Love February

February is the time the Mother earth is waking up from her long nap. I hear her whispering every morning when I walk outside in my back yard. She is singing to the flowers, bushes and trees "Awake, awake and open your eyes my children. The sun is shining down upon you and will revive you! Awake and smile my children! Awake with peace, love and light!"

Still working out at the gym with my trainer. He has been a great Sensei for me. My trainer has educated me so much on fitness that I know I have become healthy and fit for life! Shige, if you read this, training and helping people to become better and healthier is definitely your calling.

My sister is now home. She was in the ICU for a very long time, then she was well enough to go to a nursing home to finish her recovery. She is now home and doing better. Still doing the physical therapy and getting stronger every day. Thank you all for your prayers! They really have helped her recover!

January - almost over!

I don't know why, but January seems to be the month of the year that I want to move through quickly. I think because it is so cold! Lately tho, we have actually had spring-like weather for the last couple weeks. I do like that!

My workout at the gym with my trainer is still happening! I have lost so much weight and feel so good! I now lift weights with him 4 times a week instead of 3. It is exciting to see the change in my body as I grow stronger and less fat. Plus I feel so young. Been jogging 1.5 miles with Dean and I don't even get winded. Awesome!

Joyce is doing so much better. She was in the hospital for a very long time in ICU and now she is in a nursing home and getting stronger and better every day. I talked to her yesterday and she hopes to be able to go home on Friday. Says she is finally walking with the assistance of her walker. I plan on visiting her soon. I cannot wait - I need a vacation!

My Etsy store has over 400 items for sale. Go take a look! Maybe you will find something you just cannot resist . . .
http://www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com/

Merry Christmas!

Wow! Christmas flew by so fast. My grandkids and kids came over on Christmas Eve and we had Feliz Navidad! Bob made carne asada and then we opened presents. We are making the carne asada a tradition now. It was delicious! Everyone loved their gifts.

On a sadder note, my sister is in the hospital with heart failure and pneumonia. Dean and I drove over to Montana the weekend before Christmas to be with her. She is sedated as of right now and improving slowly. I am praying and hoping for the best outcome of course! Anyone reading this please say a prayer for her recovery. Thank you.

Happy New Year! Jody

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Had my kids and grandkids over for Thanksgiving. It was a great time. Good food. Great fun. Everyone ate enormous amounts of food and then played farkle. Took me two hours to clean up my kitchen and do the dishes after dinner. Thank God I am in good shape from working out. I didn't even get tired like I usually do. I love the Holidays. Happy Holidays to everyone out there!

Happy Thanksgiving

I cannot believe how fast time flies. Especially since I have been working out with my trainer. I have lost so much weight and gained so much muscle. I look very healthy! It will be 5 months on the 29th of this month that I have been pumping iron 3 times a week. I so look forward to my workout sessions with my trainer. I have to say I am addicted to weight lifting.

I have met a great friend through my weight trainer. She is one of his clients. So far her and I have alot in common. I am teaching her the beadweaving technique. Speaking of beads, my store has slowed down to nada. Where are all the people that want to purchase handmade jewelry for their loved ones at Christmas? Come on people . . . my stuff is beautiful and very reasonably priced and "one of a kind."

To see this creative jewelry look at my website at:
http://www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com/

Beaded with a friend today

I had a great time beadweaving with my friend Kimberlee today. We first made a cabochon on my rock grinder out of some morrisonite jasper then I showed her a beadweaving technique to create a pendant with the cab. Next Sunday we will complete the project. How fun to share my craft.

Halloween was fun

Dean and I attended our yearly Halloween party. Lots of friends dressed up and being goofy! I love it. The one time a year we can be something entirely different from our day to day lives. My costume was biker chick and Deans costume was one of the Soggy Bottom Boys from O'brother where art thou. We all had fun and I posted pictures on my Facebook page.

Still trying to get all of the beads beaded. I have made at least 50 new sets. No pictures yet tho. That is what takes the longest because I have to display them and then take pictures, put them in Photoshop, save for the web and then write descriptions of each piece. Someday I will have my new website up and running. Jessica is working on that. She is a web designer and is making me a beautiful website. I will still have stuff on my Etsy.com store as well.

