Here it is, the Last Friday of December. I hope everyone has made their tax-deductible contributions to charity by now- If not, you have just Monday Tuesday & Wednesday to do it.
Local food banks, animal shelters, homeless centers, your religious group, your kids' school- all these are good places to share a bit of what you have and receive a tax deduction on your 2008 taxes.
You can also make political contributions, donations to Diabetes or MS research, Breast Cancer research, the ASPCA, - there's many, many more--- choose a few and share the love. There's still time, so get busy!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just listed - on Etsy!
I added 3 things to my Etsy shop last night. The process, though tedious - 5 pages! - went fairly smoothly. Since views have bee re-calculated, or using a different set of criteria, views have fallen significantly.
The antler pendant got 4 views; the red copper pearls has 3, and the lampwork earrings garnered 2.
That's sad. Just sad.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lookie Lookie!!
I bought some of those cute little flower beads- in my continuing quest to create items just like Etsy likes...
The beads were fun to use though, and I think they came out well.
Look on Shophandmade (link at right) for these two...
The beads were fun to use though, and I think they came out well.
Look on Shophandmade (link at right) for these two...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Another 800 Billion...
Our American financial wizards have decided the banking industry needs another $800 billion - to encourage LENDING.
So, if I'm understanding this right, we give money to the banks, so they can LEND it back to us, thereby putting us (and our heirs) more deeply in debt.
I guess I'll never understand finances like this.
If the US actually has $800 billion, why not just give to us - and leave the banks out of it. (Unless we decide to put some of this newfound cash - that's really OUR CASH- into some of these banks.)
But then - what do I know?
Just that Webster's word of the year is "Bailout"
So, if I'm understanding this right, we give money to the banks, so they can LEND it back to us, thereby putting us (and our heirs) more deeply in debt.
I guess I'll never understand finances like this.
If the US actually has $800 billion, why not just give to us - and leave the banks out of it. (Unless we decide to put some of this newfound cash - that's really OUR CASH- into some of these banks.)
But then - what do I know?
Just that Webster's word of the year is "Bailout"
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
There's a New Venue in Town...
Check out my Artfire shop! It's a new venue, and so easy to list new items.
http://foxaz.artfire.com/
http://foxaz.artfire.com/
Here are a few things I've listed there:
The site is really new- still in beta- but I'm liking it a
lot. And the customer service is awesome. Plus, they have stats!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Refreshing
Well, I must say the past 2 days have been a refreshing change of pace. America voted - and we have a great new President -elect, someone I can listen to as he speaks and not have a gag reflex...
The hysterical phone calls from Sarah & Cindy & John have stopped. I no longer Google Canadian real estate. I feel a sense of hope, even though the Dow is diving daily. Things will straighten out; they will improve. The war will end. Returning soldiers won't be thrust into the classroom as untrained teachers. Africa is really a continent; fruit fly research is important; global warming is real. "Drill, Baby, Drill" is no longer the rallying cry.
Plus, I'm looking forward to finding out whether all those clothes get donated to charity. If we're lucky, the GOP will be revealed for who they really are - fiscal non-conservatives, given to socialism (bailing out private business.)
If we're lucky, the middle class will be given a fair shot at success.
Whew! We sure dodged a bullet on Tuesday! Yay for Obama!
The hysterical phone calls from Sarah & Cindy & John have stopped. I no longer Google Canadian real estate. I feel a sense of hope, even though the Dow is diving daily. Things will straighten out; they will improve. The war will end. Returning soldiers won't be thrust into the classroom as untrained teachers. Africa is really a continent; fruit fly research is important; global warming is real. "Drill, Baby, Drill" is no longer the rallying cry.
Plus, I'm looking forward to finding out whether all those clothes get donated to charity. If we're lucky, the GOP will be revealed for who they really are - fiscal non-conservatives, given to socialism (bailing out private business.)
If we're lucky, the middle class will be given a fair shot at success.
