Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Blessings,
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
A Fascination....
With cooler weather upon us, it is time to pull out the sweaters, hats, coats and scarfs. Once again, I must decide which these items will be worn another season and which will go to Goodwill. Despite the fact that I am not the cold weather girl, I am excited to be wearing my favorite pair of boots again!
As of late, my jewelry designing thoughts are consumed with a fascination for pins! It seems the perfect time of year for them, after all they bring new life to those old knits! So this week I pulled out several of my jewelry making books and began searching for ideas on making fibulas. Trying to be frugal, I started working with nickle silver wire to make prototypes, but found that the wire was wonderful to work with, it looks great, and is cost effective too!
These are some of the pins I put together this week! What do you think?
Be sure to check out the Fibula section of my shop in the coming days, I will be adding these soon!
Blessings,
With cooler weather upon us, it is time to pull out the sweaters, hats, coats and scarfs. Once again, I must decide which these items will be worn another season and which will go to Goodwill. Despite the fact that I am not the cold weather girl, I am excited to be wearing my favorite pair of boots again!
As of late, my jewelry designing thoughts are consumed with a fascination for pins! It seems the perfect time of year for them, after all they bring new life to those old knits! So this week I pulled out several of my jewelry making books and began searching for ideas on making fibulas. Trying to be frugal, I started working with nickle silver wire to make prototypes, but found that the wire was wonderful to work with, it looks great, and is cost effective too!
These are some of the pins I put together this week! What do you think?
Be sure to check out the Fibula section of my shop in the coming days, I will be adding these soon!Blessings,
Monday, October 25, 2010
From My Kitchen to Yours....
Polenta Pie
This delicious recipe came from Amy of the B-line, who shared it on her blog some time ago. It is very easy to make, and if you add a salad and some french bread you have a fantastic light dinner! Enjoy!
for the crust:
3/4 cup coarse cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold water
1 cup boiling vegetable broth or chicken broth
olive oil
for the filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
a dozen mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
fresh black pepper
1/4 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 small tomatoes, sliced
Combine the cornmeal, salt, and cold water in a small bowl, then add the mixture to the boiling vegetable broth. Whisk the mixture and cook for about 10 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently, until it gets very thick. Remove from heat and set aside until cooled.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch pie pan and add the cooled polenta mixture to it. Use a spatula (or wet hands) to form the polenta into a smooth, thick crust over the bottom and side of the pan, then brush the surface of the polenta with olive oil. Bake for 45 minutes (uncovered).
While the crust bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium sized skillet. Add the onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes, or until it begins to soften. Add the bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini, and sauté until everything is tender. Stir in the garlic and herbs and sauté for just a few minutes more.
Set the oven to broil. Sprinkle about half of the cheese onto the baked polenta crust, and then add the tomato slices. Spread the sautéed vegetables over the tomatoes and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Broil until the cheese melts and is all bubbly and browned and gooey.
Serves 4
Blessings,
Polenta Pie
This delicious recipe came from Amy of the B-line, who shared it on her blog some time ago. It is very easy to make, and if you add a salad and some french bread you have a fantastic light dinner! Enjoy!
for the crust:
3/4 cup coarse cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold water
1 cup boiling vegetable broth or chicken broth
olive oil
for the filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
a dozen mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
fresh black pepper
1/4 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 small tomatoes, sliced
Combine the cornmeal, salt, and cold water in a small bowl, then add the mixture to the boiling vegetable broth. Whisk the mixture and cook for about 10 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently, until it gets very thick. Remove from heat and set aside until cooled.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch pie pan and add the cooled polenta mixture to it. Use a spatula (or wet hands) to form the polenta into a smooth, thick crust over the bottom and side of the pan, then brush the surface of the polenta with olive oil. Bake for 45 minutes (uncovered).
While the crust bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium sized skillet. Add the onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes, or until it begins to soften. Add the bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini, and sauté until everything is tender. Stir in the garlic and herbs and sauté for just a few minutes more.
Set the oven to broil. Sprinkle about half of the cheese onto the baked polenta crust, and then add the tomato slices. Spread the sautéed vegetables over the tomatoes and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Broil until the cheese melts and is all bubbly and browned and gooey.
Serves 4
Blessings,
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Teardrops From Heaven
An eye catching necklace made with two beautiful teardrops, one an enchanting shade of turquoise blue, the other like an ice crystal. The primary bead is a smooth turquoise magnesite in a voluptuous teardrop shape. It is paired with a spectacularly faceted quartz crystal briolette. Both are wrapped with very fine sterling silver wire and suspended on a divine 18 inch sterling silver cable chain. The magnesite drop is 1-3/4 inches in length and the quartz crystal is 3/4 of an inch long.
