Water Cooler Gossip

When I am at home, I work alone. Gossip can be pretty dry some days, so I'm going to share all shop news with you lucky folks for a change.

So first off, I may have shared this news before Christmas, but let's do it again. String Me Along Jewellery designs are now being sold at be. style your life boutique in lovely Sackville, NB. So far, so good. Early reports indicate that my work seems to be quite popular and that makes me truly ecstatic. Thank you to be. and to the kind folks at Mt. A and in Sackville who have purchased my pieces. *high five*

There are loads of new styles creeping into my shop as we speak. Some of my favorite pieces are made using matte silvery components.

These are my favorites, but alas they were sold off etsy. As we speak replacement parts (and various other goodies) are on a jetplane making their arduous journey toward my waiting studio. Once they arrive, I will activate the listing again in my shop.

And today, this is where the gossip gets a little juicy, I went a little rock-n-roll. Newly listed in my shop is this bracelet that features painted leather and hard-rock lavastone. I am thrilled with the outcome. I have to admit, I started with a similar design last night, and ended less then thrilled with the result. Today, I re-discovered the lavastone and cried "PERFECT!". I hope you agree.

This piece currently is listed in my etsy shop.

As for the old stand-bys, the dainty lucite flowers that I love, I have new spring colours in shop, and in the works, and I also have mixed them with some other fresh new components. Keep checking the shop. Its beginning to look a bit like spring in there.

Happy Thursday to you. Thanks for letting me chat at ya.

Favorite Things - Monday, January 31

Today's favorite thing ties in with one of my New Year's Resolutions. And, I admit up front that this is not a New Year's Resolution that involves discipline or fortitude, so much as it does delight and frivolity.

Fresh flowers. This year I resolved to always have fresh flowers somewhere within my home. I always thought of them as a treat. Something that I would use to dress a table for company or accept as a peace offering when my husband screwed up. But why confine it to those rare occassions. After all, I don't have company every week, and lucky for me my husband does not screw up all that often.

This year, I decided the $5 a week that it takes to add that little splash of colour and freshness to my home should just be a natural part of my household budget. No really, I did say $5. I don't believe that a bouquet needs to be elaborate. I don't need fresh long stemmed roses, and strange add-ins like Bird of Paradise. I get the same enjoyment from a daisy that I do from an orchid.

It needs only to be simple. One type of bloom in various shades of the same colour in a simple vase can be quite glorious in their own right. For instance I have to admit that until recently I absolutely loathed the lowly carnation. I always saw it as a cheap filler flower, the odd-man-out add-in in a grocery store bouqet. Stuck in beside roses and lilies it looks uncomfortable and out-of-place. Group them together however, and let them be the star of the show, and they shine. A tightly cowded ball of feathery ruffles floating above the rim of a squat vase. Tuck them down low so no stems show. Add in some sweet daisies along the edge for a little variety and texture if you wish, but it is not necessary.

Still, you think, $5 is not going to get you a tightly crowded ball of chrysanthemums. Not at first. You might need to spend $10 the first week. But the truth is, the $5 grocery store bouquets have a surprisingly long life. I buy the ones that go on sale. Not quite fresh enough to sell at full price, but not yet ready for the compost bin either. If you are good to them and allow them fresh water every couple days, you could see them last for up to three weeks. I'm not kidding. Here it is the end of January, and some daises that I bought for New Year's Eve dinner are still gracing my table.

Each week I pluck out the flowers that have wilted and faded and mix in the new blooms from my latest $5 investment. When I look over the sleeves of flowers at the grocery store I look for flowers that are similar in bloom and in the same colour family. You can be more adventurous of course, but just keep in mind that you will be adding to your already existing mix. Also look for flowers that have a good long lifespan. Hydrangea is a great option, and you only need one or two and then a few filler flowers. Chrysanthemum, daisies, freesia, any type of greenery, berries, these are all good bets. Ask the floral experts if you need help choosing.

The result: since December 30 I have had a vase of flowers constantly residing on my kitchen table, and the cost has been no more than $30. Now, how's that for bringing a little daily joy to one's budget constant life.

Where the Magic Happens

I am so happy to report that I actually have a real live studio in my new home. Let me take you on a little tour and show you where things happen.

