Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Some of my years highlights include...daughter Em's engagement...
First look at our new grandson....

Son Christian's family on baby's blessing day....




My sweetheart on our 40th Anniversary trip to glorious Montana....

Savoring 40 wonderful years (it's a nice start) at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Blessings to you and yours and a wonderful 2010!!!



Thursday, December 24, 2009

MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!




Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas filled with love and hope.


Joy to the World! I like to take a moment from our festivities to reflect on the reason Heaven and Earth rejoiced at the Savior, Jesus Christ's birth. Christmas eve we spend the evening celebrating that blessed event in a more spiritual, contemplative format, because come Christmas morning the gifts, the laughter and the games begin! Have a wonderful Christmas day!



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Congratulations to the Drawing Winner....

Apologies for being so late today with the drawing, but we have a winner now and it's.......MONICA!!! Thanks for stopping by with all your wonderful comments. I love holidays and I think Christmas won hands down in the posts for the drawing---there are so many traditions and activities and wonderful family memories tied up in Christmas as well as it being such an important celebration for those of us who are Christians--celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, that it's definitely a very special time of year with many levels of celebration from spiritual, family, friend and traditions. Congrats, Monica, send me an email at rspv@aol.com with your address and I'll get your earrings off to you asap! HUGZ!!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

WINTER SALE and FREE DRAWING

I'm having a Winter Sale in my etsy store--- http://www.rickitic.etsy.com/ -- It's buy one item at regular price, get the second item of equal or lesser value for half price. Check out my inventory in my Picasa album or etsy store. Include winter sale in the comments at checkout and I"ll send you a revised invoice or if you've already paid via paypal, I'll send you a refund for the difference. I also have a clearance sale at my vintage shop--- http://www.allweneedislove/ check it out for destash and vintage laces and ribbons!

Don't forget the drawing for the pink amethyst earrings....leave your comments (remember you're going to share your favorite holiday and why--see post just below!)
Here's my newest trinket with some lovely lampwork by Jena Fulcher---WinterWonderland Mauna Kea Style (did you know you can ski on the big island of Hawaii??? Ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon....how much fun is that!

Friday, November 20, 2009

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU--ENTER HERE

Well the last drawing turned out really well and I appreciated all the grateful hearts that responded by sharing a few of the blessings in their lives...so here is another drawing with an opportunity to win these gorgeous carved pink amethyst and gold filled earrings. They are simple, but elegant and I hope you'll like them well enough to play along again. These lovely carved and faceted stones over 10mm and about 10 carats total weight.

Here's the deal--All you have to do to enter is comment on my blog with your favorite holiday and why you like it best. I'll be doing the drawing on December 1st to don't dwadle--get your comments in there!

P.S. I started a sale yesterday in both of my esty stores--- http://www.rickitic.etsy.com/ (jewelry---buy one, get one half price) and http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/ (vintage laces, ribbons and destash) so stop by for some great Christmas gifts and discounted prices!!!!

Oh here's a p.p.s. for you--I was invited a couple of months ago to participate in a promotional program for artbeads.com. Since I've used them for years, it was an easy fit and I was happy to be included. Thru December I have a 10% off coupon good on any purchase large or small, that they invited me to share with my blog readers--- just use this code: SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424 with any purchases you make thru December 31 and you get an extra 10% off, plus their great free U.S. shipping on any order as well (and only $1 to Canada). I get my favorite sterling crimps, softtouch stringing wire and swarkies there...but they have so much more. It's so much easier than driving to downtown Los Angeles and picking up those small last minute purchases!

Monday, November 16, 2009

We Have a Winner.....


We have a drawing winner---but first a few words from our sponser...that's me! I'm so happy to have heard from so many of your with your gratitude list and it's only fair that I list three of my own--

I'm grateful for my faith, that helps me make sense and find purpose in this sometimes crazy world we live in!

I'm grateful for an awesome family--husband, children, grandchild (loving, longing sigh), parents sisters, in-laws and more...who make my life rich with love.

I'm grateful for wonderful friends who warm and lift me.



There's so much more, but that's a good start!!!! I can't forget to say how blessed I am to have each one of you in my life and say thanks again for your uplifting comments and sharing your blessings with us all! Now on to the real reason you stopped by today---who won the drawing?!?


And the winner is---- TRENDA (Claire Gideon) soooo Trenda, give me a shout with your shipping address to my email at rspv@aol.com and I'll get that little treasure right off in the mail to you with a hug and a big thank you!


I really enjoyed this ... soooo..I have another drawing up my sleeve that I'll be introducing this week...so check back for a second chance offer you can't refuse! 'kay???

