Work in progress..

Heya!

It's been long, yes, I know!

It's been so long, that since my last post about South Africa, I've been to India and four European countries and packing for another Johannesburg trip as we speak :-)

So, it's about time I'd say 'hi' eh?

I've been working on a new ring.

I've bought a glittery golden drusy a long time ago and finally felt confident enough to start working with it. Metalclass is only once a week and with all this holiday craziness I unfortunately had to skip a few lessons. I have more and more tools at home to work with now, so it's finally coming together.

I'm still as thrilled about class as I was the first time, especially about the getting-dirty-part, ha! I think it's such a cool contrast to make something shiny, but work with Bob the Builder tools and get my hands dirty working on it. So, as this ring is still bright and my hands really black I show it to you.. sort of how it's supposed to turn out.

The next time, my hands will be clean, and the silver oxidized to black.

To give that golden drusy all the attention it deserves.

Bling!

South Africa..

Where you can walk a lion and cuddle their cubs, hold a python and go on a horsebacksafari.

Cantering on rough trails, seeing all these beautiful creatures and being so close to nature made me get all my energy back instantly.

First ring..

Only needs polishing. Then it's done.

Now I want my own torch :-)

Silverschool #2

Yep, I'm still working on that ring. It's a mini minute at the time though, I'm simply to busy to be able to spend more time. I kept the design organic looking, as I thought it would be easier to correct with filing when I'd mess up sawing. I'm so glad I did ;-)

Rest of the pics is new work. The round vintage pendant is a reclaimed brooch that I morphed into a necklace. I know I'm not in metalclass to be able to do just that, but it's darn handy to have saws, files and sandpaper at hand.

There are more vintage treasures waiting to be altered.

Time please?

Where have I seen this before?

When making a salad a few days ago I suddenly saw this oh so familiar shaped tomato.

Now, where have I seen it before? Hmm.. ;-)

Oh, and new work. Now all I need is time to list.

Silverschool!

Yay!

I've started metalclass!

Or silverschool as Skye calls it ;-)

I promised myself I'd go when Skye would be in school, and started class a week after her 4th birthday. I'm thrilled. Love every machine in that classroom and can't wait to try them all.

But before I can, there's a looooot of practising to be done. Sawing, filing, filing some more, sanding, polishing and tumbling. So, we started with a piece of brass and a design the teacher's made for us. We've moved up a bit now by designing a silver ring that we have to saw and solder, but this is the first result. It could be a hairclip or brooch, but I'm just going to leave it like this. Moving on to that ring as fast as I can!

Dear blog,

I've been neglecting you, I know.

But I'm back now.

With a rare garden guest and new work.

(promise to come back soon..)

New work.. Again?

It seems like I have more time than ever these days. Even been vintage shopping today. Got brooches I'd like to use as pendants or focal thingies on bracelets. (Oh, you know what I mean, right?) And I've managed to make some new earrings plus photograph them (!) and alter that last necklace a bit. Think it's good to go now :-)

I guess I'm gearing up for the season.. Sounds ridiculous after yesterday's 37C :-)

Ofcourse I'll add a flower and what do you think of my new cup?

Whoaah! A happy day..

New work!

Allrighty, it's been a while since I've posted new work here :-)

But I've had the most productive day in months so I just had to show these.. in the shop soon!

Wait!!!!!

Overhere!!!

It's been such a long time since I blogged! Remember me? :-)

When we came back from our holiday in France I had a hard time adjusting to everyday life. I so enjoyed being together all the time and have a small place to live that hardly needed any cleaning :-) Being outdoors most of the day, having the beach at just a few steps away and see the kids having such a great time. Back home meant back to work also and it doesn't happen often, but I didn't want to leave..

But now, after a couple of weeks at home everything is back to normal. The mega-pile of laundry is back to just it's regular large size, we have our normal daily routine again and I've finally managed to restock on the babybooties.

We've been redecorating Skye's room a bit, she's going to school next month as she's turning 4 in september. A big girl needs a big-girls' room eh? I asked if she'd like a desk or larger bed. Nope, all she wanted was an alarmclock (a pink one with a prinsess on it- ofcourse) and a curtain around her bed. After explaining we would like her to stay in bed untill 7, she did so from the first morning. Ha, that was a very well spend €4!