This is the area where the actual creation happens. This table is usually filled with spilled beads, bits of wire, a mishmash of tools and various projects on the go. There are in fact several projects on the go at this point, I just tidied them a bit for company.

This is the left side of the brain. This is where the etsy listings are created, packing slips are prepared, packages addressed and various other boring businessy bits occur.

This is my far too large collection of beads and supplies. A photo speaks volumes. There might be a little bit of addiction and hoarding.

This is my shelf of additional art and craft supplies. In this jumble you will find various types of paints and brushes, a rock tumbler, a soldering set and various girl-sized hand tools, wool and wool roving, camera equipment, papers, stamps, inks, etc, etc.

This is my trusty laptop. What ever would I do without her? We had a scare in the summer just as I was hopping from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia. Old Lappy, as she is known, suffered some sort of internal failure. We thought it was the end. But after a brief linger in a computer coma, and following a successful surgery by my skilled husband, Lappy rejoined my world good as new.
Notice behind Old Lappy, the profusion of markers, pens, and Sharpies. I love Sharpies. And I have no clue what I will ever do with that many highlighters. I also have a day book that I have been meaning to update since 2008. A couple notebooks stand by, since I also have to scribble something. And a calculator must always be at hand because, truth be told, I suck at math, and it makes me cry.
Peeking out from behind Lappy on the other side are a couple of my handcrafted treasures from fellow etsy-ians. There are plenty of those scattered around the room.

Now back across the room, to where my work space resides. Here you can see where I do in fact have several projects on the go. I guess I must lack focus because I just never have one thing sitting waiting for me. When inspiration hits, I pull out the necessary bits and bobs for several ideas and they wait patiently for me to complete them.

This is my lovely bucket of tools. These will be needed when I actually decide to focus on those little piles of beads.

Lucky me, this is my view. This is out the front of our house. You can see why some days it can be difficult to remain focused. It is very pretty out there.

This is my plant. We have been together now for 3 weeks and she continues to live. For me, that is pretty darned impressive. Isn't she pretty.

This is a daydream prop. The propellers spin when I flick them. I drift over to the 1950's, pretend I am wasp-waisted and wearing a lovely frock, and then I buckle into a luxury flight to Paris. Again with the lack of focus. Maybe I would get more work done if I planted myself in an austere white room.

I do find my creative spark sparked when I glance around me at some of the wonderful things that have come to me from other creative souls.

Nestled under the every present coffee cup is a fun, spotty coaster from PaisleyBaby. Its mate sits on the other table under my always present water glass. A lovely fabric card case protects my business cards.

Some of the projects-in-waiting are tucked safely into this little heart shaped dish from AdornYourself.

And two happy little villages reside in my studio. Plus, a ninja guards my large monitor! These all came from the happy studio of thelittleredoor.

And finally, no space is habitable unless there are books at hand. Sadly, this represents only the tiniest fraction of my vast collection. It seems that more than addiction came to light today in this brief tour.

Oh yes, and two lovely photos of Paris from kellydbrown have a spot on top of the bookcase for when I need a hint of romantic inspiration.

I have a few plans to further make this space seem truly mine. I have chosen a new paint colour, and I have plenty of art waiting to be framed and hung, and some fabulous crepe paper poms to liven the upper space. But, for now I love it.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

A New Year

A new year and a new admission of guilt. Truth is, I have been very delinquent over the past few months about keeping my blog fresh and exciting. There is good reason as it turns out.

At the start of the summer I shared the news that we were packing up and moving from Moncton to Halifax. The first couple months were a whirlwind of unpacking, settling in to a temporary home, settling in at work, and then settling in to my new promotion at work, all while exploring this wonderful new city in which we are now lucky enough to call home.

And then... we started looking for a place to truly call home. We started shopping for a house. We looked, and nitpicked, and discarded house after house. After a couple months we were in despair that we would never find a place to call our very own. Then one night we went to peek at a house. Somehow, we knew immediately this was THE ONE!

We moved in mid-December and spent the holidays furiously unpacking, pawing through boxes that in some cases have remained packed since I put university life on hold 12 years ago to move temporarily to the UK. Unpacking these boxes was a trip down memory lane. It was also truly cathartic. To not live surrounded by boxes is a true joy.

This house immediately felt like home. It had nothing to do with being surrounded by our stuff. There simply is a feel, a sense, a strange connection. Being inside these walls is like being embraced in a warm familiar hug.

