isabella smiles

2011-08-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Over a year of absence. Longest I've been away from this blog, I think. I'm still here. For awhile it was tough going with health and personal issues. But I believe I've found the health care I need to keep moving on.

I fully intend to get back into the swing of things. You can find me over at Smashing Darling. It's a wonderful place to be. Come visit me there...

serenity...

2010-06-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

what a great year this is turning out to be! 2010 started out mighty bumpy but the road has become more serene. i've cleared out the excess baggage i carried around for over a year and set some goals for myself. and began to focus on what makes me happy. i'm happiest when i'm learning and creating. so i've decided to go back to school and work less at the day job. which has given me the space i needed mentally and emotionally to finally feel like creating again.

there is so much i want to learn...to expand my jewelry-making skills! i recently learned how to create the rings pictured above. i'm so happy to be able to share this new skill...i've been practicing every chance i get.

i hope you like them as much as i do! because i am going to be giving one away this month...custom made for you with your favorite word or name stamped on it and i will ship it to you where ever you may be on this lovely planet of ours. just leave a comment telling me about one of your goals this year and on june 31st 10pm HST, the random number generator will pick the winner.

giveaway "rules": 1) leave a comment on this post only. 2) one comment per person. 3) you have until june 30th, 2010 at 10pm Hawaii time.

Addendum:

***Thank you to all who left their comments. I enjoyed reading about everyone's goals. I will be notifying the winner soon!***

Focus...

2010-05-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

things are picking up around here. i decided to move to part-time work so i can focus more on jewelry and finishing up my degree this fall. without the stress of a full-time job, my brain has been in overdrive and i'm needing to write things down...sketch...play...to keep my ideas focused. i'm loving it. even made a couple sales in my shop. i'm always grateful that there are people that appreciate what i create. it's a wonderful feeling!

goes to show that whatever we focus on grows...

Dancing...

2010-03-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

I am here. It's been an insane 2010. Learning new ways to deal with the mess that my life can be sometimes. Learning to be grateful for what is now. Calm sparks the creative flow. In the center is where I'm finding a place to...BREATHE...THINK...BE...me.

Everything else swirls around me. Like a dance with life and its participants. Some moments are better dancers. And now I'm maturing enough to accept that some will inevitably step on my feet. Ouch! Hey, did that hurt? Yes, but I'm not going to let it cripple me. There's so much more to enjoy.

Always another dance...waiting. Constantly absorbing the newness of each day. Carrying its own energy, its own plan, its unique rhythm.

I've discovered the steps that make my dance happy and joyful...what does your dance look like?

goals

2010-01-17T21:51:00.000-08:00

2010. you have been so cruel. but i listen. for your lessons. i look at the past and see that i still have so much debris to clear out...

trying very hard not to let it all bring me down. yet feeling that i've already hit rock bottom. and the month is barely half over. only 17 days into a cycle of 365 days. year of the tiger.

i've let too much time go by...i'll be 48 this year. last time i really did some checking i was in my 30's.

i'm searching. looking for my motivation. is it love? money? beauty? i wonder what it will be that will push me through this depression?

what drives you?

holiday

2009-12-27T00:34:00.000-08:00

it's that time of year again...holidays bring about a swirl of emotions for me. happiness and sadness. grateful for those things in my life now. and a bit of regret that another year has passed without much forward movement.

creative goals will have to be cemented. yet, i won't be able to focus on creating if i'm concerned about my day-to-day living. therefore, i need to get my act together. no more floundering and wasting precious energy. i know that my goals will be the building blocks for 2010. i don't want to look back on another year with regret. especially when that regret is tinged with the guilt of knowing i could have done better.

focus and intent. moving forward...

green

2009-12-22T08:21:00.001-08:00

part of my reluctance recently to move forward with my business is my desire to go green. i just did not know how to proceed with the process. i live on an island. therefore, my resources are few if i want to stick to local suppliers.

i realize there is an entire world at my fingertips and i have been a bit lazy to do my research. so i've been taking baby steps...recycled packaging, etc.

i found some great resources. and some places even offer courses in green jewelry making now.

how to coordinate what's out there with what i have available locally. is it possible to have a 100% green jewelry business?

i wonder...

journey inward...

2009-12-12T13:31:00.001-08:00

You can do what's reasonable, or you can decide what's possible.

