Helping Hearts Post from UEF Forums

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It is with deep sadness we must share the news of the tragic loss suffered by Cindy Boardman, known here as designedbylucinda, a UEF moderator and long time member of the Etsy community.

On Thursday, February 3rd an accidental fire took her home, pets, and claimed the life of her 11 year old son, Kevin. No words can convey the shock and sadness we feel, Cindy is an active and valued member of our community and we share in her grief during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts, prayers and most profound sympathies are with Cindy and her family.

Her husband Robert Boardman's co-workers have set up a fund to assist the family with medical and living expenses. Donations and care packages can be sent here:

Boardman Family Fund
Knight Communications
10150 Mallard Creek Rd.
Suite 201
Charlotte, NC 28262

Update from Cindy's friend: Please do not send clothes or household items at the moment, as they have some donations already and will be living at a temporary location for a while.

DONATIONS UPDATE: PayPal donations for our contribution of a small arrangement and cash donation can be sent to: forboardmanfamily@gmail.com
(please note the name on the account is that of one of UEF's moderators, who used her personal details in order to get it set up ASAP)

For those that wish to donate, please note that if you send the money as personal>gift, no fees will be deducted IF the funds are transferred from another paypal account... if using a credit card to donate, it is our understanding that a fee will be applied.

Please direct any questions about the paypal fund to punch or admin (quirke).

UPDATE Wed Feb 9: The funeral will be held on Saturday February 12th. UEF member HappyHound who lives in Charlotte will be picking up and taking flower arrangments to the funeral. The funds for the arrangements will be coming from the forboardmanfamily PayPal fund.

Community Quilt for Lucinda - Info Here:
http://unofficialetsyforums.proboards.co....ead=1612&page=1

Big Cartel Donation Shop - if you can donate some items for sale, please read here: http://unofficialetsyforums.proboards.co....lay&thread=1615

Read more: http://unofficialetsyforums.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=announcements&action=display&thread=1581#ixzz1DVNmXUPj

So, I've neglected this a few days due to Etsy changes

And my feelings about them. They've completely eliminated the forums and encouraged us to create "teams" instead. By doing this, they've alienated a lot of buyers and sellers and took the community feel out of the site.

Therefore, I will not be renewing my items on etsy and am slowly moving to Artfire. Artfire has a lot of applications that I like, including being able to purchase items without having to sign up for the site. You can have a kiosk on facebook, as well as a cart on your blog. This alone makes it pretty sweet, and makes me wish I had signed up sooner.

Key to My Goth Heart

So, I'm experimenting in weaving with wire. And, I'm having a total blast. I'm currently using parawire and copper wire because of the exorbitant price of sterling wire. I created this heart using silver and black parawire. My new addiction may be making keys, hopefully I'll go back to the dragons soon! I have one all wrapped waiting for beads...

Key to My Goth Heart

So, I'm working on posting more often

So, I'm working on posting more often but my mind is drawing a blank today on what to post about. :) Isn't that just the way it goes? I've been working on items for the art gallery that carries my work the past few days. I finished 2 bracelets and 5 pairs of earrings. And, I finished the bracelet I'm making for this:
Keith is my friend and I'm hoping that this works out very well for him!

Auctions for Artists
Auctions for Artists

Meet Our First Artist: Keith

I'd like to introduce you to Keith, the inaugural artist for this endeavor.  Grab a cup of coffee and learn a little about this fantastic guy!

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In 2007, Keith was diagnosed with Pleomorphic Rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of skeletal tissue cancer rarely found in adults. In 2008, he managed to beat it back and hoped to live cancer-free but it returned in 2009 and spread further into his system. Undaunted, he continues to fight while raising his two little girls.

An artist as well as an experienced IT leader, Keith has been diligent about looking for full-time employment but has been hampered by his battle with cancer. Because full-time work has been elusive, Keith tapped into his abundantly creative side and has been sharing his artistic talents with the world through his shops online while continuing to focus on spending time with his daughters.

The costs of fighting cancer are astronomical. Radiation treatments are thousands of dollars per treatment. Boosters for the immune system cost $1,100 per treatment. The cost of the oral chemo regimen he is on (his heart cannot handle the stress of IV sessions) is $56,000 per year and while a large part of that is covered through charitable organizations, he is still being asked to absorb almost $2,000 a month in medication costs. There is also the cost of therapy, as the emotional burden of fighting cancer and the other issues it raises are hundreds of dollars each month.

Every month, Keith has to choose between his medical needs, basic necessities such as groceries and clothing, and providing a place for he and his daughters to live. The financial and emotional burden is very high, yet Keith still does what he can to help out others in his own way whether it be assisting them with design work or sending leftover supplies he can't use to those who can put them to good use.

***

So, now the good work begins!  As stated before, this site will depend on donations from people for items to sell and lots of high bidders to buy all the goodies put up for auction.  Please contact me at auctionsforartists@yahoo.com if you have an item you'd like to donate.  Keith's personal auction will take place from 8:00 a.m. (central) on Monday, January 24th through 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 30th.

More details will be forthcoming, but for now, let's see what you've got!

If any of you would like to make a monetary donation directly to Keith through PayPal, please e-mail me and I will give you his address.

Cold weather

I won't be spending much time on the computer today,  it's 19f here in northeastern NC, and I live in a 200 year old house that I'm trying to heat 2 rooms of with portable heaters. It just doesn't work that well when it gets this cold. I'm going to be spending most of my day snuggled under my electric blanket that I'm very grateful I purchased last month. :)
By the way, this weather just ain't right for NC! Where's my warmer weather? We had snow once, I'm happy. Come back warmer weather! I miss you!

