scribing

Grizzy studies her reading homework

It's a beautiful sunny day outside ...... and I've got a newsletter to write! All my files, scanner, etc. are on the desktop so no goofing off in the sun for me until I get it all done.

The newsletter is for a non-profit I volunteer with. It's a great way of getting writing, editing, and web experience. I'll be putting my recent SFU continuing studies courses into practice. Yesterday was my last copyediting class - I'll miss my Saturday morning escapes into the real world (both courses were excellent BTW, I can highly recommend Barbara Tomlin's courses). It has been a stimulating experience going back into the classroom. Hopefully I'll be able to build on what I've learned and continue working from home.

This stay-at-home parenting thing is a huge dilemma for me. While I don't want the Wee Guy to become a latch key kid I'm also feeling the inner turmoil over not contributing to the family budget. I realise that by staying at home I am saving by not having fulltime childcare and we can eat more cheaply as there is time to prepare meals from scratch. I aso don't have commuter expenses, my wardrobe needs are very simple and I do all the housework. By my conservative estimates, I'm 'earning' approximately $1300 CAD per month at the least but that's way off the mark according to a recent survey. I haven't even begun to estimate what my hunting around for bargains, cost savers and best deals nets.

But I'm still feeling the pull toward doing something more than just kitchen and kid. My former fully employed outside the home life is calling. I volunteer a lot, I run my jewelry design business, I'm at home before and after school ...... I'd just like more please.

Paparazzi Starring Lady GaGa

Ever since she entered the music scene I have been fascinated with Lady GaGa. Not only do I love her album (literally every song!) I am intrigued by her avant garde sense of style and unconventional attitude. I have gotten so tired of the cookie cutter/ bubble gum pop stars of late that I was about to lose interest in the pop culture music scene all together.

Fortunately Lady GaGa came around just in time to shake things up a little and make me believe in artistic expression again! Her latest video is Paparazzi, directed by Jonas Akurlund. It is a dark, sexy, provocative little tale about love and revenge in the public eye. Love it or hate it- this latest video is visually stirring and a far cry from the typical.

Watch the video for Paparazzi here.

So I'd love to know... how do you feel about Lady GaGa?

Image courtesy of popmusicology.com and www.dailymail.co.uk

The Art of Packing: The Weekender

Recently my husband and I ventured to Palm Springs to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We stayed at the La Quinta Resort and Club. This was a short, two-day jaunt that I was very much looking forward to.

I was also excited to try out my new packing skills and modify them for a weekend trip. Thankfully I checked the weather report before packing (always a good idea) and discovered that each day would be scorching hot- I’m talking 100 degree Fahrenheit plus! This, of course, altered the idea of what I was going to pack tremendously and made it really easy to pick out what to bring.

- White jeans (for evening)
- A pair of tailored white shorts (I love this look for summer)
- Two billowy tops (I find that when they are billowy they are less likely to cling in sticky-hot weather)
- A knockout dress (for our anniversary dinner *wink * wink *)
- One pair of wedges and a flat jeweled sandal
- Bathing suit and cover up (I still haven’t gotten around to purchasing a colorful cover-up so I had to opt for the black one I used in Portugal)

All of this fit easily into a tiny “carry-on” sized bag. Even though we were driving. It still felt good to pack light. Also when I got back from my last trip- rather than emptying out my toiletries case, I updated it- refilled any bottles that needed filling- so that it was ready in a pinch for my next journey. I simply placed my toiletries bag in my carry–on knowing that it was fully equipped with everything I needed. I must say- when it comes to traveling it feels good to be organized!

Image of the La Quinta courtesy of: www.getawayspas.com

For more information on the La Quinta, please visit: www.laquintaresort.com

inspiration in unlikely places

chaotic nighttime crafting desk

this week's inspirations;

1. collecting my unsolds from Steph at Devil May Wear and chatting about the dismal world of retail but leaving with some great thoughts on giving my wholesale efforts some more oomph



2. being invited to display my work at the local city hall with another jeweler in the artist's cooperative



3. learning I have seven students signed up for the wire crochet summer class I will be teaching



4. sunshine



5. getting an email from a chap I sold some wire to, saying it had arrived and that he was now able to mend his clock



6. the Wearable Art exhibition at Port Moody Art Gallery

So I started making some more art clay silver pieces for the exhibit, and I wired up some more cufflinks. It's nice to be making something again after spending a lot of time just mucking about on the computer or dealing with household admin.

:)

Sunscreen Safety And SPF Updates!

Here We Go Again

It seems there is not enough confusion about these two issues, but wait.....I found some recent information to hopefully clear the confusion up once and for all.....or maybe not. There are so many recycled articles and blogs that basically repeat same of a another article done years before without providing any updates or latest research of the information. My articles have also fallen prey to the copy and paste goblin! Sometimes it is difficult to get to the reliable facts..... It's enough to make your head explode!

Sunscreen Safety and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) still have their critics and their advocates in the form of journalists reporting a story or dermatologists giving their latest findings on what it all really means. We, the consumer need correct information!

I will not be deterred!

