BRB... return from the back burner

WOW! Last time I blogged was JULY??? Well, quick recap....

The family got well, I got busy at work, then got back to working my way slowly toward nursing school by signing up for a Chemistry class. As a result, the jewelry enterprise got put on the back burner :P . Then I got the flu, and just when I thought I was better I caught a cold with the two kids. We are reduced to the sniffles and are almost well. Almost.

This Chemistry class is the first step in updating my science credits. MAN! My brain was rusty, but I was determined to do well. So far I've made it through one quiz a week and two midterms with an A average. I've definitely surprised myself, especially considering I have mommy brain x2.

Anyway, during my hiatus from jewelry I was still surfing my favorite creative inspiration site, Craftster.org, and dreaming about things to do. I decided I needed something creative to balance my Chemistry class. This is something I used to do in college so I wouldn't burn out. I decided to make a Poppet, something I've been wanting to do since they were born back in 2007. Once I set my mind to start I couldn't stop, and so once a week, as a reward for passing the weekly quiz I would work on bringing my very own Poppet to life.

It took a month worth of weekends and one late night when I just couldn't stop before I was done. Don't be afraid - it only took so long because I sewed the entire thing by hand and crocheted her hair and dress. We (the girls really) have named her Kat... because she's a "cat". The simplicity makes so much sense, reminds me of being little myself and how I named the things around me (Beary the bear, Camoolie the camel.... I kid you not!).

So here she is, and I must say, I haven't completely cured the urge. She has her own thread here. And here is the Long Awaited Poppet-Along if you'd like to get sucked in... uh, I mean inspired. Hehe. Many thanks to ghilie for emailing me the pattern and all the other poppet folks on Craftster.org for all the help, support and inspiration. I've started to cut more pieces so I can sew up more of them because I can't help myself. Just waiting for school to end so I have more time. Incidentally, it would probably take less time if I got my sewing machine fixed, so that's another thing I need to get done.

By the way, if you're one of those who wants a Poppet badly but just haven't made one yet, I'm taking a poll.
Is it because:
a) I need a push, I'd buy a Poppet kit with all the pieces ready to sew and stuff.
b) I don't sew or don't sew well, I'd buy a Poppet "blank" to embellish with eyes, hair, clothes etc.
c) I think I could make the Poppet but clothes and hair? Don't think so...
d) I'm truly intimidated and would buy one ready made or have one commissioned.

If any of these are you, please let me know. I'm thinking about adding Poppets, kits and accessories to my shop at subringas.com if there's a market out there for it.

Aloha! Susan

BRB... Is there a time frame for that?

Two weeks ago the entire household ie. Grandma, Dad, the two girls (and apparently my older daughter's doll "Babydoll") caught the flu. The nose swab results came back from the Dr's office as Influenza A, and it was too late for the kids to take Tamiflu. We were in for the long haul.

That was July 11th. My post on Facebook:
"Susan Castillejos... is hanging a quarantine sign - pretty sure the flu has taken over the entire house... even grandma spiked a fever!"

Today I have finally made it back to the computer to start thinking about my Etsy shop, my Facebook, my Blog and my Twitter now that I do not have to play nurse to my own little hospital of patients. Thank goodness I never succumbed to the flu! Can you guess my last post on Facebook?

"Fam still sick, off to work, brb!" That was last week Thursday, and here it is already Tuesday! Is there a time frame for brb aka "be right back"? Does it mean leave to do just one thing and come back immediately after? Did I tell a fib when I used the term "brb"?

Well anyway, whatever, here I am, back, and it took all morning to catch up and then write this post. So now I'm off to work and I'll brb!

SALE EXTENDED!

Extended 4th of July sale!

FREE SHIPPING and 10% OFF until July 10th Midnite, Hawaii time.

Please type "4th" in the NOTES section when purchasing and your discount will be refunded through Paypal.

Newest listings:

Blue Ceramic Basket Weave and Czech Glass Drop Earrings,
Summer Day Hoop Earrings - Wire Wrapped Glass and Sterling Silver,
and Wire Wrapped Blue Swarovski Crystals and Gold Filled Hoops.

Aloha!
~Su

Fourth of July Weekend Sale!

Happy 4th All!

Etsy, the online place for Artisan shops, is having a WEEKEND DEALS! Sale, and I've decided to participate by offering FREE SHIPPING and 10% OFF.

If you're following this blog, you'll get a little more. Go to the top of this page and click on Follow this Blog, which I'll verify when you buy something. You'll get the FREE SHIPPING, 20% OFF (that's right, TWENTY PERCENT!), the free polishing pad, and upgraded giftwrap with free gift card by request. Just let me know what to write in the card if you are sending your purchase as a gift. Go HERE to SHOP.

Please type "suBringas blog" in the NOTES section when purchasing and your discount will be refunded through Paypal. Sale runs From July 3rd to July 6th Midnite, Hawaii time.

Aloha! ~Su

Busy, Busy Bee

Been busy humming along...

I've been trying to keep up with my dreams of new jewelry ideas. Literally. Every night I dream of a new piece, or sometimes if I'm lucky the same piece for a couple of nights. The hard part is trying to take the dream to the sketchbook. The time-consuming part is figuring out how the dream translates into a piece, and then shopping for materials. The making is the exciting part, even though it can be frustrating when something is not working out the way you thought it might. But the dreams have been steady.

To buy time while I work out the new pieces, I reworked some pieces and relisted. I took my classic PIKO Earrings (which is what I started my shop with) and reworked them in sterling silver instead of craft wire, snapped some new photos and put it up. I also put up some better photos of my Crystal Romance Earrings. I think the only other relist I'll work on is a single listing of the Crystal Romance Necklace, since the dreams are all under the Hawaiian influence.

I did finish a piece that I've posted a sneak peek here for you. I'm still composing the listing and working out the material costs, so stay tuned. My Mom covets this pair of gold and olive green dangle earrings, and I must say, I love them too. This is my first work in gold and I think I am HOOKED!


And with that I'll bid you all Aloha ahiahi ia oukou!