waiting...and praying...

I sit here on a Friday nite, reading beth's blog, worried, thankful and prayerful.  Got a phone call about an hour ago from Jaime, Sam's dad.  They are up in Spotsy with 'the cousins' (Ginger 's {Jaime's new wife}) and Sam loves going up there.  Anyway, Jaime called, immediately I knew something was wrong.  Thankfully, Jaime stays calm when giving bad news to me, probably because he know I'm a reactor.  Anyway, he begins to tell me about a football game, a huge tackle by a huge cousin, throwing up, hospital visit, etc...(Of course, my stomach is in knots.)  They think concussion, but here, talk to Sam, he really is fine.

Sam assures me he is fine, no mama, don't drive up here.  I will give you tons of hugs when I see you next...

An update call (thankfully Jaime is good at updating me), next on the list, a cat or kat scan.  will call back with the results.  Still, no mama, don't come up here, really, I'm fine!

Constantly praying, and as I read beth's blog I read about bo_ __no.  He puts peanut butter in his chili.  I just can't comprehend that. or imagine that. or even try that.  Anyway, Sam and I say prayers every nite and have since he was a baby.  We try to always thank God for something we are thankful for (clean sheets, cats, snow, baseball, etc).  It can be little, big, silly, or serious.  The other thing we do is pray for others we know need prayer.  The Ivans, Pinos, Paces, Dulios to name just a few).  And we keep praying even when it seems the crisis is over or resolved  or whatever. 

Sam does not know Ali Dulio, but he knows she is a little girl who is very sick with cancer who lives in Powhatan.  She has been on the list for months (now, we don't always pray every nite for everyone but we do pray, often, for them).  Anyway, Sam asked, out of the blue, how Ali was doing.  I told him I wasn't sure.  Just the next day, I read that her blood scan came back clean.  That nite when saying prayers I told Sam this.  My child, who is seeing God work in answer to some of his prayers, did a huge fist pump and yelled, YEAH!  I am thankful.

Guess I just felt like writing tonite.  Waiting on the next update from Jaime.  If you read this, add a prayer for Sam, for Ali, Bob, the Ivans and the Paces.  God is not linear, so you can pray forward, backward or present.  He just wants to hear from you.  thanks for listening.  I know following my divergent, add rambling is not easy, but thanks

an update, Sam is ok.  even though all his symptoms screamed concussion, the cat scan was fine.  Thank You God!!!!

seaglass

I know it's been a while but life has gotten awfully busy.  Now that school is back in, I am hoping life is going to slow down.  We will see...

I, like many, am loving facebook.  I have reconnected to so many people that I lost touch with over the many long years.  This blog is about one of them.  An old friend from college, Jeane Matejkowski Taylor lives in Seaside Park, New Jersey.  Hold on while I explain a little more and then finally get there...

My best friend from college, Terri Hildreth Beck is married to Steve Beck.  He is a collector. of.many.things!  One of them is sea glass.  He is A LOT of sea glass.  Different colors.  Different shapes.  Different sizes.  I tried to steal some, but he wouldn't let me when I told him what I wanted to do.  Go figure.  Anyway, it got me thinking, and that led my thoughts to Jeane.  Now, back to Jeane.

Jeane has mentioned that she finds shells and sea glass when ever she goes to the beach (and that is a lot~).  I thought, oh, let me ask Jeane if she would be willing to share some sea glass with me.  And ta da, she was happy to and I was happy to accept.  This is what I made for Jeane with 3 special pieces she sent me.

Now, I have never wire wrapped sea glass.  This was just an experiment and I was a little worried that she wouldn't like it.  Thankfully, she did.  That got me inspired some more so I made a sterling silver wire wrapped charm bracelet.  I also wrapped a few more pieces.  I think I have the hang of it now, you tell me!

A beautiful collection of sea glass creates this charm bracelet. Thanks to my friend Jeane from NJ who does the collecting. cobalt blue, jade green, white, amber, pink/lavender, champagne and lime green pieces of sea glass are wire wrapped with sterling silver wire and attached to a sterling silver plated chain bracelet. $70

Here are a few tidbits of info on sea glass that Jeane shared with me: 

as an avid sea glass hunter. red is one of the most precious and rare to find usually comes from Victorian bed lamps or tableware from the depression. The cobalt blue is another rare find- usually med bottles. They used a cobalt oxide to melt into the glass cuz it was easiest to work with and make mistakes, and the Aqua is another rare piece usually used for water, beer or mineral bottles at the turn of the century.

According to Linda Jereb, NASGA Founding Board Member, 99 percent of peach-hued pink sea glass comes from decorative Depression glass. However, there is an extremely rare, true pink sea glass from an art glass called "flash glass." "Rose glass was originally white magnesium glass. When the chemical manganese in the glass is exposed to UV light or heat, the glass turns shades of rose."

Here are a couple other pieces.  this one is aqua green.  pretty large also.  Will look great hanging on a leather cord, I must do that.

cobalt blue is a rare find...most glass workers added this oxide to their mixtures because they could make a mistake and no one would know due to the dark shade of blue

this one is almost a heart, love this shape.

Now, check out more of my designs at facebook.com/designsbysusan and let me know what you think of my latest adventure!  Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.

speaking the truth with love...

This was taught today at PCC.  It is something I struggle with as I am always about truth, think I always do it with love, but sometimes it doesn't come across that way.  I know intentions aren't the real deal, what is perceived is (and I certainly never liked that! and that was said with love)!  Anyway, go here if you would like to hear this message.