As a person constantly reviewing and renewing my own research, I am never complacent about the misinformation or lack thereof that is offered to the community of inquirers. So in my relentless quest of keeping it fun, real and factual, I located a very recent article about SPF and its correct use and overblown claims by many manufacturers......titled "Confused by SPF? Take A Number". This was a great article and clearly shows how SPF has been climbing in number by manufacturers trying to compete with one another without concern for the level of chemical burden these companies are placing on our bodies, never mind the fact these high SPF ratings are absolutely unnecessary and borderline ridiculous! Although the New York Times article supports my research and information I wrote about in "Sun Protection Factor (SPF) What Does It Mean?", it also has some misinformation which I'll address.

The disseminated information I provide is still supported by my latest research on certain sunscreen ingredients, but the reference to stability of Avobenzone in sunscreen products in this particular New York Times article, I believe is based on the authors limited knowledge of this ingredient. Back in 1997 Canada, Australia and Europe chose it along with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as the criteria for providing the best safety and sun protection in Sunscreens. However, many feel Avobenzone should have been on the list for banned ingredients since it is considered a powerful free radical generator and my initial research on this ingredient still holds today. Oxybenzone is now another ingredient being brought into question also. The Environmental Working Group is keeping an eye on these ingredients. I must state again, this group along with Campaign for Safe Cosmetics creates bias and does not show all information on these ingredients, and most research results have data gaps of 75% or higher. So my research includes them to a degree, but I never rely on them solely for my information.

Making The Argument For Sunscreen Safety

Currently to date, the European Union allows Avobenzone of 5% ratio and not for children under the age of 3 since it is readily absorbed into the epidermis layer. The FDA has not to date made the same safety guideline. The EU is so much farther ahead on stringent regulations, they are my ingredient reference for safety.

Avobenzone also must be stabilized with another sunscreen as named in the New York Times article. This is where the author may have been confused when she wrote that it was one of the few ingredients stable in sunlight. Mexoryl SX is another sunscreen ingredient used to try and stabilize Avobenzone, but it is yet to be proven its success. However, unequivocally it has been shown to be completely unstable in sunlight. It was also found to degrade more rapidly when used in combination with titanium and zinc.

Furthermore, the incidents of cancer actually increased in the 80's and 90's after the promotion of many sunscreen products with watchdog groups linking them to the actual cause of most skin cancers creating further free radical damage through DNA changes......But it is also debated that it may be due to people spending more time in the sun since their new found body armor from the suns UV Rays gave them a false sense of security abusing their sun exposure to the outer limits. Beach goers were not deterred anymore by fear of sun damage with the greatest in a miracle potion as near as the closest drugstore.

With the data still being analyzed on this subject, this debate will rage on between scientists and the medical community on what is actually causing our increase in skin cancer. To some degree, there may be a certain agenda being reached by analysts and impartiality maybe called into question once again.

What do you think?

Are you feeling as overwhelmed as I am? ......In my efforts to figure out what is the safest for me and my readers, the quest has not been without challenge or question. Even my article of "Sunscreens....Are They Safe?" took extensive research, however it is now updated to reflect the new research stemming from sun exposure.

My latest research on vitamin D now shows that the best time to get your daily dose is when the sun is at its highest, not in the early or late hours of the day as was originally reported. The Linus Pauling Award winner just this month, Dr. Michael Holick, renowned expert on vitamin D, director of the Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory and professor of Medicine, Dermatology, Physiology, and Biophysics at Boston University Medical Center, has shown that UVB, the vitamin D stimulator is most intense during peak sunlight hours and it is at its lowest during morning and evening. Proving our body is exposed to actually more intense UVA rays during this time frame. He further studied the importance of the sun in protecting us from many forms of disease, including certain forms of cancer in adults and children. UVB are the burning rays but they are the vitamin D stimulant for our body's immune system. Which now it actually makes more sense because dermatologists tell us to avoid the hours between 10 am and 2 pm to prevent burning. However, this is when we get the best dose of UVB for better health. A sunbath of 10-20 minutes is all that is needed to get a healthy dose of vitamin D and you shouldn't burn in this time frame. I am sure though that Dr. Holick whose studies span the last 20 years, still has his skeptics within the medical community as to his findings or recommendations, but I am a believer. An interview with Dr. Holick I found to be very eye opening in my latest research.

Tip: For those of us who live in the northern states where sun is more scarce and those with darker skin, we will require vitamin D supplements. Winter time is when many of us can become vitamin D deficient. For those with darker skin, your time spent in the sun will need to be increased. And as far as overall sun exposure, it only requires these brief stints of sunshine 3-4 days per week to synthesize enough vitamin D in our bodies naturally. You don't have to expose the entire body either. Feet, arms, and legs are enough to grab that sunshine when you can! Make it fun and relaxing in the sun and not a chore...a 10 minute bike ride....plant some flowers.....read a book....make your grocery list.....sip a cold drink.....recline in the fresh air and decompress. Use the time to your advantage! Avoid the hands and face always and keep them protected. The skin is much thinner and more fragile in these areas and are where we predominantly will show our age.

