Journey & Adventure

Here's a little something I've been working on.  It's fitting given all the snow we've been getting up here in Canada. White Bear's Journey Zuni carver, Everett Pinto, carved this white marble bear with the turquoise heart line.  The bear has been wrapped in heavy sterling and the necklace has been strung with white moon shell heishi beads, hematite beads, and nuggets of vintage Sleeping Beauty turquoise from the legendary closed mine in Arizona. The Bear is a symbol of strength, with power from within.  The heart line, which starts at the mouth of the bear (where breath gives life) and point to the soul (where faith, spirit and inner strength reside).

The BIG day is nearly upon us. No, not Christmas. That’s BIGGER than BIG, but the BIG day I’m talking about is the BIG craft show that I’ve been preparing for since… ummm, June. It starts tomorrow and I can hardly wait to get that beast behind me. I cannot even begin to explain how much I HATE – yes HATE making earrings… and necklaces… and bracelets. It used to be fun, but it’s turned to misery. I have made no less than 117 pairs of earrings, 120 necklaces and 35 bracelets since June. I HATE it all right now. Seriously. I know HATE is a strong word, but if I see another bead roll across my floor I will lose my mind…again. I think I’m prepared and I hope I have enough inventory; but in all honesty – I don’t care anymore. I just hope to sell it all. Then, all this misery and misspent time will have been well worth it. For four loooong days, I’ll be immersed in the world of crafters and crafty hunters. Wish me luck and say a little prayer that my sanity remains intact.

Yesterday was my anniversary (and J’s too of course). We have been married for 23 years or as J clarifies – we are going into our 23rd year of wedded bliss. We have actually been together for over 30 years. A lifetime it seems, but it’s been great and I’m looking forward to many, many more. Once a year, our corporate office hosts a strawberry social for the office and plant personnel. I’ve spent the last 3 hours preparing the strawberries for tomorrow – washing, hulling and cutting. I’ve was appointed “supervisor” thanks to my many years of strawberry processing plant experience which started around the time I turned 15. Thank goodness I opted for an education and didn’t make strawberries my career. I used to LOVE strawberries, but for obvious reasons not so much anymore. The saga of my car continues. After the $700 worth of repairs last week – my car still DID NOT start properly. So, it’s back in the shop today and now I’m being told it needs a new fuel pump – to the tune o...