Auctions and Goldstone

Alrighty, up at 4 am, and for some odd reason I have sharp stabbing pains from right under the center of my rib cage to my belly button. Strange. I woke up with a million and one things to do before Friday. And honestly it's not like I am accomplishing any of them sitting here online.

I donated a collection of 5 semi-precious bracelets to our school Oktoberfest Auction, they went for 65.00 or 70.00. I also donated a PICK 5 Sports Team Bracelets and it went for $55.00. I was happy.

I have gotten in my "Goldstone" and it is FANTASTIC looking. I got in brown, blue and green. They are all VERY BREATHTAKING in the sunlight.

It's really no surprise that I love making jewelry, from as long as I recall, I have always loved rocks, stones, shells, all of it. In high school I thought of going to college for gemology, but was steered towards something more grounded. I think it would have been very neat to have cut precious stones and created works of art like faceted stones. Alas, all is good and I love what I do. I just have to purchase my rings and cut stones that I love, BLUE TOPAZ. Speaking of, tomorrow is our 14th Year Anniversary and while at the mall I got my gift...a London Blue Topaz by Le Veil (spelling may be off) it is set in white gold and black and filled with small diamonds. IT's absolutely breathtaking. I loved all the pieces. This one is quite pricey and will spill over to not only this years 14, but next years big 15!

let myself go

Well, lot's to say.

First off my personal rant. I have seriously let myself go. My pants are tight, my shirts are to short and tight. And mostly I feel YUCKY inside, guncked up. I hate it, I really honestly hate it. I hate the soda I drink, even diet. I hate those donuts I couldn't resist, I hate that overabundance stuffed feeling. Today is a new leaf I have to turn it around. For my health, for my SPINE PAIN. Why is this soooooooo hard? I started WW and let it go, and I need to get back.

So, the kids are off Thursday and Friday, I had great ideas to go away for 2 days, however, sports rule. Bradley had a MANDATORY soccer practice Thursday, Dusty has basketball practice Thursday, games on Saturday (2 of them), so there goes that. I love sports and resent them all the same time.

I got my new car yesterday, I love it! It's a 2003 Pontiac Vibe. All Toyota insides so you know it's gonna last, got GREAT REVIEWS on Consumer Reports, 30 MPG and has a moonroof! YAY! We really shopped around and drove lot's of cars, including Vibes so I am so confidant!

Yesterday I babysat my friends daughter whom is almost 3 mths old, her name is Ryleigh, she is perfectly beautiful, a happy happy baby and a pleasure to spend a day with.

Today I have to finish off some things before an appt. at 12. Smack dab in the middle of my day.

I finished the boys Christmas Shopping. I bought something big for Bradley, an XBox Elite, but have decided to take it back and get more of something smaller, if he still wants it for his birthday in May I will reconsider it. I even have Dusty's Birthday gifts done for Nov. 6th.

The 401K money arrived, yes that's where the car and gifts came. Now it's time to sit down and divy out the bills and get back on track.

I am signed up for 2 Craft Shows, I need to send in the money for the Cincy Pink Fest yet and I am ready to roll.

Muah to all

Cupcakes & Thank Yous

Well, this certainly did NOT load in the order I wanted, but here is how my package arrived! You see, there was a question in her blog about if you knew you had one week to live, how would you spend it. Sure, the most popular answer was and IS ALWAYS..with my family, my friends. And it's not that I disagree, but if I knew I had a week, I would want to go out making a difference, that's just who I am. I also have battled depression and I have been at the bottom of the pit wanting to write it all off and leave this world behind. But it's the faces at the bus stops, the men holding a HOMELESS Sign begging for money, it's the kids that have nothing in this world but violence and poverty, it's the smile on my family face, my friends kind words that refused to let me go in the darkest of hours. I would share my entry, but I think you can and should drop over at her blogspot and find it..it was labeled "1st giveaway" or such and it's in the comment section.

