Divinely Crafty

There are a whole big massive bunch of jewelry sellers at esty. That may even be a bit of an understatement. It can really be intimidating, not to mention exhausting, browsing through all the offerings listed. So much so that it might be tempting just to cruise over to a big name mega store’s site and order something that was mass manufactured, most likely in China, solely for the purpose of getting it over with quick and easy. But being a craftsperson myself, and committed to buying handmade, small production or one-of-a-kind goods whenever possible I sat down at my computer yesterday on the quest of finding the perfect pearl necklace for my daughter’s 16th birthday. (Fulling owning up to in my budget pearl=faux pearl, but luckily these days that doesn’t necessarily equate with cheap looking or poor quality.) She has prom coming up shortly after her birthday, and her dress (which she will also be wearing to my brother’s wedding this summer) just begs for pearls.

And so the search began. Pages and pages of lovely creations passed my eyes. A cup of tea, some rice cakes with almond butter, and a cup of coffee later I had looked at hundreds of pieces of jewelry, but nothing was jumping out at me as being the perfect piece. And anyone who has ever bought something for a 16 year old with very specific style and taste knows – it needs to be perfect. Especially when prom is involved! So onward I went, click by click, forging on in my quest. Then I found this seller. Brought to her page by one piece, I was drawn in looking at all the wonderful offerings in her shop. Such lovely work! And better still, I found at last a piece that I thought just might be what I was looking for. And bonus – she stated in the listing that she could make matching earrings. oooooo – I was intrigued. So I convo’d her (that’s etsy speak for I sent her a message) and asked what the cost of the matching earrings would be and if perhaps she could make a bracelet as well. I figured hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask, and a complete set would be great. She replied back – very fast – with a very reasonable price for the set and able to accommodate my time frame. (Yes, I procrastinate. A lot. ) After giving it some more thought, and spending time looking at my daughters dress, I had concerns if the color of the pearls would be to stark for my daughter’s dress, so I convo’d her back about this and a few other things, fearful that I was close to crossing over to potentially irritating buyer who asks a gazillion nit-picky questions territory. Again, she replied very quickly, giving me her honest opinion and making mention of some other colors that she had available. All whilst reassuring me that my questions were no bother and better to be safe than sorry when shopping online. How true that is!

When my daughter came home that evening, I eagerly showed her my discovery. (No way am I going to try and surprise her and risk her hating it!) She was pleased, but not as thrilled as I had hoped. So we talked. And we considered what it was that she didn’t like, and what she would want to change in order for it to be perfect. Eventually, after much imagining and discussing we had come up with exactly what it is that she would like. I sent another convo to the seller, asking her if she could make what was now a fully custom set and what the cost would be. True to form, she replied without delay, happy to make it exactly as we wished and at a price that was unbeatable. She would get started immediately and ship it the next day. My daughter and I both went to bed dreaming of the lovely custom made set that would be arriving at our home.

Today I received another convo from the seller with a picture of the set. If I was eager before, I am twice as much so now. And my daughter is beyond thrilled. It is indeed perfect – better than even we had imagined when creating it in our minds!

I hope that the seller – BeadsByEvelyn – doesn’t mind me posting a picture of the set that she sent me. It is just too beautiful not to share. She assured me that it this is a quick photo that doesn’t do it justice, but even so, the beauty of it is breathtaking. I can’t wait to see it up close and personal.

Made of Swarovski pearls and crystals in white,almond,peach, and bronze.

For reference this is the dress that it will be worn with.

The set is matched perfectly to compliment the dress and will be even more stunning with my daughters rich ginger/brown hair. I can’t wait to see them on her, in her lovely dress with her hair done up, ready for what will undoubtedly be a magical night.

I am going on a cross Atlantic flight in February and I know all too well that the effects of such a trek are hard for the toughest of bodies. A chronic illness makes travel a beast of different proportion. I barely make it through the check-in line before my legs,feet,and back are screaming at me. Carry on bags with laptop and camera might as well be concrete blocks anchored to my shoulders with twine. (Do not ever suggest I don’t bring things. Its not going to happen. ) I will be alone which adds to my need for comfort and efficiency. I am thinking about finally getting a walking stick to help me get through long airport concourses. But my fear is that it will be another thing to carry. There is always the wheelchair option and the slow moving beeping people carts. I just don’t think I am ready for that mentally. Physically – yes. But in my mind I can’t go there. Perhaps I will change my mind when the inevitable reality of the multiple discomforts of travel hits, but until then the plan is to hoof it. I am thankful for the ability to choose, or I suppose more accurately – the illusion of choice. Somehow it feels like if I can, I should. Should argh. Will. I will. I will do exactly what I am able to. breathe. repeat.

What are some of your best tips for travel chronic pain and illness? I will be on the road for 6 weeks, going between two primary locations with long haul flights on either end. What are some of the best ways to prevent stirring things up more than is needed. (Do I invest in a foldable cane? Seriously. Do I?) and how do you recover from the stress and pain that can’t help result?

