tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16930211418776439732023-11-16T09:42:57.874-06:00Random thoughts from MelissaWelcome to my blog! I am an Artisian Jeweler, Lover of makeup, antiques, and all things steampunk, sister, pet parent, wanna be chef, knitter and crocheter. I have a ton of interests, which can change on a whim. This blog will contain the random musings of my somewhat twisted ADD mind. Enjoy!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-33130572114034534752018-06-08T20:32:00.000-05:002018-06-08T20:32:43.584-05:00You're Not Alone<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week we were rocked by two celebrity suicides. Kate Spade and today Anthony Bourdain. Now I'm not a big celebrity chaser and I'm not here to jump on the band wagon. But they news on Anthony's death hit me. I'm a foodie and I've watched his shows. I appreciated his view and I enjoyed watching him travel and try foods most of us Americans had never heard of. His death really got me to thinking about the mental health crisis we have going on in this country and the stigma it brings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have so many friends who suffer from anxiety and depression. Sometimes both. I see them try to cover it, hide it, pretend it doesn't exist. Some wear the masks of normalcy better than others. I can't write this blog and say I know what it's like. I don't. I can, however, sit here and write this blog and know what it's like to be in pain, daily. As you well know dear reader, I live with fibromyalgia and CREST Syndrome. Some days the pain is manageable. Other days the pain makes you wish you weren't alive. And this is where I can understand my friends with mental illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can think back to the dark days as I call them, to a time before I had a diagnosis. When no one had an answer and all I had was pain. It felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Doctor visit after doctor visit, begging for help but no answers. It took me a year and a half to get to a doctor who could give me a diagnosis and therefore a way to treat my symptoms. That seemed like forever. I can not imagine what it must be like to cry for help, but either not get it, or get a stigma attached to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier this week I was talking to a friend about their anxiety. And they asked why I wasn't judging them for it. I asked, do you judge me when I have a high pain day? Do you see me as less because of my fibromyalgia? The answer was no. My next question is, why should it be any different for you? They were stunned. But you see dear reader, this is how I see mental illness, an illness of the mind. It deserves no less attention or compassion than an illness of the body. This is how I see it. This is the message I will continue to spread until I see my friends treated by society the same as any other illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear reader, if you are reading this and the pain is more than you can bear, please please hang on just a little longer. I know calling it quits may seem like a solution that will end your pain. And it probably will. But I have to be selfish here and ask you not to go. What you can't see beyond in your pain is how much you mean to your friends and family. How much you are loved. And what a giant void you will leave. You can't possibly see what a wonderful human being you are. But trust me dear reader. We see you. We love you. Please give us a chance to show you before you make a decision you can't take back. Even if you feel you have no one else to turn to, please pick up the phone and call <span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">1-800-273-8255. That is the national suicide prevention hotline.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please dear reader, no more Anthony's or Kate's, or Chester's, or Chris Cornell's. Please no more death from people we will never ever know because they weren't famous enough to make the headlines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Until Next Time</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Melissa</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-85337328240950262602018-05-06T20:04:00.000-05:002018-05-06T20:04:21.601-05:00A Time To Let GoI sit in my house, alone, knowing what tomorrow is. I'm writing a blog that has been a year in the making. This blog is more for me to close a chapter than for you dear reader. Please bear with me.<br />
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On May 6, 2017 a dear friend had a party to celebrate a big accomplishment. I had spent the night so I could help clean up when the party was done. Aaron had been invited tospend the night as well but made the excuse the dogs would need to be taken care of. As I had pointed out we could probably get a neighbor to let them out for us a couple of times I found this strange but went with it. As I drove home late on the morning of May the 7th I couldn't get a hold of Aaron. Also strange.<br />
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I got home to find no one home. Not a living creature. Not Tegan, not Tanwen, not Seren, not Munro. No Mr. Holstein, or Gus, or Anna, or Nina. Items Aaron held in high value were gone. I knew as I took in the scene in what had happened. He had left me and in an act of cruelty he took all my babies with him. I've had people be shocked as I have told them this at how cruel it was. I wasn't. The man I was married to for 18 years is extremely cruel and will strike the lowest blow if he feels you have wronged him. I would later find out he had opened a new bank account the day after he had told me he didn't want to lose me. Lie after lie began to come to light.<br />
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A few months before he left he physically attacked me. I was too scared to call the police. I ended up calling a friend. We started marriage counseling. I thought maybe things would get better. I know now it was just lip service.<br />
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It's amazing what solitude and reflection will help clarify. I can now look back at my "marriage" and see it was all about him. What else should I expect from a narcissist. I can see the manipulation. The gas lighting. I can see why he never maintained friendships. To hard to keep the facade up over a long period of time.<br />
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I'm not going to use this to rehash everything that has happened this past year. Just know that he continued to try to manipulate me even after he left. This past year has been one of the best of my life while at the same time being the most hellish. I get reminded every day on Facebook the babies I have lost. I was told in July Seren died. Interesting how that text came after we filed for temporary orders. I still believe she is alive and it was an attempt for me to contact him (I went no contact a couple of weeks after he left when it became clear we were not going to be able to work this out like adults).<br />
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Our divorce was final on April 13th. The house will sell on May 14th. This chapter of my life is about to close. I only have to deal with him one more time, next weekend when we divide the community property. I do not look forward to being in the same room as him. I have begun to rebuild my life. I graduate from an intense IT training program on May 25th. I look forward to going to a job every day and solving problems once again. Only this time, I will be working for me.<br />
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A year has gone by. I look at who I was a year ago and I look at who I am now. What a year of change. I am using this blog to publicly close this chapter, to let go. I hope a year from now when May 7th rolls around I smile and think wow girl, Look at you go!<br />
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Until Next Time<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-75029834424257129582018-03-15T18:18:00.000-05:002018-03-15T18:18:18.582-05:00Beware the Ides of MarchFor the past 7 years, I have felt like Julius Caesar and I have something in common. Its the day we were both betrayed. Caesar by fellow Romans. Me by my own body. If you have followed my blog for any length of time you know I suffer from Fibromyalgia and an autoimmune known as CREST Syndrome. In the days leading up to this anniversary, I have thought about the past 7 years a lot. Especially in the context of the past year.<br />
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I've been doing better. Over the past 15 months I've lost 51 pounds. This has allowed me to move more with less pain. I'm glad I had already started to lose weight when my husband decided to walk out on me. I could not have handled working the jobs I have worked with the pain I had been in. I worked weekends last fall at a Rein Faire. They were long hard days, but I was blessed by working for my friend and fellow Spoonie Ruby. We watched out for each other and made sure not to use up to many spoons each day at take lots of rest breaks. I spent three months working for Target stocking shelves. There were so many days I came home from Target rung out. In January I started to work for my towns Parks and Rec department, where I am also on my feet most of the time. All the while I continued to look for an office job.<br />
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I stated to a close friend in January I knew my technical skills were a little out dated, which I felt was keeping me from finding full time work in an office setting. I just didn't know how to go about getting them updated without paying to go back to school. In my current financial situation, that was just not an option. A few weeks after making that statement the opportunity I had been looking for presented itself. A 12 week training program in Application Support Management with job placement help for every successful graduate. Just what I needed!! I went through the multi-interview multi test process and ended up being one of 22 selected (over 90 applied).<br />
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Upon finding out I was accepted I felt two things at once. Overjoyed to finally get a professional break and terrified. The training program would be in downtown Dallas Monday - Friday 9-5. So not only would I need my employers to work with my new schedule (Target declined to) but I would need to the spoons to take on this additional task. There were so many days after working at Target and the Rec Center I barely had the spoons to feed myself. How the heck was I going to pull this off for 12 weeks?<br />
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My parents have been incredibly supportive through the divorce. In talking to my mom about my new undertaking she expressed concern for me and my health about doing the training program and working my jobs. Thanks to Target not working with me (after telling me we'd talk about it for a week and a half) I only had one job to worry about. Of course this spawned another concern, paying the bills, as I had barely been getting by. Once again my parents are being amazing and are helping me bridge the gap.<br />
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So dear reader why am I telling you this? As you know I do tend to make points. Mine is this. For years after getting sick I never thought I'd ever get close to leading a normal life. That I'd never work physical jobs again. Or work full time. I have been in my training program for almost two weeks now. I'm doing it and I'm not just getting by. I'm doing well and keeping up with the homework. I'm doing things again I never thought I would do.<br />
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So on this historic day of betrayal I want to send out a message of encouragement. I don't know what is going on in your life, but have hope it will get better. It might not be soon. I had to wait 6 years for mine. Don't give up. You never know what amazing thing might be around the corner. And if your a fellow spoonie - I'd love to connect with you.<br />
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Until Next Time<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-67764775831165949282017-12-19T19:28:00.000-06:002017-12-19T19:28:32.736-06:002017 - Year in ReviewDearest Reader,<br />
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I must apologize about my silence as of late. Well, It would appear almost all of 2017. There are many times I would have loved to have written to you. I felt it was best not to. My silence has been quite intentional.<br />
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2017 was going to be better than 2016. Or at least that was the plan. I had plans to really build my brand. Start a Youtube channel geared towards my fellow spoonies. Blog more. Instagram more. Jump start my jewelry business.<br />
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Things in 2017 started off rocky in my personal life. So clearly my attention was elsewhere. Aaron left me in May and I decided to stay fairly silent on the matter. I'm sure he expected me to lash out every which way on social media. Sometimes I don't behave as expected.<br />
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I've learned number of things since my marriage broke up. A few I'm going to touch on in this blog. The first thing I learned was you find out who your real friends are real quick in a divorce. For the record, if I ask you have you heard from Aaron and you tell me no, you may want to make sure you are either telling me the truth or I have no way of verifying it. In this instance your insistent no was quickly proven out to be a lie. I was checking cell records daily. Your number was on the text logs a lot. Don't feel bad. A few people got caught that way.<br />
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As I said you learn who your real friends are. These are the friends that step up, circle the wagons with you. The friends who call more, check on you more, make sure you're eating once in awhile. I am very blessed to have a number of these amazing friends, both locally and via the internet.<br />
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I've learned you are given what you need when you need it. Almost a month after Aaron left, my friend Annie and I were out in my jewelry studio when Annie thought she heard a cat. She did some digging and found some very weak, dehydrated, flea covered kittens that we estimate were about a week old.<br />
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Annie and I quickly ran to petsmart and bought a bottle and formula and then went to Target for some Dawn dish washing soap (for the fleas). Did you know kittens need to be fed every three hours? I didn't. Guess what I ended up doing. That's right, feeding kittens every three hours for three or so weeks. I was never so happy when I was able to wean them and they could eat kitten food. So many people told me how amazing I was to do this for the kittens. Maybe yes, probably no. They gave me something to focus on, someone to help. In one small way I could effect positive change in the middle of my life being thrown out of wack. Also, you should know all the kittens found furever homes. I did end up adopting one of the black ones.<br />
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I've learned it's okay to be alone. Until a few months ago, I had never lived on my own. I got married in college. I went from having a roommate to having a husband. At first I didn't know what to do with myself. Change is scary, but it's not always bad. I've learned to embrace the solitude and the quiet. I boxed up things that weren't mine. I rearranged rooms. I made this space mine and mine alone. I turned my house into a place of peace and rest.<br />
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While I was learning how to live alone, I also learned I really don't know who I am. I recently ran across this and it made me think:<br />
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It was like somebody took a bucket of cold water and threw it on me. Talk about a light bulb moment. I'm still thinking about it and trying to figure out what to do with it.<br />
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Traditionally I try to learn something new each year to improve myself. It's typically a skill of some kind. Find something I'm interested in and take a class or read up about it. So here is what I've decided. 2018 is going to be the year I learn about me. Old baggage is going to be left at the curb for garbage collection. Toxic people no longer have a place in my life. It's time to get to know me, a balanced and healthy me.<br />
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And here is some food for thought. Despite society telling me I should be upset over the break up of my marriage, I've found I'm a much happier person. And healthier (to date I'm down 39 pounds). They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go!<br />
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Until next time<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-45811760376775981272017-01-20T12:41:00.000-06:002017-01-20T12:41:05.097-06:00Battle Beauty Box December 2016Welcome back Beauty Subscription Box lovers! Last month I covered the November boxes between Ipsy, Sephora Play, and Lip Monthly. In case you missed it you can catch up <a href="http://melissa-randomthoughtsfrommelissa.blogspot.com/2016/12/battle-of-beauty-subscription-boxes.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This month I will once again be reviewing those three with one more contender. This month the quarterly Wal-Mart Beauty Box came, so it will be reviewed as well. Let's get to it!<br />
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To review, Ipsy is $10/mo and comes with five products. This month I received a Beau Gachis concealer brush, a NYX eye shadow in Bedroom Eyes, an Aurora Intensively Precise Eyeliner in Blackberry, Hanalei Lip Treatment, and a Tarte Tartiest Glossy Lip Paint in WCW.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ipsy December bag</td></tr>
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Sephora is also $10 and you get 5 products plus a perfume sample. December's box included Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo, Makeup Forever Step 1 Smoothing Base, Bobby Brown Smokey Eye Mascara in black, Sephora Cream Lipstain in Always Red, and a perfume sample of Elizabeth and James Vanilla Bourbon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December Sephora Play</td></tr>
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Lip Monthly is $13.50/mo for me (as I buy 4 month blocks for $54). This month had 4 products (you get 4-5) which included a ChapStick Total Hydration Lips Scrub, City Color Lip Gloss in Wild Child, Crazy Rumors Hibiskiss Hibiscus Flavored Lip Color, and Cougar Mineral Lipstick in Sangria. I was actually very disappointed in this month's products in that it appeared to be very cheap (ChapStick, really?). Typically the card included tells you what the value is. November had a retail value of $98. December didn't tell us. Hmmm, wonder why...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76iOm8o8UYw35wLIwFBXNsVl8IPQeTZ7utezq4PyGYv_AGp5twtCwYop96orzN4DqS_g-p1meoB3naQmH9MtRVAc8Zke0HD6vTqYG5UZcYjCRQ43yCzIjb4QaCMWh9IGOq65-riFot7j-/s1600/20170119_204017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76iOm8o8UYw35wLIwFBXNsVl8IPQeTZ7utezq4PyGYv_AGp5twtCwYop96orzN4DqS_g-p1meoB3naQmH9MtRVAc8Zke0HD6vTqYG5UZcYjCRQ43yCzIjb4QaCMWh9IGOq65-riFot7j-/s400/20170119_204017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December Lip Monthly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQNRQX-dyxOVqvKBrIM-RZ0irtQhwor4jFeg-srrLGpR1yJf9HnhTy98UZgmSSfsTvzk8n51csHTbjzSeKf4yOMMtUUcGakv2dTGXYJqjkaz9aTiJafTVnmNBV-cXZtI3LS3NSJw6JuzM/s1600/20170119_221904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQNRQX-dyxOVqvKBrIM-RZ0irtQhwor4jFeg-srrLGpR1yJf9HnhTy98UZgmSSfsTvzk8n51csHTbjzSeKf4yOMMtUUcGakv2dTGXYJqjkaz9aTiJafTVnmNBV-cXZtI3LS3NSJw6JuzM/s400/20170119_221904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why aren't you telling us the value this month, Lip Monthly??</td></tr>