Happy arts and crafts to all artists! Peace - Jody

Almost Halloween time!

Dean and I have our costumes gathered for the annual Halloween party we attend every year. There is usually a theme to each costume. We are songs. My song is Bob Seger, Fire Lake and Dean's song is Man of Constant Sorrow, he is dressing like one of the Soggy Bottom Boys from O Brother Where Art Thou. I am dressing as a biker chick.

Been beading up a storm with all of my gemstones. I am trying to eliminate the clutter by making as many necklaces, earrings and bracelets as I can. Someday, I will get them on my website. But for now, I am just in the mood to make jewels. Haven't done much on the rock grinder for a week or so. I really need to get out there and carve some more rocks. I wish I had 4 hands and two bodies. That way I could work on other art projects and get more art completed. Life goes by so fast and there is so much art I want to create. Oh, well, one art project at a time.
Peace, Love and Light - Jody

Mother Earth is preparing to sleep

Yesterday was the last warm day of the year (so the weathermen say). In the 90's and yes I am ready for a cool down. My favorite time of year is Autumn. I love when the leaves turn golden and red. I see all with an artists eye! I guess that's why I love Autumn so much. Lots of color to contemplate and use creatively. And then before you breath a sigh, everything is settling down for the winter season. Peace is settling over Mother Earth. And then comes the beauty of winter. The trees and bushes are sleeping and look so pristine and everything sparkles and shines with crystals. Peace and love has settled on Mother Earth at last. I feel it and I sense it during the winter months. And then comes early Spring when our Mother is waking. Heads of flowers and bulbs breaking through the soil. Mother Earth is raising her head and singing all of the lovely songs of Spring. Then when Summer hits, she is fully awake, dancing and singing and every moment is warm, beautiful and busy for her. Peace, Love and Light to All!

Heading over to the Goddess Festival today

My jewelry is on sale at the Facets of Healing booth at the Goddess Festival this weekend. The Goddess Fest is being held here in Boise at Julia Davis Park. This is one of my favorite functions to attend. There are psychic readings, taro readings, crystal healings and readings and lots of other fun things. There will be lots of entertainment including belly dance troops throught the weekend. I love going to this festival. Lots of beautiful rocks to buy. And lots of jewels on display and for sale. Peace, Love and Light - Jody

p.s. Facets of Healing is a store here in Boise that carries some of my jewels. It is over on Vista if you are local and ever want to check it out.

Rock Show

I went over to Nyssa, Oregon today to a rock show and found lots and lots of slabs. I will be busy making cabs out of my new materials for a long, long . . . . long time. I found labradorite, picture jasper, rhodochrosite, etc, etc. Man . . . I was picking up slabs for $1 each. Unbelievable. Stay tuned on my Etsy site to see the cool cabochons I make. There are several ones I have made over the last few months already on there. Have a look see . . . & someone leave me a comment so I know there are people reading my blog. Or am I typing to outerspace? LOL Jody

50% OFF SALE IN MY ETSY STORE

I have marked 296 pieces of jewelry down 50% OFF. Plus I have FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN US. Take advantage of beautiful gemstone jewels at very reasonable prices. Great for gifts or for yourself. Go see these awesome bargains at
www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com

Exercise for a healthy lifestyle

Here it is July 2009. Time goes way too fast don't ya think? I have started an exercise program by joining Golds gym and hiring a trainer. I am so excited to be back into the groove of being healthy. My goal is 17% body fat . . . think I can make it? Of course I can. I have changed my eating habits to eating 5 times a day and choosing lower calorie healthy foods. Done this before and it really does work. My trainer has me on a very flexible training program which really is the key. That way, I can go to the gym when I want to and workout and also I am working with him 3 times a week.