I want to say thank you for my cupcakes, they were delicious, and filled with a cherry surprise, each one wrapped like it's own present.

http://thefancyladygourmet.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Kelly & John's Adoption

I saw this couple on the news, they are a young loving couple in Troy MICH looking to adopt a baby to start their future as a growing family. I donated and hope you will to. Even $1.00, $2.00, 5, 10 or any amount adds up, please take some time and SPREAD THE WORD and post this on your blog, tag it, what ever YOU can do to help pull together for this awesome couple!


From an Adoptee...ME!

Little bit of this...and tiny of that

I still can't believe that from 33 followers I came here an have 6! It sure did change when Jland left AOL for this "blogspot". I had so many readers and I read SO MANY. I am trying to get it back slowly as I finally got this blogspot in my typing fingers.

I said I was going to get in the potato festival here in my area, however I think I am going to change and fix on local craft shows for the fall/winter and hit some tailgate parties at the Bengals & Ohio State Games. My line of sport stuff I think will take nicely there and afterall, I have friends that are wanting to go to tailgate parties, cookout and have some fun! I'm for it!

We are looking for a car, I like to say we are looking at a Honda CR-V and Pathfinders. We are open to others such as Blazer, Mitsubishi Montero and Rendezvous. I thought it would be fun doing this. It's not, in fact it's sucking the life out of me. Any thoughts on cars/suv's, your faves, your hates?

Have a great one :)

SHort and sweet

well..I have attempted 2 blogs, one quite long and there must be some "magic" delet buttom I don't know about on my keyboard and BAM...gone. :( BUmmer

I weighed in 2 days early and was down 2.2 lbs. Very happy. Weekends are hard :(

I am hammering away at jewelry for the Potato Festival the first weekend of October. I have already sold 3 bracelets without putting word out about it. Amazing. I have more styles to do.

Nice sunny day today, both boys have soccer games. I have been doing so much bead making that my house is a wreck. I really need to refocus for a few days!

Much love to all!

returned

As I was saying at the end of my last blog..my nephew went to dr. for same cold and was told it needed to run it's course. So I'm reluctant to pay 20.00 copay to hear the same thing. I will wait a few days unless it gets worse.

I am finishing up some childs quilts, that were made for Project Sunshine, they are not detailed and not huge, they are actually for sick and hospitalized children, so at the Potato Festival Oct. if they sell it will help because I will be able to turn around and put all the profits into far more material and double the amount of quilts to give to these kids! I haven't got to pass out many, the deal *I thought* I had with Dayton Childrens Medical Center in Dayton Ohio was to go completely dressed to the hilt as a Angel (all blue satin) and spend the entire day visiting and hanging out with kids and giving them a quilt. It sounded like a done thing to me. Then the head lady called and said, sure you can dress up, but you can't spend time with any kids, it will only take about 45 min. Well, that was a deal breaker for me. Now, I'm done done with Project Sunshine, I am just going to modify the plans some. I donated nearly 30 child quilts about 4 years ago and it was wonderful. I have asked for donations, but that's not happening. I am collecting "cans" to cash in and that brings a tiny bit here and there.

I also am working on 2 completely different top secret projects and I'm excited about that.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness in October, now personally it should be cancer awareness every month, every 365 days a year. However, I am making pink/white bracelets for that and will ask the very rock bottom price at the show. I would donate to the proceeds but the fact is, I'm lazy and am focusing on Project Sunshine. I also know a lot of people use the "DONATE" factor and never donate a dime and that really "irks" me.

I hope your all having a great Sunday, I have been busy and now I am off to watch a friends daughter at her 1st soccer game!

50 lbs ready to go

Yesterday I joined my "Umptine" time at Weight Watchers. I lost 48 lbs before, 22 lbs another time. I wonder why I walk away when I know I can't really. If I make lifetime then I will get to go free, so that is my goal.