This May Be The One!

Now for when we do need sunscreen for extended protection, I finally located a product through a comment left by one of my readers, called Dr. Mercola's Natural Sunscreen. It is formulated with both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, is paraben free and has a great natural ingredient list. No potentially harsh chemicals at all. Ingredient label for Dr. Mercola Natural Sunscreen. Dr. Mercola also subscribes to similar thinking about the sun being healthy for us, our need for vitamin D, and our well being. I will forewarn you however, that if you peruse his site, he does have some very annoying pop-ups that will lock you in until you sign up for his newsletter. That is why I did not put any links to this portion of the site in here, just directly to purchase product page. I did call CS and they stated if you wish to review his videos and information, scroll away from the tabs at the top and the pop-ups should not show up since the tabs are what activate it. Not customer friendly, but it is worth a go for what appears to be an exceptional product.

Which brings me to my Bull Frog SPF 50 purchase with titanium dioxide for those that read the Soothing Sunburn Pain After A Great Day. Although it was great for short notice protection after my annual burn, I found it to be very drying. I could literally feel the moisture being sucked out of my skin. This made my skin an ashy grayish blue color and caused my skin to flake and peel. It also did not go on easily at all. A lot of drag on my sensitive skin. Do not put this on your face...unless you love acne! Stick with your mineral makeup foundation! So I plan on purchasing some of Dr. Mercolas Natural Sunscreen for myself! If anyone else has tried this, let us know since future readers will be most grateful for the feedback.

Have a lovely weekend with Mr. Sunshine, and don't forget to soak up your dose of vitamin D.... safely!

marketing

... and let me be the first to admit that my marketing is non-existent and would be marked 'could do better'.

I still haven't gotten a real handle on what I can do effectively with my time and efforts in this manner. I've tried Project Wonderful in a dibs and dabs manner and not really noticed that many hits coming from it (note to self: target ad placement better). I blog and twitter and notice incomings from my stat counters. I add items to GoogleBase using ecrater and artfire's auto function.

What's my next step?

Locally I've found that just being around, chatting, taking classes and wearing my designs out and about has worked well. This afternoon the collection above is taking up residence in its new home, the craft boutique at the Port Moody Art Centre, where the pieces will be on sale thru the summer. In addition to this venue there are two other local bricks and mortar retailers carrying my work and I'm hoping for a few more craft fairs this summer.

Then after Christmas maybe I'll set up a marketing plan ..... who knows?

The Importance Of Chemical Preservatives

I have in many articles, explained in brief and thorough detail the value of preservatives and their safety and efficacy for preserving our skincare products.

I have tried natural, preservative free products, naturally preserved products, synthetically preserved products to a combination of naturally and synthetically preserved. The latter I feel is the safest and best for keeping the products we use on our skin free from bacteria, mold, fungi and yeast. And you don't have to have parabens in your products for keeping your skincare safe.

What I am about to share with you is not for the faint of heart, and actually may make you very uncomfortable, or perhaps even queasy. Many will still swear by their organic creams and facial cleansers without really understanding fully what they are putting on their skin. But I am about to show you the actual result of what happens to a preservative free and naturally preserved product. They simply cannot withstand the touching of fingers, the temperature extremes in shipping, or handle the climate changes in a bathroom. And I am hoping for the die-hard proponents out there, of keeping it natural, these photos will offer the proof that all organically derived products are not necessarily safer.

For those that store preservative free creams in the refrigerator, this is also a false sense of security as I explained in Preservatives In Cosmetics ~ Natural vs Synthetic. They will last no longer than cooked or raw leftovers we store and must be tossed after just a few days. Even though you may not see a problem within the jar..... trust me, it is there lying in wait to shock you one day when you least expect it.

Naturally preserved can buy a longer shelf life, and after opening, maybe up to 30 days, but this is still subjective to what the cream is exposed to. I also know how seductive the organic, all natural preparations can be. Some of them are so beautifully displayed and photographed, they almost look good enough to eat. Which this in and of itself should give you food for thought. (No Pun Intended)

Natural skincare is definitely food for our skin, but it is also food for bacteria since natural ingredients produce sugars after processed into your liquid or cream emulsion.....and when the non-controlled environment is moist, such as damp hands or a steamy bathroom, the growth rate is accelerated at an alarming rate.

Exercise Caution: There are those that formulate creams, lotions and serums that are not emulsified with water or distillates, so they feel this allows them to have preservative free skincare products. Actually this is only partly true and no guarantee!

Products in airless pumps which are protected from the bathroom environment are one way to protect the consumer aside from preservatives. It won't matter that water or distillates aren't used once you open a jar or bottle which allows humidity or the touching of damp fingers to enter the emulsion, whether it is body scrubs, body butters, face creams or masques. It only takes a trace amount of water to begin the growth process.

If a skincare formulator makes this claim, move on, since in this instance there is no such thing as bacteria growth free based on composition once exposed to a moist bathroom environment. And, as I explain later in this article, can this formulator guarantee that the purchase of their raw ingredients arrived bacteria free? Fact is, raw ingredients can already be contaminated with pathogens which are harmful to skin health. Whereby making the argument for the use of some sort of preservative.

