To benefit John T. Unger

C and T Designs is donating 15% of their sales from their online sales at Art Fire,etsy,or in person for the next week~to John T. Unger Legal defense fund

AllWiredUp is donating 100% of profit from sales to the fund until November 1.

Help John Unger defend his copyright!

I have long been a fan of John Unger and his fire pits!

I have copied and pasted some content with permission.

"I need your help. My original art has been copied by a manufacturer who is now suing me in federal court to overturn my existing copyrights and continue making knockoffs. I have a strong case, a great lawyer and believe that if I can continue to defend myself, the case will be resolved in my favor. If I run out of funds before we reach trial, a default judgment would be issued against me and could put me out of business. I don't believe my opponent can win this case in court and I don't believe he really intends to try. I believe his goal is to use strong-arm litigation tactics to force me to keep spending money or risk losing my copyrights — not by true adjudication, but by default if he is able to outspend me."

Please see Johns blog:
http://www.johntunger.com/legal-defense-fund.html
Here is a PDF of the Suit:
http://johntunger.typepad.com/files/006-first-amended-complaint-00401920.pdf

Please even a dollar would help..

Zoey has arrived!

This morning at 4:13 am Zoey Alexandria arrived~ 7 lbs 9 oz. 19 1/2 inches long..she has her daddy's mad face!

On Grandangel Watch

My granddaughter Zoey is due in the next week..
Her mom Shanna is keeping an update on facebook..my phone is on my side 24/7..
Awaiting the ring ring!

Zoey is #11 .. I have been blessed with 3 grandangels this year!
Adam in February,Jordan in August and awiting Zoey's arrival....

Granangel Central

Gramma's house was grandangel central this week end!

Our middle daughter her hubby and the 6 month old grandson were visiting htis week end~
we toured Cheesburger in Paradise in Caseville..yes named after the Jimmy Buffet song of the same title~

We had bison burgers .. and a great time people watching!

Car show tommorow!
New post then!

New Grandangel!

The newest edition to my family arrived on Tuesday at 5:48 am (CDST) weighing 6lbs. 2 oz. 17 1/2 inches long!

His name is Jordan Nicholas..he joins his big sisters at home with his mommy~His sisters adore him, already there is a rivalry of who gets to hold him! He has already had an adventure of a trip from the floor on his boppy pillow to the couch via his 3 year old sister! She scooped him up walked across the room~Mommy thought it was her dolly~placed him on the couch~and crawled up ~picked him up~snuggled him! Sissie was quite miffed at not being able to keep him!

He had a conversation with Grammy today..I understood him completely! He was hungry!

I'm leaving for their house on the 19th~staying for as long as I can!

gotta run for now..my other infant grandangel arrives shortly!

BBL!

Challenge of the Guilds

Three Guilds from Art Fire have Challenged each other to an In the Garden Challenge!
Art Fire Jewelry Design and Jewelry Supply Shop, Art Fire Artisan Jeweler, and Art Fire Chainmaille Guilds challenged their members to design and create their interpretation of In the Garden.
Each of the Guilds held their own poll to choose the best three of the entries. It wasn't an easy task!
All the entries were then listed on the Art Fire Guild Challenge Blog, just the entries title, no Artisan has been listed! (It's a secret!)

The Guilds appreciate your votes very much! We have had an absolute BLAST doing this Challenge!

Please do go vote!

Many Thanks!

I have the BEST Friends!

Vonna from JustVonna@etsy
Marcy from Studio Marcy@etsy
Rachelle from PurpleCatDesigns @ Art Fire

I'm a member of Bay Valley Corvette Club. we host a Car show with Old Town Saginaw here in Michigan. http://oldtownmotorfest.com

I wanted to contribute some coiled bead wire bracelets but didn't have lamp work beads.
All three of these ladies contributed beads for the cause!

Thank you Vonna, Marcy and Rachelle..You're the BEST!
XX
Dee

The Importance of Social Marketing Optimization

I have asked a few of you that follow me on Twitter if you are going for quality or quantity of followers. What good are thousands of followers if your tweets are "lost in the stream of posts", unread, your links unclicked???

