Favorite Things :: Issue # 4

One of my Favorite things.... is finding old pictures.

Old pictures like those of one playing "guitar" with toy hockey sticks with one's cousin for an audience of cabbage patch kids which one's little brother takes it upon himself to be the comic relief.

Yep, thats me on the left.
If memory serves me correct ( which it usually does) we were "jamming" to Fine Young Cannibals "She drives me crazy"

Priceless.

And the Winner Is....

First and foremost - THANK YOU all who entered. You blew me away with the amount of submissions that were received!! 

I had every intention of video blogging about the winner, but alas it looks like my web cam needs some sort of update so here I am, regular old blogging about it! 

So, with out further adieu the winner of the Turquoise Pea Shoot Necklace is 

...

...

...

...

KIM ECKERT! 

Kim submitted her entries by posting on facebook, thank you Kim!! 

I will be sending you an email and shipping this off your way soon!

For all those who entered, thank you again. Please know that I do giveaways through out the course of the year, and there is always a chance to win :-)

I do hope you continue to read by blog, follow me on twitter and stay a fan on facebook ♥

Weekly Ups and Downs

The Ups and Downs of the week :

UP : Coworker compliments me on my hair - apparently it looks shiny and healthy 

(thats gotta make a girl feel good!)

DOWN : Dan is still in incredible back pain from two slipped discs in his back. Neurosurgeon appointment is booked.

UP : Sweet manager leaves me a chocolate bar on thursdays, cause they are his fridays 

(Almond Snickers to be exact!)

DOWN : My shop has completely come to a halt, for an all time slow sales month. I would be lying if I said it hadn't got me down a little.

UP : Wonderful mommies like mine, who brought my flowers so I "would have something pretty to look at" :-)

DOWN : Neighbors neglected dog is left outside to bark EARLY in the morning - everyday. Bark is putting it nicely, its more of a squeak.

UP : 4 hours last night spent giggling with the best girl I know over silly pictures of her boyfriend. For his birthday next week I helped her take 30 years of his life in photos and collage it into a 3 foot by 2 foot poster. The good, the bad, and the ugly ( there was a lot of ugly, hence the giggles) 

DOWN : Broken stone. Beautiful stone... broken. Need I say more?

UP : Allison's sweet songwriting in action.

DOWN : Not so sweet manager ( the evil one, not the chocolate bearing one) slashed hours in half almost at the day job. Just another reminder why I work so hard at home - I will free myself of day job hell one day!

And finally, and UP to end the post : 

Sweet wonderful cuddles when visiting this little guy :

Toodleloo!

New for Monday

Hiya everyone! 

I have a few new things to show you today, and a few more on the way! I have been trying to keep myself as busy as possible in the last little while. Things have been moving very slowly in my shop, but I am trying to keep my chin up and work through the slow times.

In other news, we found out that the BF is getting bumped to the top of the waiting list for a surgical assessment for his slipped discs and nerve pain. For those of you who didn't know, Dan was in a car accident about a month and a half ago and has been suffering in extreme pain pretty much ever since. The discs are pinching a nerve which is causing horrible leg pain. 

It's been a rough couple months, and it sounds like surgery is the only option.

So now we wait, for an assessment, then for the surgery, and then 6-8 weeks of recovery. All I can hope for is while Dan is out recovering I can try and keep things above water :-)

On to happier things - new jewellery! 

SWEET GRASS Earrings

The sweet smell of spring time. 
When the neighbors of the world get out their lawnmowers for that first mowing of grass.
And the sun is shining on its fresh yellow green blades,
and the wind picks of the smell...
The sweet smell of spring time,
fresh cut grass.

Fabricated around freeform cut Pistatio Chrysocolla stones, these earrings a little bit funk, and little bit organic. I have set them in fine silver scalloped bezels, and surrounded them in scalloped of sterling wire. They hang from sterling hoop posts that have been textured, and the entire piece has been oxidized for depth.

Measuring a total of 1 3/4 inches (45mm) from top to bottom and approx 1/2 inch wide ( 15mm)
Sway the smell of spring and watch the flowers bloom!

