Holidays, a New Year and Changes :)

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope this holiday season has been a beautiful one for you!

We had a really nice holiday; it wasn't really as stressful at all.  I saved up and just bought everything online, so the presents came to me, rather than me running out grabbing presents.  This year was almost weird… on Amazon you can create "wish lists" and everyone in my family created their own, so basically I just went through, clicked, bought, received and wrapped.  It felt a little cold and so I decided to find something I thought each person would like, just to put a little more thought into it!

My daughter, Sara came up with her fiance', Brad and brought her Christmas present with her - a Corgi pup.  I've never seen anything cuter in my life.  His name is Hayworth and he's 10 weeks old.  Looks just like a stuffed animal, truly!  Here's Hayworth:

I know, right?  And I can't leave out my first grand-dog, Sophie who came up with them, too.  Sophie did NOT like our Maggie and I was afraid Maggie would smoosh Hayworth, so Maggie had to sit in her crate for a bit.  Poor baby!

So, it was a lovely Christmas!

Now for the changes.

During my time off, I realized that I really need to change some things regarding my work as a medium and my other new love/work silversmithing/jewelry.  Last year felt so unorganized, draining and chaotic.  (Me thinks that's the case for many people, though).  I realized I needed to change things a bit when speaking with a close friend of mine telling her I had spent ALL day in my workshop making this one ring and it was labor intensive.  She asked me if I had enjoyed myself in doing so, and I immediately said, "every single minute of it!"  Soooo….

1. My services.
I've decided to take off "channeled guidance" from my services.  For one, guidance normally comes in anyway during sessions - both from my guides and also from your spirit people.  My sessions are usually a mix, but I'm finding more and more that clients who choose the channeled guidance option are expecting me to foretell their future, or tell them what IS going to happen, or IF they are GOING to get this job or that job, etc.   Basically, they want me to get ANSWERS from the guides and truthfully, it doesn't work that way.  It's incredibly draining to explain over and over and over that this isn't what they do or what I do.  I didn't feel guided into this work to be a "fortune teller" nor a counselor, which is what I feel like much of the time, now.  That said, I know it's been hard in the last few years for so many, and I've tried to help as much as I can, but I'd really like to get back to what I originally loved so much - pure mediumship - connecting to your wonderful people in spirit for evidence and any messages THEY wish to convey.

2. My hours.
I'm noticing the older I get, the more drained I am after sessions.  It may be because of the above scenario, but I also notice that I can only manage 2 full sessions a day, or 3 half hour sessions and not every day anymore.  I also want to work-in more workshop/studio time to learn and work on more silversmithing techniques, etc., so I'll be on a more limited schedule.  This being said, I'm always willing to work in a client according to their schedule if I can.

3. My in-person sessions.
I've decided (at least for now) not to renew my lease at my Manassas office in September, which means I won't be taking in person appointments, or at least not as often as I am now.  I may set up a Saturday once or twice a month at a local hotel to see clients in-person, but I'm not sure yet.  I may also change my mind, LOL, but as nice as it is, I'm not comfortable in my office space and really don't want to renew my lease with them again.  I also don't want to move again… gah… this is probably my 9th office in 14 years…. seriously.  LOL.  So, I will let you know!

4. My clients.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of my clients, but I've realized that there are some that just don't need another reading from me… OR, I know too much about them/their people in spirit, etc.  So, if you call for a session and I say that I really don't think I'm the medium for you any longer, PLEASE don't be offended.  I have a few friends who are awesome mediums that I'd be happy to refer you to, but again, please don't feel like I don't want to read for you, not at all…. it's just time.  :)

So, overall, I'm cutting back, or should I say streamlining my work… and on that note, hopefully my waistline… haha.  Yep, you'll notice some changes, but I am not planning to quit my work as a medium any time soon, I just want to get back to my roots as I really do love helping people and spirit people!  I hope you understand!

