Rosy Revolver: A Newfangled Rhetoric

Heavy Things

2012-01-26T12:48:00.006-05:00

The Wait, The Weight of a Woman Necklace

{Sterling Silver, Amazonite, Turquoise, Crystal}

Kairos Necklace

{Sterling Silver, Moonstone}

Kairos Earrings

{Sterling Silver- 4" long}

Armor Ring

{Sterling Silver- Size 7}

In the Etsy Shop shortly.

Many Thanks

2012-01-23T12:48:00.003-05:00

. . . to Barbara Lewis,

this week's guest curator over at Art Saves-

for featuring my blog alongside her personal story.

This is an amazing website-

full of inspiration and information.

Please go visit!

Garnets & Everything Else

2012-01-13T17:52:00.006-05:00

Winter Light Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Garnet}

Relent or Rebel Necklace

{Sterling Silver, Garnet}

In the Etsy shop now.

* * * * *

The January Customer Appreciate GiveAway winner

is ticket #540110.

January customers, please check your ticket stub

and contact me via Etsy if this is your number.

I owe you a prize.

I will draw a second ticket on Monday if this one goes unclaimed.

* * * * *

Thank you to everyone who left a comment below yesterday's

post or who sent me a private message. I really appreciate all of your kind words, your encouragement, support, perspective, and your advice. I truly am so fortunate.

And you are a huge part of why.

Of Dreams and Risks

2012-01-12T11:24:00.005-05:00

I read somewhere recently that

what we value is made clear by what we risk.

The thought has been rolling around in my mind,

much like a marble in a hollow space.

A bit too loud.

I'm sitting here, curled up on the pink couch in the studio,

washed in late morning light.

Moby's Everloving soft on the speakers.

I've been in this space for nearly two years.

And even as I love it, I'm already prepared to leave it.

What a strange, sputtering start to the new year.

I tend to appreciate clean cuts on my situational endings,

no dragging things about and across the line

between December and January.

Or anytime, for that matter.

Any length of waiting exhausts me with the sort of jittery energy

that only the not knowing can bestow.

But it's given me time to think

and with the waiting and the thinking come the questions.

Oh, those questions.

I've gotten bad about writing out my feelings-

now when I try to do so, I often become bottlenecked and

emotionally spent before letting a single emotion go.

I find the mental exercise frustrating, preferring instead

a nap or a hammer,

or a round of combat at the local gym.

The relief of disengagement.

From myself.

But it always comes back, the understanding that

there are things I must settle upon, accept, and understand.

The knowledge that I'm going to have to breathe out and look inward.

Primarily accept, I suppose, but I've always been the stubborn one,

and I come by it honestly.

Why accept it if you don't like it, I say to an empty room.

And from somewhere deep down in my ribs,

I hear a gentle whisper,

"Because, girl.

Because you might not be able to change it this time."

The not so fresh news I've been tucking away

in my heart's back pocket-

it would seem that there will be no baby.

Barring a miracle, we cannot.

Who would have thought,

with an instant and unplanned pregnancy five years ago,

that this would be the case now.

Parents before we were ready,

and now ready . . . but unable.

I look at The Monkey with a heart full of gratitude

for all I've been given,

even as I mourn what he might never have.

There are of course, a thousand other feelings swimming around inside me regarding this news,

but these are the two purest I can identify.

Gratitude. Sadness.

A confused sort of demi-awareness

that this news means at once nothing at all,

and everything.

I look around the studio space and think of

the creative haven it has been.

A place for making.

And now what I want to make the most, I cannot make.

So strange, this life!

Something happens to the creative drive when you

can't create life but want to.

I find myself bursting with unspent creativity in one minute,

and burning dry the next.

An ebb and flow of battery acid.

A spark in the pan.

Today is the first time I've put it in writing.

It hurts.

Connected to but not completely dependent on the would-be child,

is the issue of a new home.

I feel restless, and I want to go someplace new.

Someplace in need of restoration and love.

I want a home with a soul.

Old construction, ample space to breathe and move,

and ample light to keep my spirits in the sun.

I would like a place that feels like it was made for me,

that feels like home within and without.

We had found one but the numbers didn't crunch

in that necessary and appetizing way.

Now we've found another, a 1935, 3500 square foot dream.