REDWOOD Earrings

The great redwood trees, 
they tower high into the heavens, 
touching the clouds.
Native to the west coast,
They are giants....
gentle giants.
Pillars of strength and perseverance.

REDWOOD earrings are comprised around gorgeous Apache Hickoryite stones, in swirling reds and pinks. I have fabricated clouds of sterling wire to encompass the stones and 3 tiny plumes grow from the tops, just like the giant Redwoods. They hang from handmade filigree posts.
Oxidized for depth and antiqueness. 

Measuring just shy of a staggering 2 inches long, and approx 1 inch wide - not for the weak of heart and spirit. 
Growing old with you, gracefully and noble.

ANEMONE Ring Size 6.5

My grandfather had an amazing salt water fish tank for years.
It was filled with tropical fish of all varieties, in shades of cobalt and yellow sun. 
There were critters, crawling, swimming, coasting through the salty bubbles,
but what captured my gaze the most was the anemones.
Ocean flowers that would bloom and retract.
Bloom, and retract,
bloom and retract,
over and over.

Brilliant colours scattered amongst the ocean rocks.

I have set this gorgeous rounded rectangle Ocean Jasper in a simple beaded sterling bezel with a slight edge. Its sporadic pink orbs looks like they are blooming, just like the sea anemones of the great big blue yonder. This glossy stone bounces perfectly off of hte brushed sating finish silver. 
Set on a 5mm floral sterling ring shank in size 6.5 and complete with my makers mark and maple leaf stamp.

The magical wonders of the ocean, captured on your finger for all the world to see.

Thats all for today folks!

Toodleloo!

                                                                        

New In Shop :-)

Added just now, for the friday night crowd ;-p

FIRE FLY Earrings

Sterling Silver and Abalone

Oh sweet little fire flies - you light the night up in such a romantic and effervescent way....
Gathering in clearings, groups of tiny sparkles add that reflected glimmer in your eyes; A pretty addition to any calm summer night...

These FIRE FLY earrings are composed around gorgeous faceted Abalone rectangles. I have set them in fine silver with two tiny sterling "wings" hovering beneath them. 

Hanging on sterling silver silver hooks, these FIRE FLIES measure approx 1/2 inch ( 12mm) wide and hang approx 3/4 inch (20mm) from lobes.
Oxidized for depth, like the light reflecting in the dark of night...

NEBULA Studs

Sterling Silver and White Topaz

NEBULA - Star forming regions... interstellar clouds of dust...
When these tiny clouds come together they form clumps which eventually turn into stars, and even planets.
Such a big job for a tiny partical, no ?

NEBULA earrings are tiny sterling silver pebbles that are interconnected. The larger pebble in each stud has been flush set with a 3mm faceted White Topaz. 

Brushed to a satin finish, these Nebula are born to linger on your lobes, with promises of big things!
Approx 6mm diameter ( just shy of 1/4 inch)

ZUNI Necklace

Sterling Silver and Copper

Inspired by the Zuni natives of the Southwest, who were taught by the Navajos in the late 1800s. The Zuni preferred designs made from stampings and engraving in the earlier days, and then adapted turquoise into their designs like their Navajo neighbors.

ZUNI has been made around a Copper disc that I hand stamped with a pattern, domed and set in a beaded sterling bezel. It has a slight edge that goes around it and has been hammered to add to its 3d appeal, and has been oxidized to bring out the stampings and given a polished shiny finish.
1 inch in diameter, and hanging on a 16inch sterling silver ball chain - full of southwestern flair!

Thats all for now folks!

Toodleloo!

Jaime

Something Special for .... YOU! ( Giveaway Time!)

****THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!!****
The giveaway is now closed to entries ♥

Hiya folks! 

I have something special for you.... 

(me, age 2.5 on my way to my first birthday party)

It has been ages since I have done a giveaway - and I was thinking the other day it was about time! 

Every once in a while I like to do a giveaway as a means to say thank you. 

Thank you for buying my jewellery. Thank you for reading my blog. Thank you for being you! 

Since spring is fast on its way, I decided to make something a little special for this giveaway. 

A petite Pea Shoot Necklace 

Fresh and green...

Full of love...

