It's official!

well almost...I bought the domain address www.jewels-for-schools.com today.

and once I finish the logo, mission statement and information page, it will be up and going!

I also now have 6 necklaces completed, four more to go.

today is the one month anniversary of me not working.

tomorrow I am taking Ella to her first gymnastics class.

the project

one of the new creations

some beadwork in process

this is how old some of my jewelry boxes are...yes, that is Howard Stern

(an upgrade is in order)

This is the foundation to which "Jewels for schools" came about. I have a lot of beads, chain, findings, etc that I have not done anything with in years. Some of them are very very old as it can be identified in the picture with the stickers. I decided that I cannot buy any bead or chain until I have utilized everything in these cases. I can only purchase items needed to complete the piece. I have 3 necklaces completed, but have so many to go. It is going to be so hard not to be tantalized with all the beautiful beads and crystals in the store, but I will persevere and accomplish my goal.

When I have 10 pcs complete, I will open the Etsy shop to have a percentage go to 2 foundations Fund for public schools and San Francisco Education fund. I had to keep my heart in SF and help Ella's future with NY. The % will be 50/50 between both foundations. The ultimate goal is to have a whole network of talented jewelry makers contribute some of their proceeds to "Jewels for Schools" that will go into these funds.

Right now it is piece by piece and one Etsy shop at a time. More to come..

schoolhouse

I was searching for some images to help with the logo for "Jewels for schools" and came across these. I wish I knew what was going on in those kids everyday lives. Maybe it is the same for kids then and now, Billy took my shovel, Anna Marie doesn't like me, Billy found a cool frog. It is really only the parents that are truly aware of different political, social changes that are relevant in the world.

moving on

I couldn't post for a little bit after my last one.

There are so many things going on:

- was laid off, it was a good thing

- moving to New York

- starting a foundation "Jewels for schools"

This morning I talked to 5 different moving companies associated with Vanlines. My quotes ranged from 1080 to 4300. With all of the same requirements, loading and unloading - direct move. I did not know that all companies are associated to the same place, but do now. I have to say that we will probably just go with the person who is a good price and has some personality. I basically hung up on a guy who only wanted to tell me the comparison with his company vs others. It was really annoying and it was as if he was in a contest on who can talk the longest with 20 marbles in his mouth. He won.

Moving to NYC, exciting right?! Well yes and no..It is the right move for our family.

But it is incredibly sad to leave our friends and family.

Starting a foundation, Jewels for Schools, really exciting. Before I reach "foundation"

status I have researched some places that I can fund until we can be our own. More to come on this.

Being laid off, I am treasuring the precious opportunity I have to hang out with my little girl and watch her grow. I am having so much fun making jewelry with the thought that they will go to help a good cause, educating our kids.

Oscarblue

May he rest in peace

I got Oscar in Berkeley, Ca 16 years ago on Telegraph avenue. My friend Joelle worked at a booth on the street selling sea shell pipes and called me when she saw the box of kittens.. I came down right away and picked the lil guy that was hiding behind a blanket. We then drove off in my 64 Dodge dart to my warehouse in East Oakland. I state the car because it had bench seating and after the initial scare of "who are you?!!" from Oscar, he then crawled up in the top of the seat and put his paw on my shoulder as I drove. I was 20 years old.

He was my buddy, my partner in crime and made my world. I moved all over Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco and as long as he had a lap to stretch out on, it was all ok. I will miss him so much and loved him dearly.

Albums to ride to

My husband and I share in taking our daughter to day care every week.

My days are Monday's and Friday's and when I am not taking her, I ride my bike to work.

I love my bike and I love my ride. We live along the waterfront, so my ride consists of me

dazing off at the water with music bringing me along the way.

Here are my Top five morning pics:

I did not write the album, because it really doesn't have to go down to that detail for me in the morning. It is all about the melody and voice (or lack there of).

1.) Joy Division

2.) Belle & Sebastian

3.) Led Zepplin

4.) Feist

5.) Modern Lovers

At the end of the day, it gets a little tricky. There are a lot more factors involved, you never know where the day is going to take you. I am going to leave it open ended right now and will come back to that one later. I also hear my girl calling me..sweet thing.

Joana Vasconcelos

There are people in this world that completely amaze me. Joana is one of them. I found these dogs on a trend watch from WGSN and then went from there into the world of this woman from Portugual. Check out her site and notice that everytime you go in, the background changes. Time to get lost for awhile, have fun!