Wednesday, June 23, 2010

ReDesign Technologies First Ever Blog Giveaway!


Kind friends, is there anything finer than a giveaway? Perhaps there is one thing...a giveaway that supports talented friends and loved ones, like my good friend Zenith Lillie. Zenith is a knitter, comedian, business woman, artisanal bath and beauty product entrepreneur kingpin and all around amazing person. She is the creative genius behind the Rolling River Soap Company, which she runs with her partner Jesse G.


Rolling River Soap Company is a micro business with chutzpa, heart and a sense of humor. Check their amazing descriptions out -  


Midnight Express: This soap zips in and takes you on a whirlwind ride late at night when most people are sleeping because it likes to party. It has a bright, warm smell of fresh-made Italian anise cookies; you know the ones, they have a sweet melted icing sugar top, buttery inside, best with a hot cup of espresso. Very cosmopolitan of you, your Nona Maria is proud of you. 


Oat Couture is our newest addition to our no smells, super magical pure, straight from the earth, new born baby, fell from the sky, product line up that is sure to please even the strictest of enviro-puritans (we just made that word up but you get what we mean).     


If that doesn't take you away, perhaps you just need to see the goods for yourself. I have purchased 4 bars of Rolling River soap for you ~ rhasoullie, midnight express, two of Zenith Lillie's secretly favorite picks. She's put them aside for us, as she is currently hosting a "Free to be You and Me Without the HST Sale" and stocks are dwindling fast (HST is Canada's much protested new ubertax for those of you living abroad). 


And how can you enter to win a fist-full of pure bubbly goodness? To borrow a phrase from Zenith herself when I asked her how I can order a bar - "its easy, just write tell me what you'd like and poof! You're done.". Just leave a comment and you are in the running! I will be choosing a winner on Friday, July 2nd so please check back or leave your contact info!  


P.S. if you would like to check Rolling River out Zenith would love it if you stopped by for a visit (be sure to check her crocheted hats out on Facebook): http://rollingriversoapcompany.blogspot.com/ and    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sault-Sainte-Marie-ON/Rolling-River-Soap-Company/74855847920?v=wall&__a=13 

Saturday, June 19, 2010

New Works: My "Flush" Bezel Setting



At last my experiment is complete mwahaha...You might remember this setting from June 14th's post I've pushed my Oxidized Emerald Cut Moonstone in another direction and I like it. I've already ordered an emerald cut diamond to test the concept a little further. Mmm...I cannot wait!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Sneak Peek of Designs to Come

Fine Silver Wrapped Setting in the Raw

This little silver wrapped gem will be hitting the shelves of Birch Beer Boutique soon in various forms - rings, earrings, necklaces, all shapes sizes and stones. 

Friday, June 11, 2010

Hunting and Gathering: Morel Picking Part 2 Flora and Fauna

Morels are not the only lovers of recent burn sites. Hooker's Fairybells


Fairyslippers. I guess I'm not the only one who sees fairy tale imagery in these woods...

Cleverly concealed Fire Beetles


One young buck (of the mule deer variety)
And of course our haul of morels 
Please stay tuned for my "artistic interpretation" (for lack of a better term) of our forage and a giveaway.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hunting and Gathering: Morel Picking Part 1 The Site

Above: A dozer guard at the Brookemere Fire Site. Last year I had the great pleasure to play a very, very small part in suppressing Kamloops Forest District fire #K6-1231. We visited the 6,000 - 10,000 hectare lightning strike fire site recently for a look-see, with mushroom picking on our minds.
The Site: Above a closer look. A dozer guard fire line where Danger Tree Fallers have assisted.

The outer edge of a high elevation Engelmann Spruce/Subalpine Fir site.


The inner edge. 
The forest is silver here. I wouldn't have batted an eyelash if a unicorn pranced out into the river clearing below us.