Bracelets Celestial Necklaces Patriotic

Fourth of July Glass Noodle Jewelry Set 2013

Fourth of July Glass Noodle Jewelry Set 2013Fourth of July Glass Noodle Jewelry Set 2013

Curved glass tube beads combined with assorted white beads assembled for glass noodle necklace and glass noodle bracelet.Red, White and Blu Glass Noodle Stretch Bracelet

Noodle bead necklace is comprised of red and blue glass noodles intermingled with four styles of white beads strung on wire, along with white glass shield-shaped beads (striped red and blue). Noodle beads have silver-color flecks. Some white beads are new components and others are “upcycled”, with some being glass, stone or possibly ceramic/porcelain. (Since not certain of all white bead materials, including this item in “Mystery” category. Further below, see bead pictures [shield-style beads (1) and white bead styles (3)], some showing beads’ design or natural flaws.)

Silver-plated large-hole spacer bail with clear rhinestone star charm used as pendant.Large-Hole Spacer Bail with Rhinestone Star

Necklace finished with silver-plated or silver-finished wire protectors, crimp beads, crimp covers, jumprings and a lobster-claw clasp.

Noodle bead bracelet is comprised of blue and red glass noodle beads separated with white beads on stretch cord.

Red, White and Blue Necklace Length: 24” (approx.)

Red, White and Blue Stretch Bracelet Size: 7” (approx.)

I assembled one Fourth of July jewelry set (patriotic necklace/patriotic bracelet set) in this design.

PRICE: $16.00 (set)

(Ships USPS Priority Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Shield-shaped Glass Beads3-Side White NuggetWhite Nugget with Natural FlawsWhite Rectangle Bead

Earrings Necklaces Sets Shark Tooth

Mako Shark Tooth Necklace Earring Set

Mako Shark Tooth Necklace Earring SetMako Shark Tooth Necklace Earring Set

After wire-wrapping three, white Mako shark teeth with red-coated wire, I assembled one as a pendant and used the others as dangles on kidney-hook earwires. Pendant tooth is approximately 22x16mm. Earring teeth approximately 17x14mm.

Wire-wrapped shark tooth pendant and large-hole faceted beads(2, white glass…and 4, crystal glass [2 - red/2 - clear]) added to red and white cord (2mm dia. Approx.). Red has glitter effect. Cord glued into cord ends. I purchased cord at a clearance sale, and the several price tags covered material information. When attempted to remove tags, tore the paper. I’m good. LOL! (Not certain of cord material, so this item included in “Mystery” category.)Wire-wrapped Mako Shark Tooth Pendant

All findings (bail, hook clasp, cord ends and jumprings) are silver-plated.Mako Shark Tooth Earrings

All components in Mako shark tooth necklace and Mako shark tooth earrings are new.

I assembled one Mako shark tooth jewelry set in this design.

PRICE: $14.00

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Animals

Thieving Squirrel

Thieving Squirrel

I enjoy feeding wild birds a variety of seed, so I purchase four types of wild bird seed bags. One mixture attracts smaller birds, like finches and sparrows. Another type attracts not only the small birds, but also larger birds, like cardinals, blue jays and mourning doves. I buy a special blend of bird seed containing nuts and berries, and purchase a bag of black sunflower seeds because cardinals love them. From these four bags, I create my own mixture of wild bird feed.

Anyone who feeds wild birds knows that the seeds, nuts and berries also attracts squirrels. Most bird feeding enthusiasts don’t like squirrels stealing feed from the birds. Me? Well, I don’t mind thieving squirrels. If they are brave enough to venture from the woods and skirt around my three curious horses, and smart enough to evade possible attacks from one or more of my seven dogs, then they earn my respect and deserve some bird food.

Recently during a rain storm, I saw a squirrel (think, a fox squirrel) in one of my small, wire-mesh bird feeding trays atop an old, metal, album-holder stand (yes, holder sections are cut-out). Guess that ‘ol squirrel was intelligent enough to know my dogs don’t like going outside in the rain. Anyhoo, I grabbed my pocket camera and started taking photos. As I inched closer and closer to the rain-slicked sliding glass door, the squirrel took notice, but my appearance didn’t seem to faze it too much, since it continued eating. I took quite a few photos. For your viewing pleasure on this site only, further below are three of the photographs (“Squirrel Bird Seed” [1,2 & 3] Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork, All Rights Reserved Worldwide). One or more of the photos may have been cropped, enhanced and manipulated in a photo-editing software program.

