Comfort Zones ~ May’s Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank

by Robyn Hawk on May 20, 2013


May's topic: " How often do you step outside of your comfort zone? 
 If yes, how, when? If not, are you considering it?"


This couldn't be more timely - I seem to be stepping outside my comfort zone more and more these days - one of the hazards of working for yourself - no one to delegate to!!!!



Pubic Speaking - this is a SOLID 5 on the YIKES! meter for me and it seems I am asked several times a year - so let me publicly post what I Do and what I Don't Do!

  • I DO a great - really productive hands-on workshop from which you will emerge with an online presence - ANY platform you are interested in conquering!
  • I DON'T give lectures - I find that most people are really charged up following a "talk" but when they go to implement your info something stops them.
  • I WILL DO a Panel Discussion (as long as I am not the Moderator) - in fact this is a format that I really enjoy and, like the workshop, encourages interaction.

Timely indeed as the other thing that is scary for me but I have been able to Master it is the transition from Gem, Artisan and Craft Shows to Fine Jewelry Shows...while this was rough the first year - I actually embrace it now (seasoned - this is my third Jewelry Week Las Vegas).  
 
Things I have finally realized (YES - clarity DOES come with age) - there are some people in your life that just will not like you - but there are ten times as many that not like you but care about your success.  Remember that often their success is tied to your success!

...and with that I welcome you to read my Daily Jewel blog for the next few weeks!  Right now I am previewing jewelry that will be seen at the shows that make up Jewelry Week in Las Vegas...hashtag #JWLV (each individual show has their own hashtag).  All of the hashtags can be followed at the Twitter Hub here:  http://twubs.com/JWLV

So whether your tastes run to Antique Jewelry...

Excalibur: Kurt Rothner - Booth 1701
c1950's, double clips crafted in platinum,  featuring rubies and diamonds. 

Stunning Wedding Jewelry....



Innovative Watches...



OR the latest from "Red Carpet" Jewelry Designers....












Jewelry Week is a "Trade ONLY" event - but check in with your Local Jeweler to see the latest items on their shelves!

*So what is this new “blog-o-Sphere” thing?

Formed by our "fearless leader" Andes Cruz from a group of friends who blog, from all different areas of life, to do a ‘once a month’ ‘blog circle’, or ‘blog carnival’ type thing, if you will. Anyway, we get together once a month, and all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at approximately the same time , on the 20th of each month, with a new and different topic. Refreshing, and interesting - be sure to read several people’s take on an idea or topic it gets your mind going. Everyone has different thoughts; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, it’s fun!!! I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!


Andes Cruz: http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com

pencilfox. www.pencilfox.com

Kathleen Krucoff: http://kathleenkrucoff.wordpress.com

Christine: http://christineesovoloff.tumblr.com/

Robyn Hawk: http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com > YOU ARE HERE!  ;)

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Culver City, CA: "How Exotic Gems are Revolutionizing the Jewelry Market" With Renee Newman

by Robyn Hawk on May 10, 2013

"How Exotic Gems are Revolutionizing 
the Jewelry Market"


Talk and Book Signing by Internationally renown Author and Speaker:   Renee Newman



DATE and TIME:  Monday, May 13, 2013, @ 7:30PM 7:30PM
LOCATION: Culver City Veterans Memorial Auditorium
4117 Overland Ave. (@ Culver Blvd.)
Culver City, CA 90230        (west L.A. area)


(Meetings are held in the Multipurpose room.
Enter from the rear of the building, off of the parking lot. - S.W. corner of bldg.)
(Overland, 1.5 miles south of the 10 Fwy.)
(Culver Blvd. 3/4 mile east of the 405 Fwy.)
ADMISSION: FREE, be our guest.
PARKING:  Ample FREE Parking - in parking lots and on the street.


COME FOR: Program, Door Prizes, Raffle, Snacks, Knowledge
and Comradery.

FOR MORE INFO: www.culvercityrocks.org

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Blog-o-sphere Think Tank March 2013 – "Do the seasons affect you?"

March 20, 2013

March Topic: “Do the seasons affect/inspire you? In what way?”

I would love to say that I work the same no matter what season it is…but it seems that as I get older I react to seasonal forces more – or maybe it is just that as I get older I am more aware of the causes of maladies that I always accepted as part of who I am.



