More of the Newbies, and don't miss the sale!

The exclusive blog/facebook sale is still going on through the end of this week, don't miss out! To receive 15% off use the code "lovebug" either in my ETSY shop or my online SHOP. Thank you so much to everyone who has already used it for your orders! :)

Here are a few more of the Newbies that have gone up over January

Midnight Magic stacking set in my Etsy shop

By the Sea stacking set (LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!!!) In my ETSY shop

Follow your heart spinner ring. Listed in both Etsy and My SHOP

More to come but that's all I have time to show tonight, I think the kids are dismantling something in the other room!

xoxo

Canela

Destination Healthy aka the diet week #2

(I just might have to pick up this picture by Caty99)

I can't thank you ladies who shared last week enough. You really were so encouraging.

I think we can inspire each other together to keep on track!! So please share your progress, ideas or recipes!! You are not alone :)

Here we are at week 2. I stepped on the scale this morning... last week 179 today 175.4. Little by little. The happy report for today is I had to cinch my belt up one more notch! Yay!

So here it is, the good the bad and the ugly....

I've been asked what am I doing; a weight loss plan, or organized group weight watchers etc...

The answer is no. I am going it alone (with the wonderful encouragement of you ladies!!) I can't do a plan where my meals are pre set, cooked and delivered. I hear those plans are amazing and give awesome results but with 6 kids and a hubby to feed it wont work in my life.

I did some reading on diets this week and I think that left me more confused, "cut carbs, cut protein, eat dairy don't eat dairy" Everybody seams to have a different answer.

So I am going with my own common sense.

I have made little changes in my daily life. I doubled my walking route. With 27 pounds of Nathaniel strapped to my back, it's a good work out.

I cut out all fast food and most processed foods. Which was really hard when Rob ordered pizza the night I took Nathaniel in to the ER (he's fine now) It was a stressful night, and I'm a stress eater, and there was all this yummy cheese coated pizza when I returned home.

I grabbed a yogurt and walked away from the pizza! That was not an easy thing to do.



I wont cut out carbs, but I switched to whole grain, whole wheat. I prepare my own meat so I know what seasoning and salt content go in (I've always done this though) I'm eating more fruit, and if I'm still hungry at dinner and temped to go for seconds, I stick to a second serving of veggies.

No it hasn't been all that easy. There are temptations everywhere. I'm hungry, it seams like all the time, especially late at night when I'm working at my work bench.

My hubby who has put on 5 pounds in the last 12 years I've known him, keeps chocolate snacks in the freezer. Midnight rolls around and I'm still up working I just want to tear into one like a rabid animal and enjoy the chocolate bliss, but...I grab my yogurt instead and leave the kitchen before temptation gets the better of me.

That's where I stand heading into week 2.
How are you doing?
Keep it up we'll walk this journey together!!
xoxo
Canela

Let's have a Sale! and meet the newbies...

Because it's Monday, because the kiddies are finally on the mend (the younger 3 were really really sick last week), and because I love all you sweet ladies who stop by to read my little blog, let's have a SALE!!! Use the code "lovebug" in either my Etsy shop, or my BigCartel shop and receive 15% off!!!
This code is only on my blog and facebook fan page so it's a special sale just for you :) Enjoy (tell your hubby it's not too late to order for Valentines!!)

I'm so very happy to be able to offer a new Birthstone stacking set!!!

This set features 3 rings, 2 with gemstones of your choice (choose birthstones or your favorite colors.) the third ring has one of my hand sculpted hearts.

The back side, or off to the side of the gem stone/heart can be personalized. They look so very pretty resting on your finger, and are a special little trinket for any mom or grandma, (or even new bride, or maybe just because ;)

You can find them in my Etsy shop or in my BigCartel shop

Remember this pretty? She now listed in my Etsy shop and in my Big Cartel shop
Wouldn't this make a perfect Valentines gift?

This one is for those who prefer a more subtle Mother's necklace.

I have taken my hand cut pure silver cross and embedded it with gem stones! Choose your kids birthstones, yours and your spouse... so many possibilities!

You can find her in my etsy shop and in my big Cartel shop

And... Another set of my stacking rings! These are a limited edition. I only have a few of each of these gem stones, and I don't know if I will be able to get more in these sizes and cuts once they are gone. This Gorgeous set features a blue flash Labradorite, a beautiful Moonstone, and a lovely clear crystal quartz.

