I am Baaaaacccck!

Hiya pretty people! 

I am back home from Las Vegas after a hellish day of traveling yesterday.

We had a great time, the weather was lovely

We walked our bums off ( I wish actually) and ate some tasty food (as well as some not so tasty food - such is life)

Since it was a lot packed into a few days, I am gonna point form it for you :-)

Pros :

-Hot sunny weather

-perfectly temperatured nights

-best filet minion evah!

-super cold brewskis

-frequently getting I'd ( This never happens here since the legal drinking age is 19, in fact it never happened the first time I went to Vegas last year. For a girl turning 27 in a couple weeks it feels good to  young enough to be under 21! )

-Fremont Street ( aka Old Vegas)  possibly my favorite time! This is the Vegas I always pictured. The light show in the dome was amazing. It was Queen, which is one of my all time fave bands, so I caught I little on video :-) 

-Time away from dreaded day job

-Baby white tigers and gigantic lions in the Mirages Secret Garden

(literally having a cat nap - tongue out an all!)

...the best pro? Dan gave me my birthday present early! A new digital camera :-) I have a big one for jewellery, but was wanting ( I felt needing) a small one for trips etc. Now if you follow my blog you know I work in the photography industry, so this made me a happy girl!

Cons:

-Ordering grapefruit juice for breakfast only to find out it was $7!!! 

-windy weather stopped me from seeing the Bellagio fountain and the show at Treasure Island - yet again! Still have never seen either!

(both days no fountains!)

-rowdy partyers across the hall from us on the second and third night. For some reason they felt the need to party in the hallway at 4am. I mean, c'mon I knows its vegas but it doesn't give the excuse to be an asshole! 

....and the biggest con of all:

- terrible flight home experience :

Our plane was an hour late even arriving to the gate, then when we boarded the attendant accidentally let a woman and her child on our plane who were not supposed to be on it! We were the last to board because of our seat numbers, which meant there was no room for our bags except the back of the plane.

Finally we take off, only to get 30 minutes in, and have the captain tell us they are having electrical issues and that we are turning around and heading back to vegas! 

So, we were the last off the plane, because our bags were in the back. 

Then we finally board the new plane ( last again) and get going - 3.5 hours later that we should have been. We got to the airport originally at 1pm. We landed finally at 9:30pm

A lot of traveling and time for a 2:20 minute flight! 

Alas, I am happy to be home, even if it is raining. I am happy I was with Dan, Mr. Cool Calm and Collected, and I am happy be back at the bench with some new inspiration :-)

I'll leave you with a little Freddie :-)

Shop Update Sneak Peek Part 2

I promised you after yesterdays shop update that I had a few more tricks up my sleeve, 

didn't I?

Three more offerings for the etsy shop. 

They are heading in there right now.

Kaleidoscope Necklace

Sterling Silver and Swiss Blue Topaz

Little Pink House Ring Size 8

Sterling Silver and Rhodonite

Solar System Bangle 

Sterling Silver and Turquoise 

On another note - I am heading out later this afternoon for a 3 day vacay in Las Vegas! Don't forget when I get home I will be pulling several designs out to take to a local boutique. Anything could be taken, so please snatch up whatever you have had your eye on - I don't want you to miss out on a one of a kind piece! 

Cheers ( and beers in Vegas!) 

Shop Update Sneak Peek Part 1

All of these goodies will be making their way into the shop as we speak :-) Expect one more blog post with a few more late bloomers ( they are still in the tumbler polishing!)

PLEASE remember, then when I get home from my little vacation on friday I will be pulling several pieces from my shop to put in a local boutique. So, if you have had your eye on something do not miss out! 

Take Flight Earrings

Sterling Silver

Global Ring Size 6.5

Sterling and Turquoise

Plume Earrings

Sterling and Turquoise

Peaceful Pond Ring Size 8.75

Sterling and Turquoise

Lady Turquoise Ring

Made in your size

Sterling Silver and Turquoise 

toodles,

Still Soaring..

Sometimes I dream I am a feather.

I fly high above all the buildings in this city.

I soar over the ocean and the valley.

I coast down the sides of the mountain.

I touch down to the ground,

only to be picked up by the wind on my next journey. 

Take Flight Bangle in Sterling Silver

Take Flight Long Brass Necklace

Sometimes I wish I were a feather. 

Weightless,

on a constant journey.

And then I remember that life is a journey,

one we all travel. 

Like feathers, we end up in different places,

shed from our mothers and fathers,

and let loose on the world in our own adventure.

:-)

In the shop today.

A little Press and Upcoming Important Date

Hi World ;-)

I was featured on a lovely blog today, Vancouver Mom. They interviewed me for their 30 Essential Vancouver Jewellery Designer series- I am honoured! 