Still beading and working on my art. I was chosen "Artist of the Month" for June at a store downtown. They have my beadwork for sale down at the store. I also have some beadwork for sale at a place called "Facets of Healing." Hopefully I sell all. I still have my website and am now selling my handmade cabochons that I grind on my rock grinder on the site. I have sold 19 so far. Awesome! Wish me luck in my endeavors! - Jody

End of April 2009 already - sheesh

Been awhile since I typed on here. Been so busy making new items for my store. Been into pearls lately. I ordered so many colors and sizes and am having so much fun beading them into beautiful pieces of art! Go see them at my store:
www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com

Browse around. I now have almost 300 pieces for sale on my website. My prices are very reasonable because I want to fight inflation.

I Have a Cabbing Machine

I am now the proud owner of a Genie cabochon making machine. It has 6 different grit wheels to grind on rocks to shape them and polish them. Also a trim saw to cut them to the shape I want and then I take them to the grinder. My husband fixed up the perfect spot in his shop (which is heated) for my grinder and my rocks and slabs . . . now I need to find me a slab saw so i can slab my big rocks. So exciting. I plan on adding more jewels to my store soon. I have been so busy beading cabochons and will be adding them soon. Happy crafting everyone. Spring is in the air, I can feel it.

A Poem I wrote after creating a beautiful beaded cabochon

Face each morning with peace love and light
and touch each day with Gods gift bright
then when the sun goes to sleep at night
Dance with the moon and stars til light

New Pearls Added to my Shop

I have added several pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings to my store. Beautiful pearls of so many colors mixed with Swarovski crystals. Check them out at
www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com

Happy New Year to All!

2009 . . . Where does all the time go? It seems just like yesterday my thoughts were on what is 2008 going to bring me. I had a wonderful year . . . just like every year. Now I look forward to every day in 2009. Peace, Love and Light - Jody

Today is Christmas

What a peaceful day of the year for me. My kids and grandkids came over last night to open presents and eat food! Everyone had a great time. I cleaned house and then went to bed. This morning I woke with a very peaceful feeling . . . reflecting on the day that is here! The day to rejoice in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! And the reason we are all here . . . to be kind and to love each other as we would be kind and love ourselves. Merry Christmas to all and keep spreading that positive energy around. Be kind to your neighbors and be kind to yourself.

Peace, Love and Light - Jody

Christmas Goodie Makings

The baking and making went well! The grandkids had so much fun sampling and making the goodies. We made so much stuff that everyone got two plates of goodies. One plate of cookies and one plate of fudge and other candies we made. Took all day long! By the time the kids took their families home, I was exhausted. Next week is Christmas. The days are moving so fast . . . I cannot keep up! LOL

I have been beading things for presents and also to add to my website. Pearls . . . lovely lovely pearls. Merry Holidays and merry making!!!! Jody

Christmas Goodie Makings

Well today I handmade all day!! Cookies that is . . . I have a recipe that I made up with cream cheese and white chocolate. Very good! And I made my secret ingredient oatmeal cookies. Tomorrow my grandkids will be coming and we are making chocolate fudge, peanutbutter fudge, almond pretzels, peanut clusters, sugar cookies (they like to cut them out and frost them) and then we have fun delivering plates of goodies to all of our friends and family.

Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays to everyone! I love this time of year. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Have a merry season everyone!

Christmas Ornaments are now in my store

I have some hand beaded Christmas ornaments on my etsy shop now. The design is my own and they are so cute. Go see at



http://www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com/

New Lower Prices at My Store

I have completely gone through every item in my store and cut the prices drastically. I need to sell my stuff! So if you are interested in buying someone special a unique and one of a kind piece of jewelry, you cannot beat the prices at Artsy in the City. Plus I am offering FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the United States. Please take advantage of my low prices and purchase something today for yourself or someone special. Merry Holidays to All!! Jody

Blog Blog Blog

I just love to blog. I do spend alot of time on my indie blog page too. Click on the blue indiepublic icon to the left and you can see my other page. Lots of promotions going on over there on the indie pages. Love that! New stuff in my store. www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com

