You all been looking for me?

I am sure that anyone reading this has not been anxiously pacing,waiting for my next post. But I thought I would pop in to let those who may happen to stumble upon this that I am alive and well. You feel all better now, right? Anyway, life is as always hectic and only so much time in the world. I havent abandoned the blog...in my thoughts anyway. I still have many intentions of getting back to this but its summer and its hot and what else can I use as an excuse. So in the meantime, please keep in touch on my Facebook Page. Come give us a "like" and please do interact there. I would love to hear from you. You can find me at www.facebook.com/tinyartjewelry2 Hope to see you there!

Where you been hiding?

The first of September. Always an important date to me. Where many people look to January 1st to assess their lives,set goals and make changes,for me its September 1.

There are alot of reasons why. For one,the summer is winding down,although the 90 plus degree days we are having wouldn't let you believe so. I just don't get much done in the summer. The studio/office is on the second floor and sucks in the afternoon heat so it generally leaves me nodding out because it just gets to uncomfortable to be creative.
I guess too that its just my mindset that summer is a time to goof off. Just can't seem to shake that.

So,with those thoughts behind this blog post today,I am getting down to business and will be creating lots of new designs and pieces in the weeks to come.But I have another idea as well!

I would like to start something new with the blog. Something that will intertwine with the ridiculous posts I have always done.
I have met so many interesting people through my jewelry. My customers inspire me and keep me going.
I would love to feature them along the way in this blog.
If you are/have been a tinyart customer,and you have something you would like to share, please email me and let me know.
Whether its what you do for a living, a hobby, a pet,or how you wear your jewelry....whatever it is,drop me a line.
And even if you have never bought a piece but enjoy looking at it...that's OK too!
I would love to feature you!

So just like in the postcard at the beginning of this post...I'm coming out of hiding and I hope you will too. I'd love for you to let me feature you in by blog!

It takes two to Kangaroo!!

So have I kept you confused with the "Fill in the Blank" contest results?? Said I would let you know on the 5th, then said I was running ahead and would post yesterday.
And here I am today,finally getting around to it! So I guess technically I am still ahead of schedule!
Well lets start with first things first! The original card with out my photo shopping out the words that were on it.



So apparently this is a French Kangaroo! Admittingly it still leaves much unanswered!
I absolutely loved your ideas and thoughts about what it was! We did have two people guess Kangaroo and I will be contacting them to offer them 25% off any one item.

As for the winner of the pendant..well that honor goes to Jenny Neal who was randomly chosen using random.org. Jenny thought this postcard was all about staying warm,like many of you did. She is really enjoys jewelry that has a personal touch.
I am awaiting the arrival of a picture that she thinks she would like in the pendant/pin. I hope that it will turn out to be a nice piece for her.

Thanks to all who participated and made this alot of fun for me. Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future!

"Fill in the Blank" Giveaway

I have been wanting to have a giveaway for sometime now and am happy to announce "Its here!!"
Its called the "Fill in the Blank" Giveaway for several reasons. For one,you fill in the blank of the pendant/pin I have created for the giveaway. Here is a picture of it. Its is a silver plated oval that measures around 2 1/4" x 2".
I've included a picture of it with an image set in to give you an idea of what it would look like. On the back is a pin back that has a loop so you can wear it as a pendant also.





Fill in the blank with what ever you like! It could be your own pet,person,thing or any subject matter you choose. Pick any image from my store if you like or you can choose something else. We'll discuss that when you win!

Another reason I call it the "Fill in the Blank" give away is one of the ways to enter is to fill in the blank on the picture below.
I came across this old photograph and find it rather amusing. On the original something was written that described what this is a picture of. Post a comment on this blog post about the photo below for an entry. I would love to see your responses!
If someone happens to mention in their post something that relates to the original that will gain them another entry. I will post the original with the words at end of contest.



A third reason I am calling it "Fill in the Blank" giveaway is my way to introduce a new idea for my shop. It will be fill in the blank jewelry. I will be creating pieces that have no image but can be purchased and finished up at your request with your choice of image.

A few other ways to gain an entry is to follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway and liking me on Facebook and leaving an entry there as well.
Contest entries will end on February 28th and winner will be announced on March 4th on this blog.
Also any purchase in my shop till end of February will be worth 5 entries.

So once again here are the way to get your entries:
1. Write a comment here about the picture. **1 entry**
2. Comment that relates to original saying on photo gets **1 entry**
3. Follow me on Twitter and post tweet about giveaway **1 entry**
4. Like me on Facebook and leave comment **1 entry**
5. Purchase any item in my shop till end of February **5 entries**

Best wishes and see you on March 4th with the winner.

Ruby, don't take your love to town

Well into the New Year and desperately trying to get on with a productive life here.