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Last up is our quarterly box from Wal-Mart Beauty. This box is only $5/quarter and comes with full size products, samples, and coupons. Products include samples of Dove shampoo, conditioner, mask and body wash, a full size Cover Girl Last Blast Volume in Very Black, Ponds Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Yogurt, and Curel Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieorJjiXd9Zw5R6Kab217kEC2hCR8wmnx7qqmiQdggrdySHTXJRD1rMeTv83h95ynWFzIvcVCeH1HZw3FbB4rbkETtM_ykuXj9uVPB19WRBy9lMtFL-VB9TFdmcri6Uq3XqjYujcetDggi/s1600/20170119_204712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieorJjiXd9Zw5R6Kab217kEC2hCR8wmnx7qqmiQdggrdySHTXJRD1rMeTv83h95ynWFzIvcVCeH1HZw3FbB4rbkETtM_ykuXj9uVPB19WRBy9lMtFL-VB9TFdmcri6Uq3XqjYujcetDggi/s400/20170119_204712.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Wal-Mart Beauty Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now that I've told you what was in every box I'm sure you're wondering my thoughts on these (that's why you're here, right? I mean I don't give out cookies or anything). Ipsy and Sephora Play always crush it. Ipsy has clearly built great relationships with beauty brands over the years. I love that you get a mix of prestige brands (like Tarte) and new indy brands. Clearly Sephora also has access to amazing brands. I love that I got Urban Decay, Bobby Brown, and Makeup Forever in one box. Woo!<br />
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Wal-Mart also has the marketplace muscle to get good sample sizes of product. I couldn't go to Wal-Mart and buy the Cover Girl Mascara for $5.00, let alone the rest of the travel size samples. I do fly from time to time and having bottles on hand that are TSA approved (under 3.4 oz for carry on) is always a plus.<br />
<br />
Now Lip Monthly...we need to have a chat. Did you run out of end-of-year budget or did your buyer just go on vacation? The Chapstick scrub at Target is $4.99. From the City Color website the lip gloss is $5.99. The Crazy Rumors Hibiskiss lip color from their website is $4.99. The Cougar Mineral Lipstick is sold in a 5 pack for $47.80 (It's a UK brand so the conversion isn't a nice number we're used to). Still that makes each lipstick $9.56/ea. Which means this month's has a retail value of $25.53 or 1/4 the value of last month's bag. I was extremely disappointed in this month's December bag. When Wal-Mart's budget-conscious box does a better job you know you've done something wrong.<br />
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So dear reader, I will keep subscribing and keep testing beauty boxes for you. Be sure to stay tuned as I will also shortly be launching a YouTube companion page. 2017 holds some exciting things for sure!<br />
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Until Next Time, XOXO<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-81505105421942353842016-12-21T14:22:00.000-06:002016-12-21T14:22:00.333-06:00Battle Duochrome Highlighter: Kat Von D vs Makeup GeekDear Reader,<br />
<br />
You may be looking at all the makeup highlighters that are popping up and launching, especially the duochrome ones (they have a color shift) and think to yourself "Those are so pretty - I must have them all!" Then your bank account pipes up and says, "No, you must only choose one." You put on your sad panda face and see the wisdom of your bank account. But how do you choose? I am here to help.<br />
<br />
Today I am going to pit the much anticipated Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette against similar Makeup Geek Duochrome highlighters. For today's test I am going to put the KVD {blue} Sapphire against the MUG Moon Phase (The blue shift ones) and the KVD {pink} Opal against the MUG Lit (the pink shift ones).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lets look at the blue ones first. I used both a brush and my finger to swatch and I took photos with my LG V20 in both outdoor and indoor light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzFS5iBuVUh5gt6UD5VskyIfUK_kPSzhrMesJEzZaROIM6gnL3UQChEdytlZ_ed9a-cSYLY2P6xO9NsfZxIBM9XHftiKah_4P9BY0Bf9leUGzMIOteUbQYyxlrmbKKHrAQuv3A8Idl2hw/s1600/20161221_115830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzFS5iBuVUh5gt6UD5VskyIfUK_kPSzhrMesJEzZaROIM6gnL3UQChEdytlZ_ed9a-cSYLY2P6xO9NsfZxIBM9XHftiKah_4P9BY0Bf9leUGzMIOteUbQYyxlrmbKKHrAQuv3A8Idl2hw/s400/20161221_115830.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KVD {blue} Sapphire vs MUG Moon Phase Outdoor Light</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7nERQMuWbT0LrkN374zQam-Ro-mswKn0YlaSo6N38_n559Fr2afXAhuqZVpSHL1KhFsVHL8L-12VphPQh7ZA6-yHJ0KrNgzGVosL7wO6kAZveM8ydSH8YxYgIvsTz_YwqzRMUr_3DfSS/s1600/20161221_115746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7nERQMuWbT0LrkN374zQam-Ro-mswKn0YlaSo6N38_n559Fr2afXAhuqZVpSHL1KhFsVHL8L-12VphPQh7ZA6-yHJ0KrNgzGVosL7wO6kAZveM8ydSH8YxYgIvsTz_YwqzRMUr_3DfSS/s400/20161221_115746.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KVD {blue} Sapphire vs MUG Moon Phase Indoor Light with Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Personal opinion here, but I think the MUG has a slightly better color pay off in the blue version. What do you think? Let's take a look at the pink:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nwtx4O5gmVSwF4FHlnwcLvF4oOabcmraFtbz25QS_OgG8nenEQdngz0xuxRxofzmQu5zq-GaoKsudkJD9Acn_P8fBLrHmbJnG7r0JVRDGMUEXKpNnPJLPp6tlgYO5v80lPft7SdOggin/s1600/20161221_121000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nwtx4O5gmVSwF4FHlnwcLvF4oOabcmraFtbz25QS_OgG8nenEQdngz0xuxRxofzmQu5zq-GaoKsudkJD9Acn_P8fBLrHmbJnG7r0JVRDGMUEXKpNnPJLPp6tlgYO5v80lPft7SdOggin/s400/20161221_121000.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KVD {Pink} Opal vs MUG Lit Outdoor Light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bVq8PMPs300ZD5WXFLPflKPsxEfXer9XaVHitwcoPuSzLtXPX24xeoMLla6E5M4Rq4mrGc33K0Dm3QD591Mhows1fzfGyOhv2jRi5GXM2Lo7GfuiQ-xs_ndTF0y9RW54fbD3ivvWPf6O/s1600/20161221_120926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bVq8PMPs300ZD5WXFLPflKPsxEfXer9XaVHitwcoPuSzLtXPX24xeoMLla6E5M4Rq4mrGc33K0Dm3QD591Mhows1fzfGyOhv2jRi5GXM2Lo7GfuiQ-xs_ndTF0y9RW54fbD3ivvWPf6O/s400/20161221_120926.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KVD {pink} Opal vs MUG Lit Indoor Light with Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With the pink I feel like the Kat Von D product has the better color payoff.<br />
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So lets break down cost. The Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette is $32 at Sephora.Com right now if you're a VIB or a VIB Rouge Member. It will hit <a href="http://sephora.com/">Sephora.Com</a> and <a href="http://www.katvondbeauty.com/" target="_blank">KatVonD</a> for everyone on 12/24 and will be in stores the 26th. You get four shades in the palette and each shade is 0.05 oz. This is $8/shade or $8/0.05oz. The Makeup Geek Highlighters are sold individually for $20 on the <a href="http://www.makeupgeek.com/" target="_blank">Makeupgeek</a> website. You get 0.25 oz for the price.<br />
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If I were to wave my magic makeup wand and was able to make the pan sizes equal (0.25 oz) and have the ability to buy colors individually, you would end up paying $40 for the Kat Von D pan and still $20 for the Makeup Geek. From that stand point it is easy to see which one is the better value. Since I feel the color pay off in each is very similar, I don't know that the price of the Kat Von D one justifies purchasing it unless you're a diehard Kat Von D fan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXt0lYy-ipl8xPE3xxH31nWCQJ6CoTcJI8E1tZZRYbRi6yXvl_f8c61jtBiaISf3Bs0_5z06CwlE0PvBaFYrBpKj8v-9DJHZw2FuS5pPu8HyQSazQPi0VJiLity_hw3NKGJs6m6e9VYwQ/s1600/20161221_131651_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXt0lYy-ipl8xPE3xxH31nWCQJ6CoTcJI8E1tZZRYbRi6yXvl_f8c61jtBiaISf3Bs0_5z06CwlE0PvBaFYrBpKj8v-9DJHZw2FuS5pPu8HyQSazQPi0VJiLity_hw3NKGJs6m6e9VYwQ/s400/20161221_131651_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R MUG Lit, KVD Alchemist Holographic Palette, MUG Moon Phase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sorry Kat, but it looks like Marlena (founder and head of Makeup Geek) won this one. I still love your products, though, so no hard feelings. :)<br />
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Until Next Time,<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-33787720309656392952016-12-18T10:11:00.000-06:002016-12-18T10:11:32.625-06:00Self Care and Why You Need To Do ItDear Reader,<br />
<br />
It's time we talked about self care. This is important for normal people and for us spoonies. I know a lot of you don't invest in self care which is why we are going to have ourselves a little chat. Now you may be asking yourself, what makes this random blogger an expert? Well dear reader, I have lived with fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease called CREST for over 5 years now. If I do not take care of myself daily and set up boundaries I get myself in a whole mess of trouble. Trouble equals a flare and me being in bed for days if not weeks. It is my goal in this blog to impart to you some of my hard-gained knowledge in the world of self care.<br />
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Go grab yourself a drink. Coffee or tea if that's what you need. Something stronger if that will help. I'll wait... Are you ready? Then let's do this.<br />
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<b>Step One</b> - Figure out the energy you have. In the spoonie community we call this our number of spoons. For my readers who might not be familiar with Spoon Theory you may find it <a href="https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/" target="_blank">here</a>. Now your energy level should be what you can accomplish on a normal day. Not a full on emergency situation day. This is the energy level you have without being totally wiped out. The kind of day where you go to bed tired, not the kind of day where you literally fall into bed.<br />
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<b>Step Two</b> - Now that you have figured out what you can get done in a day, you need to prioritize your day. What must get done versus what you'd like to get done. These priorities might change from day to day. For example, must the laundry get done today? If you still have clean clothes to wear and you have more pressing matters, I'd put that on the "like to get done" list. It is very important you learn the difference between "like to get done" and "must get done." You are not Superman or Superwoman. There is no reward for getting it all done right this minute.<br />
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<u><b>Step Three</b></u> - Learn to forgive yourself. I know you have been taught you must get everything done in one day and what you don't get done you must lay in bed and flagellate yourself over. I know, I know, we have been conditioned by society that we must put on this facade of a perfect life. Guess what, there are no awards for having the perfectly cleaned house or always helping out people when they ask for it. Which leads me to step four...<br />
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<b><u>Step Four</u></b> - The magic word. This is going to be a tough one. Deep breath and repeat after me. NO. Let's try it again. NO. Use this magic word (NO) to create boundaries for yourself. Your time on this planet is finite. Don't waste it all doing everything for everyone. You can't be all things. If you are running around trying to do everything asked of you, you will have no energy for yourself.<br />
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Step four is a very hard step. I get it. You want to be a good friend, a good sister, a good child. However, if you are constantly using your energy for everyone else and leaving nothing for you, your batteries will eventually just run down to zero. Then what? You can't do anything on a dead battery. Learn to set boundaries and take care of yourself first. This step is critical for self care.<br />
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Are you still with me? You've evaluated your energy, figured out the difference between have to's and like to's, learned to forgive yourself for not being superhuman, and learned to say no and set firm boundaries. Are we ready to move on?<br />
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<u><b>Step Five</b></u> - Recharge. What can you do just for you? This might be taking a bubble bath, or reading a good book with a glass of wine. Maybe going for a walk. Figure out what you can do just for you. I know you're used to putting yourself last, but this must change, dear reader. You need to put your own needs first. Now now, I'm not telling you to be selfish and never do anything for anyone else. All I'm saying is put yourself first, take care of what you need to do, including recharging your batteries. If you have energy left over after you've done what YOU NEED to do, then you can help others.<br />
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As to not overload you dear reader, I am going to leave it there. You can start practicing these five steps and see how it goes. Please report in on how you feel after practicing. You know I love to hear from you!<br />
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Do you have a recommendation on self care? Did I miss a step? Please comment below. I too am learning how to do this "self care" thing.<br />
<br />
Until Next Time <3<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-1214255199365311932016-12-12T09:00:00.000-06:002016-12-12T09:02:51.755-06:00Battle of the Beauty Subscription BoxesLets Get Ready to... I was going to say "Rumble" but that doesn't sound quite right when talking about makeup/beauty subscription boxes. Anyway... (insert long awkward pause)<br />
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I love getting beauty subscription boxes. It's a happy surprise each month in the mail. And who doesn't love happy surprises as opposed to bills? Today I am putting Ipsy, Sephora Play, and Lip Monthly up against each other. May the odds be ever in your favor.<br />
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First up, Ipsy. I don't even know how long I have subscribed at this point. Three years? Its been a while. Ipsy is $10/mo and you get 5 items. Here is November's Glam Bag. Included in my bag are Elemis anti-aging day cream, Absolute New York Matte lipstick in Dark Red, Tarte Maracuja Oil, The Balm Mad Lash mascara, and a W20 Angled Eyew20 brush from SLMissGlam.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WC51i2Uxb4-z7lqOXIyf-ZusRsXxOExIqTfCPc6GkPPEyL2zFE-Mz5-Gsuk55RWW4hP1U5Yraih6JRWfSS17SjBkchBsCAS1f3c3CpuHT1ml3jZoFIHciyMklQrwYraBqbgDwFJUOgow/s1600/20161211_233518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WC51i2Uxb4-z7lqOXIyf-ZusRsXxOExIqTfCPc6GkPPEyL2zFE-Mz5-Gsuk55RWW4hP1U5Yraih6JRWfSS17SjBkchBsCAS1f3c3CpuHT1ml3jZoFIHciyMklQrwYraBqbgDwFJUOgow/s400/20161211_233518.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November Ipsy Glam Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I did say five items and you can count, there are six. I had used my points in October to get the eyelashes. You get points for reviewing products, so it pays to review so you can cash in on extra items. Plus it helps to dial in what items you will like (30-40 are available each month) and which ones you aren't a fan of. An additional Ipsy benefit is items/brands featured each month typically have a coupon code so you can purchase full size items that were featured. Ipsy also does daily offers of beauty items (Monday-Friday). I think this is the biggest feature. I have gotten some crazy deals from this. Most recently I nabbed 2 full-size Besame lipsticks for $20. That's two for the price of one!<br />
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Next up in this battle royale is the new kid on the block, Sephora Play. I believe Sephora Play launched three months ago. I signed up after the first month and this is my second box. Just like Ipsy it's $10/mo. It comes with 5 items and a fragrance sample. The bonus of the Sephora Play box is that it comes with a 50 point bonus card that you can redeem with purchase. I don't know about you, but I love Sephora points. Just last month I cashed 1000 in for a really nice bag of deluxe size items from Urban Decay (which will be reviewing in a future blog).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIJLzzzh4eq1u86RVZrx6WbjabEjhbmNy5J13m1HMG26FKvKfZg_LpCle_VoYcqqJygQcb70aawdU0B6HkpRMZyQUlcxN_xKv7Z-0jOGuEfqcLKRGcyPgNIhHFC6BEZQL689KPQ4fDYjY/s1600/20161211_233037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIJLzzzh4eq1u86RVZrx6WbjabEjhbmNy5J13m1HMG26FKvKfZg_LpCle_VoYcqqJygQcb70aawdU0B6HkpRMZyQUlcxN_xKv7Z-0jOGuEfqcLKRGcyPgNIhHFC6BEZQL689KPQ4fDYjY/s400/20161211_233037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November Sephora Play Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Included in the November Play box is Pop by Stella McCartney, Glam Glow SuperMud Clearing Treatment, Sephora gel gloss in Pin-Up Pink, Cover FX Illuminating Primer, Dissolve The Drama 2 in 1 Cleaner by Estee Edit, and Caviar Stick Eye color in Rose Gold from Laura Mercier.<br />
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Last up is Lip Monthly. It is 4-5 items a month. I buy the four month blocks for $54 ($13.50/mo). It's a little more expensive but it's a combination of full sized items and deluxe size. Additionally, just last month they started to allow you to select the shades your lip items will be. I like having a little say over what I get beforehand. It's somewhat disappointing when you get a shade you really don't care for.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6xrzF64sGvzyUhtiW-tYmejXyWNUR7gaTMZuNmzevKbMKDT9JBiaPBn4aamm_gfmDAGkG0bydlQDDAo59Yg5fBXgiZBJDqqpRBowpi2wIvYpF230HZ2VYabKFbH0PsByab3vktDEUT7O/s1600/20161211_233902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6xrzF64sGvzyUhtiW-tYmejXyWNUR7gaTMZuNmzevKbMKDT9JBiaPBn4aamm_gfmDAGkG0bydlQDDAo59Yg5fBXgiZBJDqqpRBowpi2wIvYpF230HZ2VYabKFbH0PsByab3vktDEUT7O/s400/20161211_233902.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November Lip Monthly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This month the Lip Monthly bag included a Luna lip gloss in Titania, a lipliner from Ofra in Maya, a lip crayon from Hikari in Duchess, and an anti-aging eye serum from Freeze 24*7.<br />
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Do we have a clear winner from these three boxes? In my opinion no. Each has positive qualities. Since Ipsy and Sephora Play are the same amount it's a little easier to compare the two since it's more apples to apples. I like the high end items (and bonus points) from Sephora Play, but I like getting full size items and tools (a girl can never have too many brushes) from Ipsy (plus coupon codes and daily offers). Is the extra $3.50/mo with Lip Monthly worth it? Some months yes, some months not so much. If there was one I was going to stop subscribing to it would be Lip Monthly. I like that they have added on the shade selection option and they are promising more changes. We will see what the future holds.<br />
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All three boxes appeal to my spoonie side. I love having items delivered right to me. Beauty items shipped right to my door at a value price? You are speaking my language! I also subscribe to the Wal-Mart Beauty Box, but that only comes in quarterly. That is $5/quarter and comes with some great samples and coupons. Oh, and Ulta, if you're listening, Sephora has thrown down. What do you have? Time to get in the ring.<br />
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Did my review help you? Are you currently subscribed to any of these? Are you subscribed to a box I didn't mention but I need to? Would you like me to review future months? Let me know dear reader! I love hearing from you.<br />
<br />
Until Next Time,<br />
Melissa<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-71381697281785923302016-11-11T12:43:00.000-06:002016-11-11T12:43:33.844-06:00Body Positivity And Learning To Love YourselfWhat do you know about the body positive movement? Maybe you've seen a Dove ad with women of all shapes and sizes. Maybe you saw the Lane Bryant campaign of I'm No Angel. If you're on Instagram maybe you even follow Effyourbeautystandards. If you don't know about Body Positive, it's about accepting all shapes, sizes, and colors and celebrating them. It's about rejecting what we've been told is beautiful by the world (and mainly advertisers and the fashion industry) and finding the beauty everyone has.<br />