~Unknown

the deeper i go, the darker it seems. it's an illusion, the darkness. i've learned at least that much. the light is there, always there. i've been on this journey for two years. heck, my entire life. but ever so evident now that i've come to a juncture where i need to purge what i've brought into my life that no longer serve me in the best way.

we all carry a heavy load. mine was backbreaking. i lost momentum...my drive. i stopped doing what i knew could make me happy. sure there were moments of clarity but they never lasted long. always the clouds would roll in and i'd find a million excuses not to move on. stagnant. hurting. scared.

i know the light is there...

Doldrums?

2009-08-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

It's actually been the opposite of being in the doldrums. Things have been super busy and exciting. Besides Etsy, Isabella Smiles is now being sold at Fresh Inc, a sweet little stationer located on Oahu at the Windward Mall.

As some of you may already know, I also received a promotion at my day job. As always, I am honored at what the universe offers me. And I want to do my best at everything. Being a perfectionist is not always easy. I want to make sure that everyone is happy and sometimes I forget that I need to be happy as well! I know there are many of you that are just as guilty as I am of neglecting your Self. Thinking that creating and having a constant flow of output is where happiness dwells.

And then comes some sort of crash, something gives and I realize that I haven't been taking care of me. Yes, creating is my heart. But if I don't take care of where that heart is housed, something is going to give. And it's usually health and relationship that suffer. Whether that be my children or a co-worker or a friend, when I am stretched I am not very pleasant to be around. Creativity suffers. And I have to work extra hard at getting back into the flow.

What do you do to find that balance especially when there is so much that you want and need to accomplish? When there is never enough time?

Abundance...

2009-03-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

I have found myself, many times, being bogged down by the details of a situation. In relationships, work projects, or even with money issues, I find myself lost in all the stickiness that goes on with the details. It's like driving over speed bumps, you have to slow down and pay attention. Those bumps are there for a reason. But if I spend all my time focusing on getting over those bumps, I lose sight of where I'm going.

I think we all know instinctively how abundant life can be. The trick is not to allow insecurities and the feeling of lack to get in the way. To stop putting off what should be done because things aren't "just right". Excuses of not having enough time, trying to survive gets in the way.

My goal this week? To not get stuck on a speed bump and just hit the workbench, grab my tools, and make something...everyday.

I'm not the only one...

2009-02-28T11:12:00.000-08:00

There are others out there! This could be about me. Knowing I'm not alone and others are struggling with the same things I had mentioned in an earlier post makes me hopeful and motivated to keep focused.

And that jar up there is going to help to reach my goals. And if you haven't checked out Chantelle's blog, you really should! Some serious money stuff for artists. Because you can't let the creative energy sucking stuff of life get in the way of your art.

Hmmmm, two posts in 24-hours? I do believe things are looking up...

Cause sometimes...the truth is just too funny!

2009-02-28T01:58:00.000-08:00

via Swiss Miss

Yes, folks! Laughter is also part of the creative process...

As it should be...

2009-02-24T20:53:00.001-08:00

(smoky quartz, rhodium over pewter, fine silver)

Found while reading a favorite blog..."I am in the perfect place at the perfect time."

Today I was discussing with a friend the benefits of yoga. There are the obvious health benefits. With regular practice, one becomes stronger and more sure of themselves. Then there is the long range benefit of quieting the monkey mind. Yoga helps me to see when I'm fidgeting and losing concentration. It's frustrating whenever I am in a pose or asana and my thought wonders. BAM! My pose crumbles!

Yoga and life...it's an easy comparison. Whether it's the day to day matters or business goals, once I lose that focus, things tend to crumble easily. Plans go by the wayside. Procrastination sets in. Then comes the guilt.

This is where, just like in yoga, knowing that you are exactly where you need to be at that moment is important. My yoga instructor is always reminding the class how important it is to accept where you are in your practice. Chiding yourself on self-perceived inadequacies can only make you insecure. It's been that way with Isabella Smiles. Why didn't I do it this way? Or so-and-so is much better at this then I can ever be. Yikes! Progress cannot come from that kind of thought.

It's all an ongoing learning, unlearning, and relearning process. Being creative is natural. Finding a way to quiet my daily life to make room for creative flow is what is difficult.

How do you find the space to flow creative?

No confusion...

