Thursday, November 27, 2008

Black Friday/Cyber Monday SALE SALE SALE!!

OK so Thanksgiving isn't a holiday we celebrate down here but I can still get in the mood with a sale right??!

15% off entire store Friday 28th - Monday 01st!!


Sunday, November 16, 2008

3 x etsy front pages! Woohoo!

So all the talk of a recession and a depressed economy has been me feel quite low, especially in regards to my Etsy shop. Sales are sooooo slow BUT..

I was featured on the front page 3 times last week!


Firefly



Varley



And Maggie May was an alternative that got rotated to feature on this lovely one



So, Im keeping my fingers crossed that the sales start coming in, its almost christmas after all!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Dr's appointments, specialists, waiting, stressing, here we go again..


So.

Millie has had two seizures in the last couple of months. The last one, last week, she fell off her chair face first onto the ground.
That was pretty scary, she bit a chunk out of her tongue poor mite.
Both were while she was sick but that brings the total up to around 11 seizures in about 3 years. Too many for them to just say febrile convulsions with a swish of their hands.

Sigh...

We have been referred back to Dr Antony (Top pediatric neurologist) who she saw for her ptosis, have to have another EEG done with another Dr in Lindfield, a metabolic urine screen to rule out any other weirdo nasty sydndromes and then hopefully, hopefully we will be done with Drs.

I am praying in a way that they say she has Epilepsy because if so, we have a diagnosis and its done.
Im still super worried and cant help imagining all sorts of scary scenarios. Her pupil sizes have been quite differant of late and Im sure some Dr at some stage said thats to do with her ptosis but I am still so paranoid its giving me stomach ulcers.

We are all almost over this dreaded bott that seems to have taken us all out for the count. Millie and I still have a pack a day cough each which is driving everyone crazy. Thanks very much pilgrims, please keep your religious fervour and consumption away from my family and I please?

Thankyou.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

When life kicks you in the nuts....

This is what gets me through..





We had our photos from Luisa back today. Just in time to remind me about all that is good in the world.

I feel for those that do not have a good relationship with their families, it is the most important thing in my life and I am very blessed to have great kids and husband, awesome parents and extended family.

Hug your kids tight and kiss them until they squeak, they wont be little for long.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

I have nothing to live for....

Well maybe thats a 'slight' exaggeration but oh my, I am a miserable shit at the moment.

A couple of months ago I kicked my dreadful nicotine habit and then got the bright idea that I should now get in shape also.

Bad idea, terrible, the worst in the world.

I joined the gym a couple of weeks ago and felt very superior as I drove there in my shiny new trainers and bouncy gym type hairstyle. I sneered at the fatties waiting at the bus stop and brilliantly ignored the ever expanding brioche that was threatening to overlap my seat belt.

20 minutes on the treadmill, hooray!
15 minutes on the bike, huzzah!
a few ladylike crunches down in the weights room, I was going to be trim, taut and terrific in no time.

I chirpily signed up for my 3 sessions with the personal trainer and was very excited last thursday when my assessment with Christiaaaaaaaannnnn took place.
So, I could only do 10 push ups, 14 sit ups and was puffing and sweating like a cheap knockhouse whore after 3 minutes of stepping up and down on one of those frightful little boxes but Im sure thats about normal for my age (all of 32) right??

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!

I went back today for my results and was shocked to my very wobbly core to find out I have a fitness age of 45 years old!!!
Some stats for your reading pleasure..
Body fat: 22% - 21 years old (must admit feel a little bit smirky about that)
Flexibility: 15cm - 18 years old (hee hee)
upper body and core strength: 56 years old (er, not so good)

but the very worst of it...

.....
.....
....
Cardio fitness...

....
..

78 year old.

Oh. My. Freakin. God.

Im going to hide in a corner with a creme filled donut if anyones looking for me.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Just keep your trap shut...

A word to the wise..

Dont ever DARE to disagree (no matter how politely)on the Etsy forums or someone who may or may not ever have bought one of your items will stamp their foot, pout and tell you they are a big scary buyer so you shouldnt dare to voice a conflicting idea or they'll never ever buy from you....

I guess Im on someones DNB list.

Blow me.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Droooooollll!