Do not forget to take advantage of Free Shipping within the USA, offer good through January 1, 2011!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Friday, October 22, 2010
Humble Elements
Re-purposed Copper Washers and Wire
The unpretentious lines of this textured copper bracelet comes from humble elements, copper wire and simple, re-purposed copper washers! The washers are all hand forged with two different textures; dimples and tiger-like stripes! I love my texture hammers! They help me achieve interesting designs in the metal, and also assist in releasing daily frustrations!
In between each washer you will find a simple figure-eight link. These are made with heavy gauge copper wire formed by hand with round nose pliers. With just a little hand forging, they become strong and with a slight texture. The swan shaped clasp also textured for strength and interest and you can close this bracelet with just one hand!
The copper elements of this bracelet are untreated so they will develop their own unique patina over time. If you prefer your copper jewelry to remain bright and shiny, soak your bracelet in a lemon juice bath for ten minutes and it will be like new again!
This textured copper washer bracelet is 7-7/8 inches in length, perfectly made for wrists 6-1/2 to 7-1/4 inches around. If needed, additional links can be added to make the bracelet longer. Please be sure to convo me if you need any adjustments to the size!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
In between each washer you will find a simple figure-eight link. These are made with heavy gauge copper wire formed by hand with round nose pliers. With just a little hand forging, they become strong and with a slight texture. The swan shaped clasp also textured for strength and interest and you can close this bracelet with just one hand!
The copper elements of this bracelet are untreated so they will develop their own unique patina over time. If you prefer your copper jewelry to remain bright and shiny, soak your bracelet in a lemon juice bath for ten minutes and it will be like new again!
This textured copper washer bracelet is 7-7/8 inches in length, perfectly made for wrists 6-1/2 to 7-1/4 inches around. If needed, additional links can be added to make the bracelet longer. Please be sure to convo me if you need any adjustments to the size!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved Thursday, October 21, 2010
Copper Wave
A Bangle Bracelet for Petite Wrists
A very basic, yet classic copper wave bangle bracelet is especially sized for smaller wrists. This bracelet is a petite 6-1/2 inches in size and will fit wrists measuring 6 inches or smaller. It has a wonderful clasp that is easy to work with just one hand, yet is sturdy and durable to keep the bracelet on your wrist!
Please note that because the copper used in this bracelet is natural and untreated, the metal will darken with its own patina over time. If you prefer a shiny look to your copper, soak it for 10 minutes in a lemon juice bath!
Do not forget to take advantage of Free Shipping within the USA, offer good through January 1, 2011!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
From My Kitchen to Yours....
Every year I spend lots of time in the kitchen making cookies and fudge to give as Christmas gifts to family and friends. This delicious lemon bar recipe is one of my favorites because it is super simple to make and they freeze well! I will warn you, they are very rich and their wonderful intense lemon flavor (similar to lemon drop candy) is very addictive! Enjoy!
Lemon Bars
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 c. all purpose flour
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 Tbls. lemon juice
2 Tbls. flour
grated lemon rind
Cream powdered sugar, butter, 1 c. flour and pinch of salt together until crumbly. Press dough into 9 inch square greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Beat eggs slightly to blend yolks into whites. Add to the eggs: 1 c. sugar, lemon juice, remaining flour, lemon rind and blend together well. Pour egg/lemon mixture over baked crust and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top.
Blessings,
Every year I spend lots of time in the kitchen making cookies and fudge to give as Christmas gifts to family and friends. This delicious lemon bar recipe is one of my favorites because it is super simple to make and they freeze well! I will warn you, they are very rich and their wonderful intense lemon flavor (similar to lemon drop candy) is very addictive! Enjoy!
Lemon Bars
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 c. all purpose flour
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 Tbls. lemon juice
2 Tbls. flour
grated lemon rind
Cream powdered sugar, butter, 1 c. flour and pinch of salt together until crumbly. Press dough into 9 inch square greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Beat eggs slightly to blend yolks into whites. Add to the eggs: 1 c. sugar, lemon juice, remaining flour, lemon rind and blend together well. Pour egg/lemon mixture over baked crust and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top.
Blessings,
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Ready for Sweater Season
A Heart Shaped Fibula
A lovely heart shaped copper fibula perfect for dressing up your loosely woven scarf, shawl, hat or sweater! It is adorned with handmade copper beads and a beautiful green turquoise rondelle! Including the dangle, this shawl pin is 3 inches in length; and 1-7/8 inches in width. Because of the width of the pin, I would not recommend using this on tightly woven knits or silks.