Some Scary Stuff!

Below are several pictures of natural skincare products that were provided to me by ladies who very much see the importance of some kind of preservative in their cream, now. They still love natural ingredients, however they won't be buying anything again I am sure, without the use of some kind of synthetic preservative noted on the label. Maybe not parabens necessarily, but Phenoxyethanol is a great one and is used at less than 1% ratio to entire product.

The first picture is about 30 days after opening the jar and had only been used a few times. This is the very beginning stages of mold, yet should be cause for alarm since this is when you can actually see the invasion of microbes.


The next picture to the left of this pair below is similar to the one above except it had been stored on a desk for a couple of months. The next picture on the right shows the progression after four months. There was one more progression at six months but I think we all get the idea. These pictures are bad enough, but the final stage of complete invasion of microbes was more than my weak stomach could take by which I wanted to spare my readers the obscenity of the mold growth. Let's just say it reminded me of a Chia Pet and leave it at that. When I have Chia Pets growing on food that gets shoved to the back of my fridge, I have to have my husband discard it because I can't deal with it. I must leave the room when he disposes of the offending nightmare.


Clearly, when purchasing skincare products preservatives are crucial. And in a litigious society, company's must be vigilant to what they are selling to their customers. The FDA this past year has created more stringent requirements for products whether they are made from the handcrafter or commercially prepared in order to better protect consumers.

The thing to be cognizant of, these pictures are showing you the actual invasion of the microbes, which means these were long contaminated before you can see the product going bad. Creams can still look and smell great, but it doesn't make them free from contaminants. Only Micro testing can achieve the results a lab is looking for to determine the efficacy of their chosen preservative.

Furthermore, bacteria and mold spores are more dangerous and harmful to the safety of our skin health than a miniscule amount of preservative designed to give us peace of mind on what we are consuming. The over inflated warnings about the dangers of preservatives (parabens in particular) is not only ridiculous, but not even worthy of consideration when you look at the actual danger if a product is sold without them.

This is why my entire line of ONATI Skin Care is organically and synthetically preserved, yet still remains paraben free as my personal choice. All of our key ingredients are naturally and botanically derived and are micro tested before being added to the emulsion to make sure they have arrived to the lab in excellent condition to begin with. The completed emulsions were then challenge tested for longevitity of shelf life (approx. 2 yrs) and for the "open jar" staying power. You will find this on the back of every product of ours with a tiny open jar emblem displaying the months it remains safe after opening. This emblem is required by the European Union for selling in foreign markets and we comply with their stringent requirements.

So next time you may think that an organically prepared product that is preservative free or naturally preserved is the way to go, and how wonderful this may seem, just take a look at these pictures once again to remind you of the actual outcome from purchasing products that are supposedly created to keep harmful chemicals from our bodies. I believe the end result is far worse and warrants caution.

Do you know what is on your countertop?

READ ingredient labels always and check for the ingredients that are important to you and for skin health sake, and look for some sort of preservative other than natural. They simply won't last and give you the protection your skin so needs despite our good intentions of keeping it all natural. Natural ingredients are an excellent choice overall, but make sure they are preserved. Keep yourself looking beautiful while also protecting yourself from harmful organisms in order to keep that healthy glow of well cared for skin..... which can only begin with your favorite preserved skincare product.


Cheers! ;~)

inventory

There aren't many wire crochet artists in my neighbourhood, and thos that I have seen all tend to be different ..... which impresses me. I teach wire crochet classes at my local bead shop, Beadworks in Newport Village, and none of the students have produced identical pieces. Everyone has their own style for mixing colours, stones, and glass together.
It's all so unusual that taking part in craft fairs is very interesting since my work doesn't compete with many of the other jewelers. It also means that most of the buyers attending may not be interested in a new form of adornment!
But it's my niche! and my work has been accepted for inclusion in the craft boutique at my local art centre. So this week I have to sort through my inventory to select items for the shop. Very exciting!

ebbandflo

Buy Handmade

source it handmade

OK - it came as a bit of a surprise, and I had noticed the 'pending' text when I logged into flickr .... but I'm a moderator for the Etsy handmade supplies group! Doozy me hadn't noticed!

Anyway, in celebration of my 'new job' (and apologies to the other moderators who must have been wondering why I wasn't doing anything) I've compiled a spotlight of some wonderful handmade supplies to be found on Etsy.

... now go buy some!

my heart belongs to daddy .....

Well, no - not all of it cos a certain Wee Guy has a sizeable chunk of it in his grasp. But in June my father (or Pa as I address mail to him these days) will be numero uno in my gift giving.

... and hopefully so will yours too (in your gift giving, not mine although you wouldn't go far wrong in snapping up something from the little ahem, promotion up above!).

I've also got a few more cufflinks available in my ecrater shop (don't forget to check the sales section too) and on BigCartel (hint: it's worth shopping around cos some of these sites let me list in CAD so you can take advantage of the exchange rates!)