I choose my followers carefully. I don't automatically follow back everyone. If I find them interesting and fun, I follow back. OR they have something that I want to know about... enter James Dillehey..he is a well known book writer of Craft as a Business. Has appeared on various Craft television Shows.. a really interesting person.

We started a discussion about Art Fire and if he had reviewed it yet...not easy 140 characters at a time. And ended with James asking me to review Art Fire for publication on his blog!

So with out further ado... Craft Marketer Blog

Have you ever thought about

wanting a Commercial Kitchen?? One with a nice 3X6 foot gas flat top grill, a char broiler, a shiny stainless steel exhaust hood, and a sandwich board.

http://www.mychefstore.com/restaurant_equipment/model_details.cfm/1304/True_Food_Service_Equipment__Inc_/TSSU-72-18

Just think if you had one of these well stocked babies in your kitchen! WHOO HOO! Midnight snacks would be on my list of things to DO!

Then I would also want terra cotta tiles on the floor and a sanitizing system built in..YIPPEE! I could just turn on the hose and spray down the kitchen squeegee the floor .. DONE!


But then reality sets in..commercial kitchen..I'd be in there cooking and therefore EATING...nevermind..

Vote Handmade

I resisted signing up for Vote Handmade...I knew it would be addictive and I didn't need one more site to obsess about! (wink)

Dang as soon as I created my account BOOM! Four links ready and listed..

These are my submitted links~ HERE

These are the items I submitted!

Gravel Road Jewelry hypnotic ring



CyndieSmithDesigns Fortuna Ring



SilverRiverJewelry Rustic Opal Wild Flower Copper Pendant



WickwireJewelry Popsicle Gemstone and Sterling Silver Pendant




I'll be posting my daily picks! Vote on Vote Handmade TODAY!

Art Fire NEW Fusion Studios!

WOW! You can now customize your studio at Art Fire! You can add custom color..widgets...it makes for a great studio!

I have added some slide shows at the bottom of mine..including this one from Flickr!




Want to see my new Fusion Studio? Click ME!

Rainy Days and Mondays~

Well I'm not DOWN! *smiles~ I'm looking forward to the germination of my seeds that I planted Thursday~

Today I'm taking the opportunity to cook a fabulous dinner from scratch~and catch up on a few household duties!

I started some beef stew..not something that I would normally do on the 1st of June..but today is quite cool..and rainy! I'll simmer said stew all day and add some potatoes and carrot an hour before serving..I'll also make some biscuits at that time.

I'm tackling Mount Laundry and I hope to get to the summit today!

Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild Dads and Grads Gift Guides

The Jewelers of AJG have many gifts for your Dad or Grad! Why buy them something ordinary?? Get them a gift of Artisan Jewelry that will last their lifetime and possibly become a family heirloom!

Dads Gift Guide

Grads Gift Guide

Also check out our GALLERY on Art Fire..there is sure to be something that would strike your Dads or Grads fancy!


From CyndieSmithDesigns
Dunlap Ring

Laugh for the DAY!

another worthy email I'm sharing! ROFLOL
Subject: HUSBAND SOFTWARE


For upgrading your IT knowledge!

Desperate woman writes to the Technical support Guy

Dear Tech Support ,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and I noticed a distinct slowdown in the overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0 .

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as NEWS 5.0, MONEY 3.0 and SPORTS 4.1 .

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and House cleaning 2. 6 simply crashes the system.

Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,

Desperate Woman

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

DEAR DESPERATE Madam,

First, keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system.

Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme. html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.
If that application works as designed, Husband1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5..

However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Silence 2.5 or Beer 6.1 .
Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)

In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0 .

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly.
You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance.
We recommend: Cooking 3.0 and Hot Looks 7.7.

I'M Special!

Dangles Jewelry has awarded me the Special Pretty Piece Mothers Day Award!



Dangles chose my Sterling silver coiled Wire Pendant! Made me a way cool badge for my blog!
Please do read their blog feature!