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

FINALLY!!!! It's a 'Happy Thanksgiving' Drawing

Finally! After a long absence, it's time for another drawing and give-away here on my blog. I'll be drawing the winner on November 16, so you have several days to enter to win this charming pendant on a silk ribbon. The lampwork bead is a beauty by Melanie Moertel hung from a hand dyed silk ribbon and string in the most scrumptious colors! The sterling slider ensures you can wear this at your favorite length and I think you'll like it...soooooo.....

here are the rules: November being the month of thanks, can I just say thanks ffor stopping by now and then! You'll have to add your own expressions of gratitude to be entered into the drawing. Just post a comment with three things you are thankful for, and I'll put your name in the drawing---that's all! My listis soooo long, I'm sure three isn't too many to ask you to share, right? Post early, post often...count your blessings and think happy thoughts, for a place in the drawing on Monday, November 16!!!
Now, make like a pilgrim and give thanks!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a Very Important Date....

Who am I??? Just a little amusing anecdote...my blue eyed, blonde daughter went to her Halloween party tonight in this costume...and several of her younger friends were like..."who are you supposed to be?!?" It made her feel very old, because this was a character she was quite found of when she was a young girl....do you know who she was supposed to be, or are you too young too?!?!?!


Now, on to the apology: I know, I know... I was supposed to have some eye candy to give away before the end of the week, but I've gotten the flu and have not felt so creative the past few days....hang in there...I'm trying to have something ready for you by Tuesday...so the goal is move forward,(she said hopefully)!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Almost there...

Sneak preview (the blue painters tape is still on the ceiling, and every thing isn't put away...but here's an idea of what has been happening in my kitchen...used a black stain(stained instead of painted so the grain would show thru, not seeing it in this picture too well though..) on my old oak cabinets and put on some weathered chrome hardware, took down the old fashioned wallpaper...will take a better picture when it's all put together...but this is the work in progress....It's going to be such an improvement over the old kitchen...next step is change the ceiling lights in the ceiling and lighting under the cabinets, but that may take awhile to get finished...I'd forgotten how much fun and work it is, to take on a project like this...why don't I do it more often these days...and why I don't do it more often these days...lol!!!


Here's a smokey quartz necklace I made for my sister on a silk cord...she'd seen something like it, described the style and asked if I could do it for her--not too impressive in the picture, but it does look nice on...now that I've figured out knotting...I'll have to do some more things with knots...thank goodness for online tutorials, lol!!!

Monday, October 26, 2009

A Little Travel and More....

I've been absent again...just took a week off to go visit my parents and sisters, since I was missing them! I also got to play with my adorable niece and nephew. The little guy was born just 2 weeks before my grandson, so that was an extra special treat to be introduced to him. He's just as sweet and good natured as can be and was the next best thing to seeing my own little treasured grandson! Plus the little princess (is it Ariel or Aurora today?) is always my favorite playmate when I'm lucky enough to be in her company!
Not really any new jewelry to show you, but I did just get a couple of books that I was fortunate enough to be published in. I'd put it off for awhile--I think I was afraid that I would be disappointed in my pieces or that they might not really have ended up making the grade, even though I had been invited to submit some designs. Quite awhile ago Karen Leonardo contacted me about doing two 'beginner designs' and tutorials with two sets of lampwork beads for a book she was getting ready to publish on Art Bead Jewelry. Since this was my first try at a tutorial, I felt a bit intimidated, but now that I have the book, I'm pleasantly surprised with the tutorial pictures and work, plus there are some other gorgeous designs with tutorials that gave me some good ideas that I'd like to try out. So, I'm glad I finally got a copy. It's really fun to be published in a book with so many other fine designers and lampwork artists. I was also pleasantly surprised to find 8 of my lampwork designs in the 1000 Jewelry Inspirations book by Sandra Salomony. I had submitted some pieces a year or two agon now, but wasn't sure whether they had used many, or any of my pieces, so I felt honored to be included. There's lots of eye candy in this one, and I'm surely going to use some of the delightful ideas to inspire me in other directions.
Check back in the next few days, as I'm planning to have an Autumn giveaway-- I hope it will be something you'd like. Details before the end of the week...and pictures of my kitchen...it's almost done!!!!


Saturday, October 10, 2009

Who says I can't multi-task!!!

Remember the beads I was waiting on to use my new Swarkies from artbeads.com with? They arrived and this is how the design turned out. It's almost an embarassment of riches, getting to work with Manuela Wutschke's exquisite beads one week and Jena Fulcher's the next!
This was a custom order for a chacha charm necklace loaded up with dazzling lampwork and other pretty things! Jena's Oceania beads are in yummy colors, so it was easy on the eyes to play with these lovelies!