Tags: chronic illness, disability, fibromyalgia, travel

When my youngest daughter was a toddler we used to lie in bed in the morning and just listen to the birds as they began their days with sweet songs.  There was a bushy tree right outside my bedroom window that dozens of little tiny birds called home, so it was like having front row for an avian symphony.   At first it was a trick on my part to get a few more minutes in bed before I had to start my own day, but it soon grew into a beloved part of our morning routine. When we moved from that house and she began to sleep in her own bed (we co-slept until then)  this ritual was tucked into the sweet memories file.  Years have past since those days, but it just takes a few chirps to take me back to those magic mornings.

Sunday morning she came bounding into our bedroom full of excitement proclaiming “The birds are back! I hear them everywhere!”  Still half asleep and a bit on the grumpy side, I grumbled as I rolled over and pulled the covers up over my head. The sun was barely up yet and I was not about to join it.  And besides – its only January and even though the plum tree in the neighbors yard is bursting with fresh blossoms it is too early for them to be back. But then I heard it.  At first it was just one or two and then a few more joined in.  Soon the air was filled with their busy chatter, and a rush of all the love and memories of those days that seem so distant flooded through me.  She was too young then to remember our special mornings now, and when I suggested we lie quietly and listen for a few minutes she told me she could hear them just fine up and bouncing around the room.  Ah well, I tried.  She may not remember those days, and she might be sharp enough not to be fooled by my ploys, but something inside of her knows that the birds returning is something to be celebrated.

The past weeks have been particularly difficult for me physically and emotionally with my fibro being at a crisis level.  The long dark days of winter have seemed even more heavy and ominous than normal.  But today as hear the birds busily chirping and feasting on the worms who were forced above ground with yesterdays rain, I am reminded of the constant turning of the wheel of life and the restorative power of nature.  It gives me hope and today that is something I am deeply grateful for.

Tags: hope, memories, nature, parenting, renewal, spring

Okay, perhaps not so much a bad blogger as I am a casual one. Yes, that’s it. Casual yet consistent. It follows suit that I would be a casual blogger since that is how I am keeping a written journal. The difference being that in a written journal the dust bunnies under my bed don’t keep me on task by asking where I have been or what I have been up to. My loyal readers do, however, and so by demand from my adoring fans I am submitting this update. My deepest gratitude to those of you who have written to me inquiring as to my well being.
Since I last posted….

We got notice that we had to move out of our house while I was in the US in March. Blech. I hate moving. Thankfully we were able to sort that all out and as of Monday we are now in a new home. I like the new house better actually, which is good because it makes up for the hideous stress of moving. Better layout of the space (even though it is actually less square meters than the old place) and a phenomenally better garden space. Photos to follow soon. Hard wood wide plank floors vs. carpet, 2 fireplaces (1 in the sitting room, 1 in the dining room – typical old English house. Both fireplaces have outlets upstairs that will heat up there as well. Very cool.) The house is on the same footpath that the old house was, but up a higher embankment so now people strolling and riding down the path can’t see up into my bedroom. (My apologies to my loyal perv fans who had become accustomed to my nightly changing of clothes. Perhaps the old lady who is moving into our old house will take up where I left off.) And instead of the cows in the field behind us we have horses. That one’s a wash. I think I will miss the cows sweet moo’ing. Of course it wasn’t so sweet at 3am so maybe it is for the better.

So…we moved.

I have been working on my felt for the exhibit/sale that is in a couple weeks. I have nowhere near as much done as I would like to so the next week or so is going to be one helluva felting marathon around here. I will post pictures when its all done. What I have done so far is really great and I am eager to show you all, but it will have to wait. Hopefully there will be some more awesome pieces to add to what I have now.

Another biggie. Maybe even the biggest for me personally. I finished up my certification work for my Birthing From Within mentoring. Its now off for review and hopefully approval, and then I can proudly call myself a certified mentor. This is huge for me. Huge. In so many ways. I spent the last 2 weeks of April glued to my computer compiling 4 years of study and practice into a neat little package. Very intense. I feel such an immense sense of accomplisment having done this. It opens so much for on so many levels. More on this to come, you can be certain of that!

Last week we went to Spain to see some property we had been considering to purchase. Unfortunately we did not find it to be what we have in mind for our long term plans, but it was a very informative and productive trip. Again…more on this later, including photos. Sorry to repeat that line, but I told you this would be a lame update.

Not to be shadowed by any of the many other things that have been keeping me away from the ol’ blog–sphere…the work of everyday life as a mum of 3, and wife. A full time job in itself. The kids are all growing so fast and leading quite busy lives of their own. Dylan is finishing her GCSEs so it is exam stress time for her. She has really rallied herself and is doing wonderful work. I am so proud of her. Kiah gave a stunning vocal performance at school a couple weeks ago. That girl has some chops! Watch out for her name in lights! Anja is a busy social butterfly. At age 6 that girl has a fuller social calender than I ever have. And she is growing like a weed. I swear she wakes up taller every day. Insane.

So thats it from here. It will probably be another couple weeks before I get much more of an update on here. But you never know. At least you know that I have not actually fallen off the face of the earth… just have been busy living on it.

ciao for now!

Tags: blogging, children, family life, home