Spring Necklaces

Stepping Stone Necklace with Amazonite, Chalcedony, Kyanite & Turquoise. $75 16"

Aureola Lariet with Amazonite. $85 - SOLD

Triple Aureola Necklace with Blue Chalcedony, Quartz, Kyanite, Lapis

& Freshwater Pearl. $65 - Sold

Spring Link Necklace with Serpentine Pendant and Olive Jade. 16"+ extension $125

Pendant measures: 1 3/4"wide x 2 1/2"long

Must be Spring

Spring comes late here in Nova Scotia, so one cannot rely on the date on the calendar to tell us it's here. This weekend we had (rare in these parts) wonderfully gentle rain, but I knew it must be Spring when I met this little fella on the driveway. I just love snails. Trevor on the other hand, was not impressed!

Stealing is Bad

I believe that objects made by hand have a good energy. That is why stealing from an artist is BAD KARMA. To the new owner of a $195 silver link necklace: think twice about wearing it. Right the wrong by having it 'magically' appear on my table at the market, I am in the same spot every week.

Necklaces for Market

Triple Aureola Necklace with Carnelian, Citrine, Horn and Garnet. 16" $65

Triple Aureola Necklace with Chalcedony, Serpentine, Adventurine, Citrine, Cherry Quartz and Amethyst. 16" $65

Treasure Pendant with Kyanite, Serpentine and Amazonite. 15" $55

Spring Paintings

I actually painted recently (it has been a long time). Whether or not these are finished, or even any good, I like that they are bright and cheerful.

There have been periods in the past where I have felt intensely creative and of course I assumed that not having to go to work at a traditional 'job' every day, this time would be one of them. Dreary winter, more financial responsiblity...whatever the cause is, I haven't had that burst I was looking for. I have a job interview next week so perhaps the thought of going back to work in a store (retail...ugh) will spur me on again.

Earrings Galore

Ellipse Earrings with chalcedony - mine all mine - nfs

Ellipse Earrings with Serpentine and pink opal. $35

Ellipse Earrings with Serpentine and pink opal. $35

Ellipse Earrings with handmade beads. $35

Double Ellipse Earrings with two garnets. $40

Double Ellipse Earrings with smoky quartz and amazonite. $40

The Best rain boots

I so want these boots and so cannot afford them: EBAY

Lest We Forget

Please take the time today to visit R.H. Thomsons Vimy Memorial Site. Vimy1917

Happy Birthday Mum!!!!!

So today was my mums birthday. Because we were working the Farmers Market this morning, I decided to make her cupcakes instead of a traditional cake as they are easier to share. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the making of the cupcakes.

Two nights before hand, I made the gum paste apple blossoms and leaves. (tutorial in the works) They need time to dry and be touched up with a bit of colour. Gum paste is edible, but not exactly palatable. Not to mention the wiring involved to add the stamens makes them not a munchable decoration.

The basic vanilla cupcake. I used a box mix! Betty Crocker French Vanilla is my favourite. I just didn't have time to make all the flowers, get ready for the market, Easter, paint the bathroom and bake cake from scratch too. Good to have a back up plan.

I cut the tops off ( a few bubbles in the batter....oh well all tastes the same right?) and hollowed out a small depression in the base. Meanwhile, the sweetened condensed milk has been simmering in the (perforated) can for a couple of hours.

The yummy caramel filling known as Dulce de Leche........ummmmmmmmmm

The icing was a combination of cream cheese icing (yay for leftovers) and traditional buttercream tinted with petal pink and creamy peach Wilton gel colourings.

I like to pipe it on first, seems to make a more uniform coating.

The smoothed out buttercream. I just like the look of spatula applied icing. Also helps break some of the bubbles which my icing seems plagued with when I use cream cheese.

Apply a single flower and leaf.

Voila! Spring Birthday Cupcakes with a tasty Surprise!!

Poetry Earrings

Poem Earrings, Sterling Silver and faceted Serpentine. $49

Spring

sprouts unfold

tender fresh greens unfurl

tiny budding branches

renew

Floral Birthday cake

This weekend was my MILs birthday - We went up to Stellarton to not only say Happy Birthday Pat! but to see a production of The Pyjama Game in which she was featured in a tango dance sequence. The play was funny, the dancing looks like so much fun to do and we had a great time. Below are pictures of the carrot cake I took up for the birthday girl. The flowers are individually crafted from gum paste.