Please take a quick moment to read ( please and thank you!)

http://www.vancouvermom.ca/best-of/jaime-pickering-of-bella-bijou-jewellery/

ALSO,

I have 3 more days of day job work before a much needed week of holidays :-) Not only is the weather supposed to be lovely here in Vancouver, but we are heading to Las Vegas for a few days to really soak up the sun!

I will not be closing my shop, since I will only be out of country for a few days. I do however want to give you all the heads up that I will be pulling several designs from my shop when I get home, on my May 28th, to sell in a local boutique. 

This means if there is something you have had your eye on, now would be a good time to snatch it up before its too late! 

:-)

Oh, and expect a shop update this week too with some serious bracelets and earrings! 

Week In Review

In no particular order the random events of last week :

- witness to one scary car accident 

- one trip to the gym ( I know - I slacked!)

- one lovely garden party with friends

- one slice of birthday cake ( not mine, but that is coming up in a few weeks!)

-two new casual summer dresses purchased by my mom- I am so darn lucky to have her

- breaking in one new pair of these shoes - they are really very comfy! 

- one caught episode of Oprah which led to one stop at the book store to purchase Women Food and God by Geneen Roth

- one unsuccessful trip to shop for rollerblades - apparently they don't make ladies sizes small enough for my size 5 feet. 

-three times being yelled at at my day job on friday, two of which were also yelling at each other.

-two cuff bracelets in the tumbler today, one of which has been laboured over on and off for a month now.

- several cuddles with this little guy :

Its monday, its a new week, the sun is out

and as always, I am so thankful for all of you!

Free Falling

Sometimes, I just let the hammers fall where they must,

the saw cut where it feels.

and my mind open with possibilities.

This week has been full of these moments.

And the best part is,

The week is not over, and I still have a few goodies ( real show stoppers if i do say so) on their way to be revealed to you :-)

Voila!

Take Flight Necklace

Sterling Silver

( yes I know - I am digging the feathers lately!)

First Rain Ring Size 7

Sterling and Chrysoprase

Crop Circle Earrings

Sterling and Brass

Unit of Life Earrings 

Sterling and Copper

Plume Necklace

Sterling Silver and Turquoise

All are listed in the shop and ready to go!

Oh, and in case I haven't said it lately - it really humbles me, and quite frankly blows my mind a little that those who read and take time to comment on this blog do so. I am just so thankful.

It has been a tough year, full of moments wondering what I have to be thankful for. A lot of searching I suppose, but one thing I know is that I am thankful for you all!

All of you who took the time to write me and let me and encourage me with my journey losing weight, and to share their stories with me : WOW it really just made me feel that much more capable of doing it.

THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER!

Lacework

There are few things new in my household. Lots of hand-me-downs from my parents, and even a few pieces that made it down from my grandparents to my parents, to me.

Being young and poor will do that to ya :-)

There are a few things I treasure though,

things that tell a story.

My grandmothers knitting bag, beyond ratty with crochet patterns dating back to the 60's.

It isn't much to look at, that's for sure, but its meaning is so much more.

I have a few blankets she made me over the years, each one is precious, but the one I love the most is the oldest.

It was my first blanket,

Pink, purple and aqua. 

I would run my fingers over each scalloped detail, and every stitch.

I think about the time she took to make it,

and how she picked out colours just for me. 

It spent a great many years at the foot of my bed, some time on a shelf,

and even hanging down the back of a love seat,

But never will it be tucked away in a closet out of sight and mind. 

Where I can't hold it close when I miss her. 

These are the things that make our lives richer,

pieces of someone soul, that tells their story.

MY story.

Lacework necklace is fabricated around a gorgeous Porcelain Jasper that I designed and had cut for me. The pinks and purples in its patterns reminded me so much of my grandmothers blanket. I adorned it with hand fabricated scallops of sterling lace and filigree and gave it a touch of elegance with a little 14k gold. 

The pendant ( approx 1.5 inches or 38mm) hangs from a chain I created from wire wrapping gorgeous aqua coloured 8mm Amazonite beads and is finished with a sterling lobster clasp. 

Necklace hangs 18 inches.

Oxidized for depth, just like my blanket.

Intricately made, my grandmother would be proud.

Forever telling its story, which soon will be YOUR story.

In the shop today :-)

Shop Update Sneak Peek

A sneak peek of what will be making home in the shop tomorrow morning ( hopefully not for too long!)

Grapefruit Necklace

Blue Raspberry Necklace

Lavender Necklace

Take Flight Cuff

Lilypad Necklace

Pinch of Peach Ring

Quatrefoil Necklace

Shop update will commence approx 9am Pacific Time! See you there :-)