2009-02-22T05:03:00.000-08:00

(image by yplouf)

It is never a good thing when someone tells you that your life seems confused and unfocused. It's a bit of a kick in the arse to really get things in gear. I'm pretty much over trying to figure things out. I know what I want to do with my life.

So the next time I wake up and feel like my Self is not worth making the effort for, I'll just push right through that and do it anyway. No more putting things off. No more excuses.

No more fear...

(addendum: so after some thought, maybe it's not so bad when someone waves the obvious in your face...and I promise the jewelry will be making a comeback soon!)

the REAL me...

2009-02-06T18:54:00.001-08:00

(me...nothing artifical)

So I've been doing a ton of thinking about where I want to go with my craft and my decision to go back to school next semester to finish my studies. In my mid-twenties, all I wanted to do was surround myself with music and that is what I pursued in school. Art was always there in the back of my mind and I was always doing some sort of crafting. Back then it was mostly needlework and paper art. Music is an art. It was easy for me to use my voice and it was something I loved very much.

Then I got married, had a child...twice. My kids' schooling was more important than my own but I continued with my crafting, learning new skills when time allowed. Parenting became a creative outlet and it was fun teaching my son and daughter all I knew about making things. Once the little ones were old enough, I decided to head back to the campus, but by then my inner voice had changed a bit, I was more political and I wanted to learn about how women were impacting the world. Thus, my inner feminist came forth. My focus became women's studies and anthropology. Then once again, life had other plans for me and I was facing a teenager that was heading to college himself. And well, as they say, "Life happens when you're busy making plans!"

This is my dilemma now. Do I continue where I left off or change my course once again? I find myself drawn to the arts. It's been there all of my life. I know I want to learn so much more about jewelry. There is a voice there in that realm. I'm just wandering if I'm brave enough to listen to it?

A reminder to self

2009-01-30T02:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, I spend too many hours online. One of my favorite blogs, kurashi arekore, had posted about these card generators. I am trying to make the most of my free time, aka time away from the job that pays the bills, by finding inspiration.

It's helping...looking at blogs, doing the Twitter thing, and looking at pictures of food. I am starting to relax a bit and finding the itch to create again!

My Creative...a quiz

2009-01-29T20:09:00.000-08:00

I first saw this here and thought it would be fun to take. My results were "Hands On". Not sure how accurate these tests are, but it was fun to take and much of the results are how I actually work. Go here to take the test!

Hello, 2009...hello!

2009-01-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I am very happy to have 2009 finally arrive. I allowed my creativity to fall to the wayside in 2008. Why? Not sure. Perhaps it was going into the final stretch of our old administration and making sure that I expended enough energy to make sure I did my part to change/enlighten the way those around me viewed politics and our world. What energy that was left was used to deal with my family and health, our changing economy, and hurting environment.

( photo by Brian Glanz )

I am ecstatic that we now have a President that I can be proud of and uplifts some of the same ideals I have held near and dear for many years. And how wonderful it is that Mr. Obama is a man that spent many of his formidable years here on Oahu! No man/womyn is perfect. The only way to ensure that our government's hard work is done to move our path forward as a nation is to send out as much positive energy as we can in our daily lives. And for me that means that this is the year I get off my tush and make the changes I've been needing to do for years.

That said, I'm working hard at cleaning out my clutter and have made some progress. I have more stuff to get rid of than I know what to do with right now. I'm transitioning my life into becoming 100% vegan. My meals have been completely vegan for six months. The most difficult transition is in my bead collection and yarn stash...they still include items that I will eventually have to weed out. No more pearls and no more wool. Do I sell these items? Trade them? Jewelry-wise, I will have to rethink my designs so that they do not include any bone or natural pearls.

Looking forward to the challenges...

2008-12-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a tough year for all and I am very happy that 2009 is only a couple of weeks away. I have plans to update after the holidays...in time for Valentine's Day.

It's been raining, raining, raining here in Hawaii. And a cold 67 degrees at night. Double blanket time! My favorite time of year here.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season...

Best wishes from Isabella Smiles!

A tiny move...

2008-11-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've spoken to Etsy and they have approved the move to my second shop.

I will be listing more real soon...

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
isabellaslittleshop.etsy.com

It's good to *back*...

Team Etsy Hawaii featured!

2008-09-27T00:03:00.001-07:00

Team Etsy Hawaii feature
Originally uploaded by Isabella Smiles

Three months until Christmas...