Home from Vacation

I had a great vacation! Busy doing something everyday. Lots of rock hunting with my relatives. Found quite a few gemstones. Went to a ghost town and looked in the silver mines. Was pretty cool! Did alot of beading while I was gone. My niece and nephews love to bead . . . so I kept them busy. Also painted another large painting. I did another fantasy scene with little pixie faeries. Turned out great! Go to my website to see the new stuff i beaded on vacation. Such pretty stuff.
www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com

Going on Vacation Woo Hoo

I will be on vacation over in sunny California for two weeks. I am so excited. I will be doing rock hunting and going to bead stores and buying supplies. I also get to spend some time at the coast. My store will be open for business, however, I will not process orders until September 29th. Also, I have added several new necklaces today. Go see at
http://www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com/

See you on the blog, Jody

20% OFF JEWELRY SALE

I have just listed 77 pieces in my store at 20% off. Go to www.artsyinthecity.etsy.com and click on the SALES ITEMS category.

September 4

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 51 years young. Still beading, still painting, still creating. I love it! I just added several new pieces to my etsy.com store. Take a look by clicking on the pictures above. Remember, if you buy my jewelry, you will own a original one of a kind piece. Take a look and happy shopping. Jody

Ruby in Zoisite

Wow! What a beautiful rock. I just sold my last ruby in zoisite necklace. I will need to do some searches on ebay or hit some local rock shops to find my next stash of the ruby in zoisite beauty.

While on vacation over to the coast of Oregon, my mother-in-law kept me quite busy fixing her broken necklaces that she has collected over the years. I also beaded her several different rock chip necklaces. She likes the chunky look. Also while I was over there I finished my howlite cabochon and also completed a lapis lazuli cab and a black onyx totem stone. Soon I will have the necklaces made and put them on my etsy.com website. I have also added several more different necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Click on the etsy.com store and that will take you to my webpage. See you on the blog. See you on the Indie blog also. Merry beading and happy making!

I love the Oregon Coast

I am now returned from the coast. Been gone 13 days and am relaxed and my artistic energies are flowing.
See soon my new designs on my Etsy.com website.

New jewelry added to my store

I added several new jewels to my store. I have been into beading cabochons. One of them is done and for sale in the store. The other one that I have just finished is a really beautiful howlite cabochon that I beaded with dark grey and light grey and then enhanced it with hematitie. I will finish the necklace tomorrow and put it up for sale in my store as well. Thursday, I am leaving for Portland to visit relatives. I will be back by the 30th. My store will still be open, however, I will need to process orders after the 30th of July. Happy crafting - Jody

July fourth - come and gone

Time does fly don't you think? I have been beading cabochons lately. So far I have done a red jasper one and almost finished with a howlite one. As soon as I get several I will be adding them to my store . . . so stay tuned! Plus I have several other necklace, bracelet and earring sets I will be adding to my store. One of them is a blue labradorite set. Soooo beautiful!

July tomorrow?

Time goes by so fast! Already July tomorrow. I have been working on beading some cabochons. My husband says they look very Indian style. Go to my etsy.com store to see them soon. My store has completely slowed down over the past two months. If you are interested in purchasing my jewelry, click on any of the pictures on my etsy store above and it will take you to my store where you will find 179 items for sale.

Turquoise and Howlite

I made a beautiful turquoise and howlite necklace. The beads are so beautiful together. Very elegant. What a nice contrast, the turquoise blue and the white howlite. I also made bracelet and earrings to match. You will find them on the slide show to the left or go to my etsy.com store by clicking the etsy logo or the pictures above.

Happy Father's Day to all my sons and husband

Have a good day! Happy Father's Day!

Ok - What happened to the cooler weather?

Maaaan! I was really enjoying the cooler weather we were having. Now it is hot and getting hotter. I like to take my beads outside on the back patio and bead. As long as it stays lower than the 90's I should be ok to do that. My back faces the north so it is shady and cooler than the front.

I listed more necklaces, earrings and bracelets on my store. Go see!

Wow! Turquoise and Red Jasper - Beautiful!

