A new collection in Art Fire

Someone included two of my watches in their Art Fire collections. You can see it here. It is a very unique and unusual collection as far as theme goes. It has to do with measurements. Go look and see for yourself.

An Etsy Wish List

I am posting an Etsy wish list for Etsy Blogger. The only thing that I really have on my wish list is that my watches will be so appealing to people that they will want to buy them for themselves and to give them as gifts for loved ones. I want people to see my watches and say, "I like these! They are really unique and pretty! I want to get one!" or "Wow, these are really different. I have not seen any watches like these. I want to buy one." ( or two) I want my watches on Etsy to cause people to start talking about Watches by Helen.

My wish is that Watches by Helen on Etsy becomes a known name for fun and different watches.

That is my wish list.

Pruitt and Crafts...Linda

I love Linda's work. I really love these earrings. And if I didn't have enough earrings already I would buy them right now. As you probably noticed I like pinks and purples. I feel a special kinship with Linda, although I have never even talked to her, because she is a breast cancer survivor and I am too. She is in Etsy Bloggers and so I am featuring her on my blog this month and this is a good thing because she does very pretty work. Let me list her other shops:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pruitthandcrafts

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pruittdesign (this is where you will find these earrings)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pruittsupply

http://pruitthandcrafts.blogspot.com (of course her blog)

The Bazaar

I am happy to say that the bazaar went well and I sold some watches. I actually got a special order out of it from a very nice young woman. I had a lot of people say how much they liked my watches which is really what I was looking forward to have happen. I wanted validation. I got it. Doing faires is a lot of work and I am not sure if I want to do them. On the other hand, it might be a great way to bring people to my Etsy and Artfire store. So I am still a bit confused as to whether or not I will be doing craft faires.

I hope all of you are having great holidays. My store is having free shipping. You pay shipping and I reimburse you through Paypal. I hope you take advantage of that. It is through the end of December. Until next time, have fun!

Christmas Bazaar

I am so excited. Nov 13th I am doing a Christmas bazaar near my town. The head of the bazaar saw my watches in my shop on Etsy and liked what she saw and invited me to be part of her bazaar. This will be my first time of being in a faire or bazaar with my watches. I am nervous and excited and a whole bunch of other feelings all at once. I am hoping we have a good turn out and that we all do well. I will keep you posted how we do.

Another Treasury

Someone else put another pair of my earrings in their treasury. You can find it at: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cbcbfb856068eef8e33096c/red-red-and-more-red It is so exciting when someone compliments me by including something of mine in their treasury. Take a look at the other items and their shops.

A Treasury

I got a pair of earrings in a treasury!! That's right! Little ole me got a purple pair of earrings in a treasury with all plum purple items in it. I am so excited! You can go see it at: cool treasury . The curator did a really nice job with the treasury. The thought of doing a treasury makes me nervous cause you have to time it perfectly to get it in the line up and all that. It is way to confusing to try to explain.

Anyway, do me a favor and go look at it and take a look at some of the shops and comment on it.

Thanks!

Update on Gracie

There is such a big hole where Gracie used to be. It is a relief not to hear her whining at night either for attention or because she is in pain. I get the feeling the other dogs feel her absence. I just miss her so much. I listed a watch today and re-listed a bunch of others so that is good. It just seems like there is this huge void that needs filling. Even Max the Cat feels it I think. He was always pestering Gracie for attention. I feel the biggest void at night when we are all in the living room. She was always with us at night. In the daytime she spent most of her time in the bedroom or dining room. I realize that this is part of loving a dog. They live shorter lives then humans. We outlive them. It is a sad fact most of the time. I am glad Grace was part of my life and that I could make her life happy and contented. She got to play in the ocean and she LOVED the ocean. She played in the ocean until her legs would not let her anymore. She was a well-loved companion.

Update on Gracie

It is sad news. Tomorrow, Monday, at 9:30 we have an appointment to put Grace to sleep. She has started to not be able to control her bowls and, worse of all, she is whining more at night as if she is in pain. We always said if she became incontinent or appeared to be in pain we would let her go. Both of these things are happening. It is such a hard decision. But we can't be selfish and we need to do what is best for our dear one. She has been such a sweet companion. It will be a great loss. I will be glad to know that she is not in pain anymore.