Spring - Happy First Day of Spring by the way! Spring has always been my second favorite of the seasons…you will discover my favorite as you read on.  For me Spring means Tucson Gem Show – cool weather and the occasional rain front which for me means barometric headaches!
Summer - Probably my least favorite season – I don’t do well in the heat.  So instead of being completely unproductive – I switch to lapidary projects – nothing like having your hands in water to cool a sweltering day!  …and the shows I cover are inside!  I look forward to the many local Gem & Mineral Club Shows as well as my favorite Jewelry Week in Las Vegas - 12 Jewelry Shows all in one place – I get my bling fix here!


Fall - My favorite season because the weather is ideal – cool but sunny no dreary rain – no overpowering sun!   …and for us Fall means our annual Digging Trip – whether that is local in So Cal or the high Desert of Oregon…we spend two weeks in the field.



Winter - the great thing about being in SoCal is that winter is a wonderful time of year. Sun is brilliant and the occasional rainstorm is welcomed!  But seriously – where else can you go rock hounding on New Years Day!  …the photo above is of a New Years Day dig at the Himalaya Tourmaline Mine!  If you’re interested the photo below is our take home that day…

What is this “Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” thing?  Andes and several friends formed a group of bloggers…named “Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank”…we come together from different areas of life, ‘once a month’, to do a blog circle on a new but specific topic.  So, check back in once a month, or join us as we all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at approximately the same time , on the 20th of each month.  

We get a new and different topic each month which keeps it refreshing, and it is always  interesting, to read everyone’s unique take on a new idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has  different thoughts; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!





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“Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” – January’s topic: "What are you hoping to accomplish in 2013?"

January 20, 2013


January’s topic: “What are you hoping to accomplish in 2013?”
(resolutions, accomplish what, do what, go to see, or visit, etc)



I try to “live in the moment” and take each day as it comes – however, there are two things I am trying to remember to do daily…

1. Set my alarm daily!
I am trying to remember to set an alarm for every two hours. I work all day, sitting at a desk, when the alarm goes off it reminds me to get up and move around.


2. Get back on track!
I let myself got off track during the Holidays….I need to get my Content Calendar out and follow it step-by-step until it becomes habit again!



From Our Fearless Leader – Andes Cruz:


What is this “Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” thing?  Andes and several friends formed a group of bloggers…named “Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank”…we come together from different areas of life, ‘once a month’, to do a blog circle on a new but specific topic.  So, check back in once a month, or join us as we all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at approximately the same time , on the 20th of each month.  

We get a new and different topic each month which keeps it refreshing, and it is always  interesting, to read everyone’s unique take on a new idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has  different thoughts; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!

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Bench Tips from Years of Experience

January 9, 2013

Bench Tips for Jewelry Making: 101 Useful Tips by Brad SmithBench Tips for Jewelry Making …..comes from years of experience.  Author Brad Smith has close to two decades as a Studio Jeweler, MetalSmithing Instructor and Rock Hounding Ex…

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December Topic: What is the best Gift you’ve ever gotten? …and why?

December 20, 2012


December Topic:  What is the best Gift you’ve ever gotten?   …and why?
So this can be from a couple points of view – there is the esoteric…I mean who isn’t thankful for the Sunrise every morning and the Sunset every night?  …the smell of a pine forest?  or the sound of crashing waves?


However since we are knee deep in the Christmas Holiday and this is after all the end of the world…those Mayans have us all sweatin tonight. ;)  Let’s look at more personal, real things.

If we are talking physical gifts…the best ones are the ones that show the person has taken the time to really “know” you and what is important to you, with any luck they come from the people who are closest to us.

BUT – BEST?  Well this one will take a little background… suffice it to say that Bobby and I had both lost our jobs and were pretty much at the end of our ropes when my Mom & Stepdad offered us the two bedrooms at the back of their home in the OC.  This was a lifesaver but not the BEST gift…we both got jobs to save up for getting our own place and negotiated a rental agreement with my folks.

Fast forward a couple years…Bobby was offered an amazing job – but – to take it we needed a trailer or RV, well you might as well have pulled the rug out from under us.  Oh – the GIFT part?  Fred, my Stepdad had been socking away all the money we had been paying as rent!  This upped our spendable income dramatically and well, here we are 10 years later still with the same company!!!























What did we buy?  a 40 ft, RV fully equipped (was a luxury model in its day) with washer & dryer…I can’t find any exterior photos I think they were on my old computer that died (why do they make those thumb drives so small I can never find them).

…and that arrangement gave me the opportunity to grow my business without the fear of failure because I could take the time to bring in the right clients at the right time.