My size is 16 jeans, XL Shirt, weight is 223

The Neurologist said straight out, nicely, lose 50lbs and you will feel 50% better. So that is my goal. I have one large tumor on my T7 vertebra and several small ones. He says that it is non-cancerous and nothing to worry about. I look online and it says the same thing, Sometimes they may get to large and cause problems, if so radiation and meds to shrink it. So I want to lose the 50 because of my health. My spine hurts, all the time. I also want to see if I do feel better, so that way if I don't, I don't have 50 lbs masking what may be a real issue. As of now the tumor is not moving into my spinal column so this is good.

When I weighed 178, I was moving into a size 8. SO, that was when I was HEAVY WEIGHT LIFTING and the clothes MELTED off. Well those days are done, as the exercise I do has to be modified, for me, completely changed. SIGH....walking and yoga, and sitdown bike here I come.

See ya

do da da

Well, I'm done pouting. The fact is, I have talent and create beautiful pieces. So what if 50% of etsy is nearly Jewelry? The fact is when you look at it, nobody is solo, look up anything and you will find hundreds of sellers. What I am done doing is giving my secrets away, how to do's, supplier's, idea's, all of it. My first passion will always be quilts, for making them and giving them to those I love is huge. That is something that if I throw up on etsy, I probably don't care if it sells because I always welcome quilts. I am moving forward with what I do and love. Afterall, it makes GREAT GIFTS, since friends are my biggest customers! hahahha

I have been making SWIRLED Polymer Beads, they are beautiful, they are in the sanding stage now to brighten them up. I really enjoy that.

Today I bought Yarn, yes, yarn. I was taught to Crochet and never got to finish what I started so I bought some SUPER SILKY SOFT Yarn and will work on that for my boys.

Well, have a great day everyone :) See ya...all 2 followers!

Not much good to say, you may want to skip this!

This is certainly going to be one jumbled blog of mix-mash. Last night we met with the girls in the Handmade Dayton group, nice group of ladies.

It's no surprise that Jewelry is a OVERSATURATED on Etsy, Artfire and the world as we know it. I don't feel I have a nitch. Maybe it's my depression that is coming on the upswing. Maybe it is the fact that we are not making it $ as a family. My husband is pulling out his 401K to pay for past medical bills, present. Many of my dr.s visits are a 50.00 copay. I have cancelled all pain dr. / physcially therapy / endocrinologist appts. I don't see any point anymore. So to say that the fact is that as much as I love making Jewelry, as it is a wonderful expression, and as much as I love wearing it, as it makes me feel better, it's a tough market. Some people have such great sucess so something is wrong. Everyone practicaly dips into making and selling jewelry and there are so many *copy cats* that having something unique is hard to come by.

HOWEVER...with saying all that, I am now into making Polymer beads..something possibly unable to copycat and I have some ideas, which I'm sure in no time will be copied or I will find that . THAT nitch is oversaturated to.

I love to make quilts, but the fact is they don't sell well and they are time consuming and getting money out of them is non exsistant. I would rather keep giving them away. And as soon as I get the 5 finished (about a week) I am going to Childrens Hospital and passing them out, solo, uninvited, and possibly agasint regulations. So arrest me, I honestly don't care.

I make fantastic Body Butter, but again, it's one of those things that don't sell well online.

I have another idea for a childs toy, and maybe I will focus on that for a bit and see how that goes.

Have a great day, I certainly hope it's better then mine.

Time Flys...OHIO STATE INTRO ITEM

I can't believe I haven't posted since before the craft show. I will say it was a nice show, my back was throbbing by end of Saturday and Sunday I was not only sun burnt but in pain. I did make some money and it was a free show and the ladies were great.

I wanted to get in the Pretzel Festival but I don't have 100.00 to just throw down on it right now so it will have to be a next year thing.

I learned one great thing while flipping through some magazines on jewelry, it is that I truly love to make jewelry, but it's time to step out of the comfort zone and do something different, different types of beads, different designs and honestly I am loving it.

Which brings me to this.....one craft show years ago, many woman where sporting these hideous OSU Buckeye Fan necklaces, (while I sold nothing (not selling jewelry then). SO I made Little Buckeyes out of FIMO and turned them into beads and have created a OSU Bracelet. I will do some variations and this is my first mock up. I like it and so do many others. What do you think?
