A risk.

That rolling marble comes to a stop,

and in the resulting silence,

I think differently.

Maybe I value my dreams more than my reality,

and is that bad?

Maybe the risk shows I still have hope.

It is afterall, my life.

So do you buy a larger house for a family

that you cannot be certain will ever grow larger?

Do you move forward and into a home

that can support the life you want as opposed

to the life you have?

Prepare for the dream in case it comes true?

And surely faith must come into play somewhere in all this.

We found this place with a barn out back,

bricked in for preservation purposes

but all original on the inside.

I can see me here.

And the house itself,

fiercely in need of walls broken down-

but then again, I need that too.

I'll stand still, I promise, if you go find a hammer.

And we could shift the inner chambers and rooms,

and let fresh air blow the dust and doubt away.

A financial risk-

it needs a lot of work.

It needs time and patience.

It needs an internal makeover.

Maybe that's why I feel it fits me so well.

We both need something.

Acceptance.

Learning to accept even as you are determined to dream?

It's important to do both.

Balancing the two and moving forward, every step

somehow fatigue and somehow hope.

A strange blend of blessings.

Life is good.

I know it.

Yet right or wrong,

the truth?

While thankful for all I've got,

I feel incomplete.

I want more than this.

January Customers

2012-01-09T17:48:00.003-05:00

This coming Friday, January 13th-

will be the drawing for the winner of the December Customer Appreciation Giveaway.

The winner, chosen among those who purchased items

in the month December,

will be issued a $50 credit in the RR Etsy shop

and sent a Stand Firm Mug.

January's prize will be these earrings,

based on the Rags & Tatters bracelet.

Sterling Silver.

1.5" in length.

Only those who make purchases in the month of January

will be entered in the contest to win these earrings.

For more information,

see this blog post,

or of course feel free to send me an email.

The winner of the January giveaway will be drawn on

Monday, February 13th, in order to ensure that any international

orders shipped late in the month have had time to ship.

Meanwhile,

the next shop update will be on Thursday.

I hope everyone's week is off to a lovely start.

I'm off to a Rev class!

Warmly,

When I'm Not Paying Attention

2012-01-03T08:15:00.004-05:00

In the studio,

a few weeks before Christmas,

The Monkey was with me while I was working.

I was focused on what I was doing and though I

was aware that he had found my Flip video camera,

I did *not* realize that he'd turned it on.

I just found the footage yesterday while

looking through holiday home movies.

Ooops.

A Sweet Ending

2012-01-01T14:59:00.008-05:00

I wrapped up 2011 in the kitchen.

In good company, I might add.

The Monkey and Tonto (the latter somewhat reluctantly) stayed

on the counter and supervised my soup making.

In late afternoon sunlight, amidst smiles and quiet laughter,

we sent 2011 off with a smile and a wave,

and briskly closed the door.

My new wall hook for my measuring spoons.

Freshly cooked and shredded chicken for warm coconut soup.

Small shifts in a constantly comforting space.

Shredded chicken in the soup-

shredded chicken for le kitten.

To deep breaths and fresh beginnings-

Wishing you a slow, peace-filled start to the new year.

Cheers,

Morsels

2011-12-16T12:32:00.002-05:00

Totem Ring

{Sterling Silver, Chalcedony, TeePee Canyon Agate)

Totem Ring

{Ocean Jasper, Prehnite, Sterling Silver}

Winged Dangles

{Sterling Silver}

Stand Firm Ring Stones

{Your Choice, Made to Order}

Early Endings Ring

{Agua Nueva Agate, Citrine, Sterling Silver}

Among others . . .

In the Etsy Shop now.

Happy Friday, friends!

Tonto and a Ticket System

2011-12-13T19:30:00.005-05:00

I'm just full of information this evening.

First, the puss has been named.

Tonto.

Tonto, which as an adjective in spanish means "silly man" or "clown."

Here he is sleeping in the studio,

curled up in my mail bag.

{{Go ahead, kiss your computer screen.

I know you want to.}}

* * * * *

And . . . the bigger bit of news.

In thinking about it,

I've decided that I want to do something special

for my customers this month,

as a sort of "thank you" for shopping in my Etsy store.

I know full well how many other talents there are online,

and that there are plenty of other places where you could be choosing to spend your money.