Father's Day - coming to a household near you soon!

Smoother Feet Just In Time For Summer!

Get those feet ready fellow fashionistas, Summer is around the corner and our feet must look their best!

As I dig through my closet floor, I search for my many pairs of sandals and open toe shoes to get them ready for the warmer weather. Cleaning off the dust bunnies and getting them spiffed up. I love it when the warm weather finally arrives since I enjoy being bare foot more than having to wear shoes year round. In fact, I spend most of my time in bare feet or with socks on around my house in the winter. Very rarely do I keep a pair of shoes on my feet except to venture out of course.

After spending the past few weeks walking around barefoot outside on my concrete patio and around my yard, the thick calluses and rough skin are beginning to form. Concrete is the worst for causing feet to crack. It roughs up the skin and pulls moisture from your feet, leaving them looking chalky.

My heels crack every year and get quite painful. I try soaking them, slathering lotion on them, wearing socks to bed with goo smeared on my feet and nothing seems to keep the rough, dry skin at bay. Not as long as I continue to walk around bare foot. And in the summer time I refuse to change this behavior.

Many women and men enjoy going to their local salon to receive a pedicure. They will soak your feet, file them with pumice stones, rub them with lotions, massage them, working on the callused areas and get them coming out nice and smooth. A pedicure gives a whole new meaning to pretty feet! The results are quite dramatic.

Pedicures have never been my cup of tea since I don't particularly like others to touch my feet except for a deep tissue massage and even though the heels of my feet get thick with callus, they are still very sensitive especially if my heels have also begun to crack. Ouch!

I also did a feature article on the safety of pedicures, and keeping your feet safe is of the utmost importance if you should decide to have your feet done professionally.

So since I am not crazy for the professional job, I finally decided to look into those little gizmo's that claim to remove all the callused, rough skin and see if I could prevent some of that summer discomfort right in my own home.

Ped Egg, Dr. Scholls, and Ped X in Review

I headed out to my local stores to check out the little doodads that are going to help me keep my feet in tip top shape. First I decided to look for the original the first one up on my review.

Ped Egg ~ I located the Ped Egg at Walgreens and read the back of the package about how to use it and though the price was reasonable, I remembered seeing others were coming onto the market and the Ped Egg was pretty limited in what it offered. It was a single egg with a one sided micro file in it and several replaceable emery file pads. Now if you were to purchase this from the TV or various websites, they still offer two units along with a foot cream to moisturize after use. They also provide replacement stainless steel files at an additional cost. I think it is great you have an outlet to keep your feet in style, but I felt the unit was limited to what it had to offer including the added expense of replacing the pads or the file part.

After seeing the commercials on this device, I have to tell you I was a bit grossed out. Looking at feet filings doesn't exactly make me go "cool", rather the opposite effect occurred. I had to switch the channel. However, once I got over the initial "eewww" factor, this little device did intrigue me.

Dr. Scholls ~ Now I headed over to Wal Mart to check out their supply of the latest version to be presented by Dr. Scholls. Now this unit looked interesting and the price was essentially the same as the Ped Egg including it offering the two additional disposable buffing pads for smoothing the feet after using the micro file. The added feature is this file is also double sided for back and forth rasping. Wasn't sure if this was a bonus feature or not, since I was still unsure of rasping my feet.

Even though this unit offered the additional parts like the Ped Egg for the better finished pedicure, the downside to it again, was the ongoing added expense of replacement pads when the ones they give you are worn out. Plus, I looked for the replacement pads and could not find them on the shelf. So this makes this unit inconvenient for renewable sales. And with an ongoing outgo of money to keep me in product to complete the job, I did not see these as a bonus but as a hindrance to this product.

Ped X ~ Now as I looked further around the foot aisle I located the Wal Mart version of all these doohickeys and it was not only outfitted with several other tools, (3 in 1 design), it was priced below the other two. It is ergonomically designed to fit in your hand nicely, making it easy to hold. It also had the single sided file, which I preferred.

It provided a file, which is similar to a pumice stone on the outer side of the tool. this helps to rough up the skin and prepare the foot for the micro file. This portion of the design is similar to the others with the filings going into a compartment for easy cleaning. Then after you have finished rasping your feet, it offers a buffing pad to smooth out the residual roughness which may be left after a good rasping of the foot. All the added features are permanent and built into the unit, so they do not require replacements. Now these are a true bonus for this device. And the cost simply could not be beat. And if you should need to replace parts, it is still cheaper to buy an entire new unit than what the other two would cost you in unit plus parts.

My Experience with Final Results

After getting my new found pedi tool home, I proceeded to tear open the adult proof package in anticipation of getting my feet sandal ready, and followed the instructions. It advises to use on clean dry feet only. No moisturizer or wetness should be felt.

I began with the file portion similar to pumice stone, and this kind of felt good. It lifted the rough areas on the soles of my feet, preparing them for the micro file.