I plan on doing an entire "Sport Themed, School Themed" line of mainly bracelets, because they are inexpensive and make great gifts, due to look and cost. NFL teams to High School Teams. I hope to do well with it. I purchased about 150 of each Pewter Footballs, Basket Balls & Soccer balls. I will let you know how it all pans out!

Me

Jewelry show this weekend. 40% chance of rain Saturday. I don't have the money for displays or such. I am freaking broke!

I have the shingles...again. I can't tell you how misrable I feel. I just want to move away to a place that is beautiful by the water and least have some really great view of the sea or LAKE. Michigan would be my target.

I don't know if I want to go lay down or bead. It really is a toss up as I am not a good napper!

Well, here are some pics for you to see!

Much love to all 2 of you subscribers! hahahahahahah

Blue & Pearls,,,love of the Sea

I have been feeling just misrable. I did learn how to bead weave some very nice varities of bracelets and if I felt better I would go outside and get my camera out of my husbands truck...but I don't. So I am sorry you will have to wait.

Do you love pearls? I love pearls so much, to me they remind me of the sea, the lake, all the beauty and wonder of water. I love Blue, I love Pearls, I really need to make me a blue Swarovski crystal & Fresh water bracelet huh?

Pain never eludes

I am 36 years old, and I feel so nasty. I have osteoarthritis, anterior thoracic bone spurs, degenterative disc disease and endplate sclerosis, now top that off with Fibromyalgia. I tell myself EVERY DAY people have got it MUCH WORSE. I try to suck it up. I do. I just can't some days.

I have a Art Show this upcoming weekend. i would love to get more done, just not sure I can.

Much Love and Peace!

Morning Coffee Chatter

I have a story to share. My friend was happily involved with what seems to be a very nice guy. They got in a "tiff" due to TEXTING/communication, and I also say, that the world of technologoy is great, but when it comes to communication I call it a "Sissy Window", I am about being "Face to Face". Not hiding behind the world of technology. Anyway, they get in this "tiff" and for just over a week, he does not contact her and in fact is avoiding speaking to her, although random texting continues. Yesterday "OUT OF THE BLUE" , he responds to her text saying he has a "Spot on his lungs", "Cancer", "going to the Cleveland Clinic"...all of this, and so much more does not "FIT", things are not adding up. My dear friend is devestated and sad, many of us are confused. It's hard to say, I want this to be a lie *Like I believe* because I don't want to see anyone suffer from Cancer, the other side doesn't want someone to be "This CRUEL" and play a huge lie. But let's face it..Olivia Newton Johns "old fiance" after 1995, has admitted he "faked" his death and wants to be left alone. My business partners Nephew told everyone he had liver cancer and played up some pretty detailed information, tests he was going through. He was busted "AFTER" he OD'd and was in the hospital. My business partner is a doctor and he even was played a fool. It happens folks, and there are some seriously sick people out there. I will keep you updated for sure.

Well, I am still bothered that SELLERS..WAIT till I leave feedback until they leave feedback. I'm sorry, that is not right. As a seller, you should leave feedback after prompt payment. Not wait till you see the buyers feedback.

I'm not having much luck on etsy, and I know we all have been there. I can't figure out "WHY" I am not more sucessful. My prices are ROCK BOTTOM, I cannot go any lower. I look at so much OVERPRICED Jewerly with TONS of sales. I see seriously FuGly items with lot's of sales. Now, I am not trying to be a witch, and I realize we ALL have the good and bad of our personal opinions. I am well aware that the market in jewelry on etsy is OVERFLOODED, it's just hard not to get down. I LOVE what I do, and I can't keep making and making and not selling. What if I never sell any? Of course this boils down to one good thing..I made myself promise not to make anything I won't WEAR myself or give as a gift with pride.