So.

I've devised a sort of raffle for those who make purchases now

through the end of the year-

which makes this a closed contest-

meaning you must make a purchase

to receive entry into the drawing.

Here's how it will work:

I have this huge role of pink tickets.

The tickets come in pairs,

with each half in the pair having

a number that matches its mate.

See?

Every item that is purchased through the end of 2011

will be sent out with a ticket attached.

I'll send the customer the half that says

-KEEP THIS COUPON-

and I'll keep the half that says

TICKET-

upon which I will write the customer's name.

My ticket halves will be kept in one of my zillion Mason jars,

and shuffled up for a random drawing on January 13th.

(Entries will only be accepted for this particular contest through December- but to ensure that all entries have been

awarded a ticket and allowed time to ship to customers,

the winners will not be announced until mid-January.)

It is up to you as a customer to

hold onto your ticket(s) until then,

when I will draw the winning number.

The winner will get a $50 shop credit

and a Stand Firm Mug.

If this goes well, I'd very much like to make

this drawing a regular monthly contest.

It's a sales tactic, of course,

but it's also is an affordable and genuine attempt on my part

to say how much I appreciate your business . . .

which is why these monthly contests

will be open only to that respective month's customers.

Each month,

the prize will be different.

Maybe a shop credit,

maybe a piece of jewelry,

maybe Wilbur.

{You never know.}

We'll see how this goes and plan for a routine contest

that will be renewed on the 1st day of each month

in the new year, and ending at midnight on the last.

Winners of the previous month's contest will be announced around the middle of the month, again, to make sure all customers have

had time to receive their tickets.

This will be the ongoing pattern.

RULES:

Since I'm keeping track of tickets and their corresponding names,

I will know if you claim a false win.

Don't be nasty.

The winner will have 24 hours to contact me and claim their prize-

otherwise, I'll draw again and post a new winner.

There is no limit to the number of tickets you can earn-

tickets will be issued by number of items purchased-

not by the number of transactions.

If you purchase two items in one transaction,

you get two tickets.

There is no price requirement for earning a ticket.

Both a $29 pair of Earrings and a $268 necklace

qualify you for the contest entry.

I think that's all.

I am, however, making this up as I go along,

so I reserve the right to make additions or changes

in order to improve this system.

This starts tonight!

(Incidentally, tickets that were photographed in my Mason jar

were for display purposes only and have already been removed.

The jar is empty and ready for entries.)

The next shop update will be on Friday MORNING.

Yes, morning.

I know . . . you're stunned.

Shoot me a note or leave a comment if you have questions.

I'm excited about this and hope you are too!

Now then-

if you'll excuse me . . .

there is a petite fur face that needs my attention.

Goodnight, friends.

Jess

Winner!

2011-12-12T20:30:00.004-05:00

I picked a winner tonight,

with the help of mathgoodies.com

{I miss the days when Raisin would pick the winner.}

And the winner is "Jane"

comment number 159!

Congratulations!

Jane, please contact me with your mailing address

so that I can send you your necklace.

If the necklace is not claimed by Wednesday,

I'll post another winner Thursday morning.

Thank you all so much again for entering.

I saw a lot of new names

and always appreciate the loyal long-timers.

I think we need to do these GiveAways more often-

it was a lot of fun for me to read through all your

traditions- I may have to swipe one or two to call my own.

Like some of you,

one of our new traditions

since The Monkey is old enough to understand the concept of Santa,

is the Elf on a Shelf.

Monkey named ours George Marker.

George, after Curious George.

And Marker because, well . . .

I think that's what he was holding in his hand at the time.

George Marker is perched in a vase of peacock feathers

at the moment, keeping an eye on all things little boyish.

By the way,

whoever invented this thing is brilliant.

It's an instant magic-maker for children.

Anyway-

I really want to do something different to wrap up the year.

I'm looking to do a sort of raffle for customers who make

a purchase between tomorrow and the end of December.

I'll map out details for you tomorrow.

Now, off to get supper cleaned up.

Thank you again, everyone.

Smooch,

Our Christmas Kitten

2011-12-11T11:08:00.007-05:00

I'm going to tell you a story because

I find it to be a sweet one.

My friends Jessica and Jebb attempted to take in

a stray cat some months ago-

a female, and shy to say the least.

