Blue Gnome Emporium

When The Raven Calls

2012-02-24T23:09:00.001-05:00

My work in the shop lately has been wonderfully productive, it's amazing how focused one can become when you're limited for time. There's been no daydreaming, no mindless tinkering around with ideas only to lose focus and scrap it all together. All the sketches I've been working on in the wee hours of the morning while Leo and I hang out have slowly come to life..and how wonderful it is to finally see them develop.

I've found myself drawn to my wildlife designs - birds, bears..totem animals that speak to me of things I have yet to figure out. I'm flattered and delighted that people have contacted me regarding the Phoenix ring I listed just before Christmas, a ring I designed and created with no expectation of selling. My largest ring yet, this design was hand drawn with no thought to practicality, created purely on aesthetics. I fell in love with it..and must confess that I was a little sad to see it go. I'm currently in the midst of creating another one, something a little different but just as luxurious with heaps of sterling and a simple turquoise. I'm hoping to have it finished by the middle of the week, Leo allowing, of course! I'm excited about it..as I am to share this new raven ring I've been working on these past few days.

Sterling, Agate

Let there be a raven more...
Let it soar and fly.
Let there be a raven nor...
Let it circle by.
Let there be a raven more...
T'will it stay up high?
Let there be a raven more...
Forever more, the most more ever high. - Michael Gale

Made entirely of sterling and a snowy specimen of agate, a raven sits perched upon the beautiful stone. This ring sits on your finger with a decadent weight, tumbled for hours for strength and comfort.

Available now in my shop.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Keeping My Sanity Series

2012-02-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

The last few weeks have been a sleepless blur..the unfortunate thing is that this will not be ending anytime soon..the amazing thing is the capability of the human body to adjust to just about anything. I'm no longer staggering around the house like a zombie, putting the milk carton away in the cupboard and the toaster in the fridge. As Leo has slowly begun to establish a daily routine, I'm finally able to entertain the thought of managing my day to day life somewhat (ha!) showering, get dressed and having a meal or two all in the same day! I've even managed to sneak some time in my shop - while some might call that a luxury, for me it's become a necessity to preserve my sanity. Despite the staggering number of things that need to be done to keep a tiny baby happy, I was craving..no..aching for a creative outlet.

So with a baby swing set up in the far corner of the shop, Leo and I were able to reach a compromise. A little "Tina time" makes for a much happier mommy and Leo agreed that a happy mommy makes for a happy baby. It really must be true when they say that a baby remembers and finds comfort in the sounds they hear while they're in your belly because while the tumblers tumbled and the hammers hammered, Leo slept peacefully in his corner.

So in brief 1 1/2 hour increments, over the course of many more days than before Leo's arrival, I've managed to put a few little items together. Although very different in design and inspiration, I'm calling them a part of my Keeping My Sanity series - because without them I'm a little scared I might drown in maternal responsibility.

All Leo approved. Currently available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Bear Totem - Sterling, Ocean Jasper

Sanity Ring - Sterling, TeePee Canyon Agate

Rumor Ring - Sterling, Turquoise

Happy New Year..And the Arrival Of The Wee Bean

2012-01-26T14:18:00.001-05:00

Leo

We hit the ground running in 2012, an unexpectedly early addition to our family made his entrance at 2am on January 2nd. Leo arrived with a full head of hair and a whole lot of attitude after an exhausting trip down the birth canal. It's been a long road for little Leo..he's been busy growing, developing, living in quarters that had gotten quite tight in the last few months of 2011. His entrance was quite spectacular and took every little ounce of his being, announcing his arrival with loud healthy screams, perfect tiny toes and fingers curled tightly in determined protest. It was warm and safe in there..and now it's our duty to see that he's warm, safe and loved out here in this big, big world.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the midwives who made every effort to fulfill our birth plan in welcoming Leo into an environment of calm, without any intrusive measures what so ever. I'd also like to thank those people who told me time and time again that I wouldn't be able to deliver this perfect little person without medication. Because without them, I would't have been so damn determined to honor the natural in natural childbirth. The experience was unreal..never have I been so aware of the miracles of mother nature..when you let go of the instinctive urge to be in control of your body and let nature take over. All you can do is try to relax and go along for the ride because turning back isn't an option at that point. And what a ride it was!

So, as wonderful and miraculous as this experience has been the not-so-wonderful phase has begun.

Whoever thought that 3 consecutive hours of sleep could be such a glorious thing?

Running on not much more than fumes these days, the days and nights seem to all blend together and the weeks have flown by. In the wee hours of the morning when the house is asleep, I've been frantically sketching whilst balancing Leo in the other hand. I have a ton of new ideas that I've been dying to get started on. Now all I need is a priceless little thing called time. So bear with me..the updates on the blog will be far and few between but I have some ideas that I hope to share soon :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season in 2011 filled with love, family and great friends. A time to reflect on the past year, forget all your regrets and face the new year with a kind heart, rejuvenated soul and hope.

And love. Don't ever pass up an opportunity to love.

This will be your year.

A blank canvas waiting for your brush strokes of creativity, brilliance and a brand new opportunity for you to make your mark in this world.

This will be your year.

xo Blue Gnome

'Tis The Season When Slowing Down Is Not An Option

2011-12-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

So I'm not traveling this holiday season. Thought it would be nice to stay close to the home front, avoid the crazy holiday travelers with their very merry and obnoxious holiday sweaters. Did I ever mention that flight home to B.C. where a woman had to be asked to turn the LED lights off on her Christmas sweater? When I saw her waiting in the line up to proceed through security, proudly twinkling all the way, I instinctively knew she would be on my flight. Thankfully, I wasn't the one who ended up sitting next to her. A small miracle since anyone who knows me will tell you that I seem to attract that kind of thing...

Anyway, the plan was to stay here, relax and calmly enjoy the start of the holiday season.

Not a chance.

The downfall to staying at home is that there's always stuff that needs getting done. I'm quickly finding out that spending the holidays in someone else's home is sometimes the only way to avoid doing stuff that starts by promising to only take up a few minutes of your time..and hours later, you're still doing it.

But on the bright side, we finally went out and got a tree this year! We picked out a relatively normal looking tree and during the time it took to drive it home, it grew another foot high and a few feet wide. The gargantuan tree now takes up a third of the front sitting room, the sheer thickness of the branches has swallowed up the three strings of lights it took to cover it from top to bottom. We have way too much tree for our tiny supply of ornaments..and it's absolutely beautiful! I baked, decorated and hung a bunch of cookies for tree decorations, forgetting that a certain furry family member is a big fan of gingerbread. But the problem seems to have solved itself since I came home from work one day and found Sachi in a cookie coma after eating everything she could reach, about 15. Now the tree is missing decorations on the bottom third and Sachi's all cookie-ed out. She'll look at the gingerbread if you hold it out to her, smell it, give it a courtesy lick and after a quick side glance at me, walk away disgusted.

A win-win situation all around!

I hope you're hanging onto your sanity so far this festive holiday season!

The countdown's begun..9 more days of shopping left. So get out your elbows and fight your way through those crowds at the mall...sanity's overrated anyway :) I'll be taking full advantage of the "Expectant Mother" parking spaces there this weekend.

xo Blue Gnome

On Wings of Fire

2011-12-12T13:15:00.000-05:00

I've always loved Art Deco designs and the beautiful intricacies of jewelry from that time.

Years ago I purchased a gorgeous hanging lamp from an antique lighting store in my neighborhood with pale, blue glass and swirling details of peacocks and foliage all around the frame work. It hangs in my house and when the sunlight hits it at just the right angel, it still takes my breath away. So when the opportunity came up for me to design a ring for a client who was interested in something with an art deco feel, I thought I'd have some fun with it and see what I could get away with.

Sterling, Jade

A loose interpretation of the Phoenix, rather than go with the obvious choice of a carnelian or another fiery hued accent stone, I decided to keep this piece secret and demure. A beautiful example of deeply pigmented oval Jade seemed perfect for the setting, this ring is very large, lovely and weighty. Hand sawn and textured, a dark patina has been applied to bring out the details and to offer the piece a satin finish to keep the sterling humble. A powerful representation of rebirth, unlimited possibilities and survival. Created for all of us who have survived the fire and risen with dignity and strength out of its ashes. For the loved ones in my life who have shown me time and time again exactly how powerful the human spirit can be.

As my dad always says, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

xo Blue Gnome

Blue Gnome Holiday SALE

2011-12-05T12:54:00.000-05:00

Starting at 1pm today until Thursday December 8th, Blue Gnome will be offering a 10% discount on all currently listed items in my little shop :)

Sterling, Turquoise Ring

Sterling, Fresh Water Pearls

Sterling, Carnelian Earrings

Sterling Silver

Happy Shopping!

xo Blue Gnome

Honey Of Life

2011-12-03T11:38:00.000-05:00

As we enter the final month of 2011, it's amazing to think of how quickly this year has flown by. For me personally, it's been a year to remember..one of closure, changes and a dramatic new beginning.

I see 2012 as my biggest challenge yet - and I welcome it with arms wide open.

Winter is a season to slow down, nest and hibernate. As the colder weather sets in, our little house truly becomes a home..a place we rush to at the end of a long day, to the cozy comforts of our family (human and canine alike..), the warm glow of the holiday lights and the tantalizing smells drifting from the kitchen throughout the rest of the house.

This year I'll be spending the holidays here - right where I belong.

No hustle and bustle of traveling during the busiest time of year, no unpacking for short holiday visits only to then packing up again to come home to a holiday neglected house. There's much nesting still to be done in anticipation of our eagerly awaited arrival, our lives as we know it will cease to exist and although there will be a lot of fumbling..

I know that we'll be just fine.

For my latest creation born in my shop, I thought it fitting to incorporate an animal totem that is the epitome of maternal protection. There is no creature more dangerous than a mother bear protecting her cubs and the Bear Totem represents loyalty, quiet confidence and is seen as the protector of family values. Although reserved and rarely confrontational, the Bear displays fearlessness in defense, a ferocious creature whose physical presence alone is enough to send opponents running - a reminder to always standing up for your beliefs when called upon.

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

Made entirely of sterling and a beautiful freeform turquoise, available now in my shop.

I hope you have some wonderful things planned this weekend! xo

Blue Gnome

2011-11-24T18:56:00.000-05:00

In my next life, I think I'd like to come back as a dog.

Not a care in the world..total blissful sleep on the bed where she's not supposed to be.

I love listening to her big, black olive nose whistling..she makes my heart happy.

Strange Line of Work

2011-11-18T12:23:00.000-05:00

I guess I work in a less-than-ordinary line of work.

When I find myself sitting with people I don't know (like at a friend's wedding) and am forced to make pleasant conversation through the reception dinner, the first question that usually comes up is, "how do you know the bride and groom?"..then that's generally followed by, "what do you do for a living?".

A seemingly easy question to answer if you work within a defined industry like being a sales manager at so-and-so, or in the financial or medical field. That seemingly easy question usually makes me a little squirmy because I don't actually know what my job title is..to say, I have a title on my business card but it says very little about what my job description actually includes.

I work with dinosaurs. In so many different applications. One of the most interesting things about what I do for a living is that it's always changing..no two projects are ever the same. I've endured torrential rain storms with soaking wet, feathered puppets to shoot segments for the Discovery Channel, sent crew members to a drug store to buy copious amounts of KY Jelly for on-camera effect, witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly side of each and every person I've worked with after 17 consecutive hours of working side by side, hour after our. From disasterous mishaps at the 11th hour right before a deadline to triumphant results delivered right on schedule, this life I lead is an interesting one..far from glamourous..but interesting.

