'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

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

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

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

  

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.

xo

Strange Line of Work

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

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