Hope you like the thieving squirrel as much as I do.

Have a squirrely day!

Patricia

 

Squirrel Bird Seed 1Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork

 

Squirrel BirdSeed 2 Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork

 

Squirrel Bird Seed 3 Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork

 

Body Jewelry Hand

Hand Charm Captive Bead Rings

Hand Charm Captive Bead RingsHand Charm Captive Bead Rings are 316L surgical steel (7/16”/16g), enhanced with red cubic zirconia and hand charm dangles.

I attached antiqued silver-plated pewter hand charms (18x14mm) using silver-plated jumprings.

Fatima-style hand charm has decorative front. Back is flat, with pitted texture.

All components in these stainless steel captive bead rings are new.

I assembled two captive bead rings in this design.

PRICE: 6.00 (each ring)

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Body Jewelry Christian

Rhinestone Cross Belly Ring

Rhinestone Cross Belly RingRhinestone Cross Belly Ring is a double-gem 316L surgical steel naval ring with a fancy cross dangle.

Antiqued silver-finished pewter cross charm (23x11mm) enhanced with clear Aurora Borealis Czech glass rhinestones.  Attached cross charm to a 14g stainless steel belly ring using a silver-plated jumpring. Top gem has Aurora Borealis quartz appearance, and bottom gem is white, resembling opal (my opinion).

All components in this Christian-themed belly ring are new.

I assembled one cross belly ring in this design.

PRICE: 12.00

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Body Jewelry Christian

Antiqued Silver-Finished Cross Belly Ring

Antiqued Silver-Finished Cross Belly RingAntiqued Silver-Finished Cross Belly Ring is a double-gem 316L surgical steel naval ring with a cross dangle.

I attached an antiqued silver-finished pewter cross charm (18x11mm) to a 14g stainless steel belly ring using a silver-plated jumpring. Belly ring gems are dark blue.

All components in this Christian-themed belly ring are new.

I assembled one cross belly ring in this design.

PRICE: 10.00

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Animals Spring

Motion Light Nestlings

Motion Light Nestlings

Several weeks ago, a bird (think an Eastern Pe-wow) built a nest atop our front porch motion light. Not too long after, I heard chirping and saw four nestlings. I took a couple of nest photos using a small pocket camera. The photos (further below) were cropped, enhanced and manipulated in photo-editing software program. You can see a couple of the baby bird heads – one in particular looks like it has a fuzzy ‘Mohawk’. Heheheh.

One late afternoon, I watered potted plants on the front porch and frightened the nestlings. They took flight, and I freaked, thinking one of my seven dogs (all outside at time) might make a meal of one or more…if any were to fail and fall to porch or ground. But thankfully, the fully-feathered birds flew, with two reaching nearby tree limbs, another landing in a large bush, and the last…on the roof. I brought the dogs inside and hoped the birds would survive out of the nest.

My husband wanted to remove the nest, but I talked him out of it, hoping the birds would return or another bird use the nest for egg-laying. The nestlings never returned, but another bird (again, possible Eastern Pe-wow) is nesting in the nest. So, may have more nestlings soon.  :0)

All images below are for viewing pleasure on this site only and each “Baby Birds Nest” (1, 2 or 3) is Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, even though not the best of quality. Maybe with the next batch of nestlings, I’ll get better photos, and maybe one of the mother, too.

Enjoy Spring until Summer arrives.

Patricia

Baby Birds Nest 1 Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork

Baby Birds Nest 2 Copyright 2013 Patricia Spork

Baby Birds Nest 3 Copyright Patricia Spork

Body Jewelry Christian

Epoxy Cross Belly Ring

Epoxy Cross Belly RingsEpoxy Cross Belly Ring is a double-gem, 316L surgical steel, 14g naval ring with a cross dangle.

I attached a silver-plated brass double-side epoxy cross drop (15x9mm) to each stainless steel belly ring using a silver-plated jumpring.

All components in these Christian-themed belly rings are new.

I assembled four epoxy cross belly rings (one each of red, pink, blue and purple). At the time of this posting, only Red, Pink and Blue are available.

