Back to School!!!

Yeeeee-hah! (Sorry, dear daughter!)

So we have a "no sales tax" weekend here in Texas. Meaning the stores will be crammed. But the stalwart among us shall field the crowds and buy the shoes and shirts and jeans and everything else our budding 13-year-old daughters think they need to start the new school year, and keep the 8.25% tax in the bank.

Poor dear, she is NOT ready. Summer isn't long enough ... for them. It's about long enough for Mom. Mom can finally have full access to the computer anytime of day starting August 25th!

For those of you who'd rather shop on-line, here's a couple of spots to visit for back-to-school wear (and help me pay for my darling daughter's shopping spree):









And for those with aspiring cheerleaders:



Whew! I think I'll head back over to Miss Catt's place for a cool one!

Wow! Tall Order!

Check it out ... Million Blog List

I'm #2090 as of today and they've been compiling it since April 10th. That's a loooooooong way to go! (Yes, dear Firefox spellchecker ... typo intentional).

Ooh, and I have a new badge!

A Lilac Stone

Lepidolite
(Potassium lithium aluminum silicate hydroxide fluoride)

"Lepidolite is an uncommon mica and has only in the past decade become available on the mineral market in large quantities. Lepidolite is an ore of lithium and forms in granitic masses that contain a substantial amount of lithium. The lithium content in lepidolite does vary greatly however and low lithium lepidolite is nearly useless as an ore of lithium. The typical violet to pink color of lepidolite is characteristic and is the only field test available to identify lepidolite from other micas. Pink muscovite or very pale lepidolite may confuse an identification." Quoted from Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery.

I guess its uncommoness is why the price tag had "limited" on it. Fortunately, it didn't set me back too much! I was intrigued by the color and the luster. It's both vitreous and pearly, and while it has a hardness index of 2.5, it has survived my handling.

In the this handcrafted necklace, I combined the pearly lilac with a pearly lime-green mother of pearl and the "watermelon" colored Swarovski crystal. The 14k gold-fill works well with this combination; I used copper in another necklace made from this stone, but pictures are not yet available.

I'll be listing this necklace in my Etsy shop by the weekend. These past few days of feeling slayed by the Yucks has put me way behind on my "must do" list. And cool of all coolness, I just now received a phone call about another networking opportunity to take place tomorrow! Must figure out a way to BUY more time!!

Case of the Yucks?

Over the weekend, whilst dropping my card on some fellows of Entrecard, I read several posts about bloggers feeling the Yuck. I wondered the possibly of actual viruses, the biological sort, traveling over the net and infecting people through their keyboards. I know that sounds ridiculous, but now I'm feeling the same!

Yuck! I hate gastrointestinal viruses. But I'm on the mend. I'm still feeling shaky on my feet, but the fever is gone and hopefully for good.

My feature today:

Pyrite and Crystal Byzantine Chainmaille Choker, available here at my Etsy Shop. And again, if you read this and decide to purchase, put in the code DHBlog in a message to seller and you'll get a 10% discount refunded through PayPal. Convo me if you have any questions.

I must warn any potential buyer that this choker is a tad heavy. There's a lot of stone and metal in it, so if you have any neck problems, this choker isn't for you. But if your neck is healthy and strong, this stunner will get a lot of compliments!

The pyrite teardrop beads are exceptional with lots of gold-toned flecks gleaming on the polished surface. The chainmaille is the Byzantine weave made with oxidized silver-colored rings. The black diamond crystals give the piece just the right amount of bling. Click on the photo to get a larger view of the detail.

I really need to get some more items listed in my Etsy Shop! I just noticed it's a bit thin. Maybe I'll have a chance to get my newer items photoed and listed today ... after I've completed my card-making project. I have a friend who is launching her Arbonne business at a home showing this Friday at my house. I hope I feel 100% by tomorrow so I can get things situated.

The Loss of Masters

Bernie Mac.

Issac Hayes.

Two amazing artists that made me laugh and dance. They will be missed.

(No photos ... I will not infringe on copyrights.)

Sunday's Feature

"To inspire & promote each other, we build, imagine, dream & we deliver a magnificent online zine. "

The mission of Skwigga-zine Magazine, an on-line magazine that encourages and supports the starving artists among us created by Missy, a talented illustrator and designer. I have blogged about Skwiggazine before, and I'll blog about it again because I believe in its message and mission. Please drop by and spend some time with us!

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My take on the red/turquoise color combination that was expected to be big this past spring, but I didn't see much of it in stores, only in the upscale fashion rags. But then again, that may mean we'll see it in our stores in the spring of 2009.

This handcrafted necklace is made of amazonite, red coral, and 14k gold-fill. It's a long piece which can be doubled, if desired. Feel free to click on the picture to get a larger, detailed version.

It's available here in my Etsy shop. If you decide to purchase, put "DHBlog" in your message to seller at checkout and I will give you a 10% discount. The discount will be refunded through PayPal. If you have any questions, feel free to convo me.