MEFDesigns

As part of Esty Bloggers we are featuring Margaret of MEFDesigns. This is her second shop which is a jewelrey shop and has angel earrings in it. They are light a remind me of fairies. I like fairies.

She also has another shop Splendid Little Stars. This shop is colorful and fun. I accidentally made it the first picture...it should have been the second. Darn it all! Aw well now you know I am not perfect. I have never understood how people get so specific with tye dyes and are able to do stuff like rainbows. I understand random tye dyes but not specific. (If that makes any sense.)

Go visit her shops the earrings are wonderful and the tye dyes are fun to see all the great colors. Thanks for sharing your energy with us, Margaret.

Hey out there!

I've been out of commission recently due to being on vacation at my sister's in Port Townsend, WA. Then when I came home my friendly plane passenger had given me her cold. Now I am trying to recover from that illness. I still have the dreaded cough. I was able to fill 2 watch orders so that made me happy. One was in Australia!

I wanted to give everyone a link to an blog article that you may be able to use if you have copper jewelry. It is on how to clean copper! http://heartsdesirebeads.blogspot.com/2010/07/caring-for-your-copper-jewelry-over.html I hope someone reads this and finds it helpful. Debra wrote it in a very easy to understand way.

A Favorite Book I Just Read

I know this is odd for me to write about on this blog but I just joined Etsy Bloggers and I am going to be writing about different things starting today. We have what's called Blog Carnivals. When someone picks 2 themes to write about and the rest of us pick which one we want to write about on our personal blogs. I picked writing about my favorite book because my favorite book is about dogs and my dog affect my creativity.

I have not read the entire book because, to be honest, I got distracted by another book on dogs. LOL Did I ever mention how much I love animals? I love them more than people almost. Any this book is, "Training People: How to Bring Out the Best in Your Human" And it is all written from the perspective of the dog. All the way from choosing the human (the dog is the owner of the human) to training the human to dealing with the death of a human. It is written by Tess of Helena. It is a very endearing book. I plan to read all of it.

I sometimes think that it is my 3 dogs that have my husband and I trained. I mean really, Chopper can look at me steadily while I am sitting at the end of the couch and the cat is at the other end of the couch. I will move over and let him sit in my place because I know that he does not want to sit by Max the cat. Just a fixed stare is all it takes and I will move. Now does that sound like I am trained???? OF COURSE NOT ! NO WAY! That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Patch A Featured Member of Etsy Bloggers

I just joined the team of Etsy Bloggers so I have not had the privilege of getting to know Patch. However, I hear that she is a pretty cool person. She has 3 stores and they all have really great things in them and I am not easy to impress. I can tell she puts the time and energy into each one of her shops to make each one looks it's best.

One shop http://patchsupplyshop.etsy.com is a supply shop. It has the neatest little boxes...perfect for storing beads. I'm gonna have to go back to her shop! LOL Another shop, http://patchvintageshop.etsy.com is a vintage shop with the cutest clothes. I love clothes. The purple blouse I show here is one of my faves. Don't you agree it's the cutest? Finally, she has a jewelry shop! http://patchfirstshop.etsy.com Okay enough already!! LOL These earrings are so cute! And they are hearts! I love hearts! Has she read my mind? Go and visit Patch's shops cause there are cute things and beautiful things in them and you will have fun looking and possibly buying.

I got a watch in a treasury!

That's right I got one of my Watches by Helen watches placed in a treasury. It is at : http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c61c725347c6d91259bf818/over-the-ocean-blue I am really excited about this and shouting it out where ever I can. Here, above, is a picture of the watch that is in the treasury, but, you can go look at the whole treasury. It is beautiful. All ocean blue. I think this is one of my favorite colors beside purple. As if anyone that reads my blog does not know my favorite color is purple. LOL Anyway, go take a look...and comment! I still have to do that hehe.

Creations with Heart

This Weeks Featured Artisan is Creations with Heart

I truly enjoy creating jewelry and it's a bonus and a pleasure to make it available to you!

