Beasts and Beanstalks

MOVED TO A NEW BLOG! ❤

2010-06-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies!!
I am rebranding my jewelry line to "honeywild" and have a new blog to go along with the new name :) I'd love for you to follow me there! You can find info for the library fundraiser I've donated a necklace to which is happening this week, and I'll soon be posting about the event I'll be selling my jewelry at next Sunday!
Hope to see you over on the new blog, and maybe at those events if you're in the Vancovuer area!!
WWW.HONEYWILD.NET

XO.

Help me out!

2010-03-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
I made a super short survey about my jewelry business, and I would really appreciate it if you took 5 minutes to answer a few questions! There's a discount code at the end of it.

Here's the link:
Click here to take survey

Thank you thank you!
-Stina xo.

[necklace pictured is waiting to be listed]

Will necklace

2010-03-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

My mom bought this before I could put it online, haha. I made it with sterling silver chain, wire and clasp, faceted glass beads and a metal pinecone charm.

Meg necklace

2010-03-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

I made this for Meghan for her birthday. All metal is sterling silver, the beads at the clasp are glass and the pendant is a Czech crystal. It's a nice piece of bling! :)

Happy packages

2010-02-28T10:04:00.000-08:00

I totally forgot that I had these photos waiting to be uploaded!!

I did a lot of my Christmas shopping through Etsy this/last year. When this package from Hidden Eloise arrived I was so excited! I was SO pretty!! This is a great part of what I love about Etsy.
♥

Penpal Party!

2009-12-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

I love getting mail, especially when it's pretty! Sorry the photo isn't stellar.
I joined in on Susie of boygirlparty's letter-writing daisy-chain. Such fun!
For more info, check out http://boygirlparty.com/penpalparty/
xxo.

Tonight's Playlist

2009-12-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

The Milk-Eyed Mender - Joanna Newsom
In Our Bedroom After the War - Stars
LIFTED or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground - Bright Eyes

Upcycle!

2009-12-02T08:04:00.001-08:00

I've been busy with magazines, as you can see! The envelopes at the top are for letters and perhaps as little bonuses for Etsy packages. The origami boxes are mainly what I'm using to package up jewelry purchases made in person. The bottom photo is of used bubble mailers I've prettied up with magazine images to use for sending out Etsy orders.
Wheee!

New Moo business cards & postcards!

2009-12-01T14:45:00.001-08:00

I ♥ Moo. The postcards are for personal use or as bonus gifts for larger orders on Etsy, and the business cards are of course for my Etsy shop!

Prettiest girl ever.

2009-11-30T10:22:00.001-08:00

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale!

2009-11-26T21:49:00.000-08:00

Free Shipping to wherever your heart desires on all items in my shop!! (Nov. 27-Nov.30)
Shop on, there are stockings and wishes to be filled and fulfilled!
XXO.

New Bedding!

2009-11-25T14:15:00.001-08:00

Maybe you don't care, but I sure do! I've been wanting some new stuff for awhile and finally came across some pretty perfect things! The duvet cover makes me think of fairytales (the red is embroidered!) and the sheets are the coziest of flannel sheets, reminding me of lumberjack shirts and cabins and coziness. They make me want to hop into bed, curl up and never leave. I feel like I am in the coziest cocoon now when I go to bed.

Buttons!

2009-11-18T19:34:00.001-08:00

They are finally finished! I plan on posting some to Etsy soon.

Faerie wings!!!

2009-11-15T23:27:00.000-08:00

Oh my god you guys, I want these so bad!!! If you buy me these we will be best friends for ever n after! They are made by Etsy seller Atala and can be found in her shop here.

I'm serious you guys.

Christmas is coming.

Upcoming Holiday Sales!

2009-11-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

[envelope seals by KisforCalligraphy]

Hello hello,
just wanted to give you a heads up on the sale that will be on in my Etsy shop from November 15 - December 15.

Between those dates, if you buy 2 items or more you will get free shipping: either let me know before you make your purchase and I will adjust the listings, or I will refund you through Paypal afterwards. Buy three items or more and you get %10 off your purchase, the same method as above.

I always wrap items so that they are ready for gift-giving, and I can include a gift tag with "to & from" at your request. I can also ship purchases/gifts directly to the recipients. Please leave any such requests in the "message to seller" space upon checkout. If you want your purchase sent directly to the recipient, please enter their address while checking out on Etsy as well as making a note about this, including their address, in the "message to seller." Failing to do so may result in your package being sent to the wrong address or in delayed shipment. Purchases may only be sent out to one address.

I will also be participating in the Free Worldwide Shipping sale on Etsy between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Nov. 27-Nov. 30), so any purchases made during that time will automatically get free shipping.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions!
Hope you are all staying cozy.
xxo.

Happy Hauntings!

2009-10-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight's 'haunted/weird' playlist:
On Time Travel and Romance - Agent Ribbons
Sharpen Your Teeth - Ugly Casanova
Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? - The Unicorns
Slippers & Parasols - The Winks
The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips

Now go talk to some ghosts, feed candy to children and read or watch spooky stories!
xxo.

Pretty Shiny Things!

2009-10-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

I bought some supplies last week. Here are the goods!

So pretty, so shiny :) I had to drive my dad around all day (long story), so luckily we were in the bead stores neighbourhood. I went to Bead Works on Granville Island (I love you sooooo much Granville Island. Let's get married! Please?) planning on buying more little pewter goddess pendants, and whatever other little shiny things caught my eyes. They didn't have any!! I really like those ones and no-one seems to have them. I was very unhappy about this. Apparently they cut down a lot on the metal charms etc that they carry, and even though the goddess charms were very popular, the employee informed me, they haven't had them in about a year. Sounds like bad business sense to me! Anyhow, I got a few things there and then headed to Country Beads on W. 4th. I went in planning on buying just a few things, but just like EVERY OTHER TIME I bought a bit of this and that and some of those and spent a bunch of money. Big surprise. I also thought I would be quick, buying my "few things" and only payed for about 15 min of parking, so after waiting for chain to be cut, thinking about shiny things, waiting in line, etc, I was longer than that and got a parking ticket. I was very unimpressed!! Anyhow.

I love the look of these beads together. I don't want to put them away or use them, they look so sweet just hanging out together! I really like those scissor charms and regret only buying 4. *Sigh*

I will have to scour Etsy supplies again to see if I can find any goddess charms that will do the trick.
Think that's all for now.
Keep cozy.
And stay tuned! I'll be announcing a new sale for November soon.
XXO.

There's a first time for everything

2009-10-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

Looky here! I'm in my first ever gift guide!! This is also the first screenshot I've ever taken. I'm so proud :)

Pumpkins and Sales and Love

2009-10-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

I am terribly disorganized these days and have neglected to blog about many things that I meant to. Maybe I will get to them later - in the meantime, I would like to let you know that there are many new shiny things in my shop, and even better, I have a sale on right now! I lost my job a couple weeks ago due to restructuring and don't have a new one yet. What better time to hold a sale? It's a great time to snap up something for yourself or buy a few gifts for your loved ones for the holidays. Hop on over to the shop to check it out.

