The Latest Jewelry Sets

"Beaded" bead earrings and the Russian spiral bracelets are easy and fast to make. I usually make a Russian spiral bracelet in a couple hours sitting in my chair in the living room with a rectangular cookie tray on my lap. Inside the cookie tray is a fuzzy mat on which I place the beads. It is handy and the beads don't roll around or fall off.
The dark sapphire and white opal "beaded" bead earrings belong to my niece, Roxanne, even though they are still in my possession. :-D She will get them the next time we travel to Kansas City. These "beaded" bead earrings also can be completed in one evening.

The red bracelet and earrings belong to daughter Patti. I was quite pleased that the bracelet is a perfect match for a jacket Patti has. I had my doubts until I saw them with the jacket. She was pleased with them and replaced the earrings she had on with the new ones and put on the bracelet.

Granddaughter Jessica loves purple so I used Swarovski purple velvet crystals with white opal. She hasn't seen them yet but will get them really soon.

The final set is granddaughter Elizabeth's. She will be in town the week of Easter. So she will have hers then. The earrings are made with Swarovski rose crystals and white opal.

I really enjoy the process of making the bracelets and earrings. Then it is even more fun to give them to family and friends and see their enjoyment. Making jewelry keeps me so busy that sometimes I forget I have a blog to write!

Growing up in the 60s

We made many trips to the Carnegie Library when Patti and Tony were small. I always took them to "story hour" each week. They were allowed to check out several books from the children's library. I read to them before bed. They always wanted me to read each of the books every night, not just one or two.

The elementary school was down the hill and a few blocks away. Patti and Tony were able to walk to school which was nice. I liked the teachers and the principal who was a small, wiry, soft-spoken man.

Patti was tall for her age when she started school. There were two teachers who were tall. Both these ladies walked tall. Patti never slouched when she walked. I credit the example set by these two teachers. She reached her full height about 5th grade. After that she was no longer taller than the boys in her class.

I don't remember Patti's first day of school but I do remember Tony's. I walked with him down the street to the Luzum's house where his pal came out to walk with him. Both boys wore red shirts. They walked off down the hill without a backward glance. No wave, no nothing!

Elementary school was from kindergarten through 6th grade. After that they went to Junion High in another building.

Both Patti and Tony started clarinet lessons when they were 4th graders. (I think my Mom wished two clarinet players for me so I would know what she went through with me!)

I volunteered at the elementary school when the secretary was away. I really enjoyed being back in a school setting.

The school hired me to be noon hour supervisor when Patti was about 5th grade and Tony, 3rd grade. I supervised the kids in the lunchroom and out on the playground. Some of the 5th and 6th grade boys were bigger than I. That was sometimes a challenge.

We called Tony Anthony until about third grade when he told his teacher he wanted to be called Tony. From that time until now, he is called Tony.

Somewhere along the line, I was room mother for each of the kids, baking and taking cupcakes and other treats several times a year.

I am sure Patti and Tony will remember other things - or maybe differently than I remember but that it ok. These are my memories.