This texture ring is a result of one of those odd projects - sterling silver cast from a mold taken from an Emu leg..don't ask me how I had access to an Emu leg, please. It wasn't one of my favorite experiences! The results are somewhat experimental but I think I like it..it's organic and hefty, a beautiful BIG ring for those of you (like me) who love to wear pieces that make a statement. Adjustable and unisex, this ring along with a couple of other items, now available now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling Ring

Prehnite, Smoky Quartz and Sterling Stacking Rings

Sterling and Natural Amber Earrings

Celebrating The Wee Bean

2011-11-14T13:54:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a busy couple of days, last night I was so exhausted from the two day activities that I was certain I was too exhausted to fall asleep..have you ever felt like that? When your body is ever so thankful to be lying down but your mind is still running around in circles.. I usually get a pretty good case of the giggles when I'm feeling like this and last night was no exception. So after wailing and giggling "I'm toooooo tired to fall alseeeeeeeep.." a couple of times, I heard my alarm go off this morning and it was already today. I guess falling asleep wasn't as difficult as I thought.

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend the shower thrown by the lovely Miss P and Mrs U and the rest of the family. I was so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity..and of course, a very special THANK YOU for organizing, baking, cooking, decorating and hosting such a wonderful afternoon filled with good friends and family, from near and far.

We are both so blessed and excited that the "wee bean" will be welcomed into such a loving life!

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone!

xo

Seal Lullaby

2011-10-26T10:45:00.003-04:00

Sterling

Seal Lullaby

Oh! hush thee, my baby, the night is behind us

And black are the waters that sparkle so green.

The moon, o'er the combers, looks downward to find us

At rest in the hollows that rustle between.

Where billow meets billow, there soft be thy pillow;

Ah, weary wee flipperling, curl at thy ease!

The storm shall not wake thee, nor sharks overtake thee,

Asleep in the arms of the slow-swinging seas.

By Rudyard Kipling

Can't See The Forest For The Trees..

2011-10-17T16:23:00.002-04:00

Sterling

Sometimes life gets hectic.

Beyond hectic.

We lose sight of the important things in life
and worry ourselves silly with the itty bitty things that should
in a perfect world

remain small and insignificant.

Made entirely of sterling silver.

Wonderfully textural and with silent presence.

Hope you're taking the time to enjoy your nows

and not wasting time worrying about your laters.

xo Blue Gnome

Giving Thanks

2011-10-12T15:37:00.000-04:00

Thanksgiving this year has come and gone.

It was a lovely weekend of hot apple cider, quiet chats and a roaring fire..everything Thanksgiving is supposed to be. There was turkey, warm caramel fondue with fresh fall apples and my Grandma Jones's unbeatable butter tarts. The days following the fall harvest feast were filled with lazy afternoon naps and endless mugs of hot tea, filled to the brim with milk and honey. So many things to be thankful for this year..every year..but this one in particular. The love of family and friends, our cozy home, the health of my furry sidekick. The celebration of new beginnings and the healing of old wounds. I wake up each and every morning with a reminder that I truly am blessed.

The long weekend also allowed me the time to finish some little pieces that've been patiently waiting to be worked on in my shop. Amber hued carnelians and deep green peridot are such an irresistible pairing especially this time of year. I also found a gorgeous little nugget of rosewood in my treasure box of odds and ends, perfect for another Giving Tree ring. All that and more, available in my shop.

Sterling, carnelian, peridot - Caramel Apple pendant

Sterling, carnelian - Under The Harvest Moon

Sterling, rosewood - The Giving Tree ring

Sterling, ocean jasper - Remnants of Summer ring

New York, New York

2011-09-24T23:50:00.000-04:00

Ocean Jasper, Sterling

New York. The city that never sleeps.

I was in New York for the very first time a few years ago for work and it didn't disappoint.

One night it rained and we laughed and ran our way through it to a cozy little restaurant that glowed like a beacon in the storm. When we left, the downpour had turned into a light drizzle and we walked back to our hotel in the humid, night air with tummies full and our skin dewy from the late spring showers.

It was a hectic work schedule there and the rest of the trip seemed to go by in a blur but I'll always remember that night when the city seemed to glisten. The streetlights reflected off of the wet pavement and the headlights of the all-night New York traffic seemed for that one moment, magical.

I saw this ocean jasper and in the dancing, glowing orbs saw New York as I had that night years ago.

Like looking at the city through a window in the pouring rain..New York, New York.

This and a few other new additions available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Harvest Moon

2011-09-22T12:10:00.000-04:00

(sterling, carnelian)

Under the Harvest Moon

When the soft silver

Drips shimmering

Over the garden nights.

Death, the gray mocker

Comes and whispers to you

As a beautiful friend

Who Remembers.

Under the summer roses

When the fragrant crimson

Lurks in the dusk

Of the wild red leaves,

Love, with little hands

Comes and touches you

With a thousand memories,

And asks you

Beautiful, unanswered questions.

- Carl Sandburg

Spread Some Sunshine On Your Toast!

2011-09-16T11:56:00.000-04:00

Ontario plum and peach jam..

Garden jalapeno hot sauce..

I love autumn.

The best season by far in my opinion. I love the colours of fall. It's when all the vibrant fresh hues of summer are brought to a slower pace and gently condensed, like some wonderful stew simmering on the stove top. Everything turns a gorgeous amber, golden hue and you can smell hot apple cider and pumpkin pie wafting through the air at the outdoor fall fair. It's also the season to harvest summer's sun soaked bounty, when the weather cools enough to have the pots bubbling away with jams and pickling brine. It's so satisfying to see the rows of preserves lining the pantry shelves, waiting for that wintery day when you need to spread some sunshine on your toast or that dollop of spicy jalapeno sauce on your homemade quesadillas.

I've started to nest. Cosy afghans have replaced my linen cushion covers on the couch and I can feel a nip in the air when I poke my toes out from under the warm quilt on my bed in the morning.

This weekend is supposed to be cool, sunny and perfect..hoping you all have a wonderful couple of days!

xo Blue Gnome

Rings Galore

2011-08-30T12:11:00.001-04:00

I made some rings!

Botswana Agate, Turquoise, Ocean Jasper, Sterling

With gorgeous stones like these, only a simple setting will do. Every one of them are a different size, they will be available in my shop later this week.

This green speckled ring is my personal favorite..so much so that I've decided to keep this for a little while. It looks like a wonderful painting by mother nature, soft sunlight filtering through a secret garden. And with fall just around the corner now, I think this beautiful ring will be a summer reminder of the abundant, lush greenery all around me now. The different shades of vibrant green just takes my breath away..

Vintage Japanese Millefiori Beads, Sterling

And some adorable Japanese lantern earrings! Made of vintage, Japanese millefiori beads and oxidized sterling, currently available in crimson and pumpkin.

xo Blue Gnome

For Bachan.

2011-08-15T13:25:00.001-04:00

I designed this ring with my Japanese grandmother - or bachan, in mind. She passed away a year ago in August of 2010, quite suddenly of a stroke. It was a shock for those of us left behind but in retrospect, she left this world in the same way she lived her life, on her own terms.

Her life is a story of family tragedies, hardships and survival. But it's also the story of an extraordinary woman who stood no taller than 4', whose pride and determination helped her to raise four daughters as a single, working mother during post war time Japan in the 1950's.
I'd like to tell you about her life someday - you'll be horrified as I was to hear some parts, cry tears of frustration and sadness at others. But most of all, you will feel your heart swell with joy and triumph, as mine did. I come from a family of strong, proud, hard-headed women with bachan leading the way.

The blood that binds us runs deep and fierce and it's with this close to my heart that this ring came to be.

Our family crest is represented by three cherry blossom or sakura petals, with three daggers in between. For this ring, I've hidden the daggers on the inside of the dome as a rose hides its thorns amongst its bright green foliage and delicate crimson flowers. Inside the hollow of the dome sits eight, oxidized pods. Each of the pods represents the women of our family, my three aunts, my mother, my cousin and her two beautiful girls. And me. All of us girls fiercely loved and protected. Because even though she's no longer here, it doesn't mean that she's not everywhere. Her blood runs through all of our veins, her smile in the sun that touches everything around us, watching out for any storm clouds ahead. Next January there will be another one for her to watch over...another pod may have to be added to the ring, only time will tell.

Not available in my shop or anywhere else..because I made this one just for me.

xo Blue Gnome

Can't See The Forest For The Trees

2011-08-09T16:34:00.000-04:00

My holidays are sadly coming to an end, the past little while in beautiful British Columbia has been a refreshing change from the daily ritual of domestic duties and the humidity of the hectic, city air.

Coming home truly is about rejuvenating your soul; the endearing family banter, home grown comforts that you never tire of no matter how old you are. We all seem to fall right back into our family roles, even a high ranking executive working in a busy, fast paced city becomes someone's son or daughter, older or younger sibling, granddaughter or grandson. No one here cares how important you are at work, you still do the dishes after dinner and get yelled at for forgetting to turn your parents sprinkler off all night. It's where that dish you made out of paper mache in the first grade still holds the spare car keys and paper clips in the kitchen drawer, where you still find yourself calling your friends parents "Mr & Mrs Gray".

CHBC News, August 2003

There was a huge forest fire here in 2003 caused by a lightening strike during a hot August day when the forests were tinder dry. Although the landscape here is slowly and surely recovering, it saddens me to know that things will never look the same in my lifetime. The fire seems to have cleared the way for rapid development in these parts, the old secret campgrounds have been replaced by new roads trying to keep up with the ever growing population here. Faint noises of construction equipment can be heard above the sound of the trickling stream in the early morning air.

Things are changing..times are changing.

My parents are thinking of moving on, not unlike the wildlife on this mountain who are being forced onto higher ground and into the slowly diminishing cluster of forest to escape the blanket of residential communities slowly making its way into what once used to be dense pine habitats.

I hope that this city never forgets how beautiful it is here. I hope they realize before it's too late that what they're tearing down on these mountains is what makes this place heaven on earth.

But nature will persevere. The lake is still cool, clear and pristine, the mountains majestic and proud. I've seen a couple of bald eagle nests on this trip, claiming real estate with the best 180 degree lake views this side of the Rockies Mountains. The quails still criss cross the mountain roads with their mind boggling number of chicks in tow and my parents have woken up to find moose in their backyard.

Folklore Series: Sterling, Labradorite

With this in mind, I've created a distinctly Canadiana pendant. The labradorite was first found in Labrador, Canada in 1770 and this sterling pendant houses a particularly gorgeous, flashy labradorite specimen. Part of my Folklore Series, available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Cool Blue Chalcedony

2011-07-22T20:09:00.000-04:00

Sterling, Blue Chalcedony

I love the coolness of this blue chalcedony..perfect for this scorching weather. Inspired by the lilies all over my garden, heavy with dew drops in the early morning hours.

Available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Hot Diggity Dog!

2011-07-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

It's a dead still evening tonight, I'm looking outside as I write this and there's not a leaf moving on my neighbor's gigantic maple tree. Ugh. Although today was a cooler 33 degrees (36 with the humidex..) it's still a scorcher. Yesterday apparently broke all sorts of records in this province, a crazy, oh-my-god-it's-the-end-of-the-world 50 degrees with the humidity..what kind of insanity is that?? I guess after a day like that, today should really be a breeze..

My poor, thick-furred puppy dog is not a happy camper in this weather, her proud Akita tail has been drooping these past couple of days, it's too damn hot to even put in the effort to lift that thing. I've built her an air-conditioned "hobo shack" of sorts upstairs, a heavy wool blanket screwed to the doorway of the smallest bedroom so she can come and go as she pleases. I've found cookie crumbs on the floor up there..which is actually quite cute..because it means that she grabs her cookie from her bowl in the kitchen and trots upstairs to her cool den so she can enjoy it in the a/c. I've often wondering what I might capture on film if I set up a nanny cam while I was out of the house...then again maybe it's best that I not know. It might freak me out to see her turn on the T.V. and browse through my Architectural Digest magazines while I'm out..our relationship would never be the same. No, better left alone.