...and life...

Handmade with love around a Crow Springs Turquoise stone in sterling silver, and hanging on 16 inch 1mm ball chain.

**Here are the dirty details on how to win this pretty Pea Shoot Necklace**

Entries can be made like so :

Comment on this post = 1 entry

Tweet on twitter about this giveaway and comment with a post to your link here = 1 entry

Become a facebook fan over at www.facebook.com/bellabijoujewellery  and post in the comments to let me know = 1 entry

Blog about this giveaway and post the link here in the comments = 2 entries

Change your facebook status to mention the giveaway and post the link here in the comments = 2 entries 

This means you can have a total of 7 entires each person to win this necklace! 

***Please make a new comment for each entry so I can easily keep track, and don't forget to post the links to your entries, I will be checking!****

GIVEAWAY ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY SATURDAY MARCH 27th 9PM PST.

I will be announcing the winner on the following Monday! 

as always - thank you for reading!

toodleloo!

Jaime

Fruits of Labour

I was a busy busy girl this last week. I started several pieces and have finally come round to finishing them all ( except one more special piece....its on its way heehee)

Here are the first couple 

Shop will be updated shortly with these newies! 

PARROT WING Ring Size 7

Sterling silver and Mookaite

I spent some time in the Dominican Republic a few years back; Truly a slice of paradise. 

One day we hoped on a bus and travelled for a couple of hours to the beach of my dreams. A perfect crescent moon of pink sand and crystal aqua Caribbean ocean. 

As I swung slowly in the wind in my hammock I heard his voice, "Hola, Hola!"

I turned to look over my shoulder and there he was, the most magnificent Parrot I have ever seen.  Mammoth in size, and ruffling his vibrate red, orange and yellow feathers, he spoke over and over, but only saying, "Hola!"

When I first got this stunning Mookaite in my hot little hands it instantly took me back to those precious moments on the beach. The colours in this gorgeously high domed piece knocked my socks off! Vibrant reds, orange and yellows, with a little creamy white and brown. Simply perfect. 

Since a stone as such needs no fanfare, I have simply set it in a beaded sterling silver bezel with a slight edging. It perches atop a hammered 5mm double ring band in Size 7, and has been polished to a glossy finish.

Measuring 1 1/4 inch long ( 32mm) by 1 inch wide (25mm)  - this show stopper has a personality all its own!

BOTANICAL - Necklace

Sterling Silver and Turquoise

When I was born my parents backyard had a big beautiful goldfish pond in the back. It had been created from chunks of rock and had lily pads floating in it.

My mother had grown up in the house, like I eventually did, and her 18 year old cat would sit by the edge, tail swaying and swipe fish when no one was looking. His name was Perky.

As I came along, they worried that as I got older it would be a hazard, so they filled it in. But not just with grass, but a beautiful Red Maple and PInk Azaleas. Tiny wild purple blossoms with a honey scent grew up the stone walls - it was a slice of Botanical zen.

BOTANICAL necklace has a little bit of it all in it. Layers of sterling silver cut in shapes of the stones that made up the wall. Tiny sterling fronds look as though they are floating. A 10mm long Pilot Mountain Turquoise has been bezel set with a beaded setting to mimic the lily pads that hovered along the surface of the water. Oxidized for depth.

Measuring 1 inch tall, this little piece of Zen sits on 17 inches of oxidized sterling chain. A constant reminded of the story a garden may tell. 

Not just a pretty face, but the soul behind one.

Freshly Baked

Today I did something I never did before. 

Something I never thought I would/could.

I baked my own bread. From scratch.

My grandmother was a wiz when it came to bread, dinner rolls and such. In fact her buttery buns became somewhat famous amongst family and friends. No one could make them like her. My aunt tried, and failed. My mother never bothered ( she knew better!). They always ended up like hockey pucks.

One day I remember asked her about them, telling her that one day I would make them. She told me that she knew I was the only one that would have the patience, and "the touch" for it. 

Well, time passed, and so did she, and I never got a chance to make her famous buns while she was with us. I always kept it in my future plans, but was somewhat scared to attempt, and possibly fail at them.