If this doesn't give me a huge dose of creative energy, I don't know what else will! A huge mahalo goes out to Margot Seeto of the Honolulu Weekly.

And it's been so great for bringing the team out of hibernation!

Happy Autumn, y'all!

Heart...

2008-09-07T13:44:00.001-07:00

the women of heart
Originally uploaded by M P G

This band has always been my favorite. This album was a Christmas gift given to me by brother when I was 16 years old. Sounds corny, but this gift changed my life forever.

I grew up in Japan and had never heard music like this before. And the fact that two beautiful, strong women were writing and singing the music seemed so foreign to me. Yet, I was feeling what they were creating!

Recently, Heart's music, Barracuda, was used at the RNC as background music for VP nominee, Sarah Palin...without the group's permission. A cease-and-desist order was sent to the campaign and here is what the Wilson sisters had to say...

"Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image. The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

For the next several months, my mind will be on the state of our politics. And I will be doing my darndest to make sure that positive, conscious change will occur in my country.

Healing...

2008-08-11T12:45:00.001-07:00

Still here. It's been a long while. I haven't created any new jewelry. Only for special requests. I have straightened out my workspace only to end up using it to pile stuff on it. It's a mad cycle.

But I am on a short vacation from the day job and hoping that this time off will give me space to meditate and think about what path I want to be on. The last six months have been hectic, stressful, painful. I'm getting pretty tired of being in this state and am desperately searching for new ways. Not sure if it is depression. Quite sure that it is something that I can get out of if I can just focus on a goal. I turned 46 in April. Maybe this is what a mid-life crisis feels like?

What have I been up to? Well, I finally visited my doctor after four years! I don't recommend it. I am always the friend that harps about getting an annual and a mammogram! So I don't understand how I let so many years go by without one. I have discovered that I am suffering from fibroids. I've been so out of it, I haven't noticed the symptoms!

I have also decided to change the way I eat. Since January, I have been on a mostly vegetarian diet. It's difficult when I'm surrounded by meat-eaters that think that fish/chicken/turkey is not meat! I think they are finally coming around to realizing what it is I am trying to accomplish!

I feel better and can tell the difference in the way my body responds to food. I don't crave sweets anymore. And when I do rarely give in to temptation or laziness, I really can tell the difference in my body. I feel tired, headache-y, and start craving all kinds of unhealthy foods.

And I've lost 15 pounds! I think I'll keep this lifestyle.

I have to talk about the above photo for a moment. It is from a palmistry class I took this past weekend at Studio Be in Chinatown. The class was taught by Master Palm Reader Rose Kopp. It was an incredible class and I learned some things about myself that will help me. I'm practicing on everyone around me! Fun, fun...

I will also be taking another class this weekend! It is in soldering jewelry. I will try to get some photos and post them here next week.

Until then, hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy what is left of the summer!

Featured...

2008-05-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been featured over at Smashing Darling! Those are my Verdigris Earrings on the right side of the Featured Designers listing. Thank you to Trish and Julie for the wonderful support!

And if you missed it...Isabella Smiles was also the first photo tips Shop Critiques at the Smashing Darling blog. It was a great opportunity for some much needed feedback and a creative shot-in-the-arm I have needed this year!

Looking forward to the ease of the summer months...

Still here...

2008-03-09T23:01:00.001-07:00

museum flags
Originally uploaded by Isabella Smiles

What a long journey since my last posting!

I haven't gone far physically. Emotionally and mentally, I might as well have been on another planet!

Doing a ton of thinking. Trying extremely hard to get out of the funk I've been feeling. I've decided to set aside this time to move away from the jewelry-making for profit. Only until the summer...

Yes, it seems a long time. But I need this time to just PLAY and not feel obligated to create. I am trying not to concern myself with folks being there when I get back. I trust that the Universe is keeping a space for me in that realm.

Breathe in...breathe out...

Elsewhere...

2007-11-12T10:41:00.001-08:00

So, I have been trying to concentrate on spreading my selling wings a little and have been looking outward for venues. Etsy will always be my first love and I will always have my shop there. The site has grown so much since I first joined and there have been many great changes. Those four guys had a great vision and continue to amaze me with their energy and innovation. Without Etsy, I would more than likely have never had a chance to realize my passion.