Birthday Presents!

2009-08-31T21:18:00.001-07:00

I couldn't share the photos before as the gifts hadn't been received yet. But now they have! So photos of some earrings I made for friends' birthdays are now on flickr.

I ♥ pretty mail

2009-08-21T19:29:00.001-07:00

A couple of recent orders that I sent out...

lovers and strangers

2009-08-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

I have been a horrible stranger to this blog. For that I am sorry.

I want to go on an adventure. Take photos. Sparkle. Wonder. Taste the air. Love the sea. Get away from everything and everyone I know. Forget who I am. For a little while.

I have been a stranger to many things. My jewelry. My journal. My room.
The things I love, the things that make me me. I am disappearing and rearranging.

I just hope I come out better in the end.

Summer Seashore necklace

2009-07-10T21:21:00.001-07:00

Summer Seashore necklace
Originally uploaded by Stina.belle

Coming to my shop real soon!
XO.

Naming game

2009-06-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to a better picture of the watercolour painting Star did, the first print of which is proudly displayed in my house!
If you have any ideas for a name, she's taking suggestions!

Starry-eyed

2009-06-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite people, Star, and I did an exchange of handmade goodies, and when I opened my package from her I was squealing like a little girl. It was so exciting, she sent me such beautiful things!!

Here is her wonderful little shop, and her blog lives here!

The package had beautiful stickers and labels on it, and seriously, just look at those two things of beauty that came inside!! That painting is one of my new favourite things ever, I can't get over it. When I first saw it it blew me away. It makes me think of growing up: we had a forest out our backyard, and I used to go play in the creek, and we had deer out there too (and she didn't even know any of this until now! I think she has a 6th sense). It was perfect, and so is this painting. She even framed it in that gorgeous eco-frame!! And the workmanship on that bird - gorgeous. It stands up all on its own and now overlooks my jewelry work from the windowsill.

Thank you thank you thank you Star for these beautiful creations, I can't express how amazing they are and how wonderful they make me feel ♥
XO.

Packaging

2009-06-26T21:29:00.001-07:00

Mixed Company Handmade on Facebook!

2009-06-25T22:32:00.001-07:00

mch
Originally uploaded by Stina.belle

I have made a new Facebook page for my creations!! Mixed Company Handmade is the name I have registered for my business. I haven't got that all set up yet, but it's the umbrella for all of my projects, which is mainly just my jewelry on Etsy right now. Anyhow, I hope you will become a fan of it: as added incentive, I'll be messaging everyone who becomes a fan for the next while with a special offer for my Etsy shop! Hope to see you there...
XO.

Star Princess

2009-06-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

Star and I did a handmade exchange: here is what I sent her.

[sterling silver, freshwater pearls, Czech glass]

My surprise from her is in the mail and I am sooo excited!!

Francesca, my heart is still broken

2009-06-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

Just looked at that passage below and my heart crumbled all over again. Oh my. Anyhow.

I was at pottery tonight (last night as well). I have been too tired to have much patience for the wheel though (I've barely used it and obviously haven't quite got the hang of it yet. I am positive I will come to love it tho). I wanted to smash the piece I was trimming today. Although I already knew I was sleep deprived - I laid down on the ground with my pup for a few minutes before class and fell asleep...

Anyhow, I was in Victoria this weekend (Oh my god time off?? What's that?). My mom and I went to the Royal BC Museum and checked out the Treasures exhibit, which was pretty sweet! It had art & artifacts from the British Museum from different cultures throughout the ages. I picked up some new beadings supplies, as well as a sweet new jacket. I hope to have a few new necklaces made soon with some of my new goodies!

Please bear with me though. I work Tuesday through Saturday 10:00-5:30, do pottery once or twice a week after work right now, have my Little Sister Monday afternoon/evenings and will now be nannying Monday mornings until I pick up my Little Sister. This leaves me little time for much else, including: cleaning, walking Josie, eating, reading (hahaha right I wish), making jewelry, sleeping, having a life (what's that now?).

In the meantime here's a peak at earrings I've been meaning to list on Etsy for a few weeks now.
And oh! I hope to make a nice picture-filled post soon about my birthday :)
XO.

"If you were a mermaid, I was the sea."

2009-06-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Francesca Lia Block's "Wasteland" is beautiful and just broke my heart, broke my heart into little bitty pieces.

"You were just a boy on a bed in a room, like a kaleidoscope is a tube full of bits of broken glass. But the way I saw you was pieces refracting the light, shifting into an infinite universe of flowers and rainbows and insects and planets, magical dividing cells, pictures no one else knew."

Apologetic Update

2009-05-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

I have been a bad girl. I've been busy and let many things fall by the wayside. I have been up to all sorts of things that I've neglected to blog about, I've forgotten to reply to e-mails, and I have new things for my shop that I'm really happy with but haven't made listings for yet!! My apologies.

So: I am now a Big Sister, and my Little Sister is awesome! Her birthday is right after mine, which is coming up soon, and she will be turning 10. She's really easy going, fun, full of ideas and super positive. She is a great influence on me. Hopefully it goes both ways :) I pick her up from school on Mondays and we hang out. So far we've taken my dog to the beach, gone for walks, coloured, made crafts, made cookies, made earrings, watched movies and played Wii fit.

I've also just taken up pottery! I started taking a class at the Rec Center on Wednesday evenings: I've had three classes so far, and I love it!!! The first night we made square plates/dishes, the second night we used molds - I made two bowls and three shells (shallow dishes made with molds of real shells) and the last class I was cleaning up the pieces I made with the molds. It was such a great night: after work that day I was so exhausted and super cranky for no good reason. I was ready to bite someone's head off for looking at me wrong. Then I got to the studio and started trimming my pieces and I felt so zen. It was so amazing. By the time I finished cleaning up my five pieces there was only half an hour left of class, so I started cleaning up. My teacher asked me if I was heading home or if she could show me something new: um, Yes!! So she showed me pinch pots. I did two - they're really rough, but I was happy. I was the last to leave the studio with my teacher. I think pottery just might be my new favourite thing. She said this week we'll be glazing some of our pieces, and then we'll be learning the wheel!! Oh my, I can't tell you how excited I am.

Also, it was Mother's day on the weekend! I made a big effort for my momma. I bought her this gorgeous mutlicoloured bouquet of Russian spray roses - I've been dying for someone to buy them for me, so I thought they would be nice to get for her. I bought cinnamon buns from Cobs, since she said that's what she'd like for breakfast. I got up at 7 am !!! on a Sunday!!! to make her latté for her, as she gets up at the crack of dawn (by my internal clock) every day. I also bought her some sweet little silver earrings from cherrycreek on Etsy, and some personalized stickers that she can use for bookplates, or to seal letters, or whatever else she comes up with, from prPictorials on Etsy.

