At the top of the world

Though I've been cheering on the human rights protesters who tried to disrupt China's Olympic torch relay (and successfully snuffed out the flame in Paris!), I must admit I got teary-eyed with awe when I saw the pictures of the torch being brought to the summit of Mt Everest by a 19-member assault team.

Symbolically, the team was made up mostly of Tibetans.

On summit day, they broke camp at dawn and reached the summit six hours later, where they waved the Olympic flag to mark the moment.

It was a pretty awe-inspiring image.

(Photo courtesy of Washington Post/Getty Images)

I also love how one of the team members has a crazy-looking oxygen mask on while the others do not. Are their lungs that much better?

(Photo courtesy of Washington Post/Getty Images)

Apparently the torch was designed by rocket scientists, and is able to withstand the lack of oxygen at that elevation.

And yes, I realize that I completely fell for all the feel-good propaganda as intended, but it's very hard not to. Reaching the summit of Mt Everest is a truly amazing feat, especially because it is by no means guaranteed and a lot of people have died trying. You have to be in peak physical and mental shape to even make it past base camp. And consider that the area of the final assault to the summit on that last day is called the "death zone."

I have been fascinated with Everest stories for so long. It's my dream to someday visit the base camp in Nepal (if I don't faint first) - a friend of mine made this trip and his stories about it are wonderful.

Quartz earrings

Pink quartz faceted briolettes and white potato pearls on sterling silver earwires, named "Tess" after my old nanny, who I miss terribly! Tess is now available at the shop.

I made two more sales - Colleen and Polly, my newest offerings, have both sold! Thanks Lisa!

I saw this guy on Colbert Report last night - Nathan Gunn, a really hot opera singer. Usually you don't associate opera singers with hotness, but not only was this guy hot, he was really charming, articulate, and really built as well. Apparently the opera world is trying to shed its snobby reputation by bringing its art to the masses, most notably into movie theaters, and I am guessing that Nathan Gunn is part of their PR blitz.

Trot out the hottie, bring in the ladies.

How many of me?

According to this site,

• There are 244,728 people in the U.S. with the first name Hazel.

• Statistically the 271st most popular first name.

• More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Hazel are female.

I would love to meet the less than .1 percent Hazels who are male.

Water jasper earrings

I love the name of these stones - blue water jasper. Very poetic. This pair is called "Polly" after my grandmother's sister, who was a very special, gentle lady. I have very fond memories of her during childhood summers.

As mentioned, she features a pair of blue water jasper squares accompanied by hammered oval links made of sterling silver. Great summer earrings, especially worn with jeans!

Polly is now available at the shop.

Also check out the custom order I finished yesterday - a modified Astrid necklace and matching bracelet. As soon as I listed them at the shop I received a convo from a buyer who was interested in the necklace, and wanted to know if I can make another one. Yay!

And lastly, the second pair of Lily earrings has sold! Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law Alissa.

Green fluorite earrings

I am elbow deep in custom orders, but I did manage to take a break to create new items for the shop. These are "Colleen," named after my cousin's daughter. Featuring green fluorite squares hand wrapped in gold-filled wire, as well as white freshwater potato pearls on vermeil.

Colleen is now available at the shop!

I am also offering more of the Lisa, Lily, and Leslie earrings.

Etsy find

Red poppy bobby pins from Foundling.

I can't wait to wear these in my hair for summer with a black linen dress. Very Spanish.

Craft room lust

If I could design my own craft space, the features I would like to have are:

1) dark, wide plank hardwood floors
2) lots of windows and a skylight
3) a big, big work table in the center with a lot of drawers
4) an abundance of shelves, nooks, and storage spaces along the walls
5) the walls painted in a color that can serve as a pretty background for photographs - I'm dreaming of a warm burnt sienna or something cheerful like pale yellow or aqua

Here are ones I'm lusting after:









And finally, the queen of all craft rooms - Martha Stewart's in her house at Turkey Hill.


And on that note, Happy May!