theminimalist

I had a very successful jewelry party at my house two weeks ago- just a bunch of ladies sipping wine by the fire, trying on necklaces, and talking about things that are important to them. For all of you hand crafters out there, this is a wonderful way to get your work seen. Here is a picture of my main display: Read Full Story

So today is Thanksgiving. How does one keep one's cool among family, friends, and the pressure of entertaining? First of all, I have divided the two groups. We are having an intimate meal with just family at 1:00 and then have invited a variety of friends and neighbors to come over at 4:00 for horsdorves which will be sort of a Thanksgiving antipasti with turkey, crostini, and a variety of stuffed olives, and the sort. So by the time the friends arrive, Thanksgiving dinner is completely... Read Full Story

This 21" necklace was made with African trade beads brought back to me by a good friend in the late 80s. They are a very dark blue, (almost black), ceramic with pearly dots. The chain is sterling silver with a handcrafted clasp and sterling silver bead accent. The end caps are sterling silver. The earrings are 2" long wire wrapped with moonstones and sterling silver beads hanging from sterling silver chain. The earrings are 2" long wire wrapped with moonstones and sterling silver beads... Read Full Story

Wow! The last necklace set featured on this site just sold on Etsy! So I just posted this one: Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearl Wire Wrapped Necklace Set This three pronged triquetra is thought to symbolize the Celtic beliefs that everything has three distinct yet interlocked levels - physical, mental and spiritual. Beautiful Purple and White Freshwater Pearls are set off by tine seed beads. The chain is sterling silver and the entire necklace is just under 20" long. The triquetra on the... Read Full Story

For my friends in Portland Oregon, I will be having a jewelry booth at both the Alberta Street Fair on the 19th and the Belmont Street Fair tomorrow. I have made lots of necklace sets. Here's one of my latest. You can purchase it on ETSY. http://banba.etsy.com Sterling Silver and Quartz Wire Wrapped necklace Set This three pronged triquetra is thought to symbolize the Celtic beliefs that everything has three distinct yet interlocked levels - physical, mental and spiritual. The earrings are 2... Read Full Story

My dear friends just recently moved from a big country house into a rather small city house. They had to move rather quickly though so their things were packed in a hurry and just put down basically anywhere in the new house. So when I walked in there were boxes piled everywhere and with my friend's husband at work, she decided to just try to set up the living room. We did this pretty easily once we go started by just removing what didn't belong. After a rest and a chat, we were motivated to... Read Full Story

I have finally gotten around to adding some more jewelry to my ETSY shop. Here is a necklace I recently made. It had matching earrings but I sold them a few days ago. I'll make them again soon. I am using silver plated wire because it seems to hold up well and can withstand being pounded with my elf hammer. ( That's what my husband calls it!) I make my own clasps in a hook and eye style. They stay on very well. I love freshwater pearls and these lavender ones are just yummy! Read Full Story

Now that I am back in downtown Portland in my townhouse again, I spent some time revamping my drip system. If you've never used one, I must say they are so worth the initial set up. Mine's on a timer and connects to two misters for my small front flower garden and then goes around the yard and up to the second deck to water my flower baskets. It's really hot up there, and I know from experience that they would soon be dead without being watered every morning.  The most expensive part of the... Read Full Story

Here's what my kitchen utensil drawer used to look like. Lots of junk and with so few drawers in my kitchen I knew I needed to put something up on the counter, even though I have zero tolerance for clutter. I realized that most of the utensils are stainless steel. Some of them have black handles so I just hid the handles in the bottom of this canister that I already had on the counter. I think it looks great, I have everything I need right at hand and I freed up a crowded drawer! Read Full Story

I'm back in the hood now and watch out Beau! If he thinks he's going to taunt me with that flat basketball he's got another thing coming! Remember that Judas Priest song? Sometimes I listen to stuff like that just to get into a mood. Read Full Story