Then today I read Jillian of The Noisy Plume's blog. She challenged her readers to bake their own bread. To knead and feel it in between their fingers as they punch it down. She promised it would taste that much better.

So I figured - "What the hell? I'll give it a try!" 

It's better to try and fail than not try at all right?

.

.

.

.

.

Well guess what ? It turned out JAIMERIFFIC ( as my friends would say heehee) 

I took a loaf to my parents - it was gone in a couple hours. I have already answered the phone call for "more bread please!!!"

Oh and the taste....... Gosh it DOES taste better! I didn't think it could be so! Light and fluffy and wheaty. Sooo good :-)

Sounds silly, I am sure some of you may giggle at me, but this was about a journey for me. My grandmother was the only one in my family who was at all crafty. She baked and sewed and crocheted. She did things WELL, never half way. 

As I kneaded away I could hear her voice - 

"10 minutes Jaim, never more" 

"have patience, it will be worth it"

"you'll be able to do it, I know it"

Thanks Grandma, you were a tough cookie. If I turn out to be half as tough as you did then I will be ok.

Miss you. Will think of you with each slice of oven warm bread :-)

xo

Jaim

SEVEN

Happy Sunday folks - did you remember to adjust your clocks ? 

I have been challenged by the very lovely Sandy over at Peridots Garden to reveal 7 things about myself you all may not know. 

I like to really dig deep for these fun little challenges, think about myself and things that maybe I haven't thought about for a long time. So here goes :

ONE: I am an EX Figure skater. Yep - salchow style. I skated for years, and loved the feel of the cold air rushing on my face. I loved the speed I could get on the ice, both forwards and backwards; the adrenalin of throwing myself in the air before really thinking about it and hoping I landed on my feet, not my bum! 

And then it all got so intense. The practices and the pushing by coaches to perform and compete. I was scared of my own shadow, and had incredible stage fright as a teenage. So I quit. I never regretted it until I was in my 20's and wished I still could get on the ice with the same fearlessness.

TWO: I am, and always have been, and incredibly picky eater. In fact, as an adult I know feel my mothers pain of trying to feed me as a child. I am not NEARLY as bad as I was, and have grown out of most things, but I still have a little panic each time we are invited over to eat somewhere we haven't before. "Will I like the food?" "will they be upset if I pick out the things I don't like?" "Will they think I am ridiculous?"

Things I still don't eat ( and some I hate) that people think I am crazy for ( in no particular order) : Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise( this is a big one, they hide this stuff in everything!), Eggs, Onions, Green Peppers, Apple Juice, Sour Cream, Hollandaise Sauce, Avocado,  Meatloaf, Coffee, Etc Etc.

Don't even get me started on what I didn't eat as a child... we would be here all day!

THREE: I only have 1 good girl friend. The kind you can call in the middle of the night.

 I have never found it easy to be friends with girls. I have always been more of a guys girl. My one good girl friend is more than I could ever ask for though. She is crafty, and sweet, and genuine, and keeps my chin up when I am in the darkest of places.

Which is why I believe it doesn't matter how many, but rather the merit of each.

FOUR: I was going to be a makeup artist. From the time I was a little girl I was obsessed with makeup. Not just the colours, but the power it had to make a woman feel good about herself. It was going to be my art - face painting if you will. I studied, and practiced, and worked with photographers. I had an outstanding collection of MAC and friends and family were constantly asking me tips, and if I could do their makeup for this or that. 

Then one day it stopped. Just like that. 

I didn't enjoy it anymore.

Over night and day all my hopes dreams and aspirations changed.

FIVE: I struggle with self doubt everyday of my life. Confidence has never been my bag baby. 

Will people like it ? Will they like me ? Am I good enough ? Will I ever meet my goals?

CAN I DO THIS?

I consciously push myself every single day to overcome these feelings.

I tell myself I am stronger for letting myself feel them and then moving past them. I don't know if its true, but I feel that having feelings, whether happy of sad, arrogant or self depriving, is better than not having them at all.

SIX:  I have a terrible time justifying buying things for myself. 

All of my friends know me as a generous gift giver. I take pride in working hard to find ( or make) that perfect gift for someone.