She would only come around for food but not allow herself

to be touched,

would not venture close or stay long.

She had several litters of kittens,

all of which Jessica and Jebb fed regularly.

All of whom stayed distant albeit nearby,

and who are grown now.

The mother cat slowly warmed up,

gradually drawing closer and

allowing herself to be pet.

She even began coming inside.

They named her Alberta.

One night, Alberta came to the door with a present in her mouth.

Assuming it was a mouse or bird,

Jessica was stunned to find it was a newborn kitten.

Alberta carried it inside and nursed,

stayed an hour or so,

then left again.

She reappeared a bit later with a second kitten in her mouth,

again stayed for awhile, and left.

She brought them four kittens that night.

The five cats stayed with Jess and Jebb for several weeks.

Alberta continued her inside-outside lifestyle,

coming in to warm up and tend to the kittens.

Last week,

Alberta's breathing changed.

A severe uterine infection had developed that, to treat,

would require extensive and expensive surgery.

Even then, there was no guarantee the surgery would work,

the vet said,

or that the infection the only problem.

Jessica called me late Friday night in tears.

They had had to have Alberta put down.

Four playful and healthy kittens remained.

Unbeknownst to me,

Keith had already arranged for us to adopt the spotted gray male.

The furball showed up with a green raffia ribbon around his neck,

in an old wine box that Keith claimed we needed to repurpose.

I found the kitten when I opened the box lid.

Happy 29th birthday to me.

So we have one of the four,

and the other three will stay where they are

until they find good homes.

The whole situation was bittersweet and heart-warming;

knowing that Alberta had brought

her kittens in out of the cold,

and had made sure they were safe and cared for.

As Jessica said,

it just seems as if it were all supposed to happen this way.

One of those minor everyday miracles-

something that could easily be dismissed as coincidence,

but which seems all the more poignant and significant

at this time of year.

Here he is-

on the night he came home.

He has no name yet-

just as it took me forever to name Wilbur,

I'm waiting for the cat to essentially name himself.

He has some lungs, this one does.

He squalls something fierce when not being cuddled,

played with, or fed.

He's so small that to keep from stepping on him,

I tied a miniature cowbell around his neck.

Between the bell and his vocals,

we were thinking of naming him Bellow-

but I'm not yet convinced.

It's officially a full house, with two dogs and two cats,

But everyone seems to be getting along splendidly.

(Incidentally, if Keith is home, I don't see the kitten.

I think he's more smitten than even I am.)

Christmas came a bit early here.

I hope your holiday is every bit as warm and bright.

RINGRINGRING

2011-12-08T16:15:00.006-05:00

Changeover Rings

{Sterling Silver- Peach Moonstone, Citrine, Chalcedony}

Celebrating the turning of seasons...

Laurels Rings

{Sterling Silver- Peruvian Pink Opal, Chrysophrase}

(A new ring and a NEW BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!)

In the shop very soon.

Off to celebrate my 29th year!

Cake?

Hugs, you.

Rosy

Ring Update Today

2011-12-08T13:45:00.002-05:00

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!

2011-12-07T16:38:00.006-05:00

Time for a GiveAway!

It's long overdue.

Before going into details,

I just want to thank all of you for being a part of my 2011.

I've opened up quite a bit about my personal life,

my personal struggles outside of business,

my fears.

My thoughts.

I've met some amazing people,

hit a thousand sales

(I never imagined I would)

and learned more than you could possibly know.

I owe you each sincere thanks,

and wish you all the best possible ending to the year.

Merry Christmas,

* * * * *

TO BE WON:

All That Falls Necklace

(Sterling Silver, Chalcedony}

Adjustable up to 20" in length.

You want to wear it?

Here's what you'll need to do!

1. Leave a comment on this post,

sharing a holiday tradition you hold dear. While Christmas

is preferable, ANY holiday is fine.

(Value: 1 Entry)

2. Put both a link to this post

and a comment on your own blog regarding this GiveAway,

and leave me a comment here so I know you did so.

Don't forget to include a link here to your own blog so I can check it out.

(Value: 1 Entry)

3. Post a Facebook comment regarding this GiveAway,

and leave me a comment here so I know you did so.

