These are blue crystal earrings that I made last night and I'm not happy about the lighting. Improvements will be made. So, we're off to get some new lights and maybe a new setting for the camera.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
When we need help, we ask for it
George and I have decided that we will visit the photography shop tonight and work on setting up a better photo studio here at home for my jewelry. Using the lights we have, a lot of my photos of jewelry are not coming out the way I want them to, and some are very disappointing. It may have only to do with better lighting, or it may have to do with some setting on the camera that I am not using right. I never really thought that it would make so much difference, but when taking pictures of these tiny sparkly earrings, with all the different stones, it really does make a huge difference. Right now the lighting is coming out "orangey" and some times, it just doesn't catch features at all. My black crystal earrings came out like little back holes in the photo, and my red glass earrings look dark and dull. The earrings are so pretty and sparkly and the photos are just very dull. Time for some re-thinking and re-working of this part of the Ebay process. They warn you in the beginning that good photos are 90% of it, and I do believe they are right. So,...we're off tonight to ask for help and get some lessons in photography.
We are sending some money to the Red Cross to help those poor people in the Gulf Coast. I can't help thinking about the thousands that are stuck in that hot superdome, surrounded by water and in need of clean bathrooms. They probably never drempt it would be so bad when they lined up to go in, and now most have no place to go home to. It is so sad. Those of us who have it so good need to help others who don't,...and I'm just very grateful this morning for all that I have, and the people in Louisiana and Mississippi are going to need help for a long long time to come. This really is out US Tsunami, and now we are all going to have to pitch in to help where we can.
On that cheerful note, have a great day, and we'll stick together and help each other and pray for those people who have lost everything.
We are sending some money to the Red Cross to help those poor people in the Gulf Coast. I can't help thinking about the thousands that are stuck in that hot superdome, surrounded by water and in need of clean bathrooms. They probably never drempt it would be so bad when they lined up to go in, and now most have no place to go home to. It is so sad. Those of us who have it so good need to help others who don't,...and I'm just very grateful this morning for all that I have, and the people in Louisiana and Mississippi are going to need help for a long long time to come. This really is out US Tsunami, and now we are all going to have to pitch in to help where we can.
On that cheerful note, have a great day, and we'll stick together and help each other and pray for those people who have lost everything.
Monday, August 29, 2005
New Orleans
I have written in this blog before about how much George and I love New Orleans. I had never been there before three years ago, but now I've grown to really like it there. The people are so nice, considerate and so friendly. It is a touristy kind of place, and yet people are just nice to be with. We spent Christmas there last year, and love to stay on St. Charles street by the trolley line. There are so many beautiful homes, interesting places to shop and browse, and really good restaurants. I can't even bear to think of what they look like now.
On Sunday afternoon, all George and I could do was watch the impending disaster of Katrina on the weather channel and CNN. It was awful to contemplate all those historial buildings and streets under water. On a good day, it looks like the buildings and stores in the French Quarter are held together with baling wire and chewing gum. I can't even imagine what has happend to them now. The hurricane has been there for 12 hours, and we will see on TV tonight what is left. I am so sorry for the folks who are huddled in the Super Dome, and those who chose not to leave their homes and are now are their roofs. I am here in Massachusetts hoping for the best in Louisiana.
Ebaying has taken up a lot of my time the past few days. I have sold a few pair of earrings and hope my jewelry catches on soon. It isn't a profitable venture, but I am happy if I can spread some of the glitter around.
God Bless New Orleans. See you tomorrow.
On Sunday afternoon, all George and I could do was watch the impending disaster of Katrina on the weather channel and CNN. It was awful to contemplate all those historial buildings and streets under water. On a good day, it looks like the buildings and stores in the French Quarter are held together with baling wire and chewing gum. I can't even imagine what has happend to them now. The hurricane has been there for 12 hours, and we will see on TV tonight what is left. I am so sorry for the folks who are huddled in the Super Dome, and those who chose not to leave their homes and are now are their roofs. I am here in Massachusetts hoping for the best in Louisiana.
Ebaying has taken up a lot of my time the past few days. I have sold a few pair of earrings and hope my jewelry catches on soon. It isn't a profitable venture, but I am happy if I can spread some of the glitter around.