I then removed the outer file and exposed the micro file. I began slowly with a back and forth motion...... Similar to a cheese grater.....now upon beginning this process with the micro file, I actually found it a bit painful, and also very glad I had purchased the one sided file. This portion of the device would actually grab and pull the skin a bit sending painful twinges into my feet. I was afraid it was tearing skin more than shaving it. So I took it really slow until I got the hang of it. I also learned not to apply too much pressure since this would force the blades deeply into the cracked skin and could cause cutting or bleeding of the already tender areas. I found that doing it in a circular motion instead of back and forth was gentler to my feet and didn't cause so much sensitivity.

After a few minutes spent on each foot, the heel, the balls of my feet, even the top of my big toe, I realized I was getting the hang of it. I then moved on to the buffing pad built into the inside of the shaving compartment. It had a plastic lid over it to protect it from the filings. I removed this and proceeded to buff the remainder of the skin smooth.

Oh by the way, I didn't see many filings inside the compartment, so I don't know how long some people may keep filing to achieve this result, but for me, I am doing my feet in stages since there is only so much of this stuff I can take.

Once I was all done, I rubbed in a heavy Shea Butter Cream all over my feet and put a pair of synthetic socks on. I found these also in the foot care aisle of Wal Mart and they claim they allow your feet to breathe and were supposedly infused with Aloe. They did feel heavy with moisture when I touched them, but we all know with the first washing this little treat will no longer work. However, synthetic socks are better than cotton socks since they do not absorb the lotions but keep them next to the skin better. Cotton will absorb moisture, including lotions so the effects will be less than satisfactory.

After wearing these for most of the day, I took them off and my feet were a 100% improved. I continued this pattern over the course of the next several days as the skin on my feet would begin to peel and flake up again. Like I stated earlier, I can't do this in one sitting due to the sensitive nature of my feet, but for those that can, just be aware your forearm will get quite the workout. If you are wondering what that pain is in your arm, remember you smoothed out your feet that day.

Warning!

There is also a caution on these devices, to avoid over doing it. If you see redness or irritation, discontinue use. Too much of a good thing may cause further problems for your feet. Also not recommended for those with diabetes due to poor circulation in the feet. Injury maybe a result. And a foot infection is no laughing matter.

I would also recommend cleaning the device with a sanitary soap or alcohol to avoid any problems which could occur with a buildup of bacteria. Treat it as a tool and sanitize properly as with anything that comes in contact with our skin.

Keep 'em Pretty!

So if pedicures aren't your bag yet you suffer from callused soles and cracked heels, then I highly recommend the "do it yourself" foot tool for getting those feet pretty and showing them off in your finest pair of sandals.

Well worth the money and the effort, I say! Have a Happy Feet Summer!

morning all!

in-studio entertainment system with live podcast

It's wordless Wednesday to a lot of blogdom, and also for me at home since Wednesday is also childcare day! For a whole 8 hours I have the freedom to get on with projects uninterrupted and possess the mystical ability to leave the house silently and without nagging in a mere 30 seconds!
So, without more ado, I'll leave you to enjoy The Archers podcast from the BBC ......

PS: there are a few more podcast links on this morning's Portable Crafting blog post here.

patriotic

a patriotic theme running thru my shops!

A quick blog post "all about me" this morning (yawn! what's new). I was playing around with the spotlight feature (again) by those clever folks on ByHand and rattled some of my work into a theme.
I never knew I was so patriotic (but for which country? I'll leave you guessing!)
Now, back to work on some Father's Day stuff - cufflinks returning soon (and thanks to Brandi from the Canadian Artisan Blog for featuring my Carnelian cufflinks in a lovely blog post and getting me back on track!)

PS: Brandi aka Enthral also makes beautiful cufflinks too - check out this selection here

mother's day

Happy Mother's Day and well done for all those who managed to get through it without major tears (theirs or a child's), guilt (mainly theirs) or an insane urge to just run screaming out of the door.
I solo-parented thru this mother's day. It was hard work not to expect some kind of celebration (I got the best ever Mother's Day gift back on my first one anyway - my son finally came home for the first time from the hospital, nothing beats that!) or easy ride but the Wee Guy and I made it through the daylight hours without falling out in a major way. We even managed a civilised early dinner out together which didn't end with me telling him that in no way would I ever consider taking him out for a meal again. Progress!
... and I managed to pack in some gardening too so it can't have been all bad.
I also checked in on PostSecret for their mother's day cards. This was the one that stopped me in my tracks. My heart goes out to the mother who wrote the card. I have no idea what you are going through but I do have some understanding of it.
Earlier this year my genetic testing results came back - I found out that I did not carry a particularly nasty gene deletion. Although admittedly relieved at not having to face the certainty of unpleasant medical screening for the rest of my inevitably shortened life, most of my joy was at knowing that there is no way I can have passed it on to my son.
Happy Mother's Day

Your Blog is Fabulous! Awards

I am very humbled to have received two awards for "Your Blog is F@*%^$&# Fabulous" by two of my favorite bloggers: Rose from A Rose Beyond the Thames and Jenavira from Scent of Abricots. Thank you ladies- both of your blogs have provided endless moments of pleasurable, thought-provoking reading.