*breath*

Ok. I think that's it for now. Sorry to throw a big block of text at you with no pretty pictures. Much love n such.
XO.

Cupcakes for a Cause!

2009-05-06T10:30:00.001-07:00

If you live in the Vancouver area, be sure to support Big Sisters (and me!) by buying a delicious cupcake! If you buy the above delightful and adorable cupcake during May (come on, it's topped with an edible butterfly!) then part of the proceeds of the sale go to Big Sisters, so that a little girl can hang out with a Big Sister and hopefully have some fun & build her confidence and all sorts of other lovely things. Satisfy your sugar craving and support a great cause.
For more info on the cupcake, the title of this post links to the Cupcakes website. For more info on Big Sisters, click here.

Dream a little dream

2009-05-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

A love story in pictures: items from Etsy.com (the name of each links to it on Etsy)

Gone With The Wind by sasiko

Chuck by ashleyg

Twig Ring Set by esdesigns

So Very Happy by dazeychic

Tweet Pair of Love Birds by feltmeupdesigns

Team Spirit Dress by Parsimony

A Day at the Museum by janeheller

There is a time by yvetteinufio

ZZZ

2009-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

Another post when I ought to be sleeping.
I can't decide if I have unrealistic expectations for love/men/romance, or if I just know what I want. If I'm saving myself trouble or screwing myself over.

Ok.
Let's be honest.
I love Wolverine.
How can I not be being unrealistic?
*sigh*

I know what I want, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to find it. Him. Why is it so hard to meet people? Or the right people. "This city's a mess."

Lists

2009-04-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

I like lists.
I have a home for them on the internets now.

Also:
- I should be asleep.

- I (hopefully) get to hang out with my Little Sister tomorrow! I think I failed to mention that I now have one? She's super fun. I didn't get to see her last week as she was sick. So! Tomorrow!

- I still have three new items to list in my shop, and I'm excited about all of them!! Cornflower blue chandelier earrings, a lemon bracelet (so fun!!) and fancy yet simple cherry gem earrings. They are not really cherry-like, but the big red beads remind me of those delicious red berry candies made from fruit juice.... Mmmm. I used to always get them when I went to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (that's the Queenie [quee-en-ee] to me - mashed up shortened version I always heard when my dad mentioned it - he's a stagehand and works there a lot - he probably says "Queen E").

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T15:50:00.001-07:00

Share the Love

2009-04-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

Apparently none of my Facebook friends are game, so please comment if you'd like to join in!

The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
- What I create will be just for you.
- It will be done this year (2009).
- You have no clue what it is going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet. It may be a mixed CD, a pair of earrings, a cupcake or a family of paper peace cranes. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! (not me either)

Here's the fine print:
In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note (Facebook) or blog post of your own and make 5 things for 5 others.

Let the crafting, lovin & sharing begin!

Hummel . Horse

2009-03-30T19:44:00.001-07:00

[The man on the horse is the man who purchased it, he isn't related to me.]

Lucky

2009-03-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

I keep seeing the "Equestrian Prep" Gift Guide at the side of Etsy's homepage (the title of this post links to it), and it always reminds me of my Grandpa, and the tattoo I've been contemplating in his memory. He was really my main positive father figure when I was growing up.

He grew up on a farm and they had horses, and some of them were fabulous beauties that sold for a lot of money. I have an old photo of one of them, I'll try to remember to scan it & post it soon.

I almost got a horseshoe tattoo last year, above my hip, on my back, with his family brand in the middle of the horseshoe. I ducked out of the appointment last minute because a tattoo is sort of, you know, forever, and I was afraid to commit. I was going to do it on his birthday. I've been thinking of it again - at least the horseshoe part for now. His birthday is May 1st. We'll see how I feel closer to the date.

Bloom

2009-03-23T11:09:00.001-07:00

My grandma is always giving the family plants for special occasions. Primulas for Easter, Christmas cactus' or poinsettias for Christmas, some sort of flowering succulent for, I don't know, summer. I think she must be under the impression that everyone else either accidentally kills their plants or throws them out when they stop flowering, like she does. But I love plants and keep them until they die, as a general rule. My kitchen counter is getting overrun as a result. She gave me this Christmas cactus two or three years ago. I did something to it not long after she gave it to me and it started dying, but I rescued it. It hadn't flowered since I got it, but look!! A flower! It's bloomed now, and it's lovely. I was sooo happy when I saw that bud.

Also, it is now officially spring! My mini irises have bloomed and my crocuses and starting to as well! I'm so excited!! Crocuses are my fave. I'll try to remember to snap some photos of those before they're gone.

Psyche & Cupid ♥

2009-03-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

[Jacques Louis David]

So I wanted to share this book with you: it is called "Cupid: A Tale of Love and Desire" and it is by Julius Lester. It is based on the Greek/Roman myth of Cupid (Amor, Eros) and Psyche. Since I love me a good fairytale or myth, I'm all in.

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I would like it because it's a different style than anything I usually read. However, I got into it. I love it because it fleshes out the characters more than in the myth (obviously, as it's a novel) and gives them more/better reasons for their actions. It's cool because it brings in other gods and goddesses to flesh out the story, and it's kind of nifty in the way the author editorializes and gives little love & life lessons along the way throughout the story.

If mythology is your thing, or you like a good love story, or maybe you feel it never hurts to get a bit of advice, I suggest you check it out. I think it's an especially good book for pre-teens/teens.
xo.

[Antonio Canova]

Warm my heart

2009-02-26T22:07:00.001-08:00

I made a list of good things to think about, look forward to, dream about, to help me get through my last horrid semester at SFU. I thought it was worth sharing:

magical cave : love stories : wolves : handmade journals : handmade adornments : quilts : hot drinks in favoured ceramics : faeries : pillows : bears : coloured conte : figure drawing

I'll add to that:

jewel-toned beads : soul sisters : vintage shopping : kissing : clean sheets : dresses : sequined "Dorothy" shoes : puppies : drawings of girls showing their undergarments

Well you get the idea. Someone who does a lovely job of that last item on my list is Caitlin: you should visit her shop because it is lovely (and so is she).

What is your list?

my tiny star: GIVEAWAY

2009-02-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

My lovely friend and fellow Etsian Star has a giveaway going on over at her blog right now. It's for the cutest of cute soft owls. And everyone knows how hot owls are right now.

You got the memo, right?

Don't fail to check out her stuff. The link is just below...
my tiny star: GIVEAWAY
xxo.

