Larry Winget

The title alone immediately grabs your attention, doesn't' it? "A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life"... what better way to put it than that. Oh and then the picture of Larry Winget, The Pitbull of Personal Development® - okay, I just have to say it - LOVE it!

This book truly grabbed our attention. Mark & I were out shopping the other day and bought it right after reading the inside & outside cover. We were not looking for a book, we were simply browsing. Okay, scratch that. I was browsing while Mark was looking for computer stuff.

We love to read and wish we could read more, but right now the weekends are about the only time we have for it (hmm, maybe after reading this book we WILL read more). Our weekend reading is quite enjoyable. While having our morning coffee, we sit on the couch with our 4-legged kids and I read out loud. We're currently reading another book by Pema Chodron, but our favorite author is Lama Surya Das.

Anyway, on our way to Cali I'll be reading this book, out loud of course since Mark will be doing the driving. Speaking of Cali... I can hardly wait to hit the beach... if I can put the book down that is!

Want to know more about this book and others? More about Larry Winget? Check out his website , plus he also has a Facebook and Twitter. Oh and he lives here in the Valley of the Sun - how cool is that!

Okay, time to make the donuts. Lots to do before leaving for Cali. I'll update you on thoughts about this book, as well as how our vacation is going. I'm not sure if I'm excited more about relaxing on the beach, the whale watching cruise or Knotts... or maybe it's the book?

Peace to you all,
Rocki

A blonde calls her boyfriend and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started."

Her boyfriend asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"

The blonde says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."

Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle.

She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.

He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says,

"First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."

He takes her hand and says, "Second, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh...

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"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."

Okay, now for any blondes out there please forgive me, but hey, I'm blonde! Hair color only that is :) Oh and this very funny joke that made me laugh until I cried was sent to me by my lovely friend Deb.

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Vacation update: My shop is already in "Vacation Mode" while I finish up a couple more orders and then we leave for California in a couple days. I'm SOOOO excited! I'll have my laptop with me and plan on blogging and/or tweeting while there.

Peace, Love & Happiness,

Rocki

Ketchup - not just for french fries

I finally tried the Ketchup bath to shine up tarnished copper. I read that the acidity of the vinegar in Ketchup removes tarnished copper. Wow. Was I ever surprised! I know this isn't anything new and many of you probably are aware of this, but for those of you who are not, I'm sharing my findings. Please excuse the crud photos, but you'll get the idea.

So above we have our Ketchup (or "catsup" as my grandma used to say), any brand will do, a bowl, tweezers, paper towel and an unfinished copper clasp I made a couple months ago from pure copper wire.

Here is the aged copper clasp. It is a beautiful earthy color, but lets brighten this puppy up a bit.

If the copper piece you are wanting to brighten up is just that - a copper piece, you actually submerge it in the Ketchup. However, if there are beads, stones, etc. included, then I would suggest to not submerge it. I'm only partially submerging the clasp to show the difference after the Ketchup bath.

I only left it submerged for about 30-45 seconds, but you can leave it in longer. When I took it out of the bath it had already removed most of the tarnish on that section! I wiped it off with the paper towel and I was happily surprised with the outcome. Of course you clean it off with water afterwards as I did after the experiment and it was much brighter than the photo. Oh and you can also take a soft toothbrush with the Ketchup to help remove the tarnish.

This was so much fun that I wanted to do more! Although I got the strange urge to eat some french fries. Anyway, I looked around the studio for any other aged copper as I didn't want to waste my Ketchup bath! Nothing. Darn it! Hmm. I wonder if it works on aged skin?

Although Copper looks quite beautiful as it ages, especially that deep earthy brown shade (love it!) some people prefer the bright and shiny look. So if you want to brighten up your copper and want to go about it naturally, give it a Ketchup bath. And hey, while you're at it, toss some french fries in the oven and have a snack at the same time!

Sasha's Ketchup Facts of the Day:

(okay, they are not hers, she got them while surfing the web)

- People other than my grandma call it "catsup"

- 1 tbls has 16 calories and zero fat

- 4 tbls has the nurtional value of a medium ripe tomato

- ketchup originally contained pickled fish (YUCK!)

