by lynn krestel

a bit of a break..

 

just checking in!! i am on a bit of a summertime break - a bit forced, but nonetheless, needed!!

i am trying to get caught up on filling orders, making samples, submitting some class proposals and project submissions. whew!! now that i see it in print - i guess i'm not on a bit of a break!! that's just on the business end...

personally, i am trying to get my house organized for the busyness of the fall season -  and we have to get our oldest daughter ready and off to california for her first year of college!!

here's a few pictures of our visit to granville island- such fun!!

 

 

 

happy summer!!

vintage sunflower crystal necklace

 

i  finally broke down and dug into my stash and created this gorgeous crystal pendant. i have had for some time - and not seen since...(sadly) these vintage enamel bead caps. i'm not sure how old they are - but their detail is fine, the color bright...i really like how this turned out.

paired with a chunky 12mm vintage old crystal - a unique, one of a kind piece!! it is a one and only...once its gone...its gone!!

summer sunset

 

a saturday summer sunset!! right before the storm rolled in!! it was absolutely beautiful!

 

coming up for air!!

 

coming up for air again!! taking big gulps - looking ahead... i think i see land!! i feel so disconnected from the routine i finally established (i think), working, learning, reading, creating, even blogging regularly...and man, in july - its all fallen apart! but i think i've made it to the other side...i feel like i will wade out of the deep waters of summer, washing over me. us. our little family. days of playing. exploring. working around the home front. friends coming!! schedule not my own - but a life shared with the ones we love...i wouldn't change it! but i do love the thought of getting back to building my little business. looking forward to the fall. and busyness of the holidays!!

i have lots i want to catch up on - i've been wanting to share my pics and few thoughts on the etsy meet up in vancouver on july 14 - finally!! 

 

etsy admin came into town for a meting with esty sellers and buyers. it is a day i had anticipated since announced a month previous. for me, etsy has become a place where i can showcase my work, generate a second income for our family, and still have the freedom to continue to be a 'stay home' mom!! i love it - and the potential it has to make such a difference in our lives!!

 

maria, ceo of etsy now for the past 10 months, spoke about (of course!) the operations and improvements being made at the site.

matt, been around since the humble beginnings - he recounted some stories of the early days with founder rob. (actually began june 2005 - not tht long ago!!) rob wanted to create a marketplace for artists to sell. unique, artsy -but not ebay!! i think it has grown more than they ever imagined!  

 

and then anda! she works ont the social marketing end of the business - twittered away through the meeting - shouted updates to us as she could!

they were all open, available, worked to answer each question or concern. in a weird kind of way, meeting them gave to me a bit more validity to this 'job'  of mine. meeting other etsians who are making a living doing what they love is inspiring and motivating!!

a couple of others sellers/bloggers have more of the nuts and bolts of the meeting outlined - i was going to try to recount my version -but after reading their version and mine being pretty much the same vein - i'll give you the link to their blogs and you can read up there if your so inclined!!

leader of men - i haven't met her personally but admire her work!!

rita of smeeta at noticle.

kris of acageybee.

 

three days last week, we were able to keep the babies for our friends as they settled into their new place - and just had to share these sweet pictures - now you know why we are smitten!!

 

 

 

blessings!!

 

 

lavender blue dilly dilly

 

i love lavender!! the past few summers my sister has generously shared her lavender harvest with me! we added the dried buds last christmas into our draft dodgers, and usually whip together a few lavender bottles - great for gift giving or keeping to freshen linen drawers. she actually made a gorgeous wreath for her front door last year...i still have yet to successfully create a lavender wreath!!

i brought home enough lavender to make bottles and have some for displaying...but wasn't quite sure where i was going to dry it - without it getting bumped and beaten!

here's what i came up with...(hanging with my old quilts on the ladder my father-in-law built from old barn wood!!) ....i like it so much, i haven't taken it down. yet!!

i love the inpiration of naural elements, and try to incoporate them intoi my work as much as possible!! i have re-created lavender in silver as an ode to this summer flower/herb!! the natural beauty and intrincities shine through these pendants!!  the silver has either been directly impressed by an actual lavender spring. or the silver pressed into a molded sprig of the purple beauty!!

 

awol!!

 

oh i've been absent too long! these summer days have melted away...you know, you have to come back from vacation to catch up on your rest!! we've had two weeks off including the fourth of july, our anniversary - 19 years!!, a couple of cool, rainy lazy days, and 10 days of a revolving front door...one comes, stays, says 'good bye' and the sheets barely washed and hung to dry and another arrives! family, friends, even our sweet babies from africa for three days this week!! i am tired. period. but so happy too!! not a vacation laying on the beach or travels to far away places, but one spent with people we love!!

 

(there's a smart alec behind you, uncle ray-ray!!)

a few pics of our happy fourth: bbq-ing, s'more-making!!, a few backyard fireworks before heading to the bay to watch a proper display of fiery sprays of red, white, and blue!!

 talk about alot of fun in a sparkler!!