I just listed a new necklace on my etsy site. A mixture of turquoise and red jasper. A very powerful healing and energy combination. Super protection stones and super healing stones. Click on the Etsy logo and take a look.

Started a diet today

I started a lo carb with grapefruit eating plan today. You do the eating plan for 12 days and take two days off and then go back to the eating plan. The food consists of lots of fresh vegetables and meat (like the Atkins diet) plus you add 1/2 a grapefruit or 4 ounces of grapefruit juice at every meal. You just need to remember to go off it after 12 days for just two days and eat anything and then go back on it. Everyone knows that your body will adjust to the way you eat and will eventually slow down or stop the weight loss. So going off the diet every 12 days for two days will trick your body into continuing the weight loss. This is a good plan to lose weight, however, you will need to probably eat lo carb for the rest of your life, because you do gain back the weight if you go off the plan. I did this diet several years ago and lost quite a bit of weight, but when I quit eating lo carb, I gained it all back quickly. So . . . this is a life changing eating plan. Good luck if anyone tries it. The food is good, you can eat any meat but I prefer meat that is lo in fat (I like white meat like turkey or chicken or a nice lean steak). Plus you get the benefits of fresh vegetables and grapefruit. So essentially, you are cutting out breads, startches and sugars which the body does not need and only makes a person fat. Look for the eating plan here on my page.

June already

Wow! Time goes by so fast. I started sewing today. I am making me a quilt. I usually make things for everyone else.
Hey if you read this go visit my store and buy something! My sales have slowed to nothing. I need sales everyone! My jewelry is very unique and high quality and my prices are very low. If you are interested, click on the etsy logo above and go take a peak.

Happy Birthday to Jessica

I cannot believe my baby is 30 today. Time goes by so fast. It seems like yesterday she was a baby.

Memorial Day today. I am going to try to get back to my jewelry making today. I have some beautiful turquoise beads I want to use. I will mix them with white pearls. Looks lovely together.

Sale! Sale! Sale!

Everything in my store has been reduced $$$. Go take a look. Click on my Etsy.com store.

Crackle Glass Horror Story

I found out something very important today. I sold my blue crackle glass necklace, so I decided that I would clean the tarnish off the metal before I sent it out. So . . . I put the necklace in a metal pie plate lined with tin foil. Sprinkled baking soda over the whole thing and then added a cup of boiling water. It cleaned the metal very nice and removed all the tarnish. However . . . ruined the crackle glass! I had no idea the color was on the outside of the bead. It all flaked off. So needless to say, I had to remake the necklace that I sold with new crackle glass beads.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Sunday flew by today. All my kids came by and Travis and Bob put up a new gazebo for me outside. Jessica brought me some gnomes. I love gnomes. Very cute! We had pizza and then the kids went home. It was a very nice mother's day. I think I will sit down and bead something. I am thinking about doing some beading of cabochons. I haven't done that for a while. I have some dalmation jasper that would be fun to do. Or maybe I will simply put together some more necklaces, bracelets and earrings with gemstones. Love to do that too! Or even pearls and garnets.

Man, I had so much fun today

I accidently ran across a bead market in my neighborhood. There were tents and tents full of gemstones and crystals. I found a guy that has so much inventory he has his 16" strands marked at 3.00 a strand for semi-precious stones like amethyst, quartz, carnelian, botswana agate, etc. Beautiful beads. anywhere from 10mm up to very large nugget sizes. Then his 4mm were only 2 per strand. Pretty nice. I spent loads of money today and I am going back tomorrow.

New Pearl Necklaces and Bracelets

I just finished a beautiful pearl and swarovski crystal necklace. The necklace is two strands with two different colors of pearls and the swarovski crystals are a lavender color. Very sparkly and beautiful. I also made a bracelet to match with two strands. Go to my Etsy.com store to see the new listings.

New Necklace added to my store

I made the beautiful turquoise and silver necklace, bracelet and earring set and added them to my store. Then I also made a new crazylace agate necklace. Click on the Etsy link above and go see what I have.

