Happy New Year 2012

Hello to all my Lovely Blog Reading Friends,

Well 2011 sure was a whirlwind of changes around here....
Hubby self employed, Etsy business running, son's last year in middle school,
family health changes and oh yes,

I took a new day job....
My new day job is as a para-professional in a VPK class  (actually 2 classes)
with 38 four and 5 year olds. I have always loved working with kids and though it
surely doesn't pay very well and it totally wears me out every week,
I feel grateful to have such a rewarding job that makes such a difference in the
lives of these young ones.

Though they are a challenge many days, they are certainly a blessing too.

Now, let's see how I can balance jewelry making with this new schedule....

Many blessings to all of you in this New Year...  Happy 2012 !!

Here's a sneak peak of my latest design

It's back to school tomorrow....

See you soon  :)

Audrey

In the Pit?

I flicked on the radio while I was driving yesterday and into the middle of a radio program. I wish I could tell you what program it was or who was speaking as he was just wrapping up, however,  I missed that part....

but what he said in his wrap up really spoke to me.  Read on and tell me if it speaks to you

He told this story:

I decided to take a walk along a certain road one day, and I fell into a deep dark pit.  It took me a long time to get out.   It wasn't my fault.

I decided to take a walk on that same road another day and I fell into that same pit. It took me a long time to get out. Why didn't I see it? Maybe it is my fault.

I decided yet again to walk that road and I fell into the pit again!!! I got out a little fater this time. It is my fault.

One more time I decided to walk that road and this time I saw the pit and walked around it.

Finally, I decided to walk a different road.......

We all seem to have some pit filled roads in our lives and why oh why do we continue to go down those same roads knowing those pits are there? Isn't it time to take a different path?

Your thoughts?

I will never forget you~ My favorite animal

 I will never forget October 1, 1982 or February 25, 2004. These are the dates that my precious Momma Kitty entered and left my life. She was the most special fur baby and companion I ever had. She was with me through thick and thin- through some wonderful ife experiences and some pretty awful ones- she was always by my side with a snuggle and a purr.

I loved how she used to sleep curled up against my neck and heaven forbid, I have a yogurt to myself! It was the only people food she liked but boy if I opened one it was like most cats that hear the can opener. She'd bolt for my lap and try to stick her paw in the cup to pull it to her. I guess she could smell it in the air. So here I'd sit, a spoonful for me, a spoonful for her..and so on.    

I used to say she was living out her 9 lives because she had some strange accidents, like the time she broker her tail in the fence and it had to be amputated.

The year she passed was also the year we had 3 major hurricanes hit here within 6 weeks.  A traumatic year to say the least. My son was in 1st grade and I remember that day, she looked so bad and I could see she was struggling. I took my son to school and then loved on her and held her in my arms. I took her to the cat hospital but she didn't quite make it.  I am glad her last memory was a loving one.

When I picked my son up from school that day, I told him. He looked at me so sweetly and said "Don't worry Mom, she's in kitty heaven right now, playing with toys and chasing lizards. Got to love that boy of mine!!

Who was your most special pet?

What's new in the Garden

This month's theme for the UWIB Blog Hop is Flower Garden...

Yeah, That's right up my alley!

It has been miserably hot and steamy and many of the veggies in my little
garden are kaput. Thank goodness for hardy herbs.
My lavender is putting out blooms and so are my chives.
What dainty little blossoms

I don't have a dogwood tree so I thought I'd make one
You can see it here

and at http://AudreyGardenLady.etsy.com



The garden is most definitely and inspiration for me!

My UWIB Sisters have made some lovely posts to their blogs this month
please click on their linkz below and pay them a visit :)

UWIB Blog Hop ~ June theme Red White and Blue

In anticipated celebration of our country's 235 anniversary, several of the members of the Unique Women in Business group decided to put together a little patriotic blog hop.