Thanks to Julie Siqmund for her wonderful tutorial!
Do not forget to take advantage of Free Shipping within the USA, offer good through January 1, 2011!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Monday, October 18, 2010
Do You See What I See?Wire Wrapped Picture Jasper Cabochon
When I first found this picture jasper cabochon, I saw a beautiful desert sunset loaded with gorgeous earthy colors: orange, copper, gold, chocolate brown, and rust! My second thought was with all these wonderful fall like colors, it must be paired with copper wire! So with lots of ideas already in mind I purchased this cab and went home to start creating this OOAK necklace!
The 40mm round picture jasper cabochon is unique not just because of its beautiful "scene" but also for its shape! The top is flat and is polished to a high glossy finish which shows off all the beautiful earthy tones, and the sides of the stone are finished in a "v" shape instead of the more common rounded off edge! This unique shape made it perfect for enclosing it in a netting of fine copper wire done in the Eni Oken style!
The pendant is 1-5/8 inches wide; and including the bale, it is 2-3/8 of an inch in length. It is suspended on an 18-inch long double leather cord in chocolate brown all with handmade copper findings! The Desert Sunset necklace is a one of a kind necklace, and it will be the perfect complement for your fall wardrobe!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Domed Copper Disk Earrings
Uncomplicated and effortless in style, these domed copper disk earrings are lightweight yet sturdy!
Natural copper sheeting and 20 gauge copper wire were the humble foundation of these uncomplicated earrings. The copper sheeting was cut into a disc, then hand forged into their final dome shape. The domed discs float effortlessly on handcrafted copper earwires. These earrings are 1-3/8 inches in length; the diameter of the hand forged disc is 5/8 of an inch.
Please note that the copper in these lovelies will darken with its own patina over time. If you prefer a shiny look to your copper, soak it for 10 minutes in a lemon juice bath!
Do not forget to take advantage of Free Shipping within the USA, offer good through January 1, 2011!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Friday, October 15, 2010
Pretty in PinkA Dainty Pink Chalcedony Briolette Necklace
A dainty pink chalcedony briolette necklace for the girly-girl at heart. This lovely heart shaped briolette is opaque with a light fuchsia color, and has lots of facets that sparkle! The pendant is 7/8 of an inch in length and is wrapped in very fine sterling silver wire, it is suspended from a flat link sterling silver chain that is 18 inches long. A perfect bridesmaid gift!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Exceptional Freshwater Pearls
Exceptional freshwater pearl earrings for the modern bride, made with plump and dreamy pearls on sterling silver wire! These 8mm potato pearls have a gorgeous iridescent nacre that looks wonderful with the handcrafted "U" shaped sterling silver earwires they are on! The earwires are hammered lightly into a fan shape that keeps the pearls on the wire. They are dainty 3/4 of an inch in length, but still noticeable!
As with all pearls, do not wear them while applying perfume or hairspray and always wipe them off with a soft cloth before storing them away!
Thank you for looking
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Reclaimed/Recycled......
Sterling Dot Ring
A tiny dot of reclaimed sterling silver graces this sweet little ring! Perfect by itself or can be combined with my stack rings for a bolder look! You can even pair it with rings you already own! This ring is ready to ship in a size 8-1/2 US or I can custom make one in your size if you like!
Do not forget to take advantage of Free Shipping within the USA, offer good through January 1, 2011!
Thank you for looking!
Blessings,
Heart's Desire Beading Company 2010 © - All rights reserved
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
'Keep Calm and Carry On' by heartsdesirebeads
Ahhh! Come in and relax in this peaceful, soothing treasury. All these soft and tranquil colors where found while searching through 148,811 items listed under the word "unique". Please be sure to view each item and leave a comment about the items you like best! Enjoy!
 Wedding Couples Nam... $9.99 |  Lampwork Bead Penda... $65.00 |  Japanese Chiyogami ... $12.00 |
 Holiday Handmade Gr... $15.00 |  Cottesloe Porcelain... $98.00 |  Matte gold love bir... $27.00 |
 Mint Green Organza ... $38.00 |  Trio of Mini Accord... $10.00 |  SALE White Rose ... $16.00 |
 8x10 Customizable O... $14.95 |  Handmade XL 38x50 U... $43.00 |  Luck Necklace - Sim... $38.00 |
 Hand Smocked, Hand ... $190.00 |  PINK RIBBON WITH FL... $6.99 |  Vinyl Wall Art - Ta... $85.00 |
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Blessings,
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