Did you know I love to make cards and stamp? I Have HUNDREDS of stamps. I use to have a huge shelf that held all my stamps and I got rid of it on Freecycle YEARS ago when I know longer had time or space in our old house. Well, it's time to get them back out, it's a HUGE money saver and with this lovely (sarcastic) economic time, it's time to do what we can, and honestly paying at LEAST 2.00 per card at the store is CRAZY.

Have a wonderful day!

Paralyzed in Pain

I went to bed last night quite sore. This morning I woke up "stuck", that means my mobility was gone, pain overshadowed any chance that this morning would be even remotely pain free. I'm always "stiff", but this is horrid. I tell myself that others have it far worse than me, so I honestly try not to whine, but this is my blog, right? A place to let loose. I just can't imagine living the rest of my life "like this", so I hope that they find some type of treatment or pain relief soon.

I sold 8 starfish keyrings, 2 plain starfish to a bride that is using them for her nautical themed wedding as bridal gifts. The first keyring(s) I sold.

I got my Clear Quartz in yesterday, rondells, and I must say, they are indeed EXQUISITE, and are more dynamic then the clear class. I don't want to keep doing the same "bridal necklace" pattern, but I would like to keep it similar as they are indeed beautiful.

My youngest son has his First Communion this year, my oldest has his confirmation, so I am hoping (and assuming) the school they go to (which is catholic) will let me set up a table the night they have the First Communion dresses and items come to the school and also set up flyers as well to pass out for necklaces for girls. Yesterday at the store they are liquidating the bead section because they are RE-DOING the entire bead area, making it much larger and buying single beads. I got some class briolettes at a fantastic shade of opal blue, green, pink, opal, and some clear stones to go with. They will make fantastic necklaces for small girls! So let's just hope they let me advertise what I have to offer to the school and kids celebrating First Communion and Confirmation.

I'm in the Canyon

The piece below reminds me of Arizona in the Canyon, the way the sun goes down and the canyons scream of multi shades of orange and auburn. At least in my dreams they do. I have never been to Arizona! I hope to some day. This is a Red Banded Agate. Very pretty

Today will be hectic, I go to visit my grandma with the boys then go visit Cameron's grave site. Cameron passed away at just 5 mths old from SIDS. Not a day goes by I don't think of my cousins son. Isn't it funny how when your little you think your life will all be butterfly's, dreams and flowers, and although yes it may be sprinkled that way, it's not. I have had high school friends lose their child, my cousin lost his infant, my junior high best friend battled breast cancer at 34 years old. I think of these things often, the people, the places I have met and traveled. Everything in life inspires me, sad or happy, it all unfolds when I start beading, it reminds me of something or someone, or a dream.

I was wondering how I could get quality pictures of my clear jewelry, bridal or other, and I would love to do a bridal line (overdone yes) , I think I will drag my friend Heidi to David's bridal try on dresses with jewelry and have her take pictures. We would just tell the lady's working I am a bride and my mom lives in Florida so we need to take pics to send and get her opinion, that way I have the bridal thing going on! hahahahahhahahaha...sounds fun to.

See ya!

So many ideas...and FEEDBACK

I've been on a "clear kick" and I made a OUTSTANDING necklace. I want to do 3 versions of clear stones at 3 prices, one LOW,,glass beading.... MEDIUM $..Swarovski Crystal...and HIGH...a perfect Clear Quartz....It's certainly not just for brides, but it is something I would be happy wearing as a neautral item. So here is my first picture... This one is in the Glass...$29.00

Okay, now onto my rant, which should be safe to say seeing how I have not a single follower! On Etsy, there is feedback, and to me, if an item is paid quickly with a smooth transaction (which is more then simple) the SELLER should leave postive feedback BEFORE the item is shipped. Now I have bought a LOT on Etsy and only a FEW (I think 2 or 3) left me feedback BEFORE they shipped..most wait until I leave feedback for them and only then they leave me feedback and many times I send a reminder. I'm sorry, that is bullshit. A seller should always post feedback first, not have to be reminded later. Now I realize it is a *safety net* so if the buyer leaves nasty or negative feedback then the seller can lash back out. But is that fair? I don't think so. This really bothers me, can you tell?