A few earring sample ideas for my customer to choose from and it's almost ready to ship!
Now it's back to the kitchen cabinets--they're stained, sanded and ready for their clear coat if the weather cooperates--rain in the forecast...but my kitchen needs to be put back in order! The new faucet is in, the walls are painted...now all I need are some doors on my cupboards and it's almost done. Maybe then I can make something new for my etsy store..or maybe just find another project to tackle!

p.s. remember I love www.artbeads.com free shipping? Well, now purchases over $75 go out free priority mail with a 24 hour turnaround...just what I need when I find myself short of a few elements for my design work and don't want to drive into downtown LA and the traffic zoo!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Taking Flight

Between redoing my kitchen, I've had the opportunity to work on a custom necklace using some of Manuela Wutschke's exquisite lampwork beads. It's really brightened my day to have these to look forward to after hours and hours of sanding and painting...so thanks E!
These freeformed beads were such a delight---something new to discover every time I pick them up and the colors are to die for. The coloring subtleties on the little birds look like they were done with oil paints and no detail is too small. Then there is the amazing stringer detail..can you tell, I'm a fan? IMO no one does it better and it always puts a smile on my face to have some of her lampwork in my hot little hands!



Manuela's lampwork needed space to be savoured with something bold and modern, as well--so lots of silver-- over 75 grams of silver in fact with just a touch of aquamarine here and there, a dash of amber, and a pair of Turkish sterling silver leaves--so the little birds don't get homesick for a bough to rest on.



Time to fly away home, little birds! As they come to rest around your neck may they bring a smile to your lips and a song to your heart!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Just a little something new from me in aquamarine and pink, loaded with granulated Bali sterling embellishments. Wear it on a chain or a silk ribbon when you're feeling like a little girly embellishment around your neck.
I was still playing with my Swarovski crystals from Artbeads when I picked up this sweet lampwork bead. I purchase a small set from a artisan on etsy named Diane (no last name) a couple of months ago. She had used a tutorial she purchase from Linda Muell to make the beads and I liked the colors very much. They had been sitting off to the side and as I was playing with my pretty aquarmarine briolettes my fiddling brought me to this pendant.
I loaded three different, diminishing sizes of bead caps together for a very frufru ornate bead cap and tied it altogether with an aquamarine Swarovski on either end. The bead is very 'watercolor'-y in styled and the colors are quite vivid, in spite of the fact that it is etched, which typically mutes color quite a bit. Here's an idea of how to wear it on a silk ribbon, but a pretty sterling silver chain would work just as well.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Oh Artful Day...I Got to Play

I did something this week that I rarely give myself permission to do---started a project with no particular goal in mind. I hadn't worked with Swarovski crystal beads
for awhile, except as spacers. When I received an offer to try some samples from http://www.artbeads.com/ imagine my surprise to find these beautiful briolettes. (guess I haven't looked at crystals for awhile!) I couldn't resist getting a closer look and this is what happens when I free play with pretty crystals.
I love the chandelier and teardrop cut briolettes that I found in the swarki pendant section at artbeads--Swarovski pendants . Although I love working with gemstones, there were some unexpected pluses to the Swarovski's--great price points, larger beading holes and perfect consistancy of size, clarity and sparkle (and I didn't break any beads while trying my heavy handed wirewrapping, hooray!). They won't replace my gems, but you'll be seeing more of these great shapes in my future designs. My only complaint is the limited size and color selection--some of my favorites were missing.

Hands down my favorite is what I call a chandelier cut--the Swarovski Teardrop (6000) shape. I used a pair of the 13mm size, combined with a 17mm teardrop 6010 Swarovski Briolette for the necklace. I love the combination of tanzanite, aquamarine and amethyst crystals--they are such great gemmy colors. The gold vermeil and goldfilled findings give them warmth and a nice pop.

Shhhh! I did have to sneak, in a pair of my amethyst gemstones from my stash, to go with these aquamarine Swarovski's--because I decided they needed a little company. No comments needed on my wirewraps. As long as I was trying out something new, I decided to work on my 'messy' wraps...and I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams..just not the way I'd intended. They are messy, but not quite the 'artful messy look' I was going for. Definitely need a little work in that area. (time to go get some copper wire and practice, practice, practice...and then work from now on with dead soft, not half hard wire!)


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

We're havin' a Heat Wave.....

