August Update

School has officially begun, and I'm on a busy high, with so much that needs to get done and all these rowdy kids to educate. I have been trying so hard to eat healthily and exercise daily, and I have noticed a huge increase in my moods and energy level because of it. I'm so thankful.

                                    

I have also been making a very small line of jewelry that represents my journey so far. there are three necklaces, all based on Romans 5:3-5 which says: "... but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

A portion of the proceeds from the necklaces goes to the Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure, which I will be racing in coming up in October. If you like to run (or walk!) please consider joining my team. I would love to have you beside me on that day. 

Here is the link to sign up: http://www.komennashville.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/teams/

My team name is "Amanda Conley," captained by Sarah Hill.

I still have to do a treatment every three weeks, and I feel crummy for a few days afterward. But then my body perks back up and I feel good for the remaining days in the treatment cycle.

On Monday, however, I will be having the remaining reconstruction surgery. So I have been (somewhat manically) preparing for some major down time.

My dear friend, Sarah, has added days to my meal train so that the first week and a half I can hopefully have some help. I have been constantly amazed at the people who have stepped up and stepped in to carry me and my family through these tough times, and I want you to know that I never, never take it for granted. I am so very thankful for everyone and your constant generosity.

Here is the link to the meal train:  http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=maopw61ean9t

The Right Tools for the Job

I have a new time saving post up on the Etsy Metal blog.

New

I feel like I've been neglecting my poor blog lately, but that's mainly because the kids have been on Spring break. I do have several new things in the shop though.

New

I have new jewelry in the shop, and a new model, my lovely sister, Annalise.

Hooray!

I am so excited to announce that I was accepted as a new member of the Etsy Metal Team. Etsy Metal is a group of metal smiths, many of whom I have admired for many years now. In fact some of my very favorite metal artists are part of this very group. I am very honored (and practically giddy!)to be a part of this team! Click here to visit the Etsy Metal website.

Bijougirl Designs

I have some new stuff in the shop;)

Been Keeping Busy

These are a few of my custom orders from the last week:

My Littlest Flower RIng

...is on IndieSpotting ;)

Chaotic organization? Or organized chaos?

When I got home from my North Carolina trip several months ago, I completely cleaned my entire workspace - my table and my packaging station were perfectly organized, everything in their own homes and all the surfaces cleaned. Then I took a break. When I decided to bust everything out again and get to work, I became disheartened because I couldn't find anything! Where was the saw that always sits right on top of a pile of stuff on the table? Where did I put that collet that I only needed every once in while but couldn't do with out? My organization really messed me up. So, this time, I left everything out. For a while, it totally worked. My polishing cloth was right where I left it, in a wad under spools of wire, and all my buffing wheels were sporadically scattered where I could easily find them...
Until I took another break. I didn't work for a week. This morning I came back to my table. Where is the tape?? Oh, right, it made it's way into another part of the house because the kids needed it for a project. Where are my heavy gauge snips?? Hmmm, the last time I saw them, Seth was using them...
So, in the course of a week my chaotic organization turned into disorganization, and my family members were sneaking off with my tools!
So much for taking a break. I spent twenty minutes looking for the tape this morning and when I finally found it, I realized I had laid down the two pieces of metal that I was working with somewhere in the midst of my search for the tape. It took several more minutes to find those...and so on.
All to say...I'm really not sure if my system is working...it sure does look like a mess!

Custom Bird Ring:

I've finished up some custom orders and I think I'm going to make some curtains. I'm telling you so that I'll really do it. I've had the fabric for a long time and I keep putting it off because there are more pressing things to do. As of now, the curtains are my pressing thing to do...going to do them now...as soon as I check my email...

An elephant and a bangle full of flowers:

These are a couple recent commissions that I've done.
I'm sorry I've been so sporadic with my posting...I'm going on the tenth week of having this stupid cold. I fear I've lost all my creative inspiration to that. So, if I still have anyone reading, I apologize, and I promise I'll try to do better.

Butterfly

If this ring fit me, I would keep it. It's for sale here.

I ♥ U.

Just in time for V day.

My Masterpiece

I am so thrilled with this necklace. It took a long time to finish, because there were so many parts, but when I finally got it done, I was so glad I attempted it. Find it for sale here.

I heart you

Valentine's Day is coming up, so don't forget that for the month of January, you can get a really good deal in my shop! Read my shop announcement to find out how!

More new stuff...

in the shop.

And I'm having a sale to celebrate my upcoming Birthday! Read my shop announcement to find out how to save!

Lace

I've started a new series (the first of which I've added to my shop.) inspired by the doilies that I cut into snowflakes this Christmas.

Back from the Market

The artisan market was a success! Thank you to everyone who came!
This month's booth set-up:

I got to brand in the front window! Yay!

Oh, yeah, and my hair is back to black.

They like me...they really do...

Yay! My Etsy shop finally reached 500 hearts! I feel like the little engine who could...
^Another cool photo from Tiff's flickr^

Man Jewelry

I don't create a whole lot of jewelry for men, unless it's a commission. Here is a recent custom order I had. I think it turned out pretty well.