Older yes, Wiser? Not likely

So it's been nearly a month since my last entry. In that time, I have aged. Literally - I had my birthday. Ignoring the number, the day was very nice. My parents came in from out of town and we had a good time shopping and eating. There was Hallowe'en - around 550 kids. I don't even have to close the door between trick-or-treaters. They just keep coming. Managed to reduce a few little kids to tears with our decorations so I say it was a great success. Lily's boot is off and she's been going to physio for treatment of tendonitis. I think she is pretty much back to normal but she is still working it a little bit. I was pretty sick for a while in there too. It may have been H1N1. Hard to say. High fever, severe body aches, pressure on my chest. Took a solid week for the fever to break. I am going to get the kids vaccinated. My girlfriend disagrees with getting the shots. Then she says that she guesses she would feel bad if she didn't get them, and her kids got sick and died. Ya think? To each their own. I've just got a few more shows before I'm done for the year and then months of nothing. While it will give me an opportunity to work on all the designs I haven't had time to experiment with, it is like going through withdrawal without the constant pressure to produce. Anyway, this is just a short post. We're off to karate and I am supposed to be polishing some copper balls. I suppose there is some way to make that sound more dirty.

Live a Little, Learn a Little

So I resigned from my short-lived return to the workforce this morning. I tried to adapt, I really did. I approached each shift with the idea that it was going to be a good day but...I just couldn't get past the fact that I crave chaos. I like fixing problems and puzzling through. It was good job for many people, just not the right fit for me. I just think at my age, I don't want to settle, I want something that truly suits me. Spent the rest of the day working on rebuilding my stock, sending out emails to stores that expressed an interest in selling some of my pieces. Back on track to building this business. But still feeling tense, anxious. I do think this is the right decision, but I have to go back for one more shift tomorrow. Things always work out the way they're supposed to right? You just don't know it until you get there.

Actually got to go on a "date" yesterday. Lily had her first sewing lesson with her grandma, and Max just had a good day of playing. We went to see "Zombieland." Now, admittedly, I am a bit of a closet goth. I thought the movie was hysterical. Loved Bill Murray. Zombies are certainly hip right now. "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" had me laughing out loud within pages, and "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" looks just as promising. Hearkening back a few years, I was a big fan of "Fido" too. In a kinder and gentler vein, we are going to see "Where the Wild Things Are" this week. Even the music score is making me tear up, and reading the book always get me too. Can't wait to go.

The bone scan was done and we've got another week of waiting. Frankly, we are crossing our fingers that her ankle is broken. Then we have a clear idea of treatment and ETA for full healing. If it turns out to be a soft tissue injury, then I think my kitten is in for a long season of physio before her life can return to normal. I have to say though, I am so proud of her. Not once since this happened has she ever complained or felt sorry for herselft. She has taken this all in stride, and though she does hurt quite a bit by the end of the day, she continues to have an amazing attitude toward the whole experience. I think that this would be difficult for an adult to go through without bitching, but for a ten year old, highly strung little girl (gee, where do you think she gets it from?) her attitude just amazes me. I am truly blessed with awesome children.

So there it is. Still hoping to be discovered, still looking for work, and ready for my 5:00 vino!

Missing my Turkey Sandwiches

So what's new? Lily's moved from crutches to an aircast boot. She kept falling with the crutches so at least with the Frankenfoot she can move around pretty easily. Two xrays have shown nothing so the next stop is for a bone scan to see if there is a hidden fracture in her ankle. The poor thing. Me - I mean. She is just busting with energy and has no way to expend it except to chatter endlessly. Honestly, I love listening to her and she has some really cool ideas, but it's like she doesn't even take a breath. She is launching a business plan to make and sell handcrafted pillows. This does present some issues. I don't have a sewing machine. I don't sew. I barely iron. Anyway, it's great to see her ideas take shape and we will do what we can to make it happen. Look for the grand opening of "Cushy Lily" at a market near you.

I also have taken a part-time job. It's pleasant and the people are very nice. There is a dress code, and somewhat of a company-issued uniform. It's an interesting transition for me. I have found that while I thought having a simple job would be an easy change, it is actually proving otherwise. Apparently, I am hardwired to be the boss and work in a high-stress environment. I always did have a problem with authority and following rules. Hence, my corporate jobs evolved to allow me the freedom to work in the grey areas. Now things are pretty black and white and my day is dictated for me. It's still early in this for me. We'll see how things pan out.