I love to create classic and western jewelry that will always fit your style! Gemstones, crystals, pewter and leather are just a few materials I enjoy working with. I'm a "dog mom" so including animals in some of my creations is a must -- I love them so much! A percentage of all animal related purchases is donated to help the animals. It's something I like to do to help our furry friends that need and depend on us.

You'll see jewelry styles ranging from classic, animal themed, southwest, western and inspirational. My wish is to have my guests smile when they put my jewelry on. When you smile, you feel good!

I hope you enjoy the jewelry I've created and may it bring you joy and happiness

You can find Creations with Heart @

Shop Name:

Creations With Heart

Shop URL:

Etsy

2nd Shop URL:

Artfire

Website URL:

http://CreationsWithHeart.com

Twitter Page:

http://twitter.com/CreationsWHeart

Blog:

http://CreationsWithHeart.blogspot.com

Update on Gracie

My husband and I were so pleased today to see Grace in the yard sniffing and wagging her tail. He had helped her out to the back yard. She had found the place to lay and was just enjoying herself. So now every evening she goes out with him and the rest of the dogs to soak up the night air. She may be disadvantaged or handicapped but she is enjoying what she can. She still lays and whines at times so I still wonder if she is in pain. The doctor will let us know that for sure. She is our sweet Gracie.

Tulips Treasure Box Jewelry Blog

I just had to blog about this artist's blog because she added a very funny joke to her blog. It is for adults and near adults so be fore-warned. Her addie is http://FusionArtJewelryblog.blogspot.com

Her shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/FusionArtJewelry and she does beautiful work. I wanted to blog about her jewelry also. It's very intricate and delicate. I can tell she puts a lot of time and effort into her art. Go look at her blog and then take a look at her artful jewelry.

Artizen Beads

This Weeks Featured Artisan is ArtiZen Beads

Truly Unique Creations! You must visit here shop to see for yourself!

You can find ArtiZen Beads at:

Shop URL:

http://ArtiZenBeads.etsy.com

2nd Shop URL:
http://makingit.etsy.com

Website URL:
http://www.LauraRSilverman.com

Twitter Page:
http://tiwtter.com/goodsis1

Facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/laura.r.silverman

Blog:
http://www.laurarsilverman.blogspot.com

This is one of my 3 dogs Gracie. My husband and I are going through a hard time with her right now. She has a back problem that is affecting her back legs. She can't tell what her back legs are doing so she drags them behind her. Sometimes she can walk and sometimes she needs are help. My husband and I go back and forth within ourselves questioning her quality of life. She is still Gracie but her body is failing her. The above picture is before any of this affected her. She can't chase after a ball anymore but she still can bark after the other dogs and she can still give and accept love. When do you say quality of life stinks and a dog needs to be put down?

It's My Birthday Soon

I want to tell everyone that my OB-GYN exams showed NO CANCER. And the mammograms were clear so NO CANCER. I have been cancer free for a year. *knocking on wood* literally. Isn't that great? I have been taking my vitamins and my cancer medicine...yes the one that makes me gain weight quickly if I don't exercise. I lift weights 1 x/ week and cardio 3x/ week when it all goes smoothly. I am so glad my husband goes with me or I know I would exercise to excess. But we go in the same car and we agree on what we are going to do so that's that.

OH my birthday is coming up 7/15. If any of you are interested I would like you to donate $20 to the USHS....that is the United States Humane Society. It is a one time donation. You could leave a comment here and we could celebrate your generosity. Here is their webpage: http://www.humanesociety.org/ I know I don't usually ask for money but this is close to my heart and think of it as a birthday present to me...$20. And anyone that donates $20 will get $20 off on any watch they choose from my store. Just put HSUS in message to seller. This goes till the end of next week.

Caty Ann's Creations

Caty Ann's Creations

My name is Cathy and I live in NW Ohio. I have been creating jewelry for about 6 years for myself and family members. Each of my pieces are unique. Hope you enjoy my jewelry and acessories as much as I enjoy creating them

You can find Caty Ann's Creations on:

Artfire - http://catyann.artfire.com

Zibbet - http://zibbet.com/catyann

Ecrater - http://catyanns.ecrater.com

Blotspot - http://catyannscreations.blogspot.com

Love You More

This weeks Featured Artisan on Share the Love... Blogger's Unite is

Love you More Designs

Kathleen is a stay-at-home mom of three who was a lawyer in another life. She has always been interested in creating -- jewelry, poetry, scrapbooking and loves to create unique jewelry designs. She is also a member of the Etsy Mom Street Team.