God Bless New Orleans. See you tomorrow.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Shells from Hawaii
George brought me lots of goodies from Hawaii, and the bracelets and necklaces made with macrame and shells are just fascinating to me right now. I don't know why. This is my summer for shell jewelry I guess. I love the fact that they are very lightweight and easy to wear, and look great with summer shirts. I wear them to work and they don't interfere with typing either. He also brought dried pineapple, kona coffee and chocolate covered macadamia nuts which I will share with Michael later today. Oh, the calories.
We're off to the flying field in the salt marsh near Boston to watch George fly his remote control airplanes. Then we're off to Koreana, a favorite Korean restaurant in Cambridge for Bi Bim Bap.
What a fun weekend. I'm so happy that Mike is here.
Have a great day
We're off to the flying field in the salt marsh near Boston to watch George fly his remote control airplanes. Then we're off to Koreana, a favorite Korean restaurant in Cambridge for Bi Bim Bap.
What a fun weekend. I'm so happy that Mike is here.
Have a great day
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Michael arrives this morning!
We are going to have a very fun long weekend. Yesterday I made some earrings, and took photos of necklaces, and listed them all on Ebay. It is taking up a lot of my "free" time. When Mike gets here, he can help me make my web site a bit more interesting. Taking pictures that capture the fun and the sparkle isn't easy I've found. For now, I've cleaned up the "photo studio" so we can once again have dinner in the dining room!
We're going to have a mexican lunch, do some shopping and buy a new phone for George, go together to the grocery store to get things that look good to Michael, and then settle in for a long weekend of family togetherness. I hope that Michael gets to sit on the back deck and find time to rejuvenate a little. He needs to keep those creative juices flowing! And I have a lot of new semi-precious stones and beads to make into new jewelry.
Have a great day.
We're going to have a mexican lunch, do some shopping and buy a new phone for George, go together to the grocery store to get things that look good to Michael, and then settle in for a long weekend of family togetherness. I hope that Michael gets to sit on the back deck and find time to rejuvenate a little. He needs to keep those creative juices flowing! And I have a lot of new semi-precious stones and beads to make into new jewelry.
Have a great day.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Whale watching!
Michael is coming this weekend and the fun starts on Thursday morning when we pick him up at Logan at 11:00. We are planning to go to a Mexican place for an early dinner, and on Friday morning we will drive to Gloucester to take a whale watch cruise to Stellwagen bank. It is a three hour trip on the boat, and is lots of fun, and peaceful at the same time. I heard that the whales have been putting on quite a show this year, and I am looking forward to going. It has been at least three years since the last time George and I went on this boat trip.
Afterwards, we will go to Woodman's, home to delicious fresh seafood and lobster, and a glorified "lobster shack" that has been in Essex, MA since 1914. Gloucester was a much different place in 1914. The fishing industry has takean a huge hit and because of overfishing, we have to wait awhile to let the fish recover, if they ever do. But lobster is certainly not an endangered species and we don't have to feel bad about eating a few of those! At Woodman's, a nice size lobster will cost $25.00, so bring your wallet.
I have a short day at work today and look forward to coming home to do some beading and get some earrings ready to sell on Ebay. There is a little excitement brewing about the necklaces, and I have about five more ready to sell and will list them this weekend. Michael is going to helpme improve my new web site: www.yvonneshea.com.
A great weekend ahead---tally ho!
Have a great day.
Afterwards, we will go to Woodman's, home to delicious fresh seafood and lobster, and a glorified "lobster shack" that has been in Essex, MA since 1914. Gloucester was a much different place in 1914. The fishing industry has takean a huge hit and because of overfishing, we have to wait awhile to let the fish recover, if they ever do. But lobster is certainly not an endangered species and we don't have to feel bad about eating a few of those! At Woodman's, a nice size lobster will cost $25.00, so bring your wallet.
I have a short day at work today and look forward to coming home to do some beading and get some earrings ready to sell on Ebay. There is a little excitement brewing about the necklaces, and I have about five more ready to sell and will list them this weekend. Michael is going to helpme improve my new web site: www.yvonneshea.com.
A great weekend ahead---tally ho!
Have a great day.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Up early with the birdies
I'm off to the car dealer today to get an oil change, something that my car is begging for I'm afraid. George will follow me and take me in to work, and we will go at noon to pick it up. The drive from my office to Winchester, home to the car dealer, is very nice, and I even look forward to it. I have a new bumper sticker that I got at the Ben and Jerry's main "ice cream stand" in Waterbury, Vermont. It reads, "If it isn't fun, why do it?" In the past, I have never had a bumper sticker, but for some reason, this one hit me right, and I thought it was fun. Anyway, taking the car to the car dealer for an oil change CAN be fun, if you look at it the right way.