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I've been told by a number of people "I love your confidence" or "You're so brave to pose for pictures like that." When I get told these things it's almost if there is an unasked question of how do I get that confidence? Maybe some even think I've always had it (I haven't). I've been told these things enough that I've decided that I should make the keys to the kingdom into a blog.<br />
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For a very long time I derived my self-confidence and self-worth from the knowledge that I'm fairly intelligent. I did well in school. I learn things fast and I'm a great problem solver. I've never been a shy person and I'm quite happy to tell you my opinion. I would actually lose patience quite easily with people who couldn't keep up with intellectual conversation. When it came to beauty however, I didn't think much of myself. I didn't think I was a troll, but I didn't think of myself as pretty either. When my husband and I started dating he would tell me how beautiful I was and I would laugh at him. He was blinded by love! How sweet.<br />
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I continued on this path of deriving my self-worth from my intellegence and, after college, from my career. I was a great employee (I have the awards to back it up). So what happens when you get sick, doctor after doctor can't figure out why, and you eventually lose your job? Talk about having a bubble burst. Even though I was no longer working I was still intellegent. Which is just fine and dandy. Who am I going to prove it to? The walls of my house and my pets?<br />
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People with chronic conditions can really take a hit to their self-worth, especially if they are house bound. Plus there is the added bonus of weight gain with a lot of the medications. Nothing makes you feel more confident than getting larger and having your clothes no longer fit. Add to that having days where you can't get out of bed and you are living in your pajamas. You can really start to feel like you are nothing.<br />
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Three years ago I was fortunate enough to kind of stumble into a community of performance artists in Dallas who celebrate everyone. It wasn't just skinny people or traditionally beautiful people on stage. I saw large women on stage. I saw people who didn't fit the commercialized mold of beautiful. I was intrigued. I also started taking some dance classes. I felt uncoordinated and very unfit at first. I had lost a lot of what little coordination I had due to my fibromyalgia. But my dance teachers encouraged me and little by little it came back! As it came back I felt more confident; I held my head higher.<br />
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About this same time I was introduced to a local photographer and make up artist. Having my makeup done by Vivienne Vermuth is a game changer. You look into the mirror and you don't recognize yourself. Then you go in front of Dee Hill; as she shoots each picture she gives you words of encouragement. You hear things like "beautiful, oh wow, stunning!" Somewhere during the shoot your inner light comes on!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXWNiSk9i5EInmnsbHiG4GDPuN7zIy6cVQavW7rW6eb5UkdfSQqbrUn7V2rrGtIcuAiNhrhfRXr6WOdVEz-naFY1YkB7e_TpUQ4jfjIHIzfelykI3RFvN9hRklIenvtMGzpItH6U1n44M/s1600/img_9464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXWNiSk9i5EInmnsbHiG4GDPuN7zIy6cVQavW7rW6eb5UkdfSQqbrUn7V2rrGtIcuAiNhrhfRXr6WOdVEz-naFY1YkB7e_TpUQ4jfjIHIzfelykI3RFvN9hRklIenvtMGzpItH6U1n44M/s400/img_9464.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Dee Hill. HAMU by Vivienne Vermuth</td></tr>
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I've also done photoshoots with Shoshana Portnoy and her right hand make up artist LaDonna Stein. They are also amazing to work with and their finished product always shines! You can find them at Dallas Pinup.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwcTTbp61RzZJReenkEscLb_Mbxtregut95JwPaP2l6wb-yvxU5Y0TcC57Gwxz9gfTcMM7cYcFyhjlwXJ-G-0r_KfIWvuakgrGM20-i6gdM1sxVuxntgDlp3VV30CLpVy3H98WuFehOhq/s1600/IMG_5874e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwcTTbp61RzZJReenkEscLb_Mbxtregut95JwPaP2l6wb-yvxU5Y0TcC57Gwxz9gfTcMM7cYcFyhjlwXJ-G-0r_KfIWvuakgrGM20-i6gdM1sxVuxntgDlp3VV30CLpVy3H98WuFehOhq/s400/IMG_5874e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Shoshana Portnoy. HAMU by LaDonna Stein</td></tr>
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Am I saying you must go do a photoshoot like this to get confidence? I'm not advocating that at all. What I am advocating is to find things that boost your confidence. What makes you feel good about yourself? "Nothing" is not the right answer. There is something amazing about you, I know it! Find that little nugget of amazing and grow it. The trick to confidence is you MUST learn to love yourself.<br />
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I can hear the objections already. Stop. Just stop. You are amazing. You are beautiful. You're right, I don't know you. But I do know every human being on this planet is beautiful. You are beautiful because you are unique. You are beautiful because there is only one of you. See where I'm going? That's right, start to love yourself. Find those things that make you YOU and flaunt them!<br />
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Find your tribe. Find the people who will encourage you. Get rid of the toxic people in your life. If they don't add to your existence, you don't need them. Surround yourself with people who love you just the way you are. This is your tribe. These are the people that will remind you how special you are in times where you don't see it yourself.<br />
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For my spoonies, I know this can be especially difficult, especially if you are housebound. That's okay. You have the internet and you've already found me. You can join my tribe. I have a bunch of friends who I only know through the internet. Nothing is worse than feeling alone. I know. Come join us so you don't have to go through your illness by yourself. There are people just like you all over the internet.<br />
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I hope this blog has helped you start the first step on loving yourself. If you need more enouragement, just let me know. I'm always happy to send love and encouragement through the internet.<br />
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Until Next Time,<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-31031270109071628982016-11-03T13:23:00.000-05:002016-11-03T13:23:28.831-05:00It's Been Awhile...Let's Catch UpI stopped blogging over three years ago. I'm not sure why. But in the last few months I've been thinking I need to revive this blog and get back at it. So let's catch up (and three years is a lot of ground to cover, so grab a drink and settle in for a long one).<br />
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Through my jewelry and vending at various events I made some new friends and got involved in an amazing performance art community here in the Dallas area. In 2015 I even went to work part time for an amazing company. Overall life got better. I still had bad days but they seemed to be fewer. Life was pretty good for a couple of years.<br />
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Then on December 26th, 2015 my world was rocked. If you're friends with me on Facebook you know a little about this date. That's the day an EF4 tornado ripped through my hometown of Rowlett, Texas. This blog is the first time I've REALLY talked about how it affected me. It's been 10 months and I've written this blog in my head a thousand times, but I could never bring myself to really put it out there. Until now.<br />
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I like to keep things fairly upbeat. I don't hide the bad things or the not so good things. I've blogged about my fibromyalgia and my autoimmune disorder. I just try to not let them define me or use them to get attention or pity from others. I try to focus on good things or funny things. People don't need to know about my problems or how I really feel. They have their own issues. So why am I writting this blog? Because I feel this topic is too important to hide. So let's talk about the night of the tornado.<br />
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It was the day after Christmas. In fact it was a pretty nice day and we had the windows open. It was warm and beautiful. A cold front was expected later that night but thats not unusual. The weather varies in Texas. There was even a possibility of storms. As it became evening the threat of storms became greater, but I wasn't too concerned. I live on what is known as The Peninsula in Rowlett. We are on this strip of land in the middle of Lake Ray Hubbard. Traditionally severe weather has either gone to the north or to the south of us. I've lived here for 15 years and we had never had any severe weather related damage to out house or vehicles. I was so unconcerned I wasn't even watching the weather. It was a Netflix and chill kind of night.<br />
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My husband finally was said we should turn on the news and watch the weather. Okay fine. Another thing you need to understand is I grew up in Upstate New York. Winter weather doesn't phase me. Here in Texas, when we get ice and snow the local TV stations make it out to be there is an impending apocalypse. So I've come to ingore the "we're all going to die" hyperbole the local stations spew.<br />
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As the line of storms grew closer my husband went outside to watch. He's an Iowa boy and apparently tornadoes are events to be watched there. Not long after Aaron went outside to watch he came running back in saying we needed to take cover. Houses here do not have basements so taking cover means to go to the center of the house to a room with no windows. We attempted to get the dogs to go with us and about this point I could hear the awful sound a tornado makes. Three dogs went with Aaron. I was chasing down a fourth dog when the tornado hit. We lost power and you could hear everything hitting the house. It was terrifying and then it was over.<br />
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Flash lights were turned on. Damage was checked. Neighbors were checked on and loose dogs were put in our backyard as our fence was still standing. It was chaos. After things kind of calmed down here Aaron said we should go check on my parents' house. My parents were visiting my brother in North Carolina for Christmas and we were watching the house and feeding the cat. Back in 2014 my parents had purchaed a second house just two blocks from my house. We walked over there (there were shingles and nails sprinkled throughout the streets and my husband didn't want to replace tires on his truck) expecting to need to maybe board up some windows. We grabbed our cat carrier just in case we needed to grab Spike (the family cat). I was not prepared for what we were to find.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNAxwYNuj8JHwBwMtvjPC4xjAZQloo0ao_RPN0-xxNiRPpGrpmfatN_3SEZ-kI85n9sKwTE9NsJK9VyoB4ck9OM3BF_8WM54QeXDzarCFg-V4TNzvvG62iqL0GhsuuwKxinj8qfe7tBCY/s1600/pixlr_20151228205130110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNAxwYNuj8JHwBwMtvjPC4xjAZQloo0ao_RPN0-xxNiRPpGrpmfatN_3SEZ-kI85n9sKwTE9NsJK9VyoB4ck9OM3BF_8WM54QeXDzarCFg-V4TNzvvG62iqL0GhsuuwKxinj8qfe7tBCY/s400/pixlr_20151228205130110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after of my parents' home</td></tr>
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As you can see there was nothing left. This 3300 square foot house was just gone. Picking through the debris took a number of days and a number of volunteers. My parents got here as fast as they could. My brother came from North Carolina. A friend of my father's from NY came down. The damage was overwhelming.<br />
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For the first week after the tornado it was just go go go. Help recover items from the debris while there was light and clean recovered items and wash recovered laundry at night (once power was restored which was three days). At first I didn't sleep at night because there was stuff that needed done. I was also on Facebook a lot trying to keep up with the news. The tornado took a diagonal path across the peninsula.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHdTGUgXLfyQ1yT_T3MzoqFi0-juqTc6GiUk4E_N39uWV1MDlMbhFUGeCz9JZtrLfzLzm_Uw-LTwBAb8oNPQIjNEsv5p-8KyLxST1PDidb6Ez1h-f1znz7eZACslhlNYIjRpImUfQLM0k/s1600/FB_IMG_1458181347000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHdTGUgXLfyQ1yT_T3MzoqFi0-juqTc6GiUk4E_N39uWV1MDlMbhFUGeCz9JZtrLfzLzm_Uw-LTwBAb8oNPQIjNEsv5p-8KyLxST1PDidb6Ez1h-f1znz7eZACslhlNYIjRpImUfQLM0k/s400/FB_IMG_1458181347000.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial shot of the tornado path. The red dot is where my parents house was. I don't know who took the original aerial shot.</td></tr>
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My parents had lost everything, including a number of family heirlooms. My neighbors lost a lot. My neighborhood looked like a war zone. There was grief, loss, and devastation everywhere I looked. For about a week I physically was able to hold up; considering my fibromyalgia and autoimmune, this was an outstanding amount of time. After about a week I was forced to bed with a flair.<br />
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And then I was able to think, able to absorb everything that had happened. It also allowed me time to let the survivors guilt settle in. From there I spiraled downward. I was unable to sleep at night, even with the help of Ambien. I then tried Ambien and alcohol (which you're not supposed to do). I tried other combinations I won't go into. Night became a time of total terror. I was able to sleep during the day sometimes. I stopped leaving the house. I even hated to walk out my front door to get the mail. Eventually it got to the point where I rarely left the master bedroom.<br />
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For reasons I won't get into seeking professional help was not an option. I knew my mental state had gotten very bad. Any type of thunderstorm or threat of a storm triggered me. We had a near miss with our house (pretty minimal damage; houses literally across the street were total losses). Any storm felt like it was going to happen all over again but this time it would take us out. Some TV shows would trigger me. Anything with explosions that caused destruction were hard to watch.<br />
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Luckily I have some really amazing friends who I chat with via Facebook Messanger reguarly. One friend (Jane) was my rock. I don't know how I would have gotten through this horrible time without her. Another friend (Kate) gave me the suggestion that put me on my path to recovery. Kate suggested I take up gardening. Around April I started planting vegtables and herbs. Then I started a fairy garden. By the beginning of June I had transformed my backyard into a tranquil space. The work of creating a safe space and helping plants grow really helped to heal my devastation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhresGckG8kk7A4Y3mFY14otF0wNv29IlHJjTa-flhV7oM1cT3dP5gDbR1Ko6zZ95Hrhg4AkocQzZH7cnSM6FrFfrgeMML_0c_flIXfEPYG_K1pK4q9p4N7VssoooQDL_fVOkc1bE01_H/s1600/pixlr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhresGckG8kk7A4Y3mFY14otF0wNv29IlHJjTa-flhV7oM1cT3dP5gDbR1Ko6zZ95Hrhg4AkocQzZH7cnSM6FrFfrgeMML_0c_flIXfEPYG_K1pK4q9p4N7VssoooQDL_fVOkc1bE01_H/s400/pixlr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage of my Fairy Garden</td></tr>
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I started to go out with friends more. I'd still sometimes have panic attacks leaving the house. But I had to push through it. I even took a road trip with my mom and visited upstate NY twice (I flew up to help her drive to Texas to take care of some business, then helped her drive back three weeks later and flew home). Going back home and seeing long time friends (20 years+) also really helped to ground and recenter me. I came home from my second trip feeling better than I had in months.<br />
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If you've stuck with me this long, you're probably wondering why I wrote this large tome. I have two reasons. One, to bring awareness to things like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I know a number of people that stuggle with these and I now have a better understanding of them. Obviously my poor mental state was caused by an event. I still get triggered occassionally but I'm working on healing. I know some people have depression and general anxiety and that is something you don't just get over. Those are conditions that need medication to be managed. For some reason there is a stigma attached with metal illness and there shouldn't be. We don't judge people who are diabetic or have heart conditions. I would like to see awareness raised for mental illness and the stigma eradicated.<br />
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My second reason for this blog is I want to get back to blogging so I see this post as a jump start. Earlier this year I started a Facebook group for people like me (Spoonies) who have a chronic condition. I started it out of a need to connect with others like myself. Little did I know how rewarding it would be to connect people so they can help and support others like them. It's powerful just to know you're not alone. I'd like to take it a step further and make this blog spoonie-centric. It will still be my random thoughts and it will still be all over the place. However my goal is to try to make it more focused on my spoonie lifestyle. It will still be applicable to everyone, just more suited to those of us with chronic conditions.<br />
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So there it is. I think we've caught up. I hope this blog finds you, my dear readers, well and I will catch you again soon.<br />
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Until Next Time (and not three years from now),<br />
MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-49967734636657363022013-06-26T11:57:00.000-05:002013-06-26T11:57:14.980-05:00Handmade Wednesday featuring Melbe Creations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Handmade Wednesday</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a></span></h3>
<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome
to Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature a crafter or
artist you should know about! Are you ready to see who I have picked for
this week? Let's get started.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I am featuring Melissa of Melbe Creations. No worries, I am not going to be interviewing myself. Melissa B just happens to have an awesome first name! Melissa B is a artist/photographer from Minnesota. Let's find out about her wonderful art!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Melbe Creations</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.kaleidoscopephotoart.com/home.php" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Portforlio</b></span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/melbecreations?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy Store</a></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MelbeCreations" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Facebook</b></span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/melbecreations/boards/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pinterest</b></span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/melbecreations/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Flickr</b></span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://melbecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></span> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> -Tell us a little bit about your handmade business</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - I am a nature photographer that adds a twist to my
photographs. I create kaleidoscope/mandala
designs from my photographs. I isolate
the subject of my photo by making a freehand geometric cut. I then create multiple copies, mirror image
and realign them to create a seamless design.
