Moving from Hawaii to Indiana

I've been off the blog for awhile during my packing for our big move. Yes, we are officially moving from Hawaii to Indiana. Some people say we are crazy but what counts most in life is family. My hubby wanted to be closer to his family and I am staying with my brother and sister-in-law here in Indiana.

We flew out of Hawaii on January 20th. Stayed in Oakland, California for a week visiting my only brother-in-law and his wife. Picked up our vehicle we had shipped from Hawaii. We drove to Palm Springs to visit with my side of the family, mom, brothers and cousins.

We stayed an extra couple of days due to a big ice storms we wanted to avoid in the midwest. Our driving days were great with no rain, or snow/ice on roads. We did have trouble with hotel stays due to workers hired for the storm. Other than that everything went great.

So we are now near Fort Wayne, Indiana, enjoying the snow. Yes, I miss Hawaii but I am thankful for the 18 years I was lucky enough to live there and the great friends I had there. I look forward to a great new life here in Indiana where the people are fantastic and everything is so beautiful.

I am Officially Unemployed

The time has come, as of today I am free of my day job! After 17 years at the Hawaii Sheriff Division, I have resigned.

I can now dedicate myself to my art clay silver jewelry creations and my vintage and supply site on Etsy and other sites.

I can tell you one thing, I am not sad and I'm not excitedly happy either. I feel a sense of calm right now, as if a heavy weight has lifted off me. I feel good and I don't really care about anything.

I am so looking forward to what this new year will bring. There will be more great changes to come!

Happy Holidays to All!

Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday season. Hope you and your family are enjoying the holidays.

This is a busy time for all of us, but I look forward to a great, prosperous and exciting New Year!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!

Martha

My New Creation - Wood Texture Jewelry

Here are my latest creations, jewelry made with a real wood texture. I discovered this great piece of wood by Bellows beach here on Oahu. I made a mold, put it aside and just recently had time to make the pendant and earrings. I'm making rings later when I have more time.

FREE Video Classes - Annealing Metal and Sawing Metal

Once again, one of my favorite sites Beaducation has more FREE online video classes.

I want to learn more about metalsmithing which is really a must if you make jewelry. I visited beaducation and saw 2 new classes. Annealing metal and Sawing Metal.

I have watched almost all of their FREE videos, which are fantastic. I'm sure I will be taking some paid classes soon. I love that you can stop them and go back if you want to repeat something. You can watch them over and over.

So check them out Beaducation

50 Great Jewelry Selling Techniques

Free e-book, 50 Great Jewelry Selling Techniques
by David Weiman, with great information on marketing your jewelry. Just sign up with name and e-mail for the free newsletter and get your free e-book.

My Son - New Hawaii Deputy Sheriff!

Friday was a happy day for us. My son Ben has graduated recruit class and is now a Hawaii Deputy Sheriff. I am so very proud of him and his accomplishments including his six years in the Air Force. I have struggled many years as a single parent, trying to raise my only son to be a good kid and it has finally been accomplished in my eyes. My hubby Ray and Ben's fiance Shayna have also contributed greatly to his success. We look forward to a great career in law enforcement.

A Great new Site - Beaducation

I stumbled upon Beaducation , a great site and signed up immediately. Beaducation has online video classes on many types of crafts and jewelry making. They also sell the kits to go with each class if you don't want to search for the items you need for the class. You print your instruction sheet and follow the video as you go along and you can stop, or go back while you work.

What really caught my eye was the FREE classes! Some of the free classes include Felted Beads, Byzantine Chain, Intro to Chainmaile, Making your own Earwires, Stamped Jewelry, Intro to Seed Beads, Coiling Wire by Hand and more!

Beaducation also sells supplies like charms, hard to find steel stamps, wire, stones with holes, jewelry kits and more.

If you ever wanted to take a class and couldn't afford it, or it's too far away, now is the time to check out Beaducation .

Martha's Vintage - My New Etsy Shop

I have a new Etsy Vintage shop named Martha's Vintage
! Check out some of the great stuff I have. The pic is of a cool vintage ashtray I'm selling now. I will be posting more vintage items, jewelry mostly and kitchen items. I will also be listing some supplies and craft books. Stop on by and take a look.
Martha's Vintage

Metal Clay Academy

New site for everything you need to know about Metal Clay. Great for resources, training, suppliers. The site has a great metal clay gallery and lists of businesses that work with metal clay. If you work with metal clay you can list your shop for free in the directory. I love that instructors can list their classes there, also for free. You know me, I love free!
Visit the Metal Clay Academy soon.