You like me, you really like me! ... Or maybe just my Bitty SwirlsSaturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Festival Malachite Earrings
Another version of my Festival earrings. These lovelies with a forest green malachite. Festival Malachite Earrings are available in my Etsy shop.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Today's Reality Check
"Thousands may starve: The lives of more than 50,000 severely malnourished children are in jeopardy after Islamist militants looted medical and food supplies in a central Somali town. This boy and girl live in a makeshift camp for the internally displaced on the outskirts of Mogadishu."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rainfall Necklace
Actually, this is a new version of a previous design. This style of necklace, with a bold graphic in wire hung from tubing on a thin black cord, is something that I really enjoy creating. I love the clean, modern line. Modern, but also somewhat tribal. Really appeals. I've done others of these and there will be more in the future. The response to them has been very positive, which is even further encouragement to continue making them! I currently have another design in stock, but don't yet have a photo of it. This particular piece, Rainfall Necklace, is currently available in my Etsy shop.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Valerie Earrings
I love when my customers suggest something that's a great idea that didn't necessarily occur to me. I created a necklace that used these elongated riveted loop elements with a bead as part of the chain. The customer asked if I make earrings like that. *doh!* Well, I do now! I currently have them available with three different beads: a warm, orangy red aventurine, a cool green 
aventurine and sweet yellow jade (see photo). I've oxidized the loop, then tumbled it for a nice gun-metal grey. The earwires wrap around the top. A design that I'd like to think is sort of unique. I call them Valerie Earrings and they are available in my Etsy shop.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Miracle Whip Facial
No, this isn't some weird sexual proclivity. It is about actually giving yourself a skin treatment with something you might have in your fridge right now.
I've never had what would be considered good skin. Because of this I never gave much thought to skin care as it didn't seem to matter or make a difference. I also grew up in Miami where we spent hours out in the sun. These two things have me, at this late date, trying to make up for lost time. *cut to shot of Judi going down drugstore aisles dumping loads of expensive creams and such into basket*
Various and sundry products have yielded various and sundry results. One of the things I have found that does work (for me) is not found in the drugstore, but the grocery store. Online I found out about using Kraft Miracle Whip as a peel. I read that facial peels are a good way to help renew dull, tired, damaged skin. Spa peels are very expensive and I couldn't see myself spending that kind of money on my skin. I was willing, however, to drop a few bucks on a jar of Miracle Whip (uh, no, there wasn't one already in the house...). Even if I just tried it once and it didn't work or I didn't like it, it wasn't a big deal.
Here's how it works: you slather a thin layer of the stuff all over your face (and on your neck if you want) and leave it on for 10 - 15 minutes. The vinegar acts as a peel and the mayo part acts as moisturizer. After time is up, you rub your face with your fingertips and you'll see the skin balling up. It's amazing! I tend to use this just before I step into a shower where I wash the rest off, and then, because the mayo is a bit much for me, I gently wash with Noxema (my normal face wash).
The pros: this stuff works great for me! My skin feels wonderful. It seems to be smoothing some of the little wrinkles and evening out the tone. And, since it's only a few dollars and there are lots of applications in each jar, it's a great value (and is more effective for me than the expensive stuff).
The cons: well, frankly, Miracle Whip stinks. Smear it all over your face and the smell can be overwhelming. I can actually deal with the smell, but the vinegar fumes make my eyes water. For the 10 minutes, I either fan myself, walk around, open a window, or deal with it. It also leaves my skin quite red for an hour or so after use, so I don't use it if I'm leaving the house right after my shower. It's recommended to avoid sun exposure after use (of any peel) because you've just removed a layer of skin and you're susceptible to burning and sun damage.
There are other "from the kitchen" skin treatments I've read about - honey, plain yogurt - that you can Google to learn more about too. And that's today's Beauty Tips With Judi!
I've never had what would be considered good skin. Because of this I never gave much thought to skin care as it didn't seem to matter or make a difference. I also grew up in Miami where we spent hours out in the sun. These two things have me, at this late date, trying to make up for lost time. *cut to shot of Judi going down drugstore aisles dumping loads of expensive creams and such into basket*
Various and sundry products have yielded various and sundry results. One of the things I have found that does work (for me) is not found in the drugstore, but the grocery store. Online I found out about using Kraft Miracle Whip as a peel. I read that facial peels are a good way to help renew dull, tired, damaged skin. Spa peels are very expensive and I couldn't see myself spending that kind of money on my skin. I was willing, however, to drop a few bucks on a jar of Miracle Whip (uh, no, there wasn't one already in the house...). Even if I just tried it once and it didn't work or I didn't like it, it wasn't a big deal.Here's how it works: you slather a thin layer of the stuff all over your face (and on your neck if you want) and leave it on for 10 - 15 minutes. The vinegar acts as a peel and the mayo part acts as moisturizer. After time is up, you rub your face with your fingertips and you'll see the skin balling up. It's amazing! I tend to use this just before I step into a shower where I wash the rest off, and then, because the mayo is a bit much for me, I gently wash with Noxema (my normal face wash).
The pros: this stuff works great for me! My skin feels wonderful. It seems to be smoothing some of the little wrinkles and evening out the tone. And, since it's only a few dollars and there are lots of applications in each jar, it's a great value (and is more effective for me than the expensive stuff).
The cons: well, frankly, Miracle Whip stinks. Smear it all over your face and the smell can be overwhelming. I can actually deal with the smell, but the vinegar fumes make my eyes water. For the 10 minutes, I either fan myself, walk around, open a window, or deal with it. It also leaves my skin quite red for an hour or so after use, so I don't use it if I'm leaving the house right after my shower. It's recommended to avoid sun exposure after use (of any peel) because you've just removed a layer of skin and you're susceptible to burning and sun damage.
There are other "from the kitchen" skin treatments I've read about - honey, plain yogurt - that you can Google to learn more about too. And that's today's Beauty Tips With Judi!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chicken Butt Fresh
While I was out and about yesterday, I was driving by my neighbor Frank's house. He was sitting outside, so I stopped to say hello. Frank is just shy of 91 and is as sharp and sprightly as any 30 year old. I first met him through my daily forays to the dog park where he goes to chat and let his big dog, Herkie (short for Hercules) run around - both Frank and Herkie are the respective human and dog mayors of the dog park. I hadn't seen either of them since Kana died back in
February and I stopped going to the park. Dr. Frank, professor emeritus of psychology at PSU, knows something about everything, can chat about anything and has led an incredibly interesting life. Considering some of the things he's been through and seen (like concentration camps) he's got an intensely positive outlook about it all. It's always entertaining to hang out a bit with Frank.
Last year, Frank decided to get himself a few chicks to keep in his backyard and the dog park folks got almost daily updates on the growth and progress of the chickens. Yesterday, I inquired about the girls and Frank took me in back to have a look. They are huge and beautiful and Frank seems very proud. I was gifted with three chicken-butt-fresh eggs taken right out from under them. How lucky can a girl get?
February and I stopped going to the park. Dr. Frank, professor emeritus of psychology at PSU, knows something about everything, can chat about anything and has led an incredibly interesting life. Considering some of the things he's been through and seen (like concentration camps) he's got an intensely positive outlook about it all. It's always entertaining to hang out a bit with Frank.Last year, Frank decided to get himself a few chicks to keep in his backyard and the dog park folks got almost daily updates on the growth and progress of the chickens. Yesterday, I inquired about the girls and Frank took me in back to have a look. They are huge and beautiful and Frank seems very proud. I was gifted with three chicken-butt-fresh eggs taken right out from under them. How lucky can a girl get?
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