Starr Strung Jewelry Designs...

This treasury does me good...

A huge thank you to the dear ziemabir on etsy who named me in her treasury entitled, so kindly: ELEGANCY ! today - so much appreciated!

I have gone on and on about etsy here before, but it really is such a marvelous resource - for those who want to purchase upcycled/handmade facets for their lives, and also those of us artisans who use the platform to promote our work!

Thank you thank you thank you ziemabir !

Other new pieces, being updated today....I love these earrings especially - I pushed myself to go outside my norms yesterday while working with Joshy at his shop...and I adore the results. I hope you do too!

In honor of being on such a marvie treasury, all posted earring pretties on my etsy are a discounted $20 buckaroos! enjoy (:

(these posted later today  --- I promised a swim to the wee one (:

  

Sunday work...

Today is normally a day of rest, but because I spent the last few days stuffed with cold and listening to sleep-beckoning rain drizzlies here in Indiana, it is a day of work.

It isn't so bad, really, I'm comfie in Joshy's office at his shop (amazing I travel 30 plus miles to have peace and quiet to actually do secretarial work) and for the past hour, have lazied around the 'net looking at things for enjoyment. I haven't done this in so long it's crazy!

I am working harder now than I ever have my whole life - I never ever knew how much this little dream of mine meant to me until I turned my focus upon it and opened up my soul and heart to the possibility it could be a really, really good thing. I am happy to say, several months out from being exclusively a Corporate America workhorse that all is well, and times are just fine indeed. People who already work for themselves know these challenges, but this is all still very new to me...I have learned a handful of hard lessons, but by digging my way out of worries and hypotheticals (with the grace of God, I promise that) I feel myself growing. Growing out of old, hardened shells of the past, and growing into someone different.

It feels so darn good.

((And oh my...I just heard my sweet man start up the Scout he's been working on! Hoorah hoorah for summer drives in an old 1977!))

I have been musing, this past week, over different parts of my life. A) My son is growing up so darn quick. All of our kiddos are. It's crazy to me. They are going back to school in a month! B) The summer has flown by and I feel so blessed to have spent - for the first time since becoming a momma - these long, lazy days swimming, teaching, listening and learning with Jonah. It's excellent. C) I have accomplished no major projects in my house at all....(attribute this to Josh working on Scout, check that. (:  D) I am ready for a vacation E) Sitting at the computer during pretty sunny days (like today, as I type this and look longingly outside) makes me feel itchy to be doing something else F) I have lots of online work to do...hmmm.

Time to leave this workstation and go to the one now that is really beckoning me: tools, beads, new vintage pretties asking to be reworked.

Oh yes, and the joy ride! That sounds excellent....

new pretties online:

I went to bed with a cold in my head....

...and barely got up this mornin'.

whew!

This day, an interview with my son, the worker man. Spurred on by the fact that my sinuses seem to weigh 40+ lbs. and I have an entire weekend of work work work laid all over my dining room table. All I want is a nap! Josh came home and plopped on the couch last night, and then I went down for the count much later in the eve. I have all my prayers geared towards making it through a busy weekend and that our kiddos don't get this weirdness. Perhaps the lovely Indiana weather (90+ for two days, then drizzly rain need a long sleeve for three days) has something to do with our ails.

This morning, on our daily drive to take care of some kitty-sitting, Jonah says to me, "Mom, this has been the best summer. I learned to ride my bike, I learned to swim and jump off the dibing (diving) board. I learned it all."

And now, an extension of that interview from this a.m.:

Me: Jonah, if you could pick anything to do the rest of your summer, what would it be?

JC: I don't know, do you know? I can't do that much words... (all while writing down his worker list, and receiving phone calls from Pete - Josh's worker man that our kids constantly pretend to be on the phone with...Pete: you are infamous. Used to be Trevor Apple, now we have moved on to Pete.)

M: What has been the best part of your summer?

JC: Is it still winter momma? No.

M: What do you want to be when you grow up?