Whew! We sure dodged a bullet on Tuesday! Yay for Obama!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
We've been busy making new things. This vintage lucite scarab bead necklace has copper accents and solid copper toggle. I haven't listed it yet, but I was pleased with how the photo turned out. That is vintage driftwood I picked up on a trip to Mexico in 1984. And a piece of flagstone collected on a trip to a Sedona mine.Such a lovely necklace!
There's so much you can do with a head of butter lettuce! These little antler tips earrings look cool against the pretty green leaves. They are about an inch and a half long on copper kidney wires. They have an antiqued copper bead cap on top of each, and would be perfect to wear to a hunting lodge weekend, or to impress that wild-man hunter in your life. They are smoothly polished and such a great natural color! (Made by mr foxaz)More to come... http://www.foxaz.etsy.com/
Friday, October 24, 2008
where's my Bailout?
Today GM said it may cut a bunch of its' workforce. It "lost" billions last year."Lost" - as in paid out more than they took in. "Lost" meaning paid out to employees, who then supported the economy with their paychecks. And also paid out in bonuses to CEOs, and who knows what happens with that- probably "lost" in the Caymans, or on Wallstreet, or at the Mercedes dealer...
Why are bonuses paid out for failure? Why are companies still in business when they don't show a profit? How does that work? I mean, after 3-4 years of negative numbers, how is it they still pretend to be viable?
Something here is just not right..
Friday, October 17, 2008
Keep Calm & Carry On
Watching the stock market bounce up and down is giving me a stiff neck. Following politics has my head spinning. So I thought I'd make earrings.
I bought some antique copper findings from Artful Market and got busy. You can see some of my output above. Cool, huh?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The World Without Us
As if things were'nt bad enough in the world, I bought a book- The World Without Us by Alan Weisman.
A couple of years ago I read Collapse, a riveting history of why ancient and not so ancient civilizations failed. It included the Incas and Mayans, Islands in the South Pacific, the state of Montana (U.S.), Australia, Greenland... from over-fishing, to overpopulation, to the introduction of non-native species... it's a fascinating acount of the progression of civilization and in some cases the ruination of ecosystems. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the way environment and man interact.
This new book- The World Without Us - looks to be every bit as compelling. It's supposed to be "a sketch of where we stand as a species that is both illuminating and terrifying." .. Barry Lopez, author of Arctic Dreams.
It's going to tell me how we're doomed as a species, we'll become extinct, -- but--all our architecture and art and stuff like that will stay around as mute testimony. But we won't be here...
I'll give you a deeper book report after I've finished reading it.
In the meanwhile, don't forget to vote.
A couple of years ago I read Collapse, a riveting history of why ancient and not so ancient civilizations failed. It included the Incas and Mayans, Islands in the South Pacific, the state of Montana (U.S.), Australia, Greenland... from over-fishing, to overpopulation, to the introduction of non-native species... it's a fascinating acount of the progression of civilization and in some cases the ruination of ecosystems. Highly recommend it for anyone interested in the way environment and man interact.
This new book- The World Without Us - looks to be every bit as compelling. It's supposed to be "a sketch of where we stand as a species that is both illuminating and terrifying." .. Barry Lopez, author of Arctic Dreams.
It's going to tell me how we're doomed as a species, we'll become extinct, -- but--all our architecture and art and stuff like that will stay around as mute testimony. But we won't be here...
I'll give you a deeper book report after I've finished reading it.
In the meanwhile, don't forget to vote.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Temptation
of politics... It's so futile, yet so overwhelming.
Thankfully, we have no investments in stock. If we did, I'd prbably be a blathering idiot. Oh, I'm sure we'll feel the pain in many ways, but we won't actually have to watch our money disappear on a daily basis. So this week we've seen the government hand over hundreds of billions of dollars to Wall St, which has proven so well how it uses our funds. We've watched as our Congressmen actually voted for the bailout, barely batting an eyelash.
We've received our mail-in ballots.