I have 14 necklaces and earrings listed on Ebay and I'm getting a few reponses now. It has not been a fast process, by any means, but it is catching on I think. I am going to make sterling silver earrings with semi precious stones and see how those go. I'm committed to getting my jewelry shown to others who might like it. My next "street fair" is in September. I have some new ideas. Last night was taken up with shipping, and I gift wrap everything that I sell to make it just a little special.
Have a great day and keep smiling.
I have 14 necklaces and earrings listed on Ebay and I'm getting a few reponses now. It has not been a fast process, by any means, but it is catching on I think. I am going to make sterling silver earrings with semi precious stones and see how those go. I'm committed to getting my jewelry shown to others who might like it. My next "street fair" is in September. I have some new ideas. Last night was taken up with shipping, and I gift wrap everything that I sell to make it just a little special.
Have a great day and keep smiling.
Monday, August 22, 2005
George is home!
George arrived home from Hawaii on Sunday at noon. The cab pulled up and George popped out with his luggage full of souvenirs and gifts for me. We went upstairs and he pulled out all this fantastic stuff: dried pineapple, Kona coffee, chocolate covered Macadamia nuts (uh oh), four beautiful Japanese fans, 3 live orchids to plant, lovely 14K gold and carnelian earrings,a ceramic fish and a ceramic shell candle holder and about five shell bracelets and necklaces. Am I spoiled? You bet. I'm wearing a necklace and bracelet today. I have decided I really like shell and macrame bracelets because they are light and easy to wear and don't interfere with typing. I now have a lot of them. He also brought a pillow cover for me, and one for my mom, quilted in patterns of flowers, like iris and orchids. They are quite beautiful. George worked hard to make sure he didn't miss any shops I think, and he went to Hilo Hatties so many times they are probably on a first name basis: "Hi Hattie", "Hi George". Anyway, it was lots of fun.
I am very happy to have him home. It was a hot day and humid day here on Sunday and George had quite a "to do" list. High on the list was installing the new Vonage cable phone sytem. It was not an easy job, and tech support, of course, was in India, but finally after about 3 hours George finally got all the cables right and it worked. I used my cell phone while he is was in Hawaii, because our phone service had already been disconnected and I wasn't about to try to run those cables and wires by myself. I'm really glad I didn't try.
Anyway, George is home, the birds and Thunder and I are all happy to see him safe and home again. He had a good trip, left the Hawaiians restocking their shelves, and all is good.
Have a great day.
I am very happy to have him home. It was a hot day and humid day here on Sunday and George had quite a "to do" list. High on the list was installing the new Vonage cable phone sytem. It was not an easy job, and tech support, of course, was in India, but finally after about 3 hours George finally got all the cables right and it worked. I used my cell phone while he is was in Hawaii, because our phone service had already been disconnected and I wasn't about to try to run those cables and wires by myself. I'm really glad I didn't try.
Anyway, George is home, the birds and Thunder and I are all happy to see him safe and home again. He had a good trip, left the Hawaiians restocking their shelves, and all is good.
Have a great day.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Playtime
I went to a store in Arlington, Massachusetts called Playtime today. You have to read my blog to understand what it is like to drive from my house to Arlington. I had to follow my nose, and meander through different towns and through multiple rotarys, but I got there is a relatively straight line, and was very pleased with myself. There is NO way I would be able to tell someone how to get there. Playtime is a store that has everything to do with hobbies. The only thing on my shopping list was sterling silver wire and leaf charms, but I ended up with a little bag full of beads and goodies, like I always do.
At Playtime, there are two floors, and the bottom floor is all about beads, ribbon, knitting, and who else knows what. While I was there I was able to help a very nice lady and her grand daughter pick out yarn and needles so the lady could teach her how to knit. We had a nice time picking out the right yarn for a beginner, in a color that she would like. I remember those days. It is fun to be able to help someone else learn something that has brought me so much pleasure. Knitting is my first love, but not my only love, by any means. I also found pretty tissue and ribbon to wrap the items that people buy from me: wishful thinking.
