Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Art of Balance

I haven’t written in a while.  Not because nothing is happening at DeAndreaDesigns, but Life outside of DeAndreaDesigns has a way of intruding and taking over.

The Art of Balance is almost as important as the Art of Creativity.

I am finding new Respect for my Mother who was able to raise 3 kids and my Father-and ALL that that entails. Still find time to work during the day, AND find the time in the evening to relax and do her nails or read a book.  That was probably the key to her staying Sane and Grounded.

I need to be able to find that Balance.  I cannot let the Creativity slip-pieces like this need to continue.

30ct Prasiolite on ArtFire
Enough hours at the new restaurant to bridge the money gap, while still putting in enough hours at the Store to ensure consistent foot traffic, while still being able to find time for Family and Friends. Not to mention a little time for Me-but that can really wait, because once the Store is financially stable I won’t have to schedule in restaurant time...Granted there will be something else vying for those hours, but by then I should have learned to Balance Everything.

That’s what I am telling myself anyway. I wonder if Mom ever felt like this?

Friday, June 1, 2012

UGH!!

It is another First of the Month.  That means we have a new Birthstone...PEARLS.
I know I have written on Pearls in the past-as I will again in the Future, but today is not that day.
I am going to vent on the frustration of not being completely computer literate.
I know enough to use the template provided to change the look anytime that I like.
I know enough add pages, and delete pages.
I know enough to attach links where they need to be-and even get them to go where they should.
BUT that is all because of the templates provided, and not being afraid to click on links.

Asymmetric Pearls perfect for a Summer Wedding
Right now the Website is down-through no fault of my own.  Now that I am a little more rested and focused I can address the issues at hand, but I need help.  Tech Support is not returning my phone call fast enough.  So I am relying on ArtFire and Facebook to get my Designs outside of the City limits. Both good resources, but they do not have the validity of a functioning website.
I am just going to continue to clean and re-merchandise the Store.

BTW, no more overnight restaurant job.  I did find something new-during the day so I will have to find a nice balance between the two so I can make enough to bridge the gap and maintain normal, consistent business hours...Or find someone that wants to become my Patron.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

No More Complaining

You are as tired of hearing me complain about being tired as I am doing the complaining about it.

Yes, I am still doing the dreaded over night shift in the restaurant.  When I started this job/shift I thought it would be perfect because it would not interfere with me being able to have DeAndreaDesigns open normal and consistent hours. What I am finding now is that I am open my normal hours, but I sit like a Zombie, unable to concentrate on anything for more than just a few minutes. I simply cannot focus on anything-literally, my eyes go out of focus all the time when I am trying to work. The Business is starting to suffer because of it. I may be here physically in the Store, but I am not mentally or creatively.

I am done complaining for now.  
Time to take control.

I have been looking for another position-with a couple of distinct possibilities. One that will allow me to be more awake, more aware, more HERE. One that will allow me grow my Brand and allow me to take DeAndreaDesigns to the next level. 

There are so many GREAT things happening here and I don’t want to sleep through them.

Monday, April 30, 2012

I Was Asked...

I was asked the other day what my Favorite Gem to work with was.

It took me back a bit because I have never really thought about it. I always said that I LOVE ALL Gemstones, but once I started thinking about it, I tend to only work with stones that I am attracted to initially. That does not mean I choose Amethyst over Citrine, or Citrine over Amethyst, I choose what I am attracted to...

Tiny Ioloite-find me on Facebook
Two months ago I went on an Iolite kick. Last month I purchased, and wanted to work with, only Pearls.


I do only buy Stones when there is something about them that attracts me to them. That much is true. Rarely do I go out and looking for a specific stone unless it is by special request by a customer. Therefore, I do love all the Stones I work with.

Sometimes the Stones are easy to work with-I know exactly what setting I am going to use them in and everything works out on the First Chance.
Biwa-Style Pearls at DeAndreaDesigns.com
Sometimes I have to “deconstruct” a couple of times before I get it to the point that I am satisfied.  AND...
Sometimes the Stone sits and sits until a new setting emerges from the depths of my creativity pool.

I have found, however, that even with settings that I have used many times in the past when I place a different stone into one, the LOOK/FEEL/ENERGY of the Piece is changes-sometimes dramatically.
So I cannot say I love working with one stone over another, not really.  I just work with the Stones that feel right when they feel right.

At the end of the day I do tend to be more attracted to Colored Gems.

BUT...
When I think of my Wedding Ring, or look at the Stones that I have purchased for ME, there are THREE Stones that stand out.

Tsavorite Garnet and Champagne Diamonds-for my Wedding Ring. 2 Rows of 2mm Princess cut Tsavorite and 1 Row of 2mm Princess Cut Diamonds set into Platinum.