We've seen the beauty pageants and the you-tube videos, seen the cartoons and heard the late-night jokes. Watched SNL explain the bailout. Saw the newly homeless doing what they can to make a last-ditch effort to maintain some dignity. Read the sad story of the man who shot his whole family because he saw no way out of his financial crisis.
During the great depression, brokers jumped out of windows. Now they just hold out their hands, palm up. Government is their friend when they're in trouble- but please! No oversight or regulation. That would be wrong.
Here's a bit of history for all you folks (all 2 or 3 of you) reading here...
the story of the Keating Five:
http://my.barackobama.com/keatingvideo
watch it, it's very enlightening for anyone who missed the real thing. And it gives insight into McCain's way of thinking.
In the meanwhile, I stay busy with my crafting and artsy-ness. I'm coming out with my new Recession Collection very soon. And after that, the Depression Collection should be following soon.
Gotta keep your chin up!
Thankfully, we have no investments in stock. If we did, I'd prbably be a blathering idiot. Oh, I'm sure we'll feel the pain in many ways, but we won't actually have to watch our money disappear on a daily basis. So this week we've seen the government hand over hundreds of billions of dollars to Wall St, which has proven so well how it uses our funds. We've watched as our Congressmen actually voted for the bailout, barely batting an eyelash.
We've received our mail-in ballots.
We've seen the beauty pageants and the you-tube videos, seen the cartoons and heard the late-night jokes. Watched SNL explain the bailout. Saw the newly homeless doing what they can to make a last-ditch effort to maintain some dignity. Read the sad story of the man who shot his whole family because he saw no way out of his financial crisis.
During the great depression, brokers jumped out of windows. Now they just hold out their hands, palm up. Government is their friend when they're in trouble- but please! No oversight or regulation. That would be wrong.
Here's a bit of history for all you folks (all 2 or 3 of you) reading here...
the story of the Keating Five:
http://my.barackobama.com/keatingvideo
watch it, it's very enlightening for anyone who missed the real thing. And it gives insight into McCain's way of thinking.
In the meanwhile, I stay busy with my crafting and artsy-ness. I'm coming out with my new Recession Collection very soon. And after that, the Depression Collection should be following soon.
Gotta keep your chin up!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Problems with searching Etsy...
So we list and renew our items on Etsy - some people do this more than others - it's generally the only way to have your work show up in the searches. Today they announce there are problems with listings not showing up. Photos appearing as grey squares, whole categories showing zero stuff.
Until this is fixed, I won't be listing anything new, or renewing anything.
But I still make stuff, every day.
Tonight Leanne (leannimal on Etsy) won her first challenge on Project Runway. It's a fun show to watch; so many different types of designers, it's inspiring!
Have a great end of August!
Until this is fixed, I won't be listing anything new, or renewing anything.
But I still make stuff, every day.
Tonight Leanne (leannimal on Etsy) won her first challenge on Project Runway. It's a fun show to watch; so many different types of designers, it's inspiring!
Have a great end of August!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
This is fun...
Here's a fun game to test how well your brain works:
How to play the Flash Fabrica Game--
1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game, computer will tell you how old your brain is.
Good luck !!
http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html
it's harder than it looks, but my brain tested at age 34, and I'm alot older than that, so I was thrilled.
It's the little things like this that make life worth living, eh?
How to play the Flash Fabrica Game--
1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game, computer will tell you how old your brain is.
Good luck !!
http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html
it's harder than it looks, but my brain tested at age 34, and I'm alot older than that, so I was thrilled.
It's the little things like this that make life worth living, eh?
Saturday, August 16, 2008
A Joke, Kind of- and Saturday Thoughts
So George Bush Sr says to GB Jr: Did you hear? Russia invaded Georgia...
GB Jr says: Oh! I hope Atlanta is OK...
Only a few months left for this sadly comedic duo... and not a moment too soon. As I get older, I have less and less patience with liars and fools. At this point, though, I feel sorry for the next yayhoo who takes the reins. Trying to right this sinking ship is a task I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been a bit creative this week- here's a picture or two:
The turquoise is Chinese, stabilized- I've had it for quite a few years. Copper freshwater pearls complement the look.
