here and it has turned quite dreary. In fact so has my mood, its been a bit of a down couple of days. Im trying to take it all out at the bench, but Im not getting much done. I do have the day off from El Dreaded Day Job - so that's gotta make a girl happy, si ?

Shop Update ♥ First of August!

Happy August Everyone! I love the month of August - its blackberry season! Anyone who's ever sampled my mothers blackberry pie will know why I love those little morsels so much! My favorite dessert, and one I usually only get once a year. Im thinking this is a good thing since I easily could eat a whole pie to myself.

I've been working on a new collection too! Its name is Flora. Flora is feminine, nature inspired jewellery at its best! Soft outlines and silhouettes made with love and the fresh feeling of the great outdoors!

Here are some of the goodies I've just listed in Le Shop!

BUDDING - Flora Collection - ring Size 7

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28765392

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CIRCULAR - Minima Collection - Studs

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28762795

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SOARING HIGHER - Minima Collection - Ring Size 7

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28764622

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LILY PAD AMAZONITE - Flora Collection - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28764804

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AMAZONIAN WOMAN - Rococo Collection - Ring Size 7

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28764341

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LILY PAD TURQUOISE - Flora Collection - Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28763317

toodles! 

Im off to take Tucker for a play date with miss Nelli ( see my post from earlier this week about Nelli's doggy tag)

Crazy Woman with a Torch

This week I am a crazy woman.

I pick up my torch in the midst of a heat wave.

Beyond a heat wave - Vancouver is breaking previously existing heat records.

But the work must go on...

EWW

Today I :

::am thankful it was cool enough to sleep last night

::am happy that the black bear that got into the landlady's garbage did not strew it everywhere

::was relieved to only have to work at half day at the day job

::sweated some more over the torch - results to come soon.