Many Blessings to you for 2012,
With love,
Barb

Third Annual Halloween Double Medium Event

Phew… what a whirlwind October!!

I have been so busy in the last few weeks that I just haven't had the chance to blog.

My event with medium, Charles A. Filius… our "Third Annual Halloween Double Medium Event" was so much fun and was a great success - EVEN WITH A… SNOWSTORM!  What??????  Crazy October weather, but luckily it was big fat wet snow, so it wasn't too bad.  We sold out at 55, and then was granted permission from the hotel to move our food out to the lobby which gave us room for 15 more seats.  We sold out at 70!

This year, to change things up a bit, we decided to bring on-board a certified tarot consultant to do mini readings for the audience during Part II of our three part event.  I started first and gave messages from spirit for 45 minutes, then Tim Boyd conducted 30 minutes of mini tarot readings, and then Charles finished up the evening with Part III of more messages from spirit.  It was great to see the different styles and techniques in reading for the audience.

What I'm about to write is a lesson for us all… trust your intuition.  My first instinct was to call Tim, a Certified Tarot Consultant with 20 years experience, but knowing he's always so very busy around Halloween, I decided to call another person.  My mistake, as less than two weeks before the event, she chose a better gig and pulled herself from the event.  She kept citing it as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" but it was disheartening and disappointing after a verbal agreement was made and she was highly marketed as part of the event.  Lesson learned to have written contracts!!  She recommended Tim, but he was already the first person I was going to call anyway, and I did so as soon as I got off the phone with her.  Tim came through beautifully, and even delayed his trip out of town for a day just to step in.  Not only did THAT impress me, but this man knows how to work a room, and he was amazing.  EVERYONE loved him, so much so that I've invited Tim back for next year's event and I do hope he accepts.  What a wonderful soul, so it worked out as it should!!!

This year seemed to run much more smoothly than last year.  I took off three days prior to the event, chilled, focused, organized and prepared.  :)  I got to the hotel early and decorated alone in my thoughts by myself and I felt calm and collected.  Finished everything at 5pm and got ready and came out of my room surprised to see a HUGE line at 6:05 forming in the hallway already!  I even had two excited folks who arrived at 4:45 and sat waiting near the tables to get good seats!

A few folks to thank:

Will Stewart, as always, stepped in and checked everyone in.  Will is a great friend of mine, a student and a budding medium… he also collected all of the charity money after the event and helped in anyway he could.  Will gave messages afterwards that he received during the event to two separate people who were happy to hear them and who understood the messages.

Rob Gutro (oops, I mean "Superboy"), another great friend of mine, emceed and did so beautifully and with humor.  He is also a budding medium and gave messages to the audience afterwards that he, too, received during the event.  One of which was meaningful and poignant to a firefighter in the audience.

My husband, Mike and my boys, Brady and Bren stepped up with catering all the food, delivery, set up, clean up and even checking folks out who wanted to purchase my jewelry.

Thank you to all… we couldn't have done it without you!!!

Afterwards, we had food in the lobby, book signings, jewelry and meeting and greeting.  It truly was a wonderful event and such a success…. can't wait until next year!

OH!!!!  I MEANT TO MENTION…
During our event we conducted a silent auction to raise money for Bully Paws Pit Patriots a rescue group saving Pit Bulls from shelters and euthanasia.  Thanks to the very generous bidders, we raised $458.00!!!  Thank you, everyone!!!

Charlie Brown, Anubis, Cleopatra, Gypsy Fortune Teller Barb

Gypsy Barb and Charlie Brown  :)

Charles A. Filus

Tim Boyd

Tim Boyd Reading

Our Sold Out Audience!

Rob emceeing!

Gypsy Barb

Almost Lost Maggie...

… in one way or another.  What a horrible day, but all is well now.