With the coming together of the Etsy Hawaii Street Team, I've also gained the confidence and knowledge that I just might be able to sell elsewhere. These sellers are outstanding and have so much experience in selling in all types of venues. It's given me the push I needed to start thinking outside the boundaries of my computer monitor.

Where will I be willing to go next year? How far can I push myself? I know...it's not even Thanksgiving! But I also realize that if I want to make any business decisions for next year, I have to start planning NOW! I seriously thought that I could slide into this holiday season without any formal planning, but I've had a huge wake-up call! I should have been doing the planning 8 months ago!

I mean, really? Being a single mom, running a business, and working a more than 40-hour-week day job? It will take planning. My daily planner and calendar are going to be my new best friends! And damn the procrastination monster! "Seize the moment" will be my new motto.

How 'bout you? Got big plans for 2008?

For public viewing...

2007-10-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be the first time I will take my wares out for sale in person. I'm very excited. And also quite frightened.

Selling my jewelry online is pretty easy when it comes to having to deal with rejection. I can't actaully see the lookers and lurkers as they peruse my shop. And unless someone has hearted me, I don't really sense any of the rejection at all. And watching the steady climb of views for each item can become a sense of security that my jewelry is getting some love from cyberspace!

And despite the excitement of putting together a display and creating a portable little shop, I am not without apprehension. I will be very happy if I'm just able to recoup my costs for the new set-up. What if I don't and the people just walk by with a polite smile? How will I feel? Will I be able to deal with that sort of turndown?

I create my pieces not with thought of sale, but because I am moved to create it. I imagine my love for making will overcome any negativity that I may feel tomorrow. And I will definitely report back here to let you know, dear reader(the one reader that reads this blog and I thank you for that!).

So stay tuned...

And for those on Oahu tomorrow morning, come check us out! We will be at the Aloha Stadium swap meet until 2pm. I will be there until 11am because I have to head off to my day job. Come see all the lovely things that our awesome Street Team has to offer.

See that banner up top? It was created by the awesome Martha Sanchez of Amor De Plata, creator of fine silver art jewelry!

Ch-ch-changes...

2007-10-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

I learned new skills this weekend! I learned how to solder collage pendants. I am so very happy. I know they are rough and not perfect but they mean so much to me. I love learning, whether it's jewelry or science or whatever. Just to learn something and mastering a new skill is so exciting. It feels like growth and renewal!

The class I took was with Margy Ledward at the Kapolei Bead It. I learned how to cut glass, use flux, and solder. The hardest part was coming up with a design to sandwich between the glass. Margy is such a great teacher and an overall very cool and fun lady!

Out of all the jewelry fabricating skills, I enjoy working with heat and metal the most. For me, it is extrememly satisfying. I just get such a kick out of it!

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pick up tools for this new skill for awhile and of course, it's killing me that I can't make more right this minute! But I've found an online shop that sells the supplies I will need and at a great price, too! I cannot wait to start making these. Hopefully, I can add these to my shop for Christmas!

Speaking of shop, my little shop is going through some changes. After an impromptu critique last Friday during one of Etsy's critique workshops, I decided to make a few changes. Some are changes I have been wanting to incorporate and others I am not so sure about. And I'm not so sure that making major changes right before the holidays is a good idea. But what the heck?! Why NOT, right?

My sales are okay. I want them to be better though! I take my own photos and have always been complimented on them. Yet, I still feel that I should be able to push them to the next level. I've also asked one of my favorite Etsy sellers for a bit of critique/mentorship, too. She mentioned that I might want to concentrate on how I am writing my listings. I admit, I am a lazy lister!

Well, so much to do! Which means I better get off this computer and head to my workbench. Next Saturday, October 27th, the Etsy Hawaii street team will be setting up booth at the Aloha Stadium swap meet! I have some making to do!

Come see us there. If you can't make it, don't worry! I'll be sure to take lots of photos!

Affirmations

2007-10-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

photo by Lumase

~I am the eternal perfection of love, harmony, and beauty.

~There is no good or bad. Only thinking makes it so.

~The point of power is NOW.

I love these affirmations! Taken daily, repeated often.

Hehe...these were supposed to be posted here!!!

Things are mighty fine...

2007-10-13T01:21:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of StereoSky

I'll be taking a minor blog break while I do some guest blogging over here. If you are in need of some inspiration and insight, check out Rose's blog. Rose Kopp is a professional intuitive and it is quite an honor to blog-sit for her while she takes some relaxation.

