Is It Spring Yet?

Good Monday morning!! I have been hibernating for most of this winter and have not written much here for awhile. I'm digging my way out of my cave and hope to have something interesting to share soon!

I had the great pleasure to play a concert with Waukegan Symphony yesterday. We have more violins now than we have had in years and it is such a joy to have that many! The sound is awesome and the feeling of playing in unison with so many is even better! We had a wonderful piano soloist to play Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue. It was a tiring but wonderful weekend!

I cleared off my desk and rearranged the drawers - yes, again. I'm still looking for that perfect set-up. You know, the one where everything I need is at my fingertips and everything is neat and orderly all the time? Has anyone succeeded in achieving that goal? If so, please, please leave a comment explaining it!!!

I'm so happy that I finally get to see the Olympics on the NBC website. We have no reliable TV reception since the digital change so we were unable to see it live. But now that they are over all the events are available online! And I don't have to listen to the yammering commentators. I get to see the events as they happened without the criticisms!!

The weather is definitely becoming more spring-like. The snow is slowly melting and the ice cycles are almost gone from the roof. I can't see any grass yet but if these above freezing temps keep up, it won't be long.

I've been making some new jewelry pieces. I'm trying to push myself to create and list more often. My one year anniversary on Etsy is tomorrow!! I am so glad I have my little shop. It's such a joy to wake up everyday to making jewelry!

Here's a little preview of some pieces I'll be listing later today:


So, that's it for my random thoughts posting for today! Happy Monday to all!!

Keyrings from Among The Ruins!

I found a great use for all those beads that didn't seem to belong anywhere!

New Jewelry!

Hello everyone! I feel like I've been in hibernation for awhile and I'm just starting to come out of it and I'm making jewelry again!
Here are a few of my latest creations. I hope you like them!!

His Royal Silliness, Alfie

My dog Alfie

A Snow Tiara!

It's a little snow tiara! If snow were not so cold on bare feet I would go out and get a closer shot of this. Maybe later.

Purses From Among The Ruins

For many months now I have wanted to make purses. I finally found the time and the space to do it! Here are my first two attempts.
I have no patterns. I am just putting them together by trial and error - lots of error! Thank goodness for my trusty seam ripper!
My aim with the style of the brown purse is for a sort of "Steampunk Lite". By that I mean I want to make a style that has definite steampunk elements, but is not so over the top, so that a woman like me will feel comfortable wearing it. I am a middle aged woman and I love the steampunk style, but I would look silly in some of the fashion items out there. I'm aiming for a little more toned down version for people like me to wear.



This little green purse is not steampunk style. It's just kind of Victorian. I need to make a drawstring for it. My green ribbon is not dark enough or thick enough. So this one is not finished yet.



I'd love to hear what you think!! Please feel free to comment!

The Doldrums

We all know the word and it's usual definition of a dull, listless, depressed mood; low spirits. There's another part of its definition:

doldrums (dōl'drəmz')
A region of the globe found over the oceans near the equator in the intertropical convergence zone and having weather characterized variously by calm air, light winds, or squalls and thunderstorms. Hurricanes originate in this region.

I found that very interesting. Could apply it to me.

Pink Twist Necklace

Pink Twist Necklace

Tiny Heart Key Necklace

Tiny Heart Key Necklace

Love Is Pure Heart Choker

Love Is Pure Heart Choker