(Value: 1 Entry)

4. Tweet about this GiveAway,

and leave me a comment here so I know you did so.

(Value: 1 Entry)

5. Become a fan of Rosy Revolver on Facebook,

and leave a comment for me here so that I know you did so.

(Value: 1 Entry)

6. Become a follower of this blog, and

(you guessed it) leave me a comment here so I know you did so.

(Value: 1 Entry)

7. Become a follower on Twitter.

Tell me via a comment that you did that too.

(Value: 1 Entry)

You have 7 total possible ways to enter this GiveAway.

Enter via one, two, or all of seven!

Please leave a SEPARATE comment below for EACH ENTRY you choose to make.
(Makes it easier on me when totaling entries. . . sorry.)

Entries will be accepted up until midnight EST on

Sunday, December 11th.

The winner will be announced Monday, December 12th

both here and on Facebook.

Shoot me an email if you have questions.

Good luck everyone!!

Canine Thoughts- Issue 1

2011-12-05T12:07:00.002-05:00

For Ears

2011-12-02T18:28:00.009-05:00

Rustic Studs

{Sterling Silver, Brass}

Emanation Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Carnelian}

Ornamental Earrings- Small

{Sterling Silver, Brass, Freshwater Coin Pearl}

Ornamental Earrings- Medium

{Sterling Silver, Brass, Crystal}

Ornamental Earrings- Large

{Sterling Silver, Freshwater Coin Pearls}

In the Etsy shop soon.

Ear Ornaments

2011-12-02T10:09:00.002-05:00

It's been a lovelycrazybusy week here-

tree is in but yet to be lit or decorated.

I've been working on a Christmas gift to send my customers,

giveaway details are in the works,

and I finally, finally caught up on my Etsy feedback.

I just love y'all.

Right now The Monkey is playing at my feet-

and we are rocking out to his favorite Christmas song,

Dominick the Donkey.

The boy cannot stop laughing when this song is playing.

Shop update today!

All earrings-

new styles and old favorites alike.

Next week I'll focus more on rings-

made-to-orders and some new, smaller and more economical designs.

I'll have photos up here in awhile to preview the update.

Generally (though I'm not sure why)

I've been posting more previews to the RR Facebook page lately,

and sooner than I get to the blog,

so stop by there as well if interested in previews.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week.

Happy December!

(Holy crap, it's December . . .)

Heehaw,

Flossie and Bessie

2011-11-16T20:24:00.005-05:00

Flossie & Bessie

Flossie is Carnelian and Bessie is Chalcedony.

Both are sweet and soft,

made of stone, silver, and cowhide.

Furry little {big} finger festoons.

They measure an inch and a half each in diameter.

Big scale.

Big attitude.

No bull.

(smirk)

Ex Umbra in Solem

-out of darkness, into light-

{sterling silver, amazonite, peridot, jade, citrine}

Sit a Spell Ring

{Sterling Silver, Sea-Green Chalcedony}

Tonight!

Happy Wednesday,

Fresh Metal

2011-11-14T20:15:00.010-05:00

First Frost Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Chalcedony}

Sit a Spell Necklace

{Sterling Silver, Green Onyx, Agate}

Rags and Tatters Bracelet

{Sterling Silver}

And also-

back again.

Rockabilly Earrings &

To Sun, Love Moon Earrings.

Tonight.

Soon.

Heart.

Broken

2011-11-08T21:44:00.001-05:00

. . . you're a diamond too,

I was cut from you.

-Antigone Rising

A great song I find inspiring and comforting.

Enjoy-

A Few For You

2011-11-07T16:49:00.010-05:00

Emanation Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Green Amethyst}

Sit A Spell Ring

{Sterling Silver, Blue Chalcedony}

To Sun, Love Moon Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Brass}

In the shop shortly!

The Handmade Market is this Saturday-

don't forget to come out if you're local.

It's an amazing venue full of incredible artists.

The next shop update will be next week as I start to

place items in the shop that made it home with me from the show.

Lots of new and experimental designs . . .

Yeehaw.

In the Curtains Lurks

2011-11-05T18:14:00.001-04:00

Studio Scenes- Today at the Pink Sofa

2011-11-04T17:42:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, The Monkey was sick-

and he doesn't go to daycare on Fridays anyhow-

which in our world translates to Mommy-Monkey time at the studio.