JC: I wanna be....(tapping pencil on forehead) a Rush Shelby Energy worker and a sidewalk maker. With a big dumptruck.

M: What's your favorite food in the summer?

JC: Do you know what this spells? I don't know.

This isn't going so well...

JC: I need my own website so I can put myself on my own website. Mommy, telling questions is just that hard. Hold on a minute. I think I heard one of my work friends outside.

(He is definitely over this interview thing.)

JC: Still got time.

M: For what?

JC: For working.

M: Don't do that please. (shoving paper in the opposite way in my new printer)

JC: I am not (while doing.)

This ship is sinking fast.

JC: Hang on a minute mom. I have to go get some tools.

Well, that's just plain funny to me when I read back over it. I've done many an interview, but none quite so silly. Maybe it's the cold meds too, but nonetheless, he is priceless!

Happy I hope it's not drizzly where you are day.

later today, more on this and the awesome program I am happy to participate in: Blogging for Beads!

vintage finds...

Vintage tablecloth perfect for vending/home parties both...and the green piece: to stab your mail with after you read it. This piece will not function as such here: we are notorious for piles of mail - but great all the same.)

below: all little pieces are coming in the mail and making me feel much more stocked up for upcomings...and helps boost the ole' creativity too!

 

I went off and dug around some of my old stomping grounds late afternoon yesterday. Oh the joys of good finds!

And then today, on etsy.

Lordy lordy I can do some damage (:

My email is non-functional...since Thursday last. And it's really making me feel like

a.)I'm not supposed to be emailing / computing (look where I am)

b.) I should go outside and rock out some landscape projects I have going on (it's sunny here finally in Indiana! I'm so over R A I N!!!! I know we need it, but ugh ugh after eight days straight!)

c.) something really terrible has happened in cyberspace and there is no geek squad going to retrieve all of my contacts and so then I'll really have to be worried.

 

let's talk about this little piece, and I don't know why my typing is like this now....geesh! Technology has it out for me this day.

This is going in my flower gardens today/nite. Along with mulch, and to compliment the wondrous job that the gent who has cleansed my neighbors NAST yard up. They really aren't my neighbors, it was just a sad situation and now these random coming and going peeps don't live there. But the house stayed...got me?

(I really could have done more by praying about my next door situation, and I tried/did. But I kept hearing the voice of reason or that of my Maker saying: do something. you are able. you are smart. you know what to do - ask for help from these owners!)

But it has inspired me greatly to make my side yard look better. Seriously, we have about 3 feet between my yard and their cement (my kids skateboard/Razor/bike ramp-way). But I've not done any landscaping...so, I replanted all of my ornamental grasses to be better in the sun (they are loving it!) I got some buy three get yourself one free daisies like these that I love in my front gardens:

 

They don't look all that marvelous, but I discovered last night by going almost all the way to the back of this so so awesome nursery near our house (after I paid an atrocious bill with a gym that I joined um...three years ago and then realized it's like a drive to Africa to get there for a sweaty, bass-pumping boom boom dance/kick sexercise) I am a yoga/ pilates / walk /take bike rides with kids momma of exercise.)

this is becoming a loooong post.

But I found these daisies, and also this beauooootious flower that I have pined for, but the price of 50 bones?

Now, all annuals are on sale, yippee for me!

 

and p.s. My email is down....down down down...and I am not sure what that means, except that if you are trying to reach me, you can do it here.

I better get busy...busy busy busy busy!

Happy summery Tuesday!

 

 

 

 

Our 4th o' July went a little like this:

I feel like I'm on an emotional high today...what a good weekend we had! I normally don't get all gushy about the fourth day of July (I appreciate my independence and all,) but I wanted to share something here today that has been on my mind lately, and it all ties into this weekend.