Bren and I were on our way to the Apple store yesterday and Maggie hates it when I, especially, leave.  She's very attached to us all, but especially me because I'm home with her 24/7, pretty much.  She was very anxious as I was getting ready and I knew that Mike would need to hold her as we were leaving so she wouldn't get out.  She gets antsy when I'm getting ready… she knows I'm about to leave and always wants to go with me.

That said, she has never, ever tried to get out.  Ever since we've had her.

While Mike was walking towards the door to hold her as we were leaving, Bren tried to hold her collar instead and Maggie squirmed out of his hands and out the door.  She BOLTED across our very busy road and by some miracle, wasn't hit by the numerous speeding cars that are normally there.  Remember, this is the road where a few of my sweet squirrels have met their demise and here was our beautiful Maggie flying across.  At this time, there was nothing driving by... thank God… Bren chased her screaming her name and I was trying to run screaming her name, thinking all along about the few people I know who have lost their dog in the same way… bolting out the door and getting hit by a car.  I about threw up while tears were streaming down my face.  Our new amazing baby, Maggie running like a gazelle across one busy street  towards a very, very busy road just past the school.  I thought she was dead, for sure.

My ankles completely gave out in the flats I was trying to run in.  I felt like those nightmares where you're trying to run but everything is moving in slow motion - it was awful.  I was hysterical trying to run after Maggie and Bren but nothing was happening.  My husband, in his bare feet, was trying to run behind me and I heard him yell to go get the car.  I jumped in with my lungs burning like crazy and started driving around the school, crying, praying and looking.  I don't know how many Archangels I called on for help, but I know it was a lot.

I drove and looked and looked and drove and hysterically rounded the corner back to my house when the sudden massive feeling came over me of, "hey, chill…she's ok, she's OK!"  It was the same feeling I had when I freaked out about our whole family flying to California.  Suddenly, when nearing the airport, all was well.  It just was.  I always tell my clients it's that BLAH knowing.  Yesterday it was, "CHILL… SHE'S OK."  I took a deep breath and kept driving, and thank God, a few blocks down the road I saw my husband, son and our beloved Maggie all together.  I found out later that Bren and I were asking for the same Archangels to protect her and STOP her from running.  Apparently, it worked.

So, now, we don't trust her.  Period… until after obedience training, which will now be soon, and then I still won't quite trust her.  Phew.

Breathing a sigh of relief…  :)  Hug your pups and enjoy your night!
Barb

A bad but safe Maggie… 

Sunny Saturday

This may sound like a strange way to start a blog post, but today has been just a really pleasant day.  I guess that's actually a good way to start a blog post, derrr!  :D

I woke up reallllllllly sleepy, but as I opened the curtains, the… whaaaa???? …the SUN was out!  After quite a few days of torrential rain and flooding…

… there was SUN!  A little sun sure does go a long way attitude wise, sheeze!  Anywhoo, the nice husband brought me home Starbucks (see?  a good day!) and some McDonalds for the boys.  Today is my youngest son's 12th birthday and he demanded that he wake up to McDonalds, LOL… so it was done, young grasshoppahhh.  :D

Got ready and went to meet one of my best clients for a session.  She always brings me a gift (those are my favorite clients, too!).  This time, she brought me a little painted sand dollar from the beach.  Too sweet.

Came home and since it was soooo beautiful out, I immediately grabbed the dog and took her for a nice walk.  I swear, the sun was so bright, and the breeze was just perfect.  Chilly in the shade, warm in the sun.  The colors of the trees were absolutely decadent with reds, oranges and yellows and as walked by they looked like they were waving as the wind blew through them.  I don't think I can recall a more beautiful day in a while.

Since the sun was out, I finally had a chance to snap photos of my 4 new necklaces.  The black onyx/moonstone one has been sold, but the others are up in my Etsy Store! 

I'm so in the mood to make more jewelry tonight, but it's birthday day, and there will be two kids coming over for a birthday sleepover in the next hour… read hyper boys and NO SLEEP.  Tomorrow is the Redskins/Eagles game, so I'm ready to listen to the husband yelling at the TV up here while I work in my basement studio.  Heh.