We're definitely having a heat wave today! 100 degrees and counting. Ahh, there's nothing like Autumn in the high desert--Santa Ana winds ripping thru the canyons, parching the hills and byways, and of course there is always the obligatory fire with the fragrance of smoke wafting thru the valley. And so it begins..
Yes, this is the bracelet I mentioned yesterday and below is my knarly hand--veins, freckles and all! I love these beads, even though getting a good picture is practically impossible! The lampwork focals are by Julie Wong, one of my favorites, who alas doesn't torch very often anymore. These little treasures remind me of pressed flowers--each one different and special in it's own way. The colors include every shade of purple from palest lilac and lavendar, to rich wine and amethyst. Tied together with black Swarovski crystals and tiny vermeil beads, it's finished with briolette charms of carved pink amethyst and rutilated quartz. A hand model I do not make, but I love the contrast of asymetrical quirkiness and elegance in this finished design.









Monday, September 21, 2009

I've Got a Bat in My Belfry

Yes, life gets a little complicated sometimes and it seems like I've been runing a race with time since getting back from a month worth of fun. I guess you have to pay the piper for playing hookey that long. I did manage to find time to play a little on Friday and Saturday, and these Halloween-ie beads were begging to be used.
I don't do all that many whimsical fun pieces anymore, but these adorable beads from Lori Peterson were just too charming to pass by. I attached the charms to a hammered sterling ring with little round clasp findings...so you can rearrange them, or even take one or more off, if you like to simplify with a single charm or two. The silk ribbon is adjustable in length with a sterling slider, so it's short or long---you make the choice. You've got a bat, three pumpkins, even a couple of little vessonite gemstones for a touch of bling.

It was nice to just play with these beadies and after that I made a bracelet...but I'll share that tomorrow or the next day....one of the 'nice' things about having a 20-something artsy daughter, is that she points out how old fashioned and outdated my homedecor has become. Fortunately for me she is always willing to come 'help' me make it better...soooo we've taken on the project of first) removing the wall paper from the kitchen and dining area which was today's project (note to self: NEVER wallpaper a room again, removing it is a p.i.t.a.!) and after we're thru with that, we're going to redo the kitchen cabinets, so I won't have to hang my head in shame when visitors come, lol. I updated the appliances a couple of years ago, but it seems the rest of my world is stuck time and needs a little facelift! So do I, but it's not happenin' !

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Home Again...Home Again...JiggedyJig...

Five weeks is a long time to be gone fishing, and it's nice to be back with a basketful of precious memories and spiderwebs taking over my front porch (that part's not so nice, lol). While we were gone we missed the heatwave and smoke from the fires, so it was a good time to be gone on our big adventure. First there were two weeks in Montana and environs--mostly in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks--where we were once again overwhelmed by the beautiful mountains and streams, wildflowers, geysers, and glaciers all around us and delighted with every encounter with the flora, fauna and nature surrounding us. This first picture is my beloved Many Glacier Lodge in the northeastern corner of Glacier National Park--I've been alot of places in the world and this still might be my very favorite of all. If you love nature, western Montana will do wonders for your soul and spirit. We saw nesting eagles, bison, bears, birds of all kinds, wolves and marmots, fat little chipmonks and mountain goats, sheep and trout of every hue and size. We fished, relaxed, searched for bears, and relaxed, fished some more, relaxed, explored, relaxed, saw mountains and streams, valleys and rivers, relaxed some more, and...well, you get the picture!
Did I mention the bears? One evening we saw 6 different bears foraging for huckleberries and licking up ants under rocks (the area around Many Glacier is full of bears, bighorn sheep and mountain goats). Driving up the Gallatin from Yellowstone towards Bozeman there was a young black bear that had just downed a pronghorn and was feasting on dinner--what a sight to behold. Mitch fished for trout on the Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers all in one day (three days in Livingston was a little bit of heaven all by itself in our own private cabin right on the Yellowstone River)--Montana is an excess of riches and delights that almost sends the senses into overload. I'm a mountain gal, and my heart was overflowing with the bounteous beauty of the earth every day. Summer in Montana is for me a glimpse of heaven. (And would you believe--no internet, no news, no worries and I totally and completely did not care!) Sooo, just when we thought it could not get better.....IT DID!!!! Talk about the icing on the cake.....

