firefly jewelry: August 2010

CSN Review Dolan Barton Outdoor Light

CSN Stores has over 200 stores and if you are looking to do some online shopping chances are they have what you are looking for. They offer items for the home, pet, fitness, baby and much more. I had the opportunity to review the Dolan Barton Outdoor Light. I think beautiful light fixtures can greatly enhance a home and the Dolan Barton Outdoor light is everything I expected and more. It is well made, has beautiful glass and looks even nicer in person. This light is stunning when illuminated and even when it isn't.

Dolan Barton Outdoor Light Specifications:

Features:

One light hanging outdoor pendant
Barton collection
Winchester finish
Arizona glass

Specifications:

Accommodates: 1 x 100W medium base
Includes 72" chain and 84" electrical wire
Overall dimensions: 12" H x 7" W

There are also many other lights available in the Dolan Designs Barton Collection.

The Barton Flush Mount Light.

Barton Outdoor Light Post.

So the next time you would like to do some online shopping be sure to visit CSN Stores they just may have exactly what you are looking for.

But Mom I can do it too....

My Dad is putting in Patio Pavers at their house so my brother and John were helping him dig out A LOT of dirt. When Will saw what they were doing he insisted on helping. Being the overprotective Mother that I am, I told him he was too little and offered him a fabulous explanation as to why he shouldn't help, and that wasn't well received. He pleaded and I kept trying to explain that it would be best for him to just "supervise". So after much begging I thought about it and thought to myself why can't he do it? So for the next 3 hours Will helped dig out dirt and maybe was a bit slower than the men but when he came in the house he was so proud of himself. He had dirt in his nose, dirt in his hair, on his knees well just about everywhere. Will was so proud of himself and beaming from ear to ear. Sometimes you just have to let go no matter how hard it is. My little boy is growing up and sheltering him isn't going to allow him to prosper.

That one teacher.....

Do you remember that one teacher that was your favorite? I do, my all time favorite teacher was Mrs. Helner. She taught me to write in cursive and gave me the book Charlotte's Web. She was kind yet firm and meant business when she was teaching class. She was how all teachers should be. I wonder if she even knew what an impact she had on me and that I still remember her.

Who was your favorite teacher?

You Capture: Outside

We spent the day with some very good friends at The Henry Ford and hit just about every attraction they had. We hit a play, rode the carousel, got to pet a horse, saw some beautiful flowers, had lolli pops and ice cream. It was a beautiful day to be outside. Why does summer have to go by so fast yet winter sticks around for too long?

Photobucket

A soft place to land...

Give him something soft and he will find it.
Softness provided by one of Will's Ugly Dolls.

Sometimes you just have to have a little Faith...

Two of my personal favorites the Love, Faith, Hope necklace is stamped in my upper and lowercase fancy script font and the Faith necklace is stamped in my lowercase script font on a tear drop. To me jewelry is symbolic and sometimes I tug on my necklace and let it be a reminder that I just need to have a little Faith.

Both pieces are available in my shop.

La Dolce Vita

Take me out to the ball game....

Over the weekend we went to a Tigers Baseball Game and I am pretty sure we only saw about a quarter of the game, since we made multiple potty breaks, snack runs and trips to the carousel; but isn't that what a ball game is all about? What did you do this weekend?

Will you be wearing Jeggings this fall?

Legging Jeans Gap $69.50

Have you noticed the fashion industry is really pushing leggings in stores or jeggings which are denim leggings. I remember wearing leggings back in the 80's and will admit I am not totally comfortable in them. I do however like to wear leggings under dresses, but do not think I could pull this look off.

Do you wear leggings or better yet jeggings?

Sarah Fox Jewelry

There is so much to admire in the
jewelry created by Sarah Fox.
Each of her pieces, handmade
of felted wool with sterling silver,
evokes whimsy and humor.

Truly one of a kind, each piece is

different from the last, yet

her style is readily recognizable.

Pushing the limit with her bright colors,
innovative designs, and

unexpected shapes - each piece
is a show stopper.

Here are some of our favorites.

this ring is colorful and

particularly arresting

and here's another

delightful ring that's

sure to attract attention

Stirking designs,

meticulous work

and unexpected shapes

combine to produce

jewelry with flair.

We are inspired by

the combinations.

Share your thoughts with us.

We'd love to know what you think.