Because I have won this award, I am now going to follow the rules (posted, in full, below), list my top five addictions and bestow the award on five of my favorite blogs.

For my top five addictions:

1. Books by Alexander McCall Smith. I know I reference Mr. McCall Smith all the time in my blog and it is for good reason. His books are the literary equivalent of a perfectly made cup of tea enjoyed by the fire on a chilly afternoon. I find them to be humorous, philosophical and endearing. Every single one.

2. Chanel eyeshadow. Chanel does so many things right: perfume, clothes, sunglasses but I personally cannot live without their eyeshadow sets: les 4 ombres. I find that the sheer quality of the color, pigmentation and sparkle factor (yes, that is a scientific term) is unparalleled. My favorite two right now? Beiges Velours and Variations.

3. Essie nail polish in Mademoiselle. This is the perfect neutral shade for a manicure. I love love love it!

4. Television shows on etiquette. I've mentioned them in the past and they continue to be an addiction. Right now I am thrilled that the Sundance channel is airing the third season of Britain's Ladette to Lady. Bring on the manners!

5. Backgammon. This is an old fashioned game that my husband introduced me to. We play a minimum of three games a day. It is a game of strategy and luck. And there is something, I feel, so romantic about staying up late to play a game of chance with your guy.

And now for my Blog Awards.... drumroll please!

1. Juliana from Dining on Deals. Juliana is a connoisseur of deals. She goes in search of the best restaurants in Los Angeles and finds out what specials they offer. Her reviews are descriptive and honest. A fabulous new blog!

2. Cashmere Librarian at Chez la Vie. This lady has style and a blog to prove it!

3. Here, There, Elsewhere and More. A beautiful blog with poetic words and images. An inspiration.

4. Vicki at French Essence. Vicki leads a fabulous life and documents it on her blog in all its glory.

5. Scentscelf at Notes from the Ledge. Scentscelf has an unconventional approach to perfume and I am a huge fan...

Congratulations to the winners! If you are so inclined to keep these awards going, the rules are as follows:


1. You pass it (the award) on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post. (easy Below)

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. Also, don’t forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Applying Mineral Makeup With The Moist Method Technique

Today I have decided to give a small tutorial on how to apply our mineral foundation for those who wish to achieve heavier coverage or to simply enjoy the benefit of further reducing fly away of their mineral powders. For whatever reason, the look will be incredibly flawless skin. Although I touch on this in my Flawless Face Technique page, some are still not sure how to proceed, especially those that are new to mineral makeup altogether.

The reason this method works so well, is due to our unique formulations, making it impossible for them to cake on the face. Also, the technique referred to as the "Wet Method" you may have seen or used with other brands, will not work with our minerals. That is why I created this tutorial to be specific to our unique mineral powders. You will discover moisture added to the brush gives the makeup a soft creamy feel as the powders are applied. This is how I apply my minerals and I love it.

Another reason this method is so important to know about, is there are some who just can't get past the fear of applying a moisturizer if they have oily skin or acne, so the moisture method assists them with better adherence to the skin.

One more thing to also know, even if you don't want heavier coverage, with the moist method you can control the level of coverage through the amount of minerals you place on the brush. You cannot overdo with our products. I personally have applied up to 10 layers of my mineral makeup foundation trying to get them to cake and it just doesn't happen. Now I was quite the sight and I don't recommend this for a natural glowing complexion, but it was fun to do when creating my formulas. Well....let's get started!

Moist Method Application:

Tap the amount of minerals you desire onto your plate and get out your fine mist bottle filled with either distilled water or our Perfect Balance Facial Toner to use to not only set your powders, but to apply them. Prepare your face with cleansing, toning and moisturizing to create the best canvas for application of color. Remember, with our mineral powders, you do not need to wait for the moisturizer to be completely absorbed like with other mineral makeup brands. In fact it only better serves you for increased adherence to skin.

Take your buki brush, flat top or a buffer brush and lightly spray moisture onto the bristles. Usually 2 to 3 pumps will do it and hold the bottle about 8 inches from the brush. You do not want your brush saturated or "wet" feeling since this will only make "mud" of your minerals. You want to be able to allow them to glide onto the skin and prevent drag. It may sound complicated but it is really simple once you try it a couple of times.

After spraying the brush, then proceed to lightly rub brush quickly across the palm of your hand to disperse droplets that may have landed on the bristles and to distribute the moisture evenly across the bristles. Dip into your mineral powders and they will grab onto the moist brush and you will note the amount you pick up will be more than you may be used to.

This picture shows how much I place on my brush, and one application typically does it for me. I don't have to keep dipping repeatedly. Again, don't worry, the minerals will disperse beautifully and will not cake, or you can tap off excess if still unsure of what I promise. But note that if you reduce the powders to a smattering like you may have to with other mineral powders to prevent caking, you can still create drag and streak color, so you do want more powders on the bristles than you may be used to. However, if you want to apply with the preferred moist method but want a more sheer application, then reduce the amount of sprays to just one and then pick up minimal powder.

Rule of thumb.... more moisture, more powder....less moisture, less powder. The powders are quite accommodating to your application desires. Also once mastered, this is by far the fastest method of application as well.

