I'd been dreading what to buy for the holidays. I've been reading threads for gift ideas, and had considered some of the ideas listed, but still hadn't made up my mind. Should this person get this gift, or would that be better for someone else; oh no maybe this person doesn't like scented whats-its what will I do?? And on and on...
Until tonight. I happened to have 20/20 on while working on the computer, and they were doing a special called 'Be the Change' about health issues all over the world and how people were making a difference. Simple things, like inexpensive food supplements so a child doesn't die of malnutrition, or clean water to prevent water-borne illnesses. Certainly not anything I wasn't aware of, and I've given to organizations before that help with these sorts of problems.
But as I sat there, it just sort of hit me. Here I am worried about whether I should buy someone a gizmo or a treat, when that money could literally save a life. Such a little thing. And its not like my widget or munchy would have made any difference; they'd just been ate or put in a cabinet, and forgotten about. But this, this actually could make a difference.
So yeah, I know what they're getting this year. A card with a note, to let them know that a life, or lives, will be helped, even potentially saved, in their honor. Seriously, can a gift get any better than that?
If you're looking for additional gifts, consider donating to an organization in someone's honor. Your small contribution really can make a HUGE difference. Here's a few links to some great organizations with info about donating.
Be the Change Help save a life with basic needs like food and clean drinking water, birthing kits, and medicine.
Natural Resources Defense Council Help protect polar bears or wolves, even plant a tree or build a park.
Doctors Without Borders One of the most important organizations out there, your donation will help provide humanitarian health care to people in dire need in more than 60 countries.
House Rabbit Society Lastly an organization near and dear to my and my bunnies hearts. The House Rabbit Society helps with rabbit rescues and education world wide. Even if you can't adopt a bunny, you can still help one!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Christmas in July Sale at Bijoutery!
The 3rd annual Christmas in July Sale is underway at Etsy! Everything in my shop will be 25-30% off til the end of July - prices are already reduced for quick and easy shopping. Come join me and JD (the cute little guy pictured above), and get some of your holiday shopping done early this year with some great sales! Check it out!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Nature's Wonders - Moths!
I find new and amazing things every day in the yard. Lately I've found all kinds of beautiful moths I've never seen before and wanted to share :)
This pretty little guy was unfortunatly attacked by a bird, and lost one of his wings. I've never seen such a colorful moth before, and was such a cute little guy. I watched him wander around the porch for awhile before he tottered off.
I thought this was was pretty neat looking, with his browns, greens, and cream colors, he definitely blended in with the plants!
Another pretty moth, with black and white colors, with an orange face. He spent the morning resting on the trash can lid before flying off.
These two pretty moths were found on top of the air conditioning unit one morning after a cold snap. I feared they had died, and brought them in to show mum, when to my surprise they began wiggling around! I placed them in a pot with one of my plants, and let them warm up for awhile. When they started walking around a bit and it had warmed up outside, I took them both back out where they hung out with the plants for awhile enjoying the sun.
This pretty little guy was unfortunatly attacked by a bird, and lost one of his wings. I've never seen such a colorful moth before, and was such a cute little guy. I watched him wander around the porch for awhile before he tottered off.
I thought this was was pretty neat looking, with his browns, greens, and cream colors, he definitely blended in with the plants!
Another pretty moth, with black and white colors, with an orange face. He spent the morning resting on the trash can lid before flying off.
These two pretty moths were found on top of the air conditioning unit one morning after a cold snap. I feared they had died, and brought them in to show mum, when to my surprise they began wiggling around! I placed them in a pot with one of my plants, and let them warm up for awhile. When they started walking around a bit and it had warmed up outside, I took them both back out where they hung out with the plants for awhile enjoying the sun.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
In the works...
Just a sneak peak of some of the things I'm working on this weekend...
First off here's a quick snapshot of my indoor work area (I have a separate one out in the shed for metal smithing stuff). Most of my beads and findings are in those labeled drawers, with excess stuff in other containers. For a limited space, it works pretty well.