This extreme heat alert is supposed to be called off later this evening, tomorrow bringing more seasonal temperatures into these parts. The grass is turning brown, shrubs are starting to wilt...we need rain and lots of it. Maybe it's finally time to break out that rain dance in the backyard.

Hope you're keeping cool where you are.

xo Blue Gnome

Small Luxuries

2011-07-15T09:58:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful, blessedly cool morning. The backyard is still wrapped in a light blanket of shade and the puppy is still happily chasing squirrels in her sleep. Big, warm fuzzy paws twitching..sighs of pure contentment. Everything is exactly as it should be.

A sleepy garden..getting ready for another hot, summer's day.

I purchased a couple of gorgeous handmade pottery mugs a few weeks ago and with the end of the postal strike, finally received them this past week. The size is absolutely perfect for a lovely cup of tea, the contours of the cup fitting wonderfully in my hands, the colours of the glaze..achingly beautiful. It's been too damn hot and muggy to enjoy anything other than a beverage brimming with ice cubes lately..I've been waiting all week for a morning like today to use my new cup and my tea has never tasted better. Earl Grey, a splash of warm milk and a dollop of pure, Canadian honey from a dear friend's hive 8 hours north of the city. And what better to serve that with than a slab of homemade banana bread with a generous schmearing of peanut butter? After all, one must enjoy all the small luxuries life has to offer.

Handmade pottery available here. Banana bread not included..

The day is still young, who knows what it'll bring. But with a belly full of all this goodness, I think I'm off to a pretty good start. I hope your friday is filled with sunshine, not too much work and the perfect way to cap of the end of another work week.

xo Blue Gnome

Heatwave

2011-07-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

I woke up yesterday morning to a refreshing, cool northern breeze coming in my window and I cannot tell you what a welcome that was! We've been hit by a heat wave for the last little while and yesterday, finally some relief! Although temperatures were still soaring quite high the humidity finally dipped and then there was the amazing breeze..aaah..that was our saving grace. We haven't had any rain here for well over a week now and the neighborhood shrubs are starting to wilt and droop. I'm hoping for a big dramatic thunderstorm sometime soon, I absolutely love summer storms.

A few years ago I planted a wee little hydrangea shrub the size of a soccer ball in the front, right next to my front porch. It looked sadly small and out of place, there were five blooms on it then, big bobble heads perched on the end of frail stems that snapped and fell limp after the first blustery day of summer. I would wrap wire around the bent stems and nurse the blooms back to health, cursing the winds that seemed so determined to crush the poor plant at any given chance. My hope was that one day it might grow to resembling anything like the impressive lush shrubs some of my neighbors had in their yards and finally this summer, my hydrangea has come into her own. The shrub is thriving, abundant with pink, lavender and periwinkle blooms. So many blooms that I can actually trim them back for the kitchen table. It stands tall and proud, strong enough to withstand the worst storms we've had so far this summer..I am the proud mama of this plant. :)

Nothing beats fresh cut flowers at kitchen counter!

Work in the Blue Gnome Emporium studio has been a little slow lately, mostly due to the heat wave and unbearable stillness. Yesterday however, with the northerly breeze blowing through my shop, I managed to finish a gorgeous ring of lace agate, the sterling polished this time to a showy, bright finish. Another raven ring as well..with a cool, breezy amazonite upon it's hopeful wing. Available tomorrow in my shop.

Sterling, Lace Agate

Rave Ring - Sterling, Amazonite

Hoping you're finding ways to keep cool this week and into the weekend!

xo Blue Gnome

Lazy Summer Days

2011-06-27T15:12:00.000-04:00

Carnelian, Sterling

One of the best things about our summers in the Great White North are the seemingly endless summer nights at the cabin or cottage. It's always a worthwhile thing to befriend at least one person who has access to an awesome cottage by the lake somewhere out of the city..even better if you have a family cottage you've grown up going to. We have, as Canadians, have grown somewhat immune to the pesky little bugs that threaten to ruin our lazy, summer weekends..we've all come back into the city for work on Monday mornings a little sunburnt, a little hungover, covered in little dots of mosquito bites (black flies if you're really lucky and the cottage is that much further north..) and the odd injury from those nasty deer and horse flies. It's all worth it. We start looking forward to these campfire, s'more making, bug bitten cottage weekends from the time we're forced to close up for the season, generally around Thanksgiving. We start buying new camp equipment, looking at new fishing rods, planning and booking family get togethers for the summer while we're still digging our cars out of the snow and breaking icicles off the end of our noses on the ski hills. This is our short lived summer and damn it..we're going to make the best of our few precious months of hot lazy days, floating around on our clean, pristine lakes.

The warmth of this carnelian seems to embody all of that. A warm summer stone, I love that it brings warmth and sunshine into my life during those dreary winter days and reminds me of what's to come this time of year. Glowing a gorgeous amber hue, the carnelian is a glowing ember captured from those campfire nights up at the cottage where I first learned to roast the perfect marshmallow without setting it on fire. Where you leave the cell phones in your car and reconnect with friends and family, where laughter, embraces and story telling is encouraged and welcomed. Where you can let down your big city guard and rejuvenate your soul to the brim and then some. This ring is about sitting around the campfire with all your loved ones without a care in the world. Available now in my shop.

Happy almost long weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Into The Blue..Or Turquoise, Rather.

2011-06-23T16:29:00.001-04:00

Freeform turquoise, sterling.

Tear shaped turquoise, sterling.

A couple of simple rings I finished this weekend, both gorgeous specimens of turquoise. The oblong stone, rich with copper and aluminum has a higher dash of copper which has resulted in this case, in the beautiful, more-green-than-turquoise shade. Although I try very hard to purchase stones that have been made by mother nature and not man made in a lab, I find it extremely difficult to turn my nose up at stones that are categorized as "lesser" quality stones. If you're looking for turquoise stones of the highest, purest grade, be prepared to pay a premium for them; turquoise mines are rare these days and there's a lot of research involved in determining if the purchase you made fairly reflects the high price you've paid.

With the rising cost of sterling these days (and all precious metals for that matter..) it's become increasingly difficult to keep prices affordable and attainable. The large, chunky rings I love to design and create take into consideration the fact that although it's hard to avoid the high cost of sterling, there are other ways of creating beautiful jewelry while trying to keep things affordable. Accessories, in my humble opinion, should be worn casually and frivolously without having to spend a month's worth of salary buying it. Yes, many things in life are worth the high prices but at the end of the day, it's up to you and you alone to dictate what you want to spend your hard earned money on. I like that I can pick and choose from a large collection of gorgeous rings and accessories, handcrafted with quality workmanship, depending on my outfit or mood..the stones may not be of the highest quality but there's something so interesting about the stories these "flaws or inclusions" tell. So what if your piece doesn't hold the most pristine specimen of turquoise? Isn't it more important how beautiful it makes you feel wearing it and that you love the design of it?

These gorgeous rings will be available in my shop tomorrow..

xo Blue Gnome

Blueberry Obsession

2011-06-22T13:48:00.002-04:00

I've been on a blueberry kick lately. Anything and everything blueberry catches my eye..starting with the homemade blueberry jam I purchased last week, I'm pretty excited to see fresh, Ontario blueberries making their appearance at my local fruit stands! There was blueberry crumble last week, blueberry scones for breakfast this past weekend..and I'm having daydreams of white chocolate covered blueberry clusters, chilled slightly and served alongside a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea..mmmm..blueberries..

Wild Ontario blueberries!

Warm blueberry scones for breakfast, anyone? Topped off with a lemon icing drizzle, the recipe for these gorgeous treats can be found here. Photo also courtesy of Dima's Kitchen.

So is it any surprise that this weekend, when I finally got my little shop up and running for the first time since my renovations started (what..in almost 3 weeks..?!) I instinctively reached for that delicious, blueberry-hued stone to start working with. The first of a few projects I was able to complete this weekend, boy it feels good to be back in the shop getting dirty and creative. It was music to my ears to hear the machines humming again, the bench covered once again in sterling dust and shavings. The pop and hiss of the torches (noises my hairdresser claims to be terrified of..he also informed me that hair is the most flammable organic matter there is..) which makes my hands tremble with excitement. It's simply amazing how many hours a girl can lose in her little cacoon in the basement..there was a lovely breeze coming in through the window and the tunes were just right. It was a perfectly productive day of sawing, soldering and even a little molding and casting. Available later this week in my shop.

Sterling, Amethyst

Hoping your weekend was just as productive, creative and rejuvenating for your soul.

xo Blue Gnome

Who's Your Farmer?

2011-06-16T19:16:00.000-04:00

Homemade Ontario wild blueberry jam with fresh baked spelt bread..yum! Wild blueberry jam made by the Herschberger family, the spelt bread baked by Lehr's Bakery in a wood oven.

www.kawarthaecologicalgrowers.com

Soooo, yesterday was my first Wednesday participating in the local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in my hood. Never heard of it? Neither had I until I read a small write up about it in the LCBO Food and Drink magazine and checked them out online here. Basically, what it is is a commitment you make to support your local farmers by paying for a seasonal collection of wonderful farm goodies ahead of time so the farmers have a confirmed list of participants.
Every week, you go to your designated pick up location to grab that particular weeks core 'basket' (available in mini, small and large shares, accordingly to your family size and needs..) plus $10 worth of items of your choice..choices range from grass-fed beef, heritage pork, pastured lamb and goat, free range chicken and eggs, whole grain flour, maple syrup, honey and preserves, or you can fill out your share with more varieties of fruits and veggies..all produced by and from local farmers. You really can't go wrong.

I'm signed up with the Kawartha Ecological Growers, mostly due to the fact that one of their pick up locations happens to be right around the corner from where I live. You can check them out at http://kawarthaecologicalgrowers.com to read all about their program. The 'core' basket contains items that every participant receives accordingly to what's in season on the farms that week. The great thing about not picking and choosing exactly what produce items you get every week is that it forces you to open your horizons..ever notice how you leave the grocery store with exactly the same items over and over again? And you know that the produce you're leaving with was still growing in the ground the day before, not sitting in a temperature controlled trailer truck, plucked off of the mother plant weeks before natural ripening.

The pick up is open from 4pm ~ 6pm and I got there right at 4 because I was new to this and didn't want to feel rushed through explanations and such. Also because I'm greedy and wanted first dibs on everything they had out on the tables for purchase above and beyond my prepaid 'share' items. My core basket contained the following:

Asparagus (Zehr’s Produce, Amos & Nancy Lee, the Fisher Family)
Rhubarb (Kawartha Organic Produce, Alva Stoll, Amos & Nancy Lee)
‘Dancine’ Lettuce (mini buttercrunch) (The Old Tin House)
Baby cut salad greens (Wildfire mix) (Zehr’s Produce)
Celeriac (Henry & Anna Herschberger)
Popcorn (Enoch Stoll)

And with my $10 credit that's included with every weekly pickup, I grabbed a loaf of fresh baked spelt bread, a jar of homemade Ontario wild blueberry jam (yum!) and some organic pork sausages for the BBQ tonight. All with the satisfaction of knowing that I'm supporting our local Ontario farmers and having some damn good eat'ns tonight! It's not too late to join the summer program or consider joining the winter program this fall. It really is nice to know who your farmer is. :)

xo Blue Gnome

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

2011-06-16T12:01:00.000-04:00

Before..