He spent most of the morning working on his chalkboard.

Actually it's *my* chalkboard,

but he can't be convinced of this.

I tend to use it for my 86 list-

something I've adopted and used since my days

as a waitress at The Shiny Diner.

86 potatoes.

86 meatloaf.

Now I 86 things like flux and wire and packaging tape.

He takes his chalkboard sketching very seriously.

I ask him what he's working on and he tells me,

in a rather Rosy-ish tone,

"I'm working. I can't talk right now."

Well then.

We had taken the board down from its place on the brick wall,

on his insistence that he be able to draw close to Wilbur.

THIS, people . . .

is a water sprinkler.

He was subdued today so getting work done was fairly simple-

Wilbs does most of the babysitting.

Banjo naps at my feet.

We each had our respective canine lover for the day.

But boy, oh boy, do boy and dog stick together.

Where Wilbur goes, The Monkey goes.

Couch, to chair, and back again.

I think the dog wanted peace.

Or maybe just the ability to breathe.

The Monkey just wanted to snuggle.

The only thing they fight about is whose lego cart

that belongs to.

Good day here,

despite the rain and the bitter air.

It's warm in the studio.

Happy Friday, friends.

Psst

2011-10-27T14:32:00.002-04:00

RWR

2011-10-24T21:36:00.016-04:00

Henry David Thoreau once said,

"It's not what you look at that matters . . .

It's what you see."

And I for one, believe him.

My name is JJ.

I'm a metalsmith and mother.

A patriot.

A wife and daughter,

a dirt road dreamer.

Sometimes I'm not sure at all how I got here.

And then with the crack of a four-year-old's smile,

I remember.

. . . I fell in love.

Life is funny and time flies faster each year-

as I'm sure you know from your own story.

My plans would have taken me far away from this small town,

had life let them,

but sometimes I think a greater force is laughing at me,

even as it hugs me close.

I hug it back between punches.

My world has been a coaster ride since 2006-

long before that, actually, if you want to get technical.

But let's keep it simple here-

today, I'm riding high.

I don't have all the answers.

I can't claim to understand why it's worked for me

when others struggle constantly to make ends meet.

But I do know this:

I'm 28.

I support my family

with an art degree,

working as a jewelry designer

in a small farm town in rural Carolina,

in a rock-bottom economy,

selling a *non-essential* product.

Nobody needs what I make.

Nobody needs what I do.

But I'm surviving.

I'm THRIVING, world . . .

It simply should not be.

But then again . . .

it's not what you see-

but how you see it.

A layoff several years ago and the

realization that an art degree wouldn't get me far

in this town, in this marketplace . . .

Honestly, how many options does a girl like me have when

daycare costs are through the roof,

gas prices are on the rise and the sad fact is that

it's going to cost somewhere around $1000 a month

just to be ABLE to work?

Not many.

Necessity is the mother, however . . .

It's all in the perspective.

So I started on my own,

with the rosy glasses bestowed on me by supportive family and friends.

I now work for myself, on my own terms and in my own time.

I have a small studio on the county line where I

keep company with my two dogs and sell my work

via the internet.

It's a humble business,

but it's all mine.

And through the struggle of starting this dream and living it out,

I've both lost and found me,

and found me again.

And again.

. . . because I just keep growing.

Rosy Revolver has been my bread and butter.

My creative outlet.

My strength when I felt weak.

My independence when I felt lost in the crowd.

I love her and hate her,

this alter ego I've created.

But she feeds me in ways I can't explain.

She makes me better.

We give life to one another,

that creative energy and I.

I've learned over the past several years that

time makes us tough and tender.

That we really can change.

That there is inspiration everywhere,

most often in the shadows.

I've learned that I am able, that I'm so much stronger than

I used to give myself credit for.

And I've learned that others are as well.

Tonight,

I blog for this amazing site called

Rural Women Rock.

And I'm honored,

because it wasn't that long ago when I felt I had nothing to say.

Nothing to offer.

Today I'm proud of myself

and humbled by the amazing customers and friends

I've made during this whole experience.

I've learned much, I've hopefully taught a thing or two-

I'm claiming what's mine while somehow learning to give.

I'm defining my values.

I'm walking sober on solid ground.