You can find Love You More Designs on:

Etsy

Kathleen also has a blog called Charm Bracelet Diva

Be sure to visit her blog too!

Love You More

Caliope

This weeks Featured Artisan on Share the Love - Blogger's Unite is Caliope! Jazz up your warderobe with a stunning creation by Caliope. Visit her shop to see all of her beautiful works of art!!

You can find Caliope at:

Madeitmyself

DeWanda

Blog

Facebook

My Watches are Selling!

I have amazing news to report. I have had my shops open for over a year and my watches are finally selling! I am so grateful! My husband doesn't seem surprised. He says he guesses he had more confidence in me then I did. But they are selling almost DAILY. That's amazing. I was asking the Universe for one per week. But I am fine with 1 per day or 2 or 3. Just so I have enough time to customize each watch. Isn't this wonderful? Anyway I just had to tell all my blog friends. I hope someone is reading this so that you can get excited with me. I am hoping to make money this year or to come out way better then last year.

I am so grateful for those people that are buying my watches and talking about Watches by Helen and to those of you reading this blog.

Working out!

Okay so a couple of months ago I started working out 3 times a week cardio level or to a point that it was really hard to talk while moving my body. Then I am told that adding more muscle mass burns more calories so lifting weights is a good idea. OMG I hate lifting weights. But hey, I talk to a trainer at the gym and have her show me some machines and I start doing that on the days that I am not doing cardio.

So now I am going 5 days a week with my sweet husband. I am doing all this because #1 I need to to be healthy. #2 The stupid cancer meds are causing me to rapidly gain weight and the working out has stopped it. #3 Being Post-menopausal has slowed my metabolism waaaaay down. Soooo yeah me. LOL I used to work out and love it but now it is just a pain in my ass. What happened to the love? Where did it go? I used to love to sweat now I just itch when I sweat. Where did the love go? It doesn't take that long to do 15 min on the eliptical and 15 minutes on the bike or treadmill. I break it up so I don't get bored. Where did the love go? Maybe it has just disappeared for a while and the more I get into the sweating part and the better I get into it the more I will love working out. Yes? Can anyone agree with me?

Does anyone have any comments? Any words of encouragement? Any post-menopausal women reading this and relating? Any humorous words? I am really taking this with some humor but I really do get intimidated with all the young people working out with their young bodies. I feel so old sometimes. But hey, I am there. I am healthy and I am there. I am grateful to be able to be there.

Comments are welcome here.

Pamannie Ink

This Weeks Featured Shop is pamannie ink- beautiful cards for all occassions! Say it with Love.. say it with Handmade! Stop by and see all of her wonderful creations! You can find pamannie at:

Etsy Shop
http://pamannie.etsy.com

Blog URL
http://pamannie.blogspot.com

Face Book Page

http://facebook.com/pamannieink

Twitter Page

http://twitter.com/pamannieink

Black Fire Design

Nancy and Christy Goulet are the artists behind the jewelry in the Black Fire Design shop. They do beautiful work. I was struck by this piece that you see in this blog entry. You know how much I love purple. But even more then that, I read their profile. Nancy discusses her gaining of the gift of Sky her coal black horse. The sweetest of horses. She has not even has the horse for the 30 days of "getting to know you" and she already knows that the horse is special. I guess that drew me to the shop even more than the jewelry. I do love the bracelet but I love animals and this story won me over. I am for MOST anyone that loves animals.

Here is the link to the bracelet. Here is a link to the pretty necklace. And here is the link to the shop itself Black Fire Design.

Morgan52

The artist that did this started creating when she was a child. She made a poster that was against drugs and it was shown country wide. She finds beauty through-out the world. Her shop C & L Creations is on Etsy and is full of unique and unusual, wearable and collectible art. For some of her art pieces she has stories to tell. Like for this piece I am showing you here. Parrot Jasper is related to a parrot that she was taking care of for a friend. Her descriptions for her art pieces are fun to read and add to her shop. Take time to explore and have fun!