Now..

Before..lovely bleach stain on the floor that's eaten away the nasty linoleum!

Now..

Before..the far wall was removed, the closet beyond that scrapped and a hole cut out of the exterior wall..

Now.. a south facing window!

Whew..I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of this seemingly endless reno project. Yes, I know it's really only been a couple of weeks ( and as far as bathroom renos go, it's actually been VERY speedy indeed) but I can you tell that I am SO looking forward to living in my very own home again! I've been a bit of a nutcase with the vacuuming and mopping downstairs even though I've been reminded numerous times that things get dusty during renos and I should just 'got with it'..to me, it's like saying that your clothes will just get dirty again anyway so why launder it at all..? (?!) Because it makes me happy, that's why..and it keeps me somewhat sane. I've been crashing at the home of the lovely Miss P, invading her space and giving her no place to call her own. I am ever so grateful for the hospitality..and so is Sachi. Nothing like having someone else's 120 lbs beast taking up all the floor space when you have no pets..not to mention the paw prints and fur on the hardwood floor and the puddles of water on the kitchen tiles around her water bowl, just waiting for you to step into in your nice, dry socks. Yep..it's awesome having house guests, especially ones that don't actually know when they're leaving.

With my life being turned upside down as a result of the renos, I've unfortunately had no time (or water or electricity..) to work on anything in my shop! A big thank you to everyone that's contacted me regarding custom orders, your patience is so very appreciated!! I'm hoping to have everything up and running by this weekend and I promise to stay away from 'bathroom' themed designs :)

It's supposed to be a beautiful week here..and a gorgeous weekend as well. Hoping everyone's enjoying this long awaited summer arrival!

xo Blue Gnome

Seedling

2011-06-04T14:18:00.000-04:00

Sterling, peridot

As a quiet little seedling

Lay within its darksome bed,

To itself it fell a-talking,

And this is what it said:

'I am not so very robust,

But I'll do the best I can;'

And the seedling from that moment

Its work of life began.

So it pushed a little leaflet

Up into the light of day,

To examine the surroundings

And show the rest the way.

The leaflet liked the prospect,

So it called its brother, Stem;

Then two other leaflets heard it,

And quickly followed them.

To be sure, the haste and hurry

Made the seedling sweat and pant;

But almost before it knew it

It found itself a plant.

The sunshine poured upon it,

And the clouds they gave a shower;

And the little plant kept growing

Till it found itself a flower.

Little folks, be like the seedling,

Always do the best you can;

Every child must share life's labor

Just as well as every man.

And the sun and showers will help you

Through the lonesome, struggling hours,

Till you raise to light and beauty

Virtue's fair, unfading flowers.

- Paul Laurence Dunbar

Available now in the shop.

xo Blue Gnome

2011-06-03T18:41:00.000-04:00

** Thank you so much for snapping up this ring!**

xo Blue Gnome

MargaritaVille

2011-06-03T17:45:00.000-04:00

prehnite, sterling

The city's emptied out, everyone's heading up to the cottage this weekend and with weather like this, you'd be crazy to stay in this concrete jungle. The radio was playing 'Margaritaville' earlier this afternoon and I haven't been able to stop thinking about a cold, slushy lime margarita since. Frosted glass, the rim heavy with clumps of sea salt..the perfect beginning to a perfect weekend!

Seems fitting that my latest creation is this gorgeous, weighty prehnite ring..the colour of juicy lime zest and scattered with a sprinkling of salt-like inclusions. Made entirely of sterling, perfect served with a bowl of fiery fresh salsa, chips and a few close friends. Available now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Renovation Hell

2011-06-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

Mustard yellow tiles, anyone? Ugh..

Fascinating to see the half-assed quality of work by previous contractors..apparently hacking halfway through the support joists to run plumbing seemed like a good idea then..

The bathroom renos have started. Yeah, I knew it was going to be a 'deal' but man it sucks..and I'm not even physically involved. By that I mean, I'm not the one slugging it out with the vast amounts of plaster and lath rubble that's currently taken over a third of my upstairs. I've been here before, many times over..renovation hell. When you've gone past the point of no return..when the rest of your home gets a fine dusting of drywall dust you only see when your friend's little girl starts drawing smiley faces all over your dining room table with her finger.

We've been very fortunate to have a great place to crash for the duration of these dirty, dusty times. The toilet was finally ripped out of the floor and thrown into the dumpster bin yesterday, which makes for some very carefully planned meal times and control of our fluid intake during the day while we're working at the house..heheh. It's like being told that the water's been turned off for a few hours and suddenly feeling desperately parched. The human psyche is our greatest gift and our worst enemy sometimes.

So now you know what's been occupying my time and mind for the last little bit, my time in the studio has been quite limited as a result. Not to mention the gorgeous summer weather that's suddenly decided to pay us a visit..a long overdue visit..it's been hard to resist just sitting on the deck and wriggling my pale, light deprived toes in the warm sunshine after so many months of wool socks and boots.
The plants my mom planted during her visit here not too long ago are thriving, the thrice transplanted rhubarb is being a trooper and has started taking over a good part of the garden, which is always a great excuse to make a strawberry rhubarb pie, a family favorite.

I'm hoping to finish off some pieces this weekend and introduce them into the shop early next week, the inventory is getting a little stale and my hands are also aching to get back to working with metal. It's time to cut off all my nails again and get back to the bench.

xo Blue Gnome

Lost And Found

2011-05-23T16:03:00.001-04:00

When this beautiful jasper first arrived in my mailbox, my intentions were to set it simply and gift it to my mother..I always associate that lovely, cranberry hue with her...but after completing the pendant, I hesitated.

I am a firm believer that all things created by Mother Nature give off their own, unique energy. I believe that we are all unconsciously drawn to, and feel the most content when we surround ourselves with things that inherently share the same energy vibrations as we do, as individuals. Our friends reflect in many ways, qualities we hold within our own personalities, however differently they may seem from us at first glance. It may sound like a stretch but I also believe that stones have the capability to absorb energy from its surroundings and reflect that energy back..created by Mother Nature and undeniably organic, this makes perfect sense to me. Whenever possible, I like to try to source and purchase the stones I use in my creations in person. I sometimes find online shopping extremely difficult and frustrating not to be able to physically touch and feel the stones before I purchase them..to feel their weight, their coolness and the energy they give off. In this case, although I had purchased the jasper online with my mother in mind, when it arrived, something didn't click. As the pendant waited to be packed up and shipped off to B.C. where my mom lived, the days went by..and they became weeks. It constantly seemed to slip my mind and when I finally sat down to pack it up, I realized my mother would be arriving in a few short days for a visit. So I decided to wait until she got here and give it to her in person.

She liked it very much..loved the design, the colour and the pattern of the jasper. But something wasn't connecting..the energy the stone carried and my mother's energy just wasn't syncing. As if to make the point even more obvious, my mom decided to wear the pendant home with her on the flight back to B.C. and she called me from the airport in a panic to tell me that she had lost the pendant. She was mortified..she had even back tracked out of security and retraced her steps through the airport to see if she could find it. She said she would've looked longer but she was afraid of missing her flight..would it be strange for me to say that there was a part of me that wasn't surprised to hear that the pendant wouldn't going home with her..? We found it shortly after my mother's flight departed, with her safely onboard. It was sitting on the floor behind the passenger seat in the truck..quietly waiting to be found and brought back inside my home.

My mother's chain is intact. The clasp is also intact, still hanging off of the chain. There are no missing components on the pendant..all the solder joints are solid. Sometimes, there are no explanations..all I know it that this pendant is meant for someone else, someone who feels a connection, an inexplicable draw to this gorgeous specimen of jasper. Is that person you? Available now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Treasure Of Mermaids

2011-05-14T12:48:00.000-04:00

I made myself a ring today..

A gorgeous aquamarine that I've been saving for quite some time now, trying to come up with a design that could do this stone justice. In the end, I decided to set this stunning cab simply, keeping the sterling humble and letting the stone sing, as it deserves.

The colour of the ocean and of the skies, the aquamarine is said to have life-giving properties and legend has its origins in the treasure chest of mermaids. Like the ocean, it gives and takes away..all a natural part of the circle of life as it is ever changing, never static.

Life lately seems to rush on by and if you're not careful, you might miss the very soul and essence of it. Take the time, close your eyes and breathe deeply. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the tides coming and going. Feel the cool breeze on your skin and the sand under your feet. Turn your face up to the sky and promise yourself to let your heart lead you forward. Live with no regrets.

This is aquamarines gift to you and me.

Hoping you have the time to listen to your heart this weekend.

xo Blue Gnome

In The Creak Of The Morning

2011-05-12T07:17:00.000-04:00

Ah..this only happens but once in a blue moon..I'm wide awake before 7am (without an alarm clock!) and the house is still asleep. Soft sighs of contentment from the puppy, her feet twitching from chasing squirrels in her sleep..the birds are spreading news of the daily forecast outside.

It's finally warm enough outside to leave the window open a crack during the night and there's a cool breeze on my feet that are sticking out from under this lovely, old quilt. It's cozy in here, and I'm curled up in the warm hollow my Irishman's left on his side of the bed.

There are good things brewing..I can feel it in every fiber of my being. My hands are aching to create and be productive today, there are plants to plant and metal to wield..but it's oh-so warm and cozy under here.

Just a few more minutes and I'll get up..just a few more minutes..

xo Blue Gnome

Buried Treasures..And Other Good Things

2011-05-10T09:22:00.000-04:00

Now that the warmer weather's arrived and here to stay, there really is no excuse to put off the backyard renos anymore..and thankfully too since I was getting tired of looking out the back window and seeing the last-summer-started-renovations in a half finished state. It's really all the fun stuff that's left to do..the gorgeous cedar panelling on the raised beds, the beach pebbles around the perimeter..then finally the trees and plants that will complete my backyard sanctuary that I am determined to enjoy this summer.

As all you homeowners out there know all too well, the renos and upgrades really never stop..there are always little (or big) things here and there that can use a facelift. I have to stop once in a while and actually enjoy what I've accomplished so far..stop to smell the roses, quite literally or it's fall again before I know it and time to scurry indoors before the snow falls.

Last summer was the summer of all the grunt work..shifting gravel, cutting and hand bombing retaining wall stones, laying down the sandstone..not fun in the summer heat and especially without central air or somewhere to rest those weary bones and have a nice, refreshing drink after a long, hard days work.

This year, I'm hoping to have everything done by this end of this month..my mother's coming to stay with me for a little while and I plan on putting her green thumb(s) to work!

As I was cleaning out the wood off-cuts and clutter from under the unfinished deck on sunday, I came across the mother load of Sachi's hard work way far in the back corner against the house...her buried treasures! Is it weird that I find this somewhat endearing..? I was actually kind of touched to find a blue, corduroy bat-shaped squeaky toy I had made for her years ago buried amongst her most treasured treat bones (awww...sniffle!). There were two other smaller, shallow graves full of all sorts of goodies..the final inventory: 1 squeaky toy, 4 various bone treats, 1 smoked pigs ear, 1 dried salmon skin treat (ugh!) and 1 half eaten hide bone. I brought them out in a bucket and laid them out on the ground in front of her. After smelling each and every one of the items, Sachi spent the rest of the afternoon reburying them in new locations in the raised beds. An afternoon well spent..she was exhausted!

On the jewelry front, I've been revisiting some Art Deco inspired designs I've had in my sketchbook for a while now and my parcel of amethyst arrived just in time. This particular pendant features a large, aubergine oblong cabochon..a sleeping beauty until the light hits it's glossy, smooth surface..then this stone sings! Casting a regal aura of dark violet, this pendant is weighty and stunning, made entirely of sterling.