And Mexican Fire Opals.


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Yet Another First

So just when I think I have this whole running of a business down, something new pops up.

This time was Tax Season.

Citrine is known as the lucky "Merchants Stone”
I don’t know why I did not think of this when I opened DeAndreaDesigns, but Tax Season snuck up on me. Hit me over the head like a ton of bricks, and then stomped me into the ground.  Not because of some huge bill or anything.  Nothing like that. I just HATE doing things that I do not understand.

My Friends and Family would say I have a slight Control Issues.

This year, I have resigned myself to being a learning year.
Next year I will be prepared.
I will have a much better idea of what to expect.
And I will not wait until the very last minute.

But now that it is finished, I am looking forward to this weekend where I can let loose a little with Friends.  Then SLEEP without worrying about getting the Taxes finished...But I am sure there will be something else to keep me awake at night.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

EUREKA!!!!

We all know that South Africa is Famous for its Diamond Production, but did you ever wonder how they got their start?

Very innocently.



Back in 1867 a young man named Eramus Jacobs was helping his father on their farm.  Eramus was trying to unclog a water pipe when he decided to take a break under a tree.  While sitting there he noticed a rock that was just a little more shiny than the others.  He proceeded to place it in his pocket and finish working with his Father.
His Mother also intrigued by the new shiny stone, took it to a neighbor to show him.  Schalk van Niekerk offered to puchase the stone from her when he saw it.  She said no, “You can keep it”.

After seeing a number of experts and officials van Niekerk, took the stone to a notable gemologist, Dr William Atherstone. Atherstone suspected it was a Diamond when he saw it cut glass, and proceeded with further tests.  Finally declaring it a 21.25 ct brown-yellow Diamond.
The Governor of Cape Colony purchased the Diamond for roughly 500 pounds, and took it back to the U.K. with him where he had the Diamond Cut to its final size of 10.73ct.

100 yrs later, the DeBeers compnay purchased the Eureka Diamond at auction and donated it to the People of South Africa.  It is now on display at the Kimberly Mine Museum.

Such innocent beginnings for a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry.

I will always be looking for sparkly stones now-honestly I am always being distracted by bits of Sparkle.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Thank Vela for Diamonds

Another Month.
Another Birthstone.
DIAMONDS!!!

A symbol of Innocence and Purity.

But have you ever wondered how they came to be?  No, I am not talking about the geological and scientific way.  The more interesting Mythical Beginnings....

Ancient Hindu Texts tell of a Demon God, Vela, that was attacked, dismembered, and cast down upon the Earth.  It was here that the lesser Demigods stripped His bones and scattered his body parts all over the Earth.  Thus creating the whole range of Gemstones we know today.
His Eyes turned to Blue Sapphires.
His Skin Yellow Sapphires.

His Bones were ground to dust and sprinkled around the Globe to create Diamonds.
The various colors of Diamonds were imbued with distinct characteristics as well as Divine Properties.  Each color representing a different God in the Hindu Pantheon.

Innocence and Purity?
I guess destroying Evil once and for all can result in something Beautiful and Everlasting.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

DREAMING...

Last night was the MegaMillions drawing. Apparently the largest Jackpot EVER in the U.S.-and the World(?).  $640,000,000.  Yes 640 Million Dollars!!!

Yes, I did buy a couple of tickets.

Citrine and Sapphires ready for Rings
No, I did not win. I did not really expect to, but I can dream of spending ALL of my time in the Studio. 
Building a Studio in the Mountains or on the Beach-maybe both. 
Taking a class or two to learn some new technique. 
Maybe even doing a bit of traveling to find even more Exotic Gems.

But First thing I would have done-and Y’all know what it would have been?  Quit the restaurant.  
I Long for the day that I can stop waiting tables, get a good night’s sleep, and be able to focus all day without having to have notes all over the place to remind me what I need to be doing-that makes me sound so OLD...LOL

I think everyone bought at least one ticket. So we were all talking about what we would do if we won when we found out that there was at least one person somewhere that won.  
One of the customers asked me if I had checked my numbers. “Not yet, do you think I would still be standing here if I had won?”  I have  mentioned that I really do not want to wait tables anymore. Right?  LOL
He looked at me as if he did not understand.

Oh well.  As my friends and I have a habit of saying...”Suck it up, Buttercup” I am going to enjoy my next couple of days here in the Store before I have to go back to the restaurant. 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

LOVING the New DeAndreaDesigns

This week is the first full week of being open normal business hours, as well as working a normal week at the restaurant. Let me tell you that I am exhausted.  I am grateful for that extra 30 minutes that I get to spend blissfully asleep-hopefully.

