Hi People!

Hi people! It's a beautiful day here in the Ohio Valley. No kidding, the weather is gorgeous for November and it's sunny. Ah, the Sun, there is almost nothing better in my world. Unless your talking about rocks. (or the Carribean)

I've been getting help with the blog from Ami. She is a wonderful young person that has been generous with her time and talent(s). The blog looks so much better because of her efforts and her graphic design ability. Now, if I can just take a decent picture . . .

The store has been buzzing with pre holiday activity, much to my delight and surprise (it's so early - non - it's right on top of us)

Here are some popular, um, things, coming out of The Desert Beckons lately . . .

Bali bead jewelry - I've been twittering about these bracelets. I attached some photos of a couple of pieces I did that hit the floor yesterday and sold right away. Silver has metaphysical properties just like rocks and minerals (did you know that? I didn't)

I made a necklace for LouAnn:-) and she loved it. I'll try to attach a photo so you can see what I'm talking about.

"Random Act of Design"

I've decided that I like the pieces I've been making after all. I really don't give myself enough credit . . . so many people that design jewelry are so confident with their style, pricing, etc. and I've always thought my pieces are nice enough for me but, well, I just think everyone else does a better job . . . I favor using one (sometimes 2) stone(s) per piece. I see others' using so many different stones in their pieces and mixing them up in the most unique ways. I'm not that good at doing that. I call it "Random Act of Design" and I'm forever trying to achieve this goal. Sometimes I get lucky and the piece comes out awesome, but secretly, there is nothing random about my "random act of design" pieces, they take days and many restrings & do-overs.

I approach my designs with the stone and it's metaphysical properties in mind. It just happens that I want all the energy the stone provides to pack a wallop, so I end up using just one stone at a time. This past two weeks, I've really liked what I have been producing, so I'm rolling with it. Hey, it's never too late to give yourself a break, right?

The rock shop is about to get some new goodies. I just talked to one of my vendors and I'm bringing in some Fulgurite. Also known as "lightening strikes" The "seekers" are very excited. I've got some red beryl crystals coming in also. Imagine the color red in nature. It blows my mind.

I'm reordering Fairy Stones also. These are 10,000 - 30,000 years old. They remind me of how young we all are, and of angels.

My "duh" moment of the day is finding out that fluorite is florescent. I never knew this. I'm pretty sure everyone in the entire mineral kingdom knows this, which is what makes it a "duh" for me, sometimes I arrive late to the party. Hey, what ya gonna do?

Thanks for listening today. I'll try to attach some photos but don't get too excited, I've been skipping class.

Yours in rocks and beads,

Kathy