Passion for Beads

This weeks Featured Artisan is Sally - Passion for Beads. Sally creates unique designs in wonderful colors to "Jazz Up" any wardrobe! Stop by Passion for Beads and see all her creations! You can find Passion for Beads @"

Shop URL
MadeitMyself
2nd Shop URL
Artfire
Blog URL
http://passionforbeads.blogspot.com

More on Times a Changing

Well, I went to see my doctor and she adjusted my Bipolar meds and I think I am starting to feel better. The anxiety is leaving, the irritability is gone, the depression is less and I actually made myself a watch. I am seeing how a new magnetic clasp is going to work out with a cute safety chain.
I am seeing less gray around myself. Sunday, my husband and I are going to the beach to watch the surfers. I love that! I am still having trouble sleeping and still haven not been able to list anything. But I think things are getting better. THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER!!!! YAH!!!! That is a very good thing. The adjusting of just a little of my drug regiment shows me that my bipolar meds shows me that my illness is sooooo biochemical and not situational. Cause I am so happy with my life. I am so grateful. I love my life. Even when I am depressed I know what I have and love it. So ANYWAY, I just wanted to let all you kind people know that I am feeling better. Thanks for those of you that read and responded...even if it was silently.

Mommy Tyme

This weeks Featured Artisan is Valerie of Mommy Tyme. Valerie has a wonderful collection of handmade creations! From Bath and Body, Scarves and Jewelry, Knit and Crochet....Mommy Tyme has something for everyone!
You can find Mommy Tyme @:

Shop URL
http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com
2nd Shop URL
http://fuzzb.com/MommyTyme
3rd Shop URL
http://mommytyme.shophandmade.com/
Website URL
http://www.mommytyme.org
Blog URL
http://mishapsofmommy.blogspot.com

Boutique Karma

Tara who is the mastermind at Boutique Karma does everything from making BoBos for owies to these eye pillows for soothing headaches. She uses an array of fabrics for her vast ideas. All kinds of color. I would be hard pressed not to find a color that I would not love in her shop. I want one of her eye pillows! They contain Lavender de Provence. Oh my nostrils want the smell. LOL But don't take my word for it. Go and explore Tara's shop. Enjoy!

Things are a Changing

I try to blog about major things going on in my life. So I am going to blog about this because I feel like it is affecting my creativity. I mention in here when I feel like I am a bit manic. It's been a long time since I have mentioned that I feel a bit depressed because it's been so long since I have felt depressed. But the last week or two I have been feeling and seeing the signs that the real scary depression is creeping back in. Now I don't wanna get all scared because it is only a feeling and it is really about what I do with it but, it is also about some pretty scary thoughts that I get. But I talked to my doctor today and she changed my bipolar meds and I called the lady I talk to and she will call me back. I called her just to "touch base". So I am getting all my ducks in a row in case the BIG SCARY happens and I start to lose my way.

It's effecting my shops and my art in that I am not doing anything except going through email and blogging and I am not doing anything creative. I am not even listing. This watch that is waiting to be listed is sitting looking at me from my desktop. But I am not beating myself up. It has been almost 2 years to the month that I have had a swing down so I feel blessed and this might be a small burp. I sure hope someone is reading this that can relate. Can anyone relate? Is anyone out there? Can you write in the comments section? Can you let me know?
Helen

jYOUlry

Is this not the cutest thing? Lisa, the owner of jYOUlry, creates these pieces of art and custom makes them just for her customers. You can send her photographs and she can make all kinds of keepsakes from your photographs. When you go and look at her shop you will see how her imagination wanders and creates. jYOUlry

Mommy Tyme

This weeks Featured Artisan is Valerie of Mommy Tyme. Valerie has a wonderful collection of handmade creations! From Bath and Body, Scarves and Jewelry, Mommy Tyme has something for everyone!
You can find Mommy Tyme @:

Shop URL
http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com
2nd Shop URL
http://fuzzb.com/MommyTyme
3rd Shop URL
http://mommytyme.shophandmade.com/
Website URL
http://www.mommytyme.org
Blog URL
http://mishapsofmommy.blogspot.com

