Turquoise Invasion!

Fleur de Turquoise ring

Size 8.5-9

.......

Solitaire Feather

Tibetan Turquoise

Size 6.5

.....

So stinkin' photogenic, Turquoise is.

These babies are so sweet together.

Just listed these this morning in Etsy-Land.

Finally, some Jewelry!!

Not a lot to say about these, except lordy lordy do I love Turquoise.  

It's such a pleasure keeping company with such pretty stones.

They are so much better in person.

These stones seem to have personalities.

Studio time has been lovely.

No, that's an understatement.

Studio time has been just what I have been needing.

*Sigh*

wonderful.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. 

 ~Thomas Edison

Turquoise invasion!

These babies I just picked up.  And they are a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

The guy I bought them from says they're Tibetan....I am such a sucker for turquoise.

So excited to make some jewels this week...I hope.

I am thinking feathers.  Sterling ones.....

I haven't been much in the studio this week, but managed to whip out some bezels for these awesome rocks. I have picked up a little work doing some landscaping for a friend, and the money is good.  I work all day, in the dirt, and I don't have to talk to anyone if I don't want. 

 Head in the clouds, hands in the dirt.  

The only thing is,  I know I could be doing other things.  Balancing money, work , studio stuff, and the growth of a business is.....well....a full time job.  I'm now whining, and I realize what I am trying to do is great, and rewarding, and fun, and exciting....but damn,  at the end of the day.....I am scared. and stumbling.

I have also received notice of my student loans in repayment as of June 1st.  

Uhhhhhh.....

what.

the.

f.

Tex is hungry.  

And is ready for a break from my tiny studio.

Man,  all I want to do is stay.

Off to the weeds. and the dirt.

Maybe tomorrow I will have something in silver for you!

Let the planting begin.

Dirt

 in my tea this morning...

not by chance i believe.

...

My last day of school is tuesday.

and it is bittersweet.

for lots of reasons.

I've decided not to walk at graduation.

I've decided to write letters, get it all on paper, explaining my disgust, my anger, my disapproval, my concern for the future of what I thought to be an accredited program of professionals in their field.

(and no doubt about it, I will get a few back in return.)

I will burn bridges.  and that is saddening.

Professors....Peers...people I would have considered to be friends. 

but...

Maybe someone will listen.

Maybe I will help change something.

maybe not.

and then I've decided, after all of that, I am going to move on.

I have to let it go.

I need to find some peace with it...

and I think that kind of peace comes with time. 

Time. and Dirt.

are those not the prettiest purple beans you've ever seen?

 one of the 6 raised bed boxes we are assembling this weekend

 It's that season.  

My favorite season. 

I love May more than I love christmas, more than I love dark black french press coffee. 

 It's gardening season!

We are in the process this weekend of building 6 raised beds, a chicken coop, and maaaaybe if we don't wear ourselves out (and our checkbook) we might attempt some posts for our deer fence.  I have never had my own garden, so this is a monumental year.

2012.

Erin's first garden.

Tex approves.

I love this sweet shot with the bungo in the background

  Dirt and Happiness for me have always come hand in hand.  I would say I am my happiest when I am filthy dirty, in oversized tees and rolled up jeans with the holes in the butt, sporting some ridiculous head wrap made entirely out of discarded layers of clothing throughout the day, while digging holes in a garden or sitting in the dirt pulling at the ground.  Ridiculous head dress or no,  I am totally comfortable in the garden.  I feel like I can work out anything.  Wars are waged in the garden with the weeds, the pests, the weather, and with myself.  

I can be pissy. rude. impatient. angry. whiney. weak.

....and the beans and the bees and the zinnias, they don't care. 

 They love me anyway.

A little dirt under my fingernails, everything else dissipates.  

Shovel in hand, I am in charge. 

 I make peace with the world in my garden.

integrity

 ...resonates well this morning.

....

My dear dear mentor has lost her job at the college.

And this, the end of the semester...

graduation...

obstacles.

that you either triumphantly jump over,

or you let them sink you.

...

I believe this is just an obstacle, among life's many turns.

This might just be a kick in the pants...

in the right direction.

...

also, I believe Karma is a bitch.

so watch out.

she's watching.

and she comes with such vengeance.

Success is only determined by the honor in which you have found it.  If your Success is determined by dishonor and selfishly stepping on those around you, to get what you want, to climb an invisible ladder, then it is not success.  It is betrayal,  mostly betrayal of your own honor.

and well,

that's a damn shame.

...

So this morning........cheers.

To integrity.

Honor.

And people with them.