Here is a link to some information about Rose Kopp. Whatever your beliefs, her gift is undeniable. She has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me. Not to mention, helping me to understand that sometimes what is most important is to just "let go and let God".

See you in a couple of weeks...

Free Burma...

2007-10-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

Participate here.

Yup...

2007-09-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm putting this out there. More on this later...

Detour...

2007-09-18T11:30:00.001-07:00

Detour
Originally uploaded by RichSeattle

Sometimes there is a need to take a detour when the road you are on becomes mottled with potholes and therefore, in need of repair. Working a nine-to-five that includes more than 40 hours of work each week can really take a toll. And being a single mom can also take its bit out of you. Mind you, I love being a mom. I have great children. Just sometimes, I wish all I had to do was wake up and create.

My creative path has become a journey with stops and starts, bumps and slippery conditions. My goal right now is to figure out how to get through the treacherous road conditions!

Adding to the stress, is the pressure to constantly come up with new designs. I enjoy sitting at my workbench and creating something from this and that. But sometimes when there is so much going on, it's very difficult to to get to that point where the ideas flow.

I am on vacation this week and it's easier to see what needs to be done. Some things I've mentioned before...de-clutter, clean, get organized! I'd also like to get to the yoga studio, meditate, and pray more.

I want to get to the point where my life is unfettered by the stresses of living in our world.

A simple life...where less is more.

Etsy Hawaii Team in action...

2007-09-13T10:16:00.001-07:00

Here in Hawaii, not many people know about Etsy. I don't know if it's like that where you live, but here it's all about the mall shopping and mass-produced. I sometimes get the impression that handmade goods are not as appreciated and even looked down upon. That a handmade item has less quality than one that is created by some automaton. Maybe it's like that in most places.

I'm the opposite. I've always loved unique, original designs created by artisans. I can remember as a child growing up in Japan and visiting my Grandmother's village in Kakuda City. And visiting the local basket maker that lived across from her farm. I would stay there all day watching him create huge baskets for farm use and delicate little creations for gifts...stripping huge bamboo and slicing strips to use. He would walk to his supply shed and carefully choose the cut bamboo for his baskets. He would tell me that it was important to choose just the right one for each new creation. It was my favorite part of those visits, helping him to choose material for a new basket!

So, it was with great joy that I was able to find Etsy. Imagine a global marketplace for artisans and crafters of all walks to show their wares for sale. I was so excited! And it's been quite a journey for me to discover just what it is that's important for me as a crafter.

And now this awesome opportunity to be able to share Etsy with our state. Enjoy the photos...then take a look at the video of the segment that aired here last night!

A group shot of myself, Angela from AMKstitches, Cindy Cha, our reporter from KHNL, and Michelle of 3D Cranes.

Product shots from the three featured sellers. Along with bags and wooden creations from our Big Island seller, Sasaki Creations.

Happy faces! Relief that it's over and looking forward to a relaxing lunch with each other.

Our wonderful camera-guy, photojournalist Darin Akita. He was behind-the-scenes, but was instrumental in helping us put this segment together!

And here is the link to aired segment...Etsy Hawaii interview with KHNL.

Mosaic Monday

2007-09-10T01:14:00.001-07:00

My creation, originally uploaded by Isabella Smiles.

Some of my favorite photos from flickr...

I'm stuck...

2007-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Sometime, somewhere...this past summer, I lost my creative mojo. I am just about at the panic point. But I know that freaking out will just make it worse. Have you been through this? What do you do?

I have tried buying new beads...

It helped a little. I have also tried cleaning out the mess and clutter in my life. There is so much of it that I have vowed not to bring or buy anything new into my house unless it has to do with my jewelry. I'm a packrat and it's very difficult to get rid of anything. I'm still working on it. It's frustrating because I feel as if I'm just shifting things from one container to another, not getting rid of anything.

Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis? Definitely feel some shift going on. A shift to making some major changes.

Meanwhile though, I can't let whatever it is to control my creativity!

Lunar Love

2007-07-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

I love the moon! Even more than the sun. I guess somehow this last full-moon inspired me to create these circles...

Which planet had the three moons? Jupiter, I think! And Saturn. Pluto may also have three! How lovely would it be to look up into our skies and see three gorgeous moons?! Now that would be an inspiring sight indeed!

