~ Light Hands Horsemanship Clinic ~

Right now here in the Black Hills, we've an abundance of beautiful early summer 'green'. I couldn't help myself from being influenced by the lush green & early blooms surrounding me! *Hence, the gorgeous green beauties shown above.*

These are only a few pieces I finished up for our big sales trip to Santa Ynez Valley, CA -- which was like visiting Emerald City from the land of Oz. I was super busy creating and gathering up all my 'rocks' in order to set up my mini jewelry shop -- along side my DH's meat company's booth. Yep, all the gals swooned, ooo'd & ahhh'd, and scooped up oodles of my baubles!! Yipeee...yeeeehaw!
http://site.miabellajewelryshop.com/home
http://www.apmeats.com/home

We were attending (as vendors) the Light Hands Horsemanship Clinic held in the Santa Ynez Valley.
http://www.lighthandshorsemanship.com/home
http://www.lighthandshorsemanship.com/vendors.htm

My sister who's very good friends with Eitan & Debbie Beth-Halachmy, are the folks who invited us to attend. First, Eitan, this is a man who dreamt of being a cowboy coming from a far away place with nuthin' but 2 nickles in his pocket on a good day and became one one of the most decorated equine riders to date. Second is Debbie, his beautiful bride, and she says "Eitan does everything on the saddle, I do everything off the saddle". She ain't kiddin'. This is one very savy business-brain behind all their horse-scenes, let me tell you! Take a looong look at their incredible site and their outstanding accomplishments:
http://www.cowboydressage.com/home

The clinic was held and hosted at Intrepid Farms, owned by Art Perry. The nicest gentlemen and very attentive host, I must say. He's the fellow you've watched for the last 28yrs riding his steed being the distinguished Grand Marshall Horseman during each New Year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, Ca. His vast collection of beautiful silver embellished saddles and elaborate twinkling costumes displayed in his private museum is absolutely incredible!! Take a look at his place ... you'll drool too!
http://www.intrepidfarms.com/

I have wonderful loyal customer that I was finally able to meet in person, Sandra Nelson. She's just a little bitty thing, but she has her own kind of horsepower!! She nearly hauled off with 1/2 my inventory...okok, not 1/2 but at least a 1/4 of it! LOL *Thank you so much, Sandra!!* She's another accomplished breeder who raises fantastic Morgans, but don't take my word for it ... check it out for yourself! Simply click below to view Sandra's collection:
http://www.madisonavenuemorgans.com

Also, the national magazine 'Cowboys & Indians' was there, one of their lovely little photographer/journalist was taking photos and gathering info to do a write-up for a future 2010 issue. *She bought several bracelets & earrings from me! Yipeeee....*
http://www.cowboysindians.com/home/

There is so much more to share and so many wonderfully kind folks we met for the short time we were there -- we hope to see them next year. :D Even though our road trip ended up being the "road trip from H__L" due to all the mechanical prob's w/the Grama-camper including her 3 blown-out tires on the way ... we lived to tell the tale! I cherish my new memories and won't be forgetting any time soon.

Now that I've got my mojo-beading blood rev'd up and sold a bunch ... it's time to head back to the work-table and crank out more bauble beauties!!

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I Remember....

Remembering all our beloved fallen Heroes and all who've passed that contributed greatly in making our USA the best place on Earth!!

~ God Bless the USA ~
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Love at First Sight

A Mother's Love begins at First Sight
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A Love for Faceted Sparkles

Faceted Gemstone Briolettes

Faceted Freshwater Pearls

Cubic Zirconia Briolettes

I find it soooo incredibly hard to pass up ANYTHING that's faceted! You too? So I'm letting everyone know I'm listing stunning gemstone briolettes, genuine faceted freshwater pearls (which aren't so easy to come by), and sparkling little cubic zirconia briolettes ... along with just about anything else I rediscover in my bead bins or get my hands!! Please stop by and check out these beauties including all the others I just listed in my shop. These beauties are simply perfect for creating delicate 'ear candy' goodies or any jewelry hound who loves being creative with faceted loveliness! :D

LQQK right here -----> My ArtFire Shop

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~ An Anniversary Gift ~

Our Anniversary will be taking place in early May ... the Lord brought into my life a ray of light which showed me how to trust another again. This wonderful man is my best friend, my pillar of strength, my inspiration, my comfort place, and my partner in life. I am blessed every morning as he invites me into his life everyday ... silently ... as I do him. He and I finally found what true love really feels like. Not the love you share with dear family, precious children, and others in your life....those receive a lovely but different kind of love.

What I've learned the most is that a friend is a gift you give yourself, in order to do so, you have to become one. Beyond all the romance, passion's short self life, and all the marketed ideas of what ought to happen or be like -- which I value with all my heart....it's our friendship that's the biggest gift of all and means the most to me. It's what our Love is based on....a solid foundation of trust and honesty. His heart is the sweetest gift I've ever received and I can't even hold it my hand. But it does come all gift wrapped in a manly-style with ribbons of the softest lips I could ever ask for!

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Hi, I'm Beth....I'm a Turquoise Addict

~ Turquoise ~

Here's a few tidbits of folklore on one my most fav' stones....it's been coveted for centuries! I truly understand why -- just look at all those fantastic rainbows of blue, teal, olive, rich charcoal matrix and hints tobacco-tan...*swoon*.

Turquoise is the one of the official birth stones for the month of December as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912 and the Planetary stone for Aquarius, Taurus and Sagittarius.

The name turquoise is apparently related to the fact that is was brought to Europe from the Eastern Mediterranean by Levantine traders, more commonly known as Turks. Its been used as a valuable ornament for ages and was used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. The color is, of course, turquoise, but its range of color varies from green and greenish blue to sky blue shades.

For centuries, the most valuable turquoise came from Iran (Persia) but today some specimens mined in the southwestern United States compete with it. The name "Persian Turquoise" is now generally used to refer to any turquoise stone that does not have the black or brown veining commonly found in turquoise mined in the United States and used in a style of jewelry created by the American Indians.

The Aztecs mined turquoise in an area now known as New Mexico and a significant amount of turquoise comes from Arizona, California and Nevada in the United States. China has also been found to have very large mining opportunities & quantities of turquoise. China's turquoise mines offer many colors and varieties -- along with large bead manufacturing factories.

Other minerals like chrysocolla have been used to imitate turquoise. Turquoise is often dyed and stabilized with resins to produce a harder stone which retains its color and polish. Reconstituted turquoise is made from small chips and "chalk" to which dyes and plastic resin is added. Pure turquoise is a relatively soft stone ranging between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:

Turquoise attracts money, success and love. Its powers include protection, healing, courage, friendship, and luck. Relaxes the mind, and eases mental tension.

Turquoise is sacred to many Native American's and was carved in the shape of animals and birds. These carvings were placed in the Indians tombs to attract beneficial spirits and to guard the dead. Turquoise was also used by medicine men for healing and by warriors who fixed turquoise to the end of their bows to insure accurate shots.

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