This is done freehand and is not the product of an automatic
program. An automatic program is fun but
it distorts the subject of your photograph, creating an effect of literally
looking through a kaleidoscope. My
objective is to isolate my subject and kaleidoscope around it. I then translate my designs into prints,
pendants, suncatchers, paperweights, ceramic tiles and more!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHPF9hq5sTkjRNYdyRozan4jq13k0uUj4VNeqH_GiKPw2rzvAjmWtqj7S-3sDF23prUodKmu5KoKIbEKob0tOiC0rS5fX3GCrKDKQkP6jovOYqVDJao1ZJTthEVlJ8qcBA2QS_krjKWhV/s1600/My+hearts+desire+Metal+Pendant+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHPF9hq5sTkjRNYdyRozan4jq13k0uUj4VNeqH_GiKPw2rzvAjmWtqj7S-3sDF23prUodKmu5KoKIbEKob0tOiC0rS5fX3GCrKDKQkP6jovOYqVDJao1ZJTthEVlJ8qcBA2QS_krjKWhV/s320/My+hearts+desire+Metal+Pendant+a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My Hearts Desire Metal Pendant</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - How long have you been in business?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - I have been creating these designs for over 15 years. I used to create these designs with an actual
print, ruler and Exacto knife! Very
difficult to produce and they left a seam.
I stopped creating them for several years until I was able to design
electronically and eliminate the seam. I
launched an Etsy shop in March of 2010.
I followed up by participating in juried art fairs and this year I
launched my own website.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6CwwcVDVaN71kb9mhvcYnTzsHow4TmDlC0WH54-Ee0jhKyWKlkRO_e4UwOoRdIjH0nCO9BdmfOtymlexc-0zsTkHYw8VhphEvylwuK1nKZJPat6fUlPBG-UPYqFnJtcDs-Yq7MkleRjN/s1600/Feathered+Fauna+Suncatcher+new+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6CwwcVDVaN71kb9mhvcYnTzsHow4TmDlC0WH54-Ee0jhKyWKlkRO_e4UwOoRdIjH0nCO9BdmfOtymlexc-0zsTkHYw8VhphEvylwuK1nKZJPat6fUlPBG-UPYqFnJtcDs-Yq7MkleRjN/s320/Feathered+Fauna+Suncatcher+new+a.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Feathered Fauna Suncatcher</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Did your business start as a hobby?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - Yes, the last thought I had was showing my work and selling
my designs. I was absolutely terrified
to share my work. It took me several
months to work up the courage to approach a local store about carrying my
product. The owner was very supportive
and encouraged me to expand.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GQkhW4Xlw6CcUkm1xVTuBbLV7DjjghukIjmKW1HidWMUUYOOU3qTO3UBpuLEi4skRfIbBamqCJwZBPIfdRA5gEdSn79MhyphenhyphenzMeJ9CJdKcOTe1-tVPPDwR3TDqM4dnD0pcnZdZ6toMECaE/s1600/Petals+Of+Poise+Trinket+Box+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GQkhW4Xlw6CcUkm1xVTuBbLV7DjjghukIjmKW1HidWMUUYOOU3qTO3UBpuLEi4skRfIbBamqCJwZBPIfdRA5gEdSn79MhyphenhyphenzMeJ9CJdKcOTe1-tVPPDwR3TDqM4dnD0pcnZdZ6toMECaE/s320/Petals+Of+Poise+Trinket+Box+2.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Petals Of Poise Trinket Box</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Where do you get your design inspiration from?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - Cliché as it sounds nature is my inspiration. There is a
deeper reason than physical beauty. Nature does not care if you are having a
bad hair day, if your socks match, or if you are wearing a designer label.
Nature unconditionally accepts. My true inspiration flourishes from the inner
beauty of their society.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrfy8FAO1DGhJ7sKjLb315h3DJ4B3mU958KLx95qRdWDR8Oo7jQbtZoofZKGSmk4irv-ONtbWYHFqgdeZQK70eVIkdGjt0600Qr63lx6cynrs-07duQEDtBLW4tqo2Bja8EOnHlJ9dBD2/s1600/Nymph+Nirvana+glass+paperweight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrfy8FAO1DGhJ7sKjLb315h3DJ4B3mU958KLx95qRdWDR8Oo7jQbtZoofZKGSmk4irv-ONtbWYHFqgdeZQK70eVIkdGjt0600Qr63lx6cynrs-07duQEDtBLW4tqo2Bja8EOnHlJ9dBD2/s320/Nymph+Nirvana+glass+paperweight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Nymph Nirvana glass paperweight</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Tell us about a piece you designed that you are still
blown away by </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - I would have to say that “My Heart’s Desire” would have to
be the piece I am most proud of. I am
proud of my wildlife photographs because of the time and patients it takes to
capture just the right image, but this design is my pride and joy. It is a photograph of an Asian Lady Slipper
flower. The image itself was not
difficult to capture, but creating the design I wanted was. I wanted to create hearts with the leaves and
the center. It took me several cuts to
get just the right angle. The image
itself has wonderful depth so the finished design as a three dimensional
effect.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgZjvmeGjDLNN2p8sfPiqUFawlGP0dE81Cb8ip-ANA-1GM_Z-g3bumUsAZ7oEvzlWUP6v5J_oaQ0wfOHYldcTijsgOXLBXqW42eWmBFVWwO_WHfiUbIZFSZTpTNYnVbmRiiqKmCTOFWKj/s1600/My+hearts+desire+Tile+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgZjvmeGjDLNN2p8sfPiqUFawlGP0dE81Cb8ip-ANA-1GM_Z-g3bumUsAZ7oEvzlWUP6v5J_oaQ0wfOHYldcTijsgOXLBXqW42eWmBFVWwO_WHfiUbIZFSZTpTNYnVbmRiiqKmCTOFWKj/s320/My+hearts+desire+Tile+watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My Hearts Desire</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - What project are you currently working on?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Melbe</b></u> - I am always in pursuit of a new design but I have learned to
let nature take the lead. In the past I
would set out to capture a certain image and Mother Nature has showed me
something unexpected. The unexpected
images are the most rewarding. I have learned to let my designs happen
organically. The whole process is far
more rewarding. I do however have requests to create designs
from a sweet pea, peony, horses and more turtles. I have planted several flowers in my garden
as well that I am waiting to bloom to see if inspiration takes over. I am
working on translating my designs into my different products. Love Struck, my latest design, I am
translating into a pendant and suncatcher.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7tUn4NtlecQd05EL_pDkU__8oMmp4fxY0iKVGD5pXTXFC1ulIarLiZwdmEe0-wUtC1iBJfoACT6RrmlVPx1qyNDBuPJuBNmzz06Pg2NgE1LKHiqoy24GpdS9iWFBM6aKkBisGt88EW13/s1600/Monarch+Melody+2+tile+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7tUn4NtlecQd05EL_pDkU__8oMmp4fxY0iKVGD5pXTXFC1ulIarLiZwdmEe0-wUtC1iBJfoACT6RrmlVPx1qyNDBuPJuBNmzz06Pg2NgE1LKHiqoy24GpdS9iWFBM6aKkBisGt88EW13/s320/Monarch+Melody+2+tile+watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Monarch Melody</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>MC</u></b>- What is the one thing you have learned by trial and error
that you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you started? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>Melbe</u></b> -Let it happen
organically! Do not force your creative
process. I am a stubborn soul and
sometimes I will push to create a design that I want no matter how uninspired I
am. I have learned that my design will
come out flat…no emotion, and even I do not care for the design.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgm2iiqz-RvSfCeTLAmRgu8TcH3tjbt7v-A4Np3OvpB5Q8m7PPKk9c9fQIBv9KChbqTw7fgQnkFVafbdGFWYWMIfDvAbzdKXCsWppR4QK_DQornxfPAuN4n2yNBAmpw89FTIAq0EDJwtM/s1600/Auroras+Aria+2+tile+Watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgm2iiqz-RvSfCeTLAmRgu8TcH3tjbt7v-A4Np3OvpB5Q8m7PPKk9c9fQIBv9KChbqTw7fgQnkFVafbdGFWYWMIfDvAbzdKXCsWppR4QK_DQornxfPAuN4n2yNBAmpw89FTIAq0EDJwtM/s320/Auroras+Aria+2+tile+Watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Auroras Aria</b></td></tr>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Spread the love. Tell us about another handmade business
you adore.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>Melbe</u></b> - Wow there is just so many artists that I adore and admire, It
is so hard to choose just one. I would
have to say I am blown away by Janice Winsor from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FourWindsFarmMaine?fref=ts" target="_blank">Four Winds Farm Maine</a>! She creates felted sculptures from
photographs that are so incredibly life I am amazed. She creates many other items that I adore as
well. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGifQ8K6WOXFFvOOnl_XV9HvlzlXeGIWwEWyRSLH_mGLYW0k7aoXDDBEhYn4UoL-nF6GkcQHdbagSAdmne3S7VdpTv_D4_V3YMXI0GhRbda-CQB3e5lEg9y7mRKbTqdC02cCgznMRR4z5y/s1600/Four+Winds+Farm+Maine+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGifQ8K6WOXFFvOOnl_XV9HvlzlXeGIWwEWyRSLH_mGLYW0k7aoXDDBEhYn4UoL-nF6GkcQHdbagSAdmne3S7VdpTv_D4_V3YMXI0GhRbda-CQB3e5lEg9y7mRKbTqdC02cCgznMRR4z5y/s320/Four+Winds+Farm+Maine+pic.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Four Winds Farm Maine</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u>- Free style. Tell me about anything I forgot to ask.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>Melbe</u></b> - About a year ago I began to search for any symbolisms the subjects
of my designs have. I learn everyday
something new about nature, history and our desire as humans to add meaning to
Mother Nature’s creations. Many of the
symbolisms go back centuries! It one of
my favorite steps in my process! The
hardest part of the process can be giving my design a title. I think I stress about the title more than
any other part of the process.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuKA88kduC8qzezjKyM4w4FMl5ezlyA-sEPPlpHUuxaojsxEkFw95eDICoHaQj6oT910M_TSRQrTINerxLBv3Q59vnFA9nX4kY7i-hqQANbWwWH6RFt-d3SaQUFtyeF9KaibiK1SqIA6o/s1600/Bear+Essentials+2+tile+Watermarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuKA88kduC8qzezjKyM4w4FMl5ezlyA-sEPPlpHUuxaojsxEkFw95eDICoHaQj6oT910M_TSRQrTINerxLBv3Q59vnFA9nX4kY7i-hqQANbWwWH6RFt-d3SaQUFtyeF9KaibiK1SqIA6o/s320/Bear+Essentials+2+tile+Watermarks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bear Essentials</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Melissa for dropping by for Handmade Wednesday and sharing your art
with us! Be sure to tune in next week to see who is featured next!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Tomorrow</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa </span></span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-21306503561175578602013-06-19T10:59:00.000-05:002013-06-19T11:42:02.358-05:00Handmade Wednesday featuring Shantastic Shine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Handmade Wednesday</span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a></span></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome
to Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature a crafter or
artist you should know about! Are you ready to see who I have picked for
this week? Let's get started.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I am featuring <b>Shantastic Shine</b>. Artist Shannon features just a little of everything in her eclectic collection from art to jewerlry. Lets find out about Shannon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.shantasticshine.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShantasticSales" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShantasticSales?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a></span></span> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>MC</u></span> -
</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Tell us a little bit about your handmade business</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<u><b>SS</b></u> - I sell a little bit of everything handmade at Shantastic Shine. My own work
includes my artwork which is mostly done in acrylic paints or professional
style paint markers. As far as artwork I do take commissions when I have time
to work on them in my studio. <br />
<br />
I also do a lot of hemp work and
customized jewelry. I macramé over 20 necklaces and create dozens of custom
orders a week to provide a customized experience and to get just what my
customers are looking for. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GdPFtAMB4YsN6EXAZQAMHQfbLY2E5p98lovS278L2e6j8vdYtRUAZtBKnclATDj_2DKjZu3hzgUdibKiBrPE0gblvOVEl__HFIhyAjzKsehEsqjO6Qcsb2EIrt8uIgVgk2aISRy3d6rE/s1600/IMG_8104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GdPFtAMB4YsN6EXAZQAMHQfbLY2E5p98lovS278L2e6j8vdYtRUAZtBKnclATDj_2DKjZu3hzgUdibKiBrPE0gblvOVEl__HFIhyAjzKsehEsqjO6Qcsb2EIrt8uIgVgk2aISRy3d6rE/s320/IMG_8104.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><u>MC</u> -
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">How long have you been in business?</span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<br />
<u><b>SS</b></u> - I started selling things in my highschool years around 2008. I officially
opened Shantastic Shine in 2010 after moving home from College in Pittsburgh to
my hometown of Cumberland, Maryland. Where I currently am located and travel
the surrounding areas for shows and events.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333;">MC</span></u><span style="color: #333333;"> -
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Did your business start as a hobby?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u><b>SS</b></u> - My little business started as
a hobby but I knew I wanted to do something art related with my life. I </span>enjoy </span>sharing my ideas and love of
all things arts and crafts with anyone interested in custom work. I knew a
normal 9-5 job just wasn’t for me and my heart belonged in an art studio! I
started making things for friends and family and before I knew it I had
strangers calling for gifts and handmade jewelry, and so it began!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_MJRwguMqXVihbPiJG87ALLT_eRmwZrSi2VpKRKkQn5vVjI8nuEk_Q5Nq4RfiOFhDG8rZSWMEjCFcZihwpF8J9Xxt3f_0UwE8HDa1uv3KUSheQf0eRzb8aFbt3YooiuOIJMTsE-6e1PH/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_MJRwguMqXVihbPiJG87ALLT_eRmwZrSi2VpKRKkQn5vVjI8nuEk_Q5Nq4RfiOFhDG8rZSWMEjCFcZihwpF8J9Xxt3f_0UwE8HDa1uv3KUSheQf0eRzb8aFbt3YooiuOIJMTsE-6e1PH/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><u>MC</u> -
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Where do you get your design inspiration from?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b><u>SS</u></b>-Colors, and Music. I try to
use a lot of “color theory” in my work. Since art has been taken less seriously
in my local schools than I think it should be I have noticed many people I talk
to often don’t realize what colors mix to make which anymore. I often use the idea of colors like red and
blue to make purple and use them on multiple canvas’ as well as blend them in
my art whether it be painting or jewelry combinations. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">I also use music a lot as motivation. A line in a song could inspire an entire
painting for me. Or a rhythm behind a catchy chorus could become the idea for a
new pattern for a background image.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b><u>MC</u></b> - Tell us about a piece you
designed that you are still blown away by </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<u><b>SS</b></u>-One of my bar far favorite pieces is a stone wire wrap I made a few years ago.
