Starting Friday, I will be marking many of those already-on-sale items down to 40% off the original price! That's an extra 20% off!!! Head over to my Etsy Shop for great deals on handmade jewelry for the holidays!!!

I have the worst cold yet of the season, so I thought it only appropriate to do a Friday Finds on the things I wish I had for when I'm sick...

Himalayan Bath Salts w/ Lemongrass, Eucalyptus and Peppermint Essential Oil by Goddessnaturals

When soldering, there are many aspects to consider. The metal being used, shape and weight of the piece, the join that is to be soldered, what type of solder, what type of torch, etc. It gets easier the longer you're in practice. Problems don't take as long to solve.

The other day, I was getting ready to solder all the jump rings onto my charms for the Etsy Metal Charm Swap II, and I realized that I might have to do some tricky soldering, as these pieces wouldn't just sit nicely on my soldering block. I also didn't want to solder 22 charms one at a time. So I thought..."how can I get the jump rings to sit flat on the block?"...and remembered the lovely thing that is in my spinning soldering station--pumice! Pumice, that wonderful material that pieces can be pushed into, buried in, propped up on, or stabilized with.


This was the result...wedge the shapes into the pumice, as close to the soldering block as possible so the jump ring sat flat on the block. I was able to solder all 22 pieces in 2 groups, and only had to re-solder two that the jump rings deformed on. Not too shabby :)

These earrings are one of my favorite pairs of earrings...I wear my own pair most days and get wonderful compliments. These are now marked down 20% (from $80) in my Etsy Shop as part of my Early Bird Sale!

Remember...the early bird gets the worm...time to get your holiday shopping done!!!

Monday, October 20 is the start of the Early Bird Sale!!! Most items in my Etsy shop are 20% off until November 1 (that's almost 2 weeks!). Now's a great time to start stocking up on Holiday gifts! I am also open to custom orders as well.

I've been thinking and talking a lot about Australia lately...trying to sort out my future. It looks like I may end up back there at the beginning of 2010...so tonight I'm reminiscing. One of the things I miss? Being tan and fit and happy! Having a backyard and friends to spin around with in it :) Including 5 year olds...(those were some of my favorite jeans too!)