I created the three circles from different gauges of fine silver wire and fusing them together with a torch. Hammered them flat and dappled them to finish. I added a rutilated quartz briolette to the largest ring. I wire wrapped the three pieces together and slipped a sterling silver chain through the loops.

It's a large piece. The largest ring is about 3" across. I'm slowly collecting new tools and would have preferred using a two-hole punch to create holes at the top of each ring and hung them that way.

But this design is a work in progress. And I have many changes I'd like to do before I decide to list this one in my shop.

Who knew?

2007-06-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

I sure did not! I thought I was being lazy. Or out of shape. Or God/Goddess forbid, just gettin' old. But nope!

It's my high-blood pressure medication! I was on the Etsy forums recently and someone was talking about medication symptoms, so I decided to do my research. And sure enough, the chronic fatigue, sleepiness, foggy thoughts, and some other really awful side-effects were all listed. I am calling my doctor and having him take me off this medication.

I was starting to get really down about all of the symptoms and it's even started to effect my creativity. Too tired to make stuff! I would only be able to run one errand a day, before I would feel too tired and have to go home to rest. That meant no left-over energy to make new jewelry!

So until I get off of my current medication, I will try to conserve energy when I can! I did manage to make some things today. I also picked up my tumbler a few days ago and have tumbled anything and everything that isn't tied down around here!

I actually wanted to do a post about tools! And to post some photos of the new stuff. I will get to it, I just had to get this medication thing off of my chest. So beware anyone out there taking medication, do your research first. Then be keenly aware of how you are feeling. I've been feeling this way since last November.

Way too long...

Rings!

2007-06-23T01:35:00.000-07:00

This is by far the best class I've ever taken! Fusing taken to the next level with twisted and knotted rings taught by Kriss Silva at the Kapolei Bead It. Not only were we taught the basics of fusing the rings, Kriss gave many useful tips on upping our creativity and pushing the boundaries of our skills.

I created four rings during the three hour class and I couldn't be happier. These photos are taken prior to tumbling. All I did was use a wire brush on them. Then once I got home, I attacked them with some Pro-Polish pads. I'll take photos again once I have them tumbled.

I ordered a tumbler and just received notice that it has finally arrived. I'll be picking it up next Friday. Once I get the tumbler in my studio/bedroom/living space, I'll be able to create some pieces for my shop! I'm still amazed that I created these rings out of these wires...

These rings look great stacked together. I wish I could make more tonight. But I have to get to sleep as I have to work in the morning...

Btw-This Sunday is Etsy Hawaii's first meeting! I'll try to get photos to post. It will be fun to finally meet everyone. When I first joined Etsy back in '05, I think there were only a handful of Hawaii sellers. I'm so happy to see Etsy growing here in the islands!

Fusing

2007-06-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

After reading about the mishaps that can happen while fusing, I was just a bit apprehensive going into this class. But my instructor, Katharine Rita, was so great at putting me at ease that I could have fused all day long. It was very satisfying watching the silver turn colors, then turn molten right before the ends fused. I can't believe I created this out 14g and 16g wire...

I was also taught how to dimple the flattened wire. Once the texturizing was done, we used a patina solution to dip the project. I had always used liver of sulphur, so using this liquid was like magic. Then it was on to polishing. Polish, polish, polish! Then a few minutes in the tumbler gave my new jewelry an awesome shine!

I was also able to create a pair of earrings to go along with the bracelet. I can't wait to take the advanced fusing class with a larger gauge wire and drilling. Next semester they are also teaching soldering.

Looking forward to creating some new pieces for the shop!

Tomorrow...

2007-06-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

I will be here learning to fuse fine silver. I'm excited as I've been itching to learn this technique for over a year! I will be using a butane torch to fuse fine silver wire into links for a bracelet. Yay!

I'd also like to learn to solder. Space and equipment costs have kept that at bay for now. I have been reading up on the pro's and con's of fusing vs. soldering. Since I haven't done either, I can't say whether one method is better. The fusing method is highly touted here for those not wanting to bother with soldering. But I can see already that I will need to learn to solder eventually.

I just want to learn it all!

Blog redux...

2007-05-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

I need to get back into blogging! I've deleted old posts and am starting anew. I'll be back soon with a new look and renewed energy for blogging.

Yay, for spring-cleaning...