firefly jewelry: November 2010

I {heart} Kraft paper!

I purchased a huge roll of kraft paper HERE and we have been having so much fun with it. At the last two family get togethers I torn off a huge piece and covered our dining room table and had Will help me decorate it and then when the other kids arrived they joined in the fun too. The best part is it is cheap! We have been using it to paint on, color and I am thinking we could decorate it and then use it to wrap presents. Who doesn't like to doodle?

Let the shopping begin!

I can hardly believe the holidays are just around the corner! We have so many items for just about everyone on your list and hope to make your gift giving easy! We have special Mommy necklaces, something for Dad, a few things for that special teacher on your list a special necklace for Grandma, and for the teen that is so hard to buy for. We are sure you will find the perfect gift!

Please enjoy 10% off until Novemeber 30th, just enter DOLCE10 to receive your discount.

Happy Shopping friends!

La Dolce Vita

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

May we all give thanks for our many blessings.

Paul Frank Winner Announced

The winner of the Nestle Paula Frank Gift Pack is Blanca of The Carlson Family. Congratulations!

And the celebration continues....

In our house Birthdays are a big deal and typically are a week long celebration. We went to our usual favorite spot for lunch The Henry Ford Estate and then Will opened a few presents. He thought his Star Wars Lego was "Awesome" that is his new favorite word. The actual day of his birthday he told me he didn't feel any older. The chocolate mousse he had was almost as big as him!

{ Now what in the world are we going to get him for Christmas?}

Wonka Exceptionals Yummy!

Can you say yummo? WONKA launched a new line of premium chocolates called WONKA Exceptionals and they are delicious! I love just about anything with peppermint and the Peppermint Shortbread are my absolute favorite. They are such a treat when you need that chocolate fix. WONKA has announced it will be debuting festive holiday packaging for its chocolates. WONKA Exceptionals are perfectly sized for stocking stuffers, hostess and co-worker gifts, or for any occasion where a sweet treat is appreciated. You can find more information HERE. You can thank me later for sharing this delicious treat.

Holiday Gift Giving For The One You LOVE

Holiday orders are in full swing so don't delay if you would like to have a custom piece created for a special loved one. Order soon! Above are just a few suggestions. You can view the entire collection from Kristen's Custom Creations by clicking {HERE}

La Dolce Vita

You Capture: Inspiration

I find inspiration in that last daisy that bloomed when all others withered away.

I find inspiration in moments like this. Our Greyhound was our first baby and he has accepted Will and now a new kitty.... that is tolerance and a lot of love.

What gives you inspiration?

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Heather Goldberg Jewelry

We adore all the fascinating art-to-wear

jewelry created by Heather Goldberg.

Each piece is composed of all natural fibers

such as cotton, silk, cashmere, mohair,

bamboo and merino wool, and each one is

embellished with Swarovski crystals. Draped

over one's body the necklaces exude

a magical life of their own.

Heather calls her work Shadow Play and it is

an apt name for these works of art.

The interplay of light and dark colors, ethereal

and solid fibers, and layers upon layers

of textures are tantalizingly lush.

Soft pastels intermingle with shades of black,

gray, beige, and white - these muted colors

allow the intricacies of the materials

and the techniques to take center stage.

Many fiber art techniques are used in each

composition including loose weaving,

knotting, wrapping, twisting, draping,

and knitting. All this fuzzy, sleek, floating

softness gets interspersed with crystals –

a bit like finding visual treats tucked

here and there. No doubt each majestic

piece easily stands out in any crowd.

One of our very favorites

is called "Sonnet"

We love the color choices in this

necklace called "Ash"

This study in black and white is

called "Infinity"

And this one is called "Division 2"

This multicolored gem is

called "Sail the Ocean"

We find so much inspiration in this work.

The eye roams over and over each

piece seeking and finding more

and more visual delights.

Each necklace is more exquisite

than the last - truly no two pieces

could ever be alike.

Each has a personality of its own

with impressions ranging from the

ethereal to the robust, the sassy to

the refined. The enchanting way the

materials flow effortlessly into

each other continuously draws

our attention around and around.

And around.

It's difficult to stop.

Enjoy!

Happy 5th Birthday Will!

Happy 5th Birthday Will! Over the weekend we celebrated Will's Birthday will his entire class at Pump it Up and also had his family Birthday party. I can hardly believe my little guy is turning 5, he is growing up way too fast. Will had so much fun at both of his parties, he is one lucky boy and I am one lucky Mama to have him. I love you sweet Will and hope all your wishes and dreams come true.

Welcoming the holidays with a monogrammed front door wreath

Welcoming the holidays with a Monogrammed front door wreath. This was so easy and total cost was under $10 after using my Joanne 40% off coupons. All I did was spray paint the letter with bumpy black spray paint, wrap wired ribbon around a grapevine wreath and created a bow. {So simple!!!} I have an obsession with initials and will have to one day do a round up of all of my monograms and initials around the house.

What do you think?

Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!

Busy at work

We have been busy working on doing some updates in our house, mostly painting and new carpet but I am so pleased that we put hardwood in our front foyer {a special thanks to my brother for doing it for us} We also had two birthday parties for Will this weekend and I am exhausted but it was a lot of fun. More pictures to come later in the week I am too tired to load them into our lap top. Happy Monday friends!

Luscious Amber

People are always fascinated by amber and look for the rare and unusual qualities of this stone (actually it`s a petrified tree resin). When I choose pieces to work with, the more flecks and "stuff" in it, the better. So here is a pin/pendant piece featuring green amber at the top and honey amber at the bottom. The piece is called "Solstice" and it combines stamped textures, shapes, metals, and of course, gorgeous amber. Click the image to see the flecks up close.

You Capture: Serene

Footie PJ's and all snuggy on the couch= Serenity!

The cat in the box... why do cats do this and he looks so serene!

Every animal we have ever had has liked to sit in front of the heat vent so now Will, the dog and cat all fight over it this time Kane won!

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Peggy Eng Jewelry

When a friend suggested we take
a look at the work of an artist
who specializes in carving and
anodizing aluminum, we were
intrigued by the idea.

Well, we immediately fell in love
with the sophisticated jewelry
that Peggy Eng creates.
It's detailed, elegant, and evocative
of things in the natural world.
Simply stated, she is truly a
sculptor working in aluminum.

It seems unexpected and counterintuitive
to think about creating delicate, flowing
designs by carving metal and
by using chemical and electrical
processes but the results that Peggy
achieves are simply wonderful.

In her technically proficient hands,
an ordinary piece of aluminum turns into
something extraordinary. This artist has
the ability to transform a boring metal
into a blend of rich colors and
amazingly textured designs.

There are many bold pieces in her collection.
Here are some of our favorites.

Graceful and dynamic, these earrings
are called "Fleur."
Surprisingly, these measure a mere
1 inch x 1.75 inches.

We adore this brooch called "Split Corner."

In this piece, the soft, subtle wash of
gentle color is the perfect accompaniment
to the Tahitian pearl.
It's called "Stacked Brooch."

In every piece, her designs have clean,
distinct lines and seem to flow with motion.

While some of her pieces are somber
and dark, we are attracted to her
brightly colored work with their
vibrant, saturated color and engaging
designs. They all seem to exude
a sense of reserved dignity.
We are utterly enchanted.

Enjoy!