If you look on my etsy.... www.AngelaBradley.etsy.com and go to MY Favorites you will see the entire first page and 1/2 of second is ALL BLUE stones. Now everyone that knows me knows that blue is my FAVORITE COLOR because it represents my FAVORITE THING....WATER! I have another vision..lot's of blue droplets on a necklace in briolettes. LOVE IT.

On a personal note, my husbands job is still hanging by a thread, the thread is shredding and everyday I am grateful he goes into work. He works for the family tool & die business (my parents) and I watched my dad start that business in our 3rd bay garage when I was 3 years old. It's painful to watch my parents in such stress, the business taking a plunge towards a landside. I'm angry that we have lost SO MANY jobs to China. Why does our government see it fit to make it EASY for business to ship overseas? Is it to much to want our jobs to stay here in the USA? What the hell is happening to our country?

Broken Arrows & Multiple Weddings

Remember the wedding vision? Well I got my Clear Quartz in, (I will be highlighting her when I get more readers, lol) and I must have read the post on etsy wrong, or didn't read it much at all, as I was excited over the pictures! Well I only got 2 cut diamond quartz, they look like square pillows that are cushion cut. They are perfect, but for 2 of them, they aren't cheap. So I decided to make 2 or 3 versions of a clear bridal set, one in glass, one in swarovski and the other in all quartz, giving 3 similar looks at 3 different prices! I also think that you don't have to be a bride to wear this beauty that I imagine. I will finish one today.
So, yesterday I put together a perfection of smooth amythest arrow necklace, It is GORGEOUS, so I met my friend Heidi at the Coffee Shop and I was showing it off and all a sudden, it happend...the arrow tip is BROKE...and it is RIGHT in the middle! Soooo...today I will tear it all apart and replace the amythest and re-string it.
Here is a picture..it's blurry, best I could do.

I vision a wedding

I vision the Cut Quartz I have on order with sterling silver twists and Clear swarvoski cyrstal on a bride. I tell ya, it's funny, I wish when I got married I had done jewelry and scrapbooks, I could have saved a lot of money. I think all brides should do a scrapbook, themselves or a family member as a gift. I can't recall where my own wedding book is and in fact, I have always kept it up because it was so expensive!
I was just saying last week that business blogs don't interest me, most of them are like reading a LONG advertisment. I personally am not cut out for writing like that. As a reader it bores me , so I find myself surprised that so many etsy business have a zillion followers.
I've been on the "Anklet" making kit, a little late for summer time I know, what can I say.

I wake up each morning, nearly certain my back is broke..again, this is why I am not cut out for all ad talk. I see the Neurologist in 2 weeks, I pray something can be done. I hurt so bad, so I can safely say that it's great that I love crafts and jewelry making because it allows me to have joy in something without large amounts of pain...well unless you bead all day! hahahhaha



Have a lovely day!

Welcome to AngelaBradley

I really don't need another thing to do, I certainly don't need another social site or blog page, but I also feel maybe that my love of Jewelry and Quilts need it's own nitch for glory, since not everyone on the other sites will appreciate my over-joyous over a new design or item! So here I am.

I have been on Etsy for almost a year trying to find my name when it hit me...AngelaBradley...my first name and my sons first name. He saw it on a sign somewhere in the Marble Head Ohio area, that now I can't recall, he said it was the owner(s) of McDonalds where they have the plaque posted. That was about 4 years ago. We used that name for a bit but I never did anything more then gifts. So then it hit me on the old name.

If you have come here, you probably have done so via etsy, if not, here is my site...www.AngelaBradley.etsy.com and if by chance you found me, well use this code Until August 21st for FREE SHIPPING on anything, just convo me prior to purchase OR in the MEMO put in FREE SHIPPING and I will refund your shipping via PayPal.

So, enjoy :)