Oh, and today I was home alone. No kids. And all I came up with was this single pair of earrings.. don't ask! :-)

Glen called it the Pink Panther effect.. let's just keep it that way.

And now the important stuff;

A lot of you allready know about ProjectEtsyEmbrace, but I'm going to mention it again.

Laura is a fellow seller on Etsy and has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has just started treatment. Some friends have started a project, they aim to raise money for cancer research and promote awareness in support of Laura. This project is called EtsyProjectEmbrace. Sellers are donating a percentage or entire proceeds from sales to support the American Cancer Society.

How can you help?

*There's a team-page at the ACS site where you can donate direct.

*As an Etsy seller you can participate by donating the profits or percentage of profits from one or more listings to the American Cancer Society. Add the tag 'etsyprojectembrace' to the listing (or listings) and mention the project and reason for it in your listing description.

You can read more about Laura on her sister Jenn's blog.

Please contact Kim or Amy if you have any other ideas to help!!

And that flower is for you Laura..

Keep up the good spirit! XO

I wasn't finished Mr. Blogger!

And because I have no idea how to post more than 5 pics in one post, here's the rest of them ;-)

Vacation..

We just got back.

From France.

Where we had a lot of cheese, laughs and sun.

Where we played, relaxed and rested.. had icecreams and some more cheese :-)

Bugs..

Most of the flowers I use in my photographs are picked from our garden. Sometimes there's a little ant or other crawly guest coming inside with them -that I finally see when editing ofcourse.. 45 minutes and a million pictures later ;-)

But today this fellow came crawling out a little earlier and wasn't afraid to climb on my finger. Ha! Look at those little feet..where're ya goin'?

Oh, and the rest is new stuff in the shop! Summery, light and well..new!

Pioen!

Wat een leuk woord is dat. Ha!

Oh, en ik heb nieuw kralenspul gemaakt vanmiddag. Mn stapeltjes beginnen een beetje voorspelbaar te worden maar ik ben ze nog niet beu. Ik hoop jullie ook niet?

Sorry this is in Dutch, but I'm not saying anything interesting.

You just have to believe me on this one eh? :-)

Vintage..

A 1929 Wilhelmina gulden necklace.

Way too big for this birdie, so in my shop soon..

A treasury a day keeps the doctor away - part 3

And a new necklace! 

Check out Suebeads's shop on Etsy..these beauties are amazing eh?

The treasury -with another load of Etsy talent- can be found here for the next two days.

A good reason to blog?

Do I need one?

Or may I just be happy that we celebrated Levi's second birthday? That's huge, isn't it?

And what about James Brown always helping me clean the house? 

Or a happy bikeride with hubby and kids to the lake the other day? 

I also want to show you pics that Skye took. I think they are so cool! 

And that I have a 1000 hearts and want to say thanks!

Oh, and that our enkianthus is blooming. 

Is that reason enough? Yup :-)

NewNewNeW!

In the shop now..

New bracelet!

In the shop.

Old skool flower and more..

..new listings in the shop soon.

South Africa..

Where markets make you happy and sad,

kids faces and voices touch you like nowhere else in the world,

and you can even pet and walk an elephant..

New!!

And in the shop soon..

Off to Johannesburg first..happy weekend everybody!

I need to restock!

Sale has ended, been selling well. Great. 

And thanks!

But I really need to restock now. That may sound easy, but I have trouble finding the time!

So.

I officially said byebye to the EST and don't make any treasuries until further notice. Ouch! That'll give me some extra hours in a day ;-) I had a very productive monday-with-kids-in-daycare to start with. I'll list my new-made jewelry later but can show you this for now..

Oh, and our magnoliatree is blooming! Geez, I'm such a whimp, ha!

You know what's better than selling on Etsy?

Ha! buying on Etsy ofcourse!

I've bought from some of the nicest people I know on Etsy, Marla from Wrenwillow and Mitsy from ArtMind. I was thrilled when Mr. Mailman dropped of their goodies!