Here's some of the jewelry I'm currently working on. I have a bracelet of pink (dyed) quartz and gray pearls, which is almost finished, the ends just need to be done. In front are several pairs of earrings I'm working on, of fire opal, amethyst, and tourmaline.
A closer look at the earrings, and what they'll eventually look like. I'm doing a color scheme with these fire opals, from white to red. The amethyst will be all purple, and the tourmaline will be in pink, green, and black.
I'll edit this later with the links to my shop once they're available! However if you're interested in a pair, just contact me to reserve some! The fire opals will especially be limited in this particular color scheme!
First off here's a quick snapshot of my indoor work area (I have a separate one out in the shed for metal smithing stuff). Most of my beads and findings are in those labeled drawers, with excess stuff in other containers. For a limited space, it works pretty well.
Here's some of the jewelry I'm currently working on. I have a bracelet of pink (dyed) quartz and gray pearls, which is almost finished, the ends just need to be done. In front are several pairs of earrings I'm working on, of fire opal, amethyst, and tourmaline.
A closer look at the earrings, and what they'll eventually look like. I'm doing a color scheme with these fire opals, from white to red. The amethyst will be all purple, and the tourmaline will be in pink, green, and black.
I'll edit this later with the links to my shop once they're available! However if you're interested in a pair, just contact me to reserve some! The fire opals will especially be limited in this particular color scheme!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday Favorites - HelpTheGulfCoast
This weeks Friday Favorite features an Etsy store with a cause - HelpTheGulfCoast. This store was started as a collective Etsy shop to raise money to help with the Gulf Coast recovery from the oil spill. Many Etsy sellers are donating items for the shop, and 100% of proceeds will be donated!
Check out all the great items available and help out! And don't forget to follow the progress of the shop on their social networking sites!
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/helpthegulfcoastetsy
Blog - http://www.helpthegulfcoastetsy.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HelpGulfCoast
Check out all the great items available and help out! And don't forget to follow the progress of the shop on their social networking sites!
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/helpthegulfcoastetsy
Blog - http://www.helpthegulfcoastetsy.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HelpGulfCoast
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday Favorites - The Fabulous Glass Lampwork Beads by Gardanne
Friday favorites returns with this feature of Etsy seller Gardanne and her gorgeous lampwork beads!
What really draws me to Gardanne's beads is how natural they look, and their wonderful organic feel. The colors are vibrant and rich, such as in this focal bead called "Meditation".
I also enjoy her style, all of her beads are eye-catching. These "Ecko Bubble" beads are pretty, interesting, and fun!
In addition to glass lampwork beads,Gardanne offers enameled beads and components, and a selection of findings. Check out Gardanne's work at her shop on Etsy at GardanneBeads.etsy.com
What really draws me to Gardanne's beads is how natural they look, and their wonderful organic feel. The colors are vibrant and rich, such as in this focal bead called "Meditation".
I also enjoy her style, all of her beads are eye-catching. These "Ecko Bubble" beads are pretty, interesting, and fun!
In addition to glass lampwork beads,Gardanne offers enameled beads and components, and a selection of findings. Check out Gardanne's work at her shop on Etsy at GardanneBeads.etsy.com
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Flowers Flowers Everywhere!
One of my favorite things of spring is the flowers! In the last few weeks we've had so many different plants come in bloom and there's something different blooming every week! My favorite has been the cherry tree, with its waterfall of pink blossoms.
The soft blues of my hydrangea is simply beautiful.
And this succulent is just huge!
Check out more of my flower pics on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijoutery
The soft blues of my hydrangea is simply beautiful.
And this succulent is just huge!