Leta Marie Designs

LetaMarieDesigns is this weeks Featured Artisan. She has beautiful jewels that will Jazz up your outfit! Stop by and see her creations! You can find LetaMarieDesigns at:

Shop URL
http://www.artfire.com/users/letamariedesigns
2nd Shop URL
http://www.zibbet.com/letamariedesigns

A Little About Me

I know that your probably not interested in this but this is my work space...or most of it. This is where I make my earrings and watches for my shops. These is part of the process I do sitting under the lamp on the couch but that is a very small amount. Yes I know it is mess and you wonder how I keep track of my beads. This was most likely at the end of a project when everything is messy. LOL NO, I was not about to put myself in the picture. Anyway, that is a bit about myself.

mommasgreenbeads

Look at this beautiful creation I found at Mommas Green Beads! The link is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43370837&ref=em
You need to go look at her shop and her other things.

Crocheted and Little Things

This weeks featured artisan is Luisa of Crocheted Little Things. Adorable creations that make perfect gifts! Stop by Luisa's shops and see all her treasures!

You can find Crocheted Little Things @:

Shop URL

http://www.artfire.com/users/Crochetedlittlethings

2nd Shop URL

http://www.etsy.com/shop/crochetedlittlething

3rd Shop URL

http://www.etsy.com/shop/piccoladonna2006

Blog URL

http://crochetedlittlethings.blogspot.com

Luvy Duvy

I found this vintage bag. I know I usually focus on artists but I really like vintage too so decided vintage was in! This is the link for you: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42950966

Go take a look at some of Luvy Duvy's things.

Dancing Wind Designs

I have always marveled at people that have the patience to do seed bead work. It is a real gift to do seed bead work. I used to do it and probably could still do it but much prefer using seed beads as accents. Sue is the artist in Dancing wind Designs that does beautiful seed bead work. I picked this piece because it had pinks and purple in it and I love the way the focal bead swirl around. I know this piece took a lot of time and energy to make. I hope whomever is reading this will take the time to go visit her shop and see all her wonderful treasures. Her shop is earthy and fun!

Not Sleeping My Mind is Worried

I'm worried about all kinds of things that are too complex to try and write in this blog. One has to do with one of my dogs that has a bad disc in her back. She gets really uncomfortable at times and whines and other times she is fine. I worry about her quality of life. She is the one with the ball, Gracie. It effect her control of her back legs.

I am also worried about this cancer medication I am taking for the next 5 years. I called my doctor today and said that I was rapidly gaining weight. So much so that I had to CUT MY WEDDING RING OFF and get it re-sized. It was stuck on my finger! The doc said that it is most likely the meds and he wants to see me on Friday. I feel like a balloon. My feet are tingling right out of the blue. I gained 8 pounds in 1 month and then 5 pounds this month. I hope there is another drug he can put me on.

So tonight I am worrying and can't turn my brain off. I'm off to try and sleep.

Helen

KP Designs

Kathy is the owner and designer of KP Designs. She has wonderful pieces, each crafted with love! Stop by and see all KP Designs beautiful creations! You can find KP Designs @:
Madeitmyself
Artfire
Zibbet
KP Designs Blog

These are my doggies

I decided I would share with you my dogs. How do my dogs relate to my watches? Well my dogs make me happy and if I am happy I am freer to create. When one of them dies or is sick I don't create because I shut down. So here are my 3 dogs and a bit about them.

This is Bailey (the one with the brown and black and white). My husband went to the pound and Bailey picked him. My husband couldn't leave him because others wanted him. But Bailey wanted my husband and he wanted Bailey and after my husband called me I knew I wanted Bailey. He is a curious and a fun dog.

The dog with the black and white coat is Chopper. He is a great dog. I rescued him from the pound the day before he was to be put down. They told me he was unadoptable. Probably because he was in a cage and pawing at the door trying to get out. He is a good dog, however he does have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I think he was partially trained to fight with other dogs. He is not dog friendly and he wakes up sometimes mad or scared and we have to calm him down. We have to lean on him and tell him no around strange dogs...all the time he is barking at the other dogs and being vicious he is licking us. He ADORES my husband and loves and protects me. He is my sweetie.

