What's Your Motivation??

I've recently come to realize that not having a job has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with. Since I was sixteen, I've never gone longer than two weeks between jobs and, at times, I worked up to three jobs at once (in addition to a full course load in college). Needless to say...I like to work!!! My work life has always come very easy to me and not having something to get up for every day has been really tough. Luckily, I was raised as a Christian and I believe in God so I know that there is a reason for everything...I can't imagine not having that knowledge and comfort to see me through!!

Aside from that knowledge, one of my biggest motivators has always been music and that has never been more true over these past few months. Here are a few of the bands I can't live without lately (of course, these are just a few of the many)!!!


Kings of Leon



Nouvelle Vague



Zero 7



Armin Van Burren (this isn't the album cover but I really like this photo!)



Koop



Emiliana Torrini


So I want to know, What's Your Motivation!!! Leave me a comment...I love feedback!

Christmas Fantasy of Gifts!

Okay, it's been quite a while since I've blogged and today I want to change that! This weekend, I will be participating in the annual Christmas Bazaar at the grade school that I attended...I'm both excited and a little nervous just for the fact that I'm not sure who I'm going to run into ;). So, if you're in the south suburbs of Chicago, stop by and see us!! Here is a link to the school's website and here is a picture of the little school where I spent my formative years!!



Hope to see some of you there!!

Puppy Love...

I just had to share the pictures of my parent's new puppy!! His name is Jake and he's a Golden Retriever who is a little over three months old. He is the sweetest, most well-behaved little guy, (at the moment) is already house trained and can sit on command. He has his first "puppy socialization class" tonight and I can't wait to hear all about it! What do you think?!?!?!?

What he does best!




Don't you just wanna hug him?!?!?!?

I'm Back!

So, I'm back from vacation...sorry for the long absence but it usually takes a while to get into the swing of things when I've been gone! I'm happy to say that I had a delightful time while away and thought I'd share some pictures with you all...(they're probably not that interesting...just bear with me)!!

We stayed at a rental beach house with a private section of beach...it's not the nicest place on earth but it's cozy and we always have a great them there! Here was the view from the back deck



And here is a view looking down the beach...my nephew and his grandma are walking away...



The kids had a great time, we played at the beach, built some sandcastles (or tried to build some) and went to the zoo. Here are a few of the pictures we took at the Michigan City zoo:


It was super hot that day...I felt so bad for this poor reindeer!




The otter tank had a clear glass or acrylic tube running through it that the kids could crawl through. The otters would swim underneath and on top of you...it was pretty neat (and a big hit with the kids!)


We climbed up to the top of a super tall observation tower...by the time we reached the top, I thought I was seriously going to have a heart attack!


but the view was pretty nice...



and we had fun!!


Of course, we couldn't go to the beach without taking a trip to New Buffalo, Michigan for some Redamack's (best burgers ever!!!!!)


and a perfect ending to the week...Oinks Ice Cream! The whole place is literally covered in pigs (no real one's, of course!). Don't ask me what pigs have to do with ice-cream...it works for this place though!



That's pretty much it...it was kind of nice not having internet the whole week, but I promise I will be back to my regular posting (or as close to it as possible)!!

Friday Flickr Find

So today, I decided to do the Friday Flickr Find a little bit differently after I saw this fun little game on Ivey Handcrafted. I used the Mosaic Maker to put together a combination of photos culled using a random grouping of questions. Here are my answers:

1. Jen 2. Ice Cream 3. Illiana 4. Green 5. Christian Bale 6. Margarita 7. Santorini 8. Cake 9. Mommy 10. Sleep 11. Ambitious 12. JLC Studio

Try it for yourselves!!
The rules are as follows:
Type the answers to the following questions into Flickr search.
Using only the first page, pick one image.
Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fds mosaic maker.

1. what is your first name?
2. what is your favorite food?
3. where did you go to high school?
4. what is your favorite colour?
5. who is your celebrity crush?
6. favorite drink?
7. dream destination?
8. favorite dessert?
9. what you want to be when you grow up?
10. what do you love most in life?
11. one word to describe you?
12. your Flickr name?

Don't forget to give credit!! 1. “Circled” (detail), 2007, paper, by Jen Stark, 2. Good News Ice Cream!, 3. Number 1, 4. Green on Green, 5. Christian Bale, 6. Ritas, 7. OIA, handmade houses, 8. Cake, 9. baby SATs: mommy is to Eve..., 10. Her Art of Sleep, 11. green up, 12. My Pretty Sister!

4th Of July

Well...I hope you all had a wonderful 4th!! I've been lazy with my posts and have a feeling that I will be sporadic over the next couple of weeks as I'm leaving for the beach on Sunday!!!!! I can't wait!!

Meanwhile...here are some pictures from my 4th celebrations. I was on a couple of rooftops and highly recommend it if you get the chance to watch fireworks from up on high.

On the third, I went to a party on the North side...here's a picture of our view (forgive the quality...I took it with my phone).

On the fourth, I hung out with my very best friend at her place on the south side. At night, it was yet another rooftop where we watched a spectacular display of fireworks being set off in the neighborhood all around us. It was a little scary, but awesome at the same time.


This is the view from the rooftop on the south side.


And here is a photo of some of the display. Too bad you can't hear it...I think they were setting off sticks of dynamite...seriously!