However, I RARELY buy myself things. I don't know why, I feel like my hard earned money should be spent on bills, food, rent etc. I rarely treat myself. 

On the inside I tell myself that I deserve this or that - but then when it comes to game time, I back out.

SEVEN: I have a ridiculously sharp memory. I can remember things from as early back as 2. I remember lyrics to almost every song I have ever heard. I remember what clothing I was wearing when I met people for the first time, or what the weather was like that day. 

People are honestly astounded by my ability to remember things no one else can. 

I could tell you what song was playing on the first radio my dad installed in our little speed boat ( Beach Boys Good Vibrations - I was 7 years old)

WOW - that was a challenge! I pass this challenge on to all of you - leave me a comment with your Seven Things, or any thoughts you may have, or if you relate to any of mine. 

Happy Sunday!

Love and Belly Laughs 

Jaime

FLORA

The soil is no longer frosty around here. 

It is scattered with tiny shoots and buds of green sporadically sprouting. 

The first colours of spring and summer.

The first blooms after a long winter can be so therapeutic - warming hearts, bringing smiles to faces and delicate aromas to the senses. 

PANSY Necklace 

Sterling Silver and Enamel

Growing close to the ground, you may just miss the pansies. Their tiny smiling faces tilted up towards the sun remind me of children - always looking upwards.

But their vivid hues have always caught my eye - so amazing to see what Mother Nature created.

This Pansy has been fabricated in sterling silver, with handmade filigree petals. 

Its face created from an enamel center I made by layer shades of rose, indigo and cobalt, and set in fine silver bezel. 

 Oxidized for depth and hanging on 17 inches of oxidized sterling chain, this little bloom is the perfect homage to spring and summer. 

1.5 inches diameter ( 40mm) 

ROSE PETAL Neclace

Sterling Silver and Mookaite

June is my birth month. The month where pearls and roses are king. 

When I was younger my grandfather grew the most spectacular roses. Tall and regal with giant blooms. Petals in shades of rose, peach, yellow, white, and burgundy. 

Every year on my birthday he would cut his prettiest, most wonderful bloom for me - my favorites where the ones with multiple shadings. Each petal was like a water colour painting, blending from one colour into them next.

This Rose Petal has been created around a gorgeous Mookaite stone I had custom cut. Its shades are rosy and dark and I have set it in fancy sterling silver bezel. 

Measuring 1.25 inches tall ( 30mm) it has an open back so its beauty can been seen on both 

sides and hangs on 17 inches of drawn sterling chain. 

To be worn as a means to keep the rosy moments in your life close to you heart always.

Both to be added to the shop today :-)

POSEIDON

Greek God of the sea & all its creatures.

The ultimate power and strength.

POSEIDON ring was fabricated around a gorgeous 15mm square Larimar stone. Native to the Dominican Republic, the natives believed that it came from the ocean due to its Caribbean blue colour. The colour reminds me of the mysteries and and unknowns of the great blue yonder. There is something so spectacular about the ocean - mesmerizing and somewhat frightening at the same time. 

This ring is meant to be a pillar of strength and beauty. I have set the larimar in fancy sterling silver bezel,with a slight edging. It sits on a double half round split ring shank in size 5.5.

Heading to the shop now :)

SEAFOAM

In the sweet summer evenings we used to head to the beach for the last hour of sun. When The tide had washed in, and was warmed over the rocks and sand that baked all day in the sun. Tiny bubbles would float over our feet as we wiggled our toes in the sand, and waded into the ocean for the last swim of the day. 

And as the sun came down it cast a green yellow tinge across the water and our faces, the sea seemed to go on forever, as we wished the summer would.

SEAFOAM is comprised around a delicately coloured green and yellow Crow Springs Tourquoise. Bubbles of silver that I melted and formed cluster around the side, mimic the air bubbles in the ocean. I have given this piece a swift brushing to give it a satiny finish and it perches atop a skinny 2mm sterling shank in size 6.5. 

Measuring 3/4 inch tall ( 20mm) and 1/2 inch wide (15mm) 

A sweet sentimental summer memory, just for you!

In the shop now :-)