In that spirit, I decided to make a treasury featuring some of the Red, White and Blue creations of some of our members here:

'Ain't That America....' by AudreyGardenLady

"Ain't that America somethin' to see baby Ain't that America home of the free, yeah Little pink houses for you and me oh yeah for you and me" John Mellancamp A slice of Americana

Illinois Old Barn a... artbymsr $55.00	Patriotic Red, Whit... SimplyDivineDe... $25.00	Recycled Denim Jean... hoganfe $18.00	original art - Card... KneeDeepOrigin... $34.00
Wheel Thrown Stonew... ceramicpix $30.00	Brooch fiber art fl... SewDanish $18.00	Up High - 8x10 Fine... Lori411 $25.00	Our Lady Liberty St... kristensteinfi... $18.50
Sailor - Red, White... polishedtwo $9.00	Wander Where the Wi... RobinMariaPedr... $20.00	Unique Wine Cork Bu... thewoodenbee $25.50	Stars and Stripes F... Patidecaz $20.00
Little Home No 76 rodica $14.00	Large French Blue W... WellspringCrea... $178.00	Red, white, and blu... allthingsforba... $23.00	Ivory, Turquoise an... pinkbeach $7.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

and here is one of mine

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44774772/red-white-and-turquoise-link-bracelet


Please take a moment to vist my UWIB Sisters participating in this blog hop at
Rita Wetzel - http://HandmadeBits4u.blogspot.com
Judy Woodley - http://WellspringCreations.blogspot.com
Trudy Miller - http://MommaGoddessTreasures.blogspot.com
Wendy Kelly - http://blog.vintageday.com
Ann Rinkenberger - http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com
Robin Koehler - http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
Cory Trusty - http://store.aquarianbath.com/index.php/blog
Janet Bocciardi - http://thehoneyfromthebee.blogspot.com
Karen Terry - http://www.jmjcreations.blogspot.com
Linda Stranger - www.capecodjewel.blogspot.com
AudreyFetterhoff - http://AudreyGardenLady.blogspot.com that's me

Be on the Look Out!!

There's another UWIB Blog Hop coming your way on June 26th at 7am :D
Maybe you can guess the theme......

Made My Day!! Published in an Awesome EZine

Copper Wire jewelrs 5th Edition... Lot's of wonderful artists, cool tutorials, great designs !
See my entry on page 18 and Thank you Lois of A Beaded Affair !!!

Team Fest May Daze Give Away

I am a member of Team Fest...a group of wonderful and talented crafters and artists who all happen to reside somewhere in lovely sunny Florida.
I wanted to share with you, our team give away this month...

The FEST Team proudly presents our May Daze BLOG GIVEAWAY selection from Laura of Tierrasolpaz. Laura is an accomplished artist who enjoys creating mixed media art, jewelry, photography, zines, stationary, decoupage pieces, paper crafts - anything may inspire her. Laura uses recycled materials, or follows an upcycle philosophy whenever possible helping to keep the final cost of her creations affordable to buyers. She is proud to be part of the etsy community of independent designers, creators, artists, and crafters alike and a meber of Team Fest.

Her giveaway is a stunningly beautiful and glorious sunset over water with mountains in the background of Lake Mead in Las Vegas, Nevada. The photograph will be delivered as an 8 x 10 glossy professionally printed picture. Pictured above.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit the team blog post (link below) May Daze BLOG GIVEAWAY to enter to win the lovely and colorful photograph by visiting Laura at Tierrasolpaz or any of the FEST Team Members listed in the Member Section. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to leave your email or contact info so we can reach you if you're the lucky winner. The winner will be picked on June 4rd. Simple and Easy!


http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2011/05/fest-may-daze-blog-giveaway.html

Playing with Wire ~ Good therapy

There is something so soothing to me about wrapping, winding and twisting wire especially around beautiful gemstones.

Here are some examples of what I've been up to lately...I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them



Rainbow Jasper Wire Wrapped and Woven Briollette Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69121270/rainbow-jasper-wire-wrapped-and-woven





Labradorite on Sterling Wirewrapped earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69626106/labradorite-on-sterling-wirewrapped







Fancy Jasper Micro wrapped Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69623174/fancy-jasper-micro-wrapped-earrings















One of my other favorite mind relaxing hobbies is working in my little garden.
What's your favorite kind of relaxation therapy?

Where in the World....

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

I am always amazed at where my clients find me!
Just looking at some of my sales records while prepping for taxes,
it dawned on my to map out where they live and I was surprised
by how mant states I have mailed jewelry, artwork, and spa products to.
All those states in gold are home to my wonderful clients!
(Thank you Robin for the link to this mapping website :D)

Not showing on this map is the fact that I have also had lovely people
from Canada, Ireland, Australia and even Moscow, Russia shop with me.

The wonderful woman in Russia told me the necklace she purchased is the finest piece of handmade jewelry she owns. Have to say, that made my day!!

Truely the internet has had a profound inmpact on our lives ....

Where does your reach extend?