Skye loved opening that big envelope and wanted to try every shirt on right away, even her brothers! Just how cute is that owl? And the 'I love Etsy' one is mommy's personal favorite :-)

Today I received Mitsy's feeling 'creative' and love it! I couldn't believe my eyes when it said 'sold' on my favorites and am so glad she fired up her kiln and made some more ;-) All I need to do now is find a good place for her. Yup, it's a she. Away from the kids but for me to see at any time. Near my workplace? In our bookcase? We'll see.

And for anybody who wants one too; go buy your own. Mine's got a watchdog. Uhm, hippo. Ha!

A treasury a day keeps the doctor away - part 2

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12

Fun!

I'm going to bother you with one more flower pic.

Having the most fun with a few apple blossom branches for only € 1,95 ;-)

I want..

Huismus

Colors.

Blossom.

Sunshine.

Now.

Go away, rain!

Blossom!

New and Front Page!

Finally! New listings again!

And this afternoon my Breeze treasury went front page! Congrats to all featured and thanks for your kind words..

You all rocked up there!! :-)          1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12

A treasury a day keeps the doctor away - part 1

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12

See it here for the next three days..

Finally..

They fit! :-)

Skye's happy with her first ponytails..

Bunny is here!

As a member of the European Streetteam I participated in a prezzie-swap named the secret easter bunny. All organized by Mitsy from Artmind, and boy, does she do a good job! :-) We had to fill out a questionnaire and she matched us all up. What a great way to get to know eachother, and what fun to make something for someone you've never met.

I got my present in the mail yesterday from Giusy from Giuspatch and am totally spoiled. It felt like my birthday!

There's this cute messanger bag, a phonesleeve and teapouch! All in happy colors..love 'em! She wrote a personal note and a little poem..it's too sweet. Thanks heaps!

Skye liked it all very much too and we agreed on sharing the bag. 

It was her day today :-)

Happy!

This morning I got the cutest appreciation photo I can think of..

A while ago I made a hat and booties set for Jillian Kirby, a brilliant newborn and child photographer from Canada.

She uses them as props and made this stunning picture with a lovely baby wearing them. Just how cute is this?

Thanks heaps Jillian, I really appreciate it! And also thanks for letting me use the photo here! xo

Uber-T

The last couple of months Etsy treasury making has become a rather large part of my life ;-) As pathetic as that may sound, it's really a lot of fun! A long time ago I went to fashionschool and sometimes make the joke that all I learned there was making moodboards. I liked it though, and still do, but now in a different setting. Not only to cruise for fabulous stuff on Etsy, but also to meet the makers of all those lovelies. This morning I found myself in such a pretty list, in such rockin' company made by Wrenwillow, I just had to show you. Thanks Marla, as Mel said; you rule! xo

16 things about me..

Today I was tagged by Elzeline from Paperfection to say 16 things about me. Looking at this mosaic now it seems to be only 4; family, cats, creating and travelling. But how can I show Skye and not Levi? How can I show them and not Glen, m'n lief? Oh well, here we go, 16 things I love..

 1-Levi. Can't describe him in one sentence. Nor how much I love our kids..

 2-Crochet and colors.

 3-Rotterdam. Where we live and want to stay. Our house is not blue though. And that is not our car.

 4-Photography.

 5-Chinatown. This time in San Fransisco, but it could be anywhere. Yummie! With camera ofcourse.

 6-Princess Skye :-)

 7-Huismus. As Elzeline said; 'funny name for a traveller'  Never looked at it that way. Funny indeed ;-)

 8-French beach. Normandie. Love any beach. Sand, wind, water, happy.

 9-Macro. Flowers, bugs, whatever looks cool up close.

10-Travelling. Anywhere. Bonaire in this picture. 

11-Glen-the-man!

12-Beads! Turquoise!

13-Lions. South Africa. What a feeling to bottle feed a baby lion. They're like big cats. But way bigger :-)

14-KLM. Employer. Sounds lame, but also a way of life. First job I love.

15-Beertje. Our love baby, first child :-) Had to move because Skye is allergic. Sad till this day.

16-Mom and sister Josée. Last but not least. Good people :-)

Thanks Elzeline, this was fun! I know I have to tag others to do the same now, but before I choose people who have just done this last week I'll cruise around in blogland first a bit.. Untill next post! 

Pale and front page!

