Resin Skull Tile

Once again, I've found myself neglecting my blog!

Well, I guess I've had good excuses.  My health has not been great,  which has put my jewelry making and crafting on the back burner.  My Etsy sales are unfortunately a good reflection of my decreased effort toward my business.  But, money had to take a backseat for a few months while I try to get on a healing path with doctor, endocrinologist and therapy appointments a plenty.

Anyway, here is my most recent large piece made with epoxy resin and various inclusions that are embedded in the piece. The piece is made of 6 layers of resin.

I'm quite proud of this piece and pretty sure I won't be able to part with it.

Big Snow and a Whole Lot of Cold

While most of the time I love Wisconsin, this winter has been very trying on my patience.  Not only is this the worst winter I've ever had with seasonal affective disorder, we have had more below zero temps than I can remember in any one season.  Last summer was the shortest growing season on record because of how late spring came.  I'm praying this year isn't the same story, but, wow, do we have a lot of snow on the ground!  The snow banks at the end of our driveway are taller than our SUV!  6+ feet!
Good grief.  Wake me when its over.
The cold has also been slowing down my resin crafting.  Cold resin = micro bubbles because the viscosity is way high when cold.  There is a warming technique that involves a warm water bath for the resin bottles, but the last time I tried that it didn't end well.  I ended up pitching a smoking, melting plastic cup of resin into a snow bank.  Hahaha! 

Resin Update #10 + Molded From Love Purchase and Life Update

I've Been Away....

It's been a while, internet!  How's it hangin?  I've been preoccupied and haven't given my blog much love, but I will try to put more of an effort in to keeping this updated.  I really do love what I've set up here and want to keep it going.
Well, the last post I made was about my changing craft space.  Here is a video of the finished product!

Studio Update Pictures

Still a way to go with getting everything done and organized, but here is my studio/office in process!  All the cabinets are up on the wall - YAY!  Now more of my supplies and stuff will have a new permanent home.  The cabinets still need painting, the counter tops need to be laid and some misc tool and spool holders need to be installed, but it is finally coming together!

My resin casting now has it's own workspace!  Formica still to be added.

Upper Cabinet for all of my molds and lower for supplies and curing resin.

Double cabinet and counter for my beading area.  Dedicated space for supplies and projects!

Trying to make it work during the construction.

Getting better!  Will be able to move my laptop back in soon!

Studio Improvements

Over the next several weeks, my step-dad will be doing great things in my studio.  New cupboards, counter tops, storage....it will be a mess for a while, but it will be so worth it to have everything organized and easier to work with.  I'm planning at least three different work areas to keep my different crafts to their own areas, with proper room to store and use the tools and materials they require.

I will post photos of the progress as it happens :)

It's Official! I've Got Myself a Business!

Who has two thumbs and has her own LLC?  That's right, >this chick<!!

I went for simplicity for the official name, Aquarian Mind, LLC.  Has a nice ring to it, huh?  Well, I think so and couldn't be happier.  This is truly a "YAY!" accomplishment for me!  Step one in building my "empire" is complete, hahaha!!!

Guess I better brush up on those accounting skills I've ignored for the last six months being "unemployed"!  I'm thankful for the background in accounting and small business management I've had for the last seventeen years, and will definitely put it to use!

Merry Christmas/Plans for the New Year

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I'd like to give special thanks to all those that have purchased from me for gifts this year.  December has been phenomenal!!!  I never anticipated the number of orders I've received this month.  I am truly surprised and I need to give a HUGE thanks to Etsy and my customers!  You guys RULE!

For the new year, I plan on forming an LLC and continuing and gearing up what I started this year.  Once the company name is "official" and registered I will update everyone.  Since I just had more business cards made (doh!), it will be "Aquarian Mind (Something Something), LLC"....we still have to figure out the something something.  It needs to encompass all that I do and sell:  vintage, kids jewelry, adults jewelry, misc stuff on Ebay...  We're still thinking on it.

For tonight though, I plan on being with my wonderful family.  And probably watching a few hours of the yule log fire on TV.  It will be a welcome and much needed break from packing orders, making jewelry and other general craziness  :)

Quite Possibly the Best Soup EVER

Here is the recipe for my favorite soup! My husband and I both love Mexican and Tex-Mex food, so this one really hits the spot!  Love Food.com!

We do change the recipe just slightly and a suggestion: Add one can black beans and approx 1 1/2 cups corn. Stir VERY frequently after cheese is added - sticks to bottom of the pot OR BETTER YET, just add the cheese to your bowl when ready to eat.



Chicken Tortilla Soup II


By Eddie Shipman

Added November 17, 1999 | Recipe #4627


Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-tortilla-soup-ii-4627?oc=linkback


Ingredients:


Servings:8

Units: US | Metric

1 cup carrot, diced

1 cup celery

1 cup onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 fresh diced garlic clove

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons corn oil

4 (15 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes, diced (optional)

1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes & chilies, diced

1 (1 1/4-1 1/2 ounce) packet taco seasoning, I use McCormicks

1 (10 count) package corn tortillas (broken or cut into small pieces)

12 ounces chicken meat, poached, diced

1 cup milk

12 ounces monterey jack cheese or 12 ounces Mexican blend cheese, shredded
corn tortilla chips, broken into small pieces

Directions:


1  Saute carrots, onions, celery in corn oil, garlic, salt and pepper until tender.

2  Add chicken broth and bring to boil.

3  Add tomatoes, Rotel, taco seasoning, and chicken.

4  Cut Tortillas into small pieces and add to broth mixture.

5  Let boil for 20 minutes or until tortillas are thoroughly incorporated into soup stirring occasionally to keep from sticking.

6  Reduce heat and add 8 oz. cheese. Simmer for additional 10 minutes.

7  Add milk and simmer for additional 10 minutes.

8  If thicker soup is desired, add more diced tortillas and let incorporate into soup.

9  Garnish with shredded cheese and broken tortilla chips.

Now Shipping to Canada & Australia!

I hope to add more countries in the future, but as of right now, I've added Canada and Australia as ship to destinations. The thought of customs forms is far scarier than they actually are! Unless I have major problems with damage or loss, I hope to be able to ship just about anywhere in the coming months.

Treasuries Featuring AquarianMind74

I haven't updated in a while....some recent treasuries!

Success...Black Friday-Style

I'd like to thank everyone who helped make November a record sales month for me....which isn't hard since it's my first November ;)  Haha, ya gotta start somewhere, am I right?

But seriously, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of orders the week of Thanksgiving.  It is a great feeling.  I'm out of everything, but it was well worth it!  I'm hoping Christmas will keep my orders consistent in December.  So far, so good!  All that work I've put in the last 6 months is starting to pay off.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale

I'm running a sale in my Etsy shop for 15% off plus a free gift!

Link to my shop!  AquarianMind74 on Etsy

The free gifts are pretty glass bead bracelets in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.  I will send one for each item bought!  Offer is valid through Monday 11/26/12.

Adding to My Kids Line

Clip on earrings for girls with resin flowers have been a popular thing in my Etsy shop as of late.  Who knew they'd be so popular?  I certainly didn't think so, but I'm glad they are!  So I'm starting to add to the clip on inventory with more of 'em.  The style I'm adding will be able to have dangling charms, beads, pearls ....whatever I can find that is cute!  Watch for these in the coming week.  I'm planning on also doing some with Christmas beads!

In Case You Didn't Know...

Definitely not new news, but they had new badges, so what the hey :)