Wire-wrapped ring design - floating bead

I love this sterling silver new ring design. The bead is set high above the ring so that it "floats" and moves to catch the light. It is so eye-catching that when I wear mine, I find myself looking at it constantly. I'll be filling custom orders soon in all sizes, just $10!

http://www.magicmesajewelry.etsy.com/

From Baby Body to "I'm Ba-acck!"...

As some of you might remember, I went to a little neighborhood Oscar party last night. Lots of fun! I ended up wearing jeans, a sweater that I got for Christmas but didn't have the nerve to wear before and my patent maryjanes. I've been feeling a bit uncomfortable wearing form-fitting clothes since I had my baby last March. I am paranoid about "muffin tops" and that little extra around my formerly taut abs..... *sigh*

Well, after about 14 outfits -- seriously, lost count after 7 -- I landed on a very form-fitting sweater that my wonderful sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. Size medium and not an inch to spare. It was a faux wrap with a plunging neckline, but it was clean and it went well with my stretch jeans *eek*. (I have the chocolate brown version of the sweater to the right...)

I added a version of my new Russian lace necklace (see pic on left) and felt fabulous. Even my husband commented that he thought I may have lost a few pounds! The night was great, I felt semi-glamorous and it was the first time since my daughter was born that I wore something like that.

So, for all of you new moms who wonder when it will happen, just be patient! You'll get back to where you want to be if you work at it. It just may take a little time.

Great new site

I just registered at www.byhand.me and it looks like this website will be an amazing resource for all artisans who are committed to making and offering handmade goods!

Oscar party - what to wear?

I have an Oscar party to go to and don't know what to wear. Jewelry? Dress? Jeans with a nice jacket and fun jewelry?

What does one wear to this kind of thing in Albuquerque? I know what I'd wear in Philly...but the East Coast dress code is different. Hmmmmm.

I have so many things in my closet that just don't go with my new New Mexico lifestyle. My suits are too tailored, my dressy stuff is too formal. Even for casual day at my old job, I wore a nice jacket and accessories with jeans. I often feel like I just don't get the dress code. It isn't that people don't dress nicely for work here, but I think that the style is just different from what I'm used to. After a few weeks on my new job, I stopped wearing my big ol' pointy-toed power heels. I now have cute patent leather Mary Janes. Both are nice and professional, but I need to take the edge off....that's tough for a former Philadelphia lawyer...on so many levels.

Cute Baby Hair Bow

I saw the cutest thing on Etsy today. Check this out!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19375217

The economy - a chance to reconsider our careers?

In this economy, a blanket of unease about our employment stability has settled across our nation. I constantly hear the words "if I lose my job" in casual conversation. Job loss numbers are climbing and the stock market can't seem to find it's bottom. People are now seriously thinking about what they would do if they lost a job, a fear that did not strike most of us before.

Maybe it isn't so bad that many of us are taking a moment to think about our careers. When we are comfortable in a job, we may not ask ourselves whether we are truly happy or what may make us feel more fulfilled at work and in life.

In the legal industry, we've been hit with headlines announcing massive layoffs and large firm implosions. Established law firms have dissolved, leaving hundreds of former employees competing with each other for work opportunities in saturated markets. This begs the question: if a lawyer wanted to quit the law, what would he or she do?

For years, I have been told that the possibilities are endless for lawyers seeking a real career change. Really? I think that the answer is "maybe." If you can identify your non-legal skills and package them in a way that translates into a different field, why not? As lawyers, many of us are decent writers, and some are good marketers, negotiators and sales people. Trial lawyers make a living convincing people to buy their story over their adversary's and they need to be able to connect with people and earn trust quickliy to accomplish that. We just need to think as non-lawyers for a minute to see that this career can prepare us for other things.

My own recent musings on this subject made me think -- what else could I do if the worst happens? I thought about my skills, not in terms of what kinds of legal work I do, but what sorts of business or other skills I might have. I realized recently that over the course of years practicing law and doing charitable work, political work, and running an occasional (very small) business on the side, that I've developed pretty strong sales and marketing skills. Who knew? I didn't, until I stopped thinking like a lawyer selling my legal skills and started thinking like an objective business person.

In addition to identifying skills that you have already mastered, think about what you might need to develop to move into your dream non-law job. Right now, I'm working on my jewelry making hobby. I'm learning new skills and how to market products that I've made. It's fun and it comforts me to know that I actually could do something else if I had to. I don't have any plans to leave the law any time soon, but I no longer feel like it is impossible for me to do anything but legal work.

So, if you are feeling uneasy and you wonder what could be in store for you, be proactive. Take a look at all of your skills, including those that you may have developed outside of your career. Also, be honest about what you love to do. That will help you figure out what skills you may need or want to develop in your spare time to pursue your other passions. It never pays to push yourself beyond your current career label. At minimum you will meet new people outside of your profession who could truly help your business development efforts as a lawyer!

Beyond the basics

So, I've been thinking about expanding what I make to include different kinds of things. I have lots of ideas that are sort of simmering in my brain. One idea that really intrigues me is the concept of recycling old costume jewelry..... you never know, I may just be putting my toe into that water soon.

I'm also starting to make wire wrapped rings. So much fun! I'll upload a few of my designs soon. So far, I've gotten compliments. Now to iron out the details....

I'd love to hear ideas for new kids of projects and I'm really interested in offering something on my Etsy shop that is high quality but maybe a little less expensive.