Now gently press and rotate the brush on your skin to take advantage of the moisture covering the bristles. Continue to gently press and sweep to place the powders where you want them. If you didn't get enough, repeat the process again. Once you have achieved correct placement of your minerals, lightly buff to even out the application and disperse color into hairline, neck, and décolleté. Again, this picture shows about the right amount for a fast single application.

Remember, our mineral powders do not require endless buffing to apply them. Press, Sweep, and Buff lightly....that is all that is needed. Our mineral powders are essentially goof proof!

TIP: Never pick up minerals with your brush first and spray moisture over the top of the powders, you will cause a streaking effect on the skin. Even though our powders will always buff out to perfection despite this mistake, it just requires more buffing to smooth the shade back out. Keep it simple and avoid over buffing on the skin especially for sensitive skin types, unless you are using one of our Faux Fur line of Spa Brushes. You can't irritate your skin with these.

You can use the moist method for mineral foundations and mineral veils. The cooling effect of the Rice Powder when moistened is incredible and very soothing to the skin.

The Big No No!

Do not use this method to apply bronzer or blush since these are designed for color intensity and not for coverage. You will end up with a less than perfect application if these are applied to damp skin or with moist method. Streaking or splotching will occur. However, after these are applied you can spray over the top of them to set the minerals and to deepen the color faster.

Spraying moisture over your mineral powders will set all of your makeup and give you a clean, healthy looking complexion. The results are so natural and it is truly, in my opinion, the optimum look one can achieve. Just relax with the process and have fun!

Well that's today's brief tutorial for those who want a natural look or a bit more coverage. Either way, once tried, it may very well become your favorite way of applying your mineral powders in the future.

Have a great weekend!

May - possibly flowers later

This is the garden I grew up in. It's in central Scotland so the seasons are a little later and May flowers are quite often postponed until June. At first the garden was a wilderness then my parents had their house built and tamed the jungle. Where willow herb ran rampant they established lush lawns and exotic herbaceous island beds. Annoyingly, a semi-decent sled run down the garden was 'ruined' by installing a pond and ornamental trees as they pursued their vision. In my teen years I don't think I gave the garden much thought (although the wooden shed did come in for a bit of a hammering late one night .....).

I have long since forgiven them and now appreciate a gentle potter around the leafy pathways when I manage a trip back home. It is now a hidden tangle of pathways, abundant flowers and leafy nooks. What was once a large open space is now a collection of outdoor rooms and vistas. Each season, not just May, brings changes in flowers and foliage, surprising the visitor with sudden unexpected glimpses. Returning from weekend trips home from university my arms would be laden with wrapped bunches of flowers for my room. Since then I've always appreciated bunches of flowers around the home, replacing the garden which is no longer just outside the door. It's also a small haven for my Wee Guy to run around in (as long as he misses the pond). It's become more meaningful for me the further away I travel.
The garden influences a lot of my work. Flower designs figure prominently in a variety of mediums, ranging from metal to stone carving to polymer clay. If I'm doodling a flower will appear on paper nine times out of ten.
... you can't get the garden out of the girl!

product testing

 

It's always worthwhile to thoroughly test your products before launching them on the general public. Luckily, the cat and my wee guy trashed my curtain rod in the privacy of my own house but on the other hand, I'm not about to go into the curtain rod installation business!

My next product test, which I mentioned in another blog post yesterday, "Buttonless Knickers" is for some wire buttons I've been playing with for a few weeks. They need to be sturdy enough to be functional (though decorative is good too) and also pass the laundry test. Since some of the buttons are flotsam ie. felted fibre in wire, they also have to pass some compatibility tests so I can determine which fabrics they are suitable for.

But that will all have to wait cos I'm wrestling with a migraine this morning. Later!

downtime - the day after the day before

collection of buds in copper, brass and sterling silver

It was a good day yesterday for handmade in Vancouver BC. The spring season well and truly kicked off in style with the Got Craft fair on Commercial Drive. It was a great day for selling wire crochet - I met lots of people and made some new friends in addition to putting faces to names in the Vancouver BC Etsy team who I moderate a forum for. In the interest of full disclosure though I should admit that my memory for faces and names is hazy at best so please do not be surprised if I stare in blank recognition or a while next time we meet!

So now that my first craft show of the season is over I can relax. The first is always a nightmare of preparation as so much of my 'kit' migrates around my studio in the off season. Relaxation for me includes the inevitable spring clean but also a chance to focus on some new work. For example I want to make more in the bud range shown above. I've made rings, earrings and pendants in brass, sterling and copper. I'd like to try making some more delicate pendants for the summer, maybe with different wire patterns. I'm also itching to try making some more fidget rings (so name cos they're great to play with while wearing them!)

I've also juried and been accepted for one more local B&M, my local art centre no less, which brings my total number of retail venues to three - I need to nurture these and establish a range of items for each. I also have to think about craft fairs later on in the season too.

Relaxation will be busy :)

 

fidget ring in brass with furnace glass, size 7.5US