Roaring 20's pendant - sterling, amethyst

Also added to my shop are a beautiful pair of my Seal Lullaby earrings, this time in copper. The green aventurine and warm copper compliment each other quite nicely and they swing to and fro with a wonderful weight. The findings are handcrafted of oxidized sterling silver.

Seal Lullaby earrings in copper, aventurine and sterling.

And finally, another Giving Tree ring made of sterling and rosewood. I've decided to leave the saw marks on the surface of the rosewood for texture and contrast against the smooth, coolness of the sterling setting. A favorite design of mine..made of recycled rosewood and sterling silver, oxidized to give the ring a wonderful organic feel. The wood has been finished simply with a natural wood oil to bring out the lovely red and ochre ripples within. This ring is a size US 7.75.

The Giving Tree ring - rosewood, sterling.

All of these item are currently available in the shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Celebrating All Mothers

2011-05-08T10:12:00.000-04:00

A happy, sunny Mother's Day to all the amazing mothers in my life!

...And especially to mine xoxo

xo Blue Gnome

Big, Bold And Beautiful

2011-05-05T23:08:00.000-04:00

I finally finished this..just in time for the weekend! The latest Spring Bloom necklace also features a gorgeous tear-drop prehnite..juicy green, translucent and absolutely delicious. I'm really quite infatuated with prehnites lately, the dewy droplets of beautiful translucency with that delicate touch of green..you really can't go wrong. Made entirely of sterling..available tomorrow in the shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Silver Lining

2011-05-02T09:44:00.000-04:00

It's a gloomy one today. My car is sick and in the shop getting mended so I'm stranded here.

But inside it's actually quite nice.

Sachi and I found this on our walk yesterday. I thought it was a chocolate Easter egg that had been hidden too well and left behind. The photos don't do it justice..the turquoise is deep, vibrant and simply stunning. Amazing what nature creates..I'm going to try and match this in enamel, I think.

A few lavender pillows made of scraps of vintage fabric! This kind of weather makes me want to quilt..speaking of quilts, a friend of mine has started her own line of adorable children's quilts. Check them out here.

Happy monday everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Newbies

2011-05-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

Sterling, Green Aventurine, Amethyst, Copper

Embossed Sterling, Amethyst

Embossed Copper, Sterling

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

Sterling, Prehnite

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

Embossed Sterling, Prehnite

Available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

The Story Of Kyoko And Sachi.

2011-05-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

I started off my day this morning with a big, frothy latte..I'm a faithful tea drinker but once in a while I enjoy a nice hot cuppa joe. After working in the service industry for years a long, long time ago, I'm happy to say that I've perfected the art of making that perfect cappuccino, latte or espresso. But put me in charge of making a pot of regular coffee and it all goes to sh*t. I was gently relieved of my duties of making the studio coffee years ago when I continuously made everyone's morning a bitter hell. Since then, like my singing in the shower, I've given up and refuse to touch a conventional coffee maker. If you want black coffee in my house, you can simply add hot water to your espresso. There, done.

Another week has flown by, amazing that we're heading into May already, it seems like just the other day the local markets were filled with Valentine's chocolates piled high in their front windows. The years, as of late have been passing by faster than ever and I hear there's some scientific explanation behind it all as well as the unacceptable explanation that time just passes more quickly as we get older. I'm not a fan of that particular belief and therefore will disregard it..if you ignore it, it should go away.

My mother is flying to the east coast and will be staying with me in a few days! It's been 5 months since we last saw each other and I'm really looking forward to her company.
She's been studying aroma therapy massage and Thai massage for a number of years now and the one who benefits the most from all of her experience aside from her paying clients is Sachi. It's quite something to watch a 120lbs beast keel over onto her side and fall into a state of utter bliss as she receives a deep tissue massage with lavender essential oil. She gets the pads of her feet worked on too..the pressure points between her big, furry toes pressed and kneaded, the knots and kinks in her shoulders and hind quarters worked on..my mom gets a kick out of applying her skills on an animal..feeling her tendons and seeing where they connect to what. She'll apply light pressure on a particular spot above Sachi's knee and watch delighted as it makes Sachi's toes wiggle. After a couple of days of this, Sachi will seek out my mother in the evenings, looking for her nightly massage appointment. It's pretty rough being a dog these days..chasing squirrels, barking at the mailman, tossing and chasing that squeaky toy around the house. Out of all of us I definitely think she deserves the massages the most and my mother is quite happy to comply. They make quite a pair..and they're the two most important females in my life.

When they first met years ago, things didn't go quite as smoothly. I flew home to visit my folks in beautiful British Columbia about two weeks after Sachi came to live with me and we were still working on that small issue of house training. I'm not sure what I was thinking bringing a not-house-trained puppy into my parents gorgeous home with the spotless, dark hardwood floors..but she proceeded to squat and take a poop by their entrance hall on their lovely area rug within seconds of being let out of her travel crate. I ran through the kitchen and slid down the hallway in my socked feet just in time to catch the organic matter in my hand before it touched the rug. She was 9 weeks old. Quite the introduction..my father was not impressed. Over the course of our visit, she became oddly attached to my father who wanted very little to do with her and she followed him around the house. When he was in the basement doing his yoga stretches one day, she followed him down there, then squatted and peed beside his head on the carpet as he was practicing his downward dog. Awesome. There was a lot of yelling and talk about tearing up the entire downstairs carpeting and disinfecting the house at the time, I don't think he did either but I might be hearing more about it during the next phone call if he reads this.

A year later, my mother came to visit me and Sachi was mostly full grown and had no memory of meeting her as a pup. Akitas are well known for being protective of their 'pack' and turf but this was excessive. She barked at my mother all day long during her entire visit, following her around upstairs, downstairs, outside, inside..barking. When my mother went into the washroom, she sat outside the door not barking but smelling and loudly snorting under the closed door. When she came out..barking. It wasn't an aggressive barking, some of you may be shaking your heads right now but anyone who's owned a dog learns to tell the difference between their dogs barks. Keep in mind that this is the only voice they have and not all barking it aggressive. Dogs will bark when they're excited, happy, seeking attention or playing..in this case, it was Sachi learning about cause and affect and testing it out. When she barked, my other understandably tensed up, got up and left the room. It became a game for Sachi..she'd have brief periods of rest while she happily chewed on her toys and when she got bored, she'd get up, go find my mom and start barking. A tense visit to say the least..they disliked each other and when my mother went to bed at night, she told me later that she would pile her suitcases in front of the door so she wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night with Sachi staring at her in the dark and start barking.

They've worked out their difference since then and my mother will say once in a while over the phone in 'Japan-glish' (that means mixing Japanese and English in a sentence..) "..I miss Sachi, yo."
Last year Sachi was so excited about seeing her again, when she stood on her hind legs to kiss my mother they almost both fell of the deck. She's not a graceful girl..but when you're as awesome as she is, who needs graceful?

xo Blue Gnome

Although adorable, Sachi was an oddly unaffectionate little puppy until she was almost 6 months old..

At her massage appoinment..

It's rough being a dog..

A dog and her girl.

Celebrating the Chocolate Bunny

2011-04-21T14:53:00.002-04:00

The long weekend is almost here and our weekend looks like rain, rain, rain! I guess I should really just be thankful it's not snow..we had quite the 'sideways' snow storm last weekend, rain..snow..sunshine..then snow again..it was quite the spectacle. I suspect Mother Nature was having 'one of those days' that we all have once in a while, but when she has a 'bad day' we all get snow blizzards, trees toppling over and angry rain coming down sideways. And it's in mid April. Lovely..

My neighbor came by last night to ask me if I could grab his mail for the next few days, he's meeting his wife and baby boy in Paris or a few days..ooooh, la de dah! Of course I'm green with envy, I think I've figured out why this winter in particular seems so long and endless..it's because I haven't been anywhere this past winter, last year this time I was in sitting on the beaches in Thailand...ahhhh..

Can't you just feel that sun?

This was me a year ago.. Sigh!

Okay, moving away from the subject of hot and sunny destinations on this cold, damp afternoon, I just wanted to post a picture of this stunning vintage pencil-lined dress on Etsy. The whole thing is covered in horseshoes..I love it! Unfortunately, the opportunity to wear this has yet to present itself for me, so it's currently up for grabs for anyone who's into looking fabulous and "Mad Men"-like. Can't you just see yourself poured into this outfit?? Available currently here.

www.tokyofirecracker.etsy.com

And finally, in celebration of Easter and all things bunny related, I leave you with my latest necklace..my favorite so far. Made entirely of sterling and a ethereal example of prehnite, it's the second of my Folklore Series necklaces.

Sterling, Prehnite

In many mythic traditions, the rabbit or hare were archetypal symbols of femininity, associated with the lunar cycle, fertility, longevity, and rebirth. But if we look a little deeper into their stories we find that they are also contradictory, paradoxical creatures: symbols of both cleverness and foolishness, of femininity and androgny, of cowardice and courage, of rampant sexuality and virginal purity. In some cultures, Hare is the messenger of the Great Lunar Goddess, moving by moonlight between the human world and the realm of the gods. He is the messenger of a female moon deity and the guardian of all wild animals.

Just some food for thought as you nibble on some chocolate bunnies this weekend - hope your weekend is long, relaxing and full of good things.

xo Blue Gnome

Bag Of Goodies For The Weekend

2011-04-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

Sterling, Jasper

Sterling, Rose Quartz

Sterling, Prehnite

A few new items to see you through the weekend..available today in the shop! Hoping you all have a wonderful couple of days enjoying the warmer weather.

xo Blue Gnome

Sakura

2011-04-14T18:30:00.001-04:00

This past week has been the beginning of our unofficial spring, although the warmer weather has brought rain, last Sunday was an unbelievable 23 degrees. It's exactly what the plants have been waiting for..overnight bright green buds seemed to have pushed their way up through the soil and there's a definite change in air. I sat and watched a couple of Robins fight over a worm this morning as I had my morning tea, the warm weather's brought on the renovations in the neighborhood and by 8am, the air was busy with the sound of power tools and hammering, the radio playing faintly in the background reporting news about the rush hour traffic.

I've grown accustomed to city living and I have to admit, even enjoy the sounds of the bustling city once in awhile. Having said that however, I'm in the midst of putting the finishing touches on a backyard project that started last summer, my goal is to have my backyard 'getaway' ready to enjoy by the time the warmer weather arrives. I'm a pretty lucky girl - I have some very handy people in my life and with their help I'm going to have a beautiful, sanctuary of a garden when it's all done. The next step (and definitely the most exciting step) is handpicking the plants, shrubs and trees that will shelter my home and loved ones from the craziness that has become a part of our everyday lives living in the city..streetcars and angry traffic, the unfriendliness of big-city living and a seemingly endless list of to-do's. I'm looking forward to sinking into a comfortable patio chair with a tall glass of something cold with lot's of ice cubes, grabbing my copy of the latest issue of World of Interiors magazine and wriggling my bare toes in the warm sunshine.

A friend on mine recently posted pictures of springtime in Tokyo..cherry blossoms are nearing the height of their spectacular displays and the country, for a brief time, seems to be taking the time to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful things nature has to offer..not her recent fury.

Sakura Ring - Sterling, Ocean Jasper

I decided to use this particular specimen of ocean jasper because it reminded me of Hanami - meaning 'flower viewing' during this time of year. Poems have been about the delicate cherry blossoms or sakura, which were seen as a metaphor for life itself, luminous and beautiful yet fleeting as the blossoms only last about a week.

