Celebrate Or Not. It's Your Choice.

90th Birthday Cake for UMW member.

It occurred to me that there have been a lot of celebrations lately. A 90th birthday among several others, the birth of a baby, graduations, bridal showers followed by two weddings....  There are more. I suppose if you look around hard enough you could always find something to celebrate or be joyful about. Not just the milestones and occasions in life.

For instance, Spring has begun again and the weather has started to be milder. This has been a beautiful week end with the temperatures in the 70s, the sun shining warmly, hardly a cloud in the sky. This is a week end that people long for.... to go outside and work in the yard, to enjoy the myriad of games that you have to take your kids to, to actually want to walk the dog. This is one of those week ends that puts a smile on every ones face.

MeehanWedding Cake with handmade flowers

Although I don't think that that is completely true. Not everyone automatically becomes happy when the sun starts to shine again. There are some, quite a few actually, that always have some degree of negativity. It doesn't matter what the circumstance, there are those that will always find something to be negative about.

Yes, some are clinically depressed and need help to find their way out.  Some seem to be stuck, focused on the dark clouds instead of seeing all the beauty around them.  But for many, it's just an attitude that needs a little adjusting.

We have become a nation of "Negative Nelly's" and blamers.  It's not my fault that my life is so bad.... it's they economy.... the Democrats/Republicans or Congress in general.... the boss.... the ex.... the Muslims/Christians/Jews....  You name it, people can find something, someone to blame or be negative about.  The media is a barrage of blame, polarization, and divisions. It covers all areas from celebrity news to politics and the world at large.  Even if you wanted to, there is no way to get away from it. (Except maybe to simply turn it off, but becoming a nation of hermits isn't the answer either.) We feed into it every time we turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper or magazine. We spend so much time hating or blaming others, that we don't stop to see whats really good in our lives. 

My Christening Day with family.

Don't get me wrong, it isn't that easy.  You can't just snap your fingers and suddenly you are laughing with joy. Most people don't become depressed in the blink of an eye either.  And we don't have to have a big grin to be happy; or just because we don't have that big grin doesn't mean that we are sad. You have to make it a conscious effort, remind yourself to find the beauty in the world.

I try to find joy in quite places. When I go on a beach vacation I enjoy waking up early (which isn't me at all) to walk on the beach and take photos, or just sit on the porch with a cup of coffee as the sun rises. I also love to go on a MINI Cooper Rally with my friend. She's a great driver, so when we get on those back roads that twist and turn, it can feel like a roller coaster. There are Sunday afternoons with a good book, dinner or drinks with friends, a cuddle with my purring kitty. And so much more.

Joy or happiness isn't going to be the same for everyone. It might be getting out there and seeing all the wonderful colors that are emerging with the spring rain, or going dancing at a club with friends, or watching your child connect bat and ball for the first time. You choose. Find your bliss. It could be anything. It will probably be many things.

All you have to do is make that first step.  Celebrate!

Why Can't Everyone Drive A MINI Cooper?

I went to dinner last night with a group of people that I hardly know but that I always feel comfortable and have fun with.

It was a gathering of MINI Cooper owners.  A club (phillymini.org) that I belong to because my cool friend has one.  I navigate for her.  Which really means that I ride along pointing out the occasional right turn on this street, landmark along the route, or traffic pattern that needs to be taken notice of; but mostly I am there as a companion to sing out loud the silly songs that we love, grab the snacks from the back seat, take pictures, and shout WHHEEEEEE!!! and laugh as we hug the curves of the road in her capable hands.

This evening did not include a train of MINI's through the countryside, just a small group enjoying a yummy meal (Blue Fig Cafe).  As I enjoyed the conversation around me, it struck me that if these people from diverse backgrounds could all come together and a enjoy one another's company why couldn't the rest of the world?  What was it about these people that they could accept all that come into the fold?  Even me, the introverted-misfit-tagger-along.  After all, I don't own a MINI.  I don't even have immediate plans to buy one (I drive a 2003 Toyota Matrix with just shy of 60,000 miles on her).  I am the sometimes NAVI, occasional "sister-wife", and life long friend of a MINI driver; and that's good enough for them.  It seems that anyone - be they friend, family, future or former driver - is welcome. 