As I was talking to my friend Beth, the blog queen (go here to see what i mean), about what to do with my blog and my business, she made an inspired suggestion, tie my jewelry designs/creations with the Sunday message.  So now I am going to go see what develops.  Check in with you in a few...

...ok, I forgot to mention the scripture we looked at today that speaking the truth with love was based on, 2 John 1-6.  Now, I will go create and get back to you in awhile...

...I'm back and this is what I was inspired to make. 

Can you tell how truth and love are part of this design?  Sterling silver is a soft metal.  This reflects the love you need in speaking the truth, soft and pliable.  It's what I aspire to do, speak the truth but softly, gently and in a less abrasive manner.  The gemstone, Jasper, is hard as a rock.  That is truth to me.  Truth is truth.  You can't change it, but if you surround it with love, you can apply it with gentleness and softness.

This piece is, of course, for sale.  The findings are not sterling but the beads are real sterling silver and the gemstones are real Jasper. (ha, real like truth, I just tickled myself with that one).  Anyway, this is my special for the week.  Let me know if you are interested.  For this week, it is on sale for $22 so hurry.  Hope you enjoyed my ramblings.

Design your own

Believe it or not you have a lot of options with this one.  I have three colors of turquoise chunks (nuggets) of yellow, green apple, and blue.  Each chunk is individually wire wrapped on a contrasting corded necklace.  I contrasted the green apple with the pink but i have many different colored corded necklaces.  Choose your colors and design your own!  ($18)

Three is the charm

A silver chain adorned with a beautiful charm drop. The drop is added to a simple ring with a Christian fish symbol, a simple cross and a luscious white Fresh Water Potato Pearl.   I have a lot of different colored Fresh Water Potato Pearl colors if natural is not what you want.  Just ask.  This is something you can wear everyday or just on special occasions.

Removable Charm Drop Necklace

A removable charm drop on a sterling silver plate chain dresses up any outfit. Silk blouse (though, does anyone where those anymore?) or tee shirt, under a blazer with jeans.  No matter what you wear, it will look classy!  Designed with Freshwater Pearls, Shells and a few other beads thrown in. Use an extender to make the necklace longer or take the drop off and just use the chain. I wear mine all the time. 20” adjustable.   ($18)

Glass Pearl Bracelet

Pastel glass pearls create a lovely bracelet. The silver beads mingle among the spring colored pearls for an accent.  $14

Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Earrings

These beautiful earrings are designed with glass pearls, antique brass and Swarovski crystals.  Available in silver and gold wires and various colors of crystals.  Just ask for what you want.   $8

Pearl Drop Charm Necklace

A removable charm drop wire wrapped on a black adjustable length cord. Designed with the richest jewel tones of Freshwater Pearls, both coin, pillow and rice. I cannot believe how gorgeous these colors are. You will feel like a million dollars in this one!  ($15)

finally...

Yay, I did it!  I uploaded my first picture onto my blog.  Now what?  Ahhh, I know...I should tell you a little about me and my designs.

I am going to post pictures of some of the designs I create. Since each design is an original, there are no duplicates but, if you fall in love with one of these pieces and it was sold, I can most often design another one that is similar. If you don’t like it as much, no worries, there is no obligation to purchase.  (yes, the main purpose of this blog is to put my designs out there and hopefully elicitt some business to take care of my obsessive, compulsive purchase of stock)

If you have a preference for sterling or gold filled, just let me know and I can adjust the design. I offer clips, post and ear wires as well as spring clasp, lobster claws and toggles.

You may not see a set of a design (earrings, bracelet and necklace) on all the pieces but,that doesn't mean there isn't one or a set can't be created.

I use real gemstones and Swarovski crystals. I carry many sterling beads and gold filled beads but unless specified, the materials are not sterling or real gold. The prices listed do not reflect these high end materials but I can give you a quote upon request. I try to add a Christian symbol to most pieces I can so you know they are my designs; however, all designs are not conducive for that addition.


Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. All pieces come with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee!  

I invoice with PayPal and your location is not a problem.  I love discounts so I try to offer them when I get inspired.  Keep an eye out as you never know when that inspiration hits!  I do charge s/h, combine s/h for additional purchases, and will give you a total price of everything before invoicing you if you just ask.

I also create a catalog for those of my friends and customers who don't do the Internet.  I send them out periodically as the items sell and I make new ones. I will add you to the mailing list unless you ask me not to.


I also do designs by susan jewelry parties.  If you are interested in hosting a jewelry party for me and earn free jewelry, please let me know.

Now, about this bracelet.  I love this bracelet.  Can a designer have too many favs? Such glorious rich tones in these gold, burgundy, and green fresh water pearl coin and pillow pearls. All on an adjustable sterling silver plate chain. Need I say more?  ($25)

I said I would never do it!

I always said I would never have a blog. I hate to write and write like I talk so it is always either run on or incomplete sentences; however, after talking to my cousin, designer/owner of scarlet clover designs (http://scarletclover.blogspot.com/), I changed my mind.



Heidi told me the best place to tell the story of my designs and talk about them was to have a blog. Eventually, I will have a website but this blogging thing in challenging enough right now.



Please be patient with me as I add my photo's and comments. Any helpful hints or comments are always welcome. I truly hope to hear from you! Two new adventures in 6 weeks (facebook business page), wow, enough to shake up this old woman!