A Fly On The Wall’s Views and Reviews http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews Blogging for jewelers and metalsmiths made easy! (and for those interested in jewelry and gemstones) Fri, 10 May 2013 01:34:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Culver City, CA: "How Exotic Gems are Revolutionizing the Jewelry Market" With Renee Newman http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/05/10/culver-city-ca-how-exotic-gems-are-revolutionizing-the-jewelry-market-with-renee-newman/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/05/10/culver-city-ca-how-exotic-gems-are-revolutionizing-the-jewelry-market-with-renee-newman/#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 01:34:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=cab4ec9ac61dc330acaf1862603c3f94 http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/05/10/culver-city-ca-how-exotic-gems-are-revolutionizing-the-jewelry-market-with-renee-newman/feed/ 0 Blog-o-sphere Think Tank March 2013 – "Do the seasons affect you?" http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/03/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-march-2013-do-the-seasons-affect-you/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/03/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-march-2013-do-the-seasons-affect-you/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:12:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=64ba4bd0779184897a63f1b5d1520798 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!




]]> http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/03/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-march-2013-do-the-seasons-affect-you/feed/ 0 “Blog-o-Sphere Think Tank” – January’s topic: "What are you hoping to accomplish in 2013?" http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-januarys-topic-what-are-you-hoping-to-accomplish-in-2013/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-januarys-topic-what-are-you-hoping-to-accomplish-in-2013/#comments Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:38:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=fa46a263710687d17a3f36eeacd25a2e
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!

]]> http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/20/blog-o-sphere-think-tank-januarys-topic-what-are-you-hoping-to-accomplish-in-2013/feed/ 0 Bench Tips from Years of Experience http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/09/bench-tips-from-years-of-experience/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/09/bench-tips-from-years-of-experience/#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:43:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=5e40a4b42e061517d7c6235248433342 http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2013/01/09/bench-tips-from-years-of-experience/feed/ 0 December Topic: What is the best Gift you’ve ever gotten? …and why? http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/12/20/december-topic-what-is-the-best-gift-youve-ever-gotten-and-why/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/12/20/december-topic-what-is-the-best-gift-youve-ever-gotten-and-why/#comments Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:28:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=c6e4f7ac50c1b9c94b3485550d22781c
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]]> http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/12/20/december-topic-what-is-the-best-gift-youve-ever-gotten-and-why/feed/ 0 November Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank – What is your Favorite Smell http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/22/november-blog-o-sphere-think-tank-what-is-your-favorite-smell/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/22/november-blog-o-sphere-think-tank-what-is-your-favorite-smell/#comments Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:42:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=f8c246ca514661e8396ba5804f972985
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/
]]> http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/22/november-blog-o-sphere-think-tank-what-is-your-favorite-smell/feed/ 0 AWESOMENESS from PotterUSA!!! http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/21/awesomeness-from-potterusa/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/21/awesomeness-from-potterusa/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:37:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=76e795f108ce374ed8a5885032625abf http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/21/awesomeness-from-potterusa/feed/ 0 Winner of the Big Beady Book Giveaway! http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/18/winner-of-the-big-beady-book-giveaway/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/18/winner-of-the-big-beady-book-giveaway/#comments Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:56:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=b3f396a88bcc99f87440e2e65179c6da http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/18/winner-of-the-big-beady-book-giveaway/feed/ 0 WARNING – Some May Find This To Be Too Gruesome http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/15/warning-some-may-find-this-to-be-too-gruesome/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/15/warning-some-may-find-this-to-be-too-gruesome/#comments Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:31:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=814206e8886fd02a4dd36ffa726964f0
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 








]]> http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/11/15/warning-some-may-find-this-to-be-too-gruesome/feed/ 0 NatGeo’s “AMERICA’S LOST TREASURES” Unearths Fossilized Dolphin Skull http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/10/21/natgeos-americas-lost-treasures-unearths-fossilized-dolphin-skull/ http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/2012/10/21/natgeos-americas-lost-treasures-unearths-fossilized-dolphin-skull/#comments Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:17:00 +0000 Robyn Hawk http://ganoksin.com/blog/flyviewsandreviews/?guid=67480a1b9a6e86761fedda20e79b58ee NEW DOLPHIN SPECIES 15.5 MILLION YEARS OLD DISCOVERED DURING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL SERIES “AMERICA’S LOST TREASURES”


Extraordinary Scientific Discovery Confirmed at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.  A fossilized dolphin skull approximately 15.5 million years old, found in an ocean-laid deposit near Bakersfield, Calif., by an amateur paleontologist, has been identified as likely belonging to a new dolphin species. 

The discovery was made during an episode of National Geographic Channel’s series "America’s Lost Treasures" and confirmed by Dr. Lawrence G. Barnes, a renowned curator emeritus of vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

“I have never before seen a dolphin skull like this.” 
– Paleontologist Lawrence Barnes


Unlike most dolphins we are familiar with today, this new species had relatively small eyes that were angled somewhat forward and small nostrils. 

The species was discovered in the Sharktooth Hill Bonebed near Bakersfield, Calif.,—one of the most prolific deposits of its age and kind in the North Pacific realm, making it the standard of comparison for other similar age fossil deposits from a time in Earth History called the Miocene. The area also includes the scientifically and culturally important Sharktooth Hill National Natural Landmark.

“This animal is globally significant to science,” says Barnes. He stressed that discovery of the new dolphin can help us to understand the relationships among other extinct and living dolphins in its group, to determine how many species of animals were living in the North Pacific when the Sharktooth Hill Bonebed formed, and has implications for modern species diversity and conservation.
In the series, hosts Curt Doussett and Kinga Philipps travel to 10 U.S. cities and invite locals to bring in their relics to find out what they’re really worth. 

Working with top museum curators, appraisers and other experts, Curt and Kinga each trace the history of three chosen items. When the investigation is complete, owners and their families learn the true story—and value—of their treasured objects. 

At the end of each one-hour episode, it’s down to two finalists, and a winner is awarded $10,000 as special recognition for the importance of the item in American history. 

Winning objects will be featured in a special exhibition at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

The species was found by amateur paleontologist Lisa Tohill prior to a taping of an episode for America’s Lost Treasures at the Autry National Center and the Natural History Museum, both in Los Angeles. The episode aired on August 22 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. 

Tohill’s dolphin skull fossil is currently housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and it will be featured in the special exhibition at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

America’s Lost Treasures is produced by Original Productions, a FremantleMedia company, for the National Geographic Channel. 


National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in 84 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in 440 million homes in 171 countries and 38 languages. 
For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com. 



Original Productions 
...a FremantleMedia Company
Founded by Thom Beers, Original Productions produces authentic nonfiction programming featuring everyday heroes in extraordinary situations, including the Emmy® Award-winning “Deadliest Catch,” “Bering Sea Gold,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “Ax Men,” “Wild Justice,” “Storage Wars,” “Storage Wars: Texas” and “Black Gold.” Beers’ steadfast focus on top-notch storytelling with engaging personalities in high-risk circumstances has produced more than 1,400 hours of original programming. 
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