Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Progress

Well, I've actually not been as accountable as I'd hoped these past couple of weeks, but I have, in fact, made much progress...believe it or not! I will say, however, that all the brilliant and important things I planned to do which didn't happen are simply postponed...and that should absolve my guilt a little, right?

First, we've started paying back a student loan of my darling husband's. This is quite an achievement because it is actually a consequence of our new-found accountability, which can only be surmised as adulthood; the same milestone of maturity, mind you, which I have evaded all my life up to this point, and for good reason: paying bills is so unrewarding!

The positive side is that we're conserving and not consuming as much. Even though we have to drive our recycling 10 minutes away, we're actually accumulating twice as much recycling than regular garbage, and that seems pretty significant. We're also reconsidering multiple trips in order to conserve gas, which means less eating out or impulsive shopping trips to places we have no business going...like Target.

Furthermore, staying home has made working on FireWireGems all the more convenient. Last week, in fact, my jewelry had their own proper photo shoot, thanks to the creative collaboration of Olga and her German house guests, Nick and Lina. I now have awesome pictures of my merchandise which are better than I could have hoped for.

I have posted the new photos onto my *new shop* at FireWireGems.Etsy.com, and I am working hard each day to upload them, and new content, onto my website, FireWireGems.com. Please remember: any and all feedback is so much appreciated! I'm pretty anal about the aesthetics and grammar, so it's easy to overlook something on the larger scale, like navigation, or something.

Milla is potty training first thing tomorrow, Lorenzo is doing really well for a tortured pre-teen, and our troublesome Loki is enjoying the lovely weather in the back garden/ fenced-in concrete slab lately.

Finally, my darling husband has made the miracle-of-miracles decision to go back to school! This has been a long time coming, and while I can't take the credit for planting the idea (although I have gently suggested it from time to time, dammit!), I am so happy for him to finally find what he wants in this life, or more importantly, how to achieve it. Maturity strikes again! And more gratitude to Charles for all of his encouraging support, of course!

Perhaps that's what all of this capricious change has been about: growing up. It is my perspective that we are each where we're supposed to be at the exact time in our lives when we're supposed to go through it. Good or bad, up or down. I just want to let other "adulthood-adverse" people know that it might not be so bad, once they find the need to grow up, too.

No one really told me that, and apparently their examples weren't too tempting. Not only that, but I probably would have been a bit better off if I'd not fought it for so long. Who knows? I sure did have fun while it lasted, though. Now if only I can still keep the party going while balancing a checkbook...

Thanks, everyone, for reading, and for your feedback on the website(s)!


The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
~ Lao Tsu
, Taoist Philosopher

Sunday, March 8, 2009

FireWireGems.com is Live!

My new small business website, firewiregems.com is finally live! While it is still in need of some tweaking, I am so happy it is finally up and running!

Ironically enough, once I finished adding the content, I decided the color scheme wasn't to my liking anymore, so that will probably be one of the first changes. In any case, I'm not griping about it because it works, at last! Please take a moment to check it out and leave me some feedback!


I will be adding pieces as they're created, along with additional pages for future collections, etc. And, each month we'll feature a different special price or deal for you to take advantage of! I can make custom pieces, and custom-fit any piece to your style.

Thanks again, to everyone who helped make this happen; particularly my brilliant husband, Vadik!

I would really appreciate comments, or send me an e-mail, and let me know which pieces you like or don't! I am always open to feedback!


Nobody talks of entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is, and what nurtures creative thinking.

~Anita Roddick, Activist and Entrepreneur



Saturday, March 7, 2009

Fire Wire Gems Jewelry at Auction for Charity!

So I recently started a jewelry company which I'd been lagging on for various logistical excuses over the past couple of weeks, but I am happy to report that my small business, Fire Wire Gems finally received the swift kick in the rear that it had apparently been lacking for the past few weeks in the form of a brilliant charity event here in DFW...

The Russian Banya (or BYOB day spa) is hosting a "Save the Boobies!" Breast Cancer Benefit this weekend, including a silent auction, etc., and they actually targeted local small businesses to donate services for auction. Me and my big mouth eagerly volunteered to help with the good cause, and subsequently, some easy publicity. Not only that, but they accepted my admission of one uber-nice piece of handmade jewelry to auction off!

So, for all of you who actually live in DFW: you are absolutely obligated to attend this event, if only to schmooze with me, and also of course because half of the proceeds are going to this incredible charity. I will be there on Sunday night as soon as the party starts, and I know it's going to be an awesome night ~ Kamryn has whipped up some super cool entertainment, and the food is so good! Again, bring your own beverage, and make a reservation in advance!

And, for those of you who might be curious as to the actual pieces that I submitted for the auction, you can (*hopefully*) check it out on my website first thing Sunday morning...and because I love you so much, I'll give you a sneak peek here...



These are completely handcrafted from sterling silver wire and multifaceted garnet and retail for approximately $130.00. However, you are welcome to post a silent bid on the set at the Russian Banya in Carrollton all day and well into Sunday evening!


I also want to send a huge THANK YOU to Kamryn at the Banya for setting this up and providing the opportunity for me to participate! I look forward to hopefully seeing some familiar faces there on Sunday night! ~ be there or be square! ~ And, as always, comments are totally welcome, and at this point, highly anticipated...


"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?"
~ Rabbi Hillel