Did someone say cupcake?

This weekend was the Alice in Wonderland-themed trunk show in Sioux Falls. I had such a lovely time! My family helped by baking mini cupcakes the morning before the show. Little did we know that two cake mixes would make 200+ cupcakes. My mom, aunt, and sister-in-law had a mini production line going that morning while I flew around the house trying to wrap up the rest of the show preparations. They were truly my lifesavers that morning! In spite of the fact that the cupcakes were a hit, we had LOTS of leftovers. I must have had at least 40 cupcakes throughout the course of the weekend. I'm still dreaming of cupcakes.



I love using vintage pieces in my displays. This sweet hankerchief box is the size and weight of an old wooden cigar box. My boss gave it to me for my birthday this year. Does she know me or what?

We served tea and pink lemonade. The lemonade was made with some kind of mix, real lemon slices, then strawberry syrup was added to create the perfect blend for a hot summer day. My aunt let me borrow this yellow tea pot, which was my great-grandma's.

I've been using lots of found objects in my jewelry this summer, including Scrabble tiles, dominoes, bingo pieces, typewriter keys, and metal numbers.

My neice visited me 3 different times throughout the weekend. She was sooo excited to visit the tea party that she put on her pink dress, put a bow in her hair, and had on her fancy shoes. When taking the photo, instead of "Cheese!" we said "Tea party!"

I drank lots of pink lemonade, my family helped me make (and eat!) LOTS of cupcakes, a friend called me to wish me good luck with my show, I got to take a road trip with my sweetie, and my sister and boyfriend took good care of our dog while we were away. A good weekend, indeed.

I was anxiously awaiting an order for 60 feet of chain today from the jewelry findings supplier I've been ordering from for 6 years. I opened the package, and much to my surprise, I received 5 feet of chain today instead of 60. Sixty inches.

I called, and they're supposed to be overnighting my order to Sioux Falls tomorrow, just a day before my show. I thought I'd spend some time on the drive attaching chains to necklace charms, but I guess I'll roll with the punches and do that tomorrow in Sioux Falls instead. I almost peed my pants when I first realized what was inside the box, then I laughed, because sometimes it's just humorous. I order spools of chain 10 times a year, but the ONE time a year I absolutely need it, the order is wrong. It's like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife.

In other news, Becki's coming by to watch Koda over the next 5 days. P.S. Here's our page on the Easter Seals website- please join our team! You can run as part of the marathon relay team- one person does 8 miles, and the rest break up into 5-mile and 4-mile increments. Spicy 2007 Relay team, anyone? :)

My sister Becki is busy these days scaling tall mountains, training for marathons, and working as the organizer the team running the Denver Marathon to raise $15,000 for the Easter Seals Day Stroke Program. Normally, you just run the Denver Marathon as a challenge to yourself, but when Becki started working with stroke survivors this past year, I could tell she was immediately inspired by the people at the program. The first story I remember Becki telling me was about a woman named Emily who had a stroke at 32, two days after she gave birth to her first child, a baby boy. After her stroke, one of Emily's first goals was to be able to hold her baby. Becki was in awe at the strength and courage Emily (and others at the program) held, and she soon started thinking about making this race about more than us reaching the finish line.

Becki made lots of phone calls and sent lots of emails, and after a lot of hard work, she finally got the stroke program approved as one of Denver Marathon's official Denver Marathon-recognized chartible organizations. She said that there are so many things out there that would improve the rehabilitation of the people she works with, but as is the case with many programs like this, there are always budget limitations.

In any case, my original purpose for writing this was because Becki came over to help me with my last-minute trunk show preparations tonight- in the midst of her busy schedule! Until I'd become a regular runner these past few months, I had NO idea of the time and commitment it takes to be active on a regular basis. I'm proud that she took on the job of being team organizer, and look forward to having more time to focus on the fundraising once I get back in town. Apparently I don't like relaxing, because I've decided that I'm going to have a Moonwater Designs jewelry auction to benefit the stroke program. Stay tuned!

Here's a sneak peek at some of the charms I've been working on for my upcoming Alice in Wonderland-themed trunk show in Sioux Falls next week.

Happy National Ice Cream Day!

In the photo below, I'm enjoying my favorite flavor, mint chocolate chip. What's your favorite?

Bambi, Golden Retriver/Siberian Husky Mix, Sioux Falls Humane Society

Every once in awhile, I venture out to the local humane society websites. I never thought I'd be this type of person, but every so often (okay, QUITE often) I comb the various local websites and inevitably find that a new dog has captured my heart. Sometimes it's the look on their face or their coloring- a patch of color over one eye gets me every time. A lot of times their story gets me- I want to rescue a dog that has previously known a life of abuse or neglect and show them how wonderful a dog's life can be. If I didn't live in a 1-bedroom apartment, I'm just sure I would have dog(s) right now. A gaggle of them.

For example, how cute is Bambi and her little tongue?

