I am SO Lucky!

Look at what I won from Tish at JustaTish Designs! 

Oh my gosh!  This beautiful pendant and all of these seed beads!  I love this wire wrapped pendant.  I've never had anything like it before and I will treasure it!  It came wrapped in that cute little fabric pouch.  I was so excited about the pendant that I completely forgot about the seed beads Tish was generous enough to include!  She had purchased hanks and shared half of them with the winner! 

Besides making the most beautiful jewelry, Tish has been a great source of inspiration for me.  Thanks for always encouraging me, Tish!  Please check out her blog where you will always find something interesting.  It also includes links to her website where you can purchase her jewelry, facebook and twitter. 

Tish also has a great love of animals.  There is a cause near and dear to her heart, "Christmas for Chamberlin".  Tish will be donating 15% of her sales from now through Christmas to help Chamberlin.  Please click the link above to read the story and see a video of Chamberlin.  Tish says, "He needs more surgery's, more PT, more love, and more support. Along with the donation to Chamberlin, I am also offering a free pair of earrings with every order.  Do a little something for yourself, and do a lot for Chamberlin."  What else can I say after that, except...

Thank you, Tish, for everything.  I thank you and I'm sure Chamberlin does.

~Today's Quote~

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

~James Matthew Barrie

I'm a Winner!

I was the lucky winner of this pretty little organza bag full of goodies from Jewelry by Jessica!    She published her 100th blog post and celebrated with a give-away.  What a fun prize.  Just look at everything I received!  These are going to be some fun things to work with!

Hop on over and visit Jessica's blog, To Bead or Not to Bead What a Question,  and look at the beautiful jewelry that she makes!  Thank you so much, Jessica!

I've been lucky!  I also won another blog give-away that I can't wait to share when it arrives!

Here's a little update on what's going on with me lately~

  I received an Etsy order for 13 matching bridesmaids necklaces!  (Yay!)  I've been working on getting those done.

My jewelry is now for sale at the local consignment shop.  It's on display in their glass showcase.   I've already sold a few things, so that's exciting!  She wants me to make up some earrings to bring in, too.  

The local "Pecanfest" is coming up in November.  This will be the third year I've had a booth.  I also need to be working on jewelry for that.  It will be here before we know it!

Each year when fall arrives I get the urge to get out the yarn and crochet.  I recently discovered the Knifty Knitter and have been a little obsessed with it!  It's like the spool knitted jewelry only on a larger scale.  It's so relaxing.  You don't even have to think about it and this perfectly knitted piece comes out!  I never learned to knit so I'm pretty amazed with how it turns out!

And with all of this going on I've had a little "creative block".  I have a closet full of beads and just can't seem to get an idea of what I want to do! 

I went to the doctor this week (which I just don't do unless I'm seriously sick and that seldom happens) because my kids forced me to.  My youngest daughter actually made the appointment for me.  I had a really ugly mole on my back and a spot on my nose that just wouldn't heal.  Thank goodness, the mole was nothing to worry about and the one on my nose was pre-cancerous.  Both have been frozen and I'm good to go.  I'm glad I finally had them checked out because it has been a nagging worry.  It's just so easy to put off making the appointment.

Well, that's what's going on in my world.  Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

~Today's Quote~

Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what he's talking about!

 ~ Sam Ewing

Apricot Bling!

Wow, this necklace is sparkly!  I love these beads combined with the bright copper wire.  They're Czech Fire-Polished beads in "Metallic Apricot".  Each bead is half metallic and half clear apricot.  They match the copper wire perfectly.  The color makes me think of Rose Gold.

Have a nice weekend!

~Today's Quote~

Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.

~Author Unknown

Unique Eclectic Eureka Springs, AR

If you follow my blog you know I love Eureka Springs, AR.  I wanted to do a post to try capture the charm of Eureka Springs and share with you just why I love it so much!

My sister and I started going to Eureka Springs about 15 years ago.  We actually went on a little trip to Bella Vista, AR.  We had heard about Eureka Springs and according to the map it wasn't very far from Bella Vista, so we decided we would "just drive over there for dinner".    We found out those few miles take much longer than normal due to the steep hills and curves!  It wasn't the short trip we were expecting!  But we were hooked.  We've gone every summer since then.  It has become an annual girls' trip that we look forward to every year!  When my daughters got old enough they started going with us and Mom went with us for several years.

Here's a little description:  Eureka Springs is a unique Victorian village which has its own eclectic mix of people and lifestyles.  The entire town of Eureka Springs is on the National Register of Historic Places. The city has steep winding streets filled with Victorian-style cottages. The buildings in the old commercial district are primarily constructed of local stone and lie along streets that curve around the hills. Some buildings have street-level entrances on more than one floor. The local Catholic Church has a street-level entrance to its bell tower!  The shops in the old commercial district are mostly specialty shops featuring local crafts, antiques, the works of local artists, and Ozark tourist fare. There are more than 20 art galleries in the downtown area and it's not uncommon to find a trickling spring inside a shop.  

So put on a comfortable pair of shoes and take a walk with me!

This is the commercial district with it's specialty shops, including Crescent Moon Beads.  You won't find a Wal-Mart in Eureka Springs! 

Basin Park is located downtown next to the Historic 1903 Basin Park Hotel.  It has an amphitheater where there are often free concerts.   Local artists are free to set up their wares whenever they please, no fees required. We love to just sit in the park and enjoy the atmosphere.

One of the things we love most is the laid back free spirited nature of the folks there.  Shops open and close on the owner's whim.  Street musicians perform in the park or can be found sitting on shop steps.

Nothing is left unadorned in Eureka Springs, including the utility covers!

Eureka Springs was founded on it's reputation for having healing springs.  There are many beautiful springs, gardens and grottos.  Flowers are everywhere and will grow from any crack or crevice!

Next is the historic loop which curves through the residential district full of brightly painted homes and Bed and Breakfast Inns.  We always have to "loop" at least a couple of times!  The top center picture is the "Rosalie".  It is and always has been my favorite!  The one on the top right is "Daffodil Cottage" and is my sister's favorite.  The one on the top left has entrances on an upper street and lower street.  This one can be rented and it's our dream to be able to stay there one of these days!

These are just a few miscellaneous pictures that show the beautiful, artsy, eclectic nature of Eureka Springs.  A couple of years ago while we were there we all got matching tattoos!  It's a special reminder of our "Sisterhood", the closeness we share and the fun that we've had.

Now the next time I say I'm going to Eureka Springs, you'll know why I look forward to it so much!  I hope you enjoyed the trip!

(If you'd like, click on the pictures to see them enlarged, and forgive the uneven spacing.  I tried and tried to fix it but Blogger had a mind of it's own on this one!)