Otom

I thought I'd share one of the projects I worked on recently in my day job. We finished a fabulous and chic restaurant last fall and I have to say, I love how it turned out!! My favorite feature is the striped walls and draperies which were custom made by our fabulous drapery workroom. The name of the restaurant is Otom and they serve American food which, I can say from experience, is absolutely delicious. The restaurant was just featured on the cover of Chicago Magazine as one of the Best New Restaurants in Chicago. Here are some photos from that publication as well as some of our own. What do you think?!?!

Show Madness

So my very first handmade show was fabulous!! I didn't do too bad for my first time out and my new shell bracelets and earrings were a huge hit!! My wonderful sister helped me to prepare everything, set up and sell...thanks sis!! I shared a tent with a couple of fantastic Chicagoan's and met a lot of really cool people. Here are some pictures of my table as well as me and my sis, check out my Flickr for more!! Aside from the fact that my sis and I got massive sunburns, the show was awesome!!

Table set up before the show began.

Posing for the camera...I'm on the left, my sister's on the right.

A close up of the display, kind of hard to see here but the shell bracelets and earrings are on the top rows. I hope to get them listed in my Etsy shop before the end of the week!

Here's a pic of the earring cards featuring pressed Czech glass earrings.

Our tent...check out the fabulous table skirt my uber-talented Mom made for me...she's the best!!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who came out...you're all the best!! Also, thanks to all my blogger friends for the well wishes and support!

Next up on the agenda is a home jewelry party at my sister's house. Those of you in the area will be receiving (or have already received) an Evite invitation to the event so keep your eyes peeled and check your inboxes! Thanks again to my fabulous Sis...couldn't have done it without ya!!!

Workin It...

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...I took the last few days off of blogging to work on jewelry...it was actually pretty nice to be able to just forget about the computer for a while and concentrate on my craft (this is the first time I'm even turning my computer on since last Thursday!)! But I'm back!!! I got soooo much done this weekend with a lot of help from my sis and I thought I'd share a little "sneak peek" at the new items we've been creating.

First off...I'm super-excited about the custom gift boxes we've been making which will be for sale at the show this weekend!!! They're like the cutest things ever (not that I'm biased or anything) and feature Amy Butler paper with coordinating gros grain ribbon ties. We're going to be offering them in square earring and bracelet boxes as well as necklace boxes (I don't have a picture of those yet!). Here's a little taste of the many (many, many) boxes we worked on this weekend:


Aside from the boxes, I got about fifty different jewelry pieces made including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I'm especially excited about the shell elements I've been using...they totally add a huge pop of color to my line and I've been wearing them non-stop! Here's a little peek (sorry about the picture quality-hee hee):



I also received the "map" of the Antique Market and a little bit more info on where our booths will be. It looks like we've got a great location-right next to the entrance to the indoor exhibits (we'll be set up in tents in the spaces highlighted in pink).



I've only got one more day of work to get through this week before I have three days off!!! I NEVER take vacation, and, of course when I do finally take some days off it's to WORK! Typical ;) I hope to catch up on all your blogs during the time I have off so look for me in blogland girls!!

Things I'm Thankful For-81-100

Me and my nephew...

So I realize that I didn't post all 100 things I'm thankful for...(last week was insane!) But here it is, the final 20!!

81. My mommy!! Happy Mothers Day Mom!!
82. My new iPhone!!
83. Getting a great present from my sister...thanks sis!
84. Getting lots of jewelry made this weekend...(again-thanks sis!)
85. A new haircut!
86. A talented mom who is able to sew!
87. My cousin's safe delivery of her third baby last week (after numerous complications).
88. Getting to go to the Cubs game this week (for free!)
89. The special birthday song that was sung to me by my nephew...cutest thing ever!
90. Getting my Etsy orders in the mail...it' like Christmas!
91. The month of May!
92. Getting pampered :)
93. Getting flowers.
94. Design magazines, books and blogs (I've found so many inspiring things reading others' blogs).
95. Being totally caught up on my laundry.
95. Going to the movies with friends.
96. My Dad...thanks for the fun time this weekend!
97. The fact that the Sex and the City movie is only two weeks away!!
98. My bloggin buddies!
99. For every day that I am given!
100. The fact that I have been so blessed by God with a terrific family and fabulous friends!

Friday Flickr Find

This weekend is Mothers Day and I plan on celebrating with my own mom (love you mommy!!)...I thought it fitting to do today's flickr find on mothers and children (or grandmothers and children). I even added a little extra something in honor of my own mother and grandmother. Happy Mothers Day Mom!!! I love you so much!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Self Portrait Artist Interrupted, originally uploaded by Haggis Chick.

any camera will do, originally uploaded by JoeFriday.

Me and my Grandma, originally uploaded by JLC Studio.

my son gives me strength, originally uploaded by horizontal.integration.

Day 51: "Might as well jump. JUMP !", originally uploaded by Gods Emerald.

A message from God on Mother's Day., originally uploaded by cameosteph.

Mother and Bride, originally uploaded by RiseFromObscurity.

mom and me, originally uploaded by Sara Heinrichs (awfulsara).

beautiful lady with her son, originally uploaded by mystiquecreation.

Mommy Shoes, originally uploaded by Gods Emerald.

Three Generations, originally uploaded by JLC Studio.

Daughter & Mom, originally uploaded by elieserleao.

happy mother's day, originally uploaded by deborah lattimore.