The old photo is from a few I picked up at the flea market. The necklace reminds me of something she might have worn. It's made of glass crystals, swarovski dangles, antiqued brass and gold filled chain. Pretty.
Both are available in my Etsy shop http://www.foxaz.etsy.com/
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The end of July! Days are getting shorter, folks on Etsy are getting antsy to hear Holiday Plans from the top dogs, the ones with initials: CEO, CCO, CFO, CTO.
What kinds of promotions will be featured? What kinds of advertising will occur? Will EtsyKids finally end? Will the issue of copyright infringement be dealt with? And especially-- will sales pick up?
Ah the many questions of an online handmade seller...
What kinds of promotions will be featured? What kinds of advertising will occur? Will EtsyKids finally end? Will the issue of copyright infringement be dealt with? And especially-- will sales pick up?
Ah the many questions of an online handmade seller...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
"Monsoon" rains and Crabgrass.
When it rains, it pours. It's Arizona, so it's not like a real monsoon - just a time of thunderstorms, humidity and rain. Generally it starts around the 4th of July and lasts until September. During this time, the crabgrass grows about 3 feet a day, and the ants try and move into the house.
We've been doing battle with the ants, and I think we'll try hiring a young and healthy gardener to remove the crabgrass. Woman or man, it doesn't really matter, just so long as they can identify tomato plants, squash, beans... and are willing to pull the grass out by the roots. Crabgrass puts down roots along the length of its stems- spreads out and digs in and is very difficult to get rid of. Believe me, if we weren't both a couple of arthritic old people, we'd be doing it ourselves. But It's hard work.
Doesn't sound like rocket science though, does it?
I assume in this economy, we might find someone willing to pull weeds for money. Or a gas card...
Meanwhile, we continue to make things and stay busy in a non-painful way. We'd rather not damage ourselves any worse than we are already. After all, it's only money, right?
We've been doing battle with the ants, and I think we'll try hiring a young and healthy gardener to remove the crabgrass. Woman or man, it doesn't really matter, just so long as they can identify tomato plants, squash, beans... and are willing to pull the grass out by the roots. Crabgrass puts down roots along the length of its stems- spreads out and digs in and is very difficult to get rid of. Believe me, if we weren't both a couple of arthritic old people, we'd be doing it ourselves. But It's hard work.
Doesn't sound like rocket science though, does it?
I assume in this economy, we might find someone willing to pull weeds for money. Or a gas card...
Meanwhile, we continue to make things and stay busy in a non-painful way. We'd rather not damage ourselves any worse than we are already. After all, it's only money, right?
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Random Thoughts
As soon as I say it, they'll probably be back, but: The Ants are Gone! for now. Which is a good thing.
Speaking of good things, I read where Martha Stewarts' company is predicted to be on the downhill side of the bell curve. Apparently making fancy stuff to sweeten up your home is becoming passe. When the economy falters, does that impact the crafting venue?
Folks have been crafting for hundreds of years, so I don't expect that to stop. But as finances tighten, disposable income fades. "Good things" cost money- more so than "Just OK" things... Walmart (the home of "Just OK") has a new logo and is said to be thriving in these tight times.They do have the advantage of offering everything in one place. It may not be what you'd really like, but at least you aren't spending wads of cash on gas to drive from store to store. And for some, that is a big deal.
I saw a really good paperback the other day, kind of like the "Whole Earth Catalog" from the 70's - all kinds of info to help you live off the land, or closer to the land at any rate. There are so many simple ways to cut costs and be "green" - things we used to do back then that saved us money. I thought- "Wow, maybe I'll check that out-" so I picked it up to thumb through.
The typeface was so small I would have had to use a magnifying glass to read it. Sadly, I set it back on the shelf.
Speaking of good things, I read where Martha Stewarts' company is predicted to be on the downhill side of the bell curve. Apparently making fancy stuff to sweeten up your home is becoming passe. When the economy falters, does that impact the crafting venue?