Only the day before my 'Fresh' treasury was on the front page and now I found myself in Helisengezer's supersweet list up there as well! Wow! Thanks! And what a great one..it's never too sweet for me ;-)

After making a gazillion pictures of my new necklace Pale I'm finally satisfied with the results. Well. Sort of.

I just couldn't get it right! And now I've looked at it for so long I cannot even say if it's good or not. Ha! I'll leave it like this. And think I'll ask $100 for it :-)

Thank you Flickr toys!

Before I go..another fresh one.

Fresh is my new favorite word :-)

Short post..

Well, more of a list really;

*A very fresh Huismus necklace. 

*Super fresh treasury. Love every item in it..

*Cool facts; I've had my 50th sale and almost 700 hearts. Thanks!!

*And two old pics. About that history repeating itself thingy again :-) 

 Me at age 4 in red. Liking my icescream obviously. And Skye doing the same last year. 

 Really? You think she looks like me? Ha!

Custom order..

I woke up to 3 sales this morning. Yay! I have this weird theory that if I don't do anything for the shop, like now, I won't sell either. Appears to be not true at all :-) The funny thing is; I'm not just happy but a bit sad as well. I really have to get up and running to be able to list new things! There are still over 30 items, but there was a time not so long ago I wanted to go for 80! I've donated quite some things to Brenda Novaks auction and the Oz Bushfire Appeal shop, and that feels even better than selling, but still..it's like Huismus is running dry ;-) and I can't do anything about it. I imagine myself crocheting like mad, my hair unwashed and kids in their pj's all day once my wrist is back in business again :-))) Ha! Can't wait..

In the meantime, I think I'll ask ElinThomas or Waterrose to make me a custom cuff. The bandage I'm wearing now is a bit..well, medical looking. I like the stylish version more. Aren't they great?

Old School..

I'm not much of a writer.

That must sound funny coming from someone who blogs, ha!

Not being able to crochet or bead in any form with that wrist of mine I finally have time to do other stuff around Huismus like tagging my pictures. I stumbled upon these; creative history repeats itself. 

*Me (liking big cats at an early age already)

*Mom (and sis looking darn pretty) who had her sewingmachine on the kitchentable for as long as I can remember

*Mosaic of grandmothers and my work. Crochet Queen. Lits jumeaux bedspreads were a moderate project to her

*Vintage patterns my mom saved me. I used to help her making our clothes (well at least cut the patterns) I think these will look fab as wrapping, envelopes or whatever I can use for Huismus

*Jewelry and crochet look cool together, especially for my first returning customer :-)

Ok..

I've decided to make the best of it;

I've made a treasury -I was happy to have ready in poster- with my left hand only and using the trackpad instead of my beloved pen and tablet. This is a huge accomplishment considering how terribly-very-very-righthanded I am :-)

And I've set up Alex. My speech computer buddy and new best friend. I have some explaining to do to the kids..mommy even starts talking to that machine now! It's too much to make all the names clickable, sorry. I'll leave the copy 'n paste thing to people who can use both hands this week ;-) and fix it later. List is up for the next two days. ♡

Happy and not so happy..

There's a shop called Oz Bushfire Appeal that donates all their proceeds to the Australian Red Cross to help the victims of the bush fires. Etsy sellers donate items from their shops to help, and boy they do; since it started february 8th there have been 535 sales! I'm not sure how much money that makes, but other than the dollars I'm sure that positive energy will rub off as well on people who need it.

I've donated too but didn't see it in the shop yet. I can only imagine how much work it is to take care of a shop with that many sales ;-) and bought this superpretty necklace from Polestar. I's going to be extra special..

Yesterday I fell from the last step of stairs. I breakdanced down into the hallway and bruised my wrist. Bigtime.

Our neighbour took me to the doctor so Glen could stay with the kids who were already in bed. Luckily it isn't broken but it hurts like h*ll. Doc said today's going to be the worst day and I should feel better soon, but all I can think about are the things I can't do myself right now. Write, crochet, bead, cut sandwiches, put in a ponytail and let alone work! Bah. I had my hopes up for some new listings again this week with all the new beads I've bought on the fair last saturday..I'm in denial a bit I guess..that's not going to happen any time soon.

But when I think about what people have to go through down under I feel I shouldn't complain though.

Finally..new listings!

In my Etsy shop..

Back home..