I.Love.Labradorite.

Not in a pervy way (although now that I think about it....)

Finding a piece with awesome blue flash is so exciting. Am I a geek? Yes, yes I am.

This particular pair of earrings is sold...

But I have some that are almost as flashy here and some more on its way to me.

I cant wait to get my greedy little mitts on them...

Thursday, July 31, 2008

I have a new lover...

Hes black, hes thin and oh so slick.

His name..

GHD IV hair straightening iron..

*Swoon*

Ive always envied those girls with their swishy shiny happy hair. My sad old mop has always been stuffed back into a ponytail and hidden away from the world and its prying, critical eyes.

But NO MORE! My hair is now swishy, my hair is now shiny, my hair is now FABULOUS! I can now hold my head high and do the hair flick thing that Ive always envied!

Before:

After:


Now, If I can just find somewhere nice to take my hair and an extra hour a day to actually DO it, life will be grand!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Etsy Front Page woohoo!

Beautiful curation by ThePeachTree



Do ya see my Ella Bella bracelet, do ya? Huh huh huh??

Now if I can just sell the little $%#&*@!

Its seriously such a thrill to make the front page, I've had it happen only 3 times and its sooo exciting!

Thanks again Amy!

Family connections..

While Im on family, there is a great shop on Etsy called Crafty Ladies

A mother and daughter combo with a wide range of talents.
They feature everything in their shop from key chains to jewelery to knitting.
They also have another Etsy shop called A Sentimental Affair which sells a gorgeous array of bombonierre and wedding favours.

I think this is particularly lovely

White Rose in a Terracotta Pot

Life

You should never ever give up hope.

I refused to think that I would lose my Aunty, It just wasn't possible for that little pocket rocket to be gone.

My Stepmum rang last night with news from my Dad.

My Aunty opened her eyes, made contact with my Dad and gave him a huge smile. She also raised one of her arms.

We will not know more until later today but if just proves to me that hope is a powerful tool.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Death

We have been to too many funerals lately, three this year already.
Now my Aunty has slipped into a diabetic coma and not expected to make it.

I cant believe I am about to lose my Aunty Kathy Schaf. My Dad is enroute to Portsmouth as I type. What a horrible reason to have to return home.

Keep your fingers crossed for her/us/everyone.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Etsy Front Page!!

Yay!! Marsiemums twighlight zone treasury made Etsy Front Page today!



WHOOPEEEEE!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Bite me...

Im so sick of underhanded snarkiness.

Suspicion and asshatt remarks diguised as tame little comments.

Passive aggressive is sooooo nineties.

If you have something to say, just say it.

That is all.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Serendipity Corner Photography website now live!

A girlfriend of mine has just launched a new photography business and I am so excited for her!
Its so wonderful seeing people persue their artistic dreams and I wish her all the success in the world!
Click on the following link to see more of Luisa's gorgeous work..

Serendipity Corner Photography

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Curly Sue Supplies Store opening soon - COMPETITION!

So I really really really have to get rid of some of the bajillions of beads and findings I have lying around my work area and have decided to set up a destash/supply store on Etsy!

BUT, and herein lies the problem, I need a name for said store.

I want something that stands out and is easy to remember and relevant to what Im selling so that, dear reader, is where you come in!

Im holding a competition to come up with a name for my new store, name chosen will win this awesome pair of celestial crystal and stirling silver wire wrapped earrings!

Hurrah for free stuff!!

Post your ideas here or convo me on Etsy!!

Competition will be open until a name has been chosen, now put your thinkin' caps on!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Anxiety...

So I have a trip planned back home to see the family with the kids in a couple of weeks (10 sleeps actually, Spawn #1 and I counted this morning).
Its just me and the kiddos....in an airport...on a plane, no husband to lug stuff and do silly dances to get kids to eat (I find myself in a trance as he contorts, cartwheels and struts to amuse them myself actually!)

Im thinking of ordering some go go gadget arms on alchemy so I can boing them out to the other end of the boarding lounge as one child tries to go duty free shopping and the other sets up camp under a Japanese tourist's chair whilst still keeping an eye on the bags, car seat and balancing a mountain of snacks on my head sherpa style.

