It's Not at All About Jewelry

So what is it about the sound of a military jet aloft that makes me feel so exhilarated? I'm baking peach crisp, gearing up for the Chicago Air and Water Show. Practice is underway, against a crystal clear blue sky - a perfect 75 degrees with a slight breeze. Perfect day for flying. As they bank out of the exhibition area, the bigger jets circle back over my house. Chicken skin every time. I've always loved flying. Took flying lessons myself at age 15, but never got my license. Cheerleading took me away from it. I wasn't good at math and the calculations were pretty intimidating. My Dad was a pilot and served in the Army Air Corps, enlisted as a cadet in 1942. He contracted a major illness in boot camp and was in a military hospital for 13 months, then discharged. He always felt guilty and left out, not having been able to serve with his friends. As a result, he had a kind of overly-romanticized idea of the military all his life. I guess it really isn't such a great mystery after all...See them jets, Daddy?

So It's Cyber Monday and all my lucite earrings from this summer are available for 25% off through my Etsy site, http://www.treasuregypsy.etsy.com

Back in Chicago Again. (It's ok if you want to sing it.)

After successfully dodging Hurricane Irene, we are back on Lawndale. Work on the studio space is coming along much too slowly to satisfy me, but I'm taking the time to catch up on myriad other projects. One of these is my pal's website. She's the one who imports stuff from Indonesia. Should have her website live in another couple weeks, at which time I'll post a link. If you are hankering for some unique garden or landscape elements or interesting decor items for your nest, get ready. Her stash is superfine. Here's another little taste:

It's steamin' hot here today, but supposed to be in the 60's on Monday. Typical change-of-season time in the midwest; we get all manner of fluxuation in the temp and have to just ride it out. It's giving my dog fits. Here he is on a finer day, sharing a ride home from school with his new best friend, Rusty. Mars, 82 lbs.; Rusty, 9 lbs. Inseparable.

Signing Off (at least from HERE)

Well folks, southern Florida is not the place to be this time of year. At least not this year. Mosquito population is four times the annual average, and something is up with the UV index. Higher this year than others - not sure why. I guess the ozone has suffered another blow.

We are packing up the jewelry tools and equipment and the doggie and heading back to Chicago on Saturday morning. Plan to be in town for the 4th of July. None too soon for me. The swimming pool here is about to overflow from rainfall. Just this afternoon, a population of black bugs are now floating in clusters in the pool. After a closer inspection, I see they are ants. Why are there clusters of ants in the pool? I'm outta here.

I'll be putting the basement studio back together next week and will sign on again from there once we are up and running again. Happy 4th of July!

Newest Items on Etsy from Treasure Gypsy

Here's the latest from Treasure Gypsy to hit Etsy. Get full details by clicking here

Amazing Indonesian Architectural Elements

My friend Sarah's been sitting on a secret stash of amazing stuff she brought back from Bali. After it arrived, she got a little busy with life in general and this is the first chance she's had to start putting the word out on these items. These are just a couple inventory photos, which don't do the pieces justice. Not to mention, these architectural panels represent only one tiny category of the rediculously beautiful pieces she has. Carousel horses, chests, mirrors, fence panels, gates, and ancient batik stamps.

On or about June 15th, there will hopefully be more photos for you to see. I'll be visiting Sarah at her warehouse space this coming week and we are going to try and get more representative photos of all the pieces. Fingers crossed!

If you are interested in these pieces, shoot me your email and I'll put you in touch with the source. These are one-of-a-kind pieces and they are already going fast.

Back to the Jewelry: a couple new items

I've had these large fancy gemstones for a long time. Couldn't figure how to use them. I finally got on them and now I'm happy with the results. I like the oxidized wire-wrapped look and the texture of the chain. I'm most pleased with my new clasps that I've been working out.