Corn & Carrot pancakes

2009-02-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
3 teaspoons ground flaxseed
6 or 7 teaspoons flour
1 carrot, finely grated
some chopped onion
1 egg yolk
2 egg whites
shake of salt
sprinkle of brown sugar
couple shakes of toasted sesame seeds
shake or so of each:
cinnamon
coriander
cumin seeds
chili powder
ground turmeric

cooking oil of your choice

***

Blend up half of the corn in a food processor or blender ( I used my Bullet - so handy!).
Put all of the ingredients except the eggs and the oil into a bowl and mix them up well.
Mix in the egg yolk.
Whip the egg white into peaks. (I failed to whip mine into proper peaks, but they seemed to still work ok).
Fold half of the egg whites into your mixture, then do the same with the other half.

Put some oil into a pan and heat it up. Drop some spoonfuls of mixture into the oiled pan. Cook for about 3 minutes on one side, then flip them and give them another 3 minutes or so. Rinse and repeat, you get the idea. I put the cooked goodies onto some paper towel on a plate to soak up any excess oil.

I think my little culinary bastards are pretty healthy, other than the oil! Just go light on the oil. These recipes always tell you to use too much oil, in my opinion.

Enjoy! I ate mine with some hot green salsa & sour cream, but get creative! Tell me about it if you try it.

PS: my helpful & lovely cookbook full of delish things is "1000 Vegetarian Recipes From Around the World."
PPS: I'm sorry I can't get a better photo - that will have to do. I do promise they're tasty! :)

Gimme gimme

2009-02-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

I want a lover to make crazy recipes with and to buy me a diamond toe-ring.
Those are tonight's wine-infused thoughts.

I made a crazy recipe tonight, all by my lonesome! (Well, Josie was looking for scraps to fall from the heavens, and the wine bottle was good company, so I wasn't totally alone). Anyhow ... I thought it was pretty good, and our foreign student ate some and said they were good. No ill effects as of yet, haha. I bastardized the hell out a recipe from my vegetarian cookbook. I will post the recipe (my version) soon. Or maybe tonight before I forget what I did.
xxo.

New Items!!

2009-02-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

I've been a terrible updater lately, on this blog & my Etsy shop. So sorries!! So here are some lovely things coming to the shop this week ... I should hopefully have those last promised items into the shop this week as well ... as long as work and everything else doesn't kill me before then.

La Belle et la Bête

2009-01-22T11:38:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY made my Beauty & the Beast treasury! I've been trying to make it for ages but have been having troubles.
So please - enjoy!! The title of this post links to it.
xxo.

"That ain't enough, no, you want me to run"

2009-01-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

Love is never enough.

-

I am at least trying to do something useful.
I have applied with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.
Wish me luck, or something? I think it will be good.

Happy Holidays!!!

2008-12-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Be safe and warm and full of love :)
xxxo.

"We'll put the lonesome on the shelf"

2008-12-23T22:06:00.000-08:00

I've got some new stuff for the shop, I just haven't found the time yet to photograph and post it! I'm holding some of it in the photo (I know, I promised no more bad photos ... sorry!). The pearly ones in the back are two pretty pretty anklets, the dark one which you can't really see is a nifty men's bracelet made with dark wood beads and jet glass leaves, and the one in front is made with square salwag seed beads and little turquoise stone beads. I especially like that bracelet!

In other news ... I was freaking something awful about this thing with my friend. I spent last night convincing myself not to call him and trying to chill, although I was wildly unsuccessful. In chilling: I did manage not to call. Part of my worries was that he would just disappear. It's happened before. But he didn't!! So I'm feeling much less paranoid now. It's good. We talked on the phone tonight and it was nice. And we have plans for after Christmas. Can't wait can't wait.

Do unicorns exist now?

2008-12-20T23:44:00.000-08:00

[it's possible!!]

"This girl is absolutely fabulous. Not only is she beautiful and intelligent, but she is also one of the nicest people I know. I am positive she will find the guy of her dreams because there aren't many girls this awesome out there."

My friend wrote that about me and it is one of the nicest and most unexpected things. I feel so warm and fuzzy right now, haha.
I hope he is right.

My mind's in a cafuffle and all a-buzz right now...I've gone on a few dates lately and nothing's felt right so far, for lack of a better (longer) description...

I just cut the paragraph I was writing to describe this ... I think it's too personal, haha. Anyhow, I'm trying to sort out my feelings for a friend of mine... things are complicated, but he makes me happy, and I wonder if I should just trust in that and go for it ... I'm afraid one of us will end up getting hurt. Thus my indecision/confusion/constant thinking.

Hurrr. Bed-time. No more internet ramblings for now.
xxo.

narwhals

2008-12-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

Life can be so random and unexpected. And nice.

My love life is either dull/dead or completely ridiculous and often hard to keep a handle on...
There is rarely an in-between, it seems.

I had a bit of a snow fight last night. It can't be called a snow-ball fight because the snow wouldn't stick to any form, just fell away to powder. We ran down Vancouver streets at 1am throwing snow and laughing. It was lovely.

Melodrama

2008-12-16T23:37:00.001-08:00

Ug.
I am at that point again where I am sort of feeling like maybe it's my fault & I'm flawed...
So ok we're all flawed, but regardless...
My more "sensible" side likes to think that isn't the case.
That I shouldn't take other peoples' issues, insecurities, mistakes and meanness personally.
That I just haven't met someone I fit well with in awhile, but it will happen and it will be good.
That seems so unrealistic right now.

Sometimes I am so emo it hurts to read my own writing.
I guess looking for Garden State/Belle & Sebastien/Juno/Snow & Bigby/Go-Getter is possibly unrealistic, or at least a slim possibility.
I am hopeless.

And yet I have two dates this week, Patrick and Sam are still around & RF appears or messages at the oddest times and leaves me wondering ... So I guess I haven't given up yet.

"Don't you know - there is no - modern romance"
- Yeah Yeah Yeah's

Tis the season to be ill ... boo!!

2008-12-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

That is hopefully the worst photo you will ever have to endure on this blog. I won't even try to explain or excuse it... I just feel entries without pictures are kind of lackluster. Anyhoo.

I'm icky sick!! Some evil sort of cold monster has taken over my immune system and seems determined to stick around. Anyhow, I wanted to give a little update on what's coming in the shop, and I thought I'd throw some recommendations your way while I was here.

My picks of the week:

The film "The Go-Getter." Watch it! Enjoy! It's refreshing as it's not a Hollywood cookie-cutter script, and it's really sweet. Truly. I look forward to watching it again.

The book "delible" by Anne Stone. It's a heavy subject; basically the story of girl's sister who goes missing. I thought it would be depressing and dark, but I found it sweet and heartbreaking. It's a pretty quick read too. I really enjoyed it.

This bear toque! It makes me think of Tank Girl and Zombie Hunters. Wicked awesome! I want one!!

As for things coming to my shop...