Check out more of my flower pics on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijoutery
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ada Lovelace and Henrietta Swan Leavitt, of computers and stars
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), was the first person to write a computer program (calculating Bernoulli numbers) for the Analytical Engine. She wrote about the potential uses of computers and software, even though they had not been invented yet. Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated on the 24th of March by bloggers to promote the achievements of women in science and technology.
The story of Ada Lovelace reminded me of Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868 - 1921). Soon after she finished her bachelor's degree, she was employed at the Harvard College Observatory as a "human computer" of sorts. This was not an unheard of thing for the time, as women in science were often relegated to the "menial" tasks. Specifically her job was to examine the photographic plates taken by the telescope, and measure and catalog the brightness of the stars.
While studying the photographic plates, she noticed that some of the brighter variable stars (stars whose apparent brightness as seen from Earth changes over time) appeared to have longer periods. With further study, she confirmed that there was a relationship between the luminosity and period of these stars (called Cepheid variables) and published her findings in the Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College. This information proved to be a key for astronomers to be able to measure distances across the universe - this research proved particularly important for Edwin Hubble's work.
Eventually she was made head of stellar photometry, and continued her work off and on while battling illness, until her death in 1921. She was almost nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics for her work, but unfortunately died before she could be (the Nobel is not awarded posthumously). The asteroid 5383 Leavitt and the crater Leavitt on the Moon are named in her honor.
If you would like to learn more about Henrietta Swan Leavitt, you may be interested in the book, Miss Leavitt's Stars: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe
For more info about Ada Lovelace Day, and to read more blog posts celebrating women in science and technology, head over to Ada Lovelace Day homepage
References and photos from:
http://findingada.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Swan_Leavitt
http://hubblesite.org
The story of Ada Lovelace reminded me of Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868 - 1921). Soon after she finished her bachelor's degree, she was employed at the Harvard College Observatory as a "human computer" of sorts. This was not an unheard of thing for the time, as women in science were often relegated to the "menial" tasks. Specifically her job was to examine the photographic plates taken by the telescope, and measure and catalog the brightness of the stars.
Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868 - 1921)
While studying the photographic plates, she noticed that some of the brighter variable stars (stars whose apparent brightness as seen from Earth changes over time) appeared to have longer periods. With further study, she confirmed that there was a relationship between the luminosity and period of these stars (called Cepheid variables) and published her findings in the Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College. This information proved to be a key for astronomers to be able to measure distances across the universe - this research proved particularly important for Edwin Hubble's work.
Cepheid variables in galaxy M100
Eventually she was made head of stellar photometry, and continued her work off and on while battling illness, until her death in 1921. She was almost nominated for a Nobel Prize in Physics for her work, but unfortunately died before she could be (the Nobel is not awarded posthumously). The asteroid 5383 Leavitt and the crater Leavitt on the Moon are named in her honor.
If you would like to learn more about Henrietta Swan Leavitt, you may be interested in the book, Miss Leavitt's Stars: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe
For more info about Ada Lovelace Day, and to read more blog posts celebrating women in science and technology, head over to Ada Lovelace Day homepage
References and photos from:
http://findingada.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Swan_Leavitt
http://hubblesite.org
Sunday, March 21, 2010
How the world fell in love with an owl...
Who'd have thought that when a guy put up an owl box that it'd turn into quite the internet following? But that's exactly what's happened, with thousands of people waiting for Molly and McGee's eggs to hatch. And after much waiting today one did just that! Little barn owl Max hatched earlier today, leaving 4 to go. Visit the live video feed at http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox
Live video by Ustream
Live video by Ustream
Friday, March 19, 2010
Seriously it shouldn't be this difficult...
...but yet I can't seem to keep this blog updated! Managing all these social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr is a challenge! Really don't know how people keep track of it all!
Just ordered some new pretties, and hope to have a few more new and different listings in the shop soon. In the meantime, check out these spring time inspirations!
Lemon Quartz Briolette Earrings
Brass Swallow & Coin Pearl Necklace
Brass Dragonfly and Green Swarovski Crystal Earrings