My day started with a 2-mile run with my favorite furry running pal, Koda. It's so great having him around. On days that I don't feel up to jogging, one look at Koda and I know there's a reason for me to lace up my running shoes. I often tell him- out loud- what a great running buddy I've got in him! No matter what time of day, rain or shine, even if he's napping, he's ALWAYS happy to go for a run. He jogged with me this winter when it was snowing outside, and he helped me get fresh air last year during times when I felt like holing up in my little apartment.

After our run today, I went to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival with Brandon. We enjoyed some art fair food, which included a skewer of fruit drizzled in chocolate. At the same booth, they offered frozen cheesecake on a stick. For those of you who don't know Brandon very well, he doesn't eat vegetables, and he LOVES dessert. He's especially fond of cinnamon rolls, strawberry rhubarb pie, and cheesecake. There's a quote out there that says, “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” Brandon embraces this philosophy to the fullest. He got some frozen cheesecake on a stick today, which I feel might be only a step up from deep-fried Snickers. For the record, Brandon's never had a deep-fried Snickers, but if given the opportunity, he says he would go for it.

Since Brandon accompanied me to an outdoor antiques flea market last weekend and the art fair this weekend, I told him I'd go to a movie with him. He's been wanting to see Die Hard and Transformers since seeing previews months ago, so he was kind enough to choose the lighter of the two today- Transformers. I was more of a fan of My Little Ponies and Care Bears back in the day, so was a bit nervous about seeing the movie. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself laughing and entertained throughout much of the movie.

Plus, I definitely prefer this guy over Bruce Willis.

This artist's work is amazing! She's going to be at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver this weekend, so it will be fun to check out her paintings in person.

I need some artwork for my office, and am doing everything I can to prevent buying up a series of prints in lieu of groceries this week. I mean, we have a 4-pack of Ramen Noodles in our cupboard, in addition to a bunch of random pasta insta-packs that we just never get around to eating. It's not like I'd technically be starving.

Happy Independence Day! It was a low-key holiday for us here. I often take advantage of days off to catch up on jewelry, then find myself sad right before bedtime when I realize that I didn't take in any fireworks or partake in holiday festivities of any sort. I barely took time to drink in the sunny day today- boo.

What is keeping me from enjoying fresh air? I have an inquiry from a shop in New Hampshire, so spent a bunch of time working on putting together a new line sheet, or a mini catalog if you will. I also completed 10 necklaces in preparation for the upcoming trunk show in Sioux Falls. We're having an Alice in Wonderland themed jewelry show, where I'm introducing a new line of Alice-inspired charms as well as my regular collection. I'm trying to put together around 100 new charms, and so far I've got almost 20 completed. My goal is to make an average of 5 charms per day for the next few weeks, which sounds not so bad- until I remember that I need time for sleeping, eating, working, cleaning, running, and saying hi to my boyfriend and dog every once in awhile. It will be a busy July, and will end with a trip back home for the trunk show.

Indulge me- what was your favorite thing about your Fourth of July? I want to live vicariously through you. :)

31!

My day started with an early morning run with my sister Becki. Today begins week 4 of half-marathon training, and this week we start out with a 6-mile run. This is the longest I've ever run, and to be accomplishing such a thing at 31- especially considering that my younger self wouldn't have done something like this- makes me happy. My knees are trying to remind me that I'm officially in my 30's now, so I'm going to stretch more this week and perhaps mix up my cross-training a bit, meaning I should really stop walking 27 flights of stairs on my lunch break at work because my knees are seemingly rebelling. I could also probably use some new running shoes, as my Nikes have been around for years now.

Yesterday, my birthday wish was to go to the Sweet William Market, an outdoor antique and art market. Brandon and Koda humored me, braving the summer heat as I wandered around discovering treasures like old skeleton keys, Scrabble tiles, teacups and saucers, and vintage metal hardware keyholes. There was an amazing selection of vendors, and I'll surely have to visit again on the last Saturday of the month throughout the rest of the summer. There's something amazing about finding something that makes your heart sing. I felt like I was really in my element yesterday. When I bought the two skeleton keys, the booth owner told her friend, "These would make neat necklaces." She then turned to me and asked what I was going to do with the keys. I told her that I've got an Alice in Wonderland themed trunk show coming up this summer, and that I was indeed going to make them into necklaces. She said she was glad they were going to a good home, then showed me her soldered necklace with a button sandwiched between two pieces of glass. A kindred spirit!

After our run today, we came home and showered, then met Becki and Pat for a lovely birthday brunch at my favorite breakfast spot a few blocks from our apartment, then enjoyed cake and ice cream back at our apartment. Brandon got me a lovely birthday cake and even sang a solo "happy birthday" in front of the group, per my request. He humors me, and it makes me love him!

I was exhausted after this morning's run, so we relaxed in the air conditioning today, and I had the best birthday nap ever.