The glass pearls on the left of my shitastic photo are for some anklets (I got some pretty pink & peach seed beads for them as well) and the earrings are some shiny chandeliers I quite like which will be in the shop just as soon as I get proper photos of them. I'm still recovering from school, holiday staff parties and this germ. I still have one exam to go as well :(
Sad pandas. Anyhow, I do hope to really get going in a bigger way with jewelry soon.
xxxo.

Another lesson is learned!

2008-11-19T21:35:00.003-08:00

And that last post, my friends, is why one should not post blog entries when stressed, sick, over tired or drunk (or any combo of those conditions). You get poorly written emo rambling.
Sorry.

One more week of school-hell, then a little over a week after that and I will be done done done and hopefully ready to focus on better and happier things, like new jewelry and better blog posts.
♥

I'm getting sick and should go to bed

2008-11-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

Instead I am blogging. (Nothing new to see here...)

When things go awry, do you sometimes wonder where you went wrong? Was it something gradual? Or was it one thing - one thing you said or did that was so wrong and yet you had no clue. Maybe you just took one step too far...

[asofterworld.com]

I have dated/gone out with/been smitten with/fallen for too many boys. The reasons are plentiful. Most of them no longer merit a second thought. But there are a few I wonder about.
What if ... maybe I ... if I'd only ...
Sometimes I feel like a walking cliché (apparently I am writing like one).

Sometimes I feel it is incurable.
Sometimes I think I bring it on myself, but somehow cannot stop myself...

Emote

2008-11-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Here's what's up with me & on my radar as of late...

My friend posted this on her facebook page recently, and it seems everyone in the world has now seen it, but just in case you've been hanging in a cave recently...
The story of Christian the lion is pretty spectacular! It made me super teary in a good way. I don't know if I have seen a man that emotional before! At least in real life...check out the vid if you haven't already. It's short and totally worth it!

My mom got diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks ago. So that's really sucking! We don't really have a history of it in the family, she's slim and active and she eats pretty well, so it was completely unexpected and the doctor was really surprised and apologetic about the news. She put my mom on some pills but unfortunately nothing has changed yet. Anyhow, there are a couple different things they are going to try (of course). Now I might have to worry about diabetes, of course, but haven't yet convinced myself to be any more wary of my diet.
I eat well-ish...

I went on a date with Ryan this past weekend and he is directing The Laramie Project, which will be playing in Vancouver near the end of December. A bunch of loonies known as The Westboro Baptist Church have said that they will come out here to protest the play. Because apparently they have nothing better to do with their time than to come over to Canada from the US so that they can spread their hatred around.
Anyhow. If you ever wonder why I question humanity on occassion, they would be a good example. The cast of the production is organizing a peaceful anti-hate rally on November 28, at the time that the protest is supposed to occur, so if anyone reading this is from Vancouver you can contact me for info.

Ryan is growing on me. Sometimes these infatuations don't last very long for me as I get all excited about 3 things and then later reality sets in ... but I am always hopeful. So ... I am hopeful :)

Polar Love

2008-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

I would be happy to spend my days making treasuries. They are stories in picture form (at least mine are).
I got one today: it's called Polar Love.
It isn't just global warming melting the ice caps...
Ha! Ok, well anyhow, you can check it out here. I think it's fabulous (of course I do).
xxo.

Snow White and Rose Red

2008-11-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

I love that fairytale! Although, you know, the bear didn't *have* to turn into a prince. But, you know, that's just my opinion :)
Anyhow, the girls inspired two anklets I made and listed in the shop, to be found here and here.
They're lovely and oh-so-affordable!
Also, I made a to-die-for long necklace with dark peacock pearls and black glass beads. It's just the thing to wear to all the holiday parties you've got coming up! At least that' s what I'd be doing with it if I allowed myself to keep it. It should be up in the shop between Wednesday & Friday.
Here's a sneak peek.

VOTE!!

2008-10-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

The time is closing in!
If you live in the US, for the love of all that is good, please vote!!

Here are a few of my faves at Etsy right now concerning the issue...
Go Barack! Comic-style.
Yes We Can Campbell's/Warhol style.
Barack You Like a Hurricane! or, if you prefer, Barack the Casbah!
"never anything false about hope" That still moves me.
I'm sure you've noticed that dogs have also joined the cause!
I, for one, do care about the polar bears.
I also have a bracelet up.

I will still love you no matter who you vote for so long as you do, indeed, vote.

Hoot hoot

2008-10-26T17:00:00.001-07:00

Owls will be flying into the shop this week in the form of a necklace and earrings! Keep an eye out.
xo.

"Men are always sincere, they just change sincerities, that's all."

2008-10-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with my best friend tonight.
The basics of tonight's lesson?
1. If you like someone, talk to them. In all likelihood, they won't bite (at least until the first or second date).
2. If you've been seeing someone, or have said you will, or some other similar situation, and have decided, for whatever reason, that you no longer want to talk to or see this other person, tell them. Really. Tell them the truth, or some version of it. Tell them you don't have the time to date, tell them you think they're freaking crazy, whatever. But don't just ignore them in the hopes that they will eventually go away. It's cowardly and indecent.
Thus ends tonight's lesson.
♥

Wolf Romance

2008-10-22T13:40:00.001-07:00

[Embrace by Isabel Samaras]

Ok, I have been trying to make this latest treasury for at least two weeks now [the title of this post is linked to it]. I kept checking for when a spot would open up, only to get distracted in those last crucial 15 minutes or so and totally miss my chance! So frustrating!! Anyhow, I finally snagged a spot. It tells a love story. With wolves. It is pure enjoyment (at least for me!).

Here are some pieces that were under consideration, but didn't make it for one reason or another (mainly because they were already sold, perhaps because I've seen them recently on the front page and didn't want to repeat ... also a few expired so now I will never find them again!):
beautiful Snow White, wolf on red, red wood heart pendant ( I reallllly wanted to use this one!), wolf pack and child.
Hope you've enjoyed. Welcome to my world.

Apples are tasty

2008-10-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

Josie and I have evidently been enjoying my NEW MACBOOK!! I forgot to mention that - I got it in September, and I love it! No more big old clunky problematic home-assembled desktop. Woo! [I know, I know, this new computer will not solve all my problems ... don't burst the bubble! Today it can do no wrong.]

I am currently in my Tuesday night English class at SFU on the hill. I used to complain about people who fudged around on their laptops in class, and tonight I am one of them. I am sorry! The promise of having it with me was a big part of motivating myself to come to class tonight. So here I am.

Also [while fudging around in class] I am now on Technorati, so if you are as well, favourite away! The link is to the right.

Seeing Stars

2008-10-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

My super sweet friend Star is holding an auction for some of her beautiful art to support a wonderful cause. All of the info you need is at her blog, just take a peek... It is worth your while, I promise.

my tiny star: Update! Nie Nie Auction and GIVEAWAY!