Set simply in sterling to showcase the pink blooms amidst its deep green backdrop, the Sakura Ring is now available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Listening To Your Soul

2011-04-08T14:47:00.007-04:00

Paintings of a white stag around King Arthurs court

Ruth Sanderson, Golden Wood Studio

Legend has it that the white stag rules and protects it's forest, and all the animals who live within it. Hunters who pursue the stag for trophy will find themselves disoriented, lost and face the risk of a fruitless hunting season. For those who respect the forest and Mother Nature, their rewards are plenty and fruitful.

The stag has been a source of life, an important natural resource for early man who relied on hunting for survival. It symbolizes warmth and the renewal of life in the spring and seen as the true spirit of springing forward and upward, leading you onward to leap over difficulties. Encouraging you to find new adventures in your active pursuit of living life to the fullest.

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

My newest work is about rejuvenation of the mind, the body and perhaps most importantly, the soul. It's not an easy thing to do to stop in the midst of a hectic day and take the time to listen..to truly listen to what your soul is saying to you. There isn't a second that your soul stops whispering, never loud and intrusive but always there, quietly waiting for the moment when you might have the time to listen.
This pendant is a reminder of the most important part of us that is often neglected. Just as the deer has an uncanny sense of where to find the green freshness Mother Earth provides, picture yourself walking in the forest with the stag leading you into the depths within your soul. What you seek shall be found.

So make the time, step away from your busy life for a few minutes and let your heart whisper to you. Listen well..I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear what it has to say.

xo Blue Gnome

Hump Day Blues

2011-04-06T10:37:00.000-04:00

Wake me up when the skies are clearing
When the water is still
'Cause I will not watch the ships sail away
So please, say you will

If it were any other day
This wouldn't get the best of me

But today I'm not so strong
So lay me down with a sad song
And when it stops then you'll know
I've been gone too long

But don't shake me awake
Don't bend me or I will break
Find me somewhere between my dreams
With the sun on my face

By Norah Jones, Wake Me Up

Anyone else feeling a bit bummed out lately? I was chatting with a good friend of mine the other day and he was saying how he was feeling blue and unmotivated these days for no damn reason at all. I have to say, I'm in the same boat. I bought some Tulips yesterday to try and bring home some sunshine..aren't they gorgeous?

There was that surge of giddy excitement that the warm weather brought a couple of weeks ago but I have to say that the brief sprinkling of snow yesterday afternoon seems to have brought on the closest to seasonal depression I've experienced. This weather today reminds me of winter time in the Okanagan..mild but grey. I'd almost have freezing conditions over this if it meant we'd get to see some sunshine.

My mother has been escaping to Thailand every winter for the past few years. She's a lady on the go..travels like a pro and has utterly fallen in love with Thailand's culture, it's people and the land itself. She's a master of many trades..she finds an interest, researches it like mad then travels to the root of it's foundations. In this case, Thai style massage..she goes to Chiang Mai and Bangkok every year to refresh her skills, rekindle her friendships with the locals and rejuvenate her soul. I truly believe that if there's such a thing as a past life, hers must take her there..it must be quite the feeling to travel somewhere for the first time and as the plane touches down, to feel in your heart of hearts and within your very being that you've returned home. Her family is here in Canada and there isn't a day that she doesn't miss being here when she's there, but when I travelled to Thailand with her a couple of years ago, I was surprised to see her at such ease there. She was radiant, relaxed and happy. She walked through the insanely chaotic outdoor markets there like a seasoned pro, merging with the local traffic, taking part in the friendly bartering of everyday shopping that is such a big part of their culture.
My father is invited every time she goes but after one trip there, I think he's had enough of the hustle and bustle, the humidity and traffic, and the absolute lack of 'personal space'. His home is where the Rockies are, open and free, breathtaking and majestic. Where the air is cool, fresh and crisp. There's no bartering in the comforts of his home but equality, structure and logic. Because those are the things you have to leave at home, personal space and any expectations of privacy. Traffic lights are merely a suggestion, crossing a street on a green light is still taking a risk. It's a small country with a big population, it's every man and woman for themselves over there.

Work has started to pick up and finding the time to work on my silversmithing has been a little more challenging. But I plan on finishing a few pieces that are currently in the works sometime this week. I'm also expecting a lovely parcel of supplies in the next few days, which is always so exciting and helps to kick start that motivation I seem to have been lacking as of late. It's time to give myself a kick in the ass..oops, am I allowed to write ass on a blog? I did it again didn't I? Heheh...dig myself out of this rut and get this party started. Can I hear a woot, woot?

xo Blue Gnome

Fire and Ice..Brings Something Nice

2011-04-01T12:16:00.000-04:00

Sterling, Garnet

I love garnets. I love the cool, deep berry glow this stone has to offer and I especially love it against sterling. I believe January is the lucky month to be able to call it their birthstone, and despite it's similarity to the ruby which is often thought of as a summer stone, the garnet casts a very cool, wintery aura.
Garnets remind me of the warm and cozy things about winter; a nice glass of cabernet, cranberry sauce, venison stew with a dash of port. Although January is long gone for 2011, I made this pendant with winter on my mind yesterday. It's been a long one this year and it's given us a run for our money. But as we welcome spring in the coming few weeks, I'd like to see Old Man Winter out with a salute. Where would we be without hot chocolates after making snowmen, snowball fights and tranquil walks through a winter wonderland? Can't say we'll miss you quite yet, but we'll see you again..hopefully not too soon.

Available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Bacon for Two Please

2011-03-30T18:20:00.001-04:00

Guess what I'm having for dinner tonight?

BACON!

Extra thick, double smoked, extra crispy bacon..isn't that awful and wonderful all at the same time? I haven't decided what else I'm having yet, maybe a leaf of lettuce to balance it out.

Mmmmmmmmmmm....bacon....

I had no lettuce but I think the cherry tomatoes will do just fine. The Batman silhouette you see behind my dinner is Sachi. She's been ignoring me all day today but oh look who's sitting pretty for bacon now.

Looks like it's bacon for two, tonight!

xo Blue Gnome

Marrying Elements

2011-03-30T11:28:00.001-04:00

Sterling, Rosewood

Sterling, Rosewood, Turquoise

There's nothing quite like the combination of the warmth of wood and the cool sharpness of sterling. Throw in a stunning dash of colour like a beautiful specimen of turquoise and what you have is an irresistible combination like...a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich! (You'll have to excuse the bacon reference..it may come up again in this entry..I've been smelling my neighbor's breakfast this morning and there's definitely bacon going on over there..)
I've been experimenting with the idea of setting a piece of wood rather than just stone into a bezel, working in particular with Rosewood. The rich, deep reddy brown it offers is so complimentary with sterling, with the addition of a natural oil sealant the colours simply pop. There are some other types of exotic wood I'd like to try; Zebrawood brings to the table a stunning grain pattern of pale and ebony stripes, although not as warm as the Rosewood, would still be a gorgeous piece of jewelry.

Retro fitting the two pieces together as in the example above proved to be quite a challenge. Although I was quite happy with the results, I think there's definitely room for improvement..the piece below is my latest attempt at marrying the same three elements together in a design, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet.

Sterling, Rosewood, Turquoise

Lastly, I've also been playing around with casting objects in sterling. I'm a mould maker by trade and although sterling isn't a medium I've really had the opportunity to cast with very much yet, the idea of capturing all the beautiful, intricate textures by Mother Nature and creating something totally new is an idea I'm very familiar with.

Sterling

This is a seashell I found and collected during a trip to Thailand a couple of years ago that's been moulded and cast in sterling silver. Are the details not simply breathtaking? It's a neat concept to be able to transform a fragile find on the beaches of Railay into something sterling, that will always be with me to remind me of my time there. My next challenge I think will be coral..tiny, white coral fragments that the ocean had cast out on its beaches.. it will be given a second life..it will become a part of something breathtaking.

I can't wait.

xo Blue Gnome

A Dash of Amethyst

2011-03-26T11:52:00.001-04:00

It's finally the weekend. This week has been a busy one for Sachi and me, it's spring cleaning time here and us gals have been busy purging, purging, purging! There's that wall I hit after about 3 hours of going through odds and ends (that I cannot for the life of me figure why I decided to keep around,) when suddenly everything is garbage bound. Sachi did her share of helping, chewing on things that I might've changed my mind about throwing out..once she sinks her teeth into it however, the option simply ceases to exist. Bags of hardware from past home renovations..garbage! Scraps of fabric I had full intentions of sewing into a quilt one day..garbage! Those skinny jeans I was saving for that day when I was..well, skinny again..garbage! After a few days of mad, frantic cleaning I'm happy to say that I now have 8 garbage bags outside, 4 boxes bound for charity organizations, and some small household items that my neighbors have been very helpful in taking off of my front lawn.

Ah..out with the old, in with the new!

I've been taking a bit of a break from silver work, it's simply been too nice outside to be indoors, although on wednesday Old Man Winter paid us another surprise visit. Beautiful sunny skies on tuesday to -18 degree weather by the following day...you gotta love living in the Great White North..keeping those winter tires on for another few weeks, I think. It's another gorgeous day today although a little on the chilly side, and the snow is melting away in the warm sunshine..the puppy is busy collecting her wednesday-snow-buried bones once again and frantically burying them all under the deck. Busy, busy, busy!

I'm adding a small something to my shop today, a delicate sterling wire pendant with a lovely turquoise and dash of amethyst to start off the weekend. The puppy is getting impatient for her walk, I'm off for a tour in the sunshine. Happy weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome

Coming Home

2011-03-22T12:08:00.000-04:00

Sterling, Freeform Turquoise

The past 11 days have been an emotional time for my family and many others..especially my mother, who sat glued to her television watching NHK updates of the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I still have friends who live in Tokyo and I too have been eagerly reading updates on their facebook statuses to let the rest of us know what's been going on there..the updates on local news reports here have faded little by little as other world news have taken priority. The latest news in Japan has been that the nuclear reactors have begun cooling..finally..and although the suffering and losses will continue, people have started piecing their lives back together. Communities are coming together to build bathhouses for the affected so that they can start cleansing their bodies, washing away their pain and sorrow, start facing yet another day feeling a little more renewed and strengthened.
Those people who had the means made the difficult decision to leave Tokyo for cities less affected by the nuclear plants, some left their homeland for family and friends abroad, fearing the worst was still to come.

This necklace has been designed with them in mind. Healing qualities of turquoise include strengthening of the soul, protection against harm and connection with family and loved ones. The crane has long been a symbol of luck, nobility and immortality in Japan. Legend has it that anyone who folded a thousand cranes would the granted one wish. This necklace is about coming home. I pray for your safe travels home to Japan, she needs you now more than ever.

xo Blue Gnome

I Will Remember You

2011-03-19T13:19:00.000-04:00

How clearly I first saw you smilin’ in the sun

Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

I will remember you.

Will you remember me?

- Sarah McLachlan

This floral ring is made entirely of sterling, not cast but hand hammered and hand formed. A dark patina has been applied and satin finished to add depth and make the details pop. This ring is actually something I designed for myself..the Forget-Me-Not flower is a favorite of mine and this bloom is loosely based on the gorgeous blue, five petaled flower.
Reminds me of my grandparent's cottage in Bancroft where these flowers grew, not in pots or window boxes like in the city, but wild, rampant and free.

Available in my shop.

xo BlueGnome

Lucy's Song

2011-03-19T00:06:00.002-04:00

How beautiful at eventide
To see the twilight shadows pale,
Steal o'er the landscape, far and wide,
O'er stream and meadow, mound and dale!

How soft is Nature's calm repose
When ev'ning skies their cool dews weep:
The gentlest wind more gently blows,
As if to soothe her in her sleep!