All my rings are custom made to size and you can find them in my Etsy shop and my BigCartel Shop!

That's all for today! I don't want to over load Blogger with photos, more to come tomorrow!!

Don't miss out on the special, blog and facebook only sale!! Code "lovebug"

xoxo

Canela

pretty little things

I've been hard at work this week making over my studio space.

Here is the before picture, I figure if I can admit my weight and size yesterday sharing this can't be as scary! Can it? (please don't submit my space to hoarders, it's not as bad as it looks ;)

I spent the last 2 days clearing out this side of the room so I can paint. I sifted through all my boxes of supplies and crafts under that messy table to the right.

I let much of it go.

They are craft supplies I used before I started full time into silversmithing. Thinking some say I may use them again, I kept them hidden away (okay fine they're not so hidden). I have decided that my arsenal of metalsmithing tools needs to continue to grow and it can't until I let go of some other things.
Some of it is heading to the garage for the girls to use when they get older and much of it has gone off to new homes.

I have taken down all my tackle boxes that stored my beads. I can't see them in those boxes, and so they have just sat there unused feelilng unloved for too long.

I transferred them into little vintage spice jars. Don't they look beautiful!!

Once I am done painting, I plan to put up wall shelves and the bottles will all find new homes on the shelves where they can be seen in all they sparkly colorful beauty!

The shelves will take some time to get up. So you will have to wait a bit for the final pictures. My hubby is usually the handy man, but he's in the middle of writing his thesis for his final semester of his masters program. I don't want to wait till April when he is done so I plan to figure to how to create the shelves myself and hang them. :)

Have you taken on any New Projects this year? I'd love to hear about them!

xoxo

Canela

PS. If you have been waiting to see all the new designs, I promise that post is coming very soon! It has taken me longer than I expected to get them all listed with the kids home sick this week.

The D word

All right, here it is. I'm putting my self out there. So please don't judge, because this is tough for me to admit to the world...

I struggle with my weight. I have for the last 2 years after having Nathaniel.

I blamed it on the extra baby weight, but let's get real...it's been 2 1/2 years. It's not baby weight any more.


I never was one of those little cute pregnant girls. The ones that are all belly and chest and don't seem to put on weight anywhere else. I put it on everywhere, especially my face, my fingers my toes, my ankles, oh my poor little ankles.

Thing is after each baby the weight would start to come off, except this time. It hasn't budged.


It's time to get real. I'm not in my 20's anymore. My metabolism has changed.

I've got 6 little people depending on me, I have to stay healthy. Plus I really miss wearing cute clothes. Really really miss it!


So... I'm on a diet.

I've gotten back into my walking routine.
I wasn't able to walk in Dec. too busy and tired.
I was good about going each morning last week.
This week I've got 2 kids with fevers and who knows what germies so I haven't been able to get out on the trail and walk. I'll need to find something to do at home on these days so I can stay on track.

I'm putting this out there because I need to stay motivated and on track, and I know I am not alone in this struggle.

I plan to post my progress once a week. Feel free to walk this journey with me, or just skip these post all together. There will still be tons of pretty jewelry to check out on other days ;)

Week #1 179 pounds (yikes!) snug size 12... oh my did I really just admit that?

Do you have a favorite "lite" recipe, I'd love to hear it?!!

xoxo Canela

Good bye beige...

Hello Ice Cube!!!

When we bought our home everything was beige. I mean everything! The walls the doors the cabinets, the carpet. Beige.



I had grand plans for color. Every room needed color. The kids rooms were the first to be painted.

Then we were pregnant, for years, and the painting was put on hold.
Now 8 years later I am finally painting, we finished the living room a couple months ago. Now my room, which doubles as my studio space is getting a face lift!
I have spent the last 2 month debating over colors. I had up to 6 samples on my wall at once, thinking that's too dark, I like that but it might be too much on every wall, that's too minty, and on and on.

I almost gave up and decided to settle figuring if I hate it I can always try again, but one last trip to Home Depot and I found my color!!!



It's light and beautiful in my space! Calming and inspiring with out feeling cold.

I can't wait to finish making over my space. Next come the shelves for my books, and beads and gems.
Then some art work for the walls.