Say what?

2008-10-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

It's complicated? People. It is always complicated.

"That's life. If nothing else, it's life. It’s real, and sometimes it fuckin’ hurts, but it's sort of all we have." - Sam; Garden State; Zach Braff

The News

2008-09-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

So this semester is slowly consuming my life. But come December I will have my BA and I will be free! Well, sort of.

Anyhow, I have been looking at my beading supplies longingly and there will be new pieces coming soon, that is a promise! I currently have a honey-bear necklace that wants to be listed, I just have to get some photos of it. Unfortunately the weather has gone to shit, so I have to make a light-box (or whatever they're called) so that I can take decent photos of jewelry without natural light. Other than that piece which I have already made, there are perhaps some honey-bear earrings coming up, as well as an owl necklace or two. Owls are awesome! So are honeybears! In case you weren't aware.

I also want to make some jewelry with sterling silver chain and some nifty beads I've picked up lately. Like cranberry pearls! Perfect for the holidays! I love Christmas, I'll put that out there right now. When I think of winter and the holidays and Christmas I think of cozy fires and knitting and hot chocolate and hot apple cider and curling up with a good book and family and friends and and and ... warm fuzzies :)

So anyhow. I will evidently be slow with updating things, but I still have things in the works. Hope the fall is treating everyone well.
♥

Sloppy Makeouts

2008-09-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

I got my hot little hands on another treasury! Yay!
This one's all about hot makeouts with sexy scruffy-faced boys. Hawt! You know it.
I've been a bit absent from my blog lately. School has sadly started to consume my life once more. Well, school + numerous other distractions (including work, unfortunately). I hope this fun tidbit helps make up for it :)
Enjoy!
xo.

Oh my - I'm still here - LESSON TIME!

2008-08-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

So sorries, I haven't been making good on my promises. I have been busy dealing with feelings and dodging things and not getting enough sleep :)

Business lesson time!!
Ok, it isn't really a lesson, but some helpful information, at least if you live in BC.
This is info for setting up your own wee business in BC, for your handmade jewelry, for example. I thought I'd put this here, as I was so clueless as to what to do, and an accountant was lovely enough to give me some pointers. So he gave me some direction then I went ahead and figured it out (I'm a big girl now!) and this is what I had to do.

-Go to OneStop BC to reserve a name for your business. You need to fill out a Name Approval Request form, for which you need to pay $30. You get 3 name choices - if your first choice is refused, they go down to the next name etc. Choose carefully and make sure there aren't any other companies with that name, at least in Canada. Anyhow, the form has a bunch of fine print on this which you really should read. It won't take too long and it will help you formulate a name that has a better likelihood of being accepted :)

-After they get back to you with your approved name (yay!) you need to go back to OneStop to register your business as a Sole Proprietorship (or at least that is how you will register it if, like me, it's just you makin some stuff and wanting to sell it - it's just me, baby!). This costs $40, I believe. This is also when you get to fill out a million lovely forms. Actually, it isn't all that bad. I did it in one afternoon. You fill out info regarding taxes, importing and exporting and other stuffs.

-Taxes: you may not have to register for/charge PST and or GST. For GST, you don't need to charge it until you are making $30,000 dollars - I believe this is for a 12 month period. Contact the CRA for further info at 1.800.959.5525. For PST, you don't need to charge it until you are making $10,000 dollars in a 12 month period, but there are a few other stipulations. More info here, or call 604.660.4524. The other thing is that if you are not registering for these and therefor not charging taxes, then you cannot write off/get back the taxes you pay on ... things which are expenses for your business, such as supplies. I hope this is making sense.

-You need to register for importing and exporting even if you're just ordering some beads from someone in the US, or sending a bracelet to someone in the UK. Maybe that's obvious, but I wasn't sure when I was doing this :) If you have questions or problems anywhere along the way here, the people at the OneStop helpline are, actually, helpful, haha. If they can't answer your question (like when I was doing a bit on the CRA website and needed help) they will give you the proper number to call (the CRA people were also very nice! I was pleasantly surprised).
NOTE: there are questions about import/export: this is what I was told when I asked - even though I asked about such a small scale. However, maybe they misunderstood me. If you are going through this process, it's probably best you ask them yourselves :)

-You will probably also need a municipal business licence. I was able to fill something out at OneStop and was subsequently sent a form from my district to fill out, with the info for payment. (Note: OneStop will say you need to contact your district about this - when I did so, they didn't seem to know what was going on. Just wait until they send you the info in the mail, you shouldn't need to call them). Since I won't be doing anything through my new business until January, I won't finish this step until the new year. It costs $110 for this business license, which is valid January to December. I would have only had to pay for half the year, but I don't need it yet, so I will register in January.

-Last step, which I haven't yet completed (waiting until January), is to go to a bank and register a business account for your new company. Yay!

If you're curious, my business is officially called Mixed Company Handmade.
The name is partly due to a (now) comical family incident, so it makes me laugh whenever I think of it. I think it's nifty!

Endormit

2008-08-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

I just made a Sleeping Beauty treasury on Etsy. I think it's lovely (of course). The title of this post links to it.

For those unfamiliar with Etsy, the Treasury is a place where Etsy peeps can make up a sort of list of items. It's a 3x4 (or 4x3?) grid of images the "curator" puts together, and the images are items for sale on Etsy. Treasuries are often themed - mine is Sleeping Beauty, so I have included images of the night sky, a blanket, eye maks... you get the idea.Treasuries are the same format as the front page of Etsy, and the front page is often pulled from a Treasury. They're super fun to make, hard to get and good promo for the shops featured.

Improvements! Sleep deprivation!

2008-08-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to be in bed like 4 hours ago. Clearly I have a problem.
Anyhow - new blog layout! Fancy! I spent hours fiddling with it rather than sleeping! Oops?
Thoughts? Comments? Pledges of undying love?

Something to help me sleep

2008-08-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy weekend. The business lesson will still have to wait - I am so tired!

I babysat for my friends on Saturday night - all went well except for when I locked myself, Lily (whom I was babysitting, and was in her pj's & barefeet) and two of the dogs outside. Yeah. That was awesome good times. The guy who lives downstairs was out, every single door was locked, and they didn't have a key outside. I was on a chair under the bathroom window on the porch, trying to figure out how I could get either Lily or myself through the window, and Lily commentated:
"What are you doing?"
"I am going to get us into this house."
"It's wet."
"I know. Stand at the door where it's dry."
She was very helpful. I dragged the picnic table under the window and realized I couldn't get Lily through the window without breaking either her or the window, so I had to go through. By some miracle, I made it without breaking either the window or myself. I amazed even myself.
"You got in!"
"Yes, yes I did!"