Tomato Basil & Mozzerella Summertime Salad

Tomatoes fresh from our little urban garden.

Right now we have Tomatoes coming out of our ears which is fine with me, then I can make my favorite summertime salad.

Tomato Basil & Mozzarella Summertime salad:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3-4 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
Dash of pepper
Dash of Sea salt
1/2 lb Mozzarella balls
4-5 medium Tomatoes
4-5 Fresh Basil Leaves

Combine Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, pepper and sea salt, whisk until mixed and then add Mozzarella balls and set aside. Next chop the Tomatoes and Basil. Combine all ingredients and put in the fridge to let the oils soak into the Tomatoes and cheese, but if you can't wait go ahead and dig in. Yummo!

I like to serve this with a juicy steak, crusty bread and Red wine of course.

Photobucket

I'm gonna soak up the sun...

Will and his cousin Owen.

Summer is flying by at lightening speed. I know it is over for some but in Michigan kids do not go back to school until after Labor Day. We wait a very long time for nice weather and then it is typically too hot to do much so we complain about the heat. There is no pleasing us. So until summer is officially over we will try to soak up as much nice weather as we can.

On a different topic....

Such serious little boaters, I wish I knew what they were thinking about. I like to boat but I have no desire to actually drive (is that even right?) the boat. I make the perfect passenger though. The boys on the other hand think they are ready to captain the boat.

Morgane Guilcher Jewelry

Glass jewelry can seem dense

and heavy, yet each separate

flameworked bead can be

as light as a bubble.

It's this sense of lightness and delicacy

in the glass jewelry created by

Morgane Guilcher that inspires us.

By sheer repetition of shape,

Morgane creates

rhythmic, fluid designs that

are both playful and elegant

at the same time.

Each handmade glass component

is designed to maximize the light

that travels through it.

Here are some of her pieces that

have sparkled and twinkled

their way into our hearts.

here's another

and another

and more

Fire and imagination.

This jewelry inspires us

with color, sparkle,

and lovely design.

What do you think?

Share your thoughts

with us - we'd love

to know what you think.

Tour of the Henry Ford Estate

Last week we took a tour of The Henry Ford Estate, former home of Henry and Clara Ford. Sadly the Henry Ford Estate will be closing at the end of the year for restoration and will not reopen for at least 2-3 years. The restaurant will not reopen and they will no longer hold wedding ceremonies. Almost 13 years ago we had our wedding ceremony at the Henry Ford Estate and it is truly a beautiful place to get married. So until it closes we will be visiting the grounds and restaurant as often as possible.

What have.....

What have you been doing this summer? I feel like summer is flying by way to fast and we still have several things on our to do list. We would still like to go to the Zoo and see a ball game. I am feeling some serious Mommy guilt lately over the lack of fun stuff I have planned for my little guy. The above picture is from a car show we went to last week, I have no idea what kind of car that even is but Will sure liked it.

What is still on your to do list this summer? Do you feel the Mommy guilt too?

Dance in the rain...

The other day Will and I were all ready to go to the local pool and then it just started raining and my little guy said, "Hey Mom why don't we just play in the rain instead" It reminded me of the below quote.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." anonymous.

You can learn a lot from a little guy!

The Dance in the rain necklace is new and available in my shop. So the next time it rains maybe look at it a little differently.

Winner announced: Milly Pinkest Kitty

The winner of the Milly the pinkest kitty from Aurora Plush is Rennee G. @ rsg@air-pipe.com Congratulations Renee!

blue agate repousse pendant

Still on the soldering pad before polishing and we have a way to go before finishing yet!
Copper was fold formed and then Repousse to add dimension!

the Silver Strumpet

Sterling Spin Ring

Sterling Spin Ring; the design process:- recycled silver melted cast in an ingot and rolled out in the rolling mill. Annealed and roller printed with cardboard box then more annealing and formed into ring! Textured Copper Spinner applied then flare the ends to hold it on.

the Silver Strumpet

Copper Fish

Copper Fish set with Lace Agate and bubbles on his caudal fin! I broke the bezel on the final bit of forming so had to take it all apart again *sigh*... Some days in the shop are like that!
Hung on a Copper Torque it is indeed a wonderful piece! Try it on at the Barn House Gallery 54 Front St. Rockport ON Thurs - Sunday 10 - 5pm
the Silver Strumpet

Repousse Heart

Another view of the Repousse Heart