I loved it so much I still have it and wear it almost daily. It has gotten me
so many compliments and I would like to believe sales. It has a Smokey Quartz, </span>amethyst
<span style="color: #333333;">tourmaline
and a few other small stones mixed into it.
Since I have made it I have made several similar with custom stone
requests for customers. They are time consuming but one of my favorite projects
to make for people because they usually have special meanings for the stones
they choose.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZu45TkdlEEzNHJMpPc71QiAPdth_HiBOwE6BAQ9Dh3zqauJgCEbH004_RnPVdRUYaxybZaGIEqwLUrkqZtEyB9UbFYyvDB9xvuM9AbnOK4SmsNxA5uiDOUQSZnOU9hAUSLQ-evqsAUK8/s1600/IMG_8112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZu45TkdlEEzNHJMpPc71QiAPdth_HiBOwE6BAQ9Dh3zqauJgCEbH004_RnPVdRUYaxybZaGIEqwLUrkqZtEyB9UbFYyvDB9xvuM9AbnOK4SmsNxA5uiDOUQSZnOU9hAUSLQ-evqsAUK8/s320/IMG_8112.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><u>MC</u> -
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">What is the one thing you have learned by trial and error that you wish you
could go back and tell yourself when you started?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 12.75pt; margin: 7.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><u><b>SS</b></u>-Not everyone appreciates
things as much as someone else. I often try to make everyone happy or appeal to
a wide variety of people. I have taught myself to create things that I think
SOMEONE will like and not EVERYONE that way when that someone finds it , it
means even more to them and they will truly appreciate it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">MC -
Spread the love. Tell us about another handmade business you adore</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<b><u>SS</u></b>-I truly admire Shirley over at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheOrangeWindmill?fref=ts" target="_blank">Orange Windmill</a> or Tree’s Hide. </span><span style="color: #333333;"> She creates some very awesome leather bound books as well as other little
leather accessories. I have received an amazing little green leatherbound mini
journal that I have been scribbling my ideas in ever since. It’s very nicely
made and I can’t wait to get another one soon!<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;"><u>MC</u> -
</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Free style. Tell me about anything I forgot to ask.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<b><u>SS</u></b>-I am currently trying to reach 1,200 friends/fans on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShantasticSales" target="_blank">facebook</a>.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Once I get to 1,200 friends I will be running a contest for either a Necklace,
a painting, or a $20 gift card for ShantasticShine OR maybe ALL THREE.</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ALSO get free shipping in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShantasticSales?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">etsy shop</a> if you
use this code : <a href="https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/ShantasticSales/coupons?si_ys_dd_coupons#SHANTASTICSHIPFREE">SHANTASTICSHIPFREE
</a> </span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnHh0TW16JIS-kuchPtYTZYYPnHfQYUT1gLYeJvTVRG8__BZSPq-BtfjtEXjKxx5v37Zea8pADMGjSpdaduVGtHUoN0KXDT6UiOLd-56j-bY1ovvUBn9Oh9v1HGpXLarrjMFAqRnN_0Fe/s1600/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnHh0TW16JIS-kuchPtYTZYYPnHfQYUT1gLYeJvTVRG8__BZSPq-BtfjtEXjKxx5v37Zea8pADMGjSpdaduVGtHUoN0KXDT6UiOLd-56j-bY1ovvUBn9Oh9v1HGpXLarrjMFAqRnN_0Fe/s320/giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Shannon for dropping by for Handmade Wednesday and sharing your art with us! Be sure to tune in next week to see who is featured next!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Tomorrow</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa </span></span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-19433023853091666412013-06-17T10:21:00.000-05:002013-06-19T11:42:39.551-05:00Tektites.....from Outer Spaaaaaaace!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s200/IMG_5938.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Chris</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a> Intern </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Fan Page</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a> </b><br />
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Grab your phasers, put on your space helmets, and crank up your creepy theremin music, today's blog is on Tektites.<br />
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<a href="http://www.zeldawiki.org/images/thumb/6/6b/Tektite_TP.png/785px-Tektite_TP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://www.zeldawiki.org/images/thumb/6/6b/Tektite_TP.png/785px-Tektite_TP.png" width="320" /></a></div>
No, not the spider things from the Legend of Zelda games, although it would make a pretty cool alien, and it would go with creepy theremin music pretty well.<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/vj-VcZY_nwE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vj-VcZY_nwE&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vj-VcZY_nwE&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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No creepy theremin music here, but it's just as good if you ask me.</div>
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But in a nutshell, Tektites are rocks (not all gem quality, of course) formed when space rocks hit the Earth. These impacts tend to be fairly energetic events (just ask the Dinosaurs), so even though Tektites are formed from ordinary Earth rocks and such, the materials in those rocks are transformed, both from the impact itself, and they are often shaped as they zip though the air and cool down.<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Australite_back_obl.jpg/756px-Australite_back_obl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Australite_back_obl.jpg/756px-Australite_back_obl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For example, here's an Australite, which acquired its aerodynamic shape after it was ejected from a newly formed impact crater, and sailed through the air as a blob of molten glass. It may not be particularly shiny, but you might be interested to know that Australites helped to inspire the shape of the Apollo Space Capsules. In other words....<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Australite_core_type.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Australite_core_type.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/spaceship-apollo-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/spaceship-apollo-9.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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Note the similarity to the middle rock....</div>
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<a href="http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/612769210737733009/747CFB6A068270CB194345DB2D5AC30A63E0391A/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/612769210737733009/747CFB6A068270CB194345DB2D5AC30A63E0391A/" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1194676078"></span><span id="goog_1194676079"></span>Also note the similarity to this fine example of Alien Technology.<br />
There is only one explanation!<br />
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<a href="http://happyfamousartists.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Giorgio-Tsoukalos-not-saying-its-aliens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://happyfamousartists.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Giorgio-Tsoukalos-not-saying-its-aliens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Most gem grade Tektites, however, are the illustrious green Moldavites. Not only are they beautiful, but there are only four Moldavite mines currently operating in the world, and they're all in the Czech Republic. Once they're gone, they're gone.</div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Moldavite_Besednice.jpg/800px-Moldavite_Besednice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Moldavite_Besednice.jpg/800px-Moldavite_Besednice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Moldavite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Moldavite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/moldavite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.envirowarrior.com/images/moldavite.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mindat.org/auctionpics/062156500133495609881190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.mindat.org/auctionpics/062156500133495609881190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These spiky "flower burst" Moldavites are highly sought after by collectors.</div>
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<a href="http://www.wulflund.com/images/moldavites_for_sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.wulflund.com/images/moldavites_for_sale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While the smaller loose pieces are cut into gems</div>
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<a href="http://www.crystalsrocksandgems.com/images2/moldaviteloosegemstones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://www.crystalsrocksandgems.com/images2/moldaviteloosegemstones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So remember, the next time you're looking for a different sort of gemstone for a unique gift, you may just want to look to the stars....<br />
Until Tommorow<br />
Chris the Intern </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197537381984232011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-54348218965256263772013-06-14T11:34:00.001-05:002013-06-14T11:34:23.943-05:00Discover Ammonites in Jewelry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Discover Ammonites in Jewelry</span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I want to tell you about ammonites in jewelry. What is an ammonite you ask? They are an extinct group of invertibrate animals that appeared in the Devonian Period and died out during the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. They have since become fossilized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of you may be thinking "Okay, I just heard blah blah jewelry blah blah." Here is what you need to know. Ammonites are really old animals and they have become fossils. These really cool fossils look even cooler in jewelry. Time for show and tell.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/94/44/05/94440540819369765a5affbc38df59bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/94/44/05/94440540819369765a5affbc38df59bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of ammonites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/a8/08/76/a808760dacbd077ff027978a21e69b91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/a8/08/76/a808760dacbd077ff027978a21e69b91.jpg" width="278" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/a9/3a/7a/a93a7a2850344316cbbdcbce1d4a8df4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/a9/3a/7a/a93a7a2850344316cbbdcbce1d4a8df4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opalized Ammonite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">See? Aren't these fossils pretty? Wouldn't it be fun if someone put them into jewelry? Good news! In the past I have made them into rings, bracelets, pendants and cuff links. I had the honor of having some of my ammonite jewelry photographed by fine art photographer <a href="http://www.jon-herrera.com/" target="_blank">Jon Herrera</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifoNFBrh3-XlBEjHkIpbBoTeMRcQU23zLCE5qnJRZla_UtDXvHWFZ62imuvgYUMCq18B232gmYm2Pk1u3FWC2kW7XYoFA1Bc9Oz-uP-u-beIBBtkoOsUPg_jsxEzuFyKod0oro4JWu3Ww/s1600/Ammonite_by_JH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifoNFBrh3-XlBEjHkIpbBoTeMRcQU23zLCE5qnJRZla_UtDXvHWFZ62imuvgYUMCq18B232gmYm2Pk1u3FWC2kW7XYoFA1Bc9Oz-uP-u-beIBBtkoOsUPg_jsxEzuFyKod0oro4JWu3Ww/s320/Ammonite_by_JH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Would you like some more ammonite jewelry eye candy by other artists? I would too, so for your viewing (and drooling) pleasure I present...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/25/ed/8f/25ed8f95c8f655850364aa3a431e3594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/25/ed/8f/25ed8f95c8f655850364aa3a431e3594.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite Pendant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/d0/9b/01/d09b01ceff17174f0c75958eda2ff1b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/d0/9b/01/d09b01ceff17174f0c75958eda2ff1b8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite Ring</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/c5/8b/f8/c58bf8573b7ef93b229e1bf567c5da01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/c5/8b/f8/c58bf8573b7ef93b229e1bf567c5da01.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite Cuff Bracelet</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/03/3a/ea/033aeae3fa33b1f1fb5eaf7fbb88a74b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/03/3a/ea/033aeae3fa33b1f1fb5eaf7fbb88a74b.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite cuff links</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/cf/cc/f6/cfccf630c5fc57545b36fdd92b019a19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/cf/cc/f6/cfccf630c5fc57545b36fdd92b019a19.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite Ring</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/1f/a7/6f/1fa76fe9dc5b2e64e85433cf6c6b54e8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/1f/a7/6f/1fa76fe9dc5b2e64e85433cf6c6b54e8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammonite Bracelet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">WOW! I just love the creativity of these pieces. I admire how these artists have combined fossils with jewelry. Not only are these pieces wearable art, they are wearable history!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are thinking "I would love to have some ammonite jewelry of my own!", no worries, Chrysalis Fans! Contact me today (melissa@chrysalisjewelry.com) to discuss a custom piece. Don't forget you can always visit my <a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop, or my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page to connect with me too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until Tomorrow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Melissa</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-69292191026012577472013-06-12T14:23:00.000-05:002013-06-12T14:23:20.890-05:00Handmade Wednesday Featuring Rootiebirds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Handmade Wednesday</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a></span></h3>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature a crafter or artist you should know about! Are you ready to see who I have picked for this week? Let's get started.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I am proud to feature Rootiebirds, a Nebraska based artist who makes the most wonderful gemstone beaded creations. I interviewed her this week and this is what she had to say.</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><u>MC</u></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"> - Tell us a little bit about your handmade business</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerzfStYlyDd9z2yr_prOv2QMCxEA6S6yZENOWFAzwoRsCz3_cvwwRrIIupRGCAenZ9TysYkLio2YmEdo5r_xjkIOJOO0xtKj9ddaXNtVLXBiQAbM0BDsnWDFDyK4vGwYMYMXtcuecEPfB/s1600/Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerzfStYlyDd9z2yr_prOv2QMCxEA6S6yZENOWFAzwoRsCz3_cvwwRrIIupRGCAenZ9TysYkLio2YmEdo5r_xjkIOJOO0xtKj9ddaXNtVLXBiQAbM0BDsnWDFDyK4vGwYMYMXtcuecEPfB/s200/Kate.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate, Owner of Rootiebirds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> -</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I make jewelry...my passion is working with gemstones, but I love branching out and trying new things….my latest is wire wrapping and soon i want to try leather and metal smithing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>MC</u></b> - How long have you been in business?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> -<span style="color: #222222;">I've officially been in business for almost a year now</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Did your business start as a hobby?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - <span style="color: #222222;">Yes, it started quite innocently…a friend needed some help beading and I immediately became addicted. I've never lost the love for it….it has grown…I call it my longest lasting love affair.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EE89ICT5UDidj1HlxGUVeKeHz4J8bSY3fPyVrTFfX7psyQXbWTaOpLNDZG1pqDZoGo0lkeawxokyDSGxfVdMTqBHbhXtX8_llQvPFNtwJR9jl_Sdq346a36IZGcRBbaP2JjOvre-r8ms/s1600/Garnet%257EOrbitalResonance%257ERootieBirdsChakraYourKarma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EE89ICT5UDidj1HlxGUVeKeHz4J8bSY3fPyVrTFfX7psyQXbWTaOpLNDZG1pqDZoGo0lkeawxokyDSGxfVdMTqBHbhXtX8_llQvPFNtwJR9jl_Sdq346a36IZGcRBbaP2JjOvre-r8ms/s320/Garnet%257EOrbitalResonance%257ERootieBirdsChakraYourKarma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garnet Orbital Resonance</td></tr>
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<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>MC</b></u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - Where do you get your design inspiration from?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - <span style="color: #222222;">I get design inspiration from so many places, people, and ideas. I love nature, odd things, art, patterns…there is inspiration everywhere</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Tell us about a piece you designed that you are still blown away by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - <span style="color: #222222;">My latest piece is something that blew me out of the water. I call it the Seven Sisters. It is not quite finished yet but it involves some pretty fierce wrapping of copper and gemstones. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsHAiR5DzaZJzJNi2_7A2UkEsS0-owE9dDzHrTPifZy5RXYWJZ7hazMfttDKTKA-i_SSz6s0lKzGCRbv67f2Rw2VO08FdlHg8AaylOgJJAkLDkIaEiRwH3G4lB1ZlNGD5N_MsC_fzKjKG/s1600/KatyDid%257EOrbital.Resonance%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsHAiR5DzaZJzJNi2_7A2UkEsS0-owE9dDzHrTPifZy5RXYWJZ7hazMfttDKTKA-i_SSz6s0lKzGCRbv67f2Rw2VO08FdlHg8AaylOgJJAkLDkIaEiRwH3G4lB1ZlNGD5N_MsC_fzKjKG/s320/KatyDid%257EOrbital.Resonance%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KatyDid Orbital Resonance</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u>- What is the one thing you have learned by trial and error that you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you started?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - <span style="color: #222222;">I learn everything by trial and error…that's just how I roll…best way to learn. The only thing I would tell myself is to stay true to my vision…not get sidetracked…and to remember that everything is unfolding as it should…be patient.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFRtIKmHwrFXoViZ_wXj15_Lt84wMO6xp0-Rb04f0ohyphenhyphen6HN3l18JElF26_R0rOg8iZCKP4z5WA3WYDpSTBF95BCDACHtSy84NhJtpqXyr6qHoDqUSR1wQndYNf7DMdO1mAax_JFWRqKBD/s1600/Amethyst.Tapestry%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFRtIKmHwrFXoViZ_wXj15_Lt84wMO6xp0-Rb04f0ohyphenhyphen6HN3l18JElF26_R0rOg8iZCKP4z5WA3WYDpSTBF95BCDACHtSy84NhJtpqXyr6qHoDqUSR1wQndYNf7DMdO1mAax_JFWRqKBD/s320/Amethyst.Tapestry%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amethyst Tapestry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Spread the love. Tell us about another handmade business you adore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - M<span style="color: #222222;">y most recent love affair is with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cobaltandcopper" target="_blank">Cobalt and Copper</a>. Both her and her work are an inspiration to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>MC</b></u> - Free style. Tell me about anything I forgot to ask.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Rootiebirds</b></u> - O<span style="color: #222222;">ne thing I would like to add is that your biggest competition is also your greatest learning source, support and inspiration...always learn to lean on other people and in turn be open to being leaned upon</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpqhNmd9ORzk1OWnToKL4ioilvSl3TaurdNEqyIoXfWxwLqKgTIHXOX4iTH6S3fu2xWZLMCG3BCG_6KMZ-niqaUmKO_kuCjBrQubot-TydBMZWQIT3qAKzm_kNDc6x3M19HB79jyMDVol/s1600/Sapphire.Classic.Single.Braid%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpqhNmd9ORzk1OWnToKL4ioilvSl3TaurdNEqyIoXfWxwLqKgTIHXOX4iTH6S3fu2xWZLMCG3BCG_6KMZ-niqaUmKO_kuCjBrQubot-TydBMZWQIT3qAKzm_kNDc6x3M19HB79jyMDVol/s320/Sapphire.Classic.Single.Braid%257ERootieBirds.Chakra.Your.Karma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sapphire Classic Single Braid</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Kate for stopping in to talk to us about your beautiful creations! If you would like to get to know Rootiebirds better, be sure to become a fan on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rootiebirdschakrayourkarma" target="_blank">Rootiebirds Facebook Page</a>. You can also send an email to her at </span><span style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RootieBirds@gmail.com.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiE4fV8ZqZseIqUO_w-DkW0QOV_4b8vcnZ_pd-mxt-CyVmOsCQ4xaBDG_hSAtvuW07ek8bd5eufGL55MdNZbO9OOUV3dio28wvKboQdy4uS9xoxci6gKa24hErcAv-3LO0-E1Az7t2Jrd/s1600/SpecchioMaledetto%257ERootieBirdsChakraYourKarma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiE4fV8ZqZseIqUO_w-DkW0QOV_4b8vcnZ_pd-mxt-CyVmOsCQ4xaBDG_hSAtvuW07ek8bd5eufGL55MdNZbO9OOUV3dio28wvKboQdy4uS9xoxci6gKa24hErcAv-3LO0-E1Az7t2Jrd/s320/SpecchioMaledetto%257ERootieBirdsChakraYourKarma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Specchio Maledetto</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please be sure to tune in next Wednesday when I feature another great crafter or artist. Until next week!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS - Be sure to become a fan of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a>!</span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-33569529692498623062013-06-11T14:42:00.001-05:002013-06-11T14:42:47.191-05:00Garnets (I can't think of a witty title)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s200/IMG_5938.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Chris</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a> Intern </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Fan Page</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a> </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/Pictures%20of%20Birthstones/Garnet%20birthstones%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/Pictures%20of%20Birthstones/Garnet%20birthstones%202.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ah, Garnet. That deep red gemstone that I'm sure some people out there know and love. Like any gemstone worth talking about, it's pretty to look at and reflects and refracts light in interesting ways when cut. And like a gemstone that isn't too fragile to actually use in jewelry, garnets range from 6.5 to 7.5. Wait, garnets. Plural. You know what that means, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q42payFev8yV2FXcWGmuhD2qHx_S1Wf5zOIhGzxZZT9eOYvRLqRLcFgvGrYgM_tya33O8iuM1_DJCfVdg1yM90I2gnbw1Eo35RK0Pb_ZclVMeib8drsoeMeAXnLESYcvEcpWiKKSv24/s1600/garnet-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q42payFev8yV2FXcWGmuhD2qHx_S1Wf5zOIhGzxZZT9eOYvRLqRLcFgvGrYgM_tya33O8iuM1_DJCfVdg1yM90I2gnbw1Eo35RK0Pb_ZclVMeib8drsoeMeAXnLESYcvEcpWiKKSv24/s1600/garnet-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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That means there's a whole Garnet family out there just waiting to be explored. For our exploration today, we'll be looking at three members of the Garnet family.<br />