Anyhow, I listened to some music in the area over the weekend as well (Tegan & Sara!!!) but I think that babysitting was my big story of the week. Woohoo! Anyhow, I really do need to get some zzz's in, so that's it for now my friends.
xo.

Whoops

2008-08-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, my bad. I forgot I had a class at the bead store tonight, so I got home très late. Therefor, today's business lesson will be postponed until at least tomorrow evening. At least I have some lovely new supplies, and a pair of chandelier earrings that I made at the class tonight! Damn those things are time consuming! Anyhow, I'm happy to have learned the "looping" technique, which shall hopefully help me with future projects (like coral peach earrings - keep an eye out, they'll be lovely!).
Hope you all go to sleep happy and have peachy dreams.
xxo.

LOL!

2008-08-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

Heads up that I will be posting 2 new Lol-cat items tomorrow morning. A pair of earrings and a bracelet.

I was going to post about what I've learned so far about starting a business and paying/charging taxes in BC, in case it might be useful for anyone, but I want to try to get to sleep at a somewhat decent hour tonight. Therefor, our lesson on business stuffs will have to wait until probably tomorrow.

In other news, it was so bloody hot out today, holy doodle. I couldn't spend more than 30 seconds upstairs. I also made the huge mistake of bringing bottles to the bottle depot today. Oops! What was I thinking with that heat? Evidently the heat baked my brains.

Also, I maybe overuse the term "in other news."
OH WELLS. You'll just have to deal.
Have a good night. Don't overheat. Don't let the bedbugs bite.
Unless you're into that.

"Like 'O' like 'H'"

2008-07-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been absent! I was lounging around sunny Osoyoos, BC: Canada's only desert. For reals! It was lovely. I've gone every year of my life with my family. I picked up a dress (I ♥ dresses!) and some yummy herbal/homemade-y body stuffs, and flavoured honey made in Keremeos for some friends... So delish!

In other news, I have so many things bouncing around my head lately I hardly know what to do with myself.
Here is an itemized list:

○ My shop: I need to get more people coming through it (and purchasing), and I need to dedicate more time to making & listing more pieces. Hopefully that will help?

○ My jewelry: I'm thinking of trying to get my stuff into a local store or two. I would need to invest more money into supplies so I could make a bunch of nice stuff to bring in and show in hopes of them taking it on (thinking of naming the line "Mixed Company," what do you think of that?). This will have to wait until I'm done school (and my BA!) in December.

○ School: I currently can't afford my tuition. I'm hoping to get some help without needing to take out a *shudder* student loan.

○ Boys: What else is new.

○ Work: it's getting boring. I like it there, but it's so dang slow, and I really need to be making more money. Le sigh.

○ Family: the politics of living together. Moving back home is difficult! Who knew! Ha.

○ Money money money. I hate that is matters.

The list goes on.

Speaking of the fam, my brother needs my computer. We currently have 3 foreign students in our home - things are getting a little overcrowded! So goodnight my lovelies. Sweetest dreams.

I want to live on an island...

2008-07-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

I've finally made a piece of jewelry with some of the beads I picked up while I was in Italy this spring. In the next couple days look out for a bracelet with some glass beads from Murano, a pair of purple summer-y beach-y earrings and possibly another goody or two. Yay!
LOL stuff coming soon, I am just missing some supplies.

Also, check out one of my new favourite Etsy people's shop - Star is super sweet and so is her art!
Loves & goodnight.

Sleepy-eyed

2008-07-12T23:22:00.001-07:00

I am full of beer and emotions. Maybe a dangerous combination? I was beading, but decided that trying to tie small knots while drinking beer was a bad plan of action.

I realized that I haven't updated on my plants lately. Well. My mints are happy happy, my basil was looking super sickly with the bad start to our summer but has been picking up its spirits lately. My seedlings, on the other hand... the sunflowers had just barely sprouted when the tops were eaten off by some critter, and haven't been heard from since. My carrot seedlings were trucking along, but a couple weeks ago some peat-pot-crazed animal attacked them and, well, there were a number of them but there is only one survivor. So maybe I'll be lucky and get to eat one carrot I grew this summer?

I will now put myself to bed, as blogging while inebriated is surely an equally bad idea as beading UI.

I can has cheeseveggyburger?

2008-07-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

I sold the two pairs of LOL cat earring that I had in my Etsy shop, so I will be listing some new similar pieces soon. [for my shop, look to the left, to the left...]
Look at the sweet wrap job on them! A lovely gal from Germany is having them sent to a friend in the UK. My work is going abroad! Yay!
That's all for now, folks.
Kthxbai!

Sugar spell it out

2008-07-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

I spent a few hours the other night making up some gift tags, earring cards and business cards for my shop. I think they're pretty cute. I also got some sweet ribbons today I may use for wrapping purchases. They're summery and colourful.

Today I am getting cranky with waiting. I both love and hate being excited about something; a guy sort of something. It's nice being excited and hopeful, but I hate the not-knowing and waiting to receive e-mails/phone calls. You know the drill.
Le sigh.

I took my friend out for lunch for her birthday today, and I gave her a print from John Clark. I put a piece of shimmery charcoal grey scrapbooking paper behind it as I had to frame it in an 8x10" frame (the print is smaller). I think it looked pretty good, and I think she really liked it. Hope so!

Yesterday I finally planted my two lovely dahlias in a pot. I kept putting it off.

It seems that's all for today. Happy Wednesday night!

Things I want today

2008-06-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses: Oh my goodness yes! They remind me of the black & neon ones I had as a kid, which makes me think of Confederation Park and the seawall at Stanley Park.

Le Romantique Threadless T-shirt: If I bought every t-shirt I wanted, I would have enough shirts to cloth a mid-sized country...

Tool T Dress: I am all about dresses lately. I want more more more! I love this one.

I also really want the one pictured in this listing, but she doesn't have one listed in her shop right now. It is so sweet!

My last pick of the day shall be this sly neclace: oh how I love innuendo. Lovely.

Hells yes!

2008-06-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Crazy coincidence time! Or maybe it's kismet.

In any case... I just made a treasury on Etsy the other day named "I married the sea: and she is calling my name," and then Joey & Emily come out with this gem.

God I love A Softer World.

And the sea.

It's in the air, I think

2008-06-20T22:46:00.001-07:00

After some trouble with the last thing I made (namely that I dislike it), I have made something lovely. It's a double-stranded (my new fave thing, apparently) bracelet with frosted Chinese square glass beads and other frosted glass beads: it's called "Something Like Love." It's a delight. It will be posted Sunday, I guess. I won't have a chance to photograph it to be ready before then.
I'm happily daydreaming about what might be with someone I met recently, and a customer at my store seems to have taken interest too, so I think it's in the air.
Summer lovin, it's true.

Now that's initiative

2008-06-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

What a novel concept - you need money?