Now that life has re-commenced at a more tolerable pace, I aim to devote more time once again to this poor neglected blog. Stay tuned. I hope to someday soon be an interesting person.

12 Days of Christmas

String Me Along is a proud member of etsy's TransCanada Etsy Team. Please join the team as we celebrate 12 Days of Christmas with a super prize package give-away, great promotions and discounts from some participating members, and lots of fun holiday stories and recipes.

Click the badge below to find out all the details, and to meet some of my fellow TCET members.

The fun continues until Dec 3.

Also, String Me Along will be offering 20% off on all purchases in store until Dec 3. Enter coupon code * TCET12DAYS * at checkout to receive your discount. I am also offer FREE international shipping during this period.

Come by my shop to look at the new designs, shop for stocking stuffers, or find a new favorite holiday accessory.


Noel Earrings by String Me Along

Remembrance

Have I ever lost anyone to war? No, and yes.

I have not lost a husband, a lover, a friend. I have not lost a child or a father.

Who I have lost, are those whom we have all lost.

Every husband, lover and friend. Every child and father.
Ever man who was killed in duty in a foreign land, or who lies "unknown" in a quiet field.
Every woman who died while serving her country.
Every child or elderly person who became a hapless victim of war.

I have lost, as we have all lost.

We lost the talent and the skill that they once possessed. We lost their knowledge, we lost their insight. We lost their passion, their love, their human kindnesses. We lost the joy of children. We lost the emphatic enthusiasm and promise of youth. And we lost the wisdom of age.

We all lost, even if we were the winners.

It is only through remembering that we have the capacity to truly win.




Lest we Forget.

Sick Days

It is been such a terribly long time since I have dropped in to say Hello. Since I have an unexpected day off - a sick day - I thought I would use this extra time to post.

I can't say that a sick day deserves an honourable mention. Instead, I am devoting this day to things that make us feel cozy on those days when we feel less than plummy.

Now, on such a day, nothing is of paramount importance so much as a cozy, cuddly blanket. Knitted is best, and having a fringe to run through your listless fingers, better yet. Here, we have a beautiful speciman from CricketsCreations.

To hug those chilled feet, keep your favorite slippers nearby. It just doesn't do to snuzzle under a blanket to get warm, only to have your feet hit bare, cold floor when you brave the world beyond the parameters of the couch. And truth be told, when we are sick, it does help to have one little thing that makes us feel pretty despite the blanched visage, red nose, and glassy eyes. So, choose a pretty, feminine pair of slippers. Maybe these ones from ing00te.

A steaming cup of tea is a perfect restorative. But how about teas specially blended to speed the return to good health. SpiritHorseHerbals has a combination pack of herbal teas speficially for this purpose - An Immune Booster, and Achy Breaky Tea.

And finally, to further soothe those aching muscles, steam away congestion, aid in the detoxification process, all while whisking you away to another world, have a hot, scented, salt soak. These luxurious bath salts in bewitching lichen scent can be found in the shop of, ForStrangeWomen. (Now, why does that shop name speak to me so?)

Now, rest. All will be well again soon.

Favorite Things - August 9

Hi. Bet you didn't expect to see me here today. After all the time that I have spent wiling away my summer days, eschewing all practical usage of time, today I discovered something fabulous that just absolutely needed to be shared with the world.


Let me introduce you to: Chimes Ginger Chews.


Chimes delivers a sinus-tickling power surge of ginger flavour in a teeny tiny sticky-chewy package. You need to be a true fan of ginger to enjoy these as there is an abundance of lively ginger taste. The candy does come in other (to me, rather bewildering) flavours such as peanut butter, peppermint and tangerine. Apart from the tangerine, I just can't imagine the combination of these flavours co-existing harmoniously together.


These are a natural candy, containing a mere four ingredients, all of which I recognise and can easily pronounce. That is a difficult feat with most foods these days.


Apart from the zowie great taste of these, I am also seriously in love with the retro style tin in which they come packaged.


I found these at my local Superstore, quite by accident, so I imagine they must be rather widely available. Look for them next time you are out.

Its the Handmade in Canada Party.

Have you heard the exciting news? The TransCanada Etsy team is hosting the Handmade in Canada Party, which runs from June 24-July 1. TWO great prizes are up for grabs.

