Tasty Memories

Here are some pink and red cupcake beads, both topped with matching hearts along with a pair of black cherry topped cupcake beads that are on their way to my studio. I challenged the artisan to put something other than the usual sprinkles on top and I like how these turned out. Send me an EMAIL if you want to reserve any or all of them.

Other than that, I boldly prepared my mother's lasagna recipe last night. I say boldly because I feared it wouldn't taste like hers. She is no longer here so I couldn't ask questions if I needed to! The recipe is so old that when she says "parmesan cheese" in the recipe, she means the canned kind we used in the 60's!!! Not the lovely, fluffly parm we get these days from "microplaning" it from a pricey block of Reggiano. I had to call my dad to verify if on that one ingredient Mom splurged beyond our very tight family budget.

ME: "Hi Dad. I know Mom only fixed lasagna for special occasions like all of us kids' wedding rehearsals...now, I know she used the 'canned' parmesan the year round but did she still do it on the cheap for this special lasagna?".

DAD: "She was cheap."

BOTH OF US: hahahaha

BABY BROTHER: "Sis, I can't believe you think she'd do it any way OTHER than cheap!"

Hee hee...I had a moment whilst the dish was baking away where I feared that if it tasted different then the memories surrounding it might be affected in some mysterious way. Since she cooked it so rarely, would those fun and loud rehearsal dinner memories shrink in intensity? More importantly, if it didn't taste the same, would I lose a part of my Mom in some way because I couldn't recreate this dish? Goofy, I know, but these were the weird thoughts bouncing off the walls of my crazy brain.

The good news is that it tastes JUST like Mom's. Whew...and with nearly every bite I feel I'm connecting with her and with the wonderful memories like.... the luscious anticipation at every rehearsal dinner, knowing how that fabulous lasagna was going to taste the same EVERY time along with the fresh loaves of challah (holl-uh) bread that always accompanied it (haven't attempted THAT recipe yet) and.....feeling the joy of looking down that loooooong table to "drink" in the 25-30 family members that were talking and laughing....and most likely feeling the very same joy I did.

Thank you Mom...thank you.

Summer Berry Specials!

Special #1: Peppermint Cherry Polymer Clay Bracelet

Features: Siam Swarovski Crystals & .925 Sterling Silver

(Clay beads measure 10mm in diameter

Matching bracelet available upon request)

For price, see this on my ETSY site


CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT ON SUNDAY, JULY 5, DON'T MISS IT!!!

Special #2: Vintage Strawberry Creme Polymer Clay Bracelet

Features: Polymer Clay strawberry beads against pink background with Vintage Rose &

Erinite Swarovski Crystals & .925 Sterling Silver

(Clay beads have 10mm diameter. Bracelet Fits wrists up to 6 3/4 (16.8cm)

Matching earrings available upon request)

For pricing, view this piece on my ETSY site

I only have one set of each of these, but I can order more beads.
You would receive orders approximately 2 weeks after paying in full.

Cupcake Charms & Summer Beads

Happy Friday! I didn't work as quickly as I'd planned this week, so the cupcake bracelet isn't finished, but I just had to show you my progress. I'm loading up a bracelet with a bunch of cupcake charms like the ones you see above along with square beads, crystals, flowers and other goodies. It will be a nicely loaded, sweetly tinkly sounding joy to wear.

And last but not least by any means are some super fun polymer clay beads in a beach theme that I am just itching to get at. I also have some strawberries & cherry beads to squeeze into the summer repertoire (among several other designs) but wanted to show you these to put a bit of summer in your day.
Be sure to visit my shops to enjoy the 20% off Easter sales on JEWELRY and PAPER crafts. Happy Weekend.

Workin' It

Do you see this SOLID FINE silver cupcake??? Yep, that's just what you are looking at...not sterling silver and not just a silver cupcake but a solid, not hollow awesome hunk 'o silver at .999 fine silver quality.

Isn't it spectacular? Payton Jett of the Green Glass Cafe toiled over this precious metal clay that when fired, turns to .999 fine silver. She shaped the entire piece by hand creating realistic cupcake lines and frosting. It's quite a wonder.


This is just one of the many pieces of jewelry I've designed this week after reorganizing my studio and family time. I completely flip flopped what was not working before and when I finally calculated the best way to structure my day to achieve balance, within 2 days it's just become awesome.

Here's what I am doing: rising early and enjoying my morning coffee all by my wee self and preferably out in my small and shady front yard the sun has not yet reached. I listen to the birdies and do a little reading and enjoy the peace that exists before the nearby condo construction resumes for 12 hours...seriously.

Then I eat a light breakfast and head out for my 45 minute walk...used to enjoy this before sunset but figured it was probably the main reason for

unnecessary night time snacking & later bed time.
And when I get back home? It's straight to work and I'm really ready by then...revved up and excited about achieving my jewelry goals.

I design pieces, calculate their cost in a very cool little black journal and photog them. This takes place until noon, so it's usually about 3-4 hours. Then my husband comes home for lunch and after that I'm ready to do laundry, errands, get some groceries or putter around up to dinner time.

I used to run around unTIL noon on errand days and then hung out until I fixed dinner (early for us...about 4pm so I'd start at 3) and then just wouldn't feel like working at night.

It just wasn't a productive time and for some reason it took a while to figure out the reasons. But I'm on track now and the first two days were just perfect and I created 12 small pieces, 3 of which you see here.

Megan Ballarini (cool name, huh?) custom designed Minnie's body bead and Carrie McKinney, the custom ordered Minnie head with pink bow. It's a pendant that has matching earrings. And the fabulously talented Lezlie Belanger crafted the Cherry Cupcake.

All of these pieces and more are being listed on www.RockerJewlz.Etsy.com, one or two a day over the next 5 days. Oh man, wait until you see the Luscious Ice Cream Sundae pendant...it's on Etsy right now!