Currently....

Rockin' out in the studio to THIS...and I must say, it's giving me a bit of a "dancing in my seat" feeling.  Sometimes I find myself doing a bit of chair dancing while I'm sawing out shapes at the bench, my house mate can probably hear me singing along through the wall.

I've been working on a custom order for the ETSY shop, which is quite satisfying...being somewhat of a newcomer to the world of silver smithing and selling my creations online, I am so grateful for all the lovely people out there on the interwebs that have found my work and want to spend their hard earned dinero on something for themselves!  I found myself grinning from ear to ear when I got a convo from a customer who had a custom request idea based on these lovlies.  It's amazing to sit down at the bench, work from the heart on creating a one of a kind piece for someone out there that I've never met!  I love each and every creation that comes from the hammering, sawing, and hand details that I put into a piece...and to think that there are people out there that love my vision as well as I do, is still something that I marvel at.  You should see the look on my face when I check my email and find a message from a customer on ETSY, or a message that I sold something!!!!!  It gives me a pride and gratitude high for the rest of the day! 

The sisterhood I have found in this online community is way beyond my expectations, and my heart is full...with happiness and satisfaction that I have created something beautiful with my own two hands, that people out there in the world see the beauty in it too, and that I am lucky enough to have this beautiful space in my house to create what comes from the depths of soul.

So, this extra large MAHALO goes out to all those sisters and brothers who have encouraged me, supported my vision, and kept me believing that not only can I do this, but I must do it because this whole process of creating has become a part of me, and without it I would not be ME!!!!

In other news, the other day we were driving home from the beach and saw the biggest rainbow I have seen since living here in Hawaii...I could see it from end to end arcing over the freeway...

not the most artful of photographs but...

...you get the idea anyway

Ok, back to the studio for a bit of hammering, and then some attempts at soldering a few bezels (fingers crossed).

Feelin' some major LOVE!

With feelings of major gratitude for another awesome weekend here in paradise, I thought I'd compile a list of things I'm thankful for...

 1. Date night at the beach with the most wonderful of ladies.

2. Laughter and Love...and a beer picnic on a beautiful starry night.

3. The simple act of being together with the one you love, sitting, talking, watching, and enjoying each others company.

4. Taking time around the table with friends to enjoy food and drink.  Spending time with my favorite people, sharing stories, laughing, and making plans for a beach adventure day!

 5. Friends behind the bar that make up their latest concoction, a delicious blend of Makers Mark, fresh lemon juice, and freshly pressed ginger syrup...YUM!

6. A cocktail at the end of a nice long brunch...something I NEVER do (I'm a serious lightweight when it comes to drinking so an a.m. cocktail is a major event in my world).

Part two of our day consisted of a drive out to one of my favorite beaches on the island Waimanalo ...The water here is unbelievably blue, the sand is like powder, and the view is amazing!  Perfection in sand and sea, this spot is a regular in our "which beach should we go to today" discussions (I know, rough decisions!).  This place is enough to inspire an entire list of gratitude all its own!

 

7. Talented friends (the best little "sister" a girl could ask for), who can make music anywhere, who bring their infectious smile and positive energy to any situation, who truly are like family after only a short few years of knowing each other, and who I love so much and am so happy to be able to share this place and time with!

Ok, now I'm getting a bit emotional...some days I swear I can physically feel the LOVE...Yesterday was one of those days.  Thanks to my crew for being the best company a girl could ask for, thanks to this place for being such an amazingly beautiful dot on the Earth, and you know what?  Thanks to me for deciding to move here, for breaking out of my box and doing something different, awesome, scary and new...I'm telling you, there is no reward in playing it safe, risks have got to be taken if there is going to be any kind of reward, and let me tell you...living this life is all the reward I will ever need!

Thanks for visiting...Happy Sunday!