Rain?!?

Above the earth these angry dark clouds hang. Rumbling intensely as they float on their way. The first drop of water hits my window with great force. Now a second and then a third. It sprinkles slowly for a few minutes and then stops.

COME ON RAIN. Get with the program already.

Living in downtown Phoenix is not always the best place for rain. It seems that with all the heat rising from the city, it pushes the clouds away and then all around Phoenix gets soaked. We really need for it to rain a little more.

I know some states around country are really getting hit and one of my friends is now living in Korea for a year and it is POURING there. I hope to go back there some day (was stationed there in 1983 and it was great)

Tonight we decided on what to make for dinner and my wife had thawed out a whole chicken for me to cook. She found this easy recipe at  http://www.ehow.com/how_2187277_chicken-best-simplest-way-ever.html

It was truly a simple meal to make and it puts such a wonderful smell throughout the house. I have a few photos of how it started and then turned out. The only thing I would change is I put a little butter under the skin and think that maybe it could have used a touch of salt there.

OK. Now I want to challenge everyone who reads this blog to either:
1. tell me a little about yourself.
2. include a favorite recipe you love to make, or
3. Let me know how you like to be creative (drawing, painting, photography, jewelry... you get the picture) and if possible include a link to one of your favorite art/creative pieces that you made.

Lastly if you have any questions for me, just ask.

John

It has started.

Excellent.

The first official postings of my Etsy items started a few days ago and within 24 hours I had my first sale. It does not get any better than this, well unless I keep selling more :).  I am just happy that people like my work.

Above is the first one sold. An old skeleton key wrapped in sterling silver wire and a recycled crystal from some antique jewelry.

I just need to get back to designing and creating other items. During our vacation to the California coast, I found some fun beads, coins, stones and other interesting items that are just begging to be made into something special.  Can you hear them as well??

I am finally going out tomorrow to play a little disc golf. I figure it should only be in the low to mid 90's then. Moving to Arizona, what was I thinking?

To be honest, it is a great place in the fall, winter and spring but in the summer...... whew.

Etsy time.

I am SOOO happy to finally announce that my Etsy store for Willo Wire has just officially opened. With everything that has been going on during this past 7 months, I was not sure it was going to happen at all. Between work, the Arizona BLAZING heat and a few illnesses in the family, it takes a lot out of you.


For anyone who wants to check it out, it is at www.etsy.com/shop/willowire  . If you happen to find something you like, just mention you saw this on my blog and I will ship for free for the the rest of July and the month of August.

Pass it on to any friends you know if you think they would like my style of jewelry. I still have a lot of items to post on Etsy. There are earrings, necklaces, bracelets, talismans and other fun items. Let me know what you think.


Alright, its time to get back and post a few more things.

Back to Phoenix

I am happy to be back home.

Our 2-week family camping vacation took us up the California coastline. It was adventurous, very scenic, and cool (55 compared to 105 in Phoenix.) We battled raccoons, awkward camp stoves, over-packed boxes and cold lavatory seats. Actually I had a great time and would like to do it again, but not for a little while.

(click on any photo for larger view)


Important things I learned about the trip:

1. It is such a nice feeling to be able to say that I really like ALL of my family - we had such a good time. Many thanks go to Michael and Jeanine for all of the mapping out and planning this trip of a lifetime.

2.  Even though we like our little creature-comforts, it really isn’t necessary to pack the entire house into the back of the car. Really.

3. The correct sized tent works wonders for your total enjoyment of the trip. Make sure everything fits properly before actually leaving on your vacation, and that there is room enough to stand up in it.

And

4. Unless you are going someplace where there is no civilization at all, you do not need a week’s worth of food in the cooler and pantry box. Preparing meals is a little harder when the sun goes down. But when it comes right down to it, what more do you really need than graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate anyway???

Gorgeous scenery . . . fun beaches, and great places to visit . . . A couple of fun highlights were:

- The hot, gooey artichoke bread that was baked fresh daily in the quaint little town of Pescadero. One loaf destined for dinner never made it there as we all snarfed it down right in the parking lot.
- The house of my brother-in-law’s friend -- a beautiful place with a great collection of items  -- kind of a cross between an art gallery and a museum. A few of the things that stood out the most to me are his collection of masks from around the world and the paintings done by his truly talented daughter.
-  I loved the BBQ buffalo dinner we had at the chilly driftwood-filled beach with nary a soul around ‘cept us. A few local beers, those wonderful tasty burgers, and a fire afterwards made for a perfect evening on the beach. Thanks to Sean for his generosity.

Campfire stories . . . playing games . . . eating s’mores (Mmmmmmm!) . . . When do we go again??

OK, so now I’m back in the studio. I was able to find some really great jewelry supplies (beads, rocks, and some other fun items.) So I will be posting some new creations soon!