St. Anthony Mostaccioli Madness

Mostaccioli Madness is a fund raising program runs by 8th graders St. Anthony on The Lake school. Dinner starts at 5-8 pm on Saturday, Jan 28, 2011, featuring hot piping mostaccioli with marinara sauce, meat ball, cash bar, dessert, music, silent auction and raffles.

Hope to see you there...

Waukesha Janboree today...

Despite the bitter cold, we decided to go to Waukesha Janboree...

In the morning, we started with pancake breakfast at Schuetze building.
Then, we saw the First Lego League that hubby really happy to volunteer to. The next stop is Penguin egg hunt at Cutler's park. It's fun to see small kids run around try to find eggs...

Downtown Waukesha is decorated with ice sculpture. As we drove by, we saw artist in action.
Our next stop is Lowell park. Since today is Janboree, the toboggan is free. It was our first time riding toboggan. Our 4 years old changed her mind at the last minute.

We originally plan to be at Lowell park for an hour and ended up spending 2.5 hours. We were cold and decided to fill our tummy with a bowl of chili at Chili's.

What a fun way to spend the Saturday. Look forward to next year Waukesha Janboree...

Waukesha Janboree this weekend.

Waukesha Janboree starts today. There are a lot of activities through out Waukesha area. Please check the website for brochure.

We have always love to go to Waukesha Janboree. Several activities we plan to do including all you can eat pancake breakfast at Schuetze Building, penguin egg hunt at Cutler's park and toboggan ride at Lowell park.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Janboree ...

Artisan Sterling Bib Necklace

I needed a necklace that makes a statement for an important opening reception.
I will be wearing black... so I thought sterling would be a perfect choice.

As always, I started with doodles to get some inspiration and turn it to a constructable design. The circles are arranged so that it would create an imaginary "bib"

The necklace is made from sterling silver wire, rounded, hammered and stamped to create texture. Each is connected in a segment that strung with nylon coated steel wire.

I think it turned out great and it really fits with the occasion. Wouldn't you agree?

Opening reception at The Best in Contemporary Craft

"How was the reception...", my friend Diane asked.
"It was great...!" It was my first time going there and everything is a new experience.

I got to see beautiful pieces made by fellow artists. Each has it's own characters and detail. You will be wowed with some of the piece intricate details.

I got to meet my old friends from MATC, Jon Hughett and Shelly Culea. Of course, not too miss Mary, Kimberly and Mark Huber.

I got to meet new friends, Barb Chappell and Sister Rosemarita Huebner, ssnd.
And, I got to explore the museum.

Few of my favorites including the living room size doll house, robo girl, the hidden face in a painting, pewter teapot... and some more I can't recall. Did I say a few?

It's amazing to see so many collections done by Wisconsin artists. I'm glad that somewhat I contribute a little in Wisconsin Art.

Red Coral Necklace for Kimberly Gomez of Impeccable Image

When designing a necklace, artists sometimes needs to include a person factor. Just like a clothes, you have to think if the person is going to be a petite size or a larger size.

I tend to make a small jewelry, something simple yet elegant. Kimberly Gomez from Impeccable Image needs a jewelry that make a statement. Her favorite color is red.
Big necklaces is not quite in my comfort zone. But I thought it's a great challenge for me.

Based on that requirements, I looked for red, big beads. I found coral is a perfect red, big beads. But the problem with is the beads tends to be a bit heavy. I decided to combine with different size. Just red is fine, but, if I can combine that with other color like purple, orange, or yellow, that would make the color more interesting.

Finally, I want to make something wide yet I want to avoid a double strand necklace.
By doing dangles on the necklace, it will create an imaginary line that makes the necklace looks wider on the bottom.




So, here's the picture of the necklace and the matching earrings. I think it will truly make a statement for a very sophisticated person.

PS: Kimberly is going to wear this necklace on "What's Hot" at TMJ 4, Thursday Jan 12, 2011.
Don't miss it...


Here's the link:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/features/whatshot/113498289.html?video=pop&t=a&bctid=CLIP_ID_472333

The Best in Contemporary Craft at Museum of Wisconsin Art

Meet me at Museum at Wisconsin Art for The Best in Contemporary Craft opening reception on Jan 9, 2011

A Milestone... 100th sales today

Thank you so much to 100 customers and 100% feedback. It's been a pleasure making jewelry for you. You all means a lot to me.

New years, new memories

It has been our tradition to donate our good condition, unused items to Goodwill every year. It usually happen somewhere in December, some time after Christmas. We use big boxes we got from Christmas gifts as a container for the items ( see Greener Christmas blog).

It gives us an opportunity to a "cleaner" home to prepare for new year and also close our past chapters. This year, we have a lot of children items to donate. Our baby has grown. In a way, it's good, but I also feel sad to see she's no longer a baby that would fit her baby clothes.

No more diaper bag or diaper pad needed. No more sleep sacks needed. No more baby toys needed. No more baby shoes needed. If I could, I would save most of them, but then I think someone else can use the item. So, I was torn between which ones to give out and not.

Most items are out, only a few with sentimental memories stays. Like the dress she wore when she came home from hospital, her first birthday dress and a few tiny things I hope to hand it down to her when she has her own baby...

As I was driving out from Goodwill, I had mixed feelings, leaving my old memories there, but I thought I've made a good decision.