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<b>Tsavorite,</b><br />
<b>Spessartine,</b><br />
and <b>Demantoid</b><br />
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<b> </b>But before any of that silliness, let's cover Garnets in general. For all you science nerds out there, here's a model of Garnet's chemical structure.<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Garnet_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Garnet_s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And all the hippies said, "Eewww, chemicals D="</div>
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So yeah, when most people think of Garnets, they think of the red ones. Well guess what peeps, there are actually color changing Garnets out there! Unfortunately, still images of a color changing Garnet would be kinda boring, so I found you this video instead. If for some reason you don't like videos, all you have to do is not watch it, and pretend that it's a picture. Enjoy.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s4UGIoGMllc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Unfortunately, these fancy things tend to be rare, and therefore expensive. So if you happen to own one, please get a monocle and top hat, and refer to everyone who doesn't own these things as "peasants" and/or "peons". The International Society of Humorous Snobbery thanks you for your time.</div>
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If, for some reason, you don't have that much money to spend on Garnet(s), there's always Yttrium Aluminum Garnets, or YAGs. In the synthetic gemstone world, these puppies have been around for a while. In fact, they were used as fake diamonds until the famous Cubic Zirconia came along. And for you super-villains out there, YAGs can also be used in laser devices, but only if you add <strike>Neodymium</strike> a special secret ingredient.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bagdasarovcrystals.com/v1/img/upload/yag_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bagdasarovcrystals.com/v1/img/upload/yag_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Not Pictured: Death Ray Components</div>
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Well, then. Now that we've got some interesting tidbits about Garnets in general out of the way, it's time to look at three specific varieties in detail.</div>
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<b>Tsavorite</b></div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Grossular-4jg61a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Grossular-4jg61a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Yep, it's green.</div>
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Tsavorite is a Calcium-Aluminum Garnet, with the green color caused by a little bit of Vanadium or Chromium. To date, this gem has only been found in Tanzania and Madagascar. Most Tsavorite gems in existence weigh only a few carats. This one, however, seems to be abnormally large.</div>
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<a href="http://tmcpak.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Tsavorite-Garnet-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://tmcpak.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Tsavorite-Garnet-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't ask me how big these are (spoiler alert: probably smaller than they appear on your screen)</div>
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<a href="http://www.ajsgem.com/images/newsletter/info%20page%20images/tsavorite-garnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://www.ajsgem.com/images/newsletter/info%20page%20images/tsavorite-garnet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's one up close</div>
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<a href="http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mld8VxvYG1VBONooRN_gvIg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mld8VxvYG1VBONooRN_gvIg.jpg" /></a></div>
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This one must be tiny</div>
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<a href="http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/images/10/09/r3536d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/images/10/09/r3536d.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Here's an interesting cut</div>
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<a href="http://www.gemdat.org/gphotos/0056952001353766835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gemdat.org/gphotos/0056952001353766835.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next Up,</div>
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<b>Spessartine</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Spessartine_sur_quartz_fum%C3%A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Spessartine_sur_quartz_fum%C3%A9.jpg" width="245" /></a></b></div>
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Unlike Tsavorite, you can find this stuff all over the world.<b> </b>Also unlike Tsavorite, it seems like Spessartine doesn't get faceted as often. If you ask me, though, that isn't really much of a problem.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mineralman.com/ebay/spessartine0205080005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.mineralman.com/ebay/spessartine0205080005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mineralsciences.si.edu/_img/acquisitions/spessartine08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://mineralsciences.si.edu/_img/acquisitions/spessartine08.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/pig/pig_articles/etched_spssrtn_Fig03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/pig/pig_articles/etched_spssrtn_Fig03.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mindat.org/photos/0831161001240432809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.mindat.org/photos/0831161001240432809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They still look awesome when cut, of course.</div>
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<a href="http://gemstonemagnetism.com/uploads/Spessartine_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://gemstonemagnetism.com/uploads/Spessartine_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last, but not least, we have:</div>
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<b>Demantoid</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.collectorfinejewelry.com/Images/buyers_guides/demantoid/demantoid_rough_cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://www.collectorfinejewelry.com/Images/buyers_guides/demantoid/demantoid_rough_cut.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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As it turns out, Demantoids are a variety of Andratite, which itself is a member of the Garnet family. Demantoids were first discovered in Russia, and Russian Demantoids often contain inclusions called "Horsetails", which are often sought after as an indication of the gem's natural origin. In other words, this is the stuff that makes these gems famous:</div>
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<a href="http://www.palagems.com/Images/demantoid/horsetails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://www.palagems.com/Images/demantoid/horsetails.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's not just that this gem is natural, the inclusions look pretty good too.</div>
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<a href="http://www.palagems.com/Images/gem_news/feat_demantoid_spray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.palagems.com/Images/gem_news/feat_demantoid_spray.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/garnet_demantoid/demantoid_117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gemfix.com/images/stones/garnet_demantoid/demantoid_117.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.erongominerals.com/demantoid/demantoid-garnet-sean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://www.erongominerals.com/demantoid/demantoid-garnet-sean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://jcrs.com/newsletters/2008/images_2008-01/Tsav-Demantoid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://jcrs.com/newsletters/2008/images_2008-01/Tsav-Demantoid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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An interesting comparison....</div>
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<a href="http://www.idareds.com/moonlightmining/forSale/jan08_full/demontoid%20italy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.idareds.com/moonlightmining/forSale/jan08_full/demontoid%20italy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's all for now, I suppose. Stay Fancy, Chrysalis Fans.<br />
Until Tomorrow<br />
Chris the Intern</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197537381984232011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-7135936094492145452013-06-08T10:08:00.000-05:002013-06-08T10:08:53.818-05:00Time to Interview Chris the Intern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<b> Melissa, Owner of <a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a> Interviews</b><br />
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<b>Chris the Intern</b><br />
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After a couple of wonderful gemtastic blogs written by Chris the Intern, I thought it was time for fans to get to know Chris.<br />
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<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: Chris, would you tell us a little about yourself?<br />
<b><u>Chris</u></b>: I like to read random things every now and then. Sometimes I write too. I like Mexican food and video games.<br />
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<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: You recently graduated from college. Where did you matriculate from and what is your degree in?<br />
<u><b>Chris</b></u>: I got a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. The name is a bit misleading, though, the campus is in Richardson, not Dallas. Though I guess they might have a hard time fitting it all in Dallas somewhere, so it'll just have to be close enough.<br />
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<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: I know Chrysalis Jewelry is not your dream job, please tell us what your dream job is.<br />
<b><u>Chris</u></b>: I'd like to write code for video games, but just about anything with programming will do, I guess. I speak computer, y'know.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: You are a marvelous writer. Do you have any other writing projects you would like to tell my readers about?<br />
<u><b>Chris</b></u>: I've been writing a science fiction novel for the past few years, and I'm still not done. It's about teenagers who go to space and learn things and stuff, so if my made up teenagers inspire real teenagers to learn about science, that would be super cool. Especially if there's a lot of them and they pay me money.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: What has surprised you about Chrysalis Jewelry?<br />
<u><b>Chris</b></u>: Absolutely nothing. It is all transpiring as I have foreseen......<br />
<br />
<b><u>Melissa</u></b>: What kind of techy upgrades can Chrysalis fans expect from you this summer?<br />
<u><b>Chris</b></u>: I don't design software, I just figure out how to code things that other people dream up. So you tell me, what do you want? And don't ask me for a solution to the halting problem, because that's impossible.<br />
<br />
But as for what I've already done(and you've already dreamt up), I linked the Chrysalis facebook page to the website and vice versa, along with the associated etsy and twitter, as well as this very blog.<br />
<br />
Thank you Chris for taking a few minutes for this interview. I'm sure my readers want to know the intern behind such clever blogs.<br />
<br />
Until Tomorrow<br />
Melissa<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-66593488567981883662013-06-04T13:02:00.000-05:002013-06-04T13:02:31.216-05:00Beryl? Who's Beryl?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s200/IMG_5938.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Chris</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a> Intern </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Fan Page</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
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'Sup.<br />
<br />
So apparently Beryl is a mineral. At first I thought that Beryl was some weird name for a girl, like Sheryl but with a B. But it's not a name, I guess, it's a mineral. More specifically, this mineral encompasses an entire family of gemstones. Who knew? We do, now, because that's what we're here for. Learning things.<br />
<br />
Now that I think of it, though, I'd name my hypothetical baby girl Beryl, rather than something like Mercedes, or Super Fly. But still, I'd try real hard to think of a name I like more than Beryl. I won't do that right now, however. This is a blog about gemstones, not baby names. If you're looking for baby names, go to a baby name website, or buy a baby name book, or maybe search for a baby name blog. They've got to be out there somewhere.<br />
<br />
So yeah. Gemstones. Beryl.<br />
<br />
Can anyone guess what color pure beryl is? No really. Guess.<br />
<br />
Ok, I'll give you a minute or two.<br />
<br />
Did you guess? Good.<br />
<br />
Ok. If you guessed yellow, or pink, or dark brown, or mauve, or taupe, well, those were good guesses, but unfortunately they're all wrong. Pure beryl is colorless, it turns out.<br />
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<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3156/2692914111_d5e9e24043_z.jpg?zz=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3156/2692914111_d5e9e24043_z.jpg?zz=1" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not pretty enough? Ok, try this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones/images/goshenite_natural.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones/images/goshenite_natural.gif" /></a></div>
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So apparently this particularly boring variety of Beryl is called Goshenite. As in, "Oh Gosh, this gemstone looks like fake diamond. Why can't it be taupe!?!?"<br />
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Fun fact: Taupe is the king of colors.<br />
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Now, if you remember the beginning of this post (and if you don't, don't bother scrolling back up, I'll rehash it for you in a second), Beryl isn't just one boring gemstone, it's an entire family of less boring gemstones, each of which has a distinctive color due to impurities and such.<br />
<br />
Are you noticing a pattern here?<br />
<br />
Pure: colorless, boring.<br />
Impure: colorful, not boring.<br />
<br />
So anyway, after research and whatnot, I have condensed the many wonderful varieties of Beryl into the most significant four, the "big four", if you will.<br />
<br />
<b>Aquamarine</b><br />
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<b>Emerald</b><br />
<br />
<b>Heliodor</b><br />
<br />
<b>Morganite</b><br />
<br />
So, now that we have a nice list of gemstones, let's go through them in order, mmkay?<br />
<b> </b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Aquamarine</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/aquamarine/images/main_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/aquamarine/images/main_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(No, not that movie about mermaids)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm talking about gemstones here.</div>
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<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/uEGSnnZvy3wDomRSOSH2ajV8pNEslZjEU7AdUiLCK10iy2Xc2KjfCHDCfPSxOoHpNZr1Y9x0AhUv635nTOuig7W9FxhUw0I3/Aquamarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://api.ning.com/files/uEGSnnZvy3wDomRSOSH2ajV8pNEslZjEU7AdUiLCK10iy2Xc2KjfCHDCfPSxOoHpNZr1Y9x0AhUv635nTOuig7W9FxhUw0I3/Aquamarine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And how about one that has been neatly shaped to conform to our aesthetic expectations?</div>
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<a href="http://birthstonesbymonths.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/march-birthstone-aquamarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://birthstonesbymonths.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/march-birthstone-aquamarine.jpg" /></a></div>
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Fun fact: Aquamarine is the March birthstone.</div>
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<a href="http://www.arc-int.biz/faceted-rough-gemstone/aquamarine/afghanistan-facet-aquamarine-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.arc-int.biz/faceted-rough-gemstone/aquamarine/afghanistan-facet-aquamarine-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u> </u></b>I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS. And tells you about gemstones.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So yeah. About Aquamarine. If there's a place where you can find regular (boring) Beryl, there's a good chance you can find this sea-blue variety nearby. That color, by the way, is blamed on Iron ions somewhere in the crystalline structure of these rocks. Just because they're not boring doesn't mean they're innocent. For one thing, they will drain your bank account if you're not careful, just like children and beautiful mermaids.</div>
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<u><b>Emerald</b></u></div>
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If you don't know what color Emeralds are, then don't go back to facebook just yet. Let me educate you.</div>