I will be updating the pictures this week. I've done some really pretty sculptural pendants and I want to get them on the site.

Final note for today. Carrie - I don't know if you will see this but I hope you do. I know it's been 11 days since your surgery. I hope that you are home and starting on the road to recovery. You are in my thoughts. Please let me know how you are doing if you can. Take care of yourself and never lose hope.

Oh and Donna - if you're out there too - hope you are doing great! I love the way you have such a positive, exhuberent approach to life.

Fashionberry Feature

Just one more little thing to mention - my feature in the ezine Fashionberry came out last week, so here's the link: www.fashionberry.com

It's the September issue (#8) and just scroll along the bottom to change pages. My friend, Donnalin, took the great pictures and really helped me out in a bind.

The Crutches Are Out Again

So it seems to be a first sign of Fall in our family that Lily slowly makes her way to school on crutches. An annual tradition perhaps, first started last year, due to a bad knee injury at gymnastics that had her out of commission for a good three weeks. This time, we have a mystery injury. No one knows how or when she hurt her ankle but she can't put any weight on it and it's now been 10 days. We've had the xray done but no word back from the doctor. I think we're skipping gym today. For the record - last year, injuries included: sprained wrist, concussion, reinjured knee, and a veritable rainbow of bruises. Shall we try for the full-on cast this year? (oops, she just read this and is now having a cow).

I was out in Harrison last weekend for the Castle & Crafts Market. As the long-held sandcastle building competition was cancelled this year for financial reasons, the organizers are seeking a new name. I think "Handcrafted in Harrison" sounds pretty good. Anyway, I had a great time. Saw some familar faces, sold all my beautiful turquoise (sigh...it really was gorgeous), and was well-fed by Alyx. Thank you !

Been playing around with copper more. I'm quite liking it, and paired with silver and chocolate pearls, the look is pretty sweet. However, I am also a bit preoccupied with the prospect of job-hunting. The husband has decreed it is time for me to return to the workforce. While I have no intention of returning to a high pressure corporate job at this time, even the idea of part-time employment is a little nerve-wracking. Stage fright I guess. And honestly, I have nothing to wear. Really. I live in jeans, sold all my suits (though those would be so "What not to wear" now), but I do still have my stilettoes. I may just prance around in the bedroom in them (alone, it's not as dirty as it sounds), but you'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands before I give in and buy a pair of crocs. Umm...I am so off topic right now.

What else? Oh, I forgot to mention last time that I finally experienced a milestone of sorts. I was stung in Penticton. I have never been stung in my life and have spent a good deal of time making a fool of myself as I run away screaming from most flying insects. This experience has shown me that that was precisely the right action. Bugger, it really really hurts. I was stung on the top of my foot, right in the vein and had a nasty burning pain for about 3 days. Ugly, freaky little creatures that don't serve any purpose on this planet. Next topic....

I guess that's it for today. I'll be at Steveston Market on Sunday (sept 27) for my last market there of the season and the weather should be fabulous.

School's Back

Well, it's been a great summer. Busy markets and busy kids. Had a great trip to Seattle and blew a ton on money on fabulous pearls at Fusion Beads. Had lots of fun at the new pool in Kelown (H2O). Off to Summerland to stay at the gorgeous La Punta Norte with our gracious hosts. Pablo finished the Ironman and swears he's taking some time off. Of course, there are always shorter races to do....Big disappointment in Penticton - where did Piggy's go? We were so disappointed that it's not there anymore. Did find a fabulous restaurant at the Lakeside, and an absolutely horrible one on Lakeshore.
School's back in, Max is in grade 2 and Lily in grade 5. Both of them blew me off this morning for goodbye kisses. Oh well. Our endless round of afterschool activities kicks into high gear again this week too. No days off for anyone.
I've been invited to my high school renunion - 25 years. Way too scary. I've not been to the other reunions and have no plans to go to this one either. Frankly, high school was not the highlight of my life and I really don't have any interest in seeing former "friends" who dumped me so quickly after grad. Life moves on in much more interesting directions and I've got great friends who are sincere, fun and honest. I would never go back in time to be a teenager again. Very few good memories.
Working in copper and sterling now. Love hammering metal. Best way to work out stress.
Hugo the farting pug is sitting beside me, wafting his pungency in my direction. Makes me work faster so I can get out of this small room before I choke on the fumes. (was that more info that you needed to know?)
Saw some great movies - adult ones even - District 9, Inglorious Basterds, Julie & Julia. Oh, and finally saw Slumdog Millionaire. Still want to see the Time Travellers Wife. I know I'll cry. Getting too soft.
Anyway, I am supposed to be soldering right now, but I've updated the website and the Etsy site. As always, more pics to come.

