June is ending, summer is here

 Lapidary and the garden

Happy Monday all. heat wave and summer is here in ROC  As a lapidary it is almost impossible to slice or slab any rocks because of this heat.  On the other hand, good part is I can cut cabochons because that equipment is inside in my basement. 

 

This is a snowflake obsidian cabs.  Obsidian is a volcanic natural glass  there are several varieties of it that I have as rough and cabochons.   

 

The heat might be stressing the plants though we are keeping them well watered.   We use recycled rubber soaker hoses to water the vegetables and most of the pants in our gardens.  They conserve moisture by placing the water where it is needed at the roots of the plants,  none is wasted as with sprinklers.  As in the past years of drought, the soaker hoses allow us a harvest and not having to remove dead plants. Fingers crossed this short term heat wave and dry does not turn into an all season event for the summer. 

 

This is yellow turquoise that I cut and set in sterling silver. I love the play of colors on the stone and the final design to show off the shape of the cabochon.   

 

 

Black Lives Still Matter

 

 

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  FB page  Free the People ROC

I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and to support our sisters and brothers.  

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter 

#stopasianhate

#standup

#listen

 

 

 

 

 

  

Buy Local from the Maker

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

 

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.

 

 

This is a natural Aquamarine from a mine in New Hampshire.  I did not cut this beauty but the fact is is a USA gem made me purchase several cabs in a few different gemstones from the mine owner.  

http://bit.ly/Panda_aqua

Gardener with Gemstones

Lapidary beauty and my Gardens

On the left is Spider Agate freeform cabochon.  This is a hand cut gemstone and shows the beauty I find in the rough stones I have.
On the right is Biggs Jsaper a widely recognized form of jasper which is quite popular among jasper collectors.

How is the vegetable garden you ask?  It is doing well.  Mother Nature reminded us we are in
Western New York this week with a bitter cold snap.  was 65 a few days ago and now 38 outside.  We transplanted some hardy Kale yesterday.  The Mustard has given us two harvest sand is terrific in salads.  One snow peas has sprouted.  Is is early April so plenty of time of the rest of they peas to emerge.  some other plants have sprouted in the garden.  A few of the Hyacinth we look forward to each year with the intoxicating scent

As a small business owner I know how difficult it is at this time in NY state and around the US.  As a women owner business it is more difficult to generate the income necessary to keep the business going.  We are counting on the local community to remember to support all local business.  
For every $100 you spend at a local business $68 stay in the community.  
We are in this together. NY Strong.

One of my beach pieces in precious metal to show the beauty in the shell.  I sell wholesale & retail stones, rocks, beads, geodes, jewelry.


My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                 
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
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Habitat:  My Page Women Build

First Snowfall of the Season

With the Indian summer here it has not felt like fall until recently. Officially it arrived 9/23/15.  Fall has arrived in Rochester, NY.  The leaves have blanketed the ground recently.  This is one of the roses in my garden trying to show off after the first snowfall of this season.   Fall is my favorite season.  It may be the end of the growing season but it shows the beauty in so many plants.  Just think about the first bite of an apple in September or the first taste of toasted pumpkin seeds in October. 

Happy to take order for delivery in December until 11/30.   Show schedule on my website. 

 This is fountain grass ( not positive on the variety) shows off at the end of the season.  It was pretty throughout the summer and into early fall.  To really  appreciate the plant, you need to see it this way.  The look of the seeds at the top with this light dusting of the first snowfall of the season.  I tried to capture the inspiration I get from my garden this time of year.  What do you think?  are you feeling inspired to take a walk outside and admire nature where you are?  When you see the gentle twist of my wire or the spirals I use, they came from something beautiful I have seen in nature.

For those that read this blog regularly, you know this is my backyard pond.  We hand dug this over 15 years ago when were were re-landscaping the property.  This is my pond in fall.  Taken for  the perspective of the the side where the waterfall is on the brick path.  You have seen the pond with the waterfall in summer and the beautiful pink water lilies in full bloom. 

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Supplies

Facebook:  PW Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

Fall Arrives in Rochester, NY

Yes I know fall is here.  Last night I baked the first vegetable bread of the season.  It was great as a dessert after breakfast today. Any guess as to what this is?  Shown on my counter top which is why I love baking. 

