Custom Orders and Some Sushi

I had a couple of more fun custom orders this past week.

This skull lanyard was made for someone attending an upcoming Monsters of Rock cruise.

These skull are creepy and perfect! I have silver ones on order for 4 additional ones I will be making!

These hand stamped tags went to a jewelry designer for creating canine jewelry.

I look forward to seeing what she creates with them. I also stamped a dog ID tag but since it has a phone number on it, I will not be showing that on social media!

I also added some sweet new sterling silver bead caps to my shop this week.

Veggie Sushi

I came across this recipe from Sweet Potato Soul for sushi made with hummus. I have never heard of hummus in sushi before so of course I had to try it!

For veggies I used zucchini, carrots, raw cabbage and arugula. So delicious! 

Jim usually handles the roll making part but I was alone for this one. These were the only photo worthy pieces. I should have taken pictures of some of the others that totally fell apart! Luckily that did not affect the marvelous flavor.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead! ~Val

Up to Lately

I've been having some fun in the office lately.

One thing I have been wanting to add to my shop is simple gemstone pendants so the stone is the star! 

These are my first additions including riverstone, rhodonite, black onyx, fancy jasper, white howlite, turquoise howlite (dyed) and mahogany obsidian. They will come with a black cord.

This inspirational necklace was a custom order. The request was for a handstamped Live Your Dream necklace with purple incorporated into it. 

So I dangled amethyst in front of the message with sparkling sterling silver. I love the result and now feel inspired to create more necklaces like this!

I also cooked with coconut oil for the first time. We recently purchased a huge vat of organic coconut oil to use as a moisturizer but then a bloggy friend sent me this recipe from Sweet Potato Soul. It called for coconut oil! 

They are roasted with coconut oil, paprika, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Sweet and spicy!!!

Well that's it for now. Still waiting for Spring! Thank you for stopping by and have a great week. ~Val

Working on Lately

I have been working on some new findings for my shop. Since I enjoy banging metal, that have been my focus!

I have been hammering, stamping and antiquing copper pieces that can be used for earrings, necklace charms, sun catchers, dream catchers and other crafts! 

Calm and Serenity Charms

Using affirmation words, I have been listing them in 2 pairs of related words.

Create and Inspire Charms

I have also added handmade sterling silver earring wires to my shop.

Handcrafted Ear Wires

Making little polymer clay findings has been fun too! I need to experiment more here since I'm not super happy with how the gemstones look on the dark clay. So I will have to try some lighter tones or painting the clay. 

Maybe when I try making something with them I will may change my mind in how I feel about them!

Here is a necklace I made for myself with some of the polymer clay components I received from Sharyl's Jewelry.

I love the warmth and chunkiness of the final piece!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful, creative week ahead! ~Val