FIVE BAT NAMES ARE POSTED!

OK, now we are getting things done! My readers in Italy are participating and I have the following names suggested.

I bijoux dello Sregatto has suggested: Jeeves
www.bijouxdellosregatto.etsy.com

Kosmika has suggested: Ugo
www.kosmika.etsy.com

Mairi suggested: Buffy
www.mairitales.etsy.com

etherealflower says:
i'm a sucker for old fashioned names and when i looked at that lovely bat i thought: ROMUALDO!! [listen to the pronunciation here http://translate.google.com/#en|en|ROMOO-ULDO]
www.ethrealflower.etsy.com

Clouds80 says:
I thoght this name for your pet: Ozzy ! :-)
Barbara.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Clouds80



Go to the comments in the post about the bat to see their own words (and spelling of their names). Thanks, now someone is sure to win that $20 gift certificate. I wish I knew how to get the comments to show up on my blog page so maybe someone will tell me how. Sorry I am such a newbie at this blogging thing. Come on, help me out here!

Name This Bat and Win Big!

Last year when The Bat appeared we called anyone who might be able to tell us about the new addition "hanging out"--so to speak--by the front door. This research uncovered the fact that he was not "scarey" or "icky", but in reality he was a helpful member of the eco system and we should leave him alone. Our fears were unfounded, so we decided to let him stay. He didn't require much attention--no trips to the Vet, no special food, no allergy injections, and no daily walks. I have to say tho', he wasn't much of a cuddler. Then, just as we had become accustomed to him decorating the entry, he left. He left quietly, probably in the middle of the night. We were a little surprised and a little sad. (I lied about that last part.)

Why am I telling you this now? Well, he's BAAAACK! That's right. It's almost Halloween and the bat has returned to hang around our front door. "So what?" you ask and rightfully so. I think he needs a name if he's going to hang out by our door. Here's where I need your help. Send me your suggestions in a comment and I will have readers vote on the best one. I'll give a $20 gift certificate for FUSEDNTWISTED.etsy.com to the one that gets the most votes. What do you think? Of course, I'll need some readers in order to make this work, and a deadline for name entries. The deadline for submitting bat names will be October 9, 2010. Voting can begin as soon as a name is listed and you can vote on the one you like the best. Voting will continue through October 31. Come on and Name That Bat!

One More Saturday

It has been another beautiful day in California--several days really. We've had ducks in the pool, deer in the yard, blue jays in the garage, and all's right with our little part of the world. I would like to have spent more time at my workbench--maybe next week. Today we bought beautiful, sweet sweet strawberries at the Farmer's Market. I managed to attend a computer class this week and I was able to get a space on Etsy's Main Showcase yesterday. That always brings new people to my Etsy site and that's a plus. Most of my sales this week have been returning customers or customers new to Etsy. These are good signs, I think. The picture in the side bar shows my Tri-Metal Wisdom cuff and then there is a picture of my new turquoise stack ring. I am working on some new designs and will share pictures as soon as the pieces are ready for "not quite" prime time. Someday, I will surprise you and get my etsy site, facebook and blog all tied together.

But for now. . . . Good night!
M

A Quiet Day

It has been another beautiful day, even tho' I was inside all afternoon at work--not doing my metalsmith thing but working retail. During this time, I interacted with some nice people and some not so nice. I saw friends who made me smile and I heard things that made me sad and empathic for others. All in all, it was a good day and tomorrow I should be able to play at my workbench. Yeah! I have included a picture of the front end of my dog since mostly you have seen the back end! We've had to cut back on the fitness walks for now since I think we overdid it with him during the last two weeks. He was showing "weekend warrior" signs of stressed joints and muscles but is better tonight. Enjoy the pictures. The recliner is becoming his favorite place to sleep as long as someone is sitting with him!

Good night, sleep tight . . . . .and you know the rest!
M--

Happy Cows, Dogs and Me

Today was a gorgeous spring day and it was appreciated by all. The short walk to the gate of Mt. Diablo State Park has become easier for Diego, my pug, and me--both of us easing back into walking. His legs are so short that he has to run when I walk and he is not used to it--loving it, but not used to it. The cows were down by the road today and they were mildly curious about us--and the dogs. The "Cow Whisperer" was a little off his game and didn't seem too interested in whispering and only mildly interested in cows. The picture shows what a beautiful day it was and you get a view of Diego's backside again--but ya gotta love that curly tail!

I had some fabrication time at my workbench today--mostly little rings and big hoop earrings. While this activity is repetitious, it gives me creative mental time at the bench. Ideas often come when I am just repeating a process. The stones and metals seem to mix visually allowing me to see patterns and colors. I can forget the world at that moment and just be completely absorbed. And the time flies by.

Buenas noches,
M----

Country Pug

My pug, Diego, is making many new friends in this more rural area. Well, not really rural but it seems like we're more in the country with lots of animals around. A short walk takes us to the gate of a state park and allows us to visit with cows, horses, goats and many bikers. Yesterday, I didn't go and I missed several "kodak" moments as Diego made friends with a herd of cows that were grazing on the mountain. Being a good pug, he is very trusting and inquisitive when he sees another animal his tail wags constantly and his "sniffer" goes into overdrive. The cows loved him and one risked the barbed wire to put her face right on his back. Diego has no enemies except an occasional misplaced garbage can. The cows followed him when he moved and several cars stopped to see. We have now named him "The Cow Whisperer". Today, I took my camera and of course, the cows were up on the hill--so no luck. Attached is a picture of Diego immediately following a horse kiss! In other words, the horse moved! We are enjoying that country road.

Using What You Have

Tonight marks the second time I have finished a post, moved a finger the wrong way on my new MacPro laptop and lost the post. Grrrrrrrrrr! OK, I'm over it but this post will be short. Creatively speaking, it has been a good week. I designed two new pair of earrings using my stash of vintage brass survey tags and texture, more like distressed, copper. I patinated the copper with flame and olive oil (not together, please) producing a milk chocolate color on the copper discs. After hammering the brass discs and soaking them in magic liquid, they were varied colors of copper and brass, with a slightly rough finish. They look like they have been buried for hundreds of years. I then cut some tiny discs from the 3/4" discs, leaving a terrific large shape which I used with the copper discs and the tiny discs which I attached to the distressed copper rectangles. I had riveted brass discs to the rectangles with silver tubing. These are very unique.

At one time, in California, Registered Civil Engineers marked their survey points with brass discs that were stamped with their RCE license number on them. Sometime (I need to do some research) in the 80's or 90's these were replaced with plastic. On revisiting these tags after a number of years, I began visualizing jewelry. Enjoy the pictures--if I can get them up.

Good thoughts,
M--