I am LOVING the New DeAndreaDesigns, and looking forward to a major reduction in the need to be at the restaurant  so much.  Having moved to a Live/Work space should really help to cut some expenses.  Which in turn should reduce that need for shifts outside.

One step at a time.

Right now I am anticipating a quiet evening in the living room with a bottle of wine and a good book.  Even though, it has been 2 weeks since the move I have yet to have a night to do NOTHING except relax. I know for sure that it will happen sooner or later.

For now it is SLEEP.  STORE. DINNER. SLEEP.  RESTAURANT.  And Repeat until Saturday.

White Zircon and FineSilver Wedding Rings 
I was able to find time to do Wedding Rings for a Very Happy, Very Sweet Couple.  I don’t think that I would have been able to do that in the old space-at least no tin such a timely manner.

So it is ALL GOOD.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Style v Fashion...Part 2

Once again I am looking at Jewelry Trends.
Pearls

Not to find out what I want to Design, or even if I am Fashionable.  I am just curious to see what the Fashion Gurus are saying we should be wearing-like they know what is right for You.

I am going to say again....If You like it, and it fits Your Personality, then it is PERFECT for You.



That being said. I was fascinated to find that I am still “HIP”...LOL.

"Chandelier Earrings: Are they back? Well, small versions"
DeAndreaDesigns is not about following Trends, but finding YOUR Personal Style.

I guess Romantically Edgy and Delicately Bold One-of-a-Kind Designs never really go out of Style.


Thursday, March 1, 2012

WAITING-Yet Again

Why is it that when you want something so badly that it seems to take FOREVER???

It is rough only being a renter in a space.

This space will always have a special spot in my Heart.
I walk past my New Space Everyday-literally.
Every time I walk to the Bakery, to get Coffee, to go to the Post Office, I walk past it. I know that work is being done, because there are actually walls up now.  I just never see anyone in there.

We have been talking about this move since August.  I thought for sure I would be in for the Entire Holiday Season-starting with Halloween. It is almost St Patrick’s Day-the end of the Holiday Season.

Why can I not be in charge of the renovations? I would have made sure it were done in a timely manner. At least that is what I tell myself.

The last thing that needs to be finished is for the carpeting to be laid. I can see the carpet padding stacked on a counter-yes, I am not above peering into a window to see if anything is being done.
We have been given an actual move in date of Wednesday.
It has to be done by next weekend.  I have scheduled all the utilities to be turned off in this location and the apartment.

So next weekend the New Space will be inhabited. Let the packing and purging commence-At least I can control that.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

MOVING


Before
Another work week is drawing to a close. I won’t go on about how tired I am from working the overnight shift in the restaurant and then the Store all day.  Y’all have heard it countless times from me. It is actually starting to sound like a broken record, and I hate whining like that.

OK. On to Exciting news.

I have a move in date for the New Location.

Kitchen-or will be.

The First of March. After waiting since August, it is finally happening.  AND happening QUICKLY. 2 weeks to pack the Store and the Store, contact all the Utilities, change the address and internet providers.  It is overwhelming, but this is a GOOD overwhelming.

They still have to finish the flooring and install the kitchen appliances, but otherwise it is complete.  I am really hoping that they finish up a little earlier so that I can get the keys and set up the Store before actually moving all the furniture and everything else upstairs.

I am already planning a Grand ReOpening/House Warming Celebration.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

St. Valentine’s Day-Lupercalia

Tomorrow is the Feast of Lupercalia-a Celebration to dispelling Evil Spirits and Purification to bring about Healing and Fertility.
Amethyst Heart
 So why do we Celebrate Valentine’s Day instead?
A Day of Lover’s?
Filled with Greeting Cards decorated with Hearts and Cupids?

Pope Gelasius, in 469AD, declared 14 February as St Valentine’s Day to diminish the Pagan Holiday of Lupercalia.

Now I know that many of you believe that Valentine’s Day is the creation of the Greeting Card Industry.  While it is true that 25% of all cards sent throughout the year are Valentines, and that Valentine’s Day commercialization has resulted in Billions being spent by Lovers every year for this day alone, St Valentine’s Day has its roots firmly grounded in the 3rd Century AD.

A Roman Priest named Valentine, decided to go against the wishes of his Emperor, Claudius II, an act that resulted in his Martyrdom on 14 February, 270 AD.  Valentine was arrested for performing illegal Marriage Ceremonies for Soldiers of the Roman Empire.  Emperor Claudius II, believing that marriage would make soldiers more concerned about their wives and Family, outlawed the Institution for all soldiers. He believed that marriage would make them weak. Just when the Empire NEEDED all the strength it could muster.