The gay morn breaks,
Mists roll away,
All Nature awakes
To glorious day.
In my breast alone
Dark shadows remain;
The peace it has known
It can never regain.

- Lucy's Song by Charles Dickens

This gorgeous green quartz cocktail ring is made entirely of sterling. I absolutely love it..how I wish my finger would fit this! An orb of glowing apple green, translucent and juicy..it sits with a perfect weight on your finger. It was presence..and it's showy..it's like it know how gorgeous it is and it sings for attention at every entrance. Not a ring for the faint of heart..available now in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Land of the Rising Sun

2011-03-17T11:51:00.001-04:00

I started off my day today with a huge slab of homemade carrot cake, piled high with cream cheese icing and a lovely hot cup of Earl Grey. Mmmm..there really isn't a better way to start yet another gloomy day, although as I'm writing this the sun's fighting to peek through the clouds. I'm root'n for it..the world needs a little more sunshine today, it's been a tough week for everyone.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day today, I entertained the idea of tinting the cream cheese green last night..but that only lasted for a second. It would be ungodly to do such a thing..and as it turns out, the Irishman in my life isn't a fan of carrot cake..isn't that insane?..and my efforts would have gone to waste. So more cake for me..with creamy white icing on top..mmmm. This is not a good thing. I need to hit the gym one of these days soon, my ex-trainer has been emailing me asking where I've been. I hate that he notices that I've been absent for the past couple of weeks..his wife just had a baby so maybe he'll have something better to focus his energies on than emailing clients. 'Hey Tina..I missed you at the gym all last week, have you fallen off the wagon.?' Pfffffff...I've been busy..eating carrot cake! I think I'll take him a big piece when I go this this afternoon..if I go this afternoon...

I've finally finished some new pieces that have been staring at me in the shop for the last few days, half done. Struggling with one in particular I almost scrapped it..but after a lovely gin to calm myself down, I was able to make it work, late last night. The design is loosely based on the vintage Tiffany brooches of jewel encrusted insects from the Art Deco days. Some of the organic designs I come up with are inspired by Tiffany lamps with their beautiful cluster of leaves and vines, flowers that seem to defy the hardness of the metal they're made from. Beautiful.

The second ring is a traditional Japanese crane flying over the gravity defying high rise buildings of downtown Tokyo. The proceeds from the sale of this ring will be donated to the Red Cross. Japan has had a devastating week but they will come together and be alright. Despite the devastation and loss the country has suffered, Japan is a country of proud, strong willed people and the sun will always rise on their horizon. It is after all, the land of the rising sun.

Available in my shop this weekend.

xo Blue Gnome

Firefly Ring - Sterling, Amber Carnelian

Flying Crane - Land of the Rising Sun Ring - Sterling, Baltic Amber

A Pocket Full of Kisses

2011-03-16T22:46:00.001-04:00

Until very recently, I had two wonderful grandmothers. Both so unique and irreplaceable, yet so very different. Both taught me so much about life, two very different views on life from very different experiences. This is about my grandma Jones..Vera Lorraine Jones. She passed away in April of 2009 and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her. I see her in the Cardinal singing in my neighbor's tree, I see her in my garden that's now slowly starting to thaw as the tiny, green buds fight their way up into the sunshine. She used to bake the most delicious chewy oatmeal raisin cookies and would keep them in cookie tins that were worn from years of use. I have her recipe for those cookies but they never turn out the same.

My grandparents lived in a high rise senior's building back then, and we'd go visit them quite often. They had an outdoor pool there and during the summer, it was always a treat to go hang out with them, go swimming and then have ice cream in their air conditioned kitchen. My grandma would sit across from me at their small kitchen table while we ate ice cream out of glass bowls, and when I looked up at her in between bites, she'd always smile and wink at me. I couldn't wink back then, and I still can't wink very well. Not like her. My dad's pretty good with his winks, and every time he winks at me, I can see my grandma in my dad's face.
When it was time for me to go home, grandma would always stand by the door and wave until I had to turn the corner in the hallway to get to the elevator. I'd go push the button, then run back and that's when she'd blow me a kiss..when I blew one back at her, she would always pretend to catch the kiss from mid air and tuck it in her pocket. She did that with all her grandkids..I sometimes wondered where she kept those kisses that she'd always tuck away.

This ring is about a pocket full of kisses, too many kisses to tuck away that they're tumbling out.

Made with love, from me to you. Available later this week in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling

It's A Beautiful Monday Morning!

2011-03-14T11:28:00.001-04:00

It's another Monday morning but guess what? It's a gorgeous, sunny day! It's been too many days in a row of gloomy overcast skies and wet snow drizzles, I actually woke up with a spring in my step this morning despite the fact that it's the start of another work week.
There's no other feeling quite like walking into my kitchen in my pj's and being greeted with warm sunshine filtering in through the door and window...sigh! I love that feeling. It's still quite chilly outside but there's definitely the smell of spring in the air, I even had my morning tea outside on the deck steps, wrapped up in a cozy throw. Life is starting to stir in the ground again, the trees are waking up after their long winter slumber, stretching their limbs high into the sky to try to catch as much of that warm sunshine as possible. You can hear them creaking and whispering as they spread the word that it won't be long now..springs almost here!

I've been working on some commissioned pieces this past week as well as a couple of new ideas I've been trying to tackle. One design requires soldering after a stone's already been set..in theory should be manageable but it's actually proven to be quite tricky without heat damaging the stone in the process. Aaaaak! I dislike the idea of having to compromise on a design because I can't figure out how to technically make something work. There's really not much that's impossible to achieve and despite the failures so far, I will make this work! However, it might be a minute yet though before I'm brave enough to post images..all in good time, all in good time.

Sterling, Owyhee Picture Jasper

In the meantime, I've been revisiting the Owyhee Picture Jasper ring, reworking some of the sterling frame work. Although Owyhee Picture Jaspers are usually know for their breathtaking yet eerily lifelike landscapes, this particular ring showcases a gorgeous array of natures colours and textures at her best. Peppered with specks of black and gold, it's been exhausting to try to capture the colours of this stone on camera.

Currently available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

** Last week was an especially long week, both at work and on the news front. As we heard that Japan had been struck with a historic earthquake, then the devastating tsunami that followed, our family and thousands of others frantically tried to call loved ones overseas to see if they were alright. We all watched, glued to the television and online for any updates on the emergency situation there, and helplessly watched the footage of ships, houses, even airports being swept inland, then out to sea along the coastal city of Sendai, Japan. We are the lucky ones, all of our family and friends in Japan are safe. My heart goes out to those who are still missing loved ones, and my thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost so much already.

The Red Cross is accepting financial donations for the victims of Japan's natural disaster. Anything and everything helps. As well, all proceeds from Tokyo Firecracker current inventory sales and selected Blue Gnome pieces will be donated in full to the Red Cross. Thanks so much for your support! **

Darling Girl's Apron, Retro Warhol Hostess Apron, Various Coin Purses - Tokyo Firecracker

Let There Be A Raven

2011-03-07T13:33:00.000-05:00

Sterling, Dendritic Opal, Amethyst

Let there be a raven more...

Let it soar and fly.

Let there be a raven nor...

Let it circle by.

Let there be a raven more...

T'will it stay up high?

Let there be a raven more...

Forever more, the most more ever high.

- Michael Gale

This Raven necklace is made entirely of sterling, a demure yet stunning specimen of dendritic opal and a small glowing amethyst detail. The opal reminds me of the wintery landscape I see as I fly over the rocky mountains to my beautiful home sweet home of British Columbia. The snow capped mountains and the dark tops of evergreens..it's a harsh beauty, but breathtaking all the same.

Available now in my shop.

xo BlueGnome

Share In The Freedom I Feel When I Fly

2011-03-06T16:22:00.003-05:00

Have you ever dreamt of flying?

I gather everyone has at some time in their lives had a dream that they were soaring high in the sky, not a care in the world. I've had several of these dreams, and oddly it's through these dreams that I can honestly say that I know what it feels like to be able to take flight. I'm not talking about flying around in a rocket ship or being belted to some technological gadget that flies around on some kind of jet fuel. I'm talking about simply swan diving off of a cliff and swooping upwards and away..it's simply the most exhilarating feeling one can imagine.

I had another dream about that eagle again the other night. I couldn't see him this time but I saw his shadow on the ground by my feet..when I looked for him above me, the sun was too bright..but he followed me for a little while. I'm pretty sure I'm not feeling hunted, I don't get a feeling of uneasiness in these dreams..quite the opposite. I feel like he's looking miles ahead for me, guiding me on my path. I'm not sure where I'm going either but there's a spring in my step and I'm excited about whatever may come my way.

I started this ring the day after my eagle dream. I heard a John Denver song years ago on the radio called ' The Eagle and the Hawk' and although I'm not particularly a John Denver fan, I fell in love with the lyrics. As such, I felt it fitting that I set a picasso jasper in the ring, it reminds me of the Great Canyon and all the wonderful colours nature has to offer. I imagine the pattern on the jasper might be something like the landscape an eagle might see as it soars high above the ground, miles in the sky.

Available next week in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling, Picasso Jasper

I am the eagle, I live in high country

In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky

I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers

But time is still turning they soon will be dry

And all of those who see me, all who believe in me

Share in the freedom I feel when I fly

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops

Sail over the canyons and up to the stars

And reach for the heavens and hope for the future

And all that we can be and not what we are

- John Denver and Mike Taylor

A Bounty of Riches

2011-03-04T19:08:00.001-05:00

There's something so wonderful about holding a handful of finished pieces, all of them just pieces of flat sterling a little while ago, now so rich with life. There's something so satisfying about manipulating the metal, the heating and hammering, watching it all come together right before my eyes. I lose hours in my studio, it will literally be daylight when I head down, and when I come back upstairs, Sachi will have been sitting in a completely dark house, looking at me accusingly of neglecting her for so long. Just to clarify, she actually has a cozy bed on the floor of my shop but when the hammering begins, she gets up in a huff and trots upstairs to her other cosy bed. This dog is not neglected..far from it.

I'm hoping to have more images available to post this weekend, I love how the sunshine brings out the best of what nature has to offer, and I refuse to take photographs of stones in indoor lighting. As such, today has been a heck of a gloomy day..so no photos yet. I'm hoping for a peek-a-boo of sun tomorrow when I will scramble around the house setting things up to be photographed. Until then, this is all I have to offer this evening..First Bloom necklace with turquoise. It hangs with such a wonderful weight, I've been wearing it all day as I went about with my chores. I might keep this around for a little while..I've kind of fallen in love with it.

Happy weekend!

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling, Turquoise

Birthday Ring

2011-03-03T23:04:00.000-05:00

For years the amethyst has been associated with spirituality, healing and and the metaphysical. Whenever I see an amethyst, I think of my mother; she is the most spiritually connected person I know. She's a water sign and like how a trickle of water can turn the strongest concrete foundations into rubble over time, her strength is her patience and perseverance. For those of you that know me well I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I am the polar opposite..a fire sign. She's the only person in my family who can douse me out like a campfire when I'm huffing and puffing over something, showering me with calm and reason. And like a protective boundary, when she lets me vent and burn clear and bright, she keeps my flames under control and protects me from burning out. She is the queen of our family, the glue that holds everybody together. I think it's fitting that I finished this ring today, on her birthday.
Available this weekend in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling, Amethyst Dendritic Opal, Pearl

A Very Happy March 3rd Birthday.

2011-03-03T13:19:00.000-05:00

It's my mom's birthday today! It's also my grandma's birthday today, she would've been 84. As nice as the idea of having the same birthday as your daughter sounds, I can't say that being in labour would be my top ten ways of spending a birthday. I don't know..this is coming from someone who has never experienced the joys of childbirth but I'm willing to bet that if my grandma could've postponed the labour for another day or so, she might've considered it..