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<a href="http://ncpedia.org/sites/default/files/emerald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://ncpedia.org/sites/default/files/emerald.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b> </b></u>I'll give you a hint. They're not purple.</div>
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<a href="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100425024728/deltora/images/a/ab/Emerald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100425024728/deltora/images/a/ab/Emerald.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It turns out that Emeralds are green.</div>
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<a href="http://www.minerals.net/GemStoneInTheRoughImages/emerald-zambia-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.minerals.net/GemStoneInTheRoughImages/emerald-zambia-g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You know what else is green? ALIENS!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hUjGW2htpR4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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So yeah, there's my shameless plug for the day.</div>
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Anyway, Emerald's greenish color is caused by chromium ions. Surprising, huh? Some of the rarest emeralds come from Colombia, like the prized Trapiche Emerald.</div>
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<a href="http://www.starruby.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TREM10-0.80-carat-trapiche-emerald_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.starruby.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TREM10-0.80-carat-trapiche-emerald_LRG.jpg" /></a></div>
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Apparently this thing is named after a grinding wheel. If you ask me, it looks like some kind of fruit.</div>
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<u><b>Heliodor</b></u></div>
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Next up, we have Heliodor. What is it, you ask? Well, feast your eyes on this:</div>
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<a href="http://www.mineralminers.com/images/heliodor/mins/helm101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.mineralminers.com/images/heliodor/mins/helm101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this....</div>
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<a href="http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/images/6_0_0_GeoGallery/specimen4084_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/images/6_0_0_GeoGallery/specimen4084_1.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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And these...</div>
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<a href="http://www.prettyrock.com/php/images/facet-rough/beryl/heliodor-beryl-01302008-3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://www.prettyrock.com/php/images/facet-rough/beryl/heliodor-beryl-01302008-3-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b> </b></u>And even this!</div>
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<a href="http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/images/thumb/0/00/Helio_Round_small.jpg/250px-Helio_Round_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gemologyproject.com/wiki/images/thumb/0/00/Helio_Round_small.jpg/250px-Helio_Round_small.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Like Aquamarine, it's color is caused by Iron ions. The difference
seems to be the exact charge of those ions. Interesting that such a
small difference can make such a huge impact, huh? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Apparently, there is some confusion as to the difference between Golden Beryl and Heliodor. It turns out that Golden Beryl is more of the golden yellow shade, like this:</div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Beryl_golden_beryl_rough_XH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Beryl_golden_beryl_rough_XH.jpg" /></a></div>
While Heliodor has more of a greenish yellow color, like this:<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Beryl_heliodor_polished_XH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Beryl_heliodor_polished_XH.jpg" /></a></div>
So, look up at the previous four images, and try to figure out which is which. Post your answers in the comments! Or don't, if you think it is a silly exercise.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Morganite</b></u></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, we have Morganite.<u><b> </b></u>For those of you out there who like all things pink, prepare yourselves...</div>
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<a href="http://www.themineralgallery.com/Denver2010-210MorganiteLepidolite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://www.themineralgallery.com/Denver2010-210MorganiteLepidolite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/mingem/gemtp/morganite/6xx-morganite-65c--gemco01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/mingem/gemtp/morganite/6xx-morganite-65c--gemco01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.irocks.com/db_pics/new2011/Morganite-Pech-Afghanistan-88mm-JB232-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://www.irocks.com/db_pics/new2011/Morganite-Pech-Afghanistan-88mm-JB232-04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.paraibainternational.com/images/Morganite-3688-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.paraibainternational.com/images/Morganite-3688-Image.jpg" /></a></div>
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In Morganite's case, the color is caused by Manganese ions. It was first discovered near Madagascar in 1910, and named after J.P. Morgan. The distinctive pink color of Morganite is often banded together with patches of orange or yellow colors, which can be removed by heat or radiation treatment. So if your nerd friend wasn't impressed with your gift of Topaz (dedicated to Jupiter, of course), make them a fun little science kit with Morganite and a Geiger Counter.<br />
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Well, I guess that's it for now. Be sure to leave a comment if you are actually named Beryl, and please remember that aliens are definitely cooler than mermaids.</div>
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Don't believe me? Ok, when's the last time that Mermaids built spaceships?</div>
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<a href="http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/848080357980447889/1C98DE3E3C71C5A381F3B7CBE532309E434166EE/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://cloud-2.steampowered.com/ugc/848080357980447889/1C98DE3E3C71C5A381F3B7CBE532309E434166EE/" width="320" /></a></div>
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Until Tomorrow<br />
Chris the Intern</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197537381984232011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-55605105204087708222013-06-01T15:32:00.001-05:002013-06-03T12:24:50.193-05:00Topaz: Let's talk 'bout it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaKlp0f2048-4qSttXL_iGW0KEyhZGgElqehP8nKtoak6mmZ6NTR4s_ytUFK4q2hx1cpknIqx62Gnzdet2ZdhSCAuaKCYUaRjLusB3aDHDWsWpx1PUV4IwzK141QOmpIl86IJAe9ihOy3/s200/IMG_5938.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Chris</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a> Intern </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.chrysalisjewelry.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Fan Page</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy Shop</a> </b><br />
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<br />
Hello followers, surfers, passers-by, and general audiences.<br />
<br />
My name is Chris and I am Chrysalis Jewelry's new Intern. Melissa has asked me to guest blog on her Random Thoughts.<br />
<br />
Previously, you have most likely read a post on several varieties of quartz, how common the stuff is, how clever marketing buzzwords can be used to inflate its apparent value, etc.<br />
<br />
Today, I will guide you on a wondrous journey of discovery, to see the beauty in the seemingly mundane.<br />
<br />
Ladies, Gentlemen, unknown life-forms reading this in the future, I give you....<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/TopazUSGOV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/TopazUSGOV.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Topaz.</h2>
<br />
Doesn't look very exciting, does it?<br />
If you agreed with that inquiry, then you're obviously not a nerd. Or a geologist. <br />
<br />
It's a fluorine aluminum silicate! It comes in many different colors, like these!<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8SZWeHEXSrnafOEtKzxX54mqeeRCBdBVUerFqxY2DvegdU-c7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8SZWeHEXSrnafOEtKzxX54mqeeRCBdBVUerFqxY2DvegdU-c7" /></a></div>
<br />
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And this!<br />
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<a href="http://mineralsciences.si.edu/_img/acquisitions/topaz03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://mineralsciences.si.edu/_img/acquisitions/topaz03.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<br />
And even this!<br />
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<a href="http://www.lsjunction.com/topaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.lsjunction.com/topaz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But its pure form is colorless. Any colors are caused by impurities.<br />
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<a href="http://applesofgold.com/jewelryblog/images/2008/12/unpolished-topaz-gemstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://applesofgold.com/jewelryblog/images/2008/12/unpolished-topaz-gemstone.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Oh, and sometimes it sits around in quartz veins. If you're a miner, find those veins and multitask!<br />
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It rates an 8 on the Moh's Hardness Scale, by the way. Kinda impressive actually.<br />
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Fun fact: The Romans dedicated topaz to Jupiter. Probably the Roman god Jupiter, but here's the planet for giggles.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQV--_ZCz-UGNL2JKEd7_0mtnaFrhTzdAP3jcFa40oUW-l-8rpyTw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQV--_ZCz-UGNL2JKEd7_0mtnaFrhTzdAP3jcFa40oUW-l-8rpyTw" /></a></div>
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So remember. The next time you need a gift for a gem geek, nerd or your lady friend, give them Topaz. Tell them it symbolizes Jupiter or something. There is a 16.384% chance that your nerd friend will appreciate that. Trust me, I'm a nerd.<br />
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Thank you for your time. Go out into the world, and use this knowledge to make it better, or at least more interesting.<br />
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P.S. Despite what your crazy hippie neighbors tell you, dolphins do <i>not</i> have magical powers.<br />
Until Tomorrow<br />
Chris Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16197537381984232011noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-79613359072956980082013-04-23T14:52:00.003-05:002013-04-23T14:52:38.837-05:00Let's Talk QuartzAs an artisan jeweler I have had to learn about gemstones (and since they are so pretty and sparkly, you can imagine how horrible that has been). I have educated myself on common and not-so-common gemstones, gemstone families (ex: corundum which is sapphire and ruby), the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness" target="_blank">Mohs Hardness Scale</a> (Talc being the softest, diamond the hardest) and a bunch of other technical things I will not bore you with.<br />
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Yesterday I received a flier/ catalog from a retail jewelry store. Every girl loves to look at jewelry, so I flipped through it last night. When I got to the colored gemstone section, I became irritated. Let me tell you why. I believe in charging a fair price for my creations (what did I pay for the raw materials+ my time) and I also tell my customer what they are receiving. My irritation was over a $700 "Green Amethyst" ring and my irritation was for two reasons: One - "Green Amethyst" is actually called Prasiolite and Two - I felt the price tag was well above and beyond the real value. Let me explain further.<br />
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Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. Prasiolite is the green. Citrine is the orange and Smokey Quartz is the brown. You get where this is going? So calling Prasiolite "Green Amethyst" would be like calling Citrine "Orange Amethyst". While most customers would not know what Prasiolite is, telling them it's Green Amethyst isn't educating them either. I know the first part of my irritation may seem petty, but I would rather give my customers a little education into what they are buying than tell them the wrong thing.<br />
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The second part of my irritation is this: Quartz is not rare. In fact, it is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's crust. Since it's not rare, it's not terribly expensive. In fact, you can get a very nice large Prasiolite for under $100 (and by you, I mean someone who pays retail). While the ring was in gold (which drove part of the price) and had some small diamonds (melee diamonds aren't expensive either), it did not warrant the price tag. It wasn't an amazing design. In fact, it was rather common.<br />
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So now, lets have a little quartz show and tell!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/e6/6a/46/e66a46551bceff01ce1c206bb5588f0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/e6/6a/46/e66a46551bceff01ce1c206bb5588f0d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faceted Prasiolite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/0f/00/0c/0f000cc4bcb719f186513079fdfb8350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/0f/00/0c/0f000cc4bcb719f186513079fdfb8350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough Prasiolite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b8/d6/1c/b8d61c7bb40f8b1472804832919448a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b8/d6/1c/b8d61c7bb40f8b1472804832919448a2.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz with Amethyst Phantom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/736x/40/f5/06/40f5063fbdce649512cf91c6db9c4c0f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/736x/40/f5/06/40f5063fbdce649512cf91c6db9c4c0f.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faceted Amethyst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/9a/6c/1e/9a6c1e372ad8138342f5fccc6be418fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/9a/6c/1e/9a6c1e372ad8138342f5fccc6be418fb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amethyst Rough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b4/37/c3/b437c3531438fc1d483165c20f5ada6e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/b4/37/c3/b437c3531438fc1d483165c20f5ada6e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faceted Citrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/c8/74/33/c8743313f74c8f423322ff67644cf732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/c8/74/33/c8743313f74c8f423322ff67644cf732.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citrine Rough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/d5/dc/6c/d5dc6c1188e9e6dc13ab58193606c1e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/d5/dc/6c/d5dc6c1188e9e6dc13ab58193606c1e4.jpg" width="124" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Quartz Rough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/44/1e/3e/441e3e7947cf8b354fc03c38cfb52089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/44/1e/3e/441e3e7947cf8b354fc03c38cfb52089.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz with Lepidocrocite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/f0/6b/a0/f06ba0d43842bed4c37b5947e70d7c4d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/736x/f0/6b/a0/f06ba0d43842bed4c37b5947e70d7c4d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz with Rutile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/20/a1/ed/20a1ed4ee1dc9fec2c4668e55e6101ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/20/a1/ed/20a1ed4ee1dc9fec2c4668e55e6101ea.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Quartz Geode</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/d4/6a/68/d46a6878a930de9e70ca67726b47d47c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/736x/d4/6a/68/d46a6878a930de9e70ca67726b47d47c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolivian Ametrine Rough (Citrine & Amethyst grown together)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/e7/dc/58/e7dc5831e4633decd1a4cf17d2a4d788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinimg.com/736x/e7/dc/58/e7dc5831e4633decd1a4cf17d2a4d788.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey Quartz Rough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/736x/0a/e3/a8/0ae3a8c61e2c0606f3dcce75c83feb3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/736x/0a/e3/a8/0ae3a8c61e2c0606f3dcce75c83feb3b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz with gilalite inclusions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, there is a WIDE variety of quartz and it is beautiful! The above pictures are just a small sample of what is out there.<br />
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If you love gemstones as much as I do, be sure to follow <a href="http://pinterest.com/melissacreamer/" target="_blank">me</a> on Pinterest. I have an awesome <a href="http://pinterest.com/melissacreamer/gemstones/" target="_blank">Gemstone</a> board. You can find my artisan jewelry in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop. Also be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ChrysalisJewelry" target="_blank">Facebook Fan</a> page where you can get sneak peaks on what I'm working on. <br />
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Do you want to learn more about gemstones? What stones would you like me to feature next? Let me know in the comments section.<br />
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Until tomorrow - MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-79161253026552757032013-03-07T17:32:00.000-06:002013-03-07T17:32:11.165-06:00A Tale of Woe: Target and the Mobile CouponMy dear reader, I must share a tale of woe with you. It is a sad tale in that it demonstrates poor customer service and an attitude of not caring sufficiently to correct a mistake. Let me tell you my tale and, no worries, I have visual aids!<br />
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Our sad tale begins last night as my husband and I were running errands. We needed to pick up just a couple of things at Target, one of them being sandwich bags. While in the baggie aisle, I saw a shelf sign that said "Text SpringClean1 to 827438 for a coupon to save $10 off household cleaning supplies with a purchase of $40 or more." Who doesn't love to save money? So I fired off a text and here is a copy of what I recieved<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPoFCScfM0QO8qCX4nh3Tdv4dmPxL_fEHS2sgexCNjo08CJMq_8gTb5gJMN0oSiMZbUkjwWoSYEZexC3fszAJcspVP_aTAXHZ1TCiwdo287kABGP13939is14kTQfKtveFGQIAzVQRxY_/s1600/Target_Coupon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPoFCScfM0QO8qCX4nh3Tdv4dmPxL_fEHS2sgexCNjo08CJMq_8gTb5gJMN0oSiMZbUkjwWoSYEZexC3fszAJcspVP_aTAXHZ1TCiwdo287kABGP13939is14kTQfKtveFGQIAzVQRxY_/s640/Target_Coupon.jpg" width="492" /> </a></div>
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No where on here (even in the fine print) does it tell you that you need to purchase specific items or brands. So I proceeded to collect cleaning supplies that I knew I needed or could use. When I had all the items I needed, my husband and I proceeded to check out.</div>
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At checkout I handed my phone to the cashier to scan. It would not take the coupon. Not knowing what to do, the cashier called his supervisor over. His supervisor then pulled out a folder with this week's ad in it, showing it had to be specific items & brands. She then asked if we wanted to return some items. Wanting to get home I said "No."</div>
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When I arrived home, I re-read the coupon thinking maybe I missed some fine print. I even had my husband review the coupon. He could not find any brand exclusions or even a reference to see the ad for more details. Next I reviewed my reciept.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVmjkzGyrqpUMxi8oaOdUB4BYNDeWJyr_kdoeoJ7JwVZ7gOIKfu-VwskcbAIoQ56rAnn5O86lZsIJyqqqs99AKCZuuXfA53Tl95iGqO6tYIXxG8q1iQ9QFtH2An-vE4hUt0W7ElGgO50l/s1600/Target_Reciept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVmjkzGyrqpUMxi8oaOdUB4BYNDeWJyr_kdoeoJ7JwVZ7gOIKfu-VwskcbAIoQ56rAnn5O86lZsIJyqqqs99AKCZuuXfA53Tl95iGqO6tYIXxG8q1iQ9QFtH2An-vE4hUt0W7ElGgO50l/s640/Target_Reciept.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Did I not have $40 worth of cleaning supplies? Well, figuring what is cleaning supplies is EASY on this receipt. They are all grouped together and total $60.52. So it would appear from the coupon I was sent and this receipt I acted in good faith to satisfy the terms of the coupon.</div>