Summertime

June was fabulous. Seriously the best sales that I have ever done and the feedback from everyone is incredible. Fab Fair was a great success, the new White Rock Market venue is awesome and Potter's is coming along. The kids did great at the Langley triathlon. Max is convinced he came in third. More importantly, he had barely learned to ride without training wheels and whipped through the course. Off the bike like a shot, I even saw him overtake someone on the run. Lily had a tougher time. She had the longest course yet for her and it was challenging. But she pushed through and finished strong. They are so set to do it again next year. My Gator's workouts are good despite the occassional desire to lie down in the fetal position. Maybe because Pablo is an Ironman, there is the assumption that I can be pushed to the limit too. I don't know. But I did pull 250 lbs across the floor the other night and that is an empowering feeling.

The Steveston Salmon Festival got off to a rocky start -totally due to me. After patting myself on the back for getting the last vendor parking place, I proceeded to drop my new apple green phone into the toilet, followed by falling down the stairs onto the sidewalk outside Starbucks. I didn't spill my tea. However, bleeding and swollen I headed back to the market, rounded up some bandaids, swallowed a handful of Advil and sold, sold, sold. A week later and my knee is still a kaleidescope of colours.

On Sunday, we did the first of the Steveston Farmer's Markets that I have signed up for. The biggest market that I've been in so far and what service! A gentleman came around to the booths offering delicious baked goods in the morning, and our lunch was ordered and delivered to us as well. An excellent idea at any market when it is difficult for lone vendors to get away.

I haul the kids with me to almost all the markets and they deserve many gold stars. Early mornings, cold wind, a bowl of cereal under a blanket. Never a complaint. I am very blessed. If only they could be such little darlings all the time......

I've got something brewing with an online fashion magazine that has great potential and am really excited about going to Harrison for the Festival of the Arts on July 18-19.

And hey - if there is anyone out there reading this - drop me a line. Would love to hear from you.

A little bit of both

May - some good, some not so good. I don't want to spend a lot of time grumbling but honestly, the two markets that I booked for May both bit. The "Health & Beauty Show" put on by Jam Expo was a total disaster. Unprofessional, disorganized and an expensive waste of my time. We've been offered a free booth for next year, but seriously...would I go back? Not on your life. Talk of a lawsuit was wafting around but I guess everyone is quietly licking their wounds and moving on. The other - the May Day Festival in Fort Langley was starting out to be a great day. Well-organized, happy people coming to enjoy the festivities and then the down pour. Everyone left and so they should have. Nobody's fault on that one. It was totally set up to be great day. Time for two more grumbles.....if someone sends a minor tv personality a piece of jewelry as a thank you for featuring them on their show, does it not seem proper etiquette that said "celebrity" should be gracious enough to send a quick "thanks"? And finally, I don't make "costume" jewelry. That is what girls buy at Claires. While I may be relatively new at this, I do have enough pride and confidence in my work that I don't think it sounds snooty to sniff at such a comment.

Okay, enough of that. The good stuff - I am really looking forward to the summer. The White Rock Farmers's Market (http://www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca/) is bigger and better this year with some great new ideas like featuring local chefs. Potter's Nursery on 192nd in Langley has started their new market, and once all the produce vendors are there, I think it will be a great success. I had the best cheeseburger there on Saturday. (http://www.pottersonline.ca/). This weekend (June 6-7) I will be back at Fab Fair at the Heritage Hall on Main Street. (http://www.fabfair.ca/). I know I will be doing some great accessories shopping from the fabulous local designers who will be selling there. July will see me in Steveston for both the Salmon Festival on July 1st and the Farmers & Artisan Market on July 5th. I will always consider myself a Steveston girl and can't wait to go back each time. (http://www.stevestoncommunitysociety.com/).