Here, nestled deep amongst the tobacco and cotton fields,

far away from a city life I was once planning to live-

I've embraced my roots and my wings.

It's not easy.

I'm not saying it's easy.

It's a daily effort, tapping into our potential as creative women.

It's an endless albeit *crucial* task,

and we owe it to ourselves to listen hard to that inner voice

whispering that restrained shout of,

YOU CAN!

. . . You can.

* * * * *

Thank you, Kasse, for featuring me on RWR.

I'm honored and hope that this post provides

some inspiration to your readers.

Warmly,

http://rosyrevolver.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rosyrevolver

http://www.facebook.com/RosyRevolver

Amen

2011-10-21T16:49:00.002-04:00

October Fruits

2011-10-17T22:00:00.007-04:00

Sunday was all pumpkins and mums at Porter's Farm.

My mom and I took The Monkey patch-picking for the perfect carving specimen.

And mums are my autumn favorite;

every year I add more to the yard.

I'm mummifying it.

Ha.

(Okay, okay . . . lame.)

There's never any shortage of selection at Porter's.

I love this place.

With The BadApple full to the brim,

we headed back home for playtime and planting.

And somebody felt the need to tryout his Halloween

costume props on the ride home.

Happy Monkey.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well.

Friday Fanfare

2011-10-14T19:08:00.010-04:00

Swarm the Blue Necklace
{Sterling Silver, Turquoise}

Winged Dangles

{Sterling Silver, Labradorite, Freshwater Pearl}

Sit a Spell Necklace

{Sterling Silver, Citrine, Freshwater Pearl}

Winged Posts

{Sterling Silver}

Amplitude & Fortitude Necklace

{Sterling Silver, White Opal, Freshwater Pearl}

Pashmina Earrings

{Sterling Silver, Turquoise}

Off to list!

Everyone have a lovely weekend.

I, for one, will be going suitcase shopping.

Ahem.

Heart,

Inspiration Wall & Update

2011-10-14T12:19:00.003-04:00

Well hot damn.

I want a wall like this.

Bad.

Anyone have old suitcases they'd like to send me?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm?????

Or tool boxes? Metal bins? Drawers? Chests? Trunks?

*wink*

As the studio is growing- slowly, mind you, but steadily-

I'm running out of floor space.

But I can still go upwards . . .

hence my loving the notion of a suitcase wall.

Lots of interest. Lots of storage.

Add some old wood, old apothecary labels,

cool fonts.

Aaah.

Organizational heaven for the vintage junkie.

Maybe leave the ones on the top shelves empty . . .

or full of stuff I'd like to forget about.

We'll leave that top shelf for emotional baggage and ex boyfriends.

Perfect.

Anyway . . .

shop update today.

A Swarm the Blue necklace with Turquoise.

Some turquoise earrings- new design.

Bird posts and bird dangles- new design.

And a Sit A Spell Necklace with Citrine and bronze freshwater pearls.

What's on your agenda this week?

The flea market here is closed for the month of October whilst the State Fair rages on-

so I'm shifting to yard sales and thrift stores for to satisfy my clutter craving.

(I don't think there's more than a few things in my house that have been purchased new.)

And we need pumpkins, or else The Monkey will have my head.

Mums need to get in the ground.

I do so love me some mums.

They pop color just as the Zinnias are dying out-

trading places season to season, like clockwork.

Why can't I operate that smoothly?

Alright.

Back to work.

Happiest of happy Fridays!

First Friday and a Floral Theme

2011-10-10T16:35:00.004-04:00

First Friday in Raleigh was a blast.

Thanks so much to the locals who came out.

I loved hugging your necks.

Gypsy Jule was a most gracious host-

I left with some lovely new fall sweaters

and a beautiful gray whipstitched coat.

I'll have to share those with you sometime.

Leftover pieces will be posted in the shop throughout the week.

I have a lot of photography and writing to do.

It feels and looks like fall more and more everyday.

Which means there are bulbs to get in the ground,

a halloween costume to wrap up (hello there, cowboy)

and some serious cleaning to do before we're shut away for the winter.

Meanwhile, I'm reveling in the breeze coming through the open windows

and the smell of someone barbecuing nearby.

It should be a mellow week-

a nice change from the pace of September.

Is it cold where you are?

Hugs, you.