Have a good one y'all!

(Hugs)
Kitty

Book Review Weave, Wrap, Coil: Creating Artisan Wire Jewelry

Weave, Wrap and Coil Book

Well y'all I am truly blessed with amazing friends. I was emailed after I posted asking about this book on the about.com forums saying I would be able to give a review for this book because it was being sent to me. :)

I received it in the mail today. I will say that there are only a few tutorials I would not be interested in trying. That is way above average for me. The instructions are illustrations that are done very, very well. They go into enough detail for a beginner, but the designs are still interesting enough for a more experienced wire worker to create. I am so happy to have this one, and I can't wait to start creating!

(Hugs)
Kitty

Amethyst ring

So, I haven't created many rings for my shop. I made this one a little while back, but could never get a good picture of it. I took new pictures of it yesterday, when I was trying to upgrade some of the photos in my shop. I'm rather pleased on how well it came out. This is a very small, delicate ring, and will fit a size 5 best. It would make a great pinky ring! :)

Size 5 Amethyst Ring

New Pictures!

So, I'm doing my best to try to upgrade some of the pictures in my shop. I'm taking millions (okay, maybe not millions, but it sure feels like it) of pictures to hopefully get one right. I'm rather happy with the way the ones for my smokey quartz necklace came out. I'm hoping to get some more good pictures this week!

Smokey Quartz Necklace

Garnet Dragon Pendant

Wire wrapped garnet dragon pendant

So, what's better than one dragon? Lots of dragons. They're my favorite new thing to create. :)
I'd like to present Rose, Queen of Dragons. There may be other dragon queens out there, but I would tell Rose. I'm not sure if she breathes fire or not...
Rose is rather found of her namesake. She loves the deep red roses and pink roses the best. Who could blame her? She's also awfully fond of any gemstones of these same hues, like garnets and rhodonite.
Queen Rose wants to come home with you, and just possibly take over your jewelry box. She might share your gems with you...might!
Rose is made from raw red brass wire and will age to a lovely patina.

Ready for Valentine's Day?

I'm starting  making things for valentines day. Are you ready?

Simple Heart Pendant

Here there be dragons

So, we all know sterling wire is way to expensive to use now. I do a lot of experimenting when I create critters from wire, and I can't afford to waste sterling wire. I decided to give red brass a go, and this is my first thing created from it. :)

Sterling Seahose Pendant

I'm rather fond of this pendant, so I thought I'd share it with y'all. The beads are some lovely 4mm teal round pearls. I hated to use them, because I wanted to just keep them forever (my beads, mine, mwahahaah). It's my own design,  I start with wire and imagination. I have 2 dragon pendants (made of red brass) in the works. I can't wait to share them too! :)

Ruby, Dragon Queen

From kittyd

Let me present Ruby, Queen of Dragons. There may be other dragon queens out there, but I wouldn't let Ruby know. Ruby is fond of garnets, crystals and copper. All dragons have their own peculiarities. She measures 3 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. The copper rope chain is 22 inches long and included with purchase. Ruby is made from raw copper and will gracefully patina with age. She represents over a dozen hours of work. She really wants to come home with you, but beware! She may decide your jewelry box is her own personal treasure trove...
Ruby came to life as a challenge presented to me by my jewelry making forum friends from about. *waves*
They saw the other wire wrapped animals I was making and said that they knew I loved dragons and should create one. This presented a real challenge, as I cannot draw. I have to start with raw wire and imagination. My first attempt at a dragon wound up being a raven. Darn wire has a mind of it's own!

I'm Bacccccccccccccccccccckkk!

Well at least for today.../grin. I finally listed a few new items in my shop, including this carnelian leaf and crystal quartz necklace

Well, I've started making a few rings..

This is the second one in my shop! (In my son's favorite colors, black and red)

Ever had one of those days?

I was volunteering at the public art gallery in Elizabeth City this past Friday, and everything I touched went wrong. I usually bring something along to work on. Everything I tried to do I messed up, plus I was knocking things on the floor. Fortunately it wasn't artwork, just books and a book holder on the counter...lol!

Amethyst Wire Wrapped Earrings

Who doesn't love purple? I took sterling wire and wrapped these absolutely amazing 12mm multi faceted coin amethyst beads. I then added some sterling diamond dust and 4mm amethyst bead dangles to the bottom. I really don't want to give these up...
These earrings measure about 1.5 inches long from the bottom of the earwire

My muse is back!

My muse is back, and this is the first thing she inspired me to create! I'm waiting on some wire so I can create some rings too! :)

My son is graduating on June 12th

My son's senior pic
Originally uploaded by kittydabc

My son is constantly reminding me to not care what other people think. He's his own person and if people don't like him, well he considers it their problem.
People have talked about me in my small town because I don't have a job. They think because I don't have one, I haven't looked. (Despite numerous health problems I've put in hundreds of applications over the past 3 years).
He is always saying, "Mom, their life must be pretty dang boring if all they have to talk about is you. You should feel sorry for them."
/giggle
I gotta love him! He's beautiful inside and out!

I'm Featured on Blog Awards Site!

I'm featured on makingjewelrysupplies.com Blog Awards Site!
http://makingjewelrysupplies.com/blog_awards/index.php?id=18883