THANK YOU!!!
XX

Mothers Day is coming!

Buy her a gift that is as unique as she is!

Many one of a kind original pieces listed in the Artisan Jeweler Guild Gift Guide!

Gift Guide

~New Definitions~

I got this in an email today thought it worth sharing~

Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
The winners are:


1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an a**hole.

3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people which stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Osteo- por-no-sis: A degenerate
disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

Mid April ~

I have ignored you dear blog~
I have spent days and days looking at radar~and reading storm reports~tornado season!
My tornado fascination started on May 5,2003.But that's another story I will update you later.

Active tornado weather this week. I watched radar and prayed that people would heed the warnings. After living in "tornado ally" for 11 years I know many people think it won't happen here~or they are out looking for the tornado on their front porch..large sigh.

Please if you are not a trained storm spotter go to shelter! Tornadoes are not always visible, often are "wrapped" in rain~are not recognizable as a tornado~you are not safe if it's hailing~the only safe place is in your storm shelter!

Off my soap box for the day~more later!

I want my Spring!

and I want it RIGHT NOW!

after listening to the spring peepersfor weeks~several warm spells back to cool~

DAGNABBIT!Winter Storm Warning! Up to 6 inches of SNOW with 30 mph winds!

*huddles in corner with blankie to await Spring~

OH NO!!!!

SNOW!!!

Just when my hostas are coming up well..my hyacinths are a couple inches tall~my tulips are up~

Mother Nature comes along and dumps snow on them!

It's beginning to look like Spring!

Today I'm going to a Lawn and Garden Show in Ubly~

Traditionally I buy my early bedding plants~ we do have some cold weather expected this week. As long as I put the flats up close to the house I've had good luck with pansies.

The courtyard has been raked and is looking a little greener~I love my courtyard. We have a deck to enjoy~this photo was taken last Spring~during expansion of the deck.



I'll have to take more photos when things green up a bit!

I had a very successful walk with the dog yesterday. I need to shed a few lbs. that I gained over the Winter..so does dog~great to have a "partner" to walk with!

Have a great day!

Artisan Jewelers Guild

I have been a very busy Guild Master for the past few days!

I have put together a web site for Art fire AJG.

Put a blog post on Art Fire AJG Blogspot announcing the March challenge! Picking a favorite this Challenge is going to be very difficult!

And I published TWO issues of Open Zine.

Trying also to decide on a forum that is easy to navigate, and post to...


Did I mention that I ♥ my Guild? AJG Members ROCK!

My family is growing~

Two more grandangels are expected this year!

One is arriving in August~I'll be absent from my Michigan home at that time and will be trekking to Missouri~

One is arriving in October~I'll be visiting that one right here in my home state!

YAY!

$7 for Life Art Fire Accounts!

There are less than 400 still available! If you have thought about setting up an Art Fire Studio don't wait to get your $7 for life account! they go back up to $20 when they are gone!

Grandangels ROCK!

This is my now three year old grandangel Micah Niccole. I talked to her last week about her upcoming third birthday~she was excited to be turning a year older! Little did I know that she was excited to be even older than she really IS!
I asked so how old will you be on Thursday? FIVE!!! she exclaimed~OH! I think it's three~ I said calmly~ but she insisted no she's going to be FIVE! Couldn't change her mind..

There is just something about women and age..after all I was 21 for 4 years~until my youngest sister turned 21..and my son then asked Papa.."Are Mommy and Aunt Giggles twins?" *wink

Kreative Blogger TAGGED!

I have been nominated the Kreativ Blogger award by TiLT Creations..thanks :)
I can't let this opportunity to plug an awesome Art Fire Studio go by..this is one of my faves from her Studio...








RED LINEN BANGLET

If you've been nominated and would like to pass the award on, here are the guidelines.

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate up to 8 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.




Dangles Jewelry

Gaffer Girls




Joslin Jewels

Zachary Michael Cruz Funeral Fund

Please help if you are able~

An etsy seller has suffered an unimaginable tragedy~ the loss of her son.Please donate if you are able for funeral expenses. Zachary Michael Cruz right sidebar Pay Pal Donation .