Both kids are signed up the the Langley Tri-It Triathlon at the end of June, and my husband is full on in his training for Penticton. Apparently he lost 5 pounds on a 3 hour ride the other night. If only it were so easy for me. I've started going to Gator's in Cloverdale for their bootcamp and it is a wonderful, but very challenging, workout. Like I said, this weight is coming off me!

Anyway, I've got a bunch of custom pieces to get going on and some great new long chains to finish for the weekend. I've made a few of these long pieces and will get them photographed and online soon.

Enough chat! Off to work

A Decade Gone Too Fast

Tomorrow my daughter turns 10. Yes, it is true that time really does fly by. I was in my 30's (sniff, sniff). I'd quit my job at the cooking school (actually, due to circumstances, I had flung my keys at the owner and stormed out. Not recommended if you actually want a reference letter, but that is a long and complicated story.) In that time, I had a great stint at an investment company and rose through the ranks, had my son who is almost 7, put on a few pounds (sniff, sniff) and started this gig. My husband has done 6 Ironmans and shaved his head. We've been to Disneyland 4 times and have a torpedo of a pug named Hugo. To tell you the truth, she is not too happy about leaving the single digits behind. She's not ready to become a Tween, and I guess I don't really want her to either. But I am so very proud of her and all her accomplishments, her empathy, her sweetness, her persistence and everything about her. She is definately high maintenance and I pity the boy/man that falls in love with her. But she is amazing and beautiful. (And she is in the front yard right now talking to a boy.....hmmm)

It's been a good week on the gargoyle side of things too - I've been accepted into the Harrison Festival of the Arts in July, the Steveston Farmers Markets and Creative Finds in November. Still waiting for a few more responses from other markets and then the year will be squared away.

BTW - we saw the Secret World of Og at Carousel Theatre. Such Fun! They do such a good job there. Can't wait to see Robin Hood in the fall and Frog & Toad next spring.

Got to go - karate tonight and off to make a birthday cake.

Bright Lights, Pink Bling

On Thursday, April 16th, I was very happy to see one of my bracelets (silver squares with black coin pearls) featured on an outfit on Breakfast Television. It was very quick but there is a mention of Pink Gargoyle and a shot of the piece. My first few seconds of my fifteen minutes of fame. The link is below. It's near the end of the video so be patient (and ignore everybody else's jewelry!.....)

http://site.btvancouver.ca/video/?bcpid=16157553001&bclid=16349005001&bctid=20023227001

Anyway, it made me happy. I'm confirmed for Vancouver's Health and Beauty Show, May 8-10 at the new convention centre at Canada Place. Can't wait to see the new building. It's a big show for me to do and I am going to be burning the candle at both ends but am so happy with what I am making now.

Just making plans for my daughter's 10th birthday. Hard to believe. I sound so old but time really does go by fast. Not only is she not a single digit girl anymore, she's coming home with wt pits. I thought I had a few more years before puberty started but apparently not. And the mood swings....That is what the red wine is for.

I hope the link works. If not just go to: http://site.btvancouver.ca/video/ Choose the first segment of the Fashion police.

Coming into my own

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting with a very nice woman from the Surrey Planning & Development department. She had contacted me some months ago about participating in this summer's Flavours of Surrey festival. We chatted about the event, she looked at some of the new pieces, and I decided to get on board. What made my day was when I asked her how she had heard about me. I was expecting to hear that she'd been by my table at one of the White Rock Farmer's markets last summer, or maybe she'd seen someone wearing one of my pieces. But no - she'd found me online and liked what she'd seen. There are only 5 spots for artists at the Flavour of Surrey event, and she was inviting me to be one of the artists. Gobsmacked would be a good word for my reaction. It's the use of the word "artist" to describe my work. And it's a long way from where I started 18 months ago when I would mumble to people that I made jewelry. As I become more and more confident in what I am doing, especially now as I am working to create as much of each piece as possible by hand, I am comfortable saying that I am a jewelry designer. I think my work can stand up to the title without seeming pretentious. "Artist" is something else - and it's a very good thing. I like the sound of it. And I certainly do think that jewelers are artists. The vision, the painstaking work, and the absolute beauty of what so many wonderful artists create using metal, stones, pearls and gems, is truly breathtaking. Even if I am only standing in the doorway, it's so wonderful to be invited to the party. I will post more practical info about the event as details get confirmed.

