My new focus

A while back I was suffering from mild depression as I was having health problems and I was getting bogged down with negativity. Then one of my dearest, oldest friends came to visit me and recommended starting a journal in which you forced yourself to think about one good thing every day. (It had worked for her, she said). I thought, "I love you and I respect your views and would benefit from your experiences so I'll give a whirl. And it worked!!! So now I'm going to try it here with my blog to try to counteract the negativity we are surrounded with in our lives and in the media (bad stories sell more papers it seems).

Please feel free to add your own good things to my blog but try to keep them to one a day so we don't run out! Looking forward to hearing them. Much love, Renee.

Day one's good thing =  My Christmas Lily bulbs are poking ever so slightly up from the ground. I just adore growing my own flowers and I was worried with all the rain we had had that the bulbs might have rotted away in the ground. They haven't!!! OH JOY!

Coin rings

Coin rings
Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

Nelson is such a mecca for creativity, I love it there! Had a lovely wee break there last week. A splendid way to start the school holidays.

Engraved flower brooch

Engraved flower brooch3
Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

My first Etsy commissioned jewelley piece based on Adrienne's Christmas present brooch! So exciting!!!

200 lovers

200 lovers
Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

If only my 200 lovers translated to 200 sales then all would be swell! Please come by to http://www.etsy.com/shop/RenJewels

Pohutukawa leaf jewelry

KIF_8369
Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

I bought the pohutukawa leaf card ages ago and have also collected leaves like this when I travel to the North Island. I've been wanting to make some and today when I was sick with a cold I did. In between feeling pretty sorry for myself too! They've turned out really well although a couple have my hair in them. Adds to the charm? Will post some more pics when I make them into some piece of jewelry.

Cell1

Cell1
Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

My latest creation. Can't wait until the day when I can be a jeweller instead of a teacher. Or maybe just a part time teacher and a part time jeweller so I get some variety! Open to ideas.

Little Rock Ring

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Originally uploaded by Jewels By Renee

My latest piece of 'art you wear'. You can see the rest of the pics of this piece at the following address or if you are interested in a commission piece please visit me at RenJewels on Etsy.com. Look forward to seeing you soon! http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelsbyrenee/

A bad day!

Why is it that some people can look you in the eye and just lie. Do they think that they'll never get found out, that if they say it with enough conviction then they'll get away with it?! And why lie about dumb stuff that doesn't really matter anyway. What's the point? And the worst liars are the people who think they're better than you, maybe that's how they justify it to themselves.

Luckily it's Friday and I have American Idol, jewellery making and felting to keep me happy.

Making it happen

In the spirit of maknig it happen I have bought a new pair of Birkenstocks (which I was going to do anyway) but they have Paris-y pictures on them. So every time I wear them I think of the trip to Paris in three years.

Rings for Mum and Dad

My husband and I recently celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary which was a milestone considering we have been together (mostly) for 27 years. There was a wee break in the middle where I sold my wedding ring, not believing that we would get back togther, but then we did. I've been wearing his ring because it doesn't fit him anymore so I thought I'd make us some new matching ones to mark the occasion. We've decided that for our 20th we're going to be in Paris. Three years to save up....can't wait!