OH!  And we literally have 10 seats left for our Halloween event… I can't believe how fast it's filled up this year!  Anyone know where I can find a quality Gypsy Fortune Teller costumer?  It's either that or just wear a pretty tiara.  Emm... that would be with clothes.  LOL!!!  :D

Enjoy your weekend; what will you be doing?

Barb

A Bit of a Roller Coaster Week...

This has been a tough week.  Pretty much an emotional and physical roller coaster so I haven't felt the inspiration to blog or make much jewelry, even.  We've all had that weird stomach bug floating around, and while it isn't horrible, it isn't fun, either.  I had to cancel a few clients this week, which I don't like doing, but life happens….

We've also had some not so good news come in about a few people we love and are trying to deal with it as best we can as a family.  I think the roller coaster part is that we just feel helpless… it sucks to feel like you can't do anything to change a situation for someone.  I finally came to the conclusion that there just isn't anything we are really able to do to fix anything; this is part of their journey and what we CAN do is send prayers, light, healing and love to them.   And of course be there for support.  I just like things to be fixed and am pretty good at logically figuring something out to do so, but in these cases, I just can't and I have to deal with that fact.

If you would, and even though you don't know who I'm referring to or what it's about… send a little prayer to two very special people to us?  Thank you so much!  :)

I have to work tomorrow and Saturday with clients for a bit, but just got a shipment of more of the silver clay, silicone putty for little paw prints (it is SO cool!) some supplies and sterling wire and plan to get back to work this weekend.  My goal is to have some new pretties up in my Etsy shop Sunday and Monday.  I'm also going to re-watch the video about the Acetylene tank and actually try to set it up.  This means that I need to re-do part of my office/studio as I have curtains and a trash can near my soldering station, etc., and that's not a good thing.  :D  I desperately need a big workbench which will make things much safer, and… a fire extinguisher.  :-O

I'm thrilled to say that our Third Annual Halloween Event is FIVE seats from selling out.  Whaaaa?  Yeppers!  That reminds me… I need to ask the hotel about using the space in the lobby for food instead of the room.  That would allow us to have a little more room for more people.

UPDATE:  Yay, they allowed us to move the food in the seated lobby section, so we'll be able to open up a few more seats SOON!

Monday is Columbus Day!  Yessss!  A SLEEP IN day!  What are your plans for this weekend?

Enjoy your day!
Barb

Little Silver Rattie Paw Day

Hi!

Today has been a busy day, and it's only 3:15.  Still need to hit the shower, believe it or not, and then to the store for snacks for tomorrow's Psychic Development Workshop #2.  This is the workshop where I get to see everyone's little lightbulb go off during student readings like, "whoaaa… that's cool… I am doing this!!!"  There are always a few in the workshop who struggle or just can't get anything, but that's completely normal, especially when it's hard to focus and they're comparing themselves to others in the class.  Once they get home and work on the exercises in their own space, it really does come pretty quickly.  ;)  So, I still need to get ready for my class.

This morning after addressing emails, etc., I just couldn't resist the pleading of the left over little blob of Precious Metal Clay I had left in my studio.  "Barrrrrb!  I'm still here… come make me into something."  Okayyy, twist my arm.

I've been thinking of an idea about working with pet prints in the PMC.  Not big ones, but the prints of the little guys like rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc.  The reason why is because we fall head over heels in love with our little tiny furry souls, yet they only live 2 - 3 years.  Rats, especially are SO social, loving and smart, it's like having a mini dog, but most dogs live upwards to 15-20 years.  Rats live up to maybe 3.  It was more than heartbreaking when Penny our first rat passed, and it'll be equally heartbreaking when our elder Abbey goes, and then Sadie at some point.  Bleh, don't want to think about it.

