It's Almost Fall, Can you Feel It?

I have some new fall inspired gemstone beads in my shop that I just recently listed for purchase. I actually have some more gemstones perfect for the changing season, but I am going to hold onto them for a bit. I plan on using some of them for my own jewelry designs and am not sure yet of how much I am going to part with for Bacchus Beads.

Hessonite Garnet, Faceted Oval Beads


Green Amethyst, Faceted Oval Beads


Hessonite Garnet, Onion Briolettes
Hessonite Garnet reminds me of leaves on a tree changing color, as they turn from yellow to orange, red and brown. These beads have a less gemmy quality and are much more organic in color and texture.

Green Amethyst, which is also called Prasiolite is perfect for fall jewelry pieces as well. It is a transparent gemstone that is a very unique shade of green, which I can best describe as a mint or moss green. It is one of my new very favorite gemstones, especially because it pairs so beautifully with Labradorite.

I am working on a new necklace that features both green amethyst and labradorite - so be sure to check back soon.

Queen Tori

Tori Amos is the first influential contemporary female musician that shaped and touched so many facets of my life. Her music communicates beauty and strength, while confronting all of the eccentricities and insecurities that woman experience.

Tori's voice is as haunting as it is beautiful - much like Tori hereself, exceedingly complex and incredibly unique.



This is a vintage performance of Winter from 1991, right before her first album Little Earthquakes was released.

Her music has changed and evolved over the years, but Little Earthquakes is the album that made me a life long fan.

Diegozilla Attacks!!

Our little yellow cockatiel Diego brings us (my BF and I) a priceless amount of joy and entertainment. In addition to his exceptional singing and whistling skills, he also stars in most of our (just for fun) Photoshop projects.

This is my BF's latest - Diegozilla Attacks!

I think I might add some laser beams and explosions to heighten the dramatic flair. Feel free to take a stab at it yourself and send me the image as a JPEG or PNG and I will feature it here.

Update:

I couldn't help myself...he he he

Color Wheel

I curated a new rockin' Treasury filled with colorful handmade items and of course, I used the opportunity to promote my friends at the California Crafters Club of Etsy.

Color Wheel

Be sure to click away and check out all the fantastical handmade items made with love in the great state of California!

Vegetarian Chili, Zinc Cafe Inspired

I had a really tasty bowl of vegetarian chili at a cute little coffee shop/cafe called Zinc Cafe for lunch a few weeks ago. It was so good in fact, that I spent some time trying to perfect my own version and I am really happy with the results.


I'll do my best to write a proper recipe and if you cook it for yourself, let me know how you liked it.

- 1 onion chopped into small to medium pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 jalapeno pepper minced without seeds (you can include as much, or as little depending on the heat level you desire)
- 1 green bell pepper chopped into small to medium pieces
- 1 red bell pepper chopped into small to medium pieces (yellow or orange bell pepper would be great too)
- 1 15oz can red kidney beans
- 2 15oz can black beans (any variation of beans would work, depending on your preference. just make sure that you have around 45oz total)
- 1 28oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 15oz can tomato sauce
- 2tbsp chili powder


1. In a large dutch oven type pot, cook the onion, garlic, bell peppers and jalepeno pepper in 1tbsp olive oil. Cook over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes. You don't want the vegetables to brown, so make sure heat is not too high.

2. Drain the water out of all 3 cans of beans and add to the dutch oven and allow to warm through, about 5 minutes. (I recommend using organic canned beans, which do not need to be rinsed. If you don't have organic, I would probably rinse the beans before adding them.)

3. Add 2tbsp chili powder along with salt and pepper to taste. (Go easy on the salt if the chili powder you have contains salt.) Stir the chili so everything is fully coated in the chili powder, salt and pepper.

4. Add the can of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce and allow the chili to heat through. Stir and taste, adjust seasoning if needed. You may find that 1 extra tbsp of chili powder is needed, depending on your taste. Lower heat to medium low and cover - allow chili to simmer for at least 30 minute up to 1 hour.

5. Serve chili topped with cheese, green onions, chopped tomato, cilantro, crushed corn tortilla chips, yogurt or sour cream. You can be as creative with the garnish as you like. Enjoy!

I know Amy Winehouse is a Hot Mess

But she has an undeniably killer set of pipes. I really do love her music, minus all of her personal turmoil and tabloid exploits.

Hot Apples and Tagging

My favorite fellow etsyian, Brenda included me in a super hot treasury that she curated. Thanks Brenda!!



Brenda also tagged me, so I will now let you know six random things about myself.

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you
2) Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading)
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below)
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (This is only a game)
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up


1. I love, love, love to cook. I am a very happy girl in the kitchen and even happier when I am feeding people I love. I inherited this from my grandmother, Pida who made magic in the kitchen everyday of her life.

2. My brother and I have the same birthday, but we're not twins. He was born on my 6th birthday and has been raining on my parade ever since. (Just kidding Jonathan - I love you!!!)

3. Nothing in this world scares me more that aliens. I saw Fire in the Sky when I was 13 and couldn't sleep without the door open and a night light on for weeks.

4. I love all arts and crafts. In addition to being a jewelry making crazed addict, I also love painting, drawing, ceramics, book making... (I could go on and on). I also inherited this from my other grandmother, Jean who was a talented painter and jewelry artist.

5. I can eat Spanish olives and dill pickles straight out of the jar until my lips pucker. Yum!

6. The Sure Thing is my all time favorite romantic comedy. John Cusack makes me swoon.

I am going to have to think about who to tag to continue the random fun...stay tuned!