Folks have been crafting for hundreds of years, so I don't expect that to stop. But as finances tighten, disposable income fades. "Good things" cost money- more so than "Just OK" things... Walmart (the home of "Just OK") has a new logo and is said to be thriving in these tight times.They do have the advantage of offering everything in one place. It may not be what you'd really like, but at least you aren't spending wads of cash on gas to drive from store to store. And for some, that is a big deal.
I saw a really good paperback the other day, kind of like the "Whole Earth Catalog" from the 70's - all kinds of info to help you live off the land, or closer to the land at any rate. There are so many simple ways to cut costs and be "green" - things we used to do back then that saved us money. I thought- "Wow, maybe I'll check that out-" so I picked it up to thumb through.
The typeface was so small I would have had to use a magnifying glass to read it. Sadly, I set it back on the shelf.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The attack of the Killer Ants
OK, so to preface this entry, we're OLD, and we don't see that well anymore, either one of us. Mrfoxaz has Graves eye disease & he sees double most of the time. I have parafoveal telangiectasias- and when I try to focus, the center part of my retina has some dark spots, so I can't focus for close vision. I have to kinda look off to one side.
So the other day, we decided to take a little nap. We snoozed for maybe a half hour or so and I woke up itching and scratching. I had big red welts all over me!
We took all the bedding off the bed and looked everywhere. I thought it must have been a Walpi Tiger- a bad bug that sucks blood from people & pets. After moving the whole bedroom around & crawling around with flashlight, mrfoxaz found an ant. A teeny little nasty ant. A pissant. Ouch!
The other day, we had pissants swarming the cat food, and we sprayed and vacuumed and cleaned and we hadn't seen any more. Ahh, but we were wrong!
Tonight, Mrfoxaz went in the bathroom to take a shower and the sink and counter was covered with those damned ants!! So we cleaned and sprayed and took everything out of the drawers & cabinets... Then went outside and dusted all around the foundation and vents.
It's been really hot the last week or so- over a hundred during the day- that's when the ants come in. We're waging WAR!!
So the other day, we decided to take a little nap. We snoozed for maybe a half hour or so and I woke up itching and scratching. I had big red welts all over me!
We took all the bedding off the bed and looked everywhere. I thought it must have been a Walpi Tiger- a bad bug that sucks blood from people & pets. After moving the whole bedroom around & crawling around with flashlight, mrfoxaz found an ant. A teeny little nasty ant. A pissant. Ouch!
The other day, we had pissants swarming the cat food, and we sprayed and vacuumed and cleaned and we hadn't seen any more. Ahh, but we were wrong!
Tonight, Mrfoxaz went in the bathroom to take a shower and the sink and counter was covered with those damned ants!! So we cleaned and sprayed and took everything out of the drawers & cabinets... Then went outside and dusted all around the foundation and vents.
It's been really hot the last week or so- over a hundred during the day- that's when the ants come in. We're waging WAR!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Got my foot fixed, Mrfoxaz got his pain shots...
Ah, yes, the booboo report... We're slowly getting back to normal- I had my toe straightened out Friday (it was hammering, but not in a productive way) so I'm stumping around with a funny shoe- the kind that's oh-so-fashionable... Thankfully I can drive, so today I drove Mrfoxaz down to the surgery center for his pain block shots. He gets them once a month and they seem to help. It's amazing the number of people who are disabled in this way- chronic pain.
Sunday my faithful computer decided 5 years was long enough- and it told us something was corrupted and it just wasn't feeling up to booting up. After dusting and checking all the connections and basically spending the entire day trying to figure it out, I decided my stimulus check could best be spent on a new one. I mean. I was having serious Etsy forum withdrawals and needed my "fix" So now, all I have to do is restore al my favorites and my email addresses and retake my photos... you get the drift. A big pain in the patoot.
I'm working on a couple freeform crochet projects- when I get the camera software back up and running, I'll post photos...
Stay cool, and enjoy yourself.
