night owl

I’ve been working quite a bit for the last 2 days, making up some new pieces for the upcoming shows. After pricing everything tonight, the number of new pieces: 3 necklaces and 7 pairs of earrings. I also have a few pieces left unfinished, because they weren’t working out as hoped and one I got tired of wrapping tiny rondelles (I left off at 1 dozen/each earring. I’m still trying to figure out a few pieces that are “holiday” in theme – I don’t work well in themes but I’m going to try. I still need to make some lower priced earrings and some bracelets (even though they don’t always sell so well).

I was able to take a break tonight by going out to dinner with friends. We went to an English pub called The Whip Tavern, which is located outside of Coatesville, kind of in the middle of nowhere. It turned out to be a great place – it looks like an old schoolhouse, but inside was a big fireplace with a cozy corner sitting area, several small tables around the bar and a dining area in the back. The bar had an excellent selection of beers, foreign and domestic, and spicy peanuts. It’s a pretty traditional pub menu: bangers & mash, shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, but also some really nice specials: pork chops in a Strongbow glaze, ahi tuna steaks, curry with basmati rice. A couple of my friends are brits born and bred, and David says that this is the closest to an English pub outside of England. We were so full after a starter of baked brie in phyllo with an apple and cranberry compote and shepherd’s pie, that there was no room for dessert. I highly recommend The Whip Tavern and can’t wait to go back when the weather’s nice to sit outside on the back deck!

show at the World Cafe Live

If you’re in the Philly area on Sunday July 19th, stop by to see me at the World Cafe Live Summer Arts & Crafts Fair. It’s at the World Cafe Live venue (3025 Walnut St.) from 1-5. Admission is $3 and the bar opens at noon!

“Dozens of local vendors will spread their wares across tables offering a variety of hand-made items, including jewelry, pottery, baby clothes, cards & ornaments, stained glass, photos and paintings, hand-made soaps, and much more!”

back in the swing…

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I lost my momentum sometime this spring: very little jewelry making and no blogging, and it’s taken a little while to get the motivation. However, I’m feeling quite active tonight – I made 5 pairs of earrings while watching TV and have started working on updating the website (moved to a new host) and working on the etsy shop. A couple of craft shows have also occured and I have one coming up in 2 weeks that I’m really excited about, plus Bead Fest and Intergem are in a few weeks! Happy beading and Happy Independence Day.

making jewelry

Got home a little earlier than usual, so I was able to spend part of the evening making some earrings, while enjoying “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS” reruns. I recreated a few of my new designs, destined for the etsy shop. I also discovered a new reality show, which may quickly become a favorite (and a source of inspiration) – RuPaul’s Drag Race, discovered tonight on Logo TV.

london blue topaz & moonstone earrings

non-jewelry review

Since I don’t have anything jewelry-related to talk about, I decided to give a review of the film I saw today; Slumdog Millionaire. I have nothing but great things about it – it was awesome (as my friend’s 7 year old would say)! The story was great – based on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup, about a young man from the slums of Mumbai, who becomes the winner of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. There is adventure, romance, comedy, police brutality and dancing – something for everyone. The acting was wonderful, from the Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, to the unknown actors who played the main characters as children. Dev Patel, who plays the older Jamal, was completely wonderful, and I look forward to seeing him again.

Can you tell I liked the movie?

slumdog millionaire