Happy New Year!

Happy 2011! I really meant to post on 11/1/11, but still had (have) the flu. I came down with it just before Thanksgiving and still have it. Blah!

When I was awake, we spent the time making plans for the new year - details to come.

At this point, my Etsy account is inactive. It's just too demanding on my time with the holidays and my poor health. I hope to have it active again soon.

I did all of my holiday shopping on the Internet. What a treat not to have to fight the crowds when I'm feeling poorly. Darling hubby wouldn't tell me what he wanted, so he got lots of gourmet cookware - including a gelato machine that makes ice cream in 30 minutes. Wow! Trouble is, I think we can eat it faster than that!

We are learning the newest game of Trivial Pursuit. Such questions! It has also added the element of gambling. I'm not totally against gambling, but I'd rather answer questions.

Ray bought me a fabulous bracelet from Morning Glory Designs - to be found on Etsy. It is shown in the picture above. Willie does the most fabulous work!

Must rest for a while, so I can beat Ray playing Trivial Persuit. (He beat me 2 out of 2 last night. Hum Bug!

Ruth Ann

Morning Glory Cottage Jewelry Designs

Willie Zuniga
of
Morning Glory Designs
creates some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen.

While my jewelry boxes overflow with
fine jewelry,
bridge jewelry,
and
pieces collected in foreign lands,
I prefer Willie's jewelry.

Just don't tell my husband!

Willie's jewelry is all handmade
using the best products.
All of her metalwork is specially coated
to give it a sturdier,
smoother feel.
Though I am allergic to most metals,
her ring, which I wear almost constantly
has never bothered my finger.

I own many pieces of Willie's jewelry
and want much more!

There aren't enough good things that I can say
about Willie's jewelry,
except that you must buy some for yourself.
I have purchased pieces to give to my friends,
but they are all still here.
I just can't bear to part with them.

Willi also donates a large portion of her sales
to buy supplies to teach cancer patients to bead.

Go forth and buy!

Loveland

The 2010 Loveland Valentine's Card Remailing Program

Each year, thousands of people bundle up all of their Valentine cards and send them to the Loveland post office, where they're stamped with a special poem and cancellation mark (this year's stamp is at left). This is the 64th year of the program!

If you want to get in on this neat event, send your bundle of cards and letters to Postmaster, Attention: Valentine's Postmark, 446 East 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538-9998.

For cards within U.S. and outside of Colorado, your cards should be in Loveland by Feb. 9; for within the state of Colorado, your cards should be in Loveland by Feb. 12.

Show your Valentine how much you love her with a special piece of jewelry from
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

Have a great day!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com

Southwestern Bracelet

Clasp is turquoise and mother of pearl set in silver.

This spiraled bracelet brings out the fabulous colors of the southwest.

Perfect with jeans and a t-shirt, a denim skirt, or a shimmery silk dress.
The leather color will greatly enhance your favorite boots!

It is available at
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

Beads and Beading Supplies

I have been asked by several people what beads, tools, stringing materials, etc. are needed to start a business.

Let me tell you, you are treading on dangerous ground! I am a beader with no bead shops. How sad! The closest one is about 200-250 miles away. I have only had the opportunity to visit 4 bead shops in my entire life. So, my answer to your questions is to buy everything you can get your hands on. Know what the online shops have and look for it in stores so you can see what the bead really looks like, then buy online because the prices are so much better.

I like to buy my focal pieces from shops, so I know for sure what I'm getting. I'd hate to tell you what my bills are at one of the shops! Thank Heavens it's 600 miles away and doesn't have a web site.

For tools, buy one of the kits at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Use these until you know which tools you really need and like, then buy the best you can afford.

For delicas, I try to keep about 50 colors on hand, but there are still some that I need desperately and have to order. The same with the Miyukis. For gem stones, I rarely know what I'll need, so I try to keep lots on hand. I would much prefer to buy them in person, even if they
do cost more, but this isn't a viable thing for me to do.

The Best of Luck to You - and your bank account!

Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

Yep! That's Me!

I didn't think I looked quite that bad, but I happened past a mirror this morning - argh!

I've been working deadlines the past 2 weeks. I hate that! I'd rather just put things on my Etsy site - http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com . In these days of unemployment, one must take orders as they come along.