From Our Fearless Leader – Andes Cruz:

What is this “Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” thing?  Andes and several friends formed a group of bloggers…named “Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank”…we come together from different areas of life, ‘once a month’, to do a blog circle on a new but specific topic.  So, check back in once a month, or join us as we all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at approximately the same time , on the 20th of each month.  

We get a new and different topic each month which keeps it refreshing, and it is always  interesting, to read everyone’s unique take on a new idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has  different thoughts; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!

Andes Cruz: http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com

pencilfox: www.pencilfox.com

Kathleen Krucoff http://mysticalmythicalmetalwork.wordpress.com

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November Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank – What is your Favorite Smell

November 22, 2012


November Topic:  What is your Favorite Smell?


While there are several smells that I really enjoy – the day after a rain storm -the smell of green and dirt in a forest – the ocean…

If I were to pick favorites it would have to be COFFEE!  

beans – brewed -ground - I love it in every form!










…and Coconut!  …specifically Toasted Coconut!













OK – see you next month – off to grab a cup of coffee and Coconut Macaroons ;)


Want a great recipe for Macaroons?
http://greedyguts.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/coconut-macaroons/

From Our Fearless Leader – Andes Cruz:

What is this new “Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” thing?  Andes and several friends formed a group of bloggers…named “Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank”…we come together from different areas of life, ‘once a month’, to do a blog circle on a new but specific topic.  So, check back in once a month, or join us as we all write about the same topic, and hopefully we all post at approximately the same time , on the 20th of each month.  

We get a new and different topic each month which keeps it refreshing, and it is always  interesting, to read everyone’s unique take on a new idea or topic. It’s fun, light, and gets your mind going. Everyone has  different thoughts; so you might learn something, or open your eyes to new ideas . In any case, I hope you’ll visit all the blogs and have a read!

Andes Cruz: http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com

pencilfox: www.pencilfox.com

Shannon Fell Off The Wagon Koochin http://thebassplayersdaughter.blogspot.ca/

Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com

Barbara Donovan: http://barbaradonovan.blogspot.com/

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AWESOMENESS from PotterUSA!!!

November 21, 2012

Potter USA 20 ton jewelry press that fits in a Flat rate box. Ships in the US for $15 in one box. Ships worldwide in two large flat rate boxes – shipping about $80 total to Canada and Mexico; $122 total anywhere else in the world.This video shows how t…

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Winner of the Big Beady Book Giveaway!

November 18, 2012

Winner of the Big Beady Book Giveaway…Lea Avroch of LA Jewelry Design!”I was recently asked to review several Lark Books. Which to read and review first since they’re all idols of mine?? So, I randomly selected Rachel Nelson-Smiths’ Bead Riffs. What …

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WARNING – Some May Find This To Be Too Gruesome

November 15, 2012

SPIRITS AND HEADHUNTERS: ART OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Ongoing
http://www.bowers.org/
Experience exquisite masterpieces and dynamic objects from the vast and diverse Pacific Islands in this special exhibition guest curated by Chris Rainier.
Photographer Chris Rainier guest curates this exhibition of art from the South Pacific. Spanning the geographic region collectively referred to as Oceania, this comprehensive exhibition highlights masterworks from the three cultural regions of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. Particular focus is placed on New Guinea, land of the headhunter, and the rich artistic traditions infused into daily and ritual life. Submerge into a visually stunning world and come face to face with larger-than-life masks, finely crafted feast bowls, objects associated with the secretive Sepik River men’s house, beautiful shell and feather currency, magic figures and tools of the shaman, objects related to seagoing trade routes, gorgeous personal adornments, weapons of warfare and the most precious of human trophies taken in retribution.
 Watch this video taken by Bowers President Peter Keller on the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea that features the Fire Dance Mask Festival. Several of the large spirit masks seen in this performance were collected on behalf of the museum and can be viewed in the Spirits and Headhunters exhibition.
So – YES – there was lots of gruesome stuff in this exhibit – if you have kids, they will LOVE it!   …I, of course, am concentrating on the Jewelry aspect because even Headhunters adorned themselves.
…the gorgeous marbled entrance







One really great aspect at the Bowers Museum is that they don’t crowd the exhibits.  There is a large open space between the two galleries and auditorium off the Garden Entrance that the Bowers uses for large pieces that can be touched.
This is an exhibit of tribal art and “spirit” boats…there is also an extremely long boat in the center of the room.






















WARNING – Click to enlarge – Gruesome


Talk about a “bag of bones”

















The details on these is amazing click on images to enlarge














2nd side of above display











This is MONEY!

















Money – can you imagine having to cart that around!
Bark Belts 







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