Once we are on the plane Im tossing up between Hannibal Lector type restraints for the 4 year old or a good ol dose of phenergan to just knock her out. The people in front will be so glad, she has great seat kicking abilities that one.
Number 2 will be safely stowed in the over head locker...wait..I mean buckled into her car seat so apart from shrieking like a banshee she wont be able to actually get up and try to open the door or anything.

At the other end Ive asked for some assistance to disembark and collect my luggage. Last time I travelled with just #1 on my own this was great, we had our very own airport 'official' (Read pervy old grandfather volunteer type that had his eyes on my, at the time, pregnant bousairs the whole time) It was worth putting up with the lecherous old trout to cut the queue.

I must ring up and organise that again and note to self...wear booby top on plane..

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Made into Etsy gift guides woohoo!

These earrings are getting quite the exposure at the moment!

Just noticed they made it into the Etsy Gift Guides..

Friday, April 25, 2008

Lest We Forget.

I dont know what it is about ANZAC day that makes me so misty eyed but I cant watch footage of the diggers marching so proudly, displaying their well deserved medals without getting a lump in my throat.

I am especially proud of my Dad. An SAS Paratrooper in Vietnam and Borneo, he was a great soldier and is an amazing man.

My brother took my nephew to the dawn service this morning to see his Grandad march. How I wish I could have been there. It would have meant a lot to Dad to have them there.


On another note, I was talking to my Mum the other day and she mentioned she was transcribing an old letter on the computer as it was falling to bits.
She send me a copy and wow. Amazing. This was sent to my Great Great Grandfather by a man whose life he saved on the beach that day...

Port Chalmers
21st December 1917


Dear Sargt Major

I regret that I must have appeared very long winded in answering your welcome letter. I have for some time been moving round the country and your letter has been following me up.

I am exceedingly pleased to learn that you are alive and well and still more pleased to know that you are back in New Zealand.

From time to time I have made enquiries concerning you, but until now when your letter arrived, I have been unable to locate you. When you bound me up I must have misunderstood what you said for I looked for you in the Wellington Infantry, to which I thought that you said you belonged. I was very disappointed (illegible) and I thought I must have mistaken the name.

I find now that I have the most pleasant but difficult task of trying to thank you for the very prompt, careful and fearless way you tackled the dressing of my wound and saw to my despatch to the dressing station while under that heavy shrapnel fire on that memorable afternoon. Had it not have been for your ready and able assistance I think it very probable that I should have never seen New Zealand again.

I will relate to you the events as best I can remember them as they happened from the time you attended to me at the dressing station. They evidentally did not think much of my chances of living for I have since heard that they put me out as dead. Since the report you heard – I was then left lying somewhere down on the beach, where Indian mule trains kept passing. The Turks opened fire on these just as they came near me. Many of the shells burst quite near me but fortunately nothing touched me. For a time it was a perfect hell lying there but fortunately after a time nature came to the rescue and I lost consciousness. From then on I lost count of time. I seemed to be left on the beach a very long time. I remember my thirst and my being hoisted aboard a hospital ship where they afterwards found another hole in me. I was then taken to Egypt but of the trip I remember practically nothing. I could have been only a few days ‘trip’, but I remember very little about it except it seemed ages before I was shaken to life in a motor ambulance in Alexandria. I spent about a month in Alexandria during which time septic poisoning set in and a fever developed. They then hurried me aboard the hospital ship “Letitia’ (?) bound for England. Two days out they operated on me for the first time and I believe found quite a lot. I picked up slightly after that but it was only after many more months in the Endsleigh Palace Hospital in Euston, London, during which time I had three further operations, also developed pleurisy, that I at last became somewhat convalescent.

When I became sufficiently strong I made my way by easy stages to Inverness via Liverpool, Glasgow and Stirling. I came back to London via Aberdeen, Edinburgh and York. I eventually left Plymouth for New Zealand on the ‘Arawa’.. We had a splendid passage out and that trip did more for me than a hundred doctors could have done.

I then stayed at home for nearly a month after which I was packed off to Rotorua for about four and a half months, after which somehow I was appointed to a position on the Temporary Staff as Area Officer with headquarters at Port Chalmers. I had been an Area Officer for about three months when I was appointed District Attesting Officer and for months I travelled around with the Medical Board. I am now back to my area at Port Chalmers and as it is a country area I get quite a lot of moving around.

