Pictures

I have been struggling with pictures....how to take them, edit them, what is the best light....all the things that I have never thought would become my reality. In fact, I never really liked taking pictures. I am definately a point and shoot person. The easier the better.

So, with this foray into becoming my own boss, I have had to make the leap into being a photographer. Not a great one (just yet), but passable. In fact, I have found that its somewhat addictive. Over the past few days I have taken over 368 pictures of my jewelry. I filled the memory card once and had to dump a few to keep moving because the light was just so perfect.

Truthfully, I'm pretty proud of myself. Who knew that the Polish Princess could be so...self sufficient? I am finding out so much about myself ....and learning that, I like it!

What are you learning about yourself?

Endings and Beginnings

It's amazing how things turn out, isn't it? You think that something is done and over, that the end is near and somehow... it turns around. How is it that most people only see the ending in things without seeing the beginning in something brand new? Maybe we are conditioned that way. Maybe our vision is too clouded by the perception of expectations and obligations. Why can't we feel the breeze?



I used to think that Endings...separations, break ups, whatever little hearbreak that falls into that category...were a permanent conclusion to our life's story. Yet, in the recent months, I have learned that to be the greatest untruth ever told! Some things must end in order for us to begin anew... new projects, jobs, loves, destinies...whatever. I have always feared the finite conclusions that have been thrust upon our everyday lives...the permanency was too staggering to comprehend. So, to hedge my bets I became the quitter and avoider...sabotaging every good effort with doubt, self criticism and disdain. I wasn't good enough, worthy enough, skinny enough, pretty enough...never measuring up to all of the impossible standards in my mind.



Last year, I rounded a personal corner in terms of self love and independence. I decided that what I did was good enough...maybe even better than I thought. I have been inspired by the angels that surround me to keep the faith and to trust my "inner voice"...a voice that I have always heard, but had tuned out because it wasn't speaking the mainstream language of the day. Because I have listened to this voice, I have started to live my dreams...creating, sharing, laughing, loving. I am doing everything that I want to do, because I can. That is what I am made up to do...be my best self (all imperfections and criticisms be damned!).



Today, I bought my domain name. It is a huge step for me...I have bought into my dreams, now I am making them a reality. There's no turning back now! The end of my old self has brought forth the beginning of something, and someone, beautiful.

Check out www.kasiablue.com ! It'll be up and running soon.

Days of Wine and Roses

I am very tired today, for I have spent my day making sure that many will have a day filled with wine and roses.

Not just any roses, but roses handled with love, care and humor. People (mostly men), filing in to make their sweethearts day...or to make ammends for being in the doghouse...or to find a trinket to make their loved one smile.

Sitting on my perch in the front of our little market place, I am surrounded by bountiful color. Pinks so vibrant that you need sunglasses just to glance in the their direction. Red petals so rich, that even velvet would appear rough to the touch. Orange blazing with fire, coral like it was pulled from the oceans deep and yellow like fresh lemons being picked from their branches.

I have to admit, that even among all this beauty, I was a little cranky. Maybe it was because of all the pomp and circumstance involved in one day that, in the whole scheme of things, seems like a monetary sinkhole. Maybe it was because I was hungry (this diet thing sucks). Maybe it was because not everyone in the world has the luxury of these treats...and that maybe not everyone deserves them, even though they think that they do. Or maybe that those who do deserve them, will never know the joy of receiving them.

So here are my wise words for Valentines Day 2008...Kasia style
Isn't it better to:
~ say I love you everyday, and mean it?
~leave a love note (or email or text message..it is 2008 you know) just because you can, not because you should.
~ give a hug and a kiss because it feels good.
~have "date night" with a glass of wine, some goodies and the one that you want and love.
~ give someone roses because it is a random Thursday and you really thought that it would make their day.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

May your day be filled with wine and roses.

How to Pick Elderberries

This post is in memory of a dear old friend of ours...Don. We received the news today that he has left this crazy world to be with his loving wife up in the heavens...we will miss him dearly. He was a sweet old gentleman that loved to tell stories and loved to eat food (although we really don't know where he put it in that small frame of his)!.

One story that he liked to tell was how to pick elderberries. Now as you may, or may not, know...elderberries are very small berries that grow wild. To pick them would take hours and hours to fill a small basket. Don always said that you need to rip the branch off and comb the berries off with a fork...like you were brushing hair.

May God speed your path to the light of heaven with the grace of the angels to lift your way.

GemGasm

Here is the latest installment of Kasia-speak. I have recently coined the term ~ gemgasm. What an extraordinary word! My first real gemgasm happened in August of 2007, when I went o my first gem trade show and bought a strand of mystic topaz fancy briollettes. Ohhhh, they were beautiful and I knew that once I felt them, they would be going home with me (much to Gracie's chagrin!). The second time was more recent, just a few days ago when I received my order of carnelian marquise drops. I hurriedly opened up the package, tearing it open like a ravenous beast...and lo and behold...there they were...just beautiful.


As a designer, I never really know what type of things that my heart and soul will turn out...over this I have no control. I only buy what I am told to buy, instinctively. So, today I was mulling over my carnelian and trying to figure out what lovely morsel I would be creating with them...and then it happened. I started putting things together and in a matter of about 1/2 an hour...there it was. I couldn't stop shaking! My heart was pounding and I was in awe...of myself. Did I really make this?

















He had taken the necklace from his pocket, placing it there for safe keeping the night before. It was rare and exquisite, just like her skin. He would see her in a few moments...the anticipation of her love stirred the desire from within him. Holding it up into the city lights, he saw the stones flash with brilliant scintillation...they reminded him of the fire in her eyes when they kissed.



~~~~~Materials~~~~~~~
Gem Grade hand set Andesine Labradorite approx. 0.25carats 10K gold setting
~Faceted Carnelian marquise shaped drop and faceted rondelles
~Brown Zircon faceted rondelles
~Freshwater pearls in creamsicle and honey
~gold filled wire and beads~Gold Vermeil oval link
~Solid 10K gold fine chain



The Gemagasm Collection: a beautiful collection of high quality, gem grade one of a kind pieces that make your heart beat faster, your cheeks flush and your hands shake the moment you feel them on your skin. Warning~these are not for them faint of heart!