Happy Birthday Mama!

March 3rd also means that we're only 18 days from the first official day of spring! Very exciting indeed. I'm willing to look past the fact that Sachi's paws will start to turn brown and muddy after her walks, and that the 'rolling in smelly dead things' at the park will probably repeat itself several times over during the next couple of months but I'm ready for it! Bring on the spring thaw!

Things have been a little hairy around here lately, I've been working on some lovely new designs and I hope to post some images soon..maybe this weekend! The past few listings have moved very quickly and I cannot thank you enough for supporting an independent artist! The Raven ring and First Bloom ring have both found a wonderful new home, the Rabbit and the Moon ring too, all the way in France. The sterling and rosewood ring will be given to a very loved someone on a special day, and the Lonesome Quail Egg ring is no longer lonesome. I'm reminded everyday of how fortunate I truly am to be able to pursue the things I love to do.

Thank you.

xo Blue Gnome

Monday Offerings

2011-02-21T13:23:00.000-05:00

It's been a good few days of regrouping here..the house is cozy, there's a pot of tomato sauce bubbling away on the stove and I'm just finishing up the last of the laundry.

Yesterday was quite the day of dog-duties. After a nice trek through the nature trails by my house, the puppy and her beau found a lovely puddle of manure smelling muck to roll in..mmm..manure muck. The pups were immediately put on leash and they pranced home quite proud of themselves for their little achievement. Nothing says 'top dog' like the lovely smearing of brown goo all over your fur and the stench of all things smelly that the warm weather brings this time of year. So home we went, and into the bath she went. There were a few laps around the dining room and coffee tables before she finally gave up and dragged her paws up the stairs and into the bathroom. You know you've truly lost that final thread of sanity when you find yourself sitting on the bottom step of your staircase dressed in your 'dog bathing clothes' which for me consists of an old pair of faded red shorts, paint-stained Benetton tank top from high school and a bleach stained bandana on your head yelling at your dog who's on the other side of the house, 'you can run but you can't hide Sachi! I've got alllll day to wait for you, you smelly girl!' Really though, Sachi is so good..aside from her hobby of barking at handicapped children (yes, handicapped children..I'm truly not making this up..), she's really quite sweet and well behaved.

So anyway, after all of that craziness during the day, my evening was spent finishing up some pieces of jewelry I had been procrastinating on finishing.

Available later today in my shop!

Happy Family Day to those of you here, and Happy President's Day to those of you south of the border!

xo Blue Gnome

Sterling, Dendritic Opal

Twin Ring - A Series of Contradictions II
Sterling, Rosewood, Natural Turquoise

Rise of the Fireflies

2011-02-20T14:45:00.001-05:00

Fireflies..have you been fortunate enough to see them?
My first and only time was during a installation job in Georgia, Atlanta. Small, glowing orbs of light dancing around on someone's front yard..I was mesmerized..then my good friend and coworker told me that when he was a kid, he and his brother used to catch them and squish them..and paint the glowy stuff on their arms and faces as warpaint. Nice. Boys are so weird.

I grew up watching movies from Studio Ghibli, an animation house in Japan. Among their popular animated films like Totoro and Spirited Away, they produced a powerful, heart wrenching movie called 'Firefly Grave'. It's about a young boy who takes his little sister into the forest to escape the war. Although they succeed in escaping the bombings of the city, without rations they struggle to survive. One of my all time favorite movies..but not one I can watch often. I know my Japanese grandmother couldn't watch it..she survived the war as a child and the movie hit too close to home. The little girl in the movie also has the same name as my grandma..Setsuko. The title of the film comes from the fireflies the boy catches for his sister. He traps them in a glass jar, and she keeps this by her bed at night since there are no lights.

I saw this ocean jasper and I immediately thought of this movie. And that night in Georgia when the night air was warm and muggy. It reminds me of what it might be like to walk through a field of fireflies in the darkness of the night and see them all float up into the night sky. Soft, glowing orbs of light, dancing all around me.

Available later today in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

Wednesday Blahs

2011-02-16T13:05:00.002-05:00

Ugh. It's one of those days when your day..damn..your whole life just seems blah. Like looking through a dirty window or being on the wrong side of a foggy one, when you want to take a towel and a huge bottle of industrial windex and wipe everything sparkling clean. Maybe it's the grayness of the day..all the crisp white snowbanks are black from the fumes of the passing cars and the milder weather has made even the happiest of snowmen slope sadly on people's yards. I'm trying to snap myself out of this..but then again, I think to myself, why? Why can't I be in a poopy mood once in awhile, when all I want to do is put on my granny undies, flannel pj's and curl up in my quilt. Okay, maybe that was too much information. I don't actually own a pair of granny undies..I mean, how silly..all of mine are super sexy. Yeah...whatever.

I've just finished ranting and raving to my poor, patient coworker..we'll call her L..and like the supportive trooper she is, she nodded and agreed at all the right place, and scowled and make faces when my rants called for it too. She was having a 'blah' day yesterday you see..maybe, like last month's flu, this is also catching. Maybe I should just blame her for my blue day today..yes, that's an excellent idea! That'll teach her for being such a good friend today.

In honor of my melancholy day today, here are a list of some of my favorite things..can't you just hear Julie Andrews singing 'Doe a deer, a female deer..Ray, a drop of golden sun..'? On second thought, I'm just going to think about my favorite things and not actually write them down. That way they're secret..by the way, that's one of my favorite things. Keeping secrets..

Here's to you having a better day than me..and to having small secrets to smile about when you need one on days like this.

xo Blue Gnome

Newbies To The Shop

2011-02-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

I'm digging this rabbit design lately..maybe it's because this is my year..

I had an especially terrible soldering day yesterday, everything I touched seemed to blow up, catch on fire or break. So I finally gave it a rest..and finished these beauties today, with fresh hands! I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out, still trying to get used to working with smaller stones. Such finicky little things, my fingers instantly feel too big and clumsy trying to get them to just behave!

Available in my shop tonight!

xo Blue Gnome

More Blooms

2011-02-09T12:24:00.001-05:00

Well, the temperatures have plummeted here in the city. But I have to admit, the great thing about winters in the east coast are the frigid but BEAUTIFUL sunny days! Yes, it might be horrendously cold out, with wind chills sending the thermometers down to an unthinkable -35 degrees but as long as you're inside somewhere warm, it really is quite uplifting to be able to enjoy the warm sunshine coming in from the window. My parents live in the gorgeous Okanagan Valley in Beautiful British Columbia. There the summers are perfect and the winters mild. But the price you pay for the mild temperatures are the months of overcast skies..it can drive a person simply mad and lead you to experience seasonal depression even if you're not the depression-kind-of-person. Whoever that 'kind' of person might be.

The cold weather has been the perfect excuse to stay indoors and not deal with the mess that's slowly starting to resurface as the clean, white blanket of snow has begun melting in the yard. My backyard looks like a small graveyard of buried and forgotten bones, thanks to my wonderfully fuzzy room mate. As the weather gets warmer and the snow really begins to melt away, the time for utter panic ensues. All of a sudden her treasures are exposed and my 120lbs dog spends her days reburying all her goods. Because we're all after her bones..bones that have now had months to ferment in the ground..the grosser, the better. Some are even green. Oh goodie. Not wanting to deal with any of that until it becomes absolutely necessary, I've been hard at work indoors designing and creating the happier thoughts of spring like bright green buds peek-a-booing out of the ground, the first tulips we're so happy to see.

I've decided to name this ring 'First Bloom'. I love it..it makes me smile thinking that perhaps spring isn't that far off. Available in my shop later today.

xo Blue Gnome

New Bloom After The Snow

2011-02-03T11:51:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a snow day. There had been a storm watch in the area for a few days now and yesterday was the day when everything was supposed to happen. I have to admit, I was kind of looking forward to a crazy snow storm..my pantry was stocked, candles, tea, movies and well..a lovely bottle of No.10 gin. What could be more civilized than an ice cold gin martini (very dry of course, with a twist..) while curled up on the couch, my very big fuzzy canine companion by my feet, watching the storm from the comforts of my cosy little home? But alas, the snow came but was nothing extraordinary. We, who live in the Great White North have seen better from Mother Nature. What ended up here was simply an inconvenience, terrible drivers at their best, fishtailing about town, people trying to pull U-turns in the middle of traffic, wedged between two snowbanks that are 8 feet high. Ah..that martini's sounding better and better.

After a very long dog walk through the winter wonderland-like side streets in my neighborhood, my 120lb fuzzy roommate toweled and fed, I spent a luxurious afternoon in my studio sawing, hammering and creating.

From the safety of my home, created from me to you.

xo Blue Gnome

The Hare and The Moon

2011-02-01T11:34:00.001-05:00

I've always grown up looking for the rabbit in the moon. I remember being confused as to why none of my other friends knew about the hare..instead, they always referred to the "man" on the moon, which just confused me even more.

My mother is Japanese and I grew up hearing stories from my big hardcover book of Japanese Folk Tales, supplied by my grandmother in Japan, who no doubt, didn't want me to forget about my Japanese roots living in Canada.

My all time favorite folk tale was "Kaguya Hime", the story of a bamboo princess who is found by a poor farmer in a bamboo grove. As the baby grows up, she becomes the most beautiful young lady in all the land. However, as more moons pass, she becomes increasingly sad and withdrawn. Finally, one night on the night of the full moon, she tell her adoptive parents that she's in fact a princess of the moon, and her time has come for her to return. As she speaks, the clouds part in the bright night sky and a beautiful procession of maidens glide down to earth on moon beams. The chariot awaits. As the princess bids farewell, she give her parents the gift of a long life and all the wealth they could ever hope for. I remember imagining how beautiful that sight must've been..and recall wrapping my mother's colourful silk scarves all around me and dancing about the house, pretending I was the moon princess. So as you can see, my fascination with the moon started a long time ago.

As such, and with 2011 being the Year of the Rabbit, I've designed and created a ring close to my heart. An ethereal moonstone set in sterling, hand sawn, oxidized and satin finished for somewhat of an industrial look. So we say good bye to the Year of the Tiger..and welcome a year of artistic creativity, imagination and ambition!

xo Blue Gnome

Some Small Offerings

2011-01-30T21:12:00.001-05:00

xo Blue Gnome

Dreams

2011-01-30T13:22:00.001-05:00

Dreams..they can have you waking up like you're on top of the world, fully rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever life throws at you that day. On days like this, you are the ultimate superhero, brave, compassionate and immortal. Then there are the dreams that screw up your day before you're even out of bed. You feel fragile, ultra-senstive and exposed..vulnerable.

My sleeps lately have been dream filled. I've woken up exhausted from the hectic events, friends from so long ago that it feels like another lifetime dropping in for their cameo appearances. People from the past who shouldn't even know each other, mingling like long lost friends. Lately there's been a eagle who drops by to pay me a visit. Flying so high in the sky, sometimes he's only a shadow on the ground by my feet but I know it's him..like somehow I know it's a him, and not a her. When I look up, despite the distance, we always make eye contact. I never feel frightened or threatend but I'm left wondering why he's always there. Am I being hunted for watched over? I'm not sure yet.

" To see an eagle in your dream, symbolizes nobility, pride, fierceness, freedom, superiority, courage, and powerful intellectual ability. It also represents self-renewal and your connection with your spirituality. You will struggle fiercely and courageously to realize your highest ambitions and greatest desires." - www.dreammoods.com

Hmm..I don't feel particularly courageous lately.

xo Blue Gnome