I found this that I just LOVE and I am working with the artist to have a couple more made
One of St Joan of Arc and one of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Artist is Flor Larios She has paintings of Angles and some of Jesus, and many of Mary. They are whimsical and heart felt and just lovely. Check out her shop!

I'll share the Journey of transforming my space as i continue to work on it :)

Hoping you find beauty in your day!
xoxo
Canela

Kindred

I love the quite hours of the morning when I sit at my workbench. The kids are all tucked safe in their beds, my honey is fast asleep, and there is silence. Beautiful blissful silence.

After midnight is when I find my peace. When I can bring two thoughts together with out them being interrupted by questions and request, and the occasional sibling bickering. I can plant those thoughts in my heart, and let them grow and create beauty from them.

I can reflect, pray, or just enjoy the quiet rhythm as I hammer and stamp.

Tonight I find myself reflecting over last month. In a word it was a disaster. By the end, even though I finished all my orders on time and shipped everything as promised I felt so worn down and on some days, defeated.

It was difficult to find the strength to persevere those days, when at 3 am I would look behind me and see my hubby snuggled under our blankies, and I so desperately wanted to just stop working, and cuddle up in the comfort of his arms and sleep.

We all have these times in our life, we're human. We plan and we plan, we think we have our ducks in a row and we DEPEND on OUR plans, then... they fall apart and we have no control over it.

It is these times that we have to step back place our broken non existent plans in God's hands and know, He will give us the strength to persevere. He will set the path. If we choose to walk it, He will guide us.

Artwork by atticusfinch

Sometimes that strength comes to us from others.

In my weakest moments last month, when i just wanted to cry at 3am, because something else went wrong, someone else got sick, something else broke I was exhausted and wanted to give up Tracy would send me an e-mail. They always came in right when I needed them most, right when I was ready to set the hammer down, there was an e-mail encouraging me on.

Tracy is a kindred soul, my creative sister! This Christmas season was busy for her as well, and we were there for each other in the wee hours of the morning encouraging each other to keep faith, the light was at the end of the dark path we just had to keep going. We kept the faith, we persevered!! Thanks Tracy, love ya!

Do you have a Kindred Soul in your life?

wishing you peace this weekend

xoxo

Canela

Love Notes!

Since our courtship Rob and I have left each other surprise love notes. Some times it would be a card, or we would drive to the other's work and leave a little note on the car.

A couple of years ago we got some little foam hearts. We wrote little messages or drew pictures on them, some silly, some sweet and simple, some suggestive ;)

We hide them in different places around the house for the other to find. On the computer key board, dresser drawers, in my make up bag, in his wallet..

Today I found this one in my workbench drawer.

It always gives my heart a little flutter of joy when i find one :)

Do you have a fun little ritual with your honey to let them know you love them?

I'd love to hear!

xoxo

Canela

winner winner winner

Three winners!

Winner for day 10 the deep in my heart necklace is....
Comment 56 Courtney!

Winner for day 11 the gem stone stacking rings is....
Comment 26 Sam!

Winner for day 12 the little girls charm bracelet is...
Comment 26 Cathy!

E-mail me ladies and gentleman :) jewelrybycanela@yahoo.com

*** For all the ladies who won a goodie from me they are shipping out today.
If you won something from one of the other talented ladies I featured and you haven't heard from them yet let me know so I can make sure they got your e-mail.


Thank you so much for all your sweet sweet comments through out the giveaway, and for coming back to check out each day :)

We're getting back to normal life over here. Preparing to paint my work space. See the samples up on the wall? NO more boring beige!!

I'm slowly getting all my listings back up in my etsy shop, and the new designs are getting listed as well. I'll post all the newbies tomorrow :)

Hope you're enjoying your Thursday!
xoxo

Canela

Day 10, 11, and 12 of the Giveaway!

I'm wrapping up the last 3 days of the giveaway with 3 new designs!

Day 10!

Deep in my Heart

This sweet little open heart starts as a sheet of sterling silver. It is hand sawn, hammered, stamped, formed into a heart, and soldered together.

Hidden inside is a little secret! A word or name :) Subtle and sweet!

Day 11

Layered silver and garnet stacking ring!

I am expanding my line of stacking rings this year.

This little beauty is completely hand fabricated. A little Garnet is nestled on top. ( If you are not a fan of garnets I do have other gem stones to choose from :)

Day 12

Little Girls Charm bracelet!