My mind seems to have left me, as well. I have more than $2,000 worth of beads sitting in front of me that I've ordered in the last couple of weeks. Dummy forgot to order needles and toggle clasps.

I'm putting together new kits that will be on my website - as soon as I have enough to make a decent presentation. I have ideas coming like mad, but, because I can't draw, they leave my brain before I can get even a little piece made.

I'm preparing jewelry for a wedding this weekend. The bride's coordinator specifically asked for me!!!!! It's a great honor, but a huge responsibility. I'm also embroidering purses for the wedding party.

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day. I was recovering from the flu and spent the last few days lazing around eating chicken pot pies. They aren't bad when you don't have anything else~

Happy Days!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com

New ArtFire Member

I am a new member of ArtFire.
http://www.JewelsBySwanger.artfire.com

I'm not sure that I like it.
I have been unable to post photos in
Netscape
and unable to view them properly in
Explorer.
Weird.
But -
it's a Beta version
and it's free,
so we shall see what will happen.

Muddle Head

"My dear, if you could give me a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head, I should better understand your affairs."

~ Charles Dickens ~


I had read this quote by Dickens before in

Mrs. Lirriper's Legacy

but was reminded of it this morning
while reading the blog from
La Tea Dah
at
http://www.gracioushospitality.blogspot.com

It seems that it is my own head that is muddled this morning.
Too many hours with too many doctors
with too many tests yesterday.
The Albuterol that was required for one test has made me shaky.
Driving over the mountain twice and
walking from one office to another
has made me tired.

As for a muddled head,
most of you who know me
realize that I'm muddle headed
most of the time.

The camera with vacation pictures
is still missing.
Poor Ray is trying to do all of the laundry
and put everything up by himself.
How blessed I am to have that wonderful man!

I have made several custom jewelry orders this week
and had hoped to put up pictures,
but, alack and alas...................

The weather is a warm 53 degrees
and there are storm warnings out.

We plan to put up our Christmas tree tonight
without our cheerful fire.
Rain and strong winds are expected for the next several days.

I have more jewelry to make today,
which thrills me.
Maybe I'll do some embroidery, too.

But first, a cup of tea to, perhaps,
clear my own muddled head!

Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://beadkits.etsy.com

Santa Gift Bags

Santa Gift Bags
The hottest item for Christmas gift giving this year!

These little bags are perfect for gifting
money, jewelry, I-Pods, watches, and
all sorts and sundries of small items.

Or give the bag as the gift himself!
He is just too cute to pass up!

Specify eyes open or winking.

This item is created in my studio on my own
embroidery machine.

Wedding Jewelry

My niece is getting married tomorrow
and I thought you all might like to see the jewelry I will be wearing.
I, of course, made all of the pieces myself.
What fun to have people compliment the pieces that I have made,
all the while thinking that they were purchased
at an expensive boutique!

Little Sparklies

Little Sparklies Rings
have now become part of my permanent jewelry line.
These little gems will be available in a wide variety of colors and stones.
The jet crystal rings will be available in my etsy shop in just a few hours.

r2swanger.etsy.com

First Flowers of Spring

Despite the winds and chilly weather, our flowers are becoming quite lovely.
The roses are full of blooms this morning, but pictures are impossbile because the rain is peppering down.

It's a wonderful morning for sitting by the window and sipping cappuccino.
I've become addicted to my beading.

It has been many years since I beaded professionally, but the minute I picked up my needle and thread, the bug bit yet again.
I have decided that the direction I should take is toward designing and offering kits for jewelry making.
I will be offering a few finished pieces for sale in the galleries that I worked with in the old days, but I'm getting too slow to offer finished jewelry on a regular basis.
I will post on this site when new items are on offer.

My regular website is
http://www.deerhaven.etsy.com

I will be opening another site soon that will be dedicated to my jewelry and kits.

Stringing Beads

While a major embroidery project stitches on my machines, I have decided that it's time to return to one of my first loves - jewelry making.
I found some of my older beads that I had stashed away and have bought quite a few more.
My how prices have gone up!

This ring was one of my best sellers in the 'old' days and I had enough beads left over to make this ring, so now I'm addicted again.
I have purchased a few gemstones in the past week and I can't wait for them to arrive!
My mind is swirling with new ideas!

Someday you might see some of my creations on my Etsy site,
but, for now, I'm just having loads of fun!