Although I can hardly hope to regain all my former strengths and good health I am very well satisfied with the progress I have made for my health is indeed very fair.

I regret very much that your name has not appeared in the lists of those who have had the luck to have their good work in the field recognised by being awarded a decoration or some distinction. It is relieving in a way to know that yours is not an isolated case of merit passing unnoticed but still is more or less annoying for yourself and for those who know of your good work.

However your coolness and good work will not be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to be assisted by you. I for one shall always remember you with deep feelings of gratefulness and will ever be watchful for an opportunity to repay you in some slight degree for the services you so gallantly rendered me at the time when I was lying wounded on Gallipoli.

I will ask you to accept a small gift, a token which will remind you that at least someone appreciated your work on that fearful day. In choosing a present I am confronted with the difficulty of not knowing whether you are single or married. Would you please let me know as soon as possible which state of bliss you enjoy. The gift I have in view is suitable chiefly for a married man. When the reply is received I shall have great pleasure in forwarding to you a small gift which will serve as a token of my gratitude. On no account however must you think that the value of it is the value I set on the very great service you rendered to me.

I trust that you are enjoying good health. Also that I may hear from you very shortly.
My address is (Rank illegible) F L Hunt
Area Officer
Port Chalmers

Sincerely yours
Frank L Hunt


PS I am further in your debt for you bringing back my belongings. I had long since given them up for lost. You will understand how very pleased I shall be to get them when I explain that the revolver was the gift of a brother officer and a great friend, in Dunedin. The binoculars the present of an officer in the same company, while the Kodak was the present of my brother. My dad had given me the watch but its loss I do not mind one scrap – he can give me another if I get away again.

Of any expense that you have incurred on my behalf please let me have a note and I will square up. Send the above collect when sending.


FLH




Lest We Forget

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I made Etsy Front Page!!





Imagine my surprise yesterday when my views for the day (Yes I am that anal and keep Majaba going throughout the day!) shot up from 40 or so to over 300 in a matter of minutes.

I refreshed Majaba, that cant be right? *insert confused head scratching here*

It suddenly occured to me that Maybe, just maybe, I was on the front page of Etsy! a few hurried mouse clicks later I was staring at my very own Lily May earrings winking saucily at me from the FP! Hurrah!!

I had been an alternative in the treasury and yay of all yay's, something had sold so when it went to the FP, I got to be featured!

I clocked up over 900 views in the hour or so that it was featured, many hearts but no sales...harumph! Oh well, it was an awesome experience seeing one of my creations so prominently featured, maybe next time :D

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Newbies!

Have been a very very bad blogger of late but just so it knows I still love it, I am giving my blog a bit of an update with some pics of some new creations..

Winterberries


Azure




Clown of God..

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Damn Easter Bunny...

Do you know how many times Ive had to replace the kids easter eggs because SOMEONE (ie me) keeps getting stuck into them late at night while mindlessly surfing the net.

I am disgusted in myself (so is my arse)

Thank the goddess this time tomorrow easter will almost be over...and I'll have to just eat my way through the kids pile because...you know...chocolate's bad for kids

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Putting things in perspective...

I read a blog today that ripped my heart open

The thought of something happening to your child, your flesh and blood, the baby that grew in your womb and gave birth to, is so frightening it can make you physically ill.

As I read the story of this man and his fight to save his daughter, my chest felt as if it was in a vice, my hands started to shake and sobs came from deep inside. So deep I thought I had forgotten them.

It has been quite a while since we had the all clear on Millie.

I remember the Dr coming out to see me still in his gown after they had given her an MRI to check for tumours. I was sitting on a spare chair in the reception of the surgical ward while I waited to see her in recovery (she had had an general anaesthetic) and he casually told me they would have to wait for a complete study but it looked to be all clear. I think my gutteral moan scared him. It was a release of tension that had gripped me for so long. I felt as though I had taken my first breath in over a year.