PRICE: 10.00 (each belly ring)


COLOR :

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Botanical Christian Mystery Necklaces

Dogwood Flower Cross Necklace

Dogwood Flower Cross NecklaceDogwood Flower Cross Necklace has an antiqued gold-plated pewter cross pendant (57x32mm) on a gold-tone color chain (2mm dia. approx.). Chain stock is “upcycled” from a three-strand necklace purchased at a garage sale. This particular chain appears to be a cable chain. Chain cleaned in an antibacterial solution prior to assembling this Christian necklace.  Since I’m not certain about chain material or finish, this item will be added to the “Mystery” category.Antiqued Gold-Plated Cross Pendant with Flower Design

Cross pendant’s flower design reminds me of a Dogwood tree bloom, so that’s why I entitled this blog post “Dogwood Flower Cross Necklace”. Front of pendant is slightly raised. Back of pendant is indented. I attached pendant to chain using a gold-plated jumpring, and finished chain ends with gold-plated jumprings and circular clasp. Clasp, pendant and jumprings purchased new.

Necklace Length: 23” (approx.)

I assembled one cross necklace in this design.

PRICE: $10.00

(Ships USPS First Class Mail to U.S. Residents only.)

Book Reviews

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers – Book Review

CSFSInsp4WrtrsPSpork13Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers: 101 Motivational Stories for Writers – Budding or Bestselling – from Books and Blogs
Authors: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark & Susan M Heim
ISBN: 978-1-61159-909-1
Publisher: Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC
PP. 416

“Chicken Soup for the Soul®” herald’s its 20th anniversary with another informational and inspirational book for writers. “Introduction” is by Brad Meltzer – a New York Times bestselling author. Contributors include poets, bloggers, editors, columnists, journalists, freelance writers, award-winning writers, and other bestselling authors. Writer advice and encouragement provided in 101 personal essays compiled in eleven chapters: “Facing My Fears”; “A Little Help from My Friends”; “Making Time to Write”; “Take My Advice”; “Wrestling with Writer’s Block”; “The Healing Power of Words”; “Mentors Who Mattered”; “Reflections on Rejection”; “Finding Inspiration”; “Try, Try Again”; and, “Writing Changes Lives”.

Celine and Me by Jenna Glatzer explains how a newspaper article led to writing a celebrity’s biography. The Day I Turned Scarlet by Kathleen Gerard acknowledges no one is ever too old for writing workshops. Seeing My Way to Success by Janet Perez Eckles describes how a retinal disease did not obliterate writer goals.

Will Write for Crab Cakes by Roz Warren and Janet Golden highlights advantages of having a writing partner. Complementary Attraction by Cathi LaMarche shares the chance encounter with her soul mate at a critique group. It Worked for Me by Arlene Rains Graber supplies writer retreat plans for uninterrupted writing time.

Stickler for Details by Melissa Face stresses the importance of fact-checking. A Time (Not) to Write by Christopher Allen issues comfort for writers not writing. Stories Along the Way by T.J. Banks reveals how stories and characters “give voice to all the grief, pain and loneliness” (p. 183) after the loss of a loved one.

Making the Story My Own by Diane Hurles differentiates reporting a story and living a story. A Writer’s Vow by James C. Magruder helps answer the question ‘give up or not’ when related to writing a novel. It’s a Poem by Raymond P. Weaver inspires dedication to a lifetime of writing.

Paying the Price to Be Published by Robert B. Robeson emphasizes “Nothing is wrong with fear unless it rules you.” (p. 341). Finding Aricia Fleurimond by Rachel Wallace-Oberle justifies the purpose of some writers “to give dignity and voice to the voiceless” (p. 365).

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark and Susan M. Heim deliver a superb compilation with  “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers”. Quality contributions (complemented with a quote or proverb beneath each title) in the professionally designed and bound soft-cover book provides a pleasant reading experience. Lay-out is to be commended, since “Contents”, “Meet Our Contributors”, and “Meet Our Authors” aid in locating stories, contributors’ short biographies and authors’ information; “Thank You” is directed to writers of  rejected stories and professionals involved in the book’s publishing process; and “Share With Us” contains “Chicken Soup for the Soul” submission and contact information.

I very highly recommend “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers” to anyone interested in writing or the writing life, and especially to any writer in need of “Muse” reboot.

Patricia Spork, poet and author
http://patriciaspork.com/

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NOTE -  Compensation: Review copy of book.

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