Just as we were returning home, the call came that a precious baby boy decided to come to earth a few days early and was waiting to meet his Grandma and Grandpa, so off I dashed across the continent (out of the woods and into the city, groan) for a first hand look at our beautifully handsome, sweet tempered and precious new grandson. , OH MY!!! It was love at first sight---he knows just how to melt his Grandma's (and Grandpa's) heart. I could go on and on, but I will just say that we adore him and felt so priviledged to be invited to share in the arrival of the sweetest little bundle of joy. I'm already missing him--two weeks, well two seconds really, was all it took to become attached to the dear little snuggly charmer--and it was so much fun to watch his Mom and Dad as they tenderly tended to his every need, with patience and love, despite their sleep deprivation, lol.
Yes, it's been a wonderful adventure, now it's time to get back into step. The first things that need attention are the spiderwebs on the porch and lots and lots of laundry. It was all worth it--what sweet memories I've treasured up for my musings while I work thru the everyday. I'm going to savour those couple of weeks with my forever sweetheart, just the two of us, drinking in one of the most beautiful places on earth, back to back with the joy of a new member of the family--a grandson to capture our hearts. Is it any wonder I feel my cup runneth over!!!
Of life's little pleasures, being grandma comes very close to the top of the list!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Gone Fishin'


Literally and figuratively, the next month is mine to just mellow out with family and friends. Put my etsy stores on vacation and I'm going to enjoy the summertime. I have a grandson on the way, a new nephew born yesterday, some special time planned with my forever sweetheart and livin' is good!


I hope the rest of your summer is fill with laughter, friendship, sunshine and lots and lots of love. I'll see you in September, but maybe not before! HUGZ!!!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

It's a beautiful day!


Well, my little 'sneak it in' customer appreciation went off without a hitch. I repriced three items in my etsy stores at 20 cents plust shipping (a bracelet, earrings and some vintage laces from the other store) to the first who found them. It took a bit longer than I expected for them to be purchased, but they were found (must be Saturday in the dog days of summer that kept them in the store several hours longer than expected!) I'll be shipping the lovelies out on Monday, so enjoy your goodies and pay it forward, 'kay?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Where did the time go?

Was it really almost 40 years ago I married my sweetheart? How did our children grow up so fast--my oldest will be 31 the end of August and my baby is turning 27 two days before we celebrate our anniversary. My goodness, how time flies! There have been lots of highs, a few lows (funny how the lows have faded away and the highs are precious memories forever!) I attribute 40 happy years to committment, covenants and lots and lots of love, consideration and common goals. Yes, I feel like a very lucky lady--or better stated-- blessed with a husband who always puts his family first, and who good naturedly put up with a quirky, crazy me when lesser men would have given up long ago, lol.

It's a wonderful start...a wonderful life.

Friday, July 10, 2009

A Lovely Surprise...

My bracelet--Sailing to Mykonos is featured in an etsy treasury running over this weekend---what a lovely surprise! There are some really lovely things in this treasury--drop by for a look-see if you get the chance!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Oh Drat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm soooo sad...my good camera has the dreaded E18 error....which means the lens isn't retracting or focusing correctly. I guess it is a VERY common problem with Canon cameras--a defect if you will that their cameras often have. Since the camera is out of warrenty and it's $250 to have them 'fix' it...you're better off getting a new camera! So my husband has been trying all the 'hint's' online to try and fix it himself...so far without success. Drat! Drat! Drat! Not really wanting to spend money on a new camera right now, but the other camera's we have aren't as nice for the super macro pic's I like for my jewelry...so I'll just have to make do for awhile.

Oh well it could be worse...like something I really need...my dishwasher, frig, car...just a small blip on the radar...a little bummer. Going off to count my blessings! >^..^<

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Good Fun!


Well, it's fun to be featured in one of the Treasury West treasuries, even if it's my vintage hankys, rather than my jewelry!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=59608

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Who Knew?!?

Certainly not me! My goodness, I had no idea there was such a market on etsy for vintage ribbons and laces! I've had 12 sales since opening last Wednesday! It's almost enough to make me go into the business of trolling antique and estate sales....notice I said ALMOST. Listing all these little items for sale is a real time eater. , Wash, iron, stage for photographing and then trying to jog my memory or look up the names, history and materials in all these things takes lots of time and they are small ticket items for the most part. Soooo...I think I will just be happy the things already in my stash are now going to a good home and not tempt fate by adding to the craziness trying to become a dealer in antique laces and ribbons, lol!


So, how did I come by all these little treasures, you ask? A looooong time ago I made little leather shoes and clothing for antique porcelain and reproduction dolls. Not only was I always looking for beautiful vintage clothing and laces and fabrics and beautiful kid leathers...but then my mother helped a friend liquidate a bridal salon and she bestowed me with even more laces and ribbons and fabrics, oh my! When I got busy with a young family, into the boxes and closets they went to be held in waiting for time to go back....but I never did and finally decided I never will. That's my story and I'm sticking to it and it's surprisingly good fun to send them off to a good home! Have you seen what people are doing with this stuff these days on etsy?!? Some remarkable creative minds out there!