I've been eyeing the three clay paw prints of my passed animals for months; Mac our beloved long-haired hamster, Blue our Australian Shepherd dog and Penny the wise and loving rat.  I really wanted to capture our rat, Abbey's print before she passes… I like that idea, knowing that she was alive and well when we took the print - happy memories, but I didn't want to disturb her from her deep daytime slumber.  I decided to use the clay mold of our passed Penny instead.  This rat was like another child, in a way for my husband.  She was "his" rat - really attached to him, so I thought I'd make him a permanent silver paw print.  The cool thing is that because her paw was smooshed into the clay after she passed (and then the clay was set like a mold in the oven), when I smooshed the PMC into her paw print it came out feeling just like her little paw.  I haven't felt that paw since I was able to hold her for the last time in the vet's office.  That was a nice feeling and I'm sure my husband will feel the same way.

So, I dried the clay piece, filed it, fired it and oxidized it and now it's a little 1" by 1" fine silver memory for my husband to put on his key chain or on a neck chain.  I'm going to order more PMC along with some non-toxic silicone and offer these to the public via my Etsy store - especially for the crazy rat lovers like us.  They will simply take the non-toxic silicone, smoosh the rattie foot in gently (or very small dog, cat, ferret, mouse, hamster, iguana, gerbil, etc.), let it dry and send it back to me.  Then, I'll do my thing here and create their piece.  :)

Here's how I made Penny's footprint.

And, here's some pics (click on them to zoom)!  Oh, and I've added better pics of the PMC'd ring (called Here Comes The Sun).  It's now up on my Etsy store!  Go see!

Have a great rest of the day!
Barb

Penny's Silver Paw Print

Here Comes The Sun Ring

I'm in Love with PMC

There's a new love in my life, and I'm not ashamed to say it.  :D  For those who know me well, you're thinking, "well, DUH, Barb… we KNOW you love Paul McCartney!  What's new about THAT???"

Nope, it's not Paul…well, YES, I love, love, love him, but this is another PMC.  :D

It's PMC or Precious Metal Clay.

Now, I may lose some of you at this point, but read on; it's actually pretty cool!

I saw some videos of Precious Metal Clay, or PMC a few months ago and thought it was pretty cool, but didn't fully understand it.  I thought it was some sort of jewelry type clay, and I was dead set to work with only sterling silver or fine silver.  Thought you could make beads with it or something and I wasn't interested in that.  Dumb me missed the "precious" part of the precious metal clay title.

Recently, I found out more what it really is and have been planning to put an order in for some, just hadn't gotten around to it yet.  A few days ago, I was flicking channels and on Jewelry TV there it was!  And… it was an instructional DVD and PMC combo, so I could learn to use it correctly.  SOLD!  Today I received my package, I watched the video and got right to work.

PMC comes in a little plastic package looking like a chewed piece of gray gum, seriously.  It has minuscule pieces of .999 fine silver combined with the clay.  It's sold by the gram, and you can get 10 grams, 20, 30, etc. keeping in mind the silver prices, of course, and they've been climbing lately.  You take this gray gum and smoosh it into a silicone mold, or you can stamp something into it and make an impression.

Wax seal stamp

Once you get your shape stamped, you gently file it, add holes, pretty it up and then dry it well (15 minutes with a hair dryer).  After this, you take your handy-dandy micro torch and carefully torch it for 2 minutes.

Dried clay before firing

What happens is, the clay particles burn away and what's left is your piece in .999 fine silver.  Take a stainless steel brush, brush off the white coating left over from the firing and the silver starts gleaming through.

After firing and buffing

IT. IS. AAAAAMAZING.

Then you take your piece and finish your jewelry project. For this sun, I decided to solder it to a patterned sterling band and oxidize the whole thing to bring out the textures and grooves.  I think it came out pretty nice for my first PMC project.  What do you think?  (Click pics to zoom)

After oxidizing and hand-polishing!  Done!

Will post better pics tomorrow.  Have a great night!

Barb