My deepest sympathy to the family.

Art Fire Rapid Cart

WOW what a great addition to your Art Fire Studio~you can add a flash application to your blog,or any other social media and you have taken your Art Fire Studio from one to many!
Secure checkout,no membership or registration needed~ What a revolutionary promotional tool!
I love it!
See the side bar here!

Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild Feb. Challenge

If I thought that last months challenge was difficult to choose a favorite~this months challenge is equally difficult!
The entries are exquisite!
The theme this month is First Sign of Spring. Have a look and vote for your favorite~but it won't be easy to pick just one!

Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild Blog

Yesterdays DR appt...

My left knee has been giving me quite a problem for about 6 weeks. I injured it many years ago.
I have seen Orthopedic Surgeons for it .. and am told that some day I will have to have it replaced. That someday hasn't arrived!
I do have some changes, some bone spurs, and osteoarthritis instead of just arthritis~
it's been painful to walk.
I had a cortisone injection yesterday,NOT my favorite thing to do~and am exploring some other injectable options. It still is painful~but it's a different kind of pain. I'm actually walking on my knee,pushing off with the ball of my foot intead of the heel. My muscles and tendons aren't used to working like this..hopefully this will subside as I walk more!

Open Zine TOO~

Art Fire Artisan Jewelers Guild also has an OpenZine~

Featured are guild members that used February's birthstone,amethyst. I'm very pleased with this very first issue of AJG Zine~

AJG Zine

Visit the guild gallery that at this time features wedding jewelry~

Gallery

Stay tuned for the next issues of Open Zine!

Open Zine

I have discovered OpenZine! It is still in beta but performs well~

Here is my Zine!

I'll be sharing bits and pieces of my life!

Enjoy!

He's HERE!

He's a JR.! Our daughter said that as she looked at our little Adam that she decided that he just didn't look like the name she had chosen for him!
He was born on Friday morning~weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces. Has dk blonde hair blue eyes~and is a chubby bundle of joy!

Maille Give Away!

Red Panda Chainmaille is having a maille giveaway in celebration of her three year etsyversary!

Red Panda on etsy

To enter please visit Red Panda Blog

Congratulations Jessica!

Blue or Green Only!

Turquoise is only blue or green!

There is no such thing as white,White Buffalo, purple, pink, yellow or apple green turquoise! Well they exist but they aren't turquoise. These are trade names.


Identifying turquoise:
Turquoise is copper aluminum iron phosphate, chemical formula: CUA6(PO44OH84H20. Mohs hardness of 5-6.

These two minerals are often dyed to simulate turquoise.
Howlite is calcium barium hydroxide,chemical formula:Ca2 b5 SiO9(OH)5
Mohs hardness 3.5


Magnesite is magnesium carbonate,chemical formula:MgCO3
Mohs scale hardness 3.5-5


This misinformation of the trade is misleading and in my humble opinion criminal!

Sources Wikipedia.com

Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild January challenge VOTE!

WHOOO HOOO! the very first Guild Challenge is LIVE!

The theme is January Thaw and I believe that it will be difficult to choose just ONE!

http://artfireajg.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking~

Update Identity Theft!

It took some time~ but we have been reimbursed for the monies that were fraudulently debited from our checking account.
We did cancel our debit cards and have new ones on the way~
Be careful out there~ This is the newest crime!

Identity THEFT!

I never thought that this would happen to US! Yes it DID!

Someone has the number to our debit card..we keep an eye on this account. We discovered that it was WAY overdrawn..we disputed the charge and the monies were to be refunded to the account.

This morning we checked at the bank..NOPE! OH NO WAY!!!!! Another charge! for the same amount - same merchant...

After a couple phone calls and faxes later~

We have shredded these cards and made them null and void at the bank~ we have information of WHO has our number~ we ARE going to press charges.

IF it could happen to me..I'M SO careful iith my cards and numbers...it could happen to YOU?! Be careful out there!

....to be continued