Family Reunion Part 1

We just got back from a Family Reunion of about 40 people at my niece's in NJ. Weather was great (after all the rain we have had lately, you think about that). Food was good and it was great to see family we do not see often. My son flew in from CA with one of his kids, my oldest daughter and her family came from DC area. We drove down with my other daughter and her kids. (Her husband was at a national youth group gathering in TN) Various cousins, a second cousin, nieces and nephews, siblings and lots of kids made up the group.

Now it just happened to fall on our anniversary and our kids surprised us with two cakes (story to follow tomorrow) and the biggest surprise: one of my bridesmaids and her husband appeared. She lives in CT and she and my daughter planned the surprise. It was fun to hear how they accomplished this feat as we were totally surprised. Both fit in with the family reunion like a glove!

Our other surprise was the gift from our kids. Two tickets to see the Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers in Boston. Included is transportation to and from the park. That is a great part of the gift since Fenway is not easy to get to or leave. You may remember the trip when we went to see the Red Sox in DC.

So, stay tuned for tomorrow's explanation of the two cakes.

B


www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Bev's Magnets

When thinking about a post for today, I decided it was time that I "introduced" my very first products, message magnets.

I've always enjoyed working with computers. Computers and I go way back. When I was in college, my friend and I wrote a program for a simple mathematical problem. The college computer (IBM 650) was in a big room and now resides in the Smithsonian. It used punch cards. Probably not many of you remember those. Last I saw of them, they were used to make Christmas wreaths.

After we were married and had three children, we purchase our very own computer. A Radio Shack Model III. 16 K of memory. (I have seen that in the Smithsonian too)

Well, eventually we purchased a computer with more memory and a disk drive. Whoo, who! And on it went, as I'm sure many of you are familiar, with the newer and better model routine.





I really enjoyed playing around with graphics and went from black and white pics to color ones and then even to a color printer. In order to learn more I started putting the pics with phrases such as the one above. I could go on with the learning curve from coloring pics bit by bit with a paint program, to making little magnets covered with contact paper and a strip of magnet glued on the back. Then I found the plastic magnets in the Christmas Tree Shop; the kind you use for kids class pictures - 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.

I found a store near by and asked if she would sell them for me. She did and after 14 years, she still does. I haven't made a new design in 8 years since I started designing jewelry. (The mark up is better) My friend and I still laugh that my "silly" little magnets still sell well.

Any how if you would like to see the whole "line" you can see them at www.bevsjewelry.com/magnets.html.




And just one more, last thought:

B

Relatives

(One of my "humorous" magnets)




Disclaimer: This post is not my usual type of post.

Anyhow, I have a small slide show that is on the right side of my computer screen. It continually shows all the pictures in "my picture" file on my computer. Since it is random, you never know what will show up next.

It goes from a picture of one of my jewelry pieces, then one of my grandchildren, then a cousin of my Dad, another jewelry piece, my Mother, more grandchildren and on it goes.



Two older family pictures showed up recently, one makes me happy and nostalgic and one make me just wonder. I really glad to have both pictures.


The first one is taken in 1925 and is a group of women who belonged to an organization that both of my Grandmothers belonged. My parents met through this group and I guess you could say I would not be here without this group.

I just love looking at this group of ladies, the dining room it was taken in, the clothes worn, hair dos, and to think about the time and differences from nowadays. Lots of thoughts come to mind. Which lady is the hostess?








The second picture is a group of men in my husband's family. All men, all almost scary looking. He has no idea who they are other than relatives. These men make me wonder too, what was going on the day the picture was taken and what their lives were like?







Well, do the pictures remind you of anyone in your families? See anyone you know?


B

Wire Gauge Converter Widget

(One of my "humorous" magnets)



I found the neatest widget. A wire gauge calculator and mm to inches converter. I first saw it on my blogging buddy, Jamie's, blog http://creationsbyjae.blogspot.com/


Then this morning, I found another reference on Rena Klingenberg's, Jewelry Business Blog http://jewelry-business-blog.com/recommended_resources/wire-gauge-calculator-free-widget/

Since I'm back in a Chain Maille mode, I've been very interested in wire and measurement conversions. The new book I purchased on Chain Maille with beads uses Imperial measurements. You know 1/4, 5/64, 3/32 inches. Drives me crazy. I was brought up on that way to measure and wasn't until I was in college that I started using metric. It is so much easier!

Quick, which of the three fractions I listed above is the smaller? Now which is smaller 4mm, 8mm or 5 mm? Easy right?

So, when I saw that widget, I had to have one.

It is now located on the right side of this blog. Try it out. There are instructions if you want one too.


B

PS the answer is 5/64. Did you get it?

Message Magnets

Before I started making jewelry, I made message magnets. Those little funny, sometimes serious, phrases with appropriate pictures. When I first started, I only had a black and white printer so, I hand colored the pictures. Then I purchased a color printer but the pics I had were in black and white. So I colored the pics with a Microsoft program that allowed you to color a pic, pixel by pixel. (Sorry I can't remember the name of the program but it came with Microsoft 3.1) Needless to say, I did not do too many of those. I really was learning how to use the computer. (I still have to remind myself that the first two computers I used are in the Smithsonian - An IBM 650 in college and a Radio Shack Model III with 16 K. Yikes, now my laptop has 120GB)

Anyhow, I colored the flowers in this one pixel by pixel. Fortunately, you only have to do it once.

I did not color this one but I love the sentiment!

How true, how true!

Well, after spending all my time yesterday getting my magnets printed and all it takes to get them ready, I took them to my local gift store where, after 12 years, they are still selling. Now, I can get back to my fun job of jewelry making and designing! It is nice to have something that keeps on being popular as my magnets seem to be. You can see all of them on http://bevsjewelry.com/magnets.html

Back to JEWELRY!

B

Some fun with a Game

Do your friends send you emails with silly requests? You know, send this to ten of your friends and you will have a surprise. Well, the surprise is that nothing will happen and you've been caught again. I always delete these and do not send on to my friends. (I like my friends to stay my friends)

There are lots more of these irritating emails going around. I personally like the jokes people send (most of the time) The other day I received this email, not a joke. The old "I can guess your number" trick. For some reason, it really intrigues me. I'm sure if you want to take the time to figure it out, it isn't mind boggling, just fun. If this isn't your cup of tea, you are free to stop reading now and just come back tomorrow when I promise no silly posts. Click on the address below and try it if you want.

http://www.quizyourprofile.com/guessyournumber.swf

B

The picture above is one of my magnets available on my web site www.bevsjewelry.com/magnets.html

Bev's magnets

When I first started in this business, I made message magnets. I had lots of fun and many people would give me their favorite message/funny/phrase. I have these magnets on my web site along with my jewelry and I often use one in a blog post when it is appropriate.

I thought maybe it was time to let everyone know, if you don't already, that they are on my web site and available for sale. Some of them would be a nice addition to a jewelry purchase for a gift.

For a good friend:

or

A few are serious:

You can see the rest of my collection at www.bevsjewelry.com/magnets

Enjoy!

B