Monday's Meow-Mix

Can I go back to bed?  Feeling super-tired and sleepy.  Coffee is NOT helping...

Tent Rocks National Monument

As promised, some pictures from the weekend get-away.  I actually did NOT take any pictures of Santa Fe.  It's your dessert/high plains town.  Cool-looking adobe/clay buildings.  Awesome lights in the evening.  LOTS of dried chili pepper bouquets hanging everywhere.  Now that I think about it - I wish I got a couple of pics of that...

On Sunday, we checked out of Santa Fe early in the day, picked up some sandwiches at Whole Foods and drove down to the Cochiti reservation to get to the monument.  The pictures are unbelievable and seeing it in person, took our breath away.  It was over a 600 feet climb to reach the top of the trail.  Of course, I did not have appropriate footwear, but still made it.  The scenery was unbelievable. At times, it felt like we were on a different planet...

I was kind of out of breath the entire time - not because I'm THAT out of shape, but because we were already at 7000 feet above sea-level.  It was hard to get used to.  The day was super cold and the combination of wind and sun really took a toll.  But I would do this hike all over again.  It was too beautiful and amazing!

Monday's Meow-Mix

Just got back this morning from a long, one-year anniversary weekend with hubby, in New Mexico.  Altitude and full moon, had us sleeping extremely poorly for the past four nights.  Tossed and turned in our ABQ airport hotel until 2am and got up at 5am (4am, PST) to catch a flight back to SF.  Happy to be home.  Will post some pics later, of an awesome hike we did outside Albuquerque.  For now, in my exhausted state this is what I have to say for myself:

Saw Envy.

I've had my trusty little jeweler's saw for about five years now.  Which isn't that long of a time, considering what simple and marvelous of a tool it is.  When I was taking a class at Revere, last year, I spotted someone using a saw similar to these.  Oh boy, did its beauty pierce my heart.  But I can't find it in my to retired my other one.  It probably won't hurt to diversify the sizes of saws I have though...

How dorky is it?  To POST ABOUT A HANDSAW.  But you've go to agree - these are quite lovely.

Snapshots

Added a couple of new boutiques: Rabat on 4th Street in Berkeley and Sala, a lovely little clothing and accessories boutique on Shattuck Street in Berkeley as well.

All the busy production work these past several days and evenings have resulted in some happy, new jewelry designs and pieces.  Yesterday, I brought the newest goodies over to Rabat on Chestnut Street, in the Marina district of San Francisco.

Take a closer look...

Rabat on Chestnut Street, San Francisco

Sala on Shattuck Street, Berkeley

Monday's Meow-Mix

It's a cold and wet and windy day in San Francisco.  But we've a many days of glorious weather, in winter, of all things!

Dropping off some new goodies at Rabat in the Marina, meeting some friends for lunch at Spin City Coffee Bar, cooking some dinner for some lovely people and getting some work done.  There's something else, if only I can remember.

Meanwhile, I am wishing that I am snuggled under that orange blanket with that kitty....

Modish

Happiness...

...is feeling productive and holding a tangible piece of that productivity in your hands at the end of the day. It's not like there aren't a dozen of other just-as-important things on my list of to-do (pull together tax documents, administrative paperwork, cleaning the studio and organizing everything, finding more retail locations), but I've also sorely needed some time in the studio to just create.  Spring is around the corner - if you're in the SF Bay Area, it already feels like that wonderful time of the year, due to some amazing weather.  I made the executive decision to work on a new and fabulous design for spring.  Today, after a nice lunch break, I'll be manufacturing and have some pieces ready to go by Monday.  Here's the sneak preview:

Saturated

Took a lovely walk this morning.  Even though it's a major production day, or rather because it is a major production day, I needed to get out of the house and buy a pair of leather gloves.  A piece of metal that I was working with, slipped out from under the dapping tool while hammering and it sliced into my palm.  Ouch.  I picked up the thinnest pair of leather working gloves I could find and feel a little better protected.

Another gorgeous day in the city.  I'm glad that I took my camera.  Even though the sun was so bright, which tends to wash out a lot of colors, there were some things that were just saturated with lovely shades and tones.

Dude, That's So Cool.

Am liking these cool-as-anything pieces by L. Wolf.  Super edgy and surprisingly delicate at the same time.

Monday's Meow-Mix

Happy Monday!  It's going to be a busy one and it's going to be hot!

Snow Day

Not on the West coast, really.  But after weeks of stress and over-work, my husband decided to take a day off.  We had a leisurely breakfast and then pulled ourselves together and headed north, for a lovely hike at the Marin Headlands.  It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day.  Made me feel grateful and sent out thoughts of hope-of-better-weather to our midwest and east coast family and friends.

We did a 6-mile hike, which was a bit tough on us, considering that we haven't exercised in a LONG time. But the views were spectacular, the weather enticing and we followed up with a fancy little afternoon snack on the porch at Cavallo Point.

The perfect day ended with a fabulous, 3.5 hour concert by The Church.