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What should I do next? I went to the website and using the <i>Contact Us</i> link, wrote a message describing my problem. At 1:39AM I received a response from Sheena, basically telling me she was sorry about my experience and that she would pass the information on to the ad executives. There was nothing about correcting the mistake or making it right for me, the customer. I responded with scans of the coupon and receipt (as seen above) and explained I may need to reconsider where I get my prescriptions filled and where I do my mass market shopping. At 4:06AM I received another response from Sheena to call their 800 number to get a resolution to my problem.</div>
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So this afternoon I called. I explained my problem to a gentleman and he put me on hold. About nine minutes later he either hung up on me or the system disconnected me. I called back. I again explained my problem, to a lady this time. Then I got transferred to a supervisor. At the end of 30 minutes, all I got was an apology from the supervisor. As I explained to the supervisor, all I was looking for was for Target to honor their coupon. I understand now that it is brand specific, but there are no such disclaimers in the coupon they sent to my phone. I said a simple line of "See our weekly ad for further restrictions" would have cleared up a lot of the issue. Again, there is no such disclaimer.</div>
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So what is a customer to do? I tried to satisfy the requirements of the coupon as they were stated on said coupon. I tried to call attention to the problem, both at the store and corporate level. All I get from Target is an "I'm sorry" (with an implied shoulder shrug). Meanwhile, Target got a $60 sale that they would not have gotten without a deceptive (be it intentional or not - I do not really know) coupon that they did not honor.</div>
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After this experience, I now know my shopping dollar is not valued at Target. I guess I can take my business elsewhere. I wonder if Wal-Mart, CVS, or Walgreens would like me to shop with them instead. Maybe they still know what customer service is. All I know as a small business owner is if I treated my customers like this, I would be out of business quick.</div>
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Shame on you Target. You made a mistake and refused to fix it. </div>
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Readers - what do you think I should do? Please leave your comments below.</div>
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Until Tomorrow</div>
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Melissa</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-17746304366021489862013-01-05T12:36:00.000-06:002013-01-05T12:44:41.102-06:00Hobby Lobby DayToday (January 5th) is Hobby Lobby Day. If you don't know, as part of the <span class="st">The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (commonly called <i>Obamacare), </i>employers have to cover medications that include Ella (also known as the <i>week after pill)</i> and Plan B (better known as the <i>day after pill)</i>. These medications violate the values of the family that owns Hobby Lobby. This blog is not meant to be a platform to debate abortion or "Obamacare". While I am personally against abortion and against Obamacare, I think you, my dear reader should also be concerned.</span><br />
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<span class="st">With my full disclosure of my personal beliefs, you may be raising your fist at me. You may feel that abortion is a woman's right, or think Obamacare is good for our country. My reaction: That's fine, you are entitled to your opinion. Put another way, you are entitled to your values. Keep in mind that I am entitled to mine in equal measure.</span><br />
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<span class="st">That is the wonderful thing about being an American. We value freedom (or at least I think we did, I'm not so sure anymore). Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and the freedom to assemble. We believe in those freedoms so much they are the First Amendment to the constitution. We are granted a lot of other freedoms as well.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Think about something you really really like. Something you are passionate about. I am passionate about antiques. To help illustrate my point, I am going to use antiques as an example. I adore antiques. I hunt for them, I read about them, I have a house full of them and I blog about them. Does my fever for antiques affect you in anyway? Maybe you are into modern things and you only see antiques as rubbish. If that is your feeling, that is fine with me. Why? It leaves more antiques for me (somewhat joking there). Seriously though, what you put in your house and what I decide to furnish mine with really has no affect on the other. But, let's say the government came along and said, "You must destroy all objects that are older than two years old to help stimulate the economy." This proclamation doesn't effect you, as the modern person, as you bought all of your furnishings at IKEA last year, so you decide not to care.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Here's the problem: If this mandate (clearly fictional and meant as an illustrative device) is allowed, there is nothing to stop the government from later mandating that <u><b>ALL</b></u> objects are outlawed; they would prefer our houses to be completely free of objects, as to cut down on the hoarding this nation does. Now, the government mandate does effect you, because you love IKEA and your house full of cool Scandinavian-inspired objects.</span><br />
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<span class="st">I understand my example is overly simplistic and possibly far-fetched. No matter where your values lie, I want you to think about how important having them and being allowed to embrace them is to you. Even if they aren't being attacked today, that does not guarantee they won't be tomorrow. I think we have become so divided over "issues" in this country, we fail to see the big picture. What is happening to Hobby Lobby (and other businesses) is not about abortion, Obamacare or Christian values. It's about freedom. The freedom to have values and the freedom to act according to those values. I don't think it's the government's job to tell us (mandate) if our values are right or wrong.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Hobby Lobby has 22,000 employees and 500 locations. If they were truly a tyrannical company, I doubt they could have grown to that size from operating out of a garage. You can't tell me their stand is about money. They are closed on Sundays to allow their employees time with their families and to worship if that is their custom. If it was all about the bottom line, they would be open on Sunday to make the extra bucks.</span><br />
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<span class="st">So, Dear Reader, I will leave you with these questions. Do you value freedom? Do you value it enough to stand behind someone you might not agree with? If so, go to a Hobby Lobby store and buy something. Heck, pick something crafty and enjoy an afternoon of creating. I assure you it is good for the soul. As for me, I will be headed to my local Hobby Lobby.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Now for my next decision...Do I go to Garland or Rockwall?</span><br />
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<span class="st">Until tomorrow</span><br />
<span class="st">Melissa</span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-89242819986616027832013-01-02T16:33:00.000-06:002013-01-02T16:33:52.868-06:00A Pinterest Tale...<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me start today's Random Thoughts with a question: Do you Pinterest? If you don't, let me ask a follow-up question: What rock have you been living under (and is there room for me)? Think of Pinterest as a virtual bulletin board, where you can "pin" various items. You can set up a board for your interests (I have 40) and you can also see the boards of your friends. It can be a wonderful resource if you're crafty, love to cook, love fashion or love cats. It can be very addicting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I use Pinterest as an inspiration tool (as a jewelry artist, sometimes you just need to see other people's work), though I love the amount of sarcasm and funnies I can find on there as well. The amount of cat pictures also allows me to be a virtual hoarder of cats, thus keeping me from being the crazy cat lady in our neighborhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Earlier today I was thinking about a pin I pinned a few weeks ago. It was some instructions for a DIY project and I was ready to look at the instructions more carefully. So I looked at the board I pinned it to based on logic. Was it there? Nope. Okay, there is another logical board, check that one. Nope, not there either. BLAST! Where could it be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was at this moment I started to think more carefully about my supposed pin. It was originally a blog (just like the one you're reading now, except more organized and sane). Maybe I never pinned it...nah. I'm all about pinning things when I see them (or so I thought). Maybe I should take a look at my internet browser history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ding ding ding! It was a blog (masses rejoice)...and I had not actually pinned it (masses boo in unison). Well, this sucker is NOT getting away from me this time. I pinned it not once, but twice, in both logical places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now for the next hurdle...talking my husband into the project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Pinning Y'all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until Tomorrow - Melissa </span>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-85344124466381391322012-12-03T15:02:00.000-06:002012-12-03T18:36:18.692-06:00Tired of Competing with ChinaMy dearest reader, I deeply apologize for my absence. I have missed communicating with you, but I have been very busy trying to give my small business a shot in the arm. First, a little history...<br />
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In early 2009, I opened my business, Chrysalis Jewelry. This was a side business, giving me a way to sell people my creations from my jewelry studio. Creations that had started as a hobby. It stayed a side business until late last year, when I was let go from my full time job due to my illness (which has now been diagnosed as the autoimmune CREST). At first I was devastated by the loss. But I had a couple of people mention to me this might be an opportunity to focus on my business full time. As a firm believer in God shutting one door to open another, I decided to give it a shot.<br />
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I opened an Etsy shop, something I had drug my heals about up to that point. I started to create items to put in my Etsy shop and I began to market all over social media. I threw myself into my small business heart and soul.<br />
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I know it takes a lot of time for a small business to become successful. I did not naively think I would become an over night success (although I sure would take it!!). I knew it would be a lot of hard work and sacrifice.<br />
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Late last summer a friend approached me about sharing a booth at a craft fair in late September. It was a $25 investment, so I figured it was worth a shot. About the same time I had a friend tell me of another craft fair that was posted on Craigs list. Once again the booth fee was affordable so I figured I would give that a shot as well. It would give people an opportunity to see my hard work first hand. To pick it up and touch it. I felt it would be a good way to get my name out there.<br />
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Long story short, I have seven craft fairs under my belt and I am thoroughly frustrated. I have had ONE craft fair I would deem successful. A couple that were okay and I made a small profit after covering booth fees. Others were a complete bust.<br />
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The problem I have run into at these "Craft" fairs is they also allow vendors. Now, I'm cool with people coming in and selling Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Scentsy. What irks me to no end is being placed next to a booth that also sells jewelry that is imported (which has happened). I make my items by hand, which means this takes time. Not only time to make the items, but time to find (source) materials and buy them. This includes shopping around so I can keep my costs down while still buying quality material.<br />
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I'm a good capitalist and I'm all for the free market. However, don't take my booth fee for what is billed as a craft fair and then sit me next to someone who is selling jewelry from China. It's not fair to me, it's not fair to the customers who think they are buying handmade crafts and imported jewelry has no business at a craft fair. I had an acquaintance who was in the same boat at the same craft fair a few weeks ago overhear a conversation between a customer and the imported jewelry vendor. When the vendor was questioned if the items were handmade, the vendor said "not really".<br />
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Do you want to help the economy? Do you want to see people in your community get back to work? Then you need to start supporting local merchants, artists, and crafters. This Christmas I have decided all of my gifts are going to be handmade, either by myself or another crafter. Check out the graphic below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO8Y85Y8dUrrhGhXjL2IGsfvWLFE5iGSPKELxl99dHccKTQJKPWO-Su8TkrDxaF71lalSG4TIyOSonDtJ093pDhjZ9AFbP5mCmBtzGsj1ctx61rcom_huwGnCbmWxZxNbWXwZznD4_0P7/s1600/local.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO8Y85Y8dUrrhGhXjL2IGsfvWLFE5iGSPKELxl99dHccKTQJKPWO-Su8TkrDxaF71lalSG4TIyOSonDtJ093pDhjZ9AFbP5mCmBtzGsj1ctx61rcom_huwGnCbmWxZxNbWXwZznD4_0P7/s1600/local.jpg" /></a></div>
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What do you think? I think shopping local (or at least from someone whose products are made in the USA) is well worth it.<br />
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Until Tomorrow<br />
Melissa<br />
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PS - Should you want to see my handmade goods, they can be found at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1693021141877643973.post-78876493388278789172012-09-19T09:38:00.001-05:002012-09-19T09:38:20.723-05:00Handmade Wednesday 9/19/12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzzpsQ6T0zJJVV31lK-k6CuH77FgwEsSXOUMF7OX-T8BcL9ILl7cEXtxhwUWXxXOl6J7J76WRQxr0hVeGEIx-MmR1llJ4D5BWdmhU0pNWKGC1z-DUfQ-8_E4sEJcuWazla3hsq27jKk4A/s200/DSC01110.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Handmade Wednesday</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by Melissa Creamer, Crafter of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrysalisjewelrytx" target="_blank">Chrysalis Jewelry</a></span></h3>
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Welcome to the first ever Handmade Wednesday. Each Wednesday, I will feature five crafters you should know about! I will pick an item I think is interesting and feature it along with the artist/ crafter. Are you ready to see what I have picked for this week? Let's get started.<br />
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First up is an awesome shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForgottenCotton" target="_blank">Forgotten Cotton</a>. They feature handmade infinity scarfs, headbands, arm warmers, and vintage jewelry. The husband and wife team at Forgotten Cotton come up with the most exciting colors of jersey for their scarves. The selection makes it hard to pick just one! They have recently started to feature "The Basics", a set of three scarves pre-selected and combined for one low price (you save $10 versus buying them separately). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/003/0/6441343/il_570xN.376164882_ph41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/003/0/6441343/il_570xN.376164882_ph41.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/109732185/infinity-jersey-scarf-set-olive-green" target="_blank">Scarfs</a>, $50.00</td></tr>
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Next we have <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissIvyOriginals" target="_blank">Miss Ivy Originals</a>. She has a wide assortment of handmade items, like the beautiful crocheted shawl below, craft supplies (ribbon, beads), and handmade cards. Miss Ivy has a little bit of everything and is definitely worth a visit! I own the wrap below in a rose color and I can vouch for how comfy it is to wear on a cool evening. Miss Ivy always welcomes custom orders and even has created a coupon code for my readers. Just use coupon code MIO62012 to get 20% off when you check out. This code will expire on 9/30, so hurry over!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6087802/il_570xN.303164964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6087802/il_570xN.303164964.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90571920/peach-tone-crochet-shawl-for-cool" target="_blank">Wrap</a>, $45.00</td></tr>
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Who doesn't love jewelry? I know I am personally addicted (which is why I started making jewelry in the first place). The best thing about handmade jewelry is it can be personalized and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsoul" target="_blank">Beadsoul</a> does that in spades! You have to check out Beadsoul for the variety of items that can be personalized. You can even order customized guitar picks! How cool is that?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5420854/il_570xN.314116979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/000/0/5420854/il_570xN.314116979.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/90491952/one-fine-silver-stacking-ring-hand" target="_blank">Hand Stamped Rings</a>, $20.00/ea</td></tr>
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I have been blown away by the creations of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmergentGlassworks" target="_blank">Emergent Glass Works</a>. The detail in the octopi they are known for is amazing. I have even seen glow-in-the-dark octopi Emergent Glass. Never fear, they also have beautiful glass flowers, bugs, and jars if cephalopods aren't your thing. I personally wish I had an extra $250.00 laying around so I could get my tenticles on the beauty below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/6184348/il_570xN.350881478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/6184348/il_570xN.350881478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/102883949/large-exotic-green-octopus-sculpture" target="_blank">Octopus</a>, $250.00</td></tr>
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My last pick for the week is a shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RainyRootsStudio" target="_blank">Rainy Roots Studio</a>. This talented lady makes art out of soda cans. Talk about upcycling! You have to visit her shop to believe it! Who would have thought the beautiful "L" below started life as a can?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/001/0/6106934/il_570xN.359333720_74di.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/001/0/6106934/il_570xN.359333720_74di.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/105152481/upcycled-pop-can-metal-initial-alphabet?ref=ss_listing" target="_blank">Upcycled Letter</a>, $18.50</td></tr>
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Sadly, all good things must come to an end, so this concludes this week's Handmade Wednesday. Never fear, I will be back next week with five more handmade picks. Would you like to be featured in Handmade Wednesday? Just leave me a comment on this blog or give me a <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaCreamer" target="_blank">tweet</a>. I always love to meet new tweeps!<br />
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Until tomorrow - MelissaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06169867410070759494noreply@blogger.com3