While I was there, George called from Hawaii to say it is time for him to pack up and say Aloha to his room of 10 days. He has one bed in his room at the Doubletree covered with souvenirs and gifts and it is going to be very fun to see all that he has picked out. We are both ready for each other's company. The house is too lonely and I am ready for a little ruckus around here. Thunder needs a steady hand to hold her while I brush her, and the birds outside need the tender loving care they get from George. They go through a whole liter bottle of sunflower seed every day, and are waiting for more in the afternoon. The pretty and delicate goldfinches eat much less, but I had to refill their tall bird feeder today as well. Right now, the doves are taking a bath and I'm going to watch a baseball game. We are all waiting for George to come home.
Have a great Saturday. See you tomorrow.
At Playtime, there are two floors, and the bottom floor is all about beads, ribbon, knitting, and who else knows what. While I was there I was able to help a very nice lady and her grand daughter pick out yarn and needles so the lady could teach her how to knit. We had a nice time picking out the right yarn for a beginner, in a color that she would like. I remember those days. It is fun to be able to help someone else learn something that has brought me so much pleasure. Knitting is my first love, but not my only love, by any means. I also found pretty tissue and ribbon to wrap the items that people buy from me: wishful thinking.
While I was there, George called from Hawaii to say it is time for him to pack up and say Aloha to his room of 10 days. He has one bed in his room at the Doubletree covered with souvenirs and gifts and it is going to be very fun to see all that he has picked out. We are both ready for each other's company. The house is too lonely and I am ready for a little ruckus around here. Thunder needs a steady hand to hold her while I brush her, and the birds outside need the tender loving care they get from George. They go through a whole liter bottle of sunflower seed every day, and are waiting for more in the afternoon. The pretty and delicate goldfinches eat much less, but I had to refill their tall bird feeder today as well. Right now, the doves are taking a bath and I'm going to watch a baseball game. We are all waiting for George to come home.
Have a great Saturday. See you tomorrow.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Busy day
I have been so busy today I forgot to blog. I don't work on Fridays anymore, but I manage to find a lot to do around here. Today I hit a big sale at Filene's and bought new light-weight luggage for my trip to Oklahoma. I recently bought two pieces of maroon luggage that I liked a lot--until I tried to lift it. For some reason, when packed, even if I try to pack very lightly, it is way too heavy for me. I almost could not get that bag into the trunk of the rental car. So today I bought some American Tourister called I-Lite, which hopefully will weight a lot less and wasn't too heavy on the pocketbook either. George can throw his old suitcase away now and use the maroon one. He strong like ox.
George is coming home from Hawaii on Sunday morning. He stayed over to solve a problem that occured on his project, so Thunder and I have been doing our best to take care of things. Taking care of things around here mostly consists of cleaning up after myself (and Thunder, thanks to her long white hair) and trying to figure out what I want to eat for dinner. Days ago already, I decided that I really don't like to eat my own cooking alone--so I have been out to eat two nights in a row. Tonight? Chinese food?
George, it is time for you to come home now. This is the first ripe tomato. I went out to mosey around the property today and pull a few six feet high thistles near the front door (thing's growing like a weed!) and found one huge beautiful red tomato. I was shocked! The morning glories are still climbing but have yet to bloom.
I have spent most of my free time putting my jewelry up for sale on Ebay. I also have a new blog about beading projects. Today I made these chandelier earrings and immediately took a picture. These earrings were up for sale before they were an hour old! I hope they sell. If they don't, I already know what outfit I have to wear them with.
Take care all, and have a great day.
George is coming home from Hawaii on Sunday morning. He stayed over to solve a problem that occured on his project, so Thunder and I have been doing our best to take care of things. Taking care of things around here mostly consists of cleaning up after myself (and Thunder, thanks to her long white hair) and trying to figure out what I want to eat for dinner. Days ago already, I decided that I really don't like to eat my own cooking alone--so I have been out to eat two nights in a row. Tonight? Chinese food?
George, it is time for you to come home now. This is the first ripe tomato. I went out to mosey around the property today and pull a few six feet high thistles near the front door (thing's growing like a weed!) and found one huge beautiful red tomato. I was shocked! The morning glories are still climbing but have yet to bloom.
I have spent most of my free time putting my jewelry up for sale on Ebay. I also have a new blog about beading projects. Today I made these chandelier earrings and immediately took a picture. These earrings were up for sale before they were an hour old! I hope they sell. If they don't, I already know what outfit I have to wear them with.
Take care all, and have a great day.
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