Turquoise and Silver

Doesn't turquoise and silver go great together. I am getting ready to create a beautiful necklace with turquoise, silver and zebra jasper. I have it layed out already and just need to bead it together. I will be making matching bracelet and earrings as well. Visit my store and you will see my newest creations.

Saturday and cooler nice weather

It is finally nice enough to wear shorts (sort of). Still kind of cool on my legs, but I like it on the cooler side. I am a bit overwhelmed right now. There is so much that needs done around the house and yard and I cannot do it all by myself.

Racing accident

Dean broke his thumb and sliced open his palm from a wreck he had at the Twin Falls race track. He now has 3 screws in his thumb to hold it together and quite a bit of stitches in his palm and his thumb. He will be out of racing comission for a while.

Hello out there . . .

Is anyone there? No one comments to me on my blog.

Garnets and Pearls

I am making loads of garnet and pearl necklaces. I have already completed several that are on my website. And today I will make some more. Then I will start with the big chunky stones. I was thinkin I mightmake a daisy chain with little round garnets as the center.

Saturday

Saturday afternoon already. I swear I just got up. I haven't even sat down to bead yet. I will be doing that soon. I plan on making some more garnet and pearl necklaces. I have a request for them, so i will make several to choose from. See ya - Jody

I'm back to beading again

YEA, beading again! my thumb still hurts, but I can take the pain. You just don't know how much you use your thumb until it is out of commission. Oweee, it hurt when I shut the door on it. My hubby says "I thought that only happens when you are a kid" . . . guess not! Go see my new necklaces I have made. They are solid gemstones and pearls. Common now . . . . . go see! Jody

my thumb hurts

Looks like I will not be beading or painting or drawing for a while. I smashed my thumb on my right hand and it hurts like ****. Can hardly type!

My Jewelry has been reduced

Go to my store to see the new prices. Click on the Etsy icon or a necklace above. Jod

More new garnet necklaces

Ok, so now I have three new necklaces on my website. Take a look, click on any of the pictures of jewelry above and it will take you to my online store. See ya!

New Garnet Necklace

I just listed a new garnet necklace I made. Took me several hours because the holes are so small. Click on the picture of the garnet necklace in the view of my store and you will see the big picture of it. Jod

Just sold 3 necklaces

I am so excited. I just sold three of my necklaces. Yaaaaa!!!!!
lovin Etsty.com. Best decision I ever made concerning my jewelry!

My store now has all my necklaces

Hello everyone, (if anyone still reads this anyway) My store has 117 items for sale (necklaces, bracelets and earrings ranging from 10.00 to 45.00. click the link above (Artsy In The City) and go see if there is anything you want.
see ya soon

How do I prune my rose bushes?

Ok, I am stumped. I have had my 20 or so rose bushes for several years and am still not sure how to prune. I just went out there to start on them and am at a loss? I usually cut off the dead stuff, but then I noticed there are new buds on the dead looking branches. One time I cut them all down to about 10 inches from the ground and let them start all over again. Now they are about 4 feet tall and I don't think I want them to be shorter. Need some help please . . . any suggestions? - Jody

More Jewelry Added

Take a look at the new added jewelry. Hopefully the page runs smoothly. If anyone has problems loading it let me know in an email. I might have too many photos on it. But if it runs smooth - great! Because I have plenty more photos to add.

This blog stuff is fun. I hope everyone reads my blogs and makes comments. You are all welcome to do so anytime. Think of this as a way to stay in touch too. Just like email.

See ya! Jody

Friends - Family - My Jewelry is for Sale

If you are interested in buying any of my necklaces, send me an email and let me know which ones you are interested in. I have several more that I haven't gotten on this blog. Or if you don't want to buy one, just leave me a comment on which ones you like most. That inspires me to make more and more and more and more . . .

Jewelry

Take a look at my necklaces. I love creating them. It is so much fun! I have made close to 200 so far along with earrings and bracelets.

Is it really end of March

Time passes so quickly. Almost April and almost time to plant some flowers. I am going to plant mostly annuals this year for full color in my front yard.