Over Christmas break, my little Meggie came into my workshop and asked me to make her something pretty. This is what I created. It's a sweet little charm bracelet with an initial charm.

The chain is completely hand fabricated. I hand form and fuse each link, so it is sturdy enough for my rough and tumble princess!

Now how can you win one of these goodies?

Leave a comment, that simple :)

For an additional chance blog, facebook, or tweet about it with a link so others can find it. Be sure to leave a comment for each entry.

On Wednesday I will announce the final 3 winners. I will choose 3 entries using random.org the first will receive day 10, the second day 11, and the third day 12.

Good luck and thanks for coming back for the whole giveaway :)

Canela

Winner for Day 9

The winner for the lovely bookmark by Joy of the Vintage Rabbit is....


ShirleyC (comment #8)



Please send me your e-mail so I can get you in contact with Joy!



Vacation is officially over.
They kids go back to school tomorrow. Rob goes back to work, and starts his final semester for his Masters Program (only one semester left, yay!!)



It will be bitter sweet, the kids are gone again no more lazy mornings of Uno games and pancakes, and I wont have much time with my honey, but it will be nice getting back to normal routine. Plus I start making over my workshop tomorrow. Painting, new shelves and bookcases.



Tomorrow I also reopen my Etsy shop. I will have a handful of new designs listed by the end of the day.

***If there is something you have been eyeing order soon, I will be working over this week adjusting all of my prices to reflect the rise in the cost of silver. (silver prices have really skyrocketed!)*****



Tomorrow I will wrap up the giveaway so there will be 3 prizes and 3 winners!! Some of them are my new designs so be sure to check back, they are lovely and unique!!



Hope you enjoyed your weekend!
xoxo

Canela

Day 9 of the 12 day giveaway!

Today meet the beautiful Joy of The Vintage Rabbit!

1. tell us a bit about you...
My name is Joy Gabler , I have been crafting and creating my whole life...but really started getting serious about it about 10 years ago! My Company
The Vintage Rabbit, just celebrated 10 years in the biz! I sell my things out of my booth at Vignettes in Ocean Beach California . I also travel to do shows several times a year! I started my my blog www.thevintagerabbit.typepad.com about 4 years ago and have met some wonderful gals through the blogworld and along the way have made some special friends too.
My husband and I live with our 2 dogs and several chickens out in the country in Sunny Southern California! I love being able to work from home and do what I love!

2. How did you get started crafting...
I started crafting as a child. My mom and her side of the family were always making and doing something! I guess it's in the blood! I think my mom was ahead of her time... I remember having little boutiques on the weekends in our driveway selling things we had made and I have been doing it off and on ever since!

3.What is your favorite medium to work with.
I kinda love all the mediums...and it kinda depends on the mood I am in at the time and I am always willing to learn to work with new ones. But right now I am enjoying working with fabric, especially vintage fabric!

4. What is your biggest goal for 2011
There are so many goals!! But I think I would really like to concentrate on a line of Jewelry and a website!

5.Share a favorite Christmas memory.
Making Norwegian and Swedish Christmas cookies with my Grandma and all my cousins!
I also got engaged in December at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego..so my husband and I always love to go down there on that date to celebrate our engagement and how we met!

Lovely sewn bookmarks!

Stunning hand made wrist cufffs!

Joy sells her gorgeous creations at a Brick and Mortar Boutique in San Diego, at craft fairs, and also through Her BLOG

Joy is offering day nine's lucky winner this gorgeous book mark! Wouldn't your latest read be even better with this beauty resting between the pages?

To win today's Prize, grab a cup of tea, or coffee, head over to Joy's Blog, and spend a few moments browsing her gorgeous creations, and lovely photos. Then come back over and share your favorite photo or post :)

For a bonus entry, "like" Joy on Facebook so you can see all her beauties as she creates them.

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Thank you so much for Sharing Joy!
Good luck to everyone,

Canela

Winner for day 8

The winner for the little charm necklace is...

Clara! (comment 26 :)

E-mail me Clara.

Day 9 will be posted in just a moment.

Day 8 of the 12 days of Christmas giveaway

Another simple post today :)
Tomorrow evening I will have a talented sweet artist to feature!



