I was surprised to learn that I have received the Beautiful Blogger Award from Honor Crowned Creativity. I think this is a creative award because it's not just about the blog, but about the person who blogs.
I get to pass the Beautiful Blogger Award on to other fabulous bloggers. There are two rules when given the award. I tell you 7 things about me & choose 7 blogs to receive the award.
7 Things about me!
1. I love cars. I think they're an expression of who we are. With that, I name all of my cars. When I was sixteen I shared the family car which was blue, so I called her Blue Belle. Then I got a maroon car I called Cherry Blossom. Then I had a jade colored car, named her the obvious, Jade. And then my latest is Gus. I drive a black Pontiac Aztec and it took me a few weeks, and all of a sudden, it stuck. I call it the identity crisis car. I thought they were ugly, still do, but when you get inside you forget that ugly box you're driving. I refer to him as a person. I'll tell someone "I'm taking Gus to the shop for an oil change." A little odd I know. But sometimes cars have personalities too! Please don't report me to the loony bin!
2. I'm originally from Kansas City, Mo. About a year and a half ago, I moved down to Dallas, Tx. I came by myself and knowing no one. I moved for a job. I'm told all the time that I was brave to do that. I'm a little too independent for my own good sometimes. I love Dallas, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to live here. But I know I'll end up back home. Miss the Midwest and their way of life.
3. I am enamored with the sea. Went sailing once with what I now call the renegade cowboy sailor. Sailed from Miami heading to Nantucket. Only made it to Savannah, GA. The steering broke and I was not happy with the guy taking us out over 250 miles into the gulf stream. Huge Freighter radioed us and cussed us out for being on such a small boat too far out to sea. I knew then, I was in trouble. Didn't help that I got tossed around the cabin and went head first into the stove and split my nose open the first 2 minutes out to sea. Now I have the scar to remind me of my crazy adventure every day.
4. I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon since late grade school. I wanted to help people like my dad who had trouble with their joints and back. But then I couldn't get through my first month of physics in highschool. At the same time, I was excelling in a position on the school newspaper as advertising director. I was recommended for the job. I won an award at the Missouri State Competition. So before I knew it. I dropped Physics and added more journalism courses and switched to advertising/marketing as my profession. I even won a scholarship in a late students name. What an honor and I think of it often. So here I am now, a marketing manager.
5. I love to read. Some of my fun reads are John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell. Like a good mystery. Makes me think and I like that. My shameless obsession is Danielle Steel. So much fun. And yes, I even cry sometimes. I've been known to throw a book too when I was done. But my literary favorite is Edith Wharton. She wrote the Age of Innocence and Ethan Fromme. Her writing is full of symbolism and expressing the dynamics of women and men. She's a classic and I recommend her. She's a 1900's turn of the century author.
6. I was a nanny for 6 kids for 11 years. I was brought on board when baby number 4 was to be born. The oldest siblings were 3, 2, 1. I stuck around for 3 more babies! I'm extremely close to all of them. I think since I was able to get my bluff in them at such an early age I'm not exactly a babysitter. They have said I'm like a mom, but much cooler. I thought that was funny. Veronica 15, Sean 14, Molly 13, Jack 11, Jamie 9, and Vaughn 7. I would say I'm a patient person. And what's important to me is that they still talk to me and now it's the bigger important things in life for the older ones, but they feel comfortable enough because "I remember what it was like to be a kid." That means a lot to me. The 3 younger ones are so attached to me. When I go up for visits there's a big fight on who spends time with me first. It's so nice to feel loved. I adore each and every one of them and they keep me grounded.
7. I'll keep this one short because I can go on and on with details. I went sailing once from Miami to Nantucket. But the steering broke some 250 miles off the coast of Georgia. We were able to jimmy rig an elbow like thing to the main steering column below the floor. I steered that boat 250 miles to Georgia, while the "skipper" slept down below. Took us 2 days to get to shore. We anchored in Savannah, and I got on the first plane out.
The Seven Bloggers I am awarding the Beautiful Blogger Award to Are:
My lovely Chunky Purple Pendant Necklace was chosen for Great Finds. This is just too much fun! I didn't win last time, but I'm in second place this time. I would appreciate your vote for me. The winner gets a month of free advertising. Thanks for your help!
I have been featured on Cafehandmade! You can read and learn all about me, the person behind Finding Charm! Don't forget to vote after you read the feature.
I have made a couple of jewelry pieces with the Betel Nut. I thought I would do a little research about them and share it.
When the fruit is dried, it takes on properties similar to wood. You will find in betel nut beads, a dark rippling throughout the bead. This makes each bead unique because no two fruits are the same. Beads are often dyed. These beads are incredibly strong. What I like most is that they come from nature. The person who will be wearing this bracelet and earrings will be wearing a dried fruit that could have come from the tropical forests of Asia. What a cool thing!
Topic: What is your favorite material to work with and why? i.e. glass beads, wool yarn, acrylic paint, organic fabric... Show pictures of completed projects using this material.
I have grown fond of all beads Jasper. I just love all the different varieties. I have worked with red and teal paisley. The teal paisley I found in a small shop and I just fell in love and just had to have them. Silly me though, I haven't kept any of the pieces I've made them with. Both of these items are sold, but they're some of my favorites. I like that each piece is so natural and each one is different. I can buy a strand of red jasper, and not one bead is identical. I like the earthy feel and they can go with just about any bead. I've worked with polished jasper and they're so smooth and soft. This website is very interesting and tells a little more about the beauty and meaning of jasper.
I featured By Your Side in my very first treasury, It's in the Bag. I first found her on Twitter. A great place to meet those who craft. I like her casual look and feel of her bags. The travel bags I have to admit are one of my favorites. They just look like the kind of bag where you can throw in a few things for a quick trip to the park or running errands. 
I was surprised to learn that I have received the Beautiful Blogger Award from Honor Crowned Creativity. I think this is a creative award because it's not just about the blog, but about the person who blogs.
I got this tip from A Slice of Delight after I had purchased some cool Lemon Citrus Slice Soap from her Etsy shop. Not only did I get great smelling soap, I also got a technical tip as well. Don't think too many buyers and sellers can say that. As most of us know, Facebook can be a bit cumbersome. So I asked A Slice of Delight if I could pass this wonderful tip on to my blog readers and she was more than happy to help out any one she can. I copied her tip from our conversation to insure accuracy.
Woolcrazy is also good at posting videos she comes across for felted wool projects and other crafting projects. So not only does she felt the critters, she also is informative. I also like that she is environmentally sound and uses recycled fibers as well in her creations. Please become a fan on Facebook of Woolcrazy with me. You'll have a blast.