Some New Sparklies

I listed some new pretty beadies in my supply shop. I didn't get a change to post pictures here first before listing them on Etsy.

Boo to me, better late than never.

Amazing Faceted Amethyst Rondelles

Adorable Multi Gemstone Briolette Hearts

Very Blue Super High Quality Iolite Rondelles

Silky Smooth Smoky Quartz Briolettes

I am also going to be listing some bright (and very affordable) Prehnite Briolette Pears. So you will be seeing those here first!



Let me know if you want any of these lovelies and I will make you a reserved listing lickety-split!

Lots of Fishies at the Birch Aquarium

We went to the Birch Aquarium over the weekend and saw all kinds of amazing and beautiful ocean creatures. It was a warm day, but very overcast which is the usual weather for La Jolla.

We took lots of pictures, which come in at a far 2nd to being there in person, but what the hey. If the fish would slow down a little, the pictures would be a little less blurry.

This is the "giant" octopus when you first enter the aquarium. He isn't technically giant, but I would say he is pretty big. He swam across the glass and I think he enjoyed all of the attention.

This is a humongous kelp forest. There were a ton of fish swimming around having a high old time.

These are moon jellyfish. They were super cool in person and sadly, blurry in picture.

These are another type of jelly fish (unfortunately I can't remember which kind).

This guy is an amazing tree seahorse! He really blew us away and is a true testament to the miracle of nature.

Super cool tropical fish.

More colorful tropical fish.

This is the view of the La Jolla shore from the patio of the aquarium.

It was a really great mini adventure for the day! It is a shame that I live so close and visit the aquarium so infrequently.

Bad Lauren.

Strange Picture of the Day

Now, I realize that the title of this blog post may possibly insinuate that I have, or will be featuring a "Strange Picture of the Day". I'm not making any promises - in fact, I will just come right out and say that this will probably only happen this once. I guess that the real title of this post should exclude the "of the day" portion, but I'm leaving it - just because...

Getting back to the point - My BF took this picture from the passenger seat while I was driving on the 15 North just past Escondido making our way into Vista. For those of you who know where this is will make this picture all the more strange (not that it isn't already strange enough).

I can't imagine where this hot dog stand had been, or where it was going. It will have to just remain a mystery.

*By the way, I in no way endorse the consumption of Hot Dog on a Stick.

Front Page Baby!

Bacchus Beads was on the front page of Etsy! (I am actually currently on the front page as of Monday night at 9pm, but was too excited to wait to blog about it).



My absolutely gorgeous and indulgent garnet rondelles are the item included in the front page treasury that was beautifully curated by my fellow CCCOE member Brenda, who owns Phydeaux Designs. Her scarves are to die for (which I am sure I have said more than once).

Who knew Monday night would be so great? It's always the little things that rock the most.

From Slab to Cab

Ladies and gentlemen,
In my quest to become further acquainted with gemstones, (which I love, oh so much) I took a workshop on how to cut and polish my own cabochon.

It was lots of fun and much easier than I ever imagined. It was almost like being let in on a little secret. I didn't get to take pictures throughout the entire process, but I do have a very exciting before and after...

This is the slab of striped Agate that I started with. I didn't really know what to expect, but just decided to go along for the ride. Basically, (to give you a VERY abridged version) I used an oval template and drew on the shape of the cabochon I liked.

From there, I used a band saw to cut around the line I drew - cutting as close as possible. The closer you cut, the less you have to grind off. Once the slab is cut, I used a succession of grinders that begin very course (to grind the most) all the way down to very fine (which polishes).

The entire process took about 2 1/2 hours, which I hope will decrease as my skill improves. So here is my very first, cut and polished cabochon!







And, just so you can really get the full impact of the before and after...

Tada!!! Okay, had enough already? :)

Even More Beads - Part 3

I have been loading up my bead shop with tons of yummy gemstones - it has become a serious addiction! Here are some more yummy additions...

Really Special Black Spinel Faceted Rondelles



Ocean Blue Apatite Faceted Rondelles



Gorgeous Coffee Brown Tourmaline Faceted Rondelles



I also have some stellar pendants in my shop too, but I will save those for another post. If you can't contain yourself and are dying with anticipation, you can take a peak here.

Yummy Beads - Part 2

I have even more sparkling goodies in my jewelry supply shop that I was dying to share with the world!

I was really lucky to find an amazing bead supplier in San Diego that travels all over the world to find the most beautiful superior quality gemstones. It is always comforting to know that the gemstone beads you acquire were handpicked with care. Jewelry makers know that you take a leap of faith when you buy gems online - you never really know what you are going to get, until you get it.

We have all been burned when gems show up and the beads you receive are definitely not the same gemstones in the picture when you ordered them. So rest assured that when you order gemstones from Bacchus Beads, you will get exactly the same gemstone beads and supplies shown in the picture. Phew!

Here are a few new favorites...

Huge Flashy Labradorite Faceted Coin Beads



Breathtaking Faceted Tundra Sapphire Rondelles



Super Sparkling Shaded Iolite Faceted Rondelles

Yummy Yummy Gumdrops

I finally got my stuff together and listed some totally yummy gemstones in my jewelry supply shop Bacchus Beads!

Of course I love all of my beautiful beadies, but there are definitely a few super star standouts that I think you will love too.

Beyond Gorgeous Garnet Faceted Rondelle Beads



Creamy White Faceted Round Moonstone Beads



Amazing Quality Multi Gemstone Faceted Rondelles (Designer Strand)



I am really thrilled to get my new supply shop off the ground and really appreciate all of the support I have received in my jewelry shop this year.

As my thank you to everyone - take 10% off an entire purchase in Bacchus Beads. Just "convo" me before you make a purchase and I will make a reserved listing for you.

*This offer expires on July, 31 2008. Keep and eye out for new bead shop blog specials.

The San Diego County Fair (formerly, The Del Mar Fair)

We went to the SD County Fair (which used to be called the Del Mar Fair and is my preferred name, but was changed a few years ago for some reason) and had such a good time!!

I have really fond memories of the Fair - We went every year with my family and always had a ton of fun. We saw all different kinds of farm animals, ate horrible for you, but tasty fair food, went on rides and walked through what seemed like never ending exhibition halls.

This year I went with my BF and he was smart and brought our camera to document our Fair adventure. Here are some of my favorites...

This is maybe 1/16th of the food the fair has to offer - it's basically a heart attack waiting to strike.

These were our obscenely overpriced $8 beers - but they were pretty tasty!

Here is a crazy person bungee jumping from a crane.

This man was having his teeth whitened in one of the exhibition halls and fell asleep. This picture marks the strangest thing we saw at the Fair.

This was our funnel cake - yet another Fair indulgence. It was sinfully delicious!

This is on the way to the rides. Weeeeeeee

Rides in motion!

Awesome giant slide - this is one of the few rides that I, a self proclaimed scaredy-cat would consider going on.

Monster Ferris Wheel - if you ride it during the day you can see the Pacific Ocean for miles and miles.

Ladybug

We went shopping for some tomato and pepper plants for the yard and found a stow away ladybug on the way home. She was so cute and crawled off of the leaf she was on and walked up and down the window. I put her back on the plant when we got home and now she lives in the backyard.