On Nov 15th the snow started. Some people actually like this weather and its heralding us into the holidays. I’ve lived in California people and Christmas comes regardless. I much prefer photos on Christmas day under a palm tree.

Last winter where I live was a long and wet one. Driving was a real challenge most days and it has already started. The other day my small 10-minute morning commute turned into 30-minutes. Cars in ditches and bumper to bumper traffic.

Winter 07’ was followed by a wet spring, wet summer and a short fall. Now the snow looks as if it never went away.

Even from a very young age I had an aversion to the cold.

On the bright side, one good thing about this time of year is my cool colourful leather gloves. That’s it…

Went to see Marie-Antoinette's Dress at the ROM yesterday. It has been reconstructed over the years - notably the bodice in the 1800's. Marie had 36 dresses made per season. I wonder if she ever wore this at all. Still the dress is fantastic and well worth seeing.

http://www.rom.on.ca/ootv.php

Happy Thanksgiving to those of us living the Great White North!

Car Show Day! We happened upon this great show today, so many cars to see and of course I am drawn to the "Bare Bones Rat Rods" (so I am told they are called). These things are so imaginative, flash lights over license plates, hand grenades for shifters, very cool...

Today was busy at the office which is good because it makes the day go quickly. Down side is that I am mentally wiped out at night when I want to get creative in the studio – like now!

Last night I went out and got some interesting findings and some sheet metal (that my husband cut for me thankfully) and I worked to patina / distress along with some silver items. There is a lot of preparatory work to be done! Tonight I hope to pull something together out of this mish mash.

Thank you to my co-workers for supplying me with some interesting jewelry bits and pieces that I will incorporate into my upcoming creations!

A few more new dangles completed after visiting my local hardware store and several hours of work!

I am always grateful when I find a fellow 'tribe member'. I met Beth Ann Russell at a great store called The Bead Lady in my own home town. Beth Ann is a wonderful jewelry wire artist who was full of information and advice for me to take away and percolate on. Beth Ann actually described the kind of jewelry I am currently making as “Steampunk”. I went home and researched it and YES Beth Ann you are right, I am a natural born steampunker!

Check out my Jewelry Link to see more of what I am up to.

And thank you Beth Ann, I am more excited as ever to broaden my weird and wonderful horizons!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk

We were reminiscing the other day about the old Coffee Vending Machines. I remember sliding my quarter into the slot and choosing “regular”. The Styrofoam cup would drop down (right side up if you were lucky) and the coffee would come spurting out “piping warm”.

Who knew what was in it exactly. Was it real cream, sugar or even coffee? Tasted like a combination of dirty Plaster of Paris if I recall, but because nothing else was available there was always a steady stream of people in line.