Just ask for it...

www.3bucksforbrendan.com

Shiny things

2008-06-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

Man, I am sleepy! I just stayed up making some gorgeous jewelry, if I do say so myself. I hope to post it mid-day tomorrow, if I can get some good photos. There's a double strand skinny beaded anklet, a beautiful seed & glass bead bracelet (I love it sooo much) and earrings made with lampwork glass red delicious apples which are oh so sweet. The apples are made by Kerry Santisteban of Crazy Lady Beads.
I have a spot in Monday's jewelry showcase on Etsy, so watch for it and wish me luck, I suppose. Or wish me lots of views & sales.
xo.

Beauties and Beasts

2008-06-05T14:09:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale. I love fairytales.
I've started collecting and keeping track of different versions of Beauty and the Beast. I felt like making a list, so here we are (I'm sure I'm missing a few I know of ... novels listed vaguely in order of how close the story comes to the original fairytale):

Novels:

Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty & the Beast - Robin Mckinley (more "traditional" version)
Rose Daughter - Robin Mckinley (delicious twist ending!)
Beast - Donna Jo Napoli (the Beast's side of the story)
A Terrible Beauty - Nancy Baker (vampire version - love it!)
Goddess of the Rose - PC Cast (a delectable fantasy romance...)
Sunshine - Robin Mckinley (vampires, wit, a dash of Beauty & the Beast)

Related fairytales:

Rose Red and Snow White
East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Tam Lin (2 good Tam Lin novels: An Earthly Knight - Janet Elizabeth Mcnaughton; Winter Rose - Patricia Mckillip)

Also noteworthy are the Fables comics by Bill Willingham. The first trade, Legends in Exile, starts with Rose Red and Snow White. I haven't actually read it yet - it's on my wish list. I started in the middle, with Wolves, a delicious read with Snow White and Bigby (the wolf - think about it) and I just devoured it.

I love Disney's Beauty and the Beast, although I liked the Beast better than that pansy of a prince that he becomes.

Little things make me happy

2008-06-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

the seeds I planted starting to grow

the coffee shop still having my favourite scones when I run in for some in the evening

puppy love in the morning

"The Way I Am" playing on the radio

brushing my hand along branches as I walk and getting rain drops on my hand

my puppy sleeping against me
crawling into my cozy bed with a good book
compliments
laughing

at the bottom of everything

2008-06-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

Bright Eyes keeps breaking my heart.
In a good way.
[click the post title]

Time to celebrate!

2008-05-24T16:35:00.001-07:00

My birthday's coming up next week! Yay! Feel free to send me innappropriate cards and lavish gifts.

Watch out for a sale coming at my Etsy shop on Monday.

Growth

2008-05-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

My seeds are growing! I'm so excited! Can you tell?
In other gardening news, I bought an apple mint the day I ran into Dave at the garden center, and I've planted it in the same bed as my roses. Mints are supposed to help keep pesky bugs away from your garden. Good to know! I planted it in a pot in the earth to keep it from spreading, as I hear that's what mints like to do. Apple mint leaves also make a good tea, so I'm told. I shall have to try it this summer! I'll keep you folks posted. I also bought sand to mix in with the earth that my aloe vera are planted in. Ever since I split and re-potted it it's been unhappy, and I think it's because the soil was too rich. The soil is now about 50% potting soil, 50% sand. We'll see how they fare.
My advice for you tonight is: plant something edible this weekend! Even a little herb in a pot on your porch. It's rewarding, I promise you.

Save Polaroid!

2008-05-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I was dismayed to hear a few months ago that Polaroid will soon cease making instant film! Quel horreur! I have 3 Polaroid cameras, having given one to a friend, and I think they're the niftiest thing! The one I use most is an old-school black Polaroid Sun600, and everyone's impressed when that beast comes out. I can't imagine a world without Polaroid! If you are interested or concerned, please check out the Save Polaroid website. They have many resources, as well as links to petitions you may sign if you feel so inclined.

Etsy finds to consider:

A cute Save Polaroid pin

A framed Polaroid photo of a man looking at a Polaroid photo

A sweet Polaroid illustration

Etsy update

2008-05-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

A quick note for now as it seems to have gotten late tonight without my notice!
I've listed the cute little blossom earrings that were in the last photo of my workspace. Upcoming pieces include a few more "Yes We Can" bracelets, LOLcat earrings and a few glass animal etc earrings. Stay tuned!
In the meanwhile, I think these earrings by CBT's Closet on Etsy are fantastic! I kind of want them, in a random sort of way (me being Canadian and completely not into or up to date with politics...).
That's all for tonight!

PS: I was looking at aphorisms tonight, so I will leave you with this...
"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought - particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things."
-Woody Allen

Inspired

2008-05-14T19:24:00.001-07:00

I still find Will.i.am's song "Yes We Can" inspiring. He uses Obama's New Hampshire speech and makes a song out of it. Check the video out on YouTube if you haven't yet. It makes me tingly. I'm not one for politics, but it's certainly a well written speech and a sweet ass song. In my humble opinion.

Recognition

2008-05-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

I ran into a friend from high school that I haven't seen in about 5 years in the garden center today. His name is Dave. I recognized him instantly, but when we started talking and I was looking at him up close, it was like I didn't know him at all. I've found that before, even with people I know very well. It's like when you say a word too many times and you start to wonder if it's really a word after all, because it just sounds like sounds and syllables. At least that happens to me. Sometimes I have to go look up the word to make sure it exists. I did it yesterday, in fact, with the word "measure."
Maybe I'm just peculiar. Does this happen to you?

Workspace

2008-05-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

This is where I am currently making jewelery. It could use a few improvements. Having it at a level that I don't have to hunch over would be a start. As for organization, I got a much-needed new bead case a couple days ago which I happily decorated with stickers the other night (Woo, the girl knows how to party!). I also took a picture of the latest pieces I've made: they're really sweet flower earrings. Unfortunately I'm having trouble taking good pictures of them. As usual. If anyone has any tips on how to take pictures of such things and is feeling generous, please pass them along! I have an Olympus digital camera, and I've tried the macro setting and some different backgrounds, but some beads are still super tricky to photograph! If it's a really sunny day it's sometimes easier when I don't use the flash, but I can't always wait for those days :)

Eat your Greens

2008-05-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today I potted and planted. I potted a basil plant and a chocolate mint plant which smells divine. Chocolate mint is apparently a good garnish for ice cream and desserts: as if the name "chocolate mint" wasn't reason enough to buy it. I planted some "Parmex" carrots and sunflower seeds in peat pots. The carrots are round and chubby like radishes, or they will be if they grow... I also planted an English Daisy outside, just because they're so cute. They look like buttons.
I love growing things, especially when the plants are useful in some way, like their juice heals cuts or they make a tasty salad. The only problem is that once I get the plant and watch it grow, I hate to cut it. I often don't make much use of them, I just show them off and coo at them.