Lumbur punctures, EEG's, ultrasounds, MRI's, catheters, canulas, beeping drips full of saline and antibiotics...These are the sights and sounds of a parent that lays awake in a fold out bed next to their softly snoring child, praying desperatly to a god they dont believe in for something, someone to make it all right.
The despair and helplessness is overwhelming. As a parent, it is your duty to protect your child. When they are ill, you should be able to administer a pill, a potion, an incantation and make it right. The anger when you cannot almost consumes you.

I am still angry. Angry that I lost time with my daughter, that she had to got though so much, her little body poked and prodded. Angry that I bore the stress and knowledge while my husbands way of coping was to bury his head in the sand. Angry that I was angry at HER for being ill.

We are so so so lucky, the suspected neuroblastoma turned out to be nothing more than a congenital ptosis and some (many) febrile convulsions.

I have a friend whose child has a life threatening condition and I dont know how she copes day in day out. She is a marvel and I look up to her and admire her more than anyone I know.

It has been almost a year since Millies last seizure, every month that goes past I am thankful and when we hit that milestone I will, for some reason, feel like we can finally put this nightmare behind us.

I dont pray, I dont believe, but I want to lay down on the warm earth with my arms spread and thank the universe for Millies continuing good health and send healing energy To Michael Laws and Lucy.

Please (insert preferred diety here) cure this wee sprite, this tiny scrap of all that is good in this world. Let her parents have the good news and do the gutteral moan and freak out her doctor.

Please?

Monday, March 3, 2008

New supplies, new creations woohoo!

I had a whole bunch of supplies arrive yesterday and I have been a whirling dervish getting things made!!

I am LOVING some new oxidised brass wire and have been wrapping everything in sight lol!



I also made this sweet little necklace with a freebie brass leaf that was thrown in with my purchases, I love how it has turned out..




And I have been hanging to do something with this brass swallow..

Check out my etsy shop for more of my new bronzey/brassy bits and bobs!





Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Curly Sue chillin' with Thirsty Merc and Cleo Bachelors of the Year!

Well my first piece was was worn on What you Want on Channel V today by VJ Maya!


They were interviewing Aussie rockers Thirsty Merc and some of the Cleo bachelors of the year so it was in fine company lol!


I have a copy of the show but unfortunately copyright laws wont allow me to upload it to youtube...boo!


I have another piece appearing tomorrow, a blackstone lotus suspended on dalmation jaspar, keep an eye out for it!
Oh and I received a big credit at the end of the show 'jewellery by Curly Sue'.
Awesomeness.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Curly Sue mentioned in I-craft article!

Check here for a great article by Icraft contributo Lyra that mentions a couple of my pieces!

Woohoo!

I-craft should be officially launching in a couple of weeks, watch this space...

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Long necklaces are hard to photograph!

You can never get close enough to show the detail and the whole necklace at the same time!

I whipped this little number up yesterday but am finding it incredibly hard to get a decent photo..



Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I love Bath and Body!

Seriously, it has become quite an addicion lately and the bath and body products I have ordered from Etsy so far have been heavenly.


I am currently eyeing up the soap range by Kreated by Karina


The fabulous thing about Karinas products is that they contain NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) which as Karina points out, are known to irritate the skin. I suffer from dry, irritable, itchy skin on my legs so this is super important to me.


Karinas shop has a great array of soaps, lip balms and gift sets. I love the sample sets, a great way to try a few differant soap scents but my favourite would have to be this Red currant and Thyme soap.

What an awesome combination!

Check out Karinas shop at http://www.kreatedbykarina.etsy.com/

Friday, January 25, 2008

Etsy front page! WOOT!

So excited! My lil ol treasury made the front age of Etsy..

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Watching the rain..

Just had to share this pic of my two from a couple of days ago.

I happened upon the two of them staring out the door into the rain...I guess its been a few days since they could get outside lol!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

All things bronze and beautiful!

I am having a real love affair with bronze at the moment. I love the vintage look of it and yet you can still have modern fresh styles.
Here are a few items I have listed in my Etsy shop over the last few days..


Tuesday, January 8, 2008

I dont have Johnny Depp...


But I do have Chocolat...

My latest treasury on Etsy. I just Love the cuff by artisangraham , so gorgeous..
And the Asian brocade blanket by littlebunnyshop..doesn't that look like the most divine thing to snuggle up to??

I am featured on Talent Database woohoo!