First, is a handwoven rug crafted by team member, fiveforty.

Simply make any purchase from my etsy shop, or from the shop of the other participating members and for every $10 spent (excluding shipping) you will earn a ballot for the draw.

The second prize is a very generous goodie bag.

To win, find a hidden Canadian symbol in one of my shop listings. In the same listing, you will find a clue leading you to the next shop.

Please visit the team blog for full details on how to win and to see photos of the prizes.

*** Now, here is my PARTY FAVOUR to you!! Enjoy 25% off all items in my shop (excluding items in the Sale section). Offer is good until 12:01am EST, on July 2. I will refund the discount through paypal.

I'm Back...

Sorry for the super-long hiatus. Have you been waiting for my return? LOL

Well, we have now settled in our new place near Halifax , Nova Scotia. I am absolutely delighted to be here.

I have started a new blog here, titled "The New Haligonians". My hope is to share with you all the wonderful adventures that happen in my new homebase.

Hope you will continue to visit me here, and become a follower on my new blog as well.

Now stay tuned as I return to a somewhat regular blogging schedule.

Enjoy this photo of the Halifax Public Garden.

Moving On...

With our move only weeks away now, I have to onerous task tomorrow of calling around and informing credit cards, banks, utility companies etc, etc, etc of our new address. I wish that there was a nicer way to do this - someway that did not involve hours of time on hold waiting for someone to answer my call, and then having me spell out every single word using my own imaginative phonetic alphabet: A for Argyle Socks; B for Bread Pudding; C for Curling Ribbon.

Imagine if you could just send all the companies involved a kicky little card to inform them that you were moving on, please update your files. Imagine if there was actually someone at these companies who opened mail and actually cared. Well, there I go again with my grandiose dreams!

Let's take a look at some cute little moving announcements anyway.

This sweet card comes as a digital file from the shop of mailboxbliss. I love the simple, unlcuttered design and the whimsical illustration of the nest. The addition of the shadow below the nest adds a fabulous 3-dimensional element to it as well, which I really love.

This sweet, sunny yellow card is totally my style. I adore a good bee motif, and the mixture of honey yellow and chocolate brown is utterly delicious. These cards come with matching envelopes, and matching mailing labels. Fantastic! Find these beauties in the shop of WhiskerGraphics.

Mother

She takes us by the hand to protect and guide us. (photo by mariannat)

She nourishes and nurtures. (photo by janeheller)

Always elegant, feminine and refined. (Photo by kittyrogers)

She is the woman we hope to one day become. (photo by TwinkleLight)

Happy Mother's Day!

Dreaming in Purple

Do you dream in purple?

Purple may symbolize mystery and therefore represent, in psychological terms, deep intuition or awareness of some type as yet unexplored dimension of the self. Come, enter my dream world.

A doorway to a violet-coloured world. Let this vintage glass doorknob lead you through. Find it in the shop of Cariboucreek.

View the world through orchid-hued glasses. Vintage mother-of-pearl opera glasses from cherrylippedroses.

A dreamy pinhole photograph of OostDuinkerke, Belgium where sandy beach meets a melting purple sky. This photo is from the shop of benconservato.

Breath deep the scents of plummy-toned blossoms that surround. These hydrangeas join us from the shop of RaceyTay.

Discover these mysteries whilst you can, as dreams you know, are fleeting. As they slide from your subconscious rest your head once more, soundly upon a fleecy purple pillow. Wool roving from the shop of portfiber.

Favorite Things - May 3

I might be a bit weird in this respect, but I actually really love this thing that most people absolutely loathe.

We're moving again! I love the excitement of packing up boxes only to unpack them all over again in a few weeks. We still have boxes packed from our move to New Brunswick 2 years ago, so when we get to our new place and finally unpack them it will be a little like unwrapping endless presents. "Why, I forgot we even had this!"

This time we are only doing a one-province hop so not so big a deal. Under three hours of driving time as opposed to the twenty + hours of our last move.

Oh, want to know where we are off to? Nova Scotia. YAH!! I love, love, LOVE Nova Scotia and am so over the top thrilled about this move. I suspect that our new home will lead me to have many, many favorite things to share as I explore our new home.

So, today it is simply a big YAH for moving and for having new adventures await!