I tend to get very uptight about little things sometimes, and after many weeks of self-exploration and trying to find the very source of these feelings (with Joshua's counseling help (: thanks babe!) I think I have figured it out: I need to just l e t g o! I didn't worry this weekend when there were dishes piled and not completely put away after meals, instead, I lounged with the kiddos. I didn't fret about our house being spotless for house visitors, or making the most beautiful creation for our big friends pitch-in, and I wasn't worried about what time it was when we got on our way for a weekend bike rides.

You know what the results were? Some I will never, ever forget. I feel - without going into too much detail, because I'm sure you an apply this to your life and understand - that I've reached a higher place with myself. For myself - of myself. I made it through the mountains, (for now) and oh how good it does really feel!

And the good that came from this change of mindset and heart is the best thing that I can honestly say has happened to me for a long time. And as I look back over the last few days? It made my family stronger and for all of us to feel more relaxed. You know the saying: If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy? Well...we all know how true that is! I haven't been mad or upset at a certain thing, but combined with this crazy Lupron and female problems (hello! Hormone madness!) and just things from the past that won't seem to shake off - I have been just plain old worried worried worried. But I don't feel like that now, and here is why:

Jonah learned to ride his bike with no training wheels! What a grande moment of a little boy's life. He was ecstatic, and so were we. Josh said, "This is a moment a little boy never forgets." How true. (:

And we dined outside most meals:

And had the best fourth gathering that was filled with besties and besties kids and rockin' good food (I swear I feel like I ate like a moose) and the like. We mommas, all friends with various aged kiddos, attempted a group shot. This, my dearies, will be a treasured bit for us for a long time. I have video that I wish I could share here (but the sun is shining and I just got the mail - mucho new findings from etsy, and an upcoming push to enjoy and take part in a very unique  concert/festival vending ~ and I have to get busy making, making, making !)

 

Generations from we mommas. I love it. I remember being young and hanging with my parent's friends, just like Miss Rose who is now my sister friend:

 

It was a lovely celebration indeed.

We have decided on a monthly gathering. We mommas are good at plopping down on each other's porches and gabbing...exhaling...complaining? nah...just getting filled back up on our womanly powers we are all called upon to have.

Love it. (:

 

  

   

So fun! Happy sunny Monday!

 

 

 

 

My new pieces...

After taking a few days off and then coming back to my beads and tools and wire and umpteen emails...I felt overwhelmed and full of decision-making and with an aching head and knotted up shoulders and summer plans and vacation making, etc. I went to work. I love some of these pieces...I think I work a bit better when I have a pile of other things to do.

Call it procrastination (: I call it organized chaos resulting in: divine design ! Happy holiday weekend to all my readers, my customers....I hope this little break full of fireworks and family and overloads of caloric intake and various get togethers are a good little *sigh* break in your busy life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(see a piece you love? email me at designs@starrstrung.com

...these are off to different boutiques, or found here.)

 

A Day of Vintage Jewelry Bliss...

 

This morning, my alarm went off - blasting through our quiet little house...and as soon as I opened my eyes, I knew that today would be special. Spent with ladies I love and adore. And with Jonah in tow, of course - little traveling soldier - we had a good day. We met as the sun was peeking up and traveled together, me at the wheel, gramma D as my co-pilot, and Mammie conversing with a just-waking little man.

The rain subsided for our shopping trip, and I was lucky enough to stumble upon these:

 

and decided this afternoon, while Jonah napped and I couldn't due to aching limbs (seriously, doing 46 minutes of yoga before bed and a day of shopping?) that I would make up some new bridal pretties. After this past weekend, I was wiped clean of all rhinestone vintage pieces, and not just from brides. Rhinestones are classic...as pearls...for our generation! Who the heck can afford pearls?

 

I am working with this little site, which I adore. So, it's time to stock up and be creative (:

Something I think I do better with mucho mas sleep, but tomorrow is Nana day for Jonah, and my housework is pretty well addressed, so tomorrow....more here and here.

For now, please do enjoy the little first of July promo:

$10 off all earrings here!

 

 

 

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind with the wind and tossed." ~ James 1:6

 

 

 

slowing down...