Winnie!  photo from LEHenry

It is true that this is a social club with a somewhat large membership.  Generally at a rally there will be 20 to 60 plus cars all with a driver, many with a passenger, some with two.  Even the dogs come along.  It is a small sampling of the larger social incubator.  There is representation from many walks of life all enjoying a well planned, theme rich day on the road.  To be sure there is a hierarchy and some clicks.  You make friends with some or remain acquaintances with others, but in general there is a camaraderie.  Everyone is there to enjoy the event and to help others enjoy.  We are all there for the same purpose.  To enjoy the curves of the road, the scenery around us, and a potential meal after.  No matter who or how many attend.

If our communities, our country, the world, could follow suit.... how many problems would be solved.  Or just never exist to begin with.  If everyone would set there egos aside and look out for the well being of just one other person.  If we truly looked at someones life, walked in there shoes, paid a little attention.  Wouldn't we be too involved to hate?  Wouldn't we have a better understanding of what life really is about?  Wouldn't we extend a helping hand instead of a raised fist?

This may be very simplistic and "Polly-Anna" of me, but it's worth a try.

Photo found on www.smarterservices.com by doing a word search of "helping hands

Cuff - Sterling Silver and Copper

So, this was my second project in my class.  Also for a friend as a gift.  She has allergies to other metals, so I went with Sterling Silver.  Only the best for my girl!!

It was fun to make, and although they are not perfect' they are pretty good.

I made two.  First, so that I could practice on one before I did the second that would be my friends gift.  Second, and more importantly :D, so that I could have one too!!

 The cuff is made from a strip of sterling silver with pieces of copper soldered on top.  I was able to purchase the silver pre-measured and cut.  I only had to file and sand down the edges.  The copper came in sheets (two in a package).  I figured out what I wanted, what size, shape, etc.  Then used a jewelers saw to cut the pieces.  The edges need to be smoothed out & the pieces get textured with different hammers.  Then everything is soldered together.  Once the pieces are together, they get bent into shape... and TA DA!! 

I had problems with soldering.  I don't think that I had too much solder, but maybe.  I think that I had too much flux and it came out from in between the cooper and silver.  And the solder came with it.  I used a dremel to get rid of the excess solder.  If you look at the strips to the left, you can see when I could not get all of it off.  That one is mine, so it's ok.  And my first one.  The second one for my friend came out much nicer.

There are still some imperfections, but  that's what makes it special.  That's the beauty of hand made.  Of course, I will improve my skills, learn new ones.  But I will always be able to look back at these two cuffs (and the copper w/ nickle wrap cuff) as my first pieces.  Will I ever be as good as my instructor.  I can honestly say no.  I'm not being defeatist, just realistic.  She has been doing this a long time and makes incredible pieces.  Her skill doesn't negate mine.  I'll  improve and grow my skills, and make my own jewelry.  I'll give some as gifts and sell others.  And I'll have fun while I making them!!

I'm looking forward to my next projects!

Which really means, making enough jewelry to open my ESTY page!! 

Cuff - Copper w/ Nickel Wrap

This is the cuff that I made as gifts for some of my friends for the 2012 holiday season.  I couldn't post until now because we only just got together to exchange gifts.  Looks like we were running a bit behind this year!  It was kind of nice though; the holidays were long over, everyone was more relaxed instead of stressed out and exhausted (I at least know that I was) and it extended the special spirit of the holidays.  Anyway, here's what I did.

I have started taking a metal jewelry class with a local artisan (www.MicheleGrady.com).  With the exception of the first few weeks in which we learned the basic skills, the class is free form:  find a project and make it with the help of the instructor.  So this was my first project.  I'm pretty happy with it.  There were some difficulties along the way, but I learned from them.  Next time I make these, or something like it, I will do it better.  The most important thing is that my friends enjoyed their gift!!

Basically, it's nickel wire wrapped around a copper band.  The copper's edges and corners are filed smooth and rounded.  The wire gets soldered to the copper at each end.

As this was my first project, it took me a lot longer than it should have.  I had to try soldering the wire several times.  I just wasn't getting it right, but I know what I was doing wrong and how to do it correctly the next time.  As they say "You don't learn anything if you never make a mistake".

I have more of both the copper band and the nickel wire, so I can make more bracelets to sell.  Next, I'll make companion earrings!!

If you are interested in purchasing this bracelet, or something like it, message me below, on my Facebook page: Carrie Creates, or via carrie@FaCETJewelry.com .