Lastly, Gracie is the oldest and she is the one with the ball. She is the guard dog. She barks a lot to let us know if she hears anything out of the ordinary. She is older now and has something wrong with one of her disc in her back. She doesn't always know what her back legs are doing. We have her on pain meds and they are not affecting her liver. So that is good. We take all the dogs to the beach but we are really doing it for her and I. She loves the ocean as do I. She loves to run in the water and bite at it. She is like me in that when she gets hurt she wants to lash out. She is not a rescue...we got her from a family...she was the shy one. But she is the frightened one...shy and scared. We take great care to introduce her to people. She is a luv bunny.

I have a cat, Max the Cat but I can't find any pics of him but I will later. He is a fur ball of standoffish love. Now you know my family minus my husband. A girl has to keep some things private you know. I am thinking of taking pictures of my work area so you can see where I do my beading. Big deal huh? LOL

Thanks for reading...till next time.

Helen

Vabeachquilter

I have promoted Vabeachquilter before in my blogger but it seems every time I turn around she is reinventing her shop. She has changed it again since the last time I promoted it in my blog. I remember a time when it was just simply patches of quilts. She may disagree with me but, that is how I remember it. Now she has purses and pouches and all kinds of cool things. Her shop addie is: http://www.artfire.com/users/vabeachquilter That is where you will really want to go to start your exploring...just so you don't miss anything. Look at the quilt in this pic! Isn't it gorgeous and colorful? Like a rainbow. I would love to have that on my bed. And quilting is no easy task. Not for the faint of heart. So go visit her shop and see all the goodies. You'll have fun. :)

Kandi-o-Designs

Kandi-o Designs.. creations by Kandace... truly unique and a style of their own! Kandace also has a shop called Cap It! More unique designs for you!
You can find Kandace At:

Shop URL
Etsy Shop
2nd Shop URL
Madeitmyself Shop
Website URL
Blog URL
I've had dealings with Kandio and she though I had a good sense of humor. Ha! Another one fooled. LIttle do they know how mean and awful and cruel I actually am. Just ask my 3 dogs and my cat. Ask Chopper if I ever let him lick me in the face till I can't breathe. Wait! Don't ask him. JUst take my word for it JUst remember this shop is worth exploring and she has some colorful earrings and she uses great imagination. And visit her Cap it store. I swear I am gonna get a cap it sometime soon.

My Mission Statement

Now this is a hard one. I want to state my Mission Statement for all of you to know and hold me to doing. This statement will be for Watches by Helen not, necessarily, for this blog. I have never made a Mission Statement and I am not really sure I understand what they are but, I decided I needed one just as a goal. So here goes...

Colors inspire me along with stones and their properties. I will use these elements either separately or together to create watches and earrings and allow others to carry a piece of me with them. The properties of the color and/or stone will positively influence the people they touch. This is my Mission Statement.

What do you all think of it? Comments are welcome. Let me know someone is reading this. LOL

Look what I Found

I love this piece from Krystallized because of it's simplicity and elegance. Jane does wonderful work with Swarovski crystals as she makes necklaces, earrings, and all kinds of jewelry. She makes them sparkle. You can visit her store at http://www.artfire.com/users/krystallized
and see all the beautiful things she has made.

Julia Hutchins

This week’s Featured Artisan on Share the Love is Julia Hutchins Designs. Julia creates beautiful treasures! Stop by and see them all!

Shop URL
http://juhutch.artfire.com
2nd Shop URL
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/juliahutchinsdesigns
3rd Shop URL
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=18953
Website URL
http://www.juliahutchins.com
Blog URL
http://www.juliahutchins.com/blog1/

Dancing Wind Designs

You all know I love the color purple and I found this necklace today! Dancing Wind Designs created it http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=801600 They do beautiful seed bead work. I've done seed bead work and know that it takes a special type of beader to do seed beading. It takes enormous patience. I love this piece. The store URL is: http://www.artfire.com/users/DancingWindDesigns

Wondering, wondering

I am always working during the days on my shops or my watches or earrings...anything having to do with Art Fire or Etsy. This is what I do full time. Today I read a wonderful blog, http://curiouspug.blogspot.com/ The blogger has all kinds of tutorials on how to make the most of Esty and how to get the most sales out of your shop. Well today I read one of her entries where she listed a bunch of tips and suggestions for Etsy. It was damn good! She gave me an idea to make a slide show with Google Picassa and post it on You Tube. Isn't that a great idea???? I am going to enlist my husband to help me cause I get the feeling that he would know how to do this adventurous thing. So I just thought I would share with all of you this new idea. It might work and it ...no it will work.

