New bracelet, new packaging

This new amethyst gemstone bracelet feels so great on your wrist. It has such a nice weight to it, and it is adorned with a hand stamped disc. Personalize it any way you like in my etsy shop. Wear it alone, or stack and layer em all the way up! When you purchase your custom jewelry at Under Her Charm, how will it arrive? Every year or so I update my packaging, and I'm really happy with this new look.

More rings n things

A pop of color! This ruby was set in an ornate sterling silver bezel. And here is the same style with pyrite. Those are the "rings." Here's the "things." Immunohistochemistry. Pretty?

Ring n things

I've been playing with all sorts of new ring styles. Pretty soon I'll be stacked up in rings on all of my fingers! Here is a stack of super skinny rustic rings I stamped with each of the kid's first and middle names. Most excitingly, I've been trying to set stones in bezels! I've mostly succeeded with a garnet and moonstone, each soldered to a skinny band, and stacked with a 3mm Hebrew stamped ring and a twist ring on top. I've got a few more styles to come, but I'll leave you with the cutest little ring I made for Ronnie. I also made one for Lila, who almost immediately lost it, so hers will wait. But Ronnie looks so mature with this little silver band!

The Zoo

The zoo is always a good excuse to spend some time in nature on a beautiful day. While the kids were watching the animals, I was mostly watching the kids. Noe was having the best time ever. Her favorite animals were the giraffes. Lila was being particularly agreeable and photogenic, but Ben's "misery gene" was acting up. Ronnie was happily off an playing with her bff. Fun times!

Piled Higher and Deeper

If you saw my "Les Miserables" post (2 posts down), you may have noticed a comic from PhD Comics (i.e. Piled Higher and Deeper). PhD comics pokes fun at grad school, and he really nailed it (think: Big Bang Theory). Yesterday, Edwin came home with a little surprise for me. The writer, Jorge Cham, spoke at UCSF, and Edwin picked up a signed copy of his book! How cool is this? Now that's a sweet anniversary gift (although I was VERY happy with my surprise Bowflex SelectTech weights too!). See what 13 years will get you!

Worker's hands

Noe helped me with a little project this weekend. My local Urban Outfitters was selling a mannequin for just $25. I picked it up for a friend who also makes jewelry, only to find a giant stain under the neck (where the price was conveniently pinned on). I set it aside for a garage sale until this weekend. In a crafty moment, I purchased some white and black fabric paint. Noe went to it. Lila and Ben helped, too, and we painted the body white. Then, I used some rubber stamps and black fabric paint to put my name across the top. So glad we could salvage that purchase! And isn't that a beautiful purple druzy gold necklace?

See the movie!

My current obsession is the MOVIE Les Miserables. As dignified adults, we are not supposed to like movies better than books or theater, but this time, it was way WAY better! (studiobriefing.net)

I've see the stage production a few times, from the cheapest farthest seats. At best, I could see people moving about the stage, but I couldn't see faces and couldn't really follow the characters very well. By "Drink with me" the stage was usually a blur. But this time, in the larger than life movie, everything was clear. Same music, same story, but better. It was flawless. In fact... I saw it TWICE over the holidays. And it was even better the second time. Gavroche... amazing! Eponine... perfect! Wow, all the detail I was missing. So seriously, go see it! I just might see it a third time. While I certainly wouldn't recommend the movie for kids, I have been playing the music non-stop at home (and doing my best to explain the story without scarring them). Ronnie and Lila have been singing "Castle on a cloud" and even Ben can't resist a little Jean Valjean.

After going on to Edwin about my current trials and tribulations in the lab, Edwin sent me this comic from PHDCOMICS. Edwin always finds just the right interweb tidbit to cheer me up.

Excuse this post in which I stole all my pictures from the internet, EXCEPT the meme, which I made on quickmeme. Are memes the funniest thing or what? My personal favorite:

Chilly weather treat

Believe it or not, it is actually chilly in Houston. All the way down to 50 degrees (F)! Grandpa built a fire in the driveway, perfect for roasting marshmallows. Marshmallows always come out best when they catch on fire for a bit, don't you think? Ben sure thought so...

Texas is filled with joy.

Ronnie has been wanting to try stamping for a while. She finally caught me in the right mood, so I showed her the tools and a few tips. I gave her some aluminum blanks, and left the room. I couldn't watch. To my surprise, this is what she came up with. I was impressed! Not bad for an 8 year old's first try! And how true. Texas is filled with joy :). We are visiting family for the holidays, and all getting a little spoiled for a couple weeks.

Seeing Stars

Here is a great new collection of simple everyday celestial inspired pieces with pave cubic zirconia. This tiny star is fun to wear. Pave is really popular. I will even have a few pave diamond pieces in my shop when I reopen, including this black diamond pave hamsa.

Sideways Craze

I'm turning everything in my shop sideways! This sideways craze is credited to stars like Kelly Ripa and Miley Cyrus. I think it's a great cool and casual way to wear your faith. But it's not just for crosses! Here's a sweet little sideways heart necklace. And how about a sideways lady - complete with belly button (you should see her bum!). Check my etsy shop after the first of the year for your choice of sideways pieces - cross, heart, hamsa, and yes, even a lady!

Chappy Chanukah

Presents (8 nights x 4 kids + a few for Daddy = lots of wrapping) Candles (6 for last night, Lila's turn to light, and Noe's candle is NOT lit, but it sure looks that way!) Cupcakes (thanks Uncle Max, the chocolate peanut butter was my favorite, of course!) Linking up for InstaFriday with LifeRearranged. Happy Hanukah!

Tree trimming

We went to a beautiful home in the Berkeley Hills for a tree trimming party. This is generally the type of view you see from the Berkeley Hills - there is always a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Our house is one of those lights at the bottom of the hill. I think it was my kids' first time to decorate a Christmas tree, except for Ronnie who helped a friend last year. Lila loved it and kept busy the entire party! She was very proud of her work. It's probably a good thing we don't celebrate Christmas. I would really get obsessed with the ornaments and decorations! I love it!

A retreat

This weekend was the annual Vision Science Retreat in Tomales Bay. Nice to start off a weekend of vision science with some optics. Then I got to enjoy the peace, quiet, science, and beer while Edwin held down the fort.

For the visually impaired

As an optometrist and vision researcher, I've been trying to figure out how to make Braille jewelry ever since I started making jewelry. Usually when you stamp on metal, the impression goes inward, or makes a hole. That certainly won't help someone trying to feel texture. But now, I can make the little nubbins stick out on the surface of the metal. This first necklace says, "LOVE." I couldn't stop feeling it all night! It's pretty amazing that fingers can learn to distinguish these patterns and the brain can interpret it. You can order your custom braille necklace in my etsy shop.

Ben

This picture says it all.