It is late late late night.

And I am so so so tired....but it has been a good day of being momma, and spending time with Jonah.

I took Monday and Tuesday off - kind of...but today was spent running about nonstop.

I feel commercialized America-d out. Target, Wal-mart (BLECHK BLACHK), whew.

At least Jonah talked me straight into some pseudo-skull-looking shirt that I had refused trip one around the store, and by the final lap, I agreed.

Child, one. Parent, zilch.

But tomorrow so so early is a meeting with gramma D (lover of all shopping excursions)

and my step momma (accompanying mammie who will take Jonah to see everything on campus) for the Brookville Flea Markets.

Vintage bits, odds and ends: you are about to meet your shopping match!

I can't wait!

And since gramma D insists on seeing everything the minute vendors pull their covers off their lots, our meeting time is a (groggy) 6 a.m.

Oh, how I hope I bought more coffee today (:

 

Monday, recovery day...

Do you ever feel like Monday is really just still the weekend? An extension to get the things done that you didn't over the weekend. Well, today is a day of readjusting back a little and getting a handful of things done, but not very many. Suprisingly, my bathroom floor was attached to my essentials list today - that's stunning to me!

I went to the Fishers Freedom Festival this weekend - and met tons of fun people - I bedecked a bazillion bods with vintage pretties and had lots of good conversations too. I like events like that...it's good to chat with like minded mommas on the weekend, and watch everyone else's kids act all sugar-buzzed out crazy wazy I need a nap right this very instant meltdown crazy in public.

And their moms are still buying jewels!

It was a great weekend, it was the first time I was a guest there, and it was an honestly great show. I'll definitely be back there....

I made these jewels before I left but I think they are honestly all gone now..in someone else's jewelry stash - so I'm gearing up for a vintage buy out. My case is almost empty of pieces, but I do have some things coming to repair and fix up: UPCYCLE!

I said that word many times at Fishers - I figured Josh was plumb tired of hearing me repeat this little festival-informing mantra again and again (: On the way home last night he said to me, "Stormy. Why is it noone buys from me?"

I have no idea..but it was very sweet to be accompanied on Sunday (not to mention to have a person there when you have to truck to the facilities...or to get iced tea...or to look around! I traded for many things: tie dyes, soaps, candle, non-petroleum stuffy nose rub, incense, sea salt scrub (handmade and awesome!) and I liked seeing pieces go into the hands of ladies who adored them, so Thank You!

It was fun on Sunday to sit at the festival and do custom orders for ladies - I had all of my vintage pieces out and my beads and there was some super cute jewelry that was made...I feel proud today, but not boastful. Thankful to go and finding this way in my life, but there have been some rough and bumpy spots these last few weeks. I feel like I have transitioned and made it through a section of life titled learning.

I'm 30 - I'm all growed up.

Not really.

And in all the awesome-ist news I can give, there is a very nice older gent blasting a weedeater next door - sweet sweet song to my ears. And he had the information that a huge dumpster trailer will be coming soon so that the house and the SCHED (that's what we like to call it...what the heck is a shed that is falling into itself and filled with bleckhkz nastiness? A SCHED) will be promptly removed.

I'm so grateful this Monday...and I'm so glad. I have felt overrun a bit and worried and stressed, and now, today, I feel like I have on new skin.

What a weekend can do (:

 

 

 

 

 

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork." ~ Pearl Bailey

 

 

 

have I failed to mention...

How much I adore my new desk and work station?

Because I'm sitting here right now...and I really, really do!

 

Here is my little strip of inspiration, set just above my laptop (obviously)...I'm working on new packaging and labels and such. Both for Starr Strung, and also Starr Strung Bridal. I love these vintage-inspired looks, but I am having trouble finding just what I want online. Any suggestions?

And I keep forgetting to post these, both here and here...

But they are all part of a new little line with fun future plans...simple but pretty (:

Everyday wear, if you will...bits of upcycled vintage...I hope you like them!