Gabs Bags on Art Fire Take a Look!

Gabrielle is the owner/designer behind Gabs Bags! Beautiful and orignal fashion creations! You can find Gabs Bags at:

Shop URL
http://GabsBags.artfire.com
2nd Shop URL
http://gabsbags.etsy.com
Website URL
http://gabsbags.ning.com/
Blog URL
http://www.apassionforbags.com

Positively Charming Things

I just found this shop and this bracelet! Both are part of the guild I am in. Nicki, the artist, does some amazing and detailed work. If you have ever worked with charms you know that it take a great amount of patience. But she also makes dragons! You have to go see her store. As always here is a link to this really cute bracelet http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=896787 Her store addie is Positively Charming Things . She does amazing things with polymer clay. I have worked with polymer clay before and know that it is not that easy. Go browse her shop and enjoy!

I am so excited!

I know I should be cool about this...or I should act cool about this...at least on my blog and around other sellers but I just can't be who I am not. I am so excited! A man bought a watch from me for his wife and he lives in France. That's right you heard me...FRANCE. Now my sister bought a watch for a friend of her's in Thailand so I was kind of international then but it didn't really count cause it was my sister. But this was a total stranger and I think it came from some advertising I do in Europe. FRANCE. Can you EVEN believe it???!!!! I hope his wife loves it and I hope it fits perfectly. You read right I said FRANCE. LOL

Thanks for tuning in.

Creations With Heart

This weeks Featured Artisan is Julie from Creations with Heart! Beautiful creations made by a beautiful lady! You can find Creations with Heart at:

http://creationswithheart.artfire.com
http://creationswithheart.etsy.com
http://creationswithheart.com
http://creationswithheart.blogspot.com

Tali Creations

This piece is called Dichroic glass and I absolutely love this type of glass. This artist does beautiful work in her shop of Tali Creations. You can see more of this piece at: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=845930
If you want to visit Tali Creations she has many fun thing for you to look at and her shop is pack full of wonderful things in which to gaze.

Chrysalis Designs

This weeks Featured Artisan is Chrysalis Designs - owner/designer is Regina McDonald. Gina also has a shop call T.A.I.S.I. on Madeitmyself. She does beautiful work and her T.A.I.S.I. shop 40% goes to the Refuge House in Florida.

You can find Chrysalis Designs at:

http://chrysalisdesigns.artfire.com
http://madeitmyself.com/user/chrysalisdesigns.aspx
http://www.narvla.com/bRegina-McDonald_b-_brChattahoochee-FL/products/127/
http://chrysalisdesigns.blogspot.com

You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook!

Look at what I found!

I found VaBeachQuilter a while back and continue to marvel at her work. You see I have no patience to quilt. And look at this animal print! I love animal print! I don't wear a lot of it...in massive quantities. But a little here and there. I really like it. If you want to see more of this cute tote go to: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=917029 From there you can look at her shop. She has a lot of cool things to gaze upon. Have fun!

Look at this!

Sara from Creative Minds is this weeks Share the Love Featured Artisan
Shop URL
http://www.creativeminds2009.etsy.com
2nd Shop URL
http://www.CreativeMinds.artfire.com
Website URL
http://www.creative-minds.biz
Blog URL
http://www.creativemindscrafts.blogspot.com

I just made and listed these!

I just had to show you some of my latest creations. I got these window beads off of Etsy from the artist that created the picture of the flower that I posted earlier. These are beautiful beads and they made a beautiful watch and earrings. If I didn't already have enough purple jewelry I would keep them for myself! LOL But I have plenty. You can see more of them here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1031625 and here: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1033941 I think they look really good with the colors of my blog. More later, have fun!