Favorite Quote: Happiness

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."-Helen Keller

I love Helen Keller's wisdom. This brings to my mind the experience of losing a love relationship ... or of having a beloved friend decide that she doesn't want to spend time with you anymore. It's a challenge to look around when you're so busy staring at the closed door ... hanging on and mourning what you've lost. But eventually you must accept reality and move on. And one day, happiness will come again as a joyful surprise.

Photo: Handmade Whimsical House by Artsy Clay

Koalas, dragons and peacocks - oh, my!

Polymer clay is magical because each person who works with it does something so unique! Here are a few creations made by other polymer clay artists on etsy so you can see what I mean.

Here is an adorable koala made by time4coffee who also makes dragons, sea creatures, pixies and wall hangings.



Meet "Burk" who belongs to the "Fire Clan Dragons." His eyes glow in the dark and he carries a staff with a crystal in it that helps guide these dragons through life. He was handcrafted by Elemental Dragons who makes all kinds of fantastic creatures.



Turtles, dragons and birds are the specialties of Art by Lilin. Here is one of her striking Peacock Focal Art Beads.



Visit their shops by clicking on any photo below:

Fingerprint Friday - God's Majesty in Nature

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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Some friends are vacationing in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, and here are a few of their photos. I would love to be there! Wouldn't you?


I got a kick out of this. The golf course has live elk grazing. Good thing I'm not there. I'm such a lousy golfer I'd probably accidentally hit one of them in the head with a ball going the wrong direction.


For you who like to drive FAST (haha)...


p.s. It's really only 68 mph.

Favorite Quote

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed." - Nicholas de Chamfort

Dreams come true!

My friend Carol recently got married on the beach, and the newlyweds had a lovely honeymoon in Costa Rica. She's back and making new things for her Etsy shop, Silver Beads and Clay. Here you can see her at her wedding, wearing beautiful starfish earrings that she made herself.

She has created a new pair of the starfish earrings for sale in her shop, Dreams Come True earrings.



They are made of AAA grade clear rock crystal quartz spiral briolettes attached to sterling silver starfish. The briolettes are 18mm in size. These are substantial earrings. The earwires are sterling silver lever backs with 4 mm clear (CZ) cubic zirconium stones.

Here are more of her beautiful creations, which include - in addition to earrings - necklaces, bracelets, pendants and rings. Click on any photo to visit her shop.

Fingerprint Friday - Jocie

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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My Fingerprint this week is another of my grandkids, Jocie, age 6. My grandchildren are an enormous gift from God, bringing me delight and joy.

Inspiring Quote

To pursue a dream is to touch the wind -
to reach out and fly on the wings
of the breeze to new horizons
never before seen.
But often and lovingly imagined.

To capture that spirit
and keep it always alive
in the heart
is to know
true fulfillment.
For it brings every dream
within reach.

From Follow your dreams by Alice Hoffer

Looking for a comfy headband? Linda to the rescue!

I noticed my friend Dawn at work had a headband sitting on her desk one day last week so I asked, "Oh, you wear headbands?" thinking of my sister-in-law Linda, who makes headbands and pony tail holders. Dawn said yes but it wasn't very comfortable and she could only wear it for a couple of hours.

So I showed her Linda's Etsy shop, Linda's Hair Boutique, and Dawn picked out a few she liked which I brought to work the next day. She tried one for a few hours and said it was much more comfortable! Here she is wearing one of her new headbands, a cute lady bug headband handmade by Linda. Dawn matched it up with her own ladybug necklace and earrings for a stylish ensemble. The new headband didn't end up sitting on the desk but stayed on her head most of the day. :)

Linda has a wide variety of designs in her Etsy shop (almost 200 choices) in various colors and themes. Below you can see a few samples - bunnies, sewing, elephant, chili peppers, golf, Clemson University Tigers and autism awareness. If you don't find what you're looking for, she is always happy to discuss custom orders.

You can find Linda's items online in two places, on Etsy and Ebay.








Click on any photo below to visit Linda's etsy shop.


Here's another happy headband wearer, Cher. (See comment below!!!)

Fingerprint Friday - Paige and Ty

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Where do you see God's fingerprints? In nature? kids? animals? They are all around us!

If you'd like to join in as well as find links to other Fingerprint Friday posts, visit Pampering Beki's blog.

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My fingerprints of God this week are two of my grandchildren, Paige, age 3, and Ty, age 8. My son's family was visiting from out of town and we went to Carl Sandburg's National Park which has a goat farm. Paige doesn't usually like to have her picture taken but I guess she didn't mind my new camera phone and I was thrilled to get this shot of her sweet smile. Below, Paige and Ty are petting a goat at the farm.

A Favorite Quote

"We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box."

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Crayons pictured are available in the etsy shop of Art2theExtreme. Her rainbow crayons are available in various shapes and colors, and made from recycled, non-toxic crayons in a large size that's easy for younger children to grip and fun for any age.

Featured Etsy Artists - yay for clay!

I always find it amazing to look at the work of other polymer clay artists and see the variety. It's staggering to the imagination that these creations are all made of the same material. Here are a few etsy shops you might find intriguing.

Good thoughts

An email I got today that I really like:


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1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember....

when life hands you Lemons,

ask for Tequila and Salt and call me over!


Good friends are like stars........

You don't always see them,

But you know they are always there.


Whenever one door CLOSES another always opens, even though sometimes it's hell in the hallway.


I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here
than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Wishing you a blessed weekend with family and friends!

July Challenge - Personal Hero

Visit the PCAGOE website to see the WINNERS!

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Here are all the entries in this month's PCAGOE (Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy) Challenge, to make a creation inspired by your favorite hero.

Visit the PCAGOE website to vote for your favorite creation and be entered to win a prize! But hurry, voting ends at midnight on Thursday, July 3.

Here is what I made in honor of my hero, my daddy. It's called Wind Beneath My Wings.
If you love it, it's available in my Etsy shop.



“Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings…”
--“Wind Beneath My Wings,” sung by Bette Midler (Grammy Awards Record of the Year & Song of the Year, 1990)

For me, the Wind Beneath My Wings - my hero - has always been my daddy, who passed away in 1995 at age 79. He was a wonderful person who lived a very inspiring life. He was an attorney, CPA and owner of Hertz Rent-A-Car franchises, a volunteer board member/chairperson for many local non-profit organizations, worked with the mayor to arrange special events for the service men at Chanute Air Force Base, was chairperson for the Governor’s Committee for Tourism (Illinois) for many years, and just one of his many recognitions was being named National Volunteer of the Year for the YMCA in the ‘70s.

His legacy of kindness and desire to help people inspires me daily. I hold his memory within my heart and do my best to live as he did.
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This pendant is handsculpted out of polymer clay. A hot pink heart with white wings is adhered to a royal blue textured background. The heart and wings are accented with sparkly acrylic gloss. It measures about 2" wide (approximately 5 cm wide)