- is the main ingrediant of barbeque sauce

- you can kill a pickle with a toothpick and ketchup (according to my son when he was younger... very funny story I'll share one day)

"Ding" - ooh, gotta go, french fries are done!

Rocki

The Talented Starless!

Starless : "intricate, colorful, fun polymer clay creations" by the ever so talented Amber.

Amber lives in my stomping grounds... well, sort of anyway. She lives in Flagstaff, Arizona - about a 2 hour drive north from where I live. She has been working with polymer clay since she was 11 years old. Obviously she has quite the talent for it as she has taken polymer clay to a whole new level. I mean, look at the Mini Koi Pond pendant above! The details are amazing and she has several designs of these pendants.

Amber refers to her work and technique as "intricately textured filigree" and all her designs are made by hand. The ornament above is so beautiful and I absolutely love the design. Oh and there is more!

Not only does Amber make beautiful pendants and ornaments, but check out the Ballpoint Pen! Now THAT would make an awesome statement while writing out a check or a letter to a loved one or better yet, as a gift! She even makes polymer clay design jewelry boxes, cigar cutter key rings and more. Oh and this very cool business card holder that I just bought!

If you want to see "intricate, colorful, fun polymer clay creations", hop on over to Amber's Starless shop - you'll love it!

Have a fun & colorful day!

Rocki

Linda G'eez - Peace, Love & Smiles!

I was originally going to blog about my fabulous, adorable, cute, beautifully handmade & packaged Itzy Bitzy cards that I recently purchased from my flower power gal pal, Linda G'eez, but after receiving them - and becoming friends - I have to brag a little more about her!

Linda & I met when she purchased from me the first time about a month ago. We seem to have quite a bit in common, especially since we are both flower children :) Anyway, you can immediately feel the vibes of peace, love and smiles that Linda gives just by looking at her Etsy Shop banner. Her Shop Announcement fills you in on the rest of the vibes.

In Linda's shop you will find lovingly handmade natural gemstone jewelry and the most beautiful handmade floral cards and photos - which were photographed from her actual home garden - how much more handmade can you get?! And hey, the peace, love and smiles that you leave with after visiting her shop are free!

I love how Linda combines leather with the gorgeous Jasper gems above. Very earthy and oh so fabulous!

The Diablo Ninebark above is simply fascinating! Linda's Flower Power with Love cards are full of her many garden flowers as are her as many more flower photographs that she has in her shop.

"Omm Jewelry"... Linda is very expressive with her descriptions and I just love it! You can truly feel the love she put in each and every item she creates. The Sacral Chakra Carnelian earrings above are one of her "Omm Jewelry" pieces. She describes in detail about her creation, as she does with all her listings. Just reading this one brought happy tears to my eyes!

I just love Linda! There - I said it! I have met so many wonderful people on Etsy & Blogger in which I have become friends with that it astounds me. Linda is one of those people that you instantly like. Not because of her talent or her awesome Etsy Shop, but because of the honest to goodness person she is.

"Peace, Love & Smiles",
Rocki

p.s. I REALLY love my Itzy Bitzy cards and may find it difficult to part with them. But hey, I can just buy more!

Wiggles!

Go ahead and giggle

over my new fun & funky Wiggles!

Looks a bit like a wave,

or maybe even a squiggle,

add a little fun to your day

and wear a Wiggle!

My new Wiggle Series Earrings! These came to mind one day while working and I just had to roll with it. The day after I listed my first Wiggle, it sold. I must admit that I was rather excited about that!

I have a few in my shop, but there will be more Wiggles on the way as I create them. There will be a variety of Wiggles in Sterling Silver, 14k Gold Filled and Copper: long, short, interchangeable, funky, fun and well, basically a variety of designs.

You can find more of my Wiggles and other handcrafted metalwork earrings, supplies and findings in my shop.

Have wiggle good day!

Rocki