Valentine disagreed with this edict and would perform the Rites of Marriage for Lovers in Secret.  Becoming known as the “Friend of Lovers”, his actions soon attracted the attention of Claudius.  He was arrested and brought before the Emperor.  Much impressed by the Priest’s Conviction and Dignity, Claudius tried to convert Valentine away from Christianity as Valentine was trying to convert Claudius away from the Roman Gods.  For his refusal to Convert, Valentine was sentenced to Death.

While in prison, Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer of blindness.  He and she became “friendly”.  Just before his execution-on the 14th of February-he wrote her a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”.

For these reasons and from that time on 14 Feb became a day for Men to send hand-written tokens of affection to their Lovers-often decorated with Hearts, Cupids and bits of Lace.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NO Bids on Teodora

Teodora remains unsold!

There were NO bids on the Massive Million Dollar “Emerald”.  I put Emerald in italics because there is question as to it’s authenticity.
Is it an Emerald that has been dyed?
Is it a common White Beryl dyed green?

The only way to know is to conduct what the Gemological Institute of America calls “destructive testing” where a piece of the stone is chipped off to test the innards of the stone.  If there were any indication of dye the GIA would issue a grading comment...
“The presence of dye prevents determining whether or not the stone would have sufficient depth of color to be considered an emerald.” 

To make matters worse, the co-owner of Teodora was arrested on outstanding warrants.

BUT if you are still mesmerized by HUGE Gems, and believe that this one is worth having in your collection it is rumored to have been listed on Ebay.
   



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

It Is Coming Along

I LOVE my hometown of Pittsburgh, and I am so glad that I have chosen to return from Seattle to open DeAndreaDesigns here.  That does not mean that I don’t miss certain things about Seattle-just like when I was there, I missed things about living here.

Future/New Home of DeAndreaDesigns
If there is one thing that I miss more than anything about living in Seattle-other than the weather-is living above a store front.  I know that sounds strange, but there was something Old-World, and Comforting about it.
I had not realized just how much I missed the idea until the opportunity for a live/work space presented itself.  Not only will my Studio Space be in my Home again, but I will be living above my Storefront...MY Storefront
Everyday it gets a little closer to being complete.I have been waiting since August, due to tie ups with permits and approvals. Changes in the design have not been easy to accept-somedays I was ready to just say “UGH” and throw my hands in the air and run away-maybe my old apt would still be available in Seattle?
But now that the space is in the process of being framed in, drywalled and painted, I can finally allow myself to accept that it WILL happen. AND SOON.
Dare I hope that it will all be complete and moved into within the month???
I would LOVE to celebrate my One Year Anniversary with a Party in the new space.
That is just me dreaming, but it would be nice.
Regardless, there will be a Celebration next month...AND one in the New Location.

Another benefit to living above the Store is that my commute to and from work-both the restaurant and the store will be cut by about 15 min each way.  That translates to about an extra hour a day to get stuff done...Gym. Cleaning. Sleeping.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Teodora-God'sGift

Are you as intrigued by large stones as I am?
What about HUGE? I actually wish I could make the font on that Bigger.
Well, if you are in Canada later this month, 28-Jan to be exact, you will have the opportunity to bid on something that NOBODY else in the World has.  On that day the World’s LARGEST Cut Emerald goes up for auction.

Weighing 57,500 ct, this watermelon sized Emerald is stunning.
57,500ct? Just how big is that?
11.5Kg.
25+pounds for those of us in the States.
AND you will only need about $1.15M-that is what it is estimated to sell for, it could easily go higher depending on who is there.

Most likely too large for a Ring or Pendant, but I am sure that Someone Special is going to be excited for Valentine’s Day.




Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Hard Work and Passion for the New Year-AGAIN

This upcoming year is going to bring a lot of the same from DeAndreaDesigns...Hard Work, Passion for what I do, and Admiration for you guys sticking with me.

Garnet wrapped in FineSilver by DeAndreaDesigns
As I was reading up on the History of this Month’s Birthstone, I discovered that Noah-yes of the Ark-used a Lantern of Garnet to guide him through the long Dark nights while adrift, Faithfully awaiting the Promise of Land and a New Beginning.

I may not have a Lantern carved of Garnet, but I do have Faith that I am on the Right Path, and am surrounded by Beautiful Garnet Jewelry.

I was going to make a list of my Resolutions and Goals for the Upcoming Year, but we are all tired of hearing how someone wants to be Financially Stable, or Lose 10 lbs...etc

I want to Thank Each and Everyone of you, my readers, from ALL over the World for following my ramblings.  I have over 2000 readers in Countries from the Far East to the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australia. 

It amazes me how You have found me.  Please continue to read what I have written, and continue to Enjoy the Jewelry that I have made.