On another note - I had a lady recently insist that when she gets hot & sweaty, the soldered silver will rub off on her skin and make her messy. Now, the solder melts around 1000 F, give or take. I am sure she won't get that overheated on a summer's afternoon. She really wasn't convinced. In fact, there was some mention of finding me ("hunting me down") in the event that the bracelet she bought did ooze all over her arm. If anyone knows of such a thing happening, please let me know and I will gladly retract all my assertions to the contrary. But really....

So I am not too consistent at this blogging thing am I? It's like a quartlerly update. I have been really busy making new pieces and things are getting more sculptural all the time. I've pretty much got the year planned out for shows so will updating when more confirmed dates come in but I've been invited and accepted at some pretty cool shows. Being invited to attend an event as an artist, and the only jeweler at that, is very flattering. I've done a bit of freelance online writing to make a few bucks which has been a good experience too - haven't had to write like that for quite some time. What else? The diet and exercise thing is coming along. Planning to attend the Las Vegas half marathon in December with a couple of friends. We should be done in time to hit the casino at lunchtime (martinis in hand). My husband, who has his own ironman blog site, has finally shaved his head. The first day I thought I kept glimpsing Howie Mandel out of the corner of my eye. I finally touched his head yesterday, four days later. Ok, I'm a wimp - I didn't think it would be that big an adjustment. He does look a lot younger though and I am sure he will go so much faster at the Penticton Ironman now that he is more aerodynamic.

My friend Donnalin has started her own blog, www.dishingwithdonna.com
She's got lots of opinions, is totally sexy and has no problem telling you like it is.

One other thing, my sister-in-law, who makes fabulous belt buckes in LA is relaunching her website next week, www.frankieandjulie.com Handcrafted and gorgeous.

Other than that - I haven't got enough hours in the day to create all that I want, market how I want, photograph and sell, sell, sell. But I love what I am doing and feel that this is the year that the pink gargoyle really takes flight.

When it rains...

It was a dark and rainy night......seriously, after two weeks of snowfall, the rain came today. Where we were crunching along on a hardpack of several feet of snow, we are now up to our ankles, and beyond, in water. Thank goodness my boots are truly waterproof. It was the first time really testing out my cool Koi Tattoo rainboots (check out the line of Chookas). But I also want to wear my Ed Hardy Geisha winter boots - just need some cold, dry weather and I will be so styling. Hmm, one would think that I should be a boot designer....I just can't get enough of them. Anyway, the business at hand - I've been playing around with the overall look of the site and like the more solid pink. I've photographed everything now and have started uploading the pictures. About halfway through so far so should be done before the week is out. Other than that - day two of eating healthy. The goal is to lose 30 pounds before summer. Too much time snacking on chips and wine while I play with wire. Love Clean Eating magazine - great recipes and easy to use menu plans. Also - excited about the Biggest Loser starting up again tonight. So inspiring. What I would give for Gillian to kick my butt.

Happy New Year

Best wishes to everyone for the new year. You may have noticed that the website seems a little bare - I'm in the process of updating it - finally. The beaded pieces are mostly gone and the new photographs of the soldered pieces will be coming in the next week. I'm excited about the new collection of soldered wire and glass rings. It's been a long time in coming, but after a Fall of shows practically every weekend, I've had a bit of a breather and am ready to relaunch. I will be building my silversmithing workshop in the garage as well. Surprisingly, I haven't set anything on fire yet with the propane torch! Looking forward to applying for a full calendar of shows for the year - even though my schedule has caused a few meltdowns for my daughter. I take her with me as much as I can but she wasn't impressed with me being gone every weekend. Note to self - create a balance between work and kids - even working at home doesn't mean one is really there for them all the time. But we will muddle through....
So check back soon - looks for some new pics, new thoughts, new shows, an occasional rant....
Let me know your thoughts, ideas and hope to see you soon!

Christine.