When it comes to hearts, I am a total girlie girl!! I LOVE hearts!


So naturally I LOOOVE to create Valentine jewelry. I will have several new designs posted as soon as I reopen my etsy shop, and you might even be able to find them this week on my Website. The word of the year bracelet will be available there tomorrow!

Today you have a chance to win this sweet little charm necklace.
It comes with all 3 charms my layered heart charm, my layered circles with a lab created ruby, and a little circle with your choice of initial.

and you can choose from...

Shiny

or Rustic

To win today's prize leave a comment share if you like the earthy rustic look for silver jewelry, or sleek and shiny.

Good Luck!

xoxo
Canela

winner for day 7!

The winner for day 7 chosen by random.org is comment #6 Mary Ellen!!

Mary Ellen please e-mail me :)

Day 8 coming up shortly...

12 Days of Christmas continued!! Day 7

To get back into the swing of the giveaway I'm keeping it pretty simple today. So welcome back to Day 7!

Today you can win my new word of the year bracelet.

Similar to my eternity bracelet, except the eternity ring is a bit smaller, a bit less than 3/4 of an inch. I made it petite so it can be paired with your favorite bracelet(s) and worn together.

The other difference is the bracelet chain is all hand made by me :) I LOVE making chain. The chain is sturdy and solid, but looks feminine and delicate.

I chose to stamp mine with "simplify" I need to be reminded at times to take a step back and clear out what I don't need. When life gets to busy it can be overwhelming and it's easy to become discouraged and loose sight of my goals.

I'm looking forward to 2011, a fresh month, a fresh year, a fresh start as so many of you wrote on my last post... thank you :)

So how can you win this inspirational little bracelet? Simply leave a comment telling what your word for 2011 is. Simple ;)

Good luck!
xoxo

Canela

when life gives you lemons...

make lemonade. But when it keeps giving you lemons, make lemon tarts, and lemon meringue pie, and lemon chiffon cake, lemon chicken, and..... life kept giving us lemons.

I have to confess I am happy to see the end of Dec. It was the type of month where if it could go wrong it did, again and again.

Though Christmas is always joyful, the beauty of Christmas Mass, the excitement of the kids, the time to sit and really enjoy family, this year I was just plain exhausted!




During my busiest month working and creating,
lemon one... both of the assistants I trained to help me through the rush, called off sick or had other things come up and couldn't work, at all, so for all of Dec I worked till between 3-5am slept 2 hours and then got up with the kids (Tracy your 2am e-mails of encouragement were all that kept me working some nights! mwah!)

lemon two... All six of the kids played two rounds of pass the tummy bug, and if you have a few kids, you know it almost never hits them all the same day. So with 6 it was something like 12 non stop days of someone throwing up. It's these times that I am so thankful that we are fortunate enough to have a washing machine in our home. Many families do not, we really are blessed.

lemon three... 5 days before my shipping deadline my immune system caved and I caught the tummy bug too. Thank goodness for my Mother in law who came and took the kids while I was sick because I couldn't move for 24 hours.

lemon four... we had the heaviest rain fall in who knows how long which lead to mud slides and flooding in my town and a leaking roof in 4 rooms of our house. I haven't found the silver lining here yet... I suppose we have a warm home with a full fridge and more than we need, so a leaky roof isn't that big of a deal.

lemon five... the van broke down and needed repairs this month, and I got a flat tire driving over a submerged pot hole on my way to mail my very last Christmas orders, in the pouring rain.

I really could go on and on because it felt like at every turn something new came up, broke down or got sick, but to keep going on just feels like I'm whining.

I just want to let you lovely ladies know I had to put the 12 days of giveaway on hold with good reason.



Now that you have all listened to me complain (sorry) The 12 days of Christmas will resume tomorrow with my brand new "Word of the Year Bracelet"

Over the past couple of years people have been choosing a word rather than a New Years resolution. Let's be honest, how often do we keep our resolution?
But the word is like a theme for the year. Something simple to apply to daily life.

Also I have been receiving several e-mails through my Bigcartel shop wanting to know when I will reopen. I decided to go ahead and reopen my Big Cartel shop today so some of my designs are available for purchase. My Etsy Shoppe will remain closed until Jan 10th as I need to make some changes to my shop, my pricing, and my policies.

Peace and blessings in the New Year!!
Canela