The best part of travelling for work is coming home now that I have kids. Nothing beats those cute little faces, saying 'mamaaaa' with their hands up in the air, ready for a good cuddle and kiss when I get back. I've been a flight attendant for 10 years now and the kids are used to me going away for a couple of days now and then in that funny outfit ;-)

But when I think back at my first visit to New York I have to admit it's a bit different now. It's like I'm split in half, with one part still at home. Not that I don't enjoy it! Time to myself is precious and when I've been working for 11 hours it's just heaven to know I don't have to set an alarmclock when going to sleep or I can take a shower for as long as I want to. Stuff you take for granted but once you have kids that's oh-so special! 

So. I had the best sleep ever. A long shower. Called home. Had a tall Latte to go. Went to the beadstores. (I mean; all of them ;-))  Got another pair of my fav Uggs boots. And couldn't wait to go back and see those little arms up in the air..

Back to making bracelets now. I'm out of stock! :-)

Start spreading the news..

After spending a couple of months at home I'm ready to go to work again.

Not that I've been home doing nothing. Ha! Kids and Etsy kept me busy and during last week I've taken as much time possible studying for my flight safety exam. Historically low amount of minutes spent on it but I passed :-)

I'll be going to New York this saturday and couldn't be happier.

Packing my suitcase wil be fun; camera, current crochet-project, uggies to make those walking miles with..

Yay! Can't wait!

'Tall latte to go please'

Here're some pics of my previous visits, hope to have some new when I get back :-)

Etsy rules..

And 'Macaw' by SharonMontrose

'Lost at sea' by JenniPenni

There's so much to love at Etsy that every time I want to do a post like this there's just too much I like and make a treasury instead.. But I just have to show you these. Aren't they amazing? 

Back home..

I'm back home after 6 days and the first thing I do is making 2 treasuries.

My name is Simone and I'm an addict ;-)

Birthday mango.

It's my birthday today and I am amazed at how much influence my job has on everyday life.

Not my work itself but the experiences I would have missed without it.

I would never have been able to talk to an Indian Chief from Canada for example. Or have that super view over Manhattan from the top of the Empire State Building. And I certainly would not have been feeding baby lions or find myself in a cage hanging on the side of a boat watching great whites! Whenever there's something on tv about a place I've visited, memories and even smells pop up and I feel like I'm back there in a second. Like my mind is some sort of database linking all that stuff together.

I'm so glad it works that way.

Whenever I eat mango I'm back on a beach in Galibi, Suriname. How cool is that on a grey and rainy morning?

After watching sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach we visit a neighbouring village. I am tired, hot and thirsty. Right of that tree we're sitting under someone gives me a mango. Wow. It's the best thing I've ever had.

So. Now I'm having a birthday mango. Sounds good eh?

I'll have cake later ;-)

Kidzz!

What a fun game this is!! Thanks to Mitsy I've learned something new that's going to keep me away from beads and yarn! With these two I don't have much time for anything else anyway.. Ha! And I think you're right; making mosaics could be another addiction..

Today's treasury;

Inspired by this beautiful photograph called Colorblind by thePhotozoo.

Oh, and in case someone noticed..

The list made by Studiocaptura looks a lot like the one I was featured in made by Admin.

What's that about? Studio had it up there first..that's for sure. Is Big Brother watching us, uhm, copying us?

Holy Granola!

I found Huismus featured in 6 treasuries today!

Wow..I don't know what to say. I know that's the whole point of a blog, but.. ;-)

A big Thank You to: Dinafragola, JKphotography, Meltemsem, Sigmosaics, Studiocaptura and Zerouno!

Happy!

Not only is my cowl featured in the Gift Guides it was also picked by Admin to be on the front page yesterday night. How cool is that? I was asleep at the time, but I got a full report from my Etsy friend Marla. Thanks, you know you rock! ;-) I was in great company of some of my own favorites.

Don't worry; I know it has more to do with how cute Skye looks wearing it, than with the cowl itself ;-) 

Yay!

I finally know how to do this!

Inspiration..

There's a saying about an apple..

..and a tree :-)

Today's treasury

Inspired by JK photography.

Yup.

It's official.

I blog ;-)

Here's my little Etsy model with my latest cowl to start with;