Thursday, December 15, 2011

'Tis The Season When Slowing Down Is Not An Option

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




Monday, December 12, 2011

On Wings of Fire

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

Monday, December 5, 2011

Blue Gnome Holiday SALE

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


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Honey Of Life

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