Mrs foxaz
Sunday my faithful computer decided 5 years was long enough- and it told us something was corrupted and it just wasn't feeling up to booting up. After dusting and checking all the connections and basically spending the entire day trying to figure it out, I decided my stimulus check could best be spent on a new one. I mean. I was having serious Etsy forum withdrawals and needed my "fix" So now, all I have to do is restore al my favorites and my email addresses and retake my photos... you get the drift. A big pain in the patoot.
I'm working on a couple freeform crochet projects- when I get the camera software back up and running, I'll post photos...
Stay cool, and enjoy yourself.
Mrs foxaz
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Rearranging my "blog furniture"
When I was younger, before computers and the Internet - (yes, I could be your mother) - I used to enjoy moving furniture around , often, to make it seem like the room was new. I just enjoyed seeing things from a different angle, making a new space.
Now, I can change my blog page around to satisfy that urge. And it isn't half so painful, in terms of lifting and back injuries.
Today, I added a hit counter (so I'll know how many times I've visited) and a slideshow of some of our work. Some of these are available at our etsy store - www.foxaz.etsy.com. I've been experimenting with ACEOs-(Art Cards Editions & Originals) using some of my digitally tweaked photos. They are a lot of fun to make, like little baseball card-size art pieces.
In the slideshow you'll also see antler pendants and earrings are by mr fox, crocheted stuff by me, and some photos of the iris in the garden this year. The iris blooms are so beautiful and short-lived. And this year, the wind has been so strong. It really sucks the life out of plants, drying everything out and knocking it over.
Now that I've changed things up and added some deep thoughts, I think I'll go craft...
Don't forget to check the Sunday Secrets at www.postsecret.com !
Now, I can change my blog page around to satisfy that urge. And it isn't half so painful, in terms of lifting and back injuries.
Today, I added a hit counter (so I'll know how many times I've visited) and a slideshow of some of our work. Some of these are available at our etsy store - www.foxaz.etsy.com. I've been experimenting with ACEOs-(Art Cards Editions & Originals) using some of my digitally tweaked photos. They are a lot of fun to make, like little baseball card-size art pieces.
In the slideshow you'll also see antler pendants and earrings are by mr fox, crocheted stuff by me, and some photos of the iris in the garden this year. The iris blooms are so beautiful and short-lived. And this year, the wind has been so strong. It really sucks the life out of plants, drying everything out and knocking it over.
Now that I've changed things up and added some deep thoughts, I think I'll go craft...
Don't forget to check the Sunday Secrets at www.postsecret.com !
Friday, June 6, 2008
Arizona's getting hot-
Time for summer crafting by day, and gardening early in the morning and later in the day. I'm out of commission for the garden - have a diabetic ulcer on my toe, and will have surgery next week. Diabetes is certainly one of the biggest bummers that life can hand you.
But I can sit with my foot up and make my little crocheted pins and pendants for my Etsy shop. And read the forums and look at all the pretty treasuries. Life is good. Sorta.
I marbled some paper the other day, and will probably make some little notebooks with the many kinds of paper I have collected over the years. Can you say "hoarder"? That's me.
Mr fox is doing all the weeding and continuing to work on his beautiful jewelry. Stop in at our store to see more!
But I can sit with my foot up and make my little crocheted pins and pendants for my Etsy shop. And read the forums and look at all the pretty treasuries. Life is good. Sorta.
I marbled some paper the other day, and will probably make some little notebooks with the many kinds of paper I have collected over the years. Can you say "hoarder"? That's me.
Mr fox is doing all the weeding and continuing to work on his beautiful jewelry. Stop in at our store to see more!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Here's our Etsy Mini-
It will probably take me some time to figure this out- Got the Etsy Mini up at least; next will have more pictures, and perhaps some thoughts on the amount of time i spend looking at this computer screen. Being retired has its' perks- like unlimited time to spend at this sort of stuff. In between gardening and doctors appts...
Until next time-
Peace out!
Until next time-
Peace out!
Monday, March 17, 2008
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