Seems a bittersweet end to summer this year.  Below are a few of my beach glass rings in sterling silver.  I collected the glass myself on the shores of Lake Ontario right here in Rochester.  the weather went from super hot to wet and the vegetable garden never seems adjust.  I have happy lettuce, cooking greens, Parsnips, Leeks, & Radishes.  We just planted a new crop of Broccoli which I hope to harvest by the end of October. 


Preparing for a women retreat this week, 7th Annual "Inspiring Success:The Women Ties Retreat." The date is approaching fast, event is on Thursday.  I have some new designs and a few of the best sellers to bring with me.  Plan to show off my custom cut gemstones, so I am ready for special orders.  As always, prepaid orders shipped free to the buyer and free gift wrapping.  Panda Wear is excited to be there this year, our first.  have been hearing great things about it for a few years.   The group's lunch events are always educational and fun events so worth the time. 
The rest of my fall schedule is up in the air right now.  I am still adding new items to my website weekly.  Also learning Instagram and twitter as time allows.  I will update my schedule online when i have a list of shows I am doing.  I do plan is to spend some time outside tonight for the Lunar Eclipse.  is is going to be a well photographed event, especially by several of  my photography friends.   They will have some stunning pics to share later this week, I am sure  Not even trying to take any myself.

 $99 until 10:30am EST 9/28/15.  Turquoise pendant flash sale. PM me for the sale price. Details of the piece on my website: Turquoise


My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Supplies
 
Facebook:  PW Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 

Labor Day and Taking Time off

 As a small business owner one thing we forget its to take care of ourselves.  I am using the time off to rejuvenate myself.  It worked wonders on Memorial Day weekend.  It is good to take time off and take personal me time.  I have started putting it on my calendar.  I always tell my entrepreneur  friends to do this, I need to practice what I preach.

How you spend the time is going to be your decision.  It will be different for you and me.  What relaxes me may not be your cup of tea.  Even a nice relaxing soak in a hot tub may be all you need.  think about a special  weekend with you significant other and both unplug and enjoy each others company.  The get away does not need to be a million dollar getaway and cross the ocean for it to be time off(down time).  Just relax and enjoy it. 

Enjoying the three day weekend.  The heat wave, over 90 today,  means we are spending much time in the pool.  Will be harvesting more from my garden this week.  Have made tomatoes into sauce twice this year. here is my harvest from last week.  guess what these are?  At right as the full plant and below as a close of of the edible part of the plant. 

Amazed it is Labor Day weekend all ready.  It seems like it was just the forth of July.  This summer seemed to zoom by for me.  would not know it is the unofficial end of summer by the 90's outside now.  As for me and fall it is way past time to start working on my show schedule for the end of year holidays.  Also to make some fall and winter items.  Hard to think of the fall items when it is so nice to just swim in my backyard.  Will have some new jewelry photos of my new items soon.  

Below is a piece of Owyhee Sunset Jasper.
more here   Rock slabs

Follow Panda Wear on FB, Twitter, IG and here to keep up with my new pieces and my specials. 

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                 Cabochons and Supplies


Facebook:  PW Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

New Shopping and Site Improvements

The Panda Wear website has just been updated.  We recently added a shopping cart to make the customer experience more enjoyable.  Fell free to to take a look around and let me know if you like it.  I was surprised it took about 2.5 months from start to finish to add the shopping cart.  It only went live after extensive testing.  Link at the bottom of this post. 

Here is one new section for gifts for the stone lover in you life.  It features gem trees and polished geodes.

http://bit.ly/1LaAHEI 

I am working on more gifts for the men besides there items.  looked at belt buckles but did not like my choices for setting.  working on tie chains and rings.  I have a few unisex necklaces. 
always happy to make a custom piece for the special person in your life.   

The jewelry designers will like the Cabochons section.  Also great for the bead embroidery people.  Many of my stone are natural on the back which makes it much easier to glue them for bead embroidery.  The stone at the left is turtilla agate.

http://bit.ly/1Gzbyfe 

New items are being added daily to all areas of the site.   There are several hundred to be added.  if there was a fast and easy way to snap my fingers and have in all done in a day I would go that route.  

Working on some new earring designs and a few rings and pendants.  my next show is local in the city of Rochester, NY. The Festival is August 16th.   It is the annual Susan  B. Anthony festival. this year we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the 19th Amendment! It is always fun way to spend the day.  I admire Ms.Anthony and all she accomplished for women.  More details closer to the event. 

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Supplies

 
Facebook:  PW Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest