what's in a name?

I named yesterday's post "Jessica's Jeweleries" just to be cute, but I do need to come up with a name for this etsy store if I'm gonna get this show on the road. That's probably just a bit too cute, but I like the double J happening there since those are my initials.

 

I need to find a name that's not already taken and here's advice directly from etsy about naming:

• Choose a name that is easy to remember and spell.  You want potential buyers to be able to recognize, remember, and be able to find you again, even if they have briefly visited your shop.
• Try to limit your shop name to one or two words that flow well together.  For example, “JessicasDesigns” works a thousand times better than something like “beaddesignsbyjessica.” Make sense? 

It does make sense. What you you-all think of JessicaLovesJewelry?

jessica's jeweleries

Here I present you with some photographic experiments of recent earrings made by me and modeled with the help of some West Elm purchases.

This is now the best thing ever for organizing projects I'm working on:

aquamarine and labradorite on silver

 

 labradorite and pearl on antique brass

labradorite and quartz on antique brass

labradorite and pearl on antiqued brass

coral and brass birds

I definitely think some of these work better than others. The mercury glass votives seem too reflective and I think that's the same problem with the silver bowl. But would the better ones be good enough to put on etsy? Would love to know your thoughts about this.

And there's lots of labradorite on the go right now because my sister made a birthday request and then I just got kinda carried away!

West Elm goodies

Here's what I got on the weekend. I'd been wanting another set of measuring spoons since, you know, I do soooo much baking now. And these are such a beautiful colour.

So pretty in fact that I decided I needed the matching measuring cups.

And then I'd been chatting with Anne so much over brunch about my jewelery ideas and the etsy store - what should I call it, how would I photograph stuff, organize stuff - all of that. So when I saw the egg crate all I could think of was putting beads in it!

Then I saw these little lacquered bowls and all I could think of was how they would make a great background for earrings. I got a yellow and a silver one.

And I thought the little bamboo bowls would make an interesting colour and pattern background too.

The mercury votive holders were just too pretty to leave behind.

Stay tuned to see how this little experiment works out!

brunch & Balzac's

Anne and I got together for brunch finally after way too many rain checks. And since it had been so long we decided to go for our favourite green eggs and ham at Mildred Pierce. There was lots of catching up of all sorts and then we went across the way to West Elm to check out all the spring goodies. Raina at If the Lampshade Fits and Nicole at Making It Lovely had me all excited to see what was in store. I'll have to show you what I got later in the week.

Then we went to Balzac's for coffee and a treat. I love this place even though I don't actually drink coffee anymore. I did have a nice hot cider.

I still love the smell of coffee, and the gorgeous floor and the beautiful bar.

It is everything I think a cafe should be (if only they served almond milk and some nice wheat-free goodies).

Anne wore the birthday gift Marcel made her.

And I wore the scarf that Anne made me for x-mas.

And a pair of amythist earrings I made for myself.

Anne thinks I should open an etsy shop. I think she may be right. What do you all think?

I spoke too soon ...

I believe I mentioned that the snow was all gone ...

IT CAME BACK!!

I took these as I left the house this morning and it's still coming down. Spring, please come back soon!

I'm on a roll ...

Last year Marcel really wanted to make Siobhan's birthday present and he truly did a wonderful job! But this year I decided it was my turn because I was inspired by her red lipstick to do something red and dramatic.

Instead, as you can see, I ended up with something a bit more like Anne's gift. And that would be because Siobhan confided that when she saw Anne's she absolutely loved it.

Also, she has very beautiful aquamarine eyes so this really will go with just about anything.

Happy First Day of Spring!!

Hope all of you lovelies out there are experiencing spring's bounty. Around here - not so much. But hey, the snow is gone, the days are getting much longer, and I went to the island on the weekend!!!

You know it's still cold because those are arctic ducks swimming around in the lake. But it was still super fun to ride our bikes down and get on the ferry for the trip over to the island to do a bit of work on the boat.

Soon the boat will be right there again. And then the BBQ will get fired up and the sun will be shining!

Of course the real reason I volunteered for boat maintenance was because I wanted to see how my swans were doing. And I swear they recognized my voice!!

Big Daddy Swannee and Mommy Swannee came right over and seem to have sent their teenagers off on their own.

It's so wonderful to see them again! And I'm wondering if they will have another clutch of cygnets this year for us to oooh and aaah over. I can't wait to see if they do!

Happy St. Patrick's day!!

To all my friends and family - because today we're all Irish and as far as I'm concerned it is officially spring!!

So sing dance and raise a glass of whatever you enjoy (but please don't drink and drive). Be grateful for all the joys of life and send some healing thoughts to the places in the world that need some.

I give good advice

I really do! In my last post I asked if anyone needed advice - cause I like giving it and I think it's something I'm pretty good at. I really like helping people lift some of the weights that are pressing down on them. Only one blog friend took me up on this and I think we had a really great and productive exchange!

But it's really interesting what happens when you put something out there because a whole lot of people who don't even read this blog opened up about their problems and shared them with me in the last few days. Lots of people in my life with scary changes in store. Lots of people redefining important relationships and themselves.

And I listened and I acknowledged and I helped and I'm going to keep helping. So, anybody else need some advice?

what do I want to do when I grow up?

This is a good question since being on the cusp of 40 one could argue that I am, in fact, grown up.

So far, I've been a dancer, a dance teacher, a dance studio owner, a high school english and dance teacher, and an executive assistant.

I guess in comparison to the rest it figures that the last one really wasn't me - all that sitting and all!!

So here's something I've always wanted to do: I love giving advice; I give great advice; I would like to do an advice column.

 Anybody need some advice?

Happy International Women's Day!!

Are we equals? We must never stop asking ...

3 months till I turn 40

and this is pretty much how I'm feeling about that:

I quit my job

Remember when I mentioned a little while ago that change was afoot? Well, I've been unhappy at my job for sometime now, mostly because it's not the right kind of challenge nor does it give me the right kind of sense of accomplishment.

I'm sick of it and I think it is part of what has, quite literally, been making me sick for the last few months.

So after one too many bad days, and thinking about turning 40 soon, I decided enough was enough, and I quit. The announcement was made today and I've got two months left.

I don't have a game plan and I don't know what I really want to do, but I could not imagine turning 40 and sitting at that desk. So I guess I've turned up the pressure to figure some things out.

But I feel really good about it. If not now then when? 

oscar dresses

Just in case anyone was wondering what my favourite dress was - here it is:

 

Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace.

 

I liked Mila Kunis too. She was sorta doing an impression of a wisteria.

And the rest was just kinda boring, much like the show itself.