Priorities set...eyes focused...step by step.
Been on my mind to get familiar with my silly old blog once again and today it hit me right in that part of my brain where thoughts start racing and making no sense to anyone else but me perhaps.

I came across this postcard the other day and just knew it had to be my next post.

The words on the card in case you can't make them out are " We don't want to go to the city".

And I can only imagine why. First guess is that those giant chickens have some very meaty thighs and the man needs some easy cash.
My second thought is that he is some sort of chicken pimp and wants to make these two ladies chicks of the night.

Third guess is they have a phobia of the city. Perhaps the sounds,sights and smells are just too foreign to them.

Fourth guess, they are afraid they will like the city too much and not want to come back to their families. Reminds me of the other day when someone who just opened a Facebook account posted a thought about maybe they would try Farmville. I along with others posted thoughts like" No,please don't..don't....you'll never come back.",having known those who have tried it as well as other Facebook oddities and are perpetually living in their alternative world.

Whatever the case this image than hit that one particular neuron in my brain that held that held the song from the late 60s made famous by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town" Covered by the Killers a few years back in a strange up tempo beat to such a depressing song. Either way not a song I really want reverberating in my head.

Sometimes its best to not wander to far. Like this rabbit I just saw on the video below.

Maybe she didn't want the responsibility of being a mother. Maybe she made her BFF a chicken and didn't want to make her feel left out. Maybe she drank to much one night and gave birth in the wrong place.

What ever the case, she didn't wander to far and things are working out ok.

Really gives new meaning to what I have heard about rabbit tasting like chicken.

But lets all hope that not be the case with these little bunnies. May they have a long and happy life. And that those of you who have set yourself new goals and things to aim for don't wander to far off our paths.

My Unauthoritative Review

Yeah,so I haven't posted in a long time and no I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Life is just way to hectic and blogging is a luxury! I have turned to tea having found Teavana to help soothe my tired soul. Just got a new shipment today and tried a new chai. Its one of their new blends for 2011 and its called Taj Masala Chai Black Tea. My review of it for what is worth is about all I will have to say. Then off to make another cup and finish some jewelry. Wish I could share a cup with you!

Originally submitted at Teavana

Very Good! Thumbs up!

By Tinyart from Joliet,IL on 11/17/2010

4out of 5

Tea Body: Medium

Tea Flavor: Spicy

Pros: Aromatic, High Quality, Fresh

Best Uses: Anytime

Describe Yourself: Health Nut, High-End Shopper, Health Conscious

I am very picky about Chai tea and like mine with a pepper kick to it. When I saw there wasn't even any pepper in this one, I was hestitant about ordering it.
Just made my first cup and have to say I am very happy with it. The ginger and cinnamon come through strong and give it a really nice flavor. Now if it just had some pepper in it I would give it a5 stars! Hey..maybe I will just throw in my own peppercorns!

(legalese)

Special Bonds, Special Pieces

One of my all time favorite images to use in pieces of jewelry is the one above. It was was done by a early 1900's postcard artist named Terzi. I think its the fact that it really depicts the wonderful bond, unlike any other that we can have with our pets, that makes this image tug at my heart.

I almost lost one of my Italian Greyhounds about a month ago. Still not sure what happened but the most likely cause of his sudden extreme illness was ingesting something toxic. Haven't a clue as to what that could have been. When he was at his worst, I tried to talk myself into rationalizing that "well, we have to say goodbye to them all someday" to cope with it. But it wasn't until I let it hit full in the face that I could embrace the specialness of that bond.
All the thoughts and memories of the past 12 years of what my special friend had shared with me, and gotten me through began flooding my mind as well as my tear ducts.
Thankfully he pulled through and seems to be totally back to normal.

I think that is why I have enjoyed so much doing the a couple of pieces in the last month that weren't pieces of jewelry but what I call desk art. Miniature pieces measuring just under 3" that can be propped up on a tiny easel.
The first one was an order that a very special lady named Joan in New York ordered for her niece. Joan is in her 80's and not been feeling well for awhile now. Rather than let it get her down she regularly orders pieces for friends and relatives, by sneaking photos of their pups to me. We then work up a piece together to surprise them with. This last piece was to be a piece of "desk art" of the families new labradoodle pup named Murphy. Joan finds embracing the joy of owning a dog and sharing a special piece with the person makes her feel better. I think that is so sweet and really shows what a special person she is.

The next piece a customer ordered for a friend who had recently lost their pug. She wanted a little charm to have by the ashes of her beloved Saidie. I suggested a piece of "desk art" Kendra really liked the idea and below is the result.

I really enjoy making these little depictions of love and being a very minuscule part of that special bond of these wonderful pets and people. I hope I will have more to do in the future as it really